Chapter 24

Quinn POV

Quinn paced back and forth in her sister's bedroom as her sister watched from her bedside amused. She'd been at if for the past 5 minutes questioning herself and the stupid idea Haley had offered.

"Are you going to decide," Her sister called out impatiently. She gestured towards the bathroom. "Nathan's almost finished his shower and then we're going to bed."

"Sorry my personal turmoil is a burden to you," Quinn snapped, realizing how she just sounded. She threw her hands in her face. "Oh my god I sound like a bitter girlfriend. What the hell is happening?"

"Whatever it is it's amusing," Haley laughed from her spot. "Just go ask."

"Easy for you to say," Quinn mumbled, eyeing the clock. It'd been almost an hour since dinner had ended. "He's probably asleep. And even if, what's the point, I leave soon."

Haley rolled her eyes. "I'd feel bad but you've been this way for the past half hour. Either go or don't and spend the day with me tomorrow. P.S I'd prefer that."

Quinn looked over confused. "So then why are you telling me to go?"

She watched as her baby sister approached her hesitantly before grabbing her hand. It was strange to see Haley comforting her, growing up it was usually the other way around.

"Because I know this is what you want," Haley smiled. "You're not marrying the guy Quinn. So just go. Jack would be stupid to say no."

It was insane how badly she wanted it. If you'd told her three days ago when she came home to Tree Hill that she'd be this infatuated with a boy, she'd have laughed in your face. Quinn didn't understand it, and if she were being honest to herself, she didn't want too.

She just wanted to enjoy the little time she had before she was gone.

"I'll be back in 5 minutes," Quinn whispered. She watched her sister's face spread with a smile. "Wish me luck."

Before her sister could answer, Quinn walked as fast as she possibly could outside the bedroom and towards the front door. She was nervous, not nervous enough to sprint over, but she knew that the longer it took the more likelihood she had of convincing herself that what she was about to do was stupid.

The rain that plagued Tree Hill the whole weekend continued during the night as Quinn stepped outside. It was cold enough that she shivered walking towards her destination. It wasn't very long before she stood outside the door of Jack's apartment.

A mere 15 feet or so separated the two apartments and a two-inch door separated her from the boy who'd held her thoughts for the past hour or so.

She'd told Haley that she wasn't some headless girl chasing love at first sight, and she knew she was right, but the longer the night went the less and less that became true. She was more confident then this, it was time to prove it.

Quickly knocking, she waited impatiently, hoping for two things. First, he'd be asleep, second that he was awake. Her mind played out both scenarios and both had its merits.

Before she could rattle off a few ideas in her head, the door swung opened and Jack stepped out slowly. She felt a smile instantly form on her face as she took in his appearance.

He must have been sleeping because his short hair was scattered all around from lying down, his eyes were barely opened, and he stood in an undershirt and pajama bottoms. She would have laughed at his unkempt hair but felt terrible for waking him up.

"I'm so sorry," She apologized quickly, taking a step back. "I didn't know you were sleeping."

"Is everything all right?" Jack asked seriously. His eyes opened fully as his face showed worry.

"Yeah everything's okay," Quinn smiled a bit. She still felt bad for worrying him. "I should let you get back to bed."

"No it's fine," Jack waved it off; glad to see everything was okay. For a second he thought something had happened down the hall. "What's up? Did I forget something?"

"No no," Quinn answered. She shuffled back and forth on each foot trying to think of the best possible thing to say.

Screw it. She thought.

"Do you wanna do something tomorrow?" She asked. It didn't seem possible but it almost sounded casual coming out of her mouth.

Jack looked at her confused. "What do you mean? Are you guys having another dinner or something?"

"No," She answered softly. The confidence was now back. "I meant just you and me. Like a date."

"Like a date?"

"A date," She reaffirmed.

Quinn watched as the boy in front of her scratched the back of his head nervously. She'd picked up on that habit the night he took her home. From the little past experience, he was either confused or nervous.

It didn't bode well.

"Isn't tomorrow your last night?" Jack said slowly. He stuck his thumb towards the wall. "You're not spending it with Haley?"

"Na she's kind of boring," Quinn joked. She watched him smile, thinking this was definitely worth it. "I'll be back in Tree Hill soon enough hopefully. I just wanted to see if you'd be interested."

They never told you how long it'd feel after asking a question like that. Everything in the open, cards on the table, you waited. For some it probably felt long, others quick and short.

Quinn didn't have the time to wonder any longer.

"Uh…sure."

Keith POV

"I don't understand."

Keith sat patiently inside the doctor's office early in the morning after being called in. At first he thought something had happened to Dan, but the caller had quickly shot that down saying he was needed for an appointment with Dan's doctor.

However what the doctor had called him in for was far worse then complications with Dan's recovery.

"Are you saying that this wasn't just a heart attack?" Keith asked, trying to process what he'd just been told.

"It's called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy," The doctor said slowly. It wasn't east having these conversations with people. "It's a heart disease that in larges the myocardium, or heart muscle. It's very rare."

"And Dan has this?" Keith asked slowly.

The doctor nodded solemnly. "I've very sorry Mr. Scott. The good news is that it's treatable. As long as Mr. Scott takes his medication and doesn't exuberate himself, then he should live a happy and long life."

It wasn't the best of news but Keith was glad there was some sort of silver lining. Although that didn't explain why he was telling him.

"What's the bad news?" Keith asked, knowing something was wrong.

"It's hereditary," The doctor answered. "There's a chance that you, and Mr. Scotts children may have it as well."

It almost felt like a joke. Keith waited and waited until the doctor smiled saying he'd been playing him the whole time. It was just a terrible, terrible joke. How was it possible that after everything they've been through, to get where they are, and then have this piled on them.

Lucas and Nathan were finally brothers. If that wasn't a miracle, then finding out he had another nephew was. Now there was a chance that all three of them, the only family he had, might be sick with a heart defect.

Keith looked up towards the doctor and knew. It wasn't a joke. This was real, and for the first time since Luke's accident, he feared for his life and his nephews.

"What's the chance?" Keith whispered.

"Mr. Scott…"

"What is it!"

"50/50."

An hour later Keith found himself in Dan's room as the two sat quietly in the hospital. He wasn't sure what to say to his brother. Both knew what was going on, but neither had a solution.

"I'm gonna have to tell the boys," Keith said quietly. He waited for Dan's reaction but saw nothing. "Dan?"

"What is it Keith," He gritted out of his teeth. "You want me to cry? Feel sorry for you? Offer to hold your hand while you do it?"

"I want you to show some sort of concern for your sons," Keith fired back. "Nathan and Lucas may have it, and Jack…"

"Jack," Dan repeated, hatred in his voice.

Deb and Keith had broken the news to Dan a few days earlier and he hadn't taken it very well. They expected curses and shouts, maybe even some sympathy, but he just acted like he didn't care.

"He's your son."

Dan laughed, turning away from him. "He's no son of mine."

"What the hells a matter with you!"

"Nathan left me, Lucas hates me, why should this one be any different."

"That's your fault," Keith felt no pity towards his brother. "You nearly ruined both their lives. And here I am stupid enough to ask you to give your third son a chance."

"Well you were never bright," Dan smiled. "How is my wife?"

"Screw you."

"No that's what you did to her," Dan fired back. He didn't give his brother a chance to talk, as he gestured to the door. "I'm tired, leave."

Keith knew his brother had always been an ass, but he never thought of him as heartless. He had three tries to be a father, and he'd failed three times the way Keith saw it. The boys were better off.

"Yeah, I'll leave," Keith mumbled, getting up. He headed towards the door before looking back. "A time may come when you think that maybe you have a chance of being an actual father to those boys. When that time comes ignore that feeling, you don't deserve them."

General POV

Brooke and Peyton walked outside for lunch during the break. It'd been a relatively boring day for the two, as they just wanted the day to end. Both had plans they were looking forward too afterwards.

"So did Haley say yes?" Brooke asked as the two found a table. Peyton had told her about her plans for a club and she was all for it. "Be cool to say we have a friend who's a rock star."

"She'd think about it," Peyton offered. Grabbing a notepad from her bag, she opened it to show Brooke. "Good news is that I have all these people auditioning tonight for an opening."

Brooke frowned. "Is there even an opening? What did Karen say?"

"Seeing her tonight," Peyton smiled, hoping everything would fall in line. "I think it'll be good news."

"I like the confidence P. Sawyer."

"Speaking of confidence," Peyton said with a smile. She spotted a familiar face searching for somewhere to eat. "Jack over here!"

Jack heard the shout as he turned to see the two best friends waving him over. Well Peyton was, Brooke was just looking at him. Finding no way out it, he made his way towards the table with a hesitant smile.

"Hey," He said, taking a seat. "You guys don't mind if I join?"

"It's encouraged," Peyton smiled. It'd been weird not seeing him at her house over the past few days. "How's it going? It's weird not seeing you in the house."

Jack nodded, agreeing. "Yeah I know. Place is quiet now, almost too quiet."

"Downfall to living with Peyton," Brooke teased, looking at her best friend. "You have to endure that stuff she calls music."

Peyton pretended to look hurt. "Next time you want to crash at my house, you aren't invited."

"Then maybe I'll just have to sleep at Chase's house," Brooke smirked.

The two had gone on their date yesterday and Brooke actually had a good time. He was sweet, thoughtful, and made her laugh numerous times. She'd didn't know much about his past, only that he had a serious girlfriend and after the broke up he moved here.

She'd wanted to press further, but remembered that she too had a bad history with a boyfriend and thought against it. Last thing she wanted was this guy asking questions about what happened with Lucas.

What probably surprised her the most was the fact that at the end of the night nothing happened. No touching, kissing, or anything along those lines. He dropped her off, said goodnight and then went their separate ways.

He wasn't just in it for her bed like some guys.

"Oh are we at that stage," Peyton laughed. "Thought nothing happened."

Brooke shrugged. "Unfortunately, but I'm Brooke Davis, I can get anyone I want."

"You are the master," Peyton admitted. She was happy to see her friend happy, which raised another point she forgot to mention to their new tablemate. "Speaking of dating, Jack, a little bird told me you have a date tonight."

"What?" Brooke cut in, before Jack could answer. She turned to the boy hurriedly. "Who is it? Did Bevin ask you out?"

"Who's Bevin?" Jack wondered.

"Don't confuse him Brooke," Peyton shushed her. She turned back to her former roommate. "Haley told me you and Quinn are going out tonight."

Jack hesitated as the two girls stared at him. He should have known news of that would find it's way around his small network of the people he knew. One downfall of high school was the crazy rumor vine that made it's way around everyone.

He was already cautious about tonight, and now he had the added headache of being asked about it by others.

"We are," He said slowly.

Brooke watched as the boy in front of her struggled to admit it. It shouldn't have been a surprise to her; she'd seen the way Quinn had looked at him the other night at the party. For Jack it seemed like a no brainer, Brooke had to admit that Haley's older sister was freaking gorgeous.

Like the others she briefly remembered her in passing, but seeing her the other night, Brooke could understand the appeal. Great hair, long legs, spectacular eyes, great personality from what Haley told her, yes Quinn James was a complete package.

It just got to the point for the past couple weeks that Brooke almost thought Jack had sworn off girls after seeing so many failed attempts.

"Who asked who?" Brooke asked, very curious to know.

Jack shrugged. "Doesn't matter. Thinking about cancelling."

"What! You can't," Peyton shouted, earning a few curious glances from other students. "Sorry. But no Jack you can't, this will be good for you. Have fun. Come on Brooke back me up."

Brooke hesitated before nodding. "Peyton's right. You should definitely do it. Besides you can't cancel the day of, that wouldn't be very nice."

Jack knew they were right, but they didn't understand. "It's…it's complicated. But thanks for the input. I'll see you guys later."

The two girls watched as Jack picked up his stuff and quickly made his way inside the school. They briefly caught his distressed look and almost thought of going after him.

"Something's wrong," Peyton said turning to her friend. "She would go after him."

Brooke wanted too, but she shook her head. "You know how he is P. Sawyer. He's guarded. Best thing we could do is giving him his space."

Peyton didn't like it but relented. "Fine. Just hope everything works out."

Nathan POV

Off the sound of the whistle Nathan felt his internal motor kickoff before sprinting down the sidelines ball in hand. Cutting towards the right, he sidestepped no one before passing the ball off to Lucas.

Without a second past, he sprinted towards him, held his stance and performed a pick. Lucas ran around him, towards the corner of the court before passing the ball back towards Nathan.

Back in his hands, Nathan fired off the shot and watched as the ball cleanly fell threw the hoop. It wasn't perfect, but they'd run the play.

They were still about a second behind the timing they wanted and Nathan had to release the ball a fraction earlier. Half a second could dictate the outcome of a game, Nathan and Lucas were preparing for that outcome this year.

"That was better," Lucas said. He headed towards the bench for some water. They'd been at it for the past hour. "Still not perfect."

"We keep looking for perfect will be here all day," Nathan admitted, joining him. "We don't need to be perfect, just good enough to beat whoever steps onto that court."

"And we will," Lucas said without a doubt. It'd take time, but the two together would set this season on fire eventually. "Call it a day?"

Nathan nodded. "Think so. Got some stuff to study for anyways."

The two quickly gathered their things and headed towards the exit. It didn't take long to see they had a visitor watching by the door, a very familiar visitor.

"Must feel weird walking into this gym after so long," Lucas smiled, looking over at Quinn.

Crossing her arms Quinn pouted. "That's the second time someone's made a joke about me being old. Can't say I'm thrilled at the idea."

"Don't feel bad," Lucas continued. "Not many old people still have time to date."

"I'll choose to ignore that comment," Quinn said. She eyed the boy's current state. "How was practice? Working on those free throws Luke?"

"You play?" Nathan asked.

Lucas nodded, answering for her. "There was a time where she could probably take both of us. Quinn's quite the athlete."

"Awww, first an old lady and now a star athlete," Quinn smiled, holding her hand to her heart. "You're making me blush."

"Na that'd be Jack's job," Nathan teased. He watched as his sister in law actually blushed as the two boys laughed. "See."

"Whatever," Quinn shrugged off trying to act cool. "Anyways, that's kind of why I'm here."

The three made there way outside the gym and into the hall as Quinn continued.

"You guys are cool with tonight right?" Quinn asked quietly. It was weird of her to ask, she knew Lucas and Nathan weren't Jack's gatekeepers, but maybe they knew something she didn't.

Lucas nodded. "Of course we are. I'm sure you'll have fun."

"Yeah," Nathan agreed. He'd seen the looks both gave each other during dinner. They needed this. "What are you guys doing anyway. It's almost 6."

Quinn smiled holding up a pair of keys she'd recently got from an old friend. "I'd explain but I want it to be a surprise."

"Nobodies here," Lucas laughed. Looking around, the parking lot was empty and the campus was a ghost town.

"Doesn't matter," Quinn laughed, seeing the boy's expression. "Anyways I got to go, meeting him soon. Bye guys."

"Have fun!"

The two watched as Haley's older sister walked back towards the gym with a smile on her face. It was a strange sight to see, at least for Lucas, but a welcome one.

"Why's she in the gym?" Nathan asked.

Lucas shrugged. "Who knows? Best bet will find out tomorrow."

General POV

Jack walked slowly into the gym around 6:30 confused as to why he was here. Last he remembered, Coach Whitey had told him that gym closed at 6 except on game days. From the lack of crowd he knew that wasn't the case as well.

Looking around the empty gym he heard the door behind him open and turned to see Quinn walk in with a smile on her face.

He really shouldn't have agreed to this but seeing her walk closer with that look on her face, it was so damn hard to walk away.

"Hey," Quinn smiled, her voice echoing through the gym. She was glad he came. There was a brief thought that he'd call in cancel when the time came.

"I didn't realize the gym stayed open this late," Jack looked around, hoping they wouldn't get caught by Whitey. "Are you trying to get us in trouble?"

Quinn laughed, seeing his expression. "The stories I've heard, trouble seems to find you."

"Can't argue that."

Holding the keys, she explained. "Whitey's an old friend. I kind of use to be his star athlete when I was still a student here. Asked him for a favor."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "You borrowed an entire gym? That's pretty impressive."

They walked side by side down the court as Quinn tried her best to explain why she did it. Throughout the day Haley had been calling asking what they were planning and it got to the point where Quinn was getting a little nervous.

The closer the hour came, the less likely she had a clue on what to do. Sure they could go to dinner, maybe see a movie, but Quinn didn't want that. She was sure Jack didn't want that, so she found an alternative.

"I'm sure Whitey hasn't showed you this room," Quinn explained as they passed through the hall and towards the gym the students worked out in. The door across was open as Quinn led the way through the dark room. "Ta da!"

Opening the lights, the room quickly took shape. It wasn't very big, maybe the size of half the court the boys played on, but smack dab in the middle of the room was a boxing ring. It wasn't for show, as the walls around it had no seats or stands.

It was a practice ring.

"Wow," Jack whispered, stepping closer towards the familiar site. He hadn't been in one in almost a month. "I had no clue they had one. I knew they had a team but figured they practiced somewhere else."

Quinn watched from a distance, as the boy was enamored with the ring. It was such a simple thing to do, but seeing his face, it was the best thing she could have hoped for. Giving someone something they love was always the best way to start off.

"Is this why you asked Whitey for the keys?" Jack turned to her as she nodded. "You wanted to show me this?"

That was part of it.

Quinn grabbed the nearby bag she'd put inside the room earlier and tossed it towards him. He looked confused as he tried to open it. It didn't take long before a small smile appeared on his face, as he eyed the contents.

"Seriously?" Jack looked up.

"Show me what you got."

Ten minutes later the two found themselves dressed and ready as they eyed each other in the ring. It was almost surreal for Jack as he held his hands high with his boxing gloves and stared down his date.

"Now most girls would probably wanna watch a chick flick or catch a walk at the pier," Quinn said, quickly throwing a few errand punches. She hadn't worn boxing gloves in years. "But I'm not most girls."

"So you want to fight?" Jack asked, watching as she walked back and forth in her corner. He was almost distracted at the way she looked, to notice that she moved very well on her feet.

"Absolutely," Quinn smirked, throwing some more jabs as she warmed up. "Now, from what I've heard, you love swinging those big grizzly fists of yours."

"Grizzly?" Jack laughed, starting to move as well. The two circled each other, still a good distance between them.

"You love to hit, I've seen it," Quinn remembered. "But fighting isn't always offence, you gotta know how to defend, like any sport."

"So?"

Smiling, Quinn took a few steps closer to him. "You're gonna defend while I try and hit you. Every time I sock one on that thick skull of yours, you got to tell me something I don't know about you."

It was juvenile, but she thought it'd be fun to play. Talking to someone while they did something they loved was the best way to learn about that person. Quinn figured this would be the most open thing Jack would talk during.

"How do I win?" Jack asked, a smile on his face the entire time.

"Every 2 minutes that pass without a hit to the head, I tell you something," Quinn explained. Pushing her hands forward towards the middle, she waited. "So what do you say? You willing to fight me to learn everything there is to know?"

Jack could hear the tease in her voice as she waited for his answer. He never expected this after wondering the entire day what might be in stored for him.

Looking at her, as she bounced up on each foot with a bright smile on his face, wearing an outfit that looked way too damn good on her, Jack knew this was a mistake. He shouldn't be here.

He knew that would ever happened wouldn't end well.

Yet looking as she patiently waited with her hands out for his, he couldn't say no.

Bumping gloves, the two smiled.

"Game on," Jack answered, and watched as a glove came flying directly towards his face without a second to lose.

The shot connected, sending him back.

"Oh was that too hard?" Quinn asked, a little worried. She sometimes didn't realize her own strength. She tried her best not to smile as Jack shook off the punch casually. "I guess I win?"

Laughing, Jack nodded. "You definitely win. So I gotta say something huh?"

"That's the game."

"Okay," Jack tried to think of something. "I'm scared of heights."

"Really," Quinn smiled, thinking it was strange the first thing he told her was a fear. "I guess next time I avoid rock climbing as a date."

The two smiled before both their hands were back in position. As much as they wanted to know about each other, they both had competitive streaks, and the next little while proved that.

Not once backing down, both pushed themselves as hard as they could. Quinn hadn't swung her fists at anything in years, and she was definitely making up for lost time. They weren't hard, but quick jabs to show Jack the holes in his defense.

To his surprise Jack took a ton of shots to the head as Quinn proved to be quite the opponent. She caught him off guard with how fast she could swing and counter and still be able to catch her breath.

Suffice it to say, she'd learned a lot about him.

"So just a quick reminder," Quinn sighed tiredly from her end of the ring. "You're scared of heights, you once stole a cat from a neighbor, enjoy western movies, speak two languages, and got caught kissing your first girl in your bedroom by your foster parents?"

"You forgot being dumped at my first middle school dance," Jack admitted, his breaths heavy. He saw Quinn smirked from her corner. "Why am I reminding you of that?"

"Poor baby," Quinn laughed, getting back towards the middle of the ring. "Now come on, last round. I wanna know a deep dark secret."

Getting back to it, the clock started as Quinn began her barrage of jabs towards Jack's face and body. Jack could have taken shot to shot in the chest, holding her at bay for the minute, but he knew that wasn't fair.

It wasn't about just winning he realized, she was helping him defend as well. Something he couldn't have practiced since he'd been in Tree Hill. He quickly noticed her pattern and figured to hold her off long enough.

Quinn continued to throw punches, knowing she was running out of time. She had to think of something quick if she were going to win this last round.

Throwing a punch towards his face, Quinn saw his body hunch lower before seeing her spot. Without warning, she tossed a sideways kick towards his thigh, connecting and sending a surprised shock through him.

Jack inadvertently flinched at the shot, turning his head away. His mistake cost him as he felt the jab hit him, sending him tumbling down.

Quinn would have laughed if she didn't get caught up in her momentum and tumbled towards the floor as well. Half her body landed on him as the other hit the floor hard.

She would have flinched in pain, but soon found herself laughing on the floor.

"I guess I win," She smiled, enjoying the sudden break on the floor. Neither moved, as they lay comfortably side-by-side. "Got to watch out for those kicks."

"Thought we were boxing," Jack turned to her with a knowing look. "You cheated."

Quinn rolled her eyes before smirking. "Maybe a little. How about we both say something then?"

"Sounds fair," Jack agreed, still looking at her from his position on the floor. Neither made the attempt to get up.

He could have told her anything. Even something made up, she'd never know. But Jack couldn't. Looking at her, realizing how much effort she put into tonight, how much fun he'd have, she deserved the truth.

"I didn't think tonight would be a good idea," Jack admitted softly, searching her eyes. Last thing he wanted was to make her feel bad.

Quinn watched his face closely, before nodding. "I know. I felt the same way."

"I was wrong."

Quinn smiled at his answer. Maybe it was his admission, maybe it was the fact she was leaving tomorrow and might not see him again, but going with her gut, Quinn leaned in and captured his lips with hers.

The kiss didn't last very long as the two pulled away to stare at each other. No words were spoken, but they knew what was about to happen, for better or worse.

Kissing him again, Quinn shifted her body on top of his as he held onto her hips closely. It'd been so long for both of them as they battled for dominance. So many emotions ran past each of them as they ventured deeper into it.

Quinn pushed his body back as she leaned in, her mouth inches from his as she grinded slowly on him. She smiled at his reaction before kissing him again.

Feeling the heat take over them, the two quickly discarded both their tops, leaving them half naked as they rolled around in the middle of the ring.

It wasn't too late to stop this, but as Jack looked down at the half naked girl, her bright eyes looking into his, he knew he couldn't.

"Are you…"Jack whispered before her lips captured his again.

Her hands shuffled with his pants as she looked up at him. "Please."

It didn't take very long before their passion grew. It was almost a blur as they shifted and grunted and caved into the ecstasy of it all. They both knew that tomorrow would hold new obstacles, but they'd worry about it then.

Tonight, they just wanted to share this moment.