TITLE: Back to You

AUTHOR: Dayz Sollers

SUMMARY: Post season 2 finale. As Brooke, Nathan and Jake come back from their summers away from Tree Hill, the group has to face the trials and tribulations of their senior year of high school, and find out what is really important to them. Mostly B/L but it will take a while. Be patient, it will get there. I promise. P/J and N/H also. R&R

Disclaimer: Don't own One Tree Hill, too bad for me.

Rating: PG13-maybe to an R later on
Category: Romance/Drama

Chapter Two: Dark Clouds

Nathan stood outside of his parents home, his bags in his hands. After Haley and him had talked he decided to move back home. With Dan being in the rehab center, he knew his mother would need someone around the house. Truth was, he was worried someone might hurt her as well. As he reached for the doorknob the door opened and his uncle stepped out.

"Uh, hey Nathan… what's up man? When did you get back?"

Nathan just shook his head, not really in the mood to answer anyone else's questions. All he wanted was to make a sandwich, grab a quick shower, and sleep. 'Yeah.' he thought to himself. 'Sleep would be good.' He had a few more days until school started up again, during which time he could stay home and sleep.

"Hello, earth to Nathan? Whatever. See you later man."

And with that his uncle was gone.

He entered the house, and yelled for his mother. "Mom? I'm home, are you here?" He waited a few minutes and walked into the kitchen. "Hello, mom?" No answer. That was weird. Why was his uncle here if his mother hadn't been? He wondered, but shrugged his shoulders. Jogging up the stairs to his old bedroom, he shut the door behind him. It was good to be home.

His room hadn't changed since he had moved out, there were a few posters on the walls and some of his old clothes were scattered across his bed. There were several books still placed on his bookcase, and on his desk there still sat a picture of Haley, Brooke and Peyton. He smiled, and ran his finger over the picture.

It had been the night of Karen Café's open mic night, and the first real night that him and Lucas had gotten along. Taken at the River Court, the three girls were propped up on a car. Peyton was holding Jenny, Brooke was sticking her tongue out in jest, and Haley was simply smiling.

It had been simple back then. At least for him and Haley. They were beginning to fall in love, exploring things for the first time. Before he had gone and screwed it all up by marrying her. What had he been thinking? They hadn't even been dating that long, and weren't even seniors. And a little over a year later, that ill fated marriage had finally fallen apart and left him feeling alone. He wasn't sure that anything would ever stop that feeling.

Haley stood on the opposite side of the town in her favorite place. After she had returned from New York she had quickly picked up her old routine of working at Karen's. She loved it here, the smell of the coffee, the bustle of the people coming in and out, and the sense of familiarity.

She and Lucas had grown up in this café, and when things got down or she got discouraged because of grades or her family or even Nathan she could come here and leave with a smile.

"More coffee?" She asked the customer standing in front of her. He nodded his head and she poured his coffee. After making her way throughout the café, she leaned against the counter in front of Karen. "Have I ever told you how glad I am that you're back," Haley asked.

Karen looked up from the cash register and smiled. "Hmm… I think so Haley. Almost every time I see you. But you still haven't told me why?" Haley wondered what she was supposed to say. Karen had been like a mother to her growing up, whenever she needed advice or support it was her and Lucas she had turned to.

"You know why. Lucas needed you here, after what happened with him and Brooke… or didn't happen whatever. He needed some cheering up."

Haley sighed. The truth was, they all needed cheering up. Lucas, her and even Peyton. Ever since the summer had started, there had been a dark cloud looming over the people left in Tree Hill. And then the police still hadn't found out who tried to kill Dan.

Karen looked at her knowingly. "Perhaps he's not the only one that needs cheering up, huh Haley? What's bothering you sweetheart? Is it Nathan?" As she spoke his name, the café doors opened, and his mother entered.

Deb walked towards the two of them, and asked for a cup of coffee.

"What about my son?"

"P. Sawyer! Come here and give me a hug!"

Brooke squealed as she wrapped her arms around her best friend. "Wow, have you lost weight?" She teased, as her best friend swatted her arm. "Just kidding."

"Jesus Brooke, did you bring California home with you? You come home with like ten suitcases, and Lucas said you only left with two," Peyton questioned as they loaded Brooke's stuff into Peyton's car.

Even as the words left her mouth, she wished she hadn't said them. Brooke had made her promise that there would be no talk of her ex boyfriend until she was ready. No questioning what had happened between them, or how the summer had been apart from him, or what her feelings had been. It had only been minutes since Brooke had been back, and the name had already slipped.

"Listen. I'm sorry."

Brooke shrugged her shoulders and put her sunglasses on.

"No, its okay don't worry about it. Yeah, I did leave with only two but come on. I was in California. With my parents for crying out loud! What do you think I did?"

She smiled, as her and Peyton said in unison. "Shop!"

Brooke giggled. Being back home felt great, she had missed her best friend so much.

"I've come with presents to go around. Wait, where's Tutorgirl?"

As they got in the car Peyton pressed play on the CD player and Brooke cringed. "I so did not miss the music styling's of P. Sawyer!"

Peyton just rolled her eyes, and pulled out of the parking lot. "Haley had to work, she wanted to come to the airport with me but Karen needed her at the café. We could head over there if you'd like?" Brooke nodded and stared out the window at the familiar settings.

"Lucas man! What's up!" Jake made his way across the room and shook his friends hand, pulling him into a hug. Lucas glanced at Jake's parents and smiled.

"Mr. And Mrs. Jagelski," he nodded hello, and saw Jenny in her grandmothers arms. "Hey there Jenny, uncle Luke bought you something," Lucas said bending down in front of the baby. He took the small stuffed animal from his hands and placed it in Jenny's lap.

"I hope she likes squirrels," he shrugged his shoulders. 'Brooke did,' he thought quietly to himself. Jake noticed the smile had fallen from his friends face and walked towards him.

"She likes toys! That was nice, but how did you know I was coming home? Does everyone know I'm back?"

Lucas laughed. "Everyone huh?" Lucas mocked his friend. "Everyone, or Peyton?"

And then, in a brief moment, Lucas noticed something. The look on Jake's face, had been the same look that he had just had. The one that showed unspoken words, and the strongest feelings imagined. "Yeah. Everyone knows you're coming back. I was heading to the river court, you game?"

Jake looked over his shoulders to his parents, who shook their heads yes.

"Go have fun. Say hello to Peyton for us."

Jake rolled his eyes, Lucas hadn't mentioned seeing Peyton, but Jake was sure that was the reason for his visit.

"I'm game, but can we stop by your moms first? I need to see if I can have my job back," Jake said as he grabbed his coat and the two friends made their way out of the house towards the café.

tbc...