Amy looked around the apartment with satisfaction. She'd spent all of the previous day cleaning both bedrooms, the kitchenette, and the small living room so that it would look presentable when Natalie arrived. Now she had and was putting her stuff in her closet and drawers.

"Love the place," she commented as she emerged and went to the sink to pour herself a small glass of water.

"I'm glad you like it, even though it doesn't look like much now, since the only things that have been delivered for the bedrooms are the mattresses. But I promise that once I get my next paycheck, we'll go shopping and find furniture and little knickknacks to give this place some personality. Would you like a desk and some chairs to read in? We could put them right by the window. And put up the bookshelf you bought for your books." Amy grinned.

"I think I'd like that," Natalie nodded. "Give me a place to put them that isn't the floor, which I'm sure you would appreciate. Maybe once we get the shelves, we can get Uncle Kol over here to help install them. What do you think?" She looked at her mother eagerly, obviously expecting a big reaction.

But Amy just blushed, filled a pot with water and spaghetti, and stuck it on the stove to cook. "I suppose we could ask him," she said even though she had no plans to do any such thing. "But it can't be something that's expected. We don't want to bother the poor man."

Natalie rolled her eyes at her mother's stubbornness and went to look out the window. "I love that we're so high up," she remarked. "It's one of the best things about this place. And the fact that we get to see the water and the boats."

"Yes, but it's so small!" Amy comment and actually stomped her foot. Then she winced. Clearly, living with one Mikaelson or another for the past several years had messed up her priorities.

"That's okay!" Natalie tried to assure her and gave her a hug. "We can make it a chic and cozy paradise for you...at least until you come to your senses and move in with Uncle Kol."

"It's that thinking, that I need to be living with a man every second, that gets me in trouble," Amy replied. "I think I just need to be on my own for a bit and mostly keep men at a distance." She paused and gave her daughter a smile. "I think you're right about what we can do with this place. I was thinking colors: A bright yellow armchair and blue sofa for the living room. And a foot stool for a bohemian vibe, and a small four person table with chairs for the kitchen. If you add a TV, that's all that will fit, I think. But it's a start. And there's plenty of room to decorate with artwork and baskets and floor lamps!"

Natalie hopped up and down and clapped her hands excitedly. "Oh, I love all those ideas!" She cried. Then she said, "Are you sure you want my help? We don't exactly have the same style."

"I know we don't, but I think it would be an interesting mix, wouldn't it?" Amy asked. "And since you'll be living here a lot, I want you to feel like this is your home too."

"Thank you," Natalie smiled and strode over to the kitchen. "And may I say that I'm very glad you bought this fancy coffee machine? I didn't think you would splurge. You never do."

"Well, frankly this whole situation has been a lot to process and that...that was kind of my reward. I think I deserve it," Amy shrugged. "And plus, coffee is very important to me."

"And me too," Natalie agreed with a wink.

"Tell me honestly," Amy requested. "Are you...are you okay with everything that's gone on between me and your dad? If you have anything you want to get off your chest, you can. Don't think you have to keep it all in for my sake." She strode over to give her daughter a smile and push some hair out of her eyes.

"Yes," Natalie nodded and hoped her mother would just believe her. "I've accepted that your relationship with Dad has ended. He really crossed a line, and I...after the way he's treated you, all I want is for you to be happy." She gave her mother a shy smile.

Amy almost sobbed. "Thank you, sweetie. That's very kind of you."

"Now, from the way you're talking, I think you don't expect me to be here every minute," Natalie continued.

"Well, I thought you would want to see your father from time to time and since you're an adult and he's never done anything bad to you, I'm not gonna stand in your way," Amy nodded.

"I thought I could stay with him on the weekends and with you during the week," Natalie decided. "Unless you and I plan something special, of course." She paused, a wicked grin curving her lips. "Or you've planned something with Uncle Kol and want me out of the way."

Amy ignored this last insinuation and sighed. "Well, if your father is all right with that, I am too," she said, even though saying the words was like a knife in her heart.

Then, out of nowhere, Natalie said, "You know, regardless of what happened between you and Dad, you know it was his fault and I bet you could get money out of him. He owes you, big time!"

"I wouldn't dream of taking a penny from that man," Amy drawled. "And besides, it's not like I'm some poor waif now. I mean, I definitely am not super rich on my own like your father is, but it's not like I have to live in a gutter."

"I understand," Natalie nodded. "What about me, then? I have a trust fund. I could give you money when you need it!"

Amy's eyes widened and she swayed a little. "If I won't take money from your father, I certainly wouldn't take it from you. You're my child! It was very sweet of you to offer, though."

"Or Uncle Kol!" Natalie continued to press. "Would you take money from him? He's not your child or your stupid husband!"

"Will you let this go, please?" Amy begged. "I am an adult, capable of making my own way. I don't need a man to pay for me." She paused. "As for your uncle, he's done enough. He was kind enough to put in the good words that got me this place. To ask him for more, especially so soon, would be...well, that would just be rude!"

"I don't think he'd consider it rude, but you do what you want," Natalie shrugged.

"I will," Amy nodded, her chin raised. "Plus I think it will be much more satisfying to decorate this by myself, paycheck by paycheck, piece by piece. We could go shopping, find funky things on the internet...it'll be fun!"

"Yeah," Natalie nodded. "I agree!"

Then Amy turned, and, for the first time, really got a good look at the pot of spaghetti she was making. "My goodness, I didn't realize I was making so much for dinner! You and I will have to have huge portions to finish it all. I need to remember that I don't need to cook for an army anymore!" She grabbed a spoon and went to give the pasta a stir.

"Mom?" Natalie asked as she looked through the cupboards. "Where's the sugar? I was thinking of having some coffee."

"Oh, stupid, stupid, stupid me!" Amy cried, hitting her palm gently against her forehead. "With everything going on, I forgot to go shopping! I don't have any sugar!"

Natalie's jaw dropped. "Are you serious? I can't drink coffee without sugar!" She lifted her finger to zap some up and then stopped. "You know," she said slyly, approaching the spaghetti pot. "I bet you could go ask Uncle Kol for some sugar and invite him to come over and have spaghetti with us as a thank you for getting us this place!"

Amy scoffed. "You actually want me to go to your uncle and ask him for sugar?"

"Maybe in a little black dress or something," Natalie nodded.

"Where do you come up with these things? Has your father been letting you watch porn?" Her mother asked.

"No!" Natalie said, trying not to think of what had happened between her and Milo. That had been like porn. "Not all all. Now will you just go?" She asked innocently. "I think it would be fun to have a family dinner."

"Yeah," Amy said, rolling her eyes. "Sure you do." But she grabbed a sweater and a small jar and headed next door to Kol's, sighing to herself. The things she did for her daughter.

She took a deep breath and steeled herself, wondering how he would react to her. They hadn't seen each other since they'd made love like rabbits and he'd comforted her in the hallway. That would probably be a point against her. Maybe enough to get him to end this crazy infatuation of his; no man wanted a super emotional woman on his hands.

She knocked on the door, then stepped back and waited, nervously rubbing her hands together until the door opened and she found herself face to face with Kol.

When he saw her, his eyes lit up as he held onto either side of the door with both hands. He hadn't shaved in a little bit, so he had a five o'clock shadow bordering on an actual beard, and wore a white t-shirt and ripped jeans. His feet were bare. As she looked him over, she did her best not to turn to jello and collapse in his arms right there in the hallway. Damn him and that smile, why did it have to be so alluring?

"Well, hello there, neighbor," he murmured, almost purring as he boldly looked her over. "What can I do you? I mean...do for you?"

"Hi," she saluted him, ignoring his little verbal slip. Her outfit wasn't much different from his: bare feet, jeans, and a white blouse with a low neckline that showed off a bit of her white lace bra. Her hair was up in a messy bun with a few strands of red hair framing her face and all she had on in terms of make up was a pale pink shade. It was all very simple and plain...even lazy, if she was honest. And yet, here he was, staring at her like she was a strawberry shortcake stuck behind the bakery counter and no one would let him have any.

The look went on for some time until she shifted and spoke. "Am I...am I coming at a bad time?"

"Let's get one thing straight," he told her. "When it comes to you, there's no such thing as a bad time. There could be a tornado, tsunami, and hurricane combined, and if you called, I would find some way to come to you. So, no. You didn't disturb me. I was just baking a blueberry pie."

"I didn't know that about you," she said, biting one of her nails. "It's nice to know you enjoy cooking so much."

"I do," Kol nodded, looking her over again. "And speaking of natural disasters, is there one going on right now that I don't know about?"

"No," Amy shook her head. "Why?"

"Because your hands are shaking," Kol pointed out. "And you seem unsettled. I can only assume that something big like a tornado or an earthquake is causing it." Then he smiled and gave her a wink.

"You know, that is not funny, Kol Mikaelson!" Amy grouched, her hands becoming fists at her sides. When she realized this, she quickly hid them behind her back. "I-I-I can't control it! When I'm around you, I-I-I..." she trailed off hopelessly.

"I know," Kol heaved an exaggerated sigh. "It's just like the song."

"What song?" Amy questioned.

"I'm Sexy and I Know It," Kol elaborated with a wink.

Suddenly, Amy burst out laughing and put her hand in front of her mouth to hide her smile.

"No, no!" Kol reached out and moved it. "Let me see that lovely grin of yours." He gave her a smile of his own. "I worked too hard to make that lovely smile come out to play. Don't hide it from me. Please."

A little uncomfortable, she smiled at him for a few seconds before remembering why she came. "I came here for a reason," she said. "May I come in?"

Kol blushed. "Oh, I'm so sorry! Where are my manners? Please, come in!"

She did and he shut the door gently behind her. "So...what can I do for you? Besides the obvious, I mean."

"Yes, at the moment, I am thinking of other things besides the obvious." Amy nodded. "So good guess!" She began rubbing her hands again. "Natalie is here...at the apartment, I mean-and she-and she-brought a few of her things..."

"That's so good that you and Natalie are enjoying the apartment together," Kol smiled. Then, in an effort to stop her hands from shaking, took them in his and brought them up to his lips to kiss them. "So...do you need anything? Is there something I can do to help?"

"You know I wouldn't abuse your good will or your hospitality, but-" Her heart was thudding loudly in her chest. She was sure he could hear it. As he moved on to her palm, she let out a squeak and then cleared her throat to keep her head on straight. "We-we don't have much in the apartment now, just a couple of mattresses, a few cushions, and a Persian rug." She shifted so that she was holding his hands. "We intend to decorate more, of course."

"Of course," Kol nodded. "You have your whole life to start new. No need to rush anything." He reached up to gently stroke her cheek.

"But...but the thing is, when I brought some things to eat, I forgot the sugar, and Natalie can't have coffee without sugar. I had a jar to get some from you, if you'd be so kind, but I left it out in the hall."

"I can put some sugar in a jar for you," Kol assured her. Then he chuckled. "Interesting excuse to come over here. I know you could have zapped some sugar up and so could she."

Amy's jaw dropped and her face turned bright red. He was right of course. Why hadn't she realized that?" Then she shook her head. "And there was another reason too: I made spaghetti and forgot I was only cooking for two so there's way too much. You've probably already eaten, but...if not, Natalie had the bright idea of asking you to come have a late lunch with us. Would you like to?"

"Let me get this straight," Kol said, giving her a smirk as he crossed his arms. "Natalie suggested I come to this lunch? Did you protest strenuously and then finally give in to humor your child?"

"No," Amy shook her head. "I wanted you to come too, as a thank you for the apartment. It's very nice."

"How considerate," Kol said. "Now, why don't you come in the kitchen and I'll get that sugar for you?"

"Oh, no, thank you...about coming in the kitchen, I mean." She stood with one foot on top of the other. "I'll just wait over here by the sofa. It probably won't take you very long." She began twisting her hair between two of her fingers.

He shrugged and turned. "Whatever you want, darling." He then headed toward the kitchen, but if she wasn't hallucinating, and she was sure she wasn't, he shook his bottom a little before quickening his pace and getting out of sight. Then he came back a few minutes later with a full container of sugar. "Here's your sugar," he told her, holding out.

She gasped, eyes widening, then stepping away.

"You asked for this," he reminded her. "I didn't poison it and I won't bite," he smirked, then reached for her hand and kissed her fingers. "Unless you want me to, of course."

Amy kept her other hand out of his reach and took the jar of sugar. "Thank you for this."

"You're welcome." Then they both lapsed into a few seconds of silence before Kol spoke again. "So."

"So? So what?"

"Do you really want me to come to this lunch?" He asked bluntly.

"Yes, but...but you'll have to sit on a cushion and eat off the rug," Amy said. "I hope that doesn't bother you."

Kol smiled. "Sounds wonderful. Like the best kind of picnic."

"Right," Amy started to turn away. "I have to go back and check on the, um..." She shook her hand. "The..."

"Spaghetti?" Kol supplied.

"Yes, that," Amy nodded, grabbing the front door handle so she wouldn't collapse in his arms. She opened the door and started to step out. Then he stopped her.

"Amy?"

She turned. "Yes?"

He raised an eyebrow. "What about some sugar for me? Don't you think I deserve some?"

"Well, the whole point of me coming over here is that I don't have-" Amy began. But she was cut off as he took her face in his hands and kissed her soundly, his tongue sliding between her lips under her moans, to taste her deeper until finally, just when she knew she was going to collapse into his arms and let him do whatever he wanted, he let her go and licked his lips.

"Wonderful," he smiled as she turned back around to leave. Then he gave her a spank. "You're as sweet as ever."

As a pleased Amy gave her Bolognese sauce one last good stir, the doorbell rang. "Natalie, would you get that, please?"

"Sure," Natalie agreed and left her bedroom. "Since we both know who it is, I'd be more than happy to." She gave her mother a wink.

They would be the death of her, her daughter and Kol, Amy thought. But she just blushed and gave her daughter a small smile. She'd been so shaken up after their kiss that she'd considered uninviting him, but then she'd thought that would be cruel. However, she was still thinking about what to do when he arrived on their doorstep. Would it be hard to face a man who had just put his tongue in her mouth?

Meanwhile, Natalie had opened the apartment's front door and was letting her uncle in. "Hi, Uncle Kol!"

"Hello, kiddo!" Kol greeted and pulled her into a hug. Then he kissed her cheek and looked her over. "Have you grown since the wedding? It seems like every time I see you, you're taller."

"I think you're making that up," she said and rolled her eyes. "I'm as tall as I'm ever gonna be." Then she noticed he had a plate in one hand and a bag in the other. "What are you carrying? Are they presents?"

"Well, my sister-in-law says that one should never come to a party empty handed so I brought a pie for dessert. It's blueberry."

"Mom, Uncle Kol is here!" Natalie yelled. "And he looks very handsome, if you ask me!"

"Natalie, honey, this is a small apartment and you don't have to yell," Amy scolded her. Then she wiped her hands on her apron and came to join her daughter and Kol in the living room. "Hello. It's been a while, hasn't it?"

Kol's eyes went down to her lips. "Too long, if you ask me."

There was no way Natalie could have missed that look. She elbowed her mother. "Doesn't Uncle Kol look dashing?"

"Yes, and I heard you the first time you mentioned it," Amy said between clenched teeth. Kol was watching the whole exchange with a smirk on his lips and it was very annoying.

That and how he was dressed. He'd changed his t-shirt for a white silk shirt with the sleeves rolled up to show off his arms. And he'd undone a few of the top buttons too. Paired with that were classic black trousers instead of jeans and what seemed to be freshly polished black shoes. And he smelled wonderful, a musky scent that made her want to rip off his clothes and pin him against the wall. Maybe shove her tongue down his throat.

"Are you okay, Mom?" Natalie asked. "What are you thinking?"

Amy blinked. "Just that your uncle looks nice, but he shouldn't have gone to all the trouble to dress up for us. No need to dress up for a few cushions and a rug. I didn't even shower." She put a hand to her forehead. "I didn't even shower. I smell like sauce and garlic bread, and-"

Kol didn't hesitate another second. He pulled her into his arms and took her hand in his, inhaling deeply. "Garlic on you is the best scent ever," he said.

"Wow, you must be hard up," Amy replied, shocked.

"Oh, I'm hard, all right," he whispered against her ear, softly enough that she could just barely hear him. Then he leaned back and cleared his throat, eyes on Natalie. "I think you both look lovely and with that being said, I couldn't show up here looking like a slob, now could I? You're both too beautiful to put up with that."

"Look, Mom, Uncle Kol brought us a blueberry pie for dessert!" Natalie exclaimed. "I'll have to be sure and save room because it looks delicious!"

"You'll have to excuse her," Amy muttered when her daughter had disappeared into the kitchen. "She's very excited about the new apartment."

Kol smiled and shrugged. "No problem. I'm glad." He paused and got close to her. "You know, you look very good in that apron. I can't wait to see you take it off, though...among other things."

As Amy blushed, his eyes swept her body. "'I'm the best teacher'?" He asked, reading it. "Teacher of what? Who is teaching you?" He grinned. "Unless it's me, in which case, I know very well."

Amy looked at her feet and gritted her teeth, wishing that she would stop blushing. "Oh, this?" She got out at last, trying to be smooth. "It's just an old thing from Alistair. He had several at the house and he let me take a few with me when I moved out."

"Even so," he bent down to whisper with his lips right up against her ear. "I'm sure you're skilled enough to teach me something."

She then felt his hand slide down her back and onto her butt to give it a gentle squeeze. Amy felt warmth pool in her belly, cause of course she liked the touching...she liked it a lot. But it had to stop for now. "You can't flirt with me while Natalie is here!" She hissed.

He chuckled and nibbled on her earlobe. "Oh, I think we are way past flirting, darling," he told her. Then he backed away as Natalie reappeared.

"All right," she said. "The pie is securely in the fridge!"

"I brought some wine, too," Kol said and pulled a bottle of Chardonnay from the bag. "Do you have any glasses?"

"Well, Mom forgot coffee, but I don't think she forgot the wine glasses," Natalie said. "Where are they, Mom?"

"Third cabinet, top shelf," Amy replied, causing her daughter to disappear into the kitchen yet again.

Once she was gone, Kol handed Amy the bag. "There's a housewarming gift in there," he said. "Take a look!"

"Oh, no, Kol, you shouldn't have!" Amy protested. "The wine was enough!"

"You'll open it later," he murmured. "When you and I are alone."

She sighed and locked eyes with him. "How do you know we'll be alone later?"

"Because I do," he said with certainty.

"Okay, the wine and the glasses are on the counter in the kitchen for whenever you want them," Natalie announced. "Uncle Kol, while Mom is dishing out the pasta, will you help me put up a bookshelf in my room? Please?"

"Of course!" Kol nodded and stood up. "Finally, something that will allow me to display my manly talents!"

"Natalie, don't ask your uncle to do that!" Amy scolded. "He's well-dressed and our guest! Not a carpenter!"

"Did you hear him?" Natalie pointed out to her mother. "He says he doesn't mind."

"Really, Amy, I don't mind," he assured her. "If something happens to my clothes, that's what we have washing machines and dry cleaners for: To clean our clothes once we do dirty things with them!" He gave her a wink and she blushed again.

Natalie just gave her mother another 'I told you so' smirk before turning to her uncle. "Thank you so much for helping me with this shelf; I don't think I could put it up on my own."

"No problem, kiddo! Did you say it was going up in your room? Lead the way!" He followed her and Amy breathed a sigh of relief that her mind would have several minutes of peace before he came back and made her a mess again.

"Make sure you keep the shelf straight," Kol told Natalie before taking a nail out of his mouth and hammering it into the wall. "Unless you want a crooked bookshelf, of course."

"I don't," Natalie shook her head. "And thank you very much for helping me."

Kol ruffled her hair. "Whenever you need me, I'll be here," he promised. "Now, what's the real reason you brought me in here?" He smiled.

Then Natalie blushed like Amy. "Don't take this the wrong way, but...Dad's hurt Mom so much, you know and I just...I haven't missed the way you look at her. It's fine if you're in love with her or whatever, but...you won't hurt her like he did, right? I love my mother and I don't want to see her hurt."

Kol finished with the shelf and locked eyes with Natalie. "I wouldn't either," he assured her. "I promise I would never do anything to intentionally hurt your mother."

"Do you promise?" She repeated insistently, sounding very much like a little girl.

"I promise I would never hurt your mother," he repeated and pulled Natalie into a hug before kissing her hair. "You have my word."

"Thank you," Natalie said simply, giving him a smile and hugging him back.

Natalie gave a contented sigh, and put her empty plate down on the blanket that her mother had set down on the picnic blanket her mother had set over the Persian rug. "Wow, Uncle Kol, that pie was delicious! I'm so full now! I couldn't eat another bite!"

"I'm so glad you liked it," Kol smiled at her and then sent Amy a mischievous smirk. "Glad to see appreciation. Your mother barely touched her pie!"

"Oh, it was delicious," Amy assured him. "Blueberry is my favorite, but after that pasta, I had so many carbs and things already and I..." She trailed off and put a hand on her belly.

"Here we go again!" Natalie rolled her eyes and shared a look with her uncle. "I already told her that she's beautiful no matter what she eats!"

"So have I," Kol agreed and gave Amy a hot look, which caused her to blush.

"I know you both have, but...I'm not as tall or slim as you," Amy explained. "I've had kids and that kind of makes me chubbier than I used to be."

Natalie scoffed at this. "You think men want a stick like me? Men want women with curves like you!" She eyed her uncle. "Am I right, Uncle Kol?"

"Well, it depends, kiddo," Kol told her. "Men have varying tastes but your mother is very much mine." He gave Amy a wink.

Amy groaned. Were these two ever gonna make her stop blushing? Or are they going to turn it into a sport. "Natalie, that's not something you ask!"

Kol ignored her. Clearly she was the only one uncomfortable with the conversation. "I like your mother, but I'm sure your boyfriend finds you to his tastes too."

Natalie blushed and began bunching up her napkin in her fist. "I...I don't have a boyfriend yet."

"Are you sure?" Kol asked, raising an eyebrow. "Cause I saw you and Milo Morningstar at my father's wedding and you seemed awfully chummy."

"I don't think he took his eyes off you," Amy added, trying to hide the glee in her voice because she was glad the attention was on someone else and it was payback time.

Natalie scoffed. "You two are crazy! Milo Morningstar hates me, and I hate him. He's a baby, an idiot, and a jerk! I would have thought you'd have higher standards for me than him!"

"Hate?" Kol clicked his tongue and shook his head. "I don't think so, personally. Maybe it's the beginning of a love story."

Natalie looked at the clock. "Look at the time! I have to go and practice my skateboard with Nico! If I don't leave now, I'll be late and I know you think it's terrible manners to keep someone waiting!"

"Wow," Kol smiled. "I'm so glad no man finds my niece attractive." He chuckled and drank his wine.

"Uncle Kol, stop it!" She shook her finger at him. "I'm gonna go. Bye, Mom!"

"Have fun, but don't stay out too late," Amy called, having just enough time to kiss Amy on the cheek.

Natalie let her do this but then glared at her uncle. "I'm not gonna kiss you or thank you for getting us this wonderful apartment because I'm mad at you."

Kol was unperturbed. "But you love your uncle Kol, don't you?" He paused and smiled. "I love you back, kiddo!"

She headed out out and Amy shut the door, giving him a shy smile. "You know, you were a bit harsh with her."

Kol shrugged and smiled. "We always tease the ones we love." He paused. "And I can tell by your own teasing that you noticed Milo Morningstar's tongue rolling onto the ground every time his eyes met hers at the wedding."

"Of course," Amy nodded. "And to be frank, I think he intrigues her a lot too, but she won't admit it; she's young enough to realize she has a lot of time to find a man."

"You mean before one of them hurts her?" Kol clarified. Then he leaned down to remove his shoes and socks. "I hope you don't mind my being barefoot. I'm most comfortable when I'm in my bare feet."

"Of course I don't mind," Amy shook her head, her voice shaky as she picked up the dinner plates. "And I...I didn't mean that."

"I have no intention of hurting you, darling," he told her. "I assured Natalie of that when I was helping her with her bookshelf and I want to assure you too. I hope you believe me."

Amy's jaw dropped a little. "She asked you not to hurt me? I don't believe that. Well, I do. And I don't want to be a source of worry for her."

"She's very protective of you, Amy," Kol nodded. "And so...so am I?"

"I want you to know that I'm just as grateful to you for finding this apartment for us as she is."

"Oh, I know," Kol nodded and gave her a sly wink. "That's why we had sex so many times. Cause you wanted to thank me properly."

Amy rose slowly to her feet. "Kol, I know you're joking, but stop it! I'm gonna go do the dishes now."

Kol raised an eyebrow and grinned. "You know I'm joking! That's a huge step forward into our relationship!" He then jumped up and followed her into the small kitchen.

"We...we don't have a relationship! We had sex at an opportune moment, it happened, it was nice...and now we're friends!" She struggled with her explanation, hoping he would believe her.

"Please tell me that we're friends with benefits," he whispered against her ear before gently nibbling on the lobe." He waited until he got a smile out of her, then he went to put his dishes in the sink. "Because there's a huge rug that needs christening, don't you think?"

"Kol!" Amy blushed. "We...we can't! Natalie could come back and see..."

"I don't think she will," he shook his head and gently nibbled on her neck. "She'll probably be gone for hours with Nico or Milo or whoever. Let's enjoy it!"

She bit her lip and locked eyes with the teasing bit of chest that was peeking out from under his shirt because he'd undone three buttons. He'd probably done it on purpose.

"Would you...would you button up your shirt, please?" She asked, her voice shaking.

"Do you really want me to button it up?" He asked, undoing the rest of them. "I like them better this way." He reached toward her. "And speaking of things I like better, let's take your hair down. It looks so marvelous that way. Especially when you're naked and it's spread out all over a pillow." He paused, kissing down her neck. "And when it's wet from us having sex."

"Kol..." She moaned, putting her arms around his neck and then moving her hands up to caress his hair.

"I want you, Amy," he groaned. "Fuck, Amy. I want you!"

She gently cupped his bearded face and stared into his eyes. "I need...I need time to think about things. I need time. Would you be willing to grant me that?"

He sighed and shook his head. He was unhappy but loved her enough that he couldn't deny her anything. "Sure," he kissed her forehead gently. "If you're going to do the dishes, let me help."

"Thank you, but you don't need to," Amy smiled shyly. "I can handle it; I wouldn't want a guest to do such a thing."

Kol stood up. "Well, all right. Thank you for the invitation, then." He gave her a wink. "I'll head out now. I know the way to my apartment. No worries."

Once he'd disappeared into the living room, she put a hand to her heart; she could feel it beating fast. What was he doing? And more importantly, what was she doing?

As Kol grabbed his shoes and socks to put them on, a large grin curved his lips. "You couldn't You couldn't help yourself; you need to have that dessert, don't you, Amy?" He stood up and turned around, finding Amy standing before him in her white lace bra.

"Come here, darling," he reached out for her with his right arm.

Amy then frantically began unbuttoning his shirt and throwing it on the floor before, her lips and hands sliding all over his body while Kol let out several loud groans.

For his part, he grabbed her around the waist, then slid his hands down to her bottom, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Yes, Amy," he encouraged. "This is what I want from you. Good girl." He kissed her forehead tenderly and then crashed his lips on hers.

She let out a cry of pleasure and slowly but reluctantly pulled away. "Just a minute," she said. "I have to grab something. It won't take long." She ran off and came back a few seconds later with a box.

"A hundred condoms?" He cried, wide-eyed. "Thanks for the compliment, but..."

"Don't make fun of me," she begged. "It took a lot of courage for me to go out and get them. They were on sale!"

Kol smiled and shook his head. "I'm not laughing at you, Amy. I think it's adorable, frankly. And I'll take it as a compliment." He winked and threw the box on the rug before pulling her into his arms."

They kissed some more and then he kneeled in front of her to undo the zipper of her jeans and kiss her belly. Meanwhile, her hands were in his hair.

He peeled off her jeans and then parted her legs, his tongue pleasuring her over her panties, making her hips buck as she cried out in ecstasy. "Shush!" He cried and spanked her bottom. "You'll disturb the neighbors!" Then a wicked grin curved his lips. "Oh, that's right. I'm your neighbor! Are you fucking your neighbor, you dirty girl?"

"Kol, please," Amy begged. "I'm suffering! I need you! Please get undressed!"

"I will," he promised and soon he was naked before her before grabbing a condom from the box and putting it on. "I want you to ride me! And don't hold back!"

She unhooked her bra and slid off her soaking wet panties, then lowered herself down on his length.

"Oh, fuck me," he groaned as she rode him. "You feel like heaven!" He pulled her close.

She started to ride him harder and cried out as he filled her more and more.

"You drive me mad when you do that," he told her, his hands going everywhere before he gently sucked on her breasts.

It didn't take long for them both to climax and then collapse on the rug, panting heavily.

"Kol," she whispered, bringing him to her and giving her a soft kiss before he got up and went to take care of the condom.

"Thanks for waiting," he told her. "Not that I'm going to make you do that much. I'm here for your sexual pleasure, Miss Amy." He pulled a blanket over both their bodies and brought her close. "Let me know when you get a new piece of furniture for this apartment; we have ninety nine condoms left and it would be a shame not to use them."

Amy paled. "You're joking, right?"

He grinned and gave her a playful wink.

"Oh, you," she returned, hitting his chest lightly with her fists before kissing one shoulder, then the other, and resting her head on his chest as he ran his fingers through her hair.

Eventually, they got dressed and Amy put her hair back up in its bun, surveying the work she'd done in the bathroom and smiling with satisfaction. She looked perfectly presentable and Natalie would never know that her mother and uncle had had wild, sweaty sex on the living room rug when she returned home.

"A little help?"

She turned. Kol had his pants on and was now working on doing up the buttons of his white shirt. "Oh, all right," she said. "But this better not be some trick to get me naked again."

"Oh, believe me, if I wanted you naked, I would be much more clever," he assured her, as he gently caressed her cheeks. "I was going to ask, but since you're buttoning me up and all...I suppose an encore is out of the question for now?" He gave her a boyish, crooked smile.

Amy blushed and looked down at her feet. "Oh, stop. Who knows when Natalie will come back? I want to be presentable when she does."

"It's not like she has no idea what's going on between us," Kol replied. "I'm sure she's even encouraging it!" He grabbed her hand to kiss each one of her fingers.

"Maybe-but I asked you for time...to figure things out for myself. Can you give me that?" She buried her sight in his and waiting for him to nod and show he understood.

"Sure," Kol nodded. "As long as we can have sex while you're thinking."

"Can't you be serious?" Amy asked, turning to head toward the kitchen to fill the sink with soap and water.

I suppose I could be," he agreed. "But what would the fun be in that? Plus," He began drying the dishes she washed and gently kissed her forehead. "But it's way too much fun to tease you."

"Yeah," she chuckled slightly. "It appears so."

"Hearing you laugh warms my heart," he said. "It's good to know that Klaus hasn't ruined you completely."

"Of course not," Amy said with feeling. "I'll rise back from the ashes."

"You will," he encouraged. "But until then, you have a friend in me."

"Only a friend?" She smirked and handed him a plate.

"Well, look at you, woman! Now it's you who is pushing the issue!" Kol chided with a shake of his finger at her."

They laughed together. "Klaus tried to make me think I was a whore," she confessed. "But I didn't let him."

"Good for you, darling," Kol congratulated her. "I'm proud!"

"And..." She started to chuckle. "He said the silliest thing too that I have to share with you. He said that you had been pining for me for years and married Margot because you couldn't have me. Isn't that the silliest thing?"

Kol cleared his throat, but said nothing and busied himself putting the clean plates away.

"Kol?" She sobered as she said his name.

"Yes?" He turned to face her, his eyes somber.

She dried her hands and then peered at him. "Please tell me it's not true!"

"I'm not going to lie to you," he sighed. "I...I can't tell you that right now."

"And why is that?" Amy drawled.

"Because I need to think about it," Kol replied. "I'm not gonna say what you want to hear just because you want to hear it."

"Are you saying Klaus is right?" Amy asked frantically, her voice breaking on the last word.

"I'm saying it could be or not, and I don't just tell people bullshit," Kol reminded her.

"So..." She began to pace back and forth through the kitchen. "Are you telling me that you never loved my sister?"

"For fuck's sake!" Kol cried in exasperation. "Why would you say something like that? Of course I loved Margot! We had a child together! One has nothing to do with the other!"

"Excuse me, they have everything to do with each other!" Amy cried. "I can't believe you don't see it!"

"Fine!" Kol cried. "So what if I had a crush on you? What would it change about the past? Nothing!" He threw a towel on the counter. "It won't change shit! And what would you have done if you'd known? Would you even have looked at me twice? No! So, end of argument!"

"I just can't believe you have a crush on me!" Amy cried. "How is that?"

"I don't know? How?" Kol shrugged.

Amy lowered her eyes to the floor. "You need to leave now."

"Yep, I have to give you the chance to bury your head in the sand again, right, Amy? Would that be good and merciful of me?"

"Leave!" Amy shouted.

"With pleasure!" Kol shouted back. "Don't bother trying to show me out! I know the way back to my own place. Thanks for lunch and the good company. Tell Natalie hello when she comes back." By the time he slammed the apartment door closed, his voice was dripping with sarcasm.

Then, alone in the quiet, Amy leaned against the apartment's front door and started to cry.