A/N: Thank you everyone for sticking around for this story! Your comments and feedback is always appreciated and I'm glad we're all ready for some happy Naley... and we are getting there! Really excited for what's coming up next. :)

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Chapter 30: A Tree Hill Raven always knows, when the stakes are high, the hearts are full.

After fulfilling their sign-in duties, Haley, Brooke, and Peyton approach Table 6 in the grand dining room, amused to find Lucas, Jake, and Nathan huddled together in their seats. They whisper and laugh uncontrollably, clearly up to no good.

"Oh no," Peyton says, rolling her eyes. "I smell mischief. What are you three up to?"

Both Scott boys shrug. Jake glances at them before answering. "Sometimes you just need to let loose. So… we are."

Just like the old days, Brooke and Lucas, Nathan and Haley, Peyton and Jake lock eyes for the briefest of moments, an understanding between them. Tonight was meant to be fun and that's just what they all needed.

Haley's eyes flick away from Nathan, her chest aflutter. "Brooke, it's open bar right?"

"Sure is," Brooke says.

"Good," Haley smiles. "Because it looks like we have some catching up to do."

And deep down they all knew this was true in more ways than one.

…

Haley plays with a cherry stem between her lips, her Old Fashioned now empty. As the Trivia Night started and the women enjoyed their cocktails, the walls set-up from earlier today started to come down between the friends.

They were dominating trivia, each person bringing their own strengths from sports to music, school history to random facts, they were picking up points left and right. And with each point closer to winning the night, their spirits lifted – the energy between them at an all time high.

"I'm going to run and grab another drink," Haley says, excusing herself from the table. Nathan stands too, surprising her.

"I'll join," Nathan says. Haley pauses for a brief second, noticing a smirk from Peyton.

"OK," she says timidly, eyeing Nathan before leading the way to the bar. Her heart races at the one-on-one time. As much as she had been dreading staying the rest of the weekend, she'd gained confidence from Brooke and Peyton's support. But walking with Nathan, metaphorically unarmed, put her thoughts in overdrive. This day had been a rollercoaster and a few hours ago, he all but told her she'd ruined his life. She didn't know where that left them, and she was honestly scared to find out.

"Stop it," Nathan says as they reach the bar.

"What?" Haley says, noticing his lingering stare.

"Whatever you're worrying about. Just stop," Nathan says before flagging the bartender down for two refills. It takes Haley aback, how easily in tune with her he could be.

"How do you know I'm worried?" Haley asks innocently.

"Because I know you Haley James," Nathan says. "Just because I haven't seen you, doesn't mean I can't still tell what's going on with you."

Haley smiles at the assumption. Nathan did know her better than anyone else and yet, he never knew all of her. And the thought makes her sad in hindsight. God bless him, he tried.

"So what am I thinking, Nathan Scott?" Haley says with amusement.

"About our little blow-out earlier," Nathan says, a small blush of shame creeping into his features.

"Big blow-out," Haley reminds, her own blush starting to form. Being vulnerable was neither of their strong suits, and yet they always pulled it out of one another.

"True," Nathan says. He plays with the collar of his t-shirt, suddenly hot. Haley observes the familiar tell.

"Am I making you nervous?" Haley chides.

"What? No," Nathan denies.

"Okay," Haley says, unconvinced.

"Why would I be nervous?" Nathan asks, a little flustered.

"That's what I'm trying to figure out," Haley says.

Nathan watches as she tries to hide her smirk and it's the most adorable thing he's seen. It embarrasses him how attracted he is to her. It's not normal. No matter how much time and hurt and uncertainty there is, Haley James gets his adrenaline going as much as an NBA final.

"I owe you an apology," Nathan finally says. Haley's eyes widen. "I kind of unloaded on you in the park. Not that I didn't mean what I said, but I only said the dark stuff."

"I don't blame you Nathan," Haley says sympathetically, placing her hand on his forearm leaning against the bar. "I should really be the one apologizing."

The bartender comes back with their drinks as they hear cheers coming from the tables.

"Last round," the bartender prompts. "Better get back to your table."

"Thanks man," Nathan says, about to hand Haley her drink then stops. "Actually, can you throw a few more cherries in there?"

The bartender rolls his eyes before obliging, throwing a handful into the Old Fashioned. Haley's face couldn't be more on fire if she tried. Nathan hands Haley her drink, his hand lingering as she takes it. "I want to talk more. But later, OK? Maybe I can come to your room?"

"Sure," Haley replies, her voice barely a whisper at the thought.

"Now let's go win this thing," Nathan says before placing his hand on the small of Haley's back as he leads her back to the table. The touch is electric and does not go unnoticed by their friends as they take a seat by the table.

"What'd we miss?" Nathan asks, taking a sip of his drink.

"Shouldn't we be asking you the same question?" Brooke asks hopefully.

"No," Nathan grumbles but Haley throws her a small smile.

"Well," Brooke says, "We have been holding down the fort but this final question can make or break us."

"What's it worth?" Haley asks.

"It's Jeopardy style. We can bet a lot, a little, everything. We're about seven points ahead of the next team," Brooke explains.

"All or nothing baby," Jake says, looking hopefully at the group.

"I'm down," Peyton agrees.

"Me too," Lucas says soon after.

"Why not," Nathan agrees.

"I'm feeling risky," Haley jokes. "Brooke?"

"C'est la vie," Brooke agrees.

"Hell yes," Jake cheers. "Go big or go home!"

He writes their wager amount on a paper and runs it up to Dean Hargrove sitting on the main stage. When he gets back, there's a glimmer to his eyes.

"Whatever you're thinking Jakey-Poo, don't," Brooke says.

"Who says I'm thinking anything?" Jake denies.

"You're up to something Jagelski, I can see it in your eyes," Peyton quips.

"If you insist," Jake says nonchalantly. "I think we need our own wager."

"Listening…" Peyton eggs him on.

"If we win, we go skinny dipping in the lake," Jake suggests.

"Not gonna happen," Nathan shuts down. "That's the last thing I need getting into the papers."

"Fair," Jake admits. "But isn't there something fun and dumb we can do?"

"What like come to this thing?" Haley jokes, half-kidding.

"Come on!" Jake pleads. "I've been trying to have us be in the moment all day. Let's just do something ridiculous."

"Karaoke?" Peyton offers.

"Pass!" Lucas says immediately.

"Hard pass," Nathan agrees.

"You guys are no fun," Brooke pouts.

"We're a lot of things, including still mad," Lucas grumbles.

"Settle down killer," Peyton jokes to Lucas before winking at Brooke, her dejection obvious. "Brooke, what's something you never did in high school but wanted to?"

"Well I did a lot of things," Brooke laughs to herself, the group can't help but smirk. "Scholastically that is!"

"Uh huh," Haley says amused.

"But," Brooke thinks. "Lucas and I had plans once that we chickened out on."

"Brooke," Lucas cuts, knowing exactly what she's thinking.

"I'm listening," Jake says. "As long as it's not some creepy sex thing."

"Ew," Brooke says, grossed out. "Half of us are related some way or another. Get your head out of the gutter Jakey."

"Let's just make it a rule we're not getting naked? Ya'll are a couple-a horn dogs," Peyton jokes.

"Or just feeling eighteen again. Being in Tree Hill is really… freeing, I guess," Haley says, before leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms. She hadn't necessarily meant to say that out loud.

"Hales gets it," Jake agrees. "Now, what are we doing?"

"Brooke?" Peyton asks again. Brooke looks to Lucas, who's obviously mulling over what he knows she's about to say. Finally, he shrugs and Brooke starts beaming. No matter what, Lucas Scott could never say no to her.

"Tattoos," she says, her face brightening at the thought.

"Tattoos?" Haley says, nervous. "Oh I don't know…"

"I do it," Nathan says.

"You would?" Haley says, surprised.

"Sure," Nathan replies. "I've always kind of wanted one."

"What do you mean when you say, 'tattoos'?" Peyton says, hesitant.

"It can be anything you want. Not trying to have us get any more cultish than we already are with a matching tattoo," Brooke says. "But, what if it relates to Tree Hill? I think that this weekend has at least shown us Tree Hill will always be our place. It could be fun to commemorate that. Or, I don't know…" Brooke says, suddenly embarrassed.

"I'm a baby when it comes to needles, but I love the sentiment," Peyton says. She takes Brooke's hand in her own. "I'm in. I just might get your little dimpled face."

"Please don't," Brooke laughs before turning to Lucas. "Luke?"

"I'm still mad at you," he says, his resolve cracking slightly.

"I know," Brooke agrees. "I'm sorry."

"But… it's a pretty cool way to bring us all together," Lucas agrees.

"So if we win Trivia Night, we're going to get tats?" Jake says hopefully.

"Oh what the hell," Haley says, taking a sip of her drink. "This weekend couldn't any more unpredictable if it tried."

"Never say never," Peyton winks. Haley nudges her in the side, welcoming the familiar teasing between them. They hear the piercing buzz of a microphone turning on before Dean Hargrove starts speaking.

"OK folks, the wagers are locked. I have to say, we have a very confident group. The win is anyone's game. I hope you've brushed up on your reading, because after random selection the last question is English Literature," Dean Hargrove announces.

"Luke, Hales, this is all you," Peyton cheers.

"I hope this isn't too hard for my Ravens, but final question – what is the nickname of the city in which The Awakening and A Streetcar Named Desire take place?"

"Wait I know this," Nathan says, leaning into the table, the group huddles around, surprised. "New Orleans. It's New Orleans."

"It is," Haley beams, proud of him; her chest blooms at the memories.

"But what do they call it?" Brooke whispers.

"Big Easy baby," Jake says. "100%."

"The dean did say 'I hope this isn't too hard,'" Haley observes. "Maybe that was a clue."

"The Big Easy, final answer," Peyton confirms, writing it down on their card and handing it to Nathan. "Run it up there hot shot."

Nathan hops up and jogs to the stage, just beating Rachel who tries to nudge past him. She sticks her tongue out at him before hurrying back to her table. When he gets back to the table, everyone is buzzing.

"We have to win, right?" Nathan asks.

"It's looking good man," Lucas says equally excited. "But how on earth did you become the literate one between us?"

"I had a good tutor," Nathan says as Haley takes a sip of her drink. "Very memorable teaching methods."

Haley spits her Old Fashioned across the table, equal parts shocked and enamored, her heart beating like a hummingbird. It appears Nathan remembered The Awakening too. And that confirmation did the most for her.

The group laughs uncontrollably as Haley tries to wipe down the table.

"Are you kidding me right now?" Brooke says, barely able to get the words out of her mouth.

"I'm really not," Haley says, totally embarrassed. She couldn't even look at Nathan, but could feel him staring at her profile. Finally, she takes a seat back in her chair and realized the whole group is waiting for her to elaborate.

"I mean, we need context," Peyton says. "What the hell was that?"

"Wrong pipe," Haley says, indicating to her throat.

"No, I can see it between you too," Peyton says observing Nathan and Haley. Nathan was grinning, amused with himself and Haley was borderline about to self-implode. There was a memory there, and they were too nosy a group to not get to the bottom of it. "What's with you and New Orleans?"

"It's not New Orleans," Nathan chirps. Haley kicks his leg next to hers.

"It's a story for another time or place or maybe even life?" Haley says, her voice getting higher with each word.

The microphone buzzes yet again and the group looks over at the stage.

Peyton leans over to Haley, "Saved by the buzz."

Haley glares at her before watching as Dean Hargrove announces the winner.

"I'm happy to say my Ravens have maintained their education with multiple correct answers coming in. But only one team can win it all, and with an all-in wager, this team has doubled their points for the night. Congratulations, Table 6!" Dean Hargrove cheers.

The group jumps up, pleased with themselves. Brooke, Peyton, and Haley jump up and down, squealing as the men high-five each other. Caught up in the moment, Haley turns to Nathan next to her and opens her arms for a hug. Nathan leans down to embrace her, wrapping his arms around her back.

"I remember the good stuff too," Nathan says quietly, before pulling away. Haley goes to respond, but is interrupted by Peyton and Brooke ambushing her into a group hug.

"We're getting tattoos!" They cheer, giddy with themselves.

…

Ten Years Ago – Spring

Nathan and Haley stroll hand in hand down the streets of Myrtle Beach. They couldn't keep their eyes off each other, the excitement palpable. They were getting married. Tonight. Haley just needed a dress.

They pass a little boutique with dresses in the window and decide to give it a try. Haley strolls in, pulling Nathan behind her. She walks him over to an old sitting chair, pushing him lightly into his seat.

"I'll be back," she beams before kissing him on the forehead. "No peeking!"

He watches her disappear into the clothing racks, entranced by her every move. Haley James was magic and she was his.

Haley searches for anything white. The boutique was chic but casual. She wouldn't be wearing Vera Wang, but that was okay. She didn't care about norms – if she felt beautiful and loved on her wedding day, that's what counts. And she did.

Haley feels the pang of doubt as she realizes this store has a lot of patterns, too many colors, and nothing just plain white. Until finally, wedged between a baby-blue shift dress and a flower printed sundress, Haley pulls out a singular white dress. It was simple, silk, like an elevated slip. Thin spaghetti straps that tied behind the neck and an A-line cut that would rest nicely on her petite figure.

She holds it up against herself. The hem rises in the front to her knees but was elongated in the back so it would fall against her calves. It reminded her of a dress Quinn wore for a production of Guys and Dolls. She'd gotten some headshots taken in silk and fake diamonds, a faux fur across her shoulders. It was her favorite picture of her sister. Something about this felt like fate, this was the dress she was meant to wear, Haley was sure of it.

She walks back to Nathan, noticing his smile as he sees the bag in her hand.

"We got a dress?" He asks hopefully.

"We got a dress," Haley says. He jumps up, spinning her around in his arms. She buries her head in his shoulder as she squeals. "Nathan!"

"Let's get married Haley James," Nathan says, kissing her cheek as they walk out the store.

"Haley James Scott," she corrects. Nathan stops in his tracks, leaning down to kiss her, long and frenzied.

"Nathan!" Haley giggles. "We can't do this right here."

"We just did," he laughs. "I guess you can say I have a thing for girls named Haley James Scott."

"It does have a good ring to it, doesn't it?" Haley says, excited.

"It does," Nathan says, kissing her again. Haley brings her fingertips to his cheek, brushing lightly.

"Nathan?" She asks between kisses. He pulls away, his eyes glazed over as he comes back to reality. "Let's go make it official."

He smiles, grabbing her hand, and walks quickly down the sidewalk. Haley picks up her pace to keep up, until eventually they both start running. They couldn't get to the chapel fast enough. They couldn't wait to be The Scott's.