Lucas groaned out loud as the bright morning sun peered in through the curtains. It was early, no doubt earlier than the noonish time he had planned to awaken. But he was up for the day and cranky at that. Cursing, he pulled back the bed covers and stretched. He yawned and stood, not even bothering to check for the time as he trudged down the stairs.

At the kitchen table sat Dan Scott engrossed in his morning paper. Hot tea simmered in a mug next to him and half eaten piece of burned toast sat on a saucer nearby. The footsteps gathered his attention and he was pleasantly surprised to see the visitor in front of him.

"Son, I didn't know you were coming home."

"Neither did I", Lucas grumbled as he prepared to raid the fridge.

"I didn't hear you come in last night."

"That's because I didn't make any noise", he said, after deciding on an apple and a bottle of water.

Dan smirked.

"Breakfast of champions, eh?"

Lucas rolled his eyes. He was not in the mood. He peered over at the empty Vodka bottle in the wastebasket and his father's own meal, which was the perfect recipe for nursing an early morning hangover.

"Maybe I should be asking you that same thing."

Dan frowned.

"So, are you back for good?" he tried to change the subject.

"I guess", Lucas shrugged.

"And how does your brother feel about that?"

"Nathan isn't my keeper."

Dan chuckled.

"Speaking of, how is my youngest son?"

"I don't know, Dad. Maybe you should pick up the phone and try calling him once in a while."

"We talk", Dan attempted to defend himself. "No need to get testy. It was just a question."

"Whatever."

"Well, since you're back, I was thinking maybe you could drop by the school today. Looks like we're shaping up for one hell of a team. I smell a state championship already."

"I don't know…"

"Come on. It will be fun. Like old times even. We could work out together, lift some weights. Show those kids how it's really done."

"Whatever, Dad."

The brooding, scruffy faced blonde took a seat at the counter not phased by the noise chatter on the cell phone coming towards them. It was his mother.

"I am on that meeting right away and believe me, in this day and age of granola, soy and tofu, all our locations can and will offer a variety of organic selections."

She murmured a few more words before hanging up.

"Good morning, honey", she said to Dan, pecking his lips.

"Morning."

It took a few seconds to realize her only child was sitting just a few feet away. Lucas was used to it.

"Lucas, what a surprise."

"Hey, Mom", he sighed.

"We weren't expecting you. Why didn't you call?"

"Didn't know I had to."

She put her hands on her hips.

"Oh I didn't mean it like that. It's just nice to see you."

"Yeah."

"And how long are you in town for?"

"Who knows?" he shrugged. "Mom, you know me. It's whichever way the wind blows. Here today, gone tomorrow."

"That's not the response I was looking for", she frowned. "Anyway. Does your wife know you're back?"

That was a sore subject for Lucas.

"No. Not yet. I haven't talked to her."

"Maybe you should."

"I will."

"I hope so."

"Mom…"

Karen threw her hands in the air.

"I promise I will not lecture or interfere but am honest effort and open lines of communication are the only way to a happy and successful marriage these days."

Lucas just looked at her. He looked at both of them. What a goddamned joke!

"Mom, I'm in a semi good mood so I'm just gonna let that one go, okay?"

She exchanged glances with an equally uneasy Dan.

"Well, I have to go. I don't want to be late."

"Will you be home for dinner?" Dan asked hopefully. "I thought with the boy here we could sit down and have a nice supper as a family."

Karen briefly scanned her Blackberry.

"I don't know, sweetie. How about I give you a call?"

She didn't wait for his reply as she was already out the door and on her way.

"You know your mother", Dan tried to smile. "Busy as a bee."

"Oh she keeps plenty busy alright."

"She's glad to have you back, you know."

"She has a great way of showing it."

"And so am I."

"Okay, Dad."

"I mean that, Luke. So the racing thing didn't work out. It wasn't like you were destined to be the next Richard Petty or something."

Lucas shot him an icy glare.

"Thanks for the love, man. Really. Your undying support sustains me."

"Don't pout. That's not what I meant. I am proud of whatever you do. It's just that running off and chasing after that loser Cooper is no way to live your life. Besides, that's Nathan's dream, not yours."

"You mean yours?"

Dan sighed.

"Why must you always be so difficult? Why is everything such a fight with you?"

"Look, I don't want to talk or bond or any of that stupid crap right now. I just need a place to crash and lay low for a while. Is that cool?"

"Of course. This is your home, too, you know."

"Thank you", Lucas muttered.

Dan raised the paper over his face to hide the mischievous twinkle forming in his eye.

"Avoiding a certain someone, are we?"

"Not you too. You and Mom have some nerve giving advice on matters of the heart."

"No comment from the peanut gallery. You're a grown man and you make your won decisions. Your life, your marriage. Besides, you know how I felt about you getting married in the first place…especially to her."

"Don't start, man."

"I'm not staring anything", Dan checked his watch. "It's late and I have to get to work. My homeroom gets a little rowdy."

"Don't let me keep you."

"We'll finish up later? I trust that I will see you before you up and disappear again?"

"I make no promises."

Dan shook his head. Where had the sweet little boy gone who used to idolize his daddy?

"I'll see you later, son."

"Later, Dad."

Dan stopped at the exit and took one last look.

"Luke?"

"What?"

"Nothing, it's just…well, it's really good to have you home."