Haley adjusted her dark sunglasses. The harsh winter had given way to a rainy spring and April's mild temperatures. Gone were the large coats and heavy scarves she had used to cover her body in the colder months. But in a strange twist of events, the paparazzi's interest in Haley's story had waned. They had given up on the camping out outside her building. Not to say they wouldn't go crazy clicking away upon catching a glimpse of her on the street but it made it much easier for her to get out of the house. At eight months pregnant it wasn't like she was up to traveling much but it was nice to step outside for fresh air once in a while.

She and Taylor were still at odds so she had gone out alone on the cloudy mid morning. She had run some errands but her real goal was to catch up to the female vendor who sold fresh fruit from a cart a few blocks from her apartment. For some odd reason, she had awakened craving apples, plums and cherries. So she had slipped on maternity jeans and a faded, oversized hooded sweatshirt from Keith Scott's towing service. No make up, hair in a messy bun and sunglasses, she had been able to carry out her business like all the other New Yorkers.

"How are you today, sweetheart?" the older lady nodded at Haley.

Haley had been shopping at her fruit stand for years and over time the two had developed and enjoyed a casual but friendly, easygoing acquaintanceship.

"Fine", Haley nodded politely. "And you?"

"Oh I can't complain. I'm just an old lady trying to make a living here on this magnificent planet God calls earth."

Haley smiled as she thumped a cantaloupe.

"The bananas look good. I'll take a bushel. Oh and a bag of nectarines, please."

The merchant began bagging Haley's order.

"Anything else, honey?"

"Peaches, please."

The woman smiled.

"Your sister loves peaches."

Haley frowned as she remembered they were Taylor's favorite fruit.

"Okay, scrap the peaches. Plums, grapes, cherries and apples."

"Is that all?"

"I should say yes but you know I can't leave your stand without fresh lemons."

"You sure do like your lemons."

"I use them to make homemade lemonade, actually. Gosh, this place is like the Super Wal Mart of fruit stores. I love it. I feel like taking some of everything. You have whole Dill pickles?"

"But of course. Damn, sugar I should be thanking my lucky stars you got pregnant. The bigger you get, the more you buy.I could pay rent alone just off of what you buy."

Haley grinned.

"Are those fresh tomatoes?"

"You know it. Ripe for the picking, too. Should I bag them up?"

"Sure."

"And look right here…coconuts. Can I interest you, darling?"

Haley backed away. Coconuts! She hadn't seen a coconut since Santa Domingo. And she hadn't wanted to see one either. Just the very sight made her sick to her stomach. It had been the only thing around to sustain them. It had kept them from starvation. Them. Her and Nathan…

"Oh, I'm sorry", Haley apologized as she knocked over a cart that housed the oranges.

"It's okay…"

"If they're bruised, I'll gladly pay for them…"

"They are fine. But are you okay? You're shaking."

"I'm alright", Haley stammered. "I'm just such a klutz."

Haley bent down to pick up the pieces of fruit, which were rolling all over the sidewalk. A tall man with dark brown hair wearing shades, jeans and a thin jacket leaned down as well.

"Let me help you with that."

"Oh thank you…" Haley trailed off.

There was something about the man's voice. Something eerily familiar. She looked up and took a good look at him.

"What a coincidence! New York City, home to over 8 million people and just my luck on my brief visit, I run into Haley James. May I have an autograph?"

She scowled.

"What are you doing here?"

"Now, now. Is that anyway to talk to a fan?"

"How did you find me? What, did you follow me from my apartment or something?"

He shrugged.

"Yes. You being the big celebrity and all, you really should think about beefing up your security."

Haley shook her head. Of all people to run into.

"What do you want, Mr. Scott?"

"Mr. Scott", he smirked. "You always called me that. I wondered why never 'Dan' or at least 'Dad'…oh wait a minute. I almost forgot. You never had time to get on the first name basis with me because you weren't married to my son very long. The first tour bus that rolled through Tree Hill and you were the first little groupie to stop it and climb aboard."

"It wasn't like that and you know it."

"By the way, how is Chris Keller?"

"None of your business."

Dan nodded.

"My business, huh? Interesting. I've heard that from you before. As I recall, your marriage was none of my business and neither was your divorce."

"That's right."

"What about your baby, Haley?" Dan asked as he leaned in close, removing his glasses. "Is that my business?"

A smirk was planted on his lips and pure evil reflected from his eyes.

"Leave me alone", she whispered, trying to break away from the strong hold he had on her.

Subtly, as to not draw attention to them, Dan tightened his grip.

"Don't make a scene", he hissed.

"Let me go."

"Not until you hear me out."

Tears formed in Haley's eyes.

"What are you doing?"

"No, Miss James, I think the question is, what are you doing? I flew in all this way just to see where that pretty little head of yours is."

"I've never done anything to intentionally hurt you, Mr. Scott. Please. Just go away."

"How sweet. You should think about adding acting to your resume but for now save the theatrics for Broadway, sweetheart. I will gladly go away forever on the condition that you keep your mouth shut."

"What…"

"This little thing you got going with Chris Keller is working. Don't rock the boat, Haley. As long as you keep saying he is the father of your little brat, I will go away."

"I never said he was the father", Haley answered back defiantly.

Dan laughed his sinister laugh.

"Listen, kid. I don't give two shits if you said Brad Pitt is the father of your baby. Hell, it could be Big Bird and I wouldn't give a rat's ass. But don't you go getting any ideas…"

"I…I don't know what you're talking about."

"Good. Let's keep it that way. Nathan has been through a lot. His life has been ruined, thanks to you. He lost his career and his child. He and Megan are finally picking up the pieces to their relationship. I know they can be happy again. The last thing any of us needs is you and a kid lurking around the shadows trying to stir up trouble."

"Mr. Scott…"

"You'll never get your hands on my money…or Nathan's for that matter."

"Money? Are you joking me? I don't need your money or Nathan's or Chris' or anyone else's. I have my own, thank you very much. You know, I never asked anything of you and I never took what was offered. Because I didn't need it, I didn't want it and I'm not into making deals with the devil."

"Cute", he grinned. "Just remember what I said. For seven years we didn't see or hear from you. That's the only time I've seen my son truly happy. So don't get any ideas in your head whether it be from Karen or Peyton or Lifetime TV or whatever. Stick to what works. You've made Nathan suffer enough. Just because you couldn't keep your legs closed for three days gives you no right to breeze back in and turn everyone's world upside down again."

Haley felt like she might be ill as her baby kicked furiously inside her.

"Just who do you think you are? How dare you! You are a vile, inconsiderate, ruthless, selfish bully. You know, for years I've been wanting to tell you exactly what I think of you but you know what? You're not even worth it."

"What you think of me, eh? Well, let me tell you what I think of you. You're the low class, piece of trash River Rat that tricked my son into going slumming only so you could break his heart and destroy his life. Not once but twice Haley. And you call me evil? I think you've earned that title. Because everything bad that Nathan is, every mistake he's made from sabotaging his career to hurting his wife to killing his daughter is your fault…not mine. And you know it. So walk away, Haley. That's the least you can do. Just walk away with your baby."

"You have no right to mention my baby", she began to cry.

"Your baby, Chris' baby, Nathan's baby…does it really even matter? It's just one more mistake when you get down to the nitty gritty."

"How can you be so damned heartless?"

"Everything okay, darling?" the vendor asked, noticing Haley's tears and the tense body language between her and the stranger. "You need me to call someone?"

"No", she wiped at her eyes. "I, I'm fine. I was just wrapping up here…"

"Yes", Dan added with a smile. "Everything is fine. I think we're done. It was good seeing you, Miss James."

"Wish I could say the same", she muttered. "I just hope after this day, I never have to see your scheming, vicious face again."

Dan put his glasses back on as he whispered in her ear.

"That's an easy fix, honey. Just remember our little chat. You stay out of my neighborhood…and I'll stay out of yours."

With another smirk, he began walking away, finally disappearing into the crowd of other passersby. Haley was left angry, shocked and in tears.

"You sure you're okay?" the vendor asked again as Haley paid for her goods.

"Yeah…thanks."

"Who was that mean man?"

She shook her head sadly.

Just another ghost from the past."