A/N: I do not own One Tree Hill, The Butterfly Effect or Honda, or anything else.
Peyton sat with her arms around Nathan for nearly an hour, and Nathan held tightly to the woman who surrounded him until he felt her grip loosen. He slowly released their grasp. He could see the tears that rolled from her eyes, just as she could see the drops falling from his. They were both broken, but they weren't alone; they had each other.
Peyton wanted to be there for the man in front of her, but she wasn't sure how to help anyone. She could at least try, she thought. She started to open her mouth, when she felt a thick finger press against her lips. "Don't…" He stood leaving her all alone on the cold leather couch. "Let's just try to forget for a little while" He spit the words out quickly, and nervously. He didn't want to talk anymore than she did, and she could tell.
She watched as his tall figure disappeared behind the wooden door to his bedroom. She sat uncomfortably for a few moments, before finally speaking. "Nate?"
He could hear the pain in her voice as she called for him. He didn't mean to leave the room for so long, but he was searching frantically for an extra pillow and a blanket. He finally caught sight of the blue throw creeping out from under his bed, and went back into the living room.
He put in The Butterfly Effect and sat on one side of the couch, propped his feet up on the coffee table, and held his arms open for the woman before him. She was hesitant to just curl up and watch a movie after everything that had happened today, but Nate hadn't forced words or explanations. She laid her head on his chest and rested her feet on the other end of couch, and they watched the movie.
She secretly hated this movie but didn't want to say anything to disturb the peace they had found with each other. The movie succeeded in making her sad every single time. Evan loved Kaleigh so much, yet he would never end up with her at the end. For both of them to be happy, they had to live completely separate lives. It showed just how much one person or one decision could change the entire course of your life. What if she had just said yes in that hotel room years ago, what if Lucas had never joined the Ravens, or what if she never moved to LA? All of these questions were spinning in her head, making her doubt if she chose a good path for herself. Would she have been happier if she stayed in Tree Hill?
The emotions running through her head had an effect on her face, which didn't go unnoticed by Nathan. He could see the tears follow their previous trails through her mascara. He didn't know what to do for her. He gently placed his thumb on her cheek to wipe her tears, and sent her a small smile, a genuine smile, one that not many people caught a glimpse of. She laid her head back down on his chest, thankful that he still had a gentle side, much unlike the previous night's escalation of events. He rubbed her back until he could feel her breath slow, and then he fell asleep too.
Rachel was sitting on the sofa in the corner of Chris's apartment while Haley was sitting in the chair opposite. They weren't speaking; in fact, after telling Haley what happened Rachel and Haley hadn't said a word. It was simple, Haley didn't like Rachel for the way she acted in high school, and Rachel didn't like Haley because of Haley's 'I'm too good for this attitude'. Chris would have given the girls looks of his own, probably meaning 'a threesome would be so hot right now', but instead he was busy wearing out the hardwood floor in his kitchen.
The girls jumped when he slammed his hand on the counter and released a sigh. "She should be back by now… I am worried. I am going to see if I can't find her. You guys stay here incase she comes back. And call me if she does." He said before throwing on his leather jackets and slamming the door.
Chris didn't get much farther than the hallway when he got a big clue in Peyton's whereabouts. He could see the end of her scarf peaking through none other than Nathan Scott's door and her cell phone on the floor beside it. He knocked lightly on the door desperately wanting to physically verify her location, but no one came. He did really care, if he was honest with himself, he always cared. When she walked into the record shop the first time, he noticed the fire in her eyes. He was more than impressed with her knowledge of great musicians. He wasn't necessarily happy that she was in there with him, but at least she was safe.
He decided he needed to know so he slowly turned the metal knob and slid the door open. His heart dropped a little when he saw them on the couch asleep, but she looked somewhat peaceful in her slumber and for that he was grateful. He put her cell phone and scarf on the table beside the door and quietly exited the same way he entered.
"Did you find her?" Rachel screamed when he reentered the apartment.
He plopped down on the couch beside her. "Yeah, she's okay; she is asleep across the hall." He said it completely unaware that Haley or Rachel knew who lived there.
Haley eyes perked up. "Wait across the hall. With Nathan?"
"With Nathan" he stated sadly, while the brunette flashed with anger. How could she? She may not forgive Nathan, but that doesn't mean she wanted him and Peyton to form a bond. How could Peyton, she had to know what happened.
Rachel put her hand on Chris shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. "I can tell you like her, I'm sorry"
"Oh well, right, she looked peaceful, and after tonight's events I am just grateful for that."
"Wait, are you guys saying she and Nathan are together?" They could now both see the anger forming in the short woman.
Rachel didn't understand. "You are going to get mad at Peyton, after everything that's happened tonight, because you think she is with a man that you walked out on? You have a lot of nerve."
"Listen, bitch, you don't know the whole story. I didn't like you in high school so don't think I like you now. As for Peyton, I thought she cared more about her friend's feelings than she obviously does." She scoffed. "Although she was friends with Brooke for a lot longer than with me, and look what she did with Lucas. I should have known."
"Okay, whatever Nathan did, you left him for, so he is not your property anymore. If he were smart, he should have accepted my offer in high school, and left your sorry ass then. As for Peyton, how can even talk about her like that. If I heard her correctly, she got you a record deal, and it wasn't a cheap price. So you should shut up, and either be here for your friend, or just leave."
"Chris, are you just going to let her kick me out of YOUR apartment."
"Yeah, because I have seen what drugs can do to people, and Peyton is going to need friends, not people to make life harder."
Haley didn't know what to think. Maybe she had let her emotions get to her. She wasn't really over Nathan, she just could not forgive him. Not yet, anyway. "Maybe I got a little to emotional; I am just going to go to the hotel for tonight. Tell Peyton I'll call her tomorrow, and that if she needs anything I'm here." She left, but not without boring holes into the door of the apartment where Nathan and Peyton were quietly sleeping.
The screen on the television had a floating logo, meaning that the DVD had stopped long ago. The sun was shining through the apartment as if there were no walls, and the two were still in the same position that they fell asleep in. Nathan began to stir when a glare from the floor caught his eye. He didn't want to move too much because he knew Peyton was still asleep and he was acting as her pillow, so he just stared at her curls.
She had the strange feeling that someone was watching, it was feeling that had made her paranoid after Ian, aka Psycho Derek, began stalking her in high school. She opened one eye carefully, and was glad to see it was just Nathan. "Are you okay this morning?" She asked remembering the way his face appeared the night before.
"Better, especially since I wasn't alone. Thanks for being here."
"Truth is I needed it as much you did." She said referring to the comfort they found in each other's constant touch. "I'm here if you want to talk about it." She said ensuring that her hazel eyes met his amazing blues.
"It was five years yesterday since Jamie's death. It still hurts, and it is all my fault." He placed his head in his hands, thinking about the past. "I still remember everything so clearly. The day we brought him home from the hospital was the best day of my life. He was healthy."
Nathan held his son as he entered the house. His beautiful little boy had his eyes, and his mother's ears. He never thought the day would come when he could finally bring him home, but today three month old James Lucas Scott was released from the hospital.
"Oh Nathan, I can't believe he is finally coming home." Both parents doted on their amazingly strong little child. Three months prior he had been delivered early. Haley was hit by a car driven by Dante. Dante had deliberately run down the two when Nathan refused to shave the points negotiated before a loan. Nathan only wanted the money to ensure that his family, Haley and the baby, could stay afloat.
"I remember Lucas telling me how he thought he was going to be smart like Haley because he was curious of everything, and how he could already hold a ball. Oh Nate, I am so sorry." She hadn't thought about the child in a while. She had been there the day he was born, but left for LA shortly after. Lucas had kept her updated on the infants progressing health, but no one ever talked about what happened the day he passed.
"I didn't mean for any of it to happen."
Nathan was so excited to put Jamie in the car seat. He was taking him to the river court for the first time since he was born. Jamie's health improved greatly after coming home, he was growing like a weed and seemed to always be happy. Nathan was positive that Jamie was his biggest accomplishment. He carried the car seat outside to the little Honda they were driving, and he proceeded to buckle him in. Little did he know he missed the loop for the buckle to go through and the child was left at the mercy of the car.
The accident happened so quickly. The light was red, and Nathan didn't notice. He was looking in the rear view mirror to see what Jamie was laughing at. He heard the truck honking, but it was too late. The next thing he remembered was waking up in the hospital bed and being told Jamie didn't survive. Not only was the impact too much, but he wasn't buckled properly.
"Oh Nathan" She had her arms tightly surrounding him at this point, and his head was pressed against her shoulder.
"I didn't even see the light. Jamie was laughing at something, and I couldn't figure out what it was, then the truck. That's the last time I saw my son. Oh God Peyton, how could I have been so stupid. If I would have just…kept my eyes on the road."
"Shh…just let it out." She coaxed him to release all of the pain he had kept bottled inside. She heard the raw emotion break through his deep voice, and the tears were no secret. He held to her as if she was the only thing keeping him alive. He had not broken down since the funeral and it was well overdue. Peyton simply let him, allowing him to confirm in her mind once again, that red lights were the epitome of evil.