A/N: Things are just getting started! I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 20: A Tree Hill Raven knows to expect the unexpected when you least expect it.

"Hi," Haley says in a daze. "Did I, uh, say that out loud?"

"Déjà vu," Nathan says, offering his hand. She takes it and pulls herself up, dusting off her jeans. She looks up at Nathan, as he looks anywhere but her.

"Thank you," she says, Nathan glances at her as a lingering silence falls between them. Haley knew it was on her to speak, to say something, anything. But every which way she tried, the words wouldn't come out. She was at a loss for words as to where to even start. There is so much, years, of conversations she'd had in her head with Nathan. But now, when it counted, the words couldn't find their way.

"I'm heading back," Nathan notes, eager to bolt. He starts to walk, and on instinct, Haley grabs his wrist. He stops in his tracks, a chill immediately running down his spine, his heart picking up a tick.

"Wait," Haley insists as Nathan turns to face her. "There's so much…"

"Haley, I can't do this right now."

"Nathan, please."

He stands, a little straighter, arms crossed, "Why did you come?"

Haley's taken aback by his coldness. She fidgets with her fingers, her nerves unsettled. "I came back for a lot of reasons."

"Well I hope none of them were me," Nathan states. Haley nods in acknowledgement, the truth stung. She grapples with what to say next as her throat swells with emotion.

"I really am heading back now," Nathan reminds as he walks away. This time Haley doesn't stop him. She turns back to the swing, the seat catching her eyes once more. She runs her hand over the tiny adornment.

Nathan is at the top of the hill when she calls out to him again, "Nathan!"

He stops, his hands in his pockets, giving her one last look.

"The plaque on this swing…"

"Was a mistake," he confirms, before walking into the darkness. Haley looks down at the gold plate reading, The James-Scott Peace Swing. Dedicated June 2009. 'For when you need a moment.'

…

10 Years Ago

It had been one of those weeks, where all the questions Haley had been pushing off kept bubbling to the surface. Her college applications, her senior thesis, the first draft of the yearbook, deciding on if she could fly home for Christmas – it was a never-ending cycle of consideration.

And like many other nights, she found herself on her favorite swing. Her legs pumping out her frustrations as she let her mind run free.

Does she have to go where Nathan goes?

Was she bold enough to write her thesis on what mattered to her most?

How did she let Brooke convince her into Yearbook Committee?

If she skipped Christmas, when would she see Dad next?

Haley exhaled, too much for her seventeen years to handle. She hears a bounce across the court, followed by a Nathan, Lucas, and Jake. Nathan jogs over as the boys start shooting around.

"Out here again," Nathan jokes, giving her feet a little push as they near him. "Should I be worried?"

Haley shakes her head, a blush creeping across her face at his concern. "Just needing a moment."

"All right, that's fair," Nathan agrees. "Anything I can help you with?"

"Just keep behaving yourself, so I don't have to worry about you too Nathan Scott," Haley laughs.

"Oh I definitely can't behave myself with you," he winks.

"Down boy," Haley jokes. She drags her feet across the ground, stopping herself from swinging. Nathan approaches, putting a hand on each rope. He tilts her swing up slightly, as she looks up with big brown eyes.

"You know, just because you're used to it, doesn't mean you have to stress alone," Nathan reminds her. Haley reaches up, cupping the side of his face, rubbing her thumb against his cheek.

"I know," Haley says, looking at him guiltily.

"But that's not how you operate?"

"No," Haley laughs. "I'm sorry."

"One of these days, Haley James," Nathan concedes.

"One of these days, what?"

"You'll let me be your peace," Nathan states. He gives her a kiss on the forehead, tossing a joke to lighten the mood. "Ponder away, dork."

Haley chuckles half-heartedly, kicking her leg up to catch his butt as he walks away. He swats at her laughing. Haley watches him retreat thinking maybe, just maybe, she would finally let someone in.

For the first time, she hopes she could.

…

Haley wakes up the next morning thankful her head doesn't throb as much as it deserves to. She stretches deeply before grabbing for the giant water bottle she had from the plane. She downs the water, pops an Advil, and is her much-more chipper self to start the day.

As she brushes her teeth in the bathroom, she takes a look at herself, assessing the situation. Her hair was fine, second day, but still holding her waves. Her eyes were a little puffy, from the drinking or the crying, lord only knows, but all in all, could be worse.

She throws her hair into a top-knot, thanks the heavens for under-eyes masks, and starts getting ready. By the end of a respectable twenty-minute makeover she was feeling cute in high-waist leggings and an old Raven's t-shirt cropped with a knot across the middle of her torso. Field Day, here me roar! Well, after coffee.

Haley salivates at the thought; her stomach grumbling in it's all too impatient glory. She was acutely aware she could easily slide into hang-over territory fast, and by the time she reaches the food hall, she had a full-blown case of the hangries.

She walks up the front steps, greeted by two alumni sitting at a table.

"Name," the girl asks. This surprises Haley, it's not like their class was big, but with one look at the nametag she was easy to forgive. Bevin Mirskey. It had always been in one ear and out the other with her!

"Haley," she says as Bevin checks her list.

"I don't see you in the H's," Bevin states.

"Try James, Haley James," Haley suggests.

"Hm," Bevin considers, confused. "Nope, no James."

"Bevin, it's me! Haley," Haley states. "Look at me."

"Haley…" Bevin states for affect, but there's no facial recognition.

"Bevin, we cheered together! I was friends with Brooke and Peyton?"

"Tutor Girl!" Bevin cries. "Of course! Gosh, I guess I never actually knew your real name."

"I'd say so," Haley says between her teeth. "Now, can I go in?"

"Well, no. You're not on the list!" Bevin says with a giggle.

"Then there's a mistake," Haley says, the hanger rising.

"Nope, I made the list."

"Uh huh," Haley says. "Can you check one more thing?"

Bevin nods.

"The S's"

"Sure silly. Peyton Sawyer. Brooke Scott. Haley James-Scott. Lucas Scott. Nathan Scott. Tim Smith –"

"Bevin, any of those names sound familiar?" Haley is at her un-caffeinated breaking point.

"Peyton, Brooke, Lucas, Nathan – "

"HALEY. HALEY JAMES-SCOTT. THAT'S ME!" Haley screams. Through the doors, a few tables of people stop to look her way.

"Oh! Wow, why didn't you say so?" Bevin shrugs, pulling Haley's meal ticket and table assignment out. "Here you go, looks like everyone else at your table is already here."

"Everyone else at my table?" Haley says, her hand squeezing the ticket tightly.

"Yes," Bevin chirps. "Our old etiquette assignments. So fun, right?"

"SO FUN!" Haley can barely get out. "It's been great Bevin."

"Uh huh," Bevin says, not paying attention. Haley walks past the table and through the open French-doors of the hall. It was just as great and lofty as it'd been to her teenage self; like her own personal Great Hall at Hogwarts.

Haley glances at her table, groaning to see the gang's all there. She beelines for the coffee, pouring two mugs and sticking them on a wooden tray. She peruses the brunch items, grabbing all her old favorites. She throws on a bit a fruit to attempt healthy.

And now, the moment of truth – Haley trudges towards her table, the butterflies in her stomach slowly becoming Mothra; her heart beating like the Tell Tale Heart. She takes the only open seat, wedged between Jake and Peyton.

With the sound of her chair dragging back, five pairs of eyes come up to meet her. She cringes, putting her tray down and taking a seat.

"Gang's all here," Haley announces, instantly regretting it. Jake's lip twitches in a smirk as Nathan, Lucas, Brooke, and Peyton attempt to muster an icy welcome.

To everyone's surprise, Nathan offers up the first response, "Gang's all here, really?"

"Yeah," Haley says grabbing for her first coffee mug and chugging it down. "It's factual, not too controversial."

"Not sure we'd consider you part of the gang," Brooke quips.

"I'm part of the etiquette gang," Haley disagrees. "This is our etiquette table."

Peyton's lip curls at her bravery.

"That is indeed a fact," Jake agrees. "Welcome back, etiquette maiden."

"Why thank you Sir Jake of Jagelski," Haley says, embracing his breaking of the ice.

"Whatever, you're so weird," Brooke says, digging her spoon back into her grapefruit.

"Some might call it endearing," Haley returns, sneaking a peak at Nathan, whose blue eyes met her immediately. He stares at her as if remembering something, then turns back to his omelet.

The table falls quiet, returning to their breakfasts. Haley consumes her first mug of coffee, starting on the next as she picks at the fruit on her Belgium waffle.

"Why even get the fruit?" Nathan asks.

Haley looks up, startled to hear his voice. By the looks of it, the rest of the table was too as they watch carefully, glancing from one side of the table to the next.

"Because I at least pretend to eat something nutritious as an adult," Haley says. "I'm apparently not that convincing."

"Or maybe I just read you like a book," Nathan assumes.

"A book with some chapters missing," Brooke says under her breath. Peyton swats at her.

"Did I say that out loud?" She asks nonchalantly.

"Yes," Peyton and Lucas say, rolling their eyes.

Haley cuts Brooke a look of disdain. She knew just how to cut her down. In many ways she knew she deserved it, but it didn't hurt any less. "Brooke, you were Class President. You helped plan this whole stupid thing. Why'd you even force us into these groups? Me sitting here is technically your fault."

"I didn't think you would come!"

"Well, surprise!" Haley says sarcastically, shoving a piece of waffle in her mouth.

Brooke stares at her long-lost friend in annoyance, followed by a flash of panic as the screech of a microphone sounds. Everyone turns their attention to the small stage and podium at the front of the hall to find Dean Hargrove's smiling face.

"My Ravens!" Dean Hargrove calls. "Welcome, welcome, welcome back to Tree Hill Prep. I have heard from our janitorial staff that you all had quite the welcome party last night. Some might even say, too much fun."

The crowd laughs.

"But I digress. Please accept my sincerest gratitude that you will still indulge me in THP tradition. Our reunion weekends have become one of my favorite alumni events. A chance to have a whole class together again. I am in awe at how far you've come! But no matter where life took you after graduation, I think you'll find this weekend will remind you of where you came from. Once a Raven…"

"…always a Raven," the crowd groans as Dean Hargrove smiles in delight.

"Now, enjoy your breakfast and get your stretches in. Today's Field Day will be one to remember. Take a good look at your table, because you'll be teammates with these smiling faces the rest of the day."

Haley pales. Brooke looks around guiltily as her friends shoot daggers in her direction.

"I'll see you on the recreation fields in an hour," Dean Hargrove assures, leaving the stage.

"You've got to be kidding me," Nathan groans.

"Brooke!" Peyton says. "A word?"

Brooke is about to get up when Haley speaks.

"No side convo necessary," Haley says. "I can go. I'm the problem."

Jake looks at Haley in concern, her feelings obviously hurt. No one says anything at first. Peyton and Brooke look between each other. Haley continues.

"I know why I wanted to come, but I don't actually know why I came," Haley reveals. "Especially after GiGi bailed on me. I knew I would see you all, we're a class of sixty, but I certainly did not picture this set-up. It's a lot and it's not my intention to ruin this for anyone."

"Just yourself," Jake points out. "I think you deserve to stay."

"Jake," Lucas questions.

"Look, we all have a laundry list of issues, and an even longer list of things to hash out. What if, instead of ignoring each other, we stop pretending…"

"Pretending what?" Peyton asks.

"Like we don't miss Haley," Jake concedes. "It could be fun to go back. Even for a few days."

"I think that's a little easier said than done," Lucas points out.

Haley looks between her friends, then eyes Nathan. He's picking at his napkin, staring at it intently. His forehead is wrinkled in concern.

"That's really nice of you, Jake," Haley says. "But I know I'm not deserving of that."

"You're not," Peyton agrees. "But I'd be willing to do it anyway. If Nathan agrees."

Nathan shoots to attention. Is she crazy?

"Peyton," Nathan grumbles. She shrugs, waiting for his response.

After all these years, after all the silence, Nathan knew he should feel nothing. He knew his hurt and frustration had frozen over into disregard and good riddance. But something in that buried box of emotion stirred at the sight of Haley rejected. It didn't feel good, like he'd once thought it would. Despite everything, he still never wanted to be the one to make her feel even an ounce of what he had when she left. He had to invite her to stay.

"Nathan?" Peyton asks again.

Nathan eyes Peyton, then looks at Haley. He could see the emotion pooling in her eyes as she braced herself for his rejection.

"Hales," he says. "You should stay."

Haley lets out a breath she didn't even realize she was holding. Totally stunned. Did he just say she could stay? Did he just call her HALES?!

Jake and Peyton eye each other mischievously as Brooke and Lucas grow weary with concern. Nathan gets up to clear his tray, stopping as he passes Haley.

"Don't say I never gave you anything."