Chapter 3

Recovery

Klaric's POV

"Damon, can I join you?" I asked the blue-eyed rapist, he nodded

"I'm Alaric Saltzman, Stefan's new history teacher?"

"Oh, hey, nice to meet you, Alaric, I hope you are teaching Stefan something?" I nearly laughed at how gullible the young vampire is. I shook his hand. Although, I wanted to wash them thoroughly afterwards.

"I have joined the Founder's council and they've spoken of nothing else, except you, the newest Salvatore, you are the hot topic"

Damon almost choked on his drink "Oh, yes, well, you can't deny my good looks"

I wanted to throw up "I fancy Liz, you know, I love older women with more experience" Now I wanted to punch this jumped-up rapist scumbag vampire, how I wished that I were in my old body. I would torture this arrogant bastard, and smile whilst doing it. "The Founders council would like some more vervain" I whispered

Damon nodded his head. And tapped out a message on his smartphone for only me to see. -Tomorrow at the Bachelor auction- was the message. I smiled. I always had a back-up plan. My body was being shipped to me by Maddox. The Bennett witch Sheila had offered to put me back in my original body. I wanted to court Caroline Forbes as myself. "I heard on the grapevine that you fancy Caroline Forbes" Damon said suddenly, and I tensed "Caroline is sixteen and going through a tough time. Her parents are divorced, and she tried to commit suicide. I am her teacher, and I would never cross that line!" I slammed my drink down "If I ever hear you spread disgusting rumours like this again. I will sue you for every penny!"

I stormed out of the Mystic Grill and that's when I saw her, the lovely Caroline, full of light and love. "Mr Saltzman, are you okay?" she asked "Caroline, I should be asking you that. Are you okay, can I cook dinner for you and Bonnie at my loft? relax, I am asking as your teacher, your mom is welcome as well"

"Thank you, we'll be there at eight, sharp, formal or informal?" I blushed "Informal" I grinned at the beautiful Caroline kindly, and I could see Caroline visibly relax. "I promise, you and your mom are perfectly safe with me, as well as your friend. Bonnie"

"I know, you are the first person that helped me, after what happened, see you at eight" I nodded my head "Don't go into the grill" I whispered "He's there"

Again, I could see Caroline tense and go into herself, but then she smiled and took a deep breath. "I know that you want to protect me from him" she murmured "But I can't hide away forever"

"Nope, you can't, but Caroline, even you have limits"

She looked at me "You see me, and I wanted to thank you for providing me the therapy"

"I see you" I looked into her beautiful blue eyes, and she blushed.

"Thanks" she said to me as she turned and held her head up high as she walked into the grill. Argh! I can't leave now, especially as I see the Doppel-bitch sitting in a booth waiting for her chance to pounce on Caroline and berate her for 'having a go' at Stefan Salvatore. I want to see what Elena Gilbert does to upset my angel.

"Caroline, what did you and Bonnie do to Stefan!" Elena demanded.

"I don't want to talk to you Elena, not in front of him! My life is none of your damned business, you knew and still you did nothing!" Elena grabbed Caroline's arm. "You never talk to me anymore, what else can I do other than stop you making the biggest mistake of your pathetic life? You invited Damon into your life. Now you've moved onto a teacher!" My mouth dropped open at the poison dripping from her mouth "Really, he'll be kicked out, fired, and not to mention my aunt Jenna likes him a lot" I decided to intervene "That's enough! Ms Gilbert, I just told Damon that I will sue him if he so much as whispers that disgusting rumour. Let go of Ms Forbes arm right now, you are hurting her!" The Doppelganger then looked down at her hand with a tight grip on Caroline's upper arm. It was bruising as Caroline looked at me with wet eyes. Elena let go of her arm "Oh Caroline, I am so sorry, please forgive me?" Elena looked at my angel with puppy dog eyes, pleading.

"You know what, Elena?" Elena smiled but then she saw everyone was edging away, even Matt "You are such a bitch, you only ever think of you, how you've suffered. You string along Damon and Stefan whilst you enjoy the attention that Matt still gives you. Your parents would be ashamed of your toing and froing between the two brothers. No, I don't forgive you, especially after you just forced your opinions onto me. Elena, we are no longer friends. You've really hurt me!" Caroline looked at everyone who was staring. "Show's over, people!" I watched proudly as Caroline squared her shoulders and walked out. I followed, but not before I turned to Elena "tell your boyfriends to stop harassing Ms Forbes and stay away from that brave girl who just walked out of here even though she was terrified. I'm not interested in your aunt Jenna as anything but a friend. I am a widower, you selfish little bint!" I shouted as I stormed out again. I saw Matt turn to Elena and shake his head in disappointment as he walked away to the bar.

I found Caroline crying on a bench and felt heart wrenched. She looked up at me and sobbed. "I'm always going to be second best, now I'm nothing but soiled goods to them" she turned away "You are not soiled goods, Ms Forbes, Caroline, we talked about this when you said that you could not escape Damon Salvatore. This was his fault, not yours, you did not know about vampires until you were exposed to this danger. I know that not all vampires would take advantage of a young girl like Damon did with you"

Bonnie's POV

"I got her blood last night"

"Nice, after she fell asleep, after you had sex with her, real classy, Stefan"

"I'm trying here, what else do you want?"

"For you to have sincere sympathy with the young girl whom your brother raped"

"He compelled her for a little while!"

"He raped her. Bite marks, bruising on her thighs! He compelled her to have sex with him. Being compelled is not consent!" I shouted at Stefan

Stefan sat down in shock 'What have I done?' I noticed his shock

"Figured it out, have you?" I wiped my tears away. Tears wouldn't help Caroline now.

"Bonnie, I'm so sorry, shit, how is Caroline?"

"She's in therapy, how do you think she managed to go out today?"

"Is she doing better, though?"

"She will do, when Damon leaves town, for good"

"He will do, he loves Katherine"

"I pity her, for if that's the kind of love Damon gives, nothing can save her from his type of love" Stefan handed me the phial of blood and I poured it on the map with Katherine's ornamental brush. "Phasmatis sanguine Katharina" The blood led to Chicago and stayed there when the map went up in flames. "She's in the windy city" Stefan was stunned. He always thought she was trapped in the tomb with the other twenty-seven vampires.

"Will it make him happy?" I asked. "No, Katherine thinks of only one person, Katherine"

Caroline's POV

"Bonnie!" I laughed as she hugged me. "Hey, Care-bear" she whispered

"My mom's here too, she likes Alaric" I said whispering

"Care-bear, you aren't matchmaking again?" I laughed "No, just, my mom worked hard to protect me, and the townspeople. I want her to have a friend"

"Care, I'm so sorry, I didn't know" I threw my arms around Bonnie again "I love you, Bonnie Bennett"

"I love you too, Care"

Bonnie stood back "Hey, Mr Saltzman"

"Hi, Miss Bennett" Alaric ushered us to the table "Do you like Eggplant Parmesan?" he asked me kindly "It's only my favourite dish" I smiled back "Well, you are both underage and your mom wanted a toffee latte, so I purchased a coffee machine today, and some non-alcoholic sparkling wine. For dessert, profiteroles with melted Belgian chocolate sauce. The Eggplant dish was made by me"

"Can we eat dessert first?" Bonnie the chocoholic asked and Alaric along with my mom and myself all yelled "No!" Then we all laughed as we chinked our glasses.

"To new beginnings" we agreed

TBC

A/N Please review and please be kind.