From his VIP courtside seat behind the visiting Bobcats bench, Dan Scott watched the game with white knuckled interest. He had surprised his youngest son by flying down to New Orleans to watch Charlotte take on the Hornets. Not just in his own mind, apparently the elder Scott was a bit of a legend. In North Carolina he was well known for his athleticism and scoring records both in high school and college. He was the Great White Hope, the good looking golden boy who was supposed to go all the way to the pros. But an injury had dashed his hopes. An injury he turned out not to have.

But the world was not aware. As far as anyone knew, he was the sports hero who'd had his dreams snatched away in the cruelest twist of fate. He was a champion who had persevered, grudgingly accepting destiny's defeat and for that the fans would always hold a special place in their heart's for him. Now he was once again in glory's blinding limelight for a different reason. He was the patriarch for a new dynasty. The proud papa of two of the NBA's newest and brightest shining stars.

His presence in the stand always attracted attention, awareness that he thrived in. As soon as the players hit the floor and Nathan looked up, he scowled. His father was one surprise he hadn't counted on or anticipated.

By halftime the Bobcats were up by a decent 12 points and Nathan led the way with impressive stats of 17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and a block. He was playing hard with a newfound aggression but for Dan it wasn't enough. It was never enough. It wasn't what Nathan had done but what the careless fouls he had committed, the missed shots from the free throw line he had missed and the unnecessary technical he had acquired at the bottom of the first quarter.

Nevertheless his handsome but still smug grin was on full display as the reporter from ESPN and camera man made their way over to him.

"As the third quarter begins, we are pleased to be joined by Dan Scott, a basketball phenom in his own day who now proudly watches not one but two NBA star sons from the stands, tonight in particular, the Point Guard from Charlotte, the Bocats' own, Nathan Scott. Thanks for talking to us, Dan."

"My pleasure as always", he looked right into the camera.

"Your youngest son has put up some impressive numbers tonight. As a former college Defensive Player of the Year, did you have any pointers for him before the game?"

"Just what I always tell him and what I've been saying since he was a little boy. Nate is a great player, love and knowledge of the game combine with raw talent and superior physical ability. He plays hard every time and I tell him to make it difficult for the other team."

"Both of your sons played remarkable last year as rookies. Now that they are in their sophomore seasons, how does it feel to sit on the sidelines and see what they are accomplishing?"

"I admire what they have done. Anyone in this profession that doesn't is silly. What father wouldn't? Lucas and Nathan play the right way and do all the things to give their respective teams a chance to win. They respect the game. I marvel at the fact that they have been able to that over such a short period of time. It's not easy to win when you are expected to win. Both boys have accomplished many great things over their high school, college and now professional careers. It is no accident that the 76ers and Bobcats are two teams that will definitely be on top this year, in my mind."

"Well, they call you Dapper Dan and you have certainly earned that nickname tonight in this tailored suit but the last time we saw you, you were more relaxed in your jeans and tee shirt. Is this a new Dan Scott we're seeing? Another style?"

"Definitely not, Jim", he joked. "I'm dapper no matter what you put me in but I promise you, I'll always be the same Dan…just in a different suit."

"The incomparable Dan Scott, everyone. Thank you for your time, sir."

"Thank you."

His grin didn't last for long as the tempo of the game drastically changed. If the Bobcats were still in control their fearless leader wasn't. Foolish shot attempts and sloppy ball handling. His frustration was visible and all would be lost at the top of the fourth when he was called for a flagrant foul.

"Unnecessary roughness on number 23, Scott."

The game was close and that was the fifth foul called on him, putting the Charlotte Star in late foul trouble.

"Ref! What the fuck? Are you fucking blind? He bumped into me! I barely touched his ass!"

"Call was made, son."

"Yeah a bullshit call, you stupid motherfucker!"

The other teammates ran to grab him.

"Watch it, Scott…"

"Or what?"

The referee blew his whistle.

"That's it. Second technical. Scott, you're out of here."

The crowd roared. Nathan Scott had been ejected from the game.

"What the fuck, asshole? You can't throw me out of this goddamned game! Fuck you! I'm not going anywhere!"

"Scott, you've got five seconds to get in that locker room or face indefinite suspension."

The coaches and the trainers rushed to keep a bad situation from worsening as they convinced Nathan to go to the back. On the way, still yelling and cursing, he tore off his jersey and tossed it to the floor, kicking over a huge cooler of water to add insult to injury. A fuming Dan lingered behind to see Charlotte lose by four points.

But Nathan didn't care. He wasn't interested in his father's words or the words of his coach and teammates or the media. He just wanted to get away. Not bothering to shower or wait until the end, he had a taxi whisk him back to the hotel. Once in his room, he popped open a can of Malt Liquor as he searched for something interesting on TV. He settled for the Classic Cartoon Network.

When there was a pounding at the door, he didn't even bother to check the peephole. He knew full well who it was. Who else would it be?

"Father! Welcome to my humble temporary abode. What do I owe the honor?"

"Shut your trap, Boozy", he pushed his way in the door. "I swear you're giving that uncle Keith of yours a run for his money."

"Oh you're one to talk but it's nice to see you too, man", he smiled.

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I'm fine, Dad. Really. Never been better."

"Look at you. You're a stumbling, slobbering, sniveling, stinking mess. Look at you. Losing your temper at the game like that? Nice going, dummy. You cost your team the game."

"I'm sick of carrying those losers. It's about time they picked up the slack and quit waiting for me to lead their sorry asses to the promised land. What the fuck am I, Moses?"

"Right now you're a pathetic excuse for a human being. All you can do is sit here and drink beer?"

"Technically it's Malt Liquor but…"

"Don't get cute with me, son. You're running your life."

"Spare me the lecture."

"Someone needs to lecture you. You've been on a downward spiral ever since that girl reappeared."

"What are you talking about?"

"You know damned well what I'm talking about. She almost cost you everything once before and you still haven't learned your lesson."

"Look, don't even take it there, man", Nathan said with tight lips and clenched fists.

"What? Are you gonna tell me you still love her?"

"That's none of your goddamned business."

Dan laughed.

"But you did fuck her again, right?"

"What?"

"Oh come on. The Old Man isn't that stupid. You two stranded on Gilligan's Island thinking you were in your last days. You tell me you didn't give in to passion?"

"Dad…"

Nathan couldn't look at his father.

"I don't get you, son. You're willing to piss everything away for some girl."

"She was my wife, Dad!"

"Well, what about your wife now? Or have you forgotten about that. Jesus, Nate! What does Haley have over you? Huh? She's mousy and not that pretty and she's got legs like baseball bats."

"Dad!"

"You have a beautiful, loving, sophisticated, classy jewel of a wife now who, for reasons only known to God, puts up with you and loves your ass. You willing to throw that all away?"

"No, Dad, I guess I'm not…just like you weren't."

"What does that mean?"

"Choosing Mom when you really loved Karen?"

"I loved your mother but there were bigger issues at hand", he answered smugly.

"Like money and needing someone to finance your future."

"I did what I had to do. It all worked out in the end, didn't it?"

"Did it really?"

"You tell me. Was your childhood really that bad? You had everything you ever wanted or needed. You had wealth and privilege, a life most people would kill for but you flushed it all away for that River Rat. Now you're traveling down that same path. Don't do it, son. Don't be foolish. Don't give all this up."

"What Dad? The money? The fame? Well, all this shit we have, the houses and the money and the cars and the vacations…that's not everything!"

"Now you sound as stupid as your mother", he smirked.

"Whatever, man."

"You better get a grip and quick, Nate. You need to straighten up. Life isn't always about what we want but rather what we have to do. Don't ever lose sight of the big picture."

"You know, before all this happened to me, I never quite understood how you could be so selfish. When it came to your life and your choices…Lucas and Karen. Everyday I used to wonder."

"I guess now you know."

"Yeah", he said bitterly. "I guess I do."

"It's easy to have all the answers from a distance. But everybody makes decisions they regret. Me. Your mother. Haley. But we learn to live with it. It's part of life."

Nathan played with his beer can.

"Maybe it's a part of your life but uh…I don't know if it has to be a part of mine."

"You're a stupid young man, you know that? I felt like you once but I grew up, Nathan. Think about what you're doing. Use your head and not your heart. Trust me, the brain will carry you a lot further. Think of your life and your child and your future. Think about Megan. All she has done for you and what she really means to you. The love and support and loyalty. The life you're supposed to have. And think about what Haley did. She's poison, Nathan. Sometimes people come into our lives and even though we might want them there or think we love them, we become less of a person because of their presence. All Haley has ever done is brought turmoil and mayhem and chaos. We all have to make choices. I made mine and God knows I don't regret them. I did what I had to do for you and for me. One day I woke up and I was looking down the barrel of a life I couldn't control. Maybe you find yourself in the same situation. I just thought you could use some advice. I can see that you're scared. But don't let that fear cloud your vision. Fear or love or stupidity. Live your life and make the best decisions for that life no matter how warped or devious or selfish that might be. It'll make a man out of you yet, son", Dan said as he helped himself to the mini bar, then raised his glass in a toast to his youngest. "It did me."