Pushing through the door Lucas let his eyes adjust to the dim room. Approaching the bed he couldn't help but think how young and vulnerable Haley looked. Taking a hold of her hand Lucas whispered her name.

Haley's head turned towards the voice whispering her name struggling to open her eyes. "Nathan?" Blinking her eyes open she came face to face with the angry scowl of Lucas Scott.

"No, Hales, it's not Nathan, it's me Lucas," Lucas whispered angrily as he took a seat next to her bed.

"I'm sorry Luke. It's just he has been here all day and I just assumed. I'm sorry," Haley replied shakily.

"It's okay Hales. Look I know this isn't the best time but I think we need to talk." Looking at Haley for confirmation he continued when she nodded her head. "I know that you're trying to help Nathan out and all but I don't trust him. He uses people and I'm afraid he's gonna use you."

"Lucas, I know you're concerned but I'm a big girl now. I can handle Nathan; I don't need you to protect me anymore. I've only been tutoring him for a week but I see a different side to him and quite honestly if you saw that side I think you'd like him too," Haley replied struggling to sit up.

Pulling his hand away Lucas looked at Haley in surprise. "Wait. A week? I thought you just started this, when did you guys first meet?"

Rolling her eyes Haley replied, "Last Friday."

"So at that party you guys knew each other already?" Watching Haley shake her head yes Lucas returned to his previous pissed off stage. "Are you insane? Do you know what he did to Peyton's car that night? He wrecked it and then let me take the fall. What kind of person does that?" Lucas half yelled.

"Luke calm down. Sit down or I'm gonna have you thrown out," Haley commanded pointing at the chair. Once Lucas was sitting Haley continued. "He actually told me about it on Monday and he admitted that he handled it wrong. He said he went to the garage but you wouldn't let him make amends," Haley accused.

"That's right. Blame me. Whatever, I wasn't going to take his father's money to fix his screw-up. That's all they do is just pay people off," Lucas exclaimed.

Closing her eyes Haley silently counted to ten. "Look Lucas, you two need to sit down and talk. As an outside party I can see things that you two can't and what I see is a fight between you and Dan, and Nathan and Dan, not Nathan and Lucas. You guys feel the need to hate each other because of Dan." Grabbing a hold of Lucas hand she forced him to look at her. "Do you remember when you guys first met?"

"Yeah, he was as annoying then as he is now," Lucas replied.

"Yeah, but do you remember what happened that day?" "Hales what does that have to do with anything?" "Because Luke before you guys had Dan Scott pumping your heads with hate you two were like brothers. Do you remember when you socked Danny Wood for calling Nathan scrawny? You guys just need to get to that point again."

"I don't know if that will ever come about Hales," Lucas replied shaking his head.

"Well as I was saying I've only been helping him for a week but in that week I've seen a different side of Nathan. And I'm sorry Luke but I like him. For some reason I get him and he gets me. Did you know that he was the only person to notice that I wasn't feeling well this week, you didn't even notice Luke," Haley whispered watching Lucas' face soften.

"How are you feeling? I didn't really stay around once my mom told me you were in the hospital so she didn't tell me what was wrong."

"I have an iron deficiency called anemia. Apparently I have to take pills to supply my body with iron. It's no biggie. In fact it's so small my parents aren't even cutting their trip short to come home," Haley replied looking away quickly before Lucas could see the tears in her eyes.

"Well then you can come stay with us till they get back. When can you leave?"

"They're keeping me overnight for observation, but like I told your mom I'll be fine. All I have to do is take a stupid little pill, get plenty of sleep, and eat properly. I can do that by myself but thanks for the offer," Haley replied stubbornly.

Knowing that he wasn't going to win this argument Lucas responded," Well then I'll be stopping by every day to make sure that you're taking your stupid little pill." Watching Haley yawn Lucas realized it was getting late. "Well I better go. I'll be here tomorrow when they release you. Goodnight Hales," Lucas whispered kissing Haley's forehead.

"Goodnight Lucas," Haley replied before drifting off to sleep.

Stepping back into the bright hallway Lucas blinked letting his eyes adjust. There he found Nathan standing in the same spot he was when he went in. "What are you her watch dog?" Lucas asked.

Narrowing his eyes Nathan choose to ignore the question. "Is she okay? You didn't upset her did you?"

Watching his younger brother's face Lucas realized he seemed actually concerned. "You know what I think we need to talk. Do you want to go to the cafeteria?"

Hesitating Nathan looked towards Haley's closed room. 'Obviously this girl has gotten under your skin but is she worth talking to the bastard' Nathan asked himself. "Yes," he replied both to Lucas and himself.