First of all I want to say thanks so much to those of you reading, extra thanks to those who reviewed – as some of you may know I received some not-so-nice feedback from people after the last update, and all your encouragement really helped me in not letting it get to me, and pushing forward with this story. I love to know what people think of my work, and always welcome constructive criticism, but if you are just going to attack not only my story, but me personally, because of something you believe will happen I'd prefer you didn't contact me, and just stopped reading. I appreciate every reader of my story and would hate to lose anyone, but it's just fanfiction folks! It's not worth insulting people over!

Now enough of all that seriousness! Thank you to everyone who's reading - I hope you like this next part….

Big thanks to Lori for beta-ing, and to all my girls who helped talked me off the ledge hehe!

Ten

The attention that came with being on Nathan's arm was something Haley wasn't sure she'd ever get used to. His height, stature and classic good looks effortlessly drew eyes to him wherever he went, and walking into the tastefully decorated ballroom that evening it was no different. She drew her shoulders back and breathed in, in an effort to elongate her body. The strapless chocolate brown dress she was wearing hugged yet skimmed her curves, the soft layers just brushing the top of her knees, and up until this moment she'd felt it had complimented her petite form perfectly, but under the stares and amidst the whispered words she felt the need to tug up the neckline, and down the hem.

Sensing her squirming a little beside him Nathan looked over at his wife and smiled. "You okay?"

"Everyone's staring." She whispered looking up at him, and he chuckled lightly under his breath.

"They're jealous."

"Of what?" She laughed, trying to pull them out of the doorway but he kept a tight grip on her waist holding her to him.

"Me. I'm with the most beautiful woman in the room." She looked up, a sarcastic reply already on her lips when she saw his eyes boring into her intensely and was taken aback by the way that he seemed to truly believe his words. A year of marriage and sometimes she still couldn't believe someone like him, who could have their pick, would choose her. His lips descended on hers and she turned, her hands resting lightly on his chest as she savoured the moment. He'd been distant all week, if he wasn't working late, he was giving her dismissive answers when she carefully prodded on how he felt about this evening. She'd suggested various excuses that they could give to not attend, or to leave early once they were here, but he'd simply shrugged and claimed it wasn't worth the effort. Remembering where they were she pushed her hands against his body, prying her lips from his. A blush rising to her cheeks as she saw that the eyes which had been on them before were still looking, quickly she scanned the tables in search of their family. Catching Brooke's amused gaze she slipped out of Nathan's arms, entwining their fingers, and dropping her gaze to floor, wishing she'd left her hair down so she could use it hide her burning cheeks she pulled him behind her as she tried to get to their table without meeting any of the guests eyes.

"You know you two you're not really newlyweds anymore; you can't get away with that stuff now." Keith joked and Haley's blush deepened as she sat down in the chair Nathan had pulled out for her.

"Can you blame me?" Nathan smirked, as Haley rolled her eyes at his side.

"Oh leave them alone." Karen warned her husband who continued to grin knowingly at the young couple.

"Real classy entrance there kids." Dan's voice arrived at the table before any of the occupants had noticed his presence, and Haley's hand immediately found its way to Nathan's thigh in a plea to try and ease some of the tension he was instantly riddled with.

"Leave them alone, Dan." Deb spoke up, picking up a glass of champagne from a tray as one of the waiters walked passed before she sat down. "You look lovely tonight, Haley."

"Thank you, so do you." Haley responded truthfully. Internally her mother in law may be a mess, but externally she was always as put together as they came. High designer clothing, flawless figure and expensively cut hair. She was sure many a woman in this room looked at Deb as a figure of aspiration; she was someone who'd raised a family, had a successful career, and never appeared to break a sweat. Nobody seemed to care enough to try and look past the paper thin veneer.

"Ummhmmm." A cough from the other side of the table demanded attention.

"And you look gorgeous too Brookie." Haley laughed, craning around Lucas who was sat beside her so she could smile widely at the brunette who grinned smugly back.

"Well of course I do, but it's nice to hear it." The table rang with laughter, some fake some genuine, and the evening was officially off to a start.

Their table seemed to be a beacon in the room as people came by to congratulate Dan, and exchange false pleasantries, brushing shoulders with the Tree Hill elite. People Haley hadn't seen since her wedding – and even then they'd only been a name on the list of people Deb insisted they invite - came over and asked her and Nathan how they were.

"You must be so proud of your father." An older woman told Nathan as she sat down next to him in the seat his mother had recently vacated.

He sent her a tight smile in return, and nodded his head curtly in agreement. Haley wondered if she was the only person who could see the vein pulsing as his temple.

"It's a very worthwhile cause." Haley spoke up, laying her hand comfortingly on her husband's forearm that was resting on the table, strained from his tight clutch on the tumbler of scotch he held onto.

"Oh yes dear, definitely. And how are you two? You seem well." The woman, who Haley still couldn't name, laughed and winked. Signalling that she'd witnessed their earlier publicly displayed affection.

"We are." Smiling softly Haley reached up a hand to play with her hair, trailing it down her neck to fiddle with the gold necklace that sat there when she found no stray strands.

"To be young and in love. Well, if you kids will excuse me I have to be getting back to my table. Dinner will be served soon. Be sure to tell your mother to find me later Nathan."

"Will do." He stood up, the picture of the perfect gentleman as he waited for the woman to leave. Picking up his glass he drained what little was left in it before leaning down and whispering in Haley's ear. "I'm going to the bar."

Closing her eyes and breathing deeply she nodded silently, he might as well stay up there as much as he'd been back and forth the little time they'd been seated.

"Here." Slipping into Nathan's seat Brooke passed Haley a fruity drink. "You look like you could use this."

"What is it?"

"It's non-alcoholic don't worry. I figured you were driving." Haley followed Brooke's cocked head over to the bar where Lucas and Nathan were laughing with a group of men. How he could look so at ease in a situation she knew he despised was beyond her. It didn't matter how expensive the dress on her back, she was sure she stuck out like a sore thumb in this crowd; the daughter of a man who worked for the power company and a stay at home mom, who made her living pouring their coffee and cleaning up their leftovers. She wouldn't want to fit in, she hated it, the games they played to each others faces, the lies they spread behind each others backs.

"I could do with something stronger."

"You could always get a cab back with us?" Haley smiled at her taller friends offer but shook her head.

"I told Nathan I'd drive, it's fine."

"Cause God forbid he leaves his precious car anywhere." Brooke replied with an eye roll. "So when do you think the food will be served, I'm starving."

Eyeing Brooke's bright red figure hugging dress Haley laughed. "I'm surprised you've room to eat in that thing."

"Thank you." The blonde blinked at her friend's response.

"I don't think it was a compliment Brooke." Karen piped up from across the table where she and Deb had just sat back down.

"Or an insult!" Haley rushed in. "Just an observation."

"Well, I thought it was a compliment." Brooke grinned, and the women broke into an easy conversation as an announcement was made that dinner would be served shortly, and speeches would follow before the dancing started.

"…. As well as instigating this evening for us all to enjoy while we raise money for the fund he has also been responsible for us raising double what we made last year, he is also your mayor, so on behalf of the staff, patients, and families of the St Johns children and maternity wards we'd like to give this award to Mayor Dan Scott."

The room erupted into a polite applause, as Dan stood up, pressing his lips softly to Deb's before shaking his brothers and Lucas' hand, and then with a reluctant Nathan's; the picture of the perfect family man, as he made his way onto the stage to give his thanks.

"Mom, please." Haley gave Lucas a small sympathetic smile, and watched Brooke squeeze his arm reassuring as he eyed his mother who was draining not only her own champagne glass, but any others within reach as she smiled a little too widely to be genuine, her eyes trained on her husband.

Everyone at the table was aware of looks they were receiving, being watched as they watched, their reactions being gauged as they kept up appearances of a proud family unit, despite the tension that hung thickly between them. As she watched her husband's emotionless face, and his drunken mother's pleading looks and hushed pleas coming from between her beaming false smile for him to do the same, Haley felt her heart break a little. This wasn't a family, not the way she knew them to be. Instead of feeling the love, you felt something else, something darker. Instead of laughter, the Scott's were known for thinly veiled insults, and rashly thrown punches. Coming from a close family herself she hadn't expected anything less than to take on Nathan's family when she married him. She'd heard many a rumour about the Scott's growing up. They were practically royalty in Tree Hill, especially once Dan had become mayor, and you couldn't live in the town without hearing both good and bad, and maybe it was naïve of her, but despite it all she hadn't been prepared for what she received. Brothers who despite their closeness openly resented things the other had achieved, a mother-in-law who drinks and who knows what else to cope with the pressure of keeping up appearances, and a father-in-law who'd ruined a little bit of every member, his choices and actions sending ripples both positive and negative through the lives of everyone he touched.

As Dan began to speak of the importance of family, and his own trips to the children's ward thanks to his rambunctious boys Haley felt Nathan's entire body tense beside her. She had to reluctantly admit that the drink he'd consume had done it's intended job of keeping him subdued for the evening so far, the tension at the table had been exceptionally high, everyone on tender hooks waiting for someone to stop and say or do something that would garner them the wrong kind of attention, but the rose tinted view of his childhood had struck a nerve in Nathan. She gave up a reassuring smile before turning back to the front of the room, reaching under the table to clasp his hand tightly in her own. It took a few minutes for his fingers to relax around hers, returning the grasp but she'd kept a firm grip, silently letting him know that she was there for him whether he wanted it or not. Growing up on fairy tales, and a home that despite its lackings had at all times been full of love, Haley always believed that good prevailed over evil, and love was always enough to correct even the worst of situations. She'd vowed to herself a long time ago that her love would rescue Nathan from his turmoils, the ones she knew, and the ones she didn't. Despite his efforts, whether he wanted to make them or not, she knew him well enough to know that what she knew only scratched the surface of the things that lurked inside his mind. The regrets, and painful memories, the mistakes and missed chances. Some of which were directly due to the people around him, some indirectly, some maybe not at all. She was aware he had his demons, from early in their relationship she'd known there was more to him that she'd ever imagined from a far, but she loved him in spite of them, maybe to some degree due to them, because they made him who he was, the man she loved more than she'd ever dreamed possible. Loving who they'd made him didn't stop her wanting to save him from them, especially when, like now, his eyes took on the look of a lost child as he watched the man who'd shaped him.

"…but my children aren't children any longer, and this fund has a special place in my heart because I'm expecting them to give me grandchildren in the new future, and it's my mission to have them delivered in a brand new wing so donate generously, we're running out time."

As the room broke out in laughter Haley felt the breath leave her body, and her hand slump in Nathan's lap. Without even trying Dan Scott had made his first stab into Haley Scott's heart. Tears gathered in her eyes and thoughts of Nathan's pain faded a little into the background as she grabbed blindly for her water to cover up how shaken she was.

"Oh that's all on you married girl. I'm happy being the fun aunt for a good few years yet!" Brooke joked, and the table laughed easily, smiling over at the young couple.

Nathan watched and winced as his wife laughed and smiled uncomfortably, he tried to close her hand in his own, hoping to have the same reassuring soothing power her hold had had on him but she pulled her previously limp hand away like it burned. Of all the things his father could have said, of all the pain he was expecting this night to inevitably cause, he never thought the b-word would come into it.

"Oh leave them be. They're so young – I'm sure they want a few more years to just enjoy each other." Nathan smiled gratefully at his aunt.

"And I'm way too young to be called Grandma." Deb slurred out with a loud cackle, and Nathan would of rolled his eyes as Lucas laughed along loudly, coming to their mothers rescue as she received odd looks from the people around them, except for the fact that Haley was still pale and silent. He remembered the way she'd looked a little while earlier when she'd been talking to Keith and Karen about helping Robbie, clearly no need for her to fake it as she radiated pride and excitement as they'd filled her in on the improvements he'd made, the thirst for learning he seemed to have developed. He loved Haley most like that free, and happy, uninhibited, the way he'd been drawn to her. The idea that his family could do anything to dim that light within in her caused a rage to build inside of him, it was quickly quenched by self loathing when he realised if he'd given her the answer she wanted his fathers words would have warmed instead of hurt her.

Dan left the stage and the band started to play as Nathan watched unsure of what to do when Haley politely excused herself, Karen and Brooke both sending curious glances after the blonde as she walked away.

"Where's she going?" Nathan shook his head in Brooke's direction when he saw her move to stand up.

"She had a headache coming on before we left the house, I'll go check on her." The fact that Brooke had made the joke about Haley's having a child first, and why she was shocked by her sudden exit made it clear to Nathan that she didn't know why his father's comment would cause a reaction in Haley. A sense of relief filled him at the fact that their problems weren't being used for family gossip, but he worried about the fact that Haley obviously wasn't sharing her pain with anyone; they hadn't talked properly about it in weeks.

"I can go." Brooke insisted, sensing there was more to the situation than was being let on.

"No, I'll go, you can.." Nathan titled his head to where Karen and Lucas were talking to Deb in hushed whispers.

"Yeah.." Brooke answered sharing a sad knowing smile with Nathan as he left the table.

Walking out of the small cubicle Haley was grateful to find the bathroom empty. She'd been sure Brooke or Karen would follow her out and the last thing she wanted to do was explain why she was so shaken up. It was ridiculous, she told herself as she looked into the mirror and wiped away the smudges of mascara that lay against her porcelain cheeks, to be so hurt by a throw away comment. A comment that nobody outside of her and Nathan would think twice over, but she honestly felt physically sick when her father-in-law had uttered the words.

Since promising Nathan that she'd give him time to think over the baby question. Promising herself she'd let him come to her, that she wouldn't push, she'd done her best to push it to the back of her mind, throwing herself into her life and keeping busy, constantly doing two or more things at a time; anything to stop her dwelling on the what ifs and maybe. If she was talking to anyone but herself she'd remind them how young they were, how they hadn't been married long, how a baby was a big responsibility, one both she and Nathan needed to be completely ready for, but she never expected to want something so bad her heart ached for it. Although always wanting a family she never thought she'd have such a need for it so young. She'd seen a woman her age pushing a stroller down the street yesterday, her hand on her expanded belly as she talked softly to the child she was pushing, and she'd near burst into tears. All the work she'd done to convince herself, Nathan's support or not, it really wasn't the right time flew out of the window as she'd watched through the open door of the cafe as the woman smiled and laughed with her child, and a man walked up behind them, reaching over the woman to brush his hand over the child's head before joining his hand with the mother's that lay on her distended stomach. The antagonism of this evening should have easily done the job of distracting her from everything. But the more she'd worried about Nathan as she watched him fake his way through the evening the only ways he knew how, the more her mind had circled the memory. She wanted to be able to show him that a family wasn't like this, that it didn't have to be hard and painful, that you could love unconditionally and be happy doing so.

Taking a final look in the mirror she breathed deeply and walked toward the main room, she shook her head when she spotted Nathan at a table with Dan, his father's hand resting on his shoulder, portraying the image of a proud father, but from here Haley could see Dan was pushing a little too strongly, willing with force for Nathan to stay where he was.

Looking over at the bar she saw Lucas stood alone and walked up to him. "Hey you."

"Hey yourself." Lucas gave Haley a half hearted smile as he called over to the bartender and ordered her a drink.

"You okay?"

"I guess." Looking over her shoulder Lucas watched as Karen and Keith stopped his mother ordering another drink and let out a long sigh. "I thought she was doing better."

Placing her hand over his hand Haley gave it a reassuring squeeze. "I did too. I'm sorry."

"Did you finish that book?" Sensing Lucas need to talk about something other than his mother, especially in their current situation, Haley herself took the distraction topic happily.

"I did! It was so good! I couldn't put it down, Nathan's been feeling neglected."

"I was the same way, so was Brooke! We'll have to start setting them up together when we want to read."

"Sounds like a plan to me. Anymore not yet released books for me?"

"I'll see what I can do." Lucas laughed at the excited squeal Haley released.

"I love the perks of having an author for a brother in law! The best I can offer you in return is first cup of coffee out of a fresh pot."

"You're perk enough yourself Hales." He assured her and she grinned. Ever since they'd met in high school through Peyton the pair had shared an easy friendship that only grew since she'd gotten together with Nathan, their similar personalities, and a shared love of literature always gave them something to talk about. "Anyone who can keep my brother reigned in is worth their weight in gold."

Haley was about to respond when she found herself being flung against his strong chest.

"Sorry!" Smiling thanks to Lucas for keeping her upright Haley turned toward the voice.

"It's really no…" Her words drifted off as she saw who had bumped into her. "problem."

"Oh it's you!" Taken a back by the fact that Rachel seemed to recognise her Haley gave Lucas a confused look. "You're Taylor James' sister right? I realised after I'd left the café yesterday. Hazel, isn't it?"

"Haley."

"Haley, right." Teetering effortlessly on her high heels despite the glassiness alcohol had given her eyes, Rachel nodded. "I'm Rachel."

"I remember."

"How is Taylor these days?"

"She's doing well thank you." Haley couldn't help but smile genuinely, in spite of the evenings events at the thought of her sister. Despite the tumultuous relationship they'd had growing up, since their mothers illness the sisters had become close, and of all her siblings scattered around the states, it was Taylor not being home that Haley missed most.

"God, I remember how angry you used to get when we'd take over your bedroom getting ready." Rachel laughed. "So, little Haley James, what are you up to?"

"Scott, actually." Haley responded flashing her wedding band, internally scowling, feeling like the too plain girl with too big hips that Rachel and Taylor always used to make her feel like in the latter years her sister had lived at home and they'd still shared a room.

The red head looked shocked from Haley and back to Lucas. Walking past the Scott's table she'd seen a stunning brunette talking to Lucas' mother and had presumed she was his date for the night. She hadn't been around for most of the event, and had been informed by her mother that both Scott brothers had brought dates. She looked at Haley and shrugged, from what she knew of Nathan's dating records in the years since high school the brunette was definitely more his type if Haley James was the other option.

"Isn't that a bit strange?" She piped up eventually, gaining a strange look from the pair in front of her. "I mean from what I remember in high school he was all hot and heavy with your best friend."

"I'm not her husband." Lucas laughed, squeezing Haley's arm, and signalling that he was going back to the table when he spotted his brother coming up behind them. As soon as Lucas had moved Nathan was up behind her, wrapping a possessive arm around her waist.

"No, I'm the lucky one." He said easily, bending down and whispering an apology in Haley's ear for not having found her earlier. Leaning between the two girls without releasing his hold on Haley he kissed Rachel's cheek. "It's good to see you Rae, your parents didn't mention you were here."

"I only just arrived, had another event I had to attend. Wow, so Nathan Scott married, can't say I saw that one coming."

"Me either." He joked, and Haley's eyes wandered as the two old friends shared pleasantries. With the conversation not being focussed on her, and her husband seemingly at ease Haley's mind was back to fixating on her own pain, wishing they were anywhere but a crowded room full of people she didn't know, that thought they knew her.

The beginning strands of the song that was their first dance at their wedding started up and Nathan looked down at Haley, a frown forming as he saw she was fixated on an empty spot across the room, so distracted he wouldn't be surprised if she no longer heard the music, much less recognised the song.

"It was really nice talking Rae, but you'll have to excuse us, this is our song." He jostled Haley's shoulder a little, leading her onto the dance floor when she apologised for being a million miles away, and said a polite goodbye to Rachel.

"I'm sorry." He said as she laid her head on against his chest, his arms wrapped around her. Dancing wasn't exactly his forte but he knew she loved it and he had no objections to holding her close, whether it be swaying to a slow song or feeling her move against him a deliciously teasing way when Brooke convinced them all they needed to go to a club.

"For what?" She spoke against his chest, feeling safe and untouchable for the first time all night. She closed her eyes and listened to the familiar words float around them. Ironically as they'd stood in the middle of the dance floor alone on the day of their wedding dancing to this song it was the first time she hadn't felt on show, despite a room full of silent eyes being focused on them, and just like then she was taken to a place where it felt as though they were the only two people in the world.

"What my dad said, Hales I.."

"It's not your fault. It's no ones fault. He made a joke and I was over sensitive, that's all. It doesn't matter."

Reaching down he cupped her chin in his hand, guiding her eyes up to look at him. "It does matter."

She nodded slowly before looking down again, moving even closer into his body, and they moved silently for a while.

"So… you haven't told Brooke."

"I didn't really see the point. It's our business, Nathan." Truth was she'd thought on more than one occasion of speaking to Brooke about things, but it hadn't felt right, not while they were in such limbo over the matter; not when she'd have to disclose things about Nathan that weren't her own to give; to explain why she was in position she was.

"I.." Looking down at top of her head where it lay against his chest, Nathan tried to work out how to say what he wanted. "Thank you."

Startled, it took no coaxing this time for Haley to adjust herself in his arms so she could look into his eyes. "Thank you?"

"I know Brooke's your friend, and I know you two talk a lot, but if she knew, Luke would know, and my Mom would know. I don't want to ask you not say anything but... I just need time Haley."

Time was becoming to be a word she despised, time to think about things, time to open up. She felt like she was always waiting for the other shoe to drop. "I know, I won't say anything."

"Thank you." He whispered again, leaning down as she raised on her toes so they could share a soft kiss.

"Are you okay?" Haley asked suddenly as she drew back. "I know things have been hard for you tonight, I don't want to make this all about me."

"It is all about you." Nathan insisted and Haley shook her head, opening her mouth to say something before cut her off. "I can deal with all this Haley, I'm used to it. But tonight you were so happy when you were talking with Karen and Keith, and one sentence from my dad and your whole mood changes."

"It wasn't his fault. It wasn't your fault." She added before he could protest. "I'm just in a weird place at the moment, but I'll be okay. We'll be okay."

"I know we will." They danced silently for as one song changed into another and Nathan wondered how to bring up something that had been on his mind all night. He'd wanted to say something before they came out but had been too distracted. "You really seem to have caused a turn around in Rob."

"He's a smart kid, just needed a push."

"You're good at that."

"At what?"

"Knowing what pushes people need and giving them to them." Haley gave a shrug, not really knowing to say, as Nathan spoke hesitantly on. "There's an open-day at the university next week."

Haley stiffened in his arms. She'd been looking into going back to college, like she'd promised him she would, and she couldn't deny helping Robbie had given her a sense of satisfaction she hadn't felt in a long time. "Okay."

"Okay?"

"I'll go. But you have to come with me."

"Of course I'll come with you. You won't regret this I promise." Nathan held her tightly to him, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. He'd been worrying about how she'd react to the idea, he never expected her to agree right away.

"I'm not making any promises. We've still got a lot to talk about."

"I know, but it's a start. This'll be good for you Hales, good for us. I know it."

"Yeah..." Haley answered, trying to ignore the ominous feeling that settled over her.

"Haley… you don't have to do this." Sensing her hesitancy he tried to think of something reassuring to say.

"No, I want to." She did, she just couldn't help but feel like she was giving in too easily.

"Good." He relaxed a little at the conviction behind her words.

"We do need to talk more though, Nathan. About everything."

"We will. I love you Hales."

"I love you too."