It. Is. Alive! I think I've rewritten the next couple chapters about five times, but have finally said f*ck it, and am publishing the lesser of the evils. The good news, you'll have at least two more chapters this week, the bad news: I'm not a huge fan of them, the better news: at least I'm getting through the 'meh' stuff, and have the promised two coming chapters already written, just not typed... Just out of curiosity, do you guys listen to music while you read this? I listen to a lot of Muse while transferring this chapter from script to typy-type.

Hounds of Hell

Can You Hear the Approaching Thunder

"We'll fly." I said simply.

"He may be old, but he won't be able to reach us in the air." I added.

"With any luck, he'll assume you'll be too afraid to leave." Stefen mentioned.

"Then let's go." I started toward the manor door, barely hiding the flinch as a residual pang shot through my side. Damon started to say something, but I quickly silenced him. There wasn't a choice in the matter. He could get me anywhere. This was merely a demonstration. I had to find some way to defend myself; to fight back.

The doors were still swinging open by the time I swept my wings down. With a few hard strokes, I was well above the manor, Damon following close behind.

They'll meet us there. He told me. I didn't reply for several seconds, merely letting the torrent of fear overwhelm me. There had to be something; some weakness in his offense.

You're going to be okay, Thea. Damon suddenly murmured. I was caught off-guard by the absolution in his voice. How desperately I wanted to believe him… but how? Swallowing hard, I let my mind go blank, merely giving my body to the feel the currents flowing around my wings.

Winter's coming. I murmured. Mom always hated winter… said her wings may look like a snow owls', but did nothing to fight the cold. I paused before asking in the same absent tone, Do vampires get cold? He shrugged.

We feel it, but it doesn't hurt us.

No use waiting him out then. The thought popped into my head before I could stop it. Hopeless. I felt hopeless and helpless, and I hated it. I was so tired of running; so desperate for a moment of peace.

"We'll figure this out." He said allowed. I sighed, forcing the negativity from my mind. With a small smile, I met his determined gaze.

"I know." Straining my muscles, I pushed myself harder, faster. Damon smirked, and the race began. Even amidst the horrors surrounding us, we laughed. High above the treetops, where the whole world seemed to vanish, we flew. And we laughed.

Minutes later, we touched down atop the hospital, our feet meeting the sun baked tar-layered the roof in the same heartbeat. Still, I claimed victory.

"Boast as much as you want, but we both know who the real winner is." He retorted

"Glad we agree, then." I giggled, trotting toward the emergency exit. He shook his head and followed. With the exhilaration of flight carrying me down the stairs, I couldn't help but share Damon's certainty: that we would survive this; that, somehow, we would make it through. We beat the Shadow Men, we would beat this, too. Damon's hand grasped mine as we came to Bonnie's door. Alaric and Stefen were already there, explaining the situation to the young witch. Guilt instantly filled her eyes as she saw me.

"Thea," she called, almost surprised, "you're okay?" I nodded with a friendly smile.

"Hopefully you can help us keep it that way." Damon added. Her lips tightened into a thin line. She shook her head and my heart dropped.

"I'm sorry, I really am… but I can't; not without something of his." Damon didn't waste time with disappointment, his mind immediately seeking some solution. Had he been expecting this? How could he recover so quickly? I could barely keep up with the thoughts jumping through his mind, but he kept coming back to the same solution: me.

"No." He said sternly, turning his full attention to me.

"It's the only way."

"No!"

"Damon-"

"We're not using you as bait!"

"Da-" Stefen started, but Damon immediately cut him off as well..

"No!" And he froze. My heart sped up and I looked toward Bonnie.

"You're going to stop talking now." She said, leaving no room for dispute. I could feel the anguish flooding him, but, when Bonnie released him, he stood silent.

"You're all forgetting out trump card," she said happily, "Tyler." Damon's mood darkened further. I couldn't help but share Bonnie's optimism. "Tyler ran him off once before. If she stays near him, she'll be safe, and the vampire will likely be cocky enough to try something.

"I don't like it," Stefen started, earning a brief surge of relief through Damon, "but it's our best shot." The younger Salvatore paused before leaving to call Tyler. Damon stalked out moments later. I started after him, but Alaric stopped me.

"Let me talk to him." He requested, already walking out of the room. I stood dumbly in the center of the room, at a loss for how to react. With a sigh, I sat down in a chair beside Bonnie.

"Crazy life." I murmured. She scoffed in agreement.

"I suppose, now, it's be boring any other way." She added.

"That sounds nice." I laughed, "I'd like to try boring." She chuckled briefly, before pausing; hesitating.

"About last time," she started. I quickly cut her off, shaking my head.

"No harm, no foul." I assured her. She cocked an eyebrow at me and I added lightheartedly, "well, no permanent harm.""

"So, how long are you going to be stuck here? I asked, fiddling with a feather.

"Hopefully just through the night. The found some… 'abnormalities' in my blood." She shrugged before adding, "Go figure." She was quiet a moment eyes studying the flimsy hospital sheet. "Thea," the witch finally called, "may I see your hand?" My gaze immediately hardened and, abandoning the relaxed manner, I hastily got to my feet. Meeting her guilt-stricken eyes, however, I could help but regret my hasty reaction.

"It won't be like before," she assured me, "I just… need to check something… for Tyler." She added quickly. Lied. I knew it was a lie, but I also knew she could force me if she wanted. Heart pounding in my chest, I nodded and held my hand out to her. Her touch was soft, gentle; the presence that filled me, even more so. It was a caress, careful, rather than the grading probes like last time. Standing perfectly still, I merely watched her: soft lips moving in a silent chant, eyes closed tightly in concentration. And then, with a small gasp, she froze. And smiled.

"Thank you." She murmured. I waited purposefully, but she said nothing more. Just before I questioned her, Stefen returned.

"Tyler's with us." He confirmed. I nodded, heart stuttering briefly. I was going to see him again; the vampire that so loved the chase. I was walking right into his arms.

Damon? I called silently. I felt his attention tune toward me, but he gave no further reply. Alaric had somehow succeeded in calming him down, if only a little, and they were headed back.

"How soon can he be ready?" I asked Stefen.

"He wanted to do it now… before you get hurt again." Damon's heart dropped.

"Then let's go." Only if you were listening for it, could you hear the slight tremble in my voice. Damon quickened his pace.

I'm sorry, Damon, but he's left us no choice. I murmured as I turned to the door.

I know. He replied, crossing the doorway. Responding to an unspoken desire, I walked into his open arms and sighed heavily into his chest.

"We're going to be okay." He whispered, a new determination gripping him. Shocked, I couldn't help by smile, my own assurance growing. Vaguely, I noticed the hunter standing in the hall, and approving grin on his lips.

With newfound confidence, I started out of the room, Damon's hand clasped tightly around my own.

"Damon," Bonnie suddenly called, freezing us in our tracks. She hesitated briefly before turning to me. "I'm sorry; I just need him for a second." She nearly begged. Damon was about to deny her, but, after a quick mental nudge, begrudgingly agreed.

"I'll wait for you on the roof." I whispered with a quick kiss.

"Tyler's on his way to the manor." Stefen informed me. I thanked him and headed for the stairs. Even without his confirmation, I knew. Similar to how I felt Damon, I felt Tyler. I merely hoped his presence would be enough.

Damon said nothing; merely waited for the girl to start, his eyes nearly boring in to her. Finally she met his hard gaze with something of a smile.

"She's going to need you," the witch stated. "I can't tell you when or why – it's not my place – but, soon, she's going to need you more than ever."