A/N: Thank you for the reviews. And thanks to my awesome beta: Leeese!

Disclaimer: Don't own OTH

Chapter Six

Witchness Protection

The next morning, Haley woke up earlier than usual. She got out of bed and went to her closet. She quickly changed her clothes before opening her bedroom door. She looked up and down the hall and was relieved when she saw that nobody was around. However, she knew it didn't mean that Brooke or Nikki wasn't waiting for her.

She quietly closed her door and headed down the hall to the stairs. She was as quiet as she could be as she crept down the stairs. She walked into the kitchen and grabbed her car keys before hurrying to the front door.

"Where do you think you're going?" asked a familiar voice that made her jump and groaned inwardly. "You're not allowed off the property, you know."

Haley sighed and turned to face Nikki. "You know, I think I like you better as a cat. You didn't sneak up on me as much."

"Maybe Brooke will let you try it one day," Nikki replied with a smirk. "She'll probably do it once she finds what you are up to. Then you'll know what I had to endure."

"Now I get it. Brooke and Peyton told you to keep an eye on me and make sure that I don't run off. And in exchange, they won't turn you back into a cat, right?" Haley asked her as she raised her eyebrows. Nikki didn't answer. "Well, I'm sure that will last long." She didn't let Nikki say a word as she walked out of the front door.

A few minutes later, she pulled out of the driveway and was on the street. She drove quickly as she could, wondering how far she would be able to drive without getting caught. Surprisingly, she was able to reach the docks without any trouble at all.

She parked the car and got out. She started walking as she looked around for Nathan. However, she couldn't see him. She hoped that she didn't have to wait too long for him. She was risking a lot to be there. She finally sat down at a small table in front of the water. She was relieved when she saw him walking over to her.

Haley waited until he got closer to stand up and greet him. She embraced him in a tight hug. "I was so worried," she said as they pulled away.

"I'm sorry. I had to make sure that I wasn't being followed. Brooke has had some of her followers watch the house and the café ever since that night," Nathan told her in an apologetic tone as they sat down. "But I think I have a temporary answer to our problems."

"And what that might be?" Haley asked him curious.

Nathan produced out a crackerjack box and pulled out a colorful plastic bracelet. Haley was confused. "I know what this looks like. But it's not an ordinary bracelet. Mom put a spell that will block Brooke from doing spells and curses on you including finding you so easily."

Haley looked at him surprised. "You can do spells like that?" she asked as she held out her wrist.

Nathan nodded as he slipped the bracelet on her wrist. "Don't say I never gave you anything," he told her with a smile.

Haley then decided it was time to ask Nathan about Brooke. "How do you know Brooke?" she asked him.

Nathan sighed. "I'll tell you, but not here. Let's go to the café." She didn't have a chance to say a word as he took her hand and snapped his fingers. They disappeared in a blink of an eye and a few seconds later, they reappeared in the café.

Luckily, nobody was in there except Karen, who was behind the counter. Haley soon realized that she was expecting them. The blinds and curtains had been closed. She also saw that the open sign was facing them.

Nathan then gestured Haley to sit down at the counter. She slid in the seat next to him as she waited for her brain to catch up. Karen gave her a smile. "Can I get you anything?" she asked her.

"Actually, I am hungry," Haley admitted. She didn't think that she had time to grab something before she snuck out of the house. She then jumped as a menu suddenly appeared in front of her. "Thanks," she told them and started glancing through it.

After ordering her breakfast, she anxiously turned to Nathan. He knew that she was waiting for an answer. "Brooke used to part of our coven," he told her. Haley was surprised. "But then, she started using her powers for evil. Thus, she became evil."

"That seems a little too easy," Haley replied with a frown.

Nathan nodded sadly. "It is. And that's why Mom is so worried about Lily. She doesn't want her to do spells that are forbidden or use her powers for evil like Brooke did. Or worse, Brooke convinces her to go to the dark side."

"She can do that?" Haley asked him shocked.

"Yeah, and that's why it is so important to our family to stay away from Brooke and her followers. But we had to come back for some stuff," Nathan explained. "Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to tell you because it's top secret."

"It's ok. I understand," Haley replied as Karen appeared with her breakfast. "Thanks."

"You're welcome," Karen said as she gave her a smile. "Can I get you anything else? Coffee? Milk?"

"I think I'll have milk," Haley replied as she turned back to Nathan. "So you can't dump water on Brooke and she'll melt?" she joked.

Nathan laughed heartily. "I wish, but no. And hanging doesn't work either," he replied.

Haley immediately knew what he meant. "You're talking about the Salem Witch Trials, aren't you?"

Nathan nodded. "Luckily, Mom and Dad stayed away from there."

Haley turned to Karen surprised. "You were there?" she asked her excitedly.

"Well, I lived during that time. But it wasn't all fun and games. After all, there were no cars or technology back then," Karen reminded her. "I'm glad that these mortals have decided to advance their resources. I don't think I could stand it without telephones or cars."

Haley couldn't argue with that one. "Me either."

"So tell us about your family," Nathan said. "I'm sure that they are just as exciting as my family is."

Haley laughed this time. "Actually, I'm not just an only child, but I'm also adopted." Nathan was surprised. "I've been a James as long as I can remember. They are the only parents I've ever known."

Nathan and Karen exchanged looks. "You never knew what happened to your biological parents?" Nathan asked her curiously.

Haley shook her head. "No, I don't." She quickly changed the subject. "Could I use your bathroom?"

Karen nodded. "It's right through that hallway," she replied as she gestured the direction of the bathroom.

"Thanks. I'll be right back," Haley replied as she hopped off the chair.

As soon as Haley disappeared from sight, Nathan turned to his mother. He frowned as he said, "Now I am sure that Brooke is keeping Haley for a specific reason. It's obvious that Haley's parents gave her up to protect her from dark magic."

"We don't know that for sure," Karen replied gently. She then thought for a moment. "Although, it is suspicious."

"Why are you being so cautious about this?" Nathan demanded.

"Because we aren't dealing with just any witch. We are dealing with an evil witch, even if it is Brooke," Karen reminded him. "And that means that if the truth of Haley is revealed, then it's not going to be an easy fight to get her from Brooke."

"Then we will fight. And we will win," Nathan declared in a determined tone. "I'm not going to give up until Haley has her freedom."

Karen looked at him. "You really care about her, don't you?"

Nathan nodded. "I don't know what it is, but there's something about her that makes me feel like she's special," he replied.

Karen gave her son a smile. "So are you."