Chapter Four

The sinister look in her eyes told him all he needed to know. The woman was up to no good and was probably thinking of ways to hurt him or even worse, his son. But then again what if she was looking for something more?

What if she was out to wreak havoc on the life he had built with Deb in her absence?

What if she came back to reclaim Lucas and take the boy away from him and the only mother he ever knew?

What if, her own life so miserable that she would take pleasure in destroying his, theirs?

There were so many possible reasons why she was back in Tree Hill and apparently stalking them but no matter which one was the woman's true motive he knew that he was in for a rough time. That nothing good was going to come of it, of her. But he didn't have time to worry about it now. He had to get the boys to school and himself to work.

As he made his way to the car he didn't remove his eyes from hers, not for one second. He may have been weak and venerable when she left him all those years ago but life had put him through some tough times, making him stronger and thicker skinned and if Karen Roe thought that she was going to come after him or steal his son away from his family then that bitch had another thing coming.

The second he opened the car door Nathan and Lucas began questioning him. He tried to remain calm and not frighten the boys but it was becoming increasingly difficult and the fact that he was still moving around anxiously wasn't helping.

Looking over his shoulder as he backed out of the driveway he tried to spot the woman again to make sure he wasn't hallucinating but when his eyes were only met with the landscaping of his neighbors front yard he breathed a sigh of relief. However he wasn't naive enough to believe that she was gone. No, she wanted something and she wasn't going to leave until she got it but he was extremely happy to be rid of her, at least for now.

"Are you sure that you're alright Dad?"

"Yeah you look totally spooked" added Nathan as both he and Lucas studied the elder Scott.

"Don't worry boys, I'm fine"

"Dad come on you're a horrible liar and even if you weren't that look of "I just saw a ghost" would give you away so just spill"

"There's nothing to talk about Lucas" Dan sighed in frustration "I just thought I saw someone but I was mistaken so there's nothing to worry about"

The boys gave each other a knowing glance as they pulled up in front of the school.

"If you say so Dad, anyway it's time for me to grace my loyal subjects with my presence"

"Gees Luke, that didn't sound conceited at all" snickered Dan. His son definitely wasn't lacking any self confidence.

"He's not conceited Dad" Nathan said with a roll of the eyes "Luke's just being honest"

"Damn straight" replied the boy in question as he checked himself out in the car mirror one last time.

Dan laughed. His boys were something else. One was a wise cracking know it all who thought too highly of himself while the other was simply a living, breathing replica.

"Come on little brother our court awaits" Lucas spoke as he pushed the mirror back up and grabbed his bag.

"Hey Lucas don't forget to let your little royal kingdom here know that their king is forbidden to leave the castle for a month"

Lucas paused for a moment before turning to his father amusedly "You just had to ruin it for me, didn't you?"

"Yep, it's what I live for" the man spoke with a grin "Now remember your Mom will be picking you two up after practice. I expect both of you to be here at five sharp because if she has to come looking for you there will be hell to pay"

"Yes Dad" the Scott brothers said in unison.

"Good now get your asses out of my car"

"Oh can you feel the love Luke?" said Nathan as he and Lucas exited the car.

"Yeah and it's practically suffocating me"

"Bye guys"

"Later Dad"

As their father pulled away, Nathan and Lucas starred after him, both getting an uneasy feeling about their earlier conversation.

"Hey man, what do you think is going on with him?"

"I don't know Nate but something's definitely got him scared"

"Should we ask Peyton to drop us off at his office after school?" question the younger boy as he turned to his brother.

"Na, we have practice remember"

"Yeah but I'm worried Luke. I've never seen Dad so rattled before"

"I know what you mean" Lucas sighed. His father's earlier actions made no sense to him what so ever. The man was always cool and in control but today he was so…anxious. "Listen the second practice is over for you meet me on the field and we'll call Dad to see if he's still in the office and if he is we'll have Mom take us there. I figure if he doesn't want to tell us what's going on at least she'll be able to get it out of him"

"Bet. If anyone can get Dad to talk its Mom" replied Nathan as the pair walked over to where Peyton, Haley, Tim, Brooke, Jake and Mouth were sitting.

"Well, well if it isn't the Scott boys" remarked Mouth as he stood up and bowed.

"How may we serve you today my lords?" questioned a sarcastic Haley sending a meaningful glance in the younger boy's direction.

"Well" replied Nathan with a smirk "You could start by giving me a kiss and we'll take it from there"

Haley all too willingly complied.

"Aww how cute, Natty-Nate's got a girlfriend"

"Shut up Dim" commanded Lucas before giving Peyton a kiss "Besides you're just jealous"

"Oh please. I am not"

"Right Tim. Now does Nathan know about the major boy crush you have on him or is that still just between us girlfriends?" teased Brooke as Jake pretended to be kissing on a pillow.

"Oh Nathan, how I love thee" added Peyton with her hands held over her heart.

"This is so uncool yo. Why ya'll dissing the Tim like this for?"

Lucas laughed and put his arm around Peyton's shoulder "Now, now guys leave little Timmy alone"

"Thanks Luke" replied Tim, happy that his and Nathan's hero was sticking up for him.

"Besides just because Nathan is with Haley doesn't mean that your prince charming won't come along some day"

The group erupted in laughter.

"Alright guys that's enough" Nathan spoke finally coming to his friends rescue.

"Thank you" said a grateful Tim as he threw a threatening look in the direction of the others.

"Listen up party people" Rachel spoke approaching the group with Skills and Bevin following close behind "Here's the deal, my parents are skipping town for the weekend which means there will be a bash at my place, for the social elite only of course"

"Of course" added Brooke "So dose this little shing ding of yours have a theme"

"I'm so glad you asked because yes it does. It's totally 70's inspired. We're talking bellbottoms, plat forms, beads, afros, printed shirts, halter tops and anything else you can think off"

"Including the coolest kids you know from the freshmen class?" said Haley as Nathan put his arms around her waist.

"Sure, but just you two and the guys from the team"

"No doubt. The Tim's gonna be in the hizzy for shizzy"

"Just say you're gonna be there Tim" Nathan spoke slightly irritated while everyone else just shook their heads.

"When do the festivities start anyway?" questioned Mouth.

"Eight o'clock sharp" replied Rachel as the group began to make their way inside.

"Cool"

"So is everybody's coming right?"

A chorus of yes's erupted from the group but there was one voice that was noticeably absent.

"What about you Lucas?" asked Brooke.

"Unfortunately I'm gonna have to sit this one out"

"Why?"

"Well someone had the bright idea of getting me drunk on a school night and doing certain activities before dropping me off at home where Mommy dearest happened to be waiting. So needless to say she wasn't too happy to see her drunken son walking through the door at one am"

"Ouch, sorry" replied Peyton as they stopped in front of her locker.

"It's ok. I had an amazing time with you last night so not seeing the light of day for a few weeks is fine by me"

"Really?"

Ah there it was that smile of hers he loved so much.

"Yeah really"

"Good because I have an amazing time every second that I'm with you" she spoke in a soft whisper before giving him one of her trademark kisses that always managed to take his breath away.

When they broke apart Lucas nearly jumped out of his skin as Nathan's face was within inches of his and Peyton's. Plus the creepy grin the boy was wearing wasn't helping any.

"Nathan, what the hell?" snapped Lucas, annoyed by his younger brother's interruption of his moment.

"I knew you got some" he smiled.

"Eww Nathan!" yelled Peyton as the rest of the group laughed.

"Dude you're such a perv" replied Lucas before slapping his brother in the back of the head as yet another day at Tree Hill High began.

Dan collapsed into his chair and finally let out the breath that he had been holding in all morning. The meeting went very well and now the merger was practically a done deal and he couldn't be happier. He had worked so hard to make this happen and now that his dream was a reality he felt as if he were on top of the world.

He picked up the phone and immediately dialed Deb's work number. He paced back and forth as he waited for her to answer.

"A plus advertising this is Marcy at the main switch board speaking. How may I help you?"

"Hi there Marcy this is Mr. Scott. How are you doing today?"

"I'm wonderful Mr. Scott. How are you?"

"I'm great is my wife available?"

"Sure one moment"

Dan could hardly contain himself as he waited for the woman to answer the phone and when she did, he blurted everything out.

"This is President Deb…"

"I did it baby! You're talking to the President of Scott & Ford"

"Oh my God Dan, sweetie this is amazing! I knew you could do it. Oh baby I'm so proud of you. We have to celebrate"

"Yes we do. In fact I think Saturday night would be perfect. We'll fly my parents out tomorrow morning and have a family dinner at the Club"

"Umm aren't you forgetting something dear?"

Dan sighed "We'll invite your parents too"

"Thank you sweetheart"

"You do know that I'm only doing this because I love you"

"Oh come on Dan, my parents aren't that bad":

"If you say so honey" he laughed.

A knock on the door prevented him from commenting any further.

"Hold on one second Deb. Come in" he shouted to the new comer.

His assistant Jason poked his head in and entered once Dan motioned for him to do so.

"Hello Mr. Scott I have someone here who would like to personally congratulate you on the new merger"

"Great show them in"

The man nodded before quickly exiting the room.

"Dan?"

"Oh hey honey, there's someone here so I've got to go"

"Alright I'll see you at home then"

"Ok"

"I love you"

"Love you too angel, bye"

Dan hung up the phone before sitting down behind his desk and starring out the window. The day had stared horribly with the apparition of Karen haunting him but now things were looking up. His meeting went perfectly; the merger went off without a hitch and now all he had to do was wait for the final documents to arrive. To top things off he had an unexpected visitor here to wish him well.

Suddenly the sound of his office door closing forced him to break from his thoughts and greet his new guest.

His eyes twinkled and his mouth turned upwards as he spun around to face his visitor.

That's when it happened.

The color disappeared form his face, the twinkled in his eyes grew dim and the joy that he was feeling became replaced by hate, fear and loathing.

She smiled a poisonous grin that tainted his spirit and sent a burning sensation coursing through his veins.

He knew that she loved his reaction.

"Hello Danny. What no hug? No kiss?" she taunted him with a cold voice that not even he wasn't used to.

This meant war.

She couldn't just walk into his office and disrupt his world, he wouldn't allow her too. She had stolen a piece of him a long time ago and there was no way in hell he was going to let her break him this time.

If she wanted to fight him, then so be it.

Dan swallowed hard and clenched his fist, prepared to do battle as he locked eyes with Karen Roe.