Peyton sat in her room, talking to her dad via webcam. The screen flickered slightly, but the connection was stable enough for a good conversation.

"Hey, honey," Mr. Sawyer greeted, his voice warm and familiar despite the digital divide.

"Hey, Dad. What's going on with the Unabomber look?" Peyton teased, noting his scruffy beard and unkempt hair.

"I was going for George Clooney," he replied with a playful smile.

"Go further," Peyton quipped, unable to hide her amusement.

Mr. Sawyer chuckled. "That's right, you're not used to seeing me like this. See, when I'm on the job, I usually let it grow then shave it off right before I come home. Kind of a ritual for me."

"Well, make sure you find a razor the day after tomorrow," Peyton instructed, her tone light but affectionate.

"And after that, I'm gonna be shaving a lot more often," Mr. Sawyer added, hinting at more frequent visits.

"Okay," Peyton replied, the prospect of having her dad around more often bringing a smile to her face.

Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Brooke, Jayden, and Lucas, who entered Peyton's room without knocking.

"Hey, Brooke. Hey, Rake Boy. Hey, Car Boy," Mr. Sawyer greeted them, his digital image glancing at the screen. "I see nobody uses the doorbell still."

"Hey, Mr. Sawyer," Jayden responded.

"Papa Peyton, the scruffy thing's working for you," Brooke added with a grin.

"What are you guys up to so early?" Mr. Sawyer asked.

Jayden shrugged. "I don't know. Peyton just asked us..."

"Oh no, you know what? You'll find out when you get home," Peyton interjected, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Not even a little hint?" her dad asked, trying to coax more information out of her.

"Uh-uh. Not even," Peyton said, shaking her head. "I love you."

"You better. Love you too, honey," Mr. Sawyer replied. He waved goodbye to the group as Brooke waved back.

Peyton turned off the camera and stood up. "So what's the surprise?" Brooke asked, curiosity evident in her voice.

"Yeah, what did you call us for?" Jayden chimed in.

"I need your help with something. Come on," Peyton said, leading the way outside.

In Peyton's driveway, she pulled a cover off an old red car. Lucas whistled in appreciation. "Damn, that's nice. Is this your dad's?"

"Sheesh, I always loved that red car," Jayden added.

"Yeah, he hasn't driven it in like a year though. Do you think you can get it to run?" Peyton asked, looking at Lucas hopefully.

"Of course he can. And he's going to look good doing it too in a tight little wife beater, maybe some grease smudges," Brooke said with a teasing smile, her eyes twinkling.

"Right," Jayden replied with a smirk, as Brooke's teasing shifted to him as well.

Lucas popped the hood and took a closer look at the engine. "And I was thinking maybe you could help me wash and wax it," Peyton suggested.

"Glad to help," Brooke said cheerfully.

"I just want to do something nice for him since he's coming home," Peyton explained.

"I think that's great, P. We can start right now," Jayden agreed.

"Alright, I'll go get my tools," Lucas said, heading off to gather what he needed.

As Lucas walked away, Jayden took off his shirt, revealing his toned physique. "Can't have grease on my shirt," he remarked with a smirk.

Peyton fanned herself mockingly. "Oh, it's getting hot in here," she teased.

Brooke laughed and added, "If you keep this up, I might faint from the sight."

————————————————-

Kat and Nathan strolled past the shops, the conversation turned to Nathan's family dinner plans.

"So this dinner thing's gonna be pretty bad huh?" Kat remarked, her tone laced with concern.

"Massacre. My Grandma's okay. It's just my Grandpa's pretty intense. You've met my dad. Just imagine where he comes from," Nathan replied with a grimace.

"That's scary," Kat admitted, sympathizing with Nathan's predicament.

"Yeah. You should come tonight. Maybe it will make everybody behave," Nathan suggested tentatively.

Kat chuckled. "I'll come if you want me to."

Nathan hesitated for a moment before responding, "No, I wasn't serious. I wouldn't put you through that."

But Kat's reply was firm. "No, I mean, if you're asking, of course, my answer's yes."

Nathan looked at her, surprised but grateful. "Well, then I'm asking."

"Then I'm coming," Kat confirmed with a smile, her decision made.

————————————-

Karen's Café buzzed with the morning rush as Haley efficiently moved between tables and the counter. The door chimed, and an older man walked in, scanning the cozy interior.

"Good morning, Sir. Table or counter?" Haley greeted him warmly.

"Um, actually, I'm looking for Karen," the man replied, his eyes searching the room.

"You know what? She's in Italy right now. Cooking school," Haley informed him with a proud smile.

"Good for her," he said, his expression softening. "How's that boy of hers doing?"

"Lucas is great. She calls in every once in a while. You want me to leave a message?" Haley offered, always keen to help.

"No, that's alright. I'll just catch her the next time I'm passing through," he responded, shaking his head.

"Okay, can I tell her who stopped by? Mr...?" Haley inquired, hoping to give Karen a name.

"Just an old friend," the man said with a nostalgic smile before leaving the café

———————————

Peyton's driveway was a hive of activity as Lucas and Jayden worked on the old red car, while Brooke leaned into the passenger's window, watching them.

"Well, it's not the battery. It's probably the starter," Jayden diagnosed, wiping his hands on a rag.

Brooke looked hopeful. "Well, you can fix that, right?"

"Yeah, shouldn't be a problem," Lucas replied confidently, as Brooke climbed in next to him.

"It's an amazing car," he added, admiring the vehicle.

"It's an amazing guy," Brooke teased, pulling Lucas in by his necklace for a kiss.

Lucas grinned, "Is that what you got me in this thing for?"

Brooke nodded playfully. "Yeah..."

Jayden chuckled from the other side. "Then what am I here for?"

Brooke quipped, "To keep it running while I keep Lucas entertained."

Lucas and Brooke continued their affectionate moment, prompting Jayden to step out of the car, laughing. "I'm just getting started," Lucas remarked, his voice muffled by Brooke's kisses.

"Sadly, so was I," Brooke sighed as she noticed Peyton coming outside, her face clouded with worry.

"What's wrong?" Brooke asked, her concern shifting to her friend.

"I'm just worried about my dad," Peyton admitted, her voice tinged with anxiety.

Inside Peyton's bedroom, the mood was tense. "Okay, I just checked online and now they're saying it's a category 3 hurricane," Peyton said, pacing nervously.

"Did you check the webcam? That's how you talked before," Jayden suggested.

"Yeah, it's out," Peyton replied, frustration evident in her voice.

"Well, maybe he turned it off," Brooke offered optimistically.

"Or the storm did it for him," Peyton countered, her worry deepening.

Lucas tried to reassure her. "Yeah, but storms knock that kind of thing out all the time, right? Anyway, aren't dredging boats huge?"

Peyton shook her head. "He wouldn't be on the dredging boat. Right now, if there's a storm headed his way, he'd be on this little tiny transport heading back to shore and that's what worries me."

Lucas put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Okay, Peyton, just stop. Don't do this to yourself, alright? Just because he hasn't checked in doesn't mean something's happened."

"It doesn't mean it hasn't either," Peyton whispered, her eyes filled with fear.

Jayden tried to comfort her. "I'm sure he's alright, Pey. But you have a right to worry."

"Thanks," Peyton replied, appreciating his support.

Just then, Jayden's phone buzzed with a text from Nathan. He glanced at it and sighed. "Shit, I gotta go. My grandparents are over."

Brooke grinned. "Ahh, Papa Royal."

Jayden rolled his eyes. "Don't get me started, he's annoying. I gotta go pick up Mikayla, it's my dad's birthday dinner."

"Have fun, man," Peyton said, forcing a smile.

Lucas stayed silent as Jayden left, a bitter look crossing his face. He knew it was Dan's birthday but couldn't muster any goodwill for his father.

Peyton noticed Lucas's expression and placed a hand on his arm. "You okay?"

"Yeah," Lucas replied, though his tone suggested otherwise. "Just thinking."

————————————-

Troy woke up with the sun already high in the sky, casting a warm glow through his bedroom window. He groaned, realizing he had overslept. Tossing off the covers, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the last remnants of sleep. The house was unusually quiet for this time of day.

As he descended the stairs, he heard a familiar, jovial voice coming from the kitchen. It brought a smile to his face.

"Grams?" Troy called out as he entered the room.

His grandmother, a lively and slightly mischievous woman in her late seventies, was sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of tea. She looked up and beamed at him.

Rue Mcclanahan as Lynn (Grams) Dawson

"Morning, sunshine!" Grams said with a twinkle in her eye. "Decided to join the land of the living, I see."

Troy chuckled. "Yeah, I guess I needed the extra sleep. What brings you here, Grams?"

Before she could answer, Chloe, his five-year-old sister, ran up to her grandmother and hugged her tightly. "Grams! You're here!"

Grams hugged Chloe back, laughing. "Hello, my little princess! How's my favorite girl today?"

"Good!" Chloe replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Daddy made pancakes!"

Just then, Jack, entered the kitchen, holding a plate of pancakes. "Morning, Troy. Finally decided to wake up, huh?"

"Yeah, Dad. Late night," Troy said, grabbing a plate and helping himself to breakfast.

Grams gave Troy a knowing look. "Late night, huh? Does that have anything to do with this new girlfriend I've been hearing about?"

Troy nearly choked on his pancake. "Grams!"

Jack chuckled as he poured himself a cup of coffee. "Mom, give the boy a break."

Grams waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, come on. It's my job to pry into my grandson's life. So, tell me all about her, Troy."

Troy sighed but couldn't help smiling. "Her name's Haley. We've been dating for a few months now."

Grams leaned in, her eyes wide with curiosity. "And I heard she used to tutor you?"

Rose walked in just in time to hear the conversation. "Still does, actually," she added, giving Troy a playful nudge.

"Ah, so you're dating your tutor. Sounds like a smart choice," Grams said with a wink. "But are there any added benefits to these tutoring sessions?"

"Mom!" Jack exclaimed, his face turning red.

"What? I'm just asking," Grams said, feigning innocence. "When am I going to meet this lovely Haley?"

Troy smiled, a little embarrassed but also pleased that his family was so interested. "Actually, she's coming over for dinner tonight."

Grams clapped her hands together. "Wonderful! I can't wait to meet her."

Chloe jumped up and down excitedly. "Yay! Haley's coming over!"

——————————————

Dan and Deb were in the dining room, preparing for what promised to be an intense family dinner. The tension was already palpable.

Dan looked up as Deb entered. "Oh, you're home. Listen, I called Nathan. I told him not to mention to Dad that he's not going to practice."

Deb sighed, her patience thin. "You mean that he quit the team?"

"You know what I mean," Dan replied sharply. "I also told Keith to avoid the subject."

Deb crossed her arms, her frustration evident. "Any other lies I should remember to tell?"

Dan's tone softened, a rare glimpse of vulnerability showing. "I'm trying to protect our son from my father, okay?"

Deb shook her head. "You don't even see the irony, do you?"

At that moment, Jayden walked in with his girlfriend Mikayla. She looked lovely, though her tattoo on her arm was clearly visible.

"Are you two conspiring on how to deal with Grandpa and Grandma?" Jayden asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Deb forced a smile. "No, we're not. Just discussing the usual."

May Scott, Dan's mother, entered the room with a bright smile. "There's my favorite grandson!" she exclaimed, wrapping Jayden in a warm hug.

Jayden chuckled, "Good thing Nate isn't here to hear that. Hi, Grandma."

May gave a playful wink. "You know what I mean." She turned to Mikayla, hugging her as well. "Well, don't you look nice."

"Hi, Mrs. Scott," Mikayla greeted politely.

Dan stepped forward, his voice a mix of affection and formality. "Mom, you look beautiful as ever."

May laughed. "God bless you for a liar."

Dan smirked. "When I compliment you, you call me a liar."

May peered closely at him. "You look tired."

Just then, Royal Scott, Dan's father, entered the room. "Hey, son, what's the deal? No more Charlotte Hornets?"

Dan shrugged. "Yeah, New Orleans can have them. You think they have playoff hopes?"

Royal scoffed. "No, no."

May interjected. "No sports talk."

Royal rolled his eyes but acquiesced. "Oh, come on," he grumbled just as the doorbell rang. "Yes ma'am," he conceded, heading toward the table. He moved to sit at the head of the table, but Dan's subtle cough and gesture redirected him to the seat next to it. "I just became head of the table then, huh?"

Keith entered the room, his presence immediately brightening May's face. "Keith!" she exclaimed, hugging him tightly.

Keith smiled warmly. "You look great."

Royal gave a curt nod. "Well, look what the cat dragged in."

Keith extended his hand. "It's good to see you too, Dad." He then turned to Dan. "Happy birthday, Danny."

Dan gave a terse nod. "Yeah, thanks."

May clapped her hands. "Come on, have a seat. Dinner is almost ready." Keith greeted Deb with a kiss on the cheek.

"Hey, Deb," Keith said softly.

"Hey," Deb replied with a smile.

May looked around the room. "Danny, will you pour some wine, please?"

Dan moved to the wine bottle. "I'm on it."

Keith grinned. "Amen to that. Uh, listen, Mom, we're going to need another place setting. I invited a guest."

May's eyes lit up with curiosity. "A date! Oh my goodness, well, you get that chair over there..."

Nathan and Kat entered the room, Nathan holding Kat's hand firmly.

"Grandpa, Grandma, this is Kat," Nathan introduced.

Royal extended his hand warmly. "Oh, hi."

"Hi," Kat replied, shaking his hand.

Royal smiled approvingly. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," Kat said, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach.

Royal turned to Nathan. "Well, Nathan, you're looking more and more like your old man every day. We all know where he gets his good looks, don't we? Well, come on in. You sit right here next to me, hun." He pulled out a chair for Kat.

"Thank you," Kat said, sitting down.

Jayden leaned over to Mikayla, whispering with a wink, "This is going to be interesting."

Royal turned to Jayden, his expression softening. "How'd the football season going, Jayden? I've been following the games."

Jayden beamed. "It's went great, Grandpa. We went undefeated this year."

"I heard you averaged for over 300 yards a game," Royal said, pride evident in his voice.

Jayden chuckled. "Yeah, something like that. Thanks for keeping up."

————————————-

Troy pulled up to Haley's house, his car idling quietly in the driveway. He checked his reflection in the rearview mirror one last time, straightened his collar, and took a deep breath.

He was still nervous around her, after almost two months of being together.

He stepped out of the car and walked up to the door, ringing the bell.

Haley answered almost immediately, looking stunning in a green dress that complemented her eyes. Troy couldn't help but smile.

"You look amazing," he said, offering his hand.

Haley blushed slightly, taking his hand. "Thanks, you clean up pretty well yourself."

They walked to the car, and Troy opened the passenger door for her. Once they were both seated, he turned to her, his expression turning a bit serious.

"Before we get there, I need to warn you about my grandma," he began, pulling out of the driveway.

Haley looked at him curiously. "Oh? What's she like?"

"She's... well, she's a bit much sometimes. Not in a bad way," Troy explained. "She's just really nosy and can get very, very intrusive. But she means well."

Haley laughed, her eyes sparkling. "I think I can handle that."

Troy grinned, feeling a bit more at ease. "I'm serious, though. She'll probably ask you a million questions and maybe even dig into some really personal stuff. Just a heads-up."

"Got it," Haley said with a playful salute. "I'll be on my best behavior."

"Good, because she's probably going to love you," Troy said, glancing over at her. "Just like I do."

Haley smirked. "You're just saying that because I'm the only one who can tolerate your bad jokes."

Troy laughed. "Maybe. But seriously, thanks for coming tonight. It means a lot."

They pulled up to Troy's house, and he parked the car. As they walked up to the front door, Troy squeezed Haley's hand reassuringly. They stepped inside, the warm, inviting scent of dinner wafting through the air.

——————————-

Lucas was hunched over the open hood of the car, tinkering with the engine as Brooke sat in the driver's seat, fingers crossed.

"Alright, try it again," Lucas instructed.

Brooke turned the key, and the engine roared to life. Both of them laughed, elated.

"We got power!" Brooke exclaimed, jumping out of the car.

"Whooo!" Lucas cheered.

"Peyton, come check it out!" Brooke called, but her smile faded as Peyton emerged from the house, her face pale and eyes filled with worry.

"What is it?" Brooke asked, stepping closer.

Peyton took a shaky breath. "I just got a phone call. Um, it's the storm. My dad's transport is missing. There were three guys on it. They recovered a body."

The words hung heavily in the air, and the excitement evaporated instantly.

Lucas moved closer, concern etched on his face. "What'd they tell you?"

"I have to go see if it's him," Peyton replied, her voice trembling.

They moved inside, where the atmosphere was tense and somber. Lucas tried to reason with Peyton. "Alright, you sure you shouldn't call your Grandma?"

"No, she'd freak out. I'd rather not upset her," Peyton said, shaking her head. "Besides, it's not going to be my dad."

"Of course it's not," Brooke agreed, though her voice was shaky.

"Let's go ahead and get this over with. We have a four-hour drive ahead of us," Peyton said, resolute.

"A four-hour drive into a storm?" Brooke questioned, eyes wide with concern.

"Well, the storm's passing through. By the time we get there, it should be gone," Peyton explained.

Lucas hesitated. "Okay, wait a second. Shouldn't somebody stay here by the phone? I mean, in case your dad calls?"

Brooke nodded. "I will. You go with Peyton."

"You sure?" Lucas asked, looking between them.

"Yeah. Lucas, you're good in a crisis, not that there's going to be one. But I would probably end up falling apart and you'd end up taking care of me, which is not the point, so..." Brooke turned to Peyton, hugging her tightly. "I love you. It's going to be okay."

Then, she faced Lucas, giving him a quick kiss. "You're the best."

Peyton and Lucas walked out the front door, ready to face the uncertain journey ahead.

Brooke watched them leave, a determined look on her face. "I'll call you guys if I hear anything."

A/N: Anyone who has ever seen OTH in its entirety knows everything that transpires after this.

"So, how's the team doing this year, Whitеy?" Royal inquired, turning to Dan.

Dan answered, "Oh, we're still undefeated actually. Dad, you still rooting for the Magic these days?"

"Please! No talk of sports until after dinner, okay?" May interjected, trying to steer the conversation away from familiar territory.

"Good idea, Mom. Sorry," Dan conceded.

Royal, undeterred, continued, "Well, Nathan, what are you averaging these days? You know your dad had 27 and a half a game. You beat that yet?"

May sighed, "Royal, we just said..."

"I'm asking the boy a question, May," Royal insisted.

Nathan, feeling the pressure, glanced at his father. "Uh, well maybe you should ask the old man."

"24 points a game, I think, isn't it?" Dan supplied.

"So, 24 a game, huh? You're gonna have to get that up if you're going to beat the old man. Yeah, your dad's star would have risen through the roof at Carolina if it wasn't for that damn knee of his. How're your knees?" Royal pressed.

"No worries," Nathan replied, trying to sound confident.

"Still intact, thankfully," Jayden chimed in, trying to lighten the mood.

Royal shifted his attention to Jayden, "What about your stats in football, Jayden? I've been talking to Coach Knighton about you."

Dan, sensing the shift in focus, tried to change the subject. "Kat, you were saying something about the cake?"

"Oh, Nathan's got great knees," Kat interjected with a grin, and everyone laughed, breaking the tension momentarily.

Royal continued, "Of course, Danny takes after his old man. Never let adversity stop him. Too bad Keith takes after his mother's side of the family."

"Lucky for him," May retorted with a hint of pride.

"I'd drink to that, but I have to get a refill," Keith said, standing up with a smile.

"Well, I should see about the cake," May said, rising from her chair.

Kat quickly offered, "I'll go do that, Mrs. Scott. Want to come help, Nathan?"

"Yeah, the cake, right," Nathan agreed, and they both headed into the kitchen.

Nathan and Kat entered the kitchen, the atmosphere much lighter away from the dining room.

"I warned you, it was going to be intense," Nathan said, opening a cupboard.

"Insane is more like it. Especially your Grandpa," Kat replied, shaking her head.

"You know there's a door right there. We could sneak out, nobody would even notice," Nathan suggested with a mischievous grin.

"Tempting. Um, so how often do your grandparents come into town?" Kat asked, trying to sound casual.

"A couple of times a year. Why?" Nathan looked at her, sensing something more.

Kat hesitated. "Oh, just curious."

"Kat, you've got that look," Nathan said, raising an eyebrow.

"What look?" Kat feigned innocence.

"The look you get when you want to tell me something but you don't really want to tell me," Nathan pointed out.

Kat sighed. "Am I really that predictable?"

"Yep. What is it?" Nathan pressed gently.

"Haley told me someone came by the café. And he asked for Karen," Kat began.

"So?" Nathan prompted, unsure of where this was going.

"Yeah. I think it might have been your grandfather," Kat said slowly.

"Wow. Does Lucas know?" Nathan asked, taken aback.

"I don't know, it just didn't seem right," Kat admitted.

"That doesn't make any sense. My grandpa acts like my dad's second coming, why would he visit Karen?" Nathan pondered, confused.

"I don't know, I don't want to start anything, I'm just telling you," Kat said, shrugging.

Nathan sighed, "You know what? My family's so screwed up, nothing new would make a difference right now. Don't worry about it."

Kat nodded, though the unease lingered. They stood there for a moment, both lost in thought, before Nathan broke the silence.

"Let's get that cake," he said with a smile, and they returned to the dining room, trying to shake off the strange encounter.

———————————

Brooke sat in her room, fidgeting with her phone, her mind swirling with insecurities. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was going on between Lucas and Peyton. They were out together, working on Peyton's car, and every minute that passed made her feel more uneasy.

Finally, she decided to call Jordan, hoping he could offer some reassurance. She dialed his number, her heart pounding with anxiety.

"Hey, Jordan, it's Brooke," she said as he picked up.

"Hey, Brooke, what's up?" Jordan's voice sounded calm on the other end.

"I... I need to ask you something," Brooke began, her words stumbling over each other. "Do you think Peyton likes Lucas?"

There was a moment of silence before Jordan replied, "I don't know, Brooke. Why do you ask?"

Brooke took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "They're together right now. And... I don't know, I just have this feeling."

Jordan's tone softened. "Listen, Brooke, I know it's hard, but try not to jump to conclusions. Sometimes things aren't what they seem."

Brooke sighed, feeling a bit of relief at Jordan's words. "Yeah, you're right. I'm probably just overthinking things."

"Exactly," Jordan agreed.

Brooke nodded, feeling slightly better. "Thanks, Jordan. I really appreciate it."

Before she could say anything else, she heard a faint cry in the background.

"Sorry, Brooke, I gotta go," Jordan said quickly. "Jenny's crying. Talk to you later, okay?"

"Yeah, of course," Brooke replied, feeling a pang of guilt for taking up his time. "See ya."

With that, Brooke was left alone with her thoughts once again.

A/N: Oh Jordan........

That hasn't been too bad," Jayden remarked quietly to Mikayla.

"Speak for yourself," Mikayla replied with a hint of exasperation. "I can't wait to leave."

Royal was quick to seize the moment. "There you go!" he exclaimed as the last candle was extinguished. The applause grew louder, but Royal wasted no time before steering the conversation to his favorite topic. "So, Nate. How's your game this year?"

May rolled her eyes. "Here we go again."

Royal was undeterred. "Just cover your ears, May. I just want to know how my grandson's doing on the team."

Dan attempted to divert the conversation. "Well, I already told you, Dad."

"No you didn't, you didn't tell me jack," Royal snapped, his patience wearing thin. "And every time I mention it, you change the damn subject. Now will somebody around here tell me what's going on? Nathan? Whitey? Jayden? Anybody?"

Whitey glanced at Nathan, sensing the storm brewing. "Nathan, I think you better take this one."

Nathan took a deep breath. "I quit the team, alright?"

Royal's eyes widened in disbelief. "You quit the...what do you mean you quit the team?"

Dan immediately jumped in. "He didn't quit the team, Dad. He's just taking some time off."

"No, he's not," Deb interjected sharply. "Please stop lying, Dan."

Royal was incredulous. "Were you ever going to tell me this? I mean, that's a hell of a thing to keep to yourself."

Nathan's frustration boiled over. "Yeah, you're one to talk."

Royal's eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Nathan, feeling emboldened, threw a curveball. "I know you visit Karen at the café, alright? What's that about?"

Kat, sitting next to Nathan, tried to intervene. "Nathan!"

Royal's face turned a shade darker. "And where did you hear that from?"

Nathan lied smoothly. "Troy told me."

"Dawson's kid?" Royal scoffed. "Is that who's going to take your place on the team?"

Kat, unable to hold back any longer, stood up. "Nathan doesn't need to explain himself to you. He's doing what he thinks is best for him."

Royal turned his gaze to Kat, his tone demeaning. "And who are you to speak up in this family matter? Just some girl who thinks she can waltz in here and—"

Nathan's eyes blazed with anger. "Hey, shut up, Grandpa!"

Royal was livid. "Who do you think you're talking to? Don't tell me to shut up!"

Jayden, who had been quietly watching the exchange, decided it was time to step in. "Grandpa, that's enough. You're out of line."

Royal's face contorted with rage. "Oh, so now you're against me too, Jayden? You think you can disrespect your elders?"

Jayden stood his ground. "No, I think we should all show some respect. That includes you, Grandpa."

Kat, feeling the tension rise to unbearable levels, looked at Nathan. "I'm leaving. I can see myself out."

Nathan nodded, his voice tight with controlled anger. "I'll drive you home."

"Thanks for dinner," Kat said, trying to remain polite.

Royal, not willing to let go, demanded, "No, you two are going to sit right back down."

Nathan stepped closer to his grandfather, his voice steady and cold. "Back off, Grandpa."

Royal was furious. "I am your Grandfather; you don't talk to me that way."

Nathan held his ground. "You don't talk to my girlfriend that way. I don't give a shit what you want to say about me or the team, but I'm not going to stick around when you insult Kat."

Turning to his father, Nathan added bitterly, "Happy birthday, Dad." With that, he took Kat's hand and led her out of the house.

With Nathan and Kat gone, May's voice cut through the room, demanding clarity. "Would someone please explain?"

Deb didn't hesitate. "Dan has been riding Nathan for the past six years about that damn game. Not only that, but he's bullying and demeaning to Jayden because he doesn't play that stupid game."

"Deb, stop," Dan tried to interject, but Deb was relentless.

"Riding him so hard that Nathan took drugs just to measure up," Deb continued, her voice trembling with anger.

Dan tried to defend himself. "It's not like that—"

"Yeah, right," Jayden snapped, his voice filled with resentment. "You bully Nathan just like you bully me all the time."

Dan's face hardened. "What do I always say about speaking out of turn?"

"Cut the crap, Dan," Deb shot back. "You know he's right."

Royal's voice was a mixture of disbelief and anger. "Drugs?"

Deb's eyes were blazing. "Until he had to be rushed to the hospital. He could have died because of this insane pressure to put a ball through a hoop. But none of that is my son's fault, Royal. It's your son's."

May's voice was filled with disappointment and sorrow. "Danny. You of all people. How dare you! You know how much you hated it when your daddy bullied you to be better."

Royal was defensive, almost shouting. "I never bullied him!"

May shook her head, her voice quieter but no less intense. "And when you wanted a way out, I gave you one. All these years, I protected you. I lied for you. And now you're doing the same thing to your sons?"

Royal looked bewildered. "What lie? What are you talking about?"

"In college," May said, her voice breaking. "His knee injury. It wasn't permanent. Danny quit. And I helped him." The room fell into a shocked silence.

Royal's voice was filled with hurt and confusion. "What do you mean he quit?"

Dan tried to interject, his voice shaky. "It's not like that, Dad."

May interrupted, her voice firm. "Oh, stop it, Dan. It's time the truth came out."

Royal's voice rose in anger. "Will somebody tell me what in knee hell is going on here?"

May looked Royal in the eye. "You were on the road when Danny hurt his knee. So we lied."

"You told me it was a degenerative knee condition," Royal said, his voice breaking.

Dan's face was pale. "It was, Dad, it was."

Royal's voice was filled with betrayal. "You looked me in the eye and told me that."

May's eyes filled with tears. "Don't you see, Royal? He was never going to be the star that you wanted him to be. You just couldn't see that. The boy had two choices. To fail in front of you or to quit. Either way, he lost."

Royal's face twisted in anger and disappointment. "So you just quit. Without even being man enough to own up to it."

Dan's voice was desperate. "There's more to the story, Dad." But Royal was already getting up from the table, his face set in stone.

"I've had enough," Royal said, his voice cold.

Jayden stood up, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "Me too. Come on, Mik. I'll take you home."

May tried to intervene. "Jayden—"

"Bye, Grandma," Jayden said politely, but firmly, leading Mikayla out the door.

Whitey, seeing the disaster unfold, rose to leave. "Well, I can show myself out. Thank you, May, Deb. Happy Birthday, Danny." He nodded and walked out.

May watched him go, her voice barely a whisper. "Danny, don't you—"

Dan cut her off, his voice filled with bitterness. "Why?" He turned and walked away from the table.

May stood there, the weight of the evening pressing down on her. "Well, I guess I'll do the dishes," she said quietly, turning towards the kitchen.

———————————————

The Dawson house was warm and inviting, the dining room filled with the aroma of a delicious home-cooked meal. The table was set beautifully with polished silverware and a bouquet of fresh flowers as the centerpiece.

Troy and Haley arrived, both feeling the comfortable warmth of the family atmosphere. Haley wore a green dress, her eyes bright with curiosity and excitement. Troy, looking both nervous and proud, guided her to the table where his family awaited.

Grams was already in her element, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. She was seated at the head of the table, her presence commanding yet endearing.

"Troy, you finally brought her over," Grams said with a teasing smile. "I was beginning to think she was a figment of your imagination."

"Grams," Troy chuckled, rolling his eyes. "Haley, this is my grandmother."

"It's lovely to meet you, Mrs. Dawson," Haley said warmly.

"Call me Grams, dear. Everyone does. Now, sit, sit. Let's get to know each other."

The dinner commenced, and the conversation flowed easily. Chloe, Troy's five-year-old sister, sat next to Grams, giggling as she played with her food.

"So, Haley," Grams began, leaning in conspiratorially. "Tell me, how did you two meet?"

Haley smiled, glancing at Troy. "I was actually tutoring Troy. It started with calculus and somehow ended up here."

Grams raised an eyebrow, her smile widening. "Tutoring, huh? Is that what they call it these days?"

Troy groaned playfully. "Grams, come on. Yes, tutoring. With added benefits, as you like to put it."

Everyone laughed, and Jack, Troy's father, chimed in. "You know how she is, Troy. Always has to poke her nose into everything."

Grams leaned back, a satisfied look on her face. "It's my job to pry. Keeps me young. Speaking of which, do you remember when you gave up that scholarship, Jack?"

Jack's expression sobered a bit. "Mom, we've talked about this."

Rose, Jack's wife, placed a comforting hand on his. "Jack had to. I was pregnant with Troy, and you were really sick."

Grams waved a dismissive hand. "I had pneumonia, and I would have been fine. You had a full ride, Jack. You shouldn't have thrown that away for me."

Jack shook his head. "You were in the hospital for weeks. I couldn't just leave you. Plus, Rose needed me."

Grams sighed, a mixture of frustration and love in her eyes. "If I had died, I would have died. I had a good run. Your father left, but I managed. You should have taken that scholarship."

Jack's voice softened. "I did what I had to do, Mom. No regrets."

The conversation moved on, the memory lingering but not dampening the mood. They spoke about lighter things, everyone laughing and enjoying the meal.

Grams then turned her inquisitive nature towards Jack and Rose. "So, has Dan come around lately?"

Jack and Rose exchanged a quick glance, their expressions tightening. "Mom, let's not talk about that now," Rose said quietly.

Grams seemed to realize her mistake and quickly changed the subject. "Right, right. So, Haley, do you cook?"

Troy noticed the tension and exchanged a glance with Haley. She whispered to him, "What's that about?"

He shrugged, clearly as puzzled as she was. "I don't know. Maybe something to ask about later."

—————————————-

Nathan and Kat drove away from the tense atmosphere at his grandparents' house, the silence between them was heavy with unspoken words and tension. Kat could sense Nathan's stress, his jaw clenched tightly as he focused on the road ahead.

"Hey," Kat finally spoke, her voice soft with concern. "You okay?"

Nathan sighed, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. "Yeah, I'm fine," he muttered, but his tone belied his words.

Kat hesitated, unsure of how to break through Nathan's emotional barrier. She knew he was struggling with the weight of his family's expectations and the tension between him and his grandfather. But she didn't expect the sudden outburst that followed.

"You know what, Kat?" Nathan's voice was sharp, cutting through the silence like a knife. "You don't understand what it's like to deal with this shit all the time. You don't have your dad breathing down your neck, pushing you to be something you're not."

Kat recoiled at Nathan's words, stung by the unexpected attack. She had only wanted to help, to be there for him during a difficult time. But now, she felt the sharp sting of his anger directed at her.

"I didn't ask for any of this," Nathan continued, his voice trembling with frustration. "And now, because of you telling about my grandpa at the cafe, everything's a mess. Thanks a lot, Kat."

The hurt in Nathan's words cut deep, and Kat felt a lump form in her throat. She wanted to defend herself, to explain that she had only been trying to help. But the hurt in Nathan's eyes stopped her, the weight of his pain too heavy to bear.

When they finally arrived at Kat's house, the tension in the car was suffocating. Kat opened her mouth to say something, anything to break the silence, but the words caught in her throat.

Nathan reached out to touch her arm, his expression softening with regret. "Kat, I'm sorry," he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean what I said back there. I'm just...I'm just so stressed out right now."

But before Nathan could finish, Kat pulled away, her eyes shining with unshed tears. Without a word, she slammed the car door shut and walked away, leaving Nathan alone in the silence.

————————————

In the Scott kitchen, the morning light filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room. May stood by the stove, preparing breakfast as Jayden entered, looking a bit weary from the events of the previous night.

"Morning," Jayden greeted her, his voice soft.

"Morning, honey," May replied, offering him a warm smile. "Scrambled or fried? What do you think?"

Jayden hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "I'm sorry I acted like that last night, Grandma. I just couldn't take that."

May turned to face him, her expression filled with understanding. "I don't blame you, and I'm sorry Dan has treated you and your brother like that."

Jayden shook his head slightly. "It's fine, I can take it, but thanks. I'll have mine scrambled, I guess."

May nodded and returned to the stove. Jayden left the kitchen and headed towards his room to get dressed. As he walked down the hallway, he unexpectedly ran into his grandfather, Royal.

"Listen, Jayden," Royal began, his voice carrying a rare note of apology. "Whatever you're going through, I'm sorry about your dad."

Jayden looked at his grandfather, a mixture of emotions flickering across his face. "You know, after last night, I understand why he did it. It was either disappointing you or quitting. And quitting felt better."

Royal opened his mouth to respond, but Jayden continued, his tone firm and resolute. "I just know that when I become a father, I will never put my son in a position like my Dad does with us, or you did with him. Never."

——————————————-

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the windows as Troy groggily made his way downstairs. He found Grams in the living room, gathering her things.

"Morning, Grams," he said, rubbing his eyes.

"Morning, sweetheart," she replied with a warm smile. "I was just about to head out. I really like your girlfriend, you know. Much better than that party girl you were with before."

Troy frowned slightly. "Reagan's not a party girl, Grams. We're still friends."

Grams chuckled, her eyes twinkling. "Well, I still agree with what I said. Haley seems like a keeper."

She walked over to Troy and put a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Listen, Troy, I want to give you some advice. Something your father never took to heart. Live in the moment. If you have an opportunity for something great, you go for it. No matter what lies in the way."

Troy looked at her, curious. "What do you mean, Grams?"

Grams sighed softly. "When your dad got a scholarship to Wake Forest, his education fully paid for, it was his dream. But he didn't take it. He had his reasons, but I always felt he missed out on a lot. Even if he is happy now."

Troy nodded, thinking about her words. "Thanks, Grams. I'll remember that."

Grams smiled and patted his cheek. "Good boy."

As she turned to leave, Rose, Chloe, and Jack entered the room. Chloe ran up to Grams and hugged her tightly.

"Goodbye, Grams!" Chloe said cheerfully.

"Goodbye, sweetheart," Grams replied, kissing Chloe on the forehead. She turned to Rose and Jack. "I'll see you all at Christmas."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "Christmas? Are you planning something, Mom?"

Grams grinned mischievously. "Oh, just a little introduction. I want you all to meet my new boyfriend."

Jack's jaw dropped. "What?"

Grams winked as she walked out the door. "You'll see. Take care, everyone!"

They watched as she got into her car and drove off, leaving behind a mix of surprise and amusement. Jack turned to Troy, shaking his head. "Your grandmother never ceases to amaze me."

Troy laughed. "Yeah, she's something else."

——————————————

Nathan stood on Kat's porch, his heart heavy with regret. He knocked on the door, hoping she would answer. When Kat finally opened the door, her expression was guarded.

"Nathan," she said quietly.

"Hey, can we talk?" he asked, his voice earnest.

Kat hesitated but stepped aside, allowing him to enter. Inside, Brooke stood with her arms crossed, glaring at Nathan.

"You better sleep with one eye open," Brooke warned.

Kat sighed. "Brooke, leave us alone."

Brooke cast one last glare at Nathan before heading out.

As Brooke left, Nathan turned to Kat, his eyes filled with remorse. "Kat, I'm so sorry for what I said. It was all stress, and I didn't mean to hurt you. I never want to do that."

Kat crossed her arms, her eyes softening slightly but still guarded. "I was reminded of the old Nathan last night, and it hurt. A lot."

Nathan took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "I'm trying not to be that person anymore, and it's all because of you. It's just hard sometimes."

Kat sighed. "I get that, Nathan, but it doesn't make it okay. You can't just lash out at me every time things get tough."

"I know," Nathan said quietly. "I'm really sorry."

Kat looked at him, a mix of frustration and sadness in her eyes. "I'm questioning our relationship right now, Nathan. If you can't keep it together, then maybe we shouldn't be together. I can't be with someone who makes me feel like that."

Nathan nodded, swallowing hard. "I understand. You've been a big part of why I'm trying to change."

Kat took a deep breath, her expression softening slightly. "I'm glad to hear that, but actions speak louder than words, Nathan. Until you can fully get yourself together, I don't think we should be having sex anymore. If you can't do that or find it hard to do that, maybe we shouldn't be together."

As he walked back to his car, Nathan's thoughts turned to his father and grandfather. Knowing that Dan had walked away from the game and that Royal never forgave him, Nathan realized that going back to basketball might be the only way to beat Dan, the only way to be free from his father's shadow.

———————————

Kat and Nathan's eyes met in the bustling hallway of school. Nathan, clad in his practice jersey, walked past with Troy and Jordan, exchanging only a brief glance with Kat. She watched him go, a small smile playing on her lips as she turned and walked away.

Brooke rushed outside as Peyton and Lucas pulled up in the driveway. She immediately enveloped Peyton in a hug, offering comfort without needing to ask what had happened. Then she turned to Lucas, pulling him into a hug as well.

Lucas and Peyton shared a glance, a fleeting moment of guilt passing between them before they followed each other inside.

A/N: We all know what you did.....