Temptation

by NerdHerdLover23

Nathan Scott returns to his hometown during his senior year to live with his Mom and twin brother. What happens when everyone finds out why he had to leave his Dad's house in the first place?

1. Chapter 1

A/N: So this is all of the story I have written so far. I was going to post it chapter by chapter, but I have it posted on another board and I am not to sure where I left off...anyway I thought I might as well post all of the chapters I have written so far into just one giant chapter, and then post the following chapters seperatly...R&R

Chapter 1

By the time Haley James was a sophomore in High School she had more credits and higher grades then the Valedictorian of the time. She had taken so many AP courses and jumped ahead in so many classes that the school had begged her to become a tutor. When she accepted, she ended up tutoring more Seniors and other upperclassman then kids her own age. Now, as a Senior she was the girl that everyone went to for help, and she never turned anyone away. So people believe that, that was her downfall. She was so trusting and loving, gave out so many different chances. In the middle of October she had walked into the Tutoring center, ready to help a new tutee, Rachel Gatina, only to find the new girl's tongue shoved down her boyfriend of the time, Tim Smith's mouth. It crushed Haley, and for a while no one that she would be the same, but day by day it got better. Until once again her world was turned upside down, but this time it was because of a boy. A boy who needed more then some simple tutoring….

"So you see once you solve for x the problem is finished." Explained Haley to her friend Brooke Davis. Brooke needed help in calculus, Haley was doing the best that she could, but Brooke, after an hour, could not do one homework problem without asking a million questions.

"This is so hard! I suck! I am going to drop this class!" Said a very frustrated Brooke.

"Oh come on Brookie Cookie, it is the 2nd marking period, if you drop it will go on your transcripts, you can't get into Duke with that on there! And you don't suck! You are getting better, it takes time!" Reasoned Haley.

Haley knew Brooke would understand the work in time, and until then she was here to boost her friend's confidence.

"Ugh, fine! Give me another one?" Asked Brooke

Haley smiled in response and quickly thought of a new problem, she wrote it down and passed the paper off to Brooke. As Brooke started the new problem, noise from the hallway flooded into the small room as the door opened, a very quiet looking boy entered.

"Uh excuse me, we are busy here, can't you tell?" Brooke rudely asked

"Brooke shut up, this is the tutoring center! Kids can come in whenever they want!" Scolded Haley before sending the very nervous looking boy a small smile as an apology for her friend's big mouth.

"I..I am lo…looking for Ha…Haley James?" Stuttered out the boy

"That's me" Haley said raising her hand a little. She glanced over the now slightly shaking boy. He was tall, with semi long jet black hair that looked as if it was impossible to tame with the many hairs sticking crazily all over the place. His eyes however were something Haley had never seen before. They were a dark blue, like an ocean, however it was what was inside of them that gave Haley a slight shiver down her spine. They were filled with sorrow, and perhaps a bit of fear. His eyes reflected that of a puppy that has been kicked around one to many times.

"You are going to kick me out to help Mr. Hot Shot here, aren't you?" Whined Brooke. She really wanted to get her homework done, and knew that would be impossible without Haley's help.

"Since I live with you, and not him? Yes. I will help you when I get home" Laughed Haley, before she turned her attention back to the boy. Brooke let out a puff of annoyance before gathering her stuff and stomping out the door, sending a malicious glare towards the boy for ending her study session with her best friend.

"I..I did…didn't me..mean to inte…interrupt you." The boy said shakily

"Oh you didn't, like I told her, we live together so I can help her there. It is no inconvenience for anyone, trust me." Haley said softly

She felt as if she needed to treat the now physically shaking boy as if he were a small freighted child. He looked to be about 17 physically, but emotionally he still seemed so young.

"So obviously you know my name, but what is yours?" Asked Haley

"Na..Nat…Nathan Scott" He said.

"Lucas's brother?" Haley asked shocked.

Nathan and Lucas Scott were twin brothers, but also best friends. However when their parents, Dan and Karen Scott divorced the summer before 7th grade the boys were separated. Dan had tried to take both boys away from Karen, trying to prove she was an unfit mother, but luckily for one of the boys he did not succeed. Dan Scott was your town's jackass, and he proved it once again when he finally agreed to split the twins up, taking Nathan away from Tree Hill. He moved to some place in California, never to be heard from until now. The boys had tried to stay in contact, but when Dan found out he made sure the two could never speak or see each other again. Well, until now at least. It had been 5 long years, and now Nathan Scott was back, looking more fragile then a porcelain doll.

"Do…Do I k..know you? Nathan asked

"I am Jake James's little sister, you and your brother were in his band back in 7th grade. You were an amazing guitar player! My brother said he never thought that when he was a Senior in High School he would have two little 7th graders in his band, but after hearing Lucas on the drums and you on that guitar he couldn't turn you away" Rambled out Haley.

"O..Oh." Nathan said simply.

"So, your back?" Haley asked

"Um…ye…yea, my Da…Dad kic…kicked me..ou..out" Nathan once again stuttered

"Oh my gosh!" Haley exclaimed, without thinking she quickly stood and pulled Nathan into a hug. She felt him tense immediately. Deciding to not let go she slowly rubbed circles on his back, seeing if he relaxed into her embrace at all, after a couple seconds he seemed to a little, until he quickly pulled back.

"I…I am fa…failing En…English an…and Cal…Calc." Nathan started to explain, rubbing his arm self consciously.

"Well you are lucky, my best to subjects are English and Calc" Haley said with a reassuring smile.

Nathan was really worrying Haley. They had not been really close before he left, but he was always nice and outgoing, now he was like a shell of his former self. Physically the only difference was age, but he was so closed off now.

"Nathan are you okay?" Haley asked after a moment of silence

"Fi…I am fi…fine" He clumsily said

"You know, when we were younger you were this bubbly kid who was trying to act older then he really was, but at the same time trying to stay a kid. Now, you already seem like you are one big emotional scar…what happened? I mean I know we were never close, but you can talk to me Nate" Haley said softly

"…Engl..English and Ca…Calc." Nathan repeated

"Okay, tomorrow?" Said a reluctant Haley "After school?" She asked a second later

"Okay." Nathan said, before quickly running out the door. Haley on the other hand fell into a chair with a sigh. What was wrong with him? This was not the Nathan Scott she knew and remembered. The boy she had crushed on since the day she was in 2nd grade and Peyton Sawyer had come up and knocked her down for "wearing and ugly poncho." Nathan had walked over, helped her up and yelled out loud that she had looked beautiful in her "ugly ass poncho" he then got in trouble for saying ass. After that day, he made a point to tell her how nice she looked, everyday until he left.

"Look what the rejects left!" Yelled a girl from the hallway, Haley had thought the school was empty, unfortunately, cheerleading practice had ran late.

Haley James may have been popular, and everybody may have loved her, but it didn't mean everybody was nice to her. Peyton Sawyer. The bitch from hell. Peyton was always jealous with the relationship that Haley had with Lucas, and Nathan before he left. Haley had tried to explain she was only close with Lucas, and barley knew Nathan, but it didn't seem to make a difference to Peyton.

"Peyton Sawyer, still failing History?" Haley asked with a smirk.

Peyton had been on academic probation since kindergarten, and it only got worse as the years went on. If it wasn't that she slept with the principal, she wouldn't even be allowed on the cheer squad.

"You know, it must suck that the only people who are friends with you, pity you. And seriously, lose some weight would ya? We want more room in the hallways, and your fat ass isn't helping!" Snarled Peyton

"Wow. Was that…an insult? See I think it was, but you say it so much that I can't help to think it just means you love me! Don't worry I love ya too, girlie!" Said an all to sugary sweet Haley.

"Bitch" Bit back Peyton

"Whore" Scoffed Haley

"Slut"

"Skank"

"Asshole!"

"Skinny ass!"

"Fat ass!"

"Anorexic bitch!"

Peyton suddenly lunged towards Haley, slamming her back against the near by wall.

"You listen, I am watching you…and if you do one thing I don't like, I will end you." Harshly whispered Peyton

She suddenly let go of Haley, slapped her roughly against the face, and walked away with a smile on her face. Haley slowly sank to the floor holding her now beat red cheek. Man did she hate that girl.

Nathan ran as fast as could home, afraid of what would happen if it was late. Last night he had arrived by cab to the front door of his mother's house. He had bruises all over his body, cuts, and he was scared. When his twin brother had opened the door he collapsed into tears, happy to be away from his father.

The next morning he had wanted to go to school, Karen not wanting to upset him allowed it. Nathan however had stolen his mother's make up and kept his marks covered, if only he could cover the emotional ones as well.

"I am sorry I am late Mom, I needed a tutor, I asked Haley James. My grades were horrible in my last school. I didn't mean to be late" Nathan rushed out as he skidded through the front door.

Karen however did not look upset in the tiniest bit, something that Nathan was not used to. Instead she walked up and gave her son a gentle hug. She felt him tense up, but she kept holding him until his nerves slowly went away, his body started shaking, and the tears slowly started falling.

"Nathan look at me" Said Karen forcefully, but softly. Slowly his head lifted from her shoulder as he looked into her caring eyes.

"I know your Dad hurt you, but I am not your Father. I love you. I am here for you. You do not need to be home right after school, you are only late if you are not home by 6, that is dinner time. Okay baby?" Asked Karen

"Thanks Mom" Replied Nathan softly

"Amazing how all those bruises went away" Karen stated

"Sorry, I wanted to go to school, but I didn't want the questions" Explained Nathan

Karen just nodded her head understandingly before giving Nathan a kiss on the cheek and telling him she was going to start dinner. Nathan on the other hand walked to the shower. He felt dirty for some reason. The warm water felt good on his injured skin, and so did the razor that was dragged down his shoulder. Yes. Nathan Scott cut himself, daily. It wasn't that he wanted to, it was that he needed to. He needed to get his anger from his father out, the only way he could was through the cutting. The marks went from his should to his wrists. On his Chest. On his legs. Everywhere. To him it felt good, but he knew to everyone else it would be bad, so he kept his extra activity a secret.

After another couple of minutes he finally felt enough of a release, and ended his shower. When he walked into his room, he saw his brother reading a book on his bed. They had shared a room before Nathan left, and they shared room now that he was back.

"Hey" Lucas said quietly. Besides Karen, Lucas was the only one who knew what had happened to Nathan. He actually knew more.

"Hi." Replied Nathan

"Are you okay?" Lucas asked

"I have been better, but yea" Nathan said

"Your arm is bleeding" Lucas noted

"Oh, yea I fell on my way here, haha" Nathan laughed nervously

"So…you want to talk about Dan?" Asked Lucas cautiously

"Not really, you heard my whole story last night" Nathan said lightly

"Want to play basketball?" Asked Lucas

Nathan thought about it. Basketball? He hadn't played the game without being hit for missing a shot for 5 years.

"I think I need sometime before I can play, but I would watch if we went to the river court" Nathan said

"Okay, come on, we will just tell mom and then head out" Replied Lucas

"Brooke I am home!" Yelled Haley as she dropped her things by the sofa in their two bedroom apartment.

"Hey! Karen told us to stop by the café when we got hungry, want to go?" Asked a smiling Brooke

"I thought you had calc homework you needed help on?" Replied a curious Haley

"I do, but we can wait…come on! Lucas will be there eventually!!" Whined Brooke

At the café Haley and Brooke quickly sat down at the booth. Lucas and Nathan were also at the counter, only they were working behind it.

"Hey Lucas" Said a very flirtatious Brooke

"Hey Cheery, how are ya?" Replied a smirking Lucas

As they started a conversation Haley politely said hello to Nathan, before trying to get him to interact with her in a conversation.

"So Nathan, are you happy to be back in Tree Hill?" She asked

"Um…yea, I…I guess" He stumbled out

"Are you happy to be working?" Haley tried again.

"Oh um, I mean, um yea I guess." Nathan responded a little uneasy. He never really socialized when he lived with his Dad, he wasn't allowed to go out much.

"Nathan, am I bothering you?" Haley finally asked, noticing he was in no mood to try and carry on an actual conversation.

"Wh what? You? No, I just…I am…and then…No. No you are not bothering me." Nathan finally whispered. He looked up from the spot he was cleaning on the counter, focusing on the girl in front of him. God, she was beautiful, especially her big doe like brown eyes.

"Hi." Nathan finally said.

Letting a small smile out, Haley said hi back before reaching up to smooth down a bit of his tussled hair. She saw Nathan start shaking and his knuckles turn white from grasping the counter top, but she continued her movements until he slowly relaxed.

"Your hair does not want to smooth down." Haley commented, finally giving up.

"I..I need a hair cut." Nathan said.

"Hmm, so it seems. So how have you been Nate?" Asked Haley.

"Um, I have been uh better…but yea, I am here now." Nathan said.

"Hales!! It's time to go! I have homework, remember?" Brooke quickly rushed out.

"Oh so now you want to do homework?" Haley asked, a smirk forming on her lips.

"Yup." Brooke cheekily replied.

"Well Nate, I guess I better go before the Brookie Monster gets angry, don't forget tomorrow after school, okay?" Haley asked with a smile as she headed out the door.

"Oh um Hales!….You look beautiful today." Nathan called out, before quickly disappearing in the back room.

Haley could only smile though as she was quickly dragged out the door.

Chapter 2

Haley and Brooke had just gotten back home from the café and started doing homework.

"Hey, what took so long for you to get home after I left?" Brooke casually asked.

"Oh, you know…stuff held me up." Haley said, brushing off Brooke's question.

"Oh really? Did Nathan stay long?" Brooke asked.

"No." Haley replied, mentally kicking herself, Brooke would know something happened now.

"So then that bruise on your face was from running into a tree or something?" Brooke questioned, sarcasm dripping from her voice.

Haley let out a frustrated sigh, knowing Brooke was going to go completely ballistic once she heard what Peyton had done.

"Hales, tell me what happened sweetie." Brooke gently coaxed out.

"…Fine, after Nathan left I gathered my stuff and was heading out of school…Peyton had just gotten out of cheerleading practice and we got into fight. I guess I said something she really didn't like because she slapped me pretty hard." Haley explained.

"SHE DID WHAT?!" Screamed Brooke, outraged.

Haley quickly got up and started pacing the room, nervous at what Brooke was going to do now.

"Look Brooke, it was a slap I am fine, there is no reason to freak out, I mean like I said I am fine, fine as people who are fine, so you know…I am fine." Haley rambled.

"I am going to kick her skinny little white ass." Brooke stated.

"Brookie! No. If you do that you will get suspended!" Haley tried to reason.

"But Hales!" Whined Brooke

"No. I will handle this my own way, okay? Promise me you won't do anything." Pleaded Haley, giving Brooke her best puppy dog eyes.

"Hales!" Screamed out a frustrated Brooke.

"Promise me." Demanded Haley, no longer playing around.

"Oh fine." Brooke finally gave in, crossing her fingers behind her back.

Thinking that Brooke had truly given in, Haley went back to helping Brooke with her homework. Finally around eleven everything was done and the two girls went to their separate rooms to get some sleep.

As Haley laid down she could not help but picture Nathan's face, how nervous he seemed. She had always had a crush on him, and now those feelings were resurfacing, especially after he told her she looked beautiful.

A few streets over, Nathan and Lucas were hanging out in their room talking about random things.

"So Nate, how are you doing?" Lucas asked sincerely concerned for his brother.

"I…I mean I went through a lot Luke, but now? I don't know, it…it has only been a day." Nathan tried to explain.

"I am sorry." Lucas whispered out, emotion thick in his voice.

"For?" A confused Nathan asked.

"For not being there. For not helping you, for not knowing what was going on. You are my brother, I should have been there for you….I thought you were mad at me and that is why you stopped talking to me…but now knowing the truth, I feel so horrible." Lucas explained, dropping his head in shame.

"Luke…look no…no one thought Dan was going to start smacking me around. I don't blame you or Mom…I am just trying to readjust to everything, I mean if that is why you think I seem mad or something…" Nathan reasoned.

"I still feel bad Nate." Lucas responded.

"Well please don't, because that makes me feel worse." Nathan said, throwing a slight smile towards Lucas, one of the first Luke had seen in quite a while.

"Okay. I will try." Lucas replied. "So, I saw you with Haley James today." Lucas started.

"Yea, she um, she is going to help me out with school." Nathan said, suddenly very interested with his bed spread.

"She is okay Nate, no need to be nervous around her…I remember before you left how huge of a crush you had on her." Lucas reminisced.

"Ha. Like I ever had a chance with her…" Nathan trailed off.

"Are you kidding me? Dude…she had like the biggest crush on you!" Exclaimed Lucas.

"Yea, in 7th grade! Anyway…I really am tired…I think I am going to sleep." Nathan yawned out, lying down.

"Yea, me too…goodnight little brother." Lucas smiled, turning off the light.

The next day both Lucas and Nathan met Brooke and Haley at Brooke's locker. They all had first period together.

"Hey Cheery." Smiled Lucas.

"Hey Broody! Looking sexy baby." Brooke responded, causing Lucas to blush. The two started to make small talk, with some heavy flirting, leaving Haley and Nathan to stand and watch disgusted.

"You would they would just hook up." Haley said out loud, causing Nathan to smile slightly, so small Haley barley noticed it.

"Oh my gosh! A smile, is Nathan Scott actually smiling?" Teased Haley, happy to seem him calm.

"…I smile…I just…ha..haven't had a reason." Responded an embarrassed Nathan.

"You saw me, that should be reason enough!" Haley replied, her voice filled with laughter.

"You look beautiful today Hales…" Whispered Nathan, his head lowered so Haley could not see his facial expression.

"Thanks, you look pretty good today too." Haley said, just as softly as Nathan.

"Well well, and what do we have here?" Asked Peyton, walking up with a few of her friends to the chatting teens.

Haley tensed at the sound of the girl's voice, absent mindedly touching her cheek that was covered with make up to hide the bruise.

"What are you doing over here." Sneered out Brooke, stepping between Haley and Peyton. She always was overly protective.

"Just coming to check up on my best friend Hales here." Responded Peyton, an evil smirk gracing her face.

Nathan slowly put his hand onto the lower back of Haley, and began to guide her away from Peyton's glare. Haley followed the lead of where Nathan was gently pushing her, allowing Brooke to take over the battle.

"I suggest you start leaving her alone." Brooke harshly said to Peyton, getting right in her face.

"Hmm…see I don't take suggestions from whores." Peyton replied, causing her group of friends to laugh.

"Hey!" Lucas exclaimed, stepping into the verbal disagreement. "I suggest you walk away now Peyton, Brooke could kick your ass and you know it, don't want to ruin that ugly ass face of your's anymore now do you?" He sneered while Brooke just gave a smirk.

Peyton let out an agitated groan and stalked away, leaving a very satisfied Brooke and Lucas behind.

"Lets get to class Cheery." Suggested Lucas.

"Lead the way Broody." A giggling Brooke responded.

"I cannot believe I got all tongue tied like that!" Yelled out a frustrated Haley as Nathan led her into the tutoring center. After the disagreement in the hallway, Haley didn't feel like going to first period. Who needed gym anyway?

Nathan stayed silent in the corner, not wanting to get her mad at him as well if he should accidentally say the wrong thing.

"Nateee." Haley whined, finally throwing herself down into a chair next to the young man after rambling and pacing for the past ten minutes about how ugly and stupid Peyton was.

"Yea?" Whispered out Nathan.

Haley glanced up at him, he had been so nervous these past two days. Where did the Nathan Scott she knew go? Where did the fun loving, carefree, musically talented, basketball superstar go?

"Can I ask you something?" Haley asked, looking him straight in the eyes.

"….Okay." Nathan replied, lowering his head away from Haley's stare.

"What happened out in California?" Asked Haley.

Nathan went rigid, a bit of fear racing through his body. Karen and Lucas were the only ones who knew what happened out in California, no one else was supposed to notice anything.

"Wh…what do you me..mean?" Nathan stuttered out.

"Nate, you are so quiet and nervous, you were never like that….what happened?" Haley asked again.

Nathan unconsciously started moving his hands to his upper arm, where fresh cuts from his early morning shower were present. It was habit whenever he got nervous.

"No..nothing happened." Nathan replied.

"That's a load of shit." Stated Haley, her voice remaining calm and gentle, yet forceful.

"Ha..Haley, I…I mean…you…and…" Nathan trailed off, getting frustrated at what he was trying to say.

Nathan looked up at Haley. She was caring, and smart. He knew if he asked, she wouldn't tell anyone anything he said. However if he did tell her, she would be disgusted in him, and would never want to talk to him again. Lucas and his Mom and had to talk to him, but Haley could see him as the worthless piece of dirt that his Dad saw him as.

"I…" Nathan tried again, not knowing what to say.

"Please Nate, something happened…I just want to help…I…I don't want you to be so sad, but your eyes reveal how sad you really are and it actually hurts me." Haley said, getting really quiet at the end, so much so that Nathan had to really strain in order to hear her.

"Okay." Nathan whispered, gaining a bit of confidence. He and Haley had never been close, but it didn't mean that she wasn't always there for him. Whenever he had a problem he had talked to her, she was the one who always made sense out of everything.

"My….my Dad took me out to California and started to treat me more like some maid or whatever, instead of a son. At first it wasn't so bad, I mean I was cleaning and working so much I didn't really have time to study or anything, but no real damage….as time went on, he realized that he didn't have complete power of me. He caught me talking to Lucas, and he…he just got so mad! I have never see anything like it! He was yelling and screamed and before I knew it he was tossing me into walls and pounding on me! He kept yelling and telling me how much of a disgrace I was! It was like he snapped!" Exclaimed Nathan, before taking a chance and glancing at Haley, she had tears in her eyes, but she simply nodded her him to continue his story.

"Okay, well after that one night Dan kept me from talking to Lucas and my Mom. He said I didn't deserve them, he constantly was telling me how worthless I was and smacking me around. I didn't have any freedom or peace. If I got home late, I was hit. If the house wasn't clean, I was hit. If he Dealership lost a sale, I was hit. If dinner wasn't on time, if I slept wrong, if I didn't workout hard enough, if I walked weird, if I said a word he didn't like, if I asked about Lucas, if I pleaded for him to stop…it didn't matter what it was…if he didn't like it I got hit." Nathan finished angrily. He was amazed at how good it felt to tell Haley his story, how good it felt for someone other then family to know what was happened.

"Oh Nate…" Haley trailed off, not really sure what to say. She had always known that Dan Scott was an ass, but this was ridiculous! Nathan may have been a cocky hot shot as a young teenager, but he did not deserve that kind of treatment! No one did, but especially Nathan. He had always been a sweet caring young boy, very sensitive and constantly worrying about other people's feelings.

"…you can't tell anyone." Nathan whispered in a pleading voice.

"Do Lucas and Karen know?" Asked Haley.

"Yes. They found out when Dan kicked me out after a nice ass kicking, I came to Tree Hill. My Mom is making sure she gets sole custody." Nathan explained.

"Ass kicking? You…I mean not to call you out or anything, but you look fine." Haley replied confused.

"Make up does wonders…wow that sounded sort of gay." Nathan responded, trying to lighten the mood.

"Why did you tell me?" Asked Haley.

"You asked." Nathan replied.

Chapter 3

After finding out about Nathan's past, he and Haley started spending a lot more time together. Nathan's grades had been really low when he had first got to Tree Hill, but now 6 months later he was improving. Haley had been tutoring him everyday after school to make sure of that.

Nathan's mood had also gotten better. He was talking and laughing a lot more, and if Haley or Karen, or even Brooke gave him a hug he was no longer tensing up. Tree Hill had done wonders for him, for the most part anyway. There was still a few things he had yet to even start to get over.

It was now close to the Senior Prom. Nathan had really wanted to ask Haley to go with him. The two had become amazing friends, and with that friendship came other, stronger feelings as well. Nathan was completely falling in love with her. He did not know when he realized it, he did not know how it happened, but he was head over heels for his tutor girl.

"Hey Brooke!" Called Nathan from down the hall.

If he was going to get a girl like Haley, he was going to need help from the best.

Spinning around, Brooke threw a dazzling smile towards the raven haired boy jogging to catch up with her.

"Hey Hot Shot, what's up?" Brooke asked.

"I…I ne..need your help…with Haley." Nathan whispered, causing Brooke to let out a squeal of joy.

"I knew you liked her! I mean with you two spending all of that time together in the tutoring center…and the café…and our apartment…and your house….and the river court…and-" Brooke rambled on before Nathan cut her off.

"Brooke, I know I have been spe..spending a lot of ti…time with her…I am sorry." Nathan said, feeling that Brooke was mad at him now.

Brooke quickly looked up at Nathan, his eyes had went from completely happy and excited to sorrow. Brooke was shocked, did Nathan think she was mad at him? She had noticed that he had acted this way a lot. He would constantly go from happy to sad.

"Nathan, sweetie, I am not mad, I was joking around. I love that you and Haley have been spending so much time together!" Brooke said gently, having dealt with his sudden mood change before Brooke knew how to handle it.

"Are you sure? I can stop if you don't like it…" Nathan offered, fear shining through his eyes that Brooke will accept his offer.

"Are you kidding? Nathan, look at me." Brooke coaxed, raising Nathan's lowered head up so his eyes met hers. "I am more then ecstatic at the way your relationship with her is forming." Brooke finished honestly.

"Oh..okay, good." Nathan said, that happiness shinning back through.

"So what did you need my help with?" Brooke asked.

"I want to ask Haley to the pr…prom…but it's only two weeks away, and I don't know if she already has a date." Nathan replied.

"Nope, she is dateless but she does have an amazing dress, I have heard she has been waiting for a certain someone." Brooke answered with a smile.

"Oh." Nathan said defeated.

Brooke just laughed, of course he wouldn't catch that she meant Haley was waiting for him to ask her to the dance.

"Oh Nate, I meant you. She is waiting for you, silly goose!" Brooke giggled.

"Oh! Me? She wants to go with me?" Nathan asked with a large smile.

"Yup." Brooke smiled, noticing Nathan obvious excitement.

"Go get your girl Nate!" Brooke replied.

Later that night Lucas and Brooke were hanging out down by the docks. Lucas had asked her out a couple of weeks ago, ever since they had been together at any free moment.

"Hey Luke?" Brooke asked, as they walked along the dock's edge.

"Hmm?" He mumbled, caught up watching the sunset, always the romantic.

"What happened to Nathan?" Brooke asked, deciding not to beat around the bush about it.

Snapping his eyes to connect with Brooke's Lucas froze. That was not the question he expecting at all.

"What um…what do you mean?" Lucas questioned.

"Don't play dumb Luke…Nathan is…something is off with him. He constantly gets nervous and jumpy, his mood switches like crazy…I mean, he wasn't like this before he left…" Brooke trailed off.

Lucas sighed, he knew eventually this would come up.

"…If I tell you, you can't tell anyone." Lucas said, figuring it was better just to tell her.

"I promise." Brooke said seriously.

"Dan, our Dad…when he took Nate to California, hit him like all of the time…one night Dan got drunk and kicked Nathan out, so he ran here. Mom just last week got sole custody…but I mean the effects of everything Dan did and said are still there." Lucas explained.

Brooke just nodded her head, not that surprised.

"I hoped I was wrong, but I thought it was going to be something like that. Dan really is an ass…who would want to hurt Nathan?" Brooke asked.

"I don't know, he never hurt anyone." Lucas sighed.

"Will he be mad that you told me?" Brooke asked.

"No, I asked him a couple weeks ago if he had told anyone, he said he told Haley…he then asked me if I had told anyone and I said no, but that I figured you would ask about him eventually…he said if I could trust you, then he could as well." Lucas explained smiling slightly.

"Good. I don't want to cause a problem between you two." Brooke said sincerely.

"Never." Lucas laughed.

Leaning down, he gave her a gentle kiss, which of course she deepened. Pretty soon the couple was in a full out make out session.

Haley had just gotten back home after working a shift at the café. Walking inside she dropped her mouth in shock. There was a path of candles, following cautiously she saw a banner hanging above the fireplace.

"Dance the night away with me at Prom?"-Nathan.

Haley couldn't help but smile, she figured Brooke had helped out with all of this. Laughing, Haley pulled out her cell phone and dialed the all to familiar number.

"Hello?" Nathan asked. Haley could picture the smirk plastered on his face.

"Why hello Nate, been up to anything lately?" Haley asked.

"Me? Nope, just sitting around, I have been expec…expecting a pretty important phone call." Nathan answered.

"Oh yea, from who?" Haley teased.

"A beautiful girl, who I want to spend pr…prom with." Nathan said softly, his insecurities showing in his voice.

"Do I know this girl?" Haley asked.

"I should hope so." Nathan replied.

"Brooke?" Haley asked, continuing to tease the poor boy.

"Not even close, this girl is breath taking, amazing, and sweet…sure Brooke is great looking, but she has nothing on my girl." Nathan answered.

"Your girl?" Haley asked.

"Haley, will you go to prom…with me?" Asked Nathan.

"Of Course." Haley answered with a smile.

Nathan pumped his fist up in the air, he thought he would permanently have a smile etched on his face.

"Nathan are you still there?" Asked Haley, confused at the sudden silence.

"Oh um yea, sorry…I was excited…." Nathan answered embarrassed.

Haley just let out a laugh, before saying she was too excited. The two talked for hours before they said their good byes. Right when Haley hung up her phone, Brooke came barreling through the door.

"What did you say?" Brooke asked excitedly.

"Say?" Haley asked, pretending to be confused.

"Oh don't play stupid! Is Naley getting together?" Brooke questioned.

"Naley?" Haley was confused.

"Nathan and Haley, duh! Now, are you?" Brooke pestered.

"Nathan and I are going to Prom together, yes. Are we together? Not yet." Haley answered.

"Awww! Yay!! I knew you would say yes!" Brooke screamed out.

"You wouldn't have helped with this plan, now did you?" Haley asked.

"Me? Why would you think such a thing…" Brooke asked, slowly walking passed Haley, before taking off in a dead run.

"Oh you better run!" Haley laughed, chasing after her.

"Hey Nate, what's up?" Lucas asked, walking into their room.

"She said yes!" Nathan said excitedly.

"Who said yes, and to what?" Asked Lucas confused.

"Haley said yes to going to Prom!" Nathan answered.

"Oh, wow that is pretty cool, good job Nate." Lucas said, happy for his brother.

"I have to go get a tux, and order flowers, and make dinner reservations for before hand, and get a limo…do you and Brooke want to come with us? Unless Hales wouldn't like that…would Hales like that?" Nathan rambled on, becoming more and more nervous.

"Woah Nate, slow down. First off it is 1am on a uh well now, Saturday…I don't think you can do anything. Two, I am sure Brooke and I would love to share a limo, and go out to dinner, and I am sure Haley would love it as well." Lucas replied, trying to calm down his brother.

"Yea, I guess you are right." Nathan said, after thinking for a couple of minutes.

"Now I don't know about you, but I am tired, I think I am going to go to sleep." Lucas said, pulling his shirt off and climbing into his bed.

"Yea, I am just going to go shower first." Nathan said before entering their bathroom.

As Nathan got in the shower he tried to only think about Haley, and their upcoming date. Unfortunately everything was worse at night. It was at night that he would get sudden flashes of memories from his time spent living with Dan.

Flashback

Nathan had just sprinted home after staying late to get help from a teacher. He skidded through the front door, checking the time quickly. It was 4:01, only a minute late. Smiling to himself, Nathan started to make his way towards the stairs.

"Well well well, what do we have here?" Sneered a voice from the top of the stairs.

Nathan tensed immediately and looked up to see his father slowly making his way towards him.

"Dad, hey." Nathan said, trying to not draw to much attention to himself.

"Little late?" Asked Dan.

"A minute?" Nathan responded confused, not seeing the problem.

"Didn't you learn last time?" Yelled Dan, boy was he pissed.

"Dad…last time I was your fault! You kicked me out of the car!" Nathan yelled back, his anger getting the best of him.

"My fault…no no no. Nathan, you just don't learn do you?" Dan smugly replied. "Oh well, I guess you will just have to be taught another lesson." Dan finished before grabbing Nathan by the shirt and dragging him to the kitchen.

End Flashback

Nathan quickly shook the memory away, trying to get the memories of what happened in the kitchen out of his mind. Not knowing what else to do, Nathan again picking up the razor that was in the shower and took his pain and anger out the only way he knew how.

Nathan didn't know how long he stayed in the shower, but when he was done he quickly dried off and went to bed. He knew what he was doing was wrong, but it didn't stop him from doing it.

A week went by and it was now Friday once again. Brooke had suggested the four of them go down to the beach and have a camp out.

"Sure glad it's going to be a warm night." Lucas said as they put their stuff down and started a bonfire.

"Yea, it would suck if it was freezing." Haley replied, grabbing Nathan's hand. "We are going to go take a walk, we will be back." She said, pulling Nathan along.

Lucas and Brooke just watched them walk away for a second, before deciding to go for a swim.

"So Nate, have a good day?" Haley asked as they made their way down the beach.

"Any day with you is a good day." Nathan said charmingly, causing a blush to creep onto Haley's cheeks.

"Always the smooth talker." She teased.

Nathan smiled and looked down at the entwined hands. Even though they had not talked about becoming an official couple ever since he had asked her to prom, the two had been holding hands and cuddling.

"Hey Nate?" Haley asked, sounding nervous.

"Yea?" He responded.

"What are we?" Haley whispered.

Nathan quickly turned to look down at her…could she like read his mind now?

"I was just wondering the same thing." Nathan said. "If it were up to me, I would want us to be a couple." Nathan whispered so that Haley barley heard him, he was always so nervous and quiet.

"Like, a real couple, boyfriend/girlfriend?" Haley asked.

"Yep." Nathan replied.

"Then lets do it." Haley replied.

They had stopped walking, Nathan was gazing into her eyes, excitement radiating from his own.

"You want to be my girlfriend?" He asked shocked.

"More then anything." Haley answered confidently.

Smiling, Nathan leaned down and gently brushed his lips against hers. He wanted to do more, but didn't know how she would respond. When he pulled away, he saw her eyes will still closed.

"Wow." She said, feeling goose bumps.

"Yea." Nathan whispered.

Haley reached up and pulled his neck down to connect their lips once again in a much more passionate kiss. Nathan couldn't believe he was kissing Haley. He had dreamed about for the past couple months, but the dreams were nothing compared to real life.

As the kiss got more intense, Nathan slowly lowered Haley down onto the sand. Removing his shirt before kissing her again.

Haley sighed in content and Nathan slowly moved his lips towards her neck, making sure to leave his mark and officially claim her as his. Haley never thought he would be ths adventurous, especially since he can barley talk loud enough for people to hear him. However, even Nathan had shared a few stories with her about the couple of girlfriends he had in California, he was defiantly…experienced.

Shaking those thoughts away Haley was overwhelmed with the feeling and let out a strangled moan as his kisses were now tracing a path upwards as he lifted up her shirt.

"Am I going to fast?" Nathan asked, pulling away softly.

"No, but Nate…I don't want to have sex yet, I mean I am not a virgin or anything…I just want it to be more special then this…I..I don't want to stop though." Haley rambled out, causing Nathan to smile.

"Okay, just…you know…um, you…cause…you have to tell me when." Nathan finally got out, causing Haley to smile. He was so cute when he stuttered.

"I think I am falling for you Haley James, falling hard and fast. I know I have only been back for a couple of months, and I know we only started dating a few minutes ago…but I can't see you not being in my life…and I don't want to." Nathan said honestly.

"I think I am falling for you too." Haley said sincerely, tracing the side of his face with her hands lightly, suddenly though something caught her attention. Sitting up quickly causing Nathan to fall over Haley started running her fingers over his chiseled chest.

"Nathan what happened?" Haley gasped, seeing the red gashes all over his upper arms and stomach.

Nathan immediately went pale, he hadn't thought about his marks when he took off his shirt.

Chapter 4

"Oh um, they are…they…um…they are nothing." Nathan stumbled out, trying to get Haley's attention else where.

"They are most defiantly something." Haley replied sternly, meeting his eyes. "What happened Nathan?" Haley asked, her voice become forceful.

"Hales, it's nothing." Nathan tried again.

"Nathan stop lying to me, I can see it in your eyes….Nate….did you do this to yourself?" Haley asked, not letting him look away when he tried. "Hell no Nathan you look at me right now! Are you cutting yourself? Answer me Nathan!" Haley demeaned, not letting him brush this off.

"Leave it alone Haley." Nathan growled out.

"No." Haley replied sternly. "Now you are going to answer me right now! Did you do this?" Haley asked again.

"I did! Are you happy now? Are you happy to know my big bad secret? Hmm? Come on Hales! You wanted to know soooo bad! Now you do, what cat got your tongue or something?" Nathan taunted.

Suddenly everything went into slow motion as Haley's hand connected with the side of Nathan's face. The two teens both stumbled backwards from their now standing positions. Haley was shocked at what she had done, while Nathan looked like he was going to cry. The slap had reminded him of his Dad, and what hurt worse was that this time he knew it was his fault.

"…I'm sorry." Haley choked out over tears. "I didn't mean it." She said, tears fully flowing down her face.

"I think you did." Nathan said, also crying. He slowly started to make his away down the beach away from her, Haley of course quickly chased after him.

"I didn't Nathan! It's just…look what you have done!" Haley said emotionally, running her hand wherever there was a gash. "Do you know how bad you could hurt yourself? You could hit a vein an bleed to death! I could lose you! Nathan, you could die! Is that what you want? Do you want to die?" Haley yelled, her voice getting louder and louder.

"Hales…" Nathan pleaded, trying to get her to stop. He hated seeing her so distraught.

"No Nathan. Don't you understand? I can't lose you. I will die if I did!" Haley revealed.

"I have to go." Nathan whispered.

"Nathan, do not shut me out now!" Haley pleaded.

"I…I am sorry…I shouldn't…I know I am worthless…this just proves it." Nathan softly replied before taking off down the beach.

"Nathan! Nathan come back!" Haley screamed, but Nathan just kept on running.

"Dammit!" The broken girl screamed before racing off to get Brooke and Lucas.

Nathan ran as fast as he could. He knew Haley either couldn't keep up or did not feel like chasing after him. How could he have been so stupid? His one rule since he had arrived in Tree Hill was to keep those marks a secret. He did not care about anyone finding out anything else.

As he ran Nathan did not notice the ditch in the sand. His one foot fell into it causing him to fall onto the rough sand and rocks that surrounded the area. He had not time to control any of his body movements which led to his head crashing against one of the larger rocks, knocking him out cold with the tide coming closer and closer.

"Lucas!" Haley screamed for attention as she came up the beach.

"Haley? What's wrong?" Asked a suddenly nervous Luke, the girl in front of him had tears running down her face and a scared look in her eyes.

"It's Nate, he…and then, we…took off." Haley cried out.

"What?" Asked Lucas, not able to understand a thing she said.

"Nathan, he took off his shirt and there were all these deep gashes, his face lost all color and he kept brushing it off so of course me being stupid asked if he had done it to himself…he got so scared and then blew up, admitting to cutting himself, calling himself worthless…I..slapped him. I didn't mean to! I swear I didn't mean too!" Haley cried, collapsing into Brooke's hug and the brunette pulled her in.

"Haley, where is Nathan now?" Lucas demanded, knowing he had to go find his brother.

"He..he ran off down the beach. I couldn't keep up with him, I knew that…so I came to get you. I am so sorry Lucas." Haley cried, feeling this was all her fault.

"No Hales, don't be sorry for anything, he is just scared…I will go after him, you guys..um..oh you guys go wait in our old beach house! They key is under the welcome mat, okay?" Lucas asked.

"I'll take her." Brooke said, guiding the broken girl away.

The water was splashing up against Nathan's legs as he laid in the sand. There water was coming in faster and faster.

Lucas was running down the beach calling out for his brother. How could Nathan be so stupid? How could he have been hurting himself? How could he never have noticed this and helped his younger twin?

As he ran further down, Lucas started to get nervous. How far could Nathan have gotten in the five or so minutes it took for Haley to get to them?

Suddenly however Nathan saw the body laying in the sand, the water splashing all around him as the tide washed in.

"Nathan!" Lucas screamed, sprinting over to his brother. First Lucas checked his pulse, happy to find a very strong one.

Lucas looked around and noticed how Nathan could have tripped and hit his head. Taking a bit of the water the was flowing around, Lucas splashed it against his brother's face, causing relief to flood over him as his brother groggily woke up.

"Haley?" Nathan mumbled out.

"Not yet Nate, it's Lucas, Haley came an told us what happened, said she couldn't chase after you…you were too fast." Lucas said soothingly, helping his brother to stand up.

"I am sorry." Nathan said softly, knowing Haley must have told him.

"We will talk about it later, lets get you to the beach house, okay?" Lucas asked, knowing Nathan dry clothes.

As Lucas helped his brother walk up the beach he couldn't help but feel defeated. These past six months he thought Nathan was doing so well, unfortunately it seems that was not the case at all. How could he have let this happen?

Once inside the beach house, Lucas took Nathan to get changed. Nathan was still a little out of it after his fall.

"This sucks." Brooke said to Haley, who had now calmed down knowing Nathan was back.

"Yea." Haley replied, watching for Nathan to come out of his room.

"What are we going to do with that boy?" Brooke sighed, dropping her head in her hands.

"Help him." Haley said simply. "I think I love him." She added as an after thought.

"What!" Yelled out Brooke, not expecting that at all.

"Before he took off his shirt he asked me to be his girlfriend, I of course said yes. We started to kiss and he was telling me how much he thinks he is falling for me…I think I have already fallen…I think I love him." Haley explained.

"Wow." Brooke replied, not to sure of what else to say.

"Yea." Haley said, sitting back on the sofa.

Just then Nathan and Lucas emerged from the back room.

"Here he is." Lucas said, leading Nathan to sit next to Haley, who immediately pulled him into a passionate kiss, catching everyone off guard, including Nathan but quickly responded.

Only pulling away do to need of air, Haley made sure not to lose physical contact, afraid Nathan may run off again.

"I'm s..sorry." Nathan whispered finally. "I shou…shouldn't have run off." He finished.

"It's okay." Haley said softly, laying her head down on his shoulder. "You are here now."

"Nate…I don't know what to do now." Lucas started, afraid of his brother's reaction. "I mean…you need help."

"I know, but honestly, talking to someone won't help me…or I would have done it already." Nathan replied.

"Well…then how about we help you." Brooke suggested.

"How?" Nathan asked confused, this wasn't something a group of teenagers needed to be burdened with.

"Well, when I was a freshman my cousin Ashley came to live with me…my aunt thought my parents were around…anyway she was cutting herself they thought a new town would help her change it. When I found out I decided to help her…so like we set up a system, because she wanted to stop…do you want to stop?" Asked Brooke.

"Yes. I don't want to lose Haley." Nathan said, pulling his girl closer.

"Okay, well that's good…what was the system Brooke?" Asked Lucas, ready to help his brother.

"Well for one, she used to only cut in certain places I think it was in the walk in closet in her room at my house…so we used to lay her clothes out at night, she never walked in alone…and when she had a sudden need to cut she called me and told me what was bothering her. It was a lot of work and it took a lot of commitment on both of our parts…but we were family." Brooke finished.

"I remember Ashley, she was only around for half the year." Haley put in.

"After she stopped there was no reason for her to stay here. Two months in she was already done having sudden needs to cut, the other four were getting over the fear of like walking in the closet…" Brooke finished, while making a mental note to call her cousin.

"Well Nate…what do you say?" Lucas asked, really wanting to make sure he helped his brother this time.

"I don't want to be a burden on anyone…" He replied.

"Nate, you aren't. This is all of us making a pact to help you…the question is, are you going to let us…or are we going to have to tell your mom?" Asked Haley gently.

"No! You can't tell Mom…she probably already thinks I am crazy…" Nathan trailed off.

"She does not!" Exclaimed Lucas. "You should hear her on the phone going on and on about how proud she is of you after Dan…she loves you, she does not think you are crazy."

"Let us help you Hot Shot." Brooke said getting up to kneel right in front of the nervous raven haired boy. "We want to help, if it was going to be a burden, we wouldn't be offering okay? Please let us help you…if not for yourself, then the girl next to you…"

"Come on Nate, it could be fun!" Lucas joked, earning a glare from Brooke.

Nathan looked all around the room. He knew Haley was afraid of him getting hurt so bad she would lose him, he could tell Lucas was thinking it was his fault, but Brooke was surprising him. Never had he seen her so serious, sure she had been an amazing friend the past couple of months. She was right though, Brooke would defiantly say if helping him was going to be to big of a problem if she thought it would be. He had to take the offer…for Haley.

"Okay." Nathan whispered finally. "But…no telling Mom…and no throwing me cutting in my face later.."

"Deal." Haley said, giving his hand a kiss.

"Okay Nate, first thing…where is your trigger point?" Asked Brooke, having already handled a situation like this before, Lucas and Haley sat back an let her take over.

"The shower." He whispered again. "It's is the only place I have ever done it."

"And what triggers it?" Brooke continued.

"Mem…memories of D…Dan." Nathan stumbled out.

"Okay…so either we need someone to shower with you, or stay with you." Brooke suggested.

"I'll shower with him." Haley said cheekily, causing everyone to finally laugh.

"Or, better yet, I can always stay in the bathroom and brush my teeth or whatever…I mean we do share the bathroom." Lucas suggested, cringing at his brother and friend having sex.

"Yea I guess that could work too…but it wouldn't be as fun." Mumbled Haley.

"Okay, then it's settled, and Nathan whenever you start thinking about Dan and get nervous call us. We are always here, we have always been right here, okay?" Brooke asked, and after seeing Nathan nod his head in confirmation Brooke smiled and squeezed his knee affectionately. "Good, now…I think we have had a long enough night, how about we go and sleep?"

"Sounds good, come on Nate." Haley said, pulling him towards one of the bedrooms.

"They have that special…spark." Brooke said once they were out of earshot.

"What do you mean?" Asked Lucas.

"They are in love, even after finding out Dan hit Nathan, and Nathan cut himself…she is still there. And even though Peyton is constantly trying to kick Haley's ass and Haley is hiding how she feels about her parents not being around, he is still there…they are perfect…they have that it factor…the spark." Brooke explained.

"Do we have that spark?" Lucas questioned.

"What do you mean?" Brooke asked.

"Brooke we act like a couple all of the time, why don't we just admit how feel and get together?" Lucas proposed, trying to come off cool and suave.

"Because you have never asked me." Brooke sighed out.

"Brooke Penelope Davis, will you give me the honor of going out with me and becoming my girlfriend…officially?" Lucas asked, getting down on one knee causing Brooke to laugh.

"Of course Broody." Brooke answered with a smile.

"Good, or else I would have bought this a couple months ago for nothing." Lucas said, before pulling out a necklace with a ring attached. "This is a promise ring…I, have yours on a chain around me neck, and this one is mind…that I hope you will wear around your neck." He said, clasping it on.

"Wow…" Brooke breathed out, fingering the ring around her neck as Lucas pulled out the chain he had on under his shirt. "What if I had said no?"

"Then I would look pretty silly with the ring around my neck…but see I think of it this way, I will always have a piece of you right next to my heart." Lucas explained.

"You, Lucas Scott, are quite the romantic." Brooke said, pulling him in for a kiss.

As soon as Haley closed the door she kissed Nathan as hard as she could. Their tongue's met within seconds, causing both to release a moan of satisfaction. When they finally did pull away Haley made quick work of pulling him down onto the bed and cuddling against his broad chest.

"I am so sorry." Haley cried into his chest. "I..I didn't mean to slap you. I didn't mean to yell. I was just so scared, I can't lose you Natey, I can't.

"I know, shhh I know…I am so sorry Haley…I wasn't even thinking how much it would hurt you if you found out." Nathan explained, softly stroking her hair.

"I was so scared when you ran off…oh Nate…I need you to talk to me!" Pleaded Haley. "You said you were worthless out on that beach! You are nowhere near it! If you had not come to Tree Hill I would not have fallen in love with you! You are the only person I want to be with for the rest of my life, that doesn't sound worthless to me." Haley rambled.

"I…wait…what?" Nathan asked shocked, did she just say she loved him?

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said it…but I won't take it back…I love you Nathan. That's why all of this scares me so much." Haley replied, tears still soaking Nathan's chest from her tears.

"You love me?" Nathan asked, still in a daze.

"…yes." Haley whispered.

Suddenly Nathan's lips crashed into her own. She was caught of guard, but quickly responded, never having felt so much passion in one kiss.

"Haley…I love you too." Nathan said softly after pulling away slowly.

"You do?" She asked.

"Completely. I am sorry Haley…I promise from now on, I will do better. I will commit myself not only mentally but physically into getting over what Dan did, that is all in the past…from now on I only want to work in proving myself in being the guy you think I am." Nathan said sincerely.

"You already are a great guy Nate, I don't need anymore then that…you have nothing to prove." Haley said softly.

"I need to prove it to myself…I am the guy for you Haley James, now it is time to make myself believe that I am the man for you. Cutting myself and letting my Dad haunt me like this…that is being a scared boy…I don't want to be that boy anymore…" Nathan said softly, a tear finally leaking out of one of his baby blue eyes.

"I love you so much." Haley said.

"I know, I love you too." Nathan responded.

Chapter 5

The next day the gang all got up to go to the Café for breakfast. Haley and Brooke were getting ready in one room, while Lucas was getting ready in the bathroom while Nathan showered.

"This is weird." Commented Nathan as he washed soap off his hair.

"Yea, I guess, I don't know…I mean we had to do stuff like this before you left with us only having one bathroom in the house." Lucas commented, checking his face after finishing shaving.

"I am glad Mom was able to add that extra addition onto the house." Nathan said.

"Me too, I hated having such a small place…but to be honest when I look back on it…I sometimes wish we still did." Lucas replied.

"Why?" Asked Nathan intrigued.

"Because we may not have had a lot of money we were always together, now we are always spread apart…I mean Mom is usually at the café, you with Haley and me with Brooke." Lucas explained.

"I'm sorry." Nathan whispered feeling like Lucas was blaming him for everything.

"Oh no no no, Nate there is nothing to apologize for, it's not your fault…it is us growing up, and Mom becoming successful. I mean we are both close with her, and she is always there, just like I know you are and I hope you know I am." Lucas answered, trying to ease his brother's worries.

"Yea, I know." Nathan softly replied.

"Are you boys almost done?" Called Brooke from the other side of the door. "Haley and I are actually done…if you are not hell must be freezing over!"

"We are almost done Brooke! Chill out!" Called back Lucas.

"Hey um…can you actually leave and ask Brooke to come in?" Nathan whispered again, stuttering over a few words as usual. (A/N: It got to annoying to actually type in the stuttering, but for sake of the character, Nathan has a stuttering issue which will be mentioned from time to time.)

"You aren't going to put the moves on my girlfriend, are you?" Lucas asked with a smile, watching as his little brother poked his head of the shower wide eyed.

"No! Luke I wou…never, I mean no! Why? I don't…because then…and I love Haley!" He quickly answered.

"Relax Nate, I was just getting! How about you put some clothes on first though?" Lucas suggested, causing Nathan to blush.

"Right..okay…but I want to talk to her alone…so.." Nathan trailed off.

"Say no more little brother, get dressed and then I will tell her to come in, okay?" Lucas proposed, throwing a towel towards Nathan's hands.

"Thanks." Nathan replied.

Lucas quickly left the room, allowing Nathan to finish up in privacy. He was a little worried, after last night who wouldn't be? However with Brooke going right in, he was confident Nathan wouldn't do anything.

"What's up? Where is Nate?" Haley asked, sitting next to Brooke on the bed.

"He is getting dressed." Lucas replied.

"You left him alone?" Haley asked unsure.

"Hales, I can't watch him put clothes on…I don't want to see him naked…besides, he knows we are waiting…and he wants to talk to Brooke…alone." Lucas finished, knowing Haley may be a little hurt.

"Me? Oh um…okay." Brooke put in, slowly standing up and walking towards the bathroom.

"Why her?" Haley asked, jealous looming in her voice.

"I don't know, but trust me when I say nothing will happen, he loves you. He told me so, okay?" Lucas soothed, pulling his best friend out of the room so they couldn't over hear anything.

"Nate?" Brooke knocked.

"Come in." Nathan said softly, so softly Brooke almost didn't hear.

When she entered she saw the raven haired boy leaning against the sink looking quite depressed and nervous.

"What's up sweetie?" Brooke asked, walking closer.

"…I love Hales, and Lucas is great…but there are some things I have a hard time telling them…things I think I should." Nathan started, looking anywhere but towards Brooke. "I…I for some reason always finding myself wanting to talk to you about those things…but I feel bad."

"Don't feel bad! I want you to talk to me, we are friends!" Brooke exclaimed, taking his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Are we friends?" Nathan questioned in a mouse like voice.

"Of course." Brooke asked confused. "Why would you think otherwise?"

"…I don't know." He mumbled.

"Honey, you aren't really making sense, did you want me to come here to reassure you that you can talk to me and that Lucas and Haley won't know what we talk about unless you want me to tell them? Or…is something else?" Brooke asked.

"I…I want there to be someone I can talk to who isn't my girlfriend or my brother…I want there to be someone who knows what I am going through…Lucas doesn't, he blames himself…Haley doesn't, she is just scared…but you…you experienced this with your cousin." Nathan explained.

"Yes I did." Brooke confirmed again. "Nate, you can always come talk to me, we are friends, the best of friends…Haley sure is my best "girlfriend" and Lucas is my boyfriend…but you, you are like that little brother I always wanted, which makes you family, and I am always around for family, got it?"

"Got it." Nathan answered, finally meeting Brooke's eyes.

"So then, what is bothering you that you can't tell Hales or Lucas?" Brooke questioned.

"…Dan called me." Nathan said.

"He…what?" Brooke asked shocked.

"He called, said he was sorry and wanted me to come home." Nathan whispered.

"But…what…how?" Brooke stuttered.

"And I thought I was the one who couldn't form a complete sentence." Nathan said sarcastically.

"Smart ass." Brooke joked. "Why can't you tell Luke or Hales this? This is something they, and your Mom and hell the police need to know!"

"Haley will get even more scared, Lucas will want me to go into hiding or something, and Mom will want me to go to court and get his ass thrown in jail." Explained Nathan.

"And you don't want Haley to panic…or Lucas, and you don't want him in jail?" Brooke asked.

"Yep." Nathan replied.

"Why not him in jail? I would think that would make you feel…better." Brooke responded.

"…Because…I…he is still my Dad…I don't want him to rot in jail, I deserved what happened to me." Nathan whispered.

"Oh hell no. Nathan look at me…you didn't and don't deserve what Dan Scott did to you, if I ever hear you say you deserved it again I personally will whip your ass." Brooke said forcefully.

"But still…I don't want that life for him." Nathan said, avoiding Brooke's lecture.

"You are such an amazing guy, you care about other people's lives and put what they would want no matter what they have done to you, before your own safety and peace of mind." Brooke said. "Luckily though, I can help you with all of this."

"How?" Nathan asked perplexed.

"That is easy, get a restraining order against him. Your Mom is fighting for custody, so like there is a plus, and the restraining order will make it so he cannot see or contact you without your permission. It would be like his last chance, because if he violates it, then the police would deal with him." Brooke explained.

"Why didn't I think of that?" Nathan asked shocked.

"Because then what use would I have?" Brooke asked with a smile.

"You, are a great person Brooke Davis." Nathan said, matching her smile with one of his own.

"Well of course." Brooke answered. "Now come on, we have to go see our significant others and try and convince them we totally did not just have hot and steamy sex!"

"What! But we…I mean…unless sex is different in Tree Hill…what?" Nathan finally stumbled out.

"Oh chill out Nate! IT was a joke! Jezze, that is one thing we have to work on…you got to chill out hot shot!" She laughed. "Come on."

Walking into the living room, Haley jumped up and possessively pulled Nathan into a hot kiss. Brooke just laughed, she knew Haley was just being nervous with having a new relationship.

"Gosh, she doesn't trust you?" Lucas asked with laughter.

"She does, but after Peyton she is very…territorial? You know that." Brooke explained before giving him a kiss.

"So are you guys ready to go?" Haley asked after pulling away from her man.

"I guess, unless Nate, do you want to go back in that shower for round two?" Brooke asked seductively, causing Haley to almost literally growl as she stepped forward towards Brooke.

"Bitch." Haley name called.

"Tramp." Brooke responded, pretending to be mad.

"Whore!"

"Slut!"

"Hungry?"

"Starving!" Brooke laughed, linking arms with Haley as they walked out the front door.

"What the hell just happened?" Asked Lucas.

"I guess we are going to go eat…come on BFF!" Nathan laughed, linking arms with his brother as the two girls watched on and laughed.

"You know Nate when you let go and become carefree you are quite the comedian." Haley pointed out.

"Anything to make you smile." Nathan responded, leaving Lucas and taking his girlfriend's hand in his own.

"Quite the gross couple talk! We are supposed to be hanging out as a group!" Called Brooke from on top of Lucas's back as he now gave her a piggy back ride.

"Yea, and once we get to the café you two will be almost literally having sex in one of the back booths!" Teased Haley.

"Just cause we like it kinky doesn't mean you should tease us!" Laughed out Brooke.

"So, you excited for prom?" Haley asked, changing the subject.

"Of course! It is next weekend! I made us nail appointments, 12 on Friday!" Brooke squealed.

"Are we not going to school?" Haley asked confused.

"We get to leave early." Nathan answered for Brooke, surprising everyone. "What? I listen to the announcements!"

"Oh we are just teasing!" Called Lucas.

As they entered Karen's the group was in a fit of laughter after hearing about Brooke's "near death experience" that involved a rabbit chasing her around her back yard when she was five.

"Come on guys! That damn rabbit was going to kill me! Stop laughing!" Brooke whined.

"Guys! What brings you here this morning?" Asked Karen, walking forward to hug her sons.

"Food." Answered Lucas simply.

"Lucas Eugene Scott! You be more polite your mother!" Lectured Brooke, pushing him lightly.

"Someone is whipped." Laughed out Nathan.

"What can I get you guys?" Karen asked, laughing with everyone else. "The usual?"

"Yea, thanks Mom…want help?" Asked Nathan, not waiting for his mother's answer before pulling Haley into the kitchen to start cooking.

"Well then, I guess I do!" Yelled Karen as she laughed. "Are they finally together?" She asked, looking at Brooke and Lucas.

"Yea, since last night." Answered Brooke.

"You two as well?" Asked Karen with a smile.

"How did you know?" Lucas questioned surprised.

"Lucas, you haven't looked this happy since the day I put that basketball net in the driveway! You have had a crush on Brooke forever!" Smiled a knowing Karen.

"Mom! Guys don't get crushes!" Whined an embarrassed Lucas.

"What do they get? The hots?" Asked Karen confused.

"The hots? Oh Mom…please, save yourself switch the conversation." Pleaded Lucas.

"Oh fine, how is your brother doing?" Karen asked, turning serious.

"I can answer that." Interjected Brooke. "He had a bit of a set back last night after…a nightmare, but I wouldn't ask him about it, he just needed to be reminded that he has friends and loved ones there for him that he can talk too."

"Did he not know?" Karen questioned.

"He did, but he thought he was going to be a burden telling people stuff that was bothering him." Brooke explained.

"Well that is silly, did you knock some sense into him?" Karen asked, knowing that Brooke adored her younger son, just as if he was family.

"Of course." Brooke confirmed.

Karen smiled. Brooke was like a daughter to her, and she was pretty sure that even though the relationship with Lucas was new, if time was given Brooke would be her daughter-in-law. Brooke had an amazing heart that not many people got to see, Karen was happy that Lucas and Nathan but got to know her.

"Well, while Nate and Haley take care of the cooking I am going to go take some more orders, Luke be home for dinner with your brother tonight at 6, Brooke you and Haley are of course always welcome, and tonight I insist you be there." Karen offered, walking away quickly to greet the morning rush.

Back in the kitchen Haley had thought her and Nathan were going to start cooking, boy was she wrong. As soon as they had made it into the kitchen Nathan had pinned her up against the wall and started kissing her.

"Nathan! We have to make breakfast!" Gasped out Haley as Nathan took his assault towards Haley's neck.

"Mmm, later." Nathan responded returning his lips to his favorite place on her collar bone.

"Anyone could walk in here and catch us." Haley mumbled out.

"Fine…later?" Nathan asked.

"Defiantly." Haley answered, going over to start cooking.

Chapter 6

"Are you sure this looks okay?" Haley asked nervously, holding her hand against her prom dress to compare her nail color to the color of the dress.

"Tutor Girl Elizabeth James! Did you just question my fashion sense?" Brooke asked shocked.

"Brooke! I am serious! I mean…I am wearing a navy blue dress and…I don't know the polish just seems like to much." Haley replied, still fussing over the color.

"Well, we could take it off and I can do a French manicure." Brooke offered.

"Wait, you could do stuff like that and we just blew 100 getting them professionally done?" Haley asked confused.

"Well, I mean yea…I am study cosmetology." Brooke said off handedly.

"Ugh! Brooke…never mind, yes I think I want you to do a French…but don't mess up!" Haley warned.

"I won't, trust me kid." Brooke reassured, as she started to take off Haley's nail polish.

"So, how are things with you and Luke?" Haley asked.

"…I don't know." Brooke admitted, shocking Haley. Brooke had waited so long to be with Luke, what could damper her dream of going to prom with him?

"You don't know? Brooke, you are dating Lucas Scott, your dream man! What could be wrong?" Haley asked.

"…Peyton liking him too." Brooke said softly.

"What!" Haley screeched, causing Brooke to jump a little.

"Yea, she got switched into my art class, and her and Lucas were partnered up for a project…they have so much in common, she even asked him to prom!" Brooke explained hotly, taking Haley's polish off a bit harsher then needed.

"What did he say?" Asked Haley.

"He just smiled and said he had a girlfriend." Brooke answered.

"Brooke I don't think you have anything to worry about…he cares about you." Haley replied.

"We will have to see tonight won't we?" Brooke asked. "How about you and Nathan?"

"Great. He is doing so much better then just last week!" Haley exclaimed, proud of her boyfriend.

"So, you are not mad at me anymore?" Brooke asked softly.

"Mad? When was I mad at you?" Haley retorted confused.

"When Nate asked to talk to me in the bathroom, you got jealous." Brooke replied with a small smirk.

"I wasn't mad…I…I was just a little nervous, I mean you remember what Peyton did." Haley answered.

"Yea, but Hales, I am your best friend…not Peyton the smelly bitch monster." Brooke said.

"I am sorry, I know that, it was just a little nerve racking." Haley replied truthfully.

"Well luckily for you, I found it quite humorous!" Brooke laughed as she finished Haley's nails.

"Wow that looks amazing B. Davis!" Haley exclaimed as she looked between her nails and toe nails.

"Why thank you! I do try." Brooke replied off handedly.

About an hour later the two girls were looking glamorous with their hair all done, along with their make up. They were currently relaxing on Haley's bed, not quite ready to get dressed.

"Hey Brooke?" Haley asked softly.

"Hmm?" Brooke mumbled out, quite comfy in her current position.

"Would you be mad if I said I was scared?" Haley asked, vulnerability showing through her voice.

"Scared? What are you talking about honey?" Brooke asked now concerned.

"Scared that I won't be able to help Nathan, that I won't be good enough…" Haley trailed off slightly emotional.

"Sweetie Nathan adores you! How could you think that you wouldn't be good enough?" Brooke asked softly, she was caught completely off guard by Haley's question.

"You said the same thing about Tim Brookie Cookie, and look how that turned out. I mean I feel like I am caught in a universe where everyone that I love sees me as not enough for them. Look at my parents? It was my fault they divorced! Then they both left me on top of that!" Haley cried out, causing Brooke to look on in shock. She never knew Haley felt that way about her parents! She knew that Haley was deeply effected by her parents actions, but no matter how many tears were spilled over what they had done, Brooke never was able to get Haley to talk about it.

"Haley James! Don't you ever say that or think anything like that again! For one Luke and I love you very much, you are more then enough for us! Secondly, what happened with Tim was not your fault, no one could have predicted that Bitch Monster Peyton would do something like that! Thirdly…Hales, what happened with your parents is and never was your fault. Your Dad cheated on your Mom, and your Mom was cheating on him! How could you have caused that? I don't know why they both left you in the end, but you had done nothing to cause that!" Brooke replied, a tear spilling out of her eye as she watched the broken girl in front of her spill so many tears.

"It is my fault! They were trying to get pregnant again to make up for their first mistake! They couldn't….so Mom went looking for someone else! Causing Dad to want to get even!" Haley cried out, tears falling so fast down her fast all Brooke could do was hold her.

"No Haley, not ever was what they did your fault, I don't know what it will take you to truly trust me on this, but it was not your fault. You are not and were not a mistake. You were put on this earth for a reason! If it were not for you these past couple of years, I most likely would be off drinking my sorrows away every night, Nathan would be dead! Luke…he would be a complete mess! You are so many people's saving grace Haley James…you just don't realize how much you mean to so many people yet…but you will one day." Brooke softly told the girl who was laying on her shoulder crying her eyes out exactly one hour before her prom.

"I am sorry." Haley answered after shedding a couple more tears.

"For what honey?" Brooke asked gently.

"Ruining your make up, my make up…your afternoon." Haley answered, wiping off her cheeks.

"Make up is fixable, and you did not ruin my afternoon or any part of my day…I am glad you can talk to me Hales, and I never want that to change." Brooke said forcefully as she hugged Haley quickly.

"That was quite the emotional overload." Haley laughed out, standing up to go fix herself up again.

"Hales, you cannot keep thinking that way, or letting stuff build up like that." Brooke instructed.

"I know…I don't mean too…I hate being such a burden on people, especially you after you have done so much." Haley answered.

"I talk to you about my problems just as much, you are not a burden." Brooke replied, taking away the make up from Haley and starting to apply it to the girl's face herself.

"Thank you Brooke, I don't know what I would do without you…you are the best friend a girl could have." Haley responded.

"I hope I am more then a best friend, I always thought we were more like sisters…even if we didn't share any blood." Brooke laughed out.

"Well of course." Haley smiled.

"There is that smile I was looking for." Brooke said, smiling herself.

"It was bound to appear eventually." Haley answered.

The next hour the two spent rushing around trying to re-apply all of their make up, fix their hair, and put on their dresses before the boys arrived with Karen to take pictures. Just as the last zipper was pulled up the door bell rang.

"How do I look?" Asked Brooke, spinning in a circle.

"Amazing! Me?" Haley asked, mimicking Brooke's actions.

"Beautiful." Brooke smiled, almost motherly.

"Girls?" Asked Karen knocking on Haley's bedroom door where the two were grabbing their last minute things.

"Come in!" Answered Brooke, throwing Haley a confused look as to why Karen would want to come in and see them.

"Oh my, you both look breath taking!" Karen exclaimed walking in to the small room, giving both girls a big hug. Brooke and Haley both sighed in content at the feeling of something so motherly. They both missed their parents like crazy, but they were the only two who knew that.

"Thank you Karen." They two girls replied in sync.

"I guess you were wondering why I just let myself in your apartment here? Hmm?" Karen asked knowingly.

"We have no problem with it, everyone else does." Brooke laughed out.

"But we aren't going to lie and say we aren't a little curious." Haley finished.

"Well, I actually have something important to talk about with you girls." Karen started, seeming a little nervous. "Luke and Nate just told me that you two lived completely alone, I always knew you stayed together and that your parents traveled a lot…but I did not know it was 365 days a year. That is unacceptable. I…I don't want you two staying here alone anymore." Karen finished, meeting Brooke and Haley's eyes.

"What do you want then?" Haley asked confused.

"I mean we don't like our situation, but we can't just call our parents home." Brooke contributed.

"I know that…but you only have a month and half left of school and then you graduate…Lucas told me that all four of you are going to UNC so I mean then it will be fine but these last couple of months home…I would really feel better if you moved in with me and the boys." Karen rambled out.

"What!" Brooke and Haley exclaimed together.

"I know, it seems insane, me letting you two move in with your boyfriends…but I feel so nervous about two such amazing girls living alone, and so heart broken. You both should be with family, and I would like to think that over the past couple of years that is what we have become, one big…dysfunctional, but non the less family." Karen replied.

"Karen…wow." Brooke answered.

"How would we all fit?" Haley asked.

"Well, actually…our basement in fully empty, but done…you both could share a room downstairs. There is a bathroom, a little common room and then one big bedroom that originally was going to be a family room but when we built the addition on that changed. It is honestly just one big…carpeted nothing." Karen sighed out.

"…wow." Brooke repeated.

"I know it is a lot to think about, but I mean you would have a place to stay on breaks, and I don't know maybe I am silly to ask." Karen rambled on.

"Karen, you have been like a mother to both Brooke and me. I could never thank you for everything you have done for us since our parents left two years ago. You have fed us almost every night whether it be at the cage or at your house. You are more of a parent then our own…you have yelled at us when we got drunk at a party and Lucas brought us home, you have given us advice on life and strangely since we are dating your sons, boys. Most importantly you have given those hugs that make us both feel safe." Haley stated, looking to Brooke to make sure her next words were what Brooke wanted as well. Once the eye contact was made Brooke gave a simple nod, that was all Haley needed to continue on. "We would love nothing more then to move in with you guys, as long as you are sure it wouldn't be a burden or out of pity.

"It would only be out of love and then feeling that you two need someone to care for you. You both are still so young." Karen responded, tucking a piece of Brooke's hair behind her ear. "So you both will move in? I have never raised girls before…."

"Haha, well I think you are a little late to "raise" us, but we could defiantly use some of that mom love that all the other kids seem to get." Brooke laughed out.

"Yea, defiantly." Haley finished.

"Then it's settled!" Karen laughed out, pulling to the two in for a hug. "I promise I am not going to leave you like they did."

The teens just snuggled further into the woman, that one sentence being all they needed to hear, all they have ever wanted to hear.

"I'm sorry, I should have waited until tomorrow to ask, I am holding up your night." Karen exclaimed causing both of the girls to smile.

"Trust me, you have only made it better." Brooke giggled out.

"But yes, we do have to go get this night started." Haley smiled grabbing her things.

The three women made their way out into living room where the boys were fidgeting around.

"Wow." Lucas said, causing Nathan to quickly turn around to see Haley and Brooke.

"Wow." Nathan repeated.

"And here I thought those two would never be speechless." Karen laughed out as she start snapping pictures.

"Hi." Brooke smiled warmly, walking up to Lucas and giving him a small kiss.

"You look so amazing Cheery." Lucas replied slipping a corsage onto her wrist.

"You look pretty good yourself." Brooke smirked back in response.

"I mean in Brooke, breath taking." Lucas said sincerely.

"Wow Hales…you look…I mean…and that….and…wow." Nathan stumbled out, blushing at how silly he sounded.

"So…is that bad?" Haley asked a little unsure.

"No! Amazing, beautiful, gorgeous, stunning uhh adorable!…I ran out of adjectives." Nathan finished, causing Haley to laugh.

"I think I got the point." Haley winked back.

"Pictures!" Karen ordered.

The next half hour was spent with the group posing for pictures, the smiles never leaving their faces. As time went on they were joined by Bevin, Skills, Mouth, Gigi, as well as Fergie and Junks dates.

"Well you got quite the group! Will you all fit in the limo?" Laughed Karen as she fussed with all of the boys ties.

"You mean out Hummer stretch limo? Well based off the amount charged to my Daddies credit card I would think so." Brooke laughed, not at all embarrassed at the fact they she threw her parents money around like it was water in an ocean.

"With that, I think we should get going!" Haley yelled, causing everyone to cheer as they made their way out of the tiny apartment and off to prom.

"You ready for this H. James?" Brooke asked.

"You betcha B. Davis." Haley exclaimed.

"Save me a dance?" Lucas asked in a high pitched voice towards Nathan.

"Oh you know it." Nathan laughed back, both loving to tease their girls.

"Oh you both think you are so funny don't you?" Brooke asked.

"No, we know it." Lucas replied smugly.

"Oh really? What if then, just for fun, I went off and danced with Jake while you two had that dance?" Countered Haley.

"No." Nathan deadpanned, pulling Haley closely against him. "My Haley."

"Quite possessive there." Mouth laughed out from one side of the limo.

"You would be to if you snagged a girl like mine." Nathan smiled, earning a kiss from "his girl."

"We going to have fun?" Haley whispered.

"A blast." Nathan responded.

Chapter 7

When the gang got to prom everything was in full swing. Music was blasting from the many speakers and DJ stand, kids were grinding all over the room, teacher's looked on in disgust, and most importantly everyone was smiling.

"The place looks amazing!" Squealed Brooke as she continued to drag Lucas throughout the room.

"Who knew our school could put out so much cash?" Asked an amused Lucas in return.

"Lets go find our table and then dance guys!" Suggested Bevin as she pulled Skills by the hand in what she hopped was the right direction.

"Who is sitting with us? Weren't we two people short?" Asked Haley towards Nathan.

"Brooke signed up, she said that the teacher's were just going to assign two people randomly." Nathan replied, glancing at everything around him. This was the first time he had seen anything this cool, he was never allowed to go to any of the dances or events when he lived with Dan.

"You okay?" Haley asked sensing his mood.

"Yea, I just…this is amazing, I guess I sound like a girl but I have never been to a prom or anything before." He answered, finally looking down towards Haley.

"Well you picked a good night for it to be your first, because now you get to share it with me." Haley smirked in reply.

Once the group found their table they sat their things down before rushing towards the dance floor. Normally Nathan was a very reserved person but once the beat of the music started to flow through him, he pulled Haley close and started grinding into her. Brooke and Lucas watched on as the couple's movements got hotter and hotter.

"Are they going to have sex out here?" Asked Lucas a bit grossed out.

"Lets hope not." Brooke laughed back, before starting to dance with him.

Haley's back was glued to Nathan's front as the music played on. Everyone else seemed to disappear as they danced. Haley's hands traveled up towards Nathan until they looped behind his neck. Nathan's hands however could not stand still, he kept moving them at an agonizing slow pace through the openings on Haley's dress to touch the flesh on her hips.

"Who knew you could dance so well." Haley breathed out as she turned to face Nathan.

"What can I say? I know how to follow a beat." Replied Nathan with a smirk.

"What else can you do hot shot?" Asked Haley somewhat seductively.

Nathan just smirked again as he dipped his lips down to catch Haley's in a searing kiss. Haley was getting hotter and hotter by the minute. Nathan was not helping her cool down when his lips left her own and traveled down towards her neck, finding her spot eliciting a moan from the brown eyed girl.

"Nathan." She signed out, moving her head to allow better access to his talented mouth.

Nathan on the other hand was trying to control himself as best he could. Already he felt like he would burst, and all he was doing was kissing her.

"You taste good." Nathan said, biting gently down on Haley's skin, causing her moans to get a bit louder.

"Woah!" Called Mouth as he noticed the couple.

"Holy crap guys! Get a room!" Skills yelled, pulling Haley and Nathan from their trance. Both blushed immediately and pulled a part a bit.

"Taking a page out of my book or something?" Teased Brooke as her and Lucas moved to dance closer to the pair.

"Sorry." Laughed out Haley, moving a tiny bit away from Nathan.

"Ruining all of my fun!" Joked Nathan.

Suddenly a slow song came on, Nathan quickly whispered to Haley if it would be okay for him to ask Brooke to dance. Haley wasn't thrilled, but knew Nathan just had a strong connection to Brooke so she said it was fine.

"Brooke…dance with me?" Asked Nathan shyly causing Brooke to laugh a little as she left Lucas an pulled her raven haired friend in while Lucas started dancing with Haley.

"Trying to get your girl jealous?" Teased Brooke.

"No, I just wanted to say thank you for the past couple of days, you have been an excellent shoulder to lean on." Explained Nathan truthfully.

"You know Nate that I don't mind, but Haley would be just as good, if not a better person to lean on." Said Brooke.

"I do…I don't know you are just…different, I can open up to Haley about anything except the stuff I talk to you about…I hate seeing her worry and cry and that is what the cutting makes her do…I am trying to protect her." Replied Nathan, dropping his head a bit in shame.

"Hey, I know….and I love that you can open up to me…just Haley was cheated on so she sometimes feel threatened quickly, she is very protective of you." Brooke reasoned as they swayed to the music.

"I know…should I not have talked to you? Or asked you to dance?" Asked Nathan.

"No. I loved that you do, and did…I am just saying be careful with my tutor girl." Brooke smiled back, causing Nathan to laugh a bit.

When the song ended the two split and Nathan immediately pulled Haley into a kiss.

"What was that for?" Asked a shocked Haley.

"I love you." Nathan said simply, causing Haley to blush.

"I love you too." She replied.

"I got you something." Nathan said suddenly, pulling something out of his tux pocket.

"Oh! Presents!" Squealed Haley.

Nathan opened the velvet box and pulled out a gold locket.

"Nathan!" Gasped Haley as he turned her around and clasped the heart shaped locket around her neck.

"Inside is a picture of us from a couple of days ago, on the other side inscribed is always and forever, cause Hales…well I am going to love you always and forever, no matter what…you have my heart and even though I again feel like a girl for this speech I never want that to change." Nathan explained as the two started dancing again.

"I love it. I love you!" Haley replied, pulling him in for another kiss.

"Will all students please go to their seats, dinner is about to be served and the King and Queen are about to be crowned." Called Whitey from the DJ booth.

The teens let out a tiny sigh of frustration at the thought of having to stop dancing, but quickly made their way to their seats.

"Oh hell no!" Called Brooke as she saw the two people sitting at their table.

"Aww Brooke, is that anyway to treat your friend?" Sneered Peyton.

"Peyton, what are you up to?" Asked Lucas with a cocked eye brow, knowing this wasn't some accident. Everyone knew how much of a problem putting Haley and Brooke with Peyton would be.

"Me? Nothing!" Peyton said innocently, thought her tiny smirk gave her away.

"Get the hell away from our table." Growled out Haley, moving next to Brooke.

"Now Hales, be civil!" Chastised Peyton, again with that snobbish smirk, causing her date to laugh.

"Shut it Smith." Demanded Lucas.

"Tim, why don't you go pick another slut to shove your tongue down?" Nathan angrily asked.

"Because I can't kiss Haley with you standing right there, that would be rude." Tim smiled back.

"You ass hole!" Nathan spat back, lunging for the small boy only to be caught by Jake who had been sitting at the table next to the group.

"Woah there Nate, just calm down." The brown haired signer soothed.

"But he just…and then…Hales…" Nathan groaned out, embarrassed at his inability to form a sentence.

"Aww poor little baby Nathan, does he have a stu…stu..stutter?" Teased Tim.

Nathan knowing he was to upset to respond flipped him off.

"Smooth comeback baby Scott." Tim jabbed on, knowing he was really getting under Nathan's skin.

"Guys, you have to sit down." Skills said from his place at the table, knowing it would be the only way to stop Nathan from punching Tim.

"Yea, you are causing a scene." Bevin said. "Which will cause the teacher's to come over eventually.

"Fine." Haley said through clenched teeth, and pulled Brooke and Nathan with her to the chairs furthest away from Peyton and Tim.

As dinner started Peyton and Tim made sure to annoy Nathan and Haley. Brooke was about ready to pounce on the blonde, while Lucas was trying to remain as clam as possible while still standing up for his brother.

"Will you guys cut it out?" Lucas sighed out after Tim kept making fun of Nathan's stutter and Peyton kept making fun of Haley in anyway possible.

"Yea chill dawgs, it's prom, can't you let this weird jealous grudge go for one night?" Asked Skills.

"Jealous? Me? Oh puh-lease. What is there to be jealous of? The baby boy over there? Or miss perfect?" Sneered Peyton.

"Peyton shut your trap before I make sure your next period comes out of your nose." Brooke shrieked, as quietly as she could though it still brought quite a few glances to the table.

"Why you little-" Peyton started before being cut off by Whitey on the microphone.

"Ladies, gentlemen, I would like to first tell you all how well you all clean up. Everyone looks amazing tonight. I would continue on, but I know ya'll really would just like to hear who will be wearing the crowns this year." Whitey started, causing the room to go quiet.

"I can't wait to wear that crown." Peyton smirked, causing Brooke to let out a small snort.

"Like anyone will actually vote for a slut like you. I bet Haley and Lucas will win." Brooke predicted.

"Me? Why not you?" Asked Haley.

"Because they think you are the nice, girl next door, popular tutor." Brooke explained.

"Then why me and not Nathan?" Lucas asked.

"Because Nate has only been in the school for a couple of months, and Luke, you are the star player on the Ravens." Brooke finished.

"I am the captain of the team though!" Tim whined, getting a little nervous, he wanted to be king with Peyton.

"This years king is…Lucas Scott!" Whitey called out, brining everyone's attention back to the old man.

"Nice going Brooke." Skill laughed out, seeing Tim slump in his seat.

"And this years prom queen is….Haley James!" Whitey smiled out.

Haley blushed immediately at the cheers that spread through the room.

"No!" Peyton cried out, stomping away to the bathroom, dragging Rachel away with her.

Nathan stood up and led Haley up towards Lucas, and Brooke who had been dragged by Lucas.

"Guys, you two are supposed to be dancing, why are we here?" Brooke asked confused.

"Because we already danced with each other, we want to dance with the people we love and celebrate this win with them." Haley explained laying her head onto Nathan's chest as the music flowed from the speakers.

Time went on and soon the music was fast and loud again. Peyton had come back out of the bathroom with Rachel towards the end of the King and Queen's dance, she had not looked happy for the past hour it was really starting to worry Haley the way she kept whispering to people.

"Brooke?" Haley yelled over the music, trying to pull the brown haired girl out of a lip lock with Lucas.

"Hmm?" Brooke asked after a couple of minutes.

"Can we go talk for a second?" Asked Haley. Brooke looked over towards Haley and saw how nervous she looked, quickly agreeing she asked the boys to go get them drinks and said they would be back soon.

Once the two got to the girls bathroom Haley started pacing back and forth.

"Hales, what is worrying you?" Brooke asked.

"Peyton is going to do something." Haley said. "And I am not sure what."

"Do something?" Brooke asked.

"Yea, she keeps whispering and pointing at me, she is going to try and do something." Haley explained.

"Do you want to leave?" Brooke questioned.

"No. I want to make sure she doesn't get to do anything…"Haley said.

On the dance floor Lucas and Nathan were standing around waiting for the two girls.

"Well well, what do we have here?" Peyton asked, seductively walking up towards Nathan.

"Uh, I am Nate…this is Luke…but you already knew that." Nathan said confused, causing Lucas to laugh a little.

"Um right…anyway, Nate you want to dance?" Peyton asked, dragging her finger lightly down Nathan's chest.

"No." Nathan said simply, as he continued to watch for Haley to come back.

"I could totally make it worth your while." Peyton continued to flirt.

"Peyton, he said he isn't interested." Lucas sighed out, trying to get the fake blonde to leave them alone.

"I wasn't talking to you Pucas." Peyton sneered out. "Once dance Nate, come on."

"I…I said no." Nathan replied, getting very uncomfortable.

"Nathan, I promise I will leave Haley alone if you do this." Peyton offered, not giving up.

"You really are desperate, aren't you?" Lucas asked, knowing Peyton's offer to leave Haley alone would be her ticket to a dance.

"You will leave her alone?" Nathan asked, wanting to make sure Peyton wasn't lying.

"Yes. Promise." Peyton confirmed.

"Fine. One dance." Nathan caved, causing Lucas to let out a groan.

As Peyton pulled Nathan out to the middle of the dance floor Rachel came up and tried to seduce Lucas to dance, unfortunately for her Lucas walked away to find Brooke.

Rachel on the other hand just smirked, before watching as Haley and Brooke came back to the dance floor.

"Hey, where is Nate?" Asked Haley when Lucas came up to her and Brooke.

"He is uh…dancing…with Peyton." Lucas whispered, knowing this was going to cause a problem.

"He is what?!" Screeched Brooke.

"Peyton kept trying to seduce him, and he was getting mad…but then she said she would leave Haley alone if he danced to one song…" Lucas explained, seeing Haley go from mad to slightly happy.

"He is doing it for me?" Asked Haley calmly.

"Yea, I mean look at him, he looks grossed out from her being within ten feet of him!" Lucas said, laughing a little at how far apart Nathan was distancing himself from Peyton.

"Brooke lets go." Haley finally said after watching for a couple of seconds.

"Where?" Brooke asked.

"To kick the bimbo's face in." Haley said simply before walking towards Peyton.

As the two girls got closer to Peyton and Nathan, both had to stifle a little bit of laughter. Peyton was trying to grind against Nathan, but he kept moving back. It was obvious to anyone that he did not want to be dancing with her.

"So Peyton, you just want my life so bad you have to throw yourself at my boyfriend?" Asked Haley, loud enough to draw a crowd.

"Well everyone knows he won't be getting any from you." Peyton retorted, causing a few laughs.

"Because you know my personal life? Oh my! I just, wow now I am completely embarrassed! Brooke, did you know Peyton knew everything about me and my relationships?" Haley asked sarcastically.

"Why no! Hmm, I guess it is a good thing she told us, no?" Brooke confirmed, causing the crowd to laugh louder.

"Listen girlie, I am done with you and your pathetic whiney sadistic attitude! You go after everything that is good in my life, and you make sure to turn it into my worst nightmare! I am not going to let you do that again, not this time." Haley yelled, a circle now formed around the girls. Teachers crowded around ready to step in if a punch was thrown, though with all the kids surrounding the area it was going to be difficult.

"Bring it on…though I would like to know what you are fighting over. I mean come on, you are fighting me for Nathan Scott? I know a lot about your boyfriend over there, things you two, or counting Brooke and Pucas, you four, wouldn't want the whole school to know." Peyton sneered.

"What?" Haley asked, a little taken aback.

Peyton just smiled as slapped Haley lightly on the cheek while saying, "You sweet innocent girl, you had no clue what a drunken father may spill when a certain blonde slips a few layers of clothes off."

"….you really are a bitch." Haley said softly, staring Peyton right in the eyes.

"Hey, it's better then a orphaned child like you." Peyton replied.

"Okay break it up!" Yelled Whitey as he made it through the crowd. "You two, cool your jets and everyone else, prom is over in 15 minutes! Take the time you have left and enjoy yourselves, do not ruin it by doing something stupid like instigating this fight!"

Haley just shook her head and walked out of the building, with her 3 best friends right on her tail.

"Hales wait up!" Brooke yelled.

"I can't believe she did that! I can't believe she just tried to blackmail me!" Haley fumed.

"Actually, she was blackmailing Nathan, but same difference." Brooke rushed out, seeing Haley's glare.

"Look guys, I know we had this whole weekend planned…but can we just head straight to the beach house?" Haley proposed, not wanting to go to the after party anymore.

"Sure, we can get some sleep and then tan tomorrow!" Brooke said enthusiastically.

"Tan? The beach?…so then we have to go to the beach house where people are expecting a raging party?" Lucas asked.

"Okay…we can go to my beach house!" Brooke exclaimed.

"I thought your Mom moved out there." Haley pointed out.

"Oh her an Dad are in…Florence? Maybe Rome…anyway, they aren't there." Brooke explained. Everyone seemed to be okay with the suggestion of going to Brooke's house, so they rushed out of the limo.

"Wow." Haley said twenty minutes later once they were inside the beach house.

"Mega wow." Said Nathan, as everyone looked around.

"Okay Luke and I get my room, and you and Nathan get the guest room? Okay…good, come on Lukey." Brooke rushed out before pulling Lucas by his tie up the stairs.

"Oh ew, I don't not want to even try and picture what they are about to do." Nathan said, getting a look of disgusted on his face.

Haley just smiled before leaning up to give her boyfriend a kiss.

"Mmm what was that for?" Nathan whispered afterwards.

"I was so proud of how you handled yourself when Peyton was being a bitch, I wanted you to know it." Haley explained.

"She is going to be a problem…I don't want everyone finding out." Nathan said solemnly.

"We can worry about that later, I guess tonight the best thing we can do is get some rest." Haley replied.

"Wait…there is one thing I want to do first." Nathan answered. Quickly he walked over towards the stero and turned it on, letting soft gentle jazz fill the room.

"What are you doing Nate?" Haley asked confused.

"Well…since prom ended up being a bust in the middle we never got to share the final dance together, so how about right now?" Nathan asked, offering his hand towards Haley.

"I would love to." Haley responded with a smile.

With that Nathan pulled her into his arms and slowly started to move around the room.

"I love you Haley James." Nathan suddenly said, looking straight into her brown eyes.

"I love you too Nathan Scott." Haley answered, right before Nathan leaned down and gave her a fiery kiss.

The two only pulled away when air became an issue, however their eyes immediately locked.

"…want to go upstairs?" Nathan asked timidly.

"I am guessing you mean to do more then sleep?" Haley asked with a smirk.

"It's up to you…" Nathan answered truthfully.

"Hmm what a better way to end the night then to have you make love to me." Haley said with a smile as she dragged the raven haired boy up the stairs.

"I say that would be an amazing ending to tonight." Nathan said laughing. Haley just rolled her eyes and pulled him into their bedroom for the night.

Chapter 8

Two Months Later

Even though they had an amazing ending to their prom night, things had gotten worse over the passed couple of months for Haley and Nathan. Peyton was constantly threatening to let out Nathan's past. Nathan himself had become a walking nervous wreck, he was constantly calling Haley to make sure she was okay, and then calling Brooke basically in tears to say how scared he was that people would find out. No one knew what to do anymore.

The only good thing to happen was that Haley and Brooke had officially moved into Karen's basement. The girls had settled in amazingly, and it seemed that it helped Nathan a bit to have the two girls in calling distance.

Everyone was now at school by Haley's locker.

"So you guys ready for another fun filled day at Tree Hill High?" Asked Brooke.

"One more week." Sighed out Lucas, the whole Peyton situation was really draining the fun out of senior year.

"Yup, and then we are officially out of High School." Said Haley.

"Cool." Whispered Nathan, causing a few smiles.

Suddenly however those smiles were replaced with fear as the principal's voice came over the speaker.

"Code Red! Code Red! All persons please report to the nearest lock down zone!"

Unfortunately the warning didn't come quick enough as gun shots rang throughout the building.

"Oh my God!" Exclaimed Brooke.

Students started running everywhere, Haley got shoved to the ground knocking the wind out of her while Nathan and everyone else got pushed into the opposite direction, not noticing she wasn't still right behind them.

When Haley caught her breath she slowly sat up and surveyed the empty hallway.

"Shit." She mumbled. Suddenly she heard screams from far off in the distance as more gun shots echoed around the building.

Haley tried to take off running, but let out a yelp of fear as someone pulled her into a janitors closet.

"Ahhh!" Haley screamed terrified until the stranger covered her mouth.

"Haley? Haley, it's me….Peyton." The young girl responded trying to calm Haley down. "Are you going to scream if I uncover your mouth?"

Haley quickly shook her head no, allowing Peyton to remove her hand.

"What the hell are you doing?! We need to get out!" Whispered screamed Haley.

"I am sorry, I heard the gun shots and ran in here to hide…then right when I was going to leave I saw you on the ground…and then those other gun shots fired and I just figured it was better to pull you in here then have you run off and possibly get shot." Peyton whispered back. "Holy crap Haley! Your arm!"

Haley quickly looked down and saw the blood on the sleeve of her shirt.

"Wonderful…I am stuck in a closet with you and shot." Haley sighed out.

"Jezze no thanks for saving my life or anything." Mumbled out Peyton.

"You must be joking." Haley deadpanned. "After all of the hell you have put me an Nathan through since prom?"

"…I…." Peyton started, before being cut off by Haley.

"I am mean really, he is a walking nervous wreck! Today is defiantly not going to help either, but he is like that now because of you!" Haley said, speaking quite harshly.

"…I know." Peyton finally whispered. "And…I am sorry."

"You are what?" Haley asked confused.

"I am a bitch. I am sorry, I don't know why I have hated you all these years…I really don't. You just…you always seemed to have everything that I wanted. You had the perfect life with two parents, a best friend, awesome looks, amazing grades…it seemed so perfect and me on the other hand had a dead mom, dead beat Dad, horrible grades…I mean I am like failing right now…" Peyton trailed off.

"You must be kidding. For one, my parents aren't even around and you know that! They hate me! Brooke…Brooke could have been your best friend too if you weren't such a bitch. Plus I work my ass off for those grades, and listen chicken legs it's not like your looks are horrid!" Haley replied.

"I really am sorry Haley." Peyton said truthfully.

Haley didn't know if Peyton was talking this way because she was scared, if she thought she going to die or what, but it was nice to hear the apology.

"I am not the only one you need to apologize for, but…in light of the circumstances…it's okay. I forgive you." Haley replied.

"Just like that?" Peyton asked shocked.

"Just like that." Haley answered. "And after we get out of here, if you stay acting the way you are, I will help you not fail…no one should fail their senior year this close to graduation."

"You would?" Peyton asked.

"Yup." Haley answered.

Peyton stared at Haley for a couple of seconds, she didn't know if the girl in front of her would be able to actually do any of the things she was offering with the amount of blood she was losing from her gun shot wound, the brown eyed girl was getting more and more pale each second.

"Haley, when did you get shot?" Asked Peyton.

"I guess when one of the first ones were fired, I didn't even realize it….obviously." Haley answered.

"We need to get you out of here." Peyton said.

"Yea…" Haley answered, knowing Peyton was right, she was getting weaker and weaker.

"Alright…um I am going to check and see if anyone is out there…you…you um sit to the back so if someone is they don't see you, okay?" Peyton whispered.

"No. I am not letting you go out there alone." Haley said softly.

"You don't have a choice, you are losing to much blood…jezze I never knew one shot to the arm could cause so much trouble in such a short time." Peyton mumbled.

"Obviously you never paid attention in health class last year." Haley retorted.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to get you upset…I just mean…" Peyton started before Haley cut her off.

"I know what you meant, I wasn't being mean towards you I was just making a comment." Haley clarified.

"Alright, you hang tight I will be back." Peyton whispered again, before flashing Haley one small smile.

Haley returned the smile before bowing her head and praying that Peyton was going to be okay.

As Peyton made her way out of the closet she quickly checked all around. She heard a gun shot far off in the distance, but everything by her was clear. If she an Haley could just make it to the front exit, everything would be okay.

"Come on Hales, the coast is clear." Peyton whispered as she opened the door.

Struggling, Haley stood up. She was quite wobbly on her feat, and Peyton had to rush to steady her.

"Are you going to be able to walk?" Asked Peyton nervously.

"I am going to have to be." Haley replied.

The two girls slowly started making their way down the hallway towards the main exit. Both were constantly checking all around them for any movement. At the last corner they had to turn both started to feel a bit of relief, they were almost out.

"And where are you two ladies going?"

"Where the hell is Haley!" Screamed Nathan as he searched through the gym off campus that the school and police had shipped everyone too.

"Nathan you need to calm down." Lucas said.

"Calm down? You want me to calm down? How would you feel if it was Brooke missing? Hmm?!" An outraged Nathan countered.

"Listen Nate, we are all nervous okay? But if you don't settle down we are going to have a problem. You are not the only one nervous about Haley!" Lucas argued back.

"Oh right, because you cared about her so much ten minutes ago! Oh wait, no. You were looking for Brooke! You didn't even notice Hales was missing!" Nathan said, moving directly in front of Lucas's face, so close their noses were almost touching.

"Hey! She is my girlfriend!" Lucas yelled, shoving his brother roughly.

"But you knew she was out of the school! Haley isn't! She could be hurt!" Nathan exclaimed equally as loud, all while shoving his older brother back.

"Why don't you stop being such a prick and realize you aren't the only one upset about Haley still being inside!" Lucas screamed.

"Why don't you get off your ass and do something to help me get her out of there!" Asked Nathan, now completely furious.

The onlookers around the brother's were amazed. For one, most of them had never actually heard Nathan's voice above a whisper, and now he was screaming and yelling so much everyone in the gym could hear. For two, the Scott brothers never fought.

"Boys!" Yelled Brooke, stepping in between the two. "Lucas go sit over there!" She finished, pointing to the bench on the other side of the gym.

Lucas looked between his brother and Brooke before angrily storming off as Brooke has commanded.

"You!" Brooke said quickly, pointing at Nathan. "Cool off, this is not Lucas's fault, nor is it your fault. But you two fighting is not helping anyone or anything, understand me!?"

"…I am sorry." Nathan whispered, letting his head fall shamefully.

"Don't be sorry, get over it. Haley is in the school, but Haley isn't the only one. Look around this gym Nate, kids all over just like you are crying over their loved ones being trapped inside our school with some psycho! You are not the only one suffering right now!" Brooke said.

"I know that! But…I…I have to…I have to get to her." Nathan explained quickly. Brooke tried to grab him, but Nathan was to fast. He was running out of the gym before Haley could stop him.

"Where is he going?" Lucas asked alarmed.

"To Haley." Brooke replied nervously.

"Crap." Lucas answered, before chasing after his brother.

"Lucas!" Screamed Brooke, as she too ran off.

"Who the hell are you?" Asked Peyton while she stared at the man with the gun.

"Oh don't you worry about that. Now, I have been searching these halls up and down for one young man and I just can't seem to find him. Would you two sweet hearts like to help me out?" The man asked.

"Oh why of course, why wouldn't we want to help the lunatic with the gun?" Haley asked sarcastically.

"Girl, that hole in your arm is going to be the least of your worries if you keep that mouth of yours running." The man spat out.