Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill.

Pairing: Nathan and Peyton, Strong Nathan and Rachel friendship.

Rating: Strong T

Warnings: None.

A/N: Thanks for the reading and reviewing. Hope you like this one.

Hurt

"Okay, blue eyes enough moping," Rachel announce plopping down on Nathan's bed, head on his torso, "we're too hot to be this down on a Friday especially when you start practice with the team tomorrow."

Nathan sighed, "she's pregnant, Red."

"Really?" she replied, not sympathetic. "I was there Nate. And besides, it was bound to happen since that's what married people do. They get married and get pregnant. What did you expect her to do? Stay child less for the rest of her days with Lucas?"

Nathan really didn't want her being so brutally honest right now, but what he wanted and what he needed were two different thing. "I knew it would happen, it's just I did think it would be-"

"- this soon?" She interrupted, getting under the sheets with him. "They had a honeymoon, emphasis on the honey. Look, I get it came as a shock, and sucks even worse that they announced the happy news on your birthday, but Nate you just got your dream of playing in the NBA back. Don't waste it."

Nathan really wanted to up and let it go, but how could he when Peyton was pregnant. He'd at least thought that he'd be long over her when Luke and her decided to have a child, not barely a month after losing her. What was worse was the fact that she hadn't given him any warning about it, just dropped it on his lap and hoped he would deal. How many times could a guy get his heart broken in the span of 4 months, without being completely destroyed. "What about you, you've been hangover for the last week, I hardly call that dealing."

"I admit I don't deal," She confessed casually. "Especially if my coping buddy decides to fall into depression."

Nathan couldn't help smile. They were each other's coping buddies, since they were the only one who knew what they were going through. As much as he was becoming a hermit at the news, Rachel was digressing back to her erratic behaviour. If anything she was going back to holding back things, and closing herself off in a façade of nonchalance.

"Rach, -"

"- But, I'm not hangover today," she pointed out, like it was a great achievement. "You want to know why? I've finished a little project, also known as your second birthday presents, so get your gorgeous ass up and follow me."

Pulling away the sheet and tugging at his hand. "You really think another present is in my best interest?" Nathan asked, but let her pull him out of bed and lead him down the hallway.

"This one will put a smile on your face," she assured, before glancing back at him, "hopefully."

He raised an eyebrow in scepticism, "Okay Gatina, make me smile."

"If you hate it, just say it I won't break," she said before opening the door, and standing aside to let him in.

Rolling his eyes, he walking in passed her and stopped in her tracks. "You did this?" he asked in disbelief as he walked through the fully furnished bedroom, for Jamie. Basketball themed wallpaper lined the walls, a wooden half court made up the floor as one wall remained half blank covered in black board and the other half covered with the beautiful birthday present made by his son and Peyton. A framed photo of himself, Haley and Jamie sat on the bedside table, along with a picture of himself and Jamie and one of himself, Jamie and Rachel.

"I want to take full and total credit but, it kind of a joint effort," she blabbed, when he remained silent after the short question.

He turned around, "You are… something else, Red." still taking in the room in utter amazement. She was just full of surprises.

"And then some," she added, taking his hand once again. "There is more," pulling him down the stairs to his mini gym.

The equipment was where they normally were, but the one of the walls right in front of the weight bench was covered in a larger that life sketch of him making a dunk in his trademark number 23. It didn't take a genius to know who made the sketch that Rachel blew up. It was actually kind of ironic, that the picture was right in front of the weight bench.

"I believe in you," Rachel told him, wrapping an arm round his waist, "and it doesn't look like I'm the only one." referring to the picture that had taken a lot of thought and consideration to draw. "So today, we celebrate by taking that cute son of yours out for ice-cream and tomorrow you rock that practice like only Nathan Scott can."

She still cared, but that didn't change the fact that she was still pregnant with his brother's baby. It meant something to him, it did. But right now, it just wasn't enough.

***

"How could you do that!" Peyton yelled, unable to wrapped her head around the fact that Lucas could think announcing to the world that she was pregnant was a good idea.

Lucas looked at her not knowing why she was pissed. "Peyton your pregnant, and that's good news. Why do you want to hide it."

"I don't want to hide it," Peyton told him, which really wasn't a lie. "But I would think my husband would like tell me before making a big announcement like that."

Lucas sighed, "I didn't think you'd mind. Besides, I don't understand why your so mad!"

"I'm mad because you've decided to think for me, and you know how much I hate that, Luke," Peyton said, feeling a slight pain in her belly, but ignoring it. "I'm mad because you made a huge decision without me and you, don't see how wrong that is," the pain became more pronounced, making her clutch her stomach.

Lucas noticed immediately, and was by her side, "Peyt, are you okay?" touching her arm, but getting a flinch in return.

"Don't."

"Come on-"

"- Luke, please not now," she implored. "I just need to be alone right now."

She was being difficult, but Lucas knew she needed time to cool down, so he left.

The tears flowed freely down her face. The look Nathan gave her before the glass shattered under his grasp broke her heart. It was a look of utter betrayal. And when she'd tried to touch him, he'd flinched away, and gave her the coldest look she'd ever seen. If he didn't hate her before, he despised her now, and she really couldn't blame him for it.

"P. Sawyer, would you just tell me why your so mad at your husband," Brooke asked, when yet again Peyton gave Luke the cold shoulder.

Peyton really didn't know how to say it without sounding absolutely insane. She couldn't exactly tell Brooke that she was upset, because Lucas told Nathan she was pregnant, without getting a crazy look and 'so what?' from the brunette. Sometimes she really regretted not tell anyone about her and Nathan, it would have made understanding the situation so much easier, but she remembered that that was one of the many reason they weren't together anymore. "B. please just let it go. I'm hormonal. Let's just leave it at that."

"Well now we can talk about the whole Rachel and Nathan situation," Brooke said, sensing a 'just drop it or else' hanging in the air.

Yeah, that's exactly who she wanted to talk about. The power frigging twosome. Really, just thinking about it made her sick to the stomach. "What about it?"

"Like we are suppose to believe they are all platonic," Brooke said, like it obvious and Peyton was being dense not noticing it. "Best friend, she is totally looking to getting some from him."

She was definitely feeling a bit of morning sickness coming on. Get with him?

"Nathan's all ripped and vulnerable, perfect target for that tramp," Brooke went on, not noticing the scrunched up look on Peyton's face.

She'd practically thrown Nathan at Rachel. And now she was going to have to watch…them…together. No, she didn't have a right to be jealous. But damn it, she was! She had wanted to be there when he got back in the game, but now Rachel was the one sharing that with him.

But wasn't it what she wanted him to do, move on because she had labelled them as a mismatched mess. She should be happy that he'd found someone. But, dear heavens she wasn't. It was selfish, and she was hating herself for it.

"So what do you think we should do about it?" Brooke asked, not wanting Rachel anywhere close to having Nathan. If anything, she wanted a Naley reunion. Haley was much better suited for him, than that destructive red-head, and she had a right to say that, because she had experienced it first hand. The only reason she was trying to work things out with her, was at Nate's request. And not because she missed her or needed her friendship in any way.

Peyton wanted to say intervene, but she loved Nathan too much to ruin a good thing because she was jealous. "Nothing," Brooke's eyes widened comically, at that. "Look, if Nate's happy, then I'm happy and you should be happy too. Rachel is good for him, we shouldn't destroy that."

"Who are you and what have you done with my P. Sawyer?"

Peyton rolled her eyes, "She grew up, and got married."

"And will soon make me a godmother again," Brooke added, before swatting the blonde playfully in the arm. "I can't believe you didn't tell me when you found out."

"I was kind of a … shock."

"Sweetie, when you have sex there is a possibility that you pregnant. Biology 101."

Peyton had to laugh at that, this was exactly what she needed her B. Davis making her laugh and forget the situation.

***

"How's the hand?" Haley asked as she approach Nathan, who was bouncing a ball with his bandage hand. It still surprised her how Nathan had managed, to crush his wine glass.

He chuckled, "stings," he answered through fully, "but I'll get over it."

It was awkward but, she was trying. "How did your celebratory day with Jamie go?"

"Good," he smiled brightly, at the memory of the day. It had started off terrible, what with Peyton's pregnancy looming over his head like some dark cloud. But then, Rachel whipped out Jamie's room, the portrait and the suggestion of a celebration with Jamie. If anything the afternoon, had made him forget for a while, which was all he could really ask for. The ice-cream, the laughs, the splashing around, the pictures. What more could he really want? "I actually think our son has his first crush."

"Oh, do tell."

"Rachel." He could tell it was a forced smile from a mile away. "Hales, she's in love with that kid and he's crazy about her too."

Hales sighed, "I know, he can't stop talking about his aunt Rachel," which was true. After picking him up from Nathan's before the birthday dinner, her little boy couldn't stop talking about the red-head. "It will just take getting used to, I guess."

"Momma," Jamie rushed to Haley positively beaming, with Rachel following close behind. "Aunt Rachel's teaching me how to swim."

Haley forced a smile, "Really baby? That's… great."

Rachel wanted to roll her eyes at the obvious forced smile. "How about you guys huddle up for a picture to commemorate Nate's return to the game tomorrow?"

"I'm not even starting, Red."

"Well, doesn't matter because I want a picture and I will get a picture," she said. "now move it mister."

Haley had to control the urge to roll her eyes, and just come together for the picture. For Jamie's sake, because she would do anything for her son. Even if it meant getting along with the red-head.

***

When the doorbell rang and she answered it, she had never expect to see Lucas standing on the other side of the threshold. To say her heart fell to her stomach was an understatement. Why couldn't he just stay away like he had done for the past few weeks? "Nathan's not here."

"I came to see you," he informed her, hands tucked firmly into his pockets and squinty broody expression in place.

She sniggered, "Really?" was this guy serious. "Well I don't want to see you. Have a nice night," hoping to slam the door in his face, but of course when Luke wanted to be annoyingly endearing he did it to perfection.

"You're going to have to talk to me sometime," he told her pushing the door open and stepping inside, against her weak protest.

Rolling her eyes, she walked toward the kitchen, ice-cream was the only thing on her mind.

"Rachel, would you please just listen to me?" he asked.

"Listen to what? You apologize for dropping me like a bad habit, as soon as Blondie decided to bat her eyes your way," slamming the freezer in anger. God, why did he have to ruin her happiness? "Well, the 10 voicemails did it for you Luke, you can go now."

Lucas sighed, he knew this would be hard. "Rach, it wasn't even like that."

"I'm pretty sure it was," she countered, "one minute we are talking about getting a place together, the next you're moving back to Tree Hill with Peyton and getting married. Stop me when I start telling you lies."

Lucas knew it sounded a lot like the truth, but he just couldn't help how he felt. He loved Peyton always had, the draft of the book he wanted to publish sitting in his desk drawer was all about her, and he'd made a mistake letting her go.

"You can't, can you?" Rachel said when all she got was silence. "I was just another one of the forget Peyton Girls, just like Brooke."

"That wasn't what Brooke was, and neither were you," he told her firmly. "Rachel, you far more than that."

"Keep telling yourself that when you are snuggling up next to her in bed at night," popping the lid of the tub and sticking a spoon into the creamy depth, hoping it would ease the pain the sight of the blonde male brought her. "Luke, you can deny it all you want but, you were with me and Brooke because we were uncomplicated and fun, while the one you really wanted, was complicated and well… not interested."

"Rachel-"

"- You got what you wanted Luke. What are you doing here?" Honestly she really didn't want to dwell on the past she was trying so hard to forget.

What he wanted was to see her again, and not be like this. He missed her he did. And if anything he still had feeling for her, just not as strong as they were for Peyton. "I missed you."

"Don't you dare go there Luke," she warned. She was done with his words. "You lost that right the day you walked out on me, and married Peyton."

"If I hurt you so much why come back to Tree Hill?"

"I came back for the only friend I had, Brooke. Then Nathan happened and now I'm staying." She told him part of the truth. He didn't need to know her career had been crumbling before he'd left with Peyton, and had crashed and burned when after he'd left.

She'd become a mess of casual sex and drinking and then, her parents died, leaving her with a fortune to burn and a company to run that she didn't know a thing about. "So don't throw a fit, it was never for you." That of course was a whole lie, at the wedding she'd hoped to convince him otherwise, but had chickened out and headed for a bar to drown her sorrows. In the midst of a drinking binge, she saw Nate and the rest as they say is history.

"Do you like him?" Lucas asked, not sure why he wanted to know.

She sniggered, "Yeah, telling you is exactly what I'm going to do. Do us both a favour and get the hell out."

Attempting to walk past him up the stair, but he grabbed her arm.

"Rachel, I'm sorry."

"Tell that to the child I lost," wrenching her arm out of his grasp, she quickly made her way up the stairs. Just wanting to get away. Why the hell did she say that? She'd kept the silence for so long, why tell him now?

Lucas stayed frozen, feeling like he had just been slapped.

***

Nathan really didn't know what he was doing here. It had been pretty simple, go to the supermarket buy what they needed and head back to the house, not stop by at Tric because her car was still parked outside. No, he wasn't suppose to go in and check if she was busy. Why did he insist on torturing himself like this? Seeing her, and knowing he couldn't have her had been bad. But, seeing her knowing she was carrying his brother's child, was much worse.

"Nathan?" Peyton asked in a soft voice, her heart thumping so hard in her chest she could barely breath. Why did he have to be so damn handsome.

This was stupid. He should have never come. Why was he making this so hard on himself. "I shouldn't be here. Sorry." He turned to leave.

"Nate wait," she just couldn't let him leave. "I'm sorry!" she called out making him stop in his tracks finally.

He chuckled, "Why 'cause you are pregnant by your husband?" he was being cynical. "But, I guess the sorry is for announcing it on my birthday. Don't worry babe, I'm over it."

"That why you crushed a wine glass with your hand," he was being unfair, and she fought back. Sue her.

"If you are fishing for congratulation, Peyt all you had to do was ask," he replied with a twisted smile. "Congratulation."

Shaking her head in disbelief she stalked over to him. "If you're going to be such a jackass, why come here at all?" getting in his face.

Without even thinking, his arm was around her waist whipping her around trapping her against a wall. He was honestly going to kiss her crazy just then, but didn't. Instead he spoke gently, "'cause I'm an idiot who can't take a mistake for an answer," pushing away from her, and walking away again.

Her chest was heaving as she tried her damnedest to catch a breath, heart thundering in her chest like it was going to explode. For a few moments she was dazed, unable to wrap her head around the fact that he had just done that. But, quickly sobered when she saw him walking away. "Nate, there's something you should know. The baby -"

"- No, I don't," his tone teetering on a yell. He knew stress wasn't good for the pregnancy and if he hurt her or the baby he'd never forgive himself. "Just do me a favour. Don't… the names we chose…just don't." walking away, able to stand those tears on her face. He still loved her so seeing tears on his face hurt him. The best thing for now was to stay away. Stay away until it didn't hurt anymore.

Sliding down the wall, she clutch her belly fighting more tears. The look was still there. The look of utter betrayal was still there.

More soon

A/N: Insight into Rachel/Lucas. NP and LR confrontations. Title is Hurt by Christina Aguilera.

Reviews would be lovely. Constructive Criticisms is welcomed. Flames … "to each his own".