A/N: Hey guys…I still love all of you. The replies I'm getting for this are freaking awesome. You guys rock. Keep the great reviews coming and I'll update! This chapter's for 23naley03…thanks for your help and welcome to the club. The cement awaits.

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"Okay. So I'm supposed to take attendance, but why don't you guys just tell me your names? It'll make things easier."

Daniel looked at Natalie with a worried look. She shook her head as if to tell him not to worry.

"Domenic Grey."

Haley looked at the list of names and her eyes traveled to the G's. She grinned and moved on.

"Melissa Green."

"Daniel Crimson."

Natalie looked at Haley. She took a deep breath. Then Haley looked at Natalie and smiled. Natalie suddenly felt nervous. She gained back her confidence and spoke.

"I'm at the bottom…………under Scott, Natalie Scott."

Haley stood there shocked. This was the one who was at Lucas' door last night. Natalie's breathing began to become deeper and deeper. She never tore her gaze from Haley. Haley just continued to stare at Natalie. It can't be. The other students noticed the tension between the two, completely unaware of the fact that they were mother and daughter. Natalie grabbed her book and tossed it into her bag. Haley's gaze was still on her daughter. Haley couldn't help it. Daniel grabbed Natalie's hand to comfort her. She looked at him and sighed. She grabbed her bag.

"I guess that's my cue."

She stood, slung her bag over her shoulders and walked towards the door. Before she exited the classroom, she smirked and laughed a laugh that barely audible. She looked at Haley where she stood still dumbfounded.

"Don't look so surprised."

With that, Natalie left the classroom. Once she got to her locker, she pressed her back and slid to the floor, the tears were already falling.

Daniel sat at his desk where moments before his best friend had left the room, hurt. He noticed his teacher had tears threatening to form from her eyes. She had dismissed everyone with the permission of the principle. Haley couldn't handle the events that had taken place within that last 24 hours and now seeing that Natalie was the babysitter from the previous night she had to mentally punish herself. How could I have not known? Aren't mothers supposed to know who their kids are? She looked so different. She towers over me by 5 or 6 inches. She's no longer scrawny. There had to have been something. A throat being cleared interrupted Haley's thoughts.

"Mrs. Scott?"

Haley looked up at the young man standing in front of her. He looked at her through his glasses.

"You're Daniel right?"

"Yeah. Um…are you okay? I mean it must kill you to see Nat."

"You know her?"

"Yeah. I'm her best friend, well one of them."

"Oh. Uh, yeah. You should go to her and don't worry about me, I expected this."

Daniel went to leave, but at the last minute turned to address Haley.

"Just thought you should know, anyone who's angry with you or hurting it's because they care."

Daniel left Haley sitting at the desk. Haley sat there a little longer and contemplated her thoughts. I should have known it was her. How did I not see it? This cannot be happening to me. Please just let this be a dream, tell me I'm asleep and I'm not here. This cannot be my life.

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Natalie sat in front of her locker, tears silently rolling down her face. She sniffed and wiped the tears from her eyes. Her cheeks were damp and her eyes were red from the salty water that fell from her eyes.

"I was right, you definitely need me."

Natalie looked up and saw her other best friend hovering above her. She laughed and shook her head. Natalie looked at the floor as the other sat beside her. She noticed the tears in her best friend's eyes and the few that had already escaped from them.

"Oh best friend c'mere."

Natalie's friend enveloped her into a much-needed hug.

"You're always here for me. I thought you weren't going to come the school today?"

"Something told me you needed me. It's like I have a sixth sense or something."

"You're the best Molly."

"I know. Don't tell too many people or they might try to take me away from you."

"Very funny."

The two were interrupted by Daniel walking over to the pair of them and made his presence known. He slumped to his butt on the other side of Natalie. He put his arm around her and she sunk into his embrace.

"You okay Nat?"

"Yeah. I'm okay. Thanks guys. This hasn't been the easiest 24 hours. You two are awesome."

"Just returning the love best friend. So you going to be at Tric tonight? Heard your hottie brother's in town."

"Just ask him out already, loser."

"I can't just ask him out, he's hot. Gotta make him come to me."

"Molly, you are something else."

"Thanks Daniel. Most people are something, I'm something else." She gave a smile and giggled.

"Okay you two, I'm gonna go to the gym."

"What about 2nd quarter? Molly and I can walk you."

"I've got free period."

"Oh, right. Okay, Molly you staying or leaving?"

"I'm going. New stuff hit the shelves at the mall today, gonna do some damage. See you two. Nats? Don't worry, wounds take time to heal and good luck on the test."

"Thanks. You're the best."

Daniel and Natalie watched the third Musketeer walk to her car. She pulled out of the parking lot and waved and winked to the two of them. Her car took off in the distance and Daniel turned to Natalie.

"You sure you'll be okay?"

"Yeah."

"So, can I walk you to the gym? I don't want you to be alone."

"Sure Danny."

He gave her a smile and grabbed her hand. She was thankful for meeting Daniel. He always knew the right thing to say and was a really expressive person. The two of them walked in comfortable silence. When they arrived at the gym, Daniel gave Natalie a big hug and kissed her temple.

"Bye bud."

"Bye Nat. You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah."

Natalie opened the door and entered the gym. Daniel watched her making sure that she was okay and then headed for his next class. Natalie walked into the gym and looked around. No one was anywhere to be seen. She put her bag on the bleachers and noticed the rack of balls placed by the door opposite to her. She ran over to them grabbed a ball and began to bounce it. She made her way to the free throw line and released the ball from her grasp. It went in and her therapy began.

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Lucas sat at his desk still trying to create plays that would bring him to the state finals and win it. He was interrupted by a knock at his door. He looked up to find a tear-stained Haley staring at him.

"What's wrong Hales? Shouldn't you be teaching right now?"

"Turner let me excuse them, no one was in the class, and of the few that were, one of them ended up being my daughter."

"You saw Natalie huh?"

"Yeah. God, Luke, why couldn't I recognize her?"

"She's changed a lot Hales. Peyton hardly recognized her."

"But still. She's my daughter; I should be able to know who she is. I can't even do that. I already feel horrible for not being here for them, now you add me not recognizing my own daughter…this is perfect you know? Real solid. I'll have the side order of guilt with the worst mother of the year."

"Hey Hales. C'mon you can't beat yourself up about this. It's okay."

"No, it's not okay Lucas. Wonder what she thinks of me now."

Haley's tears started forming in her eye again. The bell signaling the end of the first quarter went off. Lucas looked at the clock. He looked back at Haley. He knew what the end of second quarter meant. She stood up and walked over to Haley and hugged her tiny figure.

"It's okay buddy. Just hang in there. You'll make it. And in the end you'll have your family back. I honestly believe it."

"Thanks Lucas."

Haley wiped the tears from her eyes and sniffed. She stood up and hugged Lucas again. Lucas looked back at the clock. He remembered something.

"I wanna show you something okay?"

"Okay."

Haley was confused. She had no idea what Lucas was up to, but she followed him anyways.

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Taking a deep breath, Natalie looked at the basket at the other end of the gym. She held the ball in her hand. She removed the sweater she wore and revealed her father's jersey from back in his days when he was a Raven. The number 23 stood out in royal blue on the white jersey. Over her heart, she wore the C. She bounced the ball, once, twice, three times. She brought the ball to her chest and held it with her two hands. Still standing there and still looking at the hoop opposite to her. She closed her eyes and saw everything. The first was Haley, the one disappointment in her life. Those words still rung in her ears. She says she has no time. Tears formed once again in Natalie's eyes. She took a deep breath to keep them from falling. Sadness turned to anger and all the energy she could muster from that anger sent her into a full sprint with the ball in tow.

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Haley followed Lucas down the halls of the locker room. He made right where Haley followed him down a narrow hallway. He stopped and she almost bumped into his back. Lucas peeked into the gym and saw what he expected. He turned to Haley and brought his index finger to his lips signaling her keep quiet. He peeked through the tiny rectangular window to the court and signaled Haley to look. Haley peered through the tiny window to see a figure bouncing a ball on the other end of the gym. The figure looked angry and looked to the hoop. Haley saw this one close their eyes and bring the ball to their chest. When they opened their eyes, they took a deep breath and sprinted across the court. They moved laterally across the court. Weaving in between imaginary people. The ball bounced in between their legs. The speed of this one would knock out anyone. They made their way to the basket for a left-handed lay-up, a difficult enough task for a righty and, sure enough, it went in. Haley recognized the figure as Natalie.

"She's good huh?"

"Like her father."

"She's better than most of the guys on my team and I'm not just saying that, too bad she can't play like she wants to."

"Why?"

"No teams around for her to play on."

"Oh."

"Okay look. I got you here, you have to go in there."

"Lucas –"

" – Hales…you have to do this. Go on. I know Anderson's schedule, you have a free period right now."

Haley looked at Lucas and sighed. He's right. If you can't do this how can you set tings right? Haley nodded and Lucas left her there. She took a deep breath and opened the door.

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Sadness turned to anger and all the energy she could muster from that anger sent her into a full sprint with the ball in tow. She moved laterally across the court. Weaving in between imaginary people. The ball bounced in between her legs. The speed of this one would knock out anyone. She made her way to the basket for a left-handed lay-up, a difficult enough task for the righty that she was and, sure enough, it went in. She stopped to catch her breath. She brought her hand to her knees and looked up and breathed, something she often forgot to do most of the time. She walked over to the ball that had rolled under the basket. She kept breathing, trying to slow down her heart. She walked with the ball under her arms towards the free throw line. She raised the ball above her nose, keeping her eyes on the hoop in front of her. She released the ball and it went in. She ran after it, but not before she heard the door to the gym open. She stopped and looked at the one who entered. She was looking at the same petite woman who had walked into her homeroom class just 30 minutes before. Haley began to walk closer to Natalie. Natalie stood there frozen, not being able to move. Haley stopped two feet in front of her.

"Hi."

"Hi."

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The mesh on the net swished as the ball fell through the hoop as it was released from Jamie's grasp. Nathan ran to retrieve the ball and threw it back to his son. They were playing 21 and Jamie was at the free throw line to get 2 points.

"So? How are you dad? Haven't spoken in a while." Jamie released the ball and sunk it.

"I'm okay, I guess." Nathan threw the ball back to Jamie.

"That's it? No Nathan Scott speech for his kid? Wow." This time Jamie missed and Nathan went to retrieve it to make a 1 pointer and sunk it. He made his way to the fre throw line.

"Shut up."

"No, I'm serious c'mon, tell me something."

"I'm gonna beat you in this game." Nathan smirked kidding with his son.

"Okay…tell me about last night. You seemed upset this morning."

Nathan looked at the floor. His words rang in his head, trying to hurt Haley. I don't have time for this. He had walked away. He didn't want to walk away. He let his anger and his pride get the best of him. Everything else was telling him to go back, but he didn't listen. He was so stubborn. He just walked and kept walking.

"Dad? You still alive?"

"Huh? Oh yeah. Gimme the ball and watch knock down this shot." Nathan missed.

"Okay dad, something's definitely up."

"Okay so I'm not as good as I used to be."

"Dad, you just got other stuff on your mind. Like mom."

"Speaking of her, did you speak with her?"

"No. I left before I could let her, not that she tried."

"It's okay bud."

Jamie stood at the free throw line and sunk in another shot and heard the sound of rubber and mesh colliding. He took a deep breath.

"Dad? I have a confession to make, it's just a feeling, but I dunno what to make of it. I've had it for about a year now. Maybe it's being over-analytical but…"

"James, you're rambling."

"Right, sorry uh, after our little weekend, visiting mom I was so angry at the situation. I had wished that we never had gone there, maybe things would have been different, maybe not but, anyways, I was thinking about it and it didn't make sense to me."

"What didn't?"

"The whole thing about how she said she had no time. I mean she sent us all these e-mails and phone calls saying how much she wished she could see us even if it was for only for five minutes. So when the guy came and told us, I was angry, but then I thought about it. It just doesn't make sense."

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"Hi."

"Hi."

"You're really good."

"Thanks."

Haley took a deep breath. She looked at the floor. Natalie swallowed the lump in her throat to keep her from crying. The tension between the two was extremely thick.

"I'm not really good at this, breaking tension. Usually I begin ramble on about nothing or bring sarcasm into the conversation or a really weird joke that makes absolutely no sense…"

"You mean like you're doing now?"

" (Sighs) Yeah."

Natalie gave a smirk. "I get it. I'm the same way. Usually I start and I can't stop. It takes a while before someone tells me to shut up and then when I do I find a way to start speaking again and…"

Natalie caught herself, "See what I mean?"

Haley took a deep breath. Natalie turned and began to bounce the ball again. She released the ball and missed. She sighed and figured as much. She grabbed the ball and went back to the free throw line, she released it and it went in.

"I'd like to talk to you."

"So talk. But that doesn't mean I'm listening."

Haley sat on the bleachers not too far from the hoop where Natalie shot the ball. She looked at her wishing that anything that came out of her mouth would somehow get to her. She watched her daughter make shot after shot, only missing the casual few.

"Okay, it doesn't matter if you listen to me or not. I just want you to know that I should have been here for the past three years. I should have been here to watch you transform into a beautiful young woman, and I should have been here to watch your brother play the same game that your father loved, and now, from what I can see, you as well. No one thinks before they leap. Usually I do, but when your father put his faith in me, again, I felt like I couldn't screw up. You guys were always there for me and supporting me, but I feel like I haven't done that for you, or anyone else. I had no clue that the three of you came to visit me in Los Angeles and I have no idea, what it is that everyone is claiming I did. If I knew I'd probably admit to it if it was the truth. And finally, I should have known it was you last night…"

"…but you didn't know."

The bell rang to signify the end of the period. Natalie put the ball back on the rack and grabbed her bag, which was right beside where Haley sat. She slung it over her shoulder and walked past Haley.

"Good luck on your test."

Natalie looked at Haley without expression. She turned her head from her mother and left the gym, leaving Haley behind. Haley sat there and buried her head in her hands. She sighed and was about to walk out of the gym when a black object caught her eye on the floor of the gym. She looked over her shoulder to see if Natalie was coming back for it, but she saw no one. She walked over to it and noticed it was a sweater. She grabbed it off of the floor. As she grabbed it, a folded stack of three sheets of paper fell out of one of the pockets. She bent to pick it up and unfolded it. The first she saw were song lyrics. They were written in Natalie's hand. She read the words and at the end of them she began to shed tears. The lyrics weren't finished and she could tell because there were only two verses written.

Saw you last night
You didn't know it was me
Pain re-surfaced at the sight
Of you standing ardently

You wouldn't see me
You walked away
From everything you've known to be

Now I feel out of place
Feel like I'm running a race
When I know I can't win
Seeing you again
Makes me lose my place within

She switched the papers and looked at the second one. These words were typed. At the top she read the words She Has No Time – Keane There was a part of the songs that was bolded.

Think about the lonely people
And think about the day she found you
Or lie to yourself
And see it all dissolve around you

Haley stood there in confusion. She shook it off and looked at the last piece of paper. It was a drawing. Peyton's signature stood at the bottom of the page. It was an old piece of paper. It was turning yellow, but it was still equally as beautiful. It was the four of them when Natalie was a year old. Haley sat on the couch in their living room. Her hair was a little shorter then and she held Natalie who was sitting on her lap. Nathan had his arm lovingly around her and a 5-year-old Jamie was giving his sister a kiss on the temple. The caption at the top was A Simpler Time. Haley looked at the drawing and cried. In the light she could see writing on the back of the sheet. There were Peyton's words:

Happy Sweet 16 Nibs, this is for you to give you a happy moment, to remind you of a simpler time.
Love Peyton

Haley continued to let the tears flow before leaving placing the papers back into the pocket they fell out of and walking out of the gym. Her lunch period was almost at an end. She had to find Natalie's class. She roamed the almost empty halls as a few students had returned from lunch. Haley continued to walk when she came upon a classroom and saw Natalie through the window. Cautiously, she knocked on the door. A young lady answered the door in a lab coat.

"Hi, I'm sorry to interrupt I was wondering if I could speak to Natalie Scott."

The teacher called for Natalie and went o the door. She stopped in frustration at the sight of Haley there.

"Okay this isn't stalker-like at all."

Haley held up Natalie's plain, black sweater.

"You left this in the gym. Thought you might want it."

Natalie grabbed the sweater from Haley's grasp and gave her a tiny, inaudible thanks. After that, Haley left and smiled slightly. Natalie watched her walk away and returned to her class.

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It was dark. Lights flashed casually and music blared through the speakers. Nathan stood with Todd behind the bar as people ordered their drinks. ID's were being flashed everywhere and orders were piling up. It was a busy night and Nathan loved it. He got the rush of energy, that rush of adrenaline as his hands worked quickly, never messing up. His Tric t-shirt fit him to perfection and his biceps flashed anyone who cared to look. He was so caught up in his work that he didn't see Haley walk in and sit directly in front of him. Things began to slow down within seconds of Haley sitting. Nathan bent down behind the bar to grab a few bottles of beer to stock the fridge with. When he came back up, Haley sat in front of him with a longing expression on her face.

Not too far away from them, Natalie sat on a few steps behind the DJ. She had a full view of the club from the stage. She sat in the wing and watched everyone wait for her brother to take the stage. She wondered what it was like to be on that stage, people screaming your name, praising your talent. She smirked at the thought.

"Think there's a way I could get you up there?"

"In your dreams."

"Haha, very funny."

Natalie smirked. She turned to leave the stage's wing, but was stopped by Peyton.

"Let them shine kid."

Natalie just kept on walking and was stopped by Molly.

"Okay, now that I have finally found you, you are going to introduce me to a beautiful hottie that you call your brother."

"Okay…"

Molly dragged Natalie to the dressing room, but stopped when they arrived at the door.

"You know Molly, when you knock people answer the door."

"You knock."

"What? Why?"

"He's your brother."

"You have the crush on him."

"Please?"

Natalie rolled her eyes and knocked on the door. Jamie answered it and smirked which turned into a smile.

"Hey Nibs."

Natalie slugged him in the stomach and walked passed him and Molly followed.

"Ow."

"I told you to drop the nickname dude.

"Sorry."

"Oh Jamie, this is Molly, one of my best friends."

"Hey what's up?"

James held out his hand and Molly, hand shaking, grabbed it. She examined his piercing blue eyes that he inherited from his father. He wore faded jeans that hugged his waist and a tight black shirt that exposed most of his chest and abs through the material. The handshake seemed to linger longer than expected and then Natalie smirked.

"Clearly I'm no longer here, so I'll just let myself out."

Natalie exited the dressing room and laughed to herself and shook her head. Typical. She entered into the main area where the music blared and it you could barely hear the person yelling into your ear. Natalie looked at the bar and found her parents in conversation with one another. She looked on emotionless.

"Want a drink?"

"Sure."

"What can I get you?"

"Club soda."

Nathan smirked and filled a glass without ice. When it was full, he grabbed two slices of lime and set them on the rim of the glass.

"Here."

Haley looked at him and smiled. "You remembered."

"You never let me forget." They got caught in each other's glance, which broke when Nathan decided to speak.

"So, Lucas tells me that you ran into Natalie today?"

"Yeah." Haley sipped her drink and sounded stressed about the subject.

"That bad?"

"It could've been worse."

"Very true. Luke also told me that you bet yourself up over not recognizing her."

"Yup. I couldn't believe it Nathan. I felt like an idiot for not recognizing her. I should have been able to."

"It's okay."

"No it's not okay Nathan. She's clearly broken up about it."

Nathan grabbed Haley's hand for comfort and quickly retracted it when he realized what he was doing. Don't fall for it again you idiot. He went back to work and continued to talk with Haley.

"So, where're you staying?"

"I found an apartment not too far from here."

"Oh. Okay."

"What?"

"Nothing it's just…I'm just thinking." The whole thing about how she said she had no time. I mean she sent us all these e-mails and phone calls saying how much she wished she could see us even if it was for only for five minutes. So when the guy came and told us, I was angry, but then I thought about it. It just doesn't make sense.

Nathan's thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Well if it isn't the happy couple."

Nathan and Haley turned their heads to see a familiar face from the past. A face that had caused a lot of trouble for them. A face that had almost tore their marriage apart. The voice that possessed the face once told their four-year-old son that sometimes she pretended that he was her child. The face belonged to Carrie, a nanny that once upon a time, was doing a good job, but failed miserably in keeping a family together. Haley felt a pang of anger rise in her.

"What are you doing here?"

"It's a public place, I can be here if I want to."

"They have a service refusal sign."

"That doesn't mean I can't be here."

Haley was becoming frustrated. She got up from her seat and walked to Carrie ending up a foot in front of her. Carrie could see the anger forming in Haley and smirked.

"C'mon Haley. What did I ever do to you?"

"You almost ruined my marriage you little wannabe home wrecker. Do you have any idea what it took to get me and Nathan back on track? What person in their sane mind would tell a four year old kid that they pretended that he was their child?"

"I wasn't going to lie."

Natalie saw Carrie walk into the club and looked on in anger. Jamie had told Natalie about Carrie and how she had tried to tear their family apart. She saw Haley get into her face. She watched from a distance and not knowing what she was doing, she began to walk toward the two women who were bickering.

"You have to leave."

"No. I'm staying, you can't force me to leave."

Natalie walked up to the two of them and stood beside Haley.

"She asked you to leave."

Haley looked to her left and noticed Natalie standing beside her. Nathan walked around on the other side of Haley standing just behind her in case he would have to stop her from doing something she'd regret.

"Well, well, look at this. You're theirs without a doubt. Nathan look-alike. What was the nickname…Nibs right?"

"It's Natalie." She stated her name in a firm way to state that she was in no mood for jokes.

"Oh right. I guess you should be thanking me. You're the mistake that happened because of me."

Something inside of Haley snapped. She walked straight up to Carrie and without hesitation slapped her right across the face.

"Bitch don't ever call my kids a mistake. The only mistake we made was hiring you."

Carrie moved towards Haley to retaliate, but Natalie stopped her. She put her arm in front of Carrie as if protecting Haley. She gave a light shove sending her backwards.

"Don't you dare. You deserved it. Mind you, I believe you should have been slapped harder. I believe she asked you to leave, so if I were you, I'd leave."

"Can't fight your own battles Haley? Like you couldn't wear me off the first time?"

Haley moved to slap her again, but felt Nathan's arms wrap around her waist to hold her back. She tried to move out of his grasp, but he was too strong,

"Leave Carrie." Nathan's voice addressed her. She smirked and then left. Once she was out of sight, Nathan became aware of the position he and Haley were in and let go of her. Natalie turned to face Haley who wore a thankful grin. Natalie could only look at her with no emotion showing.

"This changes nothing."

Natalie walked away and left Haley with Nathan who had returned to his spot behind the bar.

"Don't take it personally. She's just, hurt."

"I know. I just wanna make things better."

"The roots are still there Hales. It just takes time."

Haley smiled at the memory of the fantasy draft dates. He had given her the little purple flower to comfort her from the image of their wedding site. She remembered hugging him. Being in his arms was heaven. When he stopped her from whacking Carrie a second time, she felt safer, no longer scared, just in the few seconds she was in his arms. She smiled at him and blushed. He's still my hero. Stop blushing. Can he even see it in these lights? Damn it's hot in here. Natalie interrupted Haley's thoughts.

"Dad?"

"Yeah?"

"I thought we got rid of all the whores in Tree Hill."

"What do you mean?"

"Home wrecker number two, your 3:00, my 9."

Nathan looked to his right and there stood Rachel Gattina. Things were about to get even uglier. She began to walk towards the three of them. Natalie tensed up ready for battle number two if it should present itself. Rachel had been trying to grab Nathan's attention again ever since Haley had walked out the door a second time.

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A/N: Okay that should be enough for now. Depending on my time management, I might not be able to update for a few days. Also, I decided to use both Carrie and Rachel in this because a lot of you wanted Rachel in it and a lot wanted Carrie because no one likes her at the moment. As for what she did, I'll let you guys decide and after Tuesday's episode, we'll know for sure. I want to keep the history as true as possible. Thanks for the reviews guys and hopefully you guys continue to read. Thanks. I love all of you!