Caroline was exhausted. She had driven eight hours already. She loved Mystic Falls. No doubt, but that city was toxic. She just had to get out. Alaric understood. Of course he did, he always did. Maybe a short trip away from the city was exactly what she needed to clear her head.

She had no clue where she was right now. She had ignored all street signs on her journey. Somehow she landed in this shady area. She parked the car outside and decided to take a walk in this town. Maybe it was just what she was looking for. A calm place away from Mystic.

After a while she saw a bar and decided she needed a drink. There were a handful of people in the bar, but Caroline didn´t give them much attention and went straight to the bar.

"I want a scotch please. Double."

She sighed, as she let herself fall on the barstool.

"Here you go", a women said, handing her the drink. Her skin was dark and she was one of those people, whose age you couldn´t define.

Caroline took a sip and savoured the delicious liquid.

"Ugh. That´s the good stuff", she said and drank it on ex, "can I get another one?"

The barwomen smiled and said: „Haven't ever seen you around honey. Are you new in town?"

"You could say so. I won´t stay here long though. I needed to get out of my town. I´m Caroline by the way."

The barwomen just wanted to respond, when they were disturbed by a handsome, dark-skinned man.

"Hi is this seat taken?" he asked and pointed at the chair next to Caroline. His hair was very short and his voice was very smooth with a cheeky grin on his face.

"Not that I know of."

"Hi my name is Marcel", he said and gave her his hand.

Caroline was exhausted from the car ride and could think of a million better things she could do then sit here and talk with a stranger.

"Hi Marcel. What do you want Marcel?"

He laughed. "Well I like to know what goes on in my city and that includes the beautiful women that walk into my bar. Can I buy you a drink Caroline?"

"I´m fully capable of buying my own drinks thanks", she said in a snobby way.

"Hey what did I ever do to you? I´m just here trying to be nice, while you cut me off."

"Well I´m sorry, but I had a really damn long car ride and all I want is a little bit of peace. Ok?"

"Alright I´m sorry", Marcel said, still in flirting mode, "I don´t want to disturb you. From wherever you came it must have been paradise, if you are so angry that you are away from it."

Marcel took his drink and wanted to leave.

"No that´s not it. I am rather happy that I got away from Mystic Falls", she said sighing.

Suddenly Marcel was interested again. He seemed more alive than ever.

"You are from Mystic Falls? Hold on wait. What´s your last name?"

"It´s Forbes. Caroline Forbes".

Marcel threw his head into his neck and laughed cheerfully.

"Oh man. What are the odds? Me meeting Caroline Forbes. Here."

"Ohm excuse me do I know you?" she asked rather irritated. Who was this guy?

"No, no Caroline. Now I need to buy you a drink. I don´t know you, but I know people who do and I heard an awful lot about Mystic Falls."

After a couple of shots he ordered and that Caroline drank even though she knew she shouldn´t, but this bar made her feel loose after a while.

Slightly drunk she turned to Marcel. "So how do you know Mystic Falls?"

He, not nearly as drunk, chuckled: „Well I heard about it from friends. It seems to have a very lively community for people like us."

"Like us?"

"The supernatural. Vampires".

Caroline had to process that and wanted to kick herself for not recognizing sooner.

"So from whom did you heard?"

"Marcellus Gerard. What in the bloody name of god are you doing here?" a high British voice shouted.

Marcel turned around, still in full confidence smiling at Rebekkah.

"Rebekkah good to see you. Look who I met". And he pointed at Caroline.

"Oh god. Rebbekah?" Quickly analysing the situation Caroline furiously glared at Marcel. "So this is the friend you heard about Mystic from?!"

Rebekkah crossed her arms and walked slowly towards Caroline.

"Caroline Forbes. It have been ages. What are you doing here in our city? I never thought I would ever see you in New Orleans."

"Our city?"

"Yes. This happens to be the city where my family has found a home."

"Uhh. Sorry I didn´t know. Maybe you should have send a postcard, „Caroline said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"I bet my brother would be more than interested to see you again," Rebekkah said, swinging her long blond hair back.

Caroline's skin immediately took on the colour of paper.

"Oh he also lives here?" Caroline said.

She hadn't seen Klaus since that day in the woods. (And that night ;)) She still often thought about that day.

Caroline turned away from Rebekkah and drank her whole glass in one gulp.

"Hey bartender. I need another one of these", she shouted, waving her scotch glass in her right hand.

"Wow", Marcel tuned in again, "you sure as hell feel uncomfortable talking about him. What happened?"

"Nothing. Bartender? Maybe just give me the bottle okay?"

Marcel turned to Rebekkah questioningly.

"No, really nothing Marcel", she said, walking slowly towards them with her arms crossed," she was probably just a stupid little entertainment for him."

She stood now directly in front of Caroline, who continued drinking, she leaned forward, her face only centimetres away from Caroline's. "A onetime fling. Didn´t he left forever when he finally got some?"

Caroline, very drunk, got very angry. "Excuse you. Don´t think you can insult me like that Rebekkah. I don´t have to listen to that from you. At least someone was interested in me and at least I didn´t hop into bed with him the second he makes me a compliment. I know that´s all it takes to get you into the sheets with someone. Remember Matt? Yeah that was quite embarrassing wasn´t it."

Rebekkah looked like she was about to murder somebody.

"How dare you, you dirty peasant. You slept your way through entire Mystic Falls. Matt, Damon, Tyler, Stefan, even my brother."

"Yeah? Well it seems like Mystic Falls wasn´t enough for you. That is why you moved here. To bed every single one that comes your way. What about him?" Caroline furiously points at Marcel, "and we are not even talking about your centuries before I was even born."

Marcel tried to calm them down. "Ladies this really isn´t…"

"Shut up", both women screamed at him.

"Maybe you should leave Caroline. There is no place in New Orleans for you." Rebekkah said barely able to contain her anger.

"Already had enough Slutcountess?"

Caroline would regret saying that, because Rebekkah answered with her whole vampire strength.

Let me just say the bar had to be completely rebuild after their fight.

To be continued