Hey, guys! As usual, I loved your reviews, but I'm kind of wondering why there weren't as much reviews as the previous chapters. I'm really curious on why, because if it were my style of writing in that chapter, I'm so sorry. Like most of you, school has got me so worked up and stressed, so maybe it affected my writing or something. If there is anything that I could improve on, please don't hesitate to tell me, because I really am here to please you guys.

I'm so sorry I didn't update for two weeks or something. I had to leave the university for Christmas break, and I couldn't go online to update at all. Let me tell you, it was so depressing, especially when I'm on a roll writing updates. I have something to make up for all the time I wasn't able to update. I've already written the next five chapters, so expect pretty fast updates. Also, I've written three (count that, three) one-shots that I'm really excited for you to read. So anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed your holidays!

This is a pretty long chapter, and reviews would be lovely.

----Sera

Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own it.

When Haley stirred awake the next morning, she wasn't entirely sure of where she was. She had a pounding headache, and when she tried to get up, there was a sudden, sharp pain shooting in her temples that she needed to lie down again.

She closed her eyes as her fingertips rubbed circles into her temples, trying to sort things out. She could barely remember what happened last night. All she could remember that she was on that date with Jason and Nathan interrupted them – Nathan. Haley wondered where he was.

She didn't have to wonder for long because as soon as she turned her head to the side, she saw him lying next to her, fast asleep. Haley let out a high-pitched scream as she stood up. She soon realized that she was wearing his old Duke Blue Devils' college basketball jersey – and God forbid, nothing underneath it.

Nathan woke up with a start, and he sleepily rubbed his eyes. "What's going on?" He looked up at Haley, who was standing by the bed, clutching the blanket to her chest and looking petrified. "Isn't it funny how we always wake up like this? Either one of us is hung-over, but you always wake up screaming at me."

Haley was miffed at how amused Nathan seemed to be. He didn't seem to understand the gravity of the situation at all. "Oh my God, I swore to myself I wouldn't sleep with you again –" She glared at him when he smirked at her. "This isn't funny, Nathan! I can't believe you got me drunk again!"

"Hey, for your information – you got drunk yourself. I had nothing to do with it."

"Okay – so I got drunk myself – but I can't believe you took advantage of me!"

Nathan sighed. "I didn't take advantage of you, Haley. You threw up all over the car – the smell is still there, by the way – and all over your clothes so I had to give you a sponge bath and let you wear one of my clothes. I swear to God that I didn't gawk at you, or do anything other than what I just said."

Haley was silent for awhile. Was it really true? Was he really telling the truth? "So – you didn't take advantage of me?"

He smirked at her. "Trust me, honey – with all the things you've been rambling about last night, I don't need to take advantage of you. You'll come around eventually."

She gaped at him, fear bubbling from deep within her. She was terrified – no, horrified of what she might've said. It could be anything – or God forbid, it could be about what she really felt about him – and their current situation. A deep blush crept up her face. "What – what did I say?"

Nathan shrugged. "Oh, a bunch of stuff – don't worry, it's nothing serious. I just want you to know though – the ball's in my court now, and I intend to take advantage of that opportunity," he grinned at her as he got off the bed. "See you downstairs."

Haley stared at his retreating figure in dumbfounded silence. She wondered how much she had really said, nervous that Nathan knew way more than he should. Haley herself wasn't even quite sure of how she really felt about Nathan and if she had somehow blabbed about it last night – well, it was pretty much over for her.

God help me.

"Oh, Gol-di-locks! Come over here, I have to show something!" Brooke called in a singsong voice from the bedroom.

Peyton went into the bedroom, one hand covering her eyes. "If it's another goddamned sex video of yours, I swear to God, I'll throw myself off the window and –"

Brooke waved an impatient hand in the air. "Don't be ridiculous – I don't make sex videos anymore, since Lucas doesn't seem to understand the concept of how hot and kinky it is to watch yourself –"

"Brooke – enough! Seriously, you and Lucas having sex is not a mental image I would welcome in my mind. It's disturbing enough that I walked into you both practically going at it in the kitchen counter – God, do you know how hard it is for me to walk in there now and try to pretend I don't remember that scarring image?" Peyton said as she leaned against the nearest drawer, her green eyes closing tightly in disgust.

"Just so you know – we had sex there, too." Brooke added, pointing to the drawer that Peyton was leaning on.

She immediately leaped away, proceeding to sit on the bed but then thought against it. "I think I'll stand," she decided.

Brooke pouted at her. "I just washed these sheets, you know. And the floor you're standing on with your bare feet – well, we christened that, too –"

"Could we please just get to the point of you calling me here?" Peyton said loudly before her best friend could say anything else.

"Okay, okay – look at this picture of Nathan and Haley –" Brooke shuffled through a stack of photographs until she found the picture of the couple kissing passionately. She proudly set it on the bed so Peyton could get a clear view.

Peyton's jaw dropped. "Since when does Haley kiss men she vows she won't ever get involved with?"

Brooke rolled her eyes impatiently. "Oh please, P. Jagielski, it's not like Haley could really go through with all that 'I'm-not-going-to-be-involved-with-the-jackass-who-took-away-my-virginity' crap. I mean, have you seen Nathan? Any woman would have to be blind and completely insane to live with him and not want to go to bed with him. Besides, we both always knew that Haley was always attracted to him, even if she practically wanted to murder him."

"You have a point there, but I don't know – it doesn't sound like Haley –"

"Oh, God – give me a break, Peyton. That woman must be the most sexually frustrated being on the planet. She's only had sex once, and it's with the man that she hates but sort of loves at the same time. Besides, I recall a certain blond who also hated this guy's guts before – and look, she's now married to him, and having his baby."

Peyton sighed in defeat. "Oh, fine – you're right. But what should we do about it?"

Brooke flashed one of her dimpled smiles. "The only way to get any fire going between those two is to set the mood, and I have the perfect way to do it."

Haley had just taken a shower when she heard someone knocking on the door. Frowning, she cinched the tie around her robe tighter and walked down the hall. "Nathan, someone's at the door!"

"Would you get that, Hales?" He called from the kitchen.

She rolled her eyes. "Lazy ass," she muttered and went to the front door. She opened the door and was shocked to see her two best friends standing in the front door. "Did – did anything happen that I should know about?"

Brooke winked at her as she surveyed the bathrobe and how obvious it was that Haley was only wearing underwear beneath it. "Ooh, already getting ready for it, are we? Excellent,"

Haley turned to Peyton, looking at her questioningly.

"I'm just here because I have nothing better to do," Peyton said, shrugging.

Brooke glared at her. "Can we come in?"

"Uh, sure – but don't –"

Brooke immediately went inside, and looked around the mansion. "Impressive – very impressive – Boy Toy's interior designer is a genius. Ask him for the number later, okay? Speaking of Boy Toy, where is he?"

"Okay, Brooke – first of all, what is going on? And second, don't call Nathan that. He'll get really pissed off." Haley said warningly.

"Don't call me what?" Nathan asked, walking into the room.

"Oh, Boy Toy – good, you're here – looking as hot, as always. You just have to show me around the place. The design is just gorgeous." Brooke said eagerly, as she linked her arm with his and practically dragging him down the hall.

Nathan turned his head, exchanging bewildered looks with Haley. "Hales –"

"I'm sorry, Nate – I don't know why –"

"Oh, how cute – you already have pet names for each other. Be sure to use that when you have that talk later." Brooke said, as she pushed the pair into the bedroom.

"Peyton! What is going on?" Haley asked, her voice rising in slight panic.

Before she could answer, Brooke quickly closed the door. Nathan and Haley heard a loud thud against the door. He tried to push the door open, but it seemed like Brooke had rammed it close with furniture or something. Suddenly, the lights went off, making Haley scream and throwing herself against Nathan.

"You kids have fun!" Peyton called, as she laughed with Brooke. Their footsteps faded until all they could hear was silence.

"Haley, is this your idea of a joke, because this isn't funny! I have a date to go to!" Nathan said angrily.

Haley instantly flared as she pushed him away. "You think I put those two up to this? I have no idea what's going on – and what they're planning! And do you really think I'd want to be locked up in a bedroom with no lights with you? Well, I don't because as far as I can tell, you're an ass!"

"I'm an ass?" Nathan repeated incredulously. "Excuse me, but you seem to be forgetting that I brought you home last night, cleaned up your puke and changed you when you were dead drunk!"

"Well genius, I'd obviously forget it because I was drunk – which is the only time you'll ever bother being with me because other than that, you never are! I'm sorry about Brooke and Peyton, okay? I have no idea why they did this, and I know you're itching to go have unbridled sex with your new hot date, but you'll just have to make do with being locked up with me. I'm sorry if I ruined your night and your big date." Haley said angrily. She was seething and practically trembling with anger.

For a minute, Nathan stared at her, dumbfounded. He cautiously approached her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Hales –"

"Don't touch me!" She screamed shrilly at him. "I don't know how this night could possibly be any worse, and I don't know what I hate more – me being in a really dark room and being scared to death about it, or me baring my feelings to you like that."

Nathan couldn't ignore the guilt bubbling within him. He went over to the window and opened the curtains, so the moonlight shone through the glass, lighting parts of the room. He could see her beautiful face, contorted as she tried to calm herself down. Feeling the familiar but disturbing heave of his heart, he walked to her and held her against him. To his surprise, instead of pushing him away, she buried her face into his chest.

"It's alright, Hales. It's not that dark anymore, and I'm here with you. Nothing's going to happen, okay? I'm here to protect you."

She looked up at him with those gorgeous brown eyes. "I don't remember much from last night, but I'm pretty sure you protected me. Thank you."

He smiled down at her, making her heart flutter unexpectedly. "I'm always here to protect you, Hales. Always."

For a few moments, they gazed into each other's eyes in silence – taking in what the other said, taking in everything. Haley took a deep breath and stood on her toes, feeling her heart thumping so hard against her chest that she wondered if he felt it, too. "Nate – I – I don't know what I said to you last night – but whatever it was – it's probably the truth."

"If it is, then I'm really glad it is – because it's exactly how I feel."

And without another word, Nathan leaned down and kissed her. She let out a soft gasp and let his probing tongue in without hesitation. She stroked his tongue with hers and smiled happily when she heard him groan and felt his arousal against her. Nathan encircled her waist with his arms, pulling her closer to him. Haley began to run her fingers through his hair, her fingernails scraping lightly over his scalp.

Nathan lifted one leg against his and ran his fingertips over the smooth skin. He pulled his lips away from hers and began to nibble on her neck, wanting to leave a mark. His fingers reached the edge of her lacy underwear, and he began to gently stroke the skin beneath the elastic, making her moan his name loudly. "Yes, Nathan – don't stop –"

Haley pushed him off her slightly so she could unbutton his shirt slowly, letting her fingers linger on the skin beneath every button she removed. She leaned forward and kissed the base of his neck, thrilled when he murmured her name over and over. When her lips parted so she could trail her tongue over it, he went insane and grabbed her to him so they could fall on the bed together.

Haley straddled him, the moonlight striking her lovely features. Her blond waves were a mess as they cascaded over her shoulders and she was panting heavily. She began to untie her robe and was just about to slip it off her shoulders when he stopped her.

"Hales – are you sure about this?"

She nodded. "We're both sober – let's see where this leads us."

With a grin, Nathan growled and rolled her so she was lying beneath him. They began to exchange long, wet kisses that seemed to go on for hours. The need of oxygen seemed to be the last thing on their minds as they kissed over and over, savoring each other's taste

Haley pulled away, her breath coming in short, deep pants. "Nate – Nate, I remember last night. I remember what I said." She whispered.

"And?" Nathan's intense, blue eyes were hopeful.

"I feel the same way."

When they kissed each other again, they poured every unspoken emotion and words into the kiss, as if it was the last kiss they would ever share. The passion and the deep emotions in the kiss drove them insane, as each kiss slowly drove them over the edge of reason.

Haley could feel her protective walls shatter around her, and she realized that if she took this further, there was no turning back. She had opened herself up completely to him, and whatever happened after that night wouldn't matter anymore. She didn't care anymore.

She knew this was insane but – she loved him. She loved Nathan Scott.

-

While writing the last Nathan and Haley scene in this chapter, I was listening to Gavin DeGraw's "More Than Anyone," Coldplay's "The Scientist" and Kelly Clarkson's "Timeless." I suggest you guys play it while reading the scene again, I swear, it sounds perfect. Or maybe that's just me. Anyway, I'd love to hear your comments! Please review!