Chris sat on the stool in the empty studio strumming his guitar. He was frustrated as he always was whenever the music wasn't sounding right. A lot weighed in on his mind. Haley was probably pissed at him and that killed him as much as he hated to admit it. He had fallen head over heels in love and how could any red blooded man not? She was perfect. The total package.

He closed his eyes and thought of her. Her auburn hair always smelled so good, like fresh fruit scented shampoo. And her perfume was intoxicating. A light, airy smell that lingered in the room long after she left. And her smile. She had the prettiest smile he had ever seen. Just thinking about her laugh warmed his heart. It was loud and uninhibited. And the way she looked at him with those large doe brown eyes.

He loved looking at her. So many times in the studio he would just watch her. She tugged on her lip whenever she was frustrated. And when she was waiting for his opinion or direction, she would stand with her hands on her hips. Also, she did that little hair twirling thing that drove him absolutely wild. Just thinking about all those late nights in the studio or at his apartment, writing music and singing over root beer floats as she kicked her shoes off and propped up her bare feet on the kickstand.

God, she was sexy. And the best part about it was she didn't know how truly beautiful she really was. From her face to her body to the toes, she loved to tuck underneath her body while sitting on the couch. And he had wanted her…bad. Worse than he had ever wanted anyone in his life. She wanted him too. Chris just didn't understand why she kept fighting the feelings between them.

It was all about Nathan. That stupid, jock brute she had married way too young. He couldn't make her happy. Besides, it wasn't really love. She was just another possession in the Scott trophy case. The sooner Haley realized that, the better. And now since they had made love in the studio, it would only be a matter of time. She'd had a real man and she had experienced real love. Now she was free to go about living her life and chasing her dream, not being confined as a desperate housewife.

Sure things had gotten a little rough but he couldn't help it. She felt so good that it was hard to hold back and control himself. But she would see. In time, she'd look back on their first time together and smile.

Yes, Chris was consumed with thoughts of her as he tried to finish writing a song about her. When she finally came to her senses and heard it, all would be right with the world. They would be together. It made him grin. It was all he could think of. In fact, he was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't even hear the door creak open…

After strumming a few more tunes, he could feel the added presence looming over him. He looked up and there was Nathan Scott. His face was like stone and his eyes were wild.

"What's up, man?" Chris said, putting down his guitar. "Looking for your wife?"

"Real funny", Nathan said in a low growl.

"We were just rehearsing earlier and…"

"That's what you call it?"

"Yeah. Oh I see what this is about. Let me guess, you came all the way down here in the dead of night to tell me to leave Haley alone. You don't want us working together, right? Gee, I wonder why. I mean, are you threatened by me? Can't you trust her? I mean, isn't that what this is about? You loved her obviously enough to marry her. But is love ever really enough? Can you trust her? Because if you can, then you've got nothing to worry about, right? Come on, man, cut the bullshit. I don't have a problem with you."

Nathan stared as the pipsqueak had the nerve to extend his hand. Oh how he wanted to break that hand clear off his scrawny little arm. Breathing in with all, he had, Nathan let loose a wad of spit onto Chris' face. The smaller man, disgusted but not defeated, wiped the glob away.

"You son of a bitch! You see, you do have a problem with me. A big problem! You can smile and act cool if you want to but the fact is, man, I used to destroy guys like you. Daily. It'd be a shame if something happened to this hand and you couldn't play that little guitar anymore, huh? Just like it's a shame that you took advantage of my wife."

"Look dude, I don't know what the hell Haley told you…"

"You raped her, you bastard!"

"Rape?" Chris laughed. "Are you joking, man? Tell me that's not what she told you. I didn't rape Haley. We made love. It was beautiful, too. It was a long time coming. I mean, we had been kissing for a while and the sexual tension was just building up. So it finally happened."

Nathan began to tremble violently.

"She has bruises all over her."

"So, she likes it rough. You didn't know that? Sorry, dude. Not my fault. Guess I just brought out the inner beast in her. Sorry you couldn't."

Nathan paused for a second before grabbing Chris around the neck and pushing him up against the wall. He punched him as hard as he could. First with a left, then with a right. He kept swinging and swinging as hard as he could, letting the blows land across Chris' face and head. Nathan didn't even care about the blood that was pooling from the other man's head, nose and mouth. In fact, he wanted to beat him to death. Make him suffer the way he had made Haley suffer. The way he had made their marriage suffer.

He watched as Chris slumped to the ground, broken, bloody and battered. He could hardly stand up and it gave Nathan some satisfaction to see him crawl around like the dog he was. Then he moved. The son of a bitch had the nerve to actually try to get away. Nathan laughed a sinister laugh and kicked him in the stomach as hard as he could. It was a kick so hard that Chris vomited right then and there. Grabbing the back of his head, Nathan ground his face into the mess on the floor then turned him over and choked him until Chris' face was beet red then an awful bluish purple. Then he stopped. Death was too easy. Chris Keller deserved more. He deserved worse. So Nathan kneeled over his chest, hitting him over and over again until his own knuckles bruised.

"Christopher Michael Keller! Open up! Tree Hill Police! We have a warrant for your arrest!"

Nathan looked at the door. So Tree Hill's finest had made it after all.

"Keller, you don't open the door in five seconds, we're coming in!"

Nathan grinned and dared the poor fucker to open the door. As promised, the cops kicked it in. It was four of them and none were prepared for the scene before them.

"What the hell…"

"Scott, put your hands up where I can see them."

Officer Hill from the hospital.

"Don't make a move, man."

Nathan did as he was told, amazingly calm as more footsteps bounded towards the studio. Out of breath, Lucas ran through the door.

"Damn!" he muttered, knowing he was too late. "Nathan!"

"Alright, nobody move", Hill instructed. "Who the hell are you?"

"Lucas Scott. I'm Nathan's brother…Haley's brother in law."

"You Chris Keller?" Hill asked Chris who was still curled up on the floor in the fetal position.

Chris tried to nod. Officer Hill placed cuffs on him and stood him up before turning Chris over to two other policeman.

"Get him to the hospital first then book his ass."

They nodded as they carried him out.

"Nathan, what did you do, man?" Lucas asked.

"What I had to."

"Alright, Scott. He is a piece of shit but it's our job to take care of him. You can't put the law in your own hands, man. Sorry but I've got to take you in, too."

"What?" Lucas intervened. "Man, come on! That sick fuck just raped his wife. Haley is not just my sister in law but she's my best friend! Hell, I feel like beating Chris' ass too!"

"I understand the emotion but…"

"But what if it was your wife, Officer? Because if it were my Brooke, that shit head would be face down in the Atlantic right about now."

"Off the record, I agree with you but I have to maintain and uphold the law. I'm sorry. Nathan Scott, You have the right to remain silent and refuse to answer questions. Anything you do say may be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to consult an attorney before speaking to the police and to have an attorney present during questioning now or in the future. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you before any questioning if you wish. If you decide to answer questions now without an attorney present you will still have the right to stop answering at any time until you talk to an attorney. Do you understand?"

"I understand", Nathan said as he was handcuffed.

Lucas couldn't believe it. It had been a hellish night to say the least. First Haley and now Nathan. In his eyes he was avenging his wife but all it had done was make matters worse and earn him a night in jail, probably in the cell next to Chris.

"Bro, it's gonna be okay. Keep your hands to yourself and your damned mouth shut and I'm gonna call someone and get you out of there, okay?"

Nathan nodded as they led him away. He was still full of adrenaline.

"Nate, I mean it! Don't go getting into anymore trouble. You could have killed that asshole."

"I know", he nodded. "My only regret is that I didn't.

-

MEANWHILE…

-

"Where are Nathan and Lucas?" Haley asked again softly.

She had been discharged for the better part of an hour and there was still no sign of Nathan, Lucas or the two cars they had driven off with.

"Jules, you and Brooke stay here with Hales. I'll go back to Luke's and get another car so we can get Haley home. We'll stay with her until Nathan gets back", Keith instructed.

The women nodded in agreement.

"I wonder what's going on. Where are they and what the hell is keeping them?" Jules wondered out loud.

The tune from "London Bridge" sounded as Brooke's cell phone rang. She glanced down at the Caller ID.

"Well, looks like we're about to find out…"