This is my new story; I took inspiration from countless movies and stories, as well as my own. And overall, my imagination. So I hope you guys enjoy it=]

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"Ladies and Gentlemen, for your entertainment tonight we have a Lights and Stars Café regular Miss. Haley James!"

Haley took a deep breath and walked through the small opening of the blue curtains and was instantly blinded by the lights coming from her every direction. Her only way of stabilization from the heat and lights of the stage was from Lucas. She smiled at him as she made her way across the stage toward him. Lucas reached his hand out as Haley reached for it doing her best to glide in her new heals and dress; she had used her entire month's paycheck to purchase the dress as Luke surprised her with a pair of brand new shoes. Haley had known Lucas since she moved here when she was twelve; the two were instant friends. They were practically inseparable.

Karen Roe, the owner of Lights and Stars Café along with being Luke's mother always had her idea of those two. Even going as far as telling them that they would marry, but it wasn't just her, the whole town believed in that too. When Karen passed away during Luke and Haley's senior year he was left to take over the café and continue what his mother had started. Though Haley had a full ride to Julliard she turned them down and stayed with her best friend. She promised herself she would go back someday, but as the days passed that someday was slowly becoming a thing of the past. She never brought herself to say she regretted the decision on some level, that the life she had now was one she never would have imagined, yet Luke needed her and she would gladly give it all up for him again if she had to.

Now at the age of twenty- one she was living in a small rundown apartment across town and had a steady job as a waitress at the café.

But tonight was different. Tonight would change it all.

A week ago Haley had been wiping down the last few tables of the night as Luke was closing up the doors when he overheard her singing a faint lullaby. He told her that night that he swore it was an angel coming to take him away, and then kept on persisting Haley to sing at the café. Yet for a week Haley wouldn't budge, for days she told Luke the same thing in a different way. "No... Not tonight... Some other time...I don't feel well". Luke knew she was nervous in front of people, but that never stopped him from asking her every night before the curtain was drawn back. And finally, last night as the two of them sat in the dark lighted café listening to the small radio on the table Luke took it as another chance to ask Haley and prepared himself to hear the same answer. When Haley said yes he dropped his pen not sure he heard the sound of it clink to the hardwood floors.

Though she had said yes, Haley couldn't help but feel the butterflies in her stomach dance frantically and her heart pound with a different, more rapid, beat.

Now here she stood in one of the most beautiful dresses she ever had the honor to own, let alone wear, and couldn't remember the first line to the song she had written for tonight. She knew it was about love, or something like it. It was the best she could do, considering she had never been in love. Haley had spent all night working on it, thinking about the right things to say, the feelings that would come from it…yet it wasn't enough. It couldn't be.

"Ready?" Luke whispered as he let go of Haley's hand and began to back into the dark shadows of the stage corridors.

"I- I think so." Haley whispered back. Taking a second to let out the air she had captured in her lungs without conscious she nodded to Luke. Smiling once more, he disappeared into the curtains leaving Haley by herself in front of a full house. Haley put on a smile, knowing she looked like a coward up here; a fool. She didn't belong, but she had promised. And Haley was a woman of her word. Nodding to the pianist and band, she moved forth to the mic as the music filled the air. Now closer to the edge of the stage the lights were no longer the dominant sight of her view, slowly the faces at the tables and bar were coming in focus.

Stand by me

Become the one that helps me see

Your words of promise mean everything

Say you'll love me

Even if it's just for tonight

I need to know

Whether I can trust in you

Please don't let go

Hold on to me forever

Haley smiled wider as the feeling of singing her own song in a place she had called home for so long was a success. Looking at the crowd she saw couples smile at one another, the ones that had come alone sneak glances at the person they had been eyeing the whole night, some even getting out their seats and begin dancing on the dance floor. Haley grabbed the mic's base with more confidence now.

The calm I feel

When you're around

The words you say

Will always be my stable ground

The coolness of your hand

A comfort that I count on

Say you'll love me forever

Even if it's just for tonight

I need to know

Whether you're the one for me

Now with great pride Haley let the band take it from there, the sounds of the piano, violins, and other varies instruments filled the room with delicious sounds. Haley looked out towards the crowd once more hoping to find Luke at the bar, but her search for him was quickly cut short as Haley met with a pair of eyes she had never seen before. The electric blue orbs stayed glued on her, and for some reason Haley wasn't sure it was because she was singing. He looked at her with such wonder and at the same time he looked like he knew something that should have been obvious to Haley. Moving back to the mic Haley bit her lip waiting for the next verse to begin. Finally being able to pull away from his gaze she looked at him fully. He wore a dark green hat, which rested on his slicked raven black hair. His uniform seemed to match that as well that was slightly decorated with a few buttons, pockets, and badges. In his hand he held a glass of scotch, but it was only there as a prop, for he seemed to ignore it just like the countless number of woman that seemed to surround him. He looked back at her with as much questions as Haley knew she was presenting. Haley felt her stomach flip as he smiled at her, nothing big but one with as much warmth and feeling as a simple smile.

"Haley!" Hissed Christopher the pianist. Haley pulled away from the man she had been caught up in and looked with confusion to Christopher. Rolling his eyes he played the first notes before the next verse and whispered with venom. "The next verse!"

Looking back to the crowd she sighed with happiness that no one else seemed to notice or care, but she quickly jumped into the verse.

Those eyes

I can't pull away from

Blue and deep

They overtake my every dream

Now say you'll love me forever

Even if it's just for tonight

I need to know

That I don't feel this way alone.

Haley couldn't help but whisper the last sentence of the verse. With a shaky breath she looked back up to where the mystery man stood, but he was gone. Haley was so caught up looking for this man that she nearly jumped off the stage when Luke was suddenly standing beside her applauding along with the audience.

"Beautiful Haley, that was truly fantastic." Luke said as he wrapped his arm around her waist leading her off the stage.

"Can I have a minute?" Haley asked still unsure of this new feeling she was being overwhelmed with.

Concerned, Luke nodded without saying a word and closed the door behind him. Haley sat in front of the dressing room mirror. She appeared to be normal, no immediate signs of being off from her usual self. Haley scooted closer to the mirror, the round golf ball sized bulbs shining bright, and that's when she noticed it. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes wondrous, and looking down at her hands she saw how they shook. Frustrated with uncertainty Haley buried her face in her hands. "Pull yourself together!" Haley instructed to herself.

After splashing cold water on her face, Haley changed from the dress she wore on stage into her required uniform for the café. Releasing her hair from the bun she had done earlier she simply slipped a few strands back with a bobby pin.

"You were something James!"

"I haven't seen a performance like that since Billie Holiday came last year!"

"What a voice Haley!"

Haley was greeted with from every direction as she stepped out from the back of the café and onto the main floor where the house of people gathered around her. Haley thanked everyone as she walked through the sea of people to Luke was behind the bar.

"Don't mess his drink up, Cal. He's one of my loyal customers." Luke directed the new bartender. Looking up he saw Haley. "I swear one song and you have this whole place like a circus. Just proves you need to up there more."

Grabbing a fresh pad and pen from under the counter Haley smirked. "I'll have to get back to you on that one. Right now my main concern is this place. I do one song and I come out to see tables not being cared for and orders not being done!" Haley gestured in front of her as she stated the obvious to Luke. Though he had it under control she knew he was running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Lately they had been short on staff, with the war going on it was a hard time on everyone.

"I know. So I appreciate you staying and helping out. Also, we just got a major ship of soldiers before your song started." Luke said with some remorse. "So watch out, I already warned the other girls."

Haley laughed. "Luke why do you think all soldiers are bad? Just because Ana, who by the way was a whore, left you for a solider doesn't mean that they all want to steal people's girls."

"Just keep an eye out." Luke spat as he walked over to a table of customers.

Rolling her eyes Haley began to make the rounds. Picking up the tables that were left unattended as well as serving those who had been waiting. She was thankful that she sang tonight and succeeded in pleasing people, if it wasn't for that, she was sure that these customers would have been angry. Everyone from town seemed to be in the café, whether it was just passing through or having a meal. She was surrounded by familiar faces.

"Here you go Sam." Haley placed a plate of hot food in front of the customer as she balanced her tray of drinks she still had to pass out. "How's Maggie? I heard she went off to Los Angeles, acting I take?"

Sam smiled up at Haley. "Yes ma'am went last week on the four o'clock train."

"That's great. I wish her well, be sure to say hi next time you talk to her. Enjoy your me-" Haley backed into a body. "Oh I'm sorry sir, I-" Turning around she met eyes with a pair of eyes she had only seen once but would forever remember.

"No it was my fault." He said politely. "You need some help with that?" He asked as Haley clutched the tray of drinks, which were now clanking around each other from Haley's unsteady grasp.

"Here let me take that from you." Reaching for the tray he brushed lightly against her arm, causing Haley to jump. Haley let go of the tray sending it falling to the floor, the glasses and liquor sprawling across the floor. Silence fell around the café the customers peering over to see what the commotion was. Neither of them moved; he stood there staring at her as she held her hand where he had touched.

Luke was across the room when he heard the crash, almost instantly he sent two of his bus boys to clean up the mess. He jumped up on the stage and nodded to the band that waited for his next cue. "Sorry for that ladies and gentlemen, accidents do happen. But no worries, the fun and excitement has yet to cease. Take it Chris!" Luke motioned to the band and they instantly began playing a friendly, up beat song. As if nothing happened, the customers resumed their business.

Making his way through some of the dancers Luke quickly walked his way to Haley who hadn't seemed to move one bit. "You okay?"

Swallowing the lump in her throat she nodded looking to Luke. "Yes, actually I was wondering if…if I could go home early." She asked before looking behind Luke to the electric blue eyes and back to his. "If that's not too much, if so, I can stay and help you close."

Shaking his head, he placed his hand on Haley's shoulders. "No, take the rest of the night odd. Need me to take you home?"

"No. I can take a cab. Thanks though." Luke watched as Haley abruptly left the scene and into the back of the café. In a daze she dressed out of her uniform, almost putting on her plain dress, she decided that tonight would be the only night she could wear her beautiful Chanel dress. With that placed back on her dainty body, she threw on her gloves, coat, and hat and headed out of the cafes back door. Turning the corner in a hurry she ran into a soft, yet very firm body. "Oof!"

"Two times in a row, I think we just beat a record." The male voice joked.

Looking up she was surprised that it was the man from the café; he seemed to be everywhere she was. Since their encounters she hadn't said one word, though all she had in her head was questions for him. "What do you want?" Haley bluntly blurted out. "I'm sorry, no, that's not what I meant. I-I was asking...why are you out here?"

Shrugging his shoulders, he let out a sigh that was visible in the cold night. "I kept asking myself that same question since I walked out the door."

Haley bit down on her lip waiting for a sign of what to do next. "I'm Nathan. Nathan Scott and you are…Haley James?" Nathan asked as he held out his hand. Slipping her glove covered hand into his they shook the silence away.

"You're not from around here. Where are you from exactly?" Haley asked as she crossed her arms taking a step forward.

"That obvious, huh? It was the uniform wasn't it?" Nathan smiled as he touched his hat.

"No, wasn't that. That was actually the last thing I noticed." Haley gulped at her honesty.

Smiling a crooked smile that Haley right there and then stated as the best smile she ever seen, Nathan continued. "I'm from Chicago. You're from here?"

"In a way. I moved here when I was twelve, so it's been a few of years."

Nathan watched as she explained her story with great detail and honesty. How her dad was an alcoholic who beat her mom, and how her mother sent her here to live with her aunt. He heard all that she said, but his eyes couldn't help but pick up the small things. The way she brushed her hair aside, even when there wasn't anything there; nervous habit he concluded. How Haley bit down on her lip whenever she gave something a great deal of thought. And when she spoke she always looked at him, even when her confession was something people wouldn't normally confine to a stranger. As Haley finished Nathan found himself reaching for her hand, at first it was to comfort her and let her know that he appreciated this small piece of her. But once their hands touched Nathan found it difficult to pull away and instead of that, he entwined them.

Haley gladly snaked her small, polished nailed fingers with his rough, strong ones. They walked in silence down the pier watching the small wave's crash against the rocks alongside the docks. Nathan glanced at Haley…and it all changed for him. Seeing Haley tonight he knew she was different, that she was somehow suppose to be in his life. But at that moment, as they walked down the pier her beauty enhanced with the soft glow of the mood, he knew he had it bad. That leaving Tree Hill would be the harder than it was supposed to be. He had to tell her.

"Haley." Nathan whispered, his voice hoarse. The two stopped were they where, their hands still entwined with one another.

'Yes?" Haley asked.

Nathan struggled with the words; he wasn't good with expressing himself. Not only was that necessary for being a solider in a war like this. But it had a lot to do with his upbringing. The less you said in his family the more you were accepted. Nathan could never do that, but he learned.

"I-I…" Nathan looked down at their entwined hands finding it even harder to form the words as Haley rubbed soothing circles with her thumb on his hand. How comfortable they were already with each other. "Where exactly do you live?" Nathan chickened out.

Slightly disappointed, but not showing it. Haley smiled as she pointed in the direction of her street. "Just two more blocks, and the first right."

They continued their way down the street. At first in silence, but after a minute Nathan couldn't help but ask question after question. He was curious about her. Where she was from, what her family was like, what she wanted in life, what she believed in. Everything and anything. Nathan even asked about the silly things in life; what her favorite song was, what she liked to eat, did she like the rain, where did she want to travel.

"Well, let's see. My favorite song is "I'll Be Seeing You" by Billie Holiday. Such a beautiful song, so sad yet…so hopeful. The things I like to eat…pasta, fruit, and…" Haley hesitated as she tightened her grip on Nathans hand. "Cracker Jacks."

Nathan laughed at her. "I love Cracker Jacks too. Especially when you're on the move like I am, it comes in handy for a quick snack."

"Why are you in the war?" Haley asked, her own curiosity kicking in.

"What do you mean?"

They past the closed shops, the windows dark and doors tightly shut. They were the only ones out tonight. "I mean, you must have had a reason to become a man of honor. What made you want to join the Army, made you risk your life for a war that is not ours?"

For a while it was only the sound of Haley and Nathans shoes pounding softly on the ground along with the small waves crashing along the pier. For a moment Haley felt stupid for asking, it was a personal matter, she just met Nathan. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have as-"

"I joined because I felt I had too." Nathan quickly said. "A part of me knew that it was the right thing to do. All my friends had left school, work, and devoted their lives to protecting something. I never had that…I didn't know what it would be like, to protect something." They made a right turn and down Haley's street. "Haley, my family is…I think in the beginning I left for the war because I wanted to get away from them. Later, I sort of just became use to it. Waking up, following orders, preparing myself for the worst. So to answer your question…I joined because I knew I had nothing to lose."

Nathan was suddenly jolted back as Haley stopped in her tracks. "This is my place."

The moment had come for Nathan to say goodbye, and oddly enough, that was a feeling he didn't like. He pulled his hand away from Haley, causing her to frown, but redeemed himself by stepping closer to her body. The wind picked up a fraction causing Haley to pull her coat tighter to her body and that's when's he realized Nathans attire. He wore nothing but his uniform. Nathan saw Haley's brow knot with confusion.

"What?"

"Where's your coat? It's freezing!"

Nathan merely smirked. "Oh…I must have left it back in the café. I was sort of in a rush to get outside." He stated without embarrassment.

"Do you want to borrow one? I'm sure I still have one or two that Luke might have left." Haley offered.

Shaking his head, Nathan looked down at the ground. He knew himself to well. If he went up there, it would be impossible for him to come down. "That's okay; we'll leave tonight at this." Haley nodded, it had to end. But she didn't regret any of it; even if she could only have this moment for tonight. Not sure how to depart Haley stuck out her hand. Nathan almost laughed, but held his composure; he then grabbed her hand and held it. Let out a shaky breath Haley shook his hand within hers gently. "It was nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you as well…Haley." Nathan let go and gave one last look at her before backing away. Haley opened the door to the flight of stairs that led to her apartment flat but stopped before entering. "Nathan!" Haley called out as she reemerged on the lifeless sidewalk. "I love the rain. The smell. The feel. The idea of it."

At first Nathan wasn't sure what she was talking about, until he remembered his about what she thought of the rain.

"I love the way it smells. How the tiny moisture can change the smell of everything; the ground, the stone walls, even to your skin. I love the way it feels on my skin, I feel like I'm drowning, but in a good way." Haley explained. "I feel like I'm drowning in all my hopes, it's when I'm standing in the rain that I feel so close to them. I guess I love the rain so much it depicted my dream place to go too. London."

Nathan smiled as he began walking closer to Haley again. "Thanks for telling me." And in a flash, Nathan ducked down and kissed Haley on the forehead. Haley felt dizzy and exhilarated. Nathan was barely touching her, his hand cupping her cheek as his lips were like the wind against her skin. Backing just slightly, yet his lips still against her skin, Nathan murmured. "I don't know how long I have here. Tonight…a few days…a week…but," Nathan pulled back his hand still cupping Haley's cheek. "I want to spend them with you. Every minute of it, I want you there."

Haley couldn't breathe, her mind was fogged with the sensation that Nathans lips had left on her skin. It was just a small, chaste kiss yet it sent a shiver down her spine.

"Are you cold?" Nathan asked concerned, as Haley was about to correct him his arms went around her. And the need to correct him was no longer needed.

Their eyes met as Haley lifted her gaze to his. She knew he was waiting for her answer, but she didn't want to ruin the moment by speaking, she wanted to wallow as much as possible in this perfect silence. After taking as much as she could from it, she nodded her head up and down. "I would love that."

A smile broke across Nathans face first; his happiness was enough to send Haley into a whirlwind of her own. She grinned, one that matched his. Before she could say or do anymore, Nathan gave another small, yet powerful kiss on Haley's cheek. Closer to her mouth than the forehead kiss, Haley smiled at the progress they were making. "I'll be here at eight, is that okay?" Nathan asked as he unwillingly let go of Haley and began walking back to the direction he moments ago was following.

He felt alive. For the first time since he entered the war…no, the first since he could distinguish the emotions of life, he was alive. In just a few hours his life was changed. He continued to walk backwards having the difficulty to glance away from the brown doe eyes he knew he would never get tired of.

"Yes!" Haley couldn't help but shout as she giggled when Nathan backed off the curb falling down slightly. She waved him off as Nathan began to jog down the street, and soon vanished when he turned the corner.