A/N: sorry I haven't updated in awhile, but with school and this new history class I'm taking I can barely find a spare moment to write up anything. This chapter is a little shorter then the rest. Again, I was faced with another band-aid that was necessary to write for the progression of the plot.

Also, Katherine was 'orphaned' during the Atlanta Campaign (May 7th-September 2nd) and the Battle of Willow Creek took place near the end of the Civil War (sometime in April 1865).
So for the sake of keeping the time line slightly intact, Katherine arrived in late August...and Damon returned mid September.
(IDK how that helps align the time, but whatever...)
Hope you enjoy.
Please read and review...
Disclaimer: I do not own VD...sadly. But if I did, there'd be happy S/C/D fans.

Chapter Seven: The Day After

It wasn't that she was a coward. On the contrary, she considered herself pretty brave to have gone through a relationship with Damon Salvatore and come out with only a few minor bites and bruises. Though, there were the missing tidbits of memory she was sure he could account for. No, she wasn't a coward.
It was just that the moment she woke up on the morning infamously reclaimed as "The Morning After" she was nervous. Of what to say to Damon when she saw him...

I mean, he doped the L bomb, and I'm not talking lesbians...

How'd he react. If he'd regret it.
And she was worried.
She'd definitely fucked up when she went to bed with him. She'd been careless in the effects her presence would have on the future.

What if Hitler becomes president? Or, or Johnny Depp is never born...Shit! I could be pregnant!

That last thought alone struck more fear into her entire being than the idea of facing Katherine in a fight to the death. Which, she was pretty sure she'd win.

Lets just not think about that small possibility for awhile, Care. Okay.

The blond was sure she'd caused a butterfly effect somehow and she really didn't want to screw anything else up.
Which was the main reason she was hiding from Damon. Not because she was a coward, but because she didn't want to ruin the future anymore than she already had.
"Caroline?"
Damon was looking for her. The blond could see him coming out of the dining room and she froze. He had not seen her, yet.

What the hell should I do? Fight or flight. Fight or flight...run, Care, run!

So, she did. Ducking into the closest room. Which took a little budging to get open.
Once inside she quickly closed the door behind her. Pressing an ear to it and listening for Damon. The sound of footsteps passing by put her at ease.
"Caroline?" His voice faded into the distance as he made his way down the hall, passing the room she'd slipped into. With a sigh the blond turned on her heel, pressing her back against the door and looking around the room. In one word the room was creepy. White sheets covering the furniture. Like in those old horror movies.

This strangely feels like that one scene from The Others. Curiosity killed the cat, Care...

But her curiosity had her finger's itching to see what was underneath.

Just do it, Care! Pull it off, pull it off!

Taking a deep breath she tugged the sheet off of the closest thing to her. Underneath was an antique looking dresser. Gold trimed, white lion's paws for legs. But what immediately caught her attention was the arrangement of photos coated in a thin layer of dust.

Well...this looks promising.

Caroline picked up a rounded frame, rubbing the dust off in hopes of being able to see the picture it held.

Oh my god! Is that...

In the picture there was an obviously pregnant brunette holding a miniature version of Damon. Who was grinning widely at the camera.

This has to be his mom...and she must be pregnant with Stefan...

"Wow..." placing the photo back on the dresser, she picked up another.
In it the same brunette woman was smiling sadly. Hair pulled back into two connecting braids. Not pregnant like she'd been in the other photo. Caroline was guessing it was taken after she'd given birth to the younger Salvatore because she looked slightly older. Thinner than she'd been in the other as well, and significantly paler. As if death was on her door step.

What happened...

A pause.
"What happened to you?"
It hadn't gone unnoticed by the blond that the Salvatore boarding house was missing a certain feminine touch. Though, Abigail did an amazing job of helping her every morning in getting dressed.

Thank god for that woman.

There wasn't a regular 'Tea Time' that most woman, or so Abigail says, had every day with neighbors. Or any of the supposed Ladies of Mystic Falls appearing at their doorstep dressed for dinner. No, it was just Mr. Salvatore. Damon and Stefan.

Plus the handmaidens...oh, and Katherine and I...

Whoosh!
Caroline turned on her heel. Hands instinctively going behind her to hide the photo she had been looking at before someone had opened the door to the room. Catching her off guard.
And that someone happened to be Stefan Salvatore.
"Caroline?" He looked between a mixture of anger and confusion. "What are you doing in here?"
The blond stared at him. Mouth agape, words seemingly hard to form.

Say something Care! You've formulated three speeches for Matt before and you've accepted the title of Miss Mystic Falls...
it's not that hard!

"Um, I was just-" pulling the frame out from behind her "-hiding?"
"You are not supposed to be in here." He said, sighing as he stepped into the room. Leaving the door wide open.

Hopefully for a hasty escape.

"This was my parents room before..."
"Before your mother passed." Caroline finished for him. Watching as his expression fell and all warmth withdrew from his eyes.
Welling up with a sadness she really found difficult to describe.
He nodded. Taking the frame from her hands and placing it back on top of the dresser.
"She's beautiful." Caroline said.
"Yes...she was very beautiful." Stefan cast a glance down at the arrangement of photos. "I don't remember much of her. She passed when I was very young."

That sucks...she was so beautiful...and sounds so kind.

"I wish I could say I know how it feels...I can't-" A pause. "But you still have your father. You have Damon, who will always be there for you when you need him. And...I'll be here...for you, as well. Whenever you need me. No matter what."
His eyes traveled up from the photos, focusing on her face. Eyebrow raised in surprise.
"No matter what?" A grin making it's way onto his face.
"No matter what." The blond confirmed with a nod. Rolling her eyes at the Salvatore's pleased expression.
"So, this means you will be there to save me a dance at the ball?" Grin dropping from face, replaced with a hopeful, uncertain smile that melted her heart.

How can I say no to that?

"Of course." Chuckling lightly as she allowed herself to be pulled in for an embrace. Wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her to him. Caroline patted his back gently before pulling away, smiling up at him. Trying to forget the fact that his hands were still resting on her hips.
"Are you sure Katherine won't mind?"

That bitch would probably bite my head off if she saw us together...which is just crazy. Another reason I like Elena better. She didn't get jealous of me dancing with Stefan...the same Stefan that is looking at me with the weirdest expression...

He was silent for a moment. The truth was he really didn't know what to say. Half the time he was with the Katherine she used talking about getting rid of Caroline. Who was standing right in front of him, seemingly unharmed and unaware of her impending doom. And the other half talking about living the ultimate immortal life as a walking menage a trios with him and his brother. Pretty psychotic if he thought about it. Which had him wondering why he was even with her. The answer was floating around somewhere in his head. He was sure of it.
"Stefan?" When he hadn't answered her question, getting a far-off look in his eyes Caroline knew she had to snap him out of whatever trance he was in.
"I'm sure she won't mind." He replied almost robotically. It was kind of spooky, though the blond didn't voice a comment against it. Instead she gave him a the widest smile she could manage.
"Now, what is this about you hiding?" He inquired, hands falling to his sides as he looked down at her.
She'd really hoped he hadn't heard her lame answer from before but as luck would have it he had.
"Um...It's not that I'm hiding," She began, trying her best to sound off-handed in her reply, "It's just that Damon said something to me last night, and I'm not sure what to say in reply."
The Salvatore nodded slowly.
"He told you he loves you." He said matter-of-factly.

How does he know that?

The blond nodded slowly. Remembering running into Stefan as she snuck out of his brother's room. They hurt that flashed in his eyes before he'd become stoic. She really didn't want a repeat performance of that attitude by reminiscing on the night before.
"And you are unsure of how you feel about him." He continued, trying his best not to cringe at the idea of his brother taking the blond to bed.

That is the million dollar question! How do I feel about him?

"I wish I knew how I felt." She admitted, running a hand through her hair. Doing her best to avoid his gaze. So instead of looking at him, she found herself looking past him. At the figure standing in the doorway. Expression one filled with sadness.
"Damon." Caroline breathed. Stefan turning in surprise to meet the stare of his older brother.

Damon had woken up to find his bed mate missing. It was a little disappointing, but he guessed she'd left sometime after he'd fallen asleep in the middle of the night. It was frustrating.
He'd finally told a woman, aside from his deceased mother, that he loved her and she'd been asleep. He was pathetic. It was no wonder she was in the arms of his brother, Stefan, when he'd finally found her. And they were in his parents old bedroom. One he hadn't been in for awhile. It was the root for many sad memories.
"And you are unsure of how you feel about him?" Stefan asked her.

Are they talking about me?

He watched the blond as she ran a hand through her mane of curls before answering.
"I wish I knew how I felt."
The Salvatore was shocked. They'd been skirting around each other since they'd met, he'd given her his virginity and yet she was still unsure of her feelings for him. He'd told her he loved her, though she didn't hear his confession. She was seriously pulling at his heart strings.
He watched as she looked everywhere but at his brother. Eyes focusing over Stefan's shoulder on him. Widening in shock.
"Damon." She breathed out in surprise.
He knew he was probably wearing his heart on his sleeve. And he couldn't avoid staring at his brother as he turned around in surprise. Eyes clashing.
Stefan guiltily looking from him to Caroline, and back again.
"Stefan." The older Salvatore acknowledged. Nodding toward the open door. A sign for him to leave.
"I'll just go find Katherine." Stefan informed them unnecessarily. Giving Caroline a reassuring smile that all would be alright before retreating a safe distance away from the two. Hoping that Damon wouldn't do something rash.
"Damon." Caroline called his attention from eying his brother's departure.
The older Salvatore turned his head to stare at her. Eyes unreadable. He took a few steps to fill the space of separation. Taking her hands in his so that they were the only thing between them.
"I know that you are unsure of how you feel about me. But, I promise you this, Caroline Forbes. It will be nothing but love."
He informed her. Planting a kiss on her forehead before resting his against hers. Closing his eyes and wrapping his arms around her. Pulling her closer.
Caroline didn't know how to respond, so she remained silent. Staring into his closed lids. Allowing herself to smile at the way his warmth felt. Feeling a shiver run up her spine.

You can't do this Care...remember, Butterfly Effect. You could be preggo...

The blond did her best to ignore the voice in her head telling her continuing with Damon would not be the right thing to do. No, she wanted to do what the right thing for her was. And that was to allow him to love her. Screw the future. She didn't even know if she'd be going back or not anyway.

Stefan brooded as Katherine brushed her perfect locks of brown hair. She silently concentrated on every individual strand of hair that ran through each individual bristle. Although, her brown eyes were following the transitioning facial expressions of the man she believed she could actually love.
He went from confusion to frustration, and then defeat.
She guessed he was trying to remember the events of the night before, when he'd come to her. He'd told her that Damon had become intimate with the blond girl who claimed to already have a lesbian lover. It was ridiculous. The 'feelings' Stefan had for her began to resurface and she couldn't have that. Could she?
So, she compelled him to forget all of those so called feelings he shared for Caroline. Redirecting his affections to her. Watching as he came out of a dazed state and refocused. Eyes filled with the love she wished to receive from both Salvatore brothers as he smiled up at her. Though, she really had little feelings of love toward Damon, she did have a strong physical attraction to him. One she'd admit could rival her adoration of Stefan. Even if her heart belonged to him.
It was the idea of the three of them together that fueled her. Planing ways to sink her fangs into Damon and kill the blond that was causing her problems. She obviously couldn't compel her to leave Damon.
"Did you ask her to save you a dance?" She inquired as she watched him through her mirror. Letting her eyes wander over his muscular shoulders. Which she loved biting.
"Yes. I am just not sure why you wanted me to." He assumed it was for her plan. Katherine didn't seem like the type to ask things of him that didn't go to helping her cause.

What about the ball makes it any different?

"Wonderful." The brunette grinned. Putting her brush down and turning to face him. Expectantly.
"I am still unsure as to how this will assist you." Confusion written across his face. Eyebrow lowered in thought. Trying his best to connect the dots himself.
Katherine giggled. Rolling her eyes at him in amusement.

He has no idea...

"While you are with Caroline, dancing about like old friends," She began. Making her way to the foot of the bed where he sat. Stefan watched her as she crouched down so that they were eye level. Running a hand through his hair. "I will be with Damon. Comforting him with...the pain of being betrayed."
'Betrayed?' Stefan thought to himself. Allowing her to push him down onto the mattress. Watching as she climbed on top of him.

What the hell is she going on about?

"I am going to convince Damon that Caroline does not share his love." She sighed. Running her fingers through his brown locks before pulling him up for a kiss.

"Are we really going to do this Giuseppe?" Johnathan Gilbert asked. Shocked by the new announcement made at their latest Founders meeting. News that would drastically effect the town. "I am still unsure if the compass works properly as of yet."
Mr. Salvatore looked from his long time friend, Johnathan, to Sheriff Forbes. Who'd remained silent. Lost in thought by the simple plan the Salvatore had devised to get rid of the creatures of the night. Once, and for all.
Well, actually the plan was far from simple. But he needed Johnathan and he needed the mystical compass to help weed out the guilty parties they were hunting down.
There were too many 'animal attacks' in Mystic Falls to just let them slid under the rug. And his late wife would agree with him. Something had to be done about the night walkers.
"Do you not want to be rid of these demons and finally live in peace?" He inquired. Brow raised, lips forming into a thin line.
"I do, as much as the rest of you all. But, I am still unsure as to if the compass will detect them."
"We have to be sure Giuseppe," The Sheriff spoke up. Erupting a string of mumbled agreements from the other founding members.
All with families they wished to protect. "And we cannot wait much longer Johnathan. We must act quickly and swiftly."
The other members nodded amongst themselves.
"We must rid ourselves of them." Barnette Lockwood spoke up. Thinking of the safety of her boys.
"The compass must be ready soon." Mr. Salvatore continued. "After the Founder's Ball, I want them all gone. No matter who it is. Destroy them."

For the first time in her life, Caroline felt-happy? Safe...secure? It was something she wasn't able to put into words. But she could feel it as she laid there in bed with Damon. Something had changed. The future...her future had changed by him loving her. Maybe for the better. Who knows? But there was still one thing she was sure should not be messed with. And that was his fate of eternal life. Him and Stefan were meant to be turned in to vampires, she was sure of it. Stefan was meant to be turned, meet Elena and fall in love with her. Damon...well hopefully the same thing would befall him and he'd fall in love with her again. Well, the her of the future.

The me of the future? Smart one Care, what if you aren't born because of what you're doing?

That along with the possibility of being pregnant was something she didn't want to think about either. But what she did want to think about is the way Damon's arms pulled her closer to him in his sleep. The way he buried his nose into the crook of her neck. And the way he smelled. Like sunshine and adoration. It was an amazing thing the blond realized. She might actually be inlove with him.

Well that was fast...

Damon-her Damon. He was unbelievably perfect. Sweet, gentle, caring...loving. Completely different then the man she knew. Measured him up to. They were one in the same though. Same person...same Damon. Just...different. Different sides of the same coin. Feeling the warmth he radiated beside her it finally sunk in. He could easily end up the way she remembered him to be. Like Katherine. Uncaring, cold-hearted...a bastard. The man she'd be in love with before Matt.

Matt...He was always so sweet to me. I know I should feel guilty about cheating, though technically I'm not in the same time period, but it doesn't feel like I'm doing anything bad when I'm with Damon...it just feels...right.

"I love you Damon Salvatore." The blond whispered into his ear as he slept on. Arms around her twitching in response. He hadn't heard her, but she knew if he did he'd probably have a big smile on his face. And if she was pregnant-which was not likely, she hoped to live happily ever after with Damon, a white picket fence and a cuddly sheep dog.

A/N 2: Well, this chappie is probably short. 3 more chappie's till the end of the story, and then onward to the sequel! I hope you enjoyed some part of this.

I actually was laughing writing the last part...I think it was just me rambabling in character...