A/N: Thanks to all who reviewed…you are the best! Again, the song is mine, oth is not. As you can tell, things are getting back to normal. Of course, what the heck is normal in our favorite drama? Hey guys…one more day till OTH returns!

Krizue, ell6ange: thanks a bunch!

Locurabella: thanks! I luv ur stories as well!

Naley: thanks for the song and story compliment!

Like Fresh Old Times

It was the end of the second week of the gang's stay and the day of Tyler's birthday party. As promised and expected, all of them would go to the party and enjoy the oddly mild weather December gave. Considering it was a party for a child, the real partying would continue with a night at Upstage, the club owned by Peyton, Brooke, and Haley but managed by Karen and Deb. Tric was still in existence, but it was an eighteen venue and they were well past that time of their lives.

Nathan woke up first, as usual. He leaned on his elbow and looked at his wife. The sun was shining through the curtain and hit her honey brown hair with radiance. Her arm was up and lying across her face, unconsciously shielding herself from the rays. Nathan gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and whispered for her to get up.

"No." Haley pouted and proceeded to put the pillow over her head.

Nathan smiled in amusement and took the pillow away. This turned her pout into playful anger.

"Nathaniel Joseph Scott! Give me back my pillow!" Haley tried to turn to face him, but felt a slight weight on her temple and quickly laid back down. The pain began to dull but its presence remained.

"Hales?" Nathan called. He put down the pillow and kneeled in front of her. "Are you okay?"

She slowly but confidently got up and assured him that she was fine, just tired. She gave him a kiss on the forehead and made her way to the bathroom.

"I'm gonna take a shower. Could you get me some aspirin? If you're hurry, you can join me." She smiled seductively and left the bathroom door ajar.

Nathan shook off his worry and headed for the kitchen. It was definitely starting out to be a good day.

Two hours later Peyton and Jake stopped by to pick up Nathan and Haley. Nathan answered the door as Haley was in the room cleaning up the clothes he left on the floor. Five years of marriage and he still couldn't find the hamper.

Jake and Nathan decided to play a quick game of NBA live since they were a bit early. Peyton wondered into their bedroom.

"Why does it seem just yesterday we decorated this place?"

Haley stopped briefly and smiled. "I know. I can't believe we're juniors. In college. So much has happened already. Wonder where we'll all be this time next year."

She finished cleaning up the room and caught Peyton grinning at her.

"What?"

"Nothing." Peyton's grin expanded.

"Okay Pey, that's so not a 'nothing' look. What's up?"

Peyton whispered forcefully. "You had sex!"

Haley turned a shade of red. "No I didn't!"

Peyton chuckled. "Yes, you did."

"What would make you say that?"

"You're glowing. And oh yeah…the smell. Gives it away every time."

Peyton was on the bed laughing at this point. Haley sent a prolonged glare at her and then couldn't hold it in any longer. She too joined Peyton on the bed and laughed.

By now the boys had heard the girls in the next room. Curious, they entered the bedroom and looked at each other and back at Peyton and Haley.

"What's going on?" Nathan asked.

Between gasps for air and clenching her stomach, Haley responded, "we had sex."

This further confused Jake but made Nathan fully aware.

"What?" He looked at his now silent partner. "Oh. Oh!" Jake chuckled and walked back to the family room.

A couple of seconds the laughter died down and the girls collected themselves. Peyton left first. Haley walked up to Nathan. "You can close your mouth now babe."

He grabbed her hand and led her out the door. "Let's go guys."

When the four arrived everyone else was already there. Tyler was playing with some neighborhood kids and having a ball in the Astro-Jump. The adults were strewn around the yard and in the house. Lucas and Brooke walked up, each holding a beer.

"Hey guys!" Brooke shouted. "What took you so long?"

Peyton chuckled. "Brooke, you do realize that we're on time, right?"

Brooke thought for a moment. "Oh, whatever. You're here now."

Haley glanced at Lucas. "I thought you weren't supposed to have alcohol with your medication?"

Nathan shifted his weight a little. Lucas did the same; he didn't like lying to Haley, or anyone else for that matter. Despite his trice indecision, he recovered with a smile. "Everything in moderation Hales."

She eyed him for a moment longer and returned the smile. "Okay. Just checking."

Brooke spotted Rachel across the lawn. "Hey Tutorgirl, P. Sawyer, time for girl talk."

Jake, Lucas, and Nathan gave sympathetic glances to Peyton and Haley as they were hauled off by Brooke.

Tyler ran up to the boys. "Luke! Nate!" He tugged on their arms to bring them closer to him. "Do you want to play?"

Lucas and Nathan looked at each other and back at their little brother. Lucas ruffled his hair. "Sure. What do you want to play?"

Tyler looked in deep thought. Being a three year-old he hadn't quite thought that far ahead.

"I dunno. How about…restling?"

The boys look amused. Nathan inquired, "Wrestling? You want us to wrestle with you?"

Tyler happily nodded. "Yes."

Lucas answered, "Sure." As the two brothers straightened up, Tyler tugged once more on Nathan.

"Yes Ty?"

Tyler motioned for Nathan to come closer so he could tell him a secret. "You can tell your friend he can come to."

All three chuckled. This particular three year olds' definition of a whisper classified as talking. The four made their way to the Astro-Jump to oblige the birthday boy.

The evening came to an end a little after Tyler's third yawn. He was so excited that his brothers got him a Playmate basketball hoop that he wore himself out playing with his friends. As the kids and parents left, those that stayed behind began to help. Haley did her share and then sat down to rest a bit. Tyler made his way toward his 'sister' and climbed on her lap.

"Hawey?"

"Yes little man?"

"Could you sing me our song?"

Haley smiled and nodded. She could never say no to the little boy.

"Okay. But after that you have to go bed."

"Okay," replied Tyler has he stifled a yawn.

Don't let go

I'll always be here

Calming your storms

And easing your fears

Always be you

Don't change who you are

When you lose sight of hope

Just look to the stars

Let your light shine

In all that you do

Remember forever

I'll always love you

Haley kissed the top of Tyler's head that was in her lap. She chuckled at how quickly he fell asleep and yawned herself. Seeing that all the cleaning was pretty much done but the talking far from so, she nestled into the nook of the couch, put her jacket on top of Tyler, leaned back, and welcomed sleep.

Three hours later the gang was at Upstage, of course lounging in the VIP section created by and for them. Bevin, Skills, Rachel, and Mouth were on the dance floor. Jake and Peyton were getting drinks while Nathan, Haley, Lucas, and Brooke were taking in the scene. Brooke stopped mid-conversation when she heard the next track.

"Oh my gosh! Broody, dance floor, now!"

Lucas whined. "Brooke, I don't dance if I can't sway or two-step." Brooke gave him puppy eyes while Haley and Nathan laughed. "And those eyes are not going to work with me." Brooke began to pout. Needing a way out, Lucas got a mischievous smile and nodded toward Haley. "But you and Hales should go dance."

Brooke lit back up while Haley sent Lucas a death glare.

"Let's go Tutorgirl!"

Before Haley could respond, she was dragged away for the second time that day.

Six minutes and three songs later, Haley had to pee.

"You didn't even drink anything yet Haley!"

"I know Brooke, but I still have to pee! Look, I gotta go to the bathroom. I'll make Peyton come join you on my way to the stall, kay Cheery?"

Brooke gave in. "Fine. But as soon as you get back, you have ten minutes to recoup and then your butt is back on the dance floor. Got it?"

"Yes Drill Sergeant!"

The two laughed and Brooke continued to dance as Haley walked toward the table.

"Hey Sawyer, your presence has been requested, I mean commanded on the dance floor."

Living with her and being her best friend for double digits taught Peyton which battles to fight. This wasn't one of them.

Four songs later the whole group was on the dance floor, half were tipsy, and Haley still hadn't returned from the restroom.

Nathan was still dancing but was looking around for any sign of Haley. When the song was over he shouted to Lucas, "I'm gonna go check on Haley."

"No, it's ok. I'll do it. Dance with Brooke, make a move and you die." Both smirked at one another.

"You sure?" Lucas shrugged and nodded in confirmation. He left the group and headed to the bathrooms.

Haley had just splashed cold water on her face for the fourth time. She had no idea why she was so hot. Like Brooke said, she hadn't had anything to drink. She patted her face dry, straightened herself out and headed out the door. I just need some air.

Lucas spotted Haley as she exited the restroom and B-lined for the patio in the back. He found her sitting down and leaning on a pillar for support.

"Hales?"

Haley looked up and mustered up a smile. "Lucas."

She noticed his shirt clung to him and he was sweating a bit. She chuckled. "Brooke made you dance after all."

He didn't pay any attention to her comment. He could read her like a book.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Just needed some air. I think I got hot flashes from dancing or something." Haley laughed it off and stood up. She actually felt better.

She took Lucas by the arm and dragged him back inside. They joined the rest of the group and eventually drank some more when they returned to their seats. At the end of the night, everyone piled in cabs and slept at Rachel's. The rest of the week would mostly be spent with their families. It was, after all, Christmas break.