*****

Bonnie searched for Damon in her mind again. She had to have the truth about this. She had to know whether Damon was killing people because she had decided she did like him, even if he killed. She did like him but she couldn't continue to let him kill because she couldn't let him interfere with her job. And she couldn't do her job properly if she was trying to find a murderer when she knew who the real murderer was.

She paced while she waited for the tap at the window, or a rap at the door. This was tearing her up inside and she didn't know what to do. It was his nature to kill; he had been living like this for over five hundred years. Who was she to ask him to change that now? And why? Because it would inconvenience her if he killed. No. She told herself firmly. Think of the families he is ruining. Think of that little girl whose mother got killed. You don't really think he killed Karen do you? She asked herself surprised. She had thought she had come to the decision that he couldn't have because slashing the throat and letting some blood escape wasn't his style – and she had seen the crime scene photos. An alley. Damon had always been too stylish to kill in an alley.

Justifying why I couldn't have killed that girl? A thought entered her head. She spun looking towards the window only to find no one there. No bird and no person. Said the raven never more. He continued in a bemused tone. Bonnie found it slightly disturbing that he was now quoting poetry to her but she was still more disturbed that she couldn't sense him. She could hear him and he must be close to be able to pick up on her thoughts... Must I really? Isn't it possible that I am powerful enough to be across town? No. She refused to think he was that powerful. You're right. I'm not.

She continued to pace. He will show himself when he wants to be seen. She thought. She expected some witty remark from him but there was only silence. It seemed her every sense was awaiting his arrival. Everything she saw, she saw ten times as clear as it was normally. The green leaves on her plants were a brighter, richer green. The red of her curtains was a darker, more sinister red, and the usually dim apartment light was almost blinding. Her hearing too was enhanced. She could hear the commotion of traffic on the streets below, the buzz of cars and the loud shattering honks of horns as drivers were cut off, she heard a bird burst into song in the distance and she heard every word of her neighbours' argument. When Damon tapped lightly at the window, Bonnie jumped at the sound before moving as if in a daze to open it for him.

He entered and moved to laze on the couch as he had the day before. She stood awkwardly; wandering how to broach the subject she had to – preferably without endangering herself. She had meant it the night before when she had said she trusted him, but the two now very faint marks were potent reminders that she was weaker than him and he could hurt her if he wished to.

"Figured that one out have you?" He asked amused. Bonnie ignored the invasion of her mind. He was toying with her – but that didn't mean she had to follow his script. She saw him frown slightly before smoothing his features... god those handsome features... Bad Bonnie! She scolded herself as she saw him smirk at her half formed idea. She took a deep breath before turning the full fire of her eyes on him. If he had wanted to kill her, she would probably be dead by now – so she might as well just ask him already.

"Did you kill Karen?" She asked, watching his face carefully. Damn his schooled features!

"I don't know who you are talking about." He said smoothly. Bonnie sighed to herself. She should have known better.

"Do you still kill?" She asked, half hoping he wouldn't answer. She was almost ashamed to find she was still attracted to him. She didn't know what she would do if he said yes. How could she as a lead detective be attracted to a killer? How could she know he was the killer and not say anything? How could she live without him? Damon smiled slowly.

"It's my nature, Bonnie. I'm not going to stop just because it may inconvenience you." He said enjoying her horrified reaction.

*****

Damon sat watching her tense form. When she finally met his eyes, he was shocked to find her eyes open wide. She was so full of that fire he had felt and followed. She was so filled with it that even her green eyes seemed to be transformed by it. They were electric at the moment, snapping and demanding that he tell the truth to her.

"Do you still kill?" She asked, her voice controlled but demanding. Damon had to admit – if only to himself; that had he been weaker he would never have felt the confusion behind those eyes. What he was shocked to find is how he reacted to her. He felt like protecting her. Hiding the truth from her – and at the same time, he felt he couldn't lie to her. Not that he literally couldn't, but that he didn't want to. Damon cringed as the words left him. He knew how much it would hurt her and he hated being the source of that hurt.

"It's my nature, Bonnie. I'm not going to stop just because it may inconvenience you." Damon looked away, ashamed. Wait, since when have I been ashamed of killing? he asked himself. No, not ashamed of killing. Ashamed that it was Bonnie that I was hurting. Her startled and strangled gasp as she backed away from me.

"Bonnie," He started, whispered really.

"No. Just, not now. I can't deal with this right now. I don't know what to feel, how to act Damon, so not now." She said her voice barely controlled. Damon nodded.

"You know how to find me when you are." He said as he stood slowly and left. Truth be told he had a lot to think about too. He hated to admit it, but he did care for the girl he had left behind him. He cared for her and didn't want to hurt her further. It went against everything he had ever done or thought, but he had to figure this out. Just because he cared for her, did that mean he loved her? No, but could he love her? Just because he didn't want to hurt her did that mean he would stop killing? No, but would he consider stopping for some of that fire in her veins? He scoffed at that thought. She may think she had fallen for him, but she was still scared of him. She wouldn't let him feed from her – would she? She hadn't mentioned his late night visit and the only thought she had had was reminding her of where the power sat. Did that mean she didn't care? He doubted that, but yes – he had some thinking to do.