Chapter 26
The cabin was dusted and had the look and feel of a place that had been discarded and unused for several years. However it had its own unusual quirk, soft brown leather chairs, photo's of Bonnie and her family plastered on the wall and huge corner set aside just for the collection of books that were obviously spell books.
"It's not much but we needed a fast location and this was the only place that I could think of." Bonnie shrugged her shoulders.
"It's charming, Bonnie." Caroline smiled brightly. For some unknown reason she really was comforted by the homely feeling.
"It's alright. I prefer castles and mansions but this will do." Damon appeared at the top of the stairs that lead down to the basement.
"You're keeping Katherine chained down in the basement?" Stefan inquired.
"There isn't much room so the basement called dibs for the traitor." Damon smirked at his own joke.
"Bonnie and Caroline are sharing the one room, Damon and Jeremy have the lounge and we have the main bedroom." Elena smiled as she linked her arm in his.
"Damn! I was really hoping me and Caroline could shack up like old times." Damon winked at the blonde. Caroline pulled her face in disgust. As she was about to answer, Elena interrupted her:
"Damon you know Caroline hates you." Elena gave Caroline a nasty look. It seemed that Elena was still mad about their last confrontation.
"I don't hate him. He just irks me." Caroline said defensively.
She scowled at Elena. Caroline was sure that a lot of the animosity between them was due to the fact that Elena's arm was still wrapped around Stefan's waist. Elena was annoyed with Caroline but thankfully she didn't know the true extent to why, Caroline was so angst towards her.
"Blondie! You have no idea how much that means to me." Damon squeezed Caroline in a tight hug before pulling back and placing a friendly kiss on her forehead. Stefan growled.
"Stefan?" Elena asked alarmed.
Caroline pulled herself from out of Damon's arms. Shocked she stepped back and looked at Stefan hesitantly. The last thing they all needed was Stefan to turn all ripper on them because of Damon. But a part of Caroline was secretly pleased – at least she wasn't the only one who was feeling the tension and jealously.
"Did I do something wrong brother?" Damon goaded. The little peck had of course been part of his strategic plan and it just affirmed his suspicions. His brother and Blondie definitely had a thing going on.
"I think we should discuss tactics rather than who likes who." Stefan said stiffly trying to control the raging jealousy that was flaring in his system.
"Why don't Elena and I start dinner while Bonnie helps Caroline unpack. You guys can discuss whatever it is that you want to talk about." Jeremy said firmly picking up on the tension in the room even though he had no idea what was causing it all.
Stefan stormed out the cabin and made his way deep into the forest surrounding the cabin. Unlike the forests in Mystic Fall's it was greener here. The earth was rich and moist even the smell was more intensified. Stefan could smell the rain drops clinging on to the leaves and breathing in felt denser and heavier, almost as if he was drowning in the moisture around him. He allowed this feeling to pass through him and calm his raging thoughts. But footsteps soon broke his calmness as Damon strode up beside him.
"What the hell happened with Katherine?" Damon asked once he was sure that they wouldn't be overhead talking.
"I don't know. Besides you're the one who's supposed to be on Katherine duty. After all you involved her with your plans." Stefan tucked his hands into his jeans as he gazed around the forest background.
"It was something personal. Witches wouldn't attack her if it had something to do with Klaus." Damon ignored Stefan's angry retort.
"What do we do then?" Stefan couldn't help but ask.
"We find out what the hell she was up too." Damon kicked his toes against the forest floor.
"Easier said than done." Stefan crossed his arms and glared at Damon.
"What is going on with you and Caroline?" Damon said suddenly. He couldn't hold his tongue anymore.
"I don't know what you mean." Stefan tried to stop the panic from reaching his voice.
"Don't play dumb with me, Stefan. The tension between you is palpable and not to mention every time I so much as touch her you turn into a spastic rage monster." Damon spat out angrily.
Stefan didn't answer. Because he knew it was the truth and even if he tried to deny Damon would still know the truth.
"So it's true. There is something? Are you sleeping together?" Damon sighed no longer angry when he saw the conflicted emotions on his brother's face.
"We've slept together twice, both times when I've been in ripper mode." Stefan swallowed through the panic. It felt good to be speaking out instead of swallowing everything in but he knew he was doing himself no favours by telling Damon.
"And when you've been your good old self?" Damon asked.
"No. We almost did but Katherine interrupted us before anything more could happen." Stefan sighed.
"Katherine knows about you two?" Damon frowned.
"I don't know. She's hinting but I don't think she knows."
"And what about Elena?" Damon breathed out deeply.
"I don't love her anymore. I haven't since I've been back." Stefan said solemnly.
"You have feelings for Caroline." Damon stated.
"Yes." Stefan answered simply.
"Well you can't end things with Elena. Not now." Damon moved forward and stood beside his brother.
"You're not going to tell her? Snoop in and be the hero." Stefan couldn't hide the confusion in his voice.
"You're my brother. Some things are more important. I'll keep your secret." Damon placed a hand on his brother shoulder for a few seconds before he turned around and left Stefan horror struck at his brothers admission.
Damon made his way into the house ignoring the others carrying on straight to the basement. Even though he felt something for Elena he wasn't going to let her get between them again. It happened often enough and it had all started with Katherine. Damon frowned at Katherine's form lying on the cool ground. He would keep his brother's secret safe but right now he needed answers about Katherine and he was going to get them whether she offered her secrets willing or by force.
An: So this is it guys last chapter till I resume again on the 17th. I just want to say thanks again for the reviews from the regulars who always review a chapter it really means so much and to the new reader's thank you so much as well. So let me stop before I get all sloppy and emotional lol and let's get back to the story at hand.
Yes Damon being supportive of his brother is very out of character for him but I really do think that deep down Damon would be there for Stefan. The next chapter Damon will be confronting Katherine – but fair warning: Katherine might be truthful about some things or she might tell a complete lie or the truth lol but you my readers will have to try suss out what is what because I'm keeping my mouth shut until the end about Katherine's secret.
There will be more Steroline coming up and maybe some sneaking off to do some dirty things – if you catch my drift hehehe. The ripper will come back and another warning it will be very ugly for all parties involved.
So I've given just a little bit of taste of what's to come. I hope you'll stick around until then. Thanks again and will see you on the 17th.
CCThevampireLover