Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill or any of its characters.
A/N: Hey all. Here's the next chapter. Hope you enjoy it, and, as always, thanks to all the readers and especially reviewers. You all rock!
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"Slow down," Peyton said irritably.
Nathan stole a quick glance at her before returning his attention to the road. He took a look at the speedometer. He was over the speed limit but the traffic wasn't heavy and for Peyton to call him out on his speed felt really odd to him. The fact that it was the third time she'd mentioned it since they'd left Charlotte was even weirder. Still, he eased his foot off the gas pedal just the slightest bit.
"Nathan!" she called in exasperation just seconds later.
"What?" he asked, his own irritation starting to show.
She rolled her yes. "I hate it when you make like you don't know what I'm talking about," she returned with annoyance. "For the fourth freaking time, slow down."
"I did," he replied.
"No, I mean actually slow down, not take your foot off the gas just enough to humor me."
He shook his head in aggravation. "Peyton, we're on a highway with barely any traffic," he pointed out. "How slow do you want me to go?"
"Try the speed limit," she threw back haughtily. "Now there's a thought, huh?"
He let out a sardonic chuckle. Seriously, she was saying this? "Peyt, I've seen you go faster than this through town."
"Oh, so naturally, being the man, you have to outdo that," she returned snidely.
He should just let it go, he told himself. Just reduce his speed until she was satisfied. She was cranky from lack of sleep, which was his fault, so he should just drop this and do what she said. Yes, that's exactly what he should do. But, of course, he wasn't one to let a snarky comment pass by without giving one back. "You see me running any red lights?"
She didn't reply to that jab, just turned her head away and crossed her arms angrily.
He sighed, wishing he'd just let it go like he'd contemplated. "Look, why don't you pull the seat back and close your eyes for a while?" he suggested.
"Why?"
"Because you must be tired."
"Oh, is that the reason? Cuz you're so concerned with my lack of sleep? Or is it more like you don't want to have to listen to me bitch the rest of the way home?"
He didn't answer her, telling her loud and clear that it was the latter.
"Fine," she said flatly as she laid her head against the seat. "You just keep on racing at top speed if you're in such a hurry to go get arrested, and I'll just sit back, like a good little girl and keep my mouth shut."
He sighed again, but not out of frustration this time. Pulling off the curb, he put the gear shift in park and shifted position to better look at her. "Is that what this is all about?" he asked softly. "You're worried about the warrant?"
Tears poured from her eyes the moment he brought up the real root of her moodiness. "Well, aren't you?" she countered.
"Peyt, I didn't do what Haley said. You know that, right?"
"Of course," she assured him. "But does that even matter? I mean, the police are waiting to arrest you."
"They probably just want to talk to me," he reasoned.
"No, Nathan, they don't," she said in a tone that indicated he was being an idiot. "If they just wanted to talk, they'd set up an interview or bring you in for questioning like they did the last time. They wouldn't issue an arrest warrant and they certainly wouldn't give you 24 hours to turn yourself in. They obviously think they've got something on you and I don't know why this doesn't seem to faze you."
"Because I didn't do it, Peyt," he stuck to.
She closed her eyes and shook her head. "Nathan, you're being really naïve if you think that just swearing by your innocence will be enough for them to drop the charges. Do you know how many innocent people end up in prison for years?"
"I don't think it's all that common," he argued. "And they haven't charged me with anything that I know of."
"They can't arrest you without charges, Nathan. Are you seriously this clueless?"
His lips pursed angrily, he faced the steering wheel once more and reached for the gear shift.
She grabbed his hand before he could shift gears. "You're gonna have to prove that you didn't do it. How are you gonna do that?"
"No, she's the one who has to prove I did," Nathan revealed, recalling what his lawyer had said previously when he was charged with the assault on Lucas – that in criminal cases, the burden of proof was on the crown attorney. He'd been found guilty that time because they'd had concrete evidence –the tape of the beating – in their possession. But this was different. This time he was innocent so what could they possibly have on him?
"And how hard is that gonna be?" she asked in frustration. "You did sleep with her. They have the condom to prove it, the sheets…the fact that she doesn't even like you because of how you've treated Lucas. Why would anybody believe that she would willingly have sex with you?"
He sneered at her comment. "I don't know," he said snidely. "I guess it's a good thing I have a lawyer to figure all that stuff out," he added before shoving her hand away and getting back on the road.
"Nathan, don't be mad," she pleaded.
"Don't be mad," he scoffed. "Peyton, you said you believed me, now you're saying you don't."
"That is not what I'm saying," she replied in exasperation. "You really need to stop putting words in my mouth. You did the same thing with the marriage proposal, just took it as a no because it wasn't a straight out yes like you wanted."
He didn't answer her, just stared straight ahead, his expression blank and unreadable.
"Will you talk to me?" she asked. "Please don't shut me out," she said when he remained silent. "Tell me what you're thinking, what you're feeling."
"Why? So you can call me stupid again?"
"There you go again," she returned. "I didn't call you stupid."
"Clueless then," he shot back. "Isn't that the same thing?"
"Ok, I'm sorry about that. It just seems to me like you're not taking this thing very seriously. You're just blowing it off like it's nothing. Nathan, she's accusing you of rape."
"You think I don't know that? She set me up, Peyt. I know she's your friend but you said you believed me."
She let out a scream of pure frustration. "Pull over again," she ordered.
"For what?"
"Just do it."
He sighed but listened to her.
"Ok," she began once he was in park. ""First of all, don't call Haley my friend because she is so not my friend if she can do this to you. Second of all, I do believe you, ok. I wouldn't be wearing this engagement ring, no matter how much I love you, if I thought, for one second, that you could do something like that. So get that stupid idea out of your head right now. Yes, I said stupid this time because you really are if you think I don't know you better than that."
He looked down shamefully. "I know," he acknowledged. "I'm sorry. I just don't know what I'd do if you thought…"
"Well, that's neither here nor there because…well, it's not even an issue. OK?"
He nodded and gave her a faint smile. "Kay."
"But I'm not the one that'll need to be convinced," she reasoned. "Now I'm sure your dad's hired the best lawyer, but even the best lawyer can't argue points unless he has them to argue. You need to start thinking back to that night and try to remember whatever you can. If you just brush this off, I'm scared your lawyer won't be able to defend you properly. I know this whole thing sucks and it's not fair at all that somebody can just do this, but…" She reached for his hands. "Please, just take this seriously so you have the best fighting chance. Don't let them get away with it."
"I won't," he told her. "You really think I'd just sit back and watch it happen?" He quirked an eyebrow at her. "And you just said you knew me?"
She smiled a little. "Somehow I doubt searching Lucas out and beating the crap out of him's gonna help the situation any."
"Maybe not, but it'd be fun."
"Well, you should know," she quipped.
"And maybe you could rough Haley up a bit for me?" he joked. "Or a lot," he amended.
Peyton rolled her eyes. "You'd love that, wouldn't you?"
He just shrugged in response. A good cat fight was always something to see but considering what Haley was doing to him, then hell yeah he'd enjoy watching her fall. Especially if it was Peyton knocking her down.
"Listen, Nate," Peyton began again. "I'm sorry for being such a bitch. I'm just…"
"Worried about me like you always are?" he teased.
"Well, actually," she quipped back. "I just want to know that you're gonna be free to work off this ring like you promised."
He chuckled, always amazed by her ever changing mood swings. One minute she was yelling at him, then she was crying, then she was all worried, and now she was teasing him. These moods drove him crazy most of the time and he knew it would be worse once they were married and living under the same roof. And he looked forward to every minute of it because, truthfully, he wouldn't want it any other way, even if it meant he'd occasionally lose his sanity.
Now if only he didn't have all this rape stuff to deal with, he thought, as he pulled back onto the road. He knew her sarcastic humor was just a front to cover up how worried she still was and he wished he could say something to make her feel better, but she was right. He needed to take this more seriously. Until now, he'd held the belief that his innocence would pull him out of this mess. Until now, he hadn't even thought to be afraid that it wouldn't.
Peyton watched him as he drove in silence and noted that he was well under the speed limit. She was glad for it in a way. It meant he'd taken in what she'd said and was listening to her. Yet, she felt a little guilty too, for instilling fear in him that hadn't been there before. Yeah, so it had been a little naïve to think that everything would just work out and be ok, but was that really worse than this skewed, pessimistic outlook she'd pushed on him? Why couldn't she have just let him believe what he believed and just be his rock rather than his source of panic? Why did she have to see everything with such a negative view and force him to see the same? Now he was worried too, on top of everything else he must be feeling. She could kick herself for that.
Before long there was a honk behind them. As Nathan checked his rearview mirror, Peyton turned around to look. She didn't know where they'd all come from but there was a slew of cars lined up behind them. The honk came again.
Peyton turned to Nathan. "They're honking at you," she told him of the impatient drivers.
"Yeah," he acknowledged. "They can go around," he added with a careless shrug.
"They really can't," she said, since the other lanes were busy as well.
He shrugged again. "Then they can wait. I'm not in a rush."
She chuckled, always amazed at his arrogance. He would hold up traffic for his own agenda. This characteristic of his often frustrated her now, and she was sure to go crazy because of it once they were married. But she couldn't wait. She wouldn't want it any other way. She took his free hand in hers and smiled sweetly. "Me neither," she said earnestly. Let them honk, scream and curse. At this moment, she was with her fiancé and they were free. That's all that mattered. The longer it took to get to Tree Hill, the better. "Should slow down," she said, causing a chuckle to escape from the both of them.
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"I could go with you if you want," Lucas offered.
Haley shook her head. "They just want to go over my statement. I don't need you to hold my hand through everything. You've already done so much."
"Hey, I'm gonna be here for you as long as you need, alright. And even when you don't need me, I'll still be here. Got it?"
"Yeah, I got it," she said. "And I know that, but my mom and your mom are coming with me so I'll be fine. Lucas," she stressed when he stared at her doubtfully. "I'll be fine."
"Are you sure? Because I feel like you're shutting me out lately, Hales. Ever since we kissed things have been awkward between us."
"You mean ever since my undying love confession."
"That too," he admitted.
"You see," she began. "That's exactly why I never told you before. I knew everything would get weird because you don't feel the same way. And it's fine that you don't. I didn't expect you to…"
"But I do, Hales…" Lucas said.
"I don't even want you to…" Haley said at the same time.
"What?" they both said simultaneously.
Haley shook her head. "No, no, no, you can't feel the same because just last week and for the last, I don't know, ten years, you've been madly in love with Peyton."
"I thought I was too, but…"
"But what, Luke? Now that she went back to her ass of a boyfriend, you suddenly realize it's me you want?"
"Something like that," he answered. "But no, look, it's always been you. I just never realized it until now."
"Oh and so what was Peyton? A fantasy?"
"Basically. A girl I never thought I could get."
"And still can't, but guess what, Luke. I'm not gonna be your second choice."
"Hales, you've always been my number one. You know that."
"Gosh, Luke, you're pathetic! You gave her this whole sappy speech about how you've always loved her and that she's the only girl you see."
"Look, I care about Peyton. I'm not going to deny that, but I think I got a little confused between love and want…"
"You mean lust?"
"Maybe," he acknowledged.
"Well maybe you're still confused now," Haley reasoned. "Maybe you're confusing playing hero with being in love…"
"We've been through this…"
"But even if you're not, it doesn't matter because you're too late. I'm not in the right place right now to start anything up and I'm not sure I ever will be."
"Hales…"
"I used to fantasize about this day. In my dreams you always loved me, you were never confused, and we were each other's first everything. And now that's it's too late for any of that…now, you're here. Why now, Luke?"
"I don't know. I'm an idiot. But it's never too late to be happy, Hales."
"I can't," she replied. "I'm not ready for that anymore."
"Because of Nathan? Don't let him do that to you. Don't let him take any more than he already has."
"I'm sorry, Luke. I don't want to feel this way, I just do."
He nodded solemnly. "Ok," he complied. "But if you change your mind…"
"I know where you live, work and study," she finished. "I'll find ya."
"In the meantime, we're still friends, right?"
"Of course. The best."
"So then, let me take you to the police station."
"Lucas, I wasn't kidding when I said our moms are taking me."
"Ok, but tell me that that's not just you avoiding me."
"It's not," she assured him. "I just feel more comfortable talking about it with women, especially my mom and Karen."
"Alright, I get it," he told her. "But if you ever want to talk to me, about that or anything, I'm here."
"I know. Thanks, Luke."
"You bet. And if you ever want to just hang out…I kinda miss hanging out with you."
"Oh but we're hanging out right now," she pointed out.
"Only because business is slow today. I'm talking outside of work."
"I miss it too," she said. "How about when I get back from the police station, we go up to the roof and play a round of mini golf?"
"Thought you'd never ask," he returned. "They're here," he added when he saw his mother's car pull up with Lydia in the passenger's side.
He watched as Haley climbed in the back and as they drove away, the two mothers and Haley, he couldn't help but think what a perfect picture they made.
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"Jess says thanks for the picture?" Nathan said with confusion when they'd stopped at a convenience store just outside of Tree Hill for drinks and to check their messages.
"Oh, she found it," Peyton said, biting her bottom lip. "I drew a portrait of their family," she revealed. "And left it in the room we had. Do they like it?"
He held his phone up so she could read the message herself. She smiled as she read that they were worried since they hadn't messaged to say they were back in Tree Hill yet and also about Nathan. The message continued with raving reviews on Peyton's artwork and how they'd already framed it and put it up on the wall. Then it said how much they already missed having them there and that they should come again some time soon if they could. It ended with a strict order to call as soon as they hit Tree Hill."
"Better call them," Peyton advised.
He did so and then he called his dad to find out if he should go home first or straight to the police station.
"Well?" Peyton asked after he hung up.
"Apparently there's two cruisers waiting outside my house so he said to go to the police station but not to go in until he gets there."
"And is your lawyer gonna go too?"
"Yeah, my dad's supposed to call him."
He wasn't surprised when Peyton started to cry again, but she furiously tried to brush the tears away with the back of her hand.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I should be stronger than this."
"It's ok. Come here," he said, pulling her into his side.
"It's not," she sniffled. "I should be supportive through this, not balling like a big baby."
"Hey, you are supportive, ok. You always are, no matter how bad I screw up. And I couldn't do this without you. Ok?"
She nodded even as she leaned her head on his arm.
"You want me to take you home first?" he asked.
She shook her head. "No, I'm coming with you."
"I think it might be best for you to go home. I'll understand if you can't handle going to the station."
"I'm going," she insisted. "I can handle it."
The look he gave her was doubtful at best.
"If you take me home," she warned, "I won't get out of the car, so you may as well save yourself some time and some gas and just go to the police station."
He had no choice but to concede when she put it that way.
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Dan was already there when they arrived and was at the car before Nathan even turned off the ignition.
The two teens stepped out and Dan immediately took charge and started barking out orders to his son, who simply nodded in response.
"Now I don't know exactly what's going on, but you don't say a word until Mr. Kowalski gets here, and only on his approval. You hear?"
"Yeah," Nathan agreed with a nod.
"Good. He'll be here as soon as he can but he advised that we go on in ahead of him but not to say anything. You ready?"
Nathan took a deep breath. "Dad, what's gonna happen?"
"Nothing's gonna happen," Dan said with assurance. "That's why I pay Kowalski the big bucks to make sure of that."
"But why do they want to arrest me?"
"We're about to find out."
Peyton placed a comforting hand on Nathan's shoulder, and in doing so, Dan caught a glimpse of the ring on her finger.
"What's this?" he asked, lifting her hand to inspect it. "Don't tell me you two…" He shook his head. "Nevermind, we'll talk about that later. Let's go."
Nathan and Peyton shared a look before following Dan inside.
As soon as Nathan walked in he spotted her. She was with Lucas' mom and some other lady. They were all standing and she was shaking hands with a female officer. It seemed like they were just getting ready to leave.
Something in him snapped at the sight of the bitch that was causing all this uproar in his life right now. Rage burning within him, he dropped Peyton's hand and marched straight over to her. Grabbing her arm, he turned the petite brunette around to face him.
"Why are you doing this?" he demanded to know while Haley stood rooted to the spot, fear immobilizing her as he towered above her.