Shooting star

(Damon)

If she wanted to have a chat, fine, I thought and relaxed with my head in Caitlin's lap, closing my eyes. Her fingers on my scalp felt very soothing. Sometimes I really wondered what drove me to be such a do-gooder lately. Had I really changed that much? Was this odd pleasurable feeling which being friendly gave me nowadays a sign that I had fully returned to humanity? Let's talk a bit, she had said. From the tension in her fingers I sensed that her mind was working in overdrive on something."I'm proud of you." The sudden whisper elicited a dumbfound answer from me and I opened my eyes again. "Huh?" She giggled a bit. "I'm proud because you're proving me right," she said. That had me frown. "I can't follow," I stated quizzically and gave her a curious glance. "My decision to stay with you after Halloween. I believed in you and I've been right. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but it's been worth it. You are worth it, Damon." I stared at her, unbelieving, but she just said it. How could she ignore the implications? Or didn't she ignore them? "Are you sure, Caitlin?" I replied and sat up to face her. Cupping her cheek with one hand, my eyes roamed her face. "With me, you will never have children. You'll grow old while I stay young. You will always be in the line of fire when my past revisits again." With a smile she turned her head into my hand and kissed my palm tenderly. "I know that," she replied softly. "Right now, I'm not ready for children. And if that day comes... we can think of something. There are other ways nowadays. As for growing old…" I held my breath as she mimicked my gesture and placed a hand on my cheek. "There is a solution, you know. I'm just not sure yet if I want that… time will tell."

My eyes grew wide. She couldn't mean that, could she? But she nodded affirmatively. I crashed her to my chest and tried to kiss some sense into her. "Don't say that," I whispered urgently into her ear. "You have no idea what this could do to you!" Caitlin smiled at me. "I was just toying with ideas, darling. Relax," she replied. I shook my head. "I'm serious. I don't want that for you!" I stated. She put a finger to my lips. "Shsh, it's okay, don't fret," she whispered. "I understand." Relieved I just held her tight. "Forget I ever mentioned it, Damon," she said quietly. "Tonight we'll drink and dance and celebrate, okay? It was just a stupid thought." She tried to calm me. Taking a deep breath I relaxed and resumed my earlier position. Silently we watched the crackling fire for some time and relaxation spread again through my body. "I like this," I murmured lazily. "Hm?" she queried. "I like it when it's so peaceful." A soft sigh and a tender caress of my lips and jaw was the answer. "Agreed." I smiled and laced my fingers through hers. We enjoyed our little bubble for another while. The only sounds were the crackling of the fire and for me the conversations of the other couples in the house. I tried to tune them out in vain. Stefan and Elena were still out in the woods. Caroline and Bonnie were having a lively discussion about my new side while Tyler and Jeremy were playing cards. It was almost like having a family in the house. It felt… homey. "A penny for your thoughts," Caitlin murmured. "Only a penny?" She snickered. "I'd give you more, if I knew they're worth it." I grinned. "I just thought how nice it is to have everyone together in this house without fighting," I replied. "Feels like family?" she surmised. "Yeah, kind of," I admitted. "A dollar." I raised my eyebrows. "Pardon?" She smiled. "That's worth at least one dollar," she answered. I laughed.

A couple of hours later, we all gathered downstairs being dressed up for the Christmas Day party at the Grill. I sucked in my breath and eyed Caitlin admiringly as she came down the stairs. She had kicked me out of our room earlier, wanting to surprise me with her outfit tonight. Now I saw why. She wore skinny black jeans with medium heeled ankle boots in a lively green and a red cut-out shirt that left her shoulders bare and hugged her curves like a second skin. Next to me, I heard Stefan chuckle. "You're going to have your hands full tonight," he whispered. "I know, but I think she can handle it herself," I replied. "Oh, of that I'm sure. The question is can you handle it?" he quipped. "I'll try not to kill anyone," I retorted with a shrug. "Hello beautiful," I purred and wrapped my arms around her to kiss her briefly. "You must be the sexiest version of Santa I've ever seen." She smiled and grabbed a white loop from the coat rack, winding it around her delicate neck. "Thank you. Glad you like it," she replied and shrugged into her jacket which I held for her. I wrapped my arms around her from behind and crushed her to my chest and whispered into her ear. "I do, and I'll love taking it off later tonight." I let her go and winked at her. She blushed a little and averted her gaze with a knowing smile. "Shall we go?" Tyler asked. Everyone nodded and we drove to the Grill in Tyler's and Elena's SUVs. The place was bustling with people. The band's equipment had been set on the little podium where usually the pool tables would be and the floor in front of it had been cleared of tables for dancing purposes.

(Caitlin)

Matt waved us over. "Hey guys! Over here!" He pointed to some bar stools in front of the bar. We made our way through the crowd. "I'm really sorry, but there was no way I could've kept a table for all of you," Matt apologized sincerely while he helped his bartender to serve customers. "No sweat, we're all young enough to stand on our feet," Damon called to him and earned a few snickers from the "young ones" among us. He settled on the bar stool and lifted me effortlessly on his lap. "Damon!" I yelped surprised, but he only grinned. "Don't want to lose you in this crowd," he teased and pecked my cheek. I grinned and looked around the room. "What band is playing tonight?" I asked Matt. "They call themselves No Name Friends. A small group from Louisville." My eyes widened, but before I could burst out I heard a voice booming across the room. "Caitlin O'Brien!" I hopped off Damon's lap and turned around. "Billy!" I squealed excitedly and threw myself into his arms. He lifted me into his bear hug and spun us around. Billy McAllister, a huge man with a buoyant spirit and my best friend in college, set me back on my own feet. "Billy! What the hell are you guys doing here?" I asked breathlessly. "Caitlin!" I heard a new voice from behind and turned around. "Pete!" I exclaimed and jumped into his arms. "What've we got here?" I heard a third voice. "Jesse!" Oh my God! I can't believe you're all here!" I was nearly freaking out with joy. "Where've you been, honey-bee? We've missed you," Pete complained while Jesse hugged me. I was laughing with tears in my eyes.

"I've been… gone. It doesn't matter," I waved aside. "How about y'all? Still making music together, I see? Who's the vocal?" I asked. "That would be me," a small voice said. Pete and Jesse gave way to a thin homely looking girl with short cropped red hair and a pale complexion. The only thing that stood out on her face were her incredibly green eyes. "Caitlin, please meet Alanna, our vocal. Ali, this is Caitlin, our former vocal," Billy introduced us. She held out her hand. "Hi Caitlin, nice to meet you. The guys talked an awful lot about you." I smiled at her. "I bet most of it was exaggeration. Nice to meet you, Alanna," I replied. She had a colorless talking voice, but I wasn't fooled. I had seen too many great singers with an unimpressive outward appearance off stage. Someone cleared his throat behind me – Damon. "Ah, Billy, I'd like you to meet my boyfriend Damon. Damon, this is Billy McAllister, Pete Swanee and Jesse James – and no, that's not a joke," I introduced my friends to him. Damon shook hands with all of them. He and Billy kind of seized each other up. "And this is Alanna, lead singer of the band." He caught her hand in an old-style kiss on the back of her hand and she giggled. "My pleasure, Alanna," he breathed, making her practically drool over him. I rolled my eyes. Jesse scrutinized him. "You know, I never thought you'd ever get with another man, Cait'," he mused. I smiled at him. "I was lucky he didn't take my shit," I explained and put my arm around Damon's waist. "And you didn't take mine," he teased, tapping his finger on my nose.

Pete cleared his throat and looked at the others who nodded at him. "We've been like brothers for her, Damon," Pete started and I groaned. I knew what was coming next. "So, don't get us wrong, we really love this girl like a sister. You better not hurt her, you know?" Billy suggested. Damon regarded him calmly. "And I love her like no one else can. I won't let anyone hurt her," Damon stated coolly. The guys seized him up and finally nodded. "Alright. Then let's make some music. Caitlin," Billy tipped his fingers in a salute to his head and they walked to the stage. I sighed and turned to Damon. "Take it you've been close-knit back at college, huh?" he asked softly. I nodded. "I'd been the vocal for them back then. We've only had one year together, but they're the closest friends I've ever had," I explained while we walked back to our seat. Damon squeezed my hand emphatically. "Do you know them?" Elena asked. "Yeah, I used to sing with them years ago in college," I said and let Damon lift me on his lap again. We got our drinks and listened to their music. It was a good mix of Indie pop and rock together with some soul influence. Alanna had a beautiful voice. It was soft, yet strong and with a natural rasp in it. Soon a lot of people were dancing, including us. The evening went on with drinking and dancing until the band took a short break. Suddenly there was a small commotion at the opposite end of the bar. A few people gathered around a girl and her phone. "What's going on there?" I whispered to Damon. He looked at Stefan and they both listened carefully. "Apparently there's something on the news… sounds like a spree killer is on the run," Stefan said. "Today? Where?" Caroline asked incredulously. "Small town, not far from here," Damon said. I ran my fingers through my hair. "Those poor people…", Bonnie murmured. "Guess that's why Matt switched off the screen," Damon whispered to me and pointed to the TV screen on the left side of the bar counter. I shook my head silently, but then I let Damon distract me with a few kisses and we continued dancing and drinking until late.

The crowd at the Grill had dwindled considerably, but there were still a lot of people around. I was engrossed in a conversation with Elena and hadn't paid attention to the band. "Ladies & Gentlemen, tonight is a very special night for us. When we started making music, we had a lead vocal who became our dearest friend. Sometimes, life's a bitch and she was taken from us by more urgent matters, but tonight we met her again and we would like to take the opportunity and invite her up on the stage to sing with us once more." I slowly turned around and faced Billy grinning widely at me. "Come on u, Caitlin," he said over the mike and waved at me. I shook my head and looked at Damon. He just nodded to the stage. "Come on, I know you can do it." People started clapping around me and finally Elena shoved me towards the stage. I sighed and gave in. Part of me was excited, the other part of me was scared like hell. "Billy, are you nuts?" I shouted at him over the applause when I finally climbed on the stage. He shook his head. "Come on, singing is like bicycling, you never lose it," he said and motioned at Alanna to hand me the microphone. "I'm sorry," I told her, but she just smiled and gave it to me. I adjusted the stand to my height and looked down at the crowd in front of the stage. My nerves fluttered, as did my stomach. Stage fright – I knew that feeling all too well and took a few deep breaths to calm myself. "Um, good evening everyone. This wasn't my idea," I got a few laughs, "and I'm not prepared at all. So, throw your shoes at those guys," I pointed over to Billy, Pete and Jesse who were grinning widely.

Pete started to play and I recognized the chords. We started with one of the older pieces, one we had written together, and it worked quite well. Billy was right – I still had it. The lyrics flowed back to my mind and I recognized my entries as if I'd never quit. I saw my new friends and Damon standing at the bar and my chest swelled with happiness when I saw him whistle and applaud. I owed him big, I knew that and I thought it was time to show him. After five songs we took a short break. "Billy, you still know "I'll stand by you"?" I asked him. "The one from Chrissie Hynde? Sure. Wanna do it?" he replied and I nodded. I took the mike from the stand and cleared my throat. Looking at Damon, I started my little intro. "Okay, um… sometimes life sucks as we all know, and… the next song is for the man who made me live and love again," I said softly and Damon's eyebrows shot up.

"Oh, why you look so sad?
Tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me now
Don't be ashamed to cry
Let me see you through
'cause I've seen the dark side too

When the night falls on you
You don't know what to do
Nothing you confess
Could make me love you less
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you."

I hopped down from the edge of the stage and with the next lines I walked towards him, dividing the crowd who watched me.

"So if you're mad, get mad
Don't hold it all inside
Come on and talk to me now
Hey, what you got to hide?
I get angry too
Well I'm a lot like you

When you're standing at the crossroads
And don't know which path to choose
Let me come along
'cause even if you're wrong
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you

Take me in, into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you"

His bright blue eyes took on a moist shimmer and I saw him taking a deep breath.

"And when...
When the night falls on you, baby
You're feeling all alone
You won't be on your own
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you."

I put the mike down and stood before him for a few silent seconds before he scooped me into his arms and kissed me senseless under the roaring applause of the bystanders. With burning cheeks I finally stood before him when he broke the kiss and held my gaze. It was amazing to see the barely contained joy shining in his eyes. "I love you," he said hoarsely. I nodded. "I love you too." He smiled and handed me the mike. "Go back on stage, this is your applause," he said. I just nodded and turned around jumping back on the stage and bowing to the audience. Billy clapped my shoulders and hugged me. "I'm glad to see you're happy again," he whispered to my ear. I just nodded and turned to the people once more. "Thank you, thanks a lot…," I said and put the mike back on the stand. "Thank you, guys, for letting me sing with you once more. I think it's time to get Alanna back again." I waved at her and turned to leave when suddenly all hell broke loose.

Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. I saw Damon and Stefan perking up their ears and looking towards the door of the Grill just seconds before I also heard police sirens outside and a noise that sounded like gunshots. Only seconds later the door burst open and a masked man with an automatic gun stormed in, firing aimlessly into the crowd of screaming, terrified people who started running and trying to take cover. I heard Damon scream my name and felt a stinging pain in my chest while I ducked down to take cover behind a loudspeaker. Dazed I saw Billy going down, as well as Alanna and it didn't look like they were taking cover. My vision started to blur and my conscience turned all mellow, as if my hearing was impeded. All my senses felt numbed. I wanted to call Damon, but it seemed as if my mouth wouldn't want to move. Instead blood flowed from it. I heard more gunshots and shouting and it sounded as if the police had finally arrived. "Caitlin!" Blue eyes appeared in front of mine. Blue eyes full with unshed tears, his face contorted in anguish. "Damon," I managed to breathe and suddenly everything went black…