"We need to leave," Haley said quickly as she dragged Caitlin off the dance floor.

"Whoa, whoa, geez, okay. I'll be going as soon as I regain my balance and you let go of my arm," Caitlin said as she pulled on Haley, slowing the brunette to a stop. Seeing the tears in her eyes, Caitlin immediately frowned, asking, "What happened?"

"We shouldn't have came. This was a mistake. God, I can't believe I let him get to me again."

"Okay, breathe," Caitlin said as she held onto Haley's shoulders gently, "I'm guessing you're talking about Nathan?"

"He's such an ass. What makes him think he can treat people like that?"

"Money?" Caitlin cracked, hoping to get a smile from Haley.

"Money does not put him above me or Brooke, or anyone else. He's just a self conceited, arrogant ass."

"Yeah, he's definitely straight then," Caitlin said with a smile.

Laughing slightly, Haley sighed as they began walking out of the club, "This was such a bad idea."

"What happened? Last time I checked, you were having a fun time dancing with Brandon."

"Brian," Haley muttered before shrugging, "I did. And then Nathan came. I started dancing with him, Brooke saw us. We got into a fight."

"You and Brooke?"

"No, she stormed off after Nathan pissed her off. I got into a fight with Nathan."

"Man, this boy seems to be pissing everyone off lately."

Haley smiled bitterly, "It's his speciality."

"Right, so what happened next?"

"Stuff got said and he brought up some touchy subjects so I slapped him."

"You slapped him?" Caitlin raised an eyebrow, "I'm impressed."

"Impressed?" Haley asked, laughing, "Why?"

"Cuz, you finally got some balls. Go you." Caitlin shrugged, "Besides, sounds like he had it coming."

"I don't know," she sighed, "Maybe he was right about some things."

"Maybe, but it sounds like you were both kinda high strung during this little conversation. Don't take everything he said seriously. I think he was just out to hurt you."

"He certainly did a great job," Haley muttered as she wiped the stray tears away, "Damn, I can't believe I let him get to me like that."

"Just don't let it happen again."

"Oh, believe me," she said forcefully, "I won't."

--

"Mr. Scott?" Haley knocked on the door before walking in. The last time she neglected to do that, her world came crashing down. This time, at least she would have a warning. Alas, no tall and cocky bastard sat in the chair facing her boss this time around and Haley was silently grateful.

Maybe, Caitlin was right. Maybe, she wouldn't see Nathan ever again.

"Do you have the Prentis file?"

"All done," Haley handed it to him with a smile but it quickly disappeared as he shoved a pile of scattered papers to her.

"Sort this out and I need 75 copies of each, back-to-back, stapled and within an hour. My meeting's at 12:00."

Silently cursing his name, she plastered a smile onto her face and said, "Of course, Mr. Scott. Right away." She sighed as she turned around, walking to the copying machine. It seemed the asshole factor was inherited because all the Scotts, with the exception of Lucas, were complete jerks that thought they were above everyone.

"Well, well, well, aren't we the busy beaver?"

At the condescending tone, Haley didn't have to look up to recognize who it was. Nathan. What the hell was he doing here?

"What do you want?" She demanded, angry at him for coming to her work place and angry at herself for thinking he wouldn't.

"My, my, that's not the positive attitude this company is known for. I suggest you change it," his tone was mocking at first before it grew towards a threat.

"Of course, Mr. Scott," Haley muttered before she sidestepped him and walked a little faster.

He caught up with her though and kept up her pace, "So, what are you up to?"

"Making copies," she said coldly, "You?" Her tone was sickly sweet.

He raised an eyebrow, "Just visiting my dear old uncle and seeing if I can convince him into having one of his staff give me another tour of the city."

Haley closed the door to the copying room, disappointed that Nathan followed her inside. She loaded the copier and pressed the necessary buttons before rolling her eyes, "Fine, then go and beg your uncle for hand outs but just stop bothering me."

"But, it's so much fun."

"Get your fun elsewhere," she said, venom in her voice.

"Why, Haley?" He asked, pretending to be shocked, "Are you mad at me?"

"Mad would be an understatement," she gritted.

He leaned in close and whispered in her ear, "Don't you just hate how I can get under your skin," he moved back and snapped his fingers in front of her face, "like that."

"Leave," Haley said simply, staring up at him, unaffected.

"Fine, I'm gone," he said, a satisfied smile on his face as he walked out.

Seeing him shut the door, Haley resisted the urge to scream. Was it possible to harbor feelings of hatred and desire for someone, all at the same time?

She had to be sick.

--

"I can't, Nathan," Christopher Scott said smoothly as if he was handling a regular business deal, "I can't spare my assistant for another day especially if it's for her to go parading around town with you. I know she's a nice gal, but, really Nathan," he raised an eyebrow, "You could do better."

"I have a girlfriend," Nathan said bitterly, "Remember?"

"Right, that Victoria's Secret girl."

It seemed whatever came out of his uncle's mouth pissed him off lately. Dating a Victoria's Secret model was not some every day thing any guy would achieve. He used to think of himself as better because of that. He was able to attain the unattainable. It never worked with his family though. They undermined every action he made.

They made him feel worthless.

"Uncle Chris, please," he begged, "I don't want to go around town alone. Dad would hate for me to get lost."

At the mention of Dan Scott, Chris straightened up and cleared his throat, "Alright, alright. I'll let her go for another day. She's under your control but this is the last time, okay?"

"Thanks," Nathan said with a grin as he sat back in the chair, satisfied with the way he handled things.

True, he hated his dad but at this moment, he loved Dan Scott's reputation and name. Just the mere mention of his father made his uncle secede to his wishes. It just went to prove how big of an asshole his dad was and how much control he exerted over others.

"I sent her off making copies. Go find her and tell her about my decision. Tell her to give the copies to Sarah."

"On it," Nathan said as he walked out of his uncle's office and towards the copying room. When he got there, he was pleased to find Haley alone and obviously frustrated with the machine. "Something wrong?"

Without turning back at him, she said irritated, "Yeah, something's wrong and with you being here, it just made matters worse."

"Wow, someone's hostile."

"Someone's not in the mood for this," Haley retorted as she slammed her hand down on the machine, "Work, damn it!"

"Well, I'll have you know. I just got you out of another day's work."

She turned around, eyebrow raised, "What?"

"Your boss told you to lead me around town again."

"What?" She demanded, "No, I've got these copies to make and a bunch of-"

He waved them off disinterestedly, "Not important. He told you to give them to Sarah."

"Sarah doesn't know how to even work the copying machine. Especially if it's jammed."

"Someone will fix it."

"No, Nathan, not someone. I have to fix it. I'm the assistant."

"Haley, you have another job," he pointed at himself and smirked.

Haley reached the breaking point as she shook her head in frustration, "You may not have any responsibility but I do and I'm not just dumping all my work on someone else."

Seeing the determination in her eyes, he sighed and leaned back against the door, "Fine, make your damn copies but hurry it up."

Turning back around, Haley tried her best to fix the copying machine but all the while, a small smile remained on her face.

She knew she still had it in her. The bitch who wouldn't stand down. Nathan made a mistake in thinking he could mess with her mind any longer.

Last night changed things.

"I'm done," she said after about 10 minutes. Nathan looked like he was about to fall asleep and Haley resisted the urge to laugh... or think he was cute.

Because, he wasn't. He was just a jerk.

"Great, we can leave now, right?"

"No, we have to staple."

"What?" He asked, "Are you telling me this Sarah girl can't even work a damn stapler?"

"It's lunch hour, Nathan," Haley said simply, "If you want to spend the next hour and a half going around New York City, trying to find her so you can tell her to staple these copies then go right ahead but I'd much rather spend a few minutes getting these done. It won't take that long," Haley insisted as she laid the copies down on her desk.

He sat back and watched her for a few seconds before he said annoyed, "You're so slow."

She scoffed and looked back at him, "It would go a little faster if I had some help."

"Don't look at me," Nathan raised both of his hands as if in defeat before sitting back further in his chair.

"Of course, why did I ever possibly think you would help me?" Haley muttered to herself as she continued stapling.

Nathan paused at her words because though she didn't mean them as a major insult, it was in fact a blow to his ego. He wasn't a nice guy. He knew that so why should a small comment like that make such an impact on him?

Because, at one point in his life, he was a nice guy. He made Haley proud. Now, all he saw was disappointment and anger in her eyes when they were directed at him.

He wasn't supposed to start caring again but he did. Getting up, he grabbed the stapler from her and waited as she handed him a set of copies. She simply stood there for a few moments, stunned into silence before she handed him a few papers.

And, he stapled them.

--

"This is good," Nathan said quietly as he sipped the hot chocolate. They sat in the back room of La Maison du Chocolat, both silent and both drinking hot chocolates.

After they finished their task, they came here, at Haley's insistence that they needed a little award.

"Heck, at these prices, it better be good."

Nathan laughed at her words before he leaned back in his chair, "You're an enigma."

She raised an eyebrow, "That was sudden."

Ignoring her, he continued, "I think I've got you all figured out and then, bam, next moment, you're someone different."

"Right, I forgot to tell you I've developed schizophrenia over the years," she said sarcastically.

He laughed, "I don't mean it as an insult."

"I didn't take it as one," she replied simply.

"You're still mad, aren't you?"

This time, his suddeness didn't surprise her. "A little," she said honestly.

It was the truth. She was still a little mad at him, not as much as she was earlier but still pissed. He shouldn't have treated her or Brooke that way yesterday. His behavior now, puzzled her though. Why was he being nice and was he actually trying to apologize?

This was typical Nathan. Always confusing her.

"It's pointless to say sorry," Nathan continued, "You probably either wouldn't accept it or wouldn't care. Maybe both."

"You're right there," Haley nodded, "Maybe you have learned a few things over the years."

"I don't want this to be hostile though."

"What's this?"

"Whatever's between us."

"There's nothing between us, Nathan," Haley said quietly.

"I missed you," He said softly.

Haley raised an eyebrow. Why the sudden change of subject? "What?"

"After things got bad and you were gone, I did miss you. I even tracked down your number once and I called. No one picked up," He looked down at his intertwined hands, "I gave up after that."

She was quiet for a few moments before she asked, "Why are you telling me this?"

"You deserve to know," he answered honestly. "Don't think I'm lying to you to get back in your good graces or anything. I know that's over. I just thought you should know."

Haley looked at him oddly. This wasn't the Nathan she was used to, at least recently. Why did he even care if she knew or not? Was he trying to change? Not likely. So, then what was he after?

"I'm not trying to get anything," he said, as if reading her mind, "I'm just telling the truth."

"For once," she said, not impressed by his honesty.

"I deserved that."

She bit back the guilt in her throat. She refused to feel guilt or sympathy for Nathan, not after yesterday. Not after what he said to her.

"I know I shouldn't have said what I said yesterday-" Nathan started.

Haley interrupted him quickly, "What's said is said. I know I said some things I shouldn't have either. But, if we're going to go through this whole process, we need to go back to the beginning," she could feel the tension rising in the air, "And, I don't think either of us wants to do that."

He nodded silently.

"Maybe we should just forget it."

"Right."

Some things couldn't be forgotten.