4. New chances

Once allowed, Brooke entered Dan's office at his club where he was sitting behind his desk reading some papers, she moved forward and put an envelope in front of him and stood straight again eyeing him intensely, while he coldly looked at the envelope, up at her and then back at the papers in his hand, "What is this Ms. Davis?"

"Your precious money." She spat.

He lazily reached for the envelope and gave a glance in its contents before dropping it again looking up at her with a smile, "This isn't even half of what you owe me."

Brooke blinked and gritted her teeth, "Look, I'm paying you back every penny, and this is what I could get right now."

"What did you sell? Your under clothes or yourself? Those are the things that could get you so little money."

"You…" she started but stopped taking a deep breath, "What do you want from me?"

"Look, Ms. Davis, it's obvious that you won't be able to pay me my money back."

"I will, I just need more time."

"The more you delay the bigger it gets."

"You're so-"

"Careful, Ms. Davis, I might just add a couple of hundreds if I don't like what you say." He smirked seeing her squirm trying to find a way out of this, "You look nervous, why don't you set down, Brooke?"

She just looked at him feeling helpless and she hated him for it, and her look didn't hide this she was looking at him with disfavor and contempt while he just smiled back at her.

"Go on don't be shy, take a seat." He said as she took a deep breath and did so, "Good, now Ms. Davis, we have a problem but I'm sure there's a solution that could make us both happy."

"What do you want, Dan?"

Dan gave her one of his smiles, "You're off the hook for ten more days, Ms. Davis."

She narrowed her eyes at him, "What's the catch?"

He shrugged, "No catch, I just really like you."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that." He confirmed. "I'll see you next Tuesday at the New Year's Eve party, you're going right?"

"Yes…" she said still feeling puzzled; it can't be so easy, not with Dan Shaw.

"Well, have fun then."

Brooke looked at him as if he grew another head but stood up anyway and made her way out waiting for any remark from him that would make this whole situation make sense, but he never said anything.

Dan just gave her ten more days to get him more of his money back, for nothing; the world must be ending.

XxXx

The atmosphere at Karen's was cozy and friendly, it was an hour before they open the doors for tonight and things were going smoothly so far, so they were chilling around.

"You never told me where you know all those drinks from anyway." Haley told Nathan.

"It kills the mystery."

"Come on, what are you a secret alcohol scientist or something?"

"Or something." He said and she let out a noise of protest.

"He's not going to say, it took him years to tell me." Lucas interfered.

Haley laughed in disbelief, "Whatever, I'm going to know one day." She determined.

"Hey, Haley James, you and I should sing together." Chris Keller, their other singer spoke up out of the blue from his spot on the stage. He sat down at the edge of the stage and looked at her waiting for a response.

"Where did that come from?" she asked.

He shrugged, "You're good, I'm good, why not mix it?"

Haley looked at Nathan and then at Lucas and looked at Chris once again but didn't say anything.

"Haley James and Chris Keller in on show tonight at Karen's," he said imitating the announcement, "I tell you this will be a killer."

"That's oddly a good idea." Lucas commented.

"Oddly?" Chris frowned.

"Yeah, coming from you."

Chris Keller was a good singer, but his relationship with everyone else was of a strange kind, they weren't friends, but they didn't hate him, he was just annoying and he enjoyed it; he was in love with himself and he always showed it making anyone else look lesser. But, anyway, he caused no problems and he brought them money, so they could deal with some arrogance.

"Ugh, whatever. Just think about it." He said addressing Haley and got up picking up his notebook writing something down.

"Me singing with Chris?" Haley disapproved.

"It might actually work." Lucas voiced his thoughts.

"You could find something in common." Skillz added.

"Yeah, I think so." Lucas agreed, "What do you think, Nate?"

"I don't know, it might work." He shrugged.

"Well, this is something I'd need convincing to do, but let that be for another time, I'll go relax for a while before getting ready." Haley said getting up and left but before entirely leaving she stopped and turned around, "You better have planned me a nice cocktail for tonight." She told Nathan who let out a chuckle.

"So," Lucas started taking Haley's spot on the couch to get a better view of his brother, "it's going well I believe?"

"What is?" Nathan asked as Lucas rolled his eyes.

"Now he's playing fool." Skillz said.

"What are you two talking about?"

"Haley." Lucas said as a matter of fact.

"Ah, Luke, there's nothing."

"Right, and I'm not black." Skillz chuckled.

"Why are you denying this? Everybody knows it's true." Lucas stated the obvious.

"It's… ugh… I find her attractive alright? But, there's nothing going on, I am not going to make a fool out of myself."

"Actually you are doing this right now." Lucas said as he looked at him, "Come on, I can see you have a connection."

"What? No, man, it's just… we're friends, Luke."

"I think you should give yourself a chance." Lucas told him sincerely as Nathan looked at him processing his words then looked at Skillz.

"I think he's right." He shrugged.

Nathan sighed and didn't say anything, he has been trying to ignore his feelings ever since Haley stepped a foot in this place, no in fact ever since he laid eyes on her, at first he thought she was beautiful and charismatic, and then when he got a closer look, he couldn't help but admire how lighthearted she is, yet, how mysterious to him she is, he knows that there are depths to Haley that no one got to explore, he knows that she has a story to tell, and he wanted to figure it out and attach the pieces, he wanted the whole picture of her.

But, he also knew that she's not going to like a guy like him, they're like the complete opposite; she always has something to say while he barely knows what he is talking about, she manages to steal the eyes of people every night while he prefers to stay hidden, it's just not possible.

He managed to push those thoughts to the back of his mind, only for his stupid brother to decide to confront him and as if it's not bad enough, he also put ideas in his mind and told him there's something going on between them. Stupid Lucas… and Skillz!

This was the night before Christmas Eve, and they have prepared special days for the holidays, they were going to close the nights of Christmas Eve and Christmas then open for the days between that and New Year's Eve, and they have prepared special program for each of those nights starting tonight, they thought they would treat their customers with some gifts of their own. For all the years that Dan has managed The Comet, he has never done something like that, in fact, Dan usually closed for all the holiday season, you can't really blame him for the last few years though seeing the war has been bothering everyone and keeping distance between people and celebrations, but they thought they would make a difference, especially seeing the rumors going around that the war will be over soon, even if not, they believed that people have suffered enough and deserve to have fun.

And as the night was proceeding forward, Dan decided to pay them his second visit along with the usual party of Julian and Peyton.

"One would think that you like it here more than at yours." Lucas remarked greeting him shortly after he walked into the club.

"I just missed Haley and thought I'd check on her."

"I think she's never been better."

"We'll see." Dan said and went on to find a table.

Lucas looked at Peyton who completely ignored his presence as she walked by him besides Dan. He felt tingling guilt as he saw her, he knows that he caused her pain, but he didn't mean to, however he knows that he was being mean and disrespectful, he doesn't know her, but the girl has done nothing that he knows of that would make him speak to her like that. Why didn't he just shut up and took the damn umbrella?

He followed her with his gaze until she sat down with Dan, he for the first time, analyzed her as Peyton, not as Dan's Peyton, she was acting so carefree and happy when she talked with Dan or occasionally Julian, but once everybody was looking somewhere else, Lucas saw the smile disappear as she looked around the place as if looking for something or someone, she scanned the place twice before she suddenly caught his gaze, and her expression shifted again but this time to one of disapproval and she quickly looked away.

"That's the second time, you know." He jumped out of his trance as he heard a familiar voice.

"Hey, Brooke, long time no see." It was also Brooke's first time to show up since the incident with Dan.

"I thought it's about time I blessed you people with my presence again." She said confidently, "Besides, don't change the subject," she smirked, "What's in your mind?" she asked and eyed Peyton.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Yeah, you do." She said the smirk still on her face, "Be careful, Luke." She winked at him and left him alone.

Lucas sighed and turned around to join his brother at the bar, "Preparing tonight's cocktail?"

"What? Are you done with your guilt-staring, so you decided to pick up on your brother?" Nathan snapped and Lucas narrowed his eyes.

"Whoa, what's wrong?"

"You; the fact that you're constantly pushing on something that doesn't exist; can't exist."

"Nate," Lucas started slowly, "You realize there's a big difference between doesn't exist and can't exist, right?"

Nathan rolled his eyes, "And now for the English lessons."

Lucas held his hands up defensively, "Alright, you obviously don't want to talk about it, you're not ready, I just don't want you to regret anything later."

"Luke," Nathan sighed, "Do us both a favor and worry about yourself for now, okay?" He wasn't being rude, in fact it was more of a pleading request rather than a snap out, he was letting him know that he isn't ready to talk about anything, let alone come face to face with the fact that his feelings for Haley are deeper than just attraction.

Lucas nodded understandingly and left his brother alone to his thoughts. On the other hand, Nathan felt as suffocated as ever, he was scared… Nathan had dreams and ambition in his life, but he can't recall a time when he wasn't scared; when he was a kid and his mother was sick he was scared to lose her, and when he did, he was scared to face life, when Karen took care of him, at first he was scared to be a burden, and once he felt a part of the family, his fear kicked in again in the form of fearing to get too attached just to lose them again, and for the past few years, he was scared that the war would kill him one way or the other… but now, this fear he has… it's new and it's the most frightening so far!

Nathan is scared to believe he's worthy, he's scared to be let down, he's scared to stumble and fall… and the worst part is, a part of him knows he's going that way already.

When Haley finished her show and bounced excitedly towards the bar, she didn't see the usual sight of Nathan waiting for her with the charming smile of his, her smile dropped a little as she tuned towards Owen, "Owen, where's Nathan?"

"He didn't feel alright so he went home early."

Haley frowned, "What's wrong with him? Is he okay?"

Owen shrugged serving a glass for a customer, "I don't know, he looked like he just needed some rest."

She nodded and sighed. She wondered what could be wrong with him; he looked just fine earlier, maybe he caught some cold? It's very common nowadays with the current weather after all. Maybe that's it, she just hoped it isn't something bad.

"Do you want some drink?" Owen offered her cutting her train of thoughts.

"What? Oh, no, thank you." She took a deep breath and looked around the place trying to find something else to do… or maybe spot Lucas to ask about his brother. However, the person she spotted was Peyton; she was sitting alone by a table drinking from a glass as she hanged her coat on the chair letting her bare long hands catch some cold breeze.

She walked over towards her after looking around for any sign of Dan but she didn't find him, "Can I talk to you?" Peyton looked up at her and it was obvious that she wasn't exactly sober, nor drunk, she was a little lightheaded though.

"It depends." She shrugged as Haley frowned in confusion so Peyton went explaining further, "If you're going to judge, snap, or be rude I'm not really in the mood so that would be a no."

Haley looked at her apologetically; she knows that she wasn't exactly nice when they met the other day, and seeing her encounter with Lucas, the girl has a right to be defensive.

"I wasn't so nice, was I?"

Peyton shrugged again taking another sip from her glass, "You were fine. Nothing I haven't seen anyway."

"I'm sorry." Haley said sincerely and Peyton looked at her a little taken aback but she regained her mask and shook her head.

"Don't be, it's fine."

"No, it isn't. You were being nice and I-" she cut her sentence in the middle not knowing how to put it.

"Saw Dan in me." Peyton finished for her, "It's okay; everybody does so."

"I'm sorry." She couldn't help but say once again feeling guilty as Peyton gave her a look.

"Come on! Besides, Dan is not so-" she started but stopped reminding herself there's no point of arguing about Dan's manners, she has stopped doing so years ago and there's no reason to start doing it again, she shook her head and changed the subject clearing her throat, "Great show. You're really talented."

Haley froze for a moment for the sudden change, but chose to let it go as she smiled and thanked her before cleaning her throat, "Listen, I never got the chance to thank you for bringing my umbrella back, that was so nice of you."

"You said it was dear to you, so…"

"It is." Haley smiled and took a seat next to her, "It's actually the only thing left from my mother."

"Oh," Peyton smiled and her hands unconsciously flew to her neck holding the cold metal of her necklace, "This is the last thing from my mother." She explained feeling a little childish, however Haley only smiled warmly letting her feel somehow better.

"It's beautiful."

"Thank you. I was fourteen, and my mom took me on this cruise, the sun was shining, the smell of the ocean, the blue water glistening, and I actually saw dolphins playing from a distance. We spent that night under the stars just me and her, and we bought those two necklaces, I got the star and she got the crescent." She said pointing out the two shapes that are now resting around her neck. She instantly felt a wave of panic and embarrassment, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be bothering you with my lame stories."

"No, no, you're not." Haley's eyes widened as she put a soothing hand on her arm, "It's a very nice memory, I'm sure your mother was a very nice lady."

"She was." She smiled. She doesn't know what got over her, she just started speaking and telling one intimate story; Peyton Sawyer never realized how lonely she was until that moment. She thought she was fine, but obviously, she needs such human company, she needs someone to talk to.

"So, what were you doing at Bernice's?"

She shrugged, "A new gown, for New Year's eve party."

"Right. At the Campbell household, right?"

"Where else." She chuckled. "Are you going?"

"Yes, I was going to Bernice for the same reason. In fact, I'm going again in two days, want to go together?"

Peyton smiled, "You don't have to do that, Haley."

"Do what?"

"Be nice."

"No, I'm not. If you don't want to go with me you can just say no, you know." She said and offered her smile which Peyton eventually returned and looked away nodding.

"Alright, we can go together."

"Great. See you in two days."

XxXx

Nathan frowned upon hearing a knock on the door; Lucas had a key and he couldn't think of anyone else to be knocking on their door now seeing that everyone they know would still be at the club. So, when he opened the door he was understandably shocked.

"Haley? What are you doing here?"

"Owen and Lucas said you were sick." She shrugged and then looked beyond him and he quickly moved out of her way.

"Please come in." he said seeing it was pouring rain outside like it does most of the time nowadays.

"Thanks," she said as he helped her closing down her umbrella, "Um, are you okay?"

He couldn't help but chuckle, "I'm fine."

"So, you're not sick?"

"No, I was just a little tired and needed to, uh, take some time."

"Ah, what a shame!"

"What?" he asked confused.

"You see," she held up the bag she was holding, "I borrowed some stuff from Mary, and seeing you have been treating me every night with such amazing cocktails, I thought I'd treat you too with an amazing soup. But, you're not sick so…"

"I might be a little cold you know," he said faking a cough as Haley laughed.

"In this case," she said taking off her coat, "get ready for the most amazing dinner you've ever had."

He smiled and led her to the kitchen where he sat at the table watching her getting her stuff ready, "So," she started a conversation, "how do you guys feed yourselves?"

Nathan smiled, "We never had to worry about food when Karen was here, but once she left, Lucas insisted on cooking himself, and after some failed attempts he gave up, so Mary took it upon her to make sure to make us food."

Haley laughed, "So, Mary has been with you from the start?"

"Oh, yeah, she was here since we were young, she worked with Karen when it was just a café."

"She's very nice woman."

"Yes, she is."

"You're very close with your mom, aren't you?" she asked and when he looked at her questioningly she proceeded, "You call her Karen, I mean."

"Oh, Karen is not my mom." He answered, "She's Lucas'."

"But…"

Nathan chuckled, "We always liked it when people got this confused about it." He laughed and she looked confused, "You see," he started explaining, "We're half-brothers. We have the same father. Apparently he was some bastard who cheated on both our mothers with each other and left them both pregnant. They both faced hard time of course and somehow it made them friends. When I was seven my mom got sick and eventually passed away, and Karen became my only mother figure."

He smiled seeing Haley's mouth slightly opened, "Are you serious?" she asked skeptical.

"Indeed."

"Oh my God, Nathan, I'm so sorry." She said as he chuckled.

"It's okay, actually how have you not heard this story until now? You've been in town for a long time."

"Yeah, but, I only know that you're brothers and Karen left after her husband's…" she trailed off not wanting to saw death. She stayed silent for a while taking care of preparing the dinner before suddenly laughing.

"What?" Nathan questioned.

"All this time I thought you two are twins." She laughed, "I'm such an idiot."

"No, you're not an idiot." He said in a small voice and she looked at him and smiled.

"But, this story… I mean… it only happens in books."

"Yeah, so we have been told." He noted, "So, what about you?"

"What do you mean?"

"What's your story, Haley James?"

She shrugged, "Nothing."

"Come on, we both know there's a story behind you."

She smiled a sad smile before quickly recovering and turning it into a smirk, "I'll make a deal with you, I'll tell you my story when you tell me about your cocktails." She said and he groaned.

"Not fair. I told you my story."

"Yes, but everyone knows it, don't they?" she smirked and he groaned once again.

"I see your point." He nodded and then smirked himself, "Fine, but I will change the deal a bit."

"What do you want?"

"We will see which one of us will get the other to tell their story first."

"Sounds fun." She agreed.

For the next few minutes, Haley worked in silence adding the ingredients one by one and getting her soup ready with some mashed potatoes and plum charlotte, while Nathan was watching her movements around the kitchen secretly pretending that they're the only ones in the universe. She tiptoed trying to reach a high cabin, and when she still didn't reach she tried jumping with raising one leg which caused her to stumble and nearly fall if it weren't for Nathan who caught her and put her back on her feet. He was holding her waist and she was holding on to his arms for support when he gazed down at her letting his hazel green eyes pour into her big light brown ones. His breath caught up in his throat feeling her body pressed against his.

He cleared his throat and took a step backward, "Be careful, shorty." He smirked and she blushed.

"I'm not short, you're tall." She complained.

"Whatever makes you happy." He smiled, "What did you need anyway?"

"I was looking for plates."

"They're right over here." He said and got her what she needed as they sat the table together.

Once they sat down Haley looked up at Nathan who was getting ready to take his first taste. She watched in satisfaction as his expression turned into amusement.

"This is really good."

"I know." She said happily, "It's my mom's recipe."

They ate and exchanged a light conversations until Haley spoke up pushing him once again, "So, are you going to tell me the real reason you denied me my cocktail tonight?"

He smiled knowing she realizes he wasn't sick at all looking away before bringing his eyes back to her questioning ones, "Let's just say, I was having an internal debate."

"And I interrupted you." She realized guiltily as he smiled shaking his head.

"No, in fact… I settled it."

"That's good."

"Hey, lazy-ass brother, are- whoa." Lucas appeared by the kitchen door, "Am I interrupting something?" he smirked.

"No, we're just having a nice dinner." Nathan said giving him a look.

"Right." Lucas said in a disbelieving tone.

Nathan rolled his eyes, "Haley came over when she heard I was sick, and she made dinner."

"Come over, Luke, I made extra." Haley said and got up to fix him a plate.

"Be careful, Haley, you might spoil us." Nathan said.

She shrugged, "So, you get to be spoiled, and I get to spoil someone." She gave him a look as she sat down, "I know I don't tell you this, but I'm grateful I got to know you guys."

They both smiled at her as Lucas patted her back, "We're glad you're in our lives too Haley."

"You are the first friends I make in town actually."

"Oh, you mean on the personal level, not work-wise." Lucas joked as she hit his shoulder and Nathan kicked him under the table making him complain.

"You're a great person, Haley. I'm glad you're here." Nathan said putting his hand over hers on the table and giving her a light pat and a squeeze with a warm smile which she returned while Lucas smiled enjoying the scene unfolding before him.

XxXx

Dan stood out the door with a smile on his face while Julian was standing behind him as usual chewing a gum. The door opened and the girl's eyes widened.

"What do you want?"

"Where's your lady?" He pushed her out the way with his stick and entered the nearly empty house followed by Julian.

"Who's it, Millie?" Brooke asked as she appeared and looked as shocked as Millicent does. "What's going on? You said I still have time." She said starting to freak out.

"Relax, Ms. Davis." He smiled, "Let's have a seat." He said and then looked around seeing the lack of furniture, "Or not."

"Come on," Brooke said heavily leading him to the living room, once they sat down, Dan pulled out a familiar envelope and waved it towards her, "What's that?"

"Your money."

"I don't understand."

"Look, Ms. Davis, we had a rough patch, but I say we forget everything and have a fresh start. You see a new year is heading, and I think we should start it on good terms."

"What do you want, Dan?"

"I'm freeing you from your debt." He said and she just stared at him with her mouth opening and closing without any words coming out.

"What?" she finally managed to let out narrowing her eyes.

"You heard me, Brooke –allow me to call you Brooke- I don't like being a tough man or being the reason for someone's misery, so I'm freeing you from your debt."

"But, I borrowed money, and wasted it, I have to get it back to you."

"No, you don't." He said, "Not in the form of cash anyway."

She narrowed her eyes as it started to dawn upon her, "What do you want in exchange for your money, Dan?"

"Now, you're asking the right questions." He smiled. "I'm offering you a job, Brooke." Dan's smile widened as Brooke stared at him not knowing where this will be going.

"If I were you, I'd blindly accept." Julian nodded encouragingly.

Brooke blinked looking between both of the and Millicent who probably looked as horrified as herself. Brooke has dug herself a hole and she can't seem to get out of it, and Dan, is standing at the top throwing her the robes that he pleases.

Thank you guys so much for reading and commenting it means so much to me. So, most of you are asking for Naley, we'll get there I promise. There were some quality time for them here though. So, what do you think of the characters so far? And I've already planned the other couples, but what other pairs do you think there will be? Please let me know what you think :)

And I hope you enjoyed your New Year. I know I did.