Haley nervously walked out to the pool area, a mini white terrycloth robe tied securely around her waist. She smiled as her bare feet quietly tipped to the chair that was waiting for her.

"About time," Brooke removed her sunglasses and looked up from her magazine. "I thought you'd be out here an hour ago."

"Sorry. I was just, uh…just unpacking, you know, from the last road trip," she lied.

"And how are those going? Broody told me you saved the day in Cleveland."

"It was no big deal," she shrugged.

"Modest, are we? Funny, that was never one of my better qualities. Oh well. Pull up your chair, take off your robe. Let's have a little girl time."

Haley smiled and reluctantly removed the robe. She knew it was impossible to see the wire she wore underneath her plain black one piece bathing suit but she was still self conscious.

"It's a nice day," she commented, protectively draping her arms across her middle.

"Look at you, Nurse Haley, with the smoking hot body. You should totally rock a bikini like me."

"I don't know…"

"Shy, huh? No problem. A few weeks hanging out with me will take care of that in no time," Brooke grinned.

"So," she cleared her throat. "You and Lucas plan on hanging around for a while?"

"Pretty much. My husband might have to fly off here and there for writing assignments but for the most part, we plan on being here. Besides, Dan likes it that way."

"He likes to keep his family together?"

Brooke rolled her eyes.

"So he says but trust me, there's always an ulterior motive when it comes to Dan Scott."

"What do you mean?"

"For the most part Nathan is this God like hero but there are some reporters trying to find out about the other side of him, you know, dish the dirt. With Lucas being a journalist, it's like round the clock damage control. Dan and Broody and Peyton make sure of that."

"Yeah. Um, Peyton seems to be on top of things."

"That's an interesting way of putting it."

Haley noticed how Brooke's happy expression quickly turned into a scowl.

"You guys are friends, right? I mean…sorry. It's none of my business. I didn't mean to pry."

"It's fine. The Scott family is just full of secrets but I have nothing to hide. Peyton and I are friendly but I wouldn't exactly call us friends. We haven't been for a very long time. We used to be inseparable, closer than sisters."

"What happened, if I can ask?"

"Let's put it this way, Haley. It kind of throws a wrench in the friendship when your best friend has sex with your boyfriend."

Haley's eyes widened.

"Oh no."

"Hard to picture, right?"

"Sort of. Peyton doesn't seem like the sexual type."

Brooke took one look at Haley and burst out laughing.

"That's a good one."

"No. I didn't mean it like that. Please forgive me."

"No need to apologize here."

"What I meant was, she, I don't know. From what I get, it looks like Peyton is very serious about her job and very dedicated to the Scott family. It just seems to take up a lot of her time. And even though she is very pretty, in those suits she can seem…well, kind of…"

"Nazi like?"

"I meant serious business."

"You're right. Peyton is dedicated to this family. She works hard to take care of Nathan, keep his career on track, make sure he has everything he needs personally."

"Are they…"

Brooke shook her head.

"Nah. They went out a couple times when they first met."

"Whatever happened to that boyfriend of yours she hooked up with?" Haley quipped.

Brooke made a face.

"He's in the study right now working on an article. I married him."

"Oh. Oh wow. Oh God. I just put my foot in my mouth. I had no idea. Brooke, I'm really sorry."

"It's okay. Water under the bridge, right? Besides, it was a long time ago. I got over it, I guess. I got even, too."

"How?"

Brooke smirked at the memory.

"Lucas and I broke up for like five months, which was the longest we had ever been apart so I thought we were done for good. Anyway, Peyton was all hot and heavy with this guy and one night they had a fight and he and I got really drunk and things happened and I told her and she flipped."

"That's certainly a way to get even," Haley shifted in her seat.

"Yeah. It was a good plan. We were young and dumb and the purpose was definitely served but looking back, it was kind of stupid. It opened up some doors I wish had remained closed. Let's see, Lucas found out for starters and he was pissed. He had the hardest time forgiving me and it almost ruined our relationship for good. And even though I was mad at Peyton and I wanted to get back at her and hurt her just like she hurt me, after it happened, and…and I saw how much I did hurt her, well I felt bad."

"That was a long time ago, right? You guys got over it, didn't you?"

"We did or at least we were trying to."

"Is it about Lucas? I mean, do you think she has feelings for him still?"

Brooke shook her head.

"No. I know she doesn't want him and even if she did, my Broody would never be unfaithful to me. Peyton and I did get past all of that. I mean, isn't that what best friends do? Everything was fine and everybody was happy. She was even the Maid Of Honor at my wedding and I was the Matron of Honor at hers."

"Wedding? Wait, Peyton is married?"

"She was for a little while. It's a sad story. His name was Jake Jagielksi. He was a cutie, a real sweetheart. Basketball player, Honor Roll student, guitar player. She was so into him. Jake was, well, he was kind of the guy I slept with to piss her off. But anyway. Everyone finally moved past all that ridiculous, petty drama. We were all friends again. Lucas and I got married, Jake and Peyton got married and everybody was so happy. For their first anniversary Peyton bought him a brand new motorcycle. He loved it. Jake used to ride that damned thing all the time. One night he was out on this highway in Georgia and at a crossroads, a drunk driver in another car ran the stop sign. Anyway, Jake, um…he died instantly."

"Oh my God."

"A little piece of Peyton died with him that night. It was so sad. She was never the same. Nobody could reach her either. I tried. God knows we all did. Nathan was the only one. She grieved for a long time and when she finally came out of it, Nathan hired her. It was like she had a purpose again and she became almost compulsive with it. She married her job. But obsessive, no nonsense Peyton was a lot better than the Peyton that stayed in bed crying for weeks at a time. I don't know. None of us are the same people we were. We all grew up but Peyton…she's just been through too much in life. We get along and I'll always love her but sometimes now I look at her and it's like I don't even recognize her. I miss her, the old Peyton, I mean. I'd give anything to have her back but that'll probably never happen."

Haley was speechless.

"I, I don't know what to say. That's so horrible. So much tragedy."

"Yeah, tragedy seems to follow this clan around."

"What do you mean?"

Brooke narrowed her eyes.

"You have heard about Deb, haven't you? Peyton did tell you?"

"Sort of but not exactly. Something about pills and…"

"Pills? Ha! That's an understatement. You're a nurse, right? Look up every anti depressant, mood stabilizing painkiller in the book and you better believe Deb has an entire pharmacy filled with all of them in her medicine cabinet."

"No doctor in his right mind wanting to keep a license would prescribe all that."

"Are you kidding? Money talks and bullshit walks. Remember that."

"But why? Why would Deb do all that?"

The pretty brunette yawned and shrugged.

"Because she's married to Dan, because she's Royal's daughter in law, because she's Nathan's mother. It's too much, being a Scott. The poor woman can't handle it."

"What about you?" Haley asked. "Can you handle it?"

"I don't have a choice. I knew what I was getting into when Lucas rang my bell, so to speak. It can get a little crazy sometimes with this family but I don't have time for rehabs and loony bins. I just suck it up and press on, at times it's best not to even get involved in some of the stuff going around. I got lucky, though. I married Lucas and he's the definite cream of this crop."

"He's a good guy," Haley reiterated. "I like him. Deb is cool but besides you, he's the only that's really nice to me and talks to me."

"That's my Broody," Brooke smiled.

"Cute nickname."

"It's from high school. I grew up right outside of Atlanta with Peyton and Jake and Nathan. Lucas grew up in North Carolina. He was Dan's first child by his ex girlfriend. When Luke's mom, Karen, finally let him move down to Georgia, it was the summer right before junior year. Gosh, I remember the first time I saw him like it was yesterday. It was at the Scott's house and he was stalking through the living room dribbling that damned basketball. He was the cutest thing I'd ever seen but he hardly talked. And he always had this look on his face like he was mad at the world. You know me, I've always been peppy and the life of the party. I flirted with him from day one but he never flirted back. So I would tease him and call him Broody. To get back at me, he called me Cheery. It stuck ever since."

"That's sweet. But what about Nathan? Did he ever have a special girl?"

"Yeah right. Nathan had a basketball and a few groupie sluts on the side and that was enough for him…and Dan."

Haley smiled.

"It always comes back to Dan, huh?"

"Now you're catching on."

"Is he really that bad?"

Brooke exhaled and looked her right in the eye.

"Let me put it to you like this. As far as this house and you being around and family and the inner circle…then no. You put up with his smirks and sarcasm, tune his ass out and call it a day. He's not a threat. But in other aspects…"

"What other aspects?"

"I can't talk about it," Brooke answered quickly. "Believe me, you don't want to know. There's another side to him but it's one of those things I told you that it's best not to get involved in."

"Okay. Um, that's fine. I'm not a nosy person. Besides, I have my hands full with Nathan and that's enough."

"Is he still being mean to you?"

"With pleasure."

"Don't take it personal. He's pretty much like that with everybody, especially at first. He just has to get to know you and that takes time. The boy has serious trust issues and who could blame him. If you stick around long enough, which I hope you do because I actually like you, it'll get better, trust me."

"I hope so. I mean, I want him to like me. I don't like it when people don't like me."

A sly smile crept to Brooke's lips.

"You think he's cute?"

"Who?"

"Nathan," she rolled her eyes. "Don't play coy with me, Nurse Haley."

Haley shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"I guess. I mean, he's alright."

"Just alright? Whatever. He's like a brother to me and even I can admit he's hot."

"I get paid to make sure he's healthy and fit to play. I doubt it matters whether or not if I think he's hot."

"Suit yourself."

"Besides, I heard his wife just died. What was her name? Ashley? Asher?"

Brooke's faced turned ten different shades.

"Don't."

"Don't what?"

"I'm serious. Look, if you know what's good for you around here, don't you ever, ever bring up Asher's name again. I'm serious Haley. Not to Deb or Dan or Lucas or Peyton and whatever you do, you better not say it in front of Nathan. If you thought he went off about you messing around on his precious court, you haven't seen anything yet. Nobody talks about her around here. We just don't."

"Okay. I, I'm sorry. I didn't know. I won't ever bring it up again. I promise."

"Good," Brooke settled back down before smiling again. "Wait a minute, I get it now. Nurse Haley, I am so onto you."

"What do you mean?"

"I get it. You sit out here with me and ask all the questions so you don't have to talk about yourself. And like a dummy, I'm sitting here answering them. Shame on you."

Haley forced a nervous smile.

"Yeah. Uh, shame on me."

"Okay now that you know our life stories, it's your turn. Who are you? Where did you come from? What was life like before you ended up on the Cape with us? What brings you here?"

I am Haley Dawn James from Portland, Oregon, youngest of six, daughter of two zany, psychotic but lovable parents on a never ending LSD trip. I am a Criminal Justice major with a minor in Accounting and Finance. Before joining the FBI, I was an Intelligence Analyst and Paramedic and EMT. I am here to bust your entire family and bring them down like a pack of scalded dogs.

That was the truth. It was what she almost said before she smiled and gathered her thoughts.

"I am Haley Michelle Webb from Tampa, Florida, only child, daughter of two school teachers. I am a Registered Nurse and I love it and I love taking care of people. It's all I've ever wanted to do. Before I took this job, I was studying for my Masters but my work focus had shifted from emergency medicine to sports medicine. I was in the middle of a rotation at a major clinic in Oklahoma when I was notified about this position being open. It was a blind ad, I mean, I didn't know I would be working for a world famous NBA star. I just knew I'd be traveling. So I interviewed and after a few nerve racking rounds of intense interrogation, I was hired. The rest is history."

"Wow."

"Sorry I don't have anything else. My life is pretty uneventful, boring actually."

"No husband, no kids, no pets, no handsome boy toy left behind?"

"None of the above," Haley smiled. "Just me. Here I am. Haley Webb, plain and boring."

Brooke nodded.

"Well, I've got good news and bad news."

"Uh oh."

"The good news is, living in this house, your life will never be plain and boring. The bad news is…living in this house, your life will never be plain and boring."

Haley laughed.

"I'm looking forward to it."

"Me too," Brooke said, as she loosened the straps of her top for a better tan. "I kind of like having another girl around in the house. It'll be nice having someone to shop with, have fun with, talk to…trust."

Haley leaned back in her chair, the wire taped securely to her flesh.

"Yeah," she sighed, wondering already if she had bitten off more than she could chew.