With trembling fingers Caroline smoothed down her dress. She hated wearing black. You wore black at funerals. She had to wear black way too often in the last few month.

Sighing she looked at the burned down ruins that were once the Gilbert family home. Candles, flowers and cards were placed in front of the place. The news of this new tragedy had spread quickly. She didn`t know how her mother and the major would explain the fire. Gas-leak probably. Just like on the Young farm. Caroline didn`t really care. She had other things to worry about.

When she suggested this little gathering as a sort of memorial for Jeremy, Elena had just shrugged and said: "sure, why not." There probably wouldn`t be a official funeral, but the blonde thought Jeremy deserved at least a memorial. And his friends needed a chance to say goodbye. A chance to mourn. Even if not all of them agreed with her.

Caroline let her eyes sweep over the small group of people that had gathered. Elena`s face was an expressionless mask and the blonde felt chills just from looking at her. She hoped Damon knew what he was doing. He was standing on Elena`s left side, while Stefan stood to her right. The two brothers seemed to have buried their feud for the moment, while they both concentrated on helping Elena. Matt was watching the brunette with a worried expression, while he tried to console the weeping April.

Bonnie on the other hand didn`t shed a tear. The young witch was staring at the candles with a faraway look. She didn`t really appear to be grieving, instead looking more lost in thought, which fueled Caroline`s fear that she hadn`t given up on her crazy plan. Yet another problem she had to take care of.

The blonde was tired. She hadn`t slept much last night, thinking of all the things that had to be taken care of. She felt like there was an enormous weight on her shoulders. It was hard to stay strong for her friends, to hold back her own tears, when she felt so utterly helpless and alone.

Why was it so quiet? The only sound disturbing the silence where April`s muffled sobs. They shouldn`t just stand there, staring at the candles they had lit for Jeremy. They should share their memories of him. Wasn`t that what you did at a memorial?

But even as she thought it, Caroline knew she couldn`t get a word out. It was hard enough to just keep breathing evenly. To keep the tears at bay. And then all of sudden there was a pair of strong arms wrapped around her from behind, pulling her back against a broad chest. Her heart skipped a beat. She knew who was holding her, without having to look. She recognized his touch, his scent. But it couldn`t be. He couldn`t be here.

"Tyler..." It was only a whisper, but immediately his arms tightened around her. "What are you...? You can`t be here. You need to leave. If Klaus..." she stammered, turning in his embrace to look at him. "I`m exactly where I should be." Tyler stated calmly and that was all it took for Caroline to finally lose the battle with her tears.

Sobbing she buried her face against his shoulder. Tyler just held her, stroking her back while she cried. When she finally pulled away again he gently wiped the tears off her face. The simple, loving gesture took away at least a little of the embarrassment she felt for breaking down like that in public.

Still she looked away, blushing a little, when the others came over to them. Matt greeted Tyler with a pat on the shoulder. "Good to have you back, man." Tyler nodded and started to say something, but then his eyes were drawn to something in the distance and he stiffened. Caroline followed his line of sight and froze as well. Klaus was walking towards them, an all too friendly smile playing around his lips. Automatically her hold on Tyler tightened. The fear of losing him made her blood run cold.

Tyler forced himself to stay calm, while Klaus came nearer. Caroline inched closer and Tyler feared she might break his ribs if she kept clinging to him like that. He could see how frightened she was. He was too, but he tried his damnest not to show it. Gently he loosened Caroline`s vice-like grip. "Shh, everything is going to be alright. Trust me, okay?" She looked at him with wide, fearful eyes, but then she let go and allowed him to step in front of her, shielding her from Klaus.

The original stopped directly in front of Tyler, regarding him with a mixture of amusement and fake friendliness. "Look who we got here." he drawled. "I give you the chance to run away and save your miserable life and you don`t even use it. Whatever shall I think of that?"

Tyler saw Stefan take a step forward out of the corner of his eye. "Klaus..." But Klaus silenced him with an impatient gesture. "This does not concern you, Stefan." he stated, his eyes never leaving Tyler`s, who returned the look calmly.

"I won`t spend the rest of my life on the run. This is my home. My friends need me and I will not abandon them." he stated determined. Klaus didn`t seem impressed in the least. "You know that I`m going to kill you, don`t you?" he asked, the friendly smile never leaving his lips. Tyler heard Caroline`s shocked gasp, but didn`t turn around, instead keeping his eyes fixed on the original.

"You could kill me. But don`t you think that we`ve all suffered enough already? My whole family is dead. Two of your brothers are dead. Is that really the life you want? Nothing but sadness, pain and hate."

Klaus seemed genuinely surprised. He obviously hadn`t expected a speech like that. But Tyler knew that it wouldn`t be that easy. So he kept talking. "You could kill me, but what would it get you? Caroline would hate you. And I know you don`t want that. Wouldn`t it be far more satisfying for you, to let me live and watch me suffer? To watch me mourn all those I have lost, knowing full well that it`s my fault my mother and those hybrids died? That their blood is on my hands. Wouldn`t that be far more amusing for you, than just ripping my heart out and ending it quickly? I`m sure you don`t want to let me off so easy."

For quite some time Klaus just stared at him, his face unreadable. Then a slow smile spread over his features. "Oh, but it would be very amusing to rip your heart out." he murmured and Tyler`s courage waned.

"But, strangely enough, you`re not completely wrong. I really shouldn`t let you off that easy. I guess I`ll let you live a little longer. Then we`ll see just how amusing you can be." Grinning Klaus turned away and left. Tyler watched him leave, not really daring to believe that his gamble had paid off. He was by no means save, since you could never know when Klaus would change his mind. But at least for now it was okay.

Caroline seemed to come to the same conclusion, because she threw herself at him, almost strangling him with the force of her hug. Tyler wrapped his arms around her small frame, holding her tight. He listened to the rapid beating of her heart, felt her warmth and knew that he made the right decision.

He had promised her to find a way. And no matter how often he would have to face Klaus or risk his life, he would always find a way.

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So, what did you think? I wrote this, because I really like Caroline and Tyler together and it`s so unfair they always have to part again.