Disclaimer: Don't own it.
Authors notes: Last chapter I did not make a mistake with the whole Nathan/ Dave situation. I meant to make a note of that at the bottom of the chapter but forgot to do that before I posted. Secondly, thanks to those wishing me well after IKE, sadly it is a slow proccess but everything is coming along great. I should have new chapters of ' I pray ' and ' the chosen path ' up by this weekend but it's a difficult week so I can't make any promises. Lastly I want to send out a special shout out to my cousin Jo Jo: I know it's hard but I love you girl, keep your head up.
Chapter: 12
" Thanks for meeting me… " He said, sliding into the booth.
" You said it was important. " His companion said, looking him over.
" It is. You know I'd never come to you otherwise. " He wrung his hands nervously, he really didn't like dealing with Daunte.
" Let's just cut to the chase, Nate. " Daunte narrowed his eyes at the younger guy. What do you need? "
" There's this guy… " He began and Daunte laughed loudly.
" So the rumors are true. I never would have pegged you as gay… " He said loudly, causing the other patrons in the small, rundown café to turn and look at him.
" I'm not gay! " He tried to shout but it came out in a harsh whisper. " I am married though… "
" Since when? " Daunte questioned in disbelief.
" For a long time, longer than you've known me but that's not the point. " He snapped.
" So what is the point? " Daunte began getting impatient and he wasn't the type of man you wanted to keep waiting.
" I came back to Tree Hill because my wife filed for divorce and I found out that she had my baby… She's dating this guy named Dave. " Nathan explained.
" How sweet but why do you need to envolve me? " Daunte was confused but intrigued.
" Dave raped Rachel. " Nathan spit out and Daunte tensed up.
Nathan had known Daunte for a few years and the one thing he knew for sure what that Daunte hated rapists. He hated wife beaters. He hated violance with against women all together.
" Rachel? The hott red head Rachel? "
" That would be the one. " Nathan confirmed. " And he broke into Haleys house. "
" Haley is the ex wife? " Nathan glared.
" She's still my wife. " Nathan informed him.
" So, what do you need from me? " Daunte repeated.
" I need a few things actually, the first being I need someone to watch over Haley and Jamie without Haley knowing their there. " Nathan told him. " Secondly, I need someone to find out everything they can find out about Dave. "
" You know what Nate, since you're such a good friend and because I hate guys like him, I'm going to do this for you. I'm going to send Bear to tail your girl he just needs to know what she looks like. "
" I'll get a photo. " Nathan replied, grateful for this favor being granted.
" Now I'm going to need something… "
" Anything. "
**********************************NaLeY*****************************
" I still think you should just come stay at the apartment with us. " Lucas told her, still kneeling in front of the door, fixing the busted lock.
" We'll be fine, Luke. You worry too much. " Haley teased, thankful that he did worry.
" I'm just saying, the cops said that it was someone who knew you. They might come back. " He warned.
" No, what he said was that it ' might be ' someone who knew me. Might being the key word. " She countered, wanting to believe that it was a random break in.
" Do you think Nathan was envolved? " He asked after a moment of silence.
She furrowed her brows in thought before answering. " No, Nathan is a lot of things but he's not that type of a person. "
" Yes and whoever did it was still in the house when he showed up on the scene. " Lucas conceded, still trying to rack his brain on who could do such a thing.
" Do you think Jamie could crash with you and Peyton tonight? " Haley asked, obviously trying to change the subject. " I'm having drinks with Dave tonight. "
" How are things going with Dave? " Lucas questioned, feeling slightly uneasy about his best friends new beau but not sure why. He just chalked it up too her still being married to Nathan.
" Slowly. " She grumbled. " With Nathan being in town, I'm having to split my time between dealing with him and spending time with Dave. "
" Why? " Lucas asked, confused. " Why would you have to spend time with Nathan? "
" Jamie doesn't want to spend time alone with Nathan just yet but wants too get to know him. " Haley explained. " Plus, I'm not completely comfortable with Nathan being alone with Jamie. "
" Do you think Nathan would do something to Jamie or take him? " Lucas prodded, standing up from his spot. " The lock is fixed. "
" Thanks Luke. " She handed him the bottle of water she held. " I don't think Nathan would ever hurt Jamie or even take him but considering he just found out about his child, I just don't know anymore… "
The back door opened, and Peyton and Jamie came running in.
" Hey Jimmy Jam, did you have fun with aunt Peyton? " Haley asked as Jamie launched himself into her arms.
" Totally! " The boy grinned. " She let me use her water colors and I made some pictures. "
Haley looked over at Peyton, who was wrapped up in Lucas' arms. " Did she? " Her son nodded vigorously. " Wow, that was sweet of her. Did you bring them home for me too see? "
" They are drying but you can bring them home tomorrow. " Peyton told her.
" I made one for dad… " Jamie faltered. " I mean Nathan… "
Lucas and Peyton watched Haley, as if trying to gauge her reaction.
" Jamie, you know you can call Nathan ' daddy ' if you want to, right? " Haley questioned, kneeling down to her sons level.
He nodded but turned his attention to a spot on the floor.
" I don't want too. " Jamie was mature for his age, sometimes he understood things a little too well.
" Hales, we're going to go. " Lucas interrupted, knowing that this was something Haley and Jamie needed to work out in privacy.
She watched her friends leave before grabbing Jamies hand and bringing him to the couch.
" I know we've never talked about this but I think it's time that we do. I know you are aware that there is some tension between Nathan and I but he is your father and he loves you so much. " She tried to explain, hoping tha she would get through too him.
" Why did he leave us? " Jamie asked, his voice trembled only slightly.
" When he left, he didn't know about you. I didn't know about you. " Haley answered truthfully.
" Why did you marry him? " Jamie questioned and she could see from the look on his face that he wanted to know all about them all a couple.
" I loved him. " She answered simply.
" But why? " He pussed, he needed to know.
" I can't give you a specific reason. " She replied honestly. " Nathan can be a really good guy, sometimes he makes mistakes but he has the best of intentions. "
" He's going to leave again. " Her son mumbled, and he heart broke a little.
" He is but he's going to come back at the end of the season. " At least that's what he had promised. " And maybe we can go out to Seattle and watch him play. " He nodded but still wore that same sad expression. " We're having dinner tonight with Nathan, you should get to know him. "
" I will. " Jamie said and she reached out and ruffled his hair lovingly.
***********************************MTAM************************************
He let out a sigh of relief when he watched them walk into the resteraunt. He had been worried about them all day, even though he knew they were safe with Lucas.
" Sorry we're late. " She apologized and he leaned forward and kissed her cheek before leaning down and hugging Jamie.
It didn't go unnoticed by him how she tensed up and he mentally kicked himself. He wanted to move forward not fall back and he needed to play his cards right.
" It's okay, I'm just happy you're here. " He smiled, pulling out two chairs, one for her and one for Jamie. " How was your day, Jamie? "
" Good. " Jamie smiled, it was small but it was still there. " What did you do today? " He gave Haley a secretive glance and she gave a slight nodd before picking up her menu.
Nathan was caught off guard and sputtered for a second before formulating an intelligent response.
" Oh, I had a buisness meeting this morning and then I worked out. " Nathan replied.
" A meeting? " Haley raised her eye brows. " I thought Rachel handled all that for you? "
" Rachel had to go away for awhile. " He left it simple, not wanting to get into detail.
" Is she your girlfriend? " Jamie cut in and Nathan swallowed hard.
" What? No. She's my manager, she handles all my career stuff… " Nathan clarified, stressing that their relationship was a professional one. " And she's a great friend but she is not a girlfriend. "
" Are you excited to play in the NBA? " His son questioned further. " Momma said you worked really hard to accomplish your dreams and that we should be really proud of you. "
" I did work very hard but it stopped being my dream a long time ago. " He looked at Haley as he said this. " I kind of let other people run my life and that's how I ended up where I am now. "
" We're not going to do this Nathan. " Haley told him in a low, warning tone.
" I know. " He replied. " All I am saying, maybe it would still be my dreams had I done it my way. "
A tall, slender teenage boy walked up the their table. " Hi, I'm Marcus, I'll be your waiter. I am very sorry about the wait, what can I get you to drink? "
" He.. " Haley pointed to Jamie. " Needs a sprite but could you put it in a to go cup? "
" Yes Ma'am. " Marcus smiled warmly.
" Can I get a water with lemon. " She finished.
" Sure. " Marcus smiled once more.
" I'll have the same as the lady. " Nathan told him.
" Yes sir. " Marcus' eyes met Nathans and the boy grinned broadly. " You're Nathan Scott! "
" Yes I am. " Nathan nodded once, really wishing the ground would open up and swallow him.
" I'll be right back with your drinks… " Marcus turned and walked away, which Nathan was thankful for.
" Oh my god! " Haley mocked. " You're Nathan Scott! "
He was glad she was being playful and decided it was safe for him as well.
" Oh my god! " He returned. " It's Haley James Scott! You're like only the best singer ever. " He said in a fake, valley girl tone.
" James. " She told him simply and he looked confused. " Haley James was my proffesional name. No Scott. "
" It'll always be Scott too me. " He told her sincerely, the tension mounting. " So Jamie… " He decided to break the focus for the moment, bringing it back to the one person it never should have left. " What are you doing tomorrow? "
" Hmmm. " Jamie pretending to think about it. " Mostly playing. "
" And painting your room. " Haley reminded him, hoping that he had changed his mind.
" Oh yeah, I forgot about that. " Jamie mumbled and Haley began to laugh.
" We can leave the mural up there for just a little while longer if you'd like… " Haley offered.
" No. " Jamie shook his head.
The rest of dinner went by with Jamie and Nathan taking turn asking each other questions. Occaisionally Nathan would ask Haley something and it didn't go unnoticed by him that her answers were always vague. Finally it was over.
Checking her watch, she turned to Nathan.
" Jamie is staying the night with Lucas and Peyton tonight, do you think that since you live in the same complex, maybe you could drop him off? " She asked, smiling at him softly. " That's if Jamie doesn't mind? Do you sweetie? "
" I don't mind. " Jamie told her, shifting foot to foot uncomfortably.
" It's no problem. " Nathan smiled, looking over to where his son stood.
" Great. " She smiled brightly. " I have his stuff in my car. "
Luckily they had parked right next to each other, so it was easy to retreave his over night bag and car seat. Securing the seat in his truck, he watched Jamie climb in and expertly buckle himself in. Then he turned to Haley.
" Quiet night in? " He asked, raising his eyebrows.
" No exactly. " She told him. " Going to meet Dave for drinks. "
His blood ran cold, Daunte couldn't possibly have protection in place yet. " Becareful. " Is all he could lamely say.
" I will. " She moved passed him, leaning forward into his truck and giving Jamie a kiss on his cheek. " Be good for uncle Lucas and aunt Peyton, okay Jimmy Jam? "
" I will Momma. " He promised.
" I'll see you in the morning. " She promised and he nodded. She turned back to Nathan. " Thank you so much for running him over there. "
" No problem, Hales. " It wa a problem though, he wanted to follow her and make sure she was safe against the perv.
They said their good byes and left the parking lot, each going in oppisette direction. He watched her in his rear view mirror until her car disappeared from his sight completely.
" You love her, don't you? " Jamie questioned, he'd asked before and Nathan told him so but it was now becoming clearer.
" Yes. " Nathan whispered.
Please read and review.