Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill or any of its characters.
AN: Hey guys. Here's the next one. It's another fairly long one so I lied about the next chapters going back to normal size. LOL. Plus I even had to break this one in two…haha. Oh well, I hope you all enjoy it. Thank you, as always to all readers, and especially reviewers. You make my day, and love you all.
I tried to indent the closing arguments to set them apart from the other text but document manager wouldn't let me so I bolded it instead. And now onto the story.
….
"I gotta tell ya, Peyton," Ellie said as Peyton sat sullenly on her bed, Brooke and Rachel on each side of her. "I'm not liking most of what I'm hearing in that courtroom."
"I know what you mean," Brooke answered rather than Peyton. "That D.A.'s a real bitch."
"Not what I meant," Ellie replied. "She's doing her job and she's not getting that stuff out of nowhere."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Peyton questioned flatly.
"It means she can't just make stuff up off the top of her head. There has to be truth to it in order for her to bring it up. And, quite honestly, Nathan doesn't sound like a real nice guy."
Peyton's eyes narrowed on her birth mother, a scowl coming to her face. "Put your life under a microscope, and you wouldn't come out of it looking like Mary Poppins either."
Ellie nodded agreeably. "True enough."
"It's the same for anyone," Rachel said. "Spin a tale a certain way, and you can make anybody look bad."
"Especially when you don't let people finish their sentences," Brooke complained. "Did you see how she kept cutting off Nathan's witnesses?"
"Oh yeah," Rachel agreed. "It was kinda like how Nate's lawyer was cutting off the prosecution's witnesses."
"Whose side are you on?" Brooke asked seriously.
"I'm just saying both sides were equally cutting off the other. I didn't realize that was somehow a betrayal."
"Well it was," Peyton said tartly. "Then again, you've never supported Nathan in anything so why should this time be any different?"
The redhead stared at her blonde friend in awe. "Peyton, that's not fair. You know I'm on Nathan's side here."
"Well then, I guess it's a first," Peyton returned.
"Ok, what just happened?" Rachel wondered aloud. "Why am I the bad guy here?"
Peyton sighed deeply, knowing she was losing it, much as Nathan had been a few weeks ago and likely still was. And just like Nathan, she was powerless to do anything about it. She understood his feelings of being completely helpless. He was facing severe prison time and there wasn't a damn thing either of them could do about it. "Listen, guys," she said. "I appreciate you coming over and all but I'd really rather just be alone, ok?"
"You've been saying that a lot lately, hon," Brooke mentioned. "You know we're here for you, right?"
Peyton nodded, wishing, not for the first time, that she could be as selfless as Brooke. She knew the brunette was hurting over this too, and yet, as usual, she was worrying about her and Nathan. But though Peyton often wished she could be like that, she was too consumed with her own fears, dread, and concern for Nathan, to worry about how her friends were doing through this. "I know, Brooke," she acknowledged. "I just need to be by myself, ok?"
"Ok," Brooke agreed, her tone soft and understanding. "You want me to get your sketch pad out for you?"
"No, it's ok," Peyton answered, avoiding Ellie's gaze.
Ellie looked at her daughter in wonder. "You haven't told your friends?" she asked, hoping that by bringing it up the two girls would be able to talk sense into Peyton.
"Tell us what?" Brooke asked.
Peyton shot Ellie a glare before turning back to Brooke. "I gave up the comic strip," she said.
"What? Why?" Brooke asked. "I thought you enjoyed that job."
"Some things are more important," Peyton replied with a simple shrug.
"But…"
"Just drop it, ok," Peyton cut off sharply. "If I want to quit drawing, it's nobody's business but my own."
"Wait," Brooke began suspiciously. "You quit the comic strip or you quit sketching altogether?"
Peyton crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back against the bed post.
"Peyton?" Brooke pressed.
"Does it matter?" Peyton returned flatly.
"Of course it matters. P. Sawyer, you love drawing. Why would you give it up?"
"Brooke," Peyton began, losing patience fast. "I love you but let it go."
"Not until you tell me what's going on."
Bolting from the bed, Peyton turned on her brunette friend. "What's going on is I'm sick of having to answer to everybody for every damn decision I make!" she screamed. "Why can't everybody, for once, just stay out of my business? You say Nathan and I always drag you into our messes, Brooke, but the only reason we do that is because you're always right there in the middle. Don't you think we would love to decide things, just the two of us, sometime? But we can't because there's always somebody right there telling us how we should do things or not do things! My dad, Rachel, you! We just want to do things our way for once!"
Trying not to feel offended by Peyton's harsh words, Brooke asked, "And you two decided together that you should quit drawing?"
"Well…no," Peyton answered. "I decided that myself," she admitted. "What's wrong with giving up something that's caused nothing but problems between us?"
"Your drawings?"
"Yes, my drawings! Don't look so surprised! Do you know how many girls he would have never hooked up with if I hadn't had my head buried in a sketch book?"
"You think he cheated because you like to draw pictures?" Rachel asked, astounded.
Peyton rolled her eyes. "No," she replied irately. "Because I get so lost in my own world when I draw those pictures that I end up shutting him out. You know it's true."
"Then bring him into it, Peyton," Brooke reasoned. "Don't give it up."
"You don't get it," Peyton said.
"No I don't," Brooke agreed. "You think sacrificing this thing that means the world to you…"
"It doesn't mean as much as Nathan does," Peyton returned stubbornly.
"is going to make everything better," Brooke continued as though Peyton hadn't interrupted. "Turn him into a faithful boyfriend? Personally I think he's already learned his lesson on that bit, and by doing this, you'll only end up chasing him away."
"No, you're wrong," Peyton said, thinking back to when she'd told Nathan about abandoning the magazine.
Flashback (chapter 86)
"Because I just want to concentrate on us right now," she answered. "Ok? That's way more important than some stupid comic strip."
A pleased smile graced his lips before she took them with her own in a deep, heated kiss.
End of Flashback
"Nathan's happy about this," she added confidently.
"Maybe for now because it boosts his ego," Brooke replied. "But, trust me, eventually he won't appreciate it so much. I've known Nate my whole life, Peyton, and there's a reason he never fell for any girl before or after you. He doesn't want someone he can mould. He wants that strong, independent girl who has a mind of her own and does her own thing whether he likes it or not. He wants that girl he fell for in the first place, and if that girl goes away, what do you think he's gonna do? Anything else just bores him."
"Ok, look," Peyton began irritably. "I know you think you've got all this inside knowledge on Nathan because you've been friends so long, but there are some things, some pieces of himself that he only shares with me. You may have known him longer, Brooke, but you don't know everything, and I'm sick of you acting like you do."
Brooke's jaw dropped but she couldn't form any kind of response.
That's when Rachel piped up again. "What is it exactly that she doesn't know? That he's gonna let you give up something you love for his sake?"
"It's not about letting me," Peyton argued. "It's my decision."
"But he's ok with it. Happy about it."
"So?"
"So, that's selfish."
"And it's not selfish for me to keep doing something I know bothers him?" Peyton countered.
"If it bothers him so much," Rachel said. "Then why would he keep a stack of Thud magazines in his bedroom?"
"When were you in his bedroom?" Peyton questioned. "And why?"
Rachel rolled her eyes. "Don't give me that look, Blondie," she said. "I went to see him when you told me you were taking him back. I wanted to make sure he was ready to treat you right this time."
"Unbelievable!" Peyton shrieked. "Another prime example of my friends butting in where they don't belong. I'll decide if he's treating me right, ok? Me. Not you!"
Unperturbed, Rachel shrugged. "Fine," she conceded. "But the point is he's got every single issue of Thud since you started drawing for them."
"That's true, he does," Brooke said. "He even got me to pick them up when he was on house arrest and could only go certain places or else the ankle bracelet would go off."
Peyton sighed and ran her fingers through her mass of curls. That's how he knew what page her sketches were generally on, why he noticed when her sketch didn't appear in one issue. He was buying them. Every week. "I don't understand," she admitted aloud. "He said the comic strip was stupid. Why would he go out and buy it? Maybe Thud has a new sports section?" She shook her head. Nathan was so confusing sometimes.
But she couldn't think about this right now. Not while Nathan still faced charges. Somehow her sketches dimmed in importance when compared to that. "Ok, why are we even talking about this?" she asked. "What do sketches matter when Nathan's future lays in the hands of twelve people who've never spoken a word to him in their lives? Why should strangers get to decide his fate?"
With these simple but serious questions, the two friends she'd basically just bashed rushed to her side, ready to offer their comfort.
But she brushed them off, feeling unreasonably guilty that she was able to forget Nathan's situation for even a moment. He sat in a jail cell, a constant reminder of his uncertain future, so why should she be able to forget?
At her insistence, the three others left her alone, all three of them wondering if they really should.
…..
"How is she?" Larry asked Ellie once they got downstairs.
"The boy she loves is on trial for rape," Ellie answered. "Need I say more?"
He sighed deeply and shook his head, muttering a silent oath beneath his breath. Even locked away in prison, this Scott kid still caused his daughter misery. "I do worry about that girl," he said.
The others nodded in agreement, but none of them added anything.
Larry turned back to Ellie. "You've been making sure she's going to school in the day, right?" he asked. "That she's not sneaking off to the courthouse instead?"
"Oh yeah," Ellie replied a little abruptly, stealing glances at Brooke and Rachel, silently asking that they not give her away. "Absolutely."
"Good," Larry replied. "The last thing she needs is to be subjected to more pain. I think seeing this trial, on top of everything else, would be too much for her."
Ellie had to wonder if she didn't agree with him on that. Certainly Peyton seemed to be teetering on the verge of a complete meltdown. Ellie wasn't sure how much more the girl could take.
But the next morning Peyton was up and ready to head to the courthouse for closing arguments, and Ellie didn't have the heart to tell her no.
….
"Is the prosecution ready with its summations?" the judge asked.
"We are, your Honor," Lacey Brown replied.
"Very well. You may begin."
Lacey stood, turning to face the jury:
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury," she began. "Over the past few days you've heard disturbing evidence of how this young man, Nathan Scott's," she said, pointing over to Nathan, "immense hatred and bitterness toward his half brother led him to drug and rape an innocent girl—Haley James, best friend of Lucas Scott, the brother. You've heard testimony from witnesses present at the party in question who saw them together that night, saw how Miss James appeared drunk, though she hadn't touched a drop of alcohol.
And let's not forget our eyewitness who saw him drug the soda can and hand it to the victim. Now, the defense will try to say she was just a vengeful girl, lying out of spite toward the defendant. Do not buy into this. Katie Sanders was a young, confused girl, afraid and unsure what to do. Imagine you're in love with a boy and you know what he's doing is wrong, yet you still always have that urge to deny it or give him a chance to redeem himself. That was the case here, but that nagging voice in the back of Katie's mind, telling her to do the right thing, was always there, and after a week, it won. She came forward to the police as she knew she had to. There was no thought of revenge here—just a girl who finally saw the light—that the boy she loved and wanted to believe in so badly, was a criminal who needed to be stopped. As one of his victims herself, her enlightment should be applauded.
Haley James is the most innocent victim in all of this. She's just a girl, trying to live her life right, who's never hurt a soul. A remarkable student, she puts her academic abilities to good use by helping students who are struggling with their grades. She's not a wild, party girl, out drinking or with a different guy every night. No, in fact, she's placed high morals on herself, and has managed to keep those morals, despite hormones and the pressures of being a teenager in today's society.
Until, one day, Nathan Scott decided he was going to have her.
He saw Lucas Scott leaving with Peyton Sawyer, the girl he still wanted, and decided that Lucas was going to pay for that. Of course, he knew well enough that Haley James would never agree to that, but why let a little thing like consent stop him when a few drops of liquid ecstasy in her drink would take care of that? That way he gets what he wants without the aggravation of dealing with a squirming, screaming girl, who might draw suspicion among the other partiers. That way nobody would try to stop him because, well, clearly she's willing, right? She's not fighting, she's participating. Who's gonna think anything of it? Other than Lucas Scott, who conveniently had left just moments before?
In the defendant's eyes, what he did was only fair. He didn't know that the reason Peyton and Lucas left together was because she wanted to end things with Lucas to go back to him. In his mind, Lucas had Peyton so why shouldn't he have Haley? You heard Officer Thompson testify that, upon questioning, the defendant admitted that's the reason he went after Miss James. To get back at Lucas.
Yes, a young girl's life was shattered because Nathan Scott wanted revenge.
It all seems so trivial, doesn't it? We don't want to think that someone would go that far for revenge, and, in a perfect world, they wouldn't. But in Nathan Scott's world, where he's used to getting his way with everyone around him and feels a certain entitlement, they do.
You've heard the testimony from several witnesses stating he's bullied people at school, treated girls like sex objects, only to discard them when he was done with them. You've heard some of these girls admit they've taken liquid ecstasy with him. And, most of all, you've heard everybody say how much he hates his brother.
Jake Jagielski, the defendant's friend, was not even able to back him up, but rather stated that he wasn't sure that Nathan wouldn't go that far to get to Lucas.
The defendant attempted to intimidate both victims—Katie Sanders and Haley James—into stopping their actions against him. Katie, at school, and Haley, in a police station with at least a dozen uniformed policemen at hand.
Debra Scott, Nathan's mother, tried to blackmail Haley James with money. The people who've known him all or most of his life are the very people doubting his innocence. Do not ignore this fact. These are some people who know him better than anyone. It's not a coincidence that every one of his character witnesses have only known him a short time. And it's no surprise either that he's also treated them badly.
Is there anybody in this world that Nathan Scott respects? Not this courtroom, as you've seen from his multiple outbursts, not the police, not his parents, his lawyer, his teachers. Not even his friends or his girlfriend, who conveniently became his fiancé just weeks prior to the beginning of this trial.
But we can almost see what draws people to him, can't we? Especially the girls. No question, he's a handsome guy. Certainly girls fall all over themselves to try to please him or to gain his attention. Even Haley James admits she did find him attractive and has told her friends as much. But so what? Finding him attractive does not constitute consent nor did she willingly give it to him. The defense will have you believe otherwise, but I'm confident that you're smart enough to see past that defense, to look past the defendant's good looks, and see him for what he really is—a rapist. Consider all he's done, all the testimony you've heard, the evidence—the DNA. Once you've done that, I trust you'll come up with the right decision. Hold this young man responsible for the rape of Haley James by rendering a guilty verdict."
"Counselor," the judge directed Mr. Kowalski after the D.A. had sat back down.
The defense attorney nodded and, as the D.A. had done before him, stood and faced the jury. The only difference is that, during his closing argument, he paced back and forth.
"That was a pretty speech given by the District Attorney, wasn't it? If I were you, I might want to declare him guilty on the spot. But there was one factor missing from that speech; the most important factor of all—proof. Where is it? It's all well and good to stand up here and list all of my client's character flaws, and if the charges were using girls for his own pleasure, hating his brother, having a bad temper, being disrespectful to folks, or even bullying, then I'd say yes, he's guilty, throw the book at him. However, he's not been charged with any of those things. Let's be real here. The charge is rape, and for that, I say, where is the proof?
My client's made some mistakes, a lot of them even. Some of you may not like him, and you know what? That's okay. As a father of two teenage girls, I can't even say I like him. I'd certainly try to discourage my daughters from getting involved with him anyway. Perhaps even forbid it. Not because I fear for their safety around him, but simply because I can't stand the thought of anybody breaking their hearts. And Nathan Scott, he'd certainly break their hearts, wouldn't he? Whether it be because of his "player" ways or the fact that, despite everything, he's remained steadfast in his feelings for one girl in particular—Peyton Sawyer.
With all the evidence you've heard, I'm sure you can all agree that this girl, unlike any of the others, is special to him. And unlike what the prosecution would have you believe, the two of them became engaged before his arrest on this charge. No question, despite all his errs, the one thing that's remained constant through it all is his affection for this girl.
These intense emotions for her have led him to some questionable acts, no doubt. Regarding her, he's behaved possessively, irrationally even, overtly aggressive toward anyone whom he sees as a potential threat to their relationship, and yes, he's also been vengeful to those who've come a little too close.
It's true he went after Haley James to spite his brother. This he admits. Now, is that petty? Sure. Immature? You bet. Abnormal teenage behavior? I'd say, not. A crime? Most certainly not.
Unless, of course, you buy into the contradicting stories of the two alleged victims. Katie Sanders says she saw him slip the drug into a soda can and approach Haley James with it, where he then proceeded to hand it to her. Haley James recalls no such thing, despite the fact that she recited events that apparently occurred after that. So, which is it? He gave her a drink or he didn't? Both versions can't be right. At least one of them has to be lying.
Is it Katie, the spurned lover, who wanted revenge against my client for choosing Peyton over her? Did she make it all up? Did she really see anything that night? One would wonder when considering it took her a week to report it to the police.
Or is it Haley who's lying? According to Lucas Scott, that's impossible, isn't it? Because Miss James, apparently, has an insanely, above-normal, human moral compass. Ask yourselves this; is there anyone as perfect as he made Haley James out to be? Is there anyone in this world who is so morally superior than the rest of us that she couldn't be tempted, couldn't have willingly given in to a boy she was admittedly attracted to, couldn't have lied? Lucas Scott says the only way she could have had sex is if she were raped. There's just no way she could have changed her mind. That's what they want us to believe, but do you really buy that?
Marvin McFadden doesn't. Also a friend of Haley James, he doesn't agree with Lucas Scott's assessment. It would seem none of her other friends do either, otherwise why wouldn't they have rescued her at the party?
I'll tell you why. Because they saw no cause for alarm. That's right, they saw her with my client, saw them publicly kissing and flirting, saw them go upstairs, and nobody did anything. The two went up undisturbed while the other kids, her friends included, continued to party downstairs. Because nobody thought to be concerned.
Perhaps both girls are lying. We don't really know for sure, do we? Either way, whether it's one or both doesn't really matter, because what we do know for sure is that these conflicting stories raise reasonable doubt. And you know what that means. Because the burden of proof is on the prosecution's shoulders, they must prove beyond a reasonable doubt, that the accused is guilty of the crime. I'm sure you'll agree they have failed to do so; therefore an acquittal is in order. Regardless of your personal feelings toward him, if you have any doubt, even the slightest bit, that my client has committed this crime, then you must, by law, declare him not guilty."
The defense attorney returned to his seat, and from there the judge reminded the jury of their duties and sent them off for deliberations.
Nathan heaved a heavy sigh. This was it. Off the twelve strangers went to decide his fate, one way or the other. And all he could do was wait. He watched them go and turned to face Peyton. She looked scared too—probably as scared as he did. He stole a glance around. Cooper and Jess looked worried, as did his friends. When his gaze landed on his parents though, they didn't seem worried or scared at all. In fact, he recalled his father being calm before the trial even began, and again he had to wonder why. His eyes locked back on Peyton's just before he was pulled away and out of the courtroom. She was playing with the engagement ring again, and he figured it was some kind of comfort thing. He just wasn't sure if she was trying to comfort herself, or him. Probably a little of both, he concluded.
Meanwhile
Back at the police station, Sherriff Corbin and Officer Thompson discussed the latest situation brought to the station by the frantic parents of Katie Sanders early this morning. Their daughter hadn't come home last night. They'd called during the night but had been told to give it until morning to give her a chance to turn up. By dawn she still hadn't returned and so they'd called back.
"Technically, it's still too early for a missing person report," Thompson said.
"Way too early," Corbin agreed. "My bet is she stayed at a friend's, or found a new boyfriend and doesn't want to tell her parents."
"You think so?"
"How many times have we seen this before?
"Yeah," Thompson said. "But as a key witness in a criminal trial, I'd rather not make any assumptions."
"Me neither," Corbin stated. "It won't hurt to ask around."
"Starting with the Scott kid whenever he gets back from court," Thompson replied.
Corbin threw him a funny look. "You like him for this?"
"I don't put anything past him."
"He's been in our custody for three weeks. Can't see how he could be involved."
"Unless he ordered a hit…"
"To who?" Corbin asked. "His lawyer? Kowalski's the only one we've allowed to visit him in the last week."
Thompson rubbed his hands over his face. "Yeah, I guess you're right," he said.
"What is it about this kid that's got you so wound up?" Corbin asked curiously. They'd dealt with plenty of criminals in their careers, but this one definitely rubbed Thompson the wrong way.
"Besides his arrogant 'no one can touch me' attitude?"
"I think he lost most of that right around the time we put him in solitaire confinement," Corbin pointed out.
"Don't kid yourself," Thompson said. "He may have dropped it for now, but…"
"So, what did you say it was about him?"
Thompson chuckled. "I didn't," he said before sighing and answering the question. "My kids go to Tree Hill High," he said. "They know this kid. My fourteen year old son, a freshman, thinks the guy's cool, like he's some kind of role model. And my daughter, she's a sophomore, and right around the time this whole thing started, she had a friend over at the house. I overheard her friend say that if Nathan Scott had a rape fantasy that she'd be happy to role-play for him."
"Ouch."
"Yeah. Not what a father wants to hear."
"Hey, at least it wasn't your daughter who said it."
"No, but she agreed with it."
"Oh. So, what'd you say to her?"
"Nothing," Thompson answered. "I just pretended I didn't hear a thing."
"Good parenting."
"Isn't it? I keep wondering, how many other young girls out there would just let him treat them that way? Be up for anything he wants to do just because of who he is?"
"It's disturbing," Corbin said. "But technically, if they're willing…"
"It's not rape, yeah, yeah. But they're just so impressionable at that age, you know?"
"I hear you. Anyway, let's go talk to the girlfriend, Peyton Sawyer. She and her friends have had a run-in with Katie before. Maybe she'll know something about her whereabouts."
….
"Why would I know anything?" Peyton asked when they showed up at her house that evening. "And besides that, why would I care?"
"Peyton," Larry said in admonishment. "If you know anything at all, now would be the time to speak."
"I don't," she insisted. "It's not like I'm friends with her or keep tabs on her."
"When was the last time you saw Katie?" Thompson asked.
"Yesterday," Peyton answered easily.
"Where?" the officer questioned further. "At school?"
"Yes," Peyton said, her posture stiffening just the slightest bit.
"Yeah?" Corbin began. "Because that's funny, when we checked the attendance records, neither you nor Katie have been at school all week."
"What?" Larry thundered.
"So, I'll ask again…"
"Oh fine. It was at the courthouse, all right?" Peyton said with a dramatic eye roll before the policeman could finish his sentence. "And she seemed perfectly fine to me."
The two officers prodded further but upon finding no useful information, left, telling Peyton that they'd be in touch should they need more questions answered. When they closed the door behind them, Peyton took a deep breath and turned around to meet her father's wrath.
"Tell me I misheard," Larry said. "That the two of you haven't been pulling the wool over my eyes this whole time."
Peyton rolled her eyes again. "First of all, I didn't lie to you," she said. "I told you nothing would keep me away from Nathan. Second, Ellie has nothing to do with it. I went to the courthouse on my own. She didn't know anything about it…"
"Peyton…" Ellie said in protest.
Peyton shot Ellie a look, telling her she had this. "I said I was going to school because I knew you kept her here to spy on me, but instead I made a detour and…"
"Peyton, enough," Ellie said sternly. "I drove her to the courthouse," she admitted.
"Pack your stuff, and get out of my house," he told Ellie.
"Larry, she would have gone with or without me…"
"She's right," Peyton added.
"Peyton, not one word out of you," he demanded harshly. "I am very disappointed in you right now."
"Fine! Be disappointed in me, but don't take it out on Ellie!"
"Peyton, it's fine…"
"No, it's not! Daddy, Ellie's right. I would have been there to support Nathan whether she brought me or not. And I'm going to be there to support him when the jury comes back too. There is nothing you can do that will keep me away from him. Nothing you can say that will change how I feel about him. Ellie understands that. Why can't you?"
"Peyton, I am your father and I will do what's best for you no matter what your crazy, romantic notions for this boy are."
Peyton shook her head and let out a disgruntled sob. "You know what?" she asked. "If I had known that all you'd do would be try to keep me and Nathan apart, I would have never wished for you to take a local job!"
With that she stormed out the door, ignoring the fact that her father was yelling at her to get back inside. She paid him no heed, but rather took off running down the street.
"You're gonna end up losing her, Larry," Ellie warned. "If things keep up like this, you'll lose her for good."
"I am trying to protect her," he said. "It doesn't help that as soon as my back is turned, you're catering to her every whim."
"She needs support, Larry."
"She needs parenting, something you're clearly incapable of."
….
Peyton ran until she was out of breath, and then she stopped, leaning over to consume large intakes of air. She was still gasping when someone behind her called her name. Whipping around, she gave the person a look of relief. "Damien, hey. You scared me." Where had he come from?
"Oh, I'm sorry. I saw you running like a bat out of hell and I couldn't help but worry, so I followed you. Hope that doesn't sound creepy."
She didn't reply so he ventured to ask if she were running from anything in particular.
"Actually, yeah," she said. "My life. At least the way it is right now."
"You want to talk about it?"
"Not really. I just got in a fight with my dad."
"Still giving you a hard time about Nate?"
She nodded. "Don't worry about it though," she said. "I can handle it."
"I'm sure you can," he said confidently. "Hey, you mind if I walk with you? A girl can never be too safe at night."
She threw him a haughty look. "It's early," she scoffed. "Besides, I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself."
"I don't doubt it, but just in case, I'll be right behind you."
"No don't," she said with a sigh. "I really just want to be alone."
"You won't even know I'm there."
"You don't give up, do you?" she asked, recalling the other day when he'd done the same thing.
"Just want you to be safe," he told her. "You never know what psychos are lurking around out here."
"Fine," she conceded, indicating, with a nudge of her head, beside her. "But you're not walking behind me. That'd be too weird."
He smiled and they began a steady pace, walking silently for a long while. When they stopped at a convenience store for a soda is when she noticed his appearance, and she spoke for the first time since they'd begun their stroll.
"Looks like you got in a cat fight," she said as they headed toward the coolers. "And the cat won," she added sarcastically. "What happened?"
"You sure you want to know?" he asked, before taking her soda from her and putting it on the counter with his, paying for it before she could protest.
"Thanks," she said as they went back outside. "Well, I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to know," she answered his question. "But if you'd rather not say, that's cool."
"I got into it with a couple guys yesterday," he began, though she hadn't prodded. What else was he going to say? That he got these scratches from one lone girl? He seemed to hesitate before going on. "They were ragging about Nate, and I told them to quit cuz they don't know anything about what happened. Apparently that pissed them off."
"Oh wow, I'm sorry," Peyton said earnestly. "But thanks for sticking up for him though. I know the last time I talked to him, he felt like his friends were abandoning him."
"Yeah, but I'll always be here for you and Nate."
"Thank you. So, a couple guys, huh? D'you tell them they fight like chicks?"
"I thought about it but figured that'd only make it worse on myself."
"Yeah, probably. I'm so tired of all this, you know? I wish it would just be over."
"It will be soon," he said.
"Yeah, but which way?" she asked worriedly. "Will I finally get my Nathan back or am I in for another five to fifteen years without him?"
"How do you think the jury will vote?" he asked, curious to know where she stood on that.
"I don't even want to think about it," she told him. "The other side just made everything sound so bad, you know? It really scares me," she admitted.
"Yeah, I know what you mean."
"And he must be so terrified too, right now. I wish they'd at least allow him visitors so I could be there for him. He must feel so alone."
"Nate's tough," Damien told her. "He'll be okay."
Peyton wasn't so sure about that. Nathan, she knew, was not as tough as he led people to believe. "I don't know. He's probably freaking out. I know I am. Brooke and Rachel can vouch for that."
"It's understandable."
"I know. I just really long for the day that Haley and Katie get what they've got coming," she said. "It sucks how they can just mess with his life like that and go on with theirs like it's nothing. How can people do that?"
"I don't know," he told her.
"I guess some people have no heart or conscience," she said with distaste.
"I guess not. But don't you worry, they'll get what they deserve."
"I hope so. And I hope the jury's smart enough to see through their crap. If not…I don't know what I'm gonna do."
He slid an arm around her shoulder and pulled her into his side. "Everything's gonna be fine, Peyton," he said with assurance. "It'll all turn out as it should." You can count on that.
She smiled sadly, barely registering that his arm was around her. "I sure hope so. But it really isn't looking good."
She stopped short when they came upon a young woman, guitar in hand, her soft, smooth voice singing a song Peyton had never heard. Beside her was a hat for people to drop coins in. To Damien's surprise, Peyton stood there on the sidewalk, eyes focused on the woman, taking in the unfamiliar melody and lyrics. She seemed to be in a trance.
He didn't know Peyton well enough to know that something was about to shift within her.
When the song ended, Peyton took a deep breath, her eyes now sparkling. "Excuse me," she said to the woman, and Damien had to wonder at the bright smile that suddenly crossed her features.
"Yes?" the young woman asked.
"Hi," Peyton said in a friendly tone. "Was that an original?"
"Oh, no, I wish," the woman said, her face a little flushed.
"It's beautiful," Peyton told her. "Could you tell me the original artist and what the song's called?"
…..
"You're right, Damien," she said, her spirits clearly uplifted. "Everything's gonna be just fine," she said, with a giggle.
He took in her smile and felt his heart race. He wasn't sure what exactly had brought on this mood swing, but he did know that he was the one with her when it happened. Her eyes were sparkling with happiness even as Nathan rotted away in a prison cell. That had to mean something, and certainly made him glad that he'd taken care of Katie last night before she could go and ruin everything. He was getting closer. He could feel it.
"Hey, where you going?" he asked when Peyton sprinted off ahead of him, in a different direction than they'd been taking, an obvious purpose to her step.
"Back downtown," she said over her shoulder. "To the music store so I can buy that song."
"With what?" he asked. "You just threw all your money in that lady's hat." And to impress her, so had he.
That halted her steps for about five seconds, but then she shrugged carelessly. "I'm sure Max will give me credit," she said confidently. "Wouldn't be the first time," she added flippantly before continuing on her way.
…..
Peyton walked through her front door, new album in hand, and, not wanting anything to ruin her good mood, tried to brush by her father to her room.
But he wouldn't have it. "Peyton, you cannot keep running off like that," he said sternly.
"Ok. Fine," she said dismissively.
Ok. Fine? What drastic thing had happened in the past few hours? "Honey, I mean it," he said, glancing at her quizzically. Sure she'd always been prone to mood swings, but going completely ballistic to eerily calm in such a short while?
He didn't suppose she'd thought about it and finally figured out he was right.
She rolled her eyes, a little annoyance seeping back in. "Oh, I know you are," she said caustically. "All you have to do is quit slamming on Nathan so much and I'll stop running off," she said with an exaggeratingly sweet smile.
Nope, didn't think so. "Peyton, I was worried sick about you."
"Well, as you can see, I'm fine. Ellie gone?"
"Yes. She went back to her old apartment. She never gave it up."
"Huh, I guess she foresaw you being a complete jerk at some point and kept her options open. It's probably for the best anyway. You guys kinda rushed the whole 'moving in together' deal. Then again, what do I know? I'm the girl in love with an accused rapist."
Larry sighed impatiently. "Peyton, this attitude of yours has got to go. And soon. Now I'm sorry you're not all-wise like you think you are, but that kid's been trouble since day one, even before these accusations came up."
"So you've said," she shot back. "But no matter how many times you repeat it, it won't change anything. I'm always going to love him because I know you're wrong about him. But you're just not open to that idea."
"Look, you may have Ellie on your side, but…"
"Ellie is not on my side," Peyton countered. "She doesn't approve of Nathan any more than you do, and she's said a lot of stuff that I don't particularly like," she went on. "But I can respect her opinions because, for one, she can admit she doesn't know him, and two, unlike you, she understands that I can't just shut off my heart, and she trusts my judgment enough to let me make my own decisions. You could learn something from her. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a new album to listen to."
"Peyton, we are not done here."
"I am," she said flatly before resuming her way up the stairs.
He sighed again, wondering when and how he'd lost so much control over his daughter. Why couldn't she see that he was trying to do what was best for her? Why did she have to fight him every step of the way? He chalked it up to adolescence—the kinks of raising an emotional, hormonal teenage girl. It would pass, he tried to assure himself.
…..
Peyton put the record on and sat on the side of her bed, closing her eyes, wanting again to be taken away to a different place by the beautiful message of the song.
I've been there a thousand times,
I've felt the rain like a thousand knives.
And it hurts,
I know it hurts!
I've been there like a fighter plane,
Trying to find my way through a hurricane.
And it's hard,
I know it's hard!
Don't be afraid,
You'll make it through,
Just call out to me and I'll come running to you!
As she listened, she instinctively played around with the engagement ring that hung off her neck, anxious for the day she'd be able to wear it on her finger again.
Hold on, hold on!
When the current pulls you under,
And your heart beats like thunder.
Just give me your hand,
And hold on, hold on!
Until the storm is over,
And I'll be fighting for you.
Just give me your hand and,
Hold on!
She brought the ring to her lips and kissed it gently, silent tears falling down her cheeks, though she wasn't sad.
I'll give you hope, I'll give you faith!
And if it's dark, I'll light the way,
For you, for you!
By your side, until the end,
Until you're standing tall again!
I'm here, I'll always be here.
"Don't worry, baby," she whispered as though Nathan were there in the room with her. "It's gonna be ok."
And if the tide, sweeps you out to sea,
When your strength is gone, and it's hard to believe!
"Just hold on," she willed him as the chorus faded out.
Hold on, hold on!
When the current pulls you under,
And your heart beats like thunder!
Just give me your hand,
And hold on, hold on!
Until the storm is over.
And I'll be fighting for you,
Just give me your hand!
A smile tugged at her lips. Nathan would say she's crazy but she was sure that this song was telling her everything would work out.
She stretched out across the bed, closing her eyes and subconsciously drifting into a deep, restful dream. Well, more like a hopeful glimpse into what their future might hold.
Peyton's daydream/fantasy
"Hey, baby," Peyton said as Nathan came in the door and wrapped his arms around her from behind. "How was the game?"
"Great. I never knew your dad was such a fan."
"He wasn't until his favorite son in law got him into it," she said, turning in his embrace.
"Only son in law," he corrected, taking her lips with his own.
"Hmm, but you know, after he got to know you, you were his favorite out of any of my boyfriends."
"I got that impression when he moved up the wedding on us," Nathan replied.
"Complaining?"
"Nope. We should have got married the day we met. I knew right then there would never be anyone else like you."
"Well, that's true," she jested. "I am pretty unique."
He threw her that gorgeous grin of his. "And still hot as hell too," he said.
"Yeah?" she asked, chewing at her bottom lip.
"Absolutely."
"You're too sweet sometimes."
He shrugged. "Just telling it like it is, babe," he said. "So, how was your day?"
"Perfect, and even better now that my sexy husband is back."
"Yeah?" he asked, giving her another kiss. "You get your sketches done?"
"In record time."
"See? I told ya you had nothing to worry about."
"Yes you did."
"Well don't keep me waiting. Let's see what kind of brilliance my girl came up with today," he said boastfully.
She pulled out the sketches, and together they went through each drawing.
"Hey, you went with my idea on the background," he said, pointing to one of them.
"Of course I did, baby. I love all your ideas."
"It's just how I pictured it," he said confidently. "I knew you'd get it just right, like you always do."
"Oh, stop," she said, a blush creeping up her cheeks.
He laughed heartily before planting another kiss to her lips. "What do you say we celebrate with uh, a little celebration sex?"
"Nice word choice."
"Thank you. I thought you'd like it."
"Well, it sounds good," she said sensually, "But what are we celebrating? The sketches?"
"That and the other good news I got today."
"You got in the NBA?"
He chuckled. "That's a given but a little early yet," he said. "It's something else."
"Do tell," she said curiously.
"Haley and Katie got denied parole so they'll be sitting in jail a while longer."
"Oh, that is good news," she exclaimed. "I'm so glad they got nailed for what they did to you."
"Me too," he agreed. "And speaking of getting nailed," he said suggestively, softly kissing her collar bone as his hands travelled down her back end. "You ready?"
She gasped in feigned offense. "I swear, in all these years, you have not gained one shred of eloquence."
"You love it," he said cockily as he hoisted her atop the counter, and his hands glided up her smooth, bare thighs.
She smiled sexily. Yes she did. And certainly what he lacked in eloquence, he plenty made up for in skill. She nodded her head in agreement and wound her arms around his neck. "And I love you," she told him earnestly.
"I love you too, Mrs. Scott," he responded. "More than you'll ever know."
She ran her fingers through his short, raven locks. "I think I have an idea."
End of Daydream/Fantasy
She was shaken from her pleasant dream by the sound of her cell phone ringing. It was Deb, telling her that, as of tomorrow, Nathan would be allowed visitors again.
And with that news, she was even more sure that everything would work out. Maybe not exactly as she dreamed it—certainly she didn't expect for all of it to pan out exactly as she wished it—but as long as Nathan was out of prison and they were together, that was all that mattered.
The rest they could deal with, or not deal with, at their own pace, on their own terms.
AN: Hey again. So I know that NP scene was kind of short and actually didn't even happen…lol, but it does go to show some of Peyton's private hopes and wishes. It's short but pretty significant. To those of you whom I told would be a NP scene in this chapter, that dream wasn't it. It'll be in the next one for sure though. I didn't want to just throw their present-time scene into the mix of all the other stuff. Their scenes deserve more attention than that…lol. Plus I thought this was a nice positive note to leave the chapter on.
Also, for everyone waiting for the verdict, that will also be in the next chapter!
Song: Hold On by 33 Miles