A.N Hey guys I'm back. I've decided screw the job hunt for the moment. I want to update. So here it is and I hope it was worth the wait. Just a quick note to Katrina who although she hasn't actually technically reviewed has been wanting an update. Here it is and I hope you enjoy it just make sure when you move back to Oz in just over a week that you keep reading and start reviewing. I'd love to know what you think of the story and the twists and turns I have planned.
I also just want to say a special thankyou to those of you who have emailed and reviewed to wish me luck getting a new job. Thankyou so much Jess, Malissa, Hilary, Kat, Nats, Amy, Britt,Karin, HipHopper92, hesfadedme and unfolddream. It meant a lot to me. I hope I haven't forgotten anyone. Apologise if I have.
One more thing to all of you out there in reader land. I'm not sure if there is actually anyone out there who has not read this story but if by some miracle you haven't take my advice and after reading and reviewing this chapter of course go and read When It Comes by Gooseless. It is seriously the best fan fic I have ever read and certainly puts this meagre effort to shame. Trust me read it you will not be disappointed.
kaos 2405 Your wish is my command. Just hope it lives up to expectations.. But this means that its your turn to update again soon. Hope things are ok with work. Maybe this chapter will bring a smile to your face since I have finally given you what you wanted and Naley are finally getting down and dirty.
heather dawn Sorry to keep you waiting so long. Well hopefully you will consider this a prolonged perfect ending of their perfect afternoon. Interesting theory on who was watching her and how he got there but I guess you'll just have to wait and see. Its not time yet to let that particular cat out of the bag.
catc20 Wow I'm so loving the long detailed reviews that you leave. It really makes my day when I get them and see that someone has taken the time to delve so deeply into the chapter and what aspects of it they enjoyed and even which ones they didn't although (fingers crossed) I don't think I've had any comments yet on something you didn't like. I'm glad that you enjoyed the stunt Brooke pulled and the fluffy Naley stuff. I will give you one small word of warning make the most of this chapter because there is a lot of drama ahead but as you said if they can get through it then it will only make their love stronger. Guess we'll have to wait and see whether they can.
MeSpikeAndAngelinA3sum Glad you enjoyed the last chapter. I hope this one lives up to expectations. .
Britt Hey Britt I'm really glad that you are enjoying this story so much. What did you mean when you said you had a problem reviewing with this story I was a little confused by that. Sorry about the wait on this chapter and I hope you continue to enjoy it and let me know what you think.
HipHopper92 I know you're really looking forward to seeing the twist but I'm afraid you're going to have to wait a bit longer. Hopefully this chapter will tide you over until I'm ready to reveal one of the many twists and turns I have planned in this story. Enjoy and tell me what you think.
hilaryhilary Now, now Hilary there is no need for threats I never said it was Josh of course I didn't say it wasn't either. Enjoy the chapter.
unfolddream I really like how you comment on individual aspects of particular chapters to tell me what you like. It really helps me when I get an idea of what sort of things people are enjoying. Thanks for reading and reviewing so regularly.
hesfadedme Glad you enjoy a bit of scandal because I can assure you that there will be plenty more of that to come. Let's face it, it wouldn't be one of my stories without some sort of intrigue thrown in. Thanks for the review.
kennedy Thanks for the overwhelming support once again. I'm glad your friend enjoyed my story but tell her that if she wants to start sending reviews herself she will be more than welcome. I never say no to a new reviewer. Glad you enjoyed it and sorry to make youwait so long for a new chapter. Real life can be such a pain.
Cap'n Keira Sparrow Congratulations you were the only reviewer who didn't automatically assume that it was Josh who saw them. Not of course that I'm saying it wasn't or that it was for that matter but it was good to have someone thinking outside of the box. Sorry to keep you waiting so long for an update. Hope it's worth the wait for you.
TinyDancer7 Hey Amanda, sorry about the long wait between updates but real life insisted on intruding. Nathan and Haley definitely seem to be taking some strides forward in their relationship but just remember I do have a penchant for throwing a spanner into the works at a most inopportune time.. As for whether it was Josh watching her well unfortunately you are going to have to wait a little longer to have that particular mystery solved. Hope you enjoy the chapter.
cherrymfzb Hey Kat thanks for all the reviews I'm glad you're still enjoying the story. Sorry to leave it at such a cliffhanger but you know what they say 'always leave them wanting more'. I'd love to hear who your guess was for who was on the phone so feel free to share it with me. Now as with all the other requests for some major Naley action your wait is finally over. Hope it's worth it.
Jenna Wow thanks for the compliment. I'm glad you are enjoying the story so much and I'm so sorry that I have taken so long to update but I promise its been killing me too. Hope the chapter was worth the wait. Can't wait to hear what you think.
kate I'm glad you are enjoying the story so much and I'm sorry for the long wait between updates but real life decided to interfere. Hope it's worth the wait. Looking forward to hearing what you think of this chapter.
doodlebah yes I'm afraid you are just going to have to wait and see about the mystery man. Thanks for the review and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 18
As she went down to meet Nathan for breakfast the next morning Haley could hardly contain the huge grin that covered her face.
For the first time since she had left Tree Hill all those years ago she finally felt as if whatever it was that had been missing from her life in Chicago was in place.
The afternoon on the boat had been perfect and it had been capped off with a wonderful dinner in the hotel restaurant.
She had loved spending timewith Nathan the night before but had struggled to shake off the uneasiness that had plagued her since that possible sighting of the one person she never wanted to see again and had found herself unconsciously searching amongst the other diners for his face.
By the end of the night she had managed to convince herself that it had simply been a case of her eyes playing tricks on her and had been able to relax and simply enjoy being with Nathan again.
Her smile faltered a little asthe unpleasant image of his face flickered across her mind but she quickly pushed it aside determined not to let him spoil this day the way he had spoilt so many in her past.
Spotting Nathan sitting at a table waiting for her she paused for a moment laughing to herself as she saw the constant parade of women sashaying past his table hoping to catch his eye but Nathan it appeared had failed to notice this bevy of beauties and instead sat staring into his coffee.
As if sensing her arrival he looked up smiling as he saw her making her way towards him dressed in a bikini top and sarong.
He stood up as she approached "Hey Hales did you have a good sleep?"
"Yeah I did.
Did you?"
"Could have been better…. if you were with me.
Although I guess neither one of us would have got much sleep if that had been the case."
She laughed off his statement even though she had lain awake for aquite a whilethe night before thinking about him and imagining what it would be like to be with him again.
"So," he said "any thoughts on what you want to do today?"
"No not really."
"Good," he said "Because I know exactly what you and I are going to spend the day doing."
"Oh really,"
"Yeah so I hope you're up for some physical activity."
"What sort of activity did you have in mind?"
"That's for me to know and you to find out."
She smiled at the banter that had once again become so effortless between them.
It really seemed as if things were finally back on track between them.
"So how about we eat and then we can get started.
You're going to need all the energy you can get for what I have planned."
Leading her over to the buffet he watched as she heaped her plate.
"You know I always did like a woman with an appetite as long, of course,as it's not limited to food."
She laughed again "Wow you're just full of jokes this morning."
"Who said I was joking Hales?"
Laughing at her shocked expression he followed her back to the table.
After eating they headed back to their rooms to prepare for the day ahead.
Nathan had told Haley that she would need to change her clothes for what he had planned but that was the only clue he had given her.
Telling her he would meet her downstairs he left her at her room and went downstairs to organise the surprise.
When she arrived downstairs ten minutes later she nearly fell over in shock.
"You have got to be kidding me," she sputtered taking in the sight of him standing with two bicycles and a large backpack at his feet.
"What's the matter Hales don't you like my surprise?"
"Uh its not that I'm just a little shocked.
When you said it would be a physical activity this wasn't quite what I had in mind."
"Why didn't you say so Hales?
I've got no problem spending the day in bed if that's what you would prefer.
I'm sure we could get quite a workout there."
"No that's fine Nathan.
I'm quite happy to go for a ride."
He raised an eyebrow at her suggestively "Oh I could give you a hell of a ride Hales."
Ignoring his comment she moved over to one of the bikes looking at it dubiously.
"I haven't been on one of these things in years.
What if I don't remember how?"
Looking over at him as he stood grinning at her confidently she could almost detect some of that old arrogance in him and she knew in that moment that he expected her to chicken out.
Taking a deep breath she walked over to the bike and placed a leg over it.
"Alright let's go."
Taken by surprise at her actions he took a moment before he moved over to his own bike and climbed on.
"Lets do it." he said pedalling away from the hotel leisurely looking back to see if she was following.
Slightly wobbly she rode off after him uttering a silent prayer that she would make it through this day unscathed.
They rode at a leisurely pace for the next two hours stopping every half hour or so to have a drink and rest for a bit not that Nathan really needed it Haley noticed enviously as she panted unattractively.
Haley had her head down gasping for breath as they rode through some dense foliage.
Looking up briefly she spotted a clearing up ahead and could only hope that Nathan intended to stop for another rest there.
There was a roaring in her ears and she found herself silently promising that if Nathan would just stop soon then she would join a gym as soon as she returned home.
She hadn't realised just how unfit she was until she had tried to match herself with Nathan and while he was barely even breaking a sweat she felt like she was going to collapse any second.
Looking up she saw that he had in fact decided to stop.
She slammed on her brakes trying desperately not to run into the back of him.
Skidding to a stop she looked up wondering what had caused Nathan to stop like that and found herself facing one of the most beautiful waterfalls she had ever seen.
The water cascaded down over the rocks forming a pool at the bottom and the noise from it was almost deafening
Well at least that explains the roaring in my ears.
Uncaring of what he thought she climbed off the bike collapsing onto the ground for a well earned rest.
He stood above her smiling at her predicament.
"It's not funny," she panted.
"I never said it was," he told her with another grin.
Slowly she regained her breath and the use of her legs and walked over to where he was pulling items from his backpack and spreading them out onto a picnic blanket that must have also come from the backpack.
"So," he said stepping back to admire his handiwork "what do you think?"
Looking at the spread in front of her Haley had to admit that he had done well although in all likelihood he had done nothing more then collect the ready prepared food from the hotel that morning.
The sheer volume of food laid out was impressive in its own right.
There was roast chicken, bread, cheeses, everything you could possibly need to make a salad and an abundance of fresh tropical fruits some of which she didn't even recognise.
She could even see some chocolates for them to have when they finished and just to make things perfect there was a bottle of wine for them to share.
Pulling out the glasses with a flourish he poured her a glass and gestured to the rug beside him.
Accepting the glass she sank down beside him "This is perfect Nathan."
"It is isn't it," he agreed smugly.
They ate in silence simply content to be there with each other.
"You know," she said breaking the silence "A month ago I would never have dreamed that we would be here together like this."
"Yeah I know" he agreed "A lot has happened."
"I'm glad it did," she said "but…"
"But what Hales if you're about to say that you regret what happened between us then you can...?"
"Its not that I regret it," she hastened to reassure him "But I just can't help but think this has been almost too easy for us to pick up where we left off.
What if something happens?"
"We can't live our lives worried about what ifs Hales we just have to make the most of what we've got and hope that things will work out this time."
She seemed so relaxed and for a moment he considered asking her what had happened last time that had caused her to leave so suddenly but he felt an inexplicable sense of dread of what her answer might be and decided to leave that conversation to another time.
He didn't want anything to spoil this day.
Looking over at her as she lay back in the sun he could see that she was getting sleepy and moved over to lay beside her.
Pulling her head down on his chest he stroked her hair feeling her relax against him as sleep overtook her.
Closing his own eyes he couldn't remember a time in the last five years that he had felt so at peace.
Her words from earlier played again in his mind "What if something happens?" but he pushed those thoughts aside, right now he had her back and that was all that mattered.
Alone in their own corner of paradise they slept unhindered by the presence of others.
Haley's face creased in consternation as a trickle of sweat made its way down her face and moving against him uncomfortably she woke up.
It was so hot even in this little clearing and sitting up she looked longingly at the pool of water in front of her.
Looking down at Nathan she could see that he was still lost in sleep and reaching a fast decision she stood up shedding her shorts and tank top and making her way down to the pool.
Dipping a toe into the water she discovered just as she had suspected that the water was cool and refreshing.
Allowing herself no time to change her mind she stepped in up to her waist allowing the water to swirl around her nearly naked body.
Diving under the water she swam to where the waterfall was, relishing the feel of the cool water soothing her overworked muscles.
Feeling refreshed she climbed up onto a rock lying back with the sun beating down onto her body.
This is heaven she thought no obnoxious teenagers to backchat me and Nathan and I are alone in a tropical paradise.
Feeling a pair of hands latching onto her waist she started in surprise.
Opening her eyes she discovered Nathan in the water in front of her.
"Nathan I didn't think you'd be awake."
"Yeah well thank goodness I was there is no way I would have wanted to miss a sight like this.
Now how about you and that gorgeous body of yours join me in the water?"
She hesitated only for a moment before sliding off the rock and down into the water with him.
Sliding an arm around her waist he pulled her close to his body allowing her to feel the beginnings of his erection.
She gasped in surprise as she realised he was naked under the water.
"Don't act so shocked," he told her "I've told you plenty of times how you affect me.
I've even tried to show you.
Maybe now you will believe me."
"I do believe you Nathan I just don't know what you expect from me." She told him honestly.
"I don't expect anything Hales except for you to start being honest with yourself and me about what you want.
I think you know what I want" he told her"and if you are honest you'll admit that it's time for us to be together again."
Not wanting to waste any more time talking she raised her head up to meet his eyes and nodded in silent assent.
He looked at her questioningly for a moment hardly able to believe that she may actually be agreeing to this.
"Yes Nathan its time we did this."
He needed no further invitation and captured her lips immediately in a kiss that surpassed all others that they had ever shared.
Nibbling lightly at her lower lip he silently begged for entrance she paused only for a moment before inviting his tongue into her mouth eagerly caressing it with her own.
He groaned into her mouth before gathering her in even more closely to his own body.
Releasing her lips his mouth hungrily searched for the apex between her shoulder and neck sucking and nibbling at the skin and feeling her squirm in enjoyment against him.
Her hands slid down over his taut buttocks and she scraped her nails against the sensitive skin and felt him thrust against her in response.
Sliding his hand inside her bikini bottoms he found her most sensitive spot immediately and began to stroke her intoxicatingly.
She pushed herself against his hand and was gratified to feel one of his fingers slip inside.
He moved his finger in and out slowly at first gathering speed as he felt her excitement increase.
Her fingernails bit into his shoulders and she tipped back her head and squealed in excitement.
"Don't stop Nathan."
He placed another finger inside of her and she moaned in pleasure.
She moved her hand down to rest on his gently pulling it away.
"No Nathan, I want you, I want all of you inside of me."
She had barely finished speaking when she felt him pressing against her entrance.
She wrapped a leg around his waist to allow him to enter her more fully and revelled in his groan of appreciation.
Feeling him thrust up inside of her slowly at first then harder and faster she could feel her climax rising inside of her.
"Just a bit more Nathan."
With one final thrust from him she was screaming her release as he joined her moments later.
There was nothing tender about their joining it had come about after so long apart and was an expression of all the pent up feelings that they had been fighting for so long.
It had been quick and passionate and Haley knew she would not change a single thing about it.
Her legs felt boneless and she clung to him unable to support her own weight.
His hands caressed softly over her back and she shivered in response to the combination of his heated skin and the cool water.
His lips were buried in her shoulder and he sighed in contentment.
"That was unbelievable" she sighed.
"Yeah it was," he agreed "Come on," he offered her his hand leading her out of the pool and back up on to the bank pulling her down beside him to lay in the sun allowing the warm rays to dry their skin.
As Haley lay beside him for a moment an image of Josh flickered through her mind and she knew that although she should feel an incredible guilt for cheating on him the truth was that she now believed that what had happened between her and Nathan had been inevitable.
It was almost as if it was pre-destined since the day Nathan had appeared in Frank Logan's office she had subconsciously known that this would happen.
For a long time she had tried to fight against the feelings that had been aroused in her by his presence but she had known that even as she had been saying no, in her mind she had been screaming yes.
She didn't quite know what her future held but she was no longer sure whether Josh was the person that she should be sharing it with.
Rolling over she rested her head on Nathan's chest and he stroked his fingers through her hair pressing a kiss to her forehead before he spoke.
"What's on your mind Hales?
You seem to be lost in thought."
"Just thinking how perfect everything is."
"Good," he said "Just what I was thinking."
Hours later they lay wrapped around each other in his bed exhausted from the days exertions.
A gentle smile graced Haley's lips as she lay close to Nathan finally back where she belonged.
Suddenly she jerked violently in her sleep hitting out at the empty air above her as if fighting off an unseen enemy.
Her voice came in an anguished whisper "No Tim, no don't, stop it."
As if aware of her distress even in his sleepNathan gathered her in closer to his body mumbling into her hair, "I love you Hales".
She quietened down and once more slid into dreamless sleep content in Nathan's arms.
Spoilers:- Nathan and Haley have some fun rediscovering each other, Dinner at Paolo's and a surprise visit.