A/N: I can't resist Fabina. It's so perfect. I wonder if tomorrow's episode will have anything to do with Valentine's Day. . . Speaking of which, I grace thee this fluffy piece in celebratory fashion of the upcoming romance holiday! I know it's probably a cliche, since this is a major Fabina moment, but I added my own twist to it. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: As much as I would love to own HoA, I don't. I'm not British/Dutch/Swedish/Whatever-Nationality-the-original-creators-were, and I'm not that good at coming up with mysteries. I would also like to own Brad Kavanagh, but that's classified as human ownership and is illegal. So I don't own him either. What a shame. . .

They were sitting in the attic, shuffling through various boxes. Nina had decided that it'd be a good way to look for new clues—just go through the items, and tell the other if they found anything that looked particularly creepy. Not only was it a good way to find clues, but it was helping them understand the background of the House, and its Egyptian roots.

So far, it was just her and Fabian. Though Amber had tagged along on quite a few of their attic expeditions, the blonde had decided that the attic was thoroughly scary, and not worth the trip every time.

"I don't think there's anything of note in this box," Fabian announced, pushing aside the box he had been digging in. "Just a bunch of old books on Egyptian mythology. Nothing we haven't seen before at this point."

Nina sighed. "I wish we could find something. Anything. I feel like we're stuck right now."

Fabian stood and dropped back down, this time beside Nina. "We practically are. But don't worry, I'm sure we'll find something soon," he said, ever the optimist. "Maybe another visit to Sarah will help?"

She shook her head. "I don't know if that's such a good idea. She's a good source and all, but last time we went to see her, she seemed so confused and upset. I don't know if what she says will match up anymore."

Fabian lent his head back, looking around. "Maybe not, then."

They lapsed into a silence, Nina going back to the journal-type object she was examining, and Fabian just glancing around, taking a break from riffling through the boxes. It was a few minutes more before they heard anything and then it was—

"That sounded like the door!" Nina barely whispered.

Fabian nodded as footsteps followed. He quickly stood up, grabbing Nina as he did. "Come on, we can hide behind the panel!"

Nina quickly pulled on the chain around her neck, and shoved the Eye against the wall. The panel opened, and Nina and Fabian rushed inside.

Taking a deep breath, Fabian listened at the door as Nina slid down the wall into a sitting position. Whoever was on the other side of the panel, they weren't talking. But Fabian knew in his gut that it was Victor. Who else would be coming up to the attic at night?

"Are you okay?" He asked in just a breath of a whisper, leaning down to sit beside Nina. She looked cold, and scared.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine. That was just a close call," she replied in the same tone he had used.

Fabian took off his jacket, and draped it across her, much like he had done once before. "You're telling me. I don't even want to imagine what Victor would've done had he caught us."

Nina smiled at him, pulling his jacket closer to her. The gesture, the situation, and most of all the smell of the jacket all worked together to remind her of the last time they had sat together in the space behind the panel. And also what Amber had thought about what went on when Nina snuck off with Fabian. . .

"Yeah, me either. We'd be toast, for sure," she whispered.

It was a while later that they heard the creak of the door shutting behind Victor. By this time, Nina had grown tired, and had leant her head against Fabian's shoulder. She was half asleep as he prodded at her, hoping she wasn't all the way gone.

"Nina. . . Nina. . . Nina! We can leave now," he said, smiling as she slowly regained full awareness of where they were.

"Oh. Oh, right, right." She got the warm feeling inside as Fabian helped her up. He's always such a gentleman.

Nina was still a bit shaky on her feet from the sleep, so Fabian didn't let go of her. If he was honest with himself, though, he was just looking for an excuse not to let go of her arm and waist.

They made it out of the attic, and crept into the hall way as quietly as possible, still wary of Victor. Nina had pulled Fabian's jacket all the way on, and looked quite comfortable in it. Fabian pulled the attic door to slowly, so it wouldn't creak too loudly.

"That was close," Nina reiterated. She was smiling, and every now and again a small giggle would escape her lips.

"Yeah, no kidding," Fabian said. He walked her to her door, constantly reminded of last time. Maybe I'll change just one thing. . .

"Well, I'd better slip back into bed before Amber notices something. And you'll want to get back downstairs in case Victor's still prowling." Nina made to take his jacket off.

"No! I mean, no, you keep it." Fabian had stopped her from peeling the garment off by putting his hands on hers. "It's alright—I won't need it for tonight." He didn't move his hands, even though he was rather worried that they were going to start sweating due to nerves.

"Aw. Thanks." Nina liked the warmth of Fabian's hands on hers. She had thought at first that things would be weird—Fabian himself was rather awkward at times, and the fact that she'd never had a boyfriend before wouldn't help things—but it seemed oddly natural. Just like their friendship, only they were doing more couple-y things.

They stood there awkwardly for a minute. Then Nina started laughing again.

Fabian looked around and shushed her, a smile on his own face. "What's so funny?"

"This," Nina said, only quieting enough not to get caught by Victor.

That's where she lost Fabian. The smile fell, and a near-frown took its place. "What's so funny about this?"

Nina picked up on the mood change, and she calmed. "Well, just that it's so strange, yet . . . Oh, I don't know. It's not strange. If that even makes sense." Nina hated it when she started rambling like that, and it happened more often than she would like, but it was a nervous habit of hers. She didn't want to ruin this chance at something more with Fabian, like she had before.

Thankfully, the smile returned. "Oh, so it's strange but it's not. Yes, Nina, that makes total sense." He couldn't resist teasing her.

"Oh you know what I mean!" She laughed. Then she heard something down the hall—it could easily be one of the girls in the washroom, but it also could be Victor.

"I think that's our cue to go to bed," Fabian said.

"Yeah, I think so too." She looked down, noticing that their hands were still entwined. Looking up, she said, "Well, good night."

Fabian leaned a bit closer. "Good night, Nina." Then, gathering his courage, he planted a kiss on her cheek. It wasn't much, but it was enough.

He pulled back, taking his hands with him, and made to turn down the hall.

Nina had stood dumbstruck, but she didn't want Fabian to leave without her saying something. "Fabian!"

He turned. "Yes?"

"Uhm. Thanks," she said somewhat lamely. "For the jacket, and . . . well, yeah. And be careful of Victor!"

Fabian chuckled, thinking Nina was rather cute when she was rambling. "No problem. And I will be. Good night." He walked back to his room—all the while looking back in case Victor was prowling—and finally shut his door behind him. With one last smile and a contented sigh, he crawled into bed.

Nina had watched him leave. She smiled, and reached up to touch the place where Fabian had kissed her. I'll have to talk to him tomorrow about this, she thought. Just so I know where we stand. . . And so I have an excuse to bring it up!

Nina turned to her room, and cautiously entered. There, she was faced with a suspicious Amber.

"Where have you been all night? Surely the attic couldn't have taken that long. Ah! I know! You and Fabian had a secret date! Didn't you? You did! You're even wearing his jacket! Oh, that's so cute!"

Letting her room-mate gush over her love life, Nina took off her shoes and prepared for bed. She hung his jacket on the bedpost by her head, so it'd be near all night. In the morning, she'd talk to him, and hopefully have her first boyfriend soon.

A/N: Sorry if this is kind of awkward in parts, but Fabina is awkward at times. So I think it's justified. I'd love to hear from you readers and know what you think. I'm also thinking of doing a multi-chap piece, with a new clue and whatnot. I'm going to let the show progress a bit more before I do that, though. Reviews make me happy. :]

-Zenelia*Sky