Author's note: 40 chapters already! Wow, I can't believe it. Thanks to my loyal readers and reviewers, it's your reviews that keep me going. This chapter is a little fluff, but after all the angst in the past chapters I thought it necessary to have some Naley happiness.

Chapter 40- To See You Smile

Haley hurriedly made her way back to the dorm. It had been raining all day and she couldn't wait to get out of her soaking wet clothes. She also couldn't wait to check her e-mail. She was expecting an e-mail from Nathan since she had been too busy to talk to him at all the entire day.

It was probably for the best that they wouldn't be talking. Haley was not in the best of moods. She was overwhelmed with classes, she'd had a presentation earlier in the day that hadn't gone well, and to top it all off dance team practice had run almost an hour late, cutting into Haley's much needed study time.

As soon as Haley walked into the door of her suite she began peeling off her wet clothes. Once she entered her room she grabbed her warm fluffy robe and tied it tightly around herself. Sitting down in front of her computer she flicked on the screen and typed in the web address for her e-mail.

Waiting anxiously, Haley's mind began to drift. Things were going good for her and Nathan. They still weren't back together for real, but they were in a good place. By talking almost everyday they'd found that familiarity that they once were so comfortable with.

A huge smile broke out on Haley's face as she saw that Nathan had in fact e-mailed her. It was a short e-mail, but it was just enough to let Haley know that she was on his mind.

Hales,

I know we can't talk tonight so I wanted to write you quickly. Hope your day is going good. I hope your presentation went well, I'm sure you did great. Today was nuts, I'm so tired. I just really wish I could hear your voice right now.

Nathan

Haley knew they had agreed not to talk tonight so they could get everything they had to do done, but after reading that she found it impossible to not call. Pulling out her cell phone she quickly dialed Nathan's number

"Hello?"

"Hey."

"Hales? I thought you weren't going to have time to talk tonight?"

"I really don't, but I saw your e-mail and how could I not call?"

"I just wanted to hear your voice, it just always gives me that reassurance I need."

"Nathan, I can always make time for you, even when it seems impossible. I'll always be here when you need it."

"I did a lot of thinking today Hales, and I know that you need time to adjust to all this and that you don't want to rush into anything, and I understand that. But, I decided that you're all I want so from here on out, so even if you aren't ready yet, my heart belongs to you and no one else. Take all the time you need though Hales, when you're ready I'll be waiting."

Haley drew in a sharp breath. She hadn't been expecting this. Honestly, she hadn't really been expecting anything. After all, that was part of the reason that their relationship crumbled before, expectations, labels, it was all too much. Suddenly now though, somehow, it didn't scare her. He was bringing it up, the prospect of them really being a couple again, and Haley wasn't scared.

"I'm ready Nathan."

"You don't have to say that Hales."

"I'm not just saying it, I mean it. I'm ready. I want us to be together again."

"Well this day is certainly beginning to look up."

Haley could hear the smile in his voice as he spoke.

"Yes, it is isn't it?" Haley glanced over at the clock, "Oh Nathan, not to cut this short, but I really have to go. I have tons of work to do."

"It's okay Hales, I get it. I'll talk to you again soon. Goodnight sweetheart."

With that he hung up. Haley just sat there staring at her cell phone in her hand. She couldn't believe it, they were back together. After all the years, and all the miles that had separated them, they were back together.

Haley walked back over to her desk and sat down. She looked down at the open textbook lying in front of her and knew it was time to focus. Less than ten seconds later she jumped out of her chair, knowing that the chances of her being able to actually absorb anything she'd read were slim.

Dashing out of her room she ran next door to Peyton's room. Peyton was curled up on her bed doing some reading. Haley dashed over and hopped on the bed next to her.

"How goes the studying P. Sawyer."

"Jeez Tutorgirl, sounds liked you've been spending too much time talking to Brooke." Peyton teased, Brooke was famous for her nicknames for her friends. Peyton looked at Haley, "You're practically bouncing of the walls, what's got you so excited?"

"Oh nothing, just that Nathan and I are back together." Haley tried to say nonchalantly.

"Oh my god, seriously! I can't believe it. This is great. You must be so happy."

"You have no idea. I tried to study for like half a minute and knew there was no way I'd be able to concentrate."

"Understandable, but, I have it on good authority that if you don't ace that test you have tomorrow in your political ethics class, you can kiss that 4.0 good bye."

Haley frowned at the prospect, "Way to rain on a girl's parade."

"Yeah, that's me, Miss Pessimistic. Now go, study, I don't want to have to put up with the 'I bombed one test my life is over' pity party I've come to know and love."

Haley stepped off the bed, "I'm going, I'm going."

Haley threw her hands up in the air to exaggerate her exasperation. Just as she got to the door Peyton stopped her.

"Hales?"

Haley turned around to face Peyton, "Yeah?"

"Congratulations."

Haley smiled and nodded and headed back towards her room. Peyton was right, it was time to study. She could celebrate after her test.

ooooOoooo

"So how'd the big test go?"

"I think I did really well. I better have, I was up studying for it most of the night."

Haley had been waiting all day to talk to Nathan. His timing couldn't have been better, he'd called right after she finished her test.

"Well go and take a nap or something, sounds like you deserve it."

"I wish I could, dance practice starts in half an hour."

"Well, after that the days done, then go back and relax." Nathan paused, "I just wanted to let you know that I've been walking all over campus with the most ridiculous grin on my face, and that's all your fault."

"So sorry to be a burden." Haley teased. "I know what you mean though, I'm just so happy."

"I detect a little uncertainty in that, everything's okay right?" Nathan felt a tinge of worry grow inside of him.

"Everything is great, really. I guess I'm just a little disappointed that we're back together and all but we still won't get to see each other any time soon. I wish we could celebrate this ya know?"

"I know Hales, I do too. It's just not the best timing, right in the thick of the semester. Spring break is coming up soon, we'll try and figure something out for then, I promise."

"That sounds good. Okay, I have to run. I have to get changed and stuff."

"Okay Hales, I'll talk to you later. Have fun at practice."

"I'll try, bye Nathan."

Haley flipped shut her phone and smiled. She knew he was right. They'd work something out for spring break. That was only about a month away, she'd be fine until then.

ooooOoooo

It was Saturday afternoon and Haley was relieved that she had absolutely nothing to do. Wanting to take advantage of this rare event, she had opted for a day of lounging around on the couch, doing nothing but watching movies with Emma.

It was Valentine's Day and the two were wallowing in their own self pity. Emma's boyfriend was away for a basketball game so the two girls were valentineless.

"Seriously Haley, I'm picking the next movie. All you ever pick are these stupid movies that make me cry."

Haley turned to face Emma, her mouth wide open, feigning shock. "I don't think I can be friends with someone who calls The Notebook stupid. Seriously, it's like the best movie ever. I mean come on, Noah and Allie, back together after all of those years."

"Hmmm, sounds familiar. Maybe we should start calling you Allie. I wonder if Nathan rebuilt a house for you."

"Haha." Haley's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Nathan isn't one for big gestures like that."

They heard a faint knocking on the door to their suite and Emma hopped off the couch, "That must be the chinese food."

"There's money in my purse, just grab whatever my share is." Haley called after Emma.

A few minutes later Emma walked back into the room and sat down on the couch.

"Where's the food?" Haley asked curiously.

"That wasn't the chinese food, but I think you'll like it better." Emma gestured for Haley to turn around.

After shooting a confused look towards Emma, Haley slowly turned around, not quite sure what to expect.

"Nathan?" Haley yelped as she jumped over the back of the couch and ran into his arms. "What're you doing here?"

"Well, I was thinking about how you were a little bummed that we couldn't celebrate getting back together. Then I thought about how it was Valentine's Day and all, and I've already spend so many Valentine's Days away from you, I didn't want that to happen again. So, I convinced my dad to buy me a plane ticket, so here I am."

"Here you are." Haley stood up on her tip toes to kiss Nathan. "This is the best surprise, how did you not tell me you were planning it?"

"It was tough, but I knew that the look on your face would be priceless."

"How long can you stay for?"

"Well, unfortunately I can only stay for tonight. My plane leaves tomorrow at noon. We booked the ticket so late I have like two lay overs so it will take me like 8 hours to get back to New York. But, I was hoping that I could take you out to dinner tonight?"

"I don't know…I kind of already have a hot date with this couch here." Haley teased.

"I would hate to get in the way of that." Nathan laughed. "Should I take it that's a yes?"

"Seriously, do you even have to ask?" Haley smiled up at him, "I still can't believe you came all this way for one night."

"Haven't you realized it yet Hales? I'd do just about anything just to see you smile."