Authors' Note: Hey! Thank you all for the awesome reviews – they mean so much!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own One Tree Hill. – I know I forgot to put this on some of my previous chapters so from now on this applies to the whole story because I cannot be bothered to remember – call me lazy but hey – I'm updating!

7. Lost Soul

He sat there, right in the middle of the court, eyes closed, thinking. A basketball dribbled to the end of the court as he sat there, thinking.

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As Whitey passed through his office, heading out, he saw the lone figure sitting the centre of the court. He shook his head and watched the person sit somewhat contently – what he didn't know was that this 'contented person' was a troubled soul. A confused, frustrated soul. He was a Lost Soul.

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Inside his head swam thoughts. Swimming in all directions. As he put his head in his hands, he thought of her. Her smell, her touch – no! He forced the thought from his mind. He had promised himself that he would banish all thoughts of her from his brain tonight.

And so his train of thought moved, towards to his… Who was he? Was he his brother? Was he his enemy? Was he just the guy from the wrong side of the tracks? Who knew? All he himself knew was that he resented Lucas. He resented Lucas. Most people mistook his resentment for hate. But it wasn't – that was reserved for his despicable man for a father. He tried not to hurt Lucas – he really did – but he just couldn't help himself. It was his natural reaction. He resented Lucas. He resented his for having the life he himself couldn't. And he resented Lucas for not appreciating how lucky he really was. Lucas despised him. It was a known fact. Lucas resented his only brother for everything he himself was denied. But what about having real parents to love and care for him? Lucas may have had only parent but at least she cared for him and gave him the love he yearned for. Instead, he had grown up with a house full of his parents screaming and shouting. His father built up the pressure on him constantly and his mother was too drunk to care. And so he shut himself off from their world. He refused to be vulnerable again; he refused to be broken again – which led him to be Nathan Scott Basketball Star, void of emotion. But all he really was, was a Lost Soul in need of saving.

And that's when Haley James entered the picture. His saving angel, his first true love, his savior. He felt like he was floating with he clouds away from everything when he was with her. He couldn't help the wide grin that spread across his face when he saw her and the electric flow of waves wouldn't cease whenever she touched him. And that was when he felt happiest. He had someone to talk to, someone who would care and love him. He enjoyed having a normal relationship, with surreal feelings. His mouth couldn't from words to express the feelings he felt towards Haley – it was a life altering time for him – and he would never forget it. If only he could take back his actions – and hers. He was retreating back into his former self. He couldn't let himself do that though. But why? Who would he live for now that Haley had left him? I didn't matter why she had left to him – she still left, just like everyone else in his life. He couldn't face her without trembling and yet he wouldn't let himself ask her why she left him. He couldn't. He couldn't handle knowing, it would just break him. Knowing she left him was hard enough for him to bear.

Slowly getting up, from his sitting position, Nathan Scott looked around him. He saw a basketball hoop on either end of him. He laughed, throwing back his head ever so slightly, his entire life revolved around basketball, he loved the sport and yet it was the cause of most his troubles. In front of him were the bleachers and he could see Haley, with her glowing face smiling at him, making his heart soar. And then he spun around on his heels to face the opposing bleachers to come face to face with none other than Dan Scott. This wasn't – unfortunately- a figment of his imagination, but the real Dan Scott, his father.

"What are you doing just standing here? You know you need to work out more – get into that gym NOW!" Nathan's father barked at him.

"No." Nathan replied. Dan was at a loss for words, his son had refused him many times but there was always emotion evident on his face. Now, however, there was no emotion in his voice, there wasn't hurt, there wasn't anger – there was nothing. Nathan ocean blue eyes were hollow as he walked past his father without anymore words.

Whitey, who had seen this, shook his head laughing – again – and walked off clapping to himself.

Nathan had walked off calmly and had continued to do so until he reached the docks. He took a deep breath, and stood beside their table.

"Hales….. Where are you Hales? I need you." He whispered, letting out the breath he had been holding. Mist was sweeping gently over the water in the cool night. The moon was half covered by clouds, causing the water to be glittering ever so slightly. Nathan brushed his hand through his hair when a soft hand caught his other wrist. He turned around to see that same angel he was thinking about earlier. She looked more beautiful than ever in the moonlight and he just wanted to pick her up right there and scorch her lips with his own. But he didn't. His eyes were still hollow, his wrist was still cool, despite the warmth of her hand and his lip quivered as he tried to form words.

"Shhh." She put a finger to his lips making both their hearts tingle, getting both of their stomachs in a twist. Haley's eyes glistened in the night, but she refused to let a single tear fall. Seeing her eyes shine with tears made Nathan feel even more guilty than he knew he was capable of.

"I came here to apologize." Seeing Nathan about to reply to her comment, she asked him to let her explain first. "I should have trusted you. I shouldn't have lied to you. I shouldn't have……" Haley began to stutter as Nathan's heart pounded with anticipation and worry. He sat on the edge of the bench and pulled her onto his lap. His arms encircled her waist as hers looped around his neck, her fingers fiddling with the hair at the nape of his neck. She rested her head gently on his shoulder. There was a peaceful silence as both hearts leapt at the prospect that there was still hope for the two.

"The night before you and I broke up, you had a basketball game right?" She began.

"I remember." He replied waiting for her to continue.

"When you were changing, your father came to see me." She paused, taking a deep breath. Nathan closed his eyes, waiting to see what his dad had done to ruin his life now.

"He told me to break it off with you…. Or….or……or… or he would hurt you. He said that if I told you, he'd hurt you and Lucas and I … I couldn't take it and then I got so scared Nathan, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to, I completely understand your reaction, you were just doing what you've always done. It was your impulse, I get that, I just hope you could find it in your heart to forgive me. Please Nathan. Please. Nathan." Haley rambled, finally breaking down into the fit of sobs she had been choking down the entire time.

"Shhh. Hales. Shhh. Everything's fine. You don't need to be forgiven; none of this is your fault." He soothed, stroking her hair softly. "Nothing's your fault. I should have known that you'd get hurt by me or my even more twisted family. Maybe you should just stay away from me. I haven't done right by you and even if you could get past what I did, my family would mess it up again. You should just stay away from me. God knows I've made you cry enough tears. But I promise you this Haley James; I will spend my entire life trying to make myself into a better man. A man who someday, will hopefully be good enough to be seen with you." Nathan proclaimed.

"Oh Nathan! Don't you see that I'd cry a million tears for you? Don't you see that I'd do anything to have you? I may have just risked both your brother's and your life just to have you in mine, and yet I feel elated – because I could have you in my life again. I love you Nathan, nothing you do or anyone else does will change that. You are my life and without you, I would die." Haley gushed.

After both proclamations of eternal love had been said, Nathan fulfilled his desire of picking his Saving Angel up, spinning her around, as she giggled tearfully and placed an appropriately hot, passionate kiss onto her soft lips.

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The next morning, Haley awoke to the sounds of the waves crashing on the sand with the sunlight streaming in nicely. Her eyes fluttered open, to find them gazing deep into two sparkling blue orbs.

"Morning Beautiful!" He said, stifling a yawn. Nathan had his elbow propped up, providing his hand as a head rest with Haley lying next to him. She fingered his bare chest slowly drawing the number twenty three over and over as he spoke to her.

"So, I figured you had fun last night!" Nathan questioned playfully, referring to their night of passionate love making. Haley giggled, as her eyes lit up.

"Nathan!" She scolded equally playfully. Suddenly remembering where she was, she asked Nathan,

"Won't your parents hear us?" Nathan's twinkling cerulean eyes, glazed over.

"We're at the beach house; I spend most of my time here. No – one seems to care anyways." Haley slowly stroked his arm,

"I'm sorry Nathan. I didn't mean to bring up this sensitive subject now. Do you feel like talking about it?" She probed softly.

"No, it's fine really." His eyes had that familiar shine of joy back in them. "I have a better idea." He said mischievously. Without another word, Nathan picked Haley up, threw her over his shoulders and carried her to the bathroom. You could hear Haley's shriek from miles as he dumped her in the cold water, following suit.

This was the beginning of the truest, purest love alive. A love that would carry them through thick and thin – no matter what.

Authors' Note 2: Spoilers:

Brucas – that's all I'm willing to say.

Naley fluff

A reunion of sorts

R&R!