I'm so sorry it took so long to update but school work is really cutting into my writing time. Well anyways... Here's chapter 17!

Nathan POV

"I'll drive" She said looking up at me.

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

"Ok."

I walked over to her side of the car and opened the door for her. She got in and I walked back to the passengers side. She started the car and took one last deep breath before driving off. She began driving towards the airport and then she made a turn that I didn't recognize.

"Where are we going?" I asked

"To the airport." She said without looking at me

"The airports that way." I said pointing out the window.

"We're going to a private airport. What did you think I was taking a commercial airplane?"

"You do live an extravagant life."

"Yeah, I guess."

I looked at her and saw a hint of sadness in her eyes. And I knew it had something to do other than her visit to her mother.

"You sound a little disappointed."

"It came out the wrong way. I didn't mean to sound cocky about it. It's just... I don't want you to think that I'm stuck up. I work really hard for what I have and yeah sometimes I go on about something even if I don't have a clue about what's going on..."

I loved her this way. She looked so adorable and innocent as she defended herself even if she didn't have to.

"Why would I think you were stuck up?" I asked cutting her off.

"I don''t know... I thought that maybe you..."

"Mercedes I don't think you're stuck up. Granted I don't know everything about you but what I do know is that you've had a hard life and you deserve everything you have."

She looked away from the road and gave me her million dollar smile. She turned away and concentrated on driving. When we arrived on the landing strip we got out of the car and headed over to the group who were waiting next to Ciaras car. Mercedes handed the keys to Jorge and then walked over to Q.

"Where the hell have you been?" He asked annoyed.

"Away." She answered putting her hands on his shoulders. "Are you guys ready to go?" She said looking at Peyton and Lucas.

They shook their heads and she walked over to the flight attendant and talked to her for a second before walking back to us.

"They said that everything's ready. Let's go."

We all said goodbye to Ciara and Jorge and boarded the plane. It was awesome, I settled on a big chair on the side of the plane next to the booth and table where Mercedes had put her things down and began to draw. Peyton and Lucas were on the couch on the opposite side of us and Brooke and Q were in the bedroom that was in the back of the plane. As she drew I looked at her. Studying every curve of her face. All the subtle features that were Mercedes Davis. I loved everything about her. Wait... love? Was I falling in love with her?

Mercedes POV

I looked up from my drawing and found Nathan asleep in the chair. He was so cute. I looked over at Peyton and Lucas who had been asleep for quite some time now. Before I could get up and walk over to Q's room Brooke walked out.

"Hey." She said sitting down in the booth next to me.

"Hey." I smiled putting my drawing down.

"How are you feeling?"

"A lot better."

"Good. That makes me very happy." She said yawning.

"Brooke you look tired."

"That's cause I'm exhausted."

"You should get some rest. I'll go take care of Q." I said getting up.

"Ok, thanks." She said resting her head on the pillow.

I walked into his room and closed the door behind me. I sat in the chair next to his bed and picked up the magazine Brooke had been looking at. About 15 minutes passed and he woke up and turned his head to face me.

"Hey." He said smiling

"Hey." I said putting the magazine down.

"Where's Brooke?"

"She's outside taking a nap. I'll go get her." I answered picking myself up from the chair.

"Actually..." I turned to look at him. " You wanna just chill here for a while? I wanna talk to you."

"Ok." I said sitting back down. "What do you wanna talk about?"

"Where were you earlier Mercedes?" He asked seriously.

"I don't wanna talk about that." I answered looking away from him.

I didn't want to talk to Q about Nathan taking me to see my mom. It was enough for me to handle on it's own and if I told him he would be asking me a lot of questions that I knew I wouldn't be able to answer.

"Mercedes look at me." I turned to face him and saw concern and worry in his eyes. "I just want to know what's going on with you. Please don't keep me out of the loop little sister. I don't know anything about that boy and I don't want him to hurt you like Michael did."

His eyes were pleading me to tell him.

"Nathan isn't like Michael Q. He cares about me. He took me to see mom."

"He... How did he?..." He looked at me confused. "He took you to see your mom?"

"Yeah."

"But... How did he?... I've been trying to get you to go see her and every time I even mention it you pushed me away. How come you'll go with him but you won't go with me?"

"I don't know Q. Really, I'm not sure why either. Nathan made me feel like I could face it all head on, and if I broke down he would be there to pick up the pieces. He made me feel like it was all going to be ok, and I could finally let her go."

"You're really into this boy aren't you?"

"He's a great guy Q. I hope you give him a chance to show that to you."

"Any guy that makes my sister happy is alright with me."

"Thank you." I said getting up and hugging him. "I'll go get Brooke. By the way... How are you two doing?" I said standing by the bed.

"I don't know how to describe it Z. She just... I love her." He answered smiling.

I loved to see my brother happy. The twinkle in his eyes when he talked about Brooke. It gave me hope that maybe love did exist.

"Good" I said walking to the door. I walked out and over to Brooke who was sitting in the booth eating some grapes.

"He's awake, which is more than I can say out here." I said as I looked around and realizing that everyone was still sleeping.

"Ok, I'll go back in with him." She said getting up and grabbing a bunch of grapes taking them with her as she walked into his room and closed the door.

I sat back down and began to draw again. Some time passed and it was finally time to land. I woke everyone up and we prepared for landing.

What do you think? Like it? I really hope you do! Please leave me a review and I'll make it up to you in the next chapter. I promise to do my best and update as soon as possible! The more reviews I get the faster I update! I wanted to thank Newyorkchicka& OTH-Lucus'gurlfor reviewing the last chapter. Thanks so much you guys are da bomb!