A/N: So, I had a lot of fabulous questions last chapter. The main one was about why Dan had wanted to marry Haley off to Nathan if Lucas was in fact the older son, who would be inheriting the company. Now, this question in its entirety isn't exactly going to be answered yet, but I promise eventually it will be. Also, please remember what Dan is like regarding Nathan and basketball in the first few seasons. He is pretty much willing to do anything to make his and Nathan's dream come true. So we will be seeing a little of this in the coming chapters, and hopefully all questions will be answered. Let me know if there are any more! I love the interest in the story. As always, I do not own OTH. The song is by the Pussycat Dolls. Yes, I'm serious. It got stuck in my head since my best friend is somewhat obsessed and I think it fits! Sorry for the long AN.

Chapter 10: When I Grow Up

"Miss James?" Haley's assistant, Bill, buzzed his boss through her intercom.

"Yes-yes, Bill?" Haley jolted out of a daydream. Focus, she berated herself. No matter how much she tried not to, she kept thinking back to Friday night. Which, she told herself, was reasonable. A lot had happened that night. For one, Haley found out that her best friends Peyton and Jake would be moving to New York City. This was something that thrilled the young woman. Just thinking about her friends brought a smile to her face. And then, she had met Lucas Scott. And found out that he was the older son, set to take over the company. And they had met up with Nathan Scott. So, yeah, Friday had been a busy night.

But she couldn't be thinking about Friday right now. Bill's voice brought Haley back to the present. "Miss James, I have Nathan on the line. He says he wants to talk about the Carters."

Edward and Audrey Carter were the company's two most important clients right now. And if she were honest with herself, Haley would admit that the only reason she had been put on their case was that she was part owner of the company. She wasn't ready and didn't have the background to handle such important investors. But the Carters had wanted the two most senior people in the company, an honor that fell to her and Dan Scott. However, for reasons that still had not presented themselves, and reasons that made Haley slightly nervous she didn't know, Dan had delegated the duty to his son, Nathan. But why?

"Miss James?" Bill's voice questioned again. "Shall I put Nathan through?"

"Um, yeah, sure," Haley stuttered. She felt uncomfortable for some reason at the mention of her partner.

"Haley," Nathan's voice immediately filtered through her phone. "We need to meet up. I have some new data on the stocks the Carters recently invested in."

"Sure," Haley replied, trying to inject some measure of confidence into her shaky words. "The conference rooms?"

"Yeah, I had Bill go ahead and get Room D for us so I'll meet you there in a minute." He hung up the phone and Haley breathed a sign of relief. Although Nathan had been one to torment Haley from time to time, he seemed to be in a somewhat professional mood. Maybe being around him wasn't so bad after all. It only he could stay like that.

Haley gathered her binders on the Carters and walked briskly toward the appointed meeting space. When she opened the heavy doors to enter, she noticed that Nathan had already arrived and begun to rifle through his papers. He heard her movements and looked up, a smile gracing his features as he did so.

"Hey Hales," he said. "Take a seat."

Haley nodded, choosing not to speak but rather organized her own material.

"Okay, so I just had a call from Gary, one of the brokers on the Carter case. He said he heard about one of the Carters' stocks, and that it was likely to begin falling dramatically in the next few weeks. He thought we'd want to know so we can act accordingly."

Haley narrowed her eyes. "So why ask me in here? Why not just discuss the options with the Carters and see how they feel like proceeding?"

"Well," Nathan started, "because I actually wanted to brainstorm a little with you. As you know, about 20 of the Carters' assets lie in real estate, and with the plummeting market, I wasn't sure how exactly we should advise them, to move forward."

"You want to know my opinion?" Haley looked wary.

"Of course," Nathan leaned forward. "We're partners on this, Hales. Now, hop to. Let's hear your expert opinions, oh wise one," he gestured dramatically.

For the next five hours, Nathan and Haley discussed their clients and the possibilities surrounding their different assets and the pros and cons to each idea. Weary after the long hours, Haley looked to her watch before noticing the time.

"Oh, god, it's 8 o'clock!" she said. "Brooke will want to know where I am!"

"No she won't," Nathan smirked.

"What?" Haley turned a confused look to him.

Nathan's eyes lit up. "I remember something you don't remember," he said in a singsong voice.

"Remember? What don't I remember?"

Nathan looked at her pointedly. "Hello? Lucas is taking her out on a date tonight? Isn't this the kind of thing girls talk about?"

Haley smacked a hand to her forehead. "Oh, I completely forgot! Well, at least she isn't having me watch as she puts on outfit after outfit asking me which one I like best!"

"Now that I'd like to see," Nathan said suggestively.

"Shut up," Haley said, but to Nathan's surprise, she was smiling, instead of the usual glare that accompanied those words.

"So, how many outfits do you girls usually try on for a date?" Nathan wondered.

"Well, of course, that depends on the girl. Brooke probably averages about seven. I live with Brooke, so I also average about seven. Not by choice," she smiled.

"Well, I spend hours in front of the mirror trying on different outfits, and seeing how my hair will best compliment my facial structure." He grinned when he saw Haley roll her eyes. "I can't speak for Lucas, though. You know how blondes are."

Instead of a smile, Haley offered a questioning glare. "So what is the whole deal with Lucas, anyway?" she asked. "I mean, have you always known him?"

Nathan sobered instantly. "I knew about him my whole life," he corrected. "But I just met him a year or so ago. I guess I didn't really think about it too much, you know? Then my dad just came back from visiting him one day and said he'd be coming up to the city to work with us. And, I mean, we didn't get along for a while. But he's a good guy. Easy to talk to."

"And you don't mind his working here?" Haley questioned.

"It was hard at first," Nathan admitted. "I mean, I've kind of been around this company my whole life. I was always here to visit my dad when I was younger, and then I've worked here since I was about fifteen. And then, this guy just comes out of nowhere…" he trailed off, shaking his head.

"I'm sorry," Haley offered. "I shouldn't have pried."

"No," Nathan said bitterly. "It's your job to know about the company, right? And who's going to get it next?"

"That isn't why I was asking," Haley said softly.

Nathan looked up at her, and his gaze forced Haley's stomach into a flip.

"Well, it doesn't matter," Nathan said. "Nothing's been decided on that front anyway. My whole life my dad's told me I was going to inherit the company. He never really owned Lucas, you know? And now he's giving him a job here, but it's weird. My dad, he sort of always has a plan. And he's acting now like he does when he has something up his sleeve. I think he has something strange planned. It's always been his dream for me to take over the company."

"His dream?" Haley asked in the same soft voice.

"My dream, too," Nathan answered. "I've always loved it here. I grew up here, and I know this company backwards and forwards. I don't think I could handle it to just watch someone else take over my company."

Haley nodded, not saying anything, a little surprised at how much he had opened up to her. Nathan, as if sensing the same thing, instantly pulled away.

"I've probably told you more in the last ten minutes than I've told my last three girlfriends combined," he said. "Anyway," Nathan started, sitting up straight as though forcing away those feelings. "I guess we'll just see how everything plays out. Good ideas about the Carters," he added brusquely.

Confused at his change in reaction, Haley simply nodded.

"Well, I'd better run," Nathan said, gathering everything he had brought with him. "You know, getting late…"

"Sure," Haley said. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah," Nathan said softly, looking over at her. "See you tomorrow."

After he left, Haley stayed in the conference room for a few more minutes, dissecting what had happened with Nathan. Why was he sometimes so nice, and others so guarded? How can he be so real, and then put on a show the next minute? Why does he piss me off, and then act nice?

But worst: Why did she care?

A/N: Okay I know I already have a super-long one (that's what she said) author's note. But please review. I love everyone who has reviewed so far. It really means a lot.