Rachel and Nathan sat at their normal table at the back of Karen's café. The two had made it a habit of getting together every couple of weeks to just talk and spend some time away from the girls and the rest of life. Neither one would ever say it out loud but taking care of Haley and Peyton had taken a toll on them.

The effects of the past few months were clearly visible on Nathan's worn face. His eyes were dark and tired from the lack of sleep and the constant worry that had consumed him since Brooke's death. He had mastered the art of smiling on cue and acting as if everything was ok. His ability to act fine was getting so good that one would think he got lessons from Brooke Davis herself. He had always admired that about Brooke. Her life could be falling to pieces but no one would be able to tell, most times not even her best friends. He wasn't that good, probably never would be. Rachel could always see through his fineness. That's why he always looked forward to his times with her. The times where they were alone and he could just be Nathan. He didn't have to be the strong figure, the protector, the one who knew everything would be ok. He could just be himself the worried, tired, teenage boy who was dealing with the death of a friend. Rachel was his source of strength and he took pride in being hers when and if she needed it.

Rachel sat across from Nathan sipping a cup of coffee. Her eyes no longer seemed as tired and defeated as they had just a few weeks ago. She was beginning to cope and to move on, probably because Peyton was doing the same thing. No matter how much she hated to admit it, the way she felt depended greatly on how a certain tall blonde was feeling at any particular time. This whole situation took a greater toll on her body then she ever could have imagined. After all she is Rachel Gattina, nothing gets to her. She could have never dreamed how wrong that notion was. Rachel valued these times with Nathan just as much as he did. It was good to have someone who could relate to you in a way that no one else could. She could still remember the first time she really had to lean on Nathan.

Nathan opened his apartment door to find a drenched, crying Rachel standing on his doorstep. "Rachel what's wrong?" He asked as he moved aside to let the girl in the house.

"I…I…didn't know where else to go." She choked out in between sobs. Nathan ran to the bathroom grabbed a towel and quickly returned wrapping it around the girl's shaking shoulders.

"What happened?" He asked panic growing as he led her to the couch. Rachel sat on the couch staring off into space not saying a word. "Rachel…talk to me." He gently urged.

"I…I…I almost lost her today." Rachel said a whole new batch of tears flowing out of her eyes and down her cheeks. Rachel tried to shake away the vision of a limp Peyton in her arms. Yeah Peyton was good and awake when she had found her in her room and yeah she still had a hand full of pills but come to find out she had already down 3 weeks worth of antidepressants along with a half a bottle of vodka.

"Who?" Nathan asked almost afraid to hear the answer as he put his arm around the girl to try and calm her shaking.

"Peyton." Rachel managed to answer as she fell into Nathan's embrace. "She tried to…" Rachel started but couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence. "And if I wouldn't have gotten there when I did she could have…" Rachel started but again broke down not being able to finish her thought. She didn't need to. Nathan knew what she was saying. His worst fear for Peyton had almost come true. His heart broke thinking of the once strong, tough, sassy girl that he knew so well being at the point where she felt she had no reason to live. His grip on Rachel got tighter.

"Shh…shh," he cooed in her ear until she fell asleep in his arms. It wasn't until the next morning that he got the full story from Rachel. Peyton had od'd on antidepressant and passed out in Rachel's arms. Rachel called 911 and she was rushed to the hospital where her stomach was pumped and she was placed on 24 hour suicide watch.

Rachel shook her head wanting to do anything she could to rid herself of the memories of that night and the days following closely after. She looked at Nathan who hadn't said anything the entire time they'd been there and smiled. Sometimes it was like this, neither of them saying a word, other times it was the opposite. They would talk and talk and couldn't shut up even if they tried.

Moments later their silence was interrupted by Karen refilling their drinks. The older woman looked down at the pair and smiled. "You two are amazing." She said her voice full of pride. Nathan and Rachel looked at her confused. "Looking out for Haley and Peyton the way you do. It's so selfless. Not many people would do it. I'm so proud of you guys." She explained still smiling at them

"Thanks," they both said shyly. Karen nodded then left them alone.

"Well we always knew I was amazing…but finding out you are too really is shocking." Rachel joked, smiling at Nathan.

"No you never were really that amazing everyone just lied to you." Nathan shot back playfully."

"Ouch. That one hurt." She said laughing. "But in all seriousness Nate, how is she?"

Nathan released a heavy sigh before he spoke. "How should I know? She doesn't talk to me. She doesn't let me in. She doesn't want me to help her. The truth is she's just the same as the day of the accident if not worse…but she's just gotten better at hiding it." Nathan said sadly looking down at the table.

Rachel nodded that she understood what he was saying. "So I guess that means you two aren't together, together?"

"No," Nathan said shaking his head. "I would love to be with her like that Rachel. She's such a great girl and I would give anything to just make her happy. But…" He said trailing off not knowing exactly how to explain it.

"I'm sorry Nate. Just give her some more time. I'm sure she'll come around." She said giving the boy across from her a reassuring smile.

"Thanks Rach. How's Peyton, I mean honestly how is she?"

"I actually think she's doing better. I mean I guess anything is better then downing pills and vodka but yeah she's doing really well." Rachel said not being able to help the large smile on her face as she talked about Peyton. "The boxing is really helping her more than I thought it would. She seems a lot calmer since she started." Rachel smirked unknowingly as she thought about Peyton beating the hell out of a bag.

Nathan looked at his friend then got a smirk of his own. "You like her don't you."

"I think that's been established by the past few months, Nate." Rachel said not getting what he meant.

"No, Rachel, I mean you like her." He clarified for her giving her a knowing look. Rachel opened her mouth to say something but Nathan put up his hand and cut her off. "Don't try and deny it. It's written all of your face. It started with that look when you were talking about her. You know the look that says 'I love that girl with all my heart. I'm so proud of the progress she's making.' Then when you started talking about her and boxing I could tell you were thinking about a sweaty, nicely toned Peyton Sawyer because you got that pervy teenaged boy grin on your face. Actually you have again now." Nathan said with a laugh.

"I do not look like a teenaged boy." Rachel said defending herself. Nathan raised his eyebrow at her. "Oh my God…I did didn't I?" She said starting to freak out a little bit causing Nathan to crack up even more. "Shut up this isn't funny. I can so not be perving on Peyton. I mean seriously."

"Why not? It's really kinda hot." Nathan said now being the one with a pervy smirk. After a few seconds of them both enjoying the mental image of Peyton and her new hobby, his face turned serious. "You know it's ok if you like her. I've personally been expecting it to happen all along." Nathan said placing his hand on top of the redhead's.

Rachel looked down. There was no point in denying that her feelings for Peyton were more than friendly. "It's not ok Nathan." She said sadly. "It's not ok for the very same reason that it will never be ok. It's the same reason why neither of us will ever get the girl we want." She looked him in the eyes and he knew she was right. "We'll never get them because of…"

"Brooke." They both said at the same time.

It was now Nathan's turn to be the voice of optimism. "You don't know that Rachel. I've seen the way that Peyton looks at you. We just have to be patient. It could all work out for us."

"I guess you're right. It doesn't really matter if I ever get to be with her. As long as I can help her get through this and be happy, I'm ok with that." Rachel said smiling.

"That attitude right there is exactly why she is going to fall for you." Nathan said sweetly causing Rachel to blush. "That is so cute. You really do like her." He said smiling.

"Yeah…I really do."