Nathan grabbed his gym bag, carry on and regular luggage. They all sat neatly piled in a corner at the bottom of the staircase waiting for the driver of his limousine to arrive and place them in the car. Logan International Airport awaited them for an arrival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to take on the Bucks, the first of a series of away games for the week. On his way out of the sprawling five million dollar mansion, Nathan stopped in front of the den. It was a large room, decorated with dozens of the many trophies he had earned over the years but the highlight was the theatre size plasma screen TV built into the wall. On the screen was a familiar face and voice.

"…The Make A Wish Foundation makes it its daily mission to greatly enrich the lives of children with life threatening conditions. How proud I am to be affiliated with this great organization. It is with much pride and pleasure on behalf of my husband, Daniel Scott and our son, Nathan Scott and the Tree Hill Memorial Charitable Foundation Inc., that I present to this donation in the amount of 500 thousand dollars."

There was Deb Scott in all her glory doing what she did best. Not a single hair nor the make up was out of place. She looked absolutely terrific in her designer business suit. It was the image Nathan had grown up with. It seemed sometimes he saw more of his parents on television than at their own house. That was the best part about getting out of Tree Hill. As a Celtic, Nathan had purchased his own luxurious dwelling on the beautiful beaches of the Cape. It was one giant play house bachelor pad filled with every gadget and toy any man could want. But for Nathan it was much more. It was his sanctuary. It was the one retreat where he could go and block everything out…including his parents. But once again, that seemed impossible. Haunting him like ghosts, their images were always there, even if only through the television. Breaking his train of thought, Nathan stepped further into the room, noticing for the first time his sister in law, clad in a silk, pink robe, lounging across the sofa.

"She's wonderful", she said, thinking out loud.

Nathan shrugged.

"That's just her addiction. Some people have to drink or use drugs. Mom can't stop saving the world."

"And that's a bad thing?"

"Not necessarily."

"Who cares why she does it. A lot of people get helped and that is the most important thing."

"I guess but better her than me."

Brooke rolled her eyes.

"That's the spirit. Glad I married the good brother."

He couldn't help but smirk.

"Good is okay but just remember bad is better, Brooke. And speaking of our so called better half, where is my brother?"

"Having breakfast in the kitchen…"

"Cool."

Nathan began heading in that direction.

"…With your dad."

He stopped dead in his tracks.

"With my what?"

It was Brooke's turn to smirk.

"Talk about things that go bump in the night. Daddy In Law Dearest took the red eye late last night for a visit while your mom is in L.A. doing charity work. Got in right after you went to bed."

"Great", he rolled his eyes.

"Oh it gets better. Trust me. Dan didn't even unpack his bags. Want to know why? I know you do so I will gladly tell you. He's getting ready to fly to Milwaukee…with you."

"You love this, don't you?" he folded his arms.

"Makes for a hell of a morning, Superstar."

"Yeah, yeah", he muttered, dragging his feet as he trudged towards the kitchen area.

Sure enough in the dining room, sat Lucas Scott. And across the table was their father.

"…The greatest game ever, son. You would have been proud of the Old Man. 52 points, seven assists, 10 rebounds and two blocks for the sweetest victory in the history of victories in double overtime."

"Still reliving the glory days?" Nathan shook his head, grabbing a water from the refrigerator.

Dan smirked.

"Ah, the prodigal son returns. My legacy lives on through you…that is, if you think you can handle it."

"Dream on, Dad."

"We'll see in tonight's game. I'll be watching from the VIP box."

"I know where you can get a much better view. How about the living room of your house in Tree Hill?"

"My boy, the basketball player and the jokester. Nonsense. There's no time for a hot breakfast so grab some fruit and let's get out of here. Wouldn't want to miss that plane."

"The plane is charted and that means it doesn't leave without me."

"You mean us?"

"Come on, Dad…"

The early morning confrontation with his father was the last thing Nathan had expected or wanted.

"Actually, I think it's a great idea", Lucas chimed in.

Nathan shot him a warning look.

"Who asked you?"

"Nobody asked me, little brother, I was just volunteering a little information, that's all."

"Well, don't", Nathan said as he turned to leave, in dismay that Dan had beat him to the punch.

"You know, I really don't see the big deal about Dan coming to your game. It's not gonna kill you to be around the guy for a day. As a matter of fact, I was thinking about going myself."

"What the hell is this?"

"Not feeling the family support?" Lucas raised one eyebrow.

"To be honest with you, man, hell no. I mean, what the hell? First Dad and now you too? What the hell?"

"Nate…"

"I know what you're doing so you may as well stop this shit. I don't need a babysitter."

"The hell you do."

Nathan just shook his head.

"Back off, Luke."

"Is he gonna be there?"

"Why? Not that it is any of your business anyway. I mean, dude, what's your hard on for him?"

Lucas stood his ground.

"Should I make any bets tonight?"

Nathan just sneered, knowing full well which direction the nature of the conversation was headed.

"Depends. You feeling lucky?"

"Look, I'm just trying to help. Believe me, I'd love to get off your ass. One day, you're gonna thank me for this."

"Well, not today."

"One day, man. Trust me, one day."

Before Nathan could respond, his cell phone rang.

"Yeah?"

"Number 23, the Great White Hope…or should I say Hype", came the voice from the other end of the line.

Nathan turned his head, lowering his voice from the intrusive ears of an over protective older brother.

"Yeah, man, what's up?"

"Talk to me, player. Just wanted to know what's up for tonight? I mean, we're still good, right?"

Nathan looked first at the concerned brother who would never understand, then across the way at the father that would.

"Yeah", he said before hanging up the phone. "Game on."