Nathan walked up to the local liquor store, which happened to be maybe one of the creepiest places he'd ever walked in to. He walked over to the guy at the cash register.

"You got I.D. son?"

"Yeah, but I am not here for alcohol, I am looking for my girlfriend. She might have asked to go on the roof. She's really pretty, long hair, short…"

"Yeah, she's over there with those guys, you might want to go get her because it looks as if they are a little shady."

"Ok thanks."

Nathan looked over to the guys and they had surrounded Haley in a circle. Fortunately for Nathan, not one of those guys was bigger than him. But then again all of them put together not so easy. But he figured for Haley he could do it.

So he walked over to them and got in the middle of the circle.

"Excuse me, but I think you are hitting on my girlfriend."

One guy, much smaller than Nathan walked up to him.

"Well I think. She's to hot for you."

The other guys chuckled. Nathan smiled.

"I think you best back away from me. Because seriously if she's to hot for me then she's definitely to hot for you."

"You best step off little boy or you are gonna get your ass kicked."

"By who you?"

SLAM.

Nathan looked behind him and noticed Haley had left.

"Yes by me."

"Look man, I got bigger problems than you, so why don't you just go be with your little boyfriends. And I am going to go be with my girlfriend."

Nathan walked pretty fast out of there. And up the stairs. Where he found Haley throwing water balloons at people.

"Haley, don't do it. You've got too much to live for."

"Hardy har har. Aren't you a comedian? Nathan just leave me alone."

"No, Haley. You know and everybody else knows that you're parents would never be disappointed in you."

"Maybe that's true, but he was disappointed in me. My big brother, the one that was always protecting me, and the one that obviously loved me the most. How is that supposed to make me feel."

"Haley, that is supposed to make you feel like something inside of Bryce has changed. Not you. He is supposed to see the best in you. And if he can't, forget him."

Haley started crying and looked up to see Nathan right in front of her. She laid her head on his chest and he wrapped her arms around him.

"So does this mean my brother and I are never going to be like we were before?"

"I don't know sweetheart. I don't know. But, I know that…"

"You know what?"

Haley looked up at Nathan.

"I know that I love you."

Haley pulled away from Nathan a little bit.

"What?"

"I love you Haley James, and I always will."

Haley looked down.

"Haley?"

Haley looked back up and kissed Nathan.

"I love you too, Nathan Scott."

They kissed again.

Brooke was beginning to worry about Haley and Nathan.

"They should have been back by now."

"What the hell is taking them so long. I mean for god sakes."

"Brooke, just calm down."

"Calm down? Calm down? I can not calm down."

"What if something bad happened? What if he still hasn't found her and she was attacked by a bunch of mongrels, again! God damn it! If Nathan--."

"Wait a minute, again? She's been attacked by a bunch of mongrels before?"

"Well. Um. I really shouldn't say anything. I don't know if she wants Nathan to know anything about it."

"So it happened?"

"Yeah. Look if I tell you, you have to promise me you won't say anything to Nathan. Because if you do, I will kick your ass."

"Okay. I promise what happened?"

"It all started when…"

Flashback:

"Haley, come on we are going to be late if we don't hurry."

"Brooke. I am not going."

"Haley, please you can not let one bad one night stand ruin all of your party fun."

"One bad, one night stand? Brooke I have never done that before, and I was burned the first time I did it."

"Well grow up Haley!"

"You grow up, Brooke! Is there ever a good one night stand? Because I was pretty sure they are all pretty meaningless and empty, at least that's what you've told me, from all your experience."

"I can not believe you just said that to me."

Haley put her head in her hands and shook her head

"I know, look Brooke, why don't you call Ashley and ask her to go with you. And when you get back I will have booze and ice cream. I promise."

Haley smiled to Brooke.

"Okay. But how are you going to buy the alcohol I thought your sister was out of town."

"She is, but her I.D. isn't. Besides, in this town, they don't care. Now what kind of ice cream do you want?"

"Um…how bout cookies and cream, cookie dough, and smores."

"Alright! Call me when you are almost home, okay?"

"Okay. Bye Haley."

"Bye."

Brooke called Ashley and headed out to Club 2001. And Haley headed out to John John's the alcohol place.

"Hey, can I get uh… number 6, 7, and 4?"

"You got I.D. little lady?"

"Yeah, here you go."

Haley reached in her pocket and pulled out Taylor's I.D.

"Taylor James huh?"

"Yeah, so?"

"You look different. You look less slutty in person."

"Thanks. Now here's your money."

"Sorry, I got to go in the back to get numbers 7 and 4."

"Whatever, I'll wait."

"Be careful."

Haley looked at him funny.

Then the guy went into the back.

"You looking for some fun suga'?"

"No, that's why I'm here."

"To see me?""No, suga'."

"You making fun of me?"

"What would make you think that?"

"I ain't know, but I don't be no stupid head."

"Oh my god."

The guy looked around and motioned for the other guys to come over here. The all walked around here and surrounded Haley in a circle.

Haley began to become intimidated, but tried not to let it show.

"You scared now little girl?"

Guess she showed it.

One guy touched her hair.

Another touched her arm.

Another touched her face.

Another touched her leg.

Another touched her hand.

And another touched her lips.

Haley tired to push them away, but there was too many of them. So she bit one.

"Ow. You bitch."

Then they slapped her face. Then began pinching and twisting whatever part of the body they were touching to begin with.

And then began punching her in the stomach repeatedly. Where Haley felt as if she was going to faint.

"Hey! Get outta here!"

The cashier came back. And the guys in a circle ran out of the store. And the cashier took one look at Haley and ran to call the ambulance.

At the hospital:

Brooke raced through the hallways. Stopping at one nurses station.

"Where is Haley James?"

"I'm sorry, who?"

"James, just look it up. She got attacked at a liquor store. Where is she?"

"Are you family?"

"Yeah. I'm her cousin. Where is she?"

"I'm sorry ma'am I--."

"Is there anyone here for Taylor James?"

Brooke turned her head to the doctor who just spoke.

"I am!"

Brooke raced to the doctor.

"Is she going to be okay?"

"She's got 3 fractured ribs and a lot of bruising. But she had some internal bleeding, and it took us a long time to get it under control, but we got it. She's in room, 23. You can go see her now."

"Thank you."

"Um…her name is Taylor James right?"

"No, it's Haley James."

"Thanks."

Brooke walked into the room, and Haley was sitting there with no expression on her face. But she was awake. Haley looked to Brooke and started to cry.

Then Brooke started to cry.

"Haley, I am so sorry."

"No, I'm sorry. Hey Brooke?"

"Yeah."

"Can we not tell anybody about this?"

"Okay, I promise."

END FLASHBACK:

Lucas stared wide eyed at Brooke.

"No way."

"Yeah, but don't tell Nathan."

"I promise, I won't."

"Thanks."

Little did they both know, Nathan was sitting on the other side of the door, for the whole story, waiting for Haley, she forgot something in the car.

"Nathan? Are you okay?"

"Haley, why didn't you tell me, that you were attacked by mongrels?"