Title: Promise is the worst sacrifice
Category: One Tree Hill
Ship: Lucas/Brooke
Prompt: He'd do the one thing she asked of him. He'd live his life. He'd live for her.

Summary: A slight rewrite of season four to make this one shot work. Brooke didn't break up with Lucas until a week before the Championship game. Lucas and Peyton aren't technically dating but they did kiss at the game- none of that 'It's you' crap was shared, also Brooke and Lucas didn't have their two second conversation at the game after Lucas won.

Disclaimer: I do not own OTH or the characters


Walking slowly into the off white room, she quietly closed the door as the beeping from the machines echoed against the walls. Occupying the only vacant seat she licked her lips willing the tears to dissipate. She hated hospital, they always smelt like death in her opinion. She thought that was the creepiest and saddest form of foreshadowing, especially since the patient was her age.

Closing her eyes she let a memory over take her for a few moments before the reality of the beeping set in bringing her back, "You promised to rescue me." She whispered into the silence of the room. Letting out a shaky breath as she gently grasped his bigger in comparison rough calloused hand with her small soft petite hands.

"I didn't tell you that you already had. You let me grow into this amazing person because you loved me." Looking down at the blonde that lay silent on the bed, what looked like a deep sleep but the brunette knew better. "I know it's her job to rescue you, but I need you Broody." She confessed softly.

Tears escaping her eyes, slowly running down her cheeks. "So do me a favor please Broody. Please." Pleading evident in her voice.

"Save yourself." The brunette shared. "Save yourself- because even though we're not together. That doesn't mean I'm not still in love with you."

It was true, Brooke Davis was still in love with Lucas Scott. Everyone except the brooding blonde that lay motionless in the hospital bed knew that. To see him in this state absolutely broke her heart, almost as much as breaking up with him did.

"I'm not ready to lose you completely from my life." Standing up as she glanced at the clock knowing that her few minutes were almost up. "Come back to me." She whispered softly before down and placing a soft tender kiss on his lips.

"See you later Broody." Pulling away, she walked towards the door before she turned around and took in his appearance. The stubble on his jaw, his long hair which was in desperate need of a trim, the fullness of his lips one last time before making a quick exit, the young curly blonde and older dark haired brunette not noticing her as they continued walking down the hallway towards the room.


"I'm gonna go get something to drink, do you want anything?" The curly blonde offered as she stood up from her chair.

Shaking her head, "I'm fine." Karen said softly, not taking her attention away from her son as she continued to gently rub her thumb soothingly on the outside of his hand.

"Okay, I'll be back." Peyton replied softly as she slowly closed the door behind her, figuring the mother and son were owed some privacy.

Lifting her hand up to her son's head, she gently brushed her finger tips across the side of his face. "Oh my boy, why weren't you more careful with your heart?" She asked, knowing that he wouldn't answer. "Peyton seems to be..." Karen paused as she searched for the right word. "helpful. I'm just a little surprised that Brooke hasn't been my to see you, she's always been there. I don't know what happened between the two of you but..." Her voice trailed off as she felt his hand squeeze hers.

"Lucas?" She spoke softly as she felt the grip on her hand get a little tighter and more persistent.

He could hear a voice. A familiar voice that sounded far away at first but seemed to get closer like he was walking towards it. His eyes fluttering open as he took in his surroundings. Before seeing a familiar face, "Ma?" He croaked out as he attempted to talk but it seemed impossible with his dry throat.

Letting go of his hand, she poured him a glass of water. Placing a straw in the glass and brought it up to his lips for him to drink. "Here you go."

"How do you feel?" Karen asked the blonde that still lay on the bed.

Shrugging, "Tired." He muttered as closed his eyes, trying to pin point the voice that had spoken the words that brought him back.

"Haley and Nathan are at home, but someone's here to see you." Karen said, seeing her son brighten up.

"Brooke?" A hopeful tone in his voice.

Sighing as she shook her head, "I'm sorry sweetie she hasn't stopped by." Rubbing her hand through his hair as she looked down at him. "Peyton's here, why don't I send her in?"

"I think I'm just going to sleep for a little bit longer." Lucas responded softly as he pulled away from his mother's touch, turning onto his side so that his back was to her.

Nodding her head in understanding, "I'll just have her go home, then I'll let the doctor know that you're awake." Leaning down she placed a soft kiss on the side of his head before exiting the room.


Two days later

"I still don't like this." Haley said as she leaned against the counter and looked over at her friend.

"Hales, I have to know why okay. Please?" He pleaded with her.

Sighing, "Fine." She responded,knowing this was only going to end horribly.

"Why did she call you so late anyways?" He inquired.

Shrugging, "I don't know. She said she had something to tell me. She didn't sound like herself." Haley told him.

"What if something's wrong Hales? I need to be able to fix it." Lucas told her.

Nodding her head, "Okay." She responded just as they were interrupted by a knock on the door. "Go hide in the bedroom." She ushered him out as she headed towards the front door of the apartment and opened it.

"What's so important that you had to come over at almost midnight Tigger?" Haley inquired as she closed the door behind the brunette, walking over to the island and leaning against the counter as she looked over at her friend.

"I needed to talk to you before..." She trailed off, not able to tell Haley.

"At the rehearsal I set up for you guys...Peyton told me she was in love with Lucas." Brooke confessed, feeling slightly better that at least someone else would know.

Lucas felt his jaw tighten as he listened to the information unfold, he couldn't believe what Peyton had done.

"Why didn't you tell anyone?" Haley questioned.

Shrugging, "I thought it didn't matter. Peyton always get's what she wants and I'm sick of giving up what I love and need and want, for her." Feeling the burning in her eyes as she fought to keep the tears that had formed from falling. "Hopefully this will be the last time because I'm exhausted." Her voice cracking, making it clear that this entire ordeal had broken her and everyone was too blind to see it let alone care.

"Brooke..." Haley was at a loss for word, one of her best friends was standing in front of her having to spell it out for her that she was broken. Walking towards her with open arms, attempting to comfort the brunette.

Shaking her head as she held up her hands defensively, showing the honey blonde just how much she hadn't been paying attention to Brooke that they were to the point she didn't want anyone touching her. "It's fine. I know he loves her too." Stray tears rolling down her pale cheeks. "I also know that if I would've ignored her- it would've led me and Lucas down a destructive path."

The blonde brooder felt his heart constrict in pain, usually that would alert him that something was wrong with him medically but he knew that it was because the girl he was in love with was in so much pain.

Moving her head in disagreement, "You don't know that for a fact." Haley reasoned.

"I've always been insecure when the two of them were together- friends or not. It would've been our ultimate downfall." Brooke countered, showing the tutor just how intricately she had thought of each detail of the confession, aftermath included.

"Why not just let him decide for himself?" The newly remarried tutor inquired.

"We both know Lucas." Brooke stated. "He would've ignored his feelings for her. Mostly because of how Peyton went about it. His thoughts would've been clouded with the feeling of betrayal and anger." Wiping away her tears, she ran a shaky hand through her brown locks. "They both deserve a real chance at happiness."

"And what about your happiness?" Haley crossed her arms over her chest and looked at the cheer captain expectantly.

"The boy I love would be happy, what more could I ask for?" A small yet sincere smile formed on her lips.

Letting his head fall down, he let out a soft shaky breath as he realized just how selfless Brooke Davis actually was and he had let her slip through his fingers.

Before any other words could be exchanged, the honey blonde immediately pulled the dark brunette into a bone crushing hug. "You are too gracious for your own good you know that Brooke Davis?"

Laughing softly, "I'm beginning to think it." She responded as she hugged the slightly shorter girl a little tighter before each of them pulled away.

"What does Lucas have to say about all of this?" Haley asked.

"About what?" Brooke tilted her head in confusion.

"When you told him that Peyton was in love with him, how did he react?" She added more detail to her question.

"I didn't tell him." Brooke mumbled softly.

"Brooke, what did you do?" Authority written all over Haley's tone.

"I may have broken up with him and told him I stopped missing him." She muttered as she took a sudden interest in the carpet.

"Brooke Penelope Davis!" Haley exclaimed as she looked at her best friend as if she had grown a second head. "He's gotta think you don't love him anymore- he has to know that this isn't your doing that you're still in love with him."

Sighing softly, "I did tell him... while he was in the coma." The brunette mumbled, realizing how stupid that sounded since she had said it out loud.

Confusion written on his brow, he barely caught what Brooke had said. Was that right? Had she come to see him in the hospital? Shaking his head, his mom would have told him if she had. Then it started coming back to him.

"I didn't tell you that you already had. You let me grow into this amazing person because you loved me."

"So do me a favor please Broody. Please. Save yourself."

"I'm not ready to lose you completely from my life. Come back to me."

It hit him like a ton of bricks as he fell against the wall, she had seen him. She still wanted him and loved him. He had been a complete idiot not to see it, of course she was lying when she broke up with him. Everything she had told him was the complete opposite. He was the idiot and the asshole that had believed her.

"Tigger, you have to tell him while he's conscious and full aware of what's going on." Her friend reprimanded her.

"Brooke you have to tell him the truth." Haley tried to reason.

Shaking her head vehemently as she fiddled with her jacket zipper, "I can't. I let him go so it wouldn't hurt as much."

"I love you cookie, but this isn't hurting you, it's killing you!" Waving her hand towards Brooke's exhausted-almost broken appearance and expression.

"Hales...If I had a choice in any of this, I would choose him- I always have." Accentuating the last three words as she fled the apartment, slamming the door behind her.

"Save yourself- because even though we're not together. That doesn't mean I'm not still in love with you."

"Now you know." Haley said pulling Lucas out of his memories, as she turned her attention towards her bedroom. "You can come out now."

"What do I do Hales?" Lucas asked as he walked out of the bedroom and took a seat on the couch.

Letting out a soft sigh, "First you have to talk to Peyton." Running a hand through her hair as she tucked some of it behind her ear. "You also have to keep a level head like Brooke wants."

"Okay, then after that. What do I do about Brooke?" The blonde inquired.

"You can either let her be the self-sacrificing person she is or…" She trailed off, not sure she wanted to give her friend advice about the broken brunette.

Looking at his friend eagerly, "Or what?"

"You can fight for her." She told him simply.

Rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly, "She told you that huh?"

Nodding her head, "Yeah, I'm surprised that you didn't figure it out yourself." Shaking her head, "Especially with all of the fighting she's done for you."

Squinting his eyes as he looked as her, "How has she fought for me?"

Scoffing, "Really? Okay." Haley said before continuing. "One; she took you back even though she was scared. She was fighting her heart. Two; she apologized to you for Chris even though you technically weren't dating when it happened. She was fighting her pride. Three; she fought against Peyton."

"She never had to fight against Peyton." Lucas attempted to cut in but Haley wasn't having any of it.

"All you've ever done is undermine Brooke when it came to Peyton. The day you and Brooke got back together, you spent it with Peyton!" She exclaimed, still not being able to believe it but Haley was there for that day and saw first-hand how it affected Brooke.

"The school shooting you went after Peyton and left Brooke all alone." Haley reminded him. "Which astonishes me, at least Nathan had a reason to go into that school- me. I don't know why you went in there and to tell you the honest truth I don't want to know why."

"Last but not least, when Brooke asked you stay away from Peyton on my wedding. You couldn't even do one thing your girlfriend asked of you, no wonder she broke up with you!" Getting worked up as she realized that the blonde sitting across from her was completely clueless. "Honestly you're an asshole!" Haley said as she hit him on the arm with each word.

"Dammit Hales!" Lucas yelled out as he grabbed her wrists to stop her from hitting him. "I get it! I screwed up! I'm sorry!" He apologized as he slowly let go of her wrists, when he knew it would be safe.

"You're damn right- so go fix it." Haley ordered him, hoping this time she wouldn't have to watch the brunette fall to pieces again. "Or so help me, I'll give Nathan permission to kick your ass."

"I'll fix it, I promise." Lucas said as he leaned back onto the couch, getting lost in his own thoughts.

Shaking her head as she slapped his shoulder, "Now would be great!" She exclaimed.

"Right." Lucas said, shaking himself from his own stupor. Waving goodbye, he disappeared the same way the brunette had gone leaving the honey blonde to her thoughts.

Yet she only seemed to have one, "Dumb ass." She muttered into the silence of her apartment.


Hearing someone ring the doorbell, the confused blonde sets aside her notebook and heads down the stairs. Glancing through the peephole, befuddled as she opened the door.

The two standing in the door way, neither wanting to break the silence. "Do you wanna come in?" The blonde asked softly.

Shaking her head, "I won't be staying long." She said as she crossed her arms protectively over her body.

"Please don't hit me." Peyton joked, attempting to break the ice but failing.

"I won't make promises I can't keep." The brunette replied in a serious tone.

Taking a step back as the venom from the statement hit her. "Brooke, I'm sorry." She spoke softly, wanting more than anything for the two of them to get back to normal. "We can't go back to before can we?" The brooding blonde asked.

Staring at the girl in front of her who had been her best friend, her sister for more than ten years and suddenly she felt like she was looking at a stranger. It occurred to her in that very moment, that the angst ridden blonde had become just that- someone she used to know. "'Like before' is long gone Peyton." Her raspy voice confessed.

Seeing the brunette was pulling away from her, she began grasping for any ray of hope she could find. "Maybe we can be better?" Memories flooding back from the first time back in junior year when they were slowly patching things up, she hoped that this would turn into that again.

Already feeling exhausted she gave the blonde the words she wanted to hear even if she didn't mean them whole heartedly. "Maybe someday we can." She whispered before clearing her throat, remembering why she had come over here in the first place. "I just think that I need to focus on me."

Ignoring the confused look from the curly blonde she continued, "This whole situation didn't just break me; it almost killed me." Brooke confessed, realizing that Haley was right. She had been a shell of herself because she was scared to death. To just watch her world crashing down around her, losing the two people she loved most and not being able to do a damn thing about it. Just like it had happened to her before, this time she wouldn't just idly stand around and let it happen.

Feeling her heart clench as she began to finally see the pain she had put her best friend through, "Brooke…" She said brokenly as the tears began to form in her eyes. Bringing up her hand, she began to reach out towards her best friend longingly.

Taking a small step back to avoid having the blonde touch her, she wrapped her arms tighter around her own body. "Just don't touch me." She whispered, yet Peyton could hear her voice cracking and it broke her heart to see what her bubbly best friend had become.

Licking her lips, "I'm leaving in two days to spend time with my mom." She shared. "I called and actually got her to listen to me. It only took a broken heart to get my mother's attention." Shaking her head as she recognized that once again she was veering off course from why she came to talk to Peyton. "She thinks I need to get away from Tree Hill, Lucas, and you. Honestly I couldn't agree with her more."

"I am sorry Brooke." Sincerity laced through her tone as a few stray tears rolled down her cheeks. "I didn't think that my love for him would hurt you. I just wanted to be honest with you." Peyton said, all the while knowing that nothing she could say could rectify the situation.

A bitter laugh escaped the brunette's lip, "That's the thing Peyton. You didn't think." Anger rising with each word she spoke. "You didn't think about anything other than your selfish self. You didn't think about how this would affect me." Tears forming in her eyes as her voice began cracking because the tightness she felt in her throat. "I needed my best friend to see how happy and in love I was. I needed her to think how this would affect me-" Cutting herself off as she let out a shaky breath.

Squeezing her eyes shut as she tried to gain control of her emotions but knew it was a lost cause. "I'm gonna go before I say anything I can't take back." Looking at the blonde, waiting for her to say anything to fix the situation but she knew that Peyton wouldn't. "Bye P. Sawyer. Maybe I'll see you around." Turning around, she skipped the last two steps on that led off the porch and ran to her car. She needed to get away from her. Away from Peyton, the one girl that was her family. Away from Peyton's house, that was like her own home throughout her childhood when she didn't want to go back to her own empty house. Away from Tree Hill, her home that had turned into her very own hell. She just needed to get away from everything.


Stopping outside the entrance of the room he took in the appearance of the walls. Covered in art through the last couple years, telling her story along with his and the brunette's. Letting out a sigh, he knocked softly on the door careful not to startle the curly blonde.

"Hey." She said with a smile as she tore her attention away from the drawing that lay in her lap. "What are you doing here?"

"We need to talk." Lucas said, knowing that it would be better to get it out in the open.

Furrowing her eyebrows together, "Um, sure. About what?" She questioned, attempting to hide the giddiness she felt hoping that he was going to explain what the kiss meant.

"I care about you Peyton, you know that right?" He said as he took a seat on the chair across from the bed, figuring it'd be safest to keep his distance from her.

Nodding her head, "I care you about you too Lucas." She returned with a smile on her face that could blind anyone.

Rubbing his hands along his jean covered thighs, "I need to ask you a question and I need you to be honest with me." Seeing her nod he continued, "Did you tell Brooke you were in love with me?"

Suddenly her eyes went wide, looking like she was a deer caught in the headlights. "Yes." She muttered softly, knowing that if she dug herself in any deeper it would only get worse. Peyton also hoped that if she was honest, that he would confess his undying love for her and they could finally be together.

After a few moments of taking in her answer, "Why?" He questioned, trying to understand why someone would tell their best friend something that they knew would destroy their friendship, a ten year friendship at that.

Taking a moment to pause and thinking of how she should word this so he would finally see that the two of them were meant to be together. "We're meant to be together and she was in the way." Being blunt had gotten her this far, so why not keep it up.

Looking at her in utter disbelief, this couldn't be the same girl that he used to fawn over. This girl before him was selfish and vicious, her actions were making him wonder what he ever saw in her. "We don't belong together. I know that for a fact." The brooding writing said with a conviction it rocked the angsty cheerleader to her core.

Obviously she was wrong and that's what hurt the most. She could never get it right. "What makes you say that?" Peyton questioned as she got off her bed and made her way over towards him.

"Because my heart doesn't race when I look at you. A smile doesn't come across my lips when I hear your voice, and because I don't miss you when you're not next to me Peyton." Lucas responded.

Feeling like she had just gotten punched in the gut, "And who makes you feel that way?" She asked in a hurt tone.

"Brooke." He answered, so effortlessly the curly blonde could feel her heart break knowing that they would never be together.

"What makes you so sure that you should be with her?" She was grasping straws now, but she had to try.

"Because, people that are meant to be together always find their way in the end." Lucas shared, knowing in his heart that Brooke Davis was it for him.

Watching the expression on his face, Peyton knew that he was going to get back with Brooke whether she helped or not.

"You didn't think about anything other than your selfish self." Brooke's words ran through the blonde's thoughts.The brunette was right, she was selfish and needed to start putting other before herself. Letting out a shaky breath, "She's leaving." Peyton shared softly.

His head snapped in her direction as the words brought him out of her thoughts. "What?"

"She stopped by earlier, I guess to say good bye." Peyton told him. "She called her mom and she's leaving for good."

"I have to go Peyton." Lucas said as he started backing out of her room as he watched her nod in understanding.


Tires screeching as he slammed on the breaks, flinging open the door he climbed out of the car before slamming it closed. Racing up the steps, he began banging on the door to get someone to open the door.

"Brooke! Open up!" He yelled as he saw the downstairs lights flip on. Holding onto the door frame as he listened to someone unlock the door and open it.

Seeing the brunette in front of him, he took in her appearance. The gray hoodie that had Keith's Auto Body written on the back that he had given her to keep along with a pair of gray sweatpants. Her hair a slight mess, showing that he had woken her up but he needed to talk to her. "Did you think I wouldn't notice you were gone?" He asked.

Rubbing her eyes tiredly, "Lucas please don't do this now. I'm tired and I still have a lot of packing to do. Haley keeps calling me in attempts to change my mind, so can you come back tomorrow?" She suggested. All she wanted to do was sleep for a little bit.

"Were you going to say good bye?" He questioning and that pissed the brunette off. To accuse her of leaving without a good bye- that was something that he was familiar with.

Shaking her head, she left the doorway and disappeared down a hallway leaving the blonde in a confused state whether he should follow her or not. His unasked questioned was answered when she reappeared with something in her hand.

Holding out a white envelope towards her ex-boyfriend, "Writing is our thing." She told him with a small shrug. "Everything you want to know is in that letter." Expecting him to leave, she placed her hand on the edge of the door preparing to close it.

"Brooke-" He began.

"I never thought I'd get sick of my own name." The brunette stated as she slumped against the door and looked at the brooding blonde expectantly.

"Save yourself- because even though we're not together. That doesn't mean I'm not still in love with you." Lucas told Brooke, verbatim.

Her eyes opening wider in realization, she quickly reacted and slammed the door in his face out of fear and shock. He had heard her? He wasn't even awake, he wasn't supposed to hear her. Well of course she needed to tell him but that was besides the point.

Attempting to hide his smile, "Brooke." He began gently knocking on the door. "Open up."

Leaning against the door she squeezed her eyes shut, "No, you need to go away." Her voice cracking on the last word.

"Pretty girl..." He coaxed. "Open the door."

"Lucas- just don't." Brooke stated, attempting to keep her voice even.

Tapping on the door lightly with two of his knuckles, "Just let me in." He told her softly from the other side of the door. "Please."

"Why won't you ever just let me all the way in?"

Brooke was immediately thrown back to the argument they had at the wedding. Maybe it was the tone of his voice or maybe the words he had spoken that brought back that memory or maybe she was just weak.

She opened the door.

Looking up as he watched the door open, "Hi." He says softly.

Remaining quiet as she watched his movements. As he slowly began moving towards her, red flags immediately went up as the brunette attempted to move. Yet she found her legs didn't want to listen to her brain as they remained rooted to the same spot she was standing in.

Gently raising his right hand up towards her face, he cupped her cheek. Feeling his heart burst with happiness as he watched her lean into his palm. "I miss you." He says softly while taking another step closer to her, causing their breath to intermingle.

Looking up into those baby blue orbs, those same eyes that enabled her to lie and that could melt her heart. "I miss you too." She confessed- well more croaked out.

Stroking her cheek gently with the pad of his thumb, "Don't leave me."

Tears forming in her eyes as she continued looking up at him, "Lucas," She gasped out noticing how close he was. "We broke up." The brunette reminded him as she tried to stop him from continuing whatever he was doing. "It didn't work."

Shaking his head in disagreement, "But we aren't over." Looking into her eyes as he leaned in even closer. "Never over." He stated softly with a hint of determination clear in his voice. Wrapping his arm around his waist he pulled her closer as he gently pressed his lips against her.

Sighing into the kiss, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Running her fingers up through his blonde locks as she deepened the kiss. "I love you." She mumbled into the kiss.

Smiling against her lips, "I love you." Lacing his fingers through his hair, he turned her body so her back was against the door.

Neither of them feeling before the complete and utter happiness along with love that felt in this moment.

END


A/N: I know another story, but it's just a one shot that came to me randomly and it's complete. I needed my BL fix. If you want more let me know, I have a couple more ideas just for this story if so but it will be complete as of three parts. Reviews are welcome.