Caroline's Room

Rebekah walked in to see Caroline standing by the window staring out at the scenery and Stefan sitting in one of the chairs. When he saw her, he looked up and told her he was going to talk to the doctor and that he'd be back soon. Rebekah made her way over to the chair he had been sitting in while trying to figure out how to break the nervousness she felt.

"You don't have to be nervous; I'm not mad at you, nor will I do anything to you. You don't have to say anything."

"I want to say something though. I didn't know what had happened to you until last night, and it shouldn't have taken me finding out everything to be nice to you. I was scared that you would take Stefan away from me, so I tried to drive you away."

"Like I said last night Rebekah, he's a brother to me. I have no interest in romantic relationships. Period. So, don't worry about me. Now, I'm going to give you some advice. Just ignore me like you would any stranger. Knowing my past doesn't make us friends. You being with Stefan is only going to make us acquaintances that have to be around each other for his sake. I'm not in your way and I won't be in your way."

"Can we try to be friends? I would like to make up my behavior to you."

"I don't want to be friends with you because you feel guilty. I accept your apology and I forgive you, but I don't want any more interactions in my life than what I already have."

"Why not?"

"Because the more people you know in life, the more pain you feel when each of them leave your life. I have only a handful of people that I care about left. I'll be completely alone soon enough and I'm fine with that. If I start making new friends, I won't get the peace I'm looking for because I'll have too many people around me. Just be good to Stefan and watch out for him. That's all I want from you."

"Bloody hell Caroline; you can't isolate yourself off from everyone. Don't you ever get lonely?"

"No I don't get lonely. When I'm by myself I remember all of the times I shared with my husband and my family. It takes it away. Not to mention I have plenty of distractions I do that I don't have to have other people around me for."

"Like hobbies?"

"That and more, but I don't feel like talking any more. Can you see if Stefan is having any luck getting me out of here? And if Katherine is back, have her come in here."

"Okay, but I'm not done talking to you about all of this. I know you don't feel well, but you'll get better."

"I've been dealing with this for over half my life. I'm used to it. Besides I'll probably see you later tonight, but I'll be busy so I'll talk to you when you come to the Yule celebration. Stefan was going to bring you and your brother so you guys know what our lives are like before you give him an answer. Katherine told me he gave you the ring last night after I left before you ask me how I knew."

"I figured someone did. I'll go now, but you probably shouldn't be drinking tonight."

"I won't be drinking. I'm going there with Katherine, but I'm going to sit there and read while she mingles."

"Well at least you won't be drinking and you'll be resting. And you won't be alone. I can come sit with you if you want me to."

"I'm good Rebekah. I don't need company. I have a lot of things I have to do and reading will give me time to organize everything in my head."

"Alright. Well, I will see you later then. And, I really am sorry for how I treated you last night."

"Goodbye Rebekah." Caroline replied as she kept gazing out the window. Katherine came in shortly after to let her know that Stefan and Rebekah were leaving because the doctor was discharging her. She retrieved her clothes from Katherine and went into the bathroom to change. The only thing left to wait on was for them to give her the discharge papers, so she sat back down. Katherine saw how quiet she was being, and figured she didn't feel like talking so they sat in a comfortable silence until she could leave.

When they got home, they went to their separate rooms to change and rest for a while. Caroline knew the night would take a lot of energy out of her, so she needed to rest before she ate. Katherine wasn't thrilled with the idea of Caroline going back to the club, but she had promised not to drink so she didn't refuse. Katherine also knew that Elijah would be there that night, so she wanted to put extra effort into how she looked. She knew Elijah was going to tell his brother about the affair with his girlfriend and would need a friend. Both of them were going to be upset, and she didn't want him to face that alone. She didn't know what Klaus's girlfriend, Tatia, was going to do about being found out about. But, she also knew that there was more to the story. She knew Tatia had been pregnant by one of them and had gone and had an abortion done, but she didn't know for sure who the father had been. Neither Klaus nor Elijah knew about that, but she had been at the OBGYN for a check-up and heard Tatia and the doctor talking about the procedure. It was a big mess, and now on top of that, she was worried about Caroline. She knew Caroline had written up that Katherine, Stefan, and Damon were who were going to have control of her assets if anything happened to her, but she didn't want to think that her friend's health was getting that bad. Caroline was sleeping when Katherine made her way to the door to get the pizza she had ordered. It wasn't the healthiest option for her friend, but they were both tired, so it would have to do. Katherine woke her up to eat before they had to get ready. Caroline got her med kit ready and put it in her purse before taking double her medications. Then she grabbed a psychology book and one of her favorite fiction novels. When they ready, they both headed to Katherine's car, since they wouldn't need a cab that night.