Lately, Ch. 25

Less than two weeks had passed since Lucas and Haley had taken their relationship to the "next level". They were both enjoying the newness of their deeper connection, and hadn't felt the need to discuss "what it all means" in terms of commitment and labels, because they both felt that they already knew that they were in a relationship.

They hardly spent the nights separated in their own rooms, usually preferring to sleep in one room or the other. They showered each other with affection, and were still able to be teasing and sarcastic.

Nathan was especially happy about their "upgrade", as he called it. He had always known that his brother and "the girl next door" would end up together; even when he was dating Haley, in the back of his mind, he was always insecure about her relationship with Lucas, and felt threatened by how close they were. Now that he and Haley had ended the bitter period after their break-up and were able to be friends, he was happy that she and Lucas had finally accepted what everyone that knew them had known all along.

Brooke thought that this news was fabulous as well, and never missed the opportunity to chastise Lucas and Haley for any public displays of affection that they displayed, even if it was something as simple as holding hands or a chaste kiss on the lips.

Peyton was equally thrilled with two of her closest friends "getting it on" as Brooke stated it. She had already tried to plan a double date with them (and Jake), and Haley had so far balked at the idea, telling Peyton she wasn't ready for that yet.

--

Lucas came home from work one evening and heard the shower running. Eyebrows rising, he got an idea and decided to join Haley in the bathroom. Undressing in his room, he went to the bathroom and opened the door. Steam exited, and humidity hit his skin. Through the curtain, Lucas could see Haley's silhouette, her back to him; and he peeled back the plastic quietly to enter.

"Can I join you?" he asked, and Haley turned, startled to find him in front of her. Getting over her initial surprise, she smiled and nodded, running a hand through her water-slicked hair.

Climbing in, Lucas let the water hit him and concentrated on kissing Haley 'hello'. The water droplets fell over them as they kissed, and Lucas wrapped his arms around her, lifting her briefly from the tub surface.

Lucas lathered Haley's hair, and grinning, massaged her head until lathers of bubbles formed. He watched her closed eyes while he did this, and kissed each eyelid. Giggling, Haley let him move her until her head was directly under the stream of water, rinsing her hair clean.

"You're pretty good at this," she commented, kissing his shoulder when he'd finished.

"Yeah, well, I think I'll need lots of practice to improve," he told her, his grin widening.

Once they had gotten out of the shower, Haley grabbed her bathrobe and Lucas toweled off a little and wrapped the towel around his waist. Haley led him to her bedroom…

--

The next day, Haley told Lucas that she would be staying over Peyton's overnight to take her to the airport the next morning. She was going to a seminar for one of her classes. Lucas told her that he and Nathan would be going out with some of the guys that evening for a few drinks. Lucas kissed her good-bye and she headed over to her friend's apartment.

Later in the night, Peyton got a call from Jake, informing her that he had changed some of his plans and he would be able to drive her to the airport after all. Deciding that she would rather go home to her own bed, Haley drove home and headed to the apartment. As she put the key into the lock, the door opened slightly, and woman's head poked out.

"Can I help you?" asked the blonde as Haley checked the number on the door, certain she had somehow tried to enter the wrong apartment. To her confusion, she looked inside the apartment and saw that it was, indeed her own. She also saw that the woman was wearing just a t-shirt.

"Um, I- this is my apartment. Where is Lucas?" Haley asked, a sickening feeling forming in her stomach.

Just then, Lucas came into the living room, holding a towel, his shirt open, "Hey, I found a-" When he saw Haley, and the look on her face, he froze, surprised to see her. Then, registering what she was assuming, he tried to speak, "Haley-"

Hot tears threatened to fall as Haley spun around and headed out of the doorway, slamming the door behind her. She ran down the hall and down the apartment stairwell.

Lucas took a few seconds to react… the few seconds that he needed to catch her.

Haley was out of the apartment building by the time Lucas had raced down the steps, and was pulling out of the parking lot as he neared her car.

Tears threatening to blind her, Haley furiously wiped them from her eyes and drove.

Standing in the parking lot, Lucas cursed as he watched her car peel away.

--

Haley drove for a while, unsure of where she was headed. Finally, she parked in a vacant lot, and sobbed.

Sorry, last week's update got delayed due to real life stuff, but hey, that means a shorter wait for you guys for then next update!