"Chocolate," Caitlin shoved a box of Godiva chocolates in Haley's face as she peered over the side of the cubicle.

Haley raised an eyebrow, "What is this for?"

"Well, you see, I'm not above bribes so I brought you chocolate so you wouldn't be mad at me."

"I'm not mad at you," Haley said with a small smile.

"Well, in that case-"

Haley snatched the box of chocolates out of Caitlin's hands before she could take them away, "Thanks for the chocolates though."

"Yeah, no problem," Caitlin muttered with a pout before she reached over and stole one, "Yum."

"You were right, you know?" Haley said softly as she popped a chocolate into her mouth.

"Uh huh," Caitlin said, smiling happily at the smooth richness of the treat.

Haley shook her head, "You obviously haven't had some Godiva in awhile."

"This stuff is divine," Caitlin cooed happily, "It makes all my problems go away."

"Right," she grinned, "Thanks," Haley said genuinely, looking into her best friend's eyes.

Caitlin smiled back, "Don't worry about it." She moved into the cubicle and plopped down onto Haley's desk, "So, it's Friday. We're fine and single, what are we doing?"

Haley sighed and shrugged, "It feels like we've been out all week. I'd much prefer to stay at the apartment and I don't know, sleep."

Caitlin stared at her in disbelief, "Have you gone insane?"

Haley laughed, "What?"

"Oh my god, you want to stay at home and sleep, on a Friday night?"

"It's new."

"It's boring and sad." Caitlin's eyes narrowed, "Is this because of Nathan?"

Haley looked down at her words, "Kind of but not really. I just need a break from everything."

"You mean you want to go home and mope in the corner of your bedroom?"

"No," Haley defended, "I just don't feel like going out."

"You can't lie to me, you know this right?"

Haley grinned, "Seriously."

Caitlin looked at her unsurely, "So, you're gonna make me go stag? Tht's so sad. You're my best friend! If you're not gonna come wreak havoc with me, what else are you good for?"

Haley scoffed in mock insult, "Excuse you."

"Kidding," Caitlin said with a grin, "Fine. Fine. We'll do nothing tonight but tomorrow, I refuse to stay in."

"Okay, deal."

--

"Will you stop that?"

Caitlin looked up innocently, "Stop what?"

"Tapping your foot against the table," Haley said as she held up her book, "Trying to read here."

Caitlin pouted, "It's Friday! And, we're sitting at home, reading."

"Correction, I'm sitting at home reading, you're just sitting there, having a staring contest with the wall."

Caitlin rolled her eyes, "Come on, I've got to be more interesting then whatever you're reading right now."

"The Awakening," Haley held it up, "It's really good."

"You've already read it?" Caitlin asked, unbelieving.

"Well, yeah," Haley said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Then why are you reading it again?"

"Because it's a good book and it's one of those page turners that reads like the first time, every time," Haley said with a smile.

Caitlin raised an eyebrow, "You sound like one of those reviews on the book covers," she sighed, "Well, if you've already read it then you can come out with me. I mean, it's not like you're missing anything you don't already know."

"I thought we already went over this."

"We did, and well," Caitlin grinned, "I changed my mind."

"Hey, it's not my problem if you're flaky," Haley joked as she opened her book up again.

"No, no, no," Caitlin said as she tried to snatch the book from Haley's hands, "Look, I really don't feel like digging through my phone book for numbers of people I honestly don't even like, just to find someone to go out with tonight."

"Then don't," Haley said, not taking her eyes off the book, "Just go out, alone, maybe you'll even meet up with a guy. You've got a great personality, babe, you'll be making new friends like that," she snapped her fingers for emphasis.

Caitlin laughed lightly before sighing, "Alright, alright. But, when I get back, you better not be reading still."

"Yes, mother dearest."

--

Caitlin pushed her just spritzed with hairspray hair out of her face as she walked into the bar. It felt so weird, going out without Haley. It just felt like a part of her was missing. Before, every weekend and sometimes even on the weekdays, she and Haley would go over all of New York City, checking out the usual hot spots and getting a taste for the new. She had never gone out without Haley before. This was the first time in 5 years.

And, it didn't feel right.

Caitlin sighed as she fluffed up her crimped hair, her hand travelling down to her neck, the scar from the crimping iron still there from only a half hour before. She never did get along well with any hair styling tool.

Sitting at the bar, she quickly ordered her drink as she sat, facing outward, twiddling with her straw and sipping her fruity cocktail. Biting the inside of her cheek, she silently yelled at Haley for convincing her into coming to the bar, alone. She never was the loner type. She always liked having someone around her, it just made her feel more comfortable.

"Alone?"

Caitlin almost jumped out of her seat in shock as she turned around in her seat, her eyes almost popping out of her head as she saw who it was, "Nathan?"

He smirked as she sat down next to her, "Not with your sidekick, I see."

"Haley wanted to stay in," Caitlin said as she sippped her drink nervously, not knowing what to say. This was great. This was just great.

Damn it, she knew she shouldn't have gone out alone.

"Uh huh," he said, forcing his tone to be uncaring.

"And, what about you? I see you're not sucking face with your model girlfriend."

He raised an eyebrow, "She's at the hotel. I wanted to see New York for myself, alone."

"Where as for the past few days, you've been bothering Haley at her work to lead you around," She shrugged, "Can't seem to make up your mind, I see."

Nathan's eyes narrowed, "Did I do something to piss you off?"

She simply laughed at his question, "Oh, the answers I could give."

"Look, I saw what I thought was a friendly face and so I figured I could keep you company since it was obvious you so desperately wanted some," Nathan said, his tone cold, "But, I'm not in the mood for what you think is witty banter," he started to leave when she stopped him.

"Okay, I'm sorry," Caitlin said with a sigh, "I'll stop."

He sat back down and crossed his arms.

"I know I shouldn't be a bitch to you but from what I've heard of you, I know you're not exactly the nicest guy," she said honestly, "But, you're right. I shouldn't attack you from what I hear, I need to make my own judgment."

His face softened at her words and he gave her a small, thankful smile, "I never did catch your name."

"Caitlin Monroe," she said with an outreached hand.

"Nathan Scott."

She grinned, "Pleasure to meet you."

"I'm sure," he leaned against the bar slightly, "So, this is awkward."

Caitlin laughed at his bluntness, "Yeah, it is but hey, this whole week has been awkward, what's one more day?"

"Haley's been feeling awkward?" Nathan asked, his tone suddenly softer.

"She's been stressed," Caitlin answered honestly, trying her best not to give too much away, "Hence the reason why she's at home right now."

"Yeah," Nathan's voice trailed off as his eyes suddenly glossed over.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, sorry about that. I get kinda-"

"Reminisce-y?" Caitlin offered.

Nathan smiled at her words, "You just get right to it, don't you?"

"It's a special quality in me. I have no tact, I know this."

He shrugged, "I think we all have a little something like that in us."

"Compliment?"

"Yeah, sure."

Caitlin looked shocked, "Color me surprised."

"Hey, I am capable of compliments." Nathan shook his head at the look she shot him, "Whatever happend to making the judgment for yourself?"

Caitlin grinned, "One thing you need to know about me, I change my mind quite often."

"Really? So, you still think of me as a dick?"

"You're moving up from the dick stage," Caitlin answered honestly, "Right now, you're more in the jerk stage."

"Gee, thanks."

"No prob," Caitlin said laughing, "I've been told I'm great for the ego."

"Yeah, it's a thing called sarcasm."

Her eyes got wide and doe-eyed, "What's that?"

"You're an interesting girl."

"And, you're an interesting guy," Caitlin said as she sipped her drink, never noticing Nathan's eyes resting on her lips.

He knew he shouldn't even be thinking it. He had just broken up with Brooke and trying to rekindle his hopes of chasing Haley once again. Going after Caitlin would be the worst mistake he could make.

But, she was nice. And funny. And beautiful.

She reminded him of Haley but she wasn't Haley. In the long run, she would not even be close to Haley.

He was going to screw up. He knew it.

But, what was one more mistake? He had already made so many.

--

Caitlin laughed loudly at Nathan's comment as she took another sip of her drink, "That's a little on the harsh side."

"Seriously though," Nathan said as he continued criticizing, "Is it really necessary to be wearing that to a bar? I understand that you want attention but really now, that can barely be classified as clothing."

"Isn't that what guys want?"

Nathan smirked, turning on his charm, "Not all guys."

Caitlin paid little attention to his advances and continued to sip her drink.

"Hey, you wanna get out of here?"

She looked up at him, surprised, "What?"

Hearing the tone of her voice, he backed down, not wanting to make her uncomfortable, "I'm getting tired of this atmosphere."

"Yeah, good luck getting away from this in New York." Caitlin stood up and grabbed her purse, motioning for Nathan to follow her outside

Nathan laughed, "Help me."

She gave him a 'come on' look, "Please, like you could convince me you're helpless." She walked down the sidewalk, breating in the cool night air.

"Tourist here," Nathan admired her from the corner of his eye, looking for any sort of encouraging reaction.

She laughed, holding out an accusing finger, "Hey, I've got a reputation to upkeep. I can't be seen hanging out with tourists." She made a move to run but Nathan quickly grabbed hold of her arm. He held onto it longer then he should've and Caitlin soon felt the uncomfortableness of the situation. She looked into his eyes, the first time that night noticing the look he had.

How had she been so oblivious.

"Nathan-"

Before she could start, Nathan backed her up against the side of the outside of the bar, into the corners of darkness, leaning in about to kiss her when she pushed him away.

Hard.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" She demanded, outraged at his actions.

"Oh, come on, don't act like you didn't want me to," Nathan said, backing away with a smirk, hiding his feelings at the rejection he had just received.

"What is your problem? God, Haley was right, you are such a-" She stopped herself, "You know what, not even going to waste my breath." She started to walk away before he grabbed her arm again. She pushed him off harshly before she said in a deadly voice, "Touch me again and I'll kick your ass."

Nathan backed a step away, not doubting the seriousness of her words, "I know I shouldn't have done that but I just," he sighed, "Brooke and I broke up and I don't-"

"So, what? Now you want sympathy?"

"No," Nathan said quickly, frustrated with himself, "I'm just confused and- "

"I don't care," Caitlin said flatly. "I'm not your psychiatrist so please, spare me."

"I didn't mean-" he paused, not wanting to make excuses for himself, knowing they would have no affect on her anyway. "I'm sorry."

Caitlin rolled her eyes, "Oh, please, save it. You know, I was the one that kept cheering you on when she was ready to give up on you completely. I was the one that made her call you because I thought that you guys had something. You made Haley smile. You made her really happy."

A small smile crept onto Nathan's face at her words.

"But, you also made her miserable, to the point where she's refusing to go out with her best friend because she's afraid she'll run into you. I've never seen her so happy and so sad, all at the same time."

Nathan looked at her coldly, steeling himself from her words, "You don't even know me. What gives you the right to hold judgment over me?"

"Maybe, I don't. But, she's my best friend and I see why she was so taken with you," Caitlin said honestly before her tone turned harsh, "But, she can also be too trusting. She looks for the good in people, don't take advantage of it." She turned around and began to walk away before she heard Nathan call out to her again.

"Wait, Caitlin," he looked at her, the sadness entering his eyes, his voice genuine, "Please don't tell her."

Her eyes narrowed, "I'm not lying to her."

"I don't-" he sighed, "I don't want to ruin things with her."

"You already did," Caitlin said simply, "Your conversation this afternoon didn't exactly make things peachy." Seeing the hurt look in his eyes, she sighed and shook her head, "Fine, I won't tell her but if she asks specifically, I'm not lying to her."

"Thank you."

"Don't," Caitlin said in disgust.

Nathan watched as she walked away and he couldn't ignore the sinking feeling in his stomach. He screwed up. He didn't kiss her and therefore, technically, he did nothing wrong but it was the basic idea. The fact that he even thought it was the deciding factor.

And, for the first time in awhile, he realized how much destruction he was causing. And, how disgusted he was with himself.

What had he become?

An abusive boyfriend. The guy who wanted to get with his ex's best friend for a distraction. The guy who lashed out at the woman he had feelings for just to make himself feel better.

He was selfish. And, arrogant. And, unfeeling. That coldness and numbness inside him, scared him. He didn't want to become like this. He didn't want to become the guy that everyone hated and wanted to see rot in hell.

He didn't want to become his father.

And, yet, there he was, committing acts so like his dear old dad, perhaps even exceeding his father's bastardness.

Nathan looked down at himself sadly, feeling helpless at his loss of control. When had things gotten so confusing and screwed up? He always promised himself when he was younger that he would never become like his dad. He hated the way his father treated people, the way his father would purposely hurt others to mend his own ego.

He had been one of the worst victims of his father's rage and destruction, and here he was, just like him.

He had become what he hated. And, he loathed himself for it.

Balling his hands into a fist, Nathan walked down the streets of New York, never feeling more alone in his life. The desolation in his heart struck him hard and he realized that he didn't want to be this anymore. He realized that he was not going to turn out to be like his father.

There was always time for change, right?

He would change. He would get better. But, he didn't have the strength.

Digging into his pockets, he grabbed the cell phone, dialing in a number he had memorized during the trip, he waited for the person to pick up, never feeling more nervous and weak his entire life. He was so lost.

He needed guidance. He needed help. He needed Haley.

"Hello?"

Nathan was silent for a few moments, not knowing how to put his request into words. How could he even call her? After all that he'd done, after all that he'd said, after what he'd become. How could he even have the nerve to call her? He didn't deserve her help.

"Hello?"

Her voice was soft and insistent and Nathan found himself uttering slowly, "H-Haley?"

Haley frowned at the voice, "Nathan?"

"H-Hi," he said softly, the pain rising in his throat.

"Why did you call Nathan?" She asked, putting herself on the defensive, "I thought we were done. You made that perfectly clear this afternoon."

"I need to talk to you."

With that simple phrase, Haley felt the anger rush out of her. She could hear the pain in his voice and the desperation in his tone. "What?" she whispered, surprised at his request.

"Please. I know I shouldn't even be asking but-"

"Okay," she said quickly, her brain not even processing her response as she stood up, grabbing her jacket from the couch, "Where are you?"

"Near Seven."

"The bar?" Haley asked as she grabbed her keys, "Okay, wait there. I'll be there in 15 minutes."

"Thank you."

"It's okay and Nathan?"

"Yeah."

Haley paused and said softly, "Hold on, okay?"

He nodded mutely before he heard the phone click off. Stuffing it back into his pocket, he began his retreat to the bar, the coldness settling in.

--

Haley rushed around her apartment and within minutes, she was stumbling out the door. She had made sure to leave Caitlin a note before leaving. Nearly running down the stairs, she stopped herself just in time before running into someone.

"Haley?" Caitlin asked, puzzled, "I thought you-"

"I need to go. I'll explain later."

"Oh, god, what happened?"

"Nathan," Haley said hurriedly as she continued down the stairs.

"Haley, wait!" Caitlin called but when Haley turned around, she saw the care and love in her eyes. Stopping herself from saying any further, she whispered, "Take care of yourself."

Haley smiled and nodded before she ran out of the door.

Caitlin stood on the stairs, silent, a chill running through her body.