Title: Crossroads
Author/Artist: lj user"christian2680"
Claim: Marissa Cooper and Lucas Scott
Theme: Flesh and Blood
Theme Set: #2
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill or The O.C.

Flesh and Blood

Lucas knocked on the door of the mansion. He wasn't exactly sure why he was there, but he decided to take Marissa up on her offer to play basketball.

Deb opened the door, slightly shocked to find Lucas standing on the other side.

"Hey Deb, is Marissa home?"

"She's been here one day and the boys are already flocking to my door," joked Deb, "She's outback playing basketball by herself, Nate just left."

"Thanks."

Lucas walked outside to see Marissa throwing the ball into the hoop. She had good form; he definitely could see how she beat Nathan. "You want a play for real?"

Marissa turned and smiled, "Yeah, but do you know how to play for real."

"Yeah, I beat Nathan all the time."

"I thought you said beating him was no big deal," laughed Marissa.

"It isn't, so you want to play."

"Sure."

1 hour later…

Both Marissa and Lucas hit the pavement rushing for the ball. Marissa screamed as the pavement ripped into her skin. Lucas quickly went to her side, "You ok?"

"Yeah, I'll live."

"Let's get you inside," he said helping her to her feet.

"Thanks."

Lucas opened the sliding doors for Marissa and Deb saw the blood running down Marissa's arm, "Marissa!"

"I'm ok; it's what I get for beating Lucas in basketball."

"Excuse me, I was winning."

"Yeah right," said Marissa.

Deb wet a dish towel and placed it on Marissa's arm. Let's clean you up and see if you need stitches."

Deb looked from Marissa to Lucas, she saw a look between them that told her Marissa was falling for Lucas, and he was falling for her. She worried slightly for Marissa, because she knew how things had ended with Brooke, but she also knew Lucas was at heart a wonderful guy.

Deb pulled the towel away from Marissa's arm and noticed the blood was slowing down. "Let me get the first aid kit and bandage it up for you."

"Thanks."

Lucas walked around Marissa and opened the refrigerator. He got the pitcher of lemonade out and poured some for her, "Here you go."

He poured himself a glass and put the pitcher back up.

"Nathan told me how your dad ignored you growing up."

"Yea, he was a jerk; I think I told you that."

"Yeah you did, but I guess I just didn't understand how bad it was."

"You mean you didn't understand how someone who was flesh and blood could treat their own child like a piece of garbage."

"No, I understand that all too well actually. Except my mom treats me like everything I do is wrong and I have to be someone I'm not if I want to succeed in life."

"If I had been like that, my dad would have loved me," smiled Lucas.

"But you would hate yourself, like I hate myself at times."

"You shouldn't, we aren't to blame for our parents mistakes."

"I know think my mom or your dad would agree."

"That doesn't matter to me anymore. I used to wish Dan had been the dad I needed him to be, but then I realized that whether he was or wasn't, I had to be the man I wanted myself to be."

"Have you succeeded in that?"

"For the most part, yes, but I've made mistakes. I've hurt people."

"Yeah, had my fair share of hurting people myself."

"Well maybe we can change that."

"Maybe."

"You want to go to a club tonight?"

"Like a date?"

"Yeah, why not?

"Ok, sure."

To be continued…