A/N: A quick update .. the next one should be out in a few days.. thanks for sticking with the story guys.

Chapter 11

Nathan pulled his sweatshirt tight around his body as he struggled to find the keys in his pocket. The frost of the morning bit at his shoulders but nothing could make him feel cold.

A lazy grin spread across his face as he let himself think back to the pretty girl that had been snuggled up to his side only moments before. Nathan swore that he could still feel the weight of Haley's warmth against his body.

It had been hard to leave her arms but when Haley's alarm had gone off at precisely 7:30am she had practically shoved him off the bed. She had pulled the blankets from him at the realization that she was running late.

Haley James was never late to school.

She was a graceful mess with curls and sheets twirling together as she tried to make her way to the bathroom. Nathan had gotten up reluctantly determined to coax Haley back to bed and when she finally settled her eyes upon him the most beautiful color of pink exploded onto her cheeks. He loved catching her off guard and his naked form always seemed to do the trick.

Her eyes had searched the room as if her parents or sisters would come out from behind the dresser but when she focused back on him he already had his arms around her waist. He could feel her getting lost in the sensation of his lips on her neck and started to guide her back to the bed but then the alarm went off again and she pushed him away.

He laid back on the bed and started laughing when his jeans and shirt landed next to him. Yup he wouldn't be getting lucky. Instead she had yelled from the behind the bathroom door that he better not be late, only peeking out her head to give him a quick kiss goodbye.

Nathan heard the key turn and popped open the door, sliding off his shoes at the entrance and almost fell backwards when Luke called out to him.

'Man you almost gave me a heart attack you shouldn't sneak up on people' Nathan put his hand to his chest at the same time sending his brother a sideways smirk.

Luke set down the cereal box along with two bowls 'You're the one sneaking in here but you don't see me getting all jumpy, so who's the pansy?'

'Did you just say pansy?' The constant smile that graced Nathan's lips didn't go unnoticed, as well as the avoidance of the particular subject of Nathan's whereabouts the night before.

'Dude don't just stand there and make fun of me. You have just enough time to get ready and eat something before you are late to school.'

Luke watched Nathan's retreating back as he made his way down the hallway. Luke forced himself to let go of the worry that ebbed at him. His brother obviously was in better spirits and Luke had no doubt that it had everything to do with Haley. It's what he had wanted for them.

He could admit that when Haley and Nathan had first started dating he had been reluctant to give his blessing. Nathan was his evil half-brother and Haley was his best friend and to him that meant that it would only end badly. But over the year that they had dated Luke began to feel differently especially with the changes that he could see in both of them. Nathan became a good guy and Haley fully blossomed from the shadow that she had lived in.

It had still had ended badly but the truth was it never really ended.

Their month's apart provided proof of that. Nathan's brief phone calls had always been made in an effort to pull information on Haley from him. Haley had retreated into herself becoming a fragment of who she was.

That's why when Nathan had showed up on his doorstep Luke promised himself that he would do whatever he could to see the two most important people in his life get back together. But now the sense of relief that he thought he would feel was overshadowed by a constant pulse of worry.

Nathan hadn't been back that long and the last time that Luke had seen Haley she had been a ball of confusion and hurt.

Luke didn't want to feel this way; he didn't want to be the voice of reason especially since his own love life was all over the place but he couldn't help but worry it was a vital part of who he was.

The fact of the matter was that Nathan hadn't been back that long, Dan was back in town and Nathan still hadn't even gone to see his mother. He was avoiding things and maybe Nathan couldn't see it, maybe he refused to but if he kept living this way it was going to blow up.

Nathan wasn't running away this time and Luke was beginning to see that he was running head first into Haley. If this was the way that Nathan wanted to get his life back, it wouldn't work and Luke wouldn't stand by and watch him bring Haley down with him.

Nathan's voice boomed down the hallway knocking Luke out of his thoughts ' Look Man it looks like am going to barely make it so go on ahead without me.'

'Ok, hey' Luke placed his bowl in the sink and headed for the door. 'My mom wants you to stop by the café after school.'

'What for?'

'I don't know ……..look see you at school and if you would stop looking in the mirror you might make it in time.' Luke let out a strained laugh; the worry was to strong right now. He knew he needed to talk to Nathan to try and help him but it would have to wait till after school. They had more than just basketball in common they were both also good at avoidance.

Luke slammed the door behind him glancing down at his watch and for once wishing for time to stand still.

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Haley glanced at the clock above the door for the millionth time but time seemed to be mocking her. She swore it hadn't moved a beat since she last looked and that was well impossible.

She turned a few pages in her math book but finally gave into the fact that studying just wasn't going to happen. She hadn't seen Nathan at all today, ok so it was only second period but she couldn't help but feel a bit anxious.

This morning had felt right, it had felt like old times waking up in his arms., the alarm startling her, practically pushing him out of bed, him teasing her and always trying to get a little nookie before school even though that never happened.

She had a giddiness course through her that she hadn't felt in forever but the passing hours since that morning had also brought a restlessness. They both knew that things hadn't been exactly resolved. They were at a weird place, sure it felt good but they couldn't stay there forever. But a part of Haley wanted to, she wanted to just skip all the drama and discussions that they would have to have.

If only it was that easy.

She pushed some of her hair in front of her face letting her eyes close for just a moment trying to get back all of the feelings from the night before. She needed to hold on to them because the logical part of herself was starting to creep out. She just needed to see Nathan. She needed to see him so he could kiss the worry out of her. The thought made a smile creep onto her lips.

'Haley James what are you smiling about?' Peyton dropped her book bag onto the table plopping herself in the chair in front of Haley.

Haley sent Peyton a sideways smile. 'Now Haley don't be shy I know that your happy to see me but I have feeling am not the one causing you to blush and smile all at the same time.'

Haley looked down at her hands before responding to Peyton. It was something about Peyton that made Haley feel comfortable about telling her anything. It still surprised Haley because for the longest time Luke had been her confidant in all aspects of her life. She was grateful for having Peyton as a trusted friend because sadly Haley couldn't turn to Luke for everything anymore.

'Nathan came over last night' Haley didn't know why but she expected to see a look of judgment cross Peyton's face. Haley was once again assured of Peyton's trust when she found that her friend was just listening and that helped Haley continue.

'He ran into his dad and I was there. As you can imagine things didn't go well so I got him out of there. He came back to my place and we talked and it almost felt like old times.'

'Why do I feel a but in there?' Haley sighed, sometimes Peyton knew her to well.

'Because even after all we have been through he still closes himself off from me. I have to constantly reaffirm my feelings for him. Even then I don't know if he really believes me.' Haley pushed her back into the chair shoving her feet onto the seat next to her.

'I know he s been through a lot with his parents, his dad especially. Yesterday was my first real glimpse into that but he tries to protect me from that but that's part of who he is and if he continues to do that he's just going to shut me out.' Haley let out a deep sigh as she let her head fall into her hands.

Peyton tried to hide the glaze of tears that swam in her eyes because she understood more than Haley could ever know.

Peyton recognized a part of herself in the way that Haley described Nathan. She didn't know if it was because they both shared complicated relationships with their parents or because they had both just been cursed with hearts that would never fully open.

But for the first time Peyton could see how this safety mechanism built inside of her made the other person feel. She knew that she turned herself off when things with Lucas got too real.

It wasn't because she wanted to shut him out or that she didn't want him to be a part of her life, most days he was the best part of it.

She was just so unsure of herself, of her direction in life, she was still trying to deal with her mother's death. She often questioned whether or not it was worth letting someone in if only to lose them. She had lost Brooke, yes that been her own fault, but Luke, he was a different story all together letting him in with the possibility of screwing it up and losing him all together wasn't something she could handle.

She knew that Luke would put himself completely into making what they wanted work just like Haley was doing for Nathan. The only difference was Nathan wanted to do that for Haley too he just wasn't sure how.

Peyton, well she wasn't sure if she wanted to let Luke in, she wasn't sure if she could put a hundred percent into the relationship. It wasn't because she didn't believe that they could be great. It was because she wasn't sure if she was even whole anymore.

A lot had happened in her life, she had been shattered a few times and she never got the pieces back.

'Nathan is lucky to have you and I know he knows that ... he just may not know how to show it.' Peyton reached out and squeezed Haley's shoulder.

'I know your right I guess I just want to make everything ok and it's hard when I cant, when he won't let me.'

Peyton cleared the lump in her throat; she had gotten good at hiding, 'Haley James ever the perfectionist… I wish I could help you, I do really but the only person that can do that is Nathan himself.'

'I know … why isn't it easier than this, isn't it supposed to be easier?' Haley glanced at the clock for the millionth time, it had only moved by five minutes, now she knew it was mocking her.

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Brooke debated if she should take her math book home. The homework wasn't due till Friday so it wasn't even like she would start it. Closing her locker door she was surprised to see Jake on the other side of it.

She instinctively shoved her hand at his chest, 'Hi to you too' he laughed catching her hand letting her small hand slide inside of his for a split second before she pulled it back.

'Hi yourself' letting a small smile grace her lips as she linked arms with Jake pulling him down the hallway.

'So I was wondering what you were doing tonight?'

'Why Mr.Jalegeski are you asking me out?' Brooke feigned surprise. Things with Jake the other night had been close to perfect and she hadn't even gotten a goodnight kiss.

They had spent the night talking and laughing. It was easy and relaxed. Jake brought out a person inside of her that she didn't even know was there.

She felt like what she said was important and that he was genuinely interested. He even laughed at all of her jokes and when she fell into a flirty mode that had been a part of her practiced persona for so long, he saw right through it.

Things with him were unpredictable, she had leaned into him for a kiss at the end of the night closing her eyes almost sure that the male part of him would devour her. She had been a little more than surprised when she opened her eyes at the sensation of his lips on her cheek.

He was different from other boys. He knew who he was and what he wanted. It thrilled her to no end.

He challenged her but in a good way. He challenged her to want more for herself, to expect appreciation and admiration.

She had pushed that idea out her head along time ago but now that they were in front of her, in a good looking guy she didn't want anything else.

'If you say yes then I guess I am?' she swore his eyes were twinkling.

Brooke climbed into the driver's seat of her car, 'Well it is a school night and I have tons of homework-'

'We could study together, books and pizza sound ok?'

A big house snuggled into the couch reciting poetry to each other, Brooke could see it now. 'I will be there at 7pm!'

She winked at him before she put the car into drive and pulled out of the parking lot. She took a quick glimpse in the rear view mirror to see Jake still standing there looking at her as she drove off. Jake was in trouble...well if Brooke had anything to say about it.

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Peyton threw her bag into the back seat of her car. She had almost had the key in the ignition when she heard his voice.

'Peyton I have been looking all over for you.'

She smiled up at him but she knew that he could see it was as fake as her blond hair.

'I just want to talk Peyton, I feel like your pulling away from me.' The look on his face tore at her heart. She didn't know why she was determined to make everything hard for them.

The talk with Haley earlier in the day had done a number on her and she just needed sometime to think.

'We will talk----' She just couldn't concentrate on him. She had already checked out of the conversation and he knew it. She could see the hurt seep into his face and she felt really bad about doing that to him, she did really.

'When?' He reached out to touch her shoulder and the feel of it made her body relax. He was the only person that could do this to her, make her realize the battle that waged inside of her, between her head and heart.

She wanted to open her heart to him it cried within her to just let him, to take the risk but her head was on instant guard.

'Come over tonight... I really have to go I have a strip due' This time the look on her face showed true regret with just a touch of his hand he was able to break her façade. If she stayed here any longer he would have in tears and she just wasn't ready for that.

'Ok tonight' but the words just fell into the hum of Peyton's car leaving the parking lot.

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'I tried to save you a seat in class but Mr. Ruffo decided that we should all sit alphabetically' Haley pouted as Nathan leaned down to place a small kiss on her small lips.

'That's ok baby, I got to stare at your hair from the back of the class… it reminded me how soft it felt against my chest this morning.' Nathan dropped the last part of the sentence to a slow whisper that made her slightly tremble. She tried to hide the blush that pinked her cheeks before Luke , Tim and Jake made it over to them.

'Do you want a ride to the Café?' Nathan's hand brushed through her hair and Haley closed her eyes getting lost in the sensation.

'I would love one.'

'I am so happy to see you guys finally back together. Haley was cranky while you were gone. I didn't like her too much.' Tim knew he had once again said the wrong thing as the words fell flat around him. Could no one joke around anymore or maybe it was just too soon.

Haley stepped out of Nathan's arms as reality once again smacked her upside her head. Nathan and her were not back together. She couldn't fault Tim for saying what he did because she had to admit that her and Nathan were acting like a couple.

The couple they used to be but the fact of the matter was that they weren't that couple anymore. They had a lot to deal with still, it was a hard road and there was no flying over it.

'I am going to be late for work.' It was obvious to Nathan the shift in Haley's attitude. He knew that the bliss he was feeling couldn't sugar coat everything.

He nodded to the guys as he headed for the drivers seat. Once inside he reached for Haley's hand, she smiled at him and then looked out the window.

It was a quiet ride to the Café, Nathan started to feel Haley pulling away from him and he couldn't help but feel a little panicked.

'Thanks for the ride Nathan.' Haley kicked open the truck door with her foot. She tried to pull her hand from Nathan's but when he wouldn't let go she looked up at him.

'We should talk.' He lifted her hand to his lips and the soft contact made her pulse quicken. She didn't think before she found herself climbing back into the cab of the truck pulling Nathan's head down so his lips pushed onto hers. His hand slid around her waist pulling her almost on top of him.

'I will come over tonight……… I have to go…..go home first but I will call you when am on my way.' Haley tried to get the words out as Nathan tried to silence her with his lips. Haley pulled away and then she leaned back in pecking his lips before she jumped out of the cab of the truck. Closing the door with her hips and sent him a shy smile before she ran into the café.

Nathan sat there for a moment reeling from the emotion that Haley awoke in him.

He was about to pull away when he remembered that Karen wanted to see him. He knew it probably had to do with him not coming home last night and he felt truly bad about that. He knew that Karen had opened her home to him and she didn't deserve that. He would smooth it over but he wouldn't be going into the café. Sure Haley was in there but so was his mother and right now he just didn't know if he was ready to face her.

He didn't know when he would be.

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Lydia couldn't hide the look of surprise that flashed on her face; the appearance of Dan Scott on your doorstep could do that to a person.

She had briefly heard Haley and Nathan discuss his father a few times but she had never really paid particular attention. They were teenagers; they were supposed to complain about their parents.

Besides Nathan was a boy, Lydia remembered how much trouble Geoff had been in his teenage years. He had come home at all hours of the night, he had been caught drinking and more than a few times the police had been called out to the house because of arguments that had woken the whole neighborhood.

Geoff had been the direct cause of some of the grey hairs that graced Lydia's temple but he was out of the house and wrapped up in his own life now .He had also recently started to come around letting her and Jimmy back into his life. Some kids were just harder than others for no reason at all. So with that in mind Lydia welcomed Dan into her house.

'Mr. Scott-'

'Please call me Dan'

Lydia nodded her head, 'Dan I can't say that I was expecting you. Are kids have been dating for a few months and this is the first time I have seen you face to face.' Lydia directed Dan to take a seat on the couch.

'I am sorry to say that's true. I should have made the effort but with the dealership and trying to make money for the basketball team, this is really the first chance that I have had.' Dan unbuttoned his suit jacket making sure to flash his cuff links, watch and wedding ring, he was sure the sum of his jewelry was more than what Lydia made in a year.

'Am sorry I didn't mean for that to come out so rude, sometimes my mouth runs off before I get a chance to think about it. Jimmy and I haven't had a chance as well; we've been traveling trying to keep tabs on the kids. It can take it right out of you especially when they spread out all over the country.'

Dan refused the ice-t that Lydia offered him. He wasn't here to make friends this visit had a purpose and as far as he was concerned pleasantries had already gone on to long.

'Is Jimmy home?' Dan took a quick look around taking in the small living room. It was easy to see where Haley got her unique style.

'No he won't be back to till this afternoon. Is there something we can help you with?' Lydia's face had turned from the model poster child for the welcoming committee to a face of confusion and worry. He had her where he wanted her.

It was a blessing or a twist of fate on his side that Jimmy wasn't home. It might have been harder to play both people after all Haley was smarter than he had bargained for she had to get it from one of them.

'I've actually come to talk to you about Haley and Nathan…. Where their relationship is going...'

Lydia set down her cup, the visible mother hen tendencies seeping into her facial features. She was like puddy in his hands.

'Is there something that I don't know and should be concerned about?'

'As you know Haley was tutoring Nathan that's how they met. She has been a great influence on him.' Dan tried to hide the laughter that wanted to drip into his voice.

'I greatly appreciate what she has done for him. But it's no secret that Nathan is a trouble kid. It's hard for me to admit that as a father.' Dan took a deep breath for emphasis only continuing when Lydia nodded her head in understanding.

'I've tried to be there every step of the way, hoping that basketball and Haley would pull him out this darkness that he seems to be drowning in.'

Lydia came to sit down next to Dan on the couch placing her hand on his, 'I understand, my son Geoff was like Nathan, intent on destroying his life and there was nothing Jimmy or I could do about it.'

Dan looked away from her eyes, 'How did you deal with it? You can't watch your kids at all times…..' Dan placed his forehead into his hands, 'and the drugs-'

Dan saw Lydia flinch at the statement, she hadn't known about the drugs. '--The drugs?'

'Yes you didn't know… I thought Haley would have told you…'

'Haley never said anything.'

'It's been more than a year since it's been that bad but it was the reason I moved Nathan out of town. I wanted him to get away from it but then he ran away….'

'….ran away?' Lydia got up to stand by the bay window her back to Dan's smiling face, he couldn't help it. How much did Haley's parents know of Nathan and Haley's relationship?

He felt he could tell her anything and she would believe it.

'Yes that's why am here. I care for Haley almost as if she was my own daughter…' Dan had to clear his throat to keep from chocking on his words. 'Nathan is in a bad place and I don't want to see Haley get hurt. I just think it's for the best that Haley and Nathan no longer see each other.'

Lydia turned to face Dan, 'I think you are right and I appreciate your regard for my daughter. I wont pretend to know what your going through but if you need help or someone to talk to Jimmy and I would be more than willing to help.'

Dan took her hands in his casting his eyes downward and then back up to her trying to convey the sincerest look he could muster.

'You've already helped so much….. more than you know. I am just worried about Haley I know she will take this hard.'

'You already have your son to worry about. I will explain it to Haley. She will do what's best for Nathan.' Lydia opened her front door to let Dan out. 'Thank you for coming once again.'

Dan nodded his head before turning around and heading back out to his car.

No thank you Mrs. James... thank you.