Chapter 3

The pounding of bongo drums woke Stefan from his slumber. The minute his eyes opened he was greeted by the harsh light of day as his head took a beating. Groaning he peered through skewered eyes as he took in his surroundings. Last night had been a blur and truth be told he kind of didn't want to remember. However when he noticed that he was in the Forbes guest room; he thanked the high heavens that Caroline had come to the rescue.

He needed to get his act together. Yes he didn't really have anything to fight for now – but perhaps he needed to first find a way to get Damon off Kol's compulsion before he kills Jeremy or unless Jeremy kills Damon first. Neither were an option at the moment. First though he had to go and apologize to Caroline for yet again inconveniencing her.

The radio was blasting some random pop song as Caroline hummed and danced along as she prepared breakfast. Last night she had come up with an ingenious plan and she figured that at least she too could benefit out of it. Her only dilemma was getting Stefan on board, but she figured that he would be in his groveling mood today and maybe she could twist his arm and get him to agree.

When Stefan entered the kitchen he was greeted to the sight of Caroline twirling around in her pj's her hair ruffled and unkempt from sleep. He almost sniggered at the sight – he wasn't surprised that Caroline was a morning person. She was an all-day person. Stefan cleared his throat to announce his presence.

Caroline gasped when she found Stefan leaning against the kitchen counter with a smile on his face and amusement dancing in his eyes. She giggled softly and shrugged her hands in a 'you caught me way'.

"Um Morning I guess." She quickly flipped the pancakes before they burned and glanced back over shoulder with a flush on her cheeks.

"Morning Caroline. It's good to see you so … chipper this morning, wish I could say the same." Stefan chuckled.

She smirked at him, "Let me guess you need some coffee right?"

"Yes please my head I killing me."

Caroline poured him a steaming cup of fresh brewed coffee in a huge mug, along with a stack of pancakes and a blueberry muffin.

"Eat up. I need all those toxins soaked up." She handed him his coffee along with his food.

Stefan nodded his head in thanks as he took a seat on one of the bar stool counters. He sipped his coffee as he watched Caroline prepare her own plate before she sat opposite him. Caroline immediately dug in and soon she was making little moans of contentment as she savored each bite. He bit back a smile and tucked into his own food.

"I didn't know you could cook." Stefan said.

She took a sip of her orange juice and sighed, "I had to learn, mom's not a great cook. Dad and Steven would teach me when I went and visited."

"Well this really great and thanks again for you know being there. Where is your mom anyway?" He asked curiously.

"Working and this time its human drama. Teens were drinking last night at the falls."

"I see. I hope you know I really appreciate everything you do for me Caroline." Stefan said somberly.

"No problem Stefan, I know you do. So how about a road trip?" Caroline asked bluntly. She cringed internally, she meant to introduce her ingenious plan slowly so as not to spook him.

Stefan coughed as his food went down the wrong pipe, "Did you just say road trip?"

Caroline bit her lip anxiously.

"Yes I figured you and me get out of town for a few days."

"Is this about last night? Because honestly Caroline I don't recall much."

"Yes and no. You phoned me saying you needed help and I figured that your alter ego wanted to come out and play." Caroline exclaimed.

"Caroline." Stefan sighed.

"What?! You've been hurting these past few days and I don't blame you for wanting to go all Jackal and Hyde."

"And you think a road trip is the answer to preventing this?" He asked as he scratched his head puzzled at Caroline's somewhat quirky logic.

"Yes we go and have some fun. No Elena, Damon, Tyler, Klaus or any other vampy talk. We just get away from pessimistic falls." Caroline smiled.

"I can't do that now, not when everything is so messed up. I mean Damon's been compelled and I guess I have to come up with a solution to that problem. Not to mention all this stuff with the cure and Jeremy being a vampire hunter."

"Pfft, I sorted out the Damon problem already and Jeremy is not your responsibility anymore." Caroline smugly replied.

Stefan rubbed both hands down his face, his head was hurting really bad and Caroline's enthusiasm wasn't helping it.

"I don't think it's a good idea." He mumbled.

Caroline scoffed and climbed off the bar stool.

"Hell yes it's a good plan. It's the only way we can keep you sane and I need a project to keep me focused."

"I'm your project?" He asked.

"Yes operation Stefan fun and abort the broodiness." Caroline happily chirped.

Stefan rolled his eyes.

"I'm broody so sue me." Stefan chuckled.

"Yes I know how you have a thing for babies." Caroline smirked.

"Caroline…" Stefan sighed out annoyed.

"No more Caroline. No more no's we are going on this trip and if I have to drag you by your unmentionables I will." Caroline huffed.

Stefan knew that he had lost this round. She wouldn't stop until she got what she wanted and she did have a point. There wasn't anything keeping him here, he was a free man again so to speak and perhaps it would be refreshing to get out of town for a couple of days and get a new perspective on his life.

"Fine." Stefan answered with mock horror.

Caroline squealed with excitement.

"Awesome! We're going to have so much fun. I just know it!"

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