Disclaimer: I do not one the characters or the show. They belong to Mark Schwahn and the other people in charge of One Tree Hill.

Note: I'm really glad you're enjoying this story and that you're interested in the journey that Haley is taking. I know we're used to seeing her incredibly strong and confident and this story will get there. Just be patient as she works these things through.


Haley hadn't remembered feeling so comfortable in over five years. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. This is what home felt like. Running around the house were her nieces and nephews. There was no quiet, but it was still peaceful. She could hear her sister Vivian and her brother, Eli, shouting for their children. From what she could hear, two of the kids had gotten into an argument and Vivian and Eli were trying to fix the situation. Haley sat on the top step, her knees together and her elbows resting on them, her chin on her open palm. This felt like home because it was home.

Her parents' home in Wilmington had been the last place she had felt completely at peace. She felt at home on a stage, behind her guitar or piano, but there were still nerves that accompanied before and after performances. She could never completely relax on stage even though she was in her element. She would gaze out at the faces in the crowded. They were expectant and excited. They wanted something from her that she had it in her to give. She could share herself with them and for two hours, they would listen. Some shows were better than others; some audiences were better than others. The fact was that she would walk on that stage and wouldn't know which audience she was going to get. There was still uncertainty.

At home, everyone knew who she was. They were the ones who helped form who she was. She wouldn't be the person who she was without them. The problem was that she had been back to that house in such a long time. She hadn't been around her family much in such a long time. It had been a long time and now she couldn't remember who she was.

She knew that she felt better around her family. Going to them for help might have been a better idea than going to Tree Hill. They knew her and loved her. They knew who she was from the moment her personality first began to form as a child. She could feel the love and the acceptance in the chaos that they provided. Despite growing up in a family with six brothers and sisters, she had never felt lost in the shuffle. She had never felt like she wasn't special or deserving of love. Her family had been an anchor until she decided, at the age of sixteen, to set sail on her own and embark on her career.

Her career couldn't have been a mistake. She loved music too much to think of it that way. She just wished that she hadn't let herself get lost in the process.

Deciding that she had stayed out of the fray long enough, she stood up and quietly walked down the stairs, hearing the noise get closer and closer. The closer it got, the more she smiled. She could smell her mother's cooking coming from the kitchen. The smell was familiar. It was her mother's pot roast. The meal was a family favorite. Haley walked into the kitchen and the familiar sight of the blue checked curtains and collection of rooster shaped knick knacks immediately brought her back to her childhood.

"Do you need any help?" she asked her mother, whose back was turned to her as she chopped carrots and parsley.

Lydia James turned around, her smile bright and warm. "Oh, you must be Taylor's friend. She said she was bringing someone and we just assumed it was another boy. Well, you know Taylor. Anyway, I'm Lydia. Over there working on the mashed potatoes is Taylor's sister, Quinn. She's just chopping, so don't worry. I'll be doing the actual making. Now, tell me all about yourself… I'm sorry, I didn't get your name. Where is Taylor, anyway?"

Haley took a step back. Her mother and Quinn were looking at each her with absolutely no recognition at all. They had never laid eyes on her before. Why didn't they know her? She tried to swallow, but her mouth had gone completely dry. She felt her knees begin to shake and a cold sweat break out across her forehead.

Her mother didn't know her. What was she supposed to do? Her mother was the one person who should always know. Her mother was friendly and welcoming to the person she thought was Taylor's friend. She even made jokes at Taylor's expense. As she backed away, the smile didn't leave her mother's face. Haley began to find it unsettling. She stopped, startled, when she collided with the kitchen wall. Without looking, she took a few steps to the side and continued to back out of the kitchen.

Not seeing where she was going, she ended up running into someone. The surprised shriek from the person caused Haley to jump and she immediately began to apologize.

"Why don't you watch where you're going?" Taylor looked at Haley up and down with nothing but annoyance and disgust. "Who are you anyway? Did my parents take in a stray?" Taylor snorted, took a sip of her beer, and walked away.

Haley felt her knees give out and she sank to the floor, falling and as she got closer and closer to the ground, seeming to move in slow motion, she heard her name being called.

"Haley! Haley! Haley James! Are you awake yet?"

Haley blinked the sleep from her eyes and took in her surroundings. The white metal framed double bed, the rose colored quilt and rug, the white curtains… she was in Karen's house. She was in Karen's house in Tree Hill, Maine. She arrived the day before. She had chosen to come here instead of going to her family for help. She had wanted to do this one her own. Her dream had given her some doubts, though. Maybe her family was who she should be with. She crossed her legs underneath the quilt, resting her elbow on her knee, and ran a hand through her blonde hair.

Her family hadn't known who she was. To say that she was freaked out about that would be an understatement. They always knew who she was. She had spoken to her mother less than twenty-four hours earlier. Her family may not all be in their home in Wilmington now, but they all knew who she was. They had all moved; they were all living their own lives, but they all knew who she was. She took a deep breath and heard voices coming from downstairs.

She got up from the bed, knowing that she was only in a pair of shorts and a tank top. Light was coming in from the curtains and she wondered what time it was.

She began walking downstairs, her phone clutched in her hand, trying not to make any noise. She was unsure of who was down there and wanted to be able to call 911 undetected if it was necessary.

"I'm just saying, the man is better and picking out flower arrangements than I am. He knows exactly which flowers look best together. I look at them and I feel useless. He and the florist are on a first name basis."

"Brooke, it's Tree Hill. Almost everyone is on a first name basis."

"That woman lights up when she sees him, Peyton. She's after him; I know it."

"Brooke, she's in her seventies. I don't think you have to worry. Morning, Haley!" Peyton noticed that Haley was standing in the doorway of the kitchen, looking surprised and uneasy.

Haley had been relieved when she realized that it was Brooke and Peyton downstairs, but still surprised. She hadn't been expecting visitors and she definitely hadn't been expecting them first thing in the morning. Aware that she was only in her pajamas and that her hair was a mess, she crossed her arms over her chest and hunched her shoulders. She looked as if she was trying to do everything that she could to hide.

"What time is it?" Haley asked, her voice slightly timid.

"Just after eleven," Peyton answered. She noticed Haley's eyes widen.

"I never sleep that late."

"Technically, it's just after eight in California," Brooke tried to help.

"I never sleep that late either."

"What kind of rock star are you?" Brooke asked.

Haley couldn't help the laugh that came from her. She shrugged because she honestly didn't have an answer for that.

"Sorry if we woke you," Peyton apologized. "Lucas is locked up trying to write and I don't have to be at the club. We thought you might want some time to yourself-," she was interrupted.

"We thought that, but decided to stop by anyway. You don't know where anything is in town. You're also probably hungry and there's no food in this house. So, we'll leave you alone if you want later… maybe, we like you so you might be stuck with us. Besides, no one should be alone."

"What Brooke is trying to say is that we're taking you to breakfast, we'll show you around town so you know where everything is, and then if you want some time to yourself, that's cool. We like you, Haley. We don't know you that well, but you seem really cool. She's right, though. No one should be alone. You're here by yourself most of the time and that's fine. But, you've got friends when you get lonely."

Haley could only nod. She wasn't sure what to make of this. People had tried to force their friendship on her before and it was usually to get something out of her. It was why she didn't make friends except for Alex. With Alex, she saw someone who needed a friend more than she did. She wasn't sure what Brooke and Peyton got out of being friends with her. She knew they wouldn't betray her and tell anyone where she was. Brooke was just as famous as she was, yet she lived in Tree Hill without anyone bothering her.

She thought of the chance she took the night before with going to dinner. She reminded herself that she liked getting to know these people. More than that, she liked these people. She came to Tree Hill to sort herself out, but the truth was that she didn't know where to begin doing that. She had gotten away from the noise and the suffocating nature of L.A., but what now? Before she could say anything to Brooke and Peyton, she noticed a pile of books on the kitchen table.

Peyton noticed Haley look at the books with curiosity. "Lucas sent them over. He would have brought them over himself, but he's hard at work and he wanted to make sure you had something to read. He said you'd understand why he chose these books."

Haley stepped away from the doorway of the kitchen, this time without hesitation or without thinking about it. She made a beeline for the books, picking up the well worn, clearly well read volumes.

"The Razor's Edge, Lady Chatterley's Lover, and The Jungle," she said, seeing which books he'd sent. "We talked about these the last time I was in Tree Hill," Haley explained. "He suggested that I read them."

"Have you read them?" Brooke asked.

Haley nodded. "I read them within a month after we got home. I haven't read them since, though. It'll be nice to read them again. Thank him for me," she looked at Peyton.

"Ah, that brings me to the next issue." Peyton pulled a sheet of paper from her back pocket, unfolded it, and held it in front of Haley. "Your list of phone numbers. We get that you like your privacy; that's fine. This is all of our numbers. Lucas, Brooke, me, Julian, Nathan. You can call all of us when you need it. We know you haven't met Nathan yet, but if you can't get anyone else, just give him a call. You'll meet him soon enough, anyway. There's also the number for Tric, that's the club, Brooke's store, and the garage."

"Thank you," Haley said, trying to process the information. So much was going on and she had just woken up.

"We're overloading you on information, aren't we?" It was as if Brooke was reading her mind. "Well, why don't we let you get ready and you can process everything. We'll wait here and then get breakfast."

Haley nodded and didn't feel awkward about not saying anything as she went back upstairs. She couldn't explain it, but she felt that they wouldn't mind and that they would be comfortable with that.


Nathan lifted the box, using his legs and trying to be careful, mindful of his knee. Carrying it into the main dining area, he looked around.

"Mom?" he shouted.

"Back here, honey," his mother called from the kitchen.

"Where do you want this?" He looked around at the few customers in the café and smiled at them uneasily. Occasionally, he would still get sympathetic glances from the residents of Tree Hill. They remembered his glory days. They weren't that far behind. He tried to avoid those looks when he could.

"Just set it on the counter! Away from the customers," she added.

She emerged from the kitchen and wiped her hands on a dishrag. "Right there is fine, sweetie. Are you headed into work?"

"Yeah. I have some stuff to plan before we really begin."

"Well, I'm so proud of you, Nathan. You're gonna be great at this." She leaned in and kissed his cheek. "What are your plans tonight? I was thinking we could get dinner?"

"Oh, uh…" Nathan loved his mother. She was the only parent that he had. He still found dinners with her awkward. She, like Lucas, was constantly interested in his personal life. Whether it was work or his love life, there were always questions. However, unlike Lucas, his mother didn't know when to let it go and stop asking those questions. "I've got plans to meet Lucas and the others. I'm sorry mom. I missed dinner with them last night. I told them I'd make it up to them," he lied, feeling guilty about it.

"Well, rain check, then."

Nathan winced. He could see that his mother was disappointed. "Tomorrow night?" He felt better when her expression brightened.

"Great, I'll see you tomorrow, sweetie."

"I'll let you get back to work." He looked back at her on his way out. She was minding the café while Karen was away. She seemed to be having a great time, even though it had only been a few weeks. He was glad that she and Karen were friends and that they were working together. Some people just seemed to find their way in life even after being thrown for a curveball. He was glad that his mother was one of those people.

As he left the café and walked to his car, he saw Peyton in her Comet, the top down. He noticed two other people in the car with her. He was sure one was Brooke, but he couldn't think of who the third person could be. Shrugging, he made his way and didn't give it another thought. He pulled his phone from his pocket and hit a familiar number.

"Luke, I told my mom I was having dinner with you tonight. So, I'll be over for dinner. Just let me know what time."


Haley sat in the backseat of Peyton's convertible. She noticed the decal on the side of the car when she got in. It was a Comet. She smiled a little knowing that the title of Lucas's book had come from this car that he must have so closely associated with Peyton. She tried paying attention as Brooke and Peyton pointed out various places in Tree Hill.

"If you go toward the mountain more, there are some nice houses. They're pretty secluded from everything else," Brooke explained. "If you turn down this street, you get some pretty great shops with some really great stuff. You can find clothes and you can find some knick knacks."

"There's a book store down there, too," Peyton added. "I don't know if the Brooke Davis tour includes that."

"I read!" Brooke defended herself.

"Anyway, it's a nice used bookstore. Lucas usually comes home with really obscure stuff, but he ends up getting something out of it. It's pretty cozy, too. Anyway, we'll get some food before we go around town anymore."

Peyton and Brooke led the way and Haley was conscious of those around her, her eyes darting back and forth and trying to remain inconspicuous about it. Half of her brain was telling her to be careful of who might recognize her and the other half was telling her that she was ridiculous. Who was she to garner such attention? In L.A., she couldn't go out without being photographed, but that was there. This was Tree Hill, Maine and Haley, on some rational level, understood that they didn't care who she was or that she was famous.

She certainly wasn't in L.A. anymore and she was hoping that the longer she was away from there the less paranoid and ridiculous she would feel. The fact that she was somewhere else entirely was readily apparent when she followed Brooke and Peyton into the café that they had mentioned all morning. The name Karen's Café was on the windows and the awnings in front. She took in her surroundings. The walls were worn wood, painted yellow and an assortment of mismatched curtains covered the windows. Each table had a small pile of books on it and lamps in various sizes and colors illuminated the dining area. There was a counter situated toward the back with maroon patent leather chairs and a small gathering of customers enjoying coffee and pastries.

Haley continued to follow Brooke and Peyton as they slid into a corner booth. Peyton picked up a menu and handed it to Haley. Haley noticed that Brooke and Peyton weren't looking at menus.

"We know the menu by heart," Peyton explained. "Since Karen owns it, we come here a lot."

"Also, the food is really good. They make a killer omelet," Brooke offered.

Haley scanned the menu. As she looked at it, she realized that it had been awhile since she'd had the chance to look at a menu herself and choose what she wanted. When she had lunch with Miranda two days earlier, Miranda had done the ordering. She attended so many catered functions that she just ate whatever was being served. Looking at the menu in front of her, with its various options, she found herself a little overwhelmed and looking for something familiar.

"Well, what brings you ladies by this morning?" Haley's search of the menu was halted when a blonde woman in her early forties approached them. She was smiling and she looked friendly. Haley offered a small smile.

"We thought we'd bring Haley by for breakfast. She's still on California time," Peyton told the woman. "We're also showing her around town. I don't know if Karen told you, but Haley's staying in her house for a while."

"Karen emailed and mentioned that someone would be staying there. Haley, it's nice to meet you. I'm Deb. Karen's my friend and business partner. Well, what can I get you ladies? Coffee?"

"Sure. Thanks, Deb," Brooke answered. "I'll take the spinach omelet."

"I'll have the ham and pepper," Peyton put in her order.

"And what can I get for you, Haley?"

Haley stuttered for a moment, unsure of what she wanted. "I'll have the spinach omelet, too," she finally said.

"I'll get those right out to you girls."

Haley sat quietly, fiddling with the silverware on the table and looking around the café. "It's nice here," she said. She meant it, too. She really liked the atmosphere in the café and Deb had been very friendly. She could see herself sitting here and reading once she got more comfortable around Tree Hill. She used to like going places to sit and read. She used to be able to do that. During high school, she had gone to a little park a couple of miles from her house. She would sit under her favorite tree and read for hours, sometimes forgetting the time completely. The café wasn't a park, but it looked comfortable. She eyed a plush, green sofa in the far corner of the café, near the window. That looked like it would be a nice place. She would have to remember it when she got more comfortable here.

They made small conversation while they waited for their food. Peyton and Brooke told her all about the town and would throw in a variety of anecdotes about growing up in Tree Hill. When their food arrived, the conversation slowed down as they ate. The omelet was definitely good.

"You don't talk about yourself a lot," Peyton said between forkfuls of her food.

"I, uh…," Haley tried to think of a way to answer. She had never been that comfortable talking about herself. She figured it had to do with being the youngest of seven. While she had never felt out of place or forgotten or less special than her siblings, things were so busy around their house that no one really had time to talk about themselves. Well, except for Taylor.

"I get it," Brooke said before Haley could speak. "I mean, you probably had it worse than I did out there. You're a singer and I'm just a designer. I can sit in my offices and create and sketch and sew and it's the clothes that are the star. But you, you're out there on stage performing. They want every piece of you, don't they? They want to know what you ate for breakfast and it gets to the point where you're careful of what you order because you know they're watching. They want to know what movie you saw and they want to know each and every fight you might have with your boyfriend and why you fought and if it means you're breaking up. They want to know when your next project is coming out just after you've released the latest and as they're trying to get their hands on it, they're criticizing what you just did.

"I don't know why you came to Tree Hill. I only know what you're going through on a… well, I guess a shallow level. I've read some of the stories and I saw the pictures of Chris and Alex. I've dressed her too, by the way. Back when she was coked up. I know you're going through a breakup and I know that the press likes to see people fail more than they like to see them succeed. They're a nightmare and I'm sure they weren't making it easier on you. If you came here just to get away, I think that's great. I think that Tree Hill is a great place for that. It's not even really getting away, I don't think. I came back here because I wanted my life back. My life. This is a good place to live your own life without vultures scrutinizing every decision you make.

"If you don't want to talk to us, that's fine. Haley, you need to do what you need to do. I get that. I can be a little pushy sometimes and if I feel like I'm onto something, I don't let go. I know it can get a little irritating. But, I'm not gonna push you. So, if you need to talk, we're here. If you don't walk to talk, that's fine. But, whether you meant to make friends here or not, you did. So, you do have two friends here."

"Who will listen if you want to talk or not listen if you don't want to talk," Peyton added. "How's your omelet?"

Haley stared at them both. She hadn't expected Brooke to say everything that she said. It made sense that Brooke understood, though. Haley knew just how famous Brooke Davis was and how much publicity she got. By asking a simple, trivial question about food, Peyton had given her an out so that she wouldn't have to have this conversation. Haley was grateful for that and the more time she spent with Peyton and Brooke, the better she felt around them. They were nice, good people. Haley didn't have enough of those in her life at the moment.

"The omelet is good," Haley answered with a grateful smile. She smiled in Brooke's direction a bit longer, wanting to let her know without words how thankful she was.

"So," Deb began as she stood at their table, a pot of coffee in her hand, pouring refills, "Nathan tells me you all are having dinner tonight. It's nice that you all were able to reconnect after a few years. It's great that you have that friendship."

Peyton and Brooke shared a look. Haley thought nothing of it. She wasn't aware of the plans they had. They didn't get a chance to answer when Deb excused herself after a customer got her attention.

"I know what he's doing. He's trying to get out of dinner with his mom," Brooke whispered. "He's not using us like that."

"Hold on," Peyton lifted a finger and, using her other hand, picked up her phone after noticing it buzzing. She read the text and shrugged. "Apparently, we are. Lucas just texted and told us that Nathan would be joining us for dinner. How about it, B. Davis? You in?"

"I'll talk to Julian."

"Haley?"

"Oh, I don't want to impose."

"You're not imposing," Peyton insisted. "Listen, we'll drive you by the grocery store and you can pick stuff up so you can cook or whatever. But, tonight, we'd love to have you for dinner if you're interested."

Haley looked at Brooke. Brooke looked hopeful and even though she hadn't committed to dinner yet, Haley had a feeling that she would be. Haley would like to spend more time with Brooke and Peyton and she would also like to thank Lucas for the books. Having read them already, she was interested in discussing them with him.

"Okay," she answered. "I'll come to dinner. You've got to at least let me help tonight."

"Deal," Peyton said.


Nathan and Lucas sat on the sofa, each with an xBox controller in their hands and a fierce look of determination on their faces. They were both also at the edge of the sofa. Nathan had his elbows comfortably on his knees while Lucas had his arms up in the air, frantically hitting the buttons.

"Give it up, bro. I'm better at this than you."

"You're too damn arrogant for your own good."

"Weren't you supposed to do something for Peyton for dinner tonight? You know, she's getting better with cooking," Nathan said, lowering his voice in case Peyton came back in.

"I know. She got some lessons from my mom. It was fine before. I mean, I cook too so it's not like we were starving."

"You cook because you're a girl."

"Shut up."

"That the best you got?"

"Hey, listen, be on your best behavior tonight, will you?"

"What's that supposed to mean? Besides, Peyton knows who I am."

"It's not just Peyton. Julian and Brooke are coming. And Haley."

"Who's Haley?"

"I told you, she's staying at my mom's house. Her mom and my mom were friends. Anyway, we had dinner with her last night too. She's great. She's really smart, too. So, just be nice."

"I'm always nice." A few seconds later, Nathan asked, "Is she hot?"

"See, this is what I mean, Nathan! You hit on, well, you hit on a lot of women. Don't do that with Haley."

"She's probably not hot."

Though Lucas didn't approve of the fact that his brother was with a new woman every night, he still loved his brother. Nathan was Nathan and he did actually have a good heart. Lucas was certain that he would someday find the right person who would make him actually act like the good man that he really was.

He didn't know what was going on with Haley, but from what he saw the day before, he knew that she didn't need Nathan's current behavior. He knew that Nathan could rein it in and be a good guy. He just needed to remember to.

"How's the knee after lifting boxes with your mom?"

"It's good," Nathan replied, not wanting to talk about it.

They were playing their game and trading playful insults at each other when the front door opened. They heard voices coming in. Peyton and Brooke were busy chattering away and Lucas looked to the doorway and saw Haley with them.

"Pause the game," he told Nathan. Lucas stood up and took the grocery bags from Peyton and carried them into the kitchen. Before he turned into the other room, he looked back at Nathan and saw him trying to subtly press buttons on the controller. "I said pause it, loser. Take some of the bags from Brooke and Peyton and help. You're the reason we're all having dinner together again anyway."

Reluctantly, Nathan stood up, setting the game on pause as he heard Brooke and Peyton laughing at him. He took a bag from Brooke, lifting it easily in one hand, before turning to the other woman with them. Though he'd been curious a few moments earlier about this Haley, that curiosity had faded as he and Lucas played their game.

He stopped where he was when he saw her, vaguely aware in some part of his mind just how clichéd and ridiculous it was that he stopped in his tracks when he saw her.

"Nathan, grab that bag and let's get into the kitchen," Lucas said. Lucas's voice broke the spell and Nathan smirked at the girl in front of him.

"So, you're Haley. Good to meet you. I'm Nathan." He took the bag from her and winked, turning around. She was definitely hot. There was something about her big brown eyes and the shy way that she smiled at him.

"So, that's Haley," Nathan said quietly once he and Lucas were in the kitchen.

"Don't," Lucas said just before Brooke, Peyton, and Haley walked into the kitchen. "So, Haley, how was your tour of Tree Hill?"

"Oh, it was great," she said. "They showed me everything, I think. They also gave me the keys to your mom's SUV. Thanks. And thank you for the books!"

"You're welcome. I'm guessing you got the chance to read them."

"I did. We'll have to talk about them. They showed me that book store you go to."

Nathan listened to his brother talk to Haley and watched as they interacted. She hadn't given him a second glance. She hadn't even spoken to him. Women didn't do that with Nathan. Women loved Nathan and he never had a problem getting them to pay attention to him. What was going on? Something had to be wrong with her. He knew what Lucas wanted, but this had him confused. She ignored him.


Note: The next chapter picks up their first meeting. Thank you for reading and reviewing! I'm loving the response so far.

I also have a little request from my fellow authors. The show is over, so let's write. Let's keep Naley going. I've noticed that there's been a slow down in fan fiction. The entire world of it has slowed down. Let's just keep writing and keep Naley alive. Let's write the things we wished would have happened on the show or things we think it would be great to read about Naley doing. Let's just write and keep them going. :) Thanks!