A/N: Hey! Thank you for all the reviews – they really make my day!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with One Tree Hill – but if Mark's willing I'll buy James L. ;)
"We should head back to the beach house." Nathan spoke softly, after spending a few minutes just holding her. Her presence brought a calm he had never felt before. As he turned around, she spoke,
"Wait." Haley's hand caught his wrist and he halted abruptly. He nodded to her to continue.
"You never answered my question that day – not truthfully anyway." She said as a cool breeze swept over them. Haley felt his hand flinch as she held it firmly in hers. Her grip immediately softened but she didn't take back the question. She knew there was a reason behind Nathan's hatred to Lucas and no matter how strongly she felt towards Nathan, she wouldn't let him get away with bringing pain into Lucas' life – God knew he'd had enough of that. Nathan motioned for Haley to walk with him.
"I know this won't justify my actions in any way and I don't expect you to forgive me for what I've done but I hope it helps you to understand where I'm coming from." Nathan paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts. "You see, ever since I was little, I've resented Lucas for not having Dan for a father. Growing up with Dan for a father isn't exactly the easiest thing to do; he's always pressuring me, always telling me he's better than me, he's never proud of me." Nathan fought back tears as he said the last part, shocking both himself and Haley as she caught a glimpse of sadness in Nathan's blue orbs. He squeezed Haley's hand as they continued walking, only then noticing that he was holding her hand; his heart began to thump loudly inside him when as the realisation struck him.
Haley had stayed silent, as he spoke and now as silence befell them yet again, she spoke up,
"There's always Keith, Nathan and no matter what you think, he's proud of you. And you know I'm always going to be proud of you, whether it's for scoring the winning basket, getting an A in your math quiz or simply being. And what about your mom? She loves you so much and I know she's proud of her son –
"See that's where you're wrong, she's never around to know what's going on my life. Ever since I was a kid, she would be gone for longer periods of time than she'd be back for. And who would blame her? Married to a basketball maniac and with a son like me – I'm not surprised she wishes I was my brother." Not being able to take anymore, he broke down in tears for the first time since he was six, right there on the beach in Haley's arms. The setting sun glowed orange as it dipped into the cool blue ocean behind them.
A couple of hours later, Haley caressed Nathan's head lovingly with her hands as he lay in her lap asleep. She looked out at the night sky and wished upon a star. She smiled as she remembered both she and Karen wishing upon a star each when Lucas had been hospitalised with meningitis as a child. Now, as she sat here on the beach with Nathan looking so peaceful and innocent, she wished that somehow all his worries would disappear, that someone would be able to bring out the real Nathan and help him realise that it was perfectly acceptable for him to be himself and not what everyone expected him to be. What she didn't know was that she was the answer to her wish.
A/N: Press the review button. You know you want to!