Authors Note: Guys I am beyond sorry for the lack of updates. I have been between moving, picking up extra hours at my job because (yay got a raise) and had a very lovely virus on my laptop…nice no? Well Anyways I am here now and I wicked apologize for my lack of updates. Hopefully I can get into some type of system and be able to be a bit more frequent. I hope to get feedback! Hope you like it..and please don't be mad! LOVES TO ALL

Chapter 5: To find you…Find me?

"Where on earth is my black Michael Kors top? I could have sworn I packed it in one of these damn bags." Growing in frustration Haley rummaged through her luggage. Clothes were scattered throughout the entire hotel suite, all bags open and disorganized, and a young woman irritated and more than a bit disheveled sitting in the center of the mess. She had been searching for over twenty minutes now. Looking for that one article of clothing that was going to tie her entire outfit together.

"Baby, you do realize that we are just going to a ball game right?" Clay chuckled from his place on the bed. She looked over at him running a hand through her messy hair and forced herself to send a smile his way. Ever since they checked into the hotel earlier that evening; Haley has felt a variety of emotions. She was anxious, on edge, distracted, curious, and above all guilt ridden. Clay had asked her to come along on this mini trip. He invited her in hopes to get some quality time with his girlfriend. He wanted her, all to himself. And here she was, sitting before her boyfriend in a very expensive suite, trying desperately to piece together an outfit. A perfect outfit nonetheless. One that would accentuate all her curves, bring light to her features, and pretty much guarantee a certain "reaction" from a specific basketball star. Hence one of the main reasons for her guilt. Shaking her head in dismissal of all thoughts Haley's eyes sought out that of Clays. He was lying in the queen size bed. His body was lost in the sheets that were once covering the mattress. A satisfied grin was plastered on his facial exterior. Silently she scanned what was visible of his form. The light complexion of his skin, the tiny freckles that cascaded down his broad shoulders, the tattoo that wrapped around the muscle in his arms. It was all very familiar to her. Almost too familiar. Lost in thought Haley tried to pinpoint the moment the spark started to dim in their relationship. The moment when everything went from exciting to "normal" or "comfortable. Where had all of the butterflies gone? When did they in fact disappear? Was this what happened in every relationship? Was it to soon to already have lost the fireworks? Had they lost their fireworks? Another wave of guilt struck her as this thought proceeded to process in her mind. Just days ago she was perfectly content with Clay. She was more than happy to be in a relationship with him. Why now was she having doubts? Flipping her suitcase over she shook her head and released an exhausted sight.

"You're right. I don't know why I'm trying to get all dressed up." Smiling at her boyfriend she forced out the lie that was playing on her lips. "Maybe I'm just trying to impress a certain someone." Walking over to him she climbed onto the bed and placed one of her thighs on each side of his frame. Straddling his waist she felt his fingers seek out her hips as he grinned up at her.

"Oh and who would that be Miss Haley James?" A hand now brought to the back of her neck Haley allowed Clay to pull her head downward. Their mouths only inches apart. The heat from his breath, tickling at her lips. She ignored the pang tightening in her chest. The pang of her lies and deception.

"I'll give you one guess." Forcing her lips to his she let her mind clear. She wasn't going to let the thoughts of Nathan Scott captivate her. He was no one. He meant nothing to her. Hell he probably didn't even remember her. "Like hell he doesn't remember me." Haley mentally screamed at herself and then pushed those thoughts aside as Clay altered their bodies on the mattress. His body now above that of her own, his hands roaming along the waistband of her pants, his lips moving to the nape of her neck and sucking at her tender skin. Closing her eyes she let her body react. Right now everything else wasn't important. She was here now, in this moment. She was going to enjoy this trip. She wasn't going to let Nathan Scott ruin another one of her nights.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Haley took a deep breath as she entered into the back door of the basketball arena. This was all becoming far too surreal for her. Never in a million years did she think this would be happening. When Haley left Tree Hill North Carolina after spending one fateful weekend there five years back, she made a promise never to return. She had told herself when deciding to raise Natalie on her own that North Carolina was the farthest place she wanted to be. She would steer clear of that state and would never look back. Yet here she was. Maybe she wasn't exactly in Tree Hill. But Charlotte was definitely close enough. It felt like dangerous territory and she was crossing along it with much hesitation. Wiping the palms of her sweaty hands down the sides of her pant legs she took a deep breath before looking back at her daughter.

"Natalie baby, I don't want you trailing so far behind. Come on and hold my hand alright?" She asked swallowing hard as she continued stepping forward. Clay was a few steps ahead of her as he continued rambling on into his cellular phone. This was his line of business. Watching him work gave Haley a sense of proud ness. He was such an educated man, such a wonderful businessman, and agent. Anyone would be lucky to have him behind them. Feeling her throat tighten as she looked on down the hall, her breath caught in her lungs. Taking Natalie's hand tightly in her own she stopped walking momentarily as she looked on ahead.

"Mommy?" Natalie asked in a curious tone as Haley stood still taking in the scene. She had imagined this for years. Wondered exactly what would happen and how things would play out if she ever ran into the father of her child again. The words that would be exchanged, the looks, the moment. She had played it over and over in her mind on random nights. Lying in bed she would lightly chew on her bottom lip as different scenarios would cascade through her mind, as if watching a slide show of different clips. It would happen many different ways, in all sorts of environments. But she never thought the moment would arrive.

"Haley…Baby are you okay?" Clay asked softy as he gently grabbed her shoulder. Shaking her head she focused on what was happening affront her. There he stood, now merely feet away. Beside her boyfriend, a smile plastered on his face and offering a hand in her direction. "When had he gotten so close?" Haley mentally questioned as she looked down to his rather large palm

"Haley, This is Nathan Scott. Charlotte bobcats number one star." Clay boasted as Nathan sent a smirk her way and spoke out.

"Well I might not be the number one star but… Nathan Scott. It's a real pleasure to meet you, Haley." Everything was moving slowly. Her hand finding itself in that of his, taking in his strong grasp, and then placing her hand back down to her side. Cursing herself she bit her lip before finally letting herself make eye contact with him. It took everything in her not to let out the gasp that was building inside of her. He looked almost the same. The same dark hair gelled and a bit disheveled but perfectly suiting him. The same defined muscular jaw, shoulders, and back that made him look oh so manly. Then she noted his eyes. They were the same baby blues she looked into every day, the same ones that her daughter possessed. The same pair she got lost in five years prior.

"H…Haley. I umm…I'm Clays…It's nice to meet you Nathan." Haley stuttered. She felt like her cheeks were on fire. She was having such a hard time getting her thoughts together.

"I didn't realize you were such a big basketball fan Haley. A bit star struck huh?" Clay teased as he looked from Haley back to Nathan and the two men shared a chuckle.

"Oh…uh…well I just…I guess. That's me, Haley James…big time basketball groupie! Go BOBCATS" She stammered on as she felt Natalie pull at her pant leg beside her.

"And this is my daughter, Say Hi Nats." Haley introduced, happy to have the attention drawn from her momentarily. Nathan looked down to the little girl and once again extended his hand.

"Well hello there little lady. It's nice to meet you too. I might end up working with your dad. Pretty neat huh?" He asked Natalie as she furrowed her brows in confusion.

"Do you know my daddy?" She asked, her interest seeming to peak a bit at the mention of a father. Haley shook her head before lifting her daughters' chin forcing her gaze in her mothers' direction.

"Baby, he meant Clay."

"Yucky." The little girl scrunched her nose and removed her hand from Nathan's as if she had been burned. "Clay is NOT my daddy. Are you crazies?" Natalie shrieked as Haley just bit her lip to suppress a laugh.

"Natalie baby, use your manners. Sorry Nathan, Natalie is my daughter. Clay and I are just dating…he isn't. Natalie doesn't…" She couldn't find the right words but stopped when seeing Nathan nod in understanding. The grown ups all shared similar glances at one another before Clay cleared his throat and began.

"So Nathan, we have a few things to discuss before you go out there and wow us with your talents. Do you mind stepping aside with me? Have a little chat?"

"Sure, sounds good man. Haley…" Nathan paused and smiled in Haley's direction then placed a hand on Natalie's dark brown locks and ruffled her hair tenderly. "Natalie… it was very nice meeting the both of you. Enjoy the game huh?"

And just like that Nathan Scott walked away leaving a completely stunned Haley James behind.