234's Lifelines

37. Identities

"My best friend, Haley, left town recently. And it's.. been hard. You know, until this year, it's-it's always been us against the world. We pretty much grew up together and.. now she's just gone. You know, I.. I understand the leaving part. Trust me, I just wish she woulda called me; before she left. I wish.. I coulda talked to her about it. I mean, not to change her mind.. or to tell her what to do, but.. just to say I love you... and I miss you. Just to say goodbye. ----- My brother's been going through a tough time lately. I wish there was more I could do to help him. I mean, just getting along is kinda new to us. But I guess that's how brothers are. Better to each other and worse to each other than anybody else. I also wish I could make things easier for my mom. I mean, even though it's been a tough year for us, I want her to be happy more than anything. But that doesn't change the fact that I need to get closer to my father because if I can get closer to him, maybe I can find a way to beat him. Once and for all - set the people that I love free. I just hope I have the strength to tear him down for good." - Lucas Scott One Tree Hill

Song: We Don''t Talk Anymore -Charlie Puth ft Selena Gomez

***

Hera bites her lips as her whole body trembles. She'd told herself so many times since finding out Lexis was alive that Nathan probably had no choice and had to hide it from her, that she deserved it, that he had probably been lied to by Peter, that even if he was told the truth his anger at her and decision to hide the truth was a good choice as Lexis now had the family he never had and could have a fresh clean slated start but seeing him in person in front of her, all those reasonings seemed to have flown out the window and all that was left was the anger at being lied to, being deceived. All that she could see was her pain, her sufferings through all these years and how one of the people she'd trusted had lied to her. Mixed with the anger she felt was deep fear. Fear at the unknown and what could be, fear at the fact that not just him but the whole Black family might have returned, fear that he'd expose her, that he'd hate her still, that he'll be like Peter now and try to ruin her, that he'd find out about Shakespeare.

Shakespeare.

Hera's eyes widen in realization that her daughter was in the room next door.

She glances back at the room balling her palms into fists.

Please Lord don't let her wake up or come out, Hera prays in her heart.

"What are you doing here?"Lexis asks at the same time Nathan asks,

"What are you doing here?" Looking at Hera

Hera bites her lips.

Lexis looks behind Nathan.

"Did you come alone?" He asks.

"Yes,"Nathan replies eyes still focused on Hera who now seemed to be able to breath a little with the announcement of the information that Nathan was alone.

"What is she doing here?" Nathan asks.

"She's Alexander's secretary,"Maeve answers.

"Since when?" Nathan asks.

"Yesterday,"Maeve answers.

"Why?"Nathan asks.

"Why?"Lexis repeats raising an eyebrow.

"Why are you here? What do you want?" Nathan asks Hera.

"What did she tell you?"Nathan says looking at Lexis.

"Nothing,"Hera replies understanding his question.

Nathan turns back to look at her. His eyes searching hers.