Claudia was standing on a chair, in her cheerleading uniform, as she put up a big banner. Several posters were scattered on the ground all around her. Nathan walked up to her in a shirt and tie- Whitey's rules.

"I need to be tutored." Nathan stated and Claudia turned to face. "I think I'm failing marriage," Nathan continued and Claudia smirked. 

"Did you try sleeping with the teacher?" She asked with her hand on her hip smiling. Nathan laughed as he grabbed her and helped her down from the chair. Claudia held onto his tie. 

"You in a shirt and tie, I swear to god makes my knees weak, Nathan Scott." Claudia smirked as she looked up at him.

"I told you I had a thing for cheerleaders, right?" Nathan asked rhetorically before they kissed, Claudia pulled away confused.

"Okay so how are you failing marriage?" Claudia asked laughing and Nathan sighed.

"I'm just tired of thinking about the accident. I need to get focused again and start thinking about basketball." Nathan replied and Claudia made an "aren't you forgetting someone?" expression.

"All right." Claudia muttered slightly looking up at him, Nathan then realised her expression.

"And you." Nathan added and Claudia laughed.

"You are lucky." She smiled pointing at him. "You really are failing marriage, aren't you?" She asked jokingly and Nathan smiled at her.

"You know I'm always thinking about you, Claude." Nathan replied and Claudia placed a hand on each of his shoulder.

"You better be because I am pretty sure Chris Keller has my number." Claudia joked but Nathan wasn't amused. "It was a joke." Claudia laughed and then Nathan rolled his eyes. "Okay, you were complimenting me..." Claudia dragged on so he would continue. 

"Thank you for being so patient with me--I just needed some time ... but after tonight ... everything's gonna be better, I promise." Nathan replied and Claudia didn't know what to say. 

"Look this is amazing and all but are you sure you're okay? The stuff from the bridge won't go away that quick." Claudia explained and Nathan nodded his head.

"You know--no matter what goes wrong in my life, every time I set foot on that basketball court it all goes away." Nathan explained and Claudia looked away slightly thinking about basketball. "You'll see." Nathan smiled before he held Claudia's face and gave her a kiss. "All right?" Nathan asked and Claudia bit her lip smiling. Claudia winked at and then watched him leave smirking. 

___

Claudia and Jack were sitting in the music room, Claudia was messing around on the piano and Jack was on the floor messing around on a guitar. Claudia stopped playing and turned to face.

"I can't believe mum and dad get back tomorrow." Claudia said in disbelieve. "I mean I spoke to them on the phone and stuff but I haven't missed them like I used to." Claudia admitted and Jack nodded his head.

"It might be because you are hitched now." Jack replied and Claudia laughed.

"Nathan makes everything better, you know?" Claudia whispered to Jack. 

"Not personally but I understand." Jack replied and Skills walked up to the door.

"Guess who's a Raven?!" Skills exclaimed and Claudia exclaimed.

"Skills! I am so rooting for you tonight!" Claudia shouted as she hugged him, she looked at Skills jersey and knew the number. "This is Lucas'." Claudia whispered as Jack congratulated Skills.

"Yeah, I know. My dawg, gave it to me." Skills smiled and Claudia hugged Skills one last time.

"It's like we are all back together again." Claudia smiled to herself nostalgically. Haley walked past and pointed at her boyfriend.

"I am stealing you." Haley smirked and Jack ran out with her. Claudia and Skills looked at each other laughing.

___

There was a big paper banner that read "Go Ravens! Championship bound" covering the door. It tore because Nathan rans through it, Skills behind and the other players behind him. The Cheerleaders were all lined up by the door, cheering, as the players passed them, the crowd on the bleachers cheered and applauded. As Nathan ran past Claudia blew him a kiss, Rachel did not look pleased. 

"Okay, fans, you are in for a treat. Tonight, we are lucky to be joined by Lucas Scott--former Ravens shooting guard." Mouth commentated excitably as he sat at the booth was Lucas and Gigi.

"Very lucky and aroused." Gigi smiled and both boys looked at her weird as she grinned.

"Yes, very lucky." Mouth muttered uncomfortably. "Before tonight's game Mayor Dan Scott is here to present an award to one of our very own Ravens." Mouth explained into the microphone changing the subject. Claudia smiled at Nathan with proudness as Dan stood in the middle of court holding a microphone and a plague.

"A week ago, my son, Nathan Scott, risked his life to save two people this act of bravery, and selflessness in the face of grave danger ... is a quality I most hoped to inspire in him ... and I'm happy to say that I succeeded on behalf of Tree Hill." Dan explained and all Claudia could think about was how amazing her husband was. Dan held up the plague. "I'd like to present this award of valour  to my son, Nathan Scott!" Dan exclaimed and the crowd cheered and applauded s Nathan ran up to Dan to receive the plaque. All of a sudden Rachel ran up to Nathan, she jumped in his arms and kissed him on the mouth. Nathan looked at her in shock, Dan smiled. Claudia glared, and I don't just mean glare, I mean death glare. Like you are lucky you are not sick feet under glee. 

"Thank you ... hero." Rachel whispered to Nathan seductively before she ran back in line. 

"What did she just do to my husband?" Claudia hissed at Haley and Peyton, they didn't know what to say. Everyone was confused as to why Rachel just kissed the married senior!

"I'm proud of you, son." Dan said to Nathan without the microphone as he stuck his hand out for Nathan to shake. Nathan looked at Dan's hand for a second and then at Dan before he looked away.  

"Let's play ball." Nathan shouted as he held up his plague. He walked away from Dan leaving him hurt and angry. The crowd cheered as the players and cheerleaders broke. Claudia and Rachel were walking next to each other. Rachel was focusing too much on Claudia's husband. 

"Stay the hell away from my husband." Claudia spat pushing Rachel. Rachel scoffed.

"I was just giving him a proper "thank you"." Rachel replied bitchy and Claudia smiled at her.

"You're thank-you's send people to the free clinic." Claudia stated harshly and Peyton laughed really loud. She walked away from them all quickly and up to Nathan.

"I am going to kill a whore." She muttered in his ear angrily and Nathan laughed a little. Haley linked arms with Claudia and took her to her spot on the sideline.

"R A C H E L!" Claudia spelt out in a cheerleading like still. Rachel looked over at her. "WHORE!" Claudia continued and Rachel shook her head at her before looking away.

"Okay, here we go, it's Tree Hill versus Masonboro!" Mouth commentated as the referee threw the ball in the air. "The winner advances in the post season," Mouth explained as the Raven's won the toss up. "And the Ravens win the tip!" Mouth exclaimed and the crowd cheered. "Nathan Scott has it out on the wing. Nathan drives past his defender. And he scores!" Mouth commentated every mood that Nathan made. 

Claudia wasn't really in the mood for cheering however, Haley, Peyton, Bevin, Brooke and Rachel did. Claudia gave Peyton a really dirty look, Rachel gave her a look back before she looked back at the game. Nathan continued to sore and Claudia tried to look happy for him but all she could think about was Rachel.

"Scott drives to the hoop and he's fouled!: Mouth commentated and Lucas made a "dang" expression. "He'll step to the line for a couple of free throws." Mouth continued as him and lucas clapped. Nathan stood in front of the cheerleaders, who were rubbing their pom-pom's together. "Nathan's a perfect six for six tonight, he's got twelve points," Mouth said just as Nathan scored, "... and now thirteen!" He exclaimed and Claudia clapped her hand as she cheered. Rachel placed on hand on her hip and the other in the smiling. 

Claudia looked concerned as she watched Nathan blank out for a moment. Rachel was looking at him from behind the basketball net. She smiled at him seductively as her hair flowed. Nathan looked from the net and then looked at her. Claudia looked at RACHEL and then at Nathan, she was upset. Nathan shot the ball and he missed. Nathan closed his eyes disappointed, Claudia knew that it wasn't his fault. He couldn't of missed, it was not in his nature. Rachel stared at seductively which Claudia caught onto. She looked down sadly.

___

Claudia cheered loudly when she saw Skills running out onto the court.

"Go Skills!" Claudia cheered loudly, she was smiling proud. Rachel came up behind her.

"You have a husband." She taunted and Claudia rolled her eyes.

"Unlike you, you just throw yourself at them desperately." Claudia hissed back and Rachel walked back to her position.

"So Skills Taylor has checked into the game!" Mouth commentated as they passed Skills the ball and he ran. "For his first time as a Raven, he's wasting no time as he drives to the basket and scores!" Mouth exclaimed excitably and Claudia cheered for her best friend. She cheered like she did in junior year when it was Lucas on the court instead of Skills and she hated/uncontrollably liked Nathan. Until he was a jerk to Lucas of course.

"Yo, man, you're as easy to score on as your mom--oh, my fault, ain't nobody that easy." Skills taunted to the opposing team player before he turned to his teammate."Gimme the ball, I got mad "D" boy, better protect the ball." Skills stated as he stole the ball from the Masonboro player. 

"Skills with the steal, he knocks the ball away!" Mouth commentated as Skills threw the ball to Nathan.  "Picks it up and he throws it ahead to Nathan Scott. Nathan racing up court." Mouth continued and Nathan shot the basket. "And Nathan's gonna lay it in for two!" Mouth exclaimed excitably and Claudia jumped up and down smiling at her husband. He smirked back at her before he ran back on the court. 

"As most of you know, Lucas Scott was co-captain until he was sidelined for health reasons. It must be tough to go from playing the game to watching." Mouth asked Lucas for his podcast. Claudia stopped cheering and listened in.

"Aw, man, well I'd be lying if I say I don't miss it but I'm really happy for my friend Skills Taylor ... There's nothing like that first night when you step out on the floor feeling you- you don't ever wanna give it back." Lucas explained and Claudia looked over at him sympathetically. She was mad at him for what he did to Brooke but he she wasn't going to let that stop her from feeling bad for him. 

___

Claudia and Nathan got out from the car. Nathan was wearing what he wore to school only his shirt was tucked out and his tie was undone and hanging from his neck. Claudia got changed into a bellbottoms jeans and a clothes over bros hippy top. They headed towards the house. 

"It's like Rachel wants people to hate her." Claudia stated as she held Nathan's hand. "I mean, first of all, she goes after Lucas just to upset Brooke and then she gets drunk and nearly kills Cooper now she's ... throwing herself at you." Claudia ranted but Nathan was acting weird, like out of a party mood weird as they entered Rachel's backyard.

"Yeah, that ... sucks."  Nathan replied not really listening, he had too much on his mind.

"That sucks?" Claudia asked laughing a little, but Nathan was still quiet. She deeply sighed. "What's wrong, the Raven's won, aren't you happy?" Claudia asked trying to cheer her up.

"Yeah, I just think maybe you should go easy on her. I mean--she's probably having a tough time with the accident." Nathan explained and Claudia looked at him annoyed and confused.

"She caused the accident, Nate." Claudia stated and then she shook her head. "I can't believe I am hearing this. She kissed you, married you. In front of everyone, how do you think I feel?" Claudia asked annoyed. She was really hurt from what  Nathan just said.

"Yeah, you're right--lets go inside. Come on." Nathan smiled, he really just wanted the conversation to end. The couple walked into the house. Claudia was dreading it.

___

Claudia was sitting on the couch and Haley was cuddling with Jack on the other couch. She wasn't drinking much to her dismay.

"Rachel is throwing herself at Nathan and it is annoying me." Claudia stated as she glared at Rachel who was standing in the doorway alone. "I mean Nathan was sticking up for her! HER!" Claudia ranted. "Go easy on her, she is hurt after the accident." Claudia mocked and Haley looked at her shocked.

"He said that?" She asked jaw dropped and Claudia sulked as she nodded her head.

"Aw is little sister jealous?" Jack asked and Claudia glared at him.

"He's my husband, Jack!" Claudia exclaimed and Haley laughed. "Haley please find yourself a better guy, a smarter guy even?" Claudia asked and Lucas walked over to them. Claudia and Haley were not in the mood for him either- considering what he did.

"Did I just hear my name?" Lucas joked as he walked over to them. Claudia glared at it.

"I think I might kill Rachel, should I add your name to my list?" Claudia asked smiling coldly. Lucas gave her a confused look before he turned to Jack.

"Well I am going, Jack want to come?" Lucas asked and Jack jumped up.

"I am leaving." He answered as he started to walk away, Lucas followed after him. Haley stood up and walked over to Claudia on her couch.

"She is such a slut, Haley keep Jack close to you she might steal him." Claudia warned and Haley shook her head.

"She won't." Haley replied but Claudia wasn't paying attention. She was looking at Rachel speaking to Nathan.

"There she goes again. Look at them standing really close!" Claudia shouted annoyed pointing at them.

"Claude, Nathan is probably telling her to stay away. Look he pulled away and now he is walking away." Haley commentated and Claudia just sighed deeply. Rachel watched Nathan leaved before she looked over at Claudia. Claudia looked at Nathan again before walking the opposite way, upset. Haley just fell back on the couch. Rachel watched Claudia leave with a 'mission complete' smile.

___

Claudia saw that Lucas was speaking to some girl and she walked up to his ear. Brooke told her how Lucas had kissed Peyton, again! Did he not learn the first time?

"What are you gonna kiss her now, too?" Claudia asked harshly and Lucas turned to face her. "What?!" He exclaimed confused as hell, the girl he was speaking to walked off.

"Brooke told me that you kissed Peyton again!" Claudia exclaimed and Lucas closed his eyes. "Luke, that's the dumbest thing you've done since the first time you kissed her--what the hell where you thinking?" Claudia asked confused.

"I was thinking that she was dying ... she's lying in my arm--blood is pouring out of her leg and she kissed me, well, and anyway," Lucas explained before he smiled coldly, he realised something vital. "Do you really wanna go there?" He asked and Claudia looked at him confused. 

"What does that mean?" Claudia asked aloud.

"What leg were you shot in when you kissed Chris Keller?" Lucas asked and Lucas gave her the 'hypocrite' look before he walked away. Claudia marched off mad. 

"Stupid Rachel!" She shouted as she marched off.

___

Claudia was sitting on the first step, feet were spread out across it, and two girls skipped over her and headed downstairs. Lucas walked up to her and she scooted so he could sit with her. 

"I'm sorry." Claudia apologised and Lucas sat down. "I'm an idiot--I shouldn't have come at you like that." Claudia admitted as Lucas sighed heavily and deeply.

"I'm sorry, too--" Lucas began to say before Claudia interrupted. 

"I hate Rachel." Claudia hissed, she used to get on Nathan's back for being jealous but she was probably just as bad or worse.

"You know, she probably just," Lucas began to say before Claudia gave him the look. "Oh, I hate her, too!" Lucas joked and Claudia laughed. 

"I'm really sorry about you and Brooke." Claudia said sympathetically.

"Me too." Lucas replied sighing.

"She's probably going through a lot right now." Claudia explained.

"Yeah, well, she's just gonna have to go through it alone." Lucas replied bluntly as he drank from his red cup.

"Hey, Luke, will you promise me something?" Claudia asked.

"Mm-hmm." Lucas replied nodding his had.

"No matter what happens ... you and I, we'll always be friends." Claudia stated and Lucas playfully touched her knee. 

"Always," Lucas began to say before he got a really deep voice, "and forever." He finished jokingly. Claudia was not amused.

"Shut up." She whispered as she playfully hit him on the shoulder with her elbow. Lucas laughed but Claudia was not finding anything amusing. 

___

Claudia walked past Rachel angrily, however, she was not in the mood for confrontation. Unlike Rachel. 

"If you're looking for Nathan. He's in my bedroom." Rachel smirked tauntingly and Claudia turned to her with clenched fists.

"If you're looking for a black eye it's in my fist." Claudia replied back completely serious. Rachel laughed with an attitude. "Why do you always go after guys that you can't have?" Claudia asked annoyed.

"Let me know if you see any?" Rachel asked bitchy and Claudia scoffed.

"I would! Except I heard he left town." Claudia replied back equally as harsh, however, Rachel deserved it.

"I understand why you're so angry, Claudia." Rachel stated looking Claudia up and down. "I used to be a fat chick with a little head, too." Rachel offended harshly before walking away. Claudia just closed her eyes and shook her head. 

___

Nathan walked into their apartment and closed the door carefully. He walked over to the bedroom where Claudia was lying on the bed, her back facing him, she is wide awake but Nathan didn't realise. Nathan stood by the drawer as he took out his keys and miscellaneous items.

"You keep going to that bridge," Claudia said tearfully, she still was not facing him. Nathan looked at her. "I never thought I'd be jealous of a river, I mean hot girls sure but a river no." Claudia laughed a little.

"You know how much I like the water." Nathan sighed.

"I'm really trying not to be jealous and I want to be understanding but, uh," Claudia admitted as Nathan leaned on the drawers, "it's really hard with you sneaking around." 

"I'm sorry." Nathan whispered as he shook his head, Claudia clutched onto covers.

"I don't want you to be sorry, I want you to let me in ... whatever it is, you know? ... even if it has suh--something with Rachel ... even if you like her." Claudia explained and her voice broke when it came to the Rachel part. "I just want you to tell me." Claudia stated as Nathan walked to Claudia on the bed. 

"Do you think I like Rachel?" Nathan asked and Claudia nodded her head. "Claudia, I was just, I was just talking to her about the accident." Nathan said truthfully as he sat on the bed. Claudia moved to look at him, she was still lying down. "I just wanted to know if she saw him, too." Nathan admitted looking to the ground.

"Saw who?" Claudia asked with a confused expression.

"Keith." Nathan sighed as he looked at Claudia who was lying on her back. "I think he's the one that pulled me out of that car. I'm nobody's hero." Nathan explained and Claudia felt so sympathetic towards him.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Claudia asked.

"Because I thought it would go away--I thought basketball would fix it, but it didn't." Nathan explained and Claudia shook her head. 

"Nathan." Claudia said as she sat up to look at him. "Your problems are my problems ... I want us to figure this out together." Claudia explained and she smirked at him, "and you're wrong." She added as she grabbed his shirt and pulled him down on the bed. He positioned himself on top of her.

"You're my hero." Claudia smiled as she rested as hand on his cheek.

"So you don't think I'm crazy?" Nathan asked sighing.

"No, I do not think you're crazy." Claudia replied truthfully as Nathan played with Claudia's hair. "You think I'm fat?" Claudia asked awkwardly, Nathan looked at her shocked.

"What?" Nathan asked and Claudia looked at him with big puppy eyes. "Of course not." Nathan smiled.

"Do I have a little head?" Claudia asked pouting a little.

"No ... I love your head." Nathan smiled reassuringly as Claudia looked into his eyes. "Come here." He laughed as he kissed Claudia on the forehead, she smiled. 

"So that's why you keep going down to that bridge?" Claudia asked bring the subject back to Keith. Nathan gave her a 'Yep' expression. 

"For that and," Nathan began as he reached into his pocket and pulled out the cracker jack box bracelet. They lost it when Claudia put it on Nathan's wrist minutes before the accident, "this." Nathan continued as he slid it on Claudia's wrist. She grinned at her husband. "I love you, Claudia." Nathan finished and Claudia smiled so much, it was untameable. 

"I love you, too, Nathan Scott." She smirked before they kissed.