Chapter 4

Eventually, Brooke had drifted off to sleep, but it hadn't been the sleep she needed to recover from the day's events; instead, it had been sleep filled with nightmares. Each nightmare had been different, and yet each had been the same. Each one had Sam trapped in some kind of room or tunnel or box, Brooke had to rescue her, and in each one she had failed. She awoke feeling no better than she had at 4 in the morning.

Sam laid awake in her bed too. She hadn't slept much better than Brooke, but yet she was oddly content. She laid in bed for a few more minutes until she heard a knock on her bedroom door. "Come in." She called.

"Hey, do you want to go out for breakfast or do you want me to cook?" Brooke had dressed and was ready to start the day.

"Well, since your cooking sucks," Sam grinned, "I say we go out."

"Hey!" Brooke pretended to be offended at the comment, "my cooking does not suck." She was happy Sam was slowly getting back to her old self.

They settled on a little café for breakfast. It reminded Brooke of Karen's. Long after their meals had been finished the two sat, catching up, well rather, Sam sat listening as Brooke talked about the three months Sam had been gone. It was obvious Sam hadn't wanted to talk anymore about the events that took place in the last months, and Brooke could respect that.

"So," Sam began. Brooke could tell that this was the beginning to a question that wouldn't be easy to answer. "Where's Julian?"

Brooke smiled, but Sam could tell the smile was not one of happiness, but rather one that was meant to cover up something else. She remembered the last time the two had spoken.


"Hello," Brooke had answered her phone, surprised to see Julian was calling her so late.

"Hey Brooke," she could tell the sadness in his voice even from across the country, "I have something to tell you." She had remained silent, waiting. She had known that that his plan to move back to Tree Hill couldn't have been the ending to their story. After all, she was Brooke Davis, not Peyton Sawyer, she didn't get a fairytale love story. "I know I was supposed to wrap up this final project and move out there, but an offer came up," he sighed before adding "in London."

"That's great," She told him trying to muster all the fake excitement she could, but he knew better.

"Look, I want you to come with me. Will you?" He had asked, although he already knew the answer.

"Julian, I can't. My new line is about to premier, and my store will be opening soon." Julian listened to the excuses, but he knew the truth. Brooke wasn't staying in Tree Hill because of her new line or her store re-opening. Brooke had to stay in case Sam came back, and Julian understood, and so he didn't press anymore.

"Alright then, Brooke Davis, promise me you'll wait for me."

She began to cry, but she managed a weak, "Of course I'll wait for you."

"I love you, Brooke." Her cries turned into sobs at his words, "This is just a sub-plot in our love story. You'll see." He had promised before hanging up. Other than a few quick phone calls and a couple of e-mails this was the last time she had talked to Julian.


"He'll be back." Sam reassured her. Brooke nodded, hoping she was right.

"Hey," Brooke smiled as the idea came to her, "how about we go visit Haley?" For the moment the subject had been changed, and for the moment both were happy.

"Aunt Brooke!" Jamie answered the door with a smile. She picked her godson up into a hug. "Hey buddy! Guess what," she placed him back on his feet, "I brought you a surprise." She smiled.

His eyes lit up at the word. "What is it?" he asked.

Sam stepped out of the car to a very excited 6 year old. "Sam!" He ran with all his might, almost knocking the petite teen over.

"It's nice to see you too." She twirled him around in the air, before they both collapsed on the ground, laughing.

"Jamie," Haley walked towards the open door, "Who is it?" But, she didn't need an answer as she saw Brooke and Sam enter, Jamie tugging on Sam's hand. "Sam!" Haley hugged the young girl, "When did you get here?" She asked giving Brooke a shocked expression.

Brooke and Haley sat at the dining room table. Jamie had roped Sam into playing some video game up in his room, which gave Haley a chance to get her questions answered. "So she's here to stay?" Haley questioned.

"Yep," Brooke nodded. Haley could tell there was more to the story.

"Well," she got up to check the tea on the stove, "what happened to her mom?"

"Things just didn't work out. I guess." Brooke's answers were short, and Haley could tell she was hiding something. Her eyes focused on Brooke who stared at her hands. She didn't want to overstep her trust with Sam, but then again, she had questions of her own. Questions she needed answered before she could truly help Sam. "Okay," Brooke said quietly, and she began the story.

"Oh my God." Haley hadn't spoken much during the story, and now these were the only words she could think of to say. "Did you call the police?"

"She wouldn't let me."

Haley shook her head, "Brooke, I really think you should call the police." She pleaded with her eyes.

"I know, but I don't want to lose her trust." She looked up as if she could see Sam through the ceiling. "I don't know what to do." Tears began to flow as Haley went around the table to comfort her.

"Well," Haley rubbed her back, "I guess maybe it's time you and Sam talk about making things more permanent." There were a hundred things Haley could have said to Brooke at that moment, and the one she chose was the one that made Brooke feel the happiest and most complete in one of the saddest and most lost moments of her life. Maybe, there was hope at the end of the tunnel for both of them after all.


A/N: Okay, so it's short again, but I'm afraid of messing up the story so I'm doing short chapters in case you guys don't like where things are going I can just make a few quick adjustments. So let me know what you guys think!!! Thanks again for all the reviews!!!