Author's note: Thanks to those of you who keep reading and reviewing, I really appreciate it. Normally this major lack of reviews would make me give up on a story, but I really love this one and have some great ideas so I am going to keep going. A special thanks to karaokediva and kaos for being such loyal readers. One more things, I know very little about basketball, not only the game but also the time frame, like when games start and all that, so I will just wing it and admit to anyone reading that that is what I am doing.

Chapter 16- It Goes Both Ways

Nathan could barely contain his excitement as he showered after practice. Their first game was coming. Now, it wasn't a game that counted for anything but it would be his chance to finally prove what he can do. The Orlando Magic had agreed to come and play a practice game, for the benefit of both teams. Scrimmaging against other players on their own team was getting old, as they had been doing it for months. Nathan had proved that he could school most of his teammates, but kicking the asses of another team would really prove his skills.

He stopped at Chick-Fila on his way home to grab his favorite take out dinner, two grilled chicken patties with an order of waffle fries, garden salad and a fruit cup. Arriving home he was anxious to finish his dinner and call Brooke. She had been so supportive of basketball so he knew that she would share in his excitement.

In about fifteen minutes he had polished off all of his food and picked up his cell, hitting speed dial number 2 he waited for her to pick up. "Hello."

"Hey there sweetheart, how are you doing?" God, hearing her voice, even that one word, sent Nathan's heart soaring.

"I am great, how are you? How was your day?" Brooke had been waiting all day to talk to Nathan. She had gotten great news about a business trip and she wanted to tell him all about it.

"My day was great, guess what?"

"Hmmmm, you are coming a day early this weekend?" Brooke asked jokingly, over the past few months they had adjusted well to their long distance relationship. They savored their time together on weekends and talked on the phone at least one everyday. They were both thrilled with how things were going.

"No, unfortunately it isn't as great as that." Nathan knew she was only kidding, they both had really busy schedules and knew that they were lucky to have the weekends together like they did. "The Orlando Magic is coming this Thursday for a practice game."

"That is great! You must be so excited to get to play people who aren't your teammates." Brooke knew that Nathan loved new challenges and was getting sick of playing the same guys over and over.

"I am thrilled. The only thing that bums me out a little is that you can't be there to see my play." Nathan's voice had a pinch of disappointment backing it.

"I wish I could be there, but besides that fact that I have to work that day, your practices are closed, you know that." Brooke hated to hear the disappointment in his voice.

"The coaches said that they would open this up to friends and family. But honey don't feel bad, I was just joking around. I know you have to work. I know that you will be there for my first game." Nathan forced himself to sound happy, the last thing he wanted was to make Brooke feel guilty for doing what she had to do to fulfill her dreams.

"I have it marked on my calendar, October 15th, home game. I will be there, I promise you that." Brooke had sworn that she would try and make it to every home game that Nathan had. It was only a two hour drive and the games started around 8 or so, affording her plenty of time to get there after work and she would still get home at a reasonable hour. Admittedly, a perk of her job was that if worst came to worse she could stay with Nathan after a game and then drive home the next morning, it would be no problem if she went in a couple of hours late and long as she didn't have a meeting and got all of her work done.

"So babe, tell me about your day." Nathan settled back to hear all about what was going on with Brooke, he thought to himself how lucky he was to have her, even if she was a few hours away. There were few places he would rather be then sitting there talking to her for hours.

ooooOoooo

It was nearing noon on Thursday when Brooke finally had a chance to look up from her work and see the time. Nathan's practice game would start in three hours, she picked up her cell to call and wish him good luck. She wasn't at all surprised when his voicemail picked up, he usually turned his phone off for practice and what not so that he could really focus all of his energy on basketball. She loved that about him, especially because he treated Brooke with the same kind of intensity, when he was with her it was all about her.

"Hey babe, it's me. I just wanted to call and wish you good luck. I had hoped to catch you before you turned off your phone, but you probably had practice before. Anyways, kick some ass and I will talk to you tonight. I love you. Bye bye." Brooke shut her pink flip phone. She looked at the clock again and focused her gaze back on the pile of work in front of her.

ooooOoooo

The game was just about to start and Nathan peered into the bleachers. He knew that Brooke had to work and couldn't come but he had secretly hoped that she would find a way. He understood though, he wanted to support her dreams just as much as she did his. Turning back to the court he put up a three pointer, when he heard the swoosh he knew that today he would be right on top of his game.

Ten minutes into the game Nathan had already kicked some serious ass. He had been sinking shot after shot, he had already scored 18 points. He stole the ball from one of his opponents and jumped up, sinking another three pointer. "Way to go Scott!" He hear an all too familiar voice come from the bleachers, he thought he was dreaming. Nathan turned anyways and there she was, walking through the bleachers in her business suit. How had she done it? How did Brooke get here? She had just left him a voicemail from work a few hours ago. Whatever had gotten her here, he didn't care, all that matters was that she was there. Now, he would play his ass off for her.

Nathan sunk one last shot at the final buzzer. His team had won, 48 to 46. Nathan had scored 40 of his teams 48 points, he was really on fire today. Taking his position in line he shook the hands of the Orlando players. As soon as he could he turned and broke into a run.

He bounded up the bleachers and scooped her into his arms. "Ew, you are all sweaty!" Brooke teased, she didn't care though, she was so happy to be looking into his eyes she wouldn't have cared if he had been covered in mud.

"How did you get here?"

"I drove silly. I went in early this morning so I had gotten almost all of my work done. I cut out about 1, sorry I was late, construction was a bitch." Judging by the huge grin on Nathan's face, Brooke had made the right decision in coming.

"But why? This was just a practice game." Nathan stared deep into Brooke's eyes.

"Because you wanted me to be here."