" Sam! Hey Sam!" Julian yelled. The teen turned around, seen who was talking to her and instantly took off running. "Shit!"

As he ran after her he wondered why he even cared. His welcome to Tree Hill had him almost contemplating ditching the whole "Ravens" movie. He had thought something good might have came out of it. So far it had earned him a punch in the face, his heart felt like it was ripped from his chest every time he seen Lucas and Peyton together, and for once in his life his handsome face and clever wit had been a downfall in dealing with the people here.

As he caught up with her, he placed his hand on her shoulder. She turned around to face him.

"What? I suppose Brooke told you, huh? How I hurt her? How I got her hurt?" she cried. "How I am a monster?"

The tears in her eyes tugged at his heart. The pain she was feeling was so raw and jagged she looked ill. Before he could even rationalize he had pulled her into a hug. The tears came harder and faster and her body shook from her sobs.

"SH….Sam…Shhhh. It's ok," he said not knowing if it was going to be ok or if he should even care if it was.

"How….how is..shhh…how is Brooke?" she asked between sobs.

"She's going crazy kid…crazy looking for you! It's been three weeks!" he said wiping her tears. "Somehow you put me on her good side though."

She looked up into his eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Well since I started looking for you with her, she agreed that if we find you she will make my clothes," he smiled trying to lighten the tension.

"Oh," she said hurt showing in her eyes.

"She really misses you Sam. She told me what happened. She doesn't blame you," he lifted her chin as she tried to pull away. "She doesn't. She wants you back Sam. She hasn't smiled since you left."

Sam wondered how that could be true. Brooke was always so positive, so beautiful and perfect. She didn't know how she could even care about Sam. It's not like anyone else ever had.

"Will you go with me?...To see her?" Julian asked.

Sam looked at him and realized she didn't have a choice. She had to tell Brooke one more time she was sorry. She had to try to make it right somehow.

…

"How about Shane?" Peyton Sawyer asked.

"Shane? That sounds like some hero in one of those mushy dime store novels! Or a puppy," Lucas laughed. "How about William?"

Peyton rolled her eyes. "That's too normal!"

"Normal? Well heaven forbid our child be normal," he laughed. He kissed her on the cheek and pulled her down next to him on the couch.

"Ok, how about Benjamin?"

"Hmmm…" he kissed her neck.

"Lucas Scott I am talking to you and you are not even listening!" she giggled.

"Mmmm…Peyton you are beautiful. I never thought I would be this happy. We are going to have a baby, we are getting married next week," he laughed. "Well thanks to said baby."

Peyton grinned, "Lucas you know I would have married you when ever, and where ever you choose! The baby just means that we need to get on with it beings I don't want to be huge when we say our vows. Or…when we have our honeymoon!"

She kissed him and he laughed. It seemed like for once in his life, things were going smoothly.

…

"I don't know Hales, maybe she wasn't happy with me after all," Brooke sighed. "Its been three weeks and nothing! She has to know I am going crazy trying to find her!"

"Brooke, you more than anyone should now how she is feeling, she's scared. She feels like she is all alone and she hurt the one person who cared most about her," Haley said hugging her friend. "She ran away because she doesn't think you care enough to keep her, not after the pain she caused."

"What am I going to do? No one has seen her. No one! Not even that scruffy looking friend of hers, Jack. Well besides the night she left. Who knows maybe he is lying to the police? Do you think? Where else could she…"Brookes words trailed off as the bells over the Clothes over Bro's door jingled.

"Sam?!" Brooke raced to where the teen stood, crying. Her arms went around her and both started crying.

"Brooke…I am so…sorry" Sam cried.

"Sh…Sam…I am sorry! I never should have let you go!" Brooke shut her eyes and hugged the young girl like she would never let her go. "I love you, Sam! Please tell me you know that?"

Sam looked into Brookes eyes seeing the truth clearly. "How can you love me, Brooke? I…I caused you to get…he…"

"Sam! It doesn't matter! I love you! Oh, please promise me you will never run away again! Please!"

"I promise," Sam whispered looking at Brookes tear stained face. Her eyes had dark circles under them and she looked almost sickly. Sam wondered if she had caused more pain by staying away than she would have if she had came back weeks earlier. Then Brooke took her into her arms again.

"Oh, Sam, I am so glad you are back, and safe, and" Brooke started when she heard a gentle cough from behind Sam. Julian stood grinning and nodded his head when he seen the question in Brookes eyes.

"Julian? You…"Brooke started. Then before she could stop herself she rushed to him and wrapped her arms around him and gently kissed his lips. "Thank you for bringing her back."

She quickly went back to Sam, hugging her and crying softly.

Julian watched with surprise. He put his hands to his lips gently, smiling. Maybe there was something good that could come out of his being in tree hill.