For some reason I really struggled with this chapter,especially the last part, hence why it is a bit shorter and also I didn't want to make you guys wait any longer. I didn't post the last weekend because I was in Atlanta with Candice and yes, she was awesome and everything Caroline. She is super sweet and beautiful. Oh, and there was also 3 cute guys named Paul, Zach and Steven that some of you might have heard of ;o))

I changed a bit of the Original story (the Mikael part) to better suit my story. I promise next chapter will be longer, but enjoy this one anyway !

They were barely up the next day when a delivery man came with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Caroline opened the envelope under Damon's frowning gaze. She held a note written in an elegant script.

Thank you for your kind words and your luminous smile.

"Maybe somebody should let him know that it's not polite to send flowers to another guy's girlfriend," Damon grumbled.

Caroline laughed. "Aww, come on, don't be grumpy. I think it's really sweet. And my plan is totally working by the way."

He raised an eyebrow. "A little too well, if you want my opinion."

She shook her head. "No, I don't think it's like that. He just needs someone to talk to."

"As long as he remembers that, it's fine by me," he said with a fake nonchalance.

She put her arms around his neck and gave him a sweet kiss.

"I'll make sure he does understand that I'm spoken for," she assured him with a loving smile.

He pressed her tightly against him. "And better let him know that this lucky guy is not letting you go...ever."

He heart melted and she lost herself in his kiss. Damon was not always comfortable at expressing his feelings, so when he did she appreciated it even more and stored it preciously in a corner of her mind.

She let him go. "I'll go take a shower then we can go to that bookstore you wanted to check out."

Once she was in the bathroom, his eyes fell on the flowers.

Damn that stupid hybrid with his old-fashioned manners and his stupid calligraphy.

He stuck his tongue to the flowers. He felt totally immature, but also much, much better.

Damon put his books in his bag before putting on his jacket.

"Ok, I'm gone. Drink responsibly and don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Stefan threw him a popcorn from his spot on the couch. Caroline smiled.

"We're just going to watch a movie."

Damon sent a teasing glance to his brother. "Aww, Care, I'm so happy you found a girlfriend to watch chicks flicks with you."

"I like chicks flicks, and I'm not ashamed to say it," Stefan said.

"You're the one who made me watch Sleepless in Seattle," Caroline pointed out to Damon.

Stefan sat straight. "You guys have Sleepless in Seattle?" he asked in an hopeful tone.

Damon rolled his eyes. "Ok, I'm out of here. Walk me out?" he asked Caroline.

Once they were in the hall he took her in his arms. "I miss you already," he muttered while nuzzling her neck. "What do you say we go on a date, you and me tomorrow night?"

Her eyes brightened. "Like a real date? For which I absolutely need to buy a new dress?"

He smiled tenderly. Yes, that kind of date."

"I'd love too," she answered, giving him a searing kiss.

He groaned. "I need to go, and you're not helping."

She gave him a teasing look. "I know."

He suddenly dropped his bag and put her against the wall, pressing his body against hers and stifling her surprised gasp with a passionate kiss. His hands glided from her waist along her ribs, to stop dangerously close to her breast.

"Do you really need to go?" she panted heavily.

That seemed to bring him back to reality, and he took a step backwards. They look at each other while catching their breath and smiled.

"Unfortunately, yes," he took his bag from the floor and left after a quick peck on Caroline's lips.

She came back into the apartment and Stefan grinned at her.

"For a moment I really thought you were going to do it in the hall."

She blushed and came to sit beside him.

"I'm happy for you both," he said more seriously, and she put her hand on his and squeezed it. He had that faraway look she caught him with sometimes. She knew he was trying his best to act normally, and spending time with them was obviously very beneficial to him. She actually liked this new version of him, less broody, more fun. What she didn't like was that haunted look shadowing his green eyes from time to time.

"You know you can talk to me, right?" she asked softly.

He smiled. "Of course. And I will. Someday."

She understood that he wasn't ready to tell her what had happened these last few months. Maybe he would confided in Damon more easily.

"You're amazing Care," he told her suddenly. "I wished I had noticed it before."

"Before what?"

"Before you fell in love with my brother. But I'm not going down that road anymore," he assured her with a sweet smile, and kissed her hand. "Ok, so which movie do you want to watch?"

They put a movie on but kept talking while watching it, as the two of them had so many things to catch up with. Caroline adored Damon, but those moments spent alone with Stefan were really precious to her, and visibly the older vampire reciprocated these feelings.

"Tell me about Rebekah," she asked him.

He stopped to think about it for a minute.

"It's a weird feeling. Until a few months ago I had totally forgot she existed. Then Klaus gave me those memories back, and I was overwhelmed by all those emotions for someone I haven't seen in 90 years."

"Do you know why he erased your memories?"

"He was chased by his father at the time and he thought I would be a liability. That's when he daggered Rebekah as well. He told me he killed his father a few years later."

She rolled her eyes. "Wow, so he has daddy issues on top of the rest? What a catch."

Stefan chuckled. "You know the weirdest part? When I was with him back in the 20's, I had the best time. Damon and I were not talking at that time and I missed him. Klaus was a great companion. Too bad he didn't stay that way," he added sadly.

"Maybe we can try to bring out that side again. I mean, if he had you remember, it might mean he wanted you to be reminded of the bond you shared back then."

Stefan nodded pensively. "There's no harm in trying. He has been acting differently since I found you and you guys talked. He seems...content."

"What would you do if he undaggered Rebekah?" she asked curiously.

He looked at her, surprised. "You think he would do it?"

"Well I did suggest him, if he felt so lonely, to maybe bring back his family as a start."

Stefan chuckled. "No way."

"Yes way. Damon was not thrilled at the idea."

"I can imagine. Although at this point, I don't see how it would make a difference."

As he stayed silent, she said with a smile," Nice way of dodging my question, but I still want an answer."

"I was not dodging. I honestly don't know what I would do. Unless she stands in front of me, I really can't sort out those feelings properly."

"Would you want to see her again?"

"My, aren't we nosy tonight," he said with a good-humored smile. "And yes, I would like to see her again, actually. That I'm sure of."

Caroline hesitated before mentioning Elena but ultimately decided against it. She knew Damon and him had talked about her, and she didn't want to bring back sad memories.

They talked a bit more once the movie was finished, before she let out a big yawn that had Stefan laughing. "Wow, you're not even trying to hide how much of a bore I am. Go to bed, Care."

She kissed him on the cheek. "Sorry, your brother wore me out last night."

"Yeah, I really didn't need to know this, but thank you. Go to sleep, I'll wait for Damon to come home. And Caroline...thanks for the talk."

Damon came home soon after that. Stefan and him shared one last drink.

"Do you want to stay?" Damon offered.

Stefan shook his head. "No, I'll go back to the hotel, but thanks. Klaus has been nicer the last few days and I don't want to jeopardize that. Besides, I don't think that I want to sleep next door to you ad Caroline," he added with a smirk.

"Hey! We're not going at it like bunnies. It's not just that, I love her."

Stefan looked at him with a surprised look. "Wow, that came out easily. Did you tell her already?"

"Not yet. But I'll take her on a date tomorrow night...I want her to know I'm serious about this."

"Good. Because she deserves someone who loves her unconditionally...and you do too."

Damon was touched by his brother's words and hugged him briefly while saying goodbye. His happiness wouldn't be complete until he knew his little brother to be free and safe.

The next evening they both got prepared in their own rooms, even though lately they had been sharing only one.

They met in the leaving room a bit before 7 pm. Caroline had put on a 50's style black dress and she wore her hair down in curly waves. One look from Damon and she knew she looked beautiful.

"I love the suit," she told him, eyeing his very elegant gray costume.

He took her hand and brought it to his mouth. "You look stunning," he told her with a seductive look and for a minute she was ready to call the date off and drag him back to the room.

But if they had eaten together outside countless times, they had never been on an actual date, and she really looked forward to it.

They took a cab and the drive lasted just a few minutes before they stopped in front of Daniel, a fancy restaurant on the Upper East side. While the waiter led them to their table, Caroline admired the cream-colored atmosphere highlighted by the dimmed lamps.

Their table was situated in a corner, giving them a bit of intimacy. Caroline sat down and Damon settled down directly on her left side. They browsed over the menu and placed their order while doing some small talk about school, Stefan and other things. Caroline enjoyed the beautiful place, and Damon's attention that was solely focused on her.

She had noticed a few female looks coming their way, and she couldn't blame them. Yes, that man was gorgeous.

And he was all hers.

They both had coffee after dinner, and Damon became suddenly serious. He took her hand and interlaced their fingers, and she felt her heart skip a beat at the intense look in his eyes.

"When I came here with you," he started, "I never expected this to happen. I didn't expect to start college, didn't expect to share a place with you permanently. I didn't expect to have so much fun, like I honestly never had in my life before. And never before have I fallen so hard for someone like I fell for you over the last few months."

Caroline gave him a shivering smile, overwhelmed by his words.

"If you're willing to do this, this is forever, Caroline. You and me."

Her breath caught in her throat, and she put her hand on his cheek. "I can't think of anyone better to spend forever with. I love you Damon."

She felt confident saying it first, as it was clear from Damon's words that her feelings were reciprocated.

"I love you too," he replied, kissing her hand, and she lost herself in his blue eyes where she could clearly see the depths of those feelings. She had no doubt that Damon's love for her would be unconditional and eternal. And she felt the same.

They made love with a new intensity that night, fueled by a mutual passion and the knowledge that that love would be theirs forever.