A/N: Songs used in order of appearance:
Feel This – Bethany Joy Galeotti
Hand of Sorrow – Within Temptation
Run – Snow Patrol

Ravens23

My heart was beating so quickly and as of that moment; I wished that I hadn't been listening because now I was a part of it. I had to tell Haley…right? I knew Victoria was never one to be trusted…or even liked for that matter, but the fact that she would kill Mr. James, who has been nothing short of generous, for money was a new low, even for Victoria. I never thought a person could do such a thing. I had witnessed stuff like murder on television, never in my 18 years of living did I ever think that I'd be so close to a situation similar, well, identical to that. I heard that bloody cat meowing and it was then my heart stopped. I slipped behind a curtain, literally two steps away from where I stood as I head Victoria's footsteps marching towards the door where I had been listening. I had to cover my mouth because I was so certain that she could hear me. She paused momentarily directly in front of where I was concealed. If I had known any better I'd say that she knew I was there, but proved me wrong when she walked past the curtains and headed quickly down the stairs, hoping that she'd catch up with whoever was eavesdropping.

I popped my head briefly out of the curtain and when I noticed that no one was around, I made my escape, quickly walking in the opposite direction that Victoria was heading and came upon a small room where stationary sat openly on the small mahogany desk. I rushed to the chair and sat, writing, frantically, a reply to Keith.

Keith,

Let's get one thing straight. There is absolutely no way that I am ending anything I have going here and that includes my relationship with Haley. She is my life now and I don't care if you approve or not. I don't care if I get fired, that just means that I can show my feelings for her. Of course I'll need another job, but that's not the point is. The point is if I were to ask you to give up your love for Karen, you wouldn't do it. So don't expect me to do the same. That's right Keith; I'm in love with Haley and have been for about a month and a half now. Anyways I need your help. They she's getting married and I can't have that happen. What can I do? Say hi to the terrible two I love. Get back to me.

Love Nathan

I read over my words, hoping that it would get to him in time. After being completely satisfied with what I wrote, I placed it in an envelope and sealed it. Today was going to be a long day, I knew it because not only would I have to see Haley. I'd have to see her with a look of worry all over my face. I rose from the spot and closed my eyes. All I saw was her divine grin and it calmed me down somewhat. If only he knew the effect she had on me. I prayed for the strength to face her and the courage to be able to tell her what I had overheard.

Ravens23

I walked down an abandoned hallway. There was absolutely no way I could figure out how on earth I got here. It was as if there was some sort of force working in the universe pulling me in this direction. The walls of this hallway certainly looked ancient. The walls were grungy and it seemed as if this area of the mansion were abandoned and had been since the turn of the century. They were dimly lit and a tad cold, but my analysis was interrupted by the soft sound of an acoustic guitar going off in the room at the end of said grungy and ancient hallway. And to accompany such a beautiful sound was the graceful audio of a delicate voice and I knew that voice. I had heard that same voice many times. Of course, I had heard it as more of a hum.

It's gotta be this one
You don't have to fake it
You know I can take it
What if I told you
Your tears haven't been ignored
And everything that was taken can be restored

I stopped outside of the door. For some odd reason this seemed to be my point of view for today; standing outside doors, listening in on private and personal matters. I took a small peek into the room and, sure enough, there was the love of my life singing her soul out to me…well to no one with me listening from the outside of the door. Her words were so honest and beautiful.

Feel this
Can you feel this
My heart beating out of my chest
Feel this
Can you feel this
Salvation under my breath

I moved a bit forward, but I forgot that this area of the house hadn't been looked after, made much sense when the door creaked open a tad more. The music stopped abruptly and Haley looked toward the door a look of fear on her face. I popped my head in and saw her looking at me. Her face went from fearful to ecstatic within milliseconds and before I knew it she had pressed her warm and satisfying lips to my own.

Her arms were wrapped around my neck and my hands went straight to her waist. There was absolutely no way that I could ever describe what I felt in this moment. My heart was beating in erratic intervals from the effect this breathtaking woman had on me, yet at the same time from the one-sided conversation I had overheard from the certifiable stepmother that she had had the misfortune of knowing. She pulled away from my lips and stared at me as if she knew something wasn't right with my mind. I must have had a look of worry written all over my face because she had brought her right hand to my left cheek, running it softly up and down my face, staring into my soul with a look of worry covering her own face. I don't remember ever feeling that guilty.

Of course, at that moment, my knees had to buckle. I collapsed. I hated myself for being an embarrassment. I went weak in the knees. I told you she had a certain effect on me. It was sad actually. How many guys do you know go weak in the knees over the one they love…literally? She caught me in her fragile arms, well, she tried to. I felt my butt hit the ground, but she came with me trying to keep me up. It was cute to see her attempt to do so.

"What's wrong Nathan?"

I took a deep breath. She had asked me the one question that I hoped she wouldn't. I sat us up. The cold tiles beneath us were uncomfortable, but I knew that she should be sitting when she heard this. My breathing became deep and I didn't know if I had the heart to get her worried. But I had to tell her of Victoria's plans. It wasn't fair to keep this from her. I looked at her, fear piling up inside of me.

The child without a name grew up to be the hand
To watch you, to shield you or kill on demand
The choice he made he could not comprehend
He's got a grim secret they had to command
He's torn between his honour and the true love of his life
He prayed for both was denied

"Um…well…" I brought my thumb and forefinger to my eyes. I had no idea what to say to her. I removed my fingers and she looked at me. Her eyebrows raised as if to tell me to continue.

"Um…did you know that your father is um…sick?"

I saw her eyes go to the floor. She stared at her hand and nodded softly.

"No one's supposed to know about it…his tumor, but he's getting treated…why is he okay?"

I sighed, looking at her with worry.

So many dreams are broken and so much we sacrifice
Was it worth the one we love and had to leave behind
So many years have past toward a noble land of lies
Will all our sins be justified

"I'm not so sure Hales…"

"I was afraid you'd say that. He's been getting weaker and weaker. I mean he has his days where he's as strong as any man could be, but lately…these past few days, I've noticed him getting weaker…"

I looked at her and my heart broke in my chest. She had begun to cry. It was as if her father had already passed away. She was already upset with what was happening in her life with her arranged marriage and us constantly sneaking around. Then we add this to the equation of madness and I believe it to be all too much for her. She kept her eyes glued to the floor and I had this sudden rush of feelings settle into my stomach. I brought my hands to her cheeks, forcing her to look at me.

The curse of his powers tormented his life
Obeying the crown was a sinister crime
His soul was tortured by love and by pain
He surely would flee but the oath made him stay
He's torn between his honour and the true love of his life
He prayed for both but was denied

I brought my lips to her forehead, placing a lingering kiss there and then returned my eyes laying them upon hers, so much sadness and stress. I was surprised I hadn't seen her like this before. I supposed that I had been so consumed in my cloud of the love I felt that I was so blinded that I couldn't see just how torn Haley was. Our foreheads rested on the other's and I brought myself to look at her face again.

"Hales…would it help…would you feel more at ease about everything if…if…" I couldn't bring myself to say what I wanted to say. What I need to say. What I had to say.

So many dreams are broken and so much we sacrifice
Was it worth the ones we loved and had to leave behind
So many years have past toward a noble land of lies
Will all our sins be justified?

"If what Nathan?"

I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat.

"…If I left you alone. Stayed away from you."

There was even more fear in her eyes right now. As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted it because nothing could have prepared me for what I had witnessed next.

"Wh-what? No! Y-you want to leave me- I-I don't…how can you…"

She was going into a frenzy filled with panic and fear and sadness.

"No! Nathan. Please. H-how…you- I just got you back- I-"

"I don't want to do this, but Haley I'm one more stressful area in your life. I am a distraction and I'm another burden on your shoulder and it pains me to see you in pain because you have so much to deal with and I am the only thing that's in your control-"

Please forgive me for the sorrow
For leaving you in fear
For the dreams we had to silence
That's all there'll ever be
Still I'll be the hand that saves you
Though you'll not see that it is me

"Nathan, just shut up. You don't know what you're talking about okay? This is way out of my control. I could barely stand to be away from you for a day. I can't be apart from you. You are the one thing that's been keeping me sane and alive in this delirious situation that life has found me in. We can't be apart. I love you way too much to be even apart from you in this house. My room is a prison because keeps me from you. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Her eyebrows furrowed as if she were in agony. But the look, I could tell, was actually one of pure love. She looked hungry for my response. I sighed and she continued.

"I love you and it's you that I want. I want you always and forever. I don't want anyone else and I would rather have you and be swamped by the crap that this life is holding for me than still have this crap and be insane okay? I cannot be without you and we can't be apart-"

I brought her to my chest, my arms encompassing her perfect form. I whispered soft and incoherent nothings into her ears, hoping that the attempted softness in my voice was soothing. I caressed her hair with my hands trying to calm her down.

So many dreams are broken and so much we sacrifice
Was it worth the ones we loved and had to leave behind
So many years have past toward a noble land of lies
Will all our sins be justified?

I kissed her hair and brought my hands back to her face to look at me. She had tears falling down her cheek. I wiped them with the pad of my thumb.

"Where else am I gonna go? You already know that I can't be without you. So tell me Haley James…where else am I gonna go?"

She blinked softly.

"You just can't say stuff like that to me okay?"

She grabbed my hand and brought it to her chest where I could feel her heart beating so fast that it felt like it was vibrating. I lowered my head and placed my lips on hers once again. It was then that we heard the doorknob and flung apart from each other and we were both on our feet.

"Miss James, your father is looking for you…"

I looked at Haley and sent her a small and sad grin. I was to reassure her that everything would be okay and I tried to convey that single thought with my look. She nodded her head and it was then she walked past Carrie and out of her secret room. As she left, Carrie walked closer to me and I felt like vomiting at the sight of her. She made me sick…literally.

"Oh boy, you got it bad."

The sound of her voice pierced my ears like nails on a chalkboard. I knew that in any given situation, you should never be left alone with Carrie, especially if you were male. I walked around her not saying a single word.

"How long do you think it'll last sexy?"

I stopped, dead in my tracks and turned to look at her. She had made herself comfortable on the seat in front of the piano. She had crossed her legs, showing her thigh, sickening me even more.

"Excuse me?"

"How long do you think you and Haley will last? She's going to Stanford come the fall and you'll still be here wasting your life and time as her and Chris' butler. Or did you forget that she's promised to him? But then again, you don't have to be stuck here, I mean you probably will get fired once Victoria and Jimmy find out about the two of you. I mean I am the house big mouth…funny how that works two ways…"

She drifted off, licking her lips. I turned away from her staring back at the open door. I felt her coming up behind me, wrapping her arms around my torso from behind. I instantly took them off of me, throwing them away fiercely.

"You disgust me."

"Ah, ah, ah. Watch what you say to me Natey. You see, I have it in with Rollo, you the large security guard outside the gates? Yeah, he's Victoria's second. He tells her everything. All I have to do is open my mouth and tell him about you two…that is…unless…you do something for me…"

I could feel the vomit rising in my throat. I turned to face her.

"Don't even think about it. And you won't say anything."

I walked out of that room in dire need of a nap.

Ravens23

I'll sing it one last time for you
Then we really have to go
You've been the only thing that's right
In all I've done

I woke up to Lucas shaking me vigorously.

"Nate! Nathan! Wake up! You gotta get out of here."

I sprung from the bed sheets and threw on my t-shirt, which was lying at the end of my bed. Lucas was throwing clothes into a duffle bag. I stood, my eyebrows together in confusion.

"Lucas, what the hell is going on?"

He wouldn't speak. He was too concentrated on throwing my things into the bag. I grabbed his wrists and demanded he tell me what was going on.

And I can barely look at you
But every single time I do
I know we'll make it anywhere
Away from here

"Nathan…I dunno how, but somehow, Victoria and Jimmy found out about you and Haley and they are going to call you down to Jimmy's office and you'll be tossed out of here okay?"

I crossed my arms and scoffed.

"So let them throw me out. At least I can see Haley without sneaking around."

"No you won't. Rollo will be on the look for you and they will force you to live outside of Tree Hill…they're the most powerful people on this side."

I shook my head.

"I'm not going to run away from this Lucas. I love her and if me being fired is what it takes, then so be it."

Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear

There was a knock on our door and the one person I loved popped her head. Lucas saw and walked past her, exiting and closing the door behind him. She rushed to me and hugged me tightly. She was crying. I supposed she knew. I brought her to face me, cupping her cheeks in my hands. I kissed the course her tears took and then brought her lips to mine. I kissed her softly.

"I don't want you to go."

"I won't leave you Hales. I promise…I love you too much to be away from you. I'll figure something out."

Louder, louder
And we'll run for our lives
I can hardly speak I understand
Why you can't raise your voice to say

I leaned down and kissed her once again. I wanted to take her pain away. She wrapped her arms around me, kissing me furiously. It was full of need and want. Desire flowed within me. It coursed through my veins and I could feel with every inch of my being that I was constructed for Haley and she was molded for me. Her kisses were perfect and for the moment I was distracted from the thoughts of old that had consumed me before. Unfortunately we were interrupted by a violent burst of the door being knocked off of the hinges. We sprung apart. Rollo entered, followed by Victoria, Jimmy and Carrie. Anger and hatred filled me when I saw Carrie. Of course she would be the one…But then, I saw two police officers following.

To think I might not see those eyes
Makes it so hard not to cry
And as we say our long goodbye
I nearly do

"That him?" One of them asked. Rollo nodded and before I knew it, I was being put in handcuffs and Haley was trying to break free from Rollo's grasp.

"What the hell is this?"

"Nathan Scott, you're under arrest for sexual assault unto Miss Haley James."

"What?!"

I turned to Haley who was pushing more forcefully towards me, trying to break free from Rollo's grasp. She was yelling for Rollo to let go of her.

"Let go of me you son of a bitch before I charge you with assault. Let go!"

Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear

They were dragging me out of the bedroom. Haley had finally broken free from Rollo's grasp running towards me, but Jimmy stopped her.

"Dad, let go of me. He's honourable and has done nothing wrong!"

As I was being brought down the halls of the house, I could hear Victoria's voice…

"Look how distraught and mad she's become. She's so terrified about his threats."

And before I left the house, I could hear the beautiful voice of my angel defying Victoria's words and yelling that she loved me.

Louder louder
And we'll run for our lives
I can hardly speak I understand
Why you can't raise your voice to say

Slower slower
We don't have time for that
All I want is to find an easier way
To get out of our little heads

Have heart my dear
We're bound to be afraid
Even if it's just for a few days
Making up for all this mess

Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear

Ravens23

A/N: PLEASE REVIEW! Hey guys sorry for the wait. I have finals and any moments I get I decide to write a bit. It was short BUT important. This is part 1 of 3 and all of the chapters will be a tad shorter than usual. But equally as important and this is the last UD before December 17th (when I finish this semester). PLEASE REVIEW. And I take next to no credit for Naley's convo in the music room. I SORT of took it from Twilight…so yeah. I take no credit for it. REVIEW!!!