A/N~ Hey! Thanks to everyone who reviewed! You guys are what make me update quicker! :) Well, here's the next chapter and I hope you like it!

Chapter Two- I Love You

"Yes Mom", Nathan said into his cell phone later that day. "We're all fine. Don't worry about us. We will stay close to shore and call home every day I promise! Don't worry, we'll be fine. Okay, I love you too. Bye." Nathan turned off his phone and stuck it back in his pocket.

"Who was that?" Haley asked from the deck where she was sunbathing with Brooke and Peyton.

"My mom, just worrying about us", Nathan said nonchalantly.

Haley nodded and shifted back into her position sunbathing.

"Dude, let's go do something. I dunno, fish or something", Tim who was obviously bored stated.

"Do you even know how to fish?" Nathan asked.

"Well…no", Tim replied. "But we're on a boat in the middle of ocean, let's go have some fun!"

Nathan thought for a moment. The girls seemed content talking and sunbathing, so this was definitely time for some guy bonding time. "I know", Nathan said. "We could take the waverunners out for a spin." He said motioning to the two waverunners attached to the back of the boat.

"Alright let's go", Tim said.

"Alright", Nathan said. "Yo Luke!" He called down below deck. "We're gonna take the waverunners for a spin, you wanna come?"

"Alright yeah", Lucas said bouncing up to the deck.

Nathan thought for a moment. If Luke and Tim took off on the waverunners and Brooke and Peyton went with them, he could finally have the alone time that he needed with Haley this vacation.

"Tim", Nathan began. "You and Luke take the waverunners and take Brooke and Peyton with you. I'm sure they'd love to go."

"What about you and Hal…" Tim began. "Ohhhh  I see. You want some alone time with your girlfriend."

Nathan nodded at Tim's ability to catch on.

"Alright whatever", He stated. "Yo Brooke!"

"What?" Brooke yelled from the deck.

"You wanna go out on the waverunner?"

"Yeah, let's go!" Brooke said bouncing up.

"Here", Tim said throwing her a lifejacket. Brooke slipped the blue life vest over her pink bikini and he threw down one for Peyton as well. "You're comin' to Peyt."

"I think not", Peyton said returning to her magazine that she was reading.

"Come on Peyton", Luke pleaded. "It'll be fun."

Peyton bit her lip. She hadn't ever been on a waverunner before and it would be fun. Plus, having her arms around Lucas for the entire ride wouldn't be so bad either.

"Alright, I'm in", Peyton said hopping up and slipping her lifejacket on.

"Have fun guys!" Nathan said as Lucas and Peyton and Tim and Brooke hopped onto the waverunners and sped off into the distance. Nathan turned to Haley. "Finally we can be alone." He said kissing her.

Haley smiled.

"Come here", Nathan said patting his hand on the couch near the back of the deck. Haley said down beside Nathan. "I need to talk to you about something."

"You know you can tell me anything", Haley said.

"Well, you know how much I care about you and I know that this whole relationship thing is new for you. And it is for me too. With Peyton it was always drama and parties and appearances. We never went on dates or anything like that and I've never really said…what I'm trying to say is I love you Haley." Nathan concluded.

Haley's eyes began to tear. No one had ever said that to her before, besides her parents and Lucas of course. "I love you too Nathan." Haley said as Nathan pulled her into a passionate kiss. "You have no idea how much." Haley stated as she settled into Nathan's arms.

"Well, I got a little present for you", Nathan said reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small black box.

"Nathan you shouldn't have", Haley said sitting up. Nathan gave Haley the small box and she opened it. Haley gasped at the sight before her. Inside the box set a beautiful sapphire and diamond ring, with a sterling silver band. "Nathan, it's beautiful!" Haley said.

"Tim pointed it out to me when we were at Tree Hill Mall one day. He said Brooke had been eyeing it and I thought you'd like it."

"I love it!" Haley cried. "Will you put it on for me?"

"Sure", Nathan said softly as he took the ring from the box and put it on Haley right ring finger.

"It's perfect", Haley said kissing Nathan softly on the lips. "Thank you!"

"You're welcome."

A couple of hours later the other four returned with the waverunners.

"Hey", Haley said. "How was it?"

"Awesome!" Lucas said taking off his soaking wet life vest and giving a very dry Haley a hug making her wet.

"It was so cool!" Peyton said. "You were right I did have fun." She said to Lucas.

"I thought it was horrific!" Brooke complained. "All that cold water splashing on your face and getting your hair all salty, ugh! That's not the worst of it Tim nearly drowned me when we threw me off the waverunner!"

"You had a lifejacket on Brooke!" Tim said logically.

"Well still!" Brooke stuttered. "That water was really, really cold! If you'll excuse me I'm going to take a shower!"

Everyone burst out laughing as Brooke stomped off.

"Wow, that's a gorgeous ring Haley", Peyton commented as Haley raised her hand to push a strand of stray brown hair behind her ear.

"Thanks", Haley said as Peyton took her hand to get a better look. "Nathan got it for me."

Lucas was taken aback. Yeah, he knew Nathan liked Haley but he never expected it to get that serious that soon. I mean that ring was all real.

"It's really pretty", Peyton said. "Now if you all will excuse me I'm gonna go chill with my CD player." She said going downstairs.

"I'll let you boys chat", Haley said. "I'm gonna go rest." She said before giving Nathan a kiss on the cheek and going below deck.

"Dude! Way to go!" Tim said as soon as Haley was out of ear shot.

"It's not like that", Nathan said leaning against the rail next to Tim. "It's not like it was with Peyton."

Lucas stood a few feet away, interested in what Nathan was going to say about his best friend.

"It's not all parties and making-out and image", Nathan continued. "It's deeper than that. I love her."

"Whoa!" Tim said backing away. "Is this the same Nathan Scott that I've known for years and years?"

Nathan shrugged with a smile.

Lucas came forward. "I guess I was wrong about you", he stated. "What you just said…that shows me how much you truly care about Haley. And I know how much she loves you too. Just, treat her right because she's the best girl in the entire world, you couldn't do any better."

"Thanks", Nathan said shocked.

"So, maybe we could put the past behind us and try to get along. For Haley's sake", Lucas said. "I mean why do we even fight? Just because of something that happened nearly 20 years ago?"

"Sure, that'd be cool", Nathan said shaking Lucas' hand.

"Well, if this isn't a miracle, I don't know what is", Brooke said stepping out from behind a corner.

Nathan and Lucas just shook their heads with a smile, but they both knew that Brooke was right. It was a miracle.

A few hours later Nathan ran down the steps below deck to the other five. "Guys, we're gonna be hitting the next port in about an hour. I was figuring we could grab something to eat on the island and then hop over to the mainland and go clubbing."

"Great", Brooke said getting up. "I'm always ready for a party."

"Yeah, that's no secret Brooke", Peyton said rolling her eyes.

"Haha", Brooke said sarcastically.

"I don't really have anything to wear to a club", Haley said.

"Oh, don't worry", Peyton assured her. "Brooke and I will find you something."

"Don't mess her up too bad", Nathan said. "I like Haley the way she is."

Haley smiled at her boyfriend's sweetness.

"Awwww, how sweet", Brooke said. "Now get out while we girls get ready!" She said ushering them up the steps. "Go, go!"

"Now, Haley", Brooke began. "After Peyton and I get ready we are going to turn you into a red-hot, party girl."

Haley smiled wondering what on Earth they were going to do to her.

Peyton and Brooke got ready quickly. Haley knew they were used to getting all made-up for parties. She, on the other hand, was not. Brooke wearing the same denim mini she wore today with a light blue, crocheted spaghetti strap top, with chunky black heels. Her hair was straightened to perfection and she had charcoal eyeliner around her eyes and light blue eye shadow with a glittery powder on her face. Peyton wore a pair of faded denim jeans and a black tank top with a pair of normal sneakers. Her curly hair was hanging loosely and she barely had a hint of make-up on.

"Okay", Peyton said. "Put this on", She said holding out a pair of black pants and then thinking for a moment fished out a purple corset top with black lace over it, "And this."

Haley hurried into the bathroom and put on the clothes. She poked her head out of the door. "I am NOT wearing this!" Haley said sternly.

"Just come out and let us see it", Brooke said putting her hands on her hips.

Haley meekly stepped out of the door.

"Haley you look awesome!" Peyton said. "Nathan is gonna lose it!"

Haley's brow furrowed as she looked at herself in the mirror. "This just so isn't me."

"That's the point", Peyton said. "This is summer vacation! A time where you can let loose, have fun and for once not be yourself."

Haley sighed. "Okay fine. But I'm not teasing up my hair, I'm not wearing any make-up except foundation and I'm wearing my flip flops."

"That's fine", Peyton said. "Now let's go!"

The three girls walked up on the deck. The sun was beginning to set slightly and Nathan was steering them into a space on the docks.

"May we present", Brooke said. "The new Haley James."

Haley stepped out from behind Brooke and Peyton with a half-smile on her face. Nathan's eyes instantly widened, Tim's mouth dropped open and Lucas blinked blankly.

"What do you think?" Haley asked turning around once.

"You look…wow!" Nathan said taking her hand and drawing her into an embrace.

Lucas continued to blink, while Tim tried to shake off his shock and looked at Brooke and slipped his arms around her waist.

"Luke?" Haley asked. "You okay?"

"Yeah", Luke said shaking out of his catatonia. "Yeah, you just look different that's all."

"Good different or don't ever dress like that again different?" Haley asked.

"Good, it's just a change." Lucas said. "You look nice Peyton." He said nodding to Peyton.

"Thanks", Peyton said walking over to Lucas. "You don't look so bad yourself."

Luke smiled.

"Okay, let's go!" Brooke said as they all stepped off the group, the guys, being the gentlemen helping the girls off the boat.

They walked through the streets of the small town and eventually found the ferry that would take them over to the mainland. When they arrived on the mainland they got some dinner at a cute little restaurant called "Bella's." Then it was off to find a club.

"Here are your IDs", Brooke said flipping out six fake IDs. "Tim and I used your yearbook pictures to get these.

"Jennifer Harrington?" Haley said looking at the name on her ID.

"Here you go Mr. Jason Anderson", She said handing Nathan his, "And for you Peyton, Alexis Jennings. And for Tim, Gregory Washington. Luke, you and I will stick with our normal ones, Gretchen and Harry."

"Why thank you", Lucas said taking the ID and stuffing it in his pocket.

"Come on let's party!" Tim yelled.

About a half an hour later, the six were shooting pool and dancing in a club they'd found called "X-Treme". Brooke and Tim got a little bit drunk and were dancing wildly on the dance floor, sometimes with each other, sometimes with someone else. Lucas had loosened up a bit, though he'd only had one beer. Peyton was a little tipsy, but Luke seemed to be holding her up.

Haley looked around at her insane friends. Even Lucas had seemed to loosen up and decided to drink. She looked over at Lucas and Peyton, Peyton was leaning against the wall next to Lucas. She was snuggled up in his "Scott Body Shop" sweatshirt he constantly wore and had pulled her hair up into a messy ponytail.

Haley hadn't drunk at all. Getting wasted wasn't exactly her idea of fun. Nathan, being respectful to his girlfriend had decided not drink either. Though, Haley didn't mind if he did.

"Hey", Lucas said holding Peyton up. "I think we're gonna catch a ferry back to the island and then go back to the boat. Peyton's tired and I'm wiped too."

"Okay", Nathan said tossing Lucas a set of keys. "This will unlock the door that leads below deck."

"Thanks man. Come on Peyt, let's get you back."

"Thank you Lucas", Peyton murmured sleepily.

Haley laughed. "She looks really tired."

"Yeah", Nathan said laughing. "You wanna get outta here?"

"Sure", Haley said. "But what about them?" She asked pointing to Brooke and Tim who were still wildly dancing on the dance floor.

"They'll be fine", Nathan said knowing that no matter which way Brooke and Tim would get back to the boat safe and sound.

"Okay let's go."

They stepped out onto the street. The temperature had dropped a great deal since they had left the boat. Haley shivered and rubbed her bare arms. Nathan slipped his Tree Hill High School varsity jacket around Haley's shoulder and rubbed arms.

"Thanks", she said.

"You wanna get some coffee?" Nathan suggested.

"Sure."

The two had found a small coffee shop near the port for the ferry. They settled onto a couch by a window with mocha lattes in their hands.

"Nathan", Haley said.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

"For what?" Nathan asked taking a sip of his latte.

"For everything. These last few months have been so amazing. You've treated me with so much respect and consideration; you're not at all that self-involved guy I thought you once were."

"Thanks", Nathan said sarcastically.

"I mean it!" Haley said slapping him playfully on the arm. "You've been really good to me…and to Lucas. I'm glad that you and he have stopped this whole revenge thing."

"Well, I know how much Lucas means to you and how much you care about him", Nathan said.

"He's my best friend", Haley said.

"I know", Nathan said taking her hand. "That's why I decided to call a truce."

"Thank you", Haley said hugging Nathan. "You don't know how much that means to me."

An hour later, Haley and Nathan were lying on the deck of the Persephone. They had dragged some pillows and blankets up from below deck and lay there staring at the stars. Lucas and Peyton were both sound asleep below deck and Brooke and Tim had still not returned.

"The stars are so bright out here", Haley said.

"Yeah", Nathan said. "I remember once when I was ten, my dad took me fishing on this boat for the weekend. We spent all day fishing and talking and then at night we would sit up here on the deck and look at the stars…" Nathan voice began to trail off and soften.

"I'm sorry your dad is like he is", Haley said snuggling into Nathan's arms. "I know you really love him Nathan. You can't deny that. He's your father, the man that raised you."

Nathan sighed. "Sometimes I wish I didn't love him! God knows he's put me and my mom through hell. Not to mention Karen and Lucas! When I think of the terrible things he's done… How do I know that I'm not going to end up exactly like my father?"

"Because you're not your father!" Haley said sitting up and facing Nathan. "Look at me Nathan. You are NOT your father. You are nothing like him. Your father would never have called a truce with Lucas like you did. Your father could never love someone like you love me."

Nathan pulled Haley into the tightest embrace she'd ever felt and her eyes began to mist.

"I love you", Nathan said putting his forehead against hers.

"I love you." Haley replied.

Just then, Brooke and Tim stumbled onto the Persephone laughing wildly.

"Ooooops!" Brooke yelled drunkenly. "Did we interrupt something?"

A/N~ Please review! Next chapter should be up soon :)