A/N: Thank you again to everybody who is reading this and special thanks to all of you who take time to leave a review. Your feedback is greatly appreciated, good or bad. Love you guys.

Hope you enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill or any of its characters.

Nathan buried his face in Peyton's neck, as he pumped in and out of her. "Peyton," he murmured hoarsely in her ear, his breath coming in short, uneven gasps. He knew he couldn't hold off much longer, especially when Peyton moaned his name and wrapped her legs tighter around his waist. But it was the contraction of her opening, tightening around him as she climaxed, that sent him over the edge. A deep groan escaping his lips, he squeezed the handful of blonde curls he'd been gripping with one hand, as the other rested on the pillow beside her head, serving to hold himself up. He jerked violently as his seed spilled from his body.

He collapsed atop her, as they both struggled to catch their breath. However, he soon rolled off to lie beside her, knowing her tiny frame couldn't take the pressure of his weight for long. Pulling off the condom, he tossed it in the wastebasket that she kept at the side of her bed, and pulled her into his arms.

They continued to lie there silently, until their breathing finally slowed to a normal pace.

"Nathan?" Peyton said, after a while.

"Hmm?"

She took a deep breath and just came out with the question. "Is our sex life boring?"

Nathan chuckled. "Babe, you came three, no, four times," he said lightly. "I don't think you have cause for complaint," he added smugly.

She smacked his stomach. "I didn't know you were recording how many orgasms I had."

"Recording? No. But there is a video camera at my house if you're interested," he said with a grin.

Peyton sat up so she could look at him. "Is that something you'd like to do?"

Nathan smiled again and slid his hand up her bare leg. "I'm down with pretty much anything," he told her.

"Like what?" she asked, taking his hand into hers to stop its traveling.

"Like touching my girlfriend wherever I want without being stopped," he replied, his other hand now taking the place of the one she held.

"Nathan, I'm serious. You said you wanted to talk, but all we've done is have sex."

Nathan pulled his hand away with a sigh. He'd already said what he'd wanted to say, which was whatever it took to get her back. Now that he had her, 'talking' was the furthest thing from his mind. But she had that stubborn look in her eyes that told him she wouldn't let this go until they'd discussed it fully.

"Ok, let's talk then," he said agreeably. "You're gonna have to get dressed though," he stated. "Naked you is kinda distracting."

She smiled and pulled the blanket over her, pulling it off him in the process.

"Now you're gonna get distracted," he teased.

She covered his lower section back up, but firmly held the blanket around her. "Nathan, I need you to get serious and talk to me," she told him. "I mean, to me, our sex life is phenomenal…"

"To me too," he interrupted.

"Don't lie, Nate. I want you to be honest."

"I am being honest," he answered, sitting up.

"If you don't tell me what you feel is lacking, then how can I do anything to change it?"

"I don't want you to change it, Peyton," he said truthfully. "It's already perfect."

Peyton shook her head. "Don't treat me like an idiot, ok. If it was perfect, you wouldn't be with other girls all the time."

Nathan let out a sharp exhale, surprised and not at all pleased with her comment. "Peyton, those other girls are nothing."

"But you like sleeping with them, right? So obviously they're doing something for you."

Nathan opened his mouth to speak, but Peyton cut him off. "They have more experience than me, so they'd know how to please a man more than I could."

"Peyton, stop it…"

"No, Nathan. Just tell me what I'm doing wrong…"

"Nothing!" he said, getting angry at her line of thought. "You're not to blame for any of this, Peyton. I'm the idiot here."

"But why? There has to be a reason."

"I don't know, ok. I just…I'm an idiot," he repeated, not having any valid excuse to give her. What was he supposed to tell her? That he craved the variety of several sexual partners and couldn't say how long for? That he loved that almost 'high' feeling he felt with each new conquest? No, he couldn't say that. That would be admitting that he had no plan to discontinue. He'd tried being faithful to her after the very first time she'd broken up with him for cheating. It was useless. He didn't have it in him to resist temptation, so there was no point trying. He'd quickly learned that he didn't have to try at all. Of course he'd attempt to hide it from her, but even when she found out, she would always forgive him.

However, he did love her, and it killed him to think that she blamed herself for his cheating, that she thought she didn't satisfy him sexually. It couldn't be further from the truth. Sex with Peyton went beyond the normal sexual experience. It was always so intense, and sometimes it scared him.

Peyton remained silent. She knew she wouldn't get a straight answer from him. Why couldn't he just tell her so she could fix the problem?

Nathan stared hard at her. He had to convince her that she wasn't at fault. But he wasn't really that great with words, except for those he knew would win her back. Trying to instill some confidence in his beautiful girlfriend was a whole new ball game. He put his hands on her arms and rubbed them gently. "Peyton, you know I always want you. I want you practically every second of the day."

Peyton looked down, playing with her blanket.

"Even when I've just had you," he continued. "Why do you think that is?"

"Because you didn't get enough," she answered weakly.

"That's right," he said, lifting her chin up. "Because I can never get enough of you."

"Nathan…"

"Do you think I would want you so often if you didn't please me? And forget that, do you think I'm too shy to tell you what I want?"

She giggled at that. Nathan was anything but shy.

He smiled, knowing he was getting through. "Don't change anything, Peyton. I love everything about you," he said, kissing her neck. "And uh," he added, taking her hands and placing them over his growing erection, "so does junior." He kissed her ear then softly whispered. "Especially your mouth."

Peyton laughed at him. "Real subtle, Scott."

He grinned; happy he'd convinced her, and even more so when she bent to comply with his request.

–––––

Later, they lay there, wrapped in each other's arms, both of them completely drained of energy. When Nathan's phone rang, he picked his pants up off the floor and fished through the pocket. He looked at the caller id.

"It's Whitey," he informed Peyton. "Hello…tomorrow? I thought it was Tuesday…well, I don't know if I can make it, I'm kinda not feeling so good" Peyton shot him a look for the lie and he just grinned. "Coach, I know that…alright ok, I'll be there…ok, bye." He closed his phone.

"What was that about?"

"Practice. Tomorrow morning instead of Tuesday and then another one Wednesday morning because Thursday's game has been bumped up to Wednesday.

Peyton groaned in displeasure. "There has to be a game on my birthday?"

Nathan shrugged. "We'll celebrate on the weekend. Sound good?"

"Yeah. Oh, my dad called yesterday. He's gonna try to come down on Wednesday."

"That's great, Peyton," he said, trying, but failing to sound enthusiastic.

"Oh that was real convincing," she said with a giggle.

"Sorry. But your dad hates me."

"He doesn't hate you."

Nathan just gave her a look to suggest she knew otherwise.

"Ok, he hates you, but he'll only be here for a few days, so you'll be fine," she said reassuringly.

"For those few days I won't be allowed to see you," he complained.

"So just pretend we're on a break up," she joked, "except no other girls," she cautioned with a point of her index finger.

"And no other guys for you," he joked back. "Even if it is just to make me jealous."

"I wasn't trying to make you jealous. I was trying to hurt you," she informed him. "But you did get crazy jealous," she continued with a laugh.

"Look whose talking crazy. You're a bigger badass than me."

"I only hit her once. And just so you know, it wasn't about chest size."

He laughed. "Ok, if you say so."

"It wasn't."

"I said ok"

"Anyway," she said, changing the subject, "what are you getting me for my birthday? I saw this cute little top…"

"Cool. Ask Brooke to buy it for you," he replied with a smirk. "I already got your present last week."

"Really?" she asked, lifting up to look at him, her curiosity piqued. "What is it?"

"You'll have to wait and see."

"Am I going to like it?"

"I hope so," he said with a smile.

"Do I get a hint?"

"No. Did you give me a hint on my birthday?"

"Oh come on, paybacks are not all they're cracked up to be," she said. "Wait, does Tim know what it is?"

"Do I look stupid to you?"

"Do I have to answer that?"

"Oh, you're funny. No, Tim doesn't know. Tyler and Theresa are the only ones who know, besides me, and you know you won't get it out of them."

"What about Brooke?"

"Are you kidding? You two tell each other everything."

Peyton laughed, knowing it was true.

"So, you want to order in a pizza or something?"

"Trying to change the subject?"

"No, I'm just hungry," he answered.

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Peyton woke up the next morning with a dreaded cold. She kept sneezing and coughing and her eyes kept watering. "I am not going to school," she said, blowing her nose.

Nathan smiled at her sympathetically. He tried to kiss her, but she pushed him away, claiming she didn't want him to catch it.

"It's worth it," he told her, before stealing a kiss anyway. "So, I'd stay with you, but…"

"You have practice, I know. I'm probably just gonna sleep all day anyway."

"Ok. Well, I'm gonna go shower," he said. He went to the drawer that Peyton had reserved for his clothes and opened it. It was empty. "Peyt, where's my stuff?"

She put a hand to her mouth as she remembered. "Umm, in a bag on the front lawn," she told him, her hands now covering her face.

"What?"

"I'm sorry. I was mad and I…"

"Tossed it out the window?"

"Yeah, sorry about that. It should be right by the steps."

He went out to retrieve the bag and came back in. "I can't believe you did that," he said with half a smile, going through it for the clothing he wanted. He went and showered, and before heading out the door, came into Peyton's room with a steaming cup of hot chocolate. He'd heard the heat was good for a sore throat so it might help her. But she was already back to sleep so he put it in a travel mug and brought it with him.

–––––

Morning practice went by without a hitch. Whitey had actually taken it easy on them for once.

Lucas couldn't help but notice the bruises on Nathan's face and knuckles. He remembered the bruise Peyton had on her cheek at the café Friday night. He couldn't help wonder what had happened. He played back the scene in the locker room where Dan had slammed Nathan up against the locker. Had Dan done that to Nathan? Had they fought? And what about Peyton's cheek? Why are guys jerks? Lucas remembered her question. Did violence run in the family? Had Nathan caused that bruise? He drove himself crazy with these questions, but they stayed with him throughout the day.

–––––

Whitey stopped Nathan as he headed out of the gym, informing him, in no uncertain terms, that his grades had to be up to a C within two weeks if he didn't want the academic probation.

"I know, Coach. You told me already."

"And are you taking the necessary steps to improve your marks?"

"I'm working on it," Nathan said simply.

"Good. Work on it by attending all your classes. No more skipping."

"Yeah yeah. Got it, Dad," Nathan quipped, before walking away.

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Damien left the school grounds at lunchtime, intending to go over to Peyton's house. He noticed she wasn't at school so maybe he'd find her at home. He'd been one of the couple of guys she'd flirted with on Friday night, before she'd disappeared, and since she wasn't with Nathan anymore, he wanted to see if she cared to follow through with what she'd begun. He'd sure as hell laugh if he could snatch her away before she decided to take Nathan back.

He walked into her room, making her jump in surprise, from her bed. "Damien, what are you doing here?" She really wasn't close enough to him that he could freely walk into her room.

"I noticed you weren't at school. I wanted to see if you were alright."

"I'm fine. It's just a cold," she replied.

Damien nodded and then immediately started a conversation about the sketches on her wall.

Peyton didn't feel comfortable, but she didn't want to be flat out rude. Damien was a good friend of Nathan's, after all. So she talked to him, despite the bad feeling she had in the pit of her stomach. After a while their conversation flowed and she wondered if she were imagining the feeling.

Until he tried to kiss her.

Peyton pulled away from him. "What are you doing?"

"What? I thought you were into me."

"What makes you think that?"

"You were flirting with me on Friday at the party."

"Oh, that," Peyton said, closing her eyes. She'd only flirted mildly, nothing outrageous, but obviously Damien had taken it the wrong way. "Hey, listen, I didn't mean anything by that. I was actually just trying to get back at Nathan. I'm sorry if I led you on. That wasn't my intention."

"Hey, you can use me to get back at Nathan any time," Damien said. "And I can't see a better way than if you started dating me."

Peyton glared at him, wondering what kind of guy did this to his friend. "Well, that won't be necessary since we're actually back together now."

Peyton was taken aback by the sudden hatred she saw in his eyes.

"You took him back again," Damien spat. "You know he's just going to hurt you again."

"We'll see," Peyton said simply, her stomach tightening in knots.

"Peyton, the guy's an ass. He'll always have chicks on the side. You know that."

"We'll burn that bridge when we get there."

"I notice you said when instead of if.

"Ok, Damien, I'm flattered by your interest, I really am, but I just don't see you in that way. Even if Nathan and I weren't together, I wouldn't."

She must have said the wrong thing as a flash of anger crossed his expression. But he had to know she wasn't interested. How many times had she turned him down when he'd asked her out in the past?

"Well, again, I apologize if I gave you the wrong impression at the party," Peyton told him. "But right now I'm not feeling all that well, so, not to be rude, but you need to go."

For a while he stood staring spitefully, and then, without a word, he left.

Peyton let out a sigh of relief. For some reason, she felt uneasy around him.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––

Peyton wondered what was taking Nathan so long. He said he'd be here right after school, but school had let out forty minutes ago. Five minutes later he came in, carrying a grocery bag.

"What did you bring?" she asked curiously from the bed.

"Cold pills," he said, taking it out and showing it to her. "I noticed there wasn't any in the medicine cabinet."

"You checked?" she asked, feeling her heart melt.

"Yeah, also I bought orange juice and a couple cans of chicken soup. I figured you wouldn't want me to make you a pot," he said teasingly.

"Aww, Nate, thank you. That was really thoughtful. But you shouldn't be here. You're gonna catch my cold."

"I'll take my chances," he told her. "So, are you hungry now? Cause I can throw the soup in the microwave.

"Yes, that would be great. I'm starved."

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That night, as Nathan lay sleeping on her bed, Peyton sat, wide-awake at her desk. She glanced at her 'people always leave' sketch, and then focused on Nathan. He only ever left when she forced him to. She could break up with him a thousand times, and she was guaranteed that he'd be at her house, within a few days, asking for another chance. She smiled at this knowledge. For the first time she began to feel her own power in this relationship, rather than just the one under a spell.

The next sketch she made was of two doors, one to enter, and the other to exit. It showed an image of a man standing at the exit. Next to that, the same man at the entrance.

Across the sketch she wrote 'He Always Comes Back'