Chapter 2

Stefan half stumbled out of the bar; dragging his feet like they were dead weight. Caroline huffed out annoyed but she didn't say anything – it was obvious that her friend had drank himself down to the barrel. Apparently he was supposed to be a fun drunk but as far as Caroline could tell he was a party pooper drunk. She couldn't help but recall a similar incident that had involved her. Damon had called her shallow. As a human Caroline had been humiliated and devastated. To be rejected was the worst thing that could ever happen to her. She had been rejected by both Salvatore brothers and that had been the lowest point of her precious social life.

Caroline couldn't help but feel relieved that in some parts that neurotic, insecure, control freak was no longer present in her current life. Yes that the little human side of her was there, but she was nothing but a miniscule blip. Caroline Forbes had grown up.

Caroline was so lost in her own thoughts that she walked straight into Stefan, who had for some reason halted. She peaked round his shoulder – and had wished that she hadn't. Klaus was standing there, with his usual smug grin.

"Caroline love, why are you frolicking in the night with Mr. Salvatore the lonely drunkard?" Klaus asked as he swaggered towards the pair.

Caroline was about to reply, but Stefan's fuse had blown and before she knew it Stefan had hauled himself towards Klaus. But seeing that Klaus was an original and a freakishly strong hybrid he completely bypassed Stefan's attack and instead had him at the throat.

"Now Stefan is that the way we greet our fellow superiors?" Klaus taunted as Stefan struggled to pull himself free from Klaus's vice.

"It's your fault you know! Damon has been compelled to kill Jeremy by your idiot brother, Elena is a vampire because of you. Caroline is upset because of you. Everything is your fault!" Stefan chocked out.

Klaus didn't say anything he just continued to hold Stefan like he was nothing more than a ragdoll. Caroline moved forward and interjected before necks were snapped.

"Seriously Klaus now is not a good time okay?" Caroline said as she moved forward with her hands on her hips.

Klaus dropped Stefan spectacularly on to the pavement in one swift movement. He stepped closer to Caroline and was delighted when she didn't flinch back.

"You look stunning tonight love, I must say no makeup becomes you as well." He said in his husky British accent.

Stefan lay sprawled out on the pavement still and Caroline was pretty sure that he would not be moving any time soon. Maybe she could kill two birds with one stone tonight.

"Get your brother to take the compulsion off Damon." Caroline asked bluntly.

Klaus chuckled as he began circling her slowly, checking her out blatantly.

"Love if you wanted to go on a date, all you needed to do was ask."

"I don't want to go on a date with you. My priority is Stefan now and he does not need to be worrying about Damon of all people now."

Klaus stopped mid stride. He glanced towards the passed out Stefan and the blonde goddess standing before him.

"Ah yes I heard about the love triangle reaching its epic climax. Poor Stefan his love for the doppelganger was always his weakness. Perhaps I should drain him of the vervain in his system and compel him to misplace his humanity again." Klaus deviously taunted as he watched Caroline's nostrils flare with anger.

"You're such a jerk," Caroline growled out as, she shoved passed him and made her way over to Stefan's body. She kneeled besides him to check that he wasn't seriously hurt.

"Besides I'm sure the ripper would give you more hassles now." She continued.

"You have a point. Why don't we make a deal?" Klaus asked.

Caroline gave him a pointed stare.

"I'm not going out with you!" Caroline huffed.

"Let me finish love. As I was saying you keep Stefan from going all ripper on us and I'll persuade Kol to take his compulsion off Damon."

"Aha! So you are scared that he'll make life a living hell for you." Caroline exclaimed, as she rocked back up to her feet.

Klaus gave her a blank look.

"Please, besides he'd rip out Damon's heart."

Caroline scoffed, "That wouldn't actually be a bad idea."

"Nice to know I'm not the only one who doesn't like the ever witty Salvatore brother." Klaus chuckled as Caroline smiled.

"Well he's Stefan's brother and he's the last person I want to hurt right now." Shrugging her shoulders, she leaned down and lifted Stefan, and placed his one arm around her shoulder. At least to any on lookers it would like she was helping Stefan walk to the car. She couldn't use her full vamp strength and carry him in her arms or over her shoulder. Even though she so totally could.

"You genuinely care for him?" Klaus asked puzzled as he gestured towards Stefan.

Caroline smiled warmly at Stefan as his head lay nestled in between her neck and shoulder.

"I owe him a lot. He's become my best friend. I'd do anything for him." She fondly answered.

Klaus looked down at the floor for a split second, before he glanced back towards her.

"Are you sure that's the reason you would do anything for him?" he asked

Caroline spluttered out loud, "Of course, I don't think of him like that! I mean yeah I had a crush on him when I was human but that's nonexistent now."

Klaus shook his head with a sad smile.

"Us vampire's it takes time for us to catch up with our past emotions," Klaus mumbled as he spun on his heel away from Caroline, "I'll see what I can do about Kol."

"Thank you." Caroline said puzzled as Klaus's form disappeared into the night.

Awkwardly she made her way towards her car and placed Stefan into the passenger seat. Once she was buckled in her seat, she peaked a sideway glance towards Stefan, who's mouth was now plopped open as he snored lightly. She couldn't help but smile – he looked adorable when he was asleep. His handsome features were no longer tense and serious but relaxed and soft. He was her friend, she could never feel anything more for him … right?