Chapter 31

Soldier

la ra la ra ra ra, la ra la ra ra (x2)
Where did all the people go?
they got scared when the lights went low.
I get you through it nice and slow,
when the world's spinning out of control.

Afraid of what they might lose
might get scraped or they might get bruised.
You can beg on what's the use
that's why it's called the moment of truth

I'd get it if you need it,
I'll search if you don't see it,
you're thirsty, I'll be your rain,
you get hurt, I'll take your pain.

I know you don't believe it,
but i said it and i still mean it,
when you heard what i told you,
when you get worried I'll be your soldier.

Funny when times get hard,
at the last moment when it's supposed to charge,
we are always on the longest yard,
oh they feel their feet get cold.

Hiding here, hiding there,
find them underneath the stairs,
people hiding everywhere,
trying to be still like a stone.

My aim is so true,
I wanna show you,
I'll try forever,
I'm never gonna say "surrender".

I'll be your soldier
I'll be, oh I'll be your soldier
I'll be your soldier

La ra la ra ra, (4x)

Gavin Degraw

Jack had wandered around Tree Hill for the last week. He hadn't gone to school, Sam's or even the diner. It was in high hopes that Peridox wouldn't find him that he basically hid. His days were filled with mental flashes of his past life. His brother X, Sam, the Scott's. How had things gotten so messed up? After Peridox came to the school that day Jack knew he had to find a way to protect Mrs. Scott. She and her family had done so much for him. These were bad people and they had strong connections to some even more dangerous people. Jack had always hated it that his brother had gotten involved with the gangs in Tree Hill like he had. 'Didn't X see that it was no way to live?'

As he sat on the bleachers at the Rivercourt he thought back to the day he had made his decision.

Flashback

Jack walked into the huge house he was currently living in. When he made his way into the kitchen, he saw Mr. and Mrs. Scott standing at the stove in a loving embrace, kissing. He shook his head and cleared his throat so they would know he had come in the house. Sometimes it seemed as though they were in their own little world. He couldn't help but wonder if he'd ever feel that.

Nathan and Haley smiled at each other as each stepped back just a little. "Jack, what are you doing home so early?"

"Ah… I need to talk to you both. I have a problem and I don't know what to do" Jack said as he looked everywhere but at Nathan and Haley.

"Ok. Let's go into the living room and sit down." Nathan told the young man.

Julian knocked on Brooke's door. While he waited for her to open it he ran back through his speech that he had prepared. After several minutes the door finally opened. Julian knelt down on one knee. "Brooke Davis, will you marry me?"

"Julian" Brooke began.

"No Brooke, don't. Don't give me anything but a yes or no answer. I've tried every way I know how to let you know I love you. I'm in love with you Brooke Penelope Davis and I want you to be my wife. I want to grow old with you, take care of you and hold you in my arms every night then wake up to your gorgeous smile every morning."

"I don't know Julian" Brooke said as she turned to move back to the couch in the living room.

Dan Scott had been down to the local diner for lunch. He picked up a news paper from the stand on his way out. His shocked eyes couldn't believe the headline. On the front page was a picture of his daughter in law. There was an article about her suspension and the allegations made by a student. Dan could only shake his head and stare in shocked awe "There's no way in hell this can be right."

Lucas walked through the Tree Hill airport. He saw his brother standing there waiting to pick him up. Nathan smiled and when Lucas made it to him they clasped each other in their usual guy hug.

"How's Peyton?" Lucas asked.

"She's fine" Nathan smiled.

"Thank you little brother" Lucas said as he tightened his grip on his brother's hand.

"Ah yeah. Lucas I don't know how to tell you this but it's Haley we need to worry about" Nathan said. Lucas' eyes searched Nathan's in an effort to find some meaning behind his words. For the first time Lucas could see the worry in Nathan's features and the dark circles under his eyes. It appeared his brother hadn't been sleeping much if at all recently.

"What's going on Nathan?" Lucas asked.

"Jack moved out. He's staying with Julian" Nathan stated.

"What? Why?"

"Lucas, Haley's in danger and it's all because of Jack's brother Xavier"

"Ok let's sit down" Lucas said.

Dan Scott had been digging into what happened to Haley all morning. He knew there was no way in hell she had done what she'd been accused of and he'd get to the bottom of it if it was the last thing he did. He had managed to find out that a teenager had been staying with Nathan and Haley since the school shooting. That teenager had a brother named Xavier that was knee deep in the Tree Hill underground world. After talking to Jack, Dan made his way to the park. When he found the man that he was looking for he walked up to him. As he got there he heard him say " Ok yeah Dimitry I got it. No man I'm on it, but don't forget I'm going to need some help from you in return"

Peridox hung the phone up and noticed the man that was sitting down on the bench beside him. He turned to look at him with a scowl, hopping the guy would get the message and find another seat.

"You know this is a nice park" Dan smiled. "My grand kids play in this park. I don't like low life's like you hanging around here. It doesn't allow me to have that warm and fuzzy feeling that my grandchildren are safe here"

"Mmm must be the two ugly kids"

"No my grandchildren are anything but ugly. Unlike you! Especially when I'm done with you" Dan smirked.

"Is that some kind of threat? I don't do so well with threats!"

"Relax. It's not a threat. It's a promise that if anything happens to my grandchildren or my family I'll kill you. Do you understand?"

"You know the people I run with are dangerous people old man. You should watch who you talk to like that" Peridox smiled just before walking away.

Dan shook his head. He had managed to find out this guy was pushing the teenager that had been staying with his family. He had even made threats against Haley according to Jack when he talked to him. Dan had no choice but to get involved. He couldn't let anything happen to Haley. He had just recently learned she was pregnant again. She had already given him two beautiful grand children and now was in the process of a third. He had a lot of time to think while he was in prison. After Nathan's visit and him telling him that he was letting go of him, Dan had been determined to make everything up to his son. He knew how fiercely Nathan loved Haley and Dan had come to think the world of her himself. When he had heard this morning that she was about two and a half months pregnant with their third child Dan could only smile. 'Nathan has done so well for himself'.

Lucas stared at Nathan in disbelief. "Wait Nathan. I'm lost. Jack came to you with this?"

Nathan nodded his head. "Yeah. He came to us and told me and Haley that a guy from the gang had approached him and made some threats towards Haley. He blames Haley for X's death and wants to avenge it."

"But I don't understand" Lucas said shaking his head. "How on earth did he end up accusing Haley of sexual harassment?"

"Lucas that was my idea. After we talked to Jack I knew we had to do something to get Haley out of that school. The principle and all involved are aware of what's going on."

"But Nathan her reputation as a teacher is ruined." Lucas said with concern.

"Luke it won't be when people find out the truth but if it is I don't care. I've got to keep her safe! Can't you see that?"

"Yes I do I just never thought it would require something like that" Luke said.

Nathan walked into the house in search of his wife. "Hales?..." he moved up stairs. "Haley?" Nathan walked in to their bed room. "Haley? Where are you?" He continued to search the entire house. He couldn't find his wife anywhere. As he moved to the kitchen he grabbed his phone from his pocket and called her cell. It rang several times before the voicemail picked up. "Hi you've reached Haley James Scott, congratulations. Leave a message" Nathan pulled up the contacts and hit Brooke's name. He waited or her to answer.

"Hello?" Brooke said

"Brooke it's Nathan. Have you seen Haley?"

"Not since this morning we met at the café for breakfast. Why?"

" I haven't heard from her all day. When I got home her car is not here and she's not picking up her cell."

"She said she was going to the pharmacy to pick up her prenatal vitamins and then she was going to your Mom's to get Cammie and then pick up Jamie from school."

"Ok I'll call Mom and see if she's seen her. Thanks Brooke"

Nathan dialed his mother's number and waited. He was starting to get discouraged and Deb finally picked up.

"Hello?"

"Mom, have you seen Haley?"

"Not since this morning. I've actually been expecting her to come pick up Cammie all afternoon. Why is something wrong?"

" I don't know" Nathan sighed. He knew it wasn't like Haley not to be where she was supposed to be when it concerned the kids. He couldn't stop the panicky feeling he was getting. With each phone call he made it increased. No one had seen his wife since this morning. Where in the hell could she be?