"Nathan, you didn't have to do all this…"

Nathan Lee smiled at his girlfriend.

"I know but I wanted to. I hear the food is really good here."

"And really expensive."

Nathan rolled his eyes.

"Price doesn't matter, not tonight. As much as I love grabbing a burger with you at the Den or eating your infamous homemade macaroni and cheese in front of the TV, tonight we dine in style. I wanted to do something nice for you."

"Lee, party of two?"

So the place was pretty fancy. Even the maitre'd was decked out in an expensive monkey suit. Haley had feared she had overdone it with her make up, curled hair and sexy black dress. But she and Nathan, in his jacket and tie, blended in perfectly.

"That's us", Nathan nodded.

"Mr. Lee, I do apologize, sir. Apparently there was a problem with your reservations. Please excuse the inconvenience. We are working to get you seated as soon as possible, until then, might I suggest you and your lady friend visit out bar for complimentary drinks?"

Nathan and Haley shrugged. Free booze? Sure! Nathan ordered their drinks and they sat.

"Is that Nathan and Haley?" Brooke asked from a table a few feet away.

Lucas turned around.

"Yeah, it is. What are they doing here?"

Brooke stood up.

"I'm going to go find out."

"What? Brooke, don't go over there…"

Too late. She was already gone. Brooke marched fearlessly up to the bar.

"Hey guys."

Haley smiled and hugged her.

"Brooke!"

"Hey", Nathan kissed her cheek.

"What are you two doing here?"

"I came to treat Hales to the best prime rib in town but they screwed up our reservations. So until they get it right, we get to get drunk on them."

"Well, you guys should sit with us", Brooke suggested.

It didn't take a genius to figure out who "us" was.

"No thanks, Brooke", Nathan spoke up.

"It's no trouble and we'd love to have you besides, it's a great table."

"Thanks but…"

"Sure, Brooke. We'd love to", Haley said for both of them.

Both women ignored Nathan's death glare and Lucas' "deer in headlights" look as the group approached the table.

"Babe, look who's here."

Lucas gulped down all the water in his glass.

"Small world", he gasped.

"Luke, it's um, it's nice to see you", Haley began awkwardly.

"How've you been, Hales?"

The two brothers looked at each other without a word.

"Luke, I invited Nathan and Haley to join us for dinner."

"Oh. Um, okay…"

"So", Brooke cleared her throat as they all had sat down. "Haley, I hear you and Nathan moved into those new townhouse developments over by the University."

"Yeah. They're really nice and it's a whole lot roomier. Nathan and I are having fun decorating, aren't we, honey?"

"Huh? Oh yeah. Yeah, it's cool."

"Brooke, you and Lucas should totally come over and visit sometime."

"Thank you. We'll have to do that, won't we, Lucas?"

"Definitely", he confirmed in his most sarcastic voice.

Everyone sipped their drink at the same time, all except Lucas whose face burned bright red when he realized he was drinking from an empty cup.

"Well, this is nice and awkward", Haley observed finally with a nervous giggle.

"It sure is", Brooke added. "Please excuse me while I use the ladies' room."

"Good idea", Haley stood and joined her.

Nathan and Lucas were left alone.

"So", Lucas started.

"So…"

"I don't get it. Why do chicks always have to go to the bathroom in pairs?"

"Beats me, man", Nathan shook his head. "I'm just glad dudes aren't that way. I can't imagine you or Skills going with me to the head every time I have to go."

"I hear that, man."

"Hell yeah."

A few awkward minutes passed by slowly.

"What are they doing in there?" Lucas asked.

"You know they're talking about us."

"Yeah."

"That's just what girls do."

"Yeah."

"What do you think they're saying?"

Lucas managed a small smile.

"Right about now Brooke is probably saying something about me being a real jackass. And knowing Haley, she is agreeing with her."

"And Hales is probably going on and on about how stubborn I am and Brooke is definitely agreeing with her."

They took one look at each other and laughed.

"I guess I was a jackass", Lucas admitted.

"And I can be pretty stubborn."

Lucas looked right at Nathan.

"I'm sorry, man. Really, I am. I just can't say it enough. I was stupid."

"How are you and Brooke?"

"Good. She's great, Nathan. We're really happy."

"Are you treating her right? Staying faithful?"

"Yes. It's different this time, I promise. What about you and Hales?"

"It's perfect. Living together is really working out and what can I say? We're in love."

Lucas nodded.

"Glad to hear it. I mean that. Nate, none of us can change the past but we can do something about the future. I've really changed. It hasn't been easy but it's something I work at every day. Brooke looked way deep in her heart and gave me another chance. I hope you can, too."

Nathan smirked.

"You can be a real dick sometimes."

"I know."

"But I forgive you, man. You're still my big brother…and I guess my friend, too."

The younger one extended his hand and Lucas graciously accepted it just in time for the girls to arrive.

"Brooke, are our tired eyes deceiving us or our men actually getting along?" Haley smiled. "Gentlemen, does this mean the cold war is finally over?"

Lucas grinned.

"The truce has been declared."

"Thank God", Brooke rolled her eyes. "Now life is good again. The brothers have made up and Haley and I had a nice little chat in the john and confirmed that our friendship will prevail despite the fact that I am sleeping with her ex husband and she's now living with his little brother."

"Well", Lucas shrugged. "I'd say this occasion calls for some champagne."

Nathan shook his head and laughed.

"Only in Tree Hill."

"To us", Haley toasted. "To friendships and family and togetherness always."

"And to the Tree Hill love rectangle", Brooke finished with a smile.