A/N: Thanks for everyone's reviews! This chapter switches back and forth between Nathan and Haley's POV's. It is still in a flashback. Next up is a BL chapter in Brooke's POV. Then I will continue where I left of JP. Be patient. After last night I am sure we are all waiting more JP!

Chapter 7: My Heart Is An Ocean, Come Sail With Me

Nathan's POV

I arrived home after my incident with Lucas at the Rivercourt. I had to tell Haley about what happened. I know I promised Lucas I wouldn't say anything, but he is obviously swimming in the deep end. I just can't sit back and watch him drown. Haley has always been his life jacket so maybe she can save him from himself. I open the door and see Haley crying on the living room floor surrounded by pictures. I can see now she is in no shape to save anyone when she is wading in her own tears. It reminded me of when I found her crying right after we got married. But I made it alright then and I will do the same thing now.

"Haley. What's wrong?"

Haley was hysterical. You could hardly hear her speak through the sobs. She handed me a picture.

"It's...Keith. I haven't seen this in years and I almost let myself forget. But I don't want to forget Nathan. Keith was too important."

I took her hand and she leaned her head on my shoulder.

"You could never forget Haley. Tell me something. Where were you in this picture? You look really happy."

"That's just the thing. I wasn't. Actually I couldn't be further from it. It was when I was ten years old. My grandfather had just died and as usual I wasn't handling it very well. My parents wanted me to go to the funeral, but I couldn't. I didn't want to admit that he was gone and that I would never see him again. It's ironic because now I see Lucas and Karen going through the exact same thing. Anyway, my parents wouldn't let me stay home. They said I was being disrespectful and that I didn't care about anyone but myself."

"Haley that can't be true. You are the least selfish person I know. You are always caring about other people."

"Well not this time. My papa and I were really close and I felt betrayed that he left me. He didn't even say goodbye."

"I guess that's the thing Hales. None of us are ever prepared for death. None of us can say goodbye because it's unexpected."

"Yeah but he had been sick for a long time and in his last few months I hardly saw him. So I put it all on myself and felt really ashamed. Like if I had tried harder things could have been different. If only I would have gotten to say I loved him one more time."

"I'm sure your grandpa knew you loved him. Just like Keith knew how we felt about him."

"Did he? I'm not so sure."

"He did. But what does any of that have to do with the picture?" I scrunched my face up in a confused expression.

"Be patient. I was getting to that." Even though she still had tears in her eyes she gave a small smile.

"Sorry."

"So I couldn't go to the funeral. I wanted to be there for my nanna but I just didn't know what I would say to her. I was afraid I would make it worse. I told all this to Lucas and he must have mentioned it to Keith. The next thing I knew he called my parents up and told them he was taking Lucas on a sailing trip. That this was just what he thought would get me through this and clear my head. It was amazing. My parents let me go with them."

"That's really nice. He really cared about you."

"Yeah he did. And he proved that to me even more on the trip. From the minute we got on the boat he didn't mention a thing. He acted like everything was normal and I appreciated that so much. All people had talked about was my grandpa's death. I wanted a little peace. And being in the middle of the ocean gave that to me. We had a great time. It was the first time Lucas and I had ever been sailing. He showed us how to pull the robes and lift the sail and we took chance steering the boat. It was wonderful. I felt like I had the world at my finger tips and I was able to control which direction it went. I felt like life was not over, but still full of possibilities. Then we ate caught some fish for dinner and cooked the right on the boat. Then we roasted marsh mellows and made smores. It was a familiar and comfortable feeling to be sitting and eating with my second family. The only thing different was the absence of Karen and the fact that we were miles off land. Later that night Keith tucked Lucas and Karen into our sleeping bags and we slept right on the deck."

All of a sudden I got the best idea. I finally knew something I could do to help Haley and make her feel like it was going to be alright.

Haley's POV

Nathan had the biggest smile on his face. He was so cute.

"What?"

"I want to take you somewhere."

"Are you serious? It's late."

"Who cares? And I am serious. I'm serious about you." I stood up and reached out my hand for her to take. "Are you coming?"

"I'd follow you anywhere." She grabbed my hand and I pulled her up. We got into the car and soon we came to a stop. "So this is nice. It's not often I see the local 711 at this time of night."

"You're funny. This isn't where I am taking you. Stay right here, I'll be back.

After a few minutes Nathan came back out carrying a big bag.

"Took you long enough. What you got there."

"It's a surprise."

We drove for about 10 more minutes and I was getting antsy. "Come on Nathan. Tell me where we are going?"

"No way."

"You won't even give me a little hint?"

"Sorry."

I knew what would get him. If there was one thing he couldn't resist it was this. I leaned over the seat and started planting butterfly kisses on his neck.

"Haley what are you doing?"

"Nothing at all."

He leaned back his head and moaned. "I'm driving here. This is very dangerous."

"Then you'll just have to tell me."

"You are an evil temptress but it won't work this time. We're here."

I looked up and saw we arrived at Wrightsville Beach. Nathan pulled me out of the car and we ran down the docks. We stopped in front of a very familiar looking boat. I was stunned.

"Nathan. It's Keith's boat."

"Actually it's the Scott Family boat. We all use it." Nathan noticed the shocked look on my face. "Good surprise?"

I got on my tip toes and gave Nathan a long lingering kiss. I looked into his loving eyes. "Great surprise."

"Well then, aren't you glad I resisted your sexy ways?"

"I have never been happier to be kept in the dark."

"It's never dark around you. You bring the light."

"Okay Mr. Cheese. Are we just going to stand here or are we gonna take this thing for a ride." He jumped over the railing and then helped me over. "So can you tell me now what's in the bag?"

"Let's get on the water first. You want to steer?"

"Oh I don't know Nathan. I haven't done it in like seven years."

"Don't worry. I'll be right here behind you the whole time if you need any help."

"Okay. Just tell me where to go."

"Just a few miles north should be good." Nathan wrapped his arms around my waist and we were off. The breeze swept thorough our hair and I felt free as the wind itself. It was the same feeling I felt about this time seven years ago.

"This spot looks good."

"Perfect. So how do I stop again?"

Nathan laughed and put his hands over mine on the wheel. "See we did it together. Just like we do everything."

"So what now?"

"We eat." He opened up the bag and pulled out some fish sticks. "It's not fresh and we didn't catch it ourselves but it's all they had."

"Very nice. What else you got in there?" He pulled out a package of Poptarts. I lifted my eyebrow. "Poptarts?"

"Not just Poptarts. They're smores flavor. Not the same but it's the thought that counts right?"

"Nathan this is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. Well one of them anyway. It seems you and Keith are more a like than you knew."

"It could be that. Or it could just be everyone's goal to make you happy. I know I can't help myself."

I leaned over and kissed him again. This time he placed his hands on my face and pulled me in further.

"Alright so let's dig in. To the food that is."

Nathan gave his classic smirk. "Oh I like the other option better."

"Later Romeo. I'm starving."

"That's fine. I'll wait forever for you."

TBC