Chapter 6 – Didn't Your Mother Tell You Not To Play With Fire?

As Caroline pulled up into the makeshift parking lot near the beach, she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Tons of people had actually showed up to the party.

"This was definitely a great idea Car. Seems like not just our group of friends needed this, but everyone in Mystic Falls." Elena said from the backseat, giving her friend a pat on the back.

"Definitely. As long as everything goes smoothly tonight, I think the town will soon forget about the whole vampire thing. It's a good thing we found someplace near a beach this time so that people would avoid staying in the woods." Bonnie answered.

Caroline smiled. "Of course, we don't want to take any chances. It was only, what—a thirty minute drive? That's nothing. And besides, here we are, three best friends who have survived it all. I think it calls for some celebration!"

The three of them then got out of the car and made their way to where the huge bonfire was situated. As they approached they could see Stefan, Damon, Tyler and Matt drinking beer and joking around with each other.

"Who knew this could happen?" Elena commented, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

"I know right? I think I like this better than when they were at each other's throats. Why don't we get something to drink first? Cocktails ladies?" Bonnie said, looking to both her friends.

"Definitely. Let's go. I'm thirsty" Caroline replied.

Elena, Caroline and Bonnie grabbed some cocktails from the drinks table, which Caroline spiked with some animal blood for her and Elena before they made their way, once again, to the huge bonfire. Now Stefan wasn't with the group. He was sitting on the sand watching the waves crash in.

"Go. You know you want to." Caroline encouraged, squeezing Elena's hand. She smiles back before she makes her way across the beach and sits beside him, leaving Caroline and Bonnie walking to the rest of the group.

"Do you mind if I leave you for a little while Car? I think Jeremy just arrived." Bonnie asked, tugging at her arm.

Before Caroline could even say anything, Bonnie had already moved away. "I will explain later, I promise. Don't worry, Elena knows." She hurries to where Jeremy is standing and immediately wraps her arms around his neck. He leaned in towards her, and their foreheads meet. Caroline looked away before she could see anything else.

"Go figure. Back to Caroline being all alone again," she whispers to herself, before downing her whole cup of spiked Bloody Mary.

"No she's not," a familiar voice, whispers into her ear. As she turns around she finds Tyler standing right in front of her, smiling.

"Well you know, this time last year, you were kind of busy…"

He cocks his head to one side. "I know. I was such a dick back then. I should still be the alpha male around here but no – things have totally changed. I'm a lovesick puppy trying to impress the prettiest girl here. I even left Damon and Matt together – go figure. I wonder if my charms' working."

He leans in and kisses her softly on the lips before handing her another drink.

"Oh yes it is" Caroline replies, taking a sip from the new cup.

It didn't take Caroline long to realize that it was spiked with human blood. She couldn't help but take a step backward, lick her lips and look Tyler in the eye worriedly.

"Relax baby, it's not what you think. You can thank me later. We all need to be prepared in case anything happens."

Caroline sighs. He's right. It would be best to be prepared. But prepared for what? Once again thoughts of Klaus infiltrate her mind and she closes her eyes trying to forget about them.

"Are you okay?" he asks, breaking her thoughts.

She looks at Tyler, who had a confused and concerned look on his face, before forcing a smile. "Of course. Cheers!" Caroline decides to change the subject and both of them finish off their drinks.

"Do you want to dance?" Tyler asks afterwards, still suspicious over Caroline's actions.

"I thought you'd never ask." She replies, taking his hand and leading them closer to where the bonfire was. She could see Elena's arms wrapped around Stefan's neck, slow dancing, although the song that was playing was pretty upbeat. It was like they were in their own world. Jeremy and Bonnie, on the other hand, couldn't seem to keep their hands off of each other, and he had his arms wrapped tightly against her waist, crushing her to him. She definitely liked it.

Caroline, who was starting to feel a little dizzy over the two drinks she took, swayed awkwardly to the music at first but then she felt this heat creep up her body, this certain burn – like someone was looking at her, staring at her, and it made her feel seductive. She knew Tyler was there, but she felt like someone else was there as well. She no longer moved awkwardly, but found herself closing her eyes, swaying her hips to the beat, her hands traveling from her head down to her shoulders until she reached the helm of her skirt. She was slowly inching it upward, teasingly, before she let it go and ran her hands through her hair instead, tugging and twirling. She knew just the right places to touch.

In a matter of seconds, someone wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her to him. Without even looking at his face, her eyes still shut close; she turned around and moved against him. He grunted, his breath coming in fits. "Love."

Caroline recognized the voice almost immediately. She turned around, opened her eyes, expecting to see him, but there was no one. She ran her hands through her hair, searching left and right, but there was still no sign of Klaus Mickaelson. She knew it was his voice – she recognized it all too well. She couldn't be wrong. He was here. She walked across the sand, not wanting to alarm anyone until she was fairly certain, but then someone grabbed hold of her hand and pulled her back.

She looked up to find Tyler standing right in front of her.

"I thought we were going to dance baby. One minute you were dancing all seductively, the next you were gone. You do realize you're not supposed to show super speed in public right? Now we're at one of the smaller bonfires away from the gang. Hmmmmm but on second thought, I could use the privacy." Tyler explained, caressing her hand, which was still in his.

Before Caroline could say anything, his lips were on hers. He left go of her hand and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. She tried to gather her thoughts, but it was difficult when he was distracting her so. She wrapped her arms around his neck, playing with the hair on the back of his head, making him grunt with desire.

He teased her, licking her lips with his tongue and she couldn't help herself as her lips parted, wanting to taste him for herself. He bit her lower lip softly, tugging and teasing that she forgot all about Klaus. She traced her hands across his back and stopped when she reached the end of his shirt. She reached underneath until she felt his muscles tense and the heat radiating from his skin.

He let her go, and in a matter of seconds he had taken his shirt off and she was back in his arms again. He kissed her hair, teased her ear with his tongue, and traced his lips across her cheek until finally burying his head in her neck. She couldn't help but moan.

His hands were tugging at the straps of her tank top and as he kissed each of her shoulders one by one, he removed the straps until her top fell in a pool at her feet. She was now dressed only in her barely there bikini lace top and her skirt. He couldn't help but smile seductively at her.

Tyler lifted her into his arms, kissed her lips until they found themselves on the sand, Caroline seated on top of him. She could feel the evidence of his desire, and she knew at that moment she wanted him herself, but she couldn't help but wonder if it was only the alcohol.

He trailed kisses down the side of her neck until he reached her chest. He kissed her there, and it made her moan once again in desire. He closed his eyes and returned to making love to her neck while trying to undo the button of his pants.

At that very moment, though, as Caroline looked straight into the bonfire, she remembered what had happened earlier – Klaus. She instantly froze. She let go of him, broke free from his hold and stood, grabbing her top from the ground and putting it on.

"Caroline, what's wrong? Are you mad?" he asks, panting, trying to recover from what had just happened. He grabbed his shirt and put it back on. Tyler attempts to reach over to her but she backs away, cringing.

"Caroline, what did I do? Is it because we're here on the beach? I'm sorry okay. I just thought – " he began, but then threw his arms in the air enraged. "No on second thought, what is wrong Caroline? Can YOU please tell me instead? This keeps happening to us and I keep apologizing for it, but I'm starting to think that there's something you aren't telling me. I won't apologize for trying to make love to the woman I care about. There's a wall between us Caroline and I don't know why. I just…."

"Jesus. Can you just tell me what is going on so I can fix it? I can't keep doing this," he says in a louder voice, and Caroline could tell he was hurt.

She shakes her head. "Noth-."

"Nothing. So there's a wall between us for nothing. Dammit, you know what? Can you call me when the real Caroline is back in your body? Because this person – this person who keeps things from me – this isn't you." He says, pointing at Caroline before walking away from her and making his way back up to the huge bonfire where the rest of the crowd was.

Caroline was left alone with her thoughts. As she sat down on the sand and faced the fire that was slowly dying down she knew she should go after him, but her body didn't seem to cooperate—especially her heart. He needed time to cool off while she needed time to figure things out. She couldn't keep hurting him this way. She couldn't be that cruel.

"Car, are you okay?" Elena asked, interrupting her thoughts.

She wrapped her arms around her friend and pulled her in for a hug. "It's complicated."

Elena let her go and sat beside her. "Complicated how? Is this about what you said the other day?"

Caroline nodded. "But it's not just that. I haven't been myself lately, and I don't know if I feel the same way about Tyler as I thought I did. After everything that's happened, can you honestly tell me that the way you feel for Stefan hasn't changed?"

Elena kicked back some of the sand and then looked her friend in the eye. "I think every relationship is different. I can't say it hasn't changed when I haven't even figured it out yet. There's too much going on."

"Exactly. I just – I need time. And clarity."

"Well with time comes clarity, if you know the right places to look" Bonnie continues, taking a seat on the other side of Caroline. "Tyler tried to pick a fight with some random guy – for no reason at all. It was a good thing Matt stopped him in time. He could've broken the guys' skull in seconds. That's why we rushed here as soon as we could. Are you sure you're okay?"

"I don't know. Really guys, I appreciate what you're trying to do here, but I still can't quite figure out how to explain everything and the way that I feel." Caroline confessed.

"You know what – enough with vampires, originals, hybrids and worrying about our futures. Let's live in the now and I know just the thing we can do." Elena proclaims, standing up. She kicks off her slippers and takes off her dress, leaving her clad in her bikini.

"No way. Are you thinking what I think you're thinking?" Caroline asks.

"Yes. Let's go skinny dipping!"

Bonnie mouth dropped open in shock.

"Is this the same Elena Gilbert we went to high school with? She's actually wilder then we knew." Caroline said, grinning.

Elena pulled both of her friends to their feet. "Come on guys. This is to our new and improved, courageous and bolder selves. We've always wanted to do it – why not now?"

Caroline and Bonnie couldn't help but agree with her. They stripped out of their clothing. As soon as the three girls reached the end of the beach where the waves crash in, they removed the rest of their swimwear.

"Last one in the water buys us coffee afterwards!"

Altogether the three of them run into the ocean and dive into its freezing waters.

"Oh my –" Bonnie screams, as soon as she finds the surface. "Its coo-ld" she manages to say, her teeth chattering.

"I don't feel anything." Caroline said, splashing Elena, who splashes her back.

"Vampire—ss" Bonnie whispers. "Un—fair." She then makes a spell that allows her to resist the cold waters. "Much better"

As soon as Caroline and Elena realize this, they splash Bonnie as well, until she sputters out water. She splashes them back and the three of them can't help but laugh. If this was what normal was going to be like for them, Caroline knew that they all could get used to it.

"I can't believe we just did this. We better get back though, before the boys try to find us. We might not be able to get out of the water then!" Elena explained, paddling herself back to shore.

Caroline and Bonnie follow. As soon as they are on the beach, they grab their bikinis and make their way to the fire, where they decide to get warm and dressed. They shake off some of the water from their hair while they put their bikinis back on.

"Oh my gosh" a male voice suddenly says from the shadows, interrupting them. They cringe, covering up their bodies instinctively. Caroline slips on her tank top and skirt while both Bonnie and Elena get into their dresses hurriedly.

When they turn to where they heard the voice, they find a man slowly making his way towards them. He seemed to be drunk. Caroline stands in front of both of her friends, trying to protect them, but then backs down when she realizes whom it was.

"Matt, how long have you been there? I can't believe you saw all of us—"

Caroline could feel her face turn bright red. She could imagine the same embarrassment for Elena and Bonnie. "Um, no, I won't remember this in the morning." he says, before he keels over and throws up.

The girls looked at each other and instead of being all embarrassed after what happened they realized he was probably right. "Elena and Bonnie, I've got this. You have to tell the boys that Matt might need a right home, and one of you has to make sure no other student has wandered off drunk. We don't want any more accidents."

Elena and Bonnie did what they were told. They made their way back to the party as fast as they possibly could. Caroline, on the other hand, went over to Matt and taking off her tank top, she used it to wipe his face.

She then led Matt with her slowly and together they sat down on the sand near the fire. Matt leaned his head against Caroline's shoulder. "Caroline what happened? You liked me and then you liked Tyler but I'm starting to get the feeling that you don't like him either. He's not a playboy anymore Car. With you he's serious – so even though I don't owe him or you anything especially after what happened, I just don't want either of you to get hurt. Don't do this – don't force what you don't want." Matt starts babbling, trying to give his friend some advice.

Caroline smiles. She always cared about Matt and she knew just how much he cared as well, and how much he knew her. "It's not that."

Matt looked at her quizzically. "What then? You've always been hard to read Caroline but the best thing you can do – and I know you will because you care – is to tell him. Don't –"

He passes out before he could even finish his sentence. Caroline puts his arm around him, leaning her head on top of his. "Thanks Matt." She then remembers what had happened earlier, the voice that she heard – Klaus. She didn't know what was real anymore, but she knew she had to figure it out.

"Tell me this isn't for real Caroline. Is this what you've been hiding from me? Matt?"

Caroline looks up to find Tyler standing in front of her, his arms folded across his chest. She was only clad in her bikini top and skirt. Judging from the look on his face, he had the wrong idea of what was going on.

"No Tyler. Of course not. It's complicated. I feel confused with everything that's happening but not about Matt. He's drunk, and we had to make sure he was okay. Didn't Elena tell you?" She didn't answer his question directly, but it was the truth.

Tyler reached over and lifted Matt in a fireman's carry. "I just wanted to make sure. I'll take Matt home. I'm sorry for what happened earlier. Can we forget about it? I just had a little too much to drink and I might have gone overboard. You've just been through a lot. I'm here and I understand."

Caroline frowned. "Tyler you don't understand. You're not listening."

Tyler lifted a hand and cradled her face "No Caroline, you aren't. Don't worry about anything. We're fine. Everything between us is fine. I'll see you at home. Elena and the rest of the gang will take care of the party. I told them we might have other plans after dealing with matt. Anyway, take all the time you need baby."

Tyler carries Matt and makes his way to his car, leaving Caroline alone on the beach. Ugh how complicated. She needed to get away. Staying in Mystic Falls wasn't helping her – all this "normal" wasn't doing her any good, just making her even more confused.

"Why are you here all by yourself Caroline? It isn't safe."

Caroline finds her mother walking towards her, probably from patrolling the beach but Caroline was still surprised to see her. "What are you doing here mom? Umm, I just – I needed some time to think."

"I'm patrolling the party – what you should be doing as well." The sheriff explained. "I saw Tyler take Matt home. Bonnie and Elena are sobering up some of your classmates that are drunk. I don't want to have to worry about you, please don't stay here all by yourself."

"Mom, you know I can defend myself-"

"You almost got killed." Her mom cut her off.

"Fine, I think I'll head home then. I'm really tired. Looks like there will be no disturbance tonight." She slowly made her way up the beach and towards the parking lot.

"Not on my account! Oh before I forget, I have something for you. Let's just say it is an end-of-summer gift from your dad and me! Yes, he left us some money and I decided to use it for the one thing he cared about most in this world, what we both care about– and that's you."

Caroline hurried over to her mother and gave her a tight squeeze.

"Thanks, you know you didn't have to!"

"No matter what, you're my Caroline and I'll always love you." her mother whispered softly before letting her go and heading back to the party.

"Please say bye to Elena and the rest for me!" Caroline hollered. She couldn't help but smile. Her mother has been really sweet to her lately, especially after her father died—and the fact that she had almost died as well.

If her mother only knew what else she had been going through.

Caroline,

Someday you might need this. When you're ready. Use it wisely.

Love,

Mom and Dad

Caroline tore open the envelope attached to the note and found a plane ticket. The instructions said she could use it anytime and she could fly anywhere as long as there were seats available. She just needed to inform the airline at least an hour before the flight. It was only for one person – not that she thought of bringing anybody – but still.

She couldn't believe what she was holding. This was her ticket out. Her mother actually knew what she was going through, or if not, it was simply a wonderful coincidence. This was the break she badly needed, the time she could use wisely to think. It was perfect. She could just imagine being halfway around the world – in London or Paris – and it made her smile. Anywhere out of Mystic Falls would be a treat.

After everything that they had been through, especially after she had turned, Caroline didn't know what she wanted to do with her life. After the whole Originals debacle, she felt even more confused. Now that Elena was a vampire, Bonnie was a witch, Tyler was a hybrid – everything seemed to be turned upside down. And Klaus – well she didn't know what to think about that. As much as she tried to push him away, he always seemed to come back.

She needed to get away from it all. She just wanted to be alone with her thoughts. She could no longer take this confusion; Caroline had enough. This was the break she wished for - needed more than anything else.

Without even thinking twice she grabbed her cellphone and dialed.

"Hello, this is American Airlines, how can I help you?"