Author's Note: Everything in italic are flashbacks. Pretty heavy flashbacks in this chapter – a lot going on. Brace yourself, long chapter ahead. If you have any questions, send them my way. I'll be happy to answer. I hope you enjoy! Xo.

P.S I haven't decided yet whether this was going to be a Naley or Claley fic. Sorry I can't help you there ;)

Disclaimer: All OTH characters belong to the creator of the show, Mark Schwahn. The title for this chapter was based on a song by the band "Lady Antebellum" of which I was listening to when I was writing.

###

"We have a hero on our hands. No wonder Haley grabbed his hand; she knew he was her saver."

The last statement Dr. Hewitt made resonated with Clay. Not the resonation he was particularly happy about. The kind that makes him doubt everything he ever did for Haley. How can he ever measure up to the person who saved her? He throws the keys on the kitchen counter and lifelessly falls on the couch. His elbows rested on his knees, his face buried in the palm of his hands, and in seconds tears filled his eyes.

"Today is the day!" Clay clapped his hand excitedly with a bright smile on his face.

"He's getting ready to pace!" Brooke eyed Lucas.

"Any moment now." Lucas tapped his feet, expecting someone to come right through that door.

"Today is the day!"

"There she is- complete with sideburns and sequins." Lucas said, as he made Haley twirl around three times so they can get a good look.

Brooke's eyes were budging out of her sockets. She was horrified. "Hunka hunka burning girl. Elvis don't look good on you."

"Elvis don't look good on anybody." Peyton chimed in.

"Hey! Hey! Watch it. Don't rain on my parade." Haley shot both her girls a look.

Clay walked up to Haley and threw his arm around her shoulder and gave her a good squeeze. "You look good, Hales. Mind sharing a sideburn?" He winks at her sweetly.

Haley pulled a strip of sideburn from the left side of her face and pasted it on Clay's face. "Now that's the spirit! My kind of man!"

"All this for an anniversary album." Skills shook his head.

"I disagree there, Skills," Peyton points out. "Music is a celebration."

"Exactly." Clay and Haley joyfully nod in unison.

Peyton chuckled. "Correction, music is a celebration, but there is nothing to celebrate about with this—" She peered down and looks up at the two and bluntly said, "this ridiculous getup."

"She's just jealous" Clay whispered into Haley's ears.

Haley giggled as Clay's breath tickled her eardrums. She clapped her hands, excitedly and said, "Alright, who's ready for Honey Grove?"

Haley's arm shot up as well as Clay's while Peyton, Lucas, Brooke looked at them with a disturbing face. The trio grabbed their stuff and start to head out to the car.

"Well maybe they'll like the Elvis sandwich" Clay grinned, looked down at Haley, admiring her excitement.

At the thought, Haley quickly shot up. "Elvis. Sandwich." Her big eyes glimmered.

"Ya'll weird, ya'll know that? Ya'll belong together."

With that Skills, grabbed his belongings and headed out of the café.

##

The phone rings, bringing Clay back to reality. He wipes his tears with the seams of his t-shirt and cleared his voice from the knot that tugged on his throat for weeks now. He extends his right hand, slightly above the receiver, barely touching with hesitation. Letting it ring three times, he finally grabs the phone and places it on his ear.

"Hello" His voice sounds broken.

"May I speak to Clayton Evans, please?" The lady said.

"This-this is he."

"Hi Clay, this is Nurse Sue. I just saw you last night."

Clay's eyes quickly lit up. "Is Haley okay? Is she all right? Is she-"

"Yes she's fine, more than fine actually. She just woke up." Nurse Sue smiles behind the phone.

And with those last four words, Clay clinches the phone really hard and tried not to panic. He wasn't sure if he was dreaming. "Can you say that again?"

"Haley. She's awake. I'm sure she'll love to see you."

Clay breathes out a sigh. "Yes of-of-of-course, I'll be there…"

##

Nathan went to visit Haley. This thought did not sit well with Clay. He pondered with this thought for a while. What is this suppose to mean? He saved her. Of course, he had some obligation to see if she made it. Clay was in front of Lucas and Peyton's doorstep, walking back and forth, thinking about the million possibilities that reassure him that it's nothing more than the morality of who Nathan was. He's a good guy, and yes, he hates Haley but he saved her because she was bleeding out. There's no other way to explain it. He hates her and saved her. There is clearly something wrong with this statement.

Clay walks up to Lucas and Peyton's doorstep and pressed the doorbell. In moments, the door opened with a confused look on Lucas's face.

"Clay, it's midnight. People are sleeping. I'm sleeping. Well I was until you decided to be the waking fairy."

"Nathan visited Haley. He saw Haley. She-she-she grabbed his hand, man. She grabbed it. They have never touched ever. Never hugged. None of that."

No caffeine needed, Lucas shot up like a pop tart, trying to absorb what Clay just said. "So Nate visited Haley." Lucas squinted. "Are you sure? I mean I just saw him a couple of hours ago, training."

"The nurse said Nate. Who else is Nate? Do you know another Nate? He-he-he probably left training to go see her." Clay paced back and forth.

"Clay" Lucas looked at how nervous Clay was. "Clay! Stop pacing back and forth. You are making me dizzy. You are talking about Nathan and basketball. Those two are married. There is no way, he left basketball practice to see Haley who is not even his friend."

"He saved her." Clay said a matter of fact. "He saved her, Luke. They are not friends but that has got to mean something. Maybe not to him, but it will to her."

Inside the lavish condominium, Lucas walks up to the concierge, demanding to see Nathan. However, the concierge needed a confirmation from Nathan that Lucas is in fact his brother. Nathan has yet to pick up his phone. Julian finally arrives, seeing Lucas standing there with a pressing face. He decides to take matter into his own hands.

"Hey, there Rob!" Julian grins. Seriously, a grin that should be illegal.

"I'm sorry, who are you?" Rob looks at Julian puzzled.

Lucas grabs Julian by the arm, and pulled him a way for a second and whispers. "What are you doing?"

"I'm a director. Check out this scene."

Lucas looks confused. "What? This is not a movie location. I'm trying to get in and talk to Nathan who apparently paid Haley a visit last night."

"What? No way! Seriously? I mean he was training. He's like married, to basketball."

Lucas shakes his head; "Tell me something I don't already know."

"Okay, well Haley's awake." Julian blurts out.

Lucas's eyes widen for second but obviously he didn't believe a word Julian was saying. "Are you trying to cause a scene?"

"Just say action," Julian whispers to Lucas, as he make his way to the concierge.

"Note: Never call a nut to come help me." Lucas said under his breath.

Julian takes off his sunglasses and stared into the concierge eyes. "Rob, you don't remember me, do you?"

"Yes. That's why I said who are you?" The concierge said sarcastically.

Lucas rolls his eyes, thinking this is going to be a disaster as Julian giggles purposefully. Julian, then clear his throat: "Sense of humor. I like. Well Rob, that's ashamed. I liked you. We might have to hire another concierge with a better memory because we can't keep letting this happened every time my assistant and I are trying to get in. I'm Nathan Scott's sport agent, Clayton Evans and he has a championship in a couple of days and well I need to get in to prep him."

Lucas looks away embarrassed.

"Prep him? Sound like you're more of a modeling agent then a sports agent." Rob let out a laugh.

Julian plays along and laughs with a huge grin on his face.

"Clayton Evans. I remembered you have blonde hair and a touch shorter than whoever you are. Unless you have proof that you underwent height cosmetic surgery, I will need an identification card to verify who you are claiming to be, thank you." Rob smiles and motions him to go away.

"I dyed my hair back to my natural color." Julian said quickly with a big cheesy smile on his face. "And you know it's hard to keep up with them roots. And you're right, I may have look shorter than I seem now but it just because I have this new found confidence today. I'm just looking at things at a much better height- I mean light today. So I look particular taller…now."

"Great story but no." The concierge said taking a sip of his coffee.

Lucas shakes his head and mustered under his breath. "Oh my god." He yanked Julian by the arm, pulling him to the side and whispers, "Cut. Dude. Enough. You suck. You can't act for shit. You are a director and you're suppose to direct us upstairs, not direct us to the police department for trespassing and identity fraud."

Julian turns back to the concierge and this time he wasn't taking a "no" for an answer. "Look Rob, you like your job? Hmm? You like sitting here, watching famous people coming in and out while you sip on your sippy cup? That's the life, Rob. But I can change all that man! If the Charlotte Bobcats lose the championship this year, it is going to be your fault, you hear me? And you will lose your job as the mighty concierge here. Nathan Scott owns this condo and-and-he listens to me. I'm his sports agent, goddamn it. He will listen to me. I will tell him that you won't let me in and I'll get you fire. I will. Don't underestimate my change of appearance. I have the power!"

Lucas tries not to laugh, as Julian became so dramatic. The look on the concierge's face made it so hard for Julian to keep a straight face.

"Of course, sir, I'm sorry." Rob stutters. "I'm old. You know how memory is with elder people like myself. Please forgive me."

The concierge takes out the master key that opens all the condos, handing it over to Julian. "I've contact Mr. Scott but he's not answering any of his phone calls."

Julian grabs the key out of Rob's hand. "It's alright; he likes surprises." Lucas and Julian head to the elevator.

"I'm sorry again Mr. Evans! Nice transformation by the way. I dig the hair and the new height." Rob shouts out, seriously, knowing particularly how ridiculous that sound.

Julian and Lucas try to keep their composure, as the elevator closed the door behind them.

"Dude, Haley's awake." Julian announces again. "The girls and Clay are on their way to see her."

Lucas's stomach begins to turn. Surprise indeed.

##

"So I saw Brooke today." Peyton walked into the living room, with her fiancée sitting in the dark with a beer in his hand.

"And Jayden's room." Peyton flicked on the lights as Lucas quickly squinted.

Lucas stood up, and threw the beer bottle across the living room. Peyton jumped, not expecting the reaction she got. "You are not allowed in Jayden's room."

Shocked by her fiancée's confession, Peyton fell to the ground. "I can't do this anymore. I can't."

Without a look at Peyton, Lucas looked at his left hand, as the sterling silver band shine at his eyes. Exhaling, he wiggled the ring out of his finger and placed it on the coffee table. "I'm sorry."

Brooke and Peyton finally arrived to the hospital in separate cars. They met at the elevator coincidentally. Without any words to each other, they both press the seventh floor button that'll lead them to the Intensive Care Unit. Upon reaching the floor, one trail behind the other, trying to avoid looking at each other in the eye, knowing that if they were to look at each other, a fight will ensue and they couldn't take that moment away from their friend. Haley's awake. They were both extremely happy and that's what matter right now. This moment.

Arriving to the doorstep of Haley's room, both Brooke and Peyton see Clay sitting on the floor with his knees bent. It was obvious that he hasn't gone in yet. He was a nervous wreck.

"Clay" Brooke approaches him while Peyton was behind her.

"I don't want to go in. What happens she falls back to sleep?"

"She won't. She woke up because she knew someone was waiting for her." Brooke smiles, grabbing Clay's hands to reassure him.

Peyton reaches out and grab Clay's other hand. "And that someone is you. C'mon let's go inside. She'll be happy to see you."

As Peyton help get Clay on his feet, Brooke turns the doorknob to Haley's door, as the moment of truth approaches. Clay holds tightly to Peyton's arm, as the door swing opened, they see Taylor's back.

"Taylor?"

Taylor turns around, revealing Haley, lying there with a tiny smile on her face. She was still weak. Mustering up enough strength, Haley presses the controller on her bed to slightly lift up the head of her bed so she can sort of sit up in a semi-chair position. She looks at her friends, dazed, and softly said, "Hi guys."

##

Reaching to the highest floor of the condominium, Lucas and Julian wait anxiously for the elevator to open.

"Haley's awake."

Julian looks annoyed. "Dude, you said that ten freaking times through this insanely long elevator ride. Why are we going to see Nathan again?"

"Haley grabbed Nate's hand. And now she has woken up."

Julian laughs. "Unbelievable. So you think this is some sort of – what? Miracle? That they finally will fall in love because he saved her, and she'll be impressed? No. You are talking about Haley James. She is not easily impress. Especially with a person who name starts with Nathan and end with a Scott."

"I don't know what to think. But last night, Clay was pretty shaken up about it." Lucas said seriously, with his arms folded.

"Of course he is. He's been in love with Haley since forever. But there is no reason Nate should intimidate him. They're best friends. Nate wouldn't do that to Clay besides do I have to remind everyone else for the millionth time? Nathan and Haley aren't friends and for the record, they hate each other for god sakes!"

"See the thing is, I don't think there was ever hate between them. Yeah they're annoyed with each other and particularly don't agree on many things but they always had this mutual respect between them. Even with all the nasty things they have said to each other. And just think, when Haley finds out Nathan had save her, things will change." Lucas said truthfully.

"Good! About time for a change - because I'm sick of choosing sides when they're arguing. It's about time that they don't rip each other heads off." Julian said with strong excited approval.

The elevator door opens, and there was Nathan's door with the number twenty-three imprinted on it. Julian and Lucas step out and knock on his door.

The intercom came on as Nathan spoke. "What the hell are you guys doing here?"

"Nate, open the door."

Nathan opens the door, coming out with his arms extended, blocking the way, demonstrating that the two aren't invited in. "So? Speak."

Julian looks at Lucas, eyeing him to say something. "Bro, you wanted to see him so, go ahead, say something."

Lucas rolls his eyes at Julian, and then turns his direction to his brother. He gulps, contemplating what to say. He's just going to go for it. "So, you are visiting Haley, that's a first."

Nathan had a confused look on his face and before he can say something, Lucas added: "She's awake."

The confused look on Nathan's face wiped away quickly but he didn't know what to think. "So, why are you telling me for? Shouldn't you go tell the sisters screwier?"

"Stop being immature for a second."

"I'm immature? I saved the girl who hates me. And my best friend thinks I want to steal the girl he loves away from him. And my brother and friends agree by the way. So before you go accusing me, check the mirror." Nathan said as his eyes widen, waiting for an apology.

Julian raises his hand. "Umm, excuse me, I didn't agree. I defended you. Just so you know."

"Shut up Baker." Lucas said, elbowing Julian in the stomach. "The reason that lead me to your doorstep is…I realize I owe you an apology. It was silly of me to believe that you actually had any feelings for Haley. It just seems too good to be true that you and Haley could actually get along. Clay just had this clear idea that…you know what? Forget it. I'm really sorry little brother."

The three guys threw each other glances.

"So you visited Haley. That's nice of you." Julian said with his brows raised and walks into Nathan's condo, as Lucas trails behind.

Nathan closed the door behind him. "If by visiting you mean saved her ass, then yes. You know these days; I'm trying to not make you-know-who jealous."

Lucas is really confused now. "So if it wasn't you, then who was it?"

##

"Hi guys"

Two words. Just two words. And it wasn't 'hi clay.' And it melted Clay's world. It's been so long since he heard her voice. And he realizes at that moment, that Haley's voice was the cure. The cure that lifted the pain, the lost, the loneliness he felt when she was away for a moment. He knew in that moment that he couldn't live without her.

Brooke couldn't believe it. Her hand covers her mouth as tears came rushing down her cheeks. As she tries to hold from sobbing like a baby, she runs to Haley's bedside and hugs her slightly. Brooke tries not to press so hard as Haley was still recuperating from the stab wounds.

"Hey tigger," Haley half smiles, and held out her hand for Brooke to grab on.

Taking her wet hand out which was drenched from her tears, Brooke grab onto Haley's cold hand. "God, I miss you, tutor girl."

Brooke looks up at Peyton who was behind her, waiting anxiously to greet Haley. Brooke steps to the side for Peyton to take her place. Hating to deal with these kinds of situations, Peyton looks away before looking directly at Haley because she knew the stream of tears were coming.

"Haley James." Peyton paused. "So how was your vacation?" Peyton tries to smile, as her lips quivered.

"Let's just say I'm glad to be back, Mrs. Soon to be Scott," Haley said groggily, as she felt the ring on Peyton's left hand as she was holding it.

Peyton felt embarrassed, as she retracts her hand. Earlier today, it was clear that Lucas did not want to remain engaged to her. Putting on a slight smile, Peyton just played along.

Brooke stared at Peyton's ring, then realizing Clay was behind her just staring at Haley from afar. She then tugs on Peyton, signaling her to back up so Haley could see Clay. Upon the repositioning of everyone, Haley looks up and sees Clay. She didn't recognize him. He was a mess.

"Clayton Evans, I miss you."

Those 4 words just made one man the happiest man on earth. Clay's eyes fill with tears, as he holds out his hand. Seeing his hand, Haley places her small hand on his. There hands grip each other and for a moment, Haley belongs to him.