The room was quiet, aside from the occasional moan emitted from the couple.

Nigel held the girl closer, as if she, in herself, was the very entity that sustained him. In a way, he supposed this was actually true. She was, he had come to realize, the only thing that kept him sane.

He ran his tongue softly over her own as they seemed to be entwined in an romantic dance. Rachel tasted like sugar on his lips, and she smelled of almond and vanilla. Her skin felt like silk against his own, and he brushed his rough hand against her smooth thigh. She whimpered softly, her eyes half lidded.

It seemed like the moment their lips touched, they weren't in Nigel's apartment, but in their own world where nothing else mattered but their own happiness. A place were one existed only for the other, and vice versa.

However, this bliss was spoiled when Nigel took things to far. He began to tug at the bed sheet she was still wearing.

Rachel's eyes snapped open. Their world had just been pelted by giant SUV's falling from the sky. They were on fire to.

"Whoa!" Rachel gasped, pushing him away. She started fervently gathering her clothing.

To say Nigel was confused is less than an understatement. As far as he was concerned at the time, their actions were going in just the right direction. He opened his mouth to protest this sudden change in activity, but he couldn't find the words. Rachel dashed into the bathroom.

Lizzie found that her feet were glued to the ground. She couldn't move. All she could do was sit and look at Nigel's apartment building, daring herself to enter.

On one hand, she could be her usual self by barging in, giving Nigel the fourth degree, and acting upon whatever answers she got from him. On the other hand...she could actually trust her finance by turning back now and heading straight home. Maybe ignorance was bliss.

Wait, this is Lizzie we're talking about.

So, she charged onward into the apartment complex.

What WAS he thinking...

Really, Abby would never like him. Ever. It was out of the question.

Not to mention his girlfriend Sonia.

Hoagie heaved a heavy sigh and let his head fall to his desk. He didn't know that preparing to be an engineer would be this hard. He had to study though. Exams were coming up very soon, and he needed to be prepared for them. But, in addition to his hang over, he also couldn't keep his mind off of him love life. With his best friend getting married, his girlfriend being (obsessively) in love with him, and budding feelings for a girl that had since recently been like a sister to him, it was damn near impossible to not think about love.

Firstly, Nigel was getting married. Not a big deal, if Hoagie wasn't so concerned about his friends fate. He wouldn't wish Lizzie Divine on his worst enemy, let alone his best friend. And to top it off, he didn't seem to be the only one who felt this way. Lately, Nigel had been staring off into space a lot more. He was having trouble focusing, and he and Lizzie hadn't shown "public-displays-of-affection" in nearly a month. You didn't have to be a genius to figure something was up...but it helps that Hoagie is one.

Next, Hoagie was concerned for himself. Or rather, Sonia, his girlfriend. When they first began dating in the T.N.D. they got many complements on what a cute couple they were. The more, Hoagie thought about it, that might have been the only reason they stayed together in the first place. The popularity. Regardless, that didn't change the fact that they were growing apart. Sonia was cute and all, but she was equally annoying. She still acted like a five year old, and as much as Hoagie had to admit he liked kids, she did often wear on his last nerve. He was going to have to break it of sooner or later.

Finally, there was Abby...perhaps the main motivator for his diction to break away from his girlfriend. Even though they had known each other most of there lives, this sudden attraction had just made itself blatantly know. Well, it was the first time he'd actually admitted it to himself anyway. Hoagie liked to think it had always been there, just waiting for the right time...

So why did it show up at the wrong time?

Abby is dating Maurice. Hoagie is dating Sonia. He and Abby are friends. And thats all she wants them to be.

"Fuck." Hoagie said aloud.

Rachel rushed out of the bathroom, still fixing her left converse on her foot. (This of course led to an odd, one legged, hop sort of rush...but a rush nonetheless.)

Just as soon as she had accomplished this damn near impossible feet, she blew her bangs out of her face and tossed the bed sheet onto the naked bed. She checked her purse of her belongings and every thing seemed to be accounted for. It was then when she looked up to find Nigel, on the couch, leaning his head back, smoking a cigarette. He blew the smoke out slowly, opening his eyes as he did so. Rachel opened her mouth to rant about the importance of leading a drug free life, when suddenly there was a tap at the door.

"Nigel!" A loud harsh voice spat from behind the door.

Nigel's eyes widened and he got to his feet.

"LIZZIE!?"

There was a short pause before the someone responded.

"Of course it's me, Nigel! What other girl would be coming to your apartment..." Lizzie said out of suspicion and spite.

Nigel shot a worried look at Rachel, who had gone completely pale. Her eyes were the size of the moon and she looked as if she had just herd that Hilary Clinton was the president of the united states.

Nigel quickly began to devise a plan. Looked at Rachel seriously. "Go hide in my closet." He whispered.

"What!?" Rachel mouthed silently. Nigel simply pointed to his room and went to get the door.

"Coming sweet heart!" He said in a tone that was deep fried, covered with chocolate and sugar. "I'll be just a moment!!"

As fast as his dainty British feet could carry him, he scurried to the door, and opened it just a crack, poking half his face out. He painted a fake smile on his face at the sight of his girlfriend.

"Good morning darling and how are you today?"

Lizzie ignored his polite question rudely by pushing the door open, pushing him back forcefully. The temperamental lady began looking around the kitchen and den area. Nigel brushed himself off.

"What are you looking for?"

Lizzie shot him a glare. "The girl your hiding."

Nigel felt like his head exploded and shoot his brain into his gut.

"What girl!?" Nigel implored, nervous as a carrot in a bunny cage.

Lizzie looked down.

Nigel was not sure how long this silence lasted, but it seemed like an eternity to him. He thought that this moment was the most calm moment they had ever shared.

The eye of the storm.

Lizzie turned on her heals very fast, a large smile painted on her face. Her eyes looked like they had been crying, but her smile was huge.

"I'm just playing with you baby..." She said teasingly.

"Oh..." Nigel said. Maybe it wasn't the eye of the storm...

"Besides..." Lizzie continued, "If you had some strong girl in here last night, this place would smell like perfume. But it doesn't...it kinda smells like cookies though...have you been baking?" She shot Nigel a look of romance. "Maybe cookies for a romantic picnic or something..." The girl cooed softly. Nigel tensed.

"Uhm...no...that the Glad." He shuddered. Lizzie gave him an awkward look, shrugged it off, and walked over to him, leaning her body against his. She smiled up at him, wrapping her hands around his neck. It felt different then it used to...

She leaned into him, her eyes closed, and placed her lips onto his. Nigel, for whatever reason, didn't kiss back. He kept his lips pursed. Lizzie pulled away, disappointed.

"What's wrong?

"It's just..."Nigel started. He sighed, "I have morning breathe and...all...so...yeah..." Nigel shuddered. "Look I'll see you later anyway. I'll be over at your house at five."

This explanation was satisfactory for Lizzie.

So, she promptly said goodbye and left the apartment.

Completely oblivious.