"Haley, it's coming your way!" Brooke yelled at the top of her lungs.

Haley rolled her eyes.

"Again?" she sarcastically mumbled under her breath.

She watched from across Nathan Scott's private asphalt coated tennis court as Brooke attempted for the tenth time to serve her the ball. Venus or Serena, she was not as it took her three tries just to get the ball over the net. When it came, of course it was too high and too fast. The object of the game was for Haley to receive the ball and return the serve but that premise had given way to the pretty auburn haired woman holding the racket up to protect herself. It was of little use as the ball hit her hard on the arm.

"Are we gonna have to start taking up golf, Friend, because you totally suck," Brooke teased with a grin as she walked over.

"Brooke, you're not exactly Wimbledon bound yourself."

She pretended to be hurt for a few seconds until she could no longer hide those dimples.

"No worries. I'll introduce you to Fernando. He'll take care of everything."

"What the heck is a Fernando?" Haley asked.

The girls were interrupted by the unmistakable clicking of heels against the court. Dressed in a dark trendy but sensible business suit, was Peyton Sawyer.

"Fernando is the overpriced Brazilian import Lucas is paying in vain, obviously, to perfect Brooke's tennis game."

Brooke took a sip of bottled water.

"Peyton Sawyer, Thrill Assassin."

Peyton couldn't help but smirk as she folded her arms.

"If it helps, your serve looks much better than last weeks."

"Ha!" Brooke stuck out her tongue. "Improvement is key. Fernando says so. Besides, who really cares about tennis? It's just as boring as golf and considering my husband spends hours on that stupid course, I thought I'd find an equally boring sport to counter it. Anyway, Haley and I are only in it for the cute little tennis skirts. Aren't we totally hot? I guess it pays when your brother in law is a spokesman for Nike."

"Speaking of, where is he?" Peyton asked. "Where is everyone? I've just come from inside the house and it looks like a ghost town in there."

"Let's see," Brooke began. "Dan is out of town…"

"Out of town?"

"Yeah, thank God. Don't question it, just enjoy the break and peace and quiet. Miracles only come around so often."

"You got that right," Peyton agreed.

"And my husband, had a meeting in the city and after that, big surprise, he'll be on the ninth hole or whatever it's called. Deb is off, presumably scoring more pills and Nathan is at a meeting with the team."

"I was hoping to catch him before he left," the blonde glanced at her watch.

"He shouldn't be gone too long," Brooke told her. "Maybe another hour at the most."

"Brooke, it has been…interesting," Haley surmised. "If you two ladies will excuse me, I'm going to go take a shower and play connect the bruises on my tennis ball battered body."

"No, no, Nurse Haley you can't leave now," Brooke whined.

"Brooke, it's enough fun for one day. I'm sure you'll drag me out here again, kicking, screaming and protesting tomorrow."

"Of course but you can't go change now. Not yet."

"Why not?"

Brooke stamped her foot with exasperation.

"Because he hasn't seen you."

"He?"

"Do I have to spell it out for you? N-A-T-H-A-N."

"Nathan wanted to see me?" Haley asked, confused.

"Your clulessness amazes me, Friend. Come, sit down, both of you," Brooke motioned to the large chair set up underneath a sun umbrella.

"Brooke, what is going on?" Peyton raised an eyebrow.

"Okay. First of all, you two are absolutely going to love this. I had a thought."

"God help us," Peyton leaned back in her chair.

"And that thought led to a plan."

"Let's run for the hills, Haley."

"Make all the fun you want," Brooke pouted. "Hear me out. It's really good."

"Okay," Peyton nodded. "I have until Nathan gets back. What's up?"

"I totally think we should hook up Nathan and Haley," she announced with a broad, satisfied grin.

Haley's red, bewildered face looked away while Peyton just rolled her eyes.

"Be serious, Brooke," Peyton warned.

"I am. It's a great idea."

"Says who?"

"Says me."

"No, it isn't. It's a ridiculous idea, a horrible one."

"Oh Peyton, don't be such a stick in the mud. Come on. It would be great. Nathan is single, Haley is single. They get along and face it, they are way cute together."

"Keep in mind, Haley Webb is a Scott employee. She works for Nathan. Dating him would raise a complete conflict of interest, not to mention, that's about the last thing Nathan needs right now."

"But Haley is…"

Haley shifted in her seat and raised her hand.

"Uh, sitting right here, guys," she reminded the quarreling twosome. "You can talk to me not over me."

"Sorry," Brooke apologized. "How rude of Peyton."

"Brooke!"

"Ladies," Haley cleared her throat.

Brooke turned to Haley.

"You said you don't have a boyfriend, right?"

"Yeah, but…"

"Okay and Nathan doesn't have a girlfriend."

"Brooke, I think it's sweet you want to play matchmaker for me and all but no thanks. I have to agree with Peyton on this one, that really isn't a good idea."

"Haley, can I ask you one question? Be honest. Don't you think Nathan is cute?"

Haley blushed.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Just answer me. Hell, even I can admit that. He is my husband's brother but I'm not blind or anything. Nathan is pretty hot!"

Haley shrugged, uncomfortable, feeling both Brooke and Peyton's eyes upon her.

"He, he's okay, I guess."

"Okay! Okay? Come on. On a scale of one to ten…"

"Brooke, don't do this."

"Why not? What are you afraid of? It's just a simple observation. You're a nurse, right? Part of your nursing duty is to perform assessments, right?"

Haley laughed out loud.

"You're good, dude. Yeah, assessments…assessing his body for injury not for hotness."

"Ha! So you admit he's hot. I knew it!"

"Brooke!"

"Haley!"

"Okay," Haley admitted. "Nathan is a very attractive, good looking guy. I suppose he is what you could call hot."

"Thank you," Brooke grinned to herself.

"And the point of all this. Brooke?" Peyton inquired.

"Nathan likes Haley," Brooke stated, matter of factly.

Peyton let out a frustrated sigh.

"Brooke, you are seriously unbelievable sometimes. You haven't changed since high school."

"What? Don't get mad at me. It's not like I made it up. Nathan is the one that likes her, not me. I mean, I like you, Haley but like in a total friendship, let's go shopping, hit up Starbucks and hang out together in a non lesbian way."

"Thanks, I think," Haley made a face. "But what makes you think Nathan likes me? I mean, he does like me and I like him. We get along now but that's it. There is nothing romantic going on."

"But it could be."

"Brooke…"

"Do you remember when you first moved in here and he was an asshole?"

"How could I forget?"

"Now he isn't like that to you all. It's because he got to know you. He's nice and he talks to you and he makes jokes and stuff."

Haley shrugged.

"So? He warmed up to me, that doesn't mean anything."

Brooke threw her hands in the air.

"We're all women here and women know. Face it, we have a sixth sense about these things. I've seen you two together. It's so much more than a working relationship."

"We're friends."

"You're flirty friends."

Peyton shook her head.

"Brooke, leave her alone."

"I'm not doing anything, P. Sawyer but pointing out the obvious. Were we not all just in Memphis? Sure, I love parties and I was all into the dressing up and spending the evening dancing in my Broody's arms but don't think for a minute I didn't notice what was going on."

"What was going on?"

"Nathan could not keep his eyes off you, Haley. The moment you walked into the hall in your dress, the first time he saw you all done up, you should have seen the look on his face. He couldn't stop watching you all night. And I saw you two chatting away in the corner before Royal had to go and ruin everything. You looked so sweet together. Whether you realize it or not, you have major chemistry with him. What were you talking about anyway?"

"Just stuff," Haley brushed it off.

"Did he tell you how beautiful you looked?"

…I wanted to tell you how nice you look tonight…because you do. She still remembered his exact words and how they made her feel. Just thinking about it made her heart pound all over again.

"Not in those exact words but something like that."

"Ah ha."

"Come on, Brooke," Haley fidgeted. "He was just being a gentleman."

"Yeah because he likes you. I totally saw it. The subtle body language, the nods you two were giving each other."

"Nods?"

"The 'I so want to jump your bones' nod."

"Okaaaayyyy," Haley nodded.

"But think about it. He's nice, right? And we've established he is fine. He is also well established, hence the multi million dollar mansion we're chilling in right now. It could be a good match."

"I, I don't know," Haley looked around. "Maybe another time or place. Peyton is right. Nathan is my boss…"

"Are you trying to convince us or yourself because that didn't sound too sure."

Peyton looked right at her.

"Do you have a thing for Nathan?" she asked point blank.

Haley wanted to run. What was the right answer to that? Her throat felt like it was closing up. As far as herself, the real Haley James, she had no real answer for that. But Haley Webb, right or wrong, was a different story. Ethically the decision made for her case had been tearing her up inside. But she had made a promise and Agent Bailey had made it more than clear that her badge was on the line.

"I, I wouldn't exactly call it a thing. I mean, Nathan is a great guy. I do like spending time with him but I don't know if taking it to the next level is such a smart idea. Besides, who knows if he even feels the same way? And I can't chance that on a nod."

"So you do like him?" Brooke smiled.

"I, I don't know. I mean, I guess."

"Aaawww," Brooke put her hand over her heart. "That is so sweet."

Haley closed her eyes. It was anything but sweet. She had wanted to be a good agent more than anything. Her career meant the world to her. She had promised herself that she would never sell out and now she had sold out in the worst way. It felt like giving her soul to the devil. Once the deal had been made, there was no turning back.

"Yeah…"

"So what are you gonna do about it?"

"I'm not sure," Haley replied honestly.

"Well, I think you should tell him and you should go out with him," Brooke suggested. "I have known Nathan for a long time. He's a good guy. Basketball is his life. He deserves something more. You're a really nice person, Haley. I mean that. You have your life together and besides, you don't put up with Nathan's crap. You're just the kind of woman he needs in his life."

"I don't know…"

"Can I say something?" Peyton asked in a blank tone. "Look, this really isn't any of my business. I try not to get too involved in Nathan's personal affairs. It's not my place but can I tell you something, Haley?"

"Sure."

"Brooke means well and not to take anything away from Nathan because he is a nice guy but I strongly, strongly advise against any romantic or physical relationship with him."

"Peyton…" Brooke began to protest.

Peyton continued.

"It's just not a good thing for you or anyone. I'm only telling you this for your own good."

There was something about the way Peyton spoke the words and the look on her face. It gave Haley chills.

"Go for it," Brooke whispered in a not so quiet voice.

"It's up to you," Peyton added. "We can only tell you what we think, Haley but it's all up to you."

Haley let out a breath. It was all up to her and so much rested on her decision. Lives and careers depended on it.