Nathan stared at his surroundings. The plush decorated living room put together by Haley's soft sense of style. Trophies carefully displayed in a showcase that dated back to his junior league days in elementary school. And then there were the pictures. Pictures of everywhere. Framed photos of a smiling Nate with various celebrities and other basketball players. Pictures of family. Friends. Photographs of Nathan and Haley everywhere during the different stages of their long relationship. He picked up one in particular. It had been snapped during the previous winter at a private cottage they had rented in Reno. Arms wrapped around one another, their happy faces smiled for the camera.

"What are you doing?"

Nathan turned around. It was Haley.

"Hey. Um, I was just looking around."

She smiled as she took the frame from him.

"Reno. Gosh, we had so much fun."

"I know", Nathan sighed. "I remember it just like it was yesterday."

Haley frowned. There was something in his voice, something she didn't like.

"You okay, babe?"

"I'm fine", he lied.

Haley swallowed hard and nodded.

"Nathan, honey, I know this is tough but we're gonna get through this. Okay? We're going to be fine and you're going to be fine. And vacations in Reno and Maui a d Europe and everything else…we'll have those days again."

Nathan looked away.

"I don't know. Look, Hales, whatever happens, I…I just want you to know that I love you."

"I love you, too", she replied softly.

"And if I have to go away because of all that bullshit Amanda said…"

"Nathan…"

"…And they put me away for a long time…"

"That is not going to happen!"

"It might. Damn, Haley, it just might! Okay? And you have to be prepared for that. So just listen to me for a minute. Please. If I go to jail for years and years then I want you to move on. I want you to divorce me and go on with your life and find someone else and be happy."

"Nathan!"

"I mean it!"

"You can't do this! Nathan, you can't think like that! Baby, I know you're scared. Hell, I'm scared to but we have to be brave. The truth is on our side. And we have a very good lawyer. It's all going to be okay. We have to believe that because if we don't believe it, if we don't have that hope, then what the hell do we have?"

"Easy for you to say that", he mumbled.

"Easy for me?" she became angry. "I resent that, Nathan! How dare you! This is not easy for me. None of it has been. And I respect the fact that it's all been double hard on you but I have been there for you and in case you haven't figured it out, I'm not going anywhere! Why? Because I love you and I'm your wife and we made these little promises a long time ago called vows. Remember them? Sickness and in health, better or worse? Well, I was here for the good and I'll be here for the bad. That's what you and our marriage mean to me. I will defend you and fight for you until the end…no matter what. I have faith that you will be cleared of any wrongdoing in this whole mess but if and that's a very weak if, if something bad happens and it doesn't go our way, then I'm still going to stand by your side. I will do everything in my power to help you. And as far as moving on or finding someone else, then that's all bullshit and it's never going to happen! I love you! You are my life!"

The tears began to fall and Haley, still mad as hell at her husband's very insinuation, could barely get the words out. Nathan softened at her declaration of everlasting love and he ran to her, holding her tight.

"I'm scared, Hales", was all he could say.

"I know", she hugged him back. "I'm scared, too. But we're going to be okay."

There was a noise at the opposite end of the room and Nathan and Haley looked up to see it was Brooke clearing her throat. Lucas, Jake and Peyton were all with her.

"We interrupting, Superstar?"

"Yes", Nathan managed to grin. "But it's okay. I'm glad you guys came by. What's up?"

They all entered the spacious living room and took a seat.

"We were just worried", Lucas sighed. "Just wanted to check in and make sure you're okay, brother."

Nathan squeezed Haley's hand.

"We're trying to hang in there."

"Any new developments?" Jake inquired.

Lucas took a deep breath.

"The team is really trying to back you up, man. They've done a hell of a job at keeping the media at bay but…"

"But time is running out…right?" Nathan asked.

Lucas couldn't answer but the response would come in the form of a knock on the door. Haley hurried to answer it. Vanessa Copeland was on the other end and she joined the six in the living room.

"Ms. Copeland", Nathan nervously murmured when he caught sight of her. "What's the latest word?"

She looked her client right in the eye.

"The state has decided to indict you on charges of statutory rape, criminal mischief with a child, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor."

Everyone's heart sank.

"What…what does that mean?" Haley squeaked. "What happens now?"

"In 48 hours, the District Attorney has requested that you turn yourself in. At that point, you will be formally charged, fingerprinted and photographed. Immediately, I will request bail that I'm sure the judge will set around the 300 thousand to half million range. Once you're released, we'll await the preliminary hearing that should commence in a few days and that determines if there is enough to proceed to trial."

"Arrested?" Lucas asked in disbelief. "I thought you were supposed to keep that from happening."

"I was able to negotiate the arrangements for Nathan to turn himself in, in lieu of police barging into his home or bombarding him in public. The prosecution's case isn't the strongest but with Amanda Marshall's testimony, they feel they have enough to proceed. I can pretty much guarantee Nathan bail and it is my promise to you to do everything in my power to win this case. I feel very confident in our defense."

Nathan shook his head.

"Guys, I can't take this anymore."

"Nathan…"

"The shit is about to hit the fan. You heard Ms. Copeland. Look, I think the public deserves to hear my side of the story before some sneak attack and then all of a sudden the press is printing a bunch of lies about me. Luke, Ms. Copeland, can you two arrange a meeting early tomorrow with the reps from the Miami franchise and the coaches and PR people and stuff? I think we should have a press conference before I turn myself in."

"Are you sure?" Vanessa asked.

Nathan nodded as he looked at Haley.

"It's the right thing to do."

"Very well", she agreed.

"Nathan, I…I don't know if that's a good idea, man", Lucas began to protest.

"It's the only way", he said quietly.

Nathan hung his head but listened intently as Vanessa and Lucas went over strategy. Brooke hung around as well but Haley managed to slip out of the room, catching Peyton's eye in the process and motioning for her to join her in another room.

"Peyton, we can't let this happen", Haley whispered.

"I know. I know", Peyton agreed. "But what can we do?"

"Nathan is a mess right now! If he goes through with talking to those reporters, it will absolutely break him! The poor thing is already sitting around just waiting for the cops to haul him off. Now everyone in this room has one thing and common and that is we all love Nathan. He's my husband, Peyton and I'm all he has. We're all he's got. We have to do something and fast. I can't just stand by and let this ruin Nathan's life forever."

Peyton nodded. She understood. They were her friends and of course she was on their side. And Peyton still couldn't help but feel more than a little responsible for it all.

"Okay. Haley, I have an idea but…"

"But what? Tell me."

"It's just a feeling. I mean, I have no clue whether or not it will work but…"

"Anything is worth a shot, right? Pey, we don't have much time."

Peyton took a deep breath.

"Alright. Um, can you get a set of keys to the school? I mean, the master set, if you can. The one that opens everything from the classrooms to the dean's office to the place where they keep all the records."

"I, I don't have them but I guess I could get them."

"Okay. Tomorrow you do that. And tomorrow night, we make our move."

"You mean break into the school? Peyton, what if we get caught?"

Peyton tried to sound more confident than she felt.

"We won't", the blonde looked right at her. "Besides, this is our last shot. It's Nathan's last shot."