It had been almost two weeks since they fought the Harbingers. Stefan and Damon helped their mother acclimate to modern life while enjoying the company of the other two women they spent most of their time with.

Bonnie and Caroline both stayed at the Salvatore boarding house too, but they each had their own room. Caroline spent every night in Stefan's bed, but Bonnie and Damon were sleeping separately while they warmed up to their new found relationship. Caroline would find them stealing kisses occasionally throughout the house, which at first used to make her run in the opposite direction. After a few days though, she warmed up to it, although she still teased them relentlessly.

Caroline had received a text message from Elena telling her that she was okay but that she was going on vacation. Caroline had tried calling her multiple times over the last few days but she never answered. She did however send her a picture of herself in a hot pink string bikini, the ocean's waves crashing behind her. Caroline wondered who had taken the picture but assumed it was someone Elena was getting to help her move on.

Damon had hired a car service to bring his car home from Kansas and was currently washing it in front of the Salvatore house.

"don't be a dick about this Damon." Alaric was leaning against the trunk of the car as Damon scrubbed the rim of his car with a toothbrush.

"Listen buddy, If you want to subject yourself to that kind of torture..." He stood up, slapping his friend on the back . "Far be it for me to stop you."

"So...I'm confused. Is that a yes?"

Damon sighed. "Yeah. I'll do it. I'll do the best man thing." He squatted back down for a moment before jumping back up and pointing at his friend. "But Ric, if i have to take the garter off some chick's leg, i'm doing it with my teeth- and not the nice ones."

Alaric rolled his eyes. "Yeah okay man. But the wedding is in two weeks. Make sure to get all your shit together." He got up from the car and started to head to his that was parked behind Damon's. He turned around quickly, remembering something. "Oh hey, have any of you heard from Kai?"

Damon squinted, blocking the sun out of his eyes as he stood back up.

"I haven't. Why?"

"Jo has been freaking out because he sent a message saying he was going off registry with the wedding gift and she pretty much would rather have hitler at the wedding than him."

"So he's coming?"

"Not if i can help it." He turned back around to his car. "Let me know if you here anything."

"Yeah, okay buddy."

Damon went back down to his rim, carefully scrubbing away the country grime.

He heard Alaric pull away as the front door opened.

"Was that Ric?" Stefan asked. "I wanted to tell him I got that caterer he wanted."

"What are you- his wedding planner or something?'

"Uh- no. But Caroline basically is." Stefan laughed and shook his head.

"She convinced Jo to let her help plan the wedding and now she has me trying cake samples." He pretended to be annoyed but secretly he loved it.

"Watch out brother- she'll have you walking down the aisle next."

Stefan laughed as he leaned against the brick of his front porch.

"You're probably right."

Damon stopped what he was doing and stared at his brother in confusion.

"Wait- are you serious?'

Stefan looked at his brother strangely, wondering why his demeanor changed so quickly.

"What?"

"Are you saying you're considering...marrying Caroline?"

Stefan raised his head back and inhaled loudly, realizing why Damon had reacted so strongly.

"Ohh." He put his hands in his pockets. "So what if i was?"

"Hold on a second." Damon jumped up and walked over to Stefan. "I'm talking about marriage - like death do you part, white dress, stupid dances, and riding off into the sunset- marriage."

Stefan just stared at his brother, enjoying his miniature meltdown.

He laughed. "Damon, why does that scare you so much?"

"Because its so...human."

Stefan nodded his head, "Yes. But its also a pretty damn good way to express your eternal love for someone."

"Yeah but Stefan, for you, it really is eternal. that's kind of a big step."

"Damon i never said i was getting married anytime soon, you took that leap all on your own."

Damon inspected his brothers face, his eyes dark.

"Besides, if you're thinking about becoming human again...and you and Bonnie..." Stefan trailed off a smile threatened at his lips.

Damon's eyes widened. "Do you think she wants that?"

Stefan laughed again. "Damon- you really are an idiot sometimes." He turned around and walked back into the house still snickering to himself.

From behind him Damon heard a familiar voice.

"Yeah- what he said." He smiled for a moment before turning around. His smile quickly dissipated as he realized she had heard their conversation.

Bonnie stood on the other side of his car, a blanket and a book in her hands.

She had a wide teasing smile on her lips. and sunglasses over her eyes.

"How long you been standing there sneaky-the-witch?" Damon asked, dropping the toothbrush he was using to clean and wiping his hands on his jeans.

Bonnie walked around the car and straight up to Damon. She stretched to her toes and placed a soft kiss on his lips before pulling back. "Long enough to hear you freaking out over long term commitments."

Damon snaked him arms around her waist. "Well as long as it wasn't anything important."

He brought his face down to hers, kissing her again, this time pulling her body up so that her feet hovered over the ground.

She squealed against his lips as he spun them around and walked over to the brick ledge on the porch, sitting her on top of it.

He smiled up at her as she brushed his hair back.

"So- about our date tonight." Damon started. "My car is just about as gorgeous as ever and the movie starts at six. I figured we could do dinner after."

Bonnie smiled. "I'm so excited to do the drive-in thing, ive never been to one before!"

Damon pecked her lips again. "Well that was kind of the idea."

"Alright well if i have to be ready in two hours, i should probably finish learning these spells and then go shower."

"Shower- don't mind if i do..." Damon brought Bonnie's face back to his, shamelessly flirting with her..

"Ha! You have not earned your way into my shower yet Damon Salvatore." She popped her body forward, sliding from the brick ledge and purposely down damon's body.

"Tease." He smiled down at her, kissing her forehead before she turned to go into the house.

/

Stefan found Caroline folding laundry in her room. She had piles stacked on her bed.

"Hey- do you think its time your mom starts doing her own laundry? I mean i don't mind- i just think we should probably teach her. You know?"

Stefan smiled as he leaned against the dresser in her room. "Yeah, you're probably right."

"Where is Lily?" Caroline asked, folding a pair of jeans after flattening them out with her hand against her legs.

"She was outside with Bonnie earlier, but i think i heard her in her room as i came in."

"How is she doing? With the magic thing?"

"Okay i think. I don't think she is thrilled with it but with the kind of life we lead, it would be better for her to be as powerful as she can."

Caroline nodded. She placed the last pair of pants in a pile and sighed.

"So, " Stefan started, moving closer to her and pulling his hands around her waist. "Damon and Bonnie will be out tonight." He gave her a suggestive grin as she put her arms around his neck.

"Oh yeah?" She smiled innocently back.

"Mmhmm. And i was thinking maybe you and I could relax...maybe steal Damon's bath for awhile."

Caroline's eye's brightened at the thought of soaking in a bubble bath wrapped up against Stefan's body.

"Count me in."

"Perfect." Stefan leaned in and kissed her softly, pulling open her lips with his, bringing their tongues together slowly.

They heard someone clear their throat in the hallway outside of Caroline's door.

Stefan turned to find his mother staring at him, disapproval in her eyes.

Caroline backed up, bringing her hands behind her back.

"Honestly Stefan, its not proper for you to be engaging in this kind of behavior when you are not even betrothed."

"Mom-" Stefan started, irritation laced inside his calm voice. "Things are different now...people don't really do the whole betrothal thing."

Caroline furrowed her brow. She was fairly certain being betrothed just meant being engaged. And people definitely still get engaged.

But maybe people do...and vampires don't?

Does Stefan never want to get married?

Caroline stared down at the floor, avoiding Lily's eyes.

"Caroline is a fine woman Stefan, don't treat her like yesterday's garbage."

With that Lily turned and walked away, leaving them both with their mouths agape.

Caroline took in Stefan's expression and couldn't help the laughter that came.

He joined her as they both shook their heads at his mother's words.

Caroline averted her eyes again though, when Stefan tried to look at her.

"I don't treat you like...yesterday's garbage. Do I?" He wore a playful smile.

Caroline returned his smile. "Of course not."

"Good." Stefan brought his hand up to Caroline's face as his other hand reached for hers. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it softly. "My lady."

SHe laughed at his playfulness before turning around and grabbing a stack of clothes.

Caroline opened her dresser and laid her clothes inside, careful not to wrinkle them.

He watched her as she meticulously organized her drawers and he felt a warmth spread within him.

Something clicked in that moment for Stefan and he found himself unable to hold back what was on his mind.

"Why don't you move your stuff into my room?"

Caroline froze.

That was one of the last things she expected to hear from Stefan.

She turned around slowly to face him. "Um...what?"

Stefan wore a nervous smile and his hands were in his pockets.

"Move in with me."

Caroline sighed. She felt light as air in that moment. She was thrilled that Stefan wanted to take that step with her, officially moving in together.

She smiled widely at him as she jumped forward and into his arms. "Okay!"

Stefan laughed as he caught her, wrapping his arms around her into a bear hug.

Caroline grabbed Stefan's face and planted kisses all over him as she giggled.

"I don't think you have room for all my stuff though."

Stefan chuckled. "Well i thought about that...our rooms are next to each other...what if we have that wall taken down. We can just make our room bigger."

Her heart nearly bounced out of her chest when Stefan called it their room. It was so intimate.

She nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! Lets do that!"

Stefan loved how excited she was, "Of course we could also just move out, find our own place."

Caroline's eyes widened for a moment before she shook her head.

"No, we cant do that. Not now at least- your mother needs you."

Stefan sighed, his hands running up Caroline's back and into her hair. He ran his fingers through it as he spoke to her.

"I guess you're right." He kissed her softly on the lips. "But one day."

She smiled and looked up to him. "A big front porch?"

"And a pool table."

She rolled her eyes but laughed. "And a pool table." She repeated in an irritated tone.

"Oh and we could get a dog!" Caroline bounced as she spoke.

Stefan laughed, "Only if its not one of those small little yippy ones..." He leaned down into her face, his eyes narrowing. "i may mistake it for a rabbit in the middle of the night."

Caroline laughed and shoved his shoulder. "Oh shut up!"

Her wide grin changed into a soft, shy smile.

"You'd really want to do all of that with me?"

Stefan leaned his face back so he could see into Caroline's eyes. His hand on her face, his thumb stroking her cheek bone.

"Caroline, I want to do everything with you." Stefan kissed her softly. "Always."

/

Elena took another sip of her mojito. Her eyes watched the waves while she sunbathed under Barbados' sun.

She watched as Kai surfed the incoming wave, his chiseled body glistening with salt water, his hair sticking up in just a way that made Elena smirk. Elena took a long sip as her eyes danced back and forth, following Kai's body as he rode the wave.

The night they went to New Orleans, Elena had pretty much fallen off the wagon. She drank herself into a black hole of emotions and wound up giving Kai the slip while she attacked a girl in the alley. Thankfully Kai figured it out pretty quickly and was able to stop her before she actually killed the girl. Elena was too drunk to compel her though so they had to just let her go and leave town.

Kai teleported them to Vegas.

They spent almost a week there, drinking, gambling money Elena had compelled away from other gamblers, and having the time of their lives. Elena only had one breakdown about Damon and Kai was able to summon a box of tissues and a pint of ben and jerry's in a flash.

The ice cream made her laugh.

Every once in awhile one of them would say something, or do something that would make things increasingly more tense between them. A lingering stare, a touch to the arm, a sexy smile. They were flirting shamelessly by the time they made their way to Barbados. Kai had claimed he had always wanted to surf, but Elena had a feeling he was just looking forward to seeing her in less clothing. When she took of her cover-up the first day they were on the beach he stared at her so intensely it made Elena blush.

So far they hadn't crossed that line though. They were actually becoming friends despite the unlikeliness of it. Kai had made the last week more than bareable for Elena, he had found ways to take her mind off of her breakup, and have an absolute blast. He made her laugh more than anyone she had ever met.

Elena laid on a a towel in the sand, her small beach bag under her head so she could see out into the ocean. She brought the straw of her drink back to her lips as she watched Kai surf into the sand. He picked up his board and made his way over to her.

"You're really getting better at that." Elena called to him. "I think i only saw you face plant once or twice today."

"Har-de- har." Kai shook the water out of his hair, rubbing his hand through it a few times quickly. "Where's mine?"

Elena watched the muscles in his arms and chest, hypnotized by his body.

She pulled the drink in her hand to her mouth and smiled brightly as she took another sip.

Kai shook his head. "Evil."

He dropped his board next to his towel and walked over to the beach bar, only a few yards away and ordered another drink. When he came back he was holding two drinks and an empty bowl.

He placed the second drink down next to Elena as he laid down on his towel next to her. "You looked ready for a refill." He propped himself up on his elbows and put the empty bowl between them. He waved his hand over the bowl quickly and then picked it up and offered it to Elena. "Hungry?"

Elena smiled as she grabbed a handful of cashews and put them in her mouth.

"Starved." She looked around at the people on the beach. "But i really need something else."

Kai sighed. "Your little...disability is so damn inconvenient sometimes."

"I cant help it Kai, I am what I am." She almost sang the words.

Kai stared over at her, letting his eyes travel down her body before responding.

"That you are." Elena looked at him out of the corner of her eye, a seductive smile on her lips.

"So i heard the hotel is doing a litte dance thing tonight at the beach." Elena told him, her eyes scanning the area for a snack.

"Dance thing?"

"Yeah like a bon fire and music and drinks."

"Okay. You want to watch me do the macarena?"

"Uh-huh" She said absently, "Hey- that one is going into the water alone. I'll be right back."

Kai grabbed her arm as Elena tried to get up.

"How about you not go bite someone in broad daylight. K?"

"Let go of me. I'm hungry Kai." She groaned.

"Yes well we talked about this last night. " Kai sighed and sat up. "If you expect to not turn into the person you were crying over for the last few days, I suggest you start treating people like...people."

Elena just stared at him. "Am i getting a lesson in humanity from...you?"

Kai shrugged. "I'm not very good at the subject but apparently i'm more prepped than you for the exam."

"Ugh." She laid back down in a huff.

"Listen- you're the one who said you didn't want to lose your humanity- you said through a bucket of tears and a very unfortunate snot incident- that you didn't like the person you were becoming." Kai shrugged. "So stop eating people." He leaned over to her. "I think that should be your first step."

She sighed, annoyed that Kai was right.

"Unless of course, they are willing." He smiled over at her.

"Really?" She asked quietly.

"Its the lesser of two very disturbing evils." He exposed his neck to her. "Have at it."

The truth was that Kai enjoyed when Elena had bit him before. He was longing for that sensation again.

Elena could feel the veins begin to drop from her eyes as her thirst came front and center. She pushed it back down for a moment.

"I'll have to be a little more discreet than that."

Kai furrowed his brow and looked around, realizing there were people not too far away.

Elena scooted over so her body was pressed up against Kai's, side by side.

"Prop yourself up on your elbow and lean over me." Elena ordered, her voice soft.

Kai swallowed back the nervousness he felt at being so close to her and did as she said.

Kai adjusted his body so that he was on his side, his body propped up by his elbow. Elena moved in closer so that she fit in his shadow, her body pressed up next to his.

"Lean over me so that it looks...intimate."

Kai blinked a few times, his heart beginning to pound.

He leaned over so that the top half of his body was hovering over Elena's.

He stared down at her, her eyes wild and full of something he thought he recognized as desire.

She gave him a shy smile before turning her head towards his arm and bringing her lips to his skin. Kai felt a rush of adrenaline at her touch and had to clench his muscles to prevent himself from climbing on top of her and kissing her.

Elena's fangs came down and she softly bit into Kai's arm. She tasted the salt from the water as it mixed with the delicious spice of Kai's blood. She brought her hand up to his side as she sucked, squeezing him firmly. Kai's eyes widened at the contact and reciprocated by bringing his hand down to her hip, his fingers brushing against the strings of her bikini as he felt her body.

Elena moaned into Kai's arm which sent his restraint flying. He moved his hand across her stomach, stoking her softly but firmly.

Elena withdrew her fangs then, pulling them back into her gums. Feeling his hands on her made her want more, but not more blood.

She wanted Kai.

As soon as her mouth was free from his arm Elena pulled Kai's face down to hers, crushing his lips against hers..

His shock quickly faded as he melted into their kiss.

Kai softened the kiss, pulling back slightly so that he wasn't pressed so tightly against her lips.

He gave her small kisses on her top lip and bottom lip before using his tongue to trace the opening of her mouth. Elena gladly granted him permission and opened her mouth, bringing her tongue to his. The kissed wildly but gently, it was an experience neither of them had ever had before.

Elena wanted to pull him on top of her, she wanted to rip the bathing suit from his body but knew they weren't alone.

She continued to kiss him though, unwilling to stop their mind blowing moment.

Kai was the first to pull back.

His breathing hard, his eyes wild.

"You know- you'd think the taste of my own blood would be a major turn off... but- strangely- it kind of does it for me."

Elena laughed underneath him. Her body shaking while she pushed at him.

Kai smiled down at her as her laugh changed into a wide grin.

"Well I guess we will have to do that more often then."

Kai nodded slowly, his eyes wide and playful.

"Maybe with less of an audience next time."