Scarred Hearts and Scarred Souls
A/N: Disregards most of Season 4. Lucas and Brooke remained together until graduation and part of their first year of college. I own nothing related to Tree Hill except my characters and the plot.
Summary: 3 years ago Brooke broke his heart and changed his life. Now he and Brooke return to celebrate Thanksgiving with the rest of the gang. Both bring people with them that are sure to stir up drama and questions are raised. What is "Unit 7" and what does it have to do with Lucas?
"Lucas…there's something you should know," Brooke spoke softly into her cell phone.
"What's wrong Cheery?" Lucas asked worriedly.
He was always so caring, so affectionate and so wonderful in the most unimaginable ways. That's what made this all the more difficult. Brooke began to tear up as she heard his nickname for her over the line. She breathed deeply to calm herself,
"There's someone else Luke," she half sobbed into the line. She didn't want to do this to him, but the distance was too much. It was all too much. He didn't deserve this cruelty, this heartbreaking pain she was giving to him, but she couldn't help it. The heart wants what it wants.
Lucas' heart tore open at that, a large open gash where she dwelled. There was someone else. How? He loved her with all he had. He fought for her and them countless times. He was there through the tears, the anger and the fear. He felt crushed. He felt betrayed. The sad thing was he could tell there was nothing he could do. Her voice said it all, this is what she wanted. HE wasn't enough. The realization was like a knife into his soul. He didn't even know when the tears began to streak down his cheeks, his hands trembling as he held the phone to his ear.
The silence was deafening. Of all the reactions she expected, this wasn't one. She was ready for the shouting, the pleading and hurt, but nothing could have prepared her for the silence. That was what scarred her the most. It was as if she had broken him.
"This is what you want? To give us up after everything we've been through?" His voice wasn't angry or cold. It was a monotone. As if he was speaking the words without any feeling behind them. There was no emotion in him at the moment. It was like all of his feelings bleed out through that whole in his heart. The whole where she was, the whole she made.
Brooke was now crying freely. She had done it. She had crushed the most caring and loving man she had never known. The detachment in his voice was unlike anything she had ever heard. She didn't just break his heart, she wounded his soul. She scarred his being. She knew then and now that he would never be the same.
With a shaky voice she answered, "Yes. Lucas I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt you. Please, you have to believe me."
The tears had stopped as had the shaking. It was replaced with nothing. Blankness and a numb expression covered his face now. He felt as if he was destroyed. He would never be whole. His reason for going on, for pursuing his dreams and living his life in happiness was gone.
Silence continued after that and it was almost unbearable for her, "Lucas, please say something. Anything," she pleaded.
His eyes drifted down to the table in front of him, an unopened letter and a recently finished letter to Brooke sitting in front of him. These letters represented a fork in his life; a choice he had to make that would decide his future. Fate it seemed, had decided to make that choice for him. He picked up the unopened letter and held it in his hand,
"I wrote you a letter. I just finished it. Guess it doesn't matter anymore. Have a happy life Brooke," he spoke now in a voice that betrayed the hurt he felt deep inside, the gut wrenching pain that was taking over his mind. With that he mechanically closed the phone, ending the call that altered his life. He then took the battery off the back of his phone and set both pieces on the table. With trembling hands he opened the sealed letter and answered it, resigning himself to all he had left…
"Lucas!" someone shouted at him.
Lucas shook himself and brought himself out of his memories and looked around to the person sitting next to him on the plane.
The person next to him chuckled and thumped him on the back, "Daydreaming there Mr. Scott?"
Lucas laughed, "You know how it is Alex I get caught up in my mind from time to time."
Alex chuckled and shoved him jovially, "Listen here Scott, this is leave. You're supposed to relax and enjoy the time with your family. Not spend it pondering deeply. Think about what you're going to say when you see your mom or how tightly you're going to hug your sister when you see her. That's what this holiday is all about."
Lucas rubbed his shoulder in mock pain, "Yeah yeah, I heard the Lieutenant's speech earlier. I don't need to be reminded of it again man, it's already drilled into my head."
"As it should be," Alex teased. "Now, tell me, what are we going to do when we land in Tree Hill? I've heard so much about this 'beautiful, quaint little town' that I think I deserve the grand tour."
Lucas rolled his eyes, "Never going to let that one go are you?" At Alex's shake of no from his head he continued, "Well, you're definitely going to meet my mom and little sister. I think at least they should meet the guy who saved my ass God knows how many times. Then I guess I'll introduce you to my best-friend/sister-in-law and her husband/my brother."
Alex laughed, "I forget how complicated everything was in little old Tree Hill."
Lucas scowled playfully, "We sor-ry, but I didn't get to grow up in place with 'tons of thing to do and score of fights to be won,' but I happen to like it you know."
"Pshh, you wish you could have grown up with me. I don't know if you would have been tough enough to make it though," Alex teased. "Seriously though, I can't wait to meet the family of one of the only guys I trust my life with," he stated.
Lucas placed a hand over his heart and dramatically fell back into his seat, "I'm honored! Big Bad Alex trusts me!" Lucas laughed. His expression then shifted, "Thank you though. You don't how many times you saved me man. I figured the least I could do was show the life you helped me keep," Lucas iterated sincerely.
Alex slapped him on the back, "Ok, Ok, I get it, enough of this mushy crap."
At that moment a stewardess came to stand next to Alex. Her gorgeous emerald green eyes roamed over the two men intently, focusing mostly on Alex. She had natural blonde hair that was wrapped in a cute bun. Her stewardess uniform was a true blue, with the V-cut in the vest showing over her thin white undershirt. If one looked hard enough, the faint outline of her bust was visible, as was the namesake change she wore underneath it. She wore a dark grey plaid skirt that reached down to just below her upper thighs. Her lips were full and red and she wore just the right amount of make up to highlight her features but not make her look like a hooker. She smiled sweetly at Alex, her perfect white teeth revealed as the smile reached her eyes.
"Is there anything I can get for you two handsome gentlemen?" she asked kindly.
Alex smirked flirtatiously at her, causing a slight blush to color her cheeks, "How about a glass of whiskey if you don't mind Maria?" he asked in a quiet, alluring voice.
Her blush only grew as she then focused on her gaze on Lucas, "Nothing for me, thank you," he smiled at her warmly. She nodded and turned a lust filled look to Alex, "I'll be right back with your drink…"
"The name's Alexander. You can call me Alex if you like," he spoke warmly.
The Stewardess smiled fully at him and subconsciously played with the hem of her skirt, "I'll be back in a minute, Alex," she responded huskily. As she walked away she swished her hips slightly, happiness evident in her stride.
Alex settled back into his seat and relaxed as Lucas looked at him incredulously, "You might want to turn down the charm or she'll jump your bones right here man."
Alex looked sideways and smirked, "You're just jealous."
Before Lucas could reply Maria returned with Alex's drink. She placed a hand softly on his shoulder and drew his attention. When he turned to her she smiled brightly, "Here's your drink Alex." She then placed the glass half full of whiskey underneath a napkin on his tray.
Before she could pulled her hand away Alex grasped it gently and brought it to his lips. He kissed her between her first and second knuckle and smiled charmingly at her. "Thank you Maria," he replied smoothly.
She flushed slightly and giggled softly despite herself, "If either of you need anything else, just let me know."
Alex grinned playfully, "You can count on it."
Maria blushed and strode of happily swaying her hips again. Alex smirked to himself and brought the glass to his lips to take a sip from his glass. When the dark liquid hit his throat he sighed contently. Lucas continued to gaze at Alex before he began chuckling with mirth. Alex is nuts he thought to himself.
Noticing his laughing Alex looked at Lucas with confusion, "What?"
That made Lucas laugh harder, "You're crazy you know that?"
Alex smiled, "She is gorgeous man. You can't fault a guy for appreciating her beauty now can you?"
"Now you're the one who sounds sappy," Lucas retorted.
Alex faked shock and pointed to himself dramatically, "Me? Never! That's your job Mr. Scott, not mine. Now let me have my fun in peace."
Lucas shook his head, "God help the women of Tree Hill when you come strolling in."
Alex puffed out his chest and raised his chin in pride, "You're damn right they better look out. They won't know what hit them."
Lucas chuckled and turned to look out the window over the ocean below them. Tree Hill, those two words brought back many memories, both joyous and painful. He'd get to see his family again. He missed them so much, especially his little sister and his mom. Even though he wrote them every chance he got, but that still didn't replace the ache he felt when they were far away. Lily was just learning how to form coherent sentences according his mom, and she asked for him whenever he wrote. His heart filled with warmth as he thought about her. She was so sweet, so innocent and a link to Keith, God how he loved her.
His thoughts then traveled to Nathan and Haley. When his dreams for going to Duke were crushed by the Daunte scandal, he decided to play for UNC with Haley. They were both going strong with their little son Jamie. Jamie was every bit like his father with his love for basketball, but he had his mother loving heart. Lucas loved his little godson enormously and missed him dearly as he did Haley and Nathan. When he saw them he was going to envelop them in one of the biggest hugs possible. Both of them had been there for him when he needed it most. He owed them so much.
His thoughts then drifted to Peyton. He hadn't spoken to her in years. That wasn't surprising really as she had been very busy with her internship. He could only hope things were working out for her. Thoughts of Peyton eventually caused him to think of Brooke. She was still a tender subject, even after all these years. He knew nothing of what happened after he left, and his family knew not to write to him about her. He still felt that same gut-wrenching pain as he did when she dropped those 3 words on him. There's someone else. Those words still haunt him to this day, and when he truly stops to let himself think about her deeply for a second, he knows he hasn't truly healed and he never really will. Years ago he came to realize that she had a large piece of his heart, and that day she smashed it. He would never be able fill it or get it back.
Seeing his sullen face and realizing the reason for it, Alex punched his shoulder firmly rousing from his thoughts. Lucas rubbed his shoulder, "Was that necessary? And on the same shoulder too?" Lucas whined.
Alex merely laughed at him, "What? We're going start landing soon."
Lucas glared at him, "No we're not. You just wanted an excuse to hit me."
Just then the pilot announced that the plane would begin it's decent to the airport in the moment. Lucas looked with a shocked expression at Alex, "How do you do that? It's a bit creepy."
Maria then walked by to make sure everyone's trays and seat were placed properly. She smiled and winked at Alex as she passed by.
"I had a little help," Alex answered as he nodded towards the retreating figure of Maria, who was still swaying her hips lightly.
Lucas shook his head and spoke to no one in particular, "This is going to be an interesting visit with him around."