Here's the last chapter of "The Intruder." Again I am very sorry for cutting this thing so short but as many of you know once you lose your inspiration for a story it is very hard to continue it. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. I suggest that you guys check out my other stories because even though most are mainly femslash they all have Naley storylines in them. Alright so I think that is enough because if I don't shut up this author's note will be longer than the actual chapter and that would just be sad. Happy reading!

Nathan woke up early the next morning to take one last jog with Chad. The pair went to the river court then back home. Once the apartment complex came into view Nathan decided to slow down the pace and walk the rest of the way home. Chad soon fell into sync right beside him.

"She's really going to miss you." Nathan said to the dog causing Chad to look up at him. "Well I'm going to miss you too, buddy. But she's a girl…they can't handle these types of things." Nathan said trying to save his male ego even though he was just talking to a dog.

The pair walked into the apartment to find Haley sitting at the table pouting. This was not going to be a good day.

"Hey you," Nathan said as he walked up to her and placed a sweet kiss on her head. Haley didn't say anything but just looked at him with sad eyes. "I know," he started, "but he's not ours, Hales. We went over that last night. Plus can you really want to keep him away from the little girl? I mean her mother said it was a get well gift after some sort of surgery. I bet she's really missing him." Nathan said trying to appeal to Haley's naturally kind heart.

"If she just had surgery I bet she's been sleeping and doesn't even know much about him." Haley said her voice devoid of any emotion.

So not the response I was expecting. Nathan thought, amused at how Haley was acting, considering she didn't even like the thing at first. "Are you going to come with us to the park?" Haley sat there silent. She knew she was acting like a spoiled three-year-old but she didn't care. "Well if you're going we should leave now. We have to meet the lady in like half an hour." Nathan said as he grabbed Chad's leash. "Come here buddy. Wanna go to the park?" Nathan asked addressing the dog in a playful tone. Chad came bounding over excitedly, his tail wagging and tongue hanging out. "That's a good boy," Nathan said patting the dog's side. He didn't want to admit it but he was just as upset about having to give back the dog as Haley was. But he was the man and couldn't act like it…someone had to be the adult here after all.

Haley reluctantly got up from her chair. "I'm holding the leash." She said taking it from Nathan's hand.

"Yes ma'am." He said with a small laugh.

The young couple and Chad made their way to the park in silence. Once they got there they saw a middle aged woman standing by an Escalade.

"That must be her." Nathan said gesturing to the woman.

"I bet she doesn't even like dogs." Haley scoffed taking in the woman who was dressed in a business suit with every piece of her dark red hair perfectly in place.

"Come on Haley. Just try and be nice. Please?" Nathan pleaded as he led the way to the woman. The only response he got was a roll of the eyes.

"Nathan?" The woman asked when she saw the two walking toward her.

"Yes ma'am. Are you Carrie?" He asked finally taking in her appearance. She wasn't what he had expected at all. She nodded that yes she was Carrie. "Nice to meet you," he said with a smile. "This is my wife, Haley."

"Hi," Carrie said politely then turned her attention to the dog. "Stormy!" She said happily as she looked the dog over. "Thank you two so much for taking such good care of him." She said as Haley reluctantly gave up the leash.

"It was no problem. He's a really good dog." Nathan said with a sad smile as he put his arm around Haley's shoulder and pulled her close.

Carrie looked at the couple and nodded in understanding. These two young people had become very attached to the dog and she could tell. She opened the door to her Escalade then pulled out a check. "Here's the reward as promised," she said handing the check over to Nathan. "Thank you again." With that she picked up Stormy, put him in the car, and then drove off.

"Oh my God," Nathan said as he looked at the check wide eyed.

"What?" Haley asked wiping away some unshed tears as she watched the dreadful woman drive off. Ok so she wasn't really dreadful but right now in this time…Haley hated her.

"She gave us $1,000." Nathan said showing the check to Haley causing her hate for the woman to subside a little bit.

"That's insane." Nathan nodded in agreement as they headed home.

XXXXXXXXXX

Later that night Nathan and Haley couldn't sleep. They were both used to the different sounds of the dog or the dog being in the middle of them.

"I already miss him." Haley said as tears started to fall down her cheeks for the millionth time that day, no amount of money could ease the pain she felt.

"I know you do but you have to try and get some sleep." Nathan said wrapping his arms around her.

Across town things weren't going any better. Since Carrie had arrived home with Stormy the dog had done nothing but whine and cry.

"Mom!!"

"What's wrong honey?" Carrie said as she entered her daughter's room.

"Stormy sounds heart broken. Just listen to him."

"I know sweetie but there isn't anything I can do about it." Carrie said sitting on the foot of the bed.

"You could give him back to the people he is missing." The girl said as she rubbed the dog's back trying to calm him down.

"But he's your dog."

"He doesn't even know me mom and obviously he really misses the people who have had him. I don't mind, I would rather have no dog than a sad dog."

"Ok. I'll make the call in the morning." Carrie said getting up off the foot of the bed and kissing her daughter on the head.

"Thank you."

Carrie just looked at her daughter so proud of the young woman she had become. "I'm so proud of you." The woman said tears filling her eyes. "I know a lot of things are going to be changing for you over the next few months but never let it change the person you are on the inside. Always keep your good heart, Rach."

"I will." Rachel said giving her mom a tired smile.

"Good night." Carrie said then shut the door.

The next morning Carrie searched through the caller i.d. to find Nathan's number. A few minutes later she was dialing.

"Hello?" Nathan said when he answered the phone.

"Nathan, hi, this is Carrie."

"Oh hi. Is something wrong?" Nathan said suddenly concerned.

"No no nothing's wrong. Stormy just really misses you and your wife."

"We miss him too." Nathan said with a sad smile not sure about where this was heading.

"Well what would you say if I said you guys could have him back. My daughter is convinced that he's heart broken without the two of you and she can't live with herself knowing that she could change that."

"I would say when can we come pick him up." Nathan said a smile the size of Texas on his face.

"I can meet you at the park in 30 minutes if you'd like."

"That's great we'll be there. Thank you so much Carrie."

"No problem." She said then hung up.

"HALEY!!! Get up and dressed like now." Nathan said running into their bedroom.

"Why?" She asked annoyed and groggy.

"Because we're going to the park."

"Again I ask…why?"

"Because we're getting Chad back." Haley sat straight up in the bed.

"What?"

"Carrie just called apparently Chad missed us as much as we missed him and she said we could have him back. Isn't that great? Now get dressed."

Haley bounced out of bed like a child on Christmas morning. "This is so awesome." She said skipping over to her husband giving him a kiss.

Thirty minutes later they back at the park waiting for the reverse dog exchange. Once Carrie pulled up they could hear Chad barking excitedly. As soon as she opened the door he jumped from the truck and ran over to Haley who waited with open arms.

Nathan watched the scene and laughed. He was so happy to see his wife happy and it was written all over his face.

"Thank you, again." He said to Carrie then pulled the uncashed check out of his pocket. "Here's your check."

"No, you guys go ahead and keep it." Carrie said giving him a big smile.

"Are you sure?" Nathan asked looking at her like she was crazy.

"Yeah I am. But I have to get going. It was very nice meeting you both." She said getting back into her car and driving off.

"She said we could keep the check." Nathan said walking over to his wife and dog.

"She what!?"

"She told us to keep the check."

Haley squealed excitedly. "This is like the best day ever."

"Second best." Nathan corrected earning a confused look from Haley. "Well the day we got married was the first best." He said giving her a loving smile.

"True."

Okie doke. That's all she, meaning I, wrote. Hope you guys enjoyed it. Leave me some reviews…they make me happy. Anyway thanks again for reading this.