CHAPTER 1

'We are all gathered here today to mourn the death and celebrate the life of Elizabeth Forbes, the hero of this town. She kept everyone safe, she was an amazing woman that cared for all of us and the knowledge of not having her around disturbs and upsets me and others among you. It saddens me to have to say goodbye to this woman but we ask that she rests in peace and watches over our town,' the priest spoke fluently and Caroline held herself whilst the cold wind passed them. Her father put a reassuring hand around her but it was no use to her, she still felt as cold as ice.

Caroline stood amongst family friends, friends, clients and people she had no clue as to who they were saying goodbye to her mother. She wore a simple black dress that her father had bought and her long blond hair hung in a pony tail that emphasized Caroline's beautiful features. Her eyes were tired and her skin was pale white, a result of her lack of sleep and very low appetite. Bill feared the worst for his daughter.

After arriving in Mystic Falls, both Caroline and Bill had taken residence in the late Sheriff's house. Caroline hadn't done a thing, she just sat there staring at the window, or she'd lock herself in her mother's dark room or she'd just sit on the couch and stare at the ceiling endlessly. Bill watched as his daughter refused to move, eat, talk or sleep, he watched helplessly and listen as she cried in pain at night, aware he could no nothing.

'Caroline, come on sweetheart,' Bill whispered into his daughters ear motioning for her to move to throw a flower into her mother's grave but Caroline did nothing, she just stood still and stared at the closed coffin. She imagined her mother's cold and pale body, a gunshot to her chest. Caroline wondered if you could see the wound, how they'd dressed the sheriff since her father had made the decision of not seeing Elizabeth in her coffin. 'Caroline,' Bill repeated but Caroline looked away and watched as a family make their way to the funeral.

'You're not welcome here!' a man Caroline didn't recognize yelled and everyone turned to watch their entrance, faces of disgust and hatred crossing everyone.

'We just wish to pay our respect, Elizabeth was a friend of ours also,' the woman who led them spoke in a thick British accent and Caroline studied her. She wore an elegant black dress and a black hat to hide her face slightly. She looked beautiful for a mother of four.

'No one wants you here! It's your son's fault we're in this mess in the first place! Why don't you spare us with your lies and leave!' Mayor Lockwood exploded and Caroline stared at her in disbelief.

'He did nothing wrong, you're looking for someone to blame and it is only right that you chose my brother! What a pathe-'

'Rebekah!' the man warned the blonde girl silenced though it was obvious to everyone she had much more to say.

'We mean no harm, we just want to give a gift to the Sheriff's husband and daughter, saying thank you and wishing them well,' the woman spoke again and ordered one of her sons to walk to Caroline and hand both she and Bill a small black bag.

'Thank you,' Caroline forced while Bill shook the young man's hand.

'Mr. and Mrs. Mikaelson, I would like to ask you to leave, it is obvious the distraught you are causing those who wish to mourn,' the priest announced and they all stared at him with utter perfidiousness.

'How could you?' the man asked the priest and Caroline could feel her blood boil and her an anger overcoming her as she listened to them argue above her mother's grave.

'Stop!' Caroline yelled and everyone fell silent and watched her as she tried to breath gathering her thoughts. Bill offered his hand and she took it quickly trying to keep her feet on the ground, she needed to sleep but she had to finish today. 'If they want to stay, then they will stay,' Caroline started and when commotion began she breathed deeply again and stood still looking at all of them. 'If you can't handle that then you go and don't come back,' Caroline said and the coldness in her voice sparked everyone's attention.

'Ms Forbes,' the priest began and Bill hushed him.

'You heard her, finish the ceremony,' he ordered and everyone sighed allowing the Mikaelson family to stand whilst the ceremony resumed and people said their goodbyes.

'I'm sorry for your loss,' yet another person told Caroline and she swore that the next person to say that would receive a mouthful, she was exhausted and she wanted to be alone. The last thing she wanted was a group of people swarming over her asking her if she was alright at every second. She just wanted her space.

'Caroline, darling,' her father called for her and she followed, seeing no choice in the matter. She stood beside her father and faced the mayor and a young man beside her. He had tanned skin and his eyes were a beautiful brown, he reminded her of the many guys she met in LA, they were all muscled, they all played American football, they were all the same.

'Hello Caroline, how are you?' the Mayor asked and Caroline forced a believable smile, only her father could see the lie on her face.

'I'm fine,' she said and both the Mayor and her father smiled.

'Well, I'm glad, this is my son Tyler. Tyler, Caroline Forbes,' she introduced and Tyler smiled at her revealing his very breath taking smile.

'It is a pleasure meeting you,' Tyler said taking Caroline's hand and Caroline nodded in respond.

'Dad, can I go out for a little bit?'

'Honey, I was just talking to the Mayor about what we discussed yesterday,' Bill stated and Caroline's eyebrow perked up totally oblivious to whatever the discussion was.

'Staying in Mystic Falls, permanently,' Bill reminded her and Caroline's eyes opened up wide with terror.

'What?' she yelled her exhaustion being replaced by anger. Caroline looked at her father with confusion and betrayal. Was he serious? Had he lost his mind? Why would he think she would want to stay in the town her mother died in? She stared at her father as if he was a stranger, a man who had not raised her. 'I'm not moving here! No fricking way dad! Kill me before you make me stay in this Godforsaken town!' she screamed and many gasped as she ran out as far as she could, unaware of where she was going. She just had to put as much distance as she could between her and her father.

'No!' she said to herself with a million thoughts bounced through her head. She couldn't leave her friends, her school, her life, her future. LA was meant to be her big break, it was meant to help her with her future, leaving that for Mystical Falls, even her father couldn't ask of that.

'Watch out!' she heard and her sight blurred as a group of cars swerved on the road to miss her small body. She felt a strong arm hold her and push her back on to the pavement where she held onto the stranger for dear life. 'Are you alright?' he asked pulling her back to he could take a look at her face, see if she was hurt in any way.

'I'm sorry, I'm so sorry,' Caroline muttered her pathetic apologies and clung onto him as her body seemed to weaken.

'It's alright, where are you going?'

'I want to go home,' Caroline cried but she knew she didn't mean her mother's house, she meant her home back in LA with everything and everyone. She wanted out.

'Stefan! What are you doing with her?' Caroline recognized the voice to be Tyler's and felt him carry her easily.

'Don't take me home, anywhere but home,' Caroline found herself whispering as sleep began to take over her body and she fell to sleep silently and innocently in the safety of Tyler's hands.

Caroline found herself awaken to soft music in the background and an unfamiliar room. The room was large and ancient and it had more books than Caroline had ever intended to see in her life. The soft classical music came from downstairs and Caroline carefully pulled the sheets of herself and followed a path that led her to the stairs and then went down with care.

'Who are you?' Caroline jumped at the sudden voice and she turned to look at a handsome man, he hand black hair that hang on his perfectly and blue mesmerizing eyes. 'Are you Stefan's new toy?' he asked and a clear of the throat made them both look up to stare at the mentioned brother.

'How are you feeling Caroline?' he asked and she nodded trying to keep her sanity. Memories of the day flashed back into her head and it took a while for Caroline to realize she wasn't home.

'I have to call my dad, I have to tell him where I am before he starts worrying,' Caroline cried and Stefan put an arm out for her to calm down.

'I've called your father and as far as he's concerned, you're here getting a tour of the Mystic Falls manor,' Stefan told her and Caroline smiled. It was short and small but it was a smile nonetheless, she hadn't been able to do that since she found out about her mother's fate.

'You two bore me but I'm sorry for what happened Blondie, your mother was pretty kick ass,' the older guy said and Stefan chuckled watching his brother walk away.

'That's Damon, my older brother,' he introduced and Caroline nodded. 'Well come on, I'm taking you to a tour of the grill,' he told her and Caroline's confused face caused Stefan to chuckle. 'It's a place in town, people are waiting for me, well for us,' Stefan told her and Caroline nodded.

'I don't know any of them, I hadn't stayed here long enough to make a collection of friends,' she admitted and Stefan nodded and walked behind her as they made their way to the car.

'Well, some of them recognize you and I'm sure if you make an impression, they won't forget you. We met today for the first time and yet you slept on my bed,' he told her and Caroline flushed in embarrassment. 'You'll be fine and they don't bite, everyone's pretty cool,' Stefan assured her and Caroline looked in the mirror quickly, fixing her hair. After the third attempt, she decided that it was best that she just let it down and so she did.

'Do you h-'

'Here you are,' Stefan said handing her breath mints and Caroline smiled gratefully.

'Do you do this often then? Pick up strange women, allow them to your home and give them breath mints when needed?'

'Oh no, I'll leave that to my brother,' Stefan joked and Caroline smiled once again for his attempts. 'Your mother helped my brother and I when we lost our uncle Zach, I thought it'd be only right I help her daughter,' Stefan told her honestly and Caroline just nodded as he parked the car in front of The Grill. 'Come on,' he assured her and seeing no other choice Caroline walked out of the car and followed Stefan inside.

'Stefan, over here!' a blonde male called out and Caroline smiled back as he shared a sweet smile. 'Who's this?' he asked as they walked to the booth they had all occupied.

'Guys, this is Caroline, Caroline, this is Elena, Matt, Tyler and Bonnie,' he said and Caroline studied as Elena grabbed for Stefan and held his hand protectively. It made Caroline chuckle that Elena was jealous but she didn't see the need for the look.

'Bonnie, I remember you,' Caroline stated and Bonnie thought for a minute before she grinned remembering as well. 'How have you been?'

'I've been great thank you! It's been years,' Bonnie stated and the two of them shared an embrace.

'So you're Sheriff Forbes' daughter?' Matt asked sitting close to Caroline and she nodded still remembering she had a boyfriend back home. 'Well, I'm sorry for what happened to your mom. She took care of my little sister so I owed her for a long time, she didn't deserve what happened,' Matt said and the mood suddenly turned.

'Do you guys know who did it?' Caroline found herself asking but even if they did, there was little she could do the FBI wouldn't do a thing so why try and the police in Mystic Falls were hardly the murder solving kind.

'No,' Tyler said quickly and Caroline turned to look at him, she could see the lie in his face.

'It's been done, I just want to know who did it,' Caroline said and Matt stared at her.

'What's the harm in telling her? It is her mother.'

'Leave it Matt, we don't know the truth for sure,' Elena ordered and Caroline stared at the girl while the small place fell to silent.

'Get out!' the barman ordered and Caroline saw two of the guests from the funeral. They are part of the family that walked in late.

'Kol, do you fancy leaving at all?' the blonde, Caroline remembered her being addressed as Rebekah asked her brother, her accent thick and vile.

'Not particularly, I am rather thirsty and I came in here for a drink, a drink I expect to get,' he answered loud and clear. The mischievous grin that sat on his face made Caroline feel very uncomfortable.

'Leave or I'll call the police,' the barman threatened but it only amused the siblings.

'What will you tell them Barry, that due to accusations you won't serve a customer who could die of dehydration?' Kol played and Rebekah giggled.

'You know, I want to know what all these fools are staring at.'

'That's enough Rebekah,' Stefan spoke and Matt and Tyler stoop up with him.

'Elena,' Rebekah called and Elena turned to look at her. 'I know you're worthless and pointless to all our lives but why don't you tie your boyfriend on a leash? That is if you're not too busy with his brother,' she stated and people began to whisper in the room as the light in Stefan's eyes faded and Rebekah grinned.

'Come on Rebekah, you don't have to do this,' Matt pleaded and Kol laughed slapping Matt's shoulder with a blow he knew would hurt.

'You don't want to interrupt when Rebekah's having her fun young Matt, she might just turn to you,' he said and Caroline could see the embarrassment in Matt's face. 'Do tell me, well amuse me, Stefan is the brains of your little club, Tyler's the muscle, the girls are there to look pretty, what is it that you do Matt?'

'Aw brother, careful, you might make him cry,' Rebekah stated.

'That's enough,' Tyler said bravely.

'Come on guys, let's drop this,' the barman asked again.

'Come on Barry, I'm just starting to bond with my friends!'

'You wouldn't know what friends were if it hit you in the face!' Tyler argued and Rebekah rolled her precious blue eyes.

'You ran after my brother for five years, did as he said without a word or an argument and all of a sudden, you get ripped and you think you're bad. Sweetheart I can take you down in my sleep,' Rebekah said and Caroline watched as everyone continued to stare at the blonde.

'You guys want us out then we'll leave here with a bang, if you give us our drink, on the house by the way, I don't see a reason why we shouldn't leave without embarrassing anyone else!'

'You're evil, you're all evil,' a woman snarled and Kol laughed.

'We're not evil, we just don't like being shooting targets,' Kol said with an easy going tone.

'We just buried the Sheriff, why can't your family just let things be,' a man asked and Caroline stared at Rebekah and Kol.

'We did nothing wrong, my brother did nothing wrong and when that is proven to all of you, I want you all to apologize, one at a time, to my face. My brother did not shoot the sheriff and I'm going to prove that to you!'

'What does her brother have to do with my mother's death?' Caroline asked and Elena snapped to look at her.

'He killed her, he shot her and the coward stood there and lied that it wasn't him!'

'We don't know that Elena, we won't spread rumors like the rest of this town,' Bonnie concluded and Elena sighed whilst Caroline stared at the siblings once again.

'Rebekah! Kol! Out!'

'Finn, why must you ruin the party. This guys were just starting to love the entertainment,' Kol joked and Finn forced them out.

'I apologize to everyone, they won't bother you again,' Finn apologized and Caroline watched as he smiled at a few people before leaving.

'God, I hate them, I hate them all,' Tyler announced and Bonnie gave Caroline a weak smile.

'I think I'm going to go home, thanks for the drinks,' Caroline said taking the little things she had and embraced Bonnie once more.

'Let me drive you home,' Stefan offered but she shook her head, she had to think, she'd witnessed a lot but Elena's words were still playing in her head. 'He killed her, he shot her.' All Caroline wanted to do right now was go home and beg her father to take her back to LA, she would not live in a town where her mother's murderer walked as if it nothing occurred. Caroline muttered a small thank you before walking out into the cold air. She had to get out of here, she had to get out now.

'You know who killed mom?' Caroline questioned her father and Bill turned to see his daughters red eyes.

'Did someone say something to you?' he demanded of his daughter as he stood from the couch and Caroline noted his nervous behavior. 'Answer me Caroline!'

'I want to go home, I don't want to leave in a town where my mother died! I don't want to stay! There's no reason for us to stay! I want to go home!'

'No Caroline! Do you understand that? We are staying and that's the end of the discussion,' Bill told his daughter.

'Why? Why Daddy? Why here? Why now?'

'Go to your room, I don't want to talk to you!'

'Answer me, why the fuck are we staying here?' Caroline cursed and her father looked at her mortified, ashamed and disgusted of her daughter's behavior.

'We're not leaving this town until the person who killed your mother is facing me while I push a knife through their heart,' Bill informed his daughter and Caroline began to step away from her father. Her father was many things but a murderer even Caroline thought she knew him better. 'Are you happy now?'

'Daddy, why?' Caroline cried.

'Why Caroline!' he questioned stepping right in front of her and Caroline could smell the alcohol in his breath. 'We should've never left her in the first place. It's your fault! Everything was your fault! You made me leave the woman I loved and you stood in the way all the time! We missed her, she died and we weren't here with her! She as alone! She's dead and it's your fault!' Bill screamed and Caroline fell to the floor, the life in her disappearing. She stared at her father, loosing herself by the second. The look on his eye scared her the most because she could see the honesty.

To him, she may as well have been dead because it was all her fault.

A/N: Yeah, so there's that, let me know what you think, little review button somewhere. Thanks for reading, means a lot :)

xoxo