Here's the next chapter guys! Thanks to everyone who is reading the story/ reviewing/ and sending messages on your thoughts. I love hearing your input.

Next chapter will be up as soon as I stop being lazy and proofread it. Sliding Doors will probably be up before then and the new story will be posted as soon as I pick which one I want.

Chapter Twenty

Haley had just finished setting the table when Brooke and Peyton walked in. Standing off to the side she was able to observe everyone's reactions to the two girls. Keith gave them a friendly hi and turned back to the TV, Nathan looked at who walked in, rolled his eyes and grunted. Lucas... he went immediately to Brooke and gave her a hug but his eyes were drawn to Peyton who returned his stare before looking down at his feet. Biting her lip she wondered what was going on with those three. It was obvious that they all cared about one another… but there was something more to the story that Lucas didn't tell her before.

Reminding herself that it isn't any of her business and that Lucas would talk to her about it if he needed to Haley walked over to them. "Welcome back Brooke, and Peyton I'm really glad you could make it."

Peyton glanced up and her and smiled, "Me too, thanks for inviting me Haley."

"Don't worry about it," Haley noticed how Peyton's eyes kept drifting to where Lucas and Brooke were standing in the corner and she couldn't help the empathy she felt for the girl who obviously had feelings for her best friends boyfriend. "Do you want to come help me in the kitchen?"

Peyton met Haley's eyes and saw the compassion in there and gratefully answered, "Yeah, sure that be great."

Haley led Peyton into the kitchen; once were inside the kitchen Peyton looked around, "Wow, that's a lot of food."

Haley nodded enthusiastically, "I love Thanksgiving."

"So… um… what did you need help with?" Peyton tried to find something to do.

Haley's cheeks started to turn pink, "Actually everything is ready. You just looked like you needed to get out of the room."

"Oh," Peyton stayed quiet for a moment. "Could you really tell?"

Haley thought about it before shaking her head. "I don't think it was too noticeable, maybe I could tell because Lucas told me some stuff so I knew that there was something there."

Peyton coughed, "What did he tell you?"

Haley looked down and bit her lip, "I don't think he would want me telling you. I'm sorry."

Looking into her eyes Peyton could tell that she meant it. "Yeah… well you win some you lose some." Peyton blatantly changed the subject, "So when do we need to take the food to the dining room?"

Haley looked at the cuckoo clock on the wall, "Now is okay, here you grab that platter and I'll take this one."

Peyton quickly grabbed the one that Haley had pointed to and started for the dining room.

"Other direction, Peyton," Haley called after her.

Peyton quickly turned, "Right, I knew that."

It took a couple minutes but the two of them set the table and dinner was ready. Haley poked her head out and yelled, "Dinner's ready!"

The table was long to accommodate Haley's large family, but since there were only six of them eating they grouped together in the middle of the table. On one side it was Brooke, Lucas, and Peyton and on the other it was Keith, Haley, and Nathan.

"Keith? Since you are the oldest one here did you want to say grace?" Haley looked up at him with innocent eyes.

Keith was about to say no until he saw her looking at him so hopefully, "Sure… that's fine. I'll do it." Hearing Lucas snickering across the table Keith sent him a glare before smiling down at Haley. Furiously he tried to think of what to say. Finally he settled for something he learned as a kid and mumbled out, "God is good, God, is great, let us thank him for our food. Amen."

Lucas coughed back his laughed, when Brooke dug her elbow into his side across the table Haley did the same to Nathan and hissed, "You laugh anymore and I'll make you say grace next time.

Haley picked up the knife and handed it to Keith and then gestured to the bird, "Do the honors?

Keith smiled and started carving the turkey. Soon everyone had a plate full of food.

"Mmm, god... I'm so glad I got a girl that can cook!" Nathan mumbled. He saw Haley looking at him with a arched eyebrow, "I mean, yeah… um good food Haley."

Haley couldn't help her laugh at his innocent looking face and leaned closer to whisper in his ear, "That's okay, I'm glad I got a boy who can fill out a basketball uniform like you do."

Nathan looked at her with wide eyes, but Haley was calmly nibbling on a dinner roll. Leaning to her he whispered back, "I'll model it for you later, and you can model your apron. Maybe only your apron?" Nathan wiggled his eyebrows suggestively with a smirk on his face.

Haley started blushing and discreetly elbowed him in the gut. Looking up she saw that Brooke was smirking at her. Obviously Brooke had guessed the nature of their whispered conversation. Damn it. That girl knew an impressive amount about boys and relationships. Next to Brooke and across from Haley Lucas had his head down and was working through his food, fast. Really, really fast. Haley didn't take it as a compliment to her cooking though, more likely Lucas trying to avoid talking to both Peyton and Brooke.

Peyton sat back and studied the couple across the table, it was the first time since she had been back that she had spent time with the two of them and she had to admit that they looked like the real deal. Nathan looked infatuated with the girl, which made her wonder about the bet. Nathan wouldn't go this far to get Haley in bed, would he? Damn it! I wish I knew one way or the other. If he is playing her then I need to tell her, if he's serious than I don't want to worry them. Peyton scowled slightly when she saw Nathan lean over and whisper something to Haley that made her blush and giggle. He sat back with a smirk and ate some more food. He set his hand on Haley's and gave it a squeeze… but it wasn't like he needed to tell her something. It was more like he just wanted to touch her; like he couldn't get enough of her. A small part of Peyton was jealous, she had Nathan first and he never treated her like that. He had been a Grade A asshole and deserved to get the shit beat out of him. So why was he acting so differently with Haley? She wanted to saw that she knew it was the bet, but what if it was because he really liked her? What did Haley have that she didn't have? It wasn't even Nathan really, it was more what was she lacking that made her so forgettable… so replaceable. Peyton's gaze turned to Brooke, who was happily eating. And not just with Nathan, both the Scott brother's replaced her quickly. Peyton sighed and picked at her food.

"Tutor Girl! I have a great idea, you wanna hear it? I know you do," Brooke suddenly said.

Haley laughed a little, "Okay Brooke, tell me."

"You should join the cheerleading squad!" Brooke excitedly burst out.

Haley was about to answer when Lucas started laughing.

"What's so funny Lucas," Brooke tried to get him to answer the question but he was too busy laughing.

"Yeah Lucas, what's so funny?" Haley said, looking at Lucas.

Lucas calmed down enough to say, "Are you crazy? Have you noticed how much you fall? There is no way you could be on the cheerleading squad."

"Is that so?" Haley said, shooting daggers at Lucas with her eyes.

Lucas nodded while still laughing.

Nathan shook his head, "She'd be great man, and you don't give her enough credit."

"You just want to see her in a short skirt," Lucas shot back.

Nathan smirked, "I didn't think about that, but now that you mention it… yeah, I would."

"Ewww, gross man. She's like my sister." Lucas squinted.

"You are the one who brought it up," Nathan pointed out.

"No, I was ju-," Lucas started.

"Okay ladies, that's enough," Keith interrupted. "As amusing as I think this is I don't think your girlfriend's do."

Nathan looked down and saw Haley with a pissed off expression on her face and leaned down whisper something to her. At the same time Lucas looked at Brooke who looked irritated that Lucas hadn't embraced her idea. When he glanced at Peyton he saw that she wasn't even paying attention.

Brooke cleared her throat, "Like I was saying, Kristi is moving so I'm going to have to hold tryouts for her spot, but I'd rather have you join the team than any of those other skanks."

Looking defiantly at Lucas, Haley replied, "Sure, I'll try out."

Brooke clapped her hands, "Don't worry about tryout's you're on the squad."

Haley tried to hide her panic, damn Lucas. If he hadn't started laughing she wouldn't have felt compelled to prove him wrong. "Oh, great. Thanks Brooke."

For the next couple of minutes Brooke explained to Haley about what cheerleading was like and what would be expected of her. She finished with, "and have you thought about going blond?"

Lucas coughed, but didn't say anything.

Nathan turned and studied Haley, "You'd look hot, but then again you'd look hot with any hair color."

Haley blushed and took advantage of the gap in conversation to say, "You know, I invited Jake. It's too bad he couldn't make it."

Lucas quirked a brow, "Why couldn't Jake make it?"

Haley fidgeted a little, "Oh he had to do something with family."

Nathan had stiffened when Haley brought up Jake, but he forced himself to calm down. You trust Haley; she would never do anything that would hurt you. Nathan scowled. But who knows about that son of a bitch Jagielski, he's been putting on the friend act for weeks. I'm going to need to watch him… for Haley's sake.

Across the table, Lucas couldn't stop his knee from bouncing. He was next to his girlfriend who he had strong feelings for and on his other side was his ex… fling? Whatever. Someone he cared about for a long time and still had feelings for. He had picked Brooke, but he couldn't help but wonder about what it would have been like with Peyton. Added to all that Brooke didn't know that he even had a thing for Peyton, or that she had feeling for him. It was just one big mess.

And across from him, Nathan kept touching Haley. It wasn't blatant… just a finger down her cheek, a squeeze of hands… but it was constant. They were eating and he wouldn't leave her in peace, Lucas chose to ignore the fact that Haley seemed to enjoy Nathan's attention.

Lucas was broken out of his thoughts when Haley stood up, "Who's ready for pie?"

Peyton's shock of Nathan's behavior grew when he stood up and helped Haley clear the dishes. What the hell is this? Pod Nathan? Peyton then made the decision to not reveal the bet. There was no way Nathan would go through all this just to screw over Lucas. He must really… like her.

Haley and Nathan finished clearing the table and a couple minutes later brought out the pies, with Haley looking slightly flushed.

Brooke smirked, "Took you quite a while to clean up those dishes, you sure you guys weren't doing something else."

Nathan returned her smirk and said dryly, "What can I say; she's an animal in the kitchen."

Lucas said under his breath, "Ewww."

Haley blushed and slapped Nathan's arm, causing his smirk to grow larger.

Keith made a face, "I've known her since she was five, please don't put those images in my head."

"Thank YOU!" Lucas slammed his fist on the table for emphasis. "That's what I've been saying."

"Hypocrite," Haley coughed and winked at Brooke.

Brooke laughed and turned to Lucas. She put her arm around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder. "She's got a point baby; you rag on her all the time when they haven't even had sex yet. I mean think about all the ways and places that we'v-."

Lucas slapped a hand over her mouth, "So what kind of pie do you have Haley?"

"Thank you Haley, that was delicious. Now I'm going to head back to the TV and let you kids talk," Keith got up and walked to the living room.

Lucas rolled his eyes, "He's just trying to get out of doing dishes."

Haley shrugged, "I don't mind doing them."

Nathan shook his head, "No you've been cooking all day. You get a break. Peyton and Brooke go do the dishes."

Peyton threw her napkin at Nathan, "Jackass." Nathan just smirked and pointed his thumb to the kitchen.

"I can do them," Haley tried again.

Brooke nudged Lucas, "Broody, you and Nathan should do the dishes."

Lucas shrugged, "I don't care."

Nathan crossed his arms, "Well I do. I don't do dishes."

"Hey! Listen jerk..."

And so the great dish debate started. Haley rolled her eyes and stood up. She stacked the plates for pies and was walking to the kitchen before anyone noticed.

Haley had her arms immersed in the hot soapy water when she felt a pair of arms snake around her waist. "I'm sorry baby, I'll help you."

Haley turned her head and laid a caressing kiss on his lips, "Honey I don't mind, and I know where everything goes so it's easier this way. Go ahead and join Keith in the living room."

Nathan nodded, "But I'm going to take you out this weekend, okay?"

Haley grinned, "Where are we going?"

"No way Haley James, this time you are going to be patient. I'm not telling you."

Haley pouted, "Come on, you know I hate secrets…"

"Fine… the only thing that I'll tell you is that it is going to be something that I know you like, but that's it." Nathan couldn't help but give in a little.

The pout was wiped off Haley's face like it was never there, "Better than nothing. Go ahead go watch TV."

Haley was almost done with the dishes when she heard a knock on the door. When she looked she saw a hand peeking through waving a white napkin.

Haley snorted, "Come on in Brooke."

"Hey! How did you know it was me?" Brooke came in with Peyton following her.

Haley shrugged, "I couldn't picture Peyton waving a napkin in the air."

"Whatever, so sorry for not helping with dishes." Brooke settled on one of the stools by the breakfast nook.

Peyton rolled her eyes as she walked by, "But not sorry enough to help now?" Peyton picked up the towel and started drying the dishes Haley had already washed.

Brooke held up her hand, "Seriously? Do you know what water does to nails?"

"It's okay Tigger," Haley said peeking around Peyton. "Are you sure you don't want to go into the living room with the guys?"

"Hell no!" Brooke adamantly shook her head. "I peeked in on them, they are talking about sports. Boring. I would rather find out whether or not you girls are going shopping with me tomorrow."

Peyton laughed, actually set down her towel and bent at the waist and laughed.

Brooke pouted while Haley giggled.

Peyton looked up, "Oh you were serious?" And she started laughing at the idea.

A couple minutes later Peyton had mostly calmed down and was standing upright again.

"What's so funny about that?" Brooke crossed her arms over her chest.

Peyton couldn't help the chuckle that escaped, "Come on Brooke, like I'd ever go shopping with you on black Friday again."

"Just as well, my mom told me not to go shopping with you," Brooke pretended to think about it. "I believe she said you taste was horrid."

"Oh did she?" Peyton said softly. "Your mom is such a bitch and guess what? You got a shopping partner for tomorrow. I'll be sure to influence you any way I can." Peyton winked while Brooke smiled. I knew if I told her what bitch-toria said Peyton would feel like she had to go.

"Count me in, I need some more clothes. Oh and Nathan is taking me on a special date and I want to get something new for that," Haley dried her hands on a towel as she explained.

Brooke leaned forward, "So where is he taking you?"

Haley shrugged, "I don't know, he won't tell me. Stupid secrets… Anyways he said it was because I worked so hard on dinner he wanted to do something nice for me," Haley cheeks flushed with pleasure as she thought about Nathan.

Peyton leaned against the counter, "So things are going good for you guys? He's treating you alright?"

Haley bit her lip and glanced at her. Since Peyton was Nathan's latest ex girlfriend she felt a little weird discussing him with her. She was sure that all feelings between the two were gone… but Peyton had warned her against him so much that she didn't know if she should say anything. Haley decided that if they were going to be friends they would need to get used to discussion Nathan, "Things are great. I mean we've only known each other for about two months but we are really just connected, you know?"

"Yeah," both Brooke and Peyton said at the same time, both thinking about the same boy. Brooke let out a little laugh, but Peyton could only manage a weak smile.

Haley coughed into her fist, trying to ignore any awkwardness in the room, "Right… um… well, like I said we connect in this… special way. Like we've known each other forever and I know I can trust him."

Peyton nodded slowly, reaffirming her decision to keep the bet a secret, "That's good, I'm really happy for you guys."

Haley smiled, "Thanks Peyton. Now are you girls ready to join the guys in the living room?"

"Lead the way Tutor Girl," Brooke said as she stood up.

Haley paused on her way out the door, "Are you ever going to call me Haley?"

Brooke grinned, "It's not very likely."

Haley laughed, "Okay, just checking."

"God I'm stuffed," Peyton groaned from her position on the floor where she was laying down.

It was about a hour later and the group was relaxing in front of the TV, trying to agree on something to watch. Keith was drifting off to sleep while Brooke and Haley voted for 'The Notebook'. They would have won the vote if Peyton would agree with them, but she said it was a stupid movie and voted for a movie called 'Brick' off of pay-per-view. Lucas and Nathan wanted to watch some action movie that they probably saw twenty times already.

"Come on…. this isn't a hard decision to make… let's just pick something," Brooke complained from her position on Luke's lap.

"I agree… since Brooke and I have the majority vote, let's just watch 'The Notebook'," Haley tried to get up and start the movie, but Nathan pulled her back down between his legs."

"I don't think so. Lucas and I agree too, so it's tied." Nathan locked his arms around her waist.

Haley turned to Brooke, "Tigger! Get Lucas to change his vote."

Brooke smiled, "My pleasure." She leaned over and kissed him forcefully.

Haley rolled her eyes, "I didn't mean for you to seduce him into it."

Brooke pulled back and nipped at his neck before asking, "Baby, can we please watch my movie?"

Dazed Lucas nodded, "Uh… yeah… sure whatever."

Brooke got up and cheered, rushing to turn on the movie before he changed his mind.

Nathan groaned, "God man, you're weak."

Brooke pointed her finger at him, "Get off it hot shot, you would have done the same for Tutor Girl."

Lucas nodded, "Yeah… you guys are worse than us."

"Naley is always going at it, at least we do it in private," Brooke winked at Lucas.

Haley blushed, "Look the movie is starting!"

Peyton gratefully turned to the TV. Really… could she be any more of a third wheel? What could she do? Hook up with Uncle Keith? Ewwwwwwww.

The movie had been on for about twenty minutes when there was a loud pounding noise at the door. Keith was startled out of sleep and the group looked at each other in confusion at who could be knocking so loud on Thanksgiving night.

Peyton was closest to the door so she got up to answer it. Before she could open the door all the way it was pushed open from the outside.

"Hey Asshole, watch wha- oh it's you," Peyton stalked back to the couch.

Nathan rolled his eyes and stood up, "Dad, what are you doing here?"

Dan walked closer to him, "I could ask you the same thing. You were supposed to be in your room."

Nathan looked around the room saw everyone watching, "Dad let's go talk about this outside."

Dan kept talking, "So when I told your grandparents that you were sick they wanted to check on you and what did they find? Nothing… so I looked like the jackass." Dan started advancing on Nathan, "Why weren't you where I left you Nathan?" Dan reached Nathan and grabbed his shirt and pushed him until he had him slammed against the wall? "Why can't you do anything right?"

Nathan tried to push his dad off him, but he couldn't find the leverage, "Get off me dad! You didn't want me to go to dinner so I went somewhere where I was wanted!"

Dan scoffed and without letting go looked around the room, when his eyes landed on Lucas they narrowed. He turned back to Nathan and slammed him against the wall again.

Nathan knew what had set his dad off even though he didn't say a word about it.

Haley pushed Lucas and hissed, "Do something, get Dan off him!"

When Lucas stayed immobile Haley rushed forward to do it herself.

Seeing Haley going toward Dan seemed to snap Lucas out of his funk and he reached Dan at the same time as Keith. Together they managed to pull Dan off Nathan.

Dan shook them off and Nathan stayed leaning against the wall, Haley walked over to him and tried to put her arm around him. He shook her off, trying not to let Dan's attention be drawn to her. Haley stared in horror as Dan turned to his brother and verbally attacked him.

Dan sneered at Keith, "Look at you Boozy, you steal one kid and now you are trying to take the good one?"

"Why don't you take a walk Danny," Keith suggested, trying to get him out of the room.

Dan scoffed at him, "Why don't you shut the fuck up? You're pathetic; you're here with a bunch of teenagers instead of with your real family."

Lucas tried to intervene, "He's watching me while my mom is gone, we're family so of cours-."

Dan's head whipped around, "You're nothing, you aren't family… you're his pity project and you aren't worth my time."

"Shut up Dad!" Nathan couldn't stop the rage that was coming from his mouth, "he's your son… he's always been your son. You are just too much of a coward to admit it."

Dan moved closer to him, "How many times do I have to tell you that he's nothing? He's just some kid. You and your moron friends can't do anything right," Dan's eyes narrowed on Haley. "So this is your latest slut? Bet this one won't walk around our house in a towel, right Ms. Sawyer?"

Peyton blushed, "Fucking asshole."

Dan pretended he didn't hear and smirked at Nathan, "How wanted do you think you'll be when I tell your little girlfriend about why-."

Peyton interrupted him, "Nobody wants to hear your lame lies Dan. Just go."

Dan turned his scornful gaze to Haley, "Fine, I tried to help you… be with a guy who doesn't really want you."

The room was silent as Dan walked out of the house. Nathan cursed and slammed his fist against the wall before leaving through the back entrance. Haley went to follow him, when Lucas put a hand on her arm, holding her back and saying, "Let me try."

Keith followed Lucas out of the house and after Nathan.

The three girls in the room were left in the silence and no one made a move to break it.

Haley collapsed on her couch not bothering to hold in her tears. That was horrible… I knew he was a asshat but seeing him in action… It made Haley realize that Lucas was probably better off being abandoned, who knows what Dan would have done to him. And I thought my parents were bad because they are never around. At least I know that they love me.

Peyton was confused about what happened… maybe I never really knew Nathan and I know he didn't really know me. That was why Peyton had stopped Dan from telling Haley about the bet; she didn't know what Nathan was thinking or why he did it… or even if he really did do it. The whole night was a blur now. Mike did say… but that doesn't matter, they looked happy now and they deserved the chance. Peyton sighed as her thoughts once again drifted to Lucas.

Brooke was desperately trying to concentrate on her plans for shopping tomorrow. Yeah she was worried about Lucas and Nathan but if she thought about it too much she would start to draw comparisons between her situation and with Nathan's. Her parents had never laid a physical hand on her but they did issue some mental abuse; either by berating her or by ignoring her. Damn it! I don't want to think about that. Deliberately she stopped thinking about her parents and focused on what sales she hoped to get to the next day.

Twenty minutes after Nathan first walked out all the guys came back inside. Lucas went straight to Brooke and engulfed her into a hug, while Nathan walked by Haley and whispered something in her ear. Haley nodded and Nathan walked up the stairs.

Haley forced a smile and looked at everyone, "Well thanks for coming everyone, we're going to have to finish the movie some other time."

Lucas nodded, "Thanks for dinner buddy."

"Yeah Tutor Girl, I'll pick you up in about 4 hours," Brooke told her, referring to the shopping plans that they made.

Haley pulled back from the hug and stared at Brooke, "Are you serious?"

Brooke rolled her eyes, "Do I ever joke about shopping?"

Haley sputtered, "But-but-but …."

Brooke grinned, "Need to get there early for the sales."

Peyton walked by, "I don't do hugs, but thanks for dinner."

"Thanks for coming Peyton," Haley bit her lip and watch Keith pull on his coat.

"You know this means I'm coming to get you even earlier, P. Sawyer…." Brooke's voice got lower as she moved away.

Haley waited until the three were further down the walk before she looked at Keith again. Haley nodded to her ceiling, "Is he okay?"

Keith shrugged, "As well as can be expected. Thanks for dinner Haley."

Haley gave Keith a wide grin, "Thanks for coming Uncle Keith."

Haley dropped her smile as soon as she closed the door behind Keith. She walked around the bottom floor of the house, making sure that everything was closed up for the night.

Haley stood in the doorway of her room, watching Nathan rest on the bed.

"I don't know what I did before you," Nathan voice startled Haley and she walked to her bed and laid down with him.

Haley answered quietly, "I could say the same to you." Haley paused before asking, "Do you want to talk about it?"

Haley felt him shake his head, "Nothing to talk about… Dan's an ass we all knew that."

Haley bit her lip, "What was he talking about when he said he was going to tell me something? And you don't really want to be with me?"aHale

Nathan turned on his side and faced her, "He was just talking out of his ass, trying to make problems for us. I promised you Haley, I won't do anything to hurt you."

Haley nodded and settled in his arms. Tired after her full day she was soon asleep. Nathan was awake longer, trying to settle his turbulent mind. Nathan studied Haley's face before pulling her closer and sleeping in the comfort of her arms.

Disclaimer: I own nothing; not OTH or its characters.

jasper41164: Glad to see that you are still reading.

RedRoom323: Thanks! I think Dan sucks, but there are times when he's compelling (not always in a good way.) He is going to play a big part in the coming chapters, but you never know he might have a personality adjustment, like he did on the show ;)

Brooke is in a pretty bad position right now he parents are crap and her boyfriend is making moon eyes at her best friend. :( Brooke scorned is not pretty….

Colviper8: You won't be finding out what happens to Haley for a while, you will get some hints in the next flash forward though.

naley19: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the Naley. Thanks for your opinion about the Brucas. LOL it's funny when I asked people who they wanted Lucas to end up with it was pretty even. But it seems that in normal chapter reviews and messages Brooke gets more support. :)

Jess2303: Glad that you enjoyed the flashbacks. Dan is a jerk now, and Nathan's relationship with him is going to be important in the coming chapters.

Drama4zashley-Naley: I agree, in season three I loved seeing Baley's friendship get stronger. Peyton is going to be hanging out with them, but she won't be getting too close yet. Thanks!

Naley: Thanks!

LuvNaley: Thanks