Haley sneezed so hard it felt like her head might explode. The others around her jumped and she giggled a little bit. She got that a lot. How could something so loud and obnoxious come out of someone so petite and cute?

"Sorry guys", she apologized. "This crud is kicking my ass and I can't take Ny Quil before I go onstage because with all the lights and stuff, it makes me feel loopy like I'm in outer space."

Her band members smiled. It was a show in the city at the House of Blues and even though virtually every member including the lead singer was sick with flu like symptoms, the show must go on. They packed their instruments and sucked it up.

"For someone claiming to be so sick, you sounded absolutely amazing in rehearsals", Michelle Branch noted with a laugh as she rubbed her pregnant belly.

Haley smiled at her mentor. It was Michelle who so believed in her talent in the first place and convinced her to join the tour. Michelle, a talented musician in her own right, had supported Haley from the beginning. Close in age, the women had grown to be good friends.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the stage Grammy award winning recording artist…"

The crowd was already screaming and pumped. Haley took one last sip of tea. As she awaited the completion of her introduction, Chris appeared behind her. There were no spoken words but he nodded, his way of saying having a good show.

"…Haley James!"

The fans cheered loudly as Haley walked onstage. There were people as far as she could see. Clearing her throat, she took a seat on a stool placed in front of the microphone.

"What's up, New York?"

The fans responded with applause.

"Um, I wasn't feeling too well earlier tonight but there's such a positive energy in the crowd tonight and I'm starting to feed off that. So if you guys can just bear with me, I'm gonna sit right here and play guitar and my set."

A stage assistant handed her a guitar and Haley had began strumming absently. The fans recognized the chords from "Songs In My Pocket" and they showed their appreciation as she began to sing.

Honey, I just can't get around it anymore,

You make me feel like home is where you are,

Baby, I just can't run around it every morning,

It's time that I believe it, Home is where you are

The more she sang, the better she felt. It was weird at first, doing a show with Chris, Michelle and Jessica. Along with Gavin Degraw, that had been her first tour ever. The tour that had ultimately lured her away from Tree Hill and all that was familiar. Now years later there they were all together again.

But there was something about performing. There was something about playing piano and guitar in front of a live audience. It was the thrill of having people love you. It was the high when they sang along with your songs. It was those minutes that made it all worth it.

Haley smiled. She loved her life. Things hadn't turned out so bad. She knew she was born for that stage. It was nothing like it. It made her happy. It made up for so much loss and other sad times in her life.

The fans loved her as well. They bought her records. They made her a number one selling artist. They watched her win Billboard and American Music and Grammy awards. They watched her grow from a shy and awkward pretty teenager to a talented, confident, beautiful woman. They loved her. They believed in her. They cheered for her.

Among them was a tall, blonde man with a close hair cut hidden by a baseball cap. He blended in with the crowd. He stood in the small but packed club and watched her. There was underlying pride in his heart. He couldn't help it. She looked different. Older, prettier, more mature. She was comfortable on that stage. The people loved her. The music was there. He was happy for her. For a while it made sense. For a while it lessened the hurt of why she had left them all so abruptly.

"Thank you. Thank you guys so much. You've been a great audience. Chris Keller's up next."

She smiled and waved and left the stage. Lucas pondered his next move during Chris' performance and that of the Wreckers. Finally it ended. The lights came on and the legions of people began to disappear. Suddenly he was alone with his racing heart and thoughts.

"Hey Buddy, keep it moving", a club staff employee grumbled.

"Man, I'm a friend of Haley James. Is there any way you could take me to her?"

"Sure you are", the guy rolled his eyes.

Lucas cursed as he removed his hat, praying the bouncer would recognize him.

"Look, I…"

"Holy shit! You're that basketball player."

Bingo!

"Yeah. Lucas Scott."

"Come with me. Haley is in the back."

Lucas followed him backstage. He looked around but there was no sign of his former best friend.

"Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in. Fancy seeing you here, sport."

Lucas knew the voice all too well. Chris Keller.

"How's it going?" he remained calm.

"I'm cool. You, uh, enjoy the show?"

"Yeah. Yeah, it was good."

"I know but thanks. Let me guess, you used your fellow celebrity to weasel your way backstage. Works every time, huh? I know that move, Superstar, I practically perfected it."

"Where's Haley, man?"

"What? Won't I do? Hell, I'll even be a nice guy and sign an autograph for you."

"Don't get cute with me. I don't have any problems with you, Chris. I just want to see Haley. I need to talk to her. It's important."

"Obviously", he smirked. "You haven't talked to her in how many years again?"

"Is that your business?"

Chris laughed.

"Okay, okay. Follow me. I'll take you to her."

Lucas did and a sure enough a few feet away laughing and talking with Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp was Haley. His breath caught in his throat. He just watched her. She was so pretty. She had changed. But that laugh hadn't. That laugh would never change. He hadn't realized just how much he had missed it.

"Dinner on me next time", Haley grinned. "When I'm not feeling like crap."

"We're holding you to that", Michelle grinned as she finished packing up.

Haley grabbed her purse and guitar case, turning in the direction of where a car was waiting to take her home. She bumped into a handsome stranger on the way.

"I'm sorry", she apologized sweetly.

"Hales…"

Hearing her childhood nickname and that voice sent a chill throughout her body. She couldn't believe it. After all these years, could it really be? She looked up at him. Dear God…

"Lucas…"