"Can we just get past this, please?" Stefan begged. He wanted her back, he needed his best friend back by his side.

"I'm trying too."

"Caroline, what do you want me to do? Huh? Stop making me guess and tell me so we can go back to being friends again."

"Yeah, well that's the thing Stefan, after all of this I don't want to be friends anymore."

Stefan could feel his chest tighten at her words. He was frozen as she walked away. This was the last thing he wanted. He knew this was the biggest mistake of his life and if he didn't stop her he'd regret it everyday for the next hundred years.

"Caroline, wait." Stefan called out. She was already a street away from him, but he quickly caught up. "Please, just talk to me."

"I tried that, Stefan. Remember?" She didn't stop walking or even glance at him.

"I know. I know. I'm sorry."

"It's a little late for that, isn't it?"

"Just stop." he grabbed her hand and used just enough strength to stop her. "I know I've messed up big time with you. You have every right to be mad. I know I have a lot of making up to do, but that's going to be really hard to do if you don't even want to see me."

"God, you don't see it do you?" She ran her fingers through her hair, messing up a few curls.

He sighed, remembering Lexi's almost exact words.

"Let me spell it out for you, Stefan. At the swimming hole I asked you to stay if any part if you still cared about me. I called everyday when you left and after a month of not hearing from you I still left you messages. There were nights I woke up screaming your name because I had another dream where you were laying dead in my arms and all I wanted was to see your face, to hear your voice telling me it was okay. I wanted to be safe in your arms again, like that night with the travelers. My heart was breaking, Stefan and I needed you." Tears were beginning to form in her eyes. "So, I'm sorry but I can't be friends when I want so much more."

His thumbs were on her cheeks before she even recognized that he moved. He gently brushed her tears away. "You don't get it either." he was speaking so softly if she wasn't a vampire she'd have trouble hearing him. "I was broken. I thought it was best for everyone if I left and I knew the moment I talked to you your voice would bring me back here in a second. I know I hurt you, I didn't know how much, but please trust that I'd take it all back if I could. Let me make it up to you." his lips touched her with such care and love. It was over in a second, but he hoped it wouldn't be the last.

She touched her mouth where his lips had just been and Stefan couldn't stop the warming feeling going through his body.

"There it is." Stefan said tucking one of her curls behind her ear.

"What?"

"That award winning Caroline Forbes smile I've missed so much."

"Shut up." she laughed. "This does not mean you're off the hook by the way." she informed him as they linked arms and continued walking.

"Of course not." he agreed.