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Chapter 9

The clouds were hanging low, grey and full but not one drop fell to earth. In the distance rumblings could be heard. That's how Haley felt; she hasn't shed a tear since Dean held her in the bathroom. It all felt too unreal to her. Yet here she was, staring at the ground in front of her, she heard the deep calm voice speaking to the crowd but it was all muffled in her ear. Lifting her head, Haley's eyes scanned trough the other people around her. Brooke and Lucas, Karen and Deb, Her mother's best friend Marian, Jake and Peyton, even Nathan, some people she recognized others she didn't. Dean and Sam stood to her right and Justin was on her left. There were quite a lot of people she thought. Turning her head to look at Justin, Haley could see the despair on his face. He didn't even get the chance to talk to their mother, to say goodbye. She reached over and took his hand in hers. Looking away a movement behind Justin caught her eye. There leaning against a tree a couple of meters back, stood a man. He wore a long dark coat but Haley couldn't quite see his face. Looking up at Dean Haley gestured with her head to where the man stood; he saw him and nodded to her. He moved backwards, taking Sam with him. Dean gestured for Sam to move in another direction to get the guy from behind, while he moved towards the man. Dean thought that he would flee when he realized they were coming towards him, but he stood dead still. As Dean got closer some of the mans features became familiar to him, he walked to stand beside the man and faced the funeral party in front of them.

"Mr. James" Dean said after a couple of minutes of silence

"Dean" he answered. The man Dean once knew and respected stood there not look away. He just stared at the people gathered on the hill. He had clearly gotten older. His grey hair was more prominent and longer, the wrinkles around his eyes were deep groves. And the look in his eyes was definitely not of the man Dean knew.

"Justin's not gonna be pleased to see you Mr. James" Dean said again after a silence

"They don't have to know" Jimmy said still not looking at Dean

"Haley already saw you" Dean said again

"How are they" Jimmy asked with interest

"Devastated, they lost another parent. But they're both strong people with a lot off people looking out for them" Dean said in a soft tone. Jimmy looked at Dean and Dean could see the tears in his eyes. He took out a black box and placed it in Dean's hand

"You look after my little girl, okay" Jimmy said still holding Dean's hand

"Mr. James?" Dean asked confused

"Promise me" Jimmy asked. Dean looked down at the box in his hand and then at where Haley stood before looking back at Jimmy

"I promise" Dean said his voice thick with emotion. Jimmy nodded at him, turned around and disappeared through the trees, almost like he wasn't even there to begin with.

"Who was that?" Sam asked when he joined Dean. Dean looked at the little box in his hand before putting it in his pocket.

"No one" Dean answered after a brief silence

"Okay" Sam said knowing not to nag at Dean at this stage. Dean started walking back to join the group, Sam followed putting his hands in his pockets.

Haley stood with her arms crossed over her chest looking out the patio window. Behind her the house was filled with funeral goers, luckily Karen and Deb provided the snacks; she didn't have the strength for that as well. Justin spoke to some people and others came to convey their condolences but Haley just wanted to be alone.

"Haley?" a voice came from behind her. She turned around and smiled faintly

"Karen, hi" she said when she saw her friends mother behind her

"I brought you some tea honey, and you should try and eat something" Karen said handing Haley a cup

"Thanks, but I'm really not hungry, maybe later" Haley answered taking the cup. Karen nodded at her before going back to the kitchen. Haley turned to look out the window again taking small sips from her cup. She didn't know how long she stood there staring but she jumped a bit when someone touched her shoulder.

"Hales, we're going now but we'll be back later ok?" Lucas said when she turned to look at him

"Thank you guys for coming, we appreciate it" Haley said and Lucas took her in his arms and held her to his chest. They stood like that for a few seconds before Lucas kissed her on the top of her head and stepped back so Brooke could hug her. When they left Haley noticed the house was almost empty only Karen and Deb were still there, cleaning up. She kicked of her shoes and climbed on to the couch, covering herself with her mothers throw.

Leaning against the outside wall Dean nodded to everyone that passed on their way out. He didn't really know many of them; some he recognized from visits to the house over the years others from the hospital and some of Justin and Haley's friends. Justin walked towards him and leaned against the wall as well. Dean looked at him and felt deeply sorry, at this stage Justin was devastated and nothing any one said was going to make him feel better.

"I think this is one of the longest days of my live" Justin said not looking at Dean

"Yeah" Dean said squatting down.

"Thanks for being here Dean, not just for my sister but for my mom and even me. When I had to leave I was scared and worried but I knew that I left them both in good hands with you. My mother loved you, every time I spoke to her she would tell me what a great guy you are, and I can see it in the way Hales looks at you. You were here when she had no one, you were her rock. I know it had to be hard to put your life on hold like that. And I just want to say thank you. Thank you for taking care of them when I couldn't." Justin's voice was full of emotion. Dean had stood up while Justin was talking and was now staring at him

"You know there were days that your mom didn't recognize me or Hales, other days she thought I was you and this one time she thought I was a burglar" Dean smiled at the memory "but Justin not one day went by that I wished I wasn't here. Because your sister's face on the days that went well was worth all of it. I wanted to be here and I'll do it all over again" Dean finished all emotional himself. Justin gave Dean a weak smile, tears in his eyes he held out his hand to Dean. Dean took his hand and patted him on the back with the other before they both disappeared into the house.

Nathan sat in his car looking at the house in front of him. He had been sitting there for a while. Everyone was starting to leave; he wanted to go inside but just couldn't bring himself to. Nathan noticed Dean leaning against the wall, his tie loosened and his hands in his pockets. From this angle you could almost imagine it as a magazine page Nathan scoffed at the thought. He really didn't like Dean, he couldn't tell exactly why. Maybe it was because he had what Nathan wanted. Good friends, a loving brother, a business but most of all Haley. Nathan watched as Justin approached Dean, stand next to him, talk and shake his hand. A friendship and understanding between them apparent. Nathan couldn't help but think of a time when he and Justin were friends.

Flashback

Justin stood with his surfboard under his arm looking out over the water in front of him. The water was so clear as it came crashing in. Justin turned around and looked at the group of friends behind him.

"Last one in the water pays for the drinks later" he yelled. He started to back paddle as the group, now on their feet came towards him. Haley was in front and suddenly on top of him hanging like a little monkey around his neck. He dropped his board and grabbed her around her waist trying to balance both of them.

"Yo Nate could you please get your wife of off me" Justin laughed

"We have to win Nate, you keep him back while I go touch base" Haley said through their laughter. Nathan shook his head before telling Haley to go he'll keep Justin back. Haley took of running into the water while Justin tried to get pass Nathan, later tackling him to the ground. The one trying to keep the other from going in to the water. They spend the whole day on that beach playing, joking around and later sitting around the fire they build. Haley between his legs, leaning against his chest.

End Flashback

Nathan smiled at the memory. Everything seemed to be so easy then. Live, love, friendships, trust.

Flashback

"If you go near her again, I swear, I will kill you" Justin barked in his face

"You can't stop me Justin. I'll do what I please and if I want to see my wife, I will" Nathan yelled back

"Ex-wife remember? You walked out when she asked for something for herself. I was there. You're an insecure, arrogant ass that hurt my sister once but I'll be damned if you do it again. So stay away" Justin yelled

"Is that a threat?" Nathan asked cockily

"You bet your ass it is and I am very serious. If you haven't believed anything before Nathan believe me when I say that this is the last time that you will ever be near my sister again" Justin's voice was low. He looked at Nathan with so much hate and Nathan could see the seriousness in his eyes. Justin turned around and walked away with out looking back.

End Flashback

Nathan went to speak to Haley. Tell her that he didn't really want to end things but he was hurt and thought she would come back. But in ended in a huge argument, with them yelling at each other. That was the last time he spoke to Haley and Justin. Nathan looked at the house a last time before starting his car and driving away.

Karen and Deb cleaned up and greeted everyone on their way out. Justin and Dean found Haley in the den curled up in a chair with the throw over her, fast asleep. Justin walked over and sat on the coffee table in front of her. He leaned forward and brushed some loose strands of hair from Haley's face. She twitched but didn't wake up. Justin let out a big sigh, running a hand over his face. He sat there and looked at his baby sis and had no idea what to do next.

"When we were little, she was terrified of thunder so every time it rained she would come and climb into my bed. She would press her cold little feet against my warm legs to heat them. When I was overseas there were nights I laid in my bunk while it rained and I could almost feel her cold feet on my legs. How can I go back now and leave her. What am I suppose to do now?" Justin said looking at Haley sleeping, looking at Dean when he asked the last question.

"We'll figure it out. Get some rest Justin" Dean said patting his shoulder. Dean then picked Haley up and carried her to her room. He laid her on the bed, took of his shoes and laid down beside her. She moved backwards and her back was against his chest. He felt her warmth and wrapped his arm around her holding her to him. Understanding what Justin meant.