Hey guys! Okay, so this chapter is so long and I took a while to edit a few things. I really hope you enjoy it. This chapter represents a real turning point in the story, so expect some big things ahead. Anyway, I also wanted to extend a massive thank you to all of the wonderful readers who have expressed their thoughts in the comments section. I love and appreciate your feedback more than you know.

Also, to those of you who have read the chapters, but haven't posted your comments, I appreciate that too. To be honest, I was prepared to be totally stoked so long as anyone even took a quick look at chapter 1, LOL. This is really awesome, you guys, so thank you!

Also, this week's Coldplay song is "For You." Now for a special feature to this story. When I originally wrote it, I embedded a video link to a song for a scene. I don't have the link in this story, but I've posted the song name, so when you get to that point in the story, look up the song title and band on YouTube, start playing it and then read the section that follows. It's supposed to create a certain vibe, if you know what I mean ;). Anyway, enjoy and as always, feel free to comment!

Chapter 6: For You

"Hey you two," beamed Aunt Jenna, as she poked her head into Elena's room. "A little birdie stopped by with a special delivery for the lovely Bonnie Bennett."

"Ooooooh," Elena giggled. "Maybe it's a little something from your date."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Jenna laughed. "But you can see for yourself. The delivery person's waiting downstairs."

Bonnie eagerly leaped to her feet, offering her best friend a smile full of warmth and giddiness. As she reached the lower steps, a petite woman came into view. Her eyes were filled were filled with kindness and radiated such love. At this very moment, they were also on the verge of shedding a waterfall of salty tears.

"You look exquisite," Tituba Bennett remarked emotionally, wrapping her arms around her granddaughter.

An feeling of immense pride and adoration washed right through her. She was the spitting image of her mother. A good woman. A just woman. An absolutely radiant woman with green eyes, a resplendent smile and shoulder-length curly locks.

Tituba's son had taken to her like a heat-seeking missile latches onto its target. In this case, his plan wasn't to obliterate. Quite the opposite, he had been dying to know the most beautiful girl in his graduating class at Robert E. Lee.

Their wedding day had been a bit of a spontaneous affair. Deciding they favored each others company over lavish preparations, break-the-bank floral arrangements and having to hobnob with the Lockwoods - who always seem to be present at every social function in town, minuscule or otherwise.

Besides, Mystic Falls was a small place. If you broke up with your boyfriend over the phone, in the privacy of your own room, it somehow became a matter of public record by the time you set foot outside - usually a span of five minutes was all it took.

Of course there were three individuals fully aware of their plans to elope. Tituba, for one. Nothing, not even the tiniest molecule could be concealed from her incomparably sharp mind. Besides, she had the The Gift like all Bennett women before her.

Then there was Thomas Gilbert, Grayson's best friend. They had known each other since the first grade.

Roisin Sulez and Elizabeth Forbes had been close even before then. Their parents were attached at the hips and therefore they had been practically since birth.

Once upon a time Grayson Bennett lived, loved and hoped like a free spirit. After all, love would catch him if he fell. Then the day came when his beautiful wife succombed to her courageous battle with breast cancer. Bonnie was just four.

It was just daddy and his little girl from there. Tituba winced momentarily at the memory. She had fought hard to bring her son back from the brink of all out depression.

"Really, you look truly beautiful," she reiterated sweetly.

"Thanks Grams," Bonnie blushed profusely in return. "You don't think it's too much, do you?"

"I do think I may need to have a conversation with Matt Donovan about limitations before you two leave," she laughed heartily. "But no. I think it's perfect."

Great, she thought sarcastically. Just what I need. Grams scaring my date half-way to China before the dance has even begun.

"Bonnie," the older witch began. "I have something for you." Passing her a black satin bag with a thin blue ribbon wrapped around it, Bonnie read the small note attached to it:

Dearest Bonnie,

High heels and hairspray and hot boys, oh my! This can only mean one thing. It's the night of the dance and you'll need some reliable friends by your side. Now I know you've already got Elena and Caroline, but how 'bout you try these lovelies on for size?

Love Always,

Your Fairy Godmother

Dipping her fingers back into the bag, she retrieved a cream colored velvet box. Instantly, her eyes began to gleam with joy as a tiny inscription in gold lettering became visible. "The Elizas!" she exclaimed.

"On loan for tonight," Tituba finished, as Bonnie wrapped her arms around her. "Your Auntie My wanted you to wear them. Said she saw you looking at them in the store the other day."

"They're beautiful," the little witch said, placing the dangling pearl drop earrings in their rightful place.

"They are," her grandmother added. "But there's one more thing."

Taking her hand and leading her to the sofa, Tituba began to speak in hush tones. "This," she began, retrieving a tiny bottle of purple fluid with specks of gold dust throughout.

"What is it?" she asked.

"It's to keep you safe."

"You really believe in The Prophecy, don't you?" Bonnie began with a sigh. "How can you always be so sure of everything?"

"Because my instincts are as sharp as Damon Salvatore's tongue," she chuckled.

"And teeth," Bonnie inserted.

"And because I know you're destined for greatness," she added, pausing for a moment. "Now you need to drink this - every last drop. It'll keep you safe for the night."

"Safe for the night? Is something wrong, Grams?"

"No," she lied, feeling a tinge of guilt rise in her heart. So much for honesty being the best policy. Then again, Bonnie already had enough on her plate. She deserved at least one night of teenage rebellion. "I just want you to get out on that dance floor with your friends and have a good time. This is just...a little extra reassurance. That's all, baby."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

Flashing her grandmother one last reluctant glance, Bonnie drank the sweet and spicy infusion and placed the empty bottle into the satin bag.

***

The foursome entered the gymnasium with their mouths slightly agape. It really did look like One Night In Heaven.

White cotton clouds floated above them, while cream colored streamers branched out from the center of the ceiling. The disco ball that dangled overhead had lights shaped like wings and carpeted the floor in a sea of angelic artistry.

Bonnie shifted her eyes from side to side, searching for any sign of the well-coiffed Caroline Forbes clad in pink chiffon and that 24/7 smile that instantly said "Yes, I'm on top of the world and don't you forget it!"

Her gaze didn't have to travel very far. She and Tyler were already half-way across the large room that had since been transformed from its usual athletic glory.

Of course, not a blond hair was out of place. Not a smear of lipstick or a smudge of eyeliner. She looked perfect, but how could anyone expect any less from Robert E. Lee's in house fashionista?

Tyler Lockwood was quite handsome naturally, but done up in a pressed black suit with a soft pink shirt - no doubt chosen by his date - he looked sublime. And like so many other self-assured jocks of his age, he was well aware of that fact.

Then again, she couldn't exactly exclude herself from the whole color coordination theme of the evening. She had "discreetly" mentioned to Matt about ten times already that her dress was "a certain shade of blue." Judging by the color of his button up shirt, he had taken the hint.

Elena and Stefan were the proverbial perfect couple you could look back at in your high school yearbook and think, 'They must be married by now with about a zillion kids. I mean, look at him. Wouldn't you wanna have babies in your later life with a guy who's got a virtual 20-pack instead of the usual six?'

It was genuine, what they had. Anyone with eyes could see that. Even Damon.

"So," Caroline beamed, striking her best runway pose for her small party of onlookers. "Am I a ten or what?"

"More than a ten," Elena giggled, as she, Stefan, Bonnie and Matt all broke into staged applause for her benefit.

Ever the charmer, Tyler placed a gentle peck on Bonnie and Elena's hands. "Ladies, you both look absolutely stunning as well."

Couples swayed leisurely across the dance floor, bodies entwined while spotlights cast a delicate glow over each of them. It didn't take long for Stefan and Elena to find their place among the throngs of people. Caroline and Tyler followed suit, while Matt veered off in the direction of the snack table in search of punch for him and his date.

Of course the usual suspects stayed backed up against the "boys' wall" scoping out potential dates as the DJ spun a mish-mash of top 40 and indie records. Girls with immaculately done hair and perfectly applied make-up were lined up along the opposite wall. It was just the way of things.

Some people danced with their friends. Some danced with their dates. Others didn't really dance at all.

Bonnie casually strode through the ocean of congregating students. Every teen in this room was probably considering nothing more than just living in the moment. She, on the other hand, was contemplating her own mortality and the outrageous possibility of a Supernatural baby.

She knew so little about Damon Salvatore, yet now they were bound by a prophecy - conjured up by her own ancestor, no less. Supposedly. Grams believed. Stefan seemed to. She just couldn't fathom how being raised with Damon as a parent could be conducive to rearing the next great peacemaker rather than the next little hellion.

The witch sighed, suddenly exhausted by the train of perplexing thoughts that flowed through her brain. Why couldn't she shake him?

Bonnie found herself nearing the end of huddled bodies. She could still see Elena with her head leaned against Stefan's broad shoulders. His lips were pressed affectionately against her temple. I want that.

She lifted her gaze again and found the most unlikely character grinning deviously beneath a paper mache halo. Her breath hitched.

One song ended as another familiar tune began.

***Brightest Hour by The Submarines***

He lounged casually against the wall, clutching a plastic cup filled with punch - and no doubt a splash of Bourbon. Clad in a freshly pressed black suit against the gentle hues of Heaven, he watched her intently.

His eyes traveled languorously along the length of her body, every delicious curve hugged seductively by azure chiffon. The vampire bore a side swept smirk that radiated mischief and charm in one fell swoop.

Ice blue orbs continued to drink in every facet of her lovely features. With her dark hair swept so elegantly into place, he now had an appetizing view of her swan-like neck.

Bonnie felt naked. Standing in the midst of a crowded room, drowning in a gaze so enveloping that her feet couldn't move in the other direction like she had initially wanted them to. Now she just returned his intense stare, only hers was filled with trepidation at moving forward.

After the dose of reality she had dealt Damon Salvatore this afternoon, who's to say he wouldn't try to rip her throat out again? No. He would've done it already. Besides, like Elena said. You're a powerful witch goddess. A regular Broom Hilda - minus the heinous nose wart. Let him stand there all on his lonesome.

Then she caught sight of his shifting gaze. Caroline! She was directly in his line of vision.

No! He is not gonna ruin this night for her.

The decision had been made. Bonnie sauntered purposefully in his direction. Immediately he sensed this and whipped around to meet her stare.

She stopped just inches from him. Tilting her head upward, she offered him her most confident gaze.

Even in heels, the little witch still had trouble fighting her vertically challenged stature. Regardless, her eyes were mesmerizing. If he were a lesser man, he might truly be affected by the way they searched his own.

"Wow," she began in disbelief. "You're the last person I expected to see in Heaven."

Smirking at her sassy reply, the vampire teasingly wiggled his eyebrows. "I slipped the guard angel a twenty."

"That's all it took?" Bonnie shot back feisty as ever. "I figured with all the sins you've racked up, it would've taken at least a cool mill."

"Guess she liked my charm," he replied with playful wink.

"Bribing your way into Heaven. Why does that not surprise me?" The vampire chuckled in response and took a sip of his drink. "So...are you enjoying it at least?"

"Not really," he half lied. The truth was, he was bored out of his mind before she stumbled into his view. "It looks like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man threw up all over your gym."

Bonnie took a deep breath and tried to stifle her laughter. "I'm sure the decorating committee did the best they could."

"Funny," he snickered, observing the various ornaments that dangled from the ceiling and the sloppy painted banners. "Their best looks a lot like my cousin Vincenzo's best." Momentary pause. "He was four at the time."

Smart ass. "Really Damon, why are you here? Won't you get bored of all the peace and tranquility of Heaven?" she continued. "You always struck me as more of an anarchic soul."

"I think you'll find that my tastes are much more refined," he remarked. "Besides, anarchy is for lunatics and people who just aren't intellectually inclined enough to hatch diabolical master plans."

"Speaking of which, whatever happened to yours?" she inquired, raising an eyebrow.

Rolling his eyes, he decided it was time for an abrupt change of subject. "So about that weather..."

"Alright, I get it," she acknowledged.

It was strange, the muddled feelings of irritation and excitement swirling around inside of her. Her heart was pounding against her ribcage like tiny gunshots colliding violently and speedily with a target board.

Revolt should have been what she was feeling. It wasn't.

"Why are you here?" she repeated, hoping this time he would actually answer the question instead of evading it all together with his usual wit-sarcasm combo.

"Sheriff Forbes needed someone else to be a chaperon tonight," he offered.

He was actually being honest. Elizabeth Forbes really did need someone to supervise the hormonally charged adolescents of Mystic Falls for one night. Originally she had intended to ask the Mayor and his wife, but Damon had come quite eagerly to her, offering his services.

"You know, I don't think Caroline's mom would take too kindly to the news that her new best friend was using her only daughter as his personal blood bank," Bonnie spat.

Clenching his jaw, the vampire bridge the distance between them, sweeping Bonnie onto the dance floor with him.

"Chaperons aren't supposed to dance with students," she remarked through gritted teeth, trying to pry herself loose from his death grip.

Leaning in so his lips were lightly brushing against her ear, Damon whispered coolly. "Well you're not just any student, Bonnie. I'm not so sure the townspeople of Mystic Falls would take too kindly to the news that their children are going to school with a witch."

Eyes bulging angrily from their sockets, she leaned back and stared at him with such disdain. "You wouldn't."

"Try me," he beamed, arms wound securely, possessively around her waist.

"Let me go," she demanded, unflinching.

"Awww, what's the matter?" he grinned. "Two left feet?"

"No," she replied, pushing her palms against his chest for release. "Anyway, I already have a date and he's probably wondering where I am right now."

"You mean Mutt?" he offered with a sly smile.

"Matt," she insisted. "And he's a really great guy."

"Oh I'm sure," he replied condescendingly. "I could use a nice light snack later on tonight."

"Don't you dare," she coldly declared. "He's my friend, not your food."

There was such loyalty in her heart. That much was evident in her concern for Mutt and her commitment to hating him and supporting Saint Stefan and the little "Scooby Gang" she hung out with.

It was perhaps one of the most sickeningly endearing qualities about Bonnie Bennett. His sapphire eyes were now resting on the pillow-like softness of her supple, gloss-slicked lips. They smelled like strawberries and cream. The scent titillated his senses - and so did the heat of their bodies flattened so intimately against one another.

Her cheeks were stained crimson, lithe arms around his neck in the exact same position he had shoved them into minutes before. Bonnie inhaled the spicy fragrance of his cologne and found herself suddenly hypnotized by his perfectly shaped mouth.

He licked his lips slowly, deliberately, knowing full well where he eyes had roamed to. Damon could tell she had stopped breathing momentarily.

Stop it, Bonnie! You need to find Matt! Get away from him and find Matt!

Finally, she exhaled. "You really shouldn't be here."

"No, I shouldn't," he agreed, hearing her confused, fuzzy array of thoughts. "But I am."

"Even when you could be out combing the streets for a hot young meal on two legs?" Bonnie questioned.

"There are plenty of fine options here," he offered smoothly.

"No," she declared.

"Who knows which lucky young lady will strike my fancy," he quipped with a wink. "After all, I am pretty unpredictable."

"And pretty insufferable," Bonnie whipped back at him.

Damon placed his hand over his chest. "You know, that's like, the nicest thing you've ever said to me."

"Oh really? Would you like me to say something even nicer?" she asked, challenging him with her gaze.

"Maybe after you finish toying around with Mutt Donovan," he offered, nodding at the young man who was currently searching the dance floor for any sign of his date.

Bonnie turned and spotted the red head and immediately applied more pressure against Damon's chest. "Let me go, Damon."

"Are you afraid poor little Mutt will be upset that we're dancing together?" he teased.

"You're dancing. I'm trying to escape," she clarified, even though she had been moving in unison with him for quite some time now.

Reluctantly, the vampire obliged the witch. She had her freedom and instantly began straightening out her azure dress.

Realizing Damon was still standing beside her, Bonnie eyed him furiously. "Go away!"

"Hmmm," he began, pretending to ponder his next move. "I think...not. I'd like to meet the famed Mutt."

"And I'd like you to go to Hell in a handbag," she countered.

Chuckling aloud, the vampire batted his dark eyelashes at her. Matt Donovan was getting closer.

"There you are!" he beamed, hands clasping two cups of red punch. "For you, milady."

Damon scoffed inwardly at his attempt to sound refined.

"So?" the young man stared at them both inquisitively. "Anyone gonna do the introductions? Or are we just gonna stand around all night in awkward silence?"

Bonnie giggled nervously. "Of course. This is Damon."

"Nice to meet you, Damon. Haven't seen you around here before," Matt exclaimed.

"That's because he doesn't go here," Bonnie explained. "Damon is Stefan's brother. He's chaperoning the dance tonight."

"I see. Well don't worry, Damon. We'll try to be on our best behavior tonight, won't we Bon?" the football player finished with a wink in his date's direction.

The vampire watched with great irritation as the young man placed his palm firmly on the small of her back.

Provare a tenere il sudicio manine a te stesso, puke poco.

"That's certainly a relief," Damon replied aloud.

As a boy, he had learned a great deal of Italian. Giuseppe Salvatore was adamant that both his boys be skilled conversationalists in it. It was the language of his father's country and therefore an ode to their family's rich heritage.

If he were here now, he would have snickered before smacking his eldest son for being such a smart ass. Loosely translated, he had just called Matt Donovan a "little puke" and insisted that he keep his "grubby little hands" to himself.

He watched as the bright-eyed young man escorted Bonnie onto the dance floor and placed his arms possessively around her waist. Each time the twosome rotated on the hardwood, Damon met Bonnie's gaze with a look that sent chills down her spine.

There was unrelenting passion in those blue eyes tonight.

***

"Are you sure they're back?" Dayna Lockwood asked.

"We can't be entirely certain," Elizabeth Forbes began, trying to maintain a hush voice. "But judging from the wounds we found on the teacher's body this morning, we just can't afford to take anymore chances."

"So what do we do?" the Mayor's wife chimed in.

"Perhaps we should consult the history books," Charles Lockwood offered, clutching a red leather journal in his hand. "This belonged to my great, great, great grandfather, Leonard Lockwood."

The Council had assembled in a dimly lit back room at the Mystic Falls Police Department. Not only were the attacks on human's growing more violent; there now appeared to be more than one culprit.

He started with one excerpt:

Mystic Falls used to be overrun by supernatural entities. The fairies, werewolves, vampires and witches lived in such great numbers, it frightened the townspeople into committing one of the worst atrocities in the history of the state of Virginia - The Cleanse.

First came the black lists. Anyone suspected of possessing supernatural gifts had their names added and their private lives pried into by the local governing officials.

Then the disappearances began. That was the final straw for some Supernaturals who chose to lash out and commit brutal acts upon mortals in return. They saw it as their only remaining line of defense against a town that was hellbent on their destruction.

One wrong came after the next. Then the Council made a decision that would change their lives forever. Mystic Falls needed to be cleansed of its demons, they said. So the townspeople went after the Supernaturals.

By fire, by gunpowder or by stakes - their will would be done.

"He wrote in this journal every night," Charles Lockwood told the small group of followers. "Here's an entry that dates back even further."

October 30, 1863

This morning another body came in. Exactly the same as the first twenty. Unlike the ones completely drained of blood, this one looked like it had been ravaged by some devilish creature of the dark.

The local hunters swear they've seen it. It's eyes go red in the night, they say.

The monster stands the same height as a grown man, but its body is covered in fur like a bear's. I've never seen it myself, but with all of the mutilated remains we keep stumbling upon, I now believe it truly does exist.

A local merchant says he knows the beast's Achilles' heel. He claims to have pierced the flesh of the creature with silver, wounding it gravely.

He couldn't carry the body back to town himself, for it was too heavy. By the time we had returned to the woods, it was gone. Sadly, there is no way of knowing whether or not he was telling the truth.

It is a time of great confusion and dread. We know not what is coming for us and shudder to think of what is already here.

How can our families, our friends, our people not fear for their lives when such evil lurks in the dark? I pray an end comes soon and swift.

"We already know the vampires have returned to Mystic Falls," Mayor Lockwood began. "I suppose it was only a matter of time before the weres found their way back as well."

"So what do you propose we do?" Sheriff Forbes inquired. "Stage another 'Cleanse' when we're not even entirely sure who we're up against? Things didn't exactly end so smoothly the first time around."

"The situation may not be as extreme...yet," he offered. "But in the meantime, I suggest you beef up the staff you've got on foot patrol. Maybe it's high time you thought of inserting a few plain clothes officers throughout town."

"But we don't have the resources for something like this," she insisted.

"I don't care what you have to do, Elizabeth. Find a way. Get your men and women into our schools, our offices...even our churches."

***

"Where's your girl?" Damon asked, sensing his brother's presence in close proximity.

"Powdering her nose," Stefan grinned. "You know, if you glare long enough at Matt Donovan, you might just be able to set him on fire."

The older vampire's lips curved into a Cheshire Cat-like grin. "Nope. That's Bonnie's bag, not mine."

"What are you doing here, Damon?"

"Sheriff Forbes needed a chaperon and we all know how much that woman - bless her heart - loves me," he replied smugly, eyes still fixed on the little witch and her dance partner.

"You? A suitable chaperon?" Stefan chuckled, coming to stand beside his brother.

"Oh Stefan, ye of little faith. I can behave myself for one evening," he replied, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

"Why is it that I'm having such a hard time trying to believe that?" the younger Salvatore threw back. "Could it be because you've always got an ulterior motive?"

"Or could it be your perpetual state of paranoia?" Damon offered, brushing past his only sibling.

The blue eyed vampire paced back and forth along the side of the dance floor. He was utterly enthralled.

It was in the sensual motion of her hips, the enticing movement of her arms and the way she allowed her head to fall back in immense pleasure of giving into the rhythm. The rich azure hue made her skin glow a delicious golden brown.

Lust. Pure. Unadulterated. All-consuming. Lust. He had to make it stop.

Stefan watched as his brother stared intently at Bonnie. He hadn't seen Damon react so passionately to a woman in over 145 years. He could hear the violent thoughts rushing through his brain when it came to Matt Donovan.

At the core of those swirling statements was one substantial truth. He wanted Bonnie.

He desired to be the man with his arms wound firmly around her waist, whispering seductively into her ears. The younger Salvatore couldn't help but shake his head in amazement.

Swiftly, Damon bolted from the gym. You can't keep running forever, Damon. Sooner or later fate will catch up to you.

Stefan chuckled inwardly at his brother's typical response. Get bent!

Running was exactly what he felt most compelled to do at this very moment. Damon found himself standing in the quad with his hands pressed against the brick exterior of Robert E. Lee, jaw clenched.

Get a grip, Salvatore. You shouldn't be here. Katherine. That's who needs your help.

Stars spread out across the sea of black and instantly, he was reminded of his last night as a mortal.

In his desperation to save Katherine from The Cleanse, he had paid a visit to Emily Bennett. He begged and pleaded with her to do whatever she could by harnessing the powers of the craft.

That was the first night he had seen the amber crystal. It was the key to resurrecting the woman he had spent the last century and a half dreaming about.

How could he even consider being with another after spending the whole of his after life entirely fixated on the image of the brown eyed privileged girl who had sashayed into his world and turned it inside out?

It was decided. He couldn't compromise his loyalty to Katherine. He made a promise to free her.

Damon took a deep breath, preparing to walk away. He had every intention of distancing himself from the small town high school and every one of its occupants, but a familiar hush voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Where are you going?"

"Little witch," he began, his back still turned to her. The sweet floral fragrance of her wafted through the warm air. He inhaled deeply. "You wanted me to leave. I'm leaving."

"Not yet," she firmly replied, coming to stand before him.

There it was again. That heartbeat rattling inside her ribcage, tempting his hypersensitive eardrums. One short, delightful note after the next.

Damon smirked and turned to leave. "Wait!" she shouted, placing a warm hand on his forearm.

"Do you-"

"Have a death wish. Yeah, I know the routine," she saucily remarked. "I wanna know something."

"I already told you why I saved you," he exclaimed.

"That's not what I'm talking about," she corrected him, staring deeply into his eyes.

"Then what?" he inquired roughly.

The sound of her blood coursing through her veins made his mouth water and his hands yearn to touch. Temptation was mounting.

"Back there inside the gym, you were looking at me...in a way I've never been stared at before...in my life," she began. "Why are you really here, Damon?"

"I already explained that to you," he returned, feeling the veins beneath his eyes twinge. "Either you get it or you don't."

He had to leave now before things got out of control. Before he lost control. The sight of her so young, innocent and delectable was more than enough stimulus for his senses.

The vampire leaned in closer. "Leave me alone, witch."

Damon turned again, but this time she raced in front of him. "Why is it that you can never give me a straight answer?"

She looked into his eyes with the determination and ferocity of a worldly woman twice her age. At first, he found it amusing, but as their dueling gazes persisted, he could feel himself becoming even more aroused by the very nearness of her.

He watched as she bit down on her lower lip in a manner that he found incredibly sensual. The glossy pink hue paled in comparison to the cherry red tint to her cheeks.

Thoughts of sweet red nectar lurking beneath the velvet softness of chocolate skin made his body throb in the best way he knew. He could feel a tingling in his gums at the very sight of her, so diminutive and vulnerable.

"You should go," he stated coldly.

"No," Bonnie replied adamantly, folding her arms over her chest.

Before she knew it, she was hauled up against his firm body, barely able to breathe, much less speak. The bitter chill of his fingertips as they grazed her cheek shocked her at first. Her skin had become so hot and moist amidst the throng of dancing teens.

The witch battered his chest with her fists. "Put me down!"

"Awww, you didn't say please," he mocked her with a Cheshire Cat-like grin.

Gritting her teeth, Bonnie emitted a soft plea. "Please."

Damon heard her breath hitch slightly, as he placed a finger under chin and tilted her head a touch. They were now face to face, breath to breath, ice blue orbs to emerald orbs.

He relished in the sight of her looking so curious, angelic and reticent all at once. It was more than just a little flattering that he seemed to rouse so many emotions in her.

Bonnie could feel his arms still wound possessively around her waist. His cold velvet lips descended upon hers. They collided in a burst of ecstasy as his mouth wreaked havoc on her senses.

One hand was placed firmly at the small of her back, while the other was tangled in her hair, as wavy tendrils came loose from the elegant up-do. Damon whispered against her neck. "You taste so good."

Bonnie licked her lips and the vampire heard her breath hitch. Dipping his head forward, he launched a slower, sweet, deliberate exploration of her lips.

What was she doing? Why did she have to feel like this whenever he was around?

The witch moaned against his lips and wrapped her arms around his neck. She found herself relying on the stability of her tip toes to keep their bodies fused.

He felt her balance falter and instantly lifted her inches from the grass. Damon maintained his hold on her and with more restraint than he had ever shown in his existence, he brushed his lips against hers one last time.

She opened her eyes and watched him curiously. He stroked her cheek with his index finger.

"That was..." she began, breathing raggedly.

He fought the urge to kiss her again, but the sound of her voice so tremulous and soft, made something inside of him ache again.

What had gotten into him? Oh, but he wanted to. She wanted to.

"What are we doing?" she asked, still in shock.

"I don't know," he answered honestly.

Bonnie reached up and shifted an unkempt strand of dark hair from his face. She stared into his sapphire eyes for a long while.

"This is...surreal," she finally blurted out. "I...hate you."

"I hate your family," he replied.

Transfixed by his lips again, her voice softened. "This will never work."

He rested his forehead against hers gently. "Never," he breathed.

Bonnie shuddered as a low growl suddenly came from behind the trees to their right. Damon could hear it too. In one swift move, he was standing defensively in front of her.

Bonnie stayed still and scanned the area for any trace of a wild animal...or worse. It leaped out from behind the oak trees at an awesomely inhuman pace. Before she knew it, she was pinned beneath the beast, the lone strap of her dress slightly torn.

In its sudden descent, Damon had been walloped across the face by the creature. His cheek bled momentarily as a series of claw marks began to dissipate. He rose with a fury she hadn't seen in him before.

Cracking his knuckles and bracing his legs, he charged at the beast, sending them both flying into the brick wall of the high school. Bonnie tried to stand, but felt her ankle give way. She tried with all her might to rise to her feet, no matter how much it pained her.

Off in the distance, she could hear the sounds of grumbles and roars - whose they were, she wasn't entirely certain. Damon could sound incredibly animalistic and predatory when he needed to.

Bonnie could now hear the sound of wailing, as the scent of raw flesh filled the Virginia air. She could hear the tearing of muscles and no doubt, limbs. Turning slightly, the most horrific sight was now before her.

Damon stood, blood spattered on his beautiful face and all over his body. He had ripped the werewolf to shreds and in so doing, saved her life.

The next sound she heard was a bone chilling scream from off in the distance. "Help me!"

Lifting her from the grass, the vampire carried the witch as fast as he could. They both knew that voice - it belonged to Elena.

By the time he rounded the corner of the building, all they could see was the brunette, trapped in the death grip of a tall, lithe man with violet eyes and a sinister smile. It only took seconds for them to disappear into a plume of white smoke.

Stefan lay on the ground, blood oozing from small round holes throughout his abdomen. "Elena. I couldn't..." his voice was weak and so was his body.

Damon lay Bonnie gently on the grass beside his brother and analyzed his wounds. Instructing Bonnie to turn away, he dug his fingers deep into the holes and one by one, began to extract the wooden bullets.

Within minutes, the wounds began to close, but his body remained in a delicate state. Stefan needed to feed - and soon.

"What happened?" Bonnie asked, still panicked and utterly frightened for her best friend.

"A warlock," Stefan answered, eyes stormy with rage and an underlying feeling of failure. "He said he came for the witch...then he took Elena."

Bonnie placed a hand over her mouth and immediately felt herself become overwhelmed by guilt. "Stefan, I'm so-"

"This is not your fault, Bonnie," Damon reassured her.

Stefan's gaze was still fixed on the spot where she had disappeared with the sinister stranger. The witch followed his line of vision and caught a metallic glimmer.

"Damon," she called. "There's something on the grass. It looks like silver."

The vampire retrieved a tiny coin from the green and came to stand in between his brother and Bonnie. "Beware the Fior."