Stefan opened the door to the Grill and Elena practically shoved Jeremy through first. Since he had obviously spent too much time alone in his room the past week, Elena decided he was going to go out and socialize. And with Stefan there as muscle, Jeremy pretty much had no choice. Jeremy immediately saw Tyler over at the pool tables. Tyler was staring directly at him. Jeremy felt a shiver over his body as he walked to an open table in the corner.

Elena saw Matt working over by the bar and announced she was going to say hi. She gave Stefan a look as she walked away. Jeremy figured this was Elena's plan for Jeremy to have "man to man" talk with Stefan. As Stefan opened his mouth, Jeremy decided he needed to use the restroom.

Matt smiled as Elena sat on a stool at the bar. "Finally letting him off restriction."

"Restriction?"

"Well, haven't seen Jeremy in a week so I figured you busted him for the fight."

"What fight?" Elena asked with her brow all crinkled up.

Matt could have kicked himself right then but he couldn't really see a way out of this. "At the party in the woods last week. Jeremy showed up and started mouthing off -"

"JEREMY was there?"

"Well, yeah, and then Tyler -"

"Jeremy got in another fight with Tyler?"

"No, with Jason. And that's when Tyler jumped in backing up Jeremy. That was why Tyler broke Jason's nose."

Elena frowned and looked back at the table deciding she was going to have a word with Jeremy about sneaking out. But Stefan was sitting alone at the table...

"Rack it, Gilbert." Tyler's voice sent a shiver down Jeremy's spine. So eager to get away from Stefan, Jeremy had accidentally walked right next to Tyler.

He looked across the table at Tyler but Tyler was just standing there chalking his cue with this mildly bored look on his face. Jeremy grabbed the triangle and started racking the balls.

Tyler broke. Stripes. Jeremy looked over at him. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

"I'm fine Gilbert."

Jeremy leaned over for a long table shot. "Your not holding the cue right. Here." Tyler leaned over and touched Jeremy's hand. Jeremy immediately felt a shock like electricity race through his body. Tyler helped moved Jeremy's fingers into a better position for the shot. He lingered inside Jeremy's personal space. He could smell Jeremy's light, almost sweet musky scent. On top of that he could also smell the shampoo and conditioner Jeremy used. And just a little hint of aftershave.

Tyler backed up chuckling.

"What?"

"Little Jeremy Gilbert, old enough to shave."

Jeremy flushed and looked like he was about to come back with one of his smart alack comments when Elena interrupted with "So what, are you two friends now?"

Both boys started and looked away with Jeremy muttering something about just playing a damn game of pool. Elena gave Jeremy her we'll-talk-later look and walked back to the table to talk to Stefan.

Tyler openly watched Jeremy play. The skinny awkwardness of the past was gone. Jeremy was now filing out, with that sort of flabby muscle look of someone who was active, but didn't hit the gym. Still had that shy loner look to him. Definitely cute the way he would flick his bangs out of his puppy-dog eyes. He's still a kid. With his attitude he would definitely need someone to watch out for him; protect him. And his ass when he bent over the table... Tyler shook his head to clear his thoughts. The full moon was past, he could control It.

Jeremy felt Tyler's eyes sliding over his body. The sort of appraising look made him feel nervous. But it was a little conforting too the way Tyler's entire attention was focussed on him. Except for that time Tyler scowled at the girl one table over who flashed her smile at Jeremy. Like a kid getting mad when someone else touched one of his toys. Jeremy also watched Tyler as they played pool. Tyler was almost tolerable when he was like this. The superiority and badass attitude were mellowed out. Jeremy could see the look of concentration on his face and the way his jaw flexed as he took his shots. When he would stand there waiting for Jeremy's turn, the muscles in his forearms would flex like he was planning on moving or helping out. He really is well built. Smaller than me, but you can see his tight muscles - Jeremy shook his head. He was NOT going to think like that.

Tyler sank the eight ball in a corner pocket. Jeremy still had three solids left on the table. Jeremy started heading back to the table with Stefan and Elena.

"Catch you in three weeks Gilbert." Tyler called out. Jeremy got nervous again wondering what would happen in three weeks.

Don't worry, the good stuff will be in the next chapter!