"Bonnie?"

She looked up to find Kai standing over their table.

"Kai."

"This is my mother, Abby." she gestured to her then back to him, "and this is my friend Kai. He worked with dad in London before moving to New York."

"Pleasure meeting you." Kai extended a hand to shake Abby's.

"Same."

There was a pause in the conversation before Abby proposed he join them.

"Thank you but I'm actually meeting friends." He gestured to a table a few feet from them where four men sat talking over several bottles of wine.

"Next time." He told Abby.

"I guess I'll see you in New York." he smiled, clamping Bonnie's shoulder before walking away.

"He seems like a nice young man."

"Hmm"

..

Nickelback wafted through the speakers, coaxing couples onto the dance floor.

"So I hear Anna's leaving for CNN." Damon said, sliding next to Jeremy at the bar.

"Yeah" he replied, starring at the lively brunette on the dance floor. He looked somber and regretful, "What do you think I should do? " he turned to look at Damon anxiously.

"If you love her, go with her." Damon replied more to his drink rather than the man asking for his advice.

"Not what I was expecting to hear from the great Damon Salavatore." Jeremy shot him with a look of surprise. Then a bemused smile lit up his face as if he was trying to figure him out.

"If she means anything to you don't hold back. Do whatever it takes to be with her." he gave Jeremy a fond pat on the back.

"Uhmm okay."

"I gotta run."

"Hey, where're you going?"

Putting his unfinished beer down on the bar, he smiled and said "I'm following my own advice."

..

Abby's speech documented a series of human rights violations around the world. Bonnie was half listening as her gaze flew over the room and it's guests.

She snagged a glass of champagne from a tuxedoed waiter and took a long draw. She was content to watch from the sidelines. As Abby neard the end of her speech Bonnie pulled her cell phone out of the pocket of her evening gown and checked her messages. There was nothing from Damon. She thought about calling to check up on him but didn't want to feel like she was putting pressure on him so she slid the phone back into her pocket and joined in the building applause her mother was receiving.

..

By the time she arrived back at the hotel, her head was swimming from champagne and party conversation.

She was walking toward the bank of her elevators to her suite when she saw him.

Damon looked up, his eyes meeting hers. A slow easy grin started at the one side of his mouth and bloomed into a full on smile.

"Hi" she mouthed and started towards him. Her silk gown trailing behind her, it's fabric skimming the marble floor.

The sight of him was a relief. It comforted her, made her giddy and content. She felt tears sting her eyes and held them back. Had she really been that miserable here in D. C by herself?

Breaking into a grin, she finally said "You're here."

"I'm here." Damon opened his arms.

She rushed toward him, "Well, you're a little late to the party but at least you showed long have you been waiting?"

"Forever." he smiled putting his hands on either side of her head. It was a cheesy line but she didn't care.

He tightened his hold on her and she pressed her cheek against his chest, holding him close. She felt his chest rise and fall, feeling safe and content before her gaze drifted up to meet his.

"Let's go upstairs." she smiled, threading her fingers through his hair.

Almost giddy with excitement, she grabbed his hand and led him to the bank of elevators. As soon as the doors slid closed they were in each others arms kissing hungrily like wild things. He drove her against the wall pinning her into place with his body, fingers laced with hers as he bit and pulled her lower lip with his teeth. Excited, his hands fisted her hair, his mouth deepening the kiss. Panting, she lifted her hips off the wall, her nails biting into his arms as she groaned into his mouth.

When the doors opened on their floor, they hurried out, fumbling with their clothing without breaking the kiss. She took out a key card from her box clutch and inserted it into the door. As soon as they stepped over the threshold, her dress slid to the floor, pooling at her feet. Damon kicked the door shut while they fumbled with the buttons of his shirt. Finally the only thing between them was the scrap of black lace hugging her mound. His gaze stayed there for a moment longer, his breath hitched.

She was so beautiful.

Bonnie caught his chin, titling his face up and kissed him again sending a shockwave through his body.

After making love, they collapsed on the floor, and rolled over, panting and exhausted.

She smiled dreamily and time stretched as they lay still, limbs still pulsing from their heated orgasms.

At last Bonnie moved, propped herself up on her elbows and said, "Would you like to meet my mother?"