Hey guys! So, I'm back with the first chapter of the fic but, before to that, got something to say here
To Sweetlilloz: Thank you, I'll always remember you as my first reviewer :D And by the way, I agree with you about the beta reader.
So here I am: if anyone around here (english speaking) is interested in this story, and would like to work with me on it as a beta reader, feel free to contact me ;)
To alex 1332: Thanks! I'll do my best to keep a pace of at least a chapter every week
To dianehermans, about the Brucas/Leyton stuff: I have planned how the story will go on but, I can't tell about it right now because I think it may ruin the story's quality; what I can say is that there will be both Brucas and Leyton moments, but, regardless of the couple that will stand at the end, I'll try my best to make a story that both pairings' fans will appreciate; and, I don't plan of making Brooke or Peyton bashing: i love the both of them, though my favourite is Haley :P
That said, i hope you'll enjoy this chapter!
THE THIRD SCOTT BROTHER
CHAPTER ONE: OVERWHELMING NEWS
Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill, only Michael William Scott
The next morning, Michael was walking around the streets of Tree hill, the town where his father lived, the town that was going to be his new home, at least until the end of the school year; he had barely slept the previous night, so he decided to pick up a grey hoodie and matching tracksuit pants, and go jogging, hoping to clear his head; however, he was still thinking about his talk with Whitey Durham.
The coach was staring at him, stunned; his reaction didn't surprise Michael , though Dan Scott wasn't new to the illegitimate children department.
"Y…you are…Dan's son" the coach repeated, and it seemed to take the news well, considering the circumstances "Have you always known, or have you discovered it recently?" he asked.
"I found out about it just 2 months ago, after my mom's funeral" Michael answered, remembering his grandfather's words, the shock, the questions, the days passed laying on a bed, trying to accept the truth…until he decided to move to Tree Hill.
"So…" the old man spoke again, and Michael snapped from his reverie "You say you have two brothers…h…how did you…?"
"Find out? Well, to be honest, I wasn't sure of what I was going to run into when I decided to move here; but earlier, while I was watching the playoff game, I noticed two players named Scott, so I made some questions to a pair of students near me: it was then that I discovered the amazing story of Dan Scott when he was 18" Michael wasn't even trying to hold the sarcasm; he didn't expect much from the man that fathered him to begin with but, come on: three pregnant women in the arc of few months? That was a royal screw up!
"Wait…the game? Were you there? Then you saw…"
"Yes, I saw Nathan and Lucas" Michael nodded, and an amused smile come up to his lips "They are two hell of a players…I can tell that they're far better than anybody I've played with…excluding myself" he smirked, and even Whitey chuckled for a moment "I'm looking forward to meeting both of them"
"About that" Whitey stopped him frowning "I have something to tell you regarding Lucas…"
The brown-haired boy groaned as he recalled that Lucas had moved to Charleston… so much for my plan to rip the band-aid as soon as possible…but there's no point to brood over something I can't change he reminded himself, and stopped running: it was time for a small break; while trying to regain his breath, he noticed that he was standing before a nice-looking co
Michael's eyes rose to the sign, and his face paled when he read it: Karen's Cafe…right! That the café owned by Lucas' mother! Curious, he looked through the windows, and saw a woman that was most likely Karen: in her mid-thirties, she had medium long black hair, and blue-green eyes that were currently staring at him, wide opened; it reminded him of Whitey's first stare, the previous day…was she mistaking him for a young Dan too? Was he really that similar to his…father?
Michael then remembered that he was wearing the hood up on his head, so there was no way for Karen to see his face clearly… Then why is she staring at me like th…wait, she stopped…
He let out a sigh, relieved, turned around and started jogging again; No family's talks for today…I'll relax, maybe go to the beach and, tomorrow, I'll look for Nathan…after all, I have plenty of time…
He nodded, and jogged back to the inn where he had rented a room, unaware that, in those same moments, the father he had yet to meet was fighting for his life.
*******The Third Scott Brother*******The Third Scott Brother*******The Third Scott Brother*******The Third Scott Brother*******
"I'm not complaining about you checking upon me, Karen" Whitey said, looking at the woman in front of him seriously "But, I have to remind you that Lucas didn't leave to make you feel lonely…he'd want you to start something new in your life, as well"
Karen smiled kindly at his old coach "Actually…I was thinking of joining the college…taking some cooking lesson, attending some lessons…"
"I'm glad to hear it…and…I have something to tell about you…something about…Dan…"
"What happened?"
"Well…there isn't an easy way to say it…"
"Then let's get over it, coach; it's not that I'm going to surprised by any of Dan Scott's rubbish anymore"
"He has…another son…"
"WHAT?"
"I thought you said you would not get surprised"
*******The Third Scott Brother*******The Third Scott Brother*******The Third Scott Brother*******The Third Scott Brother*******
"Why do we have to move back again, mom? I love New York" asked a ten year old Michael while he was helping his mother to pack their things up; Martha sighed, and looked at her son.
"I know you do, Mike, but I'm still a freelance reporter: I don't have the luxury to choose from so many jobs, so when I found one well paid, I have to go…but remember: as soon as I'll became a kick-ass report.."
"You are already a kick-ass one, mom"
"Thanks, little man" Martha ruffled Michael's hair before continuing "Well, when I'll became a famous one, we'll stay wherever you want, that's a promise…"
Michael gasped when he woke up suddenly, the dream still vivid in his mind, the sound of the waves filling his ears: after the jog, he opted to spend the day at the beach, and must have fallen asleep while lying on the sand.
Scratching the back of his head, the boy grinned, as other moments of his childhood popped in his mind; they had never settled down: his mother was too much of a free spirit, she couldn't stay in the same place for long (though they always considered NY their home), and soon he started enjoying that kind of life as well.
"We're going to reach the top of the world one day, Mike, trust me"
"You were the top, mom…you were the top of my world"
Michael stood up and, without taking his clothes off, rushed to the sea, diving deep into it; after a minute, the resurfaced, gasping for air, and no one could no longer tell why is cheeks were wet.
*******The Third Scott Brother*******The Third Scott Brother*******The Third Scott Brother*******The Third Scott Brother*******
At Karen's Café, Karen and Deb were staring at each other, an awkward silence between them; after leaving Whitey, still taken aback, Karen had run into Deb, who told her that Dan, the same man she was thinking about (for one of the first times in years) was in the hospital too, due to an heart attack.
At the café, Deb revealed another shocking news: Nathan and Haley were married! The raven-haired woman felt dizzy for a moment, due to the weight of all the drama that was about to burst at Tree Hill; taking a deep breath, she decided to tell Deb about Michael; the blonde's eyes widened, shocked, but she still had not said a single word.
"That's typical of Dan" she finally spoke, and Karen rose her eyes "Even when his life is in danger, makes me want to kill him" sighing, she asked "Does Whitey know what is the boy-what was his name-doing here?"
"It's Michael and, according to Whitey, he didn't come here for money; apparently, his grandparents are paying for school expenses, and he did mention that he was looking for a job"
"But, what if Whitey is wrong? After all, nobody knows him, and, not that I think about it, how can we be sure that he isn't lying? We didn't even meet him…we should think of a DNA test"
Karen chuckled "I kind of talk to Whitey about that, and he started muttering something about "bloody, useless medical rubbish"… for him, the boy looks a lot like Dan…"she pondered if she should said about something that was wondering about for a while "I…think I saw him, too"
"You did? When?"
"This morning, outside the café…for a moment, I mistook him for Lucas…I couldn't see him well, but…he reminded me a bit of Dan when he was young…"
The two women stayed silent for a while again, then Deb spoke again, a slight tension in her voice "Did you call Keith? I mean, he should know about it…as well as Lucas"
"About that, Whitey told me that Michael asked him to don't tell anything to Lucas and Nathan…he wants to meet them, without third parties' interference…so please, don't talk to Nathan about that…"
"Hmm, it's not that I'll likely talk to my son soon….but what about Keith?"
"Whitey is dealing with it"
*******The Third Scott Brother*******The Third Scott Brother*******The Third Scott Brother*******The Third Scott Brother*******
"Hello?"
"How's Charleston? I guess it must be amazing to make you forget about your old friend in an hospital, after less than a day you're here"
"As if I could forget your irritating voice so soon, old man" Keith smirked, than he got serious "Is if about Dan, I already know of his heart attack; we're deciding if we sh.."
"Dan had an heart attack?" asked Whitey, shocked.
"Didn't you call me for that?"
"Actually, I have another thing to tell you, but you can't tell Lucas about it"
"What the hell is happening in Tree Hill, all of a sudden?"
"Keith, I'm serious…"
"Fine, I won't say anything to him; though I doubt there's something that could make this day worse"
"What if I tell you that you have a third nephew, the same age of the other two?"
"I'd say that I hope he is not like old Nathan...wait… WHAT?"
"Karen had the same kind of reaction"
*******The Third Scott Brother*******The Third Scott Brother*******The Third Scott Brother*******The Third Scott Brother*******
Damn it, I fell asleep again…well, it's not surprising, since I don't even remember the last time that I slept peacefully Michael rubbed his eyes wearily, and realized what had woken him: someone was talking to him…it was a girl's voice…
"Uhm….what?"
"I said, are you ok? "
"Yes, thank you, I'm…"Michael stopped when he saw one of the most beautiful girls he had ever met, staring at him, concern in her green eyes; her blond hair were long and curly, her skin pale, and she was wearing a long sleeved black t-shirt, and a grey mini skirt. You may have just found a good enough reason to stay here, buddy…wait, I was saying something, right?
"..fine" he completed "It has just been…"
"A rough day?" she suggested.
"Something like that" Though it would be more appropriate to say two hellish months, but whatever…he smiled at the girl just a second before another girl started shouting.
"PEYTON ELIZABETH SAWYER! How dare you leave me alone to deal with the fire by mys…oh…I see" a brunette reached them, and flashed a wide smile at Michael, cute dimples visible on her cheeks "I didn't know you were looking for hot guys…it seems I've finally rubbed you off!"
"Ah ah ah, very funny Brooke…I just happened walking on…"
"It's Michael, and, I'm just guessing, you" he said pointing at the blond girl " are Peyton, while you're Brooke"
"The one and only Brooke Davis" the brunette said proudly, all of her body ( Her sexy body, Michael thought) was oozing confidence, her hazel eyes staring at him like she was challenging him, and all the world with him as well Thing are getting pretty interesting…
"As I was saying, I just walked on Michael, sleeping on the beach, and was making certain he was ok…"
"My, my, always so considerate, P. Sawyer…" Brooke smiled again while she observed Michael "I don't remember ever seeing you in Tree Hill before…are you new around here?"
"Just moved in, I'll start at Tree Hill High next week"
"Do you have some parents here?" Peyton asked.
You could say that "Hmmm…well, it's kind of a long story…besides" he grinned to both of them "A boy surrounded in mystery looks hotter, doesn't he?"
"Hmmm…in that case, we'll keep our secrets for ourselves, too" Brooke smirked "For example, we won't tell you that we're the two hottest girls in our sch…"
"Brooke!"
"What? You know it's true!"
Michael laughed, and stood up, rubbing his hands to get rid of the sand "Well, what about we start to know each other better while I offer you two something to drink?"
"We have…something to do…" Peyton said, and she and Brooke exchanged a quick look, the second holding something tightly.
"But you can come along with us…it won't take long…."
Five minutes later, Michael was watching a fire lighting in the darkness, burning the letters Brooke and Peyton have just thrown in; the two girls were holding each other's hand, and were talking; Michael managed to catch a "I hope it wasn't money…" from Brooke.
"Heart problems?" he asked, surprising both of girls; the first to answer was Brooke.
"How did you…"
"Well, it's not very subtle…"And I have a certain experience in the broken heart department…"So…are you two best friends?"
"Of course!" "Only when she's not a shopping-maniac" they said at the same time, and Brooke gasped at Peyton's words
"Oh Goldilocks, you're so in trouble right now!" she screamed, and jumped on her blond friend; soon the two were playing around the fire, laughing madly, while Michael stared at them amused.
All of a sudden, however, the two stopped, their eyes glued on something behind Michael; he turned around, and his heart stopped when he faced one of his brothers, Lucas Scott.
His hair were shaved, and he was staring intently at the two girls; something snapped in Michael Don't tell me…his eyes darted quickly back and forth Lucas, Brooke and Peyton Oh, come on, you got to be kidding me!
*******The Third Scott Brother*******The Third Scott Brother*******The Third Scott Brother*******The Third Scott Brother*******
Haley and Nathan were laying on the bed at Nathan's apartment, covered only by a blanket; she was resting her head on his husband's chest, recalling what happened a few moments ago.
"How can you be sure, because there is no one who thinks that this marriage can work." Haley was in the midst of a mental breakdown; even if she had kind of expected that they would have found some opposition along the way, but even Karen and her dad weren't sure of their marriage.
"I do, I promise you, Haley" Nathan answered her, his blue eyes brimming with love and confidence "I will always be there for you, I will always protect you, always."
Nathan wanted to speak more, but couldn't when his wife hugged him tightly, her lips crushing on his; he lifted her, and, while kissing, they moved to their bedroom…
She sighed happily, a little smile on her lips: it didn't matter what or who they would have to face, they were going to make it, together.
A while later, they were dozing when Nathan's cellphone rang; Haley heard him groaning "It's Lucas" he said, and she felt her body tensing: she still had to talk to Lucas about their marriage properly (they didn't have the time when he found out).
"Hey, Luke" Nathan greeted "If it's about Dan…ok, I'm listening…" a dead silence fell in the room; Haley turned on the light and saw Nathan standing near her, frozen "What did you just say?"
*******The Third Scott Brother*******The Third Scott Brother*******The Third Scott Brother*******The Third Scott Brother*******
Ten minutes before…
There she was, staring at him…God, it was so painful watching her, knowing that she was no longer his, that he had lost her, maybe forever...Why did he come back?
That was the question Lucas Scott asked himself many times in the trip back to Tree Hill; at the end, both him and Keith had decided to come back, for Dan's conditions, but they were both aware that they weren't going back to Charleston anymore.
He shook his head, and shifted his attention back to Brooke and Peyton, then to the boy that was standing right before them…he felt a pang of jealousy He's her…no, I have to stop thinking it Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward, and offered his hand to the stranger.
"Hi, I don't think we met before, I'm Lu…"
"Lucas Scott" the boy completed, much to the surprise of Lucas, but Peyton and Brooke as well.
"You know me?"
"I saw you only yesterday, at the game; before that, I've never heard of you…"
"Are you a basketball fan?"
"No" the boy laughed, but it was a laugh filled with tension "I'm a relative"
"I don't understand…"
"Maybe you will when I tell that my name is Michael Scott"
"Scott…?" Lucas's face paled while a sudden realization hit him "You mean…"
"I'm your brother."