A/N: Welcome to my new project! I have to admit that this wasn't one the ones I planned on posting, but last night lying in bed it just popped into my head and I had to get up and write down a plan then and there. This morning I wrote chapter 1 before my lecture and I'm really excited about it.

FAME

Chapter 1

Brooke POV

I put my foot down on the pedal, and gripped the wheel as the car suddenly surged forward onto the playground, not caring right now that it went against all the rules about not bringing vehicles past the bright yellow safety line on the curb.

Flashes went off before I'd even stepped out the car, and I tried to ignore them as I got out the car, pulling my hood up over my head—not that would do much. They knew exactly who and where I was now.

Thankfully the press stuck to trespassing laws and didn't follow me further, but they stood clustered at the black school gates knowing I'd have to come out eventually.

The second I closed the car door the main entrance of the school flew open and the principal of the school, who I had only met a handful of times, ushered me in.

"I'm sorry, I had no other choice I had to bring the car in," I said pulling my hood down.

"It's completely understandable," she said kindly, although I could tell she had a million questions she wanted to ask but couldn't because it wouldn't exactly be professional.

"Is she ok?" I asked.

"She's fine. She's just very confused. They arrived around lunch time and were taking pictures of her through the gates. We had to eventually bring her in to stop her getting distressed," Principal Conrad said, walking me down the hallway.

My heart instantly clenched, upset that my baby girl had to go through all that by herself. It was hard enough for me to deal with the press and I was twenty seven, let alone for a four year old.

We rounded a corner, and went into the administration office. I recognised one of the other class teachers sitting with her, reassuring her, and I felt relief that they hadn't left her alone.

"Emma?" I called, and she immediately looked up at the sound of my voice and ran up to me. I bent down and caught her just in time, holding her close, feeling calmer just physically being near her.

I could feel wetness on my neck, and rubbed her back slowly trying to calm her down.

"It's ok," I soothed.

"What's happening?" she said into my neck.

"Everything's going to be ok," I told her, still not quite sure how I was supposed to explain the group of people that would probably be around a lot, waiting to get their million dollar picture of her.

"I think I'm going to take her home," I told the two teachers still in the room.

"That's fine, I think it will be best," Principal Conrad told me.

"I hope she's ok," the other teacher told me kindly, and I gave her a smile.

"Thank you for staying with her," I said, and she nodded.

I tried to stand up but Emma wouldn't loosen her hands and I didn't try to force her. Instead I pulled off my jacket before picking her up and walking toward the exit.

"Hold onto Mommy tight ok?" I told her, and I felt her grip tighten. I put the jacket over her enough to cover her head and half her body.

Right, here we go. No point trying to prolong the inevitable, I thought pushing the door open, and securing my hand on Emma's back, keeping the jacket in place.

As soon as one of them spotted us, the rest of the journalists quickly caught on and gathered around the gates trying to get a good shot. I opened the car door, and tried to quickly place her inside.

Her hands were tight around my neck though and she had a panicked look on her face.

"Emma, it's ok sweetie," I told her, "the quicker you sit in your seat we can quickly get home, ok?"

She looked at me for a few seconds considering it and I hoped she'd agree.

"Let's just put Mommy's jacket on you, ok?" I said, slipping her hands through the sleeves that were way too big for her, and pulled the hood up over her head, it falling nearly all the way down her face. Perfect.

"Mommy?" she questioned uncertain and she sensed I was about to go.

"I'm right up front ok?"

She hesitated for a second but then nodded. Before she changed her mind, I quickly closed the door and slipped into the driver's seat and turned the car on.

The paparazzi were blocking the only way out, but I started reversing any, hoping that survival instinct would force them to move.

Fortunately they split down the middle, moving onto the side walk and I pulled the car out as quickly as I could, not wanting to linger by them if I could help it. The flashes were blinding but managed to swing out onto the main road without any major problems.

The reporters started rushing toward their various vehicles, hoping to be able to follow me before I got too far. I took the opportunity and drove down the road which was practically empty due to school not being out for another hour.

I drove around the block twice in an attempt to lose anybody who had managed to track us, before heading down our street but somehow they had managed to beat us home because the street was full of cars that I didn't recognise and a crowd standing on my lawn. Now they had my address this was only going to get worse.

The temptation to just turn around now and drive away was high, but I knew I'd have to come back eventually and running away would just make it worse.

I felt relief as soon as I saw my front door open and Owen walk out looking livid. I don't think I had ever been so thankful that he had a key.

He started saying something to the reporters but I couldn't hear it, but he didn't look pleased. They only got excited though that somebody was talking to them, and I hoped he wasn't adding fuel to the fire by saying anything to them. I knew from experience how badly that could turn. Whoever came up with the phrase 'no press is bad press' was massively disillusioned and I had learnt that the hard way. Even though it had been a long time my hatred of the media was still ever present.

Owen somehow got them to move off the pavement, which allowed me to pull the car in. Before I got out the car, Emma was already in Owen's arms, and he was taking her inside. He had taken my lead and had used the jacket to hide her.

I quickly walked around the car, using my hand to hide my face. I ignored their questions and flashes as I walked up the steps into the house. I wanted to tell them to leave but I knew once I said anything it would only be worse.

I shut the front door, and let out the breath of relief I'd been holding since I'd seen the news at lunch and recognised a picture of me from about four and a half years ago on the news piece. Needless to say I hadn't expected that when I'd been in the break room with my sandwich at lunch. I'd been out the door and on the way to Emma's school before you could say 'breaking news'.

"Come here," Owen said walking over to me and I fell into his embrace.

I couldn't help but let the tears finally fall, feeling overwhelmed.

"Is Emm—" I managed to ask through my tears

"She's fine, she was asleep when I took her out the car," Owen said, "I think she's tired herself out."

I took comfort in the familiarity of Owen and indulged in the hug for a few more seconds needing some comfort for myself.

"Let it out B," he said.

"I don't know how this happened," I mumbled.

"It's ok, it will all be fine, I promise," he said and I hoped he was right.

He led me into the room and I sat down on the couch as he closed the curtains around the front of the house before joining me.

"Shall we call the police?" I asked.

"I already did but they said unless they're actually on the property there's nothing they can do," Owen said, "people have been calling nonstop on the phone since I got here looking for a quote so I just unplugged the phone."

"I don't know what to do," I said, "I've got a lawn full of the press, a complete invasion of privacy, a four year old in the house who is petrified and no plan."

"They'll get bored when they realise there's no story," Owen said.

"Yeah, but we both know there actually is a story," I said, "And they're not going to stop until they get it," I said reluctantly.

I stood up and walked over to the smaller sofa where Emma was sprawled out with a fleece blanket over her. I sat down on the floor beside her and gently stroked her hair, hoping for her sake this all got sorted out. She didn't deserve this.

"Do you want some coffee?" Owen asked, and I gave him a week smile.

"That would be great," I replied.

He squeezed my shoulder as he went past and I felt grateful for having him around. He was my rock and I don't know what I would do without him.

My cell phone rang, and I snatched it up before the noise woke Emma. I walked into the hallway and closed the door behind me.

It was only after I'd already accepted the call that I realised it was a blank number. I didn't think the press had my cell phone number but it was only a matter of time.

I was about to hang up, but then I heard it.

"Brooke?"

It had been years since I had heard his voice but it still sent butterflies to my stomach. Technically I'd heard his voice quite a lot on TV when it was unavoidable, but this is the first time it had been directed at me in years.

"Brooke? Are you there?" he asked, only hearing silence as I got over my shock.

"Yeah I'm here," I answered and I heard him sigh in relief.

"Is she ok?" he asked, and I didn't need further clarification on who the 'her' was he was talking about.

"She's scared. But I calmed her down and she's sleeping now," I said.

"Brooke I'm so sorry, I didn't want this to happen," he said, and I could hear the regret in his voice, or what sounded like it. I bet he didn't want this to happen; it was just as troublesome for his future plans that it was for me.

"Then why did it?" I asked, "I thought we had an agreement. I agreed to leave and not tell anybody I was having your baby. And you told me she wouldn't be in the lime light and have to deal with the instability."

"I don't know how they found out but I'll get to the bottom of this," he said, "I'm on the way to meet my publicist now."

"It doesn't really matter anymore, it's already out," I said frustrated.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

"I'm dealing," I said, not knowing how else or what else to say.

"I'm going to fix this Brooke, I swear," he promised, but I didn't see what he could possibly do apart from find a time machine. The damage that I didn't want to happen had already gone into motion.

"You just do what you have to do Nathan," I said, hanging up the phone and slamming into the table.

Even though he sounded genuine I had a hard time believing any of his promises.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Six Years Ago

Brooke POV

I felt the bed move beneath me, and felt a weight life off the bed. I opened my eyes sleepily and saw Nathan's silhouette pulling on some clothes.

"Where are you going?" I asked yawning.

"Go back to sleep baby," he said smiling at the image of me curled up on the bed.

"What's the time?" I asked, sitting up and checking how late it was on my cell phone which was charging on the night stand next to me. Or rather I should be checking how early it was.

"I was hoping to get a few extra hours in," he explained, slipping his arms through his t-shirt.

"You were training all day yesterday, you're going to tire yourself out," I told him worried. He'd skipped classes yesterday to train, and didn't get home until nearly midnight. It was nearing 4.30 am and here he was heading out again.

"Everything needs to be perfect, I have to get this down," he said.

"Nathan, the scouts aren't coming for another two weeks. You have enough time," I told him as he sat down on the bed and I scooted closer to him looking for more warmth.

"Are you cold?" he asked frowning.

"Nathan I'm fine," I told him.

"I should have been able to pay that heating bill," he said and I could see the inner turmoil on his face.

"It's fine, we'll make it next month," I assured him, "I'm only cold now because I'm not really wearing any clothes, which is actually your fault by the way."

I gave him a cheeky smile, but his mind was still turning and he wasn't in a playful mood.

"You mean 'you'll' make it next month?" he asked and I sighed.

"Nathan, we're going to be ok," I told him.

"You shouldn't have to support us though," he said.

Ok, it was hard trying to get my clothing store pay check to cover all our bills even though we lived in one of the smallest apartments we could find this close to campus, but it was all temporary. Nathan couldn't work long hours because he had to spend his time training, but once we graduated in a few months and he got picked by the scouts everything would settle into place.

Nathan only saw it as a way he was failing me though. I'd actually come to love the little place me and Nathan had made into our first home.

"Nathan I know how important training is," I assured him, "so what if we're cold? We'll put on a sweater."

I shrugged like it was no big deal, and he gave me a smile, and rubbed my arm.

"You're amazing Brooke," he said, "I love you."

"Yeah well I kind of like you a bit too I guess," I joked and he gave me a small laugh in return which I felt vibrate through his chest.

"Everything is riding on that game Brooke—our whole future. I can't mess this up now," he said and I wish I could make this easier for him. If he didn't get the position, everything he had been working for his whole life would be pointless.

"I know," I said running my fingers through his, "and you won't mess it up. You're great out there."

"If only you were the scout," he said.

"Don't go now. You have practice at nine anyway," I said.

"I feel like I should," he said.

"Don't leave me," I pouted, and he couldn't help but smile.

"Tell me I'm great again," he said.

"Never!"

He pushed me onto my back and rolled over onto me as I squealed in surprise.

"Say it!"

"No!"

His fingers started ticking my sides and I couldn't help but yelp as I squirmed. Damn my weakness of being tickled.

"Say it!" he repeated.

"Ok, ok," I said giving in, "you're pretty great Nathan Scott."

"Pretty great?" he asked, pretending to look shocked. His fingers wiggled around on my waist and I fidgeted in anticipation.

"Ok, fine you're really great and amazing and the best," I said laughing.

"And damn sexy?" he asked.

"And damn sexy," I agreed, rolling my eyes.

"That's better," he said letting up, but he made no move to get off me.

"I love you," I said suddenly, overcome with emotion, looking into his eyes as he hovered over me. He leaned down and kissed me gently, and I suddenly didn't feel the cold anymore as my body filled with heat.

"I love you too baby," he said, "You're mine forever."

If only I knew then that forever could be pulled out from under your feet when you least expected it.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A/N: Like I said, I didn't plan to post this story so I'm hoping I get some response so I know whether to carry on with it or scrap it and go on with the actual story I planned to post next! So let me know what you think!