The Café really hadn't changed much since the last time she was in it. A few new posters and a sign or two was different, but overall it was the same. It was a comfort that some things never truly change.

Haley walked over to the corner and sat down. This was the place she had worked through out most of High School. This was where Lucas and she use to hang out. The Café was a second home to her.

She mused about the past as she walked over to the piano. She ran her fingers over the top of the well used instrument. The memories flooded back to that one day where she played this very piano.

"Hey Haley, can I get you anything?" Angela asked, as she carried a tray full of dirty dishes.

Haley shook her head. "No, I just stopped by to see your Mom," she said, with a smiled.

Angela nodded, and gave Haley a genuine smiled. No matter how uncomfortable she was with Nathan, Angela had really bonded to Haley.

Angela put the tray of dirty dishes in the window of kitchen and then came back to Haley. She leaned on the piano and looked at her cousin-in-law. Angela, had a twinkle in her eye.

"So how have you been?" Angela asked.

Haley smiled. "It's been good, just the craziness of the move, house hunting, settle the boys, and interviewing at the High School," Haley paused and looked at Angela, "I'm babbling again."

Angela nodded, "Yeah as usual."

Haley laughed, "How have you been, Angela Baby?"

"Busy, between school and getting ready for basketball," she sighed.

"No Boyfriend?" Haley asked.

Angela shook her head, "No Time."

Haley shook her head, "You should make the time, you're only young once," she said.

"Well not everyone wants to get married at sixteen," Angela smirked.

"Angela Marie Scott, that is not nice to say," Karen said coming out from the rear of the Café.

"Hey Mom, well I have to go," Angela said, and walked into the back.

Karen came over and hugged Haley.

"Welcome back," she said.

Haley smiled, "Its good to be back."

Karen led Haley over to a booth and they sat down to talk.

"So how long are you staying this time?" Karen asked.

"Permanently, we've moved back to Tree Hill."

Karen was shocked when she looked, "How are you going to manage that, with Nathan playing in Los Angeles?"

"He's not going to be playing for the Lakers anymore."

Karen's eyes got wide.

"He's either going to play locally or retire."

"Wow!" was all Karen had to say.

OTH

When they couldn't get down to the River Court the Scott Kids and their Friends collected in the back of Lucas' House to use the hoop and half court. These games would drag on and would run tougher. This was the forge where the Scott Basketball Dynasty was formed from the raw Genetic Material.

Here was one of the few places that Angela could play with her Cousins, Niece, and Nephew. She took advantage of it.

For the first time in a while Huck was guarding her instead of Keith. Huck was always tough on defense. He was also an excellent shooter, so pushing her herself harder against her friend always brought the best out of her.

She spun away from Huck and received a pass from Mike. Quickly pivoting she passed the ball again, to Kay. Kay laid out a nice wade away.

Angela smiled as they broke up the game and grabbed a drink. She sat down on the wall. She looked over to Rerun.

"So what do you think of Kay?" she asked.

"She's playing pretty well."

Angela nodded. The Look on Keith's face had been priceless watching his sister hang with some of the conditioned players. Kay had come a long way since they started working out. But she still wasn't ready and the summer was still young.

"So how come Kay suddenly got so much better?"

Angela just smiled and nodded. "Just a dirty little secret."

Rerun laughed and pointed over to Kelly. "Huck's sister is pretty good too."

"Yeah Kelly's played ball against Huck most of her life. So she's learned a few things."

Rerun nodded, "I wonder why she doesn't play?"

Angela shrugged.

Keith walked over. "Hey Rerun."

"Hey Keith," Rerun said.

"So ready for the Fourth of July Party?"

Rerun nodded. "Always, is it at the River Court again?"

Keith nodded.

OTH

It was creepy how things don't really change. Here she was standing at the River Court waiting to talk to her best friend. Of course there he was standing in the center of the Court shooting around.

Seventeen years have come and pass, but Lucas Scott and Haley James Scott were still best friends. They also could talk about anything, and that included their spouses.

"Is this good your heart?" Haley asked.

"I'm on my medication and my Doctor's have approved my work out program. I won't be playing in the NBA anytime soon, but I can play a weekly pick up game," Lucas said, with a smile.

"How do you do it?" she asked.

"Do what?" Lucas answered.

"Stay sane. When the world seems to be crashing down on you?"

Lucas bounced his basketball a few times. He thought about and then looked at Haley.

"I just do, I guess. Peyton has her nights, I have my nights and we have our nights. I do as much as I can with my kids, and so does she. I have my hobbies and she has hers. It's not easy, there are arguments, and fights, and hiccups, but our love keeps us together," Lucas said.

Haley nodded, and gave him a look, "What about Brooke?"

Lucas' eyes got that far away look remembering his ex-girlfriend. The Brunette was someone he would always care about, and always have found memories of. But the pain and their differences kept them from being more then friends.

"Brooke cut us out of her life years ago. Doesn't mean I don't still think of her and the joy she brought to mine and Peyton's Life."

Haley nodded, "I miss her too. I just wish she would come back to us."

Lucas nodded. "Yeah, she would have an effect on Ellie." He laughed a little.

Haley walked over to him and took his ball.

"You had Mouth talk to Nathan about Charlotte?" she asked.

Lucas nodded, "Mouth called me and wanted to talk about what was happening with Nathan and Charlotte. So we met and talked. I told him he needed to tell Nathan the information himself."

Haley started to cry, and Lucas hugged her.

"Luke, I want so much for Nathan to retire and so I can have my husband back, full time. No more road trips, no playoff pressure. But I'm also scared that he might turn into Dan. Be destroyed by the thoughts of what might have been," she said.

"Now Hales, I don't think Nathan will become Dan. But I can always use an assistant coach. It would keep him in the game, if he retires."

Haley looked up at her life long best friend and smiled. He always knew how to say the right things to cheer her up. He was also that person who played the older brother, after hers had moved away.