Brooke looked at herself in the mirror, she looked like hell. 'Come on B. Davis, you're better than this. Don't show 'em that you're down.' She tried for a tentative smile and smile. 'Nope that won't do.' Brooke washed her face and combed her hair with her fingers and tried again, eyeing herself sternly. 'There it is.' She stared at her grinning reflection, pleased. Her smile was wide, open and most importantly, didn't look fake. Next she downed handfuls of water trying to get her throat to cooperate. She cleared her throat a couple times and attempted speaking. It was a little raspier than normal but she figured that was ok. One final look at herself in the mirror made her straighten her spine and throw her shoulders back, she still looked horrible, but she figured she could pass inspection from her friends.
Lucas heard the door knob turning and took a step back from the door. Brooke came out looking more like her old self and gave everyone a wide smile.
"Sorry guys that you all came rushing here for no reason." Brooke shrugged her shoulders and dimpled her mouth in apology.
"Hey no worries, we're just worried about you," Nathan reassured her.
"Well, I admit I had a hard time letting the baby go and I guess I got a little carried away with drinking; but I'm feeling much better now. I promise I won't imbibe on the beach again, scout's honor." She held up two fingers pressed together and flashed another cute smile. Lucas noticed that she couldn't quite bring herself to say Angie's name.
"Let's go home." Peyton said simply, knowing Brooke just wanted to get out of there.
"I hardly think being resuscitated and having copious amounts of liquor out of your stomach qualifies as 'no reason.'" Haley exclaimed after glaring at Nathan for the 'no worries' comment.
"Tutor Mom, you know I've done a lot of dumb things and this certainly won't be the last, but I'm fine now, lesson learned." The doctor chose to walk in at that point and asked to speak to Brooke privately. The group trooped out reluctantly and shut the door, Lucas hovered by the closed door to try to catch the conversation.
"Miss Davis, I didn't report his incident to the police, even though I'm supposed to."
"Well I really appreciate that doc, I promise you won't be seeing me in here again."
"I strongly recommend you stay her overnight for observation, but I doubt you'll listen to me. If you need help or just need to talk, please call me." The doctor handed her his card and walked out after looking Brooke up and down appreciatively in a not so doctorly way. Brooke glanced down at the card and saw his cell phone number hand written on his business card. 'What a perv' Brooke thought to herself, tossed the card in the wastebasket and walked out.
"I'm free to go so let's jet P. Sawyer." Lucas stepped in front of Brooke as she approached.
"I drove Peyton over here so I'll take you guys back." Lucas said simply, never taking his eyes off Brooke.
"Maybe you should come stay with us for awhile, I know Jamie would be thrilled to have his godmother around." Haley tried again to get her under some form of supervision.
"Thanks Hales but I think I just need some sleep, I'll stop by later though," Brooke rebuffed gently. She endured the hugs all around and the whispered comments and concerns and darted for the exit as soon as she could. Peyton and Lucas followed closely after her.
The drive was quiet, Lucas kept glancing at the rearview mirror to look at Brooke, Peyton kept glancing at Lucas and Brooke, her attention divided and Brooke stared out the window.
"I'd like to talk to Brooke alone for a few minutes," Lucas asked Peyton, startling Brooke out of her reverie. She hadn't realized they had reached her house. Peyton nodded her head and cast one concerned look at Brooke and climbed out before Brooke could even formulate an excuse to not have this private conversation. Lucas climbed over his seat and sat in the backseat next to her.
"It's just me now." Lucas said softly to her, taking her hand and drawing her slowly towards him. 'Damn him for knowing me so well' she cursed him internally and fought with herself to not give in to his comfort. She snatched her hand back and glared at him.
"I don't need rescuing Lucas so don't even think about it."
"Please Brooke, don't be like this. I almost lost you, I just need to hold you. To know that you're really here still." He recaptured her hand, this time maintaining a firm grip when she tried to pull away again.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you. Of course I'm still here silly." Brooke grinned at him, trying to lighten his tone.
"No you're not." Lucas pulled her in against his chest and held her tightly. Brooke tensed her body from the intimate contact but allowed him to hold her for a few minutes.
"Lucas as much as appreciate your concern, you're gonna have to deal with snoring and drooling soon if you don't let me go." She laughed half-heartedly at her joke.
"I can deal."
"Well I can't, I need to go to bed." Brooke demanded. Lucas sighed heavily at her attempts to distance herself. He wanted to demand she let him stay with her, but knew he would only get a refusal and possibly violence if he insisted. He released his hold on her and she scrambled out of his car.
"I love you Brooke." Lucas declared to her retreating form.
"Love ya too!" She responded back, deliberately taking his serious declaration as one of friendship. Brooke ran up to her room so fast that Peyton didn't get a chance to stop her to talk to her. She shut and locked her door turning on some high energy club music to mask the sound of the breakdown she felt coming on. She laid in her bed, prepared to do some heavy duty crying. But the tears never came, Brooke lay on her bed, eyes staring at the ceiling until morning came without one tear ever escaping.