Feels Like Home

by nogin25

ep 9 leaves off spoilers were used There are NH BL J?P LN learn how to deal with each DD deals with their issues as a family Please give feed back trying to decide if I should continue the story feed back is needed to decide

1. Default Chapter

The door just closed

Nathan says to her "Thank you so much I can't go home and deal with my parents right now"

"Oh my god your mom, Nathan you have to call her she's probably worried sick about you right now."

"Haley they'll make me come home and I can't deal with my dad right now. Besides it's not that big of a deal."

"What do you mean it's not that big of a deal? She was worried sick about you. She did not even now that you were in the hospital when I got to the cafe. I thought she was going to die when she heard you were in the hospital. You know she really loves you."

Nathan rolled his eyes at this. "Yeah so much that she couldn't even be bothered to leave that stupid cafe to come to my game."

"She didn't come so I could go. She probably figured that you wanted your girl... um your friend there more than your mom. She was only thinking of you." She just barely stopped herself from saying girlfriend. She did not want to push Nathan right now.

"So that's what she was talking about earlier when I blew her off." He didn't even notice the little slip Haley had made with the title of their relationship. He was to preoccupied thinking about how much of a jerk he had been earlier with his mom.

Haley came over and sat down on the bed, gently rubbing his neck again. Nathan just stared off into space thinking. "She really cares about you, and her decision to help Karen wasn't to hurt you it was to help a friend."

"Friend they don't even know each other."

At this Haley laughed. "You know just because they are our parents doesn't mean we know them. I've seen Deb and Karen together and I would call them friends. Just because Karen doesn't like Dan and you and Luke don't get along doesn't mean they can't. They actually are on the way to a good friendship."

"Well I'm still not calling dad will not let me stay." Haley got off the bed and started to walk toward the door. "Haley come on don't get mad at me for this"

"I'm not mad I'm getting you something to wear your soaked through. I have some pajama paints that will fit you but no shirts so I was going to go grab one of my brothers. I'll be right back."

Nathan lay back on the bed and tried to relax. He really couldn't believe Haley was going to let him stay the night. Although in his current condition he wasn't much of a threat. He sat back up with some difficulty as Haley walked back in with a Duke t-shirt.

"Here is a shirt" she rummaged through one of her drawers and grabbed out a pair of pajama bottoms "and here are some paints"

"Um Haley, I don't think your pajama bottoms are going to fit me"

"Well that would be true except these are a pair of Luke's."

A cloud passed through Nathan's eyes "do I want to know why Luke's pajamas are here?"

"Because I wear them. They are more comfortable than mine. I've stayed over there on occasion and he let me wear them and I just wore them home. Nathan there is nothing between Luke and me. We are just friends always have been always will be."

Nathan gave a small laugh and looked down with embarrassment. "Sorry I was just being stupid"

"Here put these on I'm going to go get you something to eat and drink. When I talked to Keith he said something about you being dehydrated so you probably need to drink water."

As Haley left Nathan struggled out of his uniform. Haley got down stairs and immediately grabbed the phone. She thought about who to call. She looked at the numbers by the phone. She really wanted to call Deb, but she did not know how to control the situation so she settled on Keith he would know what to do. As the phone rang she grabbed the pizza she had had the night before from the fridge and threw it into the microwave. Keith picked up on the third ring "Hello"

"Keith?" Haley asked she wasn't sure why she asked she knew it was him. He grunted in response. "Sorry I know its late but Nathan just showed up here, and he doesn't want to go home and I'm worried about Deb, but he won't call her because he doesn't want to go home..." She got this all out in one breath and, would have kept going if Keith had not interrupted her "Haley slow down. Nathan is there with you."

"Right" Haley replied while trying to calm down.

"He doesn't want to go home so he won't tell Deb and Dan where he is, but you want Deb to know" "That about sums it up. So I have a favor will you tell Deb he is safe." "She's going to want to know where he is Haley"

"I know, but Nathan doesn't want to be around his father. I don't really want him around his father either Keith. You can tell Deb he's here but only if you're sure she is not going to run over here and drag him away. He would hate me if that happened. He really doesn't need anymore let downs in his life right now."

Keith sighed "Do you now how hard it is going to be for me to keep a mother from her sick son."

"Yeah I do, but you can do it."

"Alright, but you have to promise me that if anything change s you call someone immediately. I'll try and find a way to talk to Deb with out Dan finding out."

"Thank you so much Keith."

"Oh and Haley I'm trusting you. I already had someone abuse my trust this week don't you do it too." Keith said this as he thought about Luke and his tattoo.

"I promise he'll be okay in the morning, call me if anything happens"

"All right I'll call you when I'm done with Deb. Bye"

Haley quickly grabbed the pizza and water for Nathan, and headed back upstairs.

Nathan was lying on the bed again completely exhausted from the effort of walking over to her house and then trying to change. Haley moved quietly at first thinking that maybe he had fallen asleep. Nathan chuckled "I'm not sleeping just resting"

"Well good I put a lot of effort into this pizza"

Nathan sat up slowly, he leaned back against the head boards and smiled one of his devilish grins "Another food of the gods."

"You bet." Haley handed him the pizza and sat down at desk. She sat quietly watching him eat for a while then finally burst out with the question she had wanted to ask since he first walked in "What happened tonight at the game?"

"I was wondering how long it would take you to get back to that. I did something really stupid." he said with disgust. He threw down the rest of the pizza and sat thinking for a minute before continuing. "Look I really wanted to beat my dads record and he said I couldn't' because I am too weak. So I decided it was time for him to see who the weak one was. I had a friend of mine get me some pills."

"Nathan you didn't?"

"Yeah I did I know it was stupid, but I just couldn't take him any more Haley." He looked up and met her eyes. Haley could see the pain in them. I wanted to put him in his place. I've had enough with all of his 'how great he is and how much I s**k' speeches"

"That was why you were shaking in the hall because you were taking something?"

"Yeah. Basically the stuff was steroids on speed."

"That also explains the other night."

Nathan hangs his head he doesn't even want to look at her. He still can't believe he ignored her telling him no "Haley I'm so sorry about that. I don't know what I was thinking"

Haley interrupts him before he can say any more "Nathan don't go there not now there is a lot more to concentrate on." Nathan slowly looks up at her. She looks into his eyes and there are words spoken that could never be expressed. Nathan knew that she really did understand. "You know Nathan, you're not your father. You don't have to be him either." She waited a couple of seconds to see if he had any thing to say but he said nothing. "Nathan you are really good at basketball but that isn't who you are. Basketball is something you do it is not what you are. Your father doesn't understand this that is why he is still stuck in the past and why he rides you so hard. Nathan you are a great guy who is good at basketball, and is supposed to be the cool guy. Things are going to happen to you basketball and your reputation could be taken away from you in a single minute but that does not change who you are. At the end of the day the only thing that matters are your own actions and the way you feel about others." She paused and looked up at him to see if she was making him mad. Instead she saw tears in his eyes.

"Yeah well lately my actions don't say much for me do they?" At this Haley got up and went over to him. She sat down beside him. He leaned over into her and she just held him.

"Nathan this guy you show to the rest of the world isn't the real you. I've seen the real you. You care what happens to others, you're sweet, funny, and stubborn. If you were such a bad guy would I still be here."

At this he laughed a little "No you would have kicked me to the curb a long time ago."

"Exactly I don't normally waist my time on people who are as awful as you think you are." They sat like this for a couple of minutes. Haley interrupted the silence she had to tell him about calling his mom. She did not like the thought of betraying him and that was exactly how she felt. "While we are being honest with each other I have to tell you something. I kind of told your mom where you are." She could feel his whole body go ridged with this statement he started to pull away from her. Before he could say anything she told him about calling Keith and trusting his judgment and that he would make sure that they left Nathan alone tonight. "You can trust him he is a good guy and he'll do what he says he will."

"Haley I told you not to call them."

"No you said you wouldn't call your mom not that I couldn't, and I didn't call your mom I called your uncle there's a difference."

"A really big" he came back in a sarcastic voice.

"Are you mad at me?"

"I should be but I know you did what you thought was right and I do trust you so if you say Keith will get the job done than I trust he will."

With this Nathan and Haley settled lower into the bed just holding each other. Within minutes Nathan was asleep. Haley laid there for a while but couldn't sleep. Finally she slowly slid out of Nathan's grasp and went and changed into another pair of Luke's pajama bottoms and a tank top. She did it right in the room figuring Nathan really was asleep and she didn't have to worry about being modest. She still looked over her shoulder several times to be sure he was still asleep. She walked the length of her room a couple of times not knowing what to do with her self. Finally, after turning out all the light except for a lava lamp, she settled back into her desk chair and watched Nathan sleep as silent tears fell down her face. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back at Luke's

Peyton stood there in utter disbelief waiting to hear what he had to say. Finally she realized he did not know what to say so she left. Luke turned to say something to Brooke but it was already too late. The silence before had already said everything. She just looked at him in disgust and turned away. She went back into the room and grabbed her stuff.

"Brooke... I... I mean.....I didn't know she was coming over here" he finally got out.

"Well that just makes things better" she said as sarcastically as she could manage. She pushed here way through the door and started to leave.

"Brooke wait. I'm sorry. I don't know what to say."

"You are right you are sorry. I'm not interested in what you have to say to me. Although I would love to know what you would have said to Peyton if I hadn't of come out of the room just then." Luke just stared at her, he had nothing to say to this. "Bye Lucas" and with that Brooke left with out even a backward glance. Luke just stood there dumbfounded. He had no idea what just happened but he messed everything up with both girls, and he did not know how to fix it with either. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In Haley's room

Nathan stirred slowly and looked around trying to remember where he was. A slow smile came to his lips as he looked over to where Haley should have been. He sat up quickly when he realized she wasn't there. He saw her sitting in her chair with her knees drawn up to her chest and her head resting on them. He couldn't really see her because she was in a shadow. "Hey what are you doing over there. For a minute there I thought this had been a dream." He waited fro her to say something when she didn't his expression turned to concern. "Haley? What's wrong"

Haley cleared her throat and slowly said "I couldn't sleep, and didn't want to wake you up so I came over here."

"Well I'm awake now, so come here." She slowly stood trying to wipe the tears from her eyes with out him noticing. It didn't work. "What's wrong? Talk to me Haley" he asked with concern in his voice. He could not figure out what could possibly be making her cry.

"Every time I close my eyes I see you on the floor, and I'm afraid to go to sleep that maybe you did die and this is just a dream or that maybe you will while I sleep."

"Oh Haley" his heart was completely hers in that moment. How could she care this much for him after all of the horrible things he had done to her and Luke. "I may not be much to look at right now but I'm fine really I am. Here feel my heart is normal." He reached for her hand and laid it on his chest and held it here. She still didn't look convinced so he pulled her close and gently kissed her. "Does that feel like a dream."

"Well that depends on what you mean by a dream." she said sheepishly with a small grin. "Thanks I needed that."

"Feel better then?"

"Sure, but if you ever scare me like that again you won't have to worry about weather or not your going to live because I'll kill you myself."

"Now that is the Haley I know." He sat holding her for a while and then asked "Haley do you mind if I take this shirt off because I'm dying of heat." He really was hot. It had taken all of his strength not to rip it off already. He hadn't because he did not want to scare Haley. He had been such an **** the other night.

"No, if you still have a fever you should probably take something I'll go get you some Tylenol" and with that was out of the room before he could protest. She returned to a half naked Nathan with Tylenol in one hand and more water in the other. "Here doctor Haley's orders take two and call me in the morning."

Nathan didn't reply or say anything to her he just stared at her. "Earth to Nathan."

A slow grin crept a crossed his face "another pair of Lucas's paints?" Haley looked down in confusion and nodded. She had rolled them down so they fit her like she always did. Her tank top was tight and left her belly button exposed. Nathan could tell she had taken off her bra. He had never seen a girl that could look so sexy in such a simple outfit. "Remind me to thank him for letting you have those." Haley just stared at him in confusion.

"What on earth are you talking about."

"You really don't know how good you look in those do you?" This made him laugh he was used to Peyton who knew how pretty she was. Haley was definitely different. When he looked back up Haley was standing there awkwardly blushing. She was trying to cover her exposed stomach while not spilling the water. "God you are going to be death of me, come here." She came over and handed him the Tylenol and waited for him to take it. Still feeling self-conscious she kept an arm in front of her stomach. When he was done drinking the water, he grabbed her and dragged her into the bed. Where he kissed her hard and longingly at first and slowly pulled back to a gentle loving kiss. Haley's hands explored Nathan's naked torso absorbing every detail until.

When they finally separated Haley looked up at him slyly "What are you thinking about lady"

"The fact that Nathan Scott has a nipple ring."

"You didn't know. I thought everyone at school knew about that."

"Well I'm not really in your crowd so how would I know. Just tell me it had nothing to do with a drunken night with Brooke."

"No. why?"

"Just making sure." She settled back down and was about to fall asleep when the phone rang.

"Hi" she said already knowing who it was.

"So I did it, I went over there. She is not happy, but she understands." Keith said without waiting for any small talk. "She said he can stay for the night, but you are to call her immediately if anything goes wrong."

"I will"

"Also you have to have Nathan at the cafe at 1:30 she has a lot to talk to him about. Oh and she was hoping you could cover for her for the hour or so that her and Nathan talked, even though it is your day off."

"Not a problem."

"Haley there is one more thing that I think Nathan needs to know before he goes home tomorrow, you might not be the best person to tell him this, but Deb threw Dan out."

"What"

"Yep and I don't think Nathan should find out from his dad or go home tomorrow and find him gone so at least this way he is prepared. I'm sorry it's a lot to ask of you but I know you can handle it."

"Okay"

"Well bye and don't make me lose my trust in you Haley."

"Keith thanks a lot I really appreciate it. I kind of threw you to the lions."

"Don't mention it, and any ways I think you have the harder job. Night Haley and be GOOD."

Haley hangs up the phone and looks over at Nathan. She really doesn't know what to say to him.

"Was that Keith?" Before she can even answer him the phone rings again.

Haley picked up and with out even thinking said "I promise Keith we'll be good and I'll call some one the minute anything goes wrong."

"Well that's nice to know Haley, but it's not Keith its Deb." Haley practically dropped the phone.

"Oh.. Well... Yeah I should have known.

"Haley its okay you don't have anything to worry about. I'm not in my car driving over there right now. Is he really okay?" Deb's voice cracked a little with her last question. Haley really felt for her, to know Nathan was in trouble and not be able to help. On top of that to not have him come to you, that must really hurt.

"Yeah he's fine, or at least I hope so." At this Nathan opened his eyes and gave her a scowl and pretended to push her off the bed.

"I'd be better if people stopped calling and I could get back to sleeping." He said with the biggest grin and a little wink. To keep from laughing Haley turned her back on him.

"So will it be okay for you to come in tomorrow I know it's your day off, but"

Before Deb could even finish Haley was already talking. "No that's fine I understand completely it's not a problem Ill be there at 1:30" Feeling a little neglected Nathan decided too play devil a little. As Haley tried to talk he brushed her hair aside and started to kiss her the back of her neck. She jumped at the first kiss and struggled to keep from giggling. She mouthed to him to stop, but he continued to across her neck.

"All right Ill let you go. Tell him I love him and am so happy he's all right. I wish I could talk to him."

"You can."

"No I'm afraid to push him even more than his dad already has."

"It's your choice and I will pass the message along, we'll be there tomorrow. Try and get some sleep."

"Thanks I will try, and Haley keep him safe for me will you," after a little pause Deb continued "for the both of us?"

"I promise I'll do my best." With that they both hung up. "You jerk she said playfully pushing him away that was your mom." This wiped the devilish grin from his face. "She called to make sure that you were okay."

"She didn't want to talk to me?" He asked pulling a little further back.

"Yeah she did but she chose not to. She is afraid to push you to hard. I think she's hoping that you will want to talk to her and call her or something like that."

Nathan thought about this for a minute "Maybe."

Haley gave him a minute to think about this, but really she was taking her time she did not want to have to tell Nathan about his dad. She was really happy that he would no longer be there to bully Nathan, but weather he hated him or not, it still was his dad. Finally she quietly said "Nathan" and paused for a second she really did not want to have to tell him this. "There is something else."

"What?" he said as if he just remembered there was someone else in the room with him.

"It is about your dad." Nathan just stared at her not knowing what to expect next from his father.

"What did he do know?" He finally asked.

"Well not so much him" Haley paused trying to find the right words "Look I don't know how to say this any other way so your mom asked him to leave the house."

"Oh I imagine that went over well."

"I'm not sure how it went over but he did leave." Haley waited for a reaction, but when none came Haley finally asked "Are you okay with this, tell me what your thinking cause I can't read your mind."

"I don't know what to think" was all Nathan could manage. He leaned back against the head board and tried to relax. Haley scotched over to his side and sat down by his hips facing him. "I just don't know should I be happy he's out, or upset that my parents are fighting over something I did. Before I was just ruining my life now I'm ruining my parents too." As he talked Haley had been drawing circles on his stomach with her fingers, without even noticing it. Nathan looked down at her hand and a smile came a crossed his face "Are we having a serious conversation or are you back to trying to kill me?" Confused Haley looked to where Nathan was staring. When she realized what she had been doing she turned red.

"I'm sorry it's something my mom used to do when we were upset mind you it was on our backs and we were fully clothed." She managed to stutter out getting redder by the second. Nathan's smile just continued to grow. Finally she said "Sorry." and began to pull her hand away. Before she had it fully withdrawn Nathan grabbed it and kissed it lightly.

"Its okay I was just wondering. Actually it felt really good." He gently tucked her hair behind her ear. His hand lingered there and gently rubbed her cheek bone until he got a smile. She moved over and curled up next to him once again.

"There was one thing your mom did want though. She wants you to come over to the cafe tomorrow at 1:30 to talk to you."

"Alright she let me stay here tonight with out trying to drag me home I guess it's the least I can do." With this they both settled back down into bed and tried to go to sleep. This time it was Haley who fell asleep first. Nathan on the other hand was having trouble sleeping. His mind kept flipping back to all the problems he had caused this year. He was also enjoying watching Haley sleep. He grabbed the blanket and laid it over them. He was still hot, so he kept his upper half uncovered. Eventually he fell asleep too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Across town in her car Peyton just drives she has no idea where she is going, but her house is empty and she doesn't feel like being there. To tell the truth she is happiest in her car just driving and listening to music.

While Peyton drives Lucas lays on his bed watching his computer monitor waiting for Peyton's return to her house. He's tried to call both Peyton's and Brooke's cells at least a dozen times each. God I really screwed this one up he thought to himself. He still was battling with himself over which girl he wanted to pick up the phone, but couldn't decide so he kept calling both. Sometime around four in the morning he finally fell asleep with his computer still on Peyton's web page. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brooke kept looking at her phone she had listened to all of Luke's messages and decides next time he calls she will pick up. She waits by her phone for that next call, but it never does come. Before she knows what's happened she wakes up still fully clothed in her own bed with her cell phone beside her head. God I'm just stupid, she thinks to herself. Here I am sleeping by my phone waiting for him to call me how pathetic. Its Saturday morning and I don't have a hang over this just s*cks. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lucas runs out of his house and jumps into the tow truck. He's been awake since seven and he can't stand the silence of the house any longer. He has to get out. Peyton still had not come home or if she did she never went into her room. He needs to talk to somebody before he goes nuts. As he pulled into Haley's driveway he noticed her parent's car wasn't there. He thought this was odd but then remembered that they were going to visit one of her sisters. He knocked on the door, but realized she probably was sleeping in like most high school kids do on Saturday mornings. After all it was only ten. As he entered the house he felt kind of guilty with all of the calls he had made last night, he never thought to call Haley to see if she was okay. He shock this thought from his mind because he was here now. As he ran up the stairs he considered knocking on the door, but remembered Haley's favorite sleep wear. His pajamas. He walked in and started talking before he had the door open all the way.

"Haley I know it is early but I just couldn't sit around anymore I needed some one to talk to I really messed th..." He finally looked up and saw the two of them sleeping there. Haley was still all the way under the blankets and Nathan's naked upper body was still showing. Nathan had woken up during Lucas's entrance. He was nudging Haley awake when Lucas turned and ran back down the stairs. Haley saw a blur and ran to her window.

"Lucas what are you doing here?" She yelled down to him.

Feeling stupid for feeling guilty about leaving her alone all night he shot back "Just wanted to see if you were okay, got that answer. So now I'm leaving."

"Luke wait I can explain. Just give me a chance." It was too late Luke was already in the truck and pulling away from the house. "Dam it, why wouldn't he listen to me." Nathan reached around her and pulled her close to him.

"He probably got an eye full of a scene that could have been misinterpreted big time." He said soothingly to her. "I wasn't all the way under the blankets and so we probably looked naked."

"Great, just great." Nathan kissed her neck trying to get her to relax. This got a small giggle out of her. "Your bad" she said turning to face him.

"Yeah I know I didn't remember to thank him for your pajamas." This finally made her laugh out right, and with that he leaned in and kissed her ever so gently. "Now that was how I was planning on waking you up. Maybe we should go back to sleep and we can try it again."

"Nathan what am I going to do with you."

"I can think of a lot of things you can do with me" he replied as he leaned in to kiss her again. This time it was a passionate kiss, and Haley gave herself to it fully. Finally when she pulled away they were both out of breath.

Haley walked over to her desk and tried to regain her thoughts. She glanced back over her shoulder at him and noticed that he still looked pale. "I was going to ask how you are feeling but I think you already answered that for me." Haley told him with out even realizing how much she had just sounded like Luke. "Well we are up now so how about instead of going to bed I fix us something to eat." Nathan had been laughing since her statement about how he was feeling, so Haley turned to see what was so funny. She turned right into him, not realizing he had come up behind her again. She had to tip her head way back to see into his eyes. "What is so amusing?"

"You can tell you two are best friends you sound a like ." Haley just looked at him dumb founded so Nathan took advantage of this and leaned in and kissed her once again.

When they pulled apart Haley feebly mumbled "Um yeah about breakfast."

"I don't know I'm still kind of thinking of the things you can do to me." The devilish grin was back on his face. Exasperated Haley playfully shoved him out of the way and started to leave the room.

She teasingly glanced over her shoulder and told Nathan "Well how about this I'm going to go get breakfast you can either stay here, by yourself, or you can come down with me." With that she walked down the hall.

"Yeah I am definitely going to have to thank Luke for that outfit." Nathan yelled after her as he followed her out of the room. "If we can't explore those things you can do to me will you do me a favor and put some big baggy clothes on. A big old ugly sweatshirt might help."

"Your impossible." Is the only thing he heard as Haley turned the corner to go to the kitchen, along with her laughing.

When he got to the kitchen he saw her reaching up to get something out of the cabinet that was just out of her reach. He leaned back against the wall and admired the view.

"You know instead of staring at me you could be a gentleman and come over here and help me." Haley said as she turned around.

"Yeah but this is much better for me." With that Haley grabbed the towel on the counter and threw it at him as hard as she could. "Alright what do you want out of there?"

She started to say "the bisquick box" when there was a nock on the door. "Who could that be now?" She asked in confusion more to herself than Nathan as she walked out of the kitchen. She felt him watching her walk and yelled back over her shoulder in a laughing voice "Bisquick box come on I have to cook you can at least be of some help."

"Yeah yeah I'm getting it"." But Nathan did not move until she was out of sight.

As Haley pulled the door open she was still laughing to herself. As soon as she saw who it was, and the look on their face, she stopped. "Hey what are you doing here?" She managed to ask her newest guest.

"Well its nice to see you too."

"I'm sorry I just didn't expect to see you of all people standing on my doorstep at 10:30 on a Saturday morning."

Peyton smiled shyly she was still wearing the clothes she had on yesterday and you could tell she had not slept. "Yeah I couldn't sleep and I needed to talk to someone and I was hoping you were up." She kept rambling until Haley interrupted her.

"Peyton it is fine come in." Haley moved aside so Peyton could enter. "I actually already had another guest this morning." Peyton raised her eyebrows to her waiting to hear who else had already been hear to see Haley at this early.

Before Haley could answer Nathan yelled out from the kitchen "Hales I thought you were cooking me breakfast?" Haley turned red instantly, as Peyton's eyebrows came up even further.

"Nathan came over here this morning?" she asked quizzically.

God how am I going to explain this one Haley thought to herself. "No,... Luke did and judging by the fact that you are here, looking like you do, he was probably here to talk to me about you." Haley tried to steer clear of the questions in Peyton's eyes. There was a grin slowly growing on her face.

"So, if Luke came this morning, then when did Nathan get here?"

"Last night he broke out of the hospital and came over here to hide from his father." Haley answered with a smile of her own. "Stop looking at me like that its not what you think. God everyone has such bad minds."

Nathan walked around the corner "Haley I'm hungry and since you didn't like my other idea you said...." He stopped in mid sentence when he saw Peyton. "Peyton?"

"Hi Nathan." Peyton took in the pajama bottoms and nothing else that Nathan was wearing. Boy this is going to be one hell of a story that Haley owes me, god he still doesn't look good though, he's so pale she thought to herself. Everyone kind of stood looking at each other awkwardly.

"Well Peyton if you want you can come and have breakfast with us?" Haley asked.

"No, I don't want" Peyton started.

"You came all the way over here you might as well come in and relaxed for a while. Besides your solving a problem I thought about." Haley lopped her arm through Peyton's and started dragging her into the kitchen. "Did you ever get around to getting that box down for me or were you just standing around waiting for me to come back." Haley continued trying to lighten up the atmosphere.

"Hey, well actually I thought about waiting just to see you ...um yeah I got it down." Nathan finished quickly. He was going to tease Haley some more about the view. It was weird having his ex-girlfriend and his girlfriend together like this. He tried to cover this up by harassing Haley in another way. "Besides it wasn't me who was having gossip hour out in the hall with Peyton. A guy could starve to death while waiting for you to cook for him."

"You know I cooked last night so maybe you should have to this morning."

"Ha you call micro waving pizza cooking a monkey can do that." With that last statement they all laughed and everyone started to relax.

Haley started to mix up a batch of waffles while Peyton sat at the table and Nathan sat on the counter. "Hey you slacker will you get in the freezer for me and grab me some blue berries?" Haley asked Nathan as she got the waffle maker out.

"You know I would have been happy with a bowl of cereal maybe some toast, egos, eggs, bacon, and sausage." Nathan told her as he walked over with the pint of frozen blueberries. He reached over and pushed that one hair that always fell down in her face back behind her ear.

"Yeah well I promised you breakfast not a heart attack." Peyton sat quietly watching the exchange and thinking of how cute they were together, and how much of a different guy Nathan was with her. This made her think of when they were together. She wondered what about Haley was so special that Nathan acted like this with her.

"All right I have a job for you its really hard pour the batter in the maker and then close it when the timer goes off open it up and put it on the plate. Got it?" Haley asked smiling up at Nathan as she playfully tugged on his ear.

"Yeah I think I got it. Jerk." Nathan just shook his head at her as she moved over to the stove and turned the oven on low to keep the waffles warm while the others were being made. She then put the blueberries some water and sugar, and corn starch into the pan.

"Hey what do I get to do?" Peyton asked feeling a little left out.

"Here come stir this." Peyton came over and took over the stirring. Haley set the table, got out butter and syrup, and then sat down to watch Peyton and Nathan work together. They were rather amusing. She knew she should be jealous of their picking on each other but she knew that they were over. It was evident in their behavior toward each other. She had never seen them so relaxed around each other. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke had gone to the courts he was so mad. What on earth had Haley been thinking. Oh and Nathan if he could just punch him one more time it would make things so much better. He really did not need to be dealing with this on top of everything else that happened last night. Then to make matters worse Brooke and Peyton both had not called him back. God he had been such a jerk to call Peyton back like that in front of Brooke. He continued to play ball. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Hales you never told me you knew how to cook?" Nathan asked her looking over at her. He saw her amusement and was about to ask what was so funny but she beat him to it.

"I'm not the one cooking here you two are." Haley laughed as it dawned on them both that she had stopped doing the work and now they both were doing everything.

"Hey that's not fair you said you were going to cook for me."

"Yeah I know its a trick my mom used to do with us kids she would start everything and slowly assign us all a job until there was nothing left to do for her. Ill have to tell her it works really well." Haley got up and took over for Peyton. I think they are about done she dipped her finger into the pot as if she was going to make sure everything tasted all right, but instead got Nathan on the tip of the nose when he turned toward her.

"Oh you jerk, I'm going to get you back for that."

"No you won't you are to sweet to be mean to me." She replied in her most sweetenly sickenly voice. Nathan just rolled his eyes he knew he had already proved that statement wrong.

As they sat down to eat Peyton asked Haley "What did you mean I solved a problem by coming here this morning?"

"Oh yeah I was hoping that you would be willing to give me and Nathan a ride over to the cafe at 1:30 he walked over here last night and well.."

"What she's trying to say is that she doesn't think I should walk over to the cafe, but she's beating around the bush instead of telling me I still look like I got ran over by a bus."

"Yeah well now that you mention it you don't look that hot." Peyton added trying to keep the heat off from Haley.

"Yeah well I don't think any of us have any room to talk" Haley stepped in. Defusing what could have been a bad situation.

"I wish I had my truck, bit its at the school." Nathan complained.

"Yeah I'll give you a ride its not a problem, but do you think we should get the boy some clothes before we take him out into public?"

"Good point." Haley laughed. They finished breakfast and made plans for the day. By the time they cleaned up it was after noon. Haley and Peyton left Nathan in the living room watching sports as they went up to Haley's room.

Before the door even shut Peyton was already asking "SO".

Haley started to laugh and grinned like a fool. "It really isn't what you think he came over here last night. I was so worried about him and he just showed up. Peyton he looked so bad I was so scared." She was now going through her drawers and getting out clothes to wear.

"AND"

"And he was so sweet Peyton he about broke my heart." She turned from her dresser to look at Peyton. "You should have heard the things he said."

"AND"

"And nothing we talked and fell asleep, but" Haley replied and turned back to getting dressed.

"I knew there was a but."

"Not the kind your thinking of...Well we did kiss but that's not anything new. The but is that Luke walked in one us sleeping this morning and stormed out of here. He wouldn't even talk to me."

"Well if you keep grinning like you were he's not going to believe you that nothing happened. H**l I'm having a hard time believing it."

"Did you look at Nathan this morning do you really think he would have been able to have sex?" Haley glanced over her shoulder as she brushed out her hair. "Speaking of Luke why are the two of you storming over here at the crack of dawn both looking like you haven't slept all night."

Peyton's grin immediately faded away. "I went over to his house last night to talk to him. Well after I told him how I really feel she walked out and then I tried to leave and he called my name, and then"

"Wait a minute slow down." Haley walked over to her and sat her down on her bed as she sat down in her chair. "So you told him how you really feel? What's that mean?"

"That I made a mistake and I really like him and that I want everything he does, with him."

"Now the second chance conversation makes perfect sense I thought that was what you were talking about." Haley said more to herself and then shook her head reclaiming she was wondering off topic. "And she was there meaning Brooke?" Peyton just nodded. "Just because she was there doesn't mean anything."

"Haley she asked him if he was ready to score, before she realized I was there. I was so stupid I should have just never told him."

"But when you tried to leave he called you back?"

"Yeah but he wouldn't say anything he just looked between Brooke and me. So I left him standing there. How many mistakes can one person make in a week."

"Peyton its not a mistake to tell someone how you feel. It just s**ks when they don't feel the same way." Haley leaned over and hugged her tightly to her.

Peyton pulled away and tried to joke but it didn't work. "Yeah it really s**ks and it hurts like h**l too." With last part her voice cracked and Haley hugged her again. They sat like this for a short time.

"If its any help I don't think Luke knows what he wants."

"No, it doesn't help but thanks for trying." They sat in silence for a couple of minutes. Peyton finally Brooke it trying joke. "We had better go guys get a little nervous when their ex-girlfriend and their current girlfriend talk for too long."

"He's fine for now, but are you."

"Yeah, I'll be fine."

"How about this while Nathan and his mom go for their little talk you hang with me at the cafe for a while and have a coffee or something."

"Sounds nice."

"Oh Peyton one more favor while Nathan showers and stuff will you drive me over to the school. I think he deserves a wish. Even if its a small one."

"Sure I even know where he keeps his spare keys."

"Thanks." Haley said simply as she gave Peyton a half hug.

They went down and got Nathan, and drove over to his house. As he went to shower Peyton got the spare keys for Haley and drove her over to the school. She left her there and went back to Nathan's house. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back at the park Luke was thinking about going back home when a car pulled up. To his astonishment it was Brooke. "hey sexy" she called. Why am I here he was such an a*s last night. Is all Brooke could think of.

"Hi, I wasn't expecting to see you here. Especially after last night."

"Yeah I probably shouldn't be here but I have never been a smart person, so here I am."

"Yeah here you are. Isn't it your turn to do something for me?"

Brooke smiled her little sexy smile "Yeah that was where the game left off."

"Well then I want you to play basketball with me, because it is not very much fun to play by yourself."

"I am more than willing to play with you any time any where. Sexy." She walked over to where he stood and leaned in and kissed him. Just as he started to really get into the kiss she took the ball and shot it. Nothing but net. "Another hidden talent I can play basketball too."

"Well aren't you just full of surprises. SO if you are willing to play any time any where, what are we playing for?"

"Well if I win you come to my party tonight with me."

"If I win" in that minute he decided why go after the girl that might want you when you have a great girl that does want you right here, "we go out to have a quiet night with just us."

"Okay, but mine is more fun than yours" and with that she sank another basket.

"What are we playing to 10?"

"Sure that sounds good, but what about the party at your house don't you need to be there."

"No, it wouldn't be the first time I wasn't there for one. Besides its not my party its Nathan's but after last night I figured we should move it my house." She explained as she shot another basket. "You know if you don't start playing I'm going to win." As she shot another one with out a problem. "I'm up four no make that five." she said after retrieving the ball.

"You cheat so bad."

"Hey a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do. Though I do think it would only be fair if you played with one hand after all you are the basketball superstar." Luke stopped to contemplate this and with that Brooke sank another. "God you are so cute when you are being gullible.

After that Luke played for real. She wasn't half bad. With only needing four points to win and Luke taking it easy on her she won by two.

"Well that was fun and I guess I'll be seeing you tonight, sexy" Brooke jumped back in her car and left just as quick as she came. Well that's solved Luke thought now I just have to get Peyton to agree to being friends again. At that moment the picture of Haley and Nathan flashed threw his eyes it was Nathan's party what if they were there.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Haley walks into the cafe which is empty of everyone except Keith and Deb. "Hey where's Nathan, did you lose him too. Last night?" Keith jokes trying to keep everyone's mood light.

"No Peyton is giving him a ride over I had an errand to do before I came over here."

"This day just keeps getting better and better, let me get this straight he stayed with you yesterday and now he's with his ex." Deb asked even more confused.

"Yep basically I was trying to take it easy on him and actually I was going to call Keith or Luke for a ride but Peyton stopped by and she said she would. They should be here in a little bit, she took him to shower and clean up. Well not that there is a lot to do but, why don't you set down and relax. I'll take over for a while."

"Thanks maybe you should remake the coffee Keith seems to think there is something wrong with it." Haley walked back behind the counter, where Deb immediately hugged her. "Thank you Haley for getting Keith to tell me where Nathan was. I know he probably didn't like it much, but I really appreciate it. Also for keeping him safe."

"I have a new found respect for you that boy must eat you out of house and home. He ate three waffles this morning."

This made Deb laugh "Yeah he can eat can't he." Haley set about fixing all of the little things Deb had gotten wrong or forgotten what to do. She also got both Keith and Deb a fresh cup of coffee.

While she pored Keith's he mouthed over the top of his new cup "Thank you" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nathan came out of the shower feeling so much better as he was getting ready he noticed the blinking light on the answering machine. So he pushed the button to hear the messages. "Hey Nathan its Brooke after last night I decided that maybe the party should be moved from your beach house over to my house, but you should still come so all the boys know for sure you aren't dead, anyways have fun if we don't see you tonight. Oh yeah bring tutor girl if you want she always makes things interesting."

"Crap I completely forgot about that thing."

"Forgot about what" Peyton asked him as she walked into the kitchen.

"Oh that stupid party is tonight it was supposed to be a victory party. Hey where's Haley?"

"Oh, she remembered something she had to do so I took her into town. She is going to meet us at the cafe." Nathan looked rather disappointed at that. "Don't look so happy to be left alone with me."

"Sorry Peyton its not being left alone with you its just..."

"Not being with her?" Peyton asked knowingly.

"Yeah, that's it."

"Come on lets go." They left Nathan's house and started the drive over to the cafe.

"You know you two are good together?"

"You think? Most people think that we are from different worlds?"

Peyton glanced over at him to make sure he was being serious before she answered him. "Yeah at first I thought that you were just using her and that this was all some big joke on her and eventually Luke."

"Please tell me there is a but coming here soon?"

"There is, I saw you two together today and she does something to you. I mean your still the same guy but different. I don't know I'm not making sense."

"Actually you are and that is what scares me this is different from..."

"Us"

Nathan looked at her quickly he hadn't meant to say that to her it had just slipped. He felt bad. "Yep... sorry I didn't mean.."

"Yeah you did but I understand what you mean don't worry." For the rest of the ride they talked about nothing and everything all at once.

"Thanks for the ride Peyton maybe we should try this whole talking thing again it was weird but nice."

"It was different, but nice" she replied as she got out of the car and followed him to the cafe.

"Hey" Nathan said to everyone in the cafe. It was still only Keith Deb and Haley. To Haley he asked "Why did you ditch, me she tried to kidnap me." He pointed to Peyton.

Peyton gave him a playful shove and went over to the counter. "You wish."

Nathan's mom had gotten up by now and was standing in front of him just looking like she was afraid to touch him. He looked to Haley who gave him a little nod trying to get him to hug her. He got the hint. Deb looked shocked when he first hugged her but then really happy.

"Nathan lets go for a walk, and talk about some stuff." she told him as she started out the door.

"Here goes nothing " he mouthed back to Haley.

Keith sat there for several seconds. Then realizing that he had been left with the two girls excused himself and left the cafe.

"So what can I get for you?" Haley laughed as she bowed to Peyton.

"A new life? Is it on the menu?"

"No, but a shoulder and a person to talk to are." With that the two girls sat and talked over a couple of hot chocolates. The occasional customer came in and left but for the most part they were able to talk. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On the bench down the street Deb and Nathan sat talking about how things were going to be from now on.

"I understand you are used to your freedom, but things are about to change a little. There will be NO more using drugs for any reason. There will be no driving cars into telephone poles and leaving them. There will be no more hazing of your step brother and no more fist fights." She waited for him to say something, but he just nodded. "There is something else you need to know. Your father isn't living with us for a while. Hopefully this won't be permanent. This isn't your fault. This is something that has been coming for a long time. We have some problems that we will have to work out. You aren't acting surprised?"

"No, I'm not Keith told Haley last night." They continued this conversation and set the new rules for how things were going to be at home now.

They made their way back to the cafe, to find Haley by herself.

"Well your free to go just keep him safe okay Haley" Deb announced as she walked behind the hugged Haley one last time.

Haley and Nathan left the cafe together. "So what do you want to do now" Nathan asked suggestively.

"Well I decided that you deserved a wish to be granted." She pulled out his keys. "So you are free here's your car." Nathan grabbed her up and spun her around.

As he was spinning her he whispered in her ear "Have I ever told you how great you are and how lucky I am to STILL have you?" As he set her down he realized what the rest of what she said meant. "Free from what? You?" Haley just gave a nod shrug. The look mad Nathan's heart beat harder she was just so beautiful. God this girl was working her way in deeper and deeper. "Who said I wanted to be free of you all though you do need a shower. You kind of smell." He tried to cover up his moment of weakness with this joke. He hoped Haley had not seen how much he cared.

"I don't smell you jerk."

"Back on subject the reason why I asked what you wanted to do is, my public is asking for me to put in an appearance at the party I was supposed to be hosting tonight."

"Are you sure your up to going to a party? Especially with the team?"

"Yeah I think I can handle my self."

"All right then lets do it, but you are right I do need to shower and change first." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[b]Chapter 2[/b]

Luke arrived at Brooke's house at about 8:30. He knew he was early, but he couldn't sit around anymore.

Brooke opened the door and was pleasantly surprised to find Luke standing there. "Hey sexy, your a little early, you come to pregame with me?"

"I was bored and you didn't tell me when to come....So here I am."

"Well come in what's your poison. I got beer, vodka, whiskey, rum, tequila." She looked over waiting for the answer and saw that he really wasn't paying attention. "You know sexy this is going to be a party so you have to be ready to have some fun."

"Sorry I'm actually a little annoyed right now."

"Well first here's a drink" she says as she hands him a beer. "Now just tell me what's wrong."

"I walked in on something that I should have never seen." Brooke just sat and waited for him to continue. Lucas sat down heavily on the couch and took a big swig of his beer before he started again. "I saw Haley and Nathan asleep in her bed."

"Okay honey I might be a little drunk but I don't see what is the big deal?"

"They were naked."

"Tutor girl got it on with the star b-ball player."

"Yeah..." he took another big swig of his beer at this rate he was going to be drunk by the time the party started.

"Well lets not worry about Tutor girls sex life sexy and start worrying about ours instead, or the lack there of. Because if tutor girl is getting some and I'm not then there is a problem." This got a small smile out of Luke. "Well that's a start a smile. How about I tell you some of the other things you don't know about me." She said in her most sultry voice. This really got Luke to smile.

"All right but do me a favor and make sure that I don't get another tattoo tonight because Keith will call my mom home if I do."

"Deal" and with that she came over and straddled him on the couch and started to kiss him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

By the time Haley and Nathan arrived at Brooke's the party was in full swing. They had decided to walk over so that Nathan wouldn't have to leave his truck at Brooke's house if he drank. This was Haley's idea, she had told him he needed the exercise as she playfully patted his belly. He had eaten almost the whole pizza himself, which they had had for dinner.

"You sure you are up to this Nathan" she asked as she surveyed the drive way and all of the cars. She suddenly stopped in her tracks as she spotted an all to familiar truck.

"Yeah I'm....what's wrong" Nathan asked worried by her behavior. He followed her gaze over to the truck. "Luke is here good maybe you two can sit down and talk."

"Sure since I'm sure he's probably been drinking if he is here that's a great time to talk to him."

"Hey it was just a suggestion" Nathan replied in defense.

"I'm sorry Nathan its just that I don't like to fight with Luke, but I shouldn't have snapped at you."

"Hey Hales its okay give him some time to calm down and things will go back to normal."

"I hope so" Nathan gave her a small hug and they continued up the drive. "I guess this means he choose the girl he wants to be with."

"Huh?"

"I am just assuming but I guess he wants to be with Brooke for now" and with that they entered the party.

They were immediately swarmed with people trying to talk to Nathan and make sure he was okay. They eventually made it into the kitchen only to find Luke and Brooke playing a game of I have never ever. Haley started to turn around to leave, but before she could Brooke latched on to her. By this point Brooke and Lucas were well on their way to being drunk.

"You two are just in time these two party poopers are leaving the game and we need two more players. Looks like you two are them."

"Brooke lets.." Nathan started but before he could finish Haley interrupted him.

"No I think its time to play a fun game I'm game if you are Nathan."

"Perfect" Brooke was almost giddy with excitement. This was going to be fun with Luke mad at Haley she was fair game for her. "What would you like to drink?"

"Beers will be fine with me" Nathan said implying that that was what Haley would have. He had noticed the tension between the two girls and didn't like it. Haley was out of her league here this was exactly where Brooke had her fun, and normally it was at someone else's expense.

"I'll have what ever you are having Brooke" was Haley's response. She didn't notice Nathan trying to tell her no. This answer even got Luke's attention. He thought that nothing good could come out of this.

"Great I went to straight shots about and hour ago. Vodka okay with you?"

"Perfect" Haley replied mockingly.

"My party I guess I'll start. I have never ever spent a Friday night at home doing homework because I had nothing better to do." At this both Lucas and Haley drank. Haley tried to hide her disgust at the taste of the vodka. Nathan gave her his beer to help get rid of the taste. It didn't help that much. "All right Lucas your turn."

"I have never ever lied to my best friend." With that Nathan Haley and Brooke all drank. As Haley took her shot she watched Lucas over the top of the glass. She just wanted to hit him and make him understand what he really saw, but she knew he was already to drunk too talk to.

"I guess that means it's my turn" Haley chimed in before Brooke could take control of the game "I have never ever not trusted my best friend." With this Nathan, Luke, and Brooke all drank.

"I have never ever slept with someone in this room." This time it was Haley who drank. Nathan looked at her startled and looked back and forth between her and Luke. He was worried about what this could mean.

"She said SLEPT with someone in this room." Nathan finally understood. It also dawned on Brooke that they had only slept in the same bed and that they really did not have sex. Lucas was the only one in the dark still.

"My turn" Nathan said trying to take some of the pressure off of Haley. He was pretty sure she had never really drank this much before. "I have never ever had sex with more people than I can count on one hand."

"Touché" Brooke said to Nathan as she raised her shot glass and took her shot. "I have never ever been truly drunk." Haley was the only one to drink on this one. She took her shot and a drag from Nathan's beer. All Nathan could think was this is going to be a long night. Haley had just confirmed his worst fear, she never really drank before now. This wasn't a good start.

"I have never ever ruined other people's relationships on purpose" was Haley response, and Brooke drank.

"I have never ever spent a weekend night tutoring someone." Haley took her drink. The guys sat looking between the girls and at each other. Even drunk Luke knew this was going in the wrong direction.

"I have never ever went after the guy my best friend liked while knowing she liked him."

Brooke took her shot and came back with "I have never ever slept with my best friend's half brother." Luke's eyes got really big at this and even bigger when Haley took the shot. So he was right they had, had sex last night. Haley saw his reaction and just wanted to yell at him.

Instead she simply said "I have never ever spread a rumor about another person." Brooke took her shot, and Nathan took a chug of his beer he tried to take a turn but Brooke and Haley were not paying attention to either him or Lucas at that point.

"I have never ever not had sex with a guy." At this Haley looked to Luke and took her shot. Luke looked at her in complete confusion.

He thought to himself " I know that I'm drunk, but not that drunk. She just said she slept with him. It then hit him, she had told Nathan slept and then took her shot. They didn't have sex." He looked up at Haley quickly, but she was back to paying attention to Brooke. He had been so stupid

"I have never ever kissed a guy I just met." With that Brooke took her shot.

"You know you should try it sometime its fun. Any way its my turn right?" Brooke smiled as she thought of her next statement it was only a hunch but it just might work. With that she stated "I have never ever had a crush on my best friend."

Haley sat there for a second and then finally took her shot. She did not look at Lucas or Nathan. "I have never ever stripped naked in the back seat of some guy's car." With that out she left the table leaving the other three to stare at her empty spot.

"Well she got me on that one" was all Brooke had to say and with that took her shot. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nathan and Luke both finally realized that they should go after Haley at the same time. They both stood together, and then just looked at each other. Nathan finally sat back down he knew Haley would want to talk to Luke, but it took everything he had not to go out there. He was still trying to figure out what that last statement of Brooke's really meant.

Brooke interrupted his thoughts with "Boy what I wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall during that conversation." Nathan looked over at her with a scowl. She was actually kind of mad at herself. The last thing she had wanted was Luke running off after Haley. She didn't know what he was thinking after finding out his best friend had a crush on him. In fact she wished he had just stayed there. She was really going to hate herself in the morning if something happened between Luke and Haley because of this new revelation.

"That was really cool Brooke. Do you ever stop to think before you open your mouth. Those were some pretty low punches you were dealing out." He grabbed the vodka bottle and took a shot. This was going to be a long night. Nathan grabbed another beer and was about to leave when Brooke said something.

"Yeah well she got some low blows in too." Nathan looked over his shoulder, but just kept walking. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luke walked out the back door scanning the crowd looking for Haley. He had already gone threw most of the downstairs to no avail. His head was reeling. He was drunk and trying to work out things that did not make sense to him. Then he spotted the familiar head of auburn hair. Haley was sitting out by a tree looking up at the stars. He walked over quietly. He was sure she heard him, but she did not look over at where he was.

Trying to get a smile out of her he asked "Is the ground taken"

"Yes, its reserved for a person who listens to me."

He ignored her and sat down any ways "What can I say Hales I was a jerk."

"You can actually say that again if you want."

He gave a small chuckle to this. He had to that was just such a Haley thing to say. "You got to understand though walking into that room and seeing what I did the natural conclusion was that you two had slept together."

"We did or did you miss that one during the game?"

"Haley, you know what I mean. I'm sorry will you forgive me?"

"On one condition and that is it is my life Luke. There may be a time that I decide to have sex and it may be with Nathan. You are going to have to except it."

"But, how could you after you have seen what happened to my mom."

"Okay first off Nathan isn't your dad. Second who had Brooke over at his house last night asking if he was ready to score?" As soon as she said it she regretted it. She had never told Luke or Peyton what the other had said to her. She was definitely starting to feel the effects of the game.

Luke sat there staring at her in disbelief. "How on earth do you...." then a look of enlightenment came over his face "Peyton."

"Peyton...Dam I wasn't supposed to tell you that."

"How long have you two been talking about us?"

"For a while" was all she could manage. She really did not want to have this conversation because she was pretty sure what the next question would be, and then he asked it.

"Did you know how she felt about me?"

"No, well yes, but it was only what I thought, she never came out and said it so, no." She was really starting to feel the effects of the alcohol, and this was not a conversation to be having drunk.

"Then why didn't you tell me?"

"For the same reason I don't tell her what you say about her, I'm not Brooke I'm both your friends. I don't try to play match maker. If the two of you were supposed to be together you will."

"Haley that's stupid."

"No it's not. Would you like me to tell her everything you say about her?'

"NO, but I'm your best friend we are supposed to watch out for each other."

"Luke I'll keep you from hurting yourself, but your love life is your own making and I'm not getting involved. You can talk to me about it, but I'm not going to intervene."

Luke sat there thinking about all of this, when he remembered the other reason he came out here. "Hales?" Haley knew immediately what he wanted it was in his voice. The way he had sounded concerned when he said it. Her head dropped, she had hopped that with everything else and the fact that he was getting drunk he might not remember Brooke's last statement. It was obvious he did. "About that last round.." She had been out here trying to decide if it was okay to lie to him. She really just wanted to tell him the truth because she hated lying to him. At the same time the truth was only going to hurt her, and Nathan. She had a crush on Luke for as long as she could remember. Then Nathan came along and changed that, but neither of them would see that they both would hear that she had had a crush on Luke for ever and then h**l would break lose.

Maybe it was the liquor or her need to protect herself, or her urge to protect Nathan, but in any case this is what she said "Luke it was like in sixth grade." She playfully pushed him away. "God you really are starting to believe all this hype. Sorry you're not my type anymore."

Luke looked relieved "Yeah you like the bad boys now" he replied matching her mood."

At that Haley grabbed his left sleeve and pulled it up. "I think you are getting the bad boy image now too!" Luke was about to ask how she knew so she told him. "Keith." He nodded in understanding.

"You know with how much you seem to know about me, I would think you really are in love with me."

"You wish. Now go away I think your new 'friend' is probably wondering what happened to you."

"You aren't coming back in?" He looked over at her. He noticed that she was starting to look a little green around the edges.

"Yeah I'll be in, in a minute. I need some fresh air, and quiet."

He leaned over and hugged her. As he got up he kissed the top of her head. "Are you sure you're okay out here by your self."

"Yeah I'm fine. I have drank before. I have older brothers and sisters." Luke looked like he doubted this statement. "just because you think you know everything Lucas Scott, doesn't mean you do. I have drank before.. just not this much."

Luke smiled down at her "just yell if you need any thing someone will hear you." He turned to go find Brooke. Hopefully she wasn't mad at him for going after Haley. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nathan walked around in the house on his fourth beer. It had been over a half hour since Haley left with Lucas. They had been gone to long, All Nathan could think about was Lukas making a move on Haley. Who wouldn't want to be with her and now he knew Haley liked him. Everyone kept talking to him. He tried to talk to them but it wasn't working. Most of the conversations were a blur. Sure he was getting drunk, but it wasn't the alcohol that was keeping him from remembering the conversations, it was Haley and Lucas.

Nathan went back into the kitchen to get another beer only to find Luke and Brooke making out. "Sorry I didn't know the room was taken" he said as he turned to leave. He stopped short and turned around "Wait if you are here where is Haley?" This couldn't be good.

"Last I saw she was out side trying to get some fresh air and quiet."

"How long ago was that?" Nathan asked with worry in his voice.

"About fifteen minutes ago, she hasn't come found you yet?"

Nathan had already turned to leave the room "If she had, do you think we would be having this conversation." He headed to the back door. This wasn't like Haley he hoped she was okay. She had drank a lot in a short amount of time. When he got out back he was shocked at what he found. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

God I am turning it such a dork Peyton thought to herself as she climbed out of her car at the store. Here she was on a Saturday night going to the store because she was so bored at home, and decided she needed some junk food. Maybe I should have taken Haley up on going to the party with her and Nathan. Peyton wondered weather Haley had invited her out of pity or to have someone else at the party to talk to. Either way she didn't want to see Brooke right now. She walked into the store and started wandering down the isle just looking for something to eat. Peyton could not decide weather or not she should be mad at Brooke. As she walked she heard a baby crying. She turned the corner and walked right into Jake. Jake with a baby.

"Sorry, I was dazing." Peyton said to explain running him over. She looked down at the baby. "She's cute babysitting for your parents?"

"Um... no...she's mine." Peyton's mouth dropped open.

"Well...really?" Peyton just did not know what to say to this. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nathan couldn't believe it where was she? He had already been through most of the house while he was waiting for her, and he had not seen her. He got his wrinkled forehead I'm really concerned look on his face. He went back into the house to search it one more time. Maybe he had some how missed her along the way. Nathan searched the house from top to bottom only to end up back in the kitchen with no Haley. He once again found Brooke and Lucas having some fun.

"Where the hell is she because she's not in the back yard."

Brooke jumped at the sound of Nathan's voice because she had not realized someone had come in the room.

"She probably is in the house some where and you just missed her" Luke replied. He was getting annoyed. Nathan was probably just to drunk to find. Luke had seen him finish off a couple of beers.

"No I checked the house I can't find her."

Now it was Luke's turn to get worried. "What do you mean you can't find her? She didn't just disappear. He pulled away from Brooke. Where was Haley, this was ridiculous she had been outside not to long ago she couldn't have gone that far away.

"Well then she is doing a pretty good game of hide and seek and I did not know we were supposed to be playing." Nathan paused not wanting to admit this to anyone but especially his half brother. "Luke I'm worried she should be really drunk with how many shots she took."

Even though Luke was drunk he kicked into protector mode. "We'll split up and search the house one more time. Maybe she passed out some where."

"Hey guys I'm sure she's fine you are just over reacting." Brooke finally chimed in. This really blows Haley was not even here and she still was going to ruin her night. Luke turned to her and kissed her on the nose, while Nathan glared at her.

"I'll be back in a couple minutes. Then maybe we can pick up where we left off." He smiled down at her. This immediately rid Brooke of her bad mood. God he is so cute she thought as she smiled back up at him. He leaned in and gently kissed her one more time.

Nathan couldn't handle all of this crap. He turned to leave but felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Luke he "You take upstairs, and I'll take down and the back yard" was all he had to say to Nathan as he jogged over to the back door.

Nathan walked upstairs thinking that this was stupid he had already checked the house and back yard. That it was a waste of time to do it again. This however did not keep him from being hopeful when he reentered the kitchen ten minutes later. Both boys looked hopefully at each other and knew immediately that neither had found her. This was bad. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I'm sorry I just didn't know you had a kid." Peyton was just dumbfounded. It explained a lot though. Now she understood why he was always late to practice or didn't go at all. "What is here name?"

"Emma my mom picked it out."

"Your mom? Didn't her mom want to name her. Sorry its not my business. I shouldn't have asked." Without realizing it they had both started to walk through the store as they talked.

"Don't worry about it's fine I am eventually going to have to start telling people sometime." Jake replied with a laugh in his voice. "Her mom my ex- girlfriend didn't feel she was ready to have kids. She wanted to give her up for adoption. I have seen first hand just how bad it is to have parents that don't want you and I couldn't imagine giving up my child. My mom and dad supported me on it and so now we have Emma." He looked down at the baby who had fallen back asleep and Peyton could see how much Jake loved Emma by the look in his eyes.

"How are you doing it I mean with school and basketball. Do you ever sleep?"

"Well my mom and dad have been great they help out a lot and Coach lets me come to practice when I can and school well its still school."

We see the two of them walking down and isle still talking deeply and hear Lucas saying "When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world." - George Washington Carver ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "What the hell did you say to her out there?" Nathan demanded from Luke

"Nothing, I mean we talked, but she wasn't mad at me when I left. D*m it I should never have left her out there. She seemed fine though." Nathan knew he should tell him it wasn't his fault, but right now he was blaming him too so instead he just kept his mouth shut.

"You know maybe she went home" Brooke said breaking the silence. She was now onto another beer.

Nathan and Luke looked at each other both with one question on their minds. Would she walk home. "No way she wouldn't just leave me" Nathan said with hurt in his eyes.

"She's got to be drunk and drunk people do really stupid things, I should know" why did it matter where Haley was she thought looking at Luke she was right here.

"She may have a point. It might be a good idea to head over to the house."

"Yeah well neither of us is in any shape to drive. I can't wreck another car my mom would kill me."

"We can walk over it will only take 15 minutes top. It might not be a bad idea to swing by the cafe and my house on the way home either. She may have stopped there if she was to drunk to make it all the way home."

"Lets go then."

"Brooke, I'm sorry as soon as I find her I'll be back I promise."

Brooke understood his concern even if she didn't like it. "Go because the quicker you go quicker you can get back." Luke smiled she really was great. He couldn't help himself he leaned over and kissed her another time. "I'll call you if she shows up here." She playfully pushed him to get him moving. She might be in trouble this thing had all ready lasted longer then any of her other relationships. If that's what you could call them. On top of it they still had not even had sex. She planed on changing that though.

Nathan and Luke headed out. For a while they walked in silence both in their own worlds. It now had been an hour since anyone had seen Haley and they both were worried. They got to the cafe and Luke let them in.

"Hales are you here" Luke yelled. There was no answer but they went through the cafe any ways just to make sure she had not passed out. She wasn't there. They jogged over to Luke's house. As they entered the house they found Keith sitting watching TV.

"Keith you seen Hales I can't find her."

"No" was all Keith could manage he was staring in disbelief at the two brothers, standing in Karen's house, together, not killing each other. Finally he realized why they were here. "Why are you looking for Haley is something wrong with her."

Thinking fast Luke said "No she just got into a fight with..Brooke and she was upset. We are just looking for her to see if she's okay." Keith nodded the look on his face said that he was not sure if he believed this story, but he was going to except it. Pushing his luck Luke decided to use Haley as a way to stay out of the house all night. "By the way is there any way I can stay over at her house tonight she's alone, and I told her if it was cool with you I'd stay with her." At this Nathan turned quickly with murder in his eyes. He had been looking around the house, because he had realized he had never been here before. Things just kept getting weirder and weirder. Keith saw the look in Nathan's eyes so believed Luke that he was staying over at Haley's.

"Sure that's not a problem, but give me a call when you find her." Luke looked confused. "Just want to make sure she is okay." Keith answered the unspoken question with a knowing smile. He knew there was more to the story than a fight, but he wasn't sure he wanted to know the rest.

"Ill see you tomorrow you wanted me to work on the ford right."

"Yeah." With that the boys left.

"What the h*ll are you thinking? There is no way in H**L you are staying at Haley's tonight. I don't care how good of friends you two are. Especially after tonight's revelations about her having a crush on you."

Luke started to laugh only causing Nathan to get even angrier. "It was like in sixth grade." He told Nathan not knowing that he was lying to him. He was actually rather impressed that Nathan cared that much. He still had his doubts about what Nathan's motivation for all of this was. Luke looked over his shoulder to make sure they were far away from the house before answering Nathan. "Besides weren't you in the kitchen with me and Brooke?"

"Yeah but I was trying not to pay attention to you two."

"I'm staying over there tonight. I just could not tell that to Keith."

"OH!" Nathan remarked as a look of enlightenment passed over his face. The boys walked on in silence for a while. "So has Keith always been like that with you?"

"Like what?"

"Ya know....like your dad I guess."

"Yeah him and mom are tight. He's always been here since before I can remember. He's great a little over protective but a good guy. You really don't know him at all."

"You have seen my dad and him together. They hate each other... almost as much as us." He looked over at Luke with a grin. "Do you honestly think I hang around for family reunions. All though lately they are getting to be pretty good. Keith punched my dad the one night."

"No way!" Luke couldn't believe that. "And he's been ragging on me for my tat." They walked a little further on, they were getting close to Haley's. "You should get to know him. He is great to have around ...sometimes."

"Yeah I've already noticed that" Nathan could still remember Keith stepping in when his father was ragging on him at the father son basketball game.

"You do know that I will kill you if this is some big payback thing." Luke finally blurted out.

"What I had nothing to do with Haley leaving the party? DO you think this is my idea of a great Saturday night? Running around with you in the cold looking for my drunk girlfriend?"

"No, not tonight. The whole Haley thing. If you are just using her to get back at me stop. She doesn't deserve it."

Nathan was taken off guard by this conversation. He did not know what to say at first. Luke took this as admission of guilt. "I knew it. Don't you have anything better to do with your time then try and find ways of getting back at me for being born?"

"Hey wait a minute first off I have a lot of "better" things to do with my time." Nathan yelled back at him. He paused before he continued because he didn't want to admit this next part. "But you are right at first it was to get back at you...but now its different. She makes me see the world in a different way. I don't want to be the guy that I was when I am with her, I want to be the guy that I am supposed to be." What the h*ll did I just say, I must be even more drunk than I thought, and to have said it to Lucas of all people.

Luckily for both Nathan and Luke they had reached Haley's house. "So there are no lights on." Nathan stated simply trying to distract both of them from what he just said. He was really starting to worry. It had been almost an hour and a half since she had left the party. They tried the door it was locked.

"Yeah but maybe she passed out. I know where the spare key is so we can get in." Luke walked to the side of the house and got under one of the rocks in the garden. He wondered what to believe. The Nathan that he had grown to hate, that tortured him at every time he could, or this guy that just said one of the most sickening sweet things about his best friend. They were definitely in an episode of the twilight zone or something because this was all way to crazy. He walked back over and opened the door. "Haley?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Some how Peyton had gone home with Jake. She wasn't sure who or when it was decided but here she was talking to this guy, who she has known for ever, but never really known until know, at 11 at night in his house with his beautiful baby girl sleeping in her seat next to him.

"I don't know why I told you that. Up until right now Luke and Nathan were the only ones that knew about those cartoons being mine. I have been afraid to tell anyone else. They all seem to hate them."

"I don't. They are awesome. A little dark sometimes but good." She looked close to make sure he wasn't being facetious. There was no hint of him kidding on his face so she decided to take the compliment. "The only reason every one hates them is because they know what you draw is the truth and they just can't handle it. They would rather think that their life is perfect and not realize the truth. Even though it is staring most of them right in the face.

"Thanks. Do you want to see some of them I have them out in my car?"

"Yeah, I would love to." Peyton ran out to her car and grabbed her sketch book. She was not sure if this was a good idea she normally didn't show it off.

As she handed it to him she said "Just don't be disappointed some of them aren't that great."

Jake laughed at that "I've seen some already and if they are your normals I'm sure all of it is good. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hales are you here?" Luke and Nathan walked threw the house, turning on all the lights. They did not find her. "All right this is ridiculous where the H*LL is she?"

"I don't know try Brooke maybe she showed up there." Nathan told Lucas. As Luke pulled out his phone Nathan blurted out "Peyton!"

"Peyton? What?"

"Maybe she is with Peyton. Why didn't I think of that earlier. Peyton's house is only a couple of blocks away from Brooke's."

"Why would she be there?"

"Because they are doing that weird chick thing where they confide in each other about us. I think they might be becoming friends."

"Really I knew they were talking, but enough for her to go over to her house. Does she even know where Peyton live?"

"One way to find out" Nathan pulled out his cell and pulled up Peyton's number. "Call Brooke." Luke had completely forgotten what he was doing. He looked down at the phone in his hand and remembered what he was supposed to be doing. He stepped away from Nathan so he could hear.

Brooke answered the phone with "Hey sexy, I miss ya the party isn't the same with out you." In fact since the boys had left the party, she had been happily sitting and drinking with Tim. She was going to have to slow down soon.

"Has Hales shown back up there."

"Nope."

"I figured she hadn't, but we still have not found her. We were just hoping that she was there."

"Nope, but if she shows I'll call you." Brooke was definitely drunk she was slurring her words.

"How much have you had to drink."

"Enough."

"Good maybe you should call it enough and wait for me to get back over there."

"Sure."

"All right I'll be back over as soon as I can."

"Bye sexy." She hung up and grabbed her drink and did a toast with Tim. "To Luke the sexiest boy alive that really has to learn how to loosen up, and to my teaching him how to loosen up." Tim just laughed and drank with her.

Nathan didn't have to wait long Peyton's voice mail picked up on the second ring. "Peyton its Nathan, have you seen Haley we can't find her any where. If she's with you will you please call me back, h**l call me back even if she's not just so I know. Thanks." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Peyton leaned over to look at the picture Jake was looking at. Her cell phone sat in her coat pocket where it had been since yesterday when she turned it off after leaving Luke's. She had wanted to be alone and did not want to get a call from either Brook or Luke. She had not even thought about the fact that it was off all day, and she would not find out about the calls from Luke and Nathan until tomorrow.

He was looking at the picture of her and Luke "And Now We Can Have It All". She bit down on her lip she had completely forgotten that was in there. It was to late now all she could do was wait for Jake's response.

"This one's good." He looked up at her over the top of the pad. He was guessing but it looked like Lucas to him. He really wanted to know what it meant, but knew it was none of his business so he left it at that. The next one was a picture "They Are Not You." "This one is great. Where did you come up with the idea?"

"Cheerleading" she said simply. He nodded knowingly. It was weird she didn't even have to say it and he knew what she was thinking. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nathan hung up and just looked at Luke. "Next time she drinks we are going to have to tie her down so she doesn't do this again."

"Next time? Oh no that girl isn't allowed near alcohol again.

"At least not around Brooke."

"Yeah Brooke plus Haley plus alcohol adds up to one thing....A headache for you and me." Nathan said rubbing his temples. Luke couldn't help it he laughed at the last part. He was getting a headache. "Well I am sober now so at least this time we can take my truck. Now we won't have to walk."

"Great." They went to leave the house. As they left they turned off lights. Nathan was reaching for the front door when it swung open and hit him on the side of the head. He stumbled back trying to regain his balance, but the pain was forgotten when he saw who was the one opening the door.

Luke couldn't see who had opened the door but he was afraid that Nathan was going to pass out again. He put his hand on Nathan's back to help him regain his balance. "You okay?"

"Haley" Nathan exclaimed as he jumped around the door and pulled her into his arms. This got Luke's attention and he pulled the door all the way open. Nathan was checking her from head to toe to make sure she was okay. "You are freezing" He pulled her into the house. "Where the H**L have you been? You had me and Luke worried sick."

She really was all right there was mud on her jeans, and she still looked drunk, but other than that she was fine. "I didn't feel so hot so I decided to go for a walk. I started out, and realized I was heading towards home so that's where I came."

"It took you two ours to walk home? Where did you walk to? In that time you could have walked threw every street in Tree Hill."

"I walked around the block" she stated as if it were obvious.

"What F**KING block" Nathan demanded?

"The big block." She replied in a sing song drunk voice. Nathan and Luke just looked at each other. Both were trying to decide weather or not that was funny. Both of them decide it was hilarious. They couldn't be mad at her she was safe, drunk, but safe. That answer did them in they both started to laugh.

"Hales that has to be one of the biggest blocks in the history of the world." Luke got out between fits of laughter. Haley did not know what was so funny. The look on her face made Lucas and Nathan laugh even harder. "Haley you are to much." They had been so wound up with worry, that it felt good to laugh. It took a couple minutes for Nathan and Luke to get control of them selves.

"Hales are you sure you are okay" Luke finally asked out of breath. He was grasping his side because it hurt so bad from laughing.

"Yeah I'm fine, it was just a walk." She said with the same look of confusion. Boy there two are really drunk she thought to herself.

"That was supposed to take 15 minutes, and it turned into 2 hours." Nathan said as he grabbed a blanket off the coach and wrapped it around her shoulders. "You really are cold" he rubbed her arms gently to try and warm them up.

"No I'm fine its a nice night out."

"No, you aren't fine its cold out and where is the mud from" Luke asked while pointing at her legs?

"The park."

"The park....." Luke shot back with a prompting motion. God having a conversation with her right now was like pulling teeth. Haley just looked at him. "Meaning what about the park made you get mud on yours jeans."

"I fell when I was on the slide."

"Wait a minute me and Luke are running around town looking for you, scared to death, and you were going down slides." This just got better and better.

"Well I need to sit down, and there was a swing so I sat down, and then I started to swing, and then I decided that wasn't helping me feel good. So I got up to leave and saw the slide and just had to go down it. All I could think about was how when we were younger you would always go first and wait for me at the bottom." She looked over to Luke. "Even back then you were trying to keep me safe, so for old times sake I went down the slide, but you weren't there to help me this time" She looked down at the floor "and I fell." This act was so cute that the boys started to laugh again.

"Well since you are okay Hales I probably should head back to Brooke's" Luke finally said out of breath. He leaned over and hugged her. "Nathan can I still get a ride?" God that was one of the oddest things he had ever said. What made it worse was that it had felt natural. He was almost floored when he realized once you got past all of the BS the two of them could actually be friends. Then another thought occurred to him Haley had been right. Oh no he was due for a really big I told you so.

"Not a problem" Nathan told him. He turned to Haley "You want to come along or you going to bed?"

"If we are just giving him a ride then I'll come but if it is anything else I'll wait here. I don't think I need to drink any more tonight."

"Oh, why not Hales?" Luke asked in his most sarcastic voice while smirking at Nathan.

"We'll just drop him off." They all piled into Nathan's truck. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

While the problem of a lost Haley was solved, another one began. Someone was knocking on the door. Who on earth could that be everyone else just walked in because it was a party. "Yeah what do you wan..." Brooke started to demand as she pulled the door open. "Hi Chris." She had changed her tone back to her sexy voice, and had her just wait till I get you alone smile on.

"Brooke its past midnight. The neighbors are calling us its time to break this up" the cop, Chris, informed Brooke. This was not the first time he had been called out to her house to break up a party, and probably wouldn't be the last. He couldn't help smiling back at her.

"But its just starting Chris and it is only midnight." She placed her hand on his arm.

He smiled even bigger "I'm serious Brooke they go. I'll be doing a drive by in fifteen minutes they had better be gone."

"Fine" she said pretending to be crushed. She closed the door and yelled "All right peeps you heard the man you gots to go. You don't have to go home but you can't stay here." There was groan through the crowd, but everyone started to move toward the door. Brooke didn't hang around to see if they were going to leave she knew they would. Chris let them off by shutting the party down. If they didn't listen he would get them all into trouble. She went into the living room and lay down on the coach. She considered calling Luke to see what was up but passed out before she could even think it again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jake held Emma in his arms gently rocking her back and fourth as he sang her back to sleep. Peyton just watched. Emma had woken up a while ago. Peyton had awkwardly held her while Jake made her up a bottle. Peyton was not that good with babies. She had never really been around them since she was an only child of two only children. Jake had laughed at her at first telling her "She's a baby not a snake. You can relax with her she won't bite you." Peyton had looked up at him with doubt in her eyes. As he prepared the bottle Peyton started to relax. This wasn't so bad after all. "See I told you, she's soft and cuddly nothing like a snake." Peyton sent him a look that could kill.

"Very funny." She was relieved when he took Emma back. Now he had feed, changed, and rocked her to sleep. "Well its getting late. I think I should head home. This was interesting."

"Yeah I enjoyed it myself." Peyton started toward the door. "Hey Peyton"

"Don't worry your secret is safe with me." She interrupted him thinking he was worried about the kids at school finding out.

"No that's not what I was going to say. I knew that people were going to find out eventually. I guess you can say I came out of the closet on this topic." Peyton gave a little chuckle on this one. "No, I was going to say that we should do something like this again."

"Yeah I would like that. Have a good night." She turned and left. Peyton went home she was definitely ready for bed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As they drove back over to Brooke's house Luke called Keith to tell him that everything was okay. After that he sat in the back thinking about what might happen when he got there. This was not like him, he normally wouldn't be going to spend the night with a girl that wasn't his girlfriend. He thought of something he had read "Take a chance... because that chance might be the greatest decision you've ever made!!! ... If it's not.. you will look back on it in ten years and say 'What the h*ll was I thinking taking chances like that?' and we all know what the answer is.. ' you were young and stupid!" That was the right idea it was time for him to take a chance. When they pulled up to the house they immediately saw that something was wrong.

"What we go away for a little while and the party gets to be so lame that everyone leaves" Nathan joked.

"Where the hell did everyone go I wonder."

Nathan laughed at this "Knowing Brooke's parties it was getting a little loud and the cops came and busted it up. Hopefully it was Chris. Brooke has that poor guy wrapped around her figure. He's been here more times than I can count and he still never gets any of us into trouble."

"Lets hope that's all it is because I have had more than enough drama for the night" Luke looked pointedly at Haley trying hard not to laugh.

"Hey I went for a walk, all be it a really long walk, but it was just a walk. It's not my fault you two thought that the world was going to end because of it." She playfully pushed him out of the car. "You want us to come in with you or wait for you?"

"No, but thanks anyway, and thanks for the ride." He paused as if trying to decide what to say "tonight's been....otherworldly."

"You can say that again" Nathan knew what Luke was talking about. They were not talking about Haley, but about the two of them. Haley watched this little exchange with a huge grin. She had been right. Luke happened to look at her in that moment and knew he was in for an I told you so.

With that he turned around and started to walk toward the house. "Luke" Haley called after him. He turned expecting the I told you so. Haley just stared at him. He could see the war being waged behind her eyes "Careful" was all she finally said. He knew she wanted to say more but wasn't.

"I'll be okay. Good night." As he turned he shot over his shoulder "and no more walks tonight."

"Chut up" she yelled back at him.

The last thing she saw was him opening the door and walking in. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Brooke" Luke walked into the living room to find Brooke curled up on the couch. It stopped him in his tracks. She really was beautiful. She looked so innocent lying there. He didn't want to wake her up. He walked over and shook her gently, to get her to go upstairs. She just rolled over. He picked her up and carried her upstairs and laid her into her bed. He pulled the covers over her. There was a papazon in the corner of the room he grabbed a blanket and went over to it. He curled up in the papazan and watched Brooke sleep. He could go home but he didn't want to. He just wanted to be with her. Plus he had promised to come back, and he meant to keep every promise he made to her. He also thought about the lack of a title on their relationship. It felt right being here with her. Eventually he too fell asleep. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You are awful quiet." Nathan glanced over at Haley.

She slowly focused in on what he was saying "Hmm?"

"You feelin all right?"

"Yeah I'm fine" she finally smiled "I'm sorry I was just lost in thought. I think I am starting to sober up."

"Could you be thinking about a certain blonde headed boy that we just left at Brooke's." He was jealous he had to admit.

"Yeah, I'm just trying to trust him."

Nathan reached over and took her hand and gently squeezed it. "He's a big boy Hales." He never realized that some where along the way he had picked up Luke's nick name for Haley.

"I know." She sat quietly enjoying being near Nathan.

"You regret tonight. Drinking. walking. Going to the party."

"No. Regret is a wasted emotion."

Nathan laughed at that. Only Haley would think of something like that. "So while you were gone we decided that my girlfriend and Luke's um...Friend are not allowed to drink together anymore. Or maybe we will just have to tie you down, so you don't wander off."

"Go to h**l" she slapped him playfully on the arm. She sat chuckling to her self as the pulled into her drive way. She started to get out but stopped suddenly. Exactly what Nathan said had sunk in.

Nathan came around to her side of the car to open it. He never even thought about the fact that he was doing it, he just did. Like getting the door for a girl was something that came natural to him. Although with Peyton he had only done it on special occasions. As he opened the door Haley asked "Wait a minute your girlfriend?" She tried to mask the happiness.

"Yeah my girlfriend. I stayed here last night."

"So that means you are my boyfriend. Don't I get a say in this whole thing." Her grin was starting to show.

"Yep and nope its already been decided. About two blocks from your house tonight as I walked with your best friend. I thought god when I get a hold of my girlfriend I'm going to kill her. Then when my girlfriend tried to kill me with the door and all I could think was thank god she was safe." With that said he lifted her out of the truck and hugged her to him. He said into her hair "I really feel bad for leaving my mom last night. I know what she must have gone through now."

Haley hugged him even tighter. When they pulled apart she grabbed his hand on the walk to the house. "I think we can work with the girlfriend thing we might have to lay a few ground rules though." She pulled the door open and pulled him inside the house. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning Haley woke up to her alarm clock, and Nathan kissing the back of her neck. "You know I could start to get used to a wake up call like that" she told him as she turned to face him. "To bad my folks are going to be back tonight. You are going to have to go back to sleeping in your own house."

"Can we not talk about that right now. It is to depressing. How about we just lay here and talk." he paused as his devilish grin spread a crossed his face. "Maybe about the things you can do to me" he said with hope in his voice.

"You are to much, and no we can't just lay here I have to get ready for work and you have a test to study for."

She tried to get out of bed. The covers fall from her to reveal that they are both fully clothed again. Nathan pulled her back into bed "I completely forgot to thank Luke for these" he said as he pulled the pajama bottoms up playfully.

"Yeah that might not have gone over too well." She cuddled in close to him ignoring the fact that she had to work. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Across town in Brooke's room we see Brooke slowly stir and look around her room trying to remember how she got up there. This was not the first time she didn't remember the whole night. When a sleeping figure catches her eye. It was Luke he had come back. She felt like running out and telling the whole world. She settled on simply saying "Hi" as Luke's eyes opened.

"Hi back at you" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As we flip back to a Nathan and Haley kissing and hugging. During both of these scenes you here the song "It feels like home" by CHANTAL KREVIAZUK

Somethin' in your eyes, makes me wanna lose myself Makes me wanna lose myself, in your arms There's somethin' in your voice, makes my heart beat fast Hope this feeling lasts, the rest of my life

If you knew how lonely my life has been And how long I've been so alone And if you knew how I wanted someone to come along And change my life the way you've done

It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me It feels like I'm all the way back where I come from It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong

A window breaks, down a long, dark street And a siren wails in the night But I'm alright, 'cause I have you here with me And I can almost see, through the dark there is light

Well, if you knew how much this moment means to me And how long I've waited for your touch And if you knew how happy you are making me I never thought that I'd love anyone so much

It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me It feels like I'm all the way the back where I come from It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong