Author's Note: Nice review, J...Dude, I swear I am NEVER telling you anything again!

Megan loaded up Nathan's SUV for the long, lonesome drive back to Charlotte. She was off to further her career, he was off to divorce his wife so that he could marry her. Just saying it all out loud was enough to make a person go crazy. And Meg was almost there. She was mentally and emotionally at the brink and would be relieved when it was all over.

"Let me grab that for you", her sometimes too charming father in law to be, grinned as he picked up a heavy piece of luggage and placed it in the back.

"Thanks, Dan."

"No need for thanks, my dear. I'm just sorry to see you go."

"I'm just going a few miles West on I-40", she joked. "I'll be back before you know it."

Dan raised an eyebrow.

"Let's hope so."

"What does that mean?"

"What? Oh nothing. Please excuse me. I guess I was just thinking out loud. It's probably more appropriate that I keep my concerns to myself."

"What concerns?" Megan asked carefully.

Dan sighed dramatically.

"It's really nothing. I'm being an overprotective father and father in law to be. It's just that you going to Charlotte and Nathan going to the Dominican…it bothers me. You two should be together during this time."

"We've already talked about it and trust me, it can't be avoided. It's a work thing that I can't get out of and it's not fair to ask Nathan too postpone the divorce just so I can come along. It's just not practical."

"Practical, eh? Interesting…"

"Dan, what are you getting at?"

He smirked, looking right at her.

"Bottom line, kid? I don't trust Haley."

"What does trusting Haley have to do with anything?"

"Everything. Come on, Meg. You're a smart girl. Don't tell me that fancy and expensive prep school and a degree from Duke are going to waste."

"I'm sorry. I really don't understand."

"I know Haley James. I know her kind. River Rats, we like to call them here in Tree Hill. Girls from the wrong side of the tracks with no class and sophistication who make it their primary goal in life to go sniffing around for money. Then they use their worldly charms to sleep their way into wealthy families just like mine. They corrupt good kids like my son."

"Look, I don't know Haley personally but I find it hard to believe marrying Nathan at 16 was part of some evil, hidden agenda to marry rich."

"She got to you too, huh? Don't let that naïve act fool you. She's full of it, Meg. Trust me. She weaseled Nathan away from us once, convinced him to emancipate himself from Deb and me, then persuaded the boy to marry her. Once she got what she thought she wanted, she moved on to the first Tom, Dick, Harry or Chris that zoomed by on a tour bus. I'm telling you. The girl is selfish. Selfish and evil. Just watch her. You never know what tricks she has up her sleeve. I don't know if not accompanying Nathan to Santa Domingo is the wisest choice. Like I said, I don't trust Haley."

Megan looked Dan right in the eye.

"Well, I trust Nathan."

Dan laughed that wicked, sinister trademark laugh of his.

"How noble of you, Meg. Just don't let it come back to bite you in the ass."

"I'm sure it won't. Thanks for the concern but uh…I'll be fine, Dan. Nathan and I are going to be just fine."

"I'm sure but um, just in case, can dear old Dad here offer you some insurance?"

"Insurance?" Megan frowned.

"I'm a powerful man and I take pride in getting what I want, whenever I want it. Haley James ruined Nathan's life once. I won't let that happen again. I have connections, you could say. Friends in high places. If that little gold digging, country bumpkin piece of trash tries anything, I could…well, take care of it for you."

A cold chill ran up and down Megan's spine. Dan Scott had a reputation for being heartless and ruthless but she had always seen a teddy bear inside, a ferocious bark with a non threatening bite. Now she was seeing something else. A dark side. A scary side. A side she wanted nothing to do with.

"Dan, I…"

"Meg, make sure you didn't forget anything", Nathan called out. "I'm bringing out your last bag."

Megan just stared into smirking, arrogant, aloof eyes. Her heart was still racing. She didn't know how to react. She just wanted to get away.

"Um, I left something upstairs, Nate. I'll go get it", she said, scurrying off.

Nathan headed to join her but was stopped by his mother emerging from the kitchen area.

"Hi, sweetie, everything okay?"

"I'm fine", he tried to brush past her.

"I know Megan is leaving and your flight takes off soon. Can I make you a snack before you leave?"

"A snack?" Nathan sneered. "Mom, what the hell am I, six?"

Deb swallowed her hurt. Where was her precious little boy? He became more and more like his father with each passing day.

"Honey, I'm sorry. I just worry. I want you to be okay."

"I am."

"I know but this whole thing with Haley…I know it can't be easy. I just want you to be alright. Go get this thing taken care of and maybe it will give you the happiness you've been looking for. Or at least the peace."

Nathan narrowed his eyes. He sensed an inference and he resented it.

"What's that supposed to mean?" he growled.

"Nothing. Sweetie, you've got a lot of soul searching to do. I just want you to be happy. I want you to do whatever is right for you…even if it might not be for other people. Don't you understand that?"

If looks could kill, Deb would have already been six feet under.

"Happiness, huh? What do you know about my happiness? And when was the last time you were happy yourself?"

"Nathan, I…"

"Butt out, Mom."

Deb bit her lip to hold back the tears as Megan emerged from upstairs with another bag.

"I guess this is it", she forced a smile. "Anything else, can't be too important, right? Besides, I'll be back soon."

"I love you", Nathan kissed her. "Drive safe."

"I will. Call me from your layovers and when you get to the hotel."

"Okay."

"Love you, too, Nate."

"See you soon, sweetie", Deb hugged her.

"I will. I'll be back before you know it and so will Nate and everything will be back to normal and we can go back to the important stuff like finishing up plans for the wedding."

Nathan closed the door as Megan climbed in the passenger seat.

"Take care, dear", Dan nodded smugly. "And if you need anything…anything at all, just call me. I'll be here. Waiting."

She cranked the truck and gave a final wave before driving off. She took a deep breath and turned up the radio. Megan needed a distraction. Something to remove the sinking feeling in her stomach about Dan Scott and the sinking feeling in her heart about Nathan and Haley.