Author's Note: Hello my lovelies! This is my last new bamon for awhile. I will be updating this and my other stories regularly. I think I may make a one-shot. I got inspired by this dream I had. Thoughts on this are welcome!

Hugs and Junk,
Anneryn

I DO NOT OWN VAMPIRE DIARIES OR THE CHARACTERS (Unfortunately… technicalities, technicalities.)

Chapter 1:

I know that I'm being followed. At first, I wasn't sure. Now, I'm positive. It's been two months and twelve days since this started. I don't know who it is, or why they follow me… What I do know, is that I want it to stop.

After Grams died, I couldn't be sure about anything. That's when everything fell apart. First it was Grams, and then it was my father. Someone is targeting my family, my lineage.

Elena decided to leave Mystic Falls. She couldn't handle everything that was going on around her. Jenna and Jeremy stayed behind. Elena went to live a distant Uncle of her's. Apparently he's loaded, and was more than happy to take Elena in. Jenna was furious. She couldn't understand why Elena wanted to leave, and Elena couldn't tell her.

Jenna started dated Alaric. He slowly gave up on finding his wife. She made it clear that she didn't want to found, or want him, for that matter. He decided to pursue the little happiness that he had come to know.

Damon left Mystic Falls to search for Katherine, after convincing Anna and her vampires to leave… permanently. Before he left, he wiped Jeremy's memory… again. He also wiped Elena's. She wanted to forget, and Jeremy couldn't remember.

I moved in with Jenna and Jeremy, in Elena's place. There was an extra room, and I couldn't bear living alone. Alaric knows that I'm a witch. He also remembers everything that has happened. He's the only person, apart from Stefan that I can still talk to… openly. Alaric moved into the Gilbert household about a month ago.

Stefan chose to stay in Mystic Falls. He might not have a reason to stay, but he also doesn't have a reason to go. If he had chosen to leave, I'm not sure if I would still have my sanity. I've already lost so much. I was orphaned and abandoned in a two week span. After Grams died, my dad came home. He normally isn't home for more than four or five days at a time. He is constantly gone on business. I'm used to being alone.

But after Grams died, I was left in a different kind of solitary. I had never felt more alone in my life. He came home about a week and a half after she passed. He said he couldn't get away sooner, but he didn't want me to be alone. I had never been happier to see him, in my life. After my mom passed, when I was 11, it was Grams who stepped up… not my father.

But this time, she wasn't here. She was gone… and she wasn't ever coming back. The night after he returned, he took out the trash, and was hit by a car. They never caught the driver. His death was almost immediate. Based on the swerve marks on the street, they estimated that the driver had to be going faster than necessary.

They suspected foul play. Nothing suggested that the driver lost control of the car. It looked like they went out of their way to hit my dad. He ended up with a punctured lung, severe head trauma, internal bleeding, and a severed spine. Even if he had survived the crash, he would have been a vegetable. The fury I felt after his death was unreal. I couldn't speak to anyone for weeks. I could answer simple: yes and no questions, but anything other than that didn't merit a response.

Even though Jeremy didn't have any idea of the supernatural forces that surrounded him in Mystic Falls, I found myself being drawn to him. He could relate, at least with part of what I was going through. Jenna was great. Even Stefan was around more. We were never really friends before, but we are now.

I'm still friends with Caroline and Tyler. But it's hard. I can't talk to them. Every conversation feels superficial and unimportant. Things are easier with Matt. He found out that Vicki died a week after my dad passed. We didn't really talk much… at first. We were just there for each other.

But lately, Stefan has been filling up all of my time. I'm rarely alone. I told him about my suspicions, before I could confirm them. He's helping me try and get to the bottom of this. What else to I have left to lose? They've taken everything away from me.

Today, I'm taking a break. I'm not looking for whoever is intent on following me. Today, I am pretending to be normal. Honestly, I like the makeshift family that I have been accepted into. We aren't perfect, but what an interesting bunch we make. Alaric, a retired vampire hunter, Jenna, an amazing aunt who is blissfully clueless, Jeremy, a love sick, vampire wannabe, who can't remember any of it, and me. This is as close to perfection as I get.

I crave the normalcy of it all. I feel like there is something missing. I have an empty part of me that I can never fill, no matter how hard I try. The gaping hole of nothing is something that I've become used to.

In three months, I lost my grandmother, my father, my best friend, and most of myself. I have my very own personal stalker, and have a new 'family.' Something has grown throughout these three months. Something is coming, something catastrophic. I can feel it in my gut. The growing feeling of impending turmoil never stops building.

I know that I want it to stop. I know that I can't do this alone. I know that I need… that's just it. What I need, who I need… they are gone. Everything that I could hope to want with few exceptions is gone. What can I do? I have Stefan, but we can't do it alone… I need to come up with something.

"Bonnie," I looked up at the sound of my name.

"I'm sorry, what?" I apologized. I didn't hear whatever they said to me. I still haven't pinpointed who had said my name.

"I asked if you wanted any breakfast. Jenna's trying to cook." Alaric said, smiling.

"Oh, yeah. That would be good… Are you helping her?" I asked him. I love Jenna to death, but that woman is capable of burning boiling water. But she tries, which is more than can be said about most people. Alaric laughed at my reaction.

"Something on your mind?" He asked. I hesitated before answering him. He knows that I wasn't convinced that my father's death was an accident, and I wasn't sure about Grams' death either. I haven't told him that someone's targeting my family. I don't know enough. There have been a lot of times that I wanted to tell him. I still do… I don't want to compromise their safety by burdening him with mine.

"Just thinking about things." I told him. He looked doubtful.

"I know that we aren't fam… blood-related. But you can talk to me, Bonnie. If there's something going on…. I want to know about it." He said. I gave him a weak smile.

"Thanks. If things ever got bad enough…. I would talk to you." I promised. I hope I made a promise I can keep. If things did get bad enough, I would have to tell him. He, Jenna and Jeremy might have to get out of Mystic Falls.

"Are things bad, Bonnie?" He asked concerned. Shit… poor, poor word choice.

"Don't worry about me so much, Alaric." I told him. His expression didn't change.

"Bonnie," he pressed.

"Things aren't worse than they have been. Considering the circumstances, yeah, things are bad right now." I told him. I told him the truth. He nodded.

"But, you will talk to me if you need to…?" He asked. I nodded. He nodded.

"Come on." He said. He led me to my bedroom door and downstairs. I know how easy it would be to tell Alaric. I know how easily he would be willing to help… I just can't. I can't do that to him, or anyone else. I wouldn't be able to live with myself. Things are hard enough to live through as it is…

"Morning Bonnie," Jenna said brightly. She's flipping barely burnt pancakes onto a plate next to the stove-top. I smiled. Jeremy was pouring orange juice and coffee. He looked up and smiled at me. I returned his smile.

"Morning," I told both he and Jenna. We ate breakfast. Things almost felt… normal. It's a nice, vaguely familiar feeling. It made me realize how much I missed it and how hallow I feel. I shiver flew down my spine. Someone is watching me. I can feel it, so much for my day of peaceful denial.

'Stefan,' I sent him my thoughts.

'Bonnie, what's wrong?' He sent back. I took a deep breath. Jeremy looked at me strangely. I brushed it off with a shrug. He chuckled.

'I'm being watched. I need to find out who is doing this soon.' I told him, sounding desperate. Truthfully, that's exactly what I am. How am I going to get out of this? The spell that Grams cast was strong, powerful, and draining. But, it shouldn't have killed her. All of the witches that I consulted after her death said the same thing. It couldn't have killed her without someone tampering with her or tainting the spell.

I can't even think about the vampires that got loose. As far as I know, they left Mystic Falls. Stefan and Damon talked to Ana and Pearl after they got loose. They came to some sort of an agreement. I have no idea what that agreement entails.

'We will find out it is. I promise you…. I just need to figure out how. Is there anyone that your Grams trusted with everything? Someone we can go to…? Someone who can help us?' He asked. I didn't miss his emphasis on 'we' he added.

'I'll have to go through her old diaries… but I can't remember anyone. She has a sister - my great aunt Agatha. But, it's been ages since I've seen her. I'm not sure if she'd even remember me. We can see… I think she lives in Kansas.' I told him. I picture him, mentally nodding.

'I'll help you. Do you want to come to the boarding house later? I'll pick you up, just give me a time.' He asked.

'Yeah, that would be work. It'll take awhile though, she has so many diaries. She documented everything… just in case I needed something after she was gone… and she wasn't here…' I sent him, unable to say anything else, mentally or not.

'Why don't you just stay the night? Jenna trusts you, and she knows that I wouldn't try anything… so does Alaric. Pack a bag; I'll be by in an hour.' He suggested.

'Alright… an hour…. I'll see you soon, then.' I told him.

'Bonnie? You're not alone in this. I know that it must feel like you are, but you're not. We'll find a way through this.' He promised.

'I know that, Stefan. Thank you… I don't know what I'd do without you. You've helped so much… I just… Thanks.' I ended lamely.

'You know that you don't have to thank me. I've been where you are… somewhat. I know what it's like to lose almost everyone you love. And what's happening to you… what happened to you… You don't deserve it.' Stefan said sincerely. He has as way with words. I sighed.

'Whether you realize it, or not… you always know what to say. Thank you. Don't say that I shouldn't say it… or that I don't have to. Just accept it… please.' I sent him, hoping he wouldn't send anything back.

'Alright,' he said, finally. I felt a bit triumphant. Breakfast went smoothly. I told Jenna that I was going to Stefan's and that I would be staying over. She was a bit reluctant about the staying over part, but Alaric talked her into it. I mean, how hard was it to believe that Stefan wouldn't be trying anything with me?

I went to my room and packed a bag. Jeremy knocked on my door. I turned to face him. He came in and closed my door around him. He walked over to me and put a hand on my cheek. He just kept it there. He didn't do anything more. I looked up at him, confused by his sudden action.

"I feel like I'm losing you, Bon. I can't lose you, too. Not on top of everything else." He whispered.

"You're not losing me, Jere." I told him. He looks so hurt.

"That's not what it feels like. You never talk to me. Just tell me what's going on in that head of yours. You know I'd help you in a second, if I knew what you were going through. You just have to talk to me." He pleaded.

"I-I can't. I'm so sorry, Jere. I just… I can't. I don't even know what all I'm feeling. I don't want you to… I just… I can't." I told him. I want him to understand. I can't drag him into something that we've tried so hard to make him forget. I just want him to be happy… blissfully so. Can't he understand that? No, of course not. To understand that, he would have to know about everything he's being protected from. I can never seem to fucking win.

"You can. You know you can. You just won't." He said simply. He dropped his hand. This isn't fair. Frustration is making my head feel like it's on fire. I feel pissed, angry, depressed, like exploding, and frustrated. Tears welled in my eyes. I turned around so Jeremy couldn't see me. He's not going to see me cry.

"Hey," he said, trying to turn me around. He put his hand on my arm. I shrugged it off.

"Get out." My voice cracked, but still sounded venomous.

"You're deluded if you think I'm leaving." He said, standing his ground.

"Get the fuck out, Jeremy." I told him quietly. He sidestepped me and made me look at him. I shut my eyes, refusing to let any tears fall.

"Whatever it is… I'm sure… if you tell me, we can handle it." He said, softly.

"You don't know. Can't you just drop it? Please," I said. He didn't say anything. I kept my eyes firmly closed. If I look at him, it will trigger the tears to fall. I felt him tilt my head up. He pressed his lips to mine. I jumped a bit in surprise. I opened my eyes and a few tears fell. His arm wrapped around my back. His other hand kept my face to his, keeping me from breaking the kiss.

I managed to detangle myself. I looked at him, in shock. I didn't say anything. He just looked at me. God. I feel like my life is God's personal joke and I'm starring in it.

"I love you." He told me. The tears came out. He wiped them away.

"I love you, but not… You're practically my brother, Jere." I told him. He continued to wipe the tears away, but his expression didn't change. He gave me a small smile.

"I know." Is all he said.

"I showed you what's been going on in my mind… maybe someday soon, you'll do the same." He said. I shook my head.

"Don't hold your breath." I whispered. I don't want him to assume that I'm going to share some deep dark secret with him… I'll just let him down. That seems to be what I'm the best at. He leaned down and kissed me. I pulled away.

"Jeremy," I said warningly. He smirked.

"I knew you couldn't resist saying my name." He said, teasingly, in a mock dream-like voice.

"It's not happening." I told him. He looked at me; I can tell he's being serious again.

"I know. If you decide you want to change that, or to talk to me… the offer still stands." With that, he opened my door and left. I shut the door with magic, grabbed a pillow off of my bed and let out a scream of suppressed anger. I put the pillow back onto my bed and grabbed my overnight bag.

I looked in the mirror as I left my room. I look so different. My hair is darker… I changed it after Grams died. I have bags under my eyes from permanent stress and exhaustion. My eyes have a haunted look to them. They even look darker. They used to be brown and sometimes partly green… now they are almost black. I've lost weight. I still eat, but the stress… My curves are more noticeable. But, I look… more dangerous. I'm in a black band tee shirt and jeans. Both fit me snugly. I barely notice what I wear anymore. I have black, combat boots on. They are easier to run in, now that I've broken them in. I forgot I had them… but if I get cornered… whoever benefits with getting kicked will hurt like a bitch, human or not.

I grabbed my jacket and went downstairs. The doorbell rang and Jenna let Stefan inside. She gave him a hug and whispered something that I couldn't hear.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Jenna." I told her. She nodded and smiled. She gave me a hug and kissed my cheek. Alaric hugged me… then it was Jeremy's turn. He gave me a hug and kissed the top of my head. At least it wasn't awkward. We left the house and got into Stefan's car. We didn't say anything. We started talking when we were inside the boarding house. This place seems so empty, but it feels like home. There are protective wards all over the boarding house, it's safe here. We can't be overheard.

"What happened?" Stefan asked. I looked at him. He always knows when something is wrong.

"Jeremy… he kissed me." I told him. Stefan smirked.

"That's a bad thing?" He asked.

"He's like my brother." I told him. Stefan nodded, still grinning. I hit his arm, playfully.

"Is there more to it?" He asked. I shook my head. He nodded his head slowly, not completely believing me. "We should look through the journals." He suggested. I nodded. I dumped the journals out of my bag, onto the floor. These are only the ones that I have. The rest are in a magically sealed safe. I have access, but I don't keep them at the house.

"Are these all of them?" He asked me. I shook my head. He nodded. We divided the stack in half. We start pouring through the journals, one after another. It was dark before either of us realized it. We were reading them in the living room, by the fire. My stomach growling interrupted us. Stefan chuckled. I couldn't help but to join in.

"I'll order in." He decided. I nodded, gratefully. "Chinese okay?" He asked. I nodded. "The regular?" He double checked. I nodded, again. He got his cell phone out of his pocket and pressed a number on speed dial. We get Chinese a lot. Granted, I do most of the eating… Stefan normally drinks blood while I eat.

"Hello?" He said, into his phone. "Yes, this is Stefan Salvatore. I would like my regular." He told the person on the opposite side of the conversation. "Yes, an order of beef and broccoli, crab rangoon, pork egg rolls, and white rice." He said into his phone. He nodded. He must be listening to order being read back to him. "Alright, thank you." He said, hanging up the phone.

He looked over more journals until the food got here. Once we got the food, Stefan went into the kitchen. He brought me a pair of plastic chopsticks, a glass of lemonade, and napkins. He went back into the kitchen and returned with a glass of blood for himself. He sat down next to me. I put the journal that I had been peering through, aside.

I sat eating while he drank his blood. He looked at me, pandering something.

"I have an idea, of someone who might be able to help us… but you aren't going to like it." He said. I looked at him, cautiously.

"Who?" I asked him. He took a deep breath before continuing. Could his suggestion really be that bad?

"Damon, I already called him and explained some of what has been going on. He's on his way back. He'll be here… tonight." Stefan said. I looked at him in disbelief.

"I might not be overjoyed, but I think you're right. He's… ruthless. He might be exactly what we need. I just… wish you would have told me, sooner." I told him. I mean, if he's already on his way. Why would Damon want to help us? He didn't exactly leave on the best terms. I told him goodbye. But, when he left… I wasn't saying much to anyone. You could have asked me if I was a cross-dressing man on crack that likes to pretend to be the tooth fairy, and I probably wouldn't have given you a second thought.

I ate while I thought about what he told me. He sat down on the floor next to me, and put his arm around me. I leaved my head back on his shoulder as I ate. He drank his blood. This is comfortable. This is the only place that I feel completely safe. Until the stalking stops… I don't know how I can feel safe anywhere else. I put protection wards around Jenna's house, but I feel so exposed there. Here… this is private. I can't explain it… it just… is.

I set my food on the floor next to me and just sat with Stefan.

"Bonnie," he whispered. I looked up at him, with melancholy eyes and a thinking face. He touched the side of my face. He leaned forward and touched his lips to my forehead. "It has to get better." He assured me. I nodded, still completely unsure. I leaned back against him, again. He pulled me onto his lap. He makes a comfortable chair. I closed my eyes and just thought about… everything. I'm tired, but I'm not going to sleep. Every time I try… I see Grams dying and my father… bloody and broken. He held me to him.

The door opened, loudly. I jumped a bit at the sound. I heard it shut. Damon came walking into the living room. He looked down at us. He smirked.

"Well, well, if my brother isn't getting some…" He said, proudly. I flipped him off, not wanting to open my eyes. I felt Stefan's chest shake with laughter. I heard Damon's unexpected chuckle. "So, Stefan told me some of what happened. But, I need you to fill me in on the rest." Damon said seriously. I sighed and opened my eyes. It took me a second to let my eyes adjust. Damon's crouching down in front of me, looking me in the eyes. My breath caught. I forgot how… enchantingly beautiful he was.

Stefan cleared his throat.

"I'll let you guys talk." He said, suddenly. He shifted. I moved off of his lap and onto the floor. Stefan turned to look at me, before getting up. "If you need anything… just call me." He said. I nodded.

"I will." I promised. Damon smirked, his blue eyes sparkled mischievously.

"She won't need to, dear brother. She has me here, now." Damon told Stefan. Stefan gave Damon a look that was somewhere in between confusion, anger, and resentment. I didn't know what to think. Stefan got up and left. I was left alone with Damon. Damon sat down on the other side of me, the side that hadn't been occupied by Stefan. He looked at me, seriously.

"Tell me everything; leave nothing out." He said. I nodded. I told him about Grams…. He already knew about her. I told him about what I found out. I told him that the spell couldn't have killed her unless someone did something to her or tainted the spell. I told him about my father… which, I think he heard about. Elena left before my dad died, and so did he. I told him about the foul play and the stalking. I told him everything out. I didn't leave anything out… nothing important.

He looked at me, when I was finished explaining everything. He did something I didn't expect. He laid a hand over mine.

"I'll do everything I can to help." He said, finally.

"Thank you. We don't know who could be behind it. Everything is all dead ends." I told him; everything is so frustrating. He nodded.

"We'll look." He promised. Stefan walked back in. He heard the end of our conversation. It doesn't matter. He looks… I can't read the expression on his face. Damon looked at me, like he was already having a conversation and just thought of something. Are he and Stefan mind-chatting?

"Bonnie… we might be able to find out. But, you might have to do something you don't like." Damon said, hesitantly. There was nothing sarcastic about his words.

Author's Note: Well, I hope you guys enjoyed this! This is the last of my new "Bamon" stories for now. I have decided that six on-going stories (not all bamon) are enough for me to handle. LOL. Please click on that awesome review button and let me know what you think!

Hugs and junk,
Anneryn