Firstly, I know I say this every chapter, but thank you SO MUCH for your amazing support with this story. I've just hit over 100 reviews and honestly, every one means so much to me. It's amazing to me that you guys take the time to review and let me know what you think. I love it so much and I'm so grateful. THANK YOU!

Secondly, obviously this is an AU fic and there's so much that is different from the show. I have done my best to incorporate as much back story as I feel is relevant, especially for the secondary characters (ie. anyone that isn't Naley!) I hope that it isn't too confusing that I've changed a lot of their high school years to suit this fic and I hope everything makes sense.

Also, there is a scene here that I've actually borrowed from The Flash. I think it's super adorable and I really, really wanted to use it with our Naley. I've changed a huge part to suit the story, but it's a wee tribute to SnowBarry, hehe.

Finally, I won't be able to update for a few weeks. This chapter is actually two chapters, but I thought the first part was pretty boring and wouldn't work on it's own, so you get two chapters in one for this update. I hope it will be ok to tie you over and I'll try and update again before the end of the month, but it'll be unlikely. I hope you stay with me, though, because I still have so much planned that I'd love to share with you all!

Here's chapter 12!

"Wait, she eloped?"

"Sure did. She's been Peyton Jagielski for the last 7 years. She moved straight to Savannah after high school, married Jake and they have shared custody of Jake's daughter, Jenny. They've been living there happily ever since."

Haley's mouth dropped open in surprise. As they drove to the bar where they would be meeting everyone, Nathan had been filling her in on the unlikely friendships that had occurred since high school, how some very troubled souls had matured. Haley had known Jake Jagielski, but not the truth behind the rumours of his move to Georgia in their junior year. She had learnt how he owned a popular bar in Savannah, renowned for showcasing local musicians, and Peyton had abandoned her studies in art to start a record label. Nathan and Peyton, who had had a volatile and on-again-off-again relationship together in high school, had become close friends over the past few years and caught up whenever they could, especially when Brooke was in town.

"Lucas never stood a chance," Nathan joked, pulling into a parking space and looking over at his brother, who sat in the back seat.

"We were never meant to be," Lucas sighed theatrically. "I couldn't compete with Jagielski."

"Oh well ... Funny how you and Brooke have been in the same city all these years," Haley mused, teasingly.

Lucas shrugged nonchalantly as they entered the bar. The music, thankfully, not quite loud enough to drown out their voices. "It'll just be good to see her again, that's all... hey Nathan, you didn't happen to mention if Brooke's still single?"

"It depends who's asking." A raspy voice spoke up from beside the trio. Brooke stood there with an amused smile on her face. "Broody, nice to see you after all these years."

"Cheery." Lucas' smile as he nodded in reply to Brooke's greeting told Haley that her best friend still indeed had a crush on the former cheerleader.

"Hey Nate ..."Brooke turned towards Haley, who was standing in between the two brothers. "Hey, check you out! You should come to New York and model for me, Tutor Girl"

Haley's face flushed at the compliment. She had been pleasantly surprised at what Brooke had given her. The grey jeans were soft and slid on like butter, their tightness in contrast to a loose and flowing top that had caught her eye in one of the bags. She was sure Brooke had designed it so nothing was worn under the sheer material, but Haley had paired it with a tank top and felt surprisingly pretty and feminine. She felt almost ... normal. Like she was having a night out with friends, like she used to do back in LA. She was even able to tune out the nasty voice inside her head that wanted to remind her that she wasn't in LA anymore, that she hadn't heard from those friends in months.

"Sorry ... Haley." Brooke amended, apologetically.

Haley shook her head with embarrassment. "Thank you for the clothes, Brooke. You really didn't have to go to all that trouble. I can pay you for them..." she trailed off at the blatant lie, but Brooke just waved at the air between them.

"Don't be silly, they look great on you, Haley."

"You know ... Tutor Girl isn't such a bad name. Kind of appropriate, actually."

Brooke's chest deflated in relief as she beamed, and Haley felt similarly as she offered a shy smile. She harbored no ill feelings towards the brunette for what had happened at the start of the week; Haley knew that Brooke had no idea what she had walked in on and she wasn't at fault. It appeared that Brooke was as happy as Haley was to forget the upsetting incident and move on.

For Haley, it was hard to believe that it had just been 5 days ago; the impact of having a run of good days had really helped. On her mom's birthday, she would never have imagined she'd be able to go out with the Scott brothers and some of her old classmates whom she barely knew. She felt the rare gleam of happiness at her achievement.

As Brooke led the trio towards a booth to the side of the room, Haley felt a large hand on the small of her back. Glancing behind her, she noticed Nathan's attention towards the stage - his gesture was seemingly inadvertent as he guided her amongst the crowd. She was aware of how safe she felt, as if she was shielded from harm by his tall physical presence. The music ceased and, after a few cringe-inducing squeals, voices through a microphone filled the room. The music resumed, this time accompanied by amplified singing voices.

"Oh my gosh, we're at a karaoke bar?" Haley exclaimed, dubiously.

She looked at Nathan for an answer, who was still looking up at the stage, a pained expression on his face. "No ... but it looks like tonight happens to be karaoke night."

"That would be my fault," a deep baritone spoke up.

Jake Jagielski was sitting in the corner of the booth. Long gone was his shaggy hair and baby face of his teenage years, shed to make way for a sharp jaw dotted with brown stubble and a shorter, combed hairstyle. Beside him, his wife of 7 years looked like she had come from her senior year yearbook photo; trademark curly blonde hair dancing around her shoulders and a well-worn leather jacket beside her

"Hi guys," Peyton greeted them, pulling her jacket closer and shuffling over to make room for the group to slide in. "It's great to see you all."

"What have you gotten us into, Jagielski?" Lucas joked, once everyone had greeted each other and they were seated.

Jake laughed. "I thought it was an open mic night, thought it might be a good way to source some talent ... I didn't realize it was karaoke until after we got here and I'd already told Nathan to meet here."

"Have you already signed all the best talent Georgia has to offer?" Teased Brooke.

"Actually..." Peyton shared an adoring smile with Jake, "we won't be in Georgia for much longer ... we're moving back to Tree Hill!"

The group expressed their delight and excitement for the couple before Jake continued. "Yeah, Nicki has met some new guy on the West Coast and she's given me sole custody of Jenny. They barely saw each other anyway, Nicki's parents have been doing all the work… anyway, Jenny was really keen on moving back to Tree Hill, so we thought it was about time we move back."

"Tree Hill will always be home," Peyton smiled.

"What about Red Bedroom?" Brooke asked of Peyton's record label.

"I have great staff who can run the Savannah studio for me and I thought I'd just relocate to the business side to Tree Hill and open another studio there. Karen has some office space next to Tric that would be perfect and ..."

"... and she's actually been looking for someone to manage Tric for her," Jake finished, spreading his hands wide.

"That's great, man. It's all working out for you guys. I'm happy for you." Nathan said, and Haley could see how genuinely pleased he was for his friends. She felt a small pang at how her old classmates all seemed so happy and content with their lives. Peyton, Jake, Brooke, Lucas and Nathan had all had less-than-ideal home lives growing up, compared to Haley's stable and loving, though chaotic, childhood. Yet here they were, settling down with amazing careers while Haley was adrift in a turbulent sea. She summoned a smile, determined not to let anything ruin her night.

"We have to celebrate!" Brooke announced with a squeal. "I'll get drinks. Broody, come help me."

This time, Haley stifled a smile at the way Lucas immediately jumped up, jostling their table before following Brooke.

"So it's really good to see you again, Haley." Peyton smiled at her. "I didn't realize ... how long have you two been together?" She looked between Haley and Nathan quizzically.

Haley felt her face flame in acute embarrassment, unable to speak for a moment. Beside her, Nathan answered easily, "We're not dating, Peyton."

"Oh," the blonde looked embarrassed and confused. "But ..."

"Hales is just staying with me for a while."

Haley took a slow, deep breath. She knew that Nathan had kept his word about not telling anyone why she was staying with him, but she was also aware of the awkward situation that put him in, especially with his friends. She knew it wasn't fair to make him lie, or make up excuses for her presence in his home. She still felt the mild thrum of strength and positivity that had been building inside her for the past few days, and she knew if she was ever going to be able to say it out loud, now would be the time.

"I lost my Dad last year and my mom passed away a couple of months ago ... I lost my job and my boyfriend back in LA ... I have been struggling with depression ever since and needed to get away from Tree Hill." She looked up at the azure eyes that were watching her silently. "Nathan kindly offered me a place to stay."

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Haley." As Haley subtly attempted to calm her heart rate, which had picked up after her confession, Jake's tone was apologetic but surprisingly matter-of-fact - void of the usual awkwardness and uncertainty that Haley had experienced from others when they heard the news of her bereavements. It was that feeling of guilt that she had unwittingly upset someone due to her personal loss that Haley had struggled with since her father's death, like an added burden every time she had to make someone feel bad with her solemn news.

"I am, too," Peyton spoke up. "I've lost two moms, it's definitely not easy. I'm sorry for your losses. I'm glad you have Nathan to support you."

It hadn't occurred to Haley that Peyton had gone through several difficult losses in her life, losing her adoptive mother at a young age, then forming a friendship with her birth mother only to lose her when they were in high school. Although Haley and Peyton had very different social circles at school, she remembered her efforts in raising money for Breast Cancer research in honor of her birth mom.

A rush of emotion overwhelmed Haley - the relief of being able to confess her depression to Peyton and Jake and not have the awkward or pitying moments following, the realization that she really wasn't the only person in the world to have lost two important anchors in their life, the warmth of support she was receiving from mere acquaintances. Nathan's strong hand slipped to her back again, higher this time in a comforting manner, and she bit down on her bottom lip to prevent tears from shedding.

"Thank you" she managed to choke out, gratefully.

"Grief is such a dark and isolating thing" mused Peyton. "It wants to hold you in its claws for as long as possible. I was so angry for so long, so consumed by the notion that people always leave..."

Haley nodded vigorously as Peyton's words echoed how she had been feeling. Beside her, Nathan was watching Peyton closely, also nodding his head in understanding, as if remembering something.

"I don't think I ever really dealt with my grief until after I left school and moved to Savannah. Realizing that I wasn't alone, that I always had someone there to support me made a huge difference... It's probably why my dad is always at sea, he doesn't want to come home, be alone with those memories." Peyton shared another loving smile with her husband. "It's only now I feel like I can move back to Tree Hill and appreciate all the memories the town brings back, instead of drown in them."

Haley nodded. "Yeah... I know I'll have to go back one day, but right now I just can't face it."

Peyton's curls bounced as she nodded understandingly. "Take your time... I know it's so hard to see it now, but it really does get better. It definitely still hurts sometimes, but personally I have so much less anger and so much more acceptance. It just takes time to deal with everything. Music was a great outlet for me, listening to it, producing it ... music always helps, no matter what you're going through."

Jake nodded his agreement. "Yeah, I know when I was going through all that drama with Nicki, nothing helped more than writing it all down. And performing? That rush beats everything."

Haley looked down at her hands. "I used to write music," she admitted, quietly, feeling the heat in her cheeks at her confession. "My dad taught me how to play piano and guitar and I've been singing before I could walk."

She could feel Nathan's surprise before he spoke. "I didn't know that."

"My family know that side of me, but I've never really performed... I used to play a little during college, but then I met Chris and he was so caught up on being discovered that I never really had time to focus on my own music."

Haley swallowed back memories of going from one open mic night to another all throughout Los Angeles as her ex-boyfriend desperately tried to be noticed, to secure a touring opportunity. If she wasn't at school, she was helping him promote his self-made EP. He'd never given her the time to pursue anything outside of his own career.

"Well you should try and get back into it!" Peyton encouraged, enthusiastically. "Write all your feelings out and when you're ready you can come and test out my new studio in Tree Hill. I'll produce some tracks for you, make a demo."

Haley shook her head, vehemently. "No, no, no ... I definitely don't want a career in music ... but it might be kinda cool to record something, for fun?"

She had spent a lot of time in studios with Chris, and had always been fascinated with how the recording process worked. She had to admit that Peyton's offer was tempting; it would be nice to be the one to feel like a rock star for a change.

Brooke and Lucas returned with drinks and Brooke handed around tall champagne glasses filled with a sparkling orange liquid.

"Bellini's all round! Since we're celebrating."

Haley nodded as she took her glass, before Nathan leaned in close to whisper in her ear. The earthy, fresh scent of his cologne filled her senses.

"Look, I know it's not my place but ... are you ok to drink? You know, with the medication and all..."

Haley peered into her glass curiously, as if the answer lay in the fizzing drink. "I don't think one could hurt..."

She had never been much of a drinker at the best of times, but she didn't want to draw attention to herself by refusing. She felt like an insecure teenager again, surrounded by the pretty and popular Tree Hill crowd, desperate to fit in and be noticed.

"To great friends! Old and new." Brooke cheered, raising her glass into the middle of the table and smiling at Haley and Lucas

Haley raised her class, hearing the clinks around her. Beside her, Nathan did the same.

"To great friends!"


Several hours later found Nathan still sitting in the booth, nursing a beer. Brooke had commandeered the girls to the dance floor and when he had last spotted Haley, she was dancing freely with a happy smile on her face. Nathan couldn't put into words how happy it had made him, to see her smile and enjoy herself. He had felt nervous as they left for the bar earlier; Haley had started to seem more like her old self and he didn't want anything to ruin that.

Jake had just excused himself for the bathroom. On stage, Tim - who had arrived late as usual - was performing his best Hammer dance moves to MC Hammer's "U Can't Touch This", swapping the lyrics to "stop ... Timmy Time." Nathan had noticed that the crowd around the bar grew when Tim took the stage, desperate for more alcohol to drown out the sound, Nathan assumed.

He was deep in thought and didn't realize he was no longer alone until Peyton spoke up.

"I saw you sitting here by yourself ... it used to be our signal."

Nathan smirked at her with the face that had graced hundreds of magazine covers. "Jagielski not doing it for you, huh? You come back for a little more of that magic?"

"Urgh!" The curly-haired blonde exclaimed, playfully pushing him sideways. "In your dreams."

Nathan burst out laughing. "It's been a long time since you've been in my dreams, Sawyer ... Jagielski" he amended. His laughter faded and his tone turned serious as he raised something he had been thinking about just before. "But I owe you an apology ... for a lot of things back then, but I'm sorry about how I treated you. You had gone through so much and I was never there for you. I was such an ass."

"Oh God," Peyton closed her eyes and shook her head. "Honestly, Nate, we are so past that. We were kids."

"Maybe we were, but you needed someone to be there for you and support you and I only thought about myself. I am really sorry, Peyton."

Peyton smiled and leaned into him, giving him a one-armed hug. "You're forgiven, Nate. You've always been forgiven. You know, I know I've said this before but I'm really proud of you. You've become such an amazing man. Haley's lucky to have you."

"I told you before that we're not dating."

"I know, I know... but as a friend. She's really lucky to have you. It's a pretty cool thing you're doing for her."

Nathan offered her a half smile as he stared into his beer, embarrassed.

"You know," Peyton spoke up again before Nathan had the chance to speak, "I was always kinda jealous of Haley back in high school."

Nathan frowned at his beer. "Really? Why?"

"She just seemed so comfortable and together ... at a time when we were all at our least comfortable with ourselves. And I always noticed that you came back from your tutoring sessions with her less... tortured? You were never happy back then, but you were always at your closest after you'd seen her."

Nathan raised his eyebrows at her confession. He couldn't really remember anything specifically, but Haley had been so under his radar in high school. He knew he used his tutoring sessions to vent to the girl who was so quiet and almost stealthy in the way she doled advice, making a difference to his life without him even noticing it. Looking back now, he knew Peyton was probably right on her observation. Despite the time that had passed, he couldn't help but feel bad; it was just another way he was the worst boyfriend to a more deserving girl back then.

Jake appeared at their table and slid in opposite his wife and Nathan. "Don't tell me you're trying to steal my girl, Scott."

"I'm pretty sure it was you who stole my girl, Jagielski," Nathan joked, as Peyton moved around the table to greet Jake with a kiss. "But I'll let it slide."

Jake laughed and took a sip of his own beer. On stage, Tim had just finished his performance, protesting loudly over the microphone about the chorus of boos he was receiving from the crowd. Jake laughed again, before saying, "speaking of girls, what is Brooke feeding Haley? I just walked past them and she seems pretty wasted, man."

Nathan sat up, more alert. "Really?"

Peyton frowned at her husband. "Are you sure? She's probably only had two or three drinks."

"She's on medication – anti-depressants and the odd sleeping pill," Nathan confessed. "I think two or three drinks is definitely enough to get her wasted with those on board." He drained his glass as he stood up. "I better go and find her."

Another squealing sound came through the speakers that filled the bar and Jake raised his eyebrows as he looked towards the stage. "Uh … I think you've found her."

"Nathan Scott!" Haley's voice filled the room and Nathan looked up to see her small figure on stage, gripping the microphone tightly. "Come on down … or up … come up here!"

Nathan's jaw dropped and he felt his eyes widen almost comically. Surely Haley wasn't suggesting he get up on stage and sing?

"Come on Nathan!" she cheered. "Nathan! Nathan! Nathan!"

The former NBA player had heard his name chanted like that thousands of times before, but he was never putting himself into humiliating situations out on the basketball court. As the crowd in the bar began to chant his name, Nathan started to panic. He slowly slunk up to join Haley onstage, desperate to quieten her.

"Hales … this really isn't a good idea," he mumbled, mortified as she thrust a second microphone into his hand. Her movements were large and exaggerated, and he knew the few drinks she'd had had definitely affected her more with her medications on board. He heard the cheering around him, and to his horror, several faces were obscured as phones were raised, undoubtedly turned to their camera apps to capture every moment of his humiliation. He caught sight of Brooke and Lucas together at the bar, snickering. He shot them an evil glare. Traitors.

"Come on, it'll be fun! I need a Danny to my Sandy! We're going to blow this place down! "

Before he could protest further and usher his roommate off the stage, an ascending chord progression sounded out over the speakers. Haley bopped her head in time to the music and began singing, unaware that the lyrics were colored blue to indicate a male singer.

"Summer lovin', had me a blaaaast…"

Nathan wondered if perhaps Haley had exaggerated her music talents earlier, or if her entire family was actually tone deaf, as her voice struggled to hit the right notes. She kept singing, her eyes were closed and despite her inebriation, Nathan couldn't help but think she actually looked quite happy. Who was he to behave like an overprotective ass and stop her?

"Summer lovin', happened so faaaast…"

Holding the microphone as if it were a deadly weapon that might detonate any second, Nathan spoke into it with no musical inflection whatsoever:

"Met a girl, crazy for me."

"Met a boy, cute as can beeeee…"

Their voices mixed, Haley's melodic but still drunkenly off-key, and Nathan's as monotonous as physically possible.

"Summer days, drifting away to-uh, oh those summer nights..."

Nathan glanced over, concerned as Haley's dance moves became more erratic, noticing that they were quite close to the edge of the stage. She kept singing as he watched.

"Well-a, well-a, well-a, uh….

With an untimed and overly enthusiastic pelvic thrust that propelled her forward, Haley tripped over the cords that snaked around them from the microphones, stumbling into the screen that displayed the lyrics before toppling off the stage altogether with an almighty crash. Ignoring the piercing squeals of the protesting microphone as Nathan threw his on the ground, he vaulted over the screen and onto the ground beside Haley, who was groaning and holding her ankle. Without a further thought, Nathan scooped her small frame easily in his arms and carried her off to a chair in a quieter, less populated space of the bar.

"Hales, are you ok?"

She groaned again. "I think I twisted my ankle…"

"Wait here." He sprinted to the bar to grab a couple of water bottles before heading back, Brooke and Lucas on his tail.

"Drink this," he commanded, twisting the cap off the bottle of water and handing it over.

"I'm so sorry!" Brooke look horrified as her hands covered her mouth. "We didn't drink that much, honestly… We were having so much fun! I didn't think she was that drunk."

Haley looked up at Nathan, her soft brown eyes almost doe like and innocent. "I didn't mean to drink more… I just wanted to fit in. It's Brooke Davis! She's the most popular girl in school!"

Nathan sighed, patting her gently. "It's ok, Hales. As long as you've been having a good time."

Haley nodded eagerly. "I have, I have!" Her face dropped as she clutched her stomach "Urrghh…"

"Ok Sandy, I think it's time I take you home." He looked over at Lucas. "Are you coming?"

"Uh…" his blonde brother glanced slyly at Brooke. "I'll catch a cab later…"

Nathan slung his arm under Haley's, supporting her as she draped her other arm around his shoulders, hobbling along beside him and leaning heavily against his body. He was reminded again of how small she was.

"I'm so sorry" she mumbled, her s's slurring against each other as the cool night air hit their faces. "I'm sorry…"

"You don't need to apologize, Hales."

"It was Brooke Davis! She's the prettiest girl in school… and she wanted to talk to me! I just wanted to fit in," Haley repeated.

Nathan stifled a smile as they approached his car. "We're not in high school anymore, Hales. You do fit in."

Haley uttered another indecipherable groan before lurching sideways, clutching her stomach again. Nathan cringed and turned away as the sound her retching filled the night air. Swallowing hard, he turned back in order to pull Haley's long, curly dark blonde hair away from her face with one hand, the other gently rubbing her back as she vomited onto the road. He couldn't stand other people being sick, and willed the bile in his own stomach to stay down.

"Urrgghh…"

"I guess this is why alcohol and medication don't mix" Nathan mused, mostly to himself. He passed her the second water bottle that he had gotten inside. Haley spat a few times and stood up, wearily. Her eyes were watery and she looked close to passing out.

"You ok?"

She nodded slowly and Nathan gently released her hair. Opening the car door for her to get inside, he wondered how safe his Range Rover would be from Haley's stomach contents. He was glad he hadn't drunk enough to still be able to drive as they sped down the quiet Charlotte streets. He'd hate to be stuck in a cab with a nauseous Haley. He knew she'd be feeling miserable tomorrow. Although cursing himself for letting her go off and drink more without his knowledge, he was also aware that he wasn't her keeper. He also knew he'd have struggled to stop her, just like he hadn't been able to stop her from getting him up for karaoke. There was something about the look on Haley's face when she was happy that he just couldn't refuse. He'd do anything to keep that happiness in her eyes.

They pulled up to his house without further incident and he helped his former tutor up the stairs and to his guest room where she had been staying for the past two weeks. Staggering from his embrace, Haley limped into the room, hauling off her sheer Clothes Over Bros top as she went. Nathan suddenly found himself transfixed and unable to move as she wriggled her arms underneath the black tank top she was wearing, and after a long minute she triumphantly pulled out her bra from beneath it.

"Ta da!" she exclaimed, tossing the bra down on the ground. Her hands went to her pants and Nathan watched her fingers as they fumbled to pop open the top button and work the small zipper down. Wiggling her hips side to side in an exaggerated manner that had Nathan's eyes following them like pendulums, she pushed the skin-tight fabric down her legs.

"Ahhhh…" Haley's voice excluded relief. She crawled over her bed, kicking the jeans off past her ankles and sprawled out over the covers once she reached her pillow.

Nathan swallowed hard. It had been hard to miss the display that her round, shapely ass had put on as she moved her way up the bed. It was so entrancing that he'd barely had the chance to watch the sway of her breasts, free from their confines inside her bra. He squeezed his eyes closed and lifted his head to the ceiling, simultaneously envisioning what he had seen seconds before and chastising himself for being unable to watch her drunken exhibition. It had been inappropriate each time he had found himself watching her in her running clothes and it was even more so tonight, with her inhibitions further lowered due to the mix of alcohol and prescription medication in her system. He sighed a long whoosh of breath.

"Nathan?" Haley's voice was quiet and timid.

"Yeah?"

"Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?"

Nathan saw her dark blonde hair in a riot of natural curls spread out across her pillow. Her legs, short but shapely, stretched out, pale against the dark blue comforter. Haley's dark brown eyes were half-closed and he knew sleep wouldn't be far away.

He moved around the bed, pulling the comforter out from under her legs and throwing it back over, so her body was covered. He sat on the edge of the bed in the space beside the curve her hips and gently rubbed his hand along her exposed arm.

"Of course I will."

"'Night, Nathan." Her eyes fluttered open and met his own as she spoke again. "Thank you for tonight, I had so much fun."

They slid shut and Nathan knew that unconsciousness wasn't far away. Still, he sat comfortably on the bed as he watched her.

"You're welcome, Hales… good night."