hey guys! sorry i haven't updated for a while! it's been very hectic and all sorts. starting school again. i have a day off tomorrow, but a hell of a lot of school work to do... so i'll need to wait and see if i get any writing done... hopefuly :). so here's the next chapter. i'm soooo grateful for the feedback i've been getting on this story. it's amazing! :):)

14. Stand

Haley fell onto her bed, exhausted. Her and Nathan had spent all day moving her stuff back and forward to storage. Some stuff was still in Nathan's living room, Haley had to go through it to get what she needed.

She smiled at the thought of her and Nathan. They were back to normal, and it felt good. She hadn't spoken to Brooke yet, she didn't know Haley was home. She made a mental note to phone Brooke tomorrow, and tell her she just moved back. Brooke would go mental if she knew Haley had been back for 3 days.

Haley slowly let herself drift off into a deep sleep.

Haley rolled over in bed and into someone's strong arms. She smiled, then looked up. She screamed and pulled away.

'Haley please, come here, just for a minute.' He ushered her into his arms again.

Haley cautiously moved back into his arms. A very comforting feeling washed over her. She sighed deeply, relaxing at his touch.

'It's good to see you Hales.'

'Lucas, what are you doing here?' Haley breathed. She sat up in the bed and looked at him. He hadn't changed at all.

'I just came for a visit, I know you haven't been doing very well. I also came to direct you.'

'I don't understand. You're a ghost? And how did you know I wasn't doing well?'

'I see everything Haley. I've been watching over you. The only problem is I can't actually ease the pain or stop you hurting, I've just been watching.'

'So you know what I did?' Lucas nodded. 'Are you mad?'

'No. Believe me Haley you did the right thing. If you had had the baby your life would be a lot worse.'

'Ok… so why are you here to direct me? Direct me to what?'

'Nathan.' Lucas said simply.

'Nathan?' his name gave Haley butterflies, and she tried to shake it off. She was in the presence of her husband.

'Don't hide your feelings Haley. I know you are in love with him.'

'He hurt me so bad Luke.'

'And you hurt him too! But here you are, together again. That mean's something Haley. You never truly gave up on each other.'

'Luke don't say that. I love you.' Haley begged, tears forming in her eyes.

'I know you do Haley, but you need to move on.'

'I can't. I would feel too guilty Luke.'

'Do you not think I feel guilty?'

'What do you mean?'

'Haley I died. If I hadn't slept in I would still be alive. It was my own fault I didn't set the alarm. But listen to me Haley, I love you, but I'm gone. And life with me and Ben wouldn't have been as happy as you picture it.'

'Ben?' Haley breathed. 'It was a boy?'

'Yes he was… but don't be mad Haley. I can see what life would have been like. I was cheating on you with Brooke, and you with Nathan. We weren't happy. We just pretended to be.'

Haley felt some slight anger. 'You cheated on me?'

'Haley that isn't the point. The point is you would have ended up with Nathan no matter what happened on our wedding day.'

'But I loved you Lucas.'

'I know you did. But you would never have really been all mine. There was another boy in your heart that you couldn't quite let go off. Tell me Haley, it's an away game. Who do you sit next to on the bus?'

'Nathan…' Haley whispered. 'I'm sorry Luke…it's just…'

'Don't Haley, I understand. Ok, next question. Your out on a walk at the river court, you see someone playing basketball, you would rather play with…?'

'Nathan.' Haley spoke louder. 'But you cannot define my love for you by asking me childish questions!' she whined, tears steaming down her cheeks.

'Ok, so you, Nathan and I are out on a walk. Two guys with guns walk by and hold Nathan and me at gunpoint. You can only save one of us. Who is it?'

'You.' Haley said without hesitation, even though she wasn't sure.

'Haley come on, be honest. I know you are lying.'

'OK FINE!' Haley screamed. 'Maybe I love Nathan, maybe I love him more than I loved you! But that doesn't mean I wouldn't have been happy for you. That doesn't make this any easier!'

'I understand Haley. I want you to be happy with Nathan.'

'How can you be so understanding?'

'Because in two years I have grown to accept the fact that you and Nathan are meant to be. You need to face it too.'

Haley hugged Lucas. He felt so real! She never wanted to let go.

'I need to go Haley. Lie back on your bed and go to sleep.' Lucas said softly, kissing her lips. Haley tried to urge the kiss on, but Lucas pulled back.

'Bye Haley. And take that ring off your finger. Give it to your son, if you have one. It's special, but it's not ours anymore.'

Haley smiled up and Lucas, who turned and walked out the door. 'I love you hales.'

'Lucas don't go!' Haley shouted, the tears coming down her face. 'LUCAS!! LUCAS!!'

'Haley! HALEY!' Nathan shouted, rushing to her bedside.

'LUCAS LUCAS!! COME BACK!' Haley screamed, hitting Nathan.

'Haley! Wake up!' Nathan shouted, shaking her.

Haley woke up, tears streaming down her face. 'Nathan…Lucas was here! He left me!' she sobbed loudly, punching Nathan in the chest and getting out of her bed. She started to pace her room.

'He came to me too hales, last night. He showed me life with him. It wasn't good, and he knew it.' Nathan stood up and walked over to Haley and pulling her into a hug.

'He left me Nathan!' she shouted. 'He came back but went away again! I need him back.' Haley started to fight with Nathan, punching him and kicking him.

Nathan let her kick and punch all she wanted. He never let go. Then she collapsed in tears and Nathan sank to the floor, holding her in his arms and comforting her.

'Nathan?' Haley walked slowly into the living room, her eyes still bloodshot from crying.

'I'm over here.' Nathan's muffled voice came from behind a few of Haley's boxes.

'Can we go for a walk?'

'Of course.'

Nathan and Haley slowly walked through the streets of tree hill.

'So did he tell you we were together?' Haley giggled as Nathan nodded slowly.

'And he was with Brooke?'

Haley nodded and laughed more. 'It's so strange, isn't it?'

'Yip, it certainly is.'

They walked slightly further before they came to an empty parking lot. It started to rain heavily, soaking them instantly.

'I love the rain.' Haley whispered. Then she slipped and fell.

Nathan grabbed her hand to pull her up. Haley saw him notice her ring finger.

'You took your ring off.' He looked at her with his concerned blue eyes.

'Yes I did.' Haley smiled slightly.

'Why?'

'Because…' Haley looked up into those big green eyes. The eyes that had been supporting her for twelve long years. The eyes that had seen every side of her imaginable. The eyes that had cried with her and been to hell and back with her. The eyes that hadn't judged, just accepted. The eyes that had loved unconditionally. The eyes that belonged to the man she loved.

'I think I'm in love with you.' She whispered, looking down at the ground.

Nathan lifted her chin up with his finger. 'You know what Haley James, I think I'm in love with you too.'

Haley smiled slightly and blushed. She moved towards him and he leaned forward too, both knowing what was supposed to come next.

Haley moved forwards, then back ever so slightly, her eyes never leaving Nathan's. It felt like a first kiss, not sure how to kiss properly, and worried about what the other would think.

Their bodies weren't touching. Nathan's hand touched Haley's face, his thumb caressing her cheek. Haley felt shivers down her spine, but it wasn't from the cold. Haley slowly moved her eyes from Nathan's eyes down to his lips. She leaned in closer as she brought her hands up to her body and closed her eyes.

They hesitated for a few seconds, their lips millimetres apart. Then suddenly lighting crashed and their lips joined in one swift movement.

Haley flung her arms around Nathan's neck. She felt like they had been the ones struck by lightening; there were so many sparks flying and so much electricity soaring through them.

It was their first real kiss. The no longer had any obstacles to dodge around. They had finally won the twelve-year battle. And god, did it feel good.

The two of them stood in the rain, kissing for what felt like a lifetime.

WOW NALEY WOW NALEY!! reviews please?