A/N: this is created just for fun and I hold no claim to the characters used or the show One Tree Hill. And thank you to those who reviewed or alerted this story, it means a lot.

CAN'T LOVE, CAN'T HURT

Chapter Two

Lucas woke to a pounding, for a moment he thought it was in his head and then the familiar sound was identified. It was the sound of a basketball hitting the backboard. Dragging one foot out of the bed and then the other Lucas rubbed his eyes and then he walked over to the window and looked out.

There was a boy shooting hoops in Lucas' new driveway, Lucas had chosen this specific house for the basketball hoop already up and for a second he really didn't understand the sight, why was some kid using Lucas' driveway as a court especially when Lucas was trying to sleep. Before he went downstairs Lucas grabbed a shirt and slipped it on then he was on his way, down the stairs and out the front door just in time to see the boy pick up the ball again and take another shot, it hit the backboard and then fell straight in and two more shots later Lucas stopped just watching "hey kid, what are you doing?"

The boy jumped and turned startled dark eyes to Lucas, he shook his shaggy blonde hair out of his face and putting the ball on his hip he replied, "Mr Bristow always let me use his hoop, sorry sir I didn't realise anyone had moved in"

"Well now you know" Lucas shot back and gave a very clear look back to the streets, offended the boy straightened up and Lucas took in his tall, lanky body that was held up by surprisingly broad shoulders that appeared to be tightening up.

"Well, can I?" the boy kinked an eyebrow and Lucas' mouth gaped open, he couldn't believe the nerve on the kid, hadn't he pretty much just said –without words- that him using Lucas' driveway and hoop was not going to continue.

Closing his eyes and touching the bridge of his nose Lucas said in an unimpressed tone "look, kid, it's early and my room in right next to the garage so every single time that ball hits it my head goes pow so maybe you should just use the river court from now on"

Scoffing the boy threw the ball into the air and caught it with the other arm, "well thanks for nothing" he grumbled and walked off, not bothering to watch the kid anymore Lucas went straight back to bed and buried his head under the pillow. Just when he was starting to fall asleep the phone rang, "ARRR" Lucas attempted to grab it without looking to shut the ringtone up but instead his arm knocked it off the bedside table and he was forced to go looking for it.

Sliding it open Lucas mumbled "hey, this better be good"

"Lucas, did I wake you?"

Biting his bottom lip to stop swearing Lucas held the phone with one hand while swiping a hand over his hair with the other, "uh, Lindsay, if this is about that uh… look can I call you back?"

His editor gave a loud sigh "Lucas Scott please tell me you've written the first chapter, the first page hey I'll be happy to hear you've got the first sentence sorted out"

"About that, see, have you by chance talked to Ethan?" he bit his lip again.

He could imagine Lindsay pausing and sitting up, "Luke, I am your editor I like to think I don't need to reach you through your smarmy agent"

"Aw come on, Ethan's not smarmy"

"Just tell me why I should be speaking to him?"

Lucas jogged back down the stairs resigned to the realisation he would not be going back to sleep, turning into the kitchen he switched on the coffee machine, "I've got a new project, writing for a TV show… well I'm kinda a producer slash – you probably don't care"

"Oh no I'm finding this very interesting" Lindsay said with sarcasm, in her office she put her elbows on her desk and leaned forward "and let me guess, with these new responsibilities you might not have time to write the next great novel?" she lifted her fine light brows in query.

"Something like that" Lucas agreed and winced in preparation for the blow out but Lindsay said nothing, "you still there?"

"Unfortunately, just email me when or if you get any inspiration meanwhile I'm going to actually use my time productively and call a writer who has actually published a book in the last decade"

"Linds-" but Lucas didn't finish because his editor had hung up. He abandoned the phone and finished brewing his coffee though it wasn't long before his phone was ringing again.

This time Julian's voice came through, "hey Luke, change of plans. We're meeting in two hours now, can you make it?"

Lucas glanced at the clock, "sure" and the word ended in a yawn.

In bed Brooke sat up and looked at the alarm clock by her side, "oh crap" she threw the covers off her and raced into the shower, after the quickest wash of her life Brooke quickly changed into the usual shorts and simple singlet she wore on her days off, running out of her room in mid act of tying her hair up Brooke raced into the kitchen, barely glancing at the table where Ollie, Matty and Mouth sat, "quick, Ollie get Matty's bag ready, Mouth is going to be here soon-oh" she stopped when she turned around now with her hair done, she smiled "hi Mouth"

"Hey Brooke"

"So what's for breakfast?" Brooke asked and walked closer to the table where the most delicious smell was waiting for her, she took the empty seat and quickly plucked a pastry from the open box, after one bite she moaned "god I haven't had one of these in years"

"Because you never go to Karen's" Mouth shot back with a sneaky smile.

Ollie who was on his second licked his lips "we should def go there more often"

After a non committal grunt Brooke turned to Mouth, "so how was work last night?"

"Nice change of topic"

Shoving another bite full into her mouth Brooke grinned "I thought so".

At the river court Nathan walked along with Jamie, "don't you wanna play, son?" he asked the solemn boy who didn't even look at the court and kept heading towards the stands, "nuh, I want to talk" Jamie replied and looked up at his father with his big blue eyes.

Nathan sighed at sat down, slapping his knees he turned to Jamie "they look like some serious thoughts"

Jamie gave a little pout and then looked down at his feet, "why do you and mom always fight?"

Not expecting that question Nathan looked away and frowned, "sometimes it's just hard. We loved each other so much, you know, there was so much love it spilled over and we got you but sometimes when you love someone it just…" Nathan couldn't finish, he just shook his head and whispered "I don't know, son, I don't know"

"I don't really like it"

Nathan slung an arm around his son and leaned in close, "I will tell you a secret, neither do I"

"Then can't you stop it" Jamie challenged and stared at his dad with a hard look

"Okay, I will" Nathan said simply, he shrugged his shoulders as if its nothing, and the two Scott boys smiled at each other, "come on Jimmy-Jam, lets go get some ice-cream" and Nathan nudged his son, then together they walked back to the car.

There were already builders at the set, Lucas looked around and was shocked to walk though a cheap imitation of his high school bedroom "déjà vu" he mumbled and continued on his way following one of the interns. When Lucas was shown to a room he entered it and was ambushed by a fast talking group with Julian Baker at the helm, "Lucas Scott himself"

"Great he can help decide, Luke they want to change the name" a young guy who looked even younger than Lucas said to him.

A woman sitting next to him spoke enthusiastically "Ravens was a great name for the movie, don't get me wrong but we want the show to have its own style and its own name will do that"

"And Ravens focus' too much on the sport aspect of the series-"

"Don't we want to do that, bring in the male interest-"

"And what ignore the core fans which lets face it will be fan girls" an older woman rolled her eyes, and a younger guy laughed.

"What about we extend on the idea of using song titles, if we're going to go with that tradition with the episodes why not for the title?"

There was a brief silence, and then Julian looked to Lucas, "what do you think?"

Still reeling from the ambush Lucas slowly sat down in one of the free chairs, "music is good, nothing like a good soundtrack"

"And fans love little things like that, it's the small details they can follow that get them hooked" the girl next to Lucas said and a guy with glasses pointed a pen in her direction "now you sound like a fan girl"

"Back on track guys, any ideas for the new title now Ravens is out?"

Glasses drummed his pen on the desk and jumped up excited "I got it, One Tree Hill, from the U2 album"

"I like it, has a nice ring, homey feeling" Julian pursed his lips in thought.

Lucas laughed "what the hell is it meant to mean though? One Tree Hill?"

"Uh… like there's only room for one brother" one of the girls suggested, an older woman then added "we can throw in some line about there only being one Tree Hill"

"I don't know, I chose to change the names in the books for privacy it seems strange now stamping Tree Hill all over it" Lucas cut into the conversation and a room full of eyes were suddenly staring at him.

Julian broke it, "Dave how did we go for the name of the town anyway?"

Glasses started going through papers and then he stopped at one "the best response was with Riverside"

"Riverside, sounds a little too Dawson's Creeky" Julian cringed.

Dave, or glasses, snapped his fingers "Joshua Tree"

"Who is Joshua?" the cynical older woman asked and glasses pointed his pen at her this time "the town and the show, and it's not Joshua it is Joshua Tree"

"JT" the young girl next to Lucas nodded impressed.

Julian grinned "I love it, it is different but not radical, it's a link to Tree Hill, it has the music element, what do you say Lucas?"

With the eyes all on him again Lucas gulped, he thought it over and then nodded "I like it"

"Done. Well people, welcome to Joshua Tree"

At Red Bedroom Records above Tric, Haley James knocked quietly on the door and then poked her head in "hey"

Spinning her chair around Peyton moved away from the switchboard, a smile split her serious face "hey, just give me a second" and she held up her hand before spinning back around and leaning forward into the mic, she pressed down on the talk button "Jake, take it from the top again"

Through the glass Jake gave the thumps up and then started singing once more, after clicking a few buttons Peyton then motioned for Haley to step back out. Sitting in one corner Jenny looked up as Peyton called her name "JJ, you're in charge"

"Wicked" the young teen squealed and quickly took Peyton's abandoned seat, taking off her beanie long chocolate brown hair cascaded down over her face, she flicked it behind her ears and shoved large headphones over her ears. Peyton grinned at the sight of her stepdaughter, dressed in skinny jeans and a brightly coloured striped skivvy under a rock shirt from the 'Gravedigger' concert they went to over the summer.

"Nurture over nature" Haley whispered in the doorway beside Peyton and the blonde looked her way, Haley shrugged "she is a lot like you"

"Hopefully not too much"

"Right, that could get depressing"

"Oh shut up" Peyton gave Haley's shoulder a slap and finally took that final step out, they shut the door behind them and Haley followed Peyton over to her office, as they started towards the desk Peyton started talking, "there are five photos that turned out really well and I approve of" and when they reached the desk Peyton quickly pulled out a file and spread them out, "it depends what look we want to go for"

"These are amazing" Haley touched the edge of one, she eyed each one shocked to realise they are all of her, she was never one to understand just how beautiful she was but it was hard to deny with it staring up at her, but then her eyes landed on the last one "oh… wow, I can't use that one"

"Why not, that's my personal favourite, it even got Jake's nod of approval" and Peyton chuckled and it got louder when Haley glared at Peyton.

"It looks like something from a men's magazine"

"It's sexy"

Haley just shook her head and looked over the photos again, she finally picked up one which showed her laying on a bed propped up with pillows as she played the guitar, it was relaxed and beautiful at the same time, "what about this one?"

"I knew you would go for that one" Peyton replied and pulled something else from the file "which is why we already have a basic design" and she showed Haley a print out of a cover with a close up off the picture she's picked but this time in black and white with her name printed next to it. "What do you think?" Peyton asked hopefully.

"It's perfect"

"Great" and Peyton started packing everything away as Haley continued to stare at her, when the file was away Peyton perched against her desk and looked at Haley "what?"

"Nothing" Haley quickly said and stepped away though she avoided the other woman's eye, Peyton continued to stare Haley down and eventually the musician sighed loudly and straightened up to face Peyton with her puppy dog eyes "okay, so Lucas mentioned things were a little awkward between you two yesterday at Jamie's party"

Peyton pushed herself off her desk and placed a hand on her hip, "it's not a big deal"

"Because I wouldn't want it to be, I like to think we've become friends over the years" and Haley kind of paused and Peyton nodded, smiling Haley continued "and I wouldn't want Lucas moving back changing that. He's my best friend and I love him but trust me I know he's not perfect and he really screwed up back then but I'm kind of hoping you could give him a second chance, he's really a great guy"

"I know Haley"

Haley released a long breathe and then relaxed but as she looked at Peyton her nose twitched at a thought, she thought of a polite way to say the thought which had popped up in her head but couldn't think of one so in the end rushed out a rather awkward "there's not still feelings there, are there?"

And the humour on Peyton's face made them both relax, Peyton grinned "no, definitely not. The truth is looking back the feelings weren't outstanding even back then, it was a curiosity, one we explored with really, really bad consequences. I love Jake, I am in love with him and some high school mistake can't touch that, so rest assured you have nothing to worry about"

"Good. You know I always thought you two would make great friends, you're so much alike in many ways"

"I don't think that's going to happen" Peyton replied dryly and Haley's spirits fell again, before the other woman could say anything Peyton continued "it's nothing against Lucas but I just don't want to go there. It might have been a long time ago but it almost destroyed my relationship with my best friend and I really don't want to give Brooke a reminder about what I did to her back then, I learnt my lesson"

"You're a good friend" Haley nodded in understanding and in unspoken agreement they started leaving the office again, Peyton followed behind Haley this time and murmured quietly "better late than never".

When Julian and Lucas found themselves alone Julian handed Lucas a drink and patted the writer on the shoulder, "don't worry you'll get use to it"

"Do they ever slow down?" Lucas asked still overwhelmed.

With a chuckle and a shake of the head Julian sat back down, "no but that's a good thing. Anyway, back to business-" Lucas briefly interrupted with a groan "-the audition tapes should arrive today so you're free to go now but I'll text you as soon as they come"

"Have we heard back from anyone else yet?" Lucas asked referring to the actors that they had approached for a few of the roles.

Julian's eyes lit up, "we did hear back from Erica Durance"

"And?"

"We have a Sarah. And Harper Nichols loved the script but he's interested in playing Ashton not Caleb"

Lucas had to mentally rearrange the names, they already had his mom cast which he approved of, Erica's sunny onscreen personality yet strong presence would be perfect yet he couldn't imagine Harper Nichols playing him. The teen heartthrob was known for playing the bad boy and his fan base responded to it which is why he was a natural choice for Caleb/Nathan and they knew he was up for a similar role in another series for a different station, "you're the expert" Lucas left the choice up to Julian.

"I think he can do it. Oh, before you go there's someone I would like you to meet" a devious grin appeared on Julian's face, the producer stood up and went to open the door behind Lucas, the moment Lucas turned Antwon 'Skills' Taylor stepped into the room.

"Skills!"

"Luke, dawg, ain't you a sight for sore eyes" and the two men gave a quick hug.

Lucas stared at his old friend in amazement "what are you doing here?"

"Who else is gonna make sure the basketball scenes are real like, you're aiight Luke but they don't call me Skills 'cause I'm good at picking splinters outta my ass"

While the two ex Ravens caught up Julian quietly left the room, and Lucas looked Skills up and down "sorry we didn't get a chance to catch up at Jamie's party but how are you?" he asked.

Skills acted cool as he said proudly "you're looking at the head coach of the Tree Hill Ravens"

"How are they going?"

"They suck, man, but Skills will whip 'em into shape"

And for the next hour the two got lost in memories.

There was a whistle as Brooke Davis walked through the offices at the real estate firm she worked for, "didn't know it was casual Sunday" Gary grinned as Brooke walked by his desk towards her own ignoring the long looks one of the new guys was giving her and her exposed skin. Smiling at Gary the brunette winked his way "it's all for you, big boy"

"I don't know what my wife would say about that"

"In your dreams" Sharon, the wife in question, replied as she sat down at her own desk across from him, then smiling at Brooke she said "what are you doing here on your day off?"

"I forgot the keys to the Sorgiovanni house, I have a couple looking at it first thing tomorrow, wish me luck"

"You'll need it with that asking price" Gary scoffed, and Sharon just winked at Brooke "if anyone can do it you can, Brooke"

"Speaking of, I saw the Bristow place has been sold, when did that happen?" she asked just as she got to her desk and opened the draw to retrieve the keys she needed, getting back up she looked at the other two.

Sharon grinned widely and Brooke sent her a thatta -girl look "go you, I tried to sell that place for months"

"And talked half the people out of it because you didn't want them as neighbours" Sharon stated with a secret smile causing Brooke to gasp, faking outrage she defended herself "I did not!"

"Sure" Gary laughed and Brooke smiled at the claim which was half true.

After a pause the two women made eye contact again and Sharon answered her original question "I officially sold it Friday and the new owner has already moved in, he needed a place urgently because he's moved back here for work-"

"I heard on the grapevine they are filming a TV show here and he's part of it" Gary cut in.

Brooke rolled her eyes, "sure"

"No it's true" Sharon said nodding, "and this guy is so hot, I mean McSteamy hot and you live right across from him, you lucky bitch"

Not even batting an eyelash Brooke slipped the keys into her purse and prepared herself to leave, "well you can have him, there is only one guy in my life and he gets all my attention" she winked at the two and then left them alone, she was curious about her new neighbour and wouldn't admit to the others a hot guy to perve on would be welcome, humming Brooke made her way back to her car.

"There's only one guy in your life, right?" Gary asked Sharon after Brooke left, his wife looked back to her paperwork and smiled not answering.

The clash of hockey sticks echoed over the apartment rooftop, Aden and Oliver came head to head with the puck trapped between them, getting his rollerblades in the way Aden tried to kick the puck away and they both laughed at the failed attempt. Getting rougher their laughter continued until by accident Aden's grip weakened giving Ollie the opportunity to hit the puck away but not expecting Aden to have relaxed the force behind it was a little more than needed. They watched as the puck flew across the roof, then their eyes met and there was a slight pause before both of them skated towards it.

Ollie reached it first and dragging it along with him he skated around Aden's makeshift goal post and headed towards his own with Aden close on his tail, then he gave a sharp turn to the right shocking Aden, in the time it took for Aden to back up Oliver sent the puck hurtling towards his goal and though it did go between his post it kept going over the side, "nice shot" Aden said sarcastically and slowly they both skated towards the edge to look over, they dumped the hocky sticks on the roof and poked their heads off the roof.

"You go get it" Aden nudged Ollie.

The preteen didn't hear his friend and Ollie barely felt the nudge because something else had gotten his attention, walking across the car park towards the apartment building was a familiar face.

"Hey, that's the tool I was telling you about, the one who wouldn't let me use his hoop" Ollie pointed out and then his lips tilted, two identical dimples broke his cheeks and his eyes twinkled "hey do you have any of those water balloons I gave ya?"

Aden grinned and nodded, he ran over to his bag and pulled out an assortment of balls before he showed Ollie the packet, together they quickly went to the tap on the roof and started filling up a few balloons, with one in each hand they returned to the edge and looked over.

The unsuspecting victim beneath came closer and closer and the boys stretched out their arms, "a little to the left" Ollie instructed and then "bon voyage" and almost at once they dropped their ammunition.

The splash next to his feet caught Lucas' attention right away, he looked up just in time for the next assault to hit his face a millisecond before one hit his right shoulder and he managed to close his eyes and lower his head when the fourth one hit.

Wiping his eyes clear Lucas looked up again and managed to glimpse the faces of two boys before they hid back on top of the roof.

"You're kidding me" he mouthed and grimaced at his now soaking form.

He could hear the laughter from where he was standing and decided not to waste his time at the moment with chasing them, he had a suspicion that he knew exactly who one of the boys were and it was only a matter of time before he saw the kid again because Lucas rationalised he must live near him. Stepping over the puddle Lucas continued on his way until he was standing outside the apartment door with the number Skills had told him.

The second after Lucas knocked Mouth opened the door, "Luke!" Mouth looked rattled and not waiting for Lucas to say anything he looked up and down the corridor "you haven't seen a little boy out here have you, around three, black hair, evil smile?"

"Uh, no" Lucas answered and Mouth quickly pulled him inside the apartment and shut the door.

Barely giving Lucas a glance Mouth started searching the apartment, "great I lost him" he mumbled.

"Do you need help?"

"God yes" Mouth replied and opened the fridge before shaking his head and shutting it, Lucas started searching the small living area while Mouth opened the kitchen cabinets one by one, when he got to the last one Mouth opened it and was hit square between the eyes with a child's dart.

Pursing his lips Mouth just remained in the same position, with the dart stuck to his head Mouth called out "found him" and was rewarded with Matty's laughter.

"Your turn, Uncle" Matty smiled and Mouth's heart melted, gently gripping Matty he pulled the boy out and told him with no uncertain terms "no more hide and seek, why don't you watch a movie, okay?"

"Otay"

A few minutes later Matty lay sprawled on the couch with his favourite action figure in his arms and his favourite movie playing on screen, Mouth led Lucas to the table and they both sat down. Sighing Mouth smiled at Lucas "kids"

"Uh, Mouth"

"Yeah?"

"You have something on your head" Lucas pointed to the dart and Mouth quickly plucked it off, his shoulders slumped "maybe we should start over… hey Lucas, wow, you're here, it's good to see you"

"You too, how you been? I saw Skills and he told me you're a sports presenter"

"Yep, over five years now but I'm good"

"Looks like it" Lucas said and his eyes strayed to where Matty sat, "you're a dad?"

Mouth shook his head and his eyes widened "oh no, Matty's not mine, he just lives with me, I mean his mom and him live with me, Rachel, you don't know her she moved here after you left, she's great… how are you?"

With a smile Lucas looked down at himself, "wet" he replied.

Mouth apologised again as he handed Lucas a towel, standing topless Lucas laughed "it's not your fault kids decided to use me as target practice"

Wincing Mouth thought back to the previous day, "you have no idea" he whispered and then louder "your shirt will be dry in no time, can I get you anything, a drink?"

"That would be great" Lucas replied and left the towel on the table as Mouth went to the fridge.

Rachel walked out of her room yawning and stretched out her arms and made her way to the kitchen with her eyes closed, and as she came closer she rubbed her eyes and then stopped in her tracks. A sexy smile came over her and Rachel eyed a bare chest Lucas with appreciation, "why good morning" she rasped out and walked right up to Lucas not giving him a chance to speak before she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him full on the lips.

Lucas stood unmoving as the good looking redhead kissed him, he was so shocked he didn't even twitch his nose, when he didn't respond the redhead stepped back and frowned "this isn't a dream, is it?"

Lucas shook his head.

Rachel sighed and let him go, stepping back she looked him over "what a shame but what the heck, the real things better than fantasy so why don't you tell me your name handsome"

Stepping between them Mouth handed Lucas his drink, "Lucas meet Rachel Gatina, my roommate. Rachel this is Lucas Scott, he use to go to Tree Hill High"

"I think I would have remembered him" Rachel eyed Lucas again, her eyes stayed on his six pack and Lucas shifted uncomfortably. Mouth grabbed Rachel and sat her down, "down girl, my friends are off limits so be nice to Lucas"

Waking up fully Rachel suddenly stared at Lucas, her eyes went wide, she turned back to Mouth "not the Lucas Scott" she gave Lucas another look before asking "former Raven, dated Brooke but cheated with Peytwhore before leaving town in shame and never heard from since Lucas Scott?"

"So you've heard of me" Lucas answered nervously and Mouth sent him an apologetic look.

Rachel's lip curled up in disgust, she looked at him in a whole new way "definitely off limits" she got up and announced she was going to have a shower before kissing Matty on the forehead and disappearing into the bathroom.

Closing the door firmly between her and the rest of the apartment Rachel leaned back against it, "shit"

"Shit" Nathan glanced at his watch and swore, he was almost an hour late and he knew Haley would have something to say about keeping Jamie longer than was agreed, probably right before she went on about how Nathan doesn't see Jamie enough which to Nathan made no sense.

"Mom says that's a swear word"

"Your Mom says a lot of things, Jimmy- Jam" Nathan ruffled his son's hair and then knocked on the door. Jamie was practically jumping up and down as they waited, he looked up at his dad "you're gonna talk to her right?"

"Yep, just like I promised, I will talk to your Mom about us fighting"

"Don't tell her I said anything, it'll hurt her if she knows I hear it, just be nice to her"

"I will be nice" Nathan smiled as he reassured his son.

They kept waiting, Jamie frowned "you should have bought her flowers, Momma says that when a guys sorry he should have flow-" the door opened stopping Jamie, "Hey Mom" he grinned instead.

"Jamie, I missed you" Haley hugged Jamie and then looked at Nathan and though her voice remained sweet her "I expected you an hour ago" was a hard reminder to Nathan that she wasn't happy.

Nathan put a hand on Jamie's head "why don't you go play out back while I talk to your mom" and without a word the boy happily abandoned his parents, Haley watched him run away and then looked back at Nathan "what was that about?"

"Can I come inside?" Nathan asked back instead, Haley reluctantly moved out of the way and let Nathan inside, he went straight for the kitchen and switched on the kettle, "make your self at home" she mumbled sarcastically.

"I did use to live here" Nathan shot back and grabbed two mugs, he turned around and found Haley right behind him, she leant around him and placed the second mug back, "I'm not thirsty" she said stepping back.

"What you can't even accept a drink from me anymore?"

"I'm just not thirsty" she shot back and their tones were getting that familiar anger in them, Nathan took an emotional step back reminding himself that he promised Jamie there would be no fighting, so instead the father looked at Haley seriously "we need to talk"

"And while we're at it we can discuss the time, Nathan, we agreed you would have Jamie home almost an hour ago, I was out of my mind with worry, you never think-"

"Shut up" Nathan said loud enough to surprise Haley, she stopped and looked up at him, Nathan used her moment of shock to say what he needed to say "this has got to stop, us fighting over Jamie like he's some sort of chew toy - I don't spend enough time with him, I keep him too long, which is it? What is going to make you happy because I know someone who isn't happy, Jamie. He's not blind and deaf, he knows we don't get along and today I had to hear my eight year old son ask me why me and his mom always fight. I don't want that to be what he remembers about us Hales, we use to be something good, we use to be something amazing" he placed his hand over the one she'd left on the counter.

Haley didn't know what to say, "Jamie said something to you?" hurt framed her words.

"Yeah, Hales, he did and I promised him it would stop, and honestly half the time I don't even know what we're fighting about but I do know I like it just about as much as our son does"

"I hate it too" Haley whispered, she looked down at where their hands touched.

Nathan kept his eyes on his ex wife, he was confused, if Haley hated fighting him so much why was she so ready to always start an argument, "then why does everything I do get you so angry?"

She couldn't look away from where his hand touched her, she couldn't think about much more than the fact Nathan was so close to her, if this was over the phone or if Nathan was standing across the room Haley was sure she could have lied but with the love of her life right next to her, his warmth seeping into her body, she could only be honest "because I miss you and if I tell myself I hate you then maybe I won't miss you as much"

"Haley" Nathan whispered and she looked up, and all it took was one look, his mouth came down on hers.

Nathan couldn't take his eyes off the spot where the ball had gone through the hoop scoring his team the winning points as the buzzer went off, his teammates came up to him and he was lifted into the air but Nathan barely noticed. Back on his feet he stood in shock as confetti fell from above, and then he felt eyes on him and through the screams of the crowd something other than basketball came to mind. Nathan turned around already subconsciously knowing who he would find, his eyes searched the stands and then he saw her.

"Haley" he whispered below his breath, she stood there unmoving, one arm wrapped around her middle as she bit the nails nervously of the other and even looking exhausted she looked more beautiful than anyone else he'd ever seen. Joy coursed through him, not from the win but from something else, running by his college coach Nathan ran like his life was depended on it, down the court and up the stairs he then made his way through the stands. Haley was now running towards him too, they met half and without blinking he opened his arms to her and she jumped into them, "what are you doing here?" he asked while laughing.

Haley mumbled into his neck, "I wouldn't miss this for the world"

"But the tour"

"Can wait, I needed to be here Nathan"

He cupped her face with his hands and looked into her eyes, "god, I missed you" and then he lowered his mouth to hers in a kiss that sent tingles down his spine.

"I have to go back tomorrow night" Haley managed to say between kisses, their lips never parting far.

Nathan nodded in understanding but he pulled her closer, "then we better make this count"

The memory of his first college championship and the night he got back with Haley faded away as Nathan was sucked back into the present kiss, he gripped Haley's waist and lifted her up onto the kitchen counter and then slipped in between her legs, his mouth trailing kisses down her neck.

"God, I missed you"

A/N: to help clarify a few things. The Tree Hill gang are now roughly 29.

Brooke Davis – is a real estate agent, lives in a house with her 12 year old son Oliver.

Lucas Scott – has just moved across the street, is a writer.

Nathan Scott – has no official home in Tree Hill, lives in Charlotte where he is an NBA player.

Haley James – former rock star just back in the life after signing with Red Bedroom Records, is a music teacher and lives in her mansion like home with her son 8 year old Jamie Scott.

Peyton Jaglieski ne` Sawyer – music producer and founder of struggling new label Red Bedroom Records, married to Jake, stepmother of 13 year old Jenny.

Jake Jaglieski – manager and bartender at Tric, unreleased artist of Red Bedroom Records. Husband to Peyton and father to Jenny.

Rachel Gatina – shares an apartment with friend Mouth, works as a bartender at the Blue Post. Single mother to 3 year old Matty.

Mouth – roomies with Rachel, adopted uncle and father figure for Matty, and pretty much Mouth from the show.