Thanks to OTHlover04, and Giffy! Giffy, I'm sorry that your friends left Iceland. Does that mean that you live in Iceland? If you do, that sounds incredible. It must be hard, though, too. I'm glad your husband is back, and I hope you two were able to do something fun ( : I apologize to all my readers for the delay! I had some problems with my cat, but I finally saw that I had to have her put to sleep.

X

:Seventeen:

X

The morning after. After what? A party that had proved memorable in more ways than one.

The blond turned his head, relaxing against the overstuffed pillows. He saw the rising sun painting gold and vermilion through the glass. Wondered if Nate was back, and if Deb had attended her early meeting.

It felt so good, content to lie there, stretching luxuriously. Dan's hostility seemed to be ebbing, like a tide upon the sands...speaking of tides, spending an hour on the beach had to have been the highlight of last night. Not stumbling upon the Raven's and scuffling in the mud.

Lucas raised his hand, testing sore fingers. Retrieving the memory of his assailant's face...or impression in the darkness. Brutality instead of brains. He mentally tucked the picture away. Another time and place, things would be different.

He drew his knees up, twisted in the off white sheets. Listened for sounds below. It appeared that Lucas was the sole Scott present.

Luke could get together his own breakfast. The thought encouraged him to hop out of bed, untangling an ankle and yawning widely.

"Thanks for nothing."

"Nathan? I thought you'd gone-"

"To school? Not likely." The taller Scott pushed past the partially open door, still towel drying his damp hair.

"Okay." Luke squinted at his brother. "Is there a problem? I mean, are we having a problem because-"

"Because of that stupid ass-ed stunt you pulled? What were you doing, Luke?"

"I don't want to see anybody getting hurt."

"Save the heroics. You're going to have to get along with those guys. Last night sure didn't help any."

The blond's jaw tightened. "I didn't mean to cause trouble. I'm sorry, okay? I know it isn't easy having me show up, messing with your life."

"Then why did you?"

Luke hesitated, uncertain if the other boy was referring to the fight or the blond's presence in general.

"Why are you here, Luke? You don't belong. It's easy to see, my dad's just keeping you around to remind him of Karen, whoever. It isn't because he's suddenly developed non existent paternal affection."

"It's complicated."

"Only if you make it." Nathan tossed his bath towel across the bed. "Go home, man."

"I can't."

"Listen, I'll give you the money."

"I can't go back because it's not fair."

Nate ignored the hurt light in his brother's blue eyes. "What you're doing here isn't fair. To me. To mom. She doesn't need you on top of her problems."

"Dan's my dad as much as he is yours."

"I'm warning you. Go home."

"That's not going to happen."

"We''ll see about that. We don't want you here."

We don't want you here...Lucas stared after his brother's retreating form, the dark backward glance. Nate's words failed to arouse any emotion save a certain detachment. His brother would have to dig a little deeper than that.

Contemplated calling Brooke. Leaving a message, maybe "thanks for last night." Implying something sexual-wrong, wrong. Okay, then- "glad we met." Hallmark stickiness. He finally decided on, "Hey, Brooke, this is Lucas. Just saying hi. Glad we had a chance to hang out last night." And then mentally berated himself for making it sound so casual.

At least he now knew where the cereal was kept. Locating a box, shaking a bowl full. There were cheerios on the table top, stark white against the dark polish. Lucas slid into a chair, absently taking a mouthful.

And in some weird Elmstreet meets Signs-the small circles formed a picture. Two stick figures, one holding the other's missing head. GO HOME spelled unevenly below. Luke let out an involuntary laugh, forehead wrinkling in confusion. He scattered the cheerios, redoing Nate's message.

I'M HOME.

X

Lucas was curled into a heavy armchair, legs thrown over the side. During the course of an extremely boring day, he'd discovered that a: Dan's study was locked, and b: there was an attic. Nathan stalked about, emptying pringle cans and engaging in electronic bouts of NBA Shootout-whatever it was called. Luke decided to avoid him altogether, and the furniture-crammed topmost room served his purpose.

He sneezed, turning the page too fast. Dust motes rose upward, swirling about like desert sand. It was easy to submerge oneself into the land of fiction in these surroundings.

"Either my son or a rat."

The blond dropped his book, swiveling to face the stairs.

"It's nearly time for dinner."

Luke blinked, sitting up. Unaware of the gray smudges along one cheek and the bridge of his nose. "Why do you keep the best chairs up here?"

"If you have money, you've got to show it. Did you and Nate have a fight?"

The blond glanced downward, hands between his knees.

"I take that as a yes."

"He's upset. I can't say I blame him."

"Luke, you're a part of this family now. I know it hasn't been easy; Deb's still riding you because of Karen."

"I think, if we just leave Karen out-"

"She was your mother. Don't forget that."

"Was?"

"We're not going there, Lucas. The sooner Deb and Nate accept Karen as part of my past, they'll be easier on you."

"If you jam it down their throats, that I'm Karen's son, your son-"

"It's the truth."

"But maybe it's too painful for them right now."

"Stop being an old woman and come downstairs." Dan hesitated. "Things will be different soon. I promise."

X

The blond scrubbed his hands, quickly smoothing his hair and rubbing the dust smudges away. He didn't want to be late, another reason to provoke his hostess. Nathan and Dan were already seated, chairs drawn up to the heavily laden table. Lucas fingered the cutout ivory cloth, glasses and silverware sparkling under the light. No one said a word until Deb arrived, a false smile breaking her face.

"Well, now that everybody's here, we can get started. It's not often we get to eat together like a real family." Her gaze took in husband and son alone.

Luke centered his attention on the steaming dishes.

Deb shook out her napkin. "How was your day, honey?"

Nathan snorted. "Mom, I'm a big boy now."

"I'm aware of that fact. When did you get in last night?"

"I don't know."

"You don't know? Were you drinking?"

"I had a few beers. I didn't bother to look at the clock. I wasn't drunk, mom."

"If you say so."

"Whatever."

Dan waved the air with a fork. "Good party, son?"

"I guess so." Stuffing a mouthful of food in before either parent questioned him again.

Lucas shifted uncomfortably, wishing he could be left out of the conversation. Deb was stabbing potato wedges, refusing to make eye contact with him. So far so good.

"Luke, how did you find the old attic?" Leave it to Dan.

Deb interrupted. "Some one was snooping around. A lot of those things are antiques and worth a great deal. The attic is out of bounds."

"I was just reading. I didn't know-"

"Right. From now on, you can ask me if you want to go exploring."

"I'm sorry."

She hesitated. Brought up by the sincere sounding apology, Deb had no choice but to leave the subject alone.

The eldest Scott tipped his wine glass. "Deb, now what are you going to do? Better think of something else Lucas might have done before he leaves the dinner table."

"Stay out of it, Dan. This is all your fault."

"And you were the one who insisted I try to make things right by Lucas."

"That was before I thought about it. Every time you look at him - how can Nathan ever hope to compare? After all, he isn't half Karen."

"Your jealousy is the issue here, Deb."

"I want him out of my house."

"You-"

"Now, Dan."

"Lucas stays."

Nathan's mouth fell half open. He stared across the table at Luke, almost feeling a pang of sympathy for the blond.

"I won't have him living with my son, our son, competing for the shreds of your affection, Dan."

"This discussion is over."

"Not this time. If you respect me, if you respect Nathan, you'll do what it takes to keep us together.

"Is that a threat?"

Deb raised her own glass. "Take it whatever way you want."

As if on cue, the phone started ringing. Luke breathed a sigh of relief; tension smothered the room with a blanket.

Deb stared at Dan. He stared back. Neither of them willing to surrender the verbal war.

"I'll get it." Nate kicked his chair away, almost stomping toward the receiver. "Hello?"

Something caused his stern features to melt. The scowl shifted toward shock. "Okay. Are you sure?"

Silence.

"Hold on." Nathan held the phone toward Dan.

"Nate?" Deb half rose, reaching for it.

"It's for Dad." The words came out harsher than intended.

Lucas folded his arms, a prickle of concern as his father's eyes widened, seeming to rest on him. Nathan steadily refused to meet the blond's gaze, picking at his food instead.

"Thank you very much."

Deb grabbed her husband's arm. "Dan? Is it your parents?"

"No."

"What's happened?"

Dan sighed. "It's Keith. They think he tried to kill himself."

"But he's alright?"

"Don't know yet. He's at a hospital in Charleston."

"And?"

"I don't have all the particulars. I guess big brother tried driving through a guard rail."

All attention suddenly shifted toward Luke. The blond hadn't moved an inch, seemingly frozen. Only his expression remained alive, sudden tears sparkling. He caught a breath, blindly shoving away. Wanting to be alone. Needing to be.

"Lucas-"

Ignoring Dan's summons. He cleared the stairs on wooden legs, not quite believing this. He was dreaming. It was all just a bad nightmare and Lucas desperately wished he would just wake up.

Closing the door and leaning against it. It was hard and secure, solid. The space in front of him seemed to crumble. Open window, bright rustle of birds and simple summer noises. Out there, all was normal. But inside this room, inside of him, settled a shadow of fear.

"Luke. Let me in." Dan tried the handle.

The blond wanted to say, go away. Just go away and leave me alone. But he didn't. He thought it instead.

His father was pushing, forcing him forward. Lucas knew he was no match for Dan, so he gave up trying to keep him out. The door opened fully, a slight creak of hinges.

"Talk to me."

So, this was all his fault. He'd chosen not to go with Keith. He deserved to die, not Keith. How could he have been so selfish? Keith needed him. He'd known that. Seen the look in his eyes.

Dan was trying to get his attention. Took hold of the blond's forearms

Lucas jerked away, hands raised. He started to mouth something, then gave up. It wasn't any use. Keith was going to die. The guilt hurt even worse than the realization.

"Hey-"

Walking, then running. Past Deb, teary eyed at the banister. Shouldering Nate aside, he didn't care. Luke just wanted to get away from them all.

X

"He won't talk. I can't get him to say anything."

"Just give him some time, Dan."

"I don't want to leave Lucas by himself."

Deb set her brush aside, turning from her reflection in the mirror. "He'll be alright."

"Is he still outside?"

"I didn't hear him come in. Maybe it's best that Nate talks to him first."

"You've spoiled that relationship just fine. I'm going to look for Lucas myself."

Grass wet with dew; a waning moon appearing through the cotton candy clouds. It wasn't hard to find the blond. Dan's eldest was leaning against an oak tree, arms circling his knees and not answering.

Approaching almost silently, sure he could make the kid see reason. "You should come inside." Dan stared at his son's profile. "I'll drive you to Charleston tomorrow."

Lucas shook his head.

"It isn't- you aren't to blame. Keith was a selfish, thoughtless person to put you through this."

Like talking to the wind. His son stared straight ahead with sightless eyes, locked deep within that place inside. Every person has such a place. It's just that some people get to use it a little more often.

Dan touched Luke's arm with a thumb. "You're freezing."

At last the blond allowed Dan to coerce him toward the house. Into his bedroom, where the elder Scott left the door ajar.

"I don't want you to close this."

Lucas threw him a dark look, but sank onto his mattress. Turning his face away, effectively shutting Dan out. His father finally left, frustrated that he couldn't make things work, the way he always did.

X

It was only a few hours later, and the silence of night wrapped the earth in slumber. Nathan shifted, peering blearily into the shadows. He pounded his pillow, flipping it over to the cool side. A creak confirmed that someone, or something, had caused him to wake.

"Who's there?"

"Go back to sleep, Nathan."

Lucas. The blond moved into a patch of silvery moonlight, bathing his hard features in the glow.

"What are you doing?" Nate got an elbow underneath him.

His brother smiled. It held no trace of humor. "Dan's sleeping by the stairs."

"Why are you in here?"

"You wanted me to leave. Well, you got your wish." Lucas looped the sheer curtains over the rod. Thrust a leg out the window, then his whole body. Nathan heard the slight rustle of the rose trellis, and then his brother disappeared.

Nathan lie on his back, staring at the ceiling. Wondering if he should call Dan or just let Lucas go. After all, he didn't want the blond here. And Luke apparently wanted to leave. It was probably for the best.

And then he fell asleep.