Before it kills me? How many times do I have to lose her before it kills me? How many times?

Tyler's tears were unstoppable as he gazed into his wife's beautiful face. Not even the blood that had spilled from her lips could take away from her beauty. His heart felt as though it would expire from the sheer force of the pain which ripped it apart from the inside out. He screamed. He couldn't help it. It came of its own accord. He screamed again as he heard the sobs of his wife's best friends as they looked on her face. This couldn't be happening. This couldn't be it! She was his whole world and now…now… Caroline! His body cried, his head ached, and his heart mourned a loss so acute it crippled him.

He saw Damon as he stopped his body coming to rest on hers; his head fell to her stomach as he sobbed. It was the first time he had ever seen the elder Salvatore so broken, and he almost couldn't watch this, couldn't do it, because of what it meant.

When Damon's head rose suddenly and he shouted, Tyler startled.

"Tyler, did you… Stefan! Please tell me I'm not wrong!"

Stefan let go of Elena and dropped next to his brother. He watched as Damon placed Caroline's hand in his. And just like that the younger Salvatore smiled. A smile so wide it transformed his face and his brother's laugh of triumph brought Tyler to a rage. Until the heard the most angelic thing he could ever hear. The one voice he thought lost to him forever.

"Tyler," Caroline breathed as she opened her eyes.

"Tyler?" He heard her voice and smiled as the remnants of that horrible night flew away in the wake of her presence. He took in her face, the seemingly unchanged face came into view but that wasn't exactly true was it?

"Where did you go?" she questioned him but as the dark shadows filled his eyes again she knew "Ty, you have to stop doing this to yourself. I'm here. I'm fine." Caroline stroked his face as he raised his eyebrow at her, "Alright so I had to add a new weird food to my diet. I'm still me. The neurotic crazy wife of yours." She smirked but there was also an underlying vulnerability that was there. All the legends put vampires and werewolves as enemies and though he and the Salvatores had learned to be friends, trust each other, no one knew the repercussions of actually having an intimate relationship between species. They were something of an uncharted territory. But that didn't change how he felt about her so gripping her fingers he pulled her toward the bed and pulled her in his arms, forcing her to look into his eyes as he reassured her.

"It's not that babe. I can't get away from how I almost lost you, how crazy everything has been since. You know I'm worried about the council, what they will do if they found out that you're a vampire. They're already nervous that Rose is staying and then to find the town run by not just one supernatural but two! I'm pretty sure they would stop at nothing to kill us and there is no guarantee that they bought the injured and recovering story. They might suspect something."

"How could they? I get blood bags from Damon and it was a stroke of genius Bonnie putting a spell on my wedding ring. And we've all started drinking a little vervain a day and you, your wolfsbane."

"I wouldn't put it pass them to try something still."

"It's not something we can worry about every minute of our life, or lives as the case may be. I say we just wing it and keep our eyes open."

Tyler loved the way that even though she was now under the heading 'the undead' she still had the same positive Caroline outlook on life, her first choice was still optimism despite what she had gone through.

That night had been hands down the most excruciating, soul wrenching thing he had faced. He had lost her, well and truly lost her. He had held her in his arms and watched her dull lifeless eyes. And the world for him had stopped. It didn't matter in that moment what was happening, he didn't care about anything except that his heart had shattered. And Caroline's eyes had haunted him for weeks after the transformation.

It was only after that he learned that Bonnie had saved them, the Bennett witch's power incapacitating the Bellatorum - as he later learned from Caroline - long enough to pronounce how to kill them. He had watched as Damon ripped off the leader's head and all the others died including his once best-friend. Tyler couldn't bring himself to feel sorrow. Anything he might have felt died when he saw him as part of the group who had hurt and kidnapped the woman he loved. But he was honest enough to admit if Matt hadn't given Caroline that vampire blood he would be without her this very moment.

Amidst the cries of relief at seeing those baby blues, Damon had been the only one to have a level head. He had smiled at Caroline with a 'Welcome back Blondie' before running to Jeremy's car where they had some blood bags in a cooler. After giving one to Tyler to give to Caroline he had gone over to feed the other vampire. They had moved then everyone fitting into the Acadia that Bonnie and Jeremy had driven.

From there the Salvatores had spent the better part of a month in their house preparing Caroline for everyday living. It was amazing the things he had learned about his friends. Things he had taken for granted, he now knew the mechanism behind. Stefan and Damon didn't appear human by stroke of luck but by design. They taught Caroline how to keep her body warm, how to curb urges, calming exercises for stressful and blood-filled situations, and his personal favourite, hot to not eat during…intimate situations. He had barely caught the tail end of that conversation with Elena. They hadn't tested that yet much to his chagrin.

The council had been suspicious even with the fully constructed abridged version of who the Bellatorum was and why there was a new vampire in town. But there was no way they would forcefully oppose a choice made by them; especially since they took responsibility for her on pain of exile. So if Rose ever messed up, they all would be forced to leave their homes.

It had been surreal how well Rose had fallen in, making a great older sibling-like character for Caroline and Elena. She even knew enough about witchcraft with the 500 years under her belt to engage Bonnie where no one else could. And Damon loved her.

"Do you think they will last? I'm worried about him." Caroline's voice impinged on his thoughts.

"Huh?" he asked, tuning back in.

"Ty!" she scolded as she slapped his arms. Those slaps were no longer dainty and hurt a lot more than he wanted to admit.

"Damon and Rose? Do you think they will last?" Tyler realized that like him her mind had run along a similar vein.

"Of course they will," he said matter-of-factly, "You really shouldn't worry about them."

"You seem so sure. Why?"

"Because Damon Salvatore is a lot of things but I never pegged him for a fool. He looks at her like she is his whole world and any man, or vampire or werewolf would be a fool to let a woman like that go."

Caroline looked into Tyler's eyes smiling dreamily as she remembered what felt like forever ago when she had thought the same about him. Closing the distance between them, she kissed his lips, loving the way he felt warm against her, his heat a sweet contrast to her own cold.

There was an element of passion there that wasn't there before. She still thought he was sexy as hell, it was Tyler Lockwood after all but now she craved him, body and soul. She craved that connection to him, even as his blood sung out to her. Like a savory meal she hungered for him, his touch, and his body.

Caroline pressed her lips against his again feeling her body bloom, moving from pleasant contentment to blatant hunger. She needed him.

Tyler smiled as he felt her lips pressing harder against his, her tongue seeking entrance. It was the first time they had any alone time. The Salvatores had finally left this morning, content that they had taught Caroline all they could and knowing that the sooner she got out there the better it would be. Tyler was grateful for their help but because of their caution and ever watchful eye this would be the first time making love to his wife since her accident and honestly it had been far too long. The thought that Caroline was a hell of a lot less breakable now than she used to be sent a jolt of arousal straight through his body. His hands moved up to her head grabbing fistfuls of hair as he pulled her on top of him.

Caroline gasped immediately grinding her hips down as she straddled him, feeling him hot and hard underneath her as he took his time, his tongue exploring every inch of her mouth. She gasped as she felt his tongue explore the pointed edge of her teeth. Her teeth that up until now she hadn't realized descended. She pulled back automatically trying to gain control so as not to freak him out. But her husband was having none of it.

"It's okay," he murmured into her ear before looking deeply into her eyes, "You've never looked more beautiful."

Caroline rolled her eyes at him but couldn't help the stupid smirk that crossed her face. She attacked his lips while raining kisses down his throat and slipping her hands under his shirt. Tyler ripped it off with no protest and allowed her to slowly kiss down his chest. She honestly wondered how long he would allow her the slow exploration. When she nipped at the soft skin underneath his navel, and started tracing that well defined v with her tongue, he growled and flipped her over. 'Not long then' she grinned as he kissed her.

Tyler removed their remaining clothes as Caroline arched helping. The look in his eyes when he saw her bared for the first time in weeks was flattering, his eyes darkening with desire. The way he kept kissing her as though she was the rarest find made a warmth bloom in her chest. She loved this man, no matter what and now that she had an eternity to show him she would make sure he never forgot it.

When Tyler finally entered her it was like coming home after being away for so long. And as they both erupted, screaming in delight Caroline knew that no matter what nothing could touch them.

Sometime later Caroline stirred when she heard her phone ring. Reaching over she picked it up and answered groggily, "Hello?"

"Blondie, we're all coming to you."

"What? Who is all?" she answered shaking Tyler awake.

"Everyone, including Alaric and Vanessa."

"Alaric and Vanessa are in town?" she asked as she watched Tyler open his eyes.

"Yes, we'll be there in less than five."

"I swear we need new friends. Ones that don't seem to have an aversion to us getting laid every once in a while." Tyler grumbled as he reached out pulling her in for a kiss.

Grinning at him she said, "Come on. Get up. They'll be here any minute."

By the time they got dressed and looked presentable four cars had pulled up in their driveway outside. Damon and Rose entered first. Jeremy and Bonnie came in next followed by Alaric Saltzman and Vanessa Munroe.

Alaric was the first to speak, his smile wry as he said, "Heard about the new upgrade. How are you?"

"Hungry," she deadpanned as Vanessa looked shocked and Alaric laughed.

"Glad to see you haven't lost your sense of humor," he answered back, clapping her on the back.

"So, what brings you by Ric?" it was Elena who asked. She still had a soft spot for the man who became her guardian when Jenna was killed.

"Jeremy called Vanessa and I about the Bellatorum after you guys defeated this sect," he answered.

"Sect?" it was Stefan.

"Yes. Based on Caroline's report there was a brotherhood. We found reports documented in the Early Modern period. They were 'inquisitors' who at the time were held in high regard. They were never given a name but as far as the documents go, they were seven of them taking point in seven European countries. They handled reports on vampires, werewolves and witches, neutralizing threats which was easier due to their enhanced abilities. And it was believed that when one was in trouble they all felt it."

Everyone in the room looked thoughtful and Caroline could practically hear Damon's teeth grinding as his jaw clenched.

"If these reports are true," Vanessa continued, "We're in trouble because they know a sect has been destroyed and because of that connection, they can tell where."

"What are you guys saying?" Tyler stepped forward looking alarmed as did all the others.

Caroline spoke confirming what they were all thinking, "They are coming for us."

Author's note: Hey guys, here's to hoping you enjoyed the final chapter. I just wanted to say thanks for sticking with this story. To those of you who have taken time to drop a line even just to tell me get my butt up and write, thanks so much. For those who followed and added this story as a favourite, eternal gratitude. Just the outtake which is to be posted and that's it. It has been a pleasure, truly!