Pairing: Stefan/Caroline (m/f) hand Prompt for jeffrey

Monday, April 9, 2012

Gilbert Residence

Mystic Falls, Virginia

Evening

Jeremy kicked his backpack and cursed loudly enough that he cringed at his open door. Ric had been pretty cool about Jenna catching him and April fooling around at the lake house. He didn't want to push it and get in trouble again. And Jeremy really didn't want to deal with his mixed feelings over April and Annabelle. He also didn't want to go back to school tomorrow.

As Jeremy leaned down to shove his math textbook back in the bag from his fierce kick, he heard a tap on his locked window. He looked up to see Annabelle peering from the other side of the glass. Shit, he should have responded to her texts...

"Hey," Jeremy said, unlocking the window. He quickly trotted over and shut his bedroom door.

"Hey, I wasn't sure if you were back," Annabelle said, smoothing down her dress. "You didn't respond."

Jeremy gulped, "Sorry, I was trying to get stuff ready for tomorrow...Does your mom know you're here?"

Annabelle grinned and plopped down on the bed.

"Yes, I wanted to tell you about that. She had kind of change of heart. She says she was being unfair about her and wants to get to know you," Annabelle said brightly.

"Oh, cool," Jeremy said, his voice cracking. He reddened and stood awkwardly in the center of his room, unsure of what to do.

"Jeremy? What is it? You don't look happy," Annabelle said with a frown.

Jeremy wiped his now sweaty palms on his jeans.

"Ah, look. There's something I have to tell you," Jeremy said.

"What? Did you get grounded again? What did you do?" Annabelle teased, her dark eyes filled with amusement.

Jeremy eyed the pretty dark-haired vampire. He realized he did like her.

"The truth?" Jeremy asked, going to sit next to her. He realized she could probably toss him out the window she came in, but he wanted to come clean.

"Uh-oh," Annabelle replied, pausing. "Yes, tell me the truth. This whole conversation is making me nervous. I missed you so much this weekend. Now, you don't even seem happy to see me."

"No, I really am happy! That just makes this harder," Jeremy mumbled. He started to take her hand and then stopped. "It's just I did something dumb. I hope you can forgive me."

"Hey, we all do dumb things. I did something kind of silly myself. Did Ric say anything about the frogs?" Annabelle inquired.

"Not much, but Elena filled me in. Don't tell me you helped those guys?" Jeremy groaned.

"Yeah, I used my vampire powers to compel Miss Douglass in class last week. Matt had asked me to help his friend and...," Annabelle drifted off, worrying about the results. "Anyway, he and Tyler have been coming to the boarding house to see Vicki. I just didn't think it would be such a big deal."

"And now Miss Douglass is going to wonder what happened to her tadpoles? Oh, it's around the whole school now!" Jeremy winced.

"Yeah, I compelled her, but not the rest of the class. I'm sure someone will talk. Anyway, what did you want to tell me?" Annabelle said, bumping Jeremy's socked foot with her boot.

"I went skinny dipping with April," Jeremy confessed. "It was at night and we...kissed, by accident! I swear, I don't like April like that. It just...happened."
"You kissed?" April asked incredulously.

Jeremy's head drooped and he pulled his foot away. "Yeah, I'm so sorry."

Annabelle's laughs rang out in the bedroom. Jeremy looked up in surprise.

"That's it?" Annabelle prodded.

"Yeah, it was a little kiss, but a kiss," Jeremy went on.

"Jeremy, we aren't even exclusive. I mean, if you want to be boyfriend-girlfriend, we can, but I think you are blowing this out of proportion," Annabelle confided.

"I am? And you would want to be my girlfriend? Really?" Jeremy said, his voice cracking on the word "girlfriend."

Annabelle nodded, "Yeah, if you want to. But then, no more making out with other chicks! Got it?"
Jeremy now smiled, "Yeah, I can handle that. And I'll get to meet your mom, like officially?"
"Sure," Annabelle said. She leaned over and kissed Jeremy. He shut his eyes and felt like he was the luckiest guy ever.

"You rock," Jeremy said, after they came up for air. "I have the best girl in the school!"
"Don't forget it," Annabelle smirked, pulling him in closer. It was so nice to have him back. Now, if she could just get clear of the frog thing, she'd be happy.

Outside the bedroom, April fumed. That bitch! April was tempted to call Ric who was resting in his bedroom. But then she had an idea...it might just work.

Mikaelson Mansion

Damon and Enzo's Bedroom

Klaus had said goodnight and made his way upstairs with his mind reeling. Few things scared him, but he had had some close calls with those French Quarter witches over the centuries. Some very close calls. Sure, he had killed a few and maimed or imprisoned others, but they always seemed to get the upper hand in the end. If Ava's mum was a prisoner in the Fauline Cottage, he couldn't let his former failures stop them from rescuing her. That place was a prisoner for only the most ruthless and deranged witches. A Traveler with a young child who got caught up in this mess didn't belong there. Klaus ran his hand over the scruff on his face, realizing he hadn't shaved again today. He had too much on his mind.

Klaus checked his watch and debated whether to say goodnight to Damon and Enzo. If all was well, they were already fast asleep. Yet, he thought he heard something...Klaus opened the door and peered in. His keen eyes saw Damon shifting in the bed.

"Son, you awake?" Klaus whispered.

"Yessss," Damon said, his voice heavy with sorrow.

Klaus felt the hairs on back of his neck rise.

"What tis it?" Klaus said, shutting the door and vamping to the bed. Enzo was snoring on his stomach.

"Nothing," Damon whimpered in the darkness, cut only with a dim nightlight in the bathroom. "I j-just can't sleep."
"Do not lie to me. If I am correct, I owe you a good hiding for misbehaving at the Lake House. Aye, Ric told me all," Klaus said, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"I-I'm going to use my free p-pass," Damon stammered.

Klaus patted his son's leg.

"Fine. Move over, though. I want to know what is ailing you, my boy," Klaus said in a low voice.

Damon scuttled over and Klaus slipped off his shoes and got in between the lads. He put an arm around Damon and pulled him in closer.

"Speak," Klaus urged, softly.

"I-It's my f-fault Enzo got so...messed up," Damon said haltingly.

"That power outage was fixed in moments. Elijah just reset the breakers and the generator kicked in. He had a moment of fear, but he's fine," Klaus soothed. "Just fine."

"No, he's not," Damon hissed in a pained whisper. "He wouldn't be so afraid if I hadn't have left him that night. He was with those Augustine pricks for over half a century! I'm a terrible witch and a worse friend..."

Damon tried to turn to his side and weep, but Klaus pulled him into his chest.

"Shhhh, let it out. You didn't know he was alive, Damon," Klaus pointed out. "That ill is on the Augustines and those who did their bidding. The tables could have easily been turned, you know?"

"He wouldn't have given up on me," Damon spat, raising his head. "And I fuck up almost every spell I do! I just can't focus it. The magic, it's too strong!"

Klaus let him cry for a time and then said, gruffly,"That magic can be a curse in truth. Normally, it would come in softly when you were a child. You'd have learned small spells and learned to hone it as it grew. For you, you got it all at once. If you had control over it, that would be most unusual. You must be patient."
"But you need my magic now! Uncle Elijah is in real trouble here. That Dimitri guy warned me. The Strix has control of the Sisters and they want a doppelgänger. If they can't get Dimitri's sister, they will come for Elena, war or no," Damon cried.

Klaus hugged his son tighter.

"You are right, of course," Klaus conceded. "But you can only do your best. Elena has Ric and Bonnie around here, as well as us. The Strix are courting Elijah. Tristan de Martel is ruthless and without regard for human life, but his plan is to imprison us to preserve the bloodlines mainly. We shalln't let them harm Elena. I give you my word there. As to this other girl, I cannot speak, but we will do everything to see that the innocents are protected."

Damon sniffled, "But how can you be sure?"

"I cannot," Klaus agreed. "But in my long life, I have made many mistakes. Like pissing off the French Quarter coven in the last 18th century. Who knew that killing off a few of them would cause centuries of strife? Though, they were the ones who tried to prevent us from settling in the swamps of New Orleans."
"You killed witches two hundred years ago and they are still pissed?" Damon asked wryly. Why was he not surprised?
"Aye, they gave me little choice. They made an alliance with the wolves and humans to keep us homeless for decades. It was only after I double crossed them with the wolves that we got the land that the Compound now stands on, though today, we cannot even get close," Klaus fumed. "Like Katherine is inhabiting your home, witches probably are making their foul brew in the home we built right in the French Quarter. It is a travesty."

Damon wiped at his face roughly with his hand.

"Let me go with you," Damon persuaded. "I know you are going with Elijah."

Klaus cursed softly. "Does everyone in this family have to know my business at all times?"

Damon chuckled, "Pretty much. I know I wouldn't let Stefan do something dangerous alone. The only time I ever did was when you took him and that was to protect Elena."
"I will consider it, but only if you promise to do your best to practice this week. Carefully, I might add," Klaus whispered back as Enzo muttered something in his sleep.

"I will. And thank you for the horse," Damon said gratefully. "I really love him already. It's given me something to look forward to. Riding him today let all my stress just melt away. I didn't even want to cut myself."
Klaus pulled him in tighter and kissed the top of his dark hair.

"That's splendid, son. Truly. Now, I'll let you get some sleep," Klaus said, about to get up.

"No, stay," Damon protested. "Please."

"Or course," Klaus said. He thought to get up and change but that was cut short by his own yawn.

Enzo stirred and Klaus wrapped his other arm around him.

"My sons," Klaus said fondly. As he drifted to sleep, Klaus thought about Marcellus, his little warrior. If only he could bring Mikael back to life and kill him again for what he did to his son, he would...

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

"My hair is a mess!" Rebekah screeched.

Finn laughed, "Sister, it looks the same as always..."

Sage gave him a look and elbowed him.

"Oh Rebekah, it's okay. Look, take this muffin. Boys! Hurry up," Sage yelled as Stefan and Kol ran around getting their things together. The power outage had knocked out the alarm clocks and everyone had overslept.

Stefan came in. "It's a good thing I can drive because we just missed the bus! But I can't find my keys..."

"They are in the key cup," Elijah said, coming in. He had his suit on.

"Thanks," Stefan said, going to retrieve them.

"I need more time," Rebekah snapped. "It's not our fault that Damon knocked out the power. Again!"

"Mind yourself, sister. I have no problem driving you to school late-if you can't get yourself together," Elijah warned lightly. "But you will not be sitting comfortably."

"Oh, to hell with it. I'll just starve today," Rebekah fumed, scowling at Elijah.

Elijah raised his eyebrows and then calmly got the insulated blood bottles from the fridge. Stefan's was different so they didn't mix up the animal blood.

"Here, my dear," Elijah said. "Now, can you settle yourself or-?"

Rebekah took the bottle and gave Elijah her best saccharine smile.

"Thank you, dear brother. I am fine. I just need to get my cheerleading bag," Rebekah said tightly.

"Meet the boys in the car. Aaron? Is he up?" Elijah asked.

Sage nodded, "Actually, yes. He went out with Hayley to see the horse. I'll get him. Luckily, he took his bath last night, with some prodding that is."

"No, it's okay, Sage. I'll get him," Elijah said, looking out the back door.

Elijah slipped out the back and went to retrieve Aaron, as Rebekah went to find her belongings.

Sage sipped on her hot mug of coffee.

"Hmm, I think Elijah has a new lease on life," Sage commented.

Finn looked up from the newspaper he had been flipping through.

"Hmm," he replied. "He doesn't seem as stressed about this weekend, that's for sure."

Sage shrugged and took her mug as she looked out the back door.

"I think he likes Hayley. Finn, are you even listening to me?" Sage asked, looking back at him.

"Oh, yes. What? Hayley? But she's a werewolf! I don't think...," Finn started. Then, he saw Sage's expression. "Yes, I think mayhaps you are correct."
"I am. Mark my words. You know, we really need to get the younger kids into school. I think they've adjusted enough. They need to be with children their own ages," Sage said, turning back to the kitchen island.

"Perhaps, but we should focus on Aaron," Finn stated. "But I suppose you could bring it up with Elijah and Niklaus, but maybe not this week?"

Sage nodded, "Yes, that's a good point. Boys! Hurry up. Kol, come get your blood!"

Kol and Stefan vamped to the car without their blood.

"I thought we were trying to play humans for Miss Hayley?" Finn asked.

Sage rolled her eyes. "I think she knows about the Original family. Like you said, she's a wolf. And you think she couldn't smell the blood in our wine cups last night? The ruse is up, dear one, if there ever was one."

"Oh," Finn answered, realizing she was right. "I suppose it was a weak plan from the start."
"It was," Sage said.

Aaron came in and Sage asked where Elijah was.

"Still with Hayley. I need to get my own horse! Azul is really awesome. Is my lunch ready?" Aaron asked.

Sage handed it to him. "Yes, you see why we need to get everything ready for school the night before?"
"Yeah, yeah," Aaron muttered.

Sage laughed and kissed him goodbye.

"Have a good day, honey. Oh, and take those thermos for Stefan and Kol. Rebekah got hers," Sage added. "Go meet them in Stefan's car. He's driving."

Aaron nodded and grabbed them.

"And tell him not to speed!" Finn called out, but Aaron had already slammed the garage door.

Rebekah stomped past them and didn't say a word. Then, the dogs ran down and the younger kids after, all the noise waking them up.

"Can we go outside?" Julian asked, hopping up and down.

"Sure. I'll get your breakfast ready," Sage replied as the three youngsters ran outside with the dogs.

"So much for quiet time. Niklaus must still be asleep," Finn observed, putting the newspaper aside and getting up.

Sage agreed, "You have that right. Shit, I wonder if Aaron took his gym clothes?"

"If I had to guess, I would say no," Finn joked, putting on his shoes and heading out.

Mystic Falls High School

First Hour

"I can do this," Caroline breathed. She had her thermos of blood and smoothed back her hair. "Where's Stefan? He said he'd come in with me!"

Tyler put his arms around her. "You don't need him, babe. You have me. Come on, I'll walk in with you."

What Tyler didn't anticipate was the crowd of students who gathered around them asking if Caroline was okay.

"Oh, I'm fine. It was just a little concussion," Caroline retorted brightly. "Now, I hope you all brought money for your dance tickets. They will be on sale at all three lunches."

A few minutes later, Tyler was walking Caroline to her homeroom when there was an announcement.

"Annabelle Zhu, please report to the main office," Mrs. Clarke, the secretary's voice, boomed over the crowds.

"Oh shit," Tyler muttered. "I hope that isn't about the freaking frogs!"
"What?" Caroline asked. "Don't tell me you and Matt dragged her into your bullshit prank?"

"It wasn't us. I think it was Tiny who asked her to get the frogs from the science lab," Tyler said in a low tone.

Principal's Office

Principal Weber informed Annabelle that if she came clean he wouldn't suspend her.

The vampire bit her lip and toyed with the edge of her binder as she sat on the uncomfortable guest chair in his office.

"I'm sorry, sir," Annabelle finally confessed. "I did it."

The middle-aged principal nodded and made a notation on a yellow legal pad.

"And who 'helped' you, Miss Zhu?" Principal Weber asked gently. "I happen to have been in secondary education long enough to realize that a young lady such as yourself would not do a prank like this on her own volition. Come clean and I would let you off with an apology to your teacher and one week of detention. If not, I will set you to two weeks and have to call your parents."
"You would call my mother?" Annabelle gasped, that hadn't even occurred to her.

"Yes, of course," Principal Weber muttered. "Unless of course, you want to give me the names of all the students involved..."

Annabelle swallowed hard. She didn't want to get Matt and Tyler in more trouble, plus, she didn't even think that Tiny boy was very bright. He helped her open her locker on her first week. Plus, Jeremy was getting along okay with Matt and Ty, if she talked, they might retaliate against him. She made her decision.

"It was just me. I thought it would be funny," Annabelle stated.

Principal Weber was disappointed, but not surprised. He pulled out some detention slips and filled them out.

"Take these to Mrs. Clarke," Principal Weber said. "She'll schedule you and write you a pass to first hour. I will call home. Are you parents there now?"

"It's just my mother and me," Annabelle replied, gulping. "She won't be very happy."

"I'm sure not. You seem like a nice girl," the Principal said, signing the carbon form. "If you change your mind or need to speak to me, my door is always open for students. Oh, and I will probably have to ask your mother to cover the cost of the tadpoles. The science department had to order more. Get to class, Annabelle."

"Yes, sir," Annabelle said. She took the offered slip slowly and made her way to the outer office to see the secretary. As she tramped to the desk, she saw a girl leaning by the lockers outside the office.
It was April Young. And she gave Annabelle a wave, before smirking and walking away.

Salvatore Boarding House

"Harper, you must have cheated!" Nadia laughed, as Harper beat her again at chess.

"I did not realize you were such poor sport, Nadia," Harper said with a final pronouncement of "check mate."

Nadia smiled and leaned back.

"I'm not, but you are very clever," Nadia shared. "You know, there is a huge world out there. We should see a bit of it."
Harper frowned as he started to replace the pieces on the chessboard.

"Oh, I couldn't leave Miss Pearl," Harper shared. "No, not now, not never! And I thought you wanted to stay with your mother?"

"My mother? The one who is either always at her new job or with Mason Lockwood?" Nadia replied.

Pearl came in with Vicki trailing behind her.

"That tis not fair, Nadia," Pearl scolded lightly. "Your mother has been sleeping here and having supper with us. She said the smell at the Lockwood Mansion is atrocious."

"Perhaps?" Nadia answered wryly. Katherine had been making somewhat of an effort to have dinner with the family and ask Nadia about her day, but Nadia felt like her heart wasn't in it.

Vicki leaned over and poured the tea into the fine china cups. She was getting used to the routines of the house. Breakfast, tea, house chores, laundry and unfortunately, gardening. There was a green house on the property that Pearl had restored. She was dead set on reviving her herbal remedies and starting a business. There was not a plant nursery in Mystic Falls and Pearl wanted to step in and create one.

"Very nice, Vicki," Pearl complimented. "Now, you two stop playing that game and come over and join us at tea. Vicki made the cakes today."

Vicki had also helped Pearl made little cakes. Hers weren't as pretty as Pearls, but they tasted good. And it wasn't as boring as taking care of the seedlings.

Harper smiled and took a seat on the arm chair as Nadia took the other one.

"So, I was going to go into town and pick up some fertilizer," Pearl announced. "I was going to take Harper. Nadia, could you stay here with Vicki?"
Nadia bit into one of the almond flavored cakes. "This is divine, Vicki! And yes, I'm not doing anything."

"Thanks," Vickie responded. "But I don't need a babysitter!"

Pearl raised an eyebrow. "You know that Katherine might have burned my big wooden spoon, but I am sure that cane I found in the old umbrella stand would do. Would you like to rephrase that, dear?"

Vicki shuddered, "Yes, ma'am. I am fine to stay with Nadia."

"Good. There is always ironing to do if you two get bored," Pearl added pointedly. "Or you could go take a walk. It is astounding to me that modern people seem to never go outside these days."

"You could walk into town," Vicki snarked.

Pearl smiled as she sipped her tea.

"Now that Nadia has taught us driving, we shall take the car. Harper, you have more of a talent for it than I do. The last time I went to the market, someone almost ran me off the road," Pearl lamented, smoothing her skirt.

"That's because you were going twenty miles an hour!" Vicki chuckled. The group laughed.

The phone rang.

"I'll get it," Vicki said, hoping up. The house phone rarely rang. Vicki spoke, her eyes getting bigger. "Ah, Miss Pearl, it's for you..."
Pearl wiped at her mouth and got up.

Vicki mouthed, "It's the school principal!"

"Uh-oh," Nadia replied. "That's not good."

Mikaelson Mansion

Damon and Enzo's Room

Klaus got up stiffly. He hadn't moved much during the night, as to not wake up his boys.

Damon had gotten up and taken a shower. Enzo was just waking up.

"You slept like a babe," Klaus laughed, rubbing his sore back.

"You were in here all night?" Enzo asked, surprised.

"Aye, Damon was a bit upset," Klaus confided. "About what happened to you last night."
"Why?" Enzo said, sitting up and trying to smooth down his hair.

"Guilt, I suppose," Klaus said, hearing the water for the shower shut off. "About leaving you with the Augustines."

Enzo got up and went to the mirror.

"I've told him that I've forgiven him," Enzo whispered back. "I don't know what else to do."
Klaus put a hand on Enzo's shoulder.

"There's naught you can do aside from be there for him," Klaus explained. "I fear we have overslept. I am sure Elijah is waiting to give you your lessons downstairs."

"Aye, more ciphering and arithmetic," Enzo complained. "He wants to start me on Shakespeare, but I do not think I am ready."
Klaus smiled, "That's how he taught Marcellus. That and the piano."

"That old thing is so out of tune," Enzo exclaimed. "But I think he engaged a piano tuner!"
Klaus chuckled and pulled Enzo in for an embrace.

"How about this? You indulge your uncle and allow him to teach you without complaint and I will get you that car you have been hankering for," Klaus offered.

Enzo didn't miss that Klaus had referred to Elijah as his uncle, which meant he really did see him as a son. And a car!

Enzo pulled away, rapturous, saying, "You would get me a car? Really!"

"Yes, of course," Klaus replied. "It would probably cost less than Damon's horse...But you behave and we'll look into it."

Damon came out with a towel wrapped around his waist.

"Shouldn't he get a license first?" Damon quipped.

"Aye, that can be arranged," Klaus said. "How are you feeling this fine morning?"
"Great. Better," Damon said with mild embarrassment. "Thanks."
"Good. I'll leave you two to dress," Klaus said, pointing to the alarm clock on the bedside. "And perhaps fix that clock? It blinked all night."

Klaus exited and Damon started to get dressed as Enzo raved about getting a car.

"Hey, man, that's great," Damon said. "Look, about last night..."
Enzo held up a hand. "Damon, that twas not your fault. I forgave you and I do not wish to hear another word about it or I shall whip you myself!"

"Whip me? Ha, I'd like to see you try!" Damon said, tackling Enzo onto the bed. They wrestled until a vase of roses clattered to the floor. It didn't break, but the water leaked into the carpet.

Damon had Enzo in a headlock, but released him.

"I'll clean that up. You go shower. Please!" Damon teased.

"Aye, I'm just not used to bathing every damn day," Enzo moaned. "It seems like a waste of water."

"Dude, you reek. I never used to sweat until I moved here. Didn't these people ever hear of air conditioning?" Damon mused, going to get a towel to mop up the water.

"I think it got mucked up when you blew out the bloody power again!" Enzo howled.

Damon tackled him again and they tousled until Enzo finally went to take a shower.

Mystic Falls High School

Tyler pushed Caroline up against the wall in the janitor's closet, nuzzling her neck.

"Tyler, you are messing up my hair. Seriously?" Caroline whined.

"Babe, it's just that you look so hot," Tyler said, pulling back. "How's it going anyway?"

"I'm kinda hungry," Caroline admitted. "I finished all my blood for the day."

"Here. Sip on me," Tyler said, offering his neck with a grin.

Caroline swallowed. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tempted, but Stefan made me promise not to."

"Stefan isn't your boss, Care!" Tyler snapped. "Just take a little."

Caroline's fangs emerged and she was about to when the door wrenched open. It was Stefan.

"Oh crap," Tyler gasped. "We were just, ah, talking."
"Talking, huh? You guys are going to be late for class. Tyler, can I speak to Caroline a moment?" Stefan asked in a tone that didn't invite a denial.

"Ah, sure, man," Tyler said, giving Caroline a peck on the cheek. She smiled and swatted him on the seat of his jeans.

"Owww!" Tyler shrieked, grabbing his buns. "You are a brute."

"There's more where that came from. Now, let Stef and I talk before I really heat up that cute behind."

Tyler gulped and left the closet, grabbing his backpack from the floor.

Caroline laughed, but sobered as Stefan glared at her.

"Stefan, I'm sorry," Caroline wailed. "It's just that I'm hungry!"

"And you will be hungry," Stefan explained. "Nearly all the time. You have to get used to it. If you can't handle it, I can take you home. The thing is, Caroline, that if you give into the hunger, it tends to grow. You have to lean how to fight it."

Caroline's eyes filled with tears. "I can't go home. I have too much to do here. Stefan, I was just going to take a 'little sip!'"

"A little sip? Drinking from the vein is more exciting, more intoxicating that drinking from a blood bag or bottle. Caroline, you could have killed him," Stefan scolded. He had never had werewolf blood but he suspected it tasted terrible, but he had set rules for Caroline and she had almost broken the cardinal one.

"Fuck, this sucks," Caroline cursed, stamping her foot and narrowing her eyes at Stefan.

"Maybe Tyler is not the one who needs a little spankin'?" Stefan warned.

"No! Stefan, it's not like the freaking 1800s, you can't just beat me," Caroline argued.

"Look, you can have some of my animal blood," Stefan offered.

"I don't want your nasty bunny blood!" Caroline shrieked.

Stefan put his left foot on a 40 gallon bucket that had a lid on it. He grabbed Caroline and leaned her over his thigh.

"Oh! What? Stop!" Caroline begged as Stefan flipped up her short skirt. He slapped her behind hard.

Whack!

"Oh, someone will hear," Caroline protested as a second swat landed over the first. Whack!

"Then, I'll compel them or you can. It will be good practice," Stefan chuckled. "But you are getting spanked, Caroline. Now, stop fussing or these panties are coming down."

Stefan raised his hand and walloped her bottom again hard in the same spot.

Slap!

"Oooaffff," Caroline gasped, her behind was stinging wildly. She tried to push up on Stefan's leg, but he was much stronger than he looked.

Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!

Tears ran down Caroline's face as she endured a flurry of hard whacks all over her behind. Stefan started to swat the area below her underpants and that really got her howling.

Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!

Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!

Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!

After a two minute spanking, Stefan flipped down Caroline's skirt and turned her around. He put his hands on her shoulders.

"I will give you some animal blood today," Stefan said. "But anymore of this nonsense and you are going to get the hairbrush on your bare bottom. That's what Lexi did to me when I was struggling. It stings, but it will focus you on something other than the hunger. Okay?"

Caroline's hands went and massaged her throbbing bottom as she danced around.

"Yes, Stefan. I'm sorry," Caroline sobbed. Stefan hugged her and rubbed her back. "Come on. You can wash your face in the bathroom. I have some blank passes and that blood in my locker. I guess I'll have to get a good hairbrush, too."
Caroline pouted, "No, Stefan. I won't do it again!"
"Oh, you will," Stefan teased. They opened the door to find Elena standing there.

"Elena!" Caroline blurted out. "Did you hear?"

"Oh yeah, I heard. Tyler thought you might need some support," Elena shared, giving Stefan a hard look.

"Elena, she was about to feed from him," Stefan said.

"Oh," Elena replied, surprised. "Ty didn't mention that."

"But I didn't," Caroline said in a small voice.

"Caroline, I'll meet you in the bathroom. I have to run something by Stefan," Elena said, handing Caroline some tissues and a comb from her purse.

"How'd you get out of class?" Stefan asked as they headed towards his locker.

"I said I had to talk to Ric," Elena said. "But I think I have a little issue on the home front. It's April."
"April Young? What's going on? I saw her this morning, she seemed fine," Stefan replied.

"Oh, shit is going down. She and Jeremy hooked up at the lake house," Elena started.

"Wait? Hooked up?" Stefan said, pausing.

"No, like kissed. Now, my dummy brother is back with Annabelle," Elena said. "Last night I guess April was eavesdropping at Jer's door and heard them! Today, she went to Weber and reported that Annabelle was the one who stole the tadpoles. Do you believe this?"

"A woman scorned...Yeah, I believe it. How did you find this out?" Stefan pressed, continuing down the hallway.

"April told me! Proudly, I should say. I think she had to get the idea from Rebekah Mikaelson, April was never this devious. What should I do, Stefan?" Elena demanded. "I know Jeremy is her first love, but she can't go down this path."

"Maybe you should just stay out of it. I mean, I did hear that Annabelle got the tadpoles," Stefan commented, opening his locker.

"Yeah, but those boys goaded her into it. It wasn't just her. I heard she has two weeks of detention. All because of April," Elena spat. "I told April she was being petty and this wasn't the way to get Jeremy back, but she thought it was funny."

"I was going to go by the boarding house later and check on the vervain supplies and the house," Stefan said. "Let me talk to Annabelle."

"No, I don't think she knows who ratted her out," Elena protested.

"Elena, this is Mystic Falls," Stefan answered. "The truth always comes out eventually. It's better to see this head on. You know?"
"Yeah, okay. I'm going to check on Caroline. I can't believe you spanked her," Elena said.

"Yeah, well, Lexi always paddled me good when I needed it. Do you have a hairbrush I could keep in my locker. If Caroline's going to make it, we're going to need it," Stefan admitted.

"Oh hell, no," Elena said. "I'm not getting involved. Next, you'll be asking Bonnie to spell it to stop her healing!"

"Wait, that's a great idea. I'm sure Caroline's butt is fine now, just her pride smarting," Stefan said, as Elena went to mess up his hair. "No, not the hair!"

"You'll talk to Annabelle then?" Elena prompted.

"Yes, ma'am," Stefan agreed. "Here, give this bottle of 'bunny blood' to your girl. Don't tell her but I brought an extra today. And maybe talk to that brother of yours? He's too young to have these girls fighting over him. Has he even talked to April?"

"I think he's avoiding her," Elena winced. "Which is super awkward since we all live together."

"Don't worry, things will die down," Stefan answered. "Unless Annabelle tries to kill April, of course, or vice versa."

"Yeah...Oh hey, I invited Damon to the decade dance this weekend," Elena said suddenly.

"Yeah, he mentioned it," Stefan said. "But I have a feeling Damon is going on a little trip this weekend with his new papa."

"Oh, well, maybe we can go together?" Elena said, her face reddening.

"Elena, I'm not sure that is a good idea," Stefan replied. He wanted nothing more than to do that, but it was over between them. For good.

"As friends, dummy," Elena clarified.

"Hmm, well, in that case, I'll think about it," Stefan smiled. "But I get to pick the costumes!"
"Whatever," Elena said, finally going to check on Caroline.