Thank you to all that reviewed and for the compliments. I'm glad that you are enjoying this story. I love writing Nathan and Peyton, so it's wonderful to hear what you all think of the story.

Not Our Song
Chapter 4

Peyton looked from Nathan to the place in front of them and then back again. She kissed his lips softly. "Thank you."

"So is it a surprise?" She nodded. "And I take it you like it?"

"Nathan, it's the absolute last place I ever thought you to take me and the only place I've ever really wanted to go."

He smiled satisfied that his gesture had been so well received. "Well, then why are we still standing out here?"

With their hands intertwined, the two walked inside The Charleston Renaissance Gallery.

Nathan and Peyton spent the next four hours in the gallery. Truth be told, Nathan was bored out of his mind. Peyton had talked about almost every painting, sculpture, and drawing they'd seen, but none of it made any sense to him. He didn't care that Andrew John Henry Way was the best still life artist of the nineteenth century or that William Henry Johnson was one the greatest modern artists of the twentieth century. Peyton had told him enough times for him to realize he had no appreciation for art.

However, it was all worth it too see the look on her face. She'd been a little sad lately. She tried to hide it and most the time she did, but sometimes he would catch a sign of it in the hall or at night while he was watching her on the web cam. He could talk to her, but talking wasn't his thing. Most the time, he interpreted her wrong and that just led to a fight. He knew that wouldn't make her happy.

Another thing he knew was how much she loved art and if it took spending a day at an art gallery to make her smile, he would do it. Contrary to what everyone else thought, he wasn't a complete ass. He did care about her. It wasn't just about sex, not that it wasn't a highlight. He could sleep with any girl in the school if he wanted, but he didn't. He liked Peyton.

His thoughts were interrupted by Peyton. "Thanks so much, Nate." She slipper her fingers through his and kissed his cheek.

"So you liked it?"

"I loved it. I can't even tell you how much."

"Enough to willingly go to Steve's party with me tonight?"

"Absolutely." She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned in close. "And a lot more." He smirked and kissed her forehead before they walked out of the gallery.

It was close to eleven before Peyton and Nathan arrived at Steve's party. They were quickly greeted by Tim and Brooke. Tim handed Nathan a beer and began whining about what took them so long as Brooke slipped her arm through Peyton's and dragged her to the porch.

"So you've got a pretty large smile on your face tonight, P. Sawyer."

"I know."

"And I'm guessing it's because of that boyfriend of yours. I always figured he was good in the sack, but has he learned some new moves?"

"He took me to an art gallery."

Brooke's eyes widened. "Seriously." She chuckled in disbelief. "Nathan Scott. In an art gallery? I never thought I'd see the day."

"Well, it's true."

"So, I guess you repaid him fully, because his smile is almost as big as yours and I know that didn't come from the gallery visit."

"Something like that."

"I'm glad you had a good day with him, Peyt," Brooke said seriously.

"Me too."

"Now, though, I think we should get you a drink."

"Where have you been, Nate? I've been here for two hours, dude."

"I had some other things to do."

"Like Peyton," Vegas supplied as he joined the two other boys. Tim laughed and Nathan just smirked. "Never have to worry about this boy not getting any ass. Though, I must admit I'm a bit surprised your still with blondie. She's hot and all, but you've never been a real relationship type of guy. Plus, she's so damn moody."

"He's right there." Sam, a junior point guard joined the circle. "Last week in Bio, she nearly ripped my head off."

"You groped her!" Brooke exclaimed as she and Peyton joined the boys.

"You groped her?" Nathan was pissed. "How the fuck do you just grope my girlfriend?"

"The same way you groped mine last year," Sam retorted quickly.

"That was different."

"How?"

"She wanted it."

"And who's to say Peyton, didn't?"

"Peyton!" Nathan yelled.

"I wouldn't be so sure, Scott."

"You just said she did, dumbass."

A large group of teens had crowded around to watch the two. It happened all the time and for the life of her Peyton could not figure out what teenage boys got out of fighting.

"Nathan, just let it go," Peyton said stepping between them now.

"Yeah, man, just let it go," Sam mocked.

"Peyton. Get out of my way."

"Nate, please don't."

"Peyton."

"Isn't this adorable. They're fighting."

Peyton moved quickly and watched as Nathan's fist connected with the shorter boy's face. Sam had pushed him too far and she knew it, as did everyone else. Nathan connected again and no one even attempted to separate them.

"For god's sake, will someone make them stop!" Peyton yelled.

A few punches later, they were separated. Nathan walked outside, barely a scratch on him as Brooke and another guy from the team helped Sam to the couch.

Peyton retrieved a bag of ice from the kitchen before going outside to Nathan. He was leaning against the side of the house, seething.

"Let me see your hand," she instructed softly.

"It's fine." He spat, not looking at her.

"Nathan." Her voice was stronger now. "Give me your hand. If you don't ice it, it's going to swell."

"I said, it's fine."

"Damn it, Nathan. Stop being such an baby. You know you're going to ice it, so why fight with me?"

"Why the fuck is Sam McCloud groping you?" He asked coldly.

"Because he's a boy and that's what they do." She snapped. "Will you just let me put this on your hand."

"It's fine, Peyton."

"It's not fine," she said finally grabbing his hand. He winced. "See." His hand rested in hers as she placed the bag of ice on it. "Why do you always have to hit everybody?" She asked softly.

"I don't hit everybody, only everybody that deserves it."

"And he deserved it?"

"Yeah and so does anyone else that puts their fucking hands on you!"

"I took care of it then."

"Whatever. He pissed me off, so I hit him. It's that simple."

"And now you've fucked up your hand. You're dad is going to have a fit."

"Can we please not talk about him now?" Peyton nodded, knowing that Dan was not the subject to put Nathan in a better mood. Several minutes of silence passed.

"I really had a good time today. Thank you for taking me."

"Some day it turned out to be." He grumbled.

Peyton brought her hand to his face and made him look into her eyes. "I'm serious, Nathan. It meant a lot." He could see that it did and he melted. His fight had put a big damper on their whole day and that wasn't what he had wanted.

"I'm glad." He kissed her gently, but when he pulled away, she pulled him back. Peyton cupped his face in her hands, pulling him closer and deeper into her. She wanted him. The ice fell to the ground as he hand became tangled in her curly blond locks. He wanted her. "Let's go." They pulled apart, both gasping for air, their eyes dark with lust. She smiled and as they walked to his SUV hand-in-hand.

A/N. The Charleston Renaissance Gallery is an actual gallery in Charleston, though I've never been to it.