After a few days of still housing William and receiving texts from Amber leading up to her arrival(whenever that'd be), Nina became more productive in life. More so for William, despite her preparing Amber's designated room whenever she'd visit, because she cooked more, cleaned more, talked more, and it actually felt good to do more of something.

After submitting an article for her job, Nina slumped on the couch beside William.

William almost immediately said, "So, that engagement ring-I'm guessing it's not applicable any more? Considering I never see it on your finger, nor do I see a fiancé around here anywhere."

Nina knew it wasn't the best thing it think and talk about Fabian but she answered anyway. "No, it's not applicable anymore. He-he broke up with me two years ago."

"And you've kept the ring this long?"

"Stop thinking I'm desperate or grieving; I'm not, ok?"

"I don't think that."

Nina looked at him.

He continued. "I mean, I've been in love before. I totally understand it. No shame in holding onto something they gave you."

"Um, right before I found you, on the day of my ex-fiancé's birthday, my friends and I had this 'party' thing. It was really stupid, but it did actually work, I have to admit."

William laughed. After a few moments he sighed, stood up, and faced Nina. "I can't keep doing this."

"Doing what?"

"Keeping these secrets from you. I think it's time I tell you some information. Now, I warn you, it may be outrageous, but it's all true. Got that?"

Nina nodded.

"Ok...let's start with some basic things like: I served in the army. I fought in a major war. And-and I've just realized that I can't do this."

Nina stood up. "Hey, it's fine. I'm giving you time. I still want to know what there is to know of course, but you don't have to tell me now."

"That wasn't exactly the impression I got a few days ago."

Nina sighed. "Yeah, sometimes first impressions suck."

"Yeah, I guess they do, don't they?"

"Why don't we just sit back down and continue talking?"

They did as Nina suggested and continued their conversation. They were becoming really good acquaintances, possibly even friends.

After a while, William admitted to being tired. Nina left him alone to sleep and went into her room. She contemplated whether or whether not she should tell some one about him, like Eddie.

She remembered Amber would be coming soon, so that would be enough for the moment.

Nina eventually drifted off into sleep. She actually drifted off into a nightmare/vision.

She was back in Anubis house for some reason which really brought back memories. It was completely empty and quiet and she realized that as she walked, her steps echoed throughout the house.

Nina first went into the kitchen and sitting room, but still, no one was there other than her. She went back into the main hall.

"Hello?" she called through the house.

As soon as she did, the front door to the house opened up.

She realized it was a younger Sarah Frobisher-Smythe, recalling from the pictures and visions she'd seen, and Rufus Zeno. He of course looked nearly the same, as when Nina last saw him since he'd been taking the elixir of life for such a long time.

Nina had to be in the past at the moment. Sarah and Rufus couldn't see her.

"We need to just get the pieces to the cup, and then we get back to Victor," Rufus swallowed. He seemed to be very anxious.

"How exactly do we get them if we don't know where they are?" Sarah retaliated.

"You know I still believe you're lying about not knowing their whereabouts," Rufus accused. "But even if you don't really know, both the Osirion and Chosen One are here. We can make the house tell us where the pieces are."

"Everything isn't so easy, Rufus," Sarah claimed, slowly walking closer to Nina's spot. Sarah turned around to face Rufus. "It's not like we can force the house to tell us."

Rufus growled out of anger. He just began searching for the pieces, going throughout the house.

The information that Nina collected was that she was currently in the past, Sarah and Rufus, who were the Chosen One and Osirion at the time, were looking for the pieces to the Cup of Ankh, and they were working with Victor. Most of that-she already figured out back when she was residing in Anubis House.

Sarah and Rufus continued searching, Rufus more aggressively than Sarah. After a few moments of doing so, Sarah yelled to Rufus from the first floor, while Rufus was on the second floor, "Maybe it's best we just stop searching!"

Rufus appeared at the stairway railing. "Why are you so adamant about leaving? Do you not want to construct the cup?"

"No, I don't actually," Sarah responded truthfully. "But that's not the only thing. At this rate, we'll never find the pieces."

Rufus glared at her, though he knew she was right. "Fine. Just know, the search isn't over. If you don't find the cup, Victor and I will."

Rufus stomped down the stairs and left the house. Sarah was right behind him but turned back to give the house one last look. She closed the door behind her as she left the house.

Nina was determined to follow them. She hurried to the door, but as soon as she swung it open-

She sat up quickly, panting as she woke up. She looked at the time beside her bed. It was just past midnight. She forgot to look at the time before she fell asleep, so she didn't know how long she'd been out.

She remembered the guy she was housing. She left her room and saw that he was asleep on the couch. Nina realized he slept a lot. That made her wonder even more, exactly what was up with his past. And what happened before Nina found him that could make him this tired. Or maybe he just naturally slept a lot.

Earlier that day, he was on the verge of telling her something, but couldn't do it. Everything he said-everything he did made Nina more anxious to know something. But she didn't want to rush him anything which was why she was testing every ounce of her patience.

Nina crept towards him, trying her best not to wake him up.

"I'm not asleep," he sighed, opening his eyes.

"Good to know," Nina responded after jumping a little. "What were you doing?"

"Thinking."

"About?"

"You," he admitted, standing to his feet. "What you told me earlier this day. I was wondering why anyone broke up with you. I mean, you're so...nice. Kind."

"Thank you, but things happen, and this thing did happen."

"It's a shame. Whoever dumped you dumped a beautiful woman."

Nina became speechless. She didn't expect that, and what happened next, she didn't expect either. It was also on her part which made it more unbelievable. But she initiated a kiss with him, right there in the moment. It just happened, not really from anything she could explain. And when she withdrew, it took her and William a moment to gather themselves.

"Uh, sorry." Nina sped away and closed herself into the solidity of her room.

"Um..." William stood there speechless.

~~~~~
Well, that escalated quickly, as some may say, and as indicated by the chapter title.

That kiss...comments? :/

That face expression there is my comment on that, by the way...

Why did Nina have that vision of Rufus and Sarah? Maybe a little foreshadowing? It's a bit ironic...