I'm new at this whole thing, so be nice people. This story takes place after season 5, but without the phone call from Lindsay and the marriage proposal. Though I am interested as to what will happen, it just doesn't fit here. Oh and the title of this story is a song from the movie Moulin Rouge, but the story is not in any way related to it. Listen to the song, it's beautiful.
Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill. Actually, the only thing I own is a piggy bank full of pennies. Anyway, sorry, I talk too much. Go on.
Come What May
Chapter 1: Time Stands Still
You thrown in all directions
You epitome of perfection
Brooke Davis stands under the doorframe, still in her flannel pyjamas from the night before. Her hair is messy, tousled and twisted in different directions since she couldn't sleep well last night. The bags under her eyes are the result of her lack of sleep. Her nose red and from the rashes on her nose, it was obvious it was because she was up all night blowing her nose.
Opposite of her, are Lucas, Nathan, Haley and Peyton. Lucas and Nathan are sporting the usual jeans and polo. Peyton casually dressed in jeans and a black tank top. Haley in her summers dress. The way they all look could not compare to that of Brooke's.
Lucas chuckles slightly at the sight of Brooke, but he isn't making fun of her. Actually, it amazed him that even in pyjamas, messy hair, and red nose she still looked as stunning as ever. But he didn't want to voice that out loud.
"You look awful," he said instead.
"Ahh, that's what every girl wants to here the first thing in the morning," she replied sarcastically and somehow energetically. For someone sick, she sure had a lot of energy.
Lucas noticed that as he chuckled still fascinated that she could still be so cheery. "I didn't mean it like that. I meant your condition, you know, because it looks like you're sick. But you look great. I would not have known you were sick if it wasn't for your red nose, not that you look like Rudolph 'cause you don't."
"I get it," Brooke stopped him from his ranting. "You know, I'm usually the one who talks a lot." Nathan, Haley and Peyton had to agree with Brooke, Lucas never rants.
Lucas smiles, but stays quiet not knowing why he was suddenly ranting in front of Brooke. He was always cool and calm, never at a loss for words. Well, with the exception of Brooke, he is never at a loss for words.
Finally realizing that Nathan, Haley and Peyton are in the room too, she asked, "Not that seeing you guys the first thing in the morning isn't great, but what are you doing here?"
"You don't remember?" Nathan asks in disbelief.
"I—uh..," Brooke stutters, trying to think of why they were here.
"We're going to have brunch." Peyton tried to refresh her memory.
"Yeah, all five of us, we never hang out anymore," Haley whined.
"Oh my god, I totally forgot. Let me get ready." Brooke started walking towards her room but Lucas stopped her.
"Nu-uh, you are not going out when you are as sick as you are," he shook his head. He turned to Haley, Nathan and Peyton and continued, "Sorry guys, I think we have to reschedule."
Haley being as protective as she is agreed with Lucas, "Yeah, he's right."
"No! I'm fine," Brooke protests, "I'm not sick, just the sniffles." Just then she sneezes and coughs trying to clear her through of phlegm. Before anyone could reply she surrenders. "Fine, I'll stay at home…bored," she adds.
"We could still stay, right?" Lucas asks the rest of them, not wanting to leave Brooke all by herself. They all nodded in agreement and in unison.
Nathan turned to Haley and said, "I can't believe you woke me up at 6 o'clock in the morning just to have breakfast at half past 11." But he quickly regretts saying so when Haley slapped his shoulders, leaving him groaning in pain. As soon as Haley hears Nathan whimper, she walks up to him and kisses him on the cheeks, then on the lips.
Peyton looks at Nathan and Haley, she wants what they have. Then, she looks at Lucas. She wants that with Lucas.
Lucas looks at Nathan and Haley, he wants what they have. He looks around. But he doesn't know who he wants it with. Not yet.
Brooke looks at Nathan and Haley, she wants what they have. She looks in her heart. She knew who she wants that with. But she pushes that thought aside. With a sigh, she puts on a brave front and says, "I'm just going to go change in something less…pink and fuzzy," pointing to her pyjamas and fuzzy slippers.
Brooke's words broke Peyton's train of thought. "Yeah that would be great," she agrees
The four waits for Brooke to get changed into something more comfortable. And knowing Brooke, they know it would take her awhile. Keeping that in mind, they start preparing food so that when she comes back they would just have to eat.
More than half an hour later, Brooke comes out in a white top with subtle but intricate details on the sleeve and a flowy orange skirt with floral patters. It's simple, clean but still uniquely her. But on her right hand she clutches on a box of tissue, just in case she needs it. Simply, those made Lucas stop in his tracks. Still carrying a plate of pasta, he stares at her in amazement. He whistled jokingly trying to hide his awe.
But that didn't go unnoticed to Peyton who's watching Lucas' every move. But she ignores it because she knows they are just friends.
Brooke smiles whilst making her way to the table they are all sitting at. Peyton is seated next to Lucas and since there's a vacant chair beside him, she figures that is where she is supposed to be seated. Opposite to Lucas and Peyton are Nathan and Haley.
As she made her way to her seat, she spoke, "Did I really agree to having brunch with you guys? I mean who has brunches anymore? The queen? I don't even think she has that anymore. What, are we having tea and biscuits?' She jokes, saying that last part in a British accent. Or at least an attempt at a British accent.
"It was Haley's idea," they all say in unity.
Their brunch comes to an end. And it ends with a smile on each of their faces. They talked about everything, high school, basketball, Jamie, Dan, love and heartbreak, but in the end they all manage to laugh things off.
They all start heading for the door and bid their goodbyes to Brooke until their next scheduled "brunch". Lucas notices that Brooke has sadness in her eyes, she hates being alone, but she couldn't ask Peyton to stay at home with, she has work to do. So do the rest of them.
Brooke sees Lucas mumble something to Nathan and Nathan nods his head. She was confused by this, especially more when Lucas takes a step back and turned to her.
"Is it okay if I stay?" Lucas' question takes her by surprise. After all this time, he could still read her like a book. She doesn't know if that was good or bad, but in this case, it's a good thing.
"I could use the company," she says trying to sound nonchalant as opposed to excited.
Peyton looks back and forth between Lucas and Brooke. She's confused to say the least, but she convinced herself that Lucas was just staying to help Brooke because that's the kind of guy he is, a hero. She convinces herself that that was it, nothing more. Because she know, that Lucas loves her, no one else. Lindsay didn't marry him because she too, knows he loves her. She was the comet in hi book. She knew that. Lindsay knew that. Haley knew that. Nathan knew that. Lucas knew that. Brooke knew that.
That's what hurts Brooke the most, knowing that no matter how much she loves Lucas, she will never be the one. The girl for him. The comet. The person he wants most when his dreams come true. But again, she has to put that aside for Peyton and Lucas' happiness.
As Haley, Nathan and Peyton leave Brooke and Lucas start heading for the living room. Looking around the living room, he notices her sketch boards everywhere filled with her designs. He is so proud of Brooke for everything she's accomplished.
Brooke notices that Luke has been looking around her living room and clears her throat. With that, Lucas snaps out of his trance and with a nervous chuckle says, "And then there were two."
"Ugh, Lucas I don't want to watch basketball!" Brooke complains
"Too bad, there's nothing else good on TV. And no, please don't suggest The O.C. or The Hills," Lucas replies.
"Fine…how about Gilmore Girls?" she asks even though she knows he would disagree still.
"No!"
"But I'm sick!"
"Exactly, you aren't even supposed to be watching TV," Lucas retorts.
"Then what do you suggest I do?"
"Sleep."
"Ugh, you're no fun. Sleep is boring."
"Then I guess we're watching basketball on ESPN."
"I don't want to."
"Why? That's all you did in high school."
"See, that's where you are wrong. I was watching your cute little ass play"
"Aww, you think I have a cute ass."
"So? You think I have nice boobs."
"I'm not going to argue with that." With that said, she sends a pillow flying, hitting him square in the stomach. "You are such a pig."
"You still loved me in high school."
Loved. Past tense. Does he not remember her telling him she would always love him? But she wouldn't say those things out loud. No, she's learned to put all those things aside. Instead she decides to go along. "But not because you're such a pig."
"So why did you?" he asks before he can even stop himself. He knew he crossed the line from the moment the words escaped his lips. He doesn't give her the chance to reply, knowing she wouldn't want to anyway and also because he's afraid of what she'll say. Instead, he reaches for the remote controller and changes the channel. "There, Gilmore Girls."
She's internally thankful that he changed the subject. Not wanting to make things awkward she squeals in excitement.
"Okay, so explain to me what's going on," he says confused by what's happening on TV.
"Okay, that's Lorelai and Christopher. They're married," Brooke explains as she points to the couple on TV.
"Oh how cute," Lucas says sarcastically. The thought of them being married reminds him that he could have had a marriage with Lindsay. But maybe Lindsay was right in telling him that his heart wasn't all in it. He snaps out of his trance and focuses back on TV. "If they are married, then what is she doing with him? They look cute. Like a family," he points to the scene when Lorelai steps out of the store and bumps to a man.
"That's Luke," she points to the man on the screen then looks in his eyes and continues, "they were once engaged, but they broke up," she says trying to make things clear for the very confused Lucas.
"Why?" he asks suddenly intrigued by the show.
Brooke was looking for ways to summarize why they broke up. She goes over what she was going to say, and it hit too close to home. "He had some personal stuff going on, without realizing it he shut her out of it. He didn't let him in. He didn't fight for her."
By now, he knows she isn't just talking about the Luke on Gilmore Girls, she was talking about the Luke in her life. But still, he wanted to know more. "I bet he still loves her."
"Yeah, he does and she still loves him," she says, this time looking at the television instead of his eyes.
The thought of marrying someone while still in love with another bothered Lucas. "Wait, if he loves her, then why did she marry Christopher?"
"What I think is that Christopher is kinda like her safety net, you know?"
"What happens in the end?" he asks trying to look in her eyes.
Brooke turns around and faces him, now they are looking in each other's eyes. "He does something extra ordinary for her. She forgives him and they end up together."
"Good," he simply states. Somehow Lucas is more revealed that Luke and Lorelai end up together than he should be, it's just a show. But not to him, and he thinks not to Brooke either.
They turn back their attention to the show just when Christopher enters the scene. "Ugh, I don't like him already," Lucas says.
With that, Brooke chuckles. Both their eyes still glued on the TV, but both thinking the same thing, and they don't even know it. Lucas didn't let Broke in or fought for her enough, just like Luke in Gilmore Girls. Lucas went to Peyton, just as Lorelai went to Christopher for safety and comfort when Brooke broke up with Lucas and Lorelai to Luke. Lorelai and Luke both different in personality, but two hearts of one, just as Lucas and Brooke. But neither of them realizes it.
He looks back at her, and in her eyes he can see sympathy, no, not just sympathy, but empathy towards Luke and Lorelai's failed relationship. He knows he's the reason that Brooke could relate to Lorelai, Luke and Christopher tangled relationship and he hates himself for that.
The way we are, the way we were
(It's just a shadow of what's wrong)
The time with you, the time is stirred
(I love you for, so long)
The hearts they turn, they turn away
(she says to go please don't you cry)
Love lost was found, night turns to day
At the end of the episode they turn to face each other. They look at each others' eyes once more. But Lucas is the first one to speak, "Let's get you to bed. You need to rest for awhile."
"Luuke," Brooke whines
"Brooke," Lucas says sternly.
"But it's only 4 o'clock in the afternoon," she tries to reason with him.
"You are sick and you need the rest and I am here to take care of you," it doesn't work.
"I'm not weak, you know."
"I know. You are brilliant, beautiful and brave. But brilliant, beautiful and brave people need rests too."
"Ugh, I hate that you have such a way with words." No, she doesn't. She loves that about him, in fact.
"Now off to bed you go, Princess. I'll wake you up when dinner is ready"
She sighs in defeat and headed towards her room, but before going in she shouts, "I hate you," knowing Lucas could still hear her.
Lucas smiles because he knows she doesn't mean it and says, "I love you more."
Before going to bed, she changes her skirt to her pyjama pants for they are more comfortable to sleep in. Just as she lies on her bed, the rain pours hard against the window and the sound of thunder made her sit up. She calls out for Lucas, but he is already on his way to her.
Lucas hears the roaring sound of the thunder and quickly makes his way to Brooke's room. He knows that she is strong and independent, but everyone has fears. For Brooke, it's the thunder.
He enters the room and sees her sitting on her bed hugging her knees. After all these years, she still was the same Brooke Davis in high school, scared, but brave. "Hey," that's all he says and he's already by her side.
Already feeling much safer, she slides into her bed again. She watches as Lucas stares at everything but her. She knows that he doesn't know whether he should leave or stay. Truth is, she doesn't know either. "Lucas," she says and pats on her bedside, motioning him to come in. Within seconds Lucas is under the covers just as Brooke had done.
Another thunder bolt fills the room and Brooke winces at the sound. Without thinking, and without hesitation, Lucas wraps his arms around Brooke body protectively. He felt Brooke's body go from tense and stiff to calm and relaxed. He doesn't want to let go of her. He wants to stay there and save her like he promised he would so long ago.
He still has an affect on her. After all those years, he can still make her feel safe. He still makes her feel that as long as she is in his arms she's protected from the thunder, lightning, protected from it all.
"Say something, it'll take your mind off of the thunder," Lucas suggests.
Brooke thinks of what to say, but when she's thought of it she hesitates. After a few seconds she's mustered the confidence to say it, " Sometimes I wonder if Owen had been right."
"Right in what?" he asks even though he already knows the answer. He just wants her to let it all out.
"Right in saying that I was being selfish for wanting to adopt. In wanting Angie. Maybe I just wanted to fill the void in my heart. Maybe I was just using Angie."
"No, Brooke. Don't, for a second, ever think that. I know for a fact that was not why you took Angie in."
"Oh yeah? And how do you know that?" she challenges him.
"Oh yeah." he states, "I know that because you have a heart of gold. Never once in my life have you shown an act of selfishness."
"Then why do you think I adopted her if I don't just want what I want?" she asked, saying the last part in mocking tone towards what Owen had told her.
"Because you don't want anyone to experience what you did. You don't want anyone to be isolated by their parents. You want to adopt because you want children to feel loved the way you didn't by your parents," he says all the while looking intently in her eyes.
"Thank you. I really needed that."
"I told you you'd change the world one day and you don't even know it."
She smiles and buries her head on his chest and she can feel him tighten his grasp around her. She doesn't want him to let go. She wants to stay there, away from it all.
"You are so hot," Lucas says realization hitting him.
"What?!" Brooke replies in disbelief. She moves her head away from his chest, but she can't get away from his strong grip on her.
He chuckles realizing how his words must have sounded to her. "I didn't mean it like that. I meant your temperature because you are sick."
"Ohh," she lets out, embarrassed that she would even think such a thing.
"You're beautiful, not hot."
She smiles not knowing how to reply to what he said. She remembers all the times he's called her his "Pretty Girl". Oh how she longs for those days.
"I'm going to get you some Advil or something," he says changing the subject.
"No!" she protests, "Don't leave me alone."
"I'm not going to leave you alone. I'll be back in a jiffy." She nods her head and he takes this as a sign that it's okay to move. Before he's out the door he hears her voice.
"Who uses the word "jiffy" anymore?" Brooke asks, fascinate by his choice of words.
"The same people who have brunches," he grins.
The song I used in here is Time Stands Still by All American Rejects. Hope you liked it. Please review, that would be greatly appreciated. And if I do get some comments, I will post the next chapter which I have already written in which many things will become clearer.