21. The Leaving Song

Complete story — includes the ending

Karen confesses to Lucas that Dan asked for joint custody and she denied it. Lucas is upset that he never got to know Dan and wonders if things would be different. Peyton and Brooke, both now angry with Lucas, are friends again. Dan becomes the temporary coach of the basketball team when Whitey has to have eye surgery. Haley finds that Nathan has been looking at porn on his computer and has kept pictures of Peyton and feels offended and that she can't live up to those women. When Peyton takes Jenny to the mall, Nikki kidnaps her for a short period of time, which upsets Jake. Jake learns she plans to take him to court and that she will probably win. Nathan realizes that he is pressuring Haley for sex in ways he doesn't even know by looking at those websites while Haley says all she can give him is her heart. Nathan and Lucas spend time together practicing for the playoffs and share their respective troubles with each other and end up growing closer and somewhat becoming friends. Lucas ponders how things could have been between them growing up together. Keith learns of Karen's secret and is upset that he never knew who Dan really was. Dan finally gives Deb the divorce papers, and she is left surprisingly sad. Jake leaves town with Jenny, seeing it as the only way to keep Jenny. Lucas apologizes to Peyton and promises he is going to change. Keith tells Karen that he's been left with nothing and is upset that she kept her secret from him. Lucas tells Karen and Keith that the only way to change and become a better person after all the mistakes he's made is to leave Tree Hill with Keith for a new start. This episode is named after a song by AFI.