THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE REVIEWS, AND FAVORITES, AND STORY ALERTS. THEY REALLY ARE WHAT KEEP ME GOING. I HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS CHAPTER. I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT CHAPTER THOUGH. TEHEHEHE.

"What happened," Damon's voice questioned sharply through the other line.

Caroline began to panic. She hadn't had time to think about, well, to think about anything really let alone what she was going to say about what had just happened between her and Klaus.

"Caroline," Damon firmly said her name, "what the hell happened?"

She didn't know how to respond. Lie? Tell the truth? Play dumb?

"He left," she finally blurt out swiftly. That was true.

"Way to state the obvious," Damon harshly retorted, "but why did he leave?"

"I don't know Damon," Caroline replied in her best what did you expect tone. It was a lie, but maybe she could play this one out, "I couldn't exactly hold him down."

"Well there has to be a reason Caroline," Damon continued prodding, clearly frustrated, "I mean to tell me he followed you out of the Grill only to turn around and go back in just doesn't make sense. You were supposed to play hard to get, but not impossible to get."

"Well, I'm sorry that I'm not a professional at seducing and keeping the interest of a 1,000 year old hybrid," Caroline sarcastically replied, "it's a kind of learn as you go process."

"I'm just trying to figure out what went wrong," Damon wasn't letting up. He wasn't buying her story.

"Seriously Damon?" Caroline began, if he wasn't going to be satisfied with her answers she was going to have to play dirty, "Elena is being held hostage by a vengeful vampire and you want to talk about the reasons why Klaus would lose interest in me and walk away? Does he even need a reason? He's twisted and psychotic."

There was a pause. She could tell he was thinking about her words.

"I guess that will do. I didn't understand his attraction to you in the first place anyway," Damon stated, "All-powerful vampire hybrid falling for a cute, neurotic, highschool cheerleader. Just didn't jive well."

"Always the charmer, Damon. Thanks for the self-esteem boost," Caroline responded with acid in her voice. He was such a dick. Whatever Elena saw in him, outside of his impressive ability to save her life and those gorgeous blue eyes, she was clueless too. At least he'd said she was cute.

"Anytime Caroline, "Damon smoothly replied, "now go home."

"Fine," Caroline bit back. What else was she going to do anyway.

"Wait for Bonnie and Abby," Damon firmly and hastily ordered.

"Wait. What? Why?" suddenly Caroline could feel panic returning. Why were Bonnie and Abby coming to her house? What did Damon know that he wasn't telling her? Were they in danger?

"Damon, Damon! You answer me this minute! What the hell is going on, Damon!" Caroline shouted into the phone but to no avail. Damon was already gone.

She sped to her car leaving a trail of flying newspaper and overturned leaves behind her. She couldn't get her keys out fast enough even with her vampire speed. Damn that Coach purse she thought was so perfect because it had so many compartments to store things. More like so many compartments to misplace things in. For a second she considered that it might be faster to run home. But, then she found them, and she hastily sped home. Paying no attention to the speed limit signs or even the stoplights, she was a vampire. She need not worry about petty things like speed limits and road safety at a time like this. However, she was also the sheriff's daughter so she couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt, regardless of how she tried to justify it. There was a part of her that would always crave to hold on to the normalcy of things like speed limits and stoplights, but tonight was an emergency and she was choosing to view the fact that she was an exception to normal as a blessing rather than a curse.

As she pulled into her driveway all of the lights to her house were off and there were no cars in the proximity. She was alone. Whatever was going to happen had not happened yet. Caroline grabbed her phone and called the only person she knew would be brutally honest with her.

"Stephen, what is going on?" Caroline promptly demanded.

"Caroline, this really isn't the time," Stephen replied.

"Damn it Stephen, tell me what is going on!" Caroline snapped.

There was brief pause and then….."We're turning Bonnie's mom into a vampire, Caroline," Stephen hastily spat back.

Caroline was not expecting that. She didn't know what exactly she was expecting, but whatever it was it wasn't that.

"No, no, no, no, no, no," it was all Caroline could think to say, "You can't do that."

"It's the only way to save Elena," Stephen replied with strong conviction, "I don't like it either, but Esther is channeling the whole line of Bennet witches. Alive and dead. The only way to break the line is to turn her into a vampire."

Caroline immediately understood.

"Because you can't be both a vampire and a witch," she somberly affirmed. It all made perfect sense.

"Exactly," Stephen assured.

"What about what you were going to do to Kol earlier, why can't you do that?" Caroline quickly insisted, hoping that whatever it was maybe it would still work. Otherwise she was going to have to live an eternity knowing that she was the cause of Klaus and Kol's escape. She was the one that ruined the plan. She was the reason Bonnie's mom was about to become a vampire.

"That was some hair brained scheme that Damon came up with that most likely would have ended in failure," Stephen stated scornfully.

"But it might still work?" Caroline continued to prod. At least it wasn't some brilliant plan that Stephen had had full faith in. He doubted it, and Caroline found comfort in that.

"No, Alaric was going to dagger Kol at the grill, in order incapacitate all of the originals and allow Elena to get away," Stephen revealed, "but it would have never worked. The dagger wouldn't have taken Klaus out and him being so nearby with you, he most likely would have rescued his brother. It was a really stupid plan."

Caroline instantly felt better. That was a really stupid plan. Suddenly she felt really dumb for blindly going along with it in the first place and risking her life to deceive Klaus for something so foolish. Never again would she go along with one of Damon's schemes without first getting all of the details.

"Yeah, I feel really stupid for going along with it," Caroline ashamedly admitted.

"I'm pissed at Damon that he would have you risk your life for something so idiotic," Stephen lamented.

Bless Stephen, he was coming around. Slowly but surely, Caroline could see the remnants of the man that had been so kind and supportive to her during her first days as a vampire. Elena's love for Stephen Caroline always understood. She even understood how Elena had held onto it despite the ass Stephen had been when he was Klaus's sidekick. The kind of goodness Stephen had possessed just didn't disappear into oblivion. Once it attaches itself to you, it will always find its way back. And so it was with Stephen. His goodness was coming back, and when this was all said and done, he would probably be an even better person than he was before. Guilt has a way of making you seek redemption, and Stephen had a lot to feel guilty for.

Caroline swiftly refocused the conversation, "Are you sure there isn't another way?"

"I wish there was Caroline," Stephen somberly replied, "I really wish there was."

And then he was gone.

Poor Bonnie. She was so strong and selfless. She was always so ready to sacrifice herself for those she loved. That kind of person deserved happiness, but somehow her acts of valor were always repaid with pain. Caroline couldn't take it anymore. She sat down her phone and cried, alone in the darkness.

It was an hour before she heard the footsteps at her front door. She swiftly rose to answer the door. Wiping her eyes and attempting to compose herself before answering. She didn't want Bonnie to see the mess she had been. She had to be strong for her friend.

When she opened the door and saw Bonnie's forlorn face, Caroline was immediately thankful that she knew exactly what her friend was feeling. She wasn't grateful that her father had died, but she knew that every situation in life prepared you for something. And the fact that she could be there for her friend in this moment, to not just support her but to understand her, gave Caroline a joy that she knew her dad would be proud of. She took a hold of Bonnie as tightly as the witch's body would allow. Bonnie's sobs bellowed deep and unearthly from within her soul. Caroline recognized them all to well.

"shhhhhh," Caroline soothed, "just let it out. It's okay. I'm not going anywhere."

Stephen quickly moved past them and gently laid Abby's lifeless body on Caroline's bed. The three of them stood in the room, staring at Abby with somber eyes. The grief that filled the room wrapped itself around them like a blanket of dense fog, pressuring their chests, and choking their breath. Bonnie held her mother's hand, stroking it tenderly. Caroline knew that the worst was not over, and that was the presence haunting the corners of the room. Abby had to make her choice.

Stephen leaned in towards Caroline and whispered, "Are you okay with this?"

"I can't think of anywhere better for her to be," Caroline responded sincerely.

Stephen acknowledged this with a gentle nod, "I'm going to go then. I need to find Elena."

"Okay, let me know when you find her," Caroline urged as she reached out to touch his arm.

"I will," Stephen assured her and then turned to leave.

"Wait," Bonnie called after him. She rose to face Stephen. "I don't want her coming here."

Stephen stared at her slightly alarmed, but Caroline understood. She understood completely. Although Bonnie would never regret saving Elena's life, she couldn't help but blame her friend for what had happened. If Elena had not gotten in that car with Elijah, if she hadn't been so hell bent on saving the so called noble original, Bonnie's mom would not be lying here facing a life or death decision. Caroline understood, and she didn't blame her.

"Bonnie, are you…" Stephen started but before he could finish his question Bonnie cut him off.

"I don't want to see her tonight Stephen," she painfully reaffirmed as a tear slid down her cheek, "I just can't handle it tonight. Please," she begged, "just keep her away."

"Okay," he responded gravely, "whatever you need Bonnie."

Then he left, and Caroline and Bonnie were alone. Caroline just sat there with Bonnie in silence for an hour, watching her friend gaze upon her mother's peaceful face. She looked exhausted. Emotions had a way of wearing you out, not to mention the fact that Esther had been channeling power from Bonnie as well. That also had to be draining.

Caroline finally thought it was an appropriate time to speak up, "Bonnie, would you like me to make some coffee?" she asked affectionately as she placed a hand on her friends shoulder as if to physically support Bonnie when she opened her mouth to respond.

Bonnie looked up at her and smiled weakly, "That sounds really good Caroline."

"Okay, I'll go get some brewing," Caroline smiled back. She just loved being able to help people, even if it was as simple as a cup of coffee. Caroline got deep satisfaction and joy from helping others.

" Caroline," Bonnie called to her just as she was about to walk through the doorway.

She swiftly turned around, "Yes, Bonnie?" she asked gently as if not to break her friend with too harsh or loud a tone.

"I can't, I can't lose her," Bonnie confessed, fresh tears forming in her eyes, "I just got her back."

It took only a fraction of a second for Caroline to be back by Bonnie's side, "I know Bonnie," Caroline agreed, "I know."

"I missed her so much Caroline," Bonnie admitted, "I never realized how much I missed her until I had her."

It was strange seeing Bonnie so vulnerable. She always walked proud, with her shoulder's squared and head held high. She was rarely embarrassed or weak, unless if it involved a really cute guy. Caroline couldn't lie to Bonnie to comfort her. She was a terrible liar, that fact had already been established, but beyond that her friend deserved more than false hopes and fanciful wishes. No matter how hard it was, the only thing that someone like Bonnie ever deserved was the truth because that was all Bonnie would ever give in return.

"I don't know what's going to happen Bonnie," Caroline voice was aching, "but I think your mom feels the same way, and I'm sure that is going to majorly impact her decision when she wakes up."

Bonnie forced a smile.

"I know that you hate the idea of her being a vampire," Caroline continued, "but, if she starts off on the right foot she can beat this. It's not easy, but it's not impossible."

"You're right," Bonnie replied with a spot of hope shining through her voice beneath the tears, "you've grown so much Caroline, and it's all been for the better. There is hope and you are proof. Thank you."

Bonnie hugged Caroline, and Caroline found herself crying again. But these weren't tears of sadness but bliss. Bonnie's words meant more to Caroline than she could ever express. To know her friend that had hated what she was when she had turned now could see how much she had grown was a priceless treasure. To be able to give Bonnie hope was one of Caroline's greatest accomplishments in life. She would never forget this moment with all of its pain and all of its joy, it was perfect.

When Bonnie pulled out of the embrace she looked up at Caroline with a smirk and said, "Now how about that coffee."

"Right," Caroline replied wiping the tears from her eyes, "I'm on it."

She waltzed out of the room, triumphant. This is what being a friend truly meant.

She found her way into the kitchen only to discover that there were no coffee beans ground. It was probably for the best though; Bonnie needed a few minutes alone with her mom. Caroline hadn't been hovering by any means, but at time like these a mixture of support and isolation was necessary. She went about fetching the whole coffee beans from the freezer. She remembered the first time her mom had told her to stick the extra coffee beans in the freezer to keep them fresh, it made sense, but for some reason she thought it was silly. Now it was habit. She plugged the grinder in, hoping it wouldn't disturb Bonnie too much. The thought of fresh coffee was always a comfort though, at least to her and Bonnie loved coffee too. The aroma filled the air, and Caroline found herself lost in the smell. It was times like these that the heightened sense of smell was pure pleasure; the coffee grinder however was very irritating to her heighted sense of hearing. She turned the grinder off and started scooping fresh piles of coffee into the coffee maker becoming entranced with the normal, menial task. She obviously was exhausted too.

"Make some for me too. Will you, love?" a voice resonated from the kitchen table.

A chill ran down Caroline's spine at the sound of his smooth, alluring accent. She swiftly turned around to catch his eyes with hers.

"Klaus," she breathed.