This is the chapter I have three different versions of. Literally. If you look in the lovely, thick, massive… oh right, story… folder in which I keep all of my stories, I have three different versions of this encounter written. I'm sure I'll incorporate some of later on… well, I know I will. Actually, just looked back through said suddenly phallic folder, there are four different versions. I loved each of them, but one brought on too much 'storyline' too quickly, one was just 'bleh! Get it on paper!,' and the other, well, there was no realistic way for Thea and Damon to make it, so, with a pouty face, had to be cut. If you guys want, however, I can post said 'deleted scenes' later on?

Hounds of Hell

Silver Lining

I expected Damon to baulk at the ever cryptic message; to demand some explanation. But he remained silent. Finally, he nodded and turned toward the hall.

"Bonnie," He paused in the doorway and looked back at her. "Thank you."

Knowing he would catch up soon, I took to the air. Odd though it was, I felt strangely happy; serene. Something good was coming.

"Maybe later." Damon joked, a particularly colorful image entering his head. I giggled and, tucking my wings in, dropped perfectly into his arms.

"And if I find myself impatient?" I murmured into his ear. He chuckled darkly and kissed me.

"Do you know what Bonnie was talking about?" I asked, freeing myself from his arms and taking back to the air.

"No clue." He replied. I scoffed at his carefree tone.

"You were very… accepting of her message." I pressed, though I knew he was as in the dark as I was.

"It doesn't matter." He said. "It doesn't matter what they throw at us." I looked at him, almost at a loss for words.

"What did Alaric give you?" I asked jokingly, "and did you save any for me?" He smiled in silence for a while before replying.

"He just… clarified a few things for me." I waited for him to elaborate, and, when he said nothing, groaned loudly.

"You're getting to be just as cryptic as Bonnie!" I retorted. He laughed softly, and, as he looked at me, felt such a profound surge of affection, it took me breath away. A small smile toyed with my lips and I sighed softly.

Tyler was waiting anxiously for us at the manor. The flare of dislike in Damon was so small, I briefly wondered if all had finally been forgiven, but, unable to resist, Damon purposefully landed uncomfortably close to the werewolf, intentionally buffeting him with a powerful gust of wind.

"Hello to you too." Tyler scowled, but his gaze brightened briefly and turned to one of concern when he looked to me. Damon swallowed hard to keep from intervening, but managed to stay still and silent.

What else shows this kind of loyalty? I asked silently.

Ahh… He bit his lips to silence a chuckle, but, before he could stop himself, murmured a "Good boy." Tyler's jaw instantly tensed, but walked purposefully around the self-satisfied vampire. I mentally scolded him before addressing Tyler.

"Hey; thanks for this," I said sincerely, "I hate to put you on the spot, but… we don't really have any other options." He nodded stiffly, eyes darting from me to the ground and back.

"So, we doing this now?" he asked quietly.

"No use waiting." I shrugged, "We may not even see him today." With a glance to the woods, I added, "I'll fly out a ways and wait in the tree growth. Is there any way you can follow without him detecting you?" He thought a moment but shook his head.

"I don't know." I could feel his mind working for some solution to stay hidden. Damon's gaze hardened.

"There's one way." He said grimly. The mental image nearly brought me to my knees with laughter.

"It would… keep him undetected." I agreed, fighting back the residual giggle. Trepidation filled Tyler's eyes. I motioned toward Damon and struggled with how best to present the… solution.

"Damon" I started, "Damon can… fly." Tyler processed this a moment before starting slightly at the intent. With something akin to horror, the werewolf glared at Damon.

"Tell me you're joking."

"I'm totally open to other ideas." Damon retorted. Silence. Biting my lips to keep quiet, I flared my wings and pushed off the worn path, a very unhappy duo following close behind. I couldn't help but glance back, knowingly sacrificing several feet of altitude. Tyler lay tensely in Damon's arms, both straining to keep as much distance between each other as possible. Damon grumbled mentally.

"Love you." I murmured. He scoffed lightheartedly.

I drifted just over the treetops, while he soared high above me, circling maybe a mile back. We'd travelled maybe ten miles from the manor before I touched down on a thick branch maybe twenty feet from the forest floor. Quiet. Everything was quiet. The foliage was too thick for all but the thinnest threads of light to penetrate. Damon and Tyler were completely protected from sight, but I could feel them: ready to fight at a moment's notice. For me. Guilt.

Don't go there, Thea. Damon quickly stated, We're here because we want to be. Don't worry about us; just do what you do best: attract the attention of a deadly, unbeatable enemy. He mocked. I pouted and started to object, but fell silent, unable to justify a rebuttal. Damon chuckled.

Returning my attention to the surrounding forest, I strained to hear any signs of an intruder, knowing it was futile. If he was nearby, I wouldn't know until he wanted me to know. Eying a branch from another tree, I fluttered over the forest, using what was once a childhood game to purposefully make noise. For several minutes, I darted from tree to tree, allowing myself to enjoy the demand on my body for exact control to maneuver in the tight space; waiting. After maybe half an hour, I sat against the trunk and looked up.

"Nothing. How long should we wait?" I asked lazily.

"Not too much longer." Panic. My body flung itself into the air; away from the terrifyingly familiar voice. Don't think, just run! But something slammed into my back with breathtaking force and I plummeted. For just a second, my vision was black.

Thea! Run! The command echoed sluggishly in my mind. I could feel them getting closer; I could feel him, Damon, racing desperately toward me.

Leaved crackled behind me. Purposefully slow steps. My fingers clawed at the dirt, nearly unresponsive. As consciousness slowly returned, my heart began to race. My body squirmed pathetically, unable to orient enough to know which way to run.

Laughter. I heart laughter. And my blood ran cold. I shook my head, desperately trying to clear the haze.

"Silly bird," the footsteps stopped next to me. I tried to look at him; that terrifying need to see what was coming, but something crashed into my side, launching my body several feet away. A soundless cry distorted my face as my lungs burned and my ribs and back screamed in agony. My wings drug against the twigs and leaves, but I couldn't right myself. Close. They were close.

The vampire's hand gripped my shirt and jerked my body up, rekindling the fire in my torso. My fingers closed around a bit of dirt in a futile attempt to anchor myself to the earth.

"You've been plotting." He accused with a grin.

"What do you want?" I just managed to grunt, and hand gripping his wrist, the other locked over my side. He threw his head back and laughed. A sliver of light gleamed against something on his neck. Scowling, my body merely acted. The hand on my side darted up, throwing the fistful of dirt in his face. With something akin to a roar, he flung me from him. Just before it was out of reach, I snatched the shimmering thread around his neck. In the same heartbeat, a golden-eyed Tyler plowed into the enraged vampire.

Seconds before I hit the ground, something warm caught me. Soft. Gasping, I struggled to keep my eyes open. Shouting. Fighting. They were in danger.

"Get her out of here!" No… can't leave him behind. Please. But, somehow, I knew we'd already gone.

"Thea! Thea, look at me!" With a gasp, my eyes flew open and I vainly attempted to gain my footing, but, the sudden again in my side and back crippled me. Relief flooded Damon, but it was short-lived as I battled to quiet the cried of pain tearing through my body.

"Damn it, hold on!" Words. But I couldn't understand. Wing. Flying. "Thea!" We were flying.

Distant. Foggy. I heard voices. Whispered shouts. Frantic. Running. Guilt. Should've been closer… faster. Cold. Damon, why's it so cold? Something tightened around my hand and I smiled, knowing he'd find the treasure.

A monotonous, steady beeping sounded beside me, yet the air held a serene quiet. Even through the numbing haze, I recognized the sickly-sweet scent: a hospital. Someone stood to my right. Without needing to look, I know it was Damon and couldn't help but smile.

"Hey." I whispered, voice scratchy, as I met those ice blue eyes. He merely grinned and took my hand. "Did it work?" His smile grew.

"Yeah," he nodded, "it worked." There was something else; something he was purposefully withholding; teasing. I raised an inquisitive eyebrow. In response, he hand his hand and wiggled the brilliant ring.

"Remember when I told you how this protects me from the sunlight?" Excitement.

"No," I breathed in disbelief.

"Yes," he replied in the same tone. "Stefen and I have rings. He has… had… a pendent." I laughed. From shear exhilaration and relief, I laughed, regardless the lingering pain in my side. He chuckled and gently brushed a strand of hair from my forehead as I beamed at him. Without saying another word, he kissed me.