A/N: New week, new chapter! :)

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Chapter 3 ~ It's Complicated

Tyler decided the best thing to do was for me to meet him at his house. My mom was going to be home tonight and we couldn't risk having our conversation overheard. His mom was out of town, so we'd be free of interruptions there. I was feeling extremely hungry, having not hunted for the past couple days. I told my mom I would be back later and didn't even bother on explaining where I was going. As usual, she didn't press me for more information. I made a lightning speed run for the woods as soon as the coast was clear. Hunting bunnies wasn't the most exciting thing but it beat torturing myself with the sound of Tyler's blood pumping through his veins.

I thought werewolves weren't supposed to be so appetizing.

I got lucky enough to spot a deer down in the ravine. I launched at it driven solely by the impulse to feed. It was amazing how my hunger was stronger than my feelings of remorse for killing a helpless animal. I drank until I was more than satisfied. After so many nights of hunting, I had finally learned not to make a big mess out of my meal. Either way, I wiped whatever residue was left on the corners of my mouth with my fingers, licking them off in the process. I grabbed my purse and pulled out a travel size mouthwash and rinsed my mouth.

It's a good thing I'm always prepared.

I took a deep breath, not knowing exactly what to expect when I got to Tyler's house.

~%~%~%~%~

As soon as I walked in, I took off my jacket and made my way to the mahogany leather sofa by the fireplace, placing my purse on the coffee table. The lighting was soft and warm, the atmosphere felt almost cozy, and Tyler immediately walked over to the bar. He was wearing blue gym shorts and a white wife beater, like he had just gotten back from working out. Except he hadn't; I could smell how clean he was, his skin had a fresh soapy fragrance and every time he moved I'd get a whiff of aftershave. He looked and smelled great.

"Whisky?" He offered as he was already pouring it into a glass half-filled with ice. I reached over as he handed it to me.

"Thanks." I had that feeling of suffocation you get after a run, and my heart felt like it was going to come flying out of my chest. I took a sip as I looked at him and then quickly looked away.

He poured himself a glass and remained standing by the bar. I watched him take a deep breath and his mouth opened slightly but no words came out. Instead, he took swig of whisky and started pacing around the room. This was getting awkward, fast.

"28 more days" were his first words and I knew exactly what he was referring to.

"You must dread it more now that you know what it's like." I didn't know what else to say. I wanted to get up and hug him. I wanted to comfort him and tell him everything would be ok, just like the last time. But I wasn't sure of it, I was afraid too.

"Why have you been avoiding me? I thought you and I..." his voice trailed off.

"I thought you and I were friends now." he looked at me disconcerted. I knew I had some explaining to do. There was no way around it, I had lied to him enough already and I wasn't going to keep piling up lie after lie.

"We are friends, Tyler. But we're also..." I bit my lower lip, trying to decide if the next word was the most appropriate.

"...enemies, in a way."

"What is that suppose to mean?" Instead of helping explain things I had just complicated them a bit more.

"Vampires and werewolves aren't meant to coexist. Why do you think there's a curse? When you turn, you lose all common sense. You don't distinguish friend from foe." I stood up from my seat and started pacing back and forth taking sips of whisky as I tried to explain. On the contrary, Tyler had taken a seat as he tried to make sense of what I was saying.

"There's more…" He said, and his stare intensified. I don't usually get intimidated but he always succeeded in making me feel uneasy.

"A werewolf bite can kill a vampire." I shut my eyes as if I had said something I wasn't supposed to.

There, straight to the point. End of story.

To my amazement, his reaction was not what I had been expecting. He laughed a bit and then stood up. It took me by surprise, and it wasn't good.

"You think this is funny?" I was irritated.

"Is the possibility of my death some sort of sick joke to you?" I could feel my anger rising. I couldn't believe he was taking this so lightly. I could've died while trying to help him last time and he thought it was funny.

"Caroline, calm down" he grabbed me by the shoulders.

"How the fuck do you expect me to calm down? I just told you, you could've killed me and all you do is laugh? You're such an asshole." I took his hands off my shoulders and without thinking twice, slapped him as hard as I could. His head swung in the direction of the hit. I saw his jaw clenching as he slowly turned to face me.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

My eyes widened and the empty whisky glass slipped from my hand as I stepped back. I had forgotten how scary he could be when he was angry.

"Tyler..." I put my hands in front of me, trying to get him to calm down. He grabbed me by the arms and pushed me against the wall, placing his hands on each side of my head. My hands were trapped between our chests. He looked at me with so much intensity; it was almost hypnotizing. I could've easily escaped from him and I didn't, even though I barely had enough air in me to keep breathing. Something kept me there, I felt helpless. I tried to speak but all I could do was inhale and exhale slowly.

"What's wrong Forbes? Cat got your tongue?"

Forbes? Tyler hadn't called me that since he used to pick on me in middle school.

"What are you doing Tyler?" I finally gained control of myself.

"Are you planning on killing me now or later?" I was in a vulnerable position and yet I still had the tenacity to taunt him.

He smiled. I felt a sigh of relief even though I still had no idea what he was doing.

"I'm not going to kill you. What kind of a friend would I be if I did that to you after you helped me?"

Why the emphasis on 'friend'? Does he not consider me one anymore?

I lowered my hands and placed them on my side, flat against the wall. Our chests came in contact and I immediately thought maybe that hadn't been the best of moves.

"I make you nervous, don't I?" I took a big gulp and looked away, before realizing that was only proving his point. I wasn't going to let that happen, I wasn't going to let him enjoy seeing me like this. I turned to him and with a defying face. "Don't try to hide it, I can feel it." He searched my face for an answer.

"And why exactly would you make me nervous?" I pretended to be perfectly comfortable with his presence.

"You tell me..." That smirk made an appearance once again, almost as if he was planning something devious.

And yet, there was something so riveting about it.

"I think the wolf gene is messing with your head, you're starting to imagine things." I smiled and shook my head.

"Am I?" he leaned closer, pressing his body harder into me. My breathing somehow intensified. His lips were so close to touching mine, I could feel the heat radiating from them.

"Yes you are!" I pushed him aside so fast he didn't even realize I wasn't there anymore until he turned and saw me standing behind him. He let out a laugh.

"I always forget how fast you are. I knew you'd find a way to dodge my question." he half-smiled and looked at me. His eyes scanned me up and down. I couldn't help feeling a bit uncomfortable. "So a single bite can kill you? I'm assuming you knew this even before I turned. Why help me, then?" His eyes narrowed.

"I told you I didn't want you to experience it alone. I know what it's like to go through a transformation without someone there to help you make sense of it all." I felt a little bit more at ease and proceeded to take a seat on the sofa once again. He walked towards me and sat right beside me.

"I don't buy it." He raised one eyebrow as he slightly shook his head and leaned into me.

"What?" I blurted out in disbelief.

"I think there's more. I don't think the only reason you've been avoiding me is because you're afraid I'll" he paused. "Kill you."

I let out a small giggle.

"Why else would I be avoiding you?"

"Maybe you're afraid of what you're feeling." I was expecting that smirk again, but he was serious, his eyes fixed on mine.

I laughed nervously and stood up.

"Tyler, I've already told you what I came to say. I think it's time for me to go now."

"You haven't told me how you know all this."

"That's a story for another time." I put on my jacket and grabbed my purse from the coffee table.

I walked out of the house, his footsteps were right behind me.

"Where's your car?" He looked around.

"I didn't drive here, kind of just ran."

He laughed as he crossed his arms against his chest.

"Well, I'm not going to let you run back home. I'll give you a ride."

"Last time you gave me a ride, things didn't turn out so well." I immediately regretted saying that. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to, it was a joke."

He looked down for a moment. "I'll go get my keys."

Way to go Caroline.

~%~%~%~%~

The drive to my house seemed like an eternity. We were like two kids going back home after an awkward date. So awkward there was even a mention of the weather and the dark gray sky. He would look at me when he thought I wasn't looking and I did the same to him. I was relieved when we finally pulled up to my driveway. He turned off the car but neither of us got out.

"Caroline... I really am grateful for everything you've done for me." I looked at him and smiled, I could see the truthfulness in his eyes. Tyler wasn't the kind of person who easily expressed gratefulness.

"I'll be there next time, as long as you promise not to kill me." I looked away, feeling stupid for saying that last part. He took a hold of my hand before continuing.

"I know you're afraid. Just know that I would never do anything to hurt you. And don't feel like you have to be there from now on, your safety is a priority." I could hear the sincerity in his voice. He really meant what he was saying. Tyler definitely was a softy when he wanted to be.

"Well, since we're having a heart to heart, I want to apologize for being such a bad friend and not picking up the phone when you called. I mean for all I know you could've been hurt or in some kind of accident…" I stopped when I realized I was about to start rambling. "It won't happen again. At least now you know why I avoided you in the first place."

"And I'm still not convinced Forbes." He smiled and leaned even closer. I rolled my eyes, shook my head and opened the car door. "Are you walking me to my door or something?" I asked sarcastically as I saw him get out of the car.

"Why not? I'm already here." We were both acting so childish. It almost felt like a game, a fun and quite enjoyable game.

"Um. Ok..." I said as we reached the door. "Have a good night." I couldn't think of anything better to say in that situation.

He took a hold of my arms right above my wrists. "Whatever you need, I'm right here." He looked me directly in the eyes. I nodded and then turned away to open the door.

"Wait." I felt the weight of his hand on my shoulder. I turned around to see what he wanted and was surprised when his hands cupped my face. His lips merged with mine in an instant. I was paralyzed once again; an invisible force kept me from pulling away. I kissed him back, alternating between his upper and lower lip. Having him so close to me, his lips touching mine, it felt good.

Too good.

I opened my eyes and pulled away from him.

"You don't want this Tyler." I shook my head.

"No, Caroline. I do." He leaned in again and began kissing me with even more desperation than before. I didn't want to stop, I wanted to go further. It had been a while since I had sex and my body was asking for it. I'd never wanted Tyler so bad as I did in that instant. I opened my eyes and realized I couldn't let it happen, it took every ounce of strength in my body to resist him and pull away.

"No. You don't." I went inside the house as quickly as I could and shut the door behind me. Never in my life had I felt so confused and conflicted.

A/N: Ooooh Caroline! There's no way she can keep resisting him for long ;) Tyler's way too yummy, nom nom nom LOL.

I'm currently working on Chapter 4, it'll be up on Friday :)

I'm assuming all of you will be reliving the epicness of 'By the Light of the Moon' this Thursday :D

And... how excited are you guys for the new episode on the 27th? 9 more days...