(first of all, i just want to thank all of you!

the other day, i read someone on tumblr talking about how this story had a lot "pointless dialogue" and wasn't very good in some other ways. and it really got to me and i wasn't feeling at all like finishing this at all.

but then i read through all the wonderful reviews you have all written and it made me feel so much better. you are all such perfect people and why should i care what one person thinks when you make feel happy?

so i just wanted to thank you! i love you! 3)

Vincent sat down next to Stefan, he had two girls with him, both human. One had red hair and fair skin, the other was African-American.

"Girls" Vincent drawled. "Meet our guest, Stefan Salvatore."

Stefan smiled. He felt the girls' looks at him, their twinkling eyes.

"Hi" the red head said. "I'm Karen."

He nodded. She sat down on the other side of Stefan. She wore tight dress and had had too much to drink. Stefan thought of Douglas at the bar, he who had flirted with Caroline. And then he thought of Matt. It wasn't Matt's place to figure this out. And why had Caroline told him everything? Matt had nothing to do with this. Just because he cared very much about her didn't mean that he was her boyfriend.

"You look troubled" Karen said and stroked his cheek.

"He's the broody type" Vincent sneered.

Stefan rolled his eyes. He wasn't in the mood for this. He wasn't in the mood for giggle girls or the arrogant Vincent. He wasn't in the mood for anything.

"Excuse me" he murmured and got up.

He head Karen let out an affronted huff as he left, but he didn't care.

"Not enjoying yourself, Stef?" Clara asked.

She was tiny and skinny with huge, blue eyes. Stefan knew that she had been Lexi's closest friend of these four.

"No, sorry."

She patted his arm.

"Is it about the girl?"

"What girl?"

"Lexi told me that you started seeing a girl, a human."

"Oh" Stefan mumbled. "No, this isn't about her."

Clara nodded. She understood that he didn't want to talk about it. He felt grateful when she left him alone.

…

"I'm going to pick her up in Memphis" Matt's voice insisted.

Stefan shook his head. He couldn't understand his own anger against Matt. He just didn't want him near Caroline.

"No" he said.

"Yes, I am" Matt said, sounding confused and stern at the same time. "She's taking a bus in the morning and I'm picking her up in Memphis. I just called to tell you that you don't have to worry about her anymore."

As if you would. Stefan heard the unspoken words in Matt's tone.

"I'll drive her home" Stefan said.

"Look, she's upset."

"Matt, did she tell me what I did?"

"No, but…"

"So just stay out of it. Please. I will drive and pick her up in the morning. I'll take her home. Okay?"

The other end of the phone line was quiet for a few seconds.

"Okay" Matt echoed.

Stefan swallowed. He felt clammy and annoyed. And he didn't even know why.

"I know you're looking out for her, but I will handle this."

"Okay" Matt repeated.

Stefan hung up. He leaned against the wall and tried to breathe evenly. Inside the room, Vincent was groping Karen.

…

Stefan knocked on the huge door of the Birch Mansion. Kat opened. Why was she still here?

"Stefan!" she exclaimed happily.

He smiled. He was tired as hell after driving all night.

"Is Caroline here? I couldn't find her in the guest house."

Kat bit her lip. She looked younger in this gray hoodie and worn out jeans, than in her blue ball gown.

"Jason drove her to the station in Burwood just a few minutes ago" she answered as she surveyed his face closely.

"Shit. When was her bus leaving?"

Kat checked watch.

"Fifteen minutes."

"Thanks" Stefan said hastily.

He tried to close the door, but Kat kept it open.

"She told me, about the crashing of the wedding and pretending to be married."

"Really?" Stefan asked, feeling stress.

"I think you broke her heart."

He stopped. The stress left his body and was replaced with pain. He never, ever wanted to hurt Caroline.

"I need to catch her before she leaves" he said.

Kat nodded.

"Yeah. I think you do."

This time she closed the door in his face. Stefan ran to his car.

…

He spotted her immediately and parked the car across the street. She stood with her back to him, her bag on the ground and the wonderful dress in one of those bags you get at the drycleaners. The wind blew in her hair and as Stefan approached, she put it up in a ponytail.

"Care" he said.

She didn't stir.

"Caroline" he tried again.

She turned to face him. He took a step back. Her face was hard. He had never seen her face like this before. Not when she had fought with her mother or been humiliated by father or anything. Her eyes were slits, her lips tight.

"I'm going home" she said.

He was relieved to hear her voice break. She wasn't entirely closed off.

"I'll take you" he whispered.

She shook her head.

"No" she said. "I need to be alone. No, that's not true. I'm going home so that I can avoid being alone. I just can't be with you right now."

"I shouldn't have left. I'm sorry."

She nodded, like she had known he would say this.

"What's the point?" she asked, a sarcastic edge he had never heard before in her voice.

"What's the point of what?"

"You and me. I just don't get it."

"You're my best friend."

"They broke up" she spat. "Damon and Elena. Weeks ago."

He closed his eyes. The shock made him forget how to breathe. They had broken up. Why? Because of him? Because of something else?

"You should go home. To her" Caroline whispered.

Stefan saw that she had clenched her fists her side. It made her look like kid. He wanted to hold her until she was fine again.

"Caroline, listen to me."

She shook her head.

"It's not your fault. It's not your fault that you love her. But I need you to leave now."

As bus stopped in front of Caroline. Stefan turned to look at it, its sign read MEMPHIS.

"Matt isn't coming" he said. "I told him not to."

"My dad can pick me up."

"Please" Stefan begged. "Please, just come with so that we can talk."

She shook her head.

"I'm sorry. Maybe some other time."

And then she heaved her bag into the luggage compartment and went aboard the bus.

…

"Babe" Lukas Forbes said. "I'm here!"

Caroline smiled. She had been on a bus for fourteen hours and was stiff as a tree branch. She had called her dad and asked him to pick her up. To her surprise, he had agreed instantly.

"Thanks" she said, when he took her bag and put into the boot of the car.

"Sure, darling."

She sat down in the passenger's seat. A bus would leave for Mystic Falls in the morning. She would just stay the night with her father. It wasn't that bad.

"School's starting soon, huh?" he said.

She nodded.

"Yeah."

He didn't ask about Stefan. Caroline was thankful. Maybe her dad had more tact than she had credited him for.

"Thanks for letting me stay the night" she said.

"Sure thing, honey."

It was august and school was starting soon. She could bury herself in activities. She could aim for A's in every subject. She could spend more time with Matt. She would get through this. Her life didn't revolve around some stupid boy.

…

As soon as Caroline stepped out of the car, she spotted him. He sat on the porch, looking tense and tired. She stopped.

"What is he doing here?" she asked.

"Oh, it's a surprise."

Caroline shook her head. This was fucking unbelievable. She left her dad to carry her bag and stormed towards the house. Stefan had stood up.

"We need to talk" he said.

She closed her eyes for second, swallowing hard.
"Okay."
Her father passed them, looking so happy it made Caroline embarrassed.

"It's so good to see you again" he said.

Caroline smiled, but she was sure he didn't mean her. He meant Stefan. Oh well. Could she really blame him?

"I'm so sorry" Stefan whispered as soon as Lukas Forbes had entered the house.
Caroline sat down on the porch swing. It was blazing hot today. It reminded her of that day in Nashville, sipping lemonade on Julie's porch.

"I know you are" she said, her tone flat.

"I just freaked out."

She nodded. She understood, she wasn't stupid. If she had slept with Matt or Damon or whoever by mistake, she would have freaked out too.

"I shouldn't have just left" he continued.

"No" she agreed. "No, you shouldn't."

He sat down next to her. She saw him wringing his hands, she placed one of hers over his, making them lay still. She felt nervous just watching him being nervous.

"With everything that's going on, I just couldn't handle it" he explained hurriedly. "I just didn't want things to become complicated."

Too late. Too fucking late.

"Okay" Caroline said.

She closed her eyes again. Why wasn't this easy? Why couldn't she just be mad at him?

"I miss you, Care. Please, let me drive you home."

"I don't want to go home" she said, surprising herself with the truth of it.

She wasn't ready for going back to school. For tension and making up with Bonnie and seeing her mother. She just wasn't ready.

"You wanna stay here?" Stefan asked, sounding doubtful.

"No" Caroline said firmly. "Not doing that mistake again."

Stefan smiled a tiny smile and she smiled any even tinier back. It made him relax, she could tell.

"How about we make the most of what's rest" he suggested. "Let's drive to Dallas, stay there for a few days and then you can go home."

"Stay with your vampire buddies?"

He shrugged.

"If you like to."

She thought it over for about six seconds. She probably shouldn't go with him. She would probably get hurt again.

"Okay."

…

Stefan tilted his seat back a little and closed his eyes. He felt some kind of peace. The same peace he always felt when he was with Caroline. She wasn't talking much so neither did he. They were listening to the Fleetwood Mac album as usual. Outside, night was coming. They had been driving for six hours.

"You want to sleep for a while?" he asked.

She shook her head, keeping her eyes on the road as she drove. It had been one of her conditions, she wanted to drive. He didn't mind.

"How long have you known?" he asked carefully. "About Damon and Elena."

He saw her face twitch. Her eyes never left the road.

"Damon called when we were in Little Rock" she answered, her tone cold again.

Stefan knew that he shouldn't ask her about it, but he couldn't help himself. He needed to know.

"Why did it end?"

She turned to face him, finally. Her eyes were hard, Stefan felt himself tense again.

"He tried to kill Matt."

He could see the pain in her face and he could feel no pity for Matt. It scared him. Stefan wasn't used to feel this resentful against anyone.

"He's okay now, though" Stefan said.

"Yeah."

She turned away from him again. The road was dark and empty. Stefan counted to two hundred.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked, softly.

Her face twitched again, as if he had slapped her. He regretted his question.

"I tried to protect you" she whispered.

He nodded. It didn't really make sense, but he wasn't going to push the subject. Not right now. Not when he just convinced her to forgive him. Instead he watched her. Her hair was up in a loose bun on her head, she looked exhausted. He remembered kissing her. He remembered loving it. He remembered feeling human for the first time in 145 years.

…

Dawn was peaceful and Caroline stretched out in the grass. She sipped her last blood bag and longed for a shower. But they weren't there yet. Six or seven hours left to Dallas. Matt texted her to check that everything was okay. She replied that it was. That was a lie. Everything wasn't okay. She still loved her best friend more than she should. And he still didn't love her back.

"You turned your phone back on" Stefan commented.

He sat in the grass, reading a dog eared paperback novel.

"Yeah" she replied.

"Who keeps texting you?"

"Matt. He's just checking in."

Stefan nodded, his jaw clenching.

"Alright."

She wondered if she could tell him that Matt had told her that Elena had been moping all summer. That Matt was pretty sure she wanted Stefan back. Maybe she should tell him. But she had become so good at keeping things from him that she might as well keep it up. He'd realize soon enough anyway. Or, would he?

"Are you staying in Dallas?" she asked. "I mean, you aren't coming back to Mystic Falls?"

"I don't know."

She nodded, but she knew that he would come back. She knew him, she could tell by the tone in his voice. He couldn't stay away if there was the slightest chance that Elena would want him back.

…

"Do you still have feelings for him?"

Caroline looked up at him, feeling confused. They were back in the car.

"For who?"

"Matt."

She checked to see if he is serious. Was he really that oblivious? How could she have feeling for Matt when she loved Stefan?

"No" she said. "Why would you think that?"

He shrugged.

"You called him."

"No" she corrected him. "He called me."

They're not the same, she can tell. She doesn't feel as natural with him anymore. Maybe because she has seen him naked. Maybe because he has disappointed her for the first time.

"Why didn't you tell him what I did?" he asked.

Caroline focused her eyes on a blue van in front of her. She knew that Stefan was staring intently at her.

"I didn't want him to think badly of you."

"Why not?"

"Because you're my friend."

"You should have told him. I don't deserve to be protected like that."

Caroline stole quick look at him. He looked sad, no, troubled. Like he had a super heavy weight on his shoulders. She wanted to stroke his face and relief his burden. But she couldn't. Because even if she did it just like a friend, it would mean more than just some friendly comfort.

"I also didn't want to tell him about who I sleep with" she continued, trying to sound perky. "I don't kiss and tell."

At first, Stefan said nothing. Then he exploded with laughter. She didn't understand why. It wasn't even a joke, but he kept laughing. And after a while, she joined in. She didn't know what she laughing at, she just loved laughing with Stefan. She loved feeling her abs ache and her mouth spread across her whole face.

"Oh god" Stefan croaked.

"You're weird" she whispered, drying a tear from her eye.

She felt him punch her shoulder, she pinched his skin hard. He tickled her until she had to pull over the car in a very illegal way. She felt his fingers on her bare skin, it gave her goose bumps. Caroline tried to push his hands off her and because she had had human blood, she succeeded. She began pinching him all over. He leaned back as far as he could from her, shouting that it actually hurt. She giggled. Stefan's skin was soft and hot under her fingers. She lifted his shirt and touched his stomach. It was all good fun, right? Nothing else. But suddenly she wasn't pinching him and suddenly he wasn't trying to get away from her. She was stroking his skin, slowly and carefully. Her brain felt slow. She couldn't think.

"Step out of the vehicle" a voice suddenly roared.

And they both jumped.

…

The cop had terrible sunburned skin and was in a crappy mode.

"You're not allowed to park here" he snapped.

"We're sorry" Caroline apologized.

She tried to smile, but it felt fake. Her body was here ,but her mind was still in the car. She couldn't control herself around Stefan. It terrified her.

"I'm going to have to write you a ticket" the cop continued.

Caroline sighed.

"No, you won't" she said, staring into his eyes.

His pupils dilated for a millisecond.

"Of course not" he smiled.

"Thank you so much."

He mimicked her nod, looking absolutely insane. Stefan stood behind Caroline. She could feel him there. Her body was so aware of his. Had it always been like this?

"You be safe, kids" the cop continued.

"You know it" Caroline yawned.

She waved half-heartedly as he left and got into the car next to his very confused partner. She watched them drive off. She didn't dare turn to Stefan, didn't dare see his face.

"How about I drive for a while?" he asked.

She nodded against the road.

"Sure."

"Only a few hours left."

She nodded again. Her voice didn't seem stable enough to use for longer sentences just yet. Her blood was still pumping hard. His skin. His skin had done this to her.

"Let's go then" she mumbled, walking past him without looking up.

She got in at the passenger seat, closed the door and shut her eyes. This was a bad idea. She should have gone home. This was a bad idea.

…

"This is Caroline" Stefan said.

He put a hand on her shoulder, but then quickly removed it. Touching her didn't feel normal anymore. Touching her meant lust now.

"Oh, how wonderful" Vincent purred.

He took Caroline's hand and kissed it. She smiled faintly.

"Nice to meet you" Clara said.

It was evening and they had finally made it to Dallas. Caroline looked tired, even though she had slept the last few hours. Stefan felt jumpy. He needed a drink.

"We've heard about you" Harriet said, winking. "Lexi told me about how Stefan fell in love with you. But I always got the picture you were human…"

"Oh" Caroline yelped. "No, that's not me."

Stefan swallowed. Elena followed him wherever he went.

"Not you?" Harriet asked, looking confused.

"No, not me" Caroline mumbled.

Harriet and Clara exchanged a look. Vincent beamed.

"Good for me, miss Caroline. If you're not Stefan's girl, do you mind if I get you a drink?"

Stefan rolled his eyes.

"Sure" Caroline smiled. "Wine, please."

Vincent disappeared the fetch it. Caroline put her bag on the floor. Her suitcase looked frayed and old now. A few weeks ago, it had been almost new. So much had changed.

"Let's go out" Clara exclaimed. "There's this new club, just a few blocks away."

"We're kind of knackered…" Stefan began.

"Yes, let's go" Caroline cut him off. "Just let me have some wine and get dressed."

Clara clapped her hands in pleasure.

"I like you" she giggled.

Caroline smiled. Stefan rolled his eyes again. Who didn't like Caroline?

…

The club was loud and dark and Caroline felt drunk. She had downed three glasses of wine and a drink that Vincent had bought her. She wore a flimsy summer dress, it didn't suit the club, but she didn't care. She twirled with her hands above her head, her eyes closed. Two guys had tried to dance with her, but she had ignored them. She opened her eyes an inch to spot Stefan. He stood by the bar, looking bored and checking his phone. Maybe he had called her. Maybe he was just checking the time. Caroline tried hard not to care.

"Hello darling" Vincent drawled.

He was attractive, she guessed. With dark hair and brown eyes and sharp features. He had been maybe thirty when he had died (whenever that had been). And he liked her. Or her body. Or something.

"Dance with me" she giggled, pulling at his arms.

He only smirked.

"No, thanks."

She let go of him and shrugged. Over his shoulder, she saw that Stefan had put his phone down. He was frowning at Vincent.

"Kiss me then" she whispered.

Vincent didn't hesitate. His lips were hard and she felt his fangs against her lip. His tongue made itself into her mouth, she closed her eyes again. He pushed her against a wall, Caroline just followed his movements. He wanted her. She wanted someone to want her.

"You danced enough for tonight, don't you think?" he murmured.

She nodded and kissed him again. He holstered one of her legs around his waist. She could feel his erection against her thigh. He wanted her. Someone wanted her. His kisses became more intense and he began thrusting against her. She kissed him back.

"Maybe we should go home" he purred.

"Yes" she whispered back.

But they didn't move. Instead Vincent stuck his hands under her dress and unlatched her bra. He pushed the straps off and it fell to the floor. The dress rode up to her waist as he massaged her breasts, a bit too roughly.

"Hey" a voice barked.

She opened her eyes and looked right into Stefan's eyes. She closed hers again.

"Hey, what?" Vincent asked, he sounded smug and hadn't removed his hands from her chest.

"Caroline, you're wasted, I'll get you home."

She shook her head.

"She's a big girl, Stefan. Let her take care of herself."
"She's drunk."

"She's having a good time!"

Vincent kissed her again. Caroline opened her eyes. Stefan looked livid. She almost felt fear as her eyes swept over his handsome face

"Why do you care?" she whispered hoarsely.

She pushed Vincent's hand off her and pulled her dress down. She felt anger now. Her whole body pulsed with anger.

"You're my friend. I don't want you to get hurt" Stefan said.

"How can I get hurt?" she asked, her voice ice cold. "I don't care about Vincent so he can't break my heart. I can't get an STD, I can't get pregnant."

"I don't want you to regret anything."

Caroline felt like slapping him.

"Because you have so much experience of that, right? Sleeping with people and then regretting it?"

He shook his head at her.

"You're drunk."

"So what?"

Vincent cleared his throat.

"Stefan, maybe you should go home" he suggested.

"I'm not leaving without her."

"Find your own girl, Stef. She's mine."

Stefan pushed Vincent hard in the chest. Vincent had some drinks too and had to grab Caroline's arm not to fall. She shook herself free and he fell the floor.

"Leave me alone" she spat at both at them.

…

The street was quiet. The music from the club was only a faint thump here. Caroline sat down on the pavement, hugging herself. How did everything get this fucked?

"Care" he whispered.

She didn't turn, she would recognize that voice anywhere. He sat down next to her.

"Leave me alone."

"Don't you get it?" Stefan whispered. "I can't."

She carefully raised her gaze to meet his. His face was soft now. She stroked his cheek with the back of her hand. She felt him shiver. He leaned in and kissed her. His lips were soft and careful and strong and confident. She wrapped her arms around his neck, ruffling his hair and kissing her soft spot between neck and shoulder. He brought her mouth back to his. She kept her eyes open so that she could see him as well as feel him.

"Let's go home" she whispered.

He pulled her to her feet. She suddenly felt sober. As sober as she had ever felt. A cab stopped before them and they got in. Caroline reached for him again and felt pleasure as felt his body next to her. They could have run home, but kissing the cab was better. The night was turning to morning and the cab driver was playing Fleetwood Mac's lead singer Stevie Nick's song, Landslide. It was the Dixie Chicks' version, but Caroline didn't care. It was a sign.

I've been afraid of changing, 'cause I've built my life around you.

…

Her bra still lay on the floor in that club. Getting the dress off wasn't easy, but Stefan figure it out by tearing it apart. She didn't care. She didn't care about anything but him. His hands were all over her and hers were all over his. He smelled just like he had in the guesthouse in Whitehouse. Shit. Whitehouse. Him walking out.

"I can't do this" Caroline whispered.

Stefan looked down at her. He had been kissing her neck.

"Why not?"

"Because, I love you. And if I do this, I might never get over you."

Stefan kissed her mouth, silencing her. She traced his back, his ribs, his back bone. His skin was damp from sweat. She didn't want just anyone to want her anymore. She needed Stefan to love her.

"Then don't" he whispered against her lips. "Don't get over me."

"Don't worry" she whispered back. "I never will."