A.N Well I know its been a while since I updated so I've wrote a nice long chapter for you all to read and hopefully enjoy. I promise I'll try to have the next one up sooner. This week I shouldn't be writing responses to challenges. If any of you have the time check out my one shot titled Homecoming. I'd love to know what you think. Till next time.

Ange x.

Chapter Forty-eight

As she rolled over she half expected to find the bed beside her empty that would be just the sort of thing that happened in those stupid romance novels. The man would sneak out while she still lay sleeping. Why couldn't it ever be the woman who snuck out and left the man wondering? But to her surprise she found him still lying there next to her snoring lightly and she felt herself begin to breathe normally. After they had finally collapsed spent on the floor of the hallway they had remained there for several minutes panting heavily before Nathan had scooped her up in his arms heading for the bedroom. The way he had taken her in the hall had left her in no doubt to the extent of the pull that still existed between them. He still felt it and she knew if she were to be honest with herself then she felt it too. The attraction between them was as natural to her as breathing. She could no more fight it then she could fight the instinct to inhale and exhale. What she didn't know though was whether for him it was only about sex or maybe just maybe there was still some love on his part.

She watched him as he slept waiting for the moment where he would open his eyes and look at her with a smile on his face, before he would smother her face with kisses and they would pick up right from where they had left off. Her heart was beating faster with anticipation as she reached out a tentative hand to stroke down his chest. He moved slightly obviously aware of her touch but did not wake immediately, she was so happy in that moment. They were waking up together and there were finally no more secrets between them. This wasn't like it had been in Barbados when she had been forced to hold herself back from truly being with him the way she wanted to be. The knowledge of what she was keeping from him had constantly hung over her head, but now it was different now they could be together the way she wanted them to be. There was no longer anything standing between them and the happiness she had been waiting and searching for, for so long.

He stirred slightly before settling back into a deep sleep. She smiled and allowed her thoughts to drift back over what had happened between them recently. She had been so sure that what there had been between them was over after she had admitted the truth about Tim and Schapelle. For a few months afterwards it had seemed she was correct and then as if fate itself was getting involved she had found herself heading back to Tree Hill. She had been terrified at first about seeing him and looking back at it now she could see that it had led her to some bad choices. Keeping Cory from Nathan had been unfair and selfish and she could see that now but at the time her vision had been so clouded with her own fears and paranoia's that she had failed to realise just how her behaviour would affect Nathan or even Cory himself. But everything had worked out for the best Lucas was well on his way to recovery and now that Brooke was awake well surely it would only be a matter of time before she was fully recovered too.

She shook her head physically trying to banish the negative thoughts filling her mind. Things finally seemed to be on the up and there was no way she wanted to dwell on past mistakes. Right now there was nothing she wanted to do more than forget all the bad stuff and simply concentrate on how wonderfully right it felt to be lying beside Nathan in his bed again. She was determined that last night should be just the beginning. Now that they had finally rediscovered each other physically she wanted them to be able to recapture some of what they had once had emotionally. Deep down she knew that most people would try to find the emotional connection before taking advantage of the physical but then most people were not her and Nathan. Not that she believed that they had nothing more than a physical connection but there was no doubt that it was a big part of what made them so wonderful together.

She wished she could lay there forever but she knew that Cory would soon awaken and she needed to be ready when he did, not to mention the fact that Lucas would be needing his breakfast and the multitude of other things she needed to accomplish before they went back to the hospital to see Brooke. She knew that it had been late when Nathan had gone to pick up Lucas from the hospital the night before so she assumed that he would be sleeping for at least a while longer. Looking over at Nathan regretfully she slid out of the bed quietly not wanting to disturb him. It would have been nice to wake up together but there was plenty of time for that to happen and with any luck it would tomorrow.

She walked to the bathroom turning on the faucets of the shower waiting for the water to reach the required temperature. The cool air of the bathroom sent a chill over her bare skin and for a moment she considered going to get her robe but then decided it wouldn't be worth it. She would be under the warm spray of the shower soon enough. She washed quickly not wanting to get her hair wet knowing that she would not have time to dry it before Cory awoke. Feeling her sore muscles start to relax under the pressure of the warm water she let out a small moan. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt like that, nothing she ever did in the gym could ever compare to the workout that Nathan could give her. The temptation to remain there allowing the water to rush over her aching muscles was strong but somehow she fought it turning off the faucets and stepping out of the shower. She towelled off quickly and stood in front of the mirror completely naked pulling the brush through her hair.

Nathan had heard the sound of the shower running across the hall and had fought the urge to go and join her. Last night had been the culmination of a lot of pent up frustrations on his part and he was satisfied in the knowledge that it was exactly what he had been waiting for between them. The moment where they had finally come together had been everything that he had been hoping for and he knew that it was something special. They had finally gone to a new level sexually and he could not be happier. He finally had her back where he wanted her.

Standing up from the bed he padded across the hall softly pausing outside the bathroom door. He could see her through the partially open door naked and brushing her hair. He felt a rush of blood to his groin, pushing the door the rest of the way open he went to stand behind her seeing her stunned surprise reflected back at him in the mirror. The sight in front of him was making him harder by the second; he moved his hands up to roughly grab her breasts. All the time he watched her in the mirror his eyes glued to her as she stared back at him. She moaned lightly as she felt his erection pressing into her back. His hands continued to knead roughly at the plump flesh of her breasts, before he slid a hand down to pull her forcefully back even harder against him. She moaned again, as his thumb scraped over the bud of her nipple, her breasts so much more sensitive than normal with her pregnancy. Suddenly he whirled her around to face him, his fingers digging into her hips as he lifted her onto the bench behind her. He entered her then with no further warning watching as her face contorted at the feel of him inside of her. He thrust himself into her as deeply as possible before pulling her off the bench and carrying her to the shower still buried deep inside of her. He pressed her up against the cold tiles holding her in place with his hips as he fumbled around for the handles sending warm water cascading over their bodies. Her legs were wrapped around him as he pounded into her harder and harder with every thrust of his body. He could feel his orgasm building deep inside of him and yearned for release, his hips bucked with the strain as he tried to contain it just a few moments more. If he could just last a few more moments he was sure that she would be right there with him and so he held it, gritting his teeth with the strain.

He felt the movements of her body and knew that she was building towards a climax of her own after so many times together he knew her body almost as well as his own. He withdrew almost all the way out before thrusting into her one last time as hard as he could he heard her scream his name as they both found their release and he exploded inside her.

He allowed her to slide back down his body listening to the sound of her gasping for breath. He pulled back from her when he was sure she had once again regained the use of her legs. He smirked at her briefly "Cory's awake," he said before walking out and back across the hall.

God she thought how does he do this to me? Its like he touches me and everything else ceases to exist, even Cory. He turns my brain to mush with the slightest little smirk and once his hands are on me I just can't think at all at least not with my head. She smiled slightly as she admitted to herself that all her thinking was overwhelmed by pure lust. She heard him exit the bedroom minutes later fully dressed and on his way to Cory's room. She rested back against the wall, her legs like jelly before forcing herself up and across the room to where her towel was. Picking it up she wrapped herself in it and set to work drying her hair. The monotonous movement helped her to calm her racing mind and slowly she regained enough control that she felt that she could go downstairs and somehow ignore her urge to rape him in the pantry.

Twenty minutes later she made her way down to the kitchen pausing in the doorway as she saw the three Scott males all going about the business of breakfast. Lucas sat in his wheelchair at the table flicking through the newspaper, Nathan held Cory in one arm as he prepared his bottle chatting to the infant in his arms as he did.

"So you must be hungry hey little man? We need to get some of this milk into you; you got a lot of growing to do if you're going to end up playing basketball like your daddy. But you remember if you want to be the star you just come see me, I'll make sure you have what it takes. Can't rely on your daddy for that, he can't teach you what he doesn't know after all."

Lucas grunted from the table before turning to look at the two of them. "Quit corrupting my son, besides you may be able to teach him stuff about basketball but on everything else I got you beat."

"Oh is that so?" Nathan said laughing clearly enjoying the banter with his brother.

Haley smiled for the first time in so long she truly felt like things were how they should be. Watching Nathan with Cory she could easily imagine this same scenario playing out with their child in just a few months time. Of course with any luck there would be no Lucas there with them then, he would be fully recovered and home with his own family. She wanted this not only for herself but also for them, for Brooke especially. She had always been completely supportive of Haley's relationship with Nathan and now that things finally were once again headed in the right direction she just wanted to do everything she could for Brooke and her little family.

Nathan passed Cory to Lucas along with the bottle and moved back towards the fridge to make his own breakfast. Haley could no longer hold herself back from being with him and walked with quiet excitement bubbling inside of her. Standing beside him she slid her arms around his waist inhaling the scent of his cologne unable to banish the gigantic smile from her face.

He looked down at her before moving away from her embrace, she was slightly surprised but quickly covered it. Placing a hand on his shoulder she stood on tiptoes and purred into his ear "Last night was wonderful but then so was this morning." She said with a slight giggle in her voice. "I can't wait to get you alone again." She told him allowing her tongue to graze his earlobe. She saw his jaw tighten in response and knew her words had had the desired result.

"Haley quit it," he said in a harsh whisper. "I don't know what you think happened between us last night but as far as I'm concerned it was just the culmination of everything that had been brewing with us for the last few weeks. We did it and its over; you were nothing but a release."

Haley sucked in a breath unable to believe the words that were coming from his mouth surely he didn't mean it. Last night they had finally reconnected and she truly believed that it had meant a new start between them. She hadn't expected everything to just fall into place but she had definitely thought that they were at least on the right path to being together properly just like they used to be. Except this time it would have been even better, this time they were older they had life experience, they had been through the tough times and found their way back but the way he was looking at her now all of her hopes flew out the window.

"Nathan," she started to say but he cut her off before she could go any further.

"Look Haley I told you what last night was now if you want that then that's fine hell we can go again right now but don't fool yourself into thinking that this was something more than it was."

Unbeknownst to the two of them Lucas stiffened as he heard their words. Nathan had deliberately kept his voice low not wanting his brother to hear. He knew what Lucas was like especially since he had married Brooke, he was just another one of those pansy ass guys who believed in the power of love, who thought love could overcome all obstacles. But he knew better he knew that there was no such thing as love, he and Haley had fought against so many obstacles and for what. Here he was no better off for all of his efforts.

At that moment hearing the way Nathan had spoken to her Lucas wanted nothing more than to stand up from that chair and deck his brother, knock him to the ground and hopefully in the process knock some sense into that thick head of his. For months he had been a wreck after Haley had left him the first time and then when she had left him again just a few months ago Lucas had seriously feared for him and now here she was back and ready to be with him and he was throwing their chance away. What the hell was wrong with him?

He sneaked a look over his shoulder at the two of them and grimaced. Haley was obviously fighting back tears as Nathan continued with making his breakfast as if nothing had happened. She glanced back at Nathan obviously looking for some sort of sign that maybe she had imagined what had just happened or maybe he hadn't meant those words but he ignored her. Choking back a sob she rushed past the table where Lucas sat and ran out of the room.

Nathan barely even glanced up as she left the room. Closing the flaps on the box of Wheaties he paused for a moment as he realised that Haley must have gone out and bought it for him. She obviously remembered that this had always been his favourite, for a minute he wondered if perhaps he was being unfair to her. But he couldn't allow himself to think that way. There was nothing between them anymore she was simply a body last night and he was not going to let himself think anything more about her. As long as he reminded himself that she was just a body then everything would be fine.

He picked up his bowl and went to the table where Lucas sat with Cory. Sitting down he looked at his brother "So Luke what's the plan for today? I mean I know you're going to want to go to the hospital but what else is happening?"

"Stop right there," Lucas said to him. Nathan looked at him in surprise. "You don't really think I'm going to just sit back and act like you're not being a grade A jackass. Where the hell do you get off treating her like that?"

"Whoa man why don't you just chill out? What the hell do you care about how I treat her? You hardly even know her."

"Maybe Haley and I didn't exactly hang together in High School but I do know that she is one of Brooke's closest friends and that is not something too many people can lay claim too."

Nathan started to speak but Lucas continued over the top of him. "And you want to know what else I know. I know that Haley is one of the best things that ever happened to you. I've seen what you're like without her and man I don't want to have to put up with you like that again. You're a complete asshole when you're not with her."

"Luke why don't you just shut the fuck up? You don't know what the hell you're talking about alright. So why don't you just cut the bullshit. I don't need it and I sure as hell don't want it."

Neither of them heard the door opening both of them far too caught up in their own emotions. She walked across the room stopping in front of the table each of them too busy glaring at each other to even acknowledge her. She cleared her throat loudly but they continued to ignore her finally she had had enough and slammed her hand down on the table. They both turned their glares in her direction.

"What the hell do you want Mom?" Lucas said harshly.

"Well I was hoping to spend some time with my grandson, but perhaps first you can explain to me why the two of you look as if you're about to kill each other?"

"It's nothing," Nathan said harshly.

"Oh well that's just great," Lucas responded "now the future mother of your child is nothing. Hell I don't know which is worse referring to her as just a body or saying that she's nothing."

"Ahhh," Karen said "I should have known. This is about Haley. I don't know what it is about her that gets all you Scott men wrapped around her little finger. God even Dan won't hear a bad word against her. Well like I said I'm here to spend time with Cory so why don't you two figure this all out between the two of you and leave my grandson out of it."

Taking Cory from Lucas she walked out of the room cooing to the baby in her arms as Nathan and Lucas continued to glare at each other. Haley stood at the top of the stairs listening to everything that had been said. She didn't know how things had gone so wrong since she had woken up that morning but she could only hope that things could only get better from here.