Back with another update! Thank you for all the support for this story so far I really enjoy reading your reviews/messages. Now, on with the next chapter…

Chapter 3

7.13. p.m. 'Crap.' Nathan muttered to himself as he checked his watch hurriedly sprinting down the street. He hadn't even made it home in the end, luckily he had a spare change of clothes in his office even though he was sure it made no difference at this stage.

He felt terrible, he was sure he looked it as well.

It was 19 minutes past by the time he made it to the restaurant. They were all going to be pissed.

Nathan got his name out between breaths as he made it to the reception area, the waitress was looking at him oddly.

'Sure sir, there is just one at the table at the moment, follow me.'

Had he heard her right? One. The girl led him to the table where Haley was sitting. She had a black lace v-neck top on and her usually wavy blonde hair was pulled up into a straight ponytail. She looked strikingly beautiful.

'7.21. Is that a new record for time-keeping?' Haley said sarcastically as she sipped on her mojito.

'Where are Lucas and Brooke?' Nathan said feeling his anger rise at her sitting there all smug across from him.

'I thought you were fit.' Haley said off-handily as she glanced at Nathan panting across from her.

'My building is practically the other side of the city Haley.' Nathan bit back as he sat down across from her.

'You didn't leave work at all?' Haley said a little shocked. It was like 7 hours ago when she visited him at the office.

'Where are they?' Nathan snapped again. Like he had to explain himself to her, he'd already have enough of that with Lucas tonight.

'The reservation is for 7.30.' Haley said smiling sweetly. Boy was she glad they were amongst a crowd of people right now.

'You're fucking joking me right?' Nathan said as he ran his hand through his hair.

'No, I knew you'd be late, so I told you…'

'Screw you.' Nathan bit out trying to hold himself together. 'I could have gone home and…'

'Face it you would have just stayed in the office for another…'

'Why don't you stay the fuck out of my business Haley I've…'

'Contrary to what you believe Nathan my life doesn't revolve around you, I just wanted to make sure you were here for Lucas.' Haley said interrupting him.

All you ever care about is Lucas. Nathan chided himself then. Where the hell did that thought come from. Clearly he was past the stage of sensibility, he just needed a good night's sleep. Haley's concern for Lucas never bothered him before.

Haley stared across at him, she could see he was deep in thought. 'Thank God.' Haley muttered when she noticed Brooke and Lucas coming towards their table.

'Hi.' Brooke squealed over enthusiastically. She jumped into the booth beside Nathan. 'Hey guys.' Lucas said as he joined them.

Nathan could feel his eyes on him, he hated it.

'Did you go home at all?' Lucas questioned before the waitress had even handed out their menus.

'Lucas…' Brooke started a little annoyed. They had discussed this, he wasn't going to corner Nathan first thing.

Seen as he was asking that question Nathan figured Lucas must have been out for the last few hours and not back at the apartment. 'I did yea.' Nathan lied easily. After all he had changed. He didn't even bother to look at Haley, he knew her face would just give it away.

'He didn't. He came straight from work.' Haley said without hesitance.

Nathan glared at her. So that's how it was going to be tonight.

'I knew it..' Lucas began.

'Look…let's not talk about work tonight ok, I don't want to hear it or else you can just leave.' This time Brooke looked toward Lucas pointedly.

Everyone knew when Brooke was like this she would get her way, it was easier than dealing with her wrath.

Nathan sighed. 'Sounds good to me.'

'Fine.' Lucas said. 'But we're not done Nate.'

'Didn't think when I moved up here I was getting a second mom.' Nathan said sarcastically as he started eying the menu.

'How would you know, you never really had a first one.' Lucas shot back.

'Lucas!' Brooke scolded him.

Haley glanced over Nathan's way. For a second she saw the flash of hurt cross his face but just like that it was masked. He was good at doing that.

'Can we talk for a minute?' Brooke muttered annoyedly under her breath as she practically pulled Lucas from the table.

'Happy now? Look what you started!' Nathan practically spat at Haley.

'What I started?' Haley scoffed. To think she was actually feeling a little sorry for him with the way Lucas was acting. That all faded in a minute as soon as he opened his mouth 'Please this is all on you …just tell Lucas the truth Nath..'

'You have no idea Haley so stop getting involved.' Nathan interrupted.

'Well then stop involving me Nathan, I'm not going to lie for you.' Haley raised her voice back at him. A few people in the restaurant glanced at them curiously.

'Whatever, you're being a real bitch today you know that.'

'Yea well I guess that makes us even.' Haley said as she took another sip of her mojito. It really wasn't strong enough.

He knew what she was referring to without even asking. He was aware of how he acted earlier. She'd asked for it, showing up to his office like that acting all high and mighty. Nathan knew this night was going to be anything but smooth, but this was going even more sour than he thought.

Nathan dropped his menu down to the table and stood up. 'Look as lovely as your company has been Haley this wasn't such a good idea.' He spat sarcastically.

'Don't you dare.' Haley began. 'Nathan.' Haley shouted after him, but he was already pushing the large glass door to the restaurant open and leaving. Haley scrambled to her feet to stand up just as Lucas shot past calling after him.

'Leave them to it.' Brooke said as she dropped her clutch back down on the table and sat across from Haley.

'What is going on?' Haley said. 'I've never seen them like this Brooke.'

'It's their dad.' Brooke sighed. 'He's causing all this and its exactly what Dan wants, for Lucas and Nathan to fall out. He'll have Nathan all to himself then.'

'Why would he want them to fall out? It's just..'

'Insane' Brooke added as Haley nodded. 'I know but Dan never really liked the fact that once Nathan and Lucas got closer he was pushed out.'

'So, what's going on now?' Haley questioned. This still wasn't making sense. She'd known Lucas and Nathan for two years now, she'd heard the stories about Dan mostly from Lucas, Haley was aware of what happened between them all when they were growing up. But they never really spoke about him now, at least not in front of her. All she knew was that Lucas did not have a solid relationship with his father like Nathan had or at least like she thought Nathan had. She really didn't know much at all. 'Like I've ever seen Lucas like that.' Haley said.

'He's just angry.' Brooke sighed. She didn't know if she should say it, but she needed to talk to someone about it, she'd been torn between the two brothers for the last 2 weeks with it all. 'Lucas wants Nathan to stop working for Dan.'

'What?' Haley questioned. 'That's insane, hasn't he only moved up positions in the company..'

'Yea…well it's all to do with Dan, things have just been happening lately and Lucas is not happy about it.'

'Clearly' Haley sighed. 'That was really bad Brooke. Should we?'

'How about we do ladies night? I think they need time to talk or cool off or whatever.' Brooke mused. 'I really need a cocktail.'

Haley smiled. 'I just…I know Lucas means well but maybe he should lay off Nathan.'

'Taking Nathan's side are we?' Brooke mused.

'Brooke.' Haley started

'I'm joking, of course.' Brooke said. 'I just need to lighten all this drama.'

'Right.' Haley drawled. 'What I mean to say is Nathan is old enough to realise if whatever is going on with Dan isn't right or isn't working he can do something about it, it's not Lucas' decision..,'

'Your right.' Brooke said. 'But there's just so much history there with Dan, there's more to it Haley than even I know…' Brooke shrugged.

Haley could tell then it was getting to Brooke a little ' It will pass.' Haley said as she gave her an encouraging smile. 'Girls night is just what we need.'

XXXXX

'Nathan…..Nathan!' Lucas shouted as he ran down the street after him. 'Look I'm sor..' Lucas began but the words were knocked out of him as Nathan turned and punched him square in the jaw before he had a chance to get the words out.

'What the fuck?' Lucas spat out as she recovered. He went to grab onto Nathan, but his words stopped him from throwing a hit.

'My mom man….you shouldn't have' Nathan started but sighed not even knowing what to say.

'I should hit you again.'

'I know.' Lucas sighed letting go of him and backing away. He knew he shouldn't have gone there. It wasn't fair bringing up the past like that especially in front of the two girls.

'You need to back off Luke.' Nathan said coldly. 'I told you I can handle this.'

Lucas gritted his teeth feeling his anger rising again. 'Don't you see it Nathan? He's never going to stop trying to control you and manipulate you!'

'Luke I told you these last few weeks have been different, this isn't normal work we've had two potentials contractors on board …it's a big deal!'

'Few weeks? do you hear yourself…its been months Nathan!' Lucas shouted.

'Months…weeks whatever, it doesn't matter.' Nathan raised his voice back. 'It's temporary.'

'Yea like you said in Tree Hill right, when you stayed with him…its temporary. You're still fucking there Nathan, your just in a different city.'

'Luke I can't just walk away from it all, it's my career.'

'Bullshit and you know it, you feel like you owe him something…you trained for this Nathan, you can work anywhere you want.'

'It's not that easy Luke, I have to build a name for myself…I can't do that with Dan Scott has my major competitor how will that look?'

'You know its not just about that…you're afraid to leave him, he has you exactly where he wants you.'

Nathan scoffed then. 'Fuck you Luke you've no idea.' He turned then to walk away.

'Oh, real mature Nathan. Just walk away. ' Lucas fought back.

Nathan stopped then and turned around. 'Don't be at home tonight Luke, I mean it. I don't want to see you.'

XXXXX

Haley fumbled with the coins in her purse as she flagged down a taxi hoping she had enough to cover the fare.

'6 Delancey street' she called to the driver as she sat in the back fixing herself. Haley had just finished her day shift which had run a little late. She sighed as she ran her ran through her wavy locks hoping she looked semi-presentable. The gang were all meeting at their local tonight, it was open mic night and Jake was stepping up to the mic for his first gig.

Haley was excited for some time out, it had been a busy week at the hospital and although she was on day shift Sunday she had this evening and tomorrow to completely zone out from everything work related.

'What time do you call this baby James?' Quinn mused as her sister came up to the bar beside her fixing her top.

'I'm so lucky to have my big sister looking out for me.' Haley mused as she stuck her tongue out jokingly at Quinn.

'You look lovely.' Quinn said eying her assemble. 'Wait ….is that top mine?'

'Of course, it is, that's why I look lovely.' Haley said as her usual drink landed in front of her. 'Thanks Julian.'

Quinn crossed her eyes at the emerald green kami Haley was wearing. 'I literally bought that last week.'

'I threw it into my bag this morning when I was leaving for work, I didn't know what I was bringing.'

'If that's your story baby sis, if that's your story.' Quinn winked good naturedly as the girls headed over to the table greeting everyone.

'Nice of you to bring the hot James sister with you tonight.' Nathan said into her ear. His hand was resting on her waist then. She hadn't even realised his close proximity to her until he spoke. then she smelt it. The strong waft of alcohol on his breath, very close to her face.

Haley dug her elbow into his side. 'Get off me.' She said disgustingly.

'You know for a nurse your pretty rough.' Nathan joked pretending to rub his side. She glanced at him then and noticed the bruising around his eye.

'Didn't think Lucas could throw such a mean punch.' Haley quipped assuming the bruising was from their fight the last night.

She could practically feel Nathan tense beside her then.

'So how was your week?' He questioned as he took a sip of his beer.

Deflecting. Nathan was quite good at that Haley realised. So good she often didn't even know he was doing it. But right now, when he was choosing to actually have a normal conversation with her she knew he she'd obviously hit a touchy subject with the previous question.

Luckily for him she was grateful for normal conversation, it happened very rarely between them but when it did it was a nice reprieve.

'Long.' Haley sighed as she too took a drink.

'You're nearly there aren't you?' Nathan said as he slipped off his suit jacket and left it across the chair behind Haley. He came back to stand beside her.

'Yea…I just started my final rotation this week in accident and emergency, so it's just been a little crazy.'

'I'm sure it'll be no bother to you Haley….what are you doing?' Nathan questioned then as she came up eying the liquid in his drink.

'Did someone slip you something just there? Why are you being nice?' Haley said crossing her arms jokingly.

'I can be nice.' Nathan said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

.'Right.' Haley said. 'And I had sex with Lucas.'

Nathan almost choked on his drink bottle then. 'Don't put that image in my head Haley.' He said disgusted at the mere thought of it.

'See unbelievable isn't it?' Haley joked. 'So why are you being nice?'

'Well I've kind of no one else to talk to seen as I can't sit at that table.' Nathan said pointedly.

Haley glanced over then at Lucas. 'You two still on the outs?'

Nathan nodded as he took the final gulp of his beer. 'I wasn't even going to come here only for Ja…' He paused then, and Haley glanced at him. His face hardened into a cold stare and she visibly noticed him gulp.

'For Jake right…' Haley continued looking at him oddly.

Nathan looked at her then and Haley thought she had to be mistaken when she noticed the worry lines across his face.

'What?' Nathan asked.

'You came for Jake?' Haley questioned just as another voice interrupted her.

'That's a nasty black eye you've got their son.' Haley was caught between a staring exchange between Dan and Nathan which was saying a hell of a lot more than words right now.

Nathan stepped a little more to the side blocking Haley's view of Dan. 'What are you doing here dad?' He said coldly.

'What? You decide to finish work early on Friday night I thought why don't my associates and I join you?' Dan mused. 'I mean it's not we've an important deal to close or anything anymore is it son?' He added intimidatingly as he sauntered off with his scotch in hand.

Brooke came up to them seconds later just as Nathan turned around. 'Hey Nate, look I have one of those.' She said pointing to the bar where Victoria was knocking back a shot. 'You ok?'

'I need something stronger than this.' Nathan said handing his beer bottle to her as he stormed off.

'He's such a shit stirrer coming in here.' Peyton said as she joined Haley and Brooke. 'What did he say to Nathan?'

'I don't know.' Haley shrugged as she took another sip of her drink, Nathan had completely blocked her view and it was hard to hear.

'Did Lucas see him?' Brooke asked Peyton.

'Sure did.' Peyton said with an eye-roll. 'He said he's having nothing to do with it tonight.'

'Yea Nathan said they're still on the outs.' Haley added.

'Lucas has been at my place a lot this week.' Brooke shrugged.

'It is literally like high school again. This is what it was like before Lucas and Nathan actually became friends…so hostile.' Peyton said.

'I actually couldn't imagine them not being close like I find this weird.' Haley added.

'Oh there was a time when they hated one another, I just can't believe there letting him come between them again like this.' Peyton said as she glanced back at Lucas. 'They better get their crap sorted by the time of the christening.'

'You all set Peyt?' Haley questioned.

'Yea we are, it'll be nice to get out of New York for the weekend too. You are coming girl?'

'Sure am, Nurse James is off duty that weekend.' Haley joked. 'Quinn and I will drive down.'

'There would be room for you guys to come with us if you don't want to take the car.'

'Ride with you Nathan and Lucas, I don't think so.' Haley mused.

'She has a fair point.' Peyton said.

Brooke pouted. 'Girls! I'm like stuck in the middle here.'

It was hours later, and the gang were sitting around a table in the club, Peyton and Jake had just shared their news that they would be moving home to Tree Hill to raise Jenny.

'I'm so happy for you guys, it's the perfect place to start a family.' Lucas said. 'I think we will toast to that.'

Brooke had just come back with a round of shots as Nathan sauntered up to the table.

'It's all a lie. It probably won't even work out.' He slurred as he took another swig from the bottle.

Lucas put his head in his hands. 'Nate you're drunk you..'

'Oh, you talking to me now?' He spat out. 'Shut your hole you hypocrite.'

'You caused this….you ruined everything.' He slurred again as he threw the drink bottle down smashing it off the floor.

'Woah….ok.' Brooke said as she came to grab him, but he pulled back. 'A little help here.'

'Leave him to it Brooke it's not my problem.' Lucas said.

'Screw you, you son of a bitch…no wonder he abandoned you.' Nathan slurred again as Haley came around to the other side of Brooke.

'Don't make me hit you….this time I won't miss.' Lucas said coldly.

The girls pulled Nathan away as Lucas took the shot off Peyton's tray an knocked it back.

'Seriously?' Peyton questioned agitated.

'What?' Lucas shrugged.

'Go after him.' Peyton said.

'I said I'm having nothing to do with it anymore, everyone said I was getting to involved.'

'This better be over by the christening. It's like bloody high school again.' Peyton sighed as she too took a shot from the tray.

Julian came over just as the girls had dragged Nathan to a corner seat in the bar. 'I'm just going to go back to Lucas to see …' Brooke started, and Haley nodded in understanding.

'What the hell was he drinking?' Haley said to Julian.

'Scotch, whiskey…I stopped after the second one though I don't know where he got the rest.' Julian shrugged.

Haley had an idea. It couldn't possibly be though? Had he been drinking with Dan?

'I'll ring for a taxi. I've got to get behind there…it's a little crazy tonight, I don't trust Chase to run the whole bar.' Julian joked.

'Figures.' Haley said. 'Thanks Julian.'

She sighed as she looked down at Nathan and then frowned at the look on his face.

'I'm going to be sick Haley.' He slurred as he got up off from the couch and stumbled before stopping.

'No, no, no, no ….out here….out there.' Haley said as she practically pushed him out the fire exit.

Nathan stumbled and fell to the ground thrown up the contents of the drink. Haley sighed as the cool air hit her face. She glanced down the street and noticed no taxis waiting in the rank. Please let it come soon.

She glanced down at Nathan, in all her time knowing him she'd never seen him this drunk. Ever. Nathan didn't usually get drunk, he was always so put together. There was definitely a lot more going on between him, Lucas and Dan than she ever considered.

As if the mere thought of the devil actually made him appear, Haley felt her heart pounding in her chest and she didn't know why.

It was too late to even try and pull Nathan up to his feet now. He was dry heaving as he held his head in his hands.

'Fuck.' Haley muttered.

'Well, well….what do we have here?' Dan joked as he slid his hands into his pocket suit casually. Everything about him was pristine, put together…funny enough like Nathan usually was.

'Like you don't know.' Haley seethed back. She wasn't sure where it came from, the two she'd had definitely gave her the courage but a part of her also didn't care. If this one man was causing all this between Nathan and Lucas and actually found it amusing well…he was clearly sick in the head.

'Well hello…Holly isn't it?' Dan said bitterly as he clearly eyed her up and down. 'You're not his usual type but he clearly can't even see at this stage.' Dan joked as he glanced at his son bent down on the sidewalk. He walked past him then.

'And you say I've made a mess of things, you've clearly done that all on your own as usual son.' Dan scoffed as he walked away then without a care in the world.

'Hales….what did he say to you?' Nathan said.

It was so quiet she wasn't sure if she was imagining or not. Did he just call me Hales? No one ever calls me that. Nathan never calls me that. He's really past the stage of coherency.

Haley knew she shouldn't but while he was like this it was the only time he actually might tell her. Her mind went back to Lucas' words earlier at the bar. 'Don't make me hit you…this time I won't miss.' Was it Dan that gave him the black eye?

'Was it Dan?' Haley blurted out then without another thought. 'He gave you the black eye didn't he?'

'You shouldn't be around him.' Nathan slurred as he came up to his feet and glanced at Haley distressingly.

Yea neither should you. Even drunk he was deflecting the question.'Where are your keys Nathan?' Haley said as she noticed a few taxis pulling into the rank.

'They're in my office.' Nathan said a little regretfully.

'You were seriously going to go back there after the gig.'

'I wasn't planning on staying.' He said quietly.

She didn't want to question it any further. It was his own business.

'Can I stay at yours?'

She knew he'd never ask that question in a million years if he was sober.

Nathan noticed her hesitation then. 'Please hales…I can't go back to Brooke, I'm pretty sure she's mad at me now too…I'll be gone even before your up..I'm worki..' he hiccupped then and leaned back against the wall.

'Fine..' Haley sighed. 'But you owe me Nathan, big time.' Haley said hardly as she flagged down the taxi.

'I'll do anything.' Nathan mused.

Oh, great this side to him was back. Not a chance was she dealing with this side to him for the rest of the night. 'Just shut up for the rest of the night…ok?' Haley said good naturedly as he practically stumbled into the back seat of the taxi.

This wasn't exactly how she expected her Friday night to go but at least she wouldn't be the one nursing the world's nastiest hangover in the morning.