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?

6. Chapter 6

When Two Worlds Collide

Chapter 6: Between Mother And Child

Thank you for the support for my stories here at FF and in particular for this one. I appreciate your feedback and putting this story on alert/favorites list.

Reminder: Deb has a different last name in this story from the one on the show.

I**I**I

The rain had stopped as they moved down the wet roadway, silence replacing its sound. Lucas wished something would put that silence to and end…that tense silence that made him feel even more on edge.

"So, you ready to give us some info on what that was all about Lucas?"

Well, his uncle had ended the silence, and now realizing he was going to have to speak the truth soon, Lucas wished it would come back again. He sighed heavily, glancing at Haley who was sitting next to him in his uncle's jeep, while his mom sat in the front with his uncle. "Uh, it just had to do with Nathan being a jerk."

A jerk…Haley thought wryly. He'd been a lot worse than that.

Looking back at her son, Karen's face was questioning. "Somehow I get the feeling this was not just the usual line of pranks or jerkiness Luke. It was more, wasn't it?"

Lucas frowned, remembering the disgusting display so vividly that it made him feel utterly ill. "Yeah…Mom, please can we just talk about it after we get home? And look you guys, I know I shouldn't have been fighting, but…"

Haley interrupted, wanting to support her friend. "He had a reason to."

Up in the front seat, Keith's eyebrows rose at Haley's words as he navigated the wet streets that led to her house. "Oh really? I guess I shouldn't find that too surprising after how you've been acting all night…like there's something you know that maybe at least Lucas's mother should know."

Karen touched Keith's arm patiently. Yes, she wanted to know what had happened, but she could tell her son needed some time. Obviously, her mother's intuition had been right. Something big had happened and it seemed Haley had only been trying to stand by her friend. Of course Keith just cared about Lucas. The man was more a father than Dan Scott could even think of being. Apparently even with his own son he was pretty revolting. "Keith, it's okay. Lucas, you will tell me after we get home, right?"

Lucas smiled at Haley gently and then back at his mom with gratitude. "Yeah Mom…I promise."

Giving Lucas a look of support, Haley leaned her head against her best friend's shoulder, feeling him gently rest his own head against hers. Oh Lucas, she thought…how tired you must be after everything today. And I hope you tell your mom all of it. You don't need to always protect everyone.

I**I**I

"Okay, now that we're home…"

Nathan grimaced, running a hand through his hair wearily. He wasn't in the mood for this. They had just walked through the door and all he wanted to do was go upstairs, take a shower, and go to bed.

"I want to understand what made you play so awfully tonight. And why weren't you focusing on what you should have been…playing good…tonight's game was a big deal and you knew"

Seeing her son's weariness, tired herself, and still wondering what had caused everything that had led to that fight on the court, Deb interrupted her husband. "Dan…you spent enough time insulting everyone in the gym…not to mention arguing with the coach and putting down your son. Now, what I am concerned about is why…" Deb looked directly at her son now. "Why you were fighting in the first place…what made it happen?"

Dan frowned impatiently. "Come on Deb, you saw what made it happen. That kid kept stealing the ball from him, taunting him..." Turning away from his wife, Dan focused on his son again. "Now, Nathan I know I was kind of hard on you in there, but you embarrassed me tonight. I had a scout I called that was there watching you…"

"I didn't know that. You didn't tell me."

Dan laughed dryly. "Come on Son. I don't need to tell you everything. You need to always play like someone is watching you…you need to show you are a winner. Now, I'm sure I can find a way to get you out of that ridiculous punishment Whitey wants to put you through and make it so you can focus on what's really important…your game. I think with just some harder training and some more discipline practices you can be the best and not the utter disgrace you were tonight. Look I know it's not easy for you to hear this Son, but it's absolutely necessary if you ever want to be as good as I was"

"Dan!"

Deb cut through with annoyance. "First of all, I want Nathan to be involved in whatever discipline measure it is that the coach wants him to be involved in. And secondly, this is not about a better training regimen. Can't you see this is about so much more, like what led up to that fight?"

Nathan stood there with a monotone expression, but his hands were once again shaking as they had been in the gym. He didn't know if he hated it more when his dad yelled at him and put him down, or when he regrouped and turned the topic to a more disciplined regimen…saying that he needed to be just like him, explaining that his reasons for becoming angry were because of him being a failure as a son…but never apologizing. Oh no. The Great Dan Scott never expressed regret. Feeling he couldn't take much more, Nathan spoke quietly to his mom. Help me out here Mom…please. "Um, Mom, look can I just go take a shower? I feel all sweaty."

Dan laughed sarcastically. "From what? Sitting on the bench? Now, as I was saying Nathan"

"Yes, Nathan. Go ahead." Deb still wanted to know what had happened, but she also wanted to let her husband know how she felt about his yelling fest in the gym. And she was perceptive enough to see that her son was getting to the breaking point. He needed to be away from his father right now. She would talk to him about his fighting later, after he was finished with his shower.

"Thanks." Nathan didn't even bother to say anything else, just quickly headed up to his room before they changed their minds.

"Look Deb, I don't care for you dismissing our son without my approval."

Deb laughed wryly. "Your APPROVAL? My God Dan, I am his MOTHER. And I didn't want to say this in front of Nathan…you put him through enough tonight, but I was disgusted with how you treated him in that gym, not to mention everyone else. He is our SON Dan, not your trophy. He needs us to be there for him, not to expect him to be perfect in something I'm not sure that he even likes anymore."

"He loves basketball!"

Deb scoffed. "Oh yes, loves it so much that it makes him fight with his own brother and causes him to be failing in most of his classes. He loves it? You mention the word and I can see the tension in his face right away because he knows you are going to expect more from him than he can give to you. I can't have any more of that Dan! I can't just sit and watch you tear our son into pieces so you can fulfill your own selfish ego...s-so y-you ca-an…"

"Debra!"

Dan rushed forward as his wife's face turned horribly pale and she nearly fell, managing at the last minute to hold onto a nearby shelf. Grabbing her and bringing her away from that shelf, he smoothed back a hair from her face. "Debbie…what is it?"

Looking up into the blue vibrant eyes of her husband as held onto her gently now, Deb closed her eyes. Oh God…she needed more time. Everything was such a mess. Her family was completely falling apart and…oh…

Fear rushed through Dan now as he forgot all about his goals for his son, his anger of before, his plans to get Nathan out of the punishment…everything left him now…as his forehead furrowed with worry. What was wrong with her…why was his wife acting this way…was she sick? "Deb…Honey…"

She opened her eyes and got ready. "Oh…I'm sorry." She moved away from her husband now, feeling her strength returning bit by bit. "I…I've been taking these um…these vitamins that my doctor suggested and they've just been making me feel…uh…kind of woozy. I think I'm going to stop taking them." She smiled at her husband with assurance.

Dan smiled back, but less assuredly. "Uh…okay. Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. You sure you're all right?"

"Yes. And I…I just…I want you to think of what I said, okay? Please…just stop being so hard on him…I mean he is our son Dan…" She moved forward, holding onto her husband's arms as she appealed to him sincerely. "Nathan is our son…and I don't want to alienate him…he needs our love and caring…he needs us to be there for him."

Normally Dan would just scoff at those words because honestly he believed in his son being a winner and that meant hard work. Regrettably, it also meant being hard on him sometimes and expecting a lot, but that was part of being a winner. Nathan knew that.

Except now…his wife's eyes were pleading with him and Dan was still being held by that fear he had felt when she had nearly fallen. So he simply nodded his head and kissed his wife's forehead, thinking…I love you Debbie…and so for you I'll try…at least as much as is possible while still assuring that our son is the best.

I**I**I

Lucas Scott walked out onto the porch, feeling a bit of a chill even though he had changed after his shower into a pair of old jeans, with an even older sweatshirt, and all of it topped by his gray sweat jacket. It wasn't really what one would call a cold night, but it had been a rainy one. That much was in evidence when you looked down the wet street or felt the drops of water falling from the roof.

Glancing up at that roof with a rueful look, Lucas thought of how it could use some work. The drain pipe too was having some problems and so it wasn't uncommon for it to cause a mini flood sometimes near the garage. It could be a nuisance when he was heading off to school or work, and he knew it caused his mom grief too. And that roof…something he was going to have to see if his Uncle Keith could help him out with one Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Lucas smiled. Maybe they could bribe him with one of his mom's famous chocolate cakes.

Deep in thought still, Lucas leaned against the stair post, which could use a bit of a new paint job, closing his eyes.

"Well, at least it stopped raining."

Lucas suddenly opened his eyes, the voice startling him just a bit at first, and then quickly relaxing him. His mom could have that affect on him…her voice was a welcoming one that he loved to hear. Turning back to her, he saw that she too had changed…into a pair of sweats. Taking in her pretty face, he saw the slight lines that fell across it…worry lines he thought. Spending her adulthood years taking care of him and making sure they got food on their table, while she worked hard, Lucas knew, took its toll. Yes she was still beautiful, but it was evident, the bit of aging that had come with the struggles she had gone through.

A bit of dread fell over him as he noticed her inquisitive expression turning more serious and firm. She was going to want to know the truth now and he wasn't exactly sure how to tell it without causing her pain. After all, that stupid prank earlier had been so viciously directed towards her…and him he supposed. It seemed Nathan knew that his mom was the one he was closest to…that hurting her was hurting him. That bastard!

Karen inwardly smiled even as her outward expression remained firm. Oh, her handsome blonde haired son. How she loved him. His hair was still wet now, damp from the shower he had just taken, and when it fell over his eyes that way it made him look like the little boy he had once been. Yes, he wasn't exactly classified as a man now, but just having to look up at him it was evident…how much he was growing.

"Yeah…and it's getting kind of colder even. I can feel it more now."

Karen shook her head at her son. "Well especially when you come out here just after you've washed your hair." She reached forward and affectionately mussed it up a bit. "Maybe we should go back inside."

Lucas shook his head back and forth in answer. "No, I like it better outside…helps free my mind."

"Lucas…I want you to tell me what happened tonight…the reason for your fighting. You said it had to do with Nathan…another prank he pulled…"

Lucas sighed. He wasn't going to be able to hold this off anymore. He was going to have to tell her…but in a way that wouldn't hurt her too much. He'd be vague…giving only some of the details. "Yeah…it was a pretty bad one." Now if that wasn't an understatement…

Karen's face showed interest and concern. "What Lucas…what did he do? You can tell me. You should know that you can tell me anything."

It was true that he could say just about anything to her. He still remembered having some of the 'sex' talk with her when girls had started becoming more than just a nuisance or a friend. Basically she had made plain her case that he should abstain for as long as possible…avoid making a mistake that would change his life in ways he would not be prepared for. But she had also been open and understanding enough to realize that it might not be that simple. He was of course going to be curious and he was a teenage boy whose hormones were starting to run adrift…not to mention girls were noticing him more and more. Still, Lucas thought with a smile, it hadn't been his mom's favorite discussion and she had seemed relieved when he told her he would be careful. Then afterwards he had talked to his Uncle Keith about it, who had pretty much given him the same advice, yet provided him with that man's side of the topic he had wanted.

Yes his Uncle Keith was great for that…and so many other things…something his real father…

It was strange. He never forgot, could never get away from that one ugly fact of his life, that his father hadn't wanted him…if you even wanted to call him that. Lucas believed the guy didn't even deserve the title. But even so, he had two people in his life, his mother and his uncle, who he could talk to easily and they would listen, not preach and not belittle him. He loved them both so much, his mother more of course because…well she was his mom…they had gone through so much together…but his uncle was a close second. He was someone Luke respected and admired. He remembered now how his uncle had reached out to Nathan in the gym, and though it had sparked a bit of jealousy in him, it had mainly made his uncle look even better in his eye.

But Nathan…right now, even though Lucas couldn't honestly say it had made him happy to see his brother verbally attacked by his father…it had also not made him feel that much sympathy for him. There was still too much anger and hurt over what he had done. Yes, he had known Nathan Scott was a jerk, but he hadn't realized just how far he would go…that he would stoop to something so utterly reprehensible.

Lucas focused on his mom once again, who was still waiting for his explanation. How did he tell her that it had been her this time who had been at the heart of his brother's stupid prank? "Uh…look…it was just really bad Mom and it…it had to do with you."

Karen's eyebrows came up at that. It had to do with her? Easily seeing the tension in her son's physical features and the uncertainty in his bright blue eyes, she tried to relieve him of his burden. "Lucas, you don't need to protect me. I've been through it all and I was in high school once too, and I know the pranks and jokes that would sometimes happen. You can be honest with me." She laughed shortly. "I promise…I won't break!"

But Lucas didn't laugh. He was seeing those images once again in his mind and he felt the pain course through him that he had felt earlier in that hallway. "It's just…it was just really awful mom. He put up these pictures of you…things you said in school about your dreams and everything…and about you being with…Dan…it was just to hurt you and I hated that…I HATED it Mom!" He deliberately left out the disgusting headline over the poster and other pictures. He didn't want to put his mom through that.

Karen reacted to the pain in her son's face right away. He had started his explanation almost calmly, but his upset and distress at what he had witnessed had been evident with his last words. "Oh Luke…" Karen moved forward and hugged her son close to her. "Oh Sweetie…"

Struggling not to let tears come to his eyes like they had outside of that hallway, Lucas closed his eyes instead. "It just…it was awful Mom…and it was all to hurt you. That's why I got so angry. That's why I DELIBERATELY taunted him tonight…I wanted to hurt him…I wanted to get him in the worse way for what he had done to you. That's why when he started fighting me during the game I fought back…because I was just furious with him for doing that…for hurting you."

"Oh Lucas…" Karen held her son tighter, kissing the side of his face. "Oh Sweetie…listen to me." She pulled back from him, taking his hand and leading him over to the bench swing that sat on their porch. It was an old one that hung from the roof of the porch, but it was comfortable and a favorite place of both of theirs. Karen faced her son now with conviction as he sat beside her, his face lined with pain. "He didn't want to hurt me. He wanted to hurt you. It was you he wanted to upset…and obviously he did, enough to make you act in a way you normally don't. You know how I feel about fighting Lucas."

Lucas nodded his head at his mom's firmly stated words and serious expression. "I know Mom…but…"

"But nothing Lucas. I am totally against you fighting for any reason and I know you were upset, but did it solve anything? Fighting him? What did it get you? A seat on the bench as I see it and some disciplinary action from your coach."

Luca's face dropped with regret. "I know Mom…I know fighting is wrong, but it made me feel…those pictures…I had to fight him Mom. I'm sorry but I had to."

"For me?"

Hearing that unexpected question, Lucas slowly nodded his head. His mom knew him…knew him well enough to know that he couldn't lie to her. He loved her too much. "Yeah…"

Karen reached out for her son's hand, holding it in hers. "Oh Lucas…I don't want you to think that you have to defend me…that you have to suffer for my mistakes. And I don't like you fighting…especially not with your brother." That hadn't been the easiest thing for Karen to say, but now she was glad she had said it. His brother…

Oh how Nathan Scott was a total shock and yet very familiar to her. He was his father…and yet he was his mother too. She had seen in him tonight the pain in his face at his father's words, and the bit of the little boy who had wanted to cry out to his mother to help him. She had seen it because she was a mother. And it had made her sad for him.

But there was the other part of her that was disgusted with him for hurting her son and continuing to make his life hard. Basically he was a kid that she wasn't sure if she liked…but that didn't mean that she didn't care about him. He was Dan's son of course, but he was also Deb's…a woman Karen now enjoyed calling her friend. And he was Keith's nephew and Lucas's half brother. She understood Lucas's apathy towards him. Anyone would after some of the terrible things he had done. But she was also starting to look at Nathan a bit more sympathetically, especially with what she knew.

"I don't even see him as my brother." Lucas scoffed bitterly. "I don't even know him, except for the fact that he is a total jerk."

Karen smiled sadly. "You didn't think that when you played ball with him that day…right before you stopped playing with the local junior teams. You were upset because…"

Looking far off down the street, Lucas finished her sentence. "Because Dan Scott came…and revealed the truth…that his name was Nathan…Nathan Scott. I mean he didn't tell me. He didn't even talk to me…just grabbed Nathan by the arm and said that he couldn't play with me…and then I found out who he was…that he was Dan Scott and that Nathan… I wouldn't have even known if he hadn't said anything. We hadn't even told each other our names. We just started playing and…"

Karen shook her head sadly. She could still remember how upset her son had been that day, barely even able to talk about it at first. Then finally he had told her that he found a new friend, but the boy was Dan Scott's son. Karen had told Lucas the truth about his father early on, not wanting to keep any secrets from him. She hadn't wanted him to just find out on the streets one day from some nosy people. She had wanted him to be in a secure safe place when he was told the truth.

But it had become apparent to Karen that day that Nathan hadn't known. It hadn't surprised her too much. Of course Dan Scott hadn't told his son the truth, had been set on hiding it from him. She still wondered sometimes how he must have felt that day. Lucas had been terribly upset and yet he had already known the reality about Dan and her. For Nathan it must have been a double shock to find out not only could he not play with his new friend, but that his new friend was his father's son from a previous relationship…that his father had another child before that he had simply abandoned.

Karen thought wryly that it was doubtful Dan Scott had explained it that way. He had probably twisted the whole truth to make himself look good. But how awful it must have been for Nathan. Deb told her once, when they had started talking a little about the past, that at the time she had been away, but when she had come home it had been evident how upset he was.

Karen watched her son now. His eyes were on the street and he seemed to be a thousand miles away. She wondered…wondered how it would have been if they hadn't known…if they had been allowed to get along without interferences from the past. She knew Dan would never allow it…but would she have?

Oh, she didn't know for sure. She liked to think that she was open with her son and who he spent time with, but she was also fiercely protective of him. It made her angry to hear about these hurtful pranks Nathan was up to, especially this last one because it had been so personally directed. It had been downright mean and cruel. She had half a mind to march into that school and demand some better control over such things…demand that Nathan be suitably punished…

Lucas finally looked away from the street and back to his mom, interrupting her thoughts. "It was a long time ago Mom. We were just kids then…young and stupid I guess!" He laughed dryly. "We didn't know…know the truth…"

Karen took in her son's words and wondered about them. He sounded like such an adult sometimes. He still was a kid, but circumstance had demanded that he grow up quickly. It made her so furious with Dan…and then herself when she thought about it…all Lucas had been forced to carry on his shoulders. She had tried her best to keep him sheltered from most of it, but also had done her best to be honest with him. It was a hard balance to achieve. Without Keith helping her along the way, she didn't think she would have made it. She cared so much for him and was so thankful to him for loving Lucas, for being there with her from the start of it all…for being her friend still…and being the finest uncle Lucas could ever have.

Oh Keith, she thought fondly, you have been like my guardian angel. Thank you.

He had acted so concerned that day in the café, when she had asked him to just hold her. His face had been so filled with worry, and it touched her how he asked about Lucas right away, and then made sure if she was all right. What a caring kind man he was…how lucky she was to have him as part of her life. He hadn't even demanded that she tell him the truth…something Dan would have done. He had simply accepted that she couldn't tell him…not yet anyway. Thinking about that day now, Karen thought of what Deb had told her…how it would affect the people closest to her. And she hoped…hoped that someday the rift would end…that it would start repairing itself soon…because soon…when the truth was out…lives would be changed…forever.

She looked to her son one more time now, seeing in his face what he wanted to deny…that he just might care about his brother…that it hurt him so much not just because it was about his mother…but because his brother did it to him.

I**I**I

Quietly closing the pair of French doors behind him, Nathan, now wearing a pair of old sweats, stepped out onto the patio, a large one that was lined with imported Italian tiles and finely sanded wood. Walking down the finely sanded wooden steps he stopped at the last one. Sitting down on it he let his eyes traverse over the expansive yard.

As a boy he had camped out in this backyard with his friends. Many lively barbecues had happened in this backyard. He'd spent summer afternoons swimming in the pool that was down further, behind a rock wall. He practiced his jump shots on that basketball hoop over there complete with a court.

And…

There was the tree swing that he would be enjoying now if only it wasn't so wet on that grass. He loved that tree swing…had loved it since he had been a kid and his mom would sit there with him on her lap…and tell him all about the night sky…the stars. Looking up into the sky now… he let their appearance calm his mind as they had when he had been a young child, unable to sleep. Just one look up and he would find himself in a new world, one his mother had taught him about…one he still loved. All those stars were so far away yet every single one of them had a story to tell…put them together and they made fascinating figures and images.

Nathan sighed wearily now. It had been such a long night and after getting home he had received the lecture from his father, until he had been unable to take anymore. Thankfully his mom had been favorable when he had asked to go upstairs so he could take a shower. Getting ready to take that shower, he could hear them arguing loudly. Shaking his head, he had slammed the door shut…got undressed, and stood underneath a stream of blazing hot water…wishing it could take everything of the night away…

"There it is…the big basketball dipper."

Nathan couldn't help but smile, knowing the voice without even turning around. And those words…only one person would know. "Mom…I stopped saying that a long time ago."

Deb came forward and smiled down at her son. "I know, but I just couldn't resist. So, do you have any room on that seat for me?"

Nathan scooted over without a word. Smiling still, Deb sat down next to him. "It's such a shame the grass is wet. If it wasn't we could go sit on our favorite swing. At least you used to call it that when you were a little boy. But I'm not sure we could even both fit on it now. I remember I used to hold you on my lap, but now…you're growing so big and handsome…"

Nathan frowned. "That was a long time ago too. I'm not that baby or little boy anymore."

Deb responded in a serious voice. "I know that."

Nathan sighed with frustration. "Okay, just go ahead and give it to me."

"Excuse me…"

"You know what I mean Mom. The lecture…the talk about how stupidly I acted tonight and that I shouldn't be fighting and that instead I should be focusing on school and all that jazz…"

Deb regarded her son intently, seeing that he indeed was growing, but that inwardly…he was still so young…so vulnerable. He was her baby…would always be that in her heart. "I think I'd rather talk about what caused everything tonight."

"Lucas kept egging me on." Nathan answered sullenly, but not feeling totally honest either. That wasn't the whole truth…but maybe his mom wouldn't realize that. His dad hadn't cared about any reasons. He'd simply made it clear that all he cared about was that Nathan stop fighting and start playing like a winner…what he could be…what he should be…

His mind kept dragging the words through his brain back and forth so much that his head hurt.

"Fine." Deb answered now as he remained silent, but looked troubled. "But I have the feeling that wasn't it. Be honest with me Nathan. What happened before the game? I was watching you and…you looked so upset…like something was bothering you. Were you really that worried about the game only…was that all it was?"

Nathan started nodding his head yes, but seeing in his mom's eyes that she really did want the truth…that she cared about the right reason…he stopped himself from lying. He'd regret this he knew, telling her about the prank, but he was tired of keeping it all in his head…of dealing with what he had done alone. "I…look I did something earlier today. I put up pictures of Lucas's mom and some words along with it and…well I did it to get at him." Nathan was a little surprised that he wasn't confessing Tim's involvement in it too, that actually Tim had put up the pictures…at his request of course. But there was no real reason to get Tim involved. His parents were divorced, his father was hardly ever home, and he pretty much hated his stepmother.

Deb regarded Nathan questioningly. "Pictures…what do you mean you put up pictures of Karen? What kind of pictures?"

Seeing his mom's vigilant eyes watching him carefully, waiting for his answer, Nathan shrugged. "Uh…just…well…pictures of her when she went to Tree Hill High."

Deb sat up more, peering at Nathan intently. "What…where did you get pictures like that from Nathan?"

Nathan swallowed hard. She wasn't going to let this go easily. Nervously, he thought that maybe he could explain it to not make his answer a lie, yet keep certain things out of his explanation. After all, his mom was friends now with Lucas's mom…something that Nathan found totally bizarre, but had accepted, albeit reluctantly. The exact details of what had been written on that poster would make her furious probably. "The yearbook…from before Dad and her graduated."

Deb's eyes widened with shock. "What…Nathan why?" Her expression became even more serious as she remembered the game, Lucas acting in such an uncharacteristic way before his words got to Nathan so much that Nathan had jumped on him…with that enraged expression. It made Deb wonder now with concern. Exactly what had her son done to get Lucas that upset? "My God Nathan…what did you do?"

Nathan frowned, his mom's expression bothering him. It was bad enough having a father expecting him to be perfect all the time… and when he wasn't, having to endure his lectures and downgrading. But this…from the woman who had barely been around after he had started growing. "I told you…I put up pictures of his mom."

"I understand that Nathan, but right now I want you to tell me what was in those pictures to upset Lucas so much that he found it necessary to upset you tonight."

"How should I know how that idiot acts?" Nathan muttered with disdain and started to get up.

But Deb pulled on his arm, not letting him leave. "No Nathan. You are going to tell me what you did. I know you've been up to these pranks from the start. I have heard about them from Karen and I am not pleased to say the least. Now you are going to explain to me what you did that would make Lucas so upset…." She fixed him with a cold hard stare, tired of her son's sullen attitude and lack of respect. "Now Nathan Daniel Scott."

With a resigned sigh, Nathan sat back down, frowning. "I…I did it with Tim." So much for leaving Tim out of this… "We…we put up pictures of Lucas's mom…along with some quotes from when she was in high school with Dad. And in them we just kind of implied that…well that…she had been with Dad, but she had ended up alone…with just Lucas."

Deb closed her eyes in horror and then opened them up again, a staggering expression on her face. "Oh my…Nathan…how…how could you? How could you do something so horrible…so personal…you don't even know Karen. She's Lucas's mother. She's my best friend and you did that…to hurt her? Why would you do something so awful?"

Nathan swallowed hard again. He had been right. If she knew the whole story she would be even more upset…she would be disgusted with him…and he already got enough of that from his dad…he didn't need anyone else telling him that he was a failure…a disappointment. "I didn't do it to hurt her. I did it…" His voice drifted off.

"To hurt him?" Deb finished angrily. "That was why you did it…to hurt your own brother? Nathan…I didn't like that Lucas was taunting you tonight, but now I see it…I see some of his reasoning why. Even though I would never condone physical fighting I can see why he was so upset with you tonight that maybe he had wanted to start a fight. Nathan…do you even think anymore of where your actions will lead you, or are you just so focused on hurt"

He cut her off viciously, jumping from his sitting position to a standing one. "Yeah…go ahead Mom. Just tell me I'm a stupid idiot like Dad thinks…tell me how much of a failure I am…that all I do is disappoint you, but what about my mother huh…you weren't even around for years, except for some odd weeks…and then you come back and all of the sudden you want to be involved in my life." He turned away from her, making his way to the top of the steps and continued speaking. "All of the sudden you care. And yet all you want to do is tell me how much of a monster I am while Lucas is perfect and good and-

"Nathan!"

Deb exclaimed, upset by his words, sorrowful and regretful. She had spent years away and even though she had come back often…she would try her best not to stay away for too long…she had stayed away long enough to have hurt him…to make him speak this way to her. Thinking back to the little boy she had held on her lap as she showed him the stars and pointed out every constellation her father had taught her about…she felt tears in her eyes…ones she did her best not to shed. She had been so close to that little boy. He had been so close to her. On summer nights he would grab her hand, commenting…"Come on Mommy…let's go look at the night sky! Let's go see what pictures they make tonight!" And she would laugh as he dragged her outside and made her sit on the swing, waiting for her to scoop him up in her arms…and then for it to begin…the night sky show. At least he had called it that then.

But this boy who stood at the top of the steps now…she barely knew him and it made her sad… scared…and very upset. Turning away, she tried to hide the fact that she was crying.

Nathan grimaced and got ready to leave, but then heard a sob…from his mother? Turning back around he could see that she was shaking…and crying. It made his heart still. She was upset. "Mom…" He spoke cautiously.

Hearing the vulnerability in that voice, Deb felt her tears well up even more.

"Mom?" Nathan asked again, taking the steps two at a time and making his way back to her, putting his hand on her shoulder, and then stopping short. He was still upset with her…angry that she had left him alone for so long…that she hadn't cared that he had missed her…missed looking at the stars with her. "I'm sorry." He muttered quietly, but made no further moves.

Deb pushed away her tears and finally spoke. "Nathan...it's just that I don't understand you anymore, why you act sometimes the way you do…why you go so far to hurt people…your brother Nathan…Karen…" She turned to him now with anger and upset. "Do you even know how hard it was for her to bring up your brother? Do you know how much they have struggled…I'm not saying I'm innocent. Honestly Nathan, I hadn't even minded while you were growing up that your father had nothing to do with her…because I was young and scared. I was new to this town and I was still learning about your father while carrying you. And I loved you from the moment I conceived you, but Nathan…even though I had my fears and misgivings about Karen at first, I never set out to hurt her…to hurt anyone. And it just pains me to see you doing everything you can to hurt your own brother…to see this rift that is between you two…"

Nathan turned away from his mom, looking across the vast backyard. "He's taken everything or tried to anyway. Whitey gave him my position, he wants my girlfriend, and he…he…I just don't like him okay!" He got up from his crouch and turned to the wet yard, angrily.

"And your father…are you afraid he'll take that from you too? Is that what this is about Nathan? Are you scared?"

He slowly turned back to her, feeling very vulnerable and very exposed, but quickly he put a lock on those emotions, heading back up to the deck and away from her knowing eyes. She was so much like someone else…someone who had this ability to read him it seemed better than he could read himself sometimes. It was frightening.

Deb slowly walked up the steps too, following him. She had been right. Seeing her son standing there, his fists clenched and his whole body tensed up, she spoke quietly. "Nate, your father will always be that…your father…no matter what happens. He loves you."

"Yeah…when I play good. That's about it. If I play badly, he makes it clear how ashamed he is to have me as a son…what a public embarrassment I am. I…I…"

"What Nate?" Deb slowly moved behind her son, tentatively putting a reassuring hand on his shoulder. She was still upset with him for this latest prank and the way he had acted, but she was his mother too. She loved him and she knew as his mother that he was in pain…that his father's constant pressure was hurting him badly. All she wanted to do was protect him, but she didn't want to turn away from her husband. Even with all his faults and weaknesses, she loved him too. She knew that if he stopped focusing on the basketball so much and really started to see his son…if Nathan could finally express to him his distress, without being sarcastic and belligerent…she knew her husband could learn to stop pressuring him so much. She just didn't know how long that was going to take. She hoped not too long. Time was so swiftly moving…something she had no control over…

"I…I…wish…I…"

"What Honey?" His voice was shaking now and Deb was feeling the emotion building up in her too, but she did her best to keep her voice calm. He didn't react well to high emotions. Many times they would just make him close up again.

"I…I…"

Gently Deb turned her son around to face her, and her own face welled up with sadness as she saw the vulnerability in his eyes…the beginning of…

She reached up for him and felt him start to reach for her too…

But then…

Swallowing hard, Nathan realized what he was doing and suddenly turned away from her, closing his feelings again behind that sealed door that he wanted no one to ever gain entrance to. It was his place for him alone…it was where he felt emotion…deep in himself and away from others.

Deb let her arms fall with great reluctance. Why…why couldn't she just reach him? She needed to, because if it didn't happen soon…

She forced herself to calm down and turned the conversation back to his brother. "Nathan…I still don't approve of what you did today. Whether you or your father likes it or not, Lucas and you are brothers. And for you to be so hurtful to him personally…Nathan I just…I know I wasn't there when it happened, but even when I came home a week later I could still see it, how upset you were after that first time you and Lucas met…after you found out he was your brother…"

Nathan laughed dryly. "Yeah…and that my father had another kid just months before me…but it was no big deal. I was his son. It was nothing according to Dad, but I still couldn't be friends with him…and that's actually great because with the terrible player and bore he is now, I don't even want to be friends with that so-called brother of mine."

"Nathan!" Deb exclaimed with sternness. "I know you are trying to make me angry so I just walk away, but I'm not going anywhere. You are my son and I love you and I just want to understand why…how you can do these things you do? I want to know what's causing you so much pain that you hurt your brother in such a personal way…that…"

Nathan cut her off, turning back to his mom and putting his hand up. "Look, I know I shouldn't have done it. Okay, it was just some stupid prank that I barely even thought about before doing, but let's not turn this into some psycho babbling session, all right? I'm fine. I did something dumb. Now tell me not to fight any more and let's leave it at that, all right?"

"Nate…" Deb tried to reach out for her son's shoulder, but he moved away too quickly.

"Oh forget it. And don't worry Mom. Dad's words and whatever Whitey has planned for tomorrow are punishment enough. I'm going to sleep."

He turned his back on her, but Deb called out anyway, not wanting to leave things so awfully with her son. She knew he was in pain…if only she could figure out how to get him to open up to her…to confide in her…she loved him….she wanted to be there for him. But for now… "Nathan…"

Nathan continued walking away, not even pausing. His head wasn't feeling any better. If anything it felt worse. He just wanted to go to his room and try to fall asleep. He wanted this horrible day to end, and he wanted all the emotions his mom had brought to the surface to vacate. He wanted….

"Nathan…NATHAN!"

The desperation in her voice got to him and finally he did turn around. "What?"

Deb walked forward sadly, touching her son's cheek gently. "Oh Honey…I don't approve of what you did today. You need to know that, but I want you to know too…that I…" She reached up for his face, cupping it tenderly in her hands. "I love you Nathan…you are my son…my baby…and I will always love you no matter what you do, no matter what you fail in. I am so sorry I was away for so long. I'm sorry I hurt you and have created this distance between us. I never…never meant to cause you pain. I thought I was doing the right thing. Now I know how wrong I was, but I'm not going to let you just run away from me. I'm going to do everything I can to make you believe what I say…to help you…" She smiled. "And maybe even to convince you to watch the stars with me again…so I can hear those wonderful stories you have to tell about them…and your father Nathan…he loves you too. We both love you and all we want is the best for you…Nathan…"

Those tears that had been on the brink before were now so threatening that he was forced to look away from her face, to dislodge her hands from him even though he felt cruel and callous doing it. "Yeah…whatever…" His words sounded vicious after everything she had just said. But his head hurt more now and he was tired of it all. He just wanted to go to sleep. It had been a bad idea to come out here…it had only made him more upset talking to his mom. "I'm going to sleep."

"Nathan…" Deb reached for his hand. There was a part of her that was so angry at him for his cruel antics and insolence; she wished she could be as strong a mother as Karen and be able to voice her unhappiness when he acted in a way that was not right. She wanted to be strong enough to tell him that such behavior wouldn't be allowed…she wanted to discipline him in the appropriate way. She wanted to be a real mother like she had been when he was just a child. Even though she had been learning still then how to be a mother, at least they had gone through that learning experience together…slowly learning from each other about the relationship between a mother and her child.

Now she didn't even know how to talk to him. She felt so guilty and ashamed for staying away for so long. She wished she had made a better decision. Yes, she was upset at him for his attitude, but she was even more upset with herself for letting her foundation work keep her from being a good mother. She was angry with herself that she had let her insecurities about her marriage and Dan's previous relationship keep her away from home…letting it influence her to go on long trips sometimes. She was upset that she hadn't been more forceful when Dan started pressuring their son, and that she hadn't been around to even see it at first. She should have spent more time at home…she should have realized her son needed her...that her business trips would affect him.

And then when she had…when she was told that…

Well she hadn't known how to involve them and she hadn't wanted to…she hadn't wanted to admit it to them or herself…

So she had stayed away again…and after that the damage had been done. She was losing her son…

"Nate…please…" She searched his eyes, those distinct eyes that had the colors of blue and green in them. She wanted to make him understand…she was afraid…afraid she would lose her chance if…

Nathan looked down into his mom's pained eyes one more time, wanting to accept her comfort, to comfort her, but thinking back on how long she hadn't been there…how she was now trying to make up for it too late…he turned away. "Good night Mom."

Deb dropped her hand, feeling terribly lost…frightened…

And turning his back on her, he left her standing there…

Alone.

Just as she had been days ago at the water's edge…Debra Danielle Neville Scott was once again all alone…holding inside her a secret…a secret that she would not be able to keep to herself and away from her family much longer…not be able to hide it from those she loved for much longer.

Soon…the truth would have to come out.

To Be Continued…

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