Finally. I wish I could update more frequently, but my life is pretty hectic right now. I'm busy trying to get into college so I won't make any promises I can't keep. Hopefully, this chapter will last you guys until my unreliable self uploads the next one.

After his disclosure about the thoughts that ran wild in his mind, she seemed a bit surprised, a good surprise though, as she had reassured him. However, it did nothing to relieve her growing concerns about their relationship. Whenever either of them decided to open a window into each other's lives, they did so with great care. Each story told was given great thought. They were meant to be told in a choppy manner so as to avoid any real understanding of each other.

It was safe to say that all that had gone to hell the moment they started talking. The choppy mess they had intended for it to be turned to be pieces of a giant puzzle, something they had not intended.

The surprise was that she had even let Lucas stay long enough to hear her divulge her secrets. She was with Julian because she loved him. She slept with other men because waiting for Julian was a lonely deed.

She wasn't stupid, far from it. Two or three had gotten attached and she cut those strings faster than she could say infidelity. It was a shame really, what with her having to break a couple of hearts.

His arm was tossed over her shoulder as his free hand was tied to hers. He kissed the back of her hand. "Why are you with me?"

She laughed nervously. "I thought we weren't going to talk about that."

"I know, but it's a harmless question."

She gave him a pointed look.

He shrugged. "What? It is. It's just… perplexing that a girl that could have the whole world chooses to have me. It does wonders for a man's ego."

"I wouldn't go around announcing that I use words like 'perplexing'."

"I'm a writer, sue me."

She backed away a few inches and creased her eyebrows at him. "Really? I say that the little piece of writing you allowed me to see was good and now you consider yourself a writer?"

"Hey, coming from the girl that has everything right?"

She sighed. "Don't."

"Don't what?" His eyes dodged from side to side while his shoulders shrugged and his hand gestured in the form of a question.

"I'm not the girl that has everything. If I did, I wouldn't be wishing for more. And I know I shouldn't be complaining because I'm more fortunate than most."

"You're really something you know that?"

She smiled. "Yea? And how's that?"

"Well, I don't see any of the rich confessing to realizing the state of privilege they're in. Most of them just see more and want more. Take Carnegie for example, he gave to the arts and left his workers piss poor. He said he was investing more by giving to the arts because it would last for future generations to see. The fact of the matter was his workers couldn't even afford to put food on the table, much less take time to visit operas and libraries. His workers barely scraped by because he thought giving them higher salaries would encourage them to drink."

"You're going to hate me for arguing for the other team, but you have to admit Carnegie's worries were well warranted. That extra money could have been exchanging for some good booze."

"Are you always going to antagonize me?"

She shrugged.

He grabbed the top cover to cover the lower part of his body as he stood up. He leaned against his dresser. "I've noticed you have this uncanny ability to direct a conversation exactly where you want it."

"I know, it's a talent and I take pride in being able to hide this talent. You calling me out on it is a total violation of the rules."

He scoffed. "How? I was merely observing."

She crossed her arms over her knees, the covers still concealing her natural form. "We agreed we wouldn't make any attempt at knowing each other. You were able to point out something no one else has."

"So, I have… great powers of observation. I mean, we've only had so many conversations. I was bound to pick it up sometime."

"You'd be surprised at how many people haven't and we've exchanged more words than you and I."

He opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, trying to get words out. Then it came, almost as an epiphany. "You're doing it again."

"Damn it. That really bruises my confidence in my ability."

"It's what happens when you have two people fighting to dominate the other, but none willing to play subordinate. And before we digress again, my question?"

Her eyes quickly diverted to any place where the blond man wasn't situated. "What question is that?" she asked as if she didn't know.

"Why are you with me?"

She sighed in surrender. "I don't know. Other than the creepy spot on observations about my quirks and personality, you're the only one that hasn't shown signs of committing."

"Well, you did make it very clear that there was no commitment allowed. That and we have an amazing arrangement going on. I've never met a woman that has been able to keep to these rules."

"Which is surprising considering I make rules specifically so I can break them." She didn't know whether to be frustrated or happy. Lucas was doing everything right, but she couldn't help but want more. Even if he gave just a little sign of more than just physical attraction, she would have been content. He did on one occasion, but she ruled it out because she had shown up unexpectedly. Oh, and there was the book reading had it not been the completely platonic nature of the moment.

"Don't worry. I'm the exact same way. This arrangement though, it's never going to change right?" she shook her head and he nodded at her answer. The room stayed silent for a few seconds before he returned to bed, "So is that the only reason? Not the great sex?"

She chuckled and leaned in ever so slowly before planting a kiss on his lips. "Oh, it's definitely because of the great sex."

They could spend all night debating it, but it was much easier to let Lucas prove it.

"So no sex?"

She laughed and patted his chest. "I told you. No sex before marriage."

"Will you marry me then?" he joked.

"And that's my cue to go to work." She tossed a robe on before leaving his sight to dress.

He got up as well and tried his best to dress as quickly as he could, throwing a shirt and pants on before pulling up his suspenders. "You know what? I think I'm going to head out with you. Kelly's been wondering about me and I don't think it's a good idea to keep that man waiting."

She reappeared, fully dressed for work and as stunning as ever. "It's been a month, you're in no condition to return to that line of work."

He slipped his arms through the sleeves of his jacket, grimacing as the pain shot through his body. "Exactly, it's been a month. If I don't get back, I'm as good as dead."

She thought about it before relenting. "Make Kelly know that if anything happens to my man, I'm going to kill him."

"My, Haley James, the most innocent woman I have ever met, threatening to kill Paul Kelly, undoubtedly one of the most dangerous men I've ever met?"

She shook her head and broke out into a smile. "You're such an idiot."

"Yea, but I'm your idiot." He planted a kiss on her lips that lasted for but a few seconds, yet rocked them to their core. They both pulled away with wide grins on their faces. "Come on. I think we've kept the world waiting long enough."

There were a couple of firm pats on Nathan's back, greeting him. Luciano went the extra mile and accidentally grazed his wound with a soft punch, but Nathan made it out okay.

Much to the surprise of the young man, even Kelly was happy to have him back. True, he was a dangerous man in his own right. However, what Nathan felt for Kelly was respect. In retrospect, Kelly was somewhat of a Machiavellian leader, the better to be feared than loved type. No one was saying that Kelly wasn't the type to be feared, only a fool would, but Kelly carried himself in a way that was meant to be fair. It was also a hazing ritual of sorts. It determined who would stand under pressure and who would crack. The good ones always stood up to him, within reason of course.

"How's your wound, kid?"

"This? It's only a minor wound. That's why I'm back."

"You don't know how many of you I've seen in my day, but I commend you. How 'bout you take it easy for the next month or so before you handle the rough jobs?"

Nathan sucked in his breath and exhaled slowly. "I'm fine boss. I can handle whatever you give me."

"I'm sure you can, that's why I'm putting you under Luciano. He's heading to some rich folk's mansion on 5th."

"Who?"

"My accountant handles all that. Luciano knows all the details."

If one thought Paul Kelly was the most mysterious man in the world, one clearly didn't know about his accountant. Sure, Kelly was the face of the entire operation, but anyone who stayed around Kelly long enough was made well-aware of the ever elusive accountant. The accountant was an extremely able person based on Kelly's reliance. Anyone dumb enough to mess around with Kelly's gang had to be smart enough to target the accountant. Take away the beating heart of the giant and it was bound to fall.

Nathan headed out with the group, all under Luciano as Kelly had mentioned. Shortly after they arrived, Luciano headed off to speak with said rich folk and told the rest to stay behind until he got orders. And so they waited in the atrium, admiring the priceless works of art as much as they could, which wasn't much. They had taken to conversation, but Torrio would almost immediately bark at them once a full on volume contest ensued.

"Hey Nathan, how you holdin' up?" said of the guys.

"I'm hurt, but I'm not down and out for the count. Now stop treating me like I'm fucking glass."

The man rolled his eyes and checked his watch. "What's takin' Luciano so damn long?" He glanced at the stairs, hoping that their leader would show. Unfortunately he didn't, which meant the man took to his own devices in an effort to end the plague he knew as boredom. He whipped out a tarnished Colt, popped open the chamber and popped it back in place. "How 'bout a game of Russian roulette, huh?"

Before Nathan could respond, Torrio interrupted. "You guys want to play Russian roulette, you take it out of here. I don't want your fucking brains painted over these walls."

Nathan looked back at the man with a fake expression of disappointment on his face. He was no stranger to these crazy types. There was at least one of them in every gang, always wanting to prove their worth. He turned to the main hallway when he spotted a careless brunette he more familiarly knew as the one who currently had his brother under wraps.

She, having spotted him as well, walked towards the group of men and eyed them confusingly. "Nathan, what are you doing here?"

"I'm kind of on a job right now. What are you doing here?"

Luciano's laughter bounced off the walls of the spacious atrium. All eyes turned to him and in that moment, Nathan wished more than anything that he hadn't showed up at Kelly's warehouse today. He should have kept the world waiting a little longer.

Lucas picked up his keys as he prepared to head out. He reached for the knob, but his brother beat him to it.

"Nathan, you're early."

He stayed silent, looking as if he had just seen a ghost.

"You alright?" asked a concerned Lucas.

"Yea, yea, I'm fine. Where are you going?" Nathan brushed off the subject.

"The club. It's an even month, did you forget?"

"No. Can I come with?"

Lucas stared at him before shaking his head, dismissing the oddity of the situation. "Yea. I mean, you've always said it was boring, but sure."

The walk there was relatively quiet. Nathan was keeping to himself, which was extremely weird. Lucas, despite being his brother, wasn't one to talk about emotions so he just let it be. The only acknowledgement they gave each other was a quick nod whenever one stepped out of the path.

"Go grab a table. I'm going to catch up with Skills."

Nathan grumbled inaudibly. Lucas was forced to accept it as a yes before heading to the back. He gave the door two heavy raps when someone opened it. He exited, leaving a crack open.

The two men gave each other a man hug. "What have you b'n doing? A month goes by and you don't come visit your boy Skills?"

"Work," he mumbled through the cigarette he was lighting. "You still bringin' the house down every night?" He pointed the cigarette case in his friends direction.

Without a word, he slid the stick out and waited until Lucas brought a light to its end. "It's what I'm best at. A few of the girls can't resist."

Lucas chuckled. "Lucky bastard, who've you been shagging?"

Skills exhaled to form a perfect smoke stream and squinted. "One girl, actually. Came up to me as if she owned the place. I've never seen a broad so forward in my life. Sure, she ain't the smartest one of the bunch, but she makes me happy. I'm telling you Luke, she could be the one."

"Is that right?" Skills nodded as Lucas patted him on the back, "I thought we were going to conquer the world, Nathan, you, and me. You're already tied down and Nathan isn't too far."

"Nathan was the loudest one of us all. He practically screamed out to the entire world that he would never commit himself to one woman."

The blond shrugged. "Yea, well, things have changed."

"What about you? Any great women behind Lucas Scott?"

"Maybe. I don't know," he waved it off.

"What do you mean? You either do or you don't."

"It's complicated." That was putting it mildly. They agreed they would never slap a name onto whatever arrangement they had, but if he had to label it, it was nothing more than casual sex. At least, that's what he told himself. She never gave any signs nor did he. Neither was willing to give way to the other and if push came to shove, he wasn't sure who would back down first. They would sooner die than break their own rules. "Here's the thing. She's completely the type of woman I could marry, but not the type I would bring to see my mother. I always thought that when I met a woman like her, I would hold on and pursue a relationship, but I haven't and I'm not sure I want to. It's just sex and we're happy with the place we're in."

"Nothing's complicated unless you allow it to be," Skills tapped his cigarette allowing the ash to fall to the floor. "People have a habit of playing games because they're afraid."

He scoffed. "Of what? I play games to keep things exciting."

Skills shook his head and wagged his finger at that statement. "Mmmm, I don't think so. I call bullshit. People are afraid of rejection, shifting into an unfamiliar situation, whatever. You don't know how refreshing it was when my girl came up to me the way she did."

"Not all of us are as lucky as you. This broad, what's she like?"

A smile made its way onto the man's face as his mind was blatantly invaded by thoughts of the woman. "Blonde hair, killer green eyes, smile as bright as day." The daydreaming session took a sharp turn when the grin on his face disappeared and he looked at the ground. "No one's lucky in this world, Luke. I hate to sound cynical, but we're knee deep in shit. We all have problems, just not the same ones."

"You're telling me." He shook his head. "So that's the problem? She's white?"

"Yea. This day and age, you know there ain't a lot of white girls lining up to be with a black man. Even if there were, we'd get killed. That Birth of a Nation picture did a number on the white folks. It made us black men look like savages that wanted nothin' more than to rape white women. It doesn't help a whole lot when your own president shows it in his own house. Bevin's parents are poor, but they would kill her and me if they ever found out. It makes it that much harder to see each other and it certainly makes me love her a hell of a lot more."

"Whatever happens, I have your back. If any fucker wants to cause a problem, Nathan and I both will see to it that they don't get within an inch of you two."

"Maybe you are right. I have to be lucky to have both Scott brothers on my side." He dug into his pocket for his watch, which he flipped open. He threw it back it in his pocket before giving Lucas a quick pat on his arm. "I have to head in. Let Junk know if you want anything to drink, it's on me."

Lucas flicked the stub onto the floor and snubbed it with the soles of his feet. "Alright, I'll see you inside."

The club was packed, equal parts Haley fans and Skills fans.

Skills was a real showman. As if his name didn't prove enough about him, the man's fingers produced wonders on the piano. The way his fingertips pranced around on the keys and gave birth to the most melodious sounds was something to be witnessed at least once before dying. Hell, it was enough to rival the masters of the Classical period.

Then there was Haley's voice, God, that voice. From the moment she opened her mouth to sing a tune until the moment she held the last note, one was caught in a state of utter excitement. A little tapping along with the beat was to be expected.

Although the people were plenty, it was easy to navigate through the crowds. Once he took his seat at the table Nathan had fortunately been able to acquire, he found an old fashioned waiting for him. He lifted the glass up an inch to slide the napkin out and took a swig.

"You see your girlfriend yet?"

Nathan nodded halfheartedly and drank.

"What's up with you? You're never this quiet."

He shrugged. "Nothing. Just been thinking is all."

Lucas looked at his brother worriedly. "Whatever you're thinking about must have done a number on you. I'd like to know what shut you up, not because we all appreciate it when Nathan Scott doesn't open his mouth, but because I'm your brother."

The young brunette's eyes revealed he was at a crossroads of sorts, the undeniable streak of vacillation written on his face. "I don't know how to tell you this and you don't have to listen to me, hell, you never do. This is just my input on the matter."

"Will you get to the point?" Lucas said impatiently.

"I think you should stop seeing Brooke."

Lucas let out a laugh of disbelief. "We're back to this again? Come on Nathan, what did she do this time? I thought you two were friends now."

"Don't ask me why, okay? I just," he sucked in a breath, "I just can't explain it to you. She's a great girl, yes, and I'm not going to badmouth her. I would barely be able to scrap enough things together to complain about her. But none of that is enough to overshadow this irking feeling I have. You have to stop seeing her Luke. For your own sake."

"I get that you're looking out for me. I really do, but I can't just stop seeing her without a valid reason. I don't know if you've noticed, but lately I've felt a little lighter on my feet and a little happier to boot. I'm the last person to assume anything and I'm more of an observer anyway. And the only thing I've observed is that she entered my life. This sex arrangement is just what it is: sex. We talk about things I can't talk to anyone else about. It's refreshing for me to get an objective opinion on things and she gives that to me. I'm only asking that you tolerate our relationship."

Nathan downed the drink and set the glass on the table. He stood up to leave. "I'm not asking you to understand why I'm telling you to do this. I'm asking you to accept and just do."

"Nathan. NATHAN!" he yelled after his brother, to no avail.

The brunette walked away in the same manner he spoke, with an unsettling calmness that translated to an exponentially increasing dread in the pit of Lucas' stomach.