NOTE:
This is my first fanfic, never really written anything before this but just felt compelled to do so as I adore Brooke/Julian. Would like to hear some thoughts, and I appreciate feedback but to be honest, I'm not sure if I should continue the story.

Introduction: This pretty much is just a continuation of right after Brooke kicked some ass in 6x14 except she hasn't met Julian before this.

Chapter 1: The Bodyguard

He was leaning against the wall near the back entrance of Tric. It was way too stuffy in the club. He was used to making decisions under pressure but he just felt like he needed some time to think alone. The squealing of tires snapped him out of his reverie, a white Porshe had just swerved into the parking space across from him.

Intrigued, he watched as three sedans immediately pulled up next to her and photographers jumped out. A brunette emerged from the white Porshe looking very frazzled. He was used to scenes like this in LA, especially near his home in the valley. This was different though, he didn't know why he felt this strong wave of unfamiliar emotion wash over him - he felt protective of this girl, even though he could only see the half of her face that wasn't covered by her massive Chanel glasses. The papparazzi clamored over her, she looked uncomfortable with the attention as she tried to brush past them.

---
Brooke had never felt frightened of the paparazzi before, they followed her when Victoria managed her and constantly tipped them off when she attended business dinners but they pretty much left her alone now that she had relocated back to Tree Hill. Recently, their interest was aroused when the whole thing with X and her foster daughter came up but she was coping. They had been following her since she left her house and had tailgated her all the way to tric, causing her to speed and, as she was pulling up at tric, almost caused her to lose control of her car when one overzealous pap he tried to take a photo of her driving - the flash startling her. She was at Tric for the casting for Lucas' new movie.

Out of nowhere, a greasy looking pap with a goatee latched onto her arm in an effort to get her to look at him. Panic washed over Brooke, but suddenly the pressure on her arm was gone.

'I think that's enough,' a strong, firm male voice said from beside her. Brooke looked up to see a tall, broad shouldered man with his hand hovering warningly over the paps arm. The man lightly placed his hand on the small of Brooke's back and guided her through the small swam of paparazzi. Brooke immediately felt safer. They entered the back entrance which led to the storage for drinks, it was dark in there. Brooke turned around and looked up at the man, whose face was half hidden by the shadows in the store room.

She took off her glasses and said in a shaky voice 'Thank you'

As soon as she had taken off her sunglasses he noticed at once that she wasn't just pretty, she was drop dead gorgeous. Althought it was dark in the storage room, he noticed her eyes were a certain shade of green. He shook his head lightly, it had been a long time since a girl had affected him this way.

'..It was so thoughtful of Lucas to provide me with a body guard but I assure you I don't really need one.' she continued in a firmer voice.

Julian just stared at her, for the first time in a while he was lost for words. Then her words registered - she thought he was the hired help. He tried to suppress his smile and just nodded.

She gave him a tentative smile, and strode out of the room. As he watched her leave, he knew.

He knew she was the girl for him.

---
He made her feel safe. She knew he was hired to do so, but instinctively she had felt safer when the stranger had materialized next to her and guided her through the crowd. She had had a glimpse of his face in the store room and saw that he was handsome. Probably because his face was covered in shadows, she thought to herself dryly. She momentarily put the encounter aside and went to ladies room to freshen up.

She put on a bright smile and flounced into the casting room and sang out 'Lucas Scott! How's it going?' Lucas looked up from the table he was sitting at with Dixon, the director. His face broke into a wide smile, 'Hey brooke, glad you could make it, wanna stick around as we audition the nathans?'

'Of course', she replied.

She noticed that sitting on the other side of Lucas was an incredibly handsome, well built man who was grinning at her. She returned his grin with one of her own and winked, 'Make some space?'

Lucas quickly introduced them. 'Brooke, this is Julian, the producer'

Julian spoke up, 'We've met.' and he politely stood up to give her his seat.

Brooke's mouth dropped open as she recognized that firm, masculine voice. It was the bodyguard.