Author's Note: Hey all, thank you all so much for your reviews. I love getting your feedback. I hope this chapter clears a few things up for you guys. More drama and more things will return to normal-ish… Dun, dun, dun. Lol. Okay, I'll shut up now. Enjoy!
I DO NOT OWN VAMPIRE DIARIES OR THE CHARACTERS.
Music Credit: "She's So Sorry" – Hedley
Chapter Fifteen:
~*.*~
'We started out okay, but you threw it all away.
My God, what's going on in your head?
For all we could've found,
Just to let it hit the ground,
Well I'm good and done – we're over and dead.
And yes, I'm leaving you – it's obvious.
(Hey, hey, hey, hey)
So wipe that stupid look right off of your face.
Get out of my way – what did she say? She's so, so sorry.
Just get out of my way – what did she say? She's so, so sorry.
She said, 'I wanna start over today; take me back again.'
Get out of my way – what did she say? She's so, so sorry.
You try to shift the blame; my God, are you insane?
And, 'I'm sorry, babe.' Is all you can say.
You made a mess before – I kept coming back for more.
I never thought you'd end it this way.'
~*.*~
"What the fuck are you talking about?! I can't be a vampire! They don't exist!" Caroline screeched. Damon closed the door to her hospital room.
"I know it's a lot to take in, but the sooner that you accept it, the sooner you can move on with your life. You have options Caroline. You don't have to be a killer. You can survive off of animal blood or off of blood bags. You can learn how to resist the urges." Stefan explained.
For once in his life, Damon kept his mouth shut. I can't believe it. She's actually a vampire. I should have known Katherine would do something like this. I knew that she was pissed but I didn't think that she'd go to these lengths just to get to me. I mean, really? Yeah, now my best friend is dead. And yeah, I can't change that. But, why the hell would I want to help her after this? That bitch is going to pay.
Damon compelled the doctor to let us take Caroline out of the hospital. Stefan nabbed some blood bags and we took Caroline back to the boarding house. Zach invited her inside after some coaxing. Lexi took over for Stefan on explaining the vampire thing. Honestly, it's probably better that way. She and Care have similar personalities, and after all, she is the one who taught Stefan.
I went to visit Grams and I let her in on everything that had been happening. She didn't try to sway my decision on Klaus. She told me that she understood and she knew I'd be safe. She taught me how to charm a daylight ring for Caroline.
It's crazy. She's been out of my life for so long. It feels like I'm trying to cram as much as I can in my time with her so I don't miss out on anything else. I feel like I never get to see her. That might not be a bad thing. I don't want anyone to hurt her in order to get to me. I know that she can hold her own, but I still worry.
I drove back to the Salvatore's with the ring. I don't know what I'm going to do about school. I can't just up and leave. I mean, I have all of the credits that I need. I can finish my classes online. I've done most of my assignments in advance, anyways. I just never thought I'd miss my own graduation. It's a couple of months away, but who knows how long I'll be gone for. Everything is just getting to be too much. I just need to get out of my head for a little while.
Stefan's POV
"What's your deal Stefan?" Lexi blocked my bedroom door. I sighed.
"What are you talking about Lex?"
"Don't play dumb with me. It was never your strong suit. You've been avoiding Bonnie like she's the plague. You've been acting like an ass for the past few weeks. What gives? And don't lie to me. You know that I can always tell." She glared at me. "I like her. I mean, I genuinely like her. She's my girl. I'm not gonna watch you fuck all of it up."
"I don't have to tell you anything."
"The hell you don't. I've known you longer than almost anyone. Tell me what's bothering you before I beat it out of you. I don't have the patience for your bullshit today."
"I don't know what it is. Is that what you wanted to hear? I've been having these dreams about Katherine for the past couple of weeks. She always brought out the worst in me. I don't know what it is about her. I can't seem to stop it."
"Seriously, that's your excuse? You're hurting her because you just can't help yourself when it comes to your ex-girlfriend? She turned you into a vampire, cheated on you with your brother, left you, and killed your friend. What does she have to do? You need to choose, Stefan. If you keep treating Bonnie like this, you're going to lose her. Do you hear what I'm telling you?" Lexi asked. I nodded.
"I'm not a child."
"Then stop acting like one." She walked out of my room. Why is it that when she says something, it makes so much more sense? It's always been that way for us. I know that I've been slipping, I just haven't cared. I should have. I don't want Katherine. I don't know what I've been acting like I do. She's trouble. She's always been trouble. But, there's a part of me that will always be attracted to her because of that. I can't delude myself into thinking that I don't care about her. She killed Caroline. That is not something that I'm going to let her get away with.
I sat in the graveyard and waited for her to show.
"You're always brooding. Some things never change. Do they, Stefan?" Katherine smirked as she watched me.
"You think you can turn someone and everything will be fine?"
"Oh please, I'm not scared of you. We both know you couldn't kill me. You still have feelings for me and I'm stronger than you are."
"You might be stronger than me but you're not stronger than everyone. Bonnie has powerful friends. I'd watch your back if I were you."
"That's so touching, after so long, you still care." Katherine ran a finger over my cheek. I laughed.
"That's where you're wrong, Katherine. I'm done with you."
"You don't mean that, Stefan. You never do. I'll get you back. You were always my first choice. Some part of you will always know that."
Bonnie's POV
I kept thinking about what Katherine did to Caroline. She crossed a line. I have never been a snitch a day in my life. Never. Sure, I've been tempted, but I've never been this… Goddess, I'm seeing red. I paced around the boarding house until I ended up outside of Elijah's hotel room. He told me where he'd be staying if he needed anything. I don't know if I would have ended up here if I had gotten his number before all of this happened. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
"Miss Bennett, what do I owe to this unexpected pleasure? Is everything alright?" He asked. He's shirtless. I doubt he was expecting company.
"Would you mind if I came inside for a minute?" I asked instead of answering his question.
"Not at all," he moved out of the doorway and let me in. Now that I'm here I can't chicken out.
"The other day, I asked you about someone." I started. He nodded.
"Katerina, I remember."
"She's come back into town. Look, I don't know why I'm telling you this, but I did make a deal with Klaus. He told me that he'd provide protection for my friends and I. I'm not blaming him for this, but I'm asking for that protection now."
"I still don't understand."
"Katherine Pierce is back in town." I waited for his reaction.
"I see. Why are you telling me now?"
"She asked me to do something for her. When I refused, she killed a friend of mine and turned her into a vampire. I'm perfectly aware that there isn't a damn thing I can do to change her back. But, I won't stand by and watch her do this to someone else. She needs to be controlled. Can you do that?" I looked up at him.
"Niklaus has been looking for Katerina for a very long time. You have my word that she won't be a problem any longer. I will take care of it." He put a hand on my arm.
"Thank you. I don't trust myself to do something about it. I don't wish death on anyone. I-I just…" I can't find the words. I'm not entirely sure what I'm trying to say.
"I understand. Are you otherwise alright, Miss Bennett?"
"Can you please call me 'Bonnie'? I've never been 'Miss Bennett'. I think I'm okay. Things have just been crazy lately."
"Bonnie, I know my brother can intimidating and I think it's safe to say that it runs in the family, but I've been around for a very long time. If you'd ever like to talk, please don't hesitate to do so."
"I appreciate that, I do, but I barely know you, Elijah."
"I'm open to change that. You remind me a little of my younger sister. You're a strong woman, Bonnie. Don't let anyone take that from you."
"Anything on your mind, Witchy?" Damon asked. I shook my head. Lexi and Caroline were gone for the night. Lexi was teaching her how to hunt animals and to control her hunger around people. The house is quieter than it's been in a while. Elijah talked to Zach about my schooling. He was going to compel a few people so it wouldn't raise any issues.
It seems like everything is getting taken care of and my time with them is slipping away. Stefan hasn't talked to me since yesterday. Damon's been a dream. I love spending time with him. I just wish I got to spend time with the both of them.
"A lot," I told him. "All of which I'm sure you already know. I just wanna focus on spending time with you, right now. I'll miss you while I'm gone." I told him. He smirked and pulled me against him.
"Judgy, if you let me, I'd rock your world." He kissed me. It was slow and gentle. It was everything that I needed to feel. It's crazy what something as simple as human touch can do it you. The wrong touch can crush someone's soul. A tender caress can change everything. When he kissed me, I felt safe. I felt warm. I felt secure. I didn't feel afraid of the future. I felt all of these things because of him and I needed to feel more.
I moved on top of him and locked my arms around him. We stayed like this for a while. For a little while, the world was perfect.
"Everything is going to world out, Witchy, even if you're taken away for a little while. You're coming back to me. Do you hear me? You're coming back. They can't keep you from us. I'm not losing you right after I found you. I know Stefan's been out of it, but you know he feels the same way." He whispered. I nodded.
"I can speak for myself." Stefan said loudly. I jumped and bumped my head on the coffee table. Damon helped me up and kissed the back of my head.
"I'll let you two talk. Play nice, little brother. She's not one of your bunnies, don't bite her head off." Damon left.
"Bonnie…" Stefan started. I held up my hand to cut him off.
"I need to know if you're over Katherine, before you say anything else. If you're not, then we have no future. I know it's backwards because I have feelings for you and your brother. But, she killed my best friend. She turned her into a vampire and she's still threatening me. I need to know." I'm not going to cry. I'm not going to cry.
"A part of me will always love her, Bonnie. I won't lie to you and tell you that I feel nothing for her. But, as far as being hung up on her, I'm not. I know who she is. She's different than she was when I first met her. I know that she hurt you and I know that I haven't been helping. I shouldn't have let her affect me as much as she did. I'm sorry I hurt you."
"I know that I haven't known you very long, but I never thought you'd do a one-eighty like you did."
"Bonnie, I'm sorry."
"I forgive you, Stefan. It's not a huge deal. I just… I need to know that I can trust you."
"You can."
"And as for Katherine, I've taken care of it."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means you need to trust me on this."
"Caroline, I'm so sorry this happened to you. It's all my fault." I pulled Caroline into a hug.
"Bonnie, don't be stupid. You didn't bite me. It's not your fault Stefan and Damon have a psychotic ex-girlfriend."
"I know but I only fueled the fire. She told me she would do something and I didn't take her seriously."
"Stop blaming yourself. Look, apart from the blood, there's not too many down sides to this. I'm learning how to control it. I might be dead, but it's not a death-sentence. Quit beating yourself up over something that you have no control of. You have enough going on. Okay? I'll be fine. I've got people here that have got my back. Okay? My biggest issue is getting my mom to invite me back inside my house. We're good, Bonnie-bear. I promise." She hugged me tighter.
"I'm so happy you're still here. You have no idea. I love you, Care-Bear."
"I love you, too, Bon."
Elijah's POV
"Niklaus, there's been a change of plan. You should come back to Mystic Falls immediately." I told my younger brother over the phone.
"Is something wrong, Elijah?"
"It seems Miss Bennett has run into someone you've been looking for, for a very long time."
"And who might that be?"
"Katerina."
~*.*~
'Get out of my way – what did she say? She's so, so sorry.
Just get out of my way – what did she say? She's so, so sorry.
She said, 'I wanna start over today; take me back again.'
Get out of my way – what did she say? She's so, so sorry.
And it's all that I can say, if you've never been let down –
And the story's far from over; everything comes back around.
So, be careful what you say – what goes up is gonna come down.
Don't be taken back; it's all because of you.'
~*.*~
Author's Note: Alright, SO I changed my mind about where this chapter was going about halfway through. But, I think it'll make the next chapter more interesting. Alright, you know the deal, reviews would be excellent! :D
Stay wonderful.
Xo Xo
Anneryn