Costume Party

Background: Set in season 1 but uses a scene from season 3. Nathan and Haley have fallen for each other, but Haley is still keeping her guard up. Some Halloween fun.

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"Don't worry about it." Lucas said

"What do you mean, don't worry about it.. she's frustrating as hell." Nathan answered back.

Lucas sighed to himself. Was it only a short time ago that Nathan hated his guts and tried to get him to quit the basketball team, he thought to himself. But now, they're at the costume store together and with Nathan talking to Lucas about his love life, but worse it involves his best friend. He wondered to himself how this all ever happened.

"One minute, she's all normal and crap and the next she completely shuts off on me." Nathan continued.

"Look, she's never really had a serious relationship with guys.. well except for me." Lucas answered back to which Nathan gave him a dirty look. "Well with me, I meant strictly plutonic… geez Nathan.. the last time I saw that look was .. well when I joined the team.. (Nathan threw him another dirty look) … ok fine never mind sorry I brought it up."

"Lucas, you're supposed to be helping me.. Haley's YOUR best friend… help a brother out."

"So no we're brothers?"

"Luke!"

"Ok fine.. look.. be patient with her .. she'll come around.. she may not say it but I know it .. she's crazy for you.."

"She could've fooled me."

"Look, it's not my fault the only reason you went for tutoring was to .. (Nathan gave him yet another dirty look) .. I meant that she just needs time .. but if you tell her directly .. she's just going to do the opposite.. she'll come around on her own."

Nathan stopped at a particular costume. "Well, I think I know what'll make time go a lot faster." Nathan said with a grin on his face.

Lucas mouth dropped. "Ok.. first off.. I can't believe you'd wear that.. second .. I want to want it .. Brooke will love it."

"Like you'd have the guts to pull something like that off.. sorry Luke, you're on your own."

"But how will this make Haley come to you instead of you chasing after her.. (scanning the costume again).. well I have a general idea.."

"Well.. when I show up wearing this …." Nathan continued to tell Lucas his plan, to which Lucas only shook his head. "This should be interesting." Lucas thought to himself.

"Oh my God.. I'm sure that'll win her over."

"You'll see."

"Geez, whatever you want to do .. besides, we're here to look for a costume for me remember?!"

"Oh just use the batman costume I was going to use.. (Lucas gave him a dirty look) .. ok then here." Nathan said, handing Lucas a costume.

"A pirate?"

"Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Carribbean .. chick digs that sort of thing." Nathan said, as Lucas gave Nathan a weird look.

"And how would you know that?"

"Ever since Haley started hanging out with Brooke, she's been barrowing Brooke's celebrity magazines."

They both started laughing.

Brooke and Haley were at Tric enjoying the costume party. Brooke was wearing a sexy devil outfit while Haley wore a referee costume, but with some modifications from Brooke to make it a little bit more sexy.

"When Nathan sees you in that, he'd want to blow your whistle."

"Oh God, Brooke.. look a\Nathan and I .. we're friends.."

"Right and I'm class president."

"But you are?"

"Well you get the point.."

"Granted things between Nathan and I are a little complicated right now…"

"What's so complicated? He's crazy about you?"

"Well, you got the crazy part down."

"Haley James, I don't get you.. he's like the hottest guy in school.. well next to Lucas of course, who by the way is your best friend.. do you know how many people hate you?"

"Oh enough about Nathan, I'm here to have fun."

"Oh speaking of fun.. oh Lucas is here.. and aww he's dressed like a pirate.. oohh very sexy… I wonder if he'll let me walk his plank?"

"Brooke!"

"What? I can't make sexy pirate jokes?"

Their conversation was cut short; however, when Nathan walked in moments after Lucas. Both their jaws dropped, as did the whole room.

"Forget walking the plank, I want me some of that." Brooke commented.

Haley could only stare and hoped that he didn't notice. Nathan was dressed up as a Spartan warrior from the movie 300. He wore sandals, a red cloak, had a sword, but other than that he was just wearing a dark leather loin clothe. Indeed, he was something out of a greek sculpture, perfectly proportional and evenly toned and ripped. Of course, Nathan knew all this and he carried himself like as if he wasn't practically naked at a night club.

Nathan was walker closer to Haley and the two made eye contact. He immediately smiled and Haley couldn't help but smile back. But the moment was cut short when Rachel immediately came up to Nathan, as did the other girls from school who all wanted a piece of him.

Feeling uncomfortable, Haley walked away and tried to stay from Nathan as he tried to make his way through the crowd but was always stopped by someone who admired his choice of costume. It seemed as Haley developed a heightened sense of hearing because she can hear everyone talking about Nathan, despite the music playing. She went to the bathroom, where practically every girl was commenting and drooling over Nathan Scott. Haley felt sick, worse than that, she was very very jealous.

Nathan kept an eye on her from the corner of his eye, studying her moves, knowing that she was looking at him all night. But he purposely carried himself nonchalantly, giving a big smile and making small chat to whoever talked with him. He saw the jealousy growing in Haley's eyes and he saw her slip out the back of the stage out the back exit.

"Hey… there you are." Nathan said as he stepped outside.

Haley was sitting down at the metal staircase.

"Yeah.. I just needed some air.. it's a little chilly out tonight and since your practically naked.. you might want to get back inside.. you might get sick."

"I got my red cape." Nathan said with a smile. "Nice costume, by the way."

"Thanks.. your's is .. is very revealing." Haley said with a smile.

"You don't like it? I could take it off." Nathan joked, but the thought of which made Haley blush.

"I'm sure everyone inside will love that."

"Well I don't care what everyone inside thinks, I care about what you think."

"My opinion doesn't matter."

"I highly doubt that."

"Well.. I can definitely say it's you .. I mean who else in the world would have the cockiness and the balls, no pun intended of course.."

"Of course.."

"to wear such a costume and be the center of attention."

"Well I'm glad you noticed."

"It's pretty hard not to."

Nathan gave her a sly grin.

"Oh God, you're so perverted.."

"Well you're the one talking about cockiness and balls and hard.."

"Ok, enough." Haley interrupted.

"Alright." Nathan said, sitting down next to Haley and looking at her intently.

"Um.. what are you doing?"

"Sitting."

"I can see that .. the question is why."

"I think you already know the answer."

"Oh my God, you're so arrogant."

"Well unless you want me to go back inside, I think Rachel and Bevin said something about cleaning my sword… but we both know that you want me to stay here with you."

"Ha.. and what makes you so sure?"

"Because I saw how jealous you were inside and plus Lucas told me not to believe a word you say and that you really are crazy for me."

"Daym Lucas." Haley thought to herself. "Well.. I was not jealous and second, Lucas is an idiot."

Nathan stood up in front of Haley, toweing over her, his body completely exposed to her. She had to keep herself together or end up drooling all over the stairs.

"Then I guess I'm leaving." Nathan said as he started to climb the stairs.

After a moment, Haley stood up. She hated how he was right.

"Nathan." She called out, she wanted to tell him how much she cares for him and that she's crazy about him but she stood there silent. "Nevermind.. enjoy the rest of the party."

Now annoyed, Nathan went back down and stood next to Haley. "Why do you always push me away?"

"Huh??"

"What's the deal … well?"

"Because it's.. you.. your Nathan Scott… in case you haven't noticed.. you're kinda a popular guy and I've heard stuff .. I don't know if they're true but I know Peyton and everyone knows how you treated her… and let's not forget the only reason why you know me was to get back at Lucas.."

"That was a long time ago.. I've apologized to her and Lucas and you.. and if you haven't noticed.. Peyton, Lucas and I are actually friends… they've forgiven me.."

"Yes, you apologized and yes I know you are sincere but still Nathan.. you can have any girl at school.. why me.. I've seen guys like you… you'll get tired of me and toss me aside just like what you did with dozens of girls before me.. I'm not one of those girls and I'm not going to be."

"And that's why I want you.. you aren't any of those girls .. you're better than them.. you're smart, funny, you're the only one who has repeatedly turned me down but I can't get enough of you.. and in case you haven't noticed.. you're kinda hot.. though you can do away with that ugly poncho.."

She hit him in the arm.

"Leave my poncho alone." She pouted. "And stop sounding so nice.. it almost makes me believe you.."

"Almost huh?" Nathan responded and with out anyone, he lunged himself towards Haley, grabbing a hold of her face and kissing her.

"You shouldn't have done that."

Nathan was nearly breathless, kissing Haley gave him the most incredible feeling. "Well, I wanted to." Nathan responded in almost a whisper. He reached out and kissed her again, this time more passionately than the first. Haley couldn't believe what was happening. She wanted to push him away, to break off this incredible kiss. But despite herself, she kissed him back, to which Nathan was thrilled.

Their lips parted, both of them grasping for air and looking straight into each others eyes. Haley couldn't it back any more. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him again. Haley had kissed him back, Nathan was on top of the world. He never felt better. After their lips parted, they stood there, their arms wrapped around each other and Haley resting her head on Nathan's bear chest. He loved the feeling of her silky hair and soft skin pressed up against him.

Nathan broke off the embrace and took a step down, his hand extended towards Haley's. "Come with me."

"But the party."

"Forget the party.. I only came here because I knew you would be here."

Haley blushed again and took his hand. They ended up at Nathan's empty beach house. They lied down on the back patio, overlooking the ocean and the sound of waves crashing onto to the shore. Haley curled up against Nathan, he head resting on his chest and his red cape acting as a blanket, keeping both of them warm.

"Nathan.."

"Yeah.."

"There's something else I want to tell you."

"You can tell me anything."

"I'm scared."

"Why cuz it's Halloween, I told you I'll fight away any guys who dress up as clowns."

"No silly.. I tried to push you away but you were too stubborn… the truth is that I'm scared because I've never felt this way before and I .."

"Shhh.." Nathan said kissing her forehead.

"You want to know something." Nathan said and then whispering in her ear, "I'm scared too… because I've never felt this way either." She looked up and they smiled at each other and kissed once more. "Look I know you have every right to be scared of me .. I have a past, I can't deny that or that it'll probably bite me in the ass sooner rather than later but I'm crazy about you .. and the truth is that I'm scared too.. terrified actually because I'm me and I tend to screw up a lot and that you'd realize what a basket case I am and leave me."

Haley smiled. "I already know that you're a basket case.. and I'm not going anywhere."

Nathan smiled back. "Good, cuz I aint either."

Fin ..