It made little sense to people that Damon Saltzman and Caroline Forbes would move in together. Yes, they were friends, and Damon was like an older annoying protective brother to the blonde Barbie as he often called her, but could he stand being roommates with her? This was a question everyone that knew the both of them asked.

They figured it ended up easier money wise and Caroline's mother trusted Damon to look out for her daughter. And for the most part that was Damon's reasoning, but there was a reason that Caroline had no idea about. Something he was sure she'd be mad about it she ever found out. That was something he would deal with when the time came.

He had been the one to find the apartment for the two of them, and as soon as Caroline saw it she had fallen in love. He didn't care about it all that much, but the location was what he had gone for. He hadn't expected that it be so close to the whole reasoning for the move, but maybe luck was on his side, or the fact he flirted with the woman that showed them the apartment didn't hurt.

Damon could have found another roommate, but there was something about Caroline he needed. Not that he was trying to use her in any way, but she had this certain aura about her. And he knew with her oblivious help he would be able to tackle what he was trying to do. Besides, he knew she needed somewhere to live after her last relationship. And even if Caroline Forbes didn't say it out loud, Damon knew she was a little afraid of living with just anyone.

So, they'd do this roommate thing, and she'd drive him up a wall, but at the end of the day they'd make it work. They would be there for each other and even with all the bickering; they would do anything for each other.

Walking out of his bedroom with his hand down his pants scratching himself, he headed into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee. "Morning," he yawned as he spotted Caroline sitting at the counter drinking a cup of coffee and looking over some book.

"Ew, really? Do you have to scratch yourself in my presence?" Caroline scrunched up her nose as she watched her roommate reach for a cup, "please wash your hands before you grab anything!"

"You're such a clean freak," he rolled his eyes and went over to the sink.

"I don't want your ball germs all over our dishes," she shook her head and wore a disgusted look on her face. "I thought you were better than that."

Drying his hands off with a towel, he shrugged his shoulders, "Mostly yes, but in the morning when I just wake up? Eh. You'll find most males are like that."

"I find that very hard to believe," she took a sip of her coffee and looked back at her book.

"Have you ever seen what you have dated, Carebear?"

Her head shot up and her eyes narrowed, "They have always been very clean gentlemen."

"I'm sorry, have you hit your head?" he poured himself a cup of a coffee and looked at her. "Your last boyfriend may have had a flare of style because of the money he dished out, but he was-," he chose not to continue when he saw the look on her face. He rarely brought the guy up, knowing how hurt she had been by him. "Sorry," he gave her a sincere smile before taking a sip of his coffee.

"It's okay," she looked down at her cup, "I just get a bit odd about it still."

Damon sighed and moved to lean over the island to look at her, "hey, we all get weird about break ups sometimes. We all get hurt too, but we can get over it - I mean I got over the bitch."

She couldn't stop the smile that appeared on her lips at his remark, "But yet here you are calling her a bitch after what? Eight years?"

"I call 'em like I see them," he smirked before standing straight and taking another sip of his coffee,

"And don't act like you think she suddenly stopped being a bitch. I'm pretty sure it was in her DNA."

Caroline couldn't even argue with that statement even if she wanted to, "You are probably correct. Heading to work?"

Opening the refrigerator in hopes of finding something to eat that was quick, Damon shrugged his shoulders at her question before pulling out a yogurt and looking at the label, "is this yours? I am assuming so because it looks healthy." However, he was hungry and decided to eat it, knowing that even if Caroline asked him not to she would know he still would, "And to answer your question - yes I am going to be an adult and go to work."

"You an adult? Shocker," she said with a smirk before pushing herself up and away from the kitchen island, "Well, I'm going to go shower and head to class. I'll see you later!"

"Bye Blondie!" He called after her as he shoved a spoonful of yogurt in his mouth, however he at once made a face and went over to the sink to spit it out. "What the fuck does she eat?"

Walking into the living room, Bonnie plopped down on the couch and threw her feet up on the coffee table as well as on top of Stefan's papers and books. The disruption immediately caused him to look up in annoyance, "What are you doing?"

"Relaxing," she said with a yawn and smile, sitting up slightly she picked up one of his books and started to look through it, "God, how can you stand all of this? What class is this for?"

"Anthropological Intersections of Law and Medicine," he grumbled as he looked back down at the notebook he had just been writing in and began again.

"Do you really need your PhD? I mean it was awesome that you got your Masters, and I was so proud of you, but I'm afraid you're not letting yourself have a life." Bonnie was proud of Stefan, he had worked his ass off to get this far, but she happened to be concerned about him at the same time. It often seemed like he just buried himself in his school work and forgot that life had the ability to be fun, "Maybe you need a girlfriend."

His pencil came to a halt, and he groaned, "You sound like Lexi."

"She might be onto something," Bonnie said casually as she looked towards him, "I mean I'd say you'd need to get laid, but you do that already."

"Remember that rule that we don't talk to each other about our sex lives, I like that rule a lot - let's stick to that rule."

"We have that rule?" Bonnie raised her eyebrow, "Maybe you should tell those horrible girls you bring home to stop being so loud I wouldn't bring it up. Like they don't even sound real, do they think they are in a porno or something?"

Stefan turned and looked at her with a bewildered face, "Are you drunk right now? On drugs? Because this conversation is way too weird, Bon."

Grabbing the throw pillow next to her, she hugged it to her chest and let out a sigh, "None of the above. I'm just really bored and figured I'd annoy you to amuse myself."

"Is it working?"

She just shrugged her shoulders, "Eh."

"Why don't you go out or something? Call Lexi or one of the girls from work?" He wasn't trying to make her go away. The apartment was Bonnie's as well, however he had too much school work he needed to do and her distracting him because she happened to be bored didn't fit into that. "Or I mean, you can ask our new neighbor Caroline to hang out."

Raising her eyebrows she looked at him for a few moments and tilted her head to the side, "And why would I do that?"

"Well, she's new to the building and we don't know how many people she happens to know outside her roommate."

"She can hang out with her roommate," Bonnie rolled her eyes and leaned her head back against the couch. However, after a few moments she turned to look at Stefan, "Or were you hoping I can find out some information about the girl who made you cookies?"

"Us cookies - she made us cookies," he sighed. "It was just a suggestion anyway. Just so you know, I probably won't be providing any entertainment tonight at all with the amount of work I have to do. You'll probably end up just continuing to be bored."

Bonnie sighed and wondered what she should do. She didn't even know Caroline, and since Lexi moved out, it was kind of boring not having a girl to hang out with that lived close by. Although, she couldn't help but be slightly amused that Stefan was the one that suggest it, but she also had to factor in that she was anti Caroline's roommate, "Maybe I'll just call Kai."

Stefan who had begun to write his notes again, dropped his pencil and looked at her like she had two heads, "Why the fuck would you call Kai? You always say he is a psycho!"

"He's..." she paused for a moment as she considered the right word to describe Kai Parker, "eccentric."

Stefan just rolled his eyes when the word eccentric left Bonnie's mouth, "Uh huh, do what you want to do, Bonnie." Gathering his books and papers, he stood up and started towards his bedroom.

Bonnie immediately sat forward, "Where are you going?"

Not even bothering to turn around, he called out behind him as he headed into his room, "To lock myself in my room so I can finish this!" And with that the door closed and Bonnie swore she heard him turn the lock.

"Well, now what am I supposed to do?" she crossed her arms and leaned back on the couch with a huff.

Having the apartment to herself was kind of a godsend in Caroline's eyes. She was definitely learning after two weeks what it was like to live with Damon, and it wasn't exactly easy. They were opposites in a lot of ways, and the fact he suggested them being roommates? It seemed a little out of character for him, but she knew he was trying to help her out without coming out and saying it.

With Damon gone for the night, she had moved the coffee table out of the way and set up her yoga mat. She had been following along to one of her videos when a knock came at the door. Turning her head to look, she wondered who the heck it was. "Uh, coming!" She got up off the floor and headed to the door, peeking through the peephole gave her a surprise and she opened the door.

Bonnie hadn't been completely sure about doing this, it was probably better to not become friends with the new neighbors. Or well, she had no intentions of ever befriending the guy that lived there after the first impression she had gotten from him. The thought still angered her and although she knew that it was wrong for her to hold a grudge, she had every intention of holding this one. "Um hi. Is your roommate her?" she tried to look over Caroline's shoulder to see if she spotted him.

Caroline was surprised by her new neighbors' sudden appearance. She had only really passed her in the hallway and exchanged a greeting since the night she had brought them the cookies. Shaking her head at the question, she smiled sweetly, "Hey! No, he's not here now."

"Good!" Bonnie exclaimed and pulled out a bottle of tequila from behind her back, "I thought since you brought us cookies I'd bring you some tequila and we could hang out!" This was either a very good idea or a horrible idea, and if it was the latter she was going to kill Stefan for even suggesting it.

"Hang out?" Caroline chewed on her lip, definitely not expecting this since she wasn't even sure Bonnie was fond of her, but she had only spoken to her briefly, "That be great! Why don't you come on in?"

Slipping inside and passed Caroline, Bonnie looked around and nodded, "Like how you decorated the place."

"Thanks," Caroline beamed brightly as she closed the door and headed over to the cabinet to grab some glasses for them to drink out, "You hungry or anything?"

"I'm good right now, but thanks," Bonnie nodded and placed the bottle of tequila on the table as Caroline put the glasses in front of them.

As soon as the drinks were poured, the girls picked them up and clinked their glasses, "To getting to know new neighbors?" Caroline suggested as she brought it to her lips.

"I'll drink to that!"

And with that the first shot of the night was taken, but as the night progressed, there would be many more. It was eventually accompanied by music, pizza, and random discussions about things. A bonding experience that wasn't all that bad when it came down to it.

Caroline picked up the last piece of pizza and took a bite of it. However, just as she swallowed her first bite, "Oh! We should have totally offered your roommate a slice!"

"Too late now," Bonnie chuckled as she forewent the shot glass and took a swig straight from the bottle.

Staring at the slice, Caroline pursed her lips and tried to think for a minute, but her brain was a little fuzzy from the alcohol, "It probably would be awkward to offer him a piece I already took a bite out."

Bonnie wasn't sure why, but for some reason the idea of this girl drunkenly offering him the rest of her half eaten pizza caused her to burst out laughing. "You never know! Cute girl offering him pizza? He might just say yes!"

Just as Caroline began to laugh the sound of the front door being open was heard, and as quick as the tipsy girl could stand she did. "DAMON!" she called out as he walked inside, stopping in his tracks before closing the door behind him.

"Barbie, what is going on here?" a smirk appeared on his face as he took a few steps inside and noticed they had company - the girl from across the hall.

"It's Caroline!" she groaned, "My name is Caroline; you've known this for like forever."

"And you are drunk," he threw his keys on the counter and shrugged off his jacket.

"I had a little to drink," she nodded and motioned to Bonnie who was sitting on the floor, "Bonnie. You remember Bonnie; she lives across the hall-,"

"With boxer boy."

Bonnie raised her eyebrow and against her better judgment finally looked towards Damon, "Boxer boy?"

"His name is Stefan, Damon," Caroline sighed and walked over to her roommate, "But as I was saying Bonnie came over with some tequila so we could hang out. Isn't that nice?"

"Sounds peachy. Having fun there, Bon Bon?"

Bonnie didn't even acknowledge him, but before he had the chance to even notice or say anything Caroline began to start yammering on about something, "And then the pizza boy was totally checking out my boobs and butt. Maybe I should have changed out of my yoga pants and tank top."

"Maybe," Damon stated and slowly moved around Caroline, "I'm going to go into my room, you ladies have fun!"

Bonnie slowly turned the doorknob and couldn't help but raise her hand in victory when she noticed it was unlocked. At some point Stefan must have unlocked it after he had gone into his room to study earlier in the evening. Tiptoeing over to his bed, she came to a halt and looked down at his sleeping figure and then literally jumped right in next to him.

Stefan who had only fallen asleep within the last hour shot up and looked around. Throwing his hands over his face and groaning as he noticed and heard a giggling Bonnie.

"I like Caroline," she giggled softly causing him to reach over and turn on his light to get a better look at her face.

"You're drunk."

"No I'm not," she reached out and poked him on the nose, "I like Caroline, so you can't sleep with her unless you want to date her."

"Jesus Christ," he muttered under his breath, "You are drunk, Bon."

"Stefan Salvatore, why aren't you listening to me?"

He pulled himself out of bed, walked over to the side she was laying on and held out his hands for her to take, "Oh, I am very much listening and I can very much tell you are drunk."

"Not drunk."

"Tipsy then," he grabbed her and yanked her up, "Tipsy enough to speak nonsense."

"When have I ever spoken nonsense?" she asked tilting her head to the side as Stefan ushered her out of his room and into her own.

"Just about every time you drink. You're a little bit of a lightweight."

"Lightweight my ass," she turned around to face him, but almost fell over. Luckily Stefan caught her, and she smiled at him, "I just want you to be happy."

Bringing her over to her bed, he helped her in and took off her shoes, "Bon, believe me I am happy."

Snuggling her pillow she looked up at him, "I just know that you got hurt and you deserve someone that makes you smile. Lexi and I worry about you."

Sighing, Stefan just shook his head and smiled, "There's absolutely nothing to worry about."

"Well, Caroline is really nice," she told him as she cuddled into her pillow, "Maybe I was wrong to judge her so quickly. Let's not get her kicked out of the building, but just her roommate."

"Uh huh," he chuckled as he pulled the blanket up over her, "I'll see you in the morning, okay? Night, Bon."

It was 2 am when Damon walked out of his room to go grab a bottle of water and discovered Caroline cleaning in the kitchen. "Care?" He squinted slightly as he noticed her walk over to the sink and start doing the dishes.

"You do realize we have a dishwasher, right? Like you don't have to manually clean the dishes, Carebear."

"Oh my god, Damon!" she exclaimed bringing her hand to her chest.

"What?"

"You scared me!"

Damon opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water and then went over to sit at the stool at the counter. "You're the one up at 2 am cleaning instead of sleeping. How was girls' night?"

"It was good."

"Too bad boxer boy couldn't join you guys," he smirked with his lips against the bottle.

"Oh my god, what is with you and calling him that? His name is Stefan something."

"His last name is something, huh?"

"God, I hate you."

He took a deep breath and looked at her seriously, "You know, it's okay if you think he's cute. You're allowed to think people are cute."

Caroline didn't feel like having this conversation with him, so she changed the subject, "Where were you tonight?"

"Is that really any of your business, mother?"

Making a face, Caroline just stared at him and proceeded to cross her arms, "Really?"

"I was just living it up with Enzo, wining and dining the ladies."

"Enough said," she reached up and pushed her hair back from her face as she leaned back against the countertop, "Rebekah asked if you would mind if she came visit in a couple weeks."

"And what type of visit are we talking about? Like coming for the day and maybespending the night or like a whole week?" he would not be able to handle a whole week with another Forbes girl, "I can't do a whole week."

"I figured, but I think she was thinking for the weekend. We have the extra bedroom after all and you did say we can use it for our friends."

"Well I really met my friends," he shot her a wink, "But you know I'm not going to say no to your family. They've pretty much been my family for as long as I can remember." Damon didn't remember much of his childhood before the Forbes and Saltzman families had taken him in. "Is Donovan going to come too?"

Caroline shrugged at Damon's question, she knew that Matt was having some problems with his family and she had been trying not to push either him or Rebekah for answers whenever she spoke to them, "he's been dealing with some stuff."

"Aren't we all?"

"I don't know why you decided using my book as a coaster was a good idea," Stefan groaned as he opened the apartment door and stepped outside into the hall with Bonnie behind him.

"Hey," Bonnie huffed as she buttoned up her coat, "I was trying not to leave a ring on the coffee table."

"Now there's a huge ring on one of the pages!" Just at that moment the door across the hall opened and out walked Damon and Caroline causing both Bonnie and Stefan to turn their attention to them.

"Caroline," Bonnie said nodding, completely ignoring Damon.

"Hey," Stefan smiled his eyes lingering on Caroline's face for far longer than he had meant, "How are you this morning?"

For some reason Caroline couldn't stop herself from biting her bottom lip, "I'm good."

Bonnie chose this moment to escape and headed towards the stairs, "Gotta run!"

"Bye!" Caroline called after her before looking back to Stefan, "It was nice seeing you. I hope you have a great day."

"You too," he smiled and let her slip by first before he headed towards the stairs himself.

Damon stood there for a minute and looked around, "Am I invisible?" he shrugged his shoulders and turned around to lock the door before heading out.

As they descended the stairs, Stefan went to grab the door and held it open for Caroline, "here you go."

"Thank you," she smiled and stepped outside. The cold air immediately hit her and reached up to adjust the knit hat on her head, "I guess goodbye again?"

Stefan let out a chuckle as he slipped his hands into his coat pocket, "well which direction are you heading in?" Once she pointed in the direction, he decided to make a suggestion, "So am I. We can walk together ff you want. At least until we have to go our separate ways."

"I'd like that."

The two walked in silence at first, both unsure what to say. They were just neighbors, but Caroline knew she thought he was cute, even if she wanted to deny it to Damon. However, cute was dangerous, and she was over with that whole part of her life. Still, maybe they could be friendly neighbors and she found no harm in that, "So have you lived in the building long?"

"A few years," he told her as he briefly glanced at her before turning his attention ahead so he wouldn't run into anyone. "How do you like it so far?"

"So far so good for two weeks," she bit her bottom lip and gave him a cheerful smile, "But I pretty much fell in love with the place as soon as I laid eyes on it."

They chatted idly about nothing of importance as they walked along the street - laughter and smiles filling the conversation until they had to part ways. While the laughter may have not accompanied them, the smiles continued to grace their faces for the rest of the day.

Authors Note: Well surprise! I ended up putting the finishing touches on this chapter soon than i though. maybe i'll blame that on last nights episode inspiring me to get it out for the weekend. Either way, I want to thank those of you who checked out the first chapter and left reviews. I hope you like this chapter and i'd love more feedback! xoxo