A/N: Hi, everyone! THANK YOU for your wonderful reviews! They really mean a lot, and it's a nice reminder that people are actually reading! I promise I'm not taking any years-long hiatus, I've just had less time to write lately. This chapter is a fun one, and I'm excited to see where the gang, and Nathan and Haley, go from here! Enjoy. - K

Chapter 22: A Tree Hill Raven always knows you can break the ice, but you never know what you'll find underneath.

Haley always had her doubts about team sports. They'd always come off so aggressive and chaotic. It wasn't until Nathan that she actually paid attention to a sport. Touchdowns, goals, baskets; they were all one in the same until him. And it was seeing the game through Nathan's eyes – the electricity of the clock, the magnetism between teammates, and the thrill of the strategy – that made her appreciate not only the game, but also understand the profound affect it can have on a person.

She was especially grateful that it could still have that affect in a short period of time. The Field Day was proving to be an icebreaker sent from the heavens. Post-moping, Haley and Peyton joined the group, watching as their team dominated the soccer tournament. Followed by a respectable display in the ultimate Frisbee round, no thanks to her (as Lucas put it "guess we should have had the trees as a teammate"), and now, the final game of the team events, flag football.

And with each pass, each play, each minute of working together, her friends were finally letting their walls down and she was letting her guard down. They were bantering, and laughing, and the energy that used to crackle between all of them was starting to return. Nathan had even given her a few high-fives, and unbeknownst to him, a concerning amount of heart flutters. But if everyone else had a wall to come down, Brooke Davis had a castle, a mote, and an armed fleet guarding her heart.

The group huddles together, deciding who's going to play what.

"I think Nathan should be QB," Jake notes. "Haley can be center, Lucas and I on offense, Peyton and Brooke on defense."

"Absolutely not, shit-stirrer," Brooke quips.

"What?" Jake asks innocently.

"Haley's ass in Nathan's face to hike the ball? Keep dreamin'."

"Brooke!" Haley shouts, embarrassed.

"That's a real logistic, and if I remember correctly, your ass is an aphrodisiac to boys named Nathan Scott. We don't need the distraction," Brooke continues. Nathan smirks, Brooke isn't wrong. Those were his first thoughts exactly.

"I mean besides that being way over the line, I do have to agree. I'm not athletically inclined. I shouldn't be throwing a ball, let alone bent over and backwards."

The group laughs, she's digging her own grave at this point.

"Look, as Nathan's agent, I'd rather he not play a position he'll get sacked."

"It's flag football," Jake points out.

"Yeah, and look who we're playing," Lucas notes. They turn to find Rachel, Tim, Bevin, Skills, Teresa, and Junk. "Friendly competition always becomes less friendly, more competition."

"Good point Broody," Brooke agrees. "Here's the deal, I'm QB. Lucas is center. Nathan and Haley are offense. Jake and Peyton are defense. Nathan is the most agile, Haley can be the fake out, and Jake and Peyton are scrappy. Plus I have a mean spiral and will get Lucas' ass in my face. That's the plan."

"You're a piece of work," Peyton chides. "But I like it."

"All right, are we good?" Jake asks.

Haley glances around at the group, she nods. "We're good."

…

They were not good.

Every time Brooke passed to Nathan, Tim and Junk were waiting, pulling his flag belt as soon as he caught the ball. The game was a stalemate, neither team even coming close to scoring.

It was Skills last attempt at a first down for what felt like the millionth time. Jake and Peyton were doing fine holding off Teresa and Bevin from making a catch, but Rachel, having all but thrown Haley to the ground, just weaseled her way across the field and effortlessly caught a pass from Skills – scoring the first and only touchdown.

She dances triumphantly as Bevin and Teresa join her excitedly.

"Eat that, Naters!" Rachel yells.

"Lucky break," Nathan chides.

Just then, Dean Hargrove yells through his blow-horn, "Five more minutes!"

"Come on, huddle up," Nathan shouts.

The group jogs to the side of the field, forming a huddle.

"Look," Nathan says. "I can't lose to Rachel. I'll never hear the end of it."

Haley grimaces, trying her best to cover it up. She notices Peyton glance her way apologetically.

"Yeah, well, maybe actually do something," Lucas grumbles. "Brooke is throwing you perfect passes."

"I am, aren't I?" Brooke says proudly.

"Nathan is Nathan, they're never going to leave him unmanned," Jake points out. "We gotta go Haley."

"Are we that desperate?" Haley jokes. Brooke laughs much more than she should causing Haley to roll her eyes.

"We are," Peyton begs. "We really, really are."

"Fine," Haley agrees. "But don't say I didn't warn you."

As they jog to take their places, Nathan comes up behind Haley, brushing his hand on her elbow.

"Hey," he says. "You've got this."

"I don't know about that," Haley says hesitantly. "But I'll try."

Nathan gives her a nod. His eyes linger on Haley's, her cheeks blushing with hope as he finds his place on the field.

Lucas bends down, looking back to Brooke who gives him a wink. Haley and Jake, Peyton and Nathan flank either side of him.

"Hut one, hut two," Lucas shouts. "Hike!"

Lucas hikes the ball to Brooke as Haley and Nathan shoot forward, running towards the other half of the field. There's a passion in Haley, a determination to make the play. Jake and Bevin collide, then Peyton and Teresa. They clash near mid-field.

"Thou shall not pass!" Jake jokes. Bevin, on the bring of boredom, jumps onto his back in delight.

Tim and Junk hover around Nathan, waiting for the pass.

"A little space," Nathan goads the twosome.

"Not a chance. I'm covering you like cereal on milk," Tim jokes.

"Tim," Nathan responds, rolling his eyes.

"And wouldn't it be milk on cereal?'" Junk tosses out.

Rachel watches the banter of her team, scoffing at their lack of effort. She looks at Skills who shrugs his shoulders.

"Guys," Rachel huffs. "Get in the game! Rush Brooke!"

When no one makes a move, Rachel charges towards Brooke, hoping to make the pass incomplete. Lucas steps in between the two women, buying Brooke some time.

It's at this moment Brooke snaps the ball to Haley, sticking her tongue out at Rachel in triumph. They all hold their breath as Haley holds two hands up to catch the ball. It flies through her fingers and straight into her chest. She scrambles to make a basket with her arms, coddling the ball like a baby. Haley squeals in excitement, saving the play. She brings the football up, hugging it to her chest.

Brooke and Lucas jump up and down triumphantly, the ball is still live!

"Go, Haley," Lucas screams. "Run!"

Haley snaps back into action, turning on her heels and running down the field. Rachel trails her, but Haley has too much of a lead. She flies through the cones of the end zone.

"Oh my god," she says excitedly.

Jakes cups his hands around his mouth, "TOUCHDOWN!"

"Spike it," Peyton coaches. "Give us that end zone dance."

Their team rushes the end zone as Haley spikes the ball with grace. Her chest bubbles with excitement and confidence. Haley jumps up and down, doing a pirouette before attempting a split. She gets halfway down before stopping. Ain't gonna happen.

"Oh, guess I can't do that anymore," Haley jokes as they laugh, true deep-bellied laughs. Lucas reaches for Haley's hands to pull her up; an olive branch of sorts.

"That was awesome," Jake says, high-fiving Haley.

Nathan knocks Haley, shoulder to shoulder. "Told ya."

The group eyes each other with interest as Haley nods. "I tried."

"Think you can do it again?" Brooke asks. For the first time, there was warmth to her voice. She was genuinely asking.

"Yeah," Haley smiles. "I think I could. But what if we change it up?"

"I'm listening," Brooke considers.

"What if Jake eases up on Bevin, Skills will throw to her if she's open. She's not particularly good so Lucas could intercept. Tim and Junk will then charge Lucas, leaving Nathan open. Meanwhile, Brooke, you run for the end zone. Lucas can pass to Nathan, but Skills will be close enough to catch him. So as soon as Skills goes for Nathan, Nathan can pass to you. You make the touchdown. Rachel will be on me since I just scored, I think you'll be wide open," Haley rambles, letting out a nice big breath. "Sound good?"

Nathan watches Haley in awe. He keeps the moment to himself, totally inspired by her ability to decipher a situation. She'd always been so intuitive.

"How do you go from 'don't pass to me' to calling the plays?" Lucas laughs.

"It's called using the ol' noggin," Haley jokes. "Still no athlete, but they didn't call me Tutor Girl for nothing."

"Well, Tutor Girl," Brooke says with a small smile. "It sounds like a plan."

"Really?" Haley says happily.

"Really."

"And thank you for just having me sit pretty," Peyton jokes.

"I mean, somebody has to make us look good," Jake jokes back.

The group breaks off to find their places. The energy buzzes between them.

"Well aren't you all chatty," Rachel quips as they stand across from her at center field.

"It was all Nathan," Jake jokes. "The guy never shuts up."

"Guess you just don't know how to make him," Rachel returns. Nathan tenses, Brooke rolls her eyes.

"Let's just play the game," Lucas says, looking Haley's way. It's subtle, but she's deflated. Lucas bends down, preparing to hike the ball to Brooke.

"Hut one, hut two," Lucas yells. "Hike!"

And as soon as Lucas hikes the ball to Brooke, everything goes exactly to plan. Jake fakes guarding Bevin, before quickly allowing her to get open. Skills passes to Bevin, but it's intercepted by Lucas, who's rushed by Tim and Junk, and passes to Nathan. Skills starts racing after Nathan, who passes to Brooke. Brooke runs the final steps into the end zone.

Haley watches triumphantly as Rachel's jaw drops with each pass the ball makes. Rachel screeches in frustration as Brooke spikes the ball. Lucas runs up to her, she jumps into his arms as he plants a kiss on her lips. The play couldn't have gone more perfect.

Dean Hargrove sounds the blow-horn, announcing the end of this round of games.

Haley jumps, clasping her hands together in excitement. They won! She startles as Jake rushes her, picking her up and swinging her over his shoulder. He runs across the field to join their team in the end zone.

"Mastermind James!" Jake yells as Haley laughs at his hijinks. "Saving the day like a champ!"

Jake puts her back on the ground, her smile bright, before charging Brooke and Lucas into a group hug. Peyton jogs over to Haley.

"I think a high-five is in order," Peyton says, holding her hand up high to Haley. They slap hands. "Maybe even a low-five?"

She holds her hand down low, which Haley also slaps. Nathan approaches.

"What about you, Nate? High-five, low-five?" Peyton asks.

"Actually," Nathan says, eyeing Haley. "I'm going with no-five."

He instead bends down and gives Haley a hug. Her shoulders tense, surprised by the action. She wraps her arms around him, lightly pressing her palms to his back, barely touching him, afraid to remember. Not that she could forget Nathan Scott – the indents of his shoulders, the hard plains of his back, the dip of his spine. But it'd been a decade without his touch, this moment, this simple heart to heart, shoulder to shoulder, cheek to cheek, could absolutely break her.

Haley eyes Peyton like a deer in headlights, but all she does is give her a small smile before walking away. With that simple nod of support, Haley closes her eyes and relishes the moment; a few seconds that feel like forever.

Nathan pulls back, his heart racing. He tried to blame the thrill of it all on winning the game, but it was all Haley. His adrenaline, his excitement, his investment in winning this stupid Field Day was all because of her. He could see the group changing this morning. There was a playfulness that had been missing, a lightness to the mood. And as he watched the final play go down, he could see just how much their group was missing Haley. There was no tension, there was no guilt – it was easy, so damn easy, to see that Haley was the glue.

So it was in that moment Nathan decided to call a truce between his head and his heart. This weekend wasn't about what Haley did, or what he'll do – it was about being together, all of them. And maybe Haley didn't deserve that, but his friends sure as hell did. So Nathan Scott did what he had to do, he welcomed Haley James with open arms.

…

The group walks up the pathway from the recreation fields to the main campus. Dean Hargrove dismissed everyone for the next two hours for a barbeque lunch and leisure before the paired activities begin.

Haley jogs up next to Nathan, who's walking by himself ahead of the group.

"That was unexpected," Haley says, wrapping her arms around herself self-consciously. "The hug."

"We can add it to the list," Nathan jokes, giving her a small smile. Haley watches him, a million different questions just waiting to spill out.

"Nathan, I –" Haley starts.

Nathan shakes his head. "Let's enjoy the day, OK? Just spend a little more time in the present."

Haley nods as she thinks, her mind racing a mile a minute. "Nathan, it's been ten years…"

"So what's another day," he points out, attempting to keep it light.

"I'm sorry this is all really confusing for me," Haley points out. "I don't know what all this momentary kindness means. And if it is just that… momentary."

Nathan closes his eyes, trying to keep his emotions from bubbling up. "Haley, please."

"I'm pushing, I know, but –"

"Actually you really don't, Haley. I'm sorry you're finding this weekend really confusing. But I've spent the better part of a decade trying to figure out why my wife left me. Why she really left me. How's that for confusing," Nathan states, an edge coming into his voice.

Haley silences immediately, at a loss for words. They walk in an uncomfortable silence until Nathan speaks again.

"I'm not trying to hurt you," Nathan says. "But I don't think you realize how much I really can't do this with you right now. I know we have to talk. I know I can't avoid you forever, and I know I can't pretend like we don't have a history. But right now, I just want everyone to have a good time."

"I get that," Haley agrees. "I've already said I don't want to spoil your fun."

Nathan pulls Haley to the side, allowing the group to walk ahead of them – they watch the twosome with caution. He waits until they're far enough ahead before looking Haley straight in the eyes.

"They stepped up as my family when you couldn't," Nathan says. "Graduation became tainted for all of us. I just want a final weekend at this place, happy. Because the last time I was here, it was pretty freakin' dark."

Haley nods, knowing she was the perpetrator.

"I'm sorry," Haley says. "You're right, I don't know anything."

"Well, I didn't say that either," Nathan concedes.

Haley gives him a small smile, nodding. The smile doesn't reach her eyes, the sadness had returned. The adrenaline from their game now faded.

"Look Haley," Nathan says, waiting for her to look at him. She finally does, but the dejection is visible. "I like to think I've grown since I was eighteen. But seeing you last night at the cocktail hour talking to my brother was like stepping back into my worst nightmare."

"Awesome," Haley says.

"Shit, no," Nathan says, nervous. "This isn't coming out right."

"Uh huh," Haley says, not convinced.

"Seeing you brought me to a headspace I didn't want to be in. But it's not necessarily you. It's just, history."

Haley nods.

"Everyone's been giving you a hard time because of me. And I guess what I'm trying to say, in the most indirect way possible, is I'm happy you're here."

Haley looks at Nathan, he's obviously sincere, and she laughs. She laughs so hard she thinks she's crazy, and by the look on Nathan's face, he obviously thinks she is.

"Nathan Scott, how the hell am I going to get you're happy to see me from ANY of that? My god, I thought you were about to tell me to leave," Haley says, bringing her hands up to run her hands through her hair. Her shirt raises slightly, baring more of her mid-drift. Nathan notices, his heart races.

"I'm not known for my words," Nathan agrees.

"No," Haley laughs. "You're definitely not. I think you're one of the only people in the NBA the press actually wishes wouldn't come out for a press conference."

Surprise takes over Nathan's features, "You watch my press conferences?"

"No," Haley says, now equally jittery as she tries to backtrack. "I mean OK, yes. I've seen them here or there."

"That's interesting," Nathan says with a smirk.

"It's really not," Haley says, downplaying her revelation. "Just a casual flip of the channels and an 'oh there's Nathan Scott, I know him' type of deal."

"An 'oh there's Nathan Scott, I know him' type of deal," Nathan repeats skeptically.

"Yup," Haley says, her cheeks absolutely red with embarrassment.

"I've never heard of such a thing," Nathan says.

"Oh it's definitely a thing," Haley says unconvincingly.

"If you say so," Nathan says.

Nathan watches Haley as she attempts to casually scope out the campus, looking anywhere but him. Even in the simplest moments, she was the most endearing person, and the feelings that were starting to surface could be catastrophic. But he pushes the thought away, trying to enjoy the moment.

That is, until Haley's stomach grumbles loud and clear. She grabs her stomach, running her hands along her figure, totally unaware of her affect on him.

"Now that was attractive," she mumbles.

"We should probably catch up with everyone," Nathan says. "Besides, you need to eat. We don't need you hangry when we're competing later."

Haley punches him in the arm as they start walking towards the Dining Hall.

"Hey, watch it!" Nathan jokes. "These things are insured."

"Oh my god, I didn't even think of that," Haley says, shocked. She rubs her hand over the area she punched in apology. Nathan watches her, on edge from her affection. Haley realizes what she's doing and stops.

"Sorry," she squeaks out, the tension between them building as naturally as it did ten years ago.

They keep walking, an actually comfortable silence coming between them. As they see the barbeque up ahead, Nathan finally tries to get out his train of thought.

"What I was trying to say earlier is that I'm happy you're here. Even if it seems like I'm not. I don't think we could have one last weekend here without you."

"You don't have to say that Nathan," Haley says.

"I know," Nathan says. "But I am."

"Thanks," Haley says. "For being the bigger person."

The group waves them down to the table they've saved – cold beers and cheeseburger sit in the middle like a mirage. Haley's mouth waters.

And just before they reach the table, almost inaudibly, but absolutely with intention, Nathan Scott has the final word, "And, I think if one thing should be obvious. I'd be absolutely devastated if you left."

And just like that, Haley's chest melted like honey, the warmth finding every nook and cranny of her heart. Nathan Scott had given her hope. And hope, is a very dangerous thing to have.