Chapter 2: A surprising intrusion?

Nate parked his car outside his apartment. Turning off the engine he still felt a buzz from the info Harry had just recently told him. He couldn't help but smile with excitement as he got out of his car. The car bleeped as he pressed the lock button on his keys and returned them to his pocket.

While he pressed the number 4 button on the lift his mind began to wonder back to his previous conversation with Flynn. "The Cintamani Stone", the sheer mystery of its location already got Nate feeling energetically thrilled. He hadn't even realised he had said it out loud, this was the first time in a long while something like this had cropped up and it had taken him by surprise.

This feeling was quickly replaced by a different type of adrenalin. All Nate's excitement was beginning to wear off. He hadn't even reached his apartment before sensing something was off. It was quiet, too quiet. When he reached his door his suspicions were undoubtedly confirmed. His door to his apartment was slightly ajar, the lock so obviously tampered with. Nate froze, they must still be in the apartment as there was no sign that the perpetrator had left through the door he had came in by.

Slowly, Nate eased open the door to reveal his long narrow hallway. It was empty. He quickly exhaled a relief as he shimmied through the gap in the door, careful not to make a sound. He very gently placed his footsteps on the floorboards, making his way to the table where the phone was. He silently slid open the drawer below the phone to reveal a silver 9mm pistol. He held the gun close to him, the barrel pointing towards the ceiling as he paced slowly towards his living room. "Okay…" he breathed to assure himself. He began a countdown in his head 3…2…1…

Nate swung himself round the corner of the wall so he was now standing in the doorway with full view of the living room, arms outstretched, gun aimed. Everything was still. The room was empty; although it was obvious it had felt someone's presence not too long ago. Half surprised to find no one there, Nate took a while to re-cooperate. Maybe he was being paranoid; he may have just forgotten to lock the front door. His mind had been all over the place these last few days, maybe he was seeing things. "Shit" Nate tried to pull himself together. He rubbed his eyes and walked over to the window to peer out.

As he inched closer he froze, he sensed a movement behind him. A woman's voice abruptly called out to him. "Hey, cute arse".

Nate whisked round and fired. His bullet had hit a picture near the doorway, inches away from the intruder. Glass splintered in all directions as the woman shielded her face with her arms, suffering from only a few minor scrapes. After a pause of disbelief, she lowered her arms. Her face still remained on the picture and how close the shot had been. She then looked towards a hesitant Nathan, her face mostly covered by her long black hair.

"JESUSCHRIST NATE! What the HELL was that all about!?" She shouted, anger emerging from her Australian accent. "You're a lot jumpier than I last remembered!"

Nate had to double take as he was finally able to identify his trespasser.

"Chloe?" His voice was a mixture of relief and shock which soon melted into a smile. "Chloe Fraser! Holy shit, how long has it been"

It was evident she was still very pissed off. She stormed towards Nate and slapped him hard across the face.

"Not long enough" she remarked.

"Ok, so you're mad" Nate rubbed his red cheek.

"Of course I'm blooding mad! Do you greet everyone like that now?!" Chloe shot back at him.

"I dunno, do you always break in to people's apartments?" Nate retorted, he was enjoying this argument.

"Well you haven't changed a bit" Chloe was warming to him now; the satisfaction of hitting him would suffice for today.

"Likewise, that slap was a little too nostalgic for my liking" Nate continued to rub his cheek.

"Well, just like in the old days, you deserved it" Chloe teased, walking towards the kitchen.

"Ouch, that was below the belt." Nate followed her wiggling hips until they reached the kitchen. Chloe went over to the fridge and retrieved a beer, tossing another across the room into Nate's direction. He caught it with one hand, still surveying Chloe.

"So, aren't you going to tell me why you're here?" Nate said after a few sips of cold beer.

"Who said I needed a reason?" She flirtatiously stared at Nate through the corner of her eyes, tracing the beer can with one finger.

"Well, given your track record Chloe you only show up like this when there's something big you want in on, or when you…" his voice trailed off as he gave off another cocky smile.

Chloe snigger in amusement then placed down her beer and strode over to where Nate was leaning against the worktop. As she closed in on him Nate put his beer down. She pressed herself against him, her left hand cupping his face whilst her other hand ran through the hair on the back of his head. She moved her thumb across his lips, all the while there eyes never left each other. Nate's hands were now placed around her lower back, teasingly spreading his fingers out so that they were travelling further up her back, under her top.

"Tell me truthfully Mr Drake. How much did you miss me?" Chloe said her eyes now flickered towards his lips every so often. She pressed herself against him more, making it hard for Nate to resist. He contemplated for a moment.

"Shall I show you, Miss Fraser?" He smiled before twirling Chloe so she was up against the wall. The balance of power had shifted, Chloe was taken by surprise and Nate was now in his element. His face was inches away from hers, their breathing was now audible. Nate leaned in and their lips met. A moment passed before Chloe felt Nate's lips part and she followed. It wasn't long before their tongues were dancing together, their hands wondering passionately. Chloe let off a light moan as Nate's hand caressed the soft skin under her breasts. It was enough to prompt Nate's excitement and he lifted her as she wrapped her legs around his waist. Chloe's hands were still cupping his face as he carried her through to the bedroom. Their lips parted as he placed her on the bed. Chloe sat up and stripped off her top, Nate followed suit until they were both in just their underwear. Nate hovered above Chloe's body so they were almost touching. Chloe was too quick however, and pounced on Nate, straddling him. She pinned down his hands and Nate couldn't help but smirk, he knew Chloe all too well.

"Miss Fraser, this is a little forceful is it not?" He said playfully.

"Were you not on top last time?" She pouted, loosening her grip. Nate took his chance and whirled her on the bed once again. Chloe mentally kicked herself.

"Dammit" she said.

Nate laughed "You'll have to be much faster than that". He lowered his body and resumed kissing her. He then began kissing her neck, nibbling her ear every so often. Chloe felt like she was melting as she felt the power of Nate's strong upper body, however was not at all crushed. She dug her nails into his back as they began to get more intense, moaning with pleasure. "Nate" she whispered in his ear, making the hairs stand on the back of his neck. Their bodies moved unanimously together. She was so soft, Nate's hands were gliding across her skin, familiarising himself again with her body. He had been without Elena for so long he had completely forgotten about the presence of another body against his. There was a sudden pain in his chest as he remembered Elena. Shit he thought to himself.

Chloe lay underneath him, panting as she relished in their brief encounter. Nate lay down beside her, his mind wondered back to Elena. Her smile, her smell, her skin. He had tried to deny it but their breakup had hit him pretty hard.

"So, what's her name?" Chloe had already propped up her head with one hand and was surveying Nate as he quickly glanced at her in confusion. "Oh come on Nate? How long have I known you? Do you think I don't know when a girl is on your mind?" She was persistent about these topics, not out of jealousy but out of curiosity. There was something almost cruel in her voice. Chloe and Nathan's relationship was very unique, and sometimes dangerous, and that was probably what had drawn Nate to her in the first place.

"There's no one Chloe" Nate tried to end the conversation and turned over to face the other way. Chloe's hand slipped across Nate's chest as she began biting his ear her hand travelling lower to his lower abdomen before going on.

"Really? So who is that blond you keep a picture of on the fridge" Chloe enquired. Shit Nate had meant to get rid of all the pictures of Elena in his flat for some time now.

"I never said there wasn't someone. I said there isn't someone now" Nate stated, feeling a little irritated. Elena was a private matter to him and just too personal to share with Chloe. He was then amazed by how defensive he was over her.

"So, I'm guessing it was you that caused the relationship to plummet then" Chloe was now sounding a little bored, and examined her perfect fingernails. But it was too much for Nate as he lifted himself off the bed and got changed.

"I've got to phone Sully about something. You can let yourself out" Nate said coldly.

"Oh come on Nate, I was just kidding! Hey! Nathan… Oops" She was still mildly amused by the whole ordeal which made Nate even madder. He left the room without looking at her. He picked up the phone and dialled Sully's number and was relieved when he got an answer.