When Two Worlds Collide

by Mara93

Two brothers fated to be enemies, but when their worlds collide and one of them faces a shocking revelation, life will never be the same. Who will survive the fallout? What new relationships will develop?

2. Chapter 2

When Two Worlds Collide

This chapter is another mild T rating.

Chapter 2: Escalating

Working near his uncle, who was checking out a new engine for a mustang convertible, while he was putting a new tire on a small Toyota, Lucas Scott enjoyed himself. It would be quite surprising to most people that a teenager would be enjoying himself as he worked in a car garage, but it was the company that made the atmosphere feel so right.

Uncle Keith. There was barely a day Lucas could remember that he hadn't seen or at least spoken to his uncle. He had been there when he had been born, watched as he took his first steps, been the one to insist on removing the training wheels on his first bike, and even yelled at him when he had curiously held a magnifying glass and some paper underneath the sun's glare, and nearly started a fire in the backyard.

Yes, Uncle Keith had been there for all of it. A shame it was his brother that was in actuality Lucas's father. At least Lucas saw it that way. He'd give anything to have his real father be Keith and to have him and his mom-

"Lucas, hey…Luke…you listening to me kid?"

Lucas looked up from the new tire he was in the middle of putting on the Toyota, his blue eyes peering at his uncle with a bit of confusion. "Huh?"

Keith Scott laughed, his easy temperament showing itself right away. "I said, will you hand me that screwdriver…man Lucas…you falling asleep on me? Maybe I should put the new tire on. Wouldn't want it to fall on you."

Lucas shrugged sheepishly. "Naw, I'm okay. I just…Uncle Keith…"

"Yeah…Luke…" Keith was already back to work on the engine.

"You were there…when I was born…right?"

Keith smiled, remembering that moment. How anxious he had felt at the hospital before the birth…and then holding his new little nephew in his arms…as his real father worked on getting another woman pregnant. Keith grimaced, his wavy light brown hair in front touching the frown lines on his forehead. That really wasn't fair. He knew Dan hadn't wanted either to be pregnant, but whereas Lucas was something…someone… he thought he could forget about…even Karen…Deb and Nathan were two who he chose to take responsibility for, marrying Deb just months after finding out she was pregnant.

Meanwhile, Keith had been the one to look out for Karen. After his brother had found out she was pregnant and made it clear that his basketball career and college were what was most important for him, that he couldn't handle having a child while he was still in high school…that their relationship was going to have to end…it had been Keith who had refused to leave her side.

Of course, she hadn't known the truth. Keith didn't know if she ever would. He wasn't sure if he would ever feel confident enough to tell her…the truth…his feelings.

"Hey…Uncle Keith...look who's off in la la land now!" Lucas laughed.

And Keith laughed too, good naturedly making a face at his nephew, the son he thought Dan was a fool to have abandoned. "Yeah Lucas…I was there. I told you before, I took your mom to the hospital and…I helped her with the Lamaze, believe it or not."

Lucas smiled, taking a rag and wiping his hands with it before he would make the mistake of wiping them on his faded jeans. Yes, they were old, but his mom hated when he got grease on his clothes, said it was impossible to get out in the wash and that it dirtied everything else up.

"And you didn't faint?" Lucas kidded his uncle.

Keith made another face at his adolescent nephew. "No Luke…I didn't faint, even though you were pretty damn ugly when you first entered this world…all red and a scrunched up face making you look like a dried up prune."

Lucas rolled his eyes as his uncle laughed, and then tentatively spoke his next words, bringing the conversation to a more serious place. "And Nathan…was you there when Nathan was born?"

Immediately Keith grew more sober. Nathan. It wasn't the kid's fault, not at all, but the truth was Keith had spent very little time with him. He was his nephew too, but sometimes Keith felt he was more an acquaintance than family. It wasn't something he was happy about, but the situation…everything had been so tense and uncomfortable when Nathan had been born. And Keith had never been able to deny it, how angry he had felt with his brother for accepting one son and totally abandoning the other. Yes, he had been young, younger than Keith of course, and he had that personality, that one that had made him the golden boy in school. All the girls had loved Dan Scott, wanted to go out with him…wanted to have sex with him…and Keith…

Well, he had mostly lost touch with friends from school. He had gone straight from school to working on cars. And as for girls…well it seemed that they had mostly wanted someone like his little brother. They wanted the all American good looking guy who played all the sports and had every ounce of arrogant confidence that was maintainable. And that had been fine with Keith. He hadn't really cared much for any of the girls Dan had brought home anyway. He had considered them all flighty and too self indulged.

And then he brought Karen home one day…

Simply to desert her when she had needed him most.

At the time Keith had raged at his younger brother. How could he just abandon her like that? She wanted to have the baby…it was his baby…it was his responsibility…it was his child…his flesh and blood…

And yet…

Dan gave her up…and so Keith had taken over. He pledged to Karen shortly after that he would be there for her, that he wouldn't let her down…that he'd do everything he could to help her…and her baby. She was family…the child would be his family…and even if Dan didn't want her…want them…he did. But he hadn't told her the truth…not all of it anyway…just how much he wanted to consider her…his…family.

So the day Nathan had been born, Keith had visited, but…it had been short. He hadn't held the baby as long as he had held his other nephew. He hadn't longed to bond with the child the way he had with Luke. It wasn't Nathan's fault though…really it wasn't. He had been as much a miracle as any other baby.

It was just…

Keith felt in a way it was hurtful to Lucas and to Karen for him to be heavily involved in Nathan's life. Heck, he hadn't even wanted to like Deb at first. He had been so sure she would be just one of those frivolous girls Dan had liked to date. It had been to his surprise to find out she was nothing of the sort. It hadn't taken long for him to start actually liking the strong career minded blonde woman Dan had chosen to be his wife. And not only was she strong, but also sensitive to others, right away proving how much she cared about helping people, right away seeming so different from Dan, yet so…right for him. It had just happened…they clicked…they complimented each other.

Finally Keith answered his nephew, doing his best to put away his feelings of the past. "Yeah…I was there."

Lucas looked away from the tire, feeling his uncle's eyes on him. Standing up now, he faced him steadily. "And…"

"It was…oh man Luke, you know I always try to be honest with you. It was…kind of strange…and awkward. Your father was mad at me then-

Lucas interrupted bitterly. "For not being the bastard he was, and actually standing by my mom…helping her… while he went and got another girl knocked up?"

Keith put an appeasing hand on his nephew's shoulder. "Luke…look it's a lot more complicated than you understand. And Deb…Nathan's mother…Luke, she's a good person. She's a good mother. Heck, your mother is friends with her. And your Dad-

Lucas cut through viciously. "He's NOT my dad. He never will be. As far as I'm concerned I don't have one." Though he wished he did…he wished it was his uncle.

Keith closed his eyes for a second, nodding his head. What Lucas didn't know was that his dad had pretty much expressed the same sentiments about him…saying he would never really be his son. Keith remembered he had been so furious with his little brother that day that he had punched him hard enough to knock him down…wishing it would knock some sense into him. It hadn't. Dan had still yet to admit that what he had done to Lucas and Karen was wrong…to ask his son for forgiveness.

Keith turned to Lucas now with comforting eyes. From the time Lucas had really begun to understand what had happened, Keith had seen it…the hurt…the betrayal…the resentment. It was hidden deep, deeply in the boy's heart and soul, but it was there…and Keith had been one of the few persons who had been able to see that deeply enough to witness it. "Lucas, I'm sorry. I know this isn't easy for you. But you asked and so…like I said…yes I was there when Nathan was born, and I was happy to see him well and taken care of, but truth is, I don't know him that well. Dan and I haven't always had the easiest relationship; even though I love him…he's my brother. And I haven't really ever spent that much time with Nathan…not like I do with you."

Lucas smiled a bit, though talking about his brother…made him feel…

He didn't know what. He had asked…and he couldn't help it. There was a part of him that didn't want to know Nathan, that didn't want to care…and there was another part that remembered that one day, when they still hadn't known their connection…when as kids they had joked, laughed and…played…played basketball with such joy…and understanding. When they had just…connected…felt an affinity with each other that neither could really understand, and yet it was something they had never felt with anyone else before…something…indescribable…yet very real.

And then…

Dan Scott came…and ruined everything.

As far as Lucas was concerned, the guy was a total loser…an unforgivable S.O.B…and the monster of his nightmares.

"Lucas…" Keith eyed his blonde haired nephew with worry. It was there, that haunted expression Lucas got when he was thinking of…

Lucas shrugged his dark thoughts away, focusing on his uncle again. "Sorry Uncle Keith…just kind of drifted off there."

Keith just nodded his head, not commenting on what he had noticed. "Sure. Look Luke, I know it's not easy for you now, being part of the team, the Ravens and being faced with your brother and…dealing with the looks people give you, and the pranks, but I know too just how smart a kid you are. You act a lot older than your age…you have a sense about things…and I know you can get through all of this, even the stuff with Dan…and be all the stronger for it."

Lucas smiled, his eyes that had always watched everything carefully, showing a bit of happiness. "Thanks Uncle Keith."

Keith smiled back, giving Lucas a reassuring hug, and then a slap on the back as he pulled away. "Your Welcome…" And then got business-like again. "Now get back to work!"

Lucas just laughed, setting back to toiling with that tire.

{}

"Nate…hey Nate!"

Nathan turned to his friend as they walked away from the go cart racers at the Tree Hill Golf Arcade, just one of the places the teens from town hung out at. Just one, but actually it wasn't like there was much more…Tree Hill was a small town that Nathan mostly liked, though sometimes he found its size a bit stifling…and boring. "What?"

Tim shook his head. What was with him today? "What's going on with you Nate? All the way to lunch you were acting like you've had something on your mind. And then when we were racing... Man, I'm shocked you didn't even crash. Don't tell me you're anxious about the game against the Cowboys."

Nathan laughed shortly, zipping up his blue nylon jacket halfway, the chill of the morning still slightly there. "Don't make me laugh Tim. It would only take two of us to beat all of them…with our eyes closed even. Heck, even Lucas could get a basket off them."

Tim laughed too now, wondering what interesting little prank they were going to come up with next for newbie Lucas. It was even more fun that he was Nathan's brother…Nathan's unwelcome brother meant that the pranks went way beyond what they normally engaged in. "Okay, if it isn't that, then you mentioned your brother…uh…him…is that it?"

Nathan made a sour face. "Half-brother, and the last thing I would ever do is spend a morning wasting my time on thinking of him…even for a second."

Tim stopped off at a bench that faced the mini golfing course, sitting down on the top part of it. He watched as Nathan followed suit, sitting next to him. Who did Nathan think he was kidding? He was constantly thinking of ways to get back at Lucas. But if dear old brother wasn't who was on his mind now… "Okay…Peyton?"

Nathan shook his head. "No way. Peyton and I are cool. I mean she's not even like most girls, doesn't even have a problem with the physical stuff…which makes everything great."

Tim smirked. "You mean you get all the sex you want, right?"

Nathan laughed dryly. "Man…and Peyton calls me crude sometimes. How many girls you been out with in the last week?"

"Don't know. Better not to keep track."

Nathan shook his head in response, letting out a low whistle.

"Oh come on Nate; it's not like you're some saint. How many girls you went out with before Peyton? And don't tell me you haven't been tempted since. I bet you've even cheated on her."

Nathan said nothing at first. It was true, he wasn't a novice when it came to taking a girl out and…well…having some fun. And even after Peyton he hadn't stopped looking entirely. It didn't seem much of a big deal anyway. She wasn't the jealous type. But when you came down to it he hadn't cheated on her…and he didn't plan to. Whether Tim believed it or not, he did care about Peyton…just…well sometimes when he really thought about it, which was rare, he realized that they didn't really know each other that well…didn't really seem to understand each other.

That was okay though…for now anyway. "I haven't cheated on her Tim, so don't even suggest it. I don't need you starting trouble between us."

Tim put a placating hand on Nathan's shoulder. "Hey, I wasn't…man you're riled up, but if it isn't about Peyton or your dear half brother, then I'm kind of stumped what it is. Your dad?"

Nathan sighed, turning away from his best friend since almost grade school. Tim knew pretty much all there was to know about Nathan's dealings with his father, knew just how domineering and insistent the man could be.

"Or is it your mom?" Tim brushed back a strand of his light brown hair from his face as he waited for his friend to answer. It was typical for Nathan to brag and boast, but when it came to opening up, really opening, up the guy could keep things sealed up with a padlock.

Nathan still didn't answer, thinking of something else entirely…thinking of earlier that morning…

Thinking of Miss Haley James…

{}

"Hey Haley Baley, what's going on in that little mind of yours?"

Haley shook her head, but also couldn't keep from smiling at her older brother's pet name for her. She turned around to face him from her seat on the couple of steps that led to the patio area of their backyard. "Brandon, are you ever going to stop calling me that?"

He laughed, sitting down next to her.

And Haley smiled once again. Brandon James was her older brother, by about three years. But even though they had a considerable age difference, she had always considered him one of her favorite four siblings. Since they had been kids they had hung out with each other constantly, and even though most older brothers would consider a little sister tagging along a big pain in the neck, Brandon had always acted as if their time spent together was special.

She sighed now as she felt his arm come around her shoulders. He was only home for a long extended weekend, and would soon be away again, back at Med School. She was so proud of him, but she also missed him so much sometimes.

"Is it Lucas?"

Haley looked up suddenly, her light brown eyes showing question.

Brandon just smiled. Yes, she had always enjoyed hanging out with him, but he still remembered how after she had met Lucas in kindergarten, how things had kind of changed. Little by little she had spent more time with him than her brother. He had always liked teasing her about the friendship, but recently he had noticed just how much his little sister had started liking her blonde haired friend, the quiet crush she had developed on him. "Come on Haley, you know you can't keep anything from me."

Haley's brown eyes were questioning as she looked up at her older good looking brother. He had been blessed with looks that could make girls come hither, and his utter dedication to his choice of field had seemed to make him only more wanted. Haley still remembered all the girls who had come over when she was younger, asking for help with their homework from someone so smart. That was the story anyway, one that Haley had never believed. She knew they just wanted to get closer to him, and as for Brandon…he had always just shrugged it off.

It had made her a little upset sometimes though. She didn't like thinking that they were taking advantage of him. And even more so she had sometimes worried that he would enjoy his time with them so much that he would not want to hang out with her anymore. But five minutes after one of those girls looking for a tutor would leave, Brandon would be hunting her down, teasing her until she retaliated.

She looked up at him again now and wished that med school didn't have to be so far away. "I know, but…well…"

Brandon's hazel eyes focused on her more intently as he questioned her silently. "Wait a minute…it's not Lucas, is it?" He smiled brightly. His little sister had found someone new to pursue it seemed. "Haley…who?"

Haley said nothing though, remembering feeling her back pressed against a tree and Nathan Scott's breath against her face.

{}

"Deb, hi stranger!" Karen came out from behind the counter and gave her newest friend a warm greeting as Deb walked in through the front door, her arrival followed by a ring of soft bells that hung on the cherry wood door.

Deb smiled, feeling relaxed and welcomed already. Karen's restaurant could do that for her. She liked the establishment's simplicity and homey feeling. Add to that the heavenly aroma that always refreshed your senses the minute you walked in the door and…ah, a place she could come to always. All of it was of course because of Karen though. She ran the place with such finesse and…she was a great friend.

Deb could still remember when she had first come to this town, Tree Hill, with her husband, carrying Nathan in her stomach already. Right away she had noticed the snobbiness of quite a few of her neighbors, and had been a little put off by their almost sophomoric attitudes about social class. She felt herself striving to find someone, anyone who didn't just care about what car you were driving, and what interior designer you picked to furnish your house.

She had felt so disillusioned by it all that she had buried herself in foundation work, doing everything she could to continue her effort to help the less privileged.

Then, she came back home and found out her son was not happy, not doing well in school, and struggling in an activity that seemed to make him only more tense and displeased. Right away he had blamed it on Lucas Scott, but Deb wasn't sure how much she believed that was true. Yes, having Lucas on the basketball team had changed things, but he wasn't the cause of all the turmoil. And besides Deb thought often, he was his brother.

Whether her husband wanted it to be true that he had a son that he had to chosen to abandon didn't matter. One of these days he was going to have to face up to it. And Deb had no doubt that it would affect not only him, but also Nathan, their son.

Well, the two men in her life may not be that happy with how things had turned out. They may not care to have Lucas be a part of their existence Deb thought, but she had gained something in all of this. She had finally found that person who cared about more than just material things. She had finally found someone real…someone she could call her friend.

"Hi Karen." Deb sat down now on one of the dark wooden stools that sat at the counter as her friend Karen made her way behind the counter again, handing her a cup of coffee. Deb took a sip of the dark brown liquid and sighed happily, smiling at the dark curly haired woman. "Oh Karen, this is just what I needed. Thanks so much."

Karen smiled back, noticing how casually Deb was dressed, wearing jeans and a hunter colored green sweater. Casual, but… "Yeah, it looks like you did need it." She offered helpfully, but truthfully. She had been through enough in her life not to waste time telling people only half truths.

Deb smiled back, but said nothing at first, just studying the restaurant walls that were lined with simple panoramic framed pictures. Such simplicity, such relaxing scenes, such… She took another swallow of the dark hot liquid.

Karen watched her carefully and then finally said something. "Deb…"

But Deb cut her off, placing her hand on Karen's wrist. "Karen, do you think you can get a break for a few minutes…I…do you think you can just get a few moments so we can talk?"

Karen's interested expression turned to one of concern. "Deb…is everything okay?"

Deb smiled tightly, taking in the picture across from her, a simple painting of the pier with some boats anchored to the dock, the grassy banks of Tree Hill surrounding it. Someone from town must have painted it. Maybe they had made it exclusively for Karen, or possibly Karen had obtained it at a sale…or…

She looked away from the picture, finally turning back to her friend. "Please Karen…can you just get a break…a few minutes…I just…I can't keep this to myself anymore…"

Karen nodded her head, holding fast to her friend's shaking hand.

{}

"So, Nathan seemed to get over his bad mood at the party Friday night."

Peyton looked up at Brooke. They were sitting in her room on her bed, painting each other's fingernails. Earlier Peyton had called Brooke to come over so they could share news with each other and get in some beauty time. Now, it was past noon on a lazy Sunday and though they were dreading taking a test in their history class the next day, one both of them had barely studied for, they were at least looking forward to all the social activity that came with going to school.

Peyton laughed dryly now, pushing back a stray blonde curl that had come out of the haphazard bun she had gathered it into earlier that morning. "Well too much beer can do that for him. He can be all upset about how Lucas is stealing his limelight, or how Dan the slave driver always has him working out, and yet all he has to do is get buzzed and he's feeling much better."

Brooke's dark brown eyebrows came up at Peyton's words. She had known Peyton for practically forever, and a shared interest in cheerleading had made them bond quickly. But Peyton was also very different from her in some ways. Though Brooke wasn't always entirely happy, Peyton could have those almost jarring changes of mood. It could really upset people sometimes, how she could change so drastically from one moment to the other. Plus, she had the cheerleading social kitten aspect to her, but she also was a closet artist who listened to way alternative music and speculated on dark things that could bring some people down.

Yes, Peyton was one that was hard to get a handle on sometimes, but Brooke actually liked that about her. She loved digging deep and finding out what made people click. She liked playing with people, not in a hurtful way, but in a way to cause her own enjoyment, which unfortunately sometimes did result in her upsetting others.

Oh, and one more thing. Brooke loved to flirt.

"Such sarcasm Pey…"

Peyton smirked, stretching out her denim clad legs on the bed, jeans that were worn and faded, yet very comfortable. "Yeah, I know. But he just really gets me annoyed sometimes with how he acts about Lucas. He's got such bad feelings toward him and…I mean come on Brooke…he is his brother."

Brooke's eyes that sparkled with charm all the time it seemed, flashed with even more life. "Yeah…and what a gorgeous brother Lucas is. And proving his worth too. I know Nathan was especially ticked off that it was Lucas the other night who scored the winning point."

Peyton did her best to keep in her annoyance at the way Brooke had referred to Lucas. "Ticked off is putting it mildly Brooke. You don't even want to know how long it took me to get him relaxed enough to be physical. He's always so damn tensed up now."

Brooke laughed, giving Peyton a wicked look. "So Pey…the stud of Tree Hill isn't that satisfying anymore sexually?"

Peyton felt her earlier annoyance vacate quickly, Brooke's bluntness and choice of words making her feel more relaxed. "Brooke, I swear. What comes out of your mouth sometimes! Nathan isn't the stud of Tree Hill. That title would go more to Michael Carter, you know, star quarter back and all that…"

"Yeah…and creator of some of the most interesting positions…and I'm not talking about football, babe."

Peyton rolled her eyes as Brooke laughed. Yes, Brooke could be annoying at times, and was definitely not standoffish with the opposite sex…but she was also never…ever…boring. "Also boring Mr. Ivy League going to end up with the perfect family living in the mansion on the hill. At least Nate has some meat to him..."

Brooke protested. "Hey, Nathan has the mansion on the hill too, or daddy does anyway, but I see what you mean…Nate has a lot more of that bad boy vibe going for him, which makes him just interesting enough for you, right Peyton." She smiled. "So since you and the boy wonder are so happy…sexually satisfied too, right?"

Peyton groaned. "Yes Brooke. Sexually satisfied…" Though she said nothing about the happy part…was she happy? With Nathan?

"That just means as your best-best friend, I have to make things even better…by getting together with his delicious brother. I mean, come on Pey…couldn't you see it? You and Nate doubling with me and Lukie…pretty little picture isn't it?"

Peyton broke out into laughter, shaking her head vigorously. The thought of Nathan and Luke double dating with her and Brooke seemed absolutely preposterous and…

And well…she wasn't sure how she would feel about someone else kissing…

Lucas Scott…especially her best friend.

{}

Staring at the gray and blue bridge that crossed the small pond of water in the middle of the mini golf course, Nathan's thoughts drifted away to earlier that morning. It was weird. He usually didn't go to the pier that early in the morning. He usually didn't get up so soon on a weekend, but his sleep had been restless the night before. That Friday night had been the game, the one that had made him angry after Lucas had made the winning shot, that had made his father even more unhappy, which had caused him to give Nathan a lecture about how he needed to better his training.

Not even the party he had attended with Peyton later that night had relaxed him much…until a few beers anyway. That had finally done the trick. And before he had known it he had been dancing close with his girlfriend to the blaring music, getting even closer during the slower numbers, and eventually ended up in her bed…once again. Taking her home with him to his own bed was out of the question since Officer Mom was keeping a close eye on everything now that she was actually home. Better just to stay at her place.

So he had…then woke up Saturday morning, finally returned home, and went to sleep. But as afternoon started to make its appearance and he finally woke, up he was faced with a father who once again was insisting that they find a method to make him even tougher out on the court, and a mother who once again wanted to play twenty questions about where he had been 'last night.'

It had been enough to bring back Nathan's tension in spades, which had led up to a restless night. The next morning he found himself up early and before he could even think of it much, he had quickly changed, put on some walking shoes…and headed out into the cold brisk morning air…needing some time with himself.

But he had soon found out that he wasn't alone. Someone else had been there…someone who had been crazy enough to attack him in the school hallway earlier that week.

Someone named Haley James.

Ahhh…Haley James. Now wasn't she a quandary? There was very little he knew about her, except for that she stuck to Lucas like glue, definitely did not hang out with the crowd he did, that she lived on the same side of town as Lucas, and that even though she appeared small, and he supposed delicate…she proved that you should never judge a person simply based upon their appearance.

Yes, there seemed to be a lot more to Haley James than met the eye. Quite a bit more.

"Nathan…"

Nathan finally turned back to his friend, smoothly attempting to change the direction of things…to his own benefit of course. "Hey Tim, remember that crazy girl…you know the one who's super glue attached to Lucas…the one who tried to attack me?"

Tim laughed. "You mean who did attack you…right in the hallway too!"

Nathan grimaced, but remained calm, set on getting things back to his advantage. "Yeah…well, what do you know about her?"

Tim smiled. "Why, you thinking of moving away from Peyton to the lower class of town? Thinking of taking on the charity?"

Inwardly Nathan frowned. He was bristling at Tim's words. Remembering the girl who he had practically backed into a tree…her hitting against it had really been her own doing…in no way did Nathan see a picture of charity. Calling Haley James that was grossly underestimating her it seemed. Outwardly though, Nathan remained cool and collected. "No…well…maybe…"

Tim's smile turned more cunning. "Wait a minute…just wait a minute…this has to do with Lucas, doesn't it Nate?"

Okay, now Nathan was confused. "Huh?"

"Oh don't you 'huh' me Nathan Scott. I know why you're digging about this girl. I get it okay, and man, I don't think you could have come up with anything better. It's so perfect…the absolute perfect way to get to Lucas…through his little wishing girlfriend. You know she's got this massive crush on him, right?"

She does, Nathan thought questioningly. I mean yes, he suspected it, but he still hadn't been totally 100% sure. "Really?"

Tim laughed cruelly. "Yeah, and yet I don't think Blondie knows it. But what you're saying…man what you're suggesting…"

Uh, exactly what was he suggesting? Or what did Tim think he was suggesting? In all honesty Nathan had only been fishing for information. He hadn't had this developed plan that Tim was now going on about. Still, he was kind of curious to where this was leading.

Without even realizing he was giving Nathan the answers that he was silently requesting, Tim went on. "Just how would Lucas react if he found out Nathan Scott was pursuing his best friend, turning her against him…just how would he feel when he found out that his Haley had betrayed him...absolute genius Nate. Man, you're so good at this. We are going to make Lucas wish he'd never joined the Ravens."

Inwardly Nathan was shocked. None of this had been going on in his head. But now that he heard it explained so well, he allowed it to be swept into his mind. The perfect way to get back at Lucas. The perfect way to make him know his place. The perfect way to get his dad off his back. The perfect way to hit his brother in the gut.

The perfect…

Nathan brushed away the bad feelings that came with the thought too. He pushed away the memory of removing the leaf from Haley's hair, watching her shiver…seeing her determination…and yet…fear too. He pushed away the soft place it touched inside him when he had seen that…experienced standing so close to her. He let it all go, concentrating instead on only one thing.

'I always get what I want.'

That was what he had vowed just days ago, right…and that was what would happen.

For Nathan Scott ALWAYS got what he wanted.

Always.

He smiled wickedly. "You're right Tim, it is perfect. Too perfect."

"You going to ask her out, get her to start feeling something for you…and then dump her?"

Nathan shook his head, frowning. He hadn't liked the way that had sounded at all. It wasn't like he wanted to hurt Haley James. And he didn't really feel like complicating things with Peyton anyway. But he did want to get the trouble of Lucas out of his life. He did want to get his father to back off, and he did want to regain his rightful position. Just, was there a way to do this without causing too much damage…without…

He didn't reveal any of his thoughts to Tim. He probably wouldn't understand, and he certainly wasn't going to share his experience with Haley at the dock…not with Tim…not with anyone. "No, no way. This has to happen slowly…very slowly…just like a snake…and the way it lures its prey with slow precise movement…we just have to be patient…"

"So she going to be the prey Nathan?"

Nathan bristled again. He once again didn't like how Tim was putting things. But he also felt that attempting to explain things to Tim just wouldn't work…besides….he wasn't even sure how to explain it to himself. The plan could backfire…he could end up hurting…

And Nathan frowned again. Damn! Why did he even care so much? He had one close experience with the girl and that was it. He barely even knew her and she certainly didn't know him. Life was a bitch sometimes. He knew that well. So she ended up a little hurt…why should it matter to him? She'd get over it. And he'd get what he wanted. That was what mattered…right?

Finally he answered Tim. "No, but she might be the bait."

Tim just smiled.

{}

Haley couldn't keep from shivering a little as she remembered the experience, seeing his eyes looking into hers so intensely…and then the total contrast of his actions when he had gently removed the leaf from her hair. She did her best to shake away her thoughts. But it was too late. Brandon had already seen it.

"Yeah, you do have your eye on someone else, don't you? Who Haley Baley?"

She shook her head. "I do not have my eye on anyone Brandon. And Lucas and I are just friends. It's just…well…you know Nathan Scott?"

Brandon whistled low through his teeth. "Nice change of subject. Uh, yeah, I mean I don't know him personally, but I know who he is. Everyone knows about the Scotts and most people know about his connection to Lucas. Is that what this is about?"

She ignored his question. "So what do you think…about…Nathan?"

Brandon inspected his sister suspiciously with his hazel eyes and then suddenly shook his head. "Oh no Haley, you're not telling me you have a thing for Nathan Scott, are you?"

Haley scoffed at the assumption right away. "No, of course not! He goes around pulling pranks on Lucas and making his life a living hell. I just…"

Brandon moved forward, grasping his sister's arms gently, but firmly. "Look Haley, I don't know what you're getting at, but if you're thinking about getting together with Nathan-

She cut him off quickly. "I am not thinking-

But he was just as fast to cut her off, needing to have her hear what he had to say. "Haley, don't get involved with that family, okay? Don't think that you can help Lucas by going through Nathan. I don't really trust anything about him and his dad, and I don't want to see you get hurt."

Haley just smiled, but inwardly thought that Brandon was onto something. It was possible that she could get Nathan to listen to her, could find a way to get him to stop hurting Lucas…could kind of use him.

No, that wasn't the way she normally thought, but dealing with him wasn't normal anyway. And Nathan had started all this with her best friend. If she could find a way to stop it…

"Brandon, you worry too much sometimes." She laughed and hugged him.

And Brandon hugged her back, though with one more warning. "Just watch it Haley…don't get too involved in this…don't leave yourself vulnerable with him."

{}

"Hey Karen h-

Keith found himself suddenly cut off as Karen made her way quickly to him from behind the counter and just hugged him.

"Hey…whoa there…everything okay?"

Karen said nothing, just closing her eyes and holding on. She couldn't believe it. She didn't want to believe it. She didn't want to. "Keith…just hold me please…"

Every warning bell went up in Keith Scott right away. He held the woman he had always admired so much, tightly. "Karen…come on…you're scaring me. Is this about Lucas…is something wrong?"

Karen closed her eyes, relishing the warmth of the man who had stood by her when his brother had abandoned her, who had loved Lucas from the beginning…who had vowed to never leave either of their sides. "No, it's not Lucas… and I would tell you if I could…I would Keith. Please understand that. But now…for now…I just can't. I can't Keith. Please…just hold me."

Keith was still worried, frightened. But he just did as she asked. He held her…held the woman he secretly loved.

{}

Opening the door later that day, she heard it right away…

"I wanted to go out and have some fun with Tim. I mean I am in high school. What's so wrong with that?"

"What's wrong here Nathan is you played only half your best the other night, and even your best now sometimes isn't cutting it. You want to be as good a player as me…you want to get scouts to take a second look at you…hell, to take a first…you better start training a lot harder. You're lucky. You should realize that. You know how many guys would kill to have what you have, a father who understands the game…who knows how to make you a winner?"

"Yeah…but…"

"No. No buts Nathan. You better decide here and now, whether you want it…whether you want to be the best…"

She could hear a heavy sigh…and then…

"I want it."

"Good, because now we can get to wor-

Closing the back door quietly, Deb purposefully walked up the second set of steps that led to the bedrooms. She hadn't wanted to be seen so she had come through the back door. And now she wearily headed up to the bedroom she shared with her husband, not able to stomach any more of the tense, but familiar conversation she heard downstairs. Later she would tell Dan to stop pulling at their son so much, to let him be the teenager he should be, and to instead encourage him to focus a little more on his not so good grades…

Later…

But for now…

She just wanted to take a shower…just wanted to escape it all.

Entering the bathroom she shared with her husband, she started to remove her clothes, starting up the water. Thinking once again of her son downstairs arguing with his father, she started to smile a bit. She could remember when he had been in her stomach, kicking up a storm all the time. Dan used to joke with her that there was a basketball in there too and their soon to be born child was dribbling away already, practicing his jump shot. It would make her laugh and forget the discomfort.

Testing the water after she had undressed, she stepped into the shower, the heat level feeling just right. Standing underneath the massaging spray of hot water, she closed her eyes, remembering again…

Coming to Tree Hill hadn't been entirely easy for her. She had been young and uneasy about moving away from her family, but she had done it to start a new family with Dan…one they hadn't planned, but were doing their best to prepare for.

And then he was born. Nathan.

Deb smiled now once again, tears just commencing to fall from her eyes. How his appearance, his first welcome to the world had brought such joy. All her uncertainty and fears had fled. Her baby…her baby was there. After all the morning sickness, the restless nights of sleep, the not being able to look down and see her feet…she was a mother. She had a baby…a baby boy…and he was beautiful, so alive, so full of life.

The tears came down her cheeks faster now, falling onto her chin and shoulders, mixing with the hot water.

Oh those first years of his life had been so simple, had been so joyous for her. She sang to him, read to him, played with him…and then Dan would come home from work and lift him up and spin his son around, laughing, saying how he was going to be just like his father. And she would just smile and shake her head…happy…ever so happy.

Then things got tenser as Nathan started growing, was faced with his brother one day. Deb started realizing that their perfect life was not so perfect. Her husband had a son, one he had abandoned, one he needed to own up to. And his pushing of the athletics was bothering her too. Why couldn't he just let Nathan be a child…be a little boy?

She had started involving herself more in the foundation…spending less time at home. And slowly her son, her beautiful little boy started changing, growing…started moving away from her as his dad continued to coach him.

Her body began to shake as the crying increased, the tears augmented.

She missed her son, that little boy she had raised so happily, that sweet little baby. She wished she hadn't spent so much time away. She wished…

She wished time could just stop.

She needed…

She needed…

Clutching her stomach now, the tears coursing down her face, she sank to the floor, her body trembling. "Oh God…" She cried out softly. "Please…please…"

OH, she thought. Just another chance…please just another…just give me enough time…

To help my son.

To love him.

Please…

To be continued…

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