A/N: My deepest apologies for not updating last week. I really planned too, and even had part of the chapter finished early last week, but crazy work schedules, meetings, etc never gave me any time. Lol. Thank you all so much for the reviews, the follows, the favorites! Your support for this story is beautiful! xoxo

A deep breath didn't seem to help as Rebekah Mikaelson tried to prepare and calm herself for her upcoming session. Was breathing even possible at this point?

"Maybe this isn't a good idea after all." She stated to her new found friend. She was grateful that Bonnie walked with her to her session, and she was grateful that she tried to calm her down.

"Bekah, it's going to be okay." Bonnie grabbed her hands, and when their eyes connected she continued, "I know you're scared. I understand that, but you know better than anyone that this is needed. Just remember they love you so much and they are probably just as nervous as you are."

Rebekah didn't know what else to do but hug her. "Thank you, Bons."

"No problem. And I'll be here if you need to talk afterwards."

Rebekah smiled one more time at Bonnie before she went inside to face the two people that she loved the most.

When she stepped inside, tears instantly sprang to her eyes upon seeing her two brothers. It was like a breath of fresh air that she hadn't received in close to a year; a level of comfort that she didn't know that she was missing.

Elijah still looked the same, wearing one of his many suits that described his debonair persona. He still radiated tranquility when anyone walked into a room. She noticed that Niklaus cut his hair and couldn't help but think that it looked really good on him. He even still exuded that ounce of stubborn power when anyone walked into a room. Rebekah only knew that because she used to hold it as well. Out of all of her brothers, she and Klaus were almost one in the same.

"Now this session isn't about judgment," Pearl spoke, pulling Rebekah out of her thoughts, "You all haven't seen each other in a while. So, this is about Rebekah being able to express what she's feeling. How this place has helped her." She smiled softly at Rebekah, assuring her that she would be here if she needed comfort throughout this session.

Rebekah took a deep breath and stared into her brother's eyes.

"I know you both hate me right now and you have every right too, I betrayed your trust." Her voice choked on a sob. "It was wrong and stupid of me. I wanted to tell you a million times of how truly sorry I am." She found herself looking down for a moment, and then back up into their eyes. She didn't know if she was imagining it, but Niklaus looked as if he had a few tears in his eyes. "People make mistakes. So, I'm begging you if you could just listen with your heart when I tell you that, I know you can't forgive me right now, and I don't expect… I don't want you too, because I don't deserve your forgiveness…."

She couldn't help but pause when the tears escaped her eyes; she couldn't hold it in any longer. Rebekah wanted to hug her brothers; wanted them to hold onto her until she stopped crying, but she wasn't that brave. She knew that they didn't really want to be here.

While she continued to cry, she didn't know when her hands covered her face, until someone was pulling them gently away. Her eyes connected with Elijah's as he knelt in front of her.

Tears were held behind his eyes as well, as he softly gripped onto her hands. "If forgiveness is what you want Rebekah, then you have it from me, but I don't blame you for anything that happened. You were spiraling down a road that we should have paid more attention too. We were so wrapped up in our lives that we became unaware…..what I'm saying is that I love you Rebekah, you are my sister… my family. I'm glad you're okay… that you are here with us." He then kissed her forehead, and brought her into a hug.

Rebekah fell into his embrace as she cried. It was more than just comforting, it was warm, compassionate; it was family.

"I would like a moment alone with Rebekah." Klaus's voice brought everyone's attention to him.

"We are not allowed to do that," Pearl announced to Klaus' request.

"Pearl…. Please." Klaus rarely said please… actually he never said please. He wasn't the type to beg or show much compassion to anyone other than his family; and even that was pushing it.

Even Pearl was caught off guard by Klaus's request. It took her a moment, but she finally agreed. But she and Elijah would be on the other side of the door. It Pearl hadn't been as close as she was with the Mikaelson's, she would have denied his request.

Elijah gave Klaus a questioning look, but followed Pearl out of the room.

When the door closed, Rebekah tried to avert her attention to anywhere but her brother's eyes, but when he started to speak, she couldn't.

"Do you remember when we were younger, and father use to come down hard on me?"

Rebekah nodded.

"You seem to come out of nowhere and try to put a stop to it; even though you were just a mere child. You have always been there for me Rebekah, and I…" His breath caught in his throat. Showing this type of emotion was uncommon for him.

And Rebekah knew that, "You have always been there for me too, Nik. Growing up, you were my protector." It was the truth. Yes, she was surrounded by nothing but guys growing up, who were over protective. But Nik was more than just her protector… he was her partner in crime. They were almost one in the same.

"I didn't protect you when everything started… I didn't protect you that night. Instead, I cast you aside, told you things that weren't true. And when you almost died….. when we couldn't come here to see you…." He walked up to her, and grabbed her hands, causing her to stand up, "And for that I am sorry. You have always been there for me, and when you needed me the most I let my anger subside my care for you. I love you Rebekah. I always will. You are my sister… practically my other half." And he knew that. Out of all of his siblings, Rebekah was the one that was most like him. And ever since that night when he told her that she was nothing, he regretted it ever since. If he would have just stayed with her and took her back home instead of calling Kol and Finn, they may still be alive. So yes, every day, he blamed himself.

"I love you too, Nik." She cried into his arms.

She didn't know when her tears eased up a bit, but when she moved from his arms, she held onto his hand, and spoke a saying they hadn't used since they were children, "We stick together as one…."

"Always and forever." Elijah finished her sentence, as he walked back into the room, and held onto both of his sibling's hands.

They first came up with that saying, years ago, with Kol and Finn, when their mother died and their father left. They vowed that day that they would protect and look out for one another. And even though unexpected horrible circumstances occurred, they still had to hold onto it.

It would rain today.

The sun was deep behind the cloud's depths, as no ounce of the sun's rays enveloped the earth. The wind had picked up a little, leaving Bonnie enclosed in a cool breeze. She may have had on a sweater, but she could still feel it tickle her skin. It was actually rather soothing…. being outside and getting some fresh air. She didn't do it often, but when she did, it calmed some of her tensions.

Although right now, it wasn't the outside chill in the air that brought her a bit of solace; it was the memory of last night in her session with Damon. She was able to open up to him in a way she never had before. It was both daunting and uplifting to acquire that level of vulnerability. And the fact that he held nothing but kindness and concern behind his eyes made her feel an unexplainable emotion course through her body.

But as she tried to hide that emotion deep within herself, Rebekah's voice kept entering her mind as she thought about the conversation they had earlier.

"I think he has a crush on you." Rebekah grinned, as Bonnie helped her get ready for her session with her brothers.

"I'm not even going to entertain your crazy accusation." Bonnie said, brushing through her friend's hair.

"It's not crazy. Just think about it, he counseled you in your room last night, which is completely unprofessional and you are his only patient. So, I think he is quite smitten with you."

Bonnie wouldn't believe that… she couldn't believe it. For one, Damon was her therapist and two, well, he was incredibly good-looking and established, while she was a dried up recovering addict.

"Bexs, I'm sure that's not the case. If anything, he feels sorry for me; he's probably taking pity. More than likely he thinks I'm a bipolar emotional crazy person."

Rebekah turned around and looked at her. "Well for starters, Damon feels sorry for no one. He doesn't take pity on anyone and you have to remember, he's also been in your shoes." As soon as those words left her mouth, she could have bit her tongue.

And the look on Bonnie's face told her that she caught on to what she had just revealed.

"Wait, how did you know all of that?"

Rebekah thought about making something up. She had no idea why Damon was here and only counseling Bonnie. But Bonnie had become one of her best friends, so she wasn't going to lie to her.

Before she answered, she took a deep breath, "I grew up with Damon." She noticed Bonnie's eyes widen a little. "My brothers, Damon and his brother, and Marcel… we all grew up together. And this was my first time seeing Damon in a long while. And I would have told you, but with everything going on, I didn't really think….."

Bonnie let Rebekah's words process through her mind. It was definitely a small world. "It must have been crazy growing up with all guys."

She chuckled, "Actually… it was unbearable. It was as if I was in protective services. Damon, Marcel, and my brother Nik were the worse. Annoying and controlling. But I love them… more than anything."

After all that being said, Rebekah continued on about how he could possibly have a crush on her, and of course Bonnie was still quick to deny it.

"Is this seat taken?"

Bonnie was cut out of her thoughts at Marcel's question. "Does it look taken?" Damn it, she thought. She didn't mean to sound offensive. Her emotions were still on edge and sometimes she didn't even know when she was going to unexpectedly get irritated and act like a world class bitch.

"I'm sorry that was rude of me," she apologized, "Please… sit."

When he sat down beside her, his jaw dropping smile formed on his lips, "Don't apologize. Trust me, I've been there. I remember during my time here, someone gave me a compliment and I found myself cussing them out. So, I understand."

She turned to look at him, and a small blush instantly crept to her cheeks at his immaculate face. She was certain that reactions like hers happened to almost every female he came in contact with. "If you don't mind me asking, how long did you find yourself doing that? One minute it's like I'm okay and then out of nowhere I'm just irritated…pissed off at the world."

"It was probably my last month here, and I was in rehab for almost six months. I probably would have been out sooner if I actually went to the therapy sessions."

Bonnie nodded and focused her attention back on the water in the pool.

"I think it's really nice of you to come in and help Rebekah." She stated, her eyes never leaving the water. "She doesn't belong here anymore."

Marcel lied back in the lounge chair he was occupying, and stared out at the water as well, "I'd do anything for her. She's my family. And when everything happened with her… it was just… seeing her spiral down and not being able to do anything about it was…"

"Hard."

He nodded, "Painful."

They continued looking at the unoccupied pool, as their thoughts and memories invaded their mind.

Past

Time flies by when you're having fun.

Bonnie knew and understood that more than anyone. So much had happened in the last couple of months, and she was so fueled on the path she was on and the decisions she had made that were so corrupt to the world, but satisfying to her.

Her actions made her feel content…. happy. Or at least that's what she believed to be happiness and contentment. Like the fact that she found herself drinking almost twice a day, every day, and doing a line of coke as well. Or the fact that she lost her scholarship and dropped out of school, alienated herself from all of her friends but Matt, and lied to her grandmother.

After the incident where Shane had 'accidently' hit her, she found herself missing classes more often and missing tests and midterms. So, she just decided that school wasn't for her anymore and dropped out. And that's where lying to her grandmother came in. When she called to check in on her from time to time, Bonnie left out the fact that she was no longer in school, and pretty much informed her Grams that she was passing all of her classes. She hated lying to her, but she didn't want her to worry and she knew her Grams would never understand. She would probably stress about how Bonnie was making a mistake and probably try to come and change her mind on her current decisions.

And she didn't want that; because to Bonnie, she wasn't making any horrible decisions.

As Bonnie lied back in bed and let the H seep through her skin, she remembered the day she moved out of the dorms.

"Bonnie look at me, this isn't you?" Caroline frantically said, as Bonnie started throwing her belongings into suitcases.

"Caroline, will you back off!" Bonnie practically yelled. She was both irritated and annoyed with her so called friends. All she wanted to do was finish packing and get back to Shane's house before it got late. He let her borrow his car for the day and if she didn't have it back in the next two hours, she knew he would get mad. And she hated when she made him angry.

"No, Bonnie, I'm not going to back off. What you're doing is wrong."

Bonnie rolled her eyes, and took a large gulp from the tequila bottle she had sitting on her bed.

"Bons, please…" Elena pleaded. The tears were forming in her eyes, and to be honest Bonnie wanted to laugh.

"Are you kidding me right now? I mean come on, Caroline you were the one who wanted me to let loose this semester. Have fun Bons! We have to party Bonnie, don't be too much into your studies." She sarcastically tried her best imitation of Caroline. "Well I did that and now you all want me to stop! I mean what the fuck do you all want from me?!"

"Bonnie we're your friends; we just want to help you." Stefan chimed in, concern hidden behind his features.

"Here we go again," Bonnie spat out, "Stefan Salvatore trying to come to the rescue. Why are you even here? You are the last person I would ever listen too."

"Well then listen to me Bonnie," Caroline spoke up again, "You're my best friend…my sister. We all care about you. With everything you're doing you could kill yourself. Please just… we can help you."

"I don't need your help, Caroline. What do you not understand? This has been the happiest I have been my whole entire life, and the fact that my so called friends are trying to take that away from me, really puts everything in perspective. Shane was right about all of you." She closed the last suitcase, and put her tequila bottle in her purse.

"Bonnie do you hear yourself right now?" Elena asked, hurt by her friend's words. "Shane is not a good guy. He's your professor for crying out loud."

"He's not my professor anymore. And you're just jealous that I have finally found someone. You all wanted me to be your sidekick, your prude dimwitted friend. And I have finally found someone that makes me feel on cloud nine. And you guys hate that. Well you know what, I love him and I'm going to stay with him. So you all can kick rocks with opened toe shoes."

With that being said, Bonnie grabbed her belongings and walked towards the front door.

"Bonnie, please don't go… please let us help you….." The tears were now in Caroline's eyes.

"Until you can accept Shane and accept that this is who I am now, stay away from me. And stay away from Matt too."

Bonnie's eyes fluttered open from the memory. She remembered being so pissed off that day at all of them, never wanting to talk to them again, and yet a week later from that day, she found herself calling them informing them that she was going to go get help and stay with her Grams for the summer or until she got better. Luckily, they believed that lie.

As of right now, she was staying with Shane…. well, only when he wanted her there. She was actually surprised that he let her stay the whole week with him. Usually, she would find herself crashing at Matt's on the days Shane didn't want her at his house. It bothered her when he would get in his moods and suggest she find another place to sleep, especially on those days they would have mind blowing sex. He would fuck her until she felt she couldn't walk, and then on a random day he would tell her to find another place to sleep. It had become such a routine that she just got used to it.

She was just glad that Matt had his own place now, so she wouldn't be out on the streets. She remembered the day, about a month ago, when he showed her the bag full of money he acquired for selling drugs. And now he was able to afford an apartment, because he too had dropped out of school.

Mac Miller's 'Someone like you' seeped through her ears, bringing her out of her thoughts. She almost forgot that she was at Shane's lying in his comfortable king sized bed. Her body felt heavy yet weightless, warm yet chilled. She liked that feeling… it consumed her…made her feel as if she were floating in space; fighting for air yet holding her breath to escape reality. She didn't know if it was from the Ecstasy she took last night, compliments of April, or the H that filled her blood stream earlier. If everyone in the world could feel how she felt, there wouldn't be such a thing called stress, anger, disdain. They would just be… existing… floating… at peace.

"You're up." Bonnie's attention averted to Shane's voice who was sitting in a chair across from Connor, rolling a bunt. She quickly pulled the blanket that she was under closer to her neck, hoping that Conner didn't see any part of her birthday suit.

But wait, why was Connor here? She had no idea what time…. hell even what day it was, but when they slept together and she was fortunate to spend the night, he never had anyone over.

"W-what time is it?" She had no idea where the headache came from all of sudden, but the feeling that engulfed her wasn't satisfying.

"Around midnight." Shane answered, passing the blunt to Connor. He then walked up to Bonnie and knelt on the bed in front of her. His lips captured hers in a searing kiss, leaving her a bit breathless. "How was your sleep?"

Her lips formed into a smile when he kissed her shoulder, "It was amazing." It made Bonnie's heart swell with elation when Shane would act this way. Yes, he had his bad moments, but when he had his good moments with her, it was magical.

"Is it alright if I stay the night tonight?" One, because she wanted to cuddle with him and two, she was in no way shape or form in the position to move. Even though she felt weightless mentally, her body felt weighed down.

"Of course baby," He kissed her again, "But I want you to do something for me."

"Anything," She smiled. Bonnie would do just about anything for him, because making him happy was her ultimate goal.

"We've been seeing each other for quite some time," He began. Bonnie's breath almost caught in her throat. Was he going to propose? Was that why Connor was here? He wanted a witness? "And I was thinking that we should try something new in our relationship."

She waited for him to continue, but was sidetracked by Connor walking over and sitting on the end of the bed.

"I want to watch you sleep with him." If Bonnie didn't actually hear and see the words coming from Shane's mouth, she wouldn't have believed him.

"I'm sorry what?" It had to be a mistake. Shane barely liked her being friend's with Matt because he was guy. There was no way he could want this.

"He's my best friend, Bons. And I want him to know what it feels like to be inside your tight…" He sucked his teeth, just imagining how it felt to be inside her.

"But…"

"You said you wanted to make me happy right?" He asked cutting her off, and when she nodded, he continued. "This will make me happy. And I'm going to be right here watching."

Connor started tracing his fingers along her thigh, and she instantly flinched away. She didn't want this…. she didn't want Connor. She only wanted to be with Shane.

Shane grabbed onto her hands, "I want you to know what it's like to be with someone else. And I promise I will be sitting right over there." He then kissed her cheek, "So, please, do this for me baby."

Bonnie didn't realize when she finally agreed until Connor was on top of her, kissing down her neck. She couldn't believe she was letting this happen, but it's what Shane wanted, and she wanted to make him happy. He loved her, so sometimes you do crazy things for the people you love.

And before he went to go sit in his chair, he whispered to her to pretend she liked it.

An hour later, Bonnie found herself in Shane's shower, letting the water wash away the filth she felt was embedded into her skin. As soon as Shane walked Connor out, Bonnie jumped into the shower before she could process everything she had just done. She would have loved to blame it on the H that was still buzzing inside of her, or the X that was still causing a minute affect. But she couldn't. She did it because she wanted to make Shane happy, because he had been so grateful and hospitable towards her. He bought her everything she could have wanted, and made her feel loved. And that's what she needed.

When the door slid open to the shower, her eyes connected with Shane for only a mere moment before he hit her across the face, causing her to lose her balance and fall to the shower floor. The tears instantly sprang to her eyes as her mind began racing, wondering what she could have done. Did Connor tell him that she wasn't good? Did she not look like she was enjoying it? Because she tried… she really did.

She was pulled to her feet by her shoulders, and slammed back against the wall.

"You let him touch you!" He yelled at her face.

"You wanted me too. I was trying to make you happy," she cried.

The anger was lethal behind his eyes, "You seemed to enjoy it more with him than you enjoy it with me. Is that it, Bonnie? Was he better than me?!" He shoved her back into the wall again.

"N-no…" she sobbed, "I-I love y-you."

"You're such a lying slut. Get the fuck out of my house. I never want to see you again." He pushed her down, causing her to fall out of the shower.

"Shane… I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Was this really happening?

"You have five minutes to get your shit and get out of my house!" He yelled, and walked out of the bathroom leaving her crying, confused, and unstable.

"I'm going to fucking kill him!" Matt was livid. All he could see was red when Bonnie walked into his apartment bruised, with tears streaming out of her eyes.

Bonnie rushed to Matt before he could walk out the door, "Matt, please no… please…"

"No, Bonnie! Enough is enough. The first time he did it I left it alone… then it kept happening and I still didn't do anything, but enough is just a fucking enough!" He yelled. "He made you sleep with that asshole Connor and then fucking beat you…no, Bonnie…"

"Matt please, I just want to forget about it okay. I don't want him to be mad at me anymore." She cried, "I really screwed everything up."

The one thing he hated and despised most in this world was anyone who hurt Bonnie. He was closer to her than his own sister, and he hated to see her cry. The bruises and cuts that were displayed among her body really set him on edge.

But all he could do was listen to her and pull her into his arms to provide the comfort that she needed. But would he forget about everything that happened tonight? Not a chance in hell.

The cracking noise satisfied Matt Donovan as his foot connected with Atticus Shane's face. "You come near Bonnie ever again, I will kill you. Do you understand?" His eyes then connected with Haley, the girl he had been involved with for several months, wearing nothing but panties and a bra. "And you, I don't want to see you again, you treacherous bitch."

After those words left his mouth, he looked at the professor one more time, bloodied and bruised with a broken nose, and left him lying on his living room floor writhing in pain, as he went back to his apartment.

No one messed with his girl and got away with it. He may have accepted the fact that he was now a drug addict and a dealer, and was probably drinking his way into an early grave, but he was still and would always be protective over his best friend. And the only thing preventing him from killing Professor Shane tonight was Bonnie.

When he arrived back at his apartment, he took a shower and then climbed into bed with Bonnie. He pulled her close to him, and the whole night, all he could do was listen to her breathe.

Present

Bonnie was pulled out of her thoughts by the rain falling from the sky and Marcel helping her up to get inside. She hadn't even realized that she had fallen asleep, but the memories were assaulting her mind, making her extremely tired.

She could still remember the pain she felt upon finding out that the night Shane had physically, emotionally and mentally caused her pain, he jumped in bed with Haley; a person that at the time, she had considered a friend.

"Do you want to join me to get something to eat?" Marcel asked.

Bonnie would have said yes because she hadn't eaten anything all day, but she wasn't really in the mood to be around people at the moment.

Solitude. She needed it right now. "Raincheck? I just want to go lay down for a little while."

"Of course." His million dollar smile plastered among his face, before he kissed her hand.

When she walked on, Marcel began walking towards the cafeteria. He really enjoyed Bonnie. She was beautiful and though she didn't talk much, and was still in her recovery process, he could tell that she was just this kindhearted woman with a fire behind her eyes. If it was a guarantee that Rebekah wouldn't kill him or if he still wasn't dancing the little tango back and forth with Meredith, he probably would have tried to pursue her.

Oh well, knowing him… he just might.

"Fall off the wagon again?" Marcel stopped walking and turned around to the familiar voice filled with sarcasm.

He flashed those pearly whites again, "Damon Salvatore. I could ask you the same thing." He then gripped him into a hug.

Even though Damon held a bit of irritation towards his friend from seeing him attempting to flirt with Bonnie for a second time, he was glad to see him. Out of everyone he surrounded himself with; it was always he, Marcel, and Kol who were the same when it came to certain things. The only thing that separated them from Kol was that they succumbed to a life of drugs and Kol hadn't.

Damn, He desperately missed the second to the youngest Mikaelson.

"Is it getting lonely at the top of Salvatore Industries?" He joked. "Or did you decide not to let your PH, D. go to waste? Or is it for someone in specific? Because that has to be why you would leave your billion dollar company to come counsel just one girl."

If anyone else would have talked to Damon like Marcel had, he would have made them reconsider living in the same area code. But Damon and Marcel were practically brothers… one in the same. And hell if it wasn't his brother or the rest of the Mikaelson gang that could almost read him like a book, it was Marcel. The only problem in that was that Marcel never left anything alone.

"Elijah is more than capable of running everything while I'm away." He stated walking into one of the session rooms, and closing the door behind them. He really didn't need anyone in his business.

"Why are you here and only helping one person? It doesn't make sense."

Damon smirked, "You and the Mikaelson family can't function without knowing my business can you?"

"What can I say, the only thing we don't know about each other is our social security." He paused for a moment, "Look, usually I pry, but I won't for now."

Damon was just as surprised as Marcel was for not continuing to his interrogation. "Who are you and what have you done with Marcel." He stated, causing laughter to erupt form his best friend.

"Can you believe that Elijah is finally settling down," Marcel said, changing the subject.

"Eh, I figured out of all of us, he would be the first to get locked down."

"Did he tell you the two people that made the guest list?" If he didn't, Marcel wanted to be the one to reveal the information to Damon just to see his reaction.

"Who?" Damon asked, not fully aware of the smirk plastered on Marcel's face.

"Connor and Atticus."

Damon's face instantly fell a little and he mentally cursed. He hadn't seen Connor and Shane since a little after his college years. He couldn't stand Connor for various reasons and he only tolerated Shane because he was a good friend of Elijah's.

This was going to be one interesting wedding. At least he had several months to prepare for it.

A/N: Okay, I know I probably need to dodge a bullet from this chapter and especially the ending. I'm sure the majority of you awesome readers are like WTF just happened? Why hasn't Damon already done something to Shane since he knows him and he hurt Bonnie, but that's the point, when Bonnie is having her sessions with Damon, she doesn't really reveal names. She hasn't revealed the professor's name to him, and she doesn't plan too. Also, those moments where Bonnie is thinking back on her memories of everything, the majority of the time she's already revealed that in her session with Damon or will be revealing it soon. I hope it's not too confusing.

I do really hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I wasn't as happy with it, but if anything it could be filler. It was a little difficult to write with the way Shane treated Bonnie, because it's just sick and disgusting, but I had to delve deep into that dark place. Also if you think the past scenes are moving too fast or the scenes with her friends was too short, don't worry because there will be more.

Also the scene with Rebekah and her brothers, as she apologized, that quote was from Greys Anatomy from Lexie.

Again, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! And please review, because all of your reviews make me smile =) xoxo.