A/N: Remember this fic is set after season two finale, with some changes that are explained on chapter one. Thanks to anyone that's reading.

Chapter three: Glad to see you?

AT THE CAFE

After the first surprise, Karen ran to Lucas and hugged him. She tried not to cry. She had thought she had lost Lucas for ever.

"You are here! Tell me you'll stay for a long time"

He hugged her but then he pulled apart and answered with no signs of enthusiasm in his voice.

"I won't leave, mom. I came to live with you again."

She looked at him, a little disappointed at his reaction and worried by his sadness.

"Something happened between you and Keith?"

He looked around before answering. He wasn't sure if he wanted to give his mother the news at that moment. He was sure he didn't want to tell Deb. His mom could do that. He hadn't spoken to Deb after the day Dan had entered the cafe yelling about Keith and Deb. The idea and the picture of them together just felt awkward to him. He could hear Deb was in the kitchen.

"No...No...I'll tell you later..."

He prayed for an interruption and he was lucky. Someone came running and hugged him.

"Hi! So you are back? You're really back?" Haley was almost crying.

"Well not if you strangle me. Come on Hales, I can't breath "

She pulled apart with some tears in her eyes.

"Sorry. I'm just so happy "

Karen couldn't help feeling a little jealous of the joy he seemed to feel for seeing Haley, while he had barely lighten up a little when he had seen her. She interrupted them, wishing he could go back to the boy he was before leaving.

"Come on, why don't we all have a cup of coffee and you tell us about your summer?"

"Actually, mom. I would prefer to leave my stuff at home, first. Can I borrow Haley for a while? I'll see you at home tonight and we can talk about everything."

Karen felt disappointed but she tried not to show it. It would be better to talk about everything alone, just her and Luke as it used to be before everything had gotten so twisted.

"Sure...I'll cook something special..."

She thought he may have noticed something because he hugged her again but this time smiling.

"Thanks, mom. See you later."

He took Haley by her hand and they left. They were near the door when Deb left the kitchen.

"I've heart your voice. Hi, Lucas"

"Hi, Deb. It's nice to see you. Ehh. See you later"

The two teens left, leaving the two women worried. Deb looked uncomfortable.

"Will he ever look at my eyes again? It's hard enough with Nathan...and the rest of the town. "

"Will he ever stop avoiding me?"

Deb looked at her.

"He'll have to...eventually"

They exchanged a sad look and they returned to the kitchen.

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AT PEYTON'S HOUSE

Peyton was drawing. She looked at her draw. A boy and a baby girl. She was going to add some words when the phone rang.

"Hi, friend!. Are you ready to party tonight? "

"Oh, hi, Brooke. I'm not really in the party mood"

"Stop whining! You and tutor girl are no fun. Are you going to whine with her tonight?"

"No..guess we are both whining alone"

"Well remember you should party to forget and not forget to party. Call me if you change your mind..."

"Brooke! Are you still there? "

"Yes. What?"

"Do you miss him?"

"Him?"

"Lucas "

"Lucas who? "

"Come on.."

"Lucas and Jake are the past. We'd better get used to this. And I'm going to do something fun. You are obviously too depressing to be on the phone. Cheer up girl! There are many fishes in the sea. "

Peyton laughed. Then she looked surprised to the words she had added to the draw without even noticing. It said "Love them".

Brooke left the phone and she felt suddenly sad. 'I'm such a good liar." she thought. Then she continued dressing up. Not blonde cheaters would ruin her day.

Haley and Lucas were at Luke's home, unpacking his things.

"How much more do you think you can avoid your mom, are you still angry with her? "

"I'm not avoiding her. I'm here, right? And why would I be angry with her? "

"Well...for the custody thing. I now it was a shock to you learning Dan had asked for join custody "

"That's over."

"And why did you leave? Just to know the world... or Charleston? "

Lucas laughed.

"I needed to get away from all. That's just a part. And I didn't want Keith to be alone"

"And now?"

"And now. He's not alone. He's getting married."

Haley was shocked.

"Really! And we knew nothing about it! "

"I'll tell my mom tonight"

"So... how is his fiancé? "

"Her name is Gina. She's...a very attractive woman, she's Italian. She was in Charleston for business but now she plans to live there with Keith. "

"Wow. That's a change of plans. And how was your summer with them? How is Gina? Is there anyone I should know about? "

He avoided the question. He didn't want to talk about that.

"And you? How's Nathan?"

He almost hesitated before asking for his brother. They were OK when he left. They had even shared a hug. But he hadn't heart anything from him in the whole summer. Haley always avoided the subject when they talked.

"I don't really know. We broke up"

"When? Why? Why didn't you tell me?. I thought you were avoiding the subject because you two were having problems. I've never thought you would break up. "

"About two months ago. I didn't want you to ask me questions"

"But why?"

"About a moth after you left, the judge said he shouldn't remain emancipated. My party had a lot to do with it. He had to choose who to live with and he chose Dan. Things got really difficult after that and I just couldn't...couldn't.."

Haley started to cry. Lucas hugged her and looked her at eyes.

"Come on, Hales. I know you since we were kids. Dan is a jerk. More than a jerk. But it takes more than a Dan to make you leave the guy you love . and I know you love him.."

He could see in her eyes he was right but she just kept crying.

"Please...Lucas...don't make me talk about that, I just can't."

"Well...here are we...two happy teens. I unpacked my things. I'm officially back in hell. What can we do now? "

"I think I have to see if your mom needs me. The cafe is really working since she and Deb are partners "

Lucas didn't say anything at the mention of Deb. Haley looked at his face.

"Have you talked to Keith about..? "

"Yes...not much really...I just wouldn't expect such a behavior from her. I mean..she was still married to Dan...and Keith is his brother. But I don't really care. It hasn't much to do with me. It must be awful for Nathan "

"Well...he chose to live with Dan if that answers your question. Your father always gets what he wants "

"What do you mean? "

"Nothing." she seemed uncomfortable. "Look, I'm going to the cafe. Your mom and Deb must be busy. See you tomorrow?"

"Sure. Hales...are you all right? "

"Of course. As all right as you"

"What do you mean? "

"Something is bothering you. Besides the whole Deb thing and the custody thing"

He smiled.

"I'm here. Is no that enough?"

"Will you tell me tomorrow?"

"Only if you tell me why you broke up with Nathan. "

She laughed.

"That's blackmail. But I'll see you tomorrow anyway."

When she left, he had the strange feeling that everything had changed there. He decided he needed to go out. He grabbed his ball and he left to the River Court.

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Peyton looked at the picture and her words and she felt terribly sad. "Forget about him If he comes back he'll lose Jenny. He won't come back. Ever...". She heard a sound. It sounded like someone entering her house. Scared, she slowly went downstairs.

"Who's there?"

A laugh surprised her and left her frozen.

"Why don't you guess, bitch? "

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Lucas was hoping the River Court was empty but he was surprised to find Nathan there. Nathan looked at him, but he didn't say a word. Lucas broke the silence.

"Hi."

"Hi. My dad said you were back"

"Yes. I had the pleasure of bumping into him. Haley said you are living with him, now."

"I thought I had to. I know you love Keith but I think he's a jerk...and my mom...I just couldn't live with her after.."

"I know"

"So, are you planning to stay? Or will you run away again? "

Nathan wasn't looking at his eyes when he said this. Lucas didn't know where he was going to but he didn't like his tone.

"I didn't run away"

"You were just hiding"

"No, I wasn't. Are you trying to pick up a fight?"

"Of course not. You know, this may sound strange but I really missed you. It was so much better when we were two to deal with all the mess...and my dad...he really hated that you left you Keith."

"I'm lucky I don't have to care what he thinks"

"You wish"

Nathan decided to change the subject. Talking about Dan wouldn't make him or his brother any good.

"Have you talked to Haley?"

"Yes, she told me that you broke up. But she didn't told me why" Lucas looked at him, like asking.

"Well...she didn't told me either."

"Really. How could she do that?"

"Well...she said a lot of stupid things. But I know she was lying. " Nathan looked at Lucas, now he was almost begging.

"Man...can you do me a favor? Can you ask her.?"

"I've already asked her but she.."

"Please make her tell you the truth. I'm going nuts. If she's going to tell someone, that's you. She hasn't told Peyton and she's the only person I know that's close to her."

"I'll try, Nathan. But I can't promise anything"

"Thanks. It's going to be fun having you in the team again. I didn't want to deal with my dad's coaching alone "

"I won't be in the Ravens again"

"What do you mean? My dad said you told him you were thinking about it"

"I lied to him. I was bluffing to piss him off. Truth is I can't join the team.."

"What do you mean?"

Lucas sighed. Keith and his mom were the only ones that knew it. But everybody else will learn about the news soon.

"I can't play basketball anymore, Nathan "

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A/N.: Well, tell me what you think. In the next chapter we'll know why Lucas cant play anymore and why Nathan and Haley broke up.