AN: See previous disclaimer. Thanks readers for the reviews...you broke 200 for me! I appreciate it!

Sorry for the delay in posting...hope this chapter gets more views...and that you enjoy the latest developments...

~~~ "I'm Never Alone, I'm Alone All the Time" ~~~

* Chapter Twenty-Six*

Peyton had been spending a lot of time cooped up in her office dealing with various venues and trying to coordinate the tour schedule as effortlessly as possibly. It was taking longer than she was used to. She hadn't been expecting the need to be factoring in an upcoming arrival of a baby and was quite surprised it was Quinn who'd gotten herself pregnant. However eternally grateful it wasn't her "money maker" with the bun in the oven. As she attempted to conduct herself in a business manner, there was no denying she was distracted lately.

Peyton had had fairly little contact with Dan Scott and she was beginning to get concerned about that. He'd approached her with his guns blazing and all of the sudden had backed off to minimal communication if that with her. Peyton continued to feel internally conflicted with the situation. There was something special about Haley James and how Peyton loved her and wanted to protect her. They'd formed a closer bond after Peyton cleaned up the road kill that was left behind after Haley's relationship with Damien went south. As she'd hoped, Haley had remained extremely against getting into a committed serious relationship until now. And that was exactly what worried Peyton. Things with Nathan Scott must be serious if Haley had taken her walls down for him.

She'd yet to break Nathan and Haley up and frankly knew it probably wasn't possible to do so unless she did the unthinkable. Something she'd deemed last resort if needed. Haley was far too stubborn and independent to let anyone let alone Peyton push her into something she didn't want to do. Peyton knew she'd probably taken advantage of Haley's willingness to make the negative press go away after Damien at any cost. Haley had been desperate to make it go away. She was however not the same woman who'd suffered the ultimate betrayal. Peyton reached for her smartphone once more and pulled up the last text message from Dan Scott.

'I have an additional angle I'm working on to remedy the couple's happy bliss none of which you need to know about. I expect you to keep me informed of any upcoming travel plans you've made for Haley as well as any appearances. Continue keeping me informed and I will hold up my end of our bargain.'

Peyton composed a response to Dan and included a few possible travel dates she'd had confirmed thus far. She felt unsettled being out of the loop but it would be worth it if it kept Damien West out of Haley's life once and for all it would be worth it. If only she could keep the door closed to Haley's past.

The hissing sound signaled the commercial sized bus was coming to a stop outside of the arena. Nathan had been working on focusing the entire drive while listening to some music to the arena as well as exchanging a few text messages with Haley.

'It was pure madness outside the grocery store when I was pushing my cart out. Who the hell cares what I bought? Just when I think they won't get any worse, they do!'

Nathan smiled sympathetically understanding exactly how she felt. His fingers quickly got to work and before he knew it, he'd sent off her response.

'They seriously need to get better laws in place to protect 'people like us'. What you doing tonight?'

He glanced up from his seat and saw a few players in the front of the bus were starting to get up and step off the bus. He took advantage of waiting for Haley's response to get his few things in order as he waited to get off the bus. He felt his iPhone shake within his grasp and he promptly opened up the message.

'Keller and I have a scheduled charity appearance in a few. He's currently driving us there right now amidst the cars chasing behind us. Then we're gonna watch your game at his place.'

He couldn't help but smile again knowing his number one cheerleader would be watching him play.

'Thanks baby. I'll call you after the game if I can before my flight leaves. Love you.'

Nathan shoved his iPhone back in his pocket after he received Haley's reply and then filed off the bus with the rest of his team mates ready to play his heart out.

Haley sat back in her seat as Chris drove her back to her house. It was just her house now. She'd had fun hanging out with Chris watching Nathan's game for the evening. It had been a while since it was just the two of them for an evening and it felt good.

"So, Chris Keller is thinking times they are a changing. Quinn bought a one way ticket to joining the Mommy's club and pretty much abandoned you all together in the process." Chris started but was cut off by Haley's sudden interruption.

"Hey Chris be nice! She's doing what she's supposed to be doing right now and creating a stable home life for her unborn child. I'm fully capable of living alone and am actually enjoying it so far thank you very much." Haley interjected quickly.

Chris glanced over at his passenger who was holding a serious look on her face. Haley James was fiercely independent and stubborn that was a given. She agonized about showing weakness and needing someone else to help her or make her feel better. Chris practically had to force his support on her when she needed it the most. Chris played a crucial part of "putting" her back together when she felt it was hopeless. He smiled back at his dear friend and knew in his heart he'd do it all over again for her in a heartbeat. He'd served as her protector for quite some time and she was eternally grateful for his sacrifice.

"As if you're spending any your time at your house anyways, I'm sure you're busy shacking up at Scott's Liar of Sin on the nights he's in town." He teased while concluding his statement with a whistle.

Without missing a beat Haley smacked Chris' shoulder as she tried to stifle a laugh but failed miserably. They continued their drive to Haley's conducting themselves in their normal witty back and forth banter both loved so much. On the surface Chris Keller could come across as arrogant, egotistical, and annoyingly self-assured but she managed to see through his front and find the kind soul buried beneath. Chris pulled into the driveway and brought the car to a halt.

"Alright Hales, I've got you home in time to meet your man for that dirty video chat to celebrate his win that I know you're gonna have." Chris said as she reached for the door handle.

She shot him a less than impressed look and tried her best to look annoyed. Chris' toothy grin wore her down and the corners of her mouth slowly turned up despite her effort to remain stern with him.

"Whatever you say….drive safe dude." Was all she said before she got out of his car and headed towards her garage. Chris waited patiently as she punched the number sequence into the key pad to engage the garage door to open. He felt content to back out of the driveway once he saw the more lights turn on in the house signaling she was safely inside.

Haley knew she'd have at least an hour before she could expect Nathan to call her if he was able to before the team's jet took off. She climbed the stairs and headed down the hall towards her room. She paused at Quinn's old room and couldn't help but glance inside. The walls were now empty but she'd made it a point to move a few large furniture items in to make it look less depressing. She flipped her bedroom light on carelessly and headed right into her bathroom to take a hot shower. Around 10 minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom dressed in a thin cotton robe secured around her waist. She pulled a wide tooth comb through her long hair as she went to charge her phone some before Nathan called just in case. It was then something in the corner of her eye demanded her full attention.

Haley had been completely focused on getting her shower out of the way she hadn't noticed her bed when she initially walked in her room. But there it was clear as day. She felt her stomach drop and instantly felt the need to vomit. All at once it felt like all the oxygen had been sucked out of the room. Haley found it difficult to breathe and was almost gasping for air as she stood frozen in place. Frozen by fear and shock. How could this be happening? Her trembling fingers reached out and after what felt like eternity they finally connected with the papers resting on top of her bed. She touched them hoping they'd disappear and that her mind was just playing tricks on her again as it had been since she saw Damien in the club. Haley blinked her eyes several times but the images wouldn't go away. They were real, on her bed and in her home!

She looked around her bedroom in a state of panic for answers but found nothing. This didn't make sense. Everything looked just as she'd left it before she'd left with Chris earlier in the day. She could feel a deeper sense of panic start to sink in and knew she needed to take action quickly. It was then she realized she was still in only her bath robe and instantly felt the dire need to cover up her body. In a matter of seconds, she quickly dressed her body hoping it would help counter the fear growing inside of her. She'd just taken a shower but felt drenched again this time by sweat. She walked back over to her bedside cautiously and picked up her phone. She began to dial the police but then stopped herself. What would she say and how would she explain this without the true details getting out in the public? It was a risk she couldn't take. Not now after keeping it under wraps for so long.

"Fuck!" she groaned as she scrolled down in her favorite listings in her phone and tapped on her sister's name.

"God Quinn pick up please!" Haley pleaded as it rang several times only to go to Quinn's voicemail. For the life of her she couldn't remember if tonight was the night Quinn was heading with Clay to his parent's house to tell them about the baby.

Haley found her body was now shaking in terror as she paced back in forth sneaking glances towards her bed and she contemplated who to call for help. Chris! He'd just left her he'd surely answer she hoped as she waited for her phone to ring. To her utter shock and despair, it went right to voicemail most likely he'd let his phone die yet again. Haley James was officially now having a full blown panic attack. She started to feel dizzy as she closed her eyes and tried to slow her breathing down not wanting to hyperventilate. She needed to figure out what to do and fast.

Haley rushed over to the window and double checked the locks that were already secure. She grabbed the papers off the bed and out of her room. She raced all around the 2nd floor of the house checking each window only to find all of them locked. She slowly crept down the stairs with her phone in her free hand as she continued her security check. The front door of her home remained dead bolted from earlier as she returned home through the garage. She knew what she was doing was foolish but she couldn't help herself as she continued to check the remaining rooms on the main floor. She had to do something. Then she approached the French set of doors which led out to the backyard and it was then she noticed something wrong. She turned the handle only to find it already unlocked. Haley racked her brain desperately trying to remember if she had indeed locked it before she left with Chris. For the life of her, she couldn't remember one way or another if she'd forgotten to lock the door.

She secured the door and let her breath out not realizing she'd been holding it in. She glanced down at her hands which contained her phone and the panic inducing photographs. How could they have gotten out? She looked closer at them and realized she'd never seen these specific stills beforehand. She'd spent hours staring at the stills Peyton managed to obtain as well as the original video footage so this could only mean one thing.

'What else could he want from me now?' She thought to herself only to be startled when her phone made a noise signaling she'd received a text message. She jumped so much she dropped the photographs to her feet. She crouched down to start picking them up as she checked her text message from a number she didn't recognize. Her eyes nearly bulged out of her sockets when she read the content.

'Do you ever long for the good old days at night when you're in his bed? Seems you have more at stake to lose than you even realize. That is unless you want your NBA boyfriend to know about your slutty escapades. Best to cut him loose before you ruin his career.'

Dan sat back in his office chair thoroughly pleased with the manner in which the evening played out. Damien West looked back at him from across the desk with a sly grin to match. He'd only planned to drop the photographs off in Haley's mail box figuring she might be home since Dan's tracking device he'd planted on her car reflected as such. When he saw none other than Chris Keller pull up and Haley run out to meet him, he decided to change his plan of action. He found it oddly satisfying to be in her home once again. Much had changed around the house since the last time he'd been there but he knew exactly where he was heading once inside.

Damien slinked up the stairs and down the hallway going straight for Haley's room. He paused for a moment at her dresser as he walked around the room. He picked up a bottle of her perfume and brought it to his face. His eyes closed as he took a deep breath in through his nostrils and sighed as her familiar scent took over him. He set the bottle down where he'd found it and moved over towards her bed. He pulled the 8X10 photographs from the manila colored envelope he'd been carrying and spread them out on her bedspread. He had managed to withhold these during the initial negotiations with Peyton and Haley after it all went down. He no longer possessed the digital format of the photographs and had to resort to good old fashioned copying them before he brought them over. Pleased with his work he turned to leave but not without pausing yet again to glance at a picture frame on her bedside table. Within the black wooden frame was a photograph of Haley snuggled in the strong embrace of Nathan Scott, NBA star. His blood simmered a bit with the image of another man's hands on Haley. When their relationship crumbled, he figured he crushed her so badly she'd never trust another man again.

"So, here's the phone you gave me earlier to send the text messages. I'd be surprised if she tells him the truth about us. This will be the crack in their relationship you've been waiting for." Damien said as he slid the smartphone across the desk towards Dan. He picked up the phone and pulled up the text message Damien had spoken of earlier. Dan let an evil cackle out after he read the message.

"Not too bad West and I hope you're right. I didn't expect you to actually get into her house but leaving them on her bed was a nice touch. You're definitely holding up your end so I have another portion of your payment tonight." Dan said. He slid a business sized white envelope across the desk in an action that mirrored Damien's. Damien did a quick glance to count the money and nodded in agreement.

"I think the next step will be to force a photo op with Haley and a little face to face time. That should really rattle her up. Think you can get that done." Dan added with a finality signaling the meeting was ending. Damien took notice and stood up from his chair.

"No problem."

Nathan got back on the team bus headed to the airport after what felt like forever. He was anxious to speak with Haley more so than usual for some reason. He wasn't quite sure why but knew once he heard her sweet voice he'd settle down again. No woman had ever had such influence or impact on his emotions before her. Haley James was a drug and he was 100% completely addicted to her. He couldn't deny his body was more tired than usual after his game. He'd put on a brave face for the team's trainers earlier. It was expected and he knew it. He was glad the team had some days off before their next home game. His phone started ringing and to his surprise it was Brooke.

"Hey Brooke what's up?"

"Hi Nate, you played great tonight. Luke is in New York with his editor so I figured I'd complete our traditional congratulatory call this time." Brooke said in a cheerful voice.

He smiled to himself and how thoughtful Brooke still was after all the time that had gone by. At the start of his career, Brooke and Luke had been there to bring him up when he'd played a poor game or had too many turn overs.

"Thanks I appreciate your call. Luke must've pumped out some decent chapters if he's in New York. That's great he worked through his block. How are you doing?" He asked as he tried his best to keep his voice low not to disturb those around him who were also on the phone.

"I don't think I could've taken it if he hadn't had some type of break through this week. I was about ready to push up my trip to Paris to see if that would help him get out of his funk. Luckily I didn't need to do that which leads me to my other reason for calling." Brooke said quickly and then paused to take a breath before she continued. "Luke and I want to go clubbing with you and Haley again before she leaves on tour and with my upcoming business trip that means sometime this week."

He let out sigh knowing Brooke too well to bother arguing with her.

"So really you want to hang out with Haley and that leaves the guys to tag along right? I'll see what she's got going on and let you know." He answered knowing she was pleased by the high pitched squeal he heard on the other end.

They spoke a few more minutes before he arrived at the airport and needed to end their conversation. He'd run out of time to call Haley and would have to settle with sending her a quick message before the plane took off. His fingers worked quickly with the hope he'd be able to receive a response from her before he needed to turn his phone off.

'Hope you had fun with Chris tonight and you're having a good night. I should be home hopefully in 2 hours if we take off on time. I love you angel.'

Haley sat on the floor staring at her phone through the tears that had been falling from her eyes for quite some time. How long she had no idea as she'd lost track of all time. She tried to blink them away before she wiped her cheeks but they just kept coming. She was at least thankful her breathing had returned to somewhat normal rate and the dizzy feeling had somewhat subsided. She couldn't believe she was right back in the same place she was years earlier. Haley had thought about calling Peyton to alert her of the recent developments but had decided to wait on it knowing Peyton would hit the roof about it. That only left Nathan.

She looked back at the most recent message he sent her about 45 minutes ago. She only offered a simple "I love you" knowing it would buy her more time to get herself together once he indeed returned to Los Angeles. She'd spent so much time and energy concealing this part of her past from him and from anyone new who entered her life. There was always part of her she was holding back from Nathan and only let him in so far. She knew what she was doing and up until recently it hadn't seemed to impact their relationship. They were at a crossroads and Haley needed to decide what she was going to do next.

Haley managed to pull herself up from the floor and find her everyday purse. She shoved the photographs inside not wanting them to be out of her sight. She snatched her car keys off the counter and threw on a pair of flip flops and was out the door. She wasn't even sure where she was going yet. It wasn't until she was backing her car out of the garage did she realize she was venturing out in the middle of thunderstorm. She turned on her windshield wipers to the highest setting and then took off down the road like a bat out of hell. Haley felt tears starting to form in her eyes again and she quickly wiped them away. She squinted as her eyes tried to adjust from the blurry state the tears had caused back to normal.

She glanced down at her speedometer to check her speed however didn't make a change to her speed. Her brain racked over all the places she could go and knew she shouldn't be alone. Her anxiety would only increase and become unmanageable if she remained at home alone.

Nathan wearily unlocked his front door and stepped inside dragging a small bag behind him. He left it in the entry way not caring one way or another if it made it to his room right away. Surprisingly in his sleepy state his stomach was rumbling loudly demanding to be silenced. He decided to head to his room first to change out of his travel clothes into sweat pants and a loose fitting t shirt. He rubbed his hand over his buzzed hair as he found his way back to the kitchen. He pulled open the refrigerator door and stood still taking inventory of what seemed to grab his attention. Nathan settled on a turkey sandwich and grabbed the appropriate fixings and then moved to the counter to finish making his sandwich. Moments later he returned the used items to the refrigerator and headed to his room sandwich in hand.

He flipped his television on once he had stretched fully out on his bed and quickly found himself channel surfing while he finished his late night snack. He made sure to set the sleep timer on his television knowing he would be asleep shortly. He heard the sound of rolling thunder brewing as he swiftly drifted off to sleep.

Haley stopped her car abruptly and hooked her purse strap over her head and pushed it off to her side and she climbed out. One might have thought with the torrential down pour she'd be moving quickly to escape the rain but it was as if she was moving in slow motion. The cool rain drops splattered her exposed arms and beat against her face as she walked. She felt her hair getting heavy as it became wet from the rain and now hung below her shoulders. The thin t-shirt covering her body was practically drenched by the time she arrived at the door. Haley stood still as the rain continued to coat her body as she contemplated moving forward. She could hop back in her car and run away pretending nothing had happened and she was never there at all.

Nathan rolled over onto his stomach and moved his head out from underneath his pillow. There was something pulling him away from his sleeping state much to his resistance. A persistent sound roughly every few seconds finally forced his eyes to slowly open. He saw his bedroom light up as a bolt of lightning lit up the sky only to hear the rumble of the thunder seconds later. Satisfied it was just the storm that woke him he rolled over still nearly half asleep and his eyes snapped shut again. A few seconds later, he woke again to a noise and he fumbled over to his side and found his iPhone somehow in the dark thinking. He could've sworn what woke him was the sound of it vibrating but he was wrong again.

All of the sudden his eyes shot towards his bedroom door as he heard the sound again.

"What in the hell was that?" He muttered to himself as he untangled himself from his bed sheet before he flew out of his room. He flipped the hallway light on as moved through his house to investigate what had woken him in the middle of the night. He heard the loud frantic pounding again as he glanced at his security camera footage from his front door. He looked closely and felt his heart drop into his stomach as he thought he saw something familiar. He raced over to disarm the security system followed by unlock the deadbolt. He yanked the door open and met a strong gust of wind blowing rain in his face.

"Oh my God, Haley?" he called out to her over the storm.

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