A/N: Songs used in this chapter (in order of appearance):
Feel This – Bethany Joy Galeotti
Dusk & Summer – Dashboard Confessional
Run – Snow Patrol

Ravens23

Usually I'm not one to just wander and where I find myself wherever it is I end up, ever go back. But this room, this old, grungy and tad cold room had so much meaning to my life. My mother had been dead for nearly 4 years, that's pretty much the length of time that this room had been abandoned. That is, until I stumbled upon it the night of my supposed engagement to Chris Keller. I really despised that guy. Not that he was a bad person, but the fact that he annoyed me was enough. I looked down at the sheet music before me, the lyrics above each note I had written down moments before. My guitar in hand and the ache in my fingers to strum the strings and just hear the music, I took a deep breath and began to sing.

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

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

I stopped abruptly when I felt the presence of another individual. Their eyes, I could feel, bore into the back of my head. I had forgotten to close the door entirely. I turned my body slightly, fear clearly evident in my expression. Had Victoria happen to wander these hallways and see me in here, I'm certain I would have been scolded for some reason not even worthy of reprimanding. It was just how she functioned. If she didn't agree with your behaviour, she would find some sort of reason to rebuke you. The one watching popped his head through the door and I suddenly calmed when I saw the love of my life smirking at me. Had I been standing, I would have collapsed from how weak my knees were. I loved how he was completely unaware of his effect on me. He entered the room and I suddenly had the urge to be near him, closer than the fact that we were all alone in an abandoned room. I felt…sinful. I placed my guitar on its stand and, in long strides, went to his awaiting arms.

When I got to him, I couldn't help myself. My arms were encompassing his neck and I crashed my lips onto his. My blood was pumping in my veins as if, if they didn't I would drop dead from the lack of circulation. There was no way to describe it. For his lack of experience with relationships, he certainly was amazing at what he did, not that I had any point of reference. I felt his arms tighten around my waist. He pulled me closer to his body. I felt like I hadn't kissed him in years. I wanted him so much. The connection we had was undeniable. However, this kiss felt mysterious. There was something different with him, and not in a good way. I pulled away from him and saw the look of worry written on his face. He tore his eyes from my face and planted them to the floor. I brought my right hand to his left cheek and forced him to look at me once again. I caressed his face as softly and as lovingly as I could to notify him that, whatever was on his mind, I'd be there for him. When his expression didn't soften in the slightest, I became worried.

"What's wrong Nathan?"

Something told me that he didn't want me to ask him that question. Being still on top of him, he took my shoulders and softly lifted us up so we sat. The tiles were cold beneath us, but it didn't matter. It could have been wet for I cared. I was so worried about him and what was so evidently eating away at him. He took a deep breath and he looked at me. I think he could tell just how terrified I was of whatever it was that he had to say.

She smiled in a big way
The way a girl like that smiles
When the world is hers
And she held your eyes
Out in the breeze way
Down by the shore
In the lazy summer

"Um…well…" He began to run his eyes. He only did that when he was conflicted. I kept my gaze on him. Nathan removed his fingers from his eyes and looked at me. I could have sworn that I saw him trying to read ahead at my reaction to what he had to say. I raised my eyebrows, practically begging him to continue. The suspense was eating me, and all I wanted was to know what was going on his mind.

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

My eyes shot to the floor. I tried to think of anything but that. My father had been sick for a while now and I did my best to keep Nathan aware of it. It was a touchy subject for me and the very thought of having to see my father sick in a bed was even too much for my emotions. I did my very best not to cry. I began to count the lines on the back of my hand. I was with Nathan and I didn't want to keep anything from him any longer. Whether or not it would torture me emotionally, I trusted him with everything I had in this life. I nodded softly to answer his question.

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

He sighed and the look of worry became stronger on his beautiful face.

And she pulled you in
And she bit your lip
And she made you hers
She looked deep into you as you lay together
Quiet in the grasp of dusk and summer

"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 couldn't take it anymore. The tears were forming behind my eyes and I could feel the numerous lumps rising in my throat. My heart began to beat wildly and soon, all of the blood pumping in my veins filled my eyes, making them red from my failed attempt to keep my eyes dry. The tears rolled down my face uncontrollably. Right now, I felt that the only good thing in my life was the man before me. He had a caring heart and he truly loved me for who I was. Not because I had money or because he wanted to inherit millions, but because he was genuinely happy to be with me, and all of the little gestures he did proved it. Like now, for example, he placed his rough hands on my cheeks, softly making me look up at him.

But you've already lost
But you've already lost
But you've already lost
When you only have
Barely enough
To hang on

He placed a chaste kiss on my forehead and let it linger there for the time being. The touch of his warm lips on my head was ecstasy. Te way I felt then, I could remain forever. With a simple kiss, he made my pain cease to exist. Nathan removed his lips from my head ever so slowly and replaced them with his forehead. His breathing increased, I could tell. And then he said the few words that had me worried.

"Hales…would it help…would you feel more at ease about everything if…if…"

He looked so desolate.

And she combed your hair
And she kissed your teeth
And she made you better than you'd been before
And she told you bad things you wished you could change
In the lazy summer

"If what Nathan?"

He was dejected, I could tell. He swallowed the lump in his throat, knowing that he'd regret the words he was about to say to me. And then, with a voice that nearly killed him, he said the few words that I dreaded hearing. The few words that made my heart shatter into a million fragments in which only he could put back together.

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

I felt myself begin to shake. My hands, my legs, my chin…everything. More tears began to fall down my face and at this point I was inconsolable. I then lost all control and had no idea what I was doing. My body seemed to be doing everything for itself. My brain had shit down and I began to form incoherent scramblings.

And she told you laughing
Down to her core
So she would not cry
As she lay in your lap
She said
"Nobody here can live forever
Quiet in the grasp of dusk and summer"

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

But you've already lost
But you've already lost
But you've already lost
When you only have
Barely enough
To hang on

"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?"

I could see him caving, wanting to take back every word he said. Nathan looked at me, his heart crumbling to the floor. I looked so desperate for him to understand where I was coming from. I loved him so much that the very thought of him anywhere, other than with me, made me feel sick to my stomach. He sighed.

And she said "no one is alone
The way you are alone"
And you held her looser
Than you would have
If you ever could have known
Some things tie your life together
Of slender threads
And things to treasure
Days like that should last
And last and last

"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-"

He wouldn't even let me finish what I had to say because he had pulled me so close to him. He encompassed me in his arms and my face clashed into his chest, a feeling of comfort washing over me. He whispered how much he loved me, even though it was difficult to understand him. Just the sound of his voice was soothing enough. He was trying to calm me down, but I was still worried that he was going to be true to his word and leave me. I held onto him as tight as my small hands could. He caressed my hair and my tears slowed to a minimum.

But you've already lost
But you've already lost
But you've already lost
When you only have
Barely enough of her to hang on
Hang on
Hang on
Hang on

He kissed my hair and I soon felt his hands make their way to my face, bringing me to look at him. His thumbs went straight to my cheeks, wiping away any tears that had continued to fall. The pads of his thumbs wiped them all away, like he always did if I were crying. He took a deep breath.

"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?"

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

I don't know what had come over me. Relief or happiness, but something did. I grabbed his hand placed it against my chest to feel my heartbeat. It was going a mile a minute. The hand that I held, he turned it to lace our fingers and he plunged his lips onto mine. They roamed ever so coolly and lovingly over my lips and I don't think I ever wanted Nathan more than I did in that moment. Unfortunately, our moment was interrupted. When we heard the door opening, at which time we fled from each other's arms.

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

I could feel Nathan's gaze on me and I looked at him. He sent me a look, letting me know that everything was going to be okay. I nodded and then moved passed Carrie and exited the room, heading to my father's office.

Ravens23

I was feeling pretty buoyant because Nathan and I were fine as a couple and also the fact that I hadn't spoken to my father in a while, the though being able to speak with him had me practically skipping. When I arrived at the doors to his office, I could hear him and Victoria arguing. I stood outside the doors, listening in on their conversation. The voices were muffled, but I could pretty much figure out what they were saying.

"The boy's an idiot. He has not said one coherent or anything worthy or done anything worthy that deserves my daughter."

"He's stable and generous Jimmy. What else does she need?"

"How about someone to love her and for her to love someone? She needs that kind of security. I know my daughter. She's exactly like her mother. She doesn't need the money and security. Haley's content with love only. And besides, why are you so keen on marrying her off? She's my daughter."

I heard footsteps coming towards the door and I shot away from it. The door opened and I watched Victoria walking out in a fuss, huffing for having going through what she had just gone through. I looked at her, anger coursing through my veins. She hadn't seen me so I just brushed her off and headed into my father's office. He was staring at me intently through his ovular glasses and stood.

"Haley-bub. C'mere…"

I walked towards him and he enveloped me into a hug, rocking me side to side like he used to when I was a kid when I would get upset with my sisters or my mother. I sighed and looked up at him, his eyes full of sorrow.

"What is it daddy?"

"Um…I tried sweetheart. I can see that your heart isn't in this marriage arrangement that Victoria has set up, but I think you're going to have to go through with it."

I parted from his embrace as soon as he finished. He was like venom to me at that point. His words were like nails on a chalkboard. He tried reaching for me again, but I wouldn't let him.

"I don't love him daddy."

"I know sweetie. I tried telling Victoria, but you know how she is."

I scoffed.

"She's got you wrapped around her ugly finger is what it is. Dad, if you really wanted this not to happen then you would have got through to her. You let her walk out of here with nothing hanging over her head. I will not allow that gold-digging whore control my life like she's controlling yours. I refuse!"

I headed back towards the door, but it opened, revealing Victoria with a victorious smirk on her face.

"Well, well, well. It seems as if one of the hired help has broken the rules…a certain boy called Nathan Scott…"

My heart began to pound like mad behind my chest. The cavity that held my heart was slowly feeling like it was shrinking. Horror struck my face at the mention of Nathan's name. Victoria had a triumphant look on hers and it terrified me.

"…And apparently he's had a certain eye on your daughter Jimmy. And he has acted on his actions in the most despicable of ways…"

I couldn't hear anymore of this. I had to get out of my father's office, but my feet were stuck to the spot where I stood.

"…I've called the police and they are on the way to arrest this hateful person that you let into this house Jimmy and practically handed him to your daughter as meat. This is why you should listen to me and have her go and wait with Christopher."

The bitch turned and looked at me, my lips were pursed and anger spread throughout my body. A smirk was drawn naturally on her face and she brought her hands to my shoulders as if to try to comfort me. I moved from her grasp and nearly spat in her eye.

"Go on. Go wait with Mr. Keller Haley. We'll capture that criminal Nathan Scott and keep you safe."

As soon as Victoria had labeled my Nathan "criminal" I bolted from my father's office and headed towards Nathan's room, dreading the events that were to take place soon.

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 ran through the hallways of the house, occasionally getting lost because my mind was in no position to think. I walked where my feet willed it. I breathed when my lungs needed it. And I thought of nothing, but the pain that was in my chest. It was present because of the thought of Nathan being restricted from me. It was horrible.

I stopped abruptly. I felt my knees giving out. I was trembling so hard and then, I fell to the floor, tears flowing freely from my eyes. I positioned myself so my back was against the cold, stone wall. It was uncomfortable, but my back wasn't at the top of my priority list. I could only think of what Victoria was accusing Nathan of. Her words were burning in my ears, as clear as if she were saying them to me right now. He's had a certain eye on your daughter Jimmy. And he has acted on his actions in the most despicable of ways.

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

If I had ay brain at all, I knew what she was accusing him of. And that very thought alone made me laugh, not easily though. Nathan was the kindest and most gentle person I knew. In no way would he ever do something so low or loathsome. My shaking slowed to a minimum as soon as my thoughts went to those of his incredible heart. I could smell him still on my clothes and my heart pounding wilding behind my chest. I looked at the clock on my cell phone and I realized that I had been sitting there for over 5 minutes. I had to get up and focus on getting to Nathan in time, before the police arrived at the house and arrested him under false pretences. And so, I found the strength to get up and let my heart guide me instead of my feet.

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

I came upon Nathan's bedroom door. I knocked and popped my head in, hoping that it didn't look like I had been crying. I noticed Lucas out of the corner of my eye. My focus was on Nathan and nothing else. I stepped into the room as Lucas exited and closed the door behind him. I ran straight into Nathan's arms and hung onto him for dear life. As soon as my hands felt his frame the tears began to fall, yet again. As soon as he knew I was crying, he cradled my face in his overworked hands. He kissed my tears and then kissed me, ever so softly. I knew from that kiss that I could never live with without him.

"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 knew he didn't understand. He didn't know that the police were involved in this. But before I could say anything, he had attached his lips to mine once again. Life was so unfair. I felt that the universe was against me entirely. Realizing that he would be taken from me, I kissed him feverishly. Guessing that he felt the same about having to leave, even though we thought he was leaving for different reasons, our kisses seem to grow harder, faster and more desirable. I felt his hands go down to my waist and pull me closer to him as my grip around his neck grew tighter. And in a single millisecond, the door burst open and we forced ourselves apart. Rollo entered, followed by Victoria, daddy and Carrie. I felt the tears building in abundance behind my eyes and then they began to fall when two officers followed in behind Carrie.

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, Nathan was being put into handcuffs and Rollo had his grimy paws tightly around my arms as I tried to break free, making an attempt to get to Nathan.

"What the hell is this?"

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

"What?!"

Nathan was upset and he turned to look at me. I hadn't given up, trying to break free from Rollo's grasp. I pushed more forcefully in Nathan's direction.

"Let go of me you son of a bitch before I charge Nathan was upset and he turned to look at me. I hadn't given up, trying to break free from Rollo's grasp. I pushed more forcefully in Nathan's direction.

"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

I heard the handcuffs snap on his wrists and the police officers reciting their routine speech. Seeing Nathan being dragged out of his bedroom had me raging in anger. Something inside of me snapped. I somehow broke free of Rollo's powerful grip and ran toward Nathan, but another pair of hands took a hold on me. I turned to look and noticed it was my father's.

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

Victoria nearly chuckled.

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

They were turning a corner headed towards the door. My tears falling rapidly, I turned to Victoria and my father.

"I'm in love with him! I love him! He did nothing to me!"

And while I revealed my true feelings for Nathan Scott, I noticed my father's eyes rolling backwards and he fell to the floor with a thump.

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! Okay so FIRST chapter since the beginning of December. I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and offer an apology of not updating this sooner. PLEASE REVIEW! This was part 2 of 3. PLEASE REVIEW and I'll get another UD up as soon as I possibly can. Love you all!