Author's Note: Anyone interested in this at all?

Sydney sighed as Nathan's lips tickled her neck. They had been on the couch for the last hour or so, making out like teenagers. Both found it rather invigorating. "Nathan?"

"Hm?" He loved hearing her say his name. It wasn't "Nate" like the guys around town called him, or "Nathan" in the condescending tone his ex-wife used…it was, well, at the moment, it was breathy and that was quite enough.

"It's not that I'm not enjoying myself immensely…but the rumbling noises from our stomachs is getting a wee bit distracting."

Nathan laughed, then looked over at the clock on the end table. "We've been occupied for a while. Do you wanna go out and grab something? Or we could…" He cocked his head as he watched Sydney get up from the couch and leave the room. "…order in?"

"Do you keep anything in this fridge?" Sydney asked, now in the kitchen.

"I have a fine selection of leftover takeout." Nathan joined her in front of the harsh refrigerator lighting.

Sydney rifled through the few items that were there, then through the freezer before moving on to the cabinets. "So, here's a fun fact about Sydney for your handy dandy notebook. I like to cook. I'm not, you know, 'Master Chef' amazing at it, but I get by pretty well." She turned to Nathan. "You, on the other hand…"

Nathan blushed. "Susan's always home later in the evening. Between Charlie and drama club…" Sydney raised an eyebrow. "Never said I was perfect."

Sydney kissed him. "An under stocked kitchen doesn't mean anything and what fun is perfection, huh?" She kissed him again, this time letting her tongue slide along his. "A little milk and I could whip up something better than three day old…what is that in there anyway?"

"Good question," he laughed. "Mini mart down the street."

"Why don't you run down there and I'll start here, hm?"

His ridiculously charming smile weakening Sydney's knees again, he asked, "Cooking for me already?"

Sydney swallowed, naughty thoughts running wild through her brain. "Well, you know, necessity and all."

"Uh huh." He got his car keys from their place on the wall. "Be right back." He kissed her on the cheek and, for a moment, Sydney's mind drifted into the place she was trying to keep it from most. A kiss goodbye from a loving husband, off to run an errand for her as she cooks their dinner. Not that that was her exact fantasy or that she had put Nathan into that role already…but the part of her that wanted that simple, happy part of life had reared its head and she knew she had to squash it back down.

She busied herself while Nathan was gone readying an unopened bag of macaroni on the stovetop. Between that and the brick of Velveeta she'd found, she could whip up some "mac and cheese" that wouldn't win any awards, but would serve the need for comfort food well enough.

When Nathan returned, he placed the milk on the counter and leaned against it, looking at Sydney. "So, is it weird that the thought of a beautiful woman cooking dinner in my kitchen kinda turns me on?"

Sydney giggled. "Fun fact number two: I've known David and Arlen for a very long time, nothing that can turn you on will ever be construed as 'weird.'" She left things at that.

He laughed. "Good to know." He looked at what Sydney was doing. "Guess my rations here were…slightly okay?"

"I made due." She went to him and ran her fingers through his already tousled hair. "The grocery store isn't a scary place, I promise." Fifteen minutes later, they were back on the couch, bowls of cheesy heaven in their hands, watching the Discovery Channel…and enjoying every moment of it.

The evening passed and the couple found themselves back in Nathan's bedroom. Sydney was on top of him, both fully dressed and their mouths rather occupied. Sydney found herself realizing that she had never been kissed by anyone in the way that Nathan kissed her. She couldn't quite wrap her mind around what made it so different and, as his hands found her backside, she realized it didn't much matter – not now.

"Slower this time," he whispered, rolling so they were both on their sides. His hand traveled her leg and she instantly thought about how she had to look. David had given her sweatpants, a t-shirt, and a hoodie to put on and she had been in them for quite a while. She wasn't wearing a stitch of makeup and she was sure her hair was a mess. He felt a change in her body and caught her looking down at herself. He understood. His lips found her neck and he bit gently. "…beautiful…"

Warmth spread throughout Sydney's body despite the chills he was sending down her back. "I'm a wreck…"

He pulled her t-shirt up over her head. "Never." Unhooking her bra, he smiled at her. "I wish we would have taken our time before."

Sydney looked into his eyes, certain they would break her heart if she let him in fully. She swallowed hard, wishing she hadn't started to fall for him. "Me too."

"Let's make up for it then." He undressed her leisurely, his lips and tongue welcoming her flesh as it came into view. He was gentle with her, something she wasn't quite used to, but found she was enjoying it immensely. She returned the favor. She kissed nearly every inch of his chest, then moved to his stomach, her tongue dipping into his navel. She slid her tongue along his thigh and grinned when she saw him tremble.

She reached for his boxers, but he gently took her hand. "Not yet?" she asked.

He shook his head and moved so he was above her, his knees on either side of her hips. "So, screen star, huh?" Nathan asked, finally sliding Sydney's panties down her thighs. "Or were you just trying to have your way with me?" He kissed her stomach.

"Have you ever really looked in the mirror, Nathan?" Sydney asked, reaching down to touch his face. He slid up her body and their noses touched. "You don't give yourself enough credit." She traced her finger along his jaw line. "I wasn't feeding you any lines, I swear it. You are an incredibly handsome man…and I bet in the right suit and, hm," she giggled, "maybe even a fedora, you really would give a few screen legends a run for their money." Nathan blushed and Sydney felt her body warm again. "You really did give me butterflies when I saw you." She smiled. "And the day you were caught up in the fight in the hallway…" She succeeded at removing his boxers.

"Ah, I knew there was another reason you took my shirt," he said, chuckling.

Sydney was the one blushing now. "It was just an added bonus when I saw what was underneath. Never thought I'd see beyond the amazing t-shirt… What?" She realized that Nathan was gazing at her.

"What's your perfect Sunday?" he asked, his voice soft and his hands gently caressing her waist. He had moved so his chest was to her back.

"Now?" Sydney asked, puzzled. They were together, naked, in his bed and he was initiating small talk?

"Why not now? Now's kind of perfect, isn't it?" He kissed the place between her neck and shoulder and felt her get goose bumps.

"Depends on the time of year, I suppose." He was right, now was kind of perfect.

"Oh?" He continued to kiss and nibble the spot, understanding that this was very much a zone to remember in the future.

"Uh huh. For example, fall is my favorite season and leads into my favorite Sundays." She whimpered as his fingers found her sex, caressing her folds.

"Do tell," he whispered in her ear, his finger sliding inside of her, stroking her.

Sydney smiled, enjoying this game of "getting to know you." "Football," she said plainly. "There's nothing better about a…oh…Sunday than throwing on my favorite sweats, grabbing my favorite junk food, and watching my team…unh…win or lose, no fair weather fan here…"

Nathan ceased his ministrations for a moment, causing a whimper to fall from Sydney's lips. "Football on Sundays?" he asked, astounded. "Not going to the mall or working around the house?"

"Hm mm, football," she giggled. "I'm guessing you're surprised?"

"Among other things. Your perfect fall Sunday just happens to be the same as mine." He turned her head and kissed her fully, the action lingering and affectionate. His fingers continued their earlier work. "Now, where was I?"

"I thought you were out of practice," Sydney cooed.

He inserted a second finger, increasing his pace and Sydney's hips bucked. "Can't be out of practice with something you've never done before."

"I'm…ah…supposed to…oooh…believe you've never…God, Nathan…done this before?"

"Definitely not like this." She moved, needing to face him, and after a moment he was stroking her again, making her all but purr into his chest. She licked and nipped at his flesh and the history teacher found himself in an oddly euphoric state. He loved that he was making someone feel good – it had been years since he'd done so successfully. He was oddly certain that he was getting as much pleasure as Sydney and his length was untouched at the moment. After a few minutes of skilled movements, Sydney bit her lip and groaned in a very telltale fashion.

"If you haven't done that to a woman before, you must be naturally gifted."

Nathan smiled in response, but changed the conversation slightly. "I couldn't control my body Saturday night…I'm sorry. And as for the following morning, I don't want you to think I'm some crude, horny…"

"I said it first, Nathan," she said, referring to her use of the word 'fuck.' "…but while we're somewhat on the subject…I don't want you to think that you always have to be gentle and romantic when we find ourselves…here." She quickly added, "This, right now, is…perfect, beyond, really, but we're human and we have certain desires sometimes. No pressures, remember? If you find yourself wanting to take me against the wall one day…" She stroked his length. "…go with that impulse. I'll let you know if we get to the point where a safety word is needed."

He grunted slightly at the rhythm she was using on him. "You're not a 'normal' woman, and I mean that in the best possible way."

"Normal isn't fun either." Sydney reached over to Nathan's nightstand – he'd picked up something else besides milk while he was gone – and sheathed him. She straddled him and took him slowly into her body, almost teasing him as she did so. He watched as she gently raised her body up and down, taking the time to truly feel him move inside of her. She tightened around him, taking her first fall over the edge with a soft moan. "What's your favorite holiday?" she asked, breathlessly.

"Now?" Nathan panted. Sydney nodded, smiling and pleasuring them both with a quicker pace. He smiled back. "New Year's Eve – and no, not for the booze…oh Christ that's…unh…you get to at least think, for a night, that you can have a fresh start…" He wrapped his arms around her and rolled their bodies so he was on top. "Although today's good too…in fact…" He pushed himself inside as deeply as he could and held them both there. They kissed, the action lasting longer than other people in their position would have let it. "…I'd say it's worthy of banks and post offices being closed."

That was the end of the conversation. The rest of the evening was spent indulging in one another's bodies and wishing for a blizzard to cancel school the next morning.