So I know I majorly suck for the long wait. No excuse is good enough so I'm not going to bother.

Thanks everyone who reviewed, sent messages, favorited, etc... your continued interest really motivated me to finish this chapter.

Chapter Ten

Start of Reality One

December 13, 2007

Haley glanced up when she felt a hand settle on her shoulder. Looking up she met her boyfriend's eyes and beamed happily. "What are you doing here? I thought you were going to be gone until the end of the week?"

"Plans change," Nathan leaned down and kissed her.

Minutes later Haley breathlessly pulled away. "You should go away more often if that is how you are going to say hi when you come back."

Nathan wrapped his arms around her and shook his head, disagreeing with her. "As good as it was to see my parents, if I'm gone that long again you're coming with me. You should meet my mom anyways."

"Aren't they going to be moving here soon?" Haley's brow knit in confusion.

"Um, last guess they said they should be here around the first of the year."

"That's not too bad," Haley was rubbing his freshly shaved hair, loving the way it felt. "So really, why are you back early?"

"My mom had to go to New York for business, and I could tell my dad wanted to go with her so I just told them I would come back here. They didn't really like that plan, but there wasn't a lot of options. So here I am."

"Here you are," Haley echoed and gazed into his eyes.

Flashback to October 21, 2007

"Haley."

"Nathan." Haley couldn't stop the happiness that flowed through her when she saw who was behind her. She was positive that she didn't want to.

"I've been looking for you ever where Hales. Can we talk?"

Haley tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, "Yeah… sure."

Nathan moved and sat down across from her.

"Haley….. I have to tell you something. I don't want to ruin our friendship, but I really feel like I need to be honest with you."

Haley chewed on her bottom lip nervously, "Okay… um, what is it?" Haley laughed a little before continuing to speak, "With that kind of setup you have me a little worried."

"Oh it's nothing bad, I mean I hop you don't think it's bad." Nathan stared at her for a moment before he started to tell her. "The thing is… I know you have a boyfriend but I-."

Haley rushed to interrupt him, "I don't… I mean not anymore." Haley laughed nervously, "We broke up."

Nathan felt hopeful for the first time. "Oh… well I guess it doesn't make that big of a difference. You had a boyfriend, so it made it hard for me to tell you, but Ihavefeelingsfor you."

Haley's brow knitted in confusion. "What was that?"

Nathan took a deep breath. "I have feelings for you Hales. I have for a long time, since I met you."

Haley thought about what he revealed to her. She was oddly unsurprised, she had been denying it, but there was something between them. A connection… even so it was different hearing it confirmed from him. Slowly she asked him, "What does that mean? I mean what do you want to happen now?"

Nathan pulled on the neck of his shirt nervously, she wasn't revealing how she really felt about his revelation and he didn't like that he had no clue as to what she was thinking. "I don't know, I guess I hope you have feelings for me too, but even if you don't…. I couldn't hide the way I felt anymore. I had to tell you."

"Nathan the truth is I like you too, but I just broke up with Kevin. Isn't it too soon for us to…. you know."

"Do you really want to waste anymore time?" Nathan reached over and linked one of their hands together.

"No… but…"

Nathan nodded once, before he gave her hand a final squeeze. "I understand... I guess... I'll... um... I'll just see you later."

Nathan got up and started to walk away, his heart was thumping rapidly in his chest. He had told her the truth and even if she wasn't ready right now, he was going to wait for her. What he felt for her was too much for him to just give up…

"Nathan!"

Hearing his name he turned and saw Haley running to him, once she reached him she didn't stop. Instead she jumped into his arms and wrapped her legs around his waist. Leaning down she kissed him.

Nathan stood still for a moment before he eagerly responded.

Haley pulled away before she breathlessly told him, "You were right… I don't want to waste anytime… but let's take it slowly."

Nathan laughed, "Says the girl with her legs wrapped around me like a vine."

Haley blushed but when she moved to get down, Nathan's hands gripping her legs stilled her movements. He winked at her, "I didn't say I didn't like it."

Ignoring the hard body she felt pressed against her, she focused on correctly conveying to him her thoughts. "This notwithstanding, I'm serious about taking this slowly. I just got out of a long relationship… okay?"

Nathan grinned, "Whatever you want… for now."

Walking he moved until her back gently hit one of the posts littered the empty dock.

Reaching up Nathan grabbed the hair that had fallen across her face, tucking it behind her ear he softly asked her, "Hales, why don't we start with a date?"

Pleased, Haley nodded. "I would really like that." Haley looked up at him and before she could stop herself she pulled his face to her once again.

Flashback Over

And they did take it slowly. They had been dating for over a month and both were enjoying learning about each other.

"So what do you think we should do today?" Haley asked. "I have some ideas if you don't."

Nathan smirked at her, "Oh I'm sure we can think of something." And reaching for her, he laid back until he was lying on the couch and she was held firmly to him.

"Are you sure you don't want to be somewhere alone?" Lucas wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Peyton smirked, "This would be the third time this week we canceled on Brooke. Do you really want her to track us down?"

Lucas blanched at the thought of the brunette following them around Tree Hill. "I guess it can wait a couple hours.

Peyton laughed; obviously Lucas had learned his lesson from the last time they had pulled a disappearing act on Brooke. It had been the week where they had gotten back together, when both had been eager to make up for lost time.

The double date with Skills and Brooke had started out awkward, but by the end of the night Peyton and he had been alone and talking through their fight.

She said she would try and get used to his obsessive need to be involved in every aspect of Haley's life, and she forgave him for accusing her of throwing Haley into Kevin's arms.

Lucas… well he basically groveled. He did stand firm on the fact that he couldn't help it if he worried about Haley, and just promised Peyton that he would try to get better.

Brooke entered the café pulling Skills along with her, hugging Peyton like it had been years instead of hours since they had last seen each other.

Skills grinned at his girl; the double date had worked out well for them too. They had hit it off and were having a good time trying out the boyfriend-girlfriend thing.

Lucas rolled his eyes and looked at his watch. It was going to be hours until they could be alone.

Maybe he should invite Haley to meet them; she had told him that Nathan was out of town. She was probably bored.

"This was you idea?"

"It's fun." Haley quickly defended.

"Yeah, I guess… I just had something different in mind."

"What would that be?" Her eyes twinkled at him mischievously.

"Forget it." Nathan mumbled.

He knew that it was pretty lame, but he could help the way he had been feeling. Ever since Haley and he had gotten together… well it wasn't the Nathan Scott anyone in Charlotte would be used to.

"Come on Scott! Procrastinating isn't going stop me from kicking your ass."

"Whatever James, just point me to it."

Haley did as he asked and directed him to the course that was first.

Nathan managed to get the ball in and then watched as Haley easily putted the ball.

They continued on, lightly teasing as they made their way through the course.

That is until they ended up at the hole titled 'Over the Waves - Side'. There were some hills on the course and in-between the hills there was a tiny opening you had to get the ball through. Once in the ball was through that opening you had to get the ball into the hole.

It had been Haley's turn to go first and once again she had managed to get a hole in one.

Nathan wasn't as lucky.

No matter what he tried he couldn't get the ball through the opening.

Frustrated, he started to mumble himself as he situated himself behind the ball once again. Haley bit her lip as he tried to align his body accordingly, lifting an eyebrow in appreciation when he jiggled his ass in the same attempt.

He was too cute for words.

Nathan was on his tenth stroke, he had hit ball with such force that it rolled over both hills, hit the barrier on the side, and came right back to him.

Nathan's head twisted around when he heard her laughing behind him.

There was a slight breeze, which whipped her hair around her face. A face that was alight with happiness and amusement.

Nathan's breath caught in his throat.

She was breathtaking.

Haley's laughed slowed as she noticed the serious look on Nathan's face. Ignoring her cell phone vibrating in her pocket she took a half step forward she looked at him with concern. "What's the matter?"

"Hales… I don't freak out on me okay?"

Her face scrunched up in confusion and she quirked an eyebrow at him, waiting for him to continue. Haley took a step toward him one he started speaking, "Haley, I-."

But before he could finish Haley felt her world turned upside down and growing dizzy, she stumbled. Nathan lunged forward and caught her before she hit the ground.

Looking up, barely audible, she told him as darkness overtook her, "Thank you."

"What do you want?"

Kevin shrugged her off his shoulder irritably.

"What the fuck is the matter with you?"

Rachel sat up and adjusted her top.

"Nothing."

"Than what's got your dick in a twist?"

Kevin smirked, "The same dick that you just-."

Rachel pushed his shoulder, shutting him up.

Normally that wouldn't have stopped Kevin but he didn't really care anymore.

He was tired of being an asshole. Try as he might, even we he was just justifying it to himself all his reasons for seeing other girls behind Haley's back weren't as powerful as they used to be.

It only took her breaking up with him, for him to realize it.

When she had first done it he had been upset, but a little part of him had been slightly relieved. Yeah he loved her, but their relationship wasn't easy. All the lies and sneaking around weren't his idea of fun anymore. He was tired of it; maybe he would be happier if he could everything out in the open.

When he had first started cheating, it had been exciting and a way to satisfy a need. But it hadn't been that way to him for a while. But he still didn't stay faithful. As much as he wanted to think that it was just because he couldn't stay celibate for long periods of time, he now realized that it was more than that. His feelings for Haley scared him. Maybe he had unconsciously screwed up their relationship on purpose.

He didn't know.

He really didn't.

He just knew that he wasn't happy.

No matter how many women he could now sleep with, that he was sleeping with, he wasn't.

Kevin looked over at Rachel, and not for the first time, noticed not her glamorous face or body but how used she seemed. She had a harshness to her that made him crave the freshness and innocence that Haley had. Not that Haley was naïve, she wasn't. She was just a better person than Rachel or he could ever be.

He needed her back. Would she even take me back? Kevin wondered.

Kevin's eyes narrowed on Rachel once again.

Step one would have to be getting rid of her and any other girl that was hanging around.

Then he'd work on getting Haley back.

End of Reality One

Start of Reality Two
December 12, 2007

Dan stood at the doorway of his son's room and watched him. He wanted nothing more than to be able to reach out and give him the comfort he needed. But ever since the accident he had pulled away from everyone. Not even his newfound brother could help him; he was having a hard time himself with what happened.

Dan was doing everything he could, for the last month he had spent a great deal of time driving. He still had a business to run, but he needed to be here for both Nathan and Lucas. Even though Lucas hadn't accepted him yet. He couldn't be away from his son who had his heart shattered.

Flashback to October 21, 2007

Dan's face twisted with confusion and he looked between his sons. "What happened?"

Nathan spoke quickly, "Jake called me, but there was too much background noise. I couldn't hear everything he said. He basically said that they were in a accident and someone was hurt." Nathan's eyes darted to Lucas. "What happened? Is Haley okay?"

Lucas covered his mouth with a shaky hand, "I don't know, I couldn't hear Peyton very well either. I couldn't make out who, but she said someone was dead."

Nathan closed his eyes briefly before opening them and staring sightlessly at the river. He slowly said, "If Jake called me and Peyton called you…. Haley or-."

"Brooke," Lucas finished hoarsely.

Dan shook his head, "Son… you said the connection was bad. You might have misunderstood. Let's go to the hospital. That's the only place we are going to find more information."

And so here he was, 10 minutes later hurrying after his sons as they ran through the doors of Tree Hill Memorial.

Realizing the boys were in no shape to drive, Dan took care of that, while Lucas had managed to convince Nathan that no one was really dead. That it was all a miscommunication. Dan suggested it, but he feared that it wasn't true and his boys were going to need all the support they could get.

By the time Dan reached the front desk, both boys were trying to get information out of the nurse there.

"Haley James, she was admitted… please… tell me what is going on," Nathan pleaded.

Lucas gripped the edge of the desk. "We also need an update on Brooke Davis… and Peyton Sawyer. Jake Jagelski."Lucas snapped out the names

The Nurse looked at them with sympathy, "I'm sorry but unless your family I can't tell you what their status is."

Lucas slammed a fist on the table. "Just tell us that they're okay."

"I'm sorry, I can' do that. If you can find a family member I'll gladly-."

The nurse, whose ID badge identified her as Anna, was interrupted by a small red headed nurse who came out of the back room.

Not noticing the boys in front of the counter she brought held onto a chart and told Anna, "We lost one of the girls from the crash. She never had a chance, died on impact." Blowing out a frustrated breathe she shook her head. "The paramedics should have called it in the bus. They never want to lose the young ones. We are going to need to find her parents as soon as possible. She had ID on her, so it shouldn't be too hard."

"Beth-." Anna cringed and started to grab the chart.

Nathan leaned forward and tried to grab it, "Which one!"

Beth pulled the chart closer to her, "Back off! Now! I will call security if you just don't back off!"

Anna whispered, "They're here for the girls and boy in the crash."

Beth's expression softened slightly and she looked at them with sympathy. "I'm sorry kids, but we have to inform the family first."

Seeing that they nurses weren't going to relent, Dan pulled both Lucas and Nathan with him a few steps back. "Look we aren't going to get them to tell us anything. Let's just wait a little while; we won't get any information faster if they throw us out."

Nathan clenched his jaw and nodded stiffly. "I'm going to call Haley's parents. They're out of town." Nathan took a step towards the door, hesitantly he looked over his shoulder.

"I'll come get you son, as soon as we find out anything."

Lucas sat next to him, elbows on his knees and his face buried in his hands.

His heart was breaking. There was no way to win. Someone he loved was dead, and he had no idea who it was.

He looked up with he heard Dan.

"Do you want me to call anyone for you?"

Lucas sat back, "Yeah… can you call my mom and dad? They loved-love Haley and they really like Brooke." Lucas' face twisted in pain. "They are just getting to know her."

Dan nodded and stepped out to make the call.

Lucas sat uncomfortably in the chair, when Nathan stepped in the room. Too nervous to sit, he paced, agitated. Throwing looks over his shoulder, he was two steps away from losing it.

"Somebody better give me some fucking information before I tear this place up!" Nathan hissed out beneath his breath."

Dan made the call and walked back in. When he was just in the door he saw that both Lucas and Nathan were now standing up. Taking a small step forward he looked on with concern.

Following their gaze he saw them watching as a tall boy with curly brown hair led a tearful teenage girl down the hall. It wasn't one of the girls he already met so these must bet their other friends, Jake… and… Peyton. That sounds about right.

Too far to hear what was being said, he just saw the reactions to whatever had been told to his sons.

Lucas swayed slightly, while Nathan collapsed onto the chair and covered his face with both hands, shoulders faintly shaking.

Flashback Over

Dan stepped back when he felt the phone buzzing in his pocket.

Seeing who was calling he walked away from the room so he wouldn't disturb his son.

"Hey."

"Hi sweetie… how's he doing?"

"How do you think he's doing?"

"Dan."

He winced at the reproach he heard in her voice.

"I'm sorry Deb… I just miss you. I need you with me."

"I need you too." Deb was silent. "This isn't working; we just need to move to Tree Hill. We both need to be there full time."

Dan rubbed a hand over tired eyes, "I know."

"Then come home, and we'll work it out."

Dan agreed and hung up.

Walking back to the room, he peeked in and saw that Lucas was no longer alone in the room. He was lying on his side with her lying next to him. An arm wrapped comfortable around his waist while her other hand was running comfortably down his hair.

Deciding to leave him be; Dan left the room. He needed to find Nathan and let him know what was going on.

Flashback to October 21, 2007

Nathan finished called Jimmy and Lydia, and walked back inside to wait for new.

Vaguely noticing that Dan was missing he started walking the length of the room, staying in the area that Lucas was located.

He wasn't aware of how much time had passed but he looked up when he heard someone calling his name.

Both he and Lucas stood up when they saw Jake helping a weeping Peyton down the hallway.

Time seemed to hold still as they wait for the two to reach them.

"It's… Brooke. She's dead." Peyton completely broke down. Jakes arms anchored her to him.

"Jake." Nathan spoke, eyes burning. "What about Haley."

Jake shook his head, "She's fine, she wasn't even admitted."

Nathan collapsed in his chair and covered his eyes. Tears wanted to leak out with relief, but he wouldn't let them.

Remembering about Brooke he stood up and grabbed Lucas' arm, leading the dazed boy back to his chair so he could sit down.

Lucas didn't move, his face was motionless and he stared unseeingly at the movement in front of him.

Nathan hated to ask when both his brother and friend were in such obvious pain, but he had to know. So he quietly asked Jake, "Where is she?"

Looking at Peyton with concern he answered back softly. "She didn't want Brooke to be alone."

Nathan nodded in acknowledgement. He ached to be with her, to find her and see for himself that she was okay. But Lucas was hurting, and he had to be there for him.

Flashback Over

Haley moved closer to Luke's back, trying to silently let him know that she was there for him. He hadn't been letting anyone help him.

They all missed Brooke and felt her loss, but Lucas… it was a different level for him. It was like he had totally given up on living.

Lucas stared blankly at nothing.

"Brooke."

Startled, Lucas looked at Haley lying next to him.

"I was the last person to talk to her, you know."

Still Lucas stayed silent, but she could tell he was listening.

"It was a typical Brooke talk, she was bubbling with happiness. She was describing a present she bought for you that she knew you were going to love. But I'll never forget how happy she was with you, how happy you made her."

Lucas closed his eyes and a tear leaked out.

Still Haley continued talking, "She knew how she was seen you know… to outsiders Brooke looked like a rich bitch. But she didn't care because to the people that mattered… to those of us that were lucky enough to know her… we knew what she really was. A generous, loving soul. And she loved you Lucas, her last words were about you."

Lucas didn't even try to stem the flood of tears; he turned around and allowed himself to be taken into Haley's arms. She held him as he cried.

Later after he had worn himself out, he was still in Haley's arms and she was running a hand through his hair. Trying to give him whatever comfort she could. They were quietly sharing stories about Brooke, not just of her death but of the way she lived.

After a particularly funny story, Haley nudged Lucas until he sat up. Taking his face into her hand she leaned forward until her forehead rested on his.

"Lucas… she wouldn't want this for you."

"Haley-."

"No Lucas. She wouldn't, she wouldn't want you to skip school, ignore everyone who loves you, to give up on life."

"I can't do this without her."

"Oh honey… she lived life to the fullest. I think she'd be pretty pissed to find out that you weren't. In fact, if she could, she'd see the way you are living now and come back just to kick your ass."

"But she isn't coming back. So it doesn't matter."

"Luke… her life is over, but yours isn't. Please don't shut us out anymore."

Lucas looked up and saw the exhaustion that filled her face. Nodding slightly he drew her in, "Thanks for talking about Brooke with me. Everyone else has been too nervous to mention her. I started to feel like they were just going to pretend she never existed."

Haley protested. "It's not that Luke, they just don't want to make it harder on you."

"I know… I know. I just needed to remember her for a while. I'm glad it was you." After a pause he continued, "And I'm glad you're okay Haley… I'm sorry I haven't told you that yet."

December 13, 2007

Haley stood on the beach, looking out at the water. Nathan had called to let her know that Dan had purchased a beach house while he had been in Tree Hill the previous weekend. He had wanted to meet her there but she had arrived first. Unable to get in with a key, Haley was enjoying the quiet time watching the turbulent waves crashing on the winter day.

She kept her arms wrapped around her waist, not just to ward of the cold but to try and regain some warmth that had escaped her soul the day her friend had died.

Lucas was a mess, yesterday had been the first day he had responded to anything since Brooke's funeral. It gave her hope that he would be able to, not get over it, but stop punishing himself for not being able to save her.

Haley felt the familiar warm body press up behind her, arms encircling her to cover her own.

He brushed his lips against her cheek, lips grazing down to capture her mouth in a light kiss.

They stood silent, before she pulled out of his arms and up to the house.

"So this is what Dan got you?"

Nathan nodded, "Yeah… graduation present. He thinks I'm so used to being on my own that when he and mom come down I won't want to live with them."

"Do you?"

"I miss them… yeah I do. But I do like having my privacy so I'm not going to complain. I'm not moving in here until I graduate though." Nathan smiled without much enthusiasm, "It'll be great for parties."

They were both silent for a while before Nathan suddenly asked, "How's Luke doing?"

By then they were settled on the floor in from of the fireplace. Nathan was currently building it up, so she answered the question to his back."

"He's doing better; at least I don't think he's not giving up on life anymore."

"Good, I'm glad you're there for him Haley."

"You've been there for him too."

Nathan stopped walking and looked at her uncomfortably, "Not as much as I should have."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

Nathan seemed to think about it while he finished with the fire. He turned to her and admitted. "I feel guilty."

Haley was going to push for more, but decided to let Nathan tell her what he needed to at his own pace.

"I'm sorry Brooke died, and that it's causing people I care about pain. But…. even now I can't stop being grateful that it was her and not you. How am I supposed to help Luke when I think things like that?"

"Nathan… Lucas wouldn't blame you for being happy I wasn't hurt. He told me that himself. You guys just found out that your brothers and this happened. Of course it's going to be awkward."

"I don't know Haley… it's just runs through my head 'Thank god it was Brooke, and not Haley'."

Haley gripped his hands with hers, "Don't you think that I'm happy I'm here? That I'm grateful that we were in a horrific car accident and I came out of it without a scratch? It doesn't have anything to do with Brooke dying Nathan. She didn't die so I could live; they are mutually exclusive, baby."

"I know…" When Nathan spoke, his voice was still unsure.

Haley pulled him down with her, lying back on the rug with Nathan propped above her. Putting a hand to his cheek, she whispered, "I need you."

He seemed to understand that she meant she needed his touch, the reaffirmation that they were still together, and in love.

They hadn't been together this way since the accident, but instead of rushing they took their time. Clothes were removed slowly, bodies were relearned. Hands brushing, mouth's meeting, the familiarity taking them over, so they were no longer thinking about what they were doing; only feeling.

And when they finally joined together, she was above him. Hands grippingly tightly, she gradually lowered herself onto him, she could feel Nathan's restraint, instead of setting the pace he stared at her with blue eyes darkened to almost black, and let her set the pace.

Not wanting to rush, she slowly rode. Arousal was coiling even tighter in her on each stroke, until it seemed like she was going to die. Breaths sobbing, she finally started moving slightly faster, and she felt the tension burst and a thousand starburst exploded behind her closed lids. At the same time Nathan felt her tight walls clenching around him he grabbed her hips tightly and thrust himself up.

Later after they had rested Haley sat up, and grinning down at Nathan moved to stand up.

Nathan lost his grin when he saw her eyes un-focus. Moving quickly he caught her as her body fell heavily down. Panic in her voice he yelled "Haley!"

She distantly heard Nathan calling to her as darkness overtook her.

End of Reality Two

So was anyone surprised with who died? *very curious*

luvnaley23: I'm glad you're happy about the progress of reality one! Sorry about the long wait for an update.

naley19: Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Man, sorry about the cliffhanger and then the long wait to find out who died.

grumpie2003: Ack, sorry for making you wait so long. Thanks for the review!

Jess2303: yeah I now I'm evil. Sorry about that Jess, thanks for the review :)

scottjames23: So, so sorry about leaving you hanging for so long. Well… she didn't die this time, but eventually one reality is going to win out so she's going to have to die in the other. :/