Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill and no copyright infringement is intended.

Since returning to her small hometown, Brooke Davis has made sure she is too busy for love… too busy to get hurt. But when Haley and Nathan need some time away and Aunt Brooke is asked to babysit Jamie and Lidia she enlists the help of her ex-boyfriend turned friend and her walls begin to crumble. Brucas. Set around season 5 or 6 (obviously a little lose with the time line as Lidia is already born, but Peyton and Lucas never happened and Brooke hasn't decided she wants a baby yet).

"You can't do this to me now!"

Haley lowered her voice and blinked shimmering eyes at her. "Brooke, I wouldn't ask if this wasn't really important. It could be make or break for us. I need this time with Nathan to sort out our marriage or we could be through."

"I get that, Haley. And I'm totally team Naley. But I can't look after them now." She glanced over at two small faces blinking at her from the doorway, guilt rising up in her throat like bile that they were have to hear her turn them away, rejecting them. "Maybe next weekend some time. I have this massive deal for my line and…"

"This is my life we're talking about! I can't lose him, Brooke. I really can't."

And now she was crying. Brooke couldn't take it when Haley cried. And she especially couldn't take it when it was happening in front of her God children. Even though technically their mother's back was to them. Brooke really couldn't put them through any of the stuff she remembered from her own childhood. It would be too cruel.

But surely it wasn't unreasonable to have asked for a little warning? A phone call to discuss it? A text message to say they were on their way over? Not a carload of them outside of her house when she got home from work…

"Haley…"

"Please. I'm begging you."

It had been a long time since Haley had actually asked her for anything. And seeing Haley so desperate now pulled at Brooke's heart. Her eyes moved to the two children. The eldest, Jamie, was looking at her with eyes the same colour as his uncles. He almost looked as if he was examining her, sizing her up. And even while she stood contemplating how to get out of looking after them she felt as if she was falling short of his expectations.

She took a long breath. "How long for?"

"Thank you!" Haley engulfed her in a swift, tight hug, her tears gone. "I knew I could rely on you."

Brooke scowled, suddenly feeling she'd just been hoodwinked. "They'll need…."

"They have everything they need right there. It's all pretty self-explanatory. And you can always call if you need anything."

She was still scowling while her friend became a hurricane around the room, hugging and kissing the children and moving towards the door. "We'll only be a few days. Nathan has booked some lovely country hideaway for us."

"How will I…?"

"Thanks, Brooke. You really are the best."

And she was gone.

Brooke blinked at the closed door. What had just happened? Not half an hour ago she'd had a bubble bath, scented candles and a glass of wine planned for her evening. Now she was staring at two small faces that looked as bewildered as she felt.

She pinned a bright smile on her face as she approached them. But it too about thirty seconds for Lydia to crumple.

"On, no, sweet girl. Don't do that."

Jamie shrugged. "So what's the plan, Aunt Brooke?"

And while she pounded her nephews question she reminded herself 'Haley is my best friend and I love her, and she owes me big time.'

Please read and review