Chapter One-

A/N: Okay, so it is quite possible that me being in an emotional state, watching wayyy too many OTH episodes and having access to a computer…could be a bad combination. Firstly, I am a HUGE Naley fan, so don't get me wrong. I just wanted to try something a little new. I thought the season premiere had the sweetest scenes between Lucas, Jamie and Haley. Call me crazy, but I was able to picture them as a little family. So in my version of season five, Lucas is not seeing anyone, especially that stupid editor…

I guess, all I can ask is for you guys to give me a shot please!

"Taking a Stand"

"There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries.On such a full sea are we now afloat..."

"Your daddy isn't feeling well today…but you know he loves you. Don't you sweetie?" Haley murmured, her heart breaking for her only son.

His soulful chocolate orbs met hers, as tears threatened to fall from the little boy's eyes. "I know Uncle Lucas loves me," he stated quietly, but assuredly.

Haley's soft breath hitched in her throat, what could she even say to that?

Brooke, ever the leader, decided it was time to take charge.

"Okay, little man! The whole gang is waiting on your arrival!" his godmother scooped him into her loving arms and headed towards the front door, scowling as she passed by the 'invalid.'

Peyton, catching on quickly, grabbed Haley's arm and guided her confidently past her husband, if you could even call him that.

…………………………………

The town square was filled with most likely the entire population of Tree Hill. "Team Scott" was almost impossible to miss, as the whole group congregated together to support little Jamie. Skills and Mouth were making some last minute "adjustments" to the car when the trio arrived with Jamie in tow.

"Hey little man, what happened to our Red Racer?" Skills asked, greeting the little boy with their customary hand shake.

"Ask Auntie Brooke. I'm taking a stand," he said confidently.

All eyes shot to Brooke, and she just shrugged her shoulders innocently.

"It's Raven Blue. Twenty-three. Just like daddy!" Jamie exclaimed.

"It looks awesome buddy! And look at your outfit! So you're racing for Clothes over Bros now?" Mouth teased.

Jamie pointed proudly to the "sponsor" on his jacket. "Peyton Sawyer. Unemployed."

Everyone began laughing hysterically, until they were interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Are you exploiting my little man for business, Brooke Davis?" Luke teased, earning a whack from the accused party and more laughter from the rest of the gang.

"UNCLE LUKE!" Jamie screeched in excitement, jumping into Lucas' outstretched arms. "You're here!"

"Of course I'm here buddy. I wouldn't miss this for the world!" Luke promised solemnly, placing the child back on his feet.

Jamie's eyes sparkled as he laced his two tiny hands with that of his mother's and uncle. They simultaneously wondered how something could fit so perfectly.
Lucas discreetly made eye-contact with Haley. As if reading his mind, she shook her head in disappointment. No, he had not come. Lucas sighed. He had expected as much.

A horn was blown to announce the beginning of the race. Skills and Mouth immediately went to work, placing the little soap-box car on its proper stand.

"Now you guys are positive that everything is secure on this thing, right?" Haley asked, ever the concerned mother.

"Yeah, Brooke was messing with it after all," Peyton pointed out with a giggle, earning a jab in the ribs from her best friend.

"All I did was touch the paint, Tutor Mom," Brooke assured the worried mother.

At this, the look of fear slightly diminished from Haley's face. Lucas gently took hold of Haley's elbow, whispering in her ear that everything would be fine. Feeling more relaxed; she kissed her son good luck.

"All right, you ready Jamie?!" Lucas asked.

The young boy nodded his head eagerly. "All right, up we go," Lucas lifted Jamie, all the time pretending that he was too heavy to hold. "Oh my gosh, what have you been feeding him Hales? I can barely pick him up," he pretended to heave as he placed Jamie into the soap box derby car, the child giggling sporadically at his uncle's antics.

"Now it's time to get serious man," Skills said, kneeling to the little boy's eye level. "You ready to kick some..."

"Skills!" Haley yelped, cutting him off. "Don't you dare finish that sentence."

"You're being a bad 'sample, Uncle Skills," Jamie reprimanded him.

"Where did you hear that, Munchkin?" Brooke asked her godson, smiling at his mispronunciation.

"That's what mommy calls daddy," he responded simply.

The group of friends fell silent. Suddenly, all traces of any humor vanished. Lucas, not wanting his best friend to feel awkward decided to step in.

"You all buckled in, kiddo?" he asked, clearing his throat. He busied himself, fiddling with the pseudo-seatbelt Haley had made the boys install. "All right, we're all set!"

Everyone's voices mingled together as the race began and cheering ensued.

"Come on baby! Go go go!" Haley screamed, appearing to be the perfect picture of a nervous wreck.

As the wooden, makeshift car rolled down the 'race-track', all eyes were glued on Jamie.

"Come on Jamie! Remember, you're taking a stand!" Brooke cheered excitedly for her godson.

Mouth and Skills looked on in amazement that the cart had stayed together, while Peyton made teasing cat-calls. As the car rolled to the finish line, just barely surpassing his opponent, Jamie won the 'race.'

"That's my boy!" Lucas announced to everyone within earshot, as he and Haley rushed to meet Jamie at the finish line.

"Honey are you okay? Did you get hurt?" Haley questioned, kneeling at her son's side.

"Mommy, I am fine! Stop it," he insisted, brushing her gently off.

"Uncle Luke, did I do good!?" he asked, eager to receive the older man's approval.

"Of course you did, buddy. You did so good," Lucas adamantly confirmed.
The group followed in suit and quickly flocked the trio.

"J. Scott you rocked!" Brooke squealed, kissing Jamie's cheek lovingly.
The little boy blushed slightly, rubbing at the bright red lipstick mark she had left behind.

"Thanks Aunt Brooke!"

"Man, you were on fire!" said the ever typical Skills.

"I still can't believe that…thing didn't fall apart," Peyton smirked, earning a glare from Haley.

"I say, this calls for a celebration!" Mouth declared.

"Ooh! Ice cream and pizza mommy! Can we, can we please?!" little Jamie concurred.

"Well, I don't want to spoil your dinner," Haley began reluctantly.

"Come on Tutor Mom, so not cool," Brooke teased the young mother. "Let's go, my treat!"

"All right," Haley conceded, caving in. "Only because, I ama cool mom though, Brooke," sending her friend a smirk.

"Uncle Lucas, can I ride on your shoulders again?" Jamie begged, jumping up and down in his adorable "racing" costume.

Kneeling down to the little boy's height, Lucas replied. "Hop on, buddy."

After a slight struggle and some assistance from Peyton, the gang set out, with Jamie strapped firmly to Lucas' strong, broad shoulders. Haley couldn't help but notice how his muscular arms shone in the afternoon sun. All of his extra training with the team down at the River Court had definitely paid off. Shaking off the unfamiliar thoughts, Haley attempted to focus on anything but her best friend's toned body.

"Mama, mama! Look how high I am! I'm taller than you," the young boy laughed from his seat in the air.

"Just wait until he hits puberty. He's going to be a Laker," Brooke said, snapping Haley out of her reverie.

"Ugh, Brooke…that's going to be eons from now. Don't remind me," Haley groaned.

"It's okay, Haley bop…you've never towered over any of the Scott men, Jamie's no different," Lucas teased, wrapping his free arm around her shoulder affectionately. She gulped, as spine tingling shivers traveled down her vertebrae.

"Lukeee," she warned playfully. "Let's go to Karen's, you know she and Lily will want to join in on the partying," Haley suggested.

"To the Café!" Brooke announced, walking with her arms linked between Mouth and Peyton.

After an afternoon filled with ice cream, junk food, catching up, Brooke's fashion crises, Mouth's man-hating boss, Peyton's new record label, and every subject but the taboo, Nathan, Karen announced that it was time for her to close for the night and get Lily in bed. The group departed with hugs and kisses and a promise to see each other the following day. This left Haley and Lucas to dish duty, and Jamie to color patiently at the counter. They quickly fell into a routine of washing and drying in synch, standing in comfortable silence, side by side. Haley hadn't felt so content in what seemed like forever. She realized that she hadn't thought about Nathan all day, which is what had brought her some peace of mind. Whenever she was around Lucas, she didn't have to think about the man at home, permanently residing in the living room, drinking himself into a stupor. With Luke, all of her worries and troubles melted away, and it was a feeling she wanted to hold onto for as long as she could.

"Come on Hales, we're finished here. Let me walk you two home," Luke offered with a sweet smile.

"That's okay Lucas, you have an early day tomorrow, I don't want to keep you out," Haley insisted, half-heartedly.

"That was not a suggestion Hales, it was a statement. Come on, grab your purse and let's go," Lucas said, grinning that he had won the argument.

She playfully rolled her eyes, and rounded Jamie up. The trio set off down the sidewalk, which led back to the Scott household, Jamie dawdling behind. As the sun began to go down, Haley recognized the familiar feeling of dread seep into her veins. What was happening to her? She couldn't be falling for her best friend, her husband's older brother…could she?

"And we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures." –William Shakespeare