Casting Shadows
Chapter 12 - Truths And Plans
Stefan's eyes fluttered open as he woke. He breathed in and was hit by the alluring vanilla scent of Caroline Forbes. He smiled, looking down to see her laid across his chest, her hair spread across his chest, her peaceful face facing him, her curled hand next to her mouth. She was utterly breathtaking.
He ran his fingers through her hair, just revelling in the feel of her in his arms, and the knowledge that she loved him as he loved her. He was happy. After everything that happened to him he knew he should be as angry and full of rage as he was when Klaus took his freedom, but when he was with Caroline, all of that faded away and all he was left with was her.
He continued to thread his fingers through her hair as he watched her sleep peacefully in his embrace. The sight of her captivated him, he could watch her for hours and be perfectly content. Last night he had kissed her for hours, holding her to him tenderly, running his hands all over her body. It had been perfect. And when the hour grew late he had taken her back to his room, pulled her down to his bed, wrapped his loving arms around her, and held her tight against him as they feel asleep.
He felt her stir against him, nuzzling into his chest as she sighed. He moved his hand from her hair to her cheek, stroking her soft skin lovingly, anticipating the moment she would open those eyes, and he could get lost in her beautiful blue eyes.
Caroline stroked her fingers against Stefan's chest as she blinked awake. It took her a moment to remember what happened yesterday, and when she did a smile curved her lips. She and Stefan were in love with each other, and they had spent most of the night kissing the breath out of each other. Then they had returned home, and Stefan had pulled her down to the bed with him. Speaking of Stefan, she tilted her head up to met with a pair of gorgeous and bright green eyes, "Morning."
Stefan bent his head down, pulling her face up to meet his, and he kissed her softly, "Morning, beautiful."
Caroline blushed, a big grin on her face. She scooted up the bed so that she could rest her chin on his shoulder, her face next to his, her fingers stroking along his chest. She contemplated her words before just blurting it out, "So... last night actually happened?"
"I sure hope so." Stefan chuckled, turning his face towards hers so that their eyes locked and their noses brushed, "I would hate for last night to have been nothing but a perfect dream. But just in case..." He brushed a kiss across her lips, whispering meaningfully, "I love you."
Caroline beamed at Stefan, her heart skipping at how easily he said those wonderful words. She raised her hand up to cradle his jaw, brushing her fingertips across his skin in awe as she whispered back, "I love you too."
Stefan kissed her passionately, his hand sliding into her hair to cradle the back of her head, his other curling around her waist holding her tight against him. She felt so good cradled in his arms, and he never wanted to part from her mouth.
Caroline moaned against his mouth as she accepted his tongue into her mouth. Her fingers moved over his chest, digging her fingernails in, and then she would draw random patterns. She still wasn't convinced that this wasn't just some perfect dream she hadn't woke up from yet.
The door banged open and Damon waltzed in, "Love birds! Get up!"
"Definitely not a dream." Caroline groaned into Stefan's neck.
Stefan chuckled against Caroline's temple. Even with Damon's usual barging unwelcome into his room, he couldn't even find the energy to be bothered, as he had Caroline in his arms, and that was all that he cared about at this particular moment.
"I wouldn't keep our guest waiting if I was you." Damon smirked as he dropped the bombshell, "She already wants to kill Caroline."
"Who-" Caroline's eyes widened as she realised who he meant, "Tessa? She's here?"
"Why would you invite the person who wants to kill Caroline into this house?" Stefan asked in anger. This morning had started so well, now thanks to his idiot brother his perfect lazy morning with the woman he loved was ruined.
"Because I hardly think Silas is coming over anytime soon." Damon smirked at Caroline, "Even if both of the women he loves are under the same roof." He chuckled as he noticed Stefan tense, "We need to keep him away until we can fix a way to bring Bonnie back." He gave Caroline a pointed look.
"Seriously!" Caroline groaned, she knew what that look meant. Blonde distraction.
"You are so good at it, blondie." Damon wiggled his eyebrows at Caroline, "Plus he loves you."
It finally clicked in Stefan's head just what they were talking about. His eyes widened and all but growled, "No! No way! You are not using her that way."
"You never minded before." Damon crossed his arms over his chest, "She'll be fine. They'll talk, maybe flirt, she'll keep him occupied and away from here while we try and sweet talk the witch."
Caroline sighed, "Fine! I'll do it."
Stefan turned to Caroline, a frown on his face, "You can't be serious."
Caroline laid her hand on his arm, "I'll be fine. He won't hurt me."
Stefan clenched his jaw keeping his angry words to himself. He had only just admitted that he loved her, and now she was going to his enemy that claimed to love her. He wanted to tear apart the whole room.
"Just keep Silas occupied until I tell you it's time to come back." Damon said, before leaving the room to go back to Tessa.
Caroline stared at Stefan, she could see the flex of his jaw and she knew that he was mad. The thing is he doesn't really understand the whole deal with her and Silas, he only glimpsed part of it as his amnesia self, and he had no clue what they were like when they were alone. She didn't want him to be hurt or jealous, she loved him not Silas. She quietly said, "Stefan?"
Stefan tightened his hands into fists, taking deep breaths to try and calm his raging temper. He hated Silas with every fibre of his being, he locked him in a safe and left him to drown over and over again all summer. Then Silas falls in love with Caroline, and she feels something for him in return, enough to feel concern for him, and to stay behind and take care of him. He didn't want to seem like the jealous boyfriend, but he couldn't help but want to keep her away from the man that ruined his life.
"Stefan? Please look at me." He still refused to turn his head so she took his jaw in her hand, and pulled it toward her. She could see the anger in his eyes, but underneath that she could see fear. He was scared of what Silas could do to her. She sighed, and stroked her thumb along his tightened jaw, "He won't hurt me. Plus, he's kinda heartbroken right now."
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" Stefan asked incredulous. He caught her gaze, looking deep into her gaze, "You have the face of the one who broke his heart."
She pulled him to her and dropped a tender kiss on his lips, "I was with him afterwards. I helped him get patched up." She raised her brow at Stefan, "If he wanted to hurt me for what Amara did, don't you think he would have done it then?"
"Doesn't mean he still won't." Stefan grumbled, not wanting to see the logic in her words. He couldn't lose her just after he got her.
"You didn't see his face after he realised I stayed for him." Caroline cradled his face between both of her palms now, trying her best to reassure him, "He knows the difference between us. Just like I do with you and him and amnesia you."
"Still not a reason for me to let you go anywhere near him." Stefan was just plain jealous now, he knew how wonderful Caroline was and so did Silas. He didn't want her anywhere near him, because she cared about him. To what extent he didn't know, he was dying to ask, but they had only just got together the previous day and he didn't want to act like a jealous idiot.
But Caroline knew Stefan better than anyone. She knew what he was thinking, and she would put his mind to rest. She loved him, and only him. She gazed deeply into his green eyes, and answered the question he would never ask, "I care about Silas, I know I shouldn't but I do." She could feel his jaw twitch beneath her hands, and his eyes turn to the side away from her, "As a friend, nothing more." She moved her head to catch his gaze again, her eyes wide and sincere, "I love you, Stefan Salvatore. No one else, okay?" She dropped her head against his, a small smile on her lips, "Only you."
The only thing Stefan could do to that was bury his hand in her hair and pull her hungrily to his lips. She had reassured him without him ever having to ask her. He hated that she saw Silas as a friend at all but that was Caroline, her heart was too big, and she saw the good in people. And she loved him. He smiled into the kiss as he thought that, the feelings still so new that to hear those precious words from her made his heart skip every single time.
Caroline smiled into his kiss, both of her hands moving from his cheeks to wrap around his neck, a moan leaving her at the perfect way their mouths moved against one another. She revelled in the taste of his lips, drinking in his moans, loving the way he clutched his arm around her back to hold her closer.
Stefan moaned in bliss as he lost himself to the delicious taste and feel of her. He tenderly caressed her spine, as his mouth moved ardently against her. He could happily spend hours tasting the wonders of her mouth – and he did last night – and explore the contours of her body, learning every dip and curve as he memorised her.
"Another pair of doppelgängers together." Tessa smirked, leaning against the doorway, eyeing the two people on the bed with distaste. She was cursed with seeing this image before her, endless streams of versions of Silas and Amara's falling in love, and she hated it, "I'm shocked."
Stefan groaned in annoyance as he left Caroline's lips. He glanced at the very unwelcome intruder in his bedroom, "What are you doing in my bedroom?"
"I came to see what was taking you two so long." Tessa glared at Caroline, the hatred plain to see in her eyes, "I should have known. I've watched this song and dance for centuries."
"What are you talking about?" Caroline asked, any sympathy she may have felt for Tessa had long ago evaporated after snapping her neck and taking Stefan's memories from him.
"My bastard ex never told you?" Tessa's voice became smug as she saw the matching looks of confusion on their faces. She would take great pleasure in bursting their little bubble of happiness. She smiled maliciously at Caroline and revealed, "I have watched for two thousand years as countless doppelgängers of Silas and Amara meet and fall in love." The hurt and pain in her voice was clear, "Destiny has been trying to get the doppelgängers together for a long time. You two are just the latest pair."
Destiny. It clicked in her mind as she recalled what Silas said to her the other night. He wanted her and Stefan to fall in love on their own and not because of destiny. Their destiny as doppelgängers to fall in love. It was unconsciously done but she moved away from Stefan, her thoughts racing with what Tessa said. She needed to speak to Silas right now.
Stefan felt hurt as Caroline moved away from him. He didn't love her because of some so called destiny, if that were true he would have fallen in love with her the day he met her but he didn't, because he was already in love with Elena when he met Caroline. He needed to reassure her, to set her fears to rest. He was in love with her, Caroline Forbes, not because of destiny but because she was a good person, she's happy, kind, loyal, fun, beautiful. She made him whole, and she made him feel alive every time he was near her.
Tessa smiled with satisfaction as her words affected Caroline, she moved away from Stefan, picked up her clothes, and went into the bathroom. She tilted her head at Stefan, "Oops! Was it something I said?"
Stefan took a menacing step forward, wanting to rip her smirking head off. He would not allow her to put doubts in Caroline's head.
"Ah ah, I wouldn't if I were you." Tessa held her hand up, not casting a spell yet but in preparation for one. She smiled in victory at Stefan, "Not if you want me to save your little witches life."
"Bonnie? You mean your ancestor." Stefan cocked his head to the side as he glared at Tessa. He didn't know what kind of deal Damon was cooking up but it was obvious to him that Tessa didn't care at all about Bonnie.
"Two thousand years between us ancestors. I've had many over the years, and I have felt nothing for every single one of them." Tessa strolled further into the room, shaking her head, "All those ancestors cared about was being the most powerful line of witches, and protecting the balance of nature." She crossed her arms over her chest, "A right they would not even have if I had not created the Other Side."
"You know what? I don't care." Stefan glared at Tessa, "I don't care about any of that. All I care about is getting Bonnie back, and being rid of Silas for good."
"Are you sure your girlfriend will be okay with that?" Tessa smiled sweetly at Stefan, her eyes mischievous, "She and Silas have bonded after all. She couldn't just let him die after Amara almost killed him." She laughed, "Are you sure she's not actually in love with him?"
Stefan didn't even hesitate, "Yes, I'm sure she's not."
Caroline chose that moment to come out of the bathroom, fully clothed and prepared to go and speak to Silas. She needed to clear this up, once and for all. She was about to walk straight out of the room when Stefan caught her arm. She was confused right now but she couldn't resist him. She turned around.
Stefan didn't like that she was just about to walk out on him without saying anything. He knew it was a shock, and a lot to wrap your head around, but they were best friends. They could and should be able to tell each other everything. He tugged on her arm until her hand laid against his chest, he palmed her cheek, and whispered with a hint of desperation, "I love you, Caroline."
Caroline could not resist Stefan, and she already believed him when he said he loved her. She just needed to hear everything from someone that didn't hate her. She didn't want to hurt Stefan, or make him insecure about her feelings so she leaned into his hand, "I love you too, Stefan."
Stefan almost laughed with relief at hearing her say that she loved him after Tessa's revelation. He couldn't stop himself, he had to taste her lips again. He pulled her face toward him, covered her lips with urgency, and kissed her hard.
Caroline kissed Stefan back just as desperately, her arms wrapping around his neck and holding him the tightest she ever had. She never wanted to stop kissing him but she needed to have everything clear in her mind first. She pulled away, turning the kiss sweet as she whispered, "I'll be back soon."
Stefan clutched her face, not wanting to let her go, afraid that she wouldn't come back, "Be safe."
Caroline smiled at Stefan, slowly backing up until his hands were no longer on her. She turned around and left without another word.
Stefan pushed past Tessa glaring, "Let's get this over with, shall we."
Tessa smirked as she followed behind him.
Caroline stood outside of Silas' motel room, and raised her hand to knock on his door. Less than a minute later the door swung open to reveal Silas with a towel wrapped around his hips, drips falling down his chest from the water from his hair. Caroline couldn't look away, they really were identical in every way. She had seen Stefan shirtless on many occasions, and even if she had been with Tyler and Matt she couldn't stop herself from taking a peek. She was only admiring the physical beauty of another person.
Silas leaned his elbow against the door, showing off his well defined body for Caroline, a smirk on his face as he saw her lusting after him, "Why don't you take a picture, Caroline?" He snapped his fingers, "Oh right! You already have my copy."
Caroline rolled her eyes, and pushed past him. She had a look of determination on her face as she turned back to face Silas, "We need to talk. So get dressed."
"Are you sure you want me to?" Silas smirked as he shut the door, and sauntered past her, grabbing some clothing from one of the drawers.
Caroline rolled her eyes, and was about to hiss at him when he suddenly dropped his towel. Her breath caught as she saw his nakedness before she slammed her eyes shut and spun around.
Silas chuckled at Caroline's actions. He loved making her blush, he'd never been this forward with her before, and he found he liked her reaction. He dressed himself, and when he was fully clothed he called out, "I'm decent."
Caroline opened her eyes, took a deep breath, and risked a glance at Silas. She breathed a sigh of relief to see that he was fully clothed, and she could once again think again. She crossed her arms over her chest, and asked him, "Is it true that all of yours and Amara's doppelgängers have been falling in love for the last two thousand years?"
Silas sighed, "Who told you?"
"Tessa." Caroline replied.
"It's true." Silas admitted, sitting on the edge of the bed as he gazed up at Caroline, "Countless times over the centuries they have found each other and fell in love almost immediately." He chuckled bitterly, "Destiny mirroring my love for Amara."
Caroline's shoulders slumped in defeat, "So that's the only reason Stefan and I fell in love? Because of some stupid destiny." How could she have been so stupid to think that Stefan Salvatore would fall in love with her if not for some help from destiny.
"No, it's not." Silas replied fiercely, not wanting Caroline to believe that for a second, "You and Stefan are the exception. He didn't fall for you at first sight, he fell for Elena."
"So even with some stupid fated destiny it was always about Elena." Caroline felt tears in her eyes, no matter what everything always happened to Elena, never her.
Silas stood up and marched over to Caroline, his hands gripping her arms as he forced her to listen to what he said, "Stefan and Elena fell in love at pretty much first sight." She still looked at him in despair, he almost growled in frustration, "They were under the doppelgänger prophecy, not you and Stefan."
Caroline stared at Silas, "What do you mean?"
"Nobody falls in love that fast, and that deeply without another factor." Silas explained, squeezing her arms in reassurance, "Somehow with three doppelgänger in the same time at the same time, the prophecy was confused and set Stefan and Elena toward each other when it should have been you he fell for."
Caroline didn't want to get her hopes up, "So...?"
Silas smiled down at his love, releasing one of her arms to stroke her cheek, "You and Stefan fell in love on your own. No prophesy interfered with your feelings. Otherwise you two would have fell in love with each other much sooner." He gazed at her lovingly, "Your feelings are all you, as are Stefan's."
Caroline chewed on her lip before she asked, "When Stefan lost his memories, he fell for me. Was that him, or was that the destiny crap or whatever."
"I can't know for sure, lovely girl." Silas pressed his lips against her forehead, savouring the feel of her in his arms for the briefest moment, before he released her. She wasn't his.
Caroline smiled at Silas, her heart feeling lighter for the first time since Tessa spitefully revealed the doppelgänger prophesy. Feeling grateful, she stretched up and placed a tender and lingering kiss on Silas' cheek, pulling back she smiled, "Thank you, Silas."
All Silas could do was smile back and nod. His cheek still tingled from where her lips brushed against him.
Now that her crisis was averted it was time to be the blonde distraction that she was so good at. She smiled big at Silas and offered, "How about we go and get drunk?"
Silas chuckled, retrieved his leather jacket from the chair, and held his arm out for Caroline, "How could I refuse an offer from such a pretty girl?"
Caroline followed Silas out.
"So what would it take for you to switch the role of Anchor over to Bonnie?" Damon asked, sitting on the couch next to Stefan.
"Why would I want to?" Tessa replied, a smirk curling her lips as she glanced around, "Where is the little boyfriend stealing bitch anyway?"
"Locked up." Stefan replied, an unpleasant smile on his lips.
"May I ask why?" Tessa grinned, "Not that it couldn't happen to a nicer person."
"She's human, and she wants to die." Damon answered, his eyes wide as he explained why he wanted Tessa to do it, "If she manages to kill herself everyone on the Other Side goes bye bye, and you don't get to spend eternity with Silas."
Tessa pursed her lips, "Why should I help you? You haven't exactly done anything for me."
"We are helping you get what you want." Damon replied, he smirked at Tessa tempting her further, "Once you do the spell, I'll even let you kill Amara and Silas. I don't care. Just..." He locked eyes with Tessa, and allowed a hint of his desperation to enter his eyes, "Make Bonnie your Anchor before you do."
"An Anchor swap." Tessa thought over what Damon said for a moment before she nodded her head, "I can do it." She saw the smile on Damon's face appear, and she held up her hand, "But I need a massive amount of power to do a transfer spell like that."
"Fine." Damon would give Tessa whatever she needed to do the spell, "Name your poison."
"I need something to draw on." Tessa thought about the different sources of power she could use, "The moon's not full, I don't think there's a worthy comet for another couple billion years."
"Think hard." Damon almost glared at her, "I have a girlfriend who misses her best friend." Not to mention he missed his verbal sparring partner, "And a wacky stowaway on suicide watch. It's ridiculous."
Tessa stood up and paced the room as she thought hard before her eyes fell on Stefan. A smile curved her lips as she had the answer, "Doppelgängers. They're powerful, mystical, naturally recurring."
"You want doppelgänger blood?" Damon almost laughed in relief, that was one source of power he didn't need to look very hard to find, "I've got doppelgänger blood coming out of my ears. I've got five of them. How many do you want?"
Tessa smiled, her victory over Silas was almost complete.
Tomorrow night, it would all be over. Amara would be dead and at peace. Silas would be dead and stuck with Tessa on the Other Side.
TBC
AN – I hope you all liked it! It all goes down next chapter... but will it all go to plan? Haha. Wait and see ;)