AN: WOW the reviews totally rocked. I'll make sure to tell Pamela you appreciated her inspiration. Hang with me I have a lot of plans for this fic. Hope you enjoy.
Chapter 4 If You Leave
If
you leave, don't leave now
Please don't take my heart away
Promise
me just one more night
Then we'll go our separate ways
We've
always had time on our sides
Now it's fading fast
Every second
every moment
We've gotta make it last
I touch you once I
touch you twice
I won't let go at any price
I need you now like
I needed you then
You always said we'd still be friends,
someday
If you leave I won't cry
I won't waste a single
day
But if you leave don't look back
I'll be running the other
way
Seven years went under the bridge
Like time was standing
still
Heaven knows what happens now
You've got to say you
will
I touch you once I touch you twice
I won't let go at
any price
I need you now like I needed you then
You always said
we'd meet again, someday
I touch you once I touch you twice
I
won't let go at any price
I need you now like I needed you
then
You always said we'd meet again someday
If you
leave
If you leave
Don't look back
Don't look back
Nada Surf
Nathan felt fear grip him as he walked into the house. It was deadly silent. Haley's Denali was in the garage. He had been trying to call her all day. As he moved toward the living room to check there, he glanced through the kitchen. He turned to look out on the patio to see if she was outside. He sighed heavily and moved toward the stairs. As he approached Jamie's room he pushed the door open. Moving down to Bri's room he opened the door it was empty too. He then moved to Natalie's room. Nope not there either. He opened Nicole's room. Finally making it down the hall past the linen closet he opened the master bedroom door. The bed covers were all messed up. It looked like the bed had been made and then someone had been on top of their comforter. He checked the closet. Then he moved to their ensuite bathroom. When he found her his knees went weak. Haley was lying on the floor in a puddle of blood. Her blonde hair now had an unnatural red tone. Trying to catch his breath he knelt beside of her. "Haley. Baby." She was lying there naked and it appeared that her throat had been cut. "Oh my god. Baby you can't do this. Dear God you can't do this. Haley stay with me." Nathan pulled her lifeless body into his arms. He felt for her pulse and found nothing. "No you can't leave me. We're supposed to grow old together. Haley you can't leave me."
Lucas and Cooper came running into the bedroom as they heard Nathan screaming. "Nate, what's wrong man."
"Haley's gone. She's dead Coop.." he sobbed uncontrollably.
"No that can't be"
"He killed her man. The bastard killed her. We're supposed to grow old together Cooper. We're supposed to grow old! TOGETHER!" Nathan was sobbing so hard now he could barely catch his breath.
Nathan sat up. His body was in a cold sweat. His breathing came in pants as his heart raced. At first he wasn't sure what had happened. It was so real. He felt beside him. "Haley" he whispered. The tension in his body finally relaxed. She was lying there beside him asleep. 'It was just a dream… It was just a dream…' he kept chanting. He wrapped his arm around her protectively and pulled her against his chest. 'No it was a nightmare. There was so much blood' he thought. Nathan laid there holding her until daybreak. Sometimes even counting her breaths to make sure she was there. The nightmare had been vivid. It felt real. His mind was so convinced that it was real that when he woke up there were tears running down his face. He had to find this psycho stalker and fast. He couldn't let anything happen to Haley. The feeling of the devastation that he felt in the nightmare nearly suffocated him; even several hours after he had woke up.
The alarm clock finally went off at seven am. It was Sunday morning. They had returned from Tric late last night. He had only slept about an hour before the nightmare took him over. As he felt her stir and then turn over to face him, he smiled, loving it that she had snuggled into his chest with her lead under his chin. He tightened his hold on her.
"Mmmm" she said. "Morning"
"Morning"
"How'd you sleep?"
"Not good Hales. Not good at all. What about you?"
"I think it was the first night I have slept at all since the calls began."
"I'm glad you needed to rest."
"Yeah but so do you. I slept well because I felt safe. You held me most of the night didn't' you?"
"I had to" he whispered against her hair.
"Why?"
"I just had to know you were safe."
"Why was last night different from any other night though?"
"I had a nightmare that's all."
"I'm sorry baby. What was it about?"
"I found you Hales. He had murdered you and I found you"
She tightened her hold on him. It wasn't long she had felt a tremble in his body. "It's ok baby. I'm ok I promise"
"But for how long Haley? The dream felt so real"
"No Nathan. You can't do this to yourself. It was a dream that's all."
"Haley after everything that Dan pulled, trying to hurt you, trying to hurt our children; I can't have gone through that just to lose you now. We have got to find out who this pervert is. I want him found and we aren't taking any chances until he is. My own father threatened our world. How can I not see this as a threat Haley?"
"I know"
"No Hales, you don't understand. I need that peace. I can't stand the thought of it. I felt myself dying inside in the dream. I wanted to die in the dream."
She rubbed her tiny hand up and down his back. His eyes squeezed shut as he savored the comfort that she was providing, while he held on to her as though she was a lifeline. When he had finally calmed down after several minutes of rubbing his back and holding him to her, she looked into his eyes. "Nathan, we're going to be ok. I promise. Whatever I have to do to ease your mind, I'll do it."
He let out a small chuckle of relief. "Hales you aren't leaving my sight until they find this bastard. I know that you won't like it but I can't live that nightmare."
"Well, it wouldn't be so bad if you'd stay in bed with me until he's found" she kissed him on his neck and he moaned lightly.
"Baby the kids are home. We've got to get up and cook breakfast. Well you and the girls do. It is your turn."
"I thought you weren't going to let me out of your sight."
"I'm not I fully intend to watch you Natalie and Nicole cook breakfast"
"Oh you are, are you? A no you will not sit and watch us work Nathan Scott"
"But Hales, it's your turn."
"You can help Mr. Scott." she jumped up and moved to the bathroom, leaving her husband grinning as he groaned deep in his throat. He really didn't care. He was playing the game. As long as they were all safe and happy that was all that mattered to Nathan.
The phone began ringing at ten am. Natalie jumped to answer it hoping it was her date from the dance.
"Hello?"
"May I speak to Nathan Scott?"
"May I tell him who's calling?"
"Dave Chatlan"
"One minute please. Dad the phone is for you. It's Dave Chatlan"
Jamie's ears instantly perked up. That was Tiffany's dad. Why was he calling here?
"Hello?"
"Mr. Scott?"
"Yeah"
"Detective Chatlan. We've received the logs from your wife's cell phone company. It appears the unknown calls are coming from a payphone in the North Carolina Central Prison. Do you know anyone there?"
Nathan gritted his teeth. "Yeah unfortunately I do."
"I can have the guards alerted and they can monitor the phone. We can find out exactly who is making the calls."
"Ah yeah, I would appreciate that. I can tell you where it is stemming from. It's Dan Scott my sperm donor."
Detective Chatlan chuckled. "Your what?"
"His name is on my birth certificate"
"Oh your father. Wait, Dan Scott as in Mayor Dan Scott?"
"Yep the one and thank god only."
"It was your wife that he tried to kill?"
"Yes"
"Mr. Scott, how much longer does he have on his sentence?"
"I don't know. I have not been keeping track of the time. I have no idea if he gets anytime off for good behavior or anything. Who can I contact at the prison?"
"I tell you what. I have a guy I can contact. Let me find all of that out for you."
"I would appreciate that. Thank you. Are we sure that my wife is not physically in any danger?"
"Mr. Scott I can't guarantee that. I don't know exactly who is making the calls yet but I assure you we will find out."
"Ok thank you again."
As Nathan hung the phone up he turned toward the living room. Four horror filled faces met his sapphire blue eyes. He sighed heavily. "Guys come to the living room let's talk"
"Now you want to talk Dad? What's going on what's happening to Mom" Natalie screamed.
God he had made a mess of this. Haley was asleep. He didn't want to wake her. He wasn't sure how to approach this. He was as scared as the children were.
"Natalie, I promise your Mom's ok."
"Yeah that's why Detective Chatlan called you right? Dad how could you keep something like this from us? She's our Mom"
Nathan shook his head disgustedly at himself. He hadn't meant for them to find out about this. God what had he been thinking. He needed the relief that he had hoped the phone call would bring. As he sat there trying to find the words, Natalie, true to her namesake stomped off. She had no plan to hear anything he had to say. And like her namesake she was a leader because the other three followed her. Nathan pulled out Haley's cell phone.
"Luke. I need you and Peyton to come over here. Do you have a few minutes?"
"Sure little brother we'll be right there."
He dialed another number. "Brooke, I need you and Cooper to come over here. Do you have a few minutes?"
"Sure nephew. We'll be right there. Is Haley ok?"
"Yeah. I need help with the kids though"
"Nathan what's up? What kind of help?"
"Help to fix my perfectly orchestrated fuck up."
"Oh! Ok. We'll be right over."
When the family had arrived Nathan brought them all up to speed on the phone calls.
"Nate you've got to be kidding." Brooke told him.
"I wish I were Brooke. The worst part is my kids heard my side of the conversation. They are totally pissed with me for not telling them that their Mom has been dealing with this."
"Speaking of, where is Haley?"
"She went to bed with a migraine. She's worrying herself sick Peyton." Nathan answered.
"You know Nathan; I used to think that you had it all when I was growing up because you had Dan. Now I see you had nothing." Lucas said. "That is the poorest excuse for a human being that has ever been."
"Tell me about it, Luke. And the bastard just won't leave me alone. He does this shit so I can panic and drive myself crazy. I am sure of it."
"Nathan let me ask you something man." Cooper said. "Could it be that Dan feels like Haley has taken something away from him?"
"What?"
"Think about this for a minute. When did you begin to move over Dan's instructions and stand up for yourself?"
"After Haley and I started dating."
"When did you take charge of your life and manage to get yourself emancipated?"
"After Haley and I started dating."
"Do you follow me now nephew?"
"Yeah Coop I do."
"So Cooper you think Dan blames Haley for his inability to control Nathan?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying Luke. Nathan never bucked up against Dan until he moved into his own life. Dan had him living his life not Nathan's own. He made all of the decisions Dan knew he should have made. He saw Nathan learn from his mistakes. And he saw that because of the love that he had for Haley and that Haley had for him."
"Guys I no longer know how to stop him." Nathan shook his head.
"There's a couple of ways to stop him Nathan. You either have to live your life like Dan wants or he has to see that Haley is trying to get you to live your life like he wants or you could always kill the bastard." Cooper grinned.
"No Coop I think there's another way" Lucas told him. "Give me a few days. Let me work on it. Nate"
"Mean while what should I do about the kids?"
"Nathan you need to talk to them" Brooke encouraged. "Call them down here. We'll help you."
Nathan was grateful for his family. As much as he hated to admit it he was also grateful for Brooke. Of all people when he was growing up that he thought would have his back Brooke wouldn't have been one of them. He knew she was doing this more for Cooper and Haley than him but he didn't care. Brooke had been a true friend many times.
"Brooke, I need a drink first. Do any of you want anything?"
"Yeah I'll take a shot with you Nephew!" Cooper smirked. "Then I am going to climb in bed with that fine ass wife of yours."
"Cooper don't fucking start man." Nathan glared.
"Aww come on Nephew. Didn't Deb teach you to share?"
Nathan quickly jumped in Cooper's face. Lucas had his arms around Nathan's shoulders pulling him back away from the man.
"Cooper what in the hell is wrong with you?" Brooke scolded. "Don't you know when to keep your damn mouth shut? Nathan is going through hell right now. He doesn't need that shit."
"I'm sorry. You're right Brooke. Nathan, man I was just trying to lighten the mood. You know I'd never do anything to hurt you."
Nathan shrugged his shoulders so that Lucas would release him and stormed out of the room to go find the scotch. Brooke jumped in Cooper's face. "You know he's totally going to beat your ass one of these days and I am going to get a front row seat. It's time to let that shit go Cooper."
"Cooper she's right man. It was funny to begin with but it's really time to stop." Lucas agreed.
"Cooper Nathan can't handle that right now. He is terrified. Look how many times Dan has tried to hurt Haley in the past." Peyton said.
"You guys are right. I shouldn't screw with him like that." Cooper hung his head and started to go out and find Nathan until Peyton stopped him.
"Cooper let him cool down ok?"
"Alright" he said throwing his hands up in surrender.
After Nathan had choked down three shots of scotch he asked Brooke if she would go upstairs and get the kids.
"Sure I will Nephew Boy Toy." she chuckled.
Natalie, Nicole, Bri and Jamie all sat on the coach. Nathan Cooper Brooke, Lucas and Peyton were sitting around in various chairs. Nathan dreaded this conversation but he knew it had to take place. As he drew in a shaky breath he prayed for the right words to come to him.
"Guys I am sorry. Ok? I did not mean to hurt your or scare you or anything else by the phone call. This is what's been happening. Your Mom has been getting creepy phone calls. At first it was just weird things that were said. Then on the next call it became nasty things. Friday night after the dance she got a call and the caller threatened her."
"What do you mean he threatened her Dad?" Natalie asked.
"He told her he was going to hurt her Nat."
"Oh. But Mom's ok right? You said she had a migraine. Our mother is here right?"
"Yes baby she's upstairs and she's taken an Imitrex and she's asleep. This has been very stressful for her. She didn't tell me until late Friday night. She's been trying to deal with this on her own for over a week."
"Dad I want to know why you haven't already had this family meeting." Natalie questioned.
"Nat, I love you guys. It is my job to protect you. Mom and I went to the police yesterday. They have been investigating the phone calls. That's what the call you heard today was about." Nathan told his daughter. She had her mother's brains and her Dad's temper, which basically meant that Nathan didn't stand a chance.
"Natalie, honey, your Mom and Dad love you very much. They weren't trying to hide this from you, but they didn't want to worry you either. They didn't have any information yet and they were waiting for that before they told you what had been going on." Brooke told her niece.
"But Aunt Brooke, that's our Mom. She is always there when we need her. She is with me and Nic day in and day out. We would have liked to have known that she was in danger. There might have been something we could do to help"
"Oh Sweetie I am sure you can when there is something that there is help needed but right now they don't know anything Natalie. What good would it have done for you to worry when there is nothing that anyone can do?" She pulled the little girl to her and hugged her tightly.
"Dad?"
"Yeah Jamie?"
"Is Grandpa Dan involved in this?"
"Jamie, I am not completely sure but I think so."
"Why doesn't that son of a bitch leave my Mom alone?" Jamie jumped up from the couch and stormed out of the room. He truly was the only one of the four that remembered anything about Dan.
Nathan dropped his head to his hands. He didn't know how to fix this. His kids were a mess, he was a mess and his wife was a mess.
"Nathan why don't I get some dinner started?" Peyton asked.
"Thanks" Nathan nodded his head.
"Nate I want to go try to talk to Jamie man is that cool?" Lucas asked his brother.
"Yeah. I don't know what to say to him. How do you smooth this over Lucas?"
"I don't know Nate but I'll try ok?"
"Yeah"
"Nathan I have an idea I want to run by you man." Cooper told him after Brooke and Peyton moved to the kitchen to begin dinner.
"What, Coop?"
"I can make some phone calls. I know some people that might be able to help us stop this."
"What do you mean?"
"We'll have to pay them but they have contacts inside of prisons."
"You mean as in someone to get to Dan?"
"Yeah. I am afraid that we're going to have to fight fire with fire to get a stop put to this man."
"Cooper I will do whatever I have to, to keep my family safe. I can't deal with this shit anymore. I am afraid that one day the bastard is going to succeed in taking her away from me."
"We won't let that happen. Now that we know what we're up against we can stop it Nate."
"Alright, do it. Just don't ever let Haley find out and that means Brooke can't know." Nathan told him.
"Ah No! No one will know this but you and me nephew."
Nathan held up his fist and Cooper bumped it.
Lucas walked into Jamie's room. His nephew was stretched out on his bed staring at the ceiling.
"J-Luke, my man"
"Hey Uncle Lucas"
"Man it's going to all be ok. You know that right?"
"Uncle Lucas, why does that man hate my Mom so much? It's obvious that my Dad loves my Mom. How can he hate my Dad like that? How can he hate us like that?"
"Jamie, Dan is obsessed to the point that he's sick man."
"I get that but Uncle Luke, if something happens to my Mom, my Dad will never survive it. He'll totally give up on life. Not that he doesn't love us kids but I don't think my Dad would be able to function enough to carry on."
"Jamie, nothing is going to happen to your Mom. I promise."
"Uncle Luke you can't promise that. Look how she nearly died when my sister's were born. I remember that. You and Aunt Peyton were bringing me and Bri home from your house. Dad came tearing out of the garage to take her to the hospital."
"You remember that Jamie?"
"Yes I do. I remember being so scared that my Mom wouldn't come back. But the main thing I remember is the look on my Dad's face."
Lucas stared at his nephew. He was a very smart boy for fifteen years old. Haley and Nathan had done an excellent job with Jamie. Yes Lucas knew that he got into mischief but Jamie and all of his brother's and sisters had followed their parent's example. They loved with their whole heart.
Lucas left Jamie's room and slightly opened the door to Nathan and Haley's. He stepped in and looked at the small form on the bed. It was dark in the room as it was nearly seven pm. He watched her for several minutes. Her even breathing was barely noticeable except for sound. "I'm going to help him protect you this time Hales. Nathan won't have to do this alone."
Nathan stood up from the chaise lounge that was in the corner of their room. "Thanks Luke" he whispered.
Lucas pulled his brother into a tight hug. "It's going to be ok Nate. We won't let Dan get to her again." They had to protect her. Dan had nearly killed her twice in the past. He couldn't him start this reign of terror up in Nathan's life again, or their kids for that matter. He hadn't realized until today just how much Jamie knew about the past. The young man had been taught to love unconditionally in spite of what Dan had done. Haley's influence on her children was evident every day. Lucas could not let their faith diminish by allowing Dan to win. He had let Nathan and Haley down in the past but not this time. He wouldn't do it again. Lucas had fought tooth and nail for his brother and his wife years ago. He would do it again in a heartbeat. He would regain Nathan's confidence and trust in anyway that he had to. They were all each other had to rely on. Dan and Keith never had that and Lucas was determined to make it happen in this generation, for Haley and Nathan.
The following day, Nathan and Haley rode over to the Kids Club. He was having a hard time letting her out of his sight so he talked her into going with him. As they walked across the basketball court Nathan stopped and looked at his wife.
"Hales, you ok?"
"Yeah I'm fine"
He took her hand in his and continued on. Skills came out of the office with a shocked look on his face. "Well Well Well if it ain't Haley James Scott. Hey girl. How are you?" Skills walked up and hugged Haley while smiling as though he had won the lottery.
"Hey Skills."
Skills lifted her hand so she would twirl around, the same way he had done for many years. "Mmm, Mmm, Mmm. Girl you are still as foxy as ever. Nate, Dawg you are a blessed man."
"I know Skills." Nathan smirked as he looked at his wife.
"Hey man look you've had her what? Sixteen years? It's time you gave someone else a turn Dawg"
"Skills I plan to have her a thousand and sixteen more. That means you won't ever get her in the next life, man"
"I hear ya Nate." Skills bumped fists with his friend. "You know I still remember the day that I heard that you two had gotten married in our junior year. I remember thinking what in the hell is Haley doing? But you knew didn't you girlie"
"Yeah Skills, I did. I followed my heart" she smiled.
"Man if anyone had told me that one day you two would be my bosses and still be together with a houseful of children I would have laughed in they face." Skills chuckled.
"Skills, have you heard anything on the new construction dates?"
"Na not yet man but guess who is working for this crew you've hired"
"Who?"
"Jake Jagelski"
"What? You're kidding!"
"Na man I was floored when I saw him yesterday."
"So is he living in Tree Hill now?"
"Yep. He said he's been back for a couple of months."
"Is he married?"
"I think I'll let him tell you about that one Nate"
"That bad huh?"
"Let's just say Lucas ain't the only guy ruined for the rest of the ladies by Peyton Sawyer Scott."
Nathan shook his head. "That was along time ago Skills"
"Well the girl must have notches that grab in that thing cause homeboy is still devastated"
After some more chatting with Skills Nathan and Haley left the Kids Club and went for lunch. After lunch they rode over to Cooper and Brooke's.
"Hey Brookie Cookie" Haley greeted her friend.
"Hey Music Mom! What are you doing?"
"Nathan wanted to come over and discuss some things about the kids club with Cooper."
"Oh yay that means you and I can have time for girl talk." Brooke jumped up and down.
As Brooke and Haley moved to the kitchen Nathan and Cooper went to Cooper's home office.
"Ok man this is the deal. My contacts have a guy on the inside. For fifty grand they can give my ex brother in law a profound warning."
"Done" Nathan smirked.
"Now you just have to decide when." Cooper told him.
"Cooper yesterday was too fucking soon. I want this done and I want it done now!" Nathan told his uncle. "I know this puts me in the same category as Dan but man this shit has got to stop"
"Hey Nate, man you'll never be in the same class as Dan. You are protecting your family. Dan has never done that."
"I feel horrible about this Coop; I do, but man nothing is worth losing my family. They are the most important people in the world to me."
"I know Nate. So you want me to make the call with the go ahead?"
"Yeah you aren't dialing yet?" Nathan smirked.
NC CENTRAL PRISON 6:00 pm
The inmates were on the grounds relaxing after dinner. Some played ball, some played cards at the picnic tables. Dan Scott sat at a picnic table as he usually did alone with his paper and pen. He had been plotting this revenge for ten years. He finally had been able to get the process rolling. His cell mate, Rufus had been making the calls for him. He wanted her to be scared. He would make her pay for taking it all away from him. Nathan would get over it in time and finally turn to him for comfort. Then he and Nathan could rebuild their relationship. Nathan might be too old to play pro ball now but she would pay for taking that dream away. The evil grin he wore on his face quickly left. Two large men sat down on either side of him. Dan knew who they were. Bear was the guy that worked for Daunte' and Noark the huge guy was the man around the place. Noark had gotten his nickname due to his size. A kid once teased him on the playground at school and told him he was nearly as big as Noah's Ark. It was well known not to mess with these two. They would either make you their bitch or they would turn you life into a living hell.
"What can I do for you gentlemen?" Dan smirked.
"Oh it's not what you can do for us… Dan the Man it's what we can do for you" Noark told him as he slammed Dan's head into the picnic table. Bear had brass knuckles and began punching Dan in the ribs. Dan quickly felt several of them break. Noark bent his arm backwards and all three men heard the bone pop. Next Noark slammed Dan's collarbone into the picnic table. As they both got up, leaving the very broken and bloody man on the ground where he fell when they let him go, Noark smirked back at Dan. "I'd leave my daughter in law and grandchildren alone if I were you. The next time you might not get off with just a warning."
The guards found Dan several minutes later. His face was a swollen bloody mess. He was gasping for air due to a punctured lung and He had too many broken bones to count. Several hours later when he woke up the thought went through his mind that he had to totally back up and regroup. He hadn't expected this from Nathan. He should have but he hadn't. He knew how fiercely his son loved his wife but Dan had never thought of this. He never thought Nathan would turn against him this way. Cutting him out of his life and not speaking to him was one thing. The man had sent someone to all but kill him. He still had three more years to pull in this place. He was realizing that the plan would have to wait.
At ten pm Nathan's cell phone rang. He glanced over at his wife who was asleep on their couch. They had been watching a movie and she had fallen asleep an hour ago.
"Hello?"
"Nate man, it's done" Cooper told him.
"Thanks Cooper"
"What's next nephew"
"Well Detective Chatlan called earlier tonight and Dan has three more years to pull in prison then he can get out."
"Nathan you've got to know that as soon as he gets out he'll come after her again man."
"Yeah I know. That's why I want you to make sure he never gets out." Nathan told him.
"Nathan what are you saying?"
"Cooper I don't care how it's done. I don't want to know how it's done. I just want it taken care of. Just let me know the cost and I'll pay it. There is no justice that allows this shit to continue. Haley's life will not be threatened anymore."
"Ok man, I'll call you back tomorrow. We have plenty of time to get this done."
"Yeah I know. I just want to make sure it's done before he gets out of there."
"You got it nephew."
"Thanks man! And Cooper?"
"Yeah?"
"This stays between us."
"Absolutely"
As Nathan closed his cell phone he glanced over at his wife. He quickly got up from the chair and went over to kneel down beside her. After a few minutes of gazing at her angelic face, he pushed a few strands of hair back from her face.
"I made you a promise. I told you he would never hurt you again Hales and I meant it. I can't allow him to hurt you ever again. I don't care what it takes you will not be taken away from me by the man that fathered me. If he were any type of father I wouldn't have to worry about that but since he's not I have to protect you. I can't live my life without you beside me. I won't." He leaned down and placed a feathery kiss upon her lips. He bent to pick her up and carried her upstairs to their bed, breathing a little easier that he didn't have to worry about his crazy ass Dad for awhile. That would allow time to figure out what to do to insure that he stayed locked away where he belonged. There was no room in Nathan's life for that bastard. There was no room in his family's life for him. He would not feel guilty about this. Dan had eliminated that possibility years ago.