Walkaway Joe - The End

By Whitney

Chapter 26

What if this is just the beginning

As Haley relaxed back in Nathan’s arm by the roaring fire, she realized some things in life were just unavoidable. Like her and Nathan from the moment they met it was just there between them, this unstoppable force that took them both over and refused to ever release them. She wasn’t sure if she believed in fate, mostly because it voided out most of the choices you made in life, but a part of her truly felt like she and Nathan were just meant to be. Her love for him was just there, that tiny feeling that just built until it took her over. And now here she was his wife, his lover, his best friend, and he was her husband, her everything.

“What are you thinking?” He leaned down to whisper into her ear as the melodic sounds of Jake’s guitar filled the air around them. Brooke had convinced her husband to spend the last hour tuning an old guitar from the attic so he could regale them with his talent. Haley had a sneaking suspicion Brooke had a few more hoops for Jake to jump through before she completely let him off the hook.

“About us.” Haley replied leaning her head back so she could meet him eye to eye, she smiled up at him taking every detail of his face in. She could stare at him forever and never be bored, in fact she wouldn’t have been disappointed if they could have just spent the rest of their lives laying in that chair, wrapped in each others arms. It was the closest to perfect she had ever felt in her life. He smiled back down at her and let his come up to caress her cheek.

“What about us?” He prodded further, is questioning gentle, not evasive. Nathan usually wasn’t one to talk, in fact he really hated the messy emotional conversations and she’d come to realize over the years that had rubbed off on her too. It was how they avoided most fights, they just ignored them. That’s why it slightly surprised her that he was even willing to jump into such risky territory now, when they were at their most peaceful, they rarely got moments like this.

“How perfect and wonderful this is…how happy I am with you,” she admitted, ducking up to place a small kiss on his lips before snuggling back into his chest. Jake and Brooke were playing out a similar scene on the other couch and Peyton was painting by the fire, while Luke was just staring off into space and Tim and his friend Ella had gone for a walk. Haley hoped they had moments like this for the rest of their lives, all of their friends happy and together. Life suddenly seemed so optimistic.

“I can’t believe you’re actually my wife,” he breathed placing a soft kiss on the side of her neck and taking in the sweet smell of her perfume and shampoo mix. “It feels so right.”

“For me too.” She agreed, “This whole day has just been amazing,” she twisted over and crawled up her farther so their faces were only inches apart, “and I have you to thank,” she smiled joyously before dipping into his lips, and running her hands through his slightly damp hair. He linked his fingers through her belt loops to hold her securely in place. Once the kiss ended, Nathan pressed his face into the warmth of her shoulder letting her hair crowd his face and block off the rest of the room. She sighed content and finally whispered, “thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Peyton took a break from painting to take in the sight around her, she had to stifle a laugh when she spotted Tim and his new friend making out under one of the snow covered tress outside, she didn’t want to know what was keeping them warm. As she scanned the room further, she got more and more depressed. Jake and Brooke and Nathan and Haley were what she wanted, she wanted someone to love her like that, she wanted to know it would never go away. Her eyes strayed to Luke for a moment, and lingered. Once upon a time she thought she had it with him, but she’d screwed that up like everything else in her life. She turned back down to her painting the fire illuminated the canvas, showing off to perfectly in love couples, and then two solemn figures who were simply blank filled with black ink. It was one of her more schizophrenic pieces.

“Interesting.” Came a deep voice from behind and she twisted around to find Luke crouching behind her, a cup of steaming hot chocolate in hand. She took it reluctantly before going to back and placing her signature at the bottom of the portrait.

“Ya think?” She questioned not really expecting an answer. Ever since that afternoon it had been weird between them, the moll hill of ice had once again built to a mountain and she was being bogged down with the tension. She hated feeling that way around him, but she’d come to realize there was no way to escape it. He couldn’t get past it and she was tired of living it over and over again. She almost wished he would just marry someone so she could close the book for good. Still she wasn’t sure if her heart could handle that, not yet.

“Kind of depressing for the poor schlubs all alone.”

“I guess,” Peyton conceded as she leaned it against the brick of the fireplace before standing. “But life kind of sucks sometimes, this is my way of…expressing that sentiment.”

“I really am sorry about earlier Peyton, I shouldn’t have gone off on you or kissed you. I just- I don’t know what I was thinking. It really has nothing to do with you…” Luke trailed off unsure of what to say next, as Peyton continued to stare back at him, no reaction visible on her face.

Finally she just shrugged and began walking into the kitchen, Luke right behind her. Once inside she stopped and turned to face him. “Of course it’s about me, it’s about us, and this stupid game we play. But I’m not doing it anymore Luke, I’m done. I think for the longest time I held onto the idea that me and you could be something great again, that you were it for me or something. But you can’t be, and I can’t be for you, because you don’t hurt someone the way we hurt each other if you love them. It’s not the right kind of love and I just…I won’t do this to myself again.”

Luke stared back dejectedly, she wasn’t sure if he was shocked, or just sad. “You hate me.”

She shook her head firmly, “No. No, Lucas, I can’t hate you. I can let you go, but I could never hate you. You know I think you’re the first person I ever really loved, and you made me love myself, it’s like I saw that I wasn’t so terrible by the way you looked at me…and then you stopped looking at me like that, you’re eyes got cold, hard, and you weren’t the guy I fell in love with.- I guess I just couldn’t stop holding onto the ideal of you, and that’s my fault not yours.”

He swallowed hard, “You sound sure.”

She nodded in the affirmative, and he took a step closer to her. She could feel her resolve cracking, she could feel her heart begging her to just let him in to love him again. But her head said to run, and she was about to when suddenly he spoke again.

“I’m not,” he took another deep breathe, “-I mean sure. I am when I don’t see you, when I don’t have to spend time with you…but when I do see you, when I’m close to you like earlier today, I get confused. I think maybe you are it for me. I don’t know what that means, I don’t know how to get past all this crap between us-…but you have to know if I thought I could, if I thought there was a way I would. Because I love you Peyton, a part of me will always love you.”

Peyton bit her lip as her eyes welled with tears. He loved her. She knew he probably had no idea what that meant to her, the way it tossed her up inside. He was the boy she loved above all else, the one that was supposed to save her, the one who did for a while.

“What does that mean?” She asked, her voice almost desperate.

“Luke!” Came a screeching fairy voice from the kitchen doorway, both Lucas and Peyton jerked around to see Robin followed by a regretful and very annoyed Nathan and Haley.

“He-uh Hey.” Luke recovered rushing up to Robin and pulling her into his arms like she was his last lifeline. He ignored Peyton’s presence behind him, seemingly happy to pretend their previous conversation ever existed.

Peyton on the other hand wasn’t content with that. She took a step forward stepping right next to Robin and Lucas and waiting for his eyes to settle on hers. “I guess I have my answer,” then she turned to a slightly confused Robin, “nice to see you. I think I’m going to go wrangle Tim and his mountain girl up-”

“Ella,” Haley corrected.

“Right.” Peyton nodded heading out without another word to Lucas, who was already focusing his full attentions on Robin.

“What are you doing here?” He asked, “I thought your boss was being a bitch?”

“She was,” Robin confirmed, “but I out-bitched her and went to the head boss. And poof here I am. I couldn’t miss this, I’m just glad you left your directions behind for me just in case.”

“Well,” Haley smiled from behind, she wasn’t going to let anyone ruin this day, “welcome to casa Scott. Do you want to share a room with Luke or do you need another one-” Haley waited expectantly.

“I think we’ll be okay right?” She turned to Luke with a sly smile, and Haley had to resist the urge to gag. She really hoped they didn’t plan on christening her guest room, that would be pure ick.

“Yeah, I can put her stuff up there.” Luke agreed a smile on his own planted on his lips. Although Haley didn’t like the woman, she had to admit she really seemed to make Luke happy, happier than Haley had seen him in a long time. Still he was happy with married Molly as well.

“Hey Hales, do you mind if I tell Robin the good news?”

“Suu-sure.” Haley stuttered surprised by the question.

“News?” Robin twisted around to face Nathan and Haley as Luke did the same. Haley tried to keep up a kind façade, but Nathan didn’t bother to hide his disinterest in the whole conversation, Haley wasn’t even sure why he was in there in the first place. She just knew he hadn’t relinquished his hold on her waist since they got out of the chair to answer the door.

“Nathan and Haley got married this afternoon.” Luke announced happily, and Haley almost snickered when a flash of jealousy ran across Robin’s features before she covered with a phony smile and stepped forward to hug them. Haley had the unlucky privilege of going first, and she dutifully sucked it up. Robin began to move in on Nathan when suddenly he broke out into a coughing jag. Robin jumped back, while Lucas jumped in concerned and Haley bit her lip as hard as she could so she didn’t bust out into laughter.

“Here drink something man.” Luke shoved a bottle of water at his brother and Nathan chugged it down like a pro. After he finished he returned to his spot behind Haley and wrapped her in his arms to ward off any of Robin’s future advances.

“Thanks.” Nathan swallowed, “Alright Luke you can play host for the rest of the night, Haley and I have a honeymoon to get to.”

Haley rolled her eyes at the insinuation and walked to the side with Nathan. His fingers were once again hooked through her belt loops and he was pulling on her extra hard to get her to leave with him.

“I thought we already started our honeymoon.” Haley turned her eyes up at him in a teasing manner.

“That was just the pre-game show.” He leered down at her. Haley loved when he looked at her like that, with such raw passion. More than anything it made her want to jump him right on the spot, sadly Robin and Lucas were around, otherwise she would have.

“Let me take care of a few things and then I’ll come join you.” She smiled up at him and he leaned down to brush his lips against hers, he didn’t bother to be soft or gentle, instead he pulled her flat against him and dragged her bottom lip between his teeth teasing her.

“You have ten minutes.” He whispered as he pulled away and disappeared out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

“So Luke knows where everything is if you guys need anything…so goodnight.” Haley finished and Luke leaned in to give her a hug, once he got close enough he leaned down to whisper into her ear so Robin couldn’t hear.

“You should probably check on Peyton.”

When they pulled back Haley sent Luke a silent nod before exiting the kitchen and finding Jake and Brooke in the living room. Jake was once again talking to Brooke’s stomach. Peyton had introduced him to the concept earlier, she’d said she didn’t want to be the only freak talking to Brooke’s tummy.

“Hey Hales.” Brooke smiled up at her and Haley stopped her decent outside.

“Thanks for the reception,” Haley slid down onto her knees beside the couch so she was face to face with Brooke. “It was a really amazing capper to the day.”

“I was happy to help,” Brooke grinned back at her, and then found Haley’s hand, and fingered her ring. “The boy does have taste…”

Haley admired her own ring, ‘Yes he does.”

Brooke looked back at her and let out a small laugh, Haley finally returned her gaze, “He has good taste in all things.” Brooke admired, and Haley nodded in understanding. Finally Haley got to her feet and headed for the door.

“I should go check on Peyton-” Haley began, but Brooke was on her feet before Haley could get out the door.

“I’ll go!” Brooke announced and flitted past Haley out the door after she grabbed the nearest coat to throw on.

Brooke trudged out onto the driveway and craned her neck to look for any sign of life. Peyton had flown through the living room earlier and she didn’t seem to be in the best shape. Brooke attributed that to Robin’s presence.

“Peyton get your skinny blonde ass out here!” Brooke called to her.

“You don’t have to yell,” Peyton spoke up from beside her on the porch swing. Brooke twisted around quickly and appraised her for a moment before taking a seat beside her.

“So you look glum,” Brooke commented and Peyton stayed silent beside her. “Okay so do I have to guess or something?…right, guess…I’m going to say you put yourself out there again, and he broke your heart again-”

“What’s new right?” Peyton turned to Brooke with a heavy sigh, “Why do I do this to myself? I mean every single time I let him in-I open myself up to him…I just get hurt. You should have heard him, he told me that he loved me Brooke and then the next minute he’s rushing into Robin’s arms like nothing had happened, like he didn’t just change everything-”

“Well I blame the red-headed wench, I wanted to throttle her the minute her shrill voice blared through the door-”

Peyton shook her head, “No, come on Brooke, that’s a cop out. Robin is just this months distraction, just like Molly, just like the ones before her, they’re obstacles he puts there and easily removes. It’s easy to blame other people, but the truth is, it’s me, I’m the reason this doesn’t work. He loves me sure, but I think it’s finally time I face the truth…”

Brooke swallowed sadly and finally asked, “Which is?”

“He hates me too.”

Haley opened the door to their bedroom to find the light on and the room empty and virtually untouched, even the bed was still made, which didn’t make since. She walked further in, letting her eyes scan for any clues, finally she landed on the bathroom door which was partially cracked open, a soft light glowing out. She pulled the clip from her hair letting it fall freely at her shoulders, and kicked her shoes off by the bed before walking into the bathroom. Nathan was in their marble bathtub eyes closed, only candles lighting the dim room. He looked so peaceful she hated to interrupt him.

“What are you waiting for, get in.” He ordered in a low voice without opening his eyes to look at her. He could sense her the moment she walked into the room, the soft vanilla smell of her filled every place she was, and he could never mistake it.

“Where did you find the candles?” She questioned walking over to stand over him by the tub. She had to stifle a giggle that bubbled in her throat when she smelled the distinct aroma of lavender coming from the tub, he really had gone all out. She wondered briefly what all the manly men who obsessed over him would think of his bubble bath fascination, she knew better than to break the news.

“Brooke gave them to me, she had Jake run out and get them earlier, wedding present I guess.” He offered still refusing to open his eyes, and she smiled at the way his face mirrored that of a small boys. He looked so innocent, she wondered if their kids would look like that…she hoped they did.

“They smell good,” she smiled slightly and began to walk back out to change, but before she could move his wet hand emerged from the water and latched onto one of her jean clothed legs.

“Get in.” He ordered again his voice husky as his eyes finally opened to land on hers. They stood there, their eyes locked in an intense trance for a moment before Haley dropped to her knees by the tub. Nathan’s wet arm linked around her neck pulling her head down to rest in the nook of his shoulder. He turned his head to face her and leaned in further to press his lips against her cheek. She remained still in his embrace soaking him in.

“You smell good.” She giggled into his neck as she placed kisses along his neck, nipping at him slightly causing him to squirm under her touch.

“You like that, huh?” He teased yanking at her body again, causing her to lean further over the tub. Before he could pull her fully clothed body into it, she pushed back and rested down on her heels beside the tub again.

“Maybe.” She returned with a sly smile. She let out a large sigh as her mind wandered back to Luke and Peyton, she knew Brooke would take care of Peyton, still she just couldn’t stop herself from worrying. “Maybe I should go check on Peyton,” she through out.

Nathan exhaled loudly, “Let Peyton worry about Peyton.” Nathan returned, and she remained unmoved her mind still heavy with thoughts of her friend. “Come on Haley, we just got married-”

“I know.”

“Then act like it-”

She burst out into laughter at his words. Sometimes he could act like such a cave man, if it didn’t amuse her it really would have irritated her, but she decided to let it go. “Oh okay master.” Haley rolled her eyes.

“Go,” he pointed to the door, “go check on her and then get your ass in this tub.”

Haley took in a deep breathe watching at him for a moment before letting a small smile light her lips. She grabbed the hem of her shirt and slowly pulled it over her body, leaving her only in her bra and jeans. After receiving a suggestive smile from Nathan she moved down to unzip her jeans and slowly pull them off. Then she pulled off her bra and underwear and slipped into the water with him relaxing back against his stomach.

He leaned his head down into the crook of her neck and wrapped his arms tightly around her after brushing her hair to the other side of her neck. His mouth brushed softly against her exposed skin trailing kisses up the side of her face. Finally she relented and turned her head to give him better access. Their lips met in a hungry kiss, his tongue slid into her mouth, as her hands grappled with the back of his neck trying to pull him as close as humanly possible.

Chapter 27

Haley pressed her water logged toe against the silver faucet on the tub as she waited for Nathan to return from the kitchen with some ice cream. She’d suddenly had the urge for brownie surprise and Nathan was kind enough to go get it after some insistent persuasion. Haley was jerked out of her thoughts by a soft rap at the door.

“Nathan?” She called out, squinting her eyes to try and make out the figure in the darkness.

“Try again.” Came Peyton’s distinct voice as she slid in through the doorway and pulled out a stool from the vanity to face Haley. Haley positioned the bubbles so they were sufficiently covering her and continued to relax back in the tub waiting for Peyton to speak.

“I saw Nathan come down, figured I’d sneak up while I had the chance…” Peyton began not really giving an explanation for her appearance. Haley could see that Peyton was sad, not angry-sad like she was when she rushed out of the kitchen, but just dejected. “So I guess Robin is going to stay the rest of the time?”

“Probably,” Haley conceded, “I plan to just ignore her…You okay Peyt?”

“Uh-huh,” Peyton nodded unconvincingly. Her eyes searched the bathroom over, from the mood candles perched all along the marble, to Haley’s discarded clothes on the floor. It was the picture of the perfect honeymoon and she suddenly wondered what the hell she was doing there. It wasn’t fair to bring Haley down, she’d done that too many times before. Peyton hopped up off the stool, “I’m gonna go-”

“Okay.” Haley nodded, she could tell Peyton was hurting but she knew nothing she said would make a difference. She’d done this before, she’d given sage advice to her, and while Peyton swore she was going to take it and move on with her life, she never did. She always ended up right back where she started, a slave to her feelings for Lucas.

Peyton made it halfway out the door when she turned back to face Haley again, “Thanks Hales.”

Haley nodded silently in understanding as Peyton finally exited the room to leave her in peace again. Part of Haley wanted to grab a robe and go after her, and then proceed to once again talk the issue to death. But she knew if she did, she would only enable Peyton, for once Peyton needed to get through it by herself, she was strong, she was brave, Haley knew that even if her friend didn’t see it.

Nathan padded into the kitchen and quickly began to sift through the fridge. He knew he was in trouble if he couldn’t even deny Haley the little things. Still the thought of her back in their room waiting for him, wanting him, made him search faster. He just wanted to be with her, he wanted to revel in their new status for as long as he could before they had to get back to the city and all their real world responsibilities.

Someone made a soft noise behind him and he spun around to see who it was. It was Robin and she was practically gawking at him, suddenly he wished he’d taken the extra time to throw a shirt on, instead he was standing in his track pants shirtless in front of this whack job. He could see she was trying to throw off that alluring mysterious vibe, what she didn’t understand was that he’d met two of her at every airport he’d ever been to, at every club, at every function. She was nothing new or interesting to him, in fact she was simply a pest. He didn’t understand what his brother saw in this girl, everything about her was so obviously fake.

“Hi.” She smiled and pouted out her cherry glossed lips at him. He returned the gesture with a tight smile of his own, just being near this woman made him uncomfortable. “Late night snack?” She questioned.

“Haley wanted some ice cream, but I think we’re out.”

Robin hopped off the stool and came up to stand behind him leaning over him to look into the freezer, Nathan tensed as her perfume filled his senses, it was way too strong. He clenched his teeth to stave off the annoyed remark that was bubbling on his tongue, he didn’t want to start trouble, while they only had a few days left in the mountains.

“What kind does she like?” She breathed onto his neck, and he rolled his eyes at her attempts.

“Brownie.” He responded not able to hide the irritance in his voice, she didn’t seem to mind though because she continued to invade his personal space. He almost wished one of the girls would come down and start a fight. Haley didn’t need the stress, but he was willing to bet Peyton or Brooke could get the job done just as well.

“Ugh,” she made a scrunched up face, “so fattening.”

Nathan gritted his teeth and turned around making her step out of his space as he shut the freezer, before speaking again, “She really doesn’t have to worry about that.” Robin finally caught the clue and nodded another fake smile coming over her face, this time it wasn’t flirty at all.

“I guess not…I should be getting to bed.” She waved a tiny wave before disappearing out of the kitchen and heading for the stairs. Nathan sighed in relief and went back to search through the freezer again.

He scanned over the shelves and stopped on a carton that read chocolate mint, his favorite, it would have to do. He figured it would hold her until they could get into to town and shop the next day, they were running low on food supplies.

“I know you don’t plan to pilfer that entire carton.” Came a feminine voice from behind, and Nathan was silently relieved it was Brooke. He’d take anyone over that nut job girlfriend of Luke’s.

“Grab a spoon and bowl.” Nathan offered. He didn’t find it wise to deny a pregnant woman, he really didn’t find it wise to deny Brooke at any point, she was kind of scary. He wasn’t sure how Jake could live with her day in, day out, she seemed to create drama wherever she went.

“And who says you’re not generous.” She perked as she did as she was told and came to stand beside him, her bowl and spoon out in an offering for him to scoop her some.

“Who’s house are you staying in?” He returned as he scooped two large portions of the green ice cream into her bowl. She smiled in thanks as she brought the spoon to her lips and licked the spoon happily.

“Point taken, so how did the candle go over? She loved them right?” Brooke didn’t wait for him to answer, “I am so good with stuff like this- oh hey I was meaning to ask you, where are you planning to take her on the honeymoon?”

“I don’t know,” Nathan shook his head moving towards the doorway trying to get back to Haley without being rude, “somewhere warm.” He offered cryptically.

“No where too commercial, hey maybe you should like rent out an island so those little paparazzi freaks can’t bug you the entire time. I know Haley abhors them.”

Nathan nodded, he knew that was true, Haley hated her privacy being invaded, but she’d come to put up with it over the years. Brooke had a good point though, he wanted to bring her somewhere special, somewhere she wouldn’t be bothered by the world he’d brought her into.

“So how-uh-how are you feeling?” Nathan motioned towards her slightly protruding stomach. He wasn’t sure why he was asking, it wasn’t like he was overly interested in babies. Like he’d told Haley he wasn’t ready yet, but then again he didn’t think he was ready for marriage either, and he was already absolutely sure that was the best decision of his life.

“Pretty good,” she returned with a short laugh, “I keep waiting for the morning sickness to come, but it never does. Maybe I’m just blessed…so what about you and Haley, should I expect to be auntie Brooke anytime soon.”

Nathan chuckled uncomfortably but tried to cover, “I don’t know I guess we’ll see.”

Brooke nodded, and let out a small sigh before trapping him in her gaze again, “Cut the s hit Nathan. What’s going on in your head?”

“You always had a way with words Brooke.’ He laughed side-stepping the question as he made his way out of the kitchen she followed behind him, and they both stopped at the bottom of the stairway. Brooke slid down onto the bottom step and reluctantly Nathan followed suit.

“You know she deserves so much more than you,” Brooke began, and Nathan remained quiet, he didn’t take offense at her words, he agreed with them, “but she loves you, so I guess it’s safe to say to her, she has everything. She believes in you Nathan, her entire world hinges on you, and you owe it to her, and to yourself to live up to that. Otherwise you’ll always wonder what you could have done better, if you could have treated her better, done more to make her happy. Don’t wonder, just do it. Stop worrying about your defective issues and believe in that girl up there, trust her the way she trusts you.” Brooke finished with a soft smile and a tender pat on Nathan’s shoulder before she thanked him for the ice cream again and disappeared back up the stairs leaving Nathan in contemplation.

Peyton pulled the comb through her wet hair trying to smooth out the wild knots. She felt like her mind was just as tangled as her hair, she was twisted inside out and she had no idea how to get herself unraveled. There was a knock at the door which she continued to ignore, it was either one of two people, Haley who was once again forgoing her own happiness to help Peyton out, or it was Luke, and she really had no idea what he wanted from her anymore.

The door opened anyway, and she could see Luke’s emerging figure in the mirror. She continued to ignore his presence as she placed the comb down and walked past him to settle onto her bed under the covers. He remained unmoved in the middle of the room when she leaned over and turned off the light.

“Well this is very mature…” He finally spoke, and she could tell he was trying to joke around with her, trying to maneuver them back to friend zone. But she was too tired to put in the effort tonight. “Come on Peyton just talk to me…” He begged.

She sighed, and snuggled back down into her pillow, she would talk to him, but she didn’t have to look at him. “I did talk to you Lucas, I have talked to you until I am blue in the face and it gets me no where-”

“Peyton-” he tried to object.

“No, I take that back it does get me somewhere, it gets me here, completely miserable, all alone-”

“You’re not alone,” she felt the weight shift on the bed, and she knew he was sitting beside her, she still refused to turn over and look at him though.

“You told me that once, a long time ago…I believed you then,” finally she twisted over to face him beside her. He looked the same, blond hair, blue eyes, a certain innocence written all over his face, an innocence that had been there from the beginning. “And I wish I could believe you now Luke…but I just don’t.”

Luke swallowed shocked by her words, he didn’t expect them to hurt him the way they did. He thought he’d taken that power away from her, he thought by walking away from her by steeling his heart against her, he was protecting himself. But sitting beside her, feeling her pain, he realized he was just as vulnerable to her now as he was five years ago.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered into the darkness as he lifted off of the bed and headed out the door. He had to let her go, he knew he did. Part of his was still holding on, still loving her, and he had to stop, he had to make a clean break for both of their sakes.

Nathan let the door open softly and found their bedroom in darkness, he walked into the bathroom to find it in the same state, the candles were blown out and the tub was emptied. He walked back into the bedroom and scanned the room to find her passed out on the bed wearing one of his old shirts. Her hair was still damp and a few strands were sticking to her cheek.

He treaded towards her softly and stopped at the side of the bed, leaning over her and taking in every detail of her. His hand brushed across her face wiping away all that marred his view. She sighed contentedly, and her hand came up to cover his own.

“You took too long.” She chastised, as he climbed on the bed beside her and she moved over a little to and waited to cuddle up to him. Once they were completely situated he turned down to her to talk.

“Sorry I ran into some complications.” He explained, and she just nodded throwing one of her legs over him and snuggling into the crook of his neck. His hand dropped down to her proffered leg and ran his hand softly upon it. She leaned her head back at his motion and dropped kisses along his neck, sucking playfully at his exposed skin.

“God you’re insatiable.” He teased, as she continued to place her mouth all over his body. After a moment she rolled over on top of him so they were face to face, and she leaned down capturing his lips.

“You should appreciate your good luck.” She giggled playfully as she moved back down his neck again and made contact with his bare chest. Her hands curled into his at their sides, as the room was filled with his laughter.

“What are you doing?” He called to her and she lifted her face from his chest with a sly smile.

“What do you mean?” She returned.

“You are a very bad influence on me Mrs. Scott.” He quirked his eyes playfully and she lunged for his lips again, letting her hands grind into his hair to keep them pressed together. He quickly maneuvered her onto her back and began to unbutton the buttons on her shirt, he dropped his mouth to the newly released skin, tracing kisses down her stomach. She reached out for his hair and softly guided him back up to her mouth, as she wrapped her legs around his waist.

“I know,” she laughed, “isn’t it great.”

“So today was…great.” Tim smiled down at the brunette he’d spent the better part of the day with. They’d talked more in the last ten hours than he’d talked to any one of his girlfriends in the last year. It would scary if it didn’t make him so happy. He knew women had the biological clock, he wondered if the man’s version had kicked in for him. Or maybe this girl was just something special, either way he couldn’t seem to force himself to let her go. Here they were standing outside her door, and he couldn’t look away, he didn’t want to. And the scariest thing to him was he wasn’t even thinking about getting inside, or sweet talking her, he just wanted the promise of another meeting.

“I had a lot of fun meeting your friends, tell Nathan and Haley congratulations for me again, they really seem to be so happy together…” she began laughing shyly, as Tim remained quiet, “I guess I’m kind of a romantic, seeing people in love always…I don’t know gives me something to look forward to you know- I’m not making much sense-”

“No,” he shook his head, “you do- I mean make sense.” He stuttered and for the first time he felt self-conscience. This girl meant something to him, he wasn’t sure what to think about that though. “So this was great.” He stumbled and they both broke out into laughter.

“You said that already.”

“Right I did.” He nodded and they continued to linger on the stoop of her apartment. “I guess I don’t really do this much-”

“Do what?” She jumped in nervously.

“Say goodnight,” he answered with a small blush, “and now I sound like a cocky bastard- I didn’t mean it like that I just- I wanted to let you know that today was something new for me, I don’t really do this-”

“Do what?” She repeated again.

“Whatever it is between us. I just like it…I like you.” He finished as he wrung his hands nervously.

“Good,” she bit her lip with a small lop sided smile, “I like you too. So I guess we should say goodnight…when do you leave?”

“A few days…but I don’t live that far from here. I could give you a call, maybe come into town, or you could come visit me- or am I totally misreading you and you want me to get lost-”

Without a word she reached into her purse and pulled out a small slip of paper and a pin and scribbled something down on it. When she was done she reached out for Tim’s hand and slid it in, with a shy smile before turning the knob on her door. Before she could get all the way in she twisted back around and placed a giddy kiss on his lips. He stood silent and shocked as she shut the door behind her.

“Goodnight.” He finally squeaked.

Chapter 28

“Okay so I’m taking orders here, anything you need from town write it down.” Haley ordered as they all sat around the kitchen table. Jake had once again prepared a feast for them, and they were now officially out of food.

“Oooh I want jelly beans,” Brooke announced as she continued to chomp down on the omelet Jake had fixed especially for her. She’d gotten first pick which basically meant everyone else had eggs, while she had cheesy eggs. It was cute how Jake protected her.

“Write. It. Down.” Peyton instructed pushing the pad and pen over to her. Brooke pushed it back to Peyton and motioned for her to write it. It seemed the mommy to be was not in the mood to do anything but eat.

“So who’s going into town with me?” Haley questioned, all the while hoping Robin didn’t offer her help, she wasn’t sure she could survive a car ride with Robin without driving off the mountain. That girl could drive anyone insane.

“I’m up for it.” Peyton announced before anyone else could jump in. “I need to pick up a few art supplies, hopefully this place has somewhere to get them.”

Haley nodded, “There’s a little art store a few blocks from the grocery store. It’s where I got those brushes for Christmas-”

“Oh,” Peyton nodded excited, “I can’t wait to see this place.”

“Anyone else?” Haley reluctantly offered.

“If you need some help I can go Hales-” Tim began to offer, but Haley waved him off.

“No we’ll be fine. Okay write it down, I’m going to get ready.” Haley walked around the table and stopped briefly to lean in and drop a kiss on Nathan’s mouth before taking off again.

Peyton watched as Robin cozied up beside Luke, she’d barely touched her food or said a word all morning. Peyton didn’t know whether to attribute it to snobbery or knowing she was unwelcome. Either way Peyton was glad for the slight reprieve from her attitude.

“So what are the plans for today?” Brooke inquired looking up from her food.

“Well Haley wants to take you guys out to this little restaurant in town, it’s a family own placed, good food,” Nathan continued, “until then you’re on your own. We have some snow mobiles, snow boards, whatever if you want to take them out.”

“How about a movie theater?” Brooke questioned.

“Nope, sorry.” Nathan shook his head.

“Will you take me around the property Luke?” Robin finally spoke up and turned to Luke. Lucas flinched at the question remembering the other days experience with Peyton. He didn’t want to deal with that anymore, he wanted to focus on Robin, on what they had.

“Uh-sure.” He finally replied, his eyes glancing over at Peyton, who was in her own conversation with Jake. She smiled for a minute, and he couldn’t help the warm feeling that creeped into him, and then dissipated just as quickly. He had to stop thinking about her. “Brooke, Jake, Tim?” Luke offered.

“Um no, I don’t think so,” Brooke returned, “me and the kid are staying in doors.”

“No, sorry man,” Tim spoke up, “I promised Ella I would meet up with her, she’s going to take me up the mountain-”

“Ooh-la-la.” Peyton teased, and Tim through his napkin at her playfully.

“What about you Nate?” Luke turned to his brother, and Nathan shook his head.

“Games on TV, and then I have a wife to tend to.” Nathan didn’t plan on placing himself in a situation with Robin. She seemed to have backed off since their late night conference, but he wasn’t taking a chance.

“You ready?” Haley questioned as she walked into Peyton’s bedroom where Peyton was clasping her necklace in the mirror. Haley came up behind her and gave her a hand before Peyton turned back to her with a genuine smile.

“Marriage agrees with you.”

“I would have to agree.” Haley smiled, and then her face grew serious. It was against her better judgment brining up the subject of Luke, but she could tell something was different with Peyton, and she knew it had to do with the other Scott brother, it always did. “So what’s going on?”

Haley expected Peyton to launch into to a tirade about what a jerk Luke is or about how much she hated Robin, but instead, Peyton’s face remained impassive. “Nothing.” She returned confidently, and Haley nodded threading her arm through Peyton’s and pulling her out the door with her.

When the girls reached the living room they found Lucas and Robin going out the door to get the snow mobile, while Tim followed after them eager to get to his date. Haley tried to stifle a giggle as she watched Tim nearly ran Lucas over to get out of the door.

“See ya later!” Tim called back to them before he barreled out to his car, leaving Lucas and Robin in his dust. Robin continued out, while Lucas tried to make eye contact with Peyton, for once Peyton didn’t turn to look back, instead she walked over to Brooke and inquired about the magazine she was reading. Haley caught Lucas’s eye, and sent him a sad smile, before he through out a small wave and shut the door behind them.

Haley walked over to where Nathan was on a lounge chair and fell down into his lap, letting her body go completely limp. He leaned in placing a chaste kiss on her lips, before she began talking.

“Did you write down everything you wanted?” Haley asked with a persistent smile and he responded by leaning up to capture her lips again. She laughed against his stall tactics, enjoying every second of it. “Nathan?” She questioned again in a motherly tone, and he finally let her lips go.

“You know what I like.” He answered cryptically and then pulled him back down to her, wrapping his arms tightly around her tummy and dragging her lips against his own.

“I should really get going Nathan-”

“Or you could send Peyton, and stay here with me.” He suggested his lips still prodding against hers. She felt his tongue press into her urgently and she gave into the temptation for a moment before finally pushing off of him and extricating himself from her husbands grasp.

“Okay this train is leaving,” she announced sending a teasing smile Nathan’s way as she made her way to the door. She said a quick goodbye to Brooke and Jake, as did Peyton before they headed outside for the car.

They hopped into the car and were about to pull out when Nathan raced outside and rushed around to Haley’s car window, she reluctantly rolled it down letting the cold into the car once more.

She laughed at his flushed face, he was wearing his robe and snow boots, he had to be freezing, “You’re so damn crazy.”

“Yeah I know,” he relented, “I remembered something I wanted you to buy.”

“Oh,” she nodded, “what?”

Nathan sent a glace Peyton’s way before leaning in and whispering something in Haley’s ear, she smiled and began to laugh as he pulled away. Before she could roll the window back up he leaned in again kissing her quickly before hauling ass to get back into the house.

“What does he want?” Peyton questioned nosily.

“Some kind of flavored oil,” Haley rolled her eyes, “apparently Tim told him about it.”

“Ooh very kinky,” Peyton giggled, “maybe I should pick some up too.”

“Prospects?” Haley asked surprised.

“Wishful thinking.” Peyton returned.

Brooke slid into the hot tub next to Jake and finished pulling her hair into a pony-tail. She settled back into Jake’s arms, and he began to massage her shoulders. She sighed contentedly at his ministrations.

“You’re too good to me.” She sighed, as her arms came back to link around his neck. She pulled his head down to meet hers, and began kissing him. She loved the way she felt with him, so at home. The whole world just didn’t exist when she was with him- or at least it didn’t matter.

“We have to visit here more often,” Jake began, “Haley said they barely use the place, it would be a nice reprieve from the sun and beaches when we need it.”

“Sounds like a plan,” she agreed. She turned around and waded back against another yet so they were face to face now. “Hey when do you think the baby will kick?”

“I don’t know, soon probably…” at the look of dread that passed across her face he amended, “but I doubt it will hurt. Just like a flutter or something-”

“If this is my kid, it’s going to hurt.” Brooke joked. “I have to make a doctors appointment when we get home-”

“Yeah I wrote prenatal vitamins down on the list for Haley to pick up-”

“I already have some.” Brooke laughed at his over-eagerness.

“I know but you can never be too careful.” He returned, and she waded back over to him to find his lips with her own. He laughed at the force of her touch, when Brooke wanted something, she got it.

“It’s really beautiful out here.” Robin sucked in a breathe of the cold air as they got off the snow mobile and looked out over the view of the mountain.

“Yeah, it’s peaceful.” Luke agreed, and then he turned to look down at her with a forced smile, “I hope you like it up here. I know things are a little tense with everyone, but it’s not you-”

“They don’t like me Luke.” She stated bluntly, “things like that happen, people aren’t compatible, whatever, what matters to me is what you think-”

“You know I like you.” He cheesed leaning down to kiss her, she let him for a moment before pulling back and staring into his eyes.

“Do you? Because more and more I feel like a distraction Luke, and the sad thing is I don’t even think I’m distracting you anymore. The entire morning you were staring at her-”

“How can you accuse me of staring at Peyton!” He roared defensively.

“I didn’t, but she’s obviously who came to your mind. I don’t know what’s going on here Luke, and I’m not going to pretend like we’re this grand love story. We enjoy each others company, I’m okay with that. But I won’t be made a fool of, and that’s how I feel every time you watch Peyton like she’s-”

“She’s nothing to me okay. Once upon a time I loved her and I found out it was a mistake, and I’m trying to correct it. I like us, I like you, I want this to work. Is that enough?”

“If you mean it?…Yes.” Robin answered and then side-stepped him to look over at the mountain again, like their previous conversation didn’t even happen. He watched her oddly for a moment before shaking it off and going along with the pretend moment.

Tim stood beside Ella about to jump onto the lift as it came towards them. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her, which was so exhilarating.

“Are you ready?” She asked beside him, her excitement evident in her voice. He nodded, and she reached over for his hand as they hopped on. Tim held onto her hand and the side of the lift with as much force as he could. He wasn’t exactly comfortable at these heights.

“If you’d open your eyes, you’d see the view is amazing.” She whispered beside him, as her eyes traveled the distance with the lift. He opened his eyes, but instead of looking down he looked across at her. It was amazing seeing something through someone else’s eyes.

“I’d have to agree.”

She turned back to him a small blush rising on her cheeks, suddenly she leaned in and pressed her lips against his for a brief moment before going back to the view. Their hands still entwined.

“Ahh damnit it’s snowing again!” Haley cursed as they tried to make their way back up the mountain. The town had practically been shut down sighting the oncoming snow storm.

“Put your windshield thingies on.” Peyton ordered a bit panicked.

“They are!” Haley returned stressed out, trying to crank the defroster up again, but she could still barely see anything. “This is ridiculous.”

“Maybe you should just pull over…” Peyton suggested from beside her, but Haley brushed her off.

“We’d freeze out here.” Haley shook her head, “This is why I never come up here-”

“Yeah, I’m starting to understand,” Peyton agreed, “this is miserable.”

“Ugh!!!!!” Haley sighed frustrated. And then suddenly in a flash Peyton was screaming, and the cars tires followed suit screeching across the ice covered road, sending them careening off the side of the road down the steep slope.

Chapter 29

Light gets dark, and darkness fills

Nathan paced the hardwood floors back and forth until Lucas finally jumped up from his perch on the couch and pulled his brother to a stop. It was now seven o’clock the sun had set on the mountains and the girls still weren’t back from town. Neither were answering their cell phones, and when Nathan called the store in town the clerk had informed him that Haley and Peyton had come and gone hours ago. Even Tim had made it home, but still no sign of the girls. Lucas wasn’t so concerned at first, he figured Haley was just showing Peyton around. But it was hours past now, and he knew Haley would have called, she would never worry them like this. Which only served to terrify him, something was seriously wrong and he had no idea what to do, how to help.

Nathan rubbed at his face for the thousandth time that night trying to clear his head and think of something to do. He’d called the sheriffs office but they’d told him sufficient time hadn’t passed for them to send out a search party, and he’d counciled Nathan that it would be foolish to go out himself with such a heavy snowstorm going on around them. Still he couldn’t just sit around there and wait, he needed to find them now, he needed to know his wife was okay. He needed to hold her in his arms before he exploded with worry. He’d never felt fear like this, he was in physical pain thinking about her, he could hardly breathe at the moment.

“It’s going to be fine, they’re fine. I bet they found a nail salon, and you know Haley is very particular about her nails, so I’m sure it’s taking an extra long time, and then maybe they got stuck in five o’clock traffic-”

“We’re in the mountains Brooke!” Nathan exploded blowing past all of the living rooms occupants and disappearing into the kitchen. Everyone stayed silent for a moment before Luke stood again and followed him.

“They’re okay.” Luke tried to keep his voice steady, he didn’t want Nathan to know he was just as afraid as he was. All Haley and Peyton needed were two Scott’s falling apart, that would lead to total chaos.

“You know what Lucas, I don’t need your false assurances. My wife is out there, okay, my wife, and I can’t just sit around here hoping for the best. I’m going to find her-”

“Nathan you heard the sheriff, in this storm-”

“Screw the storm!” Nathan blew and grabbed for his coat and boots by the back door, throwing them on hurriedly as Luke rushed up to stop him.

“Haley would kill you if you got yourself killed out there-”

“I can’t just leave her… You don’t understand Luke,” Nathan shook his head, his eyes filling with emotion. He’d never loved anyone the way he loved Haley, he needed her. He couldn’t just leave her to fend for herself, he had to find her and help her, he knew she would do the same for him. “You don’t understand what it feels like to love someone so much, to love them to the point of where nothing else matters, not your life, not anyone around you, just them. That’s the way I love her, with everything in me, I would give my life in a second for hers-”

“Listen to yourself Nathan,” Lucas begged, “you’re sounding crazy. Do you think Haley would want you out there killing yourself for her. With this storm there is no way you can find her- if they did have an accident, the sheriff said they could survive the night and they will be out there at dawn…don’t make it worse.”

“I can’t desert her. I promised her I would always be there for her Luke…” Nathan shrugged his shoulders tired of having to defend his actions. There was nothing left to say in his opinion, Haley could be hurt, that was all he needed to know he had to go. “Look,” Nathan held Lucas by the shoulders and made him face him eye to eye, “she needs me, so I’m going to find her. That’s it man…-”

Before Lucas could speak again another voice rang out in the kitchen. It was Brooke, “He’s right, we can’t waste time we have to find them now.”

“This is insanity!” Lucas howled trying to get someone anyone to agree with him and get this situation back under control. He was terrified as well, it was killing him thinking of Peyton and Haley out there alone, scared or hurt. But he also knew going out there would only delay their rescue, he had to have a level head.

“Lucas is right,” Jake agreed sternly, “No one is going out in this. It wouldn’t do any good-”

“Thank you!” Lucas raised his arms in relief, but as he appraised Nathan and Brooke’s faces he realized neither were swayed. They had that “set” look on their faces, he’d seen it in both of them so many times before, and he knew he’d lost the battle. He knew Nathan was about to walk out that door and he could do nothing to stop it.

“I’m going.” Nathan said simply and opened the door to the harsh snowstorm brewing outside. He sent a short wave goodbye before braving it and traveling out. Within seconds Tim grabbed his own boots and began running after him.

“Tim!” Lucas called out trying to talk some sense into anyone.

“You heard the man.” Tim replied before he disappeared himself into a cloud of white.

Jake grabbed for his jacket next, and turned to Brooke. They shared a small smile before he leaned down placing a kiss on her lips and then exiting after the other two. When Brooke turned to Lucas, he wasn’t sure he’d ever seen her look more fearful or proud in his life.

“It’s family,” she spoke softly.

Lucas reached for his own jacket and Robin suddenly sprung into action blocking his way out of the house.

“No way, come on Lucas this is crazy, I’m sure they’ll be fine, you can’t just go risk your life, you-”

Lucas was about to respond when Brooke stepped into the situation her eyes filled with a fire he knew all too well. Nothing was more important to Brooke than family, she was probably the loyalist person he’d ever met in his life.

“Back off.” She ordered smoothly, and Robin whipped around to say something, but her words caught in her throat when she saw the intensity in the pregnant woman’s eyes. When Robin turned back around, Luke had already disappeared after the others, leaving the two girls all alone.

“We need to have a chat.” Brooke announced and then sauntered back off to the living room, Robin nervously following after her.

Peyton’s eyelids fought to open, causing a shooting pain her head. She could feel something wet staining her cheeks, and when she finally managed to open her eyes she realized it was a mixture of blood and snow. Tree branches had blown out most of the windows exposing them to all of the elements, and the crash had left a nasty gash above her right eye on her forehead. Her arms were pretty scratched up as well. She immediately began checking the rest of her body, and sighed in relief when she realized she wasn’t trapped, her legs were functioning, and although she ached all over she thought she could move. She turned her neck slightly, wincing in pain as she did to look for Haley, but she found the seat empty and the car door wide open.

She began thrashing about in panic trying to get herself out of the car to find Haley. She had no idea where she was and she needed her right now, she needed Haley to make everything okay before she began to panic. She pushed as hard as she could against the door and it finally budged open wide enough for her to slip out. She slipped slightly when her numb leg gave out beneath her sending her crashing onto the wet, snow covered ground. She took a moment to move her legs around again, waking them up completely before she wobbled to her feet and slowly made her way to the other side of the car.

She found Haley’s passed out body on the ground covered in snow. She dropped to her knees and began pushing all the snow off of her and taking off her own torn jacket to try and warm her friend who still hadn’t opened her eyes. Peyton examined Haley as best she could starting with her neck to make sure she was okay to move, when surmising the best she could that it would be safe enough she rolled her over to look for injuries. Haley had numerous scratches across her neck, probably from tree branches that flung into the car, and as Peyton felt around her head she realized she was bleeding. Panicked she tried to wake Haley, but nothing happened.

“Oh God Haley, come please- please just open your eyes. I need you to tell me what to do okay, I don’t know what to do…HELP US!” Peyton through her head back and screamed “HELP” as loud as she could over and over until her voice finally gave out and Haley continued to lay motionless before her. The only thing that assured her that Haley was alive was her pulse, and it was weak at that.

Peyton dropped her head dejectedly as the sun completely faded behind the mountains leaving them in darkness. She grabbed onto Haley’s hand and squeezed as tight as she could. And then she did something she hadn’t done since her mother died, she prayed to God.

“I know I haven’t done this in a while,” she tried to collect herself a bit as her voice broke with tears, and she wiped at her face coming away with a mixture of blood and tears. Everything felt so hopeless to her, it was a feeling she never wanted to feel again. She felt like Haley was dying right in front of her and she was helpless to do anything but watch. “I uh- Haley’s a good person okay, she’s a good person and she doesn’t deserve this…” she clenched her teeth in pain as her voice raised to a scream which barely registered, “THIS ISN’T FAIR! IT’S NOT FAIR!…” she dropped her voice again as her eyes traveled to Haley’s broken form again. “She’s never done anything wrong, she’s always been a good and kind person, she has a family, she has a husband…you can’t just take her away. People need her…I need her…Oh God please don’t let her die, please…” she continued to beg over and over until her body gave out into exhaust and all she could do is cry.

Brooke eyed Robin as she sat across the room from her on another couch and sipped at her tea, her face a mask of discomfort. Brooke wanted to focus on anything that wasn’t the reality of what was going on around her right now. She couldn’t think about Haley or Peyton in pain, all alone somewhere waiting…she shook of the thought. That would get her no where, she could do nothing to help them right now. But she could help Luke, she could do that.

“Let’s chat…” she began and waited for Robin to turn her, reluctantly the girl finally did, and an excuse was the first thing that left her lips.

“I’m sorry if you think I was out of line, but I care about Luke…I’m worried for him.”

Brooke nodded, she wasn’t sure if she believed her or not, but that didn’t matter. “Maybe,” Brooke allowed, “but that’s not what I want to talk about-”

“No?” Robin sighed gearing up for a fight, Brooke could see it in her eyes.

“You don’t belong here.” Brooke stated bluntly, “You don’t love Lucas, you don’t want to be with him for him, and any hope your delusional mind carried for Nathan should have vanished altogether after tonight. Did you see him? The way he ran out of here for her…that’s love, that’s something you can’t even fathom and you know I kind of feel sorry for you because you will never understand that kind of devotion.-”

“Is there a reason you hate me? I have been nothing but nice to all of you and-”

Brooke shook her head, “I don’t hate you, you are inconsequential to me. If I didn’t love Lucas so much I would keep my mouth shut, but I do love him, and I love Peyton-”

“And they’re over, he’s over her, from his own mouth. Which you know, and she isn’t beating down his door either, so I don’t understand why you’re fighting for a relationship that no one wants or needs-”

“He loves her. I think you know that, hell a man passing them on the street would be able to see that. It’s in their eyes, the way they fight, the way they don’t talk at all. Love is in everything you do…you’re not blind.”

“What’s the point of this?”

“I’m tired of seeing my friends miserable-”

“I didn’t break them up-”

“No, but you’re an obstacle they don’t need right now. I’m betting that tonight, that this incident is waking Lucas up right about now. He’s going to start thinking about how life is so short, about how he almost lost her, about how he can’t live without her. I don’t want him to have to feel guilty about you, we both know that if Nathan looked twice you’d be out the door…”

“What are you asking me to do?”

“Be a human being, walk out before this turns messy.”

“This isn’t your business.” Robin returned her resolve breaking away. Brooke had that effect on people, the way she spoke the truth you couldn’t help but acknowledge it.

“These people Robin, they’re just not my friends, okay,” Brooke began to give way to the emotions boiling inside her, she couldn’t handle the waiting any longer, the wondering, it was tearing her apart. “They’re my family, and they’re going to be my babies family. You don’t understand what it would do to all of us if Haley and Peyton aren’t okay, it would kill us…it would kill me…” Brooke’s eyes began to wander to a far off place as she continued to ramble not even noticing Robin’s presence anymore. “What if my baby doesn’t get to know them. What if Peyton never gets to teach her how to paint or how to be tough or what if Haley never gets to read her a goodnight story or give her the kind of advice that only Haley can give. What if they don’t come back? That can’t happen. It just can’t.” Silent tears streamed down Brooke’s cheeks, as Robin remained silent before he finally taking in the seriousness of the situation.

Nathan pulled the car over to inspect a disturbance in the wooded area beside the mountain. They’d stopped three times before and found nothing, Tim had gone with him, while Jake and Luke had decided to cover a different portion of the road. The first time he’d gotten out of the car he was sure that was the place, which terrified him, there were some broken tree limbs, and some fresh deer tracks, but as he traveled farther in he realized it was only a superficial disturbance and nothing serious had happened. He wasn’t sure if he was relieved or more scared. She was still out there, she was waiting and he had to get to her.

“We’ll find them.” Tim assured patting Nathan on his back. Before Nathan could enter into the broken patch of woods another car pulled up and a small woman jumped out. He realized it was Ella, and that Tim had probably called her to help since she knew the area much better than they did. Nathan sent an appreciative nod Tim’s way as Ella reached them.

“I brought a few extra flashlights, and a first aid kit just in case.” She announced and then began off into the woods motioning for the guys to follow her. Nathan was already impressed with this girl. The storm raging around them was brutal but here she was out looking for people she barely knew. Once this was all over and Haley and Peyton were safe, he was going to talk to him and let him know to keep this one.

“It’s looks like something rolled down here, be careful it’s steep…” she warned as they continued to trudge down the mountain. Nathan became increasingly more panicked as he saw the broken trees all around him, it didn’t look good. Whatever crashed down this mountain crashed hard. Before his mind could drift any further he stopped himself, he could think about that. He wouldn’t, she was okay, she had to be, nothing else would due.

“This doesn’t look good…” Tim breathed in shock, his voice filled with worry. Nathan shot him an angry glare, he didn’t need to hear that.

“They’re fine. I know it. Lets keep going-”

“I don’t know how safe it is to continue down this path,” Ella opined, “the snow is piling up pretty quickly, we might not be able to find our way back up, and we don’t know how far down it is to begin with-”

Something caught Nathan’s eyes, it was a scarf, checkered with his Knicks number manicured on the ends. He’d give it to Haley as a stocking stuffer one year, it had obviously blown up that way. He snatched it up immediately, and held onto it for dear life.

“She’s down there, so I’m going.” He stated resolved and both Tim and Ella trailed after a few feet behind, far enough to where he couldn’t hear them. Not that he would have paid them any kind of attention if he had been able in the first place. His mind was where it always was, it was on her.

Tim bowed his head in worry, as Ella got closer to his side, when he finally spoke his voice was low, wavering with emotion, “They have to be okay…I know how it looks you know, but it’s Haley and Peyton, they just have to be okay.”

Ella nodded understanding he just needed someone to listen to him, and even if he needed her reassurances she wasn’t sure she had any. It looked grim to her, but she didn’t want to say that, there was nothing worse than fallen hope. It broke people.

“If she’s not okay-”

“Haley?” Ella clarified trying to follow.

“Yeah,” Tim nodded, “He’s loved her for as long as I can remember. I mean they met in high school, she was this little tutor girl, totally uncool,” he laughed lightly, “and you know Nathan he was God…but he saw her one day, and that was it for them. They got together, she got to him I guess, and ever since it’s been Nathan and Haley. They’re the thing I look to for normalcy…she’s always calling me, making sure I’m eating, not dating some skanky ho she would hate, she says Luke causes her enough stress…I guess I’ve just been looking for somebody who could live up to the example she set. You know I want someone to love me the way she loves him, I want to love someone the way he loves her…how could I settle for anything less after watching them all this time…” he shook his head regathering his thoughts, “I mean it hasn’t been perfect for them, they used to fight so much, like epic fights that probably would have broke other people. But they just couldn’t live without one another, they always ended up back together. I admired that…I admire it still. You know I have no doubt he’ll find her, and she just has to be okay, because I don’t think he could survive without her…I don’t think he’d want to try.”

He whispered softly, as they continued to walk, “And Peyton…you know I’ve known Peyton Sawyer most of my life, and I still don’t get her. But I guess that’s her beauty,” he chuckled trying to hold in the tears that threatened to consume him as he thought of the past, “the mystery of Peyton Sawyer…I always thought that girl was indestructible. Not even the great Nathan Scott could bring her down-”

“They dated?” Ella laughed at the tangled picture Tim painted.

“Yeah, you know cheerleader and jock, except they we’re both so insane, every day with them was one huge drama, I can’t say I miss that relationship or ever hope to emulate it…She moved on, you know her and Luke they fell in love, for a while they were pretty happy. You know I think the one time I ever saw her happy, but that went to hell like most things in life…I’m really starting to wonder why we even expect things to get better, every time-” he cracked, “This shouldn’t be happening.”

Ella nodded in understanding and empathy and wrapped her arm through his to provide a small source of comfort. And Tim took the gesture before pulling away and walking up to Nathan to offer his own support.

“We’ll find them.” Tim reassured, and Nathan nodded.

Chapter 30

I‘ll find my way back to you, please say you will be waiting

Peyton pulled her clothes tighter around her, and continued to lean over Haley to try and protect her from the snow that continued to fall around them. Peyton wasn’t sure how much time had passed, things were starting to blur together and her entire body felt numb with cold. She knew she had to find a way to get them out of there but she didn’t know what to do, or where to even begin. This was what Haley did, she was level-headed, she was the problem solver. Peyton knew if she would just wake up she could get them out of this.

“Come on Hales, it’s time to wake up. I’m sure you’re somewhere warm and happy right now, and where we are must seem like a drag, but I need you to come back. I need your help…you know me I can’t do anything for myself…please open your eyes Haley, I’m scared.” Peyton’s voice was hoarse from the screaming she’d previously done, she couldn’t even muster the strength to cry anymore. Everything around them felt desolate. She felt like they were going to die and she could do nothing to stop it.

Peyton pulled her legs tighter against her chest, and let her eyes turn upward again. She wasn’t sure why she looked up to talk to God, probably because they used to teach her in Sunday school that Heaven was high above the mortal world. When her mother died she stopped going all together, she stopped believing, and right now she felt even angrier at God.

“I don’t understand how you can do this. How you can take people’s lives and just wreck them…it’s not her time to die, I know you’re supposed to be this all knowing entity, but I’m telling you it isn’t her time…” her voice dropped, “and I’m not ready either…not yet.”

“It’s cold.”

Peyton’s eyes jerked downward to meet Haley’s foggy gaze. Blood was caked on her face from her head wound, and Peyton could tell she must have been hurting in her side because she continued to clutch at her abdomen.

“You’re awake!” Peyton squeaked out with the last piece of strength she had. For the first time since she’d woken up in the car bloodied and cold she felt a little hopeful. Haley was there with her now, she wasn’t alone, Haley would think of something she always did.

“Which is a shame,” Haley laughed softly but stopped when a shooting pain ran through her head and small frame as she shook a bit, “because I was having a really good dream.”

“Figured as much.” Peyton returned her voice cracked with exhaustion. “We’re in a slight situation Hales…”

“I can see that.” Haley returned pulled her body up to rest as gently as she could against a nearby tree. She reached up to feel the gash on her head, and kept one of her hands there to apply pressure and stop the bleeding. She wrapped her free arm around her stomach to stop the uncomfortable cramping she felt there. She knew she must have been bruised all over her body, even in the darkness she could tell they were pretty far down the mountain. She also knew there was no way she and Peyton could make it up with their injuries. Or at least she couldn’t, she hadn’t checked Peyton out yet.

“So what’s broken on you?” She tried to be glib, she didn’t want to panic Peyton with the reality of the situation, she knew that wouldn’t do any of them either good.

“I cut my head a little, and I think I dislocated my shoulder. Other than that and a few scratches and bruises I think I’m in one piece…I checked you out, all I could find was the gash on your head…is your side okay, neck, back?”

“My stomach hurts a little, I think I might have banged up every bone in my body, but I can move around…I think I’m okay.” Haley tried to assure, although she really had no idea if either of them were. Head wounds were pretty serious, and she wasn’t sure how long she had been out, probably wasn’t a good sign but she didn’t want to say that.

“We have to find some shelter,” Haley began speaking trying to focus Peyton since she was the more mobile of the two, “I can’t really travel very far, at least not right now, so I want you to go back to the car, find the flashlight in the glove box and go east, I know there are some abandoned ski shacks out here, they should provide at least some respite from the elements…Peyton I need you to focus.”

“Haley you look really pale,” Peyton commented worry soaking every word she spoke, “I think I should stay with you-”

“We’re going to get hypothermia if we stay out here much longer Peyton, you have to do this okay. I promise I’ll be fine…we’ll make it.”

“I was so scared when you wouldn’t wake up…I don’t want to die.”

“Me neither.” Haley assured with a small smile and then motioned for Peyton to go. Peyton slowly rose to her feet, and after waking her limbs up she began trudging back to the car and then carefully going through the woods to find some place for them to stay at overnight until someone came for them.

“DAMNIT!” Lucas let out a frustrated rant as he kicked at the snow-covered ground beneath him. He’d been all over this mountain, down all the trails and there was no sign of them. It felt like he was slowly losing his mind, the waiting was killing him. He just wanted to see them, he wanted to hear Peyton complain about how long it took him to find her, and he wanted to hear Haley laugh and thank him for coming through. But most of all he just wanted some kind of sign that they were okay, that they weren’t hurt or afraid.

“You have to keep it together,” Jake tried to calm him. He was just as frustrated, and he couldn’t even imagine what he would be thinking if it were Brooke missing, he knew for sure he’d be going crazy along with Nathan and Lucas. As it stood he was worried to death for his friends, it was cold out, he could barely walk any further and he knew they were probably hurt on top of the cold.

“I should have gone with them-” Lucas began, but Jake immediately raised his hand to stop his friend.

“No one could have foretold this Luke…no one. All we can do now is search until we find them, and then pamper them as I’m sure my wife will insist,” Jake tried to joke but it fell flat in the cold night air as the storm picked up again. “We will find them Luke. You have to have faith.”

“I don’t know how to live in a world where they don’t exist-”

“Don’t talk like that,” Jake tried to protest, he knew the last thing they needed was for Luke to give up. He wasn’t used to taking charge, he was the laid back guy, he went with the flow. But he had to step up this time, he had to channel Brooke. “You give up on them, then they are as good as dead. I’m tired Luke, I’m scared to death, but there is no way I am going home until we find them…”

“I love her,” Luke whispered softly as he sucked in a harsh breathe of air, his entire body felt like it was falling apart, but the only thing that was keeping him going was the picture of Peyton he had in his head. Watching her paint, seeing her smile, he had to get that back, he couldn’t lose her yet.

“I know.” Jake nodded.

“She doesn’t…I’ve done so many things wrong Jake. I’ve been running from her for years, I’ve hurt her, I’ve let her down…but she loves me, and the one time she truly needs me I fall apart. Hell of a hero I am.”

“She doesn’t idolize you Luke, she loves you. You want to show her you love her, then you keep looking, you look until you can tell her face to face what she means to you…now you know, now you know that nothing is guaranteed. This is your wake up call, take it for what it is, save her, get her well and then get her back. But for this scenario to work we have to keep looking.”

“What if we don’t like what we find.”

“Then all of this was for nothing, but it’s not a chance I’m willing to take.”

“Let’s go.” Luke nodded once again reassured and resolved. He would find her, and when he did, he would tell her the truth. He knew he didn’t really deserve her, not now, not after the way he’d treated her. He only hoped she was a more forgiving person than he was, he only hoped he had the chance to at least tell her. Bring both of their souls some kind of peace.

“Something has gone wrong, they should have called, they should be back by now!” Brooke panicked as she paced in the same spot Nathan had before her. Everyone she loved was out there right now, she couldn’t even imagine her life without one of them.

“Everything will be okay.” Robin spoke in and Brooke turned her eyes quickly on her. She was surprised to find a genuine expression in the girls eyes.

“I’m not heartless,” Robin shrugged, “things will be okay, they’ll rescue Peyton and Haley and then they’ll come back and you can all reunite…you gotta believe in that Brooke, it’s not good for the baby for you to worry like this.”

“Why do you care?”

“Because I’m not an evil person…” Robin swallowed for a moment, “maybe my intentions haven’t always been the best, but I don’t want anyone to get hurt. You just have to have faith you know…are you religious?”

“What?” Brooke turned to her again with a skeptical eye.

“We could pray…it’s been a while for me, but-”

“I’m not very religious…but I guess we could try…” Brooke relented.

Robin nodded and took a nervous breathe, “Dear God-”

Brooke interrupted, “This should probably be a silent thing.”

“Right.” Robin shook her head quickly in agreement and silence fell between them again.

“Nathan be careful!” Tim yelled out to him as he continued to barrel down the mountain. Ella had warned them both of the steep cliffs, but nothing was registering with Nathan. The only thing he could see was getting to Haley, and Tim was afraid it would get him killed.

“I think I see something!” Nathan announced excitedly as he continued to go at a rapid pace, Tim and Ella trailed behind him trying not to break their necks.

“Nathan please be careful,” Ella called out worry filling her. She could just picture him plummeting down the mountain and although she barely knew him, she’d grown fond of Tim and it was obvious he loved Nathan and the rest of his friends very much.

Nathan blocked out everything as he continued towards the small glimmer he’d caught ahead of him. He had this feeling in his heart, this anxiousness that kept getting stronger and stronger, he knew he had to get to her. He didn’t believe in the psychic connection, or any of that magical crap people tried to sell you on the street. But he knew the connection he shared with Haley was beyond words, beyond normal, it was in his soul, and he could feel her slipping away. He couldn’t explain the sensation that was rushing through him and he didn’t try to, he just knew he had to get to her now.

“Haley!” Peyton called out to her as she rushed back towards her friend. She’d found a small little rescue shack, it had obviously been abandoned years ago, but it was still sturdy enough to protect them for the night. She was proud of herself for keeping it together and coming through, it gave her a confidence that they would get through this.

Once she finally made it to Haley, her face drained of all it’s color. Haley’s eyes were once again shut, her face was nearly blue from being cold, and her arms looked limp beside her. Peyton fell before her crestfallen and grabbed at her broken body searching for any sign of life. She took a sigh of relief when she found a faint pulse of life. She was alive, but it was clear she wasn’t going to be able to make it much longer.

All of Peyton’s resurrected strength flushed from her body, as she slumped beside Haley dejected. She’d done everything she could, she’d prayed, she screamed, she’d even found what Haley had asked. But it just didn’t make a difference, God was punishing her for something she knew that, he must have been. He was probably laughing at her, she would laugh if she were him. It was such a pathetic site.

Silent tears began to fall from Peyton’s eyes as she slowly let them fall shut. She was so tired of fighting, everything in her life had been a battle. And she just couldn’t fight this one, this time they won, this time she was bested. She just wanted to sleep now, she wanted to be warm and loved, she wanted to be safe again. She could feel her mothers loving arms wrapping around her, she could hear her voice in her ear, it wasn’t so far away, all she had to do was let go.

And then she heard Nathan’s voice, he was screaming, shaking her. When she opened her eyes she realized it was Tim jostling her awake, while Nathan cradled Haley in his arms beside her. Haley’s eyes fluttered open for a moment and Peyton was pretty sure she saw her smile before she dropped exhaustedly back into Nathan’s arms and he set out to carry her back up the mountain, while Tim and Ella pulled her to her feet and tried to pull her along with them.

“You okay Peyt?” She heard Tim whisper into her ear, and she instead of answering she closed her eyes again, and let her body fall limp against him. She was too tired to move, to think, to do anything.

“We gotta get them to the hospital now.” Ella called out to Nathan ahead of them, he was struggling carrying Haley by himself, and Tim could tell he was ready to fall apart with fear. Haley didn’t look good at all, neither did Peyton, but it was clear of the two of them, Haley was in worse condition.

“How is she?” Tim called out.

“She’s fine,” Nathan assured, “she will be fine.” He repeated as his eyes bore into her small body which was pressed tightly against his body. He felt like he needed to drop and sleep, he wanted to give up, and had it been only his life in his hands he might have. But he wouldn’t give up on her, he would never give up on her. Maybe for the first time in their lives, she needed him more than he needed her and he was going to come through for her, he had to.

“She’s freezing,” Ella observed of Peyton, and Tim quickly whipped off his jacket wrapping it around her and brushing her wet hair away from her face. He’d never seen Peyton look so small and helpless. He couldn’t help but feel like her big protector at the moment and he intended to come through for her.

For a second she began to speak, but the only thing that escaped her lips was, “Haley…”

“She’s going to be okay,” Tim promised, “we found you and you’re both going to be okay. Stay with us Peyt…just stay strong.”

“I’m so tired.” She whispered back before falling back into her coma like state. He could see the gash on her head, and he could tell she’d been banged up all over, but he didn’t know what was causing her drowsy state, and he didn’t know if he should let her rest or force her to stay awake.

“You gotta keep her talking Tim.” Ella advised, and Tim smiled appreciatively at her before focusing all his attentions back on Peyton.

“Hey Peyt you remember that weekend I came and stayed with you and Lucas in the city before you broke up…you took me to this really cool gallery what was the name of it? Do you remember that weekend Peyt?”

“The Lair…” Peyton swallowed trying to bring moisture back to her throat. “Lucas and I were fighting…”

“But you made up.” Tim reminded her.

“I need Lucas.” Peyton cracked with emotion, and Tim reached a hand out to smooth her hair on her head. It was killing him to see her this broken. This wasn’t Peyton, Peyton was a fighter, she was strong and determined. This girl was defeated, and it was scaring him even more.

“He’s looking for you right now…you just have to hold on and soon he’ll be there. He’ll come for you…”

“No he won’t.” She argued. “He doesn’t want me.”

“I promise he’ll be there…and if he isn’t he’s a fool…”

Peyton smiled smally and turned her eyes open for a moment to meet Tim’s, “but we knew that right.” She teased before drifting off again.

“You have to stay with me Peyton, do you hear me! Come on Peyton fight damnit!”

“Tim,” Ella tried to calm him.

“Come on Peyt, you gotta help me here.” He whispered.

“I like her.” Peyton whispered finally referring to Ella.

Nathan found Haley’s hand and entwined her fingers with his own as they reached the top of the mountain. She’d opened her eyes once and that was the happiest moment of his life, knowing she was alive, nothing would ever bring him the relief of that moment. Now she laid so still in his arms, she almost looked peaceful, which scared him.

“Wherever you are, I hope it’s a happy place Haley, and I want you to stay there until I can get you out of here, and I will baby, I promise I will. But once I do I need you to come back to me, I need you to open your eyes. Everything has just begun right, we still have it all ahead of us, and I can’t do it without you. So you stay warm and safe right now, but you come back to me…I love you.” He whispered as his voice broke, and his lips dipped down to press a kiss against her forehead.

Chapters 31 - 37

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