A/N: Thanks for the reviews guys! they really mean alot and keep me motivated. I should have another chapter of this up in a few days as well as one for my other story by Saturday or Sunday. Anyways, hope you enjoy and if you have time, please review.

Undertow

No matter what you say, nothing you do
can hold back the forces on you forever.
You can't fight the undertow.
Not when you're all alone.
You can't fight the undertow.
How long 'til you let go?

Brooke sat outside of the coffee shop, sipping her latté as she researched spas on the internet. She glanced across the table to her sister who was drinking her own latté and doodling on a sketchpad before her eyes returned to the screen in front of her.

It had been three months since Nathan brought Sam back home and although she was grateful, she really hadn't seen him since. Sure the town was small and there were moments where they'd be in the same place or she'd catch a glance of him but Brooke ignored him the way she would a passing stranger on the street. And if she were being really truthful with herself, it was fair to say she avoided her ex-brother in law like the plague.

"So," Sam finally spoke. "You're really serious about this?"

"Yeah I am," Brooke nodded. "I called Rach and everything to stay at the house a couple days while I'm in La Jolla."

"Oh geez," the younger brunette rolled her eyes. "How did I get roped into babysitting her?"

"I think you're much more of a flight risk there Dora the Explorer," she rolled her eyes with a laugh.

"Hardy, har, har." She scoffed, "My sister the comedian."

"Brooke," Bevin walked out of the coffee shop towards their table. "Hi Sam; can I join you guys?"

"Sure," Brooke looked up at the blonde with a small smile while Sam mumbled something that sounded like 'hey' before returning to her sketches. "How are you?"

"I'm okay," she returned the smile. "Work's good. We really miss you over there; you were awesome."

"Yeah awesome," she nodded in irony. "I could see how that gets you fired."

She tilted her head to the side, her voice softer now. "I think you quit."

"Yeah well don't tell unemployment that," she laughed. "Besides, I quit as I was being fired; that doesn't count."

"Really?" Bevin asked.

"Totally," Sam chimed in before her eyes returned to the paper in front of her.

"Good to know," the blonde nodded. "You know," she broached slowly, "if you wanted, I'm pretty sure you could come back. My dad's always liked you and Nate's not even there anymore."

"Wait, what?" Brooke closed her laptop, paying closer attention now. "What do you mean? He quit."

"Sort of," Bevin shrugged. "He's like a bounty hunter or something now. Ever since they let that Dean kid out on bail and found out he skipped town two weeks before he was supposed to be in court. Nathan's been on the hunt ever since."

"Wow," Brooke sighed. "So is Dan back in the office full time now? Who's running things over there?"

"Me," Bevin grinned happily.

Brooke and Sam almost simultaneously chocked on their drinks, both of them struggling not to expel all over the table. "You?" Brooke said once she could catch her breath, watching Sam's eyes bulging out of her head.

"Yup," the blonde nodded as she beamed. "I have an assistant though and he takes care of all the harder financial stuff. He got a MBA from Harvard business school. It's not all A's but whatever he got the M in must have not been too important because he's really good. I had no idea though they gave you M's in college. It must be really difficult to get A's when they're using practically the whole alphabet."

"Yeah I guess," Brooke laughed.

"Anyways I have to go run a company now," Bevin stood up. "See you later Sam. And Brooke, I could really use you back."

"She's not kidding," Sam mumbled.

Brooke nodded. "I'll think about it Bev."

"Okay," she smiled. "See you around," she said before walking away.

"Is she seriously for real?" Sam turned to look at her sister.

"Oh yeah," Brooke nodded before taking another sip of her latté and opening up her laptop.

Nathan listened intently to the man on the other end of the line, nodding even though he knew he couldn't see him. "And you're sure this time Phil; it's a solid lead?" He paused briefly, listening as the man answered. "Alright, I'm catching the first flight out there, there's no way this kid is getting way again. Keep me updated and thanks again Phil." He hung up the call quickly before dialing another number, seeing his wife move behind him in his peripheral. "Mary, have the pilot fire up the jet, flight plan La Jolla. I'll be there in thirty."

"La Jolla?" Peyton questioned as soon as he stuck the receiver back in the cradle. "What's in La Jolla Nathan?"

"I am in a couple of hours," he answered.

The blonde looked at him in disbelief. "Nathan, you just got home."

"And now I have to leave again," he exhaled in frustration, knowing this conversation was going to lead to yet another argument. "I'll be back soon Peyt, I promise." He turned away from her, heading up the stairs to their bedroom.

She was hot on his heels, watching from the doorway as he grabbed his suitcase and began to pack. "Nathan," she walked over to the other side of the bed, grabbing his hand as he went to put another shirt in. "Would you just wait a minute?"

"I don't have time Peyton," he shook his head. "I won't let that punk slip through my fingers again the way the authorities did."

"Would you let the police do their job?" she said as she began snatching items out of the suitcase and tossing them on the bed.

He clenched his jaw to keep him from saying something they'd both regret. "Peyton," he exhaled deeply, "I don't have time for this right now."

"You don't have time for this," she screeched. "You mean you don't have time for me or for Jamie now that you have your little crusade to go on. What do you think this is doing to our son Nathan?"

"Jamie understands that I am trying to bring the person who killed his sister to justice," he snatched the t-shirt that was still in her hands from her, returning it to his case. "He gets it! Why the hell can't you?" He shook his head. "My daughter is dead."

"You are not the only one who lost her Nathan," she yelled. "I lost her too and I miss her. It's killing me Nate but you…" she shook her head, unable or unwilling to finish.

"But me what?" he furrowed his brows at her, his voice raised as well. "You think this isn't killing me too?"

"I don't know Nathan and how would I when you won't talk to me." Her green eyes looked up at him imploringly. "We both lost her Nate; we are suppose to be going through this together but you keep pushing me away so no, I don't know what this is doing to you. I can't tell how you're feeling at all."

"I'm just great Peyton," he shook his head in annoyance, the sarcasm dripping from his voice. "I'm super, just freaking fantastic Peyt." His eyes narrowed at her. "Get a grip Peyton, how the hell do you think I'm feeling? My fourteen year old daughter is gone, she's dead and I can't do a damn thing to change it. I feel lost Peyton, useless but finding her killer gives me a purpose. Now I'm sorry if I'm not grieving the way you want me to but this is the best that I can do."

"If you're not grieving the way I want you to," she scoffed, letting out an ironic laugh as a tear rolled down her cheek. "That's the problem Nate; you're not grieving at all. You walk around here like a stone, when you're here at all. And this…" she motioned to him and his suitcase. "I can't take this. I need you to…"

"To what Peyton?" he interrupted. "To sit around in my PJ's all day and cry, to fall apart like you? If it's really Jamie you're concerned about, maybe you should think about what you're showing him but instead he's checking on you." He shoved the remnants into his suitcase before zipping it closed. "What I am doing, I'm doing for my daughter. I shouldn't have to explain that to you."

Peyton watched him pick up his bag. "I don't know why I even bother trying to stop you. It's not like you're really ever here these days anyways even when your body is."

Nathan shook his head, turning back in the doorway. "Tell Jamie I love him and that I'll be back soon." He took one last glance at his wife before walking out of the room.

Lucas sat at his desk, going through the proofs of their new campaign for their new line of product.

"Who's the hot chick?" the red head peered over his shoulder. "She's smokin'!"

"You would think so," he laughed. "Glad to see you made it back in one piece. How was New York?"

"Awesome," she smiled. "The people were fantastic and after our presentation, I'm sure they'll be stocking loads of our new Indulge line."

"I actually just got off the phone with them a few hours ago," Lucas paused briefly. "After the meeting, they've nearly tripled their order for the next quarter of the previous products along with the new Indulge line. I'm very impressed Rachel."

"You should be," she laughed. "I'm not just a pretty face." She paused briefly. "And speaking of pretty faces, you're not doing so bad yourself. I heard you lured Brooke back to House of Scott and it shows. The website looks awesome."

"You're just happy because there are lots of photos of you in our get to know the spokes model section or whatever it's called," he smiled.

"Well obviously," she shrugged. "But also because she is the best."

He raised his eyebrows at her."And you wouldn't be biased at all."

"Because of the whole cousin thing," Rachel rolled her eyes. "Not a chance."

"Sure," he nodded. "You do know it was only a freelance job though right?"

"For now," she shrugged. "Anyway, I have to go. I'm going to house sit and babysit Sam while Brooke's out of town."

Lucas shot her his signature squinty look. "She's going out of town, why?"

"Some spa thing," Rachel replied with a shrug. "See 'ya later boss."

"Yeah," he nodded as she left the room, wondering why Brooke didn't mention anything to him about her trip.

Nathan stood on the balcony in his hotel suite, looking down at the all the young teenagers walking down the street towards the beach with their bags and surf boards in hand. They all looked so happy, so carefree. Several months ago he could still remember well what it had felt like to be a teenager but now, it felt so far away. The only emotions he felt now was the love he felt for his son and the justice he wanted for his daughter.

He pulled out his wallet and stared down at the family picture on the flap of the four of them. He and Peyton had been so happy that day. She'd just started working at the label she was at now; tired of all the politics of the major labels, she'd found a small one that was just starting out and invested in it with the money they'd earned from selling the coffee house they'd own once upon a time before he went to work for Dan full time. Now all he and Peyton did was fight or ignore each other and he didn't know why. He loved Peyton, he was sure of that but somehow their relationship had changed and he wasn't sure if the shift had been from the loss of their daughter or if it was there before and Elizabeth's death just made them realize it.

Nathan turned around just as he heard his cell phone buzzing behind him, tossing the wallet on the bed once he stepped back inside the room before answering the phone. "Hello?"

"Hi Daddy," Jamie's voice carried through the line. "Momma said you had to leave again before I got home from practice."

"Yeah," he suddenly felt guilty. "I'm sorry buddy. I had some business to take care of but I shouldn't be gone longer than a few days and hopefully after this trip, I won't have to go anywhere for a while."

"That's good," he said. "Momma is sad when you're gone."

"I know," Nathan sighed. "I think we're all still sad because of Lizzie."

"I know dad," Jamie replied. "I still miss her too but I think she'd want us not to be sad forever and remember all the fun we had together, at least that's what Auntie Bevin thinks."

Nathan smiled. "I think she's right."

"She's really smart," you could hear the smile in the young boy's voice. "Can you bring me something back? Momma didn't tell me where you went."

"I'm in La Jolla, it's by San Diego in California," Nathan answered.

"By the beach," he sounded excited. "Cool."

"What do you want me to bring you back buddy?" Nathan asked.

"Hmm," Jamie paused, "Maybe a great big seashell if you can find one. Do you think you'll have time to look?"

"I'll go down by the beach and look for one as soon as we get off the phone," Nathan replied.

"You can go now then cause Momma says it's time for my bath," Jamie said, his voice sounding a bit disappointed. "I can't wait till you get home. I love your guts Dad."

"I love your guts too Jamie," Nathan smiled as he hung up the phone. Keeping his promise to his son, he quickly grabbed his wallet and the room key before heading down to the beach.

Haley sat alone in one of the secluded booths in the back of the Tree Hill Athletic Club, her eyes roaming the menu she'd practically had memorized as she sipped her ice water with lemon.

"Haley," Jake said from behind her as he approached, pausing to kiss her on the cheek before sliding into the booth across from her. "I'm sorry I'm late. I got held up with a client and then my brother called."

"Really," she nodded. "How is Clay?"

"Good," Jake shrugged. "He's Clay. He's really excited about the engagement though."

"If I know Clay he's probably more excited about throwing a bachelor party than the actual engagement and then hooking up with some girl at the reception," she smiled with a roll of her eyes.

Jake laughed. "Yeah, he's pretty excited about that too. He wants to know when we're setting a date so he can start planning; reserve the strippers."

"Jake Jagelski," she tossed her napkin at him as forcefully as she could.

"I'm kidding," he held his hands up in surrender.

She shot him her not amused look. "I bet."

"Hey," he reached over to hold her hand. "You have nothing to worry about. I'd much rather have a private show from you."

Haley tried to fight the blush from creeping across her cheeks but failed miserably. "Maybe later," she whispered. "And stop staring at me."

"I can't help it," he replied. "You're beautiful."

"Yeah well flattery will get you everywhere," she smiled. "But it won't make me forget about Clay and his stripper auditions." She rolled her eyes playfully at him. "Speaking of siblings, I talked to Vivian, Quinn and Taylor today too."

"So, which one is going to be your maid of honor?" Jake asked.

Haley shrugged. "I'm not sure yet but I was actually thinking about asking Brooke."

"That's not going to work," he shook his head. "I'm making her my best man or woman, whatever."

"Shut up," she rolled her eyes. "There's no way Brooke Davis is going to give up wearing an awesome dress to stand next to you in a suit. Plus, I called her first."

He smiled. "Thanks for including her," he said in a more serious tone. "She really is like my sister so I appreciate it, she will too."

"You're welcome," she smiled as she reached over to take his hand. "We've gotten pretty close recently and she's been a really good friend to me since I showed up in Tree Hill. Besides, I'm pretty sure Andrew and Nash will be able to come so maybe they can be groomsmen. Vincent's still overseas though."

He nodded in agreement. "I think you've got yourself a deal Haley James. Now I don't know about you but I'm starved."

"Me too," she smiled as she raised a brow at him. "But now I'm kind of craving something else."

"Something else," Jake smiled, recognizing the glint in her eyes. "What do you say we order something to go and take it home," he tilted his head to the side, "maybe see that show."

She bit her lip as she blushed again. "I think you just read my mind Mr. Jagelski."

Brooke sat on a rock near the cove, watching as the waves splashed against the shore. She always felt a sense of peace when she was near the ocean, the sounds of the waves having a calming effect on her. She supposed it might have been because she'd traveled so much as a child, yet the one thing that was constant was the ocean. It was one of the only things she had in common with Victoria, a love of the water so no matter where they traveled; it was usually by a body of water. Brooke guessed that one constant must have stuck with her into her adult life.

She turned her her head as her phone buzzed for the second time, noticing Lucas' name flashing across her screen before setting it beside he on the small rock. It wasn't that she was mad at him, she just wanted some alone time. After everything that had happened with the accident and the fallout, sh felt like it was just one dramatic event after the other and she really didn't want to have to hear something else. Besides if there were any type of emergency, she was sure Rachel, Jake, or Haley would give her a call.

She looked up at the darkening orange sky, knowing the sunset was quickly approaching; digging her toes into the sand and leaning back to watch the sun descend into the ocean. It had been a long time since she'd allowed herself the luxury of relaxation and even though she'd also come here for research for her new business venture, she was going to allow herself to enjoy every minute of it.

"Brooke," she heard a male voice call her name from the distance but didn't turn around, knowing no one she knew would be at this particular beach. "Brooke Davis."

She blinked hard before turning her face towards the sound of the voice, realizing he was now almost standing over her. "Nathan?" she squinted to protect her eyes from the blinding glare of the sun setting behind him. "What are you doing here?"

He wasn't sure what possessed him to do it but he found himself sitting down next to her as h let out a sigh, pausin to take it the the view of the ocean's currents before looking back at the brunette. "I was just about to ask you the same question."