You have no idea how much I appreciate the feedback! I know you guys are all urgent for the moment Nathan realizes and or is told that he is the father of Natalie. It is coming shortly and though I know a few of you are antsy, I just can't rush it. Since I first came up with the story I have had the idea on how I wanted that moment to come about…. so bare with me just a little longer. Hopefully I will please you all!

Chapter 15: Part Two

"What does Mommy say about your Daddy then?" Nathan wondered, surprised Natalie knew of anything. Why would Haley share memories of her father if the guy didn't want part of their life? He also was beginning to wonder if Jake and Julian had an idea about the guy. Maybe Haley didn't trust Clay the same way she did the other two. Maybe they knew more. Hell maybe they even knew who the guy was.

"I have his hands, his feet, and she can already tell... One day I am gonna have his killer jump shot." Natalie beamed proudly when stating those few words. She lifted her hands to display the back before flipping them over to show off her palm.

"But I think Momma is just being silly. There is no way my Daddy has hands this small. Its just adsurb."

"You mean absurd." Nathan corrected.

"That's what I said Nathan, adsurb." Rolling her eyes the young child reached over and took a sip from her soda. Letting a small moan escape her lips she stated, "I just love these fizzy drinks. Mommy doesn't really like me to drink too much of it. But Uncle Jake lets me sneak it once and a while."

Nodding in understanding but wanting to get the young girls focus back onto the topic at hand Nathan continued his minor investigation. "So your dad must have been a pretty decent basketball player then. I mean there aren't too many guys your moms age that have "killer" jump shots. Well accept me of course." He couldn't help the smug smile that graced his face at the words. He wasn't as cocky as he once was. He also wasn't as conceited as he once had been. But one thing that had not changed, Nathan Scott was still as confident as ever when it came to his basketball performance. He was one of the best, and he knew it.

"You have a killer jump shot?"

"Definitely kiddo. Just ask Clay. Why do you think he wants to be my agent so da…dang bad?"

Raising an eyebrow Natalie placed out her hand affront of Nathan. Clearing her throat he stared at her with wide eyes.

"I didn't say it. No way. Haven't you made enough money on me this past week?" Nathan argued as he shook his head and Natalie giggled.

"Fine, you win. Since you didn't actually end up saying it. I'll let it slide this time…"Pausing she held a finger up "If and only if… you promise me something."

"Anything Nats." Nathan agreed knowing whatever it was Natalie wanted he would have no objection too. He enjoyed seeing her smile. It caused a flutter in his heart and though he couldn't quite understand the deep connection that he felt when looking into her beautiful blue eyes, he definitely didn't mind it either. Being in the five year olds company made him feel joyous. It had even made him realize that kids were now going to be a definite part of his life. One day he hoped to have a child as beautiful, smart, and funny as the girl sitting before him, her tiny legs swaying back and forth as they sat on the high stools in his arcade room. Yeah he definitely wanted a child someday. He wanted a little girl, just like Natalie James.

"I won't take your money no more. Even though I could be richest from that mouth of yours. But I promise not to take any more money from you, if you help me with my jump shot. After all…what if I meet this Daddy of mine someday? He needs to see that I have skills too."

~~~~SSSS~~~~~

"You left my child alone with Nathan Scott?" Haley asked as she willed herself to remain calm. Sure she had left her child alone with all three men when she came to Tree Hill, she had no other choice. And sure maybe Nathan Scott was one of the three she entrusted her daughter with. But that didn't mean she wanted Natalie left unattended with him. Jake was supposed to be the one to look after her, Jake and her boyfriend Clay as well. Raising one of her perfectly plucked eyebrows she bit down on the corner of her lip. Her hands were crossed along her chest and her hips pivoted to the right.

"This should be good." Brooke whispered from her position on the bed. Julian just shushed her as the three intently watched the scene unfold before their eyes.

"I thought you would be happy to see me Haley. Don't you need me?" He fired back a bit of steam escaping in his statement. It wasn't his child. Why was Natalie his responsibility?

"Oh thrilled. Can't you tell?" Sarcasm dripped from her words as she continued. "What I need is for my child to be cared for. Why would you leave her with him?"

"I don't see what the big deal is. It's not like Nathan is a bad guy. You hardly even know him."

"That's exactly my point. You left my kid, my child, with a complete stranger." It was the only reasoning she could give him. Nathan wasn't exactly a stranger. Well, to a point he was. She didn't really know the guy anymore, or all that much before either. He may be the father of her child, but he was still someone she didn't know much about. The fact that he left her daughter alone with Nathan was, in her eyes, completely irresponsible.

"Well I'm sorry you think it is such a big deal. I'm sorry that my decisions didn't "once again" please you. But while we are on this topic, let me just add something. You are right. You Haley fucking James are absolutely right. She is your kid. So what makes you think I want to baby-sit your kid? I have no obligations there."

They all could feel the anger rising in Haley. Brooke had a hand covering her mouth trying to keep laughter from spilling out. Julian slapped a hand to his head as if mentally screaming the words "idiot" and the other; he had his mouth open in complete surprise.

"You have no obligations?"

"None."

"You have no obligations?" Her voice rising each time the sentence left her lips. She couldn't believe the audacity of this man. She didn't mean to just dump her child on him. At the time it was the only thing she thought best. Haley was a mess about her dad. Why was he making her feel bad for leaving Natalie in not just his, but all three of their care? She never would have imagined that this is how he viewed things, that just because Natalie was Haley daughter, that he had no obligations towards her. What the hell were they doing then?

"Haley I am here for you right now. I came here because of you."

"You came here to sign a client." Haley bit back. Growing closer to the man standing before her Haley softly questioned.

"What are we even doing Clay?" She asked the question she was begging for him to answer. They had been dating for a long enough period. They were for the most part in a very serious relationship. But for some reason he wasn't grasping the reality of it all. It wasn't just the two of them. It would never be. For Haley, anytime she chose to be with a man, anytime a man chose to be with Haley, he also had to choose Natalie as well. Frowning and shaking her head she voiced once more.

"If it's so hard for you to be responsible when it comes to Nats, if it's so hard for you to even love her…" Pausing she ran a hand through her hair. "God, I mean really Clay? I have talked to Natalie every night since I left and all she can talk about is how much fun she has been having. How much fun she's having with her Uncle Jake…and with Nathan." Stepping closer to Clay she took a deep breath before lettering her words fall out softly.

"She comes with the package Clay. She is a part of me. If you can't love her…if you're choosing not to love her." Letting a tear escape from the corner of her eye she sadly stated. "Then you're choosing not to love me as well."

~~~~SSSSS~~~~~

"So can I make a confession?" Brooke stated as her and Haley sat silently side by side on the front porch of Brookes house. An hour had gone by since Clay had departed. Haley and Brooke watched as he drove out of the driveway and left Haley's life altogether. They had remained quiet. Brooke taking hold of Haley's hand and gently caressing her palm with that of her thumb. Haley shrugged in response to Brookes question.

"I never did like him much." Raising an eyebrow Brooke paused letting Haley take in her words. Then together the two broke into a fit of laughter.

"Is that right?" Haley muttered through broken laughter.

"Yeah he always just seemed so stuffy. To…"tapping her chin to find the right she conceded. "To feminine."

Letting out a dry laugh Haley nodded her head along with her cousin.

"You're right. Although I love how you met him for all of five minutes and you are using the words "never did" and "he always seemed."

Haley reached out her other hand and patted Brooke's thigh. Letting a small smile cross her face she spoke.

"We're gonna be okay Brooke. We will make it." She wasn't talking about Clay anymore. To be honest compared to everything that was going on in Haley's world, her and Clay breaking up was the least of her worries. She couldn't focus on it. Though there was a tiny pang of pain it was nothing compared to the hole in her heart from losing her father. She wouldn't allow herself to be broken over a man that couldn't even find it in his heart to accept her child. Haley didn't ask for much in a relationship. She just wanted someone to love and care. She wanted someone who would be in love with Haley, and love Natalie, who could fulfill Haley's intimacy needs, as well as maintain Natalie's security. Clay wasn't the guy for the job. A part of her realized that a long time ago. But an even bigger part of her, had hoped that would change.

"I should have listened to Nats. That little girl seems to be right about everything."

"I'm already starting to love this niece of mine. She seems so much like her Auntie Brooke."

~~~SSSS~~~~~

"Okay, okay then how about this one…" Natalie paused looking out the window, her eyes squinting as if concentrating deeply. "Knock knock."

"Whose there?" Nathan answered back. This was her tenth attempt. Since placing the child in her booster seat and driving in the direction that Jake had given him, Natalie had attempted to make up a decent knock knock joke. After her many failed attempts he had little hope that she would succeed.

"Chicken Lickin" She screeched with wide eyes. She threw her arms in the air for dramatic effect, which caused a chuckle to escape from Nathan. He shook his head in amusement as his eyes stayed focused on the road before him.

"Chicken Lickin who?" He asked and braced himself. His eyebrows automatically raised in question as he flicked his directional on. He knew exactly where he was going. He had been to the Davis house many times before as a teenage boy. He didn't let Jake know this detail and accepted the driving instructions, though was certain he wouldn't be using them.

"Why sir, that Chicken is Lickin me!" She bellowed holding her stomach and falling into hysteria. Nathan just smiled at the young girl in the back seat. Her arms holding her abdomen as she bent over in fits of laughter. He watched as she looked to him and on instant started to "laugh" at the young girls choke.

"Ha…Ha you got me there Nats. Chicken lickin. That one…" He pointed at her through the rear view mirror before continuing. "That ones a keeper."

"Nathan watch out!" He heard the scream as her eyes glassed over with fear. Looking to the road he saw the dog race in front of his black Infiniti. Forcing the wheel to the left in a quick motion, the sounds of tires screeching, Natalie's cries, and a honk of a horn being the only things Nathan could make out. In an instant he heard the smash, the impact of another vehicle flipping him to the side and his head being forced against the window. The cries grew louder as the metal crumbled all around him.

"Natalie!" Nathan screamed as moments passed and silence fell all around him. He was on his side. It was apparent the car had flipped in the accident; it was now resting on its side. He felt a warm liquid running down his head and he had to blink just to keep it from spilling into his eyes. He tried to move his body but he was squeezed in pretty tight. He could hear voices from the outside, though he couldn't turn his head in any other direction.

"Natalie!" He screamed once more feeling his temperature rise with worry. She wasn't making any noise. He couldn't even turn to see if she was all right.

"Natalie! Baby answer me! Fuck!" He screamed when feeling a shoot of pine rise up his spine. He could feel something wedged in his back. Nathan was aware he was in bad shape. Closing his eyes he took a deep breath. They had to be okay. She had to be okay. Tears started to form in his eyes as he once again tried to move himself but the sharp device in his back halted all movement.

"God Please! Natalie baby answer me! Please!" Nathan let the tears fall from his eyes as he could only imagine the shape the child was in. The fear on her face flashed through his eyes before dizziness swept over him. "Focus Nate, stay awake." He whispered as his head spun and the world around him started to grow dark. His body was betraying him and he was powerless in fighting the inevitable. "Just let Natalie be okay…please let her be okay."