So, this chapter and chapter 10 were originally all one chapter. But after I had finished it, it ended up being way too long and way too much all at once. It ended up being well over 12K words and I wasn't sure if anyone really wanted to read all of that at once. Plus, I'm neurotic about trying to keep my chapter lengths as consistent as I possibly can. So I cut it into two. I'm really pumped about what's to come in the next few chapters, including this one because they're super intense and a lot happens. I've been mapping these moments out in my head since I first came up with this story, so to finally reach them is exciting!

Also, this probably goes without saying but since I am a freak of nature and like to overthink every little thing, I am putting a little disclaimer here. Haley does some things in this chapter that are majorly OOC and were difficult to write because of how OOC it was. However, all of the OOC stuff is only because she is undercover and playing a role. It is all fake for the sake of the case! On top of that, as a part of the storyline, I had to write the most vile character I have ever written and I wanted to throw up the entire time. You guys will see what I mean when you read this chapter.

Lastly, just as a fair warning, Naley is going to be quite a slow burn in this story. They're going to be embarking on a change in their relationship soon, but it won't exactly be rainbows and butterflies. Lust is going to play a big role (as it already has been), but is it really just lust?

Alright, I'll shut up now.

Chapter Nine

August 18th, 2010

Nathan leaned his elbows against the bar, surveying his surroundings. Out of all the clubs they had been to over the last few weeks, Luna's was by far the classiest. The liquor was top shelf, nothing less. No one step foot in the place without wearing designer, or at least cheaply made knock-off versions that no one couldn't tell difference after a few drinks.

The guys walked around in crisp suit jackets and neatly ironed dress shirt, ties optional, while girls glittered with jewelry and high heels. The whole thing was a little too flashy and fake for Nathan. People came here when they wanted to escape who they really were—spending money they didn't truly have of half-finished drinks and shots of tequila when they didn't even like tequila.

Nathan couldn't wait for the day they no longer had to step foot into that place.

The last few weeks hadn't gone as they planned, but then again, things usually didn't in this line of work. Felix was a lot craftier than they originally gave him credit for. Luckily, no new bodies had popped up, but Felix still left his mark in the form of drug parties and discarded paraphernalia. He bounced from club to club, never saying in one long enough for them to catch him.

Until now.

After a lot of late nights, research, and frustration, they finally leaped to one step in front of Felix. It turned out that Luna's was owned by Felix, under a pseudonym. It was also where his main operation was. It turned out that Felix was into more than just drugs and fetishes with swinger-like couples. He was attempting to build his own empire in the form of a mafia.

Because of the twist in events, they had to completely change their plan. They realized that in order to take down Felix, they had to do it in steps, working through the people that worked for him. Doing so meant more danger. More sacrifices. More work. Instead of just Nathan and Haley going undercover as a bait couple, they were all immersed somewhere in the inner workings of the club.

It took time and the help of the local police department, but they were headed in the right direction. Still, you could feel the tension between them all as they held their breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Especially tonight. It was now or never.

"You think Haley can handle this?" Clay asked, sliding up behind Nathan and placing a glass of Jack and Coke in front of him.

Nathan swiveled the bar stool and smirked at the sight Clay made. His dusty blonde hair was matted to his forehead with sweat and his white t-shirt clung to his body, spotted with various stains of spilled alcohol and juice. A dirty rag was tossed over his shoulder to finish off the look. Clearly, some people weren't too happy with their new placements in the assignment.

"Whatever you're gonna say…. don't," Clay warned with a pointed look. "We both know that becoming a bartender wasn't my first choice."

Nathan hid his smile behind the crystal glass, taking a quick sip of his drink. "It could be worse. You could be working trash like Keller is."

Clay shuttered as he tried to look busy, wiping down the bar and making minimal eye contact with Nathan. The last thing they wanted to do is draw suspicion. While undercover, communication was quick conversations like this, notes on napkins, and the occasional text messages.

"So, Haley?" Clay reverted the conversation back to his original question. "She seems to have her claws deep into this."

Nathan tried to keep his face level, but his insides were twisting. Haley volunteered to take on the most dangerous position on this job—get as close to Felix's crew as possible. In this case, that job took on the form of being seductive and vixen-like, almost like a call-girl. Nathan wasn't surprised when Felix's goons had latched on to her immediately, melting into her charm and tucking her beneath their battered, dark wings.

While that was good for the case, it worried Nathan. The guys she was surrounded by were sleazy, touchy, and disgusting. They did anything and everything to whoever they wanted. He knew Haley could hold her own, but he also knew how deeply she can get herself lost in cases. When she volunteered for this, he saw that spark in her eye, like she was only doing it like she had something to prove.

"She's cunning and smart as hell," Nathan stated. "If anyone can handle this, it's Haley."

Clay gave him a knowing look. "But you're worried, aren't you?"

"Insanely," he replied without missing a beat.

The house lights dimmed, cutting their conversation short. The music, which had been at a pretty low volume, increase sharply. Colorful lights bounced around wildly to the beat of the music as people cheered, gravitating towards the dance floor.

"Showtime," Clay muttered before returning to his normal tasks as a bartender.

Nathan swung his gaze over to the back entrance of the club. A few of Felix's men were already making their way inside, hanging on each other and whooping crude phrases at each other. He immediately squared his eyes on the dirty blonde one leading the pack. They called him Vegas and he was Felix's second in command. He had also taken a special interest in Haley.

It made Nathan sick having to watch Vegas hang all over Haley. His arm was almost always secured around her waist with his eyes leering at her in ways that made Nathan want to crush every one of his bones. Haley maintained a brave face through it all, playing her role so well it was almost Oscar worthy. Even so, he could pinpoint that little glint of disgust in her eyes anywhere.

Nathan rolled his eyes at the spectacle they made as they entered the club. They were loud and lewd, which didn't really come as surprise. Goons like them always had to make an entrance.

Haley rounded the corner with her head down, eyes up, and a smirk on her face. Her top was made of nothing but black lace, molding to the curves of her body like a second skin. The black leather pants she was wearing her high waisted, a thin red belt curled through the loops. Every piece of her hair was a perfect wave, paired with dark and smokey make-up.

Damn, but if she didn't look good.

Breaking off from the rowdy group, she slid over to the bar. She walked with a confidence and a seduction that Nathan knew the real Haley didn't normally possess. As amusing as he found her little show, it worried him how easy it was for her to get lost in this other persona.

"Can I get a martini?"

Her voice was as smooth as Tennessee whiskey and as sultry as red wine.

"And make it dirty."

Nathan smirked behind his glass as he took another sip of his drink. In his peripheral, he could see Haley eyeing him.

"A martini, huh? I figured you be more of a gin and tonic kind of girl," Nathan shamelessly flirted. He was vigilant in the way he talked, choosing his words precisely and keeping his tone illusive.

A few seconds later, her drink was placed in front of her. Wrapping her hand around the cool glass, she ran her nails, tipped with black polish, over the pools of condensation that were already forming.

"The night's still young," she cooed back. She made a show of wrapping her lips around the straw, giggling when she saw Nathan's eyes narrow. "Are you gonna be the one to buy me that drink?"

Nathan remained coy, licking his lips and dragging his eyes over her body. "I don't normally buy drinks for random pretty girls at bars, but I might just make an exception for you."

If they weren't working a job, he would have fully enjoyed this whole strangers-meet-at-a-bar roleplay thing they had going on.

Her eyes were twinkling with that mischief that drove him wild.

"I bet you say that to every pretty girl you meet," she crooned back.

He allowed himself to smile fully. "I'm Nathan Scott," he said smoothly, extending his hand to her.

Haley pressed her lips together in an effort to keep herself from laughing. She glanced down at this hand, one eyebrow extending upward. She twirled her straw around her drink for effect.

"And I'm not interested."

It was all too easy. Even with the dread of their job looming over their heads and spies literally surrounding them, they can find solace in a little bit of humor. Nathan figured that things like that shouldn't exist, not in this line of work, but they did.

Nathan held back his laugh, turning his body so that he was no longer facing her. If they weren't careful, that playful banter of theirs could ruin the whole mission. He didn't speak again until enough time had passed.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly, yet quickly. His voice was barely audible over the house music that was pulsing through the air. He kept his gaze locked on the people dancing in front of him. Occasionally, he'd glance over at Haley to read her expression, careful not to seem too friendly with her.

Since that day in the lounge, they hadn't properly talked. They were so quickly thrusted into this job that it didn't leave any room for personal, or even casual, conversations. Any time they had to talk was infiltrated with information to report and what the next step of the plan was.

Still, neither of them had forgotten what had transpired—the heated words and salacious touched—they just chose to put it on the back burner. They had more pressing issues to deal with

For a few brief seconds, Haley dropped the act. Her eye's softened, warmth and color returning to the depths of them. It was amazing how who she was a few seconds ago looked nothing like the true Haley he saw now.

Tucking a piece of wayward hair behind her ear, she nodded. "I'm okay."

Without warning, Vegas appeared next to Haley. His arm snaked around her waist and hulled her into his side. He's got an overly friendly smile on his face, one that doesn't match the coolness in his blue eyes. Within a second, Haley's back to being the hound she was moments before. Her posture straightened and all the life drained from her eyes.

In Nathan's opinion, this was one of the most challenging parts of their job. It was like second nature, falling into step in usual habits. But those usual habits could get you killed.

"This guy bothering you?" Vegas asked gruffly, pointing a crooked finger at Nathan. He didn't take his eyes off of Nathan. Instead, they trailed over him like he was sizing him up, gearing for a fight. Nathan held back his laugh.

Haley fluttered her eyelashes at him, her lips rising over her porcelain white teeth. "Nah. He was just asking me what's good to drink here."

Vegas' smile dropped into a vile smirk, but his eyes remained the same. Nathan knew guys like Vegas well. They were territorial over every little thing. They were quick to resort to violence to get what they wanted or to protect what they believed was rightfully theirs. He could see that little spark like a neon sign in Vegas and it was directed right at Haley.

"Hm, that better be all he asks of you," Vegas purred, pressing a kiss to Haley's cheek. She didn't flinch. In fact, she showed no outward emotion at all.

Tearing her gaze away from Nathan, she smiled gleefully at Vegas. "Come on, baby, let's go dance."

Vegas regarded Nathan for a few more seconds, almost like he didn't trust him. Nathan can only repay the favor with a tight-lipped smirk. When they break eye contact, Nathan resisted the urge to gag and he knew Haley was doing the same.

If this whole police work business didn't work out, maybe they had a future career in acting.

~x~

The muscles in her cheeks were straining to maintain the sultry smile she had on her face. Her lungs were burning as she tried her hardest to only breathe in small quantities of air at once as the stench of cigarette smoke and weed were making her head spin. If anything was going to blow her cover, it was going to be an accidental expression of how disgusted she was.

She'd only been undercover to this extent a handful of times. As scary as it was and could get, she loved it. As crazy as it sounded, she saw it as an escape for her own life. It was a breath of fresh air to be able to take on this different persona, especially when the end result was usually getting someone dangerous off the streets. At least, that's what she was telling herself.

When Haley initially volunteered to be the inside man, it was a shock even to herself. The words flowed out of her before she even comprehended what she was saying. The skeptic looks that everyone tossed her way only helped her affirm her decision. She knew what the reasoning behind those looks were. She was the Chief's daughter and sending the Chief's daughter head first into a mission this dangerous was a death sentence.

Haley didn't need to be coddled and she certainly didn't want to be. It was a shame that her father's reputation preceded her and tainted almost every aspect of her life. Sometimes it scared her just how much she was willing to do to break out of that mold—like take on a job that could kill her.

None of her undercover positions had ever made her feel this…icy. The things Felix and his crew were involved in…they were so much darker than she could have ever imagined. Apparently, Felix dabbled in a lot of things—prostitution rings, drug cartels, murder, and fraud. People around him mysteriously disappeared constantly with no trace or any kind of evidence. He was careful and precise. The couple murders were the only time he allowed himself to get messy.

In the past week, since she's been deeply undercover in this operation, she hadn't laid eyes of Felix once. Instead, she was surrounded by mindless pigs who bathed in all the money, drugs, and alcohol they could possibly get their grimy hands on. She had a feeling they were the ones who did his dirty work, like the murders.

Out of all of them though, Vegas was the most repulsive, but he was also the closest to Felix. Haley wasn't sure if it was pure luck that Vegas had immediately taken an interest in her or if made her job even harder. From the first day she walked into that club, he had clung on to her like white on rice. All it took was a little fluttering of her eyelashes and some brazen flirting before she was in.

It was almost too easy and that was the part that scared her the most.

She was resting a red suede couch that was tucked in the corner of the upstairs part of the club. Vegas had dubbed it the VIP Lounge. This spot gave her the perfect view of everyone in the club.

"Baby, do a line with me," Vegas purred as he slid into the space next to her, capturing her attention. He forced his arm around her waist, pulling her into she was curled into his side. In his free hand was a small square mirror with two lines of cocaine neatly placed in the center.

She managed to control her urge to cringe and instead, flashed a flirty smile.

"Oh, honey, it takes me more than one measly little line to get me to feel anything," she teased, wrinkling her nose at the product on the mirror. "It would just be a waste of time."

She wasn't surprised when Vegas bought into her bullshit line. His brain was so fried from all the drugs he'd consumed over the years. Or, he was just naturally an imbecile who didn't know his ass from his elbow. Both were plausible.

Vegas stared at her for an awkward moment, a dopey smile on his face. He then started to laugh, removing his arm from around his waist and digging into his pocket for a rolled up hundred-dollar bill. Within seconds, the two lines of coke disappeared from the mirror. He tossed his head back and rubbed at his nose, tossing the mirror back on the table.

"Damn, damn, damn," Vegas chanted, his eyes closed. "That shit gets better every time."

Haley plastered a smirk on her face, one that was full of bad ideas and allure. Straddling Vegas' hips, she dug her fingers into hair and yanked his hair back just the way she knew he liked it. Pain was his kick, something that only further proved her theory that he was a sick fuck.

Somewhere in that mess of people down below them was Nathan. She could feel his gaze on her, following her every move. As irritating as Nathan could be, she liked the fact that he cared so much about her. Throughout this whole experience, he checked up on her multiple times a day and always reminded her that she could back out at any time she wanted. She'd never admit it to his face, but he was the perfect partner in terms of viability.

Pushing those thoughts out of her mind, she pulled Vegas forward until her lips were on his. Kissing him was vile. He was wet and sloppy with it like he was trying to devour her face. He tasted of stale beer and cigarettes, not an easy combo to swallow down. Every night, she just about rinsed her mouth out with bleach.

Wolf whistles sounded from behind them. In response, Vegas trailed his hands over her ass and gripped her hard. She wished to God she could pull away and slap him. Instead, she faked a moan.

Sometimes being undercover meant engaging in the most disgusting and uncomfortable things a person could ever imagine. Sometimes it meant making some hard sacrifices.

Even so, she wouldn't trade her job in for anything.

"That's what I'm talking about!" One of the guys shouted, followed by other claps and shouts of what they thought was an endearment. She felt disgusting, the odious and crude things they were saying seeping into her skin like poison. Scratch brushing her teeth with bleach, she was going to have to bathe in bleach when this was all over.

"Let's go back to the room," Vegas demanded when they pulled away. She never did have much of a choice when it came to him.

Haley smiled the best provocative smile she could muster. "Whatever you want, baby."

~x~

Haley's back collided roughly with closed door of the penthouse suite that she assumed was owned by Felix. As a matter of show, she sifted her fingers through Vegas' hair and allowed fake, girlish moans to slip out of her mouth. He was kissing her neck if she could even call it kissing. It felt more like licks from a rabid dog.

"I can't wait to see this ass bouncing on my dick," Vegas murmured into her neck, his hands dropping to squeeze her ass once again.

God, she could just throw up. Did these lines usually work on the girls he tried to hook up with? So far, she'd done a pretty good job at dodging his advance, but she knew that eventually, he wasn't going to take no for answer. She just hoped that the job ended before it reached that point.

Haley tapped his chest gently, but forcefully, to put a little distance between them. With a twinkle in her eye, she smirked seductively and clicked her tongue.

"You're gonna have to work a little harder for that," Haley quipped. "That doesn't come cheap."

He smirked at her in that way that made her skin crawl. A greasy hand snuck its way into her hair. He jerked her head back and forced her down until she was on her knees in front of him. Haley's eyes burned and watered at the force of the pull, but she gritted her teeth in order to keep herself quiet.

"I guess you're just gonna have to get on your knees then," he growled. "You, at least, owe me that."

Her heart was beating wilding like the wings of a trapped bird against her rib cage. Bile rose in her throat as her brain scrambled for a way to get out of this.

As if God was listening in on her thoughts, a phone rang. Haley recognized the ring. It was coming from the burner phone that Vegas carried around with him at all times. That was the same phone that Felix called him on. She sighed in relief when Felix dropped his grip on her hair to take the call.

"What's up, man?" Vegas muttered into the phone.

Haley rolled her eyes at the way his voice changed whenever he talked to Felix. He always sounded so proper and submissive, almost like a doting housewife.

Haley watched carefully as Vegas listened intently to whatever Felix was saying on the other end. Her hearing was strained as she struggled to make out the quiet mumbling she heard on the other end.

"I'm up in the penthouse right now," Vegas said. "Trudy is with me, but that's it."

A few more seconds of silence.

"Fuck."

Haley's ears perked up at the obvious distress in Vegas' voice.

"We'll figure it out. No. Fuck, Felix, I know. Just…okay…yeah, I'll see you in a few."

Haley took this moment as an opportunity to stand up and take a quick bathroom break.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"I'm just going to freshen up," Haley replied with a quick wink. She turned her back on him before he had a chance to respond.

Closing the bathroom door behind it, she rested against it for a few long seconds. With her eyes closed, she took several deep breaths. Mentally and physically, she felt exhausted. She hadn't considered how draining it would be to spend a week pretending to be someone that she wasn't.

There were moments where she could feel herself slipping. Those were the scariest moments of this whole ordeal. She couldn't afford to fuck this up.

Walking over to the sink, she turned the water to its coldest setting and ran her hands under it. Afterward, she quickly splashed a little bit of the water onto her heated cheeks. Once she felt a little saner, she dug her phone out of her back pocket.

Penthouse at the Carlton. This might be our chance. Felix is coming up here to meet with Vegas.

Nathan responded quickly.

Julian and Brooke followed you when you left. They're covering the entrances. I'm on my way. Stall.

A second message came in a few seconds later.

Be careful.

It was go time.

~x~

Haley's heart jumped in her throat when she heard a keycard slide into the slot. She glanced over at Vegas who was laying on the bed across from her. His gaze never wavered from the door. A few short seconds letter, the door clicked and then it opened. When Felix stepped through the door, every hair on her body felt electrified.

She'd seen several pictures of him, but seeing him in person was eerie. He was a lot more polished than she expected—her gelled into a perfect style, black clothes all pressed and ironed, and tan skin as smooth as a baby. He had chains around his neck that were easily worth ten grand and a pristine Rolex watch on his wrist.

"You were supposed to send that shipment off to Calabasas yesterday," Felix said as soon as the door slammed shut. "I got clients lined up that have been waiting for weeks. I promised them they'd get their product to them by Friday."

Vegas swung his legs over the side of the bed and ran a frustrated hand over his face. "I thought I had. Everything was set to go, but something must have happened with at the office. I'll call them and see what the holdup is."

"This is a rookie mistake, Vegas," Felix berated. His tone was so condescending that Haley felt herself recoiling. "There is no room for rookie mistakes in my organization, you know that. You either do things right, or you face the consequences."

Haley watched as Vegas paled. She could only imagine what the consequences were.

"Come on, man," Vegas tried to reason. "It'll still arrive there by Saturday at the latest."

Felix shook his head. The anger that was burning in his eyes was intense. Haley wasn't sure she'd ever seen that kind of evil in a human before.

"It was supposed to be there Friday," Felix emphasized as he inched towards the door. "Which means we need to go to the office right now and figure this out before I blow your fricken brains out."

The icy hand of doubt traced over Haley's spine. The team needed to act fast if this was going to be the time they finally put him in cuffs. They couldn't just all barge up here, but they couldn't let him just walk out of here either. They were backed into a corner unless she came up with some way to keep Felix inside of the penthouse a little while longer.

She felt like her head was spinning and like her heart was going to jump out of her chest.

Felix opened the door and a lump formed in her throat when she saw Nathan standing there. Shit, that wasn't supposed to happen. He was supposed to stay hidden in the hall until Haley gave him the word.

"Who the fuck are you?" Felix growled at him.

While Nathan remained calm and stone-faced, Haley panicked.

"He's a friend of mine," she quickly said, jumping up from the bed. "I texted him to bring me my…um…house key because I had forgotten it."

Felix whipped around to look at her and she felt her knees buckle at his dreadful gaze. If looks could kill…

"You gave some random guy my address?" His gaze then shifted to Vegas. "Control your bitch, will ya?"

With narrowed eyes, Vegas drank in Nathan's appearance. Then, a light bulb went off in his head. "You were that guy that was hittin' on my girl in the club."

He looked back at Haley with disdain. "I thought you said you didn't know him."

She was going to pass out.

Without hesitation, Felix grabbed Nathan by the shirt and yanked him into the room, slamming the door shut behind him. Nathan stumbled a little, knocking into the wall before catching his balance on a coffee table. For a brief second, Haley made eye contact with him. For the first time since they started working together, she saw fear and panic in his eyes.

"Who the fuck are you guys?" Felix yelled.

They both chose to remain silent.

"We can do this the easy way or the hard way," Felix said lowly, his eyes shifting between the two of them. "You're snooping around me for a reason. What the fuck do you want? Money? Drugs?"

More silence.

"You can answer me, or I can shoot you both right now."

Haley glanced over at Nathan for any kind of clue as to what they should do. He seemed to be looking at her for the same reason. If they were honest, they were dead. If they lied, they were dead. No matter what, the chances of them making it out of there alive was slim to none.

They couldn't even rely on the rest of the team because they were instructed to stand down until they were given the okay and from where Nathan and Haley stood, there was no way to tell them what was happening without screwing themselves even further.

Then, realization dawned on Felix's face and they both knew they were fucked.

"They're fucking cops," Felix snarled, reaching into the waistband of his jeans and revealing a gun. Haley and Nathan both tensed, throwing their hands up in the air, but Felix's attention wasn't on them.

"You stupid son of a bitch," Felix barked at Vegas.

"I didn't know!" Vegas tried to defend as he coiled back. His skin was ashen and he genuinely looked terrified. That wasn't something Haley saw often when it came to Felix's men.

"Of course, you didn't. All you saw was a nice piece of ass."

In a blink of an eye, Felix raised his hand and pulled the trigger, shooting Vegas square in the head. Haley screamed at the sudden sound, watching in horror as Vegas instantly dropped. Felix's other men barely blinked at the sudden action.

Out of instinct, Nathan moved closer to Haley. She was clearly shaken, her eyes wide and her hands trembling. The way she looked mirrored exactly how he felt. This assignment had suddenly taken a deadly twist and Nathan wasn't sure how they were going to get themselves out of it, at least not with someone else dying.

He didn't have a chance to think any further than that. He witnessed Felix raise the gun again, this time pointed at Haley. Before Nathan could do anything, the sounds of shots popping off and Haley screaming bounced off the walls. Then, everything went dark.

~x~

A repetitive dripping sound drew Nathan out of unconsciousness. It was slow at first—his eyelids like heavy boulders that needed more than a few strong pushes to finally budge. Once they were open, he blinked slowly, his vision fading in and out of focus. There was a pain in the back of his head like someone had struck him with a baseball bat…or maybe even a brick.

Groggily, he looked around the dark space. Above his head, there was a single light bulb that was dull and flickering. The ground he was sitting on was cold and wet, while the walls looked as if they were made of steel or aluminum. The air around him was frosty and thick, almost like a freezer that was set on defrost. It all reminded him of a cellar of some sort, or maybe even an industrial fridge that you'd find in a restaurant.

Directly across from him was a metal door. In the center of the door was a tiny window that was cluttered with dirt and scratch marks. From where he was sitting, all Nathan could see was a little space of yellow wall that the room was across from. Groaning, he looked around the rest of the place. It was quite roomy but completely empty. In the dim light, he could pick out blood stains and scratches in the floor and paneling.

This must be the place they keep all their hostages, Nathan thought bitterly.

It was a few seconds later that his eyes finally landed on Haley. She motionless, sprawled out on her back. In an instant, his tiredness was forgotten. Panic shot through him as he recalled his last few moments of consciousness—the sound of gunshots echoing off the walls and the sounds of Haley screaming. With his heart beating wildly in his chest, he scrambled on his knees over to her.

"Haley!" he called out desperately, his voice a sharp whisper-yell.

She remained motionless. Her skin was pale with a sheen layer of sweat dotting her face and neck. He crouched further over when his hand landed in something wet. Looking down, he felt light-headed with fear when he saw blood covering his fingertips.

"Oh, God."

It was one of those moments where his blood ran cold. There wasn't a single thought in his mind, only white noise and static. He could feel his body moving on pure adrenaline, but he wasn't conscious of his movements. Nathan had seen a lot of terrible things in his life, but nothing made his heart stop as fast as the sight before him did.

She couldn't be dead. Her life couldn't have fallen victim to a small lapse in judgment. Nathan knew first-hand how easily their job could take a turn for the worst. All it took was one wrong move, one poor choice of a single word, or even a second of being in the wrong place at the wrong time for it to all come crashing down. Even with that knowledge, he wouldn't allow himself to even think that that fate was a possibility for Haley.

Nathan was supposed to protect her. This wasn't supposed to happen.

Frantically, and with shaky hands, he felt around her neck for a pulse. As soon as he felt the thrumming against his fingertips, he collapsed back in relief. The numbness seeped out of his bones as the cold sweat had his body shivering. Her pulse wasn't at full capacity, but a beat was a beat, nonetheless. Nathan never really considered himself an overly religious man, but he was thanking every deity in existence in that very movement.

Regaining his strength, he checked over her body. Her black shirt on the left side of her stomach was soaked in blood and a little pool of her blood rested next to her body. Carefully, he felt around her side until he came into contact with a rip in her shirt. Swiftly and gently, he tore the shirt even further until most of her side and hip were exposed.

Nathan gulped uneasily at the sight.

He wasn't a doctor, so there was no way he could know for sure, but it appeared to him that the bullet was lodged in muscle tissue of her hip, instead of in any major artery or organ. However, she was losing a lot of blood and fast.

"Shit."

Without thinking twice, he ripped off his dinner jacket and tossed it haphazardly to the side. He pulled at the buttons on his white shirt, cursing to himself when his fingers slipped a few times, both from their incessant shaking and the blood on them. Once the shirt was free from his body, he quickly tied it around her waist, careful not to move her too much or turn her the wrong way. The pressure from his makeshift tourniquet wasn't going to be much help for long, but it was at least something.

Nathan stood up so fast that he almost tumbled over from the dizziness, but he quickly recovered. Walking over to the door, he felt around for a handle of some kind. He figured that they were locked in, but he was always good at jimmying open a lock without a key. When all he felt was flat metal, he kicked the door in frustration. A few more bangs followed, along with a few shouts from Nathan. He didn't stop until it physically felt as if his body was going to collapse. With every desperate yell, the pounding in his head increase, but that was nothing but an itch he could easily ignore to him at the moment.

He fell against the metal door. The coolness of the metal felt good against his heated skin. The relief didn't last long, though. He pushed himself off the door and started to pace the length of the room. Running his hands through his hair, he tried to control his breathing. Tried being the operative word. He always was a little claustrophobic.

He knew it was futile, but he checked his pockets and the waistband of his pants anyway. Just in case someone had forgotten something somewhere. As he expected, he'd been stripped of his phone, badge, and gun.

Nathan wasn't the type of person to jump to panic right away. He could usually sit down with any problem that arose and work it out like it was a math problem that had specific steps. But this…he couldn't focus long enough to even consider going through his usual process.

Everything had happened so fast. One minute they were seconds away from finally nailing Felix and the next everything was dark. Haley's blood-curdling scream was like a tornado siren in his head, repeating over and over again.

This wasn't supposed to happen.