A HUGE thank-you to all whom favourited and reviewed! It really helps in the whole inspiration process.

Another thank-you goes to Rachel (you know who you are), for generally being amazing and forcing me to carry on with the story.

I'm so sorry for the wait!

xxx

Two vampires and a tourist trap were never a good combination.

However, these particular vampires (who just happened to be the oldest beings in existence and the deadliest of their kind) were on their very best behaviour as they walked down the boulevard, blending in seamlessly with the mortal population. It was almost funny to see how oblivious the humans surrounding them were, completely unaware of the predators in their midst. Of course, there were a few who noticed something was different about the two siblings, humans who were especially perceptive when it came to the supernatural. A glare here, a shiver there. One mother didn't even need to look at the two before herding her children closer.

Humans were so close to realising the truth, but dismissed it before they could consider it a possibility. Vampires? Don't be absurd.

Suddenly, the older vampire lifted his head, as if sensing something. Within seconds, he pulled the other into a café and out of sight.

'Ow!'

'Oh, come on. There is no way that actually hurt.' Kol said sceptically.

'It's an expression, Kol, just leave me and my hyperbole alone.' Rowena fired back as she looked around the surprisingly empty café. 'We can just sit, right?'

Kol looked back at the busy street outside, and craned his neck in an attempt to locate the daywalker he knew was out there. 'I suppose it wouldn't be a terrible idea to stay for a while… Just choose a table away from the windows.'

At this, Rowena rolled her eyes. 'Thanks for that life-saver. What other exciting lessons in Hiding 101 do I have to look forward to today?' She waltzed over to the table farthest away from the windows and sat down heavily. Kol sighed, realising his mistake. He'd just tried to lecture someone who had spent their whole life in hiding on how to do just that. Maybe he had sunstroke or something. He really should've eaten someone today, but Elijah would probably kill him if any more mortals went missing. Apparently people were starting to notice something was up with the suspiciously high crime rates and increased missing persons. It'd taken them long enough.

Rowena gestured impatiently at the empty chair opposite her, and Kol spared one final glance for the street outside before moving to join her. Almost immediately a waitress walked up and asked them for their orders.

'Is there any cake?' Rowena asked lazily, folding the menu into tiny triangles while she spoke, 'Chocolate would be preferable.' She smiled up at the women innocently. Some might mistake the grin for happiness or even optimism, but Kol knew better. Rowena was sizing up her next meal.

As the waitress left, her attention moved to Kol and she raised her eyebrow at his concerned expression.

'Oh, fuck off. I'm not going kill her, alright? Besides, she smells sour. You know these humans, they always taste better sweet.'

'How can you even smell that?'

'Centuries can be boring without a hobby. Mine was… food related.' At this, Rowena nodded to the bustling street outside, 'How is the buffet this side of America, anyway? Up in New York they just taste of grease and money.'

Kol's eyes didn't stray from his sister's face as she spoke, carefully examining for any sign as to why she was here. 'Is that where you've been then?' He asked nonchalantly, 'New York?

Rowena looked back at him with an air of disgust. 'Stop micro-analysing me, you prick.'

Kol opened his mouth, ready to defend himself but reconsidered before he said anything. Instead he simply shrugged in response and answered 'Okay, diablo.'

Rowena rolled her eyes at the nickname before continuing 'Yeah, New York. I was in Russia for a while – about 6 decades in the 1900's – but I wanted to speak English again so I came over about, uh, 15 years ago? Wait, what year is it again?'

Kol frowned for a moment before responding '2016 I think… wait, no- yes. Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's 2016 now. Obama's leaving office this year.'

Rowena waved her hand dismissively, 'Oh, I don't follow politics. Ever since the whole King Charles - Oliver Cromwell catastrophe in England I've avoided meddling.'

The two fell silent until the arrival of the waitress, bearing cake. The women smiled at Rowena again, before setting down her plate 'I got you some chocolate sauce to go on top. It tastes better that way.' The redhead thanked the waitress as Kol tapped on the table impatiently. The woman, Katie, was closer to death than she had ever been before. She needed to leave before getting bled dry by the innocent little schoolgirl she was fawning over. Humans were irritatingly stupid.

The waitress finally left to serve the family of five that had just entered the café, leaving the siblings to their food. Rowena sighed dramatically and turned to face her brother.

'I think she likes me.'

'Everyone like you.'

'That's true.' Rowena paused for a moment, picking up her fork. 'Just ask, Kol. You won't get answers without questions, after all.'

'And here I thought you were going for the whole 'ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies' attitude.'

Rowena frowned before saying 'I heard there was a child.'

Kol dropped his fork. As he bent down to pick it up, his mind raced with thoughts. Should he tell her? Should he lie? She would see through it if he lied, wouldn't she?

'But don't worry; I'm not going to inquire. There's no point.' Kol huffed in relief as he sat upright once more. He wouldn't have to lie. 'Klaus wouldn't let me see it, even if he did somehow allow me to live.'

Kol sat back in his chair 'Why would you want to see it anyway? If it did exist, of course.' He added quickly.

'Because it would be unique. Completely and utterly unknown. Because it would be the only child ever born of a vampire, if you can call one of those mutts a vampire. Mostly, though, because it would piss Klaus off and all his werewolf brethren.'

Kol laughed 'So you heard about Klaus? His wolf side is finally free.'

'It's disgusting. Vampires are supposed to be the most unnatural beings, but we don't have anything on those… hybrids Klaus makes. They make my skin crawl.' The younger vampire tipped the chair backwards as she spoke, using her foot propped up on the table to steady her.

'Useful, though, right?' Kol batted her foot away 'Mutts or not, they do have interesting abilities, as for their power…'

Rowena stopped him before he could continue. 'Oh, steady on, brother, keep your evil scheming to yourself. I come back for one day and we're already hatching plots? No, let's leave that 'til the weekend.'

'Well, what else are we supposed to do? You can't exactly visit a tourist attraction.'

Rowena tilted her head slightly, mulling over the possibilities in her head. 'None of these vampires know me yet. One perk of being left out of the history books. All they can do is wonder about who I am and why you're with me. So why can't I go out and have some fun?' Instead of waiting for an answer, the redhead stood up at headed for the exit, leaving Kol to pay.

It was the perfect metaphor for their relationship.