Dan Scott couldn't help but smirk as he read the stats in the newspaper. As usual his two sons dominated the sports headlines but then again, how could they not, coming from such formidable basketball pedigree? Putting the paper away, he stopped as he passed by a mirror. To be in his forties, he looked good…damned good! An even all over tan, hardened chest, defined back, muscular arms and legs and a flat an taunt stomach. Yes the old man still had it and he was damn proud of it, he thought as he couldn't help but do a pose in the mirror.

It was the middle of a bitter winter and he'd had business to attend to in Denver. And what better way to pass away the time than to sneak in a few days of rest and relaxation at the private cottage he owned tucked far away in the snow covered hills of Aspen. A fire roared in its place, casting a warm glow on the dim and cozy living room.

"Dan?"

"I'm right here, love", he grinned. "Just getting up to stretch the old legs."

"Come here", she murmured. "Come back to me."

She didn't say "come back to bed" because they had never made it that far. They had barely gotten inside the private confines of the house before lips began feverishly kissing, hands started roaming and ripping off clothes. They had made passionate love for hours in front of the fire.

"You are a very beautiful woman", he said, tracing the soft line of her cheek with his finger. "I could stay here with you forever. It's quiet…peaceful. It's as if the world has gone away, like it's just the two of us. Like all the trouble outside has just disappeared."

She closed her eyes and smiled, burying her face deeper into his smooth chest. It was a perfect little existence for just the two of them and then his ever present cell phone began to ring. He lifted it and checked the Caller ID and answered, never moving her from his embrace.

"Hello dear."

"Who is this man on the other end of the line? Wait, did my husband actually pick up his phone?" Deb joked. "Tell me you're coming home soon."

"Tomorrow evening. I apologize. Last minute things came up that I had to handle. But I will see you soon."

"I can't wait. I just worry about you, honey. About your heart. I know how anxious you were to get back to work but I worry that you're overdoing it."

Dan glanced downwards to the beauty beside him. Only if she knew how much he really was "overdoing" it.

"I'll be fine. I'm gradually regaining my strength", he said in a somewhat pitiful voice.

"You sound tired…"

"Forgive me. I've been in meetings all day."

"Well you should get your rest. I won't keep you, darling. I just wanted to call and let you know I was thinking about you. I miss you Dan and I love you."

"Love you too, Deb. I'll see you tomorrow."

With a sigh, he hung up the phone and rolled over.

"Now where were we?" he growled. "Round three or was it four?"

"So much for being in our own little world", she pouted. "Who was that on the phone, reality?"

She sat up abruptly, tossing the covers and searching for clothes to cover her naked form. He stopped her, gently grabbing her arm and then placing tiny kisses on the exposed blades of her shoulder.

"Now, now. Anna, must we go through this every time?"

"Yes. Yes Dan, I guess we must. I'm sick of this. Meeting you at hotels all over the country. When is this going to end? When are you going to leave her?"

"Patience my dear", he smiled. "In time. It's very complicated."

"I don't want to hear that. I'm sick and tired of hearing that. It's not that complicated."

"Oh but it is. I have to plan this out very carefully. If not, I could end up like that blubbering son of mine in New York. Let some broad walk away with my hard earned millions? Over my dead body…or hers", he smirked.

"Why does it always have to be about the money? Who cares?"

"I care. What else is there?"

"People and love and happiness."

"Maybe in Candyland or wherever that pretty little head of yours is but in the real world money talks and power is everything."

"Is it? Is that why you're destroying your son's life?"

"Don't be so dramatic. I am not destroying the boy's life, I am helping him out…big time."

"By taking away everything?"

"I'm not taking anything away from him, Anna. I will always do what's best for Lucas and Nathan and now Aidan, Tristan and Harmony. I am protecting my family."

"From what, Dan? How is keeping little Harmony away from her mother protecting her?"

"Once upon a time Deb and I were very happy. Business was prospering and I gave Deb the kind of life I thought she deserved. I gave her a beautiful home and a nice car and she got to stay at home and devote her time to our son. It was perfect. Then one day, it all ended. She told me she wasn't happy anymore. Said getting married and having Nathan had happened to fast for her…that she was too young. That hurt me, Anna. It hurt me that my beloved wife wasn't happy. So I did what I could to change that. I took time off work so we could be together more as a family. I bought her cars and furs and clothes and more jewelry than she knew what to do with. We took exotic vacations. And I was there for her. Did everything in my power to be the best husband. And you know what she did? You know how that bitch repaid me? She had an affair. Sleeping with another man right under my nose. Then when Nathan was eleven and at summer basketball camp, she ran away with the guy. Was gone for months. Eventually she saw the error of her ways and came begging and pleading back. I let her come back but it was never the same after that. I never loved her the same or saw her the same way again. From then on, it was just me and my son and nothing else mattered. I raised Nathan, Anna. Deb gave birth to him and sure she was there but Nathan Scott, the pheonom, the millionaire, the best basketball player in the country is the product of me. That was my vision. And all my prodding and pressuring sure made dividends, don't you think? Nathan never did need Deb, can't you see? And now it's the same thing with little Harmony. That is my blood that runs through her veins. She is a Scott and trust me, she'll be better off without Brooke in the long run."

"Why Brooke?" Anna asked. "Why Brooke and not Nathan's wife?"

"Who, Haley? Haley is harmless. She's not a threat to me or my plans. And she's loyal. That loyalty to Nathan and the Scott name makes her far stronger than Brooke ever could be. But that Brooke…it could never work with her a part of the picture. For years I've tolerated her and for years I've watched her destroy my son. In marriage, she was his weakness. His love for her blinded him and became more important than family or even his career. She had too much control, too much power. And in divorce she stood to take everything…his money, his material things, his child…even his heart and soul. I couldn't let that happen. I gave her a chance to reconsider but she refused. Looking back, I'm glad she did. She just would have proved to be a risk further on down the line. So now it's payback time."

"So that's the Dan Scott way, huh? Lie and manipulate and plot and eventually destroy the lives of everyone you feel has wronged you. How can you be so controlling and uncaring and inhumane? It disgusts me."

"Does it disgust you the way I have your pathetic big brother by the balls? The one person you have hated your entire life, a man no one could control…until now."

She just looked at him unable to move or speak.

"So you see my dear, it works both ways. So don't you go around feeling sorry for my sons or their wives or my grandchildren. You just leave everything up to me."

"You are a twisted man…"

"And that was only part of the attraction", he grinned, grabbing her arms and pinning her underneath his weight. "Now tell me you love me."

She looked at him defiantly.

"Anna. My dear, sweet Anna. Why must we play these games?" he asked as his mouth began to work its magic on her quivering young flesh.

She whimpered in his arms.

"Say it. Tell me you love me, Anna."

"I do", she moaned, breathless and out of control. "Oh…oh Dan! I do love you."

"We will be together", he said, in between kisses. "We will be together and Deb and Brooke will be out of the way for good."

"I don't care about them", she panted. "I don't care about any of them. I just want you to love me."