A.N Sorry I know its been a bit of a wait again. But I hope you all still enjoy it. This chapter is dedicated to Cathy who is in need of a bit of distraction at the moment. I hope this provides it. I love you girl and I'm thinking of you.Will make no promises on when the next chapter will be posted but I will do my best not to leave it too long. Don't forget to leave me a review.

Chapter Forty-nine

Haley had to get out of there she couldn't stay for another minute listening to Lucas and Nathan fighting about her and then hearing what Karen had said about her it was all just too much. But the thing that kept repeating in her head was Nathan's words to her, him telling her that she had been nothing more than a body. How was she supposed to face him after that, knowing that what had occurred between them the night before, what had seemed so special to her, a chance for a new beginning had been nothing more than sex to him. Then as if that wasn't bad enough he had told her that he was happy to continue that charade, continue using her for sex. But what bothered her the most was that for just one second she had been tempted, tempted to go back into his bed and pretend to herself that things between them were starting again. Or perhaps most ridiculous of all had been the fleeting hope that if she went along with it maybe he would realise that he did still have feelings for her that made her something more to him then simply a body to keep him warm at night.

At first she drove aimlessly unsure of where she should go, she wanted to go to Deb and pour her heart out to the older woman who was so much like a mother to her, but she couldn't do it. How could she tell Nathan's mother that her son had just offered to make her his concubine? Not only would it be humiliating for her to actually say the words out loud but what mother would want to know that their child was capable of that, especially when Haley knew that Deb had been holding on to the hope that the two of them would find their way back together. On impulse she turned the car in the direction of the hospital Brooke was the person she needed to talk to more than anyone else.

She walked to the room mentally composing herself for the talk with her best friend. She wanted to gauge how the brunette was feeling before she spilled all of her problems to her. Brooke had enough of her own problems to deal with and if Haley thought for the slightest moment that she was not well enough to deal with everything that had happened between her and Nathan then she would not say a word to her about it. But if she knew Brooke as well as she thought she did then Brooke would be more interested in knowing what was happening between Nathan and her then anything happening in her own life. She wasn't referred to as the gossip queen of Tree Hill for nothing.

Stepping inside she looked up expecting to see Brooke sitting up in bed but instead was surprised to find the bed empty. Surely Brooke wasn't already up and about. Walking back out to the nurses' desk she asked the woman sitting there where Brooke was. After being informed that she had been taken to another floor so the doctors could run more tests she went back to the room sitting down to wait.

Distractedly she glanced around the bare room looking for something to fill the time until Brooke returned. She knew she could turn on the TV if she wanted to but she had never been a big fan of spending her time staring at a box when there were much more productive things she could be doing. The only problem was that right now there wasn't a whole lot else for her to be doing. She stood up going to check the multitude of flower arrangements Brooke had received during her time in hospital but found them already filled with water. She flicked through the array of get well cards that lined the shelves but found nothing to catch her attention. Stepping back from the display of love for Brooke she caught her elbow on the edge of the hospital bed and grimaced in pain. Rubbing it gently she grimaced again as she realised that the bruise that had formed there was not caused by her actions just moments before but rather from what had occurred last night. Although she had been unaware of it at the time when he had pushed her up against that wall in the hallway she had hit her elbow against it hard and it had left a mark. At the time though she had been too intent on what was happening between them to even notice.

Feeling his mouth at her breast as his hand had stroked at her centre had been almost more than she could take and yet it was something that she would never ever want to prevent. That mouth of his alone could drive her almost to the brink on insanity but when coupled with the amazing things he could do with his hands and his fingers it was a wonder she didn't melt into a puddle every time she as much as looked at his hands. Everything that had occurred between them had felt so right and so good. How could anything that good possibly be not meant to be? No matter how much they had both fought against the knowledge in the past she knew that they were destined to end up together. He was probably just scared of the intensity of what had happened between them the night before, few people liked to feel that out of control in their day to day lives, but if she could just show him that it was ok to feel that way around her and in fact that she felt the same then surely things would be ok between them. She knew that she was perhaps being overly optimistic but she could not bring herself to give up hope. If she didn't cling to that hope then she had very little left. Yes she told herself things are going to work out between us.

A small smile drifted across her face as she allowed her mind to drift back over what had happened in that shower less than two hours ago. How could things not work out between them when they shared such passion for each other? But the thing that inspired the most hope in her was the memory of what had happened after they had devoured each other in the hall the night before, the way he had picked her up so gently and carried her to the bedroom. Her arms had wrapped around his neck and she had heard his heart pounding beneath her ear as she pressed her head against his chest. When he had reached the bed he had placed her down and slid in next to her before falling asleep almost instantly, wrapping herself around him she too had fallen asleep content in the knowledge that they were once again starting afresh.

A sharp jab in her stomach broke her from her daydream and destroyed the pretence that she had embroiled herself in. Her baby's kick reminded her of just why she and Nathan may not ever make it back together. His words from that morning to Lucas flashed through her mind but the words that screamed the loudest were what Lucas had said back to him. Oh well that's just great now the future mother of your child is nothing. Hell I don't know which is worse referring to her as just a body or saying that she's nothing. Although Nathan had said nothing to reiterate Lucas' words or even acknowledge them that silence had told Haley more than any amount of words could. Because quite simply he had done nothing to deny what Lucas had said and that hurt more than anything. If Nathan believed that she was nothing then what did that say about their baby. Was their baby nothing to him also? This tiny little human growing inside of her a part of them both if he saw her as nothing then how could he claim to feel anything different for their baby. It was a part of her and she was a part of it. Tears welled in her eyes as she realised that perhaps her return to Tree Hill may have been the worst thing that could ever have happened. But she needed to stop thinking like that. No matter what had happened between her and Nathan she needed to be here for Brooke, Lucas and Cory they were what was important here. What had she been thinking anyway trying to reconstruct her relationship with Nathan using only sex? Then when he had offered her a relationship based on nothing more she had been appalled. Was she really any better than him? Sure she may have hoped that it would lead somewhere else but the simple fact was that she had given him reason to possibly believe that that was all she was interested in.

The tears now were no longer content to simply fill her eyes and they spilled down her cheeks, Lucas' words repeating over and over again in her mind followed by Nathan's silence. She had at first tried to tell herself that Nathan had simply not been given the opportunity to respond as Karen had interrupted and if there was one person that could be counted upon to enforce negative views of Haley then it was Lucas' mother. Although she had not known her well in the years she had spent growing up in Tree Hill she had always felt uncomfortable in the older woman's presence. Her café had been one of the most popular hang outs with the teens of Tree Hill and Haley had been there on many occasions but she had always felt a certain air of disapproval towards her from Karen. The way she had almost spat her name this morning when speaking to the Scott brothers had not really come as a surprise to Haley nor the venom behind the older woman's words. What had surprised her had been the words themselves. The very idea that Karen was jealous or indeed envious of the way she related to the Scott men defied belief. It was just one more thing to add to the growing list of signs that her return to Tree Hill had been a mistake.

She hastily attempted to wipe away the tears as she heard Brooke's voice in the hall. The orderlies were obviously bringing her back to the room and from the sound of Brooke's voice she was less than happy about the manner in which they were doing it.

"Hey I've got a great idea," Brooke said in a saccharine sweet voice "Why don't you morons see if you can actually manage to get me back into the room without running into any more walls?"

They managed to get her into the room without further mishap and Brooke applauded them sarcastically. "Will somebody give these guys a medal?" Looking up she spotted Haley and her frown disappeared to be replaced by a brilliant smile until she saw her tear streaked face and the smile disappeared.

"Tutor Girl what is it? What's wrong?"

Haley attempted to smile reassuringly as the lie that she was fine formed on her lips but before she could utter the words Brooke glared at her.

"Don't you even think about lying to me Tutor Girl, now tell me what the hell that Jackass of a Brother-In-Law of mine did now."

"Brooke don't worry about it. You shouldn't be getting yourself worked up about things."

"Haley don't you dare start telling me what I should or should not be doing. I get enough of that from all these damn doctors and nurses. What the hell do they know about anything anyway?"

Haley flinched not so much at the tone and shrillness of Brooke's voice but more at the fact that Brooke was so angry. There was no doubting the strength of her anger when she called Haley by her actual name.

"I'm going to kick that man's ass if he's done something to upset you, paralysed or not."

"Brooke what are you talking about? What paralysis?"

"Forget about that Tutor Girl we've got bigger fish to fry."

"But Brooke," she interjected.

"Haley," Brooke said warningly "don't you make me use the cripple guilt card to get you to spill whatever it is that has you so upset."

"Brooke," she tried to interrupt.

"No," the brunette snapped "you tell me what the hell that idiot brother in law has done this time."

Haley stared at her she wanted desperately to find out what Brooke's talk of paralysis had been about but she knew Brooke well enough to know that if Brooke didn't want to talk about it then she damn well wouldn't. She sighed "Alright Brooke how about we compromise I'll tell you what's been happening with me and Nathan but only if you promise to tell me the truth about your condition as soon as I'm done."

Brooke considered her words and Haley mentally prepared herself for the extreme possibility that Brooke would refuse her request. Brooke was nothing if not stubborn.

"Alright deal," Brooke agreed "but this had better be juicy."

Haley sighed once again "Juicy yeah that's one word for it."

Suddenly Brooke paused staring incredulously at Haley. "Oh my God I just figured it out. The night of the accident Lucas got a phone call calling him Mr Scott and telling him that he was going to be a father. I thought the call was meant for Dan but it wasn't it was meant for Nathan. Whoever the hell it was that made that call they were calling to tell Nathan that you were pregnant."

Haley stared at her blankly. "What phone call?" she asked quizzically.

"It doesn't matter," Brooke said "and quit trying to change the subject. Now from the top I want to know everything and don't you even think about leaving anything out."

Haley remained silent truly not knowing where to start.

"Haley come on," Brooke said in a wheedling tone "you know that my love of hearing all of Tree Hill's scandal is what drives me in life so come on spill to the Queen. Don't you think it's bad enough that I'm stuck here in this bed are you seriously going to deprive me of this too? I'm away from my husband and my baby." She said pouting knowing that there was no way Haley would be able to resist when she gave her that look.

So Haley told her. She told her everything and left nothing out. Brooke sat there in stunned silence as Haley explained about Tim and about Schapelle, she gasped in shock as the truth came out about Josh and when she finished for the first time in memory she found Brooke was left speechless. Not that it lasted long of course as soon as she had a chance to process it, a rant unlike any Haley had seen from Brooke before (which was saying something) spewed forth from her mouth.

"You cannot be serious," she said. "That asswipe actually said that to you. He told you that you were nothing but a body. That self righteous, arrogant piece of…."

"Brooke," Haley tried to interrupt.

"No you let me finish. I'm telling you now that fool better not come anywhere near here because if I see him I'm going to brain him."

"Brooke calm down."

"Don't tell me to calm down Haley. I swear I'm going to kick that man's ass from here to New Mexico, I'm going to string him up by his balls, I'm going to cut off his…"

"Brooke please," Haley begged not sure how much more she could listen to. All she wanted at that moment was to try and forget about what Nathan had said and as much as Brooke meant well hearing her tirade was only serving to remind Haley even more strongly of what Nathan had said and done. It was a mistake to talk to Brooke about it just as it would have been a mistake to talk to anyone else. Plus she knew that Nathan was not the only one at fault in this scenario and she could not allow Brooke to continue to put all the blame on him.

"Please Brooke; I just can't hear this right now. I know you're just trying to be supportive and you mean well but I just… I'm sorry I just can't do this right now. Can we just talk about something else? Tell me what the doctors have said."

"Ha the Doctors forget about them. They don't know anything." But Haley could see the worry behind her eyes and the genuine fear that things were not going to be ok.

Brooke looked away for the moment and then turned back to meet Haley's eyes briefly. "I can't feel my legs. They've been running tests but so far they haven't really given me a reason for it." She tried to smile at Haley but it didn't hold the same warmth that it normally would have and Haley could see that it was forced.

"Oh Brooke I'm so sorry but I'm sure this will just be temporary. Before you know it you'll be home chasing around after Cory. I know it." She said trying to convey a certainty in her words, a certainty that she struggled to feel.

Haley looked at her watch it was getting later into the morning and she knew that Nathan would be bringing Lucas and Cory to the hospital soon and she knew that she could not be there when they arrived. She needed some space from Nathan to try and sort out her feelings before she saw him again. Standing up she looked regretfully at Brooke "I have to go but I'll try to come by again later. Ok?"

She started to move towards the door but Brooke's voice halted her. "Haley I need one thing from you before you go. I need to know the truth from you. How are Lucas and Cory really?"

"Cory's great Brooke, he's growing every day and he is such a good baby." As she gushed on about the baby she saw Brooke's face brighten instantly before once again descending into a frown.

"Haley I know something is up with Lucas but he won't tell me. Please I know he's trying to protect me but I hate the way everyone keeps treating me like I should be wrapped in cotton wool. He's my husband Haley and if he's hurting I need to know why."

Haley looked at her wanting to tell her that everything is fine but she couldn't do it. She opened her mouth to speak as the images of Karen and Dan flashed through her mind. She didn't know what to tell her. Once again she opened her mouth to try and speak but before she could another voice sounded from behind her.

"Perhaps I should tell you."

Haley turned to look and found Deb standing behind her. Deb looked at her in concern for a moment noticing the evidence of recent tears.

"Haley are you ok?" she asked her concern evident.

"I'm fine Deb; I just really need to go now?"

"Haley wait," Brooke called after her but Haley was gone.

Deb turned back to Brooke, "Do you mind telling me what all of that was about."

"I'd be only too happy to." Brooke told her "but first I need you to tell me what's going on with my husband. Then we can talk about your idiot of a son."

"Oh God what has he done now?"

"We'll get to that," Brooke said testily "but I've been waiting long enough it's time somebody told me what the hell is going on around here."

"I knew it," Brooke said triumphantly when Deb had finished her explanation of what had been occurring.

Seeing the look on her face she had the decency to look chastened for a moment. "Sorry Deb you know that I wouldn't wish anything like this on you, but I just knew there was something bothering Lucas."

"Why should he be bothered?" Deb asked disbelievingly. "Surely this is every little boys dream come true to see his parents reunited."

"Yes that may be," Brooke agreed "but my husband is no little boy and he grew out of that hope a long time ago. He really cares about you Deb and I know for a fact that the idea of Dan and Karen together must be appalling to him. God just the thought of it is enough to make me want to throw up. So I can only imagine how you must be feeling."

"Yes well I guess I've just been trying not to think about it too much, you know concentrate on other things."

"God," Brooke said throwing her hands up into the air. "What is it with people in this town and wanting to spend their lives in denial? You may as well just all bury your heads in the sand and be done with it."

"Brooke what about you? How is the recovery going? I guess I've been sort of left out of the loop a bit lately."

"Me, ah I'm fine," she said evasively. "Now didn't you want to know about Haley and that son of yours?" she asked deliberately deviating Deb's attention away from her and talk of her predicament.

Deb stared at her hardly for a moment, she could all to well see through Brooke's tactics but as much as she wanted to demand the truth from her, her own need to know what had been occurring between her son and Haley overwhelmed that desire.

"Go ahead," she said resigning to herself that she would get the truth out of her later. It was obvious that Haley and herself were not the only ones that were burying their heads in the sand. Brooke was more than a little guilty of that herself.

By the time Nathan arrived with Lucas and Cory twenty minutes later Deb was bristling with fury. They came into the room together a certain tension evident between the brothers. Nathan looked relieved to be entering the room that was of course until he saw the glares being directed at him from Brooke and Deb and he knew at that moment that Haley had been there before him.

Deb stood before him poking a finger into his chest "I think you and I need to have a talk and I'm sure Brooke would appreciate some time alone with her family. Let's go." She demanded almost pushing him out into the hall.

Nathan opened his mouth to speak but didn't manage to form any words before Deb began. "Don't you say a word unless you are about to tell me that you had some sort of brain malfunction this morning that led to you talking to Haley that way. Either that or you had better tell me that I've somehow been given the wrong information because I refuse to believe that any child of mine could ever speak to another human being that way let alone the soon to be mother of your child."

"Mom you need to butt out this has nothing to do with you. I had my reasons ok."

"Nathan there is no reason that you could possibly give to justify that sort of behaviour. This is not how I raised you."

"Mom for Christ's sake just back off why don't you?"

"I will not back off Nathan this is not a situation you can expect me to just sit back and let you destroy your life and the life of Haley and that baby."

Deb could see Nathan's anger building and she was not surprised her son's first reaction at any time when he felt he was being backed into a corner was to lash out at those around him. Deb stepped in closer to her son once again poking a finger into his chest. "Listen to me Nathan and make sure you hear every word I'm saying. You need to find a way to put this right Nathan because you better believe me that if you don't there is going to be hell to pay."