Author's Note: So the fallout wasn't as bad as I expected. When this story is over, I promise to write my usual final Author's Note to explain some of my reasonings and other things you guys have tried to address in reviews and personal e-mails. With that said, as always, read all the reviews and loved them. Especially Kumary, Victoria-Marie and Chilton Puff (I think it was). Oh and to Rebecca...you said that you were upset because "all the heartache was for nothing". Interesting observation...keep reading and e-mail me at the end and I'm sure we'll have a lot to discuss.

Italics Scenes taken from OTH episode, Season 2, Episode 17, "Something I Can Never Have". Please don't sue…

"Is she okay?" Gavin asked.

"Maybe we should call an ambulance." Michelle wondered out loud.

"Does anybody have any of those smelling salt things?" Jessica posed.

Chris rolled his eyes.

"Jess, come on. Like we just walk around with smelling salt in our pockets."

"Well, I didn't know", she hit him.

Four of the five musical acts on the tour were surrounding the bed in the hotel where Haley James Scott had just passed out.

"This is bad, guys", Michelle shook her head. "She should see a doctor or something."

With Chris gently caressing her face with a cool washcloth, Haley finally began to stir. She opened her brown eyes wide, startled a bit by all the attention of the onlookers.

"She's okay", Chris said. "Haley, can you hear me?"

They helped her to a sitting position.

"Yeah."

"Do you know where you are, sweetie?" Michelle asked.

"Yeah, um…Alabama."

She still looked upset and confused.

"Um, can everyone give us a minute?" Michelle asked.

"Yeah guys", Chris pointed towards the door.

"Uh, that means you, too, Keller. I wanted to talk to Haley...alone."

The others nodded and left, including a reluctant Chris.

"I'm sorry I'm so out of it", Haley apologized, putting her head in her hands.

"It's okay. Don't worry about it. I just want to make sure you'll be okay."

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah", Haley sighed.

"Listen, Haley when I was growing up, I really, really wanted to be a singer. I mean it. It's all I ever really wanted to do. I just knew that I was going to be famous one day. I kind of banked on it considering I didn't have any other dreams or life plans. I just wanted this so bad and I really prepared for it. My first album took off when I was 18. It's tricky because I was gaining a little fame and making a little money. And when you're that age and a legal adult and on your own, you think you know everything and you have it under control. But I didn't. This is hard. I love it and I want it but it takes getting used to. It's an adjustment. I guess what I'm trying to say is…maybe this is a little much for you. Haley, you're a great person and you're super talented but if you can't handle this…"

"No, it's not that. It's…God, I don't know. I don't know what happened. I had…I guess I had this dream, only it didn't feel like a dream. It felt so real and when I woke up this morning…I don't know. I guess I couldn't tell the difference between fact and fiction."

"You've been kind of quiet the last couple of stops. Tarah told me your husband came to see you a few nights ago."

"Yeah…"

"Do you remember that?"

Haley closed her eyes. How could she forget? She had been in the hair and make up room backstage and she was on in minutes. She walked over to her dressing area to grab her guitar and that's when she saw him. It had seemed like a mirage at first. But it wasn't. It was very real. Nathan was standing there...

"Nathan ,oh my god! What're you doing here?"

He stood, turning and looking at her, walking towards where she was.

Haley smiled faintly.

"I wanted to see you. I needed to see you, I…"

"I'm so glad you did", she hugged him. "I miss you."

He hugged her back and it felt so good.

"Listen, I asked you to marry me because I want to spend my life with you. I still want that. I love you, Haley."

"I love you, too."

"So I came here for you and I'll be here for you no matter what. I'll go with you on the tour, I'll wait for you, whatever you want me to do. I'm not giving up on us. I'm not giving up on our marriage."

Haley took a step back, exhaling forcefully. She closed her eyes.

"I don't know what to say", she sighed her eyes following his to the mirror that housed intimate photos of her with Chris. " Oh, no, no, Chris and I aren't together, I promise you. It's never been about that."

"You're not wearing your ring", he noticed quietly, taking her hand and then dropping it.

What could she say? She had tried to prepare for that moment in her heart over and over again but she was no closer to a resolution.

"I love you", she whispered. " Oh, I do but I feel like…maybe we rushed things a little bit. Maybe I…I rushed things a little bit. We're so young and I wasn't ready for all this. You and the music and…now it's all happening at once and… it's really hard! I don't know if I can be…who you need me to be."

Nathan felt sick.

"All I want you to be is my wife. Is that too much to ask?"

She tried to answer but was interrupted by one of the crew members.

"Haley! We're ready."

Both the newlyweds were clearly struggling with their emotions. Haley sadly shook her head.

"I have to go. Um…God, can you just wait here and I will meet you after the show and then we can talk and…I…I,I don't even… I'm really happy that you came. I love you", she whispered, kissing his neck. "I love you."

"Please welcome back, Haley James!" the announcer said over the loudspeaker to an enthused and applauding audience.

It was her cue. She hesitantly let go of Nathan and walked out as he looked on with a restrained face. Haley took the guitar and looped the strap around her petite shoulders. She stood in front of the mic, waiting for the band to back her up. Once last glance turned to her husband who wasn't smiling.

The bright spotlight hit her and the fans cheered louder. She gave them a smile and began to play. They loved her and she loved them…and the music. It was so easy to get lost in it. That's what it was always about. She had to know if she was good enough…and this was her answer.

She gave the performance of a lifetime just like she did at every concert. She became one with the music. She reached out to the crowd with her lyrics. Then on the last set, Chris came out and they did their duet "When The Stars Go Blue". He kissed her cheek just as the music started much to the delight of a smitten audience. And then her night was done.

Haley opened her eyes. It was over. She was herself again. Immediately she looked over but he wasn't there. She practically ran off, hoping he had taken a seat to wait for her. But he hadn't. He was gone.

"I remember", Haley said, facing Michelle on the bed as she once again came back to what was real.

"If you need time…"

"I don't", she said quickly.

"Haley…"

"I'm sorry. I guess this is a little overwhelming. Everything is happening so fast. But I'm okay. I'll be fine."

Michelle smiled and stroked her arm.

"I hope so…but it's okay if you miss him."

"I do", Haley said honestly. "I really do. And I love him with all my heart. But this is what I want now. This is my dream. I feel like I was born to be here. I don't know if Nathan gets that. Hell, I think I just figured it out. He and I have a lot to talk about and there are decisions to make but right now it's like we're in two different worlds. In time I…we'll have to deal with that but for now, trust me…I am where I want to be."