20. Like father like son

Dan has always been the villain. He went around walking like he owned the town. But to Lucas and Nathan, it seemed like he was their very own villain, as if it wasn't enough that their life story since birth was abnormal as it is… ironically enough, he turned out to be behind this one too.

It sure shouldn't have been a surprise to anyone that he was behind Keith's murder too.

They didn't know why; but it didn't matter, they already just learned that he was Keith's brother, and that they never saw eye to eye, and he has been onto him ever since he returned to Tree Hill, so, for one reason or the other, it shouldn't be a surprise that he would end up shooting him dead.

Julian swore he didn't know about it, he said that he just heard about it from Mouth, and he doesn't know either how Mouth knew. They weren't thinking straight after he told them, so, he left shortly after it saying they know where to find him if they needed him.

They must have gotten used to shocking revelations and Dan's surprises, because they didn't spend the night being shocked, but rather got over it quickly.

Lucas was angry, he was ready to go kill Dan right then and there if it weren't for everyone else holding him back. Nathan seemed to think it's all too much and that Dan is beyond control, he didn't know how to take it, but deep down he knew that he wanted Dan gone as much as Lucas did.

Peyton was overwhelmed for a while but then, she reminded herself that she shouldn't ever be surprised by anything she finds about Dan anymore; he was never the man she thought he was. Haley, although she never thought it would come to actual murder, but she seemed to be the rational one about it all –even to her own surprise.

Brooke, Millie, and Skillz were there to help rationalize the whole thing and to remind them that they need to carefully think about it all, after all, Mouth's life was on the line.

Eventually, after partially letting it sink in, they decided to let the night do the rest and sleep on it, and to meet again early next morning to think with fresh minds, after all, it was too stressful and too much to handle in one night… or even in one week to be fair.

Although, no one was really going to actually sleep; as it was too stressful to take!

XxXx

It was dark in the house when Nathan entered with Haley following him. Karen must be in bed. Hell, they didn't even discuss how to tell Karen, and even though they were still mad at her, she had to know this new piece of information.

But, how do you say that? Hey, Karen, we're still have not forgiven you, but we thought you should know that our real dad you kept a secret killed the man we considered a real father?

There was no scenario where it could go smoothly.

Nathan threw his body on the sofa tiredly, and Haley sat down next to him. He automatically opened his arm for her as she leaned against him in silence.

He let out a chuckle and she looked up at him, "What?" she questioned.

"Don't you think it's funny?"

"What is?"

"My life!" he laughed, "It's crazier than a Shakespearean play! It's… it's…" he trailed off shaking his head, "…sad." He frowned.

Haley's heart dropped watching the lost look on his face. She knew it's too much, that he has seen a lot in the last period of time; he literally kept coming out of a hole to fall into another. Repeatedly.

"Nathan…" she hugged him tightly and he wrapped his arms around her resting his cheek on her shoulder.

"And I thought my life was miserable before." He chuckled humorlessly and sniffed not wanting to let any tears show. It was ironic, actually, Nathan never let his emotions take the lead, that was Lucas' thing, but lately, with Haley, and with how his life has been unfolding, everything was changing, himself included. When he looks back at his life now, he almost laughs at what he has considered problems back then.

"It's all going to be okay." She reassured rubbing his back and he scoffed, "It will." She said confidentially, "Everyone needs a crisis to make them tougher; stronger."

"I… I just want it to be over. I don't want any more surprises."

"Well, I can't promise you that. But, I know you're strong enough to get over it, Nathan."

"How do you know that?"

"Because you were strong enough to handle me, to show me how good life could be, you were strong enough to make me believe… and trust."

"I only wanted to be with you."

"And you were the brave one of us to actually fight for that." She told him sincerely pulling away to look him in the eyes to let him see how serious she is.

He stared back at her for a moment and then captured her lips slowly and shortly, "I never wanted any of this to happen, I just wanted to be happy with you. I want it to be over so I actually get to."

She shrugged, "I'm happy with you. Aren't you?"

He rolled his eyes, "You know what I mean." He gave her a pointed look before carrying on, "I want no drama, I want to just be with you, like normal people, to get to just focus on our future."

"You want a future." She smiled.

He frowned, "Of course I do. Didn't you know that?"

"I mean… you still do?"

He chuckled, "Haley, with all that has been happening lately the real question should be, do you?"

She stared at him for a few seconds before leaning forward to kiss him, and as she pulled back, she stared at his eyes again with a growing smile, "Let's get married."

He thought he didn't hear her for a second, "What?"

"Let's get married." She repeated and then laughed at the astonishment on his face, "Let's do it right away. You want to, right?"

"I do, of course I do!" he nodded, "But…"

"But, what?"

"I should be asking!" He exclaimed complaining.

She giggled, "You wouldn't have. Not now."

"Yes. I wouldn't have. Not when all of this drama is going on. It's not fair to you."

She smiled, "That's exactly where you're wrong."

"Haley,"

"No," she interrupted him, "Don't you know it yet? I'm with you through everything, Nathan. I don't care who your father is, I don't. I only care about you, and I want to be with you."

"I… you deserve better. You deserve a wedding and… and better circumstances, Haley. Things that I can't give you now."

She shook her head, "All I want is right here." She said poking his chest right over his heart with her forefinger.

"I don't know what will happen with Dan. At all. I might end up jobless, a killer, or even dead."

She frowned, "No, you won't." she hit his shoulder, "And I only wanna be your wife. God, don't get me begging for you to marry me, you're killing my feminine ego."

He chuckled and thought for something else to say; but to be honest, this was all he wants, he just didn't expect her to be there, and he wanted her to have no regrets. But, as he looked at her searching for any signs of doubts or any other reasons why they shouldn't do this now, he couldn't find any, he was already convinced, after all, it can't take too long to convince a man to grant his own wish!

He grinned, "Let's do it."

"Yeah?" she asked needing to make sure.

"Yeah! Let's get married."

She squealed throwing her arms around him as he laughed wrapping his around her petite body. It might be crazy, but, then again, everything has been crazy, at least he could make one of the crazy things also a happy one, he could find some light inside all the dark.

It was amazing how this night ended for him where it did… only half an hour earlier, he was lost with grief, but now, he actually sees some hope? He holds a grasp of positivity.

That was a first for him.

And the way he sees it, it won't be a last.

XxXx

It was weird being in the empty dimmed light club with the killing silence, Peyton found it sad that this place was capable of holding such a heavy atmosphere after being only known for spending good time with music, talents, drinks, and enjoyable nights.

It was only her and Lucas there, he has stayed behind saying he'll close up and she stayed with him, but instead, he only sat down at one of the tables in silence as he put his head between his arms with his elbows propped up at the table.

Peyton tied up the place a bit, and did what was left to still be done before turning to him to find he hasn't moved an inch. She sighed as she went up to him and stood next to his chair and put her hand on his shoulder, "Luke,"

"Don't." he said still having his eyes closed but then he looked up at her, "There's nothing to say."

"Lucas, you must be-"

"No, this is ridiculous." He cut her off, "It really is, it feels like we've been stuck in the same circle; we try to have a normal day and then by night you end up comforting me over one thing or the other… and the crazy thing is it's all in less than a week."

She looked at him not knowing what to say, really, she didn't know what he needed at the moment, she knew he was close to Keith, but not how close, she knew he loved him, but not how much, she knew he needed her, but not in which way.

He let out a chuckle, "And, it's all because of Dan." He added bitterly. He then let out a sigh and looked up at her once again, turning in his seat to be facing her and took a hold of her arms sliding his hands down until they rested at her hands holding them in his. "I don't even know when this became my life."

She blinked, "When I came into it?" she gave an awkward smile and he gave her a look pulling her closer towards him.

"You're the one keeping it together." He stated, "It's more like when Dan decided to ruin it."

"He's not going to."

He gave her a smile, "You're doing it again."

"Luke…"

"No, it's just… I'm sick of it, aren't you?"

"Of being there for you? No!" she shook her head.

"Of the drama…"

"I am." She said sliding on of her hands to brush her fingers through his slicked hair, "Of course I am."

"Then let's change the pattern and not talk about it."

"Is that what you want?"

He pulled her closer to stand between his legs, "It's what I need."

"Alright then," she said locking her fingers behind his neck and he wrapped his arms around her lower back. "What do you wanna do then?"

"I don't know… what would you wanna do on a perfectly normal night?" He asked her instantly bring a smile to her face.

She thought for a few seconds before looking back at him with a beaming smile, "I got something, but you might think I'm crazy."

"Honey, I already do." He chuckled and she hit his shoulder lightly, "I'm joking."

"Come with me then." She said and took his hands in hers slowly stepping backward and he stood up; she led him to the door, "Remember the day you walked me home in the rain?"

"Sure."

"Well, I have a confession, that day, running under the rain barefoot with you was the first time I feel so… free… so light." She spoke as he locked up the place.

He turned to her with a smile, "I have a confession about that day too,"

"You do?" she asked putting her hands on his chest.

"Aha," he said putting his hands on her hips, "It was really hard resisting to kiss you that night." He said huskily and she blushed.

"Shut up, you couldn't have wanted to kiss me then, I looked like a mess and I was being mean."

"Oh, no, you looked just perfect, and… to be honest, I've always wanted to kiss you."

"That's not true."

He laughed, "It is, trust me." He smirked looking at her, "Since we're confessing, you always found a way to throw my mind somewhere else no matter what you're doing, even when you were fighting or screaming at me to leave you alone."

She suddenly felt the heat rising, "Yeah?"

"Mhmm."

"Like what?"

He chuckled, "Oh, no, you're not ready to hear that just yet."

"Hey, I'm not a child."

"No, you're not, but you're too innocent for this." he said and she couldn't help but take to an offense to that.

"I'm not." She frowned.

He smiled down at her and captured her lips in a quick kiss, "That's not a bad thing."

She raised her eyebrows, "You're not helping."

He chuckled, "Tell you what, we make a deal, I will tell you after you've told me what you brought us out here for, I'm sure it's not to talk, we could have just done that in there."

"No, it's not." She smiled, "Fine, I'll take your deal." She said and stepped backward, "So, as I said, I felt free that night… and I wanna feel free again… with you."

"You wanna run barefoot?" he asked her, "But, it's not raining."

"No." she said taking his hands and walking backward while locking eyes with him with a beaming smile as she guided him to the middle of the street. "Let's dance."

He smiled and raised his eyes at her, "Right here."

"Yeah…" she nodded.

"Without music." He said and put his hands on her waist.

"We don't need it." She said putting her hands on his shoulders as they began swaying lightly.

"You sure are full of surprises, Peyton Sawyer."

"You think I'm crazy."

"I love your craziness." He said and with a swift move spun her around as she giggled.

They stood there dancing in the empty street for a couple more minutes and with another spun Peyton giggled and stood in front of him, "I didn't know you could dance."

"Neither did I." He laughed.

"Wanna go home?" she bit her lower lip unsure of what he's thinking now, because even though they were laughing now, but she was still worried about him, and it was getting late anyway.

He nodded, "Would it be alright to stay at your house again tonight?"

"Of course it is." She smiled warmly before her eyes lit up, "I have another idea." She said taking off her heels as he watched.

"What?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Race me." She shouted with a giggle and started running and he laughed at her following as he easily caught up with her due to her wearing a tight skirt.

"That's not your brightest ideas." He smirked and she groaned.

"If I weren't wearing this skirt you'd have never caught up."

"Sure." He laughed and they walked together the remaining distance to her house.

It was after they have entered her room when she turned to him, "Are you okay, Lucas?" she couldn't not ask anymore.

He cleaned his throat, "I will be. It will all end soon anyway." He said and she gave him a look,

"What do you mean?"

He cracked a smile, "No talking tonight, remember?"

"I'm just worried."

"Don't be. We're talking tomorrow anyway." He said and then inhaled deeply his eyes brightening up as he looked at her, "So, that's what you do on a perfectly normal night?" he smirked and she chuckled.

"With you." She added with a nod and then frowned, "Hey, you never told me." She said referring to their deal.

He smirked, "Right," he stretched the word, "No, I'm not doing that."

She gasped, "We had a deal!"

He scratched the back of his head, "It's kind of… embarrassing." He said awkwardly and she smiled moving closer.

"So, it's not about me being too innocent?"

"That too."

She raised an eyebrow and he smirked as they locked eyes challengingly, she moved closer and without hesitation cupped his face and pushed her lips forward meeting his fiercely, moans erupting from both as they moved in rhythm.

"Maybe not too innocent." He whispered huskily with a dazed look as they pulled apart. She raised her eyebrows impressively and he sighed, "It's the way you look, the way you move, the things you say… I notice them and… they make me wanna be with you."

"The things I say, huh? Like what?" she asked with a smile.

"Alright, I'm not telling you this."

"Come on, tell me…" she urged and he looked unsure for a moment, "Come on…"

He sighed again, "It's like this time…we were fighting… I said I wanted to know you, and you said something like you want nothing between us… and I just… took it literally." He said and she stared at him for a while before she cracked a chuckled burying her face onto his shoulder, "See? It's stupid." He groaned.

"No, it's not." She said looking back at him with a smile.

"Yes, it is."

"No," she shook her head with a whisper, "It's not." She added locking eyes with him as they stared at each other their breaths catching and the distance closing as they locked lips with closed eyes, it started slow but then quickly escalated to be just as fierce as the last one, only it didn't stop as their moans became louder as the kiss became needier, and next thing, they were doing just what he said; making sure that there was nothing between them… literally.

She let herself be free with him and he spent one last night with her drama-free before they would wake up having to deal with all sorts of problems again.

But the conclusion of the night was more magical than one of them would have imagined at the start of it.

XxXx

For the whole town of Tree Hill, it was one perfect night, the weather was warm, the night was a typical spring night going from arm to breezy and chilly in an instant, and people were doing what they would normally do every other weeknight… only when people passed by or headed towards Karen's club, they were surprised to see the note on the door saying it's closed for the night and until further notice.

It would have been crowded by this time, music from Skillz piano would have been entertaining people at the moment and Haley would have been getting ready as Mia ascends the stage, but instead, a small group of people was inside with tension rising amongst them with every passing second.

Karen sighed as she took her place back on the round table after opening for Skillz and Nathan who the door and locking again after them. "You didn't find him?"

Nathan shook his head, "No, but at least he hasn't been to Dan's."

A sigh of relief seemed to escape their throats, but then, worry took over again; no one knew where Lucas was. Nathan turned to Peyton as he sat down,

"Are you sure he didn't say anything at all?"

Peyton blushed at remembering the morning's events as she shook her head, they have woke up and it was a beautiful morning after well… an amazing night, eventful… but amazing. And as they got ready, he told her he had something to take care of quickly before they meet everyone at the café, and then he left promising to meet her there, and that was it, he hadn't shown up and no one else has seen him since.

"I would have told you by now if there was." She mumbled.

Well, it was kind of expected from Lucas to need some time alone, but, not like this, not without telling anyone and not at these circumstances. He wasn't this irresponsible, which got them even more worried.

Nathan and Skillz have looked for him, and they even made sure he didn't go to Dan's in a reckless moment, and he hasn't, in fact, Dan wasn't even at Tree Hill this day.

Nathan, Haley, Skillz, and Peyton have taken care of informing Karen about the events of last night, but before she could fully process it, they took notice of Lucas being too late. Brooke and Millie have joined them as agreed, but instead of talking about Mouth, they were currently worried about both.

"Did you look at Keith's stone?" Brooke asked.

"Of course I did." Nathan replied.

"The tree behind the school?"

"Everywhere he could be, Brooke." He sighed.

Peyton noticed that these are places she wouldn't have thought about so effortlessly, simply because she doesn't really know about them, maybe Keith's tombstone made sense, but, she wouldn't have thought about it right away, she hated that she didn't know him so well, so as to know where he could be, but apparently everyone else did, including Brooke.

She hated that she was so helpless, and she hated that Karen must have noticed since she has been comforting her every once and a while, and she couldn't help thinking that she should have been the one taking care of the woman more.

It was about fifteen minutes later when they all turned their heads towards the door, some of them standing up as a key was inserted in the lock, twisted, and pushed forward as Lucas appeared walking in.

"God, where have you been?" Peyton rushed towards him and he caught her by the hips after quickly hanging his hat by the door and placed a quick kiss on her lips,

"Sorry, I had to deal with something." He told her before he turned to the other party, "Why are you closed?"

Nathan frowned at him, "Why are we closed?" he retorted, "Have you forgotten what we're dealing with?"

"We still have a week, Nathan."

"Five days!" Nathan corrected.

He rolled his eyes, "Fine, five days! We are not closing this place."

"What about Mouth?" Millie couldn't help but whisper out.

Lucas shifted his eyes towards her and immediately softened, "Don't worry, he's gonna be fine."

"Don't promise things you don't know about." Nathan frowned at him.

Lucas looked back at him with a frown, "What's wrong with you?"

"Me?" Nathan gave a chuckle of disbelief, "You're the one who disappeared for the whole day God knows where, in the middle of everything we're through, and the only thing you say on showing up is the senseless question of why we're not open?"

Lucas was about to reply and by the look of it just as angrily when Haley stood up and extended her arms between both brothers, "Okay, before this gets any more out of hand…" she looked between them, "…let's all calm down first." She finished and they sighed, "Good. Now, set down."

Both grumbly sat down and then all eyes were on Lucas questioningly as Nathan raised his eyebrows at him expecting an explanation, "Well?" Nathan urged.

Lucas sighed uneasily, "As I said, I had to take care of something." He answered before looking between the awaiting sets of eyes, "Look," he started, "I don't think we should close down."

"What are you talking about? It's this in exchange of Mouth's life." Nathan argued.

"That's not the way we're saving his life, Nathan. Julian said he's planning on killing him either way."

"Oh, God!"

"So, what's your genius plan then? Huh?" Nathan asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I… well…"

"Right, you don't have one."

"I do!" Lucas frowned arguing.

Nathan looked at him analyzing his expression, "Listen," he sighed, "I'm done, Lucas. I'm done fighting, okay?"

"You think I'm not?"

"Lucas?" It was Karen who called her son's name and even though he still hasn't forgiven her, he knew it was not the time to freeze her out, he looked at her. "What do you have in mind?" she knew he was avoiding the answer to this question for a reason, and she knew Nathan knew it too hence his last sentence; they both knew Lucas had something in his mind that about no one will like.

"I… I will tell you." He knew they knew it too, and yes, he knew they won't like it, that's why he needed an introduction to the topic. "Look, Nate, why do you think Dan is doing this?"

"I don't know and I don't care, alright?" Nathan shook his head fiercely; he read him well and he knew where he's heading much to Lucas' dismay, "At this point, I only want to follow his psycho wishes and get it over with peacefully."

Lucas frowned, "And what? You think he'll stop? He thinks he owns the freaking town."

"He can be the king of it for all I care." Nathan exclaimed, "The war is over, Luke. And I want this one to be over too, so, I can leave in peace."

All was silent for a while as Lucas stared at him for a second, "Leave?"

"You know I wanted to travel all along," he mumbled knowing it took him off guard.

"Yeah, but… now? When this is all happening?"

Nathan frowned once again, "Are you even listening to me? I want nothing to be happening anymore, let's just give him what he wants and leave his precious town for him. Don't you want to live a normal life?"

Lucas gulped and he could feel Peyton tensing next to him as she watched them interact like everyone else did, but this question particularly got her nervous a little more, "I do," he nodded. "But, I'm not walking out of a fight."

"You think I'm walking out of it? Like baking away?" he took offense to it.

"That's what you're doing. That's what you do." Lucas challenged.

"Oh, your nerve!" Nathan said standing up. "Are you calling me a coward?"

"Alright, I don't think he means that." Skillz stood up along with Lucas trying to put some sense into their conversation. Actually, it was too quick and too sudden that no one knew what to think or who to side with, they didn't even know what each one of them was fighting for, but for some reason, it seemed to be making sense for only the two brothers.

"Oh, no, I do." Lucas argued.

"You're calling me a coward!" Nathan said sarcastically, "Says the one who left us all day wondering if he's dead or alive, and not even have the guts to explain it."

Lucas rolled his eyes, "Wake up, Nathan! You want to flee, to leave it all behind, and leave just like that. Why do you think he's doing all of that? Huh? He wants to mess with our lives, and he wants to get rid of Marvin because he doesn't want us to know what he knows… but we already do. So, there, that's the key, he thinks he's ahead of us, but in fact, we are…"

"What the hell are you saying?" Nathan hissed angrily.

"I'm saying we're finally one step ahead of him, so, let's just give him what he wants… he wants to mess our lives, let's give him the chance… on our terms… and then… then we'll end it forever." He said looking into his eyes, he wasn't giving too many details in front of everyone, and he knew Nathan knows that, and that he'll at least get what he thinks of, "I want the same thing that you want, Nathan."

Nathan stared at him for a while before shaking his head with a chuckle, he got it, he saw it, that glint in Lucas' eyes, he saw it and he wasn't going to go along with this, "You're crazy."

"You know I'm right."

"You're the one who needs to wake up, Luke, what you're thinking of is dangerous, suicidal even! And, no, I'm not the coward here, because I have priorities, when you were gone the whole day, I spent it telling Karen the truth, and coming up with a sensible idea to save Mouth so I can get away from all this shit and start my family… maybe you need to start looking around you too and stop this Dan obsession before you screw over this poor girl with you… or break your mother's heart." He screamed angrily at him, "You're chasing smoke, Lucas!"

"Start a family, you said?" Karen asked with an astonished face and a growing smile. Only she could fish that out of all the things he said, and it indeed lightened up the tension a bit as they didn't expect her to actually ask in the middle of this.

Even Nathan was able to crack a smile as he looked at Haley who blushed as she suddenly caught the attention, "Yeah. We're getting married."

"Nathan!" Haley glared a bit although she smiled; he was the one telling her he didn't want to tell them just yet, and yet he's the one announcing it.

When Brooke and Peyton were the most excited as they congratulated their friend, Karen couldn't be any prouder, she thought that was good for Nathan, that he's growing to be the man he was always supposed to be, the one she has always known was hiding within him, and to see him taking the leap, fighting for what he wants, what he believes in, made her even prouder, even though it was against Lucas… Nathan needed this, and she knew they will be fine in the end. They always have.

Lucas too, he knew how Nathan felt about Haley, and he knew she was good for him and he was good for her, and he was glad to see him take this decision, but in that very moment, he needed him to see what he sees,

"That's… that's great, Nate." He told him, "I'm really happy for you." He said with a smile but his eyes gave him away.

"But?"

He sighed, "Is this how you want to start your new life? This is something you will carry along with you. Is this what you want to tell your future kids? That you ran away?"

Nathan clenched his fists, "I'm not running away! I know what my priorities are! I'm appreciating the good things I have instead of pushing them away, Lucas."

"You don't even understand, you don't know what I have in my mind."

"Oh, I do!" Nathan nodded challengingly, "You know what, why don't you stop making me look like the crazy bad guy here? Why don't you tell everyone what you have in mind? Why don't you tell us where were you, Lucas?"

He looked at him blaming him for putting him on the spot, even though he has been doing just the same.

"Yeah, where were you, Lucas?" Brooke asked already knowing too that his stall of that question isn't leading to a pretty answer.

"Just tell us, Luke." Peyton looked up at him and squeezed his hand lightly.

He sighed, "I went to see Julian."

"Julian?" Brooke frowned.

"Yeah," he nodded and sat down, "He's ready to co-operate."

"And you believe that?" Skillz asked him.

"As a matter of fact… yes." He answered and gave Brooke a knowing glance that she didn't miss before looking down with a blush.

"I know he is." Nathan nodded and they looked at him questioningly. "Let's just say he's done with Dan."

"So, what's your problem then?" Lucas frowned, "We have everything we need to take him down."

"Take him down?" Nathan frowned knowingly, "I think the term you are looking for is killing him."

Lucas' face paled and his expression went numb as he looked at Nathan; he didn't expect him to say it like that and right there, he guessed that it means that he really wasn't on his side.

"Luke?" Peyton clutched his arm with a horrified look. Every other set of eyes were undoubtedly on him awaiting his reply to his brother's sentence, while Lucas was locking eyes with Nathan angrily and Nathan looked back triumphantly.

"Lucas?" Karen called, "Is that what you want?"

"Isn't what everyone is thinking?"

"Oh God!" Brooke fell back in her chair.

"What the hell, man?" Skillz shook his head.

"No, you can't be serious." Peyton shook her head.

"He is." Nathan confirmed.

"Lucas, you can't." Haley whispered out.

"Why not? As long as he's there, he's going to keep coming up with more torturous ways to ruin our lives."

"As long as you are here." Nathan corrected.

"I'm not gonna leave Tree Hill." Lucas shook his head. "Besides, what's even your plan to save Mouth? Call the police?" he asked sarcastically.

"Why not?"

"Are you serious?" He laughed, "You know better than I do that he owns them!"

"I know that you can find what you want when you know where to look… that if you wanna do the right thing of course." Nathan rolled his eyes.

"You think one good cop will do it?"

"Not a cop!" Nathan glared, "The district attorney." He admitted.

"How do you know he's not with him too?"

"He's not!"

"I don't think that's a good plan!"

"It's better than yours."

"Mine is logical!"

"No, it's not." This exclaim came of Peyton instead. She stood up and looked down at him with a frown, "You can't be serious, Lucas. Do you really think you can kill him? Like… shoot a gun or stab a knife and watch as you drain the life out of him?"

He stared at her for a while before standing up as well, his voice opening and closing, "Peyton…"

"No! I… you can't, Luke! You can't do this. You can't turn into him."

His eyes softened and he gave her a lopsided grin, "I'm his son."

Karen had to disagree, "No, you're not." She said forcefully, "Your only father is Keith, and you don't say those words ever again."

"They are true, mom." He frowned.

"No, they are not." She cried, "The only man you're allowed to take after is Keith. Both of you." She said as if scolding him like when they were ten.

Lucas raised a sarcastic eyebrow at her, "Well, at least one of us did." He said referring to Nathan.

"Lucas, don't do this." Peyton said, "I can't believe we're having this conversation, we're standing here convincing you not to kill him!"

He shook his head, "I told you it'll change me."

"And I told you it won't." she frowned forcefully, "I told you I know you, and I do. But this man, right now…" she said waving her hand up and down at him, "… this is not you."

"But, it is." He sighed, "I told you it will end soon."

She stared at him as things started making a little more sense as she put the pieces together suddenly viewing the previous night in a different light, "I… oh, I get it now," she nodded and gulped, "Was this what last night was about? Everything about it? Was this a farewell party, Lucas?" she asked not really waiting for an answer, because both knew it was.

"No! It's…"

"It was…" she nodded, "You… were you even going to tell us about this, Lucas? Were you going to have this conversation it all? Because it seems to me you have your mindset no matter what."

He doesn't know how to answer that, how to answer it at all, and especially in front of everyone; last night was amazing, and even though he had in mind that he wants to spend a night with her where they would just do whatever they want, like a normal couple of young people in love, a night to do whatever she wants to do, and eventually, the night was even better than he thought, being with her under the sheets, skin to skin and experiencing what they both did, together… it wasn't what he had planned, but, yet, he's not regretting it.

"Tell me you didn't have that idea last night, Luke."

"Peyton, listen…" he sighed and she shook her head, "I did, okay? I know how it looks, but…" he groaned uneasily not really comfortable doing this right then and there while everyone was sitting, "…we really should do this later."

Peyton knew he was right, she wasn't about to discuss the reasons why he slept with her last night in front of everyone, but she also couldn't help but feel betrayed, he can't just manipulate her like this, if he wanted a farewell night, he could have said so, she at least had the right to know why he was doing it all.

"You thought you needed this night before you go kill or be killed, didn't you?" she hissed looking at him from the corner of her eyes with her hands on her hips.

Again, he didn't know what to say.

"This is what I'm warning you about, Luke. Wake up!" Nathan whispered with a sigh.

"Honestly, Lucas, you're way off this time; we're not killers." Skillz said.

Lucas groaned, "Are you all ganging up on me now?"

"We're bringing you back to your senses." Nathan argued.

"So, you're sticking to what you said." He raised an eyebrow.

"Of course I am!" Nathan frowned, "I want a stable life, I want to take my wife and have a fresh start… a clean one, Lucas!"

"Alright then. I'm sticking to mine too, because your plan sucks." He snapped and then turned to Peyton, "And Peyton, it wasn't a farewell party, last night was beautiful, and I loved it, okay? But it wasn't a farewell party, if I wanted one, it would go like this," he said and then turned to Nathan again,

"Nathan, Haley, I'm really happy for you, and I wish you find this happy life you're planning to have, and I'm glad you're taking such a step, Nate, I just wish it was better circumstances, but you will have the family you want, and Haley, it was very lovely working with you, you have an amazing voice and I'm glad you found your salvation with Nathan, you're good for each other."

"Antwon, Skillz," he turned to his friend who had a disapproving frown but Lucas carried on anyway, "You've been a very good friend, a loyal and supportive one, and you're one hell of a piano player," He smiled before turning to Brooke,

"Lucas, stop." She said in disbelief.

"I'm sorry, Brooke, for everything. I really am. You're a good friend, and I know you wouldn't betray us like that… and Julian… give him a chance. And Millicent, it's been a lovely couple of times," he chuckled, "I promise you Mouth will be fine, do him well, he's a good guy."

"Mom, I know you probably had your best interests at heart, but I really didn't like being lied to, however, you're still my mom, and I love you, I always will."

"Will you just stop this ridiculed talk?" Karen glared with her watery eyes, "Stop it, stop all of it." She said and went on wrapping her arms around him but he backed away and shook his head with the determined look he had on since he started talking.

"Peyton," he turned to her, "I… I love you." He said the words for the first time, "And yes, even though I have been cooking the plan since yesterday, but last night wasn't planned, and that's the best thing about it, I just wanted to be normal for a night, but it wasn't exactly the farewell party you have in mind." He was telling her he didn't sleep with her to say goodbye, he was telling her he needed to be with her like a normal couple, and this one just happened, because he loves her. "But, this is."

"No, it isn't." she held his hands tightly through her tears.

"I'm sorry, but, someone has to do something, and I'm not going to stand by and watch him destroy each of your lives." He shook his head slipping his hands away from Peyton's and taking wide steps towards the door.

"No, Lucas, wait."

"Don't be stupid, Luke." Nathan stood up and went after him along with Skillz and Peyton did too but then she stumbled and fell crying on the floor as hands came to help her up, however, her legs kept failing her, so, the hands just wrapped around her as she cried.

A couple of minutes later, Nathan and Skillz returned back with regretful looks shaking their heads.

XxXx

Walking confidently into Dan's storage façade of a gangster headquarters, he looked at the knocked off men around the place and took in a deep breath; those men won't be waking up any time soon thanks to Julian drugging their drinks with strong a few drops of a sleeping theorem.

Lucas walked towards Dan's office where he knew he was currently at, he absentmindedly put his hand on the gun in his pocket before pushing the door open much to Dan's surprise as he looked up from his desk towards him watching as he locked the door.

"What are you doing here? How did you get in here?"

Lucas turned to him hatefully, "What? Scared?"

"Of you?" Dan laughed.

He loathed that sound, "Well, your men aren't available at the moment, if you're wondering."

"What do you mean?" Dan frowned.

Lucas smirked, finally, he was able to be the one smirking and Dan the one frowning, "Scared yet?"

"What are you doing here, Scott?"

"You are one too." Lucas said as he proceeded forwards and sat behind the desk crossing one leg over the other as Dan looked at him impressed. "Never forget, your origins, Don."

"Don't you mean dad?"

"No." He shook his head simply, "I don't."

"Why are you here, Lucas?"

"I came here to play a little game with you."

Dan smirked, "What is this? A little daddy and son time?"

"Maybe."

"Alright, what's your game?"

Lucas picked up the revolver from his pocket, flicked it to the side and then held out one single bullet showing it to Dan theoretically before placing it in, flicking it close and spinning the cylinder, and then placed it on the desk with a smile, "A twisted version of Russian roulette."

Dan looked impressed with a smirk, "That's…brave of you. What's the twist?"

"We'll not be pointing the gun to our heads, but instead to each other."

"So, one of us will end up killing the other."

"Exactly."

"Why?"

"Because it's fun." Lucas shrugged, "One more thing though… the cylinder will be spun with each round."

"Oh, refilling the properties again. You're quite daring today, Lucas."

"I have nothing to lose."

"Why? What happened to the girl you stole from me?"

"She wasn't yours to begin with. And if you're really wondering… I can't be with her knowing you're somewhere out there breathing."

"You really hate me, don't you?"

"You left me no choice, did you?"

"No. no, I didn't." Dan said proudly. "So… any other rules for your little game?"

"Yeah actually, with every round, I get to ask you a question and you have to answer truthfully."

Dan raised an eyebrow, "And what do I get?"

Lucas shrugged, "You can ask me too if you want."

Dan sighed, "This does sound like a fun game, Lucas… but why would I do that?"

"Because, at least then, you have a fifty-fifty percent to live… otherwise, I'll just shoot you dead right now."

Dan stared at him with the dead smile on his face for a second, and Lucas knew he got him a little shaken, "I guess you really are my son." Dan told him, "Maybe I should have chosen you to work with me instead of your quitter of a brother."

"I'm not your son, and no, you shouldn't have, because then, you would have been long dead now."

Dan chuckled then nodded, "Fine. How do you know I won't just keep shooting until you're dead once I get hold of the gun?"

"Nah," Lucas shook his head then looked at him intensely, "That's too easy for you; and you like games."

"See? You are my son."

"I'm not."

"That's what you say, yet, you're here doing something I would have done myself I was in your shoes."

"I know, that's because I'm playing your game."

"Doesn't that mean you'll lose? It's my game like you said."

"It's your game, but it's my rules." Lucas smirked, "So, are you ready to play or should I just go on shooting you right now?"

"You wouldn't. You want answers, that's why you have been sitting here having this little chat with me."

"Right, and you could have grabbed the gun at any moment and killed me, yet, you didn't. You love playing and I'm offering you a game. The last game ever, Dan."

"You don't know that. It's a fifty-fifty."

"Let's say I trust my luck."

Dan chuckled, "Boy, it would be a shame watching you die, you could have taken my place after my retirement… long years from now of course."

"No, I prefer this fate."

"So, as you have obviously given us an infinity of probabilities… what happens if we just keep shooting and the bullet doesn't come?"

"It could be the first time, or it could be the hundredth, either way, neither of us leaves this room while the other is alive."

Dan stares at him for a couple of seconds again, "I admire your confidence, and that's how I know it's gonna be a fun game…" he said, "Let's begin, Scott." He said extending his hand in front of him for Lucas to shake.

Lucas smiled and with no hesitation, took his hand in his shaking it firmly, both of them locking eyes and squeezing the other's hand to show authority.

And thus, began the last game ever…

Again, so sorry for the wait, I had trouble starting off this chapter, I wrote the first bit a month ago, but then kept coming back typing a few lines and stopping, however, when I got over it and decided to merge two chapters originally together, it kept rolling and I didn't leave it until right now, I wrote it all at once. I was going to include the Russian roulette too, but decided it was going to be too long and too intense in one chapter... besides, gotta keep the suspense going lol.

Hope you didn't forget about this story, I wanted to also thank you all for commenting, and please keep doing so, I love reading your opinions.

So, what do you think of this one? It started off smooth and kept getting intense, right? What do you think will happen in the little father/son game?