Disclaimer: I do not own the Vampire Diaries and never will, but I do own Charlene Davis and Megan Swann and any other characters I come up with.

Author's Note: I'm glad you guys are enjoying the rewrite as much as I am writing it! :)

Caroline Forbes woke up with a gasp as she quickly sat up in her hospital, looking and feeling disoriented.

It took her a moment to remember exactly what happened to her.

Elena, her best friend, had killed her…but…then how was she alive? She held her head with one of her hands, grimacing at the pain. With the other, she rubbed her eyes as if that would help with the headache overcoming her.

It helped a little but not much, unfortunately. However, it was enough, so Caroline could get out of her hospital bed, roaming outside of the room to find someone she knew. The entire floor was empty except one lone nurse, sitting behind the nurses station. The nurse didn't notice her until Caroline made her presence known.

"Excuse me?" she voiced, making the nurse's head look up from the paperwork she had been looking at. "Where is everyone?"

"It's in the middle of the night, honey." The nurse said slowly as she stood up from behind the desk, looking at the blonde like she was stupid.

It made Caroline's temper spike a little, but she brushed it off. "Oh, it is?" The nurse nodded. "Oh, uh…have you seen my mom?"

"She left after dinner with your boyfriend, and then your friend Megan stopped by."

Caroline's eyebrows furrowed together. "Yeah, she did, but she said her name was Demetria." When it was obvious the nurse wasn't even listening to her, she shook her head, then decided on another question. "Can I get something to eat?"

"Breakfast comes around seven."

"But I'm hungry." Caroline protested, putting a little whine in her voice.

The nurse frowned at her. "You should go back to sleep."

Caroline nearly let out a groan of frustration, but made the decision not to say anything else about it. Clearly, this nurse didn't care if she was hungry or not. Caroline turned to around to head back into her hospital room. All of a sudden, this amazing smell filled her senses, and her mouth couldn't help but water at how good it smelt, so she stopped, turning around towards the nurse again.

"What's that smell?" Caroline questioned.

Now getting frustrated at the young girl, the nurse finally moved out from behind the desk, towards her. "Back to bed." She told her sternly. She left Caroline standing there, obviously thinking she would go back to bed.

But the blonde stayed in the hallway as she tried to find where the smell was coming from. Her eyes locked onto a blood bag in a nearby patient's room. Was that what it was?

As if in trance, Caroline went into the hospital room and stood in front of the bag, reaching a hand out towards it. Before her fingers could touch it, she heard the nurse's voice from behind her, causing her to jump and turn around, but not before snatching the blood bag and hiding it behind her back.

"What are you doing in here?" The nurse demanded.

"I-I don't know." Caroline sputtered, and she honestly didn't, and she had no idea what made her take the blood bag either.

"You need to get back to bed." The nurse grabbed her by the arm and led her back to her room. Before leaving this time, she gave Caroline a stern look.

Caroline waited until the nurse was gone, then she took the blood bag out. She examined it for a moment before she took a tentative sip from it. Immediately, Caroline made a disgusted noise and tossed the bag to the floor as she brought her knees to her chest. Her eyes couldn't help but glance down at the blood bag. Though it tasted horrible, it still smelt so good. Maybe…she needed to try it again.

That thought in mind, Caroline got off the bed and got to the floor before grabbing the blood bag and drinking from it again. This time, she downed the blood, crushing the bag in the process. Caroline moaned in pleasure, but it didn't last long as the pain kicked in, and she almost screamed as it felt like her gums were being ripped apart.

Feeling her mouth and feeling fangs, Caroline's eyes widened in horror.

Since Caroline was still in the hospital and the annual high school carnival was coming up, the planning of it was left in the capable hands of Elena, but of course, Charlene was helping out, along with Bonnie. Megan was too, but at the moment, she was searching for Jeremy to make sure he set up the gold fish toss.

Charlene was grateful for the distraction of the carnival as it kept her from thinking about what happened with Damon. She hadn't spoken to him since he 'killed' Jeremy and she wasn't planning on talking to him anytime soon. She would never forgive him for what he did to her brother. She didn't care if she had hurt Damon's feelings when she told him they couldn't be together. Just because he was hurt didn't give him the right to do what he did. Maybe it would have been different if he had seen the ring on Jeremy, but Charlene knew he hadn't.

So yes, she wasn't going to forgive him.

At least that's what she was telling herself…

Charlene shook her head, trying to get the thoughts of Damon out of her head. She scolded herself for it. Rolling her eyes, she brought her attention back to Bonnie and Elena as they walked together to check on things for the carnival to make everything was moving smoothly.

"Katherine and Demetria looked just like you and Megan, it was freakish." Bonnie commented, making Charlene realize they were talking about the meeting of the two doublegangers of her sister and best friend.

Elena sighed, checking off things on her clipboard. "They're our ancestors. Hey." She said, spotting a carnival worker. "I moved the student booth into the cafeteria."

"Your vampire ancestors." Bonnie corrected in a hushed voice. "And they didn't just resemble you guys like a family member would. They were you."

Elena shrugged in response. "I don't know, I can't explain it. It's creepy. That's all I got."

Bonnie frowned before turning to Charlene. "I wonder if Abigail looks like you too…" She put her foot in her mouth without thinking about it, but Elena noticed and nudged her in the side rather hard. "What?"

"I would think so, considering Damon slept with her, thinking she was me." Charlene said sarcastically, unable to stop the annoyance in her voice at the mention of it.

Those words made Bonnie realize what she said, and she winced. "I'm sorry, Char. That was a stupid thing of me to say."

The blonde said nothing for a moment, then she sighed heavily. "It's okay, Bonnie. Just forget about it. I'm trying to." Unfortunately, it wasn't working as much as she wanted it to.

"So…um…have you talked to Damon since he killed Jeremy, or tried to kill Jeremy?"

And there was another topic Charlene never wanted to discuss, but she answered Bonnie anyway, "No. And I'm not planning on it anytime soon." She crossed her arms. "I'm avoiding him. If only my mind would let me do the same. That's why I think we should focus on being 'human' and doing things like making sure this carnival is a hit, so we don't have to deal with the wrath of Caroline." Charlene made sure to add a joke in there as she felt she was sounding a little too harsh.

This got a giggle out of both girls, making the blonde smile.

"Okay. I'm sorry." Bonnie giggled as she took the bag of stuffed animals Elena handed to her. "I'll focus. We'll make Caroline proud, I swear, or she will definitely kill us." Smiling, she added, "I don't know how she does all of this."

"Because she's not human obviously." Elena joked.

"Obviously." They laughed, and Charlene couldn't help but laugh along with them, forgetting about Damon for the moment. It felt good to be laughing. Hopefully, nothing ruined the day or the carnival.

Megan left to go find Jeremy, on the orders of Elena. The brunette definitely was taking the slave driver duties to heart. Megan couldn't blame her, considering she took over the carnival because of Caroline still being in the hospital, so she had to make it perfect. Good thing she had her, Charlene, and Bonnie helping her out. The more people the better.

It didn't take too long to find Jeremy as he was by his locker. Stefan stood there with him, looking amused by something, before he noticed her heading their way.

"Hello Megan." He greeted, smiling.

She would have asked what was so funny, but decided to leave it alone as she was here to talk to Jeremy. However, it didn't stop her from kissing her boyfriend on the cheek.

"Hey!" Megan chipped cheerfully, after she pulled back, then she turned to Jeremy. "By the way Jer. Elena wanted me to ask you if you've…"

He cut her off, "Yeah, yeah, I set up the gold fish toss all three hundred gold fish." His voice was full of sarcasm as he went on, "It's gonna be epic!" With that, he left, but of course, Megan had to have the final word.

"You better have, or it's gonna be your funeral." She called out, even though he was too far away to hear her. She frowned once he disappeared around the corner. "I see he isn't doing well." A worried look crossed her face as she turned her head to look at Stefan. "Do…do you think he's gonna be okay?"

"He's gonna be alright." He reassured, turning her around to fully face him. "He's just been through a little bit of an ordeal."

"I think dying and coming back to life is a bigger ordeal than a little one." Megan said. "But I really hope he'll be okay. I know that Elena was really hoping the carnival would help bring him back into just being a teenager for once. If anyone deserves that, it's Jeremy." She sighed, leaning back against Stefan's chest, and he wrapped his arms around her. "Honestly, after all the stuff that's been going on, I think we all deserve to do the same."

"Is that what's happening here?"

"Well yeah!" Megan answered Stefan in an obvious tone. "Today needs to be about being normal, and having fun, and a day where the v word isn't in our vocabulary." She felt him press his chin on the top of her head for a moment and she could feel him smiling against her hair.

"Got it!"

Getting giddy, Megan turned around in Stefan's arms and threw her arms up around his neck, happily grinning up at him as a thought crossed her mind. "And then…" she didn't hide the excitement in her voice. "We're gonna have one of those epic romantic movie scenes where you take me to the top of the ferris wheel and kiss me under the stars, making me swoon and my heart flutter, and make me forget everything that's happening. How does that sound?" If this were a cartoon, she definitely would have hearts in her eyes. She always wanted one of those moments and hopefully it worked out and she could have it.

"I'm seeing it and liking it." Stefan told her with a grin, and Megan beamed at him. "But I have a quick question…what are we going to do about Damon?"

The question made her excitement diminish…at least a little.

"Mm, how about throw him off a cliff and watch him hit the sharp rocks at the bottom?" Megan suggested, getting a look from Stefan. "What? After what he did to Charlie, and to Jeremy, he deserves it." She huffed. "That should be another letter that's off limits today, especially around Charlene."

"Unfortunately, Abigail showing up has been a little bit of an odd place, little off-kilter, kind of dangerous. Who knows what he's up to?"

Megan hated it when Stefan made a good point, and she made sure he knew it too. "I hate when your right." She grumbled.

"So, I understand John Gilbert has left town." Carol Lockwood said, heading over to Damon, who was sitting on the couch in the living room, with two cups of tea in her hands. She settled down next to him, handing him his cup. "Have they found the vampire that attacked him?"

Damon took a sip of his tea before answering her, "Well, the sheriff has asked me to take the lead on that and I promise you I will get the bottom of it." He gave her a charming smile.

"Which brings me to my next subject. With Richard gone, I'll be acting as the interim mayor until the elections." Carol explained. "And I'm going to need someone to spearhead the council. I'd like that person to be you."

Damon, of course, was surprised but didn't show it in his voice as he spoke with a smile. "Whatever you need, Carol. As a founding family member, it's something that's very close to me so I would be honored to help keep this town safe from vampires."

There was ruckus coming from nearby the living room. Damon looked to find Tyler and Mason Lockwood coming in, dressed like they were coming back from working out. Carol stood up and closed the doors of the living room, blocking them from his sight.

"Is it safe to talk?" Damon questioned.

"It's my brother-in-law, Mason." Carol said as she made her way back to the couch. "He's still visiting. I just don't want him to hear us. He didn't want anything to do with the council when he lived here, and I see no reason to bring him into it now."

Damon hummed in thought before deciding to listen in on their conversation, using his superb vampire hearing.

"What was that? Like seven?

"Six. I don't count the last one. You crawled it."

"What?"

"I think Grandma Lockwood actually passed you, in her walker."

"Yeah, okay. Shoes off. Mud...my mom...

"Yeah, yeah." Damon heard the ruffling of shoes coming off and hitting the floor.

"So, all this anger and aggression you're talking about, you notice a difference when you exercise?"

Tyler scoffed. "Dude, I play three varsity sports. I work out four times a week and run three. I'm gonna say no."

"Do you have episodes? What happens exactly?"

"Starts out normal, I get angry typically over nothing. I'm an angry guy. I know it just amplifies and I just go off.

"You black out?

"Yeah, it's like I go blind with rage.

"Is there a pattern? Like once a month, only at night?

"All I know is I lose myself; you know? For that time, I become something else, and I hate it."

Damon was too busy listening in he didn't notice Carol was talking to him until she said his name. He turned to her.

Now that she had attention, Carol repeated her question, "Would you like more tea?"

"Oh yes, please." Damon told her with a smile, holding out his cup. "Thank you, Carol."

As she poured the tea, he thought to Tyler and Mason's conversation. If he didn't think they had a family secret before, he did now. But what it was…that was a mystery. One Damon intended to find out.

Caroline sat in her hospital room, thinking about last night. It sounded and felt like a horrible nightmare. She had fangs…fangs! Caroline hoped that maybe it was a fluke and she had imagined it. Deep down, she knew it hadn't been but that thought was the only way to stop her from freaking out or even thinking about.

She looked at the window and the curtains were drawn blocking the sun, except for the small light from the crack of it. She had drew them close that morning because the sun had burnt her, and it hurt like hell. But since she was in the mindset at the moment that the whole thing wasn't real, Caroline reached her hand out to touch the light and she hissed as her sizzled at the contact. She jerked it back, watching as her slightly blistered hand healed.

Okaaay. Not a dream.

Caroline brought her hand to her chest as Matt came into the room, holding a tray of food. She immediately smelt it and nearly gagged.

"Your mom said you're not eating." Matt said.

"It's gross." Caroline mumbled. 'And it smells like garbage.' She thought to herself. It didn't smell nearly as good as that blood she had last night. Her mouth watered slightly just thinking about it, but she shook out of it.

Her comment got a laugh out of Matt. "It's hospital food; it's supposed to be gross." He sat the tray down on the foot of her bed, smiling as he moved in to kiss her. Caroline started to do the same, but stopped, remembering the light there and not wanting a repeat about what happened seconds ago. He frowned but didn't say anything as he continued to talk, "She also said you're getting released tomorrow morning."

"Morning?!" Caroline sat up immediately in bed, eyes wide. "I need to get out tonight."

Matt shook his head. "No." he told her sternly. "The carnival is happening without you, Caroline. I know it's hard for your neuronic control freak to process, but Bonnie and Elena have, and Charlene and Megan helping out too. It's going to be fine."

Caroline only commented on the good-natured insult as she crossed her arms in an offended manner. "I'm not neuronic."

"Yeah you are but it's cute so…"

"Look, it's not about the carnival, okay?" Caroline told him, biting her bottom lip as she shifted in her bed. "It's just that this place is really depressing."

Matt started off towards the curtains. "It's because you're sitting in the dark." He began to open them up.

"No, don't!" Caroline exclaimed loudly. It was too late as they were open and she practically tossed herself to the wall, gripping the surface even though there wasn't anything to grab onto. Her eyes were screwed shut.

It startled Matt. "What the hell?"

"Just close it, please." Caroline gritted out.

"What's wrong with you?"

Caroline couldn't help but snap at him, the frustration getting her. "Close it!" Slowly, he closed the curtains, and she relaxed immediately.

Then, Matt backed up. "I'll just come back later, okay?" He left her there, still wondering what was up with his girlfriend.

...

Later that day, Caroline got up to get dressed. Just because she was stuck here, didn't mean she couldn't look good while doing it.

She stood in front of the mirror in the room, putting on her jewelry. She started with the necklace Elena had given her as a friendship thing. It was rather sweet.

Caroline put it around her neck, but once the metal of the necklace touched her skin, it burnt her, getting a yelp out of her. She quickly tossed it to the ground. She wanted to scream. Why was this happening?! Caroline huffed out her frustration before she saw the nurse come into the room in the reflection of the mirror, picking up her necklace from the ground.

"That's pretty." The nurse complimented.

"Yeah, my friend gave it to me." Caroline said distractedly. Her nurse sat the jewelry down before she left the room.

Once she was gone, the blonde pulled out a blood bag she confiscated from a room and took a sip. That was all it took for her fangs to appear. A scream escaped her mouth, seeing her reflection in the mirror. It made the situation all too real! She looked like a monster!

Her screaming made the nurse came rushing back into the room. "What's wrong?!" The nurse was straight and to the point. Then she noticed Caroline's face and opened her mouth to scream.

Caroline didn't let her as she speeded over to her, slamming her against the wall, her hand wrapped around the nurse's neck and her fingers tightened around it to strangle her. "You can't tell anyone!" she cried frantically. "You can't tell anyone!" Then her pupils dilated, and she compelled the nurse without realizing it.

"I can't tell anyone." The nurse repeated, dazed.

"You'll do what I say?"

"I'll do what you say."

Caroline let out a brief sigh of relief. "Good, because I'm starving." She groaned. The smell of the nurse's blood was too much as she let the monster take over and bit into her neck, slicing her fangs through the skin.

"I think this carnival is a success!" Megan exclaimed cheerfully, locking arms with Charlene and Elena while Bonnie walked beside them. The carnival was in full swing, and everyone was having such a good time.

Which Megan was glad for. They needed a fun human day without any vampire havoc and so far, it was working in their favor! For now…

"I think Caroline would be very proud." Megan added, grinning over in Elena's direction.

The brunette smiled too before she directed her attention to Bonnie as her friend spoke to her.

"Oh. I just remembered." Bonnie said. "The ring toss is out of Bart and Homer dolls and Team Jacob T's."

Elena quickly nodded. "Okay, I can grab some from the science club. Also, we lost a speaker in the karaoke room." Despite Megan's compliment, she still seemed frantic.

"Hey, it's all good, Elena." Bonnie reassured her. "Take a beat and look around. Like Megan said, this is a huge success."

"They're right, Lena." Charlene told her sister with a smile. "Everything is great! You should be proud of yourself especially since nothing bad as happen."

Elena gasped dramatically. "You mean, we can do more than just wreak vampire havoc?"

"Hey, we said no v word remember!" Megan reminded her. "That's just asking for it. It's like saying, what could possibly go wrong. You just don't say it."

Elena held her hands up. "Sorry, sorry, geez take a joke, why don't you?" She teased, earning a look from Megan but the brunette only grinned back at her.

"Charlie, tell your sister to stop being mean to me." Megan pouted in Charlene's direction, squeezing her friend's arm with her own.

"Sorry, no can do. Better get used to it. Family is supposed to be mean to each other. It's in the description." Charlene told her, smiling.

Megan supposed her best friend/sister had a good point. "Oh fine, you're forgiven."

"Whew! Thank goodness." Elena giggled, then stopped, releasing Megan's arm to move over to a carnival worker, who was repairing one of the stands. "Hey, Carter, right?" This got his attention and she smiled at him. "You're with the carnival?"

Carter got off the ladder and wiped his hands off, smiling at the group of girls. "That'll be me."

"Okay, great."

He got a glance at Bonnie before doing a double take, eying her. Megan saw her sister blush and she held back a squeal, which was even harder to do at his next words. "Wow, what do you need, beautiful?"

Megan bit another squeal back, but it didn't stop her from sharing grins with Charlene and Elena.

Bonnie blushed again. "What do you know about karaoke speakers?" she asked shyly.

Carter smiled at her again. "Why don't you show me the problem?"

"Yeah, Bon-Bon." Megan teased only to get look from her sister, which she ignored with a cheeky grin. "Show him the problem. Nothing better than having a handsome man helping you out."

"Megan!" Bonnie exclaimed, flushing even brighter now. She only waggled her eyebrows at her, and her sister quickly turned to Carter, who was amused the whole thing. "Come on." She hurried them off before Megan could say anything more embarrassing.

Megan laughed hysterically when they were gone, but stopped abruptly at the looks on Charlene and Elena's faces. "What? Embarrassing your family members is in the description too?" She shrugged as the blonde and the brunette shook their heads, but they still smiled at her antics.

TBC...

In...

Brave New World, Part 2...

Finally, an update! Hope you guys enjoyed it and please leave reviews to give me insight on what you think of the rewrite! Also, I'm reopening the poll of which original brother you would want to see strike up a romance with Charlene. The choices are Klaus or Elijah! So vote and it'll close once again when I get to the episode where Elijah shows up! :) Anyway, see you next time on the rewrite!