'Cause I could take in my arms
And never let go
I could fall in love with you
I could fall in love with you

Haley's house

"Nathan I don't mind hanging out with you or anything but you've been here for almost two days. You have to go home sometime." Haley joked.

Nathan put his arms around Haley's waist and pulled her down to the bed. "I was only going to stay until you kicked me out and knowing how I'm so irresistible I knew that that was never gonna happen" he said smirking.

"Very funny Nate. You want to test your theory out right now" Haley said with a serious face.

Nathan played along innocently, "You want to figure out just how irresistible I am" he said wiggling his eyebrows.

"As much fun as that would be I meant the part about you thinking I wouldn't throw you out" she said.

"Hales come on! You wouldn't do that to your poor boyfriend now would you" he said pouting.

Haley didn't think she could resist that pout, it would be the death of her, "Nathan I'm not kicking you out but you have to go home at some point."

Nathan's face got serious, "I know Haley, its just that once I go home I have to face my parents. Mom will feel sorry for me and fight with Dan and Dan will make me start training again and will never let me forget what happened."

Haley felt so much for him at that moment. How could a man be so cruel? First he abandoned Lucas and Karen and then he stayed with Nathan to 'do right' by him and he pushes him over the edge. "I'm so sorry Nathan. You know if I could I would change it for you but I can't and Dan is in your life."

Nathan looked at Haley and he knew she meant those words. Never had he felt anyone care so much for him as she did. He felt better knowing that she was on his side and he had been an idiot to have treated her how he treated her when he was on the drugs. Nathan felt as though she was the only person who could make him a better, the girl he would be able to love. "I'll be fine Haley. As long as you're with me, I'll be fine."

Haley smiled; she didn't expect to feel this way about Nathan. She didn't expect to be falling for him and she was falling hard. "Thanks Nathan. I'm just glad I'm the one you let in past all the bluster and BS. That I'm the one you trust to tell me all that is wrong. I never expected it to be this way when I first started tutoring you but I'm glad that I got the chance to know you, the real you."

Nathan felt happy inside because she didn't want him because he was the popular basketball player or because he had a lot of money; Haley wanted him for him and that was the greatest feeling ever. "Haley I'm glad it was you too."

The young couple shared a moment where they just stared into each others eyes until Nathan's phone started ringing.

Nathan picked up his phone and answered, "Hello, oh hey mom, yeah I know, I just wasn't ready to go back, is dad home, oh you kicked him out, yeah I'll be there in a bit."

"Well Hales, as much fun as it was, apparently I'm needed now so I will call you later?" Nathan asked kind of nervous as to what her answer would be.

"Sure Nate. Say hi to your mom for me and good luck." With that Haley gave Nathan a quick kiss on the lips and Nathan nodded his head and headed back home, to what he wasn't sure of anymore.

Peyton's House

Lucas was utterly nervous because of what he had said but the sight in front of him eased his mind. There was Peyton sitting at her desk with her music turned up and completely into the sketch she was working on.

Lucas spoke, "Excuse me miss but I'm looking for my girlfriend: tall, blonde, curly hair and dorky."

Peyton turned around surprised but played along, "Well sir I do now a tall blonde with curly hair but she isn't dorky, more like sexy, smart and sassy."

Lucas responded, "She'll do I guess. Where did she go?"

Peyton smirked, "Mister she is standing right in front of you."

Lucas laughed, "But you said smart, sassy and sexy" he said looking around as if looking for the other person.

Peyton smacked him on the arm, "You are so paying for that Luke" she said as she chased him down the stairs of her house until she cornered him in the living room.

Lucas looked Peyton straight in the eye, "What are you planning on doing to me?"

Peyton thought for a second, "I don't know. I mean I was gonna make you work on my room but that falls under your duty as my boyfriend so I'm thinking a nice, long kiss would satisfy me."

Lucas smirked, "I think I can handle that" and with that he brought her in for a very passionate kiss.

They broke apart when the need for air became a necessity. "Wow" was all Lucas could muster out

"Yeah," Peyton repeated, "Well we better get back to fixing up my room."

She was about to go back when Lucas stopped her, "Peyt, I wanted to talk to you, about us, about what I said on the phone."

"Lucas you don't have to explain anything, I mean I guess now I know you love me but there is a difference between loving someone and being in love with someone" she said with a hint of sadness.

Lucas looked at her a bit uncertainly, not knowing where to go after her little spiel. "Peyton your right, I do love you and yes I may not be in love with you but I love you, I care for you, I'm in love with the fact that you are my girlfriend and I truly believe that I will be in love with you. The feelings I have for you are so intense sometimes it scares me but I'm not gonna let this fear stop me, stop us. I still want all of you Peyton, your heart, your body, your soul; I want it all and I know you might not feel the same way but there it is. That's how I feel."

Peyton, who had been trying to avoid his deep gaze, looked into his eyes, reading whether or not he was telling the truth. "Lucas, you know I how this feels. I mean with Nathan it was all about the sex and sure we got attached to one another but it was more because he was there than because I needed him but Lucas, with you it's different. I need you, I want you. If I didn't feel the same way I wouldn't have called you. Luke I'm not in love with you yet either but the way I feel about you is something I have never experienced before and it's so new to me that I'm scared and confused but I'm willing to go along because I want you Luke; I want you to be the one for me. I want all of you too."

Peyton then brought Lucas' face down and kissed him hard. She wanted him to know they ok and that they would be ok.

Lucas saw the intensity in her eyes as she opened herself up to him. She had told him it was going to take her a while but he knew better. He was getting to Peyton as much as she was getting to him. They were in this relationship together and the feelings they were facing were new to both of them but they were together and would face them together and to Lucas, as well as Peyton, that was all they wanted; to be together through it all.

Luke broke the very comfortable silence, "Well off to fix your room now since we're both fine."

Peyton replied happily, "Yeah we are, ok so I was thinking. We could paint the walls a midnight blue and then with a very thin brush we could add song lyrics."

Luke looked at her with amazement, "That sounds great but you know, we have to leave space for your drawings."

"Lucas Scott you are a genius, but don't let that go to your head!" she replied in awe that he had wanted to add something that was so special to her.

"Well how can you expect that not to go to my head when my gorgeous girlfriend tells me I'm a genius, but seriously Peyton, you're a great artist, those drawings are great and I know they're important to you, which is why they should be up on display, because they mean a lot to you" he stated well aware that she might close herself off a bit.

"Thank you Lucas," she replied feeling a surge of strength and confidence in herself, "You're already a great boyfriend, you know me so well, but what will make you an even greater boyfriend will be to start painting these walls" handing him a paint brush.

Lucas just muttered, "How'd I get myself into these things.

Brooke and Jake

Brooke and Jake broke apart and just stared at each other, not wanting to ruin the moment with words but knowing that one of them was going to have to say something.

Jake spoke, "So was that what your heart was telling you?" he asked curiously.

Brooke replied, "Yes and it is also telling me to ask you out for a date?"

Jake grinned at her, "Sure, but you know, you go out on a date with me and it proves I'm not gay."

Brooke laughed, "Please, I always knew you were too good looking to actually be gay" then turned red at her admission.

"I must be really hot for Brooke Davis to keep making comments on my looks" he replied confidently.

"Jake I just really like you. And even before my date with Lucas I have had a crush on you but to tell you the truth I always thought you were too good for me and would judge me on who I've been before" Brooke admitted nervously.

Jake looked at her in shock. This whole time he had had no clue how she felt and here she was claiming that she was scared of what he thought of her, "Brooke, look at me, I have never thought anything bad about you. I was always more nervous of what you thought of me, although the gay comment was kind of extreme," the both laughed as he continued, "the truth is I have thought about you a lot but I guess when you have a daughter every sort of relationship freaks you out. I mean I like you but I was always worried that you would turn me down because of my daughter, but believe me when I say I have never judged you.

"Jake Jagielski! You said you never judged me but then you said I would turn you away because of Jenny. I think that makes you a greater guy than what I thought before. I would not be ashamed of you being a father because the fact that you're taking care of your little girl is kind of hot" Brooke stated assuring him.

"Well then I guess the fact you know the truth and are ok with it is good for us" Jake stated.

"Yeah I guess it is. I think you should take me home, what do I call you boyfriend?" she asked unsure.

Jake answered, "Boyfriend sounds good to me. Now I'll take you home girlfriend."

End of flashback

Brooke was thinking about what had happened the night before as she was driving and she smiled to herself. Despite the terrible date with Lucas, things had turned out better than alright. She got the one she wanted all along, Jake. She was glad Jake had told her his secret because it meant that he trusted her and that meant that she meant something to him and in the end that was all she wanted; to mean something to someone. And if Jake happened to be that someone then she couldn't be more thrilled. As she reached her destination she stepped out of her car with some hesitation. She had to admit she was nervous but still she continued her walk and knocked on the door.

When Brooke saw who was at the door she smiled, "Hey baby, I just thought it would be nice to hang with you and Jenny today."

Jake smiled, he was lucky and he knew it, "That would be great Brooke." And he let her in.

Nathan's House

Nathan had gone home and his mother had told him what happened between Dan and her he couldn't help but be relieved because his dad was gone, at least for the time being. He tried to wonder when his life became so screwed up. Was it always like this or was it when he started playing ball? Nathan knew he loved the game but Dan had taken that away, made him despise it for being what his dad held above him all the time. But now with all that had happened, Nathan was ready to cut Dan out of basketball. Nathan was going back to the love he held for the game, not the obligation that Dan made it have. He didn't want his dad to live vicariously through him. Basketball was his and he was going to keep it that way but he was lost as to how. All he knew was that he needed the love of the game back and the only one that could help him get that back was Haley. Haley… he needed to talk to her, to see her, he just needed her and that scared him and exhilarated him all at once.

For all who has reviewed. Thank you! I really appreciate it! Here is an update, its not the best and sorry for the long wait but all last week I had finals and its over! Plus I had inspiration from Saturday when I met the gorgeous James Lafferty, beautiful Hilarie Burton, Tyler Hilton, and Lee Norris in LA for the OTH Friends w/ Benefit Tour! Thanks again for the reviews and I hope you enjoyed the chapter! The lyrics are from Selena's I Could Fall In Love.