Chapter 10

September 25th

An entire month had gone since there had been any correspondence between Caroline and Stefan. Neither had intended to leave it so long but when Stefan didn't reply to letter about Valerie, Caroline didn't know what to do. She had no idea where to go from that point. She knew it would take some time for it to sink in, after all Valerie was his fiancée, but she was a little annoyed that she hadn't received even a line telling her he'd no longer be writing. Caroline felt significantly lost with no letters to reply to. The farm was doing well again now and was in preparation for the harvest of some of the autumn produce in the coming months.

The weather had finally returned to normal, there was still a little heat in the air but it was now accompanied by a gently wind and some much needed rain. Autumn was definitely on its way. The greens were now fading because of the changing season and not the drought, Caroline didn't mind it though, Autumn meant it was nearly winter, and winter was by far her favourite season.

"Sign on the dotted line please Sargent"

Doing as he was told, Stefan signed his name on the piece of paper "Why does it feel like im signing my life away, not getting it back?" he asked with a small smirk as he handed the pen back.

"Army life is all we know right now." The officer told him "Sargent Stefan Salvatore, I hereby dismiss you from your duties in the Armed forces. We thank you for your dedication and protection of your country. May we be forever thankful" The officer saluted, standing tall.

"Yes. Sir. Sargent Stefan Salvatore. Dismissing." he said mirroring the salute before relaxing and picking up his rucksack from the floor, heading towards the exit. He was no longer on active duty, no longer a Sargent in the US Forces. He was… well he didn't quite know what he was anymore. Stepping out into the fresh air he inhaled deeply, sighing in satisfaction when he didn't get a nose full of sand and dust, it was a strange feeling.

He walked down the street for a while before he found a bus stop. It had been a while since he'd done anything other than be in the army, so he took his time. Taking in every little detail of being free. Two buses past before Stefan finally decided to board one, he took the next bus- he didn't know where it went to but he took it anyway. As he sat on the bus, he began to realise he was getting a lot of stares, and it wasn't until he looked down at himself he realised why. He was still in his Army uniform- camouflage pants and a sandy coloured t-shirt, he was sure he probably still smelt of the Army too- that horribly sweaty man smell mixed with sand and mud and other undesirable things.

Stefan had been sat on the bus for over an hour when the driver called into the back of the bus "This is the last stop kid"

Stefan blinked, realising he'd been paying no real attention to where he had been traveling "where exactly are we?" Stefan asked moving towards the driver.

"Mystic falls" The driver said "I'm surprised you don't know…no one really comes here unless they got a reason."

"yeah…maybe I have" Stefan said, coming to some sort of realisation in his head "Thank you, have a good day!" Stefan jumped off the bus and stood on the sidewalk, looking around to see he was in the centre of town- he was home.

It was 5pm when Caroline returned from walking Atticus, she shut the gate behind her and let Atticus of his lead, the dog taking it in his mouth and dropping it on the porch. "You got ten minutes Atticus, the we're going in!" Caroline warned as the Dog began to run around the yard, chasing his own shadow. She picked up a watering can and disappeared around the side of the house, going to water some of the late blooming flowers.

Atticus was happily running, enjoying himself in the last of the light when the farm gate creaked open. He stopped sharply, dropping the stick to the floor. Against his usual nature, Atticus padded towards the stranger who was standing at the gate.

"Hi Buddy…You must be Atticus"

Completely loving the attention, Atticus tapped his paw against the hard soled boot, earning a small laugh and a good belly rub.

"Come on Atticus, time to go in…" Caroline's voice travelled across the yard "Atticus? Where are you, puppy?" Walking around to the front of the house she stopped in her tracks as she neared the front gate.

The figure who was playing with Atticus rose to his feet and stared at Caroline.

She wiped her hands on her apron around her waist and smiled the friendliest smile "Hi there, can I help you?" she asked, if this had happened when she was in the city, she'd have been calling the police, but here in mystic falls…anything went.

"Caroline…" he whispered

She stepped a little closer and was able to see him more clearly "Oh my goodness…You're him. You're Stefan"

TO BE CONTINUED...

I'm super sorry for the long wait guys! I've been so so busy! I promise more than the one chapter today ! xxx