Note: Yea, so my theory about "spoilers" being the basis for my story is shot to heck with the latest promo (which I loved by the way). Anyway Nathan/Haley move back in together as well as plans for a renewal which I will incorporate but not the way they are planning to. I'm so overwhelmed by the replies that I'm brushing up all the next chapters.
Let me know what you think...Thanks EP

Chapter 4

Dan sat down in his chair after laying Haley across the couch in his office. He knew that firing that single shot into the ceiling had put them on alert that Haley was probably already dead but that was what he wanted. She had won. This little girl lying on the couch had won, she had found him out for the coward that he was and he was left no choice but to die a coward's death. He was going to allow the cops to do what he never had enough guts to do, which was put his family out of the misery that he had caused. He couldn't face his parents knowing the disgust that his acts had caused and the looks on their face when the truth emerged.

"What happened and why do I have a splitting headache?"

Dan looked over at the couch with a hint of amusement, "You fell down Haley. You really must be more careful daughter."

Haley sat up shakily and leaned her head against the couch. With her eyes closed she spoke sharply, "Maybe I would be more careful if you hadn't pushed me Dad."

Dan felt a touch of respect rise to the surface for this little girl who dared to take him on. "I've come to a decision. I'm going to give myself up."

Haley looked at him with sarcastic humor in her eyes, "Do I have Gullible earmarked on my forehead? You never do anything without an ulterior motive, what's your plan?"

Dan leaned back in his chair as he twirled the gun on his finger, "I want the truth all of it. I've been getting bits and pieces but I'm not turning myself in until I hear how you got Deb to confess, then I want to hear how you told my sons and Karen, but most of all I want to know what this damning piece of evidence is that you have against me. When I know all of those things we will walk out of here and I will turn myself in."

Haley crossed her arms and scrutinized him carefully with her eyes. "As we have discussed why should I trust you, when you have nothing to lose. Is it really so important knowing the details? What do they do for you now?"

Dan sat forward, "I'm going to give myself up Haley, there's no other option. I already have gained my children's hatred but I want to know how I was found out."

Haley nodded, "I'll tell you if you tell me why this curtain is closed."

Dan picked up the gun that he had left haphazardly on the desk to speak his next words, "After I pushed you down, I fired a shot off."

Haley looked at him, "Lucas and Nathan think I'm hurt?" She turned to the window to pull back the blinds, when she heard the click behind her at the gun trained on her back.

"Turn around Haley, I'm not playing."

Haley nodded and Dan satisfied that she wouldn't try anything said, "Well let's get on with it. What happened? How was I figured out with everyone?"

Haley's voice was frightened as she continued to speak...

Mouth/Haley

Hours Later

"I can't believe we are doing this. Haley if we get caught…"

Haley turned to Mouth with a smile on her face, "Mouth we are not going to get caught. Everyone has made this a case closed. Dan made sure to that, he got up on television and said the events that happened at this high school were too hideous to warrant any further investigation. Dan will get off Scot-free; excuse the pun if we don't find a way to bring him down once and forever."

Mouth nodded not truly convinced but refusing to allow her to handle this fight alone, "What is the game plan anyway?"

Haley shrugged her shoulders as Mouth opened the door to the A/V room. Haley sat down at the chair in front of the computer as Mouth shuffled through the videotapes on the wall. "Hold on, it should be here somewhere."

Haley stood up and said, "I can help, but what are we looking for here Mouth?"

Mouth shook his head "Don't worry about; I think I found the box I was looking for… Yes, this is the box. This is the tape from the day of the shooting."

Haley sat back in shock, "It can't be this easy. Why didn't the cops do anything, why wasn't the time of death questioned? Why didn't anyone bother to watch the tape?"

Mouth rolled his eyes, "Contrary to what you may watch on TV, One Tree Hill doesn't have its own CSI department. The mayor gave a directive that the investigation into his brother's death not be furthered and everyone listened. You don't want to go against the mayor, besides people weren't really in the mood to hear about time of death and everything and after all it was his brother so the last thing you would assume is he was responsible for his own brother's death. This town had just become the next Columbine on a smaller scale. This was just swept under the rug."

Haley shook her head, "It's just so sad Mouth. If Abby would have never spoken to me than I would have still believed that Jimmy had taken Keith's life."

Mouth nodded, "Well let's see what this tape shows."

Haley nodded and sat besides Mouth as the tape rolled.

Later Nathan/Haley's Apartment

"Haley?"

Haley looked up at Nathan who came into the apartment. She tried to muster up a smile for her husband but found that she was lacking anything. All her emotions had left her after watching that tape, she was empty. He walked over and pulled her into his arms and kissed her gently on the forehead. "Are you worried?"

Haley nodded against his chest but refused to let him know about the reason for her worry. She pulled away, "Did you want something to eat? I can order a pizza or something?"

Nathan shook his head, "Why don't we just lay down and you can breathe for a little while. I know it hasn't been easy on you trying to be everything to everybody; it's okay to let other people help with your load. That's what I'm here for."

Haley felt the tears threaten to overflow as she was confronted with the reality of her world. Nathan was safe with her and back in her arms. His father was a murderer and she had to tell him, she had to let him know that the man that he despised and loved caused the death of another human being. And it was not just any human being but his brother and in cold-blood.

Haley smiled softly at him and let the tears flow down our cheeks. "Nathan, can you just hold me. It's been a really long day and I just need…"

Nathan stopped her words with his finger and picked her up in his arms and held her tightly. He laid with her across the couch in the living room and rocked her to sleep as the tears spilled from her eyelids.

Next Morning

"Mr. Scott, or should I say Dad? I was wondering if I could ask you a favor."

She had mustered up all of her courage to make the next steps that she was about to take. After watching the tape repeatedly the images were permanently imprinted on her brain. She and Mouth had cried watching Jimmy's last desperate moments and Keith pleading with him to give himself up they had both screamed at the sight of seeing his last words before he pulled that trigger. After watching Keith lean over his body in sorrow they saw Dan viciously, coldly and without remorse kill his brother. Haley had cried in Mouth's arms for five minutes before deciding her next course of action. This was only the first piece of evidence; she still needed to ensure that there was nothing else she could send him to jail for. She had to ensure that he was away from her family forever.

"Of course Haley, I've been so lonely since Keith's death. I really appreciate how you have supported letting Karen and Lucas be with me in this time of grieving."

Haley felt the nausea threatening to choke her as she nodded, "It's Keith that I'm actually here about."

Dan looked at her in shock, "Keith? Is there something bothering you?"

Haley nodded, "When Keith died, I saw another side of you Dan. A side that I always knew existed but was never privy too. I saw how lonely you were and was wondering if you would like me to apply for that job outside, the one for your personal assistant. This would help us to grieve together and get us a chance to better know each other; I mean we are family after all."

Dan nodded and said, "That's a wonderful idea. We can definitely get closer together. You can start tomorrow."

Haley nodded and reached out her hand when Dan shook his head and pulled her into his arms. He hugged her to him tightly.

Haley grimaced softly and pulled away, "Excuse me, where is your bathroom?"

Dan nodded towards a door in the hall. After excusing herself, Haley ran for the nearest stall and emptied the contents of her breakfast. As she laid her head on the bowl, she chastised herself. Nerves of steel? She had nerves all right, nerves of fear. When he had pulled her into that hug, she swore that she was going to vomit in his face, for the second time since meeting him. She reminisced briefly on happier times but then stood up, flushed the toilet and stared at her face in the mirror.

"Buck up Haley, this is just starting."

I'm loving all these replies, let me know what you think.