Ooooooooo! So I've been getting some really good reviews and alerts for this one. You guys sure know how to make someone feel loved. I have one thing to say in my defense and that's this...jail sucks...no amount of reasoning should make it okay to commit vandalism in retaliation on someone who totally deserved it and ...jail sucks. Now that that's out the way you guys deserve a super long update, that and I really needed to escape into the world of fiction to give a huge 'fuck you' to reality. So here it is buddies, ENJOY!


Chapter 7

Home

Nathan sat in his living room speechless. Jake and Brooke sat in front of him, not really knowing what to say. Jake could tell Nathan's stares were making her uncomfortable.

"So uhh….Nathan can I talk to you for a minute?"

Nathan shifted his eyes to Jake who was nodding that they should leave the room for a moment. He stood up and his eyes went right back to Brooke. He studied every inch of her to see if in fact she was his friend that he had missed so much. He looked like he had seen a ghost and Brooke couldn't blame him. He walked out of the room followed by Jake but at no point did his eyes leave her. Jake snapped to get his attention.

"Okay I get this may be a little weird for you but you're freaking her out."

"What's wrong with her?"

"What do you mean-"

"I've known that woman almost all my life and the minute she walked in here she looked like she didn't even know me."

"That's because she doesn't, not really anyway. She doesn't remember much."

"By much you mean what?"

"By much I mean she didn't remember you till last night but there was someone she did remember."

"Lucas."

"No. Your son, Jamie."

"But no one else."

"No not really."

"She looks good. How did you find her, where has she been this whole time?"

"I found her washed up on a river bank a while back. She looked like she had been abused."

Nathan's face told Jake all he needed to know. His suspicions had been right on. He knew that there was something that had happened and that it wasn't just some accident that she ended up in that water.

"Yeah. There was an incident but she got away and my wife…I mean my ex wife found her but it was too late, her car went off a bridge and we thought she was dead. The police called off the search party pretty early because the weather had been so bad and they told us there was no way she could've survived after they found her car."

"But you guys still reported her missing."

"Yeah. Look I know this is weird for her but you gotta understand, Brooke is the only real family I have had since a kid. After my parents died she was there for me in a way no one but her could've been. When they told us they never found a body I had hope and right up until a few months ago I kept that hope alive. I love her like my flesh and blood and there is nothing I will ever be able to do to repay you for saving her and keeping her safe but you have to know she is safe here."

"I know. I just…I've been with her every waking moment since she woke up in the hospital and I just want to be sure."

"Does she know who I am at all?"

"She remembered how to get here. She remembered your name. That's something."

Nathan nodded. Jake motioned for them to go back to the room to do a better job of making the situation easier. When they entered Brooke stood up out of some weird since of respect.

"Soph, Nathan here was just telling me about how glad he is to see you."

Nathan raised his eyebrow for a moment at the name. It was then he realized how hard a road this may be to get back his best friend, that is if it were possible. His eyes brimmed with tears that he hadn't allowed himself to cry since the day they called off the search. She saw the look on Nathan's face and the tears. It hurt her a little to see this man start to breakdown. Like her body was back on auto pilot, she crossed the floor and engulfed the tall brunette in her arms. Nathan responded by hugging her back and slammed his eyes shut in order to take in the moment. It was then she said something that shocked even herself.

"It's okay Natey."

To hear her say his nickname she gave him back in grad school unleashed the flood gates. His grip on her got tighter and she felt his tears on her neck. His frame trembled as he cried and she could do nothing but stroke his back lovingly. He couldn't believe what was happening. He had her in his arms and she was alive and he was the one breaking down. He couldn't wait to tell Haley. He couldn't wait to tell Jamie. He could not wait to tell Lucas. He loosened his grip and they stayed embraced but he wanted to see her face, her eyes.

"You remember."

"I don't know what came over me" Brooke said as she too started to tear up.

"Soph did you remember something?"

"Why do keep calling her that?" Nathan said a little possessively. He didn't like this guy still trying to keep his 'soph' alive. The woman in front of him was Brooke, the one and only Brookie Cookie. He noticed Jake's stance change and like he had done some many times he stepped in front of Brooke and was about to go to war if he had to. That was until he felt her hand grab onto his arm, just like old times. He'd get riled up and she'd be right there to back him down.

"Nathan it's okay. We just have to get use to this. That's all." She said shrugging and smiling with her dimples on display.

"Jakey why don't you head back to the room. I'll get Nate here to drop me off in a little while. It'll give us a chance to talk."

The about face almost gave Jake whiplash. Did she just call him Jakey? He paused for a moment to give her a chance to take it back but it was obvious by her smile she was more than fine to be left alone with this guy who all but called him out. Jake nodded and then saw himself out. Nathan watched him like a hawk the whole time and it wasn't until he heard the car start did he turn his attention back to Brooke. Like a big brother who hadn't seen his sister in years he scooped her up into a big bear hug. She squealed as her feet lifted from the ground and all of a sudden that hesitation she had earlier about coming back to her old life was gone. Nathan sat her back down on the ground and saw the millions of questions that were bubbling under the surface.

"So ask me whatever it is you want to ask."

"How did you know?"

"I know you better than anyone…well almost anyone."

"And by anyone you mean your wife, my best friend Haley?"

"You remember her too?" He said excitedly.

"No. I read about some of the things Brook- I mean I did before I came here and some of the stuff we read mentioned Haley Scott."

"It's kind of weird to hear you say that. I mean you and Haley use to be inseparable. I mean no matter what was going on or who you were doing you guys would barge into each other's room without knocking and start your girl talk. I remember the time when we found out she was pregnant and the first person she had to tell was you. When she showed up to your house and walked in on you and Lucas having sex and he was so pissed that you stopped what you were doing and demanded he leave so you and she could talk baby names."

"Really. Sounds like we were close."

"You were."

They spent the next few hours just talking about everything, from their childhood to his wedding. They talked about everything, well almost everything. Nathan was content to keeping the conversation light until Brooke brought up the next subject.

"So Nathan…is there …was there someone special in my life?"

She knew the answer already but she wanted to hear what he had to say. She saw the mixed emotions playing on his face and couldn't wait to hear what was going to be said.

"Yeah there is… I say 'is' because I know he still loves you. The second he thought there was a possibility you were alive he focused on nothing else. The day your friend came to his house and Lucas swore to me and Haley he saw you it was like nothing else mattered."

"So he was the one that saw me."

"Not just him. Your friend said you remembered Jamie, well he saw you and that was all he and Lucas could talk about. It's all they still talk about."

"He saw me. Did he seem…you know freaked out?"

"What about seeing his favorite person in the whole world. Not hardly. I was a little afraid to buy into this because I don't think I could handle having to explain the concept of death to him again. It was bad enough the first time he asked me and Haley why we weren't together anymore and why his Aunt Brooke doesn't come to see him anymore."

"Wait, you and Haley aren't together anymore? What happened?"

"We…had some problems."

It was all he could say. He didn't want to go into deep detail about why his marriage fell apart before Brooke 'died' or why it was impossible to repair still to this day. He wanted Brooke's homecoming to be untouched by the events of that night for as long as possible.

"Did you try to fix things with her?"

"I did but things just weren't the same….after you died or after we thought you died."

"Do you think me suddenly coming back to life will make any difference?"

She really wanted to know because something in her heart told her she had to do something to fix things.

"Why don't you call her now?"

"Call her and say what?"

"Tell her to come over, alone and that you have something she needs to see."

Nathan was a little leery at this idea. He wanted to keep this to himself for a moment since he didn't know how Haley would react to her former best bud coming back from the dead. Seeing as how they didn't end their friendship on the best of terms, he wasn't sure it was a good idea.

"Brooke I don't know."

There went her body on auto pilot again. She leaned back and picked up his phone and dialed the number she had dialed many, many, many times before and waited.

"Who are you-"

The second she heard a female voice pick up she put the phone to Nathan's face and mouthed 'talk to her'.

"Hello….hello is anyone there?"

"Hey Hales uhh, it's me."

"Oh hey Nathan what's up?"

"I uhh…what are you doing right now?"

"I was about to take Jamie over to Karen's place. I had a ….date."

The word date was said less than thrilled but none the less he was still a little hurt.

"A date huh?" He looked to Brooke for a plan b but she just punched him in the chest as if to tell him to man up.

"Yeah. A co-worker fixed me up…um is this weird to be talking about this? I mean I know we said we'd try to do the whole friends thing but it just seems weird to-"

"Be talking to me about the stuff you use to talk about with Brooke?"

"Well…yeah…um hey I was about to go round up Jamie-"

"Hey what I want to show you he needs to see too. I have a surprise for you two."

"Nathan-"

"No nothing like the mini motor bike surprise I promise. It won't take long."

He knew that was a lie because if he knew Haley as well as he used to the two of them, mother and son, would probably be camped out in his living room, soon to be followed by Lucas, and then they'd probably not leave for at least a month. Yeah he's sure the moment that Jamie and Haley saw Brooke he'd have his family back, well in the house at least.

"Well, okay but you have to watch him after this surprise so I'm not late for my date."

"Fair enough."

"Okay, I'll see you in a little bit."

He hung up and looked over to Brooke who looked like she was about to explode from excitement. She looked at him like he was crazy.

"What…what are you looking at?"

"Nothing…it's just it's been a long time. Too long."

"Whatever you say Natey."

"I'd ask you to stop calling me that but I'm just enjoying hearing you say it too much."

"Why do you hate the name?"

"Yeah, you called me that for two years straight. It got so bad people actually started think that was really my name."

"Well I'm sorry but Natey just sounds too cute to stop saying it."

"You get a pass this time Davis."

The moment felt so normal to her. Paling around with her buddy, waiting for Haley and Jamie to show up, the only thing missing was….Lucas.


It took Haley all of fifteen minutes to get there. She was sitting out in her car debating on how to react to this surprise. Her initial reaction is to frown and scowl. Hell that's all she use to do when they first found out Nathan had slept with Brooke but now, since a few new things came to light about that night, she wanted to give him a chance and actually be a friend. After all she always jumped to Lucas' defense no matter what and now to find out she had been wrong, well it turned out to be a huge blow. Jamie had been watching TV in the back and hadn't noticed his mother's hesitance. He hadn't even noticed they were at his dad's and not at Karen's.

"Hey buddy, go ahead and grab your stuff."

"Hey, I thought we were going to Karen's?"

"We were but your dad said he had a surprise for us" she said trying to fane enthusiasm to get the boy excited.

"Really!"

Haley James still had it.

"Yeah, so let's hurry up and get inside okay."

Jamie unbuckled and jumped out in time for his mother to escort the boy to his father's front door. When they got there she knocked once and the door flew open. A huge smile graced his face that kind of threw Haley a bit. She hadn't seen him this happy in a while.

"Hey guys come on in."

"Dad!" Jamie screamed jumping up into his father's arms.

"Hey buddy."

"Mom said you had a surprise for us. I know she's hoping it's not like the bike thing but I think you learned your lesson last time didn't you dad."

"Sure did buddy. We don't want to see that smoke coming out of her ears again."

"Shut up. So what's the surprise?"

Haley had walked into his living room and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw a woman's jacket on his couch. Sitting on the table in front of the couch were two beers, one clearly with lipstick on the rim. She had that sinking feeling that she hoped he wasn't about to spring a step mommy on them like this but she silenced those thoughts and decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. She'd try anyway.

"So.." she said turing with the bottle in her hand, "You have company over?"

"Ooo is Uncle Lucas here?"

"Uh no James not Uncle Lucas, better."

That moment of giving him the benefit had passed and now she was sure he was about to spring step mommy on them. "Okay, no we are not doing this" Haley said as she gathered her son's bag back on her shoulder. "Jamie honey say bye to daddy."

"Haley-"

"No Nathan, I can't believe you." She was now taking her son from his arms and looking every bit of pissed.

"Haley what are you talking about?"

"You really thought this was the best way to introduce your new girlfriend to your son!"

"Girlfriend, what are you- no, no, no, no, no, that is not what this is."

"Really Nathan, Really! God I am so stupid. I thought you were-"

"Haley will you please just stop! I do not have a new girlfriend, that's not what this is!"

"THEN WHAT IS IT!"

"Aunt Brooke!"

Jamie pushed out of his mother's grasp and ran full speed to the brunette that he hadn't been able to hug for so long. Brooke kneeled down and caught him and held on to him for dear life Her tears of joy were not enough to express how whole she felt being back with her family. That's what they were and that's exactly what they felt like...family. The moment was the stuff of Kodak moments. Brooke opened her eyes to see a speechless Haley standing next to Nathan. She had yet to move, speak or even blink yet. Brooke rose up from the floor while Jamie continued to hug her leg. She felt a little weird with the way Haley was looking at her. She looked like a dear in the head lights. Brooke smiled and she heard the sharp intake of breath Haley did and she saw the tears beginning to well in her eyes.

"Brooke…..is it…..is it really you" Haley said trying to piece together words that seem to fail the miracle in front of her. The words merely came out as a whisper. Haley walked across the floor hesitantly and then like they had done so many times before, Brooke reached out to her and brought her in for the tightest hug yet. The moment Brooke felt Haley hug back she started to cry again, Haley was joining her. Haley began to stroke her hair and try her best to soothe her friend through her own tears. Nathan and Jamie watched on not really sure what was happening or what to do. What was happening was Brooke was remembering her life a little more. She could see the day that she met Haley at school, the first time they went out as friends, when she introduced Nathan to Haley, and the time she convinced Haley to marry Nathan after he botched the proposal. It was all starting to come back to her till all of a sudden she felt lightheaded and the last thing she heard was Haley screaming her name.


It was as if she was being sucked back into a bad dream. She was back in her car and she was looking up and she saw Haley up on the bridge screaming as the water slammed against the windshield. The water started to rush into the car and all Brooke could feel was the cold as she screamed and tugged at the door to open. The bridge and Haley were quickly disappearing behind the darkening water and soon all she could see was the murky water rising higher and higher in the car. Soon she was submerged and still tugging at the door. Then she couldn't breathe. She was drowning.

When she came to she was on the couch. Jamie was sitting on her and looking at her like she was a fish in a bowl.

"Hey handsome. Uhh what happened?"

"Daddy said you fainted."

"Where is everybody?"

"They're in the kitchen. Aunt Brooke….are you gonna die again?"

"No sweetheart. I guess I just got overwhelmed."

"What's overwhelmed mean?"

"It means I had a really great moment and now I think I'm okay."

"Really?"

"Really."

"I missed you so much Aunt Brooke. Uncle Lucas did too. He'll be so happy to see you."

Brooke smiled at the innocence of the boy's comment. It was obvious that reunion was going to be a lot more difficult. She leaned up and propped up on her elbows when she heard voices from the kitchen.

"Hey why don't you and I go see what your mom and dad are up to?"

Jamie rolled off the couch and spun around to wait for Brooke. He held out his hand as soon as she was standing. She grabbed the little hand and he led her to the kitchen.

"I worried about her Nate. I mean she just passed out and she's still not awake-"

"Calm down, she probably just got overwhelmed, I checked her breathing and she's fine."

"You're not a doctor Nathan, she needs to be in a hospital."

"No hospitals."

"Why not?"

"She hates them."

"I want to make sure she's okay. I want to be sure we didn't just get her back to lose her again." Haley had been rambling so hysterically that she didn't realize how afraid she sounded. Nathan gave her a sympathetic look and that's when Brooke felt the need to make her presence known.

"No need for a hospital. See I'm all better."

Haley quickly crossed the floor to Brooke.

"Are you sure Tigger, I mean people don't just faint."

"I …hadn't eaten anything today, so I get a little light headed."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah Brooke are you sure?"

"I'm, sure guys, I'm fine. So I'm a little bit thrown as to what to do now."

"Whatever you want Aunt Brooke. We could go swimming, play video games-"

Nathan cut in before Jamie could get carried away.

"Jamie I think your Aunt Brooke might want some time with your mom."

"But dad-"

"Don't worry buddy, you and me will spend some quality time real soon."

"Okay. Come on dad you and me could play video games, oh we should call Uncle Lucas!"

"Uhhh not right now sweetheart. Your Aunt Brooke and I need to talk for a sec and we'll be in there in just a second."

"Come on Jimmie Jam, I'll let you pick the game."

"Alright!"

The boy ran out of there, excited to spend quality time with his father with Nathan right behind but not before he shot a wink at his favorite girls. Once he left Brooke was snatched into yet another hug by Haley. She couldn't believe that her best friend was standing in front of her, alive and well.

"I missed you so much. We all did" Haley said releasing Brooke, "Where have you been, there is so much to catch up on."

"I know and we will but there are some things we need to talk about."

"Brooke if this is about the thing with you and Nathan I don't care."

"What thing?"

"Look…. the day that we had your tombstone put up I went by that day and I talked to you. I said that no matter what happened or what went down that you would always be my best bud, my Tigger."

"Haley what are you talking about?"

"You don't remember?"

"No I don't, I really didn't remember you, Jamie or Nathan till today."

"So you don't remember that night?"

"No."

"Do you remember Lucas?"

"I…sort of…I guess… it's like flashes of memory would hit me about being here but nothing like with you and Jamie."

"You remember blocks of your life but not everything?"

"I think I just said that."

"I'm sorry, I'm just trying to wrap my head around this."

"Haley is there something I should know cause I get the feeling that-"

"Don't worry about it okay. Don't. We have you back and Lucas is going to be so happy and now we have a second chance. We all do."

Haley pulled her into a hug once more and Brooke got the distinct feeling that Haley was holding back about something. Haley had decided that since Brooke didn't remember what happened the night she was taken from them then she wouldn't bring it back out. They had a chance to go forward and live again. Haley saw this as a second chance for Nathan, for her and for Lucas. Her only thought now was Lucas and making sure he didn't do anything to screw this up. Haley led Brooke back into the front room and saw the boys sitting in the couch and Jamie was kicking Nathan's butt at NBA live. The trash talk was something Brooke had come to love and know. It was like she was home. It wasn't until Haley spoke again that Brooke snapped back to reality.

"I think one of us should tell Lucas."

"Haley, she might not be ready to talk to him yet."

"I know but he should know that she's alive. Nathan you know he loves her. You want him to know right Brooke?"

"I guess. I was thinking actually that one of you could take me to his house."

"I'll do it. I think Nathan and Jamie could use some time anyway."

"But mom I wanted to spend some time with her."

"And you will baby but I think Uncle Lucas would like to share our surprise."

"Haley you think this is a good idea I mean-"

"Nathan don't worry okay, I'll make sure everything goes off without a hitch."

Nathan saw it was pointless to argue. He was more afraid of what Brooke's reaction was going to be to Lucas. He knew that even though Haley had been disappointed in what she found out earlier, she loved Lucas unconditionally and would forgive that son of a bitch for almost anything. Nathan wasn't so forgiving. His initial reaction was to stop what was about to happen but he knew Haley wouldn't push Brooke to Lucas if she thought even for one second she was in any danger.


Lucas lay in his bed looking up at the ceiling. He hadn't had much luck in falling asleep. He knew in his heart that she was out there; his Pretty Girl was out there and waiting to be found. He had been all over town five times looking for any clue. He'd gone back to that motel and parked his car just out of view and watched to see if anyone came or went from the room. He had seen the guy come back earlier but no sign of Brooke. Nathan had told him to not approach the man directly and for some reason he listened. He just watched and waited for some sign that his Brooke was in fact in Tree Hill. All he wanted was another glimpse. Just one would be enough to sustain him. He knew that if it had been her to show up with that guy something was wrong. She was either afraid to show herself after what he had done, or she was deciding if she wanted to come home. Lucas wished harder than he ever had to just open his door and see her standing there and have it be her and not the "Brooke" that had tortured him with relentless guilt. He had come home a few hours ago and decided to do away with every bottle of liquor in the house. If she was there and thinking of coming home he was going to make sure he was going to be stone sober. He had poured the last of it down the drain and decided to try to sleep. His eyes were now blood shot from either no sleep or crying. He rolled over in his bed to smell her pillow. He hadn't washed it since the last time she slept there. He wanted as much of her scent as possible to be in his bed. It was the only thing that still allowed him to sleep, until now. He needed to find her. If she still was alive he had to find her and make her see how much he missed her, wanted her, needed her, loved her. The sound of the doorbell jarred him from his catatonic state and he got up to answer it. The door swung open and Haley stood on the other side.

"Haley, what are you doing here?"

She paused. She was beginning to question if this was a good idea after all. Of course It would be impossible to keep Brooke a secret but at the same time she needed to know if the man she loved like a brother was still there. She had seen the change in him from the kind and loving Lucas to ultimate bad boy when he hit high school but no matter what he had done, who he hurt or what he said, he always remained true to who he was when it came to Haley.

"I came here because I needed to know….are you sorry for what you did?"

"I am, more than you will ever know. I think about that night and go over all the things I could've done differently and every time I wish I had that chance to make it right."

"Why did you cheat on her Lucas, why?"

"I was stupid, I was mad all the time because we weren't clicking like we used to and I just thought that getting with Peyton was a good distraction. I hate myself for what I did. I knew what I was doing then was wrong and it was wrong of me to ask you to keep it a secret from her when you found out. If I had not asked you to prove your loyalty to me maybe she could've leaned on you as a friend like she was supposed to have been able to."

"I regret not telling her the truth Lucas. I regret it more than a lot of stupid things I've done in my life. I know you Lucas…and I love you I just hate what you did. What I did."

"If I get the chance Haley, if she is still alive and I haven't been dreaming up what I saw, I'll spend the rest of my life treating her with the love and respect that I should've back then. God Haley I think of all the time I wasted with her and I just wish I could go back. I love her Haley, more than my own life. I am so sorry for what I did."

Lucas broke down in his doorway, in front of Haley, no holding back. He collapsed to his knees and cried again for the fifth time he had done that day. The grief of losing Brooke all over again was too much for him to bear. She had to be alive because if she wasn't he wasn't going to be able to survive it. Haley kneeled down and stroked his hair. She had gotten what she had come for. Her friend, the one she grew up with, was back. His eyes were still looking down at the ground when she spoke.

"There's something you need to know. Brooke is alive and she's here."

Those words were like music to his ears. He lifted from the ground at her confession and looked Haley in the eye.

"She doesn't remember all of her life or that night so I am asking you to keep details to yourself. If you hurt her Lucas Scott…so help me god I will kill you."

His eyes shifted to the approaching figure and then that's when he saw her. Brooke was walking up at the sight of Lucas breaking down and she couldn't stay away. Haley had seen her get out of the car and was going to allow him the chance to make good on his word. Her hazel eyes were not of his imagination and he could tell right away. The real thing was nothing like the imaginary woman he had dreamed up to fill the void in his heart. She took a step forward and his eyes locked on to hers and he saw the love that was missing from his creation of Brooke in his mind.

"I'm going back to Nathan's, you two play nice."

Haley walked back to her car and hoped she didn't just make a huge mistake. In his door way he stood taking in the moment he had dreamed of but knew would never come and yet here she was. She looked beautiful. Her hazel eyes still had that light he loved, her chocolate tresses still looked soft to the touch, her lips still looked kissably soft and the moment she smiled he saw the dimples that had haunted his dreams for months. He stepped aside to let her in and she walked in past him. He never took his eyes off her. She felt ablaze under his stare. His eyes looked right into her and she couldn't help but feel that familiar pull. She walked in and looked at the couch, unsure of if she should stand or sit. She turned and looked at Lucas again and found the silence to be deafening.

"Did Haley tell you-"

"She told me you didn't remember everything. Do you remember me…us?"

"Sort of."

She had to look away. His eyes were so intense and inviting that she had the feeling if she didn't look away she might just walk over to him and kiss him, just to see if it was as passionate as the kiss was in her dreams. She had turned away long enough for Lucas to make it across the floor and take her into his arms. His hands gripped her wrists and then traveled up her arms and up to her face where he cupped it in preparation for the kiss he had ached to experience. She didn't pull away. She didn't know what came over her as she felt his hands on her skin. She watched as his eyes traveled from her eyes to her lips and knew what was about to happen, she welcomed it. Her eyes fluttered closed as he closed in. Her lips were still as soft and alluring as the first day he had kissed her. At first he had intended it to be just a soft and endearing contact but it turned fanatic with desire. His hands entangled into her locks like they had done so many times before and he felt her arms wrap around his waist to pull him closer. He couldn't get enough of her at this moment. He pushed on and allowed his hands to drop to her waist and grip firmly as he guided her to the couch. When her knees buckled and her body fell to the couch he was right there with her. Her body was begging for oxygen, as was his, but neither wanted to stop the kiss. They eventually parted and the second her lips left his he opened his eyes. He watched as she slowly opened hers and fell in love with her all over again.

"I remembered that already."

"Good" he said as he brushed his thumb over her lips.

"I don't know what I'm doing. It's like I can't control myself around you."

"I guess that make me lucky. I can't believe you're here."

"I think I should-"

He pushed his lips to hers in possession. He needed to know if they still belonged to him and if what Haley said was true he had a chance to make things right with her and make Brooke happy. He ran his tongue across her lip and to his surprise she gave him the entrance he craved and his hands wrapped around her waist to pull her closer. Her left hand grabbed the back of his head to force his lips even closer and soon he was leaning forward as she leaned back to lay on his couch. Their lips parted once more and Lucas gazed at the beauty underneath him in awe.

"I don't think I could survive if this moment wasn't real. Are you real?"

Brooke bit her bottom lip that was oh so sexy to Lucas. She had no idea what she was doing to him with that simple act. She nodded for fear she might lose herself in that moment. He brought his lips back to hers and her legs found there place around his waist and soon their innocent exploration was headed towards full blown hotness. The deeper his kiss got the more her awareness seem to slip away. She was slipping away into him and soon she felt his hand running up her body to her heaving chest and just like she did with Jake she got the urge to hit the brakes. She pushed on his chest to signal he need to get vertical again, being horizontal made it hard for her to think. He rose up and a flash of panic hit him when he realized she had gotten off the couch and was across the room, effectively putting much needed distance between them. She was pacing and for a moment he feared she had gotten back her memory of that night till she filled the room with her rambling, something she always did when she was nervous.

"I know what you're thinking and it's not you, I promise. It's just it's been a really long time since I been awake and I haven't…well I haven't done that and I'm sure that's probably what you're wanting and I'm not quite ready for that."

"Brooke-"

"I mean it's not like you aren't really attractive and it's really not like I don't kinda want to-"

"Brooke babe it's-"

"Cause I really want to it's just I'm a little weirded out when it comes to that kind of physical contact-"

"Brooke!"

"Yeah?"

"It's okay. I'm sorry for making you feel like you had to explain it. I'm just glad to be here with you."

That smile that stole her heart graced his face and she was a goner all over again. Something about this man made it impossible to not be turned on around him. The way he smiled, the way his body's lines were perfect and toned and even more how his eyes were so piercing and mesmerizing, it was all too much to look at for a long period of time without getting naked and Brooke was fighting that urge. He patted the cushion of the couch to entice her to sit but she shook her head no.

"Come on, I promise I won't bite."

"Not yet anyways."

His eyebrow shot up at her statement. She had said the exact same thing to him the night they met. Sure he had seen her around with Nathan a lot before then but that was the night they started to make their memories. She had said it and then he said 'if you want a taste you'll have to buy me a drink first', that was the night he stopped chasing every girl and chased only Brooke Davis. Brooke had remembered that same statement and found it a little weird to be saying things off the top of her head. Coming to Tree Hill was starting to bring back all kinds of things.

"You remembered. You remember anything else?"

"By anything else you mean us."

"Sort of."

"Well kind of…" her instincts told her telling him about a few sex dreams was not the best way to avoid the sex topic so instead she decided to focus on the first thing that came to mind.

"So about that tattoo."

"Yours or mine?"

"Both. Tell me why on earth I allowed myself to be branded like cattle."

Lucas chuckled because that nights memory had been one of their better ones. He was glad she brought that up instead of any of the bad ones.

"Well actually it was your idea."

"What, no I can't see me suggesting that."

"I was going in to get your name on my arm, then you said it would mean more if it was closer to my heart so I got it on my chest, Right above my heart" he said patting the spot his tattoo was, "…and then you got all symbolic on me and decided if I had your name on me forever, you wanted to share that bond and do it for me. You were going to get my whole name on your ass but I told you there was no way you'd be able to suffer through it."

"You didn't think I could do it huh?"

"I knew you couldn't, hell the one I got before that I barely got through it and the only way I did was because the whole time the guy was digging that needle into my skin your lips were attached to mine. The guy had to stop a few times when we uhh…got a little too into it."

"What's the other?"

"A cross with my Uncle Keith's name on it."

"Can I see it?"

She regretted asking as soon as the words left her lips. Him taking off his shirt was a real bad idea. He rose from the couch and walked towards her and pulled his shirt over his head just as he was within inches of her. He gazed into her eyes and suddenly she felt dizzy again but she was thankful he turned to show her the tattoo that displayed on his back. Her finger tips traced the letters on his skin and his eyes fluttered shut with the sensation of her finger tips making contact with him. He wanted to turn around and grab her and kiss her again but he restrained himself and instead he concentrated on controlling his breathing.

"This is pretty big. Looks like you picked a nice one."

"You did. It was right after he died. I wanted to put it on my arm but you convinced me to get this on my back instead."

"I'm sorry."

"For what" he said as he turned to face her.

"I don't remember any of that."

"Don't worry."

He backed away the moment he felt that sexual pull and put his shirt back on and put that comfortable distance back between them.

"My Uncle Keith loved you" Lucas said warmly as he wondered over to his mantle to retrieve the photo of his Uncle. "Since you and Nathan were close he knew you before I did."

"Really?"

"Yeah. When uh…uh…when Nathan's dad…my dad threw a family barbecue he invited my Uncle, my mom and me to come. Since you were like family naturally you were there. The first time I laid eyes on you Keith came up behind me and said, 'whatever you're thinkin' Lucas don't, cause that girl is something special. You mess with her and I kick your ass' and I remember thinking the only other person he ever said that about was Haley. So if he said that about you, you must've been something special."

He placed the photo back on the mantle lovingly. Brooke watched him and got this warm feeling. She got that feeling from talking about Keith.

"Tell me about that day."

"Okay. Well when we showed up things were kind of tense. My dad wasn't the greatest guy, he cheated on my mom with Nathan's mom and then knocked both of them up and ended up marrying the one with money. Well the moment he got the I do's out of the way he left my mom in the dust to take care of a baby on her own, well that was until my Uncle Keith stepped up and raised me. He tried to stay close with Nathan as much as he could and well that's when he got to know you. He started to look at you like his niece and oddly enough my dad looked at you like his own daughter, which was funny because he cared more about you then he did me."

"That's terrible."

Lucas turned to face her and walked over to the couch. He noticed she still had yet to come any closer so he didn't push.

"Not really. I got a great guy to be in my life and raise me. I use to be jealous of Nathan because it seemed like he had the money, the family, popularity, basketball skills and you."

Brooke blushed a little at the statement. She wrapped her arms around herself for protection from his stares. He was looking at her with those eyes again and she needed to steer the conversation back to 'G' rated things.

"So what about the barbecue, what happened?"

"Well we show up and Nathan and Dan go on the attack. Dan started to call Keith Boozy and Nathan started in about the 'bastard son' bit and when you walked up I expected you to chime in since you were like Nathan's sidekick but it surprised me when you punched him in ribs and walked right over to Keith and hugged him."

"Sounds like Nathan was a real ass."

"He was but he never dared say a word against you so when you hugged Keith and then took my hand to guide me over to the pool he almost broke his jaw grinding his teeth. Since Dan loved you he never really said anything bad about either of us when you were around."

"And let me guess I was always around" she said stepping over to the mantle and leaning against it.

"Pretty much. So we get to the pool and you start apologizing to me about Nathan and Dan's attitude and I have to admit, it felt like a set up so I was kind of a dick to you."

"What did you say?"

"I said…I don't remember."

"Yes you do, just spit it out."

"I said something along the lines of I don't like slutty girls."

"Wow. I pull you out of the fire and you threw me in. Pretty asshole move."

"I know. But in my defense you were a huge flirt so I didn't know you were a virgin."

"A virgin huh. So I guess you were the one who I lost it to?"

"Yeah."

His answer was simple but it said so many things. Brooke had only been with one man and that man was Lucas Scott. Too bad she didn't remember the other just yet. His eyes were staring into her again and she could feel the tingling sensation rising up her back. She shifted uncomfortably and Lucas saw.

"Well anyway we were still by the pool and then you did something that made my jaw drop."

"What?"

"You pulled your dress over your head and then you were standing there in your red bikini without any shame and your body was defiantly nothing to be ashamed of-"

"Get to the point perv."

"Well then you said 'It's a shame because slutty girls love Lucas Scott' and you turned around and dove into the pool. The rest of the night I couldn't keep my eyes off you. You'd smile at me when no one was looking but you didn't say anything else to me that night till I went out back to get some air and you were back there alone. I walked over to you sitting at the pool and you were sitting on the edge with your legs in the water."

"I see where this is going."

"No, no nothing super dirty, although I would've like it to be but I stood there kind of unsure what to do so I just stood there and lit up my cigarette and that's when you looked up at and told me to have a seat. I didn't move so that's when you said 'come on I promise I won't bite, not yet anyways."

"Ahh I see. I WAS a huge flirt. I feel kind of weird asking this next part but when was our first kiss?"

"A few days later actually. You showed up at Keith's body shop with your cute VW Bug for him to fix and he had stepped out with my mom and lucky me, I was there."

"Ohhh so I walked in and seduced the mechanic?"

"Well yeah. You came in wearing this really short blue silky looking dress that looked….real good on you and you walked right up on me. I was working underneath a car and you kicked me."

"Probably for the slutty girl comment." She laughed out.

"Probably. Well I wheel out from under the car about to snap on the person who kicked me and there you were. It was like the sight of you took my breath away."

Brooke's memory of that day rushed back to her. She closed her eyes as she listened to Lucas tell their story.

"You smiled at me. Not a half smile but a full on, dimples on display smile, kinda like you were happy to see me. I got up and wiped my hands on a rag and then you pointed your finger at me and curled it like you wanted me to follow you so I did. We walked to your car and that's when you said-"

"It's making been making noises and not the kind sluts make."

Lucas' eyes snapped to her and saw she was deep in her mind, possibly remembering just how great that day was. His fear was she would remember a not so great day, so he kept talking.

"I kinda shifted from one foot to the next and stuck my hands in my pockets-"

"You looked so cute standing there looking guilty" Brooke said with her eyes still closed. Lucas took in her beauty and found himself rising from the couch yet again and being drawn in to her.

"I said that I was sorry about that and that I shouldn't have judged you since you didn't judge me."

"And then I said. . . you gotta read the book at least half way before you can tell if it's good or not."

"Then I said I'd love to see what was under the cover."

"Then I told you take a look under the hood first."

"That's when I cut off the space between us and looked you in the eyes and leaned in slowly to kiss you."

"But I was too impatient so I leaned in and kissed you."

Lucas was already right in front of her. She placed her fingers on her lips and could still taste him, feel him until suddenly, she felt those lips on hers again. It was as if she was being pulled into an abyss of passion she couldn't escape from. In moments his hands were on her hips and he was pushing her back, trapping her against the mantle and there was no escape. Her lips parted to allow him access yet again and her hands found their way up his toned back and she raked through his hair to relieve the tension that built up under her fingertips. He leaned down ever so slightly, never taking his lips from their place and he moved his hands around to her ass and picked her up. Their bodies spun around aimlessly till her back smacked against the wall. Her symphonic moans that slipped past their kiss and into his ears only compelled him to pursue his lustful desires, the same desires that radiated through her. She wanted to be stronger and push him away like she had done before but this time was different. This time it was like her body had taken over and was going to make sure to indulge in the pleasure that had eluded her prior to this moment. His lips tore away and found their mark on the pulse point of her neck and he worked it to his mercy. Her pants of excitement grew into squeals of happiness. The harder he pushed her into that wall the more she pushed back. By now her legs were tightly coiled around him, preventing him from getting away and that was the last thing he wanted. He lifted them from the wall and walked back to his-their bedroom making sure to suck and nibble that much harder the closer they got. He laid her on the mattress with such care that would bring to mind the first time they slept together. He wanted to be gentle and take his time and please her in every way possible. As his body towered over her he couldn't help but thank god for this very moment and it was then he made the decision to hold back. He saw the lust that was in her eyes that no doubt looked twice as lustful as his but he also saw the hesitation. No matter how much he wanted her, to be inside her and be whole again, he couldn't force this moment to happen any faster than it was supposed to. He rolled over and laid down in the bed next to her exhaling to try to pace his heart that was pounding into his rib cage. She almost blackout from the about face he had just done and suddenly she had that guilt feeling crawling over her. She didn't want to jerk him around, on the contrary she wanted to see him happy and she got the feeling sex might make him happy but she knew he was right to stop, and for that she was glad.

"Stay with me tonight…we'll just sleep. I promise."

Jake immediately came to mind and she wanted to call him but she didn't want to ruin the moment she was having with Lucas because in that moment she felt like
herself. She turned over and draped her arm across his chest and he in turn placed his arm over hers and soon they were both drifting off to sleep. It was the first night neither of them awoke screaming in a cold sweat, it was because for the first time in a long time….they were right where they belonged and that was in each other's arms.


So I can hear the 'Awwww's' coming. Tell me what you really think. Special Thank You's to all of you who take the time to review or just set it up for an alert. You people are the heroes and heroines of my sanity. So I know Lucas was an asshole and I hope I'm writing his redemption right. He's still got a long way to go but I hope you guys give him a chance. So I also want to make sure to answer any questions so if you have any just put em' in a review and if you already have and I have yet to answer them I am soooooo sorry but please just do it again I promise to answer. Sooo... Simon says...revew