Thank you for all the reviews, guys. You are all amazing. There is going to be a lot of drama in the upcoming chapters, but I assure you, there will always be the Naley you guys adore.

Oh, and I might not be able to update in within this week or the next, mainly because school is totally driving me insane, and I need to recuperate in the very few hours that I'm not studying or doing all my theses. Also, my boyfriend is dragging me to meet his folks this weekend, and I am obviously not looking forward to the huge possibility of humiliating myself.

But don't worry; I'll try to have the next chapter up before this week ends. If not, expect an update early next week. Please review!

----Sera

Disclaimer: Nope, not Mark Schwahn.

When Haley awoke the next morning, her entire body was leaning against Nathan's, and her face was buried into his bare chest. Despite all the stress and worries she had the night before, she had slept surprisingly well, perhaps because of the comforting thought that she and Nathan would get through it together.

She was so surprised when he promised her that he would stand by her side. She was mentally preparing herself for the crushing blow when he would tell her that he wanted nothing else to do with her – that being with her was "too much drama" and that he "couldn't handle it." She was practically pacing herself when she would storm out of the bedroom, call him an insufferable asshole and maybe consider asking Mr. Turner for a different job instead. And yet, he stood there, promising her that he would be with her no matter what – that he would never leave her side – that they were in it together. What was even more surprising that as she stood there, listening to him promise all those beautiful things, she believed him. She didn't doubt what he said for a second.

Haley gazed at his handsome features – he was so chiseled, so perfect – every physical attribute was perfect, especially those incredible eyes of his – she practically melted with his piercing gaze. So often, it sparkled with mischief, arrogance – so cocky and self-assured – so confident that he would get what he wanted, when he wanted it. His eyes were so intense that it was as if, when he looked at her, she often had the strange sensation of being x-rayed, and then she would feel the butterflies because it seemed like he wanted to know everything about her. It was like his eyes were made to make every woman feel special whenever he looked at her.

But lately, those eyes were filled with something anyone rarely saw – vulnerability. Haley knew that Nathan was not the type to broadcast his feelings, hell – he could have gone bankrupt, and he'd still look like he was rolling in millions of dollars. Everyone just simply assumed that he was having the time of his life. No one knew Nathan Scott like she did.

Wasn't that the whole point of taking this assignment in the first place? To get to know Nathan like no one else has done before?

But not this way. You weren't supposed to get emotionally attached. All you were supposed to do was know the very basics – if he was a downright slob, and if the rumors were true that he brought a girl home every night. Maybe you could end the thing being strictly platonic – but you were never, ever supposed to be attached to him. You were not supposed to fall in love.

Love.

It was a pretty strong and huge word for Haley. She had been in a relationship with Chris Keller for almost three years, and even the thought of saying the L-word didn't cross her mind. Sure, there were fireworks, but it didn't last long. And after they were gone, it was like Haley was just forcing herself to be in the relationship.

Besides, Chris never, ever made her feel the way Nathan made her feel.

Perhaps that was how Nathan always got the girl – because he knew exactly what to do so he could deliberately make the girl feel special – and when he got what he wanted with her, it was over. No strings attached – no problem.

And somehow, amidst all the negative thoughts, Haley still came to the surprising conclusion that she didn't care. She was throwing all caution to the wind and wearing her heart on her sleeve. She freaking loved the guy, and as far as she knew, she no longer had any control over it.

Suddenly, a deep voice interrupted her thoughts. "Are you just going to lie there staring at my lips, or are you actually going to scoot over here to give me a good-morning kiss?"

She giggled, slipping upward so she could press her lips on his. "Good morning, Nathan."

"Mm, not exactly the kind of kiss I was hoping for," mumbled Nathan, pulling her against him, and in one smooth, fluid motion, maneuvered himself on top of her, pinning her small body on the bed, and interlacing the fingers of both his hands with hers. He captured her lips with his, and smirked when she let out a soft moan, parting her lips so he could expertly deepen the kiss and explore the depths of her mouth, making her writhe beneath him. Her breasts rubbed against his bare chest, making him even harder than he already was.

But fearing that this could go way too far than Haley would want it to, he forced himself to pull away, and panting, he rolled back on his side of the bed. "Another really, really good reason to get up early in the morning,"

She laughed, running her fingers softly over his sculpted arms. "How long have you been awake?"

"Oh, a few minutes – pretty long enough to know you were fantasizing about me. Don't worry Hales, this hot body isn't going anywhere." Nathan teased, smirking when she blushed slightly.

"I guess when God was thinking of the word 'conceited,' He made you," said Haley, rolling her eyes at him. She glanced at the clock on his bedside table. "Shouldn't we be getting up right about now?"

Nathan buried his face into her neck, planting a kiss on the back of her shoulder. "No. I love being with you – like this. I forget the rest of the world."

"I do, too," admitted Haley, unable to ignore the giddiness sweeping through her, but she forced the thought out of her mind, and instead, tried to focus on the situation at hand. "But we really have to start getting ready now."

He sighed. "Do we have to?"

She smiled apologetically at him. "Why don't you go ahead and take a shower? I'll go see if we have some leftovers we could reheat in the microwave or something."

Nathan nodded as he got out of bed. He yawned widely and stretched, in the hope of chasing away the sleep. He grinned appreciatively when he watched Haley get out of bed, wearing nothing but the cute, two-sizes smaller tank top and pajama bottom that hung low on her waist, so he could get a good look of not only her taut, flat stomach, but also an ample view of her cleavage. Her blond waves were slightly messy as they fell over her shoulders. God, Haley had no idea how incredibly beautiful and sexy she was.

"You sure you don't want to join me in the shower, Hales? It's pretty big, and it could get pretty lonely in there," teased Nathan, winking at her.

Haley laughed, riding on. "I'm sorry, but I don't really enjoy cold showers."

"Well, you could have the hot shower –" began Nathan, smirking at her. "As long as I get to watch you have it."

"Down boy," said Haley, rolling her eyes once more. "I'll see you in the kitchen."

As she walked away, she found herself unable to remove the huge smile plastered on her face.

Despite all their flirtatious banter, Haley couldn't help but be nervous about facing her boss. She had no idea what to expect from him. Haley had never done anything remotely bad enough for her to be nervous when she met up with him, and now – she couldn't help but worry about what he was going to say – or worse, what he was going to do.

Nathan had chosen the sleek, black and inconspicuous Sedan that had darkly tinted windows so no one could suspect that it was them. Thankfully, it was still too early in the day for any paparazzi to be hanging outside his house, waiting eagerly for answers that will never come.

He squeezed her hand, trying to reassure her. "It's going to be okay, Hales."

She merely nodded in reply, seemingly too lost in her thoughts and worries to say something. Her gaze was fixated outside – specifically on a newsstand which probably carried every magazine and newspaper that all had one thing in common – the both of them their main headline.

Haley had never felt more nervous in her entire life.

Nathan made a move to take his hand back so he could steer the wheel, but she suddenly whispered, "No, Nathan. Don't let go. Don't ever let go."

He nodded, understanding the double-meaning of her words. "I'm never going to, Hales."

-

"He'll be with you in a moment," said Liz, Mr. Turner's secretary, as she ushered the couple into his office. Before leaving the room, she momentarily glanced at Nathan, then her gaze shifted to Haley, her brows slightly raised, and disappeared.

"I never really liked her," muttered Haley in distaste.

To anyone who didn't actually know the situation, Nathan and Haley wore the expressions of a young, teenaged couple, holding hands and waiting in bated breath the result of Haley's pregnancy test, and hoping to God that she wasn't pregnant.

Because that was exactly how they felt.

They were both hoping Haley wouldn't lose her job – but most of all, hoping that everything was going to be okay.

Mr. Turner walked in, a grim expression on his face. He surveyed the anxious couple for a moment, then after he cleared his throat, said, "I honestly don't know what to say to the both of you."

Haley opened her mouth to say something, but the look in her boss' eyes made her think twice.

He continued, "I don't know what to say because I don't know how I should feel about this whole thing. Nathan, I've always respected and admired you and your accomplishments, despite your shortcomings, and I will always appreciate the fact that you agreed to have that article with us," he turned to Haley next. "And you, Haley – I've always looked at you with great respect and high esteem. You were always reliable and efficient, and you are easily the best copywriter I've ever hired.

"I honestly did not see this coming. I mean, sure – I expected flirting between the both of you – maybe if you slept with each other a few times –" Both Nathan and Haley deliberately coughed at this point. "I mean, you're both good-looking people – stuck in a house together – sex was bound to happen. If you ask me, I actually think Haley needs it."

Nathan could not help but snort with laughter at this point, but immediately desisted when Haley glared at him,

"The thing is – what I did not expect was an actual relationship – a real, tangible one. And what I really did not expect was that it leaked to the press. How could you let this happen, Haley? You do know that once that article comes out, and everyone sees your name on it, no one will believe one good thing you say about Nathan? You will lose your credibility as a writer, Haley. People will think that the only reason you are saying nice things about Nathan is because you're seeing him.

And another thing, don't you think people will question the real reason why you're with Nathan? That maybe – just maybe – you're using his fame and popularity as a springboard to launch your own career as a writer? How could you possibly explain to them how you met? You cannot tell them about the article now. It's too soon – and people are going to wonder and ask how in the hell did Nathan Scott meet an ordinary woman that no one even knows. Can you tell me that, Haley? How can you solve this now? Surely, I cannot stop you from having this relationship, but how can you let this happen, Haley? You've lived with the man for only almost three weeks, and this – this mess happens."

All throughout the time that Mr. Turner was speaking, Nathan was watching Haley, and he could practically hear his heart aching when he saw the guilty, ashamed face of the woman he loved – she was almost in tears. "With all due respect sir, none of this is Haley's fault."

"Excuse me?"

"Sir, Haley came into my house, fully intent on having a strictly professional – if not platonic – relationship, but I wanted something much more than that. Sir, I don't think anyone in the world – anyone out there – would ever truly understand what Haley and I have. Sir, to be quite honest with you, I only agreed to this newspaper because she worked here. We have a past sir, and it was something Haley was deeply ashamed of, but I somehow convinced her otherwise. I agreed to this article, in the hope of having a relationship with Haley, but I did not expect it to blow up in my face. So with all due respect sir, none of this is Haley's fault, and if there's anyone to blame, it's me. Whether you want to believe me or not, I deeply care about Haley, and I assure you, I did not want for this to happen to her – to the both of us. But now that it has, I will stand by her until this whole thing dies down." Nathan said, eying Mr. Turner straight in the eye as he spoke.

His audience was shocked, as they both stared at him in amazement.

"And as for the part when you said that people were going to wonder how we met, we could just invent some story on how we supposedly 'met' and take it from there. It doesn't take much for them to believe it, sir."

An awkward silence hung in the room, and after a few seconds, Mr. Turner nodded. "Just as long as no one finds out about that interview, you two do not need to come here until the two months are up."

Nathan stood up to leave, Haley following suit, but Mr. Turner stopped her. She gazed at him questioningly.

"He must really love you, Haley."

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