This one ended up taking forever to write but it's my fault this time, not Kol's. I think my muse is still angry from me temporarily trying to rename her Nathanial. Sorry Adler please stop punishing me.

I heard this song a few weeks ago and had to use it for a chapter, enjoy.

Steroline

Where it began
I can't begin to knowing
But then I know it's growing strong

Stefan had always been a caring soul, but he wasn't sure that was the only thing that made him want to help Caroline during her transition. If he had been there, at the hospital he wasn't sure what he would have done. She'd been a victim, that was doubtless but did that mean she should be kept alive? His Ripper days still haunted him and although there seemed to be nothing evil in Caroline he could never trust a vampire.

The girl was weak; it was the end of her tiny world if a guy didn't like her. There was no way she could handle dying and then all the changes that came with becoming a monster. It was impossible to ignore those urges and the constant temptation to give in was an everyday struggle that a child like Caroline Forbes could never handle. Or at least that was what everyone had thought. As much as he hated to admit it a part of Stefan, larger than he's like to admit, agreed with Damon that the best way to handle the situation was to drive a stake through the girl's heart and put her out of her misery. But Elena would never allow it so he was forced to help.

As soon as he saw her reaction to murder he knew that there was no way he could let her die for something she had no control over, for Katherine's sin. He never seen a new vampire react this way to death, he barely seen a new vampire react to death at all, only the blood. He had been shocked that he killed his own father but it was a minor thought in the back of his mind, almost blocked out by the dizzying sensation of warm fresh blood.

That first taste was like an endless feast after years of starvation. It tasted of freedom and power and instant gratification, so much pleasure in a single drop of thick, wet blood and the uncontrollable thirst for more. It was as though he'd never been full before and the crash of power that overtook was indescribable. The next kill was nothing to him, Damon had hesitated but once the blood was in him, death meant nothing to either of them. For the first few days blood was all that mattered. Not even the loss of Katherine could penetrate that red haze. But here was Caroline, sobbing over a dead stranger, disgusted by the spilt blood coating her hands and face. It fascinated him.

Was in the spring
And spring became a summer
Who'd believe you'd come along

At every turn she fascinated him. Weirdly being a vampire sort of suited her in a way, she adapted astonishingly. Once she knew that killing wasn't essential she managed to come to terms with what she was, she didn't sink into self-hatred as he had expected of her. She hadn't ever been too comfortable as herself, always competing to be as beautiful as Elena, as liked as Matt or as smart and unique as Bonnie. She never realised that so many people wanted to be as kind as Caroline.

Most of their kind that repressed those feelings reacted by embracing a new life of darkness and the freedom that came with it. It was how he had dealt with it, losing himself in sex and death and blood, an endless blur of taking anything and everything he wanted. Humans were insignificant toys to amuse him, it was like being a God having them act as he liked do as he wished. Power was everything, nothing else mattered. But it was an illusion. He had control over these insignificant humans but non over himself. He was as helpless as them. A slave to his blood lust and urges, it was true, he was the weaker Salvatore brother.

She managed the changes like a teenage girl, whining that she didn't like killing bunnies as though it was a test she didn't want to study for. He watched her carefully for the weeks following, everything was changing all the time for her and no matter how well she took everything life threw it wasn't okay for her to be alone. He'd never appreciated her before; she was beautiful, sweet, funny, he was happy around her. She was like summer in human, now vampire, form. The sun beamed forth from her hair and she radiated its warmth.

Although preoccupied by Katherine's most recent plot and surprisingly hurt by Caroline's betrayal he kept watch on her in the aftermath of her break-up. She'd been braver than him in ending her relationship. Under Katherine's instruction she had told Elena how strong the temptation to drink her blood was, not knowing that everything she said was true. Her inner light dimmed when she lost Matt, he was good to her, good for her and isolation was cruel. Yet her grip on humanity never wavered, she held on even without her tether. Then her happiness when they got back together was so blindingly bright he almost managed to ignore the dark flicker of jealousy and that nasty bite of guilt he felt when she was close to Elena.

Hands
Touching hands
Reaching out
Touching me
Touching you

That same nagging guilt that itched below his skin when they hunted together. She preferred to steal blood bags from Damon or the hospital when it was needed but she offered to keep him company on the 'bunny trail' as she called it, occasionally snacking on a racoon if it crossed her path. She went for the run she once told him. It bothered her that in school she had to hold back, apart from some astounding basket tosses in cheerleader she was always half-concentrating on not letting on how strong and fast she truly was.

Once they'd eaten she insisted he keep her company as she let loose. Hands clasped they raced through trees dodging them with second instinct as she laughed freely at the blurring scenery they past. It wasn't anything for them to be ashamed of; he knew that she told Elena about their runs, how great it felt to experience her new power with someone who felt it too. Again she surprised him, most vampires drained humans for the rush of power, a feeling animals and blood bags just don't give. She got that high just from running. She saw it as a thing they did as friends, oblivious to the glimmer or feeling he felt when they touched and the remorse that lingered underneath.

Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I've been inclined
To believe they never would
But now I

She celebrated her heightened powers, loved the colours that humans would never appreciate and would sit in silence most people didn't think she was capable of, hearing every little thing, even the running of her own blood. She made him join her exploration while he rolled his eyes at her childlike excitement when she saw a clearing filled with wildflowers. He'd seen everything with vampire senses for years and often forgot how different it was from when he was alive.

He forgot the good points of being a vampire a lot, mostly he longed for humanity like all of his kind did from time to time. She didn't lie in sadness at night dreaming if how her life could have been if this had never happened. She didn't imagine adorable blonde babies with big blue eyes; she really would've had gorgeous children the full American dream. The thoughts crossed her mind of course; the life she once wanted was taken from her but instead of pining she relished what she got in return.

He found her one night in the woods. He had woken after a vicious dream and gone to gorge himself on animal blood until he felt better. He was chasing down a deer and paused when he saw her barefoot bathed in moonlight. She looked like a pale goddess. Her hair fell in curls down her back, her body bathed in silver light. She was covered by a thin white nightie, the silky material clinging to every slight curve, stopping mid-thigh. His mouth went dry at the sight of her. Her face was turned upwards towards the bright moon, her eyes closed and mouth parted; she tilted her head slightly and pushed her curls behind her ears. Suddenly tense she spun to look around her, relaxing when her eyes settled on him. "Christ Stefan could you take up whistling or something?" She asked, hands on her hips.

"Never managed it." He answered. She sat on the ground next to a patch of blue wildflowers, the colour matched her sky blue eyes, and he came to join her. "I could hum next time?" He suggested. She smiled and went back to staring at the crescent moon her head still cocked to one side. "What are you doing?" He whispered.

"I couldn't sleep so I came out here to listen." She explained.

"Listen to what?" He asked.

"I think I can hear the sea, it sounds windy. The waves are crashing against the pebbles more violently than usual." She told him.

"The ocean is miles away."

"That's why I like listening to it." She grinned, opening her eyes. "When I turned I thought I was giving up the perfect life but instead it's like entering a totally different world. Movies make you think that vampires don't bother with food and can't feel cold but it's the opposite." He nodded in understanding. "The cold isn't as horrible as it was but I can feel the tiniest temperature change and food! Oh my God, I've never loved eating so much in my life, everything taste new and better and I can't gain weight so I can eat what I like when I like, it's amazing." She began stroking the petals of the flowers at her feet. "Touch is different too." She added. "When I first saw Matt after changing, the night Mason Lockwood attacked us; I thought it was the heightened emotions and the euphoria from him finally saying that he loves me that made his kisses different. But even now, everything is more intense, just holding his hand sets my entire body on vibrate. Is it him or my senses?" She asked.

"Probably both." He answered honestly.

"I wish he could see things like we can, the colours. It's like living in great art, you know? The light hits everything perfectly and the world lights up, it's incredible. And the sounds, I can hear every flap of a raven's wings; I can tell how far away it is and everything. Does it get stronger? When you get older?"

"Gradually." He told her. "I'm still young but I can hear the currants created by fish shoals if I concentrate."

"You have a century and a half on me you old fart." She joked, shoving him lightly. She lay back to stare at the stares, he lay next to her. "The night sky is crazy pretty, I can't wait to see fireworks with vampire sight and sound."

"You can smell them too." He pointed out. She nodded. "You're happy aren't you?" He asked after a few moments silence, it was almost a statement but not quite. She turned onto her side to face him.

"Of course." She answered. He wasn't sure if she understood what he meant but she continued. "I don't think I would've chosen this for myself. I'm not sure who would but I'd rather enjoy the perks than hate the world for what I've lost."

"When life gives you lemons..."

"Throw them back and demand chocolate." She grinned. He laughed a real laugh, loudly into the silent night. He eventually left her to go home, he was in his bed before realizing that he'd only had a small rabbit but felt completely filled. He couldn't have imagined being so happy, not after years of hating what he was but somehow tonight he felt grateful for the things he got to experience that a human never could.

He helped her to become a vampire, she helped him accept that he was a vampire.

Look at the night
And it don't seem so lonely
We fill it up with only two

It wasn't the last time that they meet in the woods. It was never official and almost always an accident, she didn't come back at the same time to the same place. But he often wondered if she was awake and where she was in the dark of night. One thing that the movies got right was the natural sleeping patterns of vampires, they are nocturnal. Even though he had always worn his daylight ring Stefan had trouble sleeping at night, luckily vampires don't need nearly as much sleep as humans. He took to wandering more and more often, hoping to find her and see if her hearing had improved.

When he hunted he found himself wanting her company. He would call her and ask if she wanted to join him or just wait around and hope she'd turn up, especially at night. He'd always accepted loneliness as part of being a vampire. He'd made his brother turn so he wouldn't be alone and in return Damon had inflicted a life of misery that made Stefan wish he could forever be alone. He'd never found that one person to spend forever with. Lexi was his best friend but she was a nomad where he was a nester. She would get itchy feet after a week somewhere and want to be someplace new. It wasn't the kind of life Stefan was built for, he always came back to his home, it was part of his need to fit in. He saw Lexi once a year and spent the rest of it lonely, and then Damon took her away.

He loved Elena deeply, it was true. When he was with her he wasn't lonely but as soon as she left for school or anything he sank back into himself. Feeling like a creature of shadows and feeling acutely how different they were.

He felt guilty for thinking it but after spending time with Caroline he didn't feel so lonely, she even helped him move past Lexis death.

And when I hurt
Hurting runs off my shoulders
How can I hurt when holding you?

He never really mourned Lexi, he'd reacted with anger in the moment but then there was Logan Fell and John Gilbert and everything else that filled up the hell hole that was Mystic Falls. He didn't have time to mourn while taking care of everyone else.

He put her out of his mind, and listened to Bon Jovi on his birthday, it was always gonna be her day really. He never mentioned her to Caroline, so when she brought the subject up he was surprised.

"What was Lexi like?" He didn't respond, trying to remember when they had met.

"Did you ever meet Lexi?"

"The party on your birthday." The night she'd been killed. "We didn't talk but she helped me get some drinks from the bartender, compulsion. I was way past drunk by that point." She explained. "Elena said she was your best friend."

"Lexi, was great." He responded. "She was the vampire who helped get me off human blood, several times. I probably would have exposed myself and Damon a thousand times over if she didn't keep pulling me out. She kept me from being unhappy."

"Because you, mister, are just a giant ray of sunshine." She mocked.

"Yes I am too serious, so I've heard." They sat in silence as she dug her toes into the wet dirt beneath her, exploring the aftermath or rain with her new senses.

"You must miss her." She said quietly after a while.

"Sometimes. You would've really liked her." He said. "You were, are, very alike, both fun." He explained. "The way she spoke to Damon was always good for a laugh."

"She was old enough to hurt him though." Caroline pointed out. "Can we, like, put him in a coma or halt his ageing with a spell or something? Just so I have a few years on him."

"Somehow I doubt there's an anti-ageing spell for vampires." He answered, smiling. "But the coma idea would give us all some peace."

"I just want to be able to beat him up just once." She told him. "Yes I know I'm not a nice person."

"You are, Damon isn't." He corrected her. "Just get really angry at him, I staked him after Lexi, on animal blood and everything."

"Shame you missed the heart." She joked. "I'm sorry about Lexi. If someone did that to Matt I…" He nodded in thanks for her sympathy. He was about to leave when her cool white arms wrapped around him, blonde hair falling across his face. He returned her embrace, inhaling the creamy vanilla of her skin and the coconut scent of her hair. Her blood smelt as sweet as her disposition. A dark part inside him could see why Damon had chosen her as a drinking fountain. He pulled back swiftly, he had never felt so terrible about himself.

One
Touching one
Reaching out
Touching me
Touching you

"Do you know the song, wanted: dead or alive?" He asked her.

"Bon Jovi, right?" She asked uncertainly. "I know of it. I think Bonnie's dad might have played the record when we were little. It must have been at least ten years since I last heard it." He got to his feet.

"Lexi decided it was our anthem, we used to party with the band." He pulled her to her feet and began walking back to the house.

"Where are we going?" She asked; her hand still in his.

"You are never allowed to go a decade without listening to Bon Jovi ever again." He scolded. "I won't allow it."

"Since I heard that particular song." She corrected. "I rock out to livin' on a prayer at least once a week."

"That doesn't count." He insisted as they entered the boarding house. "I'm not letting you leave until we've gone through a whole album." He teased.

"You are so old!" She laughed.

"You're such a baby." He shot back. "Do you know any Queen that isn't Bohemian Rhapsody?" She threw a cushion at his head in outrage.

"Who won the fourth grade talent contest with a dance to crazy little thing called love?" She smirked.

"No idea." He smirked back.

"Me!" Idiot." She began searching through the drinks cabinet as he began blasting the music. "If you get music choice I'm stealing the good booze." She declared handing him a drink. "T.G.I.F!"

"What does that mean?"

"You are so old!"

Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
Sweet Caroline
I've believed they never could

It wasn't the first time the Salvatore house had been filled with music and a pretty girl dancing, but it was the first time in a long while that Stefan had joined the fun and probably the first time the girl in question hadn't been compelled. They went through several albums that night drinking and dancing and laughing. Damon's liquor supply was largely depleted; which came in handing during livin' on a prayer. The empty whiskey bottles made great fake microphones. "You are so much more fun drunk." Caroline told him over the sounds of Freddie Mercury singing about fat bottomed girls.

"I can be fun!" He slurred back. "Broody is the new funny."

"No, broody is the new sexy." She insisted, dancing on the sofa.

"You think I'm sexy?" He shouted.

"We need modern music!" She yelled, ignoring his question. Tripping several times she leapt from the sofa and plugged her iPod into the stereo looking for the right song.

"No appreciation for the classics." He grumbled.

"Shut up and dance with me!" She told him after jumping over more furniture, considering she'd already taken his hands he didn't have much of a choice. "You are a terrible dancer." She laughed after a few tracks when he collapsed on the sofa while she performed on the coffee table.

"I'm not a terrible dancer, you're generation doesn't dance." He reminded her.

"I am Miss Mystic Falls and I can waltz with the best of them." She giggled. "Without stepping on anyone toes." She stuck her tongue out.

"That's a challenge Miss Mystic." He told her changing the track. She burst out laughing as Neil Diamond's voice filled the room. "It seemed appropriate." He grinned bowing in front of her. "May I have this dance?"

"Indeed you may." She answered curtsying as gracefully as she could, which wasn't very. Her laughter joined the music as they spun around the room keeping drunken time.

Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good

I've taken a liking to writing Stefan, especially after Kol and Caroline doing what they pleased with no regards for this poor author. He's clearly a bad influence, but he's sexy so I'll let him off.

I must ask you a favour dear readers. I am determined for Klaus/Tatia to have a meatloaf song, preferably from Bat Out Of Hell: The Monster Is Loose but I've having some trouble finding one, especially since I've promised blind as a bat to a different pairing. If anyone has a suggestion it would be massively appreciated. Reviews are love.