A/N: First of all, I am so sorry for not updating sooner. My life has just been absolutely in shambles, but everything is starting to settle down (to a degree) and I am writing again. I am sorry for the huge time gap, but I'm back, promise! Second, I don't own OTH or the title of this chapter.

Chapter 25: Swing Swing

Haley knocked on the door to Nathan's apartment, feeling slightly surprising with herself as a feeling of nerves shot through her. She had never been to Nathan's before, and it felt like there was something serious about tonight's dinner.

But the nerves flew away quickly once Nathan opened the door. He stood smiling there like he had been waiting for her, his green sweater fitted perfectly and his crooked smirk making him look confident.

"Hi," Haley breathed.

"Hey, it's my hero," Nathan ushered her into his apartment.

"I'm your hero?" she turned, offering him a questioning glance.

"Of course you are Hales," he took her coat, handing her a glass of champagne. "Without you, I never could have gotten to be head of James-Scott. You helped me to get my dream."

"Nathan," she protested. "I didn't even do anything other than say you were reliable, which you are. You proved through all your hard work that you had what it takes to be in charge of this company. It's all you, Nathan."

Nathan stared at her, an intense look of something Haley couldn't name on his face. Suddenly, he stepped toward her, closing the space between them. He slowly grazed her cheek with the back of his knuckles, before leaning down to place his lips firmly over hers in a searing kiss. Taking the champagne out of her hand, he placed it on the table behind her, before locking her into his embrace, all without breaking the kiss. One of his hands moved to rub circles over her shoulder while the other pressed into her back to push her against him.

"Nathan," Haley murmured against his lips. "Wait. You made dinner…"

"It can wait," he said as his lips trailed over her face.

"But, Nathan," she protested, half-heartedly.

"The dinner can wait, Hales," he repeated. "But I can't wait to have you." With that he captured her lips again, this time the possession marked. His nimble fingers danced their way over her shoulders and down her back, reaching the zipper on her navy dress. When he started to pull it down, however, Haley froze.

"What are you doing?" she asked, taking a quick step away from him.

"I would think it was obvious," Nathan smirked, kissing her hard on the mouth and moving closer to her.

"Wait, Nathan," Haley put a hand up, using the other to smooth her disheveled hair. "I think we're on different wavelengths here."

"We seemed to be on the same 'wavelength' a minute ago," he teased, moving his lips around her neck.

"Nathan, stop," she stepped back again. "It's…fast. I just…I'm sorry."

He stepped away from her. "Okay, okay. We'll stop."

"No, Nathan, it's just…There's something I probably should tell you."

"You're married?" he joked, smirking when Haley rolled her eyes at him.

"Cute," she muttered. "Maybe we should sit?" she gestured to the couch. He followed her and seated himself close to her.

"What's up, Hales?" he raised his eyebrows at her nervous chewing on her lip.

"Okay, look. I'm waiting for marriage. You just seemed a little…eager…and I thought you should know."

He looked uncomprehendingly. "Waiting for what?"

"For marriage. To have sex."

He let out a short laugh. There was a beat of silence where the couple simply stared at each other. "You're kidding, right?" He ran his hand over his face. "You're not kidding."

"I've just…always wanted to wait. Sex means something to me, Nathan. Is that so horrible?"

"No. No, I guess I just never thought about it. So, you're a virgin?"

Haley rolled her eyes. "Yeah, genius."

"Just checking," he muttered defensively, looking a bit shell-shocked. "Wow, okay."

"You look surprised."

"I am surprised."

"What? Every girl you've ever dated has just jumped into bed with you?" When he didn't respond, Haley got panicky. "Oh my god! Every girl you ever dated has just jumped into bed with you!"

"Yeah, well, no, but…I guess I never really asked them."

"Them? How many women have you slept with, Nathan?"

He looked at her blankly, giving her all the answer she needed.

"Look," Haley stood up, grabbing her coat. "Maybe I should go."

Nathan sat unmoving on the couch. "You don't have to," he said weakly.

"No," Haley gathered her courage, "I think I do." She didn't even realize she was crying until she reached the elevator, mentally berating herself for her stupidity.

She was halfway down the block past Nathan's apartment before she heard her name being called. She recognized his voice, and so continued walking, ignoring the rapid steps behind her. His much-longer legs allowed him to catch her quickly, and grabbing her upper arm, he spun her to face him.

"Hales," Nathan said softly, brushing away her tears with his thumbs. "I'm an idiot. You just took me off guard. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize for the way you feel, Nathan," Haley argued, moving away from him. "I understand. Everyone just sleeps with everyone nowadays. I can't expect you to see why I want this."

"No, I do." When she gave him a skeptical look, he continued. "I know that you want to wait," he rephrased. "I get it-sex means a lot to you. I just assumed…"

"You assumed I'd be like every other girl," she added bitterly.

"But I was wrong," he countered strongly. "You are unlike any other girl I have ever met, Haley James. And I'm going to try not to screw this up like I have before. I'm sorry."

"Nathan-"

"Please, Haley. Will you just come back inside? We can have the dinner I made, and talk."

"Nathan, I don't know if that's a good idea. You and I…we're obviously coming from very different places. I just don't know."

"Please. Hales, give me another chance." His eyes bore into hers and she knew any other argument was hopeless. She was lost.

She gave him a small smile and slipped her hand into his.

A/N: Please review and let me know if anyone is still reading...again, sorry!