Chapter 16

Caroline wasn't prepared for the feelings that threatened to surface. Why did she have to run into them? She'd been like a see-saw of emotions lately, the guilt, shame and longing had all wreaked havoc on her and had left her in a delicate state. Then there were things with Tyler. She hadn't truly forgiven him and she flinched every time he touched her. His hand that was now on the side of her hip, digging deep into her flesh trying to claim her as his for the entire world to see. The truth was she wasn't his. She knew on some primal inner workings of her mind that she belonged to Stefan.

Standing before him now with Tyler at her side, it had made her feel like a school girl that had been caught doing something bad. The shock had passed from his posture but she could see his nostrils flaring, the way his chest was tightening up beneath his shirt and how his green eyes looked as if there was a storm brewing within him.

"Hey guys." Elena smiled happily, oblivious to the tension between her boyfriend and friend.

Caroline forced a smile. This is what they had wanted – to go their separate ways to be with the ones they were supposed to love.

"Elena ... Stefan." Caroline greeted, avoiding his stare that was now directly on Tyler's hand that was on her hip.

"I didn't know you guys were coming to the market today. You sent a text to me to say that you didn't want to tag along with me and Stefan?" Elena asked confusion etched on her features.

Caroline shifted awkwardly aware that all eyes were on her, especially his.

"I wasn't planning on coming but Tyler stopped by at my house this morning and suggested we go." She mumbled.

Secretly she had been hoping that they would have left by the time they got there, but fate had another plan in mind.

Tyler squeezed her tighter and Caroline couldn't help the small squeak that passed through her lips. Tyler was being a pompous jerk now that he was much stronger than her; he had to prove it over and over to her. Frankly she couldn't have cared less – she was a sure punch to his nose would still hurt if she threw enough force behind her punch.

"I had to spoil my princess today." Tyler chuckled.

Caroline wanted to roll her eyes at the comment. Yeah she was his princess now because he had messed up badly and now it was time to butter her up in front of her best friend. Tyler knew that she wouldn't have told Elena and Bonnie about the cheating because she couldn't dread to see the pity in their eyes. The only person who knew besides them and Rebekah was Stefan. And if looks could kill, she was sure that Tyler would be pushing up daisies already.

Elena cooed in delight at Tyler's charm.

"Tyler you're such at catch – Caroline is so lucky to have you Tyler. Don't you agree, Stefan?" Elena nudged Stefan.

"Yes he is lucky." Stefan corrected through gritted teeth.

Caroline glanced down at the floor at this comment. Talk about awkward. Tyler had caught on with Stefan's hostility; he raised his eyebrows up in surprise. Seemed the younger Salvatore brother wasn't too happy about his renewed status with Caroline. He would just have to try and butter him up. After all he knew how close, Caroline was with him and the last thing he wanted was for Stefan to whisper little doubts about Tyler to her.

"Why don't we let the woman talk?" Tyler suggested.

Stefan just glared icily at him. Tyler continued:

"I saw there was wicked football memorabilia back there, perhaps we should go and check it out."

Elena jumped in before Stefan could decline the mutt's request.

"That would be great. That way we girls can talk about things that are definitely not for the boys ears."

Before anyone could argue, Elena dragged Caroline away. Caroline looked back over her shoulder and watched as both Stefan and Tyler looked at her. Tyler looked too cocky and Stefan looked at her with those longing eyes. Question was, was she giving him the same look right now?

Caroline couldn't help the unease that was rising in her belly. What if Stefan and Tyler were busy ripping each other's throats out? She was certain that the last thing Stefan wanted to do was to be in Tyler's company. Even before this thing had happened between them, Stefan had strongly disapproved of Tyler and her relationship. When they would go to the grill together he would tell her that she deserved better than Tyler. That he had no excuse for leaving her locked up in that cage with Jules and her werewolf buddies. She remembered how he had come to her door to check up on her. She had been so taken back and overwhelmed and then he had gone and done something, so Stefan like, he had called Elena and Bonnie so that they could have a sleep over, so that she wouldn't have to sit and wallow to herself. He truly was concerned about her well being and she had never been so grateful in her life to know someone as caring as him. Caroline couldn't help but wonder if the feelings had always been there between them, that maybe this thing hadn't just started recently, perhaps it had been there all along?

"So what's up?" Elena asked, breaking Caroline's train of thought.

Caroline glanced sideways towards Elena. Oh how she wanted to confide in someone, someone that she could tell about this whole messed up situation. But she supposed confiding in Elena was no longer option she could just picture the conversation : Hey guess what Elena , Stefan and I have slept with each other twice and there is this strange connection between us and I just want to jump him all the time. Yeah that wouldn't break a friendship up, Caroline thought sarcastically. This was something that she had to deal with on her own.

"Not much and you?" Caroline replied. What else could she say?

Elena gave Caroline a puzzled look.

"Caroline Forbes not having anything on her agenda? Who knew?" Elena laughed.

Oh how wrong she was, Caroline thought.

"The whole agenda thing just fizzled out. No expectations anymore I'm just letting the chips fall where they may." Caroline lied.

"Care, are you alright? I mean I've never seen you like this before. Well that's not true; I guess you were like that when Dawson's Creek and Friends ended." Elena mused.

"Like what?" Caroline asked puzzled.

"So glum." Elena replied.

Caroline shrugged her shoulders, come on let's give a good lie she thought.

"I promise if it was something you needed to know, I would tell you." And what was on her mind, it didn't concern Elena and it was something that she didn't need to know. Hopefully not ever.

Elena nodded and the pair continued to move around the stalls, looking at all the items displayed. They were in a dress stall when Elena turned to Caroline and asked:

"Did Damon fill you in on the plan? You know us all finding somewhere safe to stay?"

Caroline placed the scarlet dress back on its hanger before turning to Elena. Scarlet was just not her colour it made her feel like a vixen, a fornicating vixen that sleeps with her best friend's boyfriends.

"I just got a text saying, Barbie pack your things, we might be leaving soon. That's about it. I didn't bother to reply. It's Damon after all."

Elena scoffed and shook her head.

"What was that for?" Caroline asked sarcastically.

"You and Stefan. You both have this way of saying Damon that makes it sound like he's some kind of menace just by saying his name alone."

"He is a menace more like a pest most days. Damon stands for arrogant and entitled assholes around the world. He's their leader." Caroline said firmly, her voice not faltering.

She couldn't help but think of his words: "It's always going to be, Elena."

"Come on, Care, that's kind of harsh." Elena said sternly.

Caroline almost growled out in frustration at her friend.

"What is it with you? Are you really that blind to see what is in front of you? I mean I won't lie, I'm sure Damon has his good qualities somewhere deep in his dark heart. They're rare but that's the thing, when it comes to you and him and what he will do for you, that's what makes him become this emotionless thug who will do anything for you and damn the consequence of the people around him." Caroline said angrily.

Elena stiffened.

"Wow, low blow Caroline. I didn't know you felt that way." Elena said angrily as she stormed out the stall.

Caroline sighed. She was just being honest but being honest with Elena never ended well. Caroline ran a hand through her blonde hair leaving the tresses tangled. Was this how it was going to be? Because she can't have what she wants so she'll just be miserable? If that was the case then she needed a drink.

An: So not much Steroline in this chapter but I can promise the next few chapters there will be Steroline so don't fear hehehe. Next chapter Tyler and Stefan ... You'll have to find out Thursday what happens between those two. And just as a side note; my voice is still suffering due to the amount of screaming that took place when I watched the latest episode of Vampire Diaries! Is it just me or is an amnesia Stefan kinda fun and adorable?

I hope the Vampire Diaries writers do more scenes between the two and that Tyler and Jesse just disappear out the storyline and six feet under! Ok so I just had another rant but sometimes it's good to let loose. Thank you guys for all your support on the last chapter and P.S I love the reviews each of them mean the world to me. So hope this chapter will sustain you till Thursday!