A/N- Please don't hurt me. I'm sorry. I know, it's been a while. But this chapter was really hard to write because I was trying really hard not to make it too cheesy and yet to keep it realistic and sweet while still allowing for sexy times. Did I mention sexy times? Yes, warning. This is now rated M. It's pretty tame however. I'd say I should probably warn you about the aforementioned cheese as well, because, well, it's preeetty cheesy. I did my best haha.

I realised I said this was the last chapter but I've decided I'll write one more... and epilogue of sorts. I also want to thank you for your wonderful reviews, I knew there would only be few when I started this due to the unusual pairing, however, I didn't expect they'd be this detailed and wonderful. So thanks!

When Alaric woke his apartment was dark. He looked around in confusion for a moment, wondering if it was morning or night. He felt a weight on top of him and all of a sudden the days events came flooding back. He looked down, his eyes finally adjusting to the darkness. Caroline was sprawled out on top of him, one hand still over his heart and her other extended over his shoulder and next to his head. One of his own legs had fallen off the couch which left Caroline lying between his thighs- something a little uncomfortable for Alaric to say the least. His back ached due to the awkward position he was lying in, so he shifted a little, doing his best to not wake Caroline. He examined her once again, a slight curve at the edge of his lips at seeing her sprawled out like a rag doll. She was faced away from him and a mess of blonde hair was the closest thing he could see. He tried not to take notice of her body, but couldn't help noticing the white dress she wore which, right now, had ridden up a little too close to her underwear than was appropriate.

Alaric snorted half heartedly in amusement.

Appropriate.

He noticed his owned hand, which had been haphazardly lying on Caroline's lower back. He raised it quickly, wanting to avoid the awkward tension if she woke and thought that he was trying to grope her, but realised that, as of now, her teenage body flat against his, the gesture was probably in vein. His hand still raised, he became unsure about what to do with it. He settled on stroking her hair, which seemed as safer than anywhere else. As soon as he gently caressed her hair, he noticed a slight flinch in movement. He half smiled.

"How long have you been awake?" He asked quietly.

"Not long." She replied honestly.

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"I- you were asleep. And I like it here. I thought you'd ask me to leave."

He didn't say anything.

"Do you want me to leave?" She asked in a more heart broken voice than she intended and hated herself for it.

"I think I should want you too." Alaric said, thinking about it. "But I don't."

She smiled, still facing away from him. She nesstled into his chest, getting herself more comfortable now that she wasn't braced to leave. She began to move her hand up and down his chest soothingly and experimentally, as if she were testing it. He smiled at the action.

"What time is it?" she asked drearily.

Suddenly he moved, but she realised he was leaning back to turn on the lamp which sat beside the sofa they currently resided on. He had to arch his body to reach the lamp, inadvertantly pressing his body into hers even more. He felt her breasts more clearly against his chest and almost cursed himself at his stupidity. She must have recognized his discomfort as she put a hand on the edge of the couch, pushing herself up. It was only by this small grace, Alaric quickly realised, that she had avoided the tightness of his jeans. He would almost groaned in annoyance at his own body before he realised it would only make the situation more uncomfortable. Finally, he reached the switch, flicking it and squinting as his eyes readjusted to the light. He looked at the clock on the far wall and back down at Caroline, who was now closer and looking straight at him earnestly.

"Uh," he cleared his throat. "9pm"

She nodded.

He asked, "Is anyone going to be wondering were you are?" Not wanting to say mother at the risk of reminding himself how old she was.

She shook her head. "Nobody worries about me these days. I guess they assume I can take care of myself. Vampire and all that."

Before he could stop himself he raised a hand to her cheek and gently caressed her cheek. "Sorry." he said quietly.

She shrugged.

"I guess we all have our issues. You know that better than most." She said sadly, and he smiled empathetically.

She paused for a second, in contemplation. "It doesn't bother you." she said, a statement.

"What doesn't?"

"That I'm a vampire. You're not scared of me."

He laughed, and she frowned in annoyance, though, truth be told, she wasn't as irritated as she was pretending to be.

"You, Caroline, are a lot of things. Intimidating isn't one of them." he grinned as she slapped him hard in the chest.

"You realise I'm at least 10 times stronger than you, right?"

He laughed again, though he knew it was true. "I find that hard to believe."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah.

Suddenly she grabbed his arms and moved her legs so they were atop of his, effectively pinning him down to the couch.

"Hey!" trying to struggle out of her grip, to no avail.

"Told you." She smirked.

He laughed at her pride in having beaten him.

"What now? You gonna bite me?" He asked jokingly with a smile on his face.

"Mmm..." she squinted theatrically as if she were really considering it.

"Maybe" she said nonchalantly.

"Oh?" He asked. "What about the vervain?"

She giggled.

"I've been laying on you for hours, I know you don't have any in your system."

He looked confused for a split second before realising.

"Oh. You drank my vervain!" He said, remembering the incident earlier.

"Sorry for almost dying!" She said in mock offense.

"I forgive you." He nodded as if he were accepting some grave offense on her part.

There was a moments pause, and she, still above him, simply looked down.

He cleared his throat, feeling the tension.

"So-" he said awkwardly. "You gonna let me go anytime soon?"

She simply smiled at his discomfort, apparently not feeling the awkwarness that he was.

"Maybe later."

He looked at her face, as she tried to contain a smirk. Her cheeks were flushed and her hair a mess, falling all over her face. She looked perfect.

He groaned and closed his eyes.

"Caroline. What are you doing to me." He said to himself more than anyone.

It was a rhetorical question, but she decided to answer.

"Holding you hostage?" She asked, pretending not to know what they were talking about.

He opened his eyes, looking at her once again.

"That's pretty close to the truth actually."

She giggled once again.

"I'll let you go..." she trailed off, obviously not finishing the sentence.

"If?"

"If you admit what you really want." This was said in a hushed tone, more serious than her previous playful demeanor.

Her face was closer to his now. All one of them had to do was move a few inches and they would have their second kiss.

"I..." he too trailed off, unsure of how to respond. "I can't."

"Why?"

"Because I shouldn't want it." he replied honestly.

She thought about that.

"I shouldn't be a vampire. You shouldn't be alone. My parents shouldn't be scared of me. You shouldn't be the only one Elena can rely on because everyone she's loved is dead. Bonnie shouldn't be able to start fires with her mind. Damon shouldn't be... Damon. A lot of stuff around here happens that shouldn't. That stuff feels wrong though." She took another breath. "This doesn't."

He gulped at her use of 'this'. Their closeness and flirty banter had allowed him to fool himself into thinking that this was okay, but here they were, edging closer and closer to a truth he didn't want to discover. He decided to confront it head on.

"This is different Caroline. You're seventeen. I'm you're teacher. You're going through a lot right now. I care about you too much to take advantage of you like that."

"Funny," she began. "Since I seem to be the one pinning you to the sofa."

He smiled, shaking her head at her persistance. She sighed.

"If you don't want this, I'll go. But if it's because you're worried about me... I can take care of myself. I know I was a wreck this morning, but-" she thought about how to finish the sentence.

"But of all the things going on in my life that I don't have control over, this isn't one of them. I'm always going to be seventeen Ric. But this isn't teenage naivity. I'm not the girl I used to be. I've grown up. I'm stronger now."

"Caroline..." he began to protest again, but she intereputed with something she knew she'd probably come to regret later.

"Do you want me?" she asked, looking into his eyes and compelling him to answer.

"More than anything. These past few minutes we've shared is the first time I've felt happy in a long time. You make me happy, Caroline. I know you can feel how hard I am for you right now."

It was true. She had been able to tell for a while, part of which gave her the confidence to confront him like this. However, it was such a honest admission and something she knew he would never say in regular circumstances that she blushed and looked away. She felt guilty for compelling him. He regained his senses and threw his head back against the couch cushion with a groan of embarrasment.

"You shouldn't have done that, Caroline."

Caroline let go of his arms immediately, not daring to look him in the eye.

"I- I'm sorry... I didn't... I mean you're right. I didn't mean too. It was an invasion of privacy and, and I-"

"Wait." he said, grabbing her by the wrists and pulling him towards him before she could make a quick get away.

She landed on his chest once again, her face close to his once more.

He closed his eyes and moved his head so his forehead was pressed against hers.

"There's a line Caroline... and we shouldn't cross it." He sighed, breathing deeply but otherwise not moving. She was too scared to open her eyes, afriad to see the rejection. "But," he continued "It's right here. And I want to cross it." He cursed himself. "God, I wanna cross it."

He could feel her lips hovering just above hers, touching occasionally by accident.

"You're too young for me." He whispered.

"When you're going to live forever..." she breathed, though she didn't need too. "age becomes arbitrary."

"I'm your teacher."

"You're a vampire hunter and I'm undead... I think we're passed that."

He took another breath.

"I can't think of anything else... anything other than you." He said quietly.

"I want you." She said, repeating his words from earlier.

"I want you too." He replied, and with that, he moved his hand to the back of her head to pull her down for a kiss. In that moment, all his protest and caution left his body leaving only Caroline. He explored her mouth, and realised she was more agressive that he thought she would be. She wasn't inexperienced but she still possessed the eagerness and earnestness of youth. Hoping to gain the upperhand he quickly flipped her over so that he was on top, nearly falling on the small couch. She giggled and his close mishap. He cut off her laugher with another kiss, as he ran his hand up and down her lean body. Without realising it, his hands had moved to her legs, hiking her dress further up her thighs at his fingers traced her skin. He took his hand away from her leg, not wanting to go too fast or make her feel as if he were pushing her into anything. She took it his hand and put it back on her leg. She pulled away from his lips.

"When I said I wanted you, I meant it." She whispered.

"We don't have to do this now. We can wait."

"I feel like I spend my life waiting."

She pulled him back for a quick kiss before adjusting herself to sit up. Seeing this action he moved back to give her space. Sitting facing each other on the couch, she let her own fingers slip to the hem of her white dress, gently pulling it up. He watched the fabric float over her pale skin and felt almost jealous. Soon enough, the dress was making it's way up her stomach, passed her breasts and over her head until it was a pile on the floor, leaving her only cover the black lace underwear which cupped her breasts. His breath caught in his throat, and it took him a moment to realise he was staring. She wasn't shy about her body, but suddenly she felt self concious about the way he was staring at her. He was older and more experienced. He had been with women, and she felt like a little girl. She moved her arm across her chest in an attempt to cover up.

"Don't." he said, sensing her tension.

He gently pushed her arm away.

"You're beautiful.

She blushed, meeting his eye. Her fingers traveled down to the hem of his shirt, pulling it up. He allowed it and soon his shirt was next to her dress. Gingerly she moved her hand to place flat on his chest, once again, to feel his heart beat. He pulled her in for a small kiss, placing his body against hers while running his hands up and down her arms. Reaching around, he undid her bra, tossing it aside as he bought a hand to her breast. She was passed shyness at this point, his admiration for her body enough to let her confidence soar. She leaned down pushing him backwards, regaining the control that she had lost earlier. Caroline reached down, fumbling to undo his fly. He laughed, pulling away from their kiss.

"Eager, are we?"

She smirked, finally undoing it, and going back in for another kiss. Beneath her she felt him moving about in an attempt to wriggle out of his trousers. Now it was her turn to laugh.

"Now who's eager?" she smirked.

Finally, he was out of his jeans and the relief spread across his face. Through the thin fabric of their underwear she felt his hardness brush against her panties, eliciting a gasp from her, to which he only smirked. He learned up and used his thumbs to slide her black underwear down her things, giving her ample space to remove his. They were both naked now, and she hovered over him, slightly nervous.

"Are you sure?" He asked one more time.

If her mind hadn't been a blur at this point she would have almost slapped him for being so fickle. Instead she just nodded, positioning herself above him and allowing him to enter her.

He was bigger than she had expected, and her breath caught in her throat as she felt him inside of her. He too was caught unaware, her tightness a suprise to him, reminding him once again of her youth.

She hadn't meant too, but she winced slightly at the feeling.

"You okay?" he asked her, to which she nodded once again before rising up and pushing back down, allowing him to enter even futher and gradually get used to the feeling.

After a few awkward movements they fell into a comfortable pattern, the slight pain she felt before overided by pleasure. The look of joy spread across her face and the pace of her breaths let him know that her body had adjusted, allowing him to relax and fall into his own pleasure without worrying that he was hurting her. He pulled her closer, allowing her breasts to rest against his chest as he slid in and out of her.

She moaned his name, her breathe hot on his ear. She'd never felt like this before, even when she was with Matt. Alaric, she realised, was more experienced in this area and knew exactly how to please her.

Alaric reached down, his fingers sliding inside her wet folds and tracing over her nub as she moved faster on top of him, allowing the thrusts to become harder until she felt the pleasure build up in the bottom of her stomach crying for release. But that wasn't all she felt. The darkness was there too, and though she was trying to fight it, her mind was blurred by thoughts of his blood. The way it would taste. How easy it would be now to bite into his neck.

She winced, resisting it, resting her forehead on his shoulder while continuing to move on top of him. Alaric noticed the pained look on her face and the resistance present. He caught on quickly.

"It's okay... you can do it." Alaric said into her hair.

"No... I can't..." she said, straining.

"I have.. the ring.." he said, and she couldn't hold back any longer.

Her eyes went black and she suddenly sunk her teeth into his skin, just above his collar bone. It was an intense feeling for Alaric, who had been bitten before during several fights, but never in such a controlled and sensual manner.

The taste of his blood on her tounge was too much for her. If her mouth weren't preoccupied, she might have screamed. He felt her clench around his length, and, with a few more thrusts, he helped ride out her orgasm before experiencing his own deep inside of her.

Her body fell limp against him now, her teeth finally free of his skin. She felt too tired to wipe her mouth of the blood which she could feel had dripped down her chin.

He put a hand on her back held her body tight, her still cold skin bringing relief to his own which was now hot and sweaty.

She pulled away now, finally wiping away the blood. He looked at his own collar bone and brushed off a few drops of blood. He could tell she had great control for someone who hadn't been a vampire for very long, as he could barely see the mark she left. His attentioned traveled from his blood to Caroline, who wasn't facing him, but sitting further away on the couch looking down at the ground; the back of her head and the pale skin of her back all he could see.

"Caroline?" He asked tentitively, sensing something was wrong.

"Are you alright?" He asked in an even smaller voice, fearing the answer.

What if I've hurt her? Oh God. I've taken advantage of her. I'm a terrible teacher. And even worse person, and I-

"No." She sniffled quietly, and Alaric could tell she was crying. "I shouldn't have done that."

He looked down, ashamed. She reached down to pick her disgarded dress up off the floor to clutch in to her chest, trying to regain some semblence of modesty.

"God Caroline... I'm so sorry. What have I done?" He asked, though he wasn't sure who he was asking.

Suddenly she turned around, realising how what she said must have sounded to him. He could now see a tear running down her face.

"No!" She said quickly. "No. I didn't mean that. I meant that I shouldn't have done..." she raised a hand gingerly to his collar bone, tracing her fingers over the small but still visable mark "That. I ruined it, didn't I?"

He looked down, trying and failing to resist the small smile that edged at his lips. He felt relief wash over him that he hadn't hurt her.

"Caroline," he leaned got closer to her, taking her face in his hands and kissing her tear stained cheeks.

"It's okay. You didn't hurt me."

"Yes, I did! I never wanted too... yet I compelled you and bit you in the same night. I'm like, the worst vampire ever!"

He chuckled, clearly not as effected by the situation as her. Once again, he rested his forehead on hers.

"Listen... the compultion was... midly embarrassing..." he drifted off, and, to his suprise, she giggled; the sound music to his ears.

"And the bite?" He continued. "Honestly, you barely graised me. It wasn't that bad Care... I wouldn't have told you to do it if I didn't want you too. I... I kind of liked it."

She pulled away so she could wipe her face with the back of her hand.

"Really?"

He smiled, nodding.

"Besides.. I was kind of concentrating on other things." He said, running a comforting hand up and down her forearm.

She blushed.

"I had... that was... it felt..." she trailed off, trying to find the words. Watching her getting flustered was cute, but he was there too, and he also had trouble trying to define it.

"Me too, care." he said, leaning in for a chaste kiss. "Me too."