Find Our Way Back

Chapter 3

If You See Him/If You See Her

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these OTH characters, as much as I'd like to. And none of these songs are mine.

Author's Note: The song featured in this chapter is " If You See Him/If You See Her," by Brooks and Dunn and Reba McEntire.


If you see him, tell him I wish him well.
How am I doing?
Well sometimes it's hard to tell.
I still miss him more than ever.
But please don't say a word.
If you see him.
If you see him.

Lucas Scott said in the living room Wednesday morning watching "Finding Nemo," yet again, with his nephew Jimmy. He looked at the little boy, who was a carbon copy of his father. Not only did he look exactly like Nathan, but he had Nathan's confidence, charm, and the Scott 'I'm-not-doing-anything-wrong' grin.

If you see her, tell her I'm doing fine.
And if you want to, say that I think of her from time to time.
Ask her if she ever wonders where we both went wrong.
If you see her.
If you see her.

Lucas knew they were lucky to have Jimmy in their lives. He could barely remember life without Jimmy. But it didn't mean those times were forgotten. Nathan and Haley we still together, and still happy in those memories. He knew that neither of them had been genuinely happy since they split.

Oh, I still want her.
And I still need him so.

He thought about Nathan's phone call the night before.

Lucas looked at the caller id, Nathan. He'd been expecting the call, "I wondered if I'd hear from you today."

He heard a small smile in Nathan's voice, "Well, I've been calling the same day for five years."

"Yep, it is Tuesday," Lucas knew damn well it was more than just a Tuesday.

"That's not what I meant. Today would've been 10 years," Nathan paused, "Wait, it's Tuesday?"

"Yes."

Lucas heard tapping on the keyboard, "Where is she Lucas?"

"You're not even going to look?" They had this conversation almost weekly. Nathan would search the internet for Haley, get no results, then call Lucas. Sometimes he's beg for details, but those times were far and few between now. Mostly he'd just casually bring it up in conversation.

"I'm doing it now," Nathan responded. "But you can save me the time."

"Nathan," Lucas sighed, "you know I can't do that." He waited for a reply. After what seemed like forever he asked, "Nathan?"

"Yeah, fine, whatever."

Lucas knew something wasn't right, "Are you okay?"

"It's her," Nathan whispered.

"What?" Lucas was confused. He thought about Haley sitting across town. Then he remembered her song.

"She's on the radio. It has to be her," with that Nathan hung up on him.

Lucas was worried about him, just like any big brother would be. Nathan wasn't the same strong person he was back in high school. Haley had brought out the good in him. When she suggested they separate, Nathan tried to be strong, but everyone knew he was hurting. And then he devoted all of his energy to convincing her to stay.

Oh, I don't know why we let each other go.
If you see her, tell her the light's still on, for her.

Lucas woke up to a pounding on the front door. Crawling out of bed, he decided to see who could be at the door. He wasn't surprised to see Nathan, but he was surprised to see him smiling, "It's too damn early bro."

"She's staying," Nathan beamed.

"Really?" he couldn't believe Haley had changed her mind. "Where's she at?" Lucas wasn't sure why, but he had a strange feeling.

"At home. She wanted to unpack."

"Are you sure?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing. Sorry," but Lucas knew he'd worried Nathan.

"Oh well, I'm going to be with my wife."

Lucas had gone to their place later to find Nathan sitting just inside the door, crying. Haley had lied, and left. The once strong man was now broken and hurting. He'd never been the same since.

Nothing's changed, deep down the fire still burns, for him.
And even if it takes forever, say I'll still be here.

He also knew Haley wanted Nathan back. Or at least that she still loved him. She insisted on watching all of his televised games, and followed his career obsessively. But she didn't want Nathan to know where she was or to know about Jimmy. She didn't even allow Lucas to talk about Nathan when she was around. He didn't understand her, or agree with keeping his brother in the dark. But, those were her wishes, and as a friend, he had to respect that.

If you see him.
If you see her.

Lucas heard a knock at the door, "Just a minute!" Looking at Jimmy he said, "Uncle Luke has to get ready for work. Why don't you have Aunt Brooke get you dressed to go to school."

"Okay," and the four-year-old ran out of the room.

Lucas opened the front door, "Nathan."
If you see him.
If you see her.