Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill or any of its characters.
A/N: Hey guys. I want to say thanks, as usual, to everyone reading this story, and big hugs to all of you who leave feedback. It is very much appreciated. And here's the next one. It's another big one. When I finally get to my regular size chapters again, you're all going to think they're super short. LOL. Anyway, hope you all enjoy this one.
AAA
"You're good," Peyton stated matter-of-factly as Damien drove away from her house. "You should take drama class. You'd totally ace it."
He shrugged his shoulders. "I'll pass," he said. "I'm not into acting as something I'm not. Except, of course, in dire situations such as this one," he added. "I know how bad you want to see Nate."
She nodded. "Thanks," she said appreciatively, despite the cold tremor that crept up her spine. "I swear my dad's set on keeping us apart for life."
"Parents are a pain sometimes," he replied.
"Yeah," she agreed. "So how exactly is this gonna work? They're under my dad's orders not to let me visit. They wouldn't let me see Nate earlier."
"They wouldn't let Peyton Sawyer see him," Damien began, causing Peyton to raise her brow curiously. "No reason not to let Hilarie Burton in. Pretty sure you have the ID to prove you're her."
Peyton looked doubtful. "I'm pretty sure the police are a little more observant than bartenders when it comes to fake IDs."
"Worth a shot, right?" he said. "They probably won't even ask for proof."
"No they won't have to because they know me from my recent arrest, not to mention I was there today. That receptionist is bound to recognize me."
"Not if there was a shift change at 4:00," Damien countered.
"You're saying there was?" she asked hopefully.
"That's what I'm saying."
"So nobody there will remember me from yesterday or earlier today."
"Not unless someone's working overtime."
"Sweet," she said, leaning against the seat and relaxing her shoulders. "How do you know this stuff anyway?"
'I make it my business to know this stuff,' he thought. "Oh, I had an uncle who was a cop here," he came up with.
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah, before he transferred."
She nodded and turned her head to gaze out the window. Before she knew it, they were pulling into a parking spot at the police station.
"I'll wait for you," he said. "Take your time."
"You're not coming in?" she asked.
"Nah, I've seen him today already. I'll give you two some time alone," he offered. 'And be right here with open arms when he's a dick to you.' And he would be. If there was one thing Damien knew about Nathan, it was that if he was in a bad mood, everyone around him knew it and suffered for it. No exceptions. He didn't care who he hurt in the process.
"I hear he's grumpy," Peyton said.
A little disappointed that she already knew and he didn't have the element of surprise on his side, he nonetheless had to agree. "I'm sure you'll cheer him up though," he said confidently. Not.
AAA
Dan glanced up from his position on the couch when he heard the front door open. Who on earth would be just walking in? His jaw dropped when he noticed his wife struggling to get her suitcases through the door.
"Deb?" he asked. "What are you doing out of rehab?"
"Could you give me a hand?" she requested.
He stood up to do as she asked, taking the luggage in one swift motion and setting them on the floor. Closing the door, he repeated his question.
"I signed myself out," she answered blithely.
"Deb, your treatment isn't over…" Dan began to reason.
"I can't just sit around that place while our son's life hangs in the balance here, Dan," she argued. "I know I've made mistakes but I'm still his mother."
"And what is it you think you can do better from here than there?"
"Well…" she started reluctantly. "I had this idea, actually…"
He waited for her to go on. "Ok, let's hear it," he said when she didn't.
She gave a nervous cough before proceeding. "I thought if I paid Haley James a little visit…" Dan was already shaking his head. "And just reasoned with her…" she added.
"No, no, no, bad idea," Dan stated. "The prosecution would likely see that as witness tampering. You don't wanna do that."
"What if I said I already did?" she practically mumbled.
"Deb, you didn't?" he questioned.
"Well, I had to do something!" she returned defensively.
"And, how'd it go?"
"Not as well as I'd hoped," she admitted. "As soon as I mentioned money…"
"You bribed her?" Dan asked, suddenly looking amused.
"Well, I figured since they're a large family and her father works for the power company…not that there's there anything wrong with that…but I just thought money might entice her to…well, to change her story."
"She didn't go for it, huh?"
"She wouldn't even consider it," Deb huffed. "She said no amount of money could buy her silence, that Nathan would have to face his crimes and pay for them. And then Karen came out from the back and threw me out of the café. Dan, I don't know what we're going to do here…why are you laughing?" she paused her rant to ask upon seeing him chuckling.
"Well, they do say once you've been married to someone long enough, you start taking on some of their traits," he answered with amusement. "It seems you've become quite the negotiator," he went on. "Maybe not quite good enough but it's a start. You sure you don't want to quit saving the world and come sell cars with me? I'll teach you everything I know about the fine art of manipulation."
"This isn't funny, Dan!" she screamed. "I've probably just irreversibly damaged Nathan's case and all you can do is stand there and laugh at me?"
"What do you want me to do?" he responded with a shrug.
"I don't know! Something to get him out of this mess. Anything besides laugh and watch a damn ball game!" she said irately when she saw where the channel was set. "Be his father!"
"Tsk, tsk, Deb," he replied patronizingly. "Why do you underestimate me so? Do you really think I could enjoy a ball game knowing our son's in trouble?"
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. Last week when he'd gone to see her in rehab, he'd been appropriately worried regarding the turnout of the trial. Now, all of a sudden, he was carefree? "What did you do?" she asked him.
"What makes you think I did anything? Maybe I just have faith in our legal system."
"And maybe pigs really do fly," she countered sarcastically. "Dan Scott, you tell me right now what you're up to."
He smiled evilly. "Let's just say I'm a more experienced bargainer than you are."
"Dan."
"Alright, I'll tell you, under one condition," he said. "Nathan doesn't find out. I don't want him implicated in this if it backfires."
"Well, I won't see him before the trial so no worries there."
"You're not gonna visit him?" he asked. "Why not?"
"Because he hates me, Dan. Or at least he's still very upset with me, which is why he never came to see me in rehab."
"So this is about punishing him?"
"No, it's about respecting his wishes," she returned. "I'm not going to try to force him to talk to me if he doesn't want to."
"I'm not sure that's the way to go, Deb," Dan said. "Our boy's stubborn. Sometimes you got to push him a little bit to get your point across. But in the end, all he really wants to know is that you care."
"Well, we'll see," she replied, passing off making a decision until she'd had time to mull over it a while longer. "Now," she continued. "Tell me how your course of action is so much better than mine."
Again he smiled that sly smile. "Because, dear wife, you may be learning from the best but you're still an amateur. Haley James, despite what you might think, is small potatoes in this big picture. To get what you want, you got to go to the big guns."
"Quit dancing around the subject and come out with it already," she ordered irritably. But she too was smiling when he told her what he'd done and how. "You're right," she said almost giddily. "You are the champion manipulator."
"Complaining?"
"Not even a little bit," she answered. "For once I can truly appreciate my husband's…gift." However, the smile faded from her face as she looked at her husband squarely. "He didn't do this, right Dan?" she asked. "There's no way he's guilty?"
Dan lifted his shoulders uncertainly. "I hope not," was all he could say.
AAA
He was lying flat on his back on the bed, eyes closed, when Peyton came up on the other side of the bars. For a moment she considered leaving, but, as though he'd sensed her presence, he opened his lids and shot up.
"Hey," he said, walking toward her. "Your dad let you come?"
"No," she responded with a shake of her head. "Had to trick him," she added and then went into the details of what she'd had to do.
He didn't seem pleased, but she wasn't sure which part he was frowning on. She figured it was a combination of everything that was going on.
"You're in bed early," she commented casually, by way of changing the subject.
He shrugged. "Nothing else to do in here," he answered, a tinge of annoyance already apparent in his tone.
Of course, that didn't surprise her. Even if no one had told her a thing, it wouldn't surprise her. But still she wanted to know what had been eating him all day. "So I hear you're in a mood," she said lightly. "What's going on?"
He threw her a look, indicating she should already know the answer to that.
She sighed, wishing for the hundredth time this week that circumstances would change and they could just be happy. "I mean other than the obvious," she said, trying to keep the edge out of her own voice. It was a difficult task considering she knew that he was aware that she asked, not about what was clear to the eye, but about what had upset him beyond that. Obviously he was upset about sitting in jail but something else troubled him since he'd been locked up. And he knew damn well that that's what she wanted to know. Still, she went on calmly. "Why are you asking all our friends if they're testifying against you?" He didn't answer so she continued. "Nate, talk to me. What makes you even think they would?"
"Jagielski is," he said simply.
She shook her head. "No, I don't believe that," she countered. "Jake wouldn't do that to you."
"Yes Peyton, he would and he is. He told me himself earlier."
"Why would he?"
"Because he thinks I'm guilty," Nathan snapped.
"Is that what he said?"
"Practically."
"Practically?"
"Well, he said he didn't know, but it's the same thing."
"How is it…?," Peyton began. "Nathan, there's a difference between knowing something and being unsure. Jake…" she cut her reply short when Nathan glared at her spitefully. "God, I knew he was being weird, but…"
"What do you mean he was being weird?" Nathan demanded to know.
"It's probably nothing. It's just, in drama class Brooke and I were kinda giving Haley a hard time and he made us stop."
"When was that?"
"Monday."
"So you both knew on Monday and you're just telling me now on Friday?" he threw out accusingly. "What happened to being honest? Or does that only apply to me?"
"Nate," she began, taken aback by the intensity of his outburst. Not that she should be. She'd been warned of his mood. "We didn't want to add to what you were already going through," she explained. "We knew it would upset you and…"
"Like I wasn't gonna find out anyhow?" he said bitingly. "Or did you think I wouldn't notice him on the stand?"
She bit her lip to keep herself from lashing out at him as he was doing to her. He needed her support, not her temper. "Baby, I didn't know anything about him testifying," she said earnestly. "He never said anything about that to me."
"I think he just got the subpoena today," Nathan answered gruffly. "But still, you could have at least told me he'd jumped ship. Then I wouldn't have been so surprised by the knife in my back."
"Well Nathan," she rationalized. "If they gave him a subpoena, he doesn't have a choice. You make it sound like he's betraying you."
"He is," Nathan insisted. "They wouldn't be calling him up if they didn't know he was in their pocket. And why the hell are you sticking up for him?"
"I'm not, it's just…" She laughed somewhat nervously. "Come on, baby, it's Jake."
"Meaning?" Nathan snapped. "He's perfect so he's right and I'm wrong?"
"No, I didn't say that. I just don't think he has it in him to purposely betray anyone, let alone his friends."
"Then what do you call what he's doing, huh? He's supposed to be on my side. And according to him, he's not even the only one who doesn't believe me. Apparently I have more so-called friends too."
"Nate, just because people doubt you about one thing doesn't mean they're not your friends."
He sneered at that. "What does it mean then?"
"That they don't know you as well as some of us do," she answered. "You're not exactly an open book, you know."
"Whatever," he grumbled, unwilling, in his current state of mind, to listen to anything remotely resembling reason. "Whose side are you on anyways?"
Again she sighed, realizing nothing she said right now was going to change either his mood or his thought process. But again she had to bite her tongue with his last question. If he didn't know whose side she was on by now, he never would. And she was so close to just letting him have it. But she didn't. Instead she softly replied. "Yours, Nate. You know that."
"Is that right?" he asked. "Cuz it sure as hell doesn't seem like it right now," he added hotly.
Anger and hurt bubbling inside her, she bit down hard on her lip. "You know what?" she said. "I should probably go and let you rest," she suggested. 'Before I end up saying something I'll regret.'
"Yeah, cuz I don't have all the time in the world to do that," he drawled caustically.
"Do you want me to stay?"
"Does it matter?" he asked. "You wanna go, then go."
"Nate…"
"Just go, Peyton," he repeated before returning to the bed and flopping himself down on it. "I'll just stay here and count the ceiling tiles. Oh wait, there aren't any."
She stood unsure what to do, but when he turned on his side, away from her, he gave her no choice but to leave or stand there staring at his back. He was clearly done talking. She walked away desolately, the weight of the world on her young, tiny shoulders, yet knowing his bulk was even heavier. Still, she was a little stung that he hadn't even asked about her arrest, which she knew from Brooke that he'd been informed of.
AAA
"So?" Damien asked when Peyton slid back into his car. "By the look on your face, I take it he's still in a pissy mood."
"If by pissy you mean practically chopping my head off for everything I say, then yeah," she answered flatly.
"I'm sorry," Damien said. "You don't deserve that."
She shook her head to dismiss his apology. "He's just stressed," she excused.
Of course, she defends him. "So are you."
"Yeah," she agreed. "But he just…he doesn't deal with tension very well. Plus he's right. I should have told him about Jake."
"What about Jake?"
She glanced over at Damien and told him, "He's testifying for the DA."
"No shit," Damien said, unable to suppress the shock from his voice. Damn, who knew Saint Jake would come in so handy to his cause? Damien knew he questioned Nathan's innocence but he didn't think he'd go so far as to testify against him.
"Well, it's not like he has a choice if they called him, right?"
"Right," Damien agreed. "So Nate's mad at you for it?" he asked.
"No, not for that," Peyton replied. "Just for…you know what? It's not a big deal," she added, not really wanting to get into the entire scenario with Damien. "I don't even think he's so much mad as he is surprised and…"
"Stressed?" Damien finished for her.
She simply nodded and looked out the window. And terrified.
If Damien thought it would go over well, he'd tell her that that was no excuse, but he knew better than to diss Nathan right now. She wasn't ready to hear what a jerk her boyfriend was. What he had to focus on now was getting her to trust him and lean on him. Show her that he was the better man. Baby steps. Therefore the rest of the ride was quiet, save for Damien's attempts at light conversation.
When he pulled into her driveway, she turned to him before opening her door. "Listen, I'm sorry I wasn't much company…"
"That's ok," he assured her. "Under the circumstances, who could expect you to be?"
"Thanks," she said with a small smile. "But hey, I really appreciate you taking me to see him tonight. My dad's being impossible and I wouldn't have gotten to without your help."
"Not a problem. Anytime you want to go back, let me know. I mean, projects could take weeks to finish, right?"
"You'd do that for me?"
"Sure I would," he responded before adding, "And for Nate, of course. This whole thing must be driving him mad."
"Yeah," Peyton replied, the wheels turning in her head. "You know, I think I'm gonna take you up on that." This was likely the only way she'd ever get to see Nathan – by duping her father into thinking she was doing school work. Certainly she couldn't use Brooke as an excuse. Her father would never believe that she was hanging out with Brooke every night and not stopping by the police station. "How 'bout tomorrow?" she asked.
"Sure."
"Cool, thanks. Same time?"
"Whatever you want," he answered.
"Ok, great," she said appreciatively as she slipped out of the car, all the while thinking maybe she'd been too hard on Damien before. So he'd asked her out numerous times? And so he'd tried to kiss four months ago? He wasn't doing that now. Now he was being a good friend to her and to Nathan and she certainly couldn't fault him for that. It was time for her to let go of her ill feelings toward him and give the guy a chance to make up for his past mistakes. She could do that by accepting the help he offered, which she was so grateful for. "I'll see you then."
He smiled as he watched her go inside. Of course he'd take her back to see Nathan. Nate's temper was sure to worsen with each day he spent in confinement so what better time for him to swoop in and steal her heart?
AAA
Two weeks later
Nathan paced the small area, his patience wearing thinner and thinner with each passing day. He wanted out of this damn place. Damn it, he wanted his freedom back. His life. Two weeks he'd been here but, to him, it felt like a lifetime. The trial wasn't for another week and he didn't think he'd make it another minute in this hellhole.
He was losing it and he knew it. He was lashing out at everyone who came around. Some of his friends' visits had become less frequent because of it. Others continued to visit regularly.
Peyton visited daily.
More than anyone else, Peyton felt the brunt of his frustration. He knew he shouldn't take it out on her but he couldn't stop his temper from flaring at any given moment.
Irrationally he harbored a deep-rooted resentment toward everybody for simply having their freedom whereas he didn't. He knew it was messed up thinking but he couldn't help feeling it all the same. He hadn't done anything wrong and yet here he was behind bars. It wasn't fair.
The sight of Mr. Kowalski – whom he hadn't seen for several days –did nothing to improve his sour mood.
"Where the hell have you been?" he asked irritably. "Are you even working on my case?"
The lawyer smiled complacently, already used to dealing with the petulant teen. " 'Round the clock," he replied.
"Doing what?" Nathan asked doubtfully.
"Jury selection, interviewing witnesses, preparing arguments. You'll be happy to know the rape charge on Katie Sanders has been dropped…too many conflicting opinions for the DA to build a solid case on that. She'll still be an eye-witness for the prosecution, however we've only got one rape charge to worry about now."
Nathan sneered. "Great, only one," he snarled. "Hell of a lot better."
"It is," Mr. Kowalski said. "And," he said taking a note pad from his briefcase. "Besides that, we've found your character witnesses." He held up the book for Nathan's inspection.
Nathan's frown only deepened as he ran through the list. There were four names on it, none of whom Nathan would have chosen to speak for him. "You're kidding, right?" he scoffed in disbelief. "These people are the best you could come up with?"
"I take it you disagree."
"Hell yeah," Nathan answered with a sneer. "I mean, Mouth told me you asked him but I didn't think he'd do it."
"Mouth?"
"Marvin," Nathan amended, to which Mr. Kowalski nodded in acknowledgment. "He's cool and all but he's friends with Haley too."
"That's fine," the lawyer said. "I'll be restricting my questions to your character alone."
"And you think that's a good thing?" Nathan scoffed.
"He seems to think highly of you."
Nathan's eyes raked over the rest of the list. "These other three weren't even at the party," he said.
"Like I said, I'll be questioning them on your character."
"He doesn't even live around here," Nathan went on. "And plus I got in a fight with him once at a party."
"Yes, over your soon-to-be bride," Kowalski said, looking through his notes. "He mentioned that during questioning."
"Well, that can't be good, right?"
"Friends fight, especially over girls," the lawyer answered with a shrug. "He's an average student who hasn't been in too much trouble."
"Wait, I thought you said you wanted people with squeaky clean records," Nathan reminded him.
"Ideally, yes," the older man agreed. "But the fact he plays basketball for a different school draws me in. It says a lot about a person when they can chum around with their opposition. Shows good sportsmanship and acceptance of others."
Nathan let out a sardonic chuckle. What a bunch of crap. He hung out with him because they could relate to each other regarding basketball and their overbearing fathers. It didn't hurt that he was also cool. Apparently that made Nathan a good person. But hell, if it could help get him off this rape charge, then whatever.
"Any problem with the other two?" the lawyer asked.
"Yeah," Nathan answered. "This guy I barely even know," he said as he pointed to the third name. "And, considering how we met, I think he probably sees me as a trouble maker."
"On the contrary. He seemed to be very impressed with you when we interviewed him," Mr. Kowalski countered. "He's an adult who's not family and he's held in high regard in this town. His testimony will be extremely valuable."
Nathan sighed. "If you say so," he said. As far as he was concerned, he was fucked. Especially when he considered the last name on the list. He pointed to it. "I doubt she has anything good to say about me," he scoffed. "I'm pretty sure she hates my guts."
The lawyer laughed. "I did sense some anger from her," he admitted. "However, she strongly opposes the idea that you're a rapist and is willing to get on the stand and tell the court why. I believe her testimony will be the most compelling of all."
"Right," Nathan scoffed. "Unless she's planning to get back at me by saying the total opposite of what she told you."
"Trust me, kid, I've been doing this job a long time. That girl's not going to commit perjury."
"You hope. Actually, I hope, cuz it's my ass in jail if this doesn't work."
Mr. Kowalski stared him down. "If you have any doubts about my ability to defend you, I'm obligated to inform you of your right to change attorney. I can recommend someone or you can choose one on your own…"
"No," Nathan shot out quickly. "My dad hired you."
"Since you're being tried as an adult, right now I work for you, not your father."
"Yeah well, he's footing the bill so…"
"Nevertheless, if you'd feel more comfortable with another lawyer handling your case…"
Nathan shook his head. "No. My dad trusts you so…so do I," he said with a shrug.
"Ok. Then you've got to stop questioning me at every turn. I believe I can get you out of this but I need your cooperation. Deal?"
"Yeah, deal," Nathan said dully, the fear of a guilty verdict still the prominent emotion within him.
They discussed a while longer issues of the case before Mr. Kowalski left Nathan alone with his ever growing anxiety. The more time he spent in this place, the more they talked about the case, the more real it became. And the more real it became, the harder it became to keep a cool head.
AAA
"Ok, I'm putting the investigating officer up first, then Katie, then you," Lacey Brown, the DA, told Haley.
Haley nodded. "What about the doctor who examined me?" she asked curiously.
"She'll go last," Lacey said. "Juries, well people in general, tend to retain more of what they heard first and what they heard last," she continued. "So we start strong when they're more alert and attentive, and we end strong too. As far as I'm concerned, that's the only way to work a case."
Again Haley nodded. "I heard you're not prosecuting him for Katie's rape?" she questioned, having heard it from her parents.
Lacey shook her head. "I'd love to be able to get him for both but the evidence doesn't support her claim enough to try him for it. We stand a better chance for a conviction with just the one rape with Katie as our eye-witness." She could see Haley understood what she was saying so she went on. "Now, all witnesses are excluded from the courtroom until they're called to testify," she said. "This prevents any bias or influence from the other witnesses' testimonies."
"Ok," Haley said.
"You'll sit in the waiting area until a court clerk comes and gets you."
Haley continued to nod her head. There wasn't much else she could do. "And Nathan will be there," Haley said, more as a statement than a question since she knew the answer. But the idea of him sitting just a few feet away from her as she told her story sent shivers down her spine. And not the good kind.
The DA smiled sympathetically but nodded her head in agreement. "As the accused, he has the right to be in the courtroom at all times. But don't let this intimidate you," she said, knowing most victims' overwhelming fear of facing their attacker. "There will be guards present so there's no way he can get to you."
Haley smiled appreciatively. "Thank you," she said, a little relieved. She'd still have to face him but at least he couldn't go after her as he'd done at the police station. He'd made no attempt to harass her, or even speak to her, while he was out, but that didn't mean he wouldn't when she was sitting in front of him telling everyone what he'd done to her. Besides, he had gone after Katie in that time so his behavior was very unpredictable. "And how long will it take?" she wanted to know.
"The case is fairly straightforward so the trial shouldn't take any longer than a week or two."
"So, in two to three weeks, he could be set free," Haley said with apprehension. "Without any restrictions," she added, her stomach forming tight knots at the very idea of it.
"Well, we're gonna do our best to make sure that doesn't happen," Lacey returned. "Now, we've gone over your testimony, but we'll be running through it several times again before the trial begins," she went on encouragingly. "Starting right now if you're ready."
Haley took a moment to reply but finally took a deep, courageous breath, finding strength in the words of that Gracie girl at the cafe. She'd since come to her for tutoring and, judging by some of her mannerisms, Haley got the distinct impression that something similar had happened to her. Something last year that had made her quit the cheerleading squad. She never said so but Haley could sense it in every fiber of her being. This she would do for herself, and for every other girl out there who was too afraid to speak up. "I'm ready," she stated firmly.
AAA
Damien's plan seemed to be falling into place as the weeks passed by. As expected, Nathan's mood grew darker and darker the more time he spent locked up, and as a result of that, Peyton was becoming increasingly more upset with each visit. At Damien's persistence, she was beginning to open up to him little by little. No, she wasn't going into all the details, but neither was she closing herself off completely as she'd done at the start.
Damien had to chuckle to himself. If Nathan's temperament continued as it was, then by the time he was sentenced to a state prison – as Damien was confident he would be – Peyton would almost be glad to see him go. And he laughed harder when he considered how clueless Nathan was on that. Dummy probably didn't even have any idea that he was pushing Peyton away and straight into the willing arms of the guy she was meant to be with all along.
He didn't know as he once again sat in his car waiting for Peyton's visit with Nathan to end, that his day was about to get a whole lot better.
AAA
Peyton pursed her lips together tightly as she discovered, not surprisingly, that Nathan was again in a surly, impossible mood. She couldn't talk to him when all he wanted to do was sulk and curse his unfair circumstances. But that she could handle. She was long ago used to his temper tantrums. What she had trouble dealing with were the angry and degrading comments he aimed at her. He'd been doing it a lot in the past weeks and though she knew he didn't mean half the things he said, they still hurt and infuriated her. She was finding it harder and harder to keep herself from returning some of his purposely hurtful jabs.
She understood why he was being that way though. Fear and frustration had taken hold of him, their grip tight, taking control of him. That was the only reason she hadn't recently given him a dose of her own temper and anxiety. If she weren't busy making sure he didn't have a meltdown, she'd have one herself. Strangely, as was often the case with them, she found her strength in just that – trying to hold him together. But she was barely holding on herself, teetering over the edge of a complete breakdown. How was she supposed to be his sounding board when he used her more as a verbal punching bag? When she felt helpless to him?
But she had to. Because she was stronger than him. On the surface it wouldn't seem so. She was prone to tears. Him, not so much. He got angry. That was his way of dealing with unwanted emotions. Most people just thought he had a bad temper. She knew it was more than that.
"So," she spoke. "The guys say hi."
He sneered at the mere mention of them.
"The team misses you," she tried once more. "Well, not just them but…"
"If they miss me so much, then why don't they come say hi themselves?" he asked. "The only ones who come anymore are you, Brooke, and Tim. Sometimes Damien and Mouth."
She looked down, wondering how to put her response. Choosing her words carefully, she replied. "I think most of them feel like you don't want them to come."
"Right," he scoffed. "More like they were glad to know me while I was on top, but now that I'm down they can't be bothered."
"That's not true, Nate," she disagreed softly. "You have a lot of people in your corner. People who care about you."
"Yeah? Well then where are they, huh? I've been here two fucking weeks and they can't take ten minutes out of their day to stop by?"
"I think they want to," Peyton replied. "But, like I said, they don't think you want them to."
He pulled a face, not buying it. If they were his friends they'd come regardless.
"Talk to your lawyer lately?" Peyton asked for two reasons. One to change the subject, and two because she was genuinely curious, knowing he hadn't been around lately.
"He came by today," he answered dryly.
"And?" she urged him to speak.
He shrugged. "The DA dropped the rape case on Katie," he replied unimpressed.
"Nathan, that's awesome news!" Peyton shrieked, much more enthusiastic than he was.
"No, awesome news would be they dropped the whole thing," he returned snidely.
"Well, of course," she agreed. "But it's good that there's only one rape charge to deal with now."
He rolled his eyes. "There's no only as long as I'm still charged with rape, Peyton," he said snidely. "What's the difference if it's on one girl or two?"
She nodded agreeably, biting the inside of her cheek hard.
"And with the character witnesses Kowalski's bringing in," Nathan continued to grumble. "I'll probably go down for it."
"Don't say that," Peyton pleaded, hating the idea of him losing hope even more than his constant anger. "So, who are they?" she asked. "The character witnesses?"
His icy blue gaze met with green and he all but spit out his response.
Her brows shot up. "There wasn't anyone else?" she asked, unable to keep the shock out of her voice.
"Apparently not," he snapped. "And yet, I'm supposed to trust this guy with my defense." He shook his head in irritation. "He better be as good as my dad says he is cuz, to me, he seems like a moron."
"I'm sure he's the best of the best," Peyton reassured him. "Your dad wouldn't hire a moron."
"Why not? He's one himself," Nathan threw out bitingly. "He doesn't even believe I'm innocent but he's doing whatever he can to get me out of this. And why? So I can carry on the Scott basketball legacy."
"I doubt that's the reason, Nate," she argued softly. "He's your dad."
"Exactly," he rebuffed. "It's Dan Scott. Basketball's all he cares about. And don't try to say that's not true because you know it is."
"I know he's obsessed with the game," she gave him. "But do you really believe that's the reason he's helping you?"
"What else would it be, Peyton?"
"I don't know. Maybe because you're his son and he loves you."
"Lucas is his son too," Nathan pointed out. "And look where he is. Besides," he went on. "If he really loves me, shouldn't he want me to see a shrink or something instead of helping me get away with rape?"
"Who knows, maybe deep down he actually does believe you," Peyton suggested.
"Doubt it."
"So…" Peyton began skeptically, not sure if she should mention this but feeling the need to. "You're mad at your dad for the opposite reason you're mad at Jake?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Well…" she started. "Jake wants you to get professional help if you're guilty and you see that as a betrayal," she said, pausing a moment to let it sink in before going on. "Your dad's not looking to get you that help and that's a betrayal too? How does that work?"
Nathan sent her ominous glare, hating that she was pointing out an obvious contradiction on his part. But, of course, he wasn't in the right mind frame to admit to that inconsistency. "What's your point, Peyton?" he barked. "That no matter what I say, you'll be on everyone else's side?"
"Please stop saying that," she begged, very near her breaking point. "I'm on your side where I've always been," she said. "But Nate, you've got to get out of this funk…"
"Funk?" he mocked furiously. "I'm not in a funk, Peyton. I'm pissed off!"
"That not everyone you expected to believe you does. I know. That you're accused of something you didn't do. I know that too. And I get it, Nathan…"
"No you don't," he contradicted hotly. "You don't know what it's like being stuck in here day after day…"
"Maybe not," she cut him off. "But I'm here with you every day…"
"Big fucking deal!" he cut off now. "You're here for what? An hour a day? And then you get to walk away and just forget about it."
"Forget about it?" she gasped. "Nathan, I'm going through this too."
"I don't see you in a 6 by 8 foot cage," he returned.
"Nathan…"
"You get to go home to your big, spacious house, and sleep in a soft, comfortable bed. You get to go outside whenever you want, come and go as you please, eat food that doesn't look like a pile of slop, and you don't have to worry that this could be your life from now on. But yeah, you're going through this just the same as I am, huh? You're…"
"Ok, shut up!" Peyton shouted, her thin layer of patience finally snapping. "Just shut up! I get that you're mad and that you have every reason to be, so if you want to rant and rave or punch a wall or kick something, then do that, and I won't say a word. But you're directing your rage at our friends and at me. Nobody comes here to get rude, snarky comments thrown at them or to get their heads chopped off."
"And some don't come at all anymore," he replied snidely.
"Do you wonder why?" she asked. "They don't know what to say to you anymore."
"Well, I guess they took the easy way out, huh? Now they don't have to say fuck all. They can just pretend they never knew me. Well, they can all go to hell cuz I don't need them."
"And me?" she asked him. "Do you need me or am I to join them in hell?"
"Why not? I'm already in it."
She closed her eyes, fighting tears. "I'm trying to be supportive here, Nathan, but something's gotta give. I cannot take you always questioning my faith in you, or you acting like I'm somehow responsible. None of this is my fault, Nate."
"Oh, so it's mine then?"
"More yours than mine," she couldn't help saying. "You're the one who slept with Haley."
"I was wondering when you'd throw that in my face," he commented dryly. "I wouldn't have fucking touched her if you hadn't gone off with Pucas."
Her mouth agape, she stared at him a long while before finally finding her voice. "So you do blame me. I thought all this was just backlash from everything that's going on but you really do, don't you?"
He didn't respond, simply glared at her spitefully.
Her head spinning, she began to pace the small area. "Alright well… I'm gonna go," she said, suddenly finding it hard to breathe.
As was his habit lately, he sneered when she mentioned leaving. As much as he vented on her, he still didn't want her to go. "Visits are getting shorter everyday," he grumbled.
She rubbed her temple to ease the tension building there. Not that it did her any good. "I know you'd prefer I stay and take whatever you're dishing out, but not this time, Nate. Not tonight."
She knew she should probably try harder to be supportive, but right now, at this very moment, she just couldn't do it. She needed to put some space between them because the thought of reaching between the bars to sock him a good one seemed just a bit too appealing.
"Damien picking you up again?" he asked, a clear edge to his tone.
"Yeah, he's waiting outside," she replied.
"What, he just sits out there and waits for you?"
"Sometimes when he has nothing to do, yeah. Why do you ask?" she questioned, sure he wasn't just making conversation.
"Why you always hanging out with him lately?"
She shook her head in exasperation. "Do you pay attention to anything I tell you?" she asked him irritably. "Nathan, I've explained this to you already. The only way to come see you is…"
"For your dad to think you're doing school work," he finished to show he had been listening. "But I don't see why you can't do a fake project with Brooke or Rachel or…"
"Any other female?" she cut off knowingly. "Damn it, Nathan, do you always have to be so damn possessive? He's doing us a favor and you're jealous?"
"He wanted to go out with you too, you know," he said pointedly. "Before we started going out, he wanted you too."
"Oh, so you think he's after me?"
"Why is he doing you all these favors all of a sudden?"
"It's for us," she said in aggravation. "And it's one favor."
"Every day."
"Yes, every day. Geez, Nate, would you listen to yourself? He's your friend…"
"Not if he's trying to mess with my girl, he's not."
"He isn't trying…Why do you assume that every guy who talks to me wants to get with me?"
"Because most of them do."
"Maybe in your mind," she replied dryly. "We're just friends, Nate."
He sneered at her. "Like you and Lucas were just friends?"
"Ugh," she screamed out impatiently. "Lucas and I dated for barely a week!"
"And before that you said you were just friends."
She took a deep breath and lifted her hands in front of her. "Ok, I'm not doing this," she said, her tone eerily calm. "It's the same old argument and I'm not doing it. Not again," she said, turning on her heels to walk away. "You would think wearing your engagement ring would stop all this petty jealousy of yours but apparently not."
"Well, you're not exactly wearing it, are you?" he pointed out sarcastically. "At least not in the way it's meant to be worn."
"You're the one who put it on the necklace," she reminded him.
"Because you took it off your finger," he answered bitterly.
She sighed heavily, ready to completely lose it. He was obviously just looking for reasons to pick at her and she wasn't going to stand here and take it. "I'm done here," she said hotly before actually walking away.
Done? Panic overtaking him, he called out for her to wait.
But she didn't. She kept on going without looking back.
His open palms hit the bars several times in a show of pure frustration, until a guard shouted out a warning to stop.
"Dude," the same guard said when he came closer. "You had that coming two weeks ago. The way you talk to her, it's funny she keeps coming back."
"Fuck you," Nathan fumed defensively, mostly because he knew the guy was right. But as always, he figured it out too late, in this case, just seconds too late – not when she was on the verge of walking out, but after she already had. This was the worst day in here so far.
AAA
For Damien it was the best. Peyton exited the building, already in tears. He rushed over to her side, throwing a comforting arm around her shoulder as he led her to his car and urged her to tell him what was wrong. It took a while but finally she broke down and told him. He had to hold back a chuckle upon learning that Nathan was jealous of him, opting instead to pull her in close to his side.
She didn't fight it. Didn't have the strength to. She was emotionally drained, her energy spent. "I just don't know what else to do for him," she cried, her body heaving with the intensity of her sobs.
"Shh," he said soothingly, stroking her soft, golden curls, something he'd been longing to do forever. "It's gonna be ok," he whispered.
When her tears finally subsided, she pulled away, slightly embarrassed. "Sorry about that," she said, her cheeks burning red, matching her eyes at the moment.
"Hey, don't apologize," he told her sweetly. "I know what Nate can be like. He's very hurtful sometimes."
She nodded. "Thanks. But I shouldn't have gone off on him like that. He's just having a rough time with everything and he needs me to…not be a bitch."
"You weren't," he returned smoothly. "He was out of line, so quick kicking yourself, all right. He does that enough for the both of you."
"But…"
"Peyton," Damien began. "Look, Nate's my friend," he said. "But there's no denying he can be an ass. You had every right to lay into him for how he's been treating you."
"You think so?"
"Absolutely."
"But I should try to be more understanding and supportive."
"Stop it," Damien said. "Any more supportive and you'll be serving his sentence for him."
"He hasn't been convicted," she pointed out.
He will be. "You know what I mean. You've been there for him every day, Peyton. If that's not enough for him, what is?"
It was a question she'd ponder the whole way home and the entire night as well. She didn't get a wink of sleep, her mind constantly racing back to the stupid, pointless argument and trying to decide which of them was more at fault. While true he'd been horrible to her lately, she couldn't shake the guilt she felt for completely losing it on him. He didn't need that right now.
She only hoped to clear the air between them when she returned the next evening.
AAA
She wouldn't get the chance to find out. When she went back she was told Nathan's behavior had become progressively more aggressive toward the guards and policemen that day, and, as a result of that, they were implementing on him their own version of solitaire confinement by disallowing visitation by anyone other than his lawyer.
Peyton couldn't believe it. Who did these guys think they were? "You can't do that," she gasped in horror. "He's in a holding cell, not a maximum security prison!"
"Miss," the cop she spoke to said. "We're in our rights to impose stricter rules on difficult prisoners and punishments if those rules aren't followed."
"Well, what did he do? Hit someone?" she asked, hoping he hadn't so things wouldn't get even worse for him.
"Not yet, but we weren't about to let it escalate to that."
"And so you think taking away visitation is going to calm him down?"
"Our goal is not to do what suits him, Miss, but to enforce the conduct expected from all prisoners. Quite simply, if he doesn't do what he's told, there are consequences. Just like with a child."
She left the station that day more furious than she had in the whole two weeks, even with Nathan's sharp, crude comments. And with more guilt as well. Had she not gone ballistic on him yesterday, he wouldn't have gone crazy on the guards and policemen. Had she allowed him to release all his frustration on her, as she had been, maybe he wouldn't have had any pent up anger left to dish at them.
But what could she do about it now besides wish things had gone differently yesterday?
AAA
It was a difficult week dealing with her guilty conscience, missing Nathan and worrying about him. The morning of the trial came both too fast and too slow, if that made any sense. That Tuesday morning as Peyton readied herself, she wasn't sure whether to feel relief that the day had come, or dread. This trial would determine either Nathan's freedom or his incarceration, and she was literally a bundle of nerves. To make matters worse, Ellie was in the house – because yes, she was still always there and Peyton was more convinced than ever that the woman had moved in – and she would somehow have to make her believe that it was just an ordinary school day to which she was going. Her dad was already off to work so thankfully there would only be Ellie to deal with. Shouldn't be too hard since she wasn't speaking to her.
She took a deep breath as she looked in the mirror, trying to convince herself that she could do this. That she wouldn't be completely transparent.
The thin layer of confidence shattered when she went downstairs and Ellie offered to take her in that morning.
"I can drive myself, thanks," she replied coolly, wondering why Ellie would have to pick today, of all days, to offer.
"No, you seem a little shaky this morning," Ellie argued. "Probably not the best condition to be driving in."
Peyton looked down at her hands, which were indeed, trembling, and put them behind her back. "I'm fine," she told Ellie.
"Just the same, I'd feel more comfortable if I did the driving," Ellie insisted. "Grab yourself some breakfast, while I go up for a shower."
Peyton rolled her eyes, her mind going through several scenarios as to how to get out of this. She wasn't missing the trial, that was for certain. A whole plan began to formulate in her brain. She would take the ride from Ellie…from there call Brooke…have her pick her up…and. Her thought process was halted when Ellie turned around at the foot of the staircase.
"Court starts at 9:30?"
"Umm, 9:15," Peyton replied apprehensively, unable to do anything else but answer. But if Ellie thought she was going to stop her…
"Ok, that still gives me a half hour," Ellie cut her off mid-thought. "But we should head out a little early so we get a good parking spot."
She climbed the stairs after her comment, leaving a stunned Peyton with her jaw nearly hitting the floor. When the younger blonde processed what she'd just heard – and ensured herself she really had heard it – a small smile began to spread across her face.
AAA
Not a word was spoken between the two the entire way to the courthouse. Peyton was leery of asking what had changed Ellie's mind for fear she'd change it back.
Ellie finally spoke when she put the car in park and turned off the ignition. "This doesn't mean that everything I said before doesn't still stand," she said. "Just that I'm trusting your judgment on this one."
Peyton gave her a grateful smile. "Thanks, Ellie. That means a lot," she said earnestly.
Ellie shrugged. "Besides, you've been sneaking off to see him for weeks anyway. What's one more time?"
"You knew?" Peyton asked in surprise.
"What teacher hands out a big project the first week of a new semester?"
"You'd be surprised," Peyton answered.
"Maybe, but then what student goes all gung-ho on it weeks before it's due?"
Peyton's cheeks flushed prettily. "Some do," she replied rationally.
"You?" Ellie asked doubtfully.
"Not so much."
"I didn't think so."
"Does my dad know?" Peyton wanted to know.
"No, your dad trusts you to do what he says."
Looking down guiltily, Peyton responded in a low tone. "That's not always possible. I love Nathan and…"
"I know," Ellie conceded. "And you were going to be here anyway so may as well accept that."
"Wish my dad felt that way. You know he'll be pissed if he finds out you brought me."
Ellie nodded, indicating she was fully aware of that fact.
"Listen, I can tell him I made you. I talked you into it, I twisted your arm…"
"No, no and no. I'm a big girl. I can face my own actions and I don't run from responsibility anymore."
"But I don't want him coming down on you because of me."
"It'll be fine. We both know your father's bark is bigger than his bite."
"Yeah," Peyton agreed. "But just in case, if he doesn't ask…"
"We don't volunteer," Ellie completed, stepping out of the car.
Peyton nodded agreeably as she too got out.
They met up with Cooper and Jess in the parking lot, and a smile broke out of all their faces when they spotted each other. Jess immediately went to her and enveloped her in a tight embrace, Peyton returning the gesture just as fervently. And then it was Cooper's turn.
"I wasn't sure if you two would make it," Peyton admitted. "With the girls and…this little one," she continued, putting a gentle hand on Jess' belly. It was quite a bit bigger than when they'd left their house just a little over a month ago. A worried expression crossed her features. "Should you be travelling? Didn't your doctor say to take it easy? What about…?"
"Ok, don't have a heart attack," Jess said while laughing. "The kids are staying at my parents for a few weeks and the way this guy dotes on me," she points at Cooper, "this'll practically be a vacation for me."
Peyton nodded in relief. "Good. I don't mean to sound paranoid. I just…well, I know you've had problems with this pregnancy."
"I know, sweetie, but I'm pretty much past the danger now. My last checkup showed the baby and I are perfectly healthy."
"And it's gonna stay that way," Cooper said firmly.
"Yes, dear," Jess replied indulgently, patting his arm.
"Oh!" Peyton exclaimed before introducing Ellie and the couple to each other.
They all shook hands cordially and greeted each other politely.
"So?" Jess said, turning back to Peyton. "How's our boy doing?"
"Not so good," Peyton replied. "He's been having a tough time of it and this week they wouldn't even allow him visitors. And he's…"
As Peyton continued filling the couple in on Nathan's situation and temperament, Ellie couldn't help notice how easily and openly she spoke to them. She recalled Peyton's angry outburst a few weeks ago about how his family accepted her, no questions asked, but hers couldn't do the same for him. Hers wouldn't even give Nathan a chance to prove their opinions of him wrong.
Peyton was right. It was never more clear than in this very moment. And maybe if they'd trusted a little more in Peyton's judgment from the start, they too could have this kind of open communication with their daughter. It was something Ellie would strive for.
She'd started gaining Peyton's trust, respect, and openness in the months they'd been getting to know each other, but in a moment that had been shattered. When she'd decided to stand with Larry against Nathan, all the progress mother and daughter had made had come tumbling down in pieces. And Ellie understood why.
Because when you took a stand against Nathan, you took a stand against Peyton. If Nathan bled, Peyton bled as well.
But it wasn't as though Peyton expected them all to be best friends or even for them to like Nathan. All she wanted and asked for was that her decision to be with him be respected and their relationship left alone. It wasn't too much to ask.
Unless, of course, these rape charges were valid. But Ellie figured if Peyton believed in him this much, then she too could give him, at least, the benefit of the doubt.
AAA
Nathan tugged at his tie as he was escorted into the courthouse by a young, buff police officer. Damn he hated ties. He always felt like they were choking him, but his lawyer had wanted him well-dressed, groomed and presentable to show the proper respect to the court.
Then again, it probably wasn't the tie that was choking him. At least not today. This was it. The first day of the trial. The beginning of what would ultimately seal his fate. His heart pounded erratically and his legs felt wooden as they carried him where the officer led.
His dad was already inside waiting. No surprise there. But beside him – his mom – that was unexpected. She was looking at him nervously, offering him a weak, uncertain smile. He glanced away, unsure what he should feel about her presence, yet realizing, at least to himself, that he was glad she was there. However, he didn't know if he wanted to be glad. He really didn't know much of anything these days.
What he did know was that he missed Peyton and wished he'd gotten the chance to apologize to her for the way he'd acted toward her. She didn't deserve any of the crap he'd dealt her lately and a week without visitors had certainly driven that point home. Whereas he'd been aware beforehand that his behavior with her was over the top, the solidarity had made him realize it all the more. And that using the excuse that he couldn't help himself didn't really cut it.
His eyes scanned the room for her, disappointed when they didn't find her. Maybe she wasn't coming. Maybe she really had had enough and was done with him, he thought dejectedly.
But just as the thought crossed his mind, she walked in, alongside her birth mother and, to his surprise, Cooper and Jess.
AAA
Peyton was just as surprised as Nathan had been to see Deb. But it was a pleasant surprise. She was happy to know that his mother had put aside her own problems to be there for her son. It was about time. She exchanged smiles with the older blonde, letting her know that her presence was needed and appreciated. At least for her it was. She wasn't sure how Nathan felt about it. She figured he probably wasn't even sure how he felt about it.
Her eyes instinctively went to the front where the defense table was situated. Nathan sat there and he was already looking at her. Her eyes caught and locked with his in a long, meaningful stare – a stare that did not escape anyone's observation, Ellie's included.
Peyton noted his blue orbs reflected regret for everything he'd said to her. He was sorry. Her expression softened and she wished she could run to him and tell him it was ok, that she was sorry too. But she couldn't do that in open court, so instead she reached for her chain, tugged on it gently and pulled out the diamond engagement ring. She brought it to her lips and pressed them softly against it, hoping the gesture would relay to him what she wasn't able to say right now. That nothing had changed. That she loved him. That she would forgive him anything.
He must have gotten the message because his eyes lit up and his lips curved. Their eyes held until Nathan's lawyer nudged him to get his attention.
It's when he turned to Mr. Kowalski that Peyton noticed just how drawn and tired Nathan looked. These past few weeks had taken a real toll on him. But he was as handsome as ever though, sitting there in his khaki dress pants and nice blue button down that accentuated his eyes. And he even wore a tie, she noticed. He hated ties, she knew. No surprise he was pulling at it. He always did, when he had to wear one, that is.
She took a seat between Jess and Ellie while others from both sides came filing in, including Brooke, who sat directly behind Peyton with Rachel. Even the friends, who'd avoided Nathan for fear of more of his wrath, came in, showing their loyalty despite their infrequent visits. Peyton was glad for that, knowing it would please Nathan.
Before long they were all asked to rise and the judge appeared. Once they were seated again, the judge began giving specific instructions and comments to the jury, telling them what was to take place during the trial. It would begin with the prosecution's opening statement, followed by the defense's (if they chose to give one). Then the prosecution's witnesses, which the defense attorney would be allowed to cross-examine, would be brought to the stand first. When the prosecution rested, it would be the defense's turn to bring forth their witnesses, where the prosecution, in turn, could cross-examine. Once the defense rested, both sides would make their closing arguments, starting with the prosecution. And then the jury would be sent to render a decision.
He went on to explain that opening statements were not evidence but rather a telling of what evidence would be introduced at trial. He advised the jury that the burden of proof was on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
When he finished his speech he called on the prosecution to begin its opening statement.
The DA stood up and addressed the judge and jury, speaking of how the trial would show how Nathan's intense hatred for his half-brother led him to commit the horrific act of rape against the half brother's innocent best friend. She went on to say what witnesses would be called upon to attest to this truth.
Nathan tuned her out about halfway through her statement. Having heard all these accusations one too many times as it was, he wasn't interested in hearing it again. But one glance toward the jury and it was clear they were listening intently and eating it up. He swallowed hard as some already looked at him like he was the bad guy. He turned to see Peyton's reaction but was immediately ordered by the judge to face the front. He did as he was told, albeit reluctantly.
His own lawyer spent much less time on his opening. He explained to the jury that his client was being falsely and maliciously accused, urged them to listen to all the evidence before making up their minds, and reminded them again that the burden of proof lay on the prosecution.
When he finished, the judge stated the prosecution could call its first witness.
"We call Officer Peter Thompson to the stand," Lacey Brown said in a loud, firm voice.
AAA
A/N: So I'm curious. Any guesses as to who Nathan's other 3 character witnesses will be? They've all been in the story at some point, some more recently than others, one way closer to the beginning of the story. If you don't know that's cool, I do plan to add little flashback tidbits just as a reminder. Now ideally I would have broken this chapter into two or three, but I didn't want you guys yelling at me to quit putting off the trial…lol. So, as you can guess by the end of this one, it will begin next chapter. Anyway, hope you enjoyed this one and didn't fall asleep halfway though. Hehe.