Jess's heart leapt when she hear the doorbell. She knew it was only 10 minutes ago she had called but after Haley had said she would come Jess just kept watching the clock. She sprang to her feet but Dan was up first.

"Please Jessica, allow me?"

No one calls me Jessica. Only my mum. No one else. Especially not him. Not now.

He was halfway down the hall before she could reply. Catching Nathan's eye, she smiled. Haley was here, everything was ok now, she didn't have to be so defensive, she wasn't alone anymore. She heard Haley's familiar voice at the door;

"Hi there I'm Ha---"

In the second it took Jess to realize Haley had stopped mid-sentence and cock her head to hear what was going on, both Lucas and Nathan were on their feet and halfway down her hallway. As Jess stood and twisted to see what was going on, she saw the door slam and Dan turn to face his children, his face telling them he might as well have just seen the devil himself.

He looked at each one in turn, and Jess turned in confusion to look at her new brothers; Lucas, who appeared to be silently pleading to his father to move out of the way, and Nathan, who's friendly glint had morphed into a steely glare and he spoke in a quiet voice, taking deep breaths as though to stop himself from punching the father he was sitting having coffee with seconds before.

"Dad. I'm only saying this once. Get out of my way."

Jess noticed his voice was sharp and steady, but she detected just a hint of warning in his tone. She glanced at Lucas, who shot his brother a warning look.

"Nate, Nate calm down. Dad just let him go. Please. Don't make a scene."

"Let him go?" Dan was incensed. "To that bitch? Do you remember how she almost ruined his career and tore our relationship apart! You want me to let him go to her!"

"Don't you dare talk abouShe did not almost ruin my career!" Nathan stormed, his temper finally getting the better of him, "And I think, if you remember rightly, it was you who killed our relationship, not Haley!"

"Nate, calm down-"

"No Lucas! Why the hell should I? I've got every right to make a damn fuss, she's my wife for Christ's sake!"

Wife? Haley? and - Nathan? Jess's head was spinning with confusion. She couldn't deal with this right now. She knew Haley was married of course, she knew how in love she was, after all, it was her who had comforted her when she first moved here, forbidden by the courts to go within 50 miles of North Carolina incase it sparked anymore flashbacks, too young to officially live without a guardian, forced into care against her will and separated from her husband incase he was taking advantage of her vulnerability as an abuse victim. She remembered Haley's flashbacks, and realised with a shudder how lucky she was. At least he wasn't around to hurt me. Jess jolted to life. This couldn't be good for Haley, a face from the past opening her door like that. She turned and ran to the back door, oblivious to her father's confused shout behind her. She had to help Haley.

Jesus, this is all my fault.

She ran around the side of the house and bumped into her worst fears halfway. Tears streaming down Haley's beautiful face, and a look of sheer terror as she grabbed Jess and pulled her around to run in the opposite direction from the house.

"He's coming, he's coming, he's going to kill me, he's going to kill me! Don't let him hurt me Jess please don't let him touch me!" She was muttering hysterically and fumbling in her purse as she ran for her car keys.

"Give me your keys Haley, give me your keys, I know where we can go, I'm not going to let anyone hurt you."

Jess coaxed the car keys from the wreck Haley had become, knowing to stay calm and focused for her friend. The flashbacks had been getting better, she knew, Haley told her they had practically gone completely before she went into care, they lessened when she felt safe and secure, but this was no good for her. Jess hated to think what Haley was reliving right now.

She turned the key and slammed the accelerator to the ground. She had to get Haley out of there. She had to get out of there.

As the Yaris sped down the street, the door burst open and three Scott men spilled out to see the small silver car disappear around the corner.

Nathan turned to his father, his face contorted with rage, years of resentment, and seething hatred.

"If anything happens to her, I'll kill you myself."

He walked steadily down the path and began to walk in the direction of the car.

Dan turned to Lucas, and recieved a similar look.

"That goes for either of them", Lucas fired, and began a light jog after his brother.

Mrs Henley appeared at the door behind Dan, who turned at the sound of her footsteps behind him.

"3 children in one day Mr Scott? I think we may need to work on that. We have some sessiona availa-"

"Go to Hell!" He snarled, cutting her off as he stormed down to the car and sped off after his sons.

"My kids are fine, its that bitch James you need to worry about!" he screamed out the window as the small letters reading DSCOTT1 disappeared into the distance.