Chapter 9

It was the first time in along time that Nathan let himself show his emotions to Haley. They stood away from each other – staring at each other – and Nathan let the tears stream down his eyes that were mirrored in Haley's own tears. He was the first one to speak after an age-old silence.

"There was a time when I used to believe I would never find true love again. I believed that this was it…I had lost my baby…I had lost you. It was the end of my life. You know that's the strange thing…because up until a few weeks ago I thought my life would never get better than this. Then you showed up again – the real you. The person I fell in love with. The person whom I still love. I don't know why it happened now or what it means but I do know is that I can't stand watching you with Chris Keller anymore. I can't go another day knowing that you pretend every second of it…acting like you love him when you can't stand his face. But mostly I can't take not kissing you when every part of my body, heart and soul is begging me to do it."

Haley sighed as she felt her heart jump into her throat and she took a step closer to him, thinking of what she wanted to say, before she finally took a deep breath.

"I know you won't understand what I'm about to say but I feel I need to say this or I'll explode. Weeks ago I was Haley James Scott – I was married to you and I had the best life ever. Peyton, Brooke and Lucas were my best friends, Tim was just the guy trying to get the girls, Rachel was just another school slut – not my sister – and Chris Keller was only but a distant dream. In a blink of a eye that disappeared and I found myself married to Chris, not having any of my three best friends, having Rachel as my sister – my fat sister I might add -, I had had a miscarriage, had Tim as a gay best friend and I had lost you. I called this my own private hell…my nightmare universe and I can't begin to describe to you how hard I tried to wake up…to feel safe in your arms again. But I didn't and I've lost all hope that it's going to happen soon. Maybe that…my normal life…maybe that was my real nightmare universe. A what if place. To tell you the truth I don't know anymore. I don't know why I have jumped between the two worlds or why I can't go back. But I've given up trying and I'm ready to make my live here. It's not ideal…it's not how I want it…but we're Naley so that just…it has to count for something! Because no matter what or where we are… you are still my Nathan and I couldn't love you any less than I do right now."

Naturally Nathan had not understood most of what she had said but when Haley finally stopped, her chest heaving as she struggled to breathe; he stepped forward and wordlessly placed his lips on hers. The kiss wasn't long but as he pulled away he cupped her cheeks and said the one thing she had been dying to hear.

"If you ask me…I will run away with you. All you have to do is ask me and I'm yours."

She smiled through her tears, wiping Nathan's own tearstained cheeks with her fingers, before she pressed her face into his chest and gave a sigh of relief.

"I'm not asking you…I'm begging you…"

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

Haley sighed as Nathan pulled her into his chest and she snuggled into him. He laughed, pressing her hair behind her ear before he leaned down and kissed her under her ear. Haley giggled as she pulled the blanket over their naked bodies as they lay in her bed. Rachel wasn't home so they didn't have to worry about anything like that.

"I love you." He said and Haley smiled.

"I love you too…"

"Now go to sleep…when you wake up we will sort out what happens next." Nathan commanded in a soft voice and Haley nodded as she closed her eyes.

"Nate?"

"Yes?"

"Promise me you will be here when I wake up…" her voice was soft as sleep started to take over her body. Nathan kissed her temple as he nodded.

"Always."

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

Haley awoke with a start as she let her eyes trail over the room. She was back in her room – the room that she shared with Chris. Her heart dropped in an instant as she wondered if Nathan had brought her back to Chris while she had been sleeping. Or even worse…if Chris had realized what was going on and had taken her back. Haley felt tears sting her eyes as she dropped her face into her hands.

That was until she saw the photo next to the bed.

The same photo that had shown her and Chris' wedding.

But now it was back to showing her and Nathan.

In a second Haley realized she was back to normal life and she almost jumped when Brooke – normal cheery Brooke – stepped into the room. Her arms were around her friend before she could say anything else. Brooke laughed and hugged her back before Nathan followed Brooke into the room. Haley ran to him and jumped into his arms as she cried of happiness.

She was back.

"Hey sweetheart. Glad to see you are awake." He joked as he kissed her. Haley pulled away and quickly looked up into his eyes.

"Am I your wife? Or is Chris my husband?" she asked almost hysterically and Nathan gave a snort as he showed her the ring on his finger.

"Okay…I'm just going to pretend to know what's going on. Are you all right?" he asked worriedly and she nodded.

"How long have I been out?" this time Nathan gave her a very confused look.

"Hales you've just been asleep for the night. I woke up because Brookie here decided on an early visit. Honey are you sure you are okay?" he asked again and Haley smiled.

"Just had a nightmare, well it started out as one…but it made me realize what I have…but I'm fine now." She babbled.

And she truly was…because she never took her friends or loves for granted…ever again.

But there was still some truth to the whole nightmare universe…

Of all the things that had happened…when Haley returned to school…she was the only one in the school not to be shocked when it came out that Tim was gay.

In fact, she had been the first one to give him a scarf…

The end.