The series of events that followed Bonnie's attack were a blur. Damon knew the wolf was dead. He didn't know if he'd ended the filthy mongrel's life or if Stefan had stepped in. He knew his shirt was covered in blood, his hands stained by internal organs and tissue that would take hours and gallons of soap and water to remove. Their thoughts had been correct; Jules was the beast that attacked Rose and Bonnie. That was confirmed by the crumpled remains of her human body on the forest floor.

Then he remembered the sickening cracking of Bonnie's bones and the pungent smell of her blood littering the air. She'd saved him, pushed him from the path of the wolf, encased Jeremy in a protective shell, and nearly met the end of her life.

His steps were slow.

It was difficult for him to move.

Was she de...he couldn't finish the thought. He wasn't ready to know life or death without her.

He heard Stefan's pleas urging the young witch to drink from his wrist. He saw Jeremy fighting to break free of the hold that Elena had on his arms. He twisted - turned - everything but punch her square in the jaw.

Irritation lined his skin, Damon despised Jeremy. Hated how close he was to Bonnie. Loathed the way he said her name in desperate cries for her to open her eyes. Damon was sick of stupid, inconsequential, unnecessary Jeremy Gilbert, latching on to Stefan, pulling his wrist from Bonnie's lips. It angered Damon, pissed him the hell off and he attacked. Determined to tear the child limb from limb and finally rid the world of his existence.

The two locked in battle and he was winning until one detrimental statement left the boy's lips.

"She doesn't want to be like you."

He froze.

He was...

Helpless...

If Stefan couldn't save Bonnie's life...

If Damon couldn't share his blood...

They were useless.

"Just leave her alone."

He allowed the kid to push him away and he willingly tumbled to the ground.

Damon watched as Jeremy cradled her non - responsive frame against his chest until the ambulance arrived.

It was Jeremy who climbed in the back of the vehicle once they eased the stretcher inside. He shared all of her pertinent information with the paramedic. He called her father on his cell. Finally he held on to her tiny hand as the ambulance disappeared into the darkness.

Damon rode shotgun with Stefan and Elena.

The vampire quickly made out Mr. Bennett's form. The man was tall, skin lighter than Bonnie's, but his eyes were exactly like Emily's, Sheila's, and Bonnie's. Damon's body shook with the hint of power that settled in the air around him. This Bennett was no different than the rest.

Damon noticed that Mr. Bennett kept one arm wrapped around Jeremy's shoulders as they spoke with the doctors feverishly working to save his daughter's life. The elder Salvatore stepped closer, determined to talk some sense into the man. One drop, that's all it would take and she would be good as new.

He would even volunteer to stay by her side to prevent any of Katherine's possible games.

Bonnie needed to be okay.

"I have a call in to a specialist."

Mr. Bennett's deep voice vibrated against the walls and for the first time he locked eyes with the vampire. When the doctor walked away he quickly informed Damon that the specialist of choice was not a Salvatore or a bloodsucker.

Within an hour, Lucy Bennett entered the Emergency Room. Gone was the smug look from her last visit. Fear was her companion. She disappeared behind the curtain with Bonnie's father, and the air grew thick with the spells cast in an effort to save the young girl's life.

Damon's ears heard the foreign words they chanted over and over, the muffled wails, and the scent of unfamiliar spices and herbs. She left as quickly as she appeared after providing her cousin a soft hug, and even gentler words of compassion and understanding.

"Everything's going to be okay."

Mr. Bennett nodded his head in agreement. He remained in the space that led to Bonnie's bed, a silent command given to Damon, not to come any closer. Damon obeyed and took a seat on the bench across the hall.

Jeremy had established a relationship not only with Bonnie, but with her father. He was a part of their family. Damon didn't even know her middle name. He was unaware of her determination never to become part of the undead.

Now her words made sense. She wanted someone to love her for Bonnie and not the little witch. How could she believe his feelings were true if he only force fed her lasagna, pretended to be the Chuck to her Blair, and never went any deeper than that? She knew his secrets - fears - disappointments. She had taken the time to listen.

"Damon."

Internally he screamed in response to hearing Jeremy's voice.

"Mr. Bennett went home to grab a few things; will you sit with Bonnie, while I go find Elena and Stefan?"

He was confused and then he took in the sympathetic look in the brat's eyes. Initially the words didn't want to leave his lips, but he needed to show his gratitude for the small act of kindness.

"Thank you."

"Five minutes."

Jeremy turned and headed in the opposite direction.

Damon gingerly settled on the bed beside Bonnie. There were too many tubes, one down her nose and one in the back of her hand. The constant beeping threatened to drive him insane. He didn't know what to do, where to start. He brushed the hair from her face. Her skin was too cold. He needed his fire starter. He wanted to see her eyes - hear her curse; anything but lying so still in that bed.

He peeled the covers down and lifted the thin gown. Her skin was swollen around the bandage, slick with the elixir, Lucy and her father had rubbed on the portion of her damaged side. The gaping hole was gone. She was healing - quickly, and he thanked the natural art in her family's blood for her speedy recovery.

He pulled the gown back down and gathered the blanket around her body to keep her warm.

"You're going to be okay."

He whispered the words more as a reminder to himself than to her.

He took her hand, stroking her palm, smiling at the depth and length of her life line.

"You'll be a pain in my ass for years."

Damon detected the squeak of Jeremy's boots on the linoleum. Slowly he lifted her fingers to his lips and planted a kiss against the tips of each one.

He headed for his bench, only to be tempted by the metal chart at the foot of her bed.

Daniela...

Her middle name was Daniela.

It would take time, but Damon would prove to Bonnie Daniela Bennett that this wasn't about obsession or magic. What he felt was true.