A/N: I love writing sequels and so I read through some of the stories I've finished and I finally decided which one will get a sequel.

A while ago, I wrote a story called "The Past Returns". Some of you might remember it. If you've never read it before, you might want to before reading this. The jist of it was that Nathan and Haley were married but Haley was not a singer and she never knew Chris so she didn't leave Nathan. He left her after their freshman year of college. Then four years later, Nathan lives in California and comes to Raleigh (where Peyton, Lucas, Brooke and Haley are all living) but gets into a car crash. He is rushed to the hospital that Haley works at. She's a nurse. I won't give away the ending in case you want to read it. What you need to know is that they did end up back together (of course!). And now here is the sequel...

Cross My Heart

A Stolen Moment (Chapter 1)

"Hey," Nathan Scott said when he saw his wife stir. Haley opened her big hazel eyes slowly and when she saw the ocean-blue eyes looking down at her, she smiled softly. She reached out and pulled Nathan down, immediately crushing their lips together in a soaring kiss. When he pulled away, his eyes were brilliant as he looked down at her.

"I missed you. Just thought you'd want to know," she explained. He cracked a smile and pulled her closer. "When did you get here?"

"About three," he replied lazily. It was obvious that he hadn't gotten a lot of sleep. It was only seven at night.

"How long are you going to be here?" she asked carefully. Nathan looked down at her regretfully.

"I have a game in Oshawa tomorrow night," he replied. Haley looked away. "Hales, come on. Look at me. I'm sorry." Haley eventually lifted her gaze to meet his.

"I know it's not your fault," she replied and catching the look on his face, she said, "It's not like you make the game schedules." He sighed.

"Believe me, I would not choose to be away from you if I could help it," he said. Haley laughed at the desperation in his voice. She sat up in bed and leaned against the wall.

"I forgot to tell you. The hospital offered me a promotion," she said. His eyebrows jumped in surprise and he smiled.

"Really? What is it?" he asked.

"They want to make me part of the nursing administration. Starting tonight, you're looking at the new head nurse," she replied. His smile widened as he pulled her closer.

"Congratulations, honey. I'm proud of you," he said. Haley studied him for a second. "Don't look so modest. You've been busting your butt at that hospital for almost four years now. Putting up with people like that Steve Crane, you should be named a saint." Haley cracked up.

When she had first worked at the hospital, Dr. Steve Crane, who was actually a second-year resident, and she had gotten off on the wrong foot. He had mishandled a rape victim and Haley chewed him out for it. Their relationship had worsened from there. And Haley could have had him fired if she didn't want to lose his wife, Natalie, also an RN at the hospital, as a friend.

Two months ago, the hospital had thrown a party for the staff after their hospital ER was named the best in today's leading emergency medicine magazine. Haley had brought Nathan with her and he had finally met Steve. They got into an argument about the basketball game that Nathan had just played in and Ethan had mocked Nathan's team's performance. He didn't realize at the time that Nathan was a player on the team and Nathan had let him have it. It got so heated that Natalie had to drag her husband away before Nathan decked him after Steve started ridiculing Haley once he realized that Nathan was her husband.

"Steve isn't that bad," Haley lied. Nathan looked at her incredulously.

"Insulting my team is something I can tolerate because sometimes we don't play as well as we could," he said, and Haley shot him a questioning look, "Or, at least, the other team players don't. Not me. I always give it my best." Haley smirked. She got up and started to get her uniform together. She had to start work at eight. She walked into the bathroom and started the water. She undressed and hopped in. Nathan came in and sat on the edge of the tub.

"That's exactly what I think too," she said and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Nathan laughed.

"But insulting my wife? Anyone who is that stupid better take cover because I will make them regret they ever learned to speak," Nathan said. Haley felt her heart jump. She wasn't a fan of violence and she wasn't too fond of the idea that her husband had to defend her honour, but hearing Nathan being so protective of her made her fall more in love with him than ever before.

"I felt like 'accidentally' filling out a chart for him to have to undergo a rectal exam as part of his Monthly Employee Check-up when he started ridiculing your playing," Haley said. Nathan cringed at the idea.

"That definitely would be more effective than me punching him. You do come up with more interesting ways to get revenge than I ever could," Nathan said proudly.

She got out and threw a robe on. "But not half as fun to watch," Haley commented.

"I didn't hit him," Nathan said, walking into the bedroom but leaving the door open.

"Yeah because I pulled you away before your punch landed," she reminded him, laughing. She appeared dressed with a towel around her shoulders as she brushed her dripping hair. He shrugged.

"He had it coming," he replied simply.

"Yes, he did. Too bad Natalie's my friend. Otherwise, I would have let you hit him," Haley said. Nathan smiled. He came over and swung an arm around her shoulder and pulled her against him.

"That's my girl," he whispered as he began to trail her neck with kisses. Haley smiled at his touch.

"Nathan, I have to get to work," she reminded him.

"You can be a little late, can't you?" he asked against her skin. Haley felt like saying yes but she shook her head.

"Come by on my break," she replied. He looked up at her and widened his eyes.

"What'd you have in mind?" he asked, winking at her in the mirror. Haley laughed and jabbed him in the ribs.

"Breakfast," she replied. His face fell in mock disappointment.

"I'll bring the rice," he whispered. Haley loved eating rice on her break because the hospital cafeteria's food was disgusting.

"Don't forget the Soya sauce," she said and he laughed.

"When should I be there?" he asked.

"Try about a half hour early just in case I can break away sooner," she replied.

"And what am I supposed to do for thirty minutes?" he asked.

She headed for the door but before closing it she looked at him and said, "There's a basketball hoop outside beside the ambulance bay. The doctors and interns play when they have spare time so there's always someone there." She closed the door but didn't notice Nathan's smile widening.

"I love that woman," he said to himself. He turned around and headed for the bedroom to get a few more hours sleep.

"So is Nathan home yet?" Natalie asked as Haley and she walked to the nursing station.

"He came home a few hours ago," she replied. Natalie looked at her.

"Oh, that's great. I know you haven't seen him in a while," Natalie said with a smile.

"Three weeks," Haley replied with a slight frown. "But who's counting?"

"I honestly don't know how you do it. If it were me, I sure wouldn't put up with it," Marie said. Tina Maine nodded in agreement.

"I don't think I could trust that while he's on the road, he's faithful to me," she said. Haley rolled her eyes and they caught the hurt in her eyes. "Oh, Haley, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to insinuate that Nathan isn't."

"Because we all know that he is," Gabrielle said, walking up to the station.

"He loves you so much," Natalie said.

"And I love him," Haley said and looked at Marie. "That's how I do it." Marie just smiled. Then Steve Crane came by and kissed Natalie.

"Oh, ladies, don't forget. You all have to have your monthly checkups," he said.

"Already had mine," Marie commented.

"Mine's today," Tina said.

"Same here," Natalie said.

"Tomorrow," Haley replied absentmindedly. She was too busy thinking about Nathan to listen to the rest of the conversation.