2. Beginnings

Lucas Scott was satisfied with his life, when he takes the time to look around him and appreciate what he has got, he is full with gratitude, he has got an excellent group of friends, a supportive brother and the business is going great. He was never after money, at least not as greedily as Dan Shaw, sure everybody wants to improve financially, but, Lucas thinks it's not an ultimate life goal, he thinks you have to balance your life's aspects out to get the best of them all. And he recently came to the conclusion that good deeds pay.

When they first re-opened Karen's as a club, he was walking down the street late at night, and as he approached The Comet, he saw Dan in the backseat of his car while his Julian was driving slowly next to a walking Haley, he didn't hear what Dan was saying but clearly, but by the looks of it, Haley wasn't happy about it. Eventually, Dan let out a laugh, ordered Julian to take off but not before making sure to give Haley a light hit on her bottom. The girl stood in her tracks in the middle of the dark empty street, she looked distraught, but as soon as she noticed Lucas walking her way, she put on a façade.

"Are you okay?" he had asked her.

"Fine, why'd you ask?"

Lucas let his head turn to the direction where Dan went and turned back to her with a creased forehead.

"Oh, Dan? No, he's… fine." Haley knew who he was and he of course has seen her perform before but this was their first encounter ever. She acted fine but he saw the entire thing and he could see that she's mastering the art of putting on a brave face and hiding her real emotions, but he didn't tell her any of that.

"Alright, take care of yourself, it's late."

"Sure, thank you. You too." She said and they both started walking their own ways, but it turned out they are heading in the same direction. "What, are you following me now?"

He gave a chuckle, "No, in fact that's my way."

"I see. Maybe we can take care of ourselves together then."

"Fine by me."

They walked together and he made sure to let her know how much he appreciates her voice and enjoys her shows and she thanked him and congratulated him on the opening wishing him good luck.

That night, Lucas had a very solid chance of offering Haley a job, he just saw her being mistreated by her boss, and it was perfect timing especially that he could see very clearly that she wasn't comfortable, but he didn't. It didn't feel right, it'd be him taking her for granted and jumping at the chance of stealing Dan's best-selling performer but with the cost of Haley's pain and vulnerability, especially that she doesn't know him, and him letting her know that he just witnessed what happened would make her feel humiliated which he thought would leave him as bad as he knows Dan is.

Instead, as they walked together, he made a light conversation with her in the hopes it would just make her feel better and take her mind off of it.

And he never spoke or saw her again, only for days to pass and he finds Haley James walking into Karen's after working hours and asking for a job.

They did have one singer whom neither Lucas nor Nathan was really fond of. He was a great singer and had good vocals, but he was arrogant, besides Chris Keller wasn't enough to entertain their customers, they needed a show like Haley's and were already on the hunt for some girl with the ability to at least compete with Haley, only for the best herself to come to them willingly.

So now, with Chris singing the blues, Haley putting on her performance and Skillz –Antwon- mastering the piano keys, he could already see the place fully crowded.

When him and Nathan sat down and spoke with her, they agreed that she could start working with them right away and in fact, she never put a foot at The Comet again, they also agreed to wait for the announcement that they'll have her at Karen's until she works on a new show with Skillz, so apart from the four of them nobody knew she's now with them.

Lucas and Nathan were worried when they began talking about money with her, they expected they'd have to top her wage at Dan's or at least pay her the same either of which they couldn't afford, but they were surprised when she asked to be treated equally as their other employees.

"Consider it a try to test the waters, however, I surely wouldn't mind a raise when we blow this place." She had told them with confident that flew among them too and they just knew that this is exactly what is going to happen.

And tonight, was the night of truth, it was Haley's first performance at Karen's and they only made the announcement the night before, so, those who loved to watch Haley at The Comet, and those who would have loved to watch her but couldn't afford The Comet, and those who are already regular customers at Karen's were all there. They knew it was going to be a big night, but as Lucas and Nathan stood at the doors looking around, they couldn't believe their eyes and the overwhelming feeling that this is the start of something new.

"I didn't expect that."

"Neither did I."

"Owen is gonna lose his mind." Nathan commented as they both looked towards the bar and sure enough their new bartender was struggling to get all the right drinks at the right time and to the right people, "Looks like I'm on bar duty again."

Lucas patted his back, "I guess Chase would like a little help too."

When they first started, they couldn't afford to hire people, so it was only both of them and Skillz who has been patient with them all along, so, they would make basic meals as Lucas would wait tables, Nathan would bartend and Skillz would play music. It wasn't until recently, that they started hiring people when they started profiting from the club.

As Haley's performance was approaching, things were a lot more settled now and people were only waiting for the promised new show of Haley James occasionally ordering a meal or too and some drinks. Lucas was walking around greeting people he knew every now and then.

"So, Haley James, huh?"

"Hey, Marvin." Lucas shook his hand with a smile, Marvin McFadden -or as is friends call him, Mouth- was a good friend of his, he's a reporter or at least used to be; Marvin has been fighting to get a shot for so long, and when he finally got it, it was a yellow paper, one cheap paper that made rumors to make money, he took the job hoping it would open him other doors; better doors... but shortly after he got fired.

"That's great, Lucas. I'm happy for you."

"Thank you, how are you doing?"

"I'm great." He said and gulped down the contents of his glass all at once as Lucas became concerned. "I'm telling you, soon enough I will be the one writing about your grand success." He offered him a smile but Lucas could see the sadness behind it.

"I'm sure you will. Just don't give up." he gave him a pat on the shoulder.

"Yeah," Marvin gave him a nod and forced on a smile, "Anyway, I just wanted to tell you you're doing great, man." he said and left Lucas to go get another drink.

"Looking good, Lucas Scott."

"Well, well, Brooke Davis finally decided to stop by."

"You finally decided to make the place vibrant enough for Brooke Davis." She shrugged causing him to laugh.

"You look nice."

She gave him a look, "I always do, but if this was you trying to relive the past, then you look very handsome yourself." She said seductively pulling on his white suit jacket.

He smiled and put his hands on her taking them down, "Brooke."

"Ugh, you and your rules, Lucas Scott. Don't you ever just let go and have fun?"

"I am. I'm having the best time of my life right now." He said looking around the place proudly.

"It's your loss." She rolled her eyes and he got ready to leave, "But, to tell you the truth, you are doing a good job."

He turned around smiling at her and she raised her glass towards him as a toast and he nodded and left to meet his brother at the bar which he was still standing behind but doing nothing for the time being.

"Big night it is."

"Indeed bigger than I expected." They smiled and then the lights dimmed bringing everybody's attention to the stage where a spot light was there ready for Haley to step into. As soon as she appeared people went wild clapping and welcoming her.

Lucas and Nathan watched people getting excited and Lucas felt a rush of excitement washing over his body, it was the time that would tell if they are going to make this place work or it's going to go down the hill, he looked over at his brother to share the moment with him but he found him in a trance, he followed his gaze to see his eyes were glued on Haley at the stage; she was wearing red lipstick that definitely suited her along with a white tight strapless dress , black heels and black sleeve gloves, her brown shiny hair holding its place on her back, all in all she was glowing.

He looked back at his brother to see he was still gazing with a goofy smile and a dreamy look with his lips slightly parted. Lucas smiled knowingly and shook his head. It wasn't until Haley started singing and people stopped the noise to watch that Nathan took a deep sigh and noticed Lucas had a smirk printed on his face,

"What?" he asked confused but blushed slightly feeling busted.

"Nothing," Lucas shrugged looking away but his smirk only grew wider. "But, she's pretty, yes."

"Who is?"

"Haley James. Don't you see how people got worked up by her only walking on the stage?" He told him never dropping the smirk and stressed the word people. Nathan gritted his teeth and hit him with the towel only for Lucas to chuckle.

"Hey, I'm sure you still have some idiotic comments to drop but you'll have to wait, we seem to have a problem." He said looking past Lucas towards the door and sure enough there stood three figures, Dan's big body stood there looking around for a nice table with Peyton's arm hooked on his and behind them was Julian.

Dan kept a yellow smile on his face as he moved between tables as Peyton let her big eyes wonder around discovering the place with some kind of astonishment; she has been to The Comet numerous times but, something was different about this place, she didn't know what it was but she was going to figure it out. Dan pulled the chair for her when they reached the table and she smiled up at him and sat down taking the time to have a better look of her surroundings. Dan sat next her and Julian took the chair across from them on the round table with his hat covering a big part of his forehead leaving a shadow on his eyes and a toothpick in his mouth as he put a hand on the back of the chair and bend up his left leg to rest his foot on the seat of the chair looking around to spot familiar faces.

Dan's features beamed as he spotted the Scott brothers approaching him and they didn't look pleased, Lucas had his hands behind his back with a skeptical frown while Nathan's eyes were narrowed as he took big steps towards their table.

"The Scott brothers," Dan welcomed as Julian carelessly brought his attention to them while Peyton looked alarmed. "Congratulations are in regard; obviously you have done great work with this place, although for a moment I thought I was in the wrong club seeing this is my singer." He nodded towards Haley with this smile that seems to never leave his face.

"Well, not anymore." Nathan spoke as Lucas side-smiled.

Dan gave a laugh, "I see you're a little hasty, which is okay, seeing you're young, but if I were you I wouldn't be so sure."

"I think it's pretty settled." Lucas said pouting his lower lip carelessly for a second, "She's had enough of you and left."

"I like your ambition, boys. I'm going to hate to kill it."

Lucas smiled sarcastically and leaned forward a little, "You could try." He said and stood tall once again, for a moment his eyes caught the big green eyes of Peyton staring back at his narrow blue ones and he saw her smile but he drifted his eyes back at Dan.

"This is gonna be fun."

"Why are you here, Dan?"

"To congratulate you of course, and to make sure that my singer is still in a good condition, I'll let you have the joy of having her for a while, but I'm gonna need her back soon."

Nathan smiled and shook his head, "I know you had your club standing solely for as long as ever, but things change, you need to accept the fact that The Comet isn't the club of Tree Hill anymore."

"We'll see about that."

"Enjoy the show, Dan." Lucas said and walked away and once again he caught Peyton following him with her gaze as he left.

"What do you think?" He asked Nathan as they walked side by side.

"He's going to pull his schemes soon, but we already know that."

"Yeah, get ready then." He said and they parted ways to go be helpful in this crowded night.

XxXx

After her show was over Haley went back to her room changed into a yellow simple dress and went back again to the hall, she stood at the entrance backstage and took a look of everyone sitting there and chatting happily, her show was undeniably a big success; well, her shows have been for a while, but, today, it felt different, maybe because she felt more at ease here than at Dan's, more free, she felt like she's breathing again after suffocating for months. She took a deep breath and went in, as soon as people started spotting her, she received a lot of cheers and people wanting to say hi she smiled happily thanking everyone she could see addressing her as she took her way to the bar.

"Great show." Nathan commented as she threw herself on the seat in front of him, she looked at him and laughed.

"Yeah, thankfully. I have to admit I was nervous."

"Why? It's not your first time on stage."

"I know, but, when you change places, it feels like you're starting all over again."

Nathan nodded but then gave a laugh,

"What?"

"Nothing, it's just… you literally moved to the club down the street, they're the same people."

She laughed, "You think I'm crazy."

"No, no, I think I understand." He said and looked at her as she nodded and he suddenly realized that this is the first time they're talking alone and the first time she's this close that he can take in all her features and admire them. He cleared his throat, "Can I get you a drink?" he needs to pull his act together.

"Yeah, that'd be nice." She said and he poured her a cocktail and handed it over with a smile. "What is it?"

"Take a sip."

She raised it to her lips and took a sip before looking back at him amused, "It's good, what is it called?"

"Millionaire cocktail."

"Nice, I didn't try it before."

"I know, I've got a bunch of those." He said proudly as she smiled.

"Hey, Nate, I can't find Lucas and I need some help." Chase came along looking lost.

"See you later, Haley James."

Haley smiled and let out a happy sigh, Karen's has already been treating her just fine, it seems like she's following the light at the end of the tunnel after living in darkness for so long, almost her whole life, she just wished there wouldn't be inappropriate surprising troubles.

And as if on cue, Dan made appearance besides her blocking her view of the rest of the place.

"Hey there, traitor."

"What do you want?"

"You." He replied simply.

"Yeah, right." She shook her head dismissively.

"That was quiet a show." He said and she didn't reply, "Enjoy your little vacation, Haley, before it ends." He said and raised his eyebrows at her with a smile before leaving.

There it was… the suffocating again.

Dan just had to show up and kill the night for her, she knew she shouldn't let him get to her, but she just wanted to get over the past, she wanted to let go of the dark years behind her, and for some reason, this place gave her hope, but Dan isn't going anywhere is he? Days ago, she wouldn't have thought of solutions, she already had one, a very dark one, but at that time, she didn't see other options, but now, that she has spent some time with those guys in this place, she have her hope back, but at the same time she's tired, she wants it to be over already, she wants to sleep and wake up to find everything just fine… she doesn't want to have to leave Tree Hill, not now, not yet at least.

She asked God that Dan would just stop and hoped that he's just talking out of spite; cause what could he possibly do to force her back, right?

Lucas was leaving the kitchen after checking everything is going fine in there with Mary their cook when he ran into someone.

"I'm sorry." He looked with a frown at a blushing Peyton who gave him an awkward smile before proceeding to walk away, she was about to turn the corner leading to the kitchen when he extended his arm in front of her.

"Where are you going?"

She looked up at him feeling like an idiot as her cheeks reddened, "I'm sorry, I was just looking for the women's room."

"Well, it isn't here."

"Sorry."

"You apologize a lot."

She just looked up at him gaining her composure back.

"You have a little…" he frowned and motioned with his hand at the side of his lips where her lipstick needed to be fixed.

"I know; that's why I need to find the women's room." she said with attitude not liking his lack of modesty. "Are you going to tell me where it is or shall I keep exploring?" she raised an eyebrow.

He nodded at the other hallway on the opposite side of the hall, "You should've gone left, not right." He said and she turned around spotting it before facing him again with one last cold look before turning around to leave.

Lucas raised his eyebrow at her childish act; he took only two steps before stopping as he spotted Brooke Davis standing a few steps away leaning on the wall with her arms crossed right under her breasts as she smirked at him, "Nice. Good to see you joining the games, Luke."

"What are you talking about?"

"That was Peyton Sawyer, wasn't it?"

"Yeah?" he asked confused.

"Peyton Sawyer; Dan's darling, Dan as in your ultimate enemy. Good to see you keeping your enemies closer."

Lucas shook his head, "Leave it to Brooke Davis to make a story out of absolutely nothing."

"Brooke Davis doesn't speak nonsense."

"Brooke Davis owes me money." Dan showed up with Julian by his side as Brooke's face fell. "Have she given that any thought?"

"I will pay you back; the deadline isn't for another ten days."

"I know I just wanted to remind you; I noticed you're not making any money."

"That's irrelevant. I will pay you back." She said through gritted teeth; she couldn't believe he is just doing this in front of Lucas.

"Keep in mind that there are consequences if you didn't." Julian spoke and touched her waist letting his hand slide lower as she jumped.

"You little-"

Julian frowned and stepped closer ready to grab her arm threateningly but Lucas jumped between them,

"Hey!" he glared, "Don't come near her or touch her ever again, understand me?" he glared and Julian glared back and they remained like this for a few seconds before Julian gave a dismissive chuckle and backed away.

"What's going on?" Peyton appeared looking confused but no one paid her attention as they were all waiting for the next attack.

"Rough man too," Dan noted, "I told you I would hate to bring you down."

"You should leave." Lucas spoke sternly and loudly.

Dan gave a short laugh, "We were going anyway." He said and then turned to Peyton with a sweet smile, "Are you ready, darling?"

"Yes, I'm." Peyton answered still not knowing what was the reason for all the tension she just witnessed as she looked between the four of them, Dan focusing his eyes on her with his smile, Julian looking anywhere else, Lucas frowning and fixing his eyes at Dan and Brooke who stood behind Lucas looking down in embarrassment.

Dan nodded and offered her his arm which she sighed and took, he then looked back at Brooke, "Maybe you should ask your man to pay your debt since his business is going forward like a train."

"Leave before I call the police." Lucas threatened and Dan gave him a sarcastic look turning around.

"I thought you said you were not going to cause any trouble." Peyton whispered to Dan as they walked away.

"Believe me, I did nothing." He said and patted her hand with his other hand, "He just got angry at Julian." Peyton sighed but said nothing more as he kissed the side of her forehead.

"Are you okay?" Lucas turned to Brooke who just nodded barely bringing her eyes to his.

"Thanks for defending me."

"Brooke, it's nothing." He said softly, "If you ne-"

"No, it's fine. I'm fine, really, thanks, Lucas." Brooke cut him off and said confirmativly in a hurry as she just left.

"Brooke, wait." But she didn't.

Lucas sighed and turned back to look at Dan walking away as he saw him kiss Peyton's forehead from the side and then she turned around for a moment and he frowned; she looked upset, that was strange, why would she be upset, she's Dan's little girl, she's as bad as Dan and as anyone Dan knows. It was just a moment though, he could easily be mistaken.

Hi, I have a very good feeling about this story and have good plans -hopefully good- for it, I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it, so tell me what you think :)

Q: Who's your favorite Tree Hill character aside from the main ones?