Title: A Girl Named Caroline
Author: Fansparadise
Rating: M
Warnings: Language, Violence, and sexual situations
Pairings: S/C/D; S/E/K
Category: Alternate History
Summary: Stefan and Damon return to Mystic falls for Caroline, who was attacked
by an unknown, leaving her with a scar and returning memories.
Disclaimer: I do not own...sadly.
Author's Note: well I'm back with a new chapter. Also, I' considering writing up a future-fic for the Vampire Diaries (Caroline-centric) or a Crossover fic with Red Riding Hood(Peter/Caroline), which would you guys prefer?

"Okay, this is possibly the most important thing I'll ever ask you," Caroline began, staring down at Jenna who sat at the foot of her bed. A look of
seriousness etched clearly on her face.

"Lay it on me." the older woman said with a mark of confidence in her voice.

"The red or the blue?" the blond inquired after a moment of hesitant silence. Jenna looked between the two articles of clothing, hanging on their delicate
hangers, before speaking.

"Go for the red," she piped up, grin tugging at the corner of her mouth. "It's simple yet smoking hot."

Caroline murmured her agreement before tossing the blue sundress back into the closet behind her. She slid the straps of the tight, crimson colored sheath
dress off of the clothes hanger.

"Right." she whispered to herself, pressing the dress to her and staring into the reflection of her mirror. She'd always looked good in red.

"He must really be something," Jenna spoke up. Eying the girl as she stared at her reflection in silence. It was incredibly heartwarming to see her acting like
her old self again. Caroline titled her head to the side in thought.

"Yeah. He is."
Finally, she stepped into the dress, pulling it up over her already scantly clad body.

"Can you do me up?" She asked, offering her back to Jenna.

"Sure," the woman chuckled, reaching her hands out and zipping the girl up. "So, what's his name?"
Caroline sighed dreamily, admiring her reflection. She really did look good in red. "Stefan."

"What time is it?" she asked for the umpteenth time that night. Her eyes were glued to her friend, who she was currently staring at expectantly.
Bonnie gave a defeated sigh before she replied.
"10:15." her attention turned to the blond, "How late is he?"

"It's hitting the hour mark." Caroline muttered, downing the contents within the red, plastic cup Tyler had offered her. She cringed at the familiar burning
sensation that made it's way down her throat. It definitely had alcohol in it.

"Well, maybe he got into some car trouble?" Meredith offered weakly. Tyler snorted beside her, knowing gleam in his eye. If it wasn't for the fact she'd
known him since their diaper days Caroline was sure she would have kicked his ass by now.

What an ass!

"What's so funny?" she barked, eyes narrowing at the boy coldly. A smirk formed bluntly on his face.

"Your boy's a little preoccupied."
He indicated behind her with one short nod before taking a swig of his beer. Caroline turned to look behind her. The boy was right. Stefan was preoccupied.
Talking to Elena.

"She could just be talking you up." Meredith began, though it was evident that even she did not believe that. Elena had a track record when it came to boys
Caroline was interested in. Not that it made her less of a friend but there was a pattern. Caroline meets boy, falls for boy and he in turn falls for Elena.
It happened with Kevin in the fifth grade, then Matt in the eighth. It wasn't her fault, it was just her biology.

"I need another drink." She muttered blankly, snatching the bottle from Tyler's hand and chugging down it's contents.
The boy's smirk grew further.

"Thata girl."
Meredith and Bonnie rolled their eyes at the boy before smacking the back of his head in tangent.

"Ow!"
"Shut up, Tyler." Bonnie said smacking his arm for added effect. "Caroline don't listen to this idiot. You know Elena. After everything you two have been
through...she knows how much you like Stefan."

Meredith nodded her agreement.
Caroline sighed signaling her affirmation.

Elena's grown up since then...I've grown up...There's no way-oh, shit! Here they come…

She watched as Elena and Stefan approached them silently. The latter with his hands in his jacket pockets, brow line abnormally creased.
She offered him a warm smile as the two neared, barely a foot width between her and the boy.

"Hi." Caroline greeted eyes looking behind him as she watched the Gilbert girl drag Bonnie and Meredith away.
"Hi." He replied in turn. Lips quirking into a smile.

She was inclined to ask what he and her friend were talking about but quickly chose against it. She didn't want to come off as possessive when 1) they weren't
even dating and 2) it really wasn't any of her business. But, it seemed that the Salvatore was an apparent mind reader and answered her unspoken question.

"Um, Elena...told me about your mother." there was such sensitivity in his voice; she felt her heart soften. "I'm so sorry."
Caroline gave a small smile at that. Talking about her mother brought back memories of the night she disappeared and though it was sweet he was showing an
interest in her sorrowful life this was just a part of it she wished to forget.

"Not your fault." she stated simply. "But...have you seen the falls yet? They are-beautiful at night."
Stefan respected her change of subject, with eyes burning into her own informing her he had yet to see them.

"Well then, let's go." She said extending a hand out for him to take. His eyes lingered over her for a moment, an unreadable look on his face, before he
accepted it. A few moments later they were walking along the small, deserted bridge that overlooked the falls.

"I used to come here with my dad all the time when I was a kid." Caroline informed him as their pace slowed. She turned her attention down to where the
bonfire was in full swing, spotting Matt, Elena and Meredith looking their way. Stefan watched in silence.

"Anyway...there was something you wanted to say to me...at lunch. Before Matt..."
He nodded.

"I found something while I was going through some of my family's things..." The boy spoke up, retrieving a small chain from the pocket of his jacket. "I found
this...I thought you might like it."
Caroline took it gently from his hands, fingers running down the tiny silver heart that was attached.
She looked back up at him, sweet smile forming on her face.

"It's beautiful..." She murmured. "Could you help me put it on?"
Caroline turned around, sweeping her blond locks out of the way, exposing her unmarked neck.
Stefan's eyes zeroed in on her pulse as it vibrated rhythmically. He shook his head, clearing it of his wandering thoughts and reached around her to
clasp the ends of the necklace together. Fingers brushing softly against her warm skin.

She held in a breath as the heat of his nearness warmed her. Then all too
quickly he had turned her back around to face him, again. Green orbs gleaming
with amusement.
After a moment, he spoke. "Caroline, may I ask you something?"
She nodded. "Where did you come from?"
Her eyes shifted across his face in confusion. A delicate frown forming on her own.
Looking around her she realized they were no longer standing in the middle of
the bridge. They were in a dimly light room...one that looked strangely familiar
to her.
"Stefan?" Caroline inquired softly watching as he took a step back into the
darkness. Leaving her alone.

Her eyes fluttered open as she felt him pull away suddenly, focus moving to something behind her.

"Thanks," she breathed turning on her heel and coming face to face with him. She tried
putting the image that had flashed through her head at the back of her mind but it was like shaking off
a case of déjà vu. Her eyes snapped to his changing expression. "Are you okay?"

He nodded quickly, though he didn't even spare her a look as he suddenly spoke.
What's up with him?
"Yeah...I just need to go." He said, making a quick retreat passed her, into the
woods.
Caroline sighed in irritation.
"Where did your boy run off to?" Tyler's voice sounded behind her, he himself
appearing at her side. Drink in hand.
"No idea." she muttered, fingering the delicate chain of her necklace in thought.
What is up with you Stefan Salvatore?

She was beautiful, even from afar. Her blond locks framed her face perfectly, rosy lips formed in a halfhearted smile as she was rejoined by the Katherine look-alike and the Bennett girl. The two wrapped their arms around the girl's shoulders and gave an affectionate squeeze. It was almost unbearable for him to keep himself at a distance, when he was close enough to just reach out and snatch her.
Stefan had just abandoned her on the bridge-as he had planned-and he needed to make his move. Now.

"I'm going to go find him." he heard her inform her friends, and he'd planned for this as well. Elena nodded her understanding.
"Do you want me to go with you?" Bonnie asked her. That wouldn't do. He needed to get the girl alone so that he could make a proper introduction. Thankfully, Caroline declined before making her way into the woods.
He followed her silently. Eyes narrowed on his target with only one thought in mind. Claim her.

Caroline was lost. That she was sure of. She hadn't been in the woods for more than five minutes and already she was freaking out. She even had this clichéd feeling that she was being watched.
"Stefan!" She called out into the darkness. Wrapping her arms around herself as the wind suddenly picked up. Reminding her of that night.

"Run, Caroline!"

She clenched her eyes shut as images began flooding back.

She'd followed the tracks of blood...eyes searching among the trees, looking for the man that had dragged her mother away.
"Mom!" she yelled, looking around her for any indication of where they might have gone.
Caroline stopped in her tracks at the sound of a low growl off in the distance...then he struck.

Caroline jumped at the sudden warmth on her shoulder. Spinning around quickly to face her aggressor.
"Sorry," the boy exclaimed, taking a step back and lifting his hands up in apology.
She stared at him silently for a moment. He looked gorgeous and oddly familiar with his black locks and intense blue eyes.

"I love you, Caroline...forever."
He mouthed. Lips moving closer before suddenly claiming hers.
She couldn't control herself. Her hands traveled to the small hairs of his neck before threading themselves in his locks. Moaning into his mouth as his own massaged circles into the small of her back.
Her eyes fluttered open. Widening as they locked onto his, the eyes of a demon.

"Are you okay?" he asked her hurriedly, hand moving to her shoulder. It was then that the girl realized she was lying on the ground staring up at him. He hovered above her wearing a look of worry.
"What happened?" she inquired in turn allowing him the help her to her feet.
"You just...fainted." He said studying her intently. She could still felt the presence of his hand on her shoulder. Her eyes traveled down to it before starring back up into his blue eyes.
"Oh..." she was at a loss for words. This was the first time this had ever happened, and in front of a complete stranger. "I'm sorry I don't even know your name and..."
"Damon."
"Caroline," she offered.
"I know."
Her head shot up at this.

How does he know my name?

A small smirk formed at the corner of his lips.
"How..."
A earth shattering scream cut her off. Her head snapped in the sounds direction.

That sounded like Elena!

She looked back to the boy but he was nowhere in sight.
Sparing one last look at the spot where he'd once been standing she made her way toward the noise. Finding herself back to the bonfire, though the party was stunned silent.
"Give her some room!" a familiar voice screamed at the crowd. The partygoers parted ways as Matt, trailed by Elena, carried someone to the nearest picnic table.
She pushed her way through the onlookers, nearing her friends.
"Caroline!" Elena exclaimed once she spotted her. "Thank god you're okay!"
The girl enveloped her in a tight hug.
"What happened?" Caroline asked, peering over her friend's shoulder as Matt shouted on his cell phone. "Who got hurt?"
"Vicki," Elena informed her as she pulled away, leading the girl to the Donavans, "she was attacked by an animal!"
"An animal?" the blonde couldn't believe this. An animal attack. Looking down at the girl...there was so much blood.
It was like relieving her worst nightmare all over again. Her eyes zeroed in on her neck, which was where most of the blood was pouring from.
She cringed, turning on her heel to look away.

Stefan.

Caroline spotted him watching them from the other side of the roaring bonfire. His face was scrunched up in a nameless expression and his eyes found her. She watched as he silently stepped back into the crowd, people blocking him from sight.
What the hell is going on?

Vicki had been emitted into Mystic Falls General within the hour. Caroline had left Elena to stay with Matt, who had been frantically trying to get one of the nurses to update him on his older sister's condition. She'd dropped Bonnie and Meredith off at her Grams and headed straight home.
Jeremy had somehow already found out the news about his 'secret lover' and taken Jenna's car to see her.
"I heard what happened. Are you okay?" Jenna bombarded her with questions the moment she stepped through the front door.
Caroline closed the door behind her before answering.
"I'm fine, Jenna." She informed her, pulling off her jacket and hanging it on the coat rack. "Elena's staying at the hospital tonight. Matt's really shaken up."
"And what about you?" the older woman asked eyeing her carefully.
Caroline stared down at her feet for a moment before speaking up truthfully.
"I'm okay."
"So...how'd it go?"
She stared at Jenna with a glimmer of confusion before understanding set in.
"We were barely together for five minutes before he decided to run off."
Still, what is up with that?
"Maybe..."
buzz buzz
Jenna paused mid-sentence. Reaching behind the blond and opening the door.
"Hi."
Caroline's ears perked up at the familiar voice.
"Um...Is Caroline home?" She heard him ask from behind the door.
"Yeah...one second." Jenna stammered before shutting the door and turning her eyes to the blond. "There is one very cute boy out there asking for you."
A blushed crept up on her face as she shooed the older woman away, patting down her dress, adjusting her straps before opening the door.
She couldn't believe he was standing right there, before her very eyes.
"Hi," she murmured softly, standing in the open doorway.
"Hi." he returned just as softly, eyes lingering on her lips before looking up into her own. "I'm sorry I just ran off like that...I—I just needed to make sure that you were okay."
Caroline's lips curved into a silent smile as she nodded.
"I'm glad you're okay."
He smiled, eyes drifting down to his feet.
"Um, Stefan..." she began. "Do you want to come inside?"
He blinked, looking up. Their eyes met and his lips parted in surprise.
"Yes," he said with a hint of relief in his tone.
Caroline stepped back, opening the door wider to allow the boy entry. He paused, eyeing the entryway before finally stepping inside.

Next: Stefan and Caroline visit Vicki...Stefan learns more about Caroline's attack from an unlikely source, and Bonnie and Meredith do a little spring cleaning.