Haley yawned as she stepped inside the elevator. From the exquisite suite near the top floor of the city's grand New York Hudson Hotel, it was quite the ride all the way down to the cafeteria on the lower floor. But after back to back games the Celtics played against the New Jersey Nets and the New York Knicks, she was both exhausted and starving. It had been a non stop schedule of grueling practices and playing the game of knowledgeable nurse had definitely started to take a toll on Haley. The intensity of game night at the arenas was indescribable and just when she had time to grab a cat nap or a moment to herself to just breathe, Brooke had been there, grabbing her for shopping trips and theatre excursions. The next day's game would be played in Philadelphia against the 76ers and the 95 mile trip would be made via the Celtics bus.

Her stomach rumbled loudly as she dreamed of a big juicy cheeseburger along with a pickle on the side, a slice of pie and of course her ever trusty Dr. Pepper. All that would be perfect if she could just avoid Brooke. The bubbly brunette had definitely gown on Haley throughout her stay but one night of peace and quiet was what she craved and the words "peace", "quiet" and "Brooke Scott" simply did not go together. Taking the scenic route, or the lost route, whichever you preferred, Haley happily hummed to herself as she passed the hotel's library. Always the bookworm, she stopped in for a quick tour. It was getting late and the room had been darkened for the evening. She had almost missed the shadowy figure sitting in the corner but her FBI skills were simply too sharp for that. Always be aware of your surroundings, always face the door, always mentally search each nook and cranny of a room. Right away she took a double take and to her surprise found a familiar face.

"Nathan, is that you?"

He turned and faced her looking up, as handsome as ever in his navy blue suit.

"Haley. What's up?"

"You tell me," she grinned. "It's nine o'clock and you're all incognito in a chair in the back of the library of all places. What in the world is going on?"

"Would you believe me if I told you I was catching up on my reading?"

"Let me think about that one…uh, no."

Nathan let out a little chuckle.

"Busted."

"Are you hiding in here?"

"Basically."

"May I ask why?" she folded her arms. "Is it the fans again?"

Nathan Scott was a pop culture hero. Wherever he went in public, he drew a crowd like flames drew moths.

"No. Fans don't bother me. They just want a minute of your time, an autograph, a picture, a voicemail left on their uncle's cell phone, hell sometimes just a quick hello. I don't mind that part of it. It's my job."

"Then what is it?"

He let out a breath.

"What's the worst thing you can think of, Haley? What would make you want to hide out?"

"Your dad?" she joked.

He gave her a serious look.

"Congratulations."

"Are you for real? Oh gosh, what has Dan done now? What is he up to?"

"As we speak there is a meeting going on in the main conference room of the hotel. Some dude from some southern Republican's society is in there with a bunch of other people. I think he is connected to my grandfather somehow. Anyway, he has this bright idea for me to endorse their charity but I don't even know if it really is a charity and anyway, the whole thing is kind of lame."

Haley's ears perked up like a German Shepherd's.

"So you think it's illegal?"

"I don't know."

"But Dan would actually do that? Like some group has a fake charity and he'd actually partake in the money end of it?"

She felt like she'd said too much after the last word had been spoken. Perhaps she had talked a little too fast and had sounded a little too eager.

"It's a long story. Anyway, I don't feel like talking about it really."

"That's cool. But that explains why you're trying to lay low in here."

"Pretty much."

She couldn't help but laugh.

"Wow. That's um, certainly…interesting."

"What's so interesting about it?" he frowned. "What's so funny?"

"Don't get mad. I mean, I'm not trying to make fun of you or anything but this is so classic Dan. I hate talking smack about your dad but sometimes he thinks of the lamest schemes."

Nathan had to chuckle himself.

"The guy is a douche bag most of the time, isn't he?"

"Just blow it off."

"That's what I'm trying to do."

Haley's heart pounded as she looked around. She could feel the wire secured to her body as she remembered her previous conversations with both Brooke and her bosses. The investigation was moving at a steady but still slow pace. There would come a time eventually when she would have to make some sort of move.

"You hungry?"

"What?"

"Are you hungry? I am absolutely starving. I was actually on my way to the cafeteria. I hear the food is pretty good. Um, would you, would you care to join me?" she asked, hoping her face wasn't nearly as bright red as it felt.

Nathan looked right at her. God, his eyes were blue. There wasn't enough air in the room all of a sudden and she prayed he would speak before she fainted.

"Alright. That's cool."

Okay, she said to herself as they began walking. It's okay. Everything is under control. You so have this, James, she tried to remind herself as she said another prayer about not letting her knees buckle. They walked side by side so close that their bodies inadvertently brushed against each other during some of the strides. Haley was quite tempted to stare straight ahead but she felt his eyes upon her and she couldn't help but steal a few glances herself. Brown eyes stared right into blue ones as she blushed again and gave him a small smile that he returned before looking away. Quietly they made the turn but were not prepared for what awaited them around the corner. There at the opposite end of the hall was Dan Scott and his merry band of cohorts headed their way.

"Uh oh," Haley grunted.

"Shit. There they are."

"Turn around," Haley instructed. "Go the other way. Maybe they didn't see us."

Nathan went to follow her lead but it was too late.

"There you are, Nathan," Dan bellowed from yards away. "You're late. I was beginning to worry. We were expecting you."

"Great," Nathan mumbled to Haley sarcastically under his breath. "I'm screwed. What the hell do we do now?"

Thinking quick, Haley turned around. The elevator was just behind them. She pounded furiously on the buttons, trying to go in any direction but where they were. Dan and his group were getting closer. It was like those old horror movies when the evil villain was so close. All that was missing was the cheesy, scary music. And just before they got in touching distance, the doors sprung open.

"Come on!" Haley dragged Nathan inside.

She could hear running towards them as she hit a bunch of buttons again.

"Nathan!" a red faced, angry Dan roared just as the doors closed.

Nathan just stood there as Haley gave an irate Dan an innocent wave and smile.

"I can't believe we just did that," Nathan laughed, once they were safe and alone and moving. "You're a trip."

"And your dad is a controlling meanie."

"This is classic. Did you see the look on his face?"

"That was pretty funny," she smiled.

"He's gonna kill me. He's gonna kill you, too."

"Oh well, he never liked me anyway."

"So where are we going now?" Nathan shoved his hands in his pockets.

"He was pissed and we embarrassed him. The elevator went up. Chances are, someone will be looking for us throughout the hotel and where our suites are."

"What do we do? Where can we go, crash somebody else's room?" he quipped.

"No, we get out of here."

"Cool," Nathan went to press the down button.

"Wait," she stopped him as the door opened and they stepped off on a random top floor. "We can't go back down that way. They'll be waiting for us in the lobby."

"Now what?"

"Follow me," she commanded.

He did so without protest and she led him to a sealed off staircase in the back.

"Are we supposed to be here, Haley? It said Employees Only."

She shot him a saucy grin.

"Since when did you start following all the rules?"

The staircase led them to the bottom floor and a side exit that guided them right to the busy street.

"Damn," Nathan said as he looked around. "That was some true MacGuyver shit. What the hell do you do, secretly work for the CIA?"

"Not exactly," she made a face at the sheer irony. "Come on."

They walked a few blocks until they found themselves in the hustle and bustle of the nightlife of the city some said never slept.

"You still hungry?" he asked.

"I could use a bite."

"Pick the place."

She looked around. There would be no swanky five star restaurants for them that night. She was looking for the perfect place and after lots more walking, they found it.

"What do you think?" she asked.

He shrugged.

"I think you're a cheap date and that's a good thing considering I left my wallet back at the hotel."

They walked into a dive advertising hot dogs, hot wings and beer. It was perfect. Grabbing a table towards the back, they ordered. Within a few minutes they were chomping down on mild wings, chili dogs, mozzarella sticks and ice cold beer by the pitcher.

"Could you have planned a better night?" Haley joked.

Nathan looked around, with his designer jacket hanging on the back of a broken down chair, his tie loosened and sleeves rolled up.

"This is pretty cool. We pissed off my dad, which is always a plus. I got out of his boring, lame ass meeting, snuck out of a hotel and walked like a million blocks and the food here isn't too bad so I have to admit, you did good, Webb. It's been a fun night. At least you're not boring."

"Of course I am not boring," she put her hands on her hips. "Don't tell me you thought that."

"I don't know. You were kind of by the book when I first met you. Hell, I had to fire you to get you to give me my shot."

"Yeah and ignore a problem that could have gotten you a below the knee amputation."

He playfully rolled his eyes.

"Amputation, Haley? You are so dramatic. It wasn't that big of a deal."

"Says the guy who looked sooooo pitiful when I had to feed him baby aspirin and OJ to break the sky high fever he got for not listening to my warning about the infection."

"You bought that?" he laughed. "I was just playing up the whole sick thing to get attention from a pretty girl."

Haley was glad she had finished her hot dog, for she surely would have choked on it. He had called her pretty. Sure they had been going back and forth but it was something about the way he said it. Something that made her want to change the subject.

"And you were mean when I first met you," she cleared her throat.

"I didn't know you then."

"And now?"

"You're okay."

"Just okay?" she teased. "After all this, I'm just okay."

"You're cool...I guess."

"Cool enough to play on your private court?"

Nathan wiggled his eyebrows at her.

"Why not? After all, you are launching your big WNBA career. I mean, who am I to stand in the way of all that greatness?"

She threw a balled up napkin at him.

"I'm so gonna smack you one of these days."

"Is that the best shot you have? Yeah, you need to come to my court and practice. You throw like a girl…like a first grade girl."

They looked at each other and burst out laughing, feeling like two little kids, just enjoying the night out. Nathan looked over at her and noticed a speck of sauce on the bottom of her chin.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face?"

"Actually you do," he laughed, picking up a napkin and gently wiping it away.

Haley shifted in her seat for the second time that night.

"Your dad is going to have a fit, you know."

"Oh I know."

"On that note, more beer?" she offered.

"Why the hell not?" he tipped his mug.

A bright light flashed and a sign within the back of the room lit up in tacky blue and red colors.

"Oh. My. God. Nathan, look. Do you know what that means?"

"Unfortunately. I can read. Karaoke. Let's get the hell out of here before that noise starts."

"Are you kidding? No way! I love karaoke! It is so fun."

"If you say so."

"I do. Now come on. We have to choose a song. What do you want to sing?"

"Whoa, there's not that much beer in New York City, Hales."

She shivered.

"You, you called me Hales."

"Sorry. Does that bug you?"

Haley smiled.

"No. Um, it's okay, I guess. I kind of like it. Uh, about that karoke…"

"Hell no."

"Not even one song?"

"Nope."

"I'll be Cher and you could do Sonny. I'll be Captain and you can be Tennille."

"As much as that sweetens the pot, I'm still gonna have to say no."

"Fine. Who's boring now? For your information, I will sing karaoke all my by myself, thank you very much."

"Go for it," he laughed. "I'll be your own personal cheering section."

Jumping up, she took another swallow of beer.

"Liquid courage but can I just say one thing?"

"What's up?"

"Before I get too drunk and make a complete karoking fool of myself and before your dad tries to replace me before dawn, I just wanted to say thanks for coming out. I mean that. Tonight was a blast. I had a really great time."

He looked her right in the eye.

"Yeah. Me too."

Their faces were dangerously close but before he could blink, she was off in front of the machine picking out a song. Appropriately she chose Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. Even slightly buzzed in a dive bar, she still sounded pretty good. And as promised, Nathan cheered on her on. Even he had to admit, it was the most fun he'd had in a long time.