A/N: First of all, I would like to take a moment and thank everyone who reviewed, favorited and followed. You guys make my day. Truly. You brighten my day. I love checking my email and finding my inbox loaded with reviews, favorites and alerts. You guys rock!

Secondly, I'd like to apologize if this chapter sucks. I've been trying desperately to get back into the groove of writing and I've been distracted, tired, etc. I'm a terrible, terrible writer. And I apologize for that.

Thirdly, I'd like to say that I'm bringing in an OC to shake things up in Mystic Falls and cause a bit of mayhem. I know. It should be enough that Klaus is there and all, but I couldn't help myself. Anyway, in my mind's eye, I kind of picture my OC as Daniel Sharman from Teen Wolf. *.* Heh. Yep. I kinda saw him, heard his accent and thought, "If only..." And then, he was created. There will be a backstory to him and how he ties in to the Mystic Falls gang and such. I hope you guys like him.

Anyway, I'll stop here and let you read. If you actually read my ramblings. Heh. Thanks for reading and I look forward to your reviews, alerts, and favorites. Stay awesome.


Now you're asking me to listen.

Well, then tell me about everything.

No lies, we're losing time.

'Cause this is a battle and it's your final last call.

It was a trial. You made a mistake, we know.

But, why aren't you sorry? Why aren't you sorry? Why?

This could be better. You used to be happy to try.

Battle - Colbie Caillat

Caroline couldn't sleep that night. Not even after Damon had returned with a bag of her favorite clothes. He'd changed into the pair of pajama bottoms he wore the last time she spent the night with him and climbed into bed.

She curled up against him, closing her eyes, but every inch of her hummed with nervous energy. She felt her stomach twist into knots and rumble. Her slow-beating heart thudded against her sternum. She couldn't sleep. No matter how desperately she tried.

She just lay next to Damon and watched him sleep. It was amazing how innocent and helpless the elder vampire appeared in his sleep. Those beautiful features that were almost always screwed up into a scowl were smoothed and she saw the Damon from before.

The youthful, innocent boy she'd seen in her dreams. With his large, innocent blue eyes and hopeful expression. It made her heart ache to think of him. What would he think if he knew what his feature would be? She breathed out a soft sigh and brushed a curling lock of raven hair from Damon's forehead.

He made a soft sound and opened his eyes. "Why aren't you sleeping?" He asked, gazing at her. Caroline shrugged, biting her lip. Damon sat up, his brow hiking as he looked down at her. "Tell me." He said. Caroline sat up, raking her fingers through her platinum locks, "There..." She began.

Just tell him! The little voice said waspishly. "There was a crow. And, when I saw it, I just got this feeling." She looked up at him, her eyes wide. Damon set his jaw as his brows furrowed, "I see." He said at last, his tones clipped.

Something about the way he said it - maybe it was the distant look in his eyes - struck a fearful chord in Caroline. He knew. He knew what it meant. What it could mean. Suddenly, Caroline felt very tired. Tired of vampires. Tired of her dreams. Tired of crows. Tired of secrets.

And tired of every damn thing that came in between. "I think I'll sleep now," She said more sharply than she intended. She turned her back to Damon and yanked the covers over her as she flopped down onto the bed. She heard Damon's exasperated sigh and felt him lay beside her.

She sensed more than she saw him reach for her. "No." She said, her jaw set as she folded her arms. Damon uttered a sound of frustration and she felt his cold breath on the back of her neck. It sent ripples down her spine but she forced herself to remain firm before she drifted off, welcoming the peace that came with sleep.

Soon, the sound of birds chirping invaded her mind and ears. Her eyes snapped open and she found herself instantly awake. Caroline hadn't even moved and she already knew that Damon had left the Boardinghouse. Probably doing more damage control. She thought, before she realized with a jolt.

Today was the funeral. Her funeral. Oh, god. She sat upright, nausea flooding through her. She pushed the covers aside and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. The second her feet slapped against the hardwood floor the world seemed to have pitched sideways.

She staggered around the bed and a flash of white invaded her peripheral. She moved towards the pillow Damon had slept on. A slip of paper with her name scrawled on it rested atop the pillow.

She recognized it as Damon's handwriting as she lifted it and flipped it open, reading; Caroline, I'm sorry for leaving like this but I am taking care of business. I hate leaving you - especially given that you are a newborn vampire with no self-control - Caroline huffed, "Asshole."

- And today is your "funeral". Before you consider it, you cannot come. Because A) there is no way you'd make it in the sunlight without doing a terrible imitation of the Human Torch. And B) I think staying under the council's radar should be more important. I will return as soon as I can. ~ Damon. P.S. There is blood in the fridge. You should feed as much as possible.

Caroline crumpled up the letter and marched over to the tote Damon had brought her and poked through it, picking out a pink crisscross top and a pair of short shorts, peeling off Damon's shirt and pulling the clothes on. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and made her way down the stairs to the kitchen.

She pulled a packet of blood from the fridge and pried it open, pouring it into the mug. Caroline chewed on her lower lip. The Council? The Founder's Council? Is that who he means? Wait. The Council of vampire hunters? Oh, my god. She thought; gripping the counter as a wave of dizziness washed over her.

Caroline picked up the mug and brought it to her lips, chugging down the thick, cold blood. She grimaced at the repulsive taste, but forced herself to swallow. The blood slowly eased the hunger pains that hammered at her joints and made her ache and made her dizzy.

She emptied the mug and set it in the sink before making her way to the living room unsteadily. Caroline dropped onto the couch, gripping her head as she felt the ground being torn away under her feet.

Soon she bolted upright, dressed in a blue negligée. Her heart was thundering fearfully in her chest as she glanced beside her, seeing Damon laying there. Her breath caught in her throat as she gingerly traced the bite-mark on her throat. Caroline swallowed thickly and stood as silently as she could.

She kept glancing back at the sleeping vampire as she crept to the door. Her fingers wrapped around the familiar metal knob and she'd begun to turn it when she heard a familiar voice behind her, "Good morning." Caroline gasped, whirling around seeing Damon standing behind her.

He tilted his head, a smirk making its way across his lips. "No," Caroline whimpered, backing away. She picked up the lamp next to her bed. "Don't do that –" Damon began, but Caroline struck him with it anyway. He barely winced or moved. The blonde dropped the lamp and rushed across the room.

"Ah, ah, ah." Damon scolded her, wagging a finger as she grabbed a paperweight from her second bedside table and pitched it at him. He ducked it easily before advancing on her. Caroline bolted around the bed, crying out when he gripped her shoulders and tossed her onto the bed.

She scrambled backwards, sobbing as she chucked the pillow she'd slept on at him. "Get away from me!" She shrieked. Damon snatched it from the air, saying conversationally, "You know, this could have gone a completely different way." He brought the pillow to his nose and breathed in the scent of her blood.

Veins blossomed, ridging beneath his skin as blood pooled into his eyes and his eyeteeth elongated. He threw the pillow aside with a snarl and rushed her.

Caroline awakened with a cry, rolling off the couch. She hit the floor with a thud and clambered to her feet. Many events had floated to the surface of her mind as the wall – the floodgates – that held back her memories had collapsed. Damon's previous treatment of her.

Her turning into a vampire – the first time. Everything that had happened before. The one thing that had made knots writhe in her stomach was the fact that Damon had fallen for Elena. She remembered how she'd felt then too. Heartbroken.

"So, are you bringing Stefan to the dance?" Caroline asked Elena nonchalantly. "I guess. I mean, I don't know." Elena said with a shrug before whispering to her, "I just made out with his brother." Caroline felt her stomach drop at the words. "Oh."

She'd said, feeling her tongue nearly cut on the sharpness of the word. She turned back to the paper decorations she was standing in front of.

Caroline closed her eyes and soon she was sitting before Stefan. "They slept together, didn't they?" He asked, sounding as broken as she felt. Caroline avoided his eyes and soon he had crossed the room and upended a table with a shout.

Her eyes snapped open and she found herself in the sitting room of the Boardinghouse. She didn't know how she was going to face Damon. Especially now. Especially after this. She spun and hurried up the stairs, gasping for oxygen as she felt her heart shatter within her chest. It was too much. Too soon.

She couldn't handle it. Caroline barreled down the hallway blindly before colliding with something… soft. "Caroline?" She heard Stefan's bewildered tones. "Stefan!" She gasped, pulling away, "I'm sorry. I should have -" She didn't know what she should have done.

But, before she could think of something to say, Stefan was speaking again. "Are you okay? Did something happen?" Tears were prickling at her eyes and she nodded, "Everything happened. God, everything did happen, didn't it?" Caroline avoided his gaze.

She knew what he must be feeling. Confusion. Realization. Horror. And finally, acceptance. "You remember." He said colorlessly. Caroline raised her eyes to his, her lips trembling, her voice cracked as she spoke. "Yes. I remember now. Please, Stefan, I just want to be left alone."

She hurtled past him and into Damon's bedroom. She began gathering the clothes Damon had brought her and shoved them into the tote, grabbing it and flinging its handles over her arm. Caroline slipped her feet into a pair of comfortable, but stylish, sandals and strode to the door.

She hurried down the hallway and down the stairs. She'd only made it to the door when Damon stepped through it. The second she laid eyes on him, all her hurt, all the pain and the agony she felt had melted away. Damon halted in his tracks. "You're…leaving?" He said haltingly.

Caroline glanced down at the bag on her arm. "No. I just wanted to… get some more clothes from Mom's." She said lamely. Damon's brows knit together as he took another step forward. God, I wish he would just… stop being so…. Gorgeous. She thought, frustrated.

"Right," Damon said disbelievingly. "Well, I got you something." He extended his hand, revealing a small, black velvet ring box in his palm. Caroline's breath caught in her throat. She plucked the ring box from his hand and opened it. Resting on the small pillow was a small ring with a dark blue stone.

She looked closer and saw that the blue stone had golden flecks. Caroline lifted the ring to inspect it further. It was a simple circlet, made of silver. The silver strands entwined with each other like vines, they even had small silver leaves.

They wrapped round and round and even wound around the teardrop shaped stone. It was simple, lovely and breathtaking. "Damon –" She began. The elder vampire stepped forward and took the ring, slipping it onto her finger. "It'll protect you. From the sun." He said.

"So, do all lapis stones come equipped with special sun blocking powers?" Caroline asked, looking down at the ring on her hand. "No," Damon said, gazing down at her. "Only those spelled by a witch." The blonde avoided his eyes. Which was especially hard, given that he was so intent on capturing hers.

"So, may I ask why you seem so distant today?" He asked, hurt lacing his words. "I need to go," Caroline said softly. "I can't be here. Not when I know –" her voice cracked, "– What I know. I know it all happened in the past and it won't happen now, but it still doesn't change the fact that it hurts. All these emotions, I can't control them. I wish I could, but they –" She shook her head and slipped past him before darting out the door.

"Caroline!" His cry shredded the last vestiges of her heart. She couldn't turn back. Not now. She hurt too much. Every time she blinked, all she could see in her mind's eye was Damon kissing Elena. She tore down the road, the trees and surrounding greenery becoming a blur.

She slowed to a stop when she recognized the street she was travelling along. It was hers. The street she and her closest friends lived on. She strolled along before stopping at her old house. She didn't know when she started referring to it as her old house. Just that she did now.

Caroline walked up the footpath and stood on the porch, gazing into the window. Looking through the picture window of the living room, she could see her mother, seated in a chair. Liz Forbes was clothed in a long black dress. She was sobbing into a handkerchief.

Caroline cried with her and placed her hand on the window, the pain she caused her mother was devastating. It pained Caroline more than it pained her mother. If that were even possible. She watched Liz for a moment before turning and hurrying down the path she came.

She didn't know how much time had passed. But she found that when she arrived in the living room of the Boardinghouse, Damon was seated with a glass filled with amber fluid in his hand. She smelled the alcohol from where she stood. It was bourbon.

"I'm going to stay." She announced. Damon didn't even stand or acknowledge that he'd heard her. She watched as he took a sip from his glass. The only sound in the room was the ice clinking against the glass every time Damon moved it. Caroline fidgeted. She couldn't bear the silence.

Especially when he was so close. She felt the shards of her broken heart slice into her lungs with every breath she took. "Well," she said in brittle tones, "I'd also like to have my own room. Staying with you in the same room – it'd just make things worse –"

"Would it really?" Damon said softly. It would have been better if he yelled. When Damon doesn't yell, that's when he's most dangerous. Caroline swallowed, feeling her stomach open up to a pit. "Yes." Her voice shook. "With all these memories coming back, I can't –"

She leapt back when Damon stood and faced her in one fluid motion, "You think I'm proud of all that that happened?" Even in this broken state, Damon still seemed most intimidating to her. Somehow, he towered over her, even at a distance.

"I've done millions of things I wish to god I could take back! But I can't. I told you. I've done horrible things. Because I'm a horrible person." "Damon –" "You've told me this yourself. I'm sorry that I'm the bad guy, I really am. But some things you can't change."

Caroline gazed at him, her vision blurred with tears, "So, you thought that changing everything – raping the memories from everyone's heads – turning back time would fix everything?" Damon looked away, "I wanted –"

"Elena. It doesn't take a genius to know exactly what you wanted." Caroline shook her head and turned away, walking to the door. "You." Damon said finally, stopping her. Caroline drew in a sharp breath.

"Do you honestly think I wouldn't know that after all the horrible things I've done that I could believe for a second that you wanted me?" She heard the ache in his voice and felt it as though it were her own. She spun to face him, saying firmly, "Yes. I did. But, you didn't bother to ask. Instead, you fell in love with my best friend and hooked up with her."

She gave a little shrug, "But, it's okay. I'm always everyone's second choice. I was Matt's second choice after Elena. I was Tyler's second choice after Vicki. I would've thought you'd at least understand that." Her pretty features hardened before she turned and walked out, leaving a stunned Damon behind.

Night had fallen by the time his ship arrived. Expressing his displeasure at the tardiness of the approach to land was already deemed useless. He gave a soft scoff at the dismissal and stepped down from where he stood at the bow.

He worked his stiffened joints and strode past the other passengers, making his way to the bridge. As he traversed the passages, he smoothed the black silk sleeve of his shirt, a smirk adorning his lips. He glimpsed his own pale reflection as he passed a round window.

He took a moment to appraise his appearance. He had high, cheekbones and finely chiseled features. His eyes were the dark blue of the sea. And his chestnut locks were loosely curled and tumbled over his forehead.

He looked to be a young man of twenty and at one time, he would've been considered effeminate for such delicate features. And he would've torn the head off anyone who accused him of having feminine qualities. Six billion years and what has the world come to? He thought spitefully.

He'd been around since then and humanity still plagued the earth with their sickness. He shuddered inwardly at the thought of one of the microbes evolving into so-called super predators… worse the self-proclaimed dominant species. The thought had made him sick.

He strolled down the hallway towards the cowering little man in the bridge of the ship. The captain, a man of good size at six feet, his muscle developing into the softness of fat in his old age, hid behind the wheel. As though that would help him, the stranger thought with obvious relish as a chuckle rumbled in the confines of his throat.

He was nothing if not deeply amused at this behavior. Humans with their superior minded thinking and uninspiring hopes of survival. A feckless breed if there ever was one. As he advanced on the captain, he felt the change come about him. It wasn't an obvious one. But, it was a change, nonetheless.

His eyes took on a predatory light, gleaming with an inhuman sheen as he released a sigh of relief, feeling his canines break through his gums. It was an alleviation. Showing his hidden nature. Allowing his true self to come forth.

The captain's eyes widened as he gazed at the beast before him, "Wha – what are you?" "Nature," The young man snarled; a grisly, monstrous tone to his voice. "Only a little more advanced." He chuckled and it was a terrible, growling sound as he suddenly appeared in front of the man, his lips skinned back to reveal his vampiric visage.

The captain loosed a bloodcurdling scream – not that anyone would have heard him. The young man lunged forward, gripping the measly human in an inescapable grip, sinking his elongated eyeteeth into the soft flesh of his throat. Hot, fresh blood gushed into the vampire's mouth.

He gulped it down, feeling the warmth spread from head to toe. A healthy, almost human flush blossomed on his cheeks. Once he'd consumed the final drop, he released the man, letting him crumple to the floor. Swiveling, he strode out of the room. The young man walked up the stairs and to the top deck.

He nudged a bloodstained teddy bear out of his path with the toe of his boot in distaste before continuing to the bow. He'd traveled the ocean after having been awakened by her transformation. It wasn't an ability that many had. He'd felt her. Felt her pain, her joy, and her passions.

Every time a new vampire awakened, he felt it. Like a knife. Like a flame. It was a pain. And a release. Like the loosening of a tight bandage. He stepped onto the bow of the ship and leapt down. He could sense her. He knew the instant he awoke where she was. And that is where he is going to be. Mystic Falls.

Holy water cannot help you now.

A thousand armies couldn't keep me out.

I don't want your money. I don't want your crown.

See I've come to burn your kingdom down.

Holy water cannot help you now.

See I've come to burn your kingdom down.

And no rivers and no lakes can put the fire out.

I'm gonna raise the stakes. I'm gonna smoke you out.

Seven Devils – Florence + the Machine