Chapter 3: Forever just wasn't long enough

The room was perfect and for lack of a better word, enormous! It was obvious that Nathan had picked the right room to keep his distance. Haley couldn't even call it a bedroom; the size of this room was probably the size of her whole house!

As beautiful and fantastic the room was it was that stupid couch that had her full attention. The couch looked comfortable, nice proportion for Nathan's figure too. It killed her that it seemed like a perfect sleeping area.

Nathan could senses the disquieting feeling coming from Haley the second they walked into the room. This was too soon for him, why couldn't she just understand that? Sharing a bed with Haley was so much more than just sharing a bed. It meant a lot; and no matter how much she hurt him, he couldn't send her mixed signals.

"Would you like to unpack now?" Haley had to say something; the silence in the room was killing her again.

"Not really. I hate unpacking."

Haley personally hated leaving things left undone; it just wasn't in her natural, "Do you mind if I unpack our bags? While I do that you can set up that lovely couch of yours; you're going to need a blanket and pillows."

Haley was already acting like his wife and his grandparents weren't even around. Nathan wasn't sure how he was going to handle this vacation.

"Sure."

Haley placed both of their suitcases on the bed, turning to Nathan's first. She figured Nathan probably didn't pack that many things. Nathan already left the room to find an extra blanket and pillows as Haley began to search through Nathan's things.

Nathan's bag held everything she knew she was going to find; t-shirts, jeans, sweaters, boxers, wife-beaters, etc. Placing all of his clothing in the drawers along with her clothing, it felt nice to see her clothes next to his again.

Walking back over to his suitcase, Haley went to close it but to her surprise found something else laying there… his ring. Not just his ring, his ring that was hanging around a plain, sliver necklace.

Her mind was racing with questions; did he take his ring with him everywhere? And, why was he not wearing it?! Haley's mind complete forgot what this whole trip was about; them! Their marriage.

"Haley," Nathan said coming into the room, "My parents and grandparents are here."

She held up the ring. "Why aren't you wearing this?"

Nathan looked up at her from where he was standing, with a blanket and pillows in his hand. His ring, "I was going to put it on before my parents got here." Nathan could already feel himself suffocating.

"Why weren't you wearing it before?"

Nathan shook his head; he had that ring off for months! It wasn't just something effortless for him, he couldn't just casual slip it on, "I had it wrapped around my neck while I was packing and I threw it in there not thinking."

"Oh," That was understandable, Haley thought. Haley took two steps towards him but stop in her place, she wanted to ask him – she was terrified though. "Ca-Can I— Can I put it on… for you?" Haley spit out.

Nathan was startled, out of everything she could have said, it had to be that. "Um… Su— I mean, um, no—ye—I…" Nathan didn't finish his sentence. He looked paralyze.

"I'm sorry," Haley whispered, walking towards him, "Here," she slowly took his hand and ever so deliberately dropped the ring and the chain into his palm, and turned to walk away.

Nathan grabbed her wrist gently, "Haley," he whispered. He saw the ache, the pain in her eyes, he hurt her… again! 'Fuck, just let her do it, Nate!', "I was just… shocked. You surprised me." Haley didn't say a word, "You can do it."

Haley shook her head, she couldn't do it now. His first reaction was his real reaction, "No. I— I can't— do it yourself." She handed him his ring and walked back over to the bed.

Placing both of the suitcases in the closest she turned back to face him, "Well I'm done in here. I guess, make your couch and I'll meet you downstairs." Her voice was tender and subdued; there was no emotion in her voice, just soft and child-liked. He hurt her feelings.

Haley left the door slightly opened before walking out, leaving Nathan standing alone in the middle of the room with his ring in one hand and his pillows and blanket in his other arm. He placed the ring back on the bed while walking over to his couch. Why couldn't he just agree to share the stupid same stinking bed with her? And, why couldn't he just let her put on his frigging ring? If he just agreed and said yes he wouldn't have to deal with the let down in her eyes. Her beautiful chocolate brown eyes— the same eyes that—, 'Scott! Stop it! This is Haley we're talking about… she killed you, she broke your heart—the reason why you're not sharing the same bed with her or letting her place your ring on your finger is because she gave up on you guys! Not you, Scott! It was her! Don't give in! Don't!'

Nathan placed the pillows and blanket on the couch, walked back over to Haley's bed, picking up the necklace, took the ring, placed it on his finger with no emotions, 'This doesn't bug you, it's just a ring' and even though it was so much more than that, no emotions, is what will get Nathan through this trip. 'No emotions Scott!'

After Nathan was finished in their bedroom, he made his way downstairs… his parents and grandparents already arrived a while ago and despite Haley already being down there and keeping them at ease, he knew he couldn't leave her alone with them.

Certainty everybody was playing nice for now but the second they all get comfortable around each other, Nathan knows that's when it'll all change.

Nathan was making his way into the living but halt before making any future steps; the scene before him looked perfect. Haley looked perfect.

His grandparents were sitting beside each other on the love couch, while, although his parents weren't sitting beside each other, they were actually on the same couch; laughing at something Haley said, 'What the fuck?!', The fireplace light up the whole room; radiant Haley's face even more.

Haley sat on the floor, two pillows underneath her; her locks of blonde hair gracefully leveled down to the ground, sitting Indian style, and her tight, shoulder off white sweater, slide up her back, displaying her smooth tan skin; revealing her '23' tattoo.

God Haley was making this trip extra difficult for him. It was never easy for him when it came to Haley and the things he wished to do to her. But when she left town it became easier to control, Haley wasn't around, and he didn't have to fight the urge.

Haley's been home for months now and the voice in Nathan's head telling him to control himself was slowly fading away. It was half of the reason why Nathan avoid Haley since she's been home, well, maybe more than half. Haley was just fucking sexy. If he didn't avoid her even though it was hard, he'd have already jumped her and it'd have been done on the school lot, Karen's Café, the basketball court… fuck, the basketball court, Haley shaking her ass cheering him on. Even though he knew it was required for Haley to scream his name on the courts, he couldn't help but wonder other reasons she could be screaming his name for.

Stepping into the living room at this current moment just didn't sound to appealing to him. He needed some fresh air and boy did he need it now, if not his friend would be coming to town and although maybe that sight would get his dad to shut up and have his grandparents believing them about his marriage to Haley. He didn't need nor want Haley to know the effect she still had on him.

Fresh air sounded perfect.

Hearing the front door close, all 5 ended their conversation and turned to look at the door just seeing it close. Haley and Deb both looked at each other. Haley knew it would be best to go check on him; after all she is his wife. But she just couldn't, not after their conversation. She gave Deb the look hoping she'd understand.

"Was that Nathan?" Grandma Mel pointed out. 'Way to state the obvious,' Haley thought.

"Why would he just leave?" Dan spoke up again, "Hales?" Everybody turned their faces looking at Haley for an answer. 'Yeah, look at the wife!' "Di-Did you guys get in some kind of fight?" If Dan smiled grew any wider his face would break.

"No." Haley simply stated. That would be the only thing to make her get through this trip, answering Dan Scott with short answers. She didn't owe him anything.

"I'll go check on him," Deb jumped up. She figured it would be the prefect time to have a conversation with her son. She never actually took the time to let him know why she asked him to invite Haley. Sure he believed it was only because she lied. But she figured if she told him it was to fix his marriage he would have said no and not come. He can't escape now though. "Dan, play nice." She warned before leaving.

Stepping outside the cold air hit her face and she was freezing, "Boy, is it cold out."

Nathan turned his head around to see his mother standing behind him, holding her body for warmth. It was freezing but Nathan felt amazing with the breeze. It never got this cold in Tree Hill and the air was refreshing.

Part of him secretly hoped for Haley to come after him. He wasn't sure why he wanted her to come find him, or why he wanted or needed her to say things that he wished and hoped for but lately there was a feeling inside of him crying out for her. He keeps pushing it away, hoping it'll disappear.

"Hey mom."

"What has you standing out here all alone when everybody is inside waiting on you?"

Nathan just gave her a look; disappointment and confusion. "I'm standing out here instead of inside because my family is in there playing fucking 'pretend' as if they can really stand each other when really; we all know this trip is a crock of shit! Also, my wife, who I asked for a divorce, was asked to come along. It seems my own parents forgot that she kissed another man… twice and left me, but they had me asked her to come along AS my wife! Because that's what our family does… lie! And we enjoy it. We get some sick pleasure out of other people's pain and we love to watch them squirm about it."

"I'm not trying to hurt you Nathan." Nathan was a master at controlling his emotions and hiding them from others. Deb knew because he mastered it from her. But she could always see that hint of pain in his eyes. Even if he tried to pretend to be happy, okay, great. She could see the pain in his beautiful blue eyes. It wasn't until Haley came along did she see her son's eye truly sparker. And she couldn't ever take credit for that.

"Save it mom. I thought things were going to change, I thought we were going to get out and get away from his control. I thought we were a team! But… you're just like him; you've always been just like him. You control me as much as he does and you're no better."

Nathan turned away and started to walk off. This conversation was done.

"Nathan! Don't walk away from me!"

"Why?"

"I didn't…I didn't lie about you and Haley for some sick joke. I didn't, I didn't do this to hurt you. I did this so that you can find that love in Haley that you once had! Nathan its stil—,"

"Oh we're NOT talking about this! You've got to be kidding me." Nathan walked towards her, pissed as hell!

"THIS TRIP IS FOR HALES AND ME? You know, you and Haley and whoever else believes what you guys believe need to learn to back off! You can't stick Hales and I in a room and expect all to be forgiven. It doesn't work that way mom! Maybe you used to just forgive Dan because you let him pull off the shit, but I'm nothing like you guys! I can never trust Haley again. Start believing that instead."

Nathan walked towards the front door again, reaching for the knob, "I can't believe you would do this."

Stepping into the lodge again, Nathan saw his grandparents and Dan disusing something they heard on the news last week while Haley just sat there watching the floor. He has never seen the girl look more unease than he did this very moment. She was uncomfortable and he should've known there was a reason why Deb was the one to lie. He should have known something twisted was going on, it was his family after all. And he should have never asked Haley to come. It wasn't fair of him to put her through this. It was his parents fault for lying he never had to of gone along with them and their lie.

But it was that feeling again, he couldn't place what it was… or rather he was scared to face the truth of what it was but that day when his mother told him this wild plan apart of wanted to say yes and that part of him got the better of him and he did say yes.

He turned away walking upstairs. It was rude of him to not say hello or bye to his grandparents but he couldn't face any of them, not now, not after that. Beside, it was hitting close to 10 o'clock and although he wasn't tired he knew his parents and grandparents would be hitting bed soon.

Looking up from the floor and seeing Deb walk back into the living room, Haley knew she was saved. Sure she liked Nathan's grandma but she had nothing in common with Nathan's family and she couldn't even stand the men in it, she had no idea how she would survive this trip if Nathan was going to avoid her the entire time.

Seeing Deb enter the room slightly upset and disappointed, she immediately looked around for Nathan. He didn't follow Deb and Haley searched her eyes for an answer. She could barley read what feeling Deb was trying to give off but Haley knew it wasn't something good.

"Nathan's not feeling well, he told me to tell you all goodnight and he'll see us in the morning."

The group of four just stared at Deb, she was a bad actress. They knew it was something else but nobody wanted to push it if she didn't want to share.

"I should probably go check on him then." Haley was grateful she had an out. She wasn't sure if Nathan's family was night people or not, living with Nathan he could stay up for hours and sleep the day in. She didn't want to spend anymore time with them. "Night everyone, see you in the morning."

"Night Haley," three of them called.

"Night Hadley… Oh, I meant Haley." Dan finished a smirk on his face.

Reaching their bedroom door Haley found it closed and saw no lights shining through. 'Is he really not feeling well?' Haley questioned, feeling guilty for amusing he lied about something as simple as a sickness to get away from her.

Taping on the door lightly, warning Nathan she was coming in she opened the door slowly. All the lights were turned off expect the ray of light coming from the moon. The balcony doors were open and nobody was in the bedroom.

"Nathan," Haley whispered, walking towards the balcony. Seeing him standing out there with stillness in his body, he looked like a robot; he wasn't moving at all. "Nathan, it's freezing out here. Come inside." He didn't move or say one word. Haley knew something was wrong.

"Nathan?" Walking up behind him, she held her tiny hand out to him, hoping she could turn him around even though she knew with his strengthen if he didn't want to be touched he would let her know.

"What Haley? What you want!"

She gave him that look again, where she was feeling uncomfortable, scared, almost like a broken doll. He didn't mean to snap at her but she was always the only person around whenever he was agitated with others. He seems to take it out on her. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap."

"No, it's fine. Take all the time you need."

Leaving Nathan alone outside, she went back into their bedroom. It gave her a perfect chance to change into her pajamas without worrying if she should go change in the bathroom or not; afraid it'll make Nathan uncomfortable, or worse… He wouldn't even be affect by her naked body.

Haley knew Nathan didn't find her sexy anymore. He didn't want her how he used to; he didn't want her the way she still craved for him at night. That's why he didn't want to share a bed with her or why he hasn't looked at her once with those lustful eyes. Speaking to her body with them; letting her know all the dirty things he would be doing to her body if it was just the two of them in the room.

She knew he didn't trust her, love her, or find her sexy anymore. What was wrong with her, thinking this trip even came closely to meaning anything to Nathan! How desperate was she? Coming on a trip with her ex-husband and his family, who hates her, to pretend to be his real wife? Should she try any harder? She should just write on her forehead; 'Desperate Housewife: call me Nathan!' She was waiting on a man who didn't even want her back.

After placing her bottoms on she went to grab her tank top, hearing the balcony door close Haley froze in her spot. Too nervous to move and place her top on quick, but too scared to even turn around relieving her half naked body.

The first thing his eyes went to was that tattoo. That sexy, ravishing, lustful tattoo that was place right above her prefect round ass! 'Fuck' Nathan murmured swallowing hard. That tattoo always had an overcoming emotion to his mind and body. First it'd make him horny but it also made him proud. Proud that he was good enough for somebody like Haley. Haley saw something in him all those months ago and without even knowing if he loved her back, she put his mark on her body. She permanently marked her body with his symbol; making him feels worthily of her.

He shook the feeling off. It wasn't the same anymore. He couldn't feel the same anymore, no matter how sexy the image before him turned him on, "Sorry." Nathan finally spoke, after standing there for what felt like forever. He closed his eyes and turned around letting her finish.

"Its fine Nathan, I don't mind. It's not like you haven't seen me naked before," Haley finished placing her tank top over her body. "Beside, if I'm comfortable with anybody seeing my body it'd only be you."

Nathan didn't say anything, he just stood there with his back to her face and his eyes still closed waiting for the okay to turn around.

"You CAN turn around now, my body's hidden. I'm sorry if I'm that disgusting for you to look at."

"Your body is not the problem for me, Haley; trust me that part of you I still crave for." Nathan relieved after checking her tight body out, "I find you incredible sexy and it's hard for me to control myself when I'm around you. Just one thought of you and I'm bothered. "

Haley didn't speak yet.

"And yes I've been tempted more than once to come over to your apartment and give in so we CAN have sex! But I care about you and I'm not just going to use you."

Haley couldn't believe he admit all of that to her. She was definitely startled. Nathan was never one to give speeches or go into details on how he felt; he was straight and forward, most of the time he didn't feel he had to defend himself; if you thought a certain way that was your problem then.

Haley walked towards him, hoping he'd let her and wouldn't back off. She reached his body and desperate to touch him she held back. She thought he didn't want her anymore; that she'd look different now because she kissed another man and left him for a tour but he found her sexy still. "Nathan…" Haley whispered looking up into his blue eyes, the same eyes that darken whenever he wants her.

"Haley, don't." Nathan voiced cracked, he couldn't even keep it together when she was inches away from him.

"Nathan… you find me sexy still and baby, that makes me feel so good," she placed her palm on his flat chest, even if he was wearing a shirt she could feel those rock hard abs. "We haven't had sex in months, which feels like years to me, does it feel like years baby?" Nathan closed his eyes taking in the feel of his wife's hands roaming his body; he hasn't been touched by her in forever. Nathan nodded his head to her answer. It all felt so good.

"Baby, you wouldn't be taking advantage of me. I want you as much as you want me; I've wanted you since the night I left. Baby, it's hard watching you practice with no shirt on, or sitting in class just watching you, knowing you won't give me one look. Watching you all those times, it makes me so hot…" Haley pushed her body up against his, releasing a grunt from Nathan, her nipples were getting harder by minute. Reaching his ear, "or… how wet it makes me." Nathan swallowed hard again. He was trying not to give in no matter how good she felt against his body.

"Baby you make me so wet. And all it makes me think about is you pounding in and out of me; so hard, so fast." She could feel him harden at the minute, "Do I make you hard baby?"

Her dirty talk was always a surprise to Nathan but incredible sexy, the first few months of their lovemaking she was still embarrassed or shy but when she came around, boy, did she come around. Nathan just nodded his head again.

"Good." Bringing her body down his, body on body, Haley made him grunt more, making a moan slip out of her mouth. Feeling him hard as a rock on her lower belly, she wanted to help him. The fire inside of her couldn't take the wait any longer.

"Let me fix this problem for you," Rubbing her palm slowly, still on his jeans she didn't want to scare him off. She figured taking things slow would help him come around.

"Haley…"

"It's okay baby." Reaching for his jeans, she began to unbuckle them.

Nathan wanted this, he dreamed about this night for months; different scene, different setting, and different timing… when they were good again, happy, when they weren't on the verge of a divorce. When he forgave her for kissing another man… another man! Chris. Chris Fucking Keller, the tour, Haley walking out; on them, on everything they had, everything they worked for. And now, one trip, one night and they were already having sex. No! She'd regret this, he would regret this. "Haley, Stop!" Nathan pushed her hand away and pulled back.

Haley didn't understand, he was saying yes two seconds ago.

"Yeah I want to sleep with you, and obvious we're on the same page with that one. This won't fix our problems, sex won't make everything better. Sure it'd feel good tonight and for a moment you'll think everything is okay again but it won't be it's not okay. You'll regret this in the morning; I'll regret it and it'll add more to our problems. Sex never fixes things."

Haley cleared her voice, too afraid it'd crack if she spoke. She couldn't believe she just acted that way; she was embarrassed and felt incredible speechless. She stood frozen, not knowing what to do next. Two minutes ago she felt sexy and wanted by her husband again, she thought she'd get to sleep with him and now she felt rejected… again!

"I'm sorry, Haley. It's the truth, you know that. I'm… I'm gonna go shower this off. I'm sorry."

When he reached the bathroom door and closed it Haley let all the tears drop, closing her mouth though too afraid he'd hear her cry, "Me too."

There it is let me know what you think :) Review please.

I'm sorry it took forever for me to get this chapter out. It's just I original wrote this story on my sister's laptop and I sent the half finish project to my e-mail, uploading it on my computer. I still wrote the rest of this story on her laptop but of course it crashed on me and I couldn't get it back. I had to spend the rest of the time rewriting and adding new things to the version I had on my computer. I hope you all don't mind and understand and you're still sticking around with my story.

I love reviews :) they get me pumped to update the next chapter. Please leave one, let me know what you think, what you like and don't like. I'll take anything.

Also, for those of you who asked to beta my work but I didn't get back to you with an answer, I'm so sorry. I meant to write everybody an e-mail thanking them for asking. It means a lot to me that people wanted to edit my work. I did finally pick somebody for that job; "Shanynde." (That's her username on here.) She'll be helping me out with this story and I appreciate it greatly.

Thanks for reading.