Rescue Me

I hope you drink yourself to death

Sorry for the late update :/ I've had major writers block. So yeah... See you at the bottom!

Caroline sighed for the hundredth time as she nudged her salad with her fork, her eyes cautiously peering across the table at her silent mother.

Liz Forbes sat straight and tall, the brown and tan Sherriff uniform hanging off her slender form in the way Caroline always remembered, silver badge pinned to her chest. It used to bother her when her mother wouldn't change the uniform anytime they were out together. But considering they hadn't really interacted in five years-not to mention the way they had left things the last time she had been in Mystic Falls-she let it go this time.

Clearing her throat, Caroline raised her head and smiled. "So...how's work?"

Small talk...she and her mother had been resorted to small talk over lunch.

Liz looked at her, returning a half-hearted-albeit uncomfortable-smile. "It's good," she said, dropping her head and returning her attention to her pasta and cheese. "Same old, same old. You know Mystic Falls. It doesn't change that much." She shifted in her seat. "How's the, um...the broadcasting firm you work for?"

Caroline shrugged. "Oh, you know, the glamorous life of an intern," she laughed, her fork dangling from her fingertips. "I'm slowly working my way up the ranks, it's just not happening as quickly as I would like."

Liz nodded, and they lapsed into silence once more.

And if there was one thing Caroline hated more than anything, it was awkward silences.

Her fork hit her plate with a loud clatter, and she watched as her mother flinched slightly at the sound. "You know, having a conversation with you would be a lot easier if you'd look at me every now and then."

Liz sighed, setting her fork down, and slowly raised her eyes to meet Caroline's. Caroline, in turn, rolled her eyes, tossing her hands up slightly.

"With a little less disdain would be nice."

"Caroline, I don't know what you want from me," Liz said, sighing again, her hands flat against the tabletop. She kept her gaze on Caroline, though not on her eyes. She focused on anywhere but the blue eyes of her daughter. Her chin, her forehead, over her shoulder. But she couldn't bring herself to meet her eyes full-on. "You've been gone for five years. We've barely spoken. I'm here. I'm sitting here, with you. What more do you want?"

Caroline sighed, shaking her head as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Things haven't exactly been easy around here over the last five years, Caroline. Things changed. Your actions had consequences. Consequences that are still felt throughout this whole town."

"I realize my actions had consequences, Mother," Caroline said, closing her eyes as she ran a hand through her hair. "Okay, trust me. I've been living with them for five years. But I'm your daughter." She opened her eyes and looked across the table at her mother. "Mom, I'm your daughter. Your little girl...is it really too much to ask for you to actually want to be here with me?"

Liz stared at her daughter, mouth opening and closing slightly as she fought to form an answer to the question. Caroline felt a stab in her heart with every second that passed. A muffled vibrating sound was heard from under the table, and the sheriff sighed as she reached into her pocket, pulling out her cellphone and flipping it open. Her eyes scanned the message that waited for her quickly, and she bit her lip, returning the phone to her pocket as she looked across the table. "That was work...I have to go, Caroline, I'm sorry."

Caroline scoffed, nodding, and absentmindedly rearranged her place setting. "Yeah. What else is new?"

Liz sighed, setting her napkin on the table, the legs of her chair scraping against the floor as she scooted it back and rose to her feet. "Look, lunch is on me." Caroline nodded, avoiding her mother's gaze. "I'm sorry I can't stay, but this needs my attention...I'm sorry, Caroline."