Author: Fate Believer

Title: Look After You

Summary: A different version of episode 4x01. What if Lucas had been able to do something to change Brooke's mind?

Pairing: B/L N/H

Disclaimer: The characters and everything else associated with OTH do not belong to me. They belong to Mark Schwann and all the other incredible people who put out the show we love so much. If it were up to me, we wouldn't be suffering through a season of Leyton.

I knew the moment that Brooke opened the door to my bedroom that there was going to be trouble and it was going to be me that was in it. Peyton made her way to the door and stopped to stand beside Brooke who made a comment about Peyton hitting on me. It made no sense to me. Then Peyton directed her comment at me.

" Thanks for the sex. "

Brooke's jaw clenched and something inside me snapped. Peyton knew that Brooke was hurting over the revelation of our kiss in the library, so what the hell would possess her to say something like that in front of her?

" Knock it off, Peyton, " "I snapped, surprising all of us.

" Lucas, c'mon, I was just kidding.." Peyton stammered.

" Why the hell would that be funny, " I asked as I rose from my chair and crossed the room to where Brooke and Peyton stood.

" I wasn't trying to start anything, Luke…c'mon you know how me and Brooke are, " Peyton tried to explain, but I wasn't interested in that. What I was interested in was what Peyton had done or said to get my girlfriend to the point she wouldn't take my calls.

" Except you and Brooke aren't talking right now, and no one is going anywhere until I know why."

This time it was Brooke who was stammering. She seemed nervous and my pretty girl looked like she was caught a deer caught in the headlights.

" Really, Luke. It's not a big deal…we'll get over it eventually, " She said quickly.

" No. It is a big deal, Brooke, when whatever has you two at each other's throats affects our relationship. I've been trying to call you all day and you haven't returned any of my calls."

She was silent. I grabbed both girls by the arm and pulled them into the room, closing the door behind me. My arms folded across my chest and I stood in front of the door to block the door I had just closed.

I wanted answers and I was going to get them.

Silence filled my bedroom. Brooke was playing with her hands and Peyton was looking anywhere but at me.

"Pretty Girl don't make me turn this into a game of twenty questions, " I said to Brooke, giving her a slight smile. It wasn't returned.

" Sorry, Luke, but I'm not the one with the answers here. That'd be your precious Peyton, " Her voice had taken on that tone she got when she was annoyed.

" Okay, Brooke, will you stop calling her that? She's not my 'Precious Peyton'."

Brooke only snorted, something he'd only heard her do when she clearly didn't believe something.

" Alright, Peyt, spill it. What happened between you and Brooke " I turned my attention back to the blonde, who was shifting around nervously.

" You know what? I so don't need to be here for this, " Brooke made a move towards the door and he blocked her.

" Not so fast, Pretty Girl. Whatever it is that has you and Peyton mad at each other, well it seems like it has to do with me."

" Like I said, I'm not the one with the answers, but in the meantime, I'm out of here, " Brooke whirled around quickly darted to the other door and through it. I gave Peyton a look before heading out to catch her. She was almost to the front door when I grabbed her by the elbow and pulled her back.

" Brooke, " I said softly, pulling her close to me and brushing the back of my hand across her cheekbone. She let her guard down for a split second before her expression turned unreadable again.

" Lucas, I can't. You want to know why I'm so mad at Peyton? Let her tell you, but that doesn't mean I have to stick around to hear it, " Her voice cracked a little at the end and I tilted my head to the side, trying to figure out what was going on with her. Ever since I'd gotten back, she'd acted different, distant even.

" But I want you to be here, because whatever it is that Peyton did or said, it's affecting me and you and I want to know why, " I was on the verge of pleading.

" No, Lucas! I can't! God, you don't get it. I can't be here when Peyton tells you what she told me, because there's a good chance it's going to break me, okay? "

" Brooke-, " I didn't get to finish my sentence because she cut me off.

"Forget it, Luke. There's no way I'm staying here, " With that she pulled away from me and was out the door before I could stop her, slamming it shut behind her.

I decided to give her some time and went back to my bedroom, where Peyton sat nervously. I couldn't help but be annoyed at her, not just for her earlier comment to me, but because whatever problems I was having with my girlfriend seemed to be stemming from what Peyton said. I fixed my gaze on her and wasn't surprised when she wouldn't meet my eyes.

" So the other night, you and Brooke were fine. Now, she's acting like a scared animal. I know you know why, so you need to tell me why, " I managed to keep my voice neutral.

" Lucas, it's Brooke, who knows with her? Maybe she's just pmsing, " Peyton tried to tell me, but I could tell by the way she was acting she was lying.

" Not buying it, Peyt. What the hell did you say to her that made her the way that she is, " I knew she could tell I was irritated now, but somehow I didn't care. I just wanted to know why my girlfriend would barely talk to me. I assumed it was about the kiss, but Peyton obviously hadn't told her about that.

" Okay, fine. You want to know why Brooke is acting the way she is? It's because I told her I still had feelings for you, " Peyton finally answered. I was confused. She and I were friends, of course she still had feelings for me. My confusion must have been evident because she carried on.

" Feelings that went beyond friendship, " Peyton added quietly, finally meeting my eyes.

That explained the way Brooke had been acting. Wait, what?

" You told her what? Why would do that, Peyton? You know how insecure she is about us sometimes, so what would make you tell her something like that? Were you trying to hurt her, " I asked disbelievingly.

" No! I just thought…" Peyton trailed off.

" You just thought what? That she'd be okay with that? You're her best friend, supposed to know her better than anyone, you knew this would hurt her and you did it anyway, " I had never once yelled at Peyton, but knowing that she had hurt Brooke, I didn't care.

" Luke, you know I'd never want to hurt Brooke, " Peyton said sadly.

" But you did! You told her something that you knew was going to hurt her. God, Peyt, why couldn't you just keep your feelings to yourself?"

" I'm sorry!"

" Sorry isn't going to fix this one, Peyton, " I told her coldly and then I walked out, leaving Peyton behind me crying. I didn't care though.

All I cared about was finding Brooke.