Author's Note – Hi there guys. So I know that it's been like far too long since I've updated and I'm sorry for that. This chapter has been one of the hardest for me to write. But it's finally here and I hope that I have done it justice.

Nobody's Fault But Mine

Chapter 18 – You've Got to Go There to Come Back

As soon as Lucas entered the station he was met by Tina. Her expression was frantic. "Did you know they were bringing in my brother?" she questioned, a sob caught in her throat.

Lucas took her by the arm and into an available room to spare her from more inquisitive glances that co-workers had been giving her. He felt bad for Tina. Throughout the entire case against Antonio Garcia she had always had his back. She had put her own career on the line for him. She had broken rules and now as she needed reassurances he was at a loss as to whether he could give her any.

"I know that he's been brought in for questioning in connection with the case," he told her honestly.

Tina sank down into a nearby chair. "Nick's a good guy Luke," she began but her eyes where clouded. "He had to drop out of college earlier this year. He was training to be a doctor but it all became too much. Our dad walked out on us and mom works all hours. Nick had to work to support his education. He had a break down. Since then he's been working these dead end jobs and he's been unhappy. He took a job at one of Antonio Garcia's clubs. He fell in with the wrong crowd. He's been doing drugs."

Lucas looked at her then. The implications of what she was saying hit hard.

"He was just supposed to be taking some time off. He was due to go back to college next year." She sniffed as she wiped her eyes on her sleeve. "He's not capable of this Lucas."

Lucas took a beat then. On Mitch's instruction he had stopped by Pete Reynolds office for the CSI's report on Donnie Richards. What he had also found out was that Nick Saunders's DNA samples could place him at the scene of both Mickie Evans and Donnie Richards's deaths. The outlook didn't look good.

"Look Tina whatever your brother has done......"

She bit her lip and turned to face him. Her eyes were red and her face blotchy from crying. "Just level with me Lucas, he's in a lot of trouble right?"

"Yeah, he is. I'm sorry Tina. We have enough evidence to place him at the crime scene." He patted her leg, at a loss of what else he could say or do for her.

Lucas found Mitch Cassidy watching Nick Saunders in the room adjoining Nick Saunders's interrogation room. The young man on the other side of the glass was pacing back and forth in the small space. He certainly seemed agitated as he ran his hands through his reddish brown hair and kept throwing glances at the mirrored wall.

Mitch took the report from Lucas's hands and began to read through it.

Lucas moved to the one way divide to study the man. "Does he look capable of murder to you?" he asked out loud. He in his heart didn't believe he did. To have done what had been done to Donnie Richards you would have to have been a cold blooded killer. The person on the other side didn't appear to be that.

"When do they ever look capable," Mitch retorted cynically. They both knew enough to know by now that there was not a specific stereotype. "But no I don't believe he did it. So you ready?"

Mitch and Lucas entered the room and the suspect turned to face them. "It's about time," he spat. "I know my rights you know."

Lucas calmly took a seat and motioned for the suspect to do the same. Nick pulled out the chair to sit and began fidgeting. "I didn't do anything." He watched as Lucas slid over pictures of Donnie Richards which had been taken at the murder scene. He saw traces of disgust pass over Nick Saunders's face.

"We have two witnesses that place you at the scene Mr Saunders," Lucas told him matter of factly.

Nick put his head in hands. "I didn't have anything to do with this," he murmured. "I was just following orders."

"Orders from who?" Lucas asked.

Nick shook his head. "I'm not talking."

Lucas pushed over more pictures. This time they were taken from Mickie Evans's apartment. "You know," Lucas said, "we have forensic evidence that connects you to both of these murders. Samples of your skin were found under Mickie Evan's finger nails. Same as with Donnie Richards."

Nick looked even more uncomfortable then. He knew he was in far too deep and the realisation was hitting him hard.

"You're a bright kid," Lucas continued in effort to get through to him. "Your sister told me that you want to be a doctor. Would be a shame to give that all up."

"Mr Garcia. That's who gave me the orders," the boy said then. "Look I only started out as a casual driver. It was just meant to be big money fast. And it sure as hell beat working in fast food places and bars. I'd do jobs for Mr Garcia like driving his guys around and things like that. Then as I proved myself reliable he had me do more."

"Like what?"

"I'm not answering anymore of your questions," he was starting to lose his nerve as he shuffled his feet. "You know what happens to people that talk out against Mr Garcia? If I go down for this my life is over. But at least I have one. If I talk to you then I'm as good as dead."

"It doesn't have to be that way," Lucas countered. "If you help us with our investigations then we can protect you."

With a sigh Nick continued on begrudgingly, "I helped with the abduction of Mickie Evans. He owed money. I picked him up and some of the guys roughed him up. He fought against me when I was getting him out of the car, he scratched me. But we took him back to his apartment afterwards. We didn't kill him it was just a warning. I was only the driver and it was my first big job. Then after that Mr Garcia trusted me more. He had me follow his girl and then run her off the road."

Lucas held his tongue at the precise moment. His protective instincts danced through him.

"So we can add hit and run to your colourful resume," Mitch said then.

Nick cast his eyes at Mitch, who had up until then been silent throughout the entire interrogation. "So he does speak then."

"Donnie Richards fight you too?" Mitch asked then and Nick nodded.

"So what's going to happen to me?" Nick asked.

"You're going to write us a statement," Mitch said confidently.

"Uh uh, I can't do that." His eyes were wide with fear.

"I'm going to level with you Nick," Mitch approached and set his palms down on the wooden table between them. "I don't think that you're capable of this. But trust me if you stay quiet there isn't a judge or jury in this city that is going to say squat about putting you away for a very long time. And these guys that you are protecting they will let you rot. You are on your own Nick. You want to get out of this you better start co-operating."

Nick ran a hand through his short hair as he looked at Mitch, "what makes you think I trust you?"

"Because of right now we're the only chance you got."

"There's a deal," Nick said after careful consideration. "Next week. It's real big. Mr Garcia has a lot invested in it. I have the details. If you promise me I won't be sent down and that I can go to a safe house I'll help."

"Good choice," Mitch passed over a legal pad and a pen. "Write it down."

-- --

Peyton huddled further into Lucas's leather jacket as she and Nathan walked through Central Park. The winds were chilly for a late autumn day but with the low sun it was beautiful. She'd just come from the hospital after having her cast removed. Despite the fact that she was legally protected she was still hesitant to venture out alone particularly after what had just happened to Donnie. But having the opportunity to hang out with Nathan gave her mind welcome distraction. She and Nathan had quickly slipped into an almost sibling relationship.

"I love the leaves this time of year," she mused. "Reminds me of home."

"Yeah," Nathan agreed, reminiscing of Tree Hill's main street in the fall. "So me and the guys kind of miss you and the club," Nathan ventured then. "I passed by and it was all boarded up."

That hit Peyton pretty hard. She wasn't surprised that Antonio had retaliated in that way. He was angry at her and knew how much she had loved having her own place. It wasn't like she could really go back but it still saddened her. "It kind of sucks how one person can take so much," she murmured.

As they reached the basketball courts Nathan was then accosted by two pre teenaged fans who begged him to sign their ball and requested a picture with him shooting for the basket. Peyton had taken a seat at a nearby bench as Nathan showed the kids his signature "fade away" move that had won him many a championship.

"You want to try a free throw," he asked as she sat watching.

"I guess." Peyton shrugged as she took hold of the orange ball. "How hard can it be right?"

"Ok Sawyer let's see it," Nathan jested as he crossed his arms.

Peyton stepped up to the basket mimicking the stance she had seen from Jake many a time whilst they were growing up. She tossed the ball into the air and missed completely.

"That was pathetic," Nathan chided after he had gone to retrieve the ball.

"Guess I could always try the granny shot."

"Nah there's a trick to it." He placed it back in her hands. "Let's try that again. Square your shoulders to the basket push up with your right hand and flick your wrist just before you throw the ball."

She followed his instruction and whooped when it went in.

"Alright. Nice job," he grinned. "Now you'll never miss."

They continued to walk after Nathan had returned the ball to the supporters. "So does the great Nathan Scott ever miss a free throw?"

"Nah. Dad used to have us shoot fifty free throws before dinner otherwise it was no dessert. That's one thing I can take from him, he worked me so hard that I can shot them in my sleep."

"Us," she enquired. "So Lucas played too?"

"Yeah we played Junior Leagues together. Dad thought his basketball pedigree would be inherited by both his sons. But dad got more and more regimental as we got older. He liked to rule by the fear of god you know. It kind of sucked the fun out of it for Lucas."

Peyton nodded sadly.

"Come on," Nathan said then giving her shoulder a light squeeze. "I'll buy you a coffee."

-- --

Just two hours from returning from Central Park Peyton answered the frantic knocking at the door to a distressed looking Nathan. "Are you ok?" she asked worriedly as she stepped aside so he could enter the apartment.

"Is Luke here?"

"Yeah. He just got back," she motioned to the room behind her. "He's just changing...." she broke off as she heard Lucas's footsteps.

Lucas's face fell as soon as he saw Nathan. "Nate? Did something happen to Haley? Or Jamie?" His mind had already processed several different scenarios.

"Its dad," the younger Scott brother answered with a shake of his head. "He had a heart attack Luke."

Peyton watched as Lucas's posture changed in a split second. He squared his shoulders and folded his arms tightly across his chest.

"He had to be taken from the prison hospital to the City's Memorial hospital. They told me he's in a really bad way. He's in critical condition." His eyes met with Lucas's icy blue ones. "Haley's waiting in the car."

Lucas shook his head. He couldn't bring himself to care about Dan Scott. "I'm sorry Nathan."

"Luke," his voice was pleading "the doctors said he might not even pull through."

"No I've moved past this. I cannot do this"

"He's unconscious Lucas. He might not even make it. Maybe for once you could forget the past and remember that you have a father."

"You weren't there Nate," Lucas said then. He uttered the words even before he had time to process them. "You didn't have to stand by and watch and hear everything our precious father did." He didn't blame Nathan, he never had done. He was sincerely grateful that his brother wasn't burdened by the memories that he carried with him every day. But right now he needed Nathan to back off. He didn't want to be questioned or coerced.

"He's still our dad."

"No. He stopped being our father a long time ago."

Nathan turned and headed for the door as he begrudgingly admitted defeat. He cast a brief look at Lucas before he left.

Lucas felt his temper getting the better of him and grabbed hold of the nearest thing at his disposal and threw it at the wall. As the glass shattered and Peyton started he instantly felt awful. His father was able to exert such a powerful hold over him even now. He moved silently into the bedroom not wanting her to see him reduced to this state.

-- --

Peyton knocked softly at the bedroom door a couple of hours later. After his display of anger she had swept up the broken glass and had waited for him to calm down and collect himself. "Is it safe to come in yet?"

Lucas lay flat on his back staring at the ceiling. However once he was aware of her presence he pulled himself up into a sitting position.

"Sure." He gave her a sad smile. He felt terrible his earlier actions, knowing that he had frightened her. He watched as she sat on the edge of the bed tucking her legs beneath her body.

"Are you ok?" she asked gently.

"I guess. I'm sorry Peyton. I didn't mean to scare you. I just hate that man so much."

Peyton ran her hand over the arm of her sweater. It saddened her to see what the evils of one man had done to fracture his own family. She had always seen Lucas as gentle, kind and incredibly protective of her and his family. Even as he had squared off against Antonio he had done so as a protector. The way his whole persona changed as he reacted to Dan was haunting.

"You think that I should go don't you," he asked then as she remained quiet.

"It's not my place to say." She couldn't imagine what Lucas must be going through. She had been hurt but not by her own flesh and blood. She could almost see the conflict and confusion that was coursing through Lucas.

"Come on," he attempted a little smile. "I know you well enough now to know you have an opinion on more or less everything. And we've been through enough to be honest with each other."

"I guess I just think maybe you need to be there for your brother." What had happened to Lucas was terrible and she more than most people could understand why he found it so hard to forgive and move on. If placed in the situation Peyton believed she would act in very much the same way. But she cared for both of the brothers. "And I kind of think you need to be there for yourself. Family's important Luke."

"I want to be there for him Peyt," Lucas wiped harshly at the stray tears that coursed down his face."It's just hard. What he did to my mom. I can't forgive him for that."

"Luke," she offered in a quiet voice as she cast her mind to the demons of regret that haunted her. "When my parents died it happened so quick. I didn't see it coming. And that was probably the worst part. That I never got to say goodbye and tell them how much I loved them. It just happened and then......I just think maybe at the very least you owe it to yourself to say goodbye."

Silence held the room for several long minutes before Lucas spoke in a ragged breath. "Will you come with me to the hospital?"

"Of course I will." She enveloped him into a hug, attempting to give him some sort of strength. Once they had broken apart Peyton pulled the jacket back around her body and Lucas grabbed his keys. Then they left.

Lucas was in a daze as the two of them took a taxi to the hospital. It was as if he wasn't in his own body as he walked through those sliding glass doors. He was only partly aware as Peyton had asked a nurse behind the reception desk where Dan Scott's room was. Then with a hand placed on his arm she had led him to the elevator.

The last time Lucas had spoken to his father was right after he had been discharged from the hospital following the stabbing. His uncle Keith had come down from Charlotte to help take care of his own brother's family and had sent Dan packing. His father had even tried to speak to him, to make some sort of an attempt at an apology. Lucas hadn't wanted any of it. He still didn't.

All Lucas was conscious of was how his mind replayed the last time he had seen Dan. Dan had been standing in the docks as he was sentenced. He had set his dark eyes upon Lucas before he had been taken away. He didn't know what he would think or feel as he saw Dan Scott now in this present day.

As the elevator doors pinged open Peyton reached for Lucas's hand and they moved out onto the ward together. Nathan and Haley were sitting in the waiting area as they approached. Lucas was weak at the knees by the time his brother hugged him.

A/N Well I hope that you liked it. The next chapter is half done and should be up a lot quicker.

Thanks to everyone who reads this story. Bye for now :)