15. Born to chase the ravens
Every crisis, every story has a peek, a moment where the events are at the top, when everyone holds their breath, a moment of truth, wither things were to go right or left, wither forward or backward… wither it's life or death.
And for Nathan, this moment would be his hearing, the day he would be replaced in a court room and sentenced wither innocent or guilty in front of his friends, family and enemies. And the moments leading to this point were almost as important as the event itself… for everyone, because those were the milestone to the eventual result that everyone unknowingly participated in…
XxXx
Nathan and Dan:
Nathan didn't know when and how his life took this turn, how in the hell did he suddenly find himself in the situation where he has to prove he didn't kill anyone – no, not just anyone, he had to prove he didn't kill his dad!
He was finally able to tell his version of the story and say that the only gun he has ever held was when Dan and Julian provoked him to, but this story was quickly considered a lame stupid lie as both men had several trustable alibis to where they were at the time he claims this incidence took place, and of course his claim was tossed in the garbage and looked sarcastically upon.
When Nathan was told he has a visit and was taken to the same ugly room he has been receiving visits, he expected Lucas since it has been a while since he came with Haley or Karen, but the vein in his forehead popped out and he clenched his fists on the sight of the man responsible for him being there in the first place.
"Hello, Nathan."
"What are you doing here?"
Dan pouted his lips in an impressed one, "As always, straight to your point, and as I always tell you, I just love that about you." He smiled, "And just for that I'm going to be straight forward with you too."
"Please do,"
"You're not getting out of here." Dan smiled.
"Did you come all the way here to tell me that?" although he was boiling inside, Nathan wasn't just about to show it to the man.
"In fact I did." He nodded.
"Well, then you must be scared," Nathan shrugged, "If you're so sure, why would you need to tell me?"
Dan chuckled, "Another admirable thing about you is your ambitious, you just prove me right every time." He commented, "Scared of what exactly? You're not capable of hurting me even if you want to."
Nathan took a deep breath in order to prevent himself from punching the guy across the table. "What do you want?"
"Listen, Nathan, you're such a smart guy, you're young and it's really a shame to have to waste your time in a cell locked away."
"You just love rubbing it in my face, don't you?"
"On the contrary," he shook his head giving him a thoughtful look, "I really am sad for you."
"You're responsible for this!"
Dan nodded, "You might be right. And I can get you out of it."
"Ah, now I get it." Nathan said relaxing back in his chair, "Yeah, in exchange for what?"
"Again, straight to the point." Dan remarked, "Let's put our differences aside."
"You want a truce?"
"Something like that." He mysteriously nodded his head to the side in confirmation, "We could work together."
"You want partnership?" Nathan spat narrowing his eyes.
Dan chuckled, "No, I don't have the slightest interest in your failure of a club." He shook his head, "But I have in you." He pointed at him, "I want you to work with me."
It was now Nathan's time to laugh, "Right, you certainly have a wild imagination."
"Do I?" he cocked his head to the side, "It's either you rot in a dirty cell for the rest of your life or you walk out as a free man and grant yourself a job."
"I already have a job and I am getting out of here."
"And how exactly are you planning on that?" he asked calmly in this irritating way of his.
"Lucas will get me out."
"Lucas!" Dan repeated in amusement, "Where… is… Lucas, by the way?" he faked wondering.
"Listen you scum," Nathan said after an eye roll, "I have no interest in making any kind of deals with you."
"I understand you rage, I really do." He nodded sympathetically, "But, look around you, son, where is your brother? Have you seen him recently?"
He frowned; he must be following his brother, he'll have to warn him somehow, "He is busy, he has a lot on his shoulders."
"I'm afraid that's what you're telling yourself only." Dan shook his head with pursed lips, "After all, it's too disappointing to believe your brother would just give up on you."
Nathan gave a sarcastic chuckle, "He wouldn't." he shook his head.
"I hate to be the one breaking it to you, but, oh, well, he has." He said not even slightly sorry for what he's saying as he fought the smirk forming on his lips.
"Listen, you're just speaking nonsense, and you won't be able to convince me that my own brother just-"
"Open your eyes, Nathan." Dan said cutting him off, "He hasn't come to see you, has he? And the last time you saw him he hasn't found anything helpful, has he? Do you know why?" Nathan just stared hatefully back at him and he continued, "Because he's not trying that hard, because he has something else on his mind… something far more important."
"No, that's not true, I'm sure he's doing his best."
"So, you think if he had to choose between you and the love of his life, he'd choose you? The convicted murderer of the man he saw as a father?"
"I never murdered anyone, and Luke knows that."
"That's not what everyone is saying, Nathan. You have the motive and the gun has your fingerprints on it, and you have no one to prove where you really were." He laid it out for him reminding him just how guilty he looks in front of the whole town, in front of the court. "Do you think it'd be long before everyone starts to believe that?"
"Not Lucas, or Karen, or Haley or any of my friends… anyone who knows me and knows how my relationship with Keith was." He defended confidently.
"So you do think he'd choose you before his heart." He nodded, "I feel sorry for you, you'd be crushed when you know the truth. I know I was." He slightly shook his head at him, "Because your brother has chosen to chase after Peyton."
"I think you're wasting your time."
"It's okay, I understand you're in denial, after all this is shocking, I wouldn't believe me either, that's why my offer still stands until the very end of your hearing, because I have your innocence proof that your brother claims to not be able to get a hold of when it only took me two days to get." He said and stood up, "I hope you have a nice day, Nathan."
Dan left the convicted Scott alone as he was taken back to the damp cell he's been positioned in while feeling satisfied. He knows very well that Nathan didn't believe him, he knew he'd never do just that when he tells him so, but it's all about planting a seed, he knows Nathan will be thinking about his words in the dark smelly cell all by himself, and he knew that the brother who's accused of disloyalty won't fail him in making the other believe him.
XxXx
Brooke and Julian:
"I can't believe I actually believed you!" she screamed from the top of her lungs as the man stood there closing his eyes pained. "You can't have a good bone in your body, it's just…"
"Brooke…"
"No!" she jumped back when he tried to touch her, "You stood here telling me all about your family, and your life tragedy, you said you care, and you actually led me to believe you do have a heart, Julian!" she screamed, "When… when you are fully aware that you just participated in the wrongful frame of an innocent man for a murder… and no not just any man… he's my friend!"
Julian frowned clenching his fists, "Did you expect I'm frying fish for Dan? I fucking work with him!"
"Oh my God, you're not even defending yourself."
"No, seriously, what kind of dirty business do you think we do? You know I work with him, Brooke, and you know that when I said those things that night and you knew it when we-" he stopped abruptly washing a hand over his face.
"When we what? Slept together?" she challenged with a glare.
The night Julian told her about his history, they have in fact slept together, but, something was different, it wasn't like every other night, Brooke has felt it, Julian has felt it, and the ecstasy, the euphoria, the dizziness that was there only proved it.
"You know why you're so upset right now,"
"Oh, enlighten me, please."
"Because you're still in love with Lucas fucking Scott."
"Excuse me?"
"Yeah, you are, and that's why you're so worked up about finding out we hurt him through his brother, and it's also why you made a scene when you found out Dan attacked him." He huffed in complete and utter annoyance.
"I… I can't believe you right now!" she exclaimed as he looked at her with a scoff, "You are completely neglecting the main point and throwing things at me. Okay, so what if I'm? Does this make what you did right? Does it even relate?" she said her voice rising more with each sentence.
"I never said anything about it being right, and just in case you're wondering, I never know what Dan's intentions are, I just do what he wants me to! And no, Brooke, it doesn't relate but it matters!"
"There's no justification in the world, Julian. You hurt people! And in case you don't notice, you don't even care!"
"Do you think I like it?" he screamed back.
"You sure look like you do!"
"Well, you're wrong." Julian didn't know where he was coming from, he never even thought about it, or he more like, stopped thinking about it long time ago, at first he used to think what they were doing was wrong, that Dan is asking him to do bad things, but with the way he always justified his actions, the way he always told him that life is unfair, and that you either attack or be attacked, he eventually got used to it, he found it a logical way to survive. But, right now, and since he has started getting close to Brooke, he has started seeing the innocent point of view again, the one that saw goodness and chose it, he started caring about her opinion of him, and that got him classifying his actions into good and bad, only they were all bad, and he knew she'd hate it all, she'd hate him… and that's why he kept trying to hide things from her, but she always found out in the end.
"So, then why, Julian? Why do you do something you don't like?"
"I told you; I owe him."
"That's the worst reason ever. If you owe him you pay him back, you don't throw your life away for him; you don't become someone completely…"
"Completely what? Disgusting? Dirty? Evil? Filthy? Repulsive?" he suggested.
"Stop."
"You know you're thinking it."
"You know it too." She challenged again. "You are only trying to find a way around the truth right now."
"What truth, Brooke?" he sighed, "That you'll never see me worthy? Because that I know."
She frowned, "No, Julian, you only think so because you have no plans whatsoever to change."
"Change?"
"Yeah, change."
He has never even considered change, he has only figured that his life is already settled, he's here, working with Dan, and that's it. "And become what? Like Lucas Scott?" he spat with an eye roll.
"Yeah, you might as well consider it." She gave a blatant glare.
"Jeez, I didn't know he was quiet the charmer; he's got you and Peyton in love with him at once, next will be Haley since her man is locked away." He said bitterly.
Brooke rolled her eyes, "I'm not in love with anyone, and not that it's any of your business, Lucas is a good man, as is Nathan and all of my friends, Julian, the people you are constantly hurting for no apparent reason other than following orders, do you at least even know Dan's reasons?" she narrowed her eyes at him, to be honest, Brooke didn't know why she was having a conversation with him, she didn't know why she didn't just kick his evil behind out, she didn't know why she bothered explaining or even consider fixing.
Julian's mouth opened and closed in an attempt to answer but he couldn't, he did know that Dan hated the Scott brothers, he never told him why but he assumed it's because they competed with him, Dan needed to be standing alone in the market.
"Yeah, that's what I thought." Brooke shook her head, "I think you should go. And don't come back again." She said with a blank face.
Julian's face fell; he didn't expect that, he should have, but he didn't, he wasn't ready for that, he has got used to it, to her, to her warm touch and to her stubbornness, he even secretly liked this current conversation, because on some level, it meant that she cared, but, no, he can't just leave and never come back.
He rose to his feet with a ghost-like look on his face, "Brooke,"
"Stop, Julian, and get out please."
"But, I can't."
"What?"
"I can't just leave, please."
"Please what? Do you even hear yourself? I don't even know why I spoke with you in the first place. You obviously love working with Dan and you don't want to change that, and I can't have you around, so just go."
"But… but, I can't."
"Why?" she persisted.
"Because… He might hurt my family, Brooke."
"So, you keep hurting other people?"
"In fact yes, I'd rather other people get hurt than have it be my family."
"Well, those other people are my family."
That got him to shut up; is this how she feels? Is he hurting her without knowing? Because Julian could swear that Brooke cares too, and if she does, then he is indeed hurting her, because what she just that, what it meant, choosing others above him, considering other's feelings and not his, it does hurt, but… how can he even think that he hasn't hurt her? Even without her caring for him, she does care for those people, and he hurt them therefore hurt her… what is he doing and why can't he think straight? Why are all his aspects unbalanced?
"But, I love you." He blurted out as his eyes widened and his chest heaved; this must be the answer.
She stared back at him and he wondered if she had even heard what he said, he hoped she didn't because there was no way she feels the same way, and he was already feeling the pain as it is.
"Get out!" she finally said closing her eyes.
"Brooke…"
"Get out!" she screamed with a glare, and as Julian did what she asked with a heavy heart, his head was blurry, he has never felt that way before, and he has never questioned himself like he's doing now, he has always been a free man, on his own, just floating around in his bad boy vibes, doing what he wanted to do and saying what he wanted to say, he never felt the need to behave until he met her, and he never thought he'd get a broken heart, never thought he'd be walking out of a girl's door wondering if his life was actually that bad after all, never thought he'd ever re-think it, or be tempted to make a decision about it, and he for sure, never despised Dan Shaw like he does at the moment.
XxXx
Mouth:
'Karen's' was in a critical time, they did everything the right way, but something was still off, obviously the fact of Nathan's whole arrest, case and trial had a bigger effect than they thought, but then again, no one believed that it was the case, like seriously, Dan's reputation wasn't a secret and people still attended The Comet, which kind of pointed fingers towards the man himself regarding the lack of attendance at the opposing club, he is scaring people away.
But, as hard work pays, it was hard work and it only that still kept Karen's an opened running business.
Mouth and Skillz have been helping Lucas and trying to follow the footage of Keith or Nathan on the day Keith died, they have been trying to dig dirt on Dan, or to even find the member of the gang fight that led to Keith's death in the end, but everything has been led to a blocked wall.
To say Lucas was losing his mind would be an understanding. Mouth has been trying to be as much of a help as he can be, to take things off of his friend's shoulders as much as he can, and that's why he still didn't tell anyone about what he saw at Brooke's the other day.
Honestly, Mouth didn't even know what to make out of it; Brooke is a friend, and she has been a friend for a long time, and he knows he was never supposed to see what he saw, but he didn't know what it meant either, is Brooke involved romantically with Julian? Julian being the right hand to the man who has been wrecking everyone's lives including her own? He couldn't help but think there has to be a catch! She must have something on her mind.
It's a known fact that Brooke's problem with Dan was money related, but, she wouldn't do that to her friends, right? She couldn't be an ally to Dan, would she? Yes, she has her fair share of fights with Lucas and Mouth has been a witness of a recent one himself, and he has suspected her still having feelings for his friend, the man who is head over heels for another girl in the moment, it appears, but… still! Brooke is better than that? She wouldn't just sell them out.
No, it can't be. Her problems have been about money, and she has been making money lately, even if she was going to sell him out, she doesn't need to. She can just pay her debts now.
Then, what?
Mouth didn't really want to think anything bad about it, despite all the motives she would have, and despite knowing that jealousy can blind the most faithful human-beings, but, he knows Brooke. And she even said she's over Lucas, and also she made things right with him.
Brooke being a traitor wasn't an option.
It has to be either she's planning something, or… or she really does solely have feelings for the worst person she could ever pick.
Either cases, it was wrong, and Mouth believed Brooke is playing with fire… whatever scenario it turns out to be, it's just dangerous and would definitely not end well.
He has anticipated talking to her, but, he wasn't sure how to approach this topic, they were friends indeed, but he didn't want to cross lines, or to cause any awkwardness, that's bedside the fact he was still wrapping his head about it.
But he figured eventually that for her sake at least, he should talk to her.
The thing is he couldn't find the time to; they were seriously running out of time before Nathan's hearing and with Lucas running around everywhere trying to grasp anything, any sort of information that could help, neither Mouth nor Skillz could let him go through it alone, they have been helping with the truth hunt and with the club, even though Karen has made it her own mission to revive the club along with Haley, still it wasn't enough.
Mouth walked in the opened doors of the club to see a working buzz in there, they have been working on updating the place and adding to the lights and decorations, Karen believed it was a risk to take, and so, workers were there and also everyone was there to help.
Mouth was actually looking for Lucas, he has been following a line scenario but it led to absolutely nothing once again, Lucas has been hard to track lately, and as time passed the harder it became to find him.
"Hey, Mouth." Haley greeted him putting a box aside, she was glad to give her attention for someone instead of work and stress for just a moment. "Are you here for Millie?" it wasn't exactly a secret how Mouth had eyes for the girl and that they have been getting along.
"No, is she here?" If Millie was here that means Brooke is too.
"Yes, she has been a great help actually." She answered looking around trying to spot her but couldn't, "Why are you here then?"
"I was actually looking for Lucas, have you seen him?"
Haley shook her head forming a thin apologetic line with her lips, "I haven't seen him for a while."
"Yeah, it's getting harder to find him." He sighed.
"Even Nathan says he hasn't been visiting lately."
Mouth picked up on the accusation tone in her voice as he gave a look, "Give him a break, Haley, he is really trying to find something."
"Is he?" she furrowed her eyebrows as Mouth mimicked her taking offense for his friend.
"Look, I know you're worried about Nathan and everything, but Lucas is his brother, and he is never going to leave him."
She sighed, "I know, I know, it's just… I thought that by now there would have been something, anything!"
"So did he, and so did I. But, it's not his fault either."
"I know, and I didn't mean it like that, it's just… hard time… for all of us."
He gave a sigh looking down, "I know." He nodded and gave her arm a pat with a warm smile, "It's going to be fine."
"I really hope so."
"Mouth!" Brooke greeted as she joined them, "Are you here to help?" she was holding a bottle of champagne and a cloth in her hand as she rubbed the bottle clean.
"I was looking for Lucas, but if my help is needed I'm free in the moment."
"Sure, come on, I have a lot of these to clean all by myself." She said referring to the bottle, "Are you okay, Haley?" she asked looking at the other quiet girl.
"Yes, yes, I'm fine." She offered a fake smile.
"Everything is going to be fine." She assured her giving her a side hug and as they both exchanged smiles, they decided it was enough of break time as Mouth followed Brooke behind the bar to start cleaning bottles.
"Do you know where Lucas is by the way?" he asked her.
"No, I don't. I bet even Karen doesn't. I think no one saw him since yesterday… I don't know I lost track of the last person who has spotted him." She said busing herself picking up bottles that has been affected by the decoration work and caught dust.
"Yeah, I get it. He's been really busy."
"How's your investigation going anyway? Found anything over the devil yet?"
Mouth hated himself for the fact that his mind automatically took suspicion in her question; what if she is asking to report back to Dan?
"No, not yet." He answered trying to push it out of his head.
She sighed, "I can't begin to imagine how Nathan is feeling now. And Lucas, he must be going crazy, devastated."
He instantly felt guilty; what is he thinking? Brooke is genuinely a good person, she obviously cares, right?
"Of course he is, everything just collapsed, Nathan, the club, the investigation… Peyton." Mouth said and added the last word suddenly needing to see Brooke's reaction to the topic as he looked at her and saw her uneasy nod.
"Yeah…" she agreed.
"You don't know where she went, do you?" he pushed further and his stomach flipped as he saw her give a nervous chuckle.
"No, of course I don't." she shook her head, "Is he… looking for her?" she frowned and brought her eyes to his for the first time.
"I don't know if he is," he shook his head, "But I know that it would have been easier on him if he at least knew she's safe." Mouth didn't think that Lucas would be looking for Peyton right now in the middle of all the Nathan mess, but he wasn't also happy with Brooke's reactions and he feared that his suspicions would be right after all.
"Right… but, I think Peyton really needed to leave. I wish things were a lot easier though." She said seemingly having her own thoughts before she shook her head, "God, I wish none of this has happened in the first place. Why does Dan have to be such a devil?"
Or not! What is he doing? Why is he testing her? He should just talk to her about it.
"Brooke, I need to talk to you…" he said after a while of silence through which he was debating wither or not it's the right thing to do.
"Ah, I know that tone." She smirked, "You can't stop thinking about her even in the middle of this cold war, do you?" she teased and he had to process for a second before realizing she thinks he's talking about Millie, "I mean, I love you both, and it's so sweat, but, you have to man up and talk to her yourself, Marvin."
"Thanks, I guess?" he gave an awkward laugh, "But, that's not exactly…"
"I know. You don't usually find yourself in this situation and it's confusing." She gave him a reassuring smile and put her hand over his tenderly, "But, trust me, Mouth, once you find that feeling, you shouldn't let go of it, you have to… grasp it." She told him with a soft smile that Mouth couldn't read, it could have been a lot of things, guilt, sadness, or even pure excitement… but in the end she was truly giving him a piece of advice that somehow he knew came out from a personal experience.
Maybe Brooke Davis was just in love after all? Maybe everything is fine? He couldn't be sure, but he knew from her eyes that she's not ready for any kind of personal talk about herself, that she was helping and busing herself probably to escape her own inner pain, Mouth couldn't be sure of any of it, but he promised himself to keep an eye on Brooke Davis until it's the right time to talk.
XxXx
Peyton:
She wasn't sure anymore that she has made the right decision. Now that she had a lot of time to think –in fact time is all she has- she can't ignore the nagging feeling in her gut or the ache in her heart that leads to the sound echoing in the back of her mind that she has made the wrong decision.
Once she has took the decision, she couldn't not tell Dan, after all, he had the key to this place having spent some time with her mother there before she died, and Peyton has never been there since. And besides, even though she disagreed with him, she couldn't just leave without having him knowing where she is, this would have just backfired from her original purpose, if she just disappeared he would think Lucas have something to do with it and hurt him all the more.
He sent someone with her though, at first she didn't think much of it, she knew the place is big and it would probably be better if there was someone at the gates of the farm, but as she came to realize it, the man –that suddenly turned into three men- were her prison guards, first they said she shouldn't tire herself and that they'd get her what she needed when she said she wants to go to the market, bust she soon realized that they were instructed to not let her leave the farm at all, and no matter how loud she screamed or how aggressive she got, they never budged, Dan's men never budge.
So, she has walked into her own prison willingly. It was suffocating. The farm was big and the air was fresh, but she never can stand the idea of being locked somewhere no matter how enormous it is. Restriction of freedom is the definition of prison anyway.
So, when Peyton found herself alone, not followed by the man that has become more like her shadow, and when she found the gate empty, with one man probably replying to nature's call and the other getting some supplies from the market, she didn't hesitate to exit the gates and suddenly she could breathe again.
It was the same place, same air, same sky and same land, but the feeling between inside and outside made all the difference.
She knew they'd catch her as soon as they realize she's gone, but at least, until this happens, she's going to enjoy.
She walked in the long dust road lined with high trees from both sides knowing her way to the market, and despite being all what she has thought about since she got here –apart of trying to get out of the house- her mind wandered back to the life she left behind in Tree Hill.
If she was honest, and she is, she has missed it deeply, of course she misses everyone, Haley and Brooke and the newfound friendship the three were acquiring together, and the club, her house, even Nathan and Haley together, she was looking forward to see more of this relationship, but there's one she's missed more than all the others, and she didn't even know it was possible seeing she never even spent an adequate amount of time with him, but that's thing, she wanted to… more than anything.
The more she thought about it, the more she realized it, and the more she saw all the signs she's missed before, one would think that him kissing her should have gave it away that he likes her, but she curses herself now for interpreting it completely wrong.
Peyton missed on getting to know Lucas Scott and she hates the fact that she is missing on the opportunity to ever get to do it. The more she thinks of it, of him, the more she lets her imagination goes wild of what could have happened, the what ifs and the wishes, and the more it pains her heart.
They have shared a kiss. And so far, it was the most alive Peyton have ever felt. Ever. She, being the rich classy girl following al the restriction that follows, has never let herself do something just for herself, and so far, it seemed like the very little moments of freedom that she managed to steal, have been with him, wither it be running in the pouring rain, battering back and forth with him, letting her guards down, talking to him or… kissing him, it all comes back to Lucas.
But, she has done what's best for him… she couldn't have forgave herself if she just gave in and ended up hurting him because she was too selfish.
Peyton smiled big when she reached the busy market of Red Heights. It was nice to hear people talking again and not have it being told she's not allowed to leave, or over the radio. She realized she can't keep this up, she will have to find a solution, she's not going to wait for the next time she's lucky enough to sneak out! However, that's something for another time to figure, she has to just enjoy being out for now.
She was happily looking around and watching people interact when something caught her eyes as she frowned; was this Nathan Scott in the paper?
She took her way over and picked the paper and her eyes widened at the title; why are they describing Nathan as a convicted murderer? She read the article quickly, and she didn't even understand anything as she stumbled over the words. Her eyes wiggled frequently trying to apprehend what she's reading, she tried once again, and this time she got it.
Nathan was arrested the same night she left Tree Hill, and for what? The murder of his adoptive father? This is insane! She barely knows him, but she can't imagine him hurting anyone, let alone his own family!
Is this… Is this why Dan kept her locked? So, she wouldn't find out? Why? Why would it matter to him if she found out?
There's an answer, but it can't be true. She put her hands on her temple feeling dizzy from the possible realization she's slowly reaching. If this is right, if Dan is behind this, and she can't find a reason why he wouldn't be, then she has made him a huge favor by coming here.
Oh, God!
There is no other answer! Why else would he keep her locked form the outer world? Red Heights is so close to Tree Hill, and whatever happens there, news would fly in no time… and here, only half an hour out of the farmhouse, and she already wants to go back to her hometown.
She has to go back. She left so Dan would leave everyone alone, but apparently, he is not planning to, with or without her in the picture. She can't even imagine what they have been going through this whole time, oh God, Haley must be crushed, she was only starting to lead a happy life and… and Lucas! His brother is all he got. She knows that, she just does, hasn't she seen them? It's so obvious they're close, besides, every Tree Hill resident knows their story; they have already faced a lot of injustice in life.
The trial, it's in two days! She has to go back. For Nathan, for Haley, and of course for Lucas.
Dan has just proved he has no respect for her, she didn't really think anything of it when she was told she's not to leave the farmhouse, she thought it's Dan's paranoia of her running back to Tree Hill so soon, she knows he wants her away from all of them, and since she wasn't planning on it, she didn't think so much of it, she didn't really try to get out, but now… now it's not even negotiable, she is going back for the trial and she is going to testify everything she knows.
Apparently, she was too much sucked in her thoughts post the surprising news as she wandered with an absent mind around that she didn't see the two men rushing her way as they muttered a few things Peyton didn't hear from the distance between her conscience and the outer world in the moment, and she was hurtfully led back to her fancy prison.
But, she is going to escape this no matter what.
XxXx
Haley:
Haley's fear wasn't at all invisible, from her trembling hands, to her distant looks and her tears eyes, to her constant snap outs or voicing of negative what ifs everyone knew she was scared of losing Nathan, she was scared that life will prove its cruelty over her once again by giving her a glimpse of how good her life can be and then take it all again, she was scared that unfairness would catch her again, that she has come to spread her bad luck on the people she loves now, so yeah, Haley James was scared and she was not hiding it.
She was not hiding it because it took everything in her to put on a brave face whenever she visited Nathan, only for him did she pretend she's strong and that she believes everything will be fine, only for him did she smile and said all the supportive things she hoped are true. Only for him.
His hearing is coming up, and she was falling apart inside, but up until the moment he was brought to sit in front of her, behind the old wooden table she had the scariest pale face ever, now though, seeing him, holding his hands, she planted the warm smile that has come to give him hope.
"Hey, how are you?"
"I could be better." He cracked a smile, "But, that's not the deal, how are you?"
"Good. We are good. Waiting for you."
"I wouldn't wait." He murmured trying to withdraw his hands from hers but she held tighter.
She squeezed his hands and ran her thumb over his skin, "Don't say that. You're coming out in two days, Nathan."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because," she licked her lower lip and gulped, "because you're innocent. You didn't do anything."
"I didn't."
"I know." She nodded and gave him a smile while locking eyes.
He couldn't help but lift his lips up in a small smile, "You're so good to me, Haley James."
She smiled wider and then took a deep breath to change the topic, "Karen couldn't come today, the club is turning out beautiful." She informed with a bright smile.
"Good. I know you're busting yourselves to save it. Thank you."
"Oh you think we do it for you." She smirked and he gave her a questioning look, "No, honey, we're saving it to have a place to work." She said and he gave a chuckle.
"Right. Because you will have a problem with that Ms. delicious singer." He teased with a hoarse sound as she gasped and slapped his hand lightly in a playful way. He laughed and then cleared his throat. "And Lucas? How is he?"
"He hasn't come?" she questioned.
He shook his head, "No, he hasn't."
"Well actually no one sees him anymore, even Karen says he's barely home." She told him regrettably.
He nodded, "He must be quiet busy, right?"
"Yes, Nathan, of course." She answered way too quickly which didn't put Nathan's head to rest. "He really wants to get you out of here."
"Yeah, of course." He nodded, but the truth is he was scared, he didn't know if it was the approaching final day, or Dan's words that just stuck in his head and didn't seem to get out. "He didn't find anything, right?"
Haley didn't know how to answer that, she doesn't see Lucas, she doesn't even know what he's following at the moment even, and yes, of course Lucas didn't find anything or else he would have come and told them, but she didn't want to bring Nathan down so she gave him a warm smile and hand squeeze, "I'm sure he will. He's in on something." She partially lied, after all, whenever Lucas found a lead he said he's in on something, but that was when he showed up to inform them with updates anyway.
"Yeah, he will." Nathan nodded, if he's really searching so hard like they are all telling him, and if there's really a way out like Dan says, then why hasn't Lucas found it when his trial is in two days? Why is it taking him so long?
Haley tried to calm him; she's trying to put his head in rest constantly, but is it really possible? Nathan read the nervousness in her tone whenever he brings up his brother despite her cleverly hiding it, and he never liked it.
XxXx
Lucas:
He thought it's a miracle that he's still able to tell things around him, with so much thinking, jumping from one place to another, and having very limited time to rest his eyes and the rest of his vitals, it was sure a miracle that he was still aware of his surroundings.
He has been working with a cast around his arm, and he couldn't imagine how annoying and exhausting it is to not have all your limps at use until he tried to unravel a mystery with only three. But thankfully, he just got rid of it, sure his arm was still wrapped up but he can at least use it freely, no matter how much it hurts along with his chest, however, it was hard to notice the pain being sucked and threw from one person to another thought to the next idea or attempt.
But, now, while driving his mother's vehicle, feeling that this is it, he's finally reached the end, it's here, and his heart is finally going to be at rest at the end of this road when he reaches Red Heights. He just needs to get to her, convince her it's already enough hiding, enough holding back the truth and then take her along with him back to Tree Hill, and hopefully they will make it in time for his brother's trial, it really depends on his persuading skills.
Lucas has been trying to grasp a line to follow since forever, anything that would help and while having no luck, he was hoping that Skillz or Mouth have found anything against Dan too, or anything that would help his brother, he knew he can count on them in that, but as it seems, there was nothing, and as it seems, Dan has covered all of his tracks.
And Lucas thought he'd just give up.
However though, he received a phone call the last night that warmed his heart, it was like the light at the end of the tunnel, he couldn't believe that after all this time, a phone call could just resolve everything like that.
The rest was on him though, so now, he's driving to Red Heights having the address perfectly memorized from the piece of paper he has hurriedly scratched out to convince the woman to come and testify, the woman who has called him and told him she believed his brother is innocent, who said that she was there and have definitely witnessed the gang war and exchange of bullets that eventually killed Keith.
Just as he was giving up, after all the search and effort he has been doing to find something to clear his brother's name.
Red Heights wasn't so far away, he has been there a couple of times, and he knows the way, he had to ask to get to the right address though, and when he eventually did he parked the car out front in the empty quite street, walked through the small metallic gate and walked up to the door and knocked.
It took a while but then a man opened the door, "Um, hello, sir, I'm Lucas Scott," he introduced and the man just looked at him, "I'm looking for a Mrs. Danielle Joker." He explained, "Does she live here?"
"Sure," the man said and instead of moving aside to let him in, he moved forward grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him inside where he was received by another man before he could progress what was happening. "Danielle sure loves to joke."
And right at this moment, Lucas knew that he walked into a trap, a mistake that could cost him everything, aside from his own life which he didn't know still had any future, his brother's life was pretty much ruined, after all it didn't take more than one punch in the face to knock him out, as he was already as good as a dead body moving around.
XxXx
The hearing day:
The scene was as intense as it could be, this was it, the moment where everything would finally end and the toss was a fifty percent happy ending and fifty percent a miserable one. No guarantees, nothing at all.
While Nathan was being escorted to court room, he was met by the man above it all, the one who the law was probably made to suit him, Dan Shaw, he didn't say anything much different from his first visit though,
"I hope you the best of luck."
"I'm sure you do," Nathan replied bitterly.
"I just want to warn you so you wouldn't get a broken heart, I didn't see your brother in there."
"Word of advice, don't ever get between me and my brother."
"Hey, I'm just saying." He said holding his hands up defensively, then he leaned forward to whisper, "My offer still stands though. Anytime through the trial, if you decide to join forces with me, just give me a nod. But that's it. The end of this trial is your last chance to walk as a free man, Nathan." He pushed back forward and sent him a wink.
Nathan was shaken, his brain was frozen, he didn't know what to think or how to feel, he just knew that the next moments will probably determine the rest of his life, he can't believe that he have to defend himself and prove his claim of not committing the murder of Keith.
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes as he reached the room that holds his fate; he reopened them shakily and saw familiar faces, he hesitantly scanned them and saw everyone has come to support him, Karen, Haley, Skillz, Mouth, Brooke, Owen, Chase and even Mary, everyone but Lucas. His heart picked a rapid beat.
"Where's Lucas?" he asked straight away before anyone gets to say one or two supportive phrases.
Karen gave a nervous smile, "He's coming, I'm sure he is on the way."
"But where is he?" he insisted.
"He left town yesterday, he said he'll be back on time." She told him, "He won't be long; he just went to Red Heights."
Brooke's ears seemed to perk at the mention of the city as she cut her train of thoughts, "Is Peyton coming?" she blurted out before she could really think it over causing her own eyes to widen as everyone looked at her.
"Peyton? Why? Is she there?" Nathan questioned although he has already got his answer.
"No, I mean, I don't know, I just…" she stuttered and it was obvious that she was only covering up, but it was not the time to grill her about it now, it was definitely not the time… she was furious with herself at the moment as she glanced over at Dan who was sitting calmly next Julian with a smile on his face. And Mouth didn't miss it.
Brooke's blurt has caused even more tension than there was already, and no one really knew what to say, no one knew if any word could reassure Nathan at the moment, and anyway, the hearing was just about to start.
And as the room went quiet Nathan looked over at Dan who was looking back at him with a smile…
XxXx
Running and panting, running and never stopping until you reach your destination, it is harder – the hardest when you have a deadline, when you have to make it there as fast as you can, when you are trying to make it in time for the trial of an innocent man who is about to get sentenced behind the bar for something he didn't do.
Lucas was running; he has escaped, no actually he wasn't sure if he has escaped or let go of, because it was awfully easy to get out of there, and he wouldn't be surprised if that was the case, after all, he is running late, he doesn't know if he's going to make it in time for Nathan's trial, maybe that was the whole purpose of it, he didn't know why though? Why let him miss it when he doesn't even have anything to help him with, maybe he was about to find something and they came up with this plan to distract him? No, he doubts it; he was on the edge of depression from having no clue at all how to help his brother.
They have wrecked the car, it wasn't working, so, he had to find a ride back to Tree Hill, which wasn't an easy task, but he eventually did. So now, all he could do at the moment is run through the streets of his hometown to make it in time.
Lucas was running and so was Peyton. She tried to run away three times, since she has found out about Nathan and the hearing, since she realized she was being held there for a reason, first two attempts were a failure, but she made it the third time, just this morning, she doesn't know how she did it, it was the one time she didn't plan, the time she just wanted to get out without having a strategy, and it worked, being in Tree Hill now meant she just had to find the stamina to run harder until she makes it in time, at least show her face there then catch her breath and begin telling everything she knows Dan has done to mess with the brothers, and tell her own reasons of believing he is the one behind this fake frame of murder too.
Just as Lucas reached the street and when he was nearing the building, he heard his name being called as he stopped in front of it and looked to his right panting, his heart skipped a beat and he had even more trouble getting air to his lungs.
Peyton slowed down as she reached him both stood panting and trying to catch their breaths as they looked at each other.
"Peyton," he mumbled out, "You're here."
She nodded, "I'm. For Nathan. For you." She said between breaths.
His mind raced, but there was no time for questions now, he nodded and looked ahead to enter the building with her, to go be with his brother,
"Lucas," Karen said as she appeared coming out of the long hall in the entrance of the building followed by a group of people.
"Mom," he whispered out in confusion.
She jogged the distance towards her son, "It's over, Lucas."
His heart skipped a beat, "What… what does that mean?"
"It's over." She repeated as she stood in front of him, "The real murderer confessed."
"What?" his eyes narrowed in confusion; just like that?
It wasn't until then that everyone else came behind Karen and they were taking in the appearance of the late pair in front of them, they looked like they have been through hell and back, unadjusted clothes, messy hair, flushed faces and sweaty bodies. Nobody understood what the deal was, but their appearances kind of spoke one language, and Haley was the sooner to judge.
She stepped forward with a frown, "I can't believe you!"
"What? Oh, I'll explain, just tell me what happened first." He said thinking she means that he was late.
But before any more words were to be exchanged, Dan and Julian appeared along with Nathan and a guard.
"Nate," Lucas shouted as he took his way over to him and brought him into a hug. "I can't believe it you're actually out, it's over, right?"
Nathan however didn't say anything, in fact he didn't even move.
"Are you… are you free to go right now?" Karen asked.
"Yes, yes I am."
"Let's go then, we have a lot to talk about…" she smiled widely.
"Actually, I have something to do."
"What?" all eyes shot towards Nathan in confusion.
"What are you talking about?" Lucas asked with furrowed eyebrows and narrowed eyes looking between his brother's cold stare and Dan's smirking face.
"Yeah, I'm going with Dan."
"What?!"
"Have you lost your mind?"
"Where were you… Lucas?" Nathan asked ignoring everyone's protests of confusion.
"I…" he frowned, "I in fact was running late because I was trying to find something to help you."
"In Red Heights?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, yes in Red Heights. But, it turned out to be a joke." He said and gave Dan a dirty look that only fed his smirk even more. He looked back at Nathan and was taken aback by the cold look in his eyes, "Come on, you know I had nothing more important than to get you out."
"Yeah, apart from Peyton." He spat nodding his head towards the blond who was as confused as everyone else if not even more. With that, Nathan sent him a look and without giving him the chance to defend himself or explain, or for anyone else to speak, he turned around followed by Dan and Julian as the three left leaving a group of people standing in front of the court feeling as if struck by lightning, with one in particular having a sinking heart accompanied with rising rage.
Because Lucas gets it, and he gets it very well; once again Dan made a joke and it's on him.