Hey... this story starts just right after Brooke walks in on Lucas and Peyton when they were in Honeygrove. Hope you like it. :

Chapter 1

I can't believe I walked into that, she thinks as she walks the opposite direction. She hates walking alone at night, but tonight is an exception. It gives her some time to think.

How did it all get to this? She continues walking not really having a destination in mind. For some odd reason, she ends up just outside of Chris's tour bus. Her first thought is just to continue walking, but when he finds her out there and is willing to just talk, somehow, she agrees.

"So, what's going on?" he says trying to break the silence that has been lingering for a few minutes since they sat down.

"Oh, you know typical high school drama," she responds then looks out at the dark moonlit sky.

"Come on, Chris Keller is listening."

"Wow, I'm surprised that you're not trying to sleep with me, like you always do."

"Well, that didn't work out the last time," he jokes.

"Don't remind me."

"Spill," he tries again.

"Well, for starters, I just walked in on my ex-boyfriend and former now again best friend. See where this is going?"

"Yea… I would love to have seen that," he says as he gets this dreamy look on his face.

She gives him a glare saying she doesn't need this now.

He gets the idea and raises his hands, "Alright, I get it. Too soon, sorry."

"I mean, I should be happy for them. I always knew they loved each other. Heck, I let him go for them to be together. So, what's the big surprise there, right? I don't know, I guess I've always secretly wished that we were meant for each other, you know? Like this is just a rock on the road and we will find a way back to each other again. But I guess not. I have a feeling that there's no hope for us anymore. I should just let go and try to move on," she says softly as a single tear rolls down her cheek.

"It will be ok. I just know it. You know, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I always thought that you and Lucas would end up together, still do actually."

"Really? What makes you think that?"

"I've always noticed a connection, a spark between you two. You may be completely different people, but in some weird way, you make each other whole. You have this special bond that no one will be able to replace."

"Wow… no one has ever said that before."

"I'm pretty sure everyone sees it except you two. Maybe, they're just don't want to say it out because they're afraid that they're gonna ruin it or something."

"Yea, well, it doesn't matter now. He's with Peyton now and they love each other. We're just friends," she says with a slight laugh.

"Don't give up hope. I still have faith in you guys."

"Thanks, but I doubt anything's going to happen again. He had his chance," she says as she turns away and looks out the window once more.

Lucas stays there lying on his back staring at the white ceiling. He's thinking of what just happened, but at the same time, he almost wishes that it didn't happen. Why did they have to walk in? I mean did you ever hear of knocking? But then again, it was Skillz room too. It doesn't' change the fact that it didn't happen. What am I supposed to do? I saw the hurt in her eyes. What does it mean? He tries to shake it out of his thoughts. He can't do this to Peyton. It isn't fair to her. I love her, I do. On the other hand, I love Brooke, too. I always have and I always will. How did everything be so screwed up?He tried to shake the thoughts away again, but he was unsuccessful. After a long time of trying not to think, somehow, sleep took over him.

The next morning…

He wakes up again. He opens his eyes and finds Peyton still asleep. She looks so peaceful.God, what did I do to deserve this? He decides that maybe taking a walk would help clear his mind.

Brooke steps out of the bus. She didn't really have that much sleep last night. There was too much on her mind. She looks up at the yellow sky as she sees the top of the bright sun rising. She continues walking and stops when she sees the gazebo. She heads over to it and takes a seat. She looks up at the sky again and thinks, How beautiful. Suddenly, a memory invades her mind.

Flashback

It is the morning after their return from the cabin. She had stayed over Lucas' thinking he still needs her. She wakes up first. While not wanting to wake him up, she slowly gets out of bed and steps outside. She finds herself sitting on the porch swing and sits down with her knees up and a blanket over her. She watches the sun as it rises into the blue sky. She hopes that everything will turn out alright. They've all been through a lot these past few days and hopes that they'll be able to move and get past it all. Is that too much to ask? She also wishes that Lucas would open up to her more. She wants to be able to be there for him, to help him through all that has happened. Her thoughts are interrupted by his bedroom door opening.

"Hey you," Lucas says as he steps out. He sits next to her and brings her towards him.

"Hi," she says as a smile forms on her face.

They stay in each other's arms savoring the moment.

After a while, Lucas speaks up, "What's going on in that pretty head of yours?"

"Just thinking about everything that has happened lately."

"Yea," he says and she notices a slight change in his voice.

"How are you holding up?" she asks looking up to him and hoping that he would open up.

"I'm going to be alright. I'm just worried about my mom."

"Like I said before, just give her time, Luke."

"Yea… but it still worries me, you know?"

"I know…You still didn't answer my question though. How are you?"

"I told you. I'll be fine."

"But it's me you're talking to, Luke."

He doesn't say anything at first. It's like he is contemplating whether or not he should tell her.

"Look, Luke, I know it's hard, but you got to talk to someone. You can't keep everything bottled up inside. You're going to drive yourself crazy. It may not be me, but please talk to someone."

He notices the sincerity in her voice, but he also sees her a little bit of hurt on her face.

"I just don't know what to say, Brooke."

"You can say whatever you want. I'm here."

"It's hard. I don't know what to do anymore. Keith is gone. My mom hasn't come out of her room since we came back. It's like I'm losing everyone."

"I know I always say this, but just give it time. There's nothing else to do. Everyone has to deal with what happened in their own way, in their own time. You can't help that. One thing you should know, you're not losing everyone. I'm here. Always. Nathan, Haley, Mouth, Skillz, and Peyton are here for you. We all are, especially me, I'm not going anywhere. You can't get rid of me that easily," she says smiling.

He smiles back and hugs her tightly. "I love you, you know that? So much."

"I know, I love you, too."

She turns to him and captures his lips. It was slow, but a passionate kiss.

They pull away after a few moments needing air to breathe.

"Thanks," he says.

"Anytime, Broody," she says as she snuggles into his chest. They stay like that just enjoying each other's presence.

End of Flashback

Brooke continues reminiscing a memory that will always be embedded in her mind. A single tear slips out, but she wipes it away with the back of her hand. She stares back up at the now bright sky wishing that somehow everything will work out and will be in its rightful place.

Lucas continues on walking just looking at the town called Honeygrove. It's a pretty small town, but it's so peaceful and serene. The people are nice and very hospitable. After a few more minutes of sightseeing, he spots a brunette sitting at the gazebo staring at the sky. Still, he admires just how beautiful she is. What went wrong? He never really knew the real reason why she broke up with him. He gave him reasons, but to him there was more than what she was letting on.

He takes a chance and heads towards the girl he once called his girlfriend. It seems like she doesn't even notice him as he takes a step closer. She's in too deep though that she doesn't realize him filling the empty seat next to her.

"What are you doing up this early?" His suspicions were confirmed as she jumps slightly.

What are you doing here, Lucas?" she looks at him for a second and averts her gaze to something else.

"I asked you first."

"I couldn't sleep. What's your excuse? From what I can tell, you seem to have a pretty good night." She tries to hide the hurt in her voice, but he picks it up anyway.

"Look, Brooke, I'm sorry you had to see that."

"There's nothing to be sorry about. You and Peyton are together. I wouldn't expect anything less." Once again, he notices the hurt in her voice.

"Right."

They stay in silence for a few moments until Lucas breaks it.

"Are you ok?"

"I'm fine."

"Come on, Brooke. I know you better than that."

"I guess the attack still gets to me," she lies. Well, technically it's not a lie. She still a little shaken up about that. Who wouldn't be? But that's a different thing.

"Yea, that was pretty intense. I'm sorry you had to go through that." He wishes that he would have been there… for both of them.

"Yea," she sighs.

"Come here," he says as he extends his arm and pulls her into a hug. He whispers, "It's going to be ok. You'll get through this. I know you. If you need anything, remember I'm always here for you, Pretty Girl."

She stays in his embrace savoring his touch. She takes in the scent that she loves.God, I miss him so much.

He pulls out of the hug and looks into her eyes. He pushes back a strand of hair and tucks it behind her ear.

"You'll be fine. I know it." He smiles and she returns it. For a moment, they are caught in each other's gaze.

"Well, I better head back before Peyton wakes up," he says breaking the connection.

"Yea." She turns away and looks down at her now swinging feet. Lucas gets up and starts heading back when Brooke calls him. "Hey, Luke."

He turns around. "Thanks," she says.

He nods and smiles back at her. With that, he turns back and heads back to his girlfriend and her best friend.