Note: I really appreciate all of the alerts, favorites, and reviews! As well as for the interest people have taken in Tale as Old as Time. I hope this chapter is enjoyable! It was fun to write- Kol and Elena definitely have a few 'pre-lovers quarrel' spats. Next chapter there will be some big developments in their relationship and Klaus will make another appearance.

Please, even if it's short, let me know your opinion/hopes through even just a brief review! I really do take them into account.

Tale As Old As Time

Chapter 2: So Here's the Situation

It had only been around fifteen minutes, and Kol would never admit it to Klaus, but Elena was completely enthralling him. He was having a great time trying to figure out more about this doppelganger everyone seemed to be bending over backwards for.

Kol listened intently as Elena recounted her brief, but quite violent, history with Rebekah.

Elena sighed, continuing her story at Kol's request, "After she threw all of the gasoline on me I honestly thought I was done. I guess I held out hope that Elijah would come…but I did manage to get her to calm down, obviously, seeing that I'm sitting here" Elena laughed, feeling slightly embarrassed..

"What can I say? Rebekah is very stubborn. And has quite a feisty temper." He winked at her, "I'm told it's a shared quality among us siblings."

Elena smiled at him, agreeing- all of the Originals definitely had tempers.

"So, where are your men tonight, Stefan and Damon? Did something happen? " Kol knew he had asked a provoking question from the look she gave him.

She shook her head, "Oh no, no no, we are not talking about them." Kol stared at her. Was she blushing? Judging by her heart rate, he had made her extremely uncomfortable. This was unfortunate, but now she had him very interested.

"If you answer that question, I promise to not bring them up the rest of the night," Kol offered, "I promise," he repeated.

Elena looked at him hesitantly and then conceded. "Fine. We are not really on the best of terms right now. Unlike Elijah…or even Klaus for that matter, I don't think that they respect me. I feel like they protect me out of obligation…because I look like her," Elena muttered.

Kol understood, "Katerina?" He buried his head in hands, laughing, "Probably one of the most annoying people I have ever met. And I have met a lot of people. What a pesky little thing." He tried to ease up the tension, and it worked. Elena giggled at Kol's show of discomfort.

"You know something; I think you're the first guy to have not fallen completely in love with her." Elena mused.

Kol grinned at her, "Do I get a prize?" he asked, with an almost suggestive undertone.

"Maybe," Elena teased, flashing him that beautiful smile.

He noticed her looking around the increasingly crowded grill. "I can take you home," he offered.

Elena mentally cursed herself. She was nervous because she didn't want to run into either Salvatore brother. She was enjoying her time with Kol way too much to have the buzz-kills come ruin it.

"I never said I didn't want to continue this at home…I would just hate to be interrupted by the broody brothers. This happens to be the only social place in town," she explained, wanting him to understand that the change in plans was not because of him at all. .

Kol grinned at her, "I like the way you think Elena. I hope you have no aversion to running."

Elena gulped. The times where Damon and Stefan had whirled her away had not ended well. She always got sick or violently ill. Needless to say, it was not her favorite activity.

"You're hesitant," Kol pointed out, "Scared that we'll hit a squirrel? I assure you…I've had a couple of lifetimes to practice."

"No it's not that. Just the past few times I've 'run' with a vampire it wasn't the most pleasurable experience," she admitted to him.

"I have the uncanny ability to make many things pleasurable," making Elena want to blush, "I think you'll find that Originals are much different than regular vampires…for the better if I might add."

He held out his hand, "Miss Gilbert, may I?"

She grasped his hand with hers. "Why of course you may," she answered, adopting his formal tone.

'Running' with an Original was indescribable. Whereas Stefan and Damon made it seem like a Disney World ride gone wrong, with Kol it was like a massive adrenaline rush…like she was walking on air. Within a few seconds they were in front of her house, and she was already missing it. Well, that, and the fact that Kol was holding her hand. She ignored the fact that he knew where her house was without asking.

Kol glanced at her. "Tell me, was it great?" Elena rolled her eyes, he was definitely cocky, that's for sure.

"Actually, yes. Very fun." She told him. But he had cocked his head to the side as if listening to something intensely.

"Is something wrong?" she asked, getting worried because in her life it was rare that one day didn't go by without a disaster.

"It's just that your street seems absolutely silent. It's odd."

To Elena, nothing was different. But she was glad that he was there. She walked up to the front door, and moved to turn on the lights. Nothing.

Gasping, she flung herself back outside, mildly panicking. She walked backwards quickly, traumatized by the last time her power had 'been out'- and actually her house had been terrorized and Alaric nearly murdered. Smack! Something hard- Kol's chest she realized.

He hissed. Not at her, but towards the house, obviously sensing that something was wrong. She found herself positioned behind him. "Something's off." Kol kept looking back and forth from the house to her. "I don't hear or see anything…and my abilities are top of line." Of course he couldn't help but throw that last part in.

"Sorry," she muttered, not wanting to tremble in front of him, trying hard to not fidget with nervousness. "It's just the last time my power was out, someone had come in and stabbed Alaric. Then there were bloody handprints and blood on all of the walls and floors...going up the stairs, like a horror movie. It was just Matt, myself and a couple of knives. We were really lucky." Her voice was shaking, "I'm sorry."

"Sorry?" Kol asked incredulously, his head looking back and forth from the house to her. "There's nothing to be sorry for."

Elena felt silly, so she began walking towards the door again, determined to not let Kol see her vulnerable.

"Um, Elena," she heard him ask, "What exactly are you doing?"

"I'm going into the house Kol." She kept walking.

He shook his head, laughing. "You know, I had heard you got yourself into compromising positions often. Not to insult you." He grinned, gesturing toward her, "But now I do realize why in fact that is."

Elena put her hand on her hip and faced him, feeling slightly offended, but surprised that he had been having conversations about her. "Oh really? And why is that?"

Kol knew she was testing him, but he could certainly hold his own. "You do walk right into danger. Like a magnet," he added.

Elena huffed, "Well, fine. I won't go inside."

Kol was genuinely confused. "Why not?"

Elena looked at him with a 'you've got to be kidding look'.

"What?" Kol asked, "You're safe."

"You just called me a danger magnet. And now you're saying I'm safe?"

"Of course, because you're with me!" He exclaimed, looking exasperated.

Elena rolled her eyes, "Cocky much?"

Kol couldn't help it. She had walked into this one. "Very," he smirked at her, "But still speaking the truth. It's probably just the power. But in this town," he gestured around, "the power going out can signal an apocalypse so I'll run around and check."

Kol had to admit, he was loving this feisty side of her, even if it was at his own expense.

He held out his hand to her, motioning for Elena to come forward. She looked at him like he was crazy. Why was he expecting that she would want to tag along for this adventure? She looked at him curiously.

"Well surely you don't expect me to just leave you here, open to any attack, while I go run around?"

Elena just looked at him.

"Oh for the love of God!" he muttered, "This explains a lot. Let me guess. You always are told to stay put, while your vampire friends search around, and then that's when you're taken or something other disaster happens."

Elena nodded, almost astonished by the accuracy of his answer, and Kol threw his hands in the air. "I feel like I need to teach a crash course in How to Protect the Human 101."

Elena glared at him, accepting her defeat. He was right. "Fine, you may come in to my house." She accepted his hand, barely having time to adjust before she felt the wind rushing around her, and that familiar jolt of adrenaline fusing in her bloodstream.

She could tell he was enjoying it too. He knew very well nothing was wrong, but never could pass up an opportunity to be close to her. One of his arms had released her hand, and instead snaked around her waist, loosely, but protectively. And she liked it. She even allowed herself to relax into him a little bit, making him respond by gripping her more tightly.

He stopped moving. "Everything looks fine."

She carefully disentangled herself from him and stepped back. "Thanks for looking. This is probably the only time the something isn't caused by supernatural mischief." He paused, just staring at her, because her heart was rapidly speeding up the longer he looked. This was interesting…though he did have effect on the ladies.

The only light came from the moon, brilliantly illuminating her already gorgeous features. Her slight blush made her lips even more appealing. They spent several seconds like that, analyzing one another's reaction to the other.

The lights flashed on, causing Elena to jump forward, of course, right into Kol. She realized that he was fast enough to have moved out of the way…but instead, he chose to let her fall into his arms. She smiled at that. Her phone buzzed, and she was thankful for the excuse to look down. The way his unbelievable brown eyes were staring into hers was making her feel something. It was from Caroline.

"I'm fine. Really," she promised him, giving Kol a warm smile. "That was Caroline. She's going to spend the night. Thanks for everything…I mean it," she told him, giving him a shy smile.

His eyes sparkled at her appreciation, "Your stubborn attitude would get you out of even the most dangerous situations," he told her seriously, and then laughed, wanting her to not stress anymore.

"Hey!" she playfully swatted him. He gently, but quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her close. "I hear Caroline coming…so tomorrow, seven o'clock?" He winked at her, giving her no time to answer, and then disappeared right as Caroline walked into the room.

"Elenaa!" She sang happily, "Was that Kol leaving?" Elena mentally groaned, she could literally see the wheels in Caroline's head start to turn.

Elena looked up, "Yea actually it was. I had fun."

Caroline grinned and flopped onto Elena's bed. "Come on," she motioned, "I want to hear all about it."

VD – VD – VD –VD – VD – VD

Kol flashed outside, and the inside the house one more time, doing a thorough sweep. HE didn't feel obligated, and was sure as hell not a babysitter, but he was starting to feel something very strong for her. Like a pull, and he had the feeling tonight had been the start of something beautiful. Now Elena had three Original brothers protecting her. She had always had Elijah, and though Klaus' motives were a little sketchy, she had him too. And now Kol. He made a note to keep special tabs on the Salvatore brothers.

Anyone would be stupid to mess with Elena, and he would make sure they realized it…Kol could get very angry.