Disclaimer: I don't own it.

Authors notes: please read and review.

Rating: M for language, violence and sex

Chapter six:

James Lucas Scott sat indian style on the hardwood floor the the Tree Hill high schools gym. This place was some sort of heaven and he loved it when his Uncle Lucas brought him here. Lucas had rolled the TV and VCR out of the closet and the two watched all of the Ravens last season game tapes.

" So, what do you think, J-Luke? " Lucas asked, standing up and turning off the TV.

" I think you're in trouble. " Jamie told him, shaking his head sadly.

Lucas nodded. " I think you're right! "

The Ravens certainly did suck and it would take a lot of work to get them back where they should be. There would definitely be a lot of two a days and they would have to start from scratch, meaning conditioning and learned how to shoot. Lucas was seriously beginning to wonder what the hell he got himself into.

Pushing the video equipment back into the closet, he brought out a small basketball hoop with a tiny ball. Placing it at one end of the court, he tossed the ball to Jamie, taking the opportunity to look the kid over. There was no doubt that Jamie was Haley's child, he had the majority of her looks just with his brothers eyes and mouth. He already had Nathans talent for basketball and the passion.

Last year, Lucas had torn his ACL and was on the disabled list for the rest of the basketball season, so he and Jamie would spend most their time was ESPN while Peyton and Haley were at work. One night, they were watching Duke play Texas state and Jamie became entranced by Nathan, the way he played and glided across the court, he listened closely as the announcer rattled off Nathan stats and what NBA teams were interested him, which basically were all of them. By the time Haley had come home, Jamie had a new idol and his name was none other than Nathan Scott.

Lucas could remember the guilt he felt when Haley had come home and Jamie recounted every detail of Nathan to her, finishing with ' his last names Scott too momma, maybe we're related. ' but to her credit, Haley gave him a smile and followed that statement with a ' maybe you are'. As much as he tried to apologize, she would hear of it, saying it was good for him to look up to his dad, even if he didn't know that's who it was. Haley encouraged Lucas and Jamie to watch Duke games, and keep tabs on Nathan even if on the inside it was killing her.

" See if you can make five free throws in a row. " Lucas told him, watching as Jamie walked up to the line Lucas had taped on the ground.

With his back turned to his uncle, Lucas looked at the small replica Duke jersey with the number 23 that Haley had Brooke make him for his birthday. Lucas watched on with pride as Jamie hit all five free throws in a row on his first time, not realizing that he wasn't the only one watching.

" Nice. " A deep male voice said from behind them, causing Lucas to freeze but Jamie to whip around.

The boys eyes got wide with excitement and began running forward but Lucas reacted quickly, scooping him up before he could reach the stranger.

" You're Nathan Scott! " Jamie yelled excitedly.

Nathan smiled. " Yes I am. You know me? "

Lucas set Jamie down, but held him securely in place.

" You're like only the best basketball player ever. " Jamie stated matter of factly, blind to the fact that Nathan winced at that declaration.

" Make that the second. " Nathan smirked and Jamie tilted his head confused. " You were looking too good out there not to make the list. "

" Jamie, why don't you go to my office and draw out some game plans on my board. " Lucas suggested, never taking his eyes off Nathan.

" But Uncle Lu... " Jamie began but was quickly cut off by Lucas.

" Go and then maybe before he leaves, Nathan will autograph your basketball. " Lucas told him.

" Sweet! " Jamie yelled before taking off in the direction of Lucas' office.

" What are you doing here, Nate? " Lucas asked, stepping closer to his brother.

" Seeing my son. " Nathan said, shrugging. " And too kick your ass for not telling me about my son. "

" We're not doing this here. " Lucas told him, his jaw clenching.

" Not with Jamie around. " Nathan agreed and he before he could stop himself he asked. " Why didn't you tell me Luke? I deserved to know, didn't I? "

" Haley made me promise not too tell you. " Lucas answered and when he saw the angry look settle on Nathans face. " She didn't want you to come back to her just because you were pregnant. You made your choice and it wasn't her. If she told you she was pregnant and you didn't come back, then that meant you were just like Dan and she didn't want to ever believe that. "

" I was stupid, so stupid. I let Dan convince me that was I was doing was right for me and Haley and by the time that I realized how wrong I was, pride wouldn't let me come back. " Nathan admitted, walking over and taking a seat on the bleaches. " Now here I am six years later, on the verge of divorce and with a son I never knew about. "

" Just give her the divorce Nate, she's held on too long and now it's her time. " Lucas tried to reason with him.

Nathan shook his head. " I'm not giving up that easy and I am damn sure am not giving up my rights to my son. "

" Tell you what, I'll play you for it. " Lucas told him, watching as Nathan looked up at him with shock in his eyes. " The river court tonight, if I win you sign the papers and go away. "

" Lucas, you were injured all last season, I am in my prime. You won't win. " Nathan told him, with a shake of his head.

" All the more reason for you to play me. "

" No, I lost my family to basketball once before, never again. But I'll tell you what, meet me at the river court tonight and take your ass kicking like a man. "

Lucas nodded. " I'll be there. "

" Good, now get Jamie back out here so I can sign his ball. Don't worry Uncle, I'll play fair and won't say a word to him about being his daddy. " Nathan promised.

" You're his hero, you know. I figured it was a bad idea to let him watch your games but Haley insisted it was okay. She said it was good for him to be proud of you, because she was. Jamie may not know you're his dad but he worships the ground you walk on. Even after all this time, so does Haley. Don't be stupid and hurt her again, Nathan. "

As promised, Nathan signed Jamies ball, continuing to praise his free throws and encouraging him to keep up the good work and left without uttering a single remark about being his father.

Haley's breath caught in her throat as Jamie showed her his autographed basketball but never faltered as she pretended to share his excitement. Lucas and Peyton, however, could sense her panic and discomfort. She expected a fight but she never expected him to come to Tree Hill and this soon.

" We're supposed to meet at the river court tonight to fight. " Lucas rolled his eyes, recounting his run in with Nathan to both Haley and Peyton.

" I'll go. " Haley spoke up, causing both Lucas and Peyton to look over at her in surprise. " This is my mess and I should be the one to clean it up. "

" I helped. " Lucas assured her, ready to deal with his little brother.

" No, Luke. I will go tonight and you stay here. " The way she said it left no room for argument.

" Haley... " Peyton tried, but was cut off by her friend.

" I know you guys are only trying to protect me and I love you for it but I have to deal with Nathan myself. What time are you supposed to meet? "

" Midnight. " Lucas answered, still not wanting her to go in his place.

" Great, so I have time to put Jamie to bed and still make my coffee date with Dave. " She smiled but there was no happiness behind it.

Checking her watch, she knew it was time to get Jamie ready for bed. The began their nightly ritual with a bath and brushing his teeth before climbing into her bed and reading whatever book fit their mood, she would read a sentence and then he would, they would go back and forth. She started teaching Jamie to read early on, he was intelligent for his age.

After he had fallen asleep, she took a quick shower before dressing in tight blue jeans and a plain t-shirt, wearing her dark hair down and straight and finish off the outfit with sandels. She was thankful they were just having coffee at Karens and she really didn't have to get dressed up, especially since she was meeting up with Nathan directly afterwards.

Before leaving, she assured Lucas and Peyton one last time that she would be okay. She loved them for worrying but they needed to quit.

Dave was already at the cafe when she arrived, she noticed that he was absent mindedly playing his the silverware in front of him.

" I was beginning to think I was being stood up. " He teased, leaning over the table and brushing a soft kiss against her cheek.

" I would never. " She replied, rolling her eyes but smiling all the while.

" Have you eaten? Are you hungry? " Dave asked and she shook her head.

" I had dinner with Jamie, Lucas and Peyton but if you're hungry, go ahead and eat. " She assured him.

She liked the comfortable feeling that settled over them. Dave was so easy to talk to and he damn sure was nice too look at. She could see them doing this a lot in their future but she knew she had to take care of her loose ends before she could do that.

" So when do I get to meet Jamie? " Dave asked, catching her off guard.

" Eventually. I just want to be sure that you and me are going somewhere before I bring you into his life. He's just so little and I don't want him to get attached to anyone who isn't going to be sticking around. " She explained, hoping that it made sense to him.

To her relief, he said he understood. He told her he had been raised by a single mother himself, and recalled the countless men that came and went out of his life and praised her for wanting to protect her son.

" Did you know your father? " She asked him, then seeing the pain look flash across his face, instantly regretted it.

" No, my mother kept me away from him and by the time that I got old enough to make the choice for myself he had passed away. " He answered, turning his gaze away from her.

She knew that she shouldn't pry but with everything going on in her own life, she needed to know.

" Do you resent your mother for it? For keeping your father away? " She prodded and she could sense him tense up further.

" I guess. My father wasn't a bad guy they just couldn't get along and I guess she felt that since he didn't want her, that he didn't deserve me. " He told her, shrugging.

" I am so sorry. " She said and she meant it.

Dave seemed like such a great person, she couldn't imagine him going trough it at such a young age. It made her think about what she was going through with Jamie and Nathan.

" So, tell me about music. " Dave said, changing the subject.

" What do yo want to know? " She asked, smiling as his mood brightened.

" Why did you stop recording? " He questioned and she thought about it for a minute.

" My husband. " She answered simply, it was her turn to break his gaze, staring out the window instead. " I had recorded with Chris Kellar and Nathan didn't like that. He thought Chris was just trying to get into my pants, turns out he was right but I had gotten this amazing offer to go on tour with the wreckers, Gavin DeGraw and of course Chris and Nathan told me if I went we were over. "

" So, what happened? " Dave prodded. Taking a sip of coffee.

" I didn't go but Nathan got this offer to go to Oak Lake academy, I gave him the same line he used on me, you go and we're done and he went. " She admitted and it broke her heart all over again.

" And when did you find out about Jamie. " Dave asked, and she turned her gaze back to him.

" Three weeks after he left. I sent him letters,trying to tell him about the baby but they all got returned unopened, so I just let it all go. "

" That sucks. Nathan sounds like an idiot. " Dave told her, reaching over and grabbing her hand. " I never would have left someone so sexy in the first place. "

She couldn't help but laugh, inwardly feeling good about the comment he had made.

They sat there talking until close to midnight, he had told her about growing up in Texas and she recounted tales about her family and growing up with Lucas and her other friends, careful not to bring up memories of Nathan. It surprised her how well they meshed.

Peyton and Lucas laid curled up on the couch, enjoying the silence. The TV was on but on mute, sports center was showing. Normally Peyton would complain but tonight she didn't care, with everything going on, she wanted to just relax with Lucas' embrace.

An image flashed across the screen and she bolted upright cause Lucas just jump up as well in alarm.

" That's where I know her from! " Peyton exclaimed, watching as ESPN showing Nathan and Duke when the NCAA championship last season, Nathan had a tall red headed girl wrapped up in his arms, hugging her tightly. The girl smiled proudly up at Nathan.

" Who? " Lucas asked, confused.

" That red headed bitch, Nathans girlfriend. She was here at the apartment building this morning. " Peyton explained, causing Lucas' mouth to run dry.

Nathan paced back and forth, checking his watch every ten seconds. He was waiting on Lucas so they could get this over with. It was a long time coming and Nathan couldn't wait to give his brother the beating he deserved.

" He's not coming. " A soft voice spoke from behind him, causing him to whirl around.

For the first time Nathan Scott and Haley James Scott were face to face and the air was thick around them.

" I told him not to come. You're not mad at him Nathan, you're mad at me. " She told him, walking til she was mere inches from him. " You should deal with me and leave everyone else out of this. "

" He's seen me, he should have told me. " Nathan told her, his voice coming out weak.

" I tried to tell you but you couldn't even open and envelope, so I made him promise not to utter a single word to you. " She replied, her voice strong. " He wanted you to know but he promised. "

" I never got the letters. " he explained.

" It doesn't matter anymore. " She responded. " It's been six years, just let me go. "

" I hear you're dating. " He told her, and watched as her eyes widened.

" I am. " She admitted slowly.

" I'm not. " He said. " I haven't been with anyone since you Haley. I love you! "

" It's been six years. " She repeated. " Let me go. "

" Can you say that you don't love me? " He asked, and saw her close her eyes against the eternal struggle going on inside of her.

":I will always love you Nathan, you are the father to my son. " She told him slowly. " But I held on to you for far to long and now I'm done. "

" I want to know our son. " He told her, turning his attention away from them and onto their child.

" For a long time, I thought it would be best to keep you away from Jamie but after talking with Dave... " She trailed off, as Nathan looked up in surprise.

\

" The boyfriend? " He questioned softly, holding his breath.

" I don't know, we've just had a couple dates. " She answered honestly, " Anyway, he made me realize that it would be good for Jamie to know you. "

" I met him today. " He told her, figuring her already knew. " He seems like a great kid. "

" Thanks. He couldn't stop talking about how the great Nathan Scott signed his basketball. He's going to flip when he finds out you're his father. " She mumbled, wishing she knew just how Jamie would react to this news.

" I just want you to know, I will do whatever it takes to win you back. I've got two months to prove to you that we belong together. " He warned.

" It's funny that you mentioned you're deadline, don't think I don't notice that it's only two months before you move on to your first love. Face the facts Nathan, you and I are over, the sooner to realize that, the sooner we can both move on. "

" Hales... " He trailed off as she held up her hand.

" Don't. You can meet Jamie and we'll work something out for you to see him but our relationship is over. "

And with those parting words, she walked away.