A/n: What's up people? It's been hell trying to update as of late, suffering from writer's block and trying to find a job hasn't helped the situation. In any event….here are the thank-you's for this chapter:

Chaos Magician Girl: Thanks a bunch for your review….and your welcome for the review for your fic. It's a shame more people haven't given it much of a chance.

Anime-Ruthless: Thanks as always…..don't worry, the wins will start piling up soon enough…oooh, did I just give away something? (Hey….the Eagles gave it their best shot…they came up a little short against a damn good team.)

Shyly in the Dark: Thanks for your review also….I've been trying to write this fic so that non-basketball fans can follow it just as easily…I appreciate the feedback.

Egyptian Rose: Thanks again….hey life can be complicated; you don't have to explain yourself to me! An A for the chapter...that's better than I thought!

This fic is turning out nicely as far as me actually writing it is concerned….I'm guessing it should wind up being about 25-30 chapters long. I have nothing else to ramble about…so here's the next chapter!

Random Quote: "If winning isn't everything, why do they keep score?" Vince Lombardi, former coach of the Green Bay Packers

Chapter 8: A Hard Road

"So, still chasing that championship, are we?"

Nathan turned around quickly at the sound of that voice. It was someone that he knew quite well, someone whom he shared with some of his best times, and some of his hardest. It was someone who he had loved so dearly…until the day she turned her back to him.

"It's been a long time, Jessica."

Flashback….

CajunDome Lafayette, Louisiana

1993 Louisiana High School State Championship Final

Glenmora High vs. Granger Academy

Sexton will inbound the ball to Nathan Colby, the senior holds on to it…3, 2, 1…That's it, that's all! The Glenmora Wildcats have claimed their second state championship in three years! They beat the Granger Academy Bulldogs 77-65! It's a mob scene out here! The fans from Glenmora have rushed the court, swarming over the team! I've just received that the Most Outstanding Player Award for the tournament will go to Nathan Colby. What a night this young man had…34 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists, a blocked shot, and 3 steals! This has to be such a proud moment for this kid and his family, he didn't play a game until his junior season; he didn't start until this year, his last in the Wildcat red and white.

Nathan closed his eyes, crying as he held the game ball. Numerous emotions flooded through his young mind. First…pure joy at winning another championship to add to his growing collection. Second….a sense of pride…he knew that he had served his deceased brother's memory well with this victory. Third…a bit of sadness: some of it because that this would be his last game with his best friends, some of it lamenting his brother's untimely passing. They had asked him to speak after receiving the most outstanding player award…he only had one person on his mind.

"Big brother…the last title that we won together, we dedicated it to the people who supported us, even during the times we were terrible. Well this one…This one's for YOU!"

With the crowd roaring in approval, Nathan hoisted the championship trophy high in the air for all to see. Suddenly….a young woman with curly red hair rushed over to him and gave him the tightest hug that she could muster.

"You know how proud of you I am right now, right Nathan?" Her emerald green eyes gazed into his dark green, tear filled orbs.

"No, Jessie girl, I don't think I do."

She smiled at him, taking his joking nature into account. She pulled him close to her and gave him a passionate kiss on his lips.

"Wow…I think I know now!" Jessica giggled at her long-time boyfriend.

"I love you so much, Jessie."

"I love me too, Nathan."

"That's great….hey! You said you loved you, not me!"

Jessica couldn't help but to start laughing at him. "Don't worry, you big ditz! I love you too."

The couple kept together the rest of the night as their school celebrated yet another championship.

End of flashback…

Meanwhile….in the present:

"What do you want Jessica?" Nathan asked, a hint of coolness in his voice.

"Don't be so hostile…I just wanted to talk. And what ever happened to 'Jessie'?" She stood before him wearing a hooded green jacket and navy blue slacks.

"Why don't you tell me? You would know better than I would." Nathan retorted, a pinch of bitterness in his voice.

"You...still hate me don't you? Even after all of this time..."

"I never hated you…I just find something like what you did to me hard to accept."

"Can we forget about our past for just a moment…I want to talk to you." Jessica said blandly, as if she wasn't affected by his somewhat cruel words.

"Alright…what do you want?" Nathan asked crisply, growing tired of her games.

"Take a walk with me…"

Meanwhile…At the hotel:

"We should have one that game, Yug."

Joey, Yami, Yugi, and some other players were sitting at the hotel, talking about what happened in their game.

"I know Joey…but that's how the ball bounces sometimes." Yugi was eating a fruit salad, compliments of the hotel.

"Hey, no one expected us to even compete with those guys…we shouldn't be ashamed." Yami chimed in.

"The time you three waste here whining about what happened your last game, you should be concentrating on your next opponent." Seto Kaiba walked into the hotel lobby, sporting his traditional trench coat.

"Kaiba…" Yugi sighed heavily. Even though he had come back to the team, his behavior, for the most part, was the same as before: brash, rude, and aloof.

"Get da hell outta here Kaiba! We know what we gotta do to win…we beat you a couple of years ago, didn't we?"

Kaiba glared hard at the blond with his sapphire eyes. "That game, Wheeler, was a complete and total fluke, understand? Or do I have to translate it into puppy for you?"

"Kaiba…you no good-sonofa-"Joey had to be restrained by Duke and Malik, who had arrived while Seto and Joey were arguing.

"Calm down Joey…this isn't the time and definitely not the place for this?" Duke reasoned as he restrained Joey by his right arm.

"What's going on here?" A security guard had overheard the commotion and came over to investigate.

"Nothing, sir. Our friends here were just having a little argument that got out of hand. Don't worry; I think Joey's calming down." Malik said nervously.

"Let Wheeler go, then we can test that little theory that all dogs go to heaven!" Kaiba had to utilize all of his coolness to keep from laughing at his teammate.

"Joey, Seto….is there a problem here?" The entire team turned around to see that their coach had returned…with a rather attractive female by his side.

The two rivals were silent. As a matter of fact, the entire lobby was silent.

"There's nothing going on, coach. Just a little frustration about the game earlier." Yami spoke up, trying to keep the situation from getting even more out of hand.

"Good answer…you boys should head up and get some rest. We have an early flight time tomorrow."

The boys all nodded, and headed to their rooms without protest and thankfully without incident.

Only Nathan and Jessica remain in the lobby now…trying to figure out what went wrong on that night over a decade ago….

Next time: Nathan and Jessica talk about their lost love. Will they decide to make amends, or keep their relationship dead? The boys head home for to prepare for Kentucky…but when a heated practice escalates out of control, can Nathan and Tristan keep it together. Also….Yugi has a date with Tea coming up…would one of his own teammates try to take his longtime love away from him? Find out next time!

Sorry the chapter was so short…I just wanted to update as soon as possible. The next one will be major long!

BigLos…out