"From This Day Forward (Part 3 to One Night Stand)"

"Help"

Nat: Might be pregnant? You mean you don't know for sure yet? When I didn't hear back about that, I thought the test came back negative.
Summer: I find out tomorrow.
Nat: This is all too much to handle.
Summer: I'm sorry to bring you into this.
Nat: It's not just that. There's something else.
Summer: What is it?
Nat: Military life. After George & I tie the knot, we'll be moving to Hawaii. He's going to be stationed there.
Summer: That's great news. Isn't it?
Nat: It just means that I won't get to be here for you anymore.
Summer: Don't worry about me.
Nat: But I do. Krystal might be my best friend, but Summer, you're like the sister I never had. You have to promise me something...Consider it an early wedding gift.
Summer: What's that?
Nat: Please get help.
Summer: I will.
Nat: You promise?
Summer: I promise.
Nat: And you have you leave Jay.
Summer: May I use your shower?
Nat: Of course.

Nat was bothered by the fact that Summer had completely brushed off his comment about Jay. Summer brought her duffel bag into the bathroom with her & started the shower. She stared into the mirror while waiting for the water to warm up & she just looked at her reflection. She hated who she saw. She used to be confident & sure of herself. She no longer recognized the girl staring back at her. She broke down in tears before she entered the shower. She just stood under the shower head as she cried. She imagined the water to wash all her worries & cares away, but she knew that as soon as she'd step out that the problems were still going to be there. She was battling in her mind how to go about leaving Jay completely. Nat was right, she needed to get help.

Nat felt unsettled about the entire situation. He knew he had to help Summer before things escalated & got out of hand. He wouldn't have enough time with all the wedding planning, packing & moving coming up. He stood up from the couch & noticed Summer's phone on the counter. He walked over to her phone, picked it up & went through her contacts looking for Dennis's phone number. He didn't see it & remembered that she had to delete Dennis's contact info because Jay had forced her to. So he scrolled through her recent calls & found an unnamed number. He dialed it hoping it was Dennis. The phone rang & a man picked up.

Dennis: Summer? I was just thinking about you.
Nat: This isn't Summer. Are you Dennis Allen?
Dennis: Yes. Who am I speaking to?

Nat took a deep breathe & then introduced himself.

Nat: I know we've never met, but you can trust me. My name is Nathan. Summer is one of friends & right now she needs help. It's a long story.
Dennis: Is she ok? Is she at the hospital?
Nat: She's here with me at my apartment. Look, I don't have much time. I heard you were in town.
Dennis: I am.
Nat: Do you have a pen?
Dennis: Yes.
Nat: I'll give you my address. How soon can you get here?
Dennis: Let me look it up.
Nat: Ok... it's 2882 Homestead Avenue apartment 4
Dennis: I can be there in 20.
Nat: See you soon.

Nat felt bad for going through Summer's phone. But he'd rather hurt Summer now then let her get even more hurt later. Just as he hung up on his call with Dennis, Summer's phone rang. The shower was still running in the bathroom. Nat looked at the caller id. It was Jay. Nat was furious with Jay.

Nat: Jay...
Jay: Who the hell is this?
Nat: It's Nat. I know what you did to Summer.
Jay: She's overreacting.
Nat: I saw her bruises, Jay.
Jay: She fell while we were talking.
Nat: Is that what you're calling it?
Jay: Can I talk to my fiancé, please?
Nat: No.
Jay: Nat, I'm not playing any games with you. Put Summer on the phone, now.
Nat: No chance of that. I'm not letting you near her.
Jay: Whatever. I'm on my way to work, but I expect her to be home by the time I get off of work. You tell her that.

Jay hung up on Nat. Nat was utterly disgusted by Jay.

Nat: Come on, Dennis... Get here quick.

Nat sat at the counter on his laptop. He was trying to get more wedding details done. He couldn't think straight while being worried about his friend. The shower had stopped & he looked at the clock on his laptop. He looked at his door waiting to hear a knock. He stood up & looked out the window for anyone walking up the stairs. He saw a guy walk up & he flung his door open to see if it was Dennis.

Dennis: Nathan?
Nat: Dennis?

Dennis nodded.

Nat: Come in.

Nat quickly gave Dennis the cliff notes version & had him sit on the couch to wait for Summer. Dennis was anxious to see Summer. Everything Serena had explained to him before was true. He felt bad that Summer was hurt. He wanted more than anything to hold her to let her know that everything was going to be ok.

Summer walked out do the bathroom with her hair still damp. She was dressed & towel drying her hair. She looked up from drying her hair & saw Dennis on the couch. He stood up & called out her name.

Summer: What are you doing here?
Dennis: Nathan was worried. He called me.
Summer: Nat?
Nat: I'll be in my room if you need anything.

Nat left the two in the living room to give them privacy.

Dennis held Summer in his arms. Summer was done crying, but was still emotional about the whole ordeal. But in that moment, she felt safe.

Summer: I'm sorry you have to see me like this.
Dennis: I'm glad Nathan called me.
Summer: You weren't supposed to see me like this.
Dennis: Like what?
Summer: Bruised.

Dennis examined Summer's arms & neck & gently held her again in his arms.

Dennis: I'm just glad to be here with you. I thought you were in the hospital or something.
Summer: Thank, God I got out of there when I did.
Dennis: Is it all true? Did Jay do this to you?

Summer hung her head low & slowly nodded. Dennis wrapped his arms around her & held her close.

Dennis: He won't hurt you anymore. I'm not going to let him. I'm here now.