Disclaimer: I don't own the show 'The Vampire Diaries' nor do I want to, just sayin. Oh right, the characters don't belong to me and I don't really care who owns them but the thing is it's not me.

Pairing: Stefan and Caroline

Summary: He wouldn't let her die alone, not again.

This is AU and the characters will be a bit ooc, however they'll still be vampires later.

Time/L: 1847, Alabama- Huntsville

Hail the Crossroads

A blonde girl ran from her room as best as she could in a long and tight dress. Going down the hall was easy, as was running in that outfit. Well that's what she had thought until she was proven wrong and almost bumped into a door then almost fell down some stairs but stopped herself just in time.

It was all good and she was thankful to whatever-the rail, that no one had seen her in that situation.

Sitting down would be tricky with her corset but it had to be done so, with that in mind she took a slow breath then down on a chair she went. The act took some effort and she felt uncomfortable but played it off as she looked down the long wooden table that seemed to almost be overflowing with food.

She was hungry but had to wait for her father and their guest to sit down, so she could eat then go back to her room and get out of the torture device she called her clothes then sleep.

Biting her thumbnail was not helping her issue in any way, therefore she voiced her thoughts in a quiet tone that bordered on churlish. "I am famished."

Her mother raised an eyebrow then smiled and Caroline could not help think that it seemed a little cruel-like as she spoke sarcastically. "Oh my. Isn't that something new, just wait a little. I'm sure they'll get here soon enough."

Caroline sighed then looked back at the food quickly and regarded at her mom with disdain when she said. "I am thirsty. Please, bring me something to drink."

"Fine." Liz stood up and poured her some iced tea then smiled as Bill and a brunet 'stranger' walked into the room.

"Hello." Something about the way the handsome foreigner presented himself Caroline found captivating. It took her a moment and a quick once-over to remember that the man standing before her was her childhood friend and longtime crush but she hadn't heard of him in years much less seen him because of the war.

She wasn't sure how one went about meetings such as this. She didn't know what to say or why no words would escape her lips so, she avoided his gaze for a bit then recalled their old 'exploits' got over herself and smiled at him but remained seated. Standing wouldn't do, she would not embarrass herself.

He offered a gentle smile back then looked at both her and Liz while he spoke smoothly. "I'm not sure if you remember me. I wouldn't be surprised or insulted if you didn't. My name is Stefan Salvatore, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance on this fine evening."

Bill looked at his wife then daughter and his guest, they hadn't seen the boy in years thanks to the war. It was nice to see him alive and well, after all he was a hero.

As they sat down, he got some meat then bit into it while Stefan kissed his daughter's hand and Liz gave them an approving look as she drank some iced tea a little too inconspicuously.

Something told him that his wife would be playing matchmaker by the end of the week, he wasn't sure whether or not he should intervene. All he knew was that his wife always got what she wanted.

After the pleasantries were over and the food was starting to get cold because they had taken a long time to get it over with, Stefan looked at Mr. Forbes then he nodded slightly and started eating.

A few minutes passed in silence then Liz said something about hectic weather and Stefan made a joke. Caroline laughed joyfully and her father cracked a smile at the witticism of his friend's son.

They spent three hours just sitting there with the men telling stories about events on a newspaper they had read and baseball. Dessert had come and gone but no one seemed to care yet, all knew that their time together had to end.

It was getting late and the hour of curfew was almost upon them. The death and disappearance of a few civilians had their whole county in panic-anger.

The blonde girl asked silent permission from her parents with her eyes and they gave a slight twitch of the lips in an almost smile. Stefan helped her out of the chair and she thanked him then walked him to the door.

"Audemus jura nostra defendere." He couldn't think of anything better to say and had spoken the words that strangely brought comfort to his mind.

"Aye, goodnight Mr. Salvatore." Caroline wanted to tell him to 'be careful' but didn't want him to take offense as a result she settled with herself mentally and gave him a small smile after she said the words but froze while holding the door.

Stefan looked her in the eyes as he spoke in a gentle voice and she blushed when she heard him ask a question she had been waiting for since they were children.

Sure, okay it wasn't exactly how she had planned but she took it as a win when he said. "Wait, I know I've waiting a long time for this with me leaving to be a soldier and all but… can I, call upon you sometime?"

"Yes, I would like that." They smiled at each other for a second then the blonde girl and brunette haired man wondered how much smiles or glances they had shared that evening. Both knew they themselves probably looked like fools and the other amazing but they couldn't stop, even if they wanted-that they had.

Mr. Forbes cleared his throat and his wife scoffed at him for either interrupting the moment or letting the young adults remember they weren't alone, neither he nor the two lovebirds by the door knew for sure.

Stefan briefly touched Caroline's hand and for the second time of actual physical contact felt another spark. So had she as their fingertips touched but she pulled away because her parents were watching and that was weird.

"Stefan."

"Mr. Forbes, ma'am." With those words, he walked away into the night.

State motto-Latin: Audemus jura nostra defendere

Translation: We Dare Maintain Our Rights

Miranda's note I: The song 'Changes' by 3 Doors Down, mythology and a friend inspired me to do this. Also, I don't want to make this canon in any way because things should change but I will try to give this ship justice.