Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill or any of its characters.
A/N: Hey again. Quick thanks to all the readers and, of course, reviewers. You make my day and hopefully you all enjoy this next chapter. I know you're all waiting for the fall of Damien, and though I can't say it's super close, it's not super far either. LOL. And it gets closer with each chapter. Hehe. Anyway, hope you like this one.
Completely off topic, but yay to Lee Dewyze. He so deserved to win!
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
In an instant there were two police officers grabbing him roughly by the arms and pulling him away. They threw him up against a wall and patted him down right then and there, taking from him his wallet and keys and throwing them to a nearby officer. Afterward they read him his rights and tugged him in the opposite direction. Their strong hold prevented further physical contact but did little to deter his purpose. He wanted answers and the further they pulled him away from Haley – his only source for those answers – the more rambunctious he became, thus the louder he became. The iron grip the police had on him didn't silence his tongue. "You have to stop this!" he shouted. "I didn't do anything to you! Why are you doing this to me?"
He was dragged further away and soon he wouldn't even be able to see her. And still she just stood there. This made him even angrier. "You were into it as much as I was!" he said. "Why don't you just admit it?"
He could vaguely hear his father shouting at him to be quiet and just before they rounded the wall, he caught a glimpse of Peyton's horrified, tearful expression. And then he was brought to the cells and shoved into one of them, the iron doors making a loud clang as they closed him inside.
He was shaking with rage, cursing the officers who kept him from both freedom and answers.
One of them regarded him with unmasked disdain burning in his eyes while the other – the younger one – seemed to be looking upon him with something akin to empathy. It was the latter that Nathan appealed to when he told that Haley had made up the rape accusation and had slept with him willingly.
However, it was the older one who replied. "Yeah, that's what they all say. Now, do you understand your rights as I've read them to you?"
Nathan frowned. "What about my right to confront the lying bitch's false accusations?"
"You can take that up in court," the older officer returned with a sneer. He clapped his partner on the shoulder in a gesture to follow him out, but when he turned, he came face to face with Dan, who didn't appear at all pleased.
"Was all that force really necessary?" Dan asked, a clear threat in his tone.
"When a suspect goes after a victim, then yes," the man replied undaunted.
"I didn't go after her," Nathan shouted out. "I just wanted to talk to her."
"Right," the officer scoffed. "And while you're at it, intimidate her into retracting the allegations she made against you," he added snidely. "Doesn't work that way, kid. Around here, you do the crime, you do the time. No matter who you are."
"Well, I didn't do the crime," Nathan insisted.
There was a definite smugness to his voice when the officer revealed that there was an eye-witness.
"What?" Nathan asked, clearly surprised. "Who?"
"You'll find out at the trial."
His head spinning, Nathan gazed at the man. "Let me guess. Lucas, right? Man, he'll say anything to make me look bad. But he wasn't even there at that point."
"Is that right? Well, I guess it's a good thing it's not him."
"Whoever it is, is lying," Nathan returned.
"Yep," the officer replied. "Haley's lying, Lucas is lying, witness is lying. Everybody's lying, except you, of course. Tell me another one, kid."
He turned away again and the younger officer followed him out, however he turned back to look at their new prisoner. Something didn't sit right with this, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Something in the way Nathan reacted made him question whether the guy was truly guilty. The evidence pointed to him and he couldn't really say what nagged him about this case, but somehow what Nathan was saying rang true for him. But he shook it off. After all, he was just a rookie. His older, more experienced partner surely had better instincts than he did.
––––––––––––––––––––––––
"What the hell was that?" Dan asked once they were gone. "I told you not to say anything until Kowalski got here."
Nathan ran a frustrated hand through his dark locks. "I know. I'm sorry. I just…I saw her and…"
"You decided to take it upon yourself to question her," Dan finished. "Why don't you try using your head for once? You realize you've probably just made it worse on yourself?"
"I said I'm sorry, ok?" Nathan returned hotly. "I just want this to be over. Just when everything's going good again, this has to happen."
"Yeah well, this wouldn't have happened if you'd just done what I told you and kept your zipper up."
Nathan rolled his eyes. "Thanks, Dad," he said with a scowl. "Thanks for the support."
"Would you rather I take off?" Dan challenged. "I didn't think so," he added when Nathan's head shot toward him, fear evident in his eyes at the prospect of being left to deal with this on his own. "So then that means you're gonna hear me out whether you like what I'm saying or not," he stressed.
"Look, Dad, I know, ok. I screwed up. But I don't deserve to go to jail just for having sex. It's not like it's illegal."
"It is when it's not consensual," Dan contradicted.
"But it was," Nathan argued. "I told you that already. Or do you still not believe me?"
"Let's not go there," Dan replied. "Let's focus on what we have to do to get you out of this mess."
"Dad…"
"We're gonna do whatever it takes, you hear me? Mark my words, this will be nothing but an unpleasant memory before long."
Glaring at his father, Nathan was silent for a moment. "Right, and then the rapist can go back to life as usual," he said sarcastically. "Is that it? So, even though you think I'm guilty, you're still gonna protect me? Aren't you scared I'm gonna rape someone else?"
"Did I say I thought you were guilty?"
"May as well have. You won't say you think I'm not."
Dan didn't reply to the comment but took his phone out. "I'm gonna call Kowalski, find out when he's getting here."
"Whatever," Nathan replied disheartened. "At least Peyton believes me."
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Meanwhile Peyton leaned against the step railing, taking in some much needed fresh air. She'd felt like she was suffocating inside. She could only imagine what Nathan must be feeling. She'd wanted to go with Dan when he'd followed the officers and Nathan, but they hadn't allowed her to do so, telling her that only his parents and his lawyer were permitted to see him at this time. She took a deep breath and stared down at her ring, willing this whole ordeal to just be over. She and Nathan had finally gotten to a good place – though she knew they'd always have certain issues – and now this. It was like a nightmare.
She noticed a tearful Haley being escorted out of the building by her mother and Karen, and she eyed her with open scorn. The girl could definitely play it up. When Nathan had confronted her, she'd stood frozen, seemingly paralyzed with fear, and the minute they'd hauled him away, she'd broken down into tears. Crocodile tears, Peyton thought resentfully.
The again, maybe she wasn't faking that part. Nathan's outrage would certainly inspire fear in anyone, and Peyton imagined it must be quite distressing to be nearly caught in that web of lies she'd created. The vengeful side of her really hoped that Haley was feeling the effects of Nathan's outburst, especially since he'd likely made things worse for himself because of it. May as well be worth the added trouble.
She sneered as the two older women spoke soothing, comforting words to her former friend, and she couldn't stop the spiteful comment that escaped her lips. "That's what happens when you make up a rape story," she said, her tone all venom and ice. "You get called on it."
The three looked over at the blonde but her expression remained cool, though it was evident she'd been crying herself.
Karen's eyes sought Peyton's and she tried to empathize with the girl that her son had crushed on for over a decade. She'd met her a few times in their brief dating history and she'd taken an instant liking to her, finding her to be very sweet and pleasant. Not so much at this moment, but Karen felt a little bad for her nonetheless. This was simply a case of a young, trusting girl being taken in by a cold and vicious boy. A boy so very undeserving of her love and loyalty but who had it nonetheless. Nathan would have her believing whatever he wanted her to, and though Karen could understand how that could happen, she also felt that it was such a shame. "Young lady," she began softly. "You'd do well not to buy into everything your boyfriend tells you."
Peyton scoffed at the comment. Obviously the woman didn't know her and Nathan too well.
"In fact," Karen went on. "You're better to run as far away from him as you can. While you can."
"You might want to take your own advice with that one," Peyton returned, gesturing toward Haley. "Anyone who can make up something like this is capable of anything. And I hope when he's proven innocent, he sues her ass for slander." Her eyes bore into Haley as she continued. "Yeah, if you think Nathan's bad, wait till you meet his lawyer." She didn't know why she said that exactly. She'd never spoken to his lawyer herself, but she could only guess, since he was hired by Dan Scott, that he was shrewd and the best out there.
"Can we just go?" Haley asked, already emotionally drained. She couldn't handle this confrontation from the girl whom she'd come to think of as a friend on top of Nathan's harassment. It was too much.
"Of course, Haley Bob," Lydia said, leading her away gently.
"He will get what he deserves," Karen told Peyton firmly.
"I'm counting on it," Peyton replied, both clearly having different views on what they thought he deserved. "And hopefully she does too."
"I'm counting on it," Karen rebuffed. She walked away and for a while Peyton stared after them. Haley's betrayal cut deeper than she wanted to admit. She'd truly thought they'd become great friends. The same went for Lucas. She shook her head. That's what she got for letting new people in. She should have listened to Nathan from the start. If it weren't for their scheming ways, he wouldn't be facing this bogus charge and some serious prison time.
She felt helpless, wishing she could be strong for Nathan's sake but feeling anything but. She sat on the step, wondering what to do, yet knowing there wasn't anything she could do. This was completely out of her hands, and that knowledge only made her feel more powerless.
She pulled out her cell, pushed a button, and waited as it rang.
"Hey bitch," came the reply. "Couldn't last a whole week without your bestest hoe, huh?"
Peyton smiled at the sound of the raspy, cheerful voice. It was exactly what she needed to hear. And the person behind the voice was exactly who she needed to hear from. Not that it would help Nathan's case any, but it would help Peyton's frame of mind to have that support. "You have no idea," she replied earnestly. "When's Bitchtoria sending you back to your real family?"
"Sunday, right on time to start the new semester the next day," Brooke informed her.
Peyton felt disappointment wash over her. That was three days away. She needed her best friend now. "Oh."
"Why? What's up, Goldilocks?"
"You first. How's it going in Cali?"
"Surprisingly well," Brooke answered.
She went on to explain how she and Victoria were semi getting along, all the shops they'd visited, sites they'd seen, theatres and benefits they'd attended.
As she spoke, Peyton grew more and more leery of dumping her problems on the brunette. After all, why should she ruin Brooke's vacation when she so rarely enjoyed any quality time with her parents? So when she stopped rambling and told Peyton it was her turn, Peyton claimed she'd just been bored and wanted to chat with her best friend. She didn't have the heart to tell Brooke the real reason for the call. She'd find out soon enough. And she would just have to find a way to cope with all of this on her own until Brooke got back. She kept the call going a while longer, trying her best to sound upbeat and enthusiastic. She ended the call on a good note. And that was that. She was alone again. She could call Rachel but she was in no mood for brutal honesty right now. So, she sat there on the steps, her own thoughts keeping her company.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
"I'm not going to lie," Mr. Kowalski stated. "That little stunt of yours just may have cost you your bail. Judges don't take kindly to suspects harassing victims."
"I wasn't harassing her," Nathan repeated. "I just wanted to talk to her."
"Ok, well, you can't do that," the lawyer said sternly. "Now I can probably convince the judge to grant bail, but, I guarantee, it won't be without a protective order against you for the victim and witness both, as well as their families. You'll have to abide by the order or they'll slap more charges on you and throw you back in prison. You understand that?"
"He understands," Dan piped up. "And you have my word that he'll abide by whatever the terms of release are. Won't you, son?"
"Yeah," Nathan agreed. "I just want to get out of here."
"The arraignment's tomorrow morning so, unfortunately you'll have to stay overnight. Nothing I can do about that."
Nathan just shook his head but otherwise kept quiet. Meanwhile Mr. Kowalski went through papers in his file folder.
"Now," the lawyer began as he found the particular document he was searching for. "Tell me what you know about a Miss Katie Sanders."
Nathan arched a brow, wondering why he'd bring her up. He shrugged his shoulders and answered honestly. "We used to hook up."
"Hook up, as in you had casual sex?"
"Yeah."
"She the same Katie Sanders who alibied you the night your half-brother's room was ransacked?"
Nathan nodded while Mr. Kowalski took notes.
"Ok good," he said. "You don't hook up anymore?"
"No."
"Why's that?"
"Because she wanted more and I didn't. At least not with her."
"And whose idea was it to end things?"
"Mine."
"And what was her reaction to that?"
"At first she kept calling but when she figured out I was serious, she was pissed. Why does this even matter?"
"So would you say she holds a grudge against you?"
"I don't know. Yeah, I guess. She said I'd regret it, but why are you asking me about her? She's nothing." He didn't understand what his little tryst with Katie had to do with anything. Until he took a second to think about it. "Wait. Is she the eye witness?" Damn, he knew she was mad at him but he didn't think she'd retaliate this harshly. He hadn't really taken her threat seriously. Apparently he should have.
"She claims to have seen you spike the drink of Haley James as well as having done the same to her on numerous occasions."
"That's bullshit!" Nathan exclaimed. "She's just mad that I went back to Peyton."
"Obviously the girl has a bone to pick with my son," Dan piped up.
"That's the angle we're gonna take," the lawyer stated. "Ok," he added with finality, seemingly satisfied and calling an end to the meeting. "I'll see you tomorrow," he told both Nathan and Dan before directing his statement only to Nathan. "In the meantime, you hang tight."
Dan stayed behind a while longer, reminding Nathan to stay strong before he left, and to keep quiet should the police try to play dirty and question him without either his or Mr. Kowalski's presence. He didn't leave until Nathan promised to do just that.
He wasn't surprised to find Peyton waiting to know what was happening. He didn't explain, simply told her they were doing their best and not to worry. He then handed her Nathan's car keys, which he'd collected, along with his wallet, from the receptionist at the front desk. Since Peyton had left her car at the Scott residence before their trip to Charlotte, he figured she may as well drive Nathan's car over rather than leaving it here, and then take her own from there.
It wasn't until they were in his driveway and she was ready to leave that he asked the question that had plagued him since he'd seen the engagement ring she wore – the question he'd had to push aside due to the more pertinent issues. "I'm not set to become Tree Hill's youngest grandpa, am I?"
Peyton glanced up sharply. "What? Why would you…Oh, that," she answered herself when he gestured to the ring. She smiled at him, understanding why he might jump to that conclusion. "No, I'm not pregnant," she assured him.
"You're sure?"
"Positive. Ok, bad word choice, but no…" she said with a shake of her head. "Not pregnant. Just madly in love with your son."
He heaved a sigh of relief. And he nodded, in what Peyton took as approval, before heading inside the house.
Peyton smiled as she drove off. It didn't matter what anyone thought, but it sure felt good to have his family's blessing. Cooper and Jess had both given theirs, and while Dan hadn't straight out given his, neither had he balked as she'd expected him to. Instead he'd nodded. That could only be a good thing.
For Dan, it was like his son was finally committing to the relationship. He recalled the several conversations they'd had where Nathan always excused his infidelity based on the fact that he wasn't married and hadn't made any vows. That he'd proposed said that he was now ready to stop all that foolishness and just settle with one girl. Dan couldn't be happier because his son's sexual activities were worrisome, to say the least. He certainly wouldn't be in his current predicament if he'd thought with the right head. Of course an engagement didn't ensure an end to it all, but it gave some hope at least.
Dan didn't necessarily agree with an engagement at such a young age – he had his own unstable marriage to thank for that – but he knew his son loved Peyton. He was miserable without her. And besides, an engagement could last forever. But maybe, just maybe, the boy had finally learned to hold on to a good thing while he had it and quit all this random sex with random girls. This was certainly a step in the right direction.
Now hopefully this rape accusation didn't go anywhere. He told Nathan to be strong, but he would never admit to the boy that he was just as scared as he was.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Lucas glanced up as his mother entered the café. He looked behind her expectantly. "Ma, where's Haley?" he asked curiously.
"I dropped her and Lydia off at home," Karen replied.
"Oh," Luke said with disappointment. There went miniature golf. "She said she'd come back here afterward."
"Well, it was a rough time," Karen revealed. "She wasn't up for much of anything."
"That bad?" he asked with concern. "I knew I should have gone with her," he added before Karen could answer.
"No, I'd say it's probably a good thing you didn't," she said, knowing how her son would have reacted to Nathan even approaching Haley, let alone confronting her the way he had.
"Why? What happened?"
"I'd tell you but you'd probably fly off the handle."
"They're not dropping the charges, are they?"
"No," she returned as though that were ridiculous. "In fact, they just may add some," she said before breaking down and telling him all that had transpired inside and outside of the station.
Lucas was livid by the time she finished. "How can that be? I thought they'd already arrested him."
"So did I, but apparently not. They have now though, in case you're thinking of speeding off to his house again to pick a fight."
"Son of a bitch," he said through gritted teeth. "Did he hurt her?"
Karen sighed as she pondered her reply. "Physically, all he did was turn her around to face him, so no to that, but mentally, just having him standing there right in front of her…well, he did a lot of damage, I'm afraid. She was pretty shaken up."
"I have to go see her."
"No, Lucas, let her be with her family for now. They're who she needs at this point and besides that, you're too fired up. Tomorrow, when you're calm, you can pay her a visit."
He ran his fingers through his hair. "Yeah, I guess you're right," he acknowledged begrudgingly. "It just sucks that he pulls this crap. You know? He's just trying to intimidate her so she backs out of testifying."
"Let's just hope he doesn't succeed," Karen replied.
"Yeah. And Peyton too," Lucas said with offense. "Can't believe she'd take his side over hers, after all she knows about him. She and Haley were friends, but just like that, she turns her back on her for Nathan."
Karen nodded in understanding. "Well, you know what they say. Love is blind."
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Peyton approached her doorstep and stopped short at something she saw inside the house. It gave her another reason to smile despite everything that was going on. She slowly opened the door knob and poked her head in. "Hey," she called, smiling when Larry and Ellie pulled out of each other's embrace.
The two adults appeared appropriately awkward at the intrusion, but Peyton's smile didn't falter. "Are you two…?"
Larry coughed uncomfortably. "We're still trying to figure out what we are," he said.
"Well, I think it's awesome," Peyton told them, easing their minds considerably.
Ellie sighed in relief. "I was hoping you'd say that," she said. "And I want you to know that I'm in no way trying to replace Anna…"
"I know that, Ellie. It's cool."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. I actually saw this coming a while back," Peyton told them.
"Oh, you did, did you?"
"The way you guys were flirting, you made it so obvious."
The pair laughed and then Larry asked Peyton how her trip with Rachel had been. She shifted uneasily on her feet. Why was he asking? Did he know she'd lied about the trip to Rachel's cabin? She silently berated herself. No, of course he didn't know. She was just being paranoid. It wasn't so unusual for a father to ask how his daughter's trip had been upon her return. Shoving her ring hand in her pocket, she smiled and answered with great enthusiasm that it had been awesome. It wasn't that she didn't plan to tell him of the engagement. She just wasn't ready to tell him just yet. She knew he would freak out and she'd had a hard enough day. "You know Rachel," she said. "Never a dull moment."
"Ok, what's going on?" Larry asked, immediately suspicious of his daughter's peculiar manner. "What aren't you telling me? And why have you been crying?" he asked upon closer inspection of her face and noting the remaining puffiness around her eyes.
She broke eye contact, choosing to focus her gaze on the television set. "Rachel was cracking me up with jokes all the way home and you know me, when I laugh too much, I cry."
"When did you start lying to me?" he asked, growing serious and more suspicious by the second. "And more importantly, why?"
Peyton sighed in defeat and looked down at the floor in shame. The only thing she regretted about this past week was having lied to her dad. "Because I knew you wouldn't let me go if I told you the truth," she replied earnestly.
He gazed at her reflectively. "You weren't at Rachel's cabin?"
She shook her head.
"Were you with Rachel at all?"
Again she shook her head. "I went to Charlotte with Nathan to visit his aunt and uncle," she confessed. "We're back together," she added.
Larry shook his head in disapproval. He should have known. "Like hell you are," he grumbled. "Especially not now that he's up on rape charges."
"How do you know about that?"
"It's all over town. So it's true then?"
"That there are charges, yes, but he didn't do it."
"According to him? I think that's for a jury to decide. In the meantime, you're not to see him. You hear me?"
Peyton lifted her chin in a show of defiance. "I'm not gonna turn my back on him because some bitch decided it'd be fun to mess with his life."
"Yes you are," he contradicted. "And that bitch used to be your friend."
"Or so I thought."
"Peyton, a girl doesn't just make up a rape story."
"Some do."
"And what could she possibly gain from doing that?"
"You wouldn't get it."
"Try me."
She did. She told him of how Lucas had been trying unsuccessfully to tear Nathan down for the longest time and now had enlisted Haley's help in the destruction.
"That sounds a little far-fetched to me," Larry scoffed.
"Yeah, I always thought Nathan was imagining it too, but obviously he wasn't."
"Or at least that's what he's got you convinced of," Larry returned. "But remember, the kid's a damn good liar. You and Brooke have both stated as much."
"He's not lying."
"Yeah, that's what I thought the day he told me he got his bruises from falling off a skateboard. Funny, when I called social services, he told them they came from basketball practice."
She shrugged. "He got mixed up. And that was different. You know he was just trying to protect his dad."
"And now he's protecting himself."
"You can't say that," she replied bitterly. "You don't even know him!"
"I know all I need to know."
"No, you don't!" she screamed, rage overtaking her. "You assume you do, but if you knew him at all, you'd know that he could never rape someone! He's not that cruel."
"And this, of course, is based on his uncheckered past? Honey, I know you want to believe the best about him…"
"Oh, kinda like you wanting to believe the worst, whether there's any basis for it or not?"
"There's been plenty of evidence in the last year that shows what kind of character he has. He's never been good to you or for you."
"Right, in the past year," she scoffed irately. "So, this isn't even about the rape accusation at all. It's about the opinion you formed of him from the very beginning. You hated him from the first time you met him!"
"I didn't hate him, but I didn't care for his arrogance one bit. He's always been way too cocky for my liking."
"Yeah, well I'm not you. Maybe that's what attracted me to him!" she screamed pointedly. "You ever think of that? That maybe what you see as a character flaw is actually one of the things I love most about him? I happen to like the fact that he's confident in himself. Since when is having self-esteem a bad thing?"
"Peyton, that's enough," Larry warned. "I really don't appreciate your tone."
But Peyton continued as though he hadn't spoken. "You never gave him a chance! Just decided you didn't like him and that was that!" she exclaimed. "But with Lucas, you were like, 'Oh, he's so great, honey, he's perfect for you, he's this and he's that.' You practically had the wedding planned after only meeting him once. I barely even knew him myself, but you were trying to force us together."
"I don't expect you to understand, but a father can tell what boys will treat their daughters the way they deserve to be treated. I'm sorry, but Nathan fell short compared to Lucas. Hell, compared to most boys."
She glared at him with resentment. "Well, I'm sorry," she said, raising her hand to show off her ring. It suddenly became the right time. "But I disagree."
He stared at the piece of jewelry in both shock and dread. "Is that…?"
"Yes, it is," she answered before he could complete the question. "As of next weekend, I'm going to be Mrs. Nathan Royal Scott," she said haughtily.
"Oh, no, no, no," Larry growled. "You're not marrying anyone next weekend, let alone a guy who doesn't understand the meaning of respect. Not to mention the fact, he'll likely be in prison."
"He won't be," she said as though she knew it to be true. "And watch me."
"Peyton, I realize you think you know all there is to know about life, and while I may have judged him prematurely, he certainly hasn't worked on changing my opinion…"
"Why should he have to?" she challenged.
"But one thing I'm absolutely certain of," he continued. "Is that you're not marrying him next weekend. You're 17 years old, which means you need my consent. Don't think, for a second, that I'd even consider signing that form."
For a moment Peyton stood in stunned silence, surprised by this new discovery. But she quickly recuperated and lifted her chin again. "Then I'll get Ellie to sign it," she said. "At least she sees what Nathan and I mean to each other, and she is my biological parent, after all."
Ellie shook her head. "Honey, I gave up that right before you were even born. Larry is your legal parent. I couldn't go against his wishes even if I wanted to."
"What does that mean, even if you wanted to?"
"It means, if I had a say, I'd still have to agree with your father on this one. Marrying Nathan is probably not the best idea."
This statement from Ellie was devastating. Sure her dad had always hated Nathan but Ellie had been on her side. "What happened to me having to decide for myself, huh? What about how you said you could tell Nathan cares about me by the way he looks at me? How my dad only wants what's best for me but may not know what that is?"
Ellie stood strong as Peyton ripped into her and Larry gazed at her in question. "I meant what I said at that time…" she began, but Peyton cut her off before she could say more.
"Oh, I get it. That was just to get on my good side, right? Tell me everything I want to hear so I think you totally get me? I guess that's not so important now that you're screwing my dad."
"Peyton!" Larry chastised gruffly.
Ellie raised her hand to let Larry know she could fight her own battles. "That's not true," she told Peyton. "You're my daughter…"
"Yeah, the daughter you abandoned at birth. Like you said, you have no rights over me."
"I never claimed to have any."
"But, you know, you're part of the reason I went back to Nathan in the first place. You opened my eyes and helped me to focus on the good things instead of dwelling on the bad. You said I should do what makes me happy and not worry so much about what my dad thinks. Now, you're gonna take all that back?"
"No, but I said all that before the rape charge came up."
"Oh, so you believe it too?"
"I honestly can't say one way or the other. I don't know him well enough to speculate…"
"That's right, you don't!" Peyton replied. "But I do, and you've been getting to know me." She turned to Larry, tears brimming in her eyes. "And you should already know me. So why can't you just trust my judgment when I say Nathan's innocent?"
"Because, sweetheart," Larry returned softly. "When it comes to this kid, you've been blinded by him since day one. He's done nothing but break your heart for over a year and yet you go back to him time after time, and defend him like there's no tomorrow. When are you going to open your eyes?"
"When are you gonna open yours?" Peyton countered. "I love him and nothing you say is going to change that. And I am going to marry him. If it can't be next weekend, then it'll be as soon as I turn 18. Either way it's going to happen and there's nothing you can do about it," she said with finality. "At least his family will be there because, unlike mine, they're actually supportive."
"Of course they are," Larry replied. "What's not to love about you?" He noticed Peyton roll her eyes and then continued. "But you're not gonna lay a guilt-trip on me," he said firmly. "I have nothing to feel guilty about. I'm protecting my daughter. If his family supports you, then by all means, let them do that. But my job is to look out for you, and I'll do that as I see fit. If that means being the bad guy, I'll be the bad guy." He took a deep breath. "And you're right. Once you turn 18, I won't be able to stop you from doing what you want, but until then, I stick to what I said earlier. You're not to see Nathan anymore. And I don't give them out often, but that's an order."
Peyton scowled as she took in what he said. "You know what?" she exclaimed. "Screw you! Screw you both!"
"And if this attitude of yours doesn't change…"
She stalked to the door before he finished and, ignoring his warning to stay, let it slam behind her.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
She drove around aimlessly for hours, mulling over the day, until she found herself at the bridge. She parked the car and made her way to the ledge beneath it where she and Brooke had spent so many hours sitting and talking ever since they were little girls. She wished Brooke were with her now. She needed her best friend to help her be strong.
And then suddenly she was. "Brooke?"
"Thought I'd find you here," the brunette said, sitting beside her. "Your dad was about to call the cops until I showed up and told him I knew where to look. What are you doing?"
"Just thinking. But what are you doing here? You said you weren't coming back till Sunday."
Brooke shrugged. "This certain fake blonde called me earlier. I think she thought she could fool me into thinking she was fine, but turns out I know her a little better than that so I hopped on the first available flight."
"You didn't have to do that, Brooke. I'm ok."
"If you couldn't fool me on the phone, what makes you think you can fool me in person?"
Peyton smiled at the logic. "But you were having a good time. You shouldn't have come back just for me."
"Hmm, I was having a good time, but who was I kidding? It was all just for show on my parents' parts. It was time to get back to my real family. What's going on?"
Peyton burst into uncontrollable sobs at the sincere compassion in the brunette's voice. Leave it to Brooke to drop everything to rush to a friend's side. "Everything's a mess, Brooke. And I don't know what to do."
"Ahh, come here," Brooke said, pulling Peyton into her side and letting her cry, knowing she was too overcome with sobs at this point to get any talking done.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Meanwhile, Nathan sat on the concrete floor, leaning against the inner wall, his eyes closed and a smile playing on his lips. He'd spent hours stressing over the possible outcome of this situation until it practically drove him crazy. Finally he sat and let his mind drift to the only thing that could soothe his fears and keep his dark thoughts from consuming him. His girl. And that, of course, made him think of his favorite moment of his entire existence. 'I'm saying yes, I'll marry you.'
Every time he replayed those words, he felt a sense of calm wash over him and he was able to relax more and more. And his mind took him to her soft, warm embrace in place of this cold, hard prison.