Thank you guys for the amazing reviews... I promise you questions will be answered in the next chapter...it'll all piece together, and lets just say this ending finshes on somewhat of a cliffhanger!

ENJOY!

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The walls surrounding her were white. Completely. White wasn't welcoming, it wasn't calming or comforting, it was harsh, it was true and blunt. That's why Haley hated it. With white there were no coverings, or different shades, it was clear and it reflected a clean slate, a new beginning, a fresh start. All the things Haley yearned for but wasn't sure If she was ready to accept. She desperately wanted to start again, to remove her problems and live, but she wasn't certain if she could erase a major part of her life. Lucas sat beside her, still holding her hand firmly in his, he hadn't released it since they had entered the building, and she knew he wouldn't until they left. She gazed around lazily, scanning the room for others waiting to befall the same treatment. There were two women, both had come alone.

One was a woman, who appeared to be in her late thirty's, she burrowed her face in a magazine as well as wearing sunglasses. It was obvious she was avoiding being seen.

On the opposite end of the room sat a young girl, no more than 19, she looked nervous, uneasy, and Haley's heart went out to her. This woman was too young to be going through all this; Haley understood how she felt. She had roughly been the same age when her life had changed. When she had met Jack, things had escalated quickly, Haley had never properly been in a real relationship before, so each feeling, desire and emotion was new to her. That's what led her to being pregnant with Joy, only six months after meeting Jack. He had done the noble thing and offered to marry her, she had been so in love that obviously she accepted.

"Mrs Moore" the woman behind the counter brought her out of her thoughts, "Mr Hannigan will see you now" she smiled sweetly, before returning to her file work. Lucas squeezed her hand tighter before standing and dragging Haley to her feet also. She took one last breath, releasing it shakily.

"You ok?" his words seemed to echo through her, how could she answer that, of course she wasn't ok…but she was going to have to be.

"Yeah" Haley replied calmly, before opening the large oak door in front of her.

She was faced with an old man, who appeared to be in his fifties, what little hair he had was grey, yet his eyes still twinkled. He greeted her warmly, extending his hand over the large desk he sat behind. "Mrs Moore…pleasure to meet you, please take a seat." He indicated towards the two leather armchairs.

"Please just call me Haley" she smiled back softly, shaking his hand tightly before obeying his request and relaxing into the soft plush chair, Lucas scooted his closer so he was still able to hold Haley's hand, which she took great comfort in.

"Of course" Mr Hannigan replied, "and is this the…" he began quizzically looking at Lucas and Haley's intimate body language.

Haley's eyes widened in shock at the assumption he was making, as was Lucas, "Oh no!" Luc stumbled, looking towards Haley for help.

"No this is Lucas" Haley answered, "He's just a very close friend, nothing more."

Mr Hannigan seemed somewhat relieved, "Ah yes, very well, let's get started shall we?"

Haley nodded her head slightly, suddenly the large room seemed to be getting smaller, the walls were closing in around her and she found it increasingly harder to actually get her words out, so she remained silent.

"Right" Mr Hannigan began shifting through various papers in front of him; Haley tried to peek over the desk to see what exactly he was 'um-ing' and 'ah-ing' about. "Well I've contacted your people in Cleveland and they seemed to have briefed you well." He gazed back towards her, his tone holding a question.

"Uh…" Haley stuttered, this was much harder than she thought, "Yes…they explained the procedure to me, they…um told me that it could all be taken care of up here?" she hoped. This was the reason for her visit. She had needed to escape her old life, and for some reason it just made sense to come home, to be around friends.

"Yes" Mr Hannigan nodded his head enthusiastically, " we just need you to sign a few papers," he handed over a handful of sheets to Haley, who glimpsed over them, pretending to understand the words on the page. In truth, all the words were blurred, the black ink just seemed to spread across the page, like a dark vastness, it wasn't until Lucas gently removed the papers from her hands that she realised the smudged words were due to the silent tears that had escaped down her cheeks.

She lifted her fingers gingerly towards her face, and dabbed at the wet streaks, her cheeks blushed a deep pink, the embarrassment of the situation taking over. She sweeped both hands across her face fiercely, wiping away any remainders of tears. "I'm sorry… it's just…."

Mr Hannigan cut her off, "Its perfectly fine Haley. The situation you're in at the moment is very stressful, I completely understand what you're going through."

Haley scoffed quietly, 'Like hell he knew' she thought, how did he know her pain? He had no clue what she was going through, how much she was hurting, no one did. She was left to suffer alone. It seems ironic that just as those thoughts rushed through her head, Lucas recaptured her hand. Lifting it up to his lips and placing a soft kiss against the back of her hand, "Its going to be ok Hales…I'm here for you" he whispered, just loud enough for her to hear.

She gulped nervously, chewing on her bottom lip; "I know you are" she breathed, placing her free hand on top of their intertwined ones, grasping onto him tightly.

Mr Hannigan coughed loudly, hoping to bring back the attention of the two people in front of him, "Do you wish to continue?" he asked, a gentle smile on his lips. In his profession he constantly had women backing out at the last minute, their thoughts began to get plagued with what ifs and suddenly they were out of his door leading a completely different life. Sometimes for better, but sadly sometimes for worse, and staring across at the young woman in front of him, he hoped it would be the former.

Releasing a sigh she nodded, "yes" everything after that small acceptance seemed to speed by, Mr Hannigan was speaking to her, she knew it, she could see his lips moving, but yet none of his words reached her ears. The next thing she realised was a form being placed in front of her, a ballpoint pen on top, "Sign and print here" he marked with an 'X'.

She took the pen, her hand shaking slightly, again the words on the page were a blur, but this time it wasn't due to her tears, it was due to her heart aching inside of her, questioning whether this was in fact the right decision. She placed the tip against the paper, ready to write away, but a sudden thought stopped her. She contemplated it in her head, running a tired hand through her hair as she hastily finished off her signature, folding back the paper and handing it to Mr Hannigan.

"Splendid" he beamed glancing over the paperwork once more, "Let's start the termination."

A gasp stuck in Haley's throat as the harsh reality of what she was about to do sunk in. Never in all her life did she picture herself here, about to do something that she never before believed in. The old Haley James wouldn't do this, she wouldn't accept it, wouldn't want it. But the old Haley James had long ago disappeared, it may not be what she wanted, but it was what she had to do. She just had to.

----

"Shit!" he exclaimed, as the ball once again bounced off the rim without swishing through the net. For some reason his game was completely off, he hadn't been able to make one free throw for 10 minutes.

"DEB!" He heard the loud scream from upstairs; Nathan twisted to look up at his father's window, every minute Dan was yelling, ordering his wife about. Letting out an aggravated groan Nathan ran up towards the net and slammed the ball harshly into it, Hanging onto the rim for a lasting moment before jumping down.

"At least that's one," he muttered to himself as he jogged slowly over to his stuff by the court, reaching into his bag he pulled out a bottle of water, taking a long sip, before squirting the remainder over his head. Flicking his wrist, he checked out the time on his watch, it was only just gone 5. He still had 2 hours before his date. He smiled as he began thinking about the pretty brunette he had literally bumped into at the airport only 2 days ago. He then thought about their conversation they'd had yesterday at the café, she had definitely had an effect on him! Drifting off to that memory, Nathan was suddenly brought back to reality when his cell phone began ringing. He glanced at the caller-id flashing up on the screen before punching the accept button, "What's this Brooke? Calling me everyday now? It's kinda getting stalkerish!" he chuckled.

"Please!" Brooke scoffed on the other end, "I'll have you know mister that yesterday it was YOU who called ME!" she emphasised, blowing out a frustrated sigh, as she scrunched up the piece of paper in front of her, yet again, throwing it at the wastepaper basket and missing terribly, which only caused her to moan louder.

"What's up in Brooke world?" Nathan asked, as he heard the stress in her voice.

"Nothing!" she bit out, "Nothing at all, everything's just peachy!" she pulled another piece of paper, setting it on the table in front of her, chewing on the end of her pencil indecisively.

"Brooke! What's wrong?" he asked again.

"Everything!" she moaned, slamming her head down on the table throwing her pencil across the room. "I give up! I can't do this anymore!" she exclaimed, rising up from her seat, beginning to pace back and forth, "Nathan I can't! I woke up this morning and it was like 'whoosh!' all my talent went flying out the window!"

Nathan chuckled at her distress; "It's not funny!" she scowled stamping her foot for effect.

"Brooke, hunny, clam down, you're the most talented designer I know, what you getting so stressed for?"

"Stress doesn't even come close! I have two months Nathan…TWO MONTHS! To design this dress for Catherine Zeta Jones, and I don't have a clue, I'm so lost, I'm just going to ring her people and tell them I can't…" she rambled, finally getting cut off by Nathan.

"Its only the first day!" he exclaimed, "You have two months you'll be fine"

"Right, I'll be fine!" she replied sarcastically, "I just need to get the material, arrange a number of fittings, make the dress, and oh yeah actually design the God damn thing!" Brooke wailed, sinking back into her chair dejected, "Nathan Im screwed, you know that? Screwed! As screwed as…a big…screwy thing!" she trailed off.

"Ok Brooke, remember those breathing exercises I taught you!" he laughed, "Inhale…exhale!" he teased, bursting out into laughter as he slung his towel over his shoulder, heading back inside.

"Oh very funny idiot!" she threw out, trying her hardest to sound annoyed, but struggling to stifle the giggle that threatened to spill. Unable to hold it in any longer, she burst out laughing, finally feeling the tension and stress release from her.

"See!" Nathan smirked, "I got you to laugh and relax!"

"Yeah whatever!" Brooke brushed him off, rolling her eyes, "either way you're still an idiot!" they shared a laugh, "so..." she continued, "what you up to tonight?"

"I have a date" he replied, searching through his wardrobe for an outfit, he wanted to look smart, yet casual. He'd booked a table at one of the best restaurants in town; he'd even paid extra to make sure they had the best seats out on the balcony, away from any prying paparazzi.

Brooke almost spat out the coffee she had been drinking, "Wow! Nathan Scott works fast!" she chuckled.

"What can I say?" Nathan smiled, "The ladies can't resist my charm!"

"Yeah sure thing Hugh Hefner!" Brooke sniggered, " So tell me more about this mystery woman."

A dazed look came over Nathan's face as he pictured Haley, "She's stunning, but not all make up and hair spray…but a real natural beauty you know? She's small, brunette…and her figure!" his eyelids fell shut, a small moan escaping his lips imagining his hands roaming over her body.

"Ew! Nate snap out of whatever creepy porn movie you have in your head!" Brooke laughed, "So…what's her name?"

Nathan opened his mouth to answer but stopped, he racked his brain trying to remember, what was her name? Did she even tell him? "Um…I…I don't know." He stumbled, trying to think back to all their past encounters, not once had they told each other their names.

"What? God you're a jackass, you forget it already?" Brooke asked appalled at her best friend's behaviour.

"No!" Nathan shot back quickly, "We never exchanged names, I don't know hers, and she don't know mine…its kinda weird actually."

"Yeah it kinda is! For all you know she could be some sort of psycho bitch who kills all her boyfriends!" Brooke teased.

"Yeah, cause that's exactly what a mother of four would do!" he rolled his eyes.

"Oh is Natey boy losing his touch? Only able to get the house wives now is that it?" she laughed, "Or are you actually ready to settle down, be a 'Family man'?" she emphasised, bursting out into laughter as she thought about it. Nathan soon joined in her laughter, which was immediately cut short as yet again Dan's voice echoed throughout the house. "Deb! DEB!"

Nathan could hear his mothers muffled apology through the walls, Brooke remained silent on the other end, straining to hear the quiet exchange.

"Nice to know you care Deb!" was Dan's cocky reply, "I guess you really didn't take your vows seriously, 'in sickness and in health' was what you said…what a sorry ass excuse of a wife you are!" he proclaimed, loud enough to make Brooke gasp on the phone and for Nathan to flop back on his bed dejectedly.

"My father ladies and gentlemen!" he rolled his eyes, rubbing a tired hand over his brow.

"Oh My God Nathan, what are you still doing there?" Brooke asked, shocked at Dan's behaviour, she knew he was ill, and he had never been the most polite man. But he was so rude to his wife that it chilled Brooke to her very core.

"What do you mean Brooke? Where can I go?" he asked.

"I don't know…. A hotel…a motel? Anywhere just get outta there!" she exclaimed.

Nathan got up and entered his en-suite bathroom, turning on the shower ready to just let the hot water wash away his troubles, "I wish I could…believe me. But, I can't leave him, I know he's a bastard and all, but Brooke…he needs me."

Brooke opened her mouth, ready to agree with Nathan, somewhat reluctantly, when yet again their conversation was interrupted by Dan, "and where's Nathan, not that he's any use! He makes me wonder if I chose the wrong son!"

Nathan stopped dead in his tracks, he had never felt rage like this, Dan had never mentioned his other son Lucas before, let alone compared him to Nathan. Hearing Dan's hurtful words caused him to grip the phone against his ear tightly, his veins pumping furiously.

"Nathan…" Brooke whispered, after also hearing Dan's little outburst. When he didn't respond she tried again, "Nathan…please say something Nate…"

"You were right," he stated, slowly undressing, "I just need to get out of here…go somewhere…anywhere."

Brooke sighed, feeling completely useless, "Nathan, we can talk…"

"No" Nathan cut her off, pulling back the shower curtain, testing the water before he stepped in, "like you said…everything's just peachy." He retorted, throwing her earlier words back in her face. He ended the call, throwing his phone on the floor carelessly. Brooke stared at her phone in shock, letting out a shaky breath she began to sketch again. He just needed time.

The boiling water stung his skin, his hands pushed firmly against the wall, his shallow breaths coming out desperately, and still he heard his parents arguing. Nathan turned off the taps, drying himself quickly with the towel, slinging on his black shirt and jeans, he glanced at the clock, it was still only 6pm, but he had to get out of the house.

Shoving his keys, money and phone in his back pocket, he slicked his hair back, placing dark shades on before bounding down the stairs and out the door. A few photographers hid in the bushes snapping away at the NBA Star. Nathan fixed a smile on his face, and sped out of his house quickly, he needed to escape the madness.

----

"I said stylish not slutty!" Haley moaned as she collapsed back onto the bed.

Peyton turned around and smiled at her friend, "Well you know, you just want a bit of…" she wiggled her hips and eyebrows at the same time, a big grin on her face, "oomph!"

Haley sat up, and rested on her elbows, "Oomph?" she asked, "Pey, my day consists of taking the kids to school, washing, cleaning, cooking dinner, helping with homework, and putting them to bed, I have no oomph to 'oomph'!"

Peyton rolled her eyes, before returning back to her closet, pulling out possible outfits for Haley's date tonight.

"And anyway" Haley continued, "Aren't you supposed to be giving me this huge lecture on how I'm a married woman, and I'm so immoral for going out with another man!" she smiled.

"Eh!" Peyton shrugged, laughing when she saw Haley's shocked face. "Only joking" she smiled, coming to sit next to Haley on the bed, " look hun, I can't tell you what to do. But if you say this isn't a date, it doesn't have to be. It can just be two people going out for a drink…there's nothing wrong about that."

"I know Pey, but its just…" Haley groaned flopping back down against the pillows, pulling Peyton down with her, "He's a stranger! I don't even know the guy, am I stupid?" she asked nibbling on her bottom lip nervously.

"Stop it!" Peyton smiled, poking her in the side of the mouth, causing both to giggle loudly, "Look Hales, I know you've got Jack back home, but its clear that you two have problems…You're not happy. Me and Luc both see that. So go out tonight, have fun! And end it at the door, it doesn't have to actually become anything you know!"

"I know I know" Haley replied quickly, brushing her hair away from her face, "thanks Peyton, you're just…oh you're just great!" she wrapped her arms around her friend.

"You better believe it!" Peyton chuckled, squeezing her close before bouncing off and back into the wardrobe, "Oh, you haven't even told me your guys name!"

"Oh its…" Haley began, her brow furrowed in confusion, her mind working quickly, trying to remember, "Oh God what is his name!" she exclaimed after a while, a bemused Peyton smirking at her.

"Oh you hussy!" she laughed, ducking quickly as Haley threw a pillow in her direction.

"I'm awful!" Haley wailed, "I don't even know the name of the guy I'm going out with!"

Peyton smiled at her comfortingly, "Don't worry babe, just make sure, that if you get down and dirty" she smirked, "Don't call out Jack's name!" Peyton finished off with a wink.

Haley gasped loudly, bursting out into laughter as she threw two more pillows at Peyton, "You're unbelievable!" she exclaimed, as a pillow fight erupted.

----

Nathan cruised down the road; he was still way too early for his date, so he was just going to stop off at the Rivercourt and chill. That place always managed to calm him down, to bring a sense of peace. As he pulled in by the river, a basketball came flying out in front of him, banging on his bonnet before rolling along the grass. Nathan braked suddenly, jumping out of his car to see if any damage had been caused.

"Can we have our ball back sir!" a small boy asked, as the rest of his friends stood behind him. Nathan turned around to face them, an annoyed look on his face, "WOW!" the boy cried, "You're Nathan Scott!"

"The one and only" Nathan mumbled, softening slightly at the young boy, who had a huge glow on his face, he picked up the ball throwing it over towards the court. Without saying another word he climbed back in his Aston Martin ready to continue driving. There was no chance of getting peace when those kids were there.

He turned the key, scrunching up his face when he heard the engine splutter. He tried it again, and still the engine wouldn't start, slamming his hand against the wheel, "Shit!" he muttered. He got out again, slamming his door shut, as he went round to the front of the car opening the bonnet. Not that it would do any good, he had no clue about cars, he stared blankly at the sight before him.

"You need help there son?" an old man asked, pulling up beside Nathan's car.

Nathan looked over towards the man, "You know anything about cars?" he asked.

"Nope!" the man replied, a smile on his face, "That's just great!" Nathan mumbled, bending over the car once again, trying to figure out what he had to do. "But I have a card somewhere, local mechanic." The old guy continued, as he fumbled around in his pockets, "Always keep it handy you see, in case of emergencies."

"Mmmhmm" Nathan agreed absentmindedly, he wasn't really listening to this man, he just needed to get his car fixed, he looked at the time, it was 6.30. He still had half an hour to get to Haley's, he was lucky he'd left early.

"Here it is!" the man leant out his window handing the business card over to Nathan, who took it happily, "Oh… I know you…Nathan Scott, play for the Cavaliers right?" he asked.

"Yup that's me" Nathan replied, his focus instead on the name of the mechanics.

"Well good luck in the new season boy, see you around." The man finished, starting up his car and beginning to pull away.

"Thanks" Nathan told him, as he watched the car drive off, his attention went back to the card, 'Keith & Son Mechanics'. Nathan was sure that it was Keith his uncle, the same uncle that had died all those years ago. He wasn't aware that he'd had a son. Puzzled, Nathan dialled the number, once again checking his watch, time wasn't on his side.

---

"Right I'm heading out now guys!" Lucas called, shutting off the lights in his office, passing by reception, which was empty. As he reached to grab his coat the phone began to ring. Sighing he reached across the desk to retrieve it.

"Hello Keith & Son Motors, how can we help you?" Lucas rattled off.

"Yeah, my car just broke down, I have no idea why, can you come pick it up?" Nathan asked, leaning against the side of his car.

"Uh…" Lucas glanced up at the clock, it was just after closing time and he needed to get home to baby-sit for Haley, "Where are you?"

"I'm by the Rivercourt, you know it?" Nathan asked.

Lucas glanced once again at the clock, 'Oh what the hell, I can be ten minutes late' he thought, as he agreed to be there soon, picking up the trucks keys as he exited the building.

Lucas saw the shiny sports car as he drove along the river road, 'flash git' he thought as he pulled up in front of Nathan's car. Stepping out the truck, he almost froze in his tracks, "Nathan?" he muttered. Hearing his name mentioned Nathan rose his head, a steely gaze forming when he realised the person standing before him, "Lucas?"

Both stood completely still, shock evident on both their faces, Nathan sauntered up towards him, his face barely inches away from Lucas, he flicked the business card in front of his face. "Keith & Son, huh? I wasn't aware that you were Keith's anything. Other than a scrounging nephew of course," He smirked.

Lucas rolled his eyes at his brother's childish behaviour, "What can I say? Dan only claims bastards!"

Nathan fixed his gaze upon him again, Dan's previous comments still embedded in his mind, "Wow…I'm impressed." He nodded his head slowly, taking yet another step closer, "You've moved on from the 'Daddy doesn't love me' saga you had on repeat. You've grown up! Well done!" he patted Lucas on the arm, slightly harder than he would normally, "You're finally understanding that Dan didn't want you, that he NEVER wanted you!" he leant his face in near spitting out the last few words.

Lucas couldn't resist anymore as he grabbed Nathan's collar and held him up against the side of the truck. Nathan chuckled, glancing down at Lucas's tightly fisted hand which was gripping onto his shirt, "Now that was a stupid thing to do" Nathan spoke low, and hauntingly. Lucas looked up at Nathan now; he wasn't quick enough to realise what had happened, until he felt the harsh metal slam against his back. Now it was Nathan who had him pinned against the truck, his own hand held his brother's shirt. He leaned in close, whispering in Lucas's ear, "touch me again, and your life wont be worth living!" he spat. Shoving Lucas against the truck once more before letting go of him and walking back towards the car, "Now hook this up and fix it. I'll pay double if I don't have to see you in the process." Nathan told him, as he began to walk along the river, glancing at his watch quickly he cursed silently as he saw it was already gone 7. Lucas stared after him, not another word spoken, as he hooked up the car and began driving it back to the garage.

Nathan's pace quickened, and soon he was at full sprint, he may be sweaty and late, but at least he was going to be there, he thought as he continued venturing for Haley's house.

--

"See! He's late!" Haley told Peyton pointedly, the wall clock showed that it was 7.30, she took off the leather jacket she had on placing it over her chair before sitting dejectedly into it. "I told you he wasn't going to come Pey, it was all just some big joke. And once again, the smart girl is really stupid"

"Hales! Its half an hour!" Peyton replied, grabbing for Haley's hand across the table, " there's probably a reason why he's late, calm down! Plus you look hot, he'd be sure to make it up to you!" she chuckled now, raising an arched eyebrow.

"Stop it!" Haley blushed, "Is it too much?" she asked, glancing down at her outfit. She had wanted to look like she'd made an effort, but then again not make it seem like she'd spent ages worrying about it, which she had. She was wearing a pair of tight hip hugging jeans that she knew fit her well, matched with a plain black halter neck top and knee high boots to Finish off the ensemble.

Her worrying was cut short as she heard the doorbell. Her eyes widened as she looked towards Peyton, "That's him that's him!" Haley squeaked, rushing to put her jacket back on and fix her hair, as well as re-applying another coat of lip-gloss.

Peyton laughed at her friend's nervous antics, "Haley! Slow down!" she called to her, "Breathe, relax…and go answer the door!" she beamed excited herself.

Haley let out a large sigh, as she headed towards the door, a last quick glance in the mirror, as she went and twisted the doorknob.

He stood on the opposite side of the door, a broad smile on his face as he saw Haley staring back at him, "Hi" he spoke softly.

"Jack?" Haley gasped, her eyes wide in amazement.

What was Jack doing here in Tree Hill?