Hey guys! I'm back and I'm feeling a lot better.Although I'm still sick. But I think it's one of those sicknesses that take a while to get rid of. You know? Ok well anyways... Chapter 40 anyone:)

General POV

Nathan opened his eyes and found Z's arms draped around his waist. He smiled to himself looking down at her. She looked so beautiful adn peacful when she was sleeping.He realized that he had fallen asleep. He lay Z's head on the pillow and kissed her forehead lightly. He walked out of her room and closed the door. He looked out the window and saw that it was already pitch black. He checked his watch... 11:30. He walked down the hall and heard crying coming from Brooke's room. He stopped and listened for a second. Nope, it wasn't his imagination. It was Brooke and she was crying. He tapped lightly on her door and opened it.

"Brooke? Are you ok?" He asked peaking her head through. He saw that her eyes were bright red and puffy from crying. "Hey... what's wrong?" He asked coming in and closing the door.

"Why do you care?" She asked wiping her tears away.She didn'tmean for it to coem out as clold as it didbut she wasreally upset."Mercedes is in the other room. Not here."

"What are you talking about?" He asked sitting down next to her. "Are you still mad about earlier?"

"Maybe." She pulled her hair out of her face. "God!" She got up and pacing the room. "Why does everything have to be so damn hard!" She said crying harder.

"Brooke..." Nathan whispered getting up and holding her in place. "...tell me what's wrong."

"You wanna know what's wrong?" She said crying. He shook his head. "It's hard that I don't have anyone."

"What are you talking about?" Nathan said confused.

"I don't have what you and Z have. I don't even have what Lucas and Peyton have, and their not even dating anymore! It hurts that I have no one to love me."

"What bout Q?"

"What about him? He's not here. He obviously cares more about his job than he does about me."

"That's not true Brooke. I'm sure it's not."

"Whatever Nathan. You don't know what this feels like."

"Actually I think I do. I know how you feel Brooke. I felt that way when Haley left."

"What am I gonna do Nathan? Can I just keep setting myself up for another letdown? Every time I think that things are going to be ok that all end up going down the drain."

"Don't be so hard on yourself Brooke."

"Maybe I just don't deserve to have anyone."

"Yes, you do... Ok... you have someone... Q loves you. You've said it a billion times, and you obviously love him... just... don't give up."

He kissed her cheek and walked out of her room. As he did Mercedes walked out of her bedroom and walked over to him.

"There you are." She said hugging him. "I thought you left me."

"Never." He said kissing her. "I just didn't wanna wake you."

"Umm... well let's go back to bed." She said pulling him into her room.

"Are you sure that this is ok?" He asked as she lay down.

"Why wouldn't it be? Unless you don't wanna be here." She said sadly.

"No, that's not it. Just... hold on a second."

"Ok." She said sitting up.

Nathan pulled his cell out of his pocket and waited for his mom to answer, and she did.

"Nathan. Oh thank God. I didn't know where you were. I tried calling your cell a few times and you never answered. Where are you? Are you ok?"

"I'm fine mom. I'm sorry that I didn't answer my phone but... I was watching a movie with Mercedes and we feel asleep."

"As long as your alright."

"Listen mom I'm gonna stay the night here alright?"

"Nathan... staying the night with your girlfriend. I don't think so."

"It's not like that, trust me ok? I'll be home tomorrow morning. Goodnight mom."

"You better be here tomorrow Nate."

"I will be. I promise."

"Alright, goodnight."

"Night."

He hung up and placed his phone on her computer desk. While he did Mercedes got up from her bed and walked over to her dresser. She pulled out some pj's and proceeded to take her shirt off.

"Go, ahead. Make yourself comfortable." She said slipping a spaghetti strap shirt on over herblack lacebra.

"By doing what exactly." Nathan said swallowing the lump in his throat.

"Whatever you need to do babe." She said heading to the door with her pajama pants in hand. "I'll be right back." She whispered leaving the room.

He stood still watching her leave and took a deep breath. He took his shirt off and climbed into bed. She walked back in with the pj bottoms on and smiled at him as she walked over to him and pulled the covers over herself.

"You're gonna kill me one of these day's. You know that right?" Nathan said running his fingers through her hair.

"What do you mean?" She said cuddling up to him and resting her head on his chest.

"Taking your shirt off right in front of me?"

"What? Don't tell me it didn't turn you on just a little." She said playfully.

"That's the thing... it did, and it doesn't help that you even look hot when your wearing pajamas."

She looked up at him and looked him in the eyes. He could tell that whatever she was gonna say next she was gonna be incredibly serious.

"Nathan... I'm sorry." She saidsitting up a little and looking him straight in the eyes. "It's just that... I've only been with two guys and... it was really bad... plus sex is still a really big deal to me."

"Hey.. I understand." He answered soothingly. "I'm not gonna make you do anything that your not ready for."

She smiled and lay back down. He kissed her head and pulled her closer to him.

All of a sudden Nathan laughed and she looked at up him confused.

"What?" She asked

"Nothing. I was just laughing at what you said."

"What did I say that was so funny?"

"It was really bad. What did you mean by that? They were really bad?"

"No." She said with a small smile. But then it faded. "The situation was really bad." She answered.

He could hear a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Why?"

"Everything with Jorge was fine. He actually did love me. I was just really, really young."

"And...I'm guessing that Michael was the other guy."

"Yeah. The thing about the relationship that I had with Michael... we slept together even before we started dating. It's the reason we started dating. Michael never loved me for who I was. He loved me for what I did to him."

"How long were you with him?"

"6 months. After Jorge and I broke up and I started going to a new school... few months later I'm dating Michael."

"And then you broke up because he cheated on you with..."

"Jennifer. Yeah."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm not. Because if that wouldn't have happened then I would still be with that jerk. And... I wouldn't have you."

"Good point." He said smiling.

"Oh shit!"She said getting up quickly.

"What?" He asked sitting up and watching her head to her laptop.

"I forgot about sending Alex the measurements.. I'll just send her an email to tell her I'll send them later."

"Ok."

She waited for her computer to boost and typed up a quick note. She clicked the send button and shut it off. She got up and crawled back into bed with Nathan.

"I love you." He whispered into her hair as he hugged her closer to his body.

She looked up at him and smiled sweetly. "I love you too." She said caressing his cheek.

He kissed her and she kissed him back. After they pulled away from each other she rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes. He did too and they soon fell asleep in each others arms.

Mercedes POV

I opened my eyes the next morning to see Nathan looking down at me smiling. God, I love his smile. I smiled back and looked him in the eyes.

"God your beautiful." He said almost in a whisper caressing my cheek

"Nathan..."

I was suddenly cut off by his lips on mine. It was the sweetest kiss in my life. He pulled away and I opened my eyes.

"Wow." was the only thing that I could say.

He chuckled lightly and got up.

"I should go." He said pulling hisshirtback on.

"Do you have too?" I asked sadly.

He turned back to me and kissed me lightly.

"Yeah, I promised my mom I would be home this morning."

"Fine." I answered pulling him back on the bed with me. " but first..." I pulled him under me and pinned his hands over his head and kissed his neck.

He let out a small groan and I pulled my lips on his. I let go of his hands and he pulled me down on him harder. If it wasn't for the fact that we both needed air we would have stayed that way forever. We pulled away from each other breathing heavily and he got up.

"I really have to go." He said adjusting his shirt. "I wish I could stay but-"

"It's ok." I said getting up. "I'll see you at school."

"Ok." He said walking up to me and kissing me one last time before he had to leave.

He pulled away and I watched him leave the room. After he was gone I got up and walked into the bathroom to get ready for school.

Nathan POV

I opened the door to my house and heard my mom on the phone in the kitchen. I walked in and she saw me and smiled.

"Nathan just got home hold on..." She said signaling me to come over to her. "It's your uncle Copper." She whispered as she covered the mouthpiece with her hand.

I took the phone from her and answered. "Hey Coop."

"Where have you been kid? Your mom tells me you just got home."

"I was at my girlfriends house." I answered smiling.

"And you just got home! What the hell were you doing nephew !"He said laughing.

"It's not like that." I said chuckling

"Sure it's not. Well... I'll be talking to you soon. Let me talk to your mom."

"Alright, bye."

"Bye."

I handed her back the phone and headed to the fridge for a water bottle. After I got it I sat down on a stool next to the island. She wrapped up her conversation and hung up.

"I made you breakfast." She said putting some pancakes on a plate.

"Thanks but... I'm gonna be late for school if I don't get going." I said getting up.

"Since when are you so excited to go to school?" Sheasked surprised.

"Mom..."

"Aright go."

"By the way... where's dad?" I said stopping myself from leaving.

"He left early." She answered looking away.

I could tell something was wrong but I didn't want to push her.

"Ok." I said walking out of the kitchen and walking up the stairs.

That's it peeps! Did ya like it? Hope so! Leave me a review and let me know. I have the next few chapters ready to post so... as soon as I get some reviews I'll post them up. Yea! Thanks to...OTH-Mrs. Broody... I'm glad that you liked this chapter...Newyorkchicka... The answer to your question will come soon, and I'm glad that you liked it...jeytonlover... thanks for caring about my health. Your sweet. And things will happen with Jake and Peyton... soon. Thanks again guys! Later!