Death and final had never seemed more permanent to Haley James Scott than it had the past few weeks. She didn't know if she was having an out of body experience or what, but all she knew was the fact that from the moment her mother took her last breath, leaving her behind, Haley became a shell of the person she once was. Nathan, loyal til the end, had stuck by her on her hardest days. It didn't seem to make a difference; she was still heart-achingly sad.

She didn't know which way was up and which way was down when it came to her depression, (if one could call the all-encompassing numbness she felt depression). She remembered the night she set the piano on fire. She simply didn't have the energy to care about anything anymore. Nathan had come running into their living room, yanking her out of the way. She had been able to register the fear in his eyes but what he feared; she couldn't begin to fathom. Her? Her safety? She didn't know and she didn't really care. Caring hurt too much.

Staring into the pool, Haley noticed the way their backyard lights' reflection shimmered in the glistening water. She wasn't sure what she was doing out here – she just knew she needed to feel something. Looking at the water once more, Haley didn't hesitate to plunge downward into it, letting the iciness roll over her. She sank to the bottom, keeping herself there by making her body float a little bit.

As she stayed under the water's surface, thoughts began spinning into her mind. Jaime's birth. Her wedding day. Nathan jumping off the bridge after Cooper. Happiness and sadness alike swam through her mind and it was too much. Suddenly, she didn't know how to breathe. She felt the tears come and go as gently as rain down a street. The water helped wash them away and it was like she wasn't even crying to begin with.

Help me.

Help me.

Please, someone help me.

Just then, she heard a splash as someone jumped into the pool and felt her body being tugged upward. Once her head broke water, she blinked the water out of her eyes, spotting Nathan fully dressed and looking at her in fear.

"Haley?" Nathan gasped, holding onto her. She coughed, expelling a bunch of water from her lungs.

"Oh god, baby. Just breathe," Nathan instructed, pulling her into his chest. Her arms went around his body automatically, and she tethered herself to him.

They hugged in the water for what felt like an eternity before Nathan noticed his wife's shaking.

"You're shaking, Hales," he murmured, and she shrugged.

"I'm fine," she said quietly.

"Come on, let's get out of the pool and into a hot shower," he said gently, and she was simply too exhausted to argue anything anymore so let him swim them to the edge of the pool and help get her out after he got out first. They made their way into the house, with Haley not saying much. They had already tucked Jaime into bed so she knew he was out for the night. That was a relief.

Once they reached their room, Nathan led her to their bathroom, sitting her down on the lid of the toilet.

"Raise your arms, sweetheart," he said softly, and she complied.

He lifted her wet shirt over her head, then unbuttoned her jeans. She helped get them off, along with her bra and underwear. Then he undressed himself and led her to the shower. The water was hot but not scalding and Haley found her muscles relaxing considerably. She stood in the shower, too numb to do anything, so Nathan took that as his cue to help wash her. She wanted to move; wanted to do something, but she was just too damn tired.

Eventually, Nathan got the shower turned off and reached around their glass door to where their towels were. Wrapping one around his wife, Haley found herself feeling warm for the first time all night.

"Come on baby, let's go lay down," Nathan said, and she nodded.

He guided her to their room and sat her down on the edge of their bed, before kissing her forehead.

"Let me get changed and then I'll bring you some pajamas, alright?" Nathan asked.

"Can I have a pair of your pants and one of your college shirts?" Haley whispered, and Nathan nodded.

"Of course, sweetheart," he said gently.

After he got dressed, he came back to the bed and Haley dropped the towel. He was gentle with his ministrations as he got her dressed.

"Better?" Nathan asked quietly, and she nodded. "Let's lay down."

Nathan got into bed and pulled her into his chest, wrapping a secure arm around her. Haley didn't know how to explain what she was thinking by jumping into the pool but she knew she had to try, for the sake of Nathan.

"I wasn't looking for an end," she said lowly, and Nathan's hold squeezed tighter as she heard him inhale shakily. "I was looking for a way to feel something. Anything."

"And, did you?" Nathan asked, and Haley thought about it.

"No," she admitted honestly. "I just feel numb. It's like my mother took a part of me with her when she passed and I don't know how to get it back. But, if I give up on the faith that it gets better than I've lost all hope."

"Then, don't give up on that faith, baby. I swear, it'll get better. No matter how many bad days you have, you're still going to have one more good day. And, you have me. I'll always be here," Nathan said firmly.

Haley nodded, feeling the tiredness sweep over her whole body.

"I know," she murmured.

"And, I know you don't think it's going to help but I want you to give therapy another try. After tonight, I don't think we can fight this on our own anymore," Nathan said softly but with conviction. Haley thought about it before nodding.

"Alright," she whispered. She had reached rock bottom. The only way up was from here. It was time to start getting her life back. With Nathan and the rest of her friends and family by her side, the task didn't seem as daunting as it once did. And, that's what allowed her to breathe a bit easier.

Fin.

Author's note: First time writing Naley. Would love feedback. Xxx