The altitude of the plane changed and little Lillian cried out. Haley had been nervous about her daughter's first flight but Nathan and the others had assured her it would be okay. Before she could move, the loving father was there, gently providing their child with a pacifier. Instantly she was calmed. Haley smiled.

"Is that all it takes?" she asked.

"I guess so", Nathan grinned.

They laughed at the sucking sounds she was making with the pacifier greedily inhaling it almost. Their smiles faded however as they realized all the slurping wasn't coming from a four month old. A few feet away, Lucas and Brooke were making out like two lovesick teenagers.

"Do you two mind?" Haley cleared her throat.

"Yeah we're not trying to cock block but seriously, bro", Nathan added. "This plane is like way too small for all that. Can you guys skip the intro to the Mile High Club?"

Lucas and Brooke looked at each other and laughed as they pulled away. The truth was, it was a favorite hobby, a ritual almost for them to "christen" every plane they rode on. The biggest thrills came from riding first class in a commercial air carrier but this time the foursome plus baby had opted to charter a private plane. It was more practical and with curious onlookers and fans and rabid press, the trip would have been virtually impossible.

"Okay, okay", Brooke conceded. "But if I'm not allowed to make out with my fabulous boyfriend here, you two duds better provide some equally interesting entertainment."

"Let's watch a movie", Lucas suggested.

"Or we could play a game", Haley added.

"What did you have in mind, Buddy?"

"Spades", she winked.

Lucas licked his lips. It was on! He considered Haley to be one of the greatest card players in the world, second to only himself. They had been kicking ass and taking names together for years. His little brother and girlfriend would be no exception to the wrath.

"Game on. Hales, you and I are partners against Nate and Brooke."

"Why do I get stuck with Brooke?" Nathan frowned.

"Because you just do and Haley and I have this…I don't know, at the risk of sounding arrogant, this uncanny knack for winning, not to mention natural supremacy."

"Is that right?" Nathan questioned. "Because I've been known to win a game or two myself."

"Care to put your money where your mouth is, little brother?"

Nathan smirked.

"Who are you talking to? I've got a cool grand. We play to 250, your shuffle."

"You're on and oh…good luck with Brooke", Lucas joked.

Brooke was offended.

"Hey Broody! That's not very nice. In fact, that kind of hurts my feelings. You don't believe in me? You think just because I like pretty and girly things and I shop all the time that I'm not a good card player?"

"Brooke…"

"No. Don't you 'Brooke' me. This hurts me, Lucas. You don't know everything about me and that means you don't know what I can do. Guess I shouldn't be surprised. People have been underestimating me my whole life. I was just supposed to be the pretty, drunk cheerleader. Well, I'm more than that. Remember all the times I kicked your ass at pool?"

Lucas hung his head as did Nathan and Haley. Brooke looked upset. Maybe she was right. They automatically assumed she wouldn't be a good player. It was just a game but judging by the tears in her eyes, he had gone too far.

"I'm sorry, babe", he said softly. "I didn't mean it like that."

"Yeah, Tigger", Haley added. "I'm sure you're a great player."

"Don't listen to him", Nathan nodded. "They think their the reigning king and queen of Spades? We'll show them. I believe in you, Brooke and I'm glad you're my partner. Now what do you want to bid?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You know, bid? How many books you think you can make?"

Brooke frowned.

"What the hell is a book?"

"Brooke, I thought you said you played this game before."

"Nope. Never."

"Well what was with that little Oscar winning speech you guilted Luke with five seconds ago?"

"Oh. I was just mad because he was insinuating I'm not a good player. I'm not, of course, but how did he know that? Anyway, I have a rebound rate of like ten seconds so Broody, I forgive you."

Pretty soon they were making out again. Haley just laughed as she knew Nathan hated to lose at anything. He briefly explained the concept to his new partner who seemed instantly enthused.

"Sounds easy", she piped. "I have in my hand 9 books."

"Nine, Brooke?"

"Yeppers."

"You're saying you can make nine books on your own."

"Sure can", she said proudly. "Nine whole notebooks."

Nathan buried his head in his hands.

"Books, Brooke. Not notebooks."

"Whatever", she smiled.

Lucas and Haley were loving it. Out of the four players there was only a chance for 13 total books. Combined they were confident they could make 8. That meant only 5 were available. There was no way Brooke could front the number she insisted. After the first round, a sulking Nathan and a pouting Brooke found themselves in the hole while Lucas and Haley were way ahead. By the end of the game, the scorecard read Laley: 275, Brathan: -4. Nathan was livid but Brooke and Lucas were back to their make out session celebrating his victory.

"Those two", Haley shook her head.

"I will never ever choose her as a partner for anything again", Nathan moped.

"Don't be a sore loser. And if it's any consolation, Luke and I would have whipped your ass no matter who you were matched with", she winked. "Now quit brooding and go play with your daughter. That should put you in a good mood."

Nathan smiled. That always put him in a good mood. He bounced Lillian around and blew raspberries on her tummy. The little girl giggled and flailed her arms. Haley smiled. Nathan was an incredible dad. She loved watching the two of them together. Pretty soon, the little girl had worn herself out and she was sleeping in the carrier. The lights dimmed and a showing of The Notebook began to play. Lucas and Nathan groaned.

"It's good", Haley promised.

"It's a chick flick", Nathan retorted.

"I wouldn't call it that…"

"Then what would you call it? No brains, blood, guts, gore, violence or action. Just two people slobbing all over each other."

"I'd say we don't need a movie for that", Haley pointed to Lucas and Brooke whose faces were once again plastered to one another.

Nathan shrugged. Haley was right about that one. He settled back in his seat and began watching. It was worse than he thought. The movie itself wasn't so bad. Sure it was a chick thing but he could dig it. It was just the whole jist of the plot. Two kids from opposite sides of the tracks meet and fall in love. They aren't together that long but the love they feel is real and true. But outside forces tear them apart and it's seven years before fate brings them back together. For Nathan, who shifted uncomfortably, the story hit a little too close to home. And his brother and Brooke practically having sex right next to them wasn't exactly helping matters any.

Nathan tried to concentrate on something else, anything else but his cheeks burned when Brooke straddled his still (thank God) fully clothed brother. Had those two any shame? Were they that in love that they couldn't wait a few hours until they were alone?

Dammitt, Nathan thought. Those two are ridiculous! If clothes start coming off I swear I'm gonna open up the door and throw their asses on the wing or something. Between this dumb movie, that should have been called the Nathan and Haley Story Minus the Happy Ending, and those two hornballs, I'm about to parachute out of this thing myself.

But Brooke does have a nice rack though. Oh God! I'm checking Brooke out! I need serious professional help. This is crazy. It's just been a long time. Months…hell, it feels like years. I'm getting older and self gratification isn't as satisfying as it used to be. I remember my first year of college, I was getting ass left and right. Ha, ha…I was a stud back in the day. Who am I kidding? I still am. I'm just going through a dry spell right now. Uh yeah…that's it. A dry spell.

Oh man, I am ready to get off this damned plane. This is torture. Cruel and unusual punishment. Haley, The Notebook and Lucas and Brooke getting it on. How much worse can it get?

Nathan looked down. It did get worse. Much worse.

Son of a bitch! Dude, what is wrong with you? You make your appearance at the worst times. I swear to God! If Haley looks over here, I'm just gonna jump out of this plane. No questions asked. Oh and great…now Noah and Allie are doing it on the screen. Hey, she looks pretty hot in that wet, blue dress. Nice tits…not bad at all. Let's see…two star crossed lovers finding their way back against all odds, the sexual tension combined with love despite the fact that one of them has a fiancée. Oh yeah…sounds damned familiar. Who wrote this damned story? Nicholas Sparks? That dude is gonna get a nice little letter from me. He seriously owes me mad royalties.

Haley looked over as Nathan kept fidgeting around. She sighed heavily.

He's probably so bored, she mused. I can't blame him. But what can we do? We're in the air for God's sake. This is awful. I mean, it wasn't so bad before. I just feel awkward with all the groping of Luke and Brooke now Nathan and I are watching The Notebook of all movies.

I love this movie. It's sweet. The love story is classic. It almost gives me hope. Maybe true love prevails after all. I mean, if Noah and Allie can survive her parents and the distance and the war and the other fiancée, maybe…oh what am I saying. This is stupid. Haley, you're being stupid. There is no chance. No chance in hell. And why even try? The romance ship sailed our asses by a long time ago, I guess I should be lucky the little dingy called "friendship" decided to come back and rescue us off the island.

Nathan and I are friends. Just friends. Okay, he's my baby's daddy, too. Oh God. I, Haley James, have a baby's daddy. I am a "baby's mama". Wow. Scary thought…

Okay, this is brutal. God, can I ask one more tiny favor? Can you make those two behind me stop? Or at least come up for air! It cannot be healthy to swap that much spit. I'm jealous. That has to be it. Oh man, I am jealous. It's because I'm horny. Like the other night I used my vibrator and…well, it did the trick but I didn't feel completely satisfied. Guess there's only so much a flesh colored penis and two double A batteries can do for you.

Maybe I should become a nun. Or look into female castration. I'll get my na na removed and then there won't be any reason to want sex because I wouldn't get any pleasure out of it. I am such a dork! I definitely have ADD! This movie is making me want to cry, I pray Taylor won't burn the building down while I'm gone even though I'm not sure if I unplugged the flat iron! Great. Nice going, James. And now I'm stuck on this plane agitated, horny, nervous about going back to Tree Hill and dreading any interaction with Dan. Oh gosh! I can't do this. Life is just way too hard…gee, I hope Karen still makes those chicken pot pie thingys."

"Nathan, Haley, Lucas, Brooke…we are descending upon New Brunswick County Airport. We should be landing shortly. Please buckle up", the pilot announced over the loudspeaker.

"Thank God", Nathan and Haley said at the same time.

Lucas and Brooke sat up and buckled their seatbelts. They exchanged bewildered looks. They had been the ones all hot and heavy but why were Nathan and Haley's faces so flushed?