I got a few requests to continue this. So, here we go...
I can see it in your eyes you mean all of what you say
I remember so long ago, see I felt that same way
Now we both have separate lives and lovers (lovers)
Insignificantly enough we both have significant others
Stefan's eyes opened at 6:00 a.m. on that Friday morning. Jason and Caroline were flying from Paris to Rome to visit him. He was beyond excited to see his best friend. It had been twenty years since they kissed. Twenty years since she married the current love of her life.
Stefan and Caroline corresponded through letters and email and talked on the phone semi-regularly. But, they hadn't lived in the same city since Caroline and Jason moved to Paris the first time. They'd been all over Europe. Paris, London, Minsk, and Vienna. They even breifly went back to the states to live in New York when Liz got sick. After Liz passed (three years ago), and the funeral was done, Caroline decided she needed to leave again.
Jason did what he did best. Work. He found another job close to Paris and they set out for their next adventure.
Stefan remembered Liz's funeral, how Caroline bawled into Jason's shoulder and clutched her hands to her chest. Stefan held her that night in his living room as her tears soaked his suit jacket.
When Jason showed up at the door of his house at 3:00 a.m. telling Caroline it was time to go back to the hotel. You'll feel better after a good night's rest. Caroline kissed Stefan's cheek and left with her husband. Stefan followed them out and handed Jason a case of blood bags so they wouldn't have to go out of their way for food. Caroline wasn't eating regularly since her mom got sick, so Jason had been putting blood in her coffee and giving it to her in a mug with sleep medication before bed.
Jason thanked him and left, the grey in his hair shining in the porch light.
"You're looking a little grey," Stefan said, a satisfied smile on his face.
"Won't be long now," Jason said with raised eyebrows. "I wonder if you'll even wait until after the funeral..." Jason chastised and got in the car. He kissed Caroline's hair and drove away, leaving Stefan with a pit in his stomach.
Stefan got out of bed and walked to the kitchen to start the coffee. He got in the shower, giddy as a schoolgirl, and washed his hero hair thoroughly. He let the warm water calm his tense muscles and rolled his neck and listened to his bones cracked. He hadn't seen Caroline in three years.
He missed her terribly. He missed the way she would tense when she watched stressful movies, the way she'd lean into him when she'd had too much to drink, the longing looks they'd exchange when Jason's head was down.
Her emails were blissful. She talked of shopping and traveling and babysitting Jason's neice and nephew. She talked about adopting one of their own, but the idea of the child not turning (stubborn and reckless like their father) was too much for her to bare.
She'll adopt, Stefan thought. Us. She and I. We'll adopt.
That way, it will be theirs. And of course the child would turn when she or he was old enough. They'd want to spend an eternity with their family. When Stefan got out of the shower, he heard the sizzle of bacon. He wrapped the towel around him and walked down the stairs.
There she was, her blonde hair in a tight ponytail, wearing the t-shirt he'd worn the night before and nothing else. She turned and smile. "You're up early."
"I'm excited," Stefan said. He kissed the woman's shoulder. "How'd you sleep."
"Alright," she said and put the bacon on a plate and turned in his arms. She kissed him softly. "I don't think Caroline will want to see me," she said with a light pout.
"Probably not," Stefan agreed and gripped his hand on her bottom, pulling her to him. "You don't mind... staying at your place?"
"Stefan!" she barked.
"Rebekah!" he barked back, teasing her.
"I can't believe you fell for that," she said and turned back to him. "You're supposed to say 'oh of course, darling. she'd love to see you. I think we'll all get along splendidly'"
"Who talks like that?" Stefan asked as he pulled a blood bag out of the fridge. He poured the blood in a tea kettle and set it on the stove. "I know I don't."
"You're supposed to defend me to your best friend," Rebekah said softly.
Stefan sighed and kissed Rebekah's cheek. "I'm sorry," he remarked. "You're very welcome to stay here. But, I'm just warning you... Caroline and I haven't seen each other in three years. We're going to be kind of... consumed."
"Don't sugarcoat it then, will you?"
"Beks," he remarked with a raised eyebrow, wishing that the person he'd decided to kill time with had been someone a little more... relaxed. "We've never lied to each other before, I'm not going to start now."
She put the pan in the sink and snacked on a stray piece of bacon. "I know you guys are more than just friends," Rebekah said. "And I know you're just fucking around with me. But... I would hope... at least while she's married... you'd-" she trailed off, a shutter in her voice. "I don't know. You'd stand by me."
Stefan's eyes narrowed as he thought this over. He turned it over in his head, inspecting every side of it. "I am standing by you. And, I'm not lying to you."
Rebekah deserved better. Stefan knew that. "You're my girl, Beks," he said with a smile. "That's not going to change for a long, long time."
Rebekah nodded and the tea kettle began to sing. Stefan poured a couple mugs of blood. They spent the morning in relative silence, doing their morning rituals. Two mugs of blood, one mug of coffee. Breakfast at the table. Rebekah read the paper and Stefan read a book. Rebekah got ready while Stefan watched the news.
When Rebekah was all ready, she walked down the stairs with her overnight bag that held a permanent place in the closet.
"What are you doing?"
"Going home," Rebekah said. "I'll meet you guys for dinner or something, but you're right. I should stay at my place."
Stefan felt terrible, his face distorted in an apologetic frown. "It's fine, Stefan," she said putting her hand up. "I'm not mad. I'm also not fooling myself anymore."
Stefan walked toward her and she put her hand up and shook her head. "I'll see you tonight," she said. "Wine and appetizers at Cul de Sac?" He nodded. She walked past him, kissing his cheek softly as she past and left him there.
He did feel awful. He shouldn't have started this with her, when his heart was so fully with Caroline. He looked up at the clock and grabbed his jacket. He wanted to meet Caroline and Jason at the train station. He looked in at the guest room before he left and straightened the pillows and set a small box on the bed. He pulled out his cell phone and called housekeeper to remind her of the two new guests that would be staying with them.
"Will you restock the liquor cabinet with the petty cash I leave you?" he asked. "And maybe chill a couple bottles of Dom."
"Si Signori Salvatore," she said in agreement. "altro? anything else?"
It was a habit of Aurelia to say things in both Italian and English.
"No," he paused. "Actually... Will you move all of Rebekah's toiletries under the sink. per favore."
"Si, si," she agreed. "Where is la signorina going?"
"She's just staying at her place for a few days," Stefan said, scratching his eyebrow as he jumped into his car. "I'm going to pick up Caroline and Jason, we'll be back after lunch."
"Bene! Arrivederci!"
"A presto."
With that, he was on his way to the train station. A dopey grin on his face. He had a sign with her name on it, and a hat that made him look like a limo driver. He waited by the other family members. Waiting for her to come down the escalator and run into his arms.
When he saw her, his heart fluttered. Her blonde hair was up in a bun, tendrils were falling around her face. She wore a pink cardigan over a Parisian yellow dress, that went out.
But, Jason was not with her. She smiled her bright smile, but there was a darkness to her eyes.
They embraced and he kissed her cheek. "Where's Jason?"
"Bathroom," Caroline explained. "He'll be down soon. I was just too excited to see you."
Stefan's lips found her cheek again, he kissed her until they warmed with embarrassment. She threw her arms around him again and buried her head in his shoulder. He was home.
He saw Jason walking down the escalator, he coughed into a napkin. Blood.
"He thinks I can't see it, or smell it," Caroline said softly as Jason balled the napkin up into his coat pocket and pulled out another.
Stefan looked down at Caroline with wide eyes.
"He's dying," Caroline whispered. "And he won't let me save him."
Before Stefan could respond, Jason was next to them. Stefan held out his hand they shook it. Jason gave Stefan his typical I'm-watching-you look and they walked to the car.
"How are you guys?" Stefan said, rolling Caroline's bag behind him.
"We're good," Jason answered as Stefan and Caroline exchanged a look. "We're busy. But, good. Real good." He pulled Caroline into his side.
"You're a lucky son of a bitch," Stefan said. "The older you get, the hotter Caroline looks."
Jason scoffed and kissed Caroline's hand. "I am lucky."
The grey in Jason's hair was growing more prevalent, but he wore it well. The wrinkles around his eyes seemed to grow longer, and sink deeper into his skin.
And that cough, and the blood. The smell drove Stefan nuts.
"What do you want to do first?" Stefan asked. "Want to go to the fountain, toss a couple coins in and see where that takes us. Or maybe we could go to lunch. Drink and eat carbs."
Jason chuckled. "I'd love a nap."
Caroline turned and tilted her head. "Seriously, sweetie, you two drop me off at the house and I'll sleep for a few hours. You can go shopping."
Caroline nodded and grinned and they got in the car. Stefan drove them to the house and brought their bags in the house. Jason was in his early forties, it was way to young for him to need to take it easy.
Aurelia, an older woman with crows feet and long grey hair up in a bun, smiled as they walked in the house. "You're early," she said, scolding him.
"Just dropping off some things," Stefan explained. "You remember Caroline."
Aurelia clapped her hands and smiled widely. "Si. Bellissima ragazza."
"Beautiful girl," Stefan translated.
Caroline hugged Aurelia and they chatted about the weather and the upcoming trip. Stefan walked Jason to the guest room and moved the box he'd set on the bed. He put it on the side table and set their bags in the corner of the room.
"Can I get you anything?"
"No, no, I'm just going to rest."
"Are you sure I can't get you anything," Stefan said with raised eyebrows. He grabbed a glass from the nightstand and a knife from his pocket. He cut his wrist and let the blood drain into the cup. "Not even this?"
"Excuse me?" Jason barked.
"Come on," Stefan said. "We both know you need it."
Jason smirked. "I was wondering if you'd offer," he said and grabbed the cup. "I figured you'd want me to die." He winked. He was lying. He knew Stefan would offer. Stefan didn't want Caroline like that.
"Why wouldn't you let Caroline cure you?" Stefan asked, glaring. "You really stayed sick to see my reaction."
Jason shook his head. "She didn't offer. She was waiting for me to ask. I knew you would offer."
Stefan gulped and watched Jason guzzle down the blood. Jason wiped his face and sat on the bed. He closed his eyes. "Already feeling better," he admitted, coughing a bit.
"You're welcome," Stefan said with an eyeroll. "I guess you'll be joining us?"
Jason shook his head. "No, no," he said. "I'll still take a nap, I'm an old man you know?"
"40 isn't old," Stefan remarked.
"It's a hell of a lot older than 17," Jason said as he kicked off his shoes. "Go. I'll see you two when you get back."
Stefan heard Jason reach across the bed and shake the box that was meant for Caroline. "When will you stop buying my wife jewelry?"
Caroline walked in, Stefan noticed the heart necklace he'd bought her last valentines day. "When she stops wearing it."
"Already bickering?" she asked, she sniffed the air. "Stefan?"
"He'll be just fine," Stefan said and Caroline rushed to Jason's side.
"Did he force it down your throat? Are you okay?"
Jason laughed. "I'm fine, CareBear. He offered." Jason pointed to the blood stained glass on the night stand. "It was all very kosher."
"Why didn't you ask me... for my blood."
"I was waiting for you to offer it."
Stefan glared at the two and walked out of the room, still hearing their bickering. He rolled his eyes. He would never understand Jason. Aurelia was cleaning the kitchen when he walked in. "She always looks so bello. Your Caroline."
Stefan smiled. "She does," he agreed. "Don't stay too long cleaning up. Luca and Guccio are coming home this weekend. Yes?"
"Ah, si," she smiled. "You always remember."
"Grab a bottle of wine before you go, will you?"
"Si."
Caroline walked in the room with her forehead creased. "I will never understand men," she said. "Specifically, my husbands."
"Husbands," Aurelia scoffed. "You need a man who never ages and always stocks the fridge with champagne, eh?"
Caroline giggled. "Maybe one day I'll have that, Aurelia," she murmured and brushed her hand up against Stefan's. "Until then, you keep him."
Aurelia feigned a faint and leaned against the counter. "I fear I'll never see my Signori Salvatore happy," she shook her head. "Un peccato."
"What's a sin?" Stefan remarked.
"That such a handsome face has so many frown lines," Aurelia said and put her hands on his cheeks and shook his face back and forth. "Tu sei troppo attraente per smorfia."
"I am too attractive to grimace," Stefan said with a laugh, translating for Caroline. "I will smile all week long, Aurelia."
"Bene!" Aurelia said and waved them away. "Ora vai!"
"See you soon," Caroline beamed and they walked from the house. Caroline walked toward the car and Stefan shook his head and grabbed her hand.
"Let's walk."
Caroline agreed with a light head nod and their hands intertwined. Stefan kept his promise and smiled for the whole walk. Caroline told him all about their time in Paris and how she was getting sick of the smoke. "Everyone smokes," she said pulling a pack from her purse. "And at first, I'm thinking, this is just gross. And now I'm like where the hell is my lighter?"
Stefan laughed and grabbed a pack of matches from his pocket. He lit her cigarette and she blew the smoke toward the canal they were walking by. "It's weird walking with Jason now," she admitted. "We're starting to get into the part where people thing I'm his daughter..." she trailed off and offered the cigarette to Stefan. He puffed on it softly and handed it back to her.
"Well, you knew it would happen," Stefan said and pulled her hand up to his lips and kissed it. He kissed the outside of her hand and then her palm. He drew a little blood from her wrist and drank it down. Something they'd done a few times on visits. It started after she'd been married for about five years. The bloodsharing was something that Jason didn't understand, and so he couldn't be mad about it.
"I knew it would happen," she says mournfully. "But it's hard. Now I'm the trophy wife. And he's the guy who married a barely legal porn star."
"You couldn't be a porn star," he said, bumping his hips into her. "Your cup size is way too small."
Caroline laughed and pushed him away, only to pull him back again. She sunk her teeth into his neck and took a little bit. He tried to surpress a moan to no avail. She pushed he away again into the street. A car honked and Stefan tackled Caroline into the shrubs by the canal. "You can't push me in the street."
"You can't moan when I drink from you," she retorted and pulled herself up and wiped the dirt off her dress. "It makes me feel dirty."
"It is a little dirty," Stefan offered with a wink as he got up.
"Don't," she whined. "Now I feel bad."
"It's Jason's fault," Stefan mused. "He shouldn't leave us alone."
Caroline rolled her eyes and began to walk. "Where we going?"
"Lunch. There's a cafe up here that has pastries that you're going to die over," he said. Caroline smiled, but she didn't resume the hand holding.
When they got to the cafe, Caroline asked for a cup of tea and Stefan asked for a bottle of Farrarelle, sparkling water. Stefan slipped a few drops of his blood into her tea when she was looking at the menu.
Her eyes went wide when she sipped from the warm mug. "I wanted to pay you back," he said. "I didn't let you finish."
She rolled her eyes and a smile crossed her face. She gave him the cup and asked for more, and he did as he was told.
By the end of the lunch, Stefan was feeling a bit woozy from blood loss. He drank from her shoulder as they waited to cross the street, and again from her wrist when they were rounding the corner to his house.
When they got to the house, they were both high on blood and lust and Caroline was clearly turned on from all the blood sharing. She licked her lips and waited for Stefan to make a move.
Hearing Jason move around sobered her. "I should-"
"Yeah," Stefan smiled. "Go get ready for the night. We're meeting Rebekah at 7 for dinner and drinks."
Caroline nodded and walked back to her room feeling guilty and horny. Stefan walked to his bathroom and turned on the shower and loud music in case Caroline decided to work out her sexual tension. He got in the shower, released his sexual tension. His eyes closed, his toes curled, thinking of Caroline and then Rebekah. Every time he felt bad of thinking about Caroline, he thought of Rebekah. The blonde hair wrapping him in a bliss filled wake. Once he was too far gone, Caroline invaded his thoughts. He was even sure he said her name aloud, and was grateful Jason's human ears wouldn't be able to detect it.
When he was done, he walked to his room, fell on his bed and took a nice long nap. Where blonde hair and green eyes visited his dreams.
Only time will tell
Time will turn until
Rebekah greeted Stefan with kisses, which drew a practically inaudible growl from Caroline and a wide smile from Jason. The site of Stefan with another girl relaxed him immediately.
"Rebekah," Stefan said. "This is Jason," they shook hands. "And you remember Caroline."
Caroline gave Stefan her best so this is a thing now? face and nodded at Rebekah and gave her a light smile. Stefan drove them to Cul de Sac, a wine bar that Rebekah and Stefan frequented.
They drank wine and ate bread and cheese. They shared appetizers and drank more wine. Rebekah told loud stories with big hand gestures. Jason and Stefan laughed and laughed while Caroline tried not to roll her eyes. She pursed her lips and bore holes into the side of Stefan's face.
"Let's go to a club!" Rebekah said and clapped her hands together. "Come on, I can't ever convince Stefan. But... maybe if two go."
"No, no," Jason said waving his hands in the air. "You three go, I'm too old-"
"Nope," Caroline said loudly. "You promised to never use that phrase, at least not until you're sixty."
"You reek of Stefan," Rebekah said to Jason. "I could tear out your heart and then in a couple hours you'll feel like you're on the top of the world."
"You can smell his blood inside me?" Jason said, disgusted.
Rebekah looked at Caroline and tilted her head. "Well it's inside one of you," she said, her voice snotty and gripping. Stefan gripped her thigh tightly. "Or both of you."
"It's me," Jason said. "I'd been having some lung issues."
"All better?" Rebekah asked.
Jason nodded.
"Then, let's celebrate."
Jason laughed and looked at the glass of wine in his hand. "If we're doing this," he said and drained his glass. "I'm going to need a drink a little stronger."
"I'd have to second that."
We are who we were when
Could've been lovers but at least
you're still my day late friend
Stefan and Jason watched their girls dance. Caroline and Rebekah danced to an never-ending beat. Their hands up in the air, their hair swaying around their bare shoulders. They leaned down and whispered soft words in each others ears that Stefan strained to hear.
"I smell him all over you," Rebekah said.
"Coming from the girl who has blood shared with her brother," Caroline spit back.
"You do realize you're married, right?" Rebekah shot back.
They waited minutes between remarks and giggled for show as they danced. Jason didn't see all the things behind the dance, but Stefan did. Neither of them could tell that Stefan could hear them. Rebekah and Caroline always underestimated his hearing skills.
Stefan patted Jason. "We should dance," he said. "I think they need some company."
"She's not too hard on the eyes," Jason said. "Your vamp girlfriend."
Stefan stood. "Come on. Let's join 'em."
"I'm surprised," Jason said, standing. "That you chose a vampire to bide your time. It makes me wonder... maybe you really like this girl. This original vampire of yours."
Stefan smiled and nodded. "I do like her," he told Jason honestly. He left out the part that he wasn't in love with her. He left out the fact that Rebekah knew it wasn't forever. He left out the fact that it ate him alive.
He wondered as they walked to the dance floor if he could do it, if when it came time, if he could leave Rebekah. He hoped that they would have ran their course by then. Rebekah deserved better. He knew this. But, he couldn't send her away. She smiled at him, they shared a kiss and they dance.
They danced in a circle. Stefan spent most of his time with a hand on Rebekah's hip. His other hand either in the air or grazing Caroline's back. Until, Rebekah took it upon herself to switch partners.
She grind up on Jason, who laughed at her motion and pulled her into a more age appropriate dancing position. Caroline spun into Stefan's arms. She leaned into him, the beat reaching a octave that seemed even too high for dogs. Caroline laughed at Stefan's dance move and stole a kiss while Jason's back was turned. Stefan tilted his head in confusion at the motion. He took her hand and spun her around. Her motion making him a little carsick from watching her.
When the dancing ceased, the walk back to the car and Rebekah said another threat under her breath to Caroline.
"You kiss him again, and I'll turn your husband. Then you'll never have him."
Stefan gulped and unlocked the car, pretending not to hear it.
"Homeward bound," he deadpanned.
Caroline, pale and stone-faced crawled into the back, exchanging a look with Stefan.
Rebekah smiled at her boyfriend, kissing his lips hard and walking toward her apartment. "I think I'll just walk," she said and waved at Jason. "Good to meet you."
"Hope to see you tomorrow," Jason slurred back.
"Count on it, love," she said and her eyes connected with Caroline. "Count on it."
We are who we were when
Who knew what we know now
Stefan put his feet up on the couch, in his sweats and tank top. The fire lit the room. The soundtrack to his night had been Caroline mumbling to herself and Jason's snoring. Caroline's light feet padded on the hardwood behind him. He didn't turn.
He put his glass on the table. "Can't sleep."
"How long until your blood leaves his system?" she asked.
"It'll be gone by tomorrow morning," Stefan mumbled. "But, that won't stop her."
"So what is this?" she said falling on the couch. He picked his feet up so she could sit there and put them back on her lap. She put her hands on his feet, rubbing idly. "Katherine part two? Do what I say and no one gets hurt."
"No," Stefan said, itching his eyebrow. "Of course not." He rubbed his eyes in frustration. "It's more like you'll get your chance, and it's not now type of thing."
"Huh?"
"She knows," Stefan said. "In retrospect, being so honest with her wasn't that great of a plan... but... she knows. She knows she's Plan B and you're Plan A."
"You told her that?" Caroline's expression was soft, her eyes were shiny from un-shed tears.
"Not in so many words. But yeah. I've been completely honest with her," Stefan said. He threw his head back. "God, I'm so stupid. I even said this morning that I wouldn't leave her for a long time. Like, that was so nice of me. To stay with her until the one I want became available. Jesus."
"The one you want?" Caroline teased, her head tilted. She got on her knees and crawled toward him. "And who's that?" she asked seductively.
"You know it's you. You know, he knows. She knows."
Caroline lay on Stefan's chest and pulled his hand up in hers. She kissed his fingertips, one by one. "Only a few more years," Stefan said and put his hands through her hair. "We should be better than we are. More platonic than we are."
"I know," she murmured into his hand. She kissed his thumb, and then pulled his hand to his chest. They sat for a few minutes just listening to Jason's snoring. "I know," she said again and looked up. He was looking down at her.
"Insignificantly enough," Caroline sang, the song Stefan had played for her in the bar that night. "We both have significant others."
Stefan smirked. He kissed her forehead and as he pulled back she moved her head, her lips ready for another soft kiss. He leaned down and stopped himself. "We can't," he whispered when he was almost close enough to taste her.
She pouted but nodded. "You're right, I'm being... shallow. Kiddie pool shallow." She rubbed her lips together and sat up. "I got jealous, and I know that's not fair... I made my choice. And I don't get it both ways."
Stefan pulled himself up on his elbows and smiled at her. "It's only natural," he told her. He was quite, the whole house was quiet. "I'm in this for the long haul, Caroline. I'm not going anywhere. But for now we need to be best friends. Just best friends."
"No more blood sharing," Caroline said automatically. "Or stealing kisses."
"I didn't mind," he whispered. "But, it's wrong."
The quiet consumed him. And suddenly he jumped up. It was too quite. Where had the snoring gone.
He pulled Caroline off of him and ran to the guest room, she was on his heels. When they got there they saw Rebekah sitting in the chair next to his bed. "It won't be long," she said. They looked over at his dead body, the blood from a neck wound seeping into the bed spread.
Caroline lunged at her. "What did you do?" she screamed. "What did you do?"
She put her hand into Rebekah's chest and she pushed Caroline into Stefan, they both hit the wall. Stefan got up and ran to Rebekah pulling her up by her neck. "Beks!" he barked.
"What Steffy? Now we can be together."
"Did you feed him more blood?"
"What?" she asked and he dropped her. She fell to the floor and looked up at him. "You fed him your blood."
"This morning," he said. "It's almost been 24 hours, Rebekah. He could really be dead."
"I'll kill you," Caroline screamed. "I will murder you."
Rebekah looked down at the lifeless corpse, her eyes widened. "What did I do?"
"We're done," Stefan said. "No matter what the outcome... you and I are through."
Rebekah backed out of the room, bumping over lamps and books. Stefan followed her from the room, making sure she left.
He walked back in the room. Tears fell from Caroline's face onto Jason's. Stefan walked behind her, putting his hands on her shoulders. He wanted to say it would be okay. But, would it?
She banged on his chest. "Don't die. Don't you die."
"How did we let this happen?" Caroline asked him, her tears falling down her face. "How could you let a woman like that into your home?"
Tears fell down his face. "I'm sorry," he muttered under his breath. "I am so sorry."
Caroline broke down, pulling his head onto her lap and Stefan slid down the wall onto the floor.
Stefan didn't know how much time had passed, the sun was beginning to rise, and Jason shot up. Gasping.
Caroline was on him immediately. "You're okay. You're okay." she whispered. "Shh!"
"What happened?" he asked, out of breath and touching his neck.
Stefan gulped, stood and looked at the man who will always be standing between him and the blonde in that bed. "You're in transition."
It's a little darker, but I hoped you guys liked it.
Chapter three is coming your way next week.