Chapter 6

Haley had very skillfully avoided Nathan Scott for most of the day, but it was nearing wrap and she had to go meet up with Brooke and then find Lucas who had randomly disappeared after his little disagreement with Nathan. Brooke was on set working through a scene with Nathan. the surprising thing about it was, they seemed to be getting along. No random ploys to cop a feel by Nathan, and Brooke didn't seem like she wanted to kill him, something was definitely up.

Mark was finally calling the scene and told his actors and crew they were set for the day. Brooke smiled at everyone and said good-night before making her way over to Haley.

"Hey my beautiful and intelligent best friend!" She smiled happily at Haley. Haley was in shock, wasn't she in a horrible mood like a half hour ago, what the hell was going on around here. First Lucas goes missing, then Nathan acts like a gentleman to Brooke, and now Brooke is all cheery after doing a scene with her arch nemesis.

"Okay, what are you on and where the hell can I get some?" Haley smiled at Brooke.

"I'm not on anything silly! I am just happy. My gorgeous boy friend is here for a while, and ever since Luke's little talk with Nathan, he's been polite to me. You know not being a hormone driven pervert. Luke must have actually done some good, where is my star reporter anyways?" Brooke was looking around for Luke but came up empty handed.

"I'm not sure, I was going to go look for him right before you guys wrapped up. Now we can both find him. I'm going to try his cell, maybe he went to get dinner or something."

Haley pulled out her own cell phone and scrolled down until she found Bestest Buddy. She clicked send and waited for him to pick up.

"What's up Hales?" Luke asked into the phone, unusually chipper for his brooding self.

"Okay seriously what the hell has gotten into everyone, first Brooke all happy and now you?"

"Um, Hales in case you forgot Brooke is always chipper, she used to be a cheerleader or did you forget?"

"Yea, but she was all pissed and mopey earlier. Now she's all excited."

"Well did it ever cross your mind she was happy since her breathtakingly handsome boyfriend is here?"

"Yeah sure that's it. Anyways where the hell are you?"

"Well, I got a good phone call so I had to meet some people to go over a few things. I am on my way back to the studio now. Do you think I could have Brooke alone for a little while tonight? I want to take her out on the town tonight, you know since we don't get to go out much."

"Yeah, sure, I'll just stay at a friends tonight. You can pick her up here, since we have my car. Sound good?"

"Hales, it's your apartment too. I didn't mean you couldn't come home tonight."

"I know, but it's cool. You guys haven't see each other in awhile. I'm going to finish up some assistant work here and then I'll head over to Tim's."

"You are not staying at Tim's house. He is always trying to get in your pants."

"Lucas, we're friends, we joke around, it's nothing more than that. Trust me, Tim is not interested in me and I sure as hell am not interested in him."

"Fine, but be careful, I don't trust him with your innocence." Haley burst out laughing once she hears that.

"Innocence. Luke sweetie, I haven't had that in a long ass time!"

"Hales." Lucas whined, not wanting to know the details of his best friend's sex life.

"Okay, no details. but honestly, I'm not some little girl anymore."

"I know, I know. have fun, be careful."

"I will, I love you. I'll tell Brooke to put something nice on for you. I'll see you in the morning. And then I expect to hear about this good news you found out about today. understood?"

"Yup, love you too Hales, and thanks! Your a great friend!"

"I know!" Haley chuckled as she hung up the phone and then looked over at Brooke who had listened in on the whole conversation.

"You guys are going out tonight. Go put something pretty on for my dear best friend. USE PROTECTION! I will see you in the morning." Haley laughed as Brooke giddily ran into her dressing room to put something pretty on, then sighed. A night of putting Tim off, this should be interesting.

"Something wrong gorgeous?" She whipped around to come face to face with Nathan Scott.

"What's this I hear about you being a gentleman?" She smirked up at him, hey who said he could be the only one with an infamous smirk?

"Well, I just realized, there's no point messing around with Brooke. She obviously wants no part in it. So I've decided to put all my efforts into seducing you. How's it coming along?"

"It's not, now if you'll excuse me, I have to find a place to sleep tonight." Haley turned around and went back to her cell phone looking for Tim's number.

"What do you mean, find a place to sleep?"

"Nothing you have to worry about, I just thought I would give the happy little couple some alone time." She really didn't feel up to their stupid flirty banter right now. She had more important things to do.

"Stay with me." It wasn't a question or even a suggestion it was a statement.

"No I think I'll pass. I would rather not be added to your harem of adoring fans in which you fuck and leave. Thanks for the offer."

"No, I mean at my place. I have an extra bedroom. I promise I won't try anything you don't want me to try. You need a place to stay and I have a place for you to stay."

"That's really okay. I already know where I'm going to stay."

She dialed Tim's number and waited.

"Pimp Master Tim's place, how can I service you?"

"Tim, it's Hales. I need a place to crash tonight."

"Hales, you know I would let you stay here if I could, but my I have someone here. And I don't think you want to be here for that."

"Okay, it's fine, I'll just get a hotel."

"What's wrong with your apartment?"

"Luke's here."

"Ahh, I see. I'm sorry babe, but it's this chick from work who I've been trying to get for months and she finally agreed to come over so yeah."

"No problem Timmy Boy. I'll talk to ya later."

"How may times do i have to tell you to stop calling me that?"

"Bye Tim."

Haley hung up and headed towards the door.

"So it's my place. You want to follow me, or just take my car?"

"Excuse me?" Haley asked as she whipped around and stared at Nathan. She had forgot he was there, and now he knew she had no place to stay for the night. Shit, what did she say to that?

"Oh, come on. Yeah, I want you, but I'm not about to beg you or force you. So if you don't want to tonight, we don't have to do anything. It's pointless to get a hotel room, when I have a perfectly good guestroom for you to stay in."

Haley weighed her options, what to do, what to do.

"umm..."