"Where were you last night?" Luke asked breaking the silence in the café. It was the early hours of the morning, and the town was still sleeping as Haley and Luke started the opening preparations for the café and the rush that was soon to come. "I called to make sure you got home safely." He added.

Haley stopped wiping down the tables and turned around to face Lucas, who was standing behind the bar updating the business books. Last night. Last night happened so fast she couldn't bother answering the phone. She was on cloud nine and as soon as she got upstairs Haley planned what she would wear the next day, easily helping her to fall into a deep slumber

"I was tired. I'm sorry Luke." Haley said quietly fiddling with the rag. She wasn't ready to tell Luke, she wasn't even sure if she should believe it herself. Nathan had come into her life as fast as a shooting star on a starless night, and he had brought something to her world. Haley was very content with her life as it was, she was happy. But Nathan's presence left such a strong impression; it had her wanting more everyday.

"Don't worry about it…listen, everyone loved you last night," Luke walked around the counter to the table Haley was now cleaning. "I think you should sing again. Tonight."

"Lucas I don't know about that."

"Come on, Hales. You were breathtaking up there; you are more than some waitress."

Haley shrugged as she moved to another table. "I kind of like being a waitress." Though she had been up there last night, and enjoyed every minute of it, she still had those fears. One night wasn't going to prove that she could do this every night. "Plus, I don't have the money for new dresses."

"I'll give you anything you want Haley, you know I would." Lucas said as he stood behind her with a hand on her shoulder. Haley smiled. Though Haley and Lucas had been friends since she first moved here, they did form an interesting love for one another. Haley loved Luke, just not the type that was followed by marriage and children. Yet she trusted her life with him, and she could always find happiness with him. As for Luke, she knew that his love ran deeper than that. Though he never pushed himself on Haley, she knew that he wanted more than Haley was willingly to offer. It didn't freak Haley out; she loved knowing she had someone who felt that way about her. Yet it saddened her that she could never return it.

"Thanks Lucas." Haley turned around and wrapped her arms around her best friend. "Can I just think about it?"

Wrapping his arms around her small frame, Luke smiled as he placed his chin on top Haley's head. "Of course, only if you really want to. I just feel that's where you're meant to be Haley."

Holding on a second more, Haley removed herself from Luke smiling before grabbing the rag cloth and continued the clean up. Hearing Luke's shoes move across the floor, Haley looked up at the clock over the entrance door. Just a few more minutes before the doors would open…and Nathan would be here.

Excitement ran through Haley's veins as she anticipated the moment of their reunion. Nathan had only been in her life for a few hours, but he was already a big part of it.

Haley and Lucas continued their preparations for the morning rush, as they both finished Haley made her way into the small kitchen and filled the coffee canisters as Lucas opened the doors for business. Like all mornings it started off slow, usually the early risers getting a healthy meal before they headed off to open their own shops or go to the next town for business. Then it picked up. Haley smiled and waved at everyone that walked in, Tree Hill was so small it was easy to know and remember who was who. After an hour, Haley searched for Lucas finding him at the end of the café talking to Frank Lionel, who owned half the harbor. At the right moment Luke looked up and saw Haley mouth to him that she was taking a break out back. Nodding, he turned with no interruption back to his conversation with Frank.

Grabbing her jacket from the coat hanger, Haley pushed the kitchen doors open and walked out into the wakening town. The air was picking up, and the sky was slowly becoming brighter as the sun found its way through the clouds. Pulling her coat tighter, Haley leaned against the stone wall and stood in silence. So many things ran through her mind she wasn't sure where to start. For one, there was her singing. Lucas wanted her to sing, and Haley wasn't sure she could do that. Among fears that interfered with her love for it, it was also the fact of who would want to see her on stage? She got great responses from her first night, but what was that to depict her whole career? Then there was Nathan.

"Hi."

Breaking her out of her thoughts, Haley turned to see Nathan standing there. Haley immediately smiled. She could have the most horrible day, be in the most stressful situation, and she found just by looking at him that all seemed to go away.

"Hi." She breathed back both of their breaths visible.

"What you doing out here? It's freezing." Nathan said with a small laugh as he walked closer to Haley. He was wearing khaki pants, a white undershirt, and a baby blue button up with the sleeves slightly rolled to his elbow.

"Oh, I forgot your jacket. Come on." Haley grabbed Nathans hand as she led him back through the kitchen door. Upon entering it they were hit with the warm heat wave coming from the working heaters. Passing by the customers that were already seated and the rushing waitresses, they made it to the stage door. Nathan found himself smiling the whole way. He didn't know how he was able to sleep last night, his mind was racing in different directions yet he had never felt more calm or sure of anything in his entire life. It all happened so fast; he walked in with a few buddies from his unit, and instantly Nathan knew he was meant to be there that night. Why? He couldn't say, but as Haley walked with her hand still encased in his it was all so clear.

Her.

Haley pulled them into a small, yet quaint dressing room. Closing the door, she walked to the other side of the room as Nathan stood where he was left and watched her. Haley opened the closet on the other end, rummaging among the clothes hanging from the hangers, until she found what she was looking for. During this time, Nathan looked around him and realized this was a dressing room. He saw the makeup table, a full length mirror, a closet full of clothes, and even countless pictures of musicians and acts that had performed here.

"Here it is."

Nathan turned around as Haley began walking back towards him, his coat in her hand.

"Thanks." Nathan grabbed the coat from her. Feeling the coat pockets, he stilled, and looked up at her brown eyes. "It's gone."

Confused Haley shrugged as she looked back at him. "What is?"

"I had a twenty in here, and now it's gone."

"Nathan…I just grabbed it from where you left it and put it in here. I didn't take anything I swear!" Haley huffed with bitterness. "I can't believe you're accusing me of-"

"Haley? I was joking." Nathan smirked at her, she was just too easy to get. He watched as she shook her head and then crossed her arms. He could tell that she felt embarrassed yet stubborn about the joke played on her.

"That wasn't funny."

"Not even a little?"

"No. Not even a little. It was very…mean!" Haley tried her best to be mad, yet she was finding it hard. The way he smirked down at her with that lopsided grin and firing blue eyes. Any thought to be mad at Nathan was gone. She was slowly losing herself to Nathan Scott. "Fine, it was funny." Haley mumbled as she looked down feeling the need to smile.

"Haley."

Haley looked up at the serious and sincere tone in his voice. She watched him as he looked down only for a moment before his eyes were back on her face. The inner struggled with something was happening inside, she could tell. Nathan let out a small sigh as he tried forming the words, without having them come out wrong. Before Haley could ask what was wrong, Nathan bent down and kissed Haley on her lips.

Taken back at first, Haley didn't respond as fast as she knew she would have. Yet, after a second of taking it in Haley hesitantly lifted her hands and placed them on Nathan's chest. Nathan smiled against her lips as he felt her respond, and more than willingly, as he wrapped his hands on her waist. Careful not to push her, Nathan pulled her just an inch closer as the need to feel her against him became a necessity. Nathan kissed her over and over again until he realized where they were.

Pulling back, Nathan rested his forehead against Haley's. "I've been wanting to do that since yesterday believe it or not." He confessed as he tried to catch his breath.

"I believe it." Haley said with a giggle.

"Do you have to work tonight?"

Sighing as the conversation came back to reality, Haley placed a hand on Nathan's face. She didn't know what they were, but she assumed after that kiss she was at least allowed to touch him. "Yes. And I still have to give Lucas an answer to the singing. I don't know if I am up to it tonight." Haley confessed.

"Do it. You've done it before."

"Last night was my first night." She said. Nathan sensed the insecurity in her words.

"I couldn't tell. Haley you were fantastic up there! Trust me; if you had my attention you had everyone else's."

A smile played across her lips. "You want to know a secret?"

"Always." Nathan pushed a strand of Haley's hair from her face as he waited for her secret.

"You were the reason I kept going last night. When I saw you suddenly I felt safe, happy…home. I even accidentally changed the line from brown eyes to blue." Haley smiled at her confession. If this was anyone else she wouldn't even have thought to utter those words. "I hadn't even met you, yet somehow I knew that you were suppose to be here. With me."

Looking up at him, Haley brought him closer as she circled her arms around his torso. She could feel the years of hard work out's pay off as his body was hard and comforting. "I know this is crazy and fast but Nathan-"

Kissing her hard on her lips, Nathan shut Haley up before another word was said. He didn't need to hear anything else. What Haley had said was enough to settle all his thoughts of how he felt straight. She felt the same way. He brought his hands to Haley's face, cradling it as he kissed her deeper. His tongue poked against the corner of her closed mouth, begging to be let in however, prepared for the push away. Instead, Haley granted him access and he got his first taste of Haley James. At that moment Nathan knew he wanted more. That he would always want more. He needed more.

The door swung open causing the two to separate. Lucas stood there with his hand on the doorknob. He had been looking for Haley after one of the girls said she went outside and came back in with a strange man. That set him off; he worried about Haley more than he did for himself.

"Hi." Lucas broke the silence. He wasn't a fool, he knew what he saw. He had seen Haley be with a guy before. He had seen Haley kiss a guy before. But even Lucas knew this was different. The way Haley had been acting, the look on her face, and the vibrating connection that floated in the air. Even Lucas Roe knew.

"Lucas…this is Nathan Scott." Haley spoke as she wiped her lips and tried to fix her appearance. "Nathan this is Lucas Roe."

Nathan took a step towards Lucas, who still kept his distance at the door, and extended his hand out. "Nice to meet you. Haley's told me about you. Best friend and owner of…this place." He stopped when he noticed Lucas glare. He couldn't quiet understand it.

"Nice to meet you too." Lucas finally spoke as he shook Nathan's hand.

Haley grabbed Nathan's coat from the chair and handed it to Nathan once more. "Nathan was here last night, and he forgot his jacket. So I was just returning it."

"Oh ya, thanks." Nathan quietly thanked as he grabbed it from Haley.

"Well, I am going to go back to work. Haley will you see me when you have the chance?" Lucas asked as he looked from Nathan to Haley.

"Yes, of course."

Shooting one last look at Nathan, Lucas shut the door behind him.

"Did I do something?" Nathan joked as he put on his jacket. Fixing it to fit with his outfit.

"No. Nothing you should be contemplating over. Lucas just….he has a problem with what you do….are."

Nathan's brow furrowed. "I-I don't get it. Explain it me."

Rubbing her hand across her forehead Haley tried to do her best to explain it. "Lucas had this girlfriend who he was with for three years. The day he proposed to her she told him she was leaving him for someone on the base three hours away." Haley sat down on the chair by the door as she continued to explain to Nathan. "So now he thinks all soldiers are no-good- dirty-son-of-a-bitches. That's just Lucas. I know he will get over it soon, but he cant right now. Not with his heart broken."

Nodding at the details that had been unraveled Nathan took a seat next to Haley. "I see. And since I, a no-good-son-of-a-bitch, am a solider I am automatically on the hit list?"

"Right."

"Okay."

The two sat in silence. The sound of plates clinking, silverware clanking, and people chatting about what they would do for the day was the only sounds heard. Haley looked over at Nathan who was staring at the ground, his hands in his pockets.

"You know I don't think that about you…right? No one in town does. That's just Lucas!"

Looking down at Haley he nodded. "Of course Haley. I can't blame the guy, but if I am going to be here in Tree Hill, and here with you I want the guy to like me."

He watched as Haley broke into a smile, as she looked down shaking her head. Obvious she was smiling about something that she only knew about.

"What?"

"You….you want to spend your days in Tree Hill with me?" She asked hopefully.

He broke into a smile just like hers; instead it was just the two of them that knew of this hidden secret. "I told you this last night, and I still mean it today. Haley," Looking down he entwined her small, smooth hand with his rough one. "I was never good with people, or letting anyone in. I told you about my upbringing and…what I am trying to say is. The moment I saw you last night I knew I had a bigger reason to being here in Tree Hill. It was to find you. And now that I have talked to you, held you," Nathan lifted Haley's head with his finger so that she was looking at him. "Kissed you I don't think I can ever leave this town without bringing you with me."

He took a deep breath as he let that part of the truth settle in. The bigger part was easy to feel, but harder to say. He mentally noted he would save that for another moment.

"What are you saying? You want to be with me while you're here?"

Nathan shook his head. "No." He watched Haley's face drop at the fast and sharp answer. "What I'm saying is, I want to be with you…for good."

Letting out a laugh before she launched herself into his arms, Haley planted a kiss on his lips before trailing them along his face. Nathan laughed as Haley left a kiss wherever her mouth could reach. Finally finding her way back to his lips, Haley gave it one small kiss before looking back at him. Yes, it was fast but neither of them would have denied this. It was way to hard too. Looking at her, Nathan ran his along her head as he stared into those brown doe eyes he found himself dreaming about. Feeling like he had long enough to look at her, Haley closed the gap as she kissed Nathan. She never wanted to stop, she thought as she molded her body into his.

"Okay…okay. We have to stop." Nathan panted as he broke the kiss. "I have a feeling Lucas will come looking for you again and to be caught in this position again will not help me."

Giggling, Haley nodded in agreement and pulled away from Nathan.

"Meet me tonight."

"Where?" Haley asked as excitement settled in her body. "I work until eight."

Nathan quickly tried to think of a place but he still didn't know the town to well and was coming up blank. "How about…the gazebo in towns square?" It was the first place Nathan saw when he landed, and it was the first thing that came to him.

"Okay, eight o'clock then." She promised as she kissed him on last time. "I have to go."

Nathan groaned when she was completely out of reach. Haley took off her coat and hung it on one of the hangers in the closet before heading to the door. She opened it, and the room was suddenly filled with the noises of the town's people awake and hungry. "Come on." Haley titled her head out the door as she waited for Nathan to go.

Getting up Nathan didn't take his eyes off of Haley's face, which he noticed that action caused her to blush. Before exiting, Nathan stopped in front of her and placed his lips on her forehead. He kissed her, yet he didn't move his lips right away. He left them linger for as long as possible before he forced himself to move.

"I'll see you tonight." Nathan whispered before disappearing into the mass of people.

Standing there, as if hoping you would emerge, Haley leaned against the doorway and stared out to the last place she saw him. The smile had yet to leave her face.

"Haley."

Turning her head to the male voice, she saw Lucas standing at the kitchen door. The smile Haley has plastered on was now gone. Haley almost forgot about the little meeting she had to attend. Making her way to Lucas she watched as he didn't show any sign of emotion yet his eyes squinted with a good amount of anger and fury. As they both entered the kitchens pantry, Haley turned to Lucas closing the door.

"What was that?"

Shocked at his sudden outburst Haley crossed her arms. "Lucas, what are you talking about?"

"Don't!" Lucas shouted. He stopped, giving himself a minute to compose himself. "Haley don't play dumb."

"Fine!" Haley shouted back. "I kissed him. I am allowed to do that Lucas. I am allowed to kiss and date guys."

Haley immediately bit her lip as Lucas eyes grew darker. "You're dating him?"

"I am."

Lucas let out a frustrated laugh. "Great Haley! You just set yourself up for the biggest heartbreak ever! What have I told you, hales? Those 'men'," Lucas air quoted. "Are nothing but dogs. They go from town to town and pick up on every single, innocent woman there is. They show up in a uniform, flaunt a few badges and they fool girls like you! I told you Haley, you know what they do, and yet….damn it Haley!" Lucas banged his fist against the cardboard box on one of the shelves. "I thought you knew better?"

Haley stood silent. When Anna dumped him for one of the men that happened to stop by in town, she saw what that did to Lucas. For awhile, she believed Lucas when he told her that they were all fighting the war to escape real responsibility. That they became a 'man of honor' to get woman they normally could never have. After a while, she realized Lucas was saying this from the pain that still rested in his heart. When she met Nathan, she found something to look forward to, something…..someone.

"Listen," Haley began as she looked at him. Lucas was facing away as he stared at the wall in front of him. "I have never done anything against your will before. Never! I stayed here for you Luke, remember? I stayed in Tree Hill for you. You are my family; you are all I have here. But," She watched him tense at her true meaning for it. "When I met Nathan I found something that was missing in my life. I didn't know it was gone, I mean, I wasn't even looking for it but I found it in him. Lucas, he is not like them! If you just spent some time with him like I did, then you would know!"

"Spend time with him? Like what, a night? Isn't that how long you've known him?" Lucas spat as he turned around. Haley didn't answer. "Haley…you just met the guy. How do you know who he is?"

"Because I can feel it!" Haley cried out. Lucas fell silent as he watched Haley begin to cry. "Luke, I can feel it!" Haley placed her hand over her heart as the tears fell down. "I felt it the first moment I was on stage. Isn't that enough in this world? To feel something magical and know it's true without having it for long?" Haley asked, her voice cracking with every word.

Lucas wiped his mouth with his hand as he stood in front of Haley with his hands on his hips. He wasn't looking at her, nor did he even say anything to acknowledge what she said.

Giving up, Haley pushed past him to the door.

"No." Luke spoke as he turned around to face her. "No, that's not enough in this world."

--------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------

Nathan waited under the gazebo, pacing back and forth, searching in the dark for that beautiful brunette. He had arrived twenty minutes early hoping that Haley would show up early. But soon he was waiting for ten…twenty…thirty….finally an hour went by and Nathan looked down at his watch.

8:59

He stuffed his hands into his khaki pants, his fists clenching in the fabric. He began to worry. What if Lucas stopped her? What if she heard him wrong? What if….Nathan stopped himself from thinking of anything worse. Sitting down on the gazebo bench Nathan continued to look in every direction for the face he had been thinking about all day. But with every minute passing by, he felt the uneasiness in his stomach grow when she didn't show up.

Looking at his watch once more, Nathan read the time to no one in particular. "9:15."

As Nathan fought with himself on whether he should wait, or go to the café, he heard the sound of footsteps. His head shot up as he looked towards the sound of the footsteps.

"Nathan?" Haley called out.

Jumping from where he sat Nathan leaped over the gazebo fence and landed in front of Haley.

"Hi, I'm so sorry it took me forever to get here." She apologized while giving him a hug. Haley held on to Nathan, it felt good to hold on to someone, yet even better when they held on to her. She looked up at Nathan whose eyes were closed.

"Hey, you okay?" She asked as she gave him a squeeze on his arms.

Opening his eyes, Nathan nodded down at her. "I was worried. You had me waiting an hour over the time promised, I got worried."

"I'm sorry; I actually figured you would have left after thirty minutes."

"No, I would have waited all night."

Placing her head back on his chest Haley held on to him for a while longer. Luke was wrong, he had to be. Nathan was different. He had what all those soldiers Luke talked about lacked…..a heart.

"I still want to take you somewhere." Nathan whispered into her hair before placing a kiss there.

"Okay, let's go."

Nathan took a hold of Haley's and led the way.