Author's Note: Hey guys! Okay, so I know you all want to kill me for neglecting this story so much, but I had MAJOR, KILLER writer's block for this chapter because it's mostly a filler for the next chapter which will have some drama. Very little Baley in this chapter, but lots of Lucas/Haley friendship hang time. I know this chapter really sucks, but bear with me, there will be lots of Baley in the next one! Hope you guys like it! As always, please read and review! Happy Easter everyone!

Disclaimer: I own nothing. One Tree Hill and its characters are property of the WB.

Rating: PG to PG-13

P.S. – I FINALLY got One Tree Hill Season 1 on DVD! Yay! The only problem is the only DVD player we have is the one in the living room and my dad hogs that TV all the time… Grr…

P.S. again - Sorry for all the mistakes. I just finished typing this chapter up at about... oh, 12:30 midnight to one in the morning so please forgive me.

In the Presence of an Angel

Chapter 17

Haley was lying on her bed beside Brooke when the phone rang. She rolled off the bed and rose to answer it, "Hello?" "Hey Hales, it's me," the voice said on the other line. "Me who? I don't know any Me's," she responded with a smile. "It's your best friend in the whole wide world. Who do you think it is?" "Ohhh, hey Brooke, how are you," Haley replied as she laughed inwardly with a twinkle in both her eyes. "What! Brooke? Haley, I don't have a girly voice and I definitely don't have breasts," the voice replied loudly into the receiver. "Hmm, good to know. Jake then?" "No," they answered, becoming irritated. "Nathan," Haley asked. "For god sakes Haley, it's me, Lucas! You know, tall, blonde, has been your best friend since we were like two years old," Lucas yelled into the phone. "Ohh, that best friend," Haley said as she chuckled, "how are you Luke?" All during this time, Brooke laughed silently because Haley had him on speaker phone. "Funny Hales, but I'm fine. I just wanted to ask if you wanted to hang out tonight?" "Sure, name the place and the time," Haley replied.

"My house in thirty minutes. That okay with you," he asked. "Yep, what do I need to bring?" "A change of clothes, toothbrush, and a pair of pajamas, preferably any skimpy lingerie you happen to have," he tried to say seriously without his voice shaking from the laughter bubbling within him. "Should I bring my whip and chains too," Haley asked coyly with a smirk on her face. Lucas was caught totally off guard by her comment, not expecting that kind of response. However, he quickly recovered, "Bring 'em on." Then he added, "Oh and Hales? Don't forget Mr. Waffles, I know you can't sleep without him." She laughed, "Then you better get Bankie out because I know how scared you get if you don't have him." "No I don't," he protested. "Bye Luke," Haley replied sweetly, "see you in a little bit." After Haley hung up, Brooke burst out laughing. "That was hilarious…priceless…" Brooke managed to get out.

After the laughter died down, Haley replied in a sad tone, "I hate leaving you here all by yourself. I feel like I'm ditching you." "I'll be fine. You go have fun with Luke," Brooke responded as she walked over and hugged her tight. "Alright. Hey, why don't you give Peyton a call and see if she wants to do something tonight," Haley asked. "Okay, maybe I will," the brunette replied. Haley gathered her stuff together and got her keys off the kitchen counter. She walked back into her room and said to Brooke, "Okay, I'm gonna go. Call me if you need anything?" Brooke nodded and hugged her as she let out a short laugh, "No fooling around now." "With Luke, there's always fooling around," Haley replied, a smirk on her face. "Should I be worried," Brooke gave her a fake worried expression. "Nah, you're my girlfriend. He's just my boy toy," she replied with a large grin and laughter in her voice. "I don't know how I should take that," Brooke responded. Haley kissed her softly, lasting several minutes. "Love you," she said before placing another chaste kiss on her lips, "I'll see you tomorrow morning." "Love you too," Brooke replied as she hugged her then waved goodbye as Haley walked out the door. Brooke shoved her hands in her pockets as she looked around at the empty house and sighed. She needed to get out and do something. So she decided to take Haley's advice and called Peyton.

When Peyton answered the phone, Brooke smiled, "Hey P. Sawyer. It's your best friend B. Davis and I have a plan. What is it, you say? I'll tell you. It involves your bed with lots of pillows, a couple movies, and eating junk food that we'll regret in the morning. How about it?" "Sounds great. It'll be a girls night in. So what food are you providing?" "Nope, I'm getting the movies this time; you get the food, and don't forget the ice cream," Brooke replied. "Okay, and Brooke," Peyton asked just before they hung up. "Yeah?" "Don't get any pornos. You may be a sex-a-holic but that shit's gross." "Hey, I'm not a sex-a-holic! And that was just one time! I wasn't looking at what I was grabbing because I was busy flirting with one of the cute boys working there," Brooke protested loudly. "Fine, a nymphomaniac then," Peyton replied dryly. "There's a difference," Brooke asked. "Well no, but nymphomaniac just seems like a better word, don't you think," Peyton responded sweetly. "Not on my end," Brooke replied then shook her hand to get back on her train of thought, "anyway, I'll see you in about an hour?" "Yep, I'll be here," Peyton answered before they said their goodbyes and hung up.

"Hey Hales, are you ready to go," Lucas asked as he opened the door for her. She got a confused look on her face, "I thought we were having a movie marathon sleepover?" "I changed my mind. We're going out tonight," he grabbed his jacket from the back of the couch. "Let me just set my stuff down in your room," Haley replied as she walked past him and down the hallway, returning a minute later. "Okay, I'm ready. Let's go," she responded as she bounded out the still open door.

"Yes! I love Friday Night Double Feature," Haley cheered when they reached the movie theatre. Lucas laughed, "You know, it's amazing how the simplest little things make you happy." "I know, I'm weird like that, aren't I?" She stuck out her tongue at him playfully. "Definitely," he replied with a smile. She pushed him lightly in the chest then responded, "So what movies do we want to watch tonight?" "Um, I don't know. You pick one first then I'll choose the other," he suggested. "Okay, how about Raise Your Voice?" "Hmm, alright, I pick Bring It On Again," he replied. "What? Lucas Scott is picking a chick flick! How very manly of you," Haley responded with a smirk, "but that is my favorite movie, good choice." "What can I say, I have a thing for cheerleaders," he grinned at her. "I do too," Haley replied and at Lucas' raised eyebrow, she realized what she'd said and tried to cover it up, "you know, because two of my best friends are cheerleaders." He nodded in understanding then asked, "Let me guess… An extra large tub of butter popcorn, two large Cokes, Gummy Bears, Raisinets, and some Sour Patch Kids?" "You got it, Bud," Haley replied as she linked arms with him and they walked up to the line at the concession stand.

"I'm glad you came with me tonight, Hales," he smiled at her. "Right back at ya, Boo," she smiled at him then patted his arm. "I know a lot has changed this year Hales, but one thing I don't want to change is our friendship. We've kind of drifted apart a little over the past couple months and I know that, for the most part, it was because of me. I was busy with the basketball team and Brooke, and Peyton. Then Nathan walked into your life and you two became friends. So I distanced myself from you a little because I couldn't be around him, couldn't stand to see you with him, even if it was just tutoring or hanging out. I have to admit, I was a little jealous of the friendship he had formed with you. It was like he was taking my place…I don't want to lose you Hales. You're my friend; my best friend…" His eyes welled up a little with tears and they shone from his intense blue irises. Haley placed her hand comfortingly on his back, "Oh Luke, no… No one could ever replace you, Luke. We've been friends since we were like two years old. Nothing can come between us." She took his chin in her hand and made him look at her at this last line. She stared into his eyes, asking herself if that was really true, and searching for an answer.

How would he react, what would he do, when he found out about her and Brooke? Would their friendship stand that test? Would he scream, yell, cry? It scared her to think about it all. She didn't want to lose her best friend. She was very afraid now. When she had asked Brooke if she was willing to lose some of her friends to be with her, Haley hadn't thought about Lucas. He had been there for her ever since they were young; it was only natural to think that he would still be her friend after telling him the news. What if he didn't accept them? What if he didn't want to be her friend anymore?

Lucas wrapped her in a hug, "I love you Hales; you're my best friend. You always will be." "You'll always be my best friend too Luke," Haley replied softly, hoping that wouldn't prove to be wrong when he found out. He patted her shoulder, "Come on, let's get our munchies then find some seats. The movie is about to start." They waited in line for about five minutes before they finally got their snacks and made their way to the theatre. Soon, the previews started and they laughed at the dancing and singing foods and beverages and the funny little cartoons. Then the lights darkened and the feature presentation began.

"Luke, stop it. That's mean," Haley remarked an hour later, poking him in the side, after he threw some popcorn at two people talking and laughing loudly three or four rows below them. He threw some popcorn at her. She scoffed at him with wide eyes and an open mouth then threw a Gummy Bear at him. "Oh it's on," Lucas replied with a grin as he began to tickle her. She started giggling loudly and tried to push him off with one hand as she covered her mouth with her other one, trying to quiet the noise she was making. "Shh, Luke! Stop…tickling…me…We're going to get in trouble," she managed to get out through her continuous laughter. "No we won't," he replied. Suddenly a light shined on them.

"Luke, I can't believe you got us kicked out," Haley exclaimed incredulously as they walked away from the theatre to the truck, "and I wanted to see Bring It On Again too." "Chill Hales, you have that movie at home. You can watch it any time you want," he responded with a shrug. "That's not the point. The point is that you got us kicked out," she stated with a poke to his chest. He grinned cheekily at her, "Just like old times Hales. Remember when we were like ten years old and my mom took us to see The Lion King? We were laughing so hard at Timon and Pumbaa and causing such a distraction that the usher had to escort us to the door. Mom was so pissed at us." "Yeah, I remember," she laughed.

"So, where to next," Haley asked a few minutes later when they finally neared the truck. "How about a round of miniature golf up on the roof of our favorite café?" "It's the only café we go to, you idiot," she replied. "Oh really, I wonder why," he inquired with a grin. "Well the food's pretty good there and I know the owner. I know her son too and he's a nice guy most of the time except when he gets people kicked out of movies they want to see," she responded sarcastically. "Your ass is grass when we get up on the roof. Miniature golf will never be the same for you again, because I will win." "Oh please, you may be good at basketball but I can still beat you hands down at miniature golf," Haley replied with a wave of her hand. "Really? You think so? Golf is just like basketball Hales; you're putting a ball into a hole. What's so different about that," he asked. "First of all, in basketball you're shooting the ball with your hands and second, in golf you're using a putter. And you could never control anything resembling a stick Lucas, so why make empty threats," she grinned at him cheekily and he wondered if she was making some sort of sexual pun at him while insulting him at the same time.

"Hey," he protested loudly. "What? You sucked at T-ball and baseball. Remember that time when Keith was trying to teach you how to play baseball and you swung the bat and you let go of it to run to first base, thinking you'd hit the ball, and it almost hit Keith in the head? And don't forget about hockey Lucas; you almost castrated one of those boys when you hit the puck to pass it to a teammate but you hit it too hard and it punched into someone's groin. See, there's proof for you. You know I'm going to win, because you know you suck and there's nothing you can do about it," she stated with a wide smile. Lucas had winced at the memory of hitting the kid with the hockey puck then looked at her with a raised eyebrow, "You're so degrading, you know that? How about we go to the rivercourt to play basketball so I can degrade and disgrace the name Haley James, Female Playground Basketball Star. Then we'll be even." "Oh really? Remember that I could've had the starting position for the Lady Ravens, Lucas. And wasn't it only a couple days ago that I beat you, not once, but twice down at the rivercourt?"

"I let you win," he argued back. "You keep telling yourself that Lucas, maybe it will boost your ego even bigger than the size of an elephant it already is." "Hey, my ego is not that big. I happen to think that I'm very modest," he replied in a proper, snobbish tone as he placed his hand to his chest. Haley scoffed at him, "Please! You? Modest? Yeah right! When pigs fly and hell freezes over!" "That's not a very nice way of talking about your best friend Hales, I'm hurt," he put on a pout and gave her his sad puppy face. "You're such a baby, you know that?" "It takes one to know one," he grinned back at her. She placed her hands on her hips and glared at him, "What's that supposed to mean?" "This," he smiled widely then leaned down and picked her up, placing her over his shoulder. Haley shrieked as she began flailing her limbs to keep from falling, "LUCAS EUGENE SCOTT! Put me down this instant!" "And why should I do that," he asked coyly. "Because-because I'll…" she sputtered. "You'll do what," he asked. Haley felt herself becoming unbalanced again and started to kick her legs and move her arms, suddenly, accidentally, landing a swift kick to Lucas' groin.

Lucas doubled over in pain and let Haley go before he sank to his knees on the ground and fell to his side. He cried out loudly and breathed heavily in rhythmic intervals to try and breathe through the pain. "DAMMIT HALES!" Fat tears rolled down his cheeks and his eyes were shut tightly and teeth gritted closed. Haley covered her mouth with both hands, her eyes wide, shocked and remorseful of what she had done to her friend, "OH MY GOD! Lucas, I'm SO sorry!" He lay there for several minutes and she crouched down beside him, gently placing her hand on his shoulder, "Luke, give me your keys to the truck. We need to get you to a hospital." "No, it's okay. I-I'll be fine," he squeaked out. "Lucas, give me your keys NOW! We need to get you checked out! I could have broken your-your…it… Okay, that just sounded totally gross, but that's beside the point! We're going to the hospital and that's final! Now hand over your keys," she ordered loudly as she thrust out her hand to him. He slowly, reluctantly, gave her the keys to the truck. She then helped him up and put his arm over her shoulders and her arm wrapped tightly around his waist to support him as she carefully guided him to the truck and helped him get in on the passenger side.

Haley raced them into the emergency room and had Lucas sit in a chair while she went to the front desk. "Hey Haley, I thought you weren't working tonight," a nurse named Danielle asked when she saw her. "Hi Danielle, no I'm not working tonight. My friend got hurt and I was wondering if Toni is in?" The woman nodded then pressed the button for the sliding security doors, "Yeah, she's in Exam 2. You can go on back and get her." "Thanks," Haley replied. "No problem Haley. I hope your friend will be okay," Danielle responded. "Me too," she responded sadly, still feeling extremely sorry for what she had done. She headed over to Exam 2 and knocked before cautiously entering, "Toni?" "Haley? What are you doing here? Oh my god, is Brooke alright!" Toni asked worriedly with an anxious expression. "She's fine. It's my friend Lucas; you met him when he came with my other friends when Brooke was in the hospital," Haley responded. The older woman nodded as she followed Haley towards the waiting room, "So what happened to him?"

Haley blushed a little, "Um, I um…accidentally kicked him, um…in the nuts…" Toni raised an eyebrow, "And how did that happen?" "We were just fooling around," Haley started then Toni gave her a surprised look and Haley continued on, "no, not like that. We had left the movie theater and were walking to his truck and joking with each other then he picked me up and put me over his shoulder. I felt like I was going to fall so I started moving my arms and legs…then I accidentally kicked him…" "Oh, I see," Toni replied, "let's get your friend checked out. Where is he?" Haley spotted him and rushed to help him as he stood and she walked him to an empty exam room. "Um, is it okay if I have another doctor? I'd feel more comfortable if it was a guy," Lucas asked Toni as he gingerly sat down on the edge of the hospital bed. "Certainly, I will send one in shortly," she smiled politely then exited the room where Haley waited. "I'll be right back, he wants a male doctor," Toni responded when Haley raised an eyebrow in questioning for an answer. Haley nodded then sat back down in her chair again.

Half an hour later, Toni reappeared from the room with a chart the doctor had handed her after the examination. "How is he," Haley asked concernedly, rising from her seat. "He'll be fine Haley. It's not broken, just a little sprain. He needs to take some Tylenol or any other over-the-counter pain reliever like Advil, Aleve, or Ibuprofen and to keep ice on it a few hours for a couple days," Toni replied as she marked something on the chart. "Thanks Toni," Haley hugged her then inquired, "is it okay to go in?" "Yep he's all clear to go," the woman nodded, "see you later this week, Haley?" "Yeah, probably on Wednesday; I don't have tutoring or work at the café on that day," Haley replied. "Okay, see you then. Bye Haley," Toni waved as she walked off.

Haley walked into the exam room and saw that the curtain was still closed. "Luke, you decent," she called out. "Yeah," he replied. She pushed the curtain aside part of the way and saw him still sitting on the bed, his face a little pale. Tears welled in her eyes as she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm sorry…" she whispered. "It's okay; it's not your fault. I shouldn't have picked you up like that…" he said back quietly. They stayed like that for a few more minutes before Lucas carefully stood, "Come on, let's get out of here. We have Bring It On Again and some ice cream waiting at home for us." "It's Tylenol and ice for you buddy. We don't want you getting a freeze in two places now would we," Haley replied with a chuckle. Lucas' cheeks tinted a little pink.

Once they arrived back at Lucas' house, Haley ordered him to the couch while she got out ice cream and made a bag of ice for Lucas. She walked back into the living room and handed him the bag, two Tylenol, and a glass of water. "Aww Hales, this is all I get? I was hoping you'd do what Mom used to do and kiss it to make it better," he said with a playful smirk. Haley's face contorted in disgust at his comment and implications of what he wanted her to do. "Okay, first of all, EWW! Second of all…" she hit him in the back of the head then continued, "third, does the name Peyton ring a bell?" "Chill Hales, I was just kidding. It's funny to see you get all riled up," he replied with a chuckle. She grabbed the bag of ice from him and threw it down in his lap, hitting the sensitive spot where she'd kicked him earlier. She gave him a triumphant grin as she placed her hands on her hips, "How does that feel?" "Cold and it hurts," he replied as he winced. "Good," she responded then turned to put the movie in the DVD player. She then sat down beside him, curling her legs under her body as she leaned against him.

Fifteen minutes later, Haley turned to him with sad eyes. She wrapped her arms around Lucas' torso and laid her head against his chest, "I'm really sorry Luke." He rubbed her shoulder to comfort her, "I know." A minute or two passed when Lucas suddenly groaned. "What's wrong," Haley asked concernedly. "It's swelling up…" he said through gritted teeth as he groaned again and shifted a little. Haley's eyes widened and her mouth formed a large 'O'. Lucas chuckled, "No, not like that. The doc said that because of the sprain, it might swell up a bit from the bruising." She nodded silently, still shocked, in almost a robotic fashion. He patted the side of her arm to get her attention, "So what's been going on with you lately? We haven't hung out in a while and I want to know what's going on in my best friend's life. What's up?" Haley inwardly cringed, hating having to keep her relationship with Brooke from her best friend. "Not much really," she replied with fake nonchalance as she thought, 'Everything.' She continued on, "You know, school, tutoring, working at the café, the hospital; the usual." "Yeah, same here," he shrugged. "What about you and Peyton? How are you two doing," she asked interestedly.

"Peyton and I are doing great. She's an amazing girl and we compliment each other very well and we have things in common. She's everything I've been looking for. I think I'm in love, Hales," he gushed then his cheeks tinted a bright red, embarrassed about letting out all his feelings like that. Haley smiled sweetly at him, "What are the signs?" "It's like, whenever she walks into a room, I lose my breath; she's so beautiful. Every time she comes near me, my breath hitches in my throat and I have to swallow, I can't breathe. Her smell; the shampoo in her hair, the perfume she wears, just intoxicates my senses to where I only breathe her in. I love her smile; it just lights up a room and makes my day better when I've had a bad one. I can't stop thinking about her and I can't stand being away from her even for a second. And when we make love…" Haley abruptly interrupted him by raising her hand to stop, "Okay, this is getting past the PG-13 description level; don't want to hear any more." "No, I was just going to say that… it's-it's amazing. I think she's the one Hales, the one," he explained with a dreamy, far away look in his eyes. "Oh you're definitely in love," Haley replied with a wide smile, happy for her friend. They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes, each lost in their own thoughts.

'I'm in love,' Haley said to herself as she came to the realization of Lucas' words, 'I feel that way when I'm with Brooke and it kills me to be even a second away from her. Her scent overcomes my senses every time I get near and I there's not a second that goes by that I don't think about her…her beautiful face, her deep brown eyes, her dimples, her loving smile…' She was brought out of her daydream when she saw that his mouth was moving. She cleared her throat and asked, "I'm sorry, what were you saying? I sort of spaced there." "I could tell," he grinned at her, "anyway, I was saying that I love her so much and I don't like being away from her. I was thinking that…I want to marry her Hales. Not right now of course, but maybe in about seven months, after we graduate from high school," he said with this goofy grin on his face and stars almost literally shining from his eyes. Haley sat there, shocked, for a minute before she patted his shoulder and hugged him, "I'm happy for you Luke." She lifted her head up and placed a quick kiss on his cheek then responded, "I know you two will be happy Luke, but if you EVER hurt Peyton, I'll miss you because I'd have to kill you; or worse, castrate you with my foot," she smiled cheekily up at him. Lucas covered the area between his legs with his hands and winced painfully, "I swear I won't. I don't want to have to go through that again."

She patted his chest with her hand, "Good, because you know I would kick harder than I did this time." "Don't I know it. You can be brutal when you want to be," he replied. "Hey! I resent that. I am a girl, you know," she responded with indignation. "Yeah, but you're stronger and more athletic than most girls, well at least by basketball I mean. You can be pretty lazy," he poked her in the tummy as he chuckled. "Lucas Scott! You better not be calling me fat! Because if you are, my foot would happily go between your legs again," she stood up, glaring at him with her hands on her hips. He gave her a seductive smirk and wiggled his hips a little, raising an eyebrow in gesture, "Ooh, sounds kinky." "Oh Luke, what am I going to do with you, you horny little boy," she sighed and shook her head as she patted him on the top of his head and just when he wasn't paying attention, she hit him in the back of the head and punched him in the chest with a balled fist. "OW! What are you trying to do, injure me for life?" "Maybe," she replied. "How about, maybe not," he responded as he leaned forward and began to tickle her sides.

Haley leaned over, trying to get away from his grasp and he pulled her onto the couch beside him. He finally stopped a few seconds later, leaning back into the couch and sighing. "Luke, it's getting late. We should go to bed," Haley yawned, covering her mouth with a hand then rubbing her eyes. She stood and helped Lucas up from the couch, draping his arm over her shoulders and supporting him with an arm around his waist as they walked to his bedroom. Once she sat him on the bed, she got her duffel bag and said to him, "I'm going to go change. I'll be right out." A few moments later, Lucas heard Haley's muffled voice through the door, "Dammit!" "Hales, you okay in there," he asked concernedly. "Yeah, I'm alright. I must have grabbed one of Brooke's shirts instead of mine from the laundry basket," she replied. Haley put on the shirt and was immediately enveloped in the scent that was distinctly Brooke. She brought the material to her nose, breathing in its scent and smiling to herself as she thought of her girlfriend.

"Hurry up Hales, I have to pee," Lucas whined from the bedroom. "Geez, keep it in your pants Luke. You can wait a few more minutes; I have to brush my teeth and hair," she responded as she started pulling a brush through her reddish brunette locks of hair. She walked out of the bathroom three minutes later and Lucas stood, slowly walking to where she had just come from. "Are you sure you don't need help, Luke? You know, you were injured… You might need help going to the bathroom," she smirked at him. He gave her a dry look, "I can handle it on my own, thank you very much. I've been handling it for seventeen years now; I've got it covered." "Okay, if you're sure," she replied with a grin. He turned and just shook his head as he walked into the bathroom. Haley shook her head too, but it was at something different. She didn't know why she was saying all these sexual innuendos and where they were coming from. Maybe Brooke was rubbing off on her. And where had that kiss on the cheek come from? Then a thought came to her. Oh god, did she like Lucas, her best friend?

Haley got under the covers and curled up, thoughts blazing through her mind at lightning speed. Why was this coming up when things were going so great for her, and for her and Brooke? Minutes later, Lucas climbed into the bed and Haley flinched at his closeness, something that had never been a problem for them before. "Night Hales," he mumbled. "Night Lucas," Haley managed to squeak out without sounding too obvious that something was wrong. 'God, why is this happening now,' she asked herself.