SUPRISE! Here's chapter 9! And I update the next day. How great am I? I'm pretty sure I'm so great that even asking this question was pointless. Like the usual I don't own H.O.N, so now u can get onto the good stuff. =D

Stark

I needed Jane. She'd know what to do. I have to go back to the girls' dorm. I have to take this one step at a time. Never in my life had I felt so weak, so helpless. This was not the James Stark I knew. Hell, this wasn't the damn Stark I knew. I was supposed to be better than this.

As I was headed to Jane's dorm, something miraculous happened. I was surrounded in this purple haze. What's happening to me? But then I started to relax, as this wave of goodness and calm washed over me. I felt somewhat… relieved. What just happened? I looked down at Duch to see that she was wagging her tail. Did she experience it too? Just then someone yelled my name.

"JAMES WHERE ARE YOU?"

Smiling, I wonder how I could ever question her voice. It was Jane of course, since she was the only one that still called me by that name. Well she's the only one I let call me that name. Walking over towards her, I saw the entire fear flood away as she spotted me. Then she smiled back at me for just a second.

"What's wrong? What the hell did Neferet do? I swear if she did or said anything to you, she's going to need to go to the hair salon because that pretty hair of hers is as good as gone and that's if I don't feel like being creative." Looking at her, I saw every ounce of determination and anger she had built up.

Exhaling I asked, "Why do you always burdened yourself with me? And how did you find me this time?

"You're not a burden. You're stupid, even if do read, but definitely not a burden. Also stop sounding like Damien. Again, you're smart but you don't sound like you." She said while smacking me on my head. "And to answer you last question, twin's intuition. Duh, that's how I always find you." She finished the sentence with our cocky smile.

"Seriously Jane, how'd you find me?

"There ya go, you're starting to sound like the good old James I know and love. I told you twin's intuition. You should try it some time. Maybe then, you'll finally stop asking me dumb questions." Gosh she just couldn't stop smiling. I was glad to see her like that.

Giving her a look that always worked since we were little, she caved in. "Just for the record James, that cheating."

"Na uh, it's called using your resources Jane."

"Fine. Whatever. Stevie Rae came into our room. She said that you looked upset. Said you were headed to the gym."

"Jane if you haven't noticed, I'm not by the gym."

"I'm telling you, it's twin's intuition."

Sighing, I gave in. "Well whatever it is, I'm glad you found me. Hey can I ask you something?"

As soon as the words came out she got serious again. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong… well scratch that, of course things are wrong but do you feel like… I don't know calm… or maybe relaxed. I mean I still feel the same way about things, but they don't feel as impossible like they use too."

"Holy crap you felt it too? Well she did ask for it to help both of us, but I don't really know how it works." She kept on babbling.

"Jane who or what are you talking about?"

"Zoey," she simply stated.

"What's wrong with her? Is she okay? I knew I shouldn't have left her."

"Don't get your panties in a bunch, she's fine. God I'm starting to sound like Stevie Rae. And someone's got you whipped." I could tell she was trying hard to hold in her laugh. For once I couldn't stop the heat from rising in my cheeks. Damn I'm losing it. Not cool.

"Ok, so what about Zoey?" I asked trying to keep an expressionless face. And it was working.

With her conniving smile she said "Wouldn't you like to know?

"Jane I'm serious. Can you please tell me what's going on?"

"Fine. Oh, and just to let you know, you're trying too hard." Thanking our goddess, I somehow kept the red from owning my face.

"We don't have all day Jane."

"Technically it's night." Still staying as serious as possible I gave her another look. "Goddess James you're so pushy. Okay, okay I'll tell you. Do you know the muffin man?"

I just couldn't help but smile at her and so I responded "the muffin man?"

"The muffin man"

"Yes, I know the muffin man. The one w-who lives on Drury lane."

"Well, she married to the muffin man." she said with the funniest voice.

"The muffin man."

"THE MUFFIN MAN!"

With the most serious face I could muster I said "She's married to the muffin man."

And then we both fell over with Jane laughing just as much as I was. I couldn't even breathe. After a few minutes we sat up holding onto our sides.

"James… remember when we were little, we would always put on Shrek and take turns repeating the lines, until ma got annoyed and said that we might as well just shut it off and tell it to her."

Times like this reminded me how much I had really missed Jane and Duchess. I knew Jane could see all the hurt in my eyes so I tried looking away. She of course grabbed me by my shoulders and turned me to face her. I think she was probably the only girl capable of succeeding. Forcing me to look at her she told me, "James Stark, don't you start sulking on me. You're back now and that's all that matters."

"Jane I'm sorry for leaving."

"I know Stark, but next time you decide to go on vacation, you take me with you because it really sucks when you're not around."

Smiling at her I said "Did you just call me Stark?"

"Maybe. Why do you want me to keep calling you that?"

"I don't care. Call me whatever you want. And same here, it sucks when you're not around. From here on out, I promise that whatever I decide to do, I always make sure that you're right next to me so I can bother the man out of you."

"Gotcha. So now on to more important things…"

"What could ever be more important than my baby twin sister?"

Giving me a good punch on my arm that would probably leave a nice bruise tomorrow, she said "Zoey, or am I missing something?"

"Dos my ears deceive me or do I detect a hint of jealousy?"

Pouting she said "Nooo. Ppsshhh, what are you nuts or something? Me, jealous? I think you have too many arrows stuck up your…"

"OOKKKAAAYYYY! I get it. Just know that nothing can ever be more important than you, maybe as important, but definitely nothing can ever be more important than you. Got it." Giving her our cocky smile she gave me one right back. Then I pulled her into a hug.

"No need to get all sappy James." But she hugged me back anyway.

She pulled away and told me, "You know I think Zoey has an affinity." I was shock speechless.

"And guess what? Aww who I'm I kidding. You'll never guess it, but Zoey said that I'm better then you." And with that she ran off. This time, not only did I have Duchess by my side, but I was certain Jane would always be there no matter what. Running after her, both Duch and I left my sorrow behind.

Didn't see that coming now did you? Hope you like my reference to Shrek (the first one). It was one of those moments when things just come to you so you feel like "aaahh what the hell, I guess I'll do it" so that's how that got in there. Wasn't it nice? Some brother and sister quality time. So don't touch that mouse because you won't be able to wait for what's in stored in the next few chapters! Ohh and let me give you a hint it's going to have some nerdherd and lots of Stoey in it. AAAHhh I bet now you really want to read the next one. Thanks for all the reviews. They keep me motivated even if I'm having a blast while writing this. Well don't forget to review.