Apologies for the long wait ...to anyone reading (though you've probably forgotten the story line by now). I was awake all night, each night, waiting for one of you to break down my front door...

I was unable to post, and I've missed doing it! But unless my brother's computer has a baby computer for me, then I'll have to seize the occasional (rare) moment and update when I can.

Appreciate all the feedback (as usual)

Chapter.18

"Let's do it."

"I don't know about you, but I sure don't want to jump back in ."

Nathan shrugged. "It's only going to get worse."

"Yeah, I know." Keith rolled his eyes. Nathan found himself almost laughing like an idiot. Almost-but not quite. Keith had a peculiar way of twisting bad situations into a half comedy. And Nathan didn't know if he even realized it. One thing he did understand, for sure. Keith Scott liked to make people laugh. He had a unique lop sided humor that was hard to resist.

"What are you thinking about?"

Nathan focused, startled. "Nothing."

"I'll bet." Keith checked his leg bandage, straightened with a groan of protest. "Give me one person your age who's mind is comfortably blank and I'll hand you the moon."

"Better start jumping."

Keith nodded. "Good. You can joke. I was beginning to think maybe you're mouth couldn't move that way." He sketched a half circle across his face. "Smile."

Nathan's eyes narrowed. "You really don't know who I am. You've hardly spoken to me."

"Operative word here is 'know'. I know what Dan's like. And you are more like him then you think."

"I'm his kid."

"Not a clone?"

"I do my own thing."

"That aspect of your personality is just screaming at me."

Nathan tried not to smile. His thoughts kept drifting...wondering what it would be like to have had Keith as his dad-instead of Dan. Speculating...why wasn't Keith married?

The answer was glaringly obvious. And he felt an undefined surge of... something.

Lucas was his uncle's favorite.

Because Lucas, whether he realized it or not, whether he fully appreciated the fact, wasn't Keith's nephew. He was Keith's son.

Nathan ducked down, hiding his discontent. Drew violent lines through Lucas' chalky artwork.

Lucas.

Something snapped, clearing the jealous haze.

Luke's discarded "crayon," clenched in his fist.

"Come on." Keith leveled him with his quiet voice.

Feeling as if he had fallen short, like Keith could read his mind...Nathan dropped the handful of wooden splinters and jerked his dark head.

"About time."[]

"Okay."

Lucas paused for an instant, getting his bearings. Breathing.

The approaching storm's swells rose up and down in an erratic rhythm that hid the shore.

He was a little off course.

"Lucas, stupid!"

A rough wave arced above him, suspended for a moment.

"Oh, great!" He splashed forward, voice cracking.

The water pulled him under, a smooth downward spiral...he broke for air, kicking free, fleetingly remembering the slippery slide at the playground, how he'd fallen off it one school year....

He was jumpy. The calming reassurance of Keith and Karen's presence couldn't protect him. And he wasn't doing his best, Lucas was letting Dan get to him.

He had.

"Okay, I can beat you!" He cut through the water with renewed vigor. Half of winning your battle was simply knowing what you were up against. A dark face took shape in his mind. The very waves seeped Dan. Lucas heard his careless laughter, flung at him with every crash of the ocean.

The mocking, mere tightening of the lips, Dan's smile for him.

"I hate you! Hate you!" Lucas choked on water, felt the rapid pounding of his pulse, light headed with anger. It warmed him strangely.

A hand, fingers grasped his arm.

Lucas flailed about, straining to see...there was no one there.

A tiny part of his mind soothed him.

Dehydration (yes, strangely enough). Shock, maybe. Lack of food. Sleep deprivation. There was a million different explanations.

He tread water, struggling to retain his position.

A head shot up out of the gloom, droplets of moisture raining down upon him. Lucas flung himself back wards as Dan Scott lunged for his son, arms outstretched.

"We have to get out of here!"

Lucas tried to shake off his father's hold. "I don't need your help!"

"I came back for you!"

Lucas didn't melt at the words. They were coldly spoken, born from pride rather than affection.

"I'm making it."

"You've been out here too long. This storm's going to slam you into some rock and that'll be the end of you're epic making it!"

Lucas coughed, both of them circling, blinking in the enveloping moisture, hair molded to their faces.

He was tiring. Luke abruptly quit the cat and mouse game, headed for land.

Dan quickly caught up. Lucas abandoned all pretenses, threw his father a dark look and cast himself into the adrenaline surged race for shore.

This time he wasn't getting left behind.[]

Dan felt the ache in his side increasing with every stroke. He was tiring at an alarming rate, unable to get a lungful of air.

Lucas stayed just ahead, the sound of his own ragged breathing piercing the deep, empty roar of the storm.

Dan coughed, realized he'd been swallowing the stuff. What was going on?

For Dan, the feeling of helplessness overpowered any physical discomfort.[]

Lucas ventured one hasty glance behind, surprised that Dan was nowhere in sight. And then realization dawned.[]

Dan fought weakly to the surface. It was the third time he'd gone down...didn't wonder how long he could fight it. Too used to being the victor. Knowing he was the best. Sure of himself. Except- the ocean didn't play favorites. It didn't care if you were a football hero who could lift a building in weights -or a skinny kid. The ultimate in uncaring. It made Dan feel hollow inside. Like when you were really hungry. Or waiting for dinner and there was that endless round of toasts...

Slender fingers, entwined through his arms. Pulling him up. Into daylight.

Dan collapsed against Lucas, unable to straighten his muscles. He knew the kid was straining, it was going to be a struggle to get them both back in. But he couldn't help it.[]

It was a nightmare journey for Luke. Dan was absolutely no help. At least he had the sense to let Lucas do what he needed, not fight him.

He couldn't believe this was happening. Never in a million years...rescuing Dan Scott?

Dan revived somewhat as he felt the endless bottom begin to give way, replaced by solid earth.

Lucas, his chest heaving with every movement, dragging him out of the water. Collapsing beside him, only halfway up the beach.

Dan got an elbow underneath him and dazedly took in the scene. His mind was beginning to clear. Lucas was stretched out beside him, eyes shut, raindrops glinting on his lashes. Water streaked trails down the sand frosting his cheek.

"You-you alright?"

Lucas nodded, unmoving.

Dan fell back down beside him. Lucas shifted so that his entire body was on dry land. His arm brushed Dan's.

Dan jumped at the touch of wet skin, instinctively moved away.

His mouth framed the words, "Thanks, son," but no sound came out.[]