This is my first AU fic. Not only does it take place way in the future, but Nathan and Haley aren't together, boo. But if there is a great ANGSTY couple, it's those two. Give this story a chance, I promise that they will end up together. ;)

To my All At Once Readers- I know, you're probably yelling at me, I understand. I haven't updated it in a while (a long while), but I'm having trouble letting it go. There are only a few chapters left (4-6) and I don't want to finish it (I will though). Sorry.

COUPLES and their (kids) in this story-

Nathan/Haley- (Jamie, 16, almost 17)
Lucas/Peyton- (Sawyer, 11. Keith, 8. Harper, 7.)
Brooke/Julian- (Charlie and Davis, 9)

Disclaimer- OTH belongs to the CW and Mark.

Chapter 1- Read In Between the Lines

***

May, 2021

James, or Jamie Scott had never particularly cared who his birth parents were, why they gave him up, or if they were even alive. He was never interested because as far as he was concerned, if they didn't want him, he didn't want them as parents. But that all changed the day he read the book, the book that gave him more answers than he had questions. An Unkindness of Ravens spoke volumes to the sixteen year old. He didn't know why, but he somehow felt connected to the characters of Nathan and Haley. Maybe it was because he was the star athlete at his high school, that he was on the honor roll, or that he had even been know to play the guitar a time or two. Let's not forget the obvious, his last name was Scott, middle name was Lucas. Surely there were millions of Scotts around the country though. But what were the chances of James Lucas Scott? This couldn't be a coincidence.

As Jamie turned page after page, he knew there was something significant about these two people. And by the end of the story, he didn't care about the characters of Brooke, Peyton, or even Lucas. He wanted to know how Nathan and Haley ended up. For some reason, he knew that they were supposed to be together.

Shattered by the ending, Jamie couldn't believe it. Nathan and Haley split up and had gone to colleges on separate ends of the country. But the most unbelievable thing was that they had had a child together. The author knew it was a boy and was born in May, but didn't know the name, not in the story at least. When Jamie read this bit of information he dropped the book and gasped.

"Holy shit!" Putting his hand to his head he closed his eyes. "My birthday is May 22." Reaching in his pocket for his cell phone, Jamie called his best friend Michael. After a few short rings, he answered.

"What's up?"

Jamie practically yelled into the phone. "Come over here. Right now."

Michael laughed through the receiver, "School's been out what, three hours and you already miss me?"

"No, I just need to talk to you."

"Are you in jail?"

"What, no! Michael, get in that luxury car of yours and get your ass over here."

"Fine, chill out. I'm on my way."

After Jamie hung up, he had to walk around his room to relieve his nerves. He stopped at his desk and looked down at a few pictures. He picked up the one of himself and his current Foster parents.

Kathy and Jeff Jones were good people, no they're great people. Being in the system is hard for a kid, and usually Foster parents aren't all hugs and kisses. Jamie would know, this is the eighth family he's lived with, but Kathy and Jeff weren't like the others. They were kind, always remembered to go to his basketball or football games, praised him for good grades, and more importantly, they loved him. He had lived with the Jones since seventh grade and they were the only people who made him feel like he was part of a family. As much as he loved the Jones, he wanted to find his biological parents. Now he did at least.

Kathy yelled from downstairs. "Jamie, Michael just pulled up."

"Will you tell him come up here, please?"

"Sure."

Jamie waited a few minutes and then heard the thundering footsteps of his best friend coming up the stairs. He sat on his bed and then saw the tall bushy haired boy enter his room.

"What's so damn important?" Michael extended his hands. Grabbing the paperback book, Jamie threw it at Michael. "Hey man..." He dodged the book and then laughed at Jamie. "What was that for?"

"Look at it." Jamie crossed his arms and looked to the floor.

"You know I don't read."

Rolling his eyes, Jamie got off the bed and picked up the book. "I don't want you to read it, just look at it."

Michael took the book and glanced at the cover. "What is an unkindness?"

"That doesn't matter." Jamie shook his head.

Michael nodded and then looked at the author. "Who's Lucas Scott, the author?"

"Yes."

"Am I suppose to know who he is?" Michael glanced at Jamie with a confused look.

"His name isn't familiar to you?"

"I just told you, I don't read. Jamie, you know that more than anyone." Michael laughed a little. "You're my personal Sparknotes."

"I'm not talking about the author, it's his name."

"Lucas?"

"Scott, you dumbass."

"What about it...?" His eyebrows arched quickly and then he smiled. "Do you think he's you're dad? I mean, it makes sense. You're book smart, he wrote a book." Michael flipped to the author's biography where there was a small black and white picture. "You do look a little like him."

Jamie shook his head. "No, I don't think he's my dad."

"Will you just tell me then? I'm obviously missing something."

Jamie took the book and flipped to the ninth page. "Growing up as an only child...' Blah, Blah, Blah. 'I never thought I 'd know how it felt to have a brother, a great friend."

"Get to the point, Jamie."

"Nathan Scott is his brother."

Michael's jaw dropped. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on a second. You're telling me that you're dad, or so you think, is Nathan Scott? The Nathan Scott?"

"Yes."

Michael started to laugh hysterically. "That's ridiculous."

"No it's not."

Putting his hand to his ear like a phone Michael smiled. "Is this Nathan Scott? Oh, well I'd like you to know that I think I'm you're long lost son."

"It's not funny."

"Yes it is. Nathan Scott was the Bobcats leading scorer for six consecutive seasons. He's a legend."

"So, because he's some basketball star, he can't be my father?" Jamie was getting a little angry.

"I don't know, but if you're gonna tell me next that your mother was some basketball groupie."

"She's his wife."

"Wha...? Nathan Scott is married?"

"No. Well, he was but they got divorced."

"How do you know this?" Michael smirked and then plopped on Jamie's bed.

"I Googled him, and Wikipedia said...."

"James Scott doesn't use Wikipedia."

"I don't care. It said he got married his junior year of high school to...."

Michael shook his head. "No one gets married in high school."

"Yes he did. He married Haley James."

Michael froze. The name James made him rethink all he had been saying. "Holy shit. You're..you're James Scott."

"I know."

"What if, what if you're Nathan Scott's son?"

"That's what I've been trying to say." Jamie sat on his bed and smiled. "What do you think I should do?"

"Give me that book." Tossing the book to Michael, Jamie watched his friend's eyes light up. "We're going to Tree Hill."

Jamie laughed. "Do you know where that is?"

"Yeah, about twenty miles away from my beach house." Michael reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone.

"Who are you calling?"

"My mom. I'm gonna ask her if you can come to the beach with us this weekend."

"Wait a second, what am I suppose to do, stand on the corner with a sign?" Jamie put his hands in front of his chest. "Please help me find my family."

Michael couldn't help but laugh. "No, we're gonna find him." He pointed to Lucas' name. "He should have some answers."

***

After Michael got off the phone with his mother, he relayed the good news to Jamie. Michael's mom Patricia loves Jamie, so she jumped at the idea of having him around. She needed the extra hands and he was always so polite. Once the plan was configured Michael left so Jamie could tell Jeff and Kathy about his new weekend plans.

At just past 6:30pm, Kathy called Jamie to the table for dinner. He hurried downstairs and joined his foster parents. Once Jeff said Grace, everyone began to eat.

"So Jamie, how was school today? Get any tests back, a paper?" Jeff smiled as he cut through his chicken breast.

"No, but I had to recite Shakespeare in English today."

Kathy's eyes widened. "I remember having to do that. I was never one to get up in front of the class and speak."

Jeff grinned at Jamie. "That's because she was always staring at me."

"Was not." Kathy chimed in defensively.

"Don't deny it."

The rosy circles on Kathy's cheeks made the guys laugh. Jamie put his hand on her arm and smiled. "You probably did a better job than I did."

She looked sorry. "What happened?"

"I don't know. Maybe I'm just anxious for school to get out. Today was our last full day of class, exams start next week."

Jeff shook his head. "You're just excited about the summer."

Jamie nodded. Sure, he was excited about the fast approaching summer, but he was really anxious about going to Tree Hill. Ever since he picked up the book on Wednesday, that's all he had been thinking about.

Jamie cleared his throat and looked from Kathy to Jeff. "I have a question to ask you two."

Kathy smiled. "What is it?"

"I...I was wondering if I could go to the beach with Michael this weekend."

Jeff raised his eyebrows. "Don't you have exams next week?"

"Yeah, but I don't on Monday."

"Well, when would you come back?" Kathy refolded her napkin and sighed.

"Sunday afternoon." Jamie smiled hoping his cute grin would help sway their decision.

Jeff looked over to his wife. "What do you think Kath?"

"I think he should go."

"Really?!" Jamie's face lit up.

She nodded. "You've stayed out of trouble, made good grades, I don't see why not."

"You can go under one condition." Jeff glanced at Jamie with a serious look.

"Anything."

"Monday, it's you and me. I'm gonna help you study for..."

"It's History." Jamie smiled knowing that Jeff loved that subject.

"Perfect. Is that a deal?" Jeff extended his hand.

Jamie put his hand in Jeff's. "It's a deal."

***

Thursday night Jamie packed his bag and found it extremely difficult to fall asleep. All he kept thinking about was Tree Hill, about Nathan and Haley, and how all of this new information could change his life forever. Waking up to the annoying beep of his alarm clock, Jamie rolled out of bed, threw on a t-shirt and shorts, and then made his way down to the kitchen. Kathy was making breakfast and Jeff was sipping his steaming coffee.

"Jamie?" Jeff looked over his newspaper and smirked.

"Sir?"

"I won't see you before you leave, but I just want you to be careful. Be responsible."

Jamie nodded. "I will."

"Call the house when you get there. Tell us that you got there safe." Jeff got up from the table.

"I will."

Jeff patted Jamie on the shoulder and then kissed Kathy softly on the lips. "Bye." He walked out of the kitchen but then peaked his head back in. "Hey Jamie, don't forget to have a good time."

He smiled. "Alright. Bye Jeff."

Since this was the last Friday of the school year, it was only a half day. So, Jamie was going to leave with Michael strait from the last bell at 12:00pm. He didn't need to drive his car, so Kathy drove him. Before she dropped him off, she put her hand on his arm.

"I expect a phone call around 2:30pm, mister."

Jamie laughed. "How do you know how long it takes?"

Kathy grinned. "MapQuest. It takes about two hours to get from Raleigh to Wrightsville Beach."

"You've done your homework."

"I'm just being cautious."

"Don't worry. I'm gonna be fine." He unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car. Leaning in the window he smiled. "Talk to you around 2:30pm."

She rolled her eyes sarcastically. "Bye Jamie."

"Bye Kathy."

Normally, Jamie really enjoyed school. He liked his classes, he was pretty popular, but today he was literally watching the second hand on the clock. He didn't even care that all the students had received their yearbooks. He signed a few, got his signed by almost everyone in his class, but he was preoccupied. When the clock struck twelve, Jamie ran out to the parking lot and met Michael.

"Let's go." Jamie tossed his bag in the back seat.

"Watch the leather, man." Michael looked sternly at Jamie and then rolled his eyes. "Cool it."

"I wanna go, get out of here."

Both of them got in the car. Michael shook his keys and then inserted it into the ignition. "We're going, we're going."

Exiting the parking lot was a catastrophe. Cars were leaving in every direction and the lines were ridiculous. Once Michael managed to get into the exit lane, they sat there for a good ten minutes. But to pass the time, Michael grabbed a yearbook from the back.

Flipping to the Sophomore class, he smiled. "I can't believe I got best looking."

"Really?" Jamie looked over and smirked. "You've gotten it every year since seventh grade."

"Yeah, I guess I'm not so surprised." Michael looked at himself through the rear view mirror and grinned. "And look at you. Student Council President for our class, SGA treasurer, voted most likely to succeed, and you got most athletic. You've got to be taking some sort of academic steroids."

Jamie laughed. "No, I don't think so."

"Man, all we're missing are some smokin' hot girl friends." Michael laughed and began to look through their class pictures.

A high pitched horn came from the car behind them. Apparently the line had moved when they weren't paying attention. Michael raised his hand apologetically and pushed the accelerator. Once they were out of the parking lot, Michael drove to the nearest I-40 ramp. In just a little over two hours, they'd be at the beach house, but more importantly, they'd be closer to the place where Jamie could find out more about his past.

***

Pulling into the driveway of the beach house, both Jamie and Michael could see Patricia waving from the porch. After the car had stopped, they got out and smiled at the woman two floors above their heads.

"I was wondering when you two would get here."

"We hit some traffic around Benson, but we're here safe and sound." Michael looked up to his mom.

"Jamie, call Kathy. She called fifteen minutes ago wondering if you were here yet."

Nodding, Jamie pulled out his cell phone and dialed the house. No one answered so he left a message. When he was through, he walked back to the car and grabbed his bags. He went into the house and found his bedroom next to Michale's. After setting his stuff down, Michael walked into his room with a massive smile on his face.

"I told mom I'd give you the tour, see all of the hot spots." He gestured with his head. "Come on."

"Wait, I don't care about..."

"I know, but it's our cover. You want her knowing what we're really doing?"

Jamie shook his head. "No."

"Come on then." He looked at his watch. "We've got until 7:00pm, that's almost three and a half hours."

"So, we're going to Tree Hill right now?"

Michael grinned. "Unless you're having second thoughts."

"No." Jamie sighed. "It's now or never."

***

Once Michael parked the car, the boys got out and headed to the Riverwalk. Jamie wanted to take in the sites of Tree Hill before they tried to find Lucas. After walking past a few restaurants and the river boat, Michael stopped Jamie.

"So what's the plan?"

"I guess we should go in a couple shops and just ask around. Lucas Scott is a local guy, people should know how I can contact him."

Michael smirked. "You don't think anyone is going to think you're crazy, some weird obsessed fan?"

"Hope not."

Both of them laughed a little and then headed towards the courthouse. They walked back up to the main street where all of the business were, but Jamie just stared at a corner building. Michael, sensing he was walking alone looked back and stopped.

"Come on. There's a book store over there."

"No. We need to go in there." Jamie pointed across the street to the building that had black awnings.

"Dude, that's a chick's clothing store."

Jamie's brow furrowed and he shook his head. "I swear I recognize that name." He ran his hands through his hair and then gasped. "It's Brooke's clothing line."

"Who's Brooke?"

"She's a character from An Unkindness of Ravens. She went to high school with Lucas, with Nathan and Haley."

Jamie crossed the street and Michael followed. "Hey man, why don't you go in by yourself. I'll wait out here."

"This won't take long." Jamie pulled Michael by his shirt sleeve. "Let's go."

Stepping into the boutique, a bell rang announcing Jamie and Michael's entrance. A woman hollered from the back and Michael tensed up.

"Dude, what are you gonna say? What if she doesn't know where Lucas is."

Shaking his head, Jamie pointed Michael to the opposite end of the store. "Go over there. Act like you're gonna buy something."

"But I don't...."

"Just go."

Jamie took a deep breath and slowly walked over to the counter. He saw a small brunette walk in from the back, she had a tape measure in her hands and smiled at the boy.

"How can I help you?"

Her raspy voice made his nerves fire. He remembered Lucas describing Brooke's voice sounding like she was always horse. He smiled at her and leaned on the counter.

"Are you...are you Brooke Davis?"

She smiled, "The one and only."

"Well, I was hoping you can help me."

Brooke eyed him and then nodded. "What do you need? A gift for a sister, girlfriend maybe?"

Jamie kind of laughed and then shook his head. "No, I need to ask you a question."

She raised her eyebrow. "Continue."

"I uh...do you know how I can contact Lucas Scott?"

"Is this about the book?" Brooke leaned on the counter with her elbows and smirked.

"Yeah."

"Just so you know, I'm different now. Brooke Davis is a much more mature adult."

Jamie raised his hands. "I'm not judging you."

Brooke rolled her eyes. "So, you want to talk to Lucas, huh?"

"That would be great." Jamie smiled and looked over to Michael.

"I'm not going to tell you where he lives, but I can tell you that he usually has coffee and reads over at Port City Java." She looked at her watch. "He usually gets there around 4:45pm."

"Wow. Thank you so much." Jamie turned towards the door.

"Hey kid, what's your name?" Brooke was standing up strait with crossed arms.

"I'm Michael, Michael Bell."

The real Michael Bell looked at his best friend with wide eyes. Jamie waved him over and then they walked out of the store.

"What the hell man, why didn't you use your real name?"

"I don't know. Yours just popped into my head."

Michael shook his head. "You're such a moron."

"Maybe I am a moron, but did you hear what she said? Lucas is going to be in that coffee shop in forty five minutes."

"So, what do we do until then?"

Jamie stood in silence for a few seconds. "The public library is just around the corner. It probably has Tree Hill High School yearbooks. We can see what my 'mom' and 'dad' looked like back then."

"I bet your mom was totally hot."

Jamie grimaced a little. "I don't know, but we can go find out."

***

Sitting at a table, Jamie and Michael flipped through a bunch of blue yearbooks. After searching countless faces and names, Jamie finally found her. Haley James was on the third row wearing some ugly ass poncho, but she had the kindest eyes he had ever seen. Jamie was captivated, he was convinced that this was his mother.

"Hey, I found her. I found three Scotts." Michael turned the yearbook he had and slid it towards Jamie. "She changed her name when they got married. Look, she's Haley James Scott."

Jamie pulled the book closer to his face. The girl looked different, but she was still the same. Her hair was lighter, her clothes looked a whole hell of a lot better, but those eyes, those massive brown eyes still stared at him.

Jamie sighed. "She looks so happy." He looked at the guy next to her. "There's Lucas."

Michael nodded and then pointed to the dark haired boy next to Lucas. "And there's Nathan."

"This..." Jamie's voice caught. "This is my family."

"Holy shit. I can't believe this is really happening."

Jamie was a little teary eyed, but he laughed. "You're telling me."

Michael put his hand on Jamie's shoulder. "What do you say, want to go meet your uncle?"

***

They were sitting at a table near the window watching every person enter and leave the small little coffee shop. Michael was getting bored and began to play with the packs of sugar on the table. He huffed when his tower of Sweet N' Low packets toppled over.

"We've been here for forever. Looks like that Brooke lady as wrong."

"Let's just wait another fifteen minutes."

Michael rolled his eyes. "Fine."

After ten more minutes of waiting, Jamie was even starting to get antsy. He really hoped he'd see Lucas, but it looks like that was becoming less likely as each minute ticked away. At 5:30pm, Jamie sighed and pushed away from the table.

"I guess he's not coming."

Michael felt sorry for his friend. "Maybe we can catch him tomorrow? We'll ask someone else."

With a defeated sigh, Jamie nodded. "Maybe."

Getting up from the table, Jamie turned towards the door. He waited on Michael and then they walked out of Port City Java. Something caught his eye however. A shiny red mustang was parked at the curb. Jamie blinked twice and then saw a blond haired man get out of the old car.

"That's him."

"What?" Michael turned and saw the hot rod. "Sweet ride." He was so preoccupied with the car that he failed to see Jamie approach the man getting out.

"Excuse me, but are you Lucas Scott?"

The tall blond laughed. "Yeah."

"Um, I think that...I think...." Jamie couldn't make up his mind. He didn't know if he should tell him up front, or ease into the whole, 'we're family' conversation.

Lucas smirked and pulled out a pen. "Do you want an autograph?"

Jamie shook his head. "No." He took a deep breath and sighed. "I think, I think I'm your nephew."

Lucas looked around not sure if he heard correctly. "What did you just say?"

"I think I'm your nephew." Jamie sighed and pushed his hands into his pockets. "What I'm trying to say is that I think you are my uncle."

"You have me confused with someone else. I don't have a nephew." Lucas locked his car door and headed to the coffee shop.

"No, I don't."

"Kid, if it's money you want..."

Following Lucas to the shop, Jamie put his hand over the door. "Please."

"I'm sorry, but it's just not possible."

"What if I told you that I'm 16, I'll be 17 next week." Jamie's blue eyes met Lucas'. "I think you know my parents."

Sighing, Lucas shrugged his shoulders. "I don't think I can help you."

"I just want to know if my parents are Nathan Scott and Haley James."

Lucas took a step back. "How do you know...what did you say your name was?"

Jamie swallowed hard. "I'm James, James Lucas Scott."

***

You'll hear from Nathan and Haley soon, I promise.

Please review!!