SAFEST HAVEN

by Carla Krushnic

I'd say the story will get interesting around Chapter 8! :)

Author's Note: This is my first story I will write in the site. I hope you will like and enjoy it! This story begins after Esther and Finn's disappearance in 3x15. But I won't really stick into the original storyline as there might be some detail changes due to my oc, Victoria Chase's presence. She will be building a romance relationship with Kol Mikaelson in the story. But this story does not just include romance; there might will be some conflicts occurrences and many more. I have also named the ship of Kol and Victoria as Koria. I have been officially in love with this ship since I was writing their scenes for the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own The Vampire Diaries or the characters, except Victoria and some other ocs I made.

Rating: Rated T for now. There might be possibilities of rating changes — because there will be contents that might not suitable for certain people in later chapters. But it won't be MA after all.

Chapter 1: Victoria

My life story begins centuries ago, building a harmonic and peaceful family together with my parents, and siblings in a small village. I was born to be the fourth son out of six children. It was supposed to be seven, but my brother told me that he died at a very young age of a plague. Everything is peaceful until my brothers, Nik and Henrik, snuck out to see the wolves transformations as Nik told us—and Henrik ended up dead. This is where my life changes, as my mother turned me and my siblings into an immortal and heartless dangerous being, that consumes blood, humans blood.

I would honestly tell that I love being what I am right now. I'm loving all of these—including my gifts after I got turned. It was like, this is what I was truly born for, although being heartless is one of our typical characteristics. But then this girl came into my life. The girl that looked exactly like the girl that Nik is currently chasing for his need. I thought it was really her, but I was wrong—she is a completely different person than the other dopplegangers my brother is looking for. She undirectly taught me about love that I have never want to feel or even just interested into before.

But I realize, forever can't guarantee how close we will be—perhaps if I know it would end up like this, I won't decided to talk to her that time when I first saw her. But after all, it all happened, and nothing can take all of it back. I'm still glad I have her, it's like she is a missing puzzle of my heart—and I couldn't get rid of her. Is this what will happen when I get to fall in love? Why am I developing such feelings while I have never do?

9:00PM was never referred to as late for the city that never sleep. Kol, who just came to the city this afternoon, immediately entered the bar that he knows as the most favourite and famous bar in the night world of New York. He had been confirming that he is going to separate himself from his family business for a specific period of time he have decided before he left. Something suddenly caught his interest when the first time he entered the bar and he needs to find out about it. "Vodka please, ma'am." he ordered to the bartender who seems to attracted to Kol at the first sight while he was still busy looking around, finding the one he is looking for, that have caught his interest to stay in the bar. Boom! He got eyes on someone looks familiar to him as the bartender handed him the vodka he ordered earlier.

After having the vodka for one gulp, he realized that the young lady he laid his eyes on looks exactly like the doppleganger Elena in his town, Mystic Falls, who seems have been avoiding his obsessive brother. And she was also like the girl his brother used to run after to, Katerina. Was she here because she ran from Klaus? No, she could not be that fast—but then who is this young lady? That questions kept haunting Kol's head—not wanting to get rid of his head. He decided to keep watching every move of this young lady before he get to meet her personally. "It is not possible," he muttered quietly at himself—still not believing if there was another doppleganger or it is Elena running away—or either it's Katerina, posing as Elena with that straight hair. After thinking for like 5 minutes, he have decided to walk over the lady who is 10 steps away from his seat.

"Greeting, miss. May I?" He asked with a smirk, pointing to the empty seat next to hers, as if he is asking to sit beside her. The young lady whose hand is holding a glass of tequilla, turned to him and with a nod, she quickly replied in an instant. "Oh, yeah, sure!" She said, letting Kol to sit beside her. Kol's curious feeling kept growing bigger—who is she? But he didn't sense any fear from the girl like what Elena or Katherine have expressed when they met Kol. "If I may know, what is your name? I'm Kol, Kol Mikaelson." He started the introduction with his charm, hopes to get a good reply from her is haunting him right now, but the last time he checked; none can get rid of Kol after talking to him.

"Well, I'm Victoria Chase. Nice to meet you, Kol." She replied while forming a grin.

It wasn't Elena or Katherine. Not even another Pierce or Gilbert—but a Chase. With the same face as the two, pretty much the same. "Pleasure to meet you, Victoria. Are you new here?" He questioned, trying to search of her eyes who haven't formerly meet his. "Nope, I've been here since a year ago. I didn't see you quite a lot here, are you new?" She asked after she drank her tequilla as he was still watching her. He realized, even though she was seem to be rather quiet; when she speak, her voice was no way shy. And he loved it. For her, being silent didn't mean she wasn't confident; she was actually quite the opposite, it's just she doesn't like to talk much to strangers.

"I didn't visit New York quite often. This is actually the third time I came here." She finally let her eyes meet his as he spoke—old classic english accent... She loved that accent and have always wanted to meet someone who has such accents, to be honest, but it seems hard nowadays to meet such people.

"Ah, alright, I see." She said finishing her tequilla and quickly stood up. "Excuse me but I gotta go. Nice talking to you,"

Kol stood up and went after Victoria who was walking to the exit door, "Hey, hey, want me to walk you home? I would like to, if you want." Kol offered with a charming smile. "No thanks, I'm fine." She confirmed as she shook her head. "Oh, come on, Victoria. You shouldn't probably be walking all alone at night." He tried once again.

She groaned quietly but ended up smiling at the guy she just met who struggles to walk her home. "Ah... fine. I lived in a flat right two blocks away. Let's go then,"

He was happy that at least he can see her face for the last time tonight. "Sure, I can walk you there Victoria." He smirked, putting his hands on his pocket. "Why are you so kind to me? It's hard to find good friends nowadays. I mean, we just met," she turned to him.

"What's wrong being kind to people?" He formed another smirk—a sexy smirk, she could tell. "Well, nothing's wrong, but... Nevermind." She said.

After a little short trip to the flat, they have finally arrived—which means it's now time for Kol to leave her. "Thanks for walking me home. I appreciated that. See you again next time, Kol. Good night." She smiled widely—probably for the last time—and probably not.

"Pleasure is all mine. And, good night." He eyed her while kissing her hand before he could leave the flat. No, something went wrong with him. Why wouldn't him tell his brother there is another doppelganger? There must be a reason, and the problem is... Kol himself didn't know what is the reason.

The Next Day

The café was a little crowded today—different from yesterdays when Victoria visited—quiet and calm. She took the seat near the window, and ordered a cup of tea to accompany her and her book today. I'm Kol, Kol Mikaelson. That quote keep surrounding her head—why would she think of the guy she barely knows? All of her thoughts were distracted when the waitress came over her, dropping her tea at the table. "Here is it, miss. Enjoy your day!" The waitress said confidently. She quickly took an action by smiling at her, "Thank you."

Victoria dropped her book only to taste the tea she have always drink like every morning—the sweet taste have treated her tongue as well. That's why tea has been her favorite order while she visited the café which was located near her flat. Just in seconds before she could read her book again, she was distracted by someone with brown shirt with dark green outwear, and black jeans. No other, that was Kol—who accidentally spotted Victoria is in the café. "Greeting, again, Victoria." He greeted as his had his smirk on his face which was full of mischief and mystery that most women obsessed over. "So... I see you're following me." She said smoothly and calmly while still looking over her book. "Let me tell you one thing. I have never followed you darling. It was just a coincidental." His grin grown wider. That mock had hit her—probably because she has an over self-confidence. "Oh." She nodded but still haven't lay an eye on him yet—even until he moved the chair across her table for himself to sit. "You fancy books?" He questioned.

There was a long pause—she flickered down to his fingers who were playing a playful knock on the table—waiting for her reply. "I do." She sighed while leading her eyes back onto the books. "What is it? You seems ignorant today. Was it me?" He asked tersely. "No, don't be so over confident." She said, marking the page of her book and dropped it on the table before she grabbed her cup. He chuckled between his breath and once again realized that she is a completely different person—much more like a mix of Katherine and Elena with the same face as theirs. "Look, I have to go. Have a great day." She grinned, headed to the exit door quickly before Kol could reply. His eyes which previously is looking at Victoria leaving the café suddenly moved onto a book on the table—Victoria's book.

Victoria rushed herself to go avoiding Kol for an unknown reason—and stopped in front of a building. A museum of art—which caught her interest. Meanwhile, Kol is looking for her in the middle of crowds—just to give her book back, or probably more than just that. When Victoria was inside the museum looking around the arts which inspired her a lot, until she remembered that she left her book at the café with Kol. "Damn it!" She cursed quietly at herself. No, she don't feel like she's going back to the café and grab her book in front of Kol—but she have to. Having no choice, she rushed back outside the building but bumped to someone on the way to the exit door. Kol.

"Looking for this, darling?" He asked quietly while once again forming his casual smirk. "How do you find me?" She tried to get the book back but Kol keep raising it up so she can't reach her book. Thanks to his height. "Coincidental." He said playfully. "Give it back," she pleaded while struggling to get the book, still. "Please?"

"Alright, I will give it back. But, you owe me a favor, do we have a deal?" He offered, raising a brow at Victoria. Her stare at Kol caused a long pause, although Kol is still happily smirking at the girl who he thought fun to play with. "Ugh, fine, give it back and let's talk about that "favor" thing." She said forcefully although she was still thinking how could he found her here as the museum is quite far enough from the café. "Fair enough." Kol shrugged but he eventually gave her book back.

"Now, we should talk about the favor, shan't we?" Kol questioned, walking along beside her. "Go ahead." She replied while putting her book into her leather bag.

"Can I ask you to please show me around New York?" He turned to her.

"Weren't you here before? Why should I?" She snapped quietly without remembering that she promised him a favor. "Well, I can easily take your book again, which seemed to be important for you."

"Ugh, fine. Let's go." She said lazily, pulling his hands to the outside of the building and waited for a taxi to stop by. "What are we doing?" He asked. "Waiting for a taxi to stop by?" She answered, or more like questioning as she used a questioning tone at the end. He has an initiative to visit the taxi that stopped by across the street, with it's passengers. "Hey, what do you think you're doing?!" She yelled but he doesn't care.

Kol opened the car's door before the driver could drive away to drive his passengers. And then he went inside so Victoria won't notice what he is going to do. "Leave," he said, looking deeply at the passangers' eyes. "Hello, sir, this taxi have been reserved for them, can't you find another one?" The driver asked calmly but yet sartistically. As the passengers left the taxi, Kol eyed the driver deeply and said, "You will drive away across the street to pick up that young girl and you will do what I say, do you understand?"

"I understand, sir." He nodded and started to drive away across the street, as then the car stopped right in front of where Victoria was standing. Seeing Victoria's shocked expression have been an amusement for Kol, he chuckled at that before he opened the door for her. "Where were we?" He smiled.

"What the... How?! Ho-"

"Shut up and get in. You owe me a favor, Victoria." Kol said with a tone. With a quiet groan, she eventually got into the taxi and sit next to Kol, who just ordered the driver to drive away. "So, Victoria, where are we going now?"

"Mmm, the amusement park." She decided with a smirk. "Well, it's quite far from here, but you gonna love it."

After taking 20-25 minutes to drive to the amusement park, they have finally arrived. And all Victoria looking for is the haunted house—but she should save that after she finishes other favorite rides. "Would you like to ride that rollercoaster?" She asked with a smile of joy. "Sure. Sounds like a challenge for me," Kol shrugged with a playful smirk. His hands once again pulled by Victoria, who is completely excited to ride the rollercoaster. Suddenly, he questioned himself, how could he enjoy the tour with someone, a human? He never act that way, never. He was supposed to be a dangerous heartless being, not a good company for humans. Especially, this young lady beside him looks exactly like Elena, who he considered as an enemy.

The day was off. Victoria and Kol had spent the whole day riding all the rides and entered the haunted house—in where Victoria hugged Kol for the first time as she was scared of the ghosts inside while Kol stayed quiet, watching every of Victoria's reactions. And he caught himself struggled not to tell his brother about Victoria's existence. "Thank you for today, Victoria. It was quiet a nice tour. You don't have to show me more, today was quite fun." Kol said, smiling or smirking, she didn't sure. They were now at the taxi, sitting closely after they spent a day at the amusement park. "You sure? Well, that was fun though. Thanks, Kol! I love it today," she giggled quietly as the taxi stopped in front of a building, exactly refers to her flat. "Won't you stay just a little while and eat something? I can cook," she offered.

Kol shook his head, "I don't feel like I'm eating, but thank you for offering."

"Come in, please? Would you? I promise I won't waste your time," she pleaded with puppy eyes. He knows he wasn't supposed to, but he has been invited in, so he had no other choice but to come into her flat. "Right away, miss Victoria." Kol nodded with a chuckle, getting out of the taxi as she paid the driver. "Thanks, have a good night." She waved politely to the taxi driver before she got into her flat with Kol who have been invited in. "This is not bad. I would say that I love your flat," Kol smiled.

"Yup, well," she paused as she took her ankle boots off and put them near the door. "Let me show you a picture of me and my family... Just wait a moment."

Victoria then quickly grabbed two photo albums from a shelf, and sat on a chair near the desk, inviting Kol to walk closer as he was curious who her family is. "Here. This is me with my parents four years ago," she said, pointing to the photo of her and her parents—and now Kol have one hundred percent believed she was to born from a different descendant, not Katerina or Elena's descendant. "You're beautiful, I fancy your outer and inner beauty, Victoria." Kol confessed, sitting down next to her seat—and this has caused her heart to beat faster. After catching a breath, she finally replied practically. "I need a shower." She stood up, "I'll be back, you can view my photo albums while I have a shower."

"Don't take too long, I want to know how could you end up being here all alone by yourself." He winked, while grabbing over the photo album, opening page by page and viewed every photos she has. His instinct was right—she wasn't born from Katerina's ancestors... But how could she looks the same if she wasn't in Katerina's family line?

He grabbed his phone as it was vibrated, and he was actually receiving a message from his brother Klaus, or he usually call him Nik for short.

Where are you brother? Damon and Elena have planned to visit Denver to visit his dearly brother including to find out about his descendant tomorrow. Would love to hear a little distraction during their trip.

He thought for a little minute that he can't just leave Victoria all alone—but at the same time he couldn't just say he is with someone in New York. Klaus would just have come to him because of his curiousity and if he know Victoria, he might gonna take her no matter who is she in Kol's eyes. Especially, she looks the same like Katerina and Elena.

I apologize for my absence, brother. I'm still in a city far from Denver, I'm afraid I can't help you with that.

He slipped his phone back to his pocket and focuses back on the photos, and he was amused on how not annoyed he was to be near Victoria. For over centuries, he never have been feeling in such way towards human—feeling sorry, not to get far away, and not thinking to kill them. And his thoughts suddenly were distracted by Victoria who was already sitting on the chair properly, with her clothes on and all. "You were done?" Kol questioned smoothly, slightly frowning at her. "You didn't even notice my presence a long time ago? What were you wondering about?"

"Nothing. Now, how could you live here all by yourself? Don't you live with two parents, like normal people does?" He asked with a huge curiousity. "I was. But not anymore. I pick freedom instead of spoilers. I don't want my parents to keep spoiling me all the time—I mean they are free to, but with one condition that they let me live alone in a flat." She said softly to him before her eyes flickered to his. "They just gotta send me some money every weeks or months. And that was just so simple,"

She got to reach another photo album and opening it page by page, where the memories rushing back into her head, the memories of her with her parents a few years ago. They talked a lot of things together but Victoria seemed to be the one who shared a lot to Kol—and unknowingly they have spent time talking for an hour or more, and it was late right now. It was supposed to be Victoria's time to sleep, while she was still on the chair, leaning her hands onto the table to held her head from being fell. "Honestly, Kol..." She paused because of a yawn. "I enjoy your company, although we just met yesterday, th—" she haven't finished but he knew she was going to say thank you. He noticed she had put her head on the desk, sinking it onto her arms. Not wanting her to shivers as he knew the atmosphere is getting colder, he quickly run with his superspeed to her room and grabbed a blanket to cover her. He was just chuckling looking at how she fell asleep, and it just seemed weird to know he didn't plan to kill her—what was her speciality, until a plan to kill her haven't crossed his mysterious and dangerous mind?

"So... A human love interest, brother?" Suddenly, a voice was heard. A completely familiar voice, of his sister, Rebekah. "Rebekah," he muttered quietly while standing up from his seat. How could she knows where he was? And why is she coming? "How could you know I am here?"

"Instinct, scent, and a couple of compulsions helped me." She smirked while saying what she did to get to her brother smoothly—but then she noticed the girl looked familiar, and no other looked like Elena. "Isn't that Elena?" She squinted her eyes at the girl until Kol stood right in front of her to stop Rebekah from scanning her. "Leave," he ordered to his baby sister with his eyes full of darkness. "You know, Nik sent me to look for you because you haven't reply his message; the second one, he told me. And I could just have told him you are hanging out with Elena..."

"If you are about to report something, make sure you know who is she exactly and remember where Elena is, sister." He smirked darkly still looking at his sister whose jaw clenched. But then her lips formed into a smirk, again. "Oh, right, Elena is home. So... Another doppelganger, Kol? How could Nik didn't notice her? Or do you want me to tell him right now?" She questioned with a playful smirk as if she is going to beat her brother down.

"What, exactly, do you want, sister?" Kol asked quietly.

"Go home, you were not supposed to be here Kol." She smirked. "And how would I believe you will not go back and harm her after I go home to Mystic Falls?"

"You can have my words that I will not harm her. And I know how it feels to have an interest on a human. But I'm not you, Kol. I shall tell you that I will not broke her wrist," she said darkly with a half smirk formed on her lips—and she was satisfied that Kol replied with a scowl, knowing that she won. "Very well. Leave me for a minute, and I shall be outside."

His sister glared once again at the girl before she walked outside the flat, and Kol used the moment to took a paper and a pen. He knows exactly if he is going back to Mystic Falls, he might won't be able to get back in a couple of days.

Dear Victoria,

Thank you too for today, I do enjoy your company either, that was quite an entertainment for me. But I really need to go. Call me when you need me, I added my number into your phone book.

Kol.

He fold the letter and put it right next to Victoria's arm and then he immediately get her phone to add his phone number in case she need her at a later time. Walking away, hesitately he turned around just to see her for the last time before she left her. "Good night Victoria," he whispered before he could shut the door slowly. His eyes met his sister's. "Let's go." He commanded, and by that, they were gone... Leaving the flat, leaving Victoria all alone.

A/N: Ah, done with the first chapter. Hope you liked it! Please tell me your thoughts by sending reviews! And just to make this clear, Kol himself didn't sure with his feelings yet, either. So, yeah, please review? have a great day anyway... xoxo!