Chapter 7: The Deal with Caroline
The late afternoon sun painted Mystic Falls in hues of gold and amber, a deceptively peaceful backdrop for what was about to unfold. Adam parked his car just outside the Salvatore Boarding School for the Young and Gifted. He glanced at the rearview mirror, catching his own eyes as if to psyche himself up.
Caroline Forbes was waiting for him inside, and he had a feeling this conversation was going to be as much negotiation as it was persuasion.
He stepped out, smoothing his jacket. Behind him, Elijah adjusted his cuffs while Stiles, chewing gum noisily, leaned casually against the car.
"Do we really need her?" Stiles asked, his tone dripping with mock concern. "She seems... intense. Like 'organizes sock drawers for fun' intense."
Adam smirked. "Caroline's one of the most reliable people I know from this world. Plus, she has connections and resources. We need her."
Elijah's voice carried his usual measured calm. "Caroline has always been fiercely loyal to her loved ones. If you handle this correctly, she'll be an invaluable ally."
Adam nodded, pushing the heavy double doors open.
Inside, the school was as grand as Adam remembered from the show. Elegant wood paneling, vaulted ceilings, and large windows that bathed the space in light. A few students milled about, but the real attention grabber was Caroline Forbes, striding toward them with her signature mix of warmth and authority.
"Adam," she greeted, her tone polite but guarded. "What brings you here?"
"I came to finalize our deal," Adam said, cutting straight to the point.
Caroline raised an eyebrow. "Our deal? You mean the one where you promised to bring Stefan back if I joined your supernatural task force?"
"That's the one."
Her gaze shifted to Elijah, then to Stiles, before returning to Adam. "And you've already started assembling your little team, I see."
"Progress waits for no one," Adam replied smoothly. "But I'm here to let you know I'm ready to fulfill my part of the bargain."
Caroline's eyes softened for a moment, but she quickly masked her emotions. "You can really bring him back?"
"Yes," Adam said. "But there's one condition."
Caroline crossed her arms, her gaze sharpening. "Here it comes."
"He'll come back as a human," Adam explained. "Same memories, same personality, but no vampirism. If he wants powers again, we'll have to discuss that later."
Caroline considered this, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Human Stefan…" She looked down, lost in thought for a moment, before meeting Adam's gaze again. "Fine. But if you're lying—"
"I'm not," Adam interrupted, his voice steady. "I've already brought back others. Davina's best friend, Josh, is proof. This isn't a bluff."
Caroline let out a slow breath, her posture relaxing slightly. "Alright. Let's do this."
The ritual was set up in the Salvatore crypt, a place steeped in both history and sorrow. The air was heavy with anticipation as Adam activated the system.
<System Alert: Resurrection of Stefan Salvatore is in progress. Remaining resurrection uses: 3.>
A soft glow filled the crypt, and the energy coalesced into a familiar form. When the light faded, Stefan stood there, his expression a mix of confusion and awe.
"Caroline?" he said, his voice hoarse but unmistakable.
Caroline rushed forward, wrapping him in a tight hug. "Stefan! You're back!"
He hugged her back, his hands trembling slightly. "What... how is this possible?"
Caroline pulled back, tears streaming down her face. "I'll explain everything later. Right now, just know that you're here. You're alive."
Stefan's gaze shifted to Adam. "Who are you?"
"Adam," he said simply. "The guy who brought you back."
Stefan frowned slightly but nodded. "I guess I owe you one."
Later, as the group reconvened outside, Caroline approached Adam.
"You kept your promise," she said, her tone softer than before.
"I always do," Adam replied.
Caroline studied him for a moment before extending her hand. "Alright. I'm in."
Adam shook her hand, a small smile playing on his lips. "Welcome to the team."
As they drove away, Stiles leaned forward from the back seat.
"So, what's Stefan like?" he asked Elijah. "Another brooding, noble type like you?"
Elijah arched an eyebrow. "Stefan and I share certain similarities, but he has his own unique qualities."
"Great," Stiles muttered. "Just what we need—another saintly type to balance out all the sarcasm."
Adam chuckled. "Don't worry, Stiles. I'm sure you'll find a way to corrupt him."
Stiles smirked. "Challenge accepted."
In the distance, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the world in twilight. The team was growing, and with every new member, Adam felt one step closer to his goal. But he also knew the real challenges were still ahead.