Lucas and Haley didn't notice Nathan as he turned the opposite corner heading for the chapel. They headed straight for Dan's room.

"Deb, Hi. Nathan told me what happened. I'm so sorry. Do they know who did this?" Lucas gave Deb a hug.

"Thanks Lucas. No they don't have any ideas yet, but they're still searching for evidence." She turned to Haley and gave her a hug. "Hi Haley, glad to see your back."

"Um thanks, I think. How are you holding up?"

"Oh I'm fine, don't worry about me. But Nathan is down in the chapel and I'm sure he could use some support right now."

"I don't know if that is such a good idea Mrs. Scott.."

"Ok first of all, call me Deb, I am your mother-in-law after all! Secondly, I know that Nathan loves you and just being with you is what he needs right now. So go!" Haley wasn't sure what to think of this kinder Deb so she decided to leave before things got even weirder. After she left, Deb and Lucas sat down.

"So tell me Deb, are you really ok?"

"Yeah I really am. The doctors say he'll be fine and he will definitely wake up, it's only a matter of time. It's Nathan I'm worried about. Not because of Dan but because of Haley. He seems so torn between her and basketball and I don't know why it can't be both."

"You know, when I visited Haley in New York, I asked her the same thing. Why choose between music and Nathan? I think they love each other too much that they are afraid to go after their dreams because they don't want to hurt the other."

"Maybe so. I just hope they realize that and make room for each other and their dreams in their lives. But it's up to them to figure that out! I'm going to go get some coffee, do you want anything?"

"No that's alright, thanks Deb. I think I'll just stay here for awhile." After Deb left, Lucas pulled up a chair to the side of Dan's bed.

"Hey Dan, it's me, Lucas. I know you can hear me because when I was in a coma, I could hear everyone talking to me. Funny how you never visited me in the hospital, but yet here I am visiting you. And I'm sort of sorry to say that you deserved this. You destroyed people's lives and messed with Nathan and Haley's marriage. If you aren't going to wake up a better person, then don't wake up. They don't need you here trying to sabotage their lives. But if you want to see Nathan make it further in the basketball career and if you ever want to see your grandkids.. wow grandkids, that's a weird thought.. but if you want to witness all that, you need to stop being so manipulative and start being the loving father you could have been. Deb is about ready to divorce you. So when you wake up, make a change. Don't blame it all on the Phoenix Effect either! If you aren't willing to make that change, then maybe it's time for you to go." Lucas was starting to get upset and decided to leave, forgetting that Haley was still there.

"Hey God, it's me Nathan. I know that I don't pray or go to church as often as I should, but I could really use your help. Things are pretty messed up right now. I don't wish for Dan to die but I want him to become a better person. Maybe he deserved to be burned but no one deserves death." He was so caught up in his prayer he didn't hear anyone come in. "And things with Haley are getting worse. I know that I love her and I know that I want her in my life, but it's hard to get past all the hurting. Help me be stronger. I can forgive her for what she has done, because I'm doing the same thing. Tomorrow I'll be chasing after my dream, but at least I'm going to tell her goodbye. It's the forgetting that's hard to do." Haley who had been standing in the doorway listening began to tear up. She slowly started to walk over to Nathan trying not to disturb him. "So please God, help my dad be a better person to everyone, help me be a better person for Haley. Wait, Haley? What are you doing here?" Haley had sat down next to Nathan.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I never meant to hurt you."

"I know, but you did.. How much did you hear exactly?"

"Um most of it," she said sheepishly. "And you are a good person Nathan. I feel like I don't deserve you most of the time. I came to say goodbye before you left. Good luck at camp and I love you." Haley practically crying left the chapel, leaving a shocked Nathan still sitting there.

When Haley got back to Dan's room she realized Lucas wasn't there. Deb however was.

"Hey Sweetie, how are you?" Deb smiled warmly at the tear stained girl in front of her.

"Fine, thanks. Where did Lucas go?"

"Sorry, but I think he left. Why don't you have a seat." Haley awkwardly sat down next to Deb anticipating the worst. "So how was Nathan doing?"

"Well I heard him praying about wanting to be a better person for me. Even though I already believe is a good person deep down. I honestly don't deserve him." She began to cry again.

"Honey come here," Deb pulled Haley into a hug. "You deserve him, you really do. You just had to do something for yourself. An amazing opportunity was given to you, how could you not take it? I'm glad you did because I have grown to regret opportunities that I missed. And I know he loves you, just give him time."

"Time? But he's leaving for 3 months! We've already spent 3 months apart, isn't that enough time?"

"Well now he's heard your side of the story. He knows how you feel and he just needs to be able to process that information. Don't lose hope Haley."

"Thanks Deb, although I'm still not sure why you're being so nice to me. I thought you hated me."

"I know I was harsh towards you when I found out you guys were married. It's just that you caught me off guard at a bad time. My husband was in the hospital and I blamed it on myself, before I learned about the genetic defect. I was also upset that another woman had stolen a piece of my son's heart that I can never have. And I was very upset that I didn't get to plan a wedding!" She chuckled.

This caused Haley to laugh. "Aw thanks Deb. I am sorry we ambushed you with the news of our marriage. You were going through a rough time. And if we make it to our first anniversary, then you can throw us a party!" She laughed again.

"Then I should probably start planning because I know that you guys will be alright. Come on, let me take you home."

Nathan was still in the chapel sitting in awe. She doesn't deserve him? He never thought he deserved her. Haley always seemed to be so much better than him, but she opened up her heart anyways. Deciding there was nothing he could do now but give her time, he went back home to finish packing.

After Deb dropped her off, Haley felt she needed a break from all the boys in her life. She decided to go over to Peyton's house. She hadn't seen Peyton yet and wanted to surprise her. When she rang the doorbell, Peyton actually opened the door.

"Haley! Oh my God, what are you doing here!" She exclaimed, hugging Haley.

"I'm back. And I wanted to see my friend!"

"This is great, come on let's go up to my room!" They excitedly bounded up the stairs to her bedroom. "Ahh! It's so great to have a best friend around since Brooke's been gone."

"Yeah Luke told me about that. How are you doing without your other half?" Haley chuckled.

"Been better. My dad's coming home though!"

"That's great Peyton!"

"Yeah I guess so, I just wish it was under different circumstances."

-Flashback-

"Larry Sawyer please"

"And may I ask who is calling?"

"This is Peyton Sawyer, his daughter, and it's kind of an emergency."

"Just one moment please." Terrible music began playing as Peyton was put on hold.

"Could they at least play music recorded in the last century!"

"I don't know Peyt, I'll ask them."

"Daddy!"

"Hey honey, what's going on? What's the emergency?"

"Well I had a question. Why is my middle name Elizabeth?"

"Wow, I thought someone was dying. Um I guess your middle name is Elizabeth because we liked it and it fit well with Peyton, why?"

"So none of my relatives names are Elizabeth? There's no history to the name?"

"Peyton," Larry began sounding nervous. "What is going on?"

"Is my mom really dead? Because if she's not then you might want to come home."

"I'll be home on Wednesday."

-End of Flashback-

"Wow, Peyton. So this woman who pretty much stalked you turned out to be your mother?"

"I didn't believe her at first, but my dad's reaction had guilty all over it. Why would he keep her from seeing me?"

"Maybe he was trying to protect you. I'm sure he was just looking out for you. Come on, lets get your mind off of this! Let's go shopping!"

"Wow, I think Brooke is starting to rub off on you," Peyton said as Haley pulled her out the door.

After a few hours of shopping, Peyton dropped Haley off at Lucas's. Haley decided she didn't want to stay alone and with Karen and Brooke both gone, Lucas really didn't want to be alone either.

"Hey stranger, Thanks for leaving me at the hospital today," Haley greeted Lucas who was concentrating on his videogame.

"Oh I'm sorry Hales. I was talking to Dan and it upset me and I had to get out of there. How did things with Nathan go?"

"I told him how I felt. That's all I can do I guess, but I'm tired of talking about it! Can we order some pizza or something?"

"I'm on it. Go set up some DVD's or something. I'll be in soon, we need to make up for lost quality best friend time," He excitedly grinned.

"Hey Hales, I gotta go pick up Deb and Nathan to go to the airport, you wanna go," Lucas asked a sleepy Haley bright and early the next morning.

"No, I don't think I should. I have to go open the café anyways."

"Alright. I'll stop by later," Lucas left with uncertainty.

Haley sighed and went to get dressed. When did her life become like this? Married at 17, currently living with her best friend, her parents out touring the country, and she needs to go run the café. She wasn't sure what to do. Finally, she just grabbed her keys and ran out the door, hoping she wasn't too late.

Lucas pulled up in Nathan's driveway and honked the horn. He didn't think it was a good idea for Haley not to come, but she made her own decisions. Deb and Nathan eventually came out, Nathan looking more eager than normal. When he opened up the car door, his face fell.

"What's wrong man?"

"Oh nothing, I guess it's just the reality of leaving for 3 months," Nathan quickly replied. It wasn't the real reason though. He had been hoping that Haley would come along. He was ready to get past everything and start fresh, together with his wife. 'Guess it'll have to wait until I get back.' He thought to himself and turned his CD player up to tune out the world.

Once they got to the airport and found Nathan's gate, it was time for tearful goodbyes. Well at least for Deb.

"I'll miss you Nathan. Call me everyday."

"Everyday mom? How about once a week?"

"Ok that'll work too. I love you sweetie."

"Love you too mom. I'll be back before you know it." Then it was Lucas's turn to say goodbye.

"So who am I supposed to beat during a game of 1 on 1 without you there?"

"Hey finally admitting you suck." Nathan chuckled. "Ok it's not like I'm moving to Florida permanently guys. I'll be back in a few months!"

"I know man, it just won't be the same this summer without you here."

"Don't you mean without Brooke here?"

"I thought we weren't going to mention her anymore."

"Right, sorry. Anyways I'll talk to you sometime alright?"

"Ok, have fun little brother," Lucas said as they hit fists.

"Alright, well I guess this it," Nathan said as Lucas and Deb walked away. He picked up his bag and headed towards the boarding gate. He was just about to get in line when he heard someone call his name out behind him.