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.
Author's Note:Sorry it has taken me so long to update. I had originally had half of this chapter done but never seemed to get around to finishing it. But I hope you like it, please read and…possibly review?
"Run, Caroline!"
"What's happening?" She yelled into the darkness.
Snap.
"You're going to be okay." Caroline turned sharply at the voice with eyes working to adjust to the sudden brightness of her new surroundings.
She took a step forward blinking quickly as her eyes grew more accustom to the light.
"Caroline!" the voice called to her again. She felt a pair of arms wrap around her from behind and a body pressing firmly against hers. "I caught you."
The blond peered over her shoulder taking in the familiar face.
"Da—Damon?"
He stared down at her lovingly as he placed a small kiss on her forehead.
"Wha—"
"Either you are terrible at this game or you want me to catch you," He spoke up lips quirking into a wide and knowing smirk.
"Wha—" Caroline was cut off by his lips as he claimed hers.
Snap.
Caroline shot up out of the hospital chair she'd fallen asleep in the night before breathing heavier than usual as she tried to calm herself down, cool sweat coating her forehead. She brushed drops beading down her cheek off with the sleeve of her shirt.
What was that?
"You know you talk in your sleep." Another voice spoke up from across the small hospital room.
"Vicki!" The blond exclaimed in surprise. "I didn't wake you up did I?"
Caroline climbed out of the uncomfortable chair and approached the older girl, quietly, trying her best to keep the orderlies from checking up on them.
"Naw." Vicki whispered. "I've been up since Matt and Elena snuck off together."
What?
The girl was right. Elena and Matt were not sleeping where they'd been when she'd fallen asleep. In fact, they were not even in the room anymore.
"Where'd they go?"
Vicki shrugged, leaning back into the array of pillows the hospital so graciously provided her.
"No idea...who's Damon?"
Caroline eyes widened at the name.
Oh my god! Do I really talk in my sleep?
"You said his name while you were sleeping." She clarified.
The blond sighed lowly as she replied, "He's just someone I've met...recently."
"Oh, like a friend or a friend friend," Vicki inquired wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
Caroline laughed softly. "Just a friend. He's actually Stefan's brother."
"Ah yes, Stefan." Vicki murmured. Caroline had told the girl all about him the moment she was allowed inside her room.
The girl placed a hand to her neck as a small pain shot through it.
"Are you okay?" Caroline quickly asked, concern suddenly taking up residence on her face.
"Yeah," Vicki nodded. "It's just that my bite starts to sting like a bitch ever so often as a reaction to the drugs they keep pumping me with."
Right, her bite...
"Vicki...about your attack—"
"Yeah?"
"Elena said—she said you said a vampire attacked you." Caroline managed to say.
The older girl sat silently for a moment before clapping her hands over her mouth to suppress her laughter.
"What? I said that?" Vicki exclaimed in wonderment. "Man, I must have been on some bad stuff, spouting all kinds of craziness. No, I was attacked by a wolf."
"Oh," Caroline sighed.
But Elena sounded so sure that Vicki actually believed she was attacked by a vampire.
Both turned at the sudden sound of the hospital room door opening. Elena poked her head inside wearing a halfhearted smile before slowly entering.
"Vicki your mom's here to see you."
"And this is my cue to leave." Caroline muttered under her breath as Elena hustled her out the door. "Bye Vicki."
Bonnie starred down at the box. The same one Meredith had found in her Grams' attic. The one marked with contents belonging to her great ancestor—the supposed witch of Salem. And now with the truth was set before her she could finally learn about the supposed witchy powers her grams insisted she had.
She slowly lifted the tabs of the box upward, ignoring the dust that coated the top as she cautiously opened it. She cringed away, expecting…hoping for something to happen. Like a magic booby-trap or something. Nothing.
"Okay now I'm just acting plain stupid," Bonnie muttered to herself as she pushed the tabs back, peering into the box that had called to her. Something that only happened to potential witches her Grams had told her. Then again she had been drunk when she'd told her that.
In the box was a small journal, one that looked incredibly old. Its pages were already falling off of the spine as she pulled it out carefully.
A cold chill crept up her arm as she stared down at the journal. The strange feeling of being called returned almost instantly with more fever.
With a shaky hand she gently lifted the cover, revealing the first page. Written across it was: Emily Bennett, 1864.
"Well…this isn't so magical," She muttered as she turned to the next page. A strange sensation shot through her hand, like fire, causing the journal to fall. As she reached down to pick it up, a look of shock etched on her face, the pages of said journal began turning on their own like in some clichéd Sabrina the Teenage Witch episode.
"What the—"
The pages stopped turning and she crouched down, picking the journal up. Her eyes widened at the old photo wedged between two of the pages. A hand rising to her lips as a gasp escaped them.
In the photo was a familiar woman. One she'd known since she was little and in the sandbox.
"Caroline?" The blonde bore an uncanny resemblance to her longtime friend, down to the last curl. At the corner of the picture was the date it was taken: 1864.
"This can't be right."
He watched Caroline as her eyes found him in the mess of people crowding Mystic Grill. She ducked down from the entrance and met him at the table he'd saved them for lunch.
He offered her a smile as she approached, wearing one of her own. His eyes trailed down her body—she was wearing a cute purple dress that she'd picked out that morning to wear for their lunch date.
"Hey." She greeted as she slid into the seat across from him.
"Hello." He said in return. His breath hitched slightly as her knee brushed lightly against his as she made herself comfortable.
"So, Stefan…how was your day?" Caroline asked eyes on him.
Stefan stared back at her, "It was fine. How's Vicki?"
Right, Vicki.
"She's doing better."
"Good." He nodded eyes drifting over to where their server stood flirting up a short redhead.
Just ask him, Care!
"So—have you heard about the Founder's Party going on tomorrow night?" She asked in one breath. Stefan's attention returned to her and he nodded slowly wearing a small smile. "Would you…like to go…with me?"
His brows raised in surprise. But a wide smile graced his face a moment later.
"Yeah."
Caroline smiled brightly, resting her hand over his in excitement. Stefan's eyes drifted down to it before taking it in his. Allowing their fingers to intertwine as their hearts were.
"You look beautiful." He murmured, breath tickling the nape of her neck. Her breath caught in her throat at his sudden appearance and proximity. She turned to respond, but paused when she realized just how close they were standing. There was barely an inch between them.
"Damon." She greeted eyes drifting over his form appreciatively. He was wearing black on black, which suited him rather nicely. "Nice seeing you again."
The older boy leaned forward, lips tickling her ear as he spoke. "You are the most beautiful woman in the room."
Caroline felt a warm hue forming on her cheeks as she tried to suppress the pleased smile growing on her face. She did love hearing complements from attractive men.
"Thank you." She muttered, running a hand through her hair nervously. "Have you seen Stefan?"
I sure haven't.
Damon shook his head. "No, but I'm happy that he's finally giving love another try. Especially after his last girlfriend…"
Last girlfriend?
Confusion clouded her face as he continued, noting her look. "Oh, he hasn't told you about Katherine."
"Katherine?" She trailed off, noticing that his attention was focused on something behind her. Peeking over her shoulder she spotted Matt holding Elena close as they moved on the dance floor, Tyler and Meredith sneaking glasses of champagne off of a waiter's tray, and Bonnie staring back at her wearing an anxious expression.
What's up with her?
"Dance with me?" Damon's voice snapped her out of her thoughts and she looked down as he extended hand to her. She graciously took his offering, following him as he led her out onto the floor that had been built in the back of the mayoral residence for the event.
Call, baby, call
It's no fantasy
You've got me waiting on the corner
You've got me waiting
The blonde sighed as he pulled her into his arms, wrapping one firmly around her waist and other taking her hand in his as they began to move.
A hard rain's gonna fall
I'll take your glory
I'll take it all
I'll take your territory
At least I get to dance..
Delirious
I'm in delirium
I'll find that equilibrium
"So…you were talking about Katherine," She spoke up after a moment. She was interested. Learning about Stefan's ex might actually help her understand him better.
Call, baby, call
It's no fantasy
You've got me waiting on the corner
I can't feel it any more
"Oh—Katherine was something special." Damon said, staring down at her as they danced. Relishing in the fact that he'd managed to get Stefan away from Caroline by dangling some interesting information about Vicki and her whereabouts and what he'd instructed her to do. He had at least fifteen minutes before his brother came back. "She was attractive—and very spontaneous."
Call, baby, call
It's no fantasy
You've got me waiting on the corner
You've got me waiting
"Why'd they break up?" She inquired. This Katherine girl sounded pretty good so far. There had to be a reason they weren't together anymore.
Call, baby, call
It's no fantasy
You've got me waiting on the corner
I can't feel it any more
"Truthfully," He began, enjoying the way she felt next to him while pondering what he wanted to say before continuing. "She was also very complicated and selfish. But she loved Stefan—and they didn't break up…she died…in a fire. Very tragic."
Call, baby, call
It's no fantasy
You've got me waiting on the corner
You've got me waiting
Why has Stefan never talked about her?
"Oh," Caroline mumbled, pulling away from him as the song came to an end. "Did it happen recently?"
"It feels like it was yesterday." He sighed, dropping his arm from her waist and releasing her hand. "But—I like you. You seem like you'd be good for him."
It was true, but he wasn't going to give up the chance at being with the woman he'd loved for over a century by bowing out of the race for her affections. He just needed to make sure that she trusted him before telling her, everything.
"And you make him smile, which is something I haven't seen for a very long time."
Caroline gave a small smile at that. She was happy that she could provide Stefan with some form of happiness. She just wished he would stop running off on her.
Where is he anyway?
Elena smiled to herself as Matt lead her off of the dance floor, grabbing two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter. She grinned, excepting one as they made their way to the garden that was blooming with beautiful roses.
"How's Kelly doing?" She inquired as they fell into step. Making their way down the garden path set out before them.
"She's good." He began, taking a sip from his glass before continuing. "Vicki was released this morning so…mom said she'd watch her tonight."
The brunette nodded, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "Vicki's going to be okay…"
Matt stared down at the hand before glancing back up, lips twitching as she stepped closer to him.
"I miss you Matt." She informed him in a whisper, ducking her head to avoid his gaze. Breaking up with him after her parents' deaths—she appreciated having him in her life and after thinking about it over and over in her head she just wanted him back.
Surprise flashed across his face and there was something in her eyes that he recognized from the first time they kissed. He placed a finger under her chin, lifting her head up slightly so that she was staring back at him.
"I miss you too." He murmured. "Actually…I've missed you a lot Elena."
Her lips quirked into a widening smile as his mouth descended down to claim hers in a gentle kiss. One full of affection—she smiled into the kiss as it deepened.
Caroline stood alone by the bar that Mrs. Lockwood had ordered for the occasion—and it was hard convincing the man behind it to get her a drink. But she took a nice, long appreciative sip of bourbon. She deserved it. Stefan had been gone for over half an hour. This was worse than the bonfire—at least then he'd shown up at her house afterwards. He'd yet to kiss her, or tell her about, well, anything. And truth be told she was starting to get the feeling that he was one of the love 'em and leave 'em types—though he hadn't loved her yet.
"Caroline!" Bonnie exclaimed, appearing through the crowd of couples dancing out on the floor. "I need to talk to you."
"Caroline," Stefan's voice cut her friend off before she could continue. "I am so sorry that I…flaked on you."
"We'll talk later," Caroline promised her friend, who was already backing away, before turning her attention to her so-called date. "Where have you been?"
She asked in a way that came off as more curious than obsessive. She was growing just a bit tired of his disappearance acts.
The man's freaking Houdini!
"I'm sorry," Stefan repeated, tone full of regret as he explained himself. "I had a—family emergency. Zach—"
"Is he okay?" She cut him off, concern filling her voice as she placed a gentle hand on his arm. "Damon didn't say anything."
"Damon." He stammered in surprise. Of course Damon would use Vicki to get him away from Caroline so that he could snake his way into her life. And she was kind enough to not see it coming. He'd spent the last thirty minutes talking Vicki off of the roof of some building across the street from the Bar and Grill. Luckily his compulsion wasn't that bad—but Damon's was still better.
"He told me about Katherine," She continued, looking down at her feet before meeting his gaze, "How come you've never told me about her?"
He formed a tight-lipped smile before answering, "It's not something I like to talk about."
There was sadness to his face but she carried on. "I get it Stefan. But…I really want you to open up to me."
Caroline rubbed his arm comfortingly, giving him a soft smile.
Of course I'm being a total hypocrite! I want him to open up to me yet I haven't talked to him about my attack…my mom…
"Thank you," Stefan said with an understanding nod. She stared back at him for a moment, hand falling away from him in disappointment. That wasn't the reply she'd been hoping for.
"Stefan…I get that you're this big mystery guy. And I like that about you, but…with mystery comes secrets and…I want to know that I can trust you." She informed him. Seriousness in her tone as she continued, "You've run off on me…twice. And you don't want to talk about Katherine. So, can you please just…tell me something about yourself—anything."
He stared back at her in silence.
Nothing.
"Goodnight, Stefan." She mumbled turning heel and making her way back up toward the mayoral residence. As she entered the crowded hall she spotted Meredith watching from afar as Tyler hit on a familiar redhead.
"Hey," Caroline greeted sadly as she approached her friend, who was sitting on the steps leading upstairs. She sat down beside her, significantly closing off access to the upper rooms.
"Hey." Meredith sighed, eyes never straying from the varsity all-star athlete. "What does she have that I don't?"
The blonde examined the redhead for a moment before responding, "For one thing, she has a penis…"
"No way, how can you tell?" Meredith gasped, craning her head to get a better look at Tyler's next possible hookup.
"My mom…she introduced me to him at the hospital last year. I almost didn't recognize him." Her grin faltered slightly at the memory. "I think his name is Tommy—well, Tammy now."
"Woah…" She muttered, before turning to her as a thought came to her. "Hey, where's Stefan?"
That didn't take long.
Meredith was probably the only one of all her friends that could detect her unhappiness and know what—or who, was the source of it.
"I sort of left him outside," Caroline stammered out, staring back at her friend with a sheepish expression. "I realized I really didn't know much about him…and he wasn't talking, so..."
"Care, you've known him for like…what? a week?" Meredith's sensible voice came into effect as she spoke up, "This has been the first time…since Liz, that I've seen you genuinely happy. Give him another chance. Trust me—Stefan's a nice, normal guy."
She's right! He is normal…with him I feel normal.
"You're right," Caroline exclaimed as realization set in, "I'm just being dumb."
Standing up she gave the girl an appreciative hug good-bye before making her way back outside. She needed to find Stefan and apologize.
She hadn't found Stefan at the party—why would she after she'd left him without a word. Elena and Matt had disappeared on her, probably to make up for lost time. Meredith had given her a ride home, and as she made her way up the driveway, she saw the silhouette of a figure standing on the porch.
What the—
"Stefan?" Caroline inquired in surprise. The last thing she expected was to find the Salvatore waiting for her, especially after what she did. "Wha—what are you doing here?"
"You want to know me, right?" He asked her, but the answer to his question was obvious. She nodded slowly unsure of where he was going. "Then I'll tell you…Let's start with Katherine."
She took a step toward him in thought, "Stefan, you don't have—"
"She was…one of the most beautiful girls I'd ever met," he began, staring back her. He couldn't rightfully say that he hadn't been in a relationship with her. And he couldn't tell Caroline that the girl he'd really fallen in love with was in fact her. "She had this perfect olive skin and she had this laugh…hearing it made you want to laugh. Katherine was also very impatient and entitled, selfish and impulsive."
Caroline starred back at him as they fell into silence. She was overflowing with happiness that he'd finally opened up to her—about Katherine, about anything really.
"Thank you," She said stepping toward him with a soft smile tugging on her lips.
He gazed down at her, continuing, "I miss her…but I'm no longer crippled by her lose. I—I like you Caroline."
"I like you too Stefan," Caroline mumbled as his eyes searched hers for a moment. She swallowed down her fear at the thought of something swooping in and ruining her sudden happiness. She deserved happiness. She deserved normal.
Her lips parted slightly as his hand reached up to cup her cheek. He pushed back a loose curl, resting the hand at the nape of her neck before lowering his mouth to hers. The kiss was gentle and his lips were soft and warm. There was a familiarity to them that was surprising and an image flashed behind her eyes.
Stefan was staring at her with an unreadable expression as she ran her hand through his hair. He caught it in his before she could bring it back to her. His eyes gleaming with something she couldn't really read. And then his lips were on hers. The smell of cinnamon filled her nostrils, and he cupped her cheeks gently with his hands. She felt the quick thumping of her heart against her ribcage from surprise, tinged with excitement.
Snap.
"I am sorry...I shouldn't have done that."
"Stefan. It's okay, really."
Snap.
"He's with Katherine."
"Caroline!" Stefan exclaimed as the blonde fell from the kiss. His hands wrapped around her securely before her body could hit the ground. He stared down as she slowly came to.
"Wha—what happened?' She murmured in confusion, righting herself in his hold. His arms around her were a comfort and he helped her sit down on the porch step so that she could get her head on straight.
"Are you okay?" He asked worriedly, gently wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
"Yeah," She nodded placing a hand on her temple.
What the hell is going on with me?
"I just need to get some sleep," Caroline informed him smoothly standing up after a moment.
"Are you sure?" Stefan inquired softly letting his hand fall from her shoulder and resting it on her shoulder. "I'm here if you need to talk."
"I'm sure," She insisted feigning a yawn as she continued. "I should get some sleep. Goodnight Stefan."
She gave him one last kiss before descending up the steps and entering the house. Closing the door behind her, she pressed her back against it hand going to her lips as one thought plagued her mind.
What is happening to me?
Next: Bonnie learns more about the woman in the picture, Caroline gets Stefan to help her with the Sexy Suds Carwash, Matt and Elena continue to grow strong, and someone goes missing.
Song used: Equilibrium by Blue Foundation