Author's Note: Hello lovelies! Okay, WELL, as you know, this is a Stefan/Caroline fic. Anywho, I've decided that I'm going to have Bonnie and Damon get together in this, as well. (Not in this chapter, but in the future. The main focus will continue to be Staroline.) SO, just letting you all know, so no one is surprised later. :^) Oh! And I have a couple of polls on my profile that I would greatly appreciate it, if you checked out and answered. :)

Hugs and junk,
Anneryn


P.S. - This is my graduation present to myself and all of you! (I'm officially a high school graduate! *Majorly dorky happy dancing*)


I DO NOT OWN THE VAMPIRE DIARIES OR THE CHARACTERS (But that doesn't stop me from dreaming!)
Music Credit: "I Will Not Bow" – Breaking Benjamin


Chapter 2:


I was packing all of the clothes that I could fit into what luggage I already had. So far, I have four suitcases packed with clothes, and a clothes basket full of shoes. Bonnie was over here, helping me. We loaded the things into her car. Then, we headed back inside, and packed more. I grabbed by bedding and carried it to my car. After I packed some of my pictures in a backpack, we decided to call it a day.

We drove my things to Bonnie's house. She and Grams helped me unpack everything and set it up in my room. We decided that we would paint the room this weekend. I kept most of my things in boxes, so it would be easier to move later. I checked my cell phone; it's already 7. I sighed and cleared the last of my things out of my car.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out. Stefan is calling me.

"Hello," I answered the phone.

"Hey," he greeted.

"What's up?" I asked him. He chuckled.

"I was thinking… And I wanted to know if you wanted to get something to eat before we walked, tonight." He answered truthfully. Oh. Well, I definitely wasn't expecting that. "Caroline?" Stefan asked, uncertainly.

"What? Yeah, sorry. We can do that." I told him. I didn't realize that I lost myself in my thoughts and forgot to answer him. It's a good thing he isn't here… he would see me blush.

"Are you sure… I mean, we don't have to. It was just a thought." Stefan said, hurriedly.

"No, it's fine. And, I haven't actually eaten yet. We just got done unpacking." I told him. I could almost hear him nod over the phone.

"I can pick you up, if you'd like." Stefan offered.

"That would be great." I told him. I gave him directions to Bonnie's house. We hung up. I found Grams and Bonnie and let them know what I was doing. Bonnie grinned and Grams agreed, but it looks like she isn't saying whatever it is, she wants to say. I grabbed my purse and put it on my shoulder. I started talking to Bonnie. The doorbell rang. Grams answered the door.


Grams' POV

I opened the front door. I nearly jumped in surprise. Why is Stefan Salvatore standing on my doorstep? I stepped out onto the porch and shut the door behind me. I looked at him steadily.

"How have you been, Sheila?" He asked me, politely. I didn't say anything for a moment.

"I've been better. Why are you here Stefan?" I asked him. He didn't look surprised about my question.

"I asked Caroline if she wanted to go out, tonight." He answered. I nodded. This is who Caroline was talking about. I don't know how I feel about her going out with one of the Salvatore brothers. …At least she picked Stefan, I suppose.

"I don't know if I want her going out with you." I told him. He visibly stiffened. He knows that I know what happened.

"Sheila, I won't hurt her." He tried to assure me. I looked him in the eyes.

"If you hurt her, so help me Goddess. I'm not some defenseless little girl that you and your brother are accustomed to dealing with. I will make you wish that you were dead and stayed that way." I told him. The last time they came back… Damon brought trouble with him. And… It cost me, my daughter. Bonnie had just been born.

Granted, they looked differently. Stefan was smart enough to have a witch put a charm on him so he looked differently. Damon followed him back to Mystic Falls, also bearing a new look. He always seems to bring trouble with him. I'm not going to Bonnie… Caroline may not be my grandchild, but she may as well be.

"I understand." Stefan told me, seriously. I nodded. I went back inside and walked with Caroline outside.


Bonnie's POV

Okay, that's strange. Why would Grams need to talk to Stefan for that long? Well, I guess she did the same thing to Sean when I brought him home…


Stefan's POV

I've been around for a long time, but I wasn't expecting that. Caroline is staying with Sheila and Bonnie? Why isn't she staying at her own home with her mother? I have so many questions, that I can't ask: at least, not yet or right now.

The last time Damon and I were in Mystic Falls, we didn't leave on good terms, at least with Sheila. Damon got into some trouble. He pissed off a particularly powerful warlock who happened to be good friends with his local werewolf community.

Needless to say, he couldn't handle it alone. I tried to reason with the warlock, but… he didn't want to settle things with me. It was my brother's mess… not mine. Bonnie's mother, Lena, stepped in. She started negotiating things. I went to Sheila and asked her for a favor. She gave it… grudgingly.

The leader of the werewolf pack decided that he would rather just have Lena instead. I tried to protect her. Even Damon tried to get her out the negotiation process after the werewolves turned. Once Damon gets his mind on something… nothing can change it.

There was a fight. Damon was fighting the warlock and the werewolves. I took on some of the werewolves. Sheila and Lena were caught in the crossfire. Sheila held her own. So did Lena… until someone attacked her from behind. She fell face first, and she was stabbed in the back. The wolf that got her… started to vandalize and violate her body. Damon killed the wolf and moved her somewhere safer.

That day, a lot of blood was shed. The warlock was killed as well as Sheila's daughter. She never forgave us for that. I know… that it wasn't mine or Damon's fault, but if Damon could have kept himself out of trouble and not brought it with him, it wouldn't have happened. I know that's Sheila's way of viewing things.


Damon's POV

Let's see what good old Stefan is up to. I followed him in crow form. He drove and drove. I watched as he parked outside of a house. Wait, why is he here? This doesn't make sense. I strained my ears, and listened carefully. There are three female voices inside. Sheila, Bonnie… and Caroline? Did I miss something?

Every time I come here… guilt crashes over me. Despite my promise to Emily, I still watch over Bonnie. It's… personal now. Her mom died because of me. I can't take that back. I have wished so many times that I could. I didn't mind her mother. Honestly, she was probably the closest thing to a friend that I had here.

She always tried to find at least a little bit of good in everyone. That, included me. She offered to help me out, when Sheila refused. Sheila wasn't going to sit around and watch her daughter get herself tangled in someone else's mess. Bonnie looks so much like her. It pains me to know that she never knew her mother. The same way… that I barely knew mine…. My mother died when Stefan was only two.

It was a horse ride gone wrong. But, that isn't true. It's what dear old Dad always told everyone. Stefan and I were out shopping with Mother. Stefan wasn't paying attention to what he was doing. He was only two, how could he have known better? He ran into a man and caused him to spill all of his drink all over him. The man got angry, fast. Mother tried to get us to leave with her, quickly. We left. We were walking when she started getting harassed.

I can still hear the man and his friends telling her to keep her brat in line. She was holding our hands. I can still feel her trembling. One of the men grabbed her; she pulled away and kept walking. They cornered her. She told me and Stefan to run. I didn't want to leave her. I was only six; what else could I have done? I did what she told me to do. I picked Stefan up and I ran.

We got home and I told Father everything that happened. He raced to find her. …But by the time he found her, she was dead… and her body was mutilated. I never saw her body… but I've always resented Stefan, just a little bit.


Caroline's POV

I walked onto the front porch with Grams. I smiled at Stefan. He looks great. I mean… he always does, but he's wearing different clothes than he had been at school. He returned my smile. I felt a warm feeling spread through my body… I haven't felt that since before… before Elena died. I know my face changed with my mood. Stefan and Grams must have noticed too. Grams hugged me and told me to be careful. She gave me a quick peck on the cheek and told me to have fun and that she loved me.

"I love you, too." I told her. My heart sank a little bit. I just don't understand why my own mother can't be like that. I mean, Grams probably isn't perfect (though, I've never seen any evidence of that), but she tries. And she's pretty fantastic at it. Stefan walked me to his car. He opened the door for me, and I got in. He got in on the driver's side and turned on the car. I put my seat-belt on and he followed suit. Loud music filled the car. He started to turn it down.

"You don't have to turn it down." I told him. He looked at me surprised.

"Are you sure?" He asked me, uncertainly. I nodded.

"I doubt they made music so we could listen to it quietly." I told him. He laughed and turned the music back up.

'Now the dark begins to rise.
Save your breath.
It's far from over.
Leave the lost and dead behind.
Now's your chance to run for cover.

I don't want to change the world.
I just want to leave it colder.
Light the fuse and burn it all.
Take the path that leads to nowhere...
All is lost again, but I'm not giving in.

I will not bow.
I will not break.
I will take your breath away.
I will shut the world away.'

We listened to the music until we got to wherever we were going. We were driving towards the outskirts of town. I'm rarely over this way. He pulled into a small parking lot of a restaurant I've never seen. I've lived in Mystic Falls all of my life, and I never even knew that it was here. The things you learn…

He turned off the car. He came around to my side and opened my door for me. I smiled and he helped me out of the car. He offered me an arm after he shut my door. I linked arms with him. He opened the door for me as we went inside. Yeah, I'm definitely not used to this. Some of the women inside gawked at him. Not just because he is gorgeous, but because he just proved that chivalry is in fact: not dead.

I caught a glimpse of the restaurant sign, outside. It read: The Coven. Whatever they make here, it smells good. Stefan talked to the host, quietly. The host smiled at me and beckoned us to follow him. He's blonde with honest blue eyes.

I know that we just got here, but I feel so comfortable. I'm so easily at ease here. Stefan pulled my chair out for me. I smiled at him as he scooted me up. Part of me feels like I might how to do things myself, but this is nice. I've never gotten treated like this before… I could get used to it.

Stefan sat down across from us. He whispered something to the waiter and the waiter left. Stefan just looked at me, for a minute. I met his gaze. He didn't look away, he just kept looking.

"Tell me something." Stefan suggested, making conversation. I nodded.

"Okay, what do you want to know?" I asked him. He thought about my words for a second.

"Tell me about you." He said. I inhaled, slowly. Why would he want to know about me?

"I'm just a seventeen year old girl." I told him, trying to avoid the question. Honestly, I'm a mess. He doesn't need to know that. And… truthfully, I don't know who I am anymore.

"There's more to you than that." He said, the corners of his mouth lifting.

"My Mom is the sheriff. My Dad left us… when I was younger. Bonnie is my… best friend." I told him. That's something; I mean all of what I said is true. I just left out the bits about me. He nodded.

"Your Mom, she's not around a lot… is she?" He asked, cautiously. I shook my head.

"No, she isn't." I told him. He nodded.

"Can I ask you something else?" He asked. I looked at him.

"You kind of already did." I told him. He smirked.

"Are you living with Bonnie? I mean, I don't mean to pry… but…." He asked. I nodded.

"Yeah, it was…. Um… With my Mom not being around… after what happened last fall…. It was too hard living alone. I wasn't… I-I wasn't… Dealing well." I told him. He looked at me, and his eyes softened.

"What happened last fall?" He asked. I took a deep breath and looked at him. I looked at the table and avoided his gaze. I took another deep breath, it isn't helping. My breathing is shaky.

"My, um, friend, Elena, she was… ki-kill… killed. She was in a car accident with her parents." I told him. I lowered my gaze, even further. I can't look at him. He'll see my eyes water. I took some shallow breaths and tried to fight back the tears. It's harder… when I talk about it.

He reached across the table and took my hand in his.

"Hey, you don't have to talk about it. I'm sorry… I didn't know…" He said. I nodded.

"It's not your fault." I told him. His grip on my hand tightened. He held it securely in his own.

"Tell me about something else." He said.

"About what?" I asked him.

"Anything. Just, just tell me about you." He said. I nodded, feebly.

"Okay, I… I used to be a cheerleader. I… I guess I still am, but it's not the same. I, um, there really isn't a lot to me." I told him, struggling to find more words to say. He let go of my hand. I felt my heart drop, a little bit. He moved his hand to my chin, and tilted my head up, so he could see my eyes. He moved his hand, and found mine, again.

"Yes there is." He argued. I didn't say anything. "Tell me who you are." He said, gently.

"I don't know who I am, anymore." I told him. He nodded; he seemed satisfied with my answer. I'm not sure why, but for whatever reason, he was. He looked at me. I blinked the tears away, now isn't the time. I swallowed my pain and forced a small smile. "What about you?" I asked him. He raised his eyebrows. "What's your story?" I asked him, just above a whisper.

"I… I just came to town. My parents passed awhile back. I decided to come live with my Uncle, Zach. I have an older brother. I don't really know anyone here." He told me. I nodded. I've seen him talk some, but not too much. He does seem to keep to himself… but then again, I guess I kind of do, too.

"I'm sorry about your parents." I told him. He nodded. I gave him a sympathetic look. "How old were you?" I asked. He didn't say anything, just mulled over the words.

"I don't remember much of my mother. But it was years ago." He said. He doesn't seem to be as affected by it, anymore. Is that how it will be for me, one day? I doubt it.

"Do you like it here? I mean, in Mystic." I asked, changing the subject. He nodded.

"I'm liking it here, so far." He said. We just talked. Stefan ordered for the both of us. We made small talk throughout dinner. It was nice. I'm glad I came with him. He's so… interesting. Despite him being mysterious, I can honestly say that I've never met a more interesting person. He has such a unique outlook on life.

We went walking around town after dinner. Surprisingly, he held my hand. Such a minimal touch, had such a surprising effect. I don't feel as alone with someone by my side… letting me know that even if it's just for the moment… or for the night, that someone is here for me. It feels like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders…. A weight that I didn't even know I was carrying.

He drove me home (well, Bonnie's… so I guess my new home), after we walked. Things didn't hurt as much with him around. I'm not sure why… but I'd like to find out. I like being around him…. but I don't want to rush into anything.

When we reached Grams', he pulled into the driveway and turned off the car. He got out of the car and walked over to my side to open my door for me.

"Thanks," I told him. He shot me a small smile. I felt better.

"Of course," he said. He walked me to the door. He looked at me… hesitantly… like he wanted to say something, but he wasn't sure if he should. I looked at him, giving him time to pander his thoughts.

"Caroline," he said.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"There's something about you…" he started. I looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to explain. "I don't know what it is, but it almost feels like I'm drawn to you… you know? I-I like being around you… as weird as it sounds. I'm not sure why." He told me. I looked at him for a moment. I cracked a small smile.

"That's… nice to hear." I finally said. He gave me a nervous, slight smile.

"Do you, um, do you want to hang out soon?" He asked. I nodded.

"Yeah, I'd like that." I told him. He turned to walk away.

"Stefan," I said, before I lost my nerve. He turned back around. "Thank you." I said. He looked at me, puzzled.

"For what?" He asked.

"For listening." I answered. He turned to face me. He walked closer to me; I can feel his breath on my face. His lips brushed my cheek, and planted a small kiss there. He put his arms around my middle and pulled me to him, gently. He just hugged me. I closed my eyes and hugged him back. Something so… trivial, felt so intimate.

It was refreshing, just being hugged. I can't describe it. He pulled back and brushed a stray lock of hair out of my eyes. He brought his lips to my forehead and waited until I was safely inside to leave. I shut and locked the door behind me.

That night… all I could think about was the calm that I had felt with Stefan. It's something that I can never seem to feel on my own, anymore.


Stefan's POV

She is so much different than I ever thought she was. I saw how much she was hurting… from afar. I just observed. I never saw the extent of the pain that she continues to go through. She looked like she was barely holding herself together…

She masks the pain, flawlessly. Anyone who didn't know any differently wouldn't be able to see it. She's so much stronger than she knows. I still can't explain what it is about her than continues to intrigue me. I want to know more about her…. I need to know more about her.


Damon's POV

Maybe that blonde plaything is good for Stefan…. If it helps him get over his "obsession" with that dead doppelganger…. I'm all for it. I don't see it… I don't know what it is about her that enchants him. But, maybe I don't need to… as long as he does. Despite my gratitude for this distraction that Stefan has found, I need to know if it's good for him.

If anyone is fucking up his life, it gets to be me.


Author's Note: I'm SO sorry it took me this long to update this. SO, I just wanted to say, that UNFORTUNATELY my updates will probably happen once every two weeks per story. HOWEVER, the good news is that, I will be updating them regularly, unless something comes up. Please review and let me know what you think! You know you wanna!

Hugs and junk,
Anneryn