Winners and Losers

Chapter 29

Once again thank you for all the wonderful reviews! I want to comment much more about some of the comments but I don't want to give anything away. Aside from Naley, I love exploring the Nathan/Lucas brother relationship. You'll see a lot more of that in this chapter. Like I said, last chapter was really long and so this is the second half of it. There's a lot of things in here.. and I really enjoyed writing it. I was going to post this a lot sooner but I figured I'd save it for tonight since there isn't a new episode tonight. Like I said, I was really happy with the feedback and I'm itching to get the next few chapters out. You're definitely going to see the set up in this chapter for some major drama as well as well as turning points for Nathan, Haley and Lucas. Enjoy and please review!!!

. . . .

"I hate you because you were the reason why my dad treated me like crap .. for the longest time I wondered how he can be that way with me but then I found this right after I found out that my dad had another kid .. and that's when I knew …" Nathan sighed. "That's when I knew deep down he didn't care about me that.. that he made the wrong choice by sticking with me and my mom when it was really you and Karen he wanted." Nathan glared at Lucas.

Lucas just stared at Nathan, unsure of what to do or say. This has got to be one of the weirdest 24 hours he ever had. He hated to admit it but he was definitely seeing Nathan in a new light. He was still the same arrogant son of a bitch he always was but something had changed, something was different, or maybe was it Lucas that was different.

After an awkward moment of silence, Lucas finally spoke.

"I .. I don't know what you what me to say.."

"I don't need you to say anything.." Nathan shook his head as he put the contents of the box back inside. Once he put them away, Nathan looked up to see Lucas still looking at him.

"If it's sympathy you want.. you're not getting it from me." Lucas declared.

Nathan laughed and shook his head. "The last thing I need from you is your sympathy .. I don't want your pity."

"Then.. what exactly do you want from me?"

"You?" Nathan laughed again. "I don't want anything from you."

Lucas smirked. "I think there is something you want from me .. why else would you bring me here and show me all this?"

"Maybe I'm just using you.." Nathan scoffed.

"I know you're using me.." Lucas scoffed back.

"Really now?" Nathan smirked, this should be interesting.

"Trying to show me this I don't know .. softer side of you.. .. that I'd change my opinion of you somehow.. that I'd actually approve of you and Haley because you two are on the rocks right now and having me on your side will certainly help you out.. that's why you took me to the clinic. .that's why you took me here.. and that's why you bribed Brooke into helping you.."

"Maybe you're not as big of an idiot as I thought you were." Nathan smirked back.

"But there's more. ."

"Really .. you have me all figured out now huh?"

"You're lonely .. without Haley you have no one to turn to.. the goons that follow you around and the bitches that flaunt over you .. they're just there .. they don't know you.."

"Really now? So I'm lonely and apparently you know me now?"

"I didn't say that I know you… I don't know you.." Lucas shrugged. "But I do know that I don't think your as big of an idiot as I thought you were.." Lucas smirked back, giving the same tone of cockiness Nathan just used on him. Lucas bit his lip for a second and then continued. "If I know Haley, I know that she wouldn't take your bullshit.. I mean she had to .. she did sleep with you .. unless you really did turn her into one of your sluts.."

Nathan clenched his fist and tightened his jaw.

".. but seeing that angry look on your face.. I'd say I was right with the first assessment .. and well there's me .. and I know I don't take your shit .. all these things you told me in the past 24 hours.. have you even told anyone else besides Haley?" Lucas dared him to answer.

Nathan just stared quiet.

"I thought so.." Lucas scoffed. "You don't want my sympathy .. you want my friendship.. or something I don't know.."

"So now we're friends.." Nathan looked at him amused.

"You're not my friend .. but .. you're .. you're not the enemy." Lucas sighed. "I can blame our fucked up dad for that.."

"I won't argue with you there…" Nathan agreed.

"So where does this leave us?" Lucas looked at Nathan curiously.

"We are going to leave here.. and you won't say anything to anyone about this whole HCM thing to anyone.."

"And why would I keep this to myself?"

"Because we both got a lot to loose .. basketball for starters.. you think Whitey will play either of us if he finds out we have HCM.."

"You have a point there but we don't know if we have HCM and more importantly only one of us took the test.."

"So you're concerned with my well being?"

"Unfortunately, we need you to make it to states.."

"Aww.. I'm hurt Luke.." Nathan mocked, feigning hurt.

"Are you going to take the test or not?"

"Maybe.. it depends.."

"Depends on what?"

"If there's something else I have in my life besides basketball.."

Lucas laughed. "You're unbelievable.."

"And you are keeping your mouth shut.. especially to Haley.."

"But me and Haley aren't talking.. I can thank you for that.."

"No you can thank yourself.. but I did enlist Brooke to help you guys out and clean your mess .. unless your friendship with Haley is really over.."

"Is that what you want?"

"Maybe.. I want her to be happy .. and unfortunately that involves you as well.."

"Does it kill you that you're not the only guy in Haley's life?"

"Yes.." Nathan said honestly as he looked away from Lucas.

"God, I've never seen anyone so whipped before.."

"No, you've never seen anyone in love before.. there's a difference dumb ass.."

Lucas nodded. "You have a point.."

Nathan shook his head, he hated to sound so weak and vulnerable but he had to ask. He missed her so much.

"So do I pass?"

"Pass?"

"You're approval for MY precious Haley.."

Lucas laughed. He had to give it to Nathan, he was good. "So I can put in a good word for you with her?" Lucas asked and Nathan nodded.

Lucas took a deep breath and studied Nathan for a moment. "I believe you really do love her, as pathetic and utterly sweet and cute as it is .. I believe you care for her.. I believe you want her to be happy.. I believe you never want to hurt her but there's a difference between not wanting to hurt and actually hurting her.. and unfortunately you already hurt her, you continue to hurt her and if you guys did happen to get back together, I think you would still will hurt her even if you don't mean to." Lucas said honestly.

Nathan bit his tongue. "Fair enough.." Nathan replied.

"But I'll keep this HCM crap between us .. but Nathan you have to take it.."

"I know I have to .. I .. I just don't want to.." Nathan said as he walked out of their father's office.

. . . . .

"Well well.. if it isn't Lucas Scott.."

"Good morning to you too.." Lucas smiled at Brooke.

"So where were you yesterday? I was calling you to see if you wanted to hang out?"

Lucas thought back to his day with Nathan yesterday. "I umm.. got busy doing something.."

"Really?.. I heard a silly rumor from one of the guys that they kidnapped you.."

Lucas laughed. "No.. nothing like that.. they just gave me a ride.. a forced ride.."

"Is everything okay Luke?"

"Why wouldn't it be? I mean it's not like I'm working behind my friend's back with Nathan.."

"I.. I don't know what you're talking about.." Brooke muttered.

Lucas laughed again. "Relax Brooke, you're a terrible liar.. I know… Nathan told me."

"He.. he told you?"

"See I was right!!" Lucas pointed at her.

Brooke opened her mouth in shock and Lucas laughed again. "Haha.. no it's okay.. Nathan told me.."

"He.. he told you? And you guys talked.. and why did he tell you?"

"I don't know.. I think he wants me to help him out with Haley or something.."

"He never really gave me a reason.."

"But was it worth it?"

Brooke tried to hide her smile. "I got through the first phase … they actually want me to send some samples in.. not just sketches so I think it's a go.. I'm sorry Luke, I didn't mean to go around your back.. and it wasn't like I was trying to do something mean.. just get you and Haley to talk and hang out together.."

"It's okay Brooke… but I have to say your plans sucks.."

Brooke rolled her eyes. "Well, when you get a note to see Principal Turner later today, I think you'll reconsider.."

"Turner? Should I be worried.."

"Relax Luke, you're not in trouble.. it's just some prom stuff.."

"What is it?"

"You have to wait and see.."

"Brooke.."

"No Lucas.. you'll see .. I can't tell you .. where's the fun in that.."

"Well you owe me Brooke Davis.."

"Owe you.. how?" She smiled at him as she played with the buttons on his shirt.

"Yes.. I think you do.. you know.. going around my back with Nathan.." Lucas smirked. "Now with this prom business.."

"My my Lucas .. are you asking me to be your date.."

Lucas just smiled back. "Oh.. not my date.."

. . . . .

Haley walked inside school and tried to avoid her fellow classmates' gaze. She hadn't seen either Scott this morning and she preferred to keep it that way. She was early but she didn't care, actually doing homework was the only thing keeping her sane at the moment. It was then that she felt a pair of strong hands grab her and pull her inside an empty classroom.

"What the.." Haley said as she was rushed inside the empty room, Nathan closing the door behind them.

"You're avoiding me.." Nathan said, ignoring her protests.

"I am.." She looked at him. God she hated how handsome he looked and he looked mad, which made him look even hotter.

"Haley.." Nathan said frustrated as he walked closer to her but she took a step back.

"I'm sorry.." She said. "I know I shouldn't have come to see you the other night.."

"But you did .."

"Yes, what's done is done.. I can't take it back.."

"Exactly.. what's done is done Haley.. I'm sorry for everything I am.. but I love you and I miss you .. and I need you.."

"Nathan, please.. I can't do this.."

"You can't do this but you can show up to my room in the middle of the night and make love to me.." Nathan said frustrated.

"I came to your room.. but you initiated the sex.."

Nathan fired back. "And don't call it sex.. we made love Haley.. and don't act as if you didn't want it!"

"I did want it!" Haley exclaimed bitterly. "I didn't want to but I did okay.. I have feelings too and I can't just flip a switch and turn them off.."

"You don't need to fight it.."

"I fought it for two years and when I gave in I just got burned .. you have no idea what you did to me Nathan.."

"Then tell me.. talk to me please… Haley.. that was a long time ago.."

"For you not for me, Nathan.." Haley sighed. "I know coming over was a mistake but I went anyways .. yes I miss you too and that night I got weak.. I'm sorry for messing with your head and giving you some sort of false hope between us.."

"Don't say we're over when I love you and you clearly still love me.."

"I do love you Nathan .."

"Then why can't we be together?"

"Because I can't trust you .. I can't trust myself around you .. I don't even know me anymore.. how can I be with you if I can't even take care of myself.."

"I'll take care of you.."

"No, Nathan you don't get it .. I could've been an aunt right now .. my sister wouldn't be such a mess.. my parents would actually be around.. Lucas and I would still be friends.. but that's not the case.. and it's your fault.. and also mine.."

Haley sighed. "I shouldn't have came to you that night you faced Lucas .. I should've kept the past in the past.. you're the past Nathan and I need to move forward.."

"With out me?"

"Especially with out you… I don't want to hurt you Nathan, believe me when I say that.. I'm still so mad at you and I'm trying to let that go .. but I can't .. and I can't forget either Nathan.. I can't bring myself to forgive you for what you did … and I .. I can't bring myself to forgive me .."

"Haley.. this isn't your fault.." Nathan choked up as he stepped closer to her.

"Nathan, don't try to be a martyr .. it takes two people to break us up.. me and you .. you did what you did and if I wasn't so damn scared and just told Lucas from the get-go then none of this would've happened.." Haley shook her head.

"I'm sorry Nathan.. I really am .. like I told you the other night, I don't want to play games .. I don't want to tell you that there's a chance for us to be us again when I don't believe it right now and I don't know if I'll ever believe in us again.. I know that's not what you want to hear but it's the truth.. I'm sorry.." She choked.

"If it's time you need .. space.. I've been trying to give you that.."

"I know.. and thank you for that but .."

"No.. don't say it.. you'll kill me if you say it .. I can't live without you Haley.."

"I really am sorry Nathan for everything.." She said hugging him and he quickly wrapped his arms around him. "If you love me Nathan.. you have to let me go.." She said looking up at him and then leaning forward, she gave him a small kiss on the cheeks. He stood there frozen as she pulled back from him.

"What if I can't.." He said.

"You have to .."

"What if you don't come back.." He said as a tear slid down his face.

"I'm sorry Nathan . . . ." Haley walked closer to the door.

"This isn't over Haley… if you think I can just let you go after everything that's happened, then you're wrong.."

"I didn't expect you to give up without a fight.."

"I'm not giving up.. I'm going to fight for us Haley.. believe that.." He said taking her hand in his and moving closer to her. This time she didn't fight him as he wrapped his arms around her once more.

"You have to let me go.." She whispered against his chest. "If we're meant to be.. then we'll find our way back.." She said looking up at him.

"Then it's a good thing.. that.. that we are meant to be.." He gave her a grin and she smiled to herself.

"I .. I have to get to class.." She said trying to pull away. Nathan held her in place for a moment and then leaned down and kissed her forehead, before letting her go. She walked back to the door and gave him one more look, before taking off. She hated to admit it but a part of her felt relieved that Nathan wasn't going to give up on them, that he still had faith in them. She lost that and hopefully Nathan had enough faith for the both of them.

. . . . . .

"Am I in trouble?" Haley asked. She was scared shit when she found out that Principal Turner wanted to talk to her, talk about a bad day getting worst.

"No.. Miss James.. you're not in trouble.." Turner gave her a quizzical look.

"Then why am I here?" Haley asked.

Just then the door opened and Lucas came walking in. Haley looked at him curiously and he carried the same shocked look that she had.

"Good.. Mr. Scott .. please have a seat.."

"Um.. what's this about?" Lucas asked.

"Yes about that.." Turner looked through his papers. "Now, I was so relieved to see your names on the list.."

"The list?" Haley interrupted.

"Yes.. the volunteer list for prom.."

"But I'm not on that list.." Haley replied back. Lucas shook his head, this had Brooke's name all over it.

"Yes.. you are.. remember I told you that I signed us up a few weeks back.." Lucas looked at Haley. She just throw him a dirty look.

"Anyways.. I don't want to keep you guys here too long .. but like I said.. I was glad to see your names.. I can't think of any two students more trustworthy than you two to help take care of the finances.." Turner interrupted.

"Finances?" Haley asked.

"Yes.. handling the money.. buying the decorations, favors.. I can't just give the school credit card to just anyone.." Turner smiled.

Haley sank into her seat. This can't be happening, she though to herself.

After a couple of minutes, they both stepped out of Turner's office.

"What was that?" Haley glared at Lucas.

"Well remember when you said you wanted to do more besides tutoring.. this must've slipped my mind."

"Slipped?"

"Look .. I gotta run.. but how about we meet tomorrow after school to discuss? I know you're not working at the café.."

"Wait.. Lucas.. I'm not talking to you !!" Haley pouted.

"Yeah.. but apparently we're working together.. and we're also in charge of the door too.. so looks like we'll be each other's dates too.." He smirked and for a second Haley could've sworn she saw a little Nathan in him. That thought left her unsettled. He took off in the hallways but Haley didn't have anymore time for this. She was already running late. She would deal with Lucas later. Right now she had to get in her car and head straight to her sister's.

. . . . .

Lucas walked inside the gymnasium and saw a dark haired figure shooting free throws by himself.

"Free throws still suck?" Lucas smirked.

"God.. what the hell are you doing here?"

"I wanted to talk.."

"Fuck off…" He said annoyed as he picked up another ball and took a shot, but unfortunately, he missed.

"It's about Haley James.."

"What.. what about Haley?

"Yep.." Lucas nodded. "Tree Hill prom is next week.."

"So what.. you asking me out.." He laughed. "Wait.. did Haley say something?"

"No.. but she's going to be there with me .. as friends of course but I wouldn't be opposed for someone to take her from me.. you up for it?"

He looked at Lucas curiously," I don't know what games you're playing but in case you forgot.. I don't go to Tree Hill anymore.."

"I know that.. but how do you feel about going with Brooke?"

"Brooke Davis?"

"The one and only.. so what do you say Damien.. you in?"

Damien smirked. "Well, Brooke is hot too.. and Haley will be there.. I guess it's win win all around."

"I'm glad we're on the same page West.." Lucas smiled.

To Be Continued . . . .

I wish I could add some sort of dramatic music but I'd love to hear you thoughts about Naley, Nathan/Lucas.. please review so I can post the next chapter up already !!!