Summary: It was because of her that he had to do this. She had stolen two of the most important things that he owned. That was of the most value to him…his sons. And for this Haley James was going to pay.

Naley, Brucas and some Jeyton

From The Cradle To The Grave

Teaser: Fighter

She was tired, out of breath, sore and felt as if she were going to pass out at any moment. The flesh wound on her back was burning and throbbing forcing her to bit down on her lip in order to keep herself from screaming and giving away their whereabouts. Her body was pleading with her to stop and rest, but she couldn't. The lives of herself, her husband and brother in law depended on her staying strong and fighting until she had nothing left to give.

Nathan, the man she loved was bleeding heavily and was in need of medical attention. He was leaning on her as they ran as fast as they could down the hall of their new home. Spotting the room she had just set hid an unconscious Lucas she quickly dove in and closed the door behind them. The pair then made their way over to the closet where she helped the younger Scott sit down before placing him up against the wall, next to his brother.

"You have to get out of here Haley" commanded Nathan as he winced in pain.

"No Nathan, there's no way in hell I'm leaving without you and Lucas" she replied looking over her shoulder.

She had to be certain that the evil bastard hadn't followed them.

"Forget about us Hales, just get out of here and before he finds you" he said pushing her away, urging her to go on without him.

"Damn it Nathan you're my husband which means we are in this together till the end"

Tears were now sliding down her cheeks as she continued "I love you Mr. Scott and I have no intentions of leaving you here to die. I said always and forever and I meant that"

He smiled at her weakly. Although he was trying to put on a brave face for her she could tell that he was scared.

"I love you too Mrs. Scott" he replied as he placed his hand behind her head and pulled her into a long passionate kiss that took her breath away.

She leaned back slightly and stared deeply into his eyes. It was then that she knew the kiss was his way of saying good bye.

"We're going to make it out of this Nathan. I promise you, we're going to be okay"

"You always were a hopeless optimisms" he laughed. But his laughter turned into a hacking cough.

"Shhh baby take it easy" she said before moving to check on her best friend.

"How is he?"

"He's still alive but we're going to have to get you both to the hospital soon"

"That's impossible and you know it"

She wanted to protest but Nathan put a hand to silence her.

"He's still out there Hales and he's not going to stop until he gets what he wants"

"He's not going to kill me Nathan. I won't let him"

"Be serious Haley. He blames you for me and Lucas hating him and for us moving away. He thinks you stole us from him and no one takes anything from Dan Scott and lives to tell about it"

Haley sighed. She knew Dan was somewhere out there waiting for her and wasn't going to stop until she drew her very last breath. Nathan was right. Dan was never going to stop hunting her down until one of them died and she wasn't going to be that one.

She sprung to her feet and began searching for something, anything that she could use to protect herself.

"What are you doing?" questioned Nathan as he watched the woman frantically search the room.

"Looking for a weapon"

The blue eyed male shook his head in disbelief "You're not seriously going to try to fight the guy are you?"

"Nathan I don't have a choice"

"Yes you do. You can get the hell out of here like I told you to" he yelled holding the gaping knife wound in his side.

Spotting a jagged piece of wood Haley quickly grabbed if off the ground and moved back to her husband's side.

"Baby please don't do this. Going up against him would be suicide and I'm not ready to lose you. Not now, not ever"

"I know that Nate but I don't want to lose you or Lucas either which means that I have to get Dan out of the way so I can get you both out of here. Besides when I checked on Luke his pulse was very weak and his hands were getting cold. I don't think I have to tell you what that means" she looked over to her best friend sadly.

When she turned back to Nathan it broke her heart to see tears in his eyes as he took hold of his brother's hand.

"He's so cold" he spoke in a shaken voice without taking his eyes off of the elder Scott.

"And that's why I have to do this Nathan. If we wait any longer Lucas is going to die and you won't be too far behind"

The man was going to respond to his wife's remarks but someone else beat him to it.

"Don't worry about my boys. They'll both be just fine once I get rid of you"

Before Haley had a chance to defend herself Dan pulled her up by her hair and sent her flying backwards putting distance between her and her husband and sadly the weapon she planned on defending herself with.

"Dad please, just leave her alone"

"Its okay son I now she brainwashed you and your brother and poisoned you against me but once she's gone everything will be okay. We can even live here if you want, it doesn't matter just as long as the three of us are together. Just me and my boys, the way it was supposed to be before your Mom, Karen, Keith and this bitch turned you two against me"

He then focused his attention back on the woman he thought to be the reason for all his trouble.

Haley was struggling to get to her feet when Dan started walking towards her.

"Haley watch out!" cried Nathan just in enough time for the woman to kick her assailant hard in the stomach.

Dan only faltered slightly before he picked up his head and looked her in the eyes.

It was the stare of a mad man on edge and she knew that taking him down wasn't going to be easy. Chills ran up and down her spine as she watched a malicious grin spread across his lips as he charged towards her.

The fight for their survival was on.