Title: The Devil Wears Nada

Pairing: Haley/Nathan, Haley/Rachel relationship

Summary: Season 7. Rachel returns to Tree Hill. But is it to shake things up or settle down?

Author's Notes: Since Rachel's last appearance in Tree Hill, I've wondered why she left and how they'll bring her back. I decided to write this fic before more spoilers are released because this is how I'd like to see it go down. Reviews are extremely appreciated (and there is a great chance I'll check out your fics in return!). This isn't going to be very long - 3-4 chapters at the max unless I get really inspired or there are requests for more. "The Devil Wears Nada" is a song by State Champion (/iamstatechampion) and "One Tree Hill" and all characters/references do not belong to me. Enjoy!

It was rare for the Scott family to have a day off. With no work, no school and no responsibilities to keep them separated, Nathan, Haley and Jamie sat around the coffee table, cards raised and game faces on.

"Do you got any 4s?" Jamie asked, and Nathan was quick to tell him to go fish. Jamie was old enough that Nathan and Haley didn't have to let him win anymore.

Unfortunately, he just had a habit of winning on his own. Nathan was sure he would finally win this one, and he anxiously awaited his turn.

A knock on the door interrupted their game, and Jamie was quick to hop up from his spot at the coffee table. "I got it, I got it, I got it," he shouted loudly, giggle following as Nathan's arms reached out and intercepted the tiny blonde.

"Not so fast, champ," Nathan said, hopping up and tossing his son over his shoulder as Haley moved from the couch to the door. A tickle war erupted, and before Haley could take a moment to enjoy the father-son bonding, a louder and more impatient knock presented itself at the door.

The knock was a mystery to Mrs. James Scott. She wasn't expecting any guests today, and usually unplanned guests in Tree Hill meant bad news. An arrest, a car accident, a divorce, a murder, a clown or just Chris Keller's presence - all things she wanted to avoid. Why couldn't knocks ever be happy news, like winning a contest or receiving a present? Like…

"Flowers!" Haley shouted as she opened the door, a beautiful bouquet of wild flowers greeting her at eye level. "Nathan, did you…?" She trailed off, tossing a glance toward her husband, an eyebrow raised, smile pulling at her lips. It wasn't a special day, but leave it to her husband to surprise her for no reason.

Nathan's expression, however, revealed nothing but confusion. "I…I didn't," he admitted. While he'd love to take credit for the bouquet, he knew better than to lie to his wife. That never ended well.

"Wasn't me, momma!" Jamie belted out from his father's shoulder. Nathan held onto his legs, the boy's skinny frame hanging over his back, hands once flailing wildly but now gripping his dad's shirt as he wiggled for freedom. He didn't want to miss what was going on.

"Then who-" Before Haley could get her sentence out, she turned around to see a set of pearly whites grinning at her. The guest had lowered the flowers, offering them to the shorter woman. It was hard to find the hopeful expression under the face of make-up, but a glimmer was visible to the perceptive tutor. "Rachel."

At the sight Nathan's eyes widened, his arms lowering his son down. Looks like they wouldn't finishing that game of Go Fish, much to his disappointment. Jamie wasn't worried about that - he was quick to sprint to his mother's side, gripping her legs as he examined the stranger.

"You have cool hair," he said, his fingers reaching up to touch his spiky blonde locks in envy. His mom wouldn't let him have a Mohawk - there was no chance she'd approve of him dying his hair a fire engine red.

Rachel let a high-pitched giggle escape from her glossy lips, free hand reaching down to ruffle the kid's hair. "You have cool hair, too," she said, glancing up to Haley. Haley was glaring, and Rachel quickly removed her hand from the child. Look, don't touch, she thought. "Sorry, mama bear," she said, handing the flowers to Haley before holding her hands in front of her body. "Hands off the cub, I know. Cute boy. When did Lucas have a kid, huh?"

Haley had heard every joke about her son's uncanny appearance to Lucas. Even Nathan had learned to laugh it off. Jamie, however, never understood, and was quick to brag about his cousin.

"Last year, but her name's Sawyer and she's not here," Jamie said quickly. "Uncle Lucas and Aunt Peyton send us pictures, do you wanna see?"

Before Rachel could respond, Haley placed a gentle hand on her son's shoulder. "Jamie, why don't you go upstairs and-"

Jamie interrupted before she could even finish her sentence. "Feed Chester, play video games or clean my room." Letting out a loud sigh, Jamie's blue eyes looked up at the redhead standing in the doorway. "Momma always makes me leave just when things are gettin' good."

Rachel nodded knowingly, a smirk forming on her lips. He had the wit and smarts of a James/Scott kid, that was for sure. "Momma knows what's best for you," she told him. "I promise we won't talk about anything fun while you're gone."

Jamie nodded, hugging his mom a final time before running toward the stairs. Nathan, meanwhile, just stood in shock. He hoped Jamie wasn't right - he hoped things weren't "gettin' good" because he didn't feel like pulling his wife away from a fist fight.

"Can I go feed Chester, play video games and clean my room, too?" Nathan asked quietly.

The daggers shot in his direction by his petite wife answered that question and so much more.