I own nothing Dawson's Creek either…

A Way of Working Out

Chapter 9

Haley was sitting in the living room after Peyton left the next morning watching Dawson's Creek when she heard a knock at the front door. Putting down her bowl of cereal, she walked to the door, not sure who to expect.

Looking through the peep hole, she saw it was Lucas. She debated whether or not she wanted to open it or not.

Lucas knocked again, "Come on Haley, I know you're awake. You never miss Dawson's Creek on a Saturday morning."

"Damn!" Haley whispered as she opened the door, just enough that she didn't have to take the chain off. "What do you want?"

"Can we talk?"

"What is there to say? We laid it all out on the line last night."

"That's what I would like to talk about."

"Fine. Go back to the deck, I'll be out in a minute." She grabbed her favorite hoodie and went out back to meet him. She sat as far away from him as she could and still be seated at the table.

"I have to apologize for last night," Lucas began.

"What happened last night? That wasn't you?" Haley paused, "although, at least you had an opinion about something last night," she mumbled.

"I dunno. Something just hit me I guess. Skills arranged to take me out, lift my spirits. Then they all started talking about how I should fight for you, rather than just sitting back where you could forget about me."

"I'll never forget about you."

"I know that. By the time we ran into you, I was drunk, and what they had said seemed to make sense. But as Skills pointed out later, I took it all a little to far."

"Yeah, just a little," Haley cracked a small smile.

"So, I have to ask. Did last night's performance tip the balance?"

"It made me step away from you, yes. But you coming here today has remedied that, some. But I still need some time," she sighed, last night she thought she was ready to make a decision, but she wasn't so sure now. "I was with you for a year Lucas, and it's only been a month with Nathan. I need to make sure that the decision I make is the right one for me. I know that no matter what, someone will get hurt, and that I'll always have feelings for both of you."

Lucas reaches for his pocket and pulls out a small box, "What would you say if I asked you to marry me right now?"

"You're kidding, right?" Haley could not believe this was happening.

"Obviously you wouldn't say yes," he opened the box to show her the ring. "I want you to take this anyway."

"Lucas…"

"Next time you see me, I'll know your decision by whether or not you're wearing it." Lucas stood up, "See you later."

Nathan pulls into the driveway a Lucas backs out. Haley greets him with a smile and gentle kiss, "How are you this morning?"

"Better now that I'm with you."

"You're so sweet," Haley kisses him again, "Let's go inside and see if I can make that shiner feel any better."

"I like the sound of that," Nathan followed her into the house, and chuckled as Haley reached for the remote, "You still watch Dawson's Creek?"

"Shut up. I love that show. Besides, Pacey and Joey are so great together. I wish I had a love like theirs."

"Didn't they hurt their best friend?"

"Yeah, but he's an ass."

Nathan chuckled again, "I won't challenge you there."

Haley sat next to him on the couch and began to plant light kisses over his bruise and down his neck, "Since we were so rudely interrupted last night," she whispered.

"Mmmmm," Nathan moaned, and then he pulled away. Looking at a confused Haley he said, "As much as I'd love to right now, I think we should talk."

Haley sighed in frustration, "Okay, let's talk."

"So what did Lucas want?"

"He stopped by to apologize, and ask if I'd made my decision based on his performance last night."

"And what did you tell him?" Nathan was curious.

"That I still need some time; but that last night definitely had an impact on my thoughts and opinions of him."

"This is really hard for you, isn't it?"

"It is. I never imagined that I'd have to make a decision like this. I spent my whole liefe hoping for one guy. Choosing between two sucks."

"Can I ask how we're balancing out?"

"I'll give you a hint," and she went back to kissing him.

"I like where this is going."