18. Clear the fog

"Lucas,"

He groaned at the soft voice calling for him,

"Lucas, wake up," she hissed and he groaned once again before taking a breath and turning his head slowly opening his eyes.

"Peyton? Is everything okay?"

"I don't know." She frowned, "Apparently, Nathan wants you." She said wrapping her robe over her night gown tightly holding it in place.

"What?" he sat up straight on the couch looking at her questioningly; he was staying the night on the sofa downstairs until the spare room was ready and cleaned, while Peyton took his room and Haley stayed in Nathan's.

"Yeah! I woke up to him, he apparently thought I was you, and I nearly screamed but he stopped me, and he asked where you are and I slipped out to get you." She explained almost in one breath.

"Oh, God." He bit his lip not to laugh as he stood up; he didn't count on his brother showing up this specific night.

"Do I get my umbrella?" she asked holding his arm.

"What?" he looked at her and then rolled his eyes, "Peyton, honey, your umbrella is worthless in a fight, besides, no, there will be no fight." He said taking his way upstairs as she followed closely.

"You'd be surprised what that umbrella can do." She defended her choice of weaponry clutching his shirt from the back.

He just shook his head and walked up to his room and entered with Peyton behind him and closed the door; apparently Peyton wasn't going to go anywhere,

"Sorry, I thought..." Nathan started shaking his head as Lucas shrugged and chuckled.

"I just didn't think you'll come tonight."

"Yeah…"

"Wait," Peyton frowned in confusion, "is there something I'm missing?" she asked looking between the two amused brothers looking back at her.

"Well, obviously, you know now." Nathan sighed.

"Know what?" she frowned.

"Yeah, it's an act." Nathan told her, "And you can't tell anyone." He said hurriedly before looking back at Lucas, "I have little time, and I wanted to ask a favor of you."

"Anything."

"Would you please talk to Haley? Tell her to give me time? It's… hard when she wants to talk, and I don't have anything to say." he asked uneasily.

"Nathan, I think you should talk to her… tell her the truth." Lucas told him.

He shook his head, "No, if I do, she'll either freak out, or she'll want to join me, and… I want her to stay away from all of this. For now, at least."

"Do you have any idea how bad she feels?" Nathan was surprised to hear Peyton the one speaking those words as both looked at her to see her frowning angrily at him with her arms crossed over her chest. "She doesn't understand what is going on, Nathan. You were there and then all of a sudden, you weren't."

"Have you two spoke?" Lucas asked.

She shook her head, "It is obvious. I mean, no one saw it coming; you leaving with Dan I mean. And the way she spoke tonight; she's already freaking out."

"I-"

"What are you even doing there, Nathan?" she interrupted him with narrowed eyes, "And… you," she turned to Lucas angrily, "You acting all upset and telling stories about how shocked you are! And you are actually on good terms?"

"No, I swear, it happened after… all of that." Lucas defended not knowing what to think, it was kind of funny and adorable both at once watching her getting worked up like that when she doesn't know the whole truth.

"What?"

"Oh, God," Nathan muttered biting back his laugh.

Lucas chuckled before briefly telling her what happened and how he left her house that morning to find Nathan waiting for him at home,

"Oh," she took it in, "So, tonight has been acting." They both nodded, "You should tell Haley." She finally looked at Nathan who rolled his eyes.

"No, I want her out of all of this." he said shaking his head, "Not now, not until I'm through with this."

"I don't think you need to work in disguise anymore, I was thinking to recruit Julian for that." She shrugged.

Both men gawked at her as if she's grown an extra limb, "What?!"

"Julian. He loves Brooke." She looked at Lucas and then groaned seeing his expression, "I told you about this."

"What?" Nathan asked in surprise.

"Yeah, but you didn't say anything about planning to recruit him." Lucas narrowed his eyes.

"Well, it's a good plan." She argued.

"No, it's not." He disagreed and she glared at him, "Come on, you know Julian! He's not just going to betray Dan."

"Yes, he will. He'll do anything to win Brooke's affection."

"We don't even know where Brooke lies." He argued.

"Yes, we do. I told you I was there, Lucas, and I saw her and…" she said but then stopped and narrowed her eyes at him in realization, "Oh, I see what this is; you don't trust me, you don't trust my judgment."

Lucas wanted to say no, he really did, but, he was irritated right at that moment, this was serious, they were looking to get rid of Dan's antiques once and for all, and it surely can't take any mistakes; they have suffered enough already, it can't take things like this, like her being naïve, so, he was worked up when he replied,

"Can you really blame me?"

She opened her mouth in a mixture of hurt and surprise while her eyes flared angrily, "How could you? What does this mean?"

"It means you have made a series of unfortunate judgments, Peyton… all regarding Dan and his antiques." He hissed.

"Alright, I'm going to stop you two right there," Nathan stepped forward interfering before Peyton could reply back. "You've been together for no more than a day, and you're already fighting!" he smirked rolling his eyes.

"Nathan, please, don't get in this, he's disrespecting me. Again."

"I'm not disrespecting you, I'm being-"

"Alright, alright, I really have no time for this." Nathan interfered once again, "There's no telling Haley, and please talk to her about not approaching me." He stated while Lucas and Peyton were still glaring at each other, "And, there's something else, where did Karen go after the club?" he asked succeeding in catching Lucas' attention once again.

"She went home earlier." He replied with narrowed eyes, "Why?"

Nathan frowned and shook his head, "I think I saw her on Dan's street." He told him and Lucas mirrored his expression along with Peyton,

"What would she do there?"

"I don't know. And I have to go… and this thing about Julian," he looked at Peyton, "don't do anything about it until I tell you… I will see what it's all about."

Even though he doesn't know the whole story, but Nathan made the connection in his mind from Lucas' previous words about Brooke and now Peyton's theory.

Peyton crossed her arms over her chest annoyed, "I still think you should tell Haley."

"When did you and Haley even make peace?" Lucas rolled his eyes implying that she's only saying so now because she is mad Nathan sided with Lucas.

"Okay, I'm leaving." Nathan said decidedly and left the room before looking if someone else woke up.

Peyton then realized that it was only her and Lucas standing in his room, she still had her arms crossed in annoyance and was aware that Lucas was looking at her, she heard him sigh and raised an eyebrow at him when he said nothing, "You can go too."

"What?"

"You can leave, I need to go back to sleep." She shrugged her shoulders.

He sighed and took a step forward towards her, "Peyton, we don't need to do this,"

"Yes, we're not doing anything." She shrugged again, "I just want to go back to sleep,"

"Alright, I'm sorry it came out wrong-"

"Fine, Lucas, after all, it's your room, I'll leave." She said and moved towards the door but he soon caught her wrist gently.

"No." he sighed, "As you wish, I'm leaving." He said and walked out the door, "Good night." He said as he closed the door behind him.

He realizes that he was a little harsh, but she also needs to understand that she can't just make plans based on a loose conversation she had with Brooke; they can't just start trusting Julian, not at this point, not when it's physically hurting not to be able to bring Dan down.

Nathan also wanted to get it over with this whole Dan thing, he couldn't wait for his life to start picking up on the right direction once and for all, he knew that he'll always face problems for who doesn't, but he just wished to at least deal with normal ones.

He wants it all to be over, to only worry about his life with Haley and his family, other than worrying about Dan throwing him to prison once again, to take care of his club other than being careful not to be caught spying on him… he would like to start freshly with Haley, give her the life she deserves, maybe get married, travel the world with her where he would finally get to taste the original taste of his drinks, and she would get introduced to the latest fashion and the newest singers from everywhere, or maybe even get settled and start a family… at this point, he would be fine with whatever she wants.

That of course if she wants anything with him when it's all over.

He hates that it has come to the way it is now, but, he can't drag Haley into Dan's world once again, he misses being able to just hold her though and that's what makes it hard ignoring her when she wants to talk, she wants to get him to back off from being around Dan, and if he goes as far as listening to her, she might actually do it.

And even though he's worried now that Peyton knows the truth she might tell her, but, he hopes he can count on Lucas to get her not to do so, and it was actually kind of a fresh break to watch the interaction between the two and how no matter the circumstances, they would find it in them to still fight; he was starting to see what Lucas was saying about the blonde those whole years, he just witnessed her childish stubborn side himself.

But, most importantly, the newest piece of information she gave him about Julian being in love with Brooke, now he needs to think thoroughly about it and find out how to take this in his advantage, because actually Peyton's idea was not bad, but also, can't be done just like that.

He will figure it out.

The one thing he really hoped at the moment though was that Karen didn't get herself engulfed in any of this mess.

XxXx

Lucas didn't expect Peyton to hold what he has said against him for long, at least not as long as she did. The next morning, he woke up with his back hurting from the couch, and after he got out of the shower, he found Peyton, Haley and his mom in the kitchen having seemingly fallen in an easy conversation.

He doesn't know how it went between Haley and Peyton, but apparently, things were fine again, he knew however that Peyton didn't even hold it against her and she knew that she didn't mean it, so he wasn't really surprised.

"Good morning." He greeted as he entered and both Karen and Haley looked up at him with smiles greeting him back however Peyton busied herself with sipping on her coffee.

He frowned at her as he took a seat between his mother and Haley, and opposite from her; actually, it has been so long since the small table in the kitchen was filled by four chairs, it has been that way growing up with him, Nathan, Karen, and Keith, and even more sometimes when one or more of their friends would join, but the day Keith died, it was never the same again.

And this, right there, it was only missing Nathan, but, he knew that hopefully soon he'd be joining them too and then… it would be perfect again.

Karen and Haley exchanged a look as they looked between the two of them noting how Peyton suddenly became silent upon his arrival and how he wore a frown as he munched on the toast in front of him.

"Did we miss something?" Karen asked with an amused smile.

"What?" Peyton asked her playing dumb with big wide eyes.

Haley rolled her eyes, "You were all over each other last night, and now you didn't even say good morning?"

Peyton shrugged and he sighed while she made a good job at ignoring him; she wasn't really mad, or angry, but, she just didn't appreciate what he said and she wanted him to know that and take her seriously, so, she looked at Karen again,

"So, as I was saying, if you want to go, I'll be happy to come with you, I haven't seen her in a while." She said.

"Go where?" Lucas asked looking between both of them and she once again busied herself taking a bite of an apple slice.

"Oh, I was just telling the girls I'd like to make a new dress seeing the spring is getting warmer and they both suggested Bernice." Karen explained to her son seeing that Peyton wasn't going to.

He nodded and then raised an eyebrow towards Peyton who was avoiding making any eye contact with him; she knew she was being a little childish, but, oh, well, she still doesn't like what he said to her and even in front of Nathan.

"Actually, I could use a new dress too." Haley commented with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Oh, we could all go, maybe bring Brooke along." Peyton told her with a smile and Lucas knew with the way she said Brooke's name, giving it just a little stress, she was now annoying him too along with the silent treatment.

"Right, it would be like the old times." Haley said with a small smile, "I would love to see Brooke telling you she was right all along." She teased with a giggle.

Peyton groaned; she has forgotten about this in the middle of all the Brooke and Lucas drama, but she knew that once Brooke is being herself again, that would exactly be the case.

"Right about what?" Karen asked with a curious smile and Peyton immediately shot Haley a look shaking her head no while Haley smiled mischievously.

"Brooke used to tease Peyton all the time about her and Lucas." She said and Peyton groaned while Karen chuckled softly and Lucas' head shot towards her with a frown.

"She did?"

"Mhmm." Haley confirmed while sipping on her own coffee, "Mainly about you liking her, but it went both ways." She said addressing Lucas.

"Brooke talked about… this?" he asked still a little surprised.

"Yes. Lucas everyone talked about it." Haley laughed.

It wasn't the fact that Brooke knew about his feelings that fazed him, after all, Brooke has said so to his face, it was the fact that she said it to Peyton, that she teased her, and about him liking her, he thought that Brooke was jealous, he thought that she didn't like the fact that he liked Peyton, after all, it was the reason they broke up in the first place, and to be honest, it was the main reason he still didn't believe she was completely innocent like Peyton believes; he thought that her jealousy was her motive to drive Peyton away and to revenge him by working with Dan.

But, apparently, she wasn't jealous after all.

Peyton might just be right about her too.

He finished his breakfast and stood up, "So, what are you doing today?" he asked them.

"I'm just going to go to the club." His mom shrugged.

"You don't have to, I'll be there, take a break." Lucas told her, it was time he took control of the work once again.

"So, what no chasing Dan around?" she raised her eyebrow at him.

"No, don't worry." He said making a mental note to himself to try and get it out of her where she was last night, and then looked at Haley and Peyton questioningly, but as usual she was looking absolutely anywhere else.

Haley looked between them awkwardly for a second, "Oh, I just have a few things to do first and I'll join you at the club," she announced with an awkward frown, Lucas nodded, he stared at Peyton with his eyebrows raised while Karen looked between them actually amused seeing the girl her son loves giving him hard time in such a childish way while pretending to stare at something interesting only her can see.

Haley sighed with an eye roll, "Peyton? What are you doing today?"

"Nothing." She shrugged.

Lucas nodded and gave a chuckle, "Fine, have it your way." He said with a fake smile and she finally looked at him with a glare before turning away again giving him a cold shoulder.

"Alright, mom, I'm going now." He said and his mother nodded muffling a chuckle as he left the kitchen with a headshake.

"What was that?" Haley instantly asked with a high-pitched voice and a confused smile.

Peyton shrugged looking between the two curious women; she silently promised Nathan last night that she won't tell about him, well, not promised but she didn't particularly argue about that point, besides, they also know nothing about the whole Brooke situation, and also, she doesn't really want to say that the reason she's giving Lucas hard time is that he doesn't trust her opinions, "Nothing really," she smiled and they both looked at her skeptically ready to argue but she spoke again announcing she doesn't want to talk about it, "I really have nothing to do today, so… can I help you with something?" she asked looking at Karen.

It was strangely so easy to speak with the woman and get used to her, for some reason, ever since Peyton started this whole 'meeting new people' thing, she found it getting easier and easier, or maybe it's just those people who are genuinely nice, but whatever it is, it was a nice good thing.

"No, dear, I think I'm not even going straight away to the club now that Lucas is there… I was thinking of reading a book for a while. Actually starting now." She said with a smile getting up from the table as the two girls followed tidying up the place silently before Karen excused herself.

"What about you, Haley?" she asked her only out of desperation, she knew there was going to be nothing for her to do.

Haley bit her lower lip anticipating wither to tell her the real plans she has for the day or not, Peyton looked at her when she didn't reply and she raised an eyebrow seeing her expression, "Okay, what are you not telling me?"

"Well," she cleared her throat double-checking to make sure that Karen is not within the hearing range, "there's something… I don't know, but maybe if I went, maybe Nathan will find something that brings him back again."

"Haley, you're not making any sense." Peyton shook her head smiling.

Haley sighed, "Sorry, I guess not. It's just that I'm nervous about Nathan; I don't know what got into him, he needs to get his senses back." Peyton felt guilty for not telling her what she knows, but she actually agrees that he needs his senses back; working with Dan would be bad, but faking to work with Dan is worse.

"You see," Haley started explaining, "A while ago, Nathan told me about something about Keith's family, and how he had a brother that they didn't know about," she said picking Peyton's attention, "I know it's not my place to tell you, but… I think Lucas would tell you anyway, and I really need someone to talk to right now about it all so-"

"Haley, you can trust me, I'm not telling anyone." She said reassuring her as she cut off her worried rambling.

"Right, sorry." She smiled nervously, "Anyway, I knew an old woman, Mrs. Durham, she was Keith's neighbor back then, but she was out of town so I wrote her and she said that Keith's brother was this bad boy who only caused trouble, she said I could visit her when she gets back."

"So, she's back?"

Haley nodded, "Has been for a while, but, it was during Nathan's case, so I had no time to do it, so I thought I'd do it today, I just don't know if it's worth anything, so, I didn't mention it now." She finished with biting her lip unsure, "You could come along." She was actually asking her to go with her.

"Sure." Peyton nodded.

Haley sighed in relief, "You know, I just really hope to get something out of this visit, maybe then, Nathan would fall back into himself, you know, since he wanted to find in the first place, I mean, pull him to the right track once again…"

Now, Peyton really couldn't take it, Haley was suffering from Nathan's stupid decision to work in disguise, at least Haley needed to know. Haley has already told a secret regarding Peyton's feelings for Lucas when she felt it was the right thing to do, and it was, so, yeah, Haley deserves to at least put her heart at peace, besides, she really thought Nathan should have told her.

And, hey, she has her excuse ready anyway; she's the one with bad judgment.

"Alright, Haley, I'm coming with you, but first I need to tell you something…"

"What?" she asked in confusion.

"You can't tell anyone, and you can't do anything about it, unless it's strangling Lucas for keeping it from you…" she said letting her annoyance towards the blonde brother show.

Haley nodded not knowing what to expect of this upcoming secret, but however, having the feeling that it's going to be worthy…

XxXx

It was a shot in the dark, but then again, the whole idea of him being there was, Nathan wasn't sure how it's all gonna play out, but he prayed to God that it would be in his favor, in their favor.

So, he had no clue what to actually say when he approached Julian when it was just the two of them around, now that he thinks about it, he noticed that he is usually distant, the smug smirk he's most commonly known off is wiped, and instead, an empty stare in the air was always on.

"So, you got me in jail." He said as he stood beside him. Julian glanced up to look at him for a second before returning back to his original position.

"Yet, you're here."

"I had no choice." He frowned, "Besides, it's not like my brother had my back anyway, right?"

This time Julian looked at him with a knowing look, "You and I know you won't just believe that, you're only here because you wanted your freedom." He said and took a deep breath looking away once again, "But, you walked into another prison, Scott."

"Are you calling Dan a prison?"

"Dan… this… life…"

"Life? I thought you were enjoying life." He said thankful that the conversation easily just led him to where he wanted, "Brooke is fun."

Julian's head instantly shot upward towards him his face paling and his eyes big instantly drawing a smirk on Nathan's face, "What did you just say?"

Nathan sat down in front of him with Julian's eyes fixated on him awaiting his response; how could he possibly know anything about that? Unless Brooke ratted him out, "You've been visiting Brooke, haven't you? Why have you been visiting her again, Julian?" even though Nathan wasn't aware of all the facts, but the look on Julian's face, the way he was scared and worried, told him that he'd surely get him even more nervous and get information from him if he acted like he knows more than he's letting on.

"How do you know that?" Julian asked incredulously but Nathan only raised an eyebrow,

"How do you think?" he shot back confidently and could actually see the walls breaking in Julian's eyes.

"She told you," he muttered before masking up a frown, "This ain't any of your business anyway."

"Isn't it? I bet it's not Dan's too, huh?"

Julian looked at him with a glare of anger and gritted teeth, "You wouldn't dare."

"Watch me." He smirked triumphantly; this only means that his shot in the dark has actually hit a target, he now officially holds something against Julian. "I got nothing to lose here, don't I? In fact, this would be in my favor."

Julian knew he was right, this guy has every reason to loath him, and to loath Dan, yet, he decided to be there, to drop everything behind and through himself in the fire, he chose to be the sacrifice in this cold war that Dan won every battle of. He already willingly dropped everyone behind himself knowing that if he didn't, he would be forced to anyway.

Nathan was smart and Julian knew that, and there he was a smart guy who hates his ass, and has every reason to seek revenge from him for what he was responsible of putting him through, and he knew a secret about him; he couldn't see why he would hesitate to tell Dan about it and take a bonus for it with the man.

"What do you want?" he asked spitefully.

"An answer." Nathan shrugged, "What do you want from Brooke?"

Julian was never the kind of guy that would talk about his feelings aloud, no, in fact, he was never the kind of guy to have feelings in the first place, so, he was never going to just tell him he just loves Brooke and wants her to forgive him.

"That's not your business."

"I thought we were over this!" Nathan frowned threateningly, "Brooke is my friend… and I know what kind of scum you are, so, if you're hurting her in any possible way, so, God help me-"

"I'm not!" he said glaring at him. "I'm not hurting Brooke, okay? Don't worry, in fact, I don't think you have anything to worry about anymore."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means what it means, your friend is fine, so are you, and so are everyone else you secretly care about, your precious little world is perfect, so, leave me the fuck alone."

"You know nothing about my life." Nathan frowned, "And if you think I'm just going to buy this shit you just said, you're damn wrong."

"Well, that's just tough luck!" he rolled his eyes.

"You will get the hell away from Brooke or else, you don't know what I'm capable of doing, Julian, I will bring every damn scheme you've made and combine them all together and-" Nathan was cut off by Julian; well, he actually just kept talking for him to snap, because Julian was closing the conversation and Nathan needed to keep pushing his buttons.

"Just fuck off!" he snapped in annoyance, "She had that covered, okay? She won't even open the damn door anymore!"

He stared at him for one second before letting out a sarcastic scoff, "If one would hear that, they'd think you actually care." He said pushing him even more, and surprisingly it was working as he watched Julian's hands curl into fists as he looked away, "What, are you trying to convince me you actually do?" he said sarcastically.

"What? Is it only feelings sewed up by Scott boys?" he snapped.

"No, but it's not acquired by heartless jerks."

Julian shot him a glare standing up, "You know nothing about my life either, so back the hell off." He said threateningly as he began marching away.

"That would only mean that miracles do exist!" he said smirking at his back watching him stop in his tracks anticipating, "I mean, it's impossible to imagine the guy who framed me for a murder growing a heart that could beat for someone."

He looked at him over his shoulder for a second before fully turning around with a dirty look ready to tell him off once and for all but Nathan beat him.

"Does it, Julian? Does it beat?" he questioned with a smile, "Does it beat for Brooke? Oh, that must be hard, I know Brooke, she was with my brother, you know, she is one hard girl, it's difficult to get to her, and if you're on her blacklist, man you're in trouble," at this point, Nathan was basically following Peyton's plan, but before 'recruiting' Julian, before playing the 'for Brooke' card, he needed to play with the 'about Brooke' one, basically taking advantage of his knowledge of the girl while wrecking his nerves and his emotions in the process, just to see how far he's willing to go, how deep he actually is, and by the look of it so far, it is deep.

"She's stubborn, I'm telling you. What could have you possibly done to go from kissing at doorsteps to not opening the door? I mean, I know you're far from ideal, and you're a jackass, but, that's all a given from the start, what could you have done to top that? Oh, wait…" he was using his few given information and filling in some speech waiting for his breaking point, "…is it because of me? Because of what you recently did to me? Or what you did to Peyton? Or Lucas? Or Haley? Shit, Julian, those are all her friends you screwed over, how in the hell do you expect-"

And then he broke, "I get it, okay? I get that you're all a perfect little family, I get that she looks at me and sees a disgusting rat, Dan's tail, isn't that what everyone calls me? Okay, I get it, I know, I know you're all so close, you're a happy family, well, guess what, I once had one of those too, and I also would do anything in the world to protect them, even if that meant screwing other people over, kind of like what you're doing right now, yes, there's no comparison, yes, I've done much, much worse, but the thing is, I get it, Scott, okay? I do." He panted with a glare as he spoke,

"I need to protect my family, and I also need to let Brooke know it." He added in a vivid broken voice. "Like it or not, we have things in common, Scott, we're both here to protect our families, I, very much like you, managed to develop feelings for someone on the other side of the fence."

"The other side of the fence?" He asked him confused; Haley wasn't on the other side of the fence.

"I do nothing but look around and observe people while waiting for Dan's next order; I know just how long you have had eyes for James; she was still working for Dan, and that was everything you'd hate to come close to." He told him watching his face change in a mastered surprise, "Yes, I can be smart too." He rolled his eyes.

Nathan had to admit, he was surprised by this side he's seeing, Julian was always this annoying smug following Dan around with no brain whatsoever, but to see he actually has some character of his own, have opinions, or observations, it was… strange, and unexpected.

Julian was always this disgusting human being.

"Haley was never really on the other side of the fence." Nathan spoke after a while, "She physically was, yes, but in her heart, she never was."

"Well, you just got lucky then." He breathed out in irritation.

"So, you want Brooke to be on your side of it?" he frowned.

Julian groaned, "I just… I just want it to be… fine."

"It will never be on this side of the fence, I know it, and you know it, and sure as hell Brooke knows it."

"I just told you, you got lucky!"

"I'm here, aren't I?"

Julian felt pressured, why was he even having this conversation? How in the hell did he end up here? How did it happen?

"What do you want anyway?"

Nathan shrugged, "All I'm saying is, I didn't get lucky, it takes two to make the right or the wrong decision regarding a relationship… of any kind that is. And Haley… she knew it in her heart that she didn't belong here, so, she took the decision to join the other side,"

"So, when she was here, she wasn't just enough for you bright people on the right side of the fence?" he challenged scoffing.

"No, that's not what I'm saying, seeing you know, she's now on that side, and I'm here, but she still does believe in me, she still tries to fight for me, and you know why?"

"Why I wonder!" He asked defensively.

"Because she knows what's really in my heart." Nathan answered him truthfully adding insight even to himself as he spoke not just to the lost soul before him, "She knows me, and she knows who I really am. What I'm saying is, this side, the dark side overshadows you, overshadows who you really are, it was scary for me because I didn't really know her, I didn't know what she stands for or what she wants, but once I did, I realized she never belonged to the darkness. The same thing happened with Lucas and Peyton, you observe, don't you? Then you would know how Lucas felt about her even before you were around, but he was misled by the fact that she's over here, and she did too, but, on knowing each other, it all changed."

"This proves nothing but the fact that the Scott brothers are two lucky bastards." He rolled his eyes.

"No," Nathan rolled his eyes back at him, "Don't you see it, smartass? Being misled goes both ways, for both sides of the fence, but as I said it takes two, and by the look of it, Brooke has done her part, she already gave you a chance despite all the odds. The question is, have you done yours before sitting around and sulking like that?"

It was a question that got Julian thinking, his words made the slightest bit of sense; did he do his part? Julian wanted Brooke to just like him the way he is, no alteration, no modification, sure, he felt the need to be better… for her, but in fact, he took no steps nor showed any interest in the topic, furthermore, when confronted, he basically said he'd never change, and that he simply chooses to play it safe, to go along with what he knows and is familiar with instead of making a real effort.

So, he supposes that the answer is no.

It might have been him unconsciously comparing himself to Haley and even Peyton being accepted just like that between them, especially Peyton being the most one dimmed in the darkness, while in fact, he didn't really know the truth or the circumstances of it all happening.

"You said it's her heart that led her there." Julian spoke lowly after a while of silence while processing it all in.

That wasn't the answer to Nathan's question and it took him a second to adjust to what he was saying and realizing it's about Haley, or Peyton, or both, whichever, "Yes. Yes it was."

"Well, I'm a heartless dude stuck on the dark wrong side of the fence."

Nathan sighed standing up taking the few steps between them, "Listen, mate, you are not the source of the darkness around here. You're just close to it; so, stop coming with fucked up excuses to fall in self-pity and blame it on the circumstances, if you want things to be different, then make them, it's as simple as that. And… this all coming from a heartless dude? I don't think so." He told him sternly with an intense look; he meant it. And then he turned around and left him alone to his thoughts.

Maybe Nathan's main concern was to get Julian on their side, the question has been how though, hence it being a whole shot in the darkness… but as it turned out, a shot in the darkness can end up lighting several spots.

For a start, Julian having a soul came out as a surprise, and it turned out that reaching this soul is what they needed, what he needed, it's what Dan could never do, because as everyone knows he's the heartless one.

And now, it's up to him, but Nathan knew he did it, he knew he just planted a seed that would soon blossom.

And for a bonus, Nathan realized what he has been avoiding and compressing, it's all about where your heart lies, and as he already voiced, Haley believes in him, she stands by him, still does, so maybe, just maybe, Peyton has been right yet again and he needed to tell her the truth.

Well, Lucas said it too, but, well, Peyton stressed it.

XxXx

Dan walked back and forth in the dark room with his hands connected behind his back wearing a contented smile with an expression of annoying tranquility,

"Well, well, well," he started, "What are we going to do with you?" he said looking at the tied-up body on the wooden chair, hands on the back, feet to the chair legs, of course, he wouldn't answer while being muzzled like this, but Dan enjoyed the look of hatred and the angry air flaring through his nostrils while twisting around in vain.

"Relax, relax; it's no use. Besides, why are you mad now? I didn't want to have to do this, it's you who's been snooping around and getting in stuff you have no business in." Dan told him only earning a few extra muffled sounds he knew were no way meant to be pleasant, "Anyway, where was I? Right, what I'm going to do about you… well, obviously, I'm going to have to permanently get rid of you eventually, but we'll get there."

He put his hands in the air motioning for him to calm down wearing one of his fake concerned looks, "Relax, it's not going to be now. First, I could use you being alive for a little bit longer."

He rolled his eyes at his muffled sounds, "No, silly, I'm not going to make you do anything; I don't need to. This time, I'll do all the job. All you could do, it stay here tied up… yes, exactly like this, but, please, calm down, there's nothing to worry about, after all, it's for your own good, you don't want to be stressed out, do you?"

He grinned ignoring the continuity of the seemingly abusive insults and ruffled his hair while he shook his head furiously not wanting his hands anywhere near him.

"Oh, Marvin, this is going to be fun."

XxXx

Haley and Peyton made it right back just in time for Haley to get ready for her time on stage; the visit to Mr. and Mrs. Durham has taken a lot longer than expected, and revealed much more than expected too.

They were a lovely old couple, that was the first thing Peyton noted, and it looked unlikely that they would get something of use out of the warm woman who kept pouring them tea and offering her homemade British biscuits as she kept calling it.

For a while, the woman went on about how lovely Keith was, how kind and big-hearted she knew him to be, and how it's tragic to have lost him like that. If neither of them hadn't thought about meeting Keith before, both Haley and Peyton genuinely wished they have after the ways she talked about him.

She then told them that the whole Scott family was a nice, helpful family, Peyton has heard the name once or twice as a kid, but the family fortune and name were long gone before she was born.

Camilla Durham said it was a bless having them as their neighbors once upon a time, the only flaw was the younger brother, she said he has been a disappointment ever since she can remember, she went on rambling about his lack of morals as a kid and his bad mouth and him breaking his mother's heart by constantly taking off and coming back.

Her husband, Brian Durham, came in and joined them only chuckling or shaking his head every time his wife told a story drifting off-topic or commented on the younger Scott's behavior. It was only when they asked if she knew anything about him now, and about his name that she kept dodging away only calling him names, and when she stuttered trying to answer the question that Brian Durham actually interfered in the conversation.

He told her it was enough, and that he constantly told her the boy is full of words and threats that can never harm them, and then he dropped the bomb saying that, being their neighbors and close friends, they were one of the very few people who got to see him grow up, and saw him every time he took off and each time he came back, they saw him spreading the family money away, and fighting with his brother and father constantly before finally after coming back from his longest departure –back then- he had one more huge fight that resulted in him disappearing for years.

And they were definitely two of the only five people who recognized who he was when he came back as a grown man with his new name being Dan Shaw instead of Don Scott and he had his way with all of them to not say a word about his true origins. It was something about him being the new stranger that already knows the town.

To say they were shocked would be understandable. So, that must be why Keith never mentioned having a brother to either Nathan or Lucas. It could also be why Dan has made it his job to make their lives miserable, apparently, that was a thing he liked to do with his family… or maybe he just doesn't see them as family since they were adopted by Keith.

They left when it was time, and they hurriedly decided to wait until after Haley's show to sit, discuss it and maybe tell Lucas together.

Peyton didn't actually want to, she knew his strong feelings about Dan, and this… being Keith's brother, unraveling this hidden fact and putting them in yet another complicated equation, she didn't know how it will go and she wasn't sure she wanted to find out.

Haley too, now that she knows why Nathan is really doing what he's doing and as much as she hates it, she didn't know what this piece of information would do, for all she knows it will only put him in a bigger danger; Nathan was only looking for Keith's brother because it was his family, maybe he wanted to find out if there's still a connection to Keith out there a live one that is, and if he found out that it was him… she doesn't know how he'd feel about it, but it's sure not going to be pretty.

They just had to dig for information didn't they?

So, while Haley plastered a smile and entertained her audience, Peyton was doing a good job avoiding Lucas thankful that she has already been since the morning, because she didn't want to look him in the eyes when she still hasn't wrapped her head around the fact that the good-turned-devil Dan she has grown up knowing also turned out to be Lucas' evil uncle.

But, that wasn't her call, as far as he was concerned, Lucas only knew that she was upset with him, so, she was standing beside a wall looking distantly at Haley on the stage when he snaked his arm around her waist from the back appearing beside her, "How long are you planning to ignore me?" he asked with a soft smile.

Peyton re-focused reminding herself that she has been only teaching him a lesson, "I don't know, how long are you going to doubt my thoughts?"

His smile widened, "I'm sorry." He told her, "Look, I know it came out the wrong way, it's not that I don't trust you, it's just…" he trailed off searching for the right word.

She raised an eyebrow, "What? That I have made poor judgments before? So have you."

"I know, I know…" he said quickly, "I'm not saying that, I was just saying that maybe you're thinking with your heart more than your mind at the moment, and that we just need to really think about it if we want to really be ahead of Dan"

She sighed; she was over this issue, well, not really in peace with what he said, but, it wasn't a real problem at the moment, she was holding a secret about his family from him, and she didn't know how to tell him.

"Come on," he said with a charming smile when she seemed to be thinking instead of replying, "If it helps I'll let you insult me." He said earning an involuntary smile from her.

"I don't want to insult you." She said, "It's enough if you don't do it."

"I won't. Promise."

"Good. And for the record, I never said we shouldn't think about it before jumping and getting Julian to betray Dan."

He nodded, "I'm sorry. Maybe I just didn't really like the idea of warming up to Brooke again… let alone Julian."

She sighed, "It's okay, Lucas." She offered a smile when really she wondered, how what she has to say will affect his view on his family.

However, just as Haley's stage time was coming to an end, the man himself entered the club. Their eyes quickly caught the sight of him walking in confidently with Nathan behind him.

Lucas' eyes traveled to Nathan who locked eyes with him shrugging, indicating he has no idea why he was there, it arose his concern as he took his over with a frown while Peyton followed him.

"What now, Dan?"

"Hello there, Lucas. Good day, isn't it?"

"You're cheerful!" he remarked seeing the beam on his lips, a genuine one at that… one that almost scared him, it wasn't his regular smirk. "And where is your tail?"

"Julian had no business in what I'm here for today. Besides, I've got a new one." He said glancing at Nathan behind him.

"And what is it you're here for today?"

"Ah, Perhaps we should go somewhere quieter."

"For what, Dan?" There was something, he could tell, the man came with an agenda.

"This is the office, I believe." He ignored the question and nodded his head towards a door and proceeded there without being invited, "Hello, Peyton." He smiled at her on his way over.

Lucas exchanged a look with Nathan who shrugged and the three of them followed him to the office.

"Oh, you're joining us, Peyton? I don't know if that's a good idea." Dan said looking at her waiting for Lucas to open the door which he did.

"Oh, no, I'm in." she said determined, it was her extent to protect Lucas from him kicking in once again, only this time it didn't involve running away, but rather being there for him.

"As you wish, I just don't think you're built for… uh, how do I say it delicately? Serious words."

"You'd be surprised." She replied.

"Leave her alone." Lucas glared at Dan gesturing them in before turning to Peyton, "You don't have to-"

"No," she shook her head sternly, "Get in."

Before Lucas closed the door, it was pushed open once again as his mother barged in followed by a hurrying Haley,

"The nerve you have!" Karen glared at the man sitting in front of the desk, "What do you think you're doing back here?"

"Karen and Haley. Now the party is complete." Dan said with this new smile of his, "Sit down, please. I need to talk to you."

"The hell we-"

"Mom," Lucas put a hand on her shoulder calming her down, "relax." He told her and gave her shoulder a squeeze; for once, he wanted to find out what this was all about, he knew that nothing good will ever come out of the man's mouth, but, he wanted to see where he's going.

"Good boy, Lucas." Dan praised with a pointed finger, "Now that I have all of your attention," he started looking between them all including Nathan, "the town of Tree Hill has always been a lovely little town, people love art, they love to have fun, and they have always had just the place to go to for that, well, not always, but since I blessed the town with The Comet."

"Where are you going, Dan?" Peyton mumbled heavily.

"Patience, my darling, patience." He told her standing up continuing his presentation show, "The Comet," he said emphasizing the name making it sound like a holy name, "has been the one and only club, any other attempts miserably failed, and that's because it is the only great place around here, it's the real deal. Now you boys," he said looking apologetically at Nathan and Lucas, "have made a quite respectful effort, and I always said I liked your young ambition, but sadly, you're going to have to shut down this place."

Lucas scoffed, "Right…" he laughed.

"What are you doing, Dan?" Karen said through gritted teeth.

"Nathan," Dan addressed him putting a hand over his shoulder, "I respect your little play acted out by you and your brother pretending to hate each other last night, it was good, but, we're all one big family now, there's no need to pretend anymore."

They were both shocked to say the least, they didn't know what was going on, why he as being like this and where the hell he's coming from.

"Now, back to the main subject, you have one week, boys, I want this place closed in one week."

"Or what?" Nathan asked stepping in this time since it was all in the open now anyway.

Dan smiled at his approach, "That's the spirit. Or what, you ask. Or you won't be seeing your friend Marvin again… is it Mouth you call him?"

"What did you do to him?" Lucas growled and suddenly all five of them were standing straight and sending him glares.

"Relax. You people need to control your temper." He shook his head, "He's fine." He said looking between them, "You, Nathan, can come and see for yourself anytime you want within this week… not you Lucas, not until you learn to control your nerves."

"What the hell are you doing Dan?" Karen asked once again this time taking slow angry steps towards him as she glared.

"I'm teaching my boys here some manners, Karen." He smirked at her and she stopped in her track while he laughed and walked over to the door before stopping and turning around to look at them all, "Like I said, we're one big family."

"You, bastard!" Haley said speaking up for the first time with an angry knowing look.

"Uh-uh, Haley, you're supposed to be an elegant singer." He said disapprovingly, "By the way, Nathan," he looked at him again, "You chose to work with me, you could have walked away but you didn't, but, now you have to, okay? I understand you might want to spend some tie with those lovely people though, so, you're allowed to stay with them, try to teach your girl here some manners while doing so."

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" There was a wave of insults from them all but it was Peyton's the loudest.

"God, Peyton, I was going to suggest you being the one to mentor those lousy people."

"Why are you doing this, huh? Why do you persist in ruining their lives, our lives? Why, Dan?"

"Oh, look at you, you've finally learned to talk; I guess Lucas wasn't bad for you after all." He said for the first time his smile disappearing and being replaced with a cold look.

"Answer me!" she screamed at him as Lucas tried tugging her back but she shrugged his arm away only glaring at Dan whose smile returned.

"Like I said, one big family." He told her.

"Dan!" Karen warned.

"What? Isn't it the truth? Didn't your mother leave you to me, Peyton? Wasn't it with me that you made your success, Haley?" he said looking at them respectively before looking at the other three his smile widening, "And you… I and the happy Scotts go way back!"

"Get out, right now!" Karen growled.

"Why? It's only a fact, dear Karen."

"You mean that you were one before you screwed them over and cowardly ran away? Yeah, that makes you one!" Haley spat at him and everyone but Peyton looked at her, Lucas and Nathan in confusion, Karen and Dan in surprise.

Dan's surprise turned into a sympathetic look soon though, "Oh, honey, you think you got it right!" he gave a sigh and looked at the confused boys who suddenly stopped their insults, scoffs and tried to regain control of the situation, "Boys, it's time to know the truth,"

"Dan, don't." This time, Karen's cry was a plea.

"It's time, Karen, it's already too long."

"Don't."

He simply shook his head, and despite being able to fake a serious look, everyone could actually see the smirk and amusement dancing in his eyes, "Boys, aside from the fact that Haley just stated that here, that I'm a Scott, that I'm Keith's brother, there are two more people here whose veins contain the Scott blood." He introduced it dramatically.

"What are you talking about?" Nathan hissed with a frown.

"It's you, Nathan, Lucas, you're real Scotts, not just adopted. You see, thanks to your mom here, I was last night reminded with the fact that I am your father."

Time stopped.

All voices were silent.

All images blurred.

What?!

Hi there everyone, I apologize for the delay, I have struggled with this chapter, rethinking it over and over, and then suddenly, I started writing it and didn't stop until it's done, and I can finally say I'm comfortable with how it turned out. It was supposed to be a short chapter actually, but look what happened... I hope you don't mind that?

I have to say that I was annoyed with Dan while writing this, I enjoyed it though haha.

Anyway, thanks for sticking around, and for reviewing, keep doing it, I love reading what you think.

I hope you are all safe and healthy.