The Risk

Sometimes God doesn't tell us His plan because we wouldn't believe it anyway. -- Carlton Pearson

Chapter 25

A bump in the road caused Haley's drowsy eyelids to open and look hazily out the passenger side window of Gary's patrol car. She placed her hand over her arm where her kidnapper had stuck a hypodermic needle in it earlier in their trip. Since ,then she felt groggy and light headed. She was having trouble focusing for long enough periods, so she could plot her escape.

Soon, they pulled into a parking of a small building. Haley could hear airplanes overhead and shielded her head with her arms when she looked up to seem the hovering low in the sky, the impact giving the car a shiver. She giggled at her over reaction , they must be at the airport, silly. Shaking her head, she tried to focus on her whereabouts when the car door open and she was handcuffed to Gary and was practically dragged from the vehicle.

They paused at the glass doors of the building they were trying to enter while Gary retrieved the key for the numerous ones on his chain. Haley squinted, focusing on the words across the door &#PL (#)( iuy9 # &+":#/.
Whaaaaa?…Huh?…. Okay, Haley, try again and really concentrate this time! Wil-ming-ton In-teeeeeer-na-tion-aaaaaal Airport Poooo-liiiiice De-paaaart-ment Laannnnddd-ing Preeeee-cinct 2. The Police? Why would they be going there? Gary just kidnapped me!, she wondered.

Suddenly , the door opened and she turned to see Gary taking the key out the lock before he forcefully guided her in the now lit building. She swayed in front of him almost falling a few times as they continued through the empty and dimly lit building, passing a counter, a desk and two offices, all empty.

Finally, they stopped in front of another door and Haley took a breath. Her head was pounding and she was so dizzy that she begged Gary to just take off the cuffs so she could rest.

Ignoring her cries, he pushed on the portal and lead her inside a locker room, before locking it behind them. He sat her down on one of the five long benches and removed the handcuff from her wrist. Immediately she began to stroke the bruised skin as her assailant busied himself with one of the many lockers. He returned to her, tossing several items at her before checking his watch.

"Hurry up and put this on. We don't have much time, Baby." He carefully brushed his fingers across a few golden locks of her hair.

"Don't touch me! Don't ever touch!" She slurred, pulling away so fast that she staggered and only stabilizing herself by straddling the wooden seat.

This time, Gary ripped her from the bench and held his large palms against the sides of her face and looking into her blurry brown eyes as she smiles. She was loopy from the drug again, just the way he needed her to be until he could get them the hell out of there.

"You learn to love me once we get to Ecuador and you'll be mine and only mine forever."

Pushing her down on the concrete floor he stood over her. "Now get dressed!"

Wilmington International Airport……

"I'm sorry Mr. and Mrs. McFadden, but Jersey's flight has been delayed due to a storm in Tennessee." The North Carolina FBI informed the couple as they waited n a secluded area away from the several news and television reporters for the safe return of their runaway daughter.

"How long is that going to take?" an impatient Brooke snapped. Her nerves were on end. She wanted her child in her arms. It was bad enough her best friend was missing and there appeared to be no leads.

Her husband drew her in his arms, kissing her temple and rubbing her back reassuringly.

"We know she's safe, Baby. She'll be here soon. She's fine." He consoled in a whisper. "They both are."

She clung to her husband, gaining strength in his faith and love. Besides, she would have her meltdown later, when the press weren't hiding everywhere and Jersey and Haley were back in her sight and in her grasp.

Flight 278 from LaGuardia to Wilmington International…..

The middle aged lady with the big butt had moved a few isle down fifteen minutes into the flight. Nathan's incessant squirming and tapping of his foot was driving her insane. Not to mention how he was drumming away at his laptop. He started writing something that had him completely enthralled and mumbled loudly to himself. That had been the last straw.

Completing his task , Nathan scanned it several times and edited a couple of grammatical errors before looking at his watch for the first time since he started this distraction. Damn, there was still half an twenty minutes until they reached North Carolina! What else could he do to distract himself? He couldn't look at the CNN channel on the plane or check out the MSN homepage on laptop because if he heard anything that wasn't positive about Haley's disappearance, he was going to completely blow a gasket, start raising hell an end up arrested. Hell, that might get him with some cops that could get his girl back in his arms, unlike his fucking friend Cooper!

He took a deep breath and shut his computer, leaning back in the seated. He needed to calm down. Closing his eyes, a smirk donned his face as he remembered a fun time with Haley:

By the time our second movie was over, the paper in my hand was shaking. They didn't know I overheard, but Brooke had convinced her that a romantic night might would be perfect for us before I had to return to Dafur.

So my creative little woman came home that Friday night with a copy of Romeo and Juliet and Roxanne, a bottle of wine and Italian for two. An hour later, a candle lit dinner was on the table and we discussed some on the top three most romantic movies ever.

We both agreed on An Affair To Remember, but Haley quickly vetoed my choice of Pretty Woman with a look that said it was hardly up for discussion. I thought Titantic was a bad selection on her part. To me, both Jack and Rose were hustlers and he would never have made enough money to keep her happy if they had survived. Haley mumbled a "whatever" while we cleaned up the kitchen. So, When Harry Met Sally became our second choice. That's one of the best chick flicks, no I won't even call it that. One of the best movies I've ever seen. But City of Angels is pretty cool too.

I mention this to Haley after we return from our rooms clad in our pajamas. She grabbed the chilled bottle of wine from the fridge, two notepads and pencils and headed for the living room. I poured the microwave popcorn in a bowl before following into step.

"Seth became mortal to be with Maggie. That's some deep ass-backwards head-over-heels love. That some intense shit, Hales." I sounded off.

She filled each wine glasses with her back turned to me and sat them back on the table before silently and grabbed the first dvd, Romeo and Juliet (with Dicaprio and Danes). It's one of Haley's favorite movies before heading to player. Sensing her change in mood, I stepped in front on her on her return to the couch.

"What did I do? Say?" I queried as I see her watery eyes.

She shook her head, lowering it so I couldn't see those beautiful brown peepers. "But they only had one day together, Nathan. It was all in vain. He finally got to be with Maggie and in hours, she was gone…. just like that." She said softly, a tear streaking down her face.

I pulled her close, crossing my arms around her waist as I took in her heavenly scent and was completely turned on by her sensitivity. "Quality over quantity, Haley. They had one hell of a day." I whispered back.

Haley was cuddled up beside me as a fleece throw covered our lower bodies and the room was kept warm and inviting by the lit fireplace. Slowly, she raise up from me with a yawn, our lips were fused together yet again and my hand gently stroked her breast through her cotton camisole when Roxanne finally ended. One of her hands slipped from my ass, the other my cheek and we both sighed. The simplicity of making out was something I will always enjoy doing with this woman.

She tried to straighten her tussled hair as she reached for her pad on the coffee table questioning me. "Do you want to go first or shall I?"

She was referring to reading the romantic poems we were each suppose to write during the evening. She was staring at me with those big brown eyes and chewing on her bottom lip and I knew she's apprehensive. I feel her pain.

"I'll go first." I wink cockily, but inside I was shaking like a leaf. I'm a man of few words, especially when it comes to Haley. It's just so hard to articulate the magnitude of what I feel for her. The words I have written are very basic, but I mean every syllable and I will for an eternity. Exhaling, I unfold the crumpled paper that sits beside my wine glass.

She takes a sip of the red liquid in her own globe before returning the glass to it's previous place and facing me. Her legs are now folded yoga style in front of her on the sofa and I have shifted my frame so my long legs are on either side of her.

ALL I HAVE TO GIVE

You're the first thing I think of
Each morning when I rise.
You're the last thing I think of
Each night when I close my eyes.

You're in each thought I have
And every breath I take.
My feelings are growing stronger
With every move I make.

I want to prove I love you
But that's the hardest part.
So, I'm giving all I have to give
To you.……….. I give my heart.

Looking back at her, I see her beautiful smile and glassy mocha eyes. Before I could ask what she thought, her lips landed on mine with a hearty smack. Releasing me, she moved back only slightly and our eyes communicated as she choked out. "I loved it and I love you. Thank you, Nathan."

It's amazing how the easiest thing coming from her makes me hard as a rock and hungering for something only she can provide. I was ready to pounce, but she leaned away from me, reaching for her own work, worrying her lip between her teeth as she shyly held the pad, twisting to give me a peek at the words she had put down.

"My turn." She said uneasily. I bent over and place a kiss on her forehead, another at her temple and then a lingering one on her honey sweet lips before I felt her let some of the tension she was holding go.

"I'm going to love anything coming from you." I confessed and she finally looked down at her paper. It's called Simply Perfect" She blushed, gazing up at me with those perfect brown saucers of hers before she read something I will carry with me and treasure the rest of my days.

Beautiful…..
This essence is,
Genuinely perceived.
It is in your smile, eyes and soul.

Natural…..
How we feel,
When we are together.
Something is missing when we are not.

Believe…..
We will always be,
Intimate and unbounded.
Our love will prevail and grow.

Trust…..
Never questioned as,
We are absolutely connected.
Ours hearts are forever shared.

Incredible…..
Our touch brings,
Passionate sensations.
Our energy is combined as one.

Love…..
That is us,
Our greatest strength.
Our eternal destiny together.

Before she could finish, I was bringing her down upon me and into a long, long kiss which lead to a little more "romantic" fun Remind me to thank Brooke before we gathered or drowsy selves and head off to bed, together and……..

Awoken from his daydream by the sounds around him, Nathan listened to the announcement he and the other passengers were receiving:

"Please fasten your seatbelts as we prepare to land at Wilmington…"

Haley stared at herself in the mirror, her image slightly distorted the blue contacts she had trouble getting over her pretty brown eyes and by a narcotic in her system and . Luckily, it was starting to wear off. She frowned at the frumpy green New Hanover County Jail jumpsuit she was wearing. Apparently, Gary had stolen it from one of his co-worker that worked part-time as an airport Marshall like he did. She was wearing a long black wig with bangs that looked horrible on her and a pair of tennis shoes. Taking the wig off she threw it at Gary.

"I'm not wearing that! Don't you have one in blonde or auburn?" She huffed before drawing the connection that she wasn't there on her own free will and quickly placing on her head as he raised his hand to her. Her mind was becoming lucid again.

With her obedience he withdrew his arm and to a spot beside her in view of the mirror. Checking his new uniform and making sure his caps brim was low on his face, he took out a pair of ankle cuff and latched them to each of Haley's ankles and a set handcuffs and locked himself to her for the second time.

Everything had been put away and the place was as neat as when they arrived as rechecked the items in the front of his small roller bag. Was that an identification card with her picture on it?He grabbed Haley by the front of her uniform, making sure he grazed her breast and grabbed her so tightly her feet left the ground.

"Not one single word out of you when we get inside the airport and on the plane or I'll go on a shooting rampage. I have a gun in each holster (displaying the holders on each side of his waist belt) and another strapped to my shin. I won't spare child either. I promise you!" He threatened so terrifyingly she because lucid enough to nodded an okay and to remember not to react to anyone around them.

Coming through a private corridor and several employee only passageways, they reached the epicenter of the airport, ticketing.

Gary suddenly stopped when he noticed that the press was still loitering throughout the waiting area and decided another route might be better. He couldn't tell who Haley was by her altered appearance, but he just couldn't risk it. They were so close to being together forever.

Heading down the corridor with an overhead sign that read: Exit, Baggage Claim, Parking……

In the private waiting room outside Gate 27, Mouth and Brooke rose at the news their daughter was in the airport and would soon be reunited with them. The both stood at the entry way, literally bouncing with anticipation.

Nathan practically ran through the airport after conferring with FBI agent Lee and learning Haley was still missing with little or no leads. He headed for the exit on his way to the car Cooper had waiting for him. Time was of the utmost and he needed to get to Haley's home so he could figure out just who abducted her. It was time stop letting boys do a man's job.

"Nathan, thank God you're back!" Brooke screamed at the man zipping by them and in the direction of the parking deck of the small airport.

He stopped, turning to see his girlfriends best friend and her husband. Gawd, it felt good to see them. He rushed to meet them halfway down the hall. Brooke hugged him tightly and Mouth shook his hand. Seeing the hope in his eyes as they pulled away, Marvin explained.

"Jersey's plane is late, an agent is accompanying her from Los Angeles. She should be here soon."

Disappointment was etched in his handsome features as Brooke patted his arm. "They're going to find her Nathan. We all have to believe it." She nodded to her husband. He immediately agreed.

"They have to, she put herself in harms way to try and get our daughter back. We will always be indebted to her for that." Marvin said proudly.

"I won't forgive myself if something happened, especially with Jersey being fine in the first place." Brooke almost brought herself to tears, but sucked it up and held tightly to her husbands hand.

Nathan squeezed her other palm, gaining her attention. "She'll be glad that Jersey's safe and she can just relax once I find her. It won't be long, Brooke. It can't be…." He drifted off for a moment before getting his bearings again. "I promise."

Letting go, he waved as he started walking backwards shouting. "Kiss Jersey for us, and then ground her ass for life." He chuckled along with the McFadden's and disappeared into the crowd heading for the passenger loading area outside a nearby exit. The automatic doors popped open as he made the transfer from the ticketing area to baggage claim.

At first, he barely noticed other airport guest eyeing a police officer guiding a young woman in shackles and handcuffs raven haired young woman out of the entry way, just as he stepped inside. He looked at her from top to bottom, but her head was down as she shuffle her feet quickly as the cop guided her through the doorway, she was very petite and didn't look like she would be able to hurt a fly, but with the cuffs, she must be very dangerous.

The officer nodded a friendly excuse me from under the hat that sat low on his head and he noticed the patch was for the Brunswick County Police Department. He wondered what the hell she could have done, but he hoped she was going to pay. He was sick of crazy idiots and criminals getting off just to do the same crime and continue to hurt and terrorize everyone else. After strolling down another corridor, he finally reached the exit and stopped outside the doors into the chilly air.

Turning to his left, Nathan saw a black Cadillac with a driver standing by the front passenger side wheel holding up a sign that read "Scott".

"I'm Scott." He greeted, flashing the large man his press pass and getting into the back before he could open his door. The driver ran around the other side and got into the vehicle as they headed for Tree Hill and hopefully news of Haley's impending return from Cooper Lee………

Gary and Haley slipped down a private hall restricted to airport employees and followed eventually stopping at one of the interrogation rooms used by FBI and TSA agents along with other law enforcement agencies. Going through the roller bag, he closed the compartment filled with stacks of hundred dollar bills and opened another filled with the items needed for the next leg of his plan. He didn't see the clarity in Haley's lowered eyes or he would have know she was no longer a victim of his drug induced altered state, but continued to play along. Instead he kissed the top of her head. By this time tomorrow she would be his and they would have a new life together that no one could interfere with , including that son-of-a-bitch, Nathan Scott. Pulling out the pieces he needed and got to work…..

Nathan couldn't seem to get that woman prisoner off his mind ten minutes into his ride.
She was Haley's size and he could swear her hips swayed the same way as his love's did. He couldn't see her face, but her raven locks looked fake to him, like those extension everyone was wearing, or so he had been told by Jersey when the cheerleaders appeared on the screen during a game they were checking out. But that wasn't what was bugging him, it was her shoes. She wore a pair of Nikes running shoes. Hmmmm….. He scramble his mind for why they stood out.

Pressing palms to each side of his head he started shouting. "Turn back! Turn back, now! Hurry! God, Hurry!" He took out his cellular device and called Cooper. Those were Haley's shoes! What the fuck was going on?….

Now in a shoulder length auburn wig and an orange Federal Inmate jumpsuit, Haley was guided through the rest of the private corridor and to the bustling terminal filled with several gates where passengers were waiting for their planes , boarding their planes or arriving. Finally, they stopped at the far end of the concourse. Gate 37 was where they would eventually catch a deportation plane for illegal South American citizens that do something criminal in the southeastern United States. It was destined to Miami, Florida where they would be transferred to another flight that would take them directly to Ecuador. Gary took the paperwork from the pocket of his now US Marshal uniform and handed it to the gate agent while a nearby female officer frisked Haley.

After checking in, Haley was handcuffed to some hard plastic chairs. She wished their were some other inmates, maybe she could get a message to one of them and their enforcement officer in Portuguese because she knew Gary spoke fluent Spanish like she did. But luck wasn't on her side and she sat their alone, completely terrified and loosing hope as her kidnapper held his had against the gun in his right holster as he paced in front of her. That's when she noticed Gary was starting to unravel. Apparently, the plane was suppose to be waiting for them after leaving Charlotte but it had been delayed. Transportation Security Administration guards and Marshals were all over the place. It appeared that they were searching for someone. His scanner He couldn't be spotted, not when they were so close. He took a seat beside his captive, trying to play it cool….

Meanwhile…..

Cooper, his team and a Tree Hill area officer met Nathan at the airport in break speed time. The agent was trying to get in touch with the Officer In Charge at Brunswick County's P.D since the Sheriff was out assisting the search group looking for Haley. He needed to find out if they were extraditing an inmate today.

As they entered the terminal to all the gates, Nathan stalking ahead in search of the girl he had seen before. Spotting the pair he had seen earlier, Mr. Scott pointed to them . " Over there! Over there!" He dashed down the aisle to the isolated gate with the others in toe. Nearing the woman he called. "Haley!"

The deputy took a few steps from her and pull out weapon, pointing it at the young man.

"Put your hands up and back away from the convict, Mr. Scott. Tell me the hell is going on here, Coop?" The frightened deputy, finding himself on the end of the FBI's 9mmm handguns.

Their actions alarmed the female so she turned and faced Nathan. His head fell to his chest and he raised his hands over his head. The officers all put back there weapons. It wasn't Haley, they just happen to have the same kind of shoes. However, Deputy Brush was familiar. His kids went to Haley's daycare.

The police sergeant called only seconds later to confirm Mr. Brush and Inmate Iris Stetson were to be on a plane to Chicago where she was being extradited to for an armed robbery. The group was at a lost and decided they need to take a few minutes to get their heads together.

Deputy Brushed offered to see if his co-worker, Gary Wallace Jr. was working his second job in the airport precinct like he normally did the same day every week.

The press had finally given the McFadden's a little privacy after their reunion with their only child. Bevin and Skills had joined the pursuit for Haley along with many other Tree Hill residents by this time, but they just wanted to get the girl home. Their ordeal had been exhausting and it was far from over with Haley still unaccounted for.

With the cameras, questions and reporters gone, Jersey became distant. She gazed down the corridor sullenly and soon tears came to her eyes. Her mother and father caressed her in a joint hug, swearing they still loved her regardless of whether she would be punished.

Dramatically, she shook her head, pushing out of their loving arms. "But it's my fault they have Ms. Haley…. If I hadn't run away, they wouldn't be taking her away." She stressed as a broken Nathan and Cooper Lee joined the family.

"Jersey, you made a mistake. But it's not your fault Ms. Haley is missing." She soothed, playing with a few strands of her daughters hair until the girl stepped back once again, looking confused.

"Mom, don't lie to me. I'm old enough to handle this. I just saw her when we were coming from the plane." She argued.

"That's impossible. You're mind is just playing tricks on you because you're so worry about her." Her father trying to convince her.

"Where did you see her, Jersey?" Nathan interrupted, she had too much conviction in her voice to wrong about what she saw. She knew what she saw and so did he.

"In the terminal. She was in an orange jumpsuit with her hands and feet chain…..and she was wearing a wig." She detailed.

"Honey, why would…" Brooke quizzed on to be cut off by Cooper this time.

"Let her finish." He commanded, listening intensely.

"Oh and she was wearing her running shoes, you know the hot pink Nike's? She gave me a smile when I past her but you could tell she was unhappy. I wanted to hug her but my escort kept dragging me to mom and dad and said I mustn't say anything to any prisoners because it could be dangerous. I didn't want Ms. Haley to get in even more trouble because of me." She thought out load as Cooper and Nathan eyed each other and Jersey continued to weep. "It wasn't her fault I left. Please get Gary Jr. to bring her back." The young lady plead with the FBI agent.

"What does Gary Jr. have to do with this?" Haley's boyfriend and the agent asked simultaneously.

The girl blew out a breathe through her tears like they were the dumbest two people on the planet. "He was handcuffed to her and he was wearing a different uniform. It was dark blue. They went down to the gate at the very end of the concourse." She explained.

Everyone sprung into action.

Cooper and his men raced rallied for a plan as the rushed to the terminal and a second time through concourse security as he called ahead on his open radio channel, hoping to reach any law enforcement officer already in the vicinity.

Marvin and Brooke took a seat with their distressed daughter, trying to comfort her and decipher what she had seen.

Nathan didn't have any of that, letting the TSA agent scan his press pass and sprinted through the terminals concourse, not stopping until he reached the last gate. Panting, he skidded to a stop, staring at the short redhead in a dreadful uniform and he peace officer at her side.

A flight attendant closed the boarding door and dragged her roller bag behind her, heading down the concourse.

Veering to his left, Nathan looked out the floor-to-ceiling windows only to witness the plane taking flight. Ignoring the auburn haired ticket agent and her flirtatious airport cop companion, he sank down in one of the hard chairs, his body quivering with anger and fear. He had to keep it together, although he was starting to feel hopeless.

Two of the FBI agents questioned the three possible witnesses. Cooper paused while screaming orders into his phone to say…..

"Are you coming with me to Miami or not, Scott?"

Pamela

Nathan's poem-Author: Cara G. Stanfield