"Wh... what are you talking about?" I stammered. Just the volume of his voice sent me stumbling back a few steps, but the question alone made my heart stop.

He was glaring at me now, the saying 'if looks could kill' ran through my head. "You heard me, are you screwing him?"

Never in a million years would I have wanted Conner to 'find' out like this. If he were to ever know the truth, then I wanted to be the one to tell him. Not like this. I wanted to ask him how he found out, who told him? But it didn't matter, not now at least. He was furious, and by asking him how he found out about me and Nathan would just make him ever more enraged. He didn't deserve this, no one did, but especially Conner. My reason for being here was lost, all I wanted to do now was explain.

"Conner, I am so sorry... but there... it just..."

He interrupted me, "it just what? Happened? So your not denying? I want you to tell me Haley, tell me!"

I flinched at his voice. "I've been with Nathan while you and I were together." My voice was quite, and rushed. But I knew he could hear me.

He let out a bitter laugh, "how long?"

I was silent for a moment, did he really need to know? "Nine months." I looked up at him, and I regretted it immediately. "Conner I'm so sorry, you have no idea how sorry I am that you found out like this!"

He took a step toward me, and I stepped one back. The look in his eyes frightened me more than is should. "Sorry? That's all you have to say? I was in love with you, I am in love with you! How could you do this? To me? You told me that you loved me! Was that just talk, or did you mean it?"

"I do love you Conner, but..."

"Just not as much as him, right? How could you do this to me Haley?"

Tears were falling out now, I had hurt him and I was disgusted with myself. "I don't know, when I met him he just... he made me happy. He made me happier than anybody has ever made me, and I fell in love with him."

"You're a whore." I looked down at my shoes, god he was right. "You are a filthy, backstabbing, heartbreaking, slutty, whore! You deserve that bastard! You both sick me! Man I am so happy that I finally found out, that way I won't have to look at your whore of a face again!"

Fury shot through me. And the reason I was here came back to me. "Did you do it Conner? Did you beat up Nathan?"

"What do you think?"

I didn't know what to think. Was Conner capable of something like this? Could he really endanger someone else's life? Was he that angry, and hurt? I looked down again, but his hand's brought the answer to me. Yes, he would.

"I think you beat up Nathan with a couple of your friends, that's why you were late to the game. That's why your hands are bruised, you beat up Nathan."

He smiled, "I never heard of a smart whore. Yes I was the one who beat the shit out of him, and boy did I love doing it."

"What?" Conner and I both turned to the side to see Lucas standing there, looking stunned at Conner. "What the hell did you just say?"

Conner turned toward Lucas, so he was facing him completely. "You heard me Roe, I was the one who beat your little boyfriend up."

Lucas took a step towards him, "you sick fuck."

Conner laughed, "what are you going to do? Beat me up? Go ahead, but I would look at your friend again. You want to end up like him?"

It was Lucas's turn to laugh, "you think you could take me, you son of a bitch?"

I saw Conner gulp nervously, "of course I could take you."

"Okay..." he stepped towards Conner very slowly.

"Luke," I whispered softly, but he ignored me.

Lucas was standing in front of Conner now, they were just staring at one another. Then suddenly. taking Conner by complete surprise, Lucas punched him right in the nose. Conner groaned in pain, falling backwards onto the blacktop.

"Lucas!" I screamed.

Lucas was standing over Conner, who was clutching his nose, glaring down on him. "Stay the hell away from Nathan, me and Haley. I see you any where near her, or any of our friends, I will kill you."

Conner didn't say anything. He just sat still on the blacktop, clutching his, what I would presume, bloody nose. I had never been afraid of my best friend, but in this moment he was scaring me.

I walked over to Lucas, and carefully touched his elbow. "Let's go," I whispered softly to him. He looked at me slowly, guilt flooding his eyes. I gave him a small nod, to tell him it was okay. He then turned back towards Conner, gave him one last glare before turning around and walking away. I sighed, "I'm sorry." It was quite, short, and the end. We stared into one another's eyes, this was it. Conner and I were done, and frankly I wanted nothing more to do with him. He wasn't the guy I thought he was. Yes I never really loved him, but he was always so good to me. It was hard, and I'm sure it will be hard to shut him out of my life completely. But what he did tonight, I could never forgive him for that.

With one last sigh, I turned around and walked in the direction Lucas had. I was afraid tears were going to fall, but I was surprised they didn't. I had lost a good friend tonight, but I think I might have gained an enemy. But none of that mattered right now, all that mattered was Nathan. Just the thought of what happened to him and where he was, brought tears to my eyes. I half ran to Lucas's car, wanting to be near Nathan. He was waiting in the car, already turned on. He wanted to get back quickly too.

I slammed the door shut, but Lucas didn't make a move to turn the car in reverse and back out. He was just staring at the steering wheel, his brows furrowed together like he was confused about something.

"Lucas?" My voice was soft, but in the silence it seemed like I was yelling.

"Are you... and Nathan...?" He turned his head to me, eyes showing hurt, and betrayal.

I looked down at my hands, "Luke... we've been seeing one another..."

"How long?" His voice was sharp, and demanding. I flinched in the darkness.

"Um... nine... nine months I think."

I turned my head to look at him, but his face read nothing. He was just staring at me, trying to figure out if he should laugh or yell. I felt guilty, my best friends since forever, I hadn't told him that I was seeing Nathan behind everyone's back. Jake and Brooke knew, but not my best friend.

"Luke..." I tried to explain, but he just turned back forward, putting the car in reverse and speeding out of the parking lot.

I turned towards the window, closing my eyes. This was going to be a long night.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Everyone stood up when Lucas and I walked out out the elevator, worried expressions on their faces. I felt bad, they didn't need to be worrying about me only Nathan. Brooke was the first to meet us, she looked at Lucas then me. "Is everything okay?"

I nodded, but Lucas spoke. "No, Conner was the one who did it. He attacked Nathan."

Shock washed over everyone's faces. "Are you serious?" Jake asked after a moment of silence.

Lucas nodded, "yeah, that's why he was late to the game. He was beating the crap out Nate."

"Oh my god," Peyton murmured.

I looked up at Brooke, who was still next to me. She wrapped an arm around me, pulling me to the nearest chair. Peyton and Bevin soon came over too. "I'm so sorry Haley," Brooke whispered in my ear, her head resting against mine.

"That son of a bitch," I heard Jake mutter. Him, Lucas and Skillz were now standing next to one another, and the two boys looked beyond pissed. I'm sure they were thinking that they should go and find Conner and beat the shit out of him.

We all stayed like that for a while, but then the doctor came over. "You can see Nathan now, but only one at a time."

"Thank you," Karen said. She turned to Lucas, "you should go first."

Lucas stared at her for a moment, but then turned to me. I nodded once and lightly, only he would see it. He then headed to the room Nathan was staying in.

He was in there for a good twenty minutes, but no one said anything. We all just waited in silence, praying that our friend was going to be okay. Lucas finally came into view, even more depressed looking than before. Brooke stood up and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"It's pretty bad," he said, "brace yourselves." His eyes flickered to mine. I looked down at my lap.

Jake went next, but he was in there for only ten minutes. He came out with the same expression as Lucas, and Peyton did the same thing for him. Skillz went in next, and Bevin comforted him when he reappeared. Watching them only brought even more sadness, seeing as how when I go in there the arms I want wrapped around me when I come out are the arms that are lying in that bed. The idea brought on a round of tears, but I was able to hold them in.

Karen was after Skillz. Seeing her so worried and scared for Nathan made me feel a slight bit better. For the past couple of weeks, Nathan has been spending a lot of time at the Roe house. And the motherly side of her has taken over her, as he lies in the bed unmoving. I'm sure she knew all about Nathan's absent mother.

She was in there almost as long as Lucas, tears staining her cheeks as she walked out. She half hugged Lucas, then dabbed her eyes. She looked up at us, "whose next?"

"I'll go," Peyton said. She stepped away from Jake and headed towards the room. She was in there for about ten minutes also, then Bevin went although not as long, and then it was Brooke. She looked at me for a second, then walked away. She was in there for about fifteen minutes. I'm sure her and Nathan had gotten along since I'm sure she was around the house when Nathan and Lucas were hanging out.

She came back out and went to Lucas, putting her head on his shoulder. "Your turn Haley," Peyton told me softly from next to me. I nodded, and stood up. Jake, Brooke, and Lucas were all staring at me. Even Karen was watching me. I closed my eyes when I reached the door, turned back to my friends and saw that only Lucas was staring at me still. He gave me an encouraging smile, which I returned. I took a deep breath then turned the handle and walked inside.

The sight alone made the tears flow from my eyes. Lucas wasn't kidding, it was bad. Worse even. Nathan was laying on the bed, his head wrapped in white gauge, his right leg was hanging in a slack, and he was wearing what seemed to be a back brace around his torso. I had to place my hand over my mouth to keep the sobs from escaping. Cuts and bruises were all over his beautiful face, how could he do this? Conner should have never done this, he should have come after me. Not Nathan! Hate swept through my body when thinking about Conner. Lucas should have done more to him than just punching him, he deserves so much worse.

I walked slowly over to the side of the bed, and sat down in the chair. The room was silent except for the beeping of the machine that was keeping track of Nathan's heart. He had IV's taped on his hands. I leaned forward on the bed, placing my elbows on it, and grabbed his hand in mine.

"Hi," I choked out through the tears. "I am so sorry, Nathan. You have no idea how sorry I am, this should have never happened! You don't deserve this, any of this." I paused, "but you need to wake up, okay? You need to wake up, because there are a bunch of people outside that need you to be okay. Lucas is a wreck, he is so scared that you won't be okay. But we both know that you will right?" I started sobbing, and brought his hand up to my forehead. "Nathan, please wake up," I whispered. "I know I have asked so much for you in the past year, keeping us a secret, leaving Conner alone, but you have to wake up, I need you to wake up." I brought the hand down to my lips, and kissed it. "I love you Nathan. I know that I told you I love Conner, but that was just to keep you away. Why I wanted you to stay away, I have no idea. But it was stupid, and I need you so much. I thought Conner was the one for me, but he's not Nathan, you are and I want to be with you. I love you, Nathan." I took a second, "I know this is sort of a bad time to tell you, but better late than never right?" I let out a small laugh, a sarcastic laugh. I kissed his hand again, "wake up Nathan. Lucas loves you, Jake, Skillz, Karen, Brooke. They all need you, and so do I. You have to get through this, for me, for us." I closed my eyes, the tears still falling, and kissed his hand once more. I left it there for some time, crying and kissing him. Praying that he will wake up. I don't know how long I sat there, like that. But I realized that I should go, the doctors probably want to run some more tests. I kissed his hand again, then stood up.

I walked to the door, stopped to wipe away the tears. I closed my eyes, and took a deep breathe. Just like I had when I first walked in here. I had to go and tell them, Peyton, Skillz, and Bevin. I wanted to stop lying, I was tired of it. I reached for the handle,

"Hmm..." I spun around at the sound. Nathan's head moved to one side, then to the other. I could see that his eyes were fluttering open.

I tried to breathe, but it caught in my throat. I ran back to his side, "Nathan?" I asked softly, leaning over him. "Nathan, can you here me?"

"Hmm," he moaned out. His eyes were opening softly, and let out a gasp. The sound made him turn his head to me, his eyes focusing on me.

I placed my hand next to his head on the pillow, my other resting right next to his on the bed. "Nathan? Can you hear me?"

He opened his mouth, "Hal... Haley?"

I smiled, "yeah, it's me. I'm right here." I was breathing hard now, my chest rising up and down fast.

"What..." his voice was hoarse, "what happened?"

"Don't worry about that now. All that matters is that you're going to be okay!" I smiled at him again, tears of joy were falling now. "I have to go get the doctor..." I was about to walk away when he grabbed my wrist. I turned back to him, "what's wrong?"

He was silent for a couple seconds, just staring at me. His ocean blue eyes on me brought a blush to my face, like it always did. "Did you mean it?" His voice was low and husky.

I shook my head in confusion, "mean what?"

"What you said, about loving me?"

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. I was stunned. "You..." I was whispering, "you heard me?"

He smirked, "every word. Did you mean it?"

Of course I meant it! I wanted to scream at him, but the door opened and a nurse came in looking at her clipboard. She looked up and saw me, "oh, I'm sorry I didn't realize..." then she looked at Nathan who was now staring at her. Actually, he seemed to be glaring at her for walking in on us. "You're awake! Wonderful! Let me get the doctor!" She turned around and walked out.

"I should go, the doctor will want to look at you." I stepped out of his grasp, a burning sensation lingered where his fingers were. Before I got half way to the door, the doctor came in.

"Nathan! You're up, how are you feeling?"

I turned around to give him one last look, his eyes were still on me. "Confused." He was answering the doctor, but his eyes never left mine.

I smiled at him, and took this opportunity to answer his question while the doctor was talking to the nurse. I smirked at him, "you bet your ass I meant it."

He smiled at me, and I beamed right back. I ducked my head, and walked out of the room. Everyone stood up when they saw me, panic expressions on their faces, I assume they saw the nurse rushing to get the doctor. I made my way to my friends, my head still low, the smile still on my face.

"Haley?" It was Lucas's voice, and that made me smile even more.

I looked up at them, seeing my smile must have made them relax some. "He's going to be okay. He woke up, and I don't think there is anything wrong with his head. He's going to be okay," my voice broke on the last part. Happy tears escaping.

Everyone let out a breathe of relief and smiled at one another. Lucas was still looking at me, his eyes shining with tears. We smiled at one another, and then he crushed my body into his. Our arms wrapping around each other. I felt his head turn towards my ear, "thank you."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Wait a minute! You have been sneaking around with him for the past nine months, and you didn't even think to tell me!" Peyton demanded. We were all sitting on Lucas's porch, a couple days after Nathan had woken up. He was going to be just fine. It would take awhile to heal, but he would be perfect soon. I had told everyone that I wanted them to come over today, for I wanted to tell them everything.

"I didn't tell anyone P. Sawyer, not till a month ago. I needed help and I called Jake," I told her. I smiled at Jake, a grateful smile. He smiled back. "I know this is crazy, but it just happened and I fell in love with him."

The group smiled at that, and I smiled too. I couldn't wait till Nathan got out of the hospital.

"So are you excited to play Nurse, James?" Brooke asked, a knowing smile on her lips. Sometimes, I think she can read minds.

"Maybe, just a little," I told her.

She laughed. Lucas shook his head, "I so don't need that visual. Besides the only way you are going to be able to take care of him is when mom isn't, which will be like never."

Karen had stuck to her word, she was getting full guardianship of Nathan. And he couldn't be more grateful. He told me that he was really happy that Karen was going to take him in, especially when he was in a shape like he is. Lucas is moving to the couch and Nathan is going to stay in his room, until Karen cleans out the spare room for him to move into.

"So..." Skillz started, "what do you think they are going to do to Conner?"

It was a sore subject, but Lucas answered him. "Well when he called the police and told him that he was the one who beat Nathan us, he was arrested for assault. And since he's eighteen, he's an adult and they are putting him in jail for three months."

Skillz nodded, silence falling between us. We turned our heads when a car pulled up and parked in front of the sidewalk that would lead to Lucas's porch. It was Karen. She got out the driver's side and waved up at us, "hey kids! Look whose home!"

I watched as she walked to the other side of the car, and opened the back door. Nathan was sitting in the seat. A smile came to my face. Lucas jumped up, and ran down the porch steps and to the car.

"Lucas help him out will you?" Karen opened the trunk and pulled out the wheel chair. We all stood on the porch watching, not wanting to get in the way. Jake had opened the door and Skillz walked down to go and help Lucas get Nathan out of the car. They grabbed him on both side and helped him into the wheelchair.

"Welcome home bro," Lucas said from behind him, and started pushing him forward. I noticed Nathan was wearing a boot over his jeans, but his face had cleared up in the past couple days. When they reached the steps, Lucas and Skillz picked up the wheelchair and walked up the steps.

"Geez Nate, you think you could cut back on the sweets a little?" Skillz joked, making everyone laugh.

Nathan smiled, "you're funny."

We all watched as they set him down and walked into the house. We all followed in behind, me last.

Karen started to walk towards the kitchen, "I'm going to make some lunch, then I have to head to the cafe."

"Okay!" We all responded. We walked to the family room, just planning to rest. Lucas and Jake helped Nathan up on the couch, and they placed his leg on the coffee table with a pillow under it.

"You alright?" Lucas asked, stepping away to make sure he wasn't in any pain.

He smiled, "yeah, thanks." He then turned to me, "come here."

I smiled at him, and walked over to him. I sat down pretty close to him, not wanting to hurt him. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and brought me against his side.

"I'm not hurting you," I asked looking up at him.

He smirked, "I'm hurt at the fact that you haven't kissed me yet."

I smiled at him, leaned up and gave him a soft kiss. He tried to keep me there, but his current weakness wouldn't allow it. I pulled away, a smile on my face, and rested my head against his shoulder. I saw that everyone had taken a seat already, and Lucas was turning on the TV.

"What do you guys want to watch?" He asked, scanning the channels.

"We are not watching basketball," Brooke said from his side.

"Aw come on," Jake pleaded.

"We should watch The Notebook," Bevin said.

"Hell no!" All the guys responded.

We all laughed, "language!" Karen scolded from the kitchen, making us laugh even more.

"Oh, Lost is on," Lucas said. He turned towards us, "want to?"

"Sure," we all responded. Lost was the show was all loved.

He clicked enter, and image of Sawyer shirtless came onto the screen. "God Josh Holloway is so hot," Brooke commented.

"Yeah he is," I said. I squealed when Nathan poked me softly in the side. I looked up at him, but he was watching the screen like nothing had happened. I rolled my eyes at his childness and returned to the TV. I snuggled in closer to Nathan's side, making sure I didn't hurt him in the process. God, how I missed his arms around me like this. I missed his arms period.

Throughout the rest of the show, Nathan rubbed his hand up and down my arm, giving me goosebumps. He also would press his lips to my head every once in awhile, making me try to move even closer to him. We stayed like the rest of the afternoon, hanging out and watching Lost with our friends.

I was the happiest I had been in a long time.

Can't you see?

There's a feeling that's come over me

Close my eyes

You're the only one that leaves me completely breathless

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

And there's chapter 19. Not sure if I liked it, but it was the best I could do. Next chapter is the end, and it will be out soon!

Song at the end is You Set Me Free by Michelle Branch. Great song!

And here's the summary to my new story, which I am so excited about! It's different, big time! lol!

Fall For You-

Haley James is the most wanted person in America. Agent Nathan Scott has been after her for years now, after she killed his parter and best friend. Now, after years of chasing, she's been caught and sentenced to death. But it seems like Haley James isn't the biggest threat to the world. A new organization is building, and they are planning a mask destruction. The CIA is going to try everything they can to stop it, but they will soon find out that the only person that can help them is the one that they just put on death row. What happens when two enemies must come together, and try to save mankind?