Lucas bounced the ball and from mid court sank it into the hoop. He still had it.

"Nothing but net", he smiled to himself.

"Still your own number one fan?"

Lucas turned around to see who had joined him. It was his younger brother.

"Worshiping me is usually your job but today I decided to toot my own horn."

"In your dreams, brother", Nathan grinned as they bumped fists.

"What brings you by?"

Nathan looked around.

"I was looking for your ass and I figured this is the last place you'd be. Go figure."

Lucas shrugged.

"Lucky for me Dad is with his team and Mom…well, let's face it, if she's not banging Uncle Keith then she's probably at work. Either way, they're not here so I get to take advantage of the private court. What's up with you? Here for a little one on one?"

Nathan shook his head.

"Nah. Just came to say good bye."

"So now you're being a little pussy? Come on, bro. We can play and talk", he threw the ball. "Your shot."

Nathan caught it and sighed as he removed his hooded sweatshirt.

"Fine. What's the score again?"

"2, 496 to 2, 489. Your lead…but not for long."

The brothers smiled at each other. Ever since their infamous play off for the coveted High Fliers spot years before during their junior year, they had kept score of their one on one games. It was never a clear winner because the game never ended. The scores just kept carrying over until the next match up.

"So", Nathan said. "I hope to see your face in Darlington, man. It'd mean a lot if you'd be my crew chief."

"I'll think about. I'll let you know."

"Yeah…"

"I just can't believe you're really going through with it."

"The race?" Nathan sunk a basket.

"No. Leaving Tree Hill again."

"I had to leave sometime. My home is in Charleston now. You know that."

"Yeah but maybe this isn't the best time for you to go."

"Why?"

"What about the Den?"

"What about it? Business is good. And I know in my absence my big brother has everything under control, that is unless you want me to stay to ease your work load, you slacker.

Lucas guarded his brother.

"Oh no. See, I don't need Saint Nathan to swoop in and save my day."

Nathan went for the successful steal.

"Then what's this all about? Because it sounds like somebody is missing me already."

"Doubt it, little brother."

"Look, dude. I'm gonna be fine. I'm doing what I want to do. I'm living my life and making myself happy. Can I suggest you do the same?"

"Who says I'm not happy?" Lucas hit a three pointer.

"I just know stuff could be better. I hope you work it all out. Figure out what you want to do and just do it. And as far as the Haley thing…"

"That's a done deal. I don't want to talk about it."

"Good. That means you'll leave her alone? No more breaking and entering looking for strange men in the night?"

Lucas' jaw tightened. Someone had struck a nerve.

"So Haley told you what happened, huh?"

"About you being a dick? Yeah."

Lucas smirked and shook his head.

"I plead temporary insanity on that one."

"Whatever, Luke. Just don't let it happen again."

Lucas went for the ball, unnecessarily fouling Nathan in the process and causing the dark haired brother to take a shot to the face, which made for a bloody lip.

"Look, you can be the hero, the patron saint or the good guy all goddamned day long. But at the end of the day, it's really none of your business. And at the end of the day, or at least until the ink dries on the final papers, then she's still my wife."

"You don't have to keep reminding everyone. The last place I want to be is stuck in the middle between you two but Haley came to me and I'm not gonna turn my back on her. I care about that girl", Nathan wiped at his lip. "And maybe someone should have reminded you a long time ago and maybe there would be no divorce papers."

"Maybe so", Lucas mused. "Who's to say? Oh and sorry about the lip, Nate. My bad, my foul."

Nathan grimaced seeing Luke's smirk.

"No foul. Basket counts."

Lucas nodded.

"Somebody is in a generous mood. Maybe it has to do with Daytona."

"Maybe but hey, that's none of your business, now is it?"

"No, it's not. But I got to know Daytona over the years and especially during my time in Charleston. She's a nice kid. What can I say? I care about her, sort of like how you care about Haley."

Nathan rolled his eyes. He saw where the conversation was headed. Lucas Scott often wore two faces, harbored two personalities and Nathan could just guess which one was about to rear its ugly head.

"Look, man. I didn't come here to talk about Haley or Daytona and I definitely didn't come here to fight with you. I just wanted to say good bye. So good bye, big brother. 2, 510 to 2, 510. For once we're even."

With that, Nathan threw the ball. Lucas caught it and watched him walk away.

"Deb's still sick, man!" Lucas called out after him. "She's not at one hundred percent and I can't do this by myself!"

Nathan turned around.

"What are you doing, Luke? And why are you doing this? What is up with your obsession trying to control my life? Is it because you can't control your own?"

"It's the truth. Deb's trying to be strong but face it, man, she might not ever be the same. She needs you, Nate. She needs you just like she needs me and just like she needs Brooke and Haley and Skills and everybody else. She depends on us."

"My mom is fine. If she were sick, I'd know, okay? I live there just like you do, dude."

"She loves you. She wants you to be happy. The last thing she wants to feel like is a burden."

Nathan just shook his head.

"See you later, man. Like I said, the crew chief job is open anytime."

He hopped in his car and drove off back to his mother's house. Nathan was angry. Damn Lucas! As cool as he could be, as fun as he could be, as nice as he could be, as decent as he could be, somewhere hidden in the depths was always that hint of the wretched teenager he used to be. The part that was controlling and bitter, the part that refused to let anyone else be happy.

It burned him up. That would always be the one barrier in their relationship. Lucas would never change, that was for damn sure. Fuming, Nathan pulled up to the curb. He got out to start putting his bags inside the car. He was ready to go. He'd said his good byes to Brooke and Haley. All he had to do was give his mom a quick kiss and he'd be on his way. Back to normal, back to his own life, his own little bubble of a world.

Nathan walked into the quiet house. His mom's car was in the driveway but perhaps she had gone out for a walk or something. He hated to leave without seeing her. Walking to the back towards the master bedroom, he heard a muffled noise. Peering inside to investigate he saw his mother standing in front of the mirror. The muffled noises were her sobs. Tears stained her pretty face as she stared at the reflection. In her hand was a brush with a large clump of blonde hair knotted in the bristles. He watched her run her finger through her golden locks and a few more strands came out. Nothing significant enough to cause a bald spot but noticeable enough to put fear in one's heart…and a dagger through their self esteem.

Nathan couldn't believe it. His mouth went dry and suddenly he felt sick. He backed out of the room and into the kitchen where he collapsed on a seat at the table. As long as he lived, he'd never forget that image of seeing his mother like that. Weak. Vulnerable. Distraught. It hurt him. She'd always been there for him. Deb had always been so strong. None of it seemed fair. At that moment, he wished it were him who had to b sick and feel the pain. He'd gladly suffer and lose every piece of his hair if it would spare her. His mother deserved more. She deserved better.

"Nathan, honey. What are you doing sitting there?" Deb asked, emerging from the back.

She smiled and any evidence of what he had walked in on minutes before, was long gone.

"Mom, I…"

Before he could finish, the door opened and in walked a sweaty Lucas.

"Hey, Luke. Looks, like you're just in time to say bye to your brother."

"Lucky me", Lucas said through tight lips.

"Uh, about that…um, there's good news."

"Good news?"

"Yeah. Coop hooked some stuff up for me with my car and everything and it turns out I don't have to go back to Charleston just yet", he lied.

"Nathan, are you sure?" Deb asked.

"Yeah. So I can stick around for a little while longer."

"Nathan, that's great but you were so excited to go back. I know you have work and racing and Daytona and your friends…"

"I know and I still can't wait but that stuff will still be there in a few weeks. It's cool. I mean, don't you want me around, Mom?"

Deb broke out into a grin. She pulled her son close to her.

"Oh of course I do, sweetheart. Of course."

Nathan returned the embrace and closed his eyes. When he opened them, he was staring into the blue eyes of his brother. Lucas stared right back. Of course Nathan needed to get back to Charleston. Of course he wanted to go. But he wouldn't. He'd do the right thing. He'd stay behind. He'd forfeit his own happiness, even the exposure and opportunity of Jeff Burton's race.

The brothers just looked at each other silently and stoically. Neither spoke but they didn't have to. They were as different as night and day but there seemed to always be a common ground, a medium, a shared, secret language between them. And each knew what the other was thinking. It was true. Nathan Lee would be more of a man than Lucas Scott could ever hope to be.