Alaric pushed the door to the Grill open with little force as he entered the bar, dragging his feet as he walked. It was like any other Tuesday night, the Grill was almost completely empty, soft music playing in the background of bottles clanking together behind the bar or on tables as the bus boys cleared the empty glasses away. Alaric had come to the bar looking for a place that wasn't empty like his apartment. He needed to be alone while he graded this week's History tests, but like any normal human being he craved being around other people. He was tired of spending nights alone in his apartment, the only sound there coming from the hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen.
Ever since he had lost Jenna just four months ago, Alaric had shut himself off from the world. The only human contact he seemed to have these days was from Damon and he only came around when Alaric was drowning his sorrows in another bottle of scotch. So tonight Alaric decided to come to the Grill if just to surround himself by people around town and give the illusion he was becoming less of a loner.
Alaric sat himself in a booth a few tables away from a giggling group of older women trading gossip around town. This definitely wasn't what he had in mind when he thought of getting back into the world, but he had to start somewhere. Alaric pulled the stack of papers from his worn leather bag and gently set them down on the table as he looked around the room for a waitress.
Hopefully Damon isn't keeping her busy. Alaric thought to himself as he smiled to himself and shook his head.
Before Alaric could find the red pen in his bag he heard a familiar giggle from across the room. He looked up to find Caroline Forbes, one of his students and known (to him at least) vampire. Caroline sat at the bar, her head propped up against her hand, as she continued to flirt with the man behind the bar. Alaric shoved his papers back into his bag and made his way across the bar. This was the first time he had seen the friendly blonde girl alone, she was always with a crowd, and something told him this wasn't a good sign.
Once Alaric made his way to the bar he took a seat next to Caroline, waiting for her to turn to him. When she finally felt his presence Caroline turned big blue eyes up to Alaric and smiled.
"Hey Mr. Saltzman." Caroline slurred as she continued to grin up at him.
Alaric cringed as he took in the girl's appearance. She reeked of alcohol and he now noticed her blue eyes were glazed over, an effect of inebriation. Before Alaric could say anything the man behind the counter slid Caroline another drink and placed a piece of paper in front of it. Caroline smiled at him sweetly before slowly turning her attention to the drink in front of her. Just as she was about to wrap her slender fingers around the glass Alaric reached over and took it.
"Hey!" Caroline protested as she watched her history teacher take a drink from her glass.
Alaric sat the glass down before turning back to Caroline, his lips now set in a deep frown.
"I'm not just going to sit here and watch you drink underage." Alaric said matter-o-factly.
"You're not my dad." Caroline snapped as she frowned at the counter top.
"No, but I am your history teacher and as an adult in your life I'm here to stop you from making major mistakes."
"Well aren't you right out of an after school special." Caroline mumbled to herself.
Alaric stopped the man behind the bar as he was about to pass him. "Hey buddy, if you want to keep your job try serving people who are actually legally able to drink here instead of the minors with the fake I.D.'s."
The man looked at Caroline then back at Alaric and apologized before running into the back to hide from Mr. Saltzman. When Alaric turned his attention back to Caroline he found her gaping at him, obviously angry.
"Why would you do that?!" Caroline shrieked. "Seriously Ric, it's not your job to baby me."
"Well where is your mother, maybe she can baby you when I tell her what you're up to."
Caroline snatched the drink in front of Alaric, consumed the last of it, cringed, then broke out into a humorless smile as she scowled at the counter top.
"When you find her, let me know." Caroline scoffed.
Alaric stared at Caroline, watching as she continued to glare. It was so odd seeing Caroline like this, whenever he saw her she always had a smile on her face. No matter what the situation Caroline seemed to always be bright about everything. She comforted everyone, and reassured everyone that everything would be okay. Seeing her now, so angry and broken, Alaric didn't know how to react.
"Come on Caroline, I'm taking you home." Alaric said as he got up from his bar stool.
Caroline scoffed as she reached across the bar and retrieved the bottle in front of her. She poured herself another glass and began to drink the contents of her glass, ignoring Ric. As soon as Caroline placed her drink on the counter Alaric wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her from the bar stool. Caroline let out a shriek as she was hoisted into the air and over Alaric's shoulder.
"You can't do this! Put me down!" Caroline shouted, her words slurring together as she spoke.
"If you're going to act like a child, I'll treat you like one." Alaric mumbled as he made his way out of the grill. "Don't worry, I'm just going to take her home!"
The women who were just gossiping now stared as Alaric continued to carry a screaming Caroline out of the Grill. He simply ignored the stares and pushed his way out of the door. Yes, he could have just let it go, allowed Caroline to sit there and drink herself silly until the sun came up, but watching her drown her sorrows in alcohol stirred something inside him and he couldn't just sit there and watch.
Alaric unlocked his door and held it open for Caroline to walk through. When he found out Caroline's mother wasn't at home he refused to leave her there, fearing she would just find another way to continue drinking. Once they were inside Alaric motioned for Caroline to take a seat on the couch as he made his way into the kitchen to make her a cup of coffee. Caroline plopped down on the couch, now less annoyed and more embarrassed she had acted like such a child in front of not only the people of Mystic Falls but Mr. Saltzman. From the many save Elena missions they had been on together Caroline knew Alaric wasn't oblivious to how she normally acted, but she had never thrown a temper tantrum in front of her history teacher before.
In a matter of minutes Alaric returned with a warm cup of coffee and placed it on the coffee table in front of Caroline before taking a seat next to her. Caroline smiled weakly before taking the cup in her hands and pressing it against her lips. She was appreciative of the warm cup of coffee she now held in her hands, feeling a little less fuzzy as she took of sip of the warm liquid in the cup. Alaric silently watched as Caroline drank half of the coffee, her smile growing larger after every sip she took. After a few more sips Caroline placed the cup on the table and turned to Alaric, a slight blush now filling her cream colored cheeks.
"I'm sorry for the way I acted earlier, I was just having a bad night." Caroline explained, obviously trying to keep eye contact with Alaric as she spoke.
Alaric returned the smile as he shook his head. "What's going on Caroline? Drowning your problems with alcohol isn't going to solve anything."
Caroline laughed as she raised one of her eyebrows. "Coming from the guy who frequents the Grill with Damon to drown his problems in alcohol."
Alaric frowned at Caroline's last statement. Caroline smiled awkwardly.
"Sorry, that was uncalled for. It's just…I love Elena, she's my best friend, but I get so tired of everyone dropping everything to always save Elena. I think if I was ever in half the trouble Elena gets herself in no one would come save me and I'd just be screwed."
Alaric watched as Caroline spoke, running her finger over the top of the coffee cup sitting on the table. She refused to look at him as she spoke, somewhat ashamed of her insecurities, but still dying to share them with someone. As Alaric watched her he fought the urge to push the hair out of her face and wrap his arms around her. Even with the smile pasted across her lips, he could hear the pain in the words she spoke. She was all alone, just like him, and for the first time he saw Caroline in a new light. Alaric had always seen Caroline as this girl connected to other people. Caroline, Elena's friend, or Caroline, Matt's (ex)girlfriend, or Caroline, Stefan's project, but until now he never saw Caroline, simply Caroline.
When Caroline turned to him, now frowning, Alaric realized he had zoned out and missed what she had just said. Caroline rolled her eyes and pushed herself off the couch. Before she could get very far her legs gave way and she fell, right into Alaric's lap. Alaric instinctively wrapped his arms around Caroline's waist, making sure she didn't fall onto the floor, and held her there for a moment. Caroline turned and their eyes locked as she stared into Alaric's eyes, completely mesmerized.
"I promise if anything happened to you Caroline, I would save you." Alaric whispered, unaware of what he was saying.
Caroline nodded, her mouth slightly open as she just continued to stare at Alaric's face. Her body felt heavy as she sat there immobile, taking in ragged breaths as she stayed motionless in Alaric's lap. Neither of them moved a muscle continuing to stare at each other, unsure what to do next. Caroline slowly inched closer to Alaric, taking her time to let him stop her. When she realized he wasn't going to protest, Caroline took a deep breath before closing her eyes. Alaric entangled his fingers into Caroline's soft golden waves as he watched Caroline's face inch closer to his. Just as he was about to close his eyes he heard the front door to his apartment hit the back wall. In a flash Caroline climbed out of Alaric's lap and sat herself down in the empty space on the couch while Alaric shot up and stood awkwardly in front of the couch. They both turned to see Damon walk in, his hand stilled wrapped around the door knob and a mischievous grin across his lips.
"Am I interrupting something?" Damon questioned, looking amused by the scene in front of him.
Caroline shook her head vigorously while Alaric cleared his throat.
"Ever heard of this invention called the doorbell, dick?" Alaric mumbled.
"Well aren't we cranky today. Vampire Barbie talk you to death or something?"
"Um, hello, I'm sitting right here!" Caroline snapped, her voice thick with annoyance.
Damon shrugged, obviously uninterested. "What's blondie doing here anyways."
"I picked her up from the Grill, caught her drinking with a fake I.D." Alaric explained, feeling the need to cover his whereabouts.
Damon raised an eyebrow at Alaric. "Well why don't we send the delinquent home and head back to the grill. Stefan is being all self-righteous again and I need a drink without the life lesson."
Before Alaric could say anything Caroline pushed herself off the couch and crossed the room to the door.
"I was just about to leave. Thanks again Ric for your help." Caroline called as she rushed out of the apartment.
Caroline shot Damon a dirty look before slamming the door behind her. Damon rolled his eyes before looking back at Ric. Alaric stood there looking at the door, a look of disappointment now visible on his face. Damon watched Ric curiously, now more interested in what he had just walked into.
Alaric shot Damon a dirty look before he made his way across the room. "No talking, let's just go."