First and foremost I am a Klaroline shipper but since the writers stole Klaus away and put him in 'The Originals' I've had a void to fill. Since Tyler is so not good enough for Caroline; and Elena is so not good enough for Stefan; and I've always loved the Steroline friendship, I thought I'd give Steroline a go. So this is my, Steroline heavy, version of 5x04 "For Whom the Bell Tolls". It's definitely going to be more than one chapter but I'm not sure how far I can make it go so please bear with me and ideas and constructive criticism are most welcome.

Another shot of whiskey burned a delicious path down his throat as he drank along with everyone else to the ringing of the bell. It seemed a bit strange, the ringing and drinking thing. But then a lot seemed strange right now. Hell, for all he knew he did this every week. So he wasn't questioning or judging, he was just going with it, and actually he was sort of enjoying himself. But as he continued to study the man sitting across the table from him Stefan realised that this wasn't a regular occurrence, not for them.

Damon. His brother. Brothers drink together. Brothers have a good time together. Stefan seemed to know that to be true instinctively, just like he knew what year it was, what state he was in and who was president. Facts he still had, but relationships, memories, those were all gone. So what he didn't know - didn't remember - was what his and Damon's relationship was like. However the subtle awkwardness in Damon's posture; the slight stiffness in his shoulders; the subconscious defensiveness of his body language, told him that things between them weren't always as friendly as Damon was trying to make out. But Stefan didn't really mind that Damon was acting just a little too relaxed for it to be natural, (after all how comfortable would you really be in the event of your vampire sibling losing all memory of his life)? Stefan appreciated the effort all the same. Especially since Damon knew everything that he didn't: all the petty fights, grudges and squabbles that occurred in a hundred and odd years worth of sibling rivalry. Maybe ignorance really is bliss. Maybe this was the perfect opportunity for a clean slate, a chance to start a fresh.

"Stefan!" his eyes automatically jumped to the source of the squeal and his glass froze half way to his mouth. She was blond and beaming and beautiful, and she was heading straight for him. Her smile was so radiant with warmth and so welcoming that it stole his breath away. She stopped in front of him and just stood staring down at him, her smile making her blue eyes sparkle as her eyes drank him in. Stefan opened his mouth...once, twice. He was stumped. He wished he had something to say, but he didn't. Luckily she jumped to his rescue with a dismissive wave of her hand and a bubble of laughter that tugged up the corners of his mouth.

"Don't worry I know you don't know who I am, that's ok." There was no pity in her eyes only happiness. "As soon as I heard you were back I just had to see you with my own two eyes. I've been worried." Concern darkened the blue of her eyes as she studied his face.

"He's doesn't care Barbie." Damon's snide remark was like a hard slap, rudely reminding him that they weren't alone. He watched as all the light and kindness in her eyes instantly shut down when she shifted her attention to Damon with a cold glare.

"He has no memories Damon, not no feelings. Just because you have the emotional range of a teaspoon doesn't mean the rest of us don't appreciate a little compassion." When she turned back to Stefan her anger had already melted away into a friendly smile. "It's good to have you back Stefan. I'm glad you're ok."

"Thanks," he couldn't help but return her smile, it was infectious. "I'm fine. I just wish I had memories." He added.

"Yeah that kinda sucks," her smile slipped to a sympathetic grimace "But don't worry we'll help you through this."

Yet again Damon's obnoxious voice cut through them "Well right now I'm helping him and you are interrupting." He pointed an accusatory finger at Caroline accompanied by his typical, sarcastically cold smile.

"Don't talk to her like that." His angry growl seemed to startle both Damon and Caroline but he didn't care. Stefan was furious. Damon had been rude; but more than that, it had been an indirect way of telling her to leave and Stefan wasn't about to let him do that. He didn't want her to leave. He didn't know who she was, or what she was to him but she was the first person to show him genuine concern and warmth, more so than his own brother.

He was acting on impulse, an instinct to defend her from his brother (later he would have to question the implications of that but right now it felt right so he went with it). Damon's eyes widened with surprise then narrowed in anger, darting between Caroline and Stefan.

"It's ok Stefan." Caroline said, eyes alert and flicking nervously to Damon. She was eager to diffuse the sudden tension, but patted a hand to his arm in a silent thank you. He instantly missed the contact as soon as she dropped her hand away.

"Stay? Have a drink?" He asked her hopefully, not sure if their relationship allowed him to do anymore than make it a pleasant request when really he wanted to insist.

Caroline hesitated, glancing uneasily at Damon. "I'm sure you two have loads you need to catch up on. I wouldn't want to get in the way."

At that he knew he wanted her to stay. It was thoughtful. It was an acknowledgement that they were brothers, that this was delicate and difficult and required some space and time. It was a recognition of boundaries. It was considerate of what would be in his best interests right now. It was what Elena had failed to do all day.

There and then Stefan decided how happy and grateful he was to have her in his life. But just as quickly as the thought occurred to him a niggling doubt pushed in. Maybe he was over thinking her excuse. Maybe it was just that - an excuse - and she just wasn't interested enough to stay. Maybe she wasn't a significant part of his life. He was surprised to realise that that thought hurt to even consider so he pushed it aside and ordered himself not to second guess things. She said herself she had been worried about him, hadn't she? For the first time all day Stefan felt the burden of losing his memories.

"See you at the party tonight?" she asked him slipping seamlessly back into her bright-bubbliness. Was that eagerness he heard in her voice? Stefan nodded his response with a smile, a genuine one. He didn't know what party she was talking about but it didn't matter, he was going.

He watched her walk away and his frustration grew as the comfort of her company disappeared. Stefan felt a sudden hunger for information, details, knowledge of his life, a hunger that Damon and Elena had been trying to ignite all day to no avail and this friendly little blond had done it with a smile and a few kind words.

"Wait!" he jumped to his feet, ignoring Damon's calculating frown as he rushed to catch her before she reached the door. Then he hesitated. Frustration stabbed at him again. "I'm sorry but I don't know your name." He grimaced, feeling a mixture of regret and embarrassment, but her smile only brightened as she held out her hand to him.

"Caroline Forbes. Vampire. Libra. Neurotic Control Freak. And your best friend."

"What the hell was that?" Damon hissed when Stefan retook his seat, satisfied that the edge had been taken off his craving for information. For now.

"You tell me." Stefan shot back. His anger instantly returning at Damon's rude reaction to Caroline. Caroline. That was her name and she was his best friend.

What did you think...? Ideas...? Constructive criticisms...?