Lucas and Brooke closed their eyes. Too little too late. Meg's face fell with disappointment as she looked onto the stage. Nathan's jaw tightened and clinched. The rest of the audience, though just as shocked, had a slightly warmer welcome as their ovation lasted several minutes.

"Thank you, guys. Really. Thank you so much. It's so great to be back in Tree Hill. It's great to be home. This town, this club and this stage is really where it all started for me. This place brings back a whole lot of memories. The first song I'm going to sing, I actually didn't write. It's a cover of a great Sarah McLachlan hit. But it's the first song I ever sang for an audience that didn't include my parents, my brothers and sisters and the shower. It has a lot of sentimental value so here goes…"

She took her seat behind the keyboard and began to sing and play.

I love the time and in between

The calm inside me

In the space where I can breathe

I believe there is a distance I have wandered

To touch upon the years of, reaching out and reaching in

Holding out holding in

Nathan was incensed! It was bad enough she had to show up, how dare she sing that song? It was their song! It was the song she had sang to him that night in Karen's café after he had been manipulated to move in with his father during the brief period Dan and Deb had separated. He had been so down that night and seeing her beautiful, smiling face made everything better. She had the voice of an angel.

I believe this is heaven to no one else but me

And I'll defend it as long as I can be

Left here to linger in silence

If I choose to

Would you try to understand

"What the hell is she doing here?" Nathan sneered.

"Babe, calm down…" Megan ushered.

"Calm down? If Ashton Kutcher doesn't pop out of here in like five seconds to tell me I've been Punked, then I am seriously going to break something!"

"Relax, dude", Lucas tried. "None of us knew she was coming because Peyton didn't expect we'd be here. She warned us and we tried to get to you but it was too late."

I know this love is passing time

Passing through like liquid

I am drunk in my desire...

But I love the way you smile at me

I love the way your hands reach out and hold me near...

I believe...

"Maybe we should go", Megan suggested.

"No", Nathan said stubbornly. "This is my town. I'm not gonna let the little pop star run us out of this club."

"Just don't make a scene", Brooke warned.

Oh the quiet child awaits the day when she can break free

The mold that clings like desperation

Mother can't you see I've got to live my life the way I feel is right for me

Might not be right for you but it's right for me...

I believe...

There was a pulsating tension within the group. No one knew what to say or do. All eyes were on Nathan.

"What up, dudes and dudettes? The Tim is in the house so you better recognize", Tim grinned as he made his presence known.

"Hey Tim", Megan tried to smile. "What's going on?"

"Nothing much except beating the lovely ladies away with a stick. You know sometimes it gets to be too much."

"I'm sure", Brooke scoffed sarcastically.

"That's just the life of a lowly, fine as hell, charming law student, I guess. By the way, who is the babe on stage?"

Everyone exchanged looks, terrified of Nathan's reaction.

"Tim…"

"Someone should tell her to put her cigarette out."

"Tim, she's not smoking", Lucas said.

"In that tight little black shirt and jeans, I'd say she's smoking! More sizzling than a Porterhouse steak on a grill! Damn!"

"Tim…"

"She looks familiar, too. She probably tried to get some Tim Time once…"

"That's Haley, you dumb ass!" Nathan gave him a murderous look.

Tim squinted and did a triple take before the recognition sunk in.

"That is Haley. Damn, dude. Time was definitely on her side. She looks better in person than on TV. You sure know how to pick them. A hot ex wife, a hot wife to be…what's your secret, man?"

"You little punk shit!" Nathan lunged before Lucas grabbed him.

I believe

This is heaven to no one else but me

And I'll defend it as long as

I can be left here to linger in silence if I choose to

Would you try to understand it

I would like to linger here in silence

If I choose to

Would you understand it

Would you try to understand...

Haley finished the song to more thunderous applause.

"Thanks guys. Thank you very much. Um, another song I'm gonna do for you is brand, spanking new. It's not on my latest CD however I might have to add it to the list of tracks for the one coming up because actually, I just finished writing it backstage. Bear with me if it sounds a little rough but uh…I'm gonna go for it. It's called Crazy Girls."

I've been behind the events of the past seven days,

I've been sleeping in my bed and missing you

Like sometimes crazy girls do

The more Nathan stared at her, the angrier he became. The rage was almost uncontrollable. It was like she was taunting him sitting on that stage playing her stupid little guitar.

I've been hanging like a child and this photograph of us

It was taken on a bus across town, The last time I saw you,

Nathan's heart pounded. That bitch! Her last night in Tree Hill before she left him, they had taken a picture on The Wreckers' tour bus. She must have kept it all those years!

And now this whole world is going 'round

But it's when you're gone, it really brings me down

"You cool, bro?" Lucas inquired. "Looks like you're about ready to blow a gasket."

"I'm cool", Nathan sighed calmly. "Hey, I'll be right back."

He walked away before anyone could stop him.

"Where'd he go?" Meg asked worriedly.

"He'll be okay", Lucas replied unconvincingly as he watched his brother slip away and seemingly become lost in the crowd.

I can't get myself together

I'm soaking in the pain

It's ridiculous how easy it is to go astray

When my focus ain't right

But sometimes crazy's alright

Lucas watched her perform. He wondered if her coming to Tric was the right move but then again, why not? She had just as much right to be there as anyone else. He just hoped everything would be okay but he had a sinking feeling it wouldn't be…not until Nathan was found and safely headed home.

"Thank you. Tric, you have been a great audience. I love you all so much and I hope tonight you felt a sense of home as well. Good night and God bless…"

She gave a final wave and bow and headed for the sanctity of the tiny room that was her dressing room for the evening. Entering the back room, she rubbed at the tired aching muscles of her upper shoulders. She groaned out loud, eyes cast towards the floor. There was no way to see what was in front of her, at least not until she had walked smack into it.

Haley looked up and her brown eyes widened as her breath caught in her throat. She couldn't stop her body from shaking.

"Nathan", she gasped. "What are you doing here?"