Chapter Eleven- THE BOUILLON CHEF

We had a fight. Well actually, it was more Nathan telling me how incredibly stupid I was to go swimming half-drunk, half-naked when the water was freezing. Insert in a considerable amount of swearing, a furious scowl, a list of illnesses one can get as a result to exposure to cold temperatures and you'll pretty much get the scolding that I did. I'd been so stunned by the tirade that had exploded out of his mouth when we'd reached home; especially after being given the silent treatment the entire ten minute walk back; that I just listened with my mouth gaping open like a fish out of water. I even remained in my shocked silence when he had grumbled about "shamelessly stripping in front of the other guys"; while toweling my sopping wet head vigorously.

Now, I'm lying here in bed, fuming. Who the hell does he think he is?! I'm not one of the little brats to be told off and reprimanded!

... Although, I have to admit, it was really sweet of him to towel my head...

But still! Just wait till the morning, see how he likes to be castigated! And I'm referring to castigation... not castration...

The Morning-After Episode

Any thoughts of telling Nathan off were erased by the ache that throbbed and pounded mercilessly against my temples. Ah, the beautiful combination of a couple hours of sleep and the dreaded hangover. Moaning, I stumbled downstairs heedless of the nightmare I probably looked. Marissa grinned maliciously as I lurched past her to grab some much needed water.

I raised a silencing hand before she could open her mouth, "Don't say anything and I'll let you have ice cream for lunch."

"Ice cream and cookies." She haggled, the spoon in her hand frozen mere millimetres from her smirking mouth.

I bit back a small smile of pride. I can't wait to see how good she's at manipulating when she's my age, "Oh alright you conniving imp."

Smugly, she returned to her bowl of what looked like Cocoa Pops. Grabbing a spoon, I seated myself beside her and began eating from her bowl. Nathan wandered in, quirking a dark brow at the sight of us sitting together so peaceably… It looked like it wasn't just my anger that had dissipated overnight.

"It's a tradition to eat from each other's bowls now and again." I supplied at his curious gaze.

His green orbs sparked with amusement, "Cute."

Immediately Marissa bristled, "I'm too old to be cute you imbecile! I'm six."

I nearly choked on my Cocoa Pops laughing, and then my sleep-deprived, hangover combo headache struck back with such vengeance that I gasped in pain, dropping the spoon in favour of clutching my throbbing head. Nathan was at my side in an instant, a supportive arm wrapped around my waist, his concerned gaze darting over my face clenched in pain.

"Alright, you're going back to bed." He said firmly, already raising me from my seat. Sighing in a mixture of defeat and relief, I let myself be half-led, half-carried back to my room and laid back into bed. Marissa who'd followed us upstairs, perched herself by my side, attempting to look unworried.

Smiling reassuring, I brushed a coppery lock from her forehead, "Don't worry Rissa, it's just a headache."

She rolled her cobalt eyes, dodging my hand as a sign of her lack of concern, "I wasn't worried."

"Oh... and good use of imbecile."

She giggled, "I've been using it on the kids at school."

I cringed, hopefully this was something that Mom and Dad wouldn't be finding out about any time soon... they would kill me and then ground me. God knows the millions of times I've been grounded because of my 'influence' on Marissa.

Nathan returned shortly with a glass of water and aspirin in hand as Marissa regaled me with the adventures she and the twins had been having; one of which was something about running off with some old woman's spare knickers that she'd kept in her beach bag...

A very important thought struck me as I returned the empty glass to Nathan, "Oh my gosh! Where are the twins?!"

He grinned, "Relax Cleopatra, they're downstairs watching The Lion King."

"The Lion King?!" Marissa squeaked, before jumping off the bed and hurling herself out the door. Presumably to go watch the movie... Well it's nice to see where her loyalties lie... though I must admit, I would abandon my sister's sickbed in favour of Simba too...

"What're you smiling about?" Nathan asked, eyeing me curiously.

"Uh- uh.. I.. I've no idea." I lied, as if I’d really reveal my inane thoughts to him.

Shaking his head and smirking he walked toward the door, "Ok now you stay there and rest and I'll be back up soon with my hangover cure."

Yeah, like I'd really be getting out of bed when I feel like Paris Hilton's having one of her parties in my head.

"Yes Doctor. Do you want to take my temperature while you're at it?" I teased, with an exaggerated sly wink.

"Ah but I think my thermometer would be too big for you." With that, he'd sauntered out of the room, leaving me feeling completely flushed.

Wriggling further under the covers I couldn't help the direction my traitorous mind was taking me. That manipulative flirty jerk! Why does he have to be so attractive?! Actually, I suppose I should be glad for it considering it made 'seducing' him a much nicer prospect; but his attractiveness didn't change the fact that I still severely disliked him and his arrogant, psycho manner!

I sighed, I desperately needed to talk to Hannah for some advice, she'd always been better at snaring the guys. All the guys I'd dated (which admittedly aren’t many at all) had asked me out without me having to do anything. Not because I was stunningly beautiful or anything... just far more approachable than the other incredibly gorgeous girls that'd be around. I can't say that I actually really liked any of them, more just the novelty of having a boyfriend.

“Hangover cure, is served mademoiselle.”

I jolted at Nathan's deep voice and sat up to see a sight so sweet, that it made me smile a big dopey grin. He stood in the doorway, donned in an apron, bearing a tray with a bowl of steaming soup and another glass of water.

“So this is your hangover cure?” I asked as he set the tray on my lap.

“Yeah, nothing like HM Potato Soup.” He grinned, "Pour toi belle. Bon appétit!"

I sent him a weird look, "I didn't know potatoes helped cure hangovers."

"It's not the potatoes; it's the bouillon in it that helps."

I continued to stare at him in utter bewilderment, "What the hell is bouillon?"

"Stock... You know, like chicken stock?" The corner of his mouth quirked into a lopsided smile.

"Gees, why didn't you just say chicken stock then?"

He smile slowly spread across his lips, parting to emit a chuckle, "So that I sounded impressive... Guess you don't know French then?"

I hesitated, "Nope not at all." I lied, fighting back a smile. This would be great; he'll say things to me in French thinking I didn't understand! Admittedly, I probably wouldn't understand all of it, I wasn't all that fluent; but still... I'm devious nonetheless.

He nodded, "Ok, drink your soup and water. I'll be back in a bit to get the tray and then you can sleep for a few more hours."

"Got you loud and clear." I replied, beaming.

He paused at the doorway, turning and opening his mouth as if to say something; but then changing his mind, he left. I sat a moment, listening to his sure, steady footsteps heading downstairs, probably to go supervise the miniature monsters. Frowning warily, I looked down at the soup on my lap. Ah here I go... please oh God of Soups.. don't let this taste too bad...

Gingerly, I raised a spoon full to my lips and took a sip.

Holy. Crap.

This tastes amazing.

Hungrily, I downed the soup, probably looking like some prisoner of war who'd finally been permitted food. Finishing, I placed the tray on the bedside table and wriggled back under the covers with a sigh of satisfaction. I could definitely get used to having Nathan around...

That Evening

Nathan and I lay sprawled across the couch, our legs in tangled disarray in the middle. Absently, we listened as the kids played leap frog around the room... well that's what I was pretending to do anyway, but really I was surreptitiously peering at him from the corner of my eye. He looked the epitome of relaxed with one arm flung casually on the top of the couch, the other resting on the arm, his grey t-shirt and baggy cargo shorts clad body curving comfortably into the crook of the couch. The dark mass of hair swept across his forehead looked like it hadn't seen a brush in days... who knows maybe even months; his lively evergreen orbs were concealed by drooping heavy lids, his long dark lashes fanned over his sun-kissed cheeks, breaths coming out in long even breaths; even his usually smirking lips had wilted into a sleep induced frown.

As Marissa opened her mouth to yell at one of the twins, I sent her a warning look, my eyes directing her gaze to Nathan's sleeping form.

"Aren't you guys sleepy yet?" I whispered.

They shook their heads in unison, making me grimace. Gees, its ten o'clock and they didn't look like they wanted to be hitting the sack anytime soon, even though they'd filled up on a great dinner; which -surprise surprise- had been made by Nathan; and had a huge glass of milk each.

"Well if you guys go to bed now, I'll read you a story." I coaxed. The sooner I could get them to bed, the sooner I could implement the plan Hannah had e-mailed me!

"Who'd wanna hear you read, dumbo?" Asked one of the twins.

Marissa smacked him on the back of the head, "SHUT UP! You're the dumbo Dylan! DUMBO DYLAN! DYLAN IS A DUMBO!"

I groaned, as the three proceeded to shout immature profanities at each other, waking Nathan in the process. Starting, he looked around blearily a moment, before focusing on the three small screaming forms.

Gracefully disentangling his limbs from mine, he rose to his full height, towering over them... and me, "Ok, that's enough. You guys better get to sleep now."

"You can't tell me what to do!" Marissa immediately exclaimed, crossing her arms over her chest, staring challengingly up at Nathan.

"Well I can," I said with a sigh, "C'mon Rissa I've already let you stay up past your bedtime."

She pouted, her brows drawing together stubbornly, "No."

I scowled impatiently, "Yes."

"Can I play with your makeup?"

"No." I answered, sending her a bewildered look, "You don't even like playing with makeup... you never have!"

"But I don't feel sleepyyyy!" She whined, contradicting herself with a big yawn at the end of her sentence.

Smiling, I crooked my finger at her, after a few tangible moments of defiant resistance, she crawled onto my lap. In a matter of minutes, I could feel her body relaxing into mine as she descended into sweet slumber. In the time it had taken for me to pacify Marissa, Nathan had carried his kicking and laughing brothers up to their room.

Once I was sure Marissa had truly fallen asleep, I carried her rather heavy form upstairs to her room. Tucking her in, I allowed myself a sisterly moment and pressed my lips to her forehead, murmuring goodnight.

Nathan grinned from the doorway, “Aww, you’re not a complete bitch after all.” He whispered; his eyes bright in the relative darkness of Marissa’s room.

I bit back a retort, Hannah’s plan slamming into my head. A slow, teasing smile tugged at the corner of my lips, arching both brows –since I hadn’t quite mastered the raising one brow phenomenon-, I sashayed past him.

As my shoulder brushed his chest, I could feel him suddenly tense, a thrill streaked through my body.

Let the seduction, begin…

AN: What's this?? I thought you said you'd write a longer chapter!! -- This is probably what you're all thinking, but I'm afraid I appear to have lied, and I deeply regret this, so PLEASE accept my sincerest apologies lol Mm as you can probably tell, I'm rather fond of the whole cliffhanger thing! I also know how GRR it makes you guys, so sorry... but really... I'm not hehe Hope you guys liked this chapter, even though I'm pretty iffy about it. Seems a bit filler/bridgey to me... but meh. It's something... o.O

OH! OH! If you have time to kill, check out 'At the Price of Two Kingdoms', it's this story I'm helping my friend Mellifluence with. It's really very good, admittedly I'm kind of biased, but still, it's well written and you're sure to like it if you're somewhat into Fantasy. It's in my favourites, so check it out matey potaties!

pop-yur-fcukn-collar: You've met LUCAS?! AHHHHH I'm so jealous!! I happen to think he's a very attractive :D Geoff was nice until he killed those poor sheepies... actually he's still nice now that I think about it. Who's Henk?? o.O Rick is sho cute, but you're right, he's just okay in comparison to the others. Hahaha I take it you have a thing for Drew, some of my friends met his friend (who's on this Disney show, H2O or something) while they were away on a ski trip. Apparently he goes skiing there sometimes!

goodbyemylover: I would love to see a guy serenade an old lady lol Hopefully this chapter answered Nathan's anger at Cleo's midnight dip.

YoungInside: Am I that transparent?! Hehe Yeah I do love the old cliffhanger here and there :D Nathan's such a sweetie!

s-pecial-lee me: Indeed, and I in no way promote swimming when drunk! Gah, that would've been cliche... and sweet lol But Cleo wasn't quite THAT off her face to need Nathan's rescueing.

The Ghost of Christmas Goth: My first story lol Well second actually, I took my first story off here because I just couldn't finish it :(

jekodama: Yes it was very STUPID! Truth and Dare is dangerous... but SOOO fun :D Aww I'm sorry for this chapter's cliffhanger too... well, no, actually I'm not lol But I sympathise!

mischalovers: Why merci bien! What's wrong with Nathan... ? Well, to sum it up... a lot.

UnKnwnDrkniss: Haha He certainly is! Nathan's a rather possessive lad ;)

Fleeting Moment: Aww! -curtsies- Thank you... oh thank you! -curtsies again-

Some Assembly Required: Ah congratulate your men on my behalf! You know what? I wish I had someone to call Mildew too... Of course Nathan liked the idea, what else do you expect from a straight hormonally crazed guy lmao

Guacamole: Ah dare... such good fun. I remember playing it in class when I was eleven, I was dared to go upto this guy and rub his head o.O Naturally, I did complete this task! Admittedly, I was kind of friends with him so it was okay lol

Elizabeth Georgianna: Gosh, thank-eth you very much-eth! lol Oh and thanks for saying my story's good too hehe

kavithaa: YAYY! Good on you for rechecking! Unfortunately, writers block strikes me every so often and the story screams to a halt, but I can assure you that I will finish this story... eventually lol But it's great to hear that you gave this story another go :)

fluffykitty: Make them makeout?? Why no! That kind of steaminess is reserved for later lol Swimming parallel to the shore? My my you give these things a lot of thought hehe Cleo was drunk, but not quite so drunk that she'd drown. That, and she's a fairly confident swimmer. I should probably mention that somewhere so people don't think she's going to die at the end of Chapter Ten lol Course you'll find out! I may frequent the cliffhangers.. but I generally do answer them!

FictionRose: ... I AM SO FREAKING PROUD! lmao That's soo awesome, good on you!! What'd they do?? haha

too light for gravity: lol I agree... mohawks are so, mohawk-ey... o.O The skater look can be rather attractive though :D

Lady of Confusion: Um.. this is kind of soon... right? heh

authordream4life: Why thank you- again! lol

angels and airwaves: So many twists in this story that sometimes I confuse myself lol But atleast you seem to be following, so yayy! hehe Here's the update!

The Midnights Sun: AHHH! You're singing finally got to me, I couldn't take it anymore so I updated !! So please stop nowww... ahhh my poor ears...

shadowgirl618: Merci! Gracias! Thanks! lol

Wyvernwings: Oh no! Hope you and the sick dog are better now :)

iLoveFiction: Wow, it takes an hour? I have to admit that I haven't read it in one go yet, I think I'll wait till I finish until I do that. Yayy, glad that it was that enthralling... and funny :)

Mellifluence: Ah Goose, cliche is just inevitable sometimes... well most times lol Noo not based on real life, I have never drunkenly gone swimming, or mooned a car, or serenaded an old woman NOR dared someone to go out with me lmao Yes, she does throw eventful parties :D

urjellingcauseimevil: Haha Here's the next chapter to the previous chapter! Can't be sure when the next chapter to this chapter will be though... please don't eat me... I will update...

SparklingStar25: Hehe thank you :)

gummybearmurder: In one sitting! I be impressed :D Oh and please do not murder any gummy bears... well unless you're eating them, because than that's perfectly alright.