AN: Thank you for your continued support! We pick up where we left off! Please review and let me know what you think - Vanessa

Chapter Nineteen: Home is Where You Are

Lucifer smirked, sauntering closer. "Geez, you really know how to give a guy a complex. Here I was all giddy to see you and you're giving me the cold shoulder." He pouted. "My feelings are hurt."

Hope rolled her eyes. "Are you done? Or are you still getting off on your own voice?" she snarked sassily.

He shivered, and slid his gaze to Sam. "I like her. She's a good choice for us. We're gonna have a lot of fun, you and I." he directed back at Hope.

"You aren't getting anywhere near her." Sam snapped. "You're going to have to kill me first."

Lucifer huffed dramatically, letting his palms slap his thighs. "Finally! A good idea."

Sam noticed a weariness about him. "You're looking a little weak, Lucifer." He noted canting his head. "Is that why haven't made your move yet?" he questioned both curious and taunting.

The fallen angel looked miffed by the comment, but forced a smile. "Not al all. I just like playing with my food." His stare turned serious. "Its only a matter of time. Now, later…it doesn't matter. You'll say yes. You want to…that darkness you feel in the pit of your stomach, the seed Azazel planted all those years ago…it's dying to bloom into something extraordinary, Sam." He eyed him mischievously. "Do you even remember what it tastes like? Thick, rich…the fire that runs right through to your fingertips."

Hope turned a confused frown the hunter's way. "What's he talking about?" she asked in a hushed tone.

Lucifer gasped, clutching his proverbial pearls. "Oh, did you not know? Did I spill the beans? I'm the worst for that."

"That part of my life is over. I'll never go back." He vowed firmly.

Lucifer rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say." Suddenly the playfulness was wiped off his face as he glanced to a spot behind them both. "Well look who it is. The traitor."

"Says the Serpent himself." Castiel grunted. "Guess it's going to have to be later." He placed both hands on each of their shoulders and suddenly they were back at the motel.

Hope and Sam shook off the jetlag and she turned a raised brow to him. "Nice one liner. You have been watching entirely too much CSI: Miami. How did you even know he was there?"

"I was listening in after I left. Glad I was able to get to you in time." The angel explained in his usual monotoned speech.

"Guys…wasn't there a door there?" Sam uttered concernedly.

…

She had slept the whole car ride back to Mystic Falls. Damon didn't even keep the music on, too afraid it would rouse her. His thoughts were running wild about what had happened to her. She had deep purple bruises all over her neck and shoulders and her eyes had been red from crying. Thankfully, Caroline stayed silent for the most part, her light snores the only sound she made for the last hour back.

He took her back to her house, knowing she'd wake up more comfortable there than anywhere else. Lifting her weightlessly into his arms, he felt her head loll against his shoulder, and silently walked the steps to her room. He stopped in the doorway. The bed spread was still lightly tussled and he could still smell the faint reminisce of the hunter's scent filling the room. It nearly broke him to do it, but he pulled the sheets back and tucked her in, watching as she subconsciously nuzzled into the pillows.

Caroline leaned in the doorway; her eyes tired. "We should all get some sleep." She encouraged gently. The sun was already rising. "I can make up the spare room if you want?"

"I'm staying here." He confirmed, his gaze never straying from Bonnie's small frame. She was curled on her side, gripping the pillow beside her, close to her chest.

"Damon…she's safe now." She reminded him walking over to stand by his side.

"I'm not letting her out of my sight, Caroline." He bit out in a low tone that left no room for argument.

Releasing a resigned sigh, Caroline nodded, rubbing his back and resting her head on his shoulder in comfort. "Okay…I'll be down the hall if you need anything." She knew better than to argue when he was in this state. The eerie calmness he had since finding her was almost more concerning than the unhinged, reckless Damon she was so familiar with. She looked back one last time, watching Damon settle into the old lounge chair beside the bed, and closed the door behind her.

He probably watched her sleep, unwaveringly, for close to three hours before his eyelids fell heavy. He didn't want her to wake up and not be available if she needed him. He couldn't imagine what she was going through, or what she had witnessed. If the condition of the room he found her in was anything to go by, something otherworldly had happened. There was a scorched mark in the old carpet, and the door frame was obliterated. Whatever it was, it was enough to frighten the most steadfast person he knew. She was always so brave and fierce that he almost didn't recognize the crestfallen woman that sobbed in his arms.

Soon, his head rested against the back of the chair, and sleep took him.

…

Bonnie woke to the sound of birds chirping outside. She had felt like she'd been sleeping for days. The comforter was soft and reminded her of home. Home…Dean. Her heart ached all over again but it was as it the tears had been drained from her body. She squinted against the sunlight, and rolled over to find Damon in the chair beside her bed fast asleep. She began to recall the night before slowly, and that it was Damon who brought her here. She settled back in, curling her arm under her head and she watched him silently. He didn't seem real to her. The last time she saw him was…she didn't want to think about it. She didn't know that Damon. The real one was right here, and it was rare for her to catch him in this state. Silent for one, and peaceful. Damon was always the first one awake when they were stuck in the prison world; and the rare time she had caught him sleeping, it was always with a frown marring his forehead. As for the night they had slept together…well, they hadn't really been sleeping.

Damon had started to stir, and she waited silently for him to wake. "You're awake." He sat up, leaning forward and resting his forearms on the edge of the bed. "How are you feeling?" he asked in concern.

"Numb mostly." She answered hoarsely. She swallowed against the dryness in her throat. "How long have I been asleep?"

His eyes drifted to the clock on the nightstand. "About twenty-seven hours."

She pushed herself slowly to sit up and lean against the headboard. "And you've been here this whole time?" she groaned, her body felt like it had been battered and bruised, and her throat burned from the force of cries.

"Mostly. I can heal you, you know." He added sympathetically. He had wanted to while she was sleeping, but he preferred not to face her wrath for taking that decision away from her.

"I know…" She needed to feel the pain; it made her remember that this was all real. Like he was reading her mind, Damon handed her a glass of water which she drank eagerly. "How did you know where to find me?"

"Find my phone."

Bonnie shot him a disbelieving look. "You don't know how that works." Then it occurred to her. "Caroline."

He allowed a hesitant half smile. "Thank God for Blondie."

Her stomach turned and she huffed a sardonic laugh at the irony of what he probably thought was an innocent praise. "Please don't. God's not really in my good books right now." She grumbled.

The vampire lingered in the silence, delicate in his approach with her fragile state. "What happened Bonnie?"

She was quiet; so quiet he wasn't sure she heard him, but soon after shook her head sadly. "Michael. It just happened so fast. I couldn't stop it. It was like I saw everything that made him Dean disappear in the blink of an eye."

Damon frowned. "He said yes? Why?" When Bonnie had told him about what Michael wanted from him, he knew that man would die before he ever gave in. He knew because he would have felt the same.

Her face crumbled. "Because of me. Michael was going to kill me if he didn't." She subconsciously rubbed at her bruised collarbone. "He didn't even hesitate." The words choked in her throat. "What am I gonna tell Sam?" she breathed, rubbing the heels of her palms into her eyes.

Damon winced. "About that…Hope called while you were sleeping. They came as soon as they heard you were here. We didn't know what to tell them, but I didn't want to wake you before you were ready. They're downstairs." He spoke gently, his thumb subconsciously running back and forth over her knee.

She nodded to herself. "I should tell them."

"Bon…" He protested.

"No, it should come from me." She flipped the covers off her legs, and swung them over the edge of the bed. "Thank you, Damon…for coming for me. I don't know how you knew, but I'm glad you did." She offered a watery smile, and cupped his cheek for a fleeting moment in appreciation, and he relished in the warmth of her hand on his skin, for however brief it was.

"Anytime…" he smiled. He stated off as she slipped by him, calling out to her when she got to the door. "Bonnie…I'm sorry. I know how much you loved him. Whatever you need; I'm here."

She blinked away her tears, folding her mouth around the sob that wanted to force its way out. She left the room, her hand trailing down the door jab as she gingerly made her way downstairs. Her descent was slow, and she could hear the voices of people coming from the kitchen. They were talking about her, that much she knew.

"When we found her, she was in rough shape, so just be prepared, okay?" It was Caroline. She vaguely remembered seeing her over Damon's shoulder at the motel.

The witch paused, leaning in the doorway, suddenly feeling weak. That astra projection spell had drained her and everything that followed burned off whatever fumes she had left. "Hi…"

Hope stood from her seat, walking over in concern. She looked frail somehow, weaker and more injured than she'd ever seen her. Bruises littered her neck and shoulders; her arms wrapped around her as if they were holding her together. "I'm so glad you're okay." She hugged her carefully, not wanting to hurt her.

"I'm not okay." She whispered even as she hugged her friend back, grateful for the comfort. "I'm alive…but I'm not okay."

Sam couldn't hold it in anymore. His question tumbled from his lips before he could stop it. "Where's my brother?" Bonnie pulled away from Hope, casting her eyes down and away from him. "What happened to my brother, Bonnie." He begged. He just needed her to confirm or deny his fears.

She forced herself to meet his stare, unable to stop the tears pooling in her eyes. "Michael took him." Her voice broke painfully. "There was nothing I c-could do. Sam, I'm so sorry!" The dam broke, and her sobs echoed in the kitchen. Sam closed the distance between them and hugged her, comforting her even as he sought the same for himself. He cried silently, resting his head on hers as she wept.

"We're going to get him back, Bonnie. I promise." He vowed. Maybe he was delusional, but that mission was the only thing that could fuel him to move forward. There was still work to be done, and he couldn't do it without Dean. Dean had been to Hell, and he came back…he could survive this. As long as there was hope, he would cling to it.

Bonnie pulled back to look at him downheartedly. "Michael isn't just going to let him go willingly, Sam. And even if we could kick him to the backseat, we don't even know if there's any part of Dean to come back." She explained gently.

Resolve pinched his face. "We don't know that. Dean's strong, and I know my brother. He's not going to give up so neither will I." He grabbed his bag, throwing the strap over his shoulder. "I'm going to find him. And I going to keep looking for the horseman's rings. I'll find a way to bring Dean back and when I do, we'll lock both Michael and Lucifer in the cage." He rambled determined. It was obvious he had blinders on, focusing on the mission rather than the fact that Dean was gone.

Bonnie didn't want to be the one to tell him it was hopeless. That Dean knew this was something he wouldn't return from. "I can't come with you." She uttered quietly.

Sam turned to her in surprise. "What? Why?"

Because I can't look at the thing that killed the man I loved. "Look at me. I'm not strong enough. If my last encounter with him proved anything, it's that I'm no match against Michael toe to toe. And neither are you. This was way bigger than us, and we lost…we should bow out before we lose anyone else." She responded hollowly, the numbness creeping back in.

"We go up against big things all the time." Hope countered patiently. "Been in way over our heads, but you are always the one to lead the army. And you're choosing now not to fight back? When have you ever given up, Bonnie?" she continued a sad shake of her head.

Bonnie snapped her eyes to her sharply. "You weren't there. He has a way of getting in your head. Makes you see things you want to see, and the things you don't. He had me bound, my magic was stripped away from me, he stole my voice; I was literally helpless against him. I watched as Michael took over his body and I couldn't do anything to stop it." She turned her head back to Sam. "So if you want to run off and get yourself killed, just know that it would destroy Dean to know that it would be at his hands. And if he is in there…there's no way I'd put him through that." She finished pushing through the tightening of her throat. The fight in her vanished, and she sighed. "I'm sorry, Sam. I wish I could help…but I can't. Not with this. I'm so sorry…" she trailed off backing away and towards the stairs holding back the tears that threatened to spill again.

Caroline, who had been silently observing from the corner, spoke up finally. "She's right. It's too dangerous. There has to be another way…" She trailed off pinning Hope with the look of a concerned and worried mother. "I guess I can't convince you to stay, can I?" she added with a watery and downhearted smile.

The young tribrid crossed over to wrap her arms around the blonde. "No…you can't. My home's with Sam now. And where he goes…"

Caroline nodded in understanding as she pulled away. "You'll follow." She had felt the same about Stefan. She would have followed him anywhere if he'd let her. Lovingly, she tucked the long strands behind Hope's ear, her fingers trailing down the silky locks. "Please be careful." She pleaded before pulling her back in for another tight hug. "I love you."

Hope held back her own tears. "I love you too."

…

Damon was patiently waiting for her back upstairs in her room, looking out the window deep in thought. He glanced over his shoulder when she tiredly lay back on the bed. She had no illusions that he'd heard everything, and she was certain he had something to say about it; how mad he was for running off and putting herself in that kind of danger. That it never would have happened on his watch, but she was surprised by his restraint. Instead, he took his time coming to sit on the edge of the bed, facing her, eyes flitting over her frame contemplatively. "I don't think you're giving up. Actually, I think it's braver than going after Michael like Sam wants to." That made her loll her head to look at him doubtfully. "Anyone can go running off, headstrong and hellbent on revenge. Hell, we all have…but true strength comes from restraint. You taught me that. Getting Dean back isn't going to be as easy as facing Michael head on. We need to be smarter than him."

Bonnie sat up, dumbfounded. "You're going to help me get Dean back?" She realized now that she barely recognized the man in front of her. He had been calm, level-headed, supportive…he had grown in her time away, and she wondered if her leaving had been the best thing for him. The thought brought her both joy and grief.

He placed his hand over hers, his thumb brushing back and forth over her knuckles. "Yes. Whatever it takes."

Her lip trembled. "Why?"

His Adam's apple bobbed in his throat and it took him a few moments for him to put his thoughts to words. "Because I can't stand seeing you unhappy." Then, Bonnie had thrown herself into his arms, and he once he recovered from the stun of her sudden embrace, he wrapped his arms around her and closing his eyes, savoring the feeling of having her back in his life, if only for a little while.

…

The drive out of Mystic Falls had been tense. Hope would glance subtly at Sam, seeing the tension in his jaw, as he remained focused on the road before him. His knuckles were white from the grip on the steering wheel, and while he said nothing, she knew that his mind was anything but silent. She knew he didn't want to talk about it; but she had to keep him from spiraling into his thoughts. Perhaps she could provide a distraction.

"Back in the church, Lucifer said something about your past. What was he talking about?" she questioned with gentle curiosity. He bristled, jostled out of his reverie at the sudden question. She watched him debate with himself on how and if to respond. "Sam, whatever it is, you know I'm the last person that would judge you. Dark side? I've been there. To say I have a checkered past would be an understatement. You can tell me." She added, placing her hand on his thigh. "I think you need to."

Sam glanced down at it, and smiled affectionately. He knew what she was doing. She was pulling him out of his own turmoil; forcing him on focusing on something else. And he was grateful. He squeezed her hand, bringing it up to kiss the back of it. With a sigh, Sam found himself relaxing for the first time since they got in the car. "When I was a baby, a demon named Azazel fed me his blood. It was the same demon that killed my mother. He had plans for me…his blood would give me gifts. At some point, Dean and I parted ways and I lost my way for a while. This demon named Ruby convinced me that I could use these gifts for good." He hesitated, clearing his throat. He knew Hope wouldn't judge him, but he still had difficulty admitting it to himself. "I let her feed me her blood…and I liked it. I liked how it made me feel. Strong, powerful…unstoppable." He finished shamefully. "But she was using me all along. Preparing me for this…for Lucifer."

Realization dawned on her. "You…had a relationship with her." She dropped her gaze to her lap. "A sexual relationship?" She glanced up to see him nod. "Well...I'm not really surprised. Blood and sex pretty much go hand in hand." He looked to her sharply. "Vampire, remember? Blood doesn't really make me squeamish." She teased with a secret smirk.

Sam allowed a laugh to bubble out of him, grateful for her acceptance and humor in a time when things felt so dire. "Thank you…no one has ever understood that side on me before. You know, not even Dean. It was always something I felt so alone in."

She smiled. "Well, you don't have to be…not anymore."

…