Chapter 12
Caroline hadn't slept after Klaus's unexpected presence. She wasn't sure if he was playing an elaborate game with her; trying to make her think about things that she didn't want to deal with. Caroline couldn't deal with it because it was Elena's ex. Even the status of Elena's and Stefan's relationship was one- sided at the moment. Elena's feelings had changed because of the sire bond between her and Damon. Did she even really stop feeling anything for Stefan? And what about Stefan? Could he move on with someone else? Or would he always compare her to Elena and realize that he could never love her as much as he loved Elena? What the hell was she thinking? This entire thing was ludicrous and impossible. There would be no future for her and Stefan even if she could try and come to terms with her inner reactions towards him.
The country side was passing at an alarming rate. The green pastures somehow faded into the grey and ashen towers of urbanization. They had been driving for a good few hours and she was surprised that they had found themselves in Virginia Beach.
Stefan pulled the Porsche into a huge shopping complex. Caroline was surprised by the sudden stop, especially since they were at a shopping centre of all places and she was pretty sure that Stefan didn't go for retail shopping when he was feeling angsty.
"We stopping?" She asked him as he switched the engine off.
"You've been unusually quiet and I figured you needed cheering up." Stefan pulled his sunglasses off and popped them into his leather jacket's pocket.
"I'm supposed to be cheering you up remember?" She tried to calm the acrobatics in her stomach that were currently doing there routine somersaults. Seriously he shouldn't have eyes like that in the first place, Caroline thought.
"You need me and I need you remember?" Stefan reached over and patted her on the knee.
"Do I?" She asked playfully as she climbed out the car.
Stefan followed suit and glanced over the hood.
"Yes it's essential." He said.
Caroline gave him a small smile before they walked in together into the shopping complex. The commotions of her brain calmed the minute she stepped into her favorite retail shop. She turned towards Stefan and did a shooing gesture with her hands.
"You can go now. I'm in my element." She happily clapped her hands together.
"I'll stick around if you don't mind." Stefan smiled.
"Okay…" Caroline was puzzled by his reluctance to go and his wiliness to stay.
Caroline didn't ponder too much about that, seeing that she was in her heaven and truthfully she was glad for the extra muscle Stefan provided as he carried all the clothing that she had accumulated. Once she had found what she wanted she figured that she might as well try on the things that she wanted to purchase. She needed to make sure that it looked good on her so she headed to the dressing room which was in fact a small cubicle with a grey curtain that gave her privacy. Caroline had suspected that Stefan would leave but instead he had seated himself in one of the uncomfortable chairs outside her cubicle.
Caroline was reluctant to change in the cubicle knowing that Stefan was just outside. He couldn't see her obviously since she had drawn the curtain, but still it was unusual.
"Are you really not going?" She asked out as she fiddled through the pile of clothes she had picked out; trying to figure out which item of clothing she should try on first.
"Nope." Stefan crossed his arms as he tried to get comfortable.
"Why not? "Caroline asked accusingly.
Stefan couldn't help the snort that escaped. Leave it to Caroline to be blunt and straight to the point. At least she didn't speak in riddles he thought.
"I said I'd wait for you to finish. I don't want to leave you alone. Just in case you get into some mischief and also because I know that you've never really strayed too far from Mystic Falls." He said.
"How would you know?" She rolled her eyes dramatically, knowing that he couldn't see her.
"Your mom told me. She phoned while you were dozing in the car when I stopped for gas." He answered.
"She phoned?" Caroline suddenly pulled the curtain back as she looked into Stefan's laughing eyes.
"Yip. Gave me a stern speech about protecting you and keeping you of trouble."
"Great. Did she forget that I'm a vampire? People should be afraid of me and I don't need a babysitter." Caroline bit out sarcastically.
"What's wrong if I sit and wait here for you?" He asked.
"Because you can hear me!" She whispered out horrified.
"Huh?" Stefan asked puzzled. What the hell did that mean?
Caroline crossed her arms over her chest.
"You can hear me unzipping and undressing and its weird okay?" She squealed out.
Stefan shrugged his shoulders.
"So? I heard you last night in the shower and you didn't object then."
"Well I heard you too." Caroline retorted.
The pair were so immersed in their own world that they forgot that there were other people around. An elderly lady who was with her granddaughter gasped at the two of them before making a speedy exit out the room filled with the cubicles.
"Oh my god! They think we're talking about you know what." Caroline gasped as she slapped her forehead in embarrassment.
"No? What?" Stefan laughed as he replied with mock innocence.
"Oh no! I'm not answering that. But its fine you can wait. It will just be a very long wait so you better make yourself nice and comfy." She fake glared at him. She couldn't really be mad at a playful Stefan.
"No problem. As long as you give me a strip tease." Stefan said jokingly.
"Stefan!" Caroline gasped as she pulled the curtain back with more rigger than was necessary.
Stefan chuckled some more. Caroline meanwhile was convinced that if she was still human her cheeks would be flushed rosy red with his previous statement and Caroline Forbes did not just blush for any remark.
After what seemed a good few hours, (technically not really) they left the store and decided to catch a small bite before leaving again. To the outside world Caroline and Stefan looked like the perfect couple. The pair looked content. Caroline was skipping with joy from the retail therapy and Stefan; who was carrying her purchases didn't seem to be too phased that he had to carry her things. After all he had offered. He was raised in a different time and it was just the polite thing to do.
By the time they reached the car, they soon both realized that they were due for a meal. And not a human meal of food.
Caroline unzipped the small cooler bag that was in the trunk, while Stefan diligently packed or more likely crammed in where he ever could find a space for her belongings. Caroline pulled out two blood bags and checked the labels.
"A or B?" She asked juggling the two bags in each hand.
Stefan quirked an eyebrow as he quickly checked the parking lot to be sure that no one was watching. Thankfully it was quiet and no one seemed to be paying any attention to the pair.
"I kinda don't have a preference. It all tastes the same to me." Stefan shrugged his shoulders once he managed to pack everything so that the trunk would still close.
"Well I'm going to give you the 'B'." She handed him the blood bag before climbing into the passenger seat.
Stefan quickly climbed into the Porsche as well. He eyed the bag in his hand with caution. He was reluctant to dive in so to speak. The corners of his mouth twitched and he could feel his fangs piercing through his gums. Caroline had in an etiquette manner placed a straw through her blood bag and was sipping the contents as if it was nothing. He envied her restraint. He wished that he could be in control of his urges and not feel like he was one step closer to falling off the edge.
Caroline noticed Stefan hadn't touched his blood bag. She knew right away what was wrong.
"Hey I gave you the 'B' one so you could be positive. Get it? 'B' positive." She said out lamely, feeling like such an imbecile for exaggerating her little feel good rhyme.
"I know. It's just that I feel lustful." Stefan smiled.
"Lustful?" Caroline squeaked.
"For the blood Caroline." Stefan shook his head before he tore the plastic with his teeth.
Stefan took a few mouthfuls. He could feel his face morphing, his natural instincts kicking in. The blood wasn't good enough without the kill. Caroline placed a supportive hand on his shoulder. Her touch brought him some control as he eased himself away. Away from the vicious animal that was the ripper.
"Thanks." He grumbled.
Caroline just gave him a small smile before removing her hand from his shoulder.
"I need you and you need me remember? Honestly Stefan we could even arrange when we get back that we'll snack together at the same time. You can even stay at my place if you feel like you're going to lose control. I want to help you. Help you succeed."
"I don't want you to be responsible for me Caroline. I need to fight this and I can't expect you to babysit me for the rest of my life. It's not fair to you." Stefan tossed the blood bag aside.
He was so frustrated with himself. With how weak and vulnerable the blood had made him. He couldn't understand why the blood made him the way he was. He could barely keep it together the moment the taste of human blood kissed his lips. The power and exhilaration overwhelmed and intensified his emotions – making him feel like he could do no wrong. All his morals and beliefs were tossed a side and the ripper would thrive on the abandonment of his humanity. The ripper wanted him void.
"Don't say that. I want to help. You helped me and you didn't have to. Damon could have killed me but you didn't let him do it. You saved my life. I don't feel that I have to do it because you saved my life, I want to do it because I see who you are. You're you. You're Stefan and no one not even the ripper can take that away from you." Caroline said earnestly.
Stefan looked at the blonde before him. It was funny to think that almost a year ago he had passed her off as a social climbing, desperate and neurotic human. But she had blossomed overnight into a compassionate and selfless woman. Caroline had matured in such a short span that he often forget that she once was the same human that had approached him with her forwardness. Wanting his attention and his adoration.
"You always say the right things." Stefan sighed.
Caroline chuckled feebly.
"I used to think that I always said the wrong things."
"Not anymore. You should write your own self-help book. You would be more famous than Oprah." Stefan smiled.
"Hmmm the Forbes Inquisition. Has a nice ring to it." She agreed jokingly as she slapped his knee playfully.
"It sure does." Stefan agreed as he turned the key in the ignition.
The Porsche purred into life and he playfully patted the steering wheel.
"Aint she a beauty."
Caroline rolled her eyes.
"Boys and their sports cars. I will never understand it." Caroline rolled down the passenger window as Stefan pulled out of his parking space.
"You up for some speed girly?" Stefan asked in a heavy exaggerated Southern accent.
"I sure am partner." She replied in the same accent.
The pair sped off on to the highway. Stefan laughing at Caroline's shrieks of enjoyment.