Please R&R! I do not own OTH. Thanks! Song is "Genesis" by Ne-Yo and from a Youtube original show called Step Up: Highwater. It's based on the Step Up movie series and it's been renewed for season 3 and stars Ne-Yo and Naya Rivera from Glee.

Chapter 5: Deliver in the Clutch

Damn. Dan fucking Scott.

Despite the more pronounced wrinkles on his face, Dan Scott looked as if 8 years have never passed. His stoic face and stature towered over Nathan and Haley and frankly, still intimidated Haley even after all these years.

"What the hell is going on?!" Dan repeats while still clutching onto the divorce papers.

"Dad…" From Haley's peripheral vision, she saw Nathan visibly shrink within himself much like he did when they were in high school. Unfortunately, Nathan did that whenever he was in the presence of his father and it saddened Haley to know Dan Scott still had that effect on Nathan even as an adult.

"Nathan, what is this?"

"Their divorce papers… I think you're familiar with them." Nathan finally responded, alluding to the divorce is own parents endured.

"Seriously?" Dan humorlessly chuckles. "You haven't signed them, son? I thought this little experiment," he points between Nathan and Haley, "just to get back at me ended long ago."

I thought so too. Haley silently huffed.

"Mr. Scott…"

"No! I'm talking to my son, not some popstar hussy my son married on a whim."

Before Dan or Haley had time to react, Nathan lurched forward and put his fist right into his father's face with all his might. With the unexpected force, Dan staggered backwards causing the pages in his hand to fly out.

"Don't ever talk about Haley like that again! You're just a deluded, washed up failure! A failure as a basketball player and as a man! Get out of our house!"

Although it was a simple slip of the tongue, Nathan meant it. It was still his and Haley's home. Always and forever. From the corner of his eye, he caught Haley visibly react to the statement but before Nathan could analyze her reaction any further, Dan served his rebuttal.

"You're pathetic, Nathan! You've never amounted to anything, nor will you ever! You're just some grease monkey like your Uncle Keith, that's pathetically mooning over some girl who sees you for who you really are! How did I ever end up with a son like you?"

"No… you don't get to say that. You may have given me life… but you sure as hell are not my fucking father!"

With Dan on the floor, clearly taken aback, Nathan was gearing up to punch his old man once again. Before he could do so, a petite manicured hand rested firmly on his fist. When his eyes met Haley's, his anger immediately dissipated. When it came to Dan, Haley was the only one who could ever calm Nathan, even with just a simple feathered touch. With the worried and pained look on her angelic face, Nathan softened. Haley always did care… probably one of the only ones who ever genuinely did. With a nod of understanding and her mouthing "he's not worth it", Nathan slowly backed up and headed straight to the kitchen.

Now it was Haley's turn to show her strength.

"Mr. Scott, Nathan is and always will be better than you. I know you've wanted him to fail just like you did but I'd never let him do that. You'd relish in the satisfaction too much and you sure as shit don't deserve that. I mean look around you; Nathan's worked hard for this house and everything else he has. Not because of you… but in spite of you, Dan Scott."

And with that statement, Dan eventually scurries himself out of the house with his tail between his legs and a black eye to show for it. After some time, Haley finds Nathan standing on the balcony, with his back turned to her. He's absentmindedly looking over to the massive and mesmerizing crystal blue water in their in-ground pool, with what seems to be a frozen bag of peas pressed onto his reddened right fist.

Nathan speaks first.

"They say hate is a strong word." Haley stays silent, giving Nathan permission to continue. "When it comes to Dan Scott, I fucking strongly disagree." He mirthlessly chuckles. "And they say fatherhood is the most joyous time of your life. I guess mine never got the memo."

Haley didn't know how to respond, or that even she should. Things today have gotten too heavy too fast. She figured she should return to the topic at hand… it had been delayed too long already.

"Look Nathan, just sign the divorce papers already so we won't have to see each other again. Please?"

After a beat, Haley repeats herself. "Please… Nathan… just sig-"

"Okay."

"What?"

"Okay." Nathan repeated, a little louder this time. He turns to face her. His wife. No… his soon to be ex-wife. Soon to be Haley James sans Scott. Officially.

As Nathan's mind is focused in trying to come to terms with what is about to happen, he barely registers Haley squeak of a simple thank you.

Nathan silently walks to the end of the balcony where the divorce papers have once again magically refiled itself. He gingerly picks up the pen, the tip just hovering contact with the pages, all the while Haley watches Nathan with bated breath.

Nathan looks right at Haley when he drops the pen. He's got one more trick up his sleeve. He's got to go for broke.

"I'll sign on one condition, Hales. Spend one last day with me. One last day around Tree Hill and by the end of the day, if absolutely nothing has changed… I'll sign without protest and you can take your private jet back to New York."

"No. I've already given you mac and cheese today, Nathan."

"Doesn't count... Besides, all I want is this one last simple request. If not, I'll continue to put up a fight which means you'll stay in Tree Hill even longer, further testing the patience of this Chris dude."

With Nathan's smirk fixed in place, he breaks Haley's resolve.

"Fine… one day. That's it."

And with that, Haley huffs out of the house preparing for tomorrow. Preparing for what hopefully is her final day in Tree Hill.

As soon as she left, Nathan lets out a breath he did not realize he was holding. Though he smirked at her earlier, Nathan let his defeat wash over him. He had one last shot to prove to Haley that she'll always remain a Scott.

Nathan gingerly picks up a glass of whiskey that's settled beside the divorce papers and raises it in salute to the pool but to no one in particular. He swirls the crystal tumbler and taps against it with his index finger before sniffing the strong odor. He quickly drains the contents down the back of his throat, the burning sensation giving him an odd sense of comfort. Nathan curses and looks down at the empty glass. He suddenly throws the tumbler against the wall and watches it shatter into tiny pieces… just like his heart. He flinches at the sound and staggers backwards until he hits the balcony barrier. Nathan can do nothing but slump down to the floor and sob.

It's the buzzer beater and Nathan has to deliver in the clutch. Damn.

In order for a man to know where he's going, he must first know where he's been. Respecting his past, honoring his present, thus creating his future. Genesis

Genesis, oh genesis, ay

I know pain and I know pleasure

High and low and everything in-between

And through the madness of my life for whatever

My music's always been there for me

I'm the one they talk about

My ego, my attitude

Sage, why they gotta be so nasty?

Why they gotta be so rude?

They don't know about my life

They don't know what I've been through

But if you don't know, want to know

Then let me show you

Welcome to my genesis, back to where I started from

How I became the man that I've become

This is my genesis, back to where I started from

Take it right back to the top cause I ain't done (my genesis)

When I was rolling round in my hood (genesis)

Ay, young and up to no good (genesis)

Streets was calling my name (genesis)

And then that music came and saved my life, my life

Oh, my inspiration, my muse

Music made it all right, all right

Hey, who are you that I can't lose

Welcome to my genesis, back to where I started from

How I became the man that I've become (oh)

This is my genesis, back to where I started from

Take it right back to the top, take it right back to the top, oh

My genesis, back to where I started from

How I came up, how I got my name up

How I blew this game up

My genesis, back to where I started from

Take it right back to the top cause I ain't done now (genesis)