A/N I really don't like how this chapter turned out but I'm tired of fighting with it so I'm just going to post it and move on. As always thanks for the reviews.

Chapter 6

Coach Whitey looked at his two players and shook his head. Nathan was hunched over, holding his stomach and Matt had a hand over his bloody nose. Haley was at Nathan's side, not sure whether she should be more angry or concerned.

"Okay, practice is over. Lucas, take Nathan to emergency to get checked out. Jake, could you take Matt?"

"Sure Coach."

"The rest of you, go home but you'll all be back here at 5 tomorrow. We're going to have a nice little chat."

The players groaned and glared at Nathan and Matt. "Yes Coach."

"Come on Nathan, let's go." Lucas helped Nathan to his feet.

"I'm coming with you." Haley said.

"I figured you would. Nathan, where are your car keys?"

"My locker. Why?"

"You didn't think I was going to let you get blood all over Keith's truck did you. Uh uh. What's your combination?"

"14-56-24."

Lucas looked at Haley. "Go get his keys. It's locker 15. I'll meet you at the car."

As she walked towards the boys' locker room, her head filled with conflicting emotions. On the one hand she was concerned for Nathan, on the other hand she was furious with him for fighting with that idiot Matt and on the other hand she was touched that he'd stood up for her. She paused before opening the locker room door. "Don't be a wimp Haley. It's just a locker room." She pushed open the door. "Just a locker room."

She was relieved to find the other players had a fled quickly, probably not wanting to be the subject of Coach's wrath. She found Nathan's locker, opened it and grabbed the keys. She was about to close the door when something fell to the ground. She picked it up. "It was a sonogram picture from their doctor's appointment. "He keeps it in his locker." She smiled, a little choked up.

Nathan was leaning against the car when she reached it, still out of breath. "Are you okay." He nodded. "A little.hard.to breathe."

"Oh my God. Well! What are we waiting for. Let's go."

She helped Nathan into the back seat then got in beside him.

"Can't you go any faster?" She asked, taking her frustration out on Lucas. Nathan really didn't look to good.

"Getting us killed isn't going to do us a whole lot of good Hales. We're like a minute away."

"Sorry. He looks pale."

"It'll be okay." He reached back and squeezed her hand. "Promise." He then turned to Nathan. "You hanging in there."

"Yeah." Nathan said weakly. "But I've been better."

"Here we are."

They helped Nathan over to the admit desk. "Can I help you?" The nurse asked.

"He was kicked in the stomach."

She looked at Nathan. "Name please?"

"Nathan Scott."

"Age?"

"17."

"Where were you kicked?"

He placed a hand on his left side, over his ribs. "Here."

"Mmm hmm, experiencing any shortness of breath?"

He nodded.

She printed out a bracelet and put in on his wrist. "Right this way please." She turned to Lucas and Haley. "You'll have to wait out here."

Haley slumped into a chair and rubbed her temples. As massive headache was building. "You okay?" Lucas asked

"Yeah. It's been a crazy day."

"Tell me about it. You know I always figured it would be me and Nathan beating each other up on the gym floor."

"Me too. Thanks for trying to stop it."

"No problem. I'm going to grab something from the vending machine. You want anything?"

"Nah. I'm pretty sure any food that came out of that would make me nauseous and I haven't thrown up once today."

"Wow. Yeah, wouldn't want to wreck that."

When he sat down again, Haley rested her head on his shoulder.

An hour later

"You sure you're all right?" Lucas asked?

"Yeah. I'm just worried about him."

"He'll be okay. Come on, you know Nathan's tough."

"I know. I don't know what I'd do without him."

Lucas took a good look at his best friend. "You really do love him don't you?"

"Yeah. Are you okay with that?"

"Honestly? Not really but does that matter?"

"I don't want there to be any tension between us Luke. I couldn't stand losing you."

"You won't lose me. You and Nathan are something I'm going to have to get used to."

"Does that mean I have to get used to me too?" Nathan said from the doorway.

"Nathan!" Haley stood up. "Are you okay. What did the doctor say?"

"I have some bruised ribs but nothing's broken. I can't play basketball for a few weeks."

"So you're okay."

"Yeah." "Good. So I won't feel guilty for doing this." She smacked him on the side of the head.

"Ow! That hurt."

"It was supposed to. Nathan what were you thinking?"

"I couldn't let him say that stuff about you."

"They were words Nate, just words and yeah they hurt but you know what hurt most?"

"No."

"Seeing you fighting, worrying that you were really hurt. Promise me you won't do that again."

"I promise."

"Come on guys, lets go." Lucas said. "Our parents will be wondering where we are."

"My mom's going to kill me when she finds out about this." Nathan groaned.

"I'll ask her to be lenient."

"So am I taking you home first Haley?" Lucas asked.

"No. I think I'm going to stay with Nathan tonight." She saw Lucas cringe. "Don't look at me like that. I'll call my parents from there if that's okay Nate."

"Yeah, sure."

Lucas pulled into the Scott driveway. "I'll just walk home from here." He handed Nathan back his keys.

"Are you kidding? It's pitch black out."

"You're on painkillers, you can't drive and you mom's at that basketball moms thing. It's okay."

"It's after 9 o'clock. You really think I'm going to let you walk all the way home in the dark so that you can get mugged or lost and Haley can kill me in the morning. Uh uh. You can sleep on the couch."

"That's not necessary." Lucas politely declined. The Scott residence wasn't exactly at the top of the list of places he wanted to sleep.

"Please Luke." Haley said. "It won't kill you."

Lucas shrugged in agreement. "Fine."

"Okay then. Now can we please go inside. It's freezing out here."

Lucas followed them into the house. It seemed even more huge on the inside. What was he thinking? Spending the night at the home of Deb and Nathan Scott, the former home of Dan Scott. He doubted life could get much weirder.

"Here's the couch. I'll go get you a blanket and a pillow."

"Thanks."

Nathan left the room and quickly returned, carrying the promised bedding. "Here." He yawned. "Those pain killers are pretty powerful. I'm going to go upstairs. You coming Haley?"

"Yeah."

"Hey," Lucas said as they headed towards the stairs. "What's your mom going to say when she gets home?"

"We'll explain everything in the morning. Good night Lucas."

"Good night. Night Hales."

"Oh and Lucas."

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for trying to stop me from beating up Matt."

"No problem. You know, I always figured it would be you and me trying to kill each other on the gym floor."

Nathan chuckled. "Yeah, me too."