A/N: Thank you for the awesome reviews. And thanks to my beta: Leeese.


Chapter Eight

Haley paced across the floor, lost in thought. Nathan had to know the truth about his lying wife. However, she also knew that he wouldn't believe her without proof. After all, he had known Rachel a lot longer than Haley. She started to think of the tricks that she had used against Taylor to get her to tell the truth about something. Taylor never was one for honesty so it was hard for Haley to believe what she said at times.

As she paced across the floor, she heard the doorbell ring. She wasn't in the mood for visitors. However, she decided to be polite and answer the door anyway. She walked to the front door and saw a smiling Nathan. He didn't let her get a word in. "Do you have any plans tomorrow night? Because Rachel and I are having a party at the club and I would really love it if you would come."

Haley took a deep breath before she spoke. "Nathan, I really need to talk to you about Rachel."

Nathan didn't let her go on. "Yeah, Rachel told me about the run in at the club. But she couldn't help being grouchy at you," he said. "After all, she is pregnant!" Haley gaped at him. She couldn't believe that Rachel told him. "I'm going to be a father," he exclaimed happily. "Isn't that great?"

Haley did her best to smile. "Yeah, that is great. Congratulations." There was a short pause before she asked, "How does Rachel feel about it?"

"Well, she was surprised, but she said that she could get used to the idea," Nathan told her. "Why do you ask?"

Haley shrugged. "I was just wondering."

Nathan couldn't stop smiling. "So you will be at the club tonight, right?" he asked hopefully.

Haley could tell that he really wanted her to be there. She let out a sigh before answering. "Yeah, I'll be there."

Nathan smiled happily at her as he heard his cell-phone ringing. He excused himself before answering it. When he came back, he looked upset. Haley looked at him curious. "Someone broke into the café. I've got to go and see what is going on over there. Do you want to come with me?" he asked her. Haley nodded before she followed him out the door.

Once they arrived at the café, Nathan was surprised to see that the lights were on inside. They walked up to the door and found it to be unlocked. He opened the door slowly and poked his head in. "Hello, is anybody in here?" he called as he looked around the empty room. There was no answer.

Nathan led Haley in and showed her around. She didn't want to admit it, but she fell in love with the place at once. "Wow, this is a nice place," she told him. "It's too bad that you want to sell it."

They were about to leave when they heard faint giggling. Nathan frowned, wondering where it was coming from. They walked in the back room and couldn't believe what they saw. Lucas and Lindsey were making out passionately on the floor while they were barely covered up. Nathan glared at them. "What the hell do you two think that you're doing in here?" he demanded as Lucas and Lindsey came back to reality.

They quickly covered themselves up as Lucas tried to find his voice. "I can explain," he exclaimed.

Nathan gave him a look. "I think the scene speaks for itself," he snapped before he ushered Haley out of the room. Nathan shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe that he did this. This is his mother's café. I thought he had more respect for her than this."

Haley had to admit that she was too surprised about what she had discovered. She knew how much the café meant to Lucas. She had a feeling that Lindsey was involved. However, she didn't want to say anything until she was sure. She didn't want to upset Nathan anymore than he already was.

A few minutes later, Lucas and Lindsey came into the room, fully dressed. Before Nathan could even give Lucas a lecture, Lindsey spoke up. "I'm so sorry, Coach Scott. It is my fault. We were just making out and I was the one who encouraged him to do it here."

"You know, you're not allowed to do it at school. What makes you think that you're allowed to do it here?" Nathan demanded. Lucas was about to protest when his brother continued. "I know all about your make out sessions in the storage room."

"Why the hell you are getting so upset about it? It's just kissing." Lucas exclaimed.

Nathan gave him a look. "That did not look like kissing," he told him in a firm tone. "I thought you were brought up better than that."

"According to Mom, you used to do it all the time in high school with your girlfriends!" Lucas snapped.

Nathan wanted to get the topic off of him. "That's not the point. The point is that this isn't the example that I want you to set for your niece or nephew."

Lucas was about to respond when he processed what his brother just said. "You and Rachel are pregnant?"

Nathan nodded. "Yes, and we were going to celebrate the news tonight with a party at the club. But now, I'm not so sure if it's a good idea. I don't want anything to ruin the celebration."

"I won't," Lucas assured him. "Because I'm not going. In fact, I don't think that I will be a problem much longer. After the holidays are over, I'm moving out and getting emancipated from you."

Nathan raised his eyebrows. "Really? And where are you going to live?"

Lucas only thought for a moment before he spoke. "I'll live with Ms. James until I can find an apartment."

Nathan turned to Haley surprised. "So that is what you and Lucas talked about last night?"

"No. I told him that I'm not getting in the middle between you two," Haley replied. "It's the same with you and Rachel. As much as I want to get involved, I have to let Rachel tell you the truth about the baby."

Nathan looked at her confused. "What about the baby?"

Haley tried to think of a good answer. "You're going to have to ask Rachel," she told him. "Because I really don't want to get in the middle of this."

"I think it's a little late for that," Lucas replied. Nathan gave him a look. "Lindsey and I will be in the car."

"No, Ms. James and Lindsey will be in the car. We still need to talk," Nathan corrected him.

Lucas didn't want to stay at the café any longer. "There's nothing to talk about. I meant what I said. Whether Ms. James will let me move in or not, I'm moving out of the house," he said before he took Lindsey's hand. "Don't bother waiting up for me."

Nathan didn't have a chance to respond as Lucas and Lindsey left the café. He let out a heavy sigh. "I can't believe this. My dad is dating my boss. Lucas hates me and wants to get emancipated from me. What else can go wrong this weekend?"

Haley didn't want to add more bad news. So she decided to try and cheer him up. "I'm sure he just needs to cool down."

Nathan sighed. "I hope so. Because I have a feeling that he would only get into worse trouble if he is allowed to be emancipated from me."


That evening, Haley was finishing up to get ready for the party when she heard the doorbell ring. She knew that it was Peyton and Jake. They were picking her up since Nathan had been at the club after he had dropped her off from the café. Haley had promised him to keep an eye out for Lucas. But she hadn't seen him since he had left the café.

She went to answer it and gave her guests a wide smile as she let them in. They were greeted by Jewel as Haley spoke. "Wow, I thought you two were going to be late because of your new baby," she teased them.

Peyton gave her a look. "When you are a mother, you'll understand how hard it is to leave your newborn baby."

"Ryan will be fine with his grandparents," Jake assured her. He then changed the subject. "So how was your Thanksgiving with the Scotts?" he asked Haley. She made a face. Jake nodded understandingly. "Yeah, I met Rachel's mother. She can be a bitch sometimes." Peyton gave him a look. "Hey, our son isn't around. Besides, he won't pick up on our words right away."

Haley really didn't want to hear another argument. "I'll tell you about it on the way there," she replied. "Let me just get my purse and I'll be ready to go."

Soon, the three were at the club. Haley was amazed how far Nathan and Rachel had gone with decorating the club. Pink and blue was everywhere. Nathan came over and greeted his guests before he led them over to their private booth. Haley could tell that his bad mood had disappeared. Either that, he was hiding his feelings very well.

They started talking as Dan and Victoria joined them. They exchanged greetings as the two sat down. "Where is your darling son?" Victoria asked Peyton and Jake. "I was hoping to see him again."

"My parents are watching him for tonight," Jake replied. "I didn't think that the club was an appropriate place for the baby to be."

"Where's Brooke?" Haley asked Victoria as Rachel joined them. They avoided eyes as Haley waited for Victoria's answer.

"I'm afraid that Brooke isn't feeling very well tonight," Victoria replied. She then turned to Nathan. "So now that you and Rachel are pregnant, I'm sure that you want a boy to carry on the Scott family name, right?" Victoria asked Nathan.

Nathan laughed. "Well, I do. But I really want a healthy baby too."

Haley began to notice a pattern with Victoria. She seemed really interested in boys. It made her think of the day that Peyton had brought Ryan to the school and Brooke had made a face. Haley then realized that Brooke wasn't reacting to the baby. She was reacting to the way her mother was gushing over the baby.

Haley then thought of Victoria's odd answer to her question about Brooke. She also thought of her conversation with Brooke just yesterday about wanting to be protected. She started to put the pieces together and came to a horrible realization. However, she didn't want to butt in without proof.

She then snapped out of her daydream as Nathan asked her a question. "Do you want anything to drink?" he asked her.

"Water would be fine," Haley replied before Nathan went to get their drinks. Jake offered to help him. Haley just listened as the others conversed with each other. As the two came back, Charlene finally arrived. They exchanged hellos as Rachel embraced her mother in a hug.

"Haley, may I speak to you for a moment alone?" Charlene asked her right away.

Haley had a feeling that it had something to do with Rachel and the baby. She was curious to hear what she wanted to say so she nodded. She excused herself and followed Charlene away from the group. "I want to apologize for my behavior yesterday. It was rude and inappropriate of me to ask you about your personal life. I assure you that it won't happen again." There was a short pause before she spoke again. "Therefore, I assume that you will stay out of my daughter's personal life."

Haley didn't say anything. She didn't want to cause a scene and ruin the party. However, she knew that she wouldn't be able to stand being around Rachel or her mother. She then realized how much it meant for Nathan for her to stay at the party. She decided to stay as long as she could for Nathan.

Haley managed to stay for a couple of hours before she was tired of Rachel's fake act. She made the excuse that she needed to check up on Jewel. In reality, she was going to check up on Brooke. She had heard Dan telling the group that he and Victoria were going away for the rest of the weekend. So she knew that this was the perfect opportunity to see what was really going on in the Davis household.

Nathan walked Haley out to her car. "Thanks for coming. Do you think that you can check on my house too?"

Haley nodded, knowing that he meant Lucas. "Of course I can." They exchanged good-byes before she slid into the driver's seat. "I'll see you later." Nathan just nodded as he watched her leave. She was relieved that she didn't have to deal with Rachel or her mother anymore. Charlene had been watching her like a hawk all evening.

It took her awhile before she arrived at the house. When she arrived, she pulled up to the curb before stopping the car and turning off the engine. She knew that she was taking a big risk, but she had to find out what was going on with Victoria and Brooke. She climbed out of her car and walked up to the front porch and rang the doorbell. She waited patiently for Brooke to answer it.

The door finally opened and Brooke looked at Haley surprised. "Ms. James, what are you doing here?" she asked her as she let her into the front hall.

"Your mom told me that you were sick and I just wanted to make sure that you were ok," Haley replied.

"It's just a twenty-four hour bug," Brooke assured her. "I'll be fine by tomorrow."

"I also heard that your mom is going to be gone this weekend," Haley told her. "So you're welcome to stay with me if you feel like you need some company."

Brooke gave her a grateful smile. "Thanks, Ms. James. But I think that I'll be ok. I'm used to my mother being gone all the time."

Haley nodded understandingly. "I should probably get going. I'll see you in class on Monday." Brooke nodded. They then said good-bye as Haley walked back out to her car. She was disappointed that she couldn't prove her hunch yet. However, she wasn't going to stop until she did. As much as she wanted to prove to Nathan that Rachel wasn't the person he thought she was, she knew that she had to help Brooke first. Her life depended on it.