Stillness

Chapter 9

I was a little sad that I didn't get as many reviews last chapter. I hope you guys are still enjoying the story. But to those who reviewed, thank you so much. I'm so glad you enjoyed Naley's moment and them hashing most of their problems out. Like I said from the getgo, I wasn't planning on making this story too long, so with that said this is the last chapter. I really enjoyed writing it and I hope you enjoyed reading it. The good news is that I'll have more time to focus in on The Mourning After and Behind the Scenes. Once I get those two stories down, I'm going to start writing the first few chapters for "Keep Bleeding" sequel to Thicker than Blood.

I would also like to take this time to review the season premiere. Overall, I thought it was good, not the best nor the worst. There def. was a lack of cohesion among the characters. Everyone was there at Jamie's party but everyone felt so sectioned off, I don't know. I'll still watch of course for Naley. Leyton is missed that is for sure but not clearly stating where they are and why they aren't there (aside from the obvious reasons) hurt the episode. If they expect us to move on from them, they should tell us where the hell they are. Like in season 5, Lucas made it clearly known that Karen and Lily were traveling.

Brooke/Julian – I thought was overkill, I get it you're in love. They aren't Naley. If it was Naley doing their scenes, they so could've pulled it off but I thought that was a bit much. Although it was nice to see Brooke being vulnerable again, I miss her bubbly personality.

Quinn – Doesn't look like the older sister and I have mixed feelings about her. Is she Taylor with some emotion? I don't know. What was lacking with Quinn was that I felt like she was a new character instead of someone who has known Haley her whole life and who knew Jamie. She grew up in Tree Hill too, I didn't feel that. Haley helped carry her but so far she's not doing much for me.

Clayton – Not the best actor but he is charming and I think overtime he can grow into his role better. His first scene with Nathan was awkward at the end with Nathan talking about his outfit, but to his credit that was both his and Jame's fault lol. The next scene during the commercial bit was a lot better. I loved how James made fun of himself by calling his acting wooden and I thought the banter and humor in that scene was much better and I got the sense there that time has passed and that him and Nathan developed a strong friendship. More scenes like that and Clay will fit in just fine. I liked him better than Quinn. I could do without Quinn actually but I can see a reason for Clay.

Jamie – I could tell they wanted him to act a little older and I appreciate that. I still miss the 4 year old Jamie in season 5 but hey, they cant stay young forever. He had a lot of screen time but at least his role was to balance his parents, Jamie really shouldn't get his own storyline, this isn't the Disney channel.

Dan – Just plain weird, I don't even know what to say.

Mouth/Skills – two people I can do without being naked. As much as they annoy me at times, I want them there because they have been there since season 1. Although, I'm not sure how it's going to be since Skills has been arrested and pleaded guilty for identity theft.

Haley – her singing in the beg. was beautiful. I love that song already. I get the sense that she has been holding back on music because she wanted more family time? I'm not sure if that was what they wanted to get across but if it is, then I'm all for it. I think her and Nathan deserve another kid lol. I do wish they explain more about her role in the record label and how this plays in with Peyton. It made the whole thing confusing because that's Peyton's label not Haley's (as far as we know) so why would Peyton close her own studio down in her own town.

Nathan – It's funny to see Nathan a little more serious like Lucas and Clayton acting like the more fun spirited Nathan. I do wish Nathan would be a little bit more playful and mischievous like he used to be in season 1, esp with Haley. Of all the storylines, I think his had the best introduction. He's currently in re-negotiations and hold and behold some whore comes out of the woodwork. I doubt he really slept with her but for the fact that he can't def. 100 percent say that he didn't makes me cringe. If Mark really wants OTH to last season 7, they'll need to stick with the storyline of some bitch trying to get money from since she knows Nathan is in contract talks. I think that would be good drama right there. We don't need him to actually cheat on Haley, after everything they've been through and 7 seasons, it's like pulling a Kanye on us!

Enough rant, enjoy and please review!

. . . . . .

The sun poured through the window and onto Haley's face. She took a lazy breath and squinted her eyes. Instinctively, she pulled on the covers higher and reached over with her arm to the space next to her. When she felt nothing but the cold mattress beneath her, she instantly shot up.

Coming out from sleep, she felt dazed and confused. Looking around, it was clear that she wasn't at Lucas' in fact, as her memories came pouring back to her, she knew exactly where she was. Images of last night flashed before her. She could still feel Nathan's hot breath on her lips, the way he held her close as he grinded himself into her. She remembered the rain and the lightening and how they helped mask her cries of pleasure. What she remembered the most was feeling blissfully happy, satisfied, safe, warm. She reconnected with her soulmate again and nothing could bring her down, until now.

Panic instantly ensued. Where was Nathan? She thought. She glanced around and saw she was all alone. His side of the bed was cold and that sinking feeling crept into Haley. She got out of bed and instantly reached for the shirt she wore the night before. She quickly put it on and made her way downstairs. Maybe she was over reacting, he couldn't have left her. How could he, this was his house.

She was hoping to come downstairs and find him watching tv in the living room or making coffee in the kitchen but that wasn't the case. She was alone once more and Haley was a hair's away from breaking down again. Fear and doubt clouded her judgment and she raced into the bathroom to grab her clothes. She needed to change and get out of her as fast as she could.

Just as she was about to go into the bathroom, she heard the backdoor open and slam shut.

"Shit!" She heard someone cry out.

Haley went back to the kitchen and stood there shocked. There was Nathan on the floor picking up, what appears to be some pieces of fruit and a now broken carton of eggs.

Nathan felt someone's eyes on him and he looked up and found Haley standing before him.

"Hey, you're up." Nathan smiled warmly. His eyes trailed up her body, loving the fact that she was wearing nothing but his shirt. He took his time glancing up her bare legs. When he looked at her face, his smile dropped.

"Hey.. what's wrong?" He got up and ignored the items he dropped and stepped closer to her.

Haley gave him a small smile and tried to shake off all her bad feelings. "Nothing."

"Doesn't look like nothing." He said concerned. She looked like she was near tears. "Don't tell me you were looking forward to eggs." He joked. It was just his luck he'd drop the bag with the eggs inside but it was killing him to see her so upset. He started to get worried, maybe she thought last night was a mistake. Oh God, he hoped that wasn't the case.

"I was being silly." She shook her head. "I .. I thought you left."

"I did leave, to get us some food for breakfast." He hugged her tightly and kissed the top of her head. "Did you think that I left you?"

"Like I said, I was being silly." She hugged him tighter and buried her head into his broad chest.

He pulled away slightly and cupped her chin in his hand. "Hey look at me, I'll never leave you."

"Promise?" She said softly, meeting his heavy gaze. She could stare into his blue eyes forever.

"Promised." He sealed his promise with a soft kiss.

"I'll never leave you too.. not again." She swore and he just smiled wider.

"I know we have some things to work out, but we'll make it work Hales, I promise you. If I can't get into ASU, maybe I can wait a semester or something either way, we'll figure out something." Nathan was ranking his brain all morning over this. As soon as he woke up, he thought the previous night was a dream, that was until he saw Haley lying next to him. He just watched her for what felt like hours. He eventually got up to get them some food but all the while he kept thinking about how school was soon approaching and they would once again be split up.

"No." Haley shook her head and took a step back. "You can't go to ASU .. and I don't want you too."

"Huh?" He asked bewildered. "Wait.. what're you saying?" Nathan started to panic.

"You can't go to ASU because I'm going to Duke."

"Haley please just … wait what?!" Nathan started to panic until he realized what she said.

"I said." Haley wrapped her arms around Nathan's neck. "I decided to go to Duke, I know it's your dream school and as long as I'm with you I don't care where I am."

"Wait, Hales, are you sure?" He tried to hold back his elation. He needed to make sure this is what she wanted to.

"The only reason I decided to go to ASU was to get away from you. Nathan, I could go to school anywhere but none of them would have you."

"You sure?"

Haley started to laugh and her heart melted at how concerned he was. "Yes!" She reaffirmed. "When I was on tour, we played this 80's cover called Missing You, it was great, the whole crowd was getting into it and then the lights went and we went to take our final bow and I saw all these hundreds of faces staring back at me and I lost it, I literally freaked."

Nathan looked on curiously.

"That's when I knew.. all the fame, all the celebrity, all the concerts were nothing if you weren't there so yes, I've never really considered going to Duke when I was younger but as long as we're together, that's all that counts, plus you have your basketball scholarship and I still have my full ride."

"You applied to Duke?"

Haley smiled and nodded. "I knew that's where you wanted to go, of course I applied there. They offered me a full ride and thanks to my annoying best friend and your meddling brother, I'm still enrolled."

"You're kidding?" Nathan couldn't believe it. It was as if everything was falling into place. "But.. but how?"

"Okay.. I'll wait for you in my car." Nathan got up and walked towards his parked car. When he saw Nathan get in, Lucas went back inside his room and closed his door, making sure to lock it.

He turned to Haley who was sitting on his bed, her face expressionless and unreadable.

"You heard that?" Lucas asked carefully.

She looked up, her face a mask of doubt and insecurity. "Yes." She said barely above a whisper.

"Are you okay Hales?" Lucas asked after a moment of silence.

"…." Haley was still in deep thought over everything she just heard.

Lucas grabbed some clothes and went into the bathroom to change. He came by a few minutes later and found Haley still sitting on his bed.

"Look Hales, I'm going to go with Nathan to shoot some ball, is that okay?"

"Yeah.. go.. it's fine.. I'm .. I'm happy that you and Nathan are getting along again… brother's shouldn't be apart." She gave him a warm smile, indicating that it was okay for him to spend time with Nathan. At the end of the day, they would always be brothers.

"So should husbands and wives." Lucas commented back. "Look Hales, you forwarded all your mail here and one letter in particular looked really important." Lucas reached over to his nightstand and pulled out a few letters. "Don't get mad at me .. but I forged your signature.. the scholarship offer still stands." Lucas handed her the envelope and walked out of the door.

Haley looked at him bewildered but he left before she could even form words. She looked down and saw letters from Duke. Apparently, they've sent her a few letters wondering if she was attending there. Lucas apparently sent in a letter last week stating her intention on going and the last letter gave her information as to when she could come in to register for classes since she missed the freshmen orientation.

. . . . .

KNOCK KNOCK

Nathan opened the back door and found Lucas standing before him.

"Hey." Both brothers greeted each other and Nathan stepped aside so Lucas could get in. Lucas took in Nathan's appearance, just in his basketball shorts.

"I was just checking up on you and Haley.. see if you rode out the storm okay." Then he looked on the ground and saw some fruit and broken eggs. "What happened?" He eyed Nathan curiously.

Just then Haley came walking in, wearing one of Nathan's green and black hoodie. "Hey Lucas!" Haley greeted him and gave him a quick hug and then took her place next to Nathan, who instantly wrapped his arm around her.

Lucas tried to hide the smile that was forming on his face. "What.. what's going on guys?"

Haley and Nathan looked at each other and smiled. "We're together, like together together." Nathan announced.

Lucas smiled from cheek to cheek. He knew those two could find their way back.

"And, we're going to Duke.. so we're only a few miles away Mr. UNC!" Haley teased.

"Damn, I thought I got rid of you." Lucas joked but he couldn't help but laugh and he and Haley instantly went for each other and hugged each other tight.

"I can't thank you enough for everything." She said into his ear.

"Yeah man." Nathan added. "I.. I just want to say thanks.. thank you for everything."

"Any time.. little brother." The two shared a typical man-hug, with each of them padding each other in the back.

"Ahh!! This is so great, we're all going to be together." Haley jumped for joy and went in and grabbed her two favorite guys in a big group hug.

. . . . .

"What's this rumor about you going to Arizona?"

Nathan closed the trunk of his car and found his dad standing in front of him.

"It's not a rumor."

"Are you.."

"Relax dad." Nathan cut him off and rolled his eyes. "I'm still going to Duke."

Dan paused for a moment. "You were going to go there for her." Dan asked rhetorically. He already knew the answer.

"By her, you mean my wife. Yes." Nathan held onto the straps of the duffle bag he just pulled out of his car. This was the last of Haley's things. "And she's already moved into the house and I swear to God dad if you say one bad thing." They only had a few more weeks left before school started and the last thing he needed was his dad to ruin the remainder of his summer.

"Is it what you want?" Dan asked curiously.

"What? Haley, of course I want her. I've always wanted her."

Just then Haley stepped out of the house and was walking in their direction.

"Dream school and dream girl, huh son. Guess you really out did your old man." Dan said poignantly.

"Haley." Dan gave a small smile as she saddled up next to Nathan.

"Mr. Scott." Haley said politely.

"I got to go.. make sure this one stay's focus on the court." He gave her a wink. "Son." Dan looked at his son one last time and walked away.

After he left, Haley turned to Nathan.

"What was that all about?"

"I don't know." Nathan shook his head. "It's my dad, what was weird was that he was actually a little, I don't civil.. well civil as Dan Scott can get."

"Yeah." Haley sighed.

"Hey, look you don't have to worry about him. And I gave my dad hell the last time I talked to him, and even if he starts trouble for us again, it doesn't matter. We're together, that's all that counts."

Haley smiled. "You got that right." And she leaned up and kissed hip on the lips.

Nathan put the bag down and wrapped her his arms around her. "You know, I would've gone through all of this alone if it wasn't for you. Thank you Haley, for everything."

"Right back at you." Haley rested her head on his chest.

"You know, I used to have this paper route when I was a kid, I'd wake up at the crack of dawn and I remember riding my bike and the sun coming up and the world was so calm and still, it made me believe that the world isn't as screwed up as I think it is. But when I'm with you, I get that same stillness, Hales."

"Stop." She swatted his chest and pulled back to wipe away a stray tear. "Stop being so charming." She teased.

"Hey, you haven't even seen my A-game." Nathan teased with a mischievous smirk.

Haley laughed, never feeling so carefree in her life. She wrapped her arms around him once more.

"Lord help me if that's true."

Fin.