Ok, well, this is season 9, my style!

Nathan & Hales haven't had Lydia, and Hales is not pregnant

Thats the only footnote, enjoy, theres drama, alot of angst, and at the heart of it all is Nathan and Haley!

Testicular Cancer..the two words that ran through Nathans head, as he sat on the river court with a hand running through his raven black hair. Everything had been going so well..Haley was finally on the mend from the depression of her mothers death, Jamie was turning into a better kid everyday, Brooke and Julian were happy, Clay hadn't died from the gunshot wound, everything was good.

At least, it was until Nathan went for his 6 month check up at the doctors. He had them scheduled, as Clay had got him a advert for cancer..he said it would be hard hitting, make people respect Nathan Scott the person more, instead of Nathan Scott, the fit basketball player. Haley had been overjoyed that he was going to be a part of the campaign, she saw it as a tribute to Lydia, a beautiful tribute, a signal that they still awknowledged the awful disease that killed her.

Nathan had been told that they had to check him, that they were sure nothing would be wrong, but as he was the face of the new adverts, he had to have himself tested before telling others to. A slightly awkward but understanding Nathan alerted the doc to do what he needed to. And now, he knew the truth.

The aching pain in his groin had a reason. And a name. Cancer. He had cancer. And there was nothing he could do about it..he couldn't tell Haley, it would destroy her, not after everything that had happened. Clay was still recovering..well, he is..Nathan bit his tongue roughly, he didn't know how many times he was going to use the "Clay is recovering" exucse to avoid telling him things before it finally wore thin

Haley hummed to herself as she made her dinner, for her and Nathan, and Quinn who would be joining them. Quinn bounded in with a smile, and took a smell

"Not the toaster pastry then?" she grinned, and Haley rolled her eyes

"Its a roast" Haley revealled proudly, and Quinn laughed

"I was joking you goof" she giggled, and Haley laughed with her

"So wheres Clay at tonight?" Haley asked, watching her sister

"Scouting again. Ever since hes been able to drive again, theres no stopping him!" Quinn smiled fondly, and Haley nodded

"Good on him..well, Nate will be home soon, and Jamies at Chuck's..fancy setting the table?" Haley asked

"Of course" Quinn smiled softly, and skipped over to the draw

Brooke sadly surveyed some of the baby clothes and items still in front of her, and breathed a harsh, wobbly breath, trying not to think of the inns and the outs of the situation. Julian came up behind her, with a comforting hug and loving words to whisper into her ear

"The pain will go sometime Brooke.." he said softly, wrapping his arms around her

"How do you know?" Brooke whispered back, clutching his arm

"Because one day Brooke Baker..things will eventually work out for us..we will get our happy ending" Julian said, his voice shaking slightly at the emotions displayed in his wifes eyes. The events of the adoption had raised her hopes so high, only to be let down again. She was always let down. He tightened his arms around her as her vulnerability revealed itself to him, her shoulders shaking slightly, trying to show no weakness in a typical Brooke style

"Ive been offered a job" Brooke said, mindlessly, resting agaisn't Julian

"Thats great Brooke..where?" Julian said, kissing her temple and smiling at her

"Clothes over Bros.." she said, cocking her head to one side

"And?" Julian probed..there had to be more

"They want me to be vice president..in New York" Brooke shrugged, considering it and turning to watch Julian

Nathan got through the door, shuddering slightly..he wanted to tell Haley, he had to tell Haley. But the treatment, it had to be quick. What if the inevitable happened. What if he had to go one short of a pair? This made him less of a man, he was sure of it, he knew it..

Haley bounded over and linked his arm, looking happier then she had in a while. Nathan saw this and forced a smile

"Hey you" he smiled, leaning down to give her a kiss

"Hey" Haley smiled back, leaning agaisn't his shoulder

"Hales.." Nathan started, but Haley cut in

"Quinns here..Clays out of town so I took pity on her.." Haley giggled, and Nathan nodded and followed. He knew Haley liked having her family around her

"Hey Quinn" Nathan kindly smiled, taking a seat

"Hey Nate" Quinn said with a huge grin, sliding into the seat opposite him. Nathan smiled at the two James' girls..he couldn't ruin tonight, could he?