The big day had arrived and the excitement ran rampant in the air. Haley could hardly believe it as she used her tongue to play with the remnants of crushed ice from her drink. Brooke had been right. It was much more exciting seeing it live and there was much to see.

The pretty auburn haired girl had survived the road trip with Nathan and forgiven Brooke as they had reconvened in the hotel room the night before. After a few drinks and a lot of laughs, Haley had fallen asleep listening to poor Brooke gripe and complain about Lucas. But there had been more on her mind as well. Haley had her own dilemma and it involved one Nathan Lee.

"Haley?"

She looked up and smiled.

"Oh. Hey, Coop."

"Nothing much", Nathan's handsome uncle grinned. "What's cracking? You enjoying yourself so far?"

Haley shrugged. The actual race hadn't started yet but the stands were filled with spectators and engines roared below her on the track.

"Yeah. I can't wait. I'm really rooting for Nathan. He seemed super excited."

Cooper beamed with pride.

"This one is all him. I can just feel it."

"Yeah", Haley agreed.

"Now what are you doing up here with the regular folk? Why aren't you out by the track?"

"Oh I don't know anything about cars. I'd just be in the way."

"Oh it's cool. Besides, looks like you have some friends down there", he motioned.

Brooke and Daytona were waving to Haley in the stands.

"I, um…"

"You should go."

Haley's face turned red.

"I don't think that would be a good idea…"

He followed her gaze that led straight to Lucas.

"Oh", he closed his eyes. "Dude, I totally forgot. Oh man. I am such an idiot. Sorry, Haley."

She managed to smile.

"It's okay. Don't worry about it."

The announcer came over the loudspeaker signaling they were all just minutes from the big start. The fans cheered loudly.

"Well, you can't just sit out here by yourself. Come with me."

"Where are we going?"

Cooper extended his hand and she took it.

"VIP, baby. The best seats in the house", he winked.

He led her to the control booth and they took a seat. Haley looked around in awe. There were cameras everywhere, leaving her a bird's eye view of the track. She could even see Nathan putting on his helmet.

"Wow. This is pretty cool, Cooper."

"What'd I tell you, doll? Here", he handed her a set of earphones. "Not only do you get to see the action, we can hear it, too."

He showed her which controls went to communicate with Nathan's earpiece as well as each crew member. After a few minutes, it was time for action. Mr. Green, Daytona's father, sat beside her. Her heart pounded as his voice boomed out to the audience.

"May the best man win!"

The participants put on their mics and climbed into the cars. Haley watched Daytona give Nathan a kiss, presumably for luck. Then slid on his gloves and hooked in his seatbelt. Lucas and Brooke, tension thick, had already completed the last minute checks of the gears and steering wheel.

"Here we go!" Cooper excitedly rubbed his hands together.

"Gentlemen", Ray Green said into the microphone. "Start your engines!"

The pace car led them out and then the race began. Nathan had a good start, staying in a consistent and comfortable third place. The racers then passed the green flag and Nathan slammed on the gas. He soared to first place in an instant, staying just ahead of the car that had previously led the pack. He continued to accelerate, moving the gear shift as the tack jumped up a notch.

Haley's heart was now pounding so loud she was sure Cooper and Mr. Green could hear it. So much was going on. She could see Lucas and Brooke on the track below jumping up a down, screaming words of encouragement. Haley herself had to suppress the urge a time or two of jumping up and yelling at the top of her lungs.

"He's doing good, right?" she asked Cooper. "I mean, he's gonna win?"

Cooper's breath was coming in bated spurts.

"Looks like it", he said with nervous excitement.

"Oh no", Haley observed as one of the drivers seemed to catch up with him. "That guy is gaining on him."

Cooper switched the controls to communicate directly with Nathan.

"Coming up on your right, baby. Watch him. Now you've got this, Nate. We're coming up on the last lap. Don't blow it now."

"I've got this clown", they heard Nathan respond as clear as day.

Sure enough he retained his lead.

"Lock and load, baby! He's yours", Cooper shouted, half laughing as he stood to his feet.

He had it. He was going to win. Cooper was going crazy. The crowd was going crazy. The crew was going crazy. And just shy of victory, it happened. The other driver, the one who had been giving Nathan Lee a run for his money the entire time, moved forward quickly on the turn and bumped Nathan's car. Haley flinched.

"Coop, is that legal? Can that jerk just do that?"

Nathan swerved and lost his stride, falling back. The body language of his street team displayed anger and disappointment. Haley could almost hear the string of four letter words pouring out of Lucas' mouth.

"Damn", Cooper hung his head. "It's over."

Haley didn't understand. How could it be over just like that? Nathan had been in first practically the whole time. Had the other guy cheated?

"Come on, you can do it", she said, unaware that her mouth piece was turned on and her words streamed directly into Nathan's ear.

It was like a second wind almost. She was there and she was cheering for him. They were all there. Haley, Lucas, Brooke, Mr. Green, Cooper, Daytona, and Garrett. They had all believed in him and supported him and put in their time, effort, blood, sweat and tears. He couldn't lose. Not then. Not anymore. Nathan had something to prove…especially to himself.

It happened so fast. He seemed to accelerate and it looked like he was a second away from pulling off the upset of the century. But then it happened. It was a blur to Haley. She didn't know what was going on but she knew something wasn't right. It was slow motion in the control booth. Cooper jumped up and screamed but it was hard to hear. All Haley saw was Nathan's car skid out of control and slam into one of the walls.

"Goddammitt!" Cooper yelled, yanking off his equipment and heading for the door.

Haley and Mr. Green were hot on his heels. She had never run so fast in her life. Then again, she had never been so afraid. They made it down to the track and the scene of the accident in record time. There were flames as Lucas, Brooke and Daytona were trying to figure out the best way to get to him. For Haley, it was no question. Damn the flames! She ran straight towards the wreckage despite the screams and pleas for her to fall back.

"Hales, what are you doing?" Lucas yelled. "No! Come back!"

The heat was almost unbearable, more stifling than anything Haley had ever felt in her life but she fought past the feeling. Not even knowing what to do and not bothering to wait for experienced help, she pulled down the barrier and reached in. She was a tiny thing, not very tall and barely broke 100 pounds soaking wet but with an unforeseen strength, Haley Scott had pulled Nathan Lee, twice her size, to safety.

"Nathan!" she yelled in an emotional panicked voice. "Nathan! Nate, can you hear me?"

He did not answer. He did not move. Blood trickled from his nose. She held him, to afraid to cry as the others joined them, followed by the medical team

"Is he okay?" Brooke asked.

"I don't know", Haley answered in a voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know."

Daytona kneeled down and touched his face. Tears fell from her eyes.

"Talk to me, baby. Open your eyes, Nate. I'm here. It's okay and you're going to be fine."

There was utter chaos and finally the medics arrived with the stretcher, peeling Nathan off the pavement and out of her arms. His whole body looked broken as they gingerly placed him on the gurney and wheeled him towards the ambulance. Haley just sat there, still in the same spot, a few spots of his blood, staining her Old Navy jeans. She couldn't cry or scream or talk or even move. She just watched them take him away, the others frantically dispersing as well. Only a shaken Brooke remained behind.

"Oh my God", she kept whispering over and over again. "Oh my God. What happened out there?"

Haley had no answers.

"I, I don't know", she said quietly.

Brooke wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Come on", she squeezed Haley's hand. "We've got to get out of here. We've got to get to the hospital."