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

Disclaimer: One Tree Hill and all characters are property of Warner Brothers

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: Okay, I'm horrible and it's been FOREVER since I updated this fic. I can't claim insanity or anything, I'm just terrible and I'm gonna make sure I get this thing finished! I also apologize for all the Peyton/Lucas and Nathan/Haley stuff that we have to get through, but I promise it's gonna get good real soon. I'm already working on the next chapter. So enjoy, and I'll update again soon!

Chapter 6

Oh, this isn't too awkward, Peyton mused dryly. Haley had just disappeared into the crowd and now Lucas was avidly trying to avoid meeting Peyton's eyes. She pulled on a somewhat pained smile and spoke up.

"So I guess we should dance?" Lucas looked at her and it took him a moment before nodding quickly. Peyton stepped forward and she could have sworn he flinched. However Lucas settled an arm around her waist and held her hand lightly in his own. Peyton settled her free hand on his shoulder and they began to move slightly to the music. The silence between them was unbearable and Peyton saw that her and Haley's little plan was about to crash and burn if she didn't do something quick.

"Okay, Lucas I know things are really weird between us. I mean after the whole thing with Brooke, I just didn't know how to talk to you anymore." Lucas had been staring off somewhere behind her shoulder but now he was watching her intently.

"Really? Because I thought the silent treatment you'd been giving me for the last few weeks was because I never returned your Modest Mouse CD" Peyton winced at the sarcasm in his voice.

"Okay, so I deserved that" Peyton admitted. "In my defense though, it was a pretty big shock to find out that you and Brooke had…" Lucas quickly cut her off.

"We didn't" He said quietly and Peyton couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in disbelief. Peyton and Brooke had stayed far away from the topic of Lucas over the last month, but Peyton had assumed that with Brooke's track record when it came to guys she and Lucas had already done the deed. Also, the fact that when Peyton arrived at Lucas's house Brooke was wearing nothing but his sweatshirt didn't help matters.

"Oh" Peyton replied. Lucas shook his head and returned to staring out into the crowd behind her. Damnit, what am I supposed to say now, Peyton wondered.

"I think I should go check on Haley" Lucas said suddenly. Peyton looked at him in alarm, trying to think up something to distract him.

"No, no she's probably fine, just a headache. She'll be back in a few minutes" Peyton reasoned, tossing in a calm smile for good measure. Lucas seemed ready to protest but shrugged his shoulders and fell silent.

"How is Haley doing, I mean I know she says she's fine, but you know her better than anyone. After seeing what Nathan put her through it's amazing how well she recovered" Peyton asked and Lucas seemed to loose his tense expression for a moment as he answered.

"She's okay, she's handling it better than most people would" Lucas held Peyton's gaze for the first time that night and smiled slightly. "Haley's the strongest person I know, even if she doesn't realize it." Peyton returned his grin.

"You know, when I first met you I was kind of envious of your friendship with Haley, it always seemed so concrete. Everyone in my life always ended up leaving, I probably have more abandonment issues than I'd like to admit." She laughed slightly, her mind racing over memories of her mother. Somehow even though she had dealt with the pain of losing her mom she still had moments where it felt like the accident had only happened yesterday. Lucas was watching her with his icy blue stare that always made her heart skip a few beats. Jeez, I feel like I'm in 6th grade again, I've really got it bad for this guy, Peyton thought helplessly.

"You have your dad and Brooke" He replied. Lucas dropped his eyes to the floor for a second before meeting Peyton's again. "And even though things are weird between us right now, you still can count on me Peyton. Okay?" He smiled at her and Peyton felt a small smile form on her own lips as well.

"Okay, I'm holding you to that, Scott" She scolded playfully. Lucas laughed and Peyton did as well. The awkward feeling between them seemed to have lifted and they fell to bantering about music and books for the rest of the song. When the music changed back into a bad techno mix they moved apart but then headed to the tables in the back. Peyton smiled as she sat down on a folding chair and Lucas began to rant about wannabe-punk bands. She and Lucas were talking again, and although it was a small step, it was still worth something.

The sound of Haley's footsteps echoed down the empty hallway. She was wandering through the halls of Tree Hill High in an attempt to kill time before going back to the dance to check on Peyton and Lucas. The sound of music and chattering students was barely audible from the main hall where she was standing. Haley held the handle of her small purse loosely in one hand as she inattentively read the announcements on the Student Activities board. Damn, doing the right thing sure is boring, she thought to herself. Haley slumped down on a nearby wooden bench, usually the seat of wayward students who were waiting to see the principal. She dropped her purse next to her and closed her eyes tiredly, leaning her head against the wall.

"You always said you hated school dances" a voice said sarcastically. Haley's eyes snapped open and she was greeted with the sight of a smirking Nathan standing in front of her. He was dressed in a navy button down shirt and kakis, leading Haley to realize he was attending the dance. Haley wanted to hit herself over the head for not knowing he'd show up.

"What do you want?" She snapped. Haley shook her head, realizing that she didn't want to know. "Never mind, I don't care. Just leave me alone"

"I'll do whatever the fuck I want to" He said stubbornly. Nathan rested a hand on the side of the bench and leaned forward until he was only a few inches from Haley's face. Her stomach dropped in disgust as she smelt the alcohol on his breathe. He'd been drinking. "And right now I want to know why you're on a date with that bastard Lucas" Haley's eyes flashed at the slur and she had to grip the seat to keep herself from smacking him again.

"You're the bastard Nathan, and this conversation is over." Haley replied. She grabbed her purse and stood up. She maneuvered herself around Nathan and began walking down the hall, her skin prickling with anger. Every where she went Nathan was there, it was like he'd never let go! Haley had barely taken three steps when she felt Nathan's hand wrap around her elbow. Haley turned to push him away and found herself face to face with Nathan's harsh gaze.

"So it's true, you're screwing Lucas!" He accused, his fingers digging into her skin. Haley could feel the anger radiating off him in waves. She knew that she should just walk away, ignore him and move on. But she was already confused by the mix of anger, loss, and frustration that was churning through her. There was nothing left of the Nathan Scott she'd fallen for. The person in front of her now was just a shell of the guy she had been in love with. A flash of anger coursed through Haley's body and she shoved Nathan with both hands, freeing herself.

"Get over it already Nathan! You keep trying to blame me for what happened to us, but it's all a bunch of bull and you know it! I didn't push you away, I didn't abandon you for Lucas, I did nothing but try and help you!" Haley's heart and throat ached as the words poured out of her. "I wanted to be with you. But you let your family and basketball and everything else get in the way." She finished, still glaring at Nathan. She had no pity left for him. The only emotion left was anger.

"You know, Haley, you always played so nice and innocent with me, never wanted to go too far." Nathan stepped forward as he spoke. Just like before, he leaned in close until he was only an inch away from her face. "But all that time you were just holding out for your buddy Lucas. I had it all wrong, you're not a prude, you're a little slut" Haley didn't even flinch at his comment.

"Go to hell, Nathan" Haley said coldly. She kept eye contact with him for a long, tense moment. Finally he looked away and laughed coldly. Nathan glanced back at Haley with his usual arrogant smirk.

"Whatever" He muttered, throwing in another dry laugh. But Haley saw a flash of sadness in his eyes as he turned to walk back down the hall. The anger that had fueled her only a few seconds before now drained out of her. It was replaced with a wave of loneliness that she hadn't been prepared for. Haley slipped back onto the bench gratefully, suddenly aware that she was trembling.

"I cannot believe what I am hearing. Peyton Sawyer, indie rock queen, likes John Mayer?" Lucas asked mockingly. Peyton shook her head in protest while fighting back laugher.

"Hey, I didn't say anything about liking him!" Peyton protested. "I just mentioned that he's got a reasonable skill at guitar, that's all. Anyway, don't get me started on your obsession with Gwen Stefani" She said defensively. Lucas grinned at her attack.

"That was completely Haley's doing. She forced Tragic Kingdom on me in junior high. I had no choice, the girl is insane" He reasoned. Suddenly Lucas realized how long Haley had been gone. He glanced at the entrance to the gym but she wasn't there. He turned to Peyton and said "I'd better go, Haley's been gone for a while, she might need me to take her home." Peyton nodded and they both stood up. They maneuvered their way through the crowd and were only a few feet away from the gym doors when a voice called out from behind them.

"Damn Lucas, why are you always chasing after my sloppy seconds?" Nathan said loudly. Lucas began to turn around and respond but Peyton tugged at his arm, whispering quickly to him.

"Ignore him, he's only trying to mess with you" Lucas met her eyes and nodded slowly, realizing that Haley would freak out if she heard Nathan and Lucas had fought. Peyton maintained her grip on his elbow and they started walking towards the gym doors.

"Go on, run away you little bitch" Nathan shouted at Lucas's retreating form. "Go look for your fuck buddy Haley."

Lucas felt the anger flash through him like lightening and turned around to meet Nathan's taunting glare. He barely felt Peyton's hand tugging at his arm, in fact the only thing he could focus on was the need to wipe that disgusting smirk of Nathan's face. He strode forward and let his fist fly, seeing a look of surprise on Nathan's face just before Lucas's knuckles connected with his brother's temple.

Nathan stumbled back into the crowd, his hands covering his face. Lucas felt the anger drain out of him, quickly being replaced with disgust at his own outburst. Usually he could manage his anger, but somehow hearing Nathan attack Haley had shattered Lucas's self control. Nursing his hand, which stung like hell, Lucas turned around and began walking back to join Peyton.

"Lucas…." Peyton began, but Lucas shook his head.

"Let's just find Haley" He said, meeting her eyes. Peyton nodded and they both walked out the gym doors. The crowd that was surrounding Nathan dispersed slowly. Tim was helping Nathan stand back up.

"Are you okay?" Tim asked, wincing as he saw the red welt that was forming above Nathan's eyes.

"I'm fine" Nathan barked out, shrugging off Tim's arm and standing up on his own. "Let's get out of here, this dance is shit"

"We can get the party stared at the beach house" Tim suggested slyly, rubbing his hands together in glee. Nathan nodded, and they both wandered back into the crowd to gather up the rest of their friends.