A/N: Hey all! Here's another chapter for you, lovelies. Hope you enjoy it! :D

I DO NOT OWN THE VAMPIRE DIARIES OR THE CHARACTERS.
Music Credit: "Skyscraper" – Demi Lovato

~*.*~
'You can take everything I have.
You can break everything I am – like I'm made of glass – like I'm made of paper.
Go on and try to tear me down.
I will be rising from the ground – like a skyscraper – like a skyscraper.'
~*.*~

Chapter Eighteen:

I stayed home from work today. I didn't feel up to going. Darla assured me that she understood and told me to take the next few days off. I was determined not to let this set back all of my progress. I'm stronger than this. I have to be.

"Niklaus, just let me speak with her. I want to make sure she is up to it. I am sure that Katerina won't mind coming another night for dinner. I don't want to push Bonnie into something that she is not ready for." I heard Elijah speaking to Klaus in the hallways. I walked into my bedroom, off of the balcony and went to go see what he wanted. Klaus means well, but I feel okay enough to talk to Elijah. I just needed a little bit of time to myself, early. Sitting outside has always made me feel better. I always feel so at peace with nature.

"Hey," I said, softly. Both brothers looked over at me. Klaus smiled at me, sheepishly. He looked apologetic. "What's up, Elijah?" I asked him. He gave Klaus an almost gloating look.

"I invited Katerina over for dinner tonight, yesterday morning, before your incident. I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable. Would you feel better meeting her on another night?" He offered. I shook my head and felt Klaus eyeing me, nervously.

"Tonight is just fine, 'Lijah." I promised him. He looked relieved, but didn't drop the subject.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure." I assured him.

"Very well, she will be here in a few hours." He left me with Klaus, as he pulled out his phone. It means a lot to me, that Elijah would have waited until I was comfortable to bring Katherine here, but truth be told, I'm excited to meet her. Any woman who could make Elijah so happy, must be someone special. I've never seen him like this before. It's a nice change.

"You're really okay with this?" Klaus asked me, quietly. I nodded.

"I feel better, than I did yesterday." I told him. He looked relieved.

"I'm glad, sweetheart." He kissed my forehead and placed his arms around me. I couldn't tell if he was waiting for me to freak out about what happened at the coffee shop yesterday or the fact that we bathed together, afterwards. I don't blame him. My track record isn't great. I don't regret what happened. I don't think it was a mistake. I don't know how to explain it. It almost feels like… like it brought us closer somehow. It was nice. "You're so strong." He whispered. I shook my head, against his chest.

"I'm really not." I argued.

"Nonsense," he pressed. I didn't say anything else, but I didn't believe him. I don't feel strong. I don't remember the last time that I actually felt strong. Does anyone ever actually feel strong? Or am I just a freak?

I stared at Rebekah skeptically, as she fussed over my clothes. Apparently, she has met Katherine before, but only for a few minutes. Their interaction was brief at best. I was in jeans, flats a gray V-neck shirt and a violet cardigan. It was dressy for me. I gave her the okay, before she decided to tackle my hair. Beks didn't say anything as she played with my hair. I relaxed as she pulled a brush through my wavy tresses. It was relaxing.

"Are you lot almost ready?" Kol asked, walking into Beks' room. She looked over at him and nodded.

"I don't know why you're saying anything. You take as long to get ready, as I do, Kol." She teased him. He just smirked.

"You can't rush protection, dear sister. Aren't I right, darling?" Kol asked me. I laughed, but nodded. "See, Bonnie knows me. She's on my level." He sat down in front of us and watched Rebekah finish up. "You both look beautiful. Can we go now? I'm starving and mother won't let me eat anything, until you lot are downstairs." He complained.

"How old are you, Kol? You sound like a child." Rebekah scoffed. I just laughed. "We're ready."

"Perfect timing," Klaus said, coming into the room. "May I?" He asked me, offering me his hand. I nodded and fought a blush. I laced my fingers with his and we started walking downstairs. Elijah and Katherine were in deep conversation with Esther. Marcel looked out of place. Elijah looked over at us, as we came down the stairs.

"Niklaus, I believe you remember Katerina." Elijah told him, loudly. Klaus nodded.

"It's nice to see you, again, Katherine." Klaus greeted her pleasantly. Katherine looked surprised, like she had expected his reaction to be much worse.

"Another girl! I could get used to this. Ignore Nik, I do." Rebekah teased, as she and Kol came down the stairs behind us. Katherine laughed.

"I think I can handle that." Katherine said, smoothly. Klaus pretended to be offended and we all got a chuckle out of that. "I don't think I've met either of you before." She gestured to me and Kol.

"The pleasure is mine, darling. I'm Kol, 'Lijah's youngest brother." Kol smiled at her and kissed her hand. Katherine smirked.

"I'm Bonnie." I offered, weakly. She turned to look at me and recognition flickered across her face.

"You were the one who dated Damon." She said. I nodded. It wasn't a question. "I'm so sorry." Her apology sounded sincere. "I know what that's like. I had the misfortune of dating him a long time ago. It's nice to meet you, Bonnie. I'm sure you, Rebekah and I will get along just fine." She smiled, giving me a soft hug. It took me a few seconds to hug her back.

"What about me?" Kol complained.

"I'm sure we'll be great friends, Kol." She corrected herself.

"That's more like it." Kol gave his okay and Elijah just looked amused. A knock sounded at the door and Elijah excused himself to answer it. He came back looking perplexed and holding an envelope.

"Who was at the door?" Esther asked.

"Someone delivered this." Elijah gestured to the envelope in his hand.

"What is it?" Klaus asked.

"A letter addressed to Bonnie."

"Me?"

~*.*~
'As the smoke clears, I awaken and untangle you from me.
Would it make you feel better, to watch me as I bleed?
All my windows, still are broken, but I'm standing on my feet.'
~*.*~