You Are My Life

Mission C, for Caroline

They exited the house. Mallorie's breath fanned out as a vapor around her. In the intensity of the moment, she had forgotten how cold it was outside. She pulled her arms closer to her body as she climbed into the car.

"Cold?" Damon asked as the engine rolled over.

"Yeah." She felt her body tremble.

Damon turned up the heat. "Better?"

"Yeah." Mallorie stared out the window.

"Okay, what's wrong? You never give one-word answers." Damon pulled away from the curb.

"What the hell was that in there?" Mallorie faced him. "I felt like Elena and I were in the middle of some alpha battle."

Damon sighed. "Stefan does this thing--"

"No, you can't pin this on him. You were doing it, too. If this is how it's going to be now that Katherine's in town, I will keep vervain on hand to keep you two in check." Mallorie raised her brows.

"She really does bring out the worst in us." Damon frowned. "The last time we saw her, we were fighting over her. It's hard to let all those feelings go now that she's back in town."

"What do we have to look forward to now that she's here?" Mallorie asked.

"Nothing good." Damon pulled into the hospital parking lot.

"Great." Mallorie hopped out of the car as soon as Damon put it in park.

Damon stopped her at the entrance by placing his hands on her shoulders. "I'm not going to lie, this sucks. It's the worst situation I could imagine for us, but we'll get through it. Katherine can't beat what we have, okay?"

Mallorie grinned before wrapping her arms around him. "Thank you."

"Let's go heal Caroline." Damon squeezed her tight before letting go.

As they entered the hospital, Mallorie noticed Matt still sitting in the lobby. Nearly everyone else had cleared out. Liz was probably in Caroline's room. Matt's head rested against his arm as he slept in the chair. 

Mallorie looked at Damon before walking to Matt. "Matt?"

Matt jerked a little as he woke up. "What's wrong? Is Caroline--"

"No, Damon's going to check in on her. You're still here?" Mallorie asked.

Matt sighed as he rubbed his eyes. "I can't leave her. Not with Liz in the state she's in. I don't want her to be alone if..."

Mallorie took his hand. "Is there anything you need?" 

Tears filled Matt's eyes. "Can you stay?"

"Of course." Mallorie rested her head on Matt's shoulder. "She's going to pull through this. It's Caroline we're talking about. She doesn't give up that easy."

Matt chuckled. "You don't have to tell me that."

"You could use a little structure in your life." Mallorie giggled.

"I didn't realize structure meant suits and ties." Matt intertwined their fingers. "Cummerbunds are so uncomfortable. I do not recommend them."

"I'll keep that in mind the next time I rent a tuxedo." Mallorie grinned.

They both laughed. Someone cleared their throat from beside them. Mallorie pulled her head off Matt's shoulder. Damon stood in the hall with his arms crossed.

"How's Caroline?" Mallorie asked.

"She's stable." Damon walked over to them. "We'll know more in the morning."