I stare at Stefan in shock and disbelief. "What is-"

He steps back and ushers me inside. "Caroline, I am so sorry. I left the house for twenty minutes. I had no idea Damon would-"

I look around and see my mom laying on the couch, passed out. "Is she okay? Where is Elena?"

He nods. "She's fine and Elena is gone. She left when she saw me show up."

This sounds suspicious. "Why would she just leave? She was pretty set on-"

"I attacked her first but she managed to get away while I was keeping your mom away from her." He looks guilty and I have a feeling he wasn't as against her escaping as he was letting on.

"Well, thank you." I say, meaning it. At least mom is safe. "We can deal with Elena later."

He nods slowly, something on his mind. Before I can pry my front door bursts open and Klaus strides in. "Where did the party run off to?" He asks, never faltering. He takes a look at my mom laying on the couch and then at Stefan and finally, at me. "Love, tell me you didn't make this Elena escaping thing up just to get me to go on a date with you."

Stefan turns to me with a big fat question mark on his face. "What?"

I open my mouth to reply but can't find the words. Klaus laughs quietly under his breath and Stefan shoots him a look. Finally, I say, "Uh, I asked Klaus for help."

Both men turn to me and I feel very small and very ashamed.

Stefan finally leaves, knowing he can't exactly yell at me in front of Klaus and also I think he doesn't really know what to say. For all he knows I just needed help. He could also still be contemplating whatever distracted him earlier. Nevertheless, he left shortly and left Klaus and me in the living room with my passed out mother.