Yes...I am finally updating. Sorry for the long wait, I had this written at the start of May but my beta took longer than I anticipated but thanks for editing! But I'm sorry. I incorporated a little more of the real season 3 and I hope you don't mind. I have ideas for my next chapter so that should be coming along eventaully so enjoy and please, please, please keep reviewing it makes me write faster.
How Do You Keep Love Alive
.eleven.
The shrill ring of her cell phone made her let a screech out in frustration. Lucas had already woken her up with his loud use of the kitchen making his breakfast, which involved whistling and turning the radio on loud. Haley had swore to herself that if she was not so tired she would get up and kick his ass but she was exhausted, but it seemed to her today was simply not her morning to sleep in. The phone continued to ring and finally she reached for it. She glanced at the screen and a little jolt in her stomach made her grin despite her grumpiness.
"'lo?" she mumbled sleepily.
"Hey…it's Nate."
"I know," she said softly, her voice still full of sleep.
"Did I wake you? You sound sleepy."
"No…" she lied easily, not wanting him to worry. The phone call was filled with silence and neither moved their mouth to stop it…it was actually…nice.
"I should have called," he said shortly. Haley remained quiet letting him let out whatever was bothering him because something obviously was. "I should have called when you were on tour, but I didn't and I'm sorry."
"I would have liked that…. But I should have called you more…"
"Yeah," he said tiredly. "But right know…I kind of like the silence."
"Me too," she replied and so the silence begins again. She stretched and got up from her bed, pulling up the shade from her window when she gasped. There was Nathan grinning sheepishly at her as he bent over to get some rocks. Shaking her head at him, she grabbed a sweater and made her way outside.
"Nathan!" she gasped out and he smirked.
"Hey," he greeted nonchantly, as if it is the most natural thing in the world for him to be standing right there at eight in the morning.
"What are you doing here?" she questioned, standing on the top step, for once was level with him.
"I wanted to see you," she nodded and smirked at him for still having the cell phone held up to his ear.
"You can hang that up," she told him softly.
"You can hang yours up too then, Hales," he teased and she gasped in surprise realizing she does have the phone still resting between her shoulder and ear. She clicked it off as he clicked his off and they stare at each other. Once again, the silence stretching between them.
"So, what do you want Scott?" she questioned.
"To do this," and before she can say anything in reply his lips land on hers.
"Why did you do that?"
He shrugged once again, being nonchalant. "I wanted to." Once again she felt as if she had gone back to that day when he first kissed her.
"This doesn't solve anything," she warned him.
"I know….but I wanted to do it and I want to do it again." He kissed her again swiftly, the passion suddenly exploding between them. Neither is prepared for the intensity of the moment as Haley pushed her body further into Nathan's, causing him to pick her up. They continually explore each other until finally the need for breathing is too much and they reluctantly pull apart, their eyes sparkling at each other.
"Do you want to come inside?" she asked suggestively, as he raised an eyebrow in surprise to her innuendo.
"I'd love to…but I got to go," he said lamely, abruptly ending the magic of the moment.
"Oh, okay," she says flatly, disentangling herself out of their embrace and started up the steps again, but his hand pulled hers, stopping her.
"I have basketball," he explained as if that would make it any better and it doesn't it just makes her feel a hundred times worse because she needs to be there as well.
"Okay…I don't think I'm going to be there," she admitted quietly.
"What, why?"
"Nathan! What the hell was that a second ago?"
"It was me kissing you…," he said slowly as if she had grown a second head.
"I know that! No, you know what….forget it."
"I don't want to forget it."
"You don't?"
"Of course not, I kissed you for a reason."
"Why?"
"I've been missing you," he said smoothly.
"Nathan…I can't just jump into this with you!"
"I know, Hales! You have no idea how much I know. It takes time and work but I want to work at it, I do. I want to give us another chance!"
"How do I know that you won't shut me out by the end of practice today?"
"You don't, but you've got to believe me that I want this to work…it just takes time."
"How much more time, Nathan? It's already been more than six months and I just want us to be us again!"
"I can't talk about this now I really have to go."
"When will you talk about it?"
"Sometime…I promise…." And with that, he was off leaving Haley with a list of unanswered questions that only seemed to get longer as time ticked away. Haley could only hope he would return.
Two weeks later – Thanksgiving
True to his word, Nathan had come back. Five minutes after he originally left. He called Whitey and told him he was deathly ill because in those five minutes…basketball had been the furthest thing from his mind.
However, they had yet to have a serious talk about everything, or anything for that matter for that kiss had ignited something in both of them. Suddenly they couldn't get enough of each other. They had slept together, once, two nights before and Haley wasn't exactly sure how it had happened but whenever she was with him, her resolve melted away quickly.
Despite all these new developments, no one was the wiser to the two of them. Their moments together were filled with stolen kisses and secret rendezvous. To them, it seemed a hundred times better than hashing everything out with everyone, but Haley had a feeling that if they didn't have a serious discussion soon…they would be screwed.
"Nathan!" Haley gasped as he plopped down on her bed, waking her abruptly from her sleep.
"Hey, you" he greeted, popping a kiss on her cheek. "Happy Thanksgiving!"
She eyed him warily. "What are you doing here?" she hissed. "At Luke's house?"
"Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving,"
"Yeah, I know that but why?"
"Karen invited me and there was no chance in hell I was going to miss doing this with you," he whispered huskily to her and she had half a thought to take him then and there but she brushed it off.
"Well, I'm glad you're here, what time is it anyway?"
"Ten o'clock."
"The parade!" she squealed causing him to chuckle. She hopped off the bed, grabbing Nathan's hand and dragging him through the kitchen to the living room couch.
"Has anyone ever told you you're insane?" he questioned.
"Shh…shh…shh!" she hissed, waving his questions off. He tried for a different tactic by peppering kisses along her jaw line and she swatted him away but when he cut in to reach for her neck, she gave up on the parade.
"C'mere," she whispered then, giving up on trying to focus on anything but him. He pushed her backwards, landing on top of her and kissing her.
"We shouldn't be doing this," Haley whispered, giggling as he smiled into their kiss.
"I know," he whispered back. "But I can't help it," and so he leaned into yet another kiss.
"Hales! The parade, yay!" Brooke cheered and quickly Haley rolled Nathan off the couch, he landed with a loud thump and he groaned. Haley shot him a dirty look and he shut up.
"Morning Brooke!" Haley chirped and Brooke eyed her suspiciously.
"What was that?" she questioned.
"What was what?"
"That thump."
"Oh, just Nathan. He decided to jump on the couch and fell over," she lied through her teeth.
"Hey Brooke," Nathan offered getting up and plopping himself back onto the couch as if nothing has just happened.
"Hey Nathan….wait, you are in the same room together? Being civil?" the duo exchanged a look and shrugged.
"Okay guys, what's going on?"
"Nothing," they both mumble extremely fast.
"Fine, but just let it be known I'm onto you two," and so Brooke stationed herself between Nathan and Haley on the couch. "I love this parade! Don't you guys?"
"I was," Nathan muttered and Haley shot him a warning glance behind Brooke's head and Nathan innocently mouthed 'What?' and she immediately mouthed back 'Shut up!' and this time he simply smirked. Letting out a huff of frustration, she headed to the kitchen.
"What's up with her?" Brooke mused aloud and Nathan shrugged.
"I got to go to the bathroom," he announced lamely and made a beeline out of the room.
"Something's up…" Brooke mumbled. "And I will find out what it is,"
Nathan ambled into the kitchen to see Haley furiously chopping vegetables.
"Woah, hope that isn't me you're picturing."
"Don't worry…it is," she said sweetly and resumed chopping.
"I'm sorry?" he asked weakly, sending her a smile.
"You don't even know what you're apologizing for?"
"No…"
"Damn it, Nathan!" she hissed pointing the knife at him. "You're incorrigible."
"Just part of my charm," he tried and failed miserably.
"What the hell are we doing?"
"Arguing."
"Thank you Captain Obvious! Are we together, are we fooling around? Is this just for sex, Nathan? Because if it is…"
"If it was what?"
"I want more than that. I won't…I can't….handle any less," and so the chopping continued at the other side of the counter. Nathan took the corner and approached her. "No, no, no!" she steered away from his grasp.
"What? Hales!"
"I can't think straight if you get any closer," she suddenly admitted. "So stay away!" she warned, a knife in one hand, her other hand resting on her hip. He chuckled lowly at the sight.
"You think this is funny Nathan Lee Scott?"
"God, no," Nathan swore. "Just put the knife down, babe,"
"You're going to get closer!"
"I won't. I just can't talk with you pointing that at me…I keep thinking if you get angry enough…if I screw this up…you'll just stab me. So if you could just put it down…" she did as he asked and folded her arms against her chest.
"What was that with Brooke earlier?" she asked calmly. He stared at her blankly. "You almost blew it,"
"Would that had been so bad?"
"Of course not, but she'll ask a million questions which we won't have any answers to because I don't know what we're doing and I just…hate the holidays without my parents…" Nathan felt his heart break just a little for Haley, but he was just as clueless as her, but instead of admitting that to her, he stepped forward and pulled her to him, his chin resting on the top of her. "It'll be okay," he promised but the thought of defining their relationship scared him shitless. They stood there for a minute until they heard Karen and Lucas coming in and they jumped apart. "We'll talk later," and he began to help Karen with her grocery bags. Lucas gave Haley a suspicious glare (the exact same look Brooke had given the pair earlier). She smiled at him innocently and resumed to chopping.
"Why are there so many places?" Nathan asked, staring at the picnic table.
"I don't know," Lucas admitted. "I thought just Peyton and Whitey were coming…"
"How about me?" the boys turned around to stare in shock. "Keith?" they both questioned incredulously.
"In the flesh," he joked and the brothers went over to hug their uncle.
"Does Mom know about this?"
"Yeah, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to come…" he was about to finish his sentence when Haley came running across the yard, squeezing the life out of Keith.
"Let him breathe, Hales," Nathan joked.
"Sorry….I got a little overexcited," she admitted breathlessly. "Welcome home, Keith."
"I would say the same for you, kid," Haley shrugged.
"I've been home for a while, now," Keith's eyes lingered between the space that existed from Nathan to Haley. "Not long enough," she murmured. "I better get back, it's great to see you!" she kissed him quickly on the cheek before brushing past Nathan who followed her. "You gonna help cook?" she teased and he grunted.
"Not long enough?"
"We're not back together or anything," she snapped and he blinked.
"Are you feeling okay?" he questioned.
"Fine," she replied.
"Do you know who else is invited to this shindig?"
"Possibly your parents and Cooper."
"What?"
"Karen invited them, not me probably because of Keith and all. I don't know…but don't worry. I'm sure it won't be like the infamous Scott dinner, okay?"
"Sure hope not. Do you guys need help?"
"Nah, go do something," she said smiling brightly at him, before shoving him back down the porch stairs.
"Hey Luke, Keith, how about some football?" she heard him call out, nothing like the Scotts, sports and holidays.
Famous last words, Haley thought to herself, wondering how this dinner could possibly get any more awkward as she stabbed another piece of turkey, shoveling it into her mouth. The silence was overwhelming so Haley decided to try to break the ice. "Karen, the dinner is delicious."
"Thank you Haley but you helped with more than half," Karen said kindly.
"Thank you," Nathan tossed a smirk of approval in Haley's direction and Haley blushed prettily. No one really read into it except for Dan. He had been noting their interactions and it certainly was not the act of spurned lovers. Haley excused herself, citing the need to check on the pies. Less than a minute later Nathan got up and high-tailed it to the house. Smirking to himself, Dan began to hatch a plan.
"I'm sure it won't be like the infamous Scott dinner," Nathan mocked and Haley rolled her eyes.
"I jinxed it, I'm sorry!" Haley replied in exasperation.
"You're just lucky I have a thing for girls named Haley James," he answered, cornering her up against the wall.
"Scott."
"What?"
"No, 'things for girls named Haley James Scott' and you've used that line before,"
"Yeah, but Tim was there," he explained, swooping in for a kiss.
"Well, what would you have done?"
"This," he said swooping in for another kiss. "And then this," he mumbled sexily when he swooped in, yet again and attacked her neck.
"Nathan!" she hissed out, meeting his lips in a searing kiss.
"God, I want you," he murmured into her mouth.
"I want you too," she gasped out.
"Then let's go," he said, hitching his head in the direction of her room and cocking an eyebrow.
"I'd love to but we can't, Nathan," she let out and was about to continue her rant when he kissed her again. "Nathan…your parents…Karen…"
"Screw 'em," he said gruffly.
"They'll notice."
"No. My parents will bicker with each other, Karen and Keith will flirt, Luke will pine over Brooke, Brooke will pine back, Peyton will be ogling Coop and Whitey will be giving someone his sage advice…it's foolproof. Just meet me halfway, Hales," he begged. "Please?"
"Your father will notice!"
"Hales."
"Nathan."
"Fine," he relented.
"Giving up so easy Mr. Scott?"
"Honey, you haven't even seen my A game."
"And lord help me when I do," she flirted shamelessly. Quickly, he got access to her neck and made sure he left a mark.
"Nathan!" she gasped with a giggle.
"Just you wait, babe. Just you wait," he promised winking and smirking at her. He kissed her firmly on the lips, one last time. "I'll kiss you later," and with that he was gone, leaving Haley wanting a hell lot more.
"How are the pies doing?" the unwelcome voice of Dan Scott boomed and Haley jumped at the noise.
"Umm…ff…fine." Haley stuttered.
"They don't smell fine…"
"Oh my god!" she shrieked, noticing the smoke billowing out of the oven. "Shit," she swore and Dan Scott leered.
"Where's Nathan?" Haley shrugged, too preoccupied with the pies to think of Dan having ulterior motives.
Good God, do I need a cold shower, Nathan thought to himself as he splashed cold water onto his face. Riling Hales up was always hilarious but not when she riled him up right back. He blew out a sigh keeping this under wraps was hard but he understood Haley's apprehension very well.
"Hey Nate," Dan greeted and Nathan suddenly tensed up.
"Dad," Nathan greeted warily.
"How you doing, son?"
"Fine."
"Just fine?"
"Yeah, why would it be any other way?"
"Oh I don't know…word on the street is that you and Hades, I mean Haley, are back together," Well, this was unexpected.
"From who?"
"Haley," Nathan narrowed his eyes at his father.
"I highly doubt that."
"No, she did, I just talked to her in the kitchen."
"So what if we are?"
"Have you slept with her yet?"
"That's none of your business."
"I'll take that as a yes, then. Hope you used a condom, she probably wasn't on birth control because she's probably trying to trap you by having a kid."
"Haley wouldn't do that! She loves me."
"That's what I thought of your mother and then came you."
"Gee thanks, Dad, I love you too," Nathan said sarcastically and brushed past him. "Haley's not like Mom, okay?"
"They're more alike then you think…"
"Whatever!" Nathan walked away but still something nagged at him. He hadn't used a condom that night, but Haley must have used birth control, she must have!
"These pies look…"
"Disgusting?" she questioned him.
"I was aiming more for…interesting."
"Thanks Nate but instead of checking on them, I got distracted," she explained, sending a pointed look at his direction. "I'll just go to Karen's after dinner,"
"Sorry," he mumbled.
"Don't worry, it was worth it," she teased, winking in his direction, but he didn't even laugh. "Nathan…is everything okay?"
"Fine," he replied shortly. Something was off Haley knew but she wouldn't push him, she knew if she pushed him, it would only drive him away.
Haley was just about done with eating and was about to leave for Karen's when the topic of college came up. Peyton, Lucas and Brooke fielded those questions but suddenly (thanks to Brooke) the conversation was shifted to Haley.
"Hales is valedictorian!" everyone showered Haley with congratulations, which she accepted gracefully. "Mrs. Cunningham told me Stanford is your top choice?" Dan questioned and suddenly Haley realized Dan was pulling something. Nathan looked even moodier than before, if that was even possible.
"I'm considering it," she answered calmly. "But there are a ton of others," she added hastily as she eyes Nathan's jaw beginning to tick. "Karen, I'm gonna go get those desserts at the café….I'll be back soon."
"I'm coming," Nathan, volunteered. "Let me just hit the bathroom."
And before Haley could utter a word, he took off for the bathroom. Haley shot Peyton a worried look and she silently agreed to check in on him. Peyton hurried into the house and was surprised to find the bathroom door wide open with Nathan's head in the medicine cabinet.
"Need help finding something?" Nathan's forehead slammed into the cabinet.
"Fuck!" he swore. "Band-Aids?" he muttered darkly.
"Left," Peyton said stepping in, opening the left compartment and pulling them out, she handed him a bandage.
"What were you looking for before?"
"Band-Aids," he lied as Peyton applied it to his forehead.
"Nathan."
"Birth Control," he muttered.
"You know the female in the relationship takes that," Peyton teased.
"I know. I'm looking for Haley's."
"Woah wait, did you and Haley? Are you guys? Nathan! That's great!"
"Stop, okay?" he snapped. "Just stop talking, Peyton," he growled.
"Okay…"
"I don't want to keep her waiting any longer."
Nathan had literally grabbed Haley by the arm and dragged her off to his car but she had assumed it was to show her his 'A game' but the past five minutes had been nothing. No teasing, flirting, foreplay, kissing…nothing, only silence and not the comfortable like she had become accustomed to, it was awkward, painful and scary. He pulled up to Karen's Café, parked and the two of them got out of the car. Haley rushed to the door, unlocked it, flipped the lights on and made a beeline for the desserts. She was mid-way through packing it up when finally Nathan spoke up and blew up.
"Stanford?"
"What about it?"
"You know I want to go to a basketball school on the east coast."
"Uhh…no I don't."
"Oh come on, Haley! You do too, think about it. Where are all the best basketball schools that I like?"
"East Coast?" she suggested even though up to two seconds ago, she had had no idea.
"Yes!"
"Okay, so? I haven't signed my name in blood that I'm going to Stanford. For God sakes, I haven't even applied there!"
"But you thought about it!"
"So? We haven't talked about college, not once and why do I suddenly get the feeling this isn't just about college?"
"Because it's not!"
"What's it about then, Nathan? Because I'm feeling out of the loop, so please enlighten me."
"Were you on birth control that night?"
"What when we slept together?"
"Yeah. Were you?"
"No."
"Unbelievable! Dan was right."
"Dan? You talked to Dan about us?"
"No, you did."
"What? Why would I do such a stupid thing like that?"
"Well you did, because he knew about us. But you weren't on it that night?"
"No, but I…"
"Jesus Christ Haley!"
"Nathan!"
"No, you know what I can't talk to you right now."
"Why the hell not? Please don't leave…you always leave,"
"Because I don't want to wind up saying something that I'll regret!" he yelled and so he stalked out of the café slamming the door behind him.
Haley stared after him openmouthed; this definitely topped the awfulness of her first Scott family dinner. This pushed Thanksgiving to the top of her most hated holiday list. She grabbed a spoon and dug into the cake, good thing it was chocolate.