The Search For Something More
Chapter 19 - Over the Hills and Far Away
Shocking, I know I updated twice in the week. Thank you all for the reviews and please keep them coming. I'm picturing Haley at around five-six months, give or take. There's still a lot of things I want done before baby naley arrives. I believe according to how time progressed, it's been about three months since Chapter 1. You'll get to see what Dan has in mind for Nathan and Lucas in this chapter. Remember that season 7 was the main source for my inspiration. I don't want to give too much away but this definitely sets things up for the next chapter. I hope you enjoy!
Nathan scratched his head and blew out a frustrated sigh. He put the piece of paper down and turned to his brother. Lucas grabbed the paper and squinted at it and also scratched his head as well.
"How far away is it?" Lucas asked putting the piece of paper down.
"Like three hours away." Nathan replied.
"You're not seriously thinking of going?" Haley cried out as she closed her fridge to grab a bottle of water, the trio currently in Haley's kitchen.
"You shouldn't have gone to see him Hales." Lucas turned to his best friend.
"Yeah Hales, you should've let me come with you, or at least Lucas." Nathan added.
"Dan Scott may be a lot of things but it's not like he's a murderer." Haley slightly rolled her eyes but loved how both brothers were so protective of her and her unborn son.
"I can't believe you went to see him alone." Nathan huffed out and grabbed the piece of paper back from Lucas.
"Because I knew how you two would react." Haley replied back. The past week had been going great between them and although she knew it was a risk going to Dan without letting Nathan knowing, she knew that having either brothers would cause more drama than needed. What she got out of her meeting with Dan Scott was nothing she expected.
"And isn't it what you wanted." Haley reminded Nathan. Ever since their date night, the two had been inseparable, even sharing the same bed every night. Sometimes it was at his place, sometimes at hers. It never got anything past further than the occasional grope and make out session, but it was just nice to just be in the other's company. It was more than enough for both of them right now.
"Too bad it's not money he wants." Haley huffed and took a seat next to Nathan. She was completely shocked with what Dan wanted of her. Of all the things he could've wanted, he chose this. Then again, when it comes to Dan Scott, what else would she have expected than the unexpected.
"No cuz that would make it easy." Nathan rolled his eyes. He wasn't mad that Haley went. In fact, it was probably for the best. He'd probably do something stupid. It took him all his energy the last time he saw Dan not to hit him, dying man or not.
"And you're sure there's nothing else we can do?" Lucas turned to his brother.
"I had my lawyers go over the paper work. Dan knew what he was doing. We can cut him a check but it does nothing if he doesn't deposit it. And if we go through the lender." Nathan continued.
"It wouldn't matter." Lucas added. "Because Dan used the dealership as the lender." Lucas sighed.
"Exactly and Dan can take his sweet time doing the paper work. It can take months.. a year even to get the house back to Haley's family." Nathan added.
"Guys, it's okay. It's only a year and I don't mean to sound morbid but will Dan even be around in a year?" Haley scrunched her face.
"I don't know Hales but I'm looking at the lesser of two evils right now." Nathan looked at the paper Dan had given Haley earlier.
"Guys, you can't. I wouldn't want you two to go through that." Haley turned to both brothers.
"Hales, you said it yourself. Dan can only hurt us if we let him." Nathan reminded Haley.
"I'm with Nate, Hales. For all you know Dan will get a donor and then we really could wait another year to get your house back to you."
"Nathan, Lucas, I'm not asking you two to do this. I'm okay with waiting."
"Well it's a good thing we're volunteering." Nathan turned to Luke. "Right bro?"
"Yeah." Lucas nodded his head. "I mean it can't be that bad."
"Yeah, I mean." Nathan held the paper up. "It has plenty of things for us to do." Nathan added.
"You sure? I don't feel right about this." Haley replied.
"Yes Hales, it's fine." Nathan leaned in and kissed Haley on the forehead.
"Yeah and at least Nathan will I will face him together."
"Ok then." Haley huffed up and stood up. She seemed to finish her water a bit too fast. "But I'll be back, I have to pee." Haley scurried off to the bathroom and Nathan and Lucas couldn't help but chuckle. With the baby growing and pressing more on her bladder, she was constantly going to the bathroom.
As soon as Haley was out of ear shot, Lucas snatched the paper back from his brother.
"You sure you're ready to do this?"
"I don't want to have Haley wait for a year which means another year of dealing with Dan."
"Me either." Lucas agreed. "I can't believer we're going to this." Lucas muttered.
"Same here." Nathan agreed and leaned back against his chair.
"I guess we're going camping."
. . . . . .
"Do you think lamb skin is appropriate?" Clay turned to Nathan.
"It says it's water proof." Nathan was looking at the packaging. The two were currently at the local sporting goods store and Nathan was in search for a sleeping bag.
"Whatever you want Eddie Bauer." Clay muttered his breath to which Nathan quickly punched him on his arm. "Oww that hurt!"
"You deserved it." Nathan quickly replied.
"Don't tell me you're still mad at me over the whole Haley, Dan thing."
"Come to think of it, I am still mad at you for that." Nathan punched Clay again.
"Shit man! Stop punching me." Clay was now nursing his arm. That's going to leave a bruise.
"You deserve it for all the shit that caused between me and Haley."
"I told you, it was Skills not me."
"Guilty by association." Nathan quickly replied.
"That's not fair man. And didn't this bring you and Haley closer together? Now look at you two."
"Yeah, after it nearly tore us up. Now me and Luke have to spend some BS father son camping trip for it."
"Hey that's not my fault. Besides Skill already came to me with the info, what else was I suppose to do?"
"You were supposed to have my back. You knew how I feel about Haley."
"Which is why we had to tell you. You know I love Haley." Clay replied and Nathan gave him a threatening look that he was going to get punched again. "As a friend." Clay quickly added. "I really saw something with you two but after what Skills told me, I had my doubts man." Clay reasoned. "Love is blind dude, trust me."
"Love?" Nathan huffed. "You don't know a thing about love."
"I do too." Clay retorted.
"Right." Nathan sarcastically replied. "I know you fall in love like almost every night."
This time Clay was annoyed. "Did you know I was engaged?"
"What happened? The bachelor party go too wild and she found out?" Nathan snickered.
"No, she called it off. She left me." Clay replied seriously. The look on Clay's face left no doubt.
"Shit Clay, I didn't know." Nathan started feeling like shit.
"No, you don't, so next time you jump to conclusions, you might want to get your facts straight." Clay started walking away.
"Clay, look man I'm sorry." Nathan pushed the cart faster to catch up to him.
"Whatever man."
"Clay, I'm sorry. I know how much that sucks."
Clay eyed Nathan curiously. "What're you talking about?"
"Nothing." Nathan shook his head. "What happened anyway?"
"Why do you care?"
"Cuz I thought we're supposed to be friends. Now come on. You can tell me."
This wasn't the Nathan Clay was used to. "Where's the Nathan Scott I know?"
"The Nathan Scott you knew was a lie." Nathan replied. "I know I can be an ass but that was cuz something was missing from my life and that was Haley. With her I don't want to be a dick, I want.." Nathan stumbled on his words. "I want to be good enough to be seen with someone like her." He replied, thinking about first time he ever kissed Haley. "So I'm trying but if you don't want to tell me then whatever."
"Damn, Lucas was right. You really are whipped." Clay joked back and Nathan punched him again.
"Dude, what happened to not being a dick!"
"Well, I don't want to be a dick to her. You're still debatable." Nathan smirked. "Now what happened between you and this girl."
Clay sighed and rubbed his arm. "We met at school. She was smart and sweet, incredibly hot. We hit off right away. When we graduated, I was ready to take the next step, so I asked her to marry me."
"Just like that?"
"Yeah." Clay chuckled. "I didn't have a ring or anything, I was poor college graduate with only the promise of an internship at a sports agency but she said yes. It was one of the happiest times of my life." Clay lamented.
"But what happened?"
"I became a junior sports agent, I was bringing in more cash, we moved from a tiny studio to a large one bed room. I even got her a ring. Then, I don't know she jus started losing interest. She said I wasn't the man she fell in love with, that I was too caught up with my work and career. I tried to take less appointments, shoot I even offered to just elope. I was ready to marry her right there and then but she just left."
"Because you changed?"
"She always knew that being a sports agent was a dream of mine. It's all I talked about all through college. I mean sure I had to spend more time in the office but I always tried to spend more time with her. She would always cancel. She said she missed how we were, just a couple of broke kids trying to make ends meet. I told her we aren't kids anymore, that one day we'll have kids and we're the ones who have to be responsible."
"And?"
"And one day, she left the ring on the table and left. She wasn't ready to move on, I was and instead of trying to make it work, she bailed on me." Clay shook his head. "What's ironic was that I tried so hard to get her back. I even offered to quit my job but you know where she ends up? Her mom gave her money to start her own business and she moved in with her sister and her rich brother in law." Clay laughed bitterly. "So I guess at the end, I didn't know her either. She wasn't ready to move on with me but she's quick to on her own. She did a number on me man. Its hard for me to trust which is why I had to tell you what Skills found out, not like it mattered anyways cuz Skills was going tell you. I didn't want you to get played like how I was."
"Fair enough but Haley isn't her." Nathan replied. "And it sucks you got played but maybe you just haven't found the right one and you're never going to find her by messing around with all the wrong ones.
"Easy for you to say but take the pregnancy out of the equation, what makes you think Haley is the one?"
"Dude I've known since I was 16 years old."
"But look what happened, how do you like really know?"
Nathan paused. "I don't know really. It's a feeling I guess."
"Feelings gets misplaced." Clay spoke from experience.
"Well, she's seen me at my best and seen me at my worst and even after all that she still loves me. I know I don't deserve it but I .. I can't be away from her. I tried it once, I can't do it again."
Clay nodded.
"Look Clay, I know I don't say this enough but I do appreciate everything you do and having my back. I may not like it sometimes but thank you."
"You're welcome Nate." Clay cleared his throat. "Now can we please stop with the punching."
"We'll see." Nathan laughed. "Now come on, you're here to help me. It's not like I've ever gone camping before."
"Seriously?"
"When I was little, my dad's idea of camping was renting out a fully tricked out cabin." Nathan shook his head. "Now he wants us to spend a weekend in the woods. Go figure. Your dad and my " He shrugged.
"Well, we should definitely get some flash lights, we already got the tent and the sleeping bags."
"Lucas was supposed to get those." Nathan stopped and looked around. "Speaking of which, where the hell did he go?"
"Oh there he is." Clay pointed out.
Nathan shook his head and headed towards Lucas. "What the hell are you doing?"
"Trying to see which fishing pole is better." Lucas was currently holding two in his hand.
"You idiot." Nathan took the fishing poles away from him. "What in the world makes you think I'd like to go fishing."
"What? It's supposed to be relaxing."
"Says who?" Nathan replied back and looked at Lucas' cart which was mostly empty. "And you didn't even get the things you were supposed to get. Now put that crap down and let's the get the rest of the things we'll actually need." Nathan stormed off.
"Someone's in a bad mood." Lucas snickered over to Clay.
"Tell me about it." Clay replied."
"You know I have to go on this stupid camping trip too you know."
"He already punched me like three times since we got here.
"I know the feeling." Lucas lifted his shirt and Clay saw a small bruise on the Lucas' side. "To be fair I gave him a similar one." Lucas smirked as he tucked his shirt back in.
Clay chuckled. He saw first hand how the two brothers get rowdy with each other, especially after a game of NBA Live. "At least you got to hit back."
"At least you get paid."
"Touche." The two pumped fists and went ahead to meet up with Nathan.
. . . .
"Love you Mrs. James!" Brooke yelled from across Haley's living room.
Haley laughed and put the phone away from her ear, "My mom loves you too Brooke." Then Haley put the phone back to her ear and said her goodbyes with her mom.
"So how's your mom?" Brooke took a seat across from Haley on the couch.
"She's good. She's enjoying the time with her grandkids."
"And she'll have another one soon."
"I know." Haley rubbed her belly. "I can't believe in a few months he'll be here."
"Speaking of which, how'd she take the news about you and Nathan getting back together?"
"Good." Haley crinkled her nose. "Actually, she sort of expected it."
"Well you know what you say about mother's intuition."
"Maybe. But she is coming back home soon and I know Nathan's a little nervous about seeing her."
"Well I would hope so. I just hope he's treating you right, I wouldn't want to slap him again." Brooke picked up a magazine from the coffee table.
"Wait, you slapped him?"
"Wait, huh?" Brooke hid her face behind the magazine.
"Brooke." Haley warned.
"So I may have slapped Nathan."
"BROOKE!"
"That was a while ago, way before you guys back together." Brooke replied. "Don't give me that look. He needed to prove he isn't an ass.. and if you ask me, that's an on going process."
"Brooke, I told you, Nathan and I are trying to move on."
"Well at least he came clean with you about everything that happened after high school."
"Yes, so please play nice with him. I know he's still feeling guilty about the whole thing."
"I've been good." Brooke replied. "Besides, I needed to make sure you're okay."
"Brooke, as you can see I'm perfectly fine."
"Haley." Brooke said in a serious tone and put her magazine down. "I'm not trying to bash on Nathan or you, but I just want to make sure you're okay. I mean, you forget I was there five years ago. As nauseating as it is to see you two love birds together again, I just don't want you getting too caught up. You have to admit Hales that when it comes to Nathan, you don't exactly think straight."
Haley sighed. "I know and I appreciate you looking out for me but like I told you and Peyton, we're taking it slow. Yes, we're spending a lot of time together but we're also getting to know each other again." Haley smiled. "It's been really great actually."
"And what have you found out?"
"For five years I've lived in denial that I didn't love Nathan even though I did and now that I'm getting to know hi again I feel like I'm falling in love with him all over again, if that makes any sense."
"Crystal."
"Sort of like you and Lucas."
"Don't even go there." Brooke warned.
"What, you two have been spending a lot of time too. I feel we're back in high school again."
"Yes but me and Luke are just hanging out. Sure an occasional flirt here and there but we haven't done anything, unlike you who's practically attached to the hip with Nathan lately."
"Oh God Brooke, I'm a mess." Haley buried her head on one of the throw pillows. "I haven't seen him since this morning and I'm already missing him like crazy."
Brooke couldn't help but laugh. As scared as she was for her friend, she couldn't help but be happy for her. Although she's given Nathan hell, she never doubted his love for Haley even if it doesn't always end up well.
"Well you've been spending the night with him this past week. The sex must be that good, huh?" Brooke asked eagerly.
"Brooke!"
"What?" Brooke sat back. "It's a legitimate question. Plus I've seen the boy with out his shirt on Hales, I hate to admit it, he's hot and since I'm not getting any right now, I need to live vicariously through you." Brooke sat up. "So tell me did it like get bigger from high school."
Haley turned tomato red. "Brooke! I can't believe you're asking me this."
"What?"
"And not like I need to explain myself to you but I told you, Nathan and I are taking our time."
"Wait, don't tell me.." Brooke eyes opened in shock. "Oh my God, you two haven't."
"Brooke!"
"I'm just surprised that's all. I mean, this is Nathan we're talking about, I thought he'd be doing push ups on you every night."
"Brooke!"
"Or the other way around." Brooke pondered.
"Brooke!"
"No, wait you're pregnant, it would be him on top, right?" Brooke asked Haley. "Oh how would you know, you're not getting any."
"Brooke would you quit!" Haley laughed, her cheeks flaming red. "It's not as simple as that."
"It's not like you guys have to worry about using protection." Brooke eyed Haley's bump.
"I can't believe I'm telling you this." Haley shook her head. "Emotionally, I don't think I'm there yet. Physically, I mean yes, Nathan's chiseled chest is the best pillow I've ever had but like you said." Haley rushed out. But "I'm pregnant and I wouldn't even know what to do about the … logistics of it all."
"Hales, pregnant women have sex all the time."
"I know that but even if I wanted to, I don't want to hurt the baby or anything."
"Hales, it's fine, it's not Nathan's going to poke the baby." Brooke laughed but Haley stayed quiet. Brooke gasped, "So did it like get bigger you know?" Brooke held up her hands.
Haley threw her pillow at Brooke. "You're so bad."
. . . . . . .
"How come this hasn't been opened yet?" Clay walked into Nathan's room, an unopened manila envelope in his hand.
"If you couldn't tell, I've been busy." Nathan was packing the rest of his things. He hoped he wasn't forgetting anything.
"It's your contract with the Sonics, Nate." Clay pointed out.
"I know."
"And?"
"And between dealing with my, phycho Dad winning the heart of my pregnant girl friend, I haven't had the time." Nathan huffed out. "And I thought we discussed this." Nathan pointed out and lowered down the tone of his voice. His brother, Haley and Brooke were downstairs and he didn't want any of them to hear. "I don't want to go back to Seattle."
"I know that but Charlotte hasn't given us any word yet. I mean this was out of the blue for them, they're not even sure if the offer is genuine."
"Well, it's your job to make sure that I'm dead serious. I mean, do they not know I'm going to be a dad? Things are going great between Haley and I and the last thing we need is to add the possibility of me moving back West."
"I told you I'll do my best but at least take a look at the contract, it's a good offer."
"I'm sure it is and you're a good agent for getting me this. But I don't want a good agent, I want a great agent and I hope you can deliver."
"Nate, I am great, I am freaking awesome." Clay pointed out. "But Charlotte has a packed roster and I can't work miracles and I can't read people's mind. This is a good contract deal. I know you don't want to uproot Haley but she loves you. She'll follow you."
"I don't want to give her the option."
"Nate, please don't just dismiss it."
"I'm not." Nathan pointed out and took the envelope from Clay and put it in his bag. "Let's just call this plan C." Nathan zipped his bag up and headed downstairs.
"Wait, then what's plan B?" Clay called out.
. . . . . .
"Finally!" Lucas huffed and stood up from the couch.
"You all packed?" Haley walked up to Nathan.
"Yeah, I just got to put in these boots." Nathan held the pair up and bent down to put him in his bag.
"What're those, size 14?" Brooke asked.
"Yeah why?" Nathan replied.
"Oh just thought you were size 13 like Luke."
"Yeah like back in High School." Nathan gave Brooke a confused look.
"Why Haley, Nathan's shoe size has grown." Brooke smirked.
Haley gave Brooke a dirty look before smiling sweetly at Nathan.
"Don't mind her, she's had too much sugar today." Haley pulled out a plastic bag from the kitchen. "Put it in here, you don't want to dirt to go everywhere." Haley helped Nathan put away the last of his things in an effort to distract him from Brooke's comment.
"I can't believe we're actually doing this." Lucas remarked.
"There's still time to back out guys." Haley announced.
Just then, they heard the sound of Dan's SUV honking.
"We're going to be fine Hales." Nathan came up to her and kissed her on the lips.
Nathan and Lucas headed outside, where Dan was leaning against his car.
"There you boys are." Dan smiled.
"Just open the trunk Dad." Nathan rolled his eyes and started to put his things inside. Lucas opened the trunk to his car and started moving his things in there as well.
"That's a lot of things you guys are bringing." Dan remarked.
"We're just being prepared." Nathan gave a tight smile.
"Wait, you have bug spray and mace?" Dan pointed out.
"Yeah we're hoping at least one of them will help keep you away." Lucas sarcastically remarked and he and Nathan pumped fist.
"Haley, you look wonderful. We'll see you in a few days." Dan said politely.
"Hopefully sooner." Haley plastered a smile on her face.
Nathan walked in between them and gave Haley a hug.
"Play nice." Haley whispered into Nathan's ear.
"It's Dan Hales."
"I mean with Lucas." Haley gave him a peck on the lips. "But remember, it's just for the weekend." Haley pulled back. "Luke, watch out for this one."
"Will do." Lucas nodded his head as Nathan gave Haley one last kiss.
"You guys are making me sick, let's go." Lucas whined and both Haley and Nathan rolled their eyes.
"You behave as well." Haley went to hug her best friend.
"Don't forget to think about the contract." Clay whispered over to Nathan.
"And you better figure out what's going on at Charlotte." Nathan whispered back and then started heading towards the car.
The two brothers headed inside the SUV, and both opted to sit in the back leaving Dan alone in the driver seat.
"Bye!"
Haley, Brooke and Clay waved them off.
"You think we'll ever see them again?" Haley replied after they pulled away.
"Don't worry, I think Lucas packed enough gear to survive for the next seven years."
"I don't think Nate can be out in the woods for that long. He's not exactly and outdoors type." Clay added.
Haley huffed. "No, he isn't."
To Be Continued . . . .