Title: Let Me Go
Author:
xScott23x
Disclaimer: I don't own anything that involves OTH. Although, heh… I wish I did own James Lafferty.
Description:
It's been five years since Haley and Nathan left Tree Hill, but not together and now they have to come back... But who's really in for a rude awakening? –Naley-
Author's Note: You guys are great. I really want to thank you guys for the support you've given me. I had a little bit of writer's block when I wrote this chapter but the support of the reviews got me through it. I also want to apologize for some of the errors I made in typing the last chapter. I didn't look over it enough but don't worry, I'll start quadruple checking. If any of you guys want to ask me anything you can email me at I know I've been updating once a day but it might be slowing down a bit. I've been out of softball for a week because of my concussion and migraines. I've started back today so my updates might be 2 days apart now, but I'll make up for it on the weekends.

- Chapter Six -
Home Wreaker and Heartache

Nathan's head was throbbing as he pulled up to his dad's house. His headache was getting worse just thinking about what his dad wanted to talk to him about. Of course word was probably already getting around town that he and Haley were in the same town at once and he was sure that it wouldn't be long before even the tabloids found out. That's the one thing that Nathan hated about the NBA off season, tabloids were everywhere.

Just as Nathan was about to knock on the door, it swung open. "Nathan, it's about time, get in here", Dan said opening it wider and walked through the living room. Nathan looked around the house. It still looked the same since he was last there five years ago. Then again, Dan didn't have Deb to help decorate anymore either.

"You wanted to see me?", he questioned as he took a seat on the couch and looked at Dan.

"So when did you plan on telling me you had a son, Nate?", he asked him.

"How did you…", Nathan didn't even bother to finish his sentence. It was obvious that he had to of seen James to have believed it.

"I ran into the little runaway wife and it", he told his son. "How long have you known?", he asked him trying hard not to glare at his son.

"I am a grown man, dad", he sighed. "I didn't know… well… I did… I just didn't believe her", he told him. "Haley showed up during the first season at the NBA and I didn't believe her", the entire time he spoke; Nathan stared at the floor like he was ashamed of himself.

"And you didn't tell me?", Dan slammed the TV guide down on the coffee table and finally his glare was set free. "I could of fixed this before it became a problem"

Nathan's eyes went wide, "And what the hell is that supposed to mean, dad?", he asked him.

"Oh you know exactly what it means", he glared. "You don't need any skeletons in your closet when you're playing for the NBA, when word gets out that Nathan Scott has a son… Every reporter on the east coast is going to eat you alive", he glared. "Then… they'll spit you out like the pile of crap you've become, just in time for you to become the next headliner on every tabloid magazine from here to California"

Nathan glared at Dan, "22 years dad, 22 years", he repeated. "I ate every word you fed me when I was young and stupid", he told him.

"Nothing has changed much except age, son"

"Look, I'm sick of your shit, dad", he sighed and shook his head. "I'm not putting up with this, this is my life, this is my career and it's time for you wake up and take a look at your own life", he sighed and shook his head as he stood up off the couch. Nathan started walking out of the house ignoring the fact that Dan was walking after him and yelling for him to get back. He wasn't a boy anymore and he didn't have to look back.


Haley ran her hand through her hair as she waited in her seat at the café. She glanced down at her watch and saw that it was only 4:30. She thought she might as well get there early, just to do some head clearing before Nathan actually showed up. As Haley heard the door to the café chime she looked up and was quiet shocked to see Brooke and Lucas walk into the shop holding hands.

Brooke's eyes gazed over and lifted her eyebrows, "Haley?", she said suddenly and started walking over, dragging Lucas along with her. Brooke slid into the booth followed by Lucas in front of her. "Wow, Tutor Girl… it's been a while", she gave her a small smile and crossed her arms over her chest after she let go of Lucas' hand.

Lucas smiled at her, "It's good to see you", he smiled as he leaned across the table to give his old friend a warm hug. Even though it almost felt as if he didn't even know Haley, it felt good to remember the good old days.

"Really?", Haley laughed. "That's a first since I got in town", she looked down and sighed as she played with the necklace around her neck.

Brooke looked at her, "So… Have you seen Nathan?", she asked her. Brooke obviously hadn't heard about their confrontation at the park. By the look on Lucas' face… he had.

"Yeah…", she nodded slowly. "He saw James", she added.

"And?", Brooke edged her to continue.

Haley glanced up at Lucas and took a deep breath before she looked back at Brooke. "Nothing really", she said. "He stormed off", she told her.

"How are things with Chris?", Lucas butted in.

"We're getting married… I think", she frowned.

"Haley…", Brooke frowned with her and reached out to take her hand. "What's wrong… that's the saddest face I've ever seen when some announces their engagement… perk up tutor girl", she gave her a small smile. "But aren't you still married to Nathan?", she asked her.

Haley nodded, "Yeah…", she sighed. "That's why I came", she told her. "To get a divorce"

Lucas had heard enough, "Haley Nicole James, you do not love Chris", he told her. "You love Nathan and you know it", he said. "Neither of you have been the same with out each other", he shook his head. "Sure your both stubborn jackasses but you guys…", she shook his head and didn't even bother to finish.

"He doesn't even want anything to do with James!", she almost yelled.

"You don't know that! He's human, Haley!" Lucas said defending his little brother. "He's scared, have you not taken a look at the man that he grew up with?", he asked her. "He's probably scared out of his mind that he'll turn out just like the man he's been trying like hell not to be", he sighed.

Haley stared at him and didn't know what else to say. Glancing down at her watch she saw that it was already 5:02. She looked at them, "I've got to go... I can't... I can't deal with this right now", she told them.

"Well... your going to have to deal with it some time", Lucas told her.

Haley just stood up from the booth, grabbed her purse and started on her way out the door.

Just as Haley opened up the door she ran head on into Nathan. She screamed in surprise and put her hand over her heart and took in a long and deep breath.

"There goes the other ear drum", he snorted as he looked at her. "Chickening out?", he asked her, giving her a daring look.

"No… your two minuets late", she said glancing back down at her watch.

Nathan lifted his eyebrows and shook his head, "Whatever… lets go for a walk", he said as he nodded his head towards the sidewalk and put his hands in his pockets.

Haley took a deep breath as she started walking along the street with him. She didn't know where to start and the silence was really getting to her. "So, was there something you wanted to talk about, specifically?", she asked him.

Nathan sighed as he looked over at her, "We have more then one thing to talk about", he told her. "But I really want to know… is he really my son?", he asked her.

Haley didn't know where Nathan was leading her but she continued to walk. "Yes, Nathan", Haley said softly as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I didn't lie about it 4 years ago and I wouldn't lie about it now…"

In the pit of Nathan's stomach he could feel a knot trying to twist and turn about. "What's his name?", he asked her. Nathan had heard her scold him at the park but this mind had been so toggled it didn't even sink in.

"James Nathanial Scott", she told him.

A small smirk spread over his lips as her heard her say his name. He glanced over at her as he walked to the car and glanced up at her. "Get in", he said simply as he walked over to the driver's side door.

Haley stared at him for a second and bit her lip in contemplation. She did as she was told and got in on the passenger's side. "Where are we going?", he asked her.

"Lucas and Brooke would barge in on us talking if we went to their beach house so I talked to my mom and she said we could talk at her house", he said as he cranked up the car and pulled out into the mid afternoon traffic.

Haley just nodded and glanced out the window as they drove. "So…", she started but was caught off.

"I said a lot of dumb things… when we were at the park and so did you…", he smirked as he looked over at her. "What? It's true", he told her.

Haley just smiled a little and nodded agreeing with him, "Then fess up, what did you say that was stupid?"

"I said I wasn't ready to be a father", he said bluntly. "I am ready", he told her. "But… I can't", he explained.

Haley had almost grasped her heart when she heard him start speaking. Had she heard him correctly? "What do you mean?", she asked him.

"I can't be a father to a boy who deserves to have a father that isn't running in and out", she said. "He's only four, I'd confuse him with me running in and out of his life all the time with the NBA", he explained and sighed lightly.

Haley had to agree with him there but it still would have been nice for them to know each other. "I have a confession", she blurted out and looked at him as she saw him looking at her, listening.

"I came here for one reason and that was to get a divorce", she told him with a sigh. "Chris asked me to marry him…"

"WHAT?", Nathan screamed as he slammed on the break and stared at her. "You're marrying that fucking home wreaker? Living together and dating is one thing but marriage Haley? You're not even done with this one!"

"I'm not…?", Haley asked in an eerie voice.

"No! I mean… Yes! But…", Nathan just stopped. He was caught with his foot his mouth. He finally looked up and noticed they were at the house. He turned off the engine and got out of the car.

"What do you mean, Nathan? Just tell me because I need a lot of clarification right now", she sighed as she too got out of the car and followed him up to the house.

As Nathan opened the door, he avoided eye contact with her and pushed the door open. "I don't know what I mean; this whole thing is just…"

"Let it out, Nathan… it's what we need", she said as she sat down on the couch beside of him.

Nathan shook his head and sighed, "What do you see in him, Haley?", he asked her. "Are you 100 sure about this guy?"

Haley shrugged, "I don't know… it was all really sudden!"

Nathan rubbed his face and leaned over, putting his elbows down on his knees. "Do you really want to be with him?", he asked her. "Be fucking honest, Haley", he said he looked at her, seriously.

Haley stammered for a few moments and then bit her lip softly. "I don't know… I came here looking for a divorce but now… I don't know what I want", she told him. "I thought I'd be able to do this with out seeing you but looking at you and asking for a divorce… it's hard", she told him. Haley closed her eyes and put her head in her hands.

She was so tired and everything was happening so fast. She had been off tour for almost a week and she still hadn't got a bit of rest since her tour ended.

Nathan felt bad as he watched her, "You need some rest", he stated. "Why don't you go upstairs and take a nap or something", he suggested.

Haley looked up at him and lifted her eyebrow, "Nathan, this isn't even my house or your house… I would feel weird waking up if your mom was here and she got freaked out", she told him.

"I'll stay", he told her. "Look… we should talk more when our head are clear and maybe some sleep will help you", he said.

Haley nodded and allowed for Nathan to take her upstairs and lead her to a guest bedroom of Deb's. "Thank you", she said quietly before making herself comfortable on the bed… As Haley drifted off to sleep she couldn't help but feel as if someone was watching her.

Just as she had suspected, Nathan had been watching her from the door way. Nathan never thought in a million years he would ever be starting to fall for the woman who had given him such heartache, years ago…


Next:
Chris comes to town… Nathan meets James… and a big surprise which I hope you guys will really like…