Author's Note: OMG! Thank you sooooooooooo much for all the reviews – I reached 50! I just wanted to let all of you reviewers that it means a lot to me and getting a review makes me the happiest person! So thanks guys and here's the next chapter – I know, I ramble, it's part of me! ;)

Life Passes us By

Nathan woke up on the sunny Saturday morning without the warmth of Haley beside him and panicked. Then he smelt wafts of coffee and was that….. bagels? He followed the comforting smells to the kitchen, where the leaned against the doorframe watching Haley finish making breakfast in his sweatshirt and pair of her pyjama bottoms.

Looking up at him, she smiled cheerily and said in an unusually bubbly voice,

"Let's eat!"

As they sat there, eating and talking, Nathan felt the warm comfort of family. The realisation dawned on him that he had never felt so at peace and he had never felt so cared for in his entire life. That's when he knew that he wanted to treat his angel to something special – but he needed to enlist some help first. This would be tricky.

He was dribbling the basketball up the court, the sun beating down on him when a tall shadow fell upon him.

"Hey." Lucas mumbled, dropping the ball currently in his hands.

Nathan fiddled with his hands as he replied.

"Hey."

They sat on the bleachers in an uncomfortable silence.

"Listen man, I'm sorry about all that crap I pulled earlier in the year. I just couldn't get my head around you, so I did what I would have normally done. But that's not me anymore. I guess what I'm trying to say is…… is…." Nathan looked down at a loss for words.

"What you're trying to say is that you want to brothers." And after a pause Lucas added, "I think with time that would be possible." Nathan smiled at his brother and jumped off the bleachers,

"So now all that sentimental crap has been sorted, you want to play a little one on one?" They both chuckled and played out all their 'issues.'

They sat on the bleachers once again taking a break.

"Ok, so I have a confession to make. I didn't solely come here to work out our problems. I have a question about…… Haley." Nathan said her name quietly, not wanting to ruin this new friendship with his brother.

"Listen man, about that….. I overreacted. You see, Haley's like my little sister – always has been, so when I found out about you …… let's just say I wouldn't be too thrilled if it was Mouth – and he's about the nicest guy round. So yeah, you were a shock, but she's her own person and makes her decisions. I may not trust you with her yet but I trust her. For the mean time – you and I are cool. Clean slate."

Nathan nodded in response.

"So what's this question you wanted to ask me? Trouble in paradise already?" Lucas quipped.

"You wish. I just wanted to do something special, you know, to let her know how special she really is to me. Got anything I can work with?

"Hopeless romantics!" Lucas grinned from ear to ear.

"Huh?"

"The two of you are going to be the death of me, 'let her know how special she really is to me! Ha! Oh and there's your answer – she's a hopeless romantic. Ha!" Lucas chuckled to himself. "I never pegged you to be the romantic type, but I think it's kind of cute at the same time – treat her right though." Lucas teased. He was happy to know that Haley wasn't going to be hurt anytime soon. They were going to be alright, Nathan and Haley, if only he could say the same about his disastrous relationship with Brooke.

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Haley was walking to Nathan's beach house from her afternoon shift at Karen's Café when she heard a sniffling sound from the yard next to her.

The front yard was huge with a small pathway leading up the middle and two patches of neatly mowed lawn bordered by purple flowers on either side of the pathway. The path itself led to a few steps, where Brooke Davis sat crying softly.

Despite the differences the two girls shared, Haley's heart went out to Brooke. She knew Lucas would murder her if she comforted the girl, but Haley knew what it was like to have a broken heart. She knew that having someone listen to her over cookie dough ice cream would be perfect for Brooke. So, she reluctantly pushed open the gate to Brooke's mansion. The angel in Haley told her to comfort Brooke, the demon told her to flee, the girl in front of her had caused her only pain in the last few years. But despite herself, the angel in Haley shone through as she hurried to Brooke and rocked her as she cried.

Later that day, Haley and Brooke could be found lying on the latter's king size bed, eating cookie dough and rocky road ice cream, jelly, Oreos, marshmallows and sipping hot chocolate all at the same time. Let's face it – they were bonding and moping.

"I mean I really like him…. I think I might actually be in love with him. Oh my gosh! I'm falling in love with him and he won't even look at me. I'm SO ridiculously stupid. Why do I have to be so cold and heartless?" Brooke cried helplessly as she exploded in a fit of sobs yet again causing Haley to shudder.

As much as she loved this newfound friendship with Brooke, the girl seriously needed help.

"Brooke. Lucas can't stay mad at you forever. Trust me – I'm his best friend, I can see it in his eyes when he talks about you, I think he might be falling for you too." Haley said.

"You just need to get out of this house, stop moping and tell him how you feel. He'll understand. I promise. Just go talk to him."

Brooke sniffled.

"I suppose you're right." She got up slowly.

"I always am!" Exclaimed Haley cheerily, happy that she had lifted her 'friend's' spirits up.

As they left Brooke's to go the Rivercourt, Brooke turned around saying,

"Thanks Haley. You've been good to me even after I treated you the way I did. I hope we can be friends."

"Well, after helping you eat all the ice cream in your house, I'd say you got yourself a friend in me!" Haley chirped.

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"Haley, stop the car." Brooke panicked as they reached the Rivercourt.

"What? Why?" Haley asked, confused.

"I can't do this. He's going to reject me just like everyone else does. He's probably moved on. Oh God!" Brooke ranted.

"Relax Brooke. You two are going to be fine. Just take a deep breath and get out the car." Haley calmed her friend.

"You're right. I'm overreacting. Ok, I'm calm now." Brooke took a deep breath and gracefully exited the car. She walked over to the court, willing herself not to look flustered.

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Nathan nodded his head towards Brooke's car.

"I think someone's here to see you."

"Oh great. Just what I need." Lucas threw his hands in the air.

"Hey man, just chill. Listen to her, I'm sure she has an explanation – for everything – and I know you know the whole me and Brooke fling wasn't planned." Nathan looked at Lucas with pleading eyes.

"I know that, but it doesn't mean I'm over it. You and I are cool and but Haley's boyfriend still has something to prove to me. And as for Brooke," he sighed, "I'll see where things take us."

Authors' Note: I know I said there'd be a 'reunion of sorts' in this chapter but I felt it would be better to split the chapters. You'll just have to review me and see if I'm kind enough to update quick enough! Ha! I know I'm evil.

Spoiler: There's drama at the reunion (hopefully)