Author's Note: Okay, so I apologize SO much for the delay in updating this story. I was totally at a road block ask to how I wanted to write this chapter. And then I got busy with the holidays, but here's a short update. Sorry it's not longer, but don't worry, I already have part of the next chapter written, and it should be updated within the week! And as always, thanks for the great reviews and words of encouragement!

What Happens Next

Chapter 8

It had been three days since the separate departures of Nathan and Haley Scott from the town of Tree Hill, and no one had heard from either of them. Their five friends had unsuccessfully tried attending school on Monday, but had spent the last two days caring for Natalie and trying to pretend they weren't worried and scared.

Their virtual silence was broken Thursday afternoon when Brooke's phone rang. She looked around before slowly flipping the phone open, "Hello."

"How's my baby Brooke?"

"She misses her mommy."

"But Nathan's taking good care of her, right?"

"Actually, he's gone Haley. I tried to stop him."

"Where is he Brooke?" Haley asked, looking nervously out the window.

"We don't know. He won't return our calls."

"If you talk to him, would you give him a message?" Haley didn't wait for Brooke to respond, "Tell him to forget about me, to move on. I'm going somewhere he'll never find me. But he can still come get Natalie's stuff if he wants. I talked to my landlord and she'll let him in. Rent's paid up through the end of the month. Then the stuff will be donated. Let me give you the address."

Brooke scribbled it down and handed it to Lucas, "Haley, please, think about what you're doing."

"I have Brooke, and I'm not changing my mind. Goodbye."

Brooke looked dejectedly at her phone before throwing it across the room, "Damn it!"

Lucas watched Brooke as he listened to Nathan's voice recording, then the beeps, "Damn it Nathan! I hope like hell you're checking your messages. We've got an address for Haley." He read him the address and then continued, "You'd better hurry. I don't think she'll be there much longer. Call me, please."

Nathan listened carefully to Lucas' message, memorizing the address. He pulled out the Vermont map he'd bought two days prior. He'd been traveling from town to town searching for her. Now, looking at the map he saw he was finally close; she was in the next town over. Throwing the map aside he pulled back out onto the highway, off to find his one and only love.

Haley looked carefully around her, soaking in her surroundings one last time. She'd decided to take nothing with her but a few clothes. If she truly meant to leave this life behind, pictures and mementos would only make it harder. Her fingers lingered first on a photo of her and Nathan laughing at their wedding reception, then on one of Natalie taken at four months old. She knew she would miss them both immensely, but in time it would hopefully get easier.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a pounding on the door. She ignored it. Her neighbor was a local whore and her drunken visitors always seemed to get the wrong place. The pounding persisted, "Haley Scott! Open this door! I know you're in there. Your car's still here."

She felt her heart jump into her throat, "Nathan," she whispered.

"I'm not going away Haley, so you might as well let me in."

Haley sighed and waited a moment longer. Slowly she opened the door to expose a very exhausted Nathan. "I have only three things to say to you Nathan, so I'll say them and you can leave. It'll never work, it's over, goodbye." Trying to shut the door on him, he stepped through the doorway remaining silent.

Nathan took one more step towards her, leaned in, put a hand on her waist, the other on the back of her head and pulled her in for a kiss.

The pair slowly stepped further into the room and Haley kicked the front door shut, lost in the moment.

Nathan's lips lingered for a moment longer on hers before slowly trailing their way down her neck.

All thoughts but one escaped Haley, how much she wanted him. Their sex life was one area where they didn't have problems. She would never deny her attraction to the man she married. And she would ALWAYS love him.

Nathan let out a low moan as he felt Haley touch the bare skin she'd exposed by removing his shirt. Doing the same to her, he was surprised when she pulled away.

Grinning at Nathan, Haley slipped a finger through a belt loop on his jeans before kissing him briefly and leading him to her bedroom.