Title: BloodLust

Author: FansParadise

Rating: R for language, nudity, violence, and sex. Possibly NC17.
Category: AU

Pairing: Stefan/Caroline

Summary: Set after 2x02; Stefan keeps his promise to protect Caroline. No matter what-or who, gets in his way.
Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Diaries.

Chapter One

"Matt."
Caroline whispered, savoring the way his warm body felt pressed against hers. She knew she had to do something-say something, "This isn't going to work."

"What?"

The confusion in his voice was evident, but there was a hint of uneasiness. He knew what was coming. Suddenly he regretted telling her he was in love with her. He should have known she would not believe him. Now she was trying to opt out of their relationship. She wasn't ready. Sometimes he was so stupid.

"We can't be together." Ignoring the the instinct to plunge into his throat she pulled away. Blocking out the sound of his pulse as it began to ring in her ears, loudly. His heart was racing. Just hearing it was a reminder that no matter how she felt she would never want to hurt him.

I will always care about you, she thought.

She pulled his head down to hers for one last kiss. As their lips met, she felt his energy surround her. The heart beating within his chest slowly breaking.

This was the end.

A second later her lips stopped, and she rested a hand against his chest. The unsteady rhythm of his heart striking a cord in her own. The hope within him fading, replaced with an all too familiar sinking feeling.

She broke the kiss, her entire body shaking. "You have to go."

It was happening again. And she had to fight the impulse, urging her to sprout fangs and feed on the unsuspecting boy. Because she couldn't-she wouldn't allow herself to do it. She had to stay strong. Strong-like Stefan.

"Care, I know that I haven't been the best boyfriend, " he began softly, extending his hand to reach out to her, "but I really do lo-"

Caroline flinched away from his touch as his fingers grazed her cheek. She knew he was just trying to be gentle with her but she was starving. She wanted him gone before she did something she'd regret. Something she'd never be able to take back.

"Leave."

"Caroline," Matt pleaded, taking a few steps to fill the distance she'd put between them. Ready to pull her into another embrace. It could not end this way.

"Don't." She breathed, the smell he exuded intoxicating her. His eyes were begging her to reconsider but she shook her head. "Just leave, Matt. Please."

Please don't hate me, Matt. She closed her eyes. Trying to calm down her breathing. She could feel the blood rushing and she turned her back to him. Hiding her altering face from his view.

Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out...You don't want to hurt him, Care.

"He's gone, Caroline."

Stefan!

The girl spun on her heel, a deep frown taking up permanent residence on her face. He hated to see her like this. She was such a sunshine of a personality-bubbly and bright. But now, because of Katherine-because of what she did-the poor girl could never go back. But a second later smiled grazed her lips. Reminding him of the girl he'd study intently during their duble date.

"Stefan."
She breathed. Glad to see he'd come back. And relieved that Matt's scent was fading. She could never forgive herself if she'd hurt him.

"I couldn't-"

She couldn't get herself to finish. The hunger was clawing inside of her and she had to fight to keep her tears at bay. She'd already cried enough tonight. And she was sure it would not be the last of her tear shed. After all she was living forever-well, if she survived.

"I know."

Sometimes he surprised himself with his selfishness in wanting to be with Elena. It's what led them into this situation. If he hadn't rejected Katherine Caroline would be human...happy, with Matt. But that was neither here nor there. And she didn't appear to blame him-yet.

Stefan met Caroline's eyes. Noting the hue of blue lining them. This wasn't good. Her appetite was a little abnormal but he figured-more like hoped, that it would get better with time.

"Stefan, I am so hungry."

He nodded, digging a hand into his back pocket and pulling out what looked like a pocket knife. The blond watched in confusion as the blade skated across the skin of his palm.

"What are you doing?"
Caroline jumped at him, taking his hand in hers. Examining the newly formed cut, oozing blood.

"Drink." He said, gingerly placing the knife back into his pant pocket with his free hand.

"What? No!" The blond exclaimed. Eyes hypnotized by the crimson elixir in his hand.

It really does smell good...maybe just one sip.

"If you don't drink you will go crazy." The intensity of his gaze made her uncomfortable, and she'd even admit a little nervous.

She swallowed hard, hand trembling as she leaned closer. Just the smell was enough to dull the ache deep inside her. But there was a new ache forming. In the pit of her stomach.

His gaze shifted toward her lips. For a second he wondered what it would be like to feel them. Kissing her would be a mistake, though. He couldn't do that-not to Elena.

His mouth twitched at the sudden nipping he felt on his palm.

Feeling the blood begin to trickle down her throat, she looked up. Meeting his gaze. His green eyes following her movements.

Bunching the fabric of the front of his shirt she pulled him closer. Caroline's hand tightening over his shoulder.

So good.

His fingers moved slightly, touching the sensitive skin at the back of her neck. The warm pads of his tips massaging gently.

"Slow down." He whispered, his face suddenly a hairbreadth from hers, eyes on her mouth. It was hard to describe the way her soft lips felt against his skin-warm, with a heady pressure that ignited a fire within him that sent shivers down his spine.

His thick eyebrows knotted together in discomfort. He tensed. He was enjoying this a little too much.

"That's enough." he said, voice husky. The blond was too enthralled, tugging his body closer. She felt his hardness and heard his ragged breathing. It felt right having him so close. He suddenly found himself fantasizing about what it would be like to have her mouth wrapped around his-

"Caroline." Stefan warned, voice now hoarse. A shiver running down him as her warm center brushed against his throbbing cock. He could feel the change going on with his face. He was aroused-he shouldn't be, but he was. The explicit images going through his head were not helping the matter.

He never imagined it would be so easy for someone to awaken such primal instincts in him-well, anyone other than Elena, or Katherine.

"Sorry." She pulled back, abruptly dropping his hand. She avoided looking into his eyes. To be honest she was little embarrassed.

"It's fine." Stefan murmured. Pulling his hand back from where it was wrapped around her neck. He hadn't realized he had been griping her so tightly until he felt his taut muscles relax.

"Why am I so thirsty?" Caroline sighed, taking a seat on the edge of her bed. Putting the memory of what she'd felt poking her in between her legs at the back of her mind.

The Salvatore watched on in morbid fascination as she wiped his blood off her mouth, using the back of her hand. Biting down on his bottom lip to keep from groaning.

Oh, god.

That was nearly his undoing and he could feel himself growing hard again. Stefan let out a breath. Remembering the reason he could not do what his cock was twitching for him to do.

Jesus! She's friends with Elena.

"You're new. It's absolutely normal. You just have to learn how to control it." he managed to say, considering approaching her before thinking better of it.

Distance...it it was a good thing at the moment. So he didn't move a muscle. Instead he allowed his gaze to skim over her body. She appeared a little more rejuvenated at least.

Caroline nodded. Looking down at the alarm clock resting on her bedside table.

1:32.

"Damon's right you know." She spoke up. Looking down at her bloodied hand. Considering licking off the remnants before deciding it would not be such a good idea. She hadn't forgotten what had taken place a few moments ago, and she didn't want to create any unnecessary sexual tension. "I mean, it's going to become obvious that something's wrong with me when I start to burn up in the sun just walking out the front door to go to school."

Mom will kill me. Literally.

"I'm working on that." he told her.

She nearly laughed, "How? Wait, how can you and Damon walk out in sunlight and not get so much as a first degree burn?"

"Lapis Lazuli."

Lapis Lazuli?

"It's a crystal that protects us." He explained, crossing his arms over his chest, "Along time ago a powerful witch by the name of Emily Bennett cast a charm on certain Lapis Lazuli crystals meant to be used so that the wearer could walk out in the sun without being harmed."

Bennett?

"You're not talking about Bonnie's great-great-great-great grandmother," she interjected at the sound of the familiar surname, "are you?"

He gave a small nod, "Yes. And in the fire that killed Mayor Lockwood were a few vampires with those crystals. If I'm able find one not damaged too badly, it may still be able to protect you. And if not, we can only hope that Bonnie has progressed far enough in her studies to cast the charm herself."

"It can't be that easy." Caroline said matter-of-factly. A lump forming in her throat. Nothing in her life would be easy anymore. She was doomed. There were probably vampires from the stone age walking around that didn't have this supposed protective crystal. There was little hope he'd find one that hadn't been destroyed. From what Elena had told her about the fire-well it sounded terrible. Plus, there was no guarantee Bonnie would even come near her in her state. Being a vampire was a bitch. "What's the catch?"

There's always a catch.

"I don't know where the Founder's buried the burned bodies."

The blond huffed, voice laced with sarcasm, "Well that's just great."

Bring on the angry mob with torches and pitchforks. How ironic that it would be lead by my own mother.

"But Damon does."

Shit!

A/N: Well, I know I haven't updated my other two stories and it's not because I've lost interest, it's because I've been so busy stalking the S/C thread, reading the fans thoughts on the ship. I realized I'd promised Layla, one of my most faithful reviewers, that I'd write up a fic for her favorite ship. So, after watching 'Brave New World' and Paul in Wolf Lake (which he was so yummy in) I finally settled down and wrote this out.

Should I Continue?
Yay or Nay, which do you pick?

Side-Note: I'm not sure if a vampire getting their blood sucked by another vamp stimulates sexual excitement, but for my fic it does. Tee-Hee!