Haley sat on the sidelines of the gymnasium floor as the Celtics practiced. It had only been a few weeks but already her life had changed so much. Infiltrating the Scott family was a full time job in itself. 24 hours a day, she was an actress playing a role. She was their nurse, their friend, their dutiful employee. Only in private behind the scenes could she be her true self. Her job never stopped. She was constantly studying the case, making notes, always on the lookout for any minor detail relevant and important to her investigation. The feds listening in had assured her she was doing a good job and cases like that took time. Haley was resigned and prepared. It was her big break and she was in it for the long haul.

She watched as Nathan ran up and down the length of the court. Although commanding and athletic, he moved with the grace of a dancer. His body was a temple, in tip top shape and he was in control of every move, every flinch. Even at his young age and at such an early stage of his career, it was obvious the franchise heavily relied on him. The pressure was immense. Their games, their season, their very futures rested on the shoulders of a 25 year old.

To the world he was tough, invincible almost. But it was Haley's job to create a psychological profile and she was still having a hard time figuring him out. His past public behavior at times had been ruthless and downright cavalier. He had developed the reputation of a troublemaker. He had grown up privileged and spoiled. He'd inherited an athletic pedigree that would assure him success, fame and riches. However, there was more to him than meets the eye. In order to successfully profile him, she would have to in depthly interview him. That would be an impossible feat. He barely could stomach being in the same room with her. Any further intrusion into his private life and he would surely fire her on the spot.

Still Haley was intrigued. She couldn't stop thinking about all the information she had read in his case file. And then there were the things Brooke had mentioned in their poolside bonding session. The Scott family was filled with secrets. Nathan was obviously filled with torment. Where did the connection begin? What made him tick? Why was he the way he was? What fueled his anger? Regardless of the level of difficulty, it was something she was going to have to find out.

His blue eyes were cold and steely. Had she not already seen his blood, she would swear it was ice water that ran through his veins. His attention to detail and focus was immaculate as if he lived and breathed the game. Haley watched with mesmerized interest as he practiced, aggressively taking every shot, going for every rebound like it was his last championship. The intensity was heart pounding. He was running her way again, the ball easily controlled by his expert hands. The plan was to hit the layup but something happened as he jumped in the air. He came down funny, hitting the floor, wincing in pain as he clutched at his left knee. The team stopped what they were doing as everyone crowded around, including Haley who waded through the masses.

"What happened here?" she asked.

"I'm fine," he replied stubbornly.

"It's his knee again," head coach Glenn "Doc" Rivers sighed.

"I said it's fine, Coach."

"Can you walk?" Haley asked.

Nathan stared right up at her. The pain was evident, written across his handsome face. Any other man in his position would probably have had to been removed via stretcher. But not Nathan Scott. No way. He refused. He'd walk out of that gym on his own accord even if it killed him. He was just that stubborn.

"Take a break," Coach Rivers blew his whistle. "Scott, go in the back, get that checked out."

"Coach…"

"Don't argue with me, son. I'd rather you miss the rest of this practice than a real game. We need you out there. Let your nurse look you over. Miss Webb, I expect a full report. Let me know if he's cleared to play. If not, consult the team doctor and his personal physician."

Haley nodded as a few of the players helped Nathan to his feet. Scowl on his face, he followed her to the back, doing his best to minimize his growing limp.

"This is bullshit," he mumbled.

"Maybe so but Coach's orders, right? Hop up on that table and let me take a look."

She carefully examined his left leg and her attention turned immediately to the knee. It had already begun to swell and was warm and tender to the touch. When she pressed on it, he flinched.

"It's fine. It's a stupid injury from high school. I can play."

"How long have you had this?"

"I don't know," he muttered. "Eight or nine years. It's no big deal."

Haley reached in his medical file and found the most recent X Ray of the knee. She examined it, shaking her head.

"Nathan, you have bursitis."

"Tell me something I don't know."

"Have the doctors explained this to you?"

"Yeah. Look it's fine, okay? Sometimes they stick a needle in and get all the fluid out. Just give me the shots they've been giving me and I'll be okay."

"What shots?"

"Hell, I don't know. You're the nurse. One is a steroid and one is for pain."

"Nathan…"

"They're both legal if that's what you're trying to get at it."

"I wasn't getting at anything. The steroid they give you is probably Cortisone and that reduces the inflammation. I'm sure the other shot is for pain."

"Whatever. Just hurry up and give them to me."

"I'd like to speak to your doctor."

"Why?" he frowned.

"I'm concerned. Looking at your X Ray and the injury itself, I think it needs further evaluation. Have you ever heard of prepatellar bursitis?"

"No. What the hell is that?"

"Your knee joint is surrounded by three bursae. When blood fills that bursa from an injury, it's called prepatellar bursitis. I think that might be going on with you."

"So? What does that mean?"

"If the prepatellar bursa gets bacteria in it, you could get a very serious staph infection. Do you know what that is?"

"No and I really don't care. Why are you throwing all these big medical words at me I don't know? My other nurses didn't do it and neither do my doctors. You're making a big deal out of nothing and you're wasting my time. Give me the damned shots so I can get out of here."

"I, I'm sorry. I can't do that."

"It's not a request, it's an order. You work for me. I order you to give me the shots."

"In good conscience I can't do that, not when it could be something serious."

"Could be. That means you're not sure."

"Not positive. I'm not a doctor but…"

"Exactly."

"Nathan, I'm sure you could have this looked at today. Hopefully everything will be fine. If not, it could be taken care of in a couple of days and…"

"Are you kidding me? Couple of days? I don't have a couple of days. I don't even have a couple of minutes. I have a bunch of teammates and coaches out there right now depending on me. I'm supposed to be at practice. Tomorrow, we play the Wizards at home and the Bulls after that. Then I'm on the road for a week in Houston, New Orleans and Orlando. I come home for like a day or two and then it starts all over again. So excuse me if I don't have time for your bullshit or your good conscience."

"You don't have to raise your voice. I understand what you're saying but I'm trying to help you."

"Don't. I didn't ask for your help, Florence Nightingale. Just give me the damned shots so I can play."

"Nathan…"

"Jesus Christ, where did Peyton get you from? Why do you have to be so difficult? None of the other nurses gave me shit."

Haley felt her blood pressure rising. For weeks she had put up with his temper and attitude but her cup was running over and so was her patience. She had been nothing but nice to him and she was only looking out for his best interests and her efforts had been met with inexcusable rudeness. She'd had enough.

"You know what? I'm not one of the other nurses. I'm not going to kiss your ass and say yes to your every whim and request even when it could possibly cause your body to become septic."

Nathan crossed his arms.

"Okay. Insubordination, refusal to obey a direct order and cursing at your boss. Sounds like all I need to fire your ass. I'll have your last check deposited in your account. Go to my house, get your shit and get out."

"What? Are you serous? Oh my God, you are like the rudest, meanest man ever. You are absolutely horrible."

"Why don't you deal with it while you're packing?"

"Fine," she threw the X Ray down.

"Fine."

In a huff, Haley marched out the nearest exit into the parking lot. She was fuming! What a nerve! Superstar or not, he had no right to speak to her that way, she thought as her cell phone rang. She answered it angrily without even bothering to check the Caller ID.

"What?"

"Agent James, have you lost what's left of your mind?"

She cringed when she recognized the voice. It was Agent Bailey on the other end of the line.

"Sir…"

"No. Save it. There is nothing you can say right now I want to hear."

"But Nathan Scott is impossible."

"I know that. I hear everything that goes on. So what? He's spoiled, he's difficult, he's mean and he hurt your feelings. Big deal! Who cares? James, there are more pressing issues here than you and your emotions. The FBI is trying to run an investigation that you are two seconds away from blowing completely."

"But…"

"No buts."

"He wants an anti inflammatory and a pain killer when he needs medical evaluation from a doctor. His condition could be serious. Agent Bailey, do you know what happens when sepsis occurs in the body?"

"No and I don't give a rat's ass, Doogie Howser. You are a federal agent, undercover, working on a case, no the case of a lifetime. Try worrying about Nathan Scott's illegal activities, maybe his possible involvement in a double homicide."

"I can't just give him the shots because he wants them."

"Are they legal?"

"Yes but…"

"You are not a nurse, James. You're pretending. Who cares if it's right or wrong ethically?"

"I care."

"You are giving me a coronary! I have half a mind to snatch your incompetent little ass off this case. Is that what you want?"

Haley sighed, running her fingers through her hair.

"No. No, that's not what I want. What do you want me to do, Boss?"

"I want you to put your Big Girl Panties on and suck it up. March back in that building, kiss his feet, his ass, give him 50 shots, whatever."

"Fine."

"You got that?"

"Yes, I…"

Too late. He had already hung up on her. Screaming out loud in frustration and kicking at the pavement, Haley had no choice but to follow orders. She retraced her steps only to find an irate Nathan using the walkie talkie feature of his digital cellular phone.

"That chick is crazy, I'm telling you! You should have been here…"

"Nathan, calm down. I'm sure it'll be alright."

"Yeah, it's alright now that I fired her, Peyton."

"Don't fire her. Jesus, you always jump the gun, Nate."

"You don't understand! I…"

"I do understand. Let me call and talk to Haley and I'll straighten everything out. I'll call you back. Try not to have an aneurism in the meantime," she hung up.

"No need to," Haley walked calmly back in the room.

He looked up at her and frowned.

"You back again? Why?"

She gloved up and reached in the supply case.

"To give you your shots."

"What?"

"That is what you wanted, isn't it?"

"Yeah."

"Fine. You win. I, I guess I overreacted. I still think you should see a doctor but that's not my call. I can't force you. It's your body, your career, your decision."

"That's right."

She quickly cleaned his skin with alcohol swabs and administered the two injections.

"You might want to sit the rest of practice out but you should be good to go for tomorrow's game. In the meantime, rest that knee when you can. Keep it elevated, apply ice. I'll fax the doctor to write a prescription for oral medication and antibiotics just in case of infection. I'll tell your coach that you have been medically cleared for play."

"Whatever," he hopped off the table.

Haley jumped as the door slammed behind her. Hands on her tiny hips, she wanted to punch something she was so angry.

"You're welcome, jackass."