Haley was prepared to face him in Detroit, but after spending two days looking without success, she had let her guard back down. To walk into her office and see him there did more than suck the air out of her lungs. It made her want to throw up.

For what seemed like an eternity to Haley they simply looked at each other. She finally understood what Peyton meant when she said he was the same but different. He still had dark hair and blue eyes, but the look in his eyes was new. Not necessarily jaded, but wary where there was once laughter and love. He was bigger too, more muscular, less lanky. He always had a confidence in the way he carried himself, but it was as if he had grown into his skin – his confidence wasn't a front he put up anymore. She could see that he had reached the point where he knew he was good at what he did. He had earned his arrogance.

Despite all the shocking things she could have focused on in that moment - him being in Boston, sitting in her office, or him even knowing this was her office - she focused on the fact that he was in warm ups. She had imagined what it would be like to she would see him again a thousand times. She heard in her head all of the eloquent and heartfelt things she would say, and yet in this, her big moment, the only thing that came out of her mouth was, "Why are you in a Celtics practice uniform?"

"I was traded this morning." He replied.

"Really?"

"Ya."

"This conversation is going well." Haley thought. "So how are you?" she finally spit out.

"I guess that depends on who you ask," Nathan said.

"Well, I guess I am asking you." She replied.

Nathan got up from the chair and walked over to Haley. He still towered over her, and she unconsciously took a step back. Nathan was surprised by her reaction. "Haley...relax. I'm not gonna hurt you." He said.

"I know that. You just have to give me a minute. It's not every day I walk into my office and ..."

"Imagine how I felt." He said softly.

"Nathan...look..."

"...we need to talk...obviously." He finished. "But I can't right now, I have practice to get to. I've been sitting here in your office for like two hours waiting for you. Are you normally this late for work?"

"No...I was..."

"Wait." He interrupted "Finish that thought later. I'll come by after practice. You'll still be here right? No disappearing into the night?" he half-heartedly teased.

"I'll still be here - not going anywhere." She answered.

"I think I've heard that one before. Are you free for dinner?" he asked.

"Yes."

"OK, well I have a press conference this afternoon but I should be done by five. How about we meet here at six and we'll get something to eat?"

"OK."

"Later," and he left.

Haley wasn't sure what to think. She was expecting anger, confusion, yelling even maybe tears...everything but a casual dinner invitation. Maybe she had thought about the moment for so long that she had blown it up to be this huge thing in her head. Maybe Peyton and Luke were wrong. Maybe he had gotten over her long ago. Truth be told, her first meeting with them had been much more difficult that the one that just took place. It could just be the calm before the storm. Before she had any more time to dwell on her new situation, someone was looking for her down in the weight room. The day was pretty full after that. She put her head down and went to work.

She finished up her last appointment at 5:45. She had tried to rush the day along, hoping that she would have time to go home and at least change her clothes but it appeared the Gods were against her. She only had enough time to freshen up her face before going to her office to meet Nathan. The butterflies were back in full force. She took a deep breath before she opened the door. He was waiting for her again, but this time, in a nearby chair, not behind her desk. He looked like he had time to shower. He was dressed casually in jeans, a blue button down shirt and a leather jacket. Casual or not, it screamed money and was sexy as all hell.

"Here let me help you with that." He said as he took some of the papers from her arms.

"Thanks. Slow start to the day but ended with a bang. You looked showered and ready to go." She smiled. He returned the smile and her stomach went crazy.

"And you look the same as you did this morning," Nathan commented.

"I've been pretty busy since the last time I saw you."

"I know, that's why we need to go for dinner. To catch up." Nathan was referring to the past five years, while she meant since the morning.

"Are you really hungry? Like right now hungry?" She asked. "Because if it could wait, I'd really love to go home and shower. I probably smell. I could meet you at a restaurant somewhere...anywhere."

"No way. I am not letting you out of my sight. If you need to shower then I'm coming with you. Do you have a car here?" he asked.

"I do. You really don't mind waiting?" Haley asked nervously.

"I've waited five years, what's another hour."

"OK, then let's get out of here." She locked the office behind her and led the way to the car.

"So, how was your first practice?" she asked, making an attempt at small talk. In the close confines of car she became acutely aware of his aftershave, or cologne. Whatever it was, it made her head swim. He had changed it since the last time she saw him, but it occurred to her that it probably wasn't the only thing that had changed.

"Good. Luke was surprised...well sort of. He heard the announcement on his way into the arena. Still, I think I look good in green." He offered with a smirk.

Haley laughed in response. She pulled her car into the underground parking lot of her building and they took the elevator to the apartment. Haley opened the door to find the place empty. Kate was still in Dallas.

"Make yourself at home," she said as she turned on some lights. "I'll be twenty minutes."

"Nice apartment Haley." He commented.

"Thanks. You'd have to thank Kate for that. She's my roommate and she found, and mostly paid for, the place." She explained.

"Go shower. I'm hungry." He shooed her off.

In record time Haley was ready to go. She dressed to match in a white button down shirt and jeans. She came back into the living room to find Nathan, coat hanging on a nearby chair, sprawled out quite comfortably on her couch watching ESPN. She went to the closet to grab her coat.

"I ordered food in, I hope you don't mind. I couldn't wait any longer." Nathan said over his shoulder.

Haley stopped in her tracks, and then proceeded to put her coat away again.

"I didn't take that long." She teased.

"I know, but I was hungry. So, what's with the suitcase?" he asked referring to the bag he had carried up from the car.

"I flew in this morning. Went straight to work from the airport." She replied.

"Flew in from where?" he asked.

Here was the moment. She could actually feel it. This was when things were going to go from casual to intense. "Detroit actually."

Nathan sat up from his semi-reclining position. "What were you doing in Detroit?" he asked.

At that very moment she was saved by the buzzer. Dinner had arrived. She fetched her purse and went to pay the delivery guy. It appeared that Nathan had ordered pizza. "Dinner is here," she sang out from the kitchen. Nathan appeared in the doorway to the kitchen.

"Did you hear me?" Nathan asked, leaning against the wall.

"I did."

"Well then, what were you doing in Detroit?" He repeated.

She placed her palms on the counter top and slowly looked up at him. "What do you think I was doing in Detroit? I went to see you." She said. He turned around and went back to the living room. "Nathan...wait...." She followed him out to find him putting his coat on. "Where are you going?" She asked.

"I thought I could do this, but I can't."

"Do what?" Haley was confused.

"Be all casual, like there isn't this huge....thing" he motioned with his arms outstretched in frustration, "in the room. But I can't."

"So, let's talk about the thing." She replied.

He thought about her offer for a minute. "How long have you been with the Celtics?" He asked.

"I guess it's about two months now."

"Well, that explains how you knew I was in Detroit. Luke told you. I suppose you've been hanging out with Peyton and Jake too." His temper was starting to show.

"Listen, Luke wanted to tell you the minute he saw me, but I asked him not to. Don't be mad at him. As for Peyton and Jake, I only started talking to them when Lucas showed up. And for the record, I knew you were in Detroit before he came to Boston. I saw the draft news."

"That doesn't make it better Haley. That makes it worse. You knew where I was for two months and you didn't say anything."

It was an opening to come clean, and seeing him stand there, coat in hand, she felt the need to say something that would make him stay. "I always knew where you were Nathan." She said softly.

"Well, I wish I could say the same." He started raising his voice. She was almost thankful that he did. This was what she was prepared for.

"Look, I know you have a lot of questions...ask me anything. I owe you that." She said and sat down, motioning for him to do the same.

He didn't immediately sit down. She could tell he was thinking about it but was clearly conflicted. "You know what? For the last five years I've wondered...almost to the point of distraction, what happened to us? Did I miss some sign that you were unhappy? I wondered if maybe I had done something to drive you away. I worried about you, if you were safe, if something had happened to you....so many things. I went through every human emotion possible. At first I wanted to find you to get some answers, and then it was to make sure you were OK. When I was in the arena on Sunday and I came across your office...well I don't know how I felt. I had looked for so long, I just couldn't believe that it was that easy to find you. I mean, what are the chances?"

"So ask your questions Nathan," Haley repeated.

"I always figured something had driven you away...I mean we were so happy, something had to have forced you to leave. Not once in the last five years did I ever consider that maybe your note was the whole truth. I just couldn't believe I had been that wrong about someone I loved so much." Haley wanted to jump right in then and tell him that he was right, that Dan had driven her away.

"Nathan," she attempted to interrupt him.

"Wait, I'm not finished. All this time, you've known where I was...at Duke, in Detroit?" He asked.

"Yes," she said very quietly, not really sure where he was going.

"So the only thing that prompted you seeking me out was that you didn't want Luke to have to lie to me."

"It's not like that Nathan," she replied.

"But I think it is Haley. There is something I've always wanted to tell you. You changed me. And not just when you left although that was a kick in the teeth. You believed in me before you had a reason to and you made me believe in myself. So as I see it, you don't owe me anything." He started walking toward the door

"Nathan, wait..." She called out.

"There's nothing left to say Haley."

"How can you say that? You've done all the talking."

"The way I see it Hales," he emphasized for hurtfulness, "you've had five years to talk to me. If the only thing that prompted your offer of an explanation is because of my brother, then I don't want it. And for that matter, I don't need it. I guess I'll see you around the arena." And he left.

The very second the door shut, the tears started flowing. After fifteen minutes of sobbing alone, she picked up the phone.

"Peyton? Can I come over?" Haley asked through her still free flowing tears.

"I'll come to you. Give me twenty minutes." And Peyton hung up.

A/N just a warning that the next chapter is long...I'll leave my real note there. -Carys