Lucas was lying in a peaceful, happy sleep, dreaming about basketball and school. Totally unawares to him, his door, leading from his room to the street, silently opened. A small silhouette stood in the empty doorway, the glow of the moon was the only source of light, but the figure knew what she was doing. She had done this many times before. She saw Lucas lying there, peaceful as always, his room so serene. She walked towards his bed and lifted the side of the covers up, revealing Lucas in nothing but his boxers. She smiled to herself, typical, she thought. She slowly crept into the bed and quickly positioned herself so that her head was on Lucas' chest. Without opening his eyes Lucas wrapped his arms around the girl. She then, and only then, let the tears fall.

"It'll be alright, pretty girl" he spoke softly, almost whispering.

"I know, I know." She replied.

Lucas felt her hot tears on his chest but it didn't bother him. This routine had been occurring since Brooke was fifteen, they were both seventeen now. Lucas never found out the reason for the tears, and didn't know if he ever would. They didn't talk much at school, Brooke was the cheery, feisty cheerleader, queen of the school and the most upbeat person it is possible to imagine. Lucas, on the other hand, was a brooder, too involved in his studies to worry about school spirit. He hadn't had a difficult life, but it hadn't been easy. He tried to block out the problems with his father, but every time he saw Dan's smug face, it took all his strength to ignore him. Brooke on the other hand had led a blessed life, although her parents were divorced, and she was spoilt, continuously. Given her own credit card, which her father could more than afford. She lived, primarily, with her mum and her long-term boyfriend, Chris. No one would even consider the possibility that Lucas would be comforting Brooke, every night. It was as if they lived completely separate lives, which, I suppose, one Brooke and one Lucas did, but the other, more real, Brooke and Lucas were close. Lucas never asked questions and Brooke never offered explanations, that was the way of the world, that was how it would be.

Lucas awoke the next morning; the other side of the bed was empty, as always. Lucas looked at the pillow next to his, a small flower lay there, the only mark left by Brooke as she silently left and entered the house, and the only evidence that told Lucas it wasn't a dream. Lucas got ready for school as usual, placing the flower on the pile of flowers, all in different stages of decay, which was positioned by the steps to his room, out of sight from people passing his house.

"Hey!" Brooke bounded up to her best friend, Peyton, a huge smile plastered on her beautiful face. She was wearing her blue ravens cheerleading outfit, ready for today's match.

"Why are you always so happy in the morning?" Peyton asked, obviously not a morning person, as the both got into her car.

"I'm a morning person I guess."

The next five minutes, the time it took to get to school, were spent by Brooke and Peyton playfully arguing about Peyton's choice of music. Brooke preferring songs that did not, in her words, "suck".

"So you excited about tonight's game?" Brooke asked, bubbly as she always was before a game.

"Hmmmmm" was all Peyton could say, she couldn't remember why she became a cheerleader, she wasn't exactly cheery, she had a strange suspicion Brooke had something to do with it, but as it was so long ago she couldn't hold it against her.

"Can't wait to see all those hotties in their shorts, getting all sweaty!" She smiled, licking her lips.

"Brooke" Peyton laughed and nudged her.

As they entered they could here the voice of the coach, Whitey Durham, over the speakers.

"Due to the tomfoolery that the basketball squad performed last night, half the squad have been suspended and therefore tonight's match will be cancelled. If anyone would like to audition to be on the new squad please come to tryouts, today at lunch. Anyone is welcome, anyone." The desperation in Whitey's voice was unmistakable.

"Or not." Peyton just said as Brooke looked at her, not smiling.

"But that means…." Brooke began.

"No more sweaty hotties in shorts for Miss Davis." Peyton finished.

"No." Brooke began, as her frown turned into a smile. "New hotties in shorts, trying out today at lunch."

Brooke then left to tell the other cheerleaders that practice had been moved to lunch.

"Luke." Haley called from across the hallway.

"LUKE!" She ran, slipped and collided into him.

Lucas caught her and steadied himself. "You ok?" He asked, concerned.

"Yeah, it's not like I haven't tripped before." they both laughed. Haley was bright, exceptionally bright, but she was clumsy, extraordinarily clumsy, which Lucas found highly amusing.

"You wanted to talk to me?" Lucas asked.

"Oh…." Haley began "Yeah!" She finished, regaining her train of thought. "You should so try out."

"Me?" Lucas asked surprised. "Haley, you know I don't want to play on the team, Nathan will be there and…."

"And you're good Luke. Don't let anyone stop you from playing." He just looked at her as if she was mad. "Reach for the stars." She added sarcastically. Lucas laughed. "Come on, I'll come and watch you."

"Fine…" Lucas gave in. "Now want me to walk you to class?"

"I thought you'd never ask." She smiled as they linked arms and walked to class.

Lunchtime came all too quickly for Lucas who was regretting his decision, but, true to his word, he walked towards the gym, his sports bag over his shoulder. He could see the cheerleaders stretching as Brooke stood there, hands on hips talking to Peyton.

Once the group of boys had finished getting changed and were standing in front of Whitey, the players who had not been suspended entered. Lucas was disappointed to see Nathan at the front, smiling and winking at the cheerleaders.

"Nice of you to join us boys." Whitey began, sarcastically. "Now, as we're doing a formal tryout, you guys" he said pointing to Nathan and his friends, "will be trying out too." There was a chorus of complaints but Whitey silenced them with a sharp blow of his whistle. "You are going to get marked down for arriving late and arguing with the coach. Now unless you want to be replaced I suggest you get your butts changed and out of here to start running suicides."

The group of lads walked towards the changing rooms, muttering about how unfair it was.

Most of the tryouts were pretty boring, Lucas excelled against all the new players and most of the team. Brooke gave up trying to teach the girls a routine, as the all couldn't keep their eyes off the 'new kid'. Brooke felt a twinge of; she didn't know what, jealousy? Protectiveness? She decided Lucas was hers, he knew her, when no one else did. As the players split into teams, the cheerleaders split into two groups, each cheering for a different team. It was hard for some of the new players to focus on the game when beautiful girls in very short skirts were kicking their legs up high. This gave Lucas the opportunity he needed to steal the ball and shoot an excellent three pointer.

Tim was talking to the cheerleaders, focus on the game was practically non-existent, which whitey was not too pleased with, however this allowed Lucas to score more baskets than he could have hoped for. After scoring his sixth three pointer he glanced over at the cheerleaders. Brooke was obviously rejecting Tim, which made Lucas smile, and Tim seemed disheartened.

Just before the game began again Lucas heard Nathan's voice behind him

"Rejected, Tim?"

"Nah, I didn't really want her, I heard she doesn't put out."

"What?" Nathan replied, genuinely shocked.

"Yeah, she's frigid, you know a real tease."

"But she's a mega slut."

"I know, I bet she's waiting for the Tim."

Lucas looked over at Brooke, she was obviously hurt by the comments, but she faked a big smile and continued cheering.

"I don't think so mate, Brooke Davis and the Tim, nah, she's waiting for me. God I would like to..." Nathan didn't get chance to finish as Lucas' fist collided with his face. A fight ensued, with Jake trying to stop it but failing miserably. It wasn't until Whitey got involved did it end.

The lecture Lucas received from his mum was not pretty. He had never heard his full name be used so many times and there was a lot of tension over dinner. Haley, who usually ate with Lucas and Karen tried to make conversation, but gave up after neither seemed to reply. As soon as he had finished eating he got up, threw his dishes in the sink and slammed his door shut. He was lying on the bed hand on his head when he heard a knock on the door. He was puzzled by this, the only person who ever used that door was Haley and she was eating. Perplexed he got up and opened the door slowly.

"Hey." Brooke said softly.

"Brooke?"

"You really should put some ice on that." She said pointing to his eye.

"yeah, errr, Brooke, no offence but what are you doing here?"

"oh, sorry…." She began "I'll go."

She turned around and was about to leave but Lucas called her back.

"No, Brooke, I didn't mean it like that…. Just, you don't usually talk to me outside school."

She turned back round to face Lucas. "I need to talk to you, can I come in?" She spoke so softly that Lucas was instantly worried.

"Brooke, what's wrong?" He said, letting her into his room.

"Lucas….." She began

"yes." He replied, encouraging her to continue

"Where's your toilet?" She asked suddenly.

"Through that door on your left. Are you…." He didn't get too finish as she got up and bolted to the bathroom. Lucas followed her and could hear her wretching. He walked in, knelt down next to her, held her hair back and rubbed circles on her back. When she had finished vomiting she just sat there. Lucas continued to rub circles on her back as she cried.

"I need to….." She began "I need to go to the shop."

Normally he would have made a joke about retail therapy but he knew this was serious. "which one?"

"The pharmacy." She said simply. Realisation hit Lucas.

"Oh."

"I don't want to go alone." She said, with very little emotion.

"I'll go." He replied standing up and walking out the room.

"Lucas," Brooke called him back. "Thanks."

"Anytime Brooke." He replied.

When Lucas returned Brooke was sitting on his bed, reading one of his magazines.

"Hey…" He said

"Hey, you." She smiled, cheerful once again. "I didn't know you were into this whole… space time continu-whatever."

"continuum, and yeah." Lucas replied "My uncle got me into them."

"Oh, that's nice." She said simply.

There was an awkward pause before Lucas spoke again.

"These are for you, I bought two, just to be safe."

"Oh, thanks." She smiled at him. "Do you mind if I do them here, I don't wanna go home."

"Of course, you know where the bathroom is."

"Thanks Lucas." She bent down and kissed him on the cheek.

Brooke had been in the bathroom for four minutes, although it seemed like forever.

"Lucas," His mum said softly as she poked her head around the door. "Lucas I'm sorry, I over-reacted, I …"

Karen was stopped in her tracks as Brooke entered crying holding a pregnancy test.

"Brooke….." Lucas began. Brooke just nodded. Lucas got up off his bed and wrapped his arms around her.

"Lucas…." Karen said angrily

"It's not what you think." Lucas cut in quickly.

"It better not be, it better not be." She repeated as she walked out.

Brooke and Lucas were left in their embrace as she cried.

Later, when Brooke had cried all the tears that were in her they sat down on his bed.

"Brooke, who's the father?" Lucas asked concerned. Judging by Tim and Nathan's reaction it wasn't anyone at school.

"It's….." Brooke couldn't bring herself to say his name aloud.

"Brooke…." He said urgently, placing his hand on her shoulder, she winced in pain. Lucas slowly moved the sleeve of her jacket down and saw an array of bruises, purple, black, green and yellow.

"Brooke…" He was shocked.

"It's not as bad as it looks." She said

"Brooke, who did this to you?" She didn't reply. "Was it the father?" He asked more urgently.

She nodded.

"Brooke…" He spoke slowly.

"I don't need your sympathy Lucas! Thanks for the test and everything, but I should be going." She said harshly, leaving him sitting in his room, alone.

That night, when Brooke entered Lucas' room, Lucas was wide awake and sitting on his bed.

"Hey." She said. Lucas just sat there. "Say something please." She was desperate for him to tell her it'll be ok.

"What are you going to do?" He said simply, without looking at her.

"I…. Er… I dunno." She sat down next to him. "I'm so scared look, I don't know what to do." She cried. It was only then that Lucas looked at her and pulled her into a hug.

"I don't know what to say…" He began.

"Tell me it'll be ok" she begged.

"I don't know if it will be." He said, making her cry harder. "Brooke, all I can say is, I'll be there for you."

Brooke looked up at him, saw the honesty in his eyes and placed her lips on his. He returned the kiss, one he'd been waiting for two years for. He could feel her tears on his cheeks but he ignored it. He pulled away and looked at her.

"Brooke, you need to tell me what happened." He spoke softly so she wouldn't get angry at him.

"What do you want to know?" she asked sincerely.

"The truth." He said simply. When she didn't start speaking he continued. "Who did this to you? Why? How long has it been going on? Why did you put up with it? And…" He paused, not knowing how to put this. "and, why did you choose me?"

"Ok." She said. "Who? Chris. Why? Who knows. How long? Two years. Why? Because he told me he'd kill me if I told anyone and why you? Well… because I knew I could trust you."

"Brooke. Who is Chris?" He asked concerned.

"Chris is my mum's boyfriend."

"What?!? Why didn't you tell your mum?" He was shocked and angry.

"Because she's an alcoholic! She wouldn't give a damn!" She shouted new tears streaming down her face.

"ok…." He spoke quietly, trying to calm her down. "What did he do to you?"

She was silent for a while. He didn't push her, he didn't say anything he just sat there with Brooke in his arms, rocking backwards and forwards.

After a long pause she finally spoke. "He would…. He would hit me. A lot and then one day…. He came into my room… I was sleeping and… he grabbed me … he forced me… and it continued … every night." She was crying so hard it hurt.

"Brooke…" He didn't know what else to say. "Brooke…"

"Please Luke" she whispered, "I don't want to go back there."

"You will never have to, I promise. You can stay here." Lucas thought about this, he was sure his mum wouldn't mind. "We'll collect your stuff tomorrow during school, I'll come with you, he will never hurt you again."

Brooke just nodded.

"And Luke…" She continued, "please, don't tell anyone."

"of course."

"thanks."

"Anything for you, pretty girl… now go to sleep." He whispered, kissing her on the forehead. She lent up and kissed him on the lips, then snuggled next to him, feeling, at last, safe.