Second Chances:

Haley walked down the hallowed halls of Levinson hall walking to see a professor, or at least that's what she told her roommate. Standing outside the door she gave a quick knock. Opening the door she found Professor Macklin talking with Richard. "Sorry to just burst in but can we talk?" Haley said still standing by the door.

"Sure Richard, think about what I said." Macklin said. Richard stood and moved toward the door, stopping for a minute in front of her. Haley shut the door behind him and moved to sit across the desk from him. "Haley what can I do for you today?" he said flatly.

"Dad cut the crap it's just us. So what was Richard doing in here?" Haley asked.

"You know as a professor I can't tell you that." He said moving to sit in the chair next to her. "And as my daughter, you're still not going to hear it. So how do you know Richard?" He questioned?

"We went on a date a few weeks ago. It's just not going to work out. I mean we are complete opposites." Haley answered. "Plus he's in your sex seminar I really don't think you want to hear about your daughters late night escapades."

"Right, well I think he's changed a lot from the arrogant ass that he used to be." He said, "Maybe he deserves another chance. Like you gave me?"

Haley left her father's office and had all intentions of going back to her room. No one on campus knew that Professor Macklin was her father. I'm sure most people wouldn't believe it. But she also wasn't a very large fan of her father. She'd spent the first 14 years of her life trying to push him away, until it came to college. She needed a parent in the area so that she could live on campus. And she had to turn to her father so he would allow it. That was the first time she had ever gone to her father for anything. And deep in her heart she hoped it would be the last time. But was her father right about Richard? Her father couldn't tell her what was on the tapes for class, but that didn't mean that she couldn't look at them herself.

Waiting outside the office she waited for her father to leave. Finding a janitor she managed to sweet talk the man into letter her go into her father's office to do some homework for a school project. At that moment Haley thanked god for the fact that she looked like a 15 year old high school student. Closing the door behind her she quickly found a box of tapes under his desk. Each on had a name written on it. Finding Richard's she quickly popped in the tape.

"So I'm pretty sure that this has been the longest time that I have gone without the need for someone. I never used to be looking for someone, but when, when I found her everything changed. I dont think that I've ever been in love before, but after just one date, I felt completely different then I ever have before. She hasn't spoken to me since I told her about my ex-girlfriend. That's what I get for being honest. But I guess that's what I have to deal with. I'm not giving up though. Professor Macklin, loves a bitch." Pushing stop she quickly put the tape back. Love, what did Richard know about love? Maybe her father was right.

Haley printed out some papers and moved to the door, feeling bad for what she did she moved to her coat pocket and pulled out her phone. About the call Richard she changed her mind and headed to the one place she knew he could be. Walking into the Bugle she saw the light to his office on dimly.

"Richard-" Haley called into his office. She saw his head bob up from his desk. He moved to the work room to find Haley standing with an unsure look on her face. "Your still here good."

"Yea, I'm really surprised to see you here." Richard said standing near her.

"Look, I'm sorry for acting like a spoiled brat. It's just, this whole dating thing is kind of new to me, and in a world where girls give it up so easily...I just-I'm sorry. And I was hoping that maybe hadn't moved on yet?" Haley said taking a few steps towards him closing the distance between them.

"Haley why the sudden change? I mean not that I'm not welcoming it but why?" Richard asked.

"Something my father said." Haley admitted. It was half the truth, the rest they could deal with later.

"Look Haley we have to get something straight. I cant promise you that Natalie and I wont talk. But I promise that nothing like before will ever happen!" Richard said to her, holding her shoulders for support. Haley took at step towards him lifting herself to her tiptoes to kiss Richard. It was a short and very safe kiss, but that was enough for Richard, for now.

"So, you talked to your father about me?" Richard smirked.

"Yea, I was actually really surprised that he told me to give you another shot."

"It's not like your father knows me why wouldn't he want me to get another chance." Richard said not sure where this was all coming from.

"Ric, if were being honest, there's something I need to tell you." Haley said leading him towards the couch in his office. "My father, well to put it lightly he's only been my father for about 2 years. He was never around and I really didn't like him, most of the time I still don't."

"Haley where are you going with this?"

"I'm getting to that. Ric you know my dad. My dad is professor Macklin." Haley finally said.

"Macklin, as in the teacher that I talk to about sex? His daughter's the 17 year old virgin that I'm supposed to write an article about?" Ric said standing up, and pacing the floor.

"Look, Ric, I just need to know if this is going to be a problem for you. I know he's your teacher, but I cant really change the fact that he's my father. So-" Haley said holding his face in her hands to make sure he was paying attention.

"Haley, I'm okay. So Macklin is your dad. I just wont be talking about you on the tapes anymore." he joked. "So how about we get out of here and go have some dinner?"

"I think I'd like that," Haley said leading him out of the office. As Richard turned off the light he had to laugh at himself at the way things had changed in the last 12 hours. What a roller coaster ride it had been.