Jeffrey exited his math finals feeling exhausted but ridiculously, optimistically cheerful. He had actually gotten a somewhat decent night's sleep,(Five hours), but even more so was the fact that he was on his way to the cafe to see Skye again. And hang out with her. Well, study but same difference. Jeffrey didn't want to pin the exact feeling, but he was eager and excited to see the sarcastic blonde again. There was something refreshing about her whole manner. She was straight forward and blunt, and Jeffrey honestly loved that. He had a hard time making friends, because he was used to socializing with stuck up jerks that were used to their families paying for everything they needed. Here was someone not only working to help pay her way through college, but was also a bona fide genius. And she wasn't afraid in the least!

Jeffrey had found at an early age that the amount of people willing to work hard and did actually work hard to achieve a goal was extremely rare. So, he liked Skye. A lot. He questioned how he could like someone, who he hadn't even known too well before yesterday, so much, but he pushed it out of his head as he reached the cafe.

There was no-one in the cafe that time, except for a striking blue-eyed girl who had her head laying ontop of her arms on the coffee counter. Her said eyes were closed, but she was muttering in a focused way; so, Jeffrey didn't think she was asleep.

Jeffrey walked up to the counter and stooping down he rested his chin on the edge.

"Hey."

Skye finished mumbling something along the lines of 'hang Jane Austen', and opened her eyes leisurely to look upon her intruder.

"Can I get you something?" She asked after a lengthy pause. Jeffrey recognized it as a genuine question, and not a sarcastic demand.

"Strong coffee again." He sighed, his whole head bobbed as his chin moved against the counter.

Skye's face developed a mischievous expression.

"Oh, you're going to regret that once I show you what Jane sent me."

"Am I?" Jeffrey found Skye's eyes very sparkly when she wore a grin like that.

"Boom" Skye reached from under the counter. Jeffrey's face developed a nervous look, as he took in the coffee bag Skye held up in front of him.

First off, the package was completely shiny black, except for a white square on the front. In that white square was a depiction of a skull and crossbones. Oh, and if that wasn't menacing enough wait until you've heard the coffee brand name.

"Death...Wish." Jeffrey's tone held a hint of terrified awe, "What in the hell is that?"

"Only the most potent brew of caffeine that exists in this world." Skye rose and began preparing the coffee in one of the cafe's machines, "I've had it before...and let's just say it lives up to its name."

A strong, but rich dark coffee smell began to permeate the cafe. It did smell good, but still Jeffrey eyed the bag with superstition.

"How was your math final." Skye let out an uproariously large yawn, which in turn made Jeffrey yawn.

"Really good." Jeffrey straightened against the counter, "I didn't have trouble on a single question. Thanks to you."

Skye shrugged.

"Just pay me back well on literature. God, I hate that course."

"Why'd you take it then." Jeffrey watched in a sort of half-dread as Skye checked the coffee pot, and then let out a breath when he saw it wasn't done yet, "Doesn't sound like a typical requirement course for an Astrophysics scholar."

"Jane." Skye replied in the way of an answer. Jeffrey gave her an inquisitive look.

"She's an aspiring writer No, sorry. Author. Has been ever since she heard her first bedtime story." Skye explain. "She badgered me about taking a literature course; so, I agreed if she in turn would work harder at her Algebra, and take some solid math courses when she gets into college. She's getting A's currently; so, I'm stuck trying to puzzle out metaphors and Shakespearean nonsense."

Skye picked up the coffee pot and poured the black liquid into two cups.

"Cream and sugar?" Skye queried.

"Um..." Jeffrey hesitated as he gazed at the cup, "Just how strong..."

"Twice as much kick as an espresso, but so so good." Skye inhaled deeply, "Trust me, on the amount of exhaustion we're running on now, we'll need it to muddle through my studies."

Skye was already pouring Cream and sugar into Jeffrey's cup, as if that settled the question. She stirred it thoroughly and passed the cup over to the brunette across from her. Jeffrey picked it up slowly.

"Cheers?" He cracked weakly, holding out his cup towards the barista. Skye rolled her eyes, but complied.

"Cheers." They clinked their cups together, and then Skye took a deep drain from her's, as Jeffrey looked on. She appeared to enjoy it thoroughly, her eyes shut in appreciation. But Jeffrey knew he couldn't trust her as a source, because she drank it black. Skye began to open her eyes, and hurriedly Jeffrey took a sip.

It was good. Easily the best brew Jeffrey had ever tasted. It wasn't bitter either, like Jeffrey had expected and he quite liked its dark flavor. He didn't normally care for dark coffee either.

"Well?" Skye asked.

"This-it's unbelievably good." Jeffrey couldn't keep out the tone of surprise, "I like it."

"For Pete's sake, you act like you thought I was poisoning you." Skye snorted.

Jeffrey laughed with her. Yes, he had thought that. If was called for Death Wish for God's sake. Can you blame him?


Okay, question out there to my gracious readers. I've got another Penderwicks story in the works. It's pretty much a Pirates of The Carribean AU. Out of curiosity would you like me to start posting chapters from that too? It wouldn't cut into this story, and I'd make sure that story gets its updates first. Or would you prefer me to finish this story first before I introduce it?

Its up to you guys. Sincerely, so please just state which you'd prefer. I don't mind either way, so pleas don't say something like 'It's your story do what you want.' I'm genuinely interested in your opinion.

As always, kudos to my golden trio.

The snazzy readwriteedit,

The razzly dazzly Nijibrush,

and strictly fistbumps no hugs, amazing Marowren.

love ya guys.