Chapter 4:

Meanwhile Lucas tried to calmly walk into the bathroom as Haley left.

"Get up." He said firmly from the doorway.

"Can't." Chris mumbled. "Dude, you sister kicked me in the balls." Chris said groaning in pain.

"Good. I hope she did permanent damage." Lucas said not stepping any closer. "I'm calling you a cab, your leaving. When I get back I expect you to be off the floor." Lucas said before leaving. Lucas went into the kitchen to get the phone book. He found the number' to a local cab company and called them. T"hey would be there in 20 minutes. Luca's went in the bathroom to see if Chris was still on the floor.

"I'm back, now up." Luca's said firmly. "Cab will be here in twenty minutes, go get your shit together."

"Get lost you mom and the other lady said I could stay the night." Chris said slowly sitting in the upright position.

"I don't care Haley and I want you out now." Lucas said pulling him off the floor.

"Get you hands off me." Chris yelled. "I'm staying the night."

"No, your not! I want you the hell out now and I swear to god if I ever find out you put your hands on my sister again I will kill you." Lucas gritted out as he pinned him to the wall.

"I only did what your sister and I knew she wanted." Chris smirked as Lucas punched him. Chris soon punched back. Soon they were slamming each other into the walls in the hallway. Lucas didn't realize that Nathan, Haley, Brooke, Taylor, and their parents were now in the hallway. Keith immediately pulled Lucas back.

"What the hell is going on out here?" Keith yelled.

"He's an ass." Lucas muttered wiping his bloody lip with his thumb,

"That doesn't mean you start throwing punches!" Karen exclaimed.

"He cornered Haley in the bathroom, she asked me to get him out and I'm happy too." Lucas said angrily.

"You make it sound like it's something she didn't want. She wanted me." Chris said glaring angrily as Haley scoffed. "How can you believe her she's apparently a slut now she just came out of Nathan's room and from what I hear he's quiet the man whore himself." This time Nathan punched him in the face and Chris punched back. Before anyone knew what happened punches were being thrown and they couldn't pulled them apart.

"Nathan, Stop!" Deb yelled.

"Nathan, don't be stupid!" Brooke yelled as he got punched in the face. Keith was busy holding Lucas back because he was struggling to get away he join the fight. Dan stepped up trying to pull Nathan away he knew his son was pissed he very protective of Haley. Haley never saw him this mad she had to do something. She noticed Dan's efforts weren't working so she moved passed Dan and stepped in from of Nathan after he threw one last punch to Chris. Chris then fell to the ground.

"Nathan, Stop!" Haley yelled placing her hands on his chest but Nathan still had his eyes focused on Chris. "Nathan!" Haley said again trying to get his attention.

"Haley he just called you a slut not to mention the shit you told me he pulled in the bathroom!" Nathan gritted out through his teeth. "Warned him if he touched you I'd do something about it." Haley gently placed on hand on his cheek.

"Nathan." she said trying to get his attention again. Haley gently trying to turn his head.

"Look at me!" She said softly as she stroked his cheek, Nathan then slowly turned him head surprising most of the people in his room. Usually when Nathan was mad there was no talking him out of it or calming him down he need to do it himself on his own time. Nathan then looked at her. "It's okay. I'm okay. He's an ass I know that but I don't want you to get hurt. You already are and I don't want you getting more hurt." Haley said as she wiped the blood from his cheek where he had a small cut from on of the punches. Nathan slowly calmed down as he looked into her eyes and she talked to him. Haley then pulled him into a hug which he immediately returned wrapping his arms around her waist.

"I'm sorry." He whispered into her hair.

"Don't be." Haley said pulling away. "Thank you." Everyone was just watching them in awe except for Chris and Taylor who were glaring.

"Okay Chris get up." Dan said taking action. "I don't care what was said earlier your out, get your things together."

"I want him out anyways." Karen said.

"You better stay away from my daughter." Keith added. "Or next time I won't hold Lucas back." Keith said letting go of Lucas.

"The cab will be here in like five minutes." Lucas said wiping his lip again that was still bleeding.

"Come, on let's clean you up." Brooke said gently leading him into the kitchen.

"You too." Haley said pushing Nathan into the nearby bathroom. Taylor took this opportunity to look at Chris.

"We need to talk, outside now!" Taylor said leading him outside.

"Did you see that?!" Deb whispered excitedly to the other three adults.

"Taylor and Chris?" Keith asked confused.

"No." Dan said knowing what his wife was talking about instantly.

"Haley and Nathan." Karen clarified.

"As soon as she started talking to him he started to calm down. I've never seen Nathan calm down that easily before to anyone." Deb explained smiling.

"Oh yeah." Keith said. "You don't think..."

"I don't know if anythings happened yet but I know my son and he cares about her." Deb said.

"She cares about him too." Karen added. "We always knew this could happen."

"You don't know anything yet." Keith reminded. Deb just smiled shaking her head.

Meanwhile Haley closed the bathroom door. Haley walked over and put the seat of the toilet down motioning for him to sit.

"I'm really okay." Nathan said sitting down.

"I just want to clean it." Haley said grabbing a towel from the closet and running it under water. She then walked over to him and tentatively touched his cheek with the towel dabbing the blood away.

"What were you thinking?" Haley whispered. "You could have gotten more hurt."

"He hurt you." Nathan replied. "He couldn't just get away with that." Nathan said reaching up to tuck some hair behind her ear that had fallen in her face.

"You could have gotten really hurt." Haley repeated. "I've never liked when you get into fights."

"I'm okay." Nathan said pulling her down onto his lap. "Are you?" He asked studying her face.

"I'm fine...as long as your here." Haley answered.

"I'm not going anywhere." Nathan said kissing her.

Brooke and Lucas were now along in the kitchen. Lucas eye was starting to bruise from one of the punches and his lip was still bleeding. Brooke went to the sink and wet a towel to wipe his lip.

"Are you okay?" She asked as she placed a hand on one cheek as she wiped his lip with the towel carefully.

"Yeah, I'm okay." Lucas answered. He could smell her perfume because she was standing so close and it brought back memories. Brooke stepped away to grab an ice pack. She silently made her way back over to him and gently placed it on his eye.

"Thank you." Lucas whispered as she nodded. They were both silent after that.

"Do you ever regret it?" Brooke asked suddenly confusing him.

"Regret what?" Lucas asked confused.

"Us." Brooke whispered. Lucas didn't respond at first. "Sorry I shouldn't have asked." Brooke said looking down.

"No, it's okay I was just surprised." Lucas admitted. "I don't regret anything about us."

"Neither do I." Brooke admitted. She didn't know what made her ask this but she was glad she did.

"Except maybe the end.." Lucas said quietly. Brooke didn't ask what he meant in a way she knew. When they broke up it was hard on both of them but it was too hard being away from each other. She continues to stand in front of him and hold the ice on his face.

"Are you happy...with Peyton?" Brooke asked before she could stop herself.

"Yeah...it's nothing like what we had. It's different but yeah I guess I'm happy." Lucas answered. His relationship with Peyton was very different from his with Brooke's. Sometimes he wondered if breaking up with Brooke was the right decision. He would always love her but at that point it was to hard and now he was with Peyton. The thing with him and Peyton was really unexpected no one saw it coming. Sometimes he wondered if they were both with each other because it was easy.

"Do you love her?" Brooke asked once again before she could stop herself.

"I've only loved one person." Lucas answered as Brooke looked down. "I meant you Brooke, you know that." Lucas clarified as Brooke smiled. "Your a hard girl to forget Brooke Scott." Lucas said smiling as Brooke giggled.

"Impossible." Brooke confirmed with a smile.

The next morning Haley woke up before Nathan. She looked at the clock and it was only 8, she knew he'd want to sleep for a couple more hours. She gently leaned over and kissed his cheek before getting out of bed. Nathan and her had decided last night that they weren't going to tell anyone just yet about them or anything that was going on with them. They wanted to figure it out for themselves first without everyone elses input. Haley quietly opened his bedroom door and then closed it.

"Good morning." Haley heard from behind her. She turned around to see her mother standing there.

"Oh..uh hey mom." Haley said blushing. Her mom could tell she was embarrassed for being caught sneaking out of Nathan's room.

"Did you sleep in there last night?" Her mother asked her.

"Yeah..I just didn't want to be in my room with Taylor or have to deal with Chris." Haley answered.

"Yeah but Chris was sent home before you went to bed?" Her mother said confused.

"I was in there before that.." Haley said softly. Karen just nodded. "Am I in trouble?" Haley asked nervously.

"No." Karen said shaking her head. "I trust you. You've always been very responsible I have no reason not to."

"Thanks." Haley answered.

"Come on. Let's go make breakfast." Karen suggested as Haley nodded and they both made their way down the hall. Haley and her mom were making everyone waffles when Taylor came down the hall. She had her bag in hand, ready to leave.

"Are you leaving?" Karen asked.

"Uh..yeah sorry about the trouble last night." Taylor said. Haley could tell she looked completely worn out and her eyes were still puffy and red from crying. Taylor then turned to Haley. "I'm sorry. I know you probably don't believe me but I really thought Chris liked me but he was only using me for sex. I wish now I denied him that just like you did." Haley looked down at the floor uncomfortably, she could see her mother out of the corner of her eye staring at her. She had not told her mom the entire story about what happened, all she said was Chris cheated. "I broke up with him last night." Taylor told her but Haley stayed quiet. "I'm sorry about the things I said to you, I was jealous because I knew he would want you again."

"Chris and I are over, it doesn't matter what he wants." Haley said softly looking up at Taylor. She could tell the girl was upset and surprisingly she felt bad. She knew she shouldn't after everything that happened but she couldn't help it, it's who she was. "How are you and Brooke?"

"She hates me." Taylor said quietly. "Your her best friend after all, she wants to protect you. I get it." Taylor said glancing down. Haley stayed quiet for a minute before taking a deep breath. She hoped what she was about to say she wouldn't regret.

"Look, Taylor maybe we got off to the wrong start. Your Brooke's friend so you must not be too bad of a person. I am a big believer in second chances, everyone makes mistakes." Haley said as Taylor looked up surprised. "Maybe we could start over?" Haley suggested.

"I'd like that." Taylor said nodding. "I promise not to be the bitch I was last night." Haley nodded.

"What do you say about staying the day and we will see how things go?" Haley suggested.

"Will Brooke be okay with that?" Taylor asked.

"I'll talk to her." Haley said.

"Thanks Haley." Taylor said softly.

"Breakfast should be ready soon why don't you go put your things down." Karen suggested.

"Okay." Taylor said walking down the hall.

"That was a really nice thing you just did." Karen said looking over at her daughter.

"She looked upset." Haley said shrugging. She knew she was probably stupid for doing it but she felt bad even after everything that happened last night. And like she said she was friends with Brooke how bad can she be.

Karen put some waffle mix into the waffle iron before walking over to Haley. She gently placed an arm around her shoulder. "You are an incredible young women, I am proud of you." Karen said kissing Haley's temple. "Why didn't you tell me Chris was pressuring you?" Haley looked down at her hands, this was an awkward conversation to have with her mother.

"I don't know." Haley said shrugging. "It's not a big deal. I said no, it just never seemed right with him."

"I think you made a good decision." Karen said.

"I know I did now. At the time I thought I was ruining my life." Haley said laughing nervously. "After all it cost me my relationship."

"Do you want that relationship back?" Her mother asked her.

"Not for a second." Haley answered honestly. "That's why I said at the the time I thought I was ruining my life, turns out I was just making it better."

"You made a good choice." Karen said kissing her one last time before going back over to the waffle iron. "Do you want to go wake everyone up?" Karen said as she told the first waffle out.

"Yeah, I better go check on Brooke and Taylor anyway." Haley said getting up. She walked down the hall to her and Brooke's room first. She could already hear Brooke yelling at Taylor.

"I thought I told you to leave early this morning? But yet you are still here?" Brooke exclaimed. " I know there is no way Haley would let you stay!" Haley was just coming through the door and intervened immediately.

"I told her she could stay." Haley told Brooke. Brooke looked shocked.

"You did what?" Brooke asked.

"She said I could stay the day. I tried to tell you that." Taylor said.

"Why did you do that?" Brooke asked Haley. "She was a complete bitch to you last night."

"Yeah, and this morning she apologized." Haley said. "We both were fooled by Chris."

"But she knew he was with you.." Brooke said.

"I know that but she also didn't know who I was at that point." Haley added.

"I still shouldn't have done it." Taylor said speaking up. Brooke looked surprised. "You were right last night Brooke, everything you said. I shouldn't be hooking up with guys with girlfriends. I was being a huge slut." Taylor said sitting down. "I don't want to be that girl anymore."

"And what about Chris?" Brooke asked.

"I broke up with him last night." Taylor said.

"What's with the complete 360?" Brooke asked referring to the fact the Taylor was the complete opposite as she was last night.

"I thought about it. The whole situation and I was wrong. And I don't want to lose you as a friend." Taylor said. Brooke looked over at Haley who was just standing there.

"Do you forgive her?" Brooke asked Haley.

"I believe she's sorry." Haley said looking over at Taylor. "But I don't really trust her..sorry." She said directed to Taylor. "I am willing to give her a chance though." Brooke nodded before walking over to where Taylor was sitting and took a seat next to her.

"You won't lose me as a friend, just don't do it again." Brooke said nudging her.

"I won't." Taylor answered.

"Okay, well breakfast is ready I have to go wake up everyone else. Brooke can you wake you parents while I get everyone else?" Haley asked.

"Yeah, sure." Brooke answered. Haley left the room and went to the bathroom to quickly brush her teeth before going to Lucas' room.

"Lucas!" Haley said opening the door.

"Go away." Lucas mumbled pulling his blanket over his head.

"Breakfast is ready." Haley said stepping into his room a little further. "How's your face?"

"Could be better." Lucas answered turning around to face his sister.

"I never got to say thank you last night." Haley said feeling bad about his face.

"He deserved to get his ass kicked." Lucas said sitting up now.

"Yeah." Haley said laughing a little. "Thank you."

"No problem. It's my job, after all I am your big brother." Lucas said.

"The best." Haley said smiling. "Okay, well go get breakfast." Haley said stepping into the hall. "Oh..can you go wake dad?"

"Yeah." Lucas answered standing up. Haley then took the opportunity to go to Nathan's room. She quietly opened the door and slipped in. Nathan was still sleeping. She quietly crawled onto the bed.

"Nathan." She whispered. "Nathan.." She said again trying to wake him. He was still sleeping though. She gently lifted her hand and let her fingers graze his bruised and cut cheek. His eyes slowly fluttered open.

"Hi." Nathan mumbled sleepily.

"Hi." Haley said back dropping her hand.

"What time is it?" Nathan asked.

"8:30." Haley answered.

"Too early." Nathan mumbled closing his eyes.

"Breakfast is ready." Haley told him. Haley reached up again and tentatively ran her fingers through his hair. She then let her hand drop on the bed. She looked over towards the window not saying anything else. She felt as if she didn't know how to act around him anymore, this whole them things was still new to her. Suddenly she felt his fingers lace through hers. Haley glanced over at him and smiled.

"What's for breakfast?" Nathan asked.

"Waffles my mom's making them." Haley answered. "You hungry?" Nathan just gave her a look that said duh.

"Haley, you know me when am I not hungry." Nathan said smiling, Haley laughed.

"I guess your right." Haley said as Nathan sat up keeping his hand in her. "Ready to go eat?"

"Yeah, I just want to do one thing first." Nathan said.

"What?" Haley asked.

"This." Nathan said placing his other hand on her cheek placing his lips on hers. She immediately melted into the kiss.

"Haley!" Brooke yelled in the hall. Before Haley knew what was happening she pulled away from Nathan so fast that she fell on the floor as Brooke opened the door. "Breakfast is..." Brooke stopped and looked at Haley confused as Nathan laughed.

"Ouch." Haley mumbled rubbing her butt. Brooke and Nathan then burst out laughing even harder.

"How did you end up on the floor?" Brooke asked as she stopped laughing.

"She fell off the bed." Nathan said laughing. It was true, she did fall off the bed. Brooke just didn't know why she fell off the bed.

"Stop laughing that hurt." Haley said before she started laughing too.

"You are one of the clumsiest people I know." Nathan said smirking.

"Am not!" Haley defended.

"Are too!" Brooke added sticking her tongue out at her. As Haley did it back.

"Mature." Nathan said laughing as they both stuck their tongue out at him.

"Anyway." Brooke said looking at Haley. "I was going to tell you your breakfast is getting cold."

"Okay, I'm coming." Haley said as Nathan stood up and reached his hand out to her. Haley grabbed it and let him pull her up.

"Try not to fall on the way there." Brooke said walking out of the room.

"Come on let's eat." Haley said going to walk out but Nathan put his arm out to stop her placing his hand on her stomach. Haley looked confused but Nathan just leaned in and gently kissed her. As they pulled away Haley smiled as did Nathan.

"One for the road." Nathan said smirking before pulling her out of the room. They were about halfway down the hall when Haley stopped him.

"What is it?" He asked.

"I just wanted to tell you before you go in there I talked to Taylor this morning and she apologized. I told her that she could stay the day and we could try to start over. I just wanted to tell you before you went in there and saw her." Haley told him glancing down the hall at everyone sitting and eating breakfast.

"You believed her?" Nathan asked surprised.

"Yeah, I did plus she's Brooke's friend how bad can she be." Haley said shrugging her shoulders.

"Just wait until she starts flirting with me since Chris is out of the picture." Nathan said smirking as Haley's eyes went wide.

"She wouldn't?" Haley asked. "Would she?"

"She always has in the past..plus no one knows what's going on with us." Nathan whispered and Haley bit her lip, it had always been a nervous habit for her. Nathan leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Don't worry I'm not interested in her." Nathan said before kissing below her ear and then walking into the kitchen. Haley numbly followed him into the kitchen.

"Here kids, take your waffles." Deb said passing them their waffles. "The adults are going to eat on the porch." Deb said as she picking up her waffle and stopped to wait for Karen.

"There are extras in the oven staying hot help yourself." Karen said making her way outside with Deb. Nathan and Haley both took the two empty seats next to each other at the table.

"Hey Nate." Taylor said smiling.

"Hi." Nathan answered taking a bite of his waffle.

"Guess what Haley told me I could stay the day." Taylor said still smiling. Nathan just nodded. "Maybe you could show me around later?"

"I have to practice basketball, Brooke can though." Nathan said looking over at Haley who was staring intently at her plate.

"Can I watch?" Taylor asked smiling at him.

"No sorry, I like to practice alone." Nathan answered as Lucas shot him a confused look. He just shrugged and went back to eating. He looked over at Haley again and she was still just eating her food not talking. Brooke had gone on to tell Taylor all the places she was going to show her. Haley wasn't even listening. She was too busy thinking, maybe hiding whatever was going on with them would be too hard. She deep in thought thinking about how Taylor would be flirting with him when she felt a hand on her thigh, she looked over at Nathan looking at his plate smirking. Brooke must have saw the look on Haley's face.

"Haley why are you smiling?" Brooke asked confused.

"Oh nothing sorry I just spaced out." Haley said shaking her head. "So what's the plan for today?" Haley asked as she slide her hand under the table to lace her fingers through Nathan's.

"I was thinking maybe hit the beach for a little while then go out to lunch..maybe some shopping..show Taylor around town a little. We can do a girls day..how's that sound?" Brooke suggested.

"Sounds fun." Haley said as she played with Nathan's finger's under the table.

"Are there any cute boys around here?" Taylor asked. "You know besides the ones at this table." Taylor said grinning at Nathan and Lucas. She immediately earned death glares from both girls. "What?" Taylor asked not knowing why they seemed mad.

"Nothing." Brooke said as Lucas looked at her confused but she looked at her plate. Meanwhile Haley just shook her head while Nathan squeeze her hand.

After breakfast the girls headed down to the beach with the boys. Nathan and Lucas went in the water immediately while the girls stayed on the beach to tan in their sun chairs. The girls laid quietly until Taylor glanced other to her right at Brooke and Haley.

"So what's the deal with Lucas?" Taylor asked sliding down her sunglasses to eye Lucas in the water. Haley and Brooke both looked at each other before Brooke spoke.

"He's my ex-boyfriend, remember?" Brooke said looking in his direction.

"That's THE Lucas?" Taylor said smiling. Her and Brooke had only been friends a year and she never met Lucas. Brooke just nodded. "Why on earth did you let that hot boy go?" Taylor asked shaking her head smiling.

"Distance." Brooke said shortly before laying back down and closing her eyes.

"I would not let distance stop me!" Taylor exclaimed, at this Brooke sat up and looked at Taylor pointedly. She let out a sigh before placing her sunglasses on her head.

"Taylor didn't we discuss boundaries earlier?" Brooke said shaking her head. "Trying to get with you friends ex-boyfriend doesn't make you a good friend..."

"Sorry." Taylor said holding up her hands defensively. "I didn't mean it like that. This whole boundary thing is harder than I thought." Taylor looked over to see Brooke's eyes fixated on Lucas. "Your still into him aren't you?" Taylor asked as Haley turned her head to see Brooke's reaction.

"He has a girlfriend." Brooke said placing her sunglasses back on her eyes as she laid down.

"Who's the man stealer?" Taylor said jokingly.

"My other best friend." Haley said firmly.

"Sorry." Taylor said quickly. "I didn't know. God, I really suck at this."

"It's alright you didn't know." Haley said shaking her head.

"Nathan's still fair game right?" Taylor asked. "He never has girlfriends anyway."

"As far as I know." Brooke answered tiredly.

"I would do anything to get with him." Taylor said.

"You just want everyone today don't you?" Brooke said jokingly.

"No, Lucas is off limited he dated my friend." Taylor said mainly for Brooke's benefit, Brooke simply nodded. "Nathan, however, is too hot to pass up. The things I would do to that boy." Taylor said watching him in the water.

"Ew that's my brother." Brooke said laughing.

"Doesn't make him any less hot." Taylor said shrugging. Haley did not like this conversation. "One of these days..."

"I'm going into the water." Haley said quickly jumping up walking down to the water fast before they could stop her. Haley immediately went over to the boys.

"Hey Hales, how's Taylor?" Lucas asked as Haley slowly walked into the water towards them, she stopped at her ankles though after feeling the cold.

"Alright." Haley commented.

"Why aren't you down there then?" Lucas asked laughing knowing his sister too well. He knew she was trying for Brooke but she couldn't forgive and forget that easily.

"I got bored. She just kept talking about how hot you both were." Haley said sneaking a glance at Nathan.

"That girl just never gives up." Nathan commented looking at Haley who smiled a little.

"Nathan Scott turning down a girl who will easily have sex with him?" Lucas joked.

"Maybe it's not always about sex." Nathan said quickly as Lucas' jaw dropped.

"Now I know there is something wrong with you." Lucas joked stepping closer to touch his forehead to pretend to be feeling at temperature.

"Get away from me dude." Nathan said laughing as he swatted Lucas' hand away. Nathan then looked over at Haley who was still only ankle deep in the water. "Are you coming in?"

"It's cold." Haley whined as both boys looked at each other smirking before looking at her. "Oh no what ever your thinking don't!" At that instant both boys came running at her. They both grabbed one arm and one leg and carried her into the water. "No...please just put me down."

"If you insist." Nathan said dropping her as Lucas did as well. Haley soon came up spitting out water.

"That was so not funny!" Haley exclaimed before lunging at Lucas first so he went under then she turned to Nathan.

"You look good wet." Nathan joked as Lucas came up.

"I will get you for that." Haley said as Nathan laughed. Haley jumped on him dunking him under.

"I'll be right back." Lucas said running up to were Brooke and Taylor were.

"Taylor starting to bug you?" Nathan taunted.

"No, she's fine." Haley answered.

"Really because I think you are kind of jealous." Nathan teased.

"In your dreams." Haley said as she felt Nathan's hands rest on her hips under the water.

"Admit it you were jealous." Nathan said swimming closer to her. Haley then looked away from him and saw Lucas picking Brooke up off her chair as she fought against him. "Admit it." He said a little more huskily.

"Okay, I was." Haley said looking at him.

"I wish I could kiss you right now." Nathan whispered.

"Me too." Haley said. "Soon though." Haley whispered. They still hadn't figured out when they wanted people to know about them. Right as Haley said that they heard Brooke scream and then a splash. They looked over to see Lucas laughing and Brooke coming up from under the water.

"Lucas James! I can't believe you just did that! You got my hair wet!" Brooke yelled.

"Sorry I didn't mean to drop you I slipped." Lucas lied.

"Slipped my ass." Brooke replied as Lucas stared laughing. She then started splashing him. Soon Taylor joined them in the water too.