SHOOT TO THRILL

JOE POV

So Tree Hill, a place that well many people always try to get away but they always come back, kinda fitting really for me to come back. Only place that felt home, maybe that why my father decide to stay her longer then anyone else. I was happy here for the most part. My Sister is still awake and really wants to go to the Clothes over Bros store in town but I have managed to talk her out of it. It was tough because she knows that Brooke may be there but that's the last thing I need for the moment.

Nathan called me not long after I called him, saying that Haley thinks I should come there before I head to a hotel and that they need to talk to me. They don't really know that my sister is with me, I don't think Haley actually met my sister. Well today is as good as time as ever, I can't just spring her on them like that, I pull into the driveway of their home and look at my sister. "Hey gonna give me a minute to talk to them, Han. I mean I understand if you don't want me to tell them but given how you have been around other guys, maybe they should know." I try not to worry her as she has been through a lot.

She smiles as I look a little confused "I understand, Joe, really I do. I can't help how I feel about men at the moment but you know I am trying, don't you?" She asks as if she is the one that is in the wrong, that just breaks my heart that she would ever think like that.

"I know, Han, and you are doing great, really you are. Nothing is your fault." I look at her as she smiles, I can tell she is pulling it on just for me and that she is really scared. I just wish that I could take all that fear away but I know that maybe I added to it by accident. "You have your phone if you need me, don't think twice to call me. I mean that." She just nods as I head to the door.

I knock on the door and I can't believe how worried that I am about this, I mean they were my friends, sure we had a little falling out but surely they would be there for my sister after I explain. Nathan was the one that answered the door. He smiled and shook her hand as he welcome me in. "Nice to see you but boy do you look like crap." Nate says as I laugh a little.

"Well being up for 36 hours will do that to a guy, Nate." Nathan looks a little confused at me at that comment so I better explain myself a little better. "Well kinda why I came to Tree Hill but it may be best for me to come in and talk to both of you guys about it." I smile as Nathan didn't look to pleased but I think he knew that it had to be bad for me to come here and call him after about a year of nothing between us.

"Yeah sure but I do need to warn you, Hales really didn't like the fact that you are coming back to stay. I know that she will try to talk you out of it." He said and well I can understand that but it was something I need to do. Nathan lead the way to the kitchen as I followed him. I wasn't really looking forward to Haley yelling at me as she did seem scary when she was mad. No joke, I hate being on most Tree Hill women's bad side, they must be something in the water. Nathan walks in as Haley was pulling something in the fridge. "Look who I found at our front door, Honey." He said as Haley just stared at me.

Jamie came running into the room to see what was happening, I can't believe how big he has gotten, last time I say him, he was just a baby. "Who's this, Mom?" he asked Haley which made both me and Nathan look a little worried about what Haley would say.

Haley smiled at her son before she answered him "Well that is an old friend of ours named Joe. I know you haven't met him but that is because he is kinda a idiot and did something that was really, really stupid." She actually hit the nail on the head with that, the kid looked a little confused but the kid smiled at me.

"My name is Jamie, Joe." he looked at me as he said that. I had to admit I could see both Nathan and Haley in him.

"Nice to meet you, Jamie" I smile as I shake the kid's hand before I smile and say "Well if you don't mind, me and your parents kinda need to catch up." The kid smiled before he went off up the stairs. I still don't know how they to have stayed together for as long as they have. I guess some couples are just meant to be.

"Look not to be rude or anything but why are you here, Joe? I mean I know that Nathan must have told you that Brooke is staying here with Julian, her boyfriend. I don't want to see her happiness ruined because of you." Haley said as I knew what it looked like. It wasn't the case, I had to come here, it was the only place I knew where my sister would be safe.

"Look I get why you are so worried about what Brooke may think and why I am here but I am not trying to cause any trouble." I see Haley roll her eyes and well it's starting to get a little annoying so maybe I should cut the chase. "I need to be here because I need somewhere that I know my sister will be safe. I am taking care of her now and I need somewhere were I have people that I trust. You see..." I need to tell then all that happened and all I know, it's going to be hard for me but I know that they won't tell anyone.

It was great that I am finally managed to get enough time to surprise my mum and my sister with a visit. It's weird as I am driving up the street in my dad's car, even though years have gone by I still don't feel like I own this car. It feels like I am just borrowing it, I park the car on the street as I look and see that both my mum and her husband's car was in the drive. Me and Jake never got along, he seemed creepy to me but I guess maybe that why I choose to be with my dad.

I walk up the drive and knock on the door as my mum answer the door with a look of shock on her face. I knew that she wouldn't be be expecting me. "Joseph didn't expect to see you here, I was err just on my way out" She said as I get a little confused, she didn't look like she was going away.

"Well just point me to Han and I'll hang out with her until you get back." I say with a smile on her face. I tried to walk in by she kinda stops me from getting in the door.

"Hannah is out with Jake, they went to spend some father daughter time together." Okay now I know that she is lying as Jake never walks anyway, his car is like his second child, sometimes seemed more like the first with the way he treated it. I push my way into the house as something was up.

"Now I know I have seen you in over a year but we both know that I am not buying that since his car is in the driveway." I can see that she is about to say something but I stop her as I know what she is going to say "He doesn't go away without that car, Mum and you know it. Where's my sister?" Okay now I am getting pissed off, which has caused me to yell that last part because something is up.

I hear a bang coming from where my sister's room is. I rush over to the door as I hear my mum shouting. "Just leave them alone, she needs to learn to be good." What type of sick person who let their kid get hurt, that band sounded like someone falling.

I try to open the door but it's locked, I don't want to bust it down without good reason so I yell through the door. " Han if you need help yell out, do whatever you need to yell out for me to break down this fucking door."

I wait for what seems like hours but clearly are minutes when I hear someone yell out in pain before I hear my sister "JOE PLEASE HELP ME!" My mum tried to stop me for some unknown reason but I bust the door in with one kick but I wasn't prepared for what I saw in the room.

Jake, Hannah's dad standing over the bed with his pants off as he held Hannah to the bed. "Son of a bitch" was the only words that I said before I rushed over and slammed Jake's head into the wall before tossing him across the room. Being a bodyguard I am use to having to toss people. I didn't stop there as I went over and laid into the bastard with rights and lefts as my so called mother tried to stop me.

I wanted to kill that sick pervert for what he was about to do to her or at least I hope that was the first time he tried it. I have never been this mad in my life but one thing snapped me back to from that place. "Please, Joe, don't kill him, I need you more then you need to kill him." my sister managed to get out and that was when I knew she was right.

I managed to stop myself from doing anything more and Jake just yelled at me "What the hell are you do, you psycho? You just bust into MY house and attack me like that" I looked at him and was about to hit him again but my sister moved the end of the bed and grabbed me before I got the chance. She could tell what I was going to do.

"Well maybe if you weren't such a sick bastard then I wouldn't need to teach you that you don't fucking touch MY sister like that or else. The next tim... actually fuck that, Han get your stuff, you are leaving." I stare at my mum, who I am disgusted by at the moment and my sister's dad who I really want to beat the crap out of.

My Mother looks shocked by what I said "Please Joe, don't take away my daughter." I just stare at her and shake my head. How can you even call her your daughter as you let that monster do this to her. I just can't bare then to even be in the same room as her. "Look we'll go downstairs and talk it out." She says as she tried her hardest to change my mind not going to work but I do have some stuff to say so I nod by stay back to let my sister know a few things.

She looks so scared as I turn to her, I don't know if it's because of what has happened or if she scared of me. I know that I was really laying into Jake, he was pretty banged up but I look at my sister. I take out my wallet, I have about $1300 in there as I was going to buy my sister some stuff that she said she needed. I hand her the money as I take out a pen from her desk and get a notepad and write an address on it. "If you for any reason think that something has happened to me, get your stuff and head to this address, tell them what happened and who you are to Nathan. He'll make sure nothing happens. I'll be quick and then we are out of here." I smile as I give my sister a hug before I head to deal with this mess.

"I hope you guys don't mind that it was this address I gave, I mean I know we were on speaking terms but I trust you with her you know. Also this may be why my sister will try not to be alone with you Nate, it's nothing personal. She just doesn't like any men at the moment." I know this sounds like I am begging, well I am because who knows what could happen. I want my sister not to have deal with any of my drama.

Haley hadn't looked at me since I said how I found Hannah in the room. There was a knock at the front door as Jamie must have opened the door as I hear my sister asking if I was there. Hannah walked into the room a little nervously as I could tell she was maybe a little scared about what could happen. "I hope you didn't mind.. I just got worried about what happened." I walk over and give her a hug as I want to just take everything away.

HALEY POV

I really should be mad at Joe for everything that he has done to Brooke but I can't help but fell sorry for him too. He looks so much different to the guy that I knew all those years ago, actually he doesn't look that different to when I first met him. It's like he has went backwards after that spilt from Brooke. "Look for what it's worth, I am really sorry that I have caused any problems with you, Hales and even you Nate but to be honest, you deserve them." he said with a smile as he walks his sister over to see next to him.

"I am sorry to hear about everything that happened to you, Hannah, is there anything I can get you?" Nathan said, I guess the father in him most be pretty disgusted to hear about what her dad did. He looks worried that he is scaring her as she is kinda curled up into Joe.

She pops her head out and tries to smile as she answer my husband "No thank you, sir." She looks so vulnerable as she said that. I can understand why he wants to bring her somewhere he knows people will look out for her. Despite our issues, Joe is still one of our friends even if I think he is an ass.

"Where are you guys staying? I kinda understand that this all happened quick and I am guessing you haven't even had time to find a place to stay." I had to know where they were staying because I didn't want to send them out without a place to sleep. Someone that has been through what Hannah has needs to be in a place that won't have people coming in and out all of the time that she doesn't know.

Joe looks about as he smiles at his sister, Jamie comes into the room before he can answer him and looks at Hannah. "Why are you sad? Has someone hurt you?" he asks as he looks at Hannah who is about ready to cry.

I kinda don't want Jamie to know about what happened as he is took young for that "Jamie, it's rude to ask that. I am sorry he doesn't like to see people sad."

I was about to get up and take him out of the room but Hannah seems to smile and look at Jamie "It's nothing to worry about, just had a nightmare in the car and need my brother here. I'm Hannah, what's your name, Cutie?"

I was kinda shocked by how she was, a minute ago she looked like she was ready to hide in Joe's arm and now she seems to be talking to my son. "I'm Jamie, I was about to play my Wii and I thought you may want to join me."

"Sure, why don't you go and set it up and I'll join you." she said as Jamie rushes to the other room to set up his Wii. "It was nice to meet you, Haley and it's nice to meet you again Nathan. Sorry about how I acted, just been a rough week."

"No problem, you better hurry up because Jamie isn't one to play fair on the Wii, he may try to add cheat codes when you are in here, Hannah." My husband says as she smiles and heads out of the room.

"Oh one more thing, please call me Han. Everyone else does." She says as she turned to us before spinning out and running to Jamie. She seemed so nice but I need to remember that I am anger at her brother.

"So where are you guys staying?" I say again as I wait for him to finally answer me.

"Well I plan to at the motel or maybe a hotel until I get the right house." He said as he seemed to have thought this out, well apart from the part where he is planning to stay in a hotel or motel which will surely scare the hell out of Hannah.

"No, you're not." I look at him and fold my arms across my chest to let him know that I mean business, he should know better by now not to mess with me. "You can not st..."

"Look I am staying here and nothing going to change that. If Brooke has a problem with me being here then tough. I need to put the needs of my sister first ahead of whatever Brooke wants." He said as he was defending why he was here. "Maybe it was a mistake for me to come here, I'll get Han and go."

"You will sit your ass down before I kick it." I say as I really wasn't in the mood for any overdrama stuff today. "If you would let me finish what I was going to stay is that you can not stay in hotel or even motel with people that Hannah doesn't know. I mean you saw the way that she was with Nathan and I doubt it will be the last time that she will be like with him either." He seems to understand what I was getting at finally, no wonder he had to cheat in high school... no wait he said that to cover for Brooke. "You two should stay here with Nathan and me. She seems to get along with Jamie and well she may not be great with Nathan. I am sure in time she will be."

He smiles at me and I know that he wasn't expecting that today, hell I wasn't expecting that today when I woke up this morning. "Thank you, look if me staying here is a problem then I will go right away." He says as Nathan laughs.

"Problem, really the amount you eat, of course you are going to be problem. We are going to need to triple our food shop just for you alone, Joe." Joe laughs as Nathan stands up and walks over to him. "Now from what I know there is meant to be a NBA game on today so why don't we get some beers and watch it. That is if it's okay with Hales first."

Nice safe, Nathan. I smile at him as I know that he has been missing hanging out with a guy since Lucas has moved. "Of course it is Nathan. Just make sure to clean up the mess after you."

They both head to the fridge to grab a beer before they head up to space room to watch the game since they didn't want to move Hannah and Jamie as they were having fun. However I know that this is just the start of thinks here in Tree Hill, I really should warn Brooke that Joe is back. Even if I have called a truce for his sister's sake, he was still an ass to Brooke before.

BROOKE POV

I can't believe how fast this has happened, well maybe not that fast since I did kinda dance about the whole thing with Julian but to be getting married to him is a massive step. I wish I could honestly say that I didn't have doubts about it but I know that there always going to be a part that wishes that Joe was here with me. I look over to Julian and that goes away as I think about how much I love him and want to be with him but when he isn't there, my thoughts return to thinking why Joe cheated on me, why I wasn't enough for him.

I know that when I wake up he will be gone but I know that he will be back. It's going to be hard you know to deal without having him here but soon I will be Mrs Brooke Baker... okay that maybe not a very good name maybe Mrs Brooke Davis-Baker or maybe I should just talk him into me keeping my own name. I mean I do love him but Brooke Baker sounds like some Marvel super hero or something like that.

I really need a drink as I head downstairs I should check my phone too, I've had it off all day because I wanted to spend the day with Julian. I look at the phone and see that Haley has called a number of times, not like tutor girl to phone this many times. Maybe it has something to do with Jamie's birthday party tomorrow. It's not too late to call her yet so I dial her number and wait for her to pick up. "Hello, Brooke?"

"Well who else would it be using my phone, Tutor Mum. So what's the panic this time? Ran out of paper cups or something for tomorrow's party." I know that wasn't true as a few days ago, she basically brought every paper cup in the shop. Man she was sure going to make sure that everyone had plenty to drink at this party.

"Well really just something you should know and I know how you are going to react but please let me explain." Okay that wasn't what I was expecting so what happened, her and Nathan had a fight again and they need me to slap some sense into them. "You know that I am on your side on this but really I didn't have much of a choice. Joe is staying here with his sister." Okay now that was shocking, the man that fixed my heart after the whole Lucas/Peyton thing and then broke it is staying with two of my best friends. The reasons better be good as Haley starts to talk again.

TBC

A/N: So So about this chapter to be honest with you but got a lot of stuff that I need out of the way.

What will happen at the party tomorrow?

How will Joe react to learning that Brooke is going to marry someone else?

How will Brooke react to Joe simply being there?

How will Julian feel about Joe being there?

All that you can find out in the next chapter.

Feedback is more then welcome and well any pointers too would be welcome too.