Chapter I  Fat Chance

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of these characters

Where was she?

"Come on, Caroline, stay with me now," Stefan said. His voice was calm as always, but his eyes showed panic.

Caroline looked at Stefan in daze.

Why was she being carried? Why were they in the woods? What happened?

An array of questions bombarded her heavy mind. There was an unfamiliar scent that clouded these woods, an aroma she wasn't accustomed to. They were definitely not in Mystic Falls, and nor were they at Whitmore. 

So where were they then?

Caroline could feel herself fading again, fatigue taking its toll.

"Caroline? Caroline!" Stefan frantically looked back down at her.

Four hours before…

"Where are we?" asked the blonde walking closely behind her friend.

"The bayou, about four hours away from our destination," the brown-haired man replied.

"Well, it stinks and it's disgusting," she said as her boots sunk into the moist ground. She sighed, lifting her shoe to inspect the mucky stain on the heel. 

Damn it, these boots were new too…

When she imagined finally leaving Mystic Falls she thought of traveling the world, going to Rome, or Paris, or maybe even Tokyo. But hiking through a swamp was definitely not on her list of touristy places to go. The air was thick from the day's heat and the trees did nothing to keep them cool under the shade. But the sun was finally setting, its rays slowly immersing into the horizon, pink and purple took over the skies.

"We need to feed before we head to New Orleans, we only have a few blood bags left and we can't afford to waste them if we're going survive this trip, Caroline."

"I know,” Caroline groaned, “But we've only managed to catch a couple of rabbits. That's hardly a meal, Stefan."

"Well, that's why we're still hunting," Stefan sarcastically replied.

She rolled her eyes. They had been hunting for hours now and they had barely caught anything. Soon the sun would go down and they would no longer have any light.

Caroline looked up to the sky, the moon would take its place atop the sky soon enough. She shivered to herself. It was going to be a full moon tonight, they both knew that. It left them at the mercy of any possible werewolf attack, and although Tyler had informed them that the bayou was completely scarce of any werewolves, it brought little relief to Caroline who knew firsthand the sting of werewolf venom. What he didn't tell them was that it was scarce of any life in general, well, besides the vegetation of course). Caroline made a note to herself to yell at Tyler later for not giving them the heads up for the lack of living creatures, and maybe get him to buy her a new pair of boots.

"You know, you did have the option of staying at Whitmore with Elena. Damon could've accompanied me instead," said Stefan.

"Yeah, and leave you to face Klaus alone,” scoffed, “Fat chance."

She covered her mouth in embarrassment. 

Dejavu.

At first she didn’t understand why she was so embarrassed. She pondered over what she said until it finally clicked. Upon realization, she frowned. She definitely did not just quote something she had said to the damned hybrid before. Luckily, Stefan didn't notice her sudden change of mood. Instead, he just kept on walking. Realizing her hand was still covering her mouth, she jammed them in her pockets and continued to follow after him thinking to herself.

Why was she embarrassed?

It's not like she had done anything. She had just said something vaguely familiar to a conversation she once had with Klaus. A conversation that had turned into an argument about…

What was it again? Oh yeah.

 …the "allure of darkness".

So you've never felt the attraction that comes when someone who is capable of doing terrible things for some reason, cares only about you?

Caroline shook her head annoyed. 

Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. Stop thinking about him.

She had only agreed to tag along because she wanted to help Elena regain her memories. In most circumstances Caroline would never agree to help Damon win Elena back, it’s not like he deserved her anyways. Stefan would always be Elena’s epic love in Caroline’s eyes. But Elena hadn't been the same since she asked Alaric to compel her to forget about her feelings for Damon, and as much as she wanted to barf at the thought of them being together again, she couldn't help but agree that Elena wasn't the same without those memories.

Damon suggested that Klaus would probably be more likely to agree to compel Elena back her memories if there was a certain blonde there to persuade him. Once again she had to play the "little blonde distraction" for the gang. Typical. But Caroline wasn't sure she was ready to face him, not after–

"Caroline?"

She felt her face grow hot at the memory. Stefan turned to look at her while she quickly tried to compose herself.

"Uh, yeah," she replied quickly snapping out of her train of thought.

"You didn't answer my question."

"About what?"

"Why didn't you just contact Klaus? You have his number don't you?" Caroline looked away from his gaze, "Weren't you the one who called him at our graduation."

She frowned. Technically he didn't answer her calls that day. He ignored her calls all day only to show up conveniently at the nick of time to save her and her friends.

Damned hybrid, he probably did that on purpose. Always has to have an entrance.

She figured he was probably laughing to himself after listening to the numerous voice mails she had sent him. Oh how she wished she could delete those messages, he probably had those messages saved for future blackmail.

"Um, he didn't answer."

Stefan looked at her questionably.

"Oh."

That was a lie. She didn't even bother calling him for help. She may have thought about it once or twice over the past few months, but every time she had picked up her phone, she couldn't bring herself to call him.

Although she had succumbed to the handsome hybrid's allure, she still wasn't ready to admit to herself that she may have feelings for him. It was hard enough for her to even confess that they had a connection. But by now, he was probably off ruling his kingdom in New Orleans doing who knows what without her. She had no idea what his whereabouts were, but she tried not to think about it since it always seemed to give her an unsettling reminder that he was moving on.

Caroline continued to ponder on her thoughts when she suddenly bumped into Stefan. She took a step back and observed the surrounding area confused.

It was dark now and the moon was settled in the sky. But she could see nothing in sight. Well, nothing different from what they’ve seen all day. She leaned on Stefan’s shoulder.

"What's wrong?" she whispered.

"Shh," he said lifting his index finger.

They both listened in silence, but all they could hear were the crickets that chirped by the lake and coos of the owls that sat atop the trees.

Craaack.

The slow crunch of leaves and twigs echoed in the distance. Stefan and Caroline immediately turned their attention towards that direction. Rusting steps became louder and louder, coming from all in different directions. Moving towards a clearing, Stefan and Caroline stood back-to-back, heads whipping side-to-side anticipating the inevitable. When finally the shadowed figure of a beast stepped into view, the moon revealing its fiery gold eyes.

The werewolf's chest heaved gusts of air as it let out a low growl. It was just one werewolf, but Caroline knew the consequences of just one bite. The nightmare that one would be plunged into with one nip. Three more wolves showed up from behind, then two more, then five, until they were surrounded. Stefan and Caroline took a step back. They were being ambushed.

Shit. Not good.

The wolves circled them, stalking them, each one waiting for their chance to pounce. Stefan grabbed Caroline's arm to make a run for it, but the wolves snarled revealing their sharp fangs. They were clearly outnumbered. Caroline's heart started to beat faster, her eyes flashing at each wolf waiting to see which one would attack first.

"Caroline," Stefan said in a low voice, neither of them looked at each other.

"Yes, Stefan,” she said in a shaky voice.

"I'll fight them off while you make a run for the car."

Her eyes went wide, but she refused to turn her head.

"Are you crazy? Now is not the time to play hero, Stefan, I am not leaving you with a pack of wolves!"

"I'll be fine, just run back to the car and head to New Orleans and find Klaus."

She angrily turned to face him and said, "No! I refuse to lea–"

Suddenly one of the wolves leapt at Caroline and tackled her to the ground. She shrieked as its claws ripped at her shirt. Instinctively, she grabbed at its neck, keeping it from gnawing at her face.

"Caroline!" Stefan went to pull the beast off her, but two wolves went to attack him.

 For a second, Caroline was completely consumed with terror as she tried to hold the wolf back. Each time the wolf pushed to snap at her, she tightened her grasp. Finally gathering her senses, she managed to twist her hands just enough, snapping the wolf’s neck. Its body drooped in her arms and fell over her. Pushing it aside, she got up to help Stefan.

Stefan ruthlessly kicked one against a tree, the wolf’s spine snapping. Breaking off a branch he impaled the other in the ribcage, digging it deeper and deeper before pulling out. Caroline did the same, grabbing a stray branch she prodded at the wolves that surrounded her, each one trying to bite her legs. One wolf grasped the other end of the branch with its mouth and tried to yank it away, but rather than pulling herself into a battle of tug-of-war, Caroline dragged its body closer and lifted it off the ground as she circled around so it crashed into the others. The wolves were sent flying back, fumbling to get back up.

Moving next to Stefan, she jabbed at the wolves trying to shove them back. Another wolf charged at her. She positioned her weapon to pierce its heart, but it deflected her movements and wrenched the branch away by shaking its head viciously. She was left weaponless. The wolf hungrily grinned at her, saliva dripping from its mouth as it snapped the branch in half.

The beast lunged at her. Using her arm, she plunged it into the wolf's chest, wrapping her fingers around its pulsing heart, before ripping it out. The wolf yelped. Blood seeped down her arm as she held the heart in her fist. As she threw its body to the side, she saw a wolf moving behind to attack Stefan.

Caroline screamed, "Stefan, watch out!" She swiftly pushed him away just as the wolf was about to bite. She felt its sharp fangs pierce her flesh and she cried out in pain. She crashed to the ground, her breath knocked out of her chest. The wolf bite left a deep and gaping wound on her side. Tears began to stream from her eyes as she felt the venom start to burn her skin. The wolf that had attacked her glowered over her with a grin. Stefan dashed to her side before it could tear her apart, pushing the beast away. He lifted her up and bolted as soon as she was securely in his arms.

Zooming through the trees, Stefan tried to put as much distance as possible between them and the wolves. He stopped once they were miles away, but he could still hear the werewolves howling.

"Caroline, are you okay?"

He studied her body for any injuries before seeing the bite on her side. He scowled. Her blouse was completely shredded and blood oozed from her wound. Caroline whimpered.

"Its okay, it's okay. We're going to find Klaus and he'll heal you, okay, Caroline?" he tried to assure her.

Stefan tried to hush her, but she the sting of the venom was ripping through her skin. He began to run towards the direction of New Orleans when he stumbled upon the wolves again. They stood in a line, growling as they moved in unison. It was as if they were blocking him from entering the city. They barked at him, daring him to try and pass them.

Desperate to save Caroline he wanted to bring her to Klaus, but he feared leading the wolves to a town full of humans would cause a massacre. He took one last hopeless glance towards New Orleans, before turning away and speeding towards the direction he had left his car. They had to get back to Virginia.

Stefan barged into Elena's dorm room with Caroline slung in his arms.

"Caroline!" Elena rushed to his side and studied her friend, "Is she okay?"

"She's resting right now, but I don't know how much longer she'll last after a bite like that," he confessed. Stefan walked over to the bed and set Caroline down.

After he had miraculously escaped the pack of werewolves and managed to get into his car, the first thing he did was call Damon and notified him of the situation. In turn, Damon let the gang know of what happened and they all agreed to meet at Whitmore College.

"How did this even happen?" Matt asked.

"We were out hunting in the bayou when we were ambushed by a pack of werewolves."

Matt frowned at Tyler, "I thought you said the bayou was abandoned?"

Tyler raised his hands up in defense, "It was when I went. There were just a bunch of empty trailers and a creepy old cabin."

"Well, obviously not because now Blondie here is dying. What is this, the fifth time she's been bitten?" said Damon.

"Third time," Caroline corrected finally coming to her senses.

They all turned to look at her in surprise.

“Caroline!” Elena ran to her side.

Struggling to sit up, Elena helped her lean against the bed frame. Caroline nodded to her that she was fine.

"Third time, my bad," Damon continued, "But now we have more of a reason to find Klaus. We need his blood to save Caroline."

Elena turned to him with a frown, "Why were you guys looking for him in the first place? Were you trying to get yourself killed?”

Stefan and Damon exchanged awkward looks at each other, both of them silently arguing who should tell her. But Elena studied them both suspiciously until it finally clicked.

"You guys are trying to get Klaus to compel me back my memories, aren't you," she angrily declared. Judging by their guilty expressions and the fact that they didn't even try to reject it confirmed her suspicions. "I knew it."

Damon stepped forward.

"Let me explai–"

"What's there to explain, Damon? I know what you guys are trying to do," Elena stood up, furiously facing them, "I told you, I didn't want those memories back. Why can't you guys just respect my decision?"

Damon stood before her uncomfortably. Unable to think of a response.

"Well, what about that night we waited outside the Mystic Falls border?" Caroline croaked. Elena paused and everyone turned to look at her. "You told me you wanted your memories back."

Damon was taken aback.

"Well," Elena struggled to find an excuse, "I-I've changed my mind."

"That was before I told you Alaric was no longer an original vampire."

Damon was still in shock that the blonde was supporting him. He vaguely remembered her being completely against his and Elena's relationship from the beginning, so it came to a surprise that Caroline actually wanted her friend to regain her memories.

"So, what are you trying to say?"

"I'm saying that, as your best friend, I don't think you're being true to yourself by forgetting about what you had with him,” she paused, she couldn’t believe she was even saying this, “And that you're not the same unless you're in love with Damon."

Elena had a hurt look on her face as if she had been betrayed. Damon still stood appalled.

"Caroline, of all people, I thought you would be the one by my side. Weren't you the one who didn't appro–"

Caroline winced in pain when her arm brushed against her wound. She folded over to hide her discomfort, but tears began to well up in her eyes as she whimpered.

"Can we please talk about this another time," Matt insisted, "We need to find Klaus so he can heal her."

“Oh yeah, because that went so well the first time,” Tyler added.

"Alright fine, Stefan and I will drive back to New Orleans and go look for him," Damon proposed.

It made sense. Might as well send the oldest vampires in the group to go after an even older vampire. It was fool-proof.

"No. Driving's too slow and she's had the venom in her system for 20 hours by now. She probably has until tomorrow night,” Stefan explained, “We’ll go by plane.”

"I'm going with you," Elena declared.

"Whoa there, you are not going anywhere," Damon stepped in front of her.

"I'm a vampire, Damon, I can take care of myself," Elena side-stepped him and headed to the door, but Damon grabbed her arm, pulling her back.

"And risk Klaus capturing you again and finding some witchy way to turn you back into a human so he can use your blood, I don't think so."

"Well, you don't make decisions for me, Damon," trying to shake herself free from his grasp.

"Damon's right, Elena. It'd be better if you stayed," Stefan cut in, "We need someone to watch over Caroline and make sure she doesn't leave this room when the hallucinations kick in."

Elena frowned. She looked at both Salvatores and then at Caroline before sighing in defeat, "Fine, but you guys better call me and let me know what's going on.” She yanked her arm away and took her place next to sick friend.

"How do we even know Klaus will come? There's nothing he could gain from helping us?" questioned Matt.

"He's obsessed with her, remember," Damon blurted, "He'll take any excuse to see her."

Tyler shifted uncomfortably, but no one noticed. Everyone seemed to be in agreement.

Caroline looked away remembering the last words they had exchanged. What Damon and the rest of the gang didn't know was the little promise Klaus had made to her. The promise that assured her she’d never have to face the complications that would follow her after their moment in the woods and continue to follow her wherever she went.

I will walk away and I will never come back... I promise.

"Well, if that's all, we better get going," Stefan interjected, "We'll call you when we arrive in New Orleans, okay?"

Elena nodded. Damon and Stefan exited the room in a hurry. Once the door had shut and it was just the three of them left, Elena turned to study her friend's condition. Caroline was exhausted, the pain was eating away at her. Sweat beads rolled down her head. Taking the bed covers, Elena wrapped them over Caroline's shoulder and softly rubbed her arm.

"I'm so sorry, Caroline," she whispered, Caroline's eyes slowly started to shut, "Everything's going to be okay."