"I'm scared, Stefan okay? I am so scared of what the future might hold for all of us, but I can't show it because I am the only one holding us all together. I have to be the strong one for Elena, for Tyler, for Jeremy. God Stefan, I miss you so much that it hurts, but I can't show it. What kind of person would If make me if I show how sad I am about losing you, who is still alive, when Elena and Jeremy have lost the potential love of their lives forever? I'd be selfish." She stopped to take a breath. This conversation was becoming too painful for her. She had been burying these feelings since Stefan left and now they are resurfacing.

He looked into her eyes and shook his head. "No, it would make you..." he chose his next word carefully, "human." The look in her eyes made him regret leaving even more. His best friend, the girl he thought that had become so strong she could handle anything, was in pain and it was all his fault.

"If you're planning on leaving again you're a jerk for even coming back. You left when we all needed you the most. When I needed you the most. I know you lost your brother, and I know that has to be hard, but I lost someone too and I think everyone forgets that. Bonnie was my best friend, but know one took that into consideration. No, it's okay Caroline can keep everyone together, because that's what she does." She was ashamed of the tears running down her cheeks. She wanted to make a point, not show all of her built up emotion. It was something about Stefan, something about those eyes, that made her feel safe to open up even when she was mad at him.

He pulled her into him because he knew a simple sorry wouldn't be good enough. She hesitated at first, but then let herself fall into him. Her body shook in his arms as she finally let go. Everything she'd been holding in since that night came to the surface. She clutched onto Stefan's shirt for more support, and because she was afraid that if she let him go he wouldn't come back.

"It's okay, Caroline. I'm not leaving you don't have to do it on your own anymore. I'll be here with you, right by your side. I shouldn't have left you. I knew you could do it, but I didn't know how bad you were hurting too. I should have known. I'll make it up to you. Whatever you need."

"I need you."