A/N: this is created just for fun and I hold no claim to the characters used or the show One Tree Hill. Please read and review.
Summary: AU after season one. A lot of things can change in twelve years and when Lucas Scott returns to Tree Hill eight lives will forever become intertwined as they find love, friendship, heartache and ultimately themselves.
CAN'T LOVE, CAN'T HURT
Prologue
At seventeen Lucas Scott started writing a novel based on his time as a Tree Hill Junior, at eighteen his story was published and sold to the world, now twelve years later Lucas sat in front of his laptop struggling to piece two words together. 'An Unkindness of Ravens' had been an instant success, attracting the attention of both young and old readers, and unfortunately it was turning into a one hit wonder. With a curse the brooding blonde pressed down hard on the backspace key and held it down until the page was blank, with another curse Lucas lifted his hands to his hair and pulled its short length before kicking the chair backwards and rolling over towards the nearby ringing phone.
"Hello?"
"Luke, my man, how is the new novel going?"
"Ah, it's going" Lucas answered, eyeing the glowing white document.
"No, Luke, please tell me you have the first three chapters done"
Rubbing the back of his head Lucas laughed "funny story that – see-"
"It's been over ten years Luke, people aren't going to wait forever" Ethan Cunningham had a lot of faith in his client, the young author and his hit debut novel were both sexy, intelligent and charming, three things which had Ethan seeing dollar signs flashing above Lucas' head. The success of the book lead to a movie contract, adapting the novel into a script turned Lucas into an overnight script writer, but people were fast losing interest in the writer who couldn't come up with a second novel to follow his first and calls for him to write scripts were drying up. People were forgetting the name Lucas Scott, hell; Ethan was ready to admit the public had long agoforgotten the name.
"Do you know how hard it is to write a whole novel, Ethan, try it someday" Lucas shot back.
"You managed to knock out a best seller in four months when you were seventeen so don't give me that bullshit"
"Is criticising me the only reason for this call, because I could be writing right now?" and Lucas smiled when he heard his agent's frustrated groan.
"I wish... anyway, I have some good news and some bad news"
Wincing Lucas rolled back to the laptop, "give me the bad news first"
"Spielberg is going with Fletcher"
"Damn" Lucas cursed again, with one hand still holding the phone to his ear Lucas used his free hand to type two words on the blank document, using only one finger I-S-U-C-K.
"Want the good news?" Ethan asked and Lucas made a noise which sounded like yes so Ethan smiled as he continued "What do you say about moving to the small screen?"
"Write for a TV show, uh, Ethan, that's not really my thing" doubt laced through his voice, and they both instantly knew what the main issue was. Lucas Scott didn't settle down, once he was done with a project he moved on and the thought of a TV series reeked too much of commitment. At sixteen Lucas has began the habit of running from his problems and since then he'd become addicted to fresh starts and never looking back.
Ethan sighed and shook his head as he thought about his troublesome client "Luke, it's the only offer on the table"
Deleting the personal insult Lucas turned away from the laptop again and his eyes fell to the enlarged poster of his novels front cover, giving in he said abruptly "give me the details?"
"That's what I love about you Luke, you roll with the punches. Okay, it seems Ravens luck hasn't run out yet"
Lucas had to resist dropping the phone, the author laughed and waited for Ethan to continue but when he didn't he stopped and the humour died "tell me you're kidding"
"Nope, they want to turn it into a series and they want you on board, that is the only way they are going to do it so they are pretty desperate to get you to say yes. I'm talking full creative license here, a steady income, do you have any idea how much you can make off each episode if it's a hit?"
It was moments like this that Lucas hated the writers block that cursed him, if he could just get that second novel underway without scrapping it after the first chapter then he could ignore crazy offers like this with good conscience. The blank page stared at him sucking him into its emptiness and he knew that this latest offer was becoming more and more tempting.
"You there, man?"
Unable to speak the blonde grunted and then he groaned saying reluctantly "I might be interested"
On the other side of the line Ethan stood up from his chair and pumped his arms in the air, once the PR agent was under control he straightened his tie and sat back down "that is just what I wanted to hear, so Baker wants to meet you for breakfast tomorrow and talk it through with you which means you have to get away from that blank screen and go shower… maybe shave too"
As the other man finished Lucas paused in mid action, he moved his hand away from unshaven face where he'd been absently rubbing his growing beard. Five minutes later he hung up, a time and address written in front of him, he stared at them for a long moment before allowing his gaze to wonder back to the poster of his novels cover.
For the first time in a long time Lucas Scott wondered where everyone else was now, since moving to Charlotte with his uncle he'd kept in contact with few people and as the years went by even that sparse contact lessened. Fast approaching thirty years old the reclusive writer exchanged holiday greetings with his brother, and the odd catch up if they happened to be in the same city at the same time, and though he'd seen his childhood best friend Haley even less than he saw his brother Lucas' contact with her was more frequent and friendly, at least once a week they would get stuck on the phone for hours. Other than them and of course his mother, stepfather and little sister, Lucas had lost contact with his Tree Hill friends years ago and Tree Hill wasn't exactly his favourite topic of conversation, actually he avoided it at all cost which was remarkable since his family all lived there, but whenever they went beyond their own small group Lucas quickly changed the subject.
With thoughts of his old home circling back and forth Lucas reached for the abandoned phone and dialled a familiar number, almost immediately Nathan answered "hey little bro" Lucas greeted.
"Hey little bro" Nathan Scott, number 23 of the Charlotte Bobcats heard the moment he put his cell to his ear. A grin appeared on the mans face and even at twenty nine it remained permanently cheeky which made his boyish good looks stand out even more, "Luke, it's good to hear from you, s'up?"
"You busy?"
At the question Nathan turned around and took in the court in front of him, other players ran up and down the court, some were passing basketballs to each other and at one end there was a small game going on. On the sidelines one of the coaches gave Nathan a disapproving look and tapped his watch, chuckling Nathan turned back around his hand going into his bag as he searched for his drink bottle, "nuh, man, I've got some time"
"Right, so you're not at practice?" and by his brothers tone Nathan knew Lucas had no doubt where he was, "I better leave you to it"
"Wait, why'd you call?" their relationship wasn't the call up and chat type, a frown creased his forehead and it grew as another coach called his name, he sent him a look that plainly said one second and turned his attention back to Lucas, "everything okay?"
"Yeah, it's good, better if I could give my editor a second novel but still good… I guess I just wanted to say hi, it's been a while"
"Yeah-" Nathan whispered, "you coming to Jamie's birthday party?" he quickly asked changing the solemn tone of the conversation but the second he asked it he shook his head. Nathan couldn't remember the last time Lucas had come to Tree Hill, actually he could, the last time Lucas was in Tree Hill was their junior year just after Nathan married Haley, his older brother has never once returned after he'd moved away with their Uncle Keith.
"Look before you make some excuse I get it, god I wish sometimes I could just never go back there"
Many things kept dragging Nathan back to his home town but he thought sometimes that if it wasn't for his son he could just turn his back on his past and walk away from it all, get a new start, embrace his career and future. But then he would look at Jamie's picture or hold the boy in his arms and all those dangerous thoughts vanished, he'd never really felt that unconditional love a parent gave a child but he knew what he felt for his son was right and the last thing he wanted was for Jamie to ever doubt his love for him. And then there was Haley.
"Speaking of, how are things with my oldest best friend?" Lucas cautiously asked.
A dry laugh escaped Nathan, "she wants to kill me but I'm sure she's told you that already. If I don't make it down to see Jamie soon she says she's going to hunt me down and… I can't remember the exact wording but I'm pretty sure it's not anatomically possible"
"Ouch" Lucas whistled.
"Yeah, man, she's pissed" there were a few things Nathan Scott could say about his ex wife, none he thought suitable to share with Lucas who was still protective over the girl he considered his little sister.
"Scott, stop flirting and get off the damn phone!" the head coach screamed.
"Gotta go" Nathan found it strange how reluctant he was to hang up on his brother, they had never been particularly close and the distance between them hadn't helped their fledging relationship, not to mention Lucas had been put between his brother and friend over the years in their turbulent relationship.
There was an awkward pause on the other side and then Lucas said "right, well later Nate"
"See ya, Luke"
Once he slipped the phone into his bag Nathan quickly took a swig of his drink, just as the he was about to walk away the phone rang again.
The name 'Hales' lit up the screen, her face smiling up at him instead of the usual screensaver of their son Jamie, without blinking Nathan placed it back and leaving the ringing phone behind he jogged onto the court. On his way Nathan knocked a basketball straight out of number twelves hand, twirled it on his finger and then threw it back "heads up Bembridge!"
It wasn't long before the former Raven turned Bobcat got lost in the game, but as much as he played and trained he couldn't get Tree Hill out of his mind the rest of the day.
Haley James, mother, music teacher and once upon a time touring goddess, stood in her kitchen fuming at her stubborn ex husband slash on off again boyfriend and father of her child, she slammed her phone down "oh when I get my hands on you, you no good piece of… I'm going to-"
"Miss James" a small voice spoke from the doorway, placing a fake smile on her face Haley turned to her student "hi Cindy, are you ready to continue?" but inside she was imagining twisting certain pieces of Nathan until they snapped off, which caused the brunette to twist her lips up into a genuine smile at the dark thought.
"Yes, miss" the eight year old nodded and Haley followed her through the house to the room she'd long ago set up for the music lessons she taught, "back straight" she instructed as they sat at the piano. The rest of the lesson went quickly for Haley, Cindy was a good student with raw talent, it wasn't long before she waved goodbye at the door as Cindy's mother drove out of the driveway.
A long breath escaped between Haley's lips, turning her eyes met the snapshot hanging on the wall and anger once again raised to the surface. It was from the previous year and Nathan sat with his arm around Jamie's shoulder, identical blue eyes sparkling up at the camera as they proudly held up a large trout they'd caught. Her dark eyes narrowed, thick lips puckering "Nathan" she moaned, and then more swear words slipped out.
The house was too big for just Haley and her son, it was gorgeous and they both loved it however the older Jamie got the more Haley realised just how big and empty the place was. She walked through the halls to the kitchen at the other side of the house too white walls everywhere she turned, until finally she reached the room and picked her abandoned phone up again. She bit her lip debating whether to try and call Nathan again but as she stared at the phone in her hand it started to vibrate, it shocked her so much she jumped in the air, not even looking to check who it was Haley answered "seriously Nathan, ignoring my calls-"
"Whoa, don't castrate him yet"
Haley laughed at herself, slumping against the counter she sighed into the phone "hey Peyton"
"Hey Haley James my favourite rock star" Peyton's voice was way too chirpy, working with the other woman had brought them closer so Haley was confident she could tell when Peyton was being nice and when she was being too nice. Their lives had circled around each other since high school, initially they had clicked well but the drama of a long ago love triangle, the link of Lucas gone, and a music tour and broken marriage later had placed them back on opposite sides of social circles. If it wasn't for Tric they probably wouldn't have anything to do with each other but Tric did exist and it had tied them together through Karen Scott until some sort of comfortable casual friendship had been formed between them. Until recently Peyton had practically managed and ran Tric, the nightclub owned by Karen, focusing heavily on the music. The club had gotten a reputation for getting bands to play there and finding new talent, through this after years of saving Peyton finally got the rights to her own label, handing over her position as manager she'd used the empty top floor of the club to create a studio and office and the second person she asked to sign with her was Haley.
"Don't tell me there's something wrong with the album?"
"We might need you to come in again, redo track eight" Peyton answered sweetly "but hey it can wait a few days" she added on.
"No, it's alright, I'll make some time tomorrow as long as Jamie can come too"
"No problem, the kid can help me out. I'll message you later about times"
"Great. Bye Peyton, see you tomorrow"
"Bye… and Haley"
"Yeah"
Peyton's voice was her usual no nonsense take charge tone "whatever he's done this time I'm sure he's sorry" and with that she was gone.
"I'm sure he's oblivious" Haley muttered as she dropped the phone again.
Framed records lined the brick walls of Peyton Jaglieski's office, her desk was on the far side and she sat cross legged perched on the edge of the desk. The door opened as Peyton talked to Haley, she looked up and smiled "… I'll message you later about times" she talked into the phone but her attention was on her guest.
Standing poised by the door Brooke Davis blatantly eavesdropped, then walking around the room touching anything that caught her interest and glancing at Peyton every now and then with a kinked eyebrow as Peyton wrapped up her phone conversation.
"Who was that?" Brooke asked the second the phone clicked down, she glided closer and Peyton gave her friend a quick once over. It shocked her how much Brooke had changed over the years, it had happened so gradually that it was barely noticeable but now looking at the professional woman in front of her it hit Peyton. From her sharp haircut to the tip of her stilettos Brooke reeked control, but there were still glimpses of the old Brooke, stylish to the core, her skirt was just a little too short showing off her legs to perfection and her blouse could barely be seen under the tight form fitting blazer which showed off most of her collar bone and just enough cleavage to make men double take.
"Haley" Peyton finally answered, retuning to her chair and motioning for Brooke to take one of the free ones. Brooke took over Peyton's perch instead and looked at her oldest friend "you mean that girl Nathan use to be married too, I forgot you socialised with her" and she sneered.
Peyton laughed, she knew Brooke's aversion to the other woman went deeper and had to admit it probably didn't help the situation that Haley had been Lucas' best friend. That was definitely a black mark against the singer.
"Anyway, I'm glad you're here"
"Puh-lease you practically begged me to come and see you but what I don't understand is why we couldn't meet somewhere else, maybe something with staff?"
"I have the perfect place" Peyton smirked as she got up and not glancing at Brooke walked out of the official Red Bedroom Records space and into Tric. Knowing the other woman followed her Peyton walked determinedly to the bar and putting on a flirtatious smile called the bartender over.
"The usual?" he asked.
"Two thanks" Peyton replied and leant further over the bar.
He pulled out two glasses and abandoning them empty on the bar he leaned over brushed a dark blonde strand away from Peyton's eyes before giving her a deep kiss.
"And my other one" she asked as Jake pulled away, he winked and gave her the second kiss.
Brooke coughed causing Jake to chuckle as he let his wife go, "hey Brooke" he nodded at her.
"Hey sweetie"
Jake looked at her and as he started to clean the counter he spoke to the girls "I have someone I want you to meet" he raised his voice "HEY GRUBBS, OVER HERE"
A tall man with shaggy long dark hair came over. He gave Brooke and Peyton a quick look, without asking them what they wanted he started making drinks. Soon the two empty glasses were full with one each in front of Peyton and Brooke.
"Ladies, this is Grubbs our new bartender. He has this thing; he just knows what to serve the customers"
Brooke and Peyton both looked at each, sharing a dubious look before lifting their glasses. The first taste was hesitant but then they both quickly drank them up, "that is amazing" Brooke looked shocked.
"Can I have another?" Peyton asked.
"The alcoholic is my wife, Peyton" Jake introduced, pointing his dishrag at her, and then at Brooke "and this is our old friend Brooke Davis"
"My pleasure" Brooke held out her hand and Grubbs shook it, "it's all mine" he assured, discreetly using the chance to catch a peek of Brooke's assets as she turned away to face Peyton, "god P, no wonder you quit this place, it's like dead"
"It's like closed Brooke" Peyton shot back rolling her eyes.
Rolling her own eyes Broke waved off that piece of information and looked back at the bar, her hazel eyes landing on their newest employee "if you ever get sick of this place there's this great bar called the Blue Post-"
Jake cut in with a playful glare, "Hey, Davis, stop poaching my bartenders" he reprimanded.
"I'll keep it in mind" Grubbs smiled and walked away.
Another guy walked in "Boss, do you want me to place the-" but then his voice died off, Peyton watched as his and Brooke's eyes met.
"You know what, I just remembered I have somewhere else to be" Brooke forced a tight smile on her face and picking up her purse she slipped off her stool, "bye, Peyton, Jake" she called out behind her.
An odd silence filled the bare club, Jake eyed Owen "you gonna follow her or just stand there?"
The tall Italian immediately turned around and headed for the exit, Peyton whistled "luckily we hired the extra bartender just in case she kills him and all"
"Baby, can we just forget the drama, how is work going?" Jake dropped the dishrag in his hands and placing his elbows onto the top of the bar he leaned closer to his wife.
"Good, I suck, but it's good" and she pouted.
Jake gave her a quick kiss, "give it time Peyt, you've only just started" and then he gave her another quick kiss.
"I feel better now" she smiled back, leaving the bar she frowned at him "now get back to work" and then winked before returning to her own office.
"Brooke, come on, are you just gonna keep ignoring me" Owen screamed.
"You mean like you ignore your son" Brooke shouted back angrily not turning around as she stormed towards her car, heels clicking loudly against the car park floor.
Catching up to the furious brunette Own grabbed her shoulder and pulled his ex girlfriend around to look at him "just give me another chance" he begged.
Brooke scoffed, she sneered at the hand that still held her shoulder and gave a pointed look at the contact before meeting his eyes. He let go and Brooke continued walking, "you know what, I wouldn't give you another chance if you were the last man on earth, you're pathetic Owen, a scared little boy who runs from responsibility" she reached her car and getting her keys smoothly unlocked and opened it, she slid into the drivers seat and finally looked at him "oh yeah, you're also an ass.. Jerk" she yelled and slammed the door in his face.
He remained standing there as she drove off and Brooke gave a last look in her rear view mirror before mumbling a disdainful "men"
There was a time in her life that Brooke Davis would have done anything for a boys approval, usually before discarding them when they couldn't fill the ache in her heart before moving on to the next guy. An endless circle that was cut short with an unplanned pregnancy, since then the main priority in her life was a male but it was her son and that was the only person's approval she craved anymore.
Stopping at the lights Brooke organized her hands free and quickly called her best friend, after three failed attempts her frustration only grew "come on, Rachel, pick up!"
"Hey I am too busy at the moment having wild sex to bother answering my phone, you know what to do" Rachel's voice message ended and Brooke waited for the beep, "Slut-" Brooke's voice grew huskier with anger "-you'll never believe who had the audacity to actually speak to me today, begging for another chance, that no good bastard, anyway I thought I better warn you – Owen's working at Tric, I know, what the fuck right?"
Unaware that her phone was vibrating out back Rachel Gattina batted her eyelashes at one of the customers playing pool on the other side of the room; she gave a saucy smile before noticing the empty stool in front of her was suddenly occupied. The redhead eyed the boy up and down, "what would you like?"
"A scotch thanks"
"You have ID, handsome?" she leant forward and held out her hand.
With a sly smirk Oliver handed over his school library card and Rachel gave it a quick glance then handed it back, straightening up she poured a dark liquid into a glass and slid it across the bar to him "one coke it is"
"Come on Aunt Rachel, one sip"
"Yeah and have your mom kill me, I don't think so cutie besides shouldn't you be somewhere else… like school?"
"School finished ages ago" Oliver replied and accepted his drink even though he cringed before taking a long gulp, "you could have at least slipped some vodka in it"
"And you could try not lying to me, it would take you at least half an hour to ride here, school finished ten minutes ago" Rachel ignored a balding customer and focused on the twelve year old in front of her. He was as cheeky as his mother with her irresistible dimples and dark eyes but the resemblance pretty much ended there, he was already up to her shoulders and his thick shaggy hair was a dark golden blonde and those eyes were two narrow slits that held traces of the man he would grow to be, Rachel didn't doubt one day her honorary nephew would strip girls with a mere gaze.
He shrugged his already broad shoulders that emphasised the lankiness of the rest of his body, "early day"
"Early day my arse, if you end up in the principal's office again…" Rachel didn't need to finish, she pulled away and quickly served the waiting men, when she came back to Oliver she was about to say something else but her attention was grabbed by the banging of the door as someone else entered the Blue Post.
"Oh you so better duck for cover" she whispered.
Oliver swivelled around and Rachel had the satisfaction of knowing no matter how calm the kid was acting he was really sweating. Brooke stormed right through the bar, completely unaware of the appreciative looks the patrons sent her and of the boy who watched her approach cautiously. She stopped in front of Rachel and slammed her purse onto the bar "I have been trying to call you"
Rachel merely pointed to the spot beside Brooke and the brunette immediately snapped her eyes down, "Ollie! What are you doing here?"
"Uh… would you believe homework?" and he pulled his lips apart in a big smile and tried his best innocent look, Brooke simply kinked her brow and placed a manicured hand on one hip.
"Oh right and I'm a freaking nun. I swear to god if I end up in that principal's office this week your Wii is going out the window"
"Yeah, you're just saying that because I'm beating you at NY5 and chill mom, the teacher thinks I'm at a doctor's appointment"
Shaking her head Brooke mumbled "I'm not even going to ask" before facing Rachel, her whole expression fell.
"You look like someone stole your Prada bag" Rachel commented and quickly handed Brooke a drink, a real scotch this time.
In one quick move Brooke swallowed it and then met her friend's eyes straight on "Owen is working at Tric"
"Yeah I know, they called for a reference" Rachel quickly looked away and busied herself, Brooke's arms dramatically sagged "that's all you have to say, our ass of an ex comes back into town and all you do is shrug and say yeah I know"
Rachel sighed and faced Brooke again, "and what do you want me to do, go hunt him down and ask for maintenance, tell him what a great kid he turned his back on. I'm sick of being angry Brooke, me and Matty are better off without him and so are you"
Tight lipped Brooke looked down at her son "Ollie do me a favour and go wait outside while we talk, here put your bike in the car" she threw him her keys and he didn't ask twice, running off in a blink of an eye.
"How long have you known about this?" Brooke was shocked to see how cool her friend was being.
"A few months, really B, I'm fine"
Pouting Brooke relaxed "fine but if you ever want me to go kick his arse just say the word" she tilted her head and observed Rachel even more carefully "are you sure you're really okay with this?"
"Brooke, its fine, I mean what would you do if Ollie's dad came back?"
"Kill him" Brooke answered automatically, her face impassive "but that's never going to happen besides he doesn't even know about Oliver and that's the way it is going to stay"
"See, me and Matty are the same, Owen chose not to be a part of his life and as far as I am concerned as long as he stays away everything is fine, so just leave it"
The two single mothers stared at each other in understanding and then Brooke suddenly jumped up "oh my god, I just gave Ollie my car keys, what was I thinking" she hopped off her stool "Bye Slut" she called out as she raced from the bar, laughing Rachel yelled back "later Skank".
The next morning miles away from Tree Hill, Lucas Scott sat opposite Julian Baker, a movie producer and director the writer had often worked with, "I'm really excited about this project Lucas, turning Ravens into a series will give it a whole new life. This story was made for the small screen, we can really flesh it out" Julian had been going on about it for a whole hour.
"So are you in?" he asked.
Lucas rubbed his jaw and then grinned "why not, I have nothing else planned"
Julian held out his hand ad Lucas took it, "welcome to the team"
It was another thirty minutes before Julian mentioned location "oh-" he cut in mid dessert "- by the way we found the perfect location for the series, I know it's never mentioned by name in the book but I was thinking why not take the story back to its roots"
The fork in Lucas' grip fell, mouth hanging open the brooding author stared at the other man "say that again"
Julian smiled innocently completely unaware of what his words really meant "we're going to use your home town as the backdrop, Tree Hill will be perfect".