Chapter 9: You Can't Avoid Me Forever

I have to see her. I need to explain that I finally realized that I don't want to lose her. It almost killed me the last time; I can't go through that again. After Nathan's heart-to-heart with his mother, he made a decision to honestly try to work things out with Haley. He knew it wouldn't be easy and wasn't sure they could even fix what they both broke but he loved her enough to try.

Ding Dong, Nathan waited patiently for someone to answer the door. "Nathan…what are you doing here?"

She looked beautiful as usual, "Haley I had to see you. Can we talk?"

To say the least Haley was surprised, Nathan had been avoiding her since he got back from High Flyers, she had no idea what he wanted. "Huh…I mean I thought you were avoiding me?"

"Yea, well you are my wife…and I can't avoid you forever."

His wife? Did he just acknowledge that I was his wife? "Are you playing with me Nathan? Is this some kind of game? See how much you can screw Haley up. Let me tell you –"

He hadn't planned on kissing her but she look so adorable in her pajamas and her hair in a bun. From the first moment her lips touch his, he felt like he was home. Her lips were so soft and full that it was hard for Nathan to concentrate on anything else. In the few The kiss couldn't have lasted more than 30 seconds yet somehow it all the drama of their relationship went out the window. It didn't matter anymore, he loved her, and he was willing to fight for their marriage.

"Haley…I love you."

This better be real I don't think I could take it if it wasn't "Don't say things you don't mean."

"But I do mean it Haley. I know I haven't been nice to you lately but - "

"Nice? Nice!" she started laughing. "Nathan you have been an ass to me since the moment you step foot back in Tree Hill."

She wasn't making this easy but I guess I haven't either. "You're right I have been an ass to you and I'm sorry but I want to try to work things out. I'm not ready for our marriage to end."

Without missing a beat Haley replied, "You know what's funny? Yesterday I wanted nothing more than to hear you say that but I realized something last night Nathan. I realized that maybe you were right when you said that we got married too young –"

He hated that he made her question their marriage, "No I was wrong. Our marriage can still work I know it can."

Shaking her head Haley said, "I think it's too late…"

"Haley please…I'm sorry." It's not to late.

"Nathan we both are but-"

"But nothing. We love each other this can work."

"We loved each other before and it didn't work. All we seem to do to one another is cause each other pain. I'm sorry Nathan but its over."

Haley slowly closed the door in his face and sank to floor in tears. I did the right thing one day he will thank me. I mean not even 24 hours ago he was telling you it wasn't going to work. This is for the best. We are too young; too native to see that sometimes love just isn't enough.

No its not over, Haley is just running scared. I just have to show her that I didn't mean what I said that I truly believe we can work this work I just have to show her that I'm not giving her up without a fight. After ever thing I at least owe her that. Banging on the door Nathan screamed with emotion, "Haley I know you're scared. I am too but I promise this time it will be different. I love you Haley and I know you love me."

Haley yanked the door open, "You say you love me but how can I trust that love when it wasn't enough before."

Try to explain Nathan said, "Haley listen to me…last night me and my mom talked and I realized a very things. When the whole thing happened with Chris I was jealous. I was so jealous that I could barely see straight but when you left with him –"

"I didn't leave with Chris, Nathan. I went on tour" said Haley. She was sick of trying to explain her relationship with Chris to Nathan. He would never understand that their relationship was strictly platonic.

"Ok when you went on tour. I felt like you deserted me. I was so alone and scared that I was never going to see you again. It didn't help that I already started to second-guess your relationship with Chris. I know that he kissed you but you said yourself that you didn't try to stop him. Do you have any idea how that made me feel?"

"Nat –"

"Like shit, Haley and that's putting it nicely."

"Just stop, please. I said I was sorry and I meant it. If I could take it back I would but I can't. Look there is no point to this conversation."

"I didn't tell you that to hurt you or upset you. I'm just trying to explain why I acted the way I did. You are the first person in my entire life that I have ever completely trusted and when you left I felt like I had been punched in the stomach" cried Nathan while begging with his eyes for Haley to understand.

Haley closing her eyes in hopes of keeping the tears from falling but failing said, "I'm so sorry Nathan. I never meant to hurt you."

Not being able to stop himself from having her in his arms any longer, Nathan reached for her and made a silent promise to himself that he would never let her go again. "I know you didn't and that's why I forgive you and I hope you can forgive me for acting the way I did."

"I don't want to get hurt again, Nathan. My heart can't take it." said Haley honestly.

"Good cause neither can mine. Lets take it slow this time, go on a date with me tonight?"

Laughing through her tears, Haley replied "A date? We're married."

Smiling Nathan said, "Well married couples can date."

Trusting her heart and Nathan, Haley shook her head 'yes'.

"Ok good. Why don't you go get ready for school I'll drive you today?"

"Okay just let me go talk to Peyton." Haley turned towards the stairs but Nathan called her back. "Hey do you know if Peyton has talked to Brooke, yet?"

"No I don't think so. Has Luke?"

"From what I saw yesterday that would be a no."

"What happened yesterday?" said Haley.

"Well I kind of caught of Brooke and Luke…in the eraser room."

"The eraser room? That jerk! I'm gonna kill him. What the hell was he thinking? He hasn't even told her about Peyton."

"I think that's the point he wasn't thinking. Has Peyton said anything about telling her?"

"We talked yesterday but if it was up to her she wouldn't tell her at all."

"Yea well somebody better tell her and quick because the whole school knows."

"Don't worry I'll talk to Peyton today."

"I guess I'll talk to Luke."

"No…you leave Lucas to me."

"Haley don't get upset. Its none of our business."

"I don't care if it isn't. He shouldn't be in the eraser room with her especially since she doesn't even know" said Haley angrily.

"Wow! Haley calm down I didn't know you cared so much about Brooke."

Shocked and a little hurt Haley replied, "What? Nathan she's my friend."

"Ok I'm sorry I just thought – "

"Well you thought wrong. I mean I know we haven't been the best of friends in the past but I just feel so bad for her. She doesn't deserve what's happening."

"You're right she doesn't. I mean she can be hard to like sometimes but underneath it all she's really, very vulnerable."

"I know that's what scares me. One sec okay?"

Shaking his head 'yes' Nathan went in the living room to wait for Haley.

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Knocking on her door softly, Peyton looked up from her journal as Haley walked in "Hey Pey you almost ready for school." Taking one look at Peyton, Haley knew something was wrong, "What's wrong?"

Looking down Peyton replied, "I told her. Last night."

A little surprised Haley asked, "Where was I?"

"Sleeping like a log in your room as usual" said Peyton jokingly but as soon as the smile reached her lips she instantly felt guilty. I don't deserve to be happy not after what I did.

"How did she take it?" asked Haley although she had a pretty good idea.

She wasn't sure where to began. Everything was still fresh in her mind but she wasn't ready to accept the reality of last night. "At first she didn't believe it and then when she realized I wasn't playing she told me to never talk to her again and then she ran to Lucas's. I'm assuming anyways I don't really know for sure." Reliving possible one of the worst nights of her life, Peyton couldn't help but cry.

Nodding Haley asked, "Have you talked to Lucas?"

"No…I don't know what to say to him."

"Pey I'm so sorry but you had to tell her at some point. She had to know and its better that you told her and not someone else."

"My life is over Haley" cried Peyton.

"Please…its not over. You're only seventeen."

"Exactly I'm only seventeen. For god sakes I can't be a mother. I wouldn't know what to with the child."

"Peyton want about Jenny. You were wonderful with her."

Leave it to Haley to bring up long, lost memories that should stay buried forever, "That was different I was in…in love. Jake was here." Haley walked towards her friend but stopped mid way when Peyton flinched, "NO! I don't deserve comfort. I'm a horrible person and I don't deserve you, Brooke, and especially Jake."

"That's not fair. People make mistakes…you need to forgive yourself for yours. You are so wrong about not deserving us. Peyton I don't know what I would have done without you this summer. You were my rock I didn't have anywhere to go but you…you took me into your home and made me feel welcomed.

Caving Peyton cried, "Oh Haley I just want things back to normal. I want Brooke to come bursting in here and tell me to get my Sawyer butt up. I want my best friend back. Is that too much to ask?"

"No…no it's not but maybe for Brook it is. She just found out last night Peyton. Give it a chance to sink in."

"I know but I guess…I guess I just thought she would forgive me," cried Peyton.

"And I truly believe that she will but you need to give her some time and space."

"No you didn't see her last night, Haley. S…sh…she hates me." Losing control of her emotions Peyton put her head in her hands and cried. She cried for the best friend she may never get back, she cried for her unborn child, and she cried for a future she wouldn't get.

Haley's arms were almost instantly around her, soothing her, comforting her. "It's going to be alright. She's your best friend, Peyton. She loves you."

"Not anymore…and its all my fault."

"You made a mistake. Now I know that I don't know Brooke as well as you, but I do know that she's loyal to her friends. She come around."

"It took her almost three months to forgive me for a kiss. A kiss! This is a baby we're talking about here I'll die before she forgives me."

"Don't say things like that. I honestly believe that everything will work out."

"How can you be sure?" Peyton asked.

"Its called faith. I have faith in you, in Lucas, and in Brooke. You three will work it out, I feel it."

"I hope you're right, Haley. I really hope you're right."

"I know I am. Now come on lets get ready for school. I'm sure Brooke has calmed down by now. "

"School? I'm not going to school today. It's the last place I want to be."

"Come on Peyton it will be good for you. Now get up, get dress, and come downstairs for breakfast and if you hurry I'll even let you drive me and Nathan to school."

"You and Nathan?"

"Long story…just get your butt up and brush those teeth of yours."

Laughing Peyton responded "Bitch…give me 15 minutes. I'll be ready" but the smile never reached her eyes. How could it when she knew that things weren't going to work out as easily as Haley believed?

"Peyton I know that things suck right now…but I hope you know that you have me," said Haley sincerely.

With out hesitating Peyton responded honestly, "I know." Haley wasn't Brooke and we would never have the same connection as Brooke and I but she really meant well. I could trust her she was my friend.

tbc…

A/N hi guys i just wanted to say thanks to those who are reviewing, it means alot! keep them coming :)