A/N: Hey all, I'm so sorry that it's taken me this long to update. I've been so busy. My husband was home from deployment and then left again. Lots of family stuff going on and I'm leaving on vacation for a few weeks soon. Anywho, I'm going to try and have another chapter up within the month. Thank you all for being so patient!

I DO NOT OWN THE VAMPIRE DIARIES OR THE CHARACTERS.
Music Credit: "You're Not Alone" – Saosin

~*.*~
'It's just like him to wander off in the Evergreen Park,
Slowly searching for any sign of the ones he used to love.
He says he's got nothing left to live for.
(He says he's got nothing left…)
And this time I think you'll know…

You're not alone.
There is more to this – I know.
You will make it out.
You will live to tell.'
~*.*~

Chapter Sixteen:

Klaus has done as I asked and done his best to keep his distance. I still see some of him and we still spend time together, but it's not nearly as much as it was before.

Spending time with Rebekah has really helped me. I'm not sure if it's because she has been through the same thing, or just because we're so close, but I doubt I would have much of a about handle of anything without her. She's been patient and understanding with me, just like the rest of the Mikaelson family. It means more to me than I could ever hope to express, and I hope they all know that.

It feels like I'm sick, in a way. We're all doing our best to try and go back to normal, but it feels like we've all forgotten what normal is. The attack from Damon set me back so much farther, from where I was. I'm not sure how to get to where I was again, or if it's even possible. Every time I close my eyes, I see face and his malicious scowl. I can't get it out of my mind. It feels like it's been burned into my memory.

I still don't know why I froze. I do know that if he attacks me again, that I can't afford to freeze. If push comes to shove, there's no doubt in my mind that he'd kill me. Once this stops being fun for him, there will be no reason to keep me around. Everything is a game to him. With Damon, it's always about control. And once he's done with me, he's not about to let someone else take over.

I know that. I've known that. That's one of the reasons I got out of that relationship in the first place. I knew that if I stayed, that it would just be a matter of time, before someone found my body lying in a ditch somewhere. That's what Damon does. That's his game. He seduces you with his charm and makes you feel like you're on top if the world and he bides his time, until he's worked out the perfect way to tear you down.

I have to be ready next time. I got too comfortable here. It was easy. I deluded myself into thinking that I had somehow escaped Damon, or that there was some minute possibility that he wouldn't come looking for me and try to drag me back with him.

I knew that it could happen, but I was hoping against hope that it wouldn't.

Now, I don't know what to do. I'm not sure how to pick myself back up, this time. I don't want the chance that someone could get hurt because of me. It's not worth it. I'm not worth it.

A knock against my window jarred me from my thoughts. I looked up to see Klaus studying me, from my spot on the balcony.

"Are you up for company, sweetheart?" He asked me. I nodded, meekly. I'm not really sure how to talk to him now. I feel embarrassed and exposed. I know it's stupid, but I can't help it. "We can't avoid what happened forever, love." He told me, gently, as he sat down next to me.

"I know." I whispered.

"Sweetheart, I need to make something abundantly clear." Klaus breathed. I forced myself to look him in the eye. "Whatever has happened… it doesn't make me think any less of you. If anything, it reinforces my opinion on just how strong of a woman you are." He reached over and cradled my hand in his. I blinked, trying to figure out if I had heard him clearly.

"I'm not..." My voice broke. "I'm not strong." I argued. There's nothing about me that's strong.

"How can your vision of yourself be so skewed, sweetheart?" He whispered. My eyes burned and I knew tears weren't far behind. "I'll wait for you, no matter how long it takes. I'm not going anywhere, Bonnie. I'm yours. Nothing will ever change that. Do you hear me? No matter what stunts Damon tries to pull. I will be here. We will all be here." He vowed.

"I don't know how to... I don't... I can't... I have no idea how to... I was doing so much better and now I don't know how to get back to..." I croaked. I can't even get the words out.

"You don't have to know, right this moment, sweetheart. You'll get there. I have every faith that you will overcome this. You're strong enough. I'll be here for you, every step of the way. You're not alone in this, sweetheart." He put his arms around me and I felt my body sag against his.

"Why are you so perfect?" I sniffled. Klaus chuckled. I felt the vibrations radiate from his chest. It's a nice feeling. I'll never get tired of the sound of his laugh. It's so nice to see his happiness – to be a part of it.

"Sweetheart, I'm far from perfect." He disagreed. I shook my head against his chest.

"I know you have your faults, but you are. You're just... you're such a..." I struggled to find the words. "Such an amazing person…" I ended in a whisper.

"I'm glad you think so. You make that easier; you know. It's easier to be a better man, with you. A lot of things come naturally with you, love." He placed a soft kiss on my temple.

"I don't know when I'll be okay." I admitted.

"You don't have to." He assured me. He tightened his arms around and I started to relax in his embrace. I don't know what it is about him, or about our relationship, but ever since I met Klaus, he's made me feel something that I never thought I would be able to feel again - safe. "I love you, sweetheart. There's nothing that he can do that will ever take that away." He promised me. I snuggled into his chest and breathed him in.

"He'll never make me stop loving you." I swore, as I look up at him. Klaus wiped my tears away and dried my cheeks. He touched his lips to mine, gingerly.

"Good," he breathed, as he pulled away. I don't know how to get back to where I was, but at least I know that I'm where I'm supposed to be.

~*.*~
'She's just like him –
Spoiled rotten – confused by the lies she's been fed.
And she's searching for no one…
(But herself…)
Her eyes turn to green, as she seems to be happy that she is here.
And this time, I think you'll know…

We're not alone.
There is more to this – I know.
You will make it out.
You will live to tell.'
~*.*~