It was dark. Haley knew she shouldn't be walking back to her dorm alone at night but she was just too tired to care. Her roommate had dragged her to a party that she really didn't want to go to but for the sake of placating her, she went for a few painful hours. After sipping on one drink she realized how tired she was. The stress of her classes must have finally caught up with her body. Yawning, she stumbled out of the random apartment and walked in a hurry down the quiet quad. Huge mistake.

The sky began to spin as she felt extremely airy. Did someone slip something in her drink? She needed to sit down.

"What's a pretty young thing like you doing out here all alone? Need some company?" The strange voice rang in her ears like nails on a chalkboard. It's as if slime had began crawling up her spine. His rough hand grabbed her shoulder and she let out a screech.

"Let go of me." She spat.

"I think I should walk you to your dorm."

"No thanks." Haley muttered firmly. She needed to get away from this creep. His breath reeked of alcohol, prompting her to gag.

His firm grasp only grew tighter as she tried desperately to flee.

She let out another scream, only for it to be silenced with his lips mashing roughly over hers.

Oh God, she thought. Please don't let this happen to me.

The atmosphere grew darker as he threw her against the nearest wall. Haley struggled to breathe, unable to find the strength to fight back.

She felt his cold hands wander over her body and she fought the urge to vomit.

Screaming again, she was shocked when his hand slapped the skin of her cheek.

"Shut up, bitch."

"Please, stop." She cried. "Let me go-"

"Hales, baby, wake up." Nathan said softly, feeling his girlfriend stir in his arms. She must've been having a bad dream by the way she was thrashing about and mumbling.

Haley was sweating and threw her hand out as a matter of self-defense unknowingly punching her boyfriend in the nose. Feeling the contact, her eyes flew open and she shrieked.

"Oh my God, Nathan. I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to hit you, it's just… I was having a nightmare-"

Nathan quieted her with a soft kiss, gently caressing her sweaty forehead. "It's okay. You're okay. You're safe. I'm here." He whispered against her lips.

The heavy emotion hit Haley like a ton of bricks and she began to cry. "I-I'm so sorry-"

"Shh, don't apologize. It's okay."

Nathan knew she must have dreamt about her attack and he'd do anything to make her feel better. He felt terrible that she had to live through something so disgraceful.

Wrapping her tighter in his embrace, he kissed her passionately. "I love you."

Haley reveled in the safe embrace of Nathan. She was okay. She was with the man she loved. He'd never hurt her.

"Was it me?" He suddenly panicked. "Does me touching you bring back memories?"

Haley almost smiled at his adorable concern. "No, no. God, no. It's just, sometimes I have nightmares about that night… I haven't had one in a while. Sometimes it just sneaks up on me." She whispered, almost embarrassed.

Nathan rested his hand on her cheek and with the pad of this thumb, wiped away her hot tears. "If I could kill that guy I would." He snarled.

Haley's lips curled into a smile. "That means a lot, but we don't have to worry about him anymore. He, um, he actually died."

Nathan smirked. "Good. Stupid bastard."

A small giggle escaped her throat. "Yeah. It was crazy. He escaped jail and got into a car accident after being chased."

Nathan's heart nearly stopped and Haley grew worried at his sudden silence and solemn expression.

"Nathan?"

Nathan shook his head. It was probably just a coincidence.

"Yeah, sorry, I was just thinking… hey, what was his name again?"

Haley's eyes broke from Nathan's intense gaze. "Damien. Damien West." It pained her to speak those dreadful syllables.

Nathan immediately sat up, feeling like he would choke. "Oh my God."

"What?" Haley asked, sitting up closer to him. "Did you know him?"

"I… he was…"

Haley ran her hand soothingly up his naked chest. "Babe, talk to me."

He inhaled a shaky breath and gently held her hand. "Hales, he was the guy in the accident."

It took a moment for the words to register.

"Oh my God. Are you sure?"

Nathan nodded, suddenly getting up out of bed. Haley nearly pouted at the loss of his contact but watched as he ran over to his dresser and pulled out a folder. Flipping through a few papers, he found the one he was looking for and walked back over to her.

"What is this?" She wondered aloud.

"Read it." Nathan commanded softly, handing her the folded newspaper.

"Nathan Scott, 24, NBA star responsible for drunken car accident." She read the title aloud, and continued to the article. "On Saturday, reports state that the basketball player left Club 18 and hit another driver. The driver was 22 year old college student, Damien West, who had fled the county jail after being convicted for several cases of rape and vicious attacks of thirteen confirmed women. West was still alive after the scene but once the cops showed up, he got into the car and sped away, ultimately resulting in yet another accident where he was found dead on arrival as the stolen car was wrapped around a tree-"

"It's him, right?" Nathan asked. "The guy who attacked you."

Haley was speechless. "Ye-yeah."

Nathan crawled back onto the bed and held her tightly. "I can't believe this."

"Neither can I." Haley whispered.

"Well now I feel a lot less guilty." Nathan attempted to joke.

"Talk about fate…" Haley marveled, placing a long kiss on Nathan's lips. "I'm just so happy I don't have to deal with him anymore."

Nathan nodded, "He can't hurt you anymore. I'm not going to let anybody hurt you."

Haley smiled contently as she nuzzled her face in Nathan's chest. "Thank you."

Glancing at the clock, Nathan realized it was still early. "Do you want to go back to sleep?"

"Mhmm, no. I just want to lie here in your arms forever."

The air was comfortable as they lie still in each other's arms, feeling the love radiating between them, sharing soft kisses every now and again.

"What are you thinking about?" Haley asked.

"How far we've come."

She leaned up from resting her head on his chest and gazed longingly into his eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Remember that night at Brooke's when we shared a bed during the storm and you woke up and freaked out?"

Haley giggled girlishly as a light blush traced her lips. "Of course I remember. Ugh. That was so embarrassing."

"I thought it was kind of adorable." Nathan smirked.

Haley hid her face in his chest again, "I overreacted. I was just so nervous because I had this major crush on you and I've never shared a bed with anyone before let alone a guy like you."

His smirk widened. "A guy like me?"

Haley playfully slapped his chest. "You know what I mean. I don't need to inflate your ego anymore."

Nathan smirked as his hands began to wander and tickle her exposed skin beneath his oversized t-shirt that she borrowed.

"Baby, stop!" She giggled as he continued to tickle her. "You know I'm ticklish!"

She playfully thrashed underneath him as he laughed at her girly squeals but when he began to kiss her neck, the air in the atmosphere became extremely charged and she let out a breathy moan.

Nathan let his hands wander to her rear, cupping her firm butt. "You have a serious ass, Miss. James."

Haley blushed again as she flushed her body against his. "I love it when you talk like that."

Nathan smirked against her lips. "Oh yeah?"

"Mhmm. Got anymore of that sexy talk?"

Nathan chuckled, "I can go all night baby."

Haley gently scraped her nails against his scalp and felt his lips begin to suck on her pulse point.

"I am so in love with you." She nearly screamed.

Nathan pulled away from her neck and let his eyes bore into hers. "I love you, too, Miss. James." He winked. "Almost as much as I love your ass."

Haley threw her head back and laughed. "Why, Mr. Scott, you are certainly a sweet talker."
They shared another long, sweet kiss, and Haley sighed contently.

"You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. Sometimes I look at you and don't understand how lucky I am. You're so beautiful, caring, smart-" Nathan began to choke up. "I don't ever want to lose you."

"You won't." Haley swore with a beaming smile. "I'm not going anywhere."

Nathan was silent for a moment before inhaling a deep breath. "Marry me."

Haley giggled, "What?"

"I'm serious, Haley. Marry me. I want you to be Mrs. Scott. I love you-"

"Nathan. We've only been dating for six months-"

"So?"

"So… it's not normal." She excused.

"I know it's too soon, but you're the one. Why wait?"

Haley bit gently on her lower lip. "Is this about sex? Because I want to wait?"

"No." Nathan swore. "I can see you caving in on that one already." He smirked, referring to their near naked activities last night. They basically did everything but have sex, plus she said she didn't want to wait. It was Nathan who wanted to wait.

"Nathan…" Haley breathed. "I love you-"

He frowned, "But…"

"Are you serious? Because baby, if you're joking-"

"I'm not joking." Nathan promised. "I know it's sudden, and I don't have a ring, but it feels right. I want to marry you Haley James. I want you to have your dream wedding and I want you to have my children. I want a family with you. I love you always and forever."

Haley's eyes began to tear up, "I love you, too."

"So then, Haley James, will you marry me?"

Haley couldn't suppress the grin on her lips as she threw her arms around his neck. "Yes!"