Disclaimer: I don't own the original idea, or the show; this is an answer to a challenge by OTH Love. Takes place about 12 years in the future.

To Long To Hold A Grudge

Haley walked through the bustling Manhattan based office, nodding hello to her co-workers as they passed. She made her way past a small set of cubicles to where her office lay, and closed the glass door behind her. She had almost sat down at her desk when her secretary, clumsy as always, came ploughing into the office, nearly tripping over the tall plant next to the door.

"Good morning, Lilly," she greeted, helping the young woman regain her footing.

"Morning, Ms. James," she said, retrieving the files she had dropped.

"What can I do for you?" Haley asked, returning to her desk.

"Oh, well, Mr. Peterson wants to see you. He said for you to come whenever you got in," Lilly said. Haley nodded.

"Thanks Lilly," she said. She took off her jacket and put it on a hook on the wall then led Lilly out of the room.

"Well, what do you think it is?" Lilly asked.

"What do I think what is?" Haley asked as the two walked through the halls.

"Why do you think Peterson wants you? Maybe it's a big story," Lilly speculated. Haley laughed and shook her head.

"I'm the sports writer, Lilly, I don't get major stories. My line of expertise starts and ends with the scores of the last night's games."

"Well, maybe he wants to give you a promotion," Lilly continued excitedly.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. He may just want to discuss one of my articles," Haley said. Lilly shook her head.

"I have a good feeling about this, Ms. James. I just know it's something big."

"Lets wait and see. Would you take this weeks article down to the editors, please? Its on my desk," Haley said, the two stopped in front of Mr. Peterson's office door.

"Yes, ma'am. And good luck," Lilly said. She gave Haley an exaggerated nudge before running off, nearly tripping over her own feet as she went. Haley let out a little laugh before knocking on the door.

"Come in," came the strong, male voice from behind the door. Haley closed the door behind her and stood until she was told to sit.

"Thank you for being so prompt Ms. James," he said, setting down an article he'd been reading.

"Lilly said you needed me as soon as I came in," Haley said, folding her hands in her lap.

"And I did. The New Jersey Nets are coming in to play the Knick's. The team will be arriving tomorrow evening at seven P.M. Now, as you know, the Scott brothers, Lucas and Nathan Scott are on that team. I've heard from reliable sources that you have connections to the two gentlemen," the old man said conspiratorially.

"Well, not so much connections as a history, Sir. What are you getting at?"

"I want you to get an exclusive interview with Nathan Scott. For the past many years he has given press nothing, can you imagine how many issues of this paper would sell if we had the first exclusive story on the man?" Haley had to keep her mouth off the floor.

"Sir, I don't think Nathan would tell me anything."

"Why not?"

"Because we have a history, sir. It was a bad break-up. Maybe you should get Brooke Davis, or Peyton Sawyer to do it. They have the same history with the Scott's as I do."

"But you're the sports writer, not them."

"Yes, but I really think they could carry this out better than I could," Haley said.

"I disagree. Ms. Davis is the entertainment writer, and Ms. Sawyer is one of our comic writers. You may enlist their help if you wish, but I'd like for you to carry out the actual interview."

"Why would Nathan tell me anything? He and I haven't even spoken since college. He probably doesn't want anything to do with me."

"What about Lucas?"

"What about him?"

"Would he talk to you?"

"Well, yeah, he used to be my best friend. But he does interviews, it wouldn't be exclusive," Haley said.

"Well, he's Nathan's brother. Get close to Lucas get close to Nathan. It's a win, win situation."

"I don't think it is. How am I supposed to make Nathan talk to me anyways? Even if I am close to Lucas, Nathan wouldn't want to be around me," Haley said.

"Haley, you were once with Nathan in a romantic way, correct?" Mr. Peterson asked. Haley nodded.

"Yes, sir," she said.

"Well, you know what kind of girl he goes for. Woo him," he said conspiratorially.

"Woo him?" Haley said with a smirk.

"Yes, woo him. Bring him to you. If you get close enough to him in order to sleep together, maybe he'll be close enough to you to talk to you," Mr. Peterson said grinning. Haley dawned a look of disgust.

"I will not give a guy sex for a story," she said adamantly.

"You don't actually have to sleep with him. Lead him on, come on Haley, take one for the team," he said. Haley moaned under her breath.

"Fine. I'll get in touch with Lucas," she said through a sigh. Mr. Peterson put a hand on her shoulder.

"You'll do great. Just get us that story," he said. Haley nodded, while running out of the room.

Once she was back safe in her office she slammed her hand down on her desk angrily. Lilly came running in.

"Is everything alright, Ms. James?" She asked.

"Yes, Lilly. It's fine. Would you do me a favour and run and get Ms Davis and Ms. Sawyer, please?" Haley asked sweetly. Lilly nodded ferociously and ran out of the room.

Within minutes both Brooke and Peyton came into the room.

"Hey," Brooke said, sitting in a seat across from Haley. Haley nodded to her and Peyton who sat beside Brooke.

"What's up?" Peyton asked.

"Peterson's an ass," Haley said spitefully. Brooke nodded.

"Oh yeah, he told me I had to go see "A Long Day," and then do a story on it. I mean, gees, he could at least ask me to go to a movie that isn't a snooze fest," Brooke said. Haley rolled her eyes.

"That's not what I mean. He wants me to get an interview with Nathan," she said. Peyton looked at her surprised.

"Nathan Scott? As in ex boyfriend, haven't spoken too in years, bad break-up Nathan Scott?" Peyton said. Haley nodded.

"That's the one. And what's worse? He want me to use my "sexuality" to "woo" him into giving me the interview," she said.

"Whoa, that is way worse than mine. Can he do that?" Brooke asked. Haley shook her head.

"I don't think so, but if I want to keep my job I'd better do it."

"Well, we could all go talk to Nathan. Maybe if we get a few old friends together then we can have a group reunion. Hey, aren't Lucas and Jake Jagelski on that team too?" Peyton asked. Haley brightened a little.

"You are a genius, Peyton. Will you guys help me?" Haley asked. Peyton and Brooke nodded.

"Of course we will. Hey, if I get to see Lucas again, this whole deal is great for me," Brooke said with a gleam in her eye. Haley and Peyton laughed.

"Yeah, I can't wait to see Jake again too. I wonder how Jenny is doing? She's got to be… 12 years old by now," Peyton said. Haley smiled.

"As much as I hate to admit it, I want to see Nathan again to. I really was in love with him," she said. Peyton smiled and stood up to leave.

"Just call me when you get everything set up. I'll be there," she said, and then she left, Brooke following closely after her.

Haley thought after a while, this might not be as bad as she'd thought. Maybe, it would be great.

I've posted this story in the past, but I figured I'd fix it up a little and give it to you again. :) Read and Reply :)