A/N: I know you're all hoping for some Brathan and it is coming! There is some here and then some more in the next chapter, but unfortunately I can't just have loads of happy brathan lovey moments because then the story would be over like now… But I can promise lots of UST!

Chapter 20

Ally POV

"Oh. My. God," Brooke said coming into my room after letting herself in with her key. "What happened to you?"

She held up my t-shirt from the floor with paint all over it.

"Oh, yeah, we had to paint the wall in detention today," I said slipping my cell phone into my back pocket.

Needing a ride, I was about to call Danny, but before I did Brooke called to check up on me. She hadn't gone to Tric yet like I thought she had so she drove past this way to pick me up.

"Paint the wall or paint yourself?" she asked, putting the shirt straight in the hamper.

"Yeah there was a little paint fiasco," I told her.

"Do I even want to ask?" she said putting my shorts in the hamper as well.

"Yeah, well you should have seen the other guy," I said, putting on my leather jacket.

"And the other guy was…" she prompted.

"Alex Taylor," I said, turning off my bedroom light and going downstairs with Brooke behind me who was locking up as I put my shoes on.

"Alex Taylor?" she repeated with a smile on her face.

"What's the smile for?" I asked.

"Oh nothing…," she said in a sing song voice.

"Whatever you're thinking—stop and take it out of your mind," I told her getting into the passenger seat.

"What?" she said laughing, "I didn't say anything!"

"You didn't need to. I can tell what you're thinking from that look on your face," I said putting my seat belt on.

"You just seem to be spending more time with him for someone you don't like, that's all. Just an observation!"

"Well of course I am! We have detention together! We kind of don't have a choice," I said.

"Yeah because you didn't get detention together because you were involved in anything together right?" she asked even though she knew the answer.

"Oh come on that's not fair," I said. "Detention happened because of reasons outside our control."

"And why did you get detention again?" she asked, backing out of the driveway.

"Oh please, I know you're working for Dad," I said and she laughed. "He's been pressing me about that since Principal Turner told him."

"Ok, at least I can tell him I tried!" Brooke said.

"He's not freaking out because I got detention, he's freaking out because it has something to do with Alex," I said.

"So now it's Alex?" she asked.

"Huh?"

"Up till now every time you've mentioned him—rather complained about him—you've either called him Alex Taylor or just Taylor. But you're on a first name basis now?"

"I did?" I asked, second guessing myself. I guess she was right in a way. Alex was his name, but calling him Alex sounded so much more familiar. When did I switch to Alex anyway?

"Yep," she said. "That's just another clue that you like each other."

I burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?" she asked.

"Me and Alex? Like each other? Yeah right! If we 'liked' each other why can we not have a civil conversation without us wanting to kill each other off?"

"Errr that's obvious," she said driving into Tric.

"It is?" I asked.

"Ever hear of the old tale of the kid who picked on the girl because he actually liked her? It works both ways too," she said, as she finished up parking in the reserved area.

"That is soooooooo not happening here, trust me" I said quickly.

"Hey, I'm just saying sometimes you find yourself falling for the last ever person you thought you would," she said then hesitated for a second before getting out the car.

I cannot believe that's the vibe she got from all of this. She could not be more off base. I didn't like Alex and Alex didn't like me. I mean sure he definitely above average in the looks department but-

Brooke tapped on car, making me jump.

Oh my gosh I did not just think that.

"Coming?" she asked.

I let myself out, and she locked the door with the control in her hand.

We walked past the long line of people waiting and everybody groaned as soon as the doorman opened the rope to let us as he saw us.

"Don't you just love knowing the owners?" Brooke asked smiling and I laughed.

"Ok, I'm gonna go find Dad to tell him I'm here," I said. "You coming?"

"Ummm….actually you go on ahead. I think I left something in the car," she said.

"Ok, I'll see you later," I said slightly confused to what she needed.

She nodded and headed back out and I scanned the room looking for Dad. It didn't take long to find him sitting on the edge of the wide steps.

I walked over but stopped a few feet away as I realised he was lost in thought staring at something. I followed his gaze and saw Haley in a red dress by the bar.

It wasn't the same look he had in the picture but it was a look all the same.

It was in that moment that I realised that Dad loved Haley and I don't know why it didn't occur to me before. When Haley left me as a baby she left Dad too. He loved her and she just left him. Haley leaving was hard on me but I couldn't even remember it. Dad actually had to suffer through it.

Now that she was back I realised whatever I was feeling Dad was probably feeling and ten times worse too. Everyone had been worrying about me, including him, but had anybody checked to see if he was ok because I hadn't.

As the realisation came to me, I felt terrible for the way I had acted, moving out of home and into Brooke's when I was mad at Dad, leaving him all alone. I knew I was right to be mad about the situation in which my mother left but I know now that Dad did it to protect me.

"You loved her didn't you?" I said. Whilst I was thinking I had unconsciously walked closer, putting me right behind Dad.

Xxxx

Nathan POV

He turned around as soon as I spoke heard in surprise.

"What?" He asked.

"Haley. You loved her," I said sitting down on the step next to him.

He hesitated for a second then nodded.

"Why did you never tell me about her?" I asked, the noise of the club drowning away.

"I didn't think I needed to. Why tell you about someone who wasn't in your life. It would only hurt you."

"I'm sorry."

"For what honey?" he asked.

"For the way I acted. I'm sorry for moving out and I'm sorry for being mad at you," I said.

He reached out and rubbed my arm.

"You don't need to be sorry for anything. You're going through a lot right now," he said.

"But so are you," I answered.

"I don't want you to worry about that," he said.

"But she left you too," I said.

"I know, but I'm a big boy," he said, giving me a weak smile.

"Daddy?"

"Yeah baby?" he answered, and I know he picked up on calling him Daddy something I only did since I'd grown up when I was sick.

"Can I move back home please?"

"Of course you can," he said hugging me and I squeezed him tight, missing this.

"Ok," I said smiling. "I'm gonna go catch up with Danny and Lisa."

"Hold on Alls, before you go," he started.

"Yeah?"

"I don't want you to think Haley was some evil person who just deserted us both," he said.

"But she did," I said confused.

"I know, I'm not defending her, but she did what she thought was right at the time. Underneath it all though she was a good person," he said.

I didn't know what he was trying to say but I knew if she was really as terrible as I'd built her up to her Dad never would have married her.

"I'm just saying don't punish her more for my benefit," he said. "Haley did leave, yes, but she wasn't leaving you. She didn't even know you, you were a baby. She did however leave me. I have a right to be mad because she went back on all the promises we made to each other but she's here now and she wants to get to know you."

"Dad—"

"I'm forcing you into anything. You can still decide never to talk to her again, but I just think you should think about it first."

What was he saying? I was being honest when I said I was never lacking anything growing up but I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel it inside when I thought about how everyone else had a Mom. I loved Brooke but at the end of the day her name wasn't 'mom'.

But did I resent Haley for that?

My mind was all jumbled and I didn't know if I was doing the right thing but I knew I trusted Dad and if he told me to think about it, it was for a good reason.

I stood up from my spot and headed toward the bar.

Haley had her back to me and was talking to Chase.

"Haley?"

She turned around, and smiled when she saw me.

"Alyssa! Hi," she said sounding surprised. "How are you?"

"I'm good," I said and she nodded.

"So I was thinking, if you um..wanted to get coffee or something sometime, that would be ok," I said hesitantly.

Haley sighed in relief and smiled.

"I would really like that," she replied.

"Ok, I'll um leave you my number then?"

Xxxx xxxxx xxxx

Nathan POV

It was killing me to tell Ally to give Haley a chance but I knew it was the right thing to do.

I told Haley I wasn't going to influence Ally in any way but I did.

This wasn't about punishing Haley for her mistakes. This was about letting Ally have the chance with her mother that she deserved.

I watched her walk away from me, and it hurt even though I knew she just because she might grow to like Haley it wouldn't mean she loved me any less.

I saw her talk to Haley for a bit, then saw he take Haley's cell phone and start punching something in, her number I assumed.

Whilst Ally was busy with the phone, Haley looked over Ally's shoulder until her brown eyes met my green ones.

She gave me a weak smile and mouthed 'Thank you'.

I just gave her a nod in acknowledgement, before getting up and going outside to get some air.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ally POV

Ok, I just gave her my number, I didn't sign away my life. If I really wanted I could go out to coffee then tell her I never wanted to see her again. It was all good.

I still wasn't 100% about what I just did but knowing Dad wanted me to do it or at least he implied he did made me feel like I was doing the right thing.

But for now I wasn't going to think about it, I was actually going to have some fun and act like the teenager I was.

Where was Danny or Lisa anyway?

I did a quick scan around the club but didn't see either of them floating about. I wasn't surprised I couldn't see them in here anyway. It was pretty dark in here and full of people.

I walked over to the bar where I saw Rachel sitting talking to Chase.

"You can't be near the bar when we're open sunshine, you're under age," Chase said as I approached.

"I know, I know," I said, "I was just coming to ask Rachel if she knew where Sarah was."

Wherever Sarah was, that was probably where I could find Danny.

"I haven't actually seen her in a while," Rachel said putting her cocktail down on the counter. "Last I saw them they were near the platform."

I looked over at the raised platform and couldn't see any of them from here, but I made my way over anyway. As I went down the steps onto the main floor I could see Sarah talking to a few of Danny's friends from his Drama class, and I smiled. I was glad Sarah was coming out of her shell a little since she'd been here, and I think Danny was a big part of that.

Even though Sarah was there though I couldn't see Danny. I headed over to the store room to drop my jacket and bag in there before I went to ask Sarah where everyone was.

I lifted my bag over my head as I opened the door and saw Lisa with her hands on her hips in a defensive stance inside, and Danny opposite her.

I had clearly caught them mid argument which was nothing new. At least I had found them. Although I didn't want to know they chose to do it in the store room of all places instead of in public like they usually did.

They both stopped talking as soon as the door opened.

"As you were," I said backing out, intending to leave them too it, knowing I'd get a full description of what had happened from both if their point of views whether I wanted to hear it or not.

"Hold on wait!" Lisa said before I closed the door, and I stopped. "You can back me up on this."

"She isn't going to back you up on anything because you're being ridiculous!" Danny said slowly like he was talking to a toddler.

"Guys, I really don't want to get in the midd—" I started.

"What exactly is your main argument?" Danny asked Lisa.

"That you're a crappy friend nowadays. You've turned into one of those people that completely ditches their friends because they have a girlfriend, and I seriously think that's pathetic," she said.

"I haven't ditched anyone!" he protested.

"Ally!" They both appealed to me at the same time, then glared at each other, after hearing the other.

I groaned, knowing I had no way of getting out of this.

"Ok first of all I want it on the record that I think this is the stupidest thing to ever fight about, but Danny yes you've been AWOL lately," Danny sighed and Lisa looked smug, but I held up my hand to stop him interrupting, "but he's made a new friend and is having fun with it. There's nothing wrong with that, and it's not like he's leaving us in our time of need. He's just not doing trivial things with us like eating all our food when he comes over after school!"

"Thank you!" Danny said and Lisa rolled her eyes, then Danny realised what else I'd said, "Hey!"

"Whatever," Lisa said, brushing off what I'd said.

"Why do you care so much anyway?" he asked. "Whenever I am with you, you're constantly complaining about me, and how you're forced to spend time with me."

He did technically have a point there. Even though all three of us were friends, Lisa often pointed out how they were both my friend, bringing the three of us together, which ,made no sense because they spent as much time together without me as I did with either of them individually.

"Uhh…" she stumbled, speechless.

"Oh so maybe you do like having me around," Danny said grinning.

"No I don't!" she protested.

"It's ok Leese," he said putting his arm around her.

"Get off me," she said pushing his arm off her, and walking out the room.

"Well that was fun," Danny said walking out casually behind her.

"What the hell just happened there?" I asked myself out loud, putting my coat and bag down before letting myself out. I made a mental note to talk to Lisa later to see what was up with her.

I walked out and saw Danny in the distance sitting with Sarah, and Lisa sitting on a different table with a girl that I knew lived next door to her. She had a frown on her face as she stared at Danny on the table in front of her.

Before I could get very far though, someone stepped in front of me blocking my way.

"Oh for god's sakes Austin, this is getting ridiculous," I said, walking around him, but I knew he was following me.

"It wouldn't have to get ridiculous if you didn't keep running away from me," he said.

"Well maybe you should get the hint that I don't actually want to talk to you," I said walking toward the bar.

"Look, you don't have to waste your time with Taylor just to piss me off anymore," he said. "It's not working."

The fact that he was actually bringing it up in the first place told me it was actually bugging him.

I stopped walking and he walked into the back of me, causing me to push him off.

"Are you seriously that conceited?"

"Excuse me?"

"Did you ever consider that I wasn't that desperate just to be on your radar and that me talking to Alex has nothing to do with you?" I asked him.

He just looked confused. "Why would you want to talk to him for? He's a loser."

"Why? Because he doesn't think you're cool, and he sees through your little image? You're actually the one that's coming off more like a loser right now," I said.

"Hey guys."

We both turned and saw Dad standing by the bar, noticing us.

"Oh hey Coach Scott," Austin said cautiously, expecting Dad to flip out at him over what happened.

"Austin, good work yesterday," Dad said, thumping him on the back. "You guys shouldn't actually be by the bar, you should go hang out down there."

Austin smiled, and I frowned realising what he had realised. He just sussed out that I hadn't told Dad what had happened.

I felt his arm go around me and hold me tight against him, and I resisted the urge to push him away, and put a smile on my face.

I did not want Dad to know what happened. I knew he'd get super angry and go after Austin, which I did not want to happen right now. I had enough drama to deal with. Austin was also Dad's star player and this would definitely get in the way of that. This was one of the reasons why Dad being a teacher at my school sucked.

"We might just go do that," Austin said nodded.

"Austin, how about you come around the house for dinner next week," Dad said. Yeah—great Dad, choose now to be more open to accepting I had a boyfriend.

"I would lo—"

"Actually Austin is really busy next week," I interrupted.

"No i—"

"Yes you are, you have family coming in from San Diego remember, "I told him, whilst simultaneously pinching his thigh extremely hard.

I heard him groan softly.

"Oh right. Thanks for reminding me," he said reluctantly.

"You're welcome," I said smiling.

"Well another time then?" Dad asked.

"We'll see," I responded, pulling Austin away. "Come on, let's dance."

As soon as we were out of Dad's view I shoved him away from me.

"Come near me again and you'll feel a lot more pain than that."

Xxxxxxxxxxx

Brooke POV

"Come on Davis, don't be a wimp," I mumbled to myself, giving a pep talk that would force me inside the club again.

I cannot believe I had actually walked out, panicking.

What was wrong with me? Ok yes, I had decided to take the plunge and bring up the moment in the kitchen from this morning to Nathan, and yes it could possibly end extremely badly if it turns out he didn't know what moment I was talking about, but that was no reason to be nervous right? Right?

I walked to the entrance, and the bouncer let me in straight away.

Just as I walked in, Nathan happened to look my way from the bar and caught my eye. He smiled, and I smiled back. He hopped off his bar stool and met me halfway.

"Hey," he said smiling, then looked down at my sea green dress, "you look really great."

"Thanks," I said, jumping for glee inside.

"Do you want to go sit?" he asked.

"Yes," I managed to say. If I was going to get further than one word sentences tonight I was going to have to be more articulate.

Nathan led us down to the couches, and we sat behind the assortment of tables that was always reserved for our friends.

"So how was work?" he asked.

"It was good, I managed to get the designs done, so that's a massive weight off my shoulders," I said.

"Good."

We sat in silence for a second. Why was this feeling so strange? Normally conversation flowed so naturally for us, but for some reason he seemed just as nervous as I was.

"So um.. this morning," I said.

His head snapped up. "Yeah?"

"It umm seemed like you wanted to say something to me," I said. Yeah great going Brooke, you can't get much vaguer than that.

"Oh. Umm…no not really," he said.

"Oh," I said slightly disappointed he didn't take the bait. "Are you sure?"

"I can't think of anything," he said.

"Oh ok," I said. Maybe Rachel was right and I was imagining the 'moment'.

"Actually maybe there was so—" he began.

"There you are!" Peyton said, collapsing down on the couch next to Brooke.

Mouth and Rachel followed and opposite, with Luke walking up a few seconds later.

Talk about ruining a moment.

Xxxxxxxxxx

Ally POV

Wow. That was the only word I could come up with. Wow.

Haley was a better singer than I thought she'd be. She was performing like she'd been up there all her life, and I couldn't believe that I had any connection to that woman in front of me, let alone, her being my mother.

I know it sounds stupid but I felt a little bit better that at least she had left for something she was meant to do. She didn't just run away for a stupid dream she couldn't achieve.

I know it sounded crazy but it felt like the whole time, she was singing to me, and I knew this because as hard as I tried I couldn't take my eyes off her.

"Thank you Tree Hill! It's great to be back here, where my career began and performing on this stage again. I'll be back after Mist!"

The crowd cheered and she disappeared off stage. I twisted around to see how Dad was reacting to her singing, but when I spotted him, his back was to me instead. He was talking to Brooke, and I smiled. Why couldn't they just realise they were perfect together already? Everyone else knew it, they just needed to realise it too.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Haley POV

I sang my last note of the song, and the club burst into applause and cheering. Looking into the crowd, now it felt like I'd gone back to the past and they were the same crowd from when I used to play at Tric.

This time though my eyes were trained on Alyssa who was sitting directly at the back of the crowd but in front of the stage.

I was beyond pleased she'd come to talk to me, and even more grateful that Nathan had helped her to do that. I knew I didn't deserve it but he let me have this chance and it meant a lot to me.

"Thank you Tree Hill! It's great to be back here, where my career began and performing on this stage again. I'll be back after Mist!" I said into the mic, before walking off, and handing the mic to a sound guy.

When I rounded the corner, I saw Peyton there waiting for me. She handed me a bottle of water and I took it from her.

"Thanks," I said surprised that she had made the effort, and took a sip.

"You were really good out there," Peyton said. Now I was even more shocked. When she asked me to sing she looked like she was being forced to do it, standing over a shark tank.

"Thank you," I said.

"Listen, you've done some crappy things in your life, and I lost all the respect I had for you," she said. There she was—I knew it was too good to last.

"I kno—"

"And I'm nowhere near saying things are ok between us, but I'm glad you achieved what you wanted to. You were really amazing," she said, and I gave her a small smile. I knew that was hard for her to say.

"Thanks Peyton, that means a lot."

"I know you want to get to know Ally. I know Lucas thinks it's a great idea, but if you hurt either her or Nathan, you will seriously see the side of me you don't want to."

"I won't, I promise."

"Well then, I guess I'll see you around," she said and I nodded.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Brooke POV

I'd sat there silent as everyone else talked, catching up, whilst I was going over in my head how Nathan hadn't felt anything this morning. I was so stupid. I spoke to Rachel and got my hopes up and went home and made an effort to look good for tonight. And what for?

One by one, everyone had up and left until it was just me and Nathan left. I really needed a drink.

"I'm going to bar to get us drinks," I said. "Want anything?"

"Oh ok, a beer would be good," he said.

"Ok, be back in a sec," I told him.

The bar was packed, and all staff were busy. I got impatient quickly, and let myself in through the hatch.

I helped myself to a beer for Nathan and scanned the assortment of stronger drinks in the middle island for something that would put me into a better mood. If I had to deal with the fact Nathan didn't have feelings for me, there was no way I was going to do it sober.

"You shouldn't really be back here."

I turned around and saw Owen, with a white towel over his shoulder. He had one hand on the counter, and I could see the muscles defined in his arm.

"I can be back here," I said rolling my eyes.

"Oh yeah?" he said. "What about this," he said tapping a small silver sign that read 'no unauthorised personnel behind the bar'

"I've been through clearance, take it up with bar manager," I said, turning my attention back to the drinks.

"I am bar manager," he said.

"Oh. Well then take it up with your boss," I said.

"Boss?" he called out without taking his eyes off me.

"Brooke get out," Chase called from the other side without looking over, and Owen smirked.

I rolled my eyes and ducked under the hatch, and put the beer on the counter, muttering 'traitor' in Chase's direction.

"Hi, I'm Owen, what can I get you?" he said formally.

"Just get me something strong," I said hopping onto the seat.

"Alcohol doesn't really take away your problems you know," he said but he started mixing a drink anyway.

"I know but it will numb them for now," I said.

"Care to share?" he asked.

"Not really," I said with a smile then changed the subject, "So bar manager huh?"

"Yeah, it's a fun thing to do with my nights anyway," he said.

"Really? What else do you do by day?" I said kidding around.

"I have an advertising firm," he said.

"Seriously?" I asked not expecting to hear that. I expected him to just be the guy behind the bar, then felt kinda bad for thinking that.

"Yeah, I started it out of college."

"Well that sounds fun," I said.

"Actually it's not," he said and I laughed. "Which is why I'm here. It's doing well so I rarely need to go in."

"So what else don't I know about you then?" I asked him.

"I guess you'll have to find out," he said winking.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Nathan POV

I cannot believe I came close to blurting out everything that had been going through my head. I was actually thankful everybody had turned up when they did before.

"Hi," Peyton said coming to sit next to me.

"Hey."

"Where is everyone?" Peyton asked.

"Luke is with Chase, and Rachel, Mouth and skills are dancing," I said. "Brooke's gone to get both of us drinks."

"I'm actually glad she's not here right now," Peyton said. "We need to talk about how things are going on the Brathan front."

"Brathan?" I asked confused. "What the hell is that?"

"It's you and Brooke. It's your couple name," she said like it was obvious.

"Oh wow," I said not believing she actually put me and Brooke together like we were one of those couples kids were rooting for in TV shows and on that fanfiction site Ally was always reading on.

She mistook my words for enthusiasm.

"I know cool right?" she said. "Well how is everything going? Did you ask her out yet?"

"Peyton please, I thought we were going to drop this," I said. She hadn't brought it up recently after being distracted with the whole Haley being back in town thing.

"I thought you said you were going to think about it," she asked.

"I did think about it, and I decided it's not really a good idea," I told her.

"What? Nathan come on! You and Brooke have been meant to be together for years! You're just too stubborn to see that!"

"Peyton, what if we're just best friends?" I asked her, and she shook her head.

"You're not."

"Either way, it's not just me and Brooke in this. Ally has a lot going on right now, she doesn't need this to deal with on top of that."

"Ally will be fine! This isn't a bad thing she needs to stress over! It's a good thing."

"What if Brooke doesn't want it, then things could get really awkward and Ally will get stuck in the middle of that."

"You want to know what I think?"

"Not really, but I'm sure you're going to tell me anyway," I told her and she ignored me.

"I think Haley hurt you really bad," she said.

"What does that have to do with anything?" I asked.

"I think you're scared to go for it with Brooke because Haley really screwed you up. But sweetie, not all women are like Haley. They're not just going to up and abandon you and Ally, and especially not Brooke. I think you're using Ally as your main reason not to go for it, when that's not the real reason."

I just sighed, not knowing what to say. Part of me knew she was right, even though it was stupid because whatever Haley did happened over sixteen years ago, and there was no way I was still hung up over that.

"And I don't think you have to worry about Brooke rejecting you either," she said. "Just talk to her."

Maybe Peyton was right. Where was Brooke anyway? She'd been gone for about fifteen minutes. Was she ok?

I turned around and scanned the bar. She was easy to spot though in her green dress. She was still by the bar, and was laughing at something that Owen guy said.

"Are you sure about that?" I asked Peyton, and she frowned.

"Nath—"

"Peyton just please let it go," I told her, feeling stupid for listening to her.

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A/N: as usual—want to hear what you think!

Anyone want to make me a cover?