A/N : Sorry for the wait. Thank you all so much for your reviews, follows and favourites. It really means a lot so THANKS. This is the longest chapter to date and I'd love to know what you guys think so please review (if you want). Thanks again for reading I hope you enjoy 💜

"Hey"

"Hi"

She looked down at her emerald green ball gown running her hands smoothing down her dress nervously. He grabbed hold of her delicate hands in his.

"You look great by the way" He smiled to her reassuringly.

She took a deep breath to calm herself before the grin spread to her dimpled cheeks.

"Thanks"

"Why are you so nervous? You've been preparing for this since you were what, 12?"

"More like 6..." she lightly chuckled at his amused face. "... I was a difficult child"

"You're still difficult" He teased light heartedly.

"Shut up" she playfully shoved his shoulder".

"Ladies and gentlemen. Please be welcome to join the contestants and their partners to the dance floor while the judges deliberate their results for the new Miss Mystic Falls"

Stefan crooked the arm of his elbow in offering of Caroline to link arms with him which she did. They walked to the centre of the room where he comfortably wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her in flush against him. Her left hand found place on his right shoulder while the other hand was firmly clasped in his.

The music began to play in the background and they fell into a comfortable rhythm with one another as they danced gliding across the floor.

"Huh"

"What?"

"It's nothing, just...Stefan Salvatore dancing. I should take a picture"

"Oh trust me I think there will be plenty of photographic evidence I'm going to have to endure because of this". Stefan's gaze filtered over Caroline's shoulder quickly to his overly enthusiastic mother's spectating position by the side of the dance floor, wide grin camera in front of her face. He spun their positions so Caroline could catch a glimpse which resulted in a fit of giggles she hid by burrowing her face into Stefan's shoulder. A light chuckle escaped his own lips as they continued to sway to the music.

Stefan spun Caroline gracefully before pulling her flush to his body in a flaring move. Caroline's foot took a wrong step on Stefan's toes.

"Sorry" she squeaked out in concern. Stefan bit back the pain.

"It's fine."

He felt her hand squeeze his as her eyes searched across the room and her breathing began to quicken.

"Hey, you ok?"

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine thanks"

He gave her a searching gaze.

"No, seriously... I'm just a bit nervous is all"

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

"You're doing great so far you know"

A wide smile spread across her face as she bit her bottom lip.

"Thank you"

He gave her a nod to signal an 'of course'.

"No, seriously. I know this is probably the last place you want to be . And you most definitely would of preferred to of been Elena's escort today. And I know I practically forced you into doing this with me. But I just want you to know I really appreciate it... You're a really good friend Stefan".

"Does this mean you're splitting the prize money with me when you win this thing?"

She lightly chuckled, before setting a serious gaze.

"Don't get ahead of yourself".

.

They fell back into a comfortable rhythm with one another moving in sync, like one.

"So was Elena mad?"

"No, no of course not. She completely understood". Or so he hoped. In all honesty his relationship with Elena was a bit strained at the minute. She hasn't in so many words told him she was mad, but then again they hadn't been speaking many words to each other in general lately.

He offered to be Caroline's escort to this pageant a couple weeks ago when he saw her desperation after finding out Matt would be stuck at work. Him and Elena where fighting and he guessed part of him wanted to spite her for it. Leaving her dateless for today was a bit harsh thinking back on it now. He remembers them making up that night and the guilt and shame he felt when he told her he couldn't take her.

It worked out in the end though. He managed to convince his brother to escort Elena as there was 'no way in hell' he was taking Caroline. Elena probably wasn't best pleased, but she didn't protest so he figured it was all worked out. It's not as if he was deliberately choosing Caroline over Elena. He knows Elena would be pleased that Caroline wasn't forced to do this alone, and he would pretty much be around Elena all day anyway so why not?

"Really?" She nervously questioned. Stefan nodded to which she breathed a sigh of relief.

"Good... I really didn't want upset her. Especially after it meaning so much to her with her mom and all".

Stefan gave a light nod. He didn't really think about that. He knew her mom was the reason Elena entered the competition but he never got the feeling she really wanted to be here. Caroline was so passionate and excited every time she spoke about it. Her whole face lit up and inspired everyone around her. Elena never really showed that excitement. Or may be she was better at hiding it?

Was he neglecting his girlfriend? Is that why they were fighting so much lately? He wanted to ask Caroline. If there was anyone's opinion he valued on this it would be hers. She knew him and Elena as individuals and together. She's the best potential person to give him relationship advice. He trusts her advice, her reasoning was always logical and similar to his. He should ask her.

He looked down to piercing blue eyes , mouth hung upon and poised to ask.

But he didn't. At the end of it all, Caroline was Elena's friend too. He would never put her in a position where she would need to choose between the two of them. She was fiercely loyal to a fault. He knew at the end of the day, no matter the petty arguments she had with Elena, they had been friends since birth. She would choose her side if it came down to it. Then he would loose her as a friend.

The nerves must of built up throughout the day Stefan started to tell himself as his hands began to sweat. He was panicking over his relationship troubles with Elena he convinced himself when his breathing quickened as he felt his throat begin to tighten.

He was beginning to panic. He knew the warning signs of a panic attack when he felt one. His eyes darted across the room at the hundreds of spectators about to witness more than they bargained for. He had no escape.

As he waited for the inevitable a series of hums emitting from the blonde in his arms brought him out of his thoughts. He swallowed the knot in his throat allowing it to open up again. He felt as if he could breathe again. Her series of hums evolved to a catchy tune she was now singing. He glanced down at her but she looked lost in her own thoughts. He's never heard her voice before. It's the most beautiful thing he's ever heard.

She sounds like an angel. So pure and ethereal. Something deep inside Stefan began to stir. A tingling in the pit of his stomach. A feeling that probably should be worrying him. He should fear it as a side effect of the panic attack he was experiencing moments before, but Stefan has felt panic attacks before. He's never felt this in his life. This was most definitely a new feeling and strangely rather than scared he felt relaxed. Like he was meant to feel this. The pull was so magnetic, so addictive, he loved the feeling. To say he was at complete ease was an understatement. The only way he could describe it was like finally finding home after being lost for so long.

Stefan shook those thoughts out of his head. What was he even doing. Caroline's voice was so enchanting it literally pulled him to another place in his mind. A place his body yearned to reach for reasons his mind struggled to understand. All through a few angelic notes.

Caroline was one of those people that can do that to you. She could turn your whole world upside down in a fleeting moment, and for someone like him, who felt comfortable in control it was scary. She could tip his world on it's axis and he would never see it coming. It was terrifying. But it was invigorating. Strangely addictive. That passion, that excitement, that smile it pulled you in like a siren and surprisingly she's brought nothing but light into his life. She was full of surprises.

She was calming him down with her angelic voice, quite literally saving him from a panicking hell. She said before that she sings when she panics. He never thought it would work to calm him. He never knew it was a sound he needed to hear in his life until this moment.

"Don't stop"he whispered.

"What?"

"You were singing"

"I was? Sorry, I didn't even realise I was doing it"

"I didn't know you could sing"

"What?" Caroline looked startled by that.

"You have an amazing voice"

"No I don't -shut up" she blushed looking to the floor and Stefan couldn't stop the smile fixed on his face at the adorable sight.

"I'm serious"

"Anyway" her cheeks still held a rose blush.

"Don't be embarrassed" he teased.

"Im not embarrassed, you're embarrassed" he chuckled at her childish retort.

.

"So I know you said Matt was stuck at work, but I find it hard to believe you couldn't find another date in that time."

She feigned shock.

"What kind of girl do you take me for?"

"A very determined one"

"Truth is I'm really glad it's you that's here. I think you're the only person that is capable of keeping me being even remotely calm at the moment"

"This is you calm"

"Shocking I know. For some reason I just look at that brooding face and I guess I.. I think.." She struggled to find the words as her mouth hung open and shut before she shook herself out of her thought.

".. I guess I think life can never be bad enough for that level of brooding, and it gives me a little perspective"

He lets out an involuntary laugh to her reasoning causing the brooding look to fall off his face.

"Honestly though.I'm so happy you agreed to help me with this. And you are most definitely the only person I want to do this with".

"Right, so the good news is that the bump on the head will be fine. Keep the ice pack on it to bring the swelling down". Caroline nooded solemnly listening to Stefan's prognosis. "I'm gonna send off some of these blood samples though, just as a precaution because of these dizzy spells. Nothing to worry about. Just make sure that you're eating properly, and getting plenty of rest and I'll give you a call when I get your results"

"Oh, there's no need you can just send them in the post". Caroline responded grabbing hold of her bag.

"Caroline, I might have to talk them through with you"

"Why, is something wrong?"

"No, it's just hospital policy to talk through the results with you"

"Can't one of the nurses do that?"

"No, I'm afraid it will have to be doctor" he was lying through his teeth. He wanted to make sure she was okay, and make sure he can see her again. Panicking this was the only thing he could think of. It wasn't like he was lying about sending off the blood samples but that was more for his peace of mind rather than her health. That and everything that happened with Liz.

"Well... can I get a different doctor?" Her trying to avoid seeing him was only making him more persistent.

"Nope, I'm afraid you're stuck with me" he stated in a dismissive tone looking down at the documents in his hands.

"What?!... you can't do that"

He looked up at her through narrowed eyes "watch me".

"Stefan" she said in an annoyed tone.

He gave her his stubborn 'i'm not changing my mind' look resulting in a exhaustive sigh and mutter of "whatever" as she stood to leave.

"I'll just get my keys and-"

"No!" She yelled.

"Caroline, I'll drop you home"

"It's fine I can walk" she responded standing up.

"You'll walk?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Fine I'll get the bus"

"What, that's ridiculous I'll take you-"

"Its fine you know what ... I forgot, I already called a cab it should be here any second" she plastered on a fake smile.

"You don't have your phone".

"Right" realisation must of hit her that she already had to borrow his phone to call Damon earlier. She stood still trying to think of her next move Stefan recognized. He grabbed his keys and held out her coat for her to put on. Not having much other choice she violently grabbed her coat from his hands leading him out through the door. He took a deep sigh running a hand over his face. Why was she so stubborn.

"No... No, no, no,no, noooooo."

"Please" Stefan begged desperation in his voice, eyes wide puppy dog in pleading.

"I'm not doing this with you Stefan".

"Come on Caroline. You've made me do tones of stuff I didn't wanna do".

"Oh don't play that game with me. The things I want to do are fun and you know you end up enjoying them in the end".

"Oh really. So I enjoyed the time you fractured my ankle when you decided we should go bungee jumping"

"At the time you did ! ...even though you didn't stop whining all the way home" she mumbled the last part under her breath.

"What about the time you made us go out on your uncle's boat, when I told you I couldn't swim. Hmmm?"

"I was teaching you valuable life skills!" She exclaimed getting defensive over her decision to push him over board.

"And the time I got pneumonia when you dragged me on a walk to the falls in the middle of a thunderstorm"

"I told you to bring a jacket"

"I did bring one, you forgot yours and stole mine!" he yelled in aggravation.

They're were both silent staring each other down for a few moments before Caroline caved and looked to the floor. She shut her eyes taking a deep breath in.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to have fun this weekend" she mumbled ashamed.

"This can be fun" he reasoned.

She gave him a deadpan look.

"Ok not fun per say but we can make it fun.." Caroline didn't look very convinced.

"..Hey, it's me and you... It's always fun". A small smile crept it's way across her face, that she fought to stay down. It told Stefan he was wearing her down. Just a little more convincing should do it.

"You know it's always a free bar at these snooty parties".

"But the people that go are always so mean to me. They look at me like I'm something stuck on their shoe" she mumbled disheartened. Truth is whenever Caroline was nice enough to come to his parents posh over the top parties she was looked down on. Being the daughter of a single parent sheriff didn't hold much wealth at these high society functions. The people in attendance always thought they were above everyone else. Sterotypical fat suits and trophy wives who had nothing better to do then past judgment on the most genuine, kindness person he's ever met. His best friend. It made him so angry even just thinking about it.

"I won't leave your side the whole night. And if anyone so much as looks at you they'll have me to answer to"

"Oh yeah that scary" she muttered sarcastically.

Stefan continued to give her pleading eyes. He didn't want to do this alone. He didn't want to go at all. It would be a lot more bearable with Caroline there. Everything was better with Caroline. She rolled her eyes at him.

"Fine"

His eyes lit up as a wide grin spread across his across his face.

"But do not leave me alone". He shook his head vigorously determined look in his eye.

"Not even for a second."

"Thank you for today" Caroline begrudgingly muttered from her place in the passenger seat. It was clear she was still a whole other level of angry at him

"It's fine Caroline. And for what it's worth... I really am sorry". There was a stern silence as tension engulfed the room. Clearly she wasn't in a forgiving mood.

"I know you don't want to forgive me right now but... I hope one day ... we can be friends again?" His voice let out a vulnerable tone. He was putting himself out there, latching on to any hope she could give him but that was cut short by the angry laugh emanating from the blonde next to him.

"Oh wow... seriously?" His eyes shifted focus from the road to the dagger eyes she was currently giving him.

"Stop the car" she demanded.

"What?"

"I said stop the car!"

"Why?"

"Cause I just realised I don't want to spend even another second having to listen to your bullshit"

"Come on Caroline-"

"No just pull over I can walk from here"

"I'm not letting you walk home I'll-"

"STOP THE FUCKING CAR!" She screamed. He pulled over to the side of the road as she pushed open the door and flung herself out of there as fast as her legs could carry her. As she stormed of marching down the side walk Stefan rolled down the passenger window driving the car down along the side of her.

"Have you calmed down yet?" He questioned while her gaze did not differ from looking straight ahead.

"Oh, great we're back to the ignoring I exist" her face shook from side to side as she bit down the inside of her cheeks. He recognized this as a Caroline on the verge of an angry explosion.

"Come on just get back in the car" she tightly shut her eyes taking a deep breath trying to fight that anger burning at the surface as she bit the inside of her lips forcing the words to not be released from her mouth.

"Caroline I'm not gonna just leave you out here on your own" she abruptly stopped and turned to face him.

"Why not? You were happy to do it five years ago right? What's changed Stefan? You can't just show up here and expect to be part of ours lives. We moved on. We had to. You left..." her voice cracked slightly at that before she forced herself together in a more deadly tone "...You left and you weren't coming back. So why don't you do what you do best and run away again, so we can get on with our blissful life without you".

He stood frozen in place, in front of the fireplace staring at the chair. Her chair. Memories that use to be great, now only that much more painful. The glass of bourbon in his hands did nothing to ease the pain, nor the bottle he just finished. Only memories of her flashed through his brain.

How did his life come to this. Pining after the girl who no more than a couple months ago was merely a friend. She ruined that. If she wasn't so disregarding of his feelings. Yes he told her he just wanted to be friends but did she have to move on so soon. Did she have to go back to him.

His relationship with Caroline had never been so complicated. When his father told him he felt like he was being stabbed in the chest. How could she do this to him? She knew him better than anyone and she knew it would hurt him. Even if he hadn't said it in so many words. He was mad. She didn't even have the guts to say it to his face.

A knock at the door brought him out of his thoughts. He sensed it was her. Come to share her delightful news. He ignored it hoping she would just go away. He didn't want to see her.

"Stefan?" She meekly poked her head out the door. His grip on his glass hardened as he felt the warmth of the fireplace on his face, burning his anger. He shut his eyes tight and took a deep breath trying to ignore her presence.

"Stefan?" She sheepishly asked as she closed the door behind her and walked closer to him. She clearly wasn't going away until they talked and he had so much built in anger that he was sure to explode.

"What do you want?" He angrily huffed out, even though he knew exactly what she intended to say.

"There's something I need to talk to you about"

"Don't bother. My father already explained things" he turned to face her finally as a stunned expression filled her face. He stood there with the most hateful gaze he has ever given her. He has ever given anyone, as her mouth opened and shut trying to find the words.

"I... He... Oh..."

"Yeah" he grimly smiled .

"Can we talk about it?" She asked in a small vulnerable voice. He didn't want to be delicate with her. He wanted her gone.

"No". He wanted the pain crushing him to stop and the only way he knew how was to block her out. His mind told him she hadn't done anything wrong but his heart was shattered to pieces. He never thought Caroline could do that to him.

"Stefan?"

"It's fine Caroline, I really don't care" he forced his face to stay straight, keep stern. pretend this wasn't killing him on the inside. The second bottle of bourbon he was half way through drinking helping to numb the pain only slightly that his entire world was shattering to pieces.

"Why?" She asked her voice still small. Almost pleading with him.

"Because, it doesn't matter anymore... I'm leaving,"

"You're what?"

"My dad got me a job in New York . I'm doing my residency there and getting the hell away from here".

Her eyes filled with water with water as he took every ounce of strength he had to show no tears in his own eyes.

"But... What about me?" He gave an aggravated sigh as his fists clenched at the side of his body. Her pleading with him to not leave her. To stay his friend. He couldn't do that anymore, he couldn't watch her move on with her life. Make the mistakes he knew she was making.

"You're the one I'm trying to get away from" he knew it sounded harsh, but he knew Caroline. You needed to push her hard for her to leave you. This is the only way to get her away from him so he could wallow alone, over the life he could never have.

"Oh"

"Yeah, you know the way out"

"Can we at least talk about it... I don't know what to do" her voice started to crack and tears fell down her cheeks. He took a involuntary step toward her before stopping abruptly and turning away. He couldn't look at her without wanting to hold her. And he couldn't hold her. Not now.

"Stefan?" The desperation in her voice was evident but he kept his back to her so she wouldn't see the tears forming in his eyes. Why was she here? What difference does it make. She made her choice. She knew it would destroy whatever it was they had. She knew they couldn't come back from this.

"Please... I'm scared". He ran a hand over his face. The longer she stayed here the angrier he was getting. She was the one breaking his heart and here she was looking for comfort. What did she want? For him to say it's okay. I forgive you. Of course I can be your friend. I'm happy you're back with him.

He wanted to. God he wanted to go back to her. To be friends, to be anything. He couldn't imagine a life without her. A life without that smile. Those eyes. That laugh. She had completely changed his life from the day he met her. She brought light to his life, and chased away all the darkness. He didn't want to let that go. To let her go.

But he was dying. He felt like she reached into his chest and crushed his heart. He couldn't live like this any more.

He continued facing the fire forcing himself not to look at her. Not to let her back in. To start his life fresh, new, without this pain. A life without Caroline Forbes starts now.

"Get Out".

As she turned to continue marching down Stefan reeled from the idea of being out of her life for good. He's done that. He's been doing it for five years and it's been a living hell. He thought of her everyday. He tried with all power of his being to get over her. He can't. He's accepted that. Truth is he hasn't really been living a life and he didn't want to go back to that.

He's been living in the darkness for so long. He wanted to come home. He wanted Caroline. And that spurred him into action. He jumped out of the car and started chasing her down the street.

"So that's it right you want me out of you're life for good?"

"And he finally gets the message!" She dramatically sighed.

"Well... what if I don't want that? What if I want in?" He could see her jaw clench as she continue straight forward not meeting his eyes.

"Caroline." He demanded as he grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. After a beat of silence her eyes narrowed to slits as she finally looked at him.

"I don't think you've even thought of what you being here would do to us. I mean you undoubtedly weren't interested for five years and made that perfectly clear when you left and everyday since." That made Stefan angry, because as guilty as he was for abandoning her at the end of the day he had reason to. And thinking back to that made him snap.

"You know what I'm getting tired of this. It wasn't all my fault I left, ok. You need to take some responsibility-"

"Me?... take responsibility" she relased a humourless laughed as barged past him hitting his shoulder as she continue her journey home. He ran a hand over his face in exhaustion.

"Look Caroline what you want me to do huh, just stop making me guess and tell me so we can go back to being friends again"

"Yeah well that's the thing Stefan. I don't want that. I don't want to hear voice, I don't want to see your face and I sure as hell do not want to be your friend".

"Caroline, look I know you're mad but-" Stefan began in desperation before being interrupted.

"-I'm past mad Stefan... I hate you. And I don't want you back in our lives". He took a deep breath as she continued walking without looking back. His feet suddenly glued to the floor and eyes blurry as he watched her disappear in the distance.