Hi, sorry about the long absence. Last month, there was a birth and a death and a lot of insanity at work. And now it's almost Christmas! What the heck? This chapter was difficult for me to write - I hope I did the return of Dan justice. He's such an ass...I love writing him.

I'd like to dedicate this chapter to three people: Superstargirl7 (who requested an update on this story - like over a month ago), dianehermans (for PM-ing me and telling me she missed me) and marymary567 (who had some very kind words for me in a PM last weekend).

As always, thank you all for reading and reviewing. It means so much to me. Next up will be Underneath it All - not sure when...hopefully next weekend depending on how far I get with my Christmas shopping...

Chapter 28 – Father of Mine

"Father of mine...Tell me, where did you go? Yeah, you had the world inside your hand; but you did not seem to know. Father of mine... Tell me, what do you see? When you look back at your wasted life and you don't see me?" - Everclear

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Nathan spat out, injecting his tone with years of anger, hurt and pain.

The man standing before him smirked. "Now, now, Nathan. Is that any way to greet your dear old dad? Especially since I hear you've made me a grandpa for a third time...and I'm only forty-one years old. Kind of makes me proud that my boys are so eager to carry on the family name." Dan Scott raised an eyebrow. "I suppose my invitation to the baby shower was lost in the mail?"

Nathan stared at the man who called himself his father, his expression a mask of indifference while his pent-up fury simmered beneath the surface. This was the man who terrorized him throughout his childhood, who pushed him to the point of breaking. The same man who told him to leave his pregnant wife behind in order to pursue his dreams, who refused to acknowledge his older son for years only to nearly kill him by withholding life-saving medication. The same man who murdered his uncle for no fucking reason and showed no remorse for his actions. Still the same old charismatic Dan Scott who charmed enough people into thinking he was a reformed man, which resulted in him being granted full parole after only three years in prison. The asshole murders his brother in cold blood and only gets three years...Nathan clenched his jaw at the memory. Lucas was devastated and Karen ran to the other side of the world to escape the injustice of it all.

And here was, showing up on his doorstep after two fucking years, demanding the right to play grandfather to the grandchildren he never wanted.

Nathan shook his head slowly, in disbelief. The bastard hadn't changed one bit.

"I emancipated myself when I was sixteen years-old. You have no right to call yourself my dad anymore." Nathan growled. "Answer the question; what the hell are you doing here? And don't give me any of your 'I miss my family bullshit.'"

Dan's smirk faded and was replaced by a wounded expression. He placed his hand over his heart. "I'm hurt. I just wanted to see my sons, meet my grandchildren, and of course, pay my respects to your brother over the passing of his fiancée." Dan sighed and shook his head, regretfully. "Such a tragedy. Lucas must be devastated – the whole world knows how much he loved Peyton."

"Considering the funeral was over a month ago, I find it hard to believe you were all that torn-up about it." Nathan retorted.

Dan sighed, mournfully. "I had some business to attend to. I'd just entered into a new venture and unfortunately, I couldn't get away. My partner wanted to ensure that our plans were set into motion according to schedule. She's quite the taskmaster, if you know what I mean." Dan winked, lecherously.

Nathan snorted and rolled his eyes, ignoring his father's innuendo. "Who in their right mind would go into business with you?"

Dan chuckled. "You'd be surprised. I've got friends in high places."

Nathan glowered at the older man. "Thanks for the unwanted status update. Now, get the hell off my property."

Dan gazed up at his son beseechingly and Nathan allowed a small smirk, satisfied that he was finally taller than the man who once overshadowed his life.

"Nathan," he began. "I came a long way to see you and Lucas...and my grandchildren." He reached down and lifted a messenger bag that rested beside his feet. "I come bearing gifts."

"As if that changes anything." Nathan replied. "Besides, it's after nine o'clock at night; Jamie's already in bed and I'm sure as hell not waking him up to meet his sociopathic grandfather. So, I suggest you either state your business or get the hell away from me and my family."

He locked eyes with his father, refusing to let the older man intimidate him. Nathan wanted answers and he was going to get them even if it took him all night to stare Dan down.

Lucas paced around the living room, trying to calm Sawyer down. "Shhh. It's okay, sweetheart," he murmured, as her cries softened. "Go back to sleep...Daddy's here."

He glanced over at Brooke, who was still fast asleep on the couch, oblivious to the disruption. He smiled, his eyes tracing the peaceful expression on her face. She looked angelic when she was asleep.

"I just put Elizabeth down for the night. She zonked out as soon as she was out of hearing range of her cousin's screaming." Haley said laughingly as she entered the room. She stood beside her brother-in-law and followed his gaze to the sleeping brunette. "Looks like it doesn't bother Brooke, though."

Lucas chuckled, as he lowered a now-sleeping Sawyer into a bassinette. "She's wiped. Too much excitement today, I guess."

"And she was sick a lot, too. Morning sickness is brutal. It can take a lot out of you." Haley absently stroked her niece's soft blonde hair. "Will you be getting the results soon? Of the paternity test?"

Lucas jerked his head up and met his sister-in-law's warm brown eyes. "They said up to four weeks...I'm hoping to hear something in the next few days."

Haley nodded, offering him a small smile which was meant to be reassuring, but fell short. "What are the chances that Peyton was lying to you?"

"Pretty low." His eyes darkened as he lost himself in the memory of the argument leading up to the car accident that claimed Peyton's life. "Apparently, she was looking to sue for full custody and sever my parental rights once she left me. She told Derek she could prove that Sawyer was not my daughter, clearing the way for Jake to adopt her."

Haley was stunned. "Oh my god, Lucas. I'm so sorry."

He shrugged and turned his gaze back to the sleeping baby in the bassinette. "I'm dealing with it. It helps that I have you, Nate and Brooke – especially Brooke. She saved my life, Haley. I don't deserve her; god knows I've hurt her enough over the years. I'd be falling apart if it wasn't for her...and the baby."

Haley cocked her head to the side. "Are you sure you're not looking at this baby as a replacement for Sawyer if it turns out that Julian is her biological father?"

Anger coursed through Lucas' veins, flushing his face with colour. "No one could replace Sawyer and the love I have for her. Yes, I am ecstatic that Brooke is pregnant with my child – I've always dreamed of having a child with her, even back in high school. I can't wait for this baby to join our family – and for Sawyer to have a little brother or sister. She might not be mine biologically, but I still consider her to be my child in every other sense. I was there when she was born; I change her diapers, help out with the late-night feedings and comfort her when she cries. In my mind, she's still my daughter and the very idea that she could be easily replaced is just –"

"Luke, I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by what I said...It's just that this pregnancy happened awfully fast. I don't want you or Brooke to get hurt, because it's not just you two; there's Sawyer and the newest little Scott to consider." Haley reached for Lucas' hand. She sighed, as he pulled away from her grasp. "I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you, Luke. I hope things work out the way you want them to."

Lucas exhaled heavily and stared up at the ceiling, avoiding Haley's pleading expression. He knew she didn't mean any harm by what she had implied; she was only looking out for him. Still, it bothered him that people would think that he would actually try to replace one child with another. He was reminded of the concerns Brooke brought up earlier in the day; about what other people would think of their relationship.

"Just kiss and make up already!" Brooke's voice, thick with fatigue, finally shattered the uncomfortable silence between the two friends. "I am trying to get some sleep since this baby is making me so damned tired all the time and all your arguing isn't helping!"

Lucas and Haley turned to find the petite brunette sitting up on the couch, her hair tousled and falling in her eyes, with an extremely pissed-off look on her face.

"What?" she demanded, seeing their astonished expressions. "It's freezing in here! Jeez, Hales, Hotshot makes enough money to turn the furnace on once in a while."

Haley rolled her eyes and tried to hide her grin. "Hormones. Your problem now, bud." She muttered just loud enough for Lucas to hear. "Sorry, Tigger. I thought the doorbell ringing and two screaming babies would have done more to disturb your beauty sleep than our little discussion. I'm going to see what's keeping my darling husband. Have fun, Luke!" Haley giggled as she turned and left the room.

"Argh!" Brooke threw a cushion at Haley's retreating figure, before slumping down on the couch. "Hormones, my ass." She muttered, with a glare on her face.

"You know, you're cute when you're grouchy." Lucas smirked, shaking off his discussion with Haley. Brooke always had a way of making everything seem better. He sat down next to her on the couch and put his arm around her.

Brooke squirmed out of his embrace, pouting. "No, get away from me. It's all your fault."

"What's all my fault?" Lucas grabbed her by the waist and pulled her back towards him.

"I'm tired and grouchy because of your baby. You knocked me up; so it's your fault." Brooke jabbed him in the chest with a perfectly manicured index finger.

"Let me make it up to you, then..." Lucas whispered in a husky voice, kissing Brooke softly on the lips.

Dan was opening his mouth to formulate a response to Nathan's challenge when Haley appeared at her husband's side.

"Nathan, it's getting cold in here. Why on earth are you standing there with the door wide open?" She stopped in her tracks and her jaw dropped, as she took in the sight of her father-in-law. "Oh. My. God. What the hell is he doing here?" she hissed.

"And hello to you, too, my darling daughter-in-law. I see you still haven't learned any manners over the past few years. You're still the same trailer trash that got a tramp stamp and vomited in my lap before seducing my teenage son into marriage." Dan snarled.

Haley gasped and Nathan gently pushed her behind him, shielding her from Dan's view. "You know, you're not helping your case, Dan. You say you want to meet your grandchildren and in the next breath you insult their mother and aunt." Nathan's voice dropped dangerously, his eyes darkening to a deep cobalt colour. "I'm giving you thirty seconds to tell me why you're here or else, I'm calling the police and having you arrested for trespassing."

Dan and Nathan stared at each other for a few moments, icy blue clashing with dark cobalt. Haley held her breath, her hand resting protectively on his left forearm. Nathan watched his father carefully, his muscles coiling with tension. His heart began beating faster and an overpowering feeling of dread settled over him. Whatever had brought Dan Scott to his front step on this December evening was about to flip their lives upside down.

Dan wordlessly reached into his messenger bag and pulled out a folder. He handed it to Nathan, who opened it, reluctantly. Dan smirked in satisfaction, as Nathan's eyes widened in surprise. Haley glanced at the contents of the folder and then looked up at Dan, her brown eyes filled with an odd mixture of anger and sadness. She shook her head and exhaled sharply, her nostrils flaring slightly.

"So...willing to let me in now?" Dan demanded in a smarmy tone, snatching the folder and its contents out of Nathan's slack hands.

The couple stared at each other, in silent communication. Finally, Nathan heaved an angry sigh and took a step backwards. "Fine. Come in." He growled, reluctantly.

As soon as Dan stepped over the threshold into the foyer, Nathan shut the door firmly behind him. Dan moved to follow Haley down the hallway, but Nathan grabbed his arm. Dan looked up at him, with mild surprise.

"This is my home. My family. Just remember that you're the intruder, here. I'm only allowing you inside so you can explain yourself to Lucas before he rips you limb from limb." Nathan scowled at his father before abruptly releasing him from his grasp.

"Goddamn it!" Millie cursed, throwing her cell phone down on the desk.

Rachel raised an eyebrow upon hearing Millie's uncharacteristic outburst. Millicent Huxtable never swore – unless she was angry or extremely intoxicated. Rachel frowned. Millie was definitely not drunk; that could only mean that the e-mail Tatiana sent contained seriously bad news.

"So? What's the big emergency?" Rachel asked coolly, trying to hide her curiosity.

Millie jumped and spun around in her chair, her hand at her throat. "Don't you know how to knock? You scared me to death!"

Rachel shrugged. "You gave me a spare key, so I used it. Besides, who else would it be?" She smirked mischievously, seeing her chance to calm her friend down. "I suppose it could have been Mouth. Oh, I bet you guys have been having some kinky fun – maybe he's the intruder and you're the innocent business woman –"

Millie's lips twitched as she tried to hide a smile. "Shut up, Rach."

"Just saying...you were pretty jumpy when I came in. Plus, you were cursing like an old sea captain. What's going on?"

Millie sighed and shook her head, her expression darkening. "Take a look for yourself." She got up and made her way to the mini bar. She helped herself to a small bottle of Jack Daniels and downed it before taking another.

Both of Rachel's eyebrows flew up in surprise. She moved from her perch on the edge of the bed and slid into the chair Millie occupied before she decided to empty the mini bar. Rachel tore her glance away from her friend and fixed her eyes on the laptop screen in front of her. She had to read the contents of the attached document three times before her brain could make sense of it. Her stomach dropped and she let out a heavy sigh. She closed her eyes and leaned back in the chair.

"Shit."

"You're telling me." Millie handed her a mini bottle of tequila. "You really didn't know?"

Rachel twisted off the cap and drained the bottle in one shot. The fiery liquid burned as she swallowed it, warming her insides. She let out a short laugh. "Did you?" Rachel retorted, sharply.

Millie shook her head. "This is bad, Rach. Really bad. And Brooke has no idea. She could lose everything."

For the first time in a very long time, Rachel Gatina was rendered speechless. No smart remarks, no snappy comebacks, not one word passed her lips.

The two women stared at each other, in silence, ignoring the incessant ringing of their cell phones as they contemplated their next move.

"No wonder I have so many grandchildren. You boys are insatiable."

Lucas' head jerked up, as a familiar voice filled his ears. A voice with a familiar condescending tone he hadn't heard in over five years. He froze for a moment. Brooke was staring up at him, her hazel eyes widened. Reluctantly, he pulled himself away from her embrace and turned towards the doorway. Dan Scott stood at the entrance to the room. Lucas' breath slowed as he tried to make sense of the situation. He glanced over at Nathan and Haley, who stood just behind the devil himself. He could feel the anger rolling off his brother and sister-in-law in waves. But, Haley's eyes held an almost sad, regretful expression in their chocolate depths.

That's when he knew – whatever Dan was here for, it wasn't good.

Lucas got to his feet and stared at the man who had the nerve to show his face in Tree Hill after all the evil things he had done. He'd often wondered how he would react if he encountered the sperm donor who murdered the only man Lucas considered a father. He thought about what he'd day; what he'd do. Most often he pictured himself wiping that goddamned smirk off of Dan's face with his fists.

He hadn't laid eyes on Dan since his senior year of high school, shortly before he was arrested for murder. Lucas avoided the trial and subsequent parole hearing, preferring to submit his statements in writing. He knew if he was forced to watch Dan charm his way out of a life sentence, he would have lost his temper rendering his statements ineffective. 'Not that mattered much in the end,' he pondered bitterly.

Lucas narrowed his eyes and examined Dan's appearance. He looked slightly older, but he still exuded an arrogant, over-confident aura. He stared into Dan's icy blue eyes – unnervingly similar to his own – trying to find a clue pointing to the reason for his sudden arrival.

A slow smirk spread across Dan's face under Lucas' scrutiny. "Hello, Lucas." He greeted him in a silky tone. "It's good to see you, son. I'm relieved to see you escaped that accident relatively unscathed."

Lucas clenched his left hand into a fist at Dan's statement. He exhaled so sharply his lungs ached. "Strange how you refer to me as your son. You didn't bother to acknowledge me for the first sixteen of my life. You did everything in your power to impress upon me that I was anything but your flesh and blood," Lucas spat out, furiously. "Then, in the course of the two years you were involved in my life, you managed to harm every single member of my family." Lucas's voice was growing louder, as the dormant fury against his father was finally unleashed. "You murdered the only man who was a father to me – your own brother. You nearly destroyed my life, yet you think you have the right to waltz back in whenever you feel like it. Why the hell are you here? Why now?"

Lucas' words hung in the air as he stared Dan down. The elder Scott's expression remained composed; that damned smirk remained firmly in place. There was no trace of regret or remorse. Lucas shook his head, closing his eyes. He didn't really expect Dan Scott to feel those emotions, much less display them. He should know by now that simple humanity was beyond the man standing in front of him.

"Luke asked you a question. Why are you here?" Lucas opened his eyes, smiling gratefully. Brooke stood beside him, her hazel eyes blazing.

"Miss Davis...how nice to see you once again." Dan's eyes roamed up and down Brooke's curvy figure. "You've certainly grown into an attractive woman...especially your skin. It's absolutely exquisite; positively glowing."

Brooke looked repulsed and she shuddered at his oily tone. "You're still as creepy and slimy as ever."

Haley let out a snort of laughter and Dan turned to glare at his daughter-in-law, who just stared him down.

Dan frowned momentarily, his eyes hardening as his smirk slowly returned. "To answer my son's question, I'm here to visit my family; especially the grandchildren I've never met."

Lucas frowned as Dan's cold gaze flickered over to the nearby bassinette where Sawyer lay sleeping.

Nathan moved to stand in front of the bassinette, blocking Dan's view of the three-month old. "You had no interest in meeting them before and, you're not going to meet them today." He crossed his arms, glowering at his so-called father. "Why don't you get to the real reason you showed up here?"

Dan heaved a dramatic sigh. "But, family is the reason I'm here, son. It's everything to me." Ignoring the looks of venomous disbelief shot at him from four separate pairs of eyes, Dan seated himself in a nearby armchair. He gazed up at the four younger adults and cocked an eyebrow. "Come on, sit down, and take a load off. Maybe you could fetch me a Scotch and soda, Hillary?"

"You must be getting senile in your old age. It's Haley," the honey blonde scoffed at him. "And I am not a cocktail waitress. You're a guest in my home – an unwanted one at that – and if you think you can order me around like a servant –"

Dan rolled his eyes and raised his hands in mock surrender. "Touchy, touchy. Must be all those post-pregnancy hormones," he drawled, cutting off Haley's rant. "I apologize, Haley. Well, why aren't the rest of you sitting?"

"I think I'll stand. Maybe it'll force you to get to the point and stop wasting our time." Nathan said, impatiently.

Dan let out a humourless chuckle, noticing that Lucas, Haley and Brooke all copied Nathan's stance. "Suit yourselves; although I think Miss Davis should be seated. She looks a little green around the gills."

"Thanks for your concern, Mr. Scott, but am just fine where I am." Brooke replied in a sarcastic tone. Lucas squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"Yes, I'm sure you are quite...comfortable where you are right now." Dan smirked.

Brooke narrowed her eyes at Dan's emphasis on the word 'comfortable.' What was he getting at? Her mother often used the same tactic – taking seemingly innocuous words and revealing their hidden meaning through tone. It was like a secret code.

There was something about the look in his eyes that set her on edge. She shivered slightly as his gaze crawled up and down her figure. His eyes were so much like Luke's – yet they were a distorted reflection. When she looked into Lucas' eyes, she felt safe and loved; protected. But Dan's gaze left her feeling cold and vulnerable; like she would never be warm again.

Lucas turned and looked down at her, his brow furrowed in an expression of concern. "You okay, Pretty Girl?"

"Luke, I'm fine." Brooke smiled up at him, the warmth of his gaze melting the ice left in the wake of Dan's leer. She did not want to sit down; if she did, it would signify that she was acquiescing to Dan's whims. She was not prepared to let that slime think he held any power over her actions. "Although, maybe it would be best if I take Sawyer upstairs and put her down for the night. I'm sure you and Nate want to take care of taking out the trash." She gave Dan a pointed glare, as she made her way across the room to fetch Sawyer from the bassinette.

Dan stared at the brunette as she lifted Lucas' daughter out of the bassinette and cuddled her against her chest. The baby was fast asleep and Dan felt a small thrill at finally laying eyes on one of his grandchildren. Dan gazed at the infant, noticing how her white blonde hair curled softly. He analyzed the baby's features, trying to find some resemblance to himself or Lucas. As if she could sense Dan's stare, Brooke turned her back to him and started to walk from the room.

Dan frowned. "Miss Davis. I think you should stay. What I need to discuss with my son involves you as well." He smirked, eyes darting over to where Haley stood. "Perhaps Haley would be so kind to take care of my granddaughter. She is family, after all."

Haley let out a sharp laugh and went to stand beside Brooke. "No, Dan, you will never be part of my family."

Brooke's cheeks flushed and she passed Sawyer into Haley's arms. "Thank God he doesn't consider me family…" she muttered, softly.

Haley smiled at her and gave her arm a squeeze. "Try not to let him get to you. He's trying to mess with our heads." She whispered in Brooke's ear.

Brooke just nodded and gave her friend a small smile as she turned and walked out of the room.

"She's a beautiful child." Brooke turned to face Dan, who was staring absent-mindedly at a photograph of Nathan and Lucas on the mantle. "Strange, though...she doesn't look like a Scott."

Lucas and Brooke exchanged a look as she stood by his side again. "She's three months old. It's kind of hard to tell at that age." Brooke replied, gazing into Lucas' eyes.

"I can see a lot of the late Miss Sawyer in her...the hair, the nose, shape of the eyes. But I don't see any of you in her, Lucas." Dan stared at his older son, intensely. "I wonder why."

"Drop it, Dan." Nathan warned, stepping forward.

Dan ignored his younger son and continued his musings. "Could it be the sainted Peyton Sawyer, immortalized in that Harlequin romance disguised as your biography, was less than faithful to her one true love? That she fucked around and got knocked up with another man's child and passed her off as yours?" Dan chuckled.

"You don't know what you're talking about." Brooke hissed at him, seeing Lucas flinch at the cruel words.

"Oh, I think I do. I heard from a very reliable source that Lucas filed for a paternity test about a month ago. I'm guessing you're waiting on pins and needles for the results."

"Don't you ever quit?" This time, it was Nathan's turn to interject.

"But the results don't matter, do they? Not really. Your fiancée dies, you pick up a new plaything-"

"Shut the fuck up!" Lucas shouted, stepping forward, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles whitened.

"- then, your baby turns out not to be yours, so you conceive a replacement. Did you two wait until after the funeral or were you going at it in your hospital bed? It all seems rather sudden...not to mention completely inappropriate." Dan continued, unfazed by Lucas' outburst.

The colour drained from Brooke's face and she sat down heavily on the edge of the couch, her hand over her mouth. She stared at Dan silently, wondering how on earth he knew about the baby she was carrying inside of her.

"I wonder what your publisher would say about all of this. Isn't there a movie adaptation of Ravens in the works? Do you think these sordid affairs might put that deal in jeopardy?" Dan mused, thoughtfully. "I mean, all your readers fell in love with your story. It would be a pity if their illusions were shattered."

Something inside Lucas snapped. He lunged forward, grabbing Dan by his lapels and jerking him to his feet. "How dare you pass judgement on me, on my life?" Lucas growled. "You have no right."

Nathan stepped forward and put a firm hand on his brother's shoulder. "It's not worth it; he's not worth it."

Lucas closed his eyes for a moment, breathing heavily. Then, without warning, he shoved Dan away from him, forcing the older man to lose his footing, falling back into his seat. "Can we just kick his pathetic ass out of here, now?"

"Not yet, Lucas." Dan straightened his lapels and reached into the bag propped up beside his chair. He pulled out a red folder and looked down at it, thoughtfully. "Earlier, you accused me of ruining your life; of hurting your family – our family. But the truth is, you're responsible for your own actions, your own life, and your own happiness. You've made quite the mess this time, son. As damaging as these dramatics are to your own career, they'll inflict fatal damage to Miss Davis' reputation...After all, she's the one who abandoned a multi-billion dollar company to play house with her dead best friend's fiancé for the past month and a half."

Brooke's head snapped up and she stared at Dan, her brown eyes filled with horror. "What have you done?" she whispered, quietly. Lucas' stomach dropped, seeing the expression on her face. He joined her on the couch and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

Dan tossed the folder on the coffee table in front of them. "See for yourself."

Brooke tentatively reached over and opened the folder. She gasped sharply and closed her eyes for a second. "This can't be happening..." she murmured.

Lucas gazed over her shoulder and clenched his jaw as he examined the contents of the folder. Brand new issues of five major tabloids – and he and Brooke were on the cover of every single one. Brooke's hands were shaking as she picked up a copy of Us Weekly. A photo of him and Brooke embracing on a street corner was plastered on the cover. His stomach dropped, as he recognized their surroundings. The picture was taken in front of Brooke's doctor office; after the first prenatal exam.

"They'll be on every newsstand tomorrow morning." Dan drawled, staring at Brooke intently, gauging her reaction.

"Why are you doing this?" Brooke hissed in a raspy voice. "What are you getting out it?"

"That's the million dollar question, isn't it?" Dan got to his feet and reached into his bag. He pulled four small brightly wrapped boxes from the bag and set them on the coffee table. "Gifts – for the grandchildren." Seeing the astounded expressions on his sons' faces, Dan smirked. "What? Christmas is coming."

"Get. Out. Now." Nathan growled, standing in front of his father.

Dan raised his hands and backed away from Nathan. "Fine, I'll go – for now. But rest assured, I won't be disappearing from your lives anytime soon." He shot a final smirk at his sons. "I'll show myself out."

As Dan's footsteps echoed down the hallway, Lucas tried to wrap his mind around the method to his father's madness. It was maddening...why was he so determined to hurt them? Hadn't he done enough to them over the years? He tightened his hold on Brooke and kissed her on the temple. She was shaking, and Lucas' heart ached for her. He hated that Brooke, Sawyer and the unborn baby were being caught up in Dan's insane plotting. Why? Why was he out to destroy Brooke's career? It made no sense. Then again, when had Dan's actions ever made sense?

He sighed heavily and squeezed his eyes shut.

At least they had enjoyed that one fleeting moment of familial peace earlier...Lucas had a feeling it would be a long time before any of them experienced such perfect contentment again.

"I will never be safe. I will never be sane. I will always be weird inside. I will always be lame. Now, I'm a grown man with a child of my own. And, I swear I'll never let her know all the pain I have known."