Forrest City, Arkansas became their next stop. It had about 15 000 inhabitants and was, just like Nashville, hot as hell. Julie and Bill had waved them off the same morning. Stefan had the feeling that they would mourn the loss of Caroline, they had loved her. They desperately wanted her to get into Vanderbilt so that they could adopt her. People just loved Caroline. They couldn't help it.

"What's up today?" Stefan asked.

He picked up his phone. It had been buzzing all day. Damon kept calling. Stefan kept ignoring him because he knew that if he would pick up, he would forgive Damon. Because he loved him. Because he was his brother. But he wasn't ready to forgive yet.

"Well, it's 11 PM, to technically it's night" Caroline commented.

She kept fidgeting with her phone too. Maybe Elena was calling her. Stefan closed his eyes. No, he wasn't going to think about her. At all.

"You wanna sleep?" he asked.

"No, I slept in the car. Let's sing karaoke!"

"Oh no."

"Oh yes!"

"Caroline" he groaned. "I can't sing!"

"Come on" she said, punching his shoulder. "You're Stefan Salvatore! You can do anything!"

"No" he said, punching her back. "I can't."

She rolled her eyes and zipped open her bag. She held up a pretty, red dress and held it up to herself. Then she but it back.

"Let's go now" she said smiling.

Stefan shook his head.

"This is small town, Care. There probably isn't even a karaoke bar here."

She rolled his eyes at him and went down the stairs. In the reception in the shabby hotel sat a bored man.

"Excuse me" Caroline said sweetly. "Is there a karaoke bar in this town?"

The man surveyed her closely.

"Yeah, just down the street."

"Great!"

Stefan groaned.

"My friend here is so eager to sing" Caroline told the receptionist, pointing at Stefan.

…

The karaoke bar was small and stuffy and full of men singing country songs. Caroline vibrated with happiness. Stefan wanted to go home and watch a game.

"Care" he said. "I can't do this."

She patted his cheek.

"Okay. I'll grant you three beers. You won't be hammered, but you won't be sober."

"Five."

"Four."

"Okay."

She smiled at him.

"I know what song I'm doing, Do you?"

He shook his head. As he did, his phone vibrated in his pocket again. He picked it up. It was Elena calling. He stared at the display. Damon and Elena had called him today. Maybe they had broken up. Maybe Elena wanted him back. Maybe…

"Who is it?" Caroline asked.

He met her gaze. It was open and happy and smiley.

"No one important" he said and put his phone back in his pocket.

He would need more than four beers tonight, he could feel it. He needed a new heart. He needed to get over Elena. Now.

…

She let Stefan sing first. He picked the first song he recognized in the archive. It was Prince's Purple Rain. He looked uncomfortable and nervous, but he sang the song. Caroline hid her face in her hands. No, he actually couldn't sing. And not dance. Or anything. But she clapped along with the beat and elbowed a man who started to bu. And when he was done, she hugged him.

"I'm so proud of you" she exclaimed.

Stefan sat down on a chair.

"Never doing that again" he breathed.

"You were great."

"I have ears, Care. I sucked."

"I don't think the girl in the corner thinks that you sucked" she said, winking.

Stefan turned. A small girl with flaming red hair and low-cut top was watching him intently. Apparently, if you were handsome enough, you didn't need to be able to sing.

"Oh lord" he moaned.

She smiled. Was that relief she felt?

"What?" Caroline giggled. "You're a single man now."

He seemed to flinch and she regretted her words.

"Sorry" she said quickly.

He shrugged.

"I've just never thought about it like that."

She wanted to slap herself.

"We're supposed to have fun and I just made you feel like shit."

He smiled.

"No, you didn't, Care."

She shook her head.

"I'm going to sing for you now."

"Alright."

"It's a song from our road trip-CD."

He nodded.

"Great."

…

They didn't have the song she wanted to sing, so she decided to do it acapella. What the hell. She could sing. She knew it. She wasn't Whitney Houston, but she had pipes. And she had to sing this song. Especially since she just reminded Stefan that he had been dumped.

"This is for my best friend" she said into to microphone.

Someone cheered. Stefan pulled a face at her.

"It's called Songbird and it's from the best album ever made."

Fleetwood Mac should hire her as their spokesperson.

"Okay" she exhaled. "Let's go."

She breathed slowly and then began to sing.

For you, there'll be no more crying,
For you, the sun will be shining,

He had tilted his head to one side, watching her. She gripped the microphone harder.

And I feel that when I'm with you,
It's alright, I know it's rightA guy came up on stage, holding a guitar. He began strumming the chords. She smiled. She loved moments like this. Moments that was like movies. To you, I'll give the world
to you, I'll never be coldPeople had begun to sway in the crowd. Stefan looked at her. She smiled, he smiled back. He was her best friend. He was only person who could stand to be with her for several days in the row. He could calm her down and make her happy. And the songbirds are singing,
Like they know the score,
And I love you, I love you, I love you,
Like never before.

…

"That was really beautiful, Care" he said.

"Thanks."

She blushed and looked away, suddenly feeling like blushing toddler.

"I probably should pay more attention to that album."

"Yeah" she said, smiling.

He put his arm around and squeezed her close to him. He smelled like hotel soap.

"And I sung Purple Rain…"

She giggled.

"It was very nice!"

"Sure. Very from the heart."

"We can check this off our list now" she said.

"Thank God."

She giggled again and took a swig from his bottle of beer.

"Let's go and get some sleep" she said.

He nodded.

"Yeah."

…

When she woke up the next morning, it was her phone that woke her. She made a move to answer, but stopped herself. If it was Bonnie or Elena, she wasn't going to pick up. She opened one eye and peeked at the display. It read MOM in big, blue letters. Caroline groaned. The room was light and it hurt eyes. She stumbled out of her tiny bed and hurtled for the bathroom before Stefan woke up.

"Hello" she answered, rubbing her eyes.

"Did I wake you?" her mother asked tersely.

"Yeah."

"It's 2 PM."

"Is it?"

Shit. Caroline removed the phone from her ear and checked its clock. 2:13 PM. Shit.

"Why aren't you at your dad's?" her mother asked.

"Couldn't stand it" Caroline sighed.

She stood up and went over to mirror. Her hair was tangled and she had mascara under her eyes. She tried to rub it off with one hand.

"Then where are you?" Sheriff Forbes asked with her best interrogation voice.

"Forrest City" Caroline replied.

She was hungry. The blood supply in the trunk was running low. Maybe she would go hunting with Stefan. A bunny wouldn't be so bad.

"What?" her mother asked.

"Forrest City, Arkansas."

"And why are you there?"

"Road-tripping."

"With whom?"

"Stefan."

Her mother sighed deeply. Caroline rolled her eyes at herself in the mirror. She looked pale. It was pity she couldn't get a tan anymore.

"I was afraid of that" her mother said slowly.

"Really?" Caroline asked without any real curiosity.

"I think you should come home."

"No thanks."

She sat down on the edge of the bathtub.

"Caroline, I got a call from Elena last night."

Caroline suddenly felt cold.

"So?"

"She told me about her, err, situation."

Caroline didn't reply. She closed her eyes and tried to stop herself from screaming in frustration.

"And I think you're being very disloyal, Caroline."

"You think?"

"Yes. Elena was very upset that you are trying to seduce her boyfriend."

"Mom, Stefan isn't Elena's boyfriend. Damon is Elena's boyfriend now. You now, the dark one with the weird eyebrows?"

"You should take care of your friends."

"That's what I'm doing!" Caroline exclaimed exasperated.

"No, Caroline. You're betraying your best friend."

"Why do you care, mom? You never cared about me before. Why is this time different?"

Her mother breathed heavily on the other end.

"Life isn't always about you, Caroline" she snapped.

Caroline hung up.

…

"You want breakfast?" Stefan asked.

"No."

"I'll fetch you some blood."

"No thanks."

She lay down on her stomach on her bed, trying to make herself from crying. She didn't mean to be mean to Stefan. He was nice. She just wasn't.

"Can you tell me what is upsetting you?" he asked softly.

"Nothing."

He sat down on the foot of her bed. His weight made the bed quiver.

"Can you please speak in whole sentences?" he asked.

She peered up at him.

"I'm fine. You go hunt."

"And in words with more than one syllable, please."

She ignored him. Anger and hurt and sadness pulsed inside her. She couldn't think. Her mother had taking Elena's side in this. Elena, whom her mother had spoken to maybe ten times. She had listened to Elena, like she had never listen to Caroline. Everyone always chose Elena. Always.

"Care" he whispered.

He was closer now, laying a hand on her hip. It made her quiver, just like the bed had.

"What?" she snapped.

"I'm your best friend, remember?"

"Shut up" she croaked against the pillow.

He began to untangle her hair, just like had the other day. It had a weirdly calming effect on her. It made her relax and breathe.

"You sang me that pretty song last night, Care. Remember?" he began. "And I'm not sure but I think that there's a line in it saying something like 'to you, I'll never be cold'."

"Stupid song" she murmured.

He waited for her to say something else, but when she didn't he began rubbing her shoulders.

"Can you just tell me who called?"

He had been awake when she came out of the bathroom.

"My mom."

"Oh."

He seemed surprised.

"And what did say?"

"None of your freakin' business."

He laughed, but then got serious.

"It was about Elena, wasn't it?"

Caroline turned around so that she lay on her back. His arms retracted from her skin. That was good. Otherwise they would had been rubbing her chest.

"My mother told me that Elena had called her to say that I was betraying her."

She shook her head in disbelief. Stefan looked troubled. His eyebrows were contracted. Crap. He was worrying again.

"Why would she do that?" he asked.

"The question is, why did my mother listen? I swear that she didn't even know that you two used to date. She doesn't care. But now, just because Elena calls, she's in on all of it" she spat.

Stefan stroked her cheek. His skin was cold on her flustered face.

"I'm sorry they did that, Care. I'm sorry they're trying to blame you" he said softly.

Caroline met his eyes.

"She's jealous" she whispered.

"I don't think she is."

"I know she is."

She tried to read his face. Was he pleased? Maybe.

"I wish the rest of the world could just leave us alone" she whispered.

He smiled.

"Yeah, me too."

…

"Tell me something" she whispered.

Stefan turned his head to look at her. Her eyes were closed. They lay on the grass near a lake. It was silent and hot and calm.

"Like what?"

"About Elena."

"I thought the rule was to not talk about exes" he smiled.

She shifted her body against him, her hair getting in her eyes.

"I think you need to talk about her."

Maybe she was right. Maybe she wasn't. Stefan closed his eyes and felt the sun on his skin. In moments like this, it was easy to pretend that Elena hadn't ever existed. That he didn't feel hurt.

"I don't know what to say."

He heard Caroline move again on the grass and when she spoke, she was closer to him.

"Had you ever been in love before you met her?" she asked.

"Yes" he replied. "I met this girl in London in the 1930's. She was pretty, a vampire too, her name was Carrie."

"What happened?"

He shrugged.

"Didn't work out. Neither of us were stable. I haven't seen her in 90 years."

"What was she like?"

"She…" he hesitated. "She was very quiet. Very shy. You had to pry the words from her mouth. But she was sweet and kind. And very clever."

He opened his eyes. He hadn't thought about Carrie for a very long time.

"Did it hurt when you split up?" Caroline asked.

"Yeah."

"How bad?"

"Not this bad."

She stroked his forehead with her soft fingers. Stefan relaxed. He tried to focus on her touch, not on the hurt, not on the pain.

"I loved her. But it was a struggle. I never knew what she felt or meant. It drove me crazy" he whispered.

"I get it."

"And Katherine. I guess I loved her too, even though it wasn't real. She was manipulative and selfish, but still..."

"Every love is different."

"And Elena" he began. "Elena is kind and compassionate and wonderful. But…"

"But?"

"She's a martyr."

Caroline snorted. Stefan smiled too.

"She totally is" she agreed.

Caroline had spilled blood onto her t-shirt. Her jeans had grass stains. She didn't wear any makeup. She was real in a way that Stefan had never really seen her in Mystic Falls. Stefan liked that. He liked this Caroline. The Caroline that went up on stage and sang a song to him. The Caroline that tried to protect him. The Caroline that stroked his face with her soft fingers.

"How about you, Care?" he asked softly.

"If I've been in love?"

"Yeah."

She nodded.

"I think so. I'd like to think so."

He nodded. He remembered hearing about Caroline singing to Matt at the Mystic Grill. For some reason it annoyed him. That Caroline had sung to someone else. He pushed the thought away.

"Let's get hammered" Caroline suggested.

….

Caroline quickly realized that it was a lot easier to get her hammered than Stefan. They ended up at the same karaoke bar as last night (it was the only bar they could find). A man sang three Michael Jackson songs in a row and received a standing ovation. Caroline stood on a chair, drinking vodka and doing the moonwalk. She didn't get carded and Stefan paid. It was dangerous. She didn't know if vampires got hang-overs or not. She hoped not.

"You need to drink more" she said, tugging on Stefan's shirt.

"I try" he said. "But you keep stealing mine."

"Oh."

She sat down again. She felt happy and drunk and she didn't care that her mother was an idiot. Why should she care? She was in Forrest City and had just had four shots in a row.

"You sang last night, right?" someone asked.

She turned. A guy, maybe in his thirties, stood behind her. He was kind of cute. If you liked plaid shirts and too tight jeans.

"Yep" she said and nodded vigorously.

"Not tonight?" he asked.

"Nope."

"Why?"

"Because, tonight, we get drunk" she explained seriously.

"We?" the guy asked.

"Me and Stefan" she said, pointing on Stefan who just ordered another beer (beer? Jesus, did he take his seriously?)

"He your boyfriend?"

"Nope."

Stefan looked at her. He smiled vaguely, she beamed back. Did he look extra handsome tonight? That leather jacket was wonderful. She wanted to kiss it.

"And how is your mission going?" the guy asked.

"What?" she asked confused.

She leaned closer to Stefan to smell the leather. It smelt wonderful. She should by a leather jacket of her own. One of those short, cute ones.

"Getting drunk" the guy said, but Caroline didn't pay attention.

She moved her head up, towards Stefan's neck. It smelled even better than the leather. It was fresh and musky and made her stomach go all fuzzy. Maybe she should buy her own Stefan and carry around. She giggled at the thought.

"You listening to me?" the guy asked.

"Why don't you speak in proper sentences?" she asked.

"Huh?"

"Don't you like 'how' and 'is' and 'are'?"

He looked confused. She patted his cheek. He didn't smell as nice as Stefan. She wondered what his name was. Maybe Douglas. Yes. She would call him Douglas.

"Do you want to sleep with me?" she asked bluntly.

Douglas looked taken aback, but then smiled.

"You want me?" he asked.

"No, but your jeans are tight and very so in the crouch area."

He blushed angrily. Caroline smiled sweetly and turned to Stefan. He was drinking whisky now. Well, it was better than beer.

"Douglas wants to sleep with me" she told him.

He nodded.

"I can tell."

"Do you think I should?"

"Are you a virgin?" he asked.

Wow. Drunk-Stefan wasn't quite as discreet as sober-Stefan. It made her giggle.

"No, silly. I slept with your brother and shit."

"Oh, yeah, right" he nodded.

She turned to Douglas again. He didn't say anything. He just stood there, waiting for Caroline's choice.

"He's kind of cute" she said fairly.

"A bit short" Stefan commented.

That was true. She hadn't realized. Not that it would matter in bed. She bravely reached out and patted the bulge of his faded-blue jeans. He let out some sound of shock and stepped away. She giggled.

"Maybe I should kiss him first?" she asked Stefan.

He shrugged and ordered another whisky.

She stood up and kissed Douglas on the mouth. He tasted like tobacco and beer. She wrinkled her nose.

"I need another drink" she decided.

…

He didn't know if Caroline was playing some game or was just really, really drunk. She kind of flirted with some guy named Douglas while consulting Stefan if he was hot enough. Stefan didn't understand the deal with meeting people in bars. Sure, he'd had one night stands, but never enjoyed it. Caroline, however, seemed to be considering sleeping with this hillbilly with a southern drawl as thick as Stefan's thigh.

"I don't think so" Caroline finally said.

Douglas rolled his eyes. She had been changing her mind several times of the last hour. Stefan didn't understand Douglas just didn't leave.

"I'm clean" he vowed. "No STDs or nothing."

Caroline tilted her head.

"Not that worried" she told him.

"Why not?"

She leaned in close.

"I'm a vampire."

Stefan almost spit his drink out, but Douglas only smirk. Thank god.

"Good one" Douglas smirked.

Stefan exhaled. He felt light-headed. Maybe he was hammered enough.

"Caroline" he said, pulling on her arm. "Decide now. You go home with him, or with me."

It didn't sound right. He tried to figure out another way to phrase it, but his head was too mushy. Caroline ruffled his hair.

"I'll always pick you" she giggled.

He unsteadily got up, grabbed her hand and together they left Douglas at the bar.

"I'm happy" Caroline told him.

The air was cool. Stefan breathed deeply. It made him sober up a little.

"Douglas looked sad" he said.

She nodded seriously.

"But I didn't like his jeans. I don't want to see what's inside the package before I open it."

Stefan exploded with laughter. Nothing had ever seemed that funny. Ever. He couldn't walk and laugh at the same time. He had to stop. Caroline stopped too.

"Oh God" he choked.

"And he didn't smell nice."

"Didn't he?"

"No, not like you."

He bent down and kissed her. It was only a small peck on lips, but she pulled him back in. He felt her hands on the back of his neck, her tongue in his mouth, her nose against his.

"Maybe we should get to bed" she breathed against his cheek.

He nodded.