Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill.

Pairing: Nathan and Peyton.

Rating: Strong T

Warnings: None.

A/N: Second Chapter.

Spiralling

Gracefully sauntering to the bar, Rachel plopped down beside a brooding Nathan. The brooding was always a trait for the older Scott brother, but Nathan was doing a pretty convincing job of it. "Didn't see you at the wedding," she commented casually, ordering a drink.

"I'm not sleeping with you," was Nathan's curt brush off, as he took another swig of his scotch, not even looking at her.

Rachel scoffed, "Trust me hotshot, that ship already sailed."

"So then what do you want?" he asked tiredly, "we both know you don't do something without an ulterior motive. So what's the deal Gattina?" Blue eyes, finally piercing her with deadly demand.

"It simple concept: misery loves company," sipping her drink, "You're misery and I'm company. Besides, I'm pretty sure the way you are throwing them back, you'll need a designated driver."

He sniggered. "I'm pretty sure the designated driver needs to be sober, something you won't be the way you are throwing them back and all." his tone more than mocking.

"Who said anything about me driving?" she smirked. "That's what my driver's for."

He didn't say a thing just returned to nursing his scotch. Everything was screwed to hell anyway, what could making deals with devil hurt anyway? "Just so were clear, don't ask any question and will be good."

"Oh please like it's such a big secret why you're down here, hot shot." Rachel snorted, not one to be given ultimatums or afraid to tell the brutal truth. "You here drinking to oblivion, because the love of your life, Blondie, married you brother. It suck and hurts, but get over it. She did."

"Is it you're mission in life to be a bitch?"

"If being a bitch is dealing with the harsh realities, then damn right am a bitch and don't deny it either. Want some advice, sexy, get over it or she'll bring you down. Clearly she doesn't care so why should you."

He chuckled. "Yeah, taking advice from a lonely, bitter bitch is exactly what I'll do."

"You're lashing out at the wrong person here, genius. You should also know, I don't get easily offended, really give me the best you've got." When he didn't say a thing and just glared at her she went on. "You're not the only one who got burnt when brood and brooder got married, so quit wallowing in self pity."

"Rachel, back off."

"What 'cause the truth hurts?" not backing down. "I'll tell you a story, listen up cutie 'cause I'll only say it once. There once was a red-head who was going to concede and give a baby to guy if that's what he wanted, long story short, bastard walked away and married a blonde. Moral of this story, shit happens and it's up to you to take control of your life or wallow while they make house."

Raising an eyebrow, "You. have a baby?"

"Exactly," she stated like that was all that was needed.

"You hate kids."

"Not exactly a new discovery there Scott, but back to my point; we are way to hot to be depressed. I say we have a drink and get out of here."

"Said I wasn't going to sleep with you."

"There are other activities other than sex, Nate," she drawled with an eye roll. "Now, quit with oversexed, alcohol fogged thoughts, and finish the remaining scotch so we can go."

"Where?"

Placing a large smile on her face, she watched him gulp down the rest and offered him her hand. "I promise you'll like it," he looked at her sceptical, and didn't move. "Oh come on hot shot, live a little," taking matters in to her own hands, and tugging him off the stool and out of the seedy bar, ensuring to leave the bartender a hefty tip.

***

"I'm sure he just needed time, Hales. He'll turn up sooner or later," Lucas told his worried best friend. It not that he didn't care about his little brother, it just that Nathan had been spiralling and a small vacation away from it all was probably what he needed.

Haley sighed, "I know, but it's been two weeks since any of us have seen him," running a frustrated hand through her hair. "I'm sorry but, I need something more than a message on the answering machine saying he's okay Luke."

"Hales, we've tried calling his 5 times since you got here. He doesn't want to answer"," he reasoned for her. "He doesn't want to be found."

Her brown eyes snapped up to look at him, "so what you're saying is, I should just let it go?"

"No, what I'm saying is you need to give him time," gently squeezing her shoulders in comfort.

***

He hadn't expected to have so much fun, or have Rachel help with his misery, but she did. Two weeks away from Tree Hill and all the pain that came with Lucas and Peyton's wedding, was exactly what the doctor order. It was just crazy and unbelievable that all this was because of Rachel.

It also wasn't just all fun and games, on their little vacation, surprisingly Rachel had her own underhanded and go-around way of getting personal information from him, and sharing her own in heart to hearts in the Jacuzzi. A year ago if you asked him, if he and Rachel alone in a Jacuzzi would be a good idea, he would have answered in a resounding no. But just like Brooke had seen years ago, Rachel had a good side that she purposely kept hidden.

"You look hot Scott," Rachel commented as Nathan came by the pull after his usual morning jog. "Sweaty really works for you."

He smirked, "Why wouldn't it?" taking a gulp of water. "So anything exciting planned for today."

"Yeah, you can start answering your messages and tell people you're home," she stated simply, still laid back casually on the sun bed, eyes hidden behind black Aviators.

"Playing shrink again?"

"At least call Brooke, her message is worth it."

Rolling his eyes, he knew he had to call them. Haley, Lucas, and Brooke. Haley was worried he could tell by her tone, and honestly, he knew all he would feel was disappointment if he called her.

Lucas… he just didn't want to talk to. Not that he hated his brother, Lucas as much as he could be infuriating, was a great brother and friend. It was just hard to pick up the phone and call the man who had involuntarily taken Peyton away from him. That and he felt the slightest bit guilty about making love to her wife, hours before she was to walk the aisle. Regret: no. Guilt: yes. He loved Peyton, he did but looking back, it would destroy Lucas to know what happened.

That left Brooke, his sister-from-another-mother, would definitely kick his behind all kind of ways for going MIA on her, and not even saying good bye.

"So how mad was she?"

"Beyond."

He'd call her. After a shower that is.

Rachel discreetly watched him shed his shirt and disappear back in the house. Peyton was still reigning heavily on his heart, but he was definitely improving. The scout was very impressed and would be hinting to the manager soon about Nathan. He was getting better and better, working hard to get back from his injury. There were times he was frustrated, and that's where party girl Rachel stepped in to loosen him up. And when he needed a kick in the butt, she was right there to do it.

It may seem that she was trying to take Peyton place. Which was true, at least temporarily, until Nathan could do it on his own. Peyton had always been his number one cheerleader, and now with the whole wedding, she had unconsciously become the number one distraction from recovering and getting back in the game. She also wanted to reconnect with her friends again, and now that her career had crashed and burned, and parents were dead, she had nobody but her friends in Tree Hill. And now that she was back, and living with Nathan, things couldn't be better.

Diving into the cool blue water of his pool, she tried relaxing before hell broke lose with Haley finding out she was living with Nathan now.

***

As she walked toward the doctors office, she couldn't help compare it to walking to a firing squad. An unconscious hand touched her flat belly, wondering whether this was good news or bad news. Don't get her wrong, a child would always be a good thing. But this baby, would bring more hurt if it was fathered by Nathan.

As they laid in bed in utter content, Nathan's finger gently traced her belly a soft smile tugged at his lips.

"What?" she asked curious at the sweet smile on his face. When he didn't answer, she gently massaged his raven head. "Nate. What?"

He looked up at her, blue eyes shining with amusement. "Ever though how drop dead gorgeous our kids would be?"

"Where did that come from?" she asked with an uncertain laugh. Was he being for real? For the years they'd been together, of course she'd though about it. Blue eyes, straight blonde hair or Green eyes, curly dark brown hair. Butterflies always fluttered in her stomach at the thought, of carrying his child. Their child.

He smirked, "oh come on, we are hot as hell, practically sex-on-legs," which got him a playful smack on the arm. "Our kids would stop traffic."

All she could do was laugh. But after a small silence, she raised an eyebrow, "is that why you've been so frisky lately?"

"Yeah, it my goal P. to get you barefoot and pregnant," smiling devilishly, as his hand sneaked into the back of her shirt. "or maybe I just find you insanely sexy."

She bit her lip gently, in appreciation, before kissing him in utter euphoria. As much as he was brushing it off, they'd just officially had their first 'baby talk', and as crazy as it was, she loved that he had actually thought about it.

"…so Ms. Sawyer, when was your last check up?" Dr. Townsend asked once they got through the formalities and Peyton was the slightest bit comfortable.

Mrs. Scott. That was what she should have been using now, but she wasn't quite used to it yet. "About two months ago." watching the doctor jot down her answer.

"I see here on you chart, that your temperature is fine, as well as weight, I'm a bit concerned about your blood pressure though," the doctor informed her, before looking up at her once again. "When was your last menstrual cycle?"

Well that was the kicker wasn't it. "The fourteenth …two months back," of course she'd counted. "but skipping happens often, so I didn't think anything of it."

"I'm sure it nothing, but I'll run a few tests and an examination," offering the nervous blond a smile to relax her a bit. "I also have to tell you that a missed period could also mean pregnancy-"

"Actually that's why I came in today…"

"I was going to run that test anyway, so don't worry," getting the syringe and needle ready. "Once I get the test back we'll know more."

***

"Rachel?" Haley asked, shocked to find the red-head in Nathan's house, and traipsing in nothing but his sweatshirt.

This wasn't good, but then she thrived on drama, and pissing Haley off was kind of amusement to her. "Haley," was her answer as she walked around like she owned the place.

"What are you-" Haley began, not wanting to jump to conclusions that her mind was conceiving, before Nathan's call interrupted.

"-Rach. Have you seen my … Haley?" changing the course of his question once realizing that they weren't alone anymore.

"Nathan." Was Haley's cool reply, as she tried to clear the horrid images that the two in their current states brought on. Rachel in Nathan's sweatshirt and probably nothing else, red hair damp and Nathan shirtless and hair still wet. "What's going on?"

He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. It was obvious what she was thinking, which was kind of hurtful. "Not what your thinking." Rachel's chuckle at his answer, definitely didn't help the situation, and he sent her a warning glare accordingly.

"I'm thinking this is between you two, so I'm just going to head into the bedroom and get dressed while you two sort this out," grabbing the plate of fruit she'd prepared for herself and Nathan, and disappeared up the stairs.

Bedroom? "Tell me you weren't with her this whole time, while we were sick with worry," Haley said once she was sure the red-head was really gone.

"Like I said, it's not what you think," not seeing why he needed to explain himself. She jumped to conclusions, not his problem.

"Really Nathan? Then tell me what it's like 'cause so far, you going MIA for 2 weeks, and then…this…"

"You've already jumped to conclusions, Haley. I don't see what you want me to say."

"You didn't even let anyone know you were back. Nathan… what's going on with you?"

Sighing, he spoke in his most controlled tone. "Life. That's what's going on with me." Haley was about to speak again, but he cut her off. "I get that people were worried, but I'm a grown man. I went on a vacation with a friends, that's what Rachel's doing here."

"So, you decided to play buddy-buddy with the woman who practically broke up our marriage?"

"No, insecurity and mistrust broke up our marriage Hales, Rachel was just you're excuse to sign the papers," he contradicted. "Besides, our marriage was over long ago. I don't understand what your deal is."

Haley held back tears at how brashly he talked about their divorce, like it was nothing. "My deal, is our son. It's our son wondering where the heck, he's daddy has been for the last couple of weeks."

"I'll visit him later today and make things right with him. Okay?" knowing he'd screwed up when it came to his son.

"See that you do that," was all she said as she brushed past him.

And it just keeps getting better.

More soon

A/N: Hope you enjoyed it. I'm using song titles for the chapter titles. So this one is courtesy of Keane's Spiralling (Love this song). As always…

Reviews would be lovely. Constructive Criticisms is welcomed. Flames … "to each his own".