Find Our Way Back

Chapter 5

When You Come Back to Me Again

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these OTH characters, as much as I'd like to. And none of these songs are mine.

Author's Note: Thank you SOOOOOOOO much for all of the great reviews! Sorry it's taken me a little while to update. I was having trouble deciding on the song for this chapter, and I also changed directions a little on how my story is going to play out, so I didn't want to post too much more until I was sure that it wouldn't have to be re-written. So, be patient, I AM working on this story still!

Something in your eyes
Makes me want to lose myself
Makes me want to lose myself

Nathan walked into the quaint little café and saw Haley sitting nervously in the corner. His heart skipped a beat. Walking up to the table, he whispered, "Haley."

Haley looked up and her heart soared, it was really him. She stood up and hugged him, "Nathan." She never wanted to let go.

"I missed you Hales."

"I missed you too," reluctantly she ended their embrace, "We should sit down."

"Yeah," Nathan mumbled. He slid into the seat across from her, "Thanks for meeting with me Hales."

"It's my pleasure Nathan. I'm glad you're here."

"I'd've been here 5 years ago if you weren't so stubborn."

"I know Nathan. But I had my reasons."

"Then why now?"

"You tell me. You're the one who came looking."

"Haley. Don't play games with me."

She starred at him.

"I heard your song Haley."

"It's just a song Nathan."

"It was more than just a song. We both know that. You spoke to me with that song Haley. The walks on the beach, your dad," Nathan saw a small tear trickle down her cheek, "the roller coaster. Some song just doesn't happen to have those things. Why'd we say goodbye? I've asked that everyday."

"But just one song made you drop everything. How did you know that there was truly something here for you to find? A lot of artists use their life as inspiration."

"Nothing else matters to me Haley. I tried to tell you that," Nathan paused before whispering, "Besides, it was all of the songs."

"What?"

"Nothing," Nathan knew he'd just done Brooke in, and apologized silently.

"It's not nothing. You said songs. There are no other songs. There's just one."

"There are 11 other songs on the CD. And they all told me your feelings."

"My CD isn't out yet. How'd you…Damn it Broke."

He couldn't help but smile a little, her gig was up, "So, are you going to tell me now why you did it?"

"Because of something you said."

"Something I said? I don't understand. We haven't spoken in five years."

"No, but you've done tons of interviews."

"You watch those?"

"Of course I do. I miss you. And I like to see how you're doing."

"Wish I could've done the same."

"I know, I know. But I couldn't let you give up your dream of the NBA."

"I'm still in the NBA. And what about my dreams of a family?"

"There's always time for a family. You're only 26. The NBA, on the other hand, doesn't come knocking everyday."

In your arms
There's something in your voice
Makes my heart beat fast
Hope this feeling lasts
The rest of my life
If you knew how lonely my life has been
And how long I've felt so low
If you knew how I wanted someone to come along
And change my life the way you've done

"I still don't understand why now. You said it was something I said."

"Yeah, it was during your second season," Haley looked into Nathan's eyes. Even now, after all these years, they were still so deep and full of love. "A reporter asked if you were seeing anyone. You said no, that your heart belonged to someone who walked away. Then you said that the game was your life now. Nothing else mattered anymore. They next asked you…"

"If I'd give it all up to have that love again."

"You said, 'Yes,' and then laughed when someone reminded you that you were only in year two of a five year contract. So you then said,"

"I'd be willing to retire after five years." Then it dawned on him, "My five years is almost up."

"I never stopped writing songs. I decided that I'd release my song on our anniversary. Brooke and Lucas both knew." She saw the look on his face, "They just found out a few months ago. They urged me to just call you. But this is how I wanted it to be. You'd hear the song, and if you still felt the same it'd get you thinking. Then once the CD came out, I'd find out how you felt."

"Seems awfully risky Miss James."

"I know, but it was a risk I was willing to take Mr. Scott. It couldn't make my life any more miserable."

"Haley," Nathan got serious, "I wish you would've just called. No, I take that back. You never should've left."

"I regret that Nathan. I do. But once I walked away, I didn't know how to turn back."

"I'm just glad you finally did Haley," Nathan stroked her cheek softly with his hand. "I love you." Leaning in across the table their lips touched briefly before Haley pulled away. "What's wrong Hales?"

"Nothing, lets get out of here," Haley led Nathan to her car.

Feels like home to me
Feels like home to me
Feels like I'm all the way back where
I come from
Feels like home to me
Feels like home to me
Feels like I'm all the way back where I belong

"Back to your place?"

Haley thought about it, but knew better, there were traces of Jimmy everywhere, and that wasn't how he should find out about his son. "No, I've got somewhere else in mind." The two rode silently until they reached their destination. She turned off the car and led Nathan down towards the water.

"I didn't know there were beaches in Nashville."

"Well, they're not the kind of beach people vacation to. It's just riverfront, but it's still comforting. I have a small spot over there," Haley pointed down the sand a ways, "where I go to be alone, and think."

"It means a lot to me that you'd bring me here."

"I figured we could use a quiet place to talk."

He knew she was right, he'd never been so unsure about anything in his life. He had no clue how she truly felt, besides that she still loved him. Nathan gladly accepted her hand as she led him down the jagged shoreline. The only thing he knew for sure, was that sitting here, next to her, felt right. Haley sat on a flat rock overlooking the water, and as she slid down, he sat next to her.

A window breaks down a long dark street
And a siren wails in the night
But I'm alright 'cause I have you here with me
And I can almost see through the dark there is light

Haley sat quietly, almost forgetting that Nathan was there with her, actually sitting right next to her. Over the years, she'd pretended that he was there with her. She'd discuss things with Jimmy, and imagine how he'd handle the situation. But this time wasn't a dream. Several minutes passed before she was brought back to reality my Nathan resting his hand on her knee.

"Haley?"

"Yeah?"

Nathan looked at those beautiful eyes, and found himself getting lost in her, "Are you sure you're okay?" As he did this, unconsciously, his hand slid further up her leg, he leaned a little closer. Right now, more than anything, he wanted to kiss her again.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Haley smiled at him. She could read his eyes, he wanted to kiss her just as badly as she wanted to him. So she did, Haley suddenly found herself lost in a kiss. She knew she could stay like this forever.

Nathan responded eagerly, he'd missed this almost as much as he'd missed having her in his life. He allowed his hands to roam over her body as they continued to kiss. He found himself laying on the sand and gently pulling her body down next to him. He wanted nothing more than to feel her body close to his, to feel the safety of her touch. This continued for several minutes.

If you knew how much this moment means to me
And how long I've waited for your touch
If you knew how happy you are making me
I've never thought I'd love anyone so much

Then suddenly, Haley pulled away, "Nathan, we can't do this." She thought of Jimmy. And she knew that right now, she didn't need another kid, especially not while daddy still doesn't know about the first one.

"I'm sorry Haley. It just felt so right."

"I know Nathan, but not now."

"Is everything okay? You've been acting strange all evening."

"There's something you need to know."

"Okay," Nathan replied, unsure what to expect.

She took a deep breath, "So, you know how one of your dreams is to have a family."

Nathan slowly responded, "Yeah…"

"Well," Haley didn't know exactly how to word this.

"Is everything okay?" he asked for what seemed like the hundredth time tonight. "Are you unable to have kids? I'd be okay with that too. I just want to be with you."

"No, I'm fine Nathan. Actually, it's kinda just the opposite."

"I don't get it. What are you saying?"

"There's no easy way to say this."

"Just spit it out already Hales."

"You/we have a four-year-old son named James Nathaniel Scott."

"I," Nathan took a deep breath, "have a son?"

"Yes. And he looks exactly like you."

Nathan felt his anger begin to rise, "Did you know you were pregnant when you left?" he spat at her.

"No. It happened that last night."

"How could you keep this from me Haley?" Nathan shouted as he stood up.

"Nathan!" she cried.

"I can't do this right now Haley," with that said, Nathan turned and ran down the beach, not sure where he was going.

Feels like home to me
Feels like home to me
Feels like I'm all the way back where
I come from
Feels like home to me
Feels like home to me
Feels like I'm all the way back where I belong
Feels like I'm all the way back where I belong