Back with an update and it's a nice long one.

Just a bit of background knowledge on this story because some people have been asking, a lot of it will be relayed as the story progresses and some is hinted at in previous chapters but just to be clear:

Nathan, Lucas, Jake and Peyton all grew up in Tree Hill together and are now working in New York.

Brooke and Haley are from Brooklyn area and have got to know the group through Lucas.

3 years ago: Lucas met Haley in New York at a book reading event and they became close friends. Lucas was dating Brooke at the time and Haley got to know her through this. She also met Nathan 3 years ago through her friendship with Lucas.

The events taking place in the story now are 3 years on.

Anyways on with the next chapter.

Chapter 10

The shrill ringing of a phone nearby caused Haley to stir, she immediately smelt the scent of cologne. slowly opening her eyes, she made out the greyish colour of her pillowcase….but it wasn't her pillowcase, where am I?

Haley felt her whole-body shift as Nathan groaned, he too being awoken from his slumber.

That's when she realised. Fuck.

Haley immediately pulled back from where she had fallen asleep on him glancing at him sheepishly as he sleepily looked over at her.

Nathan pushed himself forward on the couch as he went to pick up the phone.

'Luke….hey.' Nathan said groggily into the phone as his free hand reached up pulling on his neck feeling it crack.

Haley felt a little out of sorts as the events of last night came back to her, the days were all blending into one now it had been that long since she left this apartment and she had a strong desire to be left on her own again so she could at least make sense of this present situation.

Why was Nathan here on his own? Why had he stayed?

She felt a sense of relief as she listened to Nathan assuring Lucas he would be there before he placed the phone down on the table.

'We're meeting Luke for breakfast.' Nathan said casually.

Haley scoffed, the way he talked to her like she was puppy dog he could just take out for a walk really served to bug her especially given the current situation. 'I don't remember the part where I asked you to stay over and I'm not leaving here.' Haley said resolutely as she curled up at the other side of the couch pulling her throw back over her body.

'Haley, Luke just wants to meet for breakfast…you know like we usually do on Saturday mornings.' Nathan tried, not feeding into her anger because he knew it would get them nowhere.

'Really…do you hear yourself right now?' Haley began. Like they used to. Like she wanted to be reminded of how things were.

'Damn it Haley! We're trying to help you!' Nathan shouted feeling his frustration rise.

He didn't want it to happen but he just couldn't help himself, the last few restless nights coupled with all the stress recently had him on edge and he was always hyper-sensitive around Haley anyway - he just couldn't keep his cool.

'Well I don't want your help Nathan or your pity.' Haley retorted back before she roughly threw the blanket off her and made a move to go to her room.

'I was in the accident too Haley…I know what you're'

'You have no idea' Haley turned interrupting him. He could see her eyes misting over, the pain evident behind her anger. 'You didn't lose anyo..'

'Quinn was my friend Haley.' Nathan interrupted this time as he too got off the couch and took a step closer to her.

Haley let out a sardonic laugh then. 'She hated you.' She seethed. 'Just like I do. You know maybe none of this would have happened if YOU hadn't been there.' She retaliated hoping her words would get Nathan to back off.

He crossed his eyes at her then trying to read her expression but it was completely vacant and he was a little taken back. He'd never see Haley like that before, ever. 'Fine.' Nathan began as he stepped closer to her. 'You're trying to blame someone I get it Haley but…'

'You ever think about it Nathan….that maybe if you hadn't come we wouldn't have left when you did that day and none of this would have happened.' Her words were harsh, cold, void of any emotion.

'Haley, stop.' Nathan said his tone a little harsher this time. He knew what she was doing, trying to push him away and it was working.

He was trying his best to remain unaffected by her words but they were tearing into him.

'Is that what your doing here Nathan, trying to ease your own guilt?'

'I'm not guilty.' Nathan said angrily as all the pressure and anguish he was feeling came bubbling to the surface.

'Or maybe if you hadn't have swerved off that bridge things…'

'I said I'm not guilty Haley.' Nathan bellowed this time feeling the fury consume him. Her sour attitude and harsh comments were pushing his frustration over the edge.

He was used to Haley being sharp-tongued with him but not like this. There was no emotion in her eyes; nothing.

'Or maybe if you weren't such an ass that day things would have been..'

'Haley….just stop!' Nathan shouted as he came standing in front of her. He just wanted to shake her, he just wanted to wake her up from all of this…he just wanted her back. The girl he knew.

Haley watched him towering over her, she could see the rise and fall of his chest from his anger, his once baby blue eyes were an icy black. She had pushed him further this time than maybe she ever had.

'Just stop please…stop all of it!' She watched his fury turn to anguish now, maybe she should have felt bad for the things she had said. It wasn't right and it wasn't the truth but she just didn't feel anything. Absolutely nothing.

Nathan realised that Haley hadn't moved an inch, not even with his shouting. They were so close he was sure she could feel his laboured breathing. He placed his hand on the wall beside them trying to calm himself down. He felt like he couldn't breathe, like the walls of her apartment were closing in on him,

He just needed some air.

Haley watched then as Nathan pulled back and went straight for her apartment door.

He clumsily pushed out of her apartment door before falling to the vinyl steps in the hallway gripping his hair tightly in his hands and he laid his head down between his knees. He couldn't find a breath of air.

Nathan could see the utter disappointment on Lucas' face as he sat in the chair across from him.

'She's not coming Luke.' Nathan said reluctantly taking the seat across from him. This was the last conversation he wanted to be having right now. He barely had made it here. He wasn't sure how long he had sat outside Haley's apartment for or if anyone had even seen him.

He wouldn't do it again. He had to stay away from her.

Lucas sighed. 'Thanks Nate.'

Nathan looked up then a little puzzled. He hadn't expected that. He had expected a counterargument or something more than what he was getting.

'You did a good thing staying with Haley last night.' Lucas said. 'Did she at least talk to you about the accident?'

Nathan swallowed hard. 'I did what I could Luke but I won't don't it again.' Nathan said resolutely. 'Haley and I, it's just not a good idea….it got very ugly.' He said a little quieter at the end as he began browsing the menu signalling the end of this conversation.

'I guess I just thought…your both going through it and..'

'And what Luke?' Nathan snapped. 'We magically become best buddies who tell each other our deepest darkest secrets because of one car accident?'

'Okay…' Luas said putting up his hands. 'Sorry, guess I thought wrong.'

Nathan ran his hands over his face then. 'No, I didn't mean to snap…it's just, it was a long night..'

Lucas nodded in understanding.

'Where's Brooke?' Nathan questioned changing the conversation.

'She's actually gone to some showcase for Koizumi's new line, some Japanese designer.' Lucas said.

Nathan smirked. 'The fact that you even know that Luke.' He chuckled, although it sounded forced to him like the sound didn't even want to leave his throat.

XXXXX

'Do you miss living in the apartment'

Haley fidgeted uncomfortably in her chair from the prying eyes of the lady across from her. It wasn't in a judgy way though, this lady's eyes had a sense of concern and warmth which shook Haley a little further because it would have been easier had she been landed with someone quite snarky; she wouldn't feel the need to open up.

This was her third session now and she'd only really began to talk towards the end of her second one. Haley couldn't even remember the first, not much was said, the usual personal details were explained and her therapist spent most of the session calming her nerves about therapy and putting her at ease.

Things were getting a little better now though between them.

The question hung in the air for a few moments.

'I guess so.' Haley said quietly. 'I'm not sure…'

'You hesitated there…' The lady spoke gently.

'I'm not sure I could go back there again and not feel the pain of it all.'

The woman nodded. 'What about when you first went back?'

Haley shook her head. 'I felt nothing. It was like I wasn't even there.'

'You told me you had to turn all the photographs over.'

'I just had to before it could get me….the grief. I just couldn't let it in anymore.'

'And now?' The woman prodded gently.

'I know its there, I can feel it.'

'Your healing Haley and you might feel it for quiet a long time but your letting it in.' The woman said gently. 'Tell me about your relationship with Lucas..' The lady initiated kindly taking a turn in the conversation.

Haley smiled then. 'We met each other back in our first year of university here, I think Lucas was just one of those who when he came into my life I knew he would stay.'

The lady smiled in understanding. 'Was it hard for you letting him see you like this?'

Haley nodded feeling her eyes water a bit. 'I felt like I couldn't be what Lucas wanted me to be..' She said shakily.

'And what is that..' The lady prompted softly.

'Bounce back to myself I guess, I'm the person that is usually there for people.'

'And maybe those people, like Lucas in your life wanted to be there for you.'

Haley nodded.

'I feel you're a giver Haley, a caring woman both in your career and your own life…you need to allow yourself that time to receive now.'

'And how are things between you and Lucas right now?'

'They're good.' Haley said softly. 'He is looking out for me.'

'What about his brother Nathan?'

Haley visibly froze upon hearing Nathan's name which she was sure didn't go unnoticed. Nathan's name had come up once last week when they were discussing the accident but nothing else was said.

'I mean, what is your relationship like with him compared to Lucas?'

'Strained…I guess.' Haley said a little reluctantly.

'Since the accident?' The lady reasoned.

'Well, Nathan and I wouldn't have really been close. We are kind of friends through friends…'

'What about after the accident, would you say your relationship has changed?'

'I think in the first few days…well it was different then we were obviously both in shock and grieving and I felt I needed him.'

'And what about now?'

'Now it's just how it always has been, we're not very close.'

'It might help you know for you too to open up, if anything it will help you heal and maybe you won't carry so much of it with you.' The woman offered gently.

Haley smiled back at the lady swallowing hard.

XXXXX

Nathan same in sighing as he loosened the tie from his neck and slumped back into the couch in the sitting area. His whole body felt fatigued from that day in the office. He was over halfway through his first week back in work since the accident and as relieved he was to be back into some sense of normal life his body was cursing him. He hadn't fully healed and he just didn't have the same endurance to work the shifts he had before.

But it was all he wanted to do. Work. Work some more and keep working.

It kept everything else at bay.

It had been so exhausted these nights that he had actually been sleeping without the intense flashbacks that previously evaded his mind.

It was coming up on 5 weeks this weekend since the accident now.

'Jesus Nathan.' Haley cursed as she came upon him sitting in the dark in the living room.

'Well I do live here.' Nathan quipped sarcastically.

Things had been strained lately between himself and Haley, not that their relationship wasn't always strained at best it was just different now, Nathan found himself caught in a cycle of trying not to snap at her considering what she was going through. But it was just difficult sometimes, he wasn't used to Haley being so sullen and irritated. She was constantly biting his head off and he was constantly fighting the urge to retaliate.

He hadn't spoke to her since he left her apartment after their heated dispute until Lucas had told him that Haley was going to be moving in with them. Nathan actually hadn't put up much of a fight to that because he knew deep down there was no way Lucas would get Haley to move into their apartment. But somehow he had worked his magic and Haley was staying. She'd just being here a week now and Nathan hadn't really seen her at all which was intentional. Keeping their distance was easier for both of them.

This weekend was going to be different though with Brooke and Lucas out of town.

Haley sighed as she passed Nathan and went into the kitchen to make a cup of tea. She knew she had been a little bitchier than usual with Nathan every chance she saw him and part of her actually did feel bad.

Nathan came into the kitchen a few minutes later, his suit jacket had been discarded and his white shirt was now cuffed up at the sleeves. She glanced at him then noticing how fatigued he seemed.

'How's your first week back at work going?' Haley asked quietly as she waited for the kettle to boil.

'What we making small talk now?' Nathan said as he opened the fridge door taking out the remnants of dinner.

Haley sighed swallowing her pride. 'Nathan I'm sorry…' She said softly as she crossed her arms across her chest nervously. 'It's just I….' The words died on her lips not really knowing what to say.

He noticed her actions; Haley always did that when she was nervous or uncomfortable. 'Haley, look, it's fine…' Nathan said passively sparing her whatever this was.

They seemed to be routed in unfamiliar territory all the time lately, as much as bickering and snapping at each other was normal for them…there was an air of caution around it now which was tied up in their individual suffering.

'No, it's not fine, I'm just so tired of it and I'm taking it out on you.' Haley reasoned.

'Easy target.' Nathan shrugged. 'Really Haley, you don't have to apologise.' He sent her a small smile then and she seemed to relax her stance a bit.

'Did you get anything to eat?' Nathan asked as he heated up the leftovers in the microwave.

'Yea, I actually had some with Brooke and Lucas before they left.' Haley said passively as she turned from him then and began pouring her cup.

Nathan noticed it though and he couldn't shake the feeling that Haley hadn't eating a morsel of food with Lucas and Brooke. Before he offered to share Haley was making her way back into the living room.

He followed after her with his plate of food and sat down at the other end of the couch. Haley was sitting up with her feet tucked beneath her at the other side as the ads on the tv played on in the background.

The silence was filled with heaviness. So much that could be said.

Haley thought back to the words her therapist had said to her earlier, how would they ever open up? Where would they even begin? Talking about the accident brought up too much pain and they were never the type to have serious conversations before apart from a few stolen moments.

She felt an immediate sense of relief when her programme came back on, Haley put up the volume and relaxed back into the chair.

Nathan was eating away inattentively until he heard the volume on the tv go louder. He glanced up to see what Haley was watching and scoffed ..'Ugh…Haley' He said incoherently as his mouth was half full of food.

Haley looked at him crossing her eyes at his brash manner. 'What?'

He popped his half-eaten plate of food on the table. 'I can't eat looking at this.' He reasoned throwing his hand toward the telly.

Haley looked from Nathan towards the telly where the doctors were having a conversation mid-surgery and then she smiled before looking back at him. 'Oh my god…I forgot your totally afraid.' She mused good naturedly.

'I'm not afraid.' Nathan bit back a little too quickly.

'Well then what's the problem?'

'I don't want to look at that when I'm eating.' Nathan said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

'I can't believe blood gores you out.' Haley goaded.

'You tell me you sit and watch this when you're eating?'

'I always watch Grey's Anatomy with my dinner.' Haley reasoned laughing at the unsettled look across Nathan's face.

'Why would you want to watch people doing surgery while you're eating? It's a little odd Haley.'

'There's soo much more to it…you're missing out.' Haley reasoned seriously. 'So, see that guy there….he's actually had an affair with the other girl, where is she?'

Nathan flopped back into the couch sighing as Haley started rambling, there was absolutely no way she was turning it off now.

'OH, that's her…see the red-haired girl…see..' She kept shouting as the girl appeared on the tv.

'Yes, I see.' Nathan said with fake enthusiasm however there wasn't a hint of nastiness in his tone, he was very much messing with her and Haley could pick up on that.

'Hey.' Haley said swatting his arm. 'You know this could really help you get over your fear of hospitals…if you watch this.' She said trying to hold back her smile.

Nathan caught it though. 'You're enjoying this aren't you?' He said glancing over at her.

'Come on…it's a little funny that you're scared…'

'I'm not scared, I just don't….particularly like them.' Nathan finished awkwardly.

'If that's your story.' Haley mused as she watched his face contort at the images appearing on the screen in front of them.

'I think if you watch one episode you'll already feel a bit bett…' Haley began only to be interrupted by Nathan.

'No…I'm done.' He said hastily picking up his dinner as the programme began to show every part of the open-heart surgery.

Haley just smiled to herself. This was too fun.

Nathan came back into the living room about twenty minutes letter in a grey t-shirt and joggers. His hair was slightly damp from the shower.

Haley got a whiff of his aftershave as he sat down across from her. Fuck he smells good. She literally could not get her mind to think of anything else only how good he smelt.

'Is it a safe place?' Nathan joked.

'Until 8pm tomorrow.' Haley teased back.

'Good to know what time I can't eat at.' He smirked at her then and Haley could affirm that she'd never seen him look so handsome in just a plain t-shirt, his hair slightly damp and a genuine smile on his face - one he never really showed her.

Dammit Haley. She stopped herself from going there. What was wrong with her? One whiff of aftershave and she was a gonner. Maybe it was because she hadn't had any male attention for a long while and her body was just going against her.

'You okay?' Nathan hesitated noticing Haley staring into space, he worried when he seen that look on her face because he felt her mind was going to a dark place when she zoned out like that. Little did he know it was for completely different reasons tonight.

'Hmm..' Haley mumbled breaking out of her reverie. 'Oh…yeah…I'm fine…why?' She said a little perturbed glancing down at herself.

'I just…it's nothing.' Nathan said catching her staring at him now.

She was sitting there in her loungewear; a powdery blue long sleeve cotton top and black shorts with her blonde hair tossed in a ponytail and Nathan just found himself being completely taken in by her. He'd always found Haley attractive, there was no denying it, but it was easier to put that thought out of his mind when he didn't have to see her every day.

'Have you thought about going back to work?' Nathan questioned a little apprehensively.

And there it was, just like that she put her walls up.

'I'm not going back Nathan.' Haley said resolutely feeling her stomach tighten with the turn the night was taken. Why can't he just leave it alone?

'Haley…..you're almost there, you're nearly finished your final placement you..'

'I don't want to talk about this with you.' She said a little harshly then as she picked up the remote and flipped through the channels.

Nathan sighed; Lucas was right when he said she was being very stubborn on this.

'Is it the hospital?' Nathan began again a little softer this time.

'You know what Nathan for once we we're having a nice chilled night…why couldn't you just leave it alone?' Haley said frustrated as she got up from the couch to go to her bedroom.

Nathan stood up blocking her way towering above her. 'I'm just asking you a simple question Haley, why are you getting so defensive?' He reasoned.

She took a step back from him. 'You know I don't want to talk about this….and how can you even say that to me when you're like the king of defence!'

'What's that supposed to mean?' Nathan said a little irritated by her sudden attitude.

'Dan.' Haley said watching as his face turned to stone.

'That's not the same.' Nathan interjected.

'What? Whenever I mention Dan or work you nearly bite my head off so how's it not….'

'No, I don't' Nathan interrupted.

'See.' Haley said challengingly.

'Dammit Haley.' Nathan sighed berating himself for having brought this up tonight. 'I only asked you because I know how much you've worked for this degree and how close you are to finishing so none of this is really making any sense to me….how you can just drop it like that and not care.'

'This is my decision to make and I've made it, it never concerned you before Nathan…up until a month ago you didn't even know what hospital I was working in so you drop it.' Haley snapped as she detoured around the coffee table to get past him.

Nathan just turned watching her walk away from him. He didn't really know where the origin of his concern lay, was it tied up in that connection they shared of going though the accident? Was it just arising out of Lucas' concern?

He wasn't sure but all he knew was that Haley was far from ok.

XXXXX

'Penny for your thoughts pretty girl?' Lucas said as he eyed Brooke who was staring out the window across from him.

Brooke glanced at him wearily. She really did not want to ruin the effort they were making to just have a little fun and relax this weekend but she couldn't help but find herself thinking about all that happened when she got some quiet time in the car.

'I was just thinking of Nathan actually.' Brooke supplied quietly.

'Nathan?' Lucas prided her to continue.

'You know there's just something different….it's not like Haley but it's something, I can't describe it.' Brooke admitted quietly.

Lucas nodded. He knew what she meant. He could see it too. But Nathan was always a closed book, it was very hard to get him to open up about anything. He always seemed to deal with things on his own and Lucas just wished that his little brother would let someone in.

'I guess it's going to take time….for all of us.' Lucas said back quietly. 'But especially Nathan and Haley.'

'Yea.' Brooke softly replied.

'Hey.' Lucas prompted as he took his hand away from the wheel to give her hand a squeeze. 'Is there any room in that head of yours to worry about yourself?'

Brooke just smiled. 'I'm ok, I have you.' She said softly giving him that dimpled smile of hers.

'Do you think they will kill each other?' Brooke mused then lightening the conversation.

Lucas laughed at that. 'I mean we did take a huge risk leaving those two in the apartment.'

'Maybe they'll finally get it on.'

'Brooke….' Lucas interjected. He really did not want to think of his best friend, who really was like a little sister to him, sexual encounters with his brother.

'What?' Brooke mused. 'It wouldn't be the craziest thing. Quinn always said it. We actually had a bet.'

'You didn't?'

'Yep.' Brooke said without an ounce of shame.

'Hard to believe she is gone eh?'

Brooke nodded swallowing hard before she spoke. 'You know I think Quinn always challenged Haley, brought out a confidence in her….I see that with Nathan, he challenges her to do things she wouldn't think she's capable of doing. He doesn't realise it though and neither does she.' Brooke continued before glancing over at Lucas.

Lucas just smiled softly at her. 'Maybe they do need each other right now.' He never thought those words would leave his mouth and more so he never thought that he would see the sense in them.

XXXXX

Nathan dumped her white and blue Nike runners on the floor with a loud thud and pulled back Haley's quilt.

Haley groaned waking from her peaceful slumber hearing the thump on the floor. Next she felt the cold air slicing up her body. 'What the hell do you think you're doing?' She fumed. Nathan was standing beside the bed with his hands on his hips.

Maybe she had been a little harsh last night but this was just a total dickhead move even for Nathan.

'We're going running. Come on.' Nathan said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

'Here.' He continued without a care in the world as he threw a blue sports bra, black nike vest top and black cropped leggings at Haley.

'What the…were you rummaging through my clothes?' Haley fumed not even internalising the fact that Nathan had just told her they were going running. She couldn't believe the nerve of him.

'Well not really…luckily for me you're a clean freak and your gym gear was actually easy to find.' Nathan said. 'Although I was a little annoyed you didn't hide your sports bras in with the rest of your underwear.' He smirked at her.

'You pig. Get out of my room Nathan…I'm not in the mood.' Haley said as she went to reach for the covers.

'Na uh.' Nathan said tugging them off her. 'We're going running..'

Haley scoffed. 'Did you take something? Why would I go running with you?'

'I have to start gentle runs as part of my recovery again so this is perfect for you to start..'

'Nathan I'm not running..'

'Quinn told me you wanted to pick up running and I do remember meeting you out running one morning and you seemed a little winded Hales.' Nathan said.

Dammit Quinn. Haley thought to herself, when in the hell had she told Nathan that and why? Haley told Quinn that in confidence knowing that she wouldn't laugh in her face and if anything, she'd spur her on to just do it. It may not seem like such a big deal to anyone but for Haley it really was a personal challenge, she wanted to look after herself, she wanted to feel fitter and healthier especially given the career she was meant to go into. She wasn't a natural born runner; it really did not come easy to her so this was a personal challenge.

'You're an ass.' Haley said as she threw the other pillow at Nathan in response to his comment.

'There's the Haley I know.' Nathan smiled. 'I can stand here all day waiting.'

'Think of it this way.' Haley began. 'You go for your run; you get peace away from me all morning and vice versa….nobody gets hurt.'

'Or…' Nathan interrupted. 'you come with me, I'll even let you shout offensive comments at me all through it and I'll not ask you how're your feeling or annoy you for the rest of the day..' He could tell she was pondering then and she crossed her eyes wondering if what he was suggesting would actually play out in real life.

'I mean it Haley.' Nathan said softly this time. This is going to help you. The words were on the tip of his tongue but for some reason they just wouldn't come out. He couldn't say that to her, could he? That wasn't normal for them. Haley wanted normal. Heck Nathan craved normality between them.

Haley noticed the change in his demeaner then with those words and she swore she seen a flash of concern on his face. But it didn't anger her like the looks of concern and pity she had been receiving from everyone around her. She felt herself being pulled into it and so she receded. 'Fine.' Haley said as she grabbed the gym gear Nathan had thrown on the bed. 'But if you dare laugh at me…'

'I wont Haley, wait til you see me I'll be hobbling.' Nathan shrugged.

'And you won't annoy me for the day, you promise?' Haley bargained again. 'No badgering me over work or anything else?' She said looking Nathan straight in the eye.

'I'll only annoy you if you want me to.' Nathan joked before feeling Haley tug him on the arm again.

'Nathan…' She began.

'Fine I promise.' Nathan said trying to hold back a smile because he knew this time he'd probably receive a slap. Haley and her promises.

Haley stopped, her breathing was staggered and her calves burned. She hated to admit it but Nathan was right, she started off way too quickly and her body was burning out. As soon as she hit the pavement though she just felt all the anger and frustration and all that energy she had been holding onto release onto the pavement and she couldn't stop, at least not until her breath had become so staggered it started to burn and only when she stopped because of that could she now feel her calves burning. She sighed wiping the sweat from her brow and glancing back to see Nathan coming at a steady pace behind her.

He caught up to her and came to a halt. He looked so calm and collected standing there in his baseball cap, training top and basketball shorts. He looked adorable in that hat and she nearly laughed for thinking that. It's not usually a word that came to mind. 'How are you not even sweating right now?' Haley got out feeling the pain in her chest.

Nathan just smiled as he glanced down at her. She really was so petite next to him, there was a considerable height difference between them. 'Well it's called pacing Haley, will keep that for tomorrow's lesson.' He said necking back some water.

He knew Haley would take off running like she did, he would have himself if he could have. All that built up stress, pain and anguish after the accident...he knew what it was like to release it all on the pavement. Now that she'd got that initial burst out of the way Nathan was sure she could begin to use running as a more calming strategy or just as something to help her forget everything for a while.

He'd been running since he was in his teens and he couldn't go without it now. the past month had been hard while he was in recovery because he really missed the temporary relief from life's troubles and also the clarity it often brought him when he was going through periods of upheaval.

Lucas and everyone kept wanting Haley to just talk about it, even alongside therapy all they would do was persist in asking her how she was feeling. He could see why but he knew that this might help Haley in more ways than one. And also, the fact that Quinn had told him about Haley wanting to take up running right before she passed away, well…he believed somewhere deep down there was a reason he heard that from Quinn before she was taken from them.

'Here.' Haley said alluring to his water breaking Nathan from his thoughts.

'You sure? My spit is on that!' Nathan joked good naturedly.

'I don't care.' Haley got out between breaths as she took the bottle and swallowed the rest of the water down.

Nathan just laughed at her. 'So tomorrow we pace ourselves Hales…' the name just slipped of his tongue so naturally he didn't even realise it.

'I won't be able to tomorrow.' Haley said as she rubbed her hands down her quads.

'You will, we will go really slow.' Nathan reasoned as she began walking to the park exit with Haley strolling beside him.

She didn't argue then. He glanced over at her curiously.

Haley smiled then. It was the first morning she had woken up and hadn't stewed over the accident and felt the heavy anxiety in her chest. She knew it would be there waiting for her back at the apartment but right now she felt a sense of hope that she hadn't felt in a very long time.

She glanced over at Nathan then and caught him looking at her. 'Thank you.' she said it ever so softly she wasn't even sure if the words had even left her mouth but he seemed to nod at her like he understood exactly what she was thanking him for.

Thanks to those showing interest in this story - do keep leaving reviews. :)