Okay, here's chapter ten! I hope you all like it, it's mostly Caitlyn's thoughts, but the next chapter is much more interesting so I'll try to update soon! Please review!

Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot! ________________________________________________________________________

Chapter 10: Compare and Contrast

Footsteps were muffled by the soft sand as Caitlyn walked along the beach. Shoes had been discarded awhile back, and she wrote a mental note to remember to retrieve them before heading back.

She was feeling restless and didn't even noticed the sun's beautiful sunset, colorful rays of light shooting across the sky and reflecting off the lake's water. The orange globe seemed to sink quickly into the lake's horizon, almost as if it were drowning in the water as it disappeared suddenly, blanketing the world in peaceful darkness.

The beach was narrow and the sand wasn't soft as it was by the ocean. The sand was gritty and cold, the water's edge barely lapping the small shore. There weren't often strong currents on a lake as there were at the ocean.

Caitlyn noticed none of this, however, her mind being much farther off and focused on other things. She was feeling anxious about something, but didn't know exactly what it was.

Suddenly, Nate was walking beside her, matching her slow, thoughtful, almost sad steps in the sand. She kept her eyes on her bare feet, her toenails painted a bright green. This was whom she was supposed to feel perfect with.

"Something wrong, Caity?" Nate breathed, sliding his warm hand around hers and stopping his walking to make her face him. Forcing herself from biting her lip and answering with an honest "yes", Caitlyn merely put on a small smile.

"Just thinking." She replied softly, very aware of his strongly curious gaze on her face, and for a moment Caitlyn wondered if maybe he knew everything. Her stomach did a somersault at this thought, but she calmed herself down, knowing it was a silly worry.

After a moment of peaceful silence, Caitlyn felt Nate's smooth palm against her cheek, the thoughtful and concerned look never leaving his face as he brushed his thumb against her skin.

"Caitlyn…" he whispered, voice cracking with emotion as he drew himself closer to her. Silently, Caitlyn wondered what he was doing and felt suddenly very nervous as his nearness.

And in a moment of overwhelming emotions, Nate gently tilted her chin upward before leaning down and pressing a chaste kiss onto her lips, lingering a moment before pulling away to rest his forehead against hers.

Caitlyn smiled to him shakily, lips burning from the first kiss with Nate and cheeks heating up. There was an awkward moment, but after a second she leaned against his chest and wrapped an arm around him, the other hand clinging to the front of his shirt.

Tears were begging to fall, but she wouldn't let them. How could she have gotten herself into this mess? Nate was so sweet, caring and faithful, and Shane was brash, exciting, and passionate.

Pressing her face into Nate's shirt, Caitlyn's mind began to race. She couldn't keep doing this-she had to choose one of them. As her thoughts spun and she chewed nervously on her lip, she breathed deeply.

Nate smelled like clean cotton and fresh autumn days. His touch was always loving and gentle, eyes clearly showing his affection, and his smile was like a faint touch of affection in her mind. Her mind swerved to think of Shane.

Shane smelled like peppermint and cool, rainy days. His touch was rougher but passionate and caring, eyes glowing with excitement and fondness, and his smile was beautiful and affected her like a strong wind.

Nate spoke softly, shyly, and elegantly of his feelings for her, while Shane sounded nervous, but sure and strong. Nate held her in his arms firmly but carefully as if she were an angel to be gentle with, but also never wanted to let go. Shane held her in his arms tightly, strong arms keeping her strongly against his chest, possessive and as if he was scared she would disappear.

Nate looked at her with strong affection, but Shane secretly gazed at her with burning passion. Nate called her Caity and sounded as though he felt it an honor he was allowed to call her such a silly name, and it made her feel like something special. Shane called her Caity when they were alone, and he made it sound like he enjoyed the feel of then nickname rolling off of his own tongue for a change, and it made Caitlyn feel as though she was worth the trouble.

Nate held her hand firmly, but softly as if he were afraid of hurting her and knew she wouldn't go anywhere without him. Shane held her hand tightly-almost squeezing- as if he was afraid she was just a dream come true and would evaporate as quickly as she had come to him.

Nate whispered that she was like the stars decorating the dark sky of his life, and he promised never to let her fall with out him by her side. Shane breathed into her ear, saying she was the sun bringing light into his world, and that he hoped she would never set and bring his world into darkness again.

Nate had complete confidence in her, trusting her completely, and was obviously elated to have her to himself, thankful he was so blessed with her. Shane would cling to her, knowing that she could wake up the next day and decide to leave him, and he was thankful all over again each and every day he could feel her in his arms, wondering what he would do if she slipped away.

Nate cared for her strongly, beautifully and romantically. Shane cared for her desperately, passionately, and urgently.

All these thought passed through Caitlyn's mind, memories playing behind her closed eyelids as she listened to Nate's soft breathing. Feeling the rise and fall of his chest helped her to calm down, and actually have confidence that she could choose.

Someone's heart was going to be broken because of this mistake. One of the three of them was going to be hurt deeply and possibly permanently. There would be tears and tribulation. There would be pain and maybe yelling. Either choice would hurt her deeply, just by hurting one of them-or both. There would be discord for the first time between the very close brothers. There would be words of hate, caring, disbelief, hurt, scorn, and many other emotions. It would be a strong and never forgotten storm.

And it was all her fault.

I'd love to see what you think! Reviews are greatly appreciated!

(Any Caitlyn/Shane fans might be interested in my new oneshot called "Let's Not")