Author's Note: Hey. Sorry that it's been a while, but as always school had been kicking my ass. But alas, it's winter break so I'm hoping to be able to update at least a few times over the two weeks that I'm off. Anyway, I still don't know what I have planned for this chapter, but I'm thinking there should be some drama in it, but I can't promise anything. Anyway, don't forget to tell me what you all think. Thanks.

...WWHT…

"How are you doing back there, sweetie?" Karen asked, looking at Haley through her rearview mirror. She and Taylor were sitting up front and Brooke, Haley and Peyton were squeezed into the back. Brooke, who figured that she might prove to be somewhat of a peacemaker, had invited the blonde to come along at the last minute.

"I'm okay, I guess," Haley answered. Truth was, she was extremely nervous about this dinner and meeting Brooke's parents. She had heard millions of horror stories about them from both Brooke and Peyton, and she was getting the impression that they weren't going to like her too much.

"You sure?" Taylor teased, turning in the passenger seat so she could see her little sister. "Cause it looks like you're about to pass out." Haley eyed her, but didn't say anything. She felt like she was about to pass out, so she was pretty that she looked like it too.

"She's fine," Brooke answered for her. She was holding Haley's hand and rubbing soothing circles on her back. She leaned into her girlfriend and rested her forehead against Haley's, hoping it might calm her down a bit. "Aren't you, baby?" Haley shook her head mutely at the question, which caused Taylor to laugh.

"Don't sweat it, Hales," Peyton told her, squeezing the other girl's thigh. Haley pulled away from Brooke and turned to face Peyton. "You'll do great. Yes, Angela Davis has been known to be somewhat of a skanky bitch at times, but then so has Brooke."

"Thanks, Pey," Brooke snorted sarcastically. Peyton gave her a sweet smile.

"I'm just saying, that maybe she'll be nice." Brooke and Haley both gave her a look that told her they thought she was crazy. "Okay, we've never seen it before, but you bring it out in people. Do you know what Brooke was like before she started sleeping with you?"

"You're sleeping together?" Taylor asked before either Haley or Brooke could correct the blonde.

"No," they both answered at the same time. They glanced at the older girl before turning back to their best friend. Taylor rolled her eyes and turned back around to look out her window, but kept listening to the conversation.

"How could she not like you, Hales?" Peyton asked, ignoring their denials and finally getting to her point. She felt really bad for her best friend, and as much as she was telling Haley otherwise, Haley had every reason to be scared. She knew Brooke's mom, and she knew exactly how she could be. Angela definitely had something up her sleeve; she just wasn't sure what it was.

"Besides the fact that I'm not good enough for Brooke?"

"Hey, hey, hey," Brooke called, holding up her hands and telling her that she didn't want to hear anymore of that nonsense. "Have we or have we not already had this conversation?"

"We've already had this conversation," Haley mumbled as if she was under Brooke's magical command. Taylor and Karen both smirked at the way Brooke was able to control Haley. She was definitely whipped.

"Then why are we going back there again?" Haley sighed.

"Tigger, just because you think I'm good enough for you," Haley began, eyeing Brooke so she wouldn't interrupt her. "Doesn't mean your mother will. In fact, I can pretty much guarantee that she won't find me acceptable for her daughter and you know it too."

Brooke was about to protest, but stopped at the last minute. Unfortunately, Haley was right. She knew that her mother wouldn't accept Haley. It's one thing that Haley was a girl, but the fact that her parents weren't rich just made things even worse. She loved Haley because she was beautiful, sweet, adorable, funny, thoughtful and sensitive. Her mother wouldn't see that. All her mother would see is the lack of money and social status. Brooke could still remember the fit her mother had thrown when she brought Peyton home and introduced her as her best friend.

"She's got you there, Brookie," Peyton commented, not being able to stand the silence that had fallen over the car. They had all been thinking the same thing and they were all dreading what was going to go down tonight. Whatever happened, Peyton was almost positive that someone was going to get hurt, and she was willing to bet money that it was going to be Haley.

"Why? Why would you…" Brooke began; glaring at Peyton, trying to figure out why her friend was adding to the nervousness that Haley was already experiencing. Peyton shrugged her shoulders and turned back in her seat, giving up on helping. Once Brooke was sure that Peyton was going to keep her mouth shut, she turned back to Haley.

"Baby," she whispered, bringing their foreheads back together. She lowered her voice so none of the other girls in the car would hear her. "It doesn't matter what she says, okay. Yeah, there is a big chance that she'll be her regular snobbish self and be a total bitch to you, but I could really care less what she thinks. And if she decides that she's going to say something hurtful to you, well she'll get what's been coming to her for years."

"You promise?"

"Pinky swear," Brooke replied, a cheesy smile in place. She leaned forward and kissed Haley gently on the lips. "Nothing she says is going to change my mind about wanting to be with you." Brooke smiled and raised her voice a little so Peyton would be able to hear her. "If she couldn't make me get rid of that skinny bitch, then she's not going to make me get rid of you."

"Hey, I heard that."

"I said it loudly," Brooke laughed back. When she looked back at Haley, she was happy to see a smile back on her girlfriend's lips. "I love you, baby. Always. That's all that matters, okay?"

"Okay," Haley breathed. Brooke brought their lips together for a sweet, reassuring kiss. When they pulled apart, they realized that the car had stopped and the other three occupants were staring at them. Peyton could see how uncomfortable Brooke and Haley were under the older women's gazes and couldn't help but add fuel to the fire.

"That was really hot," the blonde commented. A bright smile appeared on her lips when Brooke glared at her. Taylor cleared her throat, trying to get a subject change.

"We're here," she told them, even though it was clearly not needed. Haley let out a whimper and Brooke and Peyton broke their staring contest to look at Taylor. "You're house, the place we've all been dreading, we're here."

"Thanks, Tay," Brooke told her in a tight voice. Taylor smiled and her and Karen got out of the car, leaving the three teenagers in the back. Once they were gone, Brooke turned back to Haley and felt a new wave of sympathy for her girlfriend when she saw just how scared the girl was. "I'll be right there, baby. It'll be okay."

"Yeah," Peyton agreed, this time there wasn't any trace of humor in her voice. She knew how scared and nervous Haley was already; she didn't need to add to it. "In all seriousness, we've all got your back, okay? You don't have to be scared." Haley glanced at her blonde friend to see if she was telling the truth. She nodded when she saw that Peyton was being serious.

"Okay, let's go," she told them. Brooke gave her a reassuring smile and grabbed her hand, leading her out of the car. Peyton got out of her own side. The three of them joined Karen and Taylor on the sidewalk. Haley saw the looks Taylor and Karen were giving her and she nodded, telling them that she was okay to go. "I'm fine. Really."

"Lead the way." The older women nodded and began their journey up the walkway, Brooke, Haley and Peyton right behind them. Once they were on the porch, Brooke took a deep breath before knocking. The others looked at her strangely, wondering why she was knocking on the door at her own house. She shrugged. "It's part of the illusion."

"Whatever." The group only had to wait a few moments before the front door opened revealing Angela Davis with a bright smile on her face. She was dressed in her usual elegant dress, her hair and make up done perfectly.

"Hello, hello," she greeted, holding the door open wide enough for everyone to come inside. Once the five newcomers were in, she closed the door. "Now, can I take everyone's coat?" They all nodded and took off their coats, handing them over to Angela. She noticed Brooke helping Haley out of her's and assumed she was the girlfriend.

"Thank you, Mrs. Davis," Haley said politely as she handed the woman her jacket. So far, things were going okay. Haley had been afraid that Brooke's mother was going to verbal attack her the moment she entered the house. So far all she's done was smile at her. Though, Haley could tell it was fake. "This is a beautiful house."

"You've been here a million times, Hales," Brooke remained her. For a second, Brooke was about to call her baby, but at the last moment she stopped herself. Her mother may be pretending to be okay with this whole thing, but she was afraid she might give her a heart attack if she called Haley by her pet name.

"I was being polite," Haley hissed back at Brooke. Brooke rolled her eyes and shook her head. She didn't understand why Haley was trying so hard about getting her mother's approval. Brooke couldn't care less what her mother thought about Haley, so she didn't understand why Haley cared so much.

"Well, how about some introductions?"

"Okay," Brooke sighed. "You know Peyton, right?" The blonde gave Angela a little wave and Angela smiled back at her. Before her mother could make any stupid comments about how much she had grown, Brooke quickly continued. "This is Karen, I told you about her and this is Taylor, Haley's older sister."

"It's so nice to meet all of you." Angela shook hands with Karen and Taylor before turning to Haley. "I take it you must be Haley, the girl that's got my daughter all confused?" Haley's mouth fell open at the woman's comment and she didn't know what to say.

"You're unbelievable, you know that?" Brooke shook her head and put her arm around Haley's waist and started pulling Haley towards the stairs. "We're going to go hang out up stairs until dinner is ready. Come on, Pey." Peyton glared openly at Angela, surprised herself that she wasn't wasting anytime in her assault on poor Haley, and followed her best friends up to Brooke's room, leaving Taylor and Karen alone with the hell beast.

"Well, dinner smells good," Taylor commented, breaking the silence that had fallen over the group. If took everything inside of her not to yell at the horrible woman that had put that hurt look on her baby sister's face. Angela tore her gaze from the stairs the girls had just gone up and gave Taylor a forced smile.

"Yes, our cook is very good." She placed the coats on the banister and motioned towards the living room. "Why don't we join my husband in the living room?" She led Karen and Taylor into the huge living room where Robert Davis was sitting. The girls sent him a smile before sitting down on the loveseat across from the chair that Angela has taken.

"This really is a lovely house, Mrs. Davis."

"Oh, please call me Angela," she told him, crossing her legs and reaching forward to pick up her wine glass. "Mrs. Davis makes me feel old."

"You are," Taylor mumbled under her breath and Karen had to stifle a laugh. She elbowed Taylor in the stomach and gave Angela a smile.

"So Karen, Brooke tells me that you own your own café?"

"Yes, I do," Karen answered, thankful that the other woman hadn't heard Taylor's comment. Karen was used to talks like this. Superficial discussions about business that only come up when someone is beating around the bush. "It's just a little one in town. I opened it a couple years ago."

"That sounds just cozy," she replied, her plastic face contorting as she smiled even wider. Kate rolled her eyes, already bored with this conversation. She glanced over at Brooke's dad to find him reading the newspaper. "Brooke also mentioned that Haley works there."

"Since day one."

"That's very sweet of you." Karen raised an eyebrow in confusion. She shared a look with Taylor, who didn't understand either. "Well, it's always nice to hear about establishments such as yours that are willing to lend a helping hand to those less fortunate." Karen felt Taylor tense up beside her and immediately placed a calming hand on her thigh before she could do anything.

"Haley is actually best friends with my son, Lucas," Karen explained, having to contain her own urge to slap the other woman. She didn't know why she was surprised; this was exactly what she expected from a woman like Angela Davis. "I've known her since she was five."

"Oh, so it was just out of obligation?" Angela knew exactly what she was doing. She wasn't like some of the other snobs out there that didn't even realize they were snobs. She knew she was being a bitch and making people angry, and that was exactly what she intended to do. She could see that her words were having that exact effect on the two women in front of her. Taylor looked like she was ready to pounce on her and Karen was clenching her jaw tightly.

"No, actually," Karen replied, her voice tight. "I hired Haley because not only is she a smart, polite, responsible and beautiful girl, but she is also my daughter."

"I thought you said she was your son's best friend?"

"She is like my daughter," Karen corrected herself. Taylor watched Karen from her position beside her and she had to smile. She had never seen Karen look or sound so angry before. "I love her like she's my own. In fact, I love her just as much as I love my son. I've watched her grow into a beautiful young woman, one you should be honor to have as your daughter's girlfriend."

"Aw, that's sweet," Angela responded, locking her gaze with Karen's. Taylor's eyes went back and forth between the two, trying to see which was going to break first. She could almost feel the tension bubbling in the room. She held her breath and looked over at Brooke's father, who hadn't even looked up from his paper.

……….WWHT……….

"What do you think is going on down there?" Peyton asked, spinning around in the computer chair so she was facing the two lovebirds on the bed. Brooke was in a sitting position with her back against her headboard and Haley was lying at her side, her head in Brooke's lap.

"My bet," Brooke mused, running her hands through Haley's hair. "Kate and Karen are tearing my mother a new one. I'm just sad I can't be there to see it." Peyton smiled and nodded her head. She too would pay good money to see Angela Davis put in her place.

"Tigger?" Haley mumbled, shifting in her position so she was on her back and looking up at Brooke. "Are you confused?" Brooke rolled her eyes and shook her head. She cursed her mother for putting these stupid ideas in Haley's head.

"Not even a little," Brooke reassured her in a soothing tone. "My mother just saw an opening and took it. I'm warning you now, don't believe anything she says all right? She's just looking to make trouble."

"Kay," Haley nodded, rolling back over on her side to facing Peyton, who was watching them. "Remind me, what are you doing here, again?"

"Brooke invited me for backup," the blonde retorted, sticking out her tongue at Haley. She knew Haley was grateful she was there, anything to take some of the heat off of her; Haley was just looking for something to change the subject.

"You know, Pey," Brooke began. "We should just make this a threesome because you seem to part of our relationship. I swear, you're there for almost every event. Our first fight, my first meeting with Taylor, when Luke found out, now. What's up with that?"

"You're just lucky I guess," Peyton shot back at her, giving her best friend a sweet and loving smile. Her eyes traveled down to Haley, who was looking straight ahead and chewing on her fingernails. Boy, did she feel sorry for the girl. "Don't stress so much, Hales. You'll bite right through your finger soon."

"Huh?" Haley snapped out of her daze and looked up at Peyton. She blinked a few times, trying to remember what the blonde had said. "Oh, right." She pulled the finger out of her mouth and let it fall to the bed sheet. Brooke laughed and reached forward, taking a hold of the hand.

"Chillax, baby," she instructed her, bringing Haley's hand up to her lips and kissing it. "If she says something else like that, I'll kick her ass for you, kay?" Before Haley had a chance to agree, a voice called from downstairs.

"Dinner's served!"

"Time to face the wolves," Brooke mumbled, standing up and bringing Haley with her. Haley whimpered as she was lead out of the room by both Peyton and Brooke. This was not going to be a fun dinner.

...WWHT…

All done. I know it wasn't the best, but I couldn't give you guys any better at the moment. Please tell me what you think. Thanks.