Chapter 17

Stefan wasn't happy. That much was obvious to on lookers who watched the strange pair walking together, but keeping a relatively large distance between them. It was true – Stefan had never liked Tyler. In fact he despised him at the moment. He wasn't good for, Caroline. Countless times he had proven this by abandoning her, treating her like dirt and cheating on her with, Rebekah.

Stefan now had regrets – perhaps he should have let Damon kill him. That way none of the events that happened the previous year would have occurred. He'd never have to worry about getting a cure for Damon; perhaps he would have still felt the same for Elena. But then everything that had happened with Caroline – well it wouldn't have happened and truthfully he was a little torn over that. Did he regret what happened with Caroline? Yes he did but only because of the circumstances that they had discovered this unknown connection. After all he wasn't truly himself, he liked to think that the ripper was not him but then again denying it was not realistic. Because the ripper is him, well at least a part of him. So therefore it made this whole dilemma between them complicated, because he wanted her ripper or not and he was sure that she wanted him as well.

"Look let's try and be civil about this. We both know what you're thinking." Tyler's voice interrupted the mantra of his thoughts.

Stefan halted his movements. He realized that during his inner monologue, Tyler had steered them to a secluded area on the far side of the town square near the Grill.

"Really? What am I thinking?" Stefan asked sarcastically, he doubted that the mongrel knew much about anything.

Tyler grinned. He knew that Stefan was going to be hostile, hence the reason why he had lead him here in the first place. It was time to lay down the ground rules.

"You're thinking about Caroline and me. I made a mistake and Caroline forgave me and I'm doing everything in my power to make her happy again."

Stefan scoffed and folded his arms.

"You screw up too much when it comes to her. You should have done us all a favour and never have returned to Mystic Falls. If you care enough for her you'll prove it by letting her go. We both know that you weaselled your way back to her." Stefan answered.

Tyler's eyes darkened till they were shade of muddy black. Stefan could see the anger brewing within but he wasn't afraid.

"Now why would I do that? I have someone that I can see on a regular basis, a steady girlfriend who will love and adore me whenever I want and who knows maybe I can sneak around once or twice with other girls. That's the beauty of Caroline; she doesn't stay mad for long after all she is just desperate to have a boyfriend so that her social standing remains superior to the rest." Tyler liked his lips manically, goading Stefan into an argument.

And it worked. Stefan's usually calm demeanour snapped. He wrapped a hand around Tyler's neck and pushed him into the back of a car, so hard that the window of the car shattered against Tyler's back.

"What's stopping me from snapping your neck?" Stefan growled out, he could feel his fangs contracting and he was sure that his eyes were red.

Tyler gripped Stefan by his arm, which was around his neck and twisted it so that he was free from Stefan's grasp. He then retaliated by shoving Stefan in the same manner into the car. He grabbed Stefan by his shirt, his eyes glowing golden now.

"I'm stronger than you now. One bite and you're down under. Besides I'm Klaus's first successful prodigal of a hybrid, he cares for me and he made me who I am. He wouldn't be too happy if you killed me. After all he knows all about your sudden change of personality. He was disappointed so he gave me the duty of looking out for Elena. She's the key to more of us, how can I turn that down?" Tyler sniped.

Stefan glared at Tyler; he knew it was pointless to retaliate. Tyler continued:

"So be warned. I can make things very difficult for you. So leave Caroline alone – in fact tell her how much of a good man I am. She likes it when I play the good boyfriend."

Tyler loosened his grip and moved back.

"Enjoy the rest of you day." Tyler quipped as he shot Stefan a smug grin before walking off.

Stefan sighed and pulled away. It was pretty clear that Tyler was now Klaus obsessed and maybe it had something to do with the sire bond. Which meant that Caroline was in more danger than Elena – because who knows what would happen if Tyler snaps with Caroline or if Klaus uses her as bait to get to Elena. Tyler would do it, whether or not he had a choice.

Stefan pulled out his mobile and sent a text to Caroline.

We need to talk, ASAP.

He waited patiently for her to reply. He wasn't sure if she was going to reply or not but a few seconds later, her reply came through.

At the grill. Me nd Elena had a blowout.

Stefan breathed deeply. Had she told Elena about them? Regardless he needed to go to her, despite the fact that he was feeling uplifted, that perhaps he was now free from Elena for good. But he knew better to get his hopes up.

What am I thinking? Why the hell did I just tell him where I am – Caroline thought as she nursed herself with vodka. This whole day was just going to the dogs. First she see's Stefan and Elena, she hates Elena immediately and secretly tries to ignore the painful throb in her chest at seeing the pair. Then she and Elena have an argument – not about Stefan but about Damon of all people because she can't stand him. And now Stefan was on his way here, to talk to her?

She had no clue about what. But she knew better not to exceed her alcohol limit, clearly remembering what happened the last time. She had ended in his bed.

What's your excuse for the last time then? Her subconscious asked knowingly. Caroline pushed the thought back in her head. Within a few minutes after sending the text, Stefan was beside her at the bar. He took a seat alongside her. Caroline stared forward, refusing to look at him. That way she wouldn't be tempted. Yeah right, she thought. She was constantly tempted by him.

"You're not going to look at me then?" Stefan asked puzzled by her posture.

Caroline sighed and continued staring ahead of her. Don't cave in, don't look at those soulful eyes don't do it – she repeated to herself.

"Fine." Stefan continued. "This is about Tyler; he's dangerous you need to stay away from him."

At this Caroline sharply turned her head to the right and looked at him. Her belly clenched uneasily as she saw the look of worry on his face but she ignored it.

"What?"

"You heard me, Caroline. He's dangerous he's linked to Klaus, he's unpredictable now." Stefan nodded for the bartender.

Caroline stared at him as he orders himself a beer. She turned away when he then placed the bottle at his mouth and began drinking in a sensual way that made her belly tingle even more. Why the hell was she getting turned on at that?

Because you want those lips on you, Caroline groaned internally at the thought. She needed to stop with the perverted thoughts.

"How do you know? Did Tyler do something?" She asked out, squeaking at the end of her sentence. Damn she hated herself for that.

"Well he pretty much attacked me." Stefan shrugged his shoulders and placed his drink on the bar counter.

Caroline gasped.

"Are you hurt?" She immediately grabbed his arm and looked for any signs that he had been injured.

Stefan sucked in a breath at the contact. Caroline noticed and pulled away, before giving him a death stare.

"Did you hurt him?" She asked. That should have been the first thing she asked, not the other way around. Tyler was her boyfriend after all. Not Stefan.

"I wish I did. He's a threat now. He can't know about the plan with Elena. Have you told him anything?" Stefan asked.

Caroline shook her head.

"No I didn't. I haven't really had time to think about it. The whole plan and everything."

Stefan nodded before taking another sip from his drink. Had she not thought of it because she was aware that it would involve them being in close proximity with each other?

"Why did you and Elena fight? Did you tell her about us?" Stefan asked the question had been nagging him ever since he read her text.

Caroline gave him a puzzled look. Why would he think that? He knew them well enough to know that they did fight more than once on occasion.

"It was about the plan. Well more about Damon and how I think so highly of him." Caroline said sarcastically.

"Oh. We had a similar argument. Guess Damon's really doing his rounds today." He chuckled; Damon would love it if he knew that just his name alone was causing tension with everyone.

Caroline couldn't help but smile.

"Ugg he's so ..." Caroline rolled her eyes.

"So Damon." They both answered.

Caroline laughed nervously as she looked away. She missed this, just having a laugh with him about Damon. She couldn't do this. She couldn't sit here and pretend that nothing had happened, that things could be the same again. Because there was no turning back now, they couldn't be together without there being that tension hanging in the air between them.

"I think I should go." She said finally.

"You don't have to go." He answered quietly.

Caroline sighed and looked down at her hands.

"It's what we agreed on. This conversation shouldn't have happened in the first place."

"I don't want you to go." He whispered softly.

Caroline looked into his eyes and realized that she didn't want him to go either. She stood up and straightened her dress and watched as his eyes never once left her face as he looked at her with those eyes.

"Follow me." She answered and made her way towards the rest room.

An: Ok I just realized I may have been a little bit evil here – ending the chapter here hehehe. Okay was really hard for me to write Tyler getting the upper hand on Stefan but I promise his joy will be short-lived. Let's just say Tyler might come across ripper Stefan ... And I think I'll leave it there to stew a bit. Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and thanks again for the amazing response on the last chapter. Have a good weekend and a good Halloween! See you next week!