AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Okay, so this chapter has a LOT of flashbacks.

It's also kind of sad and angsty.

WARNINGS: Language, Slash, Sensuality, Future f/f

ENJOY!

****

Brooke knew that Beth was upset that Brooke wouldn't let her call the police about the attack, but Brooke thought it was for the best. Nothing really important was taken from her and the store was in a bad spot right then anyway—she just wanted all of this to be kept quiet. Beth was upset that she hadn't been there, and she wanted justice for what had happened to Brooke, but Brooke wasn't backing down on this.

Beth knew that Brooke was stubborn—she'd always been stubborn—and it reminded her of better, simpler days. Days when she and Brooke were happier and there was never a question of whether or not there was an attraction: there was just an unfaltering friendship. Those were the days that Beth wished that she could get back because after this…after this she didn't know what it was going to be like for her and Brooke.

"Oh come on he is not compensating!" Beth exclaimed, hitting Brooke with her pillow as Brooke squealed and kept laughing. "He's better than your mystery man."

Brooke stopped laughing and shot Beth a look. "You have seriously got to stop being so uptight."

"I am not uptight!" Beth protested and then she laughed a little. "I have to admit that the flexing war he got into with your man of the week was kind of…weird."

"Weird?! It was downright retarded!" Brooke told her and then shrugged. "Guess you could say since my boyfriend kind of decided to fight back…he's compensating too…"

Beth laughed at that and nodded vigorously, both of them smiling at each other and picking through the junk food, Brook picking the movie. They had a sleepover every Friday night no matter what—even if they had extra work, they just brought it with them to whomever's house the sleepover was supposed to be at next. Honestly, they were pretty certain that the best part of their job was getting to spend time together and as far as they were concerned they were never with each other too much.

"Musical?" Brooke asked Beth.

Beth smiled at her and nodded. "Most definitely."

"All right, but there better be half naked men in it too." Brooke told her.

Beth just laughed and nodded, both of them just happy to be able to be lazy after a long week of work. They'd been working themselves to the bone and they had a whole new line ready to show Victoria, and Beth couldn't think of a better feeling. She got to work with her best friend, she had talents she hadn't ever realized she had, and she was happy…Brooke had made it possible for Beth to be happy.

"You're sure he didn't touch you like…" Beth asked, trailing off because the words she was searching for were too painful to think about.

Brooke nodded slowly, cringing a little. "He didn't…promise…"

"I'm going to find that son of a bitch, Brooke." Beth promised her, reaching out to stroke her hair.

Beth had brought Brooke back to her place since it was closest to the store, even though she knew Brooke would rather be in her own surroundings. She had tried to be as ginger as possible, and right then neither of them were feeling awkward about the situation in the slightest…this is what Brooke needed. She needed to feel loved and taken care of—she needed to feel close to someone else who saw her as part of their world.

"You sure it was only the sketches, the computer and the money?" Brooke asked softly, her eyes closed as Beth ran her fingers through her hair and stayed close to her, sitting on the bed as Brooke laid there in the guest bed, trying to ignore the pain.

Beth nodded quickly. "Just those…I'll figure out what to do from here, I've got plans already set in motion, but I'm waiting until tomorrow."

"Yeah…thank you…for letting me use your shower and for bringing me here." Brooke whispered, smiling at Beth, glad to have her company.

"Of course—you always have me to lean on." Beth insisted, kissing Brooke's forehead as softly as possible, her lips brushing across Brooke's skin.

Brooke just smiled a little, feeling like the pain was worth it just to have Beth there with her, taking care of her. It didn't matter how confused Brooke was about whether or not she was romantically attracted to Beth right then—what mattered was that she didn't have to go through this alone. She heard beeps though and she opened up her eyes as best as she could since they were swollen and she slowly shook her aching head.

"Don't." Brooke whispered.

Beth looked at her and made a face. "Brooke we have to tell someone. What about Haley? She's here—or Peyton? They're your best friends."

"I don't want anyone to know, Beth." Brooke told her firmly, grasping Beth's hand and ignoring the pain. "Please…promise me that you won't tell anyone what really happened."

Beth knew that she didn't want to make that promise but she nodded slowly, leaning down and kissing Brooke's forehead one more time before gingerly squeezing her hand and getting up. She wanted to let Brooke rest and she wanted to figure out what it was that she could get done about this. There was nothing that she could do because she didn't have many details, but she knew that for Brooke she had to make this right.

Brooke smiled sadly and took as many deep breaths as she could take, trying so hard not to cry about what had happened. The man had showed up out of nowhere, and beaten her…attacked her. She didn't know why someone would do that, and to her, but she knew that she was never going to be the same because of it. That man had just changed everything, and Brooke didn't know how to cope with that…she just wanted to sleep.

"Pull it together, Beth." Beth breathed to herself as she walked slowly down the hallway, the tears threatening to come again.

Beth had left the dinner with her father and gone straight to a bar, wishing her feet weren't killing her so much. Her ideas about college and his ideas about her college had been two very different plans and she wasn't really in the mood to think on it anymore. She had come to unwind and the sound of laughter filled her ears, making her look up and smile brightly—a beautiful brunette was sitting about ten seats down the bar.

"Tell me," She was saying to an attractive man leaning on the bar next to her, "does that pick-up line ever work?"

He smiled at her. "You tell me."

She nodded at him and then turned to the bar, downing a shot, the man walking away and Beth shaking her blonde hair. Brooke looked up and noticed as Beth let out a chuckle, the man sidling down the bar and leaning on it, Beth looking up at him. He wasn't drunk or anything, he was just rejected by a beautiful brunette and figure the beautiful blonde would succumb to his charm.

"Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk by again?" Beth asked him.

The man raised his eyebrows. "Excuse me?"

"I was just saving you the trouble." Beth replied, looking at her glass of alcohol, the man nodding and moving on.

Brook was definitely intrigued by her, getting up and going down the bar, sitting down next to Beth, who looked up at her. Their eyes met and they smiled at each other, Brooke extending her hand first and smiling when Beth grasped it, their eye contact never wavering, which made them both feel incredibly safe.

"Brooke Davis." Brooke introduced herself.

Beth nodded and shook her hand slowly and firmly. "Beth Michaels."

"Well, Beth…what brings you here by yourself?" Brook asked her.

"Father drama I'd like to avoid." Beth replied.

Brooke nodded. "I understand that—I'm trying to avoid mother drama."

"I understand that too." Beth admitted sipping her beer as Brooke downed another shot.

Brooke nodded and took a breath. "Wanna get out of here and have a night on the town the right way? Two gorgeous girls like us escaping our parents and giving men a run for their money?"

Beth thought a moment and then looked up at Brooke and nodded. "Actually…that sounds perfect."

That first sighting of Brooke—that first conversation—Beth suddenly felt like Brooke was on her mind more then than ever. She was all that Beth could think about and she realized that had Brooke not made it through this…Beth would have regretted so much of their time spent together in this ridiculous lie. Seeing Brooke lying there barely moving…bleeding…bruised…Beth almost couldn't take it.

"Oh God, Brooke…" Beth whispered, trying to stop the tears from spilling out of her eyes, but she knew she couldn't do that.

Beth ran her fingers along Brooke's cheek gingerly and then ran her fingers down to check Brooke's pulse. All she needed to know right then and there was whether or not Brooke was still alive—she could figure out who did this later. She made sure to touch Brooke gently, but with purpose, leaning down and closing her eyes as relief washed over her—Brooke was weak, but she was alive.

"Thank God." Beth breathed out.

Brooke moved her arm weakly and touched Beth's face as Beth looked at her. "Beth…"

"Yeah, Brooke…I'm here…and I'm not going anywhere." Beth assured her, smiling through her tears.

Brooke smiled weakly and Beth kissed her forehead, looking at the blood on her fingers and trying to keep the sobs at bay. All she knew right then and there was that she was going to make whoever did this pay for what they had done to Brooke. Beth knew that she couldn't live without Brooke…she knew that Brooke meant everything to her, right in that moment.

"You think you can stand?" Beth asked Brooke finally.

Beth wiped the tears off of her face and went into her bathroom, washing her face, brushing her teeth, and then getting dressed. She pulled on pajama pants and a t-shirt, crawling under the covers and closing her eyes, wishing that sleep would wash over here. Still the only thoughts running through her mind were: what if my room is too far for her to walk?, and also what if she needs someone by her side just there maybe to not talk?.

"Beth…you have got to give her room to breathe." Beth said aloud, shaking her head, brushing away the single tear that slid down her cheek.

**

Brooke hadn't expected it to happen. One minute she was pissed about the phone call to her mother, the next she was turning out the light. Then suddenly a man came in the door, his face covered by a mask and all she knew next was that she was being shoved. She hadn't ever felt so much fear in her life, and her body hit the ground hard as she fell over the table behind her.

She didn't even have time to ask him what he wanted before his fists were pummeling into her, hitting anywhere they could touch. He made sure to hit her face and her sides, hitting her harder every time she moved to get away from him, feeling helpless and defeated. Soon he had hit her so much that she had no more life in her practically, straightening up and grabbing a couple of things, glancing at her.

As she lay there, bloody and beaten, starting to lose consciousness she heard, "Have a nice night," and then all was calm, Brooke fading in and out of consciousness before she heard Beth hurry in to her side.

Brooke shook her head a little in her sleep, her eyes shooting open as she pictured it happening again. The tears welled up in her eyes but she kept telling herself that she wasn't going to cry…she wasn't going to let him win like that. So instead she slowly closed her eyes, and she tried to drift back off to sleep, Beth getting up and putting on her robe. She headed to the guest room and opened the door up slowly, smiling a little at Brooke actually sleeping.

She knew that Brooke had to be having a restless night, but right then she looked so calm and it warmed Beth's heart because she wanted Brooke to be okay. Beth wanted Brooke to be able to make it through this and Beth knew that that meant that no matter what—no matter the drunken kisses or the awkward small talk—she had to be by Brooke's side…or at least on her side. That meant that Beth had to keep this secret…even though Beth thought that someone should be told about what was happening with Brooke—even though she thought being honest about it would lead to a culprit.

"You can stay with me if you like." Brooke whispered, knowing Beth was there.

Beth smiled a little and blushed. "I'm sorry…you must think I'm totally intrusive."

"You're worried…I appreciate it." Brooke replied smiling at Beth a little more and watching as Beth closed the door behind her and took off her robe, climbing onto the bed and lying next to Brooke.

"I just want to know you're safe." Beth whispered, trying so hard to stay strong for both of them because she knew Brooke needed it.

Brooke nodded slowly. "I always feel safe with you, Beth."

Beth pulled her robe tightly across her chest and looked through the window, rolling her eyes and opening up the door. Brooke smiled awkwardly and then she pulled a face and Beth let her in, shutting and locking the door behind her. She seemed a little freaked out and Beth only wanted Brooke to feel comfortable—it was all she'd ever wanted.

"Brooke, sweetheart, what's wrong?" Beth asked cautiously.

Brooke sighed loudly, closing her eyes. "I'm sorry…the whole time I was driving here, I felt like there was some crazed killer in the backseat of my car!"

"You watched a horror movie by yourself again in the dark?" Beth asked her, nodding as Brooke nodded quickly. "You're always welcome here, Brookie Cookie—I'll protect you from anything."

"I know—you're the first person I thought of." Brooke admitted, blushing a little. "Can we watch a musical or something please?!"

Beth smiled at her and nodded. "Of course we can! Something where the men get half naked, and you can have the guest room."

"Perfect." Brooke said smiling.

Beth knew she couldn't keep the grin at bay when she heard those words escape Brooke's lips, but she kept her hands to herself. Brooke was bruised and no matter how much Beth wanted to hug her and stroke her hair and kiss her face, she couldn't do any of it. It was in that moment when Beth whispered that she wasn't going anywhere, that she realized that she was falling for Brooke Davis—and she didn't want to deny it anymore.

"Sleep, Brooke." Beth whispered softly.

Brooke nodded slowly and closed her eyes, both of them sleeping rather peacefully until the sun came streaming in the windows the next morning. Then Beth got up to make Brooke some breakfast, and Brooke took another shower, stopping at the mirror to look over her bruises and she frowned. She didn't know how she was going to explain this to anyone, but she knew that for the time being she was just going to stay with Beth.

"I seriously don't think I can handle this." Beth explained, leaning her head on the island counter of her house.

Brooke smiled and ran her fingers through Beth's hair. "Long night?"

"Too much booze, and too many chick flicks." Beth replied, speaking into the counter, but Brooke understood and smiled at her.

"I think the boys enjoyed it." Brooke replied shrugging.

Beth looked up at her and raised her eyebrows. "Shouldn't we be worried about that? They liked the movie more than we did."

Brooke rolled her eyes and poured Beth some coffee, completely used to her hangovers by now. She smiled at Beth as Beth's eyes lit up and she drank the coffee, Brooke understanding Beth's need and love for the substance. Beth winked at Brooke and then set the cup down, taking a deep breath as Brooke drank her own coffee and waited for what Beth was about to say.

"Wanna skip work and do something fun?" Beth asked her.

Brooke laughed and gave her a look. "You mean working for me isn't fun?"

"Of course it is, I just…you and I haven't really had any 'us' time out of our weekly sleepover lately and I miss you." Beth admitted.

"Consider today a day off." Brooke told her happily.

They both smiled at each other and drank their coffee, getting ready to spend the day together. Brooke loved shopping and Beth enjoyed it with Brooke, but they both knew they'd end up out for lunch and in a Barnes and Nobles just for Beth's sake. The two of them just enjoyed each other's company, and they felt like they were meant to meet.

"You want some pancakes?" Beth asked Brooke, looking at her as Brooke came into the kitchen and tugged at her long sleeves with her fingers, keeping her arms covered to hide the bruises.

Brooke smiled a little. "Yeah…pancakes sound perfect."

"I made plain and chocolate chip—I'll eat either of them, and I know you like them, but I didn't know what you'd be in the mood for this morning." Beth admitted, blushing a little and looking at Brooke again.

She didn't want Brooke to think that she was staring at her and her bruises and the cut on her lip, but she couldn't help but look at her. It wasn't what had happened to Brooke either…it was that Brooke still looked like the strong, beautiful woman that Beth had come to know inside and out. She knew that it wasn't all right to do it, but she wanted to hold Brooke close to her and let her know that even though she wished that Brooke would tell someone, Beth was going to be there for her every step of the way.

"Chocolate chip sounds good this morning." Brooke said, looking down at the island counter as she noticed Beth looking at her.

Beth nodded and blushed more too. "I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine, I get it." Brooke told her, shaking her head and waving it off.

"No it's not fine and you don't get it." Beth said, getting the last pancake out of the pan and then putting it on the plate with the other chocolate chip pancakes.

Brooke looked at her and raised her eyebrows, completely surprised by what Beth had just said, and how hurt she looked. Beth knew by the confused look on Brooke's face that Brooke didn't want Beth to feel hurt, and she hadn't meant to hurt her, and Brooke tensed up when Beth wrapped her arms around her. She had left the stove, walked right over to Brooke and held her close to her, being careful of her bruises, but Brooke felt that loving touch and she shook her head a little, Beth pulling back.

"No, no…it's not you…I just…I don't want to cry…I'm not going to cry." Brooke told her, wanting to bite her lip, but her lip was still busted and it hurt.

Beth stroked Brookes hair, her fingers gently caressing Brooke's skin and Brooke gave into the pleasant feel. She was in pain and she was confused and she was emotionally pained, but for some reason having Beth here for her—having Beth this close to her—almost made it all worth it. Brooke was so thankful to not have to go through this alone, and she smiled sadly, her eyes closed, Beth leaning in.

"I'm never going to let anyone hurt you ever again." Beth promised, kissing Brooke's forehead, brushing her lips across her skin and wishing Brooke wasn't so hurt…wishing that Brooke felt the same way about her that Beth was pretty sure she felt about Brooke.

Brooke nodded and managed, "I couldn't do this without you, Beth."

Note: I hope you enjoyed that and liked their past! Next chapter has a few more characters to further the story. Feedback is always appreciated!