Chapter 3: The More You Talk, The Less I Hear

Brooke returned to Lucas' bedroom and considered waiting for him to get back. But what would I do when he returned? I could take advantage of him while he was tired and brooding – if there's something I'm good at, it's seduction. She smiled devilishly, but her smile quickly dissipated. Normally, if any other girl had walked in as Peyton had, she wouldn't even be debating the issue. But her best friend...was it possible? It had never been about guys for them, particularly between them. And now there was a guy, right smack dab in the middle. She was so preoccupied she didn't notice Keith come strolling in. "Hey Luke ..." he started, only to see a confused adolescent girl instead. "Hi Brooke," Keith said quietly. Brook would usually have some flirtatious reply armed and ready , but no such luck this night. "Hi," she squeaked out.

Keith was initially angry Lucas wasn't home but it was clear something was going on. He didn't approve of Lucas' behavior when he was with Brooke but he couldn't bring himself to get into it now. Besides, he really didn't know her that well – most of his perceptions of Brooke were simply that: perceptions only. "Um," Keith said, "do you happen to know where Lucas is? I needed to talk to him."

Brooke nodded slowly. "He said he was going to see how Nathan was doing." She gasped slightly as she finished speaking. It was so obvious now. Lucas hadn't known what to do, he was trapped between us!

Keith raised an eyebrow. If that were true, it was awfully noble for a kid who just got drunk and tattooed in the company of ... He stopped himself when he noticed she was standing there looking moderately shocked. "Well, thanks." His words pierced through her moment of realization. "If you hear from him tonight, you let me know alright? For now, maybe you should go home." Keith didn't wish to be unpleasant, he just wanted to get things back to normal so when Karen returned life would be good again. This surrogate father thing was so much harder when he was actually on the scene from day to day. It's going to take some practice.

Brooke moved as if in a dream, slowly drifting towards the door in Lucas' room. "Okay. Bye," she said breathlessly. She left, and as the door closed, sighs escaped simultaneously from her lips and from Keith's.

x x x x

When Peyton arrived back home she had mindlessly collapsed onto her bed. Initially, her eyes had started to water but she stopped herself with one thought: I haven't lost anything yet. Just a bump in the road, she thought to cheer herself up, unsuccessfully. A treacherous, winding, one lane mountain road. But for now it is my road. And maybe one day, Lucas' too. She sat up and allowed herself a quick smile. It was going to be difficult for her, focusing on hope. Like traveling in a foreign land. And yet, she thought as she grabbed a pen and her sketchbook, not so foreign. Because in this case, no one's left me yet. And the territory's as foreign to him as it is to me. With that, she began to draw.

x x x x

Lucas was torn. He had been driving aimlessly for a half hour now. If he was the betting type, Lucas would place a bet in Vegas, double or nothing, on where Nathan was right now. He was with Haley. So he could go there and keep his promise to Deb. That option was unattractive enough to keep him circling the city streets without purpose – just as he had been doing.

Lucas, however, also really needed some time to think, alone. He could discontinue his reconciliations-with-brothers tour right now and focus on his own problems. Or I could keep my word. He sighed deeply. I don't really owe Nathan anything, but I don't need Brooke and Peyton finding out I lied about tonight. And they would find out, despite my best attempts to conceal the truth. Tree Hill is too small for secrets. Actually, that doesn't even matter. It's the principle of the thing: I said I was going to do it so I will. I'd love a few minutes of Haley's time too. "Ahh, crap!" he exclaimed to nobody in particular. He stopped the truck, reversed direction, and turned down a certain residential street he knew quite well.

x x x x

Keith settled down in an easy chair to wait for Lucas. They needed to have a talk. Something was just off about Lucas' behavior the past few days. Just then, the phone rang. Keith picked up, half expecting Lucas to be on the line. "Hello?"

"Hi, Keith? It's Deb."

"Deb, is everything okay? Is this about Nathan?"

"Well, yes and no. I was actually wondering if Lucas had checked in with you yet."

"No, he hasn't. Why?"

"Well, he stopped by the hospital ... and ... " she trailed off.

"Deb, what happened?"

"When I arrived, Nathan was gone. Dan assured me he was fine but I am still very concerned. Lucas said he had an idea where Nathan was and would check on him for me. That's why I'm curious."

"I'm sorry, Deb, I am. I'm sure if Lucas finds him you'll be the first to know."

"Thanks, Keith."

"Keep me posted, alright?"

"I will."

"Bye."

"Bye." Keith returned the phone to its cradle. He was proud of Lucas for doing something right for once in the last few days. Still need to talk to him though. I'm not quite sure what's going on in his life right now. We'll get to the bottom of this issue of him and that girl. He returned to the chair and waited.

x x x x

Lucas pulled up to Haley's house. The thought briefly crossed his mind that he should call home. But he didn't think this would take long given his and Nathan's track record. That is, if he's here. But there is no way he's not. And if he isn't, he's a bigger jerk than I thought. Lucas grimaced. For now he'd just have to deal with it. He didn't like it, but Haley was happy – at least it seemed that way. Once inside, he knew he had to cut the tension quickly; he hadn't been terribly accommodating to Haley recently and he needed her tonight. He reached the front door and opened it slowly. Just to be safe, he announced his presence. "Haley?" he called out, "you home?".

x x x x

Upstairs, behind her closed door, Haley thought she heard something. Nathan was close to falling asleep, tired from the game and the drugs and the struggle to stay one step ahead of his father. Are my parents home early? She hoped not. And she also didn't want Nathan to wake up after his ordeal today. With two reasons not to get caught laying on her bed – a bed that also contained a boy – fresh in her head, Haley's mind was made up. She carefully rose to her feet and crept over to the door. Just as she was about to grab the door handle, it swung inward, clipping her shoulder as it went by. And suddenly, she was looking at ...

"Lucas?" Haley couldn't believe it. "That hurt!" she hissed, punching him in the shoulder, partly to repay him for the blow from the door and partly out of surprise.

Lucas absorbed the blow and offered a half-smile to his best friend. "Hey Hales," he said softly, "I was wondering if I could..." His voice trailed off as his eyes rose to spot the sleeping form of his half-brother. Haley realized what Lucas had just identified. She felt her chest tighten with the expectation of yet another disagreement with Lucas. How should I defend it this time? Could Lucas ever understand what is happening to me, what Nathan is doing to my heart? Would I ever understand it?

Strangely, Lucas did not lash out. Haley looked at him carefully. His mind was somewhere else and his eyes were filled with deep emotions she couldn't place, but they were clearly affecting his behavior. He slowly returned to the present, motioning Haley outside with his free hand, the other still clenching the door knob, knuckles white from the intensity of his grip. She complied and he closed the door gently.

"Lucas," Haley said, "what's the matter? Seen a ghost?" She cracked a wry smile.

"Yeah, if it's the Ghost of Relationships Ruined." Lucas swallowed painfully and forced the next few words out. "How's Nathan doing?"

"He's weak, but okay ... and what did that first part mean? Did something happen?"

"Haley, I need to talk to you about that, but I have to do something else first."

"Okay ... what?"

"I have to call Deb," Lucas said flatly. "I promised her I would."

Haley was extremely confused. Lucas saw her frown and he knew he had to explain. He spent the next five minutes doing just that in hushed tones. "But why try and visit Nathan?" Haley asked. "I mean ..."

Lucas held up his hand to stop her from continuing. "Part of the reason is the thing I need to talk to you about. The other part is I have to give him a chance, like you have. I'd never wish a hospital stay on anyone, especially my ... brother." He forced the last sentence out, just trying the word "brother" on for size. That feels weird.

Haley knew better than anyone how sincere Lucas could be. She was grateful he was just going to try, instead of being so ultra-sensitive around Nathan all the time. And she desperately wanted them to get along, or at least tolerate each other so she didn't have to take sides. She nodded. "Alright. But I am not letting you go before two things happen." Lucas cocked his head at this statement. Just like Haley to have conditions, he thought. "One, go in and let Nathan know you are here and will be calling his mother. Two, talk to me about what's up with you. Deal?"

Lucas winced at the first condition, but gave Haley a slow nod in response. He took a deep breath. I came here to do this, so I shouldn't be surprised that I am. It still could be a disaster though. He reminded himself to exercise conversational restraint.

Haley opened the door and went to wake Nathan. He rolled over and groaned. "You have a visitor," Haley whispered. Nathan sat up, saw Lucas, and groaned again.

"What's he doing here?" Nathan said.

"Listen, man ..." Lucas began haltingly. "I wanted to make sure you were okay. Also, I ran into -- "

"I'm fine." Nathan replied curtly. "Now just let me rest."

Lucas shook his head at his brother's impertinence, but continued. "I promised your mom I'd call her once I found you, and -- "

"Huh?" Nathan almost stood up, but he knew he would not be able to stay up. He settled for sitting up in Haley's bed in as menacing a manner as he could manage. "She can not know where I am right now! You can't call her."

"They are your parents, Nathan," Lucas said in a firm tone.

"That's right. MY parents. Not yours. Go find yourself another family."

Lucas didn't know why he tried. He clenched his fists and jaw, but didn't yell back. He simply turned and walked out. He had backed down for Haley's sake. He just regretted he hadn't got to talk to her.

Haley was frozen in shock. That had not gone at all as planned, she thought. And now Lucas is gone.

-Note:

Chapter title from a song of the same name by Armor For Sleep.