I Had to Know You – Part I

Summary: AH/AU – Bonnie lives a generally happy life. She has a great career, amazing friends, and a long-term boyfriend…but something is missing. By chance, she meets a man that captures her attention. She thinks she can get over him given time and space…but the universe has other plans.

Song Inspiration: Leave Your Lover – Echos

AN: I'm baaaaack! Sorry for the long wait fam! It's been a busy couple of months. This one is going to be a bit longer; there is a lot of relationship development and will have some conflict and angst *rubs hands together* hehe my favorite! Hope you enjoy! Now on with the show!

…

We should leave our lovers and be with one another
Run your fingers through my hair and hide under my covers

…

Bonnie smiled as she walked in the grand entrance of her office building, greeting the security guard as she passed. "Morning Norm." Her heels clicked on the marble floor.

"Good morning, Ms. Bennett!" The older man grinned pleasantly as he always did. "What do you have for me today?"

Stepping up to the desk, she dropped the newspaper in front of him. "27 Across. I'm stumped." This was their daily routine.

He frowned, tapping the pen to his lips as he read the clue. "I'm sorry Ms. Bennett. I don't know this one."

Her lower lip jutted out in a pout. "It's okay. Thanks for trying." Usually, Norm got all the clues she didn't, but today, he seemed to be just as stumped as her. She shot him a little wave before tucking the newspaper under her arm and heading towards the elevators. She pushed the button for the 29th floor, and sipped her coffee as she waited for the doors to close. Just as they were about to shut, a hand snuck in, and the doors opened back up. Looking over her cup, she spotted easily the most good-looking man she'd ever seen. His eyes were a piercing blue, which stood out like icy daggers against his pale complexion and raven black hair. He sauntered in, towering from his spot beside her. "What floor?" Bonnie asked meekly, hoping her voice didn't rattle in her throat.

He turned his head, smiling down at her. "Same as you." His eyes peeked down to the newspaper, tilting his head slightly as he read the words. "Yellow Ledbetter."

Bonnie turned her head sharply, snapped out of her daze as she stared up at him with surprise. "Excuse me?"

He gestured to the paper in her arms. "27 across. 'Eddie turned top 40'. It's an old tongue twister." She looked at him with a suspicious but playful narrow of her eyes, before she whipped out the crossword and pen, counting it out before looking up at him impressed.

"How did you know that?" She quickly wrote it in, relieved that the puzzle was finally complete. "I've been working on this all morning."

He chuckled; deep and silky. It sent a shiver through her. "Eddie Vedder? Pearl Jam? I think I wore a hole through that CD when I was a kid."

She laughed a little, tucking her pen back in her purse. "Well, thank you." She bit her lip as she faced the door again. Should I? I'd just be being polite, right? "I'm Bonnie." She introduced herself, offering him her hand in a shake.

Her breath caught in her throat when he brought her hand to his lips, his eyes never straying from hers. "Damon…pleasure." He grinned when she blushed prettily, and slowly released her hand.

Swallowing around the tension in her throat, Bonnie continued their conversation, unable to stop herself. "So, do you work in the building? I've never seen you here before." She couldn't help but wonder who this handsome stranger was.

"I'm just visiting." He looked her up and down, taking in her professional outfit; a silk burgundy blouse tucked into a high waisted black pencil skirt and black heels. "What about you? You have that paralegal look. Do you work for Pierce & Mikaelson?"

"Attorney." She corrected. "…and yes." She smiled.

Hey raised his brows, impressed. "Who's your boss?"

"That would be Katherine Pierce."

He pulled a face; one that said 'yikes', and it made them both laugh. "I'm sorry." He said around another chuckle.

"Hey! She's not that bad. Unless you get her coffee wrong, or piss her off, or manage to exist in her presence." Bonnie joked back. It was common knowledge that Katherine Pierce was not one you got in the way of. However, Bonnie seemed to have won the woman over with her hard work and dedication and in doing so, managed to gain her respect enough not feel her wrath.

"She's a shark." He turned to her, giving her his full attention, resting his smoldering eyes on hers.

Bonnie did the same, leaning against the wall of the elevator, crossing her feet at her ankles. "Only when there's blood in the water. But I like that about her; she's tough, fearless, confident." She knew he was checking her out, and if she was honest with herself…she was enjoying it. She had no business engaging in this flirty exchange…but she just couldn't help herself. It was exciting. "It's the kind of energy I like to bring to a court room." She added, looking up at him through thick lashes.

The corner of his lip pulled in a smirk. "I can see that." His eyes darted up to see they were approaching their floor. "Any recommendations for lunch in the area?" He felt a panic rise in him at the thought that their little ride was over, and he knew he had to see her again.

"Rocco's across the street has the best sandwiches on the block. They come highly recommended, and you can tell him I say so." Bonnie pushed off the wall, and brushed passed him gently as the doors opened. "See you around." She glanced at him over her shoulder as she walked off, a swap to her hips, leaving him with a great view.

Letting out a long exhale, Damon blinked himself back to reality. "I sure hope so." He uttered under his breath.

…

It was a busy morning; the day passed by quicker than she thought and for some reason, she couldn't help herself from thinking about the guy from elevator. He was handsome, funny, and if she was wearing pants, he would have charmed her right out of them. She shook her head clear; she had a boyfriend, she shouldn't be thinking these thoughts, but yet her mind drifted back to him. The way he pinned her with his steely blue eyes, the softness of his lips on the back of her hand, the innuendo in his tone.

Slinging her purse over her shoulder, Bonnie made her way across the street for lunch, and filtered through emails on her phone while she waited in line. When she made it to the front counter, the older lady greeted her with a smile.

"Your usual?"

Bonnie nodded. "Yes please. To go." When she reached into her purse, the lady shook her head.

"Already paid for. Compliments of the gentleman in the back." She pointed to the corner, and Bonnie turned, catching sight of Damon who gave her a little wave. A stupid smile pulled on her lips and she blushed as she turned back around.

"Thank you." Preparing herself with a deep breath, Bonnie walked over to him. "Well, what a coincidence." She greeted with a pointed raise of her brow.

His eyes narrowed playfully. "Is it a coincidence if I knew you'd be here?"

She chuckled. "I guess not. Thank you for lunch; you didn't have to do that."

"Sure I did. It got you to come over here, didn't it?" He pulled out the chair for her, offering her a seat at his table, but she didn't take it.

Bonnie found herself enjoying his witty bantering and played along. "You must think you're pretty smooth, huh?" A smirk teased her lips. "Does this kind of thing usually work for you?"

He feigned an innocent look. "What thing?"

"The charming, witty, rom-com guy that just happens to pop up when you least expect it?" The wild green of her eyes spoke to the good nature of her comment.

Damon's lips curled in a grin. "You think I'm charming?"

Well, duh. But I wasn't supposed to say it out loud. She chastised herself. Letting out an embarrassed laugh, Bonnie rolled her eyes. "Of course, that's what you heard."

He laughed it off nonchalantly. "Hey, you offered a great sandwich spot, thought I'd pay you back by buying lunch. Totally innocent." He raised his hands in surrender.

"Mhm." She couldn't hold back the little smile that broke through. Looking down at her watch, Bonnie contemplated her options. She could grab her lunch, say thank you again and walk away…or…she could sit down, and spend the next hour getting to know this beautiful stranger. The latter was currently winning a very one-sided battle. Her eyes snapped up to his. Fuck it. She slid into the chair across from him and placed her sandwich on the table.

They ate their lunches together, one conversation blending into another, laughing easily as if they did this every day. It wasn't usual small talk, nor was it traditional date talk either; it seemed deeper than that, more intelligent and cultured. He was interesting. A bit of mystery behind his blue eyes while still being an open book. Any question she had, he seemed to have a genuine, immediate response.

Bonnie dabbed the napkin to her lips, dropping it in her empty to-go container. "So, what do you do?"

"I work at the DA's office. Not as high profile as Pierce and Mikaelson, but it's rewarding." He joked.

"So, what brings you over to the other side? Does your boss know your colluding with the enemy?" she teased back.

Damon tensed, but she didn't seem to noticed. He averted his eyes as he responded indifferently. "Just dropping off some papers for a case. So how long have you been working there?" he quickly changed the subject.

She had to think about it. "About eight years now. I started as an intern, and I guess she saw something in me. We get a lot of turn over there; not everyone has the stomach for it. I think you have to be a bit messed up to work on the 29th floor." She chuckled, but she did believe it. The law she practiced wouldn't have been her first choice but a young girl's dream manifested itself into a mission.

"Are you?" he asked her curiously. "I mean, criminal defense can be pretty heavy stuff. Sure, the money's great, but in some cases, you're putting criminals back on the street. Not for the faint of heart." He wanted to know more about her. He was used to seeing the jilted and jaded in the lawyer scene, but Bonnie seemed to rise above that and keep her magnetic spirit. "Something tells me it's not about the money for you. There must be a reason you went into that field."

Her shoulders dropped slightly and her guard came down. "Actually, there is. When I was thirteen my dad was sentenced to fifteen years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. His lawyer didn't believe him and neither did the jury so even though the evidence against him was circumstantial they convicted him anyways. I promised myself that if I could help anyone like my dad, then maybe I could really make a difference." She didn't mean to get so personal, but he made her feel comfortable.

Damon seemed genuinely sympathetic, leaning forward and giving her his full attention. "Where is he now?"

"He's out." Her eyes dropped to her lap. "But he's not the same."

"That must have been hard on you." His fingers itched to reach for her hand in comfort, but he resisted. "What about your mom?"

"She did her best." She met his gaze again with an easy reassuring smile. "But I think I took care of her more than she took care of me." The laugh that bubbled from her throat was nervous and awkward. Why were these words just pouring from her mouth unchecked? She barely spoke about this stuff with her boyfriend let alone some random guy she met in an elevator.

He raptured her with the ocean depths of his stare, like he was looking right into her and reading all her hidden secrets. "Then who took care of you?"

Bonnie forced back the knot in her throat. "I did." She whispered, blinking away the glaze over her eyes.

This time, Damon didn't stop himself when his hand reached across the table, covering her hand with his. "I get it." He said with an understanding nod. He knew a bit about having to look after someone as such a young age, having done the same with Stefan.

Bonnie graced him with a compassionate smile. "You have a story too, huh."

"I'll tell you sometime…soon, I hope." He added optimistically, implying his intention to see her again.

She gaped for a moment unsure of how to respond. Yes, she wanted to see him again, but could she knowingly see him again without feeling like she was doing something wrong. "I um…" she stammered. "I…have a boyfriend." She winced as she met his gaze.

He didn't seem surprised, but disappointment was clear on his face. "Of course, you do." He started forcing a smile. "Well…he's a lucky guy." He added sincerely, his gaze flicking over her.

"Thank you." She held his glance for longer than she should have, before coming back to herself. "Um, I should go. But it was really nice meeting you." She stood from her chair, smoothing her skirt as she pulled her purse over her shoulder.

Standing with her, he held out his hand in a polite gesture. "It was nice meeting you too, Bonnie. Maybe I'll see you around." She shook his hand, and he held her there for a moment, before she pulled away to tuck her hair behind her ear. This man was reducing her to a nervous mess and she desperately needed to put some distance between them.

"Thanks again for lunch. Goodbye, Damon." She headed for the door, her heels clicking on the floor as she rushed out. When the air hit her, she was able to breath again. She took a second to collect herself, running a hand through her hair before shaking her head to clear it. She began walking down the road to the cross walk when she heard him call out to her, and when she looked back, he was jogging down to meet her.

"Hey…" he said a little breathless, that boyish smile in place. "So, I was thinking…just because you have a boyfriend doesn't mean we can't be friends, right?"

Bad idea! Her brain screamed to her. "Right." Shit. "Yeah, we can be friends." She smiled back despite her inner monologue.

He sighed in relief, grinning broadly. "Great." He reached into his back pocket pulling out his business card. "I'm going to give you my number. I'll leave the ball in your court. You can call me or don't call me." He held it out for her. "But for the record…I really hope you do."

Grabbing it slowly, Bonnie tried to tame her racing heart. It was pounding like a bass drum in her chest as her thumb brushed over his embossed name. Damon Salvatore. "I'll think about it."

With a gentlemanly bow of his head, he smirked down at her. "Have a good day, Bonnie."

They parted on the street, her face flushed with a rosy blush as she rushed back to her office building.

.

AN: Hope this one caught your attention. I have the next chapter done up already so let me know what you think and I'll reward you with a quick update! - Vanessa