Quick Bite:

epic sweetness712- Angst happens to be one of my favorite things. :)

EchoOFanothermind- It always happens that way, doesn't it? ;) It's to keep the readers intrigued and wanting more, of course! I'm glad you said I'm doing well keeping to the characters. I get a little apprehensive about that at times. Thanks!

To the anonymous guest- I can understand how Tyler can be annoying to Klaroline shippers, believe me. I wish I could change how I ship, if only to make this story better. But I'm glad you think I'm portraying him 'extremely true to character'. He's the one character I get self conscious about most, so hearing that helps. Thanks! P.S. - Klaus holds a special place in all our hearts, I'm pretty sure. Or…elsewhere. *snarky grin*

Thank you to ALL who expressed their liking for Chapter 6! I get it now. More Klaroline = more reviewers. AHA!

Regarding the story..
Does this seem a little repetitive? I think the repetition is in different characters' POV, though, so it works and it's not too too big a deal. Anyway, this is a fairly long one, and I must explain that I'm trying really hard to get past my shipping preferences, but I also like to maintain the realism of the characters. So please don't hate me for this one! ;P

Chapter 7

Caroline's heart pounded in her chest as she got into the passenger's side of Tyler's '71 vintage Buick. He wanted to talk. Okay. But about what? He seemed so stiff and angry. She wanted to just chalk it up to the fact that Klaus had been baiting him but that seemed too simple. Things were never that easy. Not in Mystic Falls, anyway. Well, not anymore.

Besides, he was already tense when he'd gotten there so it had to be something else. Still, she had a sinking feeling that Klaus had something to do with it. She braced herself for the attack but was only returned with brooding silence. She watched him from the corner of her eye, concern growing.

"I thought you liked to stay indoors the night before the full moon? Lay low?" she finally asked.

He glanced at her quickly, then back to the road. "I was trying to until Rebekah found me."

"She found you? What does that mean?"

"She was waiting for me outside the old Lockwood cellar." She gave him a questioning look and he added, "I was cleaning it up since there's no use for it anymore."

"How does she even know about that place?"

"Maybe someone told her about it," he said, accusingly.

"Me?" She folded her arms, incredulously. "And why would I do that?"

"I don't know." He gripped the steering wheel tighter. "Why would you want to go on a second date with Klaus?"

Caroline immediately fell silent, and stared at him, mouth slightly ajar. So that's what this was about. She'd have to remember to personally thank Rebekah for her "friendly" intrusion.

"She told you about that?"

"Why didn't you tell me?" he turned his head and glared at her.

She sunk back against her seat. "I don't know. I didn't want to upset you."

"A little late for that," he said, bitterly, turning his focus back to the road.

"Tyler, I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you." She gazed at him, regretfully. "But you know, you couldn't even call that a date. I left twenty minutes in!"

"If you left once, why do you keep going back?"

"Keep going back? I agreed to one date!"

"You know he won't let it end there."

"It doesn't matter. I will."

"Will you?" he glanced at her sideways.

"Seriously!"

"You should have told me about the first date."

"Okay, well I'm sorry. I just didn't want you to freak out and go on a jealous rage."

"I'm not the Hulk, Caroline," he snickered.

"No, but you still have the ability to turn into a monster," she muttered.

"He's more of a monster than I am," he shot back.

"It's not a contest," she rolled her eyes. "You have me. He doesn't."

"Yeah. For how long?"

She stared at him, shocked. "Excuse me?"

"Come on. I see the way you look at him."

"Oh my god." She laughed in disbelief. "You're kidding, right? Klaus?"

"How do you know he hasn't compelled you?"

"Because he hasn't," she said, tenaciously.

"How do you know?" he repeated.

"Vervain, Tyler," she answered sardonically. "And by the way, thanks for trusting me."

"Damnit, Caroline!" He slammed his fist against the steering wheel. Caroline jumped. "Why couldn't you have just said no?"

"You told me to go!"

"I was just being a good guy! I thought you'd say no!"

She gaped at him in astonishment. "You said you thought it would get him to go away."

"Yeah. That was before I knew you'd already gone out with him."

"If it'll make you feel better, I'll call and cancel the second I get home," she tried.

"No," he said quietly, shaking his head again.

"No?"

"I don't want him to have a reason to try to hurt you."

"Why would he want to hurt me? If he wanted to hurt anyone, it'd be you. You're the one who broke his dumb sire bond. And, you're the one I'm in love with," she said sweetly, trying to lighten up the situation.

He pressed his lips together firmly, exhaling through his nose. Caroline sulked, disappointed that her attempt was unsuccessful. She glanced over at him once more and noticed his mouth twitching, as if he wanted to say something.

"What?" she asked, softly.

Tyler sighed. "Rebekah said that he just wants to use you to get to Elena."

Caroline blinked. "What's Elena have to do with anything?"

"Her blood. He needs her blood to make more hybrids." He shrugged. "I guess he figures using you is easier than fighting off Damon and Stefan."

Caroline sat back in her seat letting it all sink in. Was it true or was it just another evil Rebekah scheme? He seemed so genuine in their interactions. Sure, he was cocky and kind of a jerk, but all of the vulnerability he had shown at the ball and outside the grill... That couldn't have been an act. Could it?

"You look disappointed," Tyler interrupted her thoughts. He was glowering.

"I'm just...surprised, is all."

He narrowed his eyes, skeptically. "You're surprised that Klaus has an ulterior motive?"

"I guess not," she pursed her lips.

There was a long silence between the two. Tyler was back to brooding while Caroline sat mulling over Rebekah's theory. It sounded more like Rebekah trying to cause trouble than Klaus. But maybe that was just wishful thinking. This was the same Klaus who had tried to kill her friends on numerous occasions; turned Tyler, unwillingly; sired Tyler to him. It was a totally different Klaus than the one who had bought her a princess's diamonds, had a secret passion for drawing, and had saved her life in two separate instances. Which Klaus was the real one?

The car came to a halt at a red light. Tyler glanced over at Caroline.

"So why did you leave the first date, early?"

She looked up at him, a small smile forming. "Because I'd have rather have been with you."

He gazed at her, warmly. "Really?"

"When did you become so insecure?" she teased, poking his shoulder with a grin.

He smiled too. "I'm not insecure."

"You so are," she laughed. "Acting all jealous and such."

"I am jealous," he sighed. "I just don't like the idea of him trying to steal you from me. He's done enough damage."

"No one is going to steal me," she assured him. "Klaus is a jerk. And I love you. If you want me to cancel the date, I will."

He frowned. "I want you to. But I don't think you should."

"Just so we're clear, this is your out and you're not taking it, right?"

He laughed. "Yeah."

"Good. Because I don't want to hear you arguing later."

"I don't want to lose you, Caroline," he said softly, taking her hand in his. "You're the only good thing in my life. I love you."

"I love you too."

He squeezed her hand and she leaned over the center console to kiss him, affectionately. The light changed to green and Caroline eased back in her seat again as Tyler began to drive. Her fingers were still laced with his and she noticed he seemed more relaxed now. Thank God.

The silence gave her some time to think again about the Klaus ordeal. Something seemed off, and it wasn't just because it came from Rebekah. She couldn't help but grow anxious.

"I just don't get it, you know?" she broke the silence.

"What?"

"Why would Rebekah tell you about Klaus's plan?"

Tyler glanced at her, warily. "Other than to cause trouble?"

"I knew she didn't like me but this seems like overkill."

He shrugged. "She wants to leave Mystic Falls."

"What's stopping her?" Caroline asked, snidely.

Tyler licked his lips, considering, then answered her. "She won't leave without Klaus. And Klaus won't leave...because of you."

She turned to him, stunned. "Really?"

He peered at her, impatiently. "Could you at least try not be so excited about that?"

"I'm not excited," she rolled her eyes. "But it is kind of empowering. The baddest vampire ever bewitched by me. You have to admit that's kind of awesome."

"Whatever," he said, sourly.

"Okay. You really need to get this jealousy thing under control. So not attractive."

Tyler's body tensed. "It's not just him, Caroline. I went away to get better for you. How am I supposed to feel when I come back and see him making a move on you? You keep telling me nothing happened and it's all one-sided, but you still kept his drawing. Now, you're going on dates with the guy. What am I supposed to think?"

"You really don't trust me."

"That's not what I said."

"No, but it's what you mean." She shook her head, disapprovingly. "What do you want me to say? I can't hate him the way you do. He's saved my life twice – once because of you!"

"I was sired," he said, angrily ripping his hand away from hers.

"I know, okay?" She exhaled. "I know. But put yourself in my shoes. What if it were me hating you spending time with Mason?"

"That's not the same. Not by a long shot," he reasoned. "Klaus didn't do it for you, Caroline. He did it for him. Like he always does."

"Why would he make you bite me and then come and heal me?"

"Because he's psychotic? For all we know this plan of his could have been under way even then."

"I highly doubt that."

"I don't."

Caroline sighed, staring out the window watching the trees blur by as they drove, when she suddenly had an idea.

"I'll just ask him tomorrow."

"What!"

Tyler turned his head sharply causing the car to swerve toward the opposite side of the road. Headlights blinded them while another car's horn blared loudly, repeatedly.

"Tyler!" she gasped.

Caroline gripped the door handle tightly. Tyler looked forward again and spun the wheel right just shy of grazing the side of the other car. They both let out a breath as he regained control of the Buick. Tyler's jaw was clenched now, eyes ablaze. Caroline just gazed at him, appalled.

"Are you crazy?"

"Are you?" he retorted.

"Great. Not only are you jealous, but now you're homicidal. That's perfect."

He glared at her, gritting his teeth. "That's pretty damn hypocritical for a girl who drained a night nurse."

"You know what, let me out. I can walk the rest."

"Come on, Caroline. I didn't mean - "

"Just stop the car."

He pulled the Buick to the side of the road and parked it, his frustration surfacing. Caroline stayed still, waiting to see if he'd say anything. When he didn't, she scoffed. So much for an apology.

"Don't call me until the real Tyler inhabits your body again. Because I really can't deal with this crazy jealous hybrid you're becoming."

With that, she got out of the car and stalked off along the side of the road. It wasn't until she was a good twenty feet away that Tyler finally pulled away and drove off, undoubtedly speeding. Caroline stopped and watched the car disappear, disappointed. How could he have said that to her? Full moon or no, that was uncalled for. Now she was stuck in Middle of Nowhere, Mystic Falls. Just great.

When did her life become such a roller coaster? And where was the damn emergency brake?