Previously on I've Been Roaming Around:

"But now you drown yourself in alcohol to make yourself not feel, so you'll be more like your brother." She had her arms crossed over her chest and her head was cocked to the side. Her eyes had a spiteful look. "And you want to be more like your brother because she was the one he chose in the end. She chose him over you."

Stefan had his hands around her arms and roughly slammed her against the opposite wall, his eyes red with anger and the vampire in him showing.

"Stop it!" He said between clenched teeth.

"I lost her too." Caroline yelled. "You weren't the only one! I lost Elena too!" She roared as a few tears fell from her eyes and down her cheeks.

"Just, go Stefan!" Caroline shrieked. "Leave!"

Stefan didn't budge. Caroline picked herself up and charged at him. She pushed him with all the strength she could muster.

"Just leave!" She yelled. "Stefan, go home! Leave!"

He looked down at her, sincerity in his eyes.

Stefan nodded. "Okay." He choked out.

He turned and left the room.

She stood there, unmoving. The front door slammed closed, echoing through the quiet house, causing Caroline to shudder.

What had she done?

…

She had everything packed, everything was ready. She was going to leave a day before Elena's funeral, so she would make it there in time. She was going back home, for the first time in so long. She wondered if they'd be happy to see her. She wondered how Jeremy and Matt were doing. And how Jenna was? She wondered if Bonnie would ignore her. Or if Stefan would even talk to her? She felt terrible for the way she had acted but she was hurting too. And she was tired of his selfishness for only caring about himself. She grabbed her bag, and opened her front door. She turned and gathered a few more things before turning back to the door and jumped in surprise.

"Oh." Caroline put her hand on her chest. "Ethan."

"Hey, Caroline."

"Hey. Um, what are you doing here?"

"I just came to see what you were up to. Why? Are you heading somewhere?"

Caroline nodded. "Yeah, actually I was going to go home for a couple of days, for my friend's funeral."

"Oh I'm so sorry. How are you?"

"Um I've been better, but it still hasn't really sunk in yet."

Ethan nodded. "Where's your friend?" He tried to see around her. "Stefan was it?"

"Yeah, Stefan went home a few days earlier."

"Oh well, I'll let you go. Drive safe Caroline."

She nodded. "Thanks and yeah, I will."

He took her bag from her. "Let me walk you to your car."

"Oh-uh it's fi-"

"Care, I insist."

She shrugged her shoulders. "Okay."

She followed him to her car. He politely opened the door for her.

"Thanks."

She put her keys in the ignition and turned the key. Her car made a clicking sound and the sound of a dying revving engine could be heard.

"That doesn't sound too good!" Ethan spoke.

Caroline rested her forehead against the steering wheel. "This just isn't my month."

"Do you need a ride?"

Caroline lifted her head. "That would be great."

Ethan nodded and motioned for her to follow him. "Come on."

Caroline got out of the car and went to grab her bag, but Ethan beat her to it. They walked to his car. Ethan opened the door and placed her bag in the backseat. Caroline opened the passenger door and took her seat, putting her seatbelt on. Ethan came and took his seat in the driver's side. He started the car and reversed out of her driveway.

"So where are you going?"

"Mystic Falls, Atlanta."

"That may take a while."

"One day and nineteen hours to be exact."

He raised his eyebrows as he looked at her.

Caroline shrugged. "What? When I moved her I made sure I was a good distance away, but not too far if an emergency came up."

Ethan chuckled and it reminded her of Stefan.

"Alright, let's hit the road."

They drove and Caroline could tell it was going to be a long trip. Ethan was a great guy, but there's only so much optimism someone can take.
They had driven all day and night, taking shifts driving while the other slept. They only stopped twice for gas and food. And as the 'Welcome to Mystic Falls' sign came into view a feeling of relief washed over her to be home. As Ethan drove through town on the warm sunny morning of Elena's funeral, all the memories started flooding back. There was a memorial being held before the funeral at Elena's house. And Caroline had told him the directions to get there. The car came to a stop and Caroline looked through the window to see any familiar faces. She saw Bonnie standing next to Jeremy, and Jenna talking with their neighbor. Then she saw him, her heart seemed to stop beating as she saw Stefan talking with Matt. She noticed them turn in her direction and she quickly looked at Ethan.

"Thank you so much for this. Really you have no idea how much this meant to me."

"It was no problem Caroline."

She reached in and hugged him. As she pulled away he grabbed her face and kissed her. The kiss was quick, their lips touched for only a second before Caroline pulled away, shocked at his sudden action. She shook her head; her expression was full of shock.

"You can't do that."

"Caroline I-"

"It's okay. Hey thanks for the ride Ethan." She said, rushing to open the door handle and get out of the car while grabbing her bag.

She noticed Jenna catch sight of her and excuse herself from her conversation.

"Caroline!" Jenna beamed as she rushed over to her, causing everyone to notice Caroline's arrival. "How are you?"

She pulled Caroline into a tight hug.

"I've been better."

"It's been so long." Jenna spoke.

Caroline looked saddened. "Yeah, I know. I'm sorry that I didn't come and visit I just-"

"Caroline please, we all understood."

Caroline nodded. She placed her hand sympathetically on Jenna's shoulder.

"Jenna how are handling everything?"

Jenna shrugged. "It's been hard, for all of us. Especially Jeremy."

"Well don't worry okay, I'll help you two with anything alright."

Jenna smiled. "I'd really appreciate that Caroline."

"No problem."

"Listen, where are you staying?"

"Oh I was just going to stay at the hotel."

Jenna shook her head. "Oh no, don't bother, you can stay here with us. Stefan's already staying in one of the guest rooms. You can stay in the other."

"Oh Jenna really, I wouldn't want to be a bother. You guys are going through a rough time and I wouldn't want to intrude."

"Oh nonsense Caroline, you're family. I'll tell Ric to bring your bag upstairs."

With that Jenna started walking away. Caroline turned towards her.

"No Jenna really I don't-"

"Caroline, you're staying with us alright!"

Caroline gave up trying to protest and let out a sigh. She noticed Jeremy standing by the drinks table and she walked over to him.

"Well, well, look who it is, Jeremy Gilbert!"

He turned towards her with a smile on his face.

"Caroline Forbes."

"Look at you all grown up!"

He chuckled. "And look at you, still amazing as ever."

He pulled her into a hug, and she tightly hugged him back.

"It's been a while." He spoke as they pulled away.

She nodded. "Everyone keeps telling me that."

He laughed.

Caroline reached for his hand. "So Jer, how are you holding up?"

He shrugged. "Better than before."

She rubbed her thumb over his knuckles.

"You're strong, you'll get through this."

He nodded. "Thanks Care."

He pulled her into another hug.

"It's good to see you. Really good."

"It's good to see you too Jer."

They pulled apart and Caroline smiled at him, and rubbed her thumb over his cheek.

"You'll be fine."

He nodded. "That's what I keep telling myself."

He smiled lightly at her and she returned it.

"Caroline!"

She turned at the sound of her name and a smile spread across her face.

"Bonnie!"

The two girls ran into each other's arms.

"How are you?" Caroline asked.

"It's hard. It's been hard on all of us."

Caroline nodded in agreement and glanced at Stefan, before looking back at Bonnie. "I know what you mean."

"So tell me, how's Seaside?"

"Great, really great."

Bonnie nodded, a smile coming on her lips. "That's great Care!"

"Yeah." Caroline nodded. "It is."

"So, who's the guy that dropped you off? And were kissing?"

Caroline's eyes widened. "Oh you saw that?"

Bonnie nodded. "Yup. I'm pretty sure everyone saw it."

Caroline let out an unimpressed sigh. "Great. His name is Ethan, and we're not together. I mean we went out once, but yeah, no." She said, shaking her head firmly. "He just happened to be around when my car wouldn't start, so he offered me a ride."

"Oh really?" Bonnie said unconvinced.

Caroline laughed lightly. "Yes Bonnie. He kissed me, I was completely shocked."

"Yeah I could tell."

Caroline lightly hit her arm. "Hey!"

Bonnie laughed.

"Can I ask you something?" Caroline questioned.

"Shoot."

"Where's Damon?

Bonnie looked at her hands. "He hasn't left the boarding house since everyone found out." She said as she looked back up at Caroline.

Caroline nodded. "Well has Stefan been there to see him?"

Bonnie shook her head. "I wouldn't know, why not ask him."

Caroline nodded. "Okay, I will. It was really nice to see you Bonnie."

She pulled her friend into a hug.

"Yeah, it was really nice to see you too Caroline."

They pulled away and shared a smile before Caroline turned to walk over to Stefan. She was hesitant, not sure if she should go to him or let him come to her.

"Caroline!"

She came down from her thoughts.

"Matt, Hi."

He was about to pull her into a hug when Caroline spotted Stefan walking inside.

"Matt, I'm so sorry but I have to go." She started walking away. "It was really nice to see you!" She said over her shoulder.

Caroline walked quickly into the house and followed Stefan's scent. She was surprised when he went into the backyard.

"What are you doing back here?"

Her voice caused him to jump. He looked at her and walked closer to her, hands in his pant pockets.

"So, are you dating Ethan now?"

"No, why are you jealous?"

Stefan scoffed. "Why did he drive you here?"

Caroline crossed her arms over her chest. "My car wouldn't start and he just happened to stop by and he offered me a ride."

Stefan nodded. "Mhm."

Caroline walked over to him and touched his hand. She looked him in the eye but he couldn't look in hers. Instead, he stared at their touching hands.

"Stefan," Her voice was soft. "I'm sorry for what I said to you and how I acted."

His eyes met hers.

"What I said was inappropriate and immature and also completely uncalled-for. So please I just-"

"Caroline," Stefan interrupted. "It's alright. I forgave you a little while ago. It was completely understandable why you said what you did. You were hurting and I was being insensitive and selfish. I was only thinking about how I felt. And I completely disregarded your feelings. I mean you lost someone too, we all did. We all lost someone special to us." He looked at her seriously, compassion in his light green eyes. "So I understand, and I'm here if you need me."

He gave her a faint smile and then walked back toward the house. Caroline let his words sink in. She turned and watched his retreating back disappear inside.

…..

A/N: Thanks for reading, please review and feel free to give me any feedback! What did you guys think of the Jeremy/Caroline in it?