A/N: After realizing that ISBY wasn't becoming a story I first enjoyed writing, I felt that I had to start over. I made several changes that I feel will work better for the story. Hope you love the changes as much as I do. Please read and review. And I like to thank my awesome beta: Leeese!

Disclaimer: Only own my characters

Chapter One

All Work, No Play

Lucas Scott was extremely busy attending to his customers when he saw that Haley had entered the café. He sighed in relief to see that he finally had some help, but he could tell that she wasn't happy to see him. He couldn't blame her since this wasn't the first time that he had asked her to do this favor for him. He waited patiently to see if she would acknowledge him.

She didn't until she was behind the counter. She then looked at him angrily as she spoke. "Lucas, you know I love you and I love the café, but I can't keep doing this. I have other things to do besides take care of the café all the time."

Lucas nodded understandingly. "I know. You have your students."

"I don't understand why you don't just hire another waitress while your mom is out of town," Haley said with a sigh. "You know she wouldn't mind if you do. And I'm sure that there are plenty of people looking for work."

"I don't want to just hire anybody. After all, it's the family café," Lucas replied seriously as he frowned slightly. "And how do we know that this person won't try to steal our secret recipes and give them to a rival café or something?"

Haley tried not to laugh. "Luke, it's more than obvious that you need more help with the café and I can't give it to you." Lucas didn't answer. "Look, if you are really worried about hiring another person, I'll help you out with it."

Lucas had to think for a moment. He realized that Haley was right. And he knew that he couldn't keep relying on her to help him out. He then let out a sigh before nodding. "Alright, but I have the final say in who we hire."

Haley agreed. "It's a deal." She then changed the subject. "So do you want me to pick up Maddie when I get Jamie from preschool this afternoon?"

Lucas nodded gratefully. "And do you think you can drop her off at her dance class and pick her up?" he asked her hopefully. "I think I'll be here until closing time."

"You wouldn't have to if you had another person to watch the café," Haley teased him before she went to attend to the customers.

Lucas just shook his head in annoyance as he watched her go. She knew that he was serious about the café. He was in charge of it while his mother was out of town. He didn't want anybody to ruin it. Yet, he knew that she was right about him needing help.

He soon got distracted as more customers came in. As usual, he didn't have a chance to take a breath until lunch. He started to clean up the last table when he heard the entrance open. "Excuse me, are you Lucas Scott?" asked an unfamiliar voice.

Lucas looked up and turned to see a young woman standing there. "Yes, may I help you?" he asked her.

"I'm here to apply for the waitress's position," the young woman replied. Lucas gave her a confused look. She got a hesitant look on her face as she asked, "It's still open, right?"

Lucas nodded. "Yes, but I don't understand. We haven't even put an ad out in the paper yet. How did you find out about it so soon?" he asked her curious. He then answered his own question as he turned to Haley, who was across the room. She had a guilty look on her face as Lucas gave her a look. "Would you excuse me for one second?" he asked the newcomer. He didn't wait for a response. Instead, he walked over to Haley and grabbed her arm. He gently pulled her into the backroom and looked at her. "You planned this, didn't you?"

Haley gave him a look. "Well, I had to do something. And I thought I could help out a friend who needs a job."

"I know all of your friends. How come I never met her before?" Lucas asked her with a confused frown.

"Because she just moved here a week or so ago," Haley replied. Lucas wasn't convinced. She continued to try and persuade him. "Look, all you have to do is give her a trial run and see how she works out. I know she won't disappoint." Lucas let out another sigh. "Want me to do the interview?"

"No, I'm the boss while my mom's gone. I'll do it," Lucas replied as he started to head back out when he stopped. He turned back to Haley and looked her into the eye as he asked, "You trust her, right?" Haley nodded. He then walked out of the backroom and back over to the young brunette woman. He gestured for her to take a seat at the counter. She smiled as she took a seat and he went behind the counter. He smiled politely in response as he said, "Now I didn't quite catch your name before. What is your name?"

"I'm Brooke Davis-Baker," she replied before she quickly corrected herself. "Actually, it's just Davis."

Lucas looked at her sympathetically and softly said, "I'm sorry."

Brooke looked at him before realizing what he meant. "No, I'm not a widow. I'm just separated from my husband."

Lucas nodded understandingly as he asked, "And you can't wait until that whole one-year separation policy is over with, right?"

Brooke nodded. "Yeah, but the problem is that we just started the separation. So I have awhile to go before I can file for divorce."

"Maybe you two will work out things by then," Lucas suggested. He didn't want to butt in her business, but he didn't want to see any couple separated or divorced. He knew too well how it felt to be alone.

"No offense, but I don't think so," Brooke said as she tried to think of an example. "I mean how would you feel if your wife cheated on you with her boss?"

Lucas nodded understandingly. "I know how you feel." He then quickly changed the subject. "So do you have a resume for me?" he asked her.

Brooke nodded as she turned to look in her bag. "I also have an application filled out," she told him as she pulled out two pieces of paper. She handed them over to Lucas and he then started to look them over.

Lucas didn't speak for a few moments as he read. "Well, I'm going to have to call your references and see what they have to say. But if everything works out, you'll be back to get started on your trial run."

Brooke smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Mr. Scott."

"You're welcome, Ms. Davis," Lucas replied as he smiled in return. "Since you aren't working quite yet, can I get you anything for lunch?"

"You don't have to do that. It's your lunch hour," Brooke told him. "And I actually already have lunch plans. I just came by to give you my application and resume. Haley said this was the best time to drop by."

Lucas nodded. "Alright. Well, I'll call you later to tell you if you have the position or not." They then exchanged good-byes before she left the café. He watched her climb in her car before she drove off.

"What are you doing?" Haley asked him curiously.

"I was just making sure that you didn't send anybody else," Lucas replied as he gave her a look.

"Actually, Brooke was my first and only choice," Haley said in response.

"I'm surprised she decided to pick this place when she could have picked somewhere that could have her as an intern or something," Lucas told her as he showed her the impressive resume. "Why here?"

"Maybe she wasn't aiming for a big career anymore," Haley suggested. "Maybe she wanted a job where she could work and be a mom too."

Lucas looked at her curious. "She's a mom?"

"Personally, it's none of my business. But she told me that she's pregnant with her estranged husband's child," Haley told him. Lucas was stunned. She knew what he was thinking. "Yeah, I had the same reaction."

Lucas didn't have a chance to respond as they heard Haley's cell-phone ringing. He laughed as he said, "It's ironic how Nathan calls during his lunch hour when he doesn't allow his students call or text during gym class. Or even after school at basketball practice."

"Whatever Luke," Haley replied before putting her phone to her ear. Lucas left her alone for some privacy and headed to the kitchen to make lunch for the two of them.

Hours later, it was finally closing time. Lucas was exhausted, but happy that the day was finally over. The café had been busy from the time lunch hour was over to just before closing time. He started to think that Haley was right. He really needed help with the café. He couldn't do it with the amount of staff members he had now. The café was a popular place to dine and it was hard to keep up with the orders.

He started to think about Ms. Davis and her situation. It wasn't too different from his own. He wanted to help her as much as he could. He just hoped that she wanted his help. He knew all about keeping his pride and not wanting to ask for help to take care of the child. However, he knew that he could use that to his advantage.

It wasn't long before he arrived in front of his house. He pulled up in the driveway before turning off the car. As he got out of the car, he could hear someone happily calling his name. He gave a wide smile as his daughter ran across the street and over to him. He could see that she had another drawing with her. He held out his arms and she ran into them. He hugged her tightly as Haley and Jamie came over. He then pulled her away. "Did you have fun in preschool today?" he asked her.

Maddie nodded as she opened the piece of paper and showed it to him. "I drew you a picture, Daddy," she replied proudly. The drawing consisted of two young children with yellow hair that clearly was supposed to representing blonde hair playing in the grass. "See, there's me and Jamie."

Lucas smiled fondly as he looked at her artwork. "That's great, Maddie. We'll have to put it on the fridge next to your other pictures." He didn't have a chance to say anything as the two Scott children ran into the house to put it on the fridge. He and Haley laughed as they watched them leave.

Before he could even speak, Haley spoke first. "Don't worry. I'm not going to bug you about the café anymore, at least for today," she told him with a smile. Lucas let out a little laugh. "I just came over to make sure Maddie got back to you safely."

"Thanks for watching her, Hales," Lucas said gratefully. He wondered what he would do without Haley's help.

Haley smiled. "It was no problem. You know I love having her over. And it helps that she and Jamie are best friends." Lucas nodded in agreement as the two children came back out. "Hey, are you ready to go?" she asked Jamie.

Jamie nodded and Haley held out her hand. Her son grabbed it eagerly. "Bye Maddie. Bye Uncle Lucas," he said as he and Haley headed back across the street to their house. "See you tomorrow."

"Bye," Lucas called before they headed back inside their own house. Lucas then shut the door. "I'd hate to say it, but it's almost bedtime for you," he told his daughter. He was met with a moan. "I know, but you need your beauty rest. And Daddy's tired himself."

"You're always tired," Maddie said with a small sigh.

"I know. But Daddy's been working very hard to make sure that Grandma's café is ok while she's gone," Lucas replied gently. "It won't be for much longer. I promise. I'm going to find someone to help out more so I can spend more time with you."

"How long?" Maddie asked.

"Hopefully, it won't be for much longer," Lucas replied. He then quickly changed the subject. "But for now, it's time to get ready for bed. So why don't you go upstairs and brush your teeth? I'll be upstairs in a few minutes to tuck you in."

Maddie nodded and hurried upstairs. Lucas let out a tired sigh as he headed to the kitchen. He went to the fridge and opened it. He pulled out the water pitcher and set it down on the counter. He then opened the cupboard and pulled out a small glass. He was about to pour the water in the glass when the phone rang. He walked over to the kitchen phone across the room and answered it. "Hello?" he asked in a weary tone.

"Hey, it's your mom. I thought you would be home by now. How are you? How's Maddie? How's the café?" she asked in a rush.

"We are both fine. We miss you. And as for the café, business has never been better," Lucas replied as he poured some water into the glass.

"Is it too much work for you? Because I don't mind if you hire another person to help you out," Karen said. Lucas was about to reply when his mother continued. "And yes, Haley told me about the situation."

"There is no situation," Lucas protested with a sigh. "But I am going to take Haley's advice and hire an extra person."

"That's good. Do you have anybody in mind?" she asked.

"Well, Haley recommended a friend of hers, Brooke Davis. She's new in town and is looking for a job," Lucas replied, keeping quiet about the pregnancy. "I only met her for a few moments, but she seems nice." Just then, he heard Maddie calling him. "Mom, I got to go. Maddie wants me."

"I better let you go then. Give her a hug and kiss for me," Karen told her son.

"I will," Lucas promised before they exchanged good-byes. He then hung up the phone and put it back on the receiver. He then put the water pitcher back in the fridge before heading upstairs with the glass.

He went down the hallway to his daughter's bedroom. Maddie was sitting propped up in bed with a book in her hand. They exchanged smiles as he walked over to her. He put the glass down on her nightstand before helping her snuggle under the covers with her favorite doll named Lucy. "Good night, my little princess. I love you," he said as he gave her a kiss and took the book from her.

She smiled as he used her special nickname. "I love you too, Daddy."

He then plugged in the night light in a corner of the room before turning out the lamp on the nightstand. He kissed his daughter again before putting the book on her bookshelf. He watched the nightlight bright up the room as he headed out of her bedroom. He quietly shut the door before letting out another tired sigh. He headed to his own bedroom as he made a mental note to call Ms. Davis's references first thing in the morning.