"Hey I'm just going to get a couple of things then we'll grab a bite to eat before we start okay? I don't want our stomachs rumbling on thejob."

She smiled, "that sounds like a good idea."

Nathan opened the door letting Jill go in first.

"So this is my house," he sighed.

"It's gorgeous."

"Yeah whatever."

"Whatever what?"

"I don't know I guess living here all my life, kind of got me hating this place. Plus a lot of drama happens here."

Jill put her hand on Nathan's shoulder, "a home is a home. We can't control what happens there on."

"Yeah I guess."

The two were suddenly interrupted by a voice from the kitchen.

"Nathan?"

Jill and Nathan turned to find Dan approaching them.

"Did you read the paper today? The sports section is looking pretty good," his attention was focused on the paper until he saw Nathan's visitor, "well excuse my manners. I didn't know we had someone over."

Nathan rolled his eyes as he watched Dan smirk at Jill.

"Yeah, dad this is Jill, Jill my dad, Dan Scott."

"Nice to meet you Mr. Scott," Jill smiled as she reached to shake his hand which Dan happily obliged.

"Likewise, but you can call me Dan, Jill?"

"Oh sorry, it's Jill Reynolds."

"Reynolds? Reynolds? That name sounds familiar. I can't seem to put my finger on it but I know I've heard it before," Dan pondered, "Ahh yes that's the name of Tree Hill High's new principal, Conner Reynolds."

"Mhmm that's my father."

"My my what a small world we live in. I admire your father Jill. He's a very respected man not just in North Carolina but all around the eastern side of the United States. Give him a couple more years and he'll conquer the entire country."

"Yup that's my father, the over accomplisher. Got to love him for that."

"I haven't had the chance to meet him yet but I'm sure I'll have the opportunity since I'm very much involved in the PTA."

"That's great dad, really but we've got stuff to do so excuse us...," he went to grab Jill's arm.

"Why the rush son? I'll tell you what, you go grab your stuff and I'll keep Miss. Reynolds company for you."

"I don't think that's a good idea dad."

"Nonsense Nathan, now go."

Nathan looked at Jill who gave him the nod indicating she'd be okay.

"Go Nathan, I'll wait for you down here."

He was hesistant, "okay, I won't be long."

"Take your time Nate, I'm sure Miss Reynolds and I will be okay."

Nathan still uncomfortable nodded and headed up the stairs to his room leaving Jill with Dan.

"Do you want a drink?"

"Umm thank you but that's okay."

Dan nodded leading Jill into the living room insisting she have a seat while he poured himself a scotch.

"So you're the girl Nathan's been spending every waking second with?"

"Oh yeah," she paused as she walked over to sit on the small couch, "sorry for keeping him out all the time."

"I didn't say it was a bad thing dear. In fact I'm okay with it, relieved in fact."

"Relieved?"

"Mhmm," he took a sip into his drink, "I'm glad it's you that Nathan's getting along with."

"Umm I don't think I quite understand what you're saying?"

"You know what I'm talking about. You come from a very prestigous family that holds a good name. Very profitable financially as well as good history."

"What does my family name have anything to do with anything?"

"Nathan needs a girl like you, he deserves a girl like you. Not some cheap trailer trash from Westover."

"Him and Haley were in love. Nothing else mattered. Not your name not your history or any of that."

"That wasn't love. That was stupidity," he leaned against his seat, "that doesn't matter anyways. She left him and good thing for that. He didn't need her and he doesn't need her."

Jill was speechless. She counted the seconds until Nathan came down to rescue her.

"But now Miss. Reynolds you're here to change all that."

"Excuse me?" Jill was confused.

"I approve of you two going out. In fact I encourage it. Both our families together is a very good idea."

"Mr. Scott, I-I..."

"Remember call me Dan."

Jill took in a deep breath. She couldn't believe what Dan Scott was telling her at this very moment, in his own house, while his son was upstairs.

"Mr. Scott," she said sternly, "I think you've got things confused. Nathan and I are just friends."

"For now that is, but I expect you two to be a couple pretty soon."

"You expect?"

"Yes. This will be good for Nathan's basketball future. To have a girl like you by his side. You're smart, beautiful, you come from a very well brought up family."

"Like I said before Mr. Scott what does my name have anything to do with anything?"

Dan chuckled. It gave Jill the chills. She now understood everything Nathan told her about Dan.

"Sweet naive girl. Don't put up a fight and question my motives. You two are going to go out and that's final."

"Are you ordering me Mr. Scott?"

"I wouldn't call it ordering, more like informing."

"Well you're not my father and I-I can't believe you're saying these things to me."

"I'm just trying to look out for the best interests of my family Miss. Reynolds. In this case it's Nathan's. You understand that don't you?"

"No Mr. Scott I don't. You call bribing me into going out with your son looking out for your family's best interests? I will tell you this right now, it's not!" She got up from her seat, "you know what's weird is that I'm not surprised about any of this. Nathan's told me things about you and they're far from anything a father or husband does in best interests of his family."

"Listen Miss. Reynolds."

"No you listen. I'm not going to take anymore of this. I'm not scared of you Mr. Scott and I sure as hell am not going to let you control things. Nathan's my friend and I care about him a lot. If you want to do something good for your family I suggest you leave them and let them be."

Dan just sat in his seat and stared at the infuriurated teenage girl pacing his living room. She had guts to stand up to him like that, especially since she didn't even know him. For some reason he felt inferior and he didn't like it.

"Alright got my stuff ready to go?" Nathan appeared into the living room noticing Jill's pissed off look. He knew his father had something to do with it, "you okay?"

Jill looked at Nathan and her crossed expression turned into a small smile, "mhmm I'm fine. Just hungry."

"Okay let's go," he looked at Jill then his dad who had a grin on his face.

The two walked towards the door.

"It was nice meeting you Miss. Reynolds, I'll be seeing you," Dan called out.

Jill cringed, "likewise, Mr. Scott."

She walked behind Nathan concealing her anger as they went through the door. Once outside she let out a huge sigh.

Nathan noticed Jill's expression.

"That's what I do everytime I leave," he looked at her, "you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine," she half smiled trying to hide away what she was exactly feeling, "but you know when I told you a home is a home, I take that back."

Nathan nodded as he and her drove out of the driveway. Every moment in the Scott house was always tragic.

Back in the household Dan remained in his seat sipping his scotch. He was enjoying every bit of it as he watched Nathan's car drive away.

"You seem like you're in a good mood?"

Dan jumped in his seat a little bit. He didn't know there was someone else in the house other than himself.

He turned to face the figure standing at the doorway.

"I am," he smirked.

She nodded, "was that Nathan?"

"Yeah and he brought along a friend."

"That must've been Jill," Deb put her stuff down, "I can't believe I just missed them. I wanted to meet her."

"You will Deb, you will," Dan sat in his seat sporting a huge grin. A master plan was conjuring up in his mind. Trouble was sure to follow, and it had Dan's name written all over it.