A/N: Short chapter, but I didn't want to leave the cliffhanger. Thanks for all the reviews.
Jake didn't know what to do, he backed slowly away from the staircase in order to avoid being seen. Once back in the room he paced back and forth from the bathroom to the bedroom door. He had no idea what he was going to do. He should change, being found in his pajamas in his boss's girlfriend's room was not the way he wanted to go out. He glanced around the room and began to gather his things. He pulled on his clothes, falling only once while putting on his pants. Striding out of the room he took the steps two at a time. Pausing for just a moment in the foyer he heard Natalie's voice from the kitchen. Taking a sharp left he stormed into the kitchen.
"We didn't have sex" he announced at almost a yell.
Natalie turned in shock.
"Well, isn't that lovely" said Nicole.
"Oh shit, it's not Sig" said Jake.
"No, it's not" said Natalie. "Jake, I'd like you to meet my sister Nicole."
"She's your twin" said Jake, more a statement rather than a question.
Natalie and Nicole both ignored the comment and went on with their conversation.
"Sig isn't coming back from Norway until tomorrow" said Natalie to Nicole.
She gave a sidelong glance to Jake, who looked appropriately embarrassed.
"Lovely, then I won't feel like I'm barging in on anything" said Nicole.
"Why are you here Nicole?" asked Natalie.
"I wanted to see my dear sister" said Nicole.
"You flew through a blizzard and bribed a snow plow driver to get you to my house" said Natalie. "Yet, you couldn't be bothered to call me on my birthday."
"Natty, seriously I'm just here to visit" said Nicole. "I just needed to get away."
"Get away from what?" asked Natalie wairly.
"I'm exhausted, I think I'm going to take a nap" said Nicole.
"Of course" said Natalie.
"Do you have someone who can help me with my bags?" asked Nicole.
"This isn't the fucking Ritz, take them yourself" said Natalie.
"I'll help" said Jake.
Natalie gave him a dirty look before walking out of the room.
"Cheers" said Nicole.
Natalie led Nicole to the room farthest from her bedroom. She opened the door and walked back down the hallway without a word. Nicole ignored the uncomfortable exchange and walked into the room. Jake followed her, lugging two huge suitcases with him.
"You're really strong" commented Nicole.
"Thanks" said Jake.
"How do you know Natalie?" asked Nicole.
"We worked together on the boat" said Jake.
"That's great" said Nicole as she unpacked her suitcases.
"Do you need some help?" offered Jake.
"Of course" said Nicole. "I'm always willing to have a sexy man lend me a hand."
Jake smiled shyly and hefted a suitcase onto the bed. Nicole showed him where she wanted her clothes hung and Jake happily did as he was told.
On the other side of the house Natalie was stewing angrily in her room. She knew her sister was here for some nefarious purpose but she had no idea what it could possibly be. The internet was down so she had no way to check the tabloids. She had no doubt that she was probably harboring Nicole from some sort of horrible international incident. Deciding she wanted nothing to do with her sister, she decided to get dressed. The driveway and street were clear, the snow plow Nicole had commissioned had cleared the whole neighborhood, so nothing was stopping Natalie from leaving the house. Nothing but her duty to be a good hostess to her two house guests. Hopefully Jake would understand why she had to leave and Nicole could go fuck herself as far as she was concerned. Sighing heavily she pulled on a pair of jeans and a sweater. She was brushing her teeth when she heard a knock at her bedroom door. Cursing under her breath she rinsed her mouth and went to answer it.
"What do you want" she barked.
She saw Jake's shocked face and immediately felt bad. Her ire returned as she saw Nicole poking out from behind him.
"Food" said Nicole.
"What?" asked Natalie.
"What I want is food" said Nicole, slowly.
"There is a fridge full" said Natalie. "Make something yourself."
"You know I don't cook" said Nicole. "When does your help arrive?"
"There is no help. There isn't a cook, or a maid, or a butler or a chauffeur" said Natalie. "Either do shit yourself or go somewhere else."
"Someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning" said Nicole. "Hopefully Sig will get back and shag you back into a better mood."
Natalie saw red. She pushed past Jake and her sister and raced down the stairs. She grabbed her purse off the entry table, her coat off a hook and was putting her boots on when Jake appeared at her side.
"Are you ok?" he asked.
"Fine" said Natalie through gritted teeth. "I'm going out for a bit, don't feel you need to stay on her account. I'm sure you want to get back to your family."
"Natty, you can't leave me here on my own" said Nicole.
"I'll be back in a bit, if you want you can put your head in the oven while I'm gone" said Natalie.
"I'm sure I can find something more entertaining to do" said Nicole, running her fingers over Jake's arm.
"Do not have sex in my bed" said Natalie as she slammed the door leaving Jake with his mouth hanging open and Nicole looking very smug.