Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill or any of its characters.
A/N: Ok guys, the vote is in and I've closed the poll. The results are 61% for the partial trial to be written, 27% for the full trial, and 11% for the trial to be glossed over. (no idea what happened with the other 1 %...lol) So looks like partial trial wins. I apologize to those who voted differently. For those who wanted the full trial written, I hope you'll be happy to know that the major characters' testimonies will be shown. And for those who just wanted the trial glossed over, I hope you'll be happy with the fact that the trial will only be a couple of chapters.
Thanks as always to all the readers and reviewers. Love you guys. And now onto the chapter. Hope you enjoy. Warning: it's a long one…lol.
AAA
The prison door swung open with a loud clang, causing the three girls to jump nearly out of their skin.
"It's your lucky day," an officer told them. "The District Attorney has opted against filing charges and has left it up to your school's principal to issue discipline as he sees fit. You're to see him in his office first thing in the morning."
"So we can go?" Peyton asked.
"That's what I said."
"All of us?" Brooke asked warily.
"All three of you, but do yourselves a favor, will ya? Stay out of trouble."
"Will do…see ya," Rachel said quickly, anxious to escape the tight space.
"What about Nathan?" Peyton asked, looking around to see if she could spot him in one of the other cells.
"Sorry, miss, he's not going anywhere," he answered, directing them out toward the lobby.
"I want to see him."
"Forget it," came the gruff voice of her father as they met up with him. "You're in enough trouble as it is."
"Daddy! I didn't expect you here."
"That makes two of us," he returned. "Go get in the car," he said before turning to Brooke and Rachel. "You too. I'll drive you home."
"What are you doing?" Peyton asked him.
"I've got a few words for that boyfriend of yours."
"What! Daddy, no! He doesn't have anything to do with this and besides that, we're not even together. You made me break up with him, remember?"
He chuckled at that but he really wasn't amused. "How naïve do you think I am?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"Save it, Peyton," he said sternly. "The police informed me of the little incident in your car this afternoon."
Her cheeks burned but she crossed her arms over her chest in a show of defiance. "Of course they did," she mumbled. "Did they also tell you what asses they were being? Or how that incident has no bearing on why I was locked up?"
"I know why you're here. Harassing one of his victims."
"She's not his victim," Peyton spat. "He's hers."
"Really Mr. Sawyer," Brooke felt the need to jump in. "This isn't Peyton's fault. Or Nathan's. I'm the one who went after Katie."
Larry shook his head and sighed. "I see, and did you also force them into the car when they should have been in class?"
"Well no, but I have been known to push them together occasionally…"
"What difference does it make?" Peyton burst out. "Is it really that important to go intimidate him when he's already sitting in a jail cell? You heard the policeman…he's not going anywhere, so why don't we just go home and let it be?"
To her surprise Larry nodded, apparently finding reason in her statement. "Fine, but you're not to come by to see him. It's over, you hear me?"
She didn't reply, just walked out of the station and went over to his car, followed by the others. "One of you two can ride shotgun," she said, opening the back door and sliding in the seat.
––––––––––
AAA
"You've got to talk to me sometime, Peyton," Larry said once Brooke and Rachel were dropped off. She didn't answer, just remained quiet as she'd done the whole way so far. "Did you even give back his ring like I told you to?" he inquired.
Her hand went up to fiddle with the necklace where the ring hung. "Do you see me wearing it?" she couldn't resist saying.
"That wasn't my question."
"Yeah, I gave it back," she said. It wasn't exactly a lie. She'd given it back. So she'd just omitted the part where Nathan had attached it to the necklace and clasped it around her neck.
"So where is it now?"
"Gee, I don't know," she said sarcastically. "I'm guessing he took it back where he stole it. Damn criminals."
"Honey, I'm serious."
"Fine, if you want to know the truth, it's in a temporary safe place until my eighteenth birthday when I'm finally free to wear it."
He nodded. Just what he was afraid of. She still planned on marrying the kid. He only hoped she'd change her mind before then. If he was in prison, she'd have no choice, but if not. Well it was up to him, as her father, to protect her for now. As much as it ailed him, once she turned 18, it was out of his hands. The decision would be all hers.
AAA
Luke was in school early the next morning and headed straight to Whitey's office, a purpose to his steps. He knew the coach would already be pouring through the game book and he wanted to talk to him before the weekend hit. He rapped lightly on the door, gaining the coach's attention, who thus waved him in.
"Lucas Scott," Whitey began, motioning to a chair on the other side of the desk. "What can I do for ya this morning?"
Luke sat as indicated. "I'd like to play in the next game," he said.
"I see, and what has your doctor to say about that?"
"He said I'm good to go," Luke replied. "My arm's completely healed."
"I assume you have the medical report to back that up?"
"Yes, sir. It's right here," Luke said, having it already at hand, clearly knowing the coach would insist on it.
Whitey looked it over and nodded in satisfaction. "It'll be nice to have you back," he said. "Though having you as assistant coach was nice too. Fine job you did with that. Fine job."
"Thanks, coach. And I loved it too," Luke admitted. "More than I thought I would. It's just that…"
"You're itching to get back on the court," Whitey guessed, to which Luke nodded. "I can understand that. It's in your blood, that game," he added. He didn't say, 'like your brother and your father', but he thought it. "Ok. Practice tomorrow night. Seven o'clock sharp. Don't be late."
"I won't," the younger replied as he stood to leave. "Coach," he said, turning as he reached the door handle. "Thanks again for all the opportunities."
Whitey put on a grumpy face and shoed Lucas away, grumbling under his breath. This only made Lucas smile, already wise to the old coach. He may scream and yell and act like he doesn't care, but it was plain he loved his kids.
He headed toward the tutor center next, in search of Haley to share with her his good news. He knew she'd be happy for him even while she'd worry about his treatment from the guys.
He frowned when he spotted Mouth sitting across a student, still pissed at him for his take on the Nathan and Haley situation. Haley sat by herself on the other side of the room so, ignoring Mouth, he made his way to her.
"Hey," he said, sitting down beside her. "Good news."
"Nathan's in jail," Haley deadpanned, figuring that's what he wanted to tell her. "I know."
"He is?"
"You didn't know?"
"I heard a rumor of the sort but I didn't know if it was true."
"It's true. The police called my house last night. He's there until the trial and then, well who knows from there?"
"Hales, that's great! Now you don't have to worry about running into him."
"Yeah," she said dully.
"Ok, why aren't you happy about this?"
"I am," she said. "I'm relieved that I can come to school and not be scared he's around every corner."
"But?" Lucas asked.
"I don't know, his friends are still here, and…other people who don't know anything but still have something to say."
"Someone say something to you?"
She sneered at the comment. "Just about everyone and their neighbor," she scoffed. "Everyone thinks I'm this…this…party slut and that I made up being raped."
He took her hand in his in a show of support. "Not everyone. You have some people on your side, Hales. Probably more than you know."
"I doubt that," she said. "Even people who aren't saying it are probably thinking it."
"You have no way of knowing that."
"Oh, I think I do," she countered. "Proven by the fact that nobody has signed up for me as their tutor."
"It's the first week of the new semester," Luke argued. "They probably just don't need tutors yet."
"No, that's not it, Luke," she snapped. "The other tutors, including Mouth, are swamped with students who usually come to me but are suddenly afraid to be alone in a room with me."
"You don't know that that's why."
"What other explanation is there?" she challenged, to which Luke had no reply. "If I don't start getting people, I'm going to lose my tutoring position."
"Come on," Luke scoffed. "Turner's not gonna fire the best tutor in school. And if he does, it'll be their loss."
She tried to smile at his attempt to cheer her but she failed miserably. "I never should have pushed this," she said, shaking her head. "I never should have pursued legal action. I mean, how can I expect to win against Nathan Scott anyway? He's the big man on campus while I'm just a…well, I'm me, a nobody, who was perfectly content being invisible before all this mess started."
"That's not true, Hales. You've never been a nobody. Not to me nor to a lot of others."
"Thanks for saying that," she said as though she didn't believe it.
"I'm not just saying it, Hales. It's true. And besides that, you can win against Nathan. The fact that he's in jail proves that."
"That has nothing to do with me. They locked him up because he was apparently harassing the other victim."
"Not much of a stretch considering the way he went after you in the police station. Kinda weird though," he expressed. "Since she seemed to be the one always tagging him. But I guess things aren't always as they appear," he added.
"Or some things," Mouth said as he suddenly appeared beside them on his way out, "are exactly as they appear," he finished, walking right past them.
"Those things being whose side you're on?" Luke threw back haughtily to Mouth's retreating figure, seething when Mouth didn't so much as glance back. "Can you believe that guy?" he asked, turning back to Haley.
"It's ok, Luke," Haley told him. "He just doesn't know what to think."
"No, it's not ok, Hales. And why are you defending him?"
"I'm not. I just…I don't know. He's hearing two different stories and he's friends with both sides. I just think, well, it must be a tough position to be in."
"Well, it shouldn't be," Lucas argued. "Considering he just started hanging out with Nathan a few months ago. How good of friends could they be?"
"He and I have known each other a long time, but we're really not that close, Luke. And sometimes it doesn't take long to connect with someone. Look at me and Peyton. She and I got really close after just a short while. Same with you and Peyton."
"Yeah," Luke scoffed. "And look where she is now – siding with Nathan too."
"She's in love with him," Haley reasoned. "She'll always side with him no matter what."
"Nah, the whole love is blind thing doesn't fly here. She knows the guy and what he's capable of. She'd just rather pretend she doesn't."
"Sometimes it's easier to keep the blinders on than to accept the truth."
"Yeah, I guess. I get it," Luke said. "For Peyton. Mouth's a different story. You'd think he'd side with you out of loyalty alone."
Haley shrugged her shoulders. "It's not any worse than Jake Jagielski making Peyton and Brooke back off me in drama class. I mean, he's Nathan's friend. Why would he stand up for me?"
"Because Jake's a good guy who's willing to stand up for what's right."
"But he doesn't know me. For all he knows, I could be lying through my teeth."
"Guess he knows Nathan," Luke returned snidely.
"The point is, maybe we should cut Mouth some slack. He's just confused, that's all."
Lucas stared at her intently, wondering how he could have missed how truly special she was all these years. Sure he'd always known it, but now he really knew it. All that time he'd longed for Peyton when Haley had been right in front of him. It had taken her hasty confession for him to even open his mind to the idea of a romantic relationship between them, but now that he had, his heart was set on it. Too bad that by the time he realized it, she was no longer ready for him. And thanks to Nathan, he thought sourly, she may never be. "Hales, I love you," he said, "but you're a bigger person than I am. I don't know how you do it. You're the most selfless, compassionate person I know."
"Stop, I'm not," she denied.
"You are," he countered. "Mouth pretty much stabs you in the back and all you can say is he's confused. Peyton turns her back on you completely and you say she's in love. What's next? Nathan raped you because he had a bad childhood?"
"Well…"
"Hales."
"What? It's crossed my mind, ok? I mean, a pushy, abusive father and an absent, suicidal mother can't have been easy to grow up with…"
"I'm not hearing this," Luke cried objectively.
"Hey, you were the one always going on about his home-life being so bad. How Dan was violent and that's probably where he got it from? You wanted to save him from that. Remember?"
"I remember, Haley, but I'm not gonna let you use his situation at home as an excuse for what he did to you. He deserves to go to prison and I hope to hell that you're not reconsidering about testifying against him."
"No!" she answered quickly. "Luke, of course not! Trust me, nobody wants him locked up more than I do. To think that he could do this to someone else…" She shook her head vehemently. "No, I haven't changed my mind."
"That's a relief," he came back with.
"I guess I'm just trying to figure out the why in all of this," she explained. "Because then maybe I can make some sort of sense of it."
He touched her cheek tenderly. "Hales, sometimes there's no rhyme or reason," he spoke softly. "Sometimes people are just cruel."
She nodded, her stomach doing flip flops at his touch. "Yeah, I know that," she agreed. "It's just hard, you know? He's your brother and you wanted a relationship with him and I'm ruining any possibility for that and…"
"Hey, hey," he cut her off, stroking her cheek gently and moving closer to her. "You are always gonna be my number one, ok? As for Nathan…" He shook his head and, for the first time, said what Nathan had said countless times before. "He's not my brother."
AAA
Meanwhile Peyton and Rachel stood outside Turner's door, anxiously waiting for Brooke to emerge. The brunette had quickly absolved the other two of any blame, admitting that she was the one who had struck Katie. Now she sat alone in his office, awaiting her punishment. To Peyton and Rachel it felt like she'd been in there for hours, but in reality it was only five minutes.
Brooke stormed out the door, a look of repulsion marring her pretty features.
"Well?" Peyton asked when Brooke said nothing. "Detention?" Brooke shook her head.
"Suspension?" Rachel asked, to which Brooke again shook her head.
"Oh no," Peyton said with dread. "Expulsion?"
"Worse than any of those!" Brooke whined.
"Brooke, what? Tell us," Peyton urged.
"Garbage duty," she revealed, looking disgusted. "Every day after school in the quad, and the gym after every basketball game. For the entire semester."
Peyton and Rachel couldn't help the chuckles that escaped their lips.
"It's not funny, you guys," Brooke complained. "Do these look like the hands of a…a…garbage picker…upper?" she asked, lifting her hands to show off perfectly manicured nails.
"Ok," Peyton said. "Brooke, it won't be that bad," she tried.
"Not that bad?" Brooke scoffed. "Peyton, I'm the new janitor. I have to pick up after these disgusting slobs," she said, frowning at a group of freshmen. "I knew I should have hired a lawyer. I would have got off so much easier."
"How do you figure?" Rachel questioned.
"Well, Nathan had a lawyer and look at him."
"Umm, Brooke," Rachel said. "Nathan's in jail," she pointed out.
"I mean for the other thing. You know, when he attacked Lucas," Brooke replied in a 'duh' tone. "He beat the guy practically unconscious and he got to work with a bunch of cute little kids. I only hit this bitch once and I'm suddenly the cleaning lady? Where's the fairness?"
"Brooke," Peyton began in a patient tone, as she would to a small child. "Nathan got 200 hours of community service. Plus he also got a fine, one year probation, and 50 hours of anger management classes."
"Your point?" Brooke demanded.
"I think you got off pretty easy."
"Oh yeah, easy for you to say," the brunette huffed. "You and Rachel got to wash your hands of it."
"We're gonna help you, Brooke," Peyton said as though she'd planned it all along rather than it being the guilt setting in.
"You will?"
"Yeah. Rachel and I, we'll stay after school and games, and clean up too."
"Speak for yourself," Rachel piped up. "I didn't hit anyone and I am not picking up everybody else's trash. Sorry, Brookie, love you to death but there are limits to what I'll do in the name of friendship."
"Fine," Peyton said, shooting Rachel a death glare. "I'll help her."
"Only fair," Rachel returned with a casual shrug. "Since it was your boyfriend she was defending."
"Please," Peyton scoffed. "Like she wouldn't have hit her if I wasn't dating Nathan."
"I still would have," Brooke admitted. "But I'll still take the help," she added. "And speaking of Nate, have you seen him at all since yesterday?"
"No," Peyton replied, shaking her head sadly. "My dad's being a…"
"Dad?" Brooke supplied.
"No. An overprotective…brute. Anyway, I was gonna drop by the station after school. See how he's holding up."
"Your dad's ok with that?"
"No, but what he doesn't know won't hurt him."
"P. Sawyer, you are such a badass. My parents are right. You are a bad influence."
Peyton cocked an eyebrow at her friend. "Have your parents even met you?" she joked.
"Briefly," Brooke answered as they walked by the tutor center.
"Aww, now would you look at that," Peyton commented snidely as she spotted Lucas and Haley snuggled close together. "Aren't they just the cutest?" she added sarcastically.
The two glanced up at the sound of the loud, purposely obnoxious voice.
"What do you want, Peyton?" Luke asked coldly.
She chuckled bitterly. "Nothing. I was just commenting on how cute you two are together." She turned her taunting gaze toward Haley. "And here you told me he was like a brother to you. Was that another lie or are you just into incest?"
Haley just stared blankly, swallowing hard. It was true, she had told Peyton that Luke was like a brother. She'd told everyone that. At the time, she'd thought it was the best thing to do. That way nobody would suspect how much she loved him or how her heart ached for him. Especially Lucas himself because he'd always been so hung up on Peyton and she'd wanted him to feel free to follow his own heart without the guilt he'd surely bear for breaking hers.
But it was out now. Lucas knew the truth and even seemed to reciprocate some of those feelings – though she still wasn't sure whether he actually did or was simply confused – so it mattered not if everyone else found out.
However, before she could form any kind of response to the blonde, Brooke was pulling her out of the tutor center entrance, muttering something about getting her in enough trouble as it was.
When they were out of sight, Lucas and Haley shared a look. Surprisingly neither of them felt awkward in the moment.
AAA
It was mid-day as Nathan paced the floor of the confined space, mumbling incoherently, when Jake appeared on the other side.
"Talking to yourself now?" Jake teased. "They say prison can do that to a person…drive them crazy."
Nathan smiled as he greeted his friend. He'd be happy to see just about anyone right now. "Jagielski, hey. What's up?" he asked. "I was wondering if anybody was gonna come by."
"They will, Nate," Jake assured him. "Everyone's still at school," he explained.
Nathan nodded. He really had no idea what time it was. "Why aren't you?" he asked curiously.
"Lunch," Jake answered. "I figured with school, practice, and Jenny, this might be one of the only times I can come."
"Oh," Nathan said with a half smile. "Cuz I was gonna say if you're skipping, knowing these bastard cops, they'd probably throw you in here with me."
Jake returned the smile, but replied candidly. "From what I understand, that's not why they kept you," he said, letting Nathan know he was aware of the reason. "That Katie's really something else, huh? And I don't mean that in a good way," he clarified.
"Yeah. You know, when we first started hooking up, I had no idea she could be this much of a bitch," Nathan complained.
"How you gonna know, right?" Jake asked. "I guess that's the chance you take when you got different girls on the go at all times. At least one of them's bound to be crazy."
Again Nathan nodded. "Yeah," he said agreeably. "But hey, lesson learned," he added in a more upbeat tone.
"You sure about that?"
"Absolutely," Nathan replied. "I've sworn off all other girls. I'm engaged, man."
"Oh, is that right?" Jake said, feigning surprise. "Cuz, you know, I didn't get that the last dozen times you told me this week."
Nathan chuckled. Ok, so he'd repeated himself a few times. "Sorry," he said. "I'm just happy she was able to look past all my screw ups and agree to marry me." Boy was it nice to have someone to talk to. He hadn't even been here a full day and already he was going stir crazy. He didn't know how the hell he was going to manage the next three weeks.
"I know, Nate. I get it," Jake said. "And if I haven't said it before, congratulations. I'm happy for both of you."
"Thanks, buddy."
"So uh…"
"And speaking of Peyton," Nathan cut off. "Do you know when she's coming?"
"You mean if?"
"No, when," Nathan replied, knowing Peyton wouldn't just stay away.
"I know, I'm just bugging you, man," Jake said with a smile. "But to answer your question, I'm not really sure. I think she's wanted to come see you but her dad's giving her a hard time about it."
Nathan nodded his head in acknowledgement. "I figured," he said. "Her old man has a massive hate-on for me. He thinks I've treated his daughter badly."
"He's right," Jake said. "You have."
"Yeah, but it's like he thinks she's made of glass or something. And that every problem we have is on me," Nathan said with a frown. "Besides, that's all over now. We're engaged, we're happy. Why can't he see that?"
"Well, maybe he's not convinced that you've actually changed."
"Whatever," Nathan replied. "Peyton is and that's all that matters. And anyway, aren't grown ups supposed to be above holding grudges and actually give people a chance?"
Jake had to laugh at the simplicity of that statement. Only someone who didn't have children could think that way. "Not when it comes to their daughters, man. A father never forgets."
"Never?"
"Never."
Nathan shook his head, not liking the sound of that. No matter how indifferent he acted toward her father's dislike of him, it bothered him. He knew he was to blame for the older man's animosity but still he hoped that one day the guy would be able to get past all the mistakes and maybe even approve of him, or better yet, like him. As he approved of and liked Lucas. But clearly that was never gonna happen. Apparently Lucas was the 'good' Scott, and Nathan, the unworthy one. Of course he'd never openly admit he was at all affected by it – at least not to anyone other than Peyton or Brooke – so he just shrugged carelessly. "Whatever. I guess you have to be good at sappy speeches like Pucas to get in his good books."
Jake sighed, feeling like Nathan had missed the point, but he didn't comment on it. Instead, since Lucas had been brought up, he figured now was a good time to say what he'd come to say in the first place. "Listen, Nate, there's something I need to tell you."
"Kay," Nathan replied, gazing at his friend curiously. "Shoot."
Taking a deep breath, knowing this wasn't going to go over well, Jake went ahead. "I've been issued a subpoena from the District Attorney's office," he said. "They want me to testify at the trial."
Nathan raised an eyebrow. "Against me?"
Jake simply nodded in confirmation, though it was unnecessary. Nathan knew the answer.
"Well, that's stupid," Nathan remarked with something akin to humor. "Why would they be that dumb? Don't they know we're friends?"
"Yeah, they know," Jake said, rubbing the back of his neck. Now came the hard part. "I guess they want to question me about your relationship with Lucas."
"What relationship?" Nathan scoffed. "We don't have one."
"Not exactly true," Jake countered. "A non-existent relationship would be the two of you never speaking, never interacting. You have a relationship with him, Nate. Just not a good one."
"Well, so what? What does that have to do with anything?"
"Come on, Nate," Jake said a little impatiently. "It's the reason you went for Haley, isn't it? To piss Lucas off? That's gonna come out in court."
Nathan shrugged. "Yeah, so? Everyone already knows I hate Lucas. It's not exactly a secret. What do they need you for?"
Ok, so he was wrong. Now came the hard part. "To show the jury that even your friends question how far you'd go for revenge against him," Jake answered quietly, almost too quietly to hear.
But Nathan heard him. "You're kidding, right? They want you to say that I raped Haley to get back at Lucas?"
"No. They know I can't say that," Jake responded. "Because I don't know that you did."
"What the hell does that mean?" Nathan demanded to know, his stomach suddenly dropping.
"It means that I can't say that you didn't either. Or wouldn't. That's what they need from me."
Feeling like he'd just had the wind knocked out of him, Nathan just stared, trying to grasp what he was hearing. "That's what you're gonna say?" he finally spoke, unable to keep the surprise and hurt from his tone. "That you think I did it?"
"I don't have a choice, Nate."
"Bullshit! You really think I'm guilty?"
"I'm not sure," Jake replied despondently.
Nathan sneered at him, anger gripping him instantly. "You know what? Fuck you, Jagielski! You sound just like my dad! I thought we were friends."
"We are," Jake said. "Which is why I'm giving you the heads up."
"How very big of you," Nathan replied resentfully.
"Look, Nate," Jake said with a dejected sigh. "I know how much you hate Lucas and how low you've gone before. I know how dirty you can play…"
"I'm not fucking hearing this," Nathan grumbled.
"And I'm not the only one," Jake continued, feeling the need to explain his point of view. "The police questioned everyone and I know for a fact that some of the other guys…and girls…are second-guessing your story. It's not just me, but the others, they're gonna back you up anyway because they think that's what being a good friend is about or they're too afraid to speak up. But I'm not gonna do that, Nate. And do you want to know why? Because I'm one of the few real friends you have."
Nathan sneered at that comment but Jake continued.
"If you did this, and I pray you didn't, but if you did, then I want to see you get some help. Because this is serious, Nate. We're talking rape here, and I'm not gonna be the kind of friend that overlooks something this big just to stay on your good side. And I'm sure as hell not gonna help you cover it up."
"I'm not covering anything up," Nathan said irately. "I'm innocent and a real friend, as you call yourself, would know that."
"How, Nate?" Jake asked. "Please tell me cuz I'd love to be able to back you up a hundred percent on this. Tell me how I can know, with absolute certainty, that you're incapable of this when I've seen how badly you treat people, Lucas in particular, not to mention the female population in general. And innocent, Nate? Really?" Jake scoffed. "Rape issue aside, just going after Haley, for the reasons you did, was a jackass move in itself."
"Whatever," Nathan returned bitterly. "It's not like she pushed me away at all."
"I hope that's true."
"It is," Nathan insisted. "It wasn't rape," he snarled. "And if you go into court saying it was, or could have been…Jake, I could do hard time for this."
"I don't have a choice, Nate. They're calling me up."
"You have a choice in what you say."
"I'm not gonna lie."
"Come on, Jagielski," Nathan said, a sense of panic over what this could mean coming over him. "If my own friends start turning against me, what kind of shot do I have to win?"
"I don't know what else to tell you."
Nathan glared at him a long time, grappling with it all, before finally responding out of sheer anger and frustration. "Then how 'bout you just save your breath and get the fuck out of my face."
"Nate…"
"Fuck you, Jagielski!" he hollered irately. "From now on you and your moral compass can stay the hell away from me. And you can stop calling yourself my friend too, cuz we're not friends. Not even close."
"Nate, come on…"
"You're even less than Lucas now," Nathan continued. "So watch your back."
"You're threatening me? Seriously?"
"At least with Lucas, I knew he was the enemy," Nathan went on as though Jake hadn't spoken.
"I'm not the enemy, Nate, but if that's how you want to look at it, there's nothing I can do about it," Jake replied in exasperation. Not that he was surprised by Nathan's reaction. He'd expected as much. Still, he couldn't say the words didn't sting. "Just keep in mind," he said as he turned to leave. "When your own people start doubting you, there's generally a reason. Maybe the problem's not with them, but rather with what they've seen from you."
Nathan rolled his eyes, refusing at this time, to consider Jake's words. "Hey," he called out just as Jake was almost out of sight. "Who are the others?" he asked when Jake faced him again. "Who else, from my so-called friends, are testifying?"
Jake sighed. He knew that question was coming. "I don't know, Nate. It's not like I have the DA's witness list at my disposal. As far as I know, I'm the only one they served."
This didn't satisfy Nathan. As Jake knew he would, he wanted to know who else in his circle didn't believe him.
But Jake would not give that up, figuring it wasn't up to him to tell him. "I'm not here to name names, just to let you in on what's going on."
"Right," Nathan scoffed. "Cuz you're a real friend."
"Yeah, whether you choose to believe it or not."
"Not. But thanks though," Nathan said caustically. "Thanks for making this day even worse than it already was."
"Sorry, Nate," Jake said with a sigh. "That wasn't my intention," he said, turning away again. But just before he disappeared, he glanced back at Nathan and came out with. "And you know, while we're on the topic of real friends," he said, "when was the last time you saw Jenny? Or even asked me about her?"
Nathan didn't respond nor did Jake give him a chance to. He'd said what needed to be said. What Nathan did with that was up to him.
And anyone visiting Nathan that evening was surely going to bear the brunt of his temper.
AAA
"We're here to see Nathan Scott," Peyton said as she and Brooke stood at the front desk of the police station.
"Names," the receptionist replied snarkily, clearly anxious for the end of her shift.
"Peyton Sawyer and Brooke Davis," Peyton answered.
The lady punched a few keys on the computer and glanced up at the teenagers. "Which one of you is Brooke?" she asked. Brooke lifted her hand. "Ok, you can go in," the receptionist said. "As for you," she said to Peyton. "There's a note here stating that no visitation between you and the prisoner is to be permitted."
"Excuse me?" Peyton huffed.
"There's a note here…"
"I heard what you said," Peyton snapped. "What idiot ordered that?"
Another few keystrokes and she was provided an answer. Peyton was livid when told. She tried to argue with the woman, but she would not be swayed, stating, rather rudely, that orders were orders. Finally the girls decided that Brooke should just go in and let Nathan know what was happening and keep Peyton posted as well.
"Call me," Peyton said before storming out.
Brooke bumped into Damien and Tim, who were just coming out from seeing Nathan. "How is he?" she asked.
"Grumpy," Tim answered dully. "Can't believe he thinks his boys would betray him like that."
"What are you talking about?"
"First thing he asked when we got in there is if we were testifying against him," Damien explained. "Or if we thought he was guilty."
"Why would he ask that?" Brooke wondered aloud.
Damien shrugged, indicating he didn't know. "But apparently he asked Tyler the same thing before we got here."
"And he didn't say why?"
"Nope," Tim replied disheartened. "He didn't even give us time to ask. Just told us to leave so he could be alone. I don't know what he's mad at us for."
"Weird," Brooke said. Being behind bars since yesterday, he should be thrilled for company by now. He wasn't one to enjoy solitude for long. "I'll talk to him. Find out what's going on."
"Good luck," Damien scoffed. "He's not in a talking mood."
Brooke shrugged her shoulders, confident that she'd get whatever was bothering him out of him. She and the boys parted ways, Damien covering up a pleased smirk at how miserable Nathan was, Tim doing nothing to hide his upset, and Brooke determined to get to the bottom of this.
She didn't get as far with Nathan as she'd expected. As she'd been told, he was in a sulky, untalkative mood and she could barely get two words out of him. But she was encouraged by the fact that he at least hadn't asked her if she was testifying against him. That was a plus.
She tried to urge him to tell her what was wrong but all he did was scoff at the question and point out where he was sitting and what he was accused of. Did she expect him to be doing somersaults?
She even tried to joke with him about being given the orange jumpsuit to wear, whereas she, Peyton and Rachel hadn't been. He just sneered and said it was because he had a longer stay.
With nothing but biting comments from him, she finally left, vowing to return the next day. She hoped that after a full day of mulling over it, he'd be ready to speak of whatever it was that had set him off. She knew, in his current mood, that it wouldn't happen today. Today he would sulk.
She tried to warn Mouth of his temperament as she met him at the entrance, but, like her, Mouth took his chances.
At first Nathan wouldn't speak to him at all and so Mouth shuffled uneasily on his feet, wondering if it was a mistake to have dropped by. He'd struggled with the decision in the first place, and now that he was faced with Nathan's silence, he was even more unsure. However, he still tried, his gut still telling him that Nathan didn't belong here – that there was more to that night than anyone knew.
"So," he began. "I got a visit from your lawyer's clerk today," he said, causing Nathan to look at him. "I haven't given him an answer yet but he asked if I'd consider being a character witness at the trial."
"Great," Nathan snorted, finally speaking. "So he's going to Haley's friends to speak up for me," he grumbled. "Guess that should tell me something about my chances."
"I'm your friend too, Nate," Mouth countered. "Thought we were clear on that."
"Clear?" Nathan scoffed. "Have we hung out even once since she accused me?"
"I haven't hung out with anyone since the party," Mouth returned. "You have to understand I'm stuck in the middle here. Either direction I take, I'm losing friends."
Nathan sneered, too consumed in his own predicament to care about anyone else's. "Look, just go ahead and say no, all right? You know you're not gonna go against Haley and Lucas for me so why even tell me about it?"
"I'm gonna do what's right," Mouth countered. As soon as I figure out what right is, he thought. But he said nothing more on the subject, figuring Nathan was right on one account. If he was still unsure, there wasn't much sense talking about it. "So," he began instead. "What are you doing for schooling in here? Anything?"
Nathan shrugged carelessly. "Some lady's supposed to come in with some lessons," he answered dully. "Not that it even matters. Who the hell cares if I get behind if I'm getting locked up for twenty years or more?"
AAA
"It matters because education is everything!" Whitey answered when Nathan posed the question to him a short while later. "You won't get anywhere in this world without it! And don't you forget it!"
Nathan just rolled his eyes at his coach's speech. "What's the difference?" he asked. "If I go to jail, basketball's already ruined."
"Basketball, despite what you may think, is not the be- all, end- all. And without it, you'll need your education even more to fall back on."
"Why? So I can be a stuffy businessman like my dad when I finally get out?"
"You know, you'd give Lucas a run for his money with this broody act of yours," Whitey drawled.
"Basketball's all I know, Coach. It's the only thing I'm good at, and without it, I'm nothing. Nobody."
"No, that's where you're wrong, Scott. You see, God doesn't make nobodies. But I suppose you're too stubborn to hear that just yet," Whitey nearly growled. "So I'll just get going and let you get back to wallowing in your self-pity," he added. "But first, let me just remind you of the fact that nobody knows the outcome of the trial at this point. Judging by your attitude, I'm not sure you realize that."
"Hey Coach," Nathan called out as Whitey was leaving. He waited for the old man to turn to him before speaking again. "How come you haven't asked me if I did it?"
Whitey heaved a heavy sigh. "Because I'm not sure I want to know, son," he answered regretfully. "Not sure at all."
AAA
"Yeah, can I just get a garden salad and a large diet coke?" the teenage girl ordered.
"Will that be everything?" Haley asked pleasantly, despite the day she'd had.
"Yep, that's it," the other replied.
Jotting it down on her scribble pad, Haley replied. "Ok, coming right up."
She'd just started turning to make her way to the back to hand Karen the order slip when the girl stopped her in her tracks.
"Hey, you're Haley James, right?"
A sense of dread instantly came over her. Did everyone know her now? She recognized the girl from school, and it was bad enough being hounded there than to bring it here, at the café where she worked and spent so much of her time. But what could she do but answer? "Umm, yes," she said. "I'm her."
"I thought so," the girl replied. "I just wanted to say how much I admire you for what you're doing," she surprised Haley by saying. "You know, a lot of girls don't even report sexual assault, let alone seek justice for it," the girl went on. "Especially when they're up against, you know, those guys. The ones that think they own the school and walk around like they're entitled to whatever they want. Anyway, all I'm trying to say is I think you're really brave to stand up for yourself like that."
"Thanks," Haley said with a genuine smile, her spirits uplifted with just that simple remark, a sign that told her she really did have support out there. "I appreciate that," she told her honestly. Funny how just one person's perspective could make all the difference in how you feel about yourself.
"I'm Gracie, by the way," the girl said. "And I wish every girl was as gutsy as you."
"I'm really not as brave as all that," Haley denied. "But it's nice to meet you, Gracie. I recognize you from school. You're a cheerleader, right?"
"Well, I used to be," Gracie answered gravely. "I quit last year for, umm…personal reasons."
Haley nodded, taking the hint not to press the issue. "Ok, well, I'll be right back with your order," she said, noting to herself to tell Karen to be extra generous with this girl's salad.
AAA
"Where's my dad?" Peyton demanded of Ellie once she'd stormed through the door and slammed it shut behind her.
"He had errands to run," Ellie answered, glancing up from the vegetables she'd been chopping for dinner.
Peyton frowned at the sight. She always seemed to be here now. But she didn't comment on that, still too furious about the other thing. "Oh, doing what?" she asked scathingly. "Finding more ways to keep me and Nathan apart?"
"I take it you've been to the police station. He figured you would, despite his orders to stay away."
"So, this was what? His way of checking up on me?"
"Peyton, your father's only doing what he thinks is best for you. He…"
"Spare me the lecture," Peyton cut off irately. "I don't need you telling me about his good intentions. If he wanted what's best for me, he'd do what makes me happy!"
"It's not that simple, Peyton."
"Well, it used to be. At least with you, it was. Of course that was before you started screwing my dad, when your main objective was to actually get to know me, your daughter."
"I still want that. I don't like this rift between us."
"You want it to go away? Then tell my dad that me and Nathan are right for each other. That he does love me. You know he does."
"Peyton, I don't have the authority over your father. You do understand that?"
"Yes, but you must have some sway. You told me yourself that I should be with Nathan…"
"I did not say that."
"You said he cared about me! That the eyes don't lie! That I should do what makes me happy!"
"And I stand by that," Ellie stated. "But I also see where your father's coming from. With these charges…"
"He's innocent!" Peyton cried out vehemently.
"Maybe so, but your father makes some good points on other things too. Things that suggest to me that maybe you and Nathan don't quite fit as a couple."
"Like what?" Peyton huffed, throwing her hands on her hips.
"Like having to lie to your dad to be with him, like how you've been upset or crying since you've gotten back with him…"
"That's not on Nathan this time," Peyton argued. "If my dad would just allow us to be together, we wouldn't have to sneak around, and if he wasn't so judgmental about Nathan and just gave him a chance for once, I wouldn't be upset."
"Peyton, I understand your frustration…"
"No. You don't. You don't understand having your own father not trust your judgment! He may think he's helping me but he's not."
"Ok, but there is another thing I've noticed that I'm not sure if your father has."
"What's that?" Peyton asked harshly.
"You haven't been drawing lately," Ellie replied.
Peyton rolled her eyes. "So?"
"So, you're like me in that regard. You use your art to get your emotions out. Whether it be to vent some frustration or to show joy, it comes out in your sketches. And I can't help but notice that you haven't been doing that lately. I sure hope it's not because of Nathan."
Crossing her arms angrily over her chest, Peyton glared at her birth mother. "Why would it be?"
"I recall you telling me how he used to get upset that it took your attention away from him. I hope he didn't ask you to give it up."
"He didn't."
"Or that you didn't give it up on your own to avoid problems with him."
Peyton didn't reply to that one, making Ellie conclude that she'd guessed correctly.
"Peyton, if he really loves you, he should accept your passions, not expect you to give up on them for him."
"He does love me," Peyton countered. "And he never asked me to give up anything."
"But he's ok with you doing it?" Ellie pushed. "Maybe even a little happy about it? That you're willing to sacrifice all else and just have him be your entire world?"
"You don't know anything about him," Peyton said, maybe just a little too defensively. "Or me, for that matter. What I sacrifice, if I sacrifice anything, for him, is my business and my choice."
"Fair enough," Ellie said. "But question is, would he do the same for you?"
"I wouldn't expect him to."
"And neither should he of you."
"Listen, just stay out of it, ok? Our relationship is not your concern. Like you said, you have no authority here," Peyton said. "Even though," she added snidely, "you're practically all moved in already."
She stormed up to her room without another word.
AAA
"Hey guys," Mouth said as he nervously approached the gang at the Rivercourt.
"Oh, look who finally decided to show his face," Jimmy shot out bitterly.
"The traitor," Junk said dully.
"What do you want?" Luke asked.
"Look," Mouth began. "I know you guys are all mad at me."
"Damn straight," Skills huffed.
"And unless you're here to apologize, we ain't got nothing to say to you," Fergie said firmly.
Mouth nodded and took a deep breath, searching for courage. "Well then I guess you can just listen because I'm not here to apologize," he said, all the guys' eyes on him. "I'm here to tell you of a decision I made," he went on. "One that's gonna make you all hate me even more."
AAA
Haley wiped the countertop, humming a quiet tune to herself, her day still brightened from her encounter with Gracie just one short hour ago.
"Hello Haley," she heard. "You seem to be in high spirits."
The brunette glanced up at the blonde who now sat on a stool in front of her. Her eyebrows shot up, her body instantly tense. "I'm sorry," she said tersely. "Can I help you?"
"Funny you should ask," the blonde said. "Actually, I think we can help each other."
Haley said nothing, just stared on.
"I have a proposition for you."
"A proposition," Haley repeated.
"As I'm sure you know, I'm a woman of means…"
"And?"
"And I'm willing to pay a great deal to make certain things, how shall I put it, go away."
Haley smiled stiffly. "Go away," she said incredulously.
"That's right. All you have to do is drop these ridiculous accusations, name your price, and I'll have a check drawn up immediately. So what do you say?"
AAA
"Peyton!" Larry shouted from the bottom of the stairs. "Get down here!"
She rolled her eyes, figuring Ellie had probably told him of their altercation and now he wanted to give her hell. "I gotta go," she told Brooke before hanging up the phone. May as well get this over with.
She made her way down, surprised to see they had company. "Damien?" she said. "What are you doing here?"
"What do you mean, what am I doing here?" he asked loudly. "We were supposed to go to the library to work on our project."
"Project?" Peyton asked.
"Don't tell me you forgot again. Peyton, this is the third time. If you don't plan to work on this, then let me know. I'll ask the teacher to pair me up with someone else."
"I don't even know…"
"Because I'm not taking an F just because you don't want to put the work into it."
She came face to face with him. "What are you talking about?"
"You want to see Nate or not?" he whispered so her parents wouldn't hear.
Clueing in, she went along with it. She didn't know what he had up his sleeve, and ok, Damien wasn't her favorite person in the world, but whatever she had to do to see Nathan, she'd do. "Yeah well, go ahead," she said viciously. "Maybe I don't care about some stupid project, ok? Maybe I have other things going on right now."
And just as she'd predicted, Larry jumped in to remind her of the importance of school work and doing your share, and sent her off to the library to work on her 'project'.
She stomped her foot and muttered a few complaints – just to make it look good – and headed out the door, into Damien's car.
A/N: I know, I know. No NP. I'm sorry. Hope you still enjoyed it.