Okay, okay, so I haven't updated in like – forever – but I have a very good reason why. School has got me totally swamped and I've been so uninspired lately, so I'm sorry if this chapter may not be that good. As for my other story, that will be updated soon. I just need a bit more time to be inspired for it, since it's the last chapter already.

Anyway, I'll stop my rambling now.

Please review, and again, I'm so sorry. Thanks for bearing with me!

Hugs and kisses to all!

----Sera

Haley awoke the next morning to the tasteful aroma of pancakes wafting from the kitchen and into her bedroom. She frowned, wondering how the hell Nathan was able to buy pancakes that early in the morning. Nathan never cooked because he absolutely sucked in it. In fact, there was one particular incident…

Haley was in her bedroom, typing the first paragraph of her interview about Nathan when she smelled something burning. She quickly stood up and ran into the kitchen. She gaped when she saw the complete mess.

The kitchen looked like ten hurricanes hit it. Pots and pans were scattered on the floor, there were dirty dishes all over the countertops and there were strange spills of Lord-knows-what everywhere. And in the middle of all the chaos was Nathan, grinning sheepishly as he held a frying pan in one hand and a spatula in the other.

"Nathan! What the hell happened?!" Haley demanded.

"I was cooking,"

"Cooking? It's like you're redecorating the kitchen!" She cried.

"Hey, I was going to give you breakfast in bed!" He protested.

Haley tried to ignore the giddy sensation swooping "Yeah, and poison me in the process. Look at this mess, Nathan!"

"A simple 'thank you' would suffice." Nathan said coolly.

Haley laughed. "I didn't know you knew what 'suffice' meant. But that does not excuse the mess you made. This is going to take ages to clean!"

"Hey, you should really be thanking me because I woke up way too early to cook you breakfast, and I never do that for anyone." He said rather sullenly.

She smiled. "I'd thank you if you clean this up."

"You're not going to help me?"

"No."

"Haleeeeey –" Nathan whined as he strode over to her, but suddenly, he slipped on one of the spills. He flailed his arms in the air, trying to reach for anything to hold onto, and instead, grabbed Haley's wrist, making her fall down with him.

"Nathan!" Haley cried angrily, as she tried to wipe off the mess in her pajamas. "Look at me! I'm a mess!"

"If you ask me, I think you look more human." Nathan teased.

She scowled and wiped her sticky fingers on his face. "So do you."

Instead of getting pissed off, he grinned and retaliated by smothering her face with a handful of the goop. She swore loudly as she tried to push him off her but he was too strong. He began to tickle her so that they were both lying in the middle of the dirty floor, giggling uncontrollably.

"Nathan – stop – please – I can't – breathe –" Haley managed to squeak in between laughter.

"Not until you appreciate what I did."

"I'd appreciate it more if you cleaned this up – hey!" She screamed harder as he began to tickle her some more. "Okay, okay, I appreciate it."

"You what?"

"Thank – you!" She choked.

"I can't hear you, Haley. Louder," he ordered, laughing at the sight of her.

"Thank you!" Haley yelled, relieved when he stopped.

Nathan grabbed the nearest washcloth and wiped her face clean. "There, at least you'll be easier to kiss."

"I'll be easier to what?" Haley repeated, not entirely sure if she heard him right.

"You heard what I said," he whispered as he leaned down to kiss her.

She felt a pleasant shudder up her spine when his lips were merely inches away from hers. The anticipation was almost too much to bear as Haley grabbed on his collar to pull him closer to her.

Suddenly, one of the pots on the stove began to emit thick clouds of smoke and immediately, the sprinklers went off. Haley was unable to hide a groan of disappointment.

Nathan didn't miss it as he grinned down at her. "Sorry James, no kiss today. Gotta clean this up," he jumped up and ran to the basement to shut off the sprinklers. Haley was left in the kitchen, smiling to herself.

Since their "elevator incident," things have been going rather well. They still endlessly argued about the most random things and they bickered about every stupid thing every chance they got, but there was an obvious ease to it now.

Haley tried to ignore the strange feelings she was getting whenever Nathan was around, and she desperately tried to convince herself that it was nothing more than just hatred – like before.

Hatred? Psssh. You're starting to like him now, admit it. A voice in her head said.

Haley shook the thought out of her mind, and went to the kitchen, only to see Lucas cooking pancakes and wearing a ridiculous-looking pink, flowery apron.

"Good morning, Haley. Nice to see you up at this time of morning," he greeted.

"That's a very manly apron you got there, Luke." Haley observed, smiling.

He rolled his eyes at her. "A very wise decision, Haley – insult the guy handling your food."

Her smile widened. She had gotten closer with Lucas over the last few days and whenever Nathan was at basketball practice, she spent most of her time with his brother. "Mm – smells great. I'm glad to know you're a better cook than Nathan."

"I heard that," he interrupted, walking into the kitchen. He was wearing nothing more than a pair of jeans hastily buttoned. Haley tried her best not to stare at his muscular arms and ripped chest, so she pretended to be very interested with her fork.

Lucas grinned when he noticed her. "Hey Hales, do you mind getting us some orange juice from the fridge?"

"Love to," she muttered as she went to get the pitcher, her gaze fixated on the floor.

Don't look at his chest. Don't think he's hot. Whatever you do – act like it's nothing.

But it wasn't "nothing" at all. In fact, it was the exact opposite of nothing. Haley was starting to feel lightheaded and the familiar tingling sensation was already racing down her spine.

Finally, she couldn't take it anymore and without lifting her head, she said, "I have to – bathroom – be right back –" She raced to the bathroom and splashed ice cold water in her face, trying to calm herself.

She was just sexually frustrated. That was it. She only had sex once. Nathan wasn't turning her on. It was only sexual frustration – being in a room with two, very good-looking men.

Haley looked up to the mirror, only to see Nathan leaning casually against the doorframe. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she said softly.

"You sure?"

"I'm fine, Nathan. Leave me alone." She ordered him.

"I don't think I can do that."

And with one swift mood, Nathan wrapped her in his arms and pushed her against the door so it closed. Without hesitating, his mouth covered hers.

I bet you're confused, especially after my author's note in the last chapter. ((evil laugh)) You'll just have to wait and see, won't you? Ar-en-ar!