Chapter 3: I'd Lie

"And if you ask me if I love him, I'd lie."

Caroline couldn't sleep. She looked at the clock. 3:03 flashed. She couldn't help but replay the conversation she had with Tyler last night over and over in her head.

The way the kiss felt.

The way she wanted to give him everything, and more.

The way he made her go "Matt who?"

But he betrayed her. And it hurt like hell. But she was tired of this game that they were playing. She didn't want to hurt, herself or him. She wanted to take that chance and be happy. She saw what could be with Tyler, what really could transpire and it would be beautiful. It would be painful. It would be real.

So, she had two options. She could lie in bed and pretend to sleep and ignore Tyler, or, she could be a big girl, put her sweats on, and fix this.

She decided on fixing it.

He looked beautiful as he slept. It made her think back to her serenade to Matt:

"I believe, it's meant to be, darling. I watch you when you are sleeping, you belong with me."

She was surprised at how silent she could be. Vampires really were stealthy.

He needed to wake up, or she'd lose her nerve.

He started to wake, startled by the presence in his room. He was shirtless.

Breathe, Caroline, breathe. He rubbed his eyes. "Caroline? What are you doing here?"

"I lied before." Her voice was low, soft, childlike. He stood up and walked towards her.

"About what?"

"Everything." He moved even closer. Her heart would beat if it could.

"So, you didn't tell Matt about you?" He sounded hopeful.

"No, I did."

"Oh. Then, I don't get it. What did you lie about?"

"He didn't take it well. At all. He thinks I killed Vicki. He thinks I'm disgusting. And you, you don't." Tyler tried to absorb all of this, what had gone on since he left.

"Okay, so Matt dumped you and you came here to what? Tell me I'm second best?"

"No! No."

"Then why did you lie? Why are you here?"

"Because I wanted you to kiss me, and I wanted to forget everything that happened, but then you mentioned Jules and you brought me right back there to everything. And I wanted to hurt you."

"Mission accomplished." Caroline groaned.

"I don't want to do this. To keep lying and then pulling back in order to not get more hurt. I don't want this." Tyler was frustrated.

"Then what do you want? Because honestly, Car, I'm totally confused."

"I want this." She kissed him. Again, and again. He kissed her back, took her in his embrace. They fell onto his bed, continuing in their mad kisses.

Tyler hadn't felt this way since the full moon. The power, the hunger. Caroline didn't think she could feel more hungry, but kissing Tyler made her feel complete and wanting more. How could that be? Off came her shirt, and then her bra.

More she thought. But then Tyler broke away.

"What?" She was breathless. "What's wrong?"

"Before we do this I just need to know one thing. Do you love him?" Matt. She thought she had, but realized that until Tyler Lockwood came into her life in a way that nobody could that she was just longing for Matt. A childhood longing. A puppy love. This, this was different. It was real and she knew if it ever ended, she'd never feel the same.

"No." She was firm.

"Do you love me?" It was her moment to make things right.

"No." But then she smiled. He smiled back.

"Are you lying?"

"Yes. And no. I don't love you, I mean, I don't just love you. I'm in love with you."

And with that they became one, and more than one. It wouldn't be the first time a boy and a girl had sex, but it would be the first time a vampire and a werewolf, natural enemies, instead of making war, made love.