Author's Note: OTHforever03, thanks for the review. This is for all fans of the show and characters to enjoy but for an "old head" like me, it is particularly nice to get reviews from shall I say, more mature readers, lol.

Mora, babe, what the heck? Where are you?

Steam was literally pouring out of Nathan's ears. Lucas hadn't seen him that worked up in a long time.

"Nate, calm down, man. Chris, I don't think you need to be here right now."

Chris smirked.

"I beg to differ. This is something that should have been handled a long time ago. No time like the present."

Nathan smiled a sinister smile.

"You heard the man, Luke."

"Dude, I am not leaving you two alone."

"We're big boys, Saint Luke", Chris dug. "Nate here can handle himself. We don't need a babysitter. What, do you hold his dick for him when he pisses?"

"Look…" Lucas lunged for him.

Now it was Nathan's turn to hold him back.

"It's okay, man. I can take care of this."

Lucas backed away, still unsure.

"Alright but I'll be in the other room if you need me."

He walked off leaving two longtime rivals alone and face to face.

"This is oddly familiar", Chris observed. "Kind of brings back memories, don't you think? Mind if I have a seat?"

"Actually, I do. What the hell do you want, man? Say your peace and you've got one minute to do so before I decide upon kicking the living shit out of you."

"Well, when you put it in those terms, I guess I better hurry it up. Look, I don't know why I came down here and I was just about to leave when I heard you through the door. There's some stuff that I have to say to you."

Nathan looked coolly at his watch.

"44…43…42…the seconds are ticking, man…"

"Relax. You're making this harder than it has to be", he touched Nathan's folded arms.

"Touch me again and you'll be singing your loser rock with your jaw wired shut."

"This isn't gonna work if you're pissed off."

"You think this is some kind of goddamned joke? Because even though you've been laughing going on eight years now, I don't think it's funny."

"Look…"

"I don't want to hear it. You come down here with your swagger and your comments. I'm not impressed by any of it, dude. You think I give a flying fuck about how many records you've sold? All you do is get off by messing with people's lives."

"Messing with people's lives?" Chris repeated. "Oh I get it. You must mean me repeatedly banging your wife over the last eight years."

"You better watch it, punk", Nathan snarled.

Chris shook his head.

"Sorry to disappoint you but we didn't. It never happened…ever. I'm sure she's told you that now I am. How many times do you need to hear it?"

"Whatever", Nathan eyed him coldly.

"Listen, I don't know what's going to happen now. I can't predict the future. But you are Jamma's father. I know you've had a few problems but I hope you're gonna be okay…for her sake and for Haley's."

"Don't take it there with me. You have no right."

"That's where you're wrong. I do have a right. Haley is my friend. She's a huge part of my life and so is Jamma. With you back in the picture, everything you do from here on out affects them."

"You're a goddamn psychiatrist now? You think I don't know that?"

"I don't know because it looks like you were a little lost over the years…"

"Gee and whose fault is that?" Nathan asked sarcastically.

"Mine or at least that's what you think. You're entitled to your own opinion but here is a little bit of truth. I've thought about you over the years…a lot."

"Shut up, fag."

Chris laughed.

"Not in that way, douche bag. You know what I mean. I'm a song writer. Crap like that? I carry it with me."

"Then you should know how it was for me. You want to hear me say it? It was fucking horrible!"

"I know. I mean, I can imagine. Haley is great. It would suck to lose someone like her."

"All thanks to your dumb ass but I don't expect you to feel bad or guilty or anything."

"Good because I don't. Know why? What we did with our careers was a million to one shot, man. How many artists or writers or actors or singers are out there right now talented as hell but they'll never get their shot? I had to be selfish, we had to be selfish. It's all or nothing, man."

"Just shut up."

"You don't think I tried to talk to her? So many nights on that bus on the first tour going from city to city. We talked about everything…which is more than I can say for your ass."

"She was my wife. Not a friend, not a girlfriend, not some random chick I was nailing…Haley was my wife. Don't you get that?"

"I know that. I know you loved her. But she had a dream. Can you really blame me for helping her chase it?"

"But you kissed her."

"Yeah, I did. Stupid? Yes. Wrong? Yes. Hell, I don't have an excuse besides being young and dumb. It was a mistake. I won't lie. I did want her. Who wouldn't? Haley is an incredible woman. So, I was jealous of you and what you had. Big deal. I did try to take it but she didn't want me."

"She kissed you back."

"That was a long time ago and she was confused. But through it all, the music and the tours and the friendship and the constantly being together…we never took it any further. Haley didn't want to kiss me. She didn't want me at all. She wanted you. She only wanted you and the music. You were just too pigheaded to see it her way."

"How righteous of you", Nathan rolled his eyes. "Great speech, Keller. Really. You want a hand? A cookie, maybe? What, am I suppose to light a cigar and slap you on the back while we barbecue and watch the game together? Not gonna happen. We aren't friends and I don't owe you shit."

"That's where you're wrong again, pretty boy. You owe me more than you think, certainly more than you'll ever fess up to. All these years I loved Haley and I watched out for her and took care of her. Her best interests were always my top priority. I never let anyone take advantage of her. I was a real friend. When you sent those annulment papers, I was the one there for her. After the Dominican, it was my shoulder she cried on. When she was damn near suicidal during her pregnancy, I made sure she ate right and got to her appointments on time. And when she couldn't be a mother to Jamma, I stepped up and played Mommy, Daddy, Big Brother, Best Friend and God all in one. So next time you're on your high horse bashing me at the Nathan Scott Woe Is Me Pity Party, think about that for a little while and marinate on it."

Chris turned to leave but Nathan wasn't finished yet.

"I saw you hugging her a few minutes ago."

"So what? Who cares?"

"I do."

"Dude, what is your deal? It was just a hug."

"Whatever…"

"Not that I owe you an explanation but do you want to know why I was up there in the first place? I was helping my new wife, you know, Haley's sister, Taylor, get her things."

"Taylor's moving in with you?"

"Duh. They say why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free. Well, it seems in my drunken stupor I bought the cow so I may as well get my money's worth. And by the way, that milk is the bomb! But I hear you already know that", Chris teased. "That should make us even. All these years you thought I slept with your wife and that wasn't the case but lo and behold, it was my wife that deflowered you. Small world, I guess."

Nathan shook his head.

"This doesn't change anything. You wasted your time by coming here. You and Haley are friends now you're related. Your ass will be over all the time now. I still can't stand you."

"Ah, I get it", Chris nodded. "Shame on me. You know, I read that little interview of yours in Esquire and you had me on the first page, dude. I thought you had changed, grown up a little. But I see…nothing has changed. You're still the same whining, selfish, spoiled prick you were eight years ago."

"You've got two seconds to get out of my sight or God have mercy on your bitch ass."

"You want to beat me up? Fine. Whatever Nathan. If that will make you feel better or if it'll make you come to your senses then go ahead. I'll step up and be the sacrificial lamb. But you know I'm right. I heard you tell Lucas you were going to turn down New Jersey. Why? Because of an innocent hug? Because you're still pouting? Dude, come on! Get a grip. Take some Midol. You say you love Jamma? You want to be a good dad? Prove it. Be there for her. Be close to her. I'm sure you'll be busy flying all over the country shooting your little hoopies but on those off days wouldn't it be better to be just an elevator ride away instead of three or four states?"

"Look…"

"You're a fool, Nathan. A damn fool if you don't open your eyes and pull your head out of your ass. Jamma is your daughter. Just that in itself makes you a lucky man. And Haley loves you. She never stopped. I was there when you weren't and I saw things you didn't see. I saw her missing you and longing for you and not moving on because she couldn't get over you. The music made her happy but something else was missing. If you two like being miserable the last eight years, go ahead and be my guest and sign up for another eight. But if you're ready to be happy, only you can change that. Go upstairs right now and claim your girl…both of them."

Nathan was speechless.

"Chris…"

"I've got to go. The old ball and chain awaits me but don't worry. I'll be seeing you around soon…brother", he winked.

He left with his guitar and a smirk. Nathan fell back on the couch trying to take it all in.

"You two can come out now!" he called out. "Luke, Brooke, I know you were listening."

Lucas tried to casually play it off but Brooke was less incognito.

"You said it, Boytoy, the walls are super, super thin here. Wow, that was unexpected. How do you feel?"

"How do you think I feel?"

Lucas sighed.

"Chris Keller made a hell of a lot of sense. I never thought those words would have come out of my mouth. I honestly hate to admit it."

Nathan shook his head and stared at the floor.

"Yeah…but not half as much as I hate to."