A/N: I feel like I should say something about not updating in a while. I just want to say that this story is based on some things that have really happened, and there are parts of it that are pretty hard to write for me. I started writing this story the way that it is because I felt that it would be therapeutic, facing demons and all that stuff. I also want to thank everybody who's reviewed, and then I want to say, I get a lot of favorites and alerts but not as many reviews, so if you take time to read this story, please leave me a review. It gives me inspiration to write faster.

"So, how was this first date?" Damon asked Caroline, cutting the engine so he could talk to her. They were in her driveway, and part of Caroline just did not want this night to end.

"Different," Caroline said, not wanting to seem over-anxious. "This date was definitely different from anything I've ever imagined."

"So, that's good?"

"Yes, definitely good. I want to see you again, Damon."

"Great," Damon said, secretly relieved. "How about I give you a call in a few days and we can go on another date?"

Caroline nodded, "That would be wonderful."

They said their goodbyes and Caroline got out of the car and went into her house.

As Caroline watched Damon drive away that night out the window, a million thoughts flooded her head. Why the hell did she get so emotional with him? That was not normal. She had never gotten that emotional with anyone who wasn't family. The only men she had ever allowed herself to get emotional with were her brothers. Ever since Caroline was about fourteen, she had relied on her gut feeling – it was almost a sixth sense now, it helped her make decisions. If something felt wrong, then it probably was. But being with Damon, even spilling her guts to him, it felt so…right. It felt so damn right. She used to know Stefan and Damon Salvatore, but that was before her parents' accident, before she was catapulted into another world. This was different, though. Not only was Damon her first date, he was the first guy, outside of her friends, she felt peaceful around. It was almost like they belonged together, and –

Stop right there, she told herself. This was all new territory to her, and she needed to talk to someone. She picked up the phone and called the first person she thought of.

Twenty minutes later, Rose came through her front door. Caroline hugged her and then said, "Where's Elijah?"

"We were in town, visiting your mother. We're staying the night there. I told them that you wanted to talk, and that I'd be back later." Rose followed Caroline into the living room and sat down on the couch, "So, what is so important that you couldn't talk to Elena about it?"

"Well, you see, Rose, I could've called Elena. Hell, I could've called Nik. But, I needed some fresh eyes on my predicament. Nik told me on the phone yesterday what he thought, and I spent a great deal of time with Elena today, so I know what she thinks. I need someone new."

"Well, I know you're a big fan on following your gut, Care. How's that going?"

Caroline smiled, "He feels amazing. I mean, the vibe I get from Damon is just…it's so peaceful. Like, it feels right. It feels so damn right, Rose, and it's scary. I can't handle that."

"Why don't you take it slow for a while? Go on a few more dates with him, and –"

"Rose," Caroline said, grabbing Rose's hand, "I cried in front of him. I actually fucking cried." Caroline ran a hand over her face, "I am so thoroughly fucked."

"Did he make you cry?"

Caroline shook her head, "No, he didn't. He asked me a question about my past and so we kind of shared with each other about past…things. He told me about his first love, and….well, I told him about mine."

Rose was silent.

"Look, it was probably a real lapse in judgment, but he asked me about falling in love with two douchebags, and –"

"How did he know?"

Caroline shrugged, "He overheard Elena. It's not a big deal. You know my policy, Rose; you ask, I answer. There is hardly a question I will not answer honestly."

"So answer me this then, Caroline; do you like Damon?"

"Yes. God, yes. I really do. He's intelligent, honest, and his love for his brother is just amazing. I've always been drawn to the king of guy who is very family-oriented, and he's got a real love for his brother, and for Elena, and –"

"Damon is a good guy, Caroline. And he likes you."

"How do you know?"

Rose sighed, "I was friends with his brother, Stefan. He had invited me over to the boarding house for dinner a few times –"

"You're lying to me," Caroline said bluntly, cutting Rose off. "I know that you're not telling me the truth."

"How do you know that?"

"Your body language. I've gotten pretty good at being able to tell when someone is lying to me."

"Okay," Rose said, sighing, "So, Damon and I used to be together."

Caroline raised an eyebrow, "As in together together? As a couple?"

Rose nodded, "We used to be a couple. It was right after Katherine broke his heart. I used to be friends with Stefan, that much is very true. Stefan and Elena hooked me up with Damon. But Damon was suffering from heartbreak, and he just kept me around for a distraction. He really wanted to be with Katherine, and for a while, I didn't mind. But he had too many issues, too much baggage, and he kept everything inside – he refused to talk about it." Rose watched Caroline very carefully before adding, "I have no ill will towards Damon, I promise. He really is a good guy, he just wasn't ready for commitment, especially after Katherine mind fucked him. She messed with his head. And since, he'd been really – well, I don't exactly know the right word for this, maybe selective is a good one – of who he opens himself up to. But he chose you, Caroline. He wants a relationship with you. Especially if he told you about Katherine – he did tell you about Katherine, didn't he?"

"You mean the manipulative bitch that took his heart, broke it into little pieces, and then stomped all over them?" Caroline asked. Rose nodded, so Caroline said, "Yes. He mentioned her."

"Well it looks like he wants a relationship with you, Caroline. He hasn't wanted a relationship with anyone in a long time, and no offense, but if he only wanted to get you into bed, he'd have done it already."

"Wait – does Elijah know?"

Rose nodded, "He knew that I was with a Damon, and when Damon showed up at your mother's house that night, he put two and two together. He doesn't care, though; at most, he just wants to make sure that Damon will be good to you. Elijah and I don't have secrets from each other."

Caroline sighed, "What the hell do I do now?"

"Well, sweetie, what is your gut telling you?"

Caroline made a face before saying, "It's telling me that I need to see him again. God, Rose! I need to see Damon again. He makes me…well, he makes me feel."

"Look, Sweetie," Rose started, "I love the fact that you've found a good guy after the bullshit you've been through. It makes me happy, and when Esther finds out, she'll be fucking ecstatic. But you need to ease into this."

Caroline gave her a quizzical look.

"You need to make sure that anything you do with Damon is what you want. Don't do anything that will make you uncomfortable just because it's what he wants. I doubt he'd ever push you into anything, but just…don't get over-anxious."

"I'm scared, Rose," Caroline said suddenly, in almost a whisper. "I really am."

"Caroline, you've been in real life and death situations. You've been beaten almost to the brink of death, you've been emotionally scarred and you've been sexually assaulted. But yet, you picked yourself back up and moved on with your life. Why are you getting all scared over a guy?"

"I can't be hurt again, Rose. I just can't."

"Follow your gut, Care. You know, that feeling that has saved your life numerous times? It won't steer you wrong."

Caroline laughed, "For a second, I thought you were going to tell me to follow my heart."

"Hell no. It's not that I have a problem with people who follow their heart, but Caroline, with you, you need to follow your gut because your heart could contain so many emotions that you think you're doing the right thing when you're not. Go with your gut. It's never steered you wrong before."

-x-

Caroline sat in her dress shop the next day, staring out the window. Caroline was half daydreaming and half paying attention to the real world. She couldn't help herself from thinking about her date last night and what Rose had told her afterward. Her mind was screaming at her to end things with Damon before they even began. She was scared. Admitting that to Rose last night was a big step for Caroline, because she didn't like it when people could see inside her head. One of the very first things she ever learned in foster care was the fact that you don't let anybody know what you're thinking, or what you're feeling. Once they could get inside your head, they could use everything to their advantage. She had that done to her one time too many.

The sound of the bell over her door snapped her back into reality, and she looked as Elena came over and sat down beside her, "You're not answering your phone."

"Did you call?"

"What's wrong with you?" Elena asked gently. "Normally, you would notice that I've called five times."

Caroline grabbed her cell phone, which confirmed that, yes, Elena had called five times. Caroline looked at her best friend apologetically, "I'm sorry. I've just been thinking."

"About your date last night?"

Caroline shrugged, "About everything."

"You didn't call me after your date last night, Caroline. I don't know if I should be relieved or offended."

"I called - "

"Rose. I know."

"How did you know?"

"Well, I called Esther today because I couldn't get a hold of you, and…"

Caroline rolled her eyes, "Mother told you."

"You should be happy, Caroline. Esther was ecstatic that you talked to Rose about it, and, honestly, so is Rose. Apparently, you've never really let her into your life, and –"

"Rose and Elijah have been together for three years, Elena. I still don't know her that well."

Nodding, Elena looked at her, "So? What'd you tell her?"

"I like him, Elena." Caroline sighed, shaking her head. "I can't like him."

Elena watched her friend carefully, "Because of your past? Because of Mike Jones, because of Tyler Lockwood?" Elena's gaze softened as she watched Caroline nod slightly; it wouldn't have been apparent to anybody but Elena. She learned a long time ago that it wasn't what Caroline said anymore, it was the way she said it.

"First of all, Caroline, that Mike Jones, he's off the table. That was almost ten years ago, Care, and if he could see you now, he'd be happy. Do you know why?"

"Because he was a sadistic son of a bitch who enjoyed inflicting pain?"

Elena nodded, "Not all pain is physical, Caroline, which you know very well. He's been inflicting you with pain for the last ten years. He's always there, in the back of your mind, and don't tell me he's not. I know he is. He makes you second guess yourself. But guess what? If that bastard could see you right now, he'd be happy. In fact, he'd be more than happy. He'd be ecstatic. Because, even though it's been almost ten years, he's still in your head like he used to be. You need to move on, to live your life. That would piss him off, you know."

"I'm afraid, Elena."

Elena nodded, "I know you are. But I know something else."

"What is that?"

"Damon makes you feel something. Something special. Something you've never felt before."

Caroline couldn't help herself but blush and nod.

A smile erupted on Elena's face, "Give Damon a chance, Care. He likes you, and, well, he just needs a chance. He's as scarred as you are, but in a different way."

"I know. Katherine."

"Yes, Katherine. She hurt him real bad. But I know you wouldn't do that. So why don't you pick up your phone and call Damon, and ask him for a date?" Elena's eyes widened, "Ooh, I have an idea!" She said suddenly. "How about you come to Mystic Falls this weekend? Today's Friday, and I know you don't work on weekends or Mondays, so you can spend the next few days at the boarding house. Sounds like fun, yes?"

Caroline shrugged, "I don't know, Elena. I'd have to call Damon and –"

"No, don't call him! That would ruin the surprise."

Caroline made a face as she thought it over, finally saying, "You know what, I'm in."

-x-

When they got to the boarding house, Caroline went upstairs to Damon's room. She entered, seeing Damon lying on his bed, reading a book.

"Treasure Island? Really?" Caroline asked, laughing.

"What's wrong with it? This book is a classic," Damon answered, going back to his book. A minute later, he looked up, "Caroline?" he put the book down. "What are you doing here?"

"You know, when Elena puts her mind to something, she can be pretty damn determined."

"She asked you to come over, didn't she?"

"Yes. As a surprise."

Damon felt almost giddy as he answered, "Well, it's the best surprise I've gotten in a very long time."

Caroline smiled, but Damon saw the look on her face. It was almost a look of…horror?

"What's the matter?"

Caroline sighed, going over to his bed and sitting on the edge, "Look, Damon, I value your friendship."

"But?" he prompted.

"But, what if this, whatever we have, doesn't work? I like you a lot, and the date went very well, but, I just…" her voice trailed off. "I know what I want to say, honestly, it's just not coming out right."

"You're a realist," Damon said after a moment. "You want to know what is going to happen if we don't work out romantically. And I guess I'd tell you that, if we didn't work out romantically, that I'd really want to be your friend."

"Is that even possible?"

"What do you mean?"

"I've never been able to be friends with my ex. So, have you ever broken up with somebody and be able to remain friends with them?"

"No offense," Damon started, watching Caroline closely, "but all your exes are extreme douchebags."

Caroline nodded, "Yeah, I know. They really are. But answer my question."

"I am not the same person I used to be," Damon said carefully. "You have to remember that. But there was one."

"Was it Rose?" Caroline asked bluntly. Damon just watched her, shocked.

"She told me about you guys. I called her up last night after you dropped me off at my house and I wanted some advice. She couldn't give me advice without telling me, because I can read people. When she said she knew things about you just because she was friends with Stefan, it didn't make sense."

"Are you angry?" he asked, almost afraid of what her response would be.

"What? That you used to date my sister-in-law?" She shook her head, "No, I'm not. It would've been nice if you told me, though."

"Honestly, I didn't know that Rose was part of your family until I showed up for dinner that one night. I was honestly surprised to see her there. I mean, what are the odds that the woman I used to date is now your sister-in-law? I wasn't expecting to see her there, but I thought that if you knew, you wouldn't want anything to do with me." He paused for a moment, watching her closely, "What did she say?"

"She bears no ill will towards you, Damon. And I believe her."

"Please don't tell Klaus," Damon asked, and Caroline burst out laughing.

"What?" he asked her.

"I'm sorry, Damon, it's just the way you said that. Are you afraid of Nik?"

"And his sidekick Kol," Damon added.

"Okay, firstly, Kol is not Nik's sidekick. He's just always looking to make trouble. It just seems that when Nik dislikes somebody, Kol's always with him, trying to stir up trouble. Secondly, Nik will end up knowing. Gossip runs through this family, like, fast. Mother loves to talk about her children and she loves to talk with Rose. And thirdly, if you are going to be afraid of any of my brothers, it's not Nik you should be worried about. It's Elijah."

"The guy married to Rose?"

Caroline nodded slowly, "Yes. He may not look it, but Elijah is the worst one to have pissed at you."

"And that's because…" Damon prompted.

"It's because Elijah is the calmest, he has the most level head. He doesn't lose his temper very often, and he's quiet."

"That should worry me?" Damon asked.

Caroline laughed to herself, "Damon, you ever hear 'it's the quiet ones you need to watch out for'?" she asked, and Damon nodded. "Well, whoever said it had to have met Elijah."

-x-

"I need to talk to you."

Caroline looked up from her book the next day to see Elena standing in front of her. She sounded kind of urgent, so Caroline nodded.

"Look, I've been trying to find a tactful way to bring this up. After what happened at the founder's party, Bonnie's been trying to get me to ask someone else, but you'd be the best option…" Elena was rambling. Caroline knew that whenever Elena rambled, she was about to ask someone a favor and she thought that they'd say no.

"Elena, spit it out already," Caroline said, sighing. Whatever it was that Elena wanted, she might as well just get it over with.

"Well, I'm head of the Miss Mystic Falls competition this year. It was something that my mother did every year, and then Jenna, but Jenna is out of state with Alaric, and –"

"Elena!" Caroline felt her patience wearing thin. "Just get it out."

"Will you do the dresses this year?"

Caroline sat there for a moment, not sure what to say. Getting asked to make the dresses for the contestants was a big deal, and Caroline knew that if she did them, it'd be great press for her business. Caroline sighed before answering, "Seriously? You want me to do the dresses?"

Elena nodded, "Yes. The competition isn't for another couple of months, so it'd give you time – enough, I hope."

"Where's the catch?"

"The catch?"

Caroline nodded, "You were rambling, Elena. You only do that when you're nervous, so you know something that would make me turn you down. What is it?"

"The competition takes place at the Lockwood mansion."

Caroline nodded slowly, chewing her thoughts over in her head. She wanted to say no, but Elena was her best friend and she was asking her a favor - after everything Elena had gone through for her, Caroline figured she could do this one thing for Elena. Besides, it really would be great press for her business.

"Yeah, okay, I'll do it. Besides, I know how to be civil."

Elena nodded, "Yeah, you do. I'm not sure that Carol does, however."