"Tell me about Lexi," Caroline murmurs.

It's a Wednesday evening and they're outside Caroline's house. She had called him over because she needed someone to talk to after another failed attempt at getting Matt to listen to her explanation.

Stefan had internally groaned when her high pitched voice had erupted from his phone, but he had kissed Elena goodbye and left because like it or not, Caroline does mean something to him. And Elena's grateful smile didn't hurt either. So he drove over to Caroline's and as soon as he got out of his car, she had launched herself into his arms and burst into tears. Getting her to calm down took the better part of an hour, but he could tell she needed someone and it made him feel honored that he was the one she called when she got like this—even if it was sometimes inconvenient for him.

Caroline head is lying on his shoulder and he has an arm wrapped around her body and they're just sitting.

Stefan takes a deep breath. "She…had blond hair like you and she had the same tendency to say exactly what was on her mind whether you wanted to hear it or not. Lexi was the first vampire I met after I turned and she was the one who got me under control after my murderous period. She helped me see the good in people—in myself—again and….

"I suppose that's part of why I help you. You remind me of her, and I need to…honor her memory by helping you figure things out."

"Would she have liked me?" Caroline asks. Her voice is all insecure and vulnerable and Stefan's once again reminded of just how young she is.

He smiles sadly. "Yeah, I think she would have."