Nathan and Haley walked hand in hand down the dimly lit street. They had just left the hospital after checking on Keith and Peyton. They didn't say much for a while. Nathan started the conversation with a topic that was weighing on their mind, and more heavily, on their hearts.

"Man I have never been as scared as I was today."

Haley looked up at Nathan. She was still a little shaky from the events of the day, it was evident in her voice.

"Yeah, I guess being held at gunpoint for two hours will do that to you."

Nathan pulled her close and wrapped his arm around her waist as they continued to walk.

"No I mean yeah that was scary too." Haley gave him a tired, confused look. "But I meant before I found you. I couldn't breathe Hales. I don't know what I would've done if something had happened to you."

They walked up the steps and stood in front of her apartment door. Haley looked into the eyes of the man who ran back inside a school to save her. Her. Haley James.

"I can't believe you came back to get me. You could've been killed Nathan." She pulled him tight so that her head rested on his broad chest. "Then what would I have done? What were you thinking?"

Nathan chuckled slightly. He knew it wasn't really a funny topic but he loved it when Haley got worked up like that. It was adorable.

"I don't know. I guess I wasn't thinking. I just knew I needed to find you. I love you Haley."

Haley pulled away from Nathan a little, looked at him, and smiled.

"I love you too." She stood on her tiptoes and he gently kissed her. It amazed both of them that they had been together so long and still saw fireworks when they kissed. Haley gently pulled away as she turned to unlock her door. Once it was open, Nathan gently placed a kiss on her head.

"Well now that I've got you home safely I'm going to go…"

"No. Wait." The urgency in her voice surprised even Haley. Tears began to well in her eyes. She turned to look at Nathan.

"…Okay…why?" Nathan was confused and slightly panicked. Haley was staring at him wide eyed and tears were beginning to run down her pretty face. "Hales. Haley, what's wrong?" he wrapped her in a hug and she broke down. She cried into his chest as he held her close until she regained enough composure to talk.

"Please don't go Nathan. I can't be without you right now. I need you here now."

Nathan gently placed his hands on her face and wiped her tears.

"Okay Hales, calm down. I'm not going anywhere. I'll be here. Always and forever, right?"

Haley looked up. He always knew how to take away her pain and fear.

"Right." She sighed. She was glad she got Nathan to stay but the events of the day were still bothering her. "Nathan, what are we going to do?"

Nathan shut the door and sat on the couch. He invited Haley to come curl up next to him.

"Who? You and me?" Nathan was confused.

"You, me, Brooke, Lucas, Peyton, everyone at Tree Hill. What are we going to do? Nothing is ever going to be the same." Haley was upset. Even then, being safe in her home curled up next to the guy she loved, she didn't feel settled. It pained Nathan to see her like that.

"I don't know Hales." He pulled her closer and kissed her cheek where a tear had just fallen. "I guess they'll eventually reopen the school. We'll go back, graduate and go on with our lives."

Haley shook her head. She knew it wouldn't be that simple.

"I don't know. I just don't see this going away like that."

"I don't think it will Hales, to be honest."

Haley sighed as she slowly stretched.

"Urgh, I can't think about this anymore. Can we go to bed?" She slowly stood and offered her hand to Nathan. He reached for it and she pulled him up.

"Yeah that sounds good…wait. Is Brooke going to freak that I'm here?"

Nathan wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

"No I think she's staying at Luke's since Karen is staying at the hospital with Keith." Haley began walking towards the bedroom. Nathan grabbed her hand. She stopped and turned around.

"Come here you." He pulled her close. "I love you Haley. I never want to be without you."

She smiled up at him. Was it possible to love someone that much? "Me either, Nathan. I love you."