I don't own anything related to One Tree Hill, but I do own my idea. Note: This story is very far-fetched, and only for those who believe in true love and the impossible happening. Please R&R, no flames if you may.

Haley had a hard time getting off the plane. Dillon still hadn't woken up all the way so she had to balance him on her hip. On top of that, she's brought a carry-on of notebooks and folders filled with music arrangements and teaching methods, and that wasn't adding the cute little camouflage back-pack she'd bought for Dillon awhile back. Conclusively, everything was pretty messed up, and she felt like a wreck. When the line finally started progressing, the stranger who looked so much like Nathan tapped her shoulder. "I know this may make me sound like a child predator or something, but all I have to carry is my briefcase, so I could get those bags for you if you want. She smiled up at him, relieved. The voice inside her head was screaming out "Don't do this! It's stupid to hand a stranger any personal belongings, much less two of the most valuable things you have minus your son! There can't be any harm done, the logical side of her reasoned. In the end she gave him both of the backpacks, and they proceeded into the gate much more easily. Before they reached the entrance, she stopped to collect everything. "I wouldn't be making this so uncomfortable, but I have a group of friends meeting me, and you look a lot like someone I used to know, so it might create a real ruckus..." "You don't need to say another word," Nathan replied hurriedly, hoping that she would catch the anxious note in his voice. He's learned long ago that if he had his back to his old friends at all times and kept walking, they never suspected. They made the trade, and she said pleasantly, "Well, goodbye. I hope you have a nice trip. And a nice life. Or whatever you want to be nice in the course of your existence." She laughed nervously, and he pulled her even further to the side when he noticed the last couple people getting irritated with the hold-up. "Are you okay? I mean, if you need anything you can let me know." Her countenance drooped almost, and she said, "I'm sorry if I seem like a mental case. You remind me a lot of my husband, though. Well, he used to be my husband before... well, I hope you have a nice life," she repeated, and slowly she made her way into the gate, meeting the expected rush of people.

Brooke looked the same as always. She hadn't gained a pound, and her complexion was perfect. Jake was growing a gotee of all things, but she thought it suited him. What could she say about Peyton? Her hair still had the same blond curls, and her piercing hazel eyes and pert nose radiated the artistic talent she was so well known for. Jenny... she could've started crying. The little girl was short, and except for Nikki's eyes, she was daddy's little girl. Brooke was the first one to speak up. "Tutor girl! You're really here! This is so wonderfully amazing! You are taking the teaching job, right? You have to! We'll have so much fun living near each other, and this must be Dillon! He's adorable. Just like Nate, too..." They spent about ten minutes standing there exchanging compliments and hellos. When the close-knit group reached the baggage claim, Jake, always the gentleman, offered to take her and Dillon's suitcases. "That's really nice of you, Jake. Thanks so much!" She'd exclaimed. For a moment, her thoughts drifted back to the stranger. He was so much like Nathan... in another lifetime, she might've believed she was walking in a dream. It was all too much to process. Not that he mattered anymore; even if he did, she couldn't find him when she turned around suddenly, looking through a sea of faces.

Back at the hotel, the lady at the front said they had an excellent day car system she could drop Dillon off in for awhile. Haley hesitated, and Brooke assured her saying, "It's okay, I put Jenny in there for a couple hours yesterday and she loved it." Jake decided to take Jenny for a swim in the outdoor pool to allow the girls some "catching up time." He said this with a wink, and his daughter just giggled with delight as she tromped off in front of her dad; no doubt happy she'd finally gotten a moment or two alone with him. The three women looked at each other for a minute, then all jumped on the bed in Haley's room, screaming. "Oh, wow! I never ever thought in my wildest dreams that I would end up in Rome!" "You're welcome!" Peyton and Brooke yelled simultaneously, and the three burst into giggles as if they were still in middle school. "Okay, so I have to tell you guys a really long, dramatic story that you won't believe," Haley said. She ran through the whole story from beginning to end, not leaving anything out, even the guy who looked so much like Nathan. "Maybe this is your body's way of telling you you're in need of sex," Brooke piped up when Haley mentioned her attraction to the stranger. Peyton threw a pillow at her. "Don't listen to a word this girl says. Besides, I very much doubt she'll feel that way when she starts getting real morning sickness, not just the mild "I need a coke, honey" episodes she goes through every once in awhile. "Brooke, you're pregnant? Congratulations!" "Yeah, well, we have been pretty busy, ya know," said the every-cheerful free spirit with a wink. "This is really great. Why didn't you guys tell me sooner?" "One, because you just got here and we wanted you to have a chance to get over your jet lag and get ready for your orientation and our sight-seeing trips tomorrow," stated Peyton matter-of-factly. "Plus, we thought that you might have some news of your own. I can't believe there isn't anybody new," Brooke ranted. "Guys, I could never do that. I just don't think I'm the kind of person who's meant to have more than one husband, and I don't want to do the whole casually dating scene. That would be cruel to Dillon." "That little guy is such a cutie. I can understand now why you haven't gotten over Nathan. Who could when the spitting image of him is the sight you see every day of your life?" Peyton's observation made Haley defensive. "I have so gotten over Nathan. He's dead. It's crazy to be in love with a dead person, and to wish they were with you and dream about them every night, especially when you wake up crying after those dreams." The two women watched sympathetically as Haley dumped her guts out to them, making herself more obvious with every passing second.

Nathan Scott was scared. That's not your name anymore, he reminded himself. He still couldn't believe the measures his mother had gone to; getting him a new name and id. She'd even created new school and medical records for him, just to make sure "We don't run into trouble," she'd stated. Back then, he was too weak and heartbroken to argue. When he'd finally started demanding answers, his mother had been getting sicker and sicker. She had finally ended up in the hospital with a brain tumor pressing in. During her last few hours, she'd started to tell him things that she'd never mentioned before; things that changed everything. Before he could find out what she was really talking about, though, she was gone. The funeral had been small, and he was hurt that no one but him had come. He would've thought at least Karen might've shown up, but it appeared everything was different now. Nathan had grown more and more estranged to the town of his birth as the years passed, and he'd put himself through hell finishing college in one year so he could graduate from law school early. He'd taken the bar exam and passed it at twenty-three, and now he was part of a well-respected firm back in the states. Forgetting Haley and his son was the one unattainable goal in his life, and now that the memories had been dredged up, he felt such a great pain stabbing at his heart he was closer to tears than he'd ever been. How could she not notice me? The raven-haired young man thought to himself. It hasn't been that long, and we haven't changed that much. That might not be true, man. "Mr. Moore, are you ready to check in?" the young lady at the front desk asked him. "Oh, yeah," he said, wondering how he could've zoned out like that. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a brunette who strongly resembled Brooke Davis pass him, but he shook it off as jet lag playing games with him.

After taking a long nap, Haley promptly picked Dillon up. She hated the idea of anyone else watching him; he was the only family she had left since her parents had died in a car crash a year ago. That brought back memories of Nathan's funeral for some reason... "We gather here today in the memory of Nathan Scott; husband, father, and friend to all." Lucas leaned over and rubbed her back. "It's going to be okay, Hales. I'm so sorry that you couldn't have the body. I never would've thought Nathan would want it cremated." The young woman looked down, not realizing that despite everything, she was the picture of tragic loveliness; a silky, ruffled black dress coming down to mid-calf and her hair back exactly the way it had been on her wedding day gracing her body. "This isn't how it's supposed to be. We were in love. We're still in love," she whispered, her voice laced with anguish... Those memories were coming back too fast, and Haley had to shake her head to chase them away. When she turned around, she saw the man from the airport. Not knowing why, she chased after him. "Excuse me, but I just wanted to thank you again..." when he turned around, she saw his face flicker with a mixture of joy and pain, then return to its usual matter-of-fact expression. "Oh, it's really no problem. You know, I think I've seen you before..." he gestured, looking as if he was pleading with her to ask her any question that he would gladly answer. "Yeah, like I said, you look like my husband... by the way, what's your name?" she asked curiously, laughing a little bit. He hesitated, looking as if battling with some unknown force. "My name's... my name is Eric Moore," he finally stated. "I'm Haley. Haley James," she replied, tilting her head up a bit. "Well, I guess I'll see you around then," he finally pointed out, looking as if every word was a struggle. "Bye," she responded, hoping that he would disappear so she wouldn't ever have to be reminded of her late husband again.

Lucas was worried about Hales. She still hadn't called to check in. Haley James always called. That was just part of her personality. There was something wrong; he could feel it. He wished that he was with them, holding Peyton in his arms. He was trying to be patient and give her the space and time she needed to get her career solidly cemented, but it was just so painful to be apart from her. She still called him every other day, or once a week at the least when her job was getting busy and the deadlines were closing in. There was something inside Lucas Scott telling him to hop on the next plane to Italy, help Hales out, and take Peyton Sawyer in his arms once and for all. So he did. The plane ride was long and grueling, and it took awhile to negotiate reservations at the hotel with the owner, but he did it. So it began.

OMGOSH that is soooo short! I'm sorry lol but I have writers block. Please r and r! Thanks!