Author's Note: Hey everyone! Yay, I'm back! God, I'm so glad to be home. My trip was fun, but I just love it here. Heh. Anyway, I want to apologize in advance. This chapter has been troubling me, and it was so hard to write. Why? I have no idea. Maybe I just need to get back into the swing of things, or something. But I do hope that nonetheless, you enjoy this chapter. It should definitely clear a couple things up. The next chapter will be better, I promise.
Also, I really want to thank you guys for the reviews. I know I have before already, but this story is just doing amazingly well, and it's all because of you. So thanks so much, and keep it up! Hehe.
PS: Also, don't let this chapter mislead you. That's all I'm going to say.
Non-Photo Blue
Chapter Five: You're Breaking The Line
The next morning when Nathan awoke, he wasn't - for the first time - surprised to find himself laying next to Mr. Durham, in the year 2004. He actually chuckled at the thought of the situation.
For some reason unknown to himself, he was traveling back and forth through time. It sounded odd saying it to himself, but there was no other explanation! He wasn't insane - which was a relief - but was instead doing the unthinkable. It was strange, but he found it oddly pleasing. And maybe Doctor Roe was right. Maybe it would help him unlock the mystery that was his brain.
Doctor Andy Hargrove entered the room minutes after he awoke, looking down at some papers. "Good morning, Nathan."
He nodded. "What's up?"
"I see you're in a better mood than you were yesterday."
"I guess." Nathan shrugged.
The doctor sighed. "Right, then."
He took a seat beside Nathan's bed, and did the usual check-up; blood pressure, eyes, limbs, etcetera. As he did this, Nathan looked over at Mr. Durham, who was fast asleep.
"What's his first name, anyway?"
Doctor Hargrove turned around to look at the sleeping figure for just a moment. "Brian. Brian Durham."
"Huh. What's he doing here? I mean, he's been here forever."
"He's only been here a few days so far, Nathan." Doctor Hargrove frowned.
Yes, but he'd be here for years. Only, Doctor Hargrove obviously didn't know that. "Right. Well, what I meant was, he seems like he'll be here a while."
"Yes. He's um, he's here for a heart transplant. It's basically his last hope right now."
Nathan studied the man's shape. Although he was nowhere near attractiveness, there was certainly a friendly demeanor to Brian Durham. Something tragic and sad, yet nice at the same time.
"Where are his family?"
"Um, I don't know that he has a family. He had a wife years ago. He talks about her sometimes. Camilla. She passed away, though."
Nathan wondered for a moment what it would be like to lose a loved one. And then he remembered Lucas. Oh, Lucas. His brother was hardly gone to him. There was some part of him that hoped that Lucas had faked his death, or simply did not want to see him and had lied in order to do so. Part of him couldn't believe his brother was dead.
Doctor Hargrove sighed, "Nathan, today we're going to tell your brother's fiancé the news."
It was now that Nathan felt tears well up in his eyes. Lucas had a fiancé? How could he not remember this? He found himself wondering if it was Teresa Williams, his brother's high school girlfriend, and then immediately afterwards forced himself to face reality. Lucas didn't have a fiancé, he'd had one. He was dead now. There was a difference.
"You haven't told her yet? It's been days, hasn't it?"
"We haven't been able to get in contact with her until today. She'd been staying with her sister, and we weren't aware. Today she finally returned my call."
"Oh." That was kind of strange. You'd think after not having spoken to your fiancé for a couple days, you would panic.
"So, I was wondering if you wanted to tell her with me. I'm sure she'd prefer to see a familiar face as opposed to mine. And she's lost what you have, so.." He trailed off.
"Uh, yeah. Sure. I don't know how much help I'd be, but okay." He failed to remind the doctor that he didn't remember Lucas's fiancé; that he'd maybe never met her.
Doctor Hargrove smiled. "Thank you, Nathan."
-
"Oh, how I love wheelchairs." Nathan sighed as Peyton wheeled him down the hallway. He couldn't help it; he felt a certain connection to the blonde, as she was involved in his reality constantly.
"I'm sorry, but it's-"
"Policy? Yeah, I know. I'm all sickly and shit." He shrugged, and she cracked a smile. He noticed it was maybe the first time he'd seen her smile.
A woman Nathan figured was another nurse popped up suddenly, eyeing Peyton. "Hey, uh, we need another nurse in Holloway's room. Can you..?"
"Uh.." Peyton looked down at Nathan, who nodded.
"Don't worry. I know it might seem like an extremely difficult task for one crippled such as myself, but I may be able to wheel myself towards my destination."
She smiled once more, and walked off with the other nurse.
Nathan grinned, shaking his head as he wheeled towards the common room in which he had originally found out about his brother's death. It was almost surreal that in moments, someone would find out similarly to how he had. He felt sorry for the girl, and hoped - for her sake - that he could be of some consolation.
While wheeling past the nurses lounge, he frowned, stopped, and wheeled himself backwards. Inside, sat Brooke Davis. He still couldn't get over how different she looked. Her hair was slightly longer, and she looked so unsure of herself as she nervously chewed on a salad.
He almost felt sorry for her. Almost.
"Well, if it isn't my wife." He wheeled into the room, and instantly reminded himself of some sort of evil villain in a horror film.
She looked up, startled. "I was just eating lunch. I wasn't looking to get married."
Nathan couldn't help but feel the slightest bit rude. He sighed. "Yeah, not yet. Um, I guess this is where we meet, then."
"Sorry?" She wore no makeup. The Brooke from 2006 wore a lot of makeup. This one looked different.
"Nothing." He shrugged, beginning to wheel out of the room.
"Nathan," She called after him. He stopped. How did she know his name? He'd never once told her, and he was almost sure she'd looked as if she hadn't known him when she'd first seen him.
Nathan turned around. "Yeah?"
She bit her lip. "I actually wanted to talk to you about something."
"What?" So they did know each other.
"I had a few questions to ask you."
"Abou-"
"Mr. Scott, what are you doing in here?" Both of their heads snapped towards the doorway of the nurses' lounge, where Peyton stood, hands on her hips.
"I, uh- well.."
"Brooke," She narrowed her eyes, "you were on duty ten minutes ago."
"Sorry, Peyton." Brooke quickly scurried to collect all her belongings and began to walk towards the doorway. She turned towards Nathan once more.
"I'll see you around."
-
The common room was dark. After all, it was the early evening. But for some reason, Nathan could only remember the common room as being bright. He figured that it was the only comfort of those forced to stay here. Knowing the light would be there when you expected it to be. Of course, he'd probably just looked into it too much, but as he entered, he could not shake these thoughts from his mind.
Until he saw Doctor Hargrove sitting with a woman. Her hair was a soft brown color, and that was all he could see of her. As he wheeled his chair towards them, however, his eyes began to widen in realization.
"Haley."
She looked over at him, tears brimming her chocolate brown eyes. He wanted to touch her. To kiss her, or something else equally romantic. Haley was just as beautiful in 2004 as she was in 2006.
"Nathan, I'm glad you showed up. I'm sure you two could help each other through this right now." Doctor Hargrove patted Haley's hand.
And it was right then, at that moment, that Nathan realized.
"Oh my God. You. You're.." He stared at Haley, leaning away from her. "You're Lucas's fiancé?"
"Nathan.." She wiped her eyes, holding back a sob.
"I'll just leave you two alone." Doctor Hargrove nodded towards them and stood, walking away.
Nathan shook his head. "No way. No fucking- this is unreal. What were you just doing with me?"
"Why are you acting like this? Oh God. Oh God, I can't believe this has happened. I'm so sorry. I can't.." She hiccupped.
He couldn't hate her. Even if he tried to be upset with her, he couldn't be. She was too wonderful. He ran his hands through her hair, and kissed the top of her head. "It's okay. It's going to be okay."
"How?" She cried.
Since he could not answer her question, Nathan remained quiet, hugging her closely.
"We were having an affair." He whispered softly, more to himself than to her. It was almost ironic how they would always be having an affair. In two years, he'd simply be cheating on his wife, whereas now, he was cheating on his brother. But it didn't make sense. Why would he get into another relationship, if he just planned to continue this one?
After Haley left, he remained in the common room, looking out the window. He still had about an hour until lights out, so he assumed he had some time to himself.
The gardens outside were lush, even now. They reminded him of his parents' old house. He'd loved it there. And now, looking down at the large gazebo, and all the flowers, he could suddenly remember exactly why.
"Penny for your thoughts." He snapped his head around.
There was something off about 2004 Brooke. It wasn't just the makeup thing, or the shyness. There was something slightly eerie.
"Uh, no thanks. I'd kind of like to be alone right now."
"But I had some questions for you." She crossed her arms over her chest.
"I don't even know you. And you know what? Frankly, I've got enough problems right now. I don't need anymore." Satisfied, Nathan turned back towards the window.
"It's about your brother."
His heart skipped a beat. He stood, turning to her face her. "What do you know about my brother?"
She ran a nervous hand through her hair. "I was the nurse on call when your brother died."
Nathan swallowed. "And?"
"And, um, I'm a nurse in training, really. So usually, I like to record what's going on with the patients I'm with while I'm with them," She paused, pulling a small tape recorder out of her pockets. "And I thought you'd like to listen."
She smiled the slightest bit, and Nathan frowned, interested.
She hit the play button on her machine, and almost instantly, Nathan heard heavy breathing, and then Brooke's frantic voice: "Can I get a doctor in here? Patient is awake! We need assistance!"
It was then that Nathan heard his brother's strained voice. "Nathan…" He barely managed, clearly sucking in all the air he could. "Nathan.. did this to me..He…killed me.."
Brooke stopped the tape, eyes glinting.
Nathan shook his head. No, he hadn't killed Lucas. They'd been in an accident! Lucas had been mistaken. Clearly, he hadn't meant - no. He stared at Brooke, eyes wide.
"I know who you are," She took a step towards him. "I see you in magazines all the time. The press follows you everywhere. You're North Carolina's Golden Boy. Your family's famous, and you always host huge parties and benefits."
"So?"
"I've always wanted to live that life. I've always wanted to be famous, and have people admire me like that. I've always wanted people to look in a magazine and see me, and think, 'God, I wish I was her'. And you have that. You have all that and more." She took another step towards him.
"Oh my God," Nathan shook his head. Everything suddenly made so much more sense. "You're going to blackmail me."
She laughed gleefully. "Well, I'm just saying, it would be pretty bad if this tape ended up in the wrong hands, wouldn't you say?"
"You're fucking sick."
"I'm sure that if he could, Lucas would say the same to you."
"Don't talk about Luke like you know him." He took a step towards her. He wasn't sure he'd ever felt so enraged before.
"Calm down." She chuckled, reaching an arm out to touch him. He moved out of her way.
"Mr. Scott," Nathan had never been so happy to see Peyton Sawyer in his life. Even if the blonde did look upset. "It's dinner time. You were supposed to be in your room fifteen minutes ago."
"I'm sorry. I'll go right now." He looked back over at Brooke, as did Peyton. She eyed the two suspiciously, and Nathan could tell she was wondering how she'd managed to run into the two together twice in that one day.
Shaking his head at his luck, Nathan began to walk back towards his bedroom. So, the reason he and Brooke would marry was because Brooke would blackmail him. Nice. And Haley had been Lucas's fiancé, which explained a lot about what Haley had said to him in the elevator the day before. But he could not shake Lucas's words from his mind. He hadn't killed his brother. He would surely remember that. And he would never do that. Nathan had never been mad enough at someone that he'd actually had an urge to kill them.
Maybe, he reasoned, Lucas had been extremely mad at him, and had wanted revenge somehow. By telling people Nathan had killed him on his death bed, he was doing that pretty well, right? But Lucas would never do that! Not unless Nathan had done something extraordinarily terrible.
Extraordinarily terrible. Of course.
Lucas had known about the affair.
