Nathan stretched and yawned softly, briefly looking at the sleeping blonde beside him. She stirred as he moved but quickly resettled herself into peaceful slumber. It was morning and probably early although Nathan had no intention of checking a clock. He had never been known as an early riser but too many things weighed in heavily on his mind.

His shoulder ached. Nothing huge or career threatening but just enough to be annoying and worrisome. And his heart ached too. Over and over, he took that shot in his head. Just a little more to the left. Just two more inches and he would have been the hero.

He looked down at Megan. She was so beautiful. He liked the fact that she was always beautiful, even without trying. Her face was always refreshingly the same whether they were waking up, going to bed, or out for the evening. Nathan liked that. He had war stories from the past…the most gorgeous women you could imagine. Nathan would bed them and wake up in the morning literally next to a hideous stranger. It was like going to bed with Olivia Newton John and waking up next to Elton John. Once the heavy make up and fancy hair products diminished, the "real" person would be exposed.

But not Megan. Megan was a natural beauty. Nathan loved natural beauty. He loved to watch her sleep. It was a habit he had acquired years before. Once upon time there had been another natural beauty who slept so peacefully nestled in his embrace. But that was a lifetime ago. At times he could barely remember it and at times the memory was all too clear. Nevertheless, he could not and would not allow himself to think of it. He couldn't think about her.

Sighing, Nathan eased out of bed careful not to wake Meg. He slipped on the comfy, white terrycloth robe provided by the luxury hotel. Stepping onto the room's terrace, Nathan stared out at white sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water. Hawaii was a place of serene beauty. He had always loved the island and it was one of his few happy early childhood memories. It was like an escape for him and he definitely had needed to get away. His widely successful rookie season had ended with unexpected disappointment. As always, his shortcomings rang loudly in Nathan's ears and he was desperate to hear something else.

Taking a seat, he breathed in the fresh ocean air. On the table was a bridal magazine. Nathan flipped through it. He smiled at the familiar handwriting that had neatly penned several notes in the margins. He couldn't wait to marry her. He couldn't wait to be with her. Just two more months. Eight whole weeks. There would be a grand church wedding, a two and a half week honeymoon in Europe, then the second season would start.

That's why Nathan had needed an immediate vacation. Being with Megan was wonderful but the stress of planning a wedding wasn't so fun. And career wise, Nathan was haunted by talks of a trade. He didn't know how to feel about that. Charlotte was not considered a top notch team but in one year, they had turned that all around. Nathan liked his team mates and respected the coaching staff. The salary along with several endorsements was wonderful. It was nice to have something that was his own, that he worked for. It was nice to have something that didn't come from Dan Scott.

The trade could come at anytime and it could land him anywhere. He and Megan had discussed it at length. She smiled and told him she would follow him anywhere. Anywhere could be Los Angeles to Miami to Chicago to Vancouver. All of the above and several other teams had been mentioned. Just not New York. Please not New York. Anywhere but New York. Nathan had nothing against the Knicks but there were other personal reasons involved. Before every game at the Garden, he would end up throwing up before warm ups. It was a long shot but still a possibility that he would see her. Her face might be in the crowd or God forbid she could be hired to sing the National Anthem.

Nathan wasn't ready for that yet. He wasn't ready to face her. He had seen her over the years on television and in print but being in her physical presence was a whole new deal. He didn't know if he could ever see her again. He hated her. He hated her because he loved her so much. During the happy times, that love had been a magical, powerful force of bliss that sustained them. And in the bad times and its aftermath, that force had become a beast born of deep rooted insanity.

"Hey you."

Nathan jumped as Megan snaked her arms around you.

"Meg. I didn't hear you get up. Did I wake you?"

"I rolled over and you weren't there."

"I needed some air."

She smiled as he pulled her onto his lap and kissed her lips.

"Since when did Nathan Scott become a fan of Modern Bride?" Megan laughed as she noticed him reading her magazine.

"It ain't Sports Illustrated but hey. Besides, it's important to you so it's important to me."

Megan grinned as she ran her hands through his rumpled hair. On the outside was a tough and arrogant exterior but he let her in. Inside, was a lovable, goofy twinkie with a heart of gold.

"I just have a few more finishing touches. Stuff with the dresses and all. Your mom is taking care of the menu and music and flowers and things…"

"God help us all", he rolled his eyes.

"Nathan Daniel!" she playfully punched him. "Deb has actually been a godsend. There is so much to do and I don't know what I would have done without her and my mom."

"That's because she loves you almost as much as I do. But hey, if it gets too overwhelming, why don't you come to me? Talk to me. Let me help."

Megan laughed out loud.

"I appreciate it baby but you had enough on your plate. I know your first NBA season was important. It was a lot of stress and hard work."

"True but that's over now. I am all yours."

"Mmmm", she moaned, kissing his lips. "I like the sound of that. Everything is pretty much under control. You make sure all your groomsmen get their fittings on time and the only thing left is for you to be at the church on time in about eight weeks."

"Wouldn't miss it."

"You better not. I'll be the one in the white dress. I don't think you could miss me."

"The beautiful one with the big smile? Nah. I think I'll be able to find you."

"Good because I can't wait to officially be Mrs. Nathan D. Scott. For better or worse, for richer or poorer."

"I think we're pretty cool on the rich and poor part and as log as I have you, life will always be better. I think the 'worse' means surviving holidays and special occasions with my parents. Especially Dad."

"They're not so bad. Besides, I'm not afraid of Dan Scott. I think his bark is far worse than his bite."

"You're pretty amazing, you know that?"

"Yeah? And you're not so bad yourself."

He kissed her again and just held her, enjoying the peace and silence as they watched the crashing waves. Deep down inside there had been fear and anxiety. Nathan Scott, the cocky champion had been scared shitless to take that plunge. It was something he hadn't admitted to Lucas or even himself. He was apprehensive. What if it happened again? There was always that possibility, one so desolate that it was almost impossible to fathom, that it might happen again.

Whenever those feelings crept into the back of Nathan's mind, all he had to do was look in a pair of blue eyes similar to his own. In them he saw love and truth and trust. Megan would be there through the thick and thin, good and bad. And she didn't care about money or fame or Dan and Deb Scott's meddling. And this time around there would be no Chris Kellers to swoop in and ruin it all. Meg didn't want any of that. All she wanted, was Nathan.