Chapter Fourteen
Making a deal with the Devil
Lucas walked back into his house smiling. He had been wanting to kiss Brooke for a while and now he finally had. There was something special about Brooke and he couldn't pin point what it was, but whatever it was made him feel more alive then he ever had before. Yep, she sure was special and he was dreading having to leave, leave Tree Hill and leave her. There was so much possibility here. What was he supposed to do? Be happy he was leaving a place he was starting to love? He had only been here for four weeks, but already he was on the basketball team, had met some great friends he felt like he'd known forever, and met an amazing girl he really wanted to get to know better. Life sure did suck sometimes.
Lucas closed the door behind him."Mom? You still up?"he yelled.
Karen quickly walked out of her bedroom."What is it honey? Did Brooke leave already?"she asked.
Lucas nodded."Yeah, she just left."
Karen too nodded."I like her."
Lucas looked a little surprised. That was the last thing he expected to hear from his mother."You do?"Karen nodded."Wow. I didn't expect to hear that coming from you. Every time I mentioned her or you said her name you got all stiff. I just assumed you didn't like her."
Karen shook her head."It was never about her personally Lucas. I never actually disliked her. I just didn't know her. I always heard you talking about her and I assumed that you two were moving way to fast. I didn't want a repeat of last fall with you and Sheryl. That was scary enough. I don't need to feel that way again."
"Mom, Sheryl and I were always careful. You weren't supposed to walk in on what you did, but of course you assumed she was pregnant just because you saw what you did, which wasn't the case."
"I know that Lucas and I apologized for over reacting, but I'm still your mother and I worry about you. Now back to Brooke, I assumed once again way too much and I was again wrong, but even if I wasn't your a big boy. I need to learn to trust your judgment more and I'm going to work on that. If I could pick a girl for you, Brooke would definitely be on that list. I really do like her. She reminds me a lot of myself when I was her age."
"I really like her too mom, which is part of the reason why I don't want to move back to California."said Lucas solemnly.
Karen looked up at him."Lucas, come on sweetie, you know we have to go back."
"But I don't want to mom. I have a new life here that I am beginning to love. I don't want to leave it behind."
"What about the life we have waiting for us back in California? Your alright with leaving that behind? What about our house? What about my job? I'm sorry, but we can't just abandon everything there Lucas. We can't."
"I know that mom, but tell me this. What life are we leaving behind? It was always just me and you there. It can be me and you here. And the house, it isn't ours like this one is. As for the job, it's not like you don't have one here, hell you own the damn cafe mom. We wouldn't exactly be hurting for cash if we stayed here."
"Where is all this coming from? Just yesterday you were okay with us leaving. What's changed?"
"Nothings changed mom. I wasn't okay with it yesterday, I just didn't tell you how I really felt."
"Is this about Brooke? Because if it is, I'm sorry, but that is not reason enough to not want to go home. She's a great girl, but Lucas we can't stay here just because of that."
Lucas shook his head. His mom just wasn't getting it."It's not about Brooke mom. I want to stay because I like it here. I have new friends and a new life. I don't want to leave it behind again."
"You have friends in California too, friends you've known your whole life."
"I know that mom, but I still don't want to leave."
"Well I'm sorry Lucas. You knew from the beginning that this move was only temporary. I never led you to believe otherwise. You knew we would stay for a few weeks and the few weeks are up and we're leaving. I don't want you to be mad at me, but that's the way things have to be."
"I'm not mad mom, I just want you to know that I want to stay."
"And I'm sorry Lucas, but we can't."
"When are we leaving?"he asked without looking at her.
"Well I should have the lady up to speed on the cafe and other things by Friday, so we'll leave then."
"That soon?"
"I'm sorry Lucas. I know I'm saying that a lot, but I am sorry."
"I guess I should start packing then."he said as he walked past his mother still not bothering to look in her direction.
Karen took a deep breath. She hadn't realized how much work prepping the new manager was going to be. It was only 11:00 am and already she was tired. It wasn't only the prepping that was tiring, it was the fact that she really hadn't slept the night before. Everything Lucas said to her kept her up all night thinking. She couldn't stop thinking about all that he said.
Lucas had always been one to keep what he wanted to himself to make sure she was happy. So if he had finally told her that he didn't want to leave it must really be important to him. She hated having to tell him no. He never asked for much and it was killing her to not be able to give him this one thing, but this one thing was the one thing she couldn't give him.
It would be too risky staying here. She knew that once people started to realize she was back that they would start talking. It wasn't that she was never going to tell Lucas about Dan, it was that she wanted to do it the right way at the right time. This wasn't something you just spring on on someone. She knew she made a terribly mistake by not telling him sooner, but she couldn't take that back now. What was done was done. The only thing left to do was to find a way to minimize the damage her choice had made.
Karen grabbed a stack of menus from the counter, ready to put them in their place when the bell above the door jingled, signaling a customer. She looked up and in that same second the menus went crashing to the floor. She stopped breathing completely as her heart began to beat faster. She had imagined this moment a few times as of late, but nothing could have prepared her for this.
She was now staring into the face of a man that had changed her life completely. A man that because of what he did, made her flee her home. A man she claimed she hated with all her heart for years. Dan. Dan Scott.
All night long Dan thought about the situation at hand. All night he thought about Lucas. Lucas, the son he never knew he had. He knew there was still a little chance that Lucas wasn't his, but deep down inside he knew he was. They were too much alike with the basketball and the love of books. He couldn't wait to see what else they had in common.
All night Dan thought about what he could do to get to know Lucas better, but all those thoughts were crushed when he remembered Lucas saying he was moving back to California. How was he supposed to let the son he just found leave? The answer was he wasn't. There was no way in hell he was going to let Lucas leave. He was Dan Scott and no matter what, he always got what he wanted, no matter who suffered in the process. If indeed someone did suffer all the better.
Dan knew that before he put any plan into action he needed to know all the facts and the only way that was going to happen was to come face to face with Karen, the mother of his child, the woman he loved for so many years, the woman he now loathed for keeping Lucas a secret. How could a person do such a thing? How could a person be so cruel? Karen Roe was definitely someone who needed to pay.
So with that thought Dan stayed up all night thinking about what he was going to say and do to Karen. If he was evil and most people thought he was, he would take Lucas away from her completely. She was in his territory now and he would surely win that battle. He began to get excited at the thought of that and other things to make Karen suffer, but he quickly stopped and thought about this. Yes, he was furious at Karen for keeping Lucas a secret for all these years, but Lucas wasn't a little kid anymore, he was practically an adult. If he purposely took Lucas' mother out of his life there was no way that he would want a relationship with him and he couldn't have that. He needed to get to know Lucas and Lucas needed to get to know him and Nathan. There were so many things he needed to say and do, but the first one was to talk to Karen and find out every little detail there was to know.
Dan couldn't help but smile as he walked into the cafe and saw Karen behind the counter. The color left her face almost instantly the second she saw him. He could tell he was the last person she expected or wanted to see. Karen looked about ready to pass out. Dan took a few steps forward."Well I guess it's true after all. Karen Roe has returned to Tree Hill. How long has it been? 17? 18 years since you disappeared without a trace?"asked Dan with a cocky smile.
Karen fought hard to maintain her composure."Aw, that's sweet. You've been keeping track. Well as you can see with your own eyes it's true. I'm back, now why don't you get out of here. Your not welcomed here Dan."
Dan laughed."Come on Karen, don't be like this. I haven't done anything to you to make you act this way toward me."he couldn't help but add."Yet."with another laugh.
"Dan I'm not kidding. Get the hell out! You are not welcomed here."
Dan continued to laugh. It was funny to him how flustered she was getting and all he was doing was standing in front of her. He hadn't even mentioned he knew about Lucas yet."Now, now Karen, calm down. This is a public place. I have every right to be here."
"No, this is my place and I want you gone!"
"Karen, honestly, you really need to learn how to let the little things go. Yes I cheated on you, but it's been years. Move on already."he smiled.
Karen laughed. No he didn't think she was still pining over him."You and what you did to me are the furthest things on my mind. I just don't like you Dan. Now get the hell out of here."
Dan dropped his smile and began to scowl. It was time to let everything out. He was about to ruin her world."You want me to leave?"he paused as she nodded."Fine, I'll leave, but not until you tell me about my son!"he yelled.
Karen quickly grabbed the counter in front of her, if not she would have fallen to the floor. Had she heard right? Did he say his son? Did he really know about Lucas? There were so many questions swirling around in her head. The room was now spinning. Deep breaths she kept telling herself. She seriously needed to calm down. Dan was in front of her demanding answers, the last thing she needed was to fall apart in front of him. She knew he wouldn't leave without getting what he wanted.
Karen closed her eyes in hope that it would end the spinning of the room. She slowly opened them and gave a silent thanks for that little relief. If answers were what Dan wanted, then answers were what he was going to get. They might not be the answers he wanted, but that didn't really matter at this time. The only thing that mattered was keeping Lucas safe. Safe and away from the bastard for now, at least until she could figure out the right way to tell him about Dan.
Karen took a deep breath before answering Dan."I'm sorry, what did you say?"she shakily let out hoping he couldn't tell how scared she was.
"You heard me just fine Karen. Tell me about Lucas. Tell me why you thought it was a good idea to keep my son a secret for all these years. Tell me one single reason why I shouldn't make you pay for keeping my son from me!"
Karen had to think quickly. Dan somehow knew everything. The only thing she could come up with was to lie."I...I don't know who you talked to, but Lucas isn't your son Dan."
Dan abruptly walked to the counter and stood in front of her banging his fists on the counter top."Don't you dare try that lying shit with me bitch!"he yelled."You've kept Lucas away from me long enough. I'm not about to let that continue. No more games Karen. I've had enough."
Karen was a bit taken back. She wasn't sure why though, of course she knew he was going to be upset when he found out. How did he know about Lucas? Who could have possibly told him? Whitey was the only one besides her grandmother that knew about Lucas, but there was no way that he would say anything."Listen Dan, I don't know what you heard, but Lucas is not your son."
Dan let out a menacing laugh."Your not seriously going to stand there with that look of desperation on your face and continue to lie to me, are you? You know, I would probably believe everything that came out of you pathetic, lying mouth if I hadn't met Lucas for myself. After all the time we spent together there is no doubt in my mind that he is my son."
"Wait...what did you just say? You talked to Lucas? When?"
Dan smiled, he knew he had her attention now."Many times. I know he's my son Karen. I'm not stupid. Did you think I wouldn't find out? It doesn't take a genius to do the math. He's the same age as my other son."
Karen took in several deep breathes as she tried to take in everything Dan just said. It was true. Dan knew everything. She knew Dan would think Lucas was his son when he found out about him, but she had this big lie ready to tell him and everyone else that asked questions. She was going to say that Lucas was eight months younger then Nathan, that she had gotten pregnant soon after leaving Tree Hill from a man who had taken advantage of her weak state and that Lucas was two months early. Sure she knew it was a little far fetched, but she didn't care. All she cared about was protecting her son.
The lie and everything that went with it flew out the window when she heard Dan say he already knew Lucas. All she could think of was if Lucas knew anything."Does Lucas know about you?"she blurted out.
"So you admit it then, Lucas is my son."
"Yes damn it. Did you tell Lucas anything you heartless bastard?"
"I'm a heartless bastard?"asked Dan pointing to himself."You know nothing about me. If anyone here is heartless it's you Karen. Your the one who let your son go all these years without knowing his father. If you ask me, that's a pretty heartless thing to do."
"Shut up! You shut the hell up Dan! You don't know anything about me or my son."
"Oh really? I know that because you were mad at me you didn't tell our son about me or vise versa. I know that that is a pretty selfish thing to do. Yes, I cheated on you Karen and you caught me, but that in no way gives you the right to keep my son away from me. If you didn't want anything to do with me then fine, suit yourself, but I still should have known about Lucas."
"Would it have made you feel better to know that you had two kids on the way at the age of seventeen?"asked Karen.
"I would have gotten through it. I deserved to know you were pregnant no matter how angry you were at me."
"And I deserved a boyfriend who loved me and only me, not some jerk who would cheat on me with the first blonde bimbo that came around."
"Yeah, well what I did to you didn't have some major affect on your life like this has on mine."
"Are you serious? You cheating on me had a huge affect on me and my life. I left Tree Hill because of it. Do you know how hard it was for me not knowing how to tell you I was pregnant? Thinking I was about to ruin your life. I finally got enough courage to tell you because I thought we loved each other enough to get through this, but I was wrong. I got to your house to find you in bed with that slut. So there you go Dan. I was alone and pregnant because of what you did to me. So don't you dare try to down play what you did."
"Hey, that was your own fault. Nobody told you to run away like a coward."
"Oh go to hell you son of a bitch! I am no coward."
"Yes you are. You ran away like a thief in the night and you took my child with you."
"He is my child, not yours. He doesn't even know you Dan."
"Yeah, and whose fault is that? I'll tell you, yours."
"I don't care what you have to say Dan. I took Lucas to save him from you. I may have moved away, but I still kept up with everything and everyone here. I know your a heartless monster whose own son can't stand him. You put so much pressure on Nathan it's killing him and that's why he spends so little time at home."
"Don't you dare talk about my son. You don't know anything about him or me or our home relationship. I love him."
"I'm sure you do, in your own poor excuse of a way, but all the people you claim to love all seem to be suffering. Your son seems to hate you and your wife is an alcoholic. She drinks so she doesn't have to put up with you. I took my son from a dysfunctional person who would only end up hurting him."
"Says you, right? You stand there and talk down about me and my family like you know us. You talk like you know everything. You think you are so much better than us. You talk about the people around me suffering, but what about the people who are around you? They aren't suffering? You left and left the only person who loved you more than anyone, your grandmother. You don't how much your leaving affected her. I was still here I saw the sad looks she got when someone would mention your name. It looked to me like she was suffering. And what about Lucas? Are you trying to tell me that Lucas hasn't been hurting all these years? He hasn't been wondering about his father? You think you saved him from suffering and hurt, but trust me Karen you hurt him more than I ever could have. He is going to hate you when he finds out that the reason his father hasn't been around is because his mom was too selfish to tell him about him. He is going to hate you because if you would have only told me about him, he would have had a father for all these years. You can trust me on that Karen. He is going to blame you for everything. I for one am going to be looking forward to that part. You deserve all the pain that is coming your way."
Karen could no longer keep her tears from falling. Dan was right. Everything he said was true. Everything was her fault and Lucas was going to hate her. She knew that all these years Lucas thought his father wasn't around because he didn't want anything to do with either of them, so when he found out that his father would have been around if only she had told him about Lucas he was going to hate her."You can't tell him Dan."she pleaded.
"The hell I can't. He's my son too Karen. I've already missed too much. I'm not about to miss more."
"Please Dan, I can't have my son hate me."
"Then I suggest you find the right way to tell him because either way he is going to find out. Whether you tell him or I do is up to you, but I will not let him go on thinking that his father doesn't want him. No child should have to go through that. The fact that you let Lucas think that for more than a second sickens me. You sure have changed Karen."he said shaking his head.
Karen tried to wipe away her tears."It was never my intention to let Lucas think that. I just didn't know what to do. I was scared ans alone and the more time that passed the harder it got to tell him. I don't expect for you to understand and I don't even care if you do. I love Lucas and I don't want to hurt him. Please Dan, you can't just tell him to spite me."
Dan shook his head."You really are something Karen. This is not about you. Not everything is about the all mighty Karen Roe. Did it ever cross your mind that I might want to tell him because I actually want to get to know my son? Did it ever cross your mind that I am doing this for Lucas and myself? I want to get to know my son and I want my son to get to know me and his brother. We are his family too and because of you all these years we didn't know it. I'm not going to let that continue any longer. Don't fight me on this Karen, you will lose."
"So what are you going to do? Tell him your his father, shake his whole world upside down and then have me deal with it all in California? That's just great Dan."
"No, your not going back to California. That's why I'm here. Lucas told me you were moving back and I'm here to tell you that that's not going to happen."
"You can't stop us from going back home Dan!"shouted Karen.
"The hell I can't. All I have to do is tell a judge my side of the story and he will issue you to stay here until the hearing is concluded."
"The hearing? What hearing?"
"The hearing for custody of Lucas."
"He is my son Dan. You are not going to take him away from me."
"I don't want to, but if you try and move Lucas across state lines I will do everything in my power to keep him here, even if that means cutting you out of his life. I have a lot of power here in Tree Hill. Trust me when I say you will regret it."
"You son of a bitch. Don't you try and scare me. If I want to take my son back home, I will. There isn't a damn thing you can do about it."
Dan smirked."Try me Karen. I will tell Lucas all about your deception before you are able to sneak him out of town."
"You would do that Dan. You would ruin his life just to get back at me. You sure are sick."
"No, I'd be telling him because he has the right to know. It doesn't look like your ever going to tell him the truth."
"I am going to tell him, but when the time is right."
"The time will never be right for you Karen."
"I will tell him Dan, it has to come from me."she pleaded.
"I agree. It would be best if he heard everything from you. I don't have a problem with you telling him in your own time as long you are both here in Tree Hill. You can take your time telling him as long as I can continue to build a relationship in the mean time. I think this would be the best thing in this situation."
"So your saying that as long as I agree to stay in Tree Hill you will let me find the right time to tell Lucas as long as your still somewhat in his life?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying. I may be a cold hearted bastard about a lot of things, but my kids aren't one of those things. I want to continue to get to know Lucas even if for right now it's just as friends. I think it would be better for us to have a somewhat stable relationship before we tell him I'm his father. I don't want him to be any more hurt then he has to be. As much as I loathe and despise you for keeping him from me for all these years I am willing to work with you on this. All you have to do is say okay."
"And under no circumstance will you blurt out to Lucas that you are his father?"
"No. I'm going to continue to see him and make sure he has some sort of relationship with his brother, but no, I won't tell him without you by my side."
"And I can trust you Dan?"
"Hey, I'd be putting a lot of trust in you too Karen. I am going to trust that you won't leave in the middle of the night with my son. So yes, you can trust me and I will trust you."
"Then okay. I will stay in Tree Hill with Lucas and we will find the right time to tell him together."said Karen through tears hoping she wouldn't regret this decision.
"Okay, then everything is settled. Now one more question. How are the eggs here?"he smiled as he picked up a menu.
Here you go everybody, the next chapter of this story. A lot of you were wanting for Dan and Karen to hurry and meet up again. I hope I did that scene justice. Please let me know what you thought. I also wanted to say a quick thank you to XxAngelxX911 who just found this story and reviewed every chapter. Thank you for that. Anyways thank you all for your reviews. Please read and review. Thanks.
Coming Up:
Lucas talks to Haley about moving.
Brooke tells Peyton about her and Lucas' kiss.
More Brooke and Lucas.