Author's Note: Flashback sequence written in Italics...

Some dialogue borrowed from "One Tree Hill", Season 2, Episode 13, "The Hero Dies In This One"

Haley raced through the airport. She was in Dallas and losing time fast. If she didn't make that plane at that very moment, then it would be too late. She had to get to Nathan in time. She had to make it before he married Megan Powell.

She threw her bag onto the table to run it through the scanner for security. She passed through and winced when the alarm set off.

"Ma'am…"

"Sorry. I've got change in pocket."

Haley emptied the money into the designated container and tried it again. The alarm went off once more. Breathless, she yanked off her earrings, rings, and watch. The alarm was still beeping like crazy.

"Goddammitt!"

"Ma'am…"

Haley didn't know what else it could be. It wasn't like she had a bomb stuck up her butt.

"Sir, I don't know…"

"It could be your belt, ma'am."

The belt buckle of course. Haley rolled her eyes. Her tiny hands worked feverishly to unbuckle it and even though the jeans were her size, it made them hang off her body and she had to use her hand to keep from giving the rest of the airport a show. She walked through again.

"Must be your lucky day, Miss", the airport guard smiled.

Haley was not in the mood and she didn't have the time. She left the change and loose bills where they were and stuffed her jewelry into her bag and took off running through the corridors, belt in one hand, while she used the other to hold up her jeans. She felt like she was partaking in a ridiculous striptease. A lot of eyes were upon her but she didn't give a damn. All she cared about was making that flight.

When she reached the gate, she handed the attendant her ticket. She was out of breath and shaking, relieved that she had made it and not giving a damn that she has to be stuffed in the rear of the Coach section next to the bathroom. She made it on board and literally collapsed in her seat. The other passengers boarded and Haley anxiously awaited takeoff as she fastened her seat belt. They sat forever and she nervously tapped her foot. What the hell was going on? At that rate, she could have gotten up and went to the cockpit and operated the damned thing herself.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we appreciate your patience and apologize for the delay but there is a slight mechanical function with the airplane. We have the specialists working on the wing right now. Takeoff should commence in approximately a half hour."

Haley's heart sank as fresh tears sprang to her eyes. No! The plane had to take off immediately. Thirty minutes would be too late! God, they had to fix it. Hell, if she had to get off the damned thing and get on her knees with a monkey wrench and a screwdriver and go to work herself, then she would.

She could feel the beads of sweat on her forehead. Much to the dismay of the ill-fated passenger seated beside her, Haley's breath was coming in radical spurts. She had so much adrenaline in her body that she didn't need the plane…she could have flown on her own just by flapping her arms.

She closed her eyes in a last ditch effort to calm her nerves. Her mind drifted back to that morning. That last morning before she left…

She was going to be late and she knew it but she didn't care. It was just one of those mornings. One of those mornings where the bed felt too good to get up. Just a few more minutes wouldn't kill her, she thought until she saw her husband dressed in dark jeans and his favorite Celtics shirt. Wow! It was a rarity when Nathan was up and dressed before she was.

She watched him put on his shoes. Things had been rough lately, strained because of Chris and now Taylor. Her older sister had been staying with them for weeks and it was her last night. Nathan had told her to leave because she had logged on to Haley's e-mail account and messaged Chris several times pretending to be Haley. It had caused nothing but drama and turmoil, just the way Taylor liked it. But Nathan was fed up.

God, he looked so handsome. So strong and tough and masculine. She really loved him and at times it was hard to believe he was really hers. She was lucky. Practically every girl at Tree Hill High School lusted after the young man she called her husband. They looked at her with envy and rightfully so. He had proven that the night before when he made love to her.

It was slow and tender but still passionate. She loved the way he felt inside of her. She loved feeling his sweat glistened muscular arms and bare back. She loved it when he kept his eyes open and they would just stare at each other as he moved in and out of her petite body. She loved how he would whisper out her name just as she brought him to the brink.

"What are you looking at, Hales?"

"Huh?"

"Why are you staring at me like that?"

"Because I love you", she spoke.

He smiled and climbed on top of her. They kissed and she moaned as his fingertips traced the outline of her sexy nightgown. His hands roamed her body, finally resting on his favorite spot…the "23" tattooed on her lower back.

"I want you", he breathed.

"What about Taylor?"

"She's not here. She didn't come home last night? Besides, who cares about her?"

She gave in to want and let him make love to her. Neither had any idea it would be the last time…at least for a while.

They finished and held each other before he went off to take another quick shower. It was now evident she would have to miss her first class of the day but she didn't care as she put on her favorite robe and headed to the kitchen to put on a cup of coffee.

Minutes later the door opened and in breezed Hurricane Taylor carrying a small box.

"I was beginning to think you'd skipped town and left all your stuff."

Taylor sat the box down and scowled at her younger sister.

"What do you care if I haven't been around? You're kicking me out, right?"

Haley rolled her eyes as she poured herself a cup of coffee.

"Drop the attitude, Tay. You brought this on yourself. You've pulled a lot of crap over the years but emailing Chris as me…I just, I can't believe you'd be such a conniving little bitch!"

"Hey! You're the bitch who's kissing a guy that isn't your husband. You need a scapegoat, fine, let Nathan think that this is all on me, but you and I both know the kiss happened…"

She shut up as a fully clothed Nathan joined them. Haley placed a kiss on his lips.

"Hey! Have a Bear Claw, brother", she slid the box of pasties over to him. "We're celebrating. I'm leaving tonight."

Nathan reached into the box as there was a knock at the door. It was Dan who snidely dropped off the rest of Nathan's things as he announced he was making room for Lucas to move in. Haley nearly choked. She couldn't remember the last time she had heard such shocking news.

But it would turn out to be an eventful 24 hours. Everything would change. Lucas would move in with Dan. The Wreckers would come to town. Chris was back. Taylor was leaving. And Haley would change everyone's lives forever…

"We are now prepared for takeoff."

Haley snapped out of her trance and checked her watch. 45 freaking minutes had passed. Her heart pounded. Maybe there was still time. If there were a God in Heaven, then there would still be time. She wouldn't be too late.

"Please, please, please", she said to no one in particular.

"You alright, lady?" the person next to her asked.

"Fine. I'm sorry. I just don't want to be late."

"Where you headed?"

"North Carolina…for a wedding."

Not to attend one but to crash it and stop it. But she would leave that little detail out.

"Oh relax. You'll be okay. Besides, weddings never start on time."

Haley nodded and took a breath. More than anything, she hoped the stranger was right.