Ch 2

Nathan slowly opened his eyes, grateful that it didn't hurt nearly as bad this time. He blinked a few times and slowly turned to the side a little, his eyes meeting those of the girl still sitting at his bedside. He felt his breath catch in his chest as he saw her in the light. Damn she was beautiful.

"Oh my God Nathan, you're awake," she said, standing up and leaning forward to gently kiss him. "I was so worried about you. " She carefully sat next to him on the bed and laid her head on his chest, tears flowing down her face. "I don't know what I would do without you. I love you so much. Thank you for coming back to us."

He gently placed his hand on her back as she cried for a minute. "I have to go tell your mom and the doctors," she said, suddenly sitting up, a huge smile breaking across her face. "It's so good to have you back." She practically skipped out the door, "I will be right back."

A few moments later, Deb entered the room and quickly hugged her son. "It's so good to see you awake Nate," she smiled at him. "We've been so worried about you. "

"Hi mom," he said, smiling slightly then gesturing at the room. "What happened?"

"There was a bad accident on the Gable Bridge after the wedding. A Limo with Rachel and your uncle Cooper went into the water. You dove into the river and almost died saving both of them. You gave us quite a scare," Deb told him. "Especially Haley. She never left your side all night. She must be exhausted."

He scrunched up his face and closed his eyes, searching for memories of what she was telling him but coming up blank. "I don't really remember," he said.

"That's ok. You had a pretty serious head injury honey. Things might a little fuzzy for a while, but you've always had a hard head. I'm sure you'll be fine. It's so good to have you awake. "

He nodded his head slightly, wincing at the movement. "Is dad here?" he asked expecting any minute to hear the beginnings of a lecture on how this would affect basketball. That was always the number one priority with Dan Scott and he could tell by the way he was feeling it would be a while before he was running up and down the court again. His body was so sore, it hurt to blink.

"Uh, he was here yesterday but hasn't been by today," she said frowning. "I can call him if you want to see him."

"No, I'd really rather not," he said, trying to sit up a little but groaning from the pain the small movement caused. His shoulder felt like it was on fire.

"If you don't want him here, then he won't be here," Deb started.

"It's okay mom, I know you mean well, but It's not like anyone can stop him. He does whatever the hell he wants. He always has."

"Nathan," she started.

"It doesn't matter," he said, turning to look the other way. "I'm used to him. I can handle it."

"Well," Deb said, trying to lighten the mood, "Haley will be back in a minute, she just went to change into clean clothes, and you have a couple friends here to see you too if you're up to it. They were all pretty worried."

"Um," he said, his head starting to pound again. "I think maybe later would be better. I think I'm just going to try and go back to sleep. My head is all over the place and everything hurts. "

"Yeah, no problem. I'll go out and let the others know what's going on," she said, leaning over and kissing him on the cheek. "The doctor will want to come in and check on you anyway now that you are awake. You've been out since yesterday."

"Ok," he said in understanding. He knew the drill. This wasn't the first time he'd been in the hospital. On the up side, he figured they could give him some pain meds because he seriously felt like he'd been hit by a truck.

"One more thing mom," Nathan said, stopping Deb on her way to the door, "Who is Haley?"

"What do you mean?" Deb asked in confusion.

"She is the girl that was just here right?" he said, continuing when his mother nodded, "but I mean who is she to me? She kissed me and cried and I felt so bad for her because she was obviously worried about me, but why? How do I know her? I mean, I feel like I should but I just can't seem to remember much of anything right now.."

"Oh God Nate, Are you sure?" Deb said, collapsing back into the chair. "I mean, maybe you're just a little confused. What DO you remember?"

"I remember a lot of things from when I was little and you and dad of course. I don't know how to explain it, but it feels like it was a long time ago," he said, wiping his hands down his face in frustration, "it's all really confusing and jumbled right now."

Deb rubbed her hands through her hair, she'd had so many worries over her son and his recovery during the last 24 hours, but this situation never even crossed her mind. "Ok, wow. What's the last thing you can clearly remember?" she asked.

He thought for a minute, "I remember coming back from that basketball camp at UNC that Dad made me go to for most of the summer and then him being mad because he said I looked skinnier than when I left. He kept saying we had to hit the weights hard if I was going to make Varsity as a Freshman," he said. "And then there's like this black hole. My mind keeps telling me that there should be something after that, but the harder I try to grab onto it the further away it gets."

Deb took a deep breath, thinking back. Nathan didn't want to go to the camp that year because wanted to spend the summer with his friends before basketball season came, but Dan insisted and then when Nathan got home, he cranked up the bullying and training even worse than before, determined that Nate would be the only Freshman on Varsity..

"Ok," she said, not sure what she should and shouldn't tell him. She needed to talk this over with the doctor and Haley. She closed her eyes. How was she going to tell Haley that he was missing over 3 years of his life. Three very important, intense years of his life, including his entire relationship with his wife and the great friendship he had formed with his brother .

"Let me get the doctor and then we can discuss this," she said, standing up and starting to leave the room. She felt like she was going to hyperventilate. She was still struggling to get control over her own life, how was she supposed to deal with this? Her son was looking at her like she held all the answers and she knew she didn't. She had to get out of that room before she had a full-fledged panic attack.

"Wait," he said stopping her again. "You still haven't told me who Haley is. I need to know,"

"I think I should talk to the doctor before we get any further into this Nate" she said, reaching for the door knob. She could feel her breath start to quicken signaling an oncoming panic attack and took a few deep breaths.

"Why won't you tell me?" he said, starting to get agitated and trying to lean forward on the bed. "It's a simple question mom and for some reason, it seems like it's really important that I know. "

"It's not simple Nathan," she said, looking back at him. She didn't want to have to try and explain the last 3 years to him or if she even should. She helped him to adjust the bed and pillows to make him more comfortable. "Let me get the doctor."

"No," he said, his blue eyes staring straight at hers. "You look scared and you don't want to tell me, so it's probably a mess. Let me guess," he said with a harsh laugh. "Dad knocked up some other woman and Haley's another half sibling no one bothered to tell me about."

Deb flinched from his harsh tone, realizing that as far as Nathan remembered he had just really finally had to start to accept the truth about Lucas and was preparing to be in school with him for the first time as they both entered Tree Hill High. They had come so far since then, but he didn't remember that. "That's not it," she said. "Please let me get the doctor and then we can discuss all of this."

"I want to know now mom, I'm starting to get a little worried," he said, his voice changing to slightly pleading. "I'm obviously important to her. I need you to tell me. Is she a my girlfriend? I mean, she's did kiss me and she's totally hot," he added with a smirk.

"Not exactly," Deb said, taking a deep breath She knew she had to make a choice and there would be no turning back. Dan would probably throw a fit when he found out what she was about to do but Haley was more than just a fling or average girlfriend. Nathan needed to know the truth if they were going to have any chance of staying together through this mess. After everything they had already been through, he and Haley deserved to have that chance. She hadn't supported them when they needed it before. In fact, a few months ago she would have been delighted to have the chance to push Haley out of his life, but she promised herself and her son she would do better this time. She just hoped she didn't let them down again.

"She's your wife Nate. You don't just care about her, you love her more than anything."

Deb expected an entire host of questions after her revelation but instead, her son just nodded in acceptance and closed his eyes. She figured that was probably enough shock for him to absorb for now. He tended to shut down and deal with things himself, he'd always been that way. The only people he had ever really opened up to were Coop when he was younger and now Haley. She took a deep breath, knowing that the questions, the frustration, probably even anger would come, but grateful for the temporary reprieve.

"What a mess," she said, this time actually making her way out the door. How was she going to explain to Haley that her husband didn't remember her? How were they going to explain the missing years to Nathan. He'd probably think they were crazy. The story sounded more like a soap opera than a teenage romance. Honestly, just thinking about it made her want to take a drink. Sometimes trying to stay sober really sucked.

When the doctor came a minute later she explained what was going on and sat down in the hallway while he went in to see Nathan. She knew Haley would be back any minute and she needed to talk to her before she saw Nathan again.

A few minutes later, Haley returned with Lucas, looking refreshed and smiling. "Hey Deb," she said, standing in front of the older woman, "Luke talked me into going to the cafeteria for breakfast after I changed. I didn't even realize how hungry I was until I started to eat."

"She isn't kidding," Luke laughed. "She ate all of her meal and half of mine. I don't know where she puts it."

"That's great," Deb said, "you look so much better."

"Well, I feel a lot better now that Nathan is awake," she said. "I better get back in there, I promised him I wouldn't be gone long. He's probably wondering where I went."

"The doctor is in with him right now," Deb said, placing her hand on Haley's arm, "but there is also something I need to talk to you about."

"Ok," Haley said, "Did the doctor say anything?"

"No, no," Deb said, "He just went in a few minutes ago, but I talked with Nathan and he's having some problems with his memory."

"Oh, okay," Haley said, biting her lower lip. "Is he forgetting the accident? That might actually be a good thing."

"Well, yes, but it's more than that Haley. I spoke with the doctor briefly and he said this kind of memory loss isn't unusual and is most likely temporary. Nathan had some pretty serious swelling and it takes awhile sometimes for the brain to remake some of the strained connections," Deb began telling her before Haley interrupted her.

"You are really starting to scare me Deb," Haley said, running her fingers through her long hair. She looked up at Lucas. How could this be happening? "Just how bad is it?"

"Nathan doesn't remember the last three and a half years of his life," Deb told her, reaching out and taking her hand. "The last thing he can remember is getting ready to start High School."

"I don't understand," Haley said, "he still thinks he's 14?"

"Not exactly," Deb said, "I think we need to talk to the doctor and with Nathan of course, but it seems like he knows he isn't 14 anymore but the memories he knows should be there are gone. It's like a book with the pages ripped out. He can tell that there is something supposed to be there, but it's missing."

"This can't be happening," Haley said, her stomach lurching. "I think I'm going to be sick," she mumbled running down the hall and then stumbling into the lady's restroom.

"What was that?" Brooke said, walking up from the other direction. "Is she okay?"

"I hope so," Lucas said, "We just found out Nathan has some form of amnesia."

"For real? I always wanted to meet someone that actually happened to," Brooke said.

"Really Brooke?" Lucas glared at her. "This isn't a movie. Nathan has forgotten all of High School. That kinda sucks for his wife. Don't you think?"

"Oh wow, yeah sorry. I didn't mean..."

"No, I'm sorry Brooke, I didn't meant to snap at you. I'm just really worried about Haley and Nathan," Lucas said, reaching to touch her arm before she pulled away

"Um, I'm going to go check on her."

Brooke found Haley curled up on the floor of the bathroom with tears streaming down her face.

"You okay?" she asked, squatting down next to her friend. There was no way she was sitting down on that disgusting floor. She could only imagine the kind of grossness that had collected there over the years.

Haley looked up at her, "Really Brooke?"

"Okay, that was a stupid question, but I meant the throwing up part." she said, gesturing toward the toilet. "Is it happening very often?"

"No, not really," Haley sighed. "That's the first time this week. I've actually been feeling pretty good most days."

"That's good at least," Brooke said, giving up and sitting next to her friend. She'd just have to burn the pants she had on. Oh well, at least that would give her an excuse for more shopping. "Did you tell Nathan yet?"

"No, I was just getting ready to when the accident happened and now this. " She sat up and leaned against the wall next to her friend. "How am I supposed to tell him now? Hey Nathan, I know you don't know who the hell I am, but I'm your teenage wife that you don't remember and oh yeah, we're having a baby. Somehow I don't think that would go over real well," Haley said sarcastically. "How am I supposed to do this now? I was scared before, but I knew that I had Nathan and that together we would find a way. But now I might to have to do this on my own and I have to try and help Nathan recover at the same time and... " she broke down, her words trailing off. "What am I going to do?"

"Hey," Brooke said, "you have Luke and me and a lot of other people who are going to be here for you. And you will have Nate too. "

"Brooke, you don't know that. What if he never..."

"NO," Brooke said, "You can't think that way. You can't give up. When you left on your rock tour, Nathan was devastated, but you know what? He never gave up on you. He always kept the hope that you would come back and be together again. So this is your turn. You can't give up on him now. Besides, you guys are Naley. After all you have been through to be together are you really going to let a knock to the head take your future away from you?" she nudged her gently "If anyone can get through this, it is you two."

"He doesn't even remember me Brooke. There is no Naley."

"Hey, don't say that," Brooke said, putting her arms around her friend and pulling her close. "There are only 2 things I'm sure of in this crazy world. Number 1 - I am going to be a super famous fashion designer'" she said, drawing a chuckle from Haley, "and number 2- there will ALWAYS be a Naley."

"Thank you Brooke Davis, you've been a great friend this last year," Haley said, standing up and wiping her eyes before giving her friend a hug. "And you're right. Nathan doesn't remember us right now, but I do. I just have to have enough hope for all of us."