Chapter One:
Too Beautiful for Pick-Up Lines

Summary: Nate's fallen in love… and, unlike most of his relationships, this girl's just not interested…
Chapter: 1 of 6… that is what I will try and get anyway. It will probably go over this limit.
Pairing: Nate/Mel
Dedicated to: EmmyLovett. Yes, you can have your virtual chocolate now ;)

After the harsh day at work, all Nate wanted to do was collapse on his bed and fall asleep.

But he couldn't.

He had to call Bella and tell her it was over.

Which would be easy; Nate had done it dozens of times. But unfortunately, Bella was sensitive. Sensitive Bella; she definitely wouldn't handle the break-up well. And after that, he would write down the pick-up lines that would suit Mel best. He was the king of pick-up lines. He could already think of one he would DEFINITELY use: Are you from the Police Force? Because when I look at you, I hear sirens. It wasn't the best one he had, but it was DEFINITELY appropriate.

He knew his colleagues would be spending the typical Saturday at the pub; including Mel. He needed a fresh shower, a douse of cologne, and a quick change of clothes.

He hoped Mel wouldn't mind the pick-up lines. Most girl's hearts fluttered when he used them, and if they didn't flutter, they completely stopped.

Mel watched with passionate eyes as Nate entered the pub. Nate smiled eagerly and waved at her. Though, to his disappointment, she looked alarmed at the enthusiasm. Crap. He'd already stuffed it up. Oh well. There was still another oppurtunity. He walked over to her, equipped with his police pick-up line. "Are you from the Siren? When because I look at you I hear forces."

Shit.

He sounded like a character of Star Wars, or maybe Star Trek, or whatever. He felt like dying now. He had never been so nervous in front of a woman in his life.

Mel blinked, confused. "WHAT?" she asked, squinting.

Nate scratched his head. "Um, never mind…" he searched for a conversation starter. "Do you like chocolate?"

"Um…" Mel pursed her lips. "I suppose so?" she replied in the form of a question, not as an answer, as if she was doubtful.

She stood up then, ending the conversation, obviously weirded out by this. "Wait up!" Nate called out. "Why are you leaving?"

"Because, it's really awkward."

"Maybe we should start drinking," Nate suggested weakly.

"Maybe…" Mel said, pondering the idea. "Not maybe. Definitely."

Half-heartedly, Nate laughed. And so it began.

He awoke the next morning, in his bed, not wondering how he had gotten there at first. He felt something (or someone?) warm in his arms. He supposed that it was just a girl; someone he had picked up in the bar last night. Then he remembered a certain conversation…

"What was with you back there?"

"Nerves."

"Nerves? About what?"

"About you."

That conversation with Mel.

He opened his eyes, and saw her thick, chocolate-coloured hair, spread out messily across his bare chest. He had his arms tight, protective, around her waist. A pale, blue blanket was pulled up over the two, but he spotted all of her clothes, lying limply on the tiled floor of his apartment, and he could see that she wasn't wearing any. Nate then realised he wasn't either.

What happened last night? he asked himself in his thoughts, confused about the events. She stirred for a second, and stretched her arms slightly.

"Nate…" she whispered.

How was he going to get through this one?

A/N: The start of the story is SOOO unlike Nate. But I suppose we all get a bit love-struck at times. Though ending up at his apartment not wearing any clothes and not remembering what the Hell had happened? So like him.