Haley skidded into a parking space in back of the hospital, her tires squealing as she slammed on her brakes to narrowly avoid hitting the car in the space in front of her. Jumping out, she barely remembered to grab her keys from the ignition before sprinting to the ER bay doors, her auburn hair flying behind her.

She ran to the information desk and gently shoved her way through the crowd of people winding up their weekend with some type of malady.

"Excuse me," she said, her soft Southern accented voice low so no one but the receptionist could hear. "My name is Haley Timberlake and my husband, Justin, was brought in about an hour ago. I need to know where he is."

A little over month into their separation, calling him her husband was still the most natural thing in the world for her.

"I'm sorry," the receptionist said, giving Haley a suspicious glance, "but I don't know what you're talking about. We don't have anyone here by that name, and if we did, I still couldn't tell you; it would violate a patient's privacy."

Haley sighed and tightened her fingers on her purse. Any other time, she'd be congratulating this woman for doing such a great job. This time, however...

"Look," Haley said pointedly. "I appreciate what you're doing, but this really isn't the time to test me or my patience. Trust me on this. Just tell me where I can find my husband. Now. Please."

Haley could see the flicker of doubt in the woman's eyes, that one second of doubt about whether she should believe Haley or not. This was the moment to strike.

"Haley!"

She turned to see Justin's mother across the room. Haley slapped her hand on the counter on her side of the window as a thank you before running to the older woman. No matter what happened between she and Justin, his parents remained important people in her life.

"Lynn," Haley exclaimed as she hugged her tight. "I got here as soon as I could. What happened? Where is he?"

"He's in surgery. I'm not sure exactly what happened, we're still waiting for Trace to finsih with the police where he's giving the details. Come with me, they have a private waiting room for us."

Haley hurriedly followed her mother-in-law down the hall and past prying eyes.

"I don't see any media outside, Mom."

"No, as far as I know, no one has told he's here. We were waiting until you got here. I don't think any of us want a spectacle and with you being with his PR at one time, we thought you'd know more of what to say."

"Oh, I agree, we don't need to let this get out of hand," she nodded, her mind flashing with images of other over the top celebrity injuries and illnesses.

Haley dropped her bag when they reached the waiting room and gave Justin's step-father a hug.

"Did you get to see him before he went back?" She asked, sitting down next to her in-laws.

"No," Paul shook his head. "Apparently, he was taken back almost the second they got him out of the helicopter."

Haley's eyes widened and her head snapped around.

"What was he doing? Why'd he need a helicopter?"

"He was rock climbing with Trace, Jeff, and a couple of other friends. He didn't tell you?" Lynn asked.

"Heh..no," Haley shrugged. "We haven't actually talked since I left."

"You're here now, where you belong," Lynn said, giving her daughter-in-law's hand a squeeze. "He'll really appreciate that."

"Yeah," Haley said softly, looking down to avoid Lynn's tear-glistening gaze. "I'm sorry this happened. I'm sorry for a lot of things, Mom, and I know there's no way you can understand, but my leaving was for the best."

Haley took a deep breath, preparing to spill everything when she heard a sharp gasp from her mother-in-law and looked up to see Justin's best friend standing just inside the waiting room's door, his clothes covered with dirt and now-dried blood.

"I'm...I....this..." Was all that Trace stuttered out before he broke down in tears. "Oh, God! I am so sorry!"

Haley sat in shock, her eyes blinking a couple of times before it dawned on her that Trace had moved to stand in front of her.

"Haley," he sobbed, reaching to take her hands, then pulling back as if he suddenly remembered something. He looked awkward as he tried to find something to do with his hands. Finally, he shoved them deep in his pockets.

"I'm so sorry," he repeated again as he looked at her. "I...I...I stayed with him. He aksed for you... Your name was the last thing he said."

Haley's bright blue eyes never waivered from his face,but she showed no signs of emotion while she listened.

"We followed all the rules. We were positive the rope was secure in its hold, Haley. Jeff went first, then Cody. I was going after J, but when he was half-way up, the hold gave way and he fell."

In what seemed like a far-off distance, Haley heard another shocked sound from Lynn.

"He..his head...it hit the rock beside me. I heard a crack and his his leg...the bone had broke through."

Trace paused and motioned over his clothes.

"I wouldn't leave him, Haley. I rode in the helicopter and everything with him. You have to know he loved you...he loves you. No matter what else happens, it's you he loves. You have to understand that"

"Trace, son, you're not making any sense," Paul told him.

"Yeah, he is," Haley said softly.

"He made me promise that I'd tell you. He didn't want to die without you knowing..."

"Shut up," Haley interrupted, pushing on the arms of her chair to stand, her balance shakey in that one second before she gained control again. "He's not going to die, just shut up. Have you forgotten who you're talking about? This is Justin fucking Timberlake, there's no way something like this is going to kill him. He's too damned stubborn. So just get that idea out of your head."

"Haley," Trace said again, his voice trembling as he put his hands on her shoulders to turn her toward hm. "He fell thirty feet. I saw it, you didn't."

"I know," Haley's voice suddenly fell cold and flat. She took a step back from him, shrugging off his hands. "And you know why. But you can tell Justin yourself when he gets out of surgery that you gave me the message and that I wish him well."

She walked back to the chairs to get her purse. She meant her vows five years ago when she promised better or worse, in sickness and health. She never really thought that she could leave him in a scenario such as this, but then again, she never imagined anything happening in their marriage like it did. She knew this was not going to be the til death do they part they promised each other, but she also reasoned that everything in the past year voided all of it and freed her of any of those obligations.

"I'm sorry, Mom and Dad," Haley sincerely apologized to her in-laws. "I firmly believe he'll pull through, but Trace reminded me of why I shouldn't be here when he gets out of surgery and I'll just stress him out. Please call me, though, and let me know how he is. "

"You can't go!" Lynn cried, reaching out to grab her arm. "He needs you."

Haley shook her head and gave the woman a sad smile. "No, he doesn't. He hasn't in a long while. He has you and Dad and everyone else. He won't miss me. I do love you all, though."

She turned and walked past Trace, bumping into him when he didn't move. If she could have knocked him flat on his ass for his part in everything, she would have. As she reached for the door, it swung out and a large man in OR scrubs entered.

"Timberlake family?" His booming voice resonated throughout the room.

"Yes?" Haley heard Paul's voice right behind her. "I'm his dad and this is his mom."

Haley took a step to go around the doctor, but felt a firm grip on her arm. She glanced over her shoulder to see Paul give her a level look.

"I'm Doctor Jett. I know you came in with him," the doctor said, nodding toward trace. "But who are you?"

"His wife," Lynn answered for Haley.

"I hope you understand and I asked only for the safety and privacy of the patient in a case like this."

"Of course," Paul agreed. "How is Justin?"

"Please, let’s sit down," Dr. Jett motioned to the chairs.

Haley didn’t have a chance to say anything when Paul turned her and gently guided her with the group. She watched while the doctor pulled a chair from the side and sat in front of them.

"Is he going to make it?" Haley didn’t even realize the words came from her.