Hello! Here is chapter 4- I hope you enjoy! And also- thank you SO much to all of the reviewers! They make my day and at the same give me some appreciated guidance- so please, read and review! I promise I will have "Faded" updated by the end of the week.

Happy Reading!

Chapter 4

Elena slipped her hand out of Kol's for just a moment, long enough to dig out her house key and open the front door.

She tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear, feeling a little timid now that they were in a much more private place compared to the restaurant. "Would you like to come in?" She leaned against the door, looking at him coyly.

Kol removed his coat and smiled at the spark in Elena's eyes as she watched him, marveling at his every move.

He stepped into the house. "I couldn't say no even if I wanted to." He moved to flick on some lights, and then paused, watching as Elena removed her shoes and set down her purse.

It was late. They had dined and talked quietly for hours, and now it was early morning. Kol had even compelled the restaurant to stay open an extra hour, too enthralled by Elena to think about leaving.

Elena could feel Kol watching her, and she willed herself not to blush. She looked up at him apologetically, "I need to change these bandages. I'll go grab what I need."

Her beautiful hair rippled like a wave down her back as she raced up the stairs quickly. When she returned, Elena just about dropped everything she was holding. "Oh!"

Kol had unbuttoned his cuffs and rolled his sleeves up, and had loosened the neckline by undoing a couple of buttons.

She was already losing her train of thought by his mere appearance.

He smirked at her expression. "See anything you like?" He moved closer to remove the medical supplies Elena was holding, and set them on the kitchen counter.

She scowled at him. "It's a nice look."

He carefully stroked her arm, and expertly removed the old bandages. Elena held her breath. She hoped the dim lighting would stop him from seeing the growing blush across her face.

He patted her arm quietly. "Finished. I didn't hurt you, did I?" Even though he towered above her, they were face to face.

"Thank you. No, not at all," she breathed, pressing into the cold granite behind her.

Instead of straightening back up and allowing Elena to get from in between the counter and him, Kol placed both arms on either side of her, with a dashing grin on his face. "That's good. Glad I could help," he said slowly, teasing her into making the first move.

Elena couldn't help but smile, and if he wanted to play this game then she was more than capable. Rather than looking everywhere but at him, Elena stared into his darkening eyes.

They were both getting impatient, and Kol leaned impossibly close. She raised herself up on her toes, in heavy anticipation, sighing as he crushed their lips together, refusing to budge. Oddly enough, she liked the feeling of being trapped between his body and counter, and used it to her advantage.

She was positive he growled at she provocatively used the counter to help push her flush against Kol, she grinded into him gently at first, never breaking their first kiss. He briefly remembered that she was human, and if he didn't want her to suffocate then he needed let her have a breather. Forehead to forehead, Elena panted and steadied herself.

This didn't stop him leaving a trail of hot kisses from her jaw to her collarbone, moving his arms in closer to hold her waist. If she grinded up on him anymore, he would be seriously tempted to throw her over his shoulder and have his way with her upstairs. Elena gasped in delight at the newest contact, roughly tilting his head back to hers.

Without warning, Kol hoisted her up on the counter top effortlessly. She immediately crossed her legs behind his back, pushing him in closer and gaining better access. She ran a hand gently through his luscious brown hair and drove him wild, running her hands up and down his chest.

"That was a hell of a first kiss," Kol remarked in a low voice, without budging from his current position.

Elena looked at him ruefully, feeling her swollen lips. "You didn't seem to mind."

Kol held her hands tightly in his own, a devilish look in his eyes. "We could go for two in one night. Break a new record."

Elena rolled her eyes at him. "We've only kissed once. We have no record to break."

Kol breathed in her ear, smiling at how her heartbeat was already reacting. "Then we have a hell of a standard to set."

"By all means. If you're up for it," Elena challenged him, edging her way off the counter to stand in front of him.

He didn't even respond. He removed her own jacket and threw it with such force that she heard it whiz into the den. "Thank you," she murmured breathlessly, as he backed her into a wall.

His own hands were occupied, shielding her back from taking too much roughing up against the wall.

"Let me help you with that," Elena grinned, letting his shirt drop to the floor at their feet.

She couldn't help but feel his lean and toned upper body, admiring the way his muscles flexed.

Kol stopped and cocked his head to the side, listening intently. "Someone's coming, female I believe."

Elena looked around wondrously. "Caroline's timing sucks."

He laughed lightly and picked his shirt up off the floor. "It's not a vampire, but the footsteps do sound familiar…"

Elena jumped as she heard the sound of a key unlocking the front door.

"Elena?" Was that Meredith Fell?

A chill crept up on Elena as Kol sped out of the room instantly, knowing that Elena was safe, but not in the mood… or state of dress to speak to anyone.

"Elena, I'm so sorry to barge in. I saw some lights on and I really needed to grab Alaric a few things. We're making progress- really we are. I'm still cautious, but hopeful." Meredith gave Elena a tired smile as she walked into the kitchen.

"It's completely fine Meredith. I'm glad you stopped in. Please, go and get whatever you need." She looked at Meredith hesitantly. "Is…is he doing okay?"

Meredith nodded with understanding. "He's not mad at you at all. He knows that everyone is just trying to help him. It's paying off. I'm confident. Well, if you'll excuse me I'll be out of your hair in just a minute. I can let myself out."

"Sure. That would be great. I was just heading up to bed anyways." Elena tried not to smile, knowing that if Kol had his way she wouldn't be sleeping at all tonight, not that Elena wanted to go that far so quickly. But there was nothing wrong with having some fun. "I'll see you around Meredith, and thanks for doing this."

"Of course. I'll see you later." Elena gave a small wave and dragged up the stairs, suddenly feeling all of the tiredness that had been building up.

Elena entered her dark room, already knowing what to expect. Sure enough, Kol appeared, encircling her waist lovingly, and to her amusement, still shirtless.

"You're exhausted," he murmured quietly, "I've worn you out." Kol closed Elena's bedroom curtains and turned on a small lamp.

"In the best possible way." Elena stifled a yawn and went into her closet, changing into yoga pants and a loose tee shirt.

Kol listened to Meredith's movements downstairs. "Meredith just left. Sorry about just leaving you, but I could sense she was harmless. We're not exactly on the greatest terms." He sat down on her bed, lied down on one side and stared at the ceiling.

"It's fine. She's not really on great terms with anyone in this town, but I owe her. She's saving Alaric from himself and that ring." Elena emerged from her closet, still ogling at Kol's shirtless appearance.

"It's not your fault, you know," Kol said quietly. "The ring and all."

Elena gave him a strained smile, not wanting to become an emotional mess. "I know. I just feel stupid thinking that one man could cheat death so many times and not face any consequences."

Kol looked at her thoughtfully. "On the positive side, now you are aware about the ring, he's alive, and he'll recover, it's a good lesson for all."

"It really is." She turned to switch off the lamp. "It's been a little strange not having anyone else in the house with me. Usually I've been at Caroline's, or she stays here, to be safe."

Kol undid the covers for Elena, and she got into the bed. "Is that an invitation for me to stay? Because it's a yes. Then I have to go discuss some things with Klaus."

Elena wiggled her way towards him. "Like the vacation you promised me?" She laughed as she nestled into the bed, snug in his chest.

"Like that vacation I promised you. We've got to be on our A game you impress you ladies," he teased her.

"You impressed me tonight," Elena pointed out.

"I try." Kol whispered sarcastically, running his fingers through her soft hair.

Elena smiled in the dark, blissfully happy within his arms and under his touch.

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"You want me to do what? You do see how this might be a little awkward right? Oh hey Elena, I know I've kidnapped you to create my vampire army and I'm currently trying to become romantically involved with your best friend- want to go on a vacation?"

Kol rolled his eyes. Though Klaus tried to present himself as being unconcerned and distant, he was still a dramatic at heart.

"Not to burst your bubble or anything, but you're not the Original Elena will be occupied with…" Kol grinned.

Klaus snaked around the room, lifting up various bottles of priceless alcohol before selecting one, much to Kol's annoyance.

"I admit, I've thought about whisking Caroline away from this hellhole of a town." He swirled his liquor around.

"Well you might want to thank this hellhole for introducing her to you then." Kol could never resist an excuse to be a smart ass.

Klaus glared, "And where would we go? I assume you've already picked that out too."

Klaus pretended to be disinterested, when actually, he was jealous he hadn't thought of this first.

"I should, considering you kept a dagger in me for a hundred years," Kol answered, with only a trace of bitterness.

Klaus shifted in his seat, "Oh quit being a whiny brat. Pick a place."

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"We're doing what?" Caroline froze for a minute, briefly stunned enough to forget what had her so upset in the first place.

Elena smiled. "I'm not kidding, I promise."

"But you hate Klaus…that would be so weird!"

Elena sighed. "Well I'm not exactly going so I can spend quality time with him. And besides, maybe you can help him recover from trauma of having mommy and daddy issues."

Caroline grinned, always up for a challenge. "I need to go shopping! I have no idea what to wear or how long- you're coming too!" She glanced at her phone, frowning. "It's him- again…a part of me will always love him. I told him that but I'm just not in love with him anymore."

Elena shrugged. "Well he can't do anything to Klaus, so don't worry about that. And he wouldn't be stupid enough to take it out on you."

Caroline rolled her eyes. "I'm pretty sure we've established that Klaus can take care of himself."

"You should go see him, or call him at least. I'm sure he's been worried about you."

"You know what? You're right Elena. I'm going right now." Caroline made a puzzled face, and then looked as if a realization had dawned on her, "I…miss him. I've been missing him- all this time…so much! I can't believe I've been so stupid! Damn it Elena, do not laugh at me." Elena smirked all the same.

Caroline ran past Elena, not even bothering to drive. "I'll talk to you later!" She shouted, fading into the morning air.

Elena felt another whoosh of air behind her, and grinned, already enveloped in strong arms. "Back again so soon?" She teased, giving him a hug.

He looked down at her intently, "I just can't seem to stay away," Kol murmured, "Unfortunately, I do have something serious to talk to you about…can we go inside?"

Only then did Elena notice the various bruises covering his lean arms, rapidly fading as she watched.

Bonnie.

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