Title: Return to Normal

Rating: PG-13 for tiny bit of language

Pairing: Lucas/ Haley but with a smidge of Haley/Nathan and Lucas/Peyton early on

Summary: Takes up after With Arms Outstretched. Haley and Nathan get involved in a cycle of drinking and parties after Nathan's steroid problem. Haley gets pulled out by her family and has to deal with the consequences of her actions and rebuilding her relationship with Lucas.

Note: I know, it's been forever since I updated! I know that season two is about to start, but this story is only sticking to the shows plot line up until WAO. After that episode everything is AU. I am going to try and keep working on chapters and getting them posted quickly. Thanks to all who read and review, it means a lot to me. Okay, now back to the story!

Chapter 5

"Haley you look beautiful!" Karen said with a smile as she opened the front door. Haley grinned back, stepping into the house and out of the cold winter night. She was wearing a simple midnight blue dress which flared slightly at the waist and had spaghetti straps on the shoulders. It was her older sister's homecoming gown from when she was a senior. After two days of work and several needle wounds Haley and her mom had tailored the dress to Haley's shorter form and fixed the broken zipper.

"Thanks Karen" Haley said, shedding her coat and gloves as they walked into the living room. She sank into the squishy arm chair that she and Lucas had used as Base when they played tag in the house. Of course, they had been 10 years old at the time but she still had the memory clearly imprinted in her mind. She ran her fingers over the worn fabric as Karen left the room to go get Lucas. She had only been sitting for a minute or two when Lucas walked into the room, straightening his tie and grinning slyly.

"Why Ms. Haley James don't you look absolutely breathe taking" Lucas said in his best Southern drawl. Haley stood up and rewarded his comment with an elbow to the stomach. He easily avoided her jab and stepped away, but Haley followed his step and moved in threateningly.

"Don't get fresh with me Scott, I have Mace and I'm prepared to use it" She glared at him and raised her small purse for proof. Lucas laughed and raised his hands in defeat.

"I surrender" He said quickly. Haley nodded and stepped back, dropping her purse onto the table next to her. She watched as Lucas struggled into his sports jacket and bit back a smile. He cleans up pretty nice, she mused inwardly.

"Okay, you have to let me get at least one picture of you two" Karen said as she walked into the room, waving a camera at the two teens. Lucas's blue eyes grew wide in alarm

"Mom, no, come on we're already late..." He began to protest, but Karen cut him off.

"I am not going to miss perhaps the one and only time I will ever see you go to a dance, Lucas" Karen reasoned. "Besides, you two will want to have something to remember tonight by, and I promise I'll only take a few quick shots" Karen glanced at them both and Haley felt her resolve crumbling. Trying to turn down Karen when it came to Kodak moments was always hard, and when she pulled the fond memory card it was near impossible. Squaring her shoulders and pulling on her best scowl Haley walked over to Lucas and whispered quickly in his ear.

"Resistance is futile and we both know it" Lucas met her eyes and nodded.

"It's like ripping off a band-aid" He said as Haley tugged his tie straighter. She ran a hand quickly over his shoulders to brush off lint and then pulled on a smile, which Lucas met with his own half hearted grin. Turning Haley gently by the shoulders to face the camera while his mother fiddled with the zoom lens he placed a hand around her waist. While Haley was staring straight ahead and trying not frown he was able to study her profile. He had meant what he said when he first saw her, all sarcasm aside. She did look beautiful. Her hair was down and curling softly around her shoulders, a few strands held back from her face by barrettes. Standing this close to her he could smell a touch of vanilla in the air. She was wearing perfume. Lucas's brain was trying to figure out why when suddenly he felt a sharp pain in his ribs, the side that had been injured in the car accident. He winced and Haley's eyes grew wide, realizing what she had done.

"Sorry!" She said quickly, biting a lip in concern. "I was just trying to get your attention, your mom's ready for the picture" Lucas pulled in a deep breathe as the pain quickly receded from his side.

"It's okay" He bit out through his teeth. Curving his lips into a smile he faced his mother. Haley did the same and they were rewarded with the sight of Karen holding the camera like an assault weapon. Karen readjusted the lens and then raised her finger over the shoot button. Calling out from behind the camera she yelled,

"Smile!"

"The school must have gotten a good deal on streamers" Haley commented as she and Lucas walked into the school gym. The usually gleaming wooden floor of the building was covered with a plastic tarp, most likely because Whitey would have murdered anyone who scuffed up his basketball court. One end of the gym held a temporary stage where the DJ was set up. The center had been cleared for a dance floor and other end of the room held a collection of small tables with a scattering of chairs and bored looking chaperones. Tissue paper snowflakes hung from the ceiling and silver and white streamers draped over all the bleachers and doorways. A matching balloon archway stood behind the stage and the only light in the room was provided by the DJ's moving color beams and icicle lights which bordered the entire room.

"I still keep seeing flashes of light" Lucas said, having to lean in close to Haley's ear in order to be heard. The DJ obviously had good sound equipment because the entire room was filled with a pounding beat from some rap song that Lucas didn't recognize.

"Yeah, I didn't realize that when your mom said a few quick shots she meant two rolls of film" Haley stated dryly and Lucas laughed. A few guys from the basketball team walked by with their dates and shouted greetings to Lucas. He and Haley waved back and then began walking around the edge of the crowded dance floor. Although Tree Hill High was a relatively small school it seemed as if the gym was bursting with people. Between the dim lighting and loud music Haley could barely identify anyone unless they were two feet away. How on earth will I find Peyton, she thought desperately.

"Do you want a drink?" Lucas asked, tugging at her elbow gently to get Haley's attention. She glanced at him and nodded. She motioned that she was going to sit down near the back and they both split off in different directions. Haley began weaving her way through students and glancing around, unable to spot Peyton's blond curls anywhere. She released a frustrated sigh as she was jostled right and left by the dancing crowd. About to retreat to the back tables she finally spotted Peyton standing near the folded up bleachers. Haley grinned and forced her way over to a disgruntled looking Peyton.

"Hey" She called out and Peyton turned, her furrowed brow melting away into a grin. Before Haley was able to speak again Peyton motioned that they should move outside into the hallway. Haley followed her out of the gym and a little ways down the hall.

"Better?" Haley asked, her ears thankful for a break from the noise.

"Definitely. I swear, if I have to hear another B2K song I'll scream" Peyton answered. Haley grinned in response. Peyton tugged at the edge of her black strapless dress, suddenly nervous about their plan. "You know Haley maybe tricking Lucas into talking to me again isn't the best plan. As is, I still don't know what I'm going to say...." She trailed off, her eyes clouded with worry. Haley saw this and suddenly felt even more confident that Peyton deserved Lucas.

"Look, it's just a dance Peyton" Haley said soothingly. "The two of you need to talk things out, and tonight is the perfect opportunity. I've already figured it out. The next slow song they play I'll pull Lucas out onto the dance floor. You hang out by the gym doors and once you see us, make your way over. I'll pretend that I don't feel well, so he doesn't suspect this was planned, and I'll suggest you step in. Once you guys start dancing he'll be forced to talk." Haley concluded her plan with a confident smile and Peyton tried to pull on her own.

"Okay, it sounds simple enough" Peyton replied. Haley nodded and then realized that Lucas was probably sitting at a table with the drinks and might start looking for her.

"Crap, Lucas is probably waiting for me. I've gotta get back." Haley stopped and gave Peyton a quick hug. "It'll be fine, just trust me" Haley whispered. With another smile she was walking down the hall. Peyton took a deep breathe and leaned against the lockers behind her. She knew that she had to take a risk if she wanted Lucas back. Peyton just hoped that Lucas wanted her back too.

Lucas was sitting at one of the small circular tables, scanning the crowd for Haley. Two cups of punch were resting beside him, along with a chocolate chip cookie. He figured the bribe would help lessen Haley's revenge on him for tonight. His mind had been circling over the same question ever since they left his house. Haley never really wore makeup due to her conclusion that Covergirl was actually Satan's headquarters on Earth. Lucas was used to her in comfortable t-shirts and jeans. Yet tonight......... something was definitely up. She looked amazing in that dress and the fact that she was wearing perfume completely baffled him. Lucas had expected her to show up in sweatpants in protest of the dance, yet instead she had done a 180 and looked gorgeous. Lucas kept trying to brush it off, telling himself that he just wasn't used to seeing her in a dress and lipstick. Suddenly he was pulled out of his train of thought by the arrival of a very sneaky looking Brooke.

"A boy like you should not be sitting alone" Brooke remarked, slipping into the seat beside Lucas. She crossed her legs lightly, causing the skirt of her glittering halter dress to reveal several inches of smooth skin. Lucas quickly averted his eyes but Brooke caught his gaze and grinned. She leaned in closely and rested a hand on Lucas' knee, quietly saying "You know, you don't have to be the boy-next-door with me. I prefer it when you let loose, you're so much more fun then" Lucas shook his head quickly, not wanting to go down that road again. He placed Brooke's hand back on the table and leaned away from her, deciding that more distance would be safer.

"Last time I let loose I was grounded for a month" He replied quickly. Brooke pouted for a moment but brushed it off quickly.

"Well I can see you're not going to be any fun tonight. I guess I'll just have to find someone else to take to Tim's after party" She said. Lucas grinned slightly and shook his head. Brooke was beautiful and fun but the last thing he needed right now was to mess up their already strained relationship. Sticking to trading sarcastic comments was all he could handle at the moment.

"You won't have any trouble finding someone, not in that dress" He said, and Brooke smoothed down the sparkling silver material as if gloating slightly.

"I needed to look good for my coronation" She bit back. They both shared a smirk at her statement. The crowd in front of their table parted and Haley appeared, a strange look coming over her face as she saw Lucas and Brooke together.

"Do I want to even know what you two are grinning about?" Haley asked as she sat down on the other side of Lucas.

"Probably not." Lucas replied. Brooke wasn't even paying attention to Haley's arrival. Instead she was glaring across the room at a tall blond girl in a silver halter dress.

"Damn that Tiffany Stills, she told me she was wearing hot pink!" Brooke spit out, her eyes narrowing. "She's got another thing coming if she thinks she can wear my dress and steal my crown!" Without another word Brooke was stalking across room, dancing couples splitting like the Red Sea in order to avoid her wrath. Lucas and Haley both glanced at each other and burst into laughter. When they both receded into small hiccups Lucas remembered the punch. He slid a glass to Haley and then held out the cookie temptingly.

"I'll give you the cookie if you promise to reduce my sentence to one viewing of Edward Scissor Hands" He bargained. Haley snatched the cookie quickly and broke off a piece. Popping it into her mouth she munched away silently as if considering his offer.

"I'll give you Blow and Pirates of the Caribbean plus we order pizza with pineapple toppings" Haley said, taking another bite of her cookie. Lucas made a face at the mention of her disgusting choice.

"Haley, fruit has no place on top of pizza" Lucas explained, snagging a piece of cookie and getting batted away by Haley's hand. "It's unnatural". Haley threw him a deadly glare and finished her cookie.

"I shouldn't even be arguing this with you, because need I remind you, you're the one who owes me!" She chastised. "If it weren't for your lack of a backbone when it comes to Brooke I could be home in my PJ's watching SNL. Instead I'm trapped in a room with hormonal teenagers, listening to crappy music, and wearing heels!" Haley ended her tirade by taking a sip of her punch and glaring at Lucas over the rim of her cup. He sipped at his own drink and replied gently.

"If it helps, I think you look great, heels and everything". Haley's look softened and she set down her glass.

"Thanks." She replied and Lucas let out a breath, glad that he wasn't going to be dealing with the silent treatment for the rest of the evening. The pair fell silent and watched the crowd around them. Haley watched as Eric Mirro got caught trying to spike the punch and yet again Lucas found himself studying his best friend. It was strange how much in his life had changed over the past few months and yet here he was again, back with Haley. When she and Nathan were dating he had felt like he was losing her. A huge part of him felt so betrayed by her choice of Nathan over their friendship that he didn't even want to try and fix things. Yet when Haley was spinning out of control Lucas realized that she needed him now more than ever. Significant others didn't matter, not when his best friend was in trouble. Now that things seemed to have settled again Lucas was so glad that he hadn't let his pride ruin the best relationship he had ever had. Lucas smiled as he watched Haley, realizing that even though they were at possibly the worst social experiment ever he still was having a good time because she was there. Lucas was about to suggest that they go outside and hang out by the front steps when suddenly Haley was turning towards him.

"Do you wanna dance?" She asked and it took Lucas a moment to register that a slow song was playing. Haley had already placed her empty glass on the table and was standing up, looking down at him patiently.

"Uhhhh" Lucas began, not quite sure where this was going. Haley knew he had two left feet, plus a strong fear of being embarrassed in front of large groups of people. "I didn't think you'd want to...." He tried to cover his lack of enthusiasm, but Haley saw right through it.

"It's a dance Lucas, what did you think we were going to do?" Haley scolded. Without waiting for a reply she tugged him by the arm out of his seat and onto the dance floor. Lucas followed her numbly until they were near the middle of the gym. Haley turned and waited for a moment. Lucas looked at her blankly and Haley let out a frustrated sigh.

"Do I have to do everything for you?" She muttered, taking his hand in her own and placing the other on her waist. Lucas snapped out of his nervous coma and stepped forward, tugging Haley a bit closer and resettling his hold on her waist as she rested her hand on his shoulder.

"Sorry" He said, ducking his head in apology. Haley began to respond but simply let it drop. They began moving slowly to the music and Lucas felt his nerves drop away. He wasn't stepping on Haley's toes and no one was laughing, so all things considered this wasn't so bad. He tried to meet Haley's eyes to give her a grin but she was staring somewhere off behind his shoulder. Lucas took a moment to listen to the song playing over the speakers, which was unfamiliar but not to bad. Yet again his nose detected the soft vanilla scent that Haley was wearing. Without realizing it Lucas had begun to move closer to her, breaching the safe friendly space between them. A warm feeling was spreading across his stomach and it began to feel as if every place they touched was buzzing with electricity. Lucas didn't know what to do with this sudden wave of more-than-friendly feelings for Haley. He looked down at her and was caught again by how amazing she looked tonight. She had a few subtle hints of make up, just enough to highlight her soft skin and gorgeous brown eyes. Lucas made the mistake of glancing at her lips and without knowing it he began to lean in closer.....

"I don't feel so good" Haley said quickly, turning towards Lucas and meeting his eyes. She had just spotted Peyton a few feet away and was ready to set her plan in motion. Lucas had stepped away from her and Haley realized that they had been rather close. She had been scanning the crowd and hadn't really noticed what was going on.

"What?" Lucas asked, his mind reeling from what he had almost done. Haley was staring at him and Lucas quickly shook off his surprise.

"I think I'm getting a headache, I just need to run to the bathroom" Haley explained, speaking quickly and darting glances as Peyton walked towards her. Lucas's eyes narrowed in concern and he reached out a hand to gently brush her shoulder. Haley could have sworn she felt an electric shock when his fingers touched her arm, and her neck grew warm. What the hell, she thought absently.

"Do you want to go home? This music is too loud, it's probably what caused it" He murmured.

"No, no I have Tylenol, I just need some water" Haley back peddled, turning towards the tables to get her purse. She only took a few steps before Peyton appeared from the crowd in front of her. The two girls shared a quick grin but then returned to normal as soon as Lucas appeared at Haley's elbow.

"Peyton" Lucas said half in greeting, half in surprise. Peyton glanced at him and replied,

"Hey Lucas". Haley watched the two of them for a second and then decided it was best to exit now. Snatching her purse from the table she stepped between them.

"Peyton, I was just going to abandon Lucas during our dance, but now that you're here why don't you step in for me?" Haley explained, flashing both Lucas and Peyton bright smiles. Lucas looked at her in confusion and Peyton replied with a simple okay. "Perfect!" With that Haley darted into the crowd, making her way to the gym doors. She didn't glance back, figuring that Peyton was a big girl and could handle it from there. Also, Haley was trying desperately to shake the strange feeling that Lucas was giving her. Something was different between them tonight. Haley tried to shove the thoughts from her head as she walked out into the hallway. The last thing she wanted to do was stir up more idiotic teenage drama. She'd had already had her share of it for a lifetime and then some.