Okay! Here you are! I'm getting behind on my chapter writing; suffering from a bit of writer's block and school work. Chapters might be a little slower in coming this next two weeks, but I'll do my best! I was trying to get across Patch's inner glee, and how good his control is in front of Nora that she never noticed any of it slip. I also wanted to get his relationship with Rixon in there. Without further ado:

Chapter Nine

Nora ate slowly, barely biting the food. I wasn't sure how someone could daintily eat a taco, but there she was. Occasionally, she'd look up from her food to see if I was still watching her. I was, and so she'd blush slightly and look back down. Neither of us spoke the whole time; myself because I didn't want to throw off the small peace we'd made.

After we ate, I picked up the plates and took them to the sink.

"I'll wash, you dry." I said, wanting to make her more comfortable. Looking through her kitchen drawers, I found a towel and threw it at her. She grimaced, but it was soft. I turned to switch the faucet on.

"I'm ready to ask you those questions, starting with that night at the library." She commanded. I turned and leaned against the counter, a small smile on my face. "Did you follow me…"

Nora trailed off. Her eyes widened and began looking down, and her breathing became shallow.

She's looking at my lips.

I rose my eyebrows. "What?" Why, Nora, do you want to…?

Flustered, she looked away. "Uh—nothing. Nothing at all. You wash, I'll dry."

No way- I'd been around long enough to know the signs of desire, and it was just written all on her face. I hadn't had to seduce her or trick her. It was almost unbelievable…I knew I wanted to kiss her, more than kiss her, but she wanted to kiss me. Looking to the side while I washed, I saw her staring intently at the dishes, almost as if she couldn't believe what she'd just done and could wash the thought away.

Me? I was all for making that thought a reality.

When we finished washing and drying, we just stood there. Nora wasn't going to make the first move, so I reached for the dish towel. In the process, I placed my body against hers.

I'll bet she's warm.

After a few moments, she stepped back.

"Scared?" I whispered, looking at her.

"No." Her voice was filled with fear, but I could tell that it wasn't of me.

"Liar."

She turned to me, her voice indignant. "I'm not scared of you."

"No?"

"Maybe it's just that I'm scared of—"she stopped, biting her lip. "Maybe it's just that I'm scared of...of—"

"Liking me?" Could I hope?

"Yes." She breathed. Ha! She admits it! I thought. Suddenly she went red. "I mean, no! Definitely no. That is not what I was trying to say."

I began to laugh; of course it couldn't be so easy.

"The truth is, part of me is definitely not comfortable around you." She began.

"But?" She grabbed the counter, steadying herself.

"But at the same time, I feel a scary attraction to you." She made it sound like a confession to murder.

I grinned; finally we were getting somewhere. She smirked at my grin, momentarily relaxing.

"You are way too cocky." She reached out, pushing me, and I took my chance. I held her hand against my chest, and I pulled down her sleeves so that she couldn't move away from me. Pulling her close, I lifted her up onto the counter, and looked into her eyes.

I'm all yours, Angel. Why don't you take what you were looking for?

I couldn't feel her. It was never more miserably obvious than at that moment. But I didn't care. I wanted her to feel me. I wanted her to want to feel me, to desire me the way I'd desired her for the past year. That desire for her life was turning into a desire for her affection, and it was only going to happen if she acknowledged that she wanted me back.

Her eyes began to burn, and she gestured towards my hat. "Take off your hat." She whispered, quickly. I slipped the brim back. She moved towards me, and I knew that I wouldn't have to hold her. Her hair was back, and her neck was in full view. Placing my arms outside of her legs, I leaned in, and her breathing became heavier. When I placed my lips on her shoulder, she moaned. Wow- okay. I wouldn't mind hearing that again.

"You should go. You should definitely go." She panted.

"Go here?" I lifted my eyebrow only slightly. "Or here?" I kept placing small kisses on her skin, moving up. She began to shake, and she arched her neck. Go? Clearly not away.

"My legs are falling asleep," she blurted, trying to resist the desire that I could see building.

"I could solve that." I placed my hands around her hips, and I swear that she was about to burst.

Suddenly, her phone rang and she jumped, connection broken.

Damn!

I was so caught up in her desire that I forgot that her phone would work without the mindtrick. Still, she seemed so happy for the distraction that it didn't seem to occur to her.

"Can I call you back?" she told whoever it was, and quickly shut the phone. "You need to leave. Right now." She commanded me.

I'd already turned my hat around, and I was smiling at her. Looking at her flushed skin and pink, non-kissed lips, I noticed that there was no lip gloss.

That's right! "You're not wearing makeup." She'd taken my suggestion, and she looked wonderful. At the moment, she looked better than wonderful. I'd have to finish what I started later however- quickly too, before she realized that her phone shouldn't be working.

"I must have forgotten it."

Right. "Sweet dreams tonight." I knew she'd wouldn't forget what almost just happened between us. I knew I wouldn't.

"Sure, no problem." She answered, dazed.

I couldn't help it; I had to see if her answer had changed. "About that party tomorrow night…"

"I'll…think about it," she answered, almost like a question. I pulled out the address that I'd written earlier. I tucked it in her pocket.

"Here's the address. I'll be looking for you. Come alone." I'd planned on using that line to lure her to her death. Now I was using it to lure her into temptation. Not sure which she'd find worse, I thought, laughing to myself.

I closed her door, and leaned against it, smiling hard. Something was totally wrong with me, but I couldn't get myself to feel bad about it. In fact, I was feeling downright euphoric. Laughing quietly, I got onto the motorcycle and rode all the way back to Delphic.

It wasn't until I placed my helmet on my table when the gravity of the situation hit me. I hadn't once thought about what I'd done.

I'd just let her live.

Holy shit.

Unproductive days were awful, but counterproductive days? What kind of hold did Nora have over me that not only did I not kill her, but I left wanting her more than ever?

I grinned uncontrollably. I didn't know, but it left me excited. I hadn't felt this happy about something since…well, never actually. Discovering there was a way to be human came a close second, but nothing matched this warmth I was feeling inside.

Oh god, I'm becoming sentimental…focus!

Wiping my face of any emotion, I let my pragmatic side come through. So, what did I plan on doing with Nora now that I decided that she could live (for now)? What was I going to do about my human body? Was there a way to have both?

I sat on a bar stool in the kitchen, contemplating.

The crux of it all was that I needed a descendant of Chauncey's. He had another one, Hank Millar's daughter, but she wouldn't be sixteen until the early summer. It would also be incredibly hard to get near her, considering she was under the watchful eyes of her father. When she turned sixteen, she'd be surrounded by Nephilim guards at any time. I'd also planned on saving her for Rixon, when I proved that I could become human. I didn't want to take his chance…but I wanted to be human, and I wanted to be human with Nora, not because of Nora.

I could figure it out. Chauncey wasn't as hard as he thought he was to get around, despite his little army. Easily infiltrated, easily distracted. Still, I wanted to speak to Rixon about it, and see how he felt. I'd need a little more help from him, considering Hank was his Nephil. I didn't want him to think I was betraying him.

I pulled my phone out to call, when there was a knock on the door. I sensed out to see who it was.

Open the door, or will you keeping arsing around in there as usual?

Speak of the devil. I opened the door and Rixon stood in the door with a huge grin. He sauntered in, despite not having been invited. He fell on the couch, resting his arms on the back.

"So, we're going paintballing Monday." He commanded imperiously. "I need the practice."

"Okay. Who are you planning on shooting?" I replied with a small smile.

"Business associates. They won't die. I've just learned that bullets up the wing scars are terribly uncomfortable, and are more pleasant for me than a pipe up their backsides. Got to work on my aim."

"Right."

"So, Patch my boy, how was over-world Delphic tonight?"

I sat on the couch across from him. "It was…interesting."

"How so?"

I sighed. "I saw Nora Grey there. Honestly, I followed her there."

Rixon rolled his eyes. "Oh boy, more of the crazy talk. I forgot my ear plugs. Did you finally kill her? If I punch you in the face, will you feel it?"

"No. And no, you asshole."

"Shame. I was looking forward to your tears."

"I went to her house." Rixon perked up at this revelation.

"No…Patch I'm so proud…did you really? How was it? Fiery as that red hair you like?"

"We didn't do anything Rixon. She got a phone call, and it ruined the moment."

"Damn. So you didn't kill her, and then you didn't—"

I chucked the first thing my hand reached at him. It turned out to be an old hand-sized statue that I liked. He easily knocked it away, breaking it against the floor.

"Right. Not my fault you're a square. And now you're one statue out. So what now?" he said, raising his hands in mock defeat.

"Well—"here goes "I wanted to use Hank's daughter instead."

Rixon's eyes thinned, and he became cold. I continued quickly. "Thing is, I'd planned on saving her for you. But…well-"

"But now something's different. You've caught feelings for this Nora lass, haven't you?"

I looked at him. "I don't know what I've caught; I just know I can't kill her." He sighed, running his hand over his face. After a few moments, he responded.

"Well, I still think it's all bullshit to be honest. Love and your human body nonsense. I prefer to be a fallen angel anyway. I like the power, and the freedom to do with it what I want. So, if that's what you'd prefer to do, lad, be my guest."

I let go of a relieved sigh, and he gave a small smile. Then he rolled his eyes.

"You'd be doing the world a favor. Marcie Millar's one mean little bitch. Rotten as hell. I'd have strangled her myself, but I've found that it's better to just avoid their household altogether. His wife may be a blonde, but certainly not my type. Sides, I can have whoever I want- I don't use a Nephil to be stuck with one person."

As he went on, I realized how lucky I was to have such a good friend, despite his disapproval. I couldn't wait to introduce Nora to him; he had a soft spot for pretty girls, he'd warm up.

Rixon pulled out his phone. "Here, I found a picture of her." He held out the phone. I looked upon a pretty face twisted in arrogance. A face eerily similar to her father's. Pampered. Smarmy. Kind of unhealthily skinny. Red-blonde hair. She looked familiar….

Oh! This was the girl who pitched at Nora; the bitch one. No love lost there. Surely she wouldn't be missed.

"She's not your type?" I teased, looking back up at Rixon. He grimaced in disgust.

"No hips to speak of. Fake tan. Personality of a rotten lemon."

"It's not like you to refuse a woman."

Rixon smirked. "I do in fact have standards." He looked down at his phone, which beeped with a message. He stood. "Well, I have somewhere to be."

I stood. "Do I need to come with you?"

His expression went momentarily dark, but then he smiled. "No. I need to do this on my own. Business."

I frowned at his quick expression, but shrugged. "Very well."

"See you later tonight then; those humans have been shit-talking your skills. You'll never get your car if you keep bailing for a pretty face." He walked to the door, and I caught him before he left. Something wasn't right.

"Hey Rixon?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for being understanding, man. I appreciate it."

"Yeah, no problem."

He laughed, but he didn't turn.

Rixon...Rixon come back! Wait- don't do this! (It sucks because the irony is that we know what Rixon is up to, but Patch trusts him unconditionally)

When I was reading this chapter, Nora's mom called and I was like "damn it Mom, why you do this?"

I wanted to get across Patch's excitement, although he doesn't know that it's 'love' yet, per se. I also liked the idea that when Patch decided to be natural, Nora would fall for him of her own accord. I think it's more romantic; more so than him mindtricking her into a kiss.

I hope I did well- read and review!