Hey guys! Thank you so much for showing so much interest in this story after reading the first chapter. I noticed a couple of typos after re-reading it so I apologize and I will definitely try to minimize that in the future. I am updating this pretty soon which is out of the norm for me. The way I'm planning on updating this is basically as long as I am ahead in my chapter writing and I have a cushion the chapters should be once or twice a week. You guys are getting this one so soon because I already had it written out and I'm currently working on chapter 6 so I figured what the heck! Thank you so much for the reviews they seriously put a huge smile to my face and they mean a lot to me. So keep it up!

To answer Dianehermans: Brooke will be more involved in this story later on. It's all about the build up! With that being said this is a Naley story so I won't be focusing on other couples. As far as I know, I'm planning to have Brucas in here as long as it doesn't take away from my main storyline with Nathan and Haley. I'll have to develop my plot more to see where that goes but I can assure if I was to pair Lucas with anyone it would be Brooke just because I absolutely loved them together on the show no matter how short lived it was. But again, no matter what any other pairings there are - whether it be Jake and Peyton or Brooke and Lucas - I won't be focusing on them as much as Nathan and Haley and their individual stories and how they come together. Hope that answers your question!

Chapter 2

Travis peeked into Haley's room early the next morning. She was still in bed but then again it was five am. He had just gotten home from the garage. He spent all night there. His whole life he had been irresponsible and his parents had given him enough freedom that he hadn't really had to answer to anyone. Now, at 22 he wondered if that was a good thing.

Because now he had Haley to think about.

Yes she was 17 and perfectly capable of taking care of herself but Travis was still legally responsible for her and more than that he knew he owed it to his parents to step up.

He softly closed the door to her room and made his way towards his own. He had missed this house. He was glad that his parents didn't sell it when they moved to California. Haley may not have remembered Tree Hill all that well but Travis definitely did. He loved his place; he knew his parents did too. That's why they had had the funeral here. He knew his parents would want to be laid at rest in a place they considered home. So for the first time in his life he did the responsible thing. He took a week off of Stanford and had made all the arrangements for the funeral. He had consoled Haley as best he could. At the time of their death Travis was 20 and Haley had just turned 15. Travis had been ready to withdraw from school, move back home and take care of Haley but when he had told Mr. and Mrs. Davis of his plans they had told him there was no need. That his parents had talked to them a long time ago and told them that if something ever happened they'd wanted them to take care of Haley so that Travis could finish school.

So Travis has respected his parents' wishes. After the funeral he went back to Stanford done with fucking around while Haley went to live with Brooke and her parents. Something that Travis was not particularly fond of considering he knew that Brooke's parents were pretty absent most of the time but they were right, how the hell was he going to provide for both him and Haley with just a high school degree? Sure their parents had left them a fair amount of money but not enough to live off of forever.

The decision to move to Tree Hill had been a hard one. But he saw Haley going down a path that he didn't like. He needed to get her out of LA. Tree Hill was the perfect place. He had the garage to revive and Haley had Lucas. Travis was ridiculously protective over his younger sister. Even he could admit that, granted he'd follow that admission with the statement that he had every right to be. But still, he trusted Lucas with Haley. And that was saying a lot. Lucas and his mom and dad had flown out to California when their parents passed. Travis felt helpless because he didn't know what he could do to ease the pain for his baby sister…if there was even a way to ease the pain.

But then in came swooping Lucas. Knowing all the right words to say…or not to say. Lucas was good for Haley. He wasn't like the people she was getting caught up with in LA. Travis loved Brooke like a little sister and he knew she didn't mean any harm but she wasn't helping matters. And whether that influence was intentional or not she was becoming a bad one and Travis needed to take his little sister away from that.

He reached his bed and plopped down onto the mattress. He turned his head towards his dresser and saw a picture of his Mom and Dad on it. He was close to his parents, especially Jimmy. God, he missed his Dad.

"I really hope I don't fuck this whole thing up." He whispered to himself. "I need you Dad."

And for what felt like the millionth time since his parents passed Travis' sobs softly racked his body to sleep.

Haley walked out of her house when she heard Lucas beep his car horn. She was on the phone with Brooke. For some reason this seemed routine every time Felix left her house.

"Brooke, you cannot fail calculus again! I mean it, get a tutor this time." Haley's reprimand was interrupted when she went to open the front passenger door only to notice that the seat was already occupied.

Nathan.

She figured she could have fun with this. She wasn't pissed at him about yesterday anymore. Everyone had their bad days, she had just caught him on his. Well, that and the fact that Lucas had begged her to try and get along with his cousin at the café last night. And Haley couldn't deny Lucas, not after all he had done for her.

But what Nathan didn't know couldn't hurt him.

Haley moved to open the door to the back seat and climbed in as Brooke blabbed on about Calc and how she should just sleep with the teacher for an A.

"But Haley." Brooke whined into the phone. "You're my tutor!"

Haley chuckled into the phone and sent a smile to Lucas from her spot in the backseat and a glare to Nathan. She saw him scoff in response. Oh, yeah. This was gonna be fun.

Nathan looked at Haley as she climbed into the back seat. If he was pissed at himself for thinking she was pretty yesterday instead of hot then he got his wish because today Haley looked hot. The North Carolina humidity forced her into tight jean shorts showing off her tan legs and a flowy white sheer top. Nathan smirked. She looked really really hot. Damn Lucas for making her off limits. But then again, he wasn't exactly the relationship type and he figured if he hooked up with Haley and then moved on it'd make it pretty awkward pretty fast among his group of friends.

"Brooke. If you call me being your tutor me doing your homework while you spy on Chase and Bevin then you have a delusional sense of what a tutor is."

Haley laughed as Brooke began her tirade on Bevin.

"Brookie, I gotta go, get some sleep and stop being such a slut." Haley ended the call and looked up to the two boys who were staring back at her.

"What?" She questioned with a laugh.

"Problems?" Lucas asked amused.

Haley laughed. "You remember Brooke right?"

"Yeah, I remember you mentioned her." Lucas nodded.

"She can be a bit out there sometimes, but she means well." Haley shrugged.

"Hey, Nathan." She smiled at him sweetly.

Almost too sweetly Nathan thought.

"You're talking to me now?"

"What's a girl gotta do around here? First I'm a bitch you didn't seem to like that, now I'm nice and you don't like that either." Haley shrugged while leaning back in her seat. "Suit yourself, I can just go back to being a bitch."

Nathan laughed at her antics. He knew what she was doing. Like Haley, he played games. If she wanted a game he'd give her one.

Lucas mumbled something about getting along and pulled out from Haley's driveway. As he was backing up Nathan noticed the same motorcycle that Haley had gotten on yesterday parked in the driveway.

The asshole stayed the night? Nathan was livid at the thought. Where were her parents? Jesus, guess Haley James wasn't as goody-goody as he thought.

The trio had parted their ways once they reached school. Lucas claiming coach wanted to talk to him and Haley claiming that she had to talk to her guidance counselor before first period. Nathan was walking down the quad toward his first class when he felt someone fall into step beside him. He looked over to see Peyton and he greeted her.

"What's up blondie?"

"Ugh, I hate it when you call me that." Nathan laughed at her annoyed tone.

Nathan had two friends that were girls. Peyton and Rachel. That was it. Nothing physical had ever occurred between those two girls and that was the way things were gonna stay. Nathan liked having them as friends, they weren't annoying like most of the girls in this school and he wasn't going to do anything to jeopardize that. Not like they would let him. Peyton was basically in love with Jake, not that she made her feelings known. And Rachel was on a cheerleading team with most of Nathan's conquests, she'd heard the stories and she had made it clear when Nathan had drunkenly tried to make a pass at her that she did not want to go down that path.

"Have you seen Lucas?" Peyton questioned.

"He had to go talk to Whitey." Nathan answered. "Why what's up?"

"Just wanted to ask him a question about our English homework." Peyton waved off. "So have you met his friend Haley?"

"Yeah." Nathan laughed. "She's something else."

"Don't go there Nate." Peyton shook her head. "I actually like her."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Nathan asked defensively.

"You know I love you, but you're not exactly the relationship type."

"So?"

"So, Haley's a good girl."

"You don't even know her!" Nathan exclaimed.

"And you do?" She retorted. "Whatever, do whatever you want but just know Lucas will probably blow a gasket, he's weirdly protective over her."

"Lucas can shove it." Nathan answered resolutely. He was sick of people telling him what to do. Haley was a big girl. She could make her own decisions about what she wanted. Nathan had stalked away from Peyton and made the decision right there to see exactly how much of a good girl Haley James was.

Nathan has spotted Haley at her locker right before lunch. Lucas wasn't around her like usual so he figured now was as good a time as any to talk to her.

"Hey James." He greeted walking up to her.

Haley looked at him skeptically before returning to her previous task of sorting out her locker. School had been better today. Classes were fine, she hadn't gotten lost and word got around that she rode to school with Lucas and Nathan so people pretty much left her alone. Even the bitch Teresa.

"We're on a last name basis now Scott?" She teased.

"See," Nathan started while leaning up against the locker next to hers. "I knew that cold shoulder in the car this morning was just for show."

"But was it?" Haley laughed.

Nathan smirked. "I'm having a party at my beach house this Friday, you should come."

"I don't know." Haley shook her head. "I'm kind of over the whole party scene."

"Over it?" Nathan laughed. "You're 17, shouldn't you just be getting into it?"

Haley laughed and closed her locker to come face to face with the raven-haired boy. "See, Scott, you obviously don't know me all that well."

Nathan looked at her confused by her tone. "Obviously I don't. But why don't we change that?"

"When, Friday night?" She looked at him condescendingly.

"See, we're on the same page!" Nathan smiled carelessly throwing an arm over her shoulder, leading her to the quad where his friends gathered for lunch.

"Sorry, Scott, no can do." Haley shook her head.

"You need permission from your boyfriend?" He scoffed.

"What?" Haley replied confused.

"The guy on the motorcycle. If you're into bad boys Hales you just have to say the word."

"God," Haley rolled her eyes while moving out from under his arm earning a few stares in the process. "That guy on the motorcycle is my brother." She had to stifle a laugh at the look of embarrassment that now adorned his face. "And I am so far from being attracted to bad boys it's ridiculous, so looks like you're out of luck Scott." Haley smiled at him sweetly and patted his shoulder before walking off towards the table where his cousin and friends were seated.

And for the second time in two days a simple conversation with Haley James did nothing but intrigue Nathan more.

"So you should totally come to Nathan's rager Friday night." Rachel suggested as she walked down the hallway with Haley. School had just ended and Rachel had caught the blonde on her way to cheerleading practice.

"I don't know." Haley replied unsurely. Truth was she was almost positive Travis wouldn't let her out of his sight. She had pulled some shit back in California leaving him pretty overbearing.

"Come on Hales, it'll be fun I promise…I'll pick you up if you want, we can drive over together?"

"What the hell." Haley said throwing her arms up. "I'll go, see what all the fuss is about."

"It's going to be so much fun!" Rachel squealed. "I love Peyton to death but her and Jake always just stick together at these things…can't wait to have a new partner in crime."

Haley laughed. "Yeah it'll be fun, but just to be sure I'll have Lucas pick me up and I'll meet you there. I have a pretty over protective older brother and he'll be more chill if he sees I'm with Lucas…for some reason he trusts the weirdo."

"Okay." Rachel agreed. "I gotta go to practice but I'll see you tomorrow Hales!"

Haley waved goodbye grateful that Rachel hadn't asked about the situation with Travis. Haley liked Lucas' friends but she wasn't comfortable spilling her whole life story out to them.

She walked towards the front of the school to see Travis standing besides his bike attracting quite a few looks. Haley knew Travis' reputation in high school, he was the hot mysterious bad boy every girl wanted to turn good, at least that was the image he put out there.

"When are you gonna get a car like normal people." I muttered while walking up to him.

He looked up from his phone that he was texting on moments prior to look up at her. "Hey Hales, no it's no problem picking you up…no really it's not like I have a million other things to do."

Haley looked at him unamused. "Who were you just texting?" She questioned.

"Clay." Travis waved off referring to his best friend. "Uh, Hales why is every one staring at us?" He whispered looking around.

"I don't know, it seems to be a favorite pass time of the folk here in Tree Hill." She replied shrugging. "I'm sure the rumor around school tomorrow will be that you're my boyfriend or something." She shook her head at Nathan's earlier statement.

"Ew." He shuddered. Without warning he punched Haley in the arm. Hardly.

"Owww." Haley cried out. "What the fuck was that?"

"Haley we need to stop such disgusting rumors from happening." Travis replied with a serious look on his face.

"So you hit me?"

Travis shrugged with a small smile. "Where's Lucas anyway, why can't he drive you home after school?" He moved to get on his bike reaching a helmet out to Haley.

"He has basketball practice." Haley explained getting on the bike as well.

"God, I forget sometimes that he's not the four year old twerp I used to boss around." He chuckled.

"Well, me and that twerp are going to a party Friday night so."

"Haley, you are not going to a party!" Travis yelling over the revving engine of his bike.

"What's that I can't hear you?" Haley called out a satisfied smirk planted firmly on her face.

Haley pushed open the door to the café and was greeted with the friendly face of Keith. Travis had once again gone MIA leaving her to fend for herself for dinner.

"Haley." Keith smiled walking over to her and pulling her into a tight hug.

"Keith." Haley smiled. "It has been way too long." When Haley went to the café for dinner last night Keith was away on a business trip so she hadn't gotten a chance to see him until now.

"Tell me about it." He said pulling away from her. "You are beautiful Haley, Travis having to beat those boys away with a stick?"

Haley laughed. "Luckily Travis was still at Stanford when I had my last boyfriend so he was never beaten to death. Can't make the same promise to the boys of Tree Hill though, big brother is watching."

"He's only looking out for you." Keith reminded and Haley nodded. "Where is the knucklehead?"

"Who knows?" Haley shrugged. "I figure I could mooch off you guys for dinner." Haley smiled meekly.

"You know you're welcome anytime."

"Haley." Karen called out surprised walking out of the kitchen. "What a surprise."

"Have extra room for dinner?" Haley smiled.

"Of course." Karen waved off moving back towards the kitchen to grab an extra plate.

"Where's Luke?" Haley questioned.

"At the river court with Nathan." Keith replied. "I swear all those boys do is play basketball."

"They're close?" Keith looked at her confused. "Lucas and Nathan."

"Oh, yeah, like brothers. I love my brother Danny but sometimes he's too rough on Nathan – me and Karen look out for him."

Haley nodded at this piece of information. Just as she was about to ask how work was going Lucas and Nathan came stumbling into the café arguing about something.

"You have got to be kidding me!" Nathan all but yelled.

"You lost fair and square." Lucas retorted.

"What is your definition of fair and square?"

"Boys." Keith halted their conversation. Lucas saw Haley standing next to his Dad and sent her a smile. "You staying for dinner?"

Haley nodded.

"Sweet!" Lucas went to the back to help his Mom out before she could yell at him.

Nathan moved towards his Uncle giving him a hug. "Your son cheats."

"I always had my suspicions." Keith started. "The boy was always so shady whenever we played Chutes and Ladders."

Nathan laughed at his Uncle's comment and moved towards Haley.

"Hey James."

"Scott." She greeted.

"Staying for dinner?"

"Yeah, but I had to ask my boyfriend for permission first." She teased.

"Never gonna let me live that down are you?"

"Not a chance in hell." She laughed.

"Great." Nathan smirked.

"You know Scott, I think we're gonna get along just fine."

Haley slowly walked down the streets of Tree Hill. Both Lucas and Nathan had offered to drive her home after dinner but she had declined stating that she wanted to walk home. She was starting to familiarize herself with Tree Hill again. The river court where Lucas would always beg his Dad to take him so he could go play basketball even though he was way too short for the hoop. The playground where Travis had pushed Haley a little too far on the swing and she had fallen off breaking her arm in the process. All these memories were starting to come back to her.

Haley had finally reached her destination. Wanting to make a detour before heading home Haley made her way to the cemetery. Last time she was here was for her parents' funeral. She tried to block that day out as much as possible. She slowly pushed open the gate and slowly made her way through the rows of headstone. Her eyebrows scrunched together in confusion when she saw a figure seated by what she thought she remembered were her parent's headstones.

"That's weird." She muttered under her breath. Walking closer to her figure her confusion disappeared and she dropped down on the floor next to the figure.

"Is this where you've been all the time?" She questioned.

Travis looked over at his little sister and nodded.

"Travis."

"I know I'm supposed to be the strong one Haley, but I really miss them."

Haley nodded sadly at her brother and laid her head gently on his shoulder. "Me too Trav."

"I'm really afraid I'm gonna screw this up." He confessed.

"Screw what up?" Haley questioned.

"You." He answered simply.

"Travis."

"I mean it Haley." He responded earnestly looking down at her. "I didn't like what you were doing in LA."

"I know." Haley nodded feeling badly.

"It's why I wanted us to move to Tree Hill. I wanted us to have a fresh start."

"I know that." Haley repeated.

"Well, I'm going to need your cooperation with that."

"You have it Travis." Haley replied starting to get annoyed with her older brother.

"Do I?" He questioned reaching into his pocket and pulling out a joint. "I found this in your room Haley."

"What are you doing, snooping around now?" Haley questioned angrily while moving from her spot next to her brother.

"That is not the point Hales!" He whispered.

"It is the point!"

"No, its not. The point is I took you away from LA to get away from this shit."

Haley nodded feeling badly about her outburst. She had promised Travis a long time ago that she was done with all that shit. But Julian had given it to her as a 'going away present' and Haley took it not really thinking of the consequences with her brother.

She was messed up. Haley could admit that. She had been through things and done things that she was not proud of but through it all the one person who was there for her was her brother. She had promised herself that this move to Tree Hill would be a new start for them.

"Are you going back to that place Haley?" He questioned. "If you are you need to tell me, I'll get you help, I'll find a doctor here just like Dr. Sullivan, just be honest with me."

"No Travis." Haley shook her head. "I was stupid to even have that." Haley took the joint out of his hand and ripped it to pieces throwing it on the ground. "I'm done."

"You sure?" Travis questioned sincerely. "I don't ever want you to be afraid to ask me for help."

"No, I'm okay." Haley nodded. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay, I guess we both just need to get used to this new dynamic in our relationship. Hell if this was three years ago I probably would've been lighting up with you." He bumped her shoulder with his own. "I love you, you know that?"

"Yeah," Haley smiled. "I love you too."

"Listen Hales, about this party."

"I need you to trust me Travis."

He gave her a questioning look while gesturing toward the ripped up joint on the ground.

"Okay." Haley shrugged. "Maybe I don't deserve to say that but like you said, new start…we need to trust each other."

Travis nodded. "But I want you back by one."

"Travis." Haley whined.

"I mean it." Travis retorted sternly. "And no drinking."

"Who are you and what have you done with my brother." She replied dryly.

Travis stood up and laughed slightly. "Gotta impress the folks." He gestured towards their parents headstones.

Travis kissed his hand and placed it on the top of each headstone. "Love you guys." Haley followed his actions and tucked herself into his side following his lead back to his bike.