Slowly, Bonnie turned, both small hands raised so that they were covering her face in a way that looked more playful than ashamed.
Elena felt a wave of irrational terror. It was all she could do not to scream.
Her mind was whirling like a dust-devil. I don’t want to see, I don’t want to see. . . .
“Bonnie,” breathed Meredith, and for the first time Elena thought that she could detect a hint of fear in the way she spoke to their friend. Elena herself felt as if she had been plunged into a nightmare. She couldn’t bear the way the moment was stretching out, she couldn’t stand any more heightening of the tension. . . .
And then it was gone. Something darkened the doorway and Damon walked into the shrouded space.
“What’s up?” he said, and then quickly, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Elena replied automatically, but her hand reached out toward him of its own volition. Damon took it, turned it, and planted a kiss in the palm.
Elena blushed and laughed a little, but she squeezed his fingers tightly and was comforted when he squeezed back. As long as Damon was close, she would be fine, she knew.
Damon released her and turned to Bonnie. “And what are we doing now? Is this Peek-a-boo?” As he spoke, he put his hands over Bonnie’s and then gently pulled them away from her face.
“No—” began Meredith and Elena realized that she was still afraid. Elena herself had a breathless moment until she saw that Bonnie’s features were all present and correct and that the only oddity was that Bonnie’s eyes were shut.
“Now, then, little redbird,” Damon said. “It’s autumn and time to fly south where it’s warm. But you need your eyes open to fly—I promise. One, and two, and three!” As he said the last word, he blew softly on Bonnie’s eyelids. There was a quiver of lashes and then there was Bonnie staring at them out of her soul-filled brown eyes.
“Well, that wasn’t nice at all!” she said querulously.
“What wasn’t nice?” Meredith demanded. “You just—”
Bonnie hadn’t finished talking, “Saying ‘turn around and cover your eyes and then you’ll have a nice surprise,’ and then turning off all the lights! You scared me!”
“We scared you?” Meredith began, but then she stopped and frowned. “Bonnie, what do you mean, saying ‘turn around and cover your—’ ”
“And then blowing ice-cold air on my neck—how did you do that? Do they have dry ice in hospitals?” Bonnie was feeling the back of her neck and looking angry and frightened at once.
“Bonnie,” Elena said. “It was Damon who blew on you—and he blew on your eyelids! And I’m sure it wasn’t cold, except that this whole place is cold, right, Damon?”
For answer, Damon took her hand again and blew warm breath on her fingers, making her bite down on a giggle. Damon had a slight, mischievous smile on his face, and that made Elena laugh aloud. It even melted Meredith and made her chuckle. And when Damon raised his eyebrows at Meredith and cocked his head toward Bonnie, Meredith nodded. She would take care of Bonnie, just as she always did.
“Come on, kiddo,” she said, “let’s leave the lovebirds alone. We’re going back—oh, Matt!”
She had almost walked into Matt who was entering the room with a cardboard rack full of large Starbucks coffee cups.
“Please tell me not house blend,” Meredith added, looking over the array.
“Are you kidding? I’m no poisoner. I’ve got double cappuccinos and hot cocoas—depends on whether you want a jolt awake or a warm hug goodnight.” He looked at Elena. “First choice goes to the patient.”
“Oh, a hug, a hug,” Elena said eagerly. “But only if it comes with a real hug, too,” she added, and got a strong-armed squeeze from Matt while Meredith held the cups. She then accepted a hot, fragrant cup of cocoa, made just the way she liked it, with a touch of vanilla syrup.
“Nothing for me,” Damon said. “I plan to hold hands with Elena if I can manage without hurting her and see if I can’t sing her to sleep.”
“Good idea,” Bonnie said. She seemed to have forgotten her earlier grievance completely. “I’ll take a cocoa, too, if that’s okay. And a big hug.” She almost disappeared in the fair-haired boy’s arms.
“As for me, I crave caffeine,” said Meredith. “I’ve got to read my English assignment from Everything’s an Argument, and I’d like some java before I learn about jousting with words. Of course, I’ll pay the price, as well.”
Matt gave her a cup and collected a kiss on the cheek. “You sure, Damon?” he offered as he stopped in the doorway. “I’ve still got both kinds and I promise not to charge for either.”
“Thanks—uh, Matt,” Damon said. “But, here, I’ll show you something if you won’t tell the nurses.” He pulled his sleek hipflask partially out of his jeans’ pocket. “Here’s my poison,” he finished, flashing a smile around the room. “Just the ticket for holding hands—or anything else.”
“I’ll bet,” Meredith said archly. “Well, keep in touch.”
“Especially if anything changes.” A serious note had crept into Matt’s voice.