The arena was sold out and the noise was deafening. Brooke hadn't expected so many people to show up and she ended up buying another ticket off of a scalper just to get a decent seat in the third row. Sitting in her chair she felt suddenly alone and silly. She was surrounded by homemade signs and rowdy fans wearing face paint. Wearing a short sleeve lavender silk top, black pants, and boots, Brooke couldn't help but feel slightly overdressed. She was filled with doubts and the urge to run like hell from the arena but her thoughts were interrupted by blaring music. No time for regrets; the game was starting. The pre show began and the Magic came out to warm up. The crowd went crazy and Brooke winced. She had always been a cheerleader but because she loved dancing and being center stage. She hadn't paid a lot of attention to the actual games. Her mind wandered aimlessly until a male announcer took center stage on the floor and began the announcements as the Bobcats began warm ups.

"...Ladies and gentlemen, we welcome you tonight to the TD Waterhouse Centre, the home of your Orlando Magic! We begin with the starting line ups, first from the visiting Charlotte Bobcats. At Forward from Slovenia, 7'1", number 7, Primoz Brezec. The Head Guard from Syracuse University, 6'3", number 1, Jason Hart. The man in the middle...the big Center out of Georgetown, 6'9", number 55, Jahidi White. The 6'2" Shooting Guard out of UNC, number 23, Nathan Scott. And the Power Forward, number 3, 6'1" from UNC, Lucas Scott. The Head Coach of the Bobcats is Bernie Bickerstaff. Now get ready, it is time to meet and greet and show love for your home team boys, the Orlando Magic... "

The entire place came apart but Brooke couldn't even listen as the Magic was announced. It didn't matter. It wasn't like she was there to see the home team win the game. She was there for one thing and one thing only and she felt like she was going to throw up as she stared down at the man she had loved since she was a little girl. Even after all the years, he still had it. He was still as gorgeous as ever and the dynamic Scott brothers still could work a crowd into a frenzy, even if it was an away game. People just responded to them and they loved it. Lucas and Nathan Scott had been born to do this job. They had captivated an audience of seventeen thousand and she was no exception.

Brooke carefully watched the game. With bated breath she cheered silently at every Scott basket, rebound or assist and cringed and covered her eyes with every turn over, missed shot, or fall. Although she had spent her younger years watching them work hard on the court, she would never get used to the danger involved whenever the boys played with such aggression and passion. She would never stop worrying or fearing for her friends' safety even if it was just a stupid game. As she looked up at the clock she noticed that the Bobcats were down by 24 and it was less than five minutes to go in the fourth quarter. It seemed rather pointless to stay at that matter. Who the hell do I think I am, she wondered almost out loud. How did I ever think I'd get to see them? How did I think I'd ever get close to them? Hell, every screaming fan in the building was dying to get within five feet of their favorite superstars. Brooke's heart sank and she knew the whole idea had been stupid and pointless. With a disheveled sigh, she grabbed her purse and made her way to the exit. She found her car in the parking lot and cranked up only to find the annoying blinking light of the gas alert. Sighing, she headed in the direction of the nearest gas station but it would be a while...post game traffic sucked! Irritated, she flung open the car door and swiped her credit card at the pump. She filled the vehicle with gas and relaxed a little as a cool night breeze gently blew her hair. Anticipation of a hot bubble bath and a cup of lemon tea entered her mind. Brooke was so engulfed in her thoughts she almost didn't hear her name being called.

"Brooke? Brooke Davis, is that you?"

She tilted her head and came face to face with the person behind the voice. They exchanged glances...his of surprise and hers of anxiousness, both met with familiarity.

"Oh my God, Nathan..."

He rushed towards her and they hugged. A million and one questions released from his mouth.

"Man, is that really you? I can't believe this. Wow, what are you doing here?"

"I...I live here, here in Orlando", she answered while looking in his blue eyes. "I finished school and got a job down here at a local firm doing architectural design."

Nathan's eyes widened.

"Brooke, that's awesome! Man, I am so proud of you. I'm a little surprised at the architectural design but..."

"Yeah. It surprised me too, sort of. Art and design was always more of Peyton's thing but..."

"Oh well, you went a different route, I guess", he smiled. "That's pretty cool. Luke and I ended up doing the whole basketball thing, you know, professionally or whatever."

Brooke laughed loudly and Nathan blushed at his own comment. Anyone who hadn't been living under a rock for the past few years, knew damn well exactly who the infamous Scott brothers were. Brooke shook her head. After all these years at least the fame hadn't gone to his head. Despite his father and questionable beginnings, Nathan Scott had turned out to be a pretty decent guy.

"Nate, I know who you are and what you do. God, everybody does!"

He looked at the ground with a sheepish grin.

"Yeah, it's pretty cool."

"It's what you've always wanted, ever since we were little kids. I'm glad you guys made it to the NBA. You certainly deserve all the success that's come your way."

"Well, thank you. I appreciate that. You didn't happen to catch the game tonight, did you?"

"Actually, I did", she replied, tucking a stray piece of dark hair behind one ear.

"It was great. Sorry you guys lost but it was a good hustle. You scared me half to death with that bad fall at the top of the third but other than that it was good."

"We still should have won that game tonight but I guess the whole team was just a little off. You should be used to falls and stuff by now. You were there when Luke and I used to play down by the River Court and someone was always falling and getting busted up down there."

She smiled and they both fondly remembered the good old days of their childhood in Tree Hill.

"I remember", she said. "You guys were wonderful then and you're wonderful now. Congratulations..."

Brooke's voice trailed off and her eyes grew a deeper shade of the pale green. Nathan turned to follow her gaze and he gulped as he found himself staring at the same sight. Lucas was walking out of the convenience store with Nate's girlfriend, Megan and they were heading straight towards them. At first neither he seemed not to pay much attention, thinking it was another autograph seeker but as Luke took a second glance, he felt his heart stop.

"Brooke?" he asked with a look of surprise and a wavering voice.

"Hi, Broody...", she stammered as she greeted him with an old nickname.

This was the very meeting she had visualized in her mind so many times before but no amount of dreaming would ever prepare her for the real thing. The silence was deafening and uncomfortable. Nathan cleared his throat and took the initiative.

"Megan, this is a friend we grew up with back in Tree Hill, Brooke Davis. Broke, this is my girlfriend, Megan Powell."

The women smiled and shook hands. Megan was blonde, petite and cute...just the way Nathan had always liked them.

"Luke, I just happened to run into Brooke. She is living and working here in Orlando now", Nathan continued.

Lucas' facial expression was like stone, his normally expressive eyes so void of all emotion.

"That's cool. It's good to see you, Brooke. Now if you'll excuse me..."

He hurriedly brushed past Megan on to the rental car, almost knocking the poor girl down in an effort to get away. Brooke turned her head and looked away, obviously upset. Nathan gently touched her arm.

"What did you expect, Brooke?" he asked.

"I don't know. I guess you're right. It's not like I expected him to greet me with open arms or anything. I doubt he ever wants to see me again."

"That's not true. It's just really hard for him and you know how stubborn Luke can be. Hell, he's a Scott after all. A lot of stuff went down between you guys and it's gonna take a lot to get through all that."

Brooke nodded with a sad smile.

"I know. I guess it was just a bad idea for all this. I'm sorry..."

"No", Nathan said. "Wait. It's not a mistake. I'm certainly glad I ran into you tonight. Once upon a time we were all really close and I miss that. I miss your friendship. You and Lucas have to resolve your differences but I'd kind of like to catch up on old times. We're on our way back to the hotel and after that a bunch of the team is gonna get together for drinks at a club. We need to wind down and I'd love for you to join us."

"I don't know, Nathan", she hesitated. "I don't think Lucas would really appreciate that..."

"Don't worry about him. Besides, you guys were bound to run into one another at some time, right? Some time just happened to be tonight."

"I know. I guess I wasn't as ready as I thought I was."

"It's cool. How about this? You meet me, we have one drink, play a little catch up, you get to know Meg and if it still sucks and you're still uncomfortable about Luke, then you can take off."

Brooke smiled at the persistence.

"One drink and then I'm free to bail?"

"Absolutely."

"Then you're on, Scott. I guess I'll see you later."

Nathan nodded and smiled with his small victory while Brooke could only sigh. She watched Lucas drive off in the rental car, his eyes focused ahead looking anywhere but in her direction. It was the meeting she had dreamt about for years and now the moment was there. Once again the outcome would be up to fate.