A/N: I would love to give you all a long list as to why this story has not been updated but I won't. I am sorry for not updating in a while. Life has just been extremely busy lately. I hope those who are with this story have not strayed away because I have more ideas brewing and can't wait to get them out to you in later chapters.

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No copyright infringement intended.

Acceptance.

Past- a few weeks ago.

"I only did Meth once." Damon's voice gained Bonnie's attention, bringing her out of her thoughts. She didn't know the expression that was held upon her face, but she could assume that it held shock, because that is exactly what she was in. "You don't know how true those commercials you see on television really are until you actually try Meth and you find yourself doing it again and again." The only people who knew of Damon's downfall with drugs when he was younger were his family. And by family he meant his parents and younger brother, the Mikaelson's and Marcel.

And now he was sharing that information with the young woman sitting next to him. The fact that he felt as if he needed to open up about his past, made Damon wonder about his sanity for a moment.

"I didn't do it to an extent but I did find myself getting lost in it from time to time. But for me I was shallow about my looks that maybe that's why I stopped that particular drug." He found himself smirking a bit. So, when I say I've been where you are and I know what you're going through, I'm not saying it just to say it. I've hurt people mentally and physically. I've hurt people because their pain masked my own and made me feel better… made me feel alive. I got off hurting people. I got off hurting myself…" He found himself pausing for a moment, not trying to relive his past, "….I almost killed myself twice…. and if it weren't for my brother, I would have…"

Damon could see Bonnie's expression out of his peripheral and could tell that she was in a state of shock. But he still continued, "And I'm telling you this because I know you feel like you'll never get through this… like it will never get better, but I'm a good example that it will. I went to rehab young just like you, got sober from the alcohol and drugs, went to school and earned my PH.D. and now I own a business. Trust me when I say, if I can do it anyone can."

If Bonnie were to get paid a million dollars to say something… anything, she would still hold the same amount of money she does now. She honestly didn't know what to say. Damon was sharing information with her about his past when he was lost in drugs. He was opening up to her in a way that not many people would. And she could definitely tell that he was the type to not really open up to anyone.

"So, it all depends on what you want Bonnie. Don't let this difficult point in your life put you on a different path from the direction you are heading. I can already see that you are much more than that."

Bonnie stayed silent as the tears invaded her eyes.

"I believe in you, Bonnie. So it's time to start believing in yourself… it's time to start forgiving yourself."

They both didn't even realize that their hands became intertwined for the duration of the night.

Present

"And then what happened?"

Bonnie couldn't help but send a glare at her best friend who was smiling uncontrollably. Rebekah had a way of not understanding the bigger picture in everything.

"Nothing, Bekah," She answered. "After we talked, he drove me back here, and I haven't really seen him in a while." Bonnie wouldn't admit that it bothered her a little that Damon hadn't returned to the facility since he illegally took her around the city. But she knew she had to control her emotions because it shouldn't matter if he were here or not. The last few weeks here were mainly group sessions anyways.

But she did have to admit that after the unexpected drive around New York, the adrenaline Bonnie felt brought her a feeling of pure elation.

Rebekah squealed, "This is exciting. You know he's like twenty seven right? And you're twenty-two, so you two would be perfect together!"

Even though Bonnie found herself rolling her eyes, she couldn't help smile, "Do you hear yourself right now? Damon is my therapist…."

"He was your therapist, but he's really not anymore." She cut her off, "Plus he's still a man. A gorgeous man and that says a lot coming from me, especially since he's like my brother."

Laughter filled the air, and the foreign sound was coming from Bonnie. Ever since that outing with Damon, she found herself smiling and laughing a bit more every day. It was crazy how sometimes it takes just one simple moment to make the recover y process so much easier… so much more bearable.

"I think being out of this place has made you a little kooky." Bonnie replied, slipping on her sandals.

Rebekah threw a pillow at her best friend, "I'm just saying, every time his name is mentioned you blush."

"Damon is an attractive man, who wouldn't blush around him. I even blushed around Marcel a few times when he was here."

Bonnie did have a point, Rebekah couldn't help but think.

She then put her arm around her, steering away from the conversation for a while, "It's really good to see you like this, Bons. Smiling… laughing…. there is a definite change in you."

"Thank you," Bonnie smiled, "I wouldn't have been able to do it without you."

"And Damon," she winked.

It was Bonnie's turn to throw the pillow at Rebekah.

Rebekah caught it, trying to control her laughter, "But on a more serious note, you never told me how it went with your friends last week."

Bonnie paused for a moment as she thought about last week and how she was finally able to see her friends. It was a moment that she was excited for, but also scared to death. When you were able to meet with your family and friends, you were one step closer in finishing your recovery. And Bonnie knew that was the final step she needed. Even though she knew it could either make her or break her and put her back at square one….

Past

"Are you ready, Bonnie?" Pearl asked, gaining Bonnie's attention.

No, Bonnie automatically thought as she fiddled with her fingers. She was nervous and really thought about turning away. "What if they don't forgive me?" she asked worriedly.

"Bonnie everything is going to be okay. I need you to breathe. Trust me, your friends came all the way to New York from Virginia, they want to see you. They miss you and you know that. So just breathe and relax."

Even though Bonnie found Pearl to be a sweet person, she would have preferred Damon to be here.

Walking into the room, her eyes connected with Caroline, Elena, Tyler, Stefan and Jeremy, whom were all sitting down.

Their eyes instantly went to her as she entered and took a seat, and to Bonnie's surprise there wasn't a hint of anger that cascaded across their faces like she expected. Instead, it was a look of sadness due to the tears and a look of…. understanding.

"Before we start," Pearl began, "I just want to inform everyone that this meeting is the last step Bonnie needs in order to end her journey here at the facility. Usually it's just for immediate family, but Bonnie has listed all of you as her family."

Everyone nodded and their eyes never left Bonnie's.

"Whenever you're ready, Bonnie," Pearl spoke, "Take your time."

Bonnie didn't realize when she actually started speaking because there was a lot of hesitation on her part. Her hands were sweaty and she just couldn't form an actual thought, but as soon as she began, the tears immediately came, "I don't know how to apologize. I want to take back everything I said, but I know I can't." She took a deep breath, trying to control her emotions, "I was sick and I was scared and I didn't mean… I wanted to hurt you, I was trying to hurt you and I think I succeeded. And if I could change that….if I could go back and undo…" Her lips quivered for a moment, knowing that any moment she could cry. "The drugs… some people think that the drugs and alcohol bring out the truth. And… maybe that's the case with normal people, I don't know. But for me…the drugs bring out lies and they bring out cruelty and viciousness and hate and those things are not me….they are not the real me." She wiped a single tear that had fallen from her eye. "The person you knew before the drugs is the real me….the real me is the person sitting here now. There are not enough words to express how sorry I am and how I let you all down." More tears began to escape her eyes, and it got to the point where there was no need to interfere, "The man I loved… my best friend… he died and I think he would be really pissed off at me if I died too so I'm saying I'm sorry, and I hope you believe me. I hope you can forgive me and I hope that I can forgive myself…."

"Bonnie you didn't let us down," Caroline spoke up; the tears in her eyes were not missed, "I think it's safe to say we felt like we let you down."

"We love you, Bonnie." Elena said, her chocolate brown eyes holding sadness, "We're not mad at you… we never were."

"You're our best friend, Bonnie," Tyler began, "You're our sister. We love you. How many times have I done things that you all didn't like? But you stood by me. We all stand by each other." Hearing Tyler say that brought more tears to her eyes.

She nodded, trying to wipe her tears, "I can't take it back, but I'm going to try and move forward and I'm going to try to never hurt any of you ever again."

And before Bonnie could react to anything else, she was being enveloped in a hug by Caroline, Elena, Tyler, and Jeremy. She tensed for a moment, because she hadn't hugged her friends in several months. It was an old familiar comfortable feeling, but new at the same time.

And she missed it desperately.

"We love you, Bonnie, no matter what." Jeremy said.

She couldn't help but smile as the tears left her eyes. And when she glanced ahead she noticed Stefan sitting there with a soft smile on his face and an expression of understanding.

They stayed that way for what seemed like eternity with everyone shedding a tear, missing their best friend.

When they left, Bonnie could feel that she was so close to being ready to leave in the week, but still something felt off…. Missing. Something else felt like it needed to be done.

As Bonnie stood up to leave, Pearl said, "Someone else wants to see you, Bonnie. She wanted to talk with you alone."

"Who?" She asked, not aware of whom it could be.

Pearl opened the door, and the person who walked in made Bonnie's heart feel like it dropped out of her chest.

Vicki Donovan.

Bonnie sat back down, because if she kept standing she would fall over. She couldn't feel anything but a desire to close her eyes and sink into an abyss so heavy that no one could get her out.

She didn't remember the last time she saw Vicki.

Bonnie's tears escaped her like a waterfall, and before she realized it, Vicki was kneeling before her enclosing her in her arms, letting the tears fall from her eyes as well.

Bonnie attempted to say sorry, but the words barely came out.

"It's not your fault, Bonnie." Vicky softly said, "It's not your fault."

And they stayed that way for awhile…crying, and providing comfort for one another.

Present

"I'm really proud of you, Bons." Rebekah wiped a stray tear form her eye after listening.

Not wanting to tear up anymore, Bonnie asked, "So, when am I going to see you again?"

"Well, I've never really been to Mystic Falls, but I'm sure I could visit. Or, you could come up here for the New Year, and I could show you what Manhattan is really like and how you can have fun without alcohol and drugs…. All-expense paid."

Bonnie laughed; she was really going to miss her.

"Plus there is Skype, text message, and email every single day."

As Bonnie zipped up her suitcase, she looked around the room that was practically her home for several months.

"Well, let me get going before I start crying." Rebekah then brought Bonnie into another hug. "Plus Elijah wants to take me out to lunch and you know how I don't like to pass up food."

Bonnie pulled Rebekah into another hug, "I love you, Rebekah. Thank you so much for everything."

"I love you too, Bonnie. And no problem, I would do it again if I had too." She said, wiping her tears, "Let's just hope I don't have too. Let me know when you make it home safely."

Rebekah kissed her forehead and then walked out of her room, almost running into Damon.

"Coming to say good bye, Salvatore?" Rebekah accused with a smile.

Damon found himself rolling his eyes at the youngest Mikaelson, "Just coming to make sure my patient is ready to leave, Barbie Klaus."

Rebekah rolled her eyes as well at the nickname Damon's always had for her since she was a kid. "She's ready… she's pretty excited actually. Are you going to go profess your love and beg her to stay in New York?"

"Don't you have to meet with Elijah and Katherine or something?"

Rebekah almost forgot Katherine was coming to the lunch with them, and that caused her to scoff. It's not that she didn't like her brother's fiancé, it's just that she didn't know her… and she wasn't really taking the time to know her.

"Love you too, little sister." He smirked, and watched Rebekah walk past him and leave the facility.

As Bonnie put her knap sack around her arm and grabbed her suitcase that rolled, she looked back at the room, she stayed in for several months, one last time and took a breath of relief.

She was finally leaving, she thought with a smile as she walked out of the room. Not paying attention to where she was going, she found herself running into Damon.

Their eyes connected with one another as they stayed silent, trying to figure out what should be said to one another.

Bonnie was thrilled when Damon finally spoke up, because she didn't really know how to process words at the moment. "I just wanted to make sure everything was good with you before you left." This was the only moment in Damon Salvatore's life that he felt like he was some loser in high school that couldn't talk to girls.

"Yes… I've got everything packed. I'm ready." She answered.

Silence again.

"Should we hug?" Bonnie asked, mentally kicking herself at the question that sound extremely better in her head. "I mean, I feel like we should hug. I mean, you've been nothing but patient and understanding with me throughout everything. You saved me…. and I think we should hug."

Damon found her quirkiness to be endearing and he honestly didn't care if anyone were around witnessing this moment between them.

Bonnie was actually surprised when Damon pulled her into a hug. Even though she suggested it, doesn't mean that she expected it. But needless to say, she definitely felt like melting into his arms.

"Thank you, Damon."

When Damon lifted up from their hug, his eyes found hers and he was glad that he had something to do with the beautiful smile that descended upon her features.

"Hey, this was all you." It's not exactly what he wanted to say, but it would have to suffice. He then handed her a slip of paper with his personal email address that only a select few (meaning his family) had. He didn't think it would be appropriate to give her his number…. not that he should care.

"If you ever need anything, email me and I'll answer right away." And that was the truth.

She took the piece of paper and held onto it like it was gold. "Thank you."

When Damon's hand made contact with Bonnie's face in a soft caress, every ounce of his body was telling him to kiss her. Just once. It wouldn't lead anywhere, hell they would probably never see each other again, kept running through his mind.

But as soon as he felt himself leaning forward, Pearl's voice interrupted them, "Bonnie, you're ride is outside."

Bonnie's attention flew to Pearl's, but the only thing running through her mind was if Damon was about to kiss her? She had to just be imagining it.

Pearl then pulled Bonnie into a hug, "You be careful out there Bonnie. We'll miss you."

Bonnie smiled, directed her attention towards Damon one more time and then walked out of the Manhattan Rehabilitation center letting the fresh air hit her face.

"She's your patient, Damon." Pearl looked to the young man who was almost like a son to her, even though she wasn't that much older than him.

"Not anymore, Pearl." Damon smirked, watching Bonnie leave.

As Bonnie stepped outside, she expected a taxi to be waiting for her to take her to the airport, but instead it was a very nice black Chrysler 300 with tinted windows and a driver standing in front of it, holding up a sign that read: Bonnie Bennett.

"Ms. Bennett," The driver announced.

She nodded, a little taken back; wondering if the facility provided this nice ride to the airport?

After the driver took her bags and put it in the trunk, he opened the car door, issuing her to get into the back.

Never get into cars with people she didn't know, but she just figured it was from the facility so she got in and came face to face with Stefan Salvatore.

Bonnie had to admit, she was a little shock to see him. "Stefan… what are you still doing here? I thought you all left."

A soft smile formed upon Stefan's lips; a comforting smile she knew all too well, "I have family that lives here so I decided to stay until you were done so you could have company on the plane ride back."

As Stefan issued the driver to drive, he and Bonnie stayed silent for awhile..

A lot of different thoughts were running through Bonnie's head at the moment, causing her to speak up, "Last week… last week we never got to really…. Anyways, thank you for not giving up on me even when you had every reason to kick me aside. You didn't… and well… I'm grateful for that… for you. So, thank you."

Stefan grabbed her hand in his, "It's not a problem, Bonnie I would do it again if I had too."

She squeezed his hand, as a small tear slid down her face, "Thank you."

Even though she and Stefan became somewhat friends because of Elena, the fact that he took his time to help her through her most difficult time even when she was acting like a first class bitch, made him more of friend then she could ever imagine.

"Now, let's get you home," He said, leaning his head beck, "You're grandmother is waiting."

Bonnie took a deep breath and smiled.

She could do this. She could go back to Mystic Falls. It was time for her to go back. Figure out her life plans. Be there for her friends.

It was time.

A/N: Thank you guys so much for reading this chapter! I hope you enjoyed and please please please review! =)

The scene where Bonnie was talking to her friends was from Private Practice that I have mentioned before with Amelia.

I had planned on getting this chapter out before the season 5 premiere, but time got away with me yet again.

Just to let everyone know, just because Bonnie is out of rehab doesn't mean there won't be anymore flashbacks or that she won't see Damon again, because Katherine and Elijah's wedding is coming up. Also, just in case it's not as clear in the story, Bonnie doesn't know that Damon and Stefan are related. Damon never mentioned his last name to Bonnie and he wanted to keep it that way. =)

Again I hope you all enjoyed & review and don't forget to add me on tumblr:

xoxo