A/N: Want to still read this?? Sorry for the wait. Enjoy

Pitter Pat

Nathan was never one to fold under pressure. Countless times he had the ball in his hands, seconds on the clock, with only a mere moment to decide the fate of the game. Everything rested on his shoulders, oscillating between victory and defeat. But it was always in the heat of the moment, in the last possible second that everything was laid out clear in front of him and he just knew what he had to do. He followed through, no matter what was at stake and it was when he was at his best.

This was a whole different ball game.

"I really don't know how I feel about this Haley." He gulped, tugging at the collar of his shirt. "I don't really think I have a place…"

"You saved his life Nathan." Haley pointed out. She stuck the baby out to him. "Here, take him, hold him. Let him tell you what he thinks his name should be. You're just as big of part of his life as anyone else. "

Nathan gently took the infant from Haley's arms. He gurgled and fidgeted and he seemed that much tinier in Nathan's massive hands. He felt awkward and out of place as he traced the baby's features with one of his fingers, calloused from the years of pounding rubber on a black top. He glanced up at Haley and then Chris and then back to the baby before sighing. For a reason unknown to him, his mind drifted back to the night when it had all began; the events playing in slow motion in his mind.

"Mason." He murmured to the baby. He looked up at Haley repeating the name clearer and louder. "Mason."

Haley smiled warmly as Nathan placed the baby back into Haley's arms. "Welcome to the world Mason George James."

"Is that okay?" Nathan questioned, noticing how absolutely glowing Haley looked in that moment. "I mean his name?"

"It's perfect." Haley whispered. "Why Mason?"

Nathan allowed a sly smirk cross his features. "Maybe I'll tell you one day."

X-x-X

Peyton would admit it to nobody but herself, but she was in way over her head. And even then, she rarely admitted to herself. She was hiding out, being the coward that she was, struggling to push right on through. This wasn't about her, it was about him, but out of two he had always been the strong one; the braver one. Pushing herself off her kitchen floor and up the cabinets, she made her way into the living room where Jake sat on the couch, aimlessly watching TV.

"Are you hungry?" she asked, leaning up against the doorframe. After a few moments he tore his gaze from the TV and finally noticed her presence.

"I'm sorry. Did you say something Peyt?" his brow crinkled and she shook her head. He gave her a tight smile and turned his attention back to the TV.

She waited a moment, watching him, hoping that the longer she stared the more of a likelihood he would suddenly turn into the boy she fell in love with. It had only been a few days since he had moved in and only a day since her dad had left out to sea on a job. Up until then it had been okay, with her dad looking out for the both of them. Now it was completely up to Peyton to take care of Jake in his present condition when she could barely take care of herself.

He was so distant from her that with each passing day she felt like not only she was dying and dying fast, but the love that bonded them so closely was dying as well. The fire that was once in his eyes and the smoldering looks he used to give her were replaced with blank stares and empty eyes. She simply didn't know how to reach him anymore. And she lacked the faith to even wonder if she ever would.

Her thoughts were literally saved by the bell. She ambled her way to the front door knowing it was probably Jake's physical therapist arriving for their first session. Judging by the way Jake was responding to everything else, she wasn't completely sure this was going to work out. Blowing out her breath, she opened the door, revealing a taller, dark guy who didn't seem much older than her dressed in a plain white shirt, camo pants, and boots.

"I'm Derek Sommers." He introduced holding out his hand for Peyton to take. "I'm here for a Jake Jagielski."

"Peyton Sawyer." The blonde said sullenly, taking Derek's hand. "I'm his girlfriend. Come on in, he's in the living room." Derek waited for Peyton to shut the door and followed her into the living room. "Jake, your physical therapist is here."

"Jagielski!" Derek shouted making both Peyton and Jake jump. He made two long strides taking only an instant to be in front of Jake. "You were spoken to. She deserves some acknowledgement."

"Who the hell are you?" Jake snapped, heatedly glaring at the man in front of him.

"Derek Sommers." Derek spoke evenly. "And if you ever want a chance to walk again I suggest you ditch your pity party and pull yourself together. Had you been listening to your girlfriend, you know the pretty blonde over there," he pointed over his shoulder to Peyton. "You might have heard her announce that I, your physical therapist had arrived."

"Please." Jake scoffed. "The chances of me walking again are slim. You can't help me."

In once swift moment Derek had Jake in his arms and dropping him on the floor between the couch and coffee table. Peyton eyes widened in horror as she heard the loud thump of Jake's body hitting the hardwood beneath him. She made a movement to help him but Derek held her back with one arm and made them both take a few steps back. As Peyton protested and Jake cursed, pounding the floor with his fist, Derek stood stoically watching the entire scene.

"What are you doing?" Peyton screeched. "Aren't you going to help him?"

He smirked at Peyton. "I thought I couldn't help him?" She stared at him in disbelief for a moment before he bent down in front of Jake as he struggled to get up. "You're going to have to pull yourself together and learn how to help yourself. Because there's not always going to be someone around to pick you up."

"This is bullshit." Jake muttered shaking his head. "Help me."

"Help yourself." Derek commanded. He took one of Jake's arms and placed his palm down on the couch firmly. Then grabbing the other arm, he took Jake's other hand and set it on the coffee table. "Now push yourself up."

Peyton watched as Jake huffed and cursed some more trying to push himself up. He got about half way up before he collapsed from the strain.

"Again." Derek ordered, never swaying from his perch. "Again, Jagielski!"

"Damn it!" Jake hit his fist once more on the floor before gripping the couch and the table and shoving himself up and falling back on the couch in his original position. Peyton felt completely helpless as he gasped for air, his chest heaving up and down. "There. Are you satisfied?"

"I dunno, we could try it again." Derek taunted and Jake glowered at him. "Don't worry, we'll try again tomorrow."

"Don't count on it." Jake muttered.

"Look, I heard your story." Derek knelt down bending Jake's legs at the knee one at a time. "The heroic boy jumps out in front of the love of his life to make sure she's still standing tall and pretty. But if you're going to be like this, just existing, then what was the point? You should have just rolled over and died. Or better yet, you should've just let her die."

"What is your problem man?" Jake shouted, his defenses raised. He pointed at Peyton, still standing in the doorway. "She's right there!"

"Yeah, she is right there." Derek retorted rolling her eyes. "But if I can see the dying in her eyes, why can't you?"

"I think you should leave." Peyton finally said before Jake could offer up a response. "I think we've had enough therapy for today. You know the way out."

Derek rose, nodding at Jake and paused when he reached Peyton. "I'll be in touch."

X-x-X

"Haley, he's gorgeous."

"I know." Haley grinned, her fingers dancing on her infant's body. She looked up at Brooke and winked. "I made him."

It had been a week since she had left the hospital and for the most part, her life had returned to normal. Chris had refused to even think about leaving, regardless of the countless times he had been offered gigs to play at. Guilt racked though him just thinking about missing the birth of the baby even though it had turned out that Haley was in good hands with Nathan. Who, for reasons Haley didn't know or understand hadn't been around since he had last seen her in the hospital.

"Where's Chris?"

"I kicked him out." Haley told Brooke, frowning slightly. "Seriously, he was driving me up a wall. He's hovering way too much."

"So how are you holding up tutor mom?" Brooke ran her hand down Haley's head. "I mean, considering everything?"

"I don't think I'm ever going to catch my breath." Haley responded honestly. "Being as terrified as I was when that boy had that gun pointed at me, this doesn't even come close. It was hard when it was just me looking after myself. Now I have this whole other person who completely has to depend solely on me. And I have no idea what I'm doing or if I'm doing it right."

"Not solely." Brooke nudged Haley playfully. "You have me. And you have Chris. And," she grinned mischievously. "You have Hottie McHottie."

"Hottie Mick who?" Haley sputtered laughing. "You mean Nathan?"

"Yes, Nathan." Brooke rolled her eyes. "Your very own knight in shining armor…basketball shorts; whatever."

"He's sweet." Haley nodded as Brooke gave her a dumbfounded look. "What? He is!"

"Okay darling, let's recap." Brooke positioned herself sideways on the couch beside Haley. "A, he jumps in front of a bullet for you, who he doesn't know, and nearly dies. Dies, Haley, as in stick a fork in me I am done, say hey to the big woman upstairs." She dramatically pointed her finger up towards the ceiling. "B, he helps you deliver your son even though he doesn't know you, still, and has no connection to the baby who he just happens to name. And C, Haley's he's hot. And he likes you. You like him too, if you'd ever get over yourself."

"Brooke, I'm seventeen and I just had a baby. Trust me; dating is the last thing that is on my mind." Haley responded, fiddling with the blanket around the baby. "I mean yeah, there's a lot there and I'm not really sure what to do with all of it. But he's just seventeen too. He has a lot of dreams and I can't imagine one of them would be getting stuck with me. Besides, even if we entered the land of bizarro and he did want me, I wouldn't let him. There's too much going on and it's a lot for me to handle. I can't handle a boyfriend on top of that and I wouldn't burden him with a child that isn't his."

Brooke sighed. "You are the most frustrating person I have ever met, Haley James."

"I need to tell you something Brooke." Haley bit on her bottom lip, refusing to look at the other brunette. "I, I called him."

"Nathan?" Brooke questioned as Haley peeked up at her and then back to the baby. "Oh." realization dawned on Brooke. "Haley."

"I wanted him to know he had a son." Haley rasped out. She let out a soft snort. "He didn't even ask his name. He didn't ask if he was okay."

"What did he say?"

Haley let a lone tear slip down her cheek. "Basketball. He had basketball practice. It's always that stupid game."

"He's seventeen, and he has a lot of dreams Haley." Brooke echoed Haley's previous words. Haley nodded, somewhat understanding.

"I had a lot of dream too." She smiled sadly, and then brightened as Mason gurgled. "I have new dreams now though."

"Ladies!" the two girls snapped there heads in the direction of the kitchen as Chris hollered for them. "I come bearing gifts and chocolate!"

"Ooh chocolate." Brooke squealed. "I'm totally in!"

Haley laughed as Brooke hopped up and bounced to the kitchen to help him. It gave her some time, albeit only a moment, to gather her thoughts and figure out where her head was. It wasn't easy calling her ex and letting him know of their gift but it was the right thing to do. She hadn't even called her parents; she doubted that they would care. But for now, her son was happy and healthy and that was beginning to heal the scars that had been left on her heart.

"Where's your head at Hales?" Chris asked from his perch in the doorway. He took a seat beside her, scooping Mason out of her hands. "Brooke had to run; she said she'll see you tomorrow. Also I brought the munchkin a present."

Chris presented a small stuffed bear from his pocket. "You're sweet, you know that?"

"Don't let that get out." Chris winked, handing the bear over to Haley to which she immediately clutched to her chest. "But I do have to let something out…He called me."

Haley pushed her bangs back on the top of her head. "I figured he would."

"I told him that he was missing out on probably the coolest kid on the planet." Chris said, making funny faces at the tiny infant. "Then he asked about you."

"Me?" Haley parroted. "Well, what did you say?"

"I said that he didn't have the right to ask about you." Chris responded honestly. "But you are a trooper, and I told him that as well. Then I called him a coward and a moron."

Haley chuckled despite herself. "Thanks."

"I mean it Hales. You're the strongest person I know. I mean, I'm only twenty two and this isn't even my kid but I'm scared out of my mind. But food must be put on the table which is why I have to do a gig tomorrow night. Are you going to be alright?"

"I'm not the infant Chris." Haley rolled her eyes, taking Mason into her arms. "I, we, will be just fine. Now let's go to bed rock star."

"With you?" Chris perked up his eyebrow and gave her a curious look.

"Just because I'm not an infant doesn't mean I'm not still just a kid. " she gave a small smile, holding out her hand which Chris took. "Come on."

When Haley emerged from the bathroom a few minutes later, Chris was already tucked into the bed, the tiny Mason lying in the middle. She tiptoed across the floor and slipped in between the sheets, interlocking her fingers with Chris's over the baby's stomach. Transfixed, she stayed watching the rise and fall of her son's chest and feeling the tiny pitter pat of his heart beneath her fingertips.

She wondered if a lifetime would ever be long enough to sate the longing and love in her heart for her child.

And she had never been more thankful for Nathan Scott in her life.