this one is an embarrassingly short – sorry for that but I hope it finally gives some answers... errr.. or even points out the way :P


She remembered his lips on her cheek. She remembered how her heart jumped a tiny flip at that moment...

Caroline yawned against her hand as she sat still on the bar stool. It was too early for drinking but the temptation was big. Ever since she week ago realized that someone had wiped away her past, and stolen her memories she had kind of avoided Shawn.

But what else could she do? She was living a lie – should she just try to start again or what?

No, she couldn't leave with that. She needed to know. She needed to know him. The man from her dreams.

But what would be her next move? She didn't really feel comfortable to talking Shawn about it, and she had no idea where Rebekah was. She hadn't seen her since the exhibition. Neither had she seen the man who had been at the street.

"Is this seat taken?"

Caroline raised her gaze to a young man, who had light brown hair, and friendly green eyes. And even when the man was ridiculously hot she felt herself even worse.

"Nope", she replied with a sigh. The man sat beside her, and stared at her like he would be expecting something to happen.

"Well?"

"Well what?" Caroline frowned to the man, and his expression was lightly surprised. Are people weird all the time or only when you've lost your memory? She asked herself.

"Just...nothing", he stated, "I'm Stefan."

"Caroline", she introduced herself, and smiled tiredly, "This town has seriously a very freaky amount of vampires."

Stefan laughed with her before correcting: "I'm not actually from around here."

"Yeah, well me neither – or I'm not even sure anymore", she mumbled, and answered then to his curious look: "It's a long story."

Stefan nodded sympathetically.

"So what are you doing in New Orleans?" she asked and took a sip of her ice tea. He wasn't drinking anything, so he answered right away:

"Just helping out a friend."

"Wow... You must be really special if just your presence can help someone", she teased dryly, and he smiled and shrugged. "Let me guess: it has something to do with the mid-city area?"

Stefan froze, "You know about that?"

"Not much, just that my -" she stopped. What should she call Shawn? "- my boyfriend got a little incident with some chick who has some voojoo power over vampires, and... well I got a warning."

He nodded, "Well, I haven't really gotten into it yet either. I will though."

"Your friend is very lucky", she sighted – wishing she had friends or even knew if she had any from her past. Stefan smirked, "She would do the same for me."

"Or is it a friend-zone case?" Caroline asked playfully, but he just shook his head:

"No. Just a friend looking after another."

They sat for a while in silence. Caroline wondered why it didn't feel awkward. She didn't know Stefan well enough that she could be comfortable in that kind of situation, but somehow she just was.

"So – why are you in town?" Stefan asked, and she pursed her lips in ignorance.

"It just sounded good, New Orleans and all. Something about it felt right."

"Maybe you'll find out what it was", he murmured, and Caroline startled; "I hope so."

"I have to go but I guess we'll see around", Stefan gave her a smile as he stood up. She had no idea what went on inside of her head when she replied: "Hopefully", so she rushed to add:

"Good luck with the friend thing."

He chuckled to himself, "If there is any luck we'll make it."

Then came the night again – Caroline went back to her house without noticing the two shapes observing her from the roofs. The other side of New Orleans woke, but Caroline fell asleep hoping she wouldn't have to ever wake up.

"She really doesn't remember."

"You think I'd lie about something like this?"

"So... how bad is it?"

Rebekah's face gave an answer to Stefan's question. He let out a long sigh.

"She deserves better -" he started, and when Rebekah was about to cut his words he continued: "- and he is the only one who can give it to her."

"So you'll help me?"

"I'll do my best – but that means you have to keep me updated: I want to know everything."

Rebekah smiled as an agreement. "Welcome to the team."

Stefan rolled his eyes, but there was a tiny smile on his lips too. "What's our next move?"

"We try to find the answer by getting acquainted with the problem. But we have to keep moving – I don't think he knows I'm here, but he knows Caroline is. The danger must be close else he would've done something about it already."

"But we stay close?"

Rebekah nodded, "What ever it is, we can't risk her security – or anyone others."

Stefan squinted his eyes suspiciously. "Aren't you afraid we are doing the wrong thing – if it really was that big of a deal -"

"Even when my brother daggered me and tried to sent me to Hawaii I'm here trying to make things right – trying to save everyone. Does it sound like the wrong thing to do?"

"I don't know, but if it is something that big that he is ready to give up on her, I have a feeling we are going to need some more help."