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Disclaimer: I do not own OTH or its characters

Chapter 11

"You have to go." Haley laughed softly leaning into the strong embrace of the figure in front of her.

"I don't want to." Nathan whispered disapprovingly.

"Travis is going to kill you." Haley laughed leaning up to place a soft kiss on his lips. "I like having you in my life."

"Travis won't find out." Nathan denied leaning down to capture her lips in a soft kiss. He had to suppress his groan when Haley bit his bottom lip playfully.

"Travis always finds out." Haley rolled her eyes.

"Hales, we're behind a tree in your backyard in the dark. I've been at practice all day and I've missed you." He tightened his hold around his girlfriend. "Travis won't find out."

Haley smiled brightly. "Well, when you put it that way." She wrapped her arms around Nathan, absentmindedly playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. "How was practice?" Haley questioned.

"It was okay, a lot better than practicing with my Dad." Nathan shrugged.

Haley looked at him thoughtfully for a moment. "Is he really that bad?"

"Let's just say I like having you in my life so I won't be introducing you to Dan Scott anytime soon." Nathan commented.

"Embarrassed of me Scott?" Haley questioned teasingly.

"More like embarrassed of him."

"I'm sorry." Haley whispered.

"It's okay." Nathan shook his head. "You make it better."

"Hmm, I'm really liking this whole relationship thing." Haley nodded.

"Huh, weird. Me too." Nathan laughed. "I'm kind of bummed we have to go to this double date thing with Lucas and Brooke tonight though." He commented.

"Me too." Haley groaned. "Is it selfish that I just want to spend time with you tonight?"

"If it is, I'm selfish too. It's the only reason I'm over here right now, I needed to get in some quality Nathan and Haley time before we go out with Luke and Brooke."

Haley laughed softly. "I'm sure it won't be that bad."

"It's Brooke's last night in Tree Hill, don't her and Luke want to spend it alone?" He questioned.

"She felt bad choosing between the two of us, so she thought a double date was the only way she could spend her last night here with both me and Luke." Haley answered.

"What about Julian?" Nathan questioned. He had some spent time with the brown haired boy after Thanksgiving and had come to the conclusion that he wasn't as bad as he originally thought. He definitely didn't like that fact that Julian and Haley used to date but it helped that Julian talked about his girlfriend Bevin 24/7.

"He's hanging out with Travis at the garage tonight." She shrugged.

"What?" Nathan questioned confused. "I thought Travis hated him?"

"Julian is actually really into cars so they bonded over that." Haley shrugged.

"So do I have to become your ex-boyfriend in order for Travis to like me?" Nathan offered deadpanned.

"Oh stop." Haley rolled her eyes.

"I have to work with him on Monday." Nathan explained. "I rather him not drop a car on top of my head."

"It won't be that bad." Haley insisted. "I'll talk to him."

Nathan smiled at Haley before leaning down to pop a quick kiss on her forehead. "I better get going and take shower before dinner."

Haley nodded. "I'll see you in a bit."

"Is Travis expecting you home early tonight?" Nathan questioned.

Haley shook her head. "He knows it's Brooke's last night, he'll be cool. Why?"

"I may have a little surprise planned out." Nathan shrugged.

"Nathan Scott, what did you do?"

"Nothing bad. I promise." He gave Haley a wide smirk and untangled his body from hers. "I'll see you soon."

Haley looked after Nathan's retreating figure for a while before deciding it was time to go into her house and get ready for the night. She walked into the kitchen through the backdoor only to be met with a disgruntled Travis.

"Next time you want to make out with skinny dipping boy, make sure I'm not around." He grumbled.

Haley rolled her eyes at her brother's tone. "Didn't you always tell me not to make promises I can't keep?"

"Whatever," He shook his head. "I'm headed out for the night."

"Try not to make Julian too uncomfortable." Haley warned.

"I shouldn't make promises I can't keep." He mocked.

"I'm serious Trav." Haley retorted. "And while were at it, stop calling Nathan skinny dipping boy, and be nice to him because he's good to me and he makes me happy. He's scared to death you're going to kill him when he starts working for you at the garage."

"Whatever." Travis grumbled walking out of the kitchen.

Haley rolled her eyes at her brother's overprotective nature. She knew that since their parents had passed Travis had felt a need to take over that parental role and she loved him for caring but she couldn't help but think that even Lydia and Jimmy James were up in heaven cracking up over the stick that was permanently up Travis' ass.

"Hey tutor girl." Brooke bounced down the steps into the kitchen greeting her best friend.

"Hey Brookie." Haley smiled. "You look awesome girlie."

Brooke smiled while smoothing out her black dress. "Thanks, I have to make sure I look good so Lucas misses me and doesn't hook up with any other sluts while I'm gone."

Haley laughed at her friend. "Lucas isn't like that Brooke."

"I know." She nodded. "I guess it's just gonna take some getting used to not being with a douche bag."

"So how are you gonna do the long distance thing?" Haley questioned while walking towards her refrigerator and pulling out a bottle of water.

"Phone sex." Brooke answered simply.

"Ew." Haley cringed. "Lucas is practically my brother."

"Well he is certainly not my brother." Brooke smirked.

"Please stop before my ears bleed."

"Whatever." Brooke waved off. "Better get dressed tutor slut, our night with the boy toys awaits!"

"Nathan!" Dan shouted once he heard the front door to his house open.

Nathan groaned and brought his hand to the bridge of his nose. He was really hoping to avoid a run-in with his father. Trying to steer clear of an argument Nathan walked into the living room of his house to see what his Dad wanted.

"Yeah." He answered expectedly.

"Where have you been?" Dan questioned, placing the newspaper he was reading down on the coffee table. "Practice ended two hours ago."

"I went to Luke's." He lied easily. The last thing he wanted his father to do was start ragging him about his relationship with Haley. He just wanted to enjoy it before Dan Scott undoubtedly tainted it.

"You need to focus Nathan, you do not need to be acting like a clown with your cousin." Dan reprimanded.

"Dad, Whitey just held a three hour practice."

"Yeah, and what do you have to show for it?" He questioned his son. "I saw you at that Cove City game, your conditioning is for crap."

"Whatever." Nathan scoffed.

"Don't get an attitude with me Nathan, I'm trying to help you."

"Well you have a hell of a way of showing it, Dad." Nathan moved to walk out of the room wishing that he had just gone to Lucas' and gotten ready there.

"Where are you going?" Dan questioned standing up. "I want you to get ready, we're going for a run."

"No were not." Nathan shook his head. "I have plans."

"Well, cancel them." Dan retorted simply.

"I can't cancel them Dad." Nathan groaned.

"What, you have a date?" Dan questioned condescendingly.

Nathan wanted to hit his head against a wall. This is exactly the opposite of what he wanted right now.

"Nathan, I've let you run around getting drunk and sleeping with random girls as long as you kept up with basketball." Dan started. "A girlfriend is trouble, a distraction."

"I don't need advice from you." Nathan responded irritated that his father had started in on Haley without even knowing her. "You're gone half the year anyway, why is it then when you're home I have drop my life to train with you? I do just fine on my own when you're gone. I'm going out tonight and I'll run in the morning."

"Nathan." Dan called out following his son up to his room.

"And I'll run without you." He finished grabbing his gym bag and stuffing in a pair of workout clothes and some clothes for the double date tonight.

"What are you doing?" Dan questioned annoyed as he followed Nathan down the stairs and into the foyer of their house.

"I'm going to Luke's, I'll sleep there tonight." He responded grabbing his keys off the table near the door.

"You were just there!" Dan called out to a retreating Nathan.

He shook his head at his lie. It was pointless. Dan now had a sneaking suspicion that Nathan was seeing someone and Lord knows that when Dan Scott gets something in his head he isn't letting it go until he gets his way. "See you tomorrow, Dad."

"Hey." Lucas greeted surprised when Nathan entered the door attached to his room, gym bag in tow.

"Can I stay here tonight?" Nathan questioned.

Lucas nodded understandingly at his cousin. He had first hand experience seeing the way his uncle treated his cousin. "Of course."

Nathan nodded appreciatively and set his gym bag down on the floor taking a seat at the chair by Lucas' desk. "He just gets to me man." He sighed.

Lucas took a step into his closet pulling out a plain black long sleeve shirt and pulling it over his shirtless body. "I know bro." He nodded. "I mean, hopefully your plan all works out."

"I don't know Luke." Nathan sighed. "It's way too complicated. It's just better that I stick it out. It's only two more years before I'm away from Dan."

"It's not better if he's making you this upset all the time Nathan." Lucas shook his head at his cousin. "Maybe I should have my Dad talk to-"

"No!" Nathan interrupted knowing full well what Lucas was going to suggest. "I can handle it Luke."

"Okay." Lucas sighed.

"Anyway." Nathan shook his head while standing up. "I'm gonna hop in the shower. Are we meeting Haley and Brooke at Tric?"

"Yeah," Lucas nodded. "We should take separate cars though. I'm planning a surprise for Brooke later on."

Nathan nodded grabbing some stuff out of his gym bag remembering what he wanted to do with Haley tonight. "How are the girls getting there?"

"Rachel and Peyton." Lucas responded. According to Haley the redhead and the blonde had met Brooke a few days ago on a shopping trip to the mall and the three had hit it off instantly.

Nathan groaned. All he wanted to do was spend some time with Haley and this was starting to become a huge affair.

Lucas let out a chuckle at his cousin's reluctance. "Relax." He responded. "They're just dropping them off, Peyt and Rachel are meeting some girls from the squad there."

Nathan nodded. He loved Rachel and Peyton but he didn't want to share Haley with more people than he had to.

"Now get your ass ready, we're gonna be late."

"The boys are late." Brooke whined.

Haley let out a chuckle. She knew just how much Nathan and Lucas could talk. And boys thought girls were gossips. "They'll be here soon Brookie Monster."

Brooke turned to Haley with a soft smile at her familiar nickname. "I'm sorry Hales, here I am complaining about not seeing Lucas when it's my last night with you too."

"It's okay Brooke." Haley waved off. "I'm used to your boy crazy ways."

Brooke stared at Haley for a moment before speaking. "You're happy here right?"

Haley smiled at her friend. "With the exception that I've lost my partner in crime, I'm the happiest I've been since my parents passed away Brookie. I really mean that."

Brooke smiled. "Good. Even though it royally sucks not having you with me 24/7 it makes it all worth it knowing that you're happy and healthy here." Haley nodded at her best friend. Brooke knew the struggle she went through after her parents died. Their deaths led Haley back to the drugs and alcohol she first turned to after her traumatic experience at the frat party she went to when she was 15 and when Haley was acting up again Brooke knew that it was not her best friend acting it was the depression.

"Thanks, Davis." Haley smiled.

"Now," Brooke started with a cocked brow. "On to other matters."

"Oh, God."

"Relax." Brooke shushed. "I just wanna know what her deal is." She nodded her head over to the other side of Tric where Peyton and Rachel had gone to meet up with some other cheerleaders.

Haley looked over to where Brooke was referring to and almost had to roll her eyes and the brunette that was eying her table. "That's Teresa. She has a thing for Nathan."

"Ah." Brooke nodded. "That explains the death glare."

"She cornered me in a bathroom a month ago and told me to stay away." Haley laughed.

"Who does she think she is?" Brooke questioned angrily. "Red and Blondie are still friends with her after that?!" She asked referring to Peyton and Rachel.

"They don't know it happened." Haley shook her head. "And they aren't exactly friends with her, but they're on the squad together and Peyton and Rachel can't exactly avoid her. I don't want to put them in an awkward situation by telling them what happened. It doesn't really matter anyway, I handled her just fine myself."

"Atta, girl." Brooke smiled wildly. "Did you punch her in the face?"

"Who'd you punch in the face?" Nathan asked amused walking up to his girlfriend and her best friend, Lucas trailing behind him.

"No one." Haley smiled as Nathan leaned down to place a soft kiss on her forehead before taking the seat next to her.

"Hey Broody." Brooke smiled at Lucas. "Let's dance."

"We just got here!" Lucas laughed.

"Yes, but you're late, I've missed you and I already got in some Haley/Brooke time. So let's go."

"See you guys later." Lucas nodded following the feisty brunette onto the dance floor.

"You sure you didn't punch someone? Do I need to sneak you out of here before the popo comes?" Nathan joked.

"No," Haley laughed. "We were talking about Teresa."

"Did she do something to you again?" Nathan asked angrily.

Haley sent him a sweet smile at his protectiveness and leaned in for a soft kiss. "No, but I appreciate the concern."

"If anyone wants to mess with you, they have to deal with me." Nathan nodded indignantly.

Haley laughed. "I think that's our problem."

"Well, I'm immune to her advances." Nathan replied.

"Is that right?" Haley questioned amused. She trusted Nathan. Which is huge considering trust had been a pretty touchy subject as of late. But it was the truth. She believed that Nathan wanted to be with her. It felt good.

"Why would I be interested in someone that wasn't you?" He countered.

"Shut up." Haley smiled embarrassed.

Nathan shook his head and smiled internally. It was true. He genuinely cared about Haley and there wasn't one ounce of him that would want to jeopardize his relationship with her. It was new and it was scary but it was the truth.

"So you wanna tell me what you have planned after this?" Haley asked determined.

"Not going to work, babe." Nathan laughed.

"Oh come on!" She pouted.

Nathan leaned in to kiss her pout away. "You just have to be patient, James."

"What the fuck." Rachel interrupted the two and took a seat where Brooke was previously seated. A disgruntled Peyton followed behind.

"I tried to stop her." The blonde offered apologetically taking the seat where Lucas had left his jacket.

"Can I help you, Rach?" Nathan gritted out.

"You tell me." She retorted. "You're the ones making out in the back of this club like a pair of horney bunnies."

Haley laughed at her friend's comparison. "I can't kiss my boyfriend?"

"Your boy-"

"YOUR BOYFRIEND!" Rachel yelled cutting off Peyton.

"Thanks for informing all of Tree Hill." Nathan joked as he wrapped an arm around a clearly embarrassed Haley.

"When did this happen? How did this happen? Why didn't you call me you slut?!" The red head rattled off, pointing an accusing finger at Haley.

"And ruin this moment?" Haley offered dryly.

"Yes, we're together. Is that so much of a shock?" Nathan questioned slightly offended.

"Considering its you, yes." Rachel offered a cheeky grin to which Nathan just rolled his eyes.

"We're happy for you two." Peyton laughed. "Although there is someone who clearly isn't."

Haley looked over to where Rachel and Peyton were a few moments ago and noticed an aggravated Teresa talking animatedly to another cheerleader.

"Great." Haley groaned.

"I don't get it Nate." Rachel shrugged. "Just tell the girl you aren't interested."

"You think I haven't tired that!?" Nathan questioned incredulously. "I've been telling her that since freshman year."

"Whatever, she'll get over it and find a new boy to stalk." Peyton waved off.

Haley nodded but somehow she knew getting rid of Teresa wasn't going to be that easy.

"Or." Rachel smiled. "You could join the squad like we talked about and I could kick her off in the process."

"What are guys talking about?" Brooke smiled walking up to the table her hand linked with Lucas'.

"I was telling Haley that she should join the squad." Rachel answered.

"Here we go." Haley groaned sinking into Nathan's embrace.

"Hales! You were awesome back on the squad in California!" Brooke offered.

"I did that as a favor to you!" Haley responded desperately.

"So now do it as a favor to me!" Rachel yelled. "Besides you can see hot shot over there everyday after school. He usually plays shirtless."

"I'm sitting right here!"

"Oh shut up Nate." Rachel dismissed. "Please Haley, pleaseee."

"She isn't going to stop until you say yes." Peyton offered amused.

Haley rolled her eyes and let out an exaggerated sigh before nodding her head. "Fine!"

Rachel squealed and high fived with Peyton who looked as equally happy. They both moved to get out of their seats so that Lucas and Brooke could sit down. "You won't regret this Hales!"

"Somehow, I seriously doubt that." Haley mumbled.

Nathan laughed at her demeanor and placed a kiss at her temple. He couldn't complain. He would be seeing Haley more and the outfits the cheerleaders wore was a definite plus.

Haley shot a look over at Brooke. "Thanks."

"Oh, whatever." Brooke laughed. "It was to my understanding you actually enjoyed cheerleading back in California."

"It was all an act to avoid the cheer-nazi." She responded.

"I was never that bad!" Brooke protested.

"Okay." Haley nodded with a sarcastic grin on her face.

"Well, I know that this double date has lasted all of fifteen minutes but Broody and I were actually thinking we would head out."

Haley laughed at her two best friends.

"Please don't be mad!" Brooke whined.

"I'm not mad Brooke." Haley was happy that her two friends were so into each other and if she was being honest she really just wanted to be somewhere alone with Nathan.

"I'll see you back at your place? Me and Julian are leaving at noon." Brooke questioned.

"Um, maybe its better we meet up at Lucas' so that Travis doesn't blow a gasket when one of us gets home without the other." Haley offered.

"Oh, right." Brooke nodded. "Well maybe you should call before you're heading over."

"Oh sick!" Haley cried out when she saw the shit-eating grin on Lucas' face.

"Well, we're off." Lucas offered eagerly as Brooke laughed.

"Nate, it's been a pleasure." Brooke stood up giving the raven-haired boy a hug. "Take care of my girl." She whispered.

Nathan nodded as Brooke pulled out of the hug. "Nice meeting you, Brooke."

Haley watched as her two friends departed before facing Nathan excitedly. "Surprise time?"

Nathan let out a hearty laugh before nodding. "Surprise time."

"Nathan, this is the worst surprise ever." Haley whispered into the dark.

Nathan laughed. "Thanks Hales."

"What are we doing here?" She whispered clinging onto his arm and following his lead through the cemetery.

"Why are you whispering?" He asked amused.

"Because if I don't then all the zombies are gonna know we're here and attack us." Haley exclaimed in an obvious tone.

"You are one of a kind, Haley James."

"You still haven answered my question." Haley reminded.

She got her answer when Nathan suddenly came to a stop and she looked up at him confused.

"I thought I could meet your parents, and you could meet my mom." He answered her silent question. "Formally, of course."

"Nathan." Haley looked up at her boyfriend and sent him a bright smile. "This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me."

"I know how much your parents meant to you, I wanna know more about them. And I want you to know more about my Mom."

She leaned up and kissed him gently before pulling away and pulling him in for a tight hug. "Thank you."

"They did not!" Nathan laughed loudly facing Haley who was seated on the grass across from him.

"They did!" Haley laughed. "Travis was so embarrassed. The first girl he brought over and they just busted out the naked baby pictures like it was an everyday occurrence."

"That is just too great." Nathan laughed while shaking his head.

"Tell me more about your Mom."

Nathan looked at her for a moment before smiling. "She was the best person I knew, I always felt loved and cared about. You know in a lot of ways I think my Dad would be less of an asshole if she were still around."

Haley looked at him sympathetically before speaking. "I'm sorry about your Dad, Nathan. I'm always here if you need to talk about it."

Nathan nodded before sending her a smile. "Thanks, Hales."

Haley smiled before moving from her spot in the grass to be closer to Nathan. "This is really new to me."

"What is?"

"Caring about someone as much as I care about you." She answered honestly.

"Me too. I've never told anyone half the things I tell you." He replied.

"Why?"

"I guess I just trust you." He shrugged.

"Same." She smiled.

"Nathan, I'm sorry if I'm a bitch sometimes or if I seem like I'm holding back, this is new to me and I really like you but I'm just not used to being with someone like you." Haley was worried. Fact of the matter was she used to be messed up. She didn't want to ruin what she had with Nathan.

"What does that mean?" He questioned.

"It means that you're sweet, and attentive and you listen." She shook her head. "I'm not used to that."

"Neither am I." Nathan laughed. "But you make me want to be those things Haley. I'm not always going to be perfect and neither are you…all I know is that I am totally crushed out on you right now and I like that fact that someone like you sees something in someone like me."

Haley smiled at him. "Someone like me, or me?" She questioned teasingly.

"You already know the answer to that." He smiled when she popped a quick kiss on his cheek.

"I can't believe we've been here for three hours." She commented starting to get up from her spot on the grass.

"Yeah, we should probably head home." He nodded. "Hales." He halted her actions and pulled on her hand. "Your parents seemed like really great people."

Haley smiled at him and tightened her hold on his hand.

"So did Deb, she'd be proud of you Nate."