Inaction's and Consequences

Chapter 46

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to The Vampire Diaries, TV show or books. However I decided to have a little play around with the characters (I would definitely like to play with Damon).

Caroline composed herself before she got out of the car. She had been back from Richmond only one day before Matt had started to call her. When she'd asked what was wrong, he'd been very cagey, simply telling her it was urgent and that she needed to go to Tyler's place. Obviously she'd driven straight there in the hope of news about Tyler, but as she got out of the car, she wondered why he'd contacted Matt and not her. Determined to find out, she walked up to the open door, but when she tried to get in she couldn't, as if she wasn't invited in.

"Matt?" Caroline called out in confusion.

Matt came to answer the door from down the hall. "Care." he smiled wistfully.

"Matt, why can't I get inside?" Caroline frowned.

Matt glanced down at a piece of paper he was holding in his hands, before looking back up at Caroline. "Come in." he said as Caroline cautiously walked through the door.

"Matt, what's going on?" Caroline asked.

"Tyler sent me this package in the mail." Matt told her as he held the paper towards her. "This is for you." he said as Caroline took it in her hands and began to read the letter.

Dear Care,

I miss you more than I can put into words, but I know as long as Klaus is alive, I can't come home. He won't stop trying to kill me, and you won't stop trying to protect me. Which means the only way to make sure you're safe is for me to go and never come back. I left Matt the deed to the house. It will protect you in ways I can't anymore. I will always love you.

Tyler

Caroline flipped the letter over only to find there was nothing written on the back. "He's not coming home." Caroline said sadly as tears began to well up in her eyes and she started to cry. Matt suddenly she felt Matt's arms around her, trying to be of some comfort, but it wasn't enough. They were the wrong arms, because in some respects, hugging Matt felt awkward. Maybe she should go talk to Stefan, because of late she'd been closer to him than anyone else.

Caroline took a deep breath and lifted her head and smiled sadly. "I think...I think I ought to leave." she stammered, trying not to burst into tears once more.

"You okay Care?" Matt frowned.

"No." Caroline swallowed. "But I will be." she said. "Thank you Matt." she added. With that, she turned around and headed back to her car and in search of Stefan.

It had been forty eight hours since Ric had told them they could all return to Mystic Falls. Damon and Elena had been back a day before Ric could finally join them at the Salvatore boarding house. He'd initially only wanted to discuss the private matter with Elena, but he'd eventually allowed Damon to listen in, however Jeremy was not allowed to be party to any part of the conversation. Telling Elena her adoptive mother killed herself and her adoptive father just so Elena could have a special baby was not something Ric was looking forward to explaining, and the presence of Damon could either make matters better or worse. What Ric had insisted upon was Bonnie draining some of the baby's magic before he talked to them, just so Elena didn't blow the house up with anger.

Damon had stayed the previous night at the Gilbert's while they'd waited upon Ric returning from Portland via Whitmore College. However they realized Ric could only get into the Gilbert with an invite from Jeremy, meaning they had to swap locations as Ric didn't want Jeremy knowing whatever he was about to tell them. They'd only been away from Mystic Falls for a couple of weeks, yet it seemed like a lifetime considering how much had happened. Yet, out of everything that had happened, Elena feltthe most nervous about this conversation with Ric. She had a gut feeling he was going to tell her something she didn't want to hear, which had gotten her all fidgety and was why she was pacing the room. Fortunately it turned out the theory of draining the baby's magic loosened their connection as Damon was able to touch her and soothe her. That was until the knock came at the door and Ric walked in with his luggage.