Chapter Ten: Bridged Gaps and Broken Hearts

"Miss James, could you come in here for a moment?" came the familiar voice from the intercom on Haley's desk. She flushed and looked around apprehensively.

"Nathan," she said, when she'd closed the door behind her. Nathan had new resolve, but that didn't stop him from staring at his beautiful secretary, looking so desirable in his eyes.

She grew apprehensive as he remained behind his desk, looking distant and professional. For the past month they'd been on the same level, but somehow he was far away from her again. So far that she knew somehow that she could no longer reach him.

"Haley… Miss James…" he said.

"What's wrong?" she asked, her voice suddenly void of emotion, her colour drained.

"We can't continue on like this," he said stiffly.

"But you promised…" she said.

"The situation has altered," he explained.

"Altered? It's been under twenty-four hours," she said in disbelief.

"Miss James…"

"Don't you 'Miss James' me. Don't you dare pretend I mean so little to you, you lying bastard," she said.

"It's not like that. If I could I would, believe me. But I can't. Brooke… she's…. pregnant," he said finally. "And we're giving it another chance."

Haley stared at him for a moment longer before departing at a run from the door. He leapt up and caught her against him, restraining her violent desire to get away from him before she burst into tears. Eventually she stilled and her tears fell wildly. She pushed up close to him, and he held her tightly, both of them terrified that it would be the last time.

"You can't…" she whispered.

"I have to. Can't you understand that?" he asked.

"No! You can't, Nathan! You can't because…" she broke off in another burst of tears.

"Because?" he asked gently, dreading and desiring her answer.

"Because I love you, Nathan," she whispered. He tightened his hold on her, wishing he never had to let go.

"I'm sorry," he managed to say.

"I've always loved you. You've been terrible to me, we've been distant to each other, and nothing has stopped me from loving you," she said. He tucked her head under his chin.

"I don't know how I can stand to live without you, Hales. But I know I'm going to have to," he said.

"I was a virgin before you," she said.

"If I'd known that, I wouldn't have done to you what I've done," he said.

"And I'd regret it. I should go," she said.

"Yeah. I guess you should. Maybe I could go visit you sometimes? See Natalya. See you?" he said. She looked up at him.

"I don't think that would be a very good idea. Which is why you'll have my resignation tomorrow," she said. Somehow she gathered the courage to pull away from him. Instantly his body yearned for the feel of her petite body in his arms again.

"Haley, don't. You can stay. I can't just let you go like that," he said.

"Face it, Nathan. I'm the worst secretary in the world. And I've only been able to keep the job for so long because I was sleeping with my boss. So if I'm not anymore…" she said.

"I could get you a promotion…" he offered.

"Nathan, don't you get it? I can't work so close to you if we're being just friends. I can't watch you and your wife have a baby. And I won't stay here to be your eye candy. You have anyone else you want for that," she said. He caught her arm in his grasp as she left the room, but she managed to shake him off.

Haley's tears were evident as she left the office. She managed to ignore the stares of her co-workers as she went to her desk and began to empty it out into cardboard boxes.

Peyton gasped in surprise when her best friend stumbled into their apartment, clutching a box and tear streaked. She rushed up to assist her.

"Baby what's wrong?" she asked in concern.

"His wife's pregnant," said Haley. Peyton's anger, resentment and disapproval vanished immediately at the sight of her friend so heartbroken.

"Nathan Scott's?" she asked gently.

"Was it so transparent?" asked Haley.

"There's not much you can hide from me," said Peyton.

"I'm sorry I lied to you," sniffed Haley.

"That's okay. You want to tell me about it?" asked Peyton, gently leading her best friend to the sofa.

"Well last month when you guys were away and we started to have a relationship that was more personal, you know? And I kept visiting him with Nati at his apartment, and I thought we'd fallen in love. And he bought me the necklace, and he said he was divorcing his wife. And then I go in there today, and he said she's pregnant and they're giving their marriage another shot," said Haley. Peyton put her arms around her comfortingly.

"I'm so sorry. So you quit?" she asked.

"Yeah. I couldn't stay there, with him so close by," said Haley.

"I can understand that," sympathized Peyton. Gaining more control of herself, Haley took a better look at her friend and noticed she was dressed up.

"Hey, were you going out?" asked Haley curiously.

"I kind of have a…" she began. The doorbell suddenly rang, and Peyton bounced up to answer it.

Haley gasped when the door swung open to reveal Jake Jagielski.

"Haley? You left so suddenly today, are you okay?" he asked, after greeting Peyton.

"I'm good," she said.

"You look like you've been… what happened..?" he asked.

"Come on, like you don't know," she said bitterly.

"Right. I'm sorry-you really loved him, didn't you?" he asked.

"I really loved him. Go you guys, have fun," ordered Haley.

"If you want me to…" said Peyton awkwardly.

"You're not staying home on my account! Come on, you've crushed on him for months!" said Haley. Peyton blushed.

"Well Taylor probably won't be home until the wee small hours, but you could call Lucas," suggested Peyton brightly. Haley raised her eyebrows and swiped a hand under her eye to wipe a tear.

"To tell him that I slept with his brother? Great idea. Now go!" she said, failing an attempt at a laugh.

After a moment, she crept to the front window and stared down. Peyton and Jake were already hand in hand. She could see them laugh, even though she was many stories up.

She picked up her daughter and put her to nurse at her breast when she called out for her.

"Nati, you know Mommy loves you but remember your Daddy loves you too, okay?" said Haley. Natalya reached up and tugged on one of Haley's hanging blond locks.

"I thought you were all I needed, but it turned out I needed more," said Haley, another wave of tears rushing forth.

Nathan Scott stared broodingly out of the window of his luxury penthouse apartment. He was thinking about Haley. He wondered if he'd ever stop thinking about her.

He looked guiltily at his wife as she bounced in the door. Whether or not she'd wanted the baby, she was happy to be carrying it. She seemed to glow from the inside.

"Hey Brooke," he said weakly.

"Hey baby. I went to the doctor today, everything's going along well," said Brooke, sitting neatly on his lap.

"That's great. I wish you'd told me, I would have gone along with you," he said.

"I know you're busy. What did you do today?" she asked.

"Not much. My secretary quit," he said, hiding his emotion.

"This would be… Haley? Luke's friend?" asked Brooke. When she said the name of her brother-in-law, she prayed that her husband wouldn't see how she felt about him.

"Yeah. Luke's friend," he said, staring out the window again and picking up the beer he'd gotten from the fridge.

"Did she supply a reason?" asked Brooke.

"Nope."

"Too bad. Nice girl, I thought. Beautiful baby," gushed Brooke.

"Yeah. Just gorgeous…" he said, wishing that fate had taken his life a different course.

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