Author's Note: Happy Birthday, KK!

"You alright, man?" Lucas asked.

Nathan looked away.

"I'm okay", he sighed.

"You don't look okay. Dude, you look like ass."

Nathan shot his older brother an icy glare.

"Thanks, bro. I mean, really. Keep the love and the support coming."

Lucas took a deep breath as he took a seat on the couch next to him.

"I didn't mean it like that. It's just that I'm worried about you, that's all. Now how are you really holding up? And tell me the truth this time."

Nathan shrugged.

"You say I look like ass? Well, man, I feel worse than I look if that gives you any clue."

Lucas put a sympathetic hand on his shoulder.

"You're gonna be okay."

"I don't know. I totally blew it at practice today. I don't want to eat, I can't sleep and every five seconds I'm looking over my shoulder waiting for the goddamned cops to haul me off to jail. And I miss Hales."

"She still not talking to you?"

"No", he shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Nate. Haley will come around. And all the other stuff…well, we'll figure it out somehow."

"Look, bro, I know you're trying to help and I appreciate you being here for me but it's not that easy. This shit isn't just gonna go away. It's gonna get real ugly and there's nothing you or anyone can do to help me. Hell, I'd need a freaking fairy godmother to get me out of this one."

And just like magic, the doorbell rang. Lucas answered it.

"Lucas Scott?" the portly woman on the other end asked.

"Yeah. Can I help you with something?"

She handed him a business card and marched into the foyer uninvited.

"My name is Vanessa Copeland and I am with Cole, Bauer and Fredricks law firm downtown. I was summoned to help with a criminal and possible civil case pending against your brother, a Mr. Nathan Scott. Is he in right now?"

From her professional demeanor to her savvy business suit to her no nonsense attitude, Lucas could only shrug. At first glance she seemed like someone who could help.

"Uh, yeah. Um, follow me. Nate is in the living room."

Briefcase in hand, Vanessa followed Lucas.

"Who the hell is this?" Nathan frowned at the stranger in his house.

"Your fairy godmother", Lucas smiled.

"Vanessa Copeland, Attorney at Law. Do you have a few minutes, Mr. Scott?"

Nathan looked over at Lucas who just shrugged.

"Uh, sure. Yeah. Have a seat. Can I get you something to drink or…"

"No, thank you, Mr. Scott."

"Nathan."

"Very well. Nathan it is. Now we have a lot to discuss. You are aware of the pending charges against you that are currently under investigation?"

"You mean, Amanda", he sighed.

"Yes. A Miss Amanda Marshall, the juvenile involved in the statutory rape case."

Both brothers cringed upon hearing the word rape.

"Ms. Copeland, I didn't rape Amanda. I didn't do anything to her. That girl is crazy. You've got to believe me."

"This is a copy of the Marshall girl's statement", the lawyer handed Nathan a copy of paper. "Please read it over carefully. Her allegations are quite serious. The age of sexual consent in this state is 18 and the statutory rape laws state that is unlawful for persons 24 years or older to have intercourse with one under the age of 17. Now I don't consider your case hopeless but this girl is steadfastly sticking to a story that the two of you carried on a sexual relationship for months."

Nathan's eyes scanned the words before angrily handing them over to Lucas.

"She's lying!"

"Calm down, Nathan", Vanessa said.

"Calm down? How can I calm down? This crazy ass girl is trying to ruin what's left of my life! I could go to prison for this!"

"You could but I am here to see that won't happen. But I need your full cooperation and I need the truth. Do you understand?'

"Yeah", Nathan nodded.

"If you don't mind, I am going to record the next portion of our conversation. I need you to tell me the entire story from the beginning."

Nathan took a deep breath and began to speak. Two hours later, he was finally done.

"…And that's about it. That's everything."

Vanessa stopped the recorder.

"What do you think?" Lucas asked. "Do we have a case? Can you help my brother?"

Before she could answer, they heard a noise at the door. It was not a knock but instead a key turning in the lock. Nathan stood. He was afraid to hope but a few seconds later, he realized his prayers had been answered.

"Hales?"

"Nathan", she called out breathlessly.

"What are you doing here?"

In a sea of fresh tears, she ran towards her husband and wrapped her arms around him.

"Sweetie, I am so sorry", she sobbed. "I never should have doubted you. I'm sorry. I was wrong. But I'm here now. I…I just couldn't stay away. I love you, Nathan and I believe in you and I believe in us. I'm here for you no matter what."

The words sort of tumbled out but he had been waiting to hear them.

"I love you", he said over and over.

"Nathan, I know you would never hurt me. I wanted to believe you so badly but when I walked in our room and saw you two in our bed together…"

"Shhh", he held her. "It's okay. You don't have to say anything."

"You forgive me?"

"Of course I do. I mean, if the situation were reversed, I probably would have gotten tweaked out at first. Man, I don't even want to think about it."

"I'm sorry you had to go through this. I'm sorry I let Amanda into our home and…"

"It's not your fault. You shouldn't beat yourself up, you or Peyton. You're both really loving and compassionate people and you shouldn't have to feel guilty about helping someone out. This isn't anyone's fault…not yours or mine or Peyton's or even Amanda's. There is something really wrong with that girl. She's sick in the head and she needs help."

"But you need help, too, babe, right now. We have to prove that you're innocent."

Nathan guided her by the hand into the living room.

"I already have someone here to do that. Hales, this is Ms. Vanessa Copeland, my new attorney. Ms. Copeland, this is my wife, Haley."

"Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Scott", Vanessa shook her hand.

"Call me Haley, please. Tell me there is something you can do to help my husband."

"I will try my damnest but I will need some help from all of you."

"Anything."

"First of all, expect the police to be more involved in the next few days. Do not, I repeat, do not consent to any interviews or interrogations and if approached, you are to contact me immediately. I doubt they have enough to arrest you but the good old boys of the Vice might be feeling a little cocky. In that case, exercise your right to remain silent. Do not make any public statements without my prior approval. If formal charges are filed, it will be a matter of time before a media leak as it will become public record. Expect everyone from 60 Minutes to Star Magazine to the local news to be at your door."

"My husband is innocent, Ms. Copeland."

"I know" she stood. "And we intend to prove it. Unfortunately for now, the ball is in their court. We're on the defense but the minute they make their move, you better believe that I will be prepared."

She shook their hands again and promised to call for a next day meeting before leaving.

"She seems good", Lucas nodded.

"I hope so", Nathan sighed.

Haley buried her face in the crook of her husband's arm.

"It's gonna be okay, Nate."

He smiled as he looked down at her and placed a quick kiss on her forehead. With Haley by his side, he had always felt that he could be or do anything.

"It is now", he replied softly.