A/N: I know I've been MIA recently, but I just started uni here. Freshers lasted like 2 wks, so its been crazy-hectic with all the partying! Anyway, thanks so much to the people who are actually patient and sticking to this story. As promised - the 'Haley in a cheerleading uniform' debut takes place this chapter. I also wanted to bring in a little focus on Haley's old life - after all she went to a school before THA, and she left some old friends behind too. And I know some of you may kill me, but the kiss doesn't happen in this chapter...but it WILL be in the NEXT one!! So hopefully that'll keep you guys interested. Please, please read and review!!

(On a side note - who totally LOVED the way psycHO nanny got what she deserved last episode?? I know I did...)

Chapter 10

"What soberness conceals, drunkenness reveals." – Unknown

"Hey Haley, did you get negative 3.5 for question 6?" Lucas asked from his seat next to her.

"Er…no, I got positive 0.5," she looked over at his work. "See you forgot to take over the negative 5 here, and it makes a quadratic equation-"

"Hang on a sec, you've lost me." Lucas was puzzled. "I don't think I have the notes for this method."

"Here," she handed over hers.

As he thanked her and copied them out, Haley took the opportunity to float off into her thoughts. She'd already finished the worksheet but pretended to continue doing it as she felt the stares in her direction.

People had been discussing nothing but the confrontation with Rachel for the past couple of days. It had been unnerving since everywhere she went people would stare and whisper. And they weren't exactly subtle about it.

Apparently though, her "catfight" with Rachel seemed to have earned her a lot of points with the guys in school. She seemed to be hunted down everywhere she went.

And she meant hunted. Some guys didn't seem to get the hint and followed her around, causing 'Feisty Haley' as Brooke put it, to make a reappearance. Though it did help whenever she went round with one of the guys – which was most of the time. Between Nathan, Lucas, Skills, Jake, Mouth and Tim, most guys tended to back off.

Her thoughts drifted to the actual night of the confrontation. They were at Patty's Ice Cream parlour for most of the night, laughing and joking around.

But the best part, for her anyway, was on the way back to the dorm rooms.

Flashback:

"You know you guys didn't have to walk us back to our dorm room" Brooke remarked as the Scott brothers walked beside her and Haley.

Everyone else had dispersed into their own directions back to their rooms. Since Nathan and Lucas' dorms were in the general area nearby Brooke and Haley's they'd graciously offered to tag along.

"You're welcome Brooke" Nathan rolled his eyes.

"Hey, I was just saying. We're young, independent women. We can reach there on our own just fine."

"Well its late and dark, not to mention what kind of weirdo guys you could bump into…"

"Defeats the point if they're already tagging along with you," Brooke sniped back at him. Lucas and Haley looked on amused.

"Jesus Brooke! Can't you just let anyone do a nice thing for you?" Nathan said frustrated.

"Please, like you've ever done a nice thing for me in your life."

"What are you talking about? I'm nice! I'm a nice guy," Nathan sputtered.

"Sure sure. I mean, the time when you pulled my pigtails in third grade…yeah that was nice. Or maybe the time in eighth grade when you told all the boys I had mono so that I didn't have a date to the Christmas Ball…that was sweet. Oh! And how could I forget that time you got me drunk and dared me to streak through the dorms – only to tape it and show the whole school in assembly the next day! Yeah, you're one helluva guy Nathan Scott!"

"Come on! Those were just harmless pranks. It's not like that time you convinced my parents I had given up basketball and joined the church choir in sixth grade? My dad almost killed me there and then. And I can't forget that time I was in hospital getting my appendix out and you spread round school that I was being treated for an STD! Or perhaps the time you stole my clothes after basketball practice while I was in the showers, and then had Whitey catch me with nothing but two basketballs covering me up?! And then -"

"Okay kids" Lucas interrupted. "How about we just play nice?"

Brooke and Nathan both snarled at one another. Nathan moving behind to walk with Lucas as Haley moved forward to pacify Brooke.

"You know it's not like we need them! We can easily walk back to our dorms just as safely by ourselves."

Haley knew Brooke wouldn't normally make such a big deal about this, but she had a feeling that being in such close quarters with Lucas caused her to react a little more…volatile than usual.

"I know I know. But it's like a male thing. I read about it once, they have this heroic macho complex. They have this need to protect the females, and become like an alpha-male…or maybe that was about lions…" Brooke chuckled.

"Okay H. James, whatever you say."

They carried on talking and walking back to the dorms. Somehow Nathan managed to end up next to Haley leaving Lucas and Brooke trailing behind.

"So Brooke…" Lucas began.

"Shhh!" She cried.

"Er…okay," he looked confused.

"Look," she indicated ahead.

He watched as his brother and Haley talked…flirted even. That piqued his interest. He'd noticed how different Nathan had got around the petite blonde. He hadn't been kidding when he mentioned Nathan having a crush.

"I've never seen him like this before." He commented. Brooke turned to him. Lucas continued, "I'm pretty sure he's crushing out on her."

Brooke laughed, "Omigod, I knew it! I thought I was the only one who'd noticed."

"Nope. The guys have all been talking about it…I think the only ones who have no idea are Haley and Nathan."

"God could they be more clueless?!" Brooke's eyes gleamed with excitement as she turned back to the couple before them.

"Look at that… how flirty can they get?" She whispered seeing how close the couple were.

"Yeah, look at that," Lucas muttered not moving his gaze from the bubbly brunette. It was strange because she'd been willing to patch things with him and Peyton at the start of the year.

Yet, though she and Peyton were getting better. Brooke had pretty much avoided contact and conversation with him as much as possible ever since. The fact that she was cheerfully and willingly chatting away with him now was clearly a good sign.

Ahead of them, the other pair seemed to be getting along well.

"I'm sorry about Rachel." Nathan said suddenly.

"It's not your fault. Besides…I think I can handle her."

"That much is obvious." He chuckled. "I don't think anyone has ever stood up to her that way…not even me." They had reached her and Brooke's dorm room and they turned to face one another. "You really did cream her Hales."

She looked up at that.

"Hales?" She raised an eyebrow as he shuffled a bit. Nervous was a new look on Nathan Scott.

He ran a hand through his hair, slightly embarrassed. "It kinda slipped out."

"Well I kinda like it." She confessed. "No ones ever called me that before."

"Good." He smirked and he could have sworn her cheeks reddened ever so slightly. "And don't worry about school, this whole thing will blow over eventually and people will get over it. But if anyone does give you trouble, then let me know."

"Sure…thanks."

They stood there kind of awkwardly, staring at one another. Then she heard some whispering and turned to see Brooke and Lucas. She suddenly became embarrassed by the company. And it didn't help that the two of them looked like they had just been whispering about her and Nathan. She could spot that conspiring expression of her roommate's a mile away.

At that moment Brooke came over and practically dragged Haley into their room. As Nathan shouted a "Night Hales" just before the door closed.

Haley prayed her roommate wouldn't start. Luckily Brooke seemed to just get ready for bed without comment. They changed in silence, and Haley got in between the sheets as Brooke turned off the light.

As Brooke got settled, Haley was surprised but counted herself lucky nonetheless. She turned on her side, closing her eyes and slowly began to drift off…when…

"So, Hales now is it?"

Haley's eyes opened to see a smirking Brooke on the opposite bed.

So close!

"Shut up" She muttered before facing away as Brooke giggled.

End Of Flashback

Hales. He'd called her Hales. No one had ever called her that.

She doubted that anyone else could say it the way he did.

"Hey Haley," Lucas broke through her thoughts. "Class is over."

He chuckled as she jerked out of her daydream. They collected their stuff when Mr Reynolds called Haley to hang back a few minutes.

"I'll wait outside" Lucas said.

"Sir you wanted to speak to me?" She said at his desk.

"Yes Miss James. I actually wanted to ask you something." She nodded.

"It is to my understanding that you have an excellent record…4.2 GPA…and that you were a recommended tutor in your old school."

"Yes," Haley was puzzled as to where this was going.

"Well I was wondering if you would consider a position in our tutoring program here. There are several students here that would greatly benefit from your experience."

"Really? You think I should do it?" She was getting excited at the idea. She'd always loved helping others out, working through subjects and getting their grades higher.

"I really do. Besides… if you managed to get Nathan Scott into the library, then you've got to be good."

Haley blanched at that.

"Sir, he's not as stupid as everyone seems to think."

The teacher was surprised to hear the sharp tone in her voice.

"I understand, and I didn't mean to imply that he wasn't. I still have to say well done, and I thought you should see this."

He pulled out a sheet from his folder and showed her.

It was Nathan's last piece of homework. It was graded…C+

"It's still not perfect. But considering I'm used to grading F for Mr Scott, this is an extreme step up. You really could help a lot of people Miss James. And I believe Nathan Scott could be one of those lucky ones."

She heard his words but couldn't tear her eyes from the sheet. I knew he could do it.

She looked up. "I'll do it."

"Great." He proceeded to give her a form and pass to take to the tutor centre.

As she walked out Lucas congratulated her. Apparently he'd eavesdropped on the whole thing.

"Hey guys," Haley said as she and Lucas sat in the cafeteria.

"Hey Hales," Nathan said, which caused Brooke and Peyton who were also seated to raise their eyebrows at Haley, in an eerily similar fashion.

"What up dawgs," Skills and Mouth made their way over and sat down.

Pretty soon the gang started chatting away. Jake and Tim came after a while. Haley looked up in time to see the big smile adorning Peyton's face as Jake sat down beside her.

And it seemed he had her undivided attention from that point on. How clueless can she get?

At one point Lucas brought up how Mr Reynolds had offered her a place in the tutor centre. Everyone congratulated her. Brooke in particular seemed excited, probably concocting the many new nicknames she can give me.

"Wait a minute…it won't collide with your other activities will it?" Brooke asked. Haley and Peyton knew she was referring to cheerleading but nobody else did.

"What other activities?" Skills asked. Gee thanks Brooke.

"Nothing. And no, it won't" She tried to subtly glare at Brooke who just shrugged and changed the subject.

"So who's keyed up for tonight's game?" Suddenly all the guys burst into conversation.

"There is no way Pickerington are gonna beat us." Mouth concluded, "We kicked their ass last season."

"Damn straight," Skills agreed, "They ain't got nothing on us!" All the guys pounded fists with such fierce looks that the girls found it hard not to laugh.

"Dudes that was lame," Peyton said as the other two nodded.

"Whatever." Nathan turned to Haley, "So you are coming to the game right?"

Of course she was, she was cheerleading after all. But that didn't mean she couldn't play with him a little.

"I dunno… what's in it for me?"

"You get to see me beat the crap out of the Pickerington Hicks." He smirked and everyone rolled their eyes around the table.

"They're called the hicks?"

"No but they should be." She laughed promising that she would most definitely be there and he grinned.

"Great… I'll look out for you." Haley blushed and neither noticed the rest of the table sharing meaningful looks.

Skills leaned over to Brooke, "How come they ain't together yet?"

Brooke shrugged, "Who knows."

"Okay girls, tonight is the first game of the season, and we're gonna cheer our butts off for our guys." Brooke marched up and down addressing all her cheerleaders at once. "Every move must be in place, and try not to mess it up." She directed her attention at Rachel who glared back.

"Right we're going to use cheer sequence number 5 and-"

"Brooke," Bevin cut her off.

"Yes,"

"Sequence 5 needs 10 girls."

"Well done Bev" Brooke said sarcastically. "What's your point?"

"There's only 9 of us."

"No, there's 10…" she trailed off searching through the room.

She walked over to Peyton "Where the hell is Haley?"

"I have no idea; she was right behind me before."

"Figures she'd chicken out." Rachel claimed from behind them.

"Back off!" Brooke snarled. She then told the girls to warm up while she went to get her, "Peyton you're in charge."

Meanwhile…

The missing girl herself was currently in the girls' bathroom…freaking out.

"I really don't think I can do this!" She panicked, holding the phone to her ear.

"Hey sugar calm down!" The voice shouted back.

"But Alice-"

"Haley, do me a favour, just shut up and breathe."

Haley did as instructed.

"Alright…that's it…breathe…" Alice sighed, "Now what's the problem?"

"The problem? The problem is that in mere seconds, I'm supposed to be out there in that overpopulated gym, and bend, flip and twirl away in an extremely tight and way too flashy uniform, all while holding some big ass pompoms…and there is no way I'll be able to remember all the moves, let alone get through the entire sequence without tripping over and flying into a wall!"

"Got that out of your system girlie?"

Haley sighed, "I think so…but I'm still panicking."

"Look Haley J." She smiled at the familiar name. "I know this is new and scary for you. But sweetie, I've known you for almost your entire life. And you've never failed in anything you've done."

"Well there's a first time for everything."

"Not for you and not in this." Alice replied firmly. "You're not going to make a fool of yourself because I know you, and you put your all into everything you do. You can do this…okay?"

"Okay." Haley sighed.

"Right. Glad I could help." Haley could practically hear her beaming down the phone. It was usually the other way round, Haley calming Alice…so she was well psyched at being the helper for the first time.

"Oh and hun…" She added, "Don't wait so long to come visit next time."

"I won't," Haley smiled remembering her weekend with her old friends.

"And maybe next time you could be bring that hottie of yours too."

"Alice!"

"Ok bye!" She hung up.

Haley shook her head at the phone.

She really had enjoyed her time back in Oak Lake over the weekend. It wasn't that far from Tree Hill. And meeting up with the old gang was refreshing, especially with the rumours still circulating the school about her and Rachel.

Her Oak Lake friends consisted of two guys and two girls. The guys being Fergie and Chase, who had to be the coolest most laidback guys she ever met. They weren't like the usual teenage pigs you'd get at a high school. They'd become friends through their love for skateboarding and funny pranks. She and the girls always had to watch their backs around them.

The girls were Alice and Sophia. Alice had been her best friend since diapers, and they met Sophia in elementary school. The three of them would hang out constantly. Haley felt that was why she fit in with Brooke and Peyton perfectly. Their trio was a lot like the one she had back at Oak Lake. Alice was similar to Brooke in an upbeat, bubbly cheerleader way. She also loved shopping and boys. Sophia was the stronger but more silent type. She didn't cheerlead like Haley, since neither of them could stand the squad. They both shared musical talent - where Haley could play guitar and piano, Sophia played violin and was currently learning the guitar. She had been really excited to show Haley how far she'd got with it in her absence.

Together all five of them would balance each other out. They had lots of fun and got along great. Haley and Alice were even glad to find out that Chase and Sophia had a thing for each other, and started going out in the first year of high school.

Haley saw for herself over the weekend that they were still going strong. She was happy for them. Fergie had apparently been eyeing a girl; some cheerleader that Alice had told her was actually quite sweet. Alice herself was playing the field…some things never changed.

Though Alice had got a kick out of Haley's crushing out on Nathan Scott. She'd remembered him from a few games, and felt Haley had scored herself the ideal hottie. Haley had of course tried to explain that there was nothing going on between the two of them, but Alice was as bad as Brooke when it came to gossip.

She didn't realise how much she missed them until she'd visited. She'd gotten through a lot of tough times with her old gang, namely one ex-boyfriend she hated to mention.

The guys had promised though that they would still keep in touch. Visits were going to happen both ways. She still phoned them all, Fergie would email her and Chase was trying out the whole webcam thing. She'd had a video conversation with him as soon as she got back.

Well, enough of this, its show time!

She walked out of the girls' bath rooms only to run right into Brooke.

"H. James, there you are!"

"Here I am"

"You're not bailing out are you?" Brooke said sternly.

"No, I wouldn't do that to you Tigger. Just had a minor panic attack."

"Well don't cause you've got nothing to worry about." And they walked back to the changing rooms all the while Brooke telling her how 'totally bitchin' she looked in the cheer uniform.

"Alright boys, warm up!" Coach Whitey had all of them on court throwing balls around waiting for the game to start.

"Yo look at them Hicks." Skills indicated the opposing team who were warming up in their own corner. They had aggressive stances, obviously trying to be intimidating.

"Please that's complete bull." Jake commented.

Everyone knew that Pickerington would try to act out all tough, but when it came to playing the game, they had nothing on the Ravens.

"Yo, we gonna beat their asses," Tim cried passing the ball to Lucas, who passed it onto Jake.

They continued this way until the boys noticed that Nathan was getting a little distracted. He seemed to be trying to look all over the gym at once, peering at the stands in particular.

"Hey, what's up with him?" Jake asked Lucas as Nathan almost missed a ball from Skills.

"I dunno." He was following Nathan's eye line but it was all over the place. And he didn't understand the look of disappointment.

"Hey dawgs, check out the cheerleaders." Skills nodded.

Lucas, Jake and Tim all turned and were shocked by what they saw.

"I guess her 'other activities' just became public," Skills commented.

Lucas looked back at his brother who was still peering intently around the gym. It suddenly clicked and he smirked. He grabbed the ball from Tim and threw it to Nathan who was completely unfocused from the warm ups.

"Aaah! What the hell?!" Nathan felt the ball bang the back of his head.

"What was that for?" He yelled at Lucas who just continued smirking.

"Hey it's not my problem your eyes weren't on the ball." Lucas shrugged as the other guys looked on. "Maybe if you weren't busy fantasizing about Haley you might have noticed a big ass ball aiming for your head."

The guys all snickered as Nathan glared.

"I wasn't-"

"Dude, don't even try and deny it." Jake shook his head.

"Yeah well noticed you been lookin' round the gym pretty hard…wonder why that could be." Skills grinned.

"It's almost like he's looking for something." Lucas conspired with the guys blatantly in front of Nathan, who was looking less amused each second.

"Or someone…" Tim smirked.

Busted. Nathan could deny it all he wanted but he knew they wouldn't believe him. You know things are bad when Tim of all people is smirking at you.

And who the hell said they could all stand there and smirk at me?

I invented that goddamn smirk!!

"Whatever… can we actually warm up? In case you guys hadn't noticed we've got a game to play."

"Oh we know… you're the one that was unfocused." Lucas pointed out.

"Yep, and in case you haven't noticed Nate," Skills grinned, "You're looking in the wrong place dawg."

"What are you talking about?"

"Haley's here you know."

"What? Where?" Nathan didn't even try and play it cool. The guys laughed.

"Try behind you."

Nathan turned and saw the cheerleaders. What? Why would she be-?

His eyes widened.

Oh my god.

Haley James was at the game alright. She was even in uniform.

A cheer uniform to be precise.

Meaning she was wearing a tight top showing off her flat stomach, with a teeny-tiny skirt showcasing those awesome legs of hers.

And she would be screaming his name out from the sidelines… cheering him on to win the game.

"Damn, she looks fine" Skills mentioned from one side of Nathan.

"Really fine." Lucas said.

"Totally hot," Tim piped up.

"Smokin'" Jake added.

"Will you all shut the fuck up!" Nathan warned before heading in her direction leaving the guys laughing and high-fiving each other.

Brooke and Peyton noticed the raven-haired boy heading their way and casually edged away from Haley, giving them some privacy.

"Now this I didn't see coming." Haley started at the deep husky voice from behind her.

"Oh hey," she turned only to find him towering over her. Smirk in place. "Yeah, well…this is just for Brooke. She was…er…stuck, and she asked…and you know, I couldn't leave her hanging…erm…"

She trailed off awkwardly. Truth was, the way Nathan was looking at her had her all tied up in knots. He had her stuttering.

He was blatantly checking her out. His eyes travelling over every perfect curve of her body, nicely displayed by the tight material of her uniform.

Damn those sexy-as-hell legs! His eyes clearly raked with lust, were taking in every inch of uncovered flesh.

Haley was getting seriously hot! She felt so exposed under his unwavering gaze… yet at the same time she felt alive. She had never had someone look at her with such desire before. And she was in serious danger of jumping him right there and then.

Damn him from looking so sexy! She could definitely see why everyone's eyes were on Nathan Scott during a game. The basketball uniform did wonders for his physique. She could see every bulging muscle in his biceps, and she could only imagine what his abs looked like… okay, stop before you end up drooling!

"Damn James this is not gonna be good for my game…" he commented. "How the hell am I supposed to concentrate on the ball when you're gonna be here looking all kinds of sexy?"

Haley blushed. There was no question about it this time; Nathan was definitely flirting with her.

"Well guess you'll have to find a way…since everyone's expecting you to win."

Nathan smirks, as the coach calls him over.

"Good luck," Haley says.

"I don't need it Hales, I'm a Scott…" looking over his shoulder the game was about to start. He quickly added, "…but I could do with a little incentive."

He moves closer to her and Haley gets flustered which he enjoys.

"How about a victory kiss?" He suggests in a husky tone.

He was being very forward. More so than Haley was used to with him. And she knew he was loving the reaction he was getting from her. Damn my blushing! Why can't I ever keep it cool?

Wanting to wipe that sexy-as-hell but also really annoying smirk off his face she decided two could play that game.

She moved right up close to him, catching him off guard. She trailed her arms up his chest, with one hand remaining there while the other caught hold of his neck. And slowly, she leaned forward…

Nathan licked his dry lips, and closed his eyes anticipating what was to come…

…when he felt her hot breath by his ear and the words "Maybe after the game". He opened his eyes only to see her smirk and make her way back to the cheerleaders.

"Scott! Stop trying to get lucky and get your damn ass back here!" Whitey screamed shaking Nathan out of his stupor.

Smiling like a goof he ran back to the team, ignoring the looks the guys were all giving him…ready to play his best game yet.

"What was that?" Brooke asked.

"What was what?" Haley played dumb.

"Don't act all innocent Haley, we saw you practically throw yourself on Nathan," Peyton smirked.

"Right…that was after all the hot flirting and leering you guys were doing." Brooke kinked her eyebrow.

"It wasn't like that…it wasn't like anything." Haley lied.

"Whatever New Girl, you can play dumb all you want but we know better."

"Haley was that Nathan flirting with you?" Bevin giggled her way over.

"Er-"

"Yeah the hottie Scott was totally checking you out!" Faye, another cheerleader added.

"Well-"

"Not like you can blame him," Anna sing-songed while checking her nails.

Seeing Haley uncomfortable again, Peyton jumped in, "Well according to Haley herself, it was nothing."

"Didn't look like nothing," Rachel snorted to which she got three glares.

The whistle sounded and the game began, for which Haley was thankful as the girls all got into the cheering instead of grilling her. Surprisingly, Haley found that she managed to get through all the moves without any problems. Yay, go me!

Unsurprisingly the game ended with Ravens winning 15 points in the lead.

According to Mouth, Nathan had played one of his best games ever…everyone wondering what could be the possible cause for that. Brooke and Peyton however knew better, eyeing the petite blonde cheering in between them.

Everyone ran to the middle to congratulate the team. Haley managed to hug each of the guys, Lucas, Skills, Jake and Tim. She high-fived Mouth while noticing Brooke and Lucas having jumped into each others arms in the moment, only to awkwardly shrug it off.

Hearing someone clear their throat behind her, she turned to see the guy who'd been invading her thoughts recently.

"Well done Nathan!" She hugged him, which he returned happily.

"You did a great job" she almost whispered, the close contact throwing her off.

"I had some help," he shrugged.

When she drew away he didn't let her out of his arms. Everyone was too distracted to notice the way they were looking at each other.

"So now that the Ravens won, I believe you owe me something."

Well he doesn't miss a beat.

"And what's that?" She played dumb for the second time.

"A victory kiss," he answered, grinning all the while.

"Oh yeah…that." She grinned coyly.

Leaning up she aimed for his lips…only to bypass them and leave a soft kiss on his cheek.

She was teasing him. He knew it and couldn't help but chuckle despite his disappointment.

"Trust me James; one of these days…I'll have those lips of yours." He promised.

"Until then Scott." Haley winked and went back to the celebration. Nathan realised then that he had never been in such a position where he wanted a girl so much before.

"Where the hell is Mouth?" Brooke shouted over the loud music in the club. The entire gang had decided to head out to celebrate.

Currently Lucas, Jake and Tim were at the bar where Haley and Brooke were making their way to. They'd just left Peyton and Skills who were still dancing out on the floor. Nathan was taking a phone call outside and Mouth…was nowhere to be seen.

"You know this disappearing act of his is really getting old." Brooke huffed as they reached the guys.

"You wouldn't be talking about Mouth?" Jake asked. She nodded. "Yeah I don't know what's up with him, but he totally bailed on the courts with us yesterday."

"And I was walking with him to class the other day. Turned my head for a second and he was gone," Lucas said, "didn't even show up to class later either."

"Yeah, he ran out on me in cheer practice, and now he's gone off to who knows where?" Brooke sighed.

"Mouth…a mystery. Who knew?" Jake added before ordering another beer.

"Whoa take it easy there dude," Lucas said pointedly, sharing a knowing look with Jake.

"It's only my second Luke, its fine" He replied. No one else getting the hidden message passing between them.

"Hey is that Nate?" Tim said looking off somewhere.

They all turned to see a clearly pissed off Nathan sit at the other side of the bar yelling at the bartender to get him a drink.

"What's wrong with him?" Haley asked. They'd just won their first game of the season, shouldn't he be happy?

"He's probably just got his phone call from Dan." Lucas explained.

"His dad" Haley nodded understanding. Lucas had told her about their dad beforehand.

Dan Scott was apparently a horrid man, who'd abandoned one son – being Lucas, and raised the other under extreme pressure to become the next NBA star. Considering his own NBA dreams failed, Lucas had told Haley that he practically lives through Nathan, forcing him to up his game constantly, constantly criticising or demeaning him, and only ever demanding perfect results. Anything less makes Nathan a failure in his eyes.

Haley hated that someone could act so cruelly to their child, and seeing Nathan down drink after drink, she could only guess what nasty comments Dan had said to him.

The guys explained that it was best to leave him to cool off after Dan's phone call. Everyone went either on the dance floor or back to drinking. Brooke dragged Haley to dance, but halfway through the third song she caught sight of Nathan still drinking at the bar and decided to head over.

Telling Brooke she was getting a drink, she walked over to Nathan only to find him yelling at the bartender for more.

"Nathan?" she interrupted.

He turned and squinted at her awkwardly. It was clear he was drunk.

"Haley!" He exclaimed once he realised who she was. "Hey girl! Pull up a s-seat. Drinkss on me!" He patted the stool next to him.

Haley looked at the bartender.

"Look, you need to get your friend out of here; I'm not going to give him anymore. He's too drunk."

Haley nodded and looked around. She couldn't spot any of the guys around. Nathan was now yelling at the bartender's back. She pulled out her phone and tried calling Lucas but it went to voicemail.

Well of course he's not gonna hear it. We're in a friggin night club!!

Sighing she looked over at Nathan, looks like you're on your own James.

"Come on Nathan, we've gotta go," She nudges his shoulder.

"What? No, we haven't had drinks yet!"

"Actually, you've had way too many drinks Scott." Haley smiled at him. "They're not gonna give you anymore, so we should just go back to the dorms." She said gently.

"No Haley – you go. They're all asses here anyway. I'm gonna go find some other bar…where the service isn't so shit!" He shouted the last part at the bartender.

As he got off the stool he stumbled slightly and Haley rushed forward to hold him up. Looking around she still couldn't see Lucas, Jake or anyone else for that matter.

"Come on Boozy; let's get you out of here." He leaned into her scowling about the assholes as they made their way out.

He whined all the way to the parking lot, while Haley struggled to keep hold of his large frame.

When they finally made it to his car, Haley realised it had been quiet. She turned and almost jumped to find Nathan's face less than an inch from hers. He was staring intently at her face.

Before she could say anything a smile stretched over his face. He looked like a right goof, yet she found it adorable.

"Right," she cleared her throat, reminding herself that he was drunk. "Where are the keys?"

He rustled away in his pocket while Haley still held him up. Pulling them out he turned to Haley gleefully, "found them!"

"Great…now hand them over."

And just like that his smile dropped. "Nuh-uh,"

"Yes, Nathan give me your car keys." She reached for them but he pulled his hand away.

"Nathan," she said sternly.

"Haaalless," he slurred back.

"You can't drive like this…and if you don't give me your keys right now, I will take you down." She said completely serious.

"Pfffttt…come on Haless," He smirked lopsidedly. "You can't take m-me. I'm Nathan Scott!"

"And that makes you invincible?" She reached for the keys again and he pulled back more.

"Yup," he grinned.

"Okay Nathan Scott." Haley said sarcastically, "How about this." And before Nathan knew what had hit him, she grabbed his ear and twisted it back as hard as she could.

"Holy Fuck that hurts!!" He yelled in pain causing him to drop the keys. Haley wasted no time in swooping down and grabbing them then opening the car door and shoving him in.

She got into the driver's seat next to a whiny Nathan, who was cursing at the amount of pain he was in.

"Shit, what the hell was that for??" He rubbed act his reddened ear and shot her the worst glare he could muster at that point. She couldn't deny it stung a little to have him look that way at her.

"Well you could've just given me the keys and then I wouldn't have had to do that."

His head snapped up and he looked at her hands to see his car keys.

"No! Nuh-uh, you can't drive my baby!" He shook his head trying to grab them back.

"Great another car fanatic. Why do you men always label your cars 'baby' or 'honey' or any other girly pronoun. I mean all cars can't be girls, and even if they are…it's kind of derogatory referring to them that way."

The blank and confused look on Nathan's face told her he took none of that in whatsoever.

"You're not touching her," he stated bluntly. And again he made for the keys. They continued that way for several minutes as he tried to wrestle them from her, and Haley for one was getting tired of it.

"Look!" she yelled suddenly halting his actions. "It doesn't matter what you do I am driving your baby whether you like it or not. And you can either sit there and accept it, or carry on trying get your keys off me – which will not work since you're too drunk to even focus straight; so all you'll be getting is a black eye and a pissed off driver. And if you get me pissed then just for fun, I'll start speeding your goddamn precious baby and play corny country music out loud till your head explodes!"

Seeing she meant business Nathan skulked back into his seat, with a moody look and a pout that could rival Victoria Beckham's.

"Good, now let's get going." She put the car into ignition and reversed out of the lot. There was silence for a couple of minutes. She then noticed Nathan rub his ear from the corner of her eye. "Does it still hurt?" She felt a little guilty now.

He immediately dropped his hand, folding his arms and shrugged in response. Haley rolled her eyes, men; always have to be so macho.

She sighed, "I'm sorry." He didn't say anything, his pout still firmly in place.

"What about your head?" She figured his head was probably pounding by now.

He shrugged again. His stance reminded Haley of a young child who'd just been told off after throwing a tantrum.

"Are you gonna talk at all?"

"Are you gonna pull my ear again?" he asked sulkily.

Boy, drunk Nathan is really moody.

"No" She decided to switch points, try and sober him up. "So your dad called?"

"Yeah, fuckin' prick can't leave me alone for a second!" He muttered.

Okay Haley wrong subject – say something else!

"You know, you did play really well today-"

"Try telling that to my dad! Stupid Dan! What the hell is his…his problem anyway? Its like he has to live vic-…vicir-…alsy…" he was extremely irritated at not being able to find the right word.

The side-effects of drunkenness. Haley shook her head as he continued.

"Vicariously?" She suggested, having grasped what he was trying to say.

"That's it!" he practically bellowed causing her to wince. "He has to live vicariously through me! Who the hell does that?"

And he ranted drunkenly like that the whole way back. And as they went up the stairs, and as they walked down the corridors. And as she took him into his room, and pushed him on his bed.

And finally she snapped.

"Alright just shut up!" He stopped mid-sentence. Haley knew she was probably being harsh but enough was enough! Even when her brothers were drunk, they weren't this bad.

"I get it. You have major daddy issues; your dad's a prick yada yada yada. Just quit bitching!" She missed the change in his expression. She was too busy ranting; after all he'd had his turn. "I know I have no idea how bad he is or whatever. But do you really think that going out and getting drunk is the solution?!

"You say you don't let him get to you but its clear that's bullshit!" His eyes widened, "One phone call from him and your stuck with me dragging your depressed and drunken ass all the way back to your room. And how drowning your sorrows is supposed to help, I'll never know. Does drinking yourself into a stupor make your dad any less of an ass? NO! So get over it and deal with it like a mature person not a mindless buffoon!"

To be honest, she'd never be this unsympathetic normally. But her arm was killing her from having to support his tall, muscled self the whole way up. Not to mention the fight he put up with her over driving his car. Hearing him rant about his horrid father through the whole journey and the way up to his room hadn't lightened her mood any either.

There was only so much she could take!

And she was also banking on the fact that he wouldn't remember much of this tomorrow. Or she hoped he wouldn't.

She stood there in front of him, hands on her hips, cheeks tinged pink from her rant, eyes fuming. Not forgetting she was wearing a halter and tight leather pants combo courtesy of Brooke, with her loose waves and natural make-up.

Even drunk Nathan only had one thought.

"You're so hot." He stated bluntly.

"Exac-wait what?"

"We should hook up."

"Huh?!" Haley seriously thought she must have been hearing things.

Nathan stood up and stripped off his shirt, leaving Haley facing his bare chest. Whoa. Man he has muscles everywhere… Haley was seconds away from drooling at the sight before her. He had a sculpted chest that was screaming for her to run her hands all over it.

At that point he stumbled and she went forward to catch him.

Oh dear god. Now she literally was running her hands over him.

"The way I see it." Nathan stated as she held him up again. "You're hot. I'm hot. So we should have sex."

"Nathan you're drunk, and you have no idea what you're saying."

She pushed him hard back onto his bed. Only he hadn't let her go.

"Oof!" She landed directly on top of him, Nathan not even trying to hide his obvious arousal at this point.

Her hands on his naked chest, his arms round her waist, with her body lying atop his. This was the stuff of her fantasies. All she had to do was lean down and give in to his drunken commands…and in this position it was getting really hard not to.

"Now you're talking," Nathan leered down at her breasts which were pushed against his chest, causing them to push further out of her top.

And there it was. Her good sense knocking her over the head, and telling her to get the heck out of this predicament before something happened she couldn't take back.

"Down boy," she mustered her sternest tone, or tried to. She then managed to grip his arms and throw them off a little too forcefully, "Whoa, you like it rough… my kinda girl." He grinned smarmily.

She rolled right off and stood up. He then went on to kick his trousers off and Haley felt the strange need to turn around. "Come on Haless…come join me." He patted the bed space next to him.

At that second her phone suddenly went off and she thanked the gods for it. She watched as Nathan carried on bouncing on the bed, and turned her back as she answered. Staring at his perfect body wasn't going to help her be coherent.

"Hello Haley?" God bless Brooke Davis!

"Brooke, where's Lucas?"

"Lucas? He's right here, where the heck are you?"

"I'm in Nathan's dorm room, he was drunk and out of it. And I tried looking for you guys but no one was there, and he was going to drive off somewhere. Anyway, can you tell Lucas he's in his room…but I'm guessing he's not gonna feel so good in the morning."

"O-kay. Gimme a sec." Haley waited as Brooke no doubt told Lucas to get there.

"Alright Haley, me and Lucas are on our way. Just hang on and Lucas will come take him off your hands."

"See you in a bit then." And she hung up the phone.

She turned to the bed only to be surprised at finding Nathan having fallen asleep. Awww he looks so adorable, she felt her previous frustration ebb away.

She quickly went to get a bucket to place by the side of his bed. Seeing his face, he looked so peaceful lying there. She realised that he was completely uncovered and went to place a blanket over him. He stirred slightly and coughed. She made her way to the door figuring she could wait outside, when his voice stopped her.

"Haley?" It was groggy and on turning she could see he hadn't even opened his eyes. "You still there?"

"Er…yeah, I'm here." She moved closer to the bed.

"Am I bad person?" He asked, eyes still closed. She didn't miss the vulnerability in his voice though.

Her heart melted at that. He sounded like a sad, lost little boy. She sat beside the bed as his eyes opened. "Am I bad person for hating my dad?"

She ran a hand through his hair and he closed his eyes again. "No Nathan. That doesn't make you a bad person."

She continued running her fingers through his hair softly seeing it soothe him. His facial expression completely relaxed, and she guessed he was close to falling asleep.

She removed her hand and got up as he yawned. She smiled.

And then he said it.

"I really like you Haley James…"