Haley James Scott never once regretted her decision to marry her husband at sixteen. They were crazy in love and it was right. Finding about about Dan's heart attack twelve hours after the happy nuptials threw a kink into their happiness but it was short lived. They waited to tell him the big news until he was out of the hospital, but by the time school started up again in the fall, everyone was over the shock of their wedding. Their friends even threw them belated bachelor/bachelorette parties. Everyone supported their decision and Nathan and Haley couldn't have been happier. Married life wasn't exactly what she thought it would be but they worked through it. With both of them working and going to school they had very little time together. One of the things they had taken to doing was leaving each other notes. Nathan was often out of the house before Haley got up in the morning and he would leave her some sweet note taped to the bathroom mirror. On the other side, when Nathan got home from basketball practice Haley was often already at work at the café so she'd reciprocate. After about a month of this, Haley bought a notebook so they could keep all their notes in one place. So each day they would leave each other mail in the book. Haley figured it would be something they could look at later and smile about. They made it through Junior year with relatively little drama which was something new for them. Senior year was looking up for both of them too. They had been married for a full year and everything was going well. Nathan had been offered a full scholarship from Duke University to play basketball. He was in seventh heaven and Haley had plans to go with him. Cash would undoubtedly be tight but they had a plan in place. Everything had been wonderful until a week before school started. Haley replayed the scene a million times in her head but it didn't change what had happened.

Flashback

Haley looked around the room at her packed bags and picked up a pen.

Dear Nate,

I've spent the last two hours reading through this book of notes. It's so amazing to me how far you have come since I met you. I don't think I've ever known anyone who's changed as much as you have. You have grown into a wonderful man and I am so proud of you. Please don't ever forget that. There is something I have to tell you, and I don't exactly know where to start, or how to explain it so that you will understand because I want you to know that the last thing I want to do is hurt you. It finally occurred to me that no such words exist because no matter how I explain it or how gently I try to put it, it's still going to hurt you. I'm leaving Nate. I just can't do this anymore. I mean, what were we thinking getting married at sixteen? I know we always said how lucky we were to find the love of our lives at sixteen but lately I've realized that love isn't enough. I need to figure out what I want out of life and who I want to be and following you to Duke...well that's your life. I need to be more than just Nathan Scott's wife and if I go to Duke with you that's all I'll ever be. Please forgive me for telling you this way but I knew I couldn't look into your beautiful blue eyes and not cave in. I know in my heart it's the right thing to do but I just couldn't face you.
By the time you read this I'll have left Tree Hill. Please don't look for me. If you really love me you'll let me do this. The only think I ask is that you take care of Lucas. Explain how sorry I am. Hopefully someday you both can forgive me.

Love always, Hales.

At age 22, Haley Scott had carved out a nice quiet life for herself. After Dan Scott's ultimatum, Haley knew her options were limited. If she was being honest with herself she knew that she did the right thing, but it didn't stop the fact that the first thing she thought of when she woke up and the last thought in her head before she drifted off to sleep was the husband she left behind. Dan took a lot from her but she refused to give him her dreams. When he had come to Haley that fateful day and said if she didn't leave Nathan that he'd let the scholarship people at Duke know about Nathan's experiment with performance enhancers she knew he was serious. It would mean no scholarship and without it the only way Nathan would go to college was by crawling back to Dan. Haley couldn't bear it. Nathan was so proud of doing it on his own, without help from his dysfunctional family; Haley just couldn't take that away from him. It seemed like a small sacrifice and she loved him enough to do it. So she left Tree Hill without saying goodbye to anyone and went to live with her aunt in Boston. Her family had agreed to keep her secret and not tell Nathan or Lucas where she went.

The first year was the hardest. She cried more than she thought physically possible. It seemed the only two things she did were cry and study. The studying paid off though and she won a full scholarship to Harvard. Dan had offered to pay for her college, his way of saying thank you for not ruining his son's career but she flatly refused. She did send him her lawyer's bill from the divorce. He wanted the damn thing so bad she figured he could pay for it. Afterward she felt guilty and sent him a cashiers check. If she ever came face to face with Dan Scott again she wanted to be able to look him in the face and know that she hadn't taken one dime from him. Nathan had really rubbed off on her.

Haley crammed six years worth of college into four years and graduated magna cum laude with a degree in sports medicine. She hadn't had a typical college experience. No parties, no real dates to speak of. She spent all her time in class or studying. In her last two years she added some volunteer work to her schedule but for the most part she was pretty anti social. She didn't speak to anyone from back home at all. She had thought about calling Lucas a million times but just couldn't seem to dial that last number. She did keep tabs on them. The Scott brothers had made quite a name for themselves at Duke. Rumor was they'd go first round in the draft. From all the articles she had read on the two of them is seemed they were true brothers at last. That at least made her smile.

"So, how'd the job interview go?"
Haley was snapped out of her stroll down memory lane by the sound of her friend Kate Jones voice. Kate and Haley had been roommates since freshman year. They were polar opposites, Kate was as fair as Haley was dark, Kate towered over Haley at 5'11' and Kate was the perennial social butterfly. Their friendship never should have worked yet it did. Kate was the only person Haley had allowed remotely close to her and their friendship was her saving grace. Haley even allowed Kate to drag her out from time to time. After they graduated they had gotten an apartment together in an upscale area of Boston. Kate came from old money and had no problems spending it. She wasn't flashy about it, but it was never a concern for her. Haley still struggled with the day to day finances but with her shiny new degree she hoped things would change. Kate had said that she'd cover the rent for as long as it took Haley to land on her feet but Haley hoped that it wouldn't be for too long. She never was any good at accepting charity.
"I don't know we'll see. It was for a private practice doctor." Haley replied. The rounds of job searching had begun before graduation but Haley was still holding out for her dream job.
"What about the Celtics?" Kate asked. Haley had volunteered for the past two seasons with the Boston Bruins. She did physio and what ever else was needed. It had been great experience and she really wanted to get on with the Celtics. She liked working with professional athletes and the money was much better in pro sports than it was in private practice.
"Thursday is my second interview. I may have a tough decision to make there after tomorrow though." Haley explained.
"You are not serious about that whole draft thing are you?"
"Yes I am. If Nate and Luke go to the Celtics I will really have to think about taking the job. It just adds another dimension to the whole job search criteria."
"OK, let me get this straight. You bust your ass to get your degree, two years early I might add. You profess that you are over the whole Nathan slash Lucas part of your life but you because of them you might not take your dream job. If the Celtics offer you the job Haley Scott you are going to take it...or else." Kate attempted to be intimidating.
"Or else what?" Haley smiled. Kate had a way with the dramatic.
"I don't know exactly...something painful." Kate returned the smile. "I have a surprise for you."
"What's that?" Kate handed Haley an envelope. Inside was a plane ticket. "Mexico?"
"Graduation present. Seven days all-inclusive at a five star resort. We deserve it. And no excuses, you have no more exams to study for, papers to write. It's time we had a little fun Dr. Scott." Kate said. "We leave Friday."
"Kate...you're the best!"

On the day of the draft Haley sat glued to her television. Kate worked in PR and was at work so Haley could bite her nails in privacy. Nathan and Lucas did go first round but much to everyone's surprise they were separated. The speculation had been that they would go to the Celtics together but Detroit took Nathan and Lucas went to Miami. Haley let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding. Her interview with the Celtics the next day went well and as she was walking into the airport on Friday her cell phone rang with the news that the job was hers if she wanted it. She quickly and happily accepted. She would start a week from Monday when she got back from Mexico. Haley could hardly wait.
The week in Mexico was fabulous and the girls had a great time. They relaxed, worked on their tans and drank margaritas. When they boarded the plane to come home Haley felt ready to start the next part of her life.

Monday morning Haley dressed for success in a smart black pantsuit. Since leaving Tree Hill Haley hadn't changed much. Her hair was longer, reaching below her shoulder blades but she still kept her makeup to a minimum, a little mascara and lip-gloss to complete her look. She was scheduled to meet the team physician at nine but she arrived at the Fleet Center at eight so that she could visit with some of her friends in the front office. After volunteering for two years, she had gotten to know most of the regular staff at the arena.
"Haley!" a familiar voice shouted out to her. Caroline Murphy and Haley had hit it off immediately when she had started there.
"Caroline, how are you?" Boston hadn't made the playoffs that year so Haley had not been in the building since March.
"I'm great. I was so happy when I heard you got the job. You so deserve it."
"Thanks. Do you know what office they put me in?" Haley asked.
"Yep, I'll take you straight down. I also have this for you." She handed her a new ID badge. It said "Dr. Haley Scott, assistant team physician, Boston Celtics." It made her smile.
Caroline led her down into the bowels of the building to where the offices were. There on the door was a homemade sign. "Dr. Scott's House of Pain."
"What is this?" Haley asked.
"Some of the Bruins heard you were going to be working in the building so they made you a welcome present. Cute huh?" Caroline explained.
"Very." Haley grimaced.
"Dr. Scott, you are early." A voice said from behind her. She turned to see her new boss, Dr Mike Davey.
"Dr. Davey."
"Call me Mike. Has Caroline been giving you the tour?" he asked.
"No need for a tour. I've been here a lot."
"Haley, I'll catch up with you later. Nice to see you Mike." And Caroline left them alone in her new office.
"Well Dr. Scott how about I show you around our facilities?" Mike offered.
"That'd be great, but call me Haley."
"Well Haley....welcome to the Celtics." He grinned.
They spent the morning going over what was to be expected of her. Haley would be supervising rehab and physio for the players. She had a few appointments already lined up for the following week but for the time being she would follow Mike around and learn how the Celtics did things. Training camp was due to start in three weeks but some of the players were already back conditioning on their own.
"Do you design the strength training programs the guys use?" Haley asked a couple of weeks into her new job as Mike was showing her around the weight room.
"Some, why?"
"Well, when I volunteered with the Bruins I set up some programs for some of the players." Haley remarked.
"If you don't mind me asking why didn't you go to work for them? Your application said you volunteered for the past two seasons." Mike asked.
"Money was better here, plus I wanted another sport on my resume. Creates more opportunities later." Haley answered honestly.
"Listen, I know you have only been here for a short time but can you do me a favor tomorrow?"
"Sure, what?"
"We have a guy flying in tomorrow for a physical. Club wants to have a look at him before they make an offer. It's all on the QT – it can't leak. My wife has a doctor's appointment at the same time and it's our first ultrasound. I'd really like to be there." Mike explained.
"Of course. Who is it and what time?" Haley replied.
"Even I don't know who it is but the appointment is for five o'clock."
"No problem, my last session is at three thirty. I'll have plenty of time to fit it in. Just the basics?"
"Yep. Put him through the drill and write up a report."
"Sure thing Mike."
"Great. I owe you Haley. And listen, why don't you draw up one of those training programs you were talking about and I'll have a look at it?"
"I will. I have a session with Devon right now so I'll catch up with you later." Haley headed for the treatment room.

Despite only being on the job for two weeks, Haley's office often felt like grand central station. Because she had worked there for the previous two years, people were always stopping by to check up on her, and with only a week until the start of training camp a lot of players were coming in for treatments. In between visits and treatments Haley worked on her strength-training program, basing it on a player she had seen religiously in the weight room. After her first day Mike had informed her that, except for game day, the dress code was casual. He seemed to live in tracksuits but Haley refused to go that far. Jeans and a button down shirt was her new uniform. Kate often commented how unfair it was that Haley didn't have to wear a suit to work like she did. It did save on dry cleaning bills.
Haley was furiously working on her computer in her office, trying to catch up on progress reports when Mike stuck his head in. "Don't forget, five o'clock in the treatment room."
"I won't. Get out of here before you are late for your appointment. I'll have the report on your desk first thing tomorrow morning."
"Hales, it's Friday tomorrow. Monday morning will be fine. And remember, don't let this guy charm you out of working him hard."
"Mike, I can be tough when it's needed. Now go. See you later." She smiled. Some of the guys tried to take advantage of Haley's seemingly sweet nature but when it came to treatments she was relentless. There was no slacking off or smiling your way out of rehab. Hence the now official name plate outside her office had a hand written sticky note saying House of Pain underneath the formal Dr. Scott, Rehab and Physio, Celtics.
At four thirty she gathered up her clipboard, stopwatch and stethoscope and headed down to the treatment room. She was a little curios who this mystery player was. She wrapped her stethoscope around her neck and went in to prepare for the tests. She was a little startled to see a man standing in the room with his back to her. He turned around when he heard the door open and Haley promptly dropped her clipboard.
"Hales?"

A/N I have another chapter but don't know if I should post. Let me know what you think of the story so far. It's Naley all the way!