After getting Peyton's stomach to stop rumbling, and wondering just where in the hell the girl stored it all, Nate and her wandered back to the cabin and changed into their swimsuits to hop in the hot tub.
Sitting there, Peyton in a black bikini covered with black stars and Nate in his black, white, and blue swim trunks, the just relaxed and enjoyed each other's company and the silence, with the occassional banter and talk.
Finally Nate looked over at her and stated:
"You know, they said we were the disfunctional couple, but we never hurt each other as much as Haley and Lucas hurt us."
Peyton took a moment to think about this and realized he was right.
"Haley wanted to change you, which was wrong all together, she made you a project. Lucas wanted to look past my flaws, and you, and make me his own and he didn't care who got hurt in the process. What hurt me the most is when I choose to let go, because Brooke meant more to me - he turned into someone I didn't even know."
"I don't think I really ever knew Haley to be honest. I was hurting over you, and she was just there and to numb the pain I tried with her, and she made it ten times worse because I knew no matter what you and I went through, you'd never leave just like that."
"Nate - I honestly didn't think it was the end, the last time I ended it. I thought in a week or so we'd be back to be you and me, but we never were. It was you and Haley and the then the triangle from hell."
"Peyton, i'm sorry I didn't try harder."
"And i'm sorry I didn't either. I'll never regret being with you Nathan Scott, but i'll always reget not trying harder, because i've never loved anyone as much as you."
"I feel the same. And Peyton?"
"Yeah?"
"Haley never replaced you. You were always in my heart, on my mind. I loved her, sure, but not like I did you."
Looking into each other's eyes, things just started to make so much sense. This was their second chance. They couldn't pass it up. This could be there forever.
Leaning in towards each other, Nate wrapped his arm around her waist, and she wrapped an arm around his neck as their lips inched towards each other - and the moment their lips touched - this was coming home, this was their saving grace. The passion, the love, the fire - it was all still there.