I wake up in my bed and alone. I'm confused as to why she didn't tie me up or ship me somewhere else or better yet kill me if she's indeed a hunter. I exhale taking this all in but I halt inhaling because I smell her. I smell her on my skin and clothes. She had to know the exact time for the vervain to wear off so she could leave just before I woke up. Her head rested on my chest, her arms stretched around me in a hug. She loves me.

I quickly find my phone and I call her. She doesn't answer because I know she thinks that I'll hate her or curse her, but I can never do that. "Baby. I love you, come back, let's talk about this. I don't want to lose you." I sigh then decide to call Tiffany back while she's on my mind.

"Stefan?"

"It's me,"

"I've been trying to call you all day."

"I know, I'm sorry. I was just dealing with a problem and I lost track of time trying to fix it. Let me make it up to you. Tonight, we'll go out for dinner."

"Why can't I see you right now?"

"Because I'm late for my therapy session and I don't want to miss it. I have to go, but I'll see you tonight. I love you."

I wait for hers back before hanging up and getting dressed because what I told her wasn't a lie. I am late.

...

Sorry, I'm late, I had a crazy week. I met this girl, Tiffany who's gorgeous and smart and sexy and I fell for her, honestly. What are you smiling at?

Because Tiffany wasn't a coincidence. That's the person I thought of for you. I set you two up without telling you because I didn't want to make everything feel like a blind date.

Is she like your sister or?

No, she's one of my wife's uh… acquaintances.

Alright well uh, since she isn't that close to you, I have to admit that uh- I- we were planning a night together, and we were dancing when Bonnie called me. She told me that she needed me and that she was scared.

What happened?

Her car ran out of gas on this long and dark road, I ran out on Tiffany to find her but I was fighting with myself beforehand If I should actually go or not. Anyway, I find her in this shed and I hold her and ask if she's hurt and she seems fine and then we have sex. I take her home and get the car towed for her then I go back to her place and she tells me that she really wasn't lost. That she just wanted to see if I would still come, see if I still loved her.

Stefan-

I know, I know, but she was just-

You have to stop making excuses for her. Every time I tell you the truth about Bonnie you always have a but to follow it. Stefan, she manipulated you and I already know that you accepted it and forgave her because that's just the person you are, but why. Why Bonnie?

I don't know.

Sure you do, think, there must be something.

I shake my head thinking. I've thought about this before and I couldn't think of anything.

Because she stops my hunger.

But why, Stefan. Why does she have that effect on you?

She was always there for me at first, I would see her every day and we'd talk for hours I know that she's a great person and I don't want to give up on her.

Deeper, Stefan.

Because she… She. I don't know, tell me the answer.

Because she manipulated you. That's why.

I don't understand,

Bonnie is the type of person that loves to play games. She was playing the role of the woman you always wanted, the woman you fantasized about and just as you were getting comfortable, she switched to the person she actually is. But here's the thing, you don't fully see her as the woman she is, but the woman she isn't. It's like a parent would more than likely always view their child in the most worthy way when in reality, their kid is far from it. You love "Bonnie" so you're forcing yourself to tolerate Bonnie long enough until "Bonnie" comes out to play. This whole manipulation is what distracts you from the hunger. You're so focused on which Bonnie is presented in front of you that anything other than that isn't a priority.

So what should I do? I can't just stop,

Why can't you?

Because I know she loves me. I can't turn my back on that. She wants to be committed-

Then tell me why she isn't?

Because she's a hunter.

A hunter?

Vampire Hunter, it's her job to kill me.

Frank sighs deeply taking off his glasses. Stefan. If that isn't making you run for the hills, then I'm not sure if I can help you.

But she-

Again with the excuses, Stefan. Is this woman really worth your soul? Because that's what you're gambling with. She can kill you at any given second and yet if she held out her hands, I bet you would run into them. You're in it deep, Stefan. If you really want help, I can send you to a hypnosis and he can wipe you clean of her, but until then, I can't help you anymore with Bonnie. We can talk about Tiffany and other things, just not Bonnie.

Okay,

I stare down at the card Frank gave me and I want to be rid of her, I want my brain to be wiped clean but I can't bring myself to do it. Bonnie loves me, she was just scared as was I when I was thinking about telling her what I am. The last thing she wants is for me to do is hate her and by calling him, that's what I'll resemble and though Frank would forever be upset with me, I won't do it. Not yet.

"Bonnie, baby please come by my house when you get the chance. I have- I'm busy tonight but I'm staying inside for the rest of the day. I don't hate you, I love you. I love you so much, more than anything. Let me prove it to you. Come by. Please."

Another voicemail but I have a feeling that she's listening to them. She may think I'm setting her up for something, which is why I want to find her, but I can't tonight.

I get ready for my date with Tiffany and wait until the very last minute before I leave just in case Bonnie decided to show up. I knock on her door then look around before the door opens and I smile and compliment her before stepping in.

"Stefan?"

"Yeah?"

"When Bonnie answered the phone the other day, I was not the nicest person to her and I feel awful about it. So I just- next time you see her, could you tell her I'm sorry?"

"I'm not exactly sure when that'll be but of course I will."

She smiles then hugs me. We talk for a little while before heading out to dinner. I try to not make it obvious by checking my phone multiple times throughout dinner just in case Bonnie contacts me in any way and I'm not sure of how good of a job I did, but Tiffany didn't say anything. The whole date just turns into a blank but I remember her laughing so at least she enjoyed herself. I stop once I'm inside my home and breathe before running upstairs. She's waiting for me in the bed and I greet her lips then eventually her lower lips.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"You're accepting it?"

"I can't hold it back anymore. I hate myself a little for that. Falling in love with you."

"Run away with me. We can escape this."

She smiled sadly. "It's not that simple."

"We don't have to tell anyone, just you and me. No worries."

"I want to but I can't."

"Why?" He ran his hand down her hair. "I will protect you no matter what."

"I know you will."

"Then let's do it. Right now."

"Stefan,"

"You stayed with me, didn't you? You didn't leave, you stayed close. After you vervained me, you stayed."

"How did you know?"

"I could smell you. So close, like I am now. Did you hold me?" I look up to see a tear rolling down her face. She nods several times and I kiss her moving her to her back. "Don't be sad. I love you."

"Stefan," she shakes her head, "I can't."

"What, you can't what?"

"I can't be with you anymore."

"Why baby?"

"I'm sorry,"

I hold her again when she cries. "What happened?"

"I'm a hunter. I kill vampires but I fell in love you with that night. Our first night and that's why I've been so distant with you. It wasn't supposed to go this far, but I fell in love with you."

"All the more reason to run away with me."

"Stefan,"

"We can leave right now and never look back. I love you. You're in love with me, let's go."

"How can you still love me, Stefan? After everything I did and told you."

"You're my soulmate. When I'm with you, Bonnie, the last thing in my mind is to kill, but once you walk away it's all that I can think about. I've been going to therapy for help, but you're all I need, all I want." I kiss her again.

"I can't,"

"Stop saying that. What's holding you back?"

"I need proof. If I run away without any proof of kill, they'll hunt the both of us down and they won't be nice."

"What kind of proof?"

Another tear trails down her gorgeous face. "A head,"

I exhale and close my eyes. "I love you so much." I was ready to ask her to say it back, but I didn't have to.

"I love you too."

"Okay. Give me vervain again, okay, then do it. I'm already dead without you. I never want to put you in harm or danger." I reach for her bag and pull out a syringe. "Do it."

"I can't."

"Just close your beautiful eyes, knock me out, take your weapon, then count one, two, three that should do it. Okay, promise me."

"I can't,"

"Baby," I grab her shoulders. "Promise me. Do this for me. You love me, do this for me." I caress the right side of her face. "Eject me with two so with the first one you can hold me and cry and the second one you can do it. Promise me. Promise me, Bonnie."

She's crying harder than I've ever seen a person do so and it's breaking the hell out of my heart.

"I promise," she manages then I hold her close to me and she immediately holds me back. "I hate you. I hate you so much."

"I hate you too. I wish I never met you."

I wait for the pinch but it doesn't come. I pull away to look into her watery eyes and wipe some of her tears away. "Can I just have one more day with you?" She asks. "Every second of every minute of every hour. Just the two of us."

"Anything for you."

She drops the syringe and hugs me close breathing out.

*Dear Frank,

This will be my last time talking to you because tomorrow will be my last day on earth. Bonnie has to kill me or else she will be hunted down and killed herself and I just cannot let that happen. We were planning to run away together when she told me this and it was my decision to have her kill me. I know you don't approve of her or of what we have, but I love her. She wants to spend every minute of tomorrow with me which is why I'm writing this email instead of telling you face to face. Please tell Tiffany that I really enjoyed our date and that she's an amazing woman. Thank you for being my person to talk to though I don't always listen.

Stefan.

A/N: I hate to say it but next chapter will be the last :(. Will we be saying bye-bye to Stefan or will Bonnie come up with another way? Let me know your thoughts in the reviews.