Thank you so much for the reviews! They were so nice, and they made my day!

I am a little iffy about this chapter, because this starts to deal with the issues from the finale, etc, and I was enjoying the brothers only relying on each other. Well, the real world has to come back eventually…but I will make sure the Nathan/Lucas relationship is the central part of the story.

Oh, and by the way? None of these characters, etc is mine.

I also apologize if some of the the events from this past season are written incorrectly, because I have missed a few episodes.

"That was quick," Lucas said when he picked up the phone.

He couldn't hear anything, just a bunch of static.

"Nathan your reception sucks."

"Lucas?"

"Mom?"

"Hey baby, how are you?"

"Good, Mom. Did you find Andy?"

"Yeah, he just missed his flight. I'm happy I came though. It's beautiful here." Karen said.

"That's good to hear. How are you?"

"Good, were you expecting a call from Nathan?"

"Yeah. He went to visit Dan at the hospital and I wanted to know how it went,"

"Hospital? What happened?"

"Oh that's right, you don't know. Apparently someone tried to kill Dan by drugging him and then setting the dealership on fire. He's okay though, he has some burns, but he'll be alright to leave the hospital in a couple of weeks."

"Oh my God," Karen whispered.

"I know. It's scary."

"Why didn't you go with him? To the hospital with Nathan, I mean."

"Dan and I aren't really speaking right now." Lucas said.

"Oh, honey. Do you want to talk about it?"

"Nah, that's alright. This is long distance and all, Nathan is helping me deal with stuff."

"That's great Lucas. I guess you're right, this is probably a very expensive phone call. But you're worth it,"

"Thanks Mom. Do you know when you'll be back?"

"I'm not sure baby. I love you,"

"I love you too Mom. Say hi to Andy." Lucas said quietly, disappointed.

"Bye."

"Bye."

Lucas hung up the phone and sighed. He really needed his Mom right now. His dad hated him, his mom was away, and his Uncle Keith hadn't been around in a long time. He knew Peyton was there too, but she was having a lot of trouble as it was, and he didn't want to burden her with the Scott family issues. Having Nathan was extremely reassuring though, even though it was very new to him.

Just then, his phone rang again. Lucas chuckled.

"Speaking of which," He picked up the phone. "Hello?"

"It's called call waiting, man."

"Hello to you too. Sorry, my mom called me from New Zealand."

"Really? What's she doing there?"

"Yeah, she's staying with Andy for awhile."

"That's cool. So I talked to Dad…"

"And…"

"I told him you were sorry and everything, and I think he was open to you visiting."

"Think?"

"Well, he didn't say for sure. I really think you should."

"I guess…"

"I'll come with you."

"Thanks. I just might take you up on that."

"Do you want me to pick you up?"

"Yeah. When will you be here?"

"Now," Nathan said, opening the outside door to Lucas' bedroom.

"You know Nathan, when you assume you make an ass out of…"

"Shut up and let's go." Nathan smiled.

"Why am I doing this?" Lucas wondered out loud in the car.

"Because you should!"

"Why? He doesn't acknowledge me as his son. Not that I should really miss it, it only lasted for about a few months."

"Just give it a shot. Afterwards we can go play ball at the Rivercourt."

"Fine."

"Dad?" Lucas walked into the room slowly.

"So it's Dad now, eh? It's funny how trying to bring someone down makes one affectionate," Dan scoffed.

"Whatever."

"Hey, you're the one who insisted on seeing me."

"You know, I think I miss the crazy happy post-heart attack Dan," Lucas snapped. He hadn't meant to lose his temper so quickly, but he was already tense as it is.

"Why? Because I wasn't making your life miserable?"

"Partly. Just because you weren't a complete asshole, basically."

"Sorry to disappoint you."

"I'm so sure." Lucas smirked.

"Look, Lucas…"

"I shouldn't have come." Lucas interrupted. "I hope you get better soon. I really do. And I'm sorry, Dan." Lucas said, genuinely, turning to leave.

"Lucas, wait."

"What?"

"I know."

"Okay…?" He was missing what Dan meant.

"Did your medication run out?"

"Yeah. Just yesterday." Lucas said quickly, leaving before Dan could say anything else.

"How'd it go?" Nathan said, who was waiting outside by the car.

"Guess"

"Lucas, did you even try?"

"No. Why do you care?" Lucas snapped, stalking off. He couldn't believe Dan had gotten to him. Again.

"Hey." Nathan grabbed Lucas' shoulder and turned him around to face him. "What happened?"

"I don't know. He said something rude, and I just snapped. I knew that it would get really bad, so I left."

"He seemed open to seeing you I don't know…"

"I think he was. But we were both on edge. Actually…It was kind of my fault."

Nathan sighed.

"He asked about my medication."

"Really?"

"You think he might've been reaching out?" Lucas asked.

"I don't know. Maybe."

"It's so hard. I hate this. I hate this!" Lucas had tears in his eyes.

"I know. I'm sorry. Look, we don't have to play…we can just go home."

"Basketball! Oh, I definitely want to." Lucas said.

"Okay."

Almost an hour later, both boys sat down on the concrete, panting. They both were working off their emotions, Lucas especially.

"Damn, Lucas. You've been holding out on me."

"I needed to work out some stress." Lucas laughed.

"Remind me to piss you off before games this year."

"It helped. I love this game. It's therapy, it really is."

"I know what you mean."

"I'm sorry for going off at you. I know you just wanted to help."

"It's okay. I almost lost it with Dan too."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I couldn't stand the fact that I was supposed to sympathize with him after everything he's done. But I had too. It was more or less expected, wasn't it?"

"At least from you."

"I'll gladly switch places."

"Trust me, you don't."

"Whatever you say."

"Whew," Lucas laughed and lay back on the concrete. He was beat.

"Do you want to stay over? I mean, Dan's not going to be back for a couple of weeks. And otherwise, you'll be all alone in that house."

"Yeah, I guess. That'd be great, actually. Wouldn't your mom mind though?"

"Nah."

"Okay. The empty house would probably drive me insane eventually." Lucas sighed.

"You okay?"

"I just miss Keith. The last time my mom was gone he stayed with me…"

"That sucks man. Have you heard from him?"

"No, I tried calling. He's never there."

"I wonder where he could be."

"Me too."

Lucas was unpacking a duffel bag in the guestroom. He couldn't everything that had happened in the past few days. It was crazy.

"My mom's at the café again, so we have to fend for ourselves tonight,"

"Oh boy," Lucas laughed.

"So, can you cook or anything?"

"Not really."

"Dude, didn't your mom ever teach you? Her food is great, my mom always talks about it."

"She tried, but…well, let's just say that the only appliance I'm allowed to use is the toaster and the coffee maker."

Nathan cracked up.

"I should order a pizza then?"

"Probably."

"This is going to sound really random, but it's been bothering me for the past few days. My mom's been acting weird ever since the fire"

"Well, she's probably freaked out about it, I mean it really sounds like a Law and Order storyline." Lucas said, taking a bite of his pizza.

"I know that, but she's kind of…perky. And my mom isn't like that usually."

"Yeah, it is a little weird,"

"You think that she had anything to do with…"

"No way."

"But I mean, she really hates him…and she did promise me that he wouldn't be in our lives anymore."

"Well that doesn't mean she would kill him."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. I'm just freaking out."

"Me too."

"I can't believe I said that about her."

"Don't worry about it, it's a crazy, crazy situation."

"I guess. I need to tell you something else though."

"Sure, what's up?"

"Well, you know how I told you about High Flyers…"

"I completely forgot about that!" Lucas exclaimed, eyes widened.

"Yeah, me too."

"When do you leave?"

"I can't go, are you kidding me? With all that's happening?"

"Are you kidding me? Of course you can."

"But what about Dan, and Haley? And you."

"I'll be fine. They'll be fine."

"What about my mom?"

"She'll be fine. Deb's strong."

"I feel bad about leaving,"

"Don't."

"Are you sure you'll be okay?"

"Of course, man. I can hang out with Peyton,"

"And Haley?"

"Well…"

"It's okay. She's your best friend."

"Do you think you'll get back together?"

"I still don't know."

"Well, do what you got to do," Lucas said, standing up and clapping Nathan on the shoulder.

"I usually do."

"So when do you leave?"

"Day after tomorrow."

"Okay. Well, I think I'll probably head back to my house once you go."

"You sure?"

"Yeah…I'd rather not have to hang around with Dan without backup."

"You did before." Nathan pointed out.

"That was before I 'betrayed' him, and he cut me off."

"Oh my God." Nathan said suddenly, his eyes widening.

"What?" Lucas asked, confused.

"Your medicine."

"It's fine…"

"But you could get sick or something,"

"Well I was fine before so I'm sure I'll be okay now."

"I can't believe Dan would just let this happen to you."

"I'm okay, really. Stop worrying so much."

"I know, I know."

Nathan was lying in Lucas' bed when he got out of the shower.

"Lost, little brother?"

"I was waiting for you."

"Okay," Lucas said sitting down next to him.

"I need you to do me a favor,"

"Name it."

"Can you talk to Haley? Ask her why she left me?"

"I don't think I should get involved with that,"

"You already did," Nathan snapped.

"Right," Lucas said, his body stiffened.

"Wait, I'm sorry. That was stupid."

"And yet it was deserved."

"You don't have to talk to her…"

"No, it's fine. So, you're thinking of staying together?"

"Right now, I'm not. I think I need some time to think about it first."

"I'm so sorry."

"I'll be okay."

They sat in silence for awhile.

"Nathan?"

"Yeah?"

"Go to your own room."

"I will…but I'm all comfortable here."

"You are such a dork. I'm not sharing a bed with you again!"

"I'm not tired."

"Whatever. So, are you excited?"

"For…"

"Camp, dumbass." Lucas said playfully.

"Absolutely. I just wish I felt like I was abandoning everyone."

"You're not. You've gotta do something for yourself."

"Thanks. Are you-"

"For the last time, I'll be fine. I'm not this fragile emotional wreck."

"Alright, alright."

"You have to show me what you learned when you get back."

"Absolutely, I can't have you bringing us down again." Nathan teased.

"Shut up, you know I'm awesome. How long does it last?"

"Three weeks. Just try to avoid Dan for that time."

"Oooh, challenge." Lucas smirked.

"Very funny," Nathan mumbled sleepily.

"Are you falling asleep?"

"No."

"Liar"

"Yeah…but I'll be gone in two days so you'll miss me." Nathan said.

A few moments later his even breathing indicated he was asleep.

"Yeah, I will." Lucas whispered, and turned off the light.

Well there it is. Please tell me what you think, I'd really appreciate it.