Chapter Two – Because the Sky is Blue, I'd Die for You

She strode quickly through the halls at school, hoping to finish out the rest of the day by avoiding Luke and Nathan in the same manner she had all day. Especially Luke, which she hated because she wanted to check on him and make sure he was okay. She caught a few glimpses of him in the halls, and they are in the same Literature class so she saw him in there, but she still worried and felt the need for a closer look.

"Haley!" Mouth called to her as he approached. "Hey, how's it going?"

"Hi Mouth, bye Mouth, can't talk now, see you later!" she called, hurrying past him. If she could just make it to the girls' locker room without seeing either of them or being stopped, then she wouldn't have to talk to them at least until practice was over. And if she told Brooke, maybe Brooke would call practice a few minutes early so that Haley could scoot out before the boys were finished.

"Are you avoiding me?" A voice – Nathan's sweet, sexy voice – sounded in her ear, causing her to jump out of her skin. "Because it feels like you're avoiding me."

Glancing up at him, she barely made any eye contact. "Nope, no avoiding, just busy, really, really busy," she rambled out, impatiently continuing to hurry towards the locker room.

"Then can you stop for a minute?"

Sighing, she did so abruptly enough that he crashed into her and would've sent her flying forward if he hadn't wrapped his arms around her at the last second.

"Hey," he whispered, smiling to himself as he felt her shiver.

"Hi," she whispered back, brushing hair out of her face and straightening up her clothes when he released her from his hold.

"What's going on, why are you avoiding me? You didn't even come outside for lunch today. Did I do something wrong?"

Grimacing to herself as feelings of guilt for making him feel bad assailed her, she pasted on what was probably the fakest smile ever and looked up at him. "I'm just busy with tutoring and stuff. You know, school."

He laughed at that, rolling his eyes. "Hales, this is me. I know you better than that, and you can barely even look me in the eye. What's going on?"

"Really, it's just this whole busy thing," she sighed. "Trying to keep up with school and tutoring and now cheerleading, and then trying to make ends meet with work. It's hectic."

"Haley, if you need help, I can spot you some cash."

"No!" she exclaimed, softening her voice as the offer really sunk in. "Oh, Nathan, that's really nice, but I have to do this myself, okay? I put myself in this position, and I need to be the one who figures out how to deal with it."

Knowing he wasn't going to get her to budge an inch on this, he nodded. Setting a hand on her shoulder, he pulled her to him in a brief half-hug. "Hales, if you need anything, ask me. I'm not – I don't want things to be hard for you, okay?"

"I know," she nodded, pissed at the prickle of tears forming behind her eyelids. "It's just, well, I meant what I said. This is for me to do, not anyone else."

"Okay, Stubborn," he gave in, smiling. "Hey, the offer stands, though. And uh, don't avoid me. I kinda like it when you make a point of saying hi to me a couple of times a day."

Scowling at his teasing reminder of how she was the one who followed him around, she pouted. "Only if I have the misfortune of running into you," she retorted, smiling indulgently when he laughed. "Look, I have to go get changed for practice. See you around, Nathan."

He watched her go, irritated that over the past few weeks, for some unknown reason, he had dropped lower and lower on her totem pole of importance. When he first got back into town after High Flyers, she was constantly near him, trying to get him to talk with her, interact in any way. It bothered him more than he cared to acknowledge that she was spending most of her time with Lucas.

It's kind of girly, he knew, but the fact that she was less and less concerned about cornering him was really starting to freak him out. A thousand scenarios were running through his head about it at any given time, and every time he saw Luke laughing at one of her jokes, he wanted to go slam his head into a locker.

That pissed him off more than anything, even though it's stupid because he knew there was nothing there. Lucas was still ridiculously hung up on Brooke – or was it Peyton at this moment, and he was pretty sure Haley still wanted him, and they've never been anything more than friends anyway. But he just couldn't let it go that Luke had the access to her that he wanted for himself.

"Hey man, you coming?" Tim asked, nudging Nathan in the side. "Having a little daydream there? Picturing the wifey in pasties again? I could be down with that."

"Shut up, and if you picture Haley as anything but fully clothed, I'll have to kill you," Nathan snarled, glaring at his friend. "Let's just go."

There'd be plenty of time to pine for his wife later.

Once practice was over – not before the guys' was, though, so both Luke and Nathan were waiting for her – Haley tried to mentally prepare herself for telling Karen she was quitting as both the guys approached her, Nathan being the one to back off. Awkward. She was going to have to accept Luke's offer of a ride, unfortunately; he knew she was scheduled to work at the café tonight.

Brooke came bounding over to her. "So, what do you think? Should I choose Erin to replace Peyton? I mean, no one can really replace her, but don't you think she's the best to fill the spot?"

"I think you'd know a lot better than me," Haley answered truthfully. "If that's who you think is best, then yeah, I'm sure you're right."

"Oh, I like it so much when people say that," Brooke beamed. "Oh, look, it's Broody." She allowed herself a second to fluff her hair. "Broody, come here!"

"Hey Brooke, hey Hales. You ready to go? I know you have to work tonight."

"Uh, yeah, that's fine, let me just go grab my bag," she nodded, taking off to give them a few minutes. And to give herself a few minutes to brace for the ride to the café. Not telling Nathan she'd be working for Dan was hard; not telling Lucas was going to be like torture. He'd known her too long to fall for the evasive tactics that still trip Nathan up a tiny bit if she stayed persistent – he'd suspect, but he wouldn't know for sure. Luke wouldn't be having any of that; he's known her too long to not realize when she was trying to hide things.

Nathan, of course, was standing by the door to the girls' locker room, so she couldn't get in there without talking to him. It was so much easier to keep this thing a secret when she didn't have to talk to or look either of them in the eye. Didn't they know that?

"Hey, Nathan," she smiled, trying not to feel like an awkward and gauche little girl. "You had a good practice."

"You watched?"

"Sure," she smiled, hoping the diversionary tactic will hold, "I'd rather watch you than the girls trying out for cheer."

"Oh, be still my heart, I feel so special," he intoned dramatically.

She laughed, leaning against the wall next to him. "No, really, who else would I watch? Tim?" He laughed when she crinkled her nose. "You know it's just you, Nathan."

He sobered when she said that, sighing. "And Luke."

"Huh?"

"You watch Luke, too, Hales. I've seen you, so you don't have to deny it."

"That's nothing," she scoffed, trying to brush it off. "I told him he was getting soft around the middle; I wanted to see if it I got inside his head and had him working harder."

Nathan laughed at that, leaning closer to her. "Hey, you want to hang out after practice tomorrow? We haven't had much of a chance to just talk and stuff, so maybe we could grab some dinner and you could help me with my math homework?"

She wanted to scream in frustration that he was asking her this now. If she was to be working at the café tomorrow, she'd tell him to stop by there and she'd help him when there were lulls in the customers. But even though no one knew it, tonight was to be her last day at the café, and then it was the all bullshit, all the time network with Dan starting tomorrow.

"Oh, Nathan, I wish I could, but I have to work," she sighed, thumping her head back against the wall. "I guess I have bad Karma, huh?"

"How's that?" he asked, fighting to ignore the disappointment that came with her saying 'no'.

"Well, you finally want to see me and talk to me, and I have to work," she whispered, wistful. "If Peyton was still here, she'd laugh in my face and call it poetic justice."

"And you'd tell her to screw off, so it's all good," Nathan winked. "Hey, couldn't I just stop by and hang out tomorrow? I promise I won't get in the way."

Sighing inwardly, she smiled wistfully at him. "You don't realize how much of a distraction you are to me, do you?"

"I know I'm hot, but Hales, I figured you'd have an immunity built up by now. At least for when I'm wearing shirts," he teased. "I can't be that much of a distraction, can I?"

"Oh, you're something," she laughed, grabbing his hand and squeezing it tight. "I really wish that would be possible, but it won't work tomorrow."

"Why not?"

"Um, well, like I told you earlier, things are tight. So I need the tips, and that's where the thing about you being a complete distraction to me comes in."

He grinned at the thought of being that big of a distraction to her. "You can't even spare me five minutes, huh?"

"Nathan, math homework with you always takes more than five minutes," she teased back. "We can study together on the bus on the way to the game on Friday. Oh, but you probably have guy pre-game stuff to do. Um, well, maybe Saturday or Sunday evening?"

"On the bus would be fine," he smiled. "Whitey might have a heart attack at the sight of me doing homework, though."

"Oh, I think that's a chance we should be willing to take," she giggled. "Um, I'd better go. Got work today, too."

"You're not running yourself too ragged, are you?" he asked. The concern he'd been showing for her recently made her feel like she's melting and soon she'd just be a sloppy little Haley puddle on the floor.

"Nope, I'm just fine. Thanks, though, for worrying," she smiled somewhat shyly. "With Mom and Dad gone, I don't get too much of that."

He nodded in understanding. "Uh, don't look now, but Brooke and Luke are fighting again. Tell me you aren't going to rush out there and play babysitter."

Stifling the growl that rose to her lips, she shook her head. "Nope," she countered, popping the 'p'. "I'm getting my bag out of the locker room and then dragging Luke out of here. On the way to the café, I'm going to chew him a new one about not being a dumbass when it comes to Brooke. Being in the middle of them is really hard work!"

"I don't even want to know," he laughed, pushing away from the wall. "See you tomorrow, Hales. Don't avoid me, okay?"

She blushed at his wink, but nodded her promise to not avoid him. When he asked like that, she couldn't argue with it. She was quick to go and grab her things out of the locker room, unsurprised to find Brooke and Luke fighting in the same place when she returned.

"Break it up, you two. Luke, let's go, I have to be at work," she told him, tugging on his arm. "And Brooke, call me a half hour before closing if you want me to bring something home for you, okay?"

"Will do," her roommate smiled back at her before turning to Luke and glaring at him in a way that Haley hadn't seen her do in quite awhile. "I'll see you later, Hales. And I hope I don't see you any time soon, Scott."

Luke turned and stormed out of the gym, leaving Haley to grab her bag and chase after him. "Luke, what the hell?" she called out as she caught up to him. "That was more than a little assy, why'd you run off?"

"Why have you ignored me all day?" he stopped, turning to counter. "Why did you sit at the back of the room in Lit today instead of up by me? Why did you ignore me at lunch even though you said you'd sit by me today?"

"I've been busy," she sighed. "I've got things to take care of, and some of them couldn't wait. I wasn't avoiding you." Gosh, these Scott boys were sensitive. It's like they had radar for people ignoring them or something. What was up with that?

"Haley, I know when you're ignoring me. Plus, you aren't even looking at me now." Groaning, she looked up at him. "What's going on, Hales?"

"Nothing is going on, Luke," she sighed, hating to lie to him when he was going to find out she was quitting the café in just a little bit anyway. "Just let it go, dude."

"Fine, whatever," he groaned, getting in the truck. "It doesn't matter anyway."

"What's going on with you and Brooke?" she asked, diverting his attention to one of his favorite topics of musing. "She looked, um, not happy."

"Yeah, well, she's not," he agreed. "She's downright pissed as hell, actually."

"Did you do something? What did you do, Luke?"

"I didn't do anything," he growled, irritated with the assumption he knew everyone will make. "Peyton told her what she told me. And now Brooke is mad."

"Why is she mad at you? That's Peyton's problem, not yours, right?"

"It's Brooke," he pointed out, and she immediately nodded, conceding that Brooke would be likely to get bent out of shape over Peyton's crush, even if Luke had nothing to do with perpetuating it. "She doesn't need logic or anything of that sort to blame me for something I had no part in."

"I'm sorry," Haley offered. "It sucks, the whole conflict, having the person you love be pissed at you thing. I can definitely relate."

"And that's exactly why I should not be whining about this," Luke decided. "I should be cheering you up or something. Ignoring the problem by focusing intensely on something else, like your issues with Nathan."

"Actually," she grinned, more than a little thrilled to have something positive to report on the Nathan front. "He asked to study with me. Even talk, maybe. Racy, right?"

"Don't mention racy in conjunction with you and Nathan ever again, alright?" he groaned, ignoring her laughter. "Other than that, I'm glad for ya, Hales. I know you've been waiting for this. How he's resisted you so long I have no idea."

"Aw, Luke, sometimes you really know the right thing to say!" she laughed, grinning at him.

"Hey, that's what you get growing up with a single mother. I'm 'sensitive'."

"You sure are, Sting."

"Ouch, low blow," he groaned. "That was a crotch blow if ever there was one. A comparison to that sappy, pretentious asshat?"

"Oh, Luke, I just call them like I see them," she teased, willing herself to relax into the banter they've got going. It was hard – all she can think of was what she's going to tell Karen, and then what she'd tell Luke and Nathan. She didn't want them to know the truth, not until they had to. Of course, with her luck and the help of Dan, she was sure they'd find out way sooner than she'd like. She didn't doubt that he'd tell them as soon as possible. Probably thought it'd drive the final wedge between her and Nathan – he just didn't get it, just didn't get that it didn't work like that.

"Oh, Haley," he mimicked. "You're just killing me here with the funnies. What's up with that, anyway? Is the joke cracking thing some type of over-compensation? Nathan has a fetish for funny girls?"

"Ew, see you and me? Should never speak of fetishes – of any sort – again. It's just not a conversation that could possibly end well," she smirked as he stuck his tongue out at her. "Very mature, Mr. Scott."

"Yeah, this from the girl who ratted me out on my fake ID to my mom so that she'd make me stay home under her watch for the night," he mock pouted. "I'm still mad at you for that, by the way."

"Well, in my defense, I only did it so that you and Brooke couldn't be at the apartment for your 'date' that night. I had a big Spanish test the next day, and I'm still trying to catch up from missing most of last semester!" she protested. "So it was with really good reason."

"You don't like having us there?" he pouted.

"It isn't that," she sighed, rolling her eyes. "It's that you're either fighting or making out. No in between, you know? And you're really loud at both, and there are some things I don't need the details on, okay?"

He parked the truck, and she hopped out, leaving him to follow behind her. "Hey, we aren't really that loud when we're making out, are we?" She turned around, fixing a stare on him. "Okay, guess we are that loud."

"Hi Karen!" Haley called as they entered through the kitchen door. "We're here!"

"Hi you two," the woman in question grinned as she came bustling back to greet them. "How was school today?"

"It was fine, Mom," Luke smiled indulgently as she dragged him down to kiss his cheek.

"It was fab, Karen," Haley said a little more enthusiastically. "First my AP US History class got assigned a period long presentation to be given next April and May. Everyone in class has to give their own. At least we get to choose the subject, but an hour in front of the class? Give me a break."

"Remind me why I didn't choose to take that class," Luke snickered rhetorically.

"I think it sounds like fun," Karen interjected. "That's about 350 years to choose a topic from, so there should be something that interests you."

"Mm, yeah, of course," Haley agreed, tying on her apron. "Maybe something pop-cult. The counterculture of the sixties or something. That would be easy."

Luke rolled his eyes, but Karen smiled. "You'll think of something brilliant, I'm sure."

"Thanks, Karen," Haley beamed. "I appreciate your support!"

Karen and Luke watched her as she left. "How's she doing?" Karen asked conspiratorially.

"She's okay, I think, Mom," he assured her. "Nathan's been a little kinder to her the last couple of days, which I think has really helped her gain a little confidence back."

"She was never lacking in confidence," Karen told him. "She just needs to know that he has some of that confidence in her – in them – too. She does seem better on one hand, as if a weight has been lifted off her shoulders, but on the other, she's nervous and jumpy."

Luke nodded, glad his mom noticed, too. "She won't tell me what's wrong, but she avoided me at school today."

"Well, she always tells us when she's ready," Karen assured him, patting him on the shoulder. "Let's not worry about it, okay?"

"Yeah, okay," he agreed, following her out to the dining area. "I'm going to sit in the corner and study. You staying here for dinner?"

"Of course I am, I was planning to go over the books this evening," Karen smiled fondly at him. "I should be the one asking you that. Is Brooke stopping by?"

"Not tonight." As Haley walked by, he stopped her. "Hey, you want to send a cup of soup and some coffee my way when you get the chance?"

She glared at him, and he knew she was going to refuse to give him anything with caffeine again. They've gone round and round on this with him assuring her that it was fine for him to have caffeine and her insisting it wasn't. Unfortunately, that meant when Haley was waiting tables, he didn't get any.

"Soup, salad, and decaffeinated tea coming right up," she smiled at him, winking when he glared.

Her hands shook slightly all evening, and the gnawing pit of tension in her stomach seemed to increase exponentially as closing time draws near. To make matters worse, Deb had shown up spouting some crap about how hard it was to live with Dan again, and trying to entice Karen into playing some fairly childish practical jokes on him. So childish, in fact, that Haley was sure she and Lucas were never so young they did things like she's suggesting.

And now she was going to have to tell Deb when she told Karen. At least Luke went home. But Deb was still there, and oh Lord, it wasn't going to be easy. Or pretty. Damn it, she wished she had another way, or that she didn't have to do this. That's what she got for working for someone she really, genuinely cared about. Can't just up and quit without reason.

When the last of the customers were gone, Haley locked the door and went about wiping up the tables, smiling at Karen when she started setting the chairs on the table for the sweeping and mopping. Deb was cleaning things up behind the counter, and between the three of them, it didn't take too long to get everything done.

"Um, can I talk to you guys about something?" Haley asked them nervously, all earlier bravado out the window completely.

"Of course," Karen said, concern immediate and overwhelming for the girl so like her daughter. "You aren't pregnant, are you?"

Deb gasped in horror at the possibility, and Haley just rolled her eyes. "Please, I hear there are activities you have to engage in for that to be a possibility, and oh my God I did not just say that in front of my husband's mother," she groaned, her cheeks flushing.

Karen chuckled while Deb tried to not look as repulsed as the idea obviously made her feel. "I have to admit, being a grandmother now isn't that high on my list," she joked shakily. "It's about on par with root canals. But it is higher than anything having to do with Dan."

Haley smiled at that, sort of understanding the sentiment even better than she did a week ago. "No pregnancy, I promise," she smiled, holding her shaky hands up.

"That's good," Karen smiled back at her. "So what is going on, kiddo? It sounded like school was going fine, and Luke said that you and Nathan had a nice chat today."

"Oh, you aren't sick, are you?" Deb blurted out, and Haley and Karen were both surprised at how concerned she seemed considering how she felt about Haley.

"No, I'm not. I guess maybe I should just say it," Haley sighed, looking at the ground. "Um, see the thing is, I have to quit this job effective tonight so I can start a new job tomorrow. Okay, no objections? Great, I'll be sure to come in as a paying customer all the time. See, it's a good trade-off!"

Deb looked confused as to what exactly she was supposed to take away from that convoluted mess of a statement, and Karen looked something closer akin to horrified. "Quit? Haley, why would you quit? You've been here two years; you aren't sick of us are you?"

"Oh, no, not at all," Haley rushed to clarify. "It's just – expenses are tight right now even living with Brooke, and I need to start saving for college, too. And oh, I feel so horrible about this, but I got offered a job that will double what I'm making here. If there was another way, I'd find it. This is just the only choice for me for right now."

Karen sighed, biting her lip as she watched the girl struggle to keep her composure. "It's okay, Haley," she soothed. "Oh, honey, you don't have to feel bad about finding a job that will pay better than we can."

"Maybe we could give you a raise," Deb offered. "It wouldn't be double of course, but maybe we could work out something."

Haley shook her head, grateful when Karen's arms come around her. "There's just no way; I'm so sorry. I wish there was, really. Working here has been a staple in my life, one of the few constants, and I hate that I have to quit. I really do."

"I know," Karen whispered into her hair. "Haley, it'll be okay. If you need help with anything, you just tell me and I'll get it to you."

Haley grimaced, wondering if the other woman could tell there was more to the story that Haley didn't want to talk about. Probably, as Karen knew her as well as anyone did, and she was definitely aware of how much Haley had always loved working at the café.

"No, I can – I can do this, Karen. It just means that I can't work here anymore," she sighed, feeling tears spring to her eyes. "I'm so sorry."

"You don't have to be sorry," Karen promised her as Deb made her excuses and then left. Haley glared at her back, knowing she was probably off to tell Nathan about the new development.

"I am, though. I could work here forever; and leaving you in the lurch, gosh, I'm sorry, Karen. It shouldn't have been like this."

"Stop, don't worry about it. It's hard to be on your own and trying to figure out how to make ends meet," Karen sympathized. "You have to do what is best for you."

"I really wish what that was working here," Haley offered, sighing deeply. "Oh, Karen, I can't even imagine not working here."

"If it is that important to you, stay with me."

Haley shook her head in denial, running her hands through her hair. "No, I can't. It's double the pay, Karen. I wish that didn't matter, but right now, for me it does."

"Honey, I meant that you're welcome to move in with Lucas and me. You're family already, Haley, and you are more than welcome to stay with us for as long as you'd like. That way you could save your money for college."

Haley threw her arms around Karen in a spontaneous hug, trying not to let herself start bawling. "Oh, Karen, that's the nicest thing anyone has ever offered me!"

"Then you can move in with us soon?" Karen asked hopefully, hugging the young girl tight.

"I can't. It's just really nice, though."

"Where are you going to be working?" Karen asked the money question finally.

Haley cringed because, despite all the time she had spent obsessing on how things would go here, she still had no clue how to answer that question.

"If I tell you the truth, will you not tell Luke or Deb? I – I need to tell him and Nathan this in my own way, and I don't know what that way is going to be yet," she sighed, knowing she couldn't possibly lie to Karen. Not again. Covering for Lucas was one thing, but this was just about a job. Sort of.

A look of horror crossed Karen's face as possible places of employment for a beautiful seventeen year old cross through her mind. "Oh, dear God, Haley, where are you working?"

"Where do you think I'm working?" Haley asked, not willing to pass up on a little fun; clearly Karen had a twisted sense of what Haley would do for money if the expression on her face was any indication.

"Well, gosh, Haley, I don't know! But there are some terrifying possibilities floating through my head, especially since this place will be doubling what we can pay you!" Karen burst, shuddering at the thought of Haley, her little Haley, swinging around on some pole while creepy old men ogled her with their hands down their pants from the audience.

"Well," Haley sighed, losing the moment of amusement, "This is probably worse than anything you're imagining. Luke and Nathan are going to think so."

"Where?"

"The dealership," she whispered, her head dropping to hang down so she didn't have to see Karen's reaction. "Dan's dealership."

"Oh, God," Karen gasped, shaking her head. "Honey, why? What is he doing to make you work there? I know you, and I know Dan, and this is not something you'd do of your own free will. And damn him, this isn't something he'd do without some selfish, probably horrible reason."

"I'm doing it of my own free will, I promise," Haley tried to assure her. Truth was, she felt too bogged down by all this to be very effective in comforting Karen now, but she was trying. "I think he wants me there to monopolize my free time and keep me away from Nathan," she sighed. "He knows that Nathan could come here to see me, but that he wouldn't get within a hundred yards of the dealership."

"Say no to him, turn down the job offer," Karen suggested, growing more and more angry at Dan for preying on Haley when he had to know she'd be needing money. "You can come live with me and Lucas, honey. You do not have to go to work for Dan."

Haley shook her head, trying to strengthen her resolve. "I do, Karen. It's – it's complicated. There are so many reasons why taking this job that he's offering is what I need to do."

"What if he makes you so miserable that none of the other things even matter? That's not going to do you any good, Haley."

"I'm willing to take that chance. It's college, Karen! You know how important college has always been to me. And now that my parents are retired and traveling and I've taken on this whole adult thing, I think I'm on my own. And this is going to be huge for me in saving money," Haley argued, trying to give Karen reasons to think that it wasn't the end of the world.

"Twice as much?" Karen sighed. "Oh, kiddo, you're going to be making more than me." She sighed again, smoothing a hand over the girl's hair. "If it could be any other way, I'd help you in a heartbeat to spare you from him."

Haley nodded jerkily, still struggling with her composure. "I know, Karen. And that means a lot to me. And thank you for not pushing this anymore."

"You're going to come visit me, right?" Karen asked, forcing a smile for Haley's sake. "If you aren't coming here at least occasionally for your coffee fix, I'll have to hunt you down over there. And I think you can guess how uncomfortable that would be for everyone."

"I can handle Dan," Haley stated flatly. "It isn't him I'm worried about having trouble with, it's Nathan mostly, and Luke to an extent. I don't think either of them will understand this very well." Shaking her head, she sighed. "And after the scene in the gym yesterday, now is really not the best time to tell them."

"What happened in the gym?" Karen asked, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. She swore, if Dan did anything to hurt any of those kids again, she's going to string that man up. She can't believe he has gone and dragged Haley into this now. Enough is enough.

"Dan happened," Haley laughed mirthlessly. "He showed up to talk to me while I was waiting for Luke to give me a ride home."

"And Luke and Nathan saw him there and gave into the tempers that they got from him," Karen finished with a sigh.

"Exactly," Haley smiled wryly. "God, this is going to be a nightmare, Karen. Not only am I not working here, but I'll be working for Dan. I'll have to do what he tells me!"

"That is definitely a horrid dream you'd want to wake up from," Karen shuddered. "Haley, have you talked with Jimmy and Lydia? Maybe they're more able to help you with college than you're expecting, honey. There has to be a way around this."

Haley shook her head before Karen could even get the entire suggestion out. "This – it's fine, I'll be fine. I'm better than sinking to his level, so I'll just go, answer the phones and do some filing and if I'm lucky, get my homework done. That's all, it'll be okay." They both knew she was saying it as much to reassure herself as she was Karen, but neither mentions it.

"Haley, you know better than that," Karen countered, needing the young girl so important to her to realize just how dire things with Dan might get. "Nothing is ever that simple with Dan, and you know it. Everything comes at a price. And I'm just scared for you because I can't figure out what price it is that Dan is going to try and make you pay yet."

Switching gears, Haley shifted the conversation away from speculation on what this will cost her. She was so not ready to think on that yet. Besides, she had questions that Karen might have insights on.

"Do you think he cares more for Nathan and Luke than he lets on?"

Karen blinked in surprise, actually leaning back against the counter. "I – well, yes, I guess I do think that."

"Sometimes when he's looking at one or both of them, you can see it," Haley noted. "It's so quick, like a flash of lightning that I'm never really sure if that's what I was actually seeing, though. But that must be it."

"It probably is," Karen agreed with a pained look. "He cares more than he's able to admit. It's sad, really. He has two wonderful young men for sons, and he's only able to make them miserable, making his own life miserable in the process."

"I'm surprised you don't treat him like a total big bad," Haley remarked. "If someone did to me the things that jerk has done to you, I'd be a lot harder on him."

"We were all very young," Karen noted, "And I certainly haven't forgiven him nor do I really understand the whys and the hows, but he was young. I don't judge him as much for the choice he made then as everything he's done to Luke since. That's the hard part; not that he didn't choose me and Luke in the first place, but all the times he went out of his way after that to drive home the point. Those are what I hate him for, that is why I resent him."

"I hate what he did to you," Haley said in a soft, but fierce tone. "I hate him for everything he has done, is doing, and will do to Nathan and Luke. It's like, even though I see that he loves them, the things he does are so low that I – I want to kick him."

"Have you ever kicked anyone in your life?" Karen asked with a laugh.

"Skillz once," Haley laughed. "He stole Luke's cookie! Someone had to defend Luke's honor, and as usual, I was the only one not laughing. That's what I got for hanging out with boys all the time, I guess. Taylor and Quinn, each on multiple occasions. In fairness, they usually kicked first."

Karen laughed with her before taking a deep breath and grabbing Haley's hands. "If you don't want to work for Dan, I can tell him for you. Honey, think really carefully about this; who knows what he's angling for by having you work there?"

"I guess I'll find out," Haley smiled faintly. "Hey, I can pretend I'm Daphne from Scooby Doo trying to figure out the mystery of Dan. That could be fun, right?"

Karen laughed in spite of herself. "Don't joke, this is serious!"

"I have to joke!" Haley pointed out reasonably. "If I don't, then there is going to be serious trouble. Seriously, though, wouldn't I be a cute Daphne?"

"Oh, honey, you can be anything or anyone you want," Karen said in her 'mom' voice causing Haley to laugh. "Okay, now a few business questions. He hasn't tried to get you to give up cheer, has he? I know it isn't really your thing, but if you let him manipulate you into giving up some, I'll be very upset with you. And the second he makes demands about your relationship with Nathan, you quit. You hear me?"

"I hear you," Haley smiled, throwing her arms around Karen, "And thank you. For everything. For not hating me for this, for caring enough to worry, for trying to take care of me. I – I love you, Karen."

"Oh, honey, I love you, too. If he gives you any trouble, you tell me. I'm on your side, Haley. Nothing changes that."

"I'm on yours, too," Haley winked, squeezing her hand. "I had better get home now. I still have a little homework to do and some reading I want to get out of the way. I'll stop by to for breakfast soon, okay?"

"I'm holding you to that; I want regular reports from you, and not just on how things are at work. I want to know how school is, how things with Nathan are, everything, young lady."

"I will, I promise," Haley smiled, looking around. "I can't believe this was my last night here. It – I sort of thought I'd work here forever, you know what I mean?"

"I always knew that you wouldn't," Karen countered. "You're not a waitress kind of girl, Haley. You aren't a car dealership kind, either. These are just means to an end. Don't see them as more than that."

"Working for Dan might be a means to an end, but working for you has been so much more than that." Karen hugged her again, kissing her forehead. "I love spending time with you and Luke, and even Deb has grown on me again."

Karen laughed. "Honey, I hate to lower the mood again, but what would you like me to say to people who ask?"

Sighing, Haley cringed at the reminder that not everyone will take this as well as Karen had. In fact, as far as preparing her for what was to come, this had been a real bust. "The truth, I guess. As close to it as you can without revealing where I'll be working. No, that's not fair. Tell them to ask me; I don't want to put you in a weird position."

"If that's what you want," Karen sighed. "Here, I made a plate for Brooke earlier. I forgot to tell you she called begging you to bring her home some sustenance."

"Thank you, Karen," Haley smiled, ostensibly for the food, but the words are fraught with far deeper meaning that only the two of them understood.

"You are so very welcome, Haley. Don't forget, I'm always on your side."

Haley nodded, accepting the box with the food, and turning to walk out the front door. She watched as Karen locked it behind her, gasping when she realized she forgot something. Tapping on the door, she waited for Karen to let her in.

"I forgot to give you my key back," Haley noted, trying to fish for the chain in her purse.

"No, you keep the key. You are welcome here any time you need to be here, okay? The key is yours."

That pushed Haley over the edge, and she indulged herself in tears as she walked slowly down the street. Life was so complicated, mostly of her own making, and the regrets for what she was losing seem paltry in comparison to what she could've lost if she hadn't given in to Dan's demands. Choose your battles.

Standing here, especially at this late hour, was not high on her list of things to do before she died. But this was a visit that could not be avoided, she assured herself as she rang the doorbell. When she heard footsteps approaching, she squared her shoulders and stood up straight. There was something about letting this man see weakness, real or perceived, that really turned her the wrong way. So she went to pains to present a well put together front.

"This isn't a – what do the kids call it these days? Booty call! Yes, this isn't a booty call, is it?" Dan smirked at her, that same smug look he'd been perfecting since he was fifteen. When she was younger and didn't know better, because the look was never directed at her, she didn't think twice about it. Now, it was a look that still gives her nightmares on occasion. "It is a been there, done that situation, but I might be willing to give it another go."

"We need to talk," Karen announced, skipping the pleasantries. Not that there are many she could imagine exchanging with him.

"So talk," he smiled, motioning for her to come into the house. "Does this have something to do with my father of the year award? It's in the mail now, right? I was thinking of placing it over there on the mantle."

"Yes, that's exactly why I've come to see you. That and to seduce you," she spitted out. "It's nice to see you've moved out of reality and straight into deluded."

A bit of the smile faded off his face at that. "What are you doing here?"

"Haley. I'm here for Haley." She glared at him as smug satisfaction crept onto his face, and her palm itched to slap it right off. "You sadistic creep, I don't know what you said to make her agree to go to work for the devil himself, but just know that I'm watching you."

"I might like that," he smiled in return. "And hey, you might like what you see. You did once, Karen."

"That was before my doctor realized I needed glasses or contacts to see properly," she sneered. "This isn't a joke. Haley is like a daughter to me, and I've seen how you think you can treat my children. If you do anything to hurt her or her relationships with Nathan or Lucas, I will make you so sorry Dan, that you might actually learn what that word means."

"Your childish threats don't really worry me too much," he sighed, watching as she clenched and unclenched her hand. Wondering if this would be the time she gave in to the urge and slapped him. He didn't mean to taunt her, to provoke her, but it was the only way she'd ever show emotion in front of him now. And he needed that from her, he needed to know that he could get a reaction out of her still, even if it was the kind most men would cringe at.

"It isn't a threat, it isn't a promise. It's just a fact. You hurt her, and I will destroy you. In fact, you hurt any of those kids again, and you'll be seeing me," she warned him. "Don't forget that. You might be able to manipulate seventeen year old children, but I'm not playing into your hand, Dan."

Rolling his eyes, he turned away, walking into the house. Smiling when she followed him, he turned back to her. "It just wounds me that you just assume the worst of me, Karen," he sighed. "For all you know, this is Haley's arrangement, not mine."

"What would Haley want with you?" Karen scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous."

"Why are you here?" he asked, offended that he couldn't rub the truth of the matter in Karen's face, although he's doubtful that even he could be so cruel to rub their son's heart condition in her face. But it still bothered him that he didn't have the option.

"I think that has been made pretty plain, Dan," she growled. "I'm making you aware of what will happen if anything happens to Haley."

"Oh, I remember something about that," he nodded, "And what was that again? What would happen to me?"

Glaring at him, she shook her head, simply saying, "Bad things."

"Your friend and my wife might be interested that you're here now," he commented, hoping to provoke her again. Seeing the passion, even drawn by anger, rise in her eyes was magical to him, even now when the effect should've been dulled by time.

"It's safe to say she'll be as displeased with this as I am," Karen retorted. "She might not approve of Haley and Nathan's marriage, but she likes Haley and doesn't want to see her hurt. More importantly, Nathan is lucky enough to have one parent looking out for his best interests, and she'd be very upset to see you hurting him through Haley."

"How do you know this isn't about helping Nathan?" he bit out, pointing his finger in her face to punctuate the words. "How do you know what any of this is about?"

"I know that Haley is a good girl who would only go to work for you if you were holding something that really meant the world to her over her head," Karen snapped back, getting in his face. "That means Nathan or Lucas. And since you don't care enough about Lucas to have anything in that regard, obviously this is somehow about Nathan. Don't hurt her, don't hurt him, and don't hurt them."

"You don't know what I care about!" he yelled, stepping closer to her. God, he could feel her breath, coming in angry staccato puffs, on his face. "You don't know what my sons mean to me, you don't know what I'd do for either of them! You don't know anything, Karen."

She stared up at him, unwilling or unable to back down despite the intimidation tactics he's working. "If you hurt Haley, if you make her miserable, I'm coming after you, Dan. Mistreatment of seventeen year old girls probably doesn't do much to endear mayoral candidates to the general public, does it?" she noted, gesturing to the signs. Letting herself smirk at him knowingly, she added, "Good luck with that."

She turned on her heel and walked out of the house leaving him staring after her. She was fuming with anger and frustration and other emotions that she couldn't give name to, and it all just drove home why she hated being around him. He made her feel things, seeing him made her remember, and she hated it all. Hated that he still has some power, no matter how tiny, over her.

Damn him.

Damn herself.