28 year old Haley James slid into her sleek black car and slammed the door behind her. Turning the key in the ignition. Yanking her security pass off her neck a little more viciously than necessary, Haley threw it furiously to the side. Before she could stop herself, Haley slammed her forehead into the steering wheel.

"Son of a Bitch!" she yelled angrily, her voice echoing around the car.

On her left ring finger was a diamond ring that felt smaller than most skating rinks. Tears collected in her eyes. Today was supposed to be the happiest day of her life—or one of them. She got engaged to Derek Woods, her true love.

Her phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. Pulling it out of her bag, she studied the number. Pressing her hands to her eyes, she took a few deep breaths to steady herself and flipped the phone open.

"Hello?" she asked.

"Miss James this is Mr. Moore with Moore and Carlton Law Firms," the voice on the other end said.

"Yes of course," Haley said pushing her hair back, "what can I do for you today Mr. Moore."

"It's more about what I can do for you," he said, "you left me a message."

"Oh of course," Haley said, practically kicking herself. Ever since she saw the receipt from the jewelry store, Haley had been talking to the lawyer who handled all her legal stuff when she was still a musician years ago. Her message for the lawyer was for a slightly different purpose.

"I wanted to tell you the papers are ready and I faxed them to your home address."

"Thank you Mr. Moore."

"Have a good day," he said. Melanie closed the phone and pushed the gas pedal. The car responded and sped off down the streets of San Francisco. The rest of the drive was a blur to Haley. She focused only on gripping the steering wheel, pressing the gas pedal and running as many red lights as possible. She didn't let her mind wander and the next thing Haley knew she was standing by her fax machines as the papers came out.

Grabbing them between carefully manicured nails, she shoved them into an envelope and sealed it. Grabbing her phone, she punched the numbers for her travel agent.

"I need a flight to North Carolina, as soon as possible."

Hanging up the phone to wait for her call, Haley ran into her room and threw her suitcase on the bed. Wrenching it open, she began to throw cloths into it. In her whirlwind of packing, she pulled down a box that flew open with a clatter.

Haley stumbled back from the box as if it's contents would explode. Pages of tests and papers, an apron that had the words Karen's Café spelled out in gold, pictures. Those things were painful enough. But the really painful stuff had come out too. Old water balloons, bad CD's, a white and gold dress still in it's bag.

Turning her back, Haley slammed her suitcase shut and zipped it. Pulling it off her bed, she carried it over the pile, making sure not to step on it. She'd deal with it when she got back.

Haley had to keep moving. She couldn't stop. If she stopped she would think about what she was doing and if she thought about it then she wouldn't go through with it. Because although she loved him and she would become Mrs. Derek Woods eventually she had to stop being Mrs. Nathan Scott first.

The ball hit the ground in a rhythmic thump. Lucas Scott bounced the ball and crouched low to the ground. His sky blue eyes glinted with the fire that always burned during basketball games.

"You gonna make a move?" his younger brother Nathan asked coming forward.

Jake sighed and shook his head with a grin. The two were exactly the same, competitive and challenging each other at every turn. The only difference between now and then was the competition had a more friendly vibe and the two could have a civil conversation.

Unless of course, it was on the basketball court.

Jake looked at his daughter. Jenny was almost twelve. One of Jake's biggest fears was Jenny would look like Nikki. Fortunately, it didn't happen. Jenny didn't look a lot like Jake. She had his brown hair and eyes but beyond that she looked like one person:

Peyton

Jake's wife and the woman who raised Jenny

Grinning the two most important girls in his life both laughed at some private joke causing Jake to grin in response. Looking back to the court he watched Lucas run past Nathan and slam the ball into the hoop with enough force to rattle the backboard. Peyton and Jenny jumped up and cheered as always. Using the old cheer routines that Jenny had come home jumping up and down yelled 'mommy and auntie Brooke showed me'.

"Oh and point one for Scott!" Lucas laughed throwing his arms up and giving a yell.

"But Scott can come back," Nathan said grabbing the ball and dribbling it past him. Lucas jumped up and blocked the ball, knocking it away from Nathan. He jumped up to shoot at the opposite hoop. The ball sailed through the air and bounced off the board to slam into the hard court.

"Alright guys," Peyton said standing up, "I've got to take Jenny to practice. I'll see you all later." Leaning over, she kissed Jake.

"Come on mom!" Jenny said heading towards the car. Peyton rolled her eyes, but her grin didn't slip. She jumped down to join her daughter.

"Are you blushing?" Lucas asked looking at Jake. He ducked his head in response, "You've been married to her for how many years?"

"Almost ten," Jake admitted, "but she's been like a mother to Jenny—"

"Ever since she found out," Nathan finished automatically.

"Ten years," Lucas let out a low whistle, "I don't know anyone who's been married that long."

"Ahem," Nathan cleared his throat obviously, "let us not forget the twelve year magic."

"Twelve years?" Lucas choked out, "it's been twelve years?"

"Jesus," Jake ran a hand through his hair.

"It's no big deal," Nathan said throwing the ball in the hoop. Both guys knew him well enough to know that it was probably the biggest deal in the world. For one simple reason.

Nathan Scott still loved Haley, more importantly he was in love with her.

Lucas looked at his little brother. He ad weathered every insult about his girlfriend who left him for Chris the Rock Star. Defended her when people said she was a slut who left her boyfriend to rot in North Carolina while she went off on a world-wide tour. Lucas loved Haley, she was once best friend, but even he thought what she did was low.

Because whether he like it or not, Lucas was a big brother and he was protective of his little brother.

"Like I said, it's no big deal."