Disclaimer: I do not own one tree hill

Authors notes: Yes I know this has been a long wait for this chapter. I stole this opening of this from the Jake/Nikki scene, it just kind of fit. I would like to thank Kimber for actually watching the episode that kind of inspired me to work on this chapter. Again, sorry for the wait.

Chapter 11:

" It was a wensday… " The soft voice said from behind him.

He didn't turn around, he didn't need too. " What was? "

" The day I realized you weren't coming back. " He thought he heard her voice crack and it crushed him.

He finally turned around. It was late and the river court at night wasn't some place for a woman. It might have been Tree Hill but things had changed since the years when this used to be their place.

" So why'd you wait so long to file for divorce? " He wasn't sure he wanted to know but the question had been asked and was now out there.

" Honestly? " He nodded. " I didn't know how to let you go. "

" So why now? " He needed to know what was different, was it Dave?

" It's time for us to move on. It's time for me to move on. " He could see the tears in her eyes now and he could feel his own build up.

" Now it's me who doesn't know how to let go… " He whispered.

" Don't! " Her voice was harsh and he looked up in surprise. " You let go a long time ago, Nathan. You left me so don't you dare act like a fucking victim. "

" I'm not… " He cleanched his jaw, not sure how to say what he needed too.

" You are! Why'd you come back, Nate? " She fired out and he looked up, startled. " Would you have come back had I not filed for divorce? "

He closed his eyes, he would have, wouldn't he? " No. " He whispered.

She choked back a sob. " When you left, I had to pick up the pieces, learn how to live again. When you leave again, I'll be doing it again but this time, it won't just be my heart you break. "

" I wasn't there like a should have been. I can sit here all day and put the blame on you for not telling me but in the end, it's still all my fault. " He sat down on the cold cement of the court. " I love you Hales, I always will. I'm not going to abandon my child again. "

" You'll be gone in a couple months, what kind of a relationship can you maintain living across the country? " She rationalized.

" I'm not going to abandon my child again. " He simply repeated.

" You know what's really sad? " He shook his head. " He used to idolize you, the basketball god. In the end, he won't even have that. "

He watched as she turned and walked away, praying to god that she was wrong but knowing deep down that she might be right.

*********************************NaLeY*****************************

She pulled her car into the driveway, checking her rearview mirror she made sure Jamie was still awake. She was thankful that he was, her baby was getting far to big for her to be carrying inside. Normally she didn't like him being awake this late and would have left him too spend the night with Lucas and Peyton but after her run in with Nathan, she felt it best to bring him home with her.

Open the back door, he got out and followed closely behind her towards the front door.

" Jamie, get back in the car. " She gently ordered, finding her front door standing wide open.

" What's wrong momma? " He asked, his blue eyes looking past her and into the house.

" Nothing. " She lied. " Go get back in the car. Now. "

She began back up towards the car, never taking her eyes off the front door. She had locked it before leaving, she knew that for a fact. Opening the drivers side door, she slid behind the wheele, closing her door and hitting the automatic lock.

She was back at Lucas' and Peytons in a matter a minutes, guiltly banging on their door. The door swung open, revealing a very disheveled Lucas, with a worried looking Peyton behind him.

" What the hell, Hales? " Lucas questioned, plucking Jamie out of her arms and handing him to Peyton.

" Someone broke into my house… " She felt the panic rise to the surface. " When I got home my door was standing wide opened. "

" Is anything missing? " Peyton questioned, smoothing Jamies blonde hair down as she rocked him back and forth.

" I… I don't know. " She stammered. " I didn't even go inside, I got scared and bolted. "

" You did the right thing, Hales. " Luke assured her, moving her inside and closing the apartment door. " I'll go check it out but too be on the safe side, maybe you and Jamie should just crash here tonight. "

" I'll go with you. " She offered,holding steadfast as he began to protest. " I'll be fine besides if anything is missing, we'll have to call the cops and since it's my house and all… "

" Fine but you and Jamie are still staying here tonight. " He insisted, moving to the couch and slipping on his shoes.

" I'll go find you something big and heavy. " Peyton offered, going into their bedroom and coming out with a baseball bat.

***************************NaLeY***************************

" The locks busted. " He whispered, shining the flashlight on said object. " Maybe you should just wait in the car. "

" Maybe we should just call the cops, let them come search the house. " Haley suggested, feeling her stomache burn from nerves.

" It'll be okay Hales, just go call the cops… " She shook her head violently.

" Lucas Scott, you are not going in… " Her words died as they heard glass breaking from inside the house

" Haley, go… " He yelled, running through the open door with his flashlight and baseball.

Lucas! " She called out before turning on her heel and running towards her car.

Out of nowhere, she felt someone grab her arm. She opened her mouth to scream but no sound came out. Balling up her fist, she began swinging.

" Jesus christ Hales… " It was Nathans voice and she opened her eyes, looking closely at him.

" What the hell are you doing here? " She demanded, angrily.

" Jogging home. What is going on? " He returned, looking towards her open door.

" Shit! " She remembered her house and Lucas. " Someone broke into my house, Luke's in there now. "

He quickly let her go and charged into the house. He tip toed as quietly as he could, searching for his big brother. Barely able to hear him, Nathan followed what little noise Lucas was making. He ducked down just in time to miss the baseball bat swinging at his head.

" Damn it Luke! " Nathan shouted, his heart rate increasing.

" You? " Lucas cried out in surprise. " You broke in to Haleys house? "

" What? No! I was just jogging by and saw her run… " He trailed off, hearing something crash in the back of the house. The two brothers looked at each other and run towards the back room. Haleys room.

**********************************************************

" Whoever it was got away. " The officer told them, Haley stood between both Scott brothers.

" Really? I didn't fucking know that. " Nathan spat out sarcastically.

" Nathan, stop. " Haley warned tiredly.

" Nothing was missing? " The cop ignored Nathan and focused his attention on Haley.

" Some photo's but nothing major. " Haley answered.

" Did you get any prints? " Lucas asked the cop, his arms folded over his chest.

" Yes but unless we have a suspect on file, they'll be useless. " The cop replied, once more turning his attention to the petite woman. " What kind of photo's? "

" A couple pictures of me and my son. " Haley answered and Nathan tensed up.

" Do you think it was someone who knows her? " He had a terrifying thought, one he couldn't shake.

" Since they took something that has no monatary value and is so personal, I'd say yes. " The cop answered bluntly and Haley looked up at Nathan with fear in her large brown eyes. " I don't think it's safe for you to stay there tonight, at least until the locks are fixed. "

" She'll stay with me. " Lucas said, she didn't fight him.

After a few more questions, the three left. Since Nathan lived in the same complex as Lucas, he rode with them. The silence was awkward.

When he got back to his own apartment, he made some phone calls. If it was who he thought it was, then thant person would not get another opportunity to harm his wife or child.