Tyler hadn't talked to his family in days. Not since Damon was in the hospital. They just made him incredibly angry. How dare they lay hands on his Damon?

It wasn't like he'd left Damon's side for anything but to eat - quickly- or take care of bodily functions - even quicker. He hadn't woken yet, but he was off life support. That was an improvement he supposed.

But his heart was beating.

He was breathing.

He was turning human. And Tyler didn't know what to do. Damon had always been unbreakable. Now he looked... paler than he had ever been.

He knew he desperately needed a shower, but the wolf in him refused to let him leave Damon's side.

He supposed he'd wash up quickly in the bathroom when Caroline came by with some clean clothes for him. It wasn't like the jeans and sweater he'd thrown on had been clean to start with.

~*~...

Caroline rang the bell by the door to the Lockwood mansion, tapping her petite foot impatiently. After a few seconds the door was opened by Mrs. Lockwood. "Caroline, so nice to see you -" she greeted.

"I wish I could say the same," Caroline glowered. "I'm only here to pick up some clothes for Tyler." she said, "He hasn't left Damon's bedside for five days and looks like the living dead."

"It's very unfortunate -"

"Oh shut up," Caroline said as she pushed her way in, "Tyler told me what you did. You're unbelivable. I can't believe you'd do that to Damon after everything he's done for this town!"

"Caroline-"

"No, I'm here just for Tyler," the blond said.

~*~...

Damon had woken up later that same afternoon. Tyler told himself that at least he did wake up. Right now he was sleeping at home in the Boarding house, and Tyler felt that he could finally release that breath he'd been holding for the past... he didn't even know.

He supposed it was damn lucky, considering it was the full moon tonight. Tyler stood over Damon's bed, watching him sleep. He shook his head. The man who was usually such a spitfire looked so... fragile. He looked so human. Placing a kiss on top of the raven black hair he grabbed his jacket and headed out. He needed to prepare for tonight.

~*~...

"Nothing!" Bonnie said and threw her hands up, "There is nothing, in the history of time, about a vampire becoming human!"

"Then keep looking," Stefan said and picked up another book, "We need to know what is happening to him."

Caroline nodded, "Why don't you check out Emily's diaries? There must be something on vampires there. If not, at least some juicy detail about human 1860's Damon," she winked.

Bonnie glared at her, but a second later a book came zooming through the air, landing neatly in her hand. "I'm doing this for Elena," she said warningly. "He might not be a full vampire anymore, but he's still Damon."

Caroline and Stefan shared a look.

~*~...

Tyler screamed in pain as his bones popped and rearranged themselves. He thought now that he was stronger that the transformation would hurt less. He paused briefly, running that thought over in his head a thousand times.

He was stronger... shit.

~*~...

It was nearing midnight as Caroline, Bonnie and Stefan joined Elena and Alaric at the Boarding house to compare notes. "How'd it go?" Alaric asked.

"We found nothing," Stefan sighed and dropped himself down on the couch. "It might not be the worst thing you know..."

Bonnie turned around, "How is this not bad? We need him to protect Elena from Klaus!" she yelled.

"Yes, we do," Stefan agreed, "But now we have Tyler, so we're not all out." he explained, "I'm just saying, it might not be the worst thing for Damon."

"How so?" Caroline asked, "He doesn't want to die, does he?"

"Heavens no," Stefan replied, "But Damon never wanted to be a vampire. When he was turned, he intended to die. He never wanted eternity. He wanted to live, have a family, be happy and then die."

"So why didn't he?"

Stefan shook his head, "It doesn't matter." How could he admit to his friends that he was the one who had forced Damon to turn?

"Stef-" Bonnie was cut off by a howl. A howl that was much closer than any of them were comfortable with.

"What was that?" Alaric asked.

"Sounded like... Tyler," Caroline whispered.

~*~