Keith POV

Keith felt strange walking back into his brother's home. It could have been anyone, anybody in the world, but Dan had asked him specifically to go. Yet seeing his brother in that hospital bed, he couldn't find himself saying no.

He didn't trust his brother, more so now after what had happened with Deb, but they were still brothers, and if Dan needed him now, he'd at least try to show up.

Dan's office was spotless when Keith peaked his head and ventured further in. He'd come here for a specific file the doctor had asked Dan for, not entirely sure of the contents however.

The brown wooden desk Dan usually sat behind was tidily kept with all of Dan's things.

A nameplate, some pens, a stack of books, an old picture of Dan in his basketball uniform, and he even found room for a trophy he'd won when they were kids.

Funny, no pictures of his sons. Keith thought. He'd have given anything to call Lucas his own, even Nathan for that matter, after everything the two of them had gone through.

"But that ain't life," Keith mumbled, stepping around the desk and popping a seat. "Now where's this file Danny boy."

Searching his desk, Keith found a bunch of more crap following the great and successful life Dan had lived thus far. Magazine with his name, awards for his dealership, and what looked to be an all-inclusive paid trip to the Bahamas from one of his clients.

Yes his brother lived the life of the rich and famous, yet looking around, at the empty home, sonless family, divorced wife, and crappy bill of health, it definitely wasn't the life Keith would trade for at the very moment.

"You have 3 new voicemails…." A low voice said, startling Keith.

Dan's phone beeped silently drawing Keith's attention away from the file and onto the phone in front of him. He wasn't the snooping type, typically, but he found his hand over the phone and clicking on messages.

"First message…" The voice began. "Hey Dan, its bob over at the dealership, just wanted to let you know I'll handle to ship till your fully back on your feet buddy, call me if you need anything."

"Well thank you Bob," Keith mumbled, clicking next on the phone.

"Hi I'm calling about your windows Mr. Scott, are team will be in town of the next few weeks and if you need…."

"Next."

"Hi Dan, this is Carol, Carol Danvers…I just…we need to talk…and, God this is stupid, please call me back as soon as possible, you can reach me at this number. Goodbye Dan."

A strange feeling passed through Keith as the name hit a cord. Carol Danvers, The Carol Danvers. Keith wasn't one to think much on coincidences, although after everything with the car crash awhile back, maybe he really should start, but a phone call from Carol after so long, it didn't add up.

He remembered Carol, a girl he'd gone to high school with way back then. Normal girl, kept to her business, never bugged anybody. Keith always thought of her as a nice girl breezing though high school getting on no ones radar and just passing through.

The only thing he did remember was the insane crush she had on his little brother. Keith wasn't sure if Dan ever knew, but Keith did, but last he remembered, nothing ever happened, especially with Karen in the picture.

But it was still strange.

He didn't know why, he had no business doing it, but Keith found himself grabbing the phone and calling the number back.

Little did he know how that phone call would change the lives of many in Tree Hill…

Nathan POV

His wedding over, his brother back, his mom pissed, it was defiantly a strange start to the school year Nathan thought as he snuck his way into his old house hoping his mother was gone.

He was nearly done, just a few things left in his old room, and he'd be officially out of here forever.

Again, strange, a year ago he was living here, dating Peyton, brother less, or kind of, and his life was pretty simple. Now, now he wasn't sure what his life was.

But he was happy, and right now, that's all he cared about.

His mom gone thankfully, Nathan made his way towards his room, but stopped short hearing a familiar voice coming from his dad's office.

The door barely ajar, Nathan peeked in, seeing his uncle Keith on the phone.

He was toying around listening to some of his dad's old voicemails, but hearing the last one, Nathan stopped short of walking away.

His uncle had the strangest look on his face as he stared at the phone.

Nathan didn't know the woman, never even heard the name, but he knew his uncle Keith recognized it right away.

Feeling stupid hiding behind a door, Nathan was about to make his presence known but stopped short when his uncle Keith started dialing the numbers on the phone.

Keith POV

Keith found himself nervous as he dialed the number. He wasn't friends with Carol, nor enemies, but after so long, it'd be strange.

He tried to convince himself that he was just letting the people who called Dan know about his status, but he wasn't calling Bob, and he sure as hell wasn't calling that window cleaning service.

Carol was different, she sounded different, and Keith needed to know why.

The phone picked up almost instantly, as Keith tried to find his wording.

"Hello?" The voice on the other end asked, a woman's voice.

"Hi, yes, is this Carol? Carol Danvers?" Keith asked.

"Speaking?"

"Um…you called this number two days ago, North Carolina area code, ring any bells?"

The other end stayed silent for a few seconds before the voice whispered "Dan?"

"Close, but this is Dan's brother, Keith Scott, sound familiar?"

"Yes, I remember you Keith, your Dan's older brother. Listen is Dan there? I need to talk to him, its very important."

No hi's or how are you's I guess. Keith thought. "Listen Carol, that's gonna be difficult, Dan's in the hospital, he really can't call you back."

"Well when can he?" She demanded.

"I really don't know, he's had a serious heart attack, so…."

A low sigh was the only thing Keith heard.

"Carol?"

"Listen Keith, I don't have very long, and from the sound of it, Dan might not to, but I need to get this off my chest, could be the only thing I do right in my life."

"I don't follow."

"I've made a lot of mistakes in my life, some that I'm paying for as we speak, others much bigger."

"And?"

She continued. "Your brother was one of those mistakes."

"How so?"

"I slept with him."

Keith nearly choked back a cough hearing her answer so bluntly, but managed to refrain from doing so. He had a million questions, when had Dan seen her? Had she been in Tree Hill recently? Did Deb know Dan had cheated? And why was she telling Keith?

But for the life of him, he couldn't muster any words.

"I've paid for that mistake for too long."

Too long…Keith thought.

"Wait, when exactly did you sleep with him? I haven't seen you in Tree hill for quite some time."

"God not now, I haven't been to that town in nearly 17 years. This was junior year for me, graduation to be more specific."

Keith felt a lump in his throat. Dan had cheated on Karen….well again.

"Listen Carol, that sucks to hear, but maybe you should be telling Karen this, or anyone else, why does Dan need to know something he was clearly there for?"

"Because I got pregnant."