Quote of the Day:

Brooke: (about the baby) and check it out. I got her a purple monkey like the one I used to have.
Haley: Oh, that's so cute. Did you get her anything else?
Brooke: Yeah, I got all this stuff (pointing at all the toys)
Haley: Well, I mean like, you know. Food?
Peyton: Or I mean a crib?
Haley: Or stuff?
Brooke: (taken off guard) I got a little sidetracked.

Chapter 25

It Gets the Worst at Night

Haley looked across the table from Nathan to Seth. The music in the Oasis was blaring all around her. The smell of alcohol and perfume filled the club. Looking around on the dance floor she saw countless people dancing without a care in the world. Peyton and Jake were slow dancing to their own beat. Then there was Lucas and Brooke, they were practically having sex on the dance floor. She felt a tap on her shoulder and she turned her attention back to the table.

"Sign the damn papers," Nathan said with no emotion.

"Haley, if what Nathan tells me is true…that this marriage is fake and meant nothing, then you need to sign these annulment papers," Seth said pointing down to the papers in front of her. Looking up her eyes locked with Nathan's.

"You don't mean that," Haley said while shaking her head.

"Haley, Nathan said that you never wanted to be married…that you don't love him…that the marriage was fake. Now, I must tell you to sign these papers, Nathan already has," Seth said once again pointing to the papers that were before her, Nathan's signature was right next to his name. "It'll be like the marriage never happened."

"Come on, Haley," Nathan mumbled before looking away. "You're making this harder than it has to be. This is what you wanted…now we will officially have meant nothing."

"How can you say that…" Haley whispered. "…that we meant nothing? You know that's not true. I felt it. You can't just fake something like that, Nathan."

"This marriage is fake, Haley. This is what you wanted. Now sign the damn papers," Nathan shouted.

"Haley, if you have feelings for Nathan and this marriage was real…you need to tell me," Seth said putting his hand on her shoulder. "The annulment won't be valid…if you guys were emotionally involved. The appeal was that you were both drunk and in Vegas…it happens to a lot of people. Now, is there something going on between the two of you?"

"No," Nathan shouted looking at him. "I told you already that this damn marriage is a lie. It was never real…none of it. It was all fake. I don't understand what the problem is?"

"Stop lying," Haley said looking over at him. Hot tears were falling from her eyes.

"Look if she doesn't want to sign the papers, Nathan, then I can't make her," Seth said glancing over at Nathan.

"Can you give us a minute," Nathan said glancing over at Seth. The young man nodded his head before standing up and walking away. Nathan sat there for the longest time just looking at Haley. Shaking his head he stood up and walked away. He didn't get very far before he felt her small hand pull on his arm and turn him towards her.

"Why are you doing this?" Haley whispered.

"Because it wasn't real," Nathan said looking down at her.

Shaking her head, she felt a few more tears drop from her eyes. "It was real…we were real."

"No it wasn't," Nathan said with conviction. "For god sakes, Haley, we never even consummated the marriage. Does that sound real to you? Now, I'm giving you what you wanted…sign the damn papers, so that we can move on. You're the one that said you never wanted this…that we were a mistake. I tried…I really did, but…I'm done trying. I shouldn't have tried to make you change your mind about us. It's over…we're over. Just sign them."

"I can't," Haley whispered while reaching for his hand.

"Come on, baby, let's dance," Felix said in her ear as he walked up behind her. "I've missed you."

"Have fun," Nathan said waving a hand as Felix started to pull her away from him.

"No," Haley said trying to push him off of her. "I don't love you."

Felix looked at her laughing. "You don't love him either." Felix pointed his hand over to Nathan.

"I'm sorry."

Both eyes turned to the blue eyed boy looking back at them. He stood there for a few minutes before shaking his head and walking away. Haley pushed Felix out of her way and started running towards Nathan. Finally making it out of the club she was standing on the street looking all over for Nathan. But it was no use, he was gone.

"Nathan!"

She heard voices and she turned to see who they were. All her friends were standing there whispering to each other.

"He's gone," Haley mumbled while looking at them.

"I told you he wouldn't wait forever," Brooke said shaking her head while looking at her bestfriend.

"But he promised he would never leave me," Haley said more to herself than her friends.

"People always leave right, Hales?" Peyton questioned holding up the drawing that Haley had since she was six years old.

She heard laughter from behind her and her heart stopped beating as she turned around. The only thing that she could feel in her body was fear. Backing up she felt Brooke and Peyton's arms around her.

"W-what are you doing here?"

"I told you no one will ever love you," Damien said laughing. "Now come here." He took off after her.

"No!" Haley shouted while her whole body flew up in bed. Her heavy panting filled the room as she looked around quickly. Looking over at the clock she noticed that it was six thirty in the morning. Standing up quickly she made her way to the bathroom. Filling the sink with water, she dunked her head in letting her face cool off. Once she pulled it out, she put a towel straight to her face drying her off. Dropping the towel on the ground, she rushed out of her room.

Finally approaching Nathan's room she opened the door quickly. Looking around she noticed that the bed was made and there was no trace of Nathan. Panic started to kick in before she took of towards the kitchen. All she found was an empty room.

"Nathan," Haley yelled as she took off down the hall. Her whole body was terrified at the thought of him being gone. "Nathan!"

Walking into the living room she noticed the plasma TV on with one of Nathan's basketball games on pause. She felt her whole body relax. Seconds later she felt Nathan's hands on her shoulders.

"Were you yelling for me?" Nathan questioned with a chuckle.

"Maybe," Haley said turning around to face him as relief filled her body. He was here…he didn't leave her. It was just a bad dream.

"I had to use the bathroom…I couldn't sleep, so I've been playing my game since four," Nathan said as his hand pointed over to his Playstation on the ground.

"I thought you were gone," Haley said as their eyes locked.

"Nope," Nathan said shaking his head. "What are you're plans for the day?"

He took her hand in his as they both started walking towards the sofa. They took a seat and Nathan couldn't help but smile as Haley sat right next to him. Things had been going good for them in the last week. They had been talking more, being friendlier to the other. He even got to cook for her a few times. They had been watching more movies together, and it seemed like they were an actual real couple. Well, without the kissing and all that other stuff. But on a good note, the games had stopped. They both kept their word that they wouldn't try and tease the other.

"I have to finish up the album," Haley while resting her head on his shoulder. "It's gonna take all day I just know it, and then it probably won't be finished today."

"So you'll be gone all day?" Nathan questioned with a smile.

"I know it sucks," Haley said closing her eyes.

"I forgot to tell you that I told Kristen that she could spend the weekend," Nathan mumbled. "In fact I have to pick her up today."

"That sounds fun," Haley said smiling up at him. "Now, all I have to do is get this day over with and then come home and she'll be here." She loved Kristen so much. Over the last few weeks they had seen a lot of each other. Sometimes she would pick her up from school and bring her home so that they could practice for her play in January. They would always laugh and have fun. It amazed her as to how close they had become since they met. It felt like such a long time ago when Lucas had called for a meeting with her. So many things had changed since then. Basically, everything had changed.

"Just give me a call when you're on your way home and I'll make sure that we're here," Nathan said placing a soft kiss on her forehead. He looked down and he noticed that she was looking up and smiling at him. God, did he love her. Picking up his controller he held it out to her. "You wanna play?"

She started laughing. "I wouldn't even know how to begin to play this game."

"I'll show you," Nathan said placing the controller in her hands. "Sit here." He pointed to the spot right in front of him. A few seconds later she was between his legs holding the controller.

"Which color are we?" Haley questioned.

"We're the Knicks, Hales," Nathan said with a chuckle. "The one with New York on the jersey."

"So the blue," Haley said glancing at the little men on the screen.

"Boy, you're lucky you're hot," Nathan said shaking his head. He felt her hand pinch his leg before she un-paused the game. "Ouch!" Within no time the other team scored. "Okay, so you actually have to press buttons for your men to play."

"Thank you, Mr. State the Obvious," Haley said rolling her eyes before glancing down at the controller. There were so many, she didn't know which ones to press. "Help me."

"Here," Nathan said laughing as his arms went around her body and placed his hands over hers. "This one is to run and this one is to shoot."

She tired to ignore the warm sensations flowing around in her body. Being this close to him had such an effect on her. Her whole body was on fire, and they were just playing video games. She was such a loser, she knew this. She felt his hands on hers helping her push the buttons and she tried her best to focus on the TV. All she wanted to do was turn around and show him how much…

"You scored," Nathan shouted while he let go of her hands.

"What?" Haley questioned while looking at the screen. She then noticed that she had two more points than she previously had. "Oh…I did it." Get it together, James!

"You sure did," Nathan said smiling from behind her. "Let's kick their ass, baby."

They both started laughing as they continued to play. His hands never left hers and she wasn't going to complain one bit. She loved the feeling of him touching her. Nathan showing her how to do anything was amazing enough.

"Okay just calm down," Peyton said holding up her hands as Haley repeatedly paced back and forth in her living room.

"I can't," Haley said shaking her head as her feet didn't stop moving. "I don't know what to do…and it just gets the worse at night and I'm supposed to be in the studio in like an hour and I can't stop crying…how am I supposed to sing like this?"

"Did you tell, Nathan?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"I don't want him worrying about me."

"But he already is," Peyton mummbled.

"What?"

"Jake might have mentioned a few things," Peyton said nervously. Haley looked over at her in shock. Her friends usually told her everything. "What? Guys talk too."

"Thanks for telling."

"Hales...he's my husband...we talk."

"Right...I know. I'm sorry, I didn't mean that," Haley whispered.

"The dreams are every night?" Peyton questioned.

"Yes," Haley finally stopped. "I just want it to stop. I don't want to wake up every morning thinking about him."

"It's okay," Peyton said placing her hands on Haley's shoulders.

"No it's not," Haley said with a pout as Peyton pulled her into a hug. "I don't want to think about him at all…not now, not ever."

"I know, sweetie," Peyton said rubbing a soothing hand over Haley's back.

"I just want it to stop," Haley said as a few tears started to fall. Peyton continued to hold her tight. They heard a door slam but both girls didn't move.

"I just got your message. I got here as fast as I could," Brooke said walking into the room and throwing her arms around Haley and Peyton. "Everything is gonna be okay."

"Brooke, it's getting worse," Haley said sobbing in their arms. "What if he –what if he comes back?"

"Hey," Peyton said pulling out of Haley's arms. Her hand found Haley's cheek and she forced her to look at her. "We won't let anything happen to you."

"You got it," Brooke added.

"I'm scared," Haley whispered as Brooke wiped away a few of her tears.

"You got us," Brooke said rubbing Haley's arms. "You got Lucas and Nathan. Nothing is gonna change that."

"I just want it to stop…please make it stop," Haley said in tears again.

Brooke and Peyton glanced at each other both in tears of their own. It had been so long since Haley had dreamed of Damien West so much. Right when she had moved in with the Davis the dreams were constant every night. But over time eventually she stopped having them once her life turned back to normal. Now for some reason they were back and neither girl knew what to do. The only thing they could do in that moment was hold her while she cried.

"Now, you make sure that she goes to bed at a decent hour," Karen said sternly while handing Nathan, Kristen's bag for the weekend. "And she just insisted on brining her Christmas gift for Haley…I told her to just wait until Christmas when everyone is opening gifts but you know how she gets."

"So basically…she's brining the present," Keith said handing it over to Nathan.

"And don't forget that I'm picking her up Sunday morning. Make sure that she is ready and I expect you and Haley at the Annual Ball on time. I don't want you being late again this year. And make sure the rest of the family knows that Christmas will be spent here in this house. That mean's that Brooke, Peyton, and Jake…if they are able to make it. You and Haley, better be here first thing Christmas morning. You got it?"

"Is that all?" Nathan questioned with a smirk. It was like he was taking the presidents daughter to sleepover. For the last thirty minutes his mother had been making sure that he had enough information to take care of his baby sister –like he was some kind of idiot or something. She made sure that he had the number for the hospitals, police, and fire departments. They were acting like she never left the house before.

"Mom, I'm almost eleven," Kristen said roughly taking her bag from Nathan's grip. She rolled her eyes and stormed towards the door.

"We love you too, sweetheart," Keith shouted with a chuckle. "I'm sure she's not on the naughty list." Keith glanced over at Nathan with a shrug.

"Dad, when I was five, Lucas, told me that Santa wasn't real and that you and mommy buy all the presents," Kristen said looking over at him with puppy dog eyes. "I'm your only daughter…you have to buy me presents."

"Not the eyes," Keith said looking at her.

"Don't look her," Karen said putting a hand in front of his face. "That's how she got you for her birthday."

"Who are you two kidding?" Kristen said laughing. "I already found all the presents in mom's study."

"I told you," Keith said shaking his head while looking at his wife.

"And to think I used to live with you losers," Nathan laughed out while shaking his head. His parents were such dorks. When Lucas and he were little they would act the same way –even though they were teenagers at the time. It was embarrassing when they brought friends over. They would just do the most outrageous things, like try and talk like they were teenagers or try and hangout with them. One time they even insisted tagging along on a double date they had –in which they were fifteen at the time. The next day at school, everyone made fun of them.

"That hurts," Keith put his hand over his heart.

"I love you guys," Kristen said blowing them a kiss.

"Yeah, love you guys," Nathan mocked. Everyone started laughing before Nathan and Kristen took off towards the door.

"Be careful," Karen shouted right before the door closed.

"Mom's paranoid," Kristen said laughing. "I think that she thinks you might break me or something."

"Yeah…because that's gonna happen," Nathan mumbled.

"So what's this big plan of yours," Kristen said glancing up at him. "I've been waiting for the past week and I wanna know, now!"

"Bossy much," Nathan said with a smirk.

"It's killing me," Kristen said with a pout. "Plus, I'll tell you what mom got you."

"Okay, here's the plan. First…."

AN: Please review! Just in case there is any confusion at the beginning that was Haley's nightmare. So coming up we have the weekend with Kristen. Then, the Scott Ball and then Christmas...oh yeah and drama.