AN: I have had the beginning of this story written for a while now, but unfortunately I have not had time to post it, until now. I really hope you enjoy it; the story itself is going to be a relatively long one, with a plot that spans decades, different pairings and multiple world affairs it is something I have wanted to do for a long time. I suppose in a way it is a little AU, although will I later chapters possibly follow the series story arch, to be completely honest it is one of those stories that doesn't have a traditional structure, I don't when what will happen in the end or who will end up with whom, the characters in this story will develop along with the story. Well that's enough from me, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Vampire Diaries.

Rating: Majority rated T, unless stated otherwise.

Main Characters: Damon, Stefan and Caroline.


Chapter One: Awake My Soul.

Author: Everysonghasanending

Rating: T


Lend me your hand and we'll conquer them all

But lend me your heart and I'll just let you fall

Lend me your eyes I can change what you see

But your soul you must keep, totally free

Har har, har har, har har, har har

Awake my soul

Awake my soul

How fickle my heart and how woozy my eyes

I struggle to find any truth in your lies

And now my heart stumbles on things I don't know

My weakness I feel I must finally show

Har har, har har, har har, har har

-Awake my soul - Mumford and Sons


Stefan awoke with a start. Painful memories immediately began protruding his slightly clouded mind; his father capturing Katherine, trying to rescue her...being shot. Within an instant of the latter thought, Stefan's hands were at his shirt, pulling at the small buttons, around the crimson stain, his brow furrowed as his hand came into contact with his abdomen, there was no wound. His head shook in disbelief, he had been shot, he could remember the pain clearly and other than a slightly nauseated feeling and a dull ache which engulfed his body, he felt fine, considering that bullet should have killed him. Wincing at the brightness of the sun, Stefan brought his hand up to shelter his eyes, it was then he noticed the ostentatious ring on his right middle finger, he stared at the blue stone in curiosity, it was unfamiliar to him, yet it did slightly resemble the stone Katherine had worn around her neck.

"Katherine had me make them for you, weeks ago."

Stefan's head shot up hearing the familiar voice, before him stood Katherine's personal maid, Emily Bennett, a basket, of what looked like clean clothes, balanced under her arm. "Where are we?" He walked looking around the unfamiliar surroundings.

"The quarry, just North of town" Emily answered quickly, placing the basket of clothing down in front of the youngest Salvatore. "My brother and I brought you here, after we found you dead, in the woods."

He remained quiet for a moment, trying to absorb the information he had just been given, so the bullet had killed him, then how...realisation quickly followed. "A-Are we..."

Emily shook her head, a sad smile tugging at the corners of her lips "No, not yet. You and Damon are still in transition."

"How is this possible?" Stefan muttered into his hands, every inch of his mind began searching for a possible answer.

"You had Katherine's blood in your system when you died" Emily supplied easily, as if it had been the simplest answer.

Stefan shook his head in protest, a frown appearing on his lips "It's not possible, I never drank from her" he added adamantly, he would never have, never...had he?

"She had been compelling you to drink it" she cut of curtly.

"What about Damon?"

Emily simply offered him a sympathetic smile "No compulsion was necessary. He drank from her willingly."

Spotting his brother down by the lake, Stefan venture down, taking a seat next to him on the damp, grassy verge. Casting a side-ways glance, he noted the far off look in Damon's eyes, as if he was in deep contemplation and Stefan would have bet his last dollar, that those thoughts were directed towards Katherine. "I woke up last night" Damon spoke, though his eyes still fixated on the clear, crystal water, as if his brother was in a trance. "I didn't know where I was and I went to the church. I-I watched them drag her inside. Then they-uh-they set touches to it and the whole place went up in flames" his words, deep and Solemn as he tore his icy blue gaze away from the water, towards Stefan, with a matching somber expression "They killed her Stefan. She's gone."

Stefan winced at those words, he had suspected the worst but hearing the words come from Damon's own mouth was as if he had been shot again, except this time the pain was felt in his heart. He did not speak, he did not have too, no words he could come up with could ease his or his brothers pain at that moment and so they sit in silence, thinking about the woman they had just lost.

A little while later, Damon still sat in the same position, his gaze fixed on the still water, whilst Stefan fetched a pale of water for his brother to clean up with. Placing the heavy bucket down beside his elder brother, Stefan fell back down to the grass with a heavy sigh "I bet Johnathon Gilbert has told father by now."

Damon scoffed, in anguish, disgust or plain and simple hatred, Stefan wasn't sure but either way it highlighted his feelings towards their father "As if he cares, he betrayed us Stefan."

"He thought he was protecting us, Damon" he began in a desperate attempt to get his brother to see some sense "he thought he was protecting this town by getting rid of the vampires." The raven-haired man simply shook his head, refusing to acknowledge that fact. Feeling the stinging in his eyes worsen, Damon groaned and began to rub his blue orbs, once again.

"What's wrong?" Stefan asked, his tone sounding alarmed.

"The sun is hurting my eyes!"

"That's part of it" the youngest Salvatore murmured "the muscle ache, the sick feeling...Emily says its our bodies pushing us to feed, to complete the transition" Stefan explained.

Damon's hard reply was instant, "that's not going to happen."

Stefan regarded him sadly "So that's your choice then? To die instead?" He asked, unable to hide the disdain in his voice.

"Isn't is yours?" Damon asked in surprise "This was all to be with Katherine, but, she's gone. I want it over." The finality of his words were harrowing for Stefan, he fought back the tears welling within the ducts of his emerald eyes at the thought of loosing his brother also, it was something he couldn't comprehend, he had loved Katherine but he did not feel that his life was destined to end with hers, but the thought of not greeting tomorrow with Damon by his side, would have caused his heart to cease, if death hadn't done that already.


Stefan did not know why he had wound up in front of the Forbes residents, but he felt drawn here, he needed to see her, at least one last time. Wiping his fathers blood off onto his trousers, he bent down and picked up a few small stones and began throwing them at her window. He didn't have to wait long, for her pretty face appeared almost instantly and for the first time that day, Stefan found himself smiling, as one of shock appeared on hers.

"Stefan?" Came her low whisper, moments later as she appeared before him, in the doorway of her home.

"Caroline" he replied breathlessly, his heightened senses making her allure all to difficult to resist. Her long, golden tresses pulled to the side in a plait, tied with a pretty blue ribbon, matching perfectly the colour of her eyes, which stared at him intensively, her joy, sorrow, confusion all evident to him; her pale skin seemed to illuminate with the moonlight as she took a step closer to him. They stared at each other for a moment, Stefan's eyes raking along her body, the crimson red colour of her dressing gown, brought the image of blood to his mind along with a slight throbbing in his gums. Though the thoughts were cut of as he felt Caroline's hand, entwine with his own, pulling him away from her house, away from prying eyes.

Once out of sight, Caroline wrapped her arms around her friends neck, holding him tight "Oh Stefan, papa, he told me you were dead!" she exclaimed, her head burying into the crook of his neck.

His lips came in contact with the crown of her head, before burying his nose into her golden mane, relishing in her smell and warmth "I'm okay, Care" he murmured lightly.

"And Damon?" She asked, lifting her head up to meet his gaze, it was then Stefan noticed the red rims around her almond eyes, a sight which made his undead heart clench, he simply smiled and nodded at her question. Caroline echoed his smile, her hands moving to cup the face of her best friend, as her teary eyes travelled the length of his body, as if seeking confirmation that this was actually, Stefan Salvatore stood before her. It was only then did she notice the patches of blood on his shirt. Gasping her hands moved across his torso, searching for the wounds "are you hurt?" She asked frantically, seeing nothing or feeling no tears in his clothing, Caroline brought her eyes back up to meet his "w-who's blood is that?" Her voice croaked, as a slight glance of fear washed across her blue hues.

Stefan looked away, the smell of the blood reaching his nostrils, he felt his resolve fading fast, Caroline brought his gaze back towards her, firmly with her hand "who's blood is that?" She repeated, this time with a sternness present in her voice.

"My fathers" he answered.

Caroline's hands flew to her mouth as she took a step back, to distant herself from Stefan "did you kill him?" She asked, her eyes wide with anguish at this disturbing news. Stefan bowed his head and nodded, he could not lie to her, besides she would no doubt hear about Giuseppe's death tomorrow and put two and two together. His chest clenched as she inhaled sharply, gathering her skirts as if she were to flee, as she turned on her heel, Stefan flashed in front of her "what are you?" She uttered, recoiling in fear, no human could move that fast.

"Care, please! I can't have you being afraid of me" Stefan pleaded, reaching out to her.

Caroline instantly moved from his touch "What are you?" She repeated, once more.

"A vampire."

The blonde gasped, backing away from him, quickly, but soon found herself with her back pressed again the trunk of a tree "get away from me" she hissed in disgust.

Stefan took a step towards her "please Care, I'm still me. Look it's me, your friend, Stefan" his voice trembled as he desperately pleaded with her.

"Your a monster" she choked out, her loyalties becoming divided, her father had drilled into her mind that vampires were the devils spawn, yet here stood Stefan, the man she loved as a brother. Caroline's breath shook as a breath escaped her lips "if you leave, now and never come back, I shan't tell father" she spoke firmly, turning away from her boy she had grown up with, hoping that once she turned her head back he would be gone.

Stefan studied her for a moment, green eyes burning with despair, she was frightened, that much was certain, her body was pressed flat against the tree, her small hands trembled beside her, her breaths were uneven and he could tell she was desperately trying to fight back tears. Nodding, he opened his mouth to say goodbye, when he noticed the pulsating vain, in her slender neck, once again his gums began to throb and he felt the veins pulse around his eyes, he was going to loose control "run, Caroline!" He barked, feeling the monster within him take over.

Hitching her skirts, Caroline took flight, she did not have to be told twice. She headed in the direction of the overseers cabin, she didn't glance back and as the cabin came into view, the blonde ran faster, her bare feet pounding against the damp grass. Reaching the door she tore at it, trying to pull it open, it was locked "no, oh lord, no!" She cried, pounding against the wooden door, so hard she could feel the skin over her knuckles crack. A twig snapped behind her, causing her to turn sharply where she stood, her breathing hitched as her eyes searched for any sign of her pursuer, she could not see him anywhere, but he was out there, she could sense it. Another snapping, alerted her to the left and she took off once more in the opposite direction, this time running into the woodland which surrounded her home, she until her foot caught on a root or a vine and brought her crashing to the ground. Dazed and winded, Caroline rolled over onto her back, a sharp pain in her ankle signalled that she could not run anymore. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest, as tears spilt freely down her now, rosy cheeks as Stefan appeared above her and for the first time in her entire life, she was speechless. Starring into the cold eyes of her executioner, her breath caught in her throat, never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined that the person who would end her time on this earth would have come in the for, of a friend, her greatest friend, Stefan Salvatore.

Reaching out to his fallen friend, Stefan ran his index finger along the trickle of blood which began at her hair line, rubbing the crimson liquid between his fingers before bringing them to his lips, the taste was euphoric and he instantly wanted more. "I'm sorry" he whispered as his fangs descended into the creamy flesh of her neck.

Caroline fought, her bunched up fists pounded against his chest, ribs, arm, anywhere she could, in a feeble attempt to stop him, but nothing worked. As the seconds turned into minutes, her punches became lighter and her eyes began to droop "Stefan..." a hoarse whisper fell from her lips "...please" she then fell limp in his arms.

Stefan stopped almost immediately after hearing her final whispers, she was limp in his arms, her head fell back and her eyes stared at him, though the light within them had been extinguished "Caroline?" He choked, running a hand down the length of her face "I-I am sorry, Care. Please wake up" he sobbed pulling her close to his body as he cried into her hair "no, no, no" he repeated, choking on the the lumps which formed in his throat as he cradled her pale body. He had killed, Caroline, the light in his life, he had killed her, she was right, he was a monster.

"Caroline!" A voice he recognised as William Forbes cracked over the silent night, in a half panic, Stefan scooped her up into his arms and sped away towards Emily's cabin.


Caroline awoke the following morning, her lungs gasping for air as her eyes desperately searched her surrounding, it was then she realised that she was slumped against something or someone, she looked up and her eyes fell upon Damon's concerned face, gazing down at her "thank god..." he muttered into her hair "...I was beginning to think you would never wake up" his voice was calm, but Caroline could tell by the way his arms encircled her tightly that he was in deed anything but.

"Why does my body ache?"

"Your in transition" Stefan spoke, alerting the blonde to his presence.

Caroline's eyes widened, seeing her attacker appear before her "stay away from me" she hissed, pushing herself closer to Damon, her hands grasping at her chest to try and stop the tremors running through her body. Tears prickled in her eyes as memories of last night, suddenly flooded her mind, a trembling hand shot to her neck, running lightly along the unblemished skin "I should be dead!" She cried turning to bury her head into Damon's shoulder.

Damon's grip tightened around the blonde as she sobbed into his shirt, he whispered comforting words into her ear, although he wasn't sure they were doing much good, although his eyes were narrowed on Stefan, never had he experienced such anger towards his brother, it closely matched that he felt for his father at his betrayal of Katherine. "Caroline, Care, look at me" he spoke softly, she pulled away slightly from his embrace, looking at him through teary blue eyes, his undead heart melted "After Stefan brought you back here, I gave you my blood to try and heal you but you died before it took hold, it means you are transitioning into a vampire,"

"I-I'm a vampire?" She asked, trying to process what she had Damon had just told her.

"Your becoming one" he explained, studying her carefully, trying to determine her state of mind.

Suddenly, Caroline pushed herself away from Damon's embrace "your both vampires" she stated with a sharp wince, looking between both brothers before releasing a sharp cry, Damon reached forward to try and comfort her but before he could touch her, she stood up, running a hand through her now loose blonde hair. Then she caught sight of the woman's body, slumped against the cabin, the paleness of her skin indicating a loss of blood, closing her eyes she shook her head "I can't do this" she mumbled before fleeing.

Damon watched her go with a heavy heart "what have you done?" He uttered turning to face his brother with fierce eyes. Grabbing him by his braces, he easily hoisted his brothers feet off the ground "how does it feel to know that not have you lost me but Caroline also?" Dropping him to the ground, Damon didn't hang around to hear Stefan's answer, deep down he already knew it, his younger brother would be devastated and he deserved it.


Caroline stared at the ring on her finger, she credited this blue stone to her being able to walk in the sun, but wondered how it had gotten on her finger, she figured Damon had something to do with it. Her hunger was becoming unbearable, although she knew it wasn't the conventional hunger, it was bloodlust, her body was pushing her to feed yet she couldn't, no, she was determined not to turn into one of... them.

She was going to die, for the second time in twenty-four hours, she would never marry, have a family, grow old with the love of her life, the thoughts became overwhelming, Caroline fell to her knee's, choking on a sob, she had such high hopes for her life, she was young, she was supposed to die as an old lady, in her bed, to like this, not this day. A smell wafted through her nostrils, causing her gums to ache as a pair of fangs, retracted through the pink flesh, the pain caused her to scream out, but was soon blocked out the pull of the blood.

Returning to her feet, Caroline's body walked forward, ignoring the pleas of her mind to stop, her bare feet carried her over dried leaves and sticks, she stumbled slightly as the embankment became steeper. When she reached the clearing, she saw him. A young, slave, probably no older than her own eighteen years, leant against a stone well, Caroline eyes were fixated on the man, or rather the bloodied cloth he held against against a cut on his arm. She watched him until he noticed her, her breathing hitching in her throat as he turned towards her "hey, are you okay, miss?" He asked a level of concern levelled in his voice.

Caroline shook her head, fresh tears streaming down her face "I am so sorry" she sobbed, a wave of emotion clouded his features, followed by one of horror as her face changed, her fangs descending, the veins pulsating around her eyes, then she pounced, her teeth sinking into the soft flesh of his neck, his screams went unnoticed. The blonde drank until his blood, filling her mouth was no more than a trickle down her throat, she then pulled away, staring through horrified eyes as the man sank to the floor "no, no, no" she repeated, tears flowing down her cheeks, leaving streaks in the blood that covered her mouth, biting into wrist, she held it over his mouth "drink!" She ordered in desperation.

"Caroline" Damon's voice came from behind her.

Caroline's head whipped around "he won't drink!" She sobbed. Damon walked towards her, dropping to his knees beside her, using his vampire hearing to try and listen for a heartbeat "drink!" She cried out again.

Damon sighed heavily, casting a glance at his friend, the blood smeared across her mouth, her tear stained cheeks, her dishevelled hair, the mud coating the bottom of her robe, she didn't deserve this, none of them did "Caroline...he's dead."

She cried harder at those words "oh god, I killed him." Her sobs worsen and Damon could do nothing else but pull her against his chest, offering her whatever comfort he could "what am I going to do?"

"I don't know" Damon admitted "but I promise you, you won't be going through this alone, I'm going to be right beside you, I promise" he promised, placing a feathery kiss atop of her blonde curls, they stayed that way for a little while longer, until Damon finally stood up, dragging Caroline to her feet also "we should get going."

"Go where?" She asked, drying her eyes on the sleeves of her robe.

Damon simply shrugged, scratching the back of his head "anywhere but here, we can go to London, Paris, Rome, anywhere you want, you have just got to get out of Mystic Falls."

Caroline nodded, too tired to argue or even question, although she did glance down at the body she had drained, wincing at the sight of the dead man "what about him?" She asked wrapped her arms around her slender body.

Damon frowned, he had just left the body of the woman he had drained at Emily's cabin, for her and her brother to deal with and a slight wave of guilt washed over him, he wouldn't let Caroline guilt worsen, lifting the man into his arms, he turned towards Caroline "we'll bury him somewhere nice." Caroline nodded, offering him a small smile and mouthed the words, 'thank you.'

The buried him beneath a magnificent oak tree, whilst Damon dug the grave, Caroline had cleansed his body of the blood and prepared him for his burial, before Damon lowered him into the grave, Caroline pulled the cross off from around her neck and tucked it snuggly beneath his hands "I'm so sorry" she whispered once again, her breath hitching in her throat as she laid a gentle kiss on his forehead "rest in peace." Once Damon had finished filling in the grave, Caroline place a few rocks and flowers near the head of the grave as Damon cast the shovel aside, she quickly said a silent prayer before turning to the elder Salvatore "thank you" she repeated, her hand entwining with his and for the first time in a while, she thought maybe, just maybe, with Damon's help she could survive this new chapter in her life.

AN/ Hope you enjoyed the first chapter! Review!