He stood at the free throw line and without even looking, sank the sweetest shot in the history of all free throws. It was a sweet play but one rather arrogant, some might say. It was only befitting. Arrogance was Nathan Scott's middle name. But there was no roar from the crowd or excited commentary from the announcers. There was only the swishing sound of the basketball net, followed by silence…two of Nathan's favorite sounds.

He dribbled the ball on the luxury court of his custom built Cape Cod mansion, the iron gates and brick walls, the only thing that truly brought the young superstar privacy. His face was on lunchboxes and commercials. Young men idolized him and young women wanted him. He was a household name and many assumed they knew him, the real Nathan Scott, mostly from the overbearing press that always had the latest gossip on the NBA's hottest and most sought after superstar. Watching in awe his impeccable athletic pedigree, many assumed they had him all figured out. But they were wrong. Few knew the real Nathan Scott.

If scandal had plagued him throughout his adult life, an early and eerie inkling perhaps was the scandal he was born into. His father, Dan, had been a star power forward for the University of North Carolina. Recruited from Tree Hill High School, the all American golden boy had held his head high, accepting a full basketball scholarship and ignoring the not so subtle whispers about the hometown cheerleader, Karen Roe, he had gotten pregnant. Shocking all with a shotgun wedding to his pretty and newly pregnant blonde college girlfriend, Deborah Lee, the NCAA's most promising rookie was suddenly a father of two at the tender age of 19.

The oldest of the two children, a son named Lucas had lived a sheltered and modest life in Tree Hill raised by a working, single mother. The younger of the two, Nathan had grown up in the lap of luxury, the spoiled spawn of a college Tarheel turned professional Atlanta Hawk and his socialite bride. It would take 16 years for the two worlds to collide when a reluctant Karen finally decided to let her only child finish his last two years of high school with the retired father he only knew from television and legend.

If Lucas was the quiet, thoughtful, intellectual, his younger brother was the complimenting opposite, a fiery, free spirit with a cocky attitude and unforgiving smirk. The two had formed a relationship, striking an unexpected but nevertheless brotherly bond. It was as if Lucas was the guardian angel, always looking out for his little sibling, keeping him away from trouble. It was guidance Nathan had lacked growing up. It was guidance he desperately needed.

It was not a shock when announced by the media friendly Scott family at a press conference that Nathan was forgoing four years of academic and athletic college eligibility to dive straight into the hustle and bustle pressure filled atmosphere of the NBA. While Lucas married his high school sweetheart, Brooke Davis, and quietly attended Columbia University to eventually pursue a career in journalism, Nathan chose to live life on the wild side in the eye of the public. Party after party, shenanigans after shenanigans, his handsome face and love for the ladies often landed him the main subject for tabloid fodder. He'd even managed a few minor arrests for DUI and a whopping ten thousand dollars in unpaid parking tickets. His every move was watched and scrutinized by the unrelenting media, interest only intensified by his own quickie Vegas wedding to a sexy brunette former stripped by the name of Asher. For those that watched and read about the hunky Boston Celtic's every move, it was easy to surmise they all knew him. But who really knew the real Nathan Scott?

"Nate…"

Nathan sunk another shot in his court before turning his attention to the voice calling out to him. He smirked as he caught his own rebound, twirling the round ball on the tip of his finger for good measure and a little showing off.

"You come out here for a game of one on one?"

Lucas Scott chuckled as he thrust his hands in his pockets. Those glory days of high school basketball were long behind him.

"Maybe later, little brother. Actually, I came to talk to you."

"About?" Nathan questioned, balling up and down the court.

Lucas sighed heavily out loud.

"I think you know what this is about."

He didn't have to say another word. Always the protector, looking out for his younger brother, desperately trying to make up for 16 lost years gone wrong. But Nathan didn't want to hear it. The last thing he needed was a lecture about life and the last thing he wanted was to think about his. Day after day it was like watching a movie, only it was real and in that cinema Nathan was the main character. All he had to do was look at the news. They always had something to say, whether it was awe and praise for his scoring 72 points single handedly in one game or the paparazzi stalking him on a late Saturday night at all the trendiest L.A. hotspots.

But did they know him? Did any of them really know him? Did they know what he was thinking and feeling? Did they have any clue about the method behind his madness? Did they know his thoughts and fears? Likes and dislikes? Did they even care?

He smiled as the ball bounced. Just a stupid basketball. But that ball was his life. His profession, his passion, sometimes his very reason for being. Did they understand that? Did they want to know more? Most of the time they didn't, not even his own parents, friends, and brother. But that was fine with Nathan. He was tough. He'd had to be his whole life, after all he was Dan Scott's boy. But he was tough. Tough in the face of competition, tough in the face of adversity, tough in the face of tragedy.

He was a bad boy in every sense of the word. He lived the high life with a fast reputation that he more than lived up to. But there was more to the story. It wasn't just the fans and the reporters. Others were watching him as well. They had questions and suspicions. Yes, there was more to the story than living it up and partying. "They" were watching and "they" wanted answers. Answers about his possible criminal activity, answers about his family's shady business dealings…answers about the untimely and strangely circumstantial death of his wife.

"Whatever it is, dude, you might as well just save it."

"Nate…"

Letting the cool night air blow against his face, Nathan ran the length of the court with the ball expertly tossed between his calloused fingers. He had the footwork and the feeling, coming to an abrupt stop at the free throw line. He sank the shot again without even looking, an NBA Nathan Scott trademark that always drove the fans wild and wanting more.

"Nothing but pure net", he smirked. "Gets them every time."

Lucas couldn't help but smile. Arrogance was an understatement when it came to his brother but so was greatness. For one so young, his talent was certainly living up to the Scott name and the expectations that came with it.

"You always have to show off, man?" Lucas shook his head with a grin. "I mean, would it kill you to look straight ahead while at the free throw line? Hell, just once?"

"Been making that shot since I was ten years old, Luke. It's like I was born to do it or at least that's what Dad says."

Lucas sighed. That "D" word. It still made him feel uneasy. He had gotten to know their father over the years. Without a doubt Dan Scott was a true talent and respected legend. He loved his family. But there was another side, a darker side.

"Funny you should mention that", Lucas scratched his head. "About Dan…"

"You just flew in, bro. Why don't you go relax? Have the cook make your favorite meal. Go chill out in the Jacuzzi."

"Nathan…"

"I don't want to talk, especially about Dad or…"

"You need to stay away from him, both you and Dan."

"Who?" Nathan pretended to play dumb.

Lucas just rolled his eyes.

"You know who. Don't get cute with me, man. This isn't a game anymore. This dude isn't to be messed with. You're in over your head, both you and Dan. You better quit while you're ahead or…"

"Or what?"

"Or else."

Nathan laughed out loud.

"Thanks for the concern, Luke but I've got it under control."

"Do you?"

"Sure do", he attempted another shot.

It was no use. It was like pleading to a brick wall. A six foot two, dark haired, blue eyed, stubborn wall.

"You aren't scared of anything, are you?"

Nathan shrugged.

"Nope."

"Somehow I don't really believe that."

Only he saw through the real sadness and emptiness in Nathan's heart and his eyes..

"Believe what you want", Nathan replied, seemingly unphased. "No fear."

"Why not?" Lucas couldn't resist.

The net made another swishing sound.

"Because we're Scott's."

"Nathan…"

"I'm gonna go in and shower. I'll meet you later for dinner."

"But Nate…"

"I've got to go. Besides, isn't Brooke waiting inside?"

Lucas exhaled. She sure was and she surely wasn't happy. The bubbly but impatient dark haired beauty loved her husband with all her heart. She loved him for his heart and his do gooder ways but even she had her limits. Nathan was stubborn and so was Dan. And they were both grown men. Even with trouble and possible danger clearly ahead, why was it her own husband's duty to save the world, particularly his family?

"Yeah. Um, yeah, I guess she is."

"So I'll see you inside?"

"Nathan…" he tried one last time.

Nathan just gave him that look and a nod.

"I'll see you inside, Luke."