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

Disclaimer: Don't own OTH

Chapter Seventeen

Be Careful What You Witch For

As soon as Nathan arrived home, he hurried upstairs to the attic and started to look frantically through the boxes. As soon as he was done with one box, he pushed it aside and started on another. He didn't even pay attention to his sister as she came upstairs. "What are you looking for?" she asked him curious.

"Do you remember where Mom and Dad put Lucas's genie lamp?" Nathan asked her. "I'm hoping that Skills can help me get Haley back."

"No, but I don't think that they would have put it up here. It's not exactly a thing you put in a dusty old attic," Lily pointed out as she started to help him look. "They probably buried it or something."

"That would be too easy for someone to find," Nathan replied as he continued to search through boxes. He then looked at his sister. "You don't happen to have it, do you?" he asked her. He knew that she loved borrowing things from people and not giving them back right away.

Lily shook her head. "Besides, I don't think that Mom and Dad would let me near that thing. After all, it can be tricky with wishes. I'm surprised that Lucas didn't give the lamp to you before he died."

Nathan froze for a moment as he processed what his sister said. He then remembered where the lamp was. He turned to his sister as he said, "Promise me that you're not going to Mom and Dad what I'm planning to do with the lamp."

Lily looked at her brother hard. "What exactly are you going to wish for?"

"Just promise me that you won't tell them anything about the lamp," Nathan said urgently.

Lily sighed before she nodded. "I promise," she told him before he snapped his fingers and disappeared from her sight.

He reappeared near the cabin and ran over to the dock where his boat was. He jumped onto the boat and started it up. He then drove it out to the middle of the lake before he stopped. He then took a deep breath and dived into the water. He instantly felt cold, but fought through it. He swam farther down towards the bottom of the lake until he saw the lamp. He grabbed the handle and pushed himself to get up to the surface.

When he was able to breathe again, he frowned as he noticed a familiar figure standing on the dock waiting for him. He thought it was Whitey, but he couldn't tell if it was him. He climbed back onto the boat and drove it back to the dock.

He reached the dock and grabbed the ladder before he handed the lamp to Whitey. He then climbed up as Whitey examined the lamp. "What the hell are you doing here?" Nathan demanded as he snatched the lamp back and started heading towards the cabin. "Haven't you caused enough trouble already?"

"I had nothing to do with Haley's kidnapping," Whitey told him. "I wouldn't do that to my own granddaughter."

Nathan froze and turned around to face him, shocked. "Haley is your granddaughter?" he asked him. Whitey nodded. "Then why the hell didn't you raise her instead of letting her end up with Brooke?"

"Because I knew that Jimmy and Lydia James could protect her better than I could," Whitey replied. Nathan gave him a confused look. "It's a long story, son. And I know you're not in the mood for it. So why don't you tell me what you're planning to do with that lamp?"

"I'm going to wish for Haley to be back with me. This is the one place where Brooke can't touch her," Nathan told him as he went back into the house.

Whitey was right behind him. "You do realize that Brooke will just keep coming for her, right?" he asked him. Nathan didn't answer. He knew that he was right, but he didn't want to admit it. "If you keep fighting her, someone will get hurt. Or maybe even killed. Do you want the same thing that happened to your brother to happen to you?" he asked him. Again, Nathan remained quiet. "My son was killed because he kept interfering with those witches."

"Well, maybe your son shouldn't have fallen in love with an evil witch," Nathan exclaimed angrily. "Then maybe your son would have been alive to raise Haley away from this place."

Surprisingly, Whitey didn't get upset. Instead, he remained calm. "It's true that my son did fall in love with an evil witch, but she became a good witch because of that." Nathan was eager to hear more. "However, her coven didn't like that they were losing a member. Or that she was falling in love with a good warlock. So Keith and Deb were on the run for months. And it was hard for Deb since she was pregnant with Haley. After Haley was born, they were able to keep her for a few months. However, they knew that Deb's coven were closing in on them and made the decision to give her to Jimmy and Lydia for safekeeping. Shortly after that, the coven found their hiding place." There was a short pause before Whitey spoke again. "They killed Keith in front of her and then forced her to stay as their prisoner."

Nathan couldn't believe it. "If that was true, then why haven't Deb and Haley met each other by now?"

"Because the coven has made sure that they are separated. After all, they wouldn't want Haley to find out that her mother was a good witch," Whitey pointed out. Nathan was surprised. "You shouldn't worry about Haley. She's fine."

Nathan let out a sigh. "I just wish I can believe that," he said before looking down at the lamp. For a few moments, he had forgotten about it. He decided to take a chance and started gently rubbing it.

Suddenly smoke started coming out of the lamp and quickly filled the room. There was then a loud pop before the smoke cleared and the genie appeared. He quickly looked around the room before he gave Nathan a wide smile. "What took you so long?" he asked him as they embraced in a hug. "I've been waiting on you for years. You're lucky that the lamp is water proof." He then noticed Nathan's wedding ring. He looked at his friend with raised eyebrows as he asked, "Dude, is that what I think it is?"

Nathan nodded. However, he didn't answer his friend. "I promise that I'll tell you all about it later. Right now, I need your help in getting my wife back," he said. Skills was about to ask when his friend didn't let him. "It's a long story. The main thing that you need to know is that my wife Haley is being held prisoner by Brooke Davis and her coven. And I need to make sure that she is alright."

Skills stopped him right there. "First of all, you need to know my rules. I can't make anybody fall in love with you, can't kill anyone for you and I don't deal with evil witches," he told him.

Nathan was about to protest when he realized what he had just said. "Wait, does that mean that you can revive people from the dead? Like Lucas?" he asked hopefully. Skills nodded. "What are we waiting for? Do it," he ordered. "We need all the help that we can get to go against Brooke."

"Are you sure that is the real reason you want him to come back?" Whitey asked him with a worried frown. "Or do you just want to see him again?" Nathan again didn't answer. "Look, I know what you are going through. I think about my son every day and wish that he was alive, but I know that it's his destiny."

Nathan wasn't convinced. "That doesn't mean that it's Lucas's destiny. Or even Haley's," he pointed out. "Haley and I are meant to be together, always and forever. And I'm not going to let anything stop us from fulfilling that destiny."

Skills could tell that he was ready to have some wishes granted. "Now remember that you have three wishes. Use them wisely. And I really hope that you would use your last wish to free me."

"I will," Nathan promised before he started to think of the right words to say for his wish. A few minutes later, Skills had snapped his fingers and Nathan disappeared from sight.

In her cell, Haley was staring off into space when she heard a noise. She snapped out of her daydream as she saw a small cloud of smoke appeared outside of her cell. When the smoke cleared, she was surprised, but thrilled when she saw Nathan. She was about to ask questions when he shushed her. "I think it's better not to tell you," he whispered. "You never know who could be listening."

Haley nodded in agreement. "Nathan, you can't be here," she whispered back. She was glad that she was alone. Nikki had been taken upstairs while Haley had been forced to stay in her cell. Haley knew it was for the best. She had a feeling that Nikki wouldn't have been able to keep her mouth shut about Nathan being there.

"I know, but I had to make sure that you were alright," Nathan told her. "Brooke didn't hurt you, did she?"

Haley shook her head. "No, but it's only a matter of time before she does. She isn't one for patience," she replied. Nathan knew that was true. "You should get out of here now before somebody finds out you're here."

Even though Nathan didn't want to leave her, he knew that she was right. "I'll be back for you," he promised. "I love you, always and forever."

"Always and forever," Haley repeated before he snapped his fingers and disappeared from sight. He had only been gone moments when she heard footsteps. She waited impatiently as the footsteps got closer. When the person finally arrived at her cell, she was surprised to see that it was Charlene and not Brooke. "What the hell do you want?"

"I wanted to answer your questions about my reasons why I chose this life. But I don't think you would truly believe me unless you become an evil witch yourself. You would understand it if you would join us in our coven." Haley turned to her. "Then you could see why Brooke chose the dark side."

"I will never join your coven. In case you've forgotten, I'm the one who is supposed to defeat Brooke in a few weeks," Haley reminded her.

"And how are you planning to do that without actually killing her?" Charlene asked her. "Or without your powers?" she asked. Haley gave her a confused look. "Brooke is planning to take away your powers once your punishments start." Haley just scoffed at her. "Besides, how do you know that it's this Halloween instead of one years down the road?"

"I don't," Haley admitted. "But that doesn't mean that it won't happen this year. I'll find a way to defeat you, her and the rest of your coven. Then your reign of terror over the magical world will be over."

"Actually, our reign of terror is just beginning. Soon, the old Witches Council will be dead and there will be a new one in its place," Charlene replied with a smirk. "Once that happens, you can say good-bye to your husband and your new friends."

Haley glared at her. "Don't you dare hurt them," she exclaimed angrily.

"I won't," Charlene replied. There was a short pause before she added, "But I can't say the same for Brooke and her friends. Or even Chris." Haley grew worried for Nathan, knowing what Chris was capable of. "Are you sure you want to take that risk?" Charlene asked her. She didn't let Haley reply as she left the cell, leaving Haley feeling lost at what to do.