Author's note: This chapter is just going to delve deeper into the Laley friendship. It will also take care of something that I hated that happened on OTH. I promise, next chapter all the Brucas will return. Don't be shy with those reviews!

Chapter 9- The Best of Friends

"I really appreciate you coming with me." Lucas and Haley had been on the road for about an hour, they had been enjoying their time together, catching up on events in one another's lives.

"No problem buddy, it has been fun. I am just glad that you are taking this test." Haley knew she was fortunate that Nathan tested negative for HCM, she just hoped that she would get lucky again and that her best friend would test negative as well. "And don't worry, I didn't tell Brooke."

"I appreciate that. I really do, I just want to tell her once I know the results. Did you talk to her at all before we left?"

"Nope, but Peyton did. They are planning to go to TRIC tonight to see the Wreckres, so that should take her mind off of things." Haley was still a little disappointed that she had to miss seeing the Wreckers, Michelle Branch was one of her idols.

"Good, I hoped she wouldn't sit around and mope, you know how she can be." Lucas decided that now was a pretty good time to talk to Haley about her and Nathan. "So Hales, how are things with you and Nathan?"

"They are good. It was a little rough there for a while, I won't lie. But things are really getting back on track." Haley bit her lip wondering whether or not she should continue, "I don't know if he told you about what happened with Chris?"

"The kiss? Yeah, he did tell me. He was pretty upset, but I think more than anything he was glad you told him, that you were up front about it."

"Yeah, it was hard though, but it was the right thing to do. Luke, it won't happen again. I can promise you that, I promised Nathan that. Nathan was my first everything you know that, but then Chris walked in and kind of confused me. Kissing him though, that made me realize that Nathan really is it for me. The kiss just didn't feel right, it didn't make me feel half of what I feel when I kiss Nathan." Haley looked towards Lucas, hoping to see some kind of comprehension on his face.

"I am just glad you told him, and glad that he could look past it. Once you start the secrets you just never stop. I learned that the hard way. Look at what it put me through Hales, I didn't think Brooke would take me back. With her, it was way too many secrets."

"I know, I am so glad that you guys could work through it. You really are good for each other." Haley looked over at Lucas and laughed a little bit.

"What's so funny Haley?" Lucas looked curiously over at Haley.

"I am just remembering back to the days when it was you and me against the world. It feels as though it was ages ago but it really wasn't."

"I know, it does feel like it was forever ago. But no matter what Haley, no matter how many people come into our lives, you and I will always be best friends, always. I can promise you that."

"I can promise you that too Luke. No matter what else changes, you will be a constant in my life, and I will be one in yours."

ooooOoooo

"Hey Blondie." Peyton heard as she walked back into the dressing room area, the voice sounded oddly familiar and gave her an immediate sinking feeling in her stomach. "Chris?"

"That's right Blondie. Chris Keller is back to play at this little club of yours."

"How is that possible?" Peyton said a prayer right then and there, thanking god that Haley wasn't there.

"I am opening for the Wreckers. Isn't it a small world? Where is our friend Haley?" Chris looked towards Peyton.

"She won't be here tonight. She is away for the night with a friend. I couldn't be happier about that." Peyton gathered up all her courage, "I know about the kiss Chris. And that was low, really low. You knew that she is married and you kissed her anyways."

"Yeah well it takes to tango. She certainly wasn't fending me off." Chris winked at Peyton.

"Whatever. Obviously I wasn't there. But I was there when Haley was trying to deal with the guilt about what happened. She told Nathan, and you know what? They are going to be just fine. And while Haley might not be here tonight, but Nathan will, and if I was you, I would just rethink your little decision to open, because I can guarantee that if he sees you he will beat your ass." Peyton turned towards the door, "But that is your chance to take."

Chris sat there thinking for a minute. As much as he hated to admit it, he knew that Nathan could really do some damage to him, that guy really had a thing for Haley. Chris knew that Blondie out there didn't know it, but Chris had come to Tree Hill hoping that he could convince Haley to come on tour with him. He had convinced Michelle Branch that Haley was worth the shot, all Chris had to do was convince Haley of that, but now he wouldn't be able to that. She wouldn't be there tonight. With that in mind Chris knew that him coming to Tree Hill had been pointless. There wasn't anything there for him. He had tried to play for this same crowd and had had no luck. So with that, he headed towards Michelle's dressing room, playing for an unappreciative crowd wasn't worth the beating he would then get from Nathan. He would climb back on his tour bus and count the minutes until the Wreckers were done playing and Chris could get far away from Tree Hill and never look back.