As the credits roll

by 0o-ThisIsMe-o0

L'amour rouge is Julian Baker's new movie, which brings back together Nathan, Haley, Brooke, Lucas and Peyton after a seven-year fallout mainly between the boys and the three girls. Between hurt, anger, love, friendship, lust, kissing and slaps their lives change forever. AU with background form the show. Naley, Leyton, Brulian told through three long one-shots.

2. Nathan and Haley

Nathan and Haley

'Those who never retract their opinions love themselves more than they love truth.' - Joseph Joubert

'There's none so blind as those who will not listen.' - Neil Gaiman

'Hearts live by being wounded.' - Oscar Wilde

XxXxXx

"What the fuck, man?" Nathan barged into Lindsey's changing room where he knew Lucas was waiting his fiancée. Lucas was gazing at his phone when his brother walked in and he didn't need to ask to know what he was yelling about. "Why the fuck didn't you tell me?"

"I just knew this morning!" Lucas stood up and said in defend of himself.

"And you didn't bother to run it by me?"

"I was in my way to my own meeting with them, man. I am the one who will have to work with them, Nate! You won't even come across anyone!"

Nathan snorted, "Oh maybe not, I'll just see Brooke on daily basis and casually run into Peyton and Haley as they come and go."

"Wait, Brooke?" Lucas asked in surprise.

"Yes! She's making the customs. Didn't you know?"

"No, I didn't."

"Well, now you do." He snapped, "Oh, and thanks to you not warning me, I ran into Haley as she left your stupid meeting."

"Shit. You did?"

"Quit asking stupid questions, yes I did!" Nathan said through gritted teeth and then let out a huff; of course he was angry, who wouldn't be if he ran into his ex out of the blue after seven years, and not just any ex, she's in fact also the mother of his child whom he never met. "This is fucked up."

"It indeed is." Lucas shook his head, "Fuck you, Julian."

"Yeah, fuck him!"

Nathan has been focusing on his career as a basketball player, an excellent one at that. And by only putting his head into his game, and not letting anything else distract him, he made it big, he granted himself a spot in the NPA and went on proving he actually deserves it, which he did.

At the moment though, he was recovering from an injury, not a serious one, but he was required to stay away for a month or two until he fully heals, and that was when Julian Baker appeared in his life. Lucas has told him that he has signed to co-write a script and shortly after he told him that Lindsey signed for the main role in the same movie, and he was meeting up with both of them for a celebration dinner when he was met by the existence of Julian Baker, the producer, and soon, he learned that he was looking forward to recruit him as well.

Nathan wasn't interested, he sure has participated in commercials and even starred in some movies as a guest-role but he only did it when he had the time or when his manager advised him to take it, but he didn't want anything to distract him from basketball, and he was planning to stay in the gym to keep in shape until he heals.

Julian has told him to think about it; the role wasn't just a guest-star, well, he wanted to him to play another love interest of the main female role, the one who appears in her life and makes her realize she's in love with the protagonist. It was bigger than his normal appearances.

Although he was determined to reject it, but, Julian's persistence forced him to agree that he will think about, but he wasn't planning to.

However, it was Lucas who persuaded him. He remembers him talking about it being fun having him work on a movie that he helped writing, also acting along with his soon to be sister-in-law. He told him that he wouldn't be able to hit the gym for a while anyway and by that time he would be done with his scenes anyway.

"You know what, fuck you too. You got me here." Nathan said after a while of silence and Lucas chuckled knowing his rage is mostly over and what's left is his annoyance.

"Well, excuse me for wanting the best for everyone."

"The best!" he snorted sarcastically at the situation they found themselves in. "You know, you were strangely overly enthusiastic having me kiss your fiancée!" he smirked referring to a scene he would have to share with Lindsey.

Lucas rolled his eyes knowing his brother was now being mean because he was mad, "It's acting, Nate!"

"You know that would be three girls we shared." Nathan noted thoughtfully.

"What?"

"First Brooke, then Peyton and now Lindsey." He illustrated with a smirk, "You'll have to sleep with Haley and that would be like-"

"No, no, I'm gonna have to stop you right there. First, ew! Seriously, Nate? And second, you are not sleeping with Lindsey! And third, stop your sick twisted mind trying to creep me out just because you met her again! Man up, Nate! I was in the dark just like you were. Do not take it out on me, man!"

Nathan groaned knowing he has been caught in the act. He was right, he was mad and he was taking it out on his brother, but he just met Haley; he just met her after purposely –and successfully- ignoring her existence for the past seven years.

It was a slap in the face when he saw her in front of him, almost like an out-of-body experience, both were petrified, his mind was racing with thoughts trying to find any feature in her face that would tell him that this is just someone who looks like her, but it wasn't, it really was Haley.

He didn't get to fully examine the changes, but she has indeed changed, if it was possible, she has gained more beauty, or maybe it was his vague memories of her that made him adore the real thing on seeing her, whatever the reason was, she was beautiful and he wasn't ready to see that.

XxXxXx

"Momma!" Jamie ran enthusiastically towards his mother who met him with a warm embrace.

"How was your day, Jamie-jam?" she asked him as they held hands and walked towards her car.

"It was great. Look! Ms. Turner asked us to draw something that we love." He said and held up a piece of paper and as Haley looked down at her beaming six year-old son, he was surely enough holding a childish drawing of a basketball. It fascinated Haley how he picked this sport specifically to fall in love with completely on his own, Brooke said it must be running in the Scotts' blood; and Haley couldn't disagree with that.

"That's beautiful, buddy." Haley said trying to sound as impressed as she could; she loves her son, but it pains her that he doesn't get to share this passion he has for basketball with his father, hell not even with his uncle. If Jamie knew that Nathan Scott, the basketball player he sees on TV and adores is actually his father, he would be over the moon, but, there wasn't so much that Haley could do about this, is there?

Up till now, she still hasn't faced being asked the question of the father identity, but, she knows that soon enough Jamie's curiosity will tick in, she has been doing so good and avoiding the thought of her baby's daddy all the past years, but, as of today, it seems like she can't do this anymore.

Haley has only known Julian Baker as Peyton's ex-boyfriend whom she has told her and Brooke about; she said that they have been casual friends after their break-up. And suddenly Julian came with an offer for Peyton which she wasn't so keen on accepting at first, but, then she did on the condition of dragging Haley with her in it. It was good seeing that she has just finally agreed to sign-up in Peyton's label and were looking to make an album, but instead, Peyton said they could postpone an album for now and make her first appearance to the audience through the movie's songs, something about leaving people wanting more, apparently Peyton saw something in Haley that she didn't see herself.

So, there it was, her first real opportunity as a singer in years, since she found out she's pregnant to be exact.

Until Peyton called her and told her Julian left them a little surprise telling them about Lucas Scott being a co-worker. As shocking as it was, and even though it wasn't a pleasant surprise seeing that she fell-out of contact with her former best-friend, but she still could cope, she and Brooke were more worried about Peyton at this moment. However, it wasn't the end of Julian's surprises.

After just surviving a meeting with Lucas, and as she left in a hurry to go pick up her son, she ran into the one and only Nathan Scott himself.

To say she was shocked would be underestimating what she felt, she was taken of guard, horrified and hurt… yes, hurt, the thought of Nathan alone gave her heartache, and even though she tried to never think about him it was kinda impossible seeing that a part of him is living with her and calling her mommy, so, to actually see him in person that was something else, a whole new level of pain she's experiencing.

At first, she thought –or more like hoped- that he was only visiting his brother; that it's only a one-time thing, but as soon as she left she called Peyton to ask her, and obviously she ran into him too and confirmed to her that he is indeed a part of the movie.

Haley's head spun –in fact it's still spinning. She is working on a project with her ex-boyfriend who's also Jamie's father. She has decided to just avoid any talk about him while working with Lucas, but, now that he is actually going to be there, and that the chances of seeing him again are probably high, she wondered how the hell she's going to do it with Jamie around.

After high-school, after all the drama, after everyone has made his own decision, she didn't think she will ever see Nathan's face again.

Their story began when Nathan and Lucas were rivals instead of the supportive brothers they are today. Nathan was dating her now best friend Peyton, and he was still a bad boy –that if he ever actually changed anyway.

Haley knew that Lucas had something for Peyton at that time, and apparently Nathan caught on too, because when he got closer to Haley, he was supposedly only getting back at his brother, he didn't really like her at this point, and she had the same feelings anyway. However, his persistence and constantly showing up in her path, and going as far as requiring tutor sessions, she has come to see a glimpse of the real Nathan Scott.

Nathan has really only wanted to piss his brother off, but, something about Haley's spontaneity and her straightforwardness cutting to the point and something about her smile, made it easy for him to just be natural away from all the pressure he's always under to appear in a certain image; the pressure inflected by his father.

And so, what started off as only a game of revenge, quickly turned into something real, and Haley fought everyone for Nathan, there was absolutely no one who approved of this relationship, everyone thought Nathan is only going to hurt her, but she has seen what she could fight them all for, she has seen the vulnerability and kindness lying within him.

Haley allowed him to look for a better healthier life, and for sure he has took himself out of all the craziness and toxicity in the Scott's residence and got himself emancipated from his parents at only the age of sixteen while he encouraged her to go after her dreams of being a singer, he was even the one to introduce her to troublemaker, most annoying human-being to ever walk plant earth, but sadly with good music taste; Chris Keller.

Their relationship was good, their friends soon began to see them as relationship goals, and everyone who was against it began to see what Haley saw in the first place.

Even though Nathan was done with his father's antiques and trying to win his respect, he couldn't fully cut himself from him, he was still his father and on some level, Nathan did really care about the man and loved him, so Dan Scott has always been there trying to snake his way between Nathan and Haley, but, both have learnt to deal with it and Nathan has always stood up for him.

They sure had their ups and downs, but they also survived a lot of things together; Nathan taking drugs to up his game and ending up in the hospital broken both physically and emotionally, Haley being accused of stealing test results, the school shooting, Dan's numerous plots and schemes, Haley's stage fright, Chris Keller's flirting with her, basketball games –both wins and losses, Haley's first recorded song, and basically no one believing they're a good match to everyone thinking of them as goals. They have been together through thick and thin sticking by each other's sides.

It wasn't until their senior year, specifically towards the end of it that they started a rocky path. Nathan has got a scholarship to Duke's, and while Haley's dream school was initially Stanford, but she has applied to both and actually got accepted in both. She didn't tell Nathan she applied to Duke at first, they have been talking about how they are going to handle a long-distance relationship and it wasn't comfortable, so, she wanted to wait and see if she actually gets accepted and then surprise him.

During the time she has been waiting for the acceptance letters, they have started some rough patch, Nathan was already stressed due to senior year, basketball season, and waiting to hear from colleges, and Dan was striking again, telling him not to let anything even love get in the way of his career as a basketball player, he has been telling him to be careful, and always put basketball first, Nathan thought he was immune to Dan's poison, but, as it turned to it, he could only take a certain limit of stress and pressure, unknowingly, his words has sunk in his brain slipping into his conscience deep down.

Fights began arising between them, but it was nothing serious, it was only meant to be temporary period of time, both of them have counted on that, but that was before Haley found out she's pregnant right after Nathan got his scholarship to Duke. Haley was carrying two sets of news to him; her own acceptance to Duke and the pregnancy, and she has foolishly decided to tell him about the pregnancy first granting him never finding out about Duke up to the current day.

He took it bad, his father's words finally paying as he accused her of holding him back and wanting to tie him to her, Haley on the other hand couldn't believe his accusations, she didn't know where it came from and how in the hell this is the Nathan she knows and loves. However though, that was only his initial reaction, he has then apologized and blamed it on his stress and wanted to think rationally about it, but Haley was stubborn, even though she agreed to talk, she still didn't like a word he said, probably because he was clearly walking around the area of giving the baby up for adoption or even better get an abortion all together. Although Haley never planned on getting pregnant right before college, and while being accepted at several schools, but the idea of him thinking about it as a burden and a problem that they need to solve, and actually suggesting an abortion 'to cut the problem from its roots' as he put it ticked her off.

Having gone through a pregnancy scare of his own, Lucas has tried to interfere, he talked to Haley trying to explain to her Nathan's real point of view and how it actually makes sense, and that he was still going to be there for her no matter what her decision is going to be, he spoke for both him and Nathan when he said that, but Haley was still angry, she couldn't understand how Lucas could think it's a good idea to put the baby up in adoption having grew up with a father like Dan who never wanted anything to do with him, and apparently that was the exact reason both him and Nathan thought abortion is more suitable, but he still insisted that he's there for her.

Maybe it was hormones, or maybe it was the fact that she was already mad at who Lucas is becoming and what he's doing to one of her two best friends –or sometimes actually both, but Haley ended up fighting with him and kicking him out.

However, after long nights of thinking it over and over, Haley has decided that maybe abortion is the best option; she didn't want to bring a child into the world unless she can provide him or her a healthy environment to grow up in, something that didn't seem possible at the time.

She reluctantly told Nathan her decision over the phone and he asked her if she wanted him to go with her but she bitterly turned his kind offer down; she has called wanting to try and solve their problems, but she didn't like the relief in his voice when she told him.

When it came to it, Haley couldn't do it, she couldn't kill the baby growing inside of her, the moment she heard the heartbeats, she decided that she was going to take care of the baby on her own no matter what it takes.

Nathan tried contacting her, he wanted to know what happened and if she was okay, to be honest, he wasn't even sure that this was the right decision, he tried calling her when he knew she was heading to the hospital to ask her to wait and think it over together, but she never picked up, he tried catching up with her there but he never found her, and he didn't know what that meant.

He caught her in the hallway on the last day of school and he asked her why she never answered the door or her phone, she said she wants some time apart to think, and when he asked if she did it, she gave him a dirty look and left him standing there with a weird feeling down his stomach, he assumed it meant she got the abortion, and surprisingly, he felt uneasy to the news.

It wasn't until after graduation and the start of summer vacation when he was getting ready to leave to Duke with his brother, and trying to make things right with Haley who was being cold towards him and never returning his calls and not even Lucas' calls, not until he cornered Brooke trying to make her let him reach Haley that he realized she never got rid of the baby, although somehow he was relieved, but he felt angry; he has done nothing but try to talk to her about it, yes, his initial reaction was harsh, but he panicked, can you blame his teenage boy mind for panicking? Hell, he even wanted to re-think it all with her, and she only decided to keep him completely in the dark about it.

This led to him barging in her house uninvited and having a huge fight with her, he couldn't believe how she thought it's a good idea to carry his baby around without him knowing about it, and she said she doesn't want any more of his genius accusations and brilliant ideas. He argued that he had a change of heart and she claimed that he is just like his father choosing to chase glory instead of taking actual responsibilities, and although it was an expected sentence, but it cut his heart in half; she of all people knew how he fought to become anything but follow the example of his father.

In the conclusion of this huge fight, Haley said she doesn't want someone like him to play father for her baby only to have him disappear on them, and Nathan claimed she apparently never really knew him like he thought.

Both were heartbroken and both said things, but neither took any of it back.

And while Lucas called her out for cutting Nathan out of his unborn child's life already, and she called him out for his own jerkiness, they too didn't really leave things on stable ground, and even though Lucas tried to be the Keith to her baby right after Jamie was born, Haley could see that he was the farthest from being like Keith at the moment, and the problem is he didn't even see it, and the more they tried to keep in touch the more they fought, so they stopped it all together.

The ones who really stood by her through it all truly supporting her decisions no matter what they were and giving their honest opinions without trying to influence hers were Brooke and Peyton. They stayed with her throughout the summer postponing going to LA to help her and actually try to convince her to go with them instead of staying alone at Tree Hill.

Haley refused to go though, she wanted to do it all by herself. She gave up literally everything to be there for her baby boy, she gave up her dream college, and even any prober college, her music career, Nathan and basically any other man and social life to be a good mother.

Brooke and Peyton have always been there for her though; they managed to get back for Jamie's birth even though it was a crazy time period in the semester, and they never missed a birthday afterwards, they always found time to video-chat and keep in touch with Jamie who loved cool aunt Brooke who always brings gifts along, and funny aunt Peyton who always gives him an extra ice-cream scoop behind his mother's back.

Haley became a high-school teacher and kept playing music as a part-time job in low-key places to keep in touch with the artist inside of her and she could actually use the extra cash, even though her parents, Karen and even Deb later on offered to help with Jamie, but she never took anything from anyone.

It was her and Nathan against the world for their relationship, and now, it's her against Nathan and anyone in the world for her son.

Nathan on the other hand, took offence in the fact that she didn't want him in his child's life, and that she even accused him of being another version of Dan, he has depended on Lucas to act as a neutral land between them always urging him to call and ask Haley about her and the baby, and even though Lucas wanted to ask too, but he knew they were not just getting along, but he did it for his brother anyway, and she ended up cutting him off too, and so, went all the connections he had with her. He thought time would dissolve it, but on the contrary time only hardened the sorrow making it harder and harder to break as both waited for the other to take the first move and break the ice; both thought only the other party was at fault.

And for the days to turn and come to the moment that they actually have to work on the same project with the risk of running into each other at any time, that was really some mean work of fate!

Haley only knew one thing though; that her first and only priority was her son, and she would do whatever is in his best interest at any cost.

XxXxXx

To say Nathan was on edge would be understandable, he was grumpy and his nerves were all over the place. To be fair, Nathan has been angry for a good while, his brother always said that his anger and mood swings started after graduation, and Nathan always wanted to bite his head off whenever he said that. He let out all his kept-in energy while turning it into success in playing basketball. But, now, not only is he on a break from basketball, but it had to be at this exact time that Haley appears in his life.

He has taken his decision though; he wasn't going to continue this movie, he didn't even want to participate in it in the first place, and now, there's no way in hell he is going to continue it.

So, the first thing he did was to approach Julian, "I want out of this movie!" he said straight away.

Julian sent him a look, "It has only been few days, what happened now?"

Nathan gave a sarcastic chuckle, "What happened? What do you think you're doing anyway?"

"I frankly have no idea what you are talking about, Scott."

"You don't, huh? So, you want me to believe it's coincidence that you magically turned out signing me, my brother and our high-school friends in one project? Obviously without any of us knowing."

"I'm sorry I didn't realize I needed to provide you a list of all people participating in the movie before signing."

Nathan gave another sarcastic scoff, "Look, I don't know how you know about our history, or if you are a sick sadistic person who thinks he's too smart or whatever, but I'm out of this movie."

"I'm sorry but you're not, Nathan."

"Excuse me?"

"We have a contract, and we do want you in our team."

"Fuck the contract, I can pay you double what's in the damn contract. But, I'm not going to work around Haley James!"

"Sure you can, and it's not about money, Scott. If Haley James is the problem you needn't worry, she won't be even around set; you don't have to worry about meeting her."

Julian knew for a fact that Haley would probably be around set occasionally seeing she's friends with Brooke and Peyton who said she's going to visit set for inspiration when needed, but he couldn't have told Nathan that.

Nathan tried fighting him, however Julian said they weren't interested in looking for someone else for the role, besides, filming has already started and they were on tight schedule, he assured him that he isn't going to run into Haley whatever the reason he doesn't want to meet her is.

Nathan in the end reluctantly stopped fighting, but he was still on edge, and as it seemed, this feeling wasn't going to go away anytime soon; he can't even begin to explain how seeing Haley again affects him, it was something he never thought would happen again, Nathan was never good dealing with heartbreak, and Haley broke his heart seven years ago when she decided to cut him out of her life and their kid's as well, the kid he had realized he wanted but she never let him explain, but if Nathan knows anything about getting over a broken heart, it's how to completely take out the person responsible for it from his heart and never look back, that's what he did as a kid towards Lucas when he found out he's his brother, and that what he did towards Dan when he realized he was directing his anger towards the wrong person, and that's what he did with Haley seven years ago, the only problem being that Haley had a part of him with her that he can't seem to ignore deep down.

Nathan and Haley both have been tiptoeing around when it came to walking around the set; both taking extreme measures to avoid running into one another again. Haley frankly asks Brooke if he'll be there before stepping a foot towards set and Nathan keeps asking his brother about her moves, while both are initially trying only to avoid the other, they have come to know more and more about each other by constantly asking.

Nathan learned that Haley has become a good mother and that her first concern in life is her son, and nobody told him that but he kinda formed the idea that she must be terrified taking the risk of going into the music business again for the fear of it affecting her duties towards Jamie. And Haley was confirmed what she has known all along about Nathan being a hard-worker once assigned a job, he makes sure to turn it out as good as it can get. He has been like this since they were young with basketball but she knew that this only grew more when he chased his career.

However, tiptoeing around set wasn't going to grant them never meeting, it was only a matter of time until they run into each other. It happened one day when Haley was working with Peyton while leaving Jamie to help Brooke out -but it was really Brooke babysitting Jamie- and Nathan was supposed to be there to do a shot but they were late remaking another one over and over because Chris kept laughing causing Lindsey to laugh as well so he was left only wandering around furiously.

Nathan has been ready to shoot for a long time, so he was frustrated with them keeping him waiting like that; he knew that the longer he stays the higher his chances of running into Haley gets, however, they promised only half an hour more tops before he gets to work, he decided to grab something to eat to pass time while waiting to avoid causing any sort of problem like his temper is telling him to, so he was heading to the vending machine when he stopped in his tracks a few steps away from it watching the struggling toddler trying to get his money in. Jamie's eyes caught someone from the corner of his eyes and turned slightly only to forget all about the chocolate bar Brooke asked him to get her and stared at the man in front of him. Both stood staring at each other for whole different reasons.

Even though Nathan never saw the boy in person and only vaguely came across his picture before but it didn't take a genius to know who the little boy was, he was all Scott, like a mini mix between him and Lucas, mainly -and weirdly- Lucas, he had shaggy blond hair and piercing blue eyes glistening with a forward adventurous look, much like Nathan himself. Seeing the boy staring back at him he wondered if he knew who he was, if he knew he's his father. While on the other hand Jamie was struck on meeting his superstar basketball player Nathan Scott, ever since he knew he was on this movie on seeing his name on one of the doors while wandering around, he has been nagging his mother, Brooke and Peyton to take him to see him, his mother always said he's busy though, silently cursing the day Jamie learned how to read.

"You're Nathan Scott!" The boy exclaimed running over towards him with a beaming wide grin as he stopped at his legs looking up at him in admiration.

"Uh, yes, yes I am. You know who I am?" Nathan recovered and asked with a pounding heart.

"Only the best point guard EVER." Jamie exclaimed enthusiastically while Nathan was too engulfed in his own thoughts of getting his head wrapped around the fact that this is his own kid standing there talking to him as if he's a basketball God unknowingly to his real relation to him. It was bizarre, he has known that he has a child somewhere in the world, but he never really thought of him as a walking and talking flesh and blood, this in front of him, he's a whole other person with his own thoughts and feelings, coming from him, and he-Nathan- doesn't know a single thing about him.

Nathan realized that he was ought to say something to the kid, he has met kids before and he always liked how they looked up to him, but this kid… not so much, "So, what's your name?"

"I'm JJ." The kid beamed, "And I love basketball."

"JJ?" Nathan frowned curiously.

"Yep, my full name is James Lucas James, everybody call me Jamie, but I prefer JJ." The boy rambled as Nathan's frown grew; James Lucas? She gave him his brother's name as a middle name but she didn't want to give him the Scott name?

"So, you love basketball, huh?" Nathan said kneeling down to be in his level and the kid enthusiasm only doubled.

"Yes! I watch your games, you're my favorite. I want to be like you."

Nathan's first instinct was to take the little boy between his arms; it came and went very quick leaving him terrified of his own feelings.

"Well, uh, I bet you will be even better." He said standing up again and cleaning his throat, "What were you doing earlier?" Nathan asked pointing towards the vending machine.

"Uh, nothing." It amazed Nathan how much he looked like him at the moment when he tries to hide his embarrassment averting his eyes right and left then at the ground; the boy didn't want to admit that he doesn't know how to deal with a vending machine, after all, he never personally dealt with one.

"Jamie," Nathan started, "do you need help?" he asked in amusement surprising even himself with the way he suddenly shifted. The boy looked up at him once again for a second before giving a small nod. Nathan chuckled and led the way to the machine showing the kid how it works, and suddenly he realized the reason for his sudden amusement; he was experiencing a first-something in his kid's life; he is responsible for teaching him something new, he realized this as he watched the boy proudly pick up the chocolate bar after being taught how to properly get it, he then looked up at him with the biggest smile ever and it was impossible not to return it even though Nathan was terrified and shaking inside, scared to death of his own current feelings.

"James Lucas! Where the hell-" Haley's voice was echoing around as she approached before looking over and realizing who's there with her son, "What's going on?" she frowned taking wide steps towards them.

"Look, momma! It's Nathan Scott." Jamie said sharing his excitement with his mother, "He taught me how to use the vending machine."

"He did?" she asked ruffling his hair and he nodded with a smile, "That's great, kiddo, but it's time to go, why don't you go say bye to Aunt Brooke and Aunt Peyton?"

He nodded, "Bye, Nathan Scott, it's nice to meet you." If Nathan had any doubt this kid was a Scott before, it had to vanish seeing him flash a significant charming smile over at him before running back.

"So, what the hell was that?" she glared folding her arms over her chest.

"Excuse me?"

"Did you just get my son candies?"

Nathan snorted chuckling humorlessly at her emphasizing that he is her son, marking him as only hers! "You're sick!" he spat shaking his head proceeding to leave.

"I am sick?" she yelled after him as he stopped rolling his eyes and turning around to face her again, "What were you doing talking to him? Do you think you-"

"I don't think anything. And I have a scene to shoot, so, I don't really have the time to stand by and listen to whatever nonsense you have to say!" He realizes that he came off a little too harsh, but, he needed to; if he didn't, he would have ended up saying a lot more worse stuff, had he let her get to his nerves.

After sending her one last cold look, he turned around and left her standing there wondering what that was, what it meant, the one thing she knew though was that she didn't really like the way he ended this conversation, if you can even call it that.

And what both of them knew deep down, is that this was only the start of something bigger to come, as both were left intrigued to be at each other's throats.

XxXxXx

The rest of Haley's day was basically listening to her son ranting on and on about meeting the one and only Nathan Scott and how cool it is that he taught him how to use a vending machine, he couldn't wait till he tells his friends about it and until then he only had his mother to tell the story to over and over again unaware of how it hurts her to actually know her son is this exited to meet his father without even knowing who he really is. This was what Haley was afraid of, she didn't want to work around Nathan to avoid anything that could hurt her son.

She wouldn't have even got him on set unless she really had to, her sitter canceled on her in the last minute, and she couldn't delay with Lucas and Peyton any longer, so, she brought him along handing him over to Brooke after being told that Nathan should have been done by the time she gets there, but apparently, and just to her luck, he wasn't.

Jamie found out accidently on a similar situation that Nathan Scott is working in this movie, and once he was confirmed that it's the same Scott he knows he didn't talk about anything else but having to meet him.

Haley on the other hand was making sure to avoid all that at any costs, she knows Nathan never wanted him in the first place, and he never even tried to contact her again, he obviously didn't want anything to do with them and she was okay with that… actually no, she never was; Haley always saw the good in Nathan, and she always believed in him, and he never failed her, until she got pregnant, or in other words, until her pregnancy came in the way of his dreams, or at least that's how he views it, then and only then did he bring out his dark side, she thought it was only the initial shock, she waited for him to come to his senses, she waited weeks, months, years… seven years, and he never did, and the longer she waited the more she despised him, she knew he had goodness inside of him, but he was stubbornly insisting on only using the darkness instead.

She blamed it on a lot of things at first, being young, stressed, being under Dan's effect, but Haley is a smart girl, she couldn't have kept blaming it on something else but Nathan himself.

So, yeah, the fact that she wanted Jamie away from that guy only made sense, she wants to protect her son from getting hurt. She knows he adores him as a player, and if he got any close to him, that meant only getting his heart broken too early.

But apparently, she couldn't have been careful enough, eventually they have met, and Haley was only thankful that nothing bad happened, maybe it's because she got there in the right time and maybe Nathan didn't even realize who the boy was, but in the end, Jamie was only happy to meet his favorite athlete.

However, she still wasn't comfortable, what if she had to take Jamie with her once again? How is she going to make sure her baby is safe?

Haley has thought it over and over and she reluctantly came to a decision; she has to suck it up, swallow her pride and give her ex a visit… for her son's sake.

They should be able to communicate civilly; after all they are adults now. She asked her friends if they knew his address, with this whole re-connection thing, Peyton and Brooke had no reason not to say hi to Nathan even though it was more formal than friendly, and of course neither knew where he lived, so, she asked Peyton to get the adress for her to which she surely protested but ended up getting it from Julian eventually.

So, there she was standing in front of his one-floor house re-thinking it for the thousandth time, she contemplated leaving only to turn back facing the black door and forcing her hand up to ring the doorbell. Her heart bounded hard in her chest, there's still time to back out, she can just run as fast as she can and it will be like it never happened, it was all over though when the door opened revealing a shirtless, sweaty panting Nathan.

Haley's body involuntarily stiffened as she glued her arms to her body intertwining her hands together with her shoulders buckled up a little and her eyes slightly larger than their normal size while Nathan stood there with a frown catching his breath while trying to process the identity of his visitor. Both stood there staring at one another for a good while neither saying anything.

"What are you doing here?" Nathan scrunched up his face finally breaking the silence to replace it with nervousness.

Haley cleared her throat, "I… we need to talk."

Nathan still only stared back at her with the frown on his face only growing wider. Haley raised an eyebrow at him with a sharp gaze and he rolled his eyes finally moving to the side to allow her in.

"How do you even know where I live? Is it Lucas?" he asked taking a side note to let his brother has a piece of his mind.

"No, and that's beside the point." She said which seemed to irritate him all the more; not only does he not have to scream at Lucas, but he also is dealing with her and her attitude at the moment.

"What are you doing here, Haley?" he asked taking a huge gulp of water down hoping it will help calming him down; he has been working out for over an hour trying to ease his nerves and to release all the negative energy he's caught sine his encounter with Haley, and only when he was starting to feel better, she showed up at his own door!

"I told you we need to talk."

"Why the sudden need?"

"Because obviously, we're seeing more of each other nowadays, don't you think?" she raised an eyebrow and folded her arms over her chest.

"Well, we don't have to acknowledge each other, don't you think?" he shot back mimicking her tone.

She frowned, "Seriously?"

He nodded, "Yeah, it shouldn't be that hard, after all."

She narrowed her eyes, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" she asked picking up on his tone.

He smirked, "It means that it wasn't hard the last seven years, it shouldn't be hard now."

"You're damn right, it wasn't hard!" she growled obviously sarcastic, "It shouldn't be for a heartless soul like yourself."

"That makes two then." He said back with a calm smile.

So much for a civil talk between two adults!

"Point is… stay away from my son, Nathan." She raised a warning finger towards him; truth is she has come prepared to start off by apologizing for the way she acted earlier, and to demonstrate how it's for everybody's interest –especially Jamie's- to stay away, but this all went down the drain since he opened his mouth and got to her nerves.

He let out a chuckle, "What? Are you afraid that I'm gonna go for custody?"

This took her by surprise, she didn't even consider that, why did he say this? Is it an option? It can't be, he wouldn't do that.

Nathan laughed, "If that's what you're worried about then don't."

Haley gritted her teeth; he liked watching her squirm and suffer, didn't he? "Of course you wouldn't." she rolled her eyes, "And that's not even on the list of my worries, I just want to protect my son, so, just stay away from him, Nathan."

"Wait a second…" he frowned and took a step closer, "So, to be clear, you wanna protect our- your- " he took a deep angry breath, "you wanna protect the boy from me?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I want."

"Dammit, Haley!" he exclaimed pumping his fist to the wall.

Haley flinched with the sudden outburst; she has been trying to ignore the fact that his muscles were screaming at her to notice since she got there, but at this moment it was impossible not to, he has clearly grew bigger, and dare she say it sexier, he was tensed and she could clearly see it all over his body, she brushed it all to the side and brought her eyes back to his angry face.

"You know what, you got it! I don't even want anything to do with either of you." He said bitterly.

Although that was what Haley knew all along, but it still hurt to hear out loud for the first time.

"I know you don't." she mumbled with a hurtful deep frown before taking her way to the door.

"Fine!" he screamed after her as she slammed the door leaving him way angrier than he was before. Nathan wasn't always angry, but his hurt is translated into bad temper and anger, well, he never hurt anyone nor had anger problems, but, he for sure, wasn't happy, wasn't relaxed, basketball only gave him release when he throws himself in it taking his mind off of anything else, he knows though that he sometimes gets hard to deal with, and when that happens he tends to stay alone and deal with his temper on his own.

But right now, he had no idea how to deal with it, it was too much to handle; how in the hell does she think he's going to hurt his own son? Why would she need to protect him from his father? And not to mention, actually agreeing to him not wanting anything with him! Hell, he's spent the past seven years waiting for her to come to her senses and decide to include him back. He wasn't the one who suddenly took a side and never looked back, hasn't he tried speaking? Hasn't he tried making it right? Yet, she never budged.

Nathan blamed Haley for not being in his son's life, hell she didn't even bother to tell him she was still having the baby in the first place.

And he never came near them, she didn't want him there, so he never was, and now, now that they have unwillingly met again, and he came face to face with his son for the first time, and as if it wasn't enough that he was dealing with such conflicting unexplainable feelings, but she also had to come and crush him all over again.

Nathan didn't even realize he was deep down hoping to get to meet Jamie again until she forbad him to. He didn't realize he was hoping she'd show any sign of care when he said he doesn't want to be in their life until she surprisingly agreed to his words.

Nathan didn't know he has been waiting for Haley to crumble and show some longing, some affection, some regret, absolutely anything that would let him know she still somehow cares, he has been waiting –or needing- to see this ever since he knew he'd be seeing more of her around, and she just showed the exact opposite.

Nathan was hurt, and he needed to heal, and he only knew one way to do so; he marched over to his gym room where he knew he would be spending the rest of the night.

XxXxXx

It was yet another day where Haley had to bring Jamie with her to the set, it was a busy day and Brooke had asked her and Peyton to come along and help, people were pretty much used to Jamie being around, he was mainly curious about how things work, and he always found someone free enough to tell him.

Haley had impulsively made sure to keep an eye on her son the whole time, but, for a while, she actually didn't know where he was, and once she realized so, she snuck away from Brooke to look for him, she expected a lot of things but she didn't expect to find him sitting alongside Lucas having a chat, she stood at a distance watching.

"So, how cool is it being Nathan Scott's brother?" Jamie asked him and Lucas chuckled.

"You know you hurt my ego, kid!" He said.

"Yeah, yeah, you write stuff, but he plays basketball." Jamie emphasized with glistening eyes.

Lucas looked at him for a while before nodding, "You're right. He's cooler. So, I take it you play?"

He nodded frankly, "I do, and one day, I'll be as big as him."

"I'm sure you will." He said and offered him his fist to pump.

"So, you've known my mother when you were kids?"

Lucas frowned and Haley was equally surprised to hear him say that; how did he know that, "Yes… yes I did." He answered unsure.

"Does that mean that momma knew Nathan too?" the boy cocked his head to the side a little questioningly.

"Jamie! I've been looking for you." Haley decided it was time to stop this conversation, her heart was still bounding from hearing Jamie's new piece of information; she will sure have to deal with him questioning her later.

"Momma, I just met Lucas. He taught me a few chords." He said referring to the guitar that was now laying aside.

Haley has to say that it also hurt her heart almost as equally as seeing him with Nathan, they were supposed to be his family, to have been there for him, and to have experienced all his firsts that they have missed.

"That's cool, buddy." She ruffled his hair, "I believe Brooke needs your help with something. Why don't you go find her?" she hated lying to him, but she needed to get him away for now, and besides Brooke would be looking for her now anyway and Jamie would love to hand her a dress or a corset.

"Okay." He said and then pumped fists with Lucas again, "Bye, Uncle Lucas, Aunt Brooke needs me." He said before running off and Haley took his place next her former best friend.

She has only kept her relationship with Lucas work-related, she acted nice and welcoming on the professional basis, but she never got personal with him again, and it was about time actually.

"He's a precious kid." Lucas commented, "You've done a good job, Haley." He said and the sad tone in his voice didn't go unnoticed by her.

"Thank you." She said sincerely, and she suddenly felt the sudden urge to ask him what happened to them, to tell him she was disappointed of how things turned out, she suddenly felt that she missed her best friend, and her old life.

"I hear he has met his father." Lucas said in a low voice beating her in speaking first again.

She frowned, "Don't call him that, Lucas! He's not-"

"Haley…" Lucas threw his head back and said in a begging tone, he didn't get why Haley was being this harsh on Nathan, he never did.

"No! He doesn't want anything to do with him, so, just…"

"Wait, what?" He frowned shifting to be facing her, "Did he say that?"

Haley snorted, "Where have you been the past seven years? Did he really need to say it?!"

"Where have you been?" he shot back.

"I have been raising my son!"

"You say it like he's only yours, Haley, Nathan has-"

"Oh my God, Lucas! This is exactly why we kept fighting until we fell out."

"No, this is exactly why we fell out." He said pointing towards her with a frown.

"What? You are just repeating what I'm saying." She shook her head.

He rolled his eyes, "Haley! You never let me finish a sentence."

"That's because you keep trying to justify for your brother completely ignoring your own best friend's feelings." She screamed back with tears showing up in her eyes; well, it was this among other reasons, but this was her concern now. "Sorry, former best friend." She sarcastically corrected.

"Is this how you see it?"

"I see it how it is, Lucas."

"No! It's definitely not how it is!" he said standing up getting worked up, "And if you stop interrupting, and actually start listening, you would understand!" He angrily said, "God, I can't believe this all happened because of your stubbornness!"

"What? How dare you blame it on me, Lucas?" she got up too getting just as tensed as he was, "How could this ever be my fault? Like, what? Was I supposed to just forgive and forget after I was accused of such horrible things?"

"No, Haley, you should have talked to me, your best friend, or you should have at least listened to what I had to say, instead of just sticking to Brooke and Peyton making them your new best friends!" He had never admitted it before, but he was jealous that his spot was easily filled, he was always Haley's best friend and it was supposed to stay this way forever.

"Brooke and Peyton were actually the only ones in my supposed group of friends that supported my decision no matter what it was! They stuck with me instead of telling me what I should and shouldn't do with my own baby, like Nathan did, like you did."

"Fuck, Haley! I was just giving you my opinion, like we always do!"

"It looked like you were reinforcing your brother's side, Lucas, and let's face it, you two have suddenly turned jerks at that time!" she spat and he snorted ready to attack back but this time she beat him, "Besides, what would you have told me anyway? You would have convinced me to put him up for adoption?"

"Dammit, I would have never!" he shook his head with a horrified look, "In fact, what I would have said – what I always wanted to say, and what you're still so stubborn to hear Haley, is that you made a big mistake and no- not because you decided to have your baby," he said in a hurt mocking way, "because you didn't include Nathan."

"Nathan didn't want to be included, what? Did you want me to force his son upon him?"

"Fuck it, Haley, he never said he doesn't want him; otherwise, why the hell has he been sulking around the whole time span of seven years?"

"What? Sulking what? What are you saying?"

He huffed, "What I've been trying to tell you every time I brought him up, and every time you snapped at me… Haley he thinks that you're the one who doesn't want him around, and with the way you cut him out and then me afterwards, I can't really blame him."

"What? Why would he-"

"What's going on here?" Lindsey asked as she appeared in the hallway with Chris and the man in question himself. Apparently, they finished their scene and were heading to their rooms to prepare for the next one.

"Nothing, we're just two old friends catching up." Lucas said giving his fiancée a smile.

"Right…" Chris commented suspiciously.

"Chop, chop, chop… we still have a lot to do in little time." Brooke's sound echoed as she came holding some customs along with Peyton, Jamie who was holding a pair of shoes, each in one hand, and a couple of other people, some of whom proceeded towards the rooms to prepare their own work. "Haley! Where the f-" she stopped remembering Jamie was there, "Where have you been?"

"Here, Brooke!" she replied with a sigh and took a step forward taking some of the clothes from her; she knew her conversation with Lucas was over, but she was also left confused and wondering; what the hell was he saying? Why would Nathan be sad? Why would he think she's the one who didn't want him included? Isn't he the one who wanted abortion in the first place?

So many questions and she knew she'd have to wait to get her answers unfortunately.

They all proceeded to the rooms whilst Nathan slowed himself until he was left alone with his brother, "What was that?"

"What was what?"

"You and Haley!" he rolled his eyes, "You were fighting. Is it because of Jamie?"

Lucas sighed, "It's always because of Jamie." He knew his brother wouldn't approve of him discussing his feelings but he also knew Nathan was just as stubborn as Haley was and if he never said anything Jamie will never get to know his father or he'll find out when older and it will end up in a big drama, much bigger than it already is.

"Yeah, she's so hypocrite!" Nathan said and then stretched his arms wincing in pain, Lucas frowned knowing Nathan has been doing this a lot lately.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, pretty fine. I should get going anyway." He said and then left to his room to get ready too.

Lucas knew what it was though, Nathan has been over-working himself again in his work-outs, and this only means he's been stressed again, he always throw himself at basketball or the gym whenever he wants to get his mind off of something, and when he gets a sore body and zero relaxation, he turns around to talk to Lucas. He then knew that he did the right thing talking to Haley, this whole suffering needed to end.

XxXxXx

'L'amour rouge' was a promising project, and if you ask Haley what are the basis that could grant the success of a project, she would insist that one of the most important elements is a solid close group of co-workers, and for a fact, people were actually getting along and enjoying each other's company… as every entity goes though, there were classified groups, it quiet reminded Haley of high-school; Lindsey and Chris were not only the main faces in the movie, but in the set playing their real lives out too, they were the main divas having some people sucking up around them, Lucas and Julian strangely fell into the same category having the jocks attitude, Brooke insisted that she, Peyton and Haley are all classified as queen bees, but that's just Brooke, she has to see it that way, however both other girls disagreed, maybe Brooke was a queen bee, but Peyton managed to range between a floater and a loner, while Haley somehow was stereotyped as a brainy, maybe because she carried the responsibilities of being a mother on her shoulders and showing on her face, while Nathan with no doubt was seen as the hot loner who hangs with the popular but still has got a different vibe, the mysterious bad-boy vibes that would challenge teenage girls to solve and heal.

And also like any entity, and much like high-school, there was a party, Julian held a party for the whole cast and crew claiming that it'd be good to get to know each other even better off-set, and that it's always good to bond while having fun, Julian just gave everybody access key to mix business with pleasure as if it wasn't enough drama he has caused, well, at least from Haley's point of view, after all, all she has seen is only drama since she started working on this movie.

And secretly, almost everybody was actually planning on mixing business with pleasure in this party.

Haley has considered to skip it taking Jamie as an excuse, but it didn't take a lot of time from her friends to convince her that she deserves some fun even for one night.

Haley had a plan in mind though; she for sure couldn't let go of what Lucas has said earlier, and she has grabbed the first opportunity to corner him into telling her what he meant, Lucas had told her that maybe she should actually talk to Nathan himself, after all, it wasn't his place to say anything in the first place. Haley didn't like that and tried to guilt him, but, he didn't budge, he never did anyway, so, Haley was planning on doing it, and since she never brought herself to do it on set, she somehow thought a party would be a nice place to talk to her ex from seven years about their son.

While it was probably not the brightest ideas of Haley's, but she was convinced it was, and even though she hit the party with her two best friends, she quickly found herself wandering away with her eyes trying to catch sight of Nathan.

And sure enough, he was there, sitting on a bar stool with the some guy who was chatting nonstop while Nathan kept nodded obviously uninterested. She observed the scene until the guy noted he wasn't gaining the enthusiasm he's waiting for from him and nicely excused himself to go find someone else to hang with, and like a cheetah, Haley knew it was the right moment to attack her prey.

"Hey." She said slipping into the stool next him, the one that was only moments earlier was taken by a guy Nathan wasn't so keen of, but right now, he wanted the guy back.

He raised an eyebrow at her, "What are the new instructions?" he asked his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"No instructions." She shook her head with a frown; she didn't like the way he's talking, but she had to excuse him, she needed to understand it all. "I want to talk."

"Talk?" he gawked, "About what?"

"Well, Lucas said something the other day…" she started after cleaning her throat.

He gave a humorless chuckle, "Of course he did!" he knew Lucas wasn't telling him the whole truth, but he just let it go, he knew his brother was going to middle one way or the other, he knew it since he saw him talking to Jamie one time and he knew that Haley didn't have a go at him like she did with the father; he knew that Lucas would just see it unfair. The thing is, Nathan didn't want him middling, in fact, he didn't want anything at all when it comes to the case of his long-lost son.

"He didn't say much; that's why I want to talk to you…" Haley nervously said, he has to say it caught him off guard, the whole time they have only ignored each other's presence or if they absolutely had to acknowledge it they would send glares that Nathan has completely forgotten Haley had a soft side, a vulnerable one. She gulped and ran a hand through her hair before resting it in the back of her neck, and that is how Nathan knew she's nervous and hesitant, if he was completely honest with himself he would admit that it fascinated him that she still acquires some habits that he's familiar with.

"Well, I don't think there's anything to talk about, but, what the hell, it could pass time at this…" he trailed off pouting his lips in disinterest looking around.

Haley didn't know where to start or how, and in times like this, she always tend to be straight forward, "He said you think I'm the one who didn't want you in my life." She said looking at him waiting for a reaction.

Nathan however kept staring back at her blankly failing to see her problem, "Yeah?" he urged her to continue.

"Well, do you?" she stated the obvious.

"Yeah?" he squinted as if speaking facts.

She frowned sitting up straight in her seat, "Why would you think that?"

"Okay, Haley, it's one thing to actually tell me to stay away from my son –yeah, he's my son too- but to come and question right afterwards why I think you want what you specifically just asked of me… you're either crazy or a hypocrite, and personally I think you're both."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" she stood up with big eyes and took a step back with her arms held in front of her chest, "Hold your horses, big guy! First, I only told you to stay away recently, after seven freaking years I think it's pretty established you want out already, you wanted out the minute I told you I'm pregnant."

He stared at her for a minute his blood was boiling in his veins, he was so close to scream in her face that she's the one who refused to let him in, however, clenching and unclenching his fists several times and a couple of deep breathes allowed him to hold his words in, "You know what, you're absolutely right!"

He got up and turned around on his heel taking big steps, "Hey!" Haley called after him trying to catch up, "We're not done talking."

"I think we are." He said not stopping as he headed towards the door, "It's all too lame anyway."

"Nathan, stop right now." For a moment she scolded him like she would do her son, but however kept chasing after him to the outside and into the cold summer breeze.

Nathan's only reply was a scoff as he walked up towards his car counting on her to give up and let him leave; she's proven she's good at that anyway. But, as he got in his car, and as she kept asking him to stop and listen and him ignoring her frankly as he started his car and started backing out of Julian's driveway, he was surprised when his passenger door was opened and she slipped into the seat next him slamming the door shut, "What the hell are you doing?" he screamed unsure if it's because she got in his car in the first place or because she slammed his door.

She looked at him with a pissed look, "I am talking to you!"

"And I am not."

"We're not done, Nathan, don't be a fucking child."

"You're not respecting my wishes and I'm the child; right, crazy hypocrite bitc-"

"Don't you even dare, Nathan." She glared with a warning finger.

He rolled his eyes, "Get out of the car, Haley!"

"No, I'm not, Nathan, we barely said anything!"

"Well, I said you're right! Now, get out."

"I said no."

"Fine. Don't." Nathan crashed his foot hitting the gas backing out of Julian's driveway in a second before hitting brakes sending Haley's body to impulsively fly back and forth, before he drove out of the gates with the same speed hitting the road completely ignoring her protests.

"Nathan, slow the fuck down!"

He remained silent with his frown as he only focused ahead on the road not slowing down for a moment as he passed between other cars.

"If you keep this you'll get a freaking speeding ticket!" she continued trying to talk some sense into him but it looked like he wasn't even listening. "Nathan, it's a red light. Red light, Nathan slow down!" she screamed as Nathan broke the light while the other cars hit their brakes horning in protest.

Haley saw the road was empty so she took it as her opportunity to take an action as she pulled the handbrakes forcing Nathan to stop the speeding car as it turned and he barely controlled it stopping on the side of the road.

"What the hell, Haley?!" he exclaimed.

"Are you fucking trying to kill me? Well, unlike yourself, I have a son to live for!"

He gave an angry sarcastic chuckle, "Unlike me? Do you think you're self-reproductive?"

"Oh, excuse my miss-judging, but as I remember you've only participated with your sperm."

"And whose fault is that?"

"You see, Nathan, I keep failing to see how you think it's mine."

"That's because you're self-centered, Haley."

She let out a high-pitched short laugh, "Me? Self-centered? You're the one who said and I quote, that I purposely got pregnant to tie you down, didn't you, Nathan?"

"God, you're such a hypocrite." He whined in disbelief, "I was fucking shocked, and I apologized like thousand times, but you still went on having me thinking that you aborted, and decided to secretly have my baby anyway."

"Upon your own wishes, Mr. Scott! I thought you wanted absolutely nothing to come between you and your precious game."

"You see that's the thing about you, Haley James, you don't hear a single voice but your own."

She gawked, "What, are you trying to tell me you somehow had another thought?"

He gave her an uneasy look, "What? Would that be so hard to believe?"

"Yeah, right!" she gave a sarcastic laugh and shook her head, she expected a comeback or insult back from him but he said nothing and instead looked the other way out of his window. "Wait, are you being serious?"

He still said nothing.

"Nathan? Answer me." She demanded, "Was there something that you didn't tell me?"

He said nothing again.

"Nathan, I'm talking to you, please, answer me!"

"Would it fucking matter?" he snapped slamming the wheel as he gave a huff.

"It would."

"No, it wouldn't. What is done is done and nothing can change now."

"Oh my God, you did!" she concluded. "Did you want the baby, Nathan?"

"It's not important what I wanted, Haley, you decided for me anyway, didn't you?"

"No, I didn't." she frowned, "I only did what you told me you wanted yourself."

"No, you told me you did so, and instead went to do your own thing."

"God! Because you freaking accused me of ruining your life, you said I was selfishly getting in the way of your dreams, you pulled a classic Scott on me, Nathan, and proved you're just like Dan."

"So, you decided to be the Karen to my Dan." He spat with a chuckle.

"As a matter of fact, yes!" she frowned defensively, "History repeated itself exactly, except that Lucas wasn't a Keith and instead you were two Dans in progress!"

"Oh my God, quit being a dramatic victim, cause you're not, Haley!" he spat in an annoyed tone.

"No, I'm not being a damn victim, I'm only stating truth, and the truth is you didn't want me and the baby to hold you back from your precious career, and look at you, you're already a successful basketball player, Nathan, which is fine, great even, but you don't get to blame things on me."

"God, Haley, I called you the day you were supposed to do it, you never picked up! I even went there. And later you told me you already did it. You said it was over, and I… I thought there was no point of speaking about it. It's… It's… Ugh!" He screamed nonsense.

She paused for a moment processing what he was saying as he panted in anger before she spoke softly, "Nathan," she gulped, "what were you going to tell me?"

He paused catching his breath; at this point he was so tired of this conversation, of the overflow of painful mix of memories, thoughts and feelings, "That perhaps we should re-consider everything again." He admitted in a low voice.

A pain-filled noise of realization escaped her mouth as she covered her face with her hands, "Oh my God, Nathan! Why did you never tell me this?"

He rolled his eyes finally looking at her again, "You never listened!"

"You accused me o-"

"And I apologized."

"Maybe you did, just not enough."

"Not enough? I apologized like a thousand time, Haley, how-"

"Not as in how many, Nathan." She said on the verge of tears, "Just how!"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

She shook her head, "If you really wanted the baby, maybe just maybe you should have tried harder, Nathan, maybe you should have reached out. You had seven freaking years to do it and you still didn't, so, you don't just show up and claim you have a right pinning it all on me just because for a second, you wanted to re-consider and didn't even fucking bother to run it by me!"

With that being said, and without giving him the chance to reply, and with a sob, she exited the car slamming the door behind her once again as she walked the other direction to get a cap trying to escape this new founded pain.

XxXxXx

Chris Keller wasn't an original resident of Tree Hill, he was kinda an annoying bohemian musician on the road, he came to Tree Hill around the end of their junior year, and Nathan ran into him at Tric, he was pulling a regular Chris Keller as he was promoting himself as the next mega star, and even though it sounded a lame narcissistic joke back then, Chris surprisingly made it.

Nathan had bragged that his girlfriend has a great voice and Chris he eventually introduced them bringing it all upon himself for Chris Keller being a cocky boaster flirting nonstop, Nathan had to punch him, Lucas had to punch him, their friend Skillz had sent him a few unspeakable insults before they had to stop him from beating him, Peyton had slapped him, and he received constant scolding from everyone, and the most annoying part is that it seemed to only feed his ego.

Despite all of this, there was a certain mysterious sense of familiarity when it comes to having to work with Chris Keller once again. Needless to say that when he met them while working on this movie, he greeted them like they were his old gang proving to have never changed one bit.

When it was decided to make a duet song, and since Chris was the protagonist, it was kinda obvious that he was taking the male part in the song, alone with Haley, the main singer in the movie.

"Haley, Haley, Haley," He approached her while she was having a short conversation with a co-worker and swung his arm around her shoulder, "Here we go again, just like the old times."

Haley rolled her eyes reminding herself to kill Lucas later for writing a duet. "Yay, so fun!" she said with zero enthusiasm.

"Come on!" he complained, "You know we sound amazing together, people will love to hear us again. And just so you know, singing with Chris Keller would boast your music career before it even starts."

"Lucky me."

"Sure you are." He said tapping her nose, "Hey, Nate." He called seeing Nathan passing by going towards his room, "Nice shirt."

Nathan stopped for a second and looked over seeing him wrapping an arm around Haley's shoulder and she seemed relaxed back earning a frown from him, "Yeah, whatever." He shrugged him completely off and continued walking away.

"Yikes! Someone is a scratchy cat today." Chris called after him as Nathan without turning around gave him the finger. "Ah, he loves me." He commented before turning to Haley, "I have to ask though, is he your baby's daddy?"

Haley widened her eyes before walking herself out of his touch, "That is literally none of your business."

"I'm just asking, doing the math, he has to be. Unless-" he gasped, "Haley James, did you cheat on your bae?"

"What?"

"Well, there has to be a reason you're not together. Besides, I know you must have not really got over Chris Keller when he left."

"Do you seriously still talk about yourself as a third person?" she frowned rolling her eyes.

"What are you talking about?" he narrowed his eyes, "Hey, Nate," he called as Nathan was coming back from his room; he reluctantly stopped walking with an eye roll, "Are you the dada?"

"W- Fuck off, man."

"Look, it's either you or Lucas; the poor kid has the genes."

"Ew, Chris!" Haley exclaimed.

"Do you ever shut up, Keller?" Nathan rolled his eyes one again.

"Dude, I'm just catching up with old pals."

"Yeah, except nobody liked you." He said and purposely gave a head nod towards Haley.

"Ouch." Chris faked a hurt expression, "Well, anyway, I'm not going to hold it against you, I know you're mad." He gave him a knowing smirk that Nathan thought actually has a meaning.

"Yeah, whatever." He said walking back to whatever he had to do, and on walking by, he stepped a little closer to Haley pushing her slightly as he passed.

Haley's mouth fell due to the childish act, "Watch your steps, Scott."

"Get out of my way, James." He replied back with a mischievous grin.

"Oh. Chris Keller likes drama." He commented with a genuine grin as Haley rolled her eyes at him and walked away.

After the day in his car, Haley and Nathan have kinda declared war, they stopped ignoring each other, but they also were by no means being civil, since everything was out on the clear, they have made it obvious that each of them stand by their original grounds and sticking to his/her view of their issue.

Haley had to stick around for a while for a meeting, it was later than she usually leaves, and Jamie was once again with Brooke until they were done, and Chris was taking his time in there driving everyone else nuts, but eventually it was over.

Hand in hand with her son, she was exhausted as she walked out of the building, and she was overwhelmed to be suddenly attacked by a bunch of people shoving microphones in her face and asking numerous questions that she wasn't able to get most of, but she heard words like Chris Keller, come back, where have you been, and she understood that somehow they have heard she's singing with Chris. Problem is, she wasn't going to answer any of their questions, and she also didn't know how to get out of the sea of people.

She had wide eyes as she tried to push around them tightening her grip over her son's hand, and when she felt like they were slipping away from each other, she leant down picking him up in her arms. Jamie was also as struck as she was; neither mother nor son faced such a situation before.

"Are you people blind? Don't you see you're terrorizing a little kid?" a firm grip curled around her arm pulling her through the mass, the reporters stopped their actions for a mere second before jumping up again with a punch of whole new questions as Haley stared down clutching her son closer to her while being shielded by the masculine body of her savior.

"Get in." she was told as the car door was opened for her, and she didn't think twice before she got and her son was taken away from her and replaced in the backseat, and it wasn't long before he drove away through the crowd and hit the road.

Haley's mind was frozen. She didn't know what to make out of the whole situation, she was just going towards her car to go home with her son and relax, like every other day and suddenly, she found herself in a situation that she only heard about vaguely and never thought could happen to her.

"I'm in Nathan Scott's car. Awesome." Jamie exclaimed once he was over the original shock and focused on what's important.

Nathan couldn't help but chuckle, "Do you like it?"

"Yeah, it's pretty cool." He nodded, "Maybe one day I'll get a car just like it."

"You will." He assured and then turned uneasily to the girl turned woman next him, "Where do you want me to drop you at?"

"The bus station would be good." She said in a low voice after clearing her throat.

"I could drive you home if you want."

"No, that's not necessary, they are gone anyway."

Nathan didn't insist anymore, he was almost as shocked as Haley was, he was also just going home when he walked out of the building to find paparazzi attacking them and he acted impulsively, unlike her, he had dealt with those kinds of situations a lot, and he know just how suffocating it is; he never thought he'd willingly walk himself through a crowd of reports anyway, yet, he just did.

Once he pulled over, Haley quietly got out of the car and turned to get her son, "Thanks, Mr. Scott." Jamie said before slipping out of the car.

"Just call me Nathan."

"Okay, thanks, Nathan." He grinned widely.

"Thanks." Haley whispered to him in an awkward low voice from the still opened back door. With his head turned towards her, he stared at her for a second he opened his mouth to answer but then closed it again looking back ahead of him.

"Just don't slam the door." He muttered loud enough for her to hear and for a reason she found it funny as she civilly closed the car door with a smile that he didn't see.

XxXxXx

Haley didn't know what happened, but she was vexed, it must be working with Lucas and actually starting to get along with him melting the ice between them slowly that got her feeling nostalgic and craving her old school days, or maybe it was the rumors that suddenly started after that day with paparazzi about her and Nathan, it didn't also take them long to track them down to their hometown finding out that they indeed come from the same place.

Rumors always come and go, but she didn't know that it would come for her so soon, it bothered her that her son would be involved in theories by people that know nothing, absolutely nothing, they even merely brought Lucas' name in their theories, and if he didn't have rumors of his own she was sure he'd be more involved.

She was bothered, but, there was something… something twisted inside her, and it made her uncomfortable, it was like sudden information that just got installed in her system, and it came with additional feelings.

She heard that it was Nathan's last day in set; he was done with his scenes, which weren't so many to begin with, however, for some reason her utter and complete refusal of him which was unfair in the first place wasn't there anymore. Wither she liked it or not, the day that he pulled her away from the reporters, reminded Haley of the old Nathan, the one she liked and loved –back in the day that is.

"Nathan," she caught up with him when he was leaving his room to shoot his last indoor scene.

He stopped and looked over at her with intense eyes and the poker face look that he accompanied with a frown on his forehead making him look tougher than ever.

She approached him, "I never thanked you properly for that day."

He gave a nod, "Anyone would have done the same; it wasn't specifically for you."

And there went the Nathan she knew and once loved down the drains.

She gave a frown obviously offended, "Well, good to know you're still just a gentle man." She said sarcastically.

He offered a fake smile, "Ah, if only it pays me back."

She deepened her frown, "Really, Nathan? Do you really have to be such an ass and ruin it?"

"Ruin what exactly?"

For the first time she felt her cheeks gaining a crimson color; yeah, ruin what? What was she thinking really? That they would start getting along now?

"I… I am here thanking you for something nice you did and you are being a jerk about it."

"Well, Ms. James, you're welcome, but that doesn't change the fact that I didn't do it for you, it's what I would have done for anyone else…" Nathan was lying; when he saw her there looking like a deer lost in the headlights, he felt an old instinct he had acquired long time ago of protecting her, and protect her he did. "And for your son who doesn't have to deal with this now, so, you need to be more careful when he's with you by the way." He has wanted to tell her to take better care when Jamie's with her and he just let it out in a snap which he saw was appropriate.

Haley crossed her arms shifting from one foot to another getting worked up at him telling her what to do, even in such a childish way, "Do you think you can tell me how to take care of my son? You don't-"

"Haley!" a voice screamed her name causing both heads to fly towards the cameraman rushing her way, "It's Jamie! He fell down the stairs."

"Jamie!" she gasped and was instantly running after the man who was showing her the way unaware that Nathan was hot on her tail until she saw him kneeling down beside her as the few crowd around made way for her to access her son on the couch resting his head on Brooke's lap.

"Hey, are you okay, buddy?" she whispered softly as Brooke removed the pad she was holding against his chin to show a bleeding cut.

"I'm okay, momma." He said obviously in a dizzy state.

"I'm so sorry, Haley, it's my fault, he kept running and I was trying to get him to stop and slow down. I'm so sorry." Brooke cried.

"We're taking him to the hospital." Nathan spoke, "It needs stitching." He got up and extended his arms carrying the little boy in his arms.

Haley's mind processed an error; what was happening was against all the things that she believed, had she not seen the worry in his eyes and the way he just took the decision on his own, she would have never believed Nathan Scott had a hidden fatherly side behind all the toughness and stubbornness.

At the hospital, once Jamie was taken care of and was in the good hands of the nurse who just checked all his vitals, Haley left the room promising to be back in a second, she saw Nathan waiting like she has expected but it still took her off guard.

"Is he okay?" he asked her.

"He's fine, Nathan, it's just a cut. Kids get them all the time." She assured him, this was a situation that she was familiar with, it's not like she doesn't take care of Jamie, but, it's still unavoidable anyway. "Thank you, though. Again."

"I-"

"Yeah, you did what you would have normally done." She finished the sentence for him.

He nodded even though it wasn't exactly what he was going to say; he in fact was going to say that he panicked, "Mainly for Jamie." He muttered.

She heard him, but, she still didn't understand what was going on, however she decided to follow her hunch, "You can see him if you want."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, sure." She offered a small awkward smile and Nathan looked at the door of Jamie's room hesitantly for a moment before taking a deep breath and entering the room.

Haley was definitely lost. For the second time in a row, and while they are doing what they normally do –which is fighting; all forms of it- Nathan jumps to the rescue like a knight in the shining armor.

"Hey!" Brooke called as she appeared in the hallway approaching her, "Is he okay?"

"He's fine, Brooke."

"God, I'm so sorry, Haley, I-"

"It's okay, Brooke, it's not your fault."

"Yes it is, I was supposed to take better care of him, you trusted me around him and-"

"Hey, hey, don't beat yourself about it; kids just do what they gotta do. It's not your fault."

"So, you're not mad at me?"

"Of course not."

"Am I still allowed to babysit him?"

"Are you kidding me? Of course you are. You're my favorite sitter. Kelly always cancels for a reason or the other and Peyton always give him candy." She rolled her eyes with a chuckle.

"Yeah, Haley… we all do that."

"What?"

"Yeah, everyone. Peyton, me, Karen, your mother… even Luke the other day."

Haley stared back at her and Brooke had to bite back her laugh and eventually she let out a groan, "Great, fool mother of the year." She dramatically pointed at herself.

Brooke laughed, "What are you doing out here anyway?"

Haley nodded her head towards the small foggy glass window and Brooke followed her look to see Nathan sitting beside Jamie's bed and they seemed to be talking about something that eventually led to pumping fists.

"Is that Nathan?"

"It is."

Brooke was speechless, but, unlike Haley, Brooke had seen it coming, she saw what was happening from outside and she saw how Nathan kept eyeing the infant -or his mother- whenever he was on set, at first she thought she was seeing things, but it was undeniable that Nathan Scott was curious about the kid that he made seven years ago.

Brooke's job had her dealing with Nathan the most, and even though she had no direct problem with him, but she was still mad about how things have turned out, and it took both of them time to stop the one-worded sentences and evolve into longer ones. And as a bystander, Brooke was even madder now at this exact moment for the way things are turning out.

When Nathan left the room and Haley entered instead, Nathan was leaving when Brooke called his name, "It's nice of you… what you did."

He shook his head, "It's what anyone would-" he started off with his practiced line.

She rolled her eyes cutting him off, "Stop it, Nathan. I'm not Haley."

"I don't know what you're talking about." This was practically the most personal Brooke have got with him in seven years.

"Look, I don't know what exactly went down between the two of you recently," she in fact did, "but, it's so obvious that you care,"

"Care?" he gawked.

"Yes! Care!" she mimicked him, "You do care… at least about Jamie, and don't dare even denying it. It's written all over your NPA player face."

Nathan was glad to know that Brooke haven't changed that much, but not exactly when he was on the receiving end of one of her Brooke-confrontation.

"So? He's a little boy who had an accident that-"

"He's not just a little boy, Nathan."

"Fine, Brooke, he's my kid! So? What's your point now?"

"That you care, Nathan, and knowing you, you're too stubborn to even see it, but it's true, and even if you're mad at Haley, don't do this to yourself and your son."

"Do what exactly?"

"Well, for a start, quit playing dumb," she smirked, "and actually don't deny him the opportunity to have a father who really cares, a father who has a tendency to be a good one."

"Brooke," he shook his head, "You don't even know what you're saying, almost two months ago, I haven't even met him, I just faced the fact that I do have a son, a whole other person."

"I understand." She nodded actually seeing the Nathan Scott she has always known. "And I'm not saying to take him fishing tomorrow or to start planning for his college, but, you do want to know him, Nathan, I can see it, in fact I bet everyone can see it. So, do it, start there."

"It's not that easy. Even if I want to, Haley doesn't want me any closer."

"I think we can agree that she has doesn't exactly think so anymore."

"I… I don't know…"

"Look, I know, it's a lot right now, Nathan, I do. But, listen what's between you and Haley should stay between you and her, don't let it affect what you could have with Jamie." She said putting an understanding hand over his arm, "At least think about it?"

He eventually nodded, "Yeah,"

"Good. He's a precious little one, and he's got some serious Scott genes." She pointed out as Nathan chuckled.

"I think I can see that."

"You have to be blind not to, but I'm not just talking about the looks. You'll see when you get to know him more." She winked at him before turning around and entering Jamie's room. Brooke just did the trick; she always knew how to get a guy excited wanting more, whatever the case is, and she just played on his own need and curiosity giving him the smallest tip of what's awaiting him on getting to know the little boy.

XxXxXx

"I'll get it momma." Jamie said excitedly on hearing the doorbell ring.

"No, you stay and finish your meal, young man." She said knowing he's trying to get out of finishing his food; she has always had a problem with him eating vegetables. She went on and opened the door herself.

"This is an intervention." Brooke and Peyton burst in holding a box of ice-cream.

"Hey, little one." They high-fived the boy as Peyton slipped him a small pack of ice-cream.

"I know veggies don't taste that good." She said as he beamed at her.

"Well, mommy doesn't care." Haley said as she took the ice-cream back from him sending a glare towards the blond who shrugged.

"Please, momma." He pleaded.

"No!"

"Please, please." He said giving a puppy-dog face.

"Yeah, please, momma." Her two best friends joined lining up next him mirroring his face.

Haley rolled her eyes, "Alright. But, only if you finish your whole meal."

"Deal." He said with a big smile and started eating once again.

"So, shouldn't you two be working or something?" she asked the two girls as Brooke took out three spoons placing the box on the counter and handing each one a spoon.

"Yeah, whatever."

"What? What happened?" Her friends loved what they were doing and they were committed to their jobs, but 'L'amour rouge' hasn't been treating any of the three girls mercifully; from the mini high-school re-union to the rumors and scandals following the three of them everywhere; especially at the set.

"Nothing," Peyton shrugged, "We decided that nothing is more important than an old fashioned intervention with our best friend." She said hanging an arm around Brooke's shoulder and the other around Haley's.

"Okay, what about this intervention thing?" Haley frowned crossing her arms over her chest giving them both a look. "And why is there ice-cream? Who has a broken heart?"

"Ha," Peyton scoffed, "Who doesn't?"

Brooke shook her head with an eye roll while Haley frowned, "I don't." They both gave her a look. "What? I don't." she insisted.

"All done." Jamie exclaimed with a big smile.

"Good job, Jamie Jam, now why don't you take your ice cream and go watch cartoons?"

"Can I, momma?"

"Go on, son."

"YES." He exclaimed and ran off with his ice-cream.

"Don't run, Jamie!" Haley instructed after him but he was already gone. "So?" she asked the two intruders.

"We think you should give Nathan a second chance."

"What?"

"He deserves it, Haley, and you know it."

"What second chance?"

Peyton and Brooke shared a look before looking back at her, "You know he wants to be in Jamie's life." Brooke started.

"What's with that look?" she ignored what she said.

"Haley…" Peyton gave her a look, "You said he told you he's always wanted to be there."

"No. He said he wanted to re-consider an abortion." She lowered her voice not wanting Jamie to hear a word checking on him to see him gluing his eyes to the TV.

"Same thing, Hales!" Brooke said digging her spoon in the ice-cream box directly.

"No, it's not."

"Yes, it is, he wanted to stop you from doing it, and before you say it, he never reached out to you because he thought you're the one who didn't want him around."

"So, you're saying it's my fault now?"

They rolled their eyes at her, "No, we're saying that you two are stupid fucking assholes." Brooke spat.

"Hey!" Haley protested.

"It's true." Peyton concurred.

"And how is that?"

"Because, honey, you two are too stubborn for your own good, but, newsflash, it's not about just the two of you anymore." Peyton said and Haley didn't answer so she sighed and continued, "Haley, you know we support you no matter what, alright? But, we can't also watch you take a wrong decision… or more like not take a right one and stand to watch."

"Yeah, Haley, you know that Nathan cares, don't tell me you didn't see it."

"Okay, let's say you're right. It will be great for them to get along. But, what if he's not actually interested? What if it's only a spur of the moment that would go away once he finds himself something else to do?"

"Like what?"

"I dunno, like basketball?" she spat sarcastically.

"Haley, basketball is not the other woman in this scenario."

"Isn't it?"

"No, it's not, you always knew Nathan as a player, and it was never a problem."

"No, Brooke, it turned into a problem when he was ready to move up from a school basketball player to a real one!"

"Yes, maybe ostensibly, but, even then basketball wasn't the real problem, Hales."

"Then what was genius?" she snapped at the blond.

"Your stubbornness. Both of you."

Haley stayed silent for a while, "Even if, this still doesn't prove he has an actual interest; I can't do this to Jamie, I can't let him know that his favorite player turned personal superhero is in fact also his real father and then have him disappearing on him again, do you know how he'll be crushed?"

"Then why don't you talk to Nathan about it?"

"And tell him what? Hey, Nate, don't you want to know your son?"

"Yes?"

Haley rolled her eyes, "Hate to remind you that he actually said he doesn't want anything to do with us."

"Uh, hate to remind you that this was before he confessed never wanting to give him up and that you were telling him not come near his son."

"And since then, he has saved you and Jamie twice, Hales." Peyton put in reminding her too.

"Funny, I thought saving was a Lucas thing."

"Haley!" Brooke scolded.

"Well, I guess it's a Scott thing." Peyton said.

"Sorry, that was totally inappropriate." Haley shook her head her guilt kicking in.

"Well, besides stubbornness, this is another trait that you share with Nathan."

"What is that?"

"Getting your anger out the wrong way." Peyton smirked.

"I… you… I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Hales. The point is, Jamie is growing up fast, and he's going to ask soon about his father, and, the truth is he has already met him… so, when he asks, don't you want to at least have a solid answer?"

"What do you mean?"

"Talk to him, Haley." Brooke told her, "Talk and figure it out, see for yourself, if he does want to be in your lives, you'll know, if he doesn't you'll know it. And either ways, you would be doing the right thing…"

Haley bit her lip thoughtfully as she ran a hand through her hair resting it on the back of her neck, the truth is, she has thought about that, she has been having this whole debate with herself over and over, and she never could reach a decision, there was a part that thought maybe Nathan does want to be there, and the other that still holds everything against him. In a minute she thinks that maybe he does really care, the second she says maybe he does but he's not yet ready, and then she brushes it all away thinking that he never cared.

The most sensible solution though, was to talk to him… but it was also the scariest.

"Do you want the truth?" she sighed out.

"Please,"

"I have been thinking about it all for a while."

"Oh, really? Why did you let us do all the talking here then?"

"Because I needed an argument. Brooke, I go through this debate every second of every day. It's not easy… but, you just voiced it for me. I needed to hear that." She said gratefully.

"Aw, Hales, we'll be happy to give you a reality check anytime you need."

"Yeah, or a slap on the face." Peyton added with a chuckle as Haley playfully shoved her shoulder.

"I suppose I should talk to him?"

"It's up to you, but, yes, that would be good."

"God, it's scary." She said resting her temple on her fingertips.

"I know it is." Brooke nodded, "But, you would at least know where you stand. It's time for you to let your guards down, Haley. For your son."

Haley nodded, when she put it like that, it sounds like the only option; she has to do it. They were right, Jamie is going to ask sooner or later, and she needs to have an answer, she needs to be ready to know what to tell him exactly, if Nathan really wants to be there for him –for them, then maybe she wouldn't need to wait until Jamie asks, maybe they will tell him the truth after all… but if he doesn't want to, then she will have to figure out what exactly to tell her son when he asks without breaking his heart.

"There's a problem though." She voiced lowly.

"What?"

"We are not able to hold a conversation." she said uneasily earning a couple of laughters.

"It's not funny!" she complained, "It's like impossible, there's so much anger to handle a civil conversation."

"Come on, Haley! You? You're like the most diplomatic understanding person I've ever known."

"Well, not this time around."

"You still love him, don't you?"

Her heart skipped a beat.

"What?"

"You do!" Brooke exclaimed.

"No! I don't."

"Yeah, sure." Peyton nodded obviously unconvinced, "Anyway, if you want to get him talking then get him beer… or wine if you want." She said adding a smirk.

"You want me to get him drunk?"

"Not drunk." She rolled her eyes, "But, drink, Nathan softens and opens up when he's relaxed, and he's relaxed when he drinks."

"How do you know that?"

"Well, jealous-ass, aside the fact that I did use to date him, he actually rang me to check up on me after… you know everything that happened, and he came to the studio and we shared a couple of beers and instead of comforting me he ended up talking about himself."

"That does sound like him."

"See? You still know him."

"Don't we all?" Haley frowned at Brooke's lame attempt to prove her love to her ex.

"Not like you do." She shrugged.

"I have an idea." Haley bit her lip.

"What?"

"Well," she shifted, "I don't wanna go to his house again; that would be actually very awkward, even more than the last time, he basically kicked me out, besides, Lucas will probably be there…"

"So, what do you wanna do?"

"Talk to him in set?"

"Yeah, but Nathan is done with his scenes, he doesn't come anymore." Brooke said confused.

"I know, but, I guess there's a way we can get him back."

"What is it?"

Haley smiled mischievously at them –Brooke specifically- as she started thinking about the upcoming events and how it will turn out.

XxXxXx

Nathan was hiding, he hates to admit it, but he was. He was relieved that his part was done, he was done with 'L'amour rouge', and now his life can get back to normal, he can forget it ever happened, he can get back to his life, his game, and work his way back out of the injury… or so he hoped.

He hoped to be able to live past it all, it was just another movie, another side project he had when he couldn't really play basketball due to an injury that he had nothing to do about. That's all it was. He can live with that, he can go back to his plan; never letting anything distract him, he can do it.

Well, he can do it, but only if that it was only just a project, if he hadn't seen his son for the first time, if he hadn't spoken to him, if he hadn't seen and secretly admired the fact that he is a big fan of him; somehow granting himself the title of the most important fan. He found himself planning to work hard and play the best he could just not to disappoint Jamie, and once he caught himself thinking that way, it scared him, and it ached his heart.

He didn't understand what happened, but, he has lived the past seven years knowing that he has a son out there, and it was no problem, he knew he existed and yet he was able to not think about him and focus solely on his career, so, what happened? What difference does meeting him make? Well, sure he occasionally wondered how he looks like, how he sounds, if he knows about him, if he likes basketball or any other sport, what does he like and dislike, he wondered, and sure he sometimes, imagine himself teaching him new stuff, like riding a bike, like making a ball go into the hoop, like getting a girl, but it was no big deal… it's only normal to want a family someday, just not today or any other day soon, he always knew that, and he only wanted to be the great player he is now, that player that someday his son could be proud of and –oh!

Realization hit Nathan like a bucket of ice over his head; apparently, meeting Jamie makes all the difference, he has seen him and seen how he actually is the one player Jamie could be proud of, but only as a role-model, as some player he looks up to, not as his father, the one man he would look up to, point at and proudly claim that it's his dad, the one making glorious victories.

Apparently meeting Jamie makes all the differences and now Nathan wants to be his dad. For real.

He had told Brooke that he would think about it, and since then, he has been hiding and trying to convince himself that life can go back to normal, and the more he tries, the hardest it gets to believe.

But, no more lies, he does want to be in Jamie's life. He has always wanted, and sure, he was mad at Haley- still is, for keeping him away, and that's why he never really reached out, but can he really resist the boy now? Can he stay away from him just because he's mad at his mother?

The answer is no, as a matter of fact, he's not even that mad at Haley anymore, he still thinks it was her fault and all, and he's never going to change his mind, he's never going to forgive her, especially after meeting his son, after realizing he's missed a lot already in his life, but, Haley has done an amazing job obviously bringing this kid up, he can see her sacrifices for him, he can see that he's her priority just like he deducted before, and actually, Haley is still Haley. It's not only his son that he recently met, he has also met the woman who kept his heart unsettled all those years, who had him on edge this whole time, secretly and deep down waiting for her to just surface up and say she misses him; making a part of his rage towards her now the fact that when she walked back into his life, it wasn't by her choice, it was a situation that they both had to deal with, she doesn't want him back, she has done a good job without him already, and as proud as he was of her, as jealous as he was that he wasn't there, and that she didn't need him.

Nathan's head was a big mess of thoughts and contradicting emotions, and every few minutes, he found himself cursing Julian for starting this whole mess with his brilliant movie.

Is it even possible for him to walk in Jamie's life just like that? 'Hi, Jamie, I'm your dad? Yeah, I'm sorry I wasn't around before, but I was mad at mommy?' How in the hell is it going to work? Jamie is a smart kid, and he wouldn't blame him if he never forgave him; after all, there's a part of Nathan himself that can't forgive himself, just like eh can't forgive Dan, is it going to be like father like son? Well, Nathan has successfully walked in Dan's path until this point… maybe it's for Jamie's own good that he never gets to know his father's family history? It's all too complicated!

His head is going to explode at some point from the over-thinking he's got himself engulfed in. However, he's hiding and it doesn't seem like he would be able to reach a decision anytime soon, so, he was over the edge with rage when he got a phone call from Julian.

Julian seemed persistent on ruining his life specifically, even though he pretty much ruined everyone else's, but Nathan has already a lot on his plate, he didn't need Julian to call him and ask him for another shooting when he was already done. Apparently, something shitty happened that Nathan didn't bother to hear about when he was too busy arguing and cussing, and the result is, he's needed for a couple more shots.

It wasn't easy for Haley to get him back there, her initial plan was to ask Brooke to do something and convince Julian to bring him there again and he would have done anything for her, however Brooke didn't like the idea, she pretty much threw a fuss at the mere mention of Julian and she knew what Haley was hinting at when she said 'do something to convince him' so she thought she deserves a good smack on the back of the head.

Peyton on the other hand didn't think it's a bright idea anyway, Julian wouldn't just throw money in the air and re-make a scene that was perfectly fine, so, she adjusted the plan with Haley and instead, both worked on convincing both Julian and the director to bring Nathan back for additional shots that would look good with the songs, and even though they already had a vision, eventually they were able to do it, and Julian called Nathan.

Haley really had one shot, only one to make a good conversation with Nathan, she always knew timing was important when it comes to serious talks, and she was planning on choosing the right one, however, when Nathan was there, it seemed kind of impossible to catch a good timing; when Nathan arrived his temper came along and it wasn't a decent one.

She had to wait until he was done with his shots that were repeatedly interrupted or delayed due to his constant snapping, cursing and glaring, so, at the end of the day, when he entered his room thinking that he has almost made it without running into Haley she knocked and entered the room.

This was exactly what he didn't know how to deal with, he was nervous the whole day and wanted to get it over with because he didn't want to have to deal with her while he has no idea how he feels about her anymore.

"Hi," she nervously spoke as she closed the door behind her.

"Hey," his voice came out shaky so he cleared his throat.

"Um, are you okay? You almost chopped Chris' head off." She added a nervous chuckle and he gave an equally nervous smile.

"Yeah, he tends to be annoying, I don't know how you put up with him." He shook his head, "Speaking of, um, your song, it's amazing, Haley." The duet has just come out and it was going viral, maybe that's why Chris annoyed him the most today.

"Thank you. Lucas and Peyton did a good job."

He frowned, "But, it's your voice that made their work meaningful." He always hated it when she underestimated her talent back then.

She smiled seeing he still comes to put her where she deserves –at least where he thinks she deserves- and the fact that he still thinks she deserves anything at all, "Thank you, Nathan."

He suddenly realized that this was the most civil conversation they have had, and it made him feel awkward, he didn't like how naturally it came and how it's going, he cleared his throat once again, "So, what are you doing here?"

She shifted uncomfortably finding interest in a strand of hair twisting it around her finger, "Actually, I wanted to talk to you."

"Talk?" he gulped.

"Yes, Nathan, we can't pretend this never happened." She shrugged and he needn't question more, it's obvious he has to handle a conversation he's dreading.

"Haley, I don't think it's necessary-" at least he could try though.

"No, Nathan, I for a fact can't ignore that you told me that you had seconds thoughts about the baby –our baby, seven years ago." She said and took a deep breath, this was by no means easy for Haley, she was letting her guards down and she had to do it for her son, "Did you mean that, Nathan?"

"What that I thought of keeping it –him?"

"Yes."

"Yeah, Haley, I meant it." He frowned, "And I hated you for not involving me, for not wanting me around."

"Nathan you said-"

"Dammit, I was a stupid kid!" he snapped, "I know what I said and I know it was horrible to even think of those things, but can you really blame me for an initial shock? While having my dad breathing down my neck and getting a rejection letter after the other? Even then, Haley, it didn't take me a lot of time to realize maybe it wasn't the end of the world, and maybe I can do both, and that I definitely don't want to pull a classic selfish Dan Scott!"

Haley has been telling herself that she's having this conversation only for Jamie's sake, but right there, right in this moment, when she saw the hurt, torn side of Nathan Scott that he has been burying inside, and hearing what she has once dreamed and hoped would be true, what she has long forgotten about, but definitely believed while coming out of his mouth, she remembered just why she has fell in love with him once upon a time.

"How could I know that, Nathan?" she shook her head. "You never told me."

"You never listened, I tried to make things right with you again, Haley, I wanted to talk when I thought we already lost the baby, and I felt awful, but I still wanted you, I wanted to fix things first with you. I tried."

"That's what would have fixed things, Nate." She squeaked out through the tears that she didn't even realize were already gathering threatening to fall down her face and make a mess. "And… and… how could I just let you in? You and Lucas both were-"

"I'm not fucking Lucas, Haley!" he snapped cutting her off, "You keep dragging him in as a part of the equation when he's not! Yes, he was your best friend, my brother, and he fucked up too, but Lucas and his own fucking mistakes have nothing to do with our situation here."

"I know, I know… what I meant is… I didn't know if I could trust you anymore, Nathan, I mean when you said those things and Lucas whom I have known my whole life turned to this jerk, I was shocked in the two men that mattered the most to me, and…" she shook her head as her voice cracked, "You never fought, you never insisted."

He felt suffocating as he held his head up high grasping for air to help him process; he has never looked at it from this angle, he only held the perspective at which Haley is the unforgiving bitch who didn't have the heart to ever forgive an honest mistake throughout the whole time span of seven years they have been apart. But, it does make sense seeing it from her own perspective where she's disappointed in the man who she loved and her best friend supporting hi, it makes sense that she ended up excluding the both of them.

"This whole thing is complicated." He shook his head saying after a while of silence.

"It is." She agreed. "Brooke and Peyton say we're both stubborn." She offered a weak smile.

He cracked a side smile staring at the opposite wall, "Lucas says so too."

Silence fell upon them once again, at this point neither of them had the intention to leave; they both knew that the discussion was opened, and won't be over so easily, it was just… tiring.

"Nathan?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you still want to?" she hesitantly asked, "To be in Jamie's life?" she elaborated.

He shut his mouth pursing his lips as if forcing it not to answer; his reflexive answer was a yes, but it was scary, a yes is a commitment, and he didn't know to whom exactly, he didn't know it's consequences and he didn't know if it's even the right thing to do.

"Look, Haley," he turned his body on the chair to be facing her as their knees slightly brushed before she pushed hers back a bit. "You spent those years taking care of a whole new individual being his eyes to the whole world," he gulped painfully and her hands hugged tightly with a sudden wave of coldness invading her body, "you surely have matured more than I did, in another level than that I did. I… I can barely take care of myself and you managed to bring a healthy little boy to the world."

"What's your point, Nathan?" she asked softly.

"My point is it might sound easy to you but I don't know if I can be in his life, what comes naturally to you might not to me."

She nodded looking down for a minute before relaxing her shoulders a little and looking up at him to meet his eyes once again, "But it does."

"What?" he furrowed his brows and she gave him a smile and instinctually reached out to hold his hands in hers suddenly creating a warmth that scared the hell out of him.

"You did, Nathan, when you first met him and you helped with the vending machine, with the paparazzi and with his accident, you were there and you saved the situation, Nathan." She told him, "Besides, who ever told you it came naturally to me, I screwed things a lot, if it weren't for Karen, Brooke, Peyton, and occasionally my mom and yours I would have been a disastrous mother."

"I'm sure you wouldn't." he argued in murmur.

"No, I would have, it took time and it took practice to know how to do it, what really matters though… is to have it in your heart, to really want to do it, Nate."

The way she has been calling him Nate throughout this goddamn conversation, and the fact that she's holding his hands trying to convince him how good of a father he could be with that glistening look in her hazel eyes, it all created a cloud in Nathan's vision making all the surroundings disappear, and he was back in high-school in a minute and the only thing that mattered was this very moment.

"So, do you, Nathan? Do you want to?" she bit her lip.

"I do." He absentmindedly answered in a barely audible voice; it was the answer to a lot of questions running in his mind at the time being. He didn't know what was happening, but at the moment, he didn't put much thinking into it, he let what comes naturally come, and he knew deep down, that his heart was the one taking control now.

"Really?" she asked her voice not hiding the excitement and she also absentmindedly squeezed his hands.

He retrieved one hand from hers and held it against her cheek with a smile and a small nod, "Really." He affirmed.

She couldn't think of something to say, she just smiled and leaned into his hand. The very last time they spoke, before Jamie's little accident, they were like two stray cats crying and attacking each other in a silent night, while right now, they were more like two little kittens who just found comfort in each other's touches.

Time is a strange concept; sometimes the longest of hours could feel like a few seconds, and sometimes a couple of minutes would pass as long as centuries, sometimes time acts as a forgetting or a healing pill, and other times your pain renews with every passing second for the end of eternity, in which case, you must admit that you have done something incorrectly, but instead, you would choose to blame it on any other thing, just like the duo here did blame it on each other.

But, also, time just froze the moment they were connected by a touch, it took them years back and froze; there was no passing seconds, no means of counting forward, no outer world… just the two of them in a long awaited, way too familiar, and a much admired moment lost in the whole time-space network.

And just like the gravity force, there was a force between them bringing them closer, Nathan's breath heaved the more they got closer, he was aware of what's happening, and he was liking it, despite the voice coming from the farthest corner in the back of his mind telling him not to rush things. On the other hand, Haley was better at addressing her own feelings, maybe he was right when he said she has matured in a way that he yet had to experience, but, Haley has learned to come more in touch with herself, thoughts and feelings, and in this moment, she realized that she has never stopped waiting, never stopped thinking about, and never stopped loving Nathan Scott.

As long of a moment and as much of thoughts and feelings it held, and as close as they got, with her hands now one being on his chest the other around his neck and his cupping her face, time finally exploded when they in a sudden move closed the remaining distance between them, north meeting south, east colliding with west, moon melting into sun and black merging with white, two opposite halves of a whole.

Fierce, passionate, longing, exploring, familiar and magical… those things were what they could describe their first kiss after seven years of never seeing each other and several shared mutual screams and one decent conversation.

Panting they broke apart with wet lips, adrenaline and dopamine filling up their veins, with their hair being messy they rested their foreheads against one another catching their breathes.

"That was…"

"I know…" it was barely audible but both heard and understood.

"But…" Nathan pulled back to look at her properly with pained confused eyes and his hand on her cheeks while his thumb stroke her soft skin, he shook his head, " This… it's all too much too soon." For the first time, he admitted not having a clue on what he wants let alone what to do.

Although disappointed, but, Haley actually understood, she has come here with the expectation of another fight, or harsh words, and there was neither, but on the contrary, it seemed like Nathan has already been doing some thinking of his own already and it would only make sense that he is confused.

She nodded, "Yeah," she retrieved back getting comfortable in her seat already missing his touch, "I understand."

"You do?" he asked looking like a lost puppy; how can she understand when he can't?"

"Yeah, look, Nathan, it's just like you said, we were kids. We were stubborn and we were selfish. But, that's all in the past, we both made mistakes, and I apologize for my half, if not for anything between us then for my son –our son. And I too have always wanted you to know your son, Nathan. And I'm sure Jamie would love to meet you too, God, he's been seeing you as a hero without even seeing or knowing you and that itself should have given me a hint, but, as I said, we have been nothing but stubborn." She rambled and paused to take a breath, "Nate, if you decide to get to know your son, to have a part in our life… you totally have my blessing."

She tried to make it as clear as she could to where she stands without scaring him, she knew that it was all sudden that she has just a few weeks earlier requested him to stay away in order not to hurt him, but he also have said and done a lot of things in the area within that were enough for her to straighten her thoughts and to eventually stop thinking about him as her ex-boyfriend and to start thinking about him as the father of her child… and as it comes to it also a possible ex-boyfriend minus the ex.

However what she didn't notice was that she has slipped up; she said 'our life' and it didn't go unnoticed by him.

XxXxXx

Nathan has decided to have his mind set up by the day of the movie premier, but he met his deadline without finding a way to settle the debate between his heart and his mind.

He shouldn't have kissed Haley.

This kiss only confused him all the more, it brought back feelings and opened wounds and reinforced ongoing hopes paving the way for new ones to enter his currently fragile heart.

He has started playing again, and he was perfectly in shape again, but, for the first time since he started his career as a professional player, his head wasn't fully into the game, wither he liked it or not, his personal life was in a crisis and he had to make a decision and he wasn't able to do so.

He shouldn't have kissed Haley because he liked it.

He wondered if there would be any time that he could actually say he's ready to take the full experience, to be a dad and to see where things could go with Haley. He wondered if they could rekindle their relationship, he didn't know why not though? Didn't she say herself that they were two stubborn kids? There was no actual reason for them to break up in the first place. But, then again, who knows? Seven years are capable of turning them into two completely different persons though.

The one thing he was sure of though, was that he didn't want to be like Dan Scott. While trying to make a decision, he remembered his so-called father and remembered as a kid when he vowed to himself to never be like he is to his own kids, a vow he has long forgotten, but, actually, it was the vow he should have never let go of.

Dan Scott maybe is a lot of things, but, he also set an example for him to not follow... something that Dan himself is aware of.

People who has only known angry-Nathan were confused as to what happened to him and why there was a distant, confused one instead, while Nathan himself, didn't like those claims, and only blamed it on having his head occupied with an argument he has to properly settle.

"Ready yet, little bro?" Lucas called for him.

Nathan was ready long time ago, but he wasn't too. He was ready in his tux but wasn't ready to go knowing he'll be seeing her without having an answer. However, he groaned as he gave himself one final looking in the mirror not finding anything wrong with the way he looked.

He left his room meeting the other blond man in his own tux, "Let's go."

Both brothers were single and both were attending the premier of the movie that flipped their lives upside down, so they were going together.

In the backseat of the car Lucas addressed his brother, "Are you ready though? Have you made your mind?"

Nathan only shook his head, "Have you?"

Lucas gave a distant look, "Well, I have." Nathan didn't question more knowing his brother would have explained if he wanted to.

"Remember the first day of this movie?" Nathan smirked looking at Lucas who chuckled.

"I remember you throwing a fit at me."

"I always throw a fit at you."

"True to that." It was true, Lucas has been his punching bag throughout the years, he takes it and he sets him straight when he completely loses it, Lucas understands him, and he knows where he comes from and why he tends to have a temper instead of showing sadness, but if he ever showed sadness in front of anyone –apart from Haley back then- it would be Lucas, he didn't know when or how they became so close, but they turned out to be real brothers in the end.

"Have you not slept with Haley though?" he smirked referring to their earlier conversation while knowing he's giving him the creeps. In fact, the thought cringes him too, but he just couldn't help say it.

"Nathan!" Lucas exclaimed scolding.

He laughed, "Dude, have you seen Jamie? He's more you than me."

He rolled his eyes, "That's because we have got the best Scott genes."

"Maybe him, you, not so much." Nathan muttered.

"Are you sure you haven't made your mind up?" he smirked at him knowingly.

Nathan didn't reply this time, he was trying not to think about it, he had no idea what his reaction will be on seeing her tonight, nor what hers will be. He knew what he wanted deep down, it was enough time for him to know what he wants, but, his dilemma was wither if he can handle it or not, if he is or ever will be ready.

When they arrived, he was blinded by the sudden flashes in his face for a while as he posed with his signature smile alongside his brother who was pretty much used to the cameras having attended a punch of events with him even before pursuing his own career.

It was all a routine to him now, he knows what he's doing and how to give them good pictures, but, from the corner of his eye, he caught a sight that completely distracted him. Haley was just a few steps away posing for the pictures herself and she has brought a date, Nathan forgot to pose for a while only staring at her in a sleeveless silver tight dress from the upper and flows down reaching right above the knees and a matching pair of silver heels and her hair in a tendril twist bun with her date being her son in a simple neat button down shirt and jeans.

Nathan remembered that same day he met her on the movie and how shocked yet captivated it left him then. This sight however, was far more captivating to him, Haley and his son posing with smiles for the cameras, it was like a perfect family picture and he was missing it, just like he was missing every other second in their lives.

Haley has given him access to walk in and be a part of it if he wants, and he still has the chance now, when she's still single, still opened to the idea of him sliding in the picture, he can actually have it all if he did it right.

He actually remembers the day he saw Chris Keller talking to her with an arm wrapped around her shoulder and how it made him boil in the inside, not only because Chris has always hit on her, and not only because he was talking to her and he wasn't, it was the realization that she could be with anyone anytime and he wouldn't be able to do anything about it, and yet, he still kept it to himself then and didn't admit it.

Seeing Haley again, only made him slowly but surely face what he has been burying inside all those years. Can he really do it? Can he drop it all and take a leap?

A hand on his shoulder cut him out of his trance bringing him to the reality and the screaming reporters with their cameras flashing everywhere crazily; he has probably just fed up their tabloids enough just with a few seconds of zoning off. He turned to look at his brother looking knowingly at him.

"Go, Nate." He told him as Nathan looked at him then back at Haley and Jamie to see she has finally became aware of his arrival and she looked over at him with a wondering look.

Then it clicked, there might never come a time where he'd say he's totally ready, but there will never be a time when he wants to actually have it, to go through the experience and to catch up with what he missed, to be a dad, to be with Haley more like he wants at the moment. His fears of being another Dan Scott seemed to vanish; he has never really been him, he sure was his son, but Nathan always knew better... it's his stubbornness that kept him away, the stubbornness that he's dropping at the moment.

He looked back at Lucas apologetically who only smiled giving him a slight push on the back. He shifted his gaze back to Haley and smiled as he saw hope and doubt mix in her eyes. It seemed like a full circle; he remembered the first time he ever approached her, when he had a plan and she had no clue what was going on, back then, he was a player, a bad boy, he glided his way into her life smoothly, and it seemed appropriate to glide his way back in, pulling a classic Nathan Scott this time.

Cameras flashes went as crazy as ever as he took steps towards her and Jamie; they have already rumored enough about an on-going romance between them when they were spotted in two serious situations before, the first being the paparazzi one the second being Jamie's accident when he drove them to the hospital, and they have also made their assumptions about him being Jamie's dad, but then again who wouldn't? With those looks, it was kinda impossible not to talk. And he was giving them the actual show right now, giving them something to talk about for the rest of the week.

"Hey." He said as he reached them.

"Hi." She answered with Jamie between her arms.

"Hey, Jamie," he called, "would you like a ticket to the next game?"

"Really?" Jamie exclaimed with wide eyes.

"Sure. If your mom is okay with it though."

"Can we, mom, please?"

"Uh… we'll have to discuss this later." She answered giving Nathan a look who shrugged with a smile.

"Alright, let's pose for the cameras for now then. They'll love to take pictures of us." He said already taking position as he put his hand on the small of her back and she looked up at him with a surprise.

"What are you doing?" she whispered while smiling to the lenses.

"What I should have done way earlier." He answered facing ahead.

"Since when are you impulsive?"

"Uh, since forever; you're the one with all the planning, Hales." He smirked and she nudged him slightly.

"By the way, everything you do in front of them is noticed and will be written in details." He said as he turned to her other side to be next Jamie dropping a kiss on her cheek in the process shocking her all the more and giving her cheeks a deep crimson shade.

"What are you doing?" she hissed.

"Giving them something to talk about?" he smirked and gave her a wink, "Hey, Jamie, tell her you will also have access to the locker-rooms."

"Mom, did you hear that? We have to go."

"I don't think posing in front of the movie posters is the best place to speak about all of that."

"You're right. That's enough, let's go." He said ignoring the organizers as he took her hand as they went inside.

Haley was supposed to be sitting with her friends but, Nathan took a seat next her knowing one of them -probably Brooke- wouldn't mind switching.

"What the hell, Nathan?" Haley whisper-yelled once they were sitting down.

"Look, I know I ambushed you. I'm sorry." He said with a shrug and she shook her head knowing he's not actually sorry, "But, you said I could be there for you if I want?"

"I did. Do you?" Her heart pounded; the minutes she saw him out there, she froze, she knew she'd be seeing him of course, but she has been wondering what his decision is going to be for a good while, and when he never said anything, she had to assume that this was her answer, so, to see him again, it was going to be the moment of truth, his reaction would determine it all, and at the moment, she didn't know what to think, she was very familiar with those antiques of his, and in fact, it warmed her heart, she knew Nathan, and she saw it in his eyes that he just made his mind right at that moment, or maybe he has made his mind long time ago and it was just the decision he needed to put into action, but, it was still too good to be true, she has spent years throughout she had to stop believing good things could happen to her, so, for Nathan to actually be there next her now, posing for pictures, dropping kisses on her cheek, turning her son against her in a heartbeat; all in all, acting like a real couple... it was overwhelming.

"Yeah, I do."

"Are you sure?"

"More than anything."

That got her smiling genuinely. Sure, they will have to talk over tons of stuff, they will have to settle their hearts completely and let go of the past with all its mistakes and they will have to open their hearts and minds a little more and stop being stubborn, and start being what they were always supposed to be, sure it's gonna be tiring, exhausting even, but, they were willing to go through it.

Julian hadn't a clue how many stories he'd be really making when he started this movie, 'L'amour rouge', but for Nathan and Haley, although it was tough to break through their heads, but it wasn't hard, not hard at all to realize their love was still going on, in fact it could have never died, it was there growing day by day in the form of James Lucas –soon to be- Scott.

Nathan and Haley had a lot to figure out but they didn't have to worry because the basis of it is tough; the color of their amour has always been rouge.

---

So, there's the first one shot. I'm sorry it took a while, I just had a few things but I'm back now. How do you like this one? I hope I was able to translate what I wanted to say... like I wanted to show how Nathan's rage, the fire that has been within him for years has started cooling off as they movie progressed -as Haley walked back in his life, and how they were both taking Jamie as an excuse for everything that has to do with each other, wither it being mad at each other, or hiding their affection towards one another, and finally the fact that their feelings never went away in the first place.

I like the progressing of this story, and how they fight instead of admitting their love, it was fun to write, although it's the first time I write long one-shots, but it's fun!

So, anyway, what do you think? Tell me your opinions, and who you think will b the next couple. It won't be long until it's out anyway.