So you guys may hate be by the end of this chapter, or you'll like the little spice I've added. We shall see... (p.s. thanks for the reviews, as always!)


Chapter 21

After hopping into Nathan's Yukon and pushing the seat up a couple inches, Haley began driving to their destination.

"Uh Hales, you sure you can drive this thing?"

"Nathan puh-lease, it's just a car."

"An SUV actually. And well, it's big and you're tiny."

"Don't worry lover, I can drive this thing."

"Alright, alright. Now tell me, where are we going?"

"We, my love, are finding you a job."

"And where will that be?"

"It's a surprise!" Haley exclaimed weaving in and out of traffic. After about ten minutes they finally arrived at their destination that should have been about twenty minutes away.

"Geez Hales. Who knew you drove like such a maniac?"

"I'm not a maniac, I just have little tolerance for slow drivers."

"Hales, you gave an old lady the finger."

"When she learns that the slow lane is the right one, not the left one I'll give her a thumbs up, okay?"

"Good because you're going to be meeting her again someday."

"What?"

"She was my grandma. Way to make a first impression."

"ARE YOU SERIOUS?" Haley said getting flustered.

"Nope, I just wanted to see you squirm a little," Nathan said laughing as Haley punched him in the arm. "Ow! Geez, you got a lot of power for a petite girl."

"I have brothers remember?"

"This is true."

"They're also the ones who taught me how to drive."

"Well that explains a lot."

"Yep, but anyways lets get you a job."

"And where might that be."

"Here," Haley said pointing to the building down on the corner of the street.

"Karen's Café?" Nathan questioned.

"Yep!"

"I don't know Haley. Karen's my aunt and she doesn't know about the whole emancipation thing yet. I don't know if she would support it."

"Maybe she will. I've heard her talk to your Uncle Keith every now and again when he comes in about Dan sometimes. It's never a good thing, so I'm guessing she'll help you out."

"We'll soon find out won't we," Nathan said grabbing her hand and pulling her up the steps to the café. The door open and closed with a little ring of a bell and Karen immediately turned her head towards them from behind the counter.

"Nathan!" She exclaimed coming over to give him a hug, "And Haley! I wasn't expecting you to come in till tomorrow."

"Hi Karen. Actually I'm just here to help Nathan with something. Can we uh, talk to you in private?"

"Yes of course," she said ushering them to the back of the café. "What is it?"

"You see Karen," Nathan began, "you know me and my dad don't exactly get along and he's not the easiest guy to live with."

"You're telling me," Karen muttered under her breath causing a smirk to come across both the teenagers' faces.

"And I'm sick of having too. So I'm getting an emancipation. The hearing was today and the judge gave me three weeks to find a job and show that I can support myself. This is where I need your help. Do you have a spot at the café for me?"

"Of course I do Nathan, but what about your mother?"

"She skipped town. Got sick of my dad's antics and ran away while on a business trip with some guy her company was working with."

"Nathan I'm so sorry."

"Yeah me too Karen, but my life's been pretty great lately other than that," he replied smiling, wrapping an arm around Haley causing her to look up at him and smile.

"Well good for you Nathan… and Haley. And yes I'd be happy to help you out. When can you start?"

"Whenever."

"Well how about tomorrow? You can come in with Haley and she'll show you the ropes."

"Cool. Thanks Karen," Nathan said gleefully giving Karen a hug. "Ready to go Hales?"

"Yeah, I'll meet you at the car I just have to talk to Karen real quick."

"Alright, I'll go get it started," he said, running out to the car.

"Thank you Karen," Haley said thoughtfully. "This really means a lot to him and to me."

"Anytime Haley. You're a special girl and he's my nephew. I'd do anything for either of you. I know what it's like to be under one of Dan's control trips. I just want Nathan to get out of it just like I did."

"And he's trying so hard. This job is just another step taken away from Dan Scott's grasp," Haley said looking at Karen. "I saw him for who he really was for the first time today and I'm doing all I can to help him."

"I know that Haley. You're great with him. And I can tell you really are in love. I've got to say, what you and Nathan have is special. Something I wish I had in high school and something I wish my son will find."

"Maybe he will someday," but probably not with that ego of his Haley continued in her head. "Well, I've got to go Karen, Nathan's waiting. See you tomorrow."

"Goodbye," Karen said waving. "And Haley?"

"Yeah?"

"Be careful. That boy's heart is just as fragile as yours." And with that Haley just nodded, smiling at Karen's two cents and walked out the door towards the car.

Taylor was sitting on the coach watching Dr. Phil when she heard the doorbell ring. As she walked towards the door she saw a tall muscular figure waiting for her.

"Um, hello," she said to the middle aged man in front of her.

"Hi, the name's Dan Scott can I come in for a minute?"

"Okay," Taylor said motioning for him to come in, looking confused, but noticing his last name was that of Nathan's.

"You must be wondering why I'm here."

"Obviously, Mr. Scott."

"Please call me Dan. And I'm guessing your probably have already made the connection between me and my son."

"Yep, but you still have not told me why you're here," Taylor stated giving him a questioning look.

"It's about Nathan. You're sister has basically got my son wrapped around her little finger, but Nathan doesn't have time for that. He's got basketball to worry about, not needy little girls."

"Watch yourself that's my sister."

"And since when do you care about her? You slept with her last boyfriend and brought a child out of that, am I correct?"

"How the hell do you know that?"

"That's none of your concern. I'm just a man who's got a lot of connections. But all of that brings us to why I'm here. I notice you don't have the child here at your home."

"I can't really afford to have my child live with me at this current point in time."

"Well maybe we can change that."

"We?"

"Don't take this the wrong way Ms. James but we seem to have a lot in common. And I think if we collaborated we could both find happiness out of it."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying what if I take care of all your financial needs so that you can keep your precious baby?"

"What's the catch Dan?"

"You have to do whatever it takes to split Nathan and Haley up."

"That's pretty twisted. Why do you want this so bad?"

"Because I want my son to make a good life for himself without any distractions. Because I think my son can do better than your sister and because without Haley my son will come crawling back to me."

"So let me just get this straight. If I break apart the lovebirds, you will pay for all my financial needs?"

"Yep. Every penny."

"Fine."

"So you'll do it," Dan said smirking.

"Yes, but no one can find out."

"You read my mind. Look's like I'm not the only twisted one huh?"

"I'm not doing this to spite Haley. I'm doing this for my son, so I can be in his life."

"Whatever you choose to believe," Dan said walking over to the door, giving her an evil smirk. "Nice doing business with you miss James."

"Yeah," Taylor said, filling a hint of regret in the pit of her stomach as she watched him walk out the door.

As Nathan turned onto Haley's street to drop off Haley he saw a familiar car pass by. "Was that my dad?"

"Don't be silly Nathan. Why would your dad be over here?"

"I don't know, you're right. I'm just a little out of it I guess," he said brushing it off. As he pulled into her driveway Nathan turned in his seat to look at her. "Thank you Hales."

"Nathan I just want what's best for you."

"I know, and that's why I'm thanking you. For being there for me today, for getting me a job, for just being well, you."

"I would do anything for you, you know that," Haley said leaning up and giving him a little kiss on the lips. Which of course turned into a couple more kisses. "I love you," she giggled.

"Always and forever," Nathan whispered into her ear.

"Always and forever," Haley stated before opening the door. "Bye Nathan."

"Bye Hales," he said smirking watching her walk up the steps to her house. "God I love that girl," he continued before pulling away.

"God I love that boy," Haley sighed leaning against the inside of her door.

"How's Nathan?" A voice said from the opposite doorway causing her to jump.

"Geez Taylor you scared me. And he's fine. Why do you care anyway?"

"Can't I care about my sister's boyfriend?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Cause that worked out so well last time?"

"Touche my sister."

"Yeah. Right. Anyway I'm going upstairs to do my homework and pass out. Don't disturb me."

"I'll try my best," Taylor replied watching her sister walking up the steps. Haley looked so happy when she walked in the door; so happy it almost made Taylor feel a twinge of guilt on what she was about to do. Almost.

Yeahhh, bet you weren't expecting the Dan/Taylor thing! And I bet you prob think Dan's even more of an ass now, and you hate Taylor even more. What can I say? I still have a few twists and tricks up my sleeve! Leave reviews and let me know what you think! And don't worry if you're thinking oh no Naley will be split up foreverrrr, because I mean, I love Naley, you love Naley, and this is a Naley story. SO have no fear, love always wins in the end! ;)