A/N: Song used in this chapter:
Run – Snow Patrol

Ravens23

"Ah, look at you Bub. The wedding is happening. Everything is finally happening for the both of us and everyone is completely oblivious to it. Jimmy's condition is getting worse…well, I'm making it worse. Haley will be married off to Chris Keller, which means she will be taken care of and have absolutely no need for the money, which will all be left to Brooke and I, that is, once I'm rid of Jimmy James for sure. Ah, life is sweet, isn't it Bub?"

I pet the top of Bub's head. He was my gorgeous and loyal cat who always knew what was going on in and around the mansion that my husband owned. Ah yes, my husband, the apple of my eye. Is there anything more pathetic than a man who is so blind by me that he can't even see the true colours of a human? He's pathetic. Not to mention, he should be dead by now. The doctors said his tumor wasn't benign. What the hell is taking him so long to die already? When I met Jimmy James, I was visiting my father. He was dying too. I bumped into the moron as he was coming out of a MRI scan. I knew about his family and the fact that he was immensely rich, so I did my best to get him to fall at my feet and practically worship the ground I walked on…eventually he did. When he wasn't dying soon after we got married, I made the decision to help end his miserable life of pain, as he claimed it.

I heard sudden a movement outside of my door and quickly, Bub was off of my lap and heading for the door. I poked my head outside the door and looked around. I saw no one, however I couldn't shake the feeling that someone had overheard what I'd said to Bub, not that Bub would say anything, he loves me too much and I wasn't about to give up so easily. I let myself into the hallway and took a couple of steps and stopped in front of the large, hideous red curtain. My hearing perked up and heard nothing. Just silence. My heels clicked as I rotated in a circle and then I proceeded down to the left end of the hallway, following Bub. He had a great sense of direction.

I followed him down the corridor and somehow we ended up outside of my bedroom door. I could hear Jimmy coughing on the other side of the door and moaning in agony. I groaned in annoyance. Reaching into the pocket of my black blazer, I took out a small vile and hid it in my fist. It was no larger that an inch tall and a quarter of an inch wide. I had been given extracts of a rare plant being bred by a friend of Rollo's. It slowly kills the interior of the human body and is hardly detectable. I looked at it in my beautiful hand and cleared my throat, knocking on the door.

"C'min."

I entered the room and walked, sexily, over to Jimmy in our bed. I notice the bit of soup that had been finished. I cursed to myself, not being able to be there sooner to pour the concoction into his mug of soup. Trying hard to cover my disappointment, I ran a "caring" hand along his forehead. He felt fine. And then it was that I noticed that he was getting up from his bed.

"What do you think you're doing?"

He was putting on his shirt.

"I have to speak to my daughter about her future."

I scoffed, and became worried.

"Her future is planned out. She'll be with Christopher and he'll take good care of her."

Jimmy was heading out the door. He was a speedy dresser. I followed him out the door and down the hallway. I tried to keep up with his swift pace. He rolled up his sleeves and continued toward his office. We stumbled upon a young maid, she looked upset and it was evident that she had a hidden agenda.

"Carrie, could you find Haley and tell her to get to my office now?"

"Yes sir."

Ravens23

We had finally arrived at his stupid office which, for some peculiar reason was in the most isolated area of the house near an old and worn out area that no one hardly stepped towards unless of utter importance. Since he had asked that maid to fetch Haley, we hadn't spoken.

He entered his office with me hot on his tail. As he walked to his desk and took a seat, I closed the door behind me. Crossing my arms, I stared Jimmy down. He rested his arms on the desk and gazed at me with mutual disrespect. He sighed and rubbed his eyes. I walked over to the desk and stood before it, resting my hands on the edge of it, waiting for him to speak.

"She's not going to marry Chris Keller. I've made up my mind."

"What if she wants to marry him?"

He chuckled and got up. Jimmy walked in front of his desk and stood in front of me.

"You're really something Victoria. You do realize that you practically shoved Keller into her life and down her throat. Why the fuck would you think that she'd be happy with someone that you chose for her?"

He was trying my patience. I rested one hand on my hip and kept the other on the edge of the desk. He towered over me, but I still held my head high. This was a side I had never seen of Jimmy before. He was tough, brave, angry, and it turned me on ever so slightly, for the first time since I found out that he was terribly wealthy. I shoved that thought onto the highest shelf in my mind and focused on the task at hand: convincing Jimmy that Haley marrying Chris is the correct decision.

"I still don't understand why you cannot see that Christopher is a good match for Haley."

"You don't need to understand. And how would you know what a good match for my daughter is?"

"I have watched your daughter with people and as an individual for the past 4 years and seeing as how analysis is my specialty, as you have told me millions of times over the course of this marriage, I'm pretty sure I know your daughter and what will make her happy and Chris Keller will do just that."

Jimmy sighed and looked at me. I could tell I was breaking his wall.

"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 scoffed. My blood was boiling and I needed fresh air. Jimmy was so difficult. I cracked my knuckles and turned around in a huff, opening the door violently and, of course, Haley stood right outside the door. That little wretch was always eavesdropping and that thought alone had me even angrier.

I stomped down the hallway not even thinking when I felt a hand pulling me into a room that I had never seen before in all my years of living in this house.

"What the hell?"

"I'm Carrie and I've been pining after Nathan Scott ever since he arrived here."

I scoffed and chuckled. Shrugging my shoulders I asked this Carrie a question.

"So then why don't you keep trying? I have work to do."

I headed back to the door.

"I would, but he's so in love and so involved with Haley James."

I stopped abruptly and turned.

"Excuse me?"

Carrie smirked evilly. I liked her more and more by the second.

"Nathan Scott and Haley James have an intimate relationship. They are supposedly in love with one another. That should help you out a bit with Mr. James."

"And how would I do that?"

She walked past me and turned her head.

"You're smart. I'm sure you'll think of something."

And in that moment, I did.

Raven23

I was just outside Jimmy's office door when it opened. Funny how the tables were turning.

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

I could see my stepdaughter instantly becoming nervous and judging by the reddening of her skin, her heart must have been pounding extremely quickly.

"…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'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."

Playing "concerned mother" I smirked and sighed, placing my hands on the child's shoulders.

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

I suppose she was disgusted because she had ran out of the office as soon as I had finished speaking. I turned to Jimmy who was still standing. He sighed.

"We trust people and then shit like this happens. How the hell did you get a hold of this information anyways?"

"One of the maids had the decency to pull me aside and say that Nathan had an interest in Haley."

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

"You just accused a man of rape, now if you can't provide evidence of that then I can do nothing, but fire the boy for not following the instructions of no relationships with our daughters."

There was a knock at the door. Jimmy sighed and walked over answering it and on the other side stood Carrie, the maid who had handed me the information about Nathan and Haley's relationship.

"What your wife is saying is legitimate."

Two police officers followed in behind Carrie along with Rollo, the head of our security.

"I'll be speaking to you about the privacy policy later young lady. You will come with us. Nathan is most likely in his room right now. Officers, follow please."

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

I walked down the hallways of the mansion next to Jimmy. He seemed a bit nervous about what we were about to do. Even if Nathan didn't rape Haley, he still broke a house law and that would get rid of him in this house. However, it would not insure my plan for Haley to marry Chris. Rollo stayed very close to Carrie and myself and why was clear. Rollo despised Nathan and would do anything to be rid of him, reasons were clear too. Carrie had an interest in Nathan and she had kissed him. Rollo is a very jealous person and because Rollo is interested in Carrie, I know he wishes Nathan to be gone. That's why I deem him great. He sides with me.

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

We turned the corner and I could see Lucas running down the hallway, headed in the direction of Brooke's room. We were close to the room now and I was filled with excitement of getting rid of this obstacle in my path. And from the look in Rollo's eyes, so was he.

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

We arrived at Nathan's room. Rollo moved to the front and opened the door. Nathan moved away from Haley quickly. Of course they would be together. Where else would Nathan Scott be? I followed Rollo into the room and kept my eyes on Haley. She looked sad and I could see the tears welling up behind her eyes.

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. The two officers moved to Nathan and put him in handcuffs. From the corner of my eye, Rollo had put his arms around Haley to keep her from making any moves to "save" Nathan. Nathan spoke.

"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 Haley. Haley kept pushing through Rollo's arms to get to Nathan.

"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

Nathan was being dragged out of the door. Haley had suddenly got free from Rollo's strong grasp. She ran to Nathan, but Jimmy stopped her.

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

I chuckled and put my two cents in.

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

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

It was then that Jimmy collapsed. Everyone rushed to his aid, but I walked out the door and headed for the police station. I had every intention of keeping Nathan there.

Ravens23

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

It had been a few hours since Nathan had been tossed into the local prison that Jimmy owned. I was being escorted down to the section where Nathan was being held and came upon his cell. He sat in the corner like a little scared puppy. His knees were being held in his arms and he shot up, hands by his side, when he noticed me. He walked towards the bars and hit them with the palm of his hand out of anger.

"You better get me out of here."

I smirked.

"Is that your way of scaring me? Let me tell you something little boy. Jimmy is my husband, which means I own half of his assets and that includes this prison. So basically anything I say goes."

I walked away from the cell, pacing.

"You know, this is a pretty large jail cell. It can get quite lonely. So I've brought you some company."

Two police officers brought a man in.

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

"Keith?"

The man "Keith" was tossed into the cell with Nathan.

"He was found walking on the outskirts of the walls of the prison. Someone suspected him of breaking and entering. He was also with two canines, but don't worry, we took care of them."

They looked at me with angry eyes.

"I can't have the two of you ruining my plans to marry Haley off so I can enjoy my life, finally. Be good boys."

Ravens23

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

I sat in my bed; I had it to myself for the first time in a while for Jimmy had been taken to the hospital. I was reading a book when a knock interrupted me. I got out of bed to answer it and there stood Rollo, a smirk clear on his face.

"This better be good."

"I have the security tape of tonight's visitation, and your step-daughter is on it."

I removed my glasses and took the tape from Rollo's hands. I turned around and headed towards the system. I slipped the tape into the VCR and watched the footage. Haley had walked to Nathan's cell and leaned before it. Nathan had run to her and the two engaged in a conversation.

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

"How are you?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that question? You're the one in prison."

"It's hell being away from you, but Keith's here. You know my father?"

Haley waved, as did Keith.

"I promise I'll get you out of here, if it's the last thing I do. I promise you. I love you."

"I love you too Hales. And you won't have to marry Chris. That is, unless you want-"

"Are you crazy? No I don't want to."

"Okay then you won't have to because I won't let them. We're going to get you out of this and I'm going to get out of here."

I paused it and smirked.

"We'll see Nathan Scott. We'll see."

Ravens23

A/N: PLEEEEASE REVIEW! Sorry this took a while to get up and running. I HAVE to thank Kelly and Molly for their feedback and to Kelly for Betaing this. LOVE YOU!! And to the rest of you who have stuck by this fic the entire time and have REVIEWED, thank you, thank you, thank you. I can't say it enough.

Tanti baci

~Allie

P.S. REVIEW PLEASE!