Author's Note: You guys are the best reviewers ever!! Seriously you all have no idea how much each and every one means to me. Oh and never fear about rambling, I adore it. ;) Anyway, I'm really starting to feel this story again so I hope you enjoy this latest chapter because I'm so anxious for your thoughts on it.

Thanks to the amazing Christina for beta-ing and to the girl who is my sister in AU and in heart, thank you for always calming my fears and listening to ideas.

Chapter Seven "Spark"

Never one to knock, Brooke opened Haley's bedroom door only to find Nathan doing crunches and subsequently blocking her path.

"May I help you?" Nathan bit out annoyed as he continued his three sets of four hundred crunches.

"Where is your much too good for you wife?"

"BROOKE I'M IN HERE!" Haley shouted from the bathroom.

Stepping over Nathan, she followed Haley's voice to the adjoining bathroom. There she found Haley sitting at her massive vanity, with her hair up in rollers, applying a light dusting of bronzer on her face, and wearing a tight white tank top and what Brooke knew to be a pair of her favorite snug True Religion jeans.

"And to what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Haley, do you remember when I told you to wear nothing but clingy outfits while you were married to Nathan?"

Haley paused as she undid the top to her lip-gloss. "Yes, and I remember telling you that looking like a whore 24/7 was your territory."

"Get ready to the biggest 'I told you so' ever." Brooke taunted while taking the remote off the wall holder and surfing through the channels of the Plasma television above the tub until she landed on the E! Network.

"Brooke, I have to get ready for Nathan's game. You know the one that you couldn't get me out of when we we're making the contracts? And I don't have to time to watch a new True Hollywood story or whatever has captured your attention for a whole minute."

Checking her watch Brooke counted down to when she knew the broadcast would. "5…4…3…2…"

"Hello, everyone, I'm Ryan Seacrest and this is E! News Live. So, is Naley pregnant? That has been the burning question on everyone's mind since their seemingly out of nowhere nuptials three months ago and now it looks like the rumors could be true. Sources are now saying the acting half of Naley is indeed with child. Rumors started heating up again yesterday when Haley James stepped out in loose fitting top that could easily be hiding some new precious cargo."

Images and video flashed of Haley, Brooke, and Peyton eating lunch along with shots of Haley walking solo down a sidewalk to Peyton's studio.

"This could also be the reason reformed playboy Nathan Scott was quoted as being very protective of the starlet on the set of her latest movie. Going so far as to object of a love scene in front of the entire cast and crew. It's also being reported that the parents of the basketball hot shot are in town staying with the newly married couple. Could they be celebrating more than just the wedding?"

More images flashed of the wedding in Vegas and of Nathan playing ball.

"And while there is no official word yet, one thing is certain; the entire country is on Naley bump watch."

Brooke clicked off the television and opened her purse.

"Well, that's just lovely." Haley sarcastically quipped. "Did you work on a press release denying this yet?"

"Nope, not until you take this." Brooke handed her a pregnancy test.

Haley's eyes widened in shock. "What the hell Brooke? I'm not pregnant."

"Blah, blah, just pee on the stick so I won't have to worry about this for the rest of your marriage, that is unless you get desperate and let Nathan toss off a batch of baby batter in you." Brooke ranted on as she sat on the edge of the marble tub, grabbing a nail file out of her purse to multi-task. There was no reason she couldn't do beauty maintenance while on the job.

"Batch of baby batter? How long have you been waiting to use that one?" Haley inquired, knowing Brooke's affection for people enjoying her euphemisms. Jake and Haley decided together at dinner one night that Brooke probably spent at least an hour a day thinking up new ones for future conversations.

"A whole week and I've been dying." Brooke beamed excitedly. "Now go tinkle because I don't have all day."

Deciding to shut Brooke up, Haley did as she was told and peed on said stick laying it back beside Brooke when she was done.

Three minutes later, Brooke congratulated Haley on being Scott spawn free and took off citing she was late to hair appointment and Jean Pierre would probably never forgive her.

After a pause, Haley went to the tub and picked up the stick, wanting to see the results for herself. It was such an odd feeling because she knew she wasn't pregnant, hadn't even thought of it until Brooke brought it up and definitely wasn't trying for it, but still she felt a sense of loss.

It was ridiculous, she knew, I mean she didn't want Nathan's child and she'd only had the idea in her head for all of one minute so why was she upset? And why did an image of a baby girl in Nathan's arms with her wavy dark blonde locks and his blue eyes flash so vividly in her mind during that three minute wait?

It was as if she saw a glimpse of her future in that moment and didn't want to let go.

"Hey, you okay?" Nathan asked from the doorway, studying her face for a hint to what was on her mind.

Sliding the stick into the small trashcan beside her, she managed a tiny smile. "Yeah, I'm fine."

He thought something was off, but didn't push. "Alright, well I just saw the news. You want me to get Chris working on a statement. That is unless there's something I should know."

"No there's not I promise and um…Brooke already said she was on it. I think she's going to release it with Chris actually."

"Sounds good, just make sure she doesn't print something about me shooting blanks as the reason." He joked, although a part of him was a tad worried.

Haley laughed, her mood lightening at the image of that headline. "She won't. She may be evil, but she's also a professional." She reassured him as she began taking out her rollers one by one.

Nathan nodded and then shifted uncomfortably. "Listen Haley, I'm sorry about the last couple of days and just basically being a dick. I just saw you with Josh and lost my head. I guess I'm taking this husband roll too seriously or…I don't know. Anyway, I don't think you're a whore and honestly I can't believe I actually called you that." He paused running a hand through his hair.

"I'm just not use to all this and…"

Haley sighed. "It's alright Nathan. I get it and luckily spending the evening with your mother has softened me enough to let the last couple of days go."

"Maybe I should ask her to move in with us then." He joked as he let his eyes dance over her bare shoulders.

"Can I trade you for her?" Haley grinned wickedly, but her tone held nothing but playfulness in it.

Nathan laughed amused. "Hey, before I forget Chris is waiting on your check." He winked and walked back into the bedroom knowing she wouldn't be far behind.

"I can't believe you are making me pay? What happened to the Nathan that just apologized to me?" Haley pouted as she came out of the bathroom, a couple minutes later, hair in tight curls after just being released from the confines of her hot rollers.

"Don't blame me I'm only following the rules Scarlett. The contract clearly states any sexual advances mean you have to pay and I think jumping me yesterday clearly constitutes that." He clarified for her as he sprawled out atop her bed.

She huffed and grabbed the jersey she was "told" to wear off the closet door. "I was trying to get you to shut up before your mother heard you ranting."

"Well, you should have told your tongue that."

"Don't make me bite you again." Haley grinned throwing the now empty hanger at him.

"Only if I can bite back." He smirked, watching as she fingered his jersey number, his blood flowing a bit more rapidly to his lower region at the site. He'd have to make sure to keep his eyes off her during the game because seeing his number on her, with his adrenaline pumping, would not be good combination. Well, it would be for him, but he was pretty sure the NBA would frown upon him running off the court to get it on with his wife in front of a stadium full of people.

"Who picked out these colors anyway?" Haley asked as she slipped on a smaller version of his jersey that he had ordered for her. The real deal would have swallowed her whole.

Nathan, who at the present point was trying to cool down by lying on their bed tossing a miniature basketball in the air, started to laugh. "Are you serious?" He eyed her incredulously all the while never losing focus on the bright orange ball in his hands.

Putting her hands on her hips, she turned around. "Well, I mean they aren't very manly colors. And what does your name mean anyway. I mean what's a Laker?"

"First off, purple is the color of royalty and second, I can't believe you're talking shit when UT's mascot is a damn cow."

"HEY! His name is Bevo and he's a Texas Longhorn, which is one of the most sought after breeds. Just one can go for nearly sixty grand at auction. Furthermore, Longhorns are very statuesque creatures that could gore your ass if need be, so you better watch yourself."

He chuckled. "Ok ok, anyway, here's a piece of Laker trivia for you. The Lakers originally were located in Minnesota aka the land of 10,000 lakes and when they relocated they never changed the name."

Brushing her curls out into soft waves, she wrinkled her nose in distaste. "Still it's a stupid name. How is a Laker supposed to scare an opponent? I mean what's your mascot, 'The Loch Ness Monster'?

He smiled at her reflection in the mirror. "You never cease to amaze me Scott."

Eyeing him in the mirror, she gave him an odd look. "Um, I'm a James thank you very much." She defiantly informed him.

Getting up, he grabbed his bag off the floor. "You're more of a Scott than you know baby, otherwise you wouldn't be such a worthy opponent." He smacked her ass.

Throwing her brush at him, he ducked out the door just in time to miss it and for it to leave a nice dent in her wall.

"DAMNIT NATHAN!" She shouted after him, annoyed he'd not only touched her, but also forced her to mar her pretty wall.

Holding up a white handkerchief Dan Scott stepped into the room causing Haley to blush and giggle at his antics simultaneously.

"How much did you hear?" She looked down sheepishly.

"Enough to agree with my son. You are a Scott in every way that counts now. It takes a special woman to be able to put up with us Scott men and you and Karen are as special as it gets."

"I am proud to be a Scott, I promise, especially after meeting you and Karen, it's just your son can be…well he can be an…"

"An ass?" Dan filled in for her with a sly grin. "I believe that's my fault. Nathan takes more after me whereas Lucas takes after his mother."

Karen waltzed into the room. "He is right honey, but for some reason ass or not I've been madly in love with this one for twenty five years." She kissed her husband's cheek.

An immediate smile came across Haley's face. They were just too darn cute for words.

Reaching out Karen grabbed Haley's hand. "We need to get a move on, if we want to catch warm ups. Oh I can't wait to see my babies kick butt!"

Dan playfully rolled his eyes as he followed the girls. "Haley you better find some earplugs because you haven't met an extreme fan until you've sat next to Karen."

Happily, Haley wrapped an arm around Karen's waist as they made their way through the house and out to the car. She was really falling in love with Nathan's family, scratch that she had already fallen in love with them. They were amazing and reminded her a lot of her own, just on a smaller scale.

She could really envision future Christmases, birthdays, etc., but of course that wasn't going to happen. In a few short months her marriage to Nathan would be over and so would her place in his family. She'd probably never see them again, but on the plus side Nathan would be out of her life.

As soon as those words left her train of thought she felt anything but happiness. In fact, she was more on the verge of bursting into tears rather than jumping for joy. What was going on with her? Her marriage was a fraud; Nathan didn't love her, so why should she feel anything but relief at the thought of never seeing him again?

Her mother always told her women in their family didn't have a conscious. They had a fashionably clad psychic instead. It was a well-known fact that following that little voice usually guaranteed happiness in their family verses doing what everyone else thought was right.

Ironically, Haley's over analytical nature had fought hard against that voice throughout her whole life. There were only three times she ever gave into it. One was when she dumped her high school boyfriend, two was when she left school to pursue acting and three was marrying Nathan.

'Ugh why was she torturing herself?' Nathan Scott drove her insane end of story. She felt nothing for him end of story. They had no future end of story. And that little voice laughing like a maniac at her "rational" thoughts was annoying, end of story.

…

Sitting down next to Karen in their floor seats, Haley surveyed the atmosphere. She had to admit it was pretty intoxicating even if it was professional. Still, nothing would ever beat her being crammed together with her girlfriends, screaming their lungs out for the Longhorns.

Of course, it was pretty cute watching Nathan and Lucas toss the ball to each other and from the proud look on Karen and Dan's faces they were loving it too.

Lucas made a perfect three-pointer and then jogged over to his brother on the sidelines grabbing some water just like him. "From that smile permanently attached to your face I'm guessing you smoothed things over with Haley."

"Yeah, I apologized and I'm still alive so she must have accepted it. Although, Mom and Dad being there definitely made her more approachable.

"Yep, mom just has that way about her. Remember that time she actually charmed the principal out of expelling us for spray painting all over the Pinkerton's field?"

Nathan laughed at the memory just as a handful of Laker girls approached him and Luke as they usually did before games.

"Natey?" A particular annoying red headed one dragged a finger down his jersey. "You haven't called me in forever. Where have you been hiding?"

"With his wife." Lucas piped up from behind her wanting so bad to roll his eyes. He couldn't believe Nathan had ever given that trashy whore the time of day.

After throwing Lucas a dirty look, she focused back on Nathan. "Aw, Natey I can't believe you married Miss Goody Goody. Can she really give you what you want?"

Nathan took her hand off his chest, repulsed. Apparently, being with Haley had removed his beer goggles to reveal just how skanky this chick was and all the others like her. "Actually, she gives me more than I ever thought possible. So, spread the word—I'm taken and sure as hell off limits."

"Who the hell was the silicon slut prancing in front of Nathan? Haley thought, as she watched the disgusting display. Nathan's back was to her, but she could just imagine he was eating it up.

Getting up she made her way over to them, wearing the sweetest smile she could muster. She was starting to understand Nathan's reaction to Josh just a wee bit more.

"Oh my God! You're Haley James!" A blonde bimbo piped up, a few of her clones sharing her excitement.

"Actually, it's Haley James-Scott now." She clarified staring straight at the redhead who definitely didn't share her friends' excitement Haley had just shown up.

Smirking, Nathan looked down at her and pulled her to his side. "I see you're warming up to the new last name baby."

"You know it honey." She stood on her toes and pecked his lips, but he wanted more and while keeping her in place with his tight grip, he captured her lips in a sizzling kiss; eliciting catcalls from everyone but the redheaded bimbo who slinked away admitting defeat.

Tearing her lips from his, but staying close, she placed an ever so soft kiss below his earlobe, giving her the opportunity to whisper a few words. "Was that worth 50,000?"

"And then some." He promised before giving her a chaste kiss good bye on the lips and jogging away to the locker room leaving Haley even more bewildered. All off a sudden she was actually missing him being near her and he'd only been gone a total of ten seconds. She hated him yesterday and today…well today she didn't know what she was quite feeling.

Only one thing was certain, though, Nathan Scott was the only human being on the planet to rile her up in every conceivable way and she was thoroughly starting to enjoy it.

…

"Did I embarrass myself?" Haley shyly asked as she sat back down next to Karen.

Karen laughed and handed her the French fries they ordered for her. "Honey, you were just marking your territory and I for one say more power to you. Those leeches need to be taught a lesson from time to time, even though they never had a chance anyway. Nathan may have been a play boy before, but he loves you Haley, I see it and once a Scott finds true love there's no going back."

"Karen we got married so fast." Haley quietly revealed with her eyes downcast, not being able to hold her fears inside a minute longer. There was just something about Karen that made you want to open up and Haley ached for her comforting words.

"Haley look at me." Karen softly instructed and Haley obeyed. "Love is not something that can be measured in time. When you find the one, somewhere inside you know it's right even from that first second, it just takes some people longer to recognize it. You wouldn't have married Nathan if you didn't feel that spark of forever Haley and the same goes for Nathan. And please don't blame it on Vegas. My son has been there more than fifty times and never came back married." She laughed lightly.

"Listen I know your scared and you're a very logical person like me, but here's something I learned twenty five years ago—love has no room for reason. You two are meant to be, I feel it in my heart and I know you do too, you just have to be willing to embrace it instead of fighting it."

Hugging Karen, Haley felt such an amazing connection with her. She could feel Karen probably knew everything about her marriage to Nathan and yet Karen still saw something magical in their union…something destined.

Haley wasn't quite sure how to deal with Karen's instincts yet. All she knew was that she needed to start figuring things out as soon as possible because Karen was right. She had felt that spark of forever when she gazed into Nathan's eyes during their vows and she felt it every time their lips touched, even if she didn't want to admit it.

"HALES!" Lucas cupped his hands and shouted, interrupting her life changing contemplation. Men always had a knack for doing that.

She shook her head no, not wanting to leave her seat or her soon to be obsessive game of "what if". What if Nathan didn't feel that spark? What if he laughed at her even hinting there could be something real with them?

"HALES PLEASEEEEEEEEE!" He whined, not giving up.

With an annoyed huff, she sat her still untouched fries down beside her and made a move to step on the court to which Lucas's eyes bugged out and he proceeded to race over to her.

"Hold up, are you seriously wearing pumps?" He laughed looking down at her feet.

Glancing down at her gold Dior pumps, she shrugged. "What? They match. Besides I have to wear heels with these jeans or they'll be too long."

"Well, shorty you're about to take a ride on the Lucas Scott train because those heels are so not allowed on our brand new finished court." He explained bending down in front of her so she could hop on his back.

Doing as she was told, she went with it, smiling all the way across the court to where a group of men in business suits were huddled close together with worried expressions.

Sitting her down, Lucas tapped one of the men on the shoulder. "John, here she is" He motioned to Haley, then faced her. "I have to get back to the coach Hales. I'll talk to you after the game and don't forget to cheer for me." He grinned and leaned down to kiss her cheek before taking back off to the locker room.

"Miss James, oh I mean Mrs. Scott."

"Just call me Haley." She smiled kindly shaking his outstretched hand. "And you are?"

"I'm John Chancellor, head of promotions and events for the Laker franchise and well we need your help."

"Well, I do have a mean granny shot, but I'm not sure that's going to help you."

Chuckling, then looking at her hopefully, he cleared his throat. "Well, you know this is the season opener and we always have someone famous sing the anthem and well let's just say our planned singer just entered rehab last night and…"

"Mr. Chancellor, I'm an actress not a singer, so I don't understand why you're telling me this."

He looked confused. "You husband told us you have a beautiful voice and that you had expressed interest in singing for us sometime."

Haley closed her eyes for a brief second hoping that when she opened them she would be in the comfort of her bed. But seeing all the men staring at her for an answer brought her back to the cruel reality. All that was missing was her being naked and being asked this.

"Listen. My husband must be confused. I have never sang in public aside from family events and I just can't do this." She started to plead, realizing they were seriously expecting her to do this.

"You can do this Hales." She heard Nathan's soft words in her ear, as his arms encircled her waist from behind.

Turning in his arms, she looked at him frantically. "Nathan why are you doing this to me? Is this payback for Josh? I'll quit the movie; I'll do anything. Just please don't make me do this."

Lifting his right hand, he tucked a strand of her silky hair behind her ear. "I know I may pay forever for this Hales, but I think you should do this and honestly I didn't think you would ever make your singing debut without a little push. Also, I've heard you sing when you didn't think I was listening, you're amazing and you're going to show the world just how much talent you have in this tiny but oh so hot body of yours." He smirked, then kissed her forehead.

"She'll do it." He told the men waiting anxiously behind her.

"Nathan no. I can't…just please." She tried one last time.

He held her face in his hands, "I'll be right in front of you all right? Just focus on me, like I'm the only one in the room. Just do this Hales then you can kill me later" He winked.

She was shaking as she heard people calling her name from behind wanting to get her ready with the mike.

Letting her go he gave her one last supporting smile and jogged back to the tunnel to get ready to be called to the floor.

As she watched Nathan and Lucas jog onto the court with the crowd roaring and lights swirling around them, she just tried to breath and think of ways to torture Nathan later. She was going to be the laughing stock of the nation in about one minute and the video of her most humiliating moment would be plastered all over the internet so that anyone who missed it could see the replay. She wondered if Jake could pay off a computer hacker to crash youtube for at least a week. Well, maybe not Jake, but she was sure Brooke would have someone capable of that in her palm pilot.

John Chancellor stepped up to the mike in front of her. "Ladies and Gentleman we have a special surprise for you. Singing the National Anthem tonight is the one the only Haley James, who just happens to be the wife of our very own number 23 Nathan Scott!"

The crowd erupted in applause and she slowly exchanged spots with John, waiting for the commotion to die down.

Finding Nathan, with his hands together behind his back, staring right at her, a calmness wash over her and everyone else but him seemed to fade away. Then, with a deep breath and her eyes steadily locked with his she sang to him and only him.

The words came from her lips with effortless perfection and her four-octave range captivated everyone's very soul. And when she finished there were tears in her listeners' eyes and pride in their hearts, as they remained completely silent for fear of breaking the spell she had created.

Nathan on the other hand was beaming from ear to ear as his wife ran excitedly towards him to jump into his arms. The second he caught her, the audience took the opportunity to applaud, whistle, and everyone in between in appreciation of Haley's performance and at the happy couple before them.

"Can you believe it?" Haley giggled as Nathan lifted her up even more so that she could wrap her legs around his waist, letting them be eye to eye and more importantly lip to lip.

"You were awesome baby." Nathan grinned, his eyes full of admiration.

Just as their lips were about to touch, the Coach came up the to them.

"Nathan do you think you could let go of your wife for oh I don't know say the next forty eight minutes of play time?"

"Only if he promises to latch back on afterwards." Haley compromised, a mischievous smile aimed directly at her husband.

"And never let you go." Nathan swore, sealing their deal with a tender kiss.

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