Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill or any of the characters. I don't even really own the storyline. Damn Plagiarism…

AN: Well, it's finally heeeeeeeeeeeeeeere! At long, long, long, long (etc.) last, the seventh chapter is up and running! Woo! Yippee! Hip Hip Hooray!

I made it longer too, to try (and fail) to make up for my suckiness. I swear this will not happen again. And if it does, I shall give you prior notice IN A CHAPTER instead of an Authors Note that brings hopes up.

So yeah, sorry and all that. I hope you enjoy this chapter. It's got a bit of everything, though most especially… NALEY!

The Con

Chapter Seven: Eyes Wide Open

It was easy to spot the 'celebrities' of Tree Hill. They were the most attractive people in the bar, and the fact that their faces had appeared in some magazine at one time or another meant that Taylor had absolutely no trouble seeing them. She grimaced slightly. She knew that these three were supposed to be incredibly down-to-earth, thoroughly nice people, but Taylor wasn't going to fall for that crap. It was far too clichéd for these stunning people with all their success to be nice too. She went through a checklist in her head, mentally ticking off the member of Tree Hill elite as her eyes swept past them.

Lucas Scott, international bestselling author and former heir of Scott Corp. His novels took the seemingly mundane repetition of everyday life and twisted it into a breathtaking epic, so thought-provoking and heart-wrenching with his lyrical prose that some would swear to holding back tears from the very first page. His hair was golden and messy in a 'meant-to-look-like-this' way, and his pale blue eyes were intense and staring at the woman in front of him, his fiancé. He held himself almost awkwardly, but there was something about his athletic body that made him look powerful and in control.

Brooke Davis, the latest up-and-comer and darling of the fashion world, she had yet to create a design that the fashion world didn't like. She created a mix of modern funky effortlessly with elegant classic designs. Her hair was dark and cut into the latest style, making her amazing eyes stand out - a swirling miasma of colours, from amber brown, to emerald green, to mercurial hazel. Her ivory skin was paler than the current fashion, but she carried it off with grace. When she smiled a dimple would appear in her cheek that gave her a cheeky sex-bomb appeal. She wasn't tall - maybe 5'6 - but the neck-breaking heels she wore meant that she stood on a level with her best friend.

Peyton Sawyer, heiress to a multi-million dollar shipping company and artist. Of course, her artistry was frowned upon by her wealthy father who seemed to think it would be better for Peyton to be a stereotypical party girl. However, Peyton was anything but stereotypical, she was edgy and she could be dark. Her art was raw and intense, the kind that sent shivers up your spine. Her looks didn't go with her reputation at all. She was girlishly pretty with sparkling hazel eyes and curly blonde hair. She should have been giggly and bubbly if her looks were anything to go by, but she wasn't.

It was Peyton who Taylor was interested in. It was Peyton who Taylor saw go into Jake's office. It was Peyton who could help them in this con.

Taylor finished off the last of her French Martini and picked up her purse. She swayed her hips as she walked over to the small group, actually quite impressed that Haley had managed to tear Nathan away. Especially when Peyton was so pretty.

"Hey," She greeted over the music and chatter. Three curious faces turned to Taylor. "Um, Hi, we met at Scott Corp. the other day. I've just been stood trying to work out where I know you from," Taylor said with a fake laugh. She offered out her hand. "I'm Lisa, Lisa Powell."

Peyton looked uncomfortable but smiled politely nonetheless. "Hey, I'm Peyton. Um, it's nice to see you again."

"Yeah, yeah it's great," Taylor said with her biggest, brightest and fakest smile. "So, I take it that you and Mr. Jagielski are…"

"No!" Peyton cut in before Taylor could finish her sentence. She looked worriedly over at Brooke and Lucas but the two of them were dancing to an up-tempo song in the background. "Um, me and Ja… Mr. Jagielski are just friends."

Taylor gave another bright smile. "How about I buy you a drink?"

Haley popped another malteser into her mouth and passed the pack onto Nathan. She leaned back on the hood of the car and stared up at the stars. She and Nathan had been sat here for twenty minutes exchanging nothing but pleasantries and apologies that rang along the lines of:

Haley: I'm so sorry about this.

Nathan: It's not your fault. Have you got a signal on your cell phone yet?

Haley: No. I'm sorry.

Nathan: Don't worry about it. I can't believe I lost my phone.

Haley: Yeah, I'm sorry.

Haley was pretty certain the brand of verbal apologetic diarrhoea she was sporting had something to do with a guilt complex, but she was trying really hard to push that to the back of her mind. After all, it was hindering the plan, and that was what was important right now. It was also important that she stop letting her nerves over sitting so close to Nathan stop making her tongue-tied.

She needed a conversation starter, and fast, otherwise Nathan would think that she was dull and go off her. And that was a bad thing. Because then the con would be off. And you kind of like him too…

Luckily, Haley didn't have to think of a conversation starter because Nathan did that for her.

"So, I bet you never thought we'd finish the night like this, huh?" he said, that smirk that Haley had already figured for a trademark gracing his beautiful features. Haley gave a false little laugh. After all, this was exactly how she had planned to finish the night with Nathan.

"Oh Nathan, the night's not over yet," she said with a small smirk. She put her hand out for the maltesers and Nathan gave them to her. She hadn't realised they were in her glove compartment, but she was glad they were. They gave her something to do with her hands. The hands that desperately wanted to reach over and feel if Nathan's torso was as sculpted as it looked under his vest, which was revealed under the pale blue shirt he had opened up.

"I guess not," Nathan said, looking up at the sky. "Wow, the sky's really clear out here."

"Yeah, away from the lights of the city you can make out all sorts. Look, there's the big dipper." She pointed up from her vantage point, leant back on the wind screen. "And Orion's belt… Well, the whole of Orion really. Look, there's his shoulders, and his knees. You see that blurry little star under his belt? The sword? Well, that's actually another galaxy."

Haley looked up at Nathan who was resting up on his elbow and felt her stomach flip at the way his mouth turned up at the corners, and his eyes sparkled with amusement. "You know about space?" he asked.

Haley nodded. It was time to bring out the big guns. She took a deep breath and brought her face up to his level until they were only a few inches apart.

"I know about a lot of things," she said in what was supposed to be a husky whisper.

"Are you okay?" Nathan asked, looking concerned. "I think you might be getting a cold or something. Your voice sounds… blocked up. Do you want to go back in the car?"

Oh my God! Will the ground please swallow me up RIGHT NOW! Her cheeks flamed up and she looked away from Nathan in an attempt to hide it. "I'm fine," she hissed, back to her normal tone of voice.

"Wait," Nathan said, sounding like he was about to start laughing. He put his hand on Haley's shoulder and it felt like a jolt of electricity was coursing through her from that point. "Wait, were you hitting on me?"

Haley closed her eyes and hoped she would disappear into vapour. "Oh, this is so mortifying," she said aloud.

Nathan actually laughed then. He grabbed Haley's arm and swung her around to him. She didn't put up too much of a struggle - after all, hadn't she embarrassed herself enough anyway? His sparkling eyes looked deep into hers. "No, it's adorable," he said, the smile dying from his face.

Neither said a thing. They sat there in silence, looking at each other as if trying to figure out how they could have found someone so perfect for them. They had barely known each other a couple of weeks and already the word 'soul mate' seemed to surround them like a fine mist, getting thicker an thicker as they stared into each others eyes.

Haley opened her mouth to say something - anything - but she didn't get a chance. As soon as her lips were open Nathan's came crashing down. They met with a sweet intensity that was somehow both gentle and passionate at the same time. Haley looked upon Nathan's face as they kissed. His eyes closed in pleasure, and she felt tears spring to her own, open eyes.

"I know, I know!" Peyton said with a giggle that was more than a little drunk. "I mean, who would have thought that in this day and age it would be so hard to marry someone you lo… lo… um, like?"

Taylor gave a sympathetic smile and ran her finger along the rim of her martini glass as Peyton took another swig of beer. "Larry Sawyer and Dan Scott live in the damn Dark Ages. God, this is so embarrassing, getting drunk in front of an entire… no, a complete… stranger. It's just… I've never had anyone to talk to about it, you know? All of my friends are too involved in my life, and they all know Nathan and Jake. It's just… nice, you know? Nice to be able to share."

"Hey, just call me Therapist Lisa," Taylor said. "So, why are you and Nath…"

Taylor was cut off by the arrival of Brooke and Lucas who had been gyrating on the dance floor together and talking quietly in equal measures. They'd introduced themselves earlier before chatting intently while staring longingly into each others eyes. It made Taylor want to gag.

"Hey, P. Sawyer," Brooke said in her beautifully husky voice. "We're going. Do you want me to give you a ride back to your apartment?"

"Designated driver?" Taylor asked raising an eyebrow. Brooke took her keys out of her purse and nodded.

"Yeah…" She started, but a tipsy Lucas Scott cut her off.

"I know, I thought my weak heart wouldn't be able to take the shock. Brooke Davis and designated driver rarely go hand in hand now, do they?" he asked as if Taylor was a long time friend. Taylor pulled a 'I-really-don't-have-a-clue-but-thanks-for-involving-me-in-your-nauseating-clique-no-really-that-wasn't-sarcasm-I-really-am-grateful' face and took another sip of her watered down Martini. It wouldn't do too well to get as drunk as Peyton. She silently hoped Peyton wouldn't go as she hadn't gleaned enough information to determine whether it was worth her and Haley's time getting involved in an arranged marriage - as that was increasingly what this setup was looking like.

"Hey," Brooke said with a grin. "And anyway, don't get used to it. I just feel a little nauseas, I think I'm coming down with something."

"Yeah, you had like, one sip of Lime Daiquiri and vowed never to drink again. That's not like you pretty girl."

Brooke scrunched up her nose. "I must be coming down with something. Anyway, at least you got to drink more beer. Look whose the sensible one now, huh?"

Taylor took a deep breath and hoped this perfect-couple play would end soon and Peyton would decide to stay.

"You know what, I'm enjoying myself. I think I'm going to stay," Peyton said, answering Taylor's prayers.

"Are you sure?" Brooke asked, and Taylor caught the flash of weariness in her eyes.

"Yeah, yeah. You guys go home and have fun! And by fun I mean…"

"Yeah, we got it Peyton," Brooke laughed. "Come on Broody, let's go. Oh, and Peyton, give me a call tomorrow so I know you got in safe."

"Will do. Bye!"

Haley gave herself up for what felt like the fiftieth kiss with Nathan, and strangely enough, she wasn't getting tired with them. In fact, this one had just earned the title of 'best-kiss-yet'. It was so good that she found herself moan with pleasure. Hey eyelids began to droop…

Mayday, mayday! She thought to herself, pulling away from Nathan and his embrace - one arm securing her waste and one tangled up in her hair. She smiled up at him and tried to think of something to say.

"So… so you have any pets?"

Oh God Haley, you're an imbecile. An absolute village idiot. Y don't you just juggle rotten fruit in the middle of the town square or something less heinous than what you just did.

"Pets?" Nathan asked, sounding rightfully incredulous. Haley gave an apologetic giggle and pulled herself up.

"Um… yeah."

Nathan raised his eyebrows as she pulled away from him completely and followed suit, sitting up so that he was leaning back on his elbows again. "You're a very unusual girl Haley Gregory." Far from the admiration that something like this might usually involve, Nathan's tone just held annoyance. Haley took a deep breath and tried again to get herself in control, ignoring the momentary lapse of confusion that had sprung from the surname 'Gregory.'

"I'm sorry, but we've been practically…" she hesitated over the next words and felt herself blush, "making out for nearly half an hour, and it struck me that I know practically nothing about you, besides the fact that you love basketball, used to be a captain, have a brother you're close to and continually take a chance on a 'very unusual girl'." She drew a breath and waited for Nathan's reaction. "Oh yeah, and that you're a really great kisser."

Nathan laughed and looked down at his hands. "Well, I wish I could say you were a great kisser too, but…"

Haley whacked him playfully on the arm and he held his hands up in a mock gesture of surrender. "I'm joking!"

"So…"

"So… what?"

"What do you think? About my mini-speech?"

Nathan looked back down at his hands and shrugged. "I think… that you should fire you're speech-writer."

The utter seriousness in his voice, betrayed only by the quirk of his mouth and the sparkle in his eye made Haley throw her head back impatiently. "I'm serious Nathan!" she laughed.

"I'm sorry, it's just… humour is normally how I handle these situations. I'm not… I'm not like you."

"What, wordy and rambling?"

"No. Perfect."

Haley felt her heart stop as Nathan cupped her face with his hands. He leaned in and planted a soft, tender kiss on her lips. "You're perfect, Haley Gregory."

Haley felt flustered and dazed. Her head was spinning wildly and her body seemed to be floating above itself. She shook her head defiantly. "No, I'm not." And with that she flung her arms around Nathan's neck and kissed him passionately. It was more intense than anything she had ever felt before, and out of pure reflex, her eyes closed.

"So, let me get this straight: You and Nathan are like, betrothed?" Taylor asked, finally getting the picture and feeling blind panic. Oh, this was not good for the con at all!

"Yeah," Peyton whispered. "Sucks, doesn't it? I mean, I really, really love Jake, with all of my heart, but… I know that in the end, I'm going to have to marry Nathan."

Mmm, this is so nice. I don't remember feeling this special in a long, long time. Maybe not ever in fact. I can't believe I'm kissing someone who I actually like. And he likes me too! This is just - as Nathan would put it - perfect. I mean, my eyes are closed, for heavens sake! They're actually…

Whoa, hold on a second. They're closed! They shouldn't be closed! Open them now Haley James. Open them RIGHT THIS SECOND!

Haley yanked herself away from Nathan quickly mid-kiss. There was a suction side as she pulled back, it was that much a MID-kiss. Unfortunately, Haley didn't calculate her proximity to the edge of the car and went toppling over it, her legs strangely akimbo as they rolled over the bumper and onto the cold hard tarmac of the road.

"OW!" She yelped as her elbow grazed the ground.

She heard Nathan scrabbling about on top of the bumper and his head popped over the side. "My God, are you okay?"

Haley felt tears prick at the edges of her eyes. "No," she moaned, holding her elbow close to her as she rearranged her legs, glad to see that they weren't broken. Well, she had fallen from a car bumper, not a cliff, but still…

Nathan dropped down from the car - on his feet, no less - and knelt down beside her. "Do you have a first aid kit in the car?" he asked, though the way he asked it made Haley think that he wouldn't know what to do with one even if she did by chance possess one, which she didn't. The amazingly organised Haley James could be a real idiot sometimes.

"No, it's a rental. It's just a scratch, I'm being a baby."

Nathan laughed and put his hands out. Haley read his 'may-I?' expression and stretched it out for him. She winced at how stiff it was already.

"That's going to bruise," Nathan said, squinting through the darkness.

"You think?" Haley laughed. She closed her eyes and counted to ten. She still couldn't believe that she had closed her eyes. What she needed was a stern talking to, and to do that she needed to get away from Nathan and his amazing sparkly eyes. She took her uninjured hand and reached into the purse that was wrapped around her wrist.

"I've got my battery back," she said. "Do you think you could ring someone to pick us up? I don't know anybody."

"Now?" Nathan asked, looking confused.

"Yeah, it's dark and it's creepy, and I've got battery back on my phone."

Nathan sighed loudly and took the phone. "I'll ring my brother."

Haley sincerely hoped that Brooke wouldn't come along too. She was too hurt and too confused to open that kettle of fish just yet.

The phone pierced the sound of Brooke throwing up. Lucas held her hair back and bit his lip in concern. "I think you're getting a stomach flu or something," he muttered.

"Ugh, I'm okay," Brooke whispered. "I probably just had some bad sushi or something. Really, I can manage for a while by myself. Just go and answer the phone."

Lucas stroked Brooke's hair before heading into the living room to answer the phone.

"Hello," he greeted.

"Hey, Luke, it's me, Nate," the voice on the other end said. Lucas hooked the phone under his chin and turned the TV onto mute.

"Hey man, how was your date?" Luke asked.

There was a pause on the other end, as if Nathan was debating what to say. "Uh, the thing is, we never really had it. The car broke down."

"What car?"

"The girl I left with. It was her car. She just got reception back on her phone and I was wondering if you could come and pick us up."

Lucas pulled a sympathetic face. "Uh, I can't really do that Nate. I've had way too much to drink."

"I thought you were driving home tonight."

"I was, but Brooke felt sick so she did instead."

"So… can't she come and collect us?"

"No, she felt sick, and now she's being sick. Look, why don't you get a cab? It's not as if you don't have the money."

"Okay, I'll do that then. Sorry to bother you man."

"No, I'm sorry I couldn't come."

The brothers ended the call and Lucas went back into the bathroom with Brooke. He squatted down beside her and gave her a reassuring smile.

"Who was it?" she asked, her normally pale skin looking even paler.

"Just Nathan. He was asking for a ride."

"Was the skank with him?"

"Yes dear, the skank was with him," Lucas said with amusement in his voice. Brooke pulled a face.

"Damn, I wish I wasn't ill. I could have showed up and put her off him."

"Oh yeah, how would you have done that?"

Brooke gave a smirk. "Oh, I know enough horror stories. And trust me, no girl likes a guy who gets drunk and nails an entire cheerleading squad - males included."

"Nathan never did that," Lucas said. Brooke grinned.

"Yeah, but she wouldn't have to know that."