9. Heaven before sunrise

Four days it has been since Nathan's heart fell at grieve, four days since he took the leap and made a complete fool of himself, four days since he let his feelings expose openly for the first time ever without knowing where it leads him, four days he has been suffering from the consequences and he doesn't have a clue where it will leave him at the end, four days since Haley disappeared on him and everyone else for the matter, four days and counting…

He keeps telling himself time is what she needs, but he can't be that brave, he can't ever be sure of it, he knows what he tells himself is just him being optimistic and that the reality could slap him on the face any moment, so he has come to the solution to balance it, never let himself to his thoughts, they would either be too hopeful or too shattering, either way it's going to end up hurting him the most.

So, he tries to keep himself occupied, whenever his thoughts wander back, he finds himself something, anything to do.

So when he saw Lucas standing by a table leaning over some piece of paper, after fixing the last problem they had at the kitchen, he went straight towards him, "What's that you got?" He asked and Lucas handed over the paper to him, Nathan immediately recognized the neat handwriting bringing a smile to his face.

"I just got it." Lucas explained why it's just showing up now, "It's for you too; that's what she wrote on the envelope anyway." He chuckled as Nathan carefully ran his eyes over Karen's words telling them about her healing and having a good time and how she's proud of them running the place together and said that she has got a piece of newspaper talking about their success which she's going to show them when she's back some day.

"She sounds happy."

Lucas nodded, "She does." He agreed, "Which is the whole point I guess."

Nathan nodded, "I miss her though."

"God, me too. Everything was just…"

"Easier?" Nathan suggested as they both chuckled.

Lucas pouted his lower lip and shrugged his left shoulder, "I suppose yeah, she was doing everything; we had no responsibilities."

"You're a grown up now, Luke." Nathan patted his back.

"You're too."

"True, but you're older than me."

"You always do that." Lucas narrowed his eyes at him, "You decide if I'm older or we're the same age according to your own favor."

"As if you don't do it." Nathan snorted.

"Alright, alright, so, I'm the older brother, right?"

Nathan thought about it for a second and nodded, "For now, yeah!"

"Okay, as your older and wiser brother, I'm telling you, you should talk to Haley."

Nathan gritted his teeth, "We're the same age, you don't know better than I do." He said sorrowfully.

"There it is. But, no, in fact I do, Nate."

"Luke," he complained, "I came talking to you to take my mind off of that."

"Well, you can't run from it forever."

He gave a sarcastic chuckle, "Look who's talking!"

Lucas rolled his eyes, "Don't… mix things up. I'm serious, Nate. You can't go around looking like a ghost forever."

"I don't look like a ghost."

"Yes you do." Lucas insisted and then sighed, "You can't just ignore the fact that you told her you have feelings for her, Nate, if you really do then act upon it, brother."

"I… I'm terrified." He admitted, "I feel like I want to disappear; I never felt so embarrassed, Lucas." He said looking down and Lucas said nothing waiting for him to get it all out, "I can't believe I said it like that without even making sure she feels the same, without thinking at all."

"There's nothing wrong with what you did." Lucas shook his head reassuringly, Nathan looked up at him ready to fight but Lucas looking dead serious stopped him, "In fact, you were brave, you felt something and you faced it, so don't back up now that the hard part is over." He encouraged.

Nathan shook his head, "What are you talking about? This is the hard part, I don't even know if she feels anything for me, she could be hiding away out of disgust, Lucas."

"She's not!" He disagreed, "Don't you get it? Haley never had a stable life, she's most likely trying to protect herself, and you hiding away too will just tell her she's right and that you are not worth it. Fight for her, if you really see a future with her."

Nathan thought about it and realized that his words make sense wither he likes it or not, he can't just keep waiting and hiding, can he? Eventually, he's going to have to face it and talk with her about it, eventually she is going to turn up with a decision, so, if he can help her make that decision it's definitely going to be sooner not later.

"You know what, Luke," he sighed, "Sometimes; you fool me for a smart man, until I realize how dump you are for speaking the right words but never following them."

"Nathan, it's not the same…"

"You're right, but, it's you who always talk of that crap about following your heart, and you are the last one who does so."

"Nate, I-"

"You don't have to make up the same excuses each time, Luke. But, you've been torturing yourself your whole life thinking that you can't talk to the one and only Peyton Sawyer. And don't even try to deny it," he shook his head with a chuckle, "You never even tried and yet you never forgot. I think you should settle down and rest both your heart and your brain about that matter."

Lucas silently groaned; he was only talking to his brother about making the right decisions, how did it ever backfire on him? It seems like they have been going over the same conversation again and again, and somehow they end up middling in each other's feelings with some precious advice; actually it's the same advice and they are just giving and returning it back to one another like a lame game.

Unlike Lucas with Nathan, Nathan wasn't so persistent with Lucas, because he knew Lucas is actually going that way anyway, he came to the conclusion that Lucas has been preventing himself for years to talk to Peyton, not wanting to end the legend of her he has in his mind, because talking to her would mean she'd reject him and he would have to face the fact that nothing actually is ever going to happen between them. And that was the exact same reason he was rude to her and also the reason it took him time to apologize.

However, he can see that ever since Lucas talked to Peyton, he can't just stop doing so or get away from her, even though she is rejecting him.

As for Lucas, he doesn't want his brother to end up always asking himself all the possible what ifs, like he always do himself.

"The Scott wonderful brothers." They turned around to come face to face with Mr. Campbell himself; he has been to Karen's a couple of times before, but he is known to be a regular attendant at The Comet for a long time, "I thought I'd pay you a visit."

"You're always welcomed of course, sir."

"I heard your super star is absent?" He wondered and it clicked in their minds that he wanted to see for himself what people has been whispering around that they are going to be failing soon.

"Yeah, she's just not feeling well; she'll be back soon though." Lucas assured.

"Of course, of course, I hope she gets well soon, I'm sure people miss her."

"Yes, we all do. Chris is happy to substitute her for now though."

Mr. Campbell laughed and looked around the place and his look became sharper as his eyes darkened before looking between the two brothers again with a softer expression, almost a fatherly one, "It's amazing how you turned this place to be. I remember when it was just a cozy little café."

"You remember it?" Nathan asked confused; he can't recall ever Mr. Campbell being a customer.

"Of course I do," he chuckled, "I'm sure Karen is proud of you two. Keith would be too."

"Excuse me, sir, but, you knew Keith?"

"Yes, indeed." He lit his pipe and carried on, "Long time ago, we were the best of friends."

"You were? I… we never knew that."

"I know, how would you, after all, we drifted apart before you were even born." He said nostalgic, "He was a good man, honorable and a man of his word, the Scott family always were, until…" he drifted and took a deep breath bringing his eyes back to them with a big smile, "It was a tragic loss." He changed the subject, but neither Lucas nor Nathan was keen of that; they were hearing things for the first time and they needed more.

"It was, of course. But, what do you mean, sir? Until what?"

"Until they lost their money, that's what I meant."

"Lost their money?"

"Yes. You know how the Scott name was known, right? They were one of the richest families not only in Tree Hill but in North Carolina." He remembered but then saw the look both boys had and his smile faded, "You didn't know that?"

"No. We didn't." Nathan shook his head.

"I'm sorry, boys, I thought you did."

"No, it's fine. But, what happened? Why did they lose their money?" Lucas asked, he couldn't believe that they are hearing this only now, he always thought that their family was just a regular basic one, the craziest thing being that with their biological father. He knows they're not real descendants of the Scott family, but they still carry the name after Keith, and they definitely had a right to know its history, why was it hidden from them then?

"Nobody knows," he shrugged, "But, it tore the family apart, the brothers fought, Keith's father got sick and eventually lost his life, Keith looked after his mother until she died of depression too and he continued on having his workshop and eventually married your mother." He summarized, "I'm sorry to be the one telling you this."

"I… it's fine." But it most definitely wasn't. Neither of them could get why Keith never told them this, was he ashamed? Was there more to it? And the worst thing is they will never know, Keith is gone and he isn't coming back.

This realization brought a familiar twitch in their chests; Nathan's being harder for reliving the horrible event of losing Keith, especially after having a disagreement with him right before Keith left the house and never came back.

Nathan still feels guilty for never saying goodbye, for having Keith dead while mad at him; he knows, he knows he wasn't really mad at him, that it was a simple disagreement that they were going to work through eventually, but it's still going to remain the last words he ever exchanged with him forever.

Peyton Sawyer stood in front of the entrance tapping her foot to the ground nervously, she looked at the flashing sign reading Karen's and let out a sigh; she doesn't want to be there, she doesn't want to go in there, but she still has a promise to fulfill, and once she does, she will be out of there and never come back again.

After all, she's not going to bear Lucas Scott thinking she's stupid that he can fool her forever.

She made up her mind and took quick footsteps inside the now familiar place, she stopped once inside to look with her eyes for her target, and of course once again she found Nathan with his brother; why are they always together anyway? She took a deep breath and walked over towards them, they seemed to be having a serious conversation and she was about to interrupt, but she didn't care; she just wanted to deliver the message and leave.

She stood in front of Nathan and cleared her throat to make her presence announced, however, she intentionally completely ignored the other Scott, "Nathan," she started and Lucas couldn't help his eyes narrowing at her calling him with his first name when she wanted to keep things formal with him.

"Oh, hello," Nathan said still surprised by her sudden appearance but then his heart raced realizing this must be about his quest yesterday of visiting Haley.

"I went to see Haley." She confirmed his thoughts, "She… well, honestly, she's not sick, she didn't tell me what is wrong though, but…"

"She's not coming back…" Nathan gulped assuming the worst.

"No, not exactly." Peyton bit her lower lip; she could clearly see how the guy's heart is racing judging by the eagerness and fear visible in his features. "She said she's confused and that she has important decisions to make, and she told me to tell you that she needs time and space."

"Me? Specifically me?"

"No, not you, all of you." She said managing to keep her concentration on Nathan only as if Lucas is not there at all.

He nodded, "So, she's fine?"

"She says she is, but no…" she said honestly.

"I see. Thanks, Peyton." He offered her a smile even though his inner thoughts are screaming for more information, for something to tell him what to do.

Peyton smiled back and nodded. While leaving, she stopped in her tracks and took a deep breath; she can't leave without saying what she personally thinks, she sees the whole situation from outside and it's as clear to her as daylight, so she turned around once again, "Nathan," she said capturing his attention once again, "She said she needs space, but, if you want my opinion, I think you should visit her. You, specifically." She smiled and turned around once more to leave.

Nathan took a moment to process it, he was never a believer of signs, but the way he sees it now is that everything has been pushing him to go talk to Haley, starting from Lucas' speech earlier, to Mr. Campbell coming out of the blue and reminding him of the regret he lives with every day for not telling Keith how much he loves him for one last time, and now this, Peyton Sawyer basically telling him to go talk to Haley and sort things out even though she knows nothing of their situation.

He can't ignore the fact that he should go talk to Haley.

He turned to share his thoughts with Lucas only to find the spot that was just taken by him empty, he looked around with a frown and sure enough found him chasing after Peyton. He smiled to himself now actually having the decision made. He got up and rushed through the crowd.

"Hey, Nate." Mouth greeted him, "Hey, where are you going?"

"To settle things down." He replied hurriedly as he continued his way out of the club without thinking twice.

"Peyton!" Lucas called after her and she kept ignoring him taking her way out of the place and he with clouded thoughts went after her; he didn't get it, why was she being like this with him? If it was Brooke he needed to find out.

He finally caught up with her in the cold night breeze and touched her wrist to stop her from proceeding forward and she turned away with a furious glare.

"Get off of me!" she screamed and he immediately held his hands up in the air in defense, "What? What do you want?"

"What's wrong?" he asked with a frown getting really irritated with the way she's talking to him.

"What's wrong with what? Nothing is wrong. No, in fact, you are. Leave me alone."

"Why are you treating me like that?"

"Pardon me?" There it was her lady-of-pride face coming out once again, "I don't think I should be treating you in any special way!"

"No, you're not, that's not what I'm saying." He said annoyed, "But, you're being rude." He accused.

"Well, I told you before that I'm not interested and since you can't get it in your head then there has to be a way, right?"

"No, you said you're not interested then actually let it go and was nice and then all of a sudden this."

"Tell me which part of I don't want to be close to you don't you get so I can clarify it please?"

"Is it Brooke? Did she say something?"

"What? What does Brooke even have to do with this?"

"Then what is it?" he screamed back; he knew there was something wrong, he wasn't stupid and he wasn't imagining things; she was actually nice that day at her house and the day after and then suddenly hell broke loose again, so yeah, something happened. "Peyton, I really just-"

She huffed and took a step closer challengingly cutting him off, "If you think I'm a vain stupid blond then you're wrong, Lucas Scott, you can't fool me."

"Fool you?" Now he was really confused.

"Don't even play dumb it's pathetic. You can't use me, I'm not even interested, and most importantly, you can't use me to hurt Dan, I'm not that stupid, Lucas." She finished with a glare at his dumbfounded face and turned around furiously leaving him as confused as ever.

XxXx

If Haley was told that she would ever consider going back to work with Dan she would have never believed it, but here she was pacing back and forth thinking of doing just that. Dan has offered her an escape; a much needed escape… if she went back to work with him she can forget the whole Nathan thing as if it never happened; like working at Karen's never happened.

At first, she didn't know why this confession of the guy scared her so much, but as time went by with her imprisoning herself between the walls of her small rental apartment, she realized that the reason was she wanted to believe him, she wanted to allow herself to like what he said and actually give him a chance to prove he's the nice man she always thought of him to be.

But, no, she can't do this, this is too scary to do, she can't just drop everything she's always protected and cave in for some guy she just met who claims to have feelings for her, she can't just do that.

She has to go back to Dan! Maybe then everything will start falling into place again.

No matter how horrible Dan was or still is, at least she knows bad and evil, she knows that like the back of her hand and has always dealt with it, even though she literally got sick of this dark unpleasant life and escaped to the warmth of stability at Karen's, but that turned out to be way scarier than Dan's life.

Dan it is then.

Just then her door knocked as she jumped; who else could it be she already got a visit from Dan and another from Peyton, who else should it be visiting her?

There was an obvious answer and she wasn't sure if she liked it or dreaded it, however, she answered the door with a pounding heart.

And as expected, she opened to reveal the face of the man who has been haunting her for the past few days every time she blinked. He had this small desperate unsure smile as he looked down at her.

"Nathan," she said out of breath.

"Haley," he mumbled liking her name rolling out of his tongue.

"What are you doing here?" she gulped looking down to avoid meeting his eyes.

"I know you told Peyton you needed space, but… I just couldn't; I have to speak with you."

"Nathan…" she started shaking her head not really knowing what to say.

"Haley, please… hear me out."

She dared to look up and meet his desperate pleading hazel green eyes, and oh weren't they beautiful desperate pleading hazel green ones!

"Come in," she said moving aside as he stepped inside and she closed the door going back to avoid looking at him, while on the other hand, Nathan couldn't take his eyes off of her and the fact that she didn't look back at him was driving him crazy.

She led him to the kitchen table where she was sitting with Dan just the night before and they sat down in silence for a while, her mind was racing not knowing what is going to happen, what could Nathan possibly say? Could he manage to change her mind?

"You win," he mumbled as she knitted her eyebrows looking at him.

"What?"

"You win," he repeated with a smile and a shrug referring to their dare, "I spent my whole life not knowing what I'm good at, what good can I do, where my passion lies, that was until I found myself reading in some silly magazine of Karen's about different kinds of food recipes from different kitchens around the world, but as you already know, me and the kitchen didn't get along, however, the idea of getting introduced to different cultures, and how cultures might vary differently and it shows in something as simple as food fascinated me, and the more I read about it, the more I liked knowing more, eventually, I dropped the cooking thing as it evolved into drinks, and this I found myself good at, I make recipes that I read about but never tried the original thing… yes, they taste good and I followed the recipe exactly, however I have no idea if it's anywhere near the actual thing, and ever since I took passion into this, I have been fantasizing about traveling the world, to try the actual thing, to try different foods, tastes, people… everything…" he explained slowly and Haley just looked at him taking in every word he says, it was a simple story, a simple dream, but it was his, it was what he wanted to do, and she could see it with the way he talked about it like it was everything to him… because it was.

"And then the war started and I don't know if the world would still be there for me to discover." He added with a chuckle trying to lighten up the mood a little, "I know, it's silly, and it's probably not the great story you were waiting to hear from me, I know that, and actually," he unconsciously scratched the back of his head as a sign of embarrassment, "this is the reason I don't speak about it. As Lucas said, it took me a long time to even tell him."

Haley couldn't believe him; he thinks this is silly? It's probably the most beautiful thing she has ever heard in her life, he has to be blind not to see that, "It's beautiful, Nathan." She shook her head in admiration and he fixed his eyes on her taken aback by her reaction; he expected teasing, smiles, compliments, but he didn't expect her to look at him the way she is now, like she actually is impressed, amazed by his words.

"It is?" he asked wanting to hear more from her.

"Yes, of course it is… I mean, it's… the way it fascinates you – the idea of having more in the world to see, I get it, and the way you want to meet your own creation with the original, I think it's going to be a magical moment for you."

"I imagine it to be." He admitted with a smile which she returned, and that encouraged him to say what he came to say in the first place, he gulped and took a deep breath, "You fascinate me the same way, Haley." He said and her head shot up towards him with wide alarmed eyes and he decided to continue before she speaks or he chickens out again,

"When I first laid eyes on you, you reminded me of one of those mysterious cultures. Your voice, it sounded like it was from afar, from another world, at least it sounded so to my ears anyway. It… I, I don't know, but the first time I saw you when you were completely oblivious to my existence, I knew you're one of the places I want to visit and uncover… but, when I actually got to know you, this changed, I didn't just want to visit, the more I stayed, the more I uncovered, it's never enough, I knew it's not about just a visit, Haley."

"Nathan… I…"

"Let me finish first please." He said and Haley shut up; she didn't even know there could be more, "I tried to fight it, I never had such strong feelings for a girl, never felt so attracted, never elongated my visit; I usually am done with the first secret I unravel, but with you…" he paused and took a deep breath, "I got confused, and frustrated because I didn't understand my feelings towards you, until you settled the debate for me."

"Me?" she mumbled in confusion.

He smiled, "Yes, when you showed up at my door to make me dinner." He said as she blushed and he chuckled, "It's just… the moment I saw you at the door, I felt relieved, and as I watched you move around the kitchen, I… I thought 'God, isn't she gorgeous!' and I knew then that I was in deeper than I thought."

"Nathan, I don't know what to say…"

He nodded, "You don't have to say anything right now." He gulped feeling the fear creep upon him once again, "I… I understand that I took you by surprise and I probably shouldn't have told you just like that, but, as silly as it sounds, I actually panicked at the moment, and I couldn't think straight. However, I don't regret it, Haley, because, yes, I do have feelings for you, and not just some attraction, no I want there to be a future with you. I know this is probably the last thing you want to hear since just telling you scared you away, but I thought you need to know where I exactly stand if it will help you take your decision."

Haley just stared at him in disbelief; there he was sitting in front of her, talking as calm as tender as ever, yet, with such sincerity that she didn't know existed, to say she's touched would be underestimating what she felt at the moment. She didn't know how to respond though; her previous thoughts of going back to Dan however were out the window. This man in front of her has worn his heart on his sleeve and completely opened up to her knowing very well he could get his heart broken, yet, he took the fifty percent chance that it wouldn't.

"So, I guess that's it." He sucked his teeth awkwardly getting up never departing his eyes from her, she didn't speak and he couldn't help feeling that he just messed things up even more, he rocked on his heels, "Right, so I should probably leave now…" He wondered if she was even listening to him, but she was following him with her eyes, so she must be, and his heart ached for the fact that he's still not getting any kind of reaction from her. However he turned around to leave.

Her heart raced as she watched him leaving; what now? She most definitely believe him, yet, he scared her a lot more, she didn't know what that was, she didn't know what is happening, when did life get so complicated? When was she ever willing to listen to a guy let alone believe him like that? But, he's leaving, and even though she didn't understand a word, but, she didn't like the thought of it, things were still unsettled, she needed to understand, and he can't just leave like this after the speech he just gave her.

"Nathan!" she heard herself shout after him as she got up and ran out of the kitchen to catch him at the door, "Don't go, please."

He turned around closing the door again and gave her a hopeful skeptical look. She walked over to him and he stepped forward until he was standing in front of her looking down at her fear-filled eyes.

"I… I don't understand anything." She admitted shaking her head as she felt tears forming quickly in her eyes.

He frowned and cupped her face with both his hands, "It's okay. I don't either. We can figure it out together."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." He nodded with a smile moving his arms to wrap them around her, and she let her tears fall silently in the warmth of his embrace that made her confused even more for how comfortable it suddenly made her; how can something be two completely different things at once? How can a simple embrace be your safety yet your terror like that?

"I believe you, Nathan, I do, but…" she said pulling away to look him in the eyes.

"But what?"

"I'm scared. Terrified. You don't know how it is inside my head, you don't understand."

"Then help me understand, I'm willing to."

"I… I don't know… I've never liked someone, or had someone like me for that matter, men always… wanted me, physically. Nothing more, nothing deeper. And I was okay with that, I mean, I knew how to deal with that, but, then you came and threw this bomb on me saying things that I don't understand, Nathan. They're beautiful things, and… I don't know…" she rambled panicked as she paced in front of him.

"Haley, relax. I never felt this was about someone else before too, this is new to me too. And in fact, you're too good for me anyway, so, I understand."

"Too good for you? Me?" she humorlessly chuckled, "I'm not too good for anyone, Nathan, trust me. I'm wrecked."

"Then I'll fix you. Just allow me."

"Nathan… you don't understand."

"Yes, I don't… but I think it's simpler than you make it sound, Haley." He sighed and they stood silent for a while everyone in his own thoughts, he then loosened his tie and rested his back to the wall with his hands in his pants' pockets and looked over at her, "You know what I want right now?"

"What?" she asked curiously.

"A time machine."

"Why? What would you do?"

"I would go back to the night I said I like you."

"You said you don't regret it." She said her voice dripping with disappointment as he shook his head slowly.

"I don't. I would still say that, just in a less hurried way, I wouldn't let you go so easily, I wouldn't let you stay hidden this long allowing your fears to grow like that."

"It's not your fault. I'm a closed book, I always have been."

"I don't see you as a closed book. I know you have faced bad stuff, maybe horrible even, I know you stood alone in the world, and I know you didn't allow the ugliness to change you, you have your own rules, and you seek a simple happy life, I know you see the beauty in the small things, you cherish the happy moments and you hold onto them to brighten your dark days, you're not a closed book, Haley, but I know that this is just the tip of the iceberg, I know there's a lot to you more than that, and I want to discover it all."

Haley was speechless, never have she thought she would meet someone to describe her this way, Nathan saw the details between the lines, he did and he memorized them.

"Do you know why I came that day? At your house."

"Why?"

"I… I didn't want you to be alone, I knew you were going through something and I wanted to let you know I'm there for you." She admitted with difficulty not knowing where the words take her.

He smiled, "This was the best thing you ever did."

"Why did you come tonight, Nathan?"

He took a deep breath looking at the ceiling, "I wanted to make sure I let you know everything I have, I wanted you to have all the facts, I didn't want you thinking I'm not serious, or that I wouldn't fight for you if I have to."

"Like you fought Chris Keller?" she chuckled.

"I didn't fight him. I punched him."

"Same thing."

"No, no, definitely not." He raised a finger, "Fighting is a two-sided thing. Keller didn't even try… he just… wailed."

She chuckled and slowly took steps towards him as he automatically stood straight still in his place, "You said I made you settle your debate by appearing at your door, right?"

"Yes…?"

"Well, you came here to do just about the same with me." She bit her lower lip unsure but proceeded anyway, "I think… I think I want to see where this goes as scary as it sounds, but I do believe you."

"Haley, I know you will not regret it."

"But…"

"At this point you could have all the buts in the world." He chuckled and she smiled standing right in front of him.

"I never let myself trust anyone before, Nathan; I know that I'm going to be difficult even when I'm not intending to be. This is all new to me…"

"We are going to take everything step by step; we will figure it out together."

If Haley was told that she was ever going to be standing this close to Nathan Scott at her apartment as he eased her worried dissolving them one by one with just simply using his words and sincere eyes, she would never have believed it, but there she was.

Nathan went to Haley's seeking the peace of his heart, and he got it, and he didn't know it would feel this good to have her looking into his eyes like that, to have her willing to try accepting his feelings towards her, to have her having feelings for him although she never said those words, but it was obviously there.

A new feeling started creeping into their hearts creating dizzying warmth inside it and it felt quite nice.

XxXx

Lucas was closing up the club alone later that night; from what Mouth told him, he came to the conclusion that his brother went to see Haley, which was good. But, now, there was something else in his mind; Peyton's accusations.

Who the hell gave her the idea of him using her? How would he even be using her when he can't utter a peaceful sentence with her? She always ends up screaming at him or dismissing him, doesn't she? Let alone the fact that he was actually afraid she wouldn't want anything to do with him because of his rivalry with Dan Shaw, but instead she has that one twisted in her mind to accuse him of the exact opposite; accuse him of sucking up to her so he would eventually use her against Dan.

Seriously, what does she think of him?

He couldn't stand the idea that after all those years of wanting to talk to Peyton, when he finally does; she rejects him for such a reason! He had gone through all possible reasons; her thinking less of him, her not liking him like he likes her, her not liking him at all, her having someone else already, her being a snotty rich girl, and he was okay with all of them; but this reason, this offending reason!

He'd never step so low, and he'd never see her as a tool!

He was mad, furious, and the more he thought about it the angrier he got. He was okay with never talking to her again, never having anything with her, but not before he'd set her straight and let her know what kind of men he actually is.

So, when Peyton fearfully opened her front door that same night, she didn't expect Lucas Scott to be her midnight visitor; how dare he?! And at the risk of being accused of discourtesy, he barged in uninvited.

"What do you think you're doing? I could call the police right now!" she yelled at him as he harshly slammed the front door closed when she didn't, "How dare you?"

"No, how dare you?"

"Excuse me?"

"You think you're so smart? You think you have me figured out just like that."

"Lucas Scott, how many times do I have to say that I don't. Want. To. Know. You?" She said through gritted teeth.

"Okay, you don't have to, but you can't go make some stupid assumptions about me either."

"What?"

"You think I'm trying to use you?"

"Oh, I don't think. I know!"

"See? That's what I'm talking about! You don't want to freaking know me then fine, but you also don't have the right to assume the worst thing you could master and plaster it to my face wanting to believe it's me!"

"I don't make assumptions like you do; I actually judge the actions."

"No, no, no, that's where you're mistaken, you see, you're holding on to one mistake I've made, and you're doing the exact same. You know at least I realized I was being wrong right at the moment, but you, you're still standing in front of me accusing me of being a dishonorable man!"

"Whatever! I don't care. I don't care what you think of me and I don't care what kind of men you are, I'm not stupid and I have my mind made up."

He took a dangerous step closer with a frown, "You think you're better than everyone, don't you?" he hissed, "You think that you have the right to throw judgments and close the case."

"That's it! I'm calling the police." She said and turned around only for his hand to wrap around her wrist stopping her and snatching her to turn around facing him once again looking her in the eyes.

There it was again, the look that she doesn't understand, the one that makes her uncomfortable, the one that she recently explained as a deceptive look, but now, she saw something else, something new that she also didn't understand, but it intimidated her, made her question herself, it made her unsure of what she was just about to do.

He can't help it, he can't help the feeling she leaves all over him each time he locks eyes with her, the instant reaction in his belly, the racing heartbeats, the sudden dizziness it gives him, and suddenly, he wasn't angry anymore, but she still irritated him; her stubbornness, her haughtiness and her undeniable beauty, it was a mixture that left him disturbed, it made him itch to be closer to her, to be able to say everything to her, to have everything with her.

"You don't know me, Peyton." His voice was hoarse.

"For the millionth time, I don't want to."

"I'm not the man you think I'm. My intention was never to use you like you believe." His husky voice came as the result of already being intoxicated by her eyes; by being so close to her.

"Then what? What are your great intentions? Why do you keep following me?" she glared; she never backed away, if anything, she would inch closer challengingly unaware of the way it affects him.

He gulped and stared at her for a moment with an open mouth but no words, she raised an eyebrow at him.

"Waiting!" she challenged once again.

"I… you wouldn't… it's…" he stuttered.

"Right, nothing, just like I expected, you know what, Lucas this is getting really sick, I gave you the chance to explain yourself and-"

"I want you to know me." He suddenly blurted out cutting her off.

"Why? Why is it-" she persisted before being cut off again.

"I want you to know me, I want to know you, I want to have everything with you." He found the words rolling off his tongue before he could stop them as he kept staring in her eyes.

Peyton didn't understand what he was saying, was it a new game? Was he trying to find another passage around her castle? But, what's with the stupid damned look?

Lucas fought the urge to say more, or to act upon his desire, he just kept looking in her eyes waiting, he didn't know what he was waiting for but he kept waiting for it to come; at least she needed to say something first.

"What?" she had her eyes slightly narrowed with a kink of her eyebrows making her look adorable, but it was the slight tilt of her head to the side and her parted lips that pulled his last straw and he was connected to her like a magnet in a soft impulsive much needed kiss.

As promised here it is, this is one of my favorite chapters writing, hope you like it as much.

Thank you for support and let me know what you think!