(Tree Hill High School-Prom Big Brat by Phantom Planet can be heard in the background)

Lucas, Haley and Nathan, waited quietly as Karen approached them. When she reached Lucas, she opened her arms wide and embraced him lovingly. Lucas hugged his mother in return whilst kissing her quickly on the cheek.

Karen looked up at Lucas and brushed the front of his tuxedo with her hand. "You look so grown up."

Lucas smiled at his mother, "Thanks mom."

Karen turned next towards Haley and took both her hands in hers. "Haley, you look beautiful."

"Thanks Karen" Haley replied, removing her hands from Karen's and instead giving her a hug. "That dress is amazing, you look really nice tonight."

"Why thank you." Karen said as they separated. Karen looked Haley up and down slowly. She couldn't put her finger on it, but Karen felt as though something was different about her.

As if she had read Karen's questioning look, Haley said "I don't have my boot anymore. The doctor said I didn't need to wear it anymore."

"Oh that's great Haley." Karen said, taking Haley's hand again. She turned to Nathan, who smiled at her as he greeted her.

"Hey Miss Roe."

Nathan stepped forward to give her a hug.

"Please Nathan, call me Karen." She asked hugging him.

Nathan felt a little awkward doing this, not because he didn't like Karen, but because up until last year he had always considered her as Miss Roe, Lucas' mother. It was only when Haley had left him for tour and he had opened up to her about his feelings that he had started to get to know her more.

Karen had helped him a lot then, and it had made Nathan feel bad about how his dad had treated her when he had found out that she was pregnant.

When they parted, Nathan spoke again whilst putting his arm around Haley.

"Where's my dad?"

Karen looked around behind her and then around the rest of the room. She could see no sign of Dan anywhere.

"He was on his way over with me when he received a message on his cell phone. He must have gone to phone whomever it was back." she said puzzled. "I'm sure he'll be along in a minute."

Lucas looked at Karen and asked timidly, "So? Are you enjoying yourself, mom?"

"Actually, I am. I'm glad you convinced me to come," she replied smiling.

"Well, then I'm glad too" he also said smiling. "You deserve to be happy."

Karen looked around the room again, but this time it wasn't Dan that she was looking for.

She turned back to Lucas and said, "Where's Peyton? Is she here?"

Lucas looked down at his feet for a moment then looked back up at Karen. "Er, Peyton decided not to come tonight. She has some things that she needs to sort out and wasn't feeling up to it."

Karen looked a little surprised.

"Oh, is everything ok between the two of you?" she asked him.

Lucas didn't answer for a moment. He was trying, to no avail to find the best way to reassure his mum that he and Peyton were ok, even if he no longer believed that they were.

"Everything's fine mom. It's just her and Brooke had another fight and she didn't want to face her tonight, that's all. She told me to come and enjoy the prom and drop by afterwards. I mean, if that's ok with you?"

Karen didn't look convinced, but she pretended that she bought what Lucas was saying anyway, "OK, but don't be too late," she said smiling.

"Yeah, Ok mom."

Karen held his gaze a moment longer, and Lucas could tell that she knew he was lying. Karen broke the silence.

"Will you excuse me a moment, I'm just going to use the bathroom." Karen turned and walked towards the restrooms.

Lucas heaved a huge sigh, and turned to Nathan and Haley.

Haley looked at him knowingly and said matter of factly, "She knew you were lying, Luke."

"Yeah, I know, but what was I supposed to do? Tell her the truth?"

"Well maybe she could have helped?" Haley responded. However, deep down, even she didn't think that it was a good idea that Karen knew the truth about what was going on. Now though, Karen would be suspicious and she'd want to know what was happening sooner or later. Haley just hoped it would be later.

"Listen guys, I need to find Brooke." Lucas said scanning the room for any sign of her. He spotted her not far away sitting at a table in conversation with Mouth.

Nathan followed Lucas' gaze, "You want us to come with you?"

"No thanks. I think this is something me and Brooke need to discuss on our own."

Haley looked at Lucas with concern in her face, "What are you going to say to her?"

"I have no idea." Lucas said looking back at Haley worriedly. "I'm hoping something will come to me once I'm there."

Lucas started to make his way over towards where Brooke and Mouth were sitting. Brooke smiled and waved as she noticed him approaching. Mouth smiled too, but then he saw the expression on Lucas' face and suddenly felt very wary of what was about to happen.

Brooke noticed his expression too but before she could do anything, he rounded on her.

"We need to talk," he said with a hint of anger in his voice.

"Lucas? Is everything ok?" she replied looking confused.

"No, not really Brooke" he continued shaking his head. This time he sounded more angry then before and Brooke wasn't sure what could have happened to make him mad at her.

"Lucas?" Brooke started, but Lucas could feel heat rising in his cheeks and cut her off.

"I think we should do this privately." He said, "Not in here"

"Well then where?" Brooke asked, "Are you even going to tell me what all this is about?" Brooke was still desperately trying to think of something she could have done, other then the tape which everyone had seen last night.

"Let's go outside."

Lucas didn't even wait for an answer, but turned and started walking off towards the entrance quickly. Brooke glanced at Mouth, a question in her eyes.

"You should go Brooke," Mouth said, "I'll be ok for a couple of minutes."

Brooke smiled at him, but Mouth could see apprehension in her face. "Thank you," she said and then followed after Lucas.

(Outside THHS)

Brooke left the gym and stepped outside to see Lucas pacing back and forth in front of her. The area was largely deserted now that everyone was inside.

Brooke frowned before saying, "So…"

Lucas looked up and started to step towards her. He closed in on her so that they were almost touching, then he leaned his head close to her ear.

When he spoke, his voice was quiet and calm.

"I know Brooke. I know the secret you've been hiding."