A/N: Song used in this chapter:
Somewhere Out There – Our Lady Peace

Ravens23

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here on this day for it is a special day. You see, today is the day that I announce the engagement of my stepdaughter Haley James to Chris Keller."

A round of applause broke out. Haley's face fell and she looked at Chris, a look of disbelief on her face. He looked at her blankly and she shot glares of hatred in his direction. He had preached to her about having to make a decision and choosing what makes her happiest the most. Chris raised an eyebrow and looked at Victoria, completely unaware of the reason for the sudden need for his presence, until now. It had become clear to him. He looked at Haley and shook his head.

All of a sudden, she couldn't breathe. It was as if she had been isolated into a sea of thick fog, fog being the hundreds of people swarming her and her "fiancé." She couldn't stand being where she was. Her heart began to pound madly in her chest as fear overtook her. She thought of Nathan and how he would take it.

Haley looked around and noticed the staff of the household walking around with trays. She tried to look over the sea of heads trying to grab a hold of her attention and saw that the trays were filled with champagne. Looking over at Chris, he looked just as uncomfortable as she did. She felt the lips of many kissing her cheeks and congratulating her and saying that they hadn't the slightest idea that she was even involved with someone. She plastered a fake smile on her face and took the praises of congratulations that came her way. When most of the people dispersed, Haley was given champagne and held it loosely in her hand, not hearing anything around her. There were speeches being given by her father's employees telling stories about her from when they knew her as a young child and she would just nod and raise her glass at the appropriate times.

After the speeches were given, Haley secluded herself into a corner with her champagne glass. She looked down at the contents, the alcohol staring back at her and downed the whole thing with one gulp. She felt an unfamiliar hand on the low of her back and turned her head to see Chris.

"Hello future wife."

She slapped his hand away.

"You're an ass."

Chris chuckled. He noticed that Haley was being entirely honest and it wiped the smirk off of his face.

"What you think I knew about this? I'm just as confused as you are okay? You think I don't see the way you look at your pool boy?"

Haley turned her head in shock.

"Yeah, I know what Nathan means to you. And quite frankly, I know what you're feeling okay? You think I want to go through with this? Had it not be for Victoria knowing my father's dying wish, I'd be gone from this place. And I think the only reason she said what she said is because West is gone."

"He is?"

"Yeah, he packed up his stuff and left when your dad wouldn't give him more if he were to become your husband."

There was an awkward silence between the two of them. People passed by them, smiling in their direction, thinking the two were sharing a moment. The very thought of what the people were thinking had her disgusted. Haley handed Chris her empty glass.

"I'm going to sleep. This whole thing gives me a headache."

Chris nodded and took her glass.

"Good night wifey."

Haley turned around and slapped his face.

"One more comment Keller…"

He held his hands up, surrendering. She grimaced and headed for her bedroom, in dire need of sleep.

232323

Haley opened her bedroom door and entered. It was dark, but before she could turn on the lights, she felt someone grab her from behind. Their hand covered her mouth to refrain her from screaming. And then she heard that soothing voice in her ear.

"It's me Hales…"

Instantly, she calmed down. She sighed and her heart sped up, knowing exactly who was touching her. He had one arm draped across her chest as he hugged her from behind ad he lowered his hand from her mouth. With his free hand, he kept his other company by keeping her body close to his. He lowered his mouth to her ear. His nose grazed her collarbone. His warm breath sent goosebumps up her spine. Nathan's breathing increased to a rapid speed. His tears came slowly, but came nonetheless.

"What do you want Nathan?"

Her voice was so broken. It was low, soft and refined. There were breaks in her voice, threatening tears to fall. Her heart continued to break. She heard Nathan sniffle and moved his hands to hold onto hers, still holding her from behind.

"You can't marry Chris Keller…y-…you just can't Haley."

She could hear the desperation in Nathan's voice. Her heart broke right then and there at the sound of his shattered voice. His words reflected his heart, ruptured.

"I love you too much to go through with this. I know I hurt you, but please…please give me another chance. I can't stop thinking about you. In my eyes, my mind, my heart, there's only you. Please forgive me for the part of your life that I've caused you any hurt. There's no excuse for what I've done. Stuff like this happens Hales. That's life. I didn't invent it to be like that, but trust me, if I did, you would never be hurt because I hate seeing you like that and I would have never fallen for you so that way, you would have never had to endure the pain I put you through. But I have fallen for you…and hard. So, if there's any chance that you still want me, please don't marry him…"

Haley's heart beat quickly in her chest. She didn't know what to do. There was a void in her heart where Nathan was until a little while ago. She couldn't comprehend how being away from the one person she loved the most walking the planet could have her missing him so much after not even 24 hours. She brought a shaking hand to his arms that encompassed her figure and tore them, gently, from her body, knowing that she wouldn't be able to think clearly with them on her. Luckily, he obliged to her unspoken request. Haley turned to face Nathan. She could make out his facial expression from the light of the moon shining through her massive window.

Last time I talked to you
You were lonely and out of place
You were looking down on me
Lost out in space

She recognized the look on his face. It resembled her own. His eyes were red from the lack of sleep and they were overly moisturized from the abundance of tears that ran from his eyes. His hair was disheveled from the constant running of his fingers through it, probably wondering why all of this happened. He wore his white shirt unbuttoned and un-tucked. She could make out the defined portions of his chest and abdomen through his white wife-beater and his black pants seemed to be a tad on the loose side, given the fact that he wasn't wearing a belt.

Laying underneath the stars
Strung out and feeling great
Watch the red orange glow
Watch it float away

Nathan feared that his words weren't getting him anywhere. She only stared at him. Haley hadn't said a single word to him. He stared into her eyes, not wanting to remove them. He felt his eyes closing, but forced them open. He was tired. This had been one of the longest days of his life and now he began to feel the exhaustion begin to take over his body. Had this all he needed to get a decent rest? To let Haley know what he felt? He was dead and was now waiting to be re-awoken. He had always vowed to himself that he would not let her get away from him and he had every intention of keeping that promise.

Down here in the atmosphere
Garbage and city lights
Gonna save you're tired soul
You're gonna save our lives
Turn on the radio to
Find you in satellite
I'm waiting for the sky to fall
I'm waiting for a sign
And all we are
Is all so far

Haley hadn't moved or said a single word. She looked at him and felt herself being drawn into him. She hadn't said a single word to him in the past 24 hours and to have him be directly in front of her had her hands shaking and needing to be with him. This was definitely one of the most difficult times in her life, the first being letting Nathan go. She hated herself last night. Brooke had stayed with her the entire night, being her crying shoulder, secretly wishing that Nathan would sneak into her bedroom through her window and she would take him back and they would spend an elated night together just being with one another. Before she knew it, Haley was taking small steps to Nathan and with each step, Nathan patiently awaited her, body and soul. She didn't know what she was doing, but everything told her to go to him. The space closed between their bodies as she reached for her arms acclaimed spot around his neck and it was then that their noses grazed and Nathan heard Haley sighing. Whether or not it was relief or pleasure, it didn't matter to him. She looked up at him and he at her.

You're falling back to me
The star that I can see
I know you're out there somewhere out there
You're falling out of reach
Defying gravity
I know you're out there
Somewhere out there

With a simple tug, Haley launched her lips onto his, craving every inch of him. As her lips roamed his mouth, Nathan hoisted her upwards and she wrapped her legs around his waist. Her hands went to cup his face as she took a breath against his mouth. Nathan kept her where she was using his arms wrapped tightly around Haley's waist. He began to feel alive. He was lost and now was found, dead and now alive. This was living. He walked the two of them backwards, collapsing onto her bed.

Hope you remember me
When you're homesick and need a change
I miss your purple hair
I miss the way you taste
I know you'll come back some day
On a bed of nails I wait
I'm praying that you don't burn out
Or fade away
And all we are
Is all so far

Nathan felt Haley tugging at his shirt, forcing it off his shoulders. She straddled him as he aided her in the removal of his shirt by sitting up slightly so she could slip it off. She then let her hands return to his face, caressing his fuzzy cheeks due to him not shaving earlier that morning. She felt so fulfilled being near him and so close to him, as she was. She felt as if the world that was once crumbling down merely minutes ago was now being rebuilt. She was never so certain of anything in her life as much as what she felt for Nathan this past summer.

You're falling back to me
The star that I can see
I know you're out there somewhere out there
You're falling out of reach
Defying gravity
I know you're out there
Somewhere out there

At the beginning of the summer, she had that gut feeling that something big was going to happen her. She didn't know what it was and she thought she knew when she began to receive those letters. She figured that it was those letters that were what she was expecting. Now, being in the state she was, she knew that it wasn't those letters that were the life-altering thing that she was expecting. It was Nathan. It was always Nathan and she felt it would always be Nathan. It would forever be Nathan.

You're falling back to me
The star that I can see
I know you're out there

He felt Haley undoing the buckle of his pants and at that point he came to his senses. Reluctantly, Nathan pried his lips from Haley's and watched as she unzipped his zipper. She looked at him and smiled.

"Haley…"

You're falling out of reach
Defying gravity
I know you're out there
Somewhere out there

He looked at her, knowing and seeing the conflict within her. The wonder of whether or not she was making a mistake by doing what she was doing, even though her beautiful smile did its best to cover her war. He ran his hand through her hair, cupping one of her cheeks with his hand and lowering her forehead to meet his lips.

"Are you sure?"

You're falling back to me
The star that I can see
I know you're out there somewhere out there
You're falling out of reach
Defying gravity
I know you're out there
Somewhere out there

Haley looked at Nathan, her smile turning into a smirk at the fact that her heart was melting directly in front of him. Every feeling of sadness or regret of ever knowing him faded into the darkness of her soul. It was all pushed aside. There were no more regrets and no more sorrow because she knew where she belonged. And that was right here, right now with Nathan. All of these thoughts played in her head and her smirk grew back to a smile. And then she said the one word and did the two gestures that changed her life. She nodded.

"Yes…"

Haley leaned down; capturing her lips with Nathan's knowing that where tonight headed would have her feeling blessed, satisfied and content in the morning.

You're falling back to me
I know, I know
You're falling out of reach
I know

Ravens23

A breath of fresh air was exactly what Nathan Scott breathed when he woke up early the following morning. The sun hadn't even risen over the household. He felt something over his torso and looked down at the beautiful woman sleeping soundly next him. There was a small smile on her face and that fact alone made him smile. He looked to her window and saw the small bit of light waking up the sky. Nathan grabbed Haley's hand and placed a kiss on her knuckles. She turned and crunched into a ball. Smirking, Nathan through the comforter off of his body and grabbed his boxers off of the floor.

He made his way to the window, unlocking it and stepping out onto the balcony, overlooking the land that lay before him. The silent wind grazed his toned body and he closed his eyes breathing it all in. He felt a stillness in his life. It was the same stillness he felt being back at the dock two months prior surrounded by Mac and Chip. He missed those two dogs of his. He knew that they would be standing right there next to him.

At that moment, Nathan felt a warm hand on his shoulder. He turned and opened his eyes to be met with, whom he thought for sure was, an angel. Her smile made the sun in the sky look like the moon at night. He leaned down and kissed her and wrapped an arm around her blanket-clad body. Her silky blonde hair blew with the wind and the up and rising light of the new day made her skin glow with a soft grace.

"Morning."

She smiled up at him.

"Morning."

"How are you? Do you feel okay?"

Haley smiled at Nathan.

"What?"

"You're rambling Nathan."

"I know, it's just, I wanna make sure that you're okay."

Haley caressed his face and smiled.

"I'm fine."

Nathan smirked and nodded.

"Okay. Just making sure."

Haley leaned into his lean figure and wrapped her arms around his torso.

"I love you Nathan."

He was about to speak, but she cut him off.

"No, don't say anything, just let me get this out. I love you Nathan and I know that, that wasn't always clear in the beginning because you knew I had my doubts and you called me on them. You knew that there was someone else in my life. You knew about the letters and you were still there in the end of it all. After everything I did. After your confession on my birthday and your little confession two nights ago, I shouldn't have had reacted like I did. I mean, yeah you did what you did, but there always a part of me that wished it was you. And when I found out that it was, I reacted like how anyone should react to when they found out that they were lied to. That night when I ended this, I didn't know what I was doing. My heart kept saying not to and my knowledge of the world told me to do what was expected me to do when given that option. It wasn't what I wanted. What I wanted, more than anything, was you. Just you. There is no one else for me, Nathan Scott. I love you and it should be me who's apologizing for hurting you."

Nathan sighed.

"How did I find you? Why should I be so lucky to find you waiting for me? You're incredible Haley James. And I love you."

Nathan grabbed Haley and planted a firm kiss on her lips, neither realizing that a certain pair of brown eyes was watching in shock and disbelief.

Ravens23

Nathan dressed himself. He buttoned up his shirt and tucked it in, looking at Haley while he did so. The smile on his face was permanent and everything seemed right in his life. Haley sat on her bed reading the same book that Nathan had seen her reading the first moment he saw her. She sat there with her hair up not even paying attention to her book. Nathan put his collar back into place as it should be and looked to Haley who he noticed was staring at him.

"What?"

She shook her head.

"Nothing…you just look so sexy with your shirt all done up and tucked in."

"Oh yeah?"

Nathan smirked. Haley stood from her spot hopping over to Nathan across her bed. She wrapped her arms around his neck from behind, kissing his neck. He took her hand and placed a kiss on the palm.

"You really have to go?"

"Yeah. I haven't done my chores yet and I'm almost 7 minutes late for my rounds. But you know if I could stay here all day, I would."

"I know. Now go and watch out for Bub on the way out."

Nathan nodded.

"Right…Bub. Damn cat. Okay you…I'm going."

Haley hopped off of her bed and walked him to the door, kissing him before checking the hallway for any wandering bodies. When all was clear, Haley kissed Nathan with everything she had, not wanting to let but know that if she didn't then they were sure to get caught.

"Bye baby. Love you."

"Love you too. Be fast and come back."

"You know I will."

Ravens23

"I was thinking peach colour for the tables and the china setting a crème."

Victoria was speaking with the wedding planner as Lisa mopped the entranceway. Haley was about to enter the area when Lisa stopped her.

"I know how much you hate this, but she's discussing China patterns and center pieces and tablecloths. I dunno if you wanna go in there."

"Thanks for the warning. I really don't want to be in there."

"Oh Haley! Come in."

Haley sighed.

"Too late huh?"

Lisa nodded and smiled apologetically. Haley entered and stopped before the wedding planner and her stepmother sending each of them a fake smile.

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Nathan was cutting the grass out front with a colossal smile on his face. There was nothing on earth that made him happier than the events of the previous night. The two had experienced their relationship in a way that neither knew to be possible. He remembered every inch of her body and the image of her was fresh in his mind. He missed her. He missed her smile, her voice, her lips, everything.

"Nathan!"

Nathan turned his head and noticed Lucas coming towards him. Nathan turned off the lawn mower and wiped his hands on his jeans. Sweat pouring down his face and drenching his white t-shirt, Lucas handed him a white envelope.

"You seem happier today Nate."

"Cuz I am Luke."

Nathan smiled.

"Ah, I get it. Don't screw up this time."

"Alright."

Nathan watched as Lucas walked away and turned his attention to the envelope. Recognizing the writing, he tore it open, only to have it yelling at him.

Nathan,

What the hell do you think you're doing? I knew I shouldn't have let you go. You clearly aren't ready to be on your own. What do you think you're doing kissing Jimmy James's daughter? Yeah, I saw the two of you this morning as I was coming across the lake to have a talk with a potential buyer and imagine my surprise when I see you making out with a CEO's daughter who is engaged I might add! How could you be so stupid? Have you any idea what could happen to you if anyone finds out about this? Especially that nasty step-wife of Jimmy's. Please don't do anything stupid. Break it off as soon as you can and make sure you get back to me.

Keith, Mac & Chip

Nathan reread the letter and chuckled at Keith's audacity. He stuffed the letter in his pocket and finished his work. As he walked back into the house, he wandered down the hallway looking for a room to write his latter back to Keith. The purring of a cat made Nathan jump. But he watched it as it ran into a room. The door was slightly open. He heard Victoria's voice. He scrunched his eyebrows, wondering whom she was talking to. He stood outside, cautiously listening to each word.

"Ah, look at you Bub. The wedding is happening. Everything is finally happening for the both of us and everyone is completely oblivious to it. Jimmy's condition is getting worse…well, I'm making it worse. Haley will be married off to Chris Keller which means she will be taken care of and have absolutely no need for the money which it will all be left to Brooke and I, that is, once I'm rid of Jimmy James for sure. Ah, life is sweet, isn't it Bub?"

Nathan felt his heart racing as fast as possible. There was absolutely no way he heard, what he had just heard. It just wasn't possible…not possible.

Ravens23

A/N: PLEASE REVIEW! I know it may seem a little quick with the reunion of Naley, but whatever happens has to happen for the story. PELASE review! You guys are AWESOME!!