A/N: (Title is, Someday – Bryan Greenberg)Not much to say about this chapter, just that I hope that you all enjoy it and that I'm truly sorry that I haven't updated until now. It's not quite party time... but this might suffice to quench your thirst for some Naley interaction.

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Someday

Peyton was rushing around the house, trying to get everything as clean as possible. She wanted the entire house spotless before she started cooking. It was the day before the Scott Christmas party and so many things had to be in order. She had scrubbed every surface in the house until her hands were raw. The last room she had left was the kitchen. As she was putting up all her cooking utensils, she realized that just throwing them all in the drawer was not working out. She attempted to close the drawer and a spatula got stuck. "Dammit!" she yelled.

Lucas rounded the corner quickly, fearing that she had hurt herself. "You okay, babe?"

"Yeah," she said, exasperated, "I'm fine. I just can't... seem... to get this..." she said as she fought with the spatula. "Ughh!" Slamming the drawer, the head of the spatula broke off and flew into the floor.

Lucas stifled a laugh as he leaned against the door facing. "Ya know, you might have needed that to cook today. Think maybe you should phone a friend here?"

Peyton whirled around and gave Lucas a look that could kill, if that sort of thing were possible. Without a word, she picked up her phone and dialed the first person she could think would help her. And who might aide her in burying Lucas' body when she killed him.

"Hello?"

"Haley! I need your awesome powers of organization! Plus, I might need your help cooking."

Lucas laughed out loud this time. He quickly ducked as Peyton threw the closest thing to her, the spatula handle.

"Seriously? I'm pretty sure the only time that I have 'amazing powers of organization' is when I'm really mad or upset about something. I'm pretty happy that I'm home again and spending Christmas with my family and my very best friends. And it doesn't hurt the happy that I get to see Nathan again tomorrow."

Peyton thought a moment. "Well, here's the good news then... you still get to spend Christmas with your family and your very best friends...?"

Haley was dead silent. No frickin way. "You mean...?"

"Yeah... He has to fly back to Dallas... tonight."

Haley tried to catch her breath. She bit her lip to keep the tears from falling. Crying? What was she thinking? She didn't even know this man. She had only met him on the plane and even there he was sleeping. She didn't know the first thing about him. But on the other hand, she knew that she wanted to. She wanted more than anything to get to know the stranger who helped her to her seat next to his. Well this is depressing. "I'll be right over."

Peyton closed her phone. She felt terrible, but she didn't know any other way to get Haley there. She would tell her as soon as that one drawer was organized. She couldn't lose another spatula when she had so much cooking to do.

"You just lied to her. And judging by the silence, she believed it and she's upset."

Peyton's pained expression told him everything he needed to know.

"Tell her before she cries, please."

Peyton nodded. "I will. Who needs spatulas anyway?"

Lucas shook his head and walked to Peyton, holding his arms out to embrace her. As he reached her, he wrapped his arms around her waist. She buried her head in his chest and listened as he said, "You'll fix it. It's okay, baby." He rubbed a hand up and down her arm. "Mind if I call Nathan?"

Peyton looked up at him, eyes wide with excitement. "Are you asking him over?"

Lucas cocked his head to the side. "I'll think about it."

The doorbell rang.

"You might wanna get that," he said with a sly smile. "you kind of have some making up to do."

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Sitting in his parents kitchen, Nathan stared off into space. Deb, his mother, was racing around the kitchen trying to make sure she had everything she needed to get started cooking that evening. She never thought she was much of a cook. She really specialized in all things take-out. But since Karen, Keith and Lily weren't coming back into town, lucky them getting a vacation to somewhere warm shortly before Christmas, until tonight, Deb had volunteered to make a few things Karen would normally handle. Now Deb was worried she had taken on too much. And Nathan was no help to her at all. She waved a hand in front of his face. "Yoo hoo... anybody home?"

Nathan was busy kicking himself in the ass for falling asleep on the plane. He was dreaming about all the things he and Haley could have talked about if not for the fact that he had practiced the previous day until his legs felt they were going to fall off his body. Well, between practice and serious jet lag. He had missed the opportunity of a lifetime. Thanks to his brother, he got a second chance at seeing this girl he had already begun to fall for. Thank God for Lucas. Thank God for HCM. Thank God for the Ravens needing a coach. The mere thought of being able to see Haley's gorgeous brown eyes again sent shivers up Nathan's spine. Wait a sec... Maybe it was the ice that Deb had just shoved down the back of his shirt.

"MOM!" Nathan yelped.

Deb laughed. "I'm sorry, Nate. I couldn't get your attention. What were you thinking about?"

Nathan squirmed as he finally got the ice out from under his shirt. Pulling at his shirt in attempts to air dry it, he said, "Scott Christmas party. There's this girl..."

"Ahh... A girl. Back in Dallas? Is she flying in? Do I need to make sure she's got a clean bed to sleep in or is she sleeping with you?" Deb rambled.

"Mom, mom. Chill. She's from here. I met her on the last flight home. No, she's not sleeping with me. I barely know her." He hung his head, "My own dumbass fault," he mumbled.

"Oh. Hmm. Well then. Is she at least your age?"

"Yes mom. She went to college with Lucas. She's actually a teacher at the high school."

"For someone you barely know, you seem rather distracted by her. I take it she's pretty."

"Pretty?" Nathan scoffed. "She's beautiful. Gorgeous. Amazing..." he trailed off, once again settling into his daydreaming.

"Nathan!"

"Yeah, sorry. Anyway, Lucas and Peyton are inviting her to the Christmas party tomorrow night and I'm kind of afraid I'm going to screw up somehow. I mean, I really like this girl, mom. I really want her to like me. I don't want her to see the NBA star, Nathan Scott. I want her to see the real me, you know? Maybe. I don't know, maybe she'd like the NBA star better."

"Oh Nate. If she's right for you, she'll like you just for who you are. But you have to think about the fact that after Christmas is over, you're going back to Dallas. Do you really want to put yourself or this girl through all that?"

Nathan pondered a moment. It really wasn't fair to either of them to get something started while she was here and he would be in Dallas. He hadn't thought about that. Leave it to Deb to be such a... mom. Well, this is depressing. Before Nathan could respond to his mother, his phone rang. He saw it was Lucas and picked it up from the counter.

"Hey man, what's goin on?"

"Hey. Not much, just relaxing a bit while Peyton freaks out about tomorrow night.," he said with a chuckle.

"Yeah, Mom's doing the same thing." Nathan ducked, waiting for something to come flying at his head. But thankfully it didn't.

"It's just a family party. It's really not this big of a deal."

"Tell them that. Hah, actually, that probably wouldn't be the best idea."

"Tell me about it. I got half a spatula thrown at me earlier just because I laughed."

"Damn. Okay then, I'd say it's best to just keep to ourselves and stay to ourselves."

"Yeah well, I was kind of hoping for some reinforcements. Plus, I think Peyton's about to have me decorate. And I definitely don't want to do that alone. Mom, Dad and Lily are getting in sometime tonight too and I figured you might want to see them."

"Yes! I would love to!" he blurted out. Turning away from Deb and whispering he added, "Anything to keep me from having to cook."

"I don't think anyone would want to eat it if you cooked it."

"Hey now. I've become a master of George Foreman grilled chicken and ramen noodles since moving to Dallas."

Lucas laughed. "Okay okay. Anyway, I'll see you in 5 then?"

"Yeah, man. I'll be right over."

Nathan stood up from the bar stool and walked around the counter. He hugged his mom and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"You're leaving me, aren't you?" Deb asked.

Nathan pressed his lips together. "...Yeah... Sorry, Mom. Lucas needs some help decorating."

"Well, I guess I can accept that," she sighed. "Send Lucas my love."

Nathan began to walk out the door and had to suddenly stop when Deb said, "And tell Peyton that if she needs help to call me. Your father's working late at the dealership but we both want to see Keith and Karen when they get here. Call me when they do."

"Alright mom. Bye."

He was already out the door when she slightly under her breath said, "I love you, son." She had gone back to checking her cabinets for ingredients when Nathan poked his head back in the door.

"I love you too, Mom."

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"Peyton! You BITCH!" Haley screamed.

Peyton ran to the living room and hid behind the couch. She looked at Haley's tear streaked face that was now angrier than she'd ever seen. "I'm sorry!" she managed to get out. "I just needed you and I didn't know how to get you in the mood to organize and I'm just sorry!" She held her hands up in surrender.

Haley shook her head. "I cannot believe that you did this! Peyton, you lied to me."

"I know, I know.. and I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you so upset! I didn't figure that you'd honestly believe me and I definitely didn't think you'd be this upset about it! Haley... I'm so sorry..." Peyton tried to hug the frantic and angry girl that was standing in front of her with her arms up, ready to shove Peyton on her ass.

Lucas walked into the living room knowing that Peyton had to have told Haley. He did, however, want to make sure that his best friend wasn't trying to murder his wife. "Catfight without me? Not fair, you two."

Peyton jumped over the back of the couch and hid behind Lucas. "Haley, I'm really sorry!"

Haley let out a long breath as she dropped her arms to her sides. "It's okay. Just don't do it again. Hi Lucas." She walked over to give him a hug. Peyton jumped back. "I'm not going to hurt you, Peyton. I promise."

Peyton relaxed her stance and sighed. "I really am sorry."

As Haley let go of Lucas, she nodded to Peyton. "Anyway, so the drawers need to be organized and you need help differentiating salt from sugar."

Lucas and Peyton both laughed. Haley smiled. "What can I say?" Peyton said, "I'm just not the greatest at this. Luke, why did your parents have to wait til tonight to come back again?"

"They're coming home tonight?" Haley asked.

Lucas smiled. "Yeah. They should get to the airport in a few hours. They'll all be tan for Christmas."

"Awh! I get to see them tonight!"

"Lily does love you, that's for sure. She's always talking about Aunt Haley."

"I can't wait until I have her in my class. Oh wow. I'll be so old by then." Haley stared off into space.

Peyton hugged her. "I love you, Hales."

Haley hugged back and smiled. "I love you." She half assed slapped her shoulder and said, "Don't ever do that to me again!"

"I know! I'm sorry."

She laughed. "Let me borrow some makeup so I can fix this hideous face of mine."

Peyton linked arms with Haley and they bounced down the hallway to the back bathroom. Lucas just shook his head and laughed. He was glad Haley had made it home safely. He and Peyton missed her any time that she was gone. But he was also glad that Nathan had come home too. He was really beginning to miss his brother. Talking on the phone a couple times a week just wasn't cutting it. Maybe if he could get Nate and Hales hooked up... He could move back home and I'd have my best friend AND my brother...

Lucas had wandered outside and was walking down the driveway to get the mail when Nathan pulled up. His window was rolled down and he flung an arm out to wave at Lucas. As he pulled up the driveway he saw a strange car that didn't belong to his brother or sister-in-law. He wondered who if Keith and Karen has gotten a new car and they were already home. Hmm... Guess I better call Mom..

He pulled his phone from his pocket when Lucas jogged up to his window. "Hey man, ready to get to decorating? Peyton has like five boxes of shit we're supposed to put out."

"Yeah, just let me call Mom and let her know your parents are here already."

Lucas grabbed his phone. "That's not my parents," he said with a smile.

Nathan was confused and it showed on his face. "Who the hell is it then?"

"You don't have to sound mad about it. You'll like the surprise."

He got out of his car and Lucas saw he was in sweat pants and a t-shirt. "Maybe I should have told you to change." Lucas joked.

Nathan started to wonder who the mystery person could be. "It couldn't really be... Is it?"

"Come inside. Peyton should be back in the kitchen by now."

They walked inside through the side door and into the kitchen. Peyton was searching through the refrigerator for something and Haley had taken the drawer completely out and laid all its contents out on the table. Neither of them realized that Lucas and Nathan had walked in the door. Haley, like Nathan, had no idea anyone else was coming over. As it was, Peyton had royally screwed with her head already and she was still a bit frazzled. Nathan took in a deep breath as he took in the beauty he saw before his eyes. She had her hair up in a high ponytail. She was gorgeous in her yoga pants and long sleeve t-shirt. He had never seen a woman look more comfortable yet beautiful in his life. And determined. She was staring at all the kitchen utensils as if each one had a specific place and she HAD to find it; as though they were all pieces to a puzzle that fit perfectly. Peyton rose from the fridge and turned around, seeing Lucas and Nathan standing at the door. Nathan wasn't moving and Lucas pushed past him to reach for his wife.

"Look who came to help me decorate, Peyt!"

Haley looked up from her puzzle and her eyes grew wide. Oh my GOD! "Nathan!"

Nathan had to catch his breath. "Hi." Hi? You see the most beautiful woman for the second time and all you can say is "Hi?" Really... You're losing your touch, Nathan.. Come on now... "I mean, hey Haley. How are you?"

Haley's jaw dropped. Wow, was he... gorgeous. Handsome, beautiful. Even in sweatpants. Especially in sweatpants. She could see... everything... Wow. He had spoken to her, right? Yeah. "I'm... good. Trying to get Peyton organized. She kinda... broke..." She held up the broken handle of the spatula. "...this. It was once a spatula."

"Now it's a weapon from what I hear," he joked, shooting Peyton a goofy look.

"Ha ha ha. He shouldn't have been laughing at me!" Peyton said.

Lucas rolled his eyes. "I'm sorry! But trying to butter up Haley so she'd organize your spoon drawer was funny."

Haley laughed. "Obviously it worked. Here I am!"

Nathan sighed. "Here you are..."

Haley blushed. Nathan covered his mouth. He definitely didn't mean to say that out loud.

Nathan cleared his throat. "Anyway, so Luke, where are those boxes, man? Let's get to decorating."

Peyton laughed. "I still can't believe I'm letting you two decorate the house for the all-important Scott family Christmas party."

"Hey! We're going to do a great job! Everything will look FABULOUS!" Lucas said, changing his voice to sound more effeminate there toward the end.

They all laughed at this. Lucas walked into the living room expecting Nathan to be right behind him. But when he looked over his shoulder and opened his mouth to say something to him, he wasn't there. He turned all the way around to find Nathan trying to help Haley put her spoon puzzle together.

"See, the slotted ones have to go together and the full ones together. Then the one spatula that Peyton has left." Haley explained.

Nathan smirked. "You're pretty good at this."

"It's just a drawer. Peyton thinks she can't do it herself but she really could."

"I get frustrated," she interjected.

Nathan laughed. "I would too. Look at who your husband is."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Lucas asked.

Nathan finally pulled his eyes from Haley. "Heh, nothing, big brother. You ready?"

"I thought... Just a minute ago... Yeah, Nate. Come on." He grabbed Nathan by the arm and pulled him into the living room.

"We'll just be in here if you need us," he told Haley.

Haley smiled. As soon as he was out of earshot she ran to Peyton and loudly whispered, "You didn't tell me he was coming!"

"I had no idea! I swear! Lucas must have called him after I told him what I had done. At least you fixed your makeup first."

Haley looked down at what she was wearing. "Dude! Do you see what I'm wearing? What the hell is this? If I had known he was coming I would have at least worn jeans!"

Peyton looked her up and down before she said, "I'm pretty sure you're not gonna hear him complain. Your ass looks great."

"Okay, no lesbo love now."

"Oh but Haley!" Peyton bit her lip suggestively.

"Peyton!" she yelled.

The shout caused Nathan to run to the kitchen, Lucas not far behind him to drag Nathan back to decorating. "Everything okay in here girls?" he said, checking out Haley's ass. Great view from back here. Damn.

Haley looked over her shoulder and caught Nathan staring at her ass. She turned back to Peyton and both the girls cackled. "Get your asses back to decorating! Leave the kitchen to the womenfolk!" Peyton ordered.

This was bound to be a fun night!

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A/N: So, I'm thinking about doing another chapter before the party.. some more time for Nathan and Haley to get to know each other without the pressure plus Keith, Karen and Lily's return to Tree Hill. If ya like the idea of another chapter pre-party, then let me know.. if not, let me know.. either way, just don't forget to review! =) Thanks to all my amazing readers and reviewers!