The Mourning After
Pat II Chapter V
Thank you all for the reviews, no I really mean it. This story is the longest running one I've had and I know it takes me a while to update and so I really appreciate the patience you guys have. I thought I would have more free time to write but I guess I was wrong. It's hard sometimes to get the inspiration to write down what I want. Anyways, I know things look bleak right now but there is light at the end of the tunnel, Haley will eventually track down Nathan (if you read back in Part II Chapter I) so we are getting close to it. I don't know if OTH ever mentioned the name of Naley's therapist in season 5 but I use her in this chapter. Check out my other stories, I updated them not too long ago. Again thank you so much and please review!
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Dr. Linda Harris scribbled some notes on her pad. She tried to keep focused at the task at hand but she had an uncomfortable sleep last night, thanks to some rowdy neighbors. She peaked up and saw the young man sitting in front of her, his legs nervously shaking up and down while he fiddled with his hands.
"And how are you feeling today, James?" Dr. Harris asked.
The young man in front of her looked up and gave her a blank stare, then he looked back down again, still shaking that annoying leg and fiddling with his hands.
"Mr. Lafferty." Dr. Harris spoke up and removed her glasses.
"Dammit!" He cursed and he punched one of his hands into his fist.
"James, are you feeling well today?" "Dr. Harris said in her proper British accent.
"Nathan!" He said defiantly. "My name is Nathan, Nathan Scott!"
"I know." Dr. Harris sighed.
"No.. you don't know." Nathan interrupted. "My name is Nathan Royal Scott and James is my son's name, not mine." Nathan tried to keep his cool.
"You're right, I don't know." Dr. Harris leaned back. "Care to tell me?" It was her job after all.
Nathan snorted. "You have my file, it doesn't take some fancy degree from Oxford to figure that out." Nathan bit out and looked at the Oxford diploma behind her. As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt bad. This wasn't her fault. "I'm.. I'm sorry.. I didn't mean that."
"No.. it's okay Mr. Scott.. I know all about you." She gave a small smile. "Nathan Scott from Tree Hill, NC, presumed dead, leaves behind an infant son, James Lucas Scott and wife Haley James Scott, father is Daniel Scott, Mayor of Tree Hill who helped you be placed under the FBI's witness protection program for nearly two years now, under alias James Lafferty, that's what your file tells me." She sighed and gently tapped her pen on her pad. "I know you expected this to be over by now, I wish I could give you more information on your case but I don't have any more news, for the foreseeable future you are stuck under your alias and the more you hold onto your former life, the longer and harder it will be for you."
"Hold on!? Are you kidding me? That's the only thing keeping me going!" Nathan said ridiculously. He couldn't believe he was forced into seeing a counselor. This bitch did absolutely nothing for him.
"I know you met recently with your father, that must've been difficult." Dr. Harris tried to get back on track.
"Difficult, gut wrenching.. take your pick."
"You were doing fine in our last session, what happened with your father?"
"Nothing." Nathan sighed. "That's the problem. I've been waiting, praying for the FBI to finally crack down on Bear and end this ordeal but no.. I'm still waiting while my family is a thousand miles away."
"It must be very frustrating for you."
Nathan nodded. "I keep telling myself that I'm doing this for my family.. that I'm protecting them. Daunte is dead, Bear think I'm dead, there's no reason for him to go after my family.. I just .. I don't know how much more I can take especially when I see reminders of how my old life has been."
"You're talking about seeing your brother?" Dr. Harris raised her eyebrow and flipped through his file. "Half brother, Lucas Scott?"
Nathan nodded. "He was in New York recently and I saw him.. for a city of millions, what're the chances right?" Nathan said sarcastically.
Dr. Harris nodded, knowing this exposure to his old life was weighing him down.
"My dad also left me this." He reached out into his back pocket and handed the picture to the doctor.
She took the picture and her heart swelled at the young blue eyed toddler. He may have had sandy blond hair but she definitely could tell that this was none other than James Lucas Scott, his son.
"He's very handsome." Dr. Harris commented.
"And also getting bigger each day .. and I miss him each day." Nathan sighed. "I missed out so much already.. his first words, when he crawled, when he learned to walk.. when he started teething .. I missed all that.. and more.. and to have Haley do it all by herself." Nathan paused and closed his eyes, trying to get a hold of his emotions. "I wonder one day if I'm still stuck here that .. that maybe she'll find someone . .and then she won't be alone." Nathan looked down.
Dr. Harris nodded. "I wish there was more that I could do for you Nathan, but I am hear to listen and talk and help in any way I can."
Nathan took a deep breath, feeling defeated for the day. "Thank.. thank you doc."
"Now.. tell me about NYU.. how are you're classes going?" Dr. Harris changed topics. She figured Nathan wouldn't want to talk about his personal life but something light should help him keep the session going.
"Ehh." Nathan shrugged. "They're okay, I don't really do school.. that was more of Haley's thing." He commented and just there mere thought of his wife broke his heart all over again.
. . . . . . .
"Deb?" Lucas adjusted his duffle bag on his shoulders. His little nephew noticed him and he immediately stuck out his small arms out.
"Oh Lucas." Deb turned around to see him and handed little Jamie off to Lucas. It was clear that the boy missed his uncle.
"Hey Buddy." Lucas kissed his forehead and bounced him up and down. "I thought Skills was picking me up." Lucas turned his attention back to Deb. The trio were currently in the middle of Tree Hill's local airport.
"I came here to drop Haley off." Deb replied.
"Haley?" He replied and at that moment, Haley walked back from check in. She instantly reached out and took her son from Lucas.
"You be a good boy for Grandma okay?" Haley ignored Lucas and gave her son a big hug before handing him off to Deb.
"You're going somewhere?" Lucas asked.
"If you must know, I'm going to New York. Brooke is letting me crash with her."
Deb looked between her daughter in-law and the young man she considered a second son. She knew tension was brewing once more.
"I should get going, Jamie is late for his nap. Bye Haley.. take care. I'll see you later Luke."
Haley and Lucas waved Jamie and Deb off and then turned back to each other.
"So you're just taking off?" Lucas spat out, not believing she was leaving Jamie behind like that.
Haley rolled her eyes. She sensed another lecture coming. "I'm going to look at schools."
"Schools? Why in New York?"
"Cuz New York has some of the best schools, duh?"
"So what, you're just going to move to New York and leave Jamie down here?"
"Whoa.. when did I say that and who are you to jump to conclusions.. first of all I said I was just looking .. if and where I decide to go to school, Jamie is coming with me."
"Why don't you go to school around here, there are plenty of.."
"You don't get it Lucas.. I need to get away.."
"But what about Jamie, who will watch out for him?"
"Me?! Who else?"
"You! Seriously, the woman who's always handing Jamie off to someone else."
She gave him a hard slap in the face. He nursed his cheek for a second before turning back to Haley, still unfazed.
"You know, you are such a hypocrite.. you want me to be more involved with Jamie to move on with my life .. and the first real attempt at that and you use it to criticize me!"
"I didn't mean it like that, I just think it'd be better if you and Jamie stayed here."
"When I want your opinion, I'll ask for it." Haley glared at him. Just then the announcement was made for Haley's flight for NYC. Without a second glance, she turned around and headed straight for the terminal.
. . . . . .
"Haley! Haley!!" Brooke jumped up and down waving her hand to get her attention. Haley navigated through the busy terminal at JFK airport and saw Brooke in the distance.
"Ahh, I can't believe you're here!" The two shared a quick hug.
"You and I both." Haley gave a small smile. Although the flight wasn't that long, it still left her tired.
They went to get Haley's luggage and took a taxi into the city.
"And this is what I'd like to call home." Brooke announced as she opened her door to her fabulous two bedroom apartment overlooking Central Park.
"Wow, Brooke.. this place is .. wow." Haley replied. She had heard horror stories of most places in the city being like shoe boxes. Judging from the opulent entry, Haley knew it wasn't the case in this building.
"The spare room is here." Brooke led her to her spare bedroom. "Now, where are the pictures?" Brooke asked eagerly as she sat on the bed.
Haley placed her luggage on the side and opened up the side pocket. She took envelope full of pictures and handed it to Brooke.
"Aww.. oh my God.. he's so big.. and so handsome." Brooke smiled.
"Yeah." Haley gave small smile.
"Look at his blond hair, if I didn't know any better, I'd say he was Lucas' son."
At the mention of Lucas' name, Haley immediately tensed up.
"He was here you know, in New York."
"I know." Brooke replied softly while putting down the pictures. "I was supposed to have lunch with him."
"But?" Haley sensed there was a but in there.
"I chickened out."
"Why? I thought you two were trying to do this whole friends thing."
"Yeah, well I got to the restaurant and Lucas wasn't alone.. he was with some blond tramp.. I .. I couldn't see him and chit chat with his new girlfriend."
"Wait? Lucas doesn't have a girlfriend." Haley paused. "At least I don't think he does." They may have seen each other often but they hardly talked any more, just argued. "Blond." Haley muttered. "That must be Lindsey, his editor."
"Who?"
"Lindsey, I met her once when she passed through Tree Hill, she's Lucas' editor. He came up here to see her."
"They looked very cozy, you sure they aren't an item." Brooke rolled her eyes.
"I'm sensing a little jealousy here."
"I'm not jealous."
"Right." Haley said mockingly.
"You know .. nevermind." Brooke pouted.
"Brooke, it's okay.. I know how much you loved Lucas."
"I don't know." Brooke sighed. "I know we've been broken up.. it's hard.. I don't know how people do it?"
Haley gave a sarcastic laugh. "When you find out let me know.. I miss Nathan everyday.. sometimes just saying his name." Haley shook her head.
"Aww tutor mom, I know it's hard. It'll get easier."
"I don't think so." Haley replied. "It's been how long now and I .. I still reach out for him at night, I have this feeling that he'll be coming home at any minute from basketball but.." Haley stopped talking, fearing she might overwhelm herself again.
"It's okay Hales.. I understand." Brooke gave her a supportive hug. "Was there something else that was bothering you? You seemed pre occupied when I picked you up."
"I'm just tired from the flight." Haley paused.
"You sure?" Brooke prodded.
"Why? Who have you spoken to?" Haley sensed something was up.
"Peyton." Brooke replied. "We spoke on the phone before I picked you up. She mentioned how she saw you when she last visited Tree Hill.. and that she also just talked to Lucas."
"Can we please get off the topic of Lucas Scott?" Haley rolled her eyes.
"That bad huh?" Brooke's face softened. No matter her feelings towards Lucas, it still broke her heart to see the once best friends so distant to each other.
"Nothing I didn't deserve." Haley sighed. Yes she was annoyed at Lucas but she really wasn't angry at him, she was mad at herself because she knew he was right. "Look.. I didn't come here so we can talk about our problems with Lucas."
Brooke smiled. "Fair enough.. so now tell me tutor mom, what're your plans while you're here? You meeting up with your sister?"
Haley nodded. "Yeah, Quinn and I are having lunch tomorrow, she's taking the train in from New Jersey but my niece has the chicken pox so I'm afraid I'll only get to see her tomorrow. My parents are supposed to be here but they are still out west with my brother."
"And which schools are you looking to see? I'm sorry I won't be able to go with you."
"Oh Brooke, don't worry about it. I figured you'd be busy and.. I'm actually thankful you had the time to let me crash with you."
"Haley, are you kidding me.. I'll always have time for you."
"Thanks Brooke." Haley smiled. "Well, after lunch, I have an appointment at Fordham. All the other schools, I don't need to make one so I'll just play it by ear, I plan on visiting Hunter, Columbia, St. John's, Pace.."
"Wow.. that's a full schedule."
"I know." Haley replied. She would be here for a couple of days, she hoped this would give her plenty of time to check these schools out.
"Oh yeah, I forgot, there's also NYU."
To Be Continued . . . .