The party was in full swing by the time Stefan, Elena, and Damon arrived at Mystic Grill. Caroline had slipped out of their sight just long enough to put this whole things together, but she didn't do it alone. Matt had called Elena when Caroline showed up at the Grill with Enzo and a group of kids from Whitmore.
Stefan spotted Caroline as soon as they walked through the door. She was dancing on top of the bar, with Enzo. Damon had to stop his brother from running over and pulling Enzo off of her.
"We can't go causing a scene, brother." Damon said.
"Well, I can't just stand here."
"Just blend in with the crowed, we don't Caroline to know we're watching her." Elena spoke up.
"Fine. I'm getting a drink." Stefan disappeared into the cluster of people, but he never lost sight of Caroline.
When the song they were dancing too ended, Caroline and Enzo jumped from the bar and grabbed a nearby partygoer to feed from. They compelled her not the make a noise. Then Enzo bit into her neck as Caroline drank from her wrist.
Stefan couldn't stand seeing Caroline like this. She was suppose to be the strong one. She'd never hurt an innocent person, and Stefan knew she'd never be able to forgive herself if she went too far. He wanted to stop her, but he knew his brother had been right. If he caused a scene who knew what Caroline was capable of doing. So far she had been in control, but it was only a matter of time before she snapped.
Stefan watched from the sidelines as Enzo and Caroline began to dance again. He felt a knot forming in his stomach when Caroline wrapped her arms around Enzo's neck. The jealous part of Stefan took over. He didn't anyone else dancing with her, that was his job.
When he had found Elena unconscious it only took him a second to understand what had happened and when she woke up his fears were confirmed. Even though Elena insisted that it wasn't his fault, Stefan blamed himself for Caroline's choice. If he had only gotten there in time, or if he had realized his true feelings sooner.
Stefan shook those thoughts out of his head in time to see Enzo leading Caroline out the back door. He slammed his glass down and followed them. Enzo had Caroline pushed against the brick wall when Stefan emerged from the door. His body lost control to the jealousy and he found himself crashing into Enzo.
Enzo regained his balance easily. "You shouldn't have done that, mate." he said before lunging at Stefan.
Caroline watched, annoyed, as the two fought. They both got in a few good hits, but then Enzo took things to the next level. He broke off part of the wooden banister, and threw the makeshift stake at Stefan. Enzo vanished into the night as Stefan fell to the ground.
A scream escaped from Caroline as she ran to Stefan. She knelt beside him.
"Stefan." she spoke with tears streamed down her face.
"It's okay. I'm okay." Stefan spoke through deep breaths. He slowly pulled the stake, which had just missed his heart, out of his chest.
"I'm so sorry." she repeated, helping him up.
"Let's go home." Stefan said wiping a tear from her cheek.
Back at the Salvatore house Stefan called Damon to explain what happened while Caroline took a shower. Stefan was cleaned up and changed by the time Caroline was finished. She walked into his room, where he was sitting up in bed. He could tell by the look on her face that she was about to break. He opened his arms and she didn't hesitate to fall into them.
"I thought I lost you again." she sobbed.
He tightened his embrace and kissed the top of her head. "I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere." he whispered.
Finally, Caroline fell asleep safe in his arms. Stefan, although exhausted, forced himself to stay awake a little longer. He watched the blonde sleeping next to him. Once he knew she was okay, he closed his eyes.