Author: Lori

Disclaimer: I don't own OTH

Ratings:PG-13 and may end up an R

Pairings: Naley, Brucas, others undecided

Summary: Lucas has to come home and deal with all that he left behind.Will he be okay? Who will he lean on for comfort?

A/N: Okay this is my first story and I decided to post it here. So please go easy on me. I hope you enjoy. Please let me know what you think!

A/N2: Takes place one month after the Season Finale. Dan did have his heart attack and is in a coma. Keith and Lucas did move to Charleston.They know about Dan's heart attack, but decided to stay in Charleston. Brooke and Peyton are still getting along great, just not like before. Nathan and Haley are married and have become really great friends with Brooke.

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Chapter 7

A Little Deception

Karen's House

Haley pulled up to Karen's house for the second time that day. She quickly got out of her car and knocked on the door and was happy when Lucas answered.

"Hales''said Lucas as he pulled her into a hug."I was wondering when you would come by. What took you so long?"

"Well for your information I was already here this morning, but your mom said you had just went to sleep. So what are you doing awake? I was planning to wait with Keith until you woke up I wanted to get some dirt on you, but you ruined that plan. Thanks."

"Well I'm sorry to disappoint you by being awake, but I couldn't sleep. Besides Keith went to see Deb and Nathan and he wouldn't have told you anything."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah really. So how did things with Nathan turn out?

"Oh that. It was nothing. I just blew everything he said out of proportion. He told me he was sorry and he didn't mean it. I believe him. We actually had a really good conversation last night. Things couldn't be better for us right now. We decided last night that we are it for each other."said a very happy Haley.

"Well I hope so Hales seeing how you two are already married. Normal people decide that before they get married not a month and a half after."

"Very funny Lucas, you know what I mean. We talked everything out and we aren't going to let anything come between us.

"Good for both of you. You two deserve to be happy and as long as he makes you happy I'm okay with it."

"Like you have a say in my marriage."said Haley laughing.

"Wait a second. I don't? Since when?"said Lucas also laughing.

"Anyways enough about my marriage. How are you doing with everything? You don't look like you had a good night."

"I'm fine. I just couldn't sleep last night thats all. It's probably just that I got used to my new bed in Charleston."

"Come on Lucas it's more than that and you know it. Just by looking at you I can tell that you were crying. I know you better than anybody remember? You can't hide anything from me."

"I guess your right. You are just too smart, but really Hales I'm fine. Last night was a little rough, but I just needed to let everything sink in."

"Well did it?"

"Sort of. I know that I hate Dan, but at the same time I don't. I feel like now I shouldn't, you know since he's dead. I have all these feelings about him now that I just can't explain."

"It's okay to feel that way Lucas. I mean I hated him too, but I didn't want him dead."

"Your right lets just drop it. Last night was a bad night, but today is a different day. So what did you do when my mom kicked you out earlier?"

"She didn't kick me out, but I went to Brooke's."

"Really? How is she? I can't wait to see her even though I know she doesn't want to see me."

"Well your right about that Luke, but give her some time I'm sure she'll come around."

"That's just it Hales I don't have any time.We're going back in about a week. Keith said something about staying until the reading of the will and then we're gone."

"I'm sorry Luke. I wish you were staying though."

"I know it's okay. So how is she?"

"She's great. We've been hanging out a lot lately. Going to the mall, sailing. She's quite the little sailor. She even took me to this really expensive spa for a weekend. It was great. They gave the best massages. Then we sat in a mud bath. It was so relaxing Luke. I couldn't believe it.We even had an instructor give us tips on how to get rid of all our "problem areas". Brooke insisted that she didn't have any "problem areas" and walked out on our instructor. It was hilarious. You should have been there."

"That sounds just like Brooke. It sounds like you both had a good time. I'm happy that you two are getting along so well. I always knew you two could be really good friends if you tried."

"We are. I never thought I'd say this about Brooke Davis, but she really has become one of my best friends. Nathan's too. We all hang out together all the time. Don't repeat this, but I sometimes get jealous of how close they've become."said Haley.

"Jealous? Are you serious? Do you really think you have something to be worried about?"

"What? No, Lucas I was just kidding. I'm not jealous of them. They are just friends."

"Good. I was just making sure. So what about her and Peyton?"

"I feel like this is 21 questions Luke."

"I'm sorry Hales, but I've been gone for over a month and I just wanted to catch up on everybody."

"I know that and again I was just kidding. God what happened to your sense of humor? Did you lose it when you moved to Charleston?"

"I guess just answer my question."

"Okay testy aren't we. Brooke and Peyton are both great. They have come a long way in their friendship. It's not like it was before, but it's getting there. They are determined not to let anything mess that up. I guess that everything down here is not like it was before. We all have had to adjust. Now as much fun as it has been talking about my new best friend Brooke, enough is enough Lucas. I know that you still like her, but if your not going to tell her, then I don't want to hear about it. So if you have anymore Brooke questions you are just gonna have to ask her."

"Fine one more question and then no more Brooke talk. You don't tell the stuff that I tell you about her do you?"

"Of course not Lucas. I would never do that. Just like I don't tell you when she brings you up in conversation."

"Wait she talks about me to you?"

"I thought you said only one more question, but yes sometimes, but only when asking how her lying, cheating ex boyfriend is doing."

"Wow that's harsh."

"Yep, but can you blame her now like I said enough Brooke talk."

Haley and Lucas sat talking and catching upon everything for a couple of hours.

"Wow look at the time. It's getting late and I'm hungry, do you want to go get something to eat Luke?"

"Sure. I guess I could go for some food right now. Why don't you call Nathan and ask him to come with us?"

"Okay."said Haley as she pulled out her phone.

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Rivercourt

Brooke was in her light blue VW bug driving by the Rivercourt on her way to get something to eat when she saw Nathan's mom's car parked. She decided to stop and see if it was Nathan.

"Hey Nate. What are you doing here? I thought Haley said you were with your mom."

"I was, but then they started talking about the funeral and the reading of his will and I just had to get out of there. I felt like I couldn't breathe. I just came here to think and sort everything out. I haven't been myself lately you know, blowing up at Haley and then crying all the time. It's just not like me."

"Yeah I've noticed. I was there when you blew up at her. I hope you apologized for that and as for the crying, he was your dad Nate. You have every right to be sad that he died."said Brooke as she sat down on the bench next to him putting a sympathetic hand on his and giving it a squeeze.

"I did apologize to her. We talked everything out last night and now every things fine. I'm surprised she hasn't already told you. I thought she told you everything."said Nathan sarcastically.

"She does tell me everything it's just that earlier when she came over she had other things on her mind like getting me and Lucas to hang out. Like that's really gonna happen."

"That sounds like my Haley always trying to be the peace maker. How do you feel about him being back?"

"I don't know, right now it's fine because I haven't seen him, but once I see him I know it will change. I hate him, but at the same time I miss him too. It's just so confusing."

"Yep, love will do that to you."

"Wait. What? Who said anything about love. I don't love Lucas. Are you crazy?"

"Brooke come on it's me. We've become really good friends again, you can tell me the truth. I know you love him. I can see it when you talk about him and we all know that I'm an expert when it comes to love."

"Sure you are Nate, but I still don't know what your talking about. I don't love him. I would tell you if I did. At least I think I would."said Brooke.

"Okay I'm sorry that I brought it up. If you say that you don't love him then I believe you. I personally don't see anything about him to love, but hey that's just me. In fact I never saw what it was that you and Peyton saw in him."

"Can we not talk about Peyton and Lucas besides you better watch what you say about Lucas in front of me because if you ever piss me off I just might have to tell Haley that deep down inside you still can't stand the guy."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Wouldn't I?"

"You would wouldn't you? It's not that I can't stand Lucas exactly, it's just that I can't stand that everyone thinks that he is the perfect son and can do no wrong. Especially Haley it gets kinda nauseating having to hear her talk about him all the time."

"Do I sense a little jealousy Natey?"said Brooke with a laugh.

"Of Lucas? Hell no!"

"Yeah sure if you say so."

"Fine Brooke, if I'm jealous of him then you love him."

"Okay your not jealous."

"I though you'd say that."said Nathan laughing.

"Thanks Brooke."

"For what?"

"For making me laugh and taking my mind off of everything. I really needed this. I always have a great time with you. There's just something about you that cheers everyone up. Your a great listener Brooke."

"Your welcome Nate and I really needed this too. This whole Lucas thing is confusing me. I really needed to talk to someone about it and we both know that I couldn't talk to Peyton about it and well Haley is his best friend. She'd probably end up trying to play match maker."

"Probably."said Nathan.

"I should go now. My job here is done. I've cheered you up and now it's time to cheer myself up by going and pigging out. I'm really hungry."

"I'm kinda hungry myself do you mind if I tag along?"

"No not at all,I was just going to go to the café and pick something up, but we can eat there."

They started to walk toward their cars when Nathan's phone rang. "Hold on Brooke let me answer this it's Haley."

"Hello."

''Hey Nathan what are you doing?"

"Nothing, I just finished talking to Brooke."

"Wait on the phone or is she with you?"

"She's here with me at the Rivercourt why?"

"Perfect!"

"Why?"

"Why don't you two meet me at the café for dinner. It's my treat."

"We were actually on our way there anyways."

"Great."

"Why is that great? What's going on Haley?"

"Nothing I just wanted to eat with my husband and my new best friend. Is that a crime?"

"Wait a second I know you Haley your up to something."

"Who me? Of course not."

Nathan steps further away from Brooke so that she won't hear him.

"Your planning to bring Lucas aren't you?"

"Maybe."

"Haley you know that Brooke is going to kill you for that."

"I know, but she'll thank me later."

"If you say so."

"Just get her there and don't say anything"

"Fine we'll see you there. Bye."

"Bye, I love you."

"Well Brooke that was Haley she wants us to meet her at the café for dinner on her, so it looks like we've got ourselves a free meal."

"Great. I think we should make this a happy foursome. I'm gonna call Peyt."

"No don't!"

"Why not?"

"Well I don't know how much money Haley has and I don't want this to cost too much."

"Nathan I'm not gonna make Haley pay for me. I'm going to call her."

"Hey Peyt what are you doing?"

"Nothing I'm just drawing and listening to music."

"You do that everyday, why don't you come to the café with Nate, Haley, and me?"

"I can't Brooke. I really want to finish this drawing."

"Come on please."

"I can't. I'm sorry."

"Fine we'll just have fun without you."

"Okay you do that. Bye, Brooke."

"She can't come so it's just us let's go Nate."

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Thank you for all of the reviews. I hoped you liked this chapter.

I know there is still no Brucas, but I promise it is coming up. It will be in ch. 8 or 9. I'm just trying to do it right.I am also on a Brooke and Nathan friendship kick right now so I will probably be writhing about their growing friendship, but it will never go further than that.

Let me know what you think.