During 2x22

As soon as Stefan took her in his arms, Caroline could sense that something was really wrong.

He had just arrived at her house and he kissed her, and she could actually taste the desperation in his kiss...and God, what a kiss that was. If she had had known earlier how amazing he was able to make her feel, Caroline would have fight for him a long time ago.

She responded to his kiss eagerly, needing to release the pressure after all those horrific events. He pressed his forehead against hers and she asked, "What's going on, Stefan?"

He sighed, opened his mouth to talk and then suddenly stiffened. "You're not alone."

"No, Tyler's with me. He's still pretty shaken up. We all are, I guess."

She took a step back when she saw a look of fury crossing Stefan's face. Instinctively she put her hand on his cheek with a questioning gaze. "Stefan? What happened?" There was a clear look of worry on her face now, and he let go of his anger to watch her with tenderness that she hadn't witnessed before. He gently caressed her hair.

"It's ok. I just need to talk to him."

She took him in the living room where Tyler sat on the couch. He stood up upon seeing Stefan. "Hey," he greeted him. "How are Elena and Jer?"

"They're fine. As fine as can be considering the circumstances."

Tyler nodded and crossed his arm, not really knowing what to say. Caroline looked from one guy to the other, her uneasiness growing by the minute.

Stefan took a deep breath. "Listen...there's no easy way to say this, so...when you fought with Damon the other night...you bit him."

It took a few seconds to Caroline and Tyler to process what Stefan had just said. Then they both became livid, understanding the implications.

"Oh man..." Tyler muttered.

"My God," Caroline whispered, putting her hand on her mouth. "But he was trying to save Matt and me!"

Stefan laughed bitterly. "I've been dreaming of Damon doing one selfless thing for years, and just when he does...this is just not fair," he finished in a lower tone.

Tyler had sat back, too shocked to utter a single word. Stefan looked at him and could tell how devastated he was. But somehow he couldn't bring himself to care.

All these years he had prided himself for staying in touch with his human emotions, even if Damon was regularly mocking him for his brooding attitude. And now he should have feel pity upon seeing the young man like this.

Only he didn't. Because all he could see right now was the werewolf responsible for his brother dying. The only emotion he could feel was a blind rage, one that took all his willpower not to act on it. He was only doing it out of respect and love for Caroline. She cared about Tyler, even if the idea of her spending some time with him completely freaked Stefan out. But he also admired the way she had helped her friend when he had started to turn, and remembered how hurt she had been when he had left town. So for her sake he wouldn't stand in the way, even if it meant fearing for her safety every minute of every day.

"I just don't know what to say," Tyler finally rose up again from the couch. 'I mean, I'm sorry, but I know how ridiculous that sounds considering what happened." He sent a pleading look to Caroline. "I wish I was better at controlling myself, but I'm still learning."

Caroline took Stefan's hand and squeezed it, praying silently for his understanding despite the situation. After all it was not so long ago that she was the one killing people, and Stefan had been there to help and not judge. None of them were responsible for what they were. It had been inflicted on them and they were trying to adjust everyday. Hell, even Stefan was still trying to adjust sometimes after 145 years. They were bound to make mistakes.

Except that particular mistake was going to cost Damon his life.

Stefan held on to Caroline's hand to stay grounded while addressing Tyler. "There may be something you can do," he said.

"Anything."

"Go home and and do some digging through your dad and uncle'stuff. I don't know, we might find something about a cure."

"I'll do that right now," Tyler answered, seemingly relieved to be able to do something to help...and also escape Stefan's scathing glare. "I'll call you as soon as I got something."

Stefan nodded, and still didn't let go of Caroline's hand when Tyler hugged her quickly before leaving.

Once they were alone, he put his hands through his hair and on his face, trying to ease the tension caused by all his restraint.

"How's Damon right now?" Caroline asked softly, her heart breaking at seeing him in that state. God knew Damon had put her through some stressful times, but she had never wish for him to die, and certainly not that way. Elena had told her what had happened with Rose.

"He took his ring off and tried to incinerate himself. I had to lock him up in the basement," he answered, his voice weary, his look defeated. She closed the distance between them, embracing him and trying to bring him some comfort, but all of this was ruined when she started crying. Stefan wrapped his arms around her and held her close, burying his face in her neck. They had been through so much in such a short space of time, that all that was left was exhaustion and discouragement.

"Do you really think Tyler might find something?" she asked after a moment.

"No. I just wanted him out of here," he admitted, looking at her with a sudden frightening intensity. He pressed his lips to hers with a demanding insistence. So far things between them had been rather sweet and PG-rated, but he obviously wanted to take things to a new level. And Caroline was definitely on board with that. Because they needed each other so much right now. Ad because she loved him.

Their kisses became passionate, their bodies in exquisite harmony with one another, understanding exactly what the other wanted and needed. But because he was Stefan – and she loved him even more for that – he stopped and looked at her with such gentleness and love that her dead heart swelled in her chest.

"Are you sure about this?"

She gave him her trademark bright smile, before grabbing his head for another searing kiss. And for a short while they lost themselves in each other, pretending that that world didn't exist outside of Caroline's bedroom walls.