A/N: Hello everyone *-* Here's another chapter. The next one will probably be the last one, although, I'm not sure.

I know I've said it before, but I will say it again. Thank you so much for your wonderful reviews, they are literally killing me... in the best ways.

There's this little scene at the end with Damon and Bonnie; a song inspired it. And If My Heart Should Somehow Stop, by James Vincent McMorrow. Try playing it while you're reading that scene, maybe you'll imagine/ feel it like I do, or maybe even better? Maybe worse? I guess that depends on you.

Have a great weekend. :)

A stunned silence hung in the air as the car moved forward. Stefan had told the crew the entire story; or at least, the bits and pieces that he managed to put together so far. Elena's jaw dropped, Jeremy looked positively beaten down, and Caroline was batting her lashes at the front window in Olympic speed, attempting to process the information.

It was her voice, naturally, that cut through the silence.

'' Well, '' she inquired awkwardly, '' why did you take us all with you? Shouldn't somebody have stayed with Rick in Falls, just in case? ''

'' I don't know what Alexander has planned, '' Stefan replied. '' Rick is an original, he can take care of himself. I couldn't leave anyone else behind. We have to be careful. There's safety in numbers. ''

'' What about massacres and mass murders? ''

Elena shook her head, sighing. '' Caroline, please. ''

The blonde threw her hands up in the air helplessly. '' Sorry! I'm just trying to get over the fact that my best friend's sociopath of a brother had fallen in love with my other best friend, then apparently reached his redemption and got possessed by a crazy traveler. ''

Really, they all were trying.

Hours later, as Caroline and Jeremy started cooking ' something ', Stefan and Elena pulled a dazed Bonnie upstairs to her bedroom.

At first when she saw them all at her door, she was overjoyed. She even considered this unexpected visit to be an early birthday surprise. But nobody's smile was real, nobody held a cake. On the contrary. It was like they have attended a funeral, not even simply dropped by for a visit.

Instantly, she felt fear creeping inside her.

Stefan shut the door quietly, Elena leaned her back against the blue wall and Bonnie sat down on the edge of her desk, her eyebrows pulling together in concern.

'' What's going on? ''

'' We need to talk to you, '' Elena began quietly.

'' I figured that much. Is something wrong? ''

The Gilbert beauty exchanged a look with her boyfriend, then they both focused on her again. Stefan crossed his arms and pursed his lips, obviously unsure about how to begin. He was practically reeking of anxiety, infecting Bonnie with it swiftly.

'' Listen, Bonnie. I know it's not really any of my business, but I would like to know what... what happened between you and Damon on the other side. Or, whatever that place was. You became friends, right? ''

Bonnie cocked her head to the side, suddenly brooding. Some of the tension she felt dropped off her shoulders; it was a normal question, definitely not a howling alarm indicating trouble. Yet why did she feel so sad?

Smiling lightly, she nodded. '' Yeah, I guess. Something like that anyway. You know Damon. ''

'' Right. But nothing more? ''

'' Sorry? ''

'' You were just friends. Nothing more. Yes? ''

Bonnie frowned, clearly taken aback by the question; even slightly amused. '' Of course. Where is all that coming from? ''

Stefan and Elena exchanged a look again - the witch couldn't quite put a name on it - before Elena finally took the lead, leaning over slightly towards her friend.

'' Does he ever visit you? ''

Bonnie shrugged. '' No. He calls from time to time... What's up with all these questions? Is he okay? ''

Like the sky had cleared, she saw it all better as soon as she asked. Stefan's eyes were compassionate, tortured, Elena's sorrowful.

Something had happened.

'' That's the thing... he's sort of in trouble. We think you might be able to help us. But first we have to... well... ''

'' We think he compelled you, '' Elena threw in.

Surprise hit Bonnie like snow, freezing her on the spot. '' Compelled me? '' Suspicious and suddenly aware of how much trouble he could really be in, she crossed her arms. '' What's really going on? ''

'' Look, Bonnie, I know this is going to sound crazy, but I think there was more. More to this story. More to you and Damon. He compelled you to forget about it so you wouldn't look for him, or suffer, because... bringing you back... well, it was difficult... ''

'' What are you saying? '' Bonnie demanded, narrowing her abruptly tearful eyes.

'' He looked for help. He got it. From... a traveler. '' Stefan's voice was hesitant. '' Everything has its price... ''

'' What are you saying to me? '' She snapped impatiently, desperately, clenching her hands into fists at her sides.

It looked like she wouldn't believe until he spelled it out for her. He had no choice but to do so.

'' You know what I'm saying. We need a knife, but I don't know where to look. ''

The surprise she felt earlier was nothing compared to the sudden shock; it was such a strange reaction, but the information called to her body, pushing her into numbness. The entire story sounded crazy indeed, but her reaction betrayed her.

Still. The thought of her and Damon together was... odd. Impossible in so many ways.

They did almost murder each other once or twice.

'' That's... no. He wouldn't... I mean... I wouldn't... No. '' The denial came out messily, like something was choking her, blocking her air. Elena took a few steps towards her and put an arm around her, the pity somehow making it final.

'' We'll find him. We just need your help. We need you to remember something. Anything. ''

'' How - how am I supposed to do that? '' The question came out louder than she probably meant it to; almost a shout from the bottom of her tired lungs.

'' I took care of it, '' Caroline said, kicking the door open. There was a few crumpled sheets of paper in her hands.

'' You were right. I found these with Jeremy in the attic. ''

Bonnie stared up at the blurry picture of the blonde with disbelief. '' You went through my stuff? ''

'' Sorry, it was necessary. But look, '' she insisted, sticking the sheets into the trio's noses. '' These are letters. From Bonnie to Damon. Since she wrote them but they're still here, Damon didn't know about them. I mean, otherwise he would have removed all the evidence and burned them, right? ''

'' That sounds too much like a murder investigation for my liking, '' Elena said, closing her eyes in tiredness.

Bonnie accepted the letters into her hand, uncertain how she felt about everyone reading them - or even if she wanted to read them herself. She figured that she had no choice, however. Damon was her friend, even if not a lover.

She was unaware of everyone's eyes on her until Stefan finally spoke.

'' We'll... give you some privacy. ''

With that, they all left, quietly. Bonnie put the letters down onto the mattress and stared at them, not bothering to brighten up the dim light of her bedroom. She stared at them for a long time. Reading them would be like entering a completely different universe, a place she was too frightened to explore. But the thought of what Damon went through to save her was like another heart - perhaps his own - pounding in her head, pulsing hotly with the blood of their apparent relationship.

So she reached for the first letter. Cautiously, as though it could burn her.

It probably could.

The sheets weren't exactly placed in order, Caroline hadn't bothered with that after going through them.

Bonnie took a deep breath, exploring possibilities. What if? But what if not? She didn't want to believe it. Especially since it led to an ending where they were separated and Damon was punished for bringing her back.

'' God, please, '' she whispered to the nothingness around her, unsure of what she was asking for. Perhaps mercy.

It was surreal, like a nightmare within a nightmare.

But on the first, ivory page resting in between her fingertips, the words were written in a curved, elegant script - undeniably, her own. The first sentence caught her eyes and burned into her mind before she had a chance to reconsider.

' I miss you. '

'' I think I know what we need to do. ''

Caroline's head snapped up. '' What? ''

All other eyes turned to Stefan as well, yet his were only for Caroline in that moment.

'' Klaus. ''

One simple word, one simple name, yet it made her drop the spoon she had been using to stir her tea for the last twenty minutes.

'' Oh my God, no. You've got to be kidding me. ''

'' Caroline, we need a knife. We don't even know where to start looking. We got the previous one by luck, another traveler brought it to us. That's not the case this time. Klaus knows everything and everybody. And he can be very... persuasive. ''

'' And what you just said about him is called purple prose. Honestly? Not a fan of it. ''

'' Caroline! '' Elena rebuked.

The blonde put her head down on the table with a defeated sigh.

'' Fine, fine! Too be honest, I was thinking about it too... ''

She lifted her head then, still leaning her chin on the wooden surface.

'' But why me? Can't you call him yourself? Weren't you his buddy or something a few decades ago? ''

'' Caroline! ''

'' Fine! God. ''

Fishing a pink mobile out of the pocket of her jeans, she quickly went through the numbers in her contacts. Stefan was right, after all; what they needed was the help of an original, someone as powerful and frightening as Klaus.

Never before had she been so grateful for his weakness and sentiments towards her.

She stepped out onto the porch, rubbing one arm with her free hand. It was much colder here than in Mystic Falls; maybe because of the snow. It looked beautiful, though.

Listening to the signal, she wondered briefly what to say. How to begin. Butterflies assaulted her stomach as she stared into the darkening sky, thinking...

Hey, Klaus. I know we haven't talked since that naked hike in the woods when I made you promise not to come back and court me ever, but I need your help. Care to be my partner in crime? Perform an exorcism? You know, since Sam and Dean aren't around?

Nope. He wouldn't understand the fantasy world of a teenage girl.

As the signal died, she held her breath. There was a short pause, and then that familiar, educated voice filled her ears.

'' Miss Forbes? '' The name sounded dubious on his tongue.

Startled, but somehow relived, Caroline replied with just as much as doubt. '' Elijah? ''

'' Well, this certainly is a pleasant surprise. ''

'' Yeah... '' Confused, she shook her head, trying to keep her focus. '' Where is Klaus? ''

'' Forgive me, but I believe my brother is a little... occupied at the moment. I'm sure he'd be thrilled to know you called, regretful he couldn't answer for himself... Is there anything I can do for you at the moment? A message I could deliver? ''

Screw her luck. Caroline sighed, determination building up in her chest, despite the drumming nervousness deep inside it. '' Yes. Yes, there is. Tell him to call me back as soon as possible. I need to talk to him. ''

'' Of course. ''

'' Thank you. ''

Relief flooded through her again, a cool, breezy wave. One step closer to the end. But the end of what?

With an irritated sigh, Rebekah glared at the man sitting by the fire.

'' Easy there, kitten, I can feel you staring. It's creepy, '' he said, not bothering to look up from the book he was reading.

At Rebekah's silence, he just turned the page. '' Oh, quit pouting. ''

His blue eyes flew up to hers at last. '' That was quite a performance you did today. ''

The sentence sounded like a true compliment in his mouth, red silk and soft pride; it was enough to make her angry. Her hair was a mess, her clothes dirty, her hands and legs sore from remaining in one position for that long.

And the ropes were dipped in bloody vervain. The bastard.

'' I'm glad you find me useful, '' she said sarcastically. '' You do realize that sooner or later my brother's going to come here and kill you, right? With or without them asking for his help. ''

The man smiled, closing the novel and setting it down beside him. '' Well, that's exactly what I'm hoping for. ''

Getting to his feet, he walked towards her, his steps slow and predatory, jeans low on his hips. He bent down slightly to be at the same level with her, sneaking his finger under her chin.

'' That's exactly why I'm keeping you here, sweetheart, '' he whispered.

Capturing Rebekah was easier than it should have been. All it took was a little alcohol, a small compliment, and she was all his ( again, from what he gathered, since she had slept with Damon before ).

She was the one to snap Stefan's neck and help him out. Of course she was. She had no other choice. Alex was, after all, a warlock in a way. He knew a little this and that about dark objects; like the watch that witch Davina had used to control Mikael.

He was also a fantastic thief.

Rebekah turned her face away from him sharply with confusion. Amused, he licked his mouth.

'' Don't worry, I'll feed you soon. ''

He straightened his back and already took a few steps back to the fireplace when she stopped him.

'' How do you know so much about everything? '' She inquired in a whisper, narrowing her eyes at him. Alexander smiled again, as though flattered, shrugging lightly.

'' Years and years of practice and planning. I'm a bit like your brother, you see. I learn from my mistakes. Now be quiet, because the sound of your voice is starting to annoy the hell out of me. ''

'' I'm gonna get out of here. And I'm gonna rip your heart out. ''

'' You can't, someone else did that before you. Why do you think I'm in a different body? Shut it, sweetheart. ''

When realization hit her, satisfaction struck her face, growing a mean smile on her lips. '' It's not only me, is it? You can hear Damon. That's annoying you. ''

It was Alexander's turn to glare then.

'' A memory or two. A thought or two. Again, that's why you're here. ''

Rebekah's smile widened, morphing into a more cynical one, a dark promise. '' You are so dead. ''

'' We'll see about that. ''

Slamming the door behind him, he left her completely alone - as she had been most of the time - then made his way over to his small bedroom, pressing his fingertips into his temples, as if the action would take the frustrating sounds and pictures away. Damon's mind was giving him a headache; he had seen way too much. Like the Salvatore boy had entirely stopped struggling and left himself opened up, giving him insight into whatever he wanted.

The thing was that he already had the information he wanted. This crap with him and Bonnie Bennett was starting to get irritating. But it was only temporary, he reminded himself, taking a breath to inhale some fresh air flowing in through the opened window.

The torture continued anyhow.

'' What's wrong? '' Damon mumbled sleepily.

'' I'm cold. ''

'' Okay, hold on. ''

Just as soon as he made a move to get out of bed, she tightened her grip on him.

'' No, don't leave me. ''

Turning to face her, Damon frowned lightly, his eyes tender on her hazel ones. '' I'll just get you another blanket... ''

Bonnie shook her head. '' Stay with me. ''

Her small hand was holding onto his, her cheek pressed into his chest. He tightened his arms around her.

'' I'll always stay with you, '' he murmured. '' Even if you try to fry my brain. Again. ''

She gave a little laugh, then snuggled into him comfortably, pressing herself even closer to his warm body.

'' Better? ''

'' Perfect. ''

He leaned his chin on the top of her head, closing his eyes. '' Yeah. It is. ''