Authors Note:

Thank you SO much for the reviews :) I really appreciate them...especially the ones that tell me what they liked and don't like, it really does help when updating :)

So again THANK YOU ***and remember...the couples that are RIGHT NOW...maybe not be in a few chapters...hence the voting lol. I'll let everyone know when the voting ends :) SOOO yess...if couples aren't going how you like...keep the faith they may change ;)

So here's CH. 7, if you like REVIEW!! :)

The warm June night air blew through her hair as she walked down the streets towards Karen's'. Life in Tree Hill City was starting to have a glimpse of the town it once was. No, no one would be the same after this war, but the courage they had all shown only made them stronger…as people and as a community.

Peyton smiled as she turned the corner and saw the lights from Karen's. The blue lights cascading all over the street, it was a place that gave her much comfort. One thing that seemed to occupy her thoughts lately though was Dan.

He hadn't called. He hadn't sent Julian…he hadn't done anything. Peyton could never remember a time where Dan was not involved in every aspect of her life. The last real talk they had was months ago at the cemetery. She'd see his car parked outside of apartment a few nights a week, but lately…nothing. Not a soul watching her, as strange as it sounded that was the scary part. She tried to brush off her thoughts as the club doors opened and she walked in.

Haley's voice filled the room and Peyton immediately smiled, the girl could definitely belt it out…

Loveeee…what metal are you made of?

You must be from some scheming star

Loveeee…you're wicked and heavenly

You set me free, then you lock the door

I can't go back and I can't go forward

Peyton nodded over to the new piano player, Felix. He was good but they didn't call Antwon "Skillz" for nothing. He was definitely missed around the club. Lucas' worries were at ease for the moment about his dear friend he usually received a letter every week or so.

Peyton walked over to the bar where Lucas stood listening and watching Haley sing. She leaned up to his ear and whispered, "You look awfully good tonight Mr. Scott" She smirked.

His blue eyes made their way to hers and he smiled, "I was wondering where you were…"

"Sorry you know women" She winked.

He kissed her forehead, "Ya…" He took her hand in his and they turned to watch Haley finish her set. The trumpets ended and Haley left the stage with a smile walking down into the crowd as she always did, greeting the patrons and walking towards Mia who was sitting in the corner with a grin.

"That was great Haley." Mia stood up and hugged her friend.

"Thanks, but really you didn't have to come down tonight, I know your heads not really in it."

Mia smiled, "Hey if you get to come down here to keep your mind off it all…So do I."

Haley laughed, "True, but come on…we both agreed not to let ourselves get out of hand. It's only been two weeks right?" Haley tried to convince herself at the same time, "It'll be just like last time…they'll get us all worried then we'll get the letters and everything will be fine...for a week…and then we're back to square one again…" She laughed trying to mean it, "It's just the cycle."

Mia nodded trying to chase away the tears she knew were about to fall, "I know...I just don't think I can handl-"

Mia was interrupted by a loud voice standing by the doorway, "Excuse me..." The elderly man took off his hat and you could hear everyone in the room gasp. He turned to Lucas "I'm sorry Mr. Scott to interrupt everyone's evening…" He looked down at the telegram in his hand and sighed, "I have a telegram from the war department…"

Haley gripped Mia's hand harder and her other hand clutched her chest, "Oh god…"

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Brooke finished making the last bed, grabbed the dirty linens and threw them in the appropriate laundry bin. She let out a deep sigh and wiped the sweat from her forehead, she knew Hawaii was a tropical island but this was getting ridiculous. She looked around and made sure she didn't forget to anything, smiled to herself in satisfaction, grabbed her bag and walked out of the infirmary.

Lately there was barely a sole that kept her busy, most of the nurses either was stationed somewhere else or the volunteered got to be too much after the attack and they chose to help out closer to their home towns. But not Brooke Davis. Brooke really enjoyed herself and the cause she was helping right where she was.

Most of the soldiers were gone, but there were a few left, like Jake Jakelski , that was unable to return to combat. His leg was too badly wounded, though he did heal up nicely and was released just a few days ago, his leg would never be the same. So he was honorably discharged and Brooke told herself that was the end of that.

She looked around at the flowing palm trees, it made her sad that such a beautiful place would be forever tainted due to the vicious actions of those responsible for the attack on Pearl Harbor. The breeze from the water felt good as it fought against the hot night air surrounding her. She closed her eyes for a second and enjoyed the moment.

"Excuse me Miss?"

She slightly jumped, "My-"She smiled, "Jake."

His body was held up with the support of the cane he was holding but he smiled anyway, limping closer to her, "Ms. Davis."

"Oh excuse me!" Brooke felt her cheeks turn a bright red, "I'm so sorry, I'm a stupid woman…Mr. Jagelski."

That made Jake's smile widen, "Don't worry about it doll, "Jake" sounded just right coming from your lips."

Brooke's head bowed her head, her cheeks becoming even more flushed.

"Well why don't you let this gentleman walk you home?"

Brooke slightly lifted her head and giggled, "Don't you mean, me help you?" And honestly Jake- Err um Mr. Jagelski what are you doing on the leg of yours anyway? The doctors released you and told you to take it easy, not to gallivant around town like a-"

"Horny cat burglar?" He smiled.

"Jacob Jagelski don't be crass!"

He laughed a laugh that could be heard for miles, he then reached out the hand not holding on to the cane and offered it to her, "I'll be good I promise."

Brooke hesitated but accepted his offer and it felt nice…nice having the butterflies, nice having a conversation…nice having [i]hope[/i].

"So what are you still doing here anyway? Don't you have family waiting for you back in-"

"Oklahoma. And yes..my parents are there…I wrote them…they know I'm ok." He smiled.

Brooke could stare at that smile forever she quietly thought to herself. She knew partly the reason she didn't want to return home was because of moments like this…moments where men didn't look at her like an object. But a WOMAN. A woman who had feelings, a woman who had wants and a woman who had needs. Needs to be loved and to love someone back…unconditionally.

Here when she walked down the street she didn't hear whispers. Here she didn't have a past…here she was just simply Brooke…and she liked it that way.

He tilted his head a bit to look down at her, "You got quiet on me. Is my company that horrible?"

"Oh no!" She smiled up at him, "I just got lost in my thoughts I guess."

"Anything you want to talk about?"

"No….it's just…you're a really nice guy Jake…"

He moved his hand to his chest, "Why thank you" he answered in his most pompous attitude.

Brooke shook her head and laughed, "Don't get too carried away there Casanova."

They walked hand in hand until they finally reached Brooke's living quarters. There was an awkward moment of silence before Jake finally spoke, "Well…it was good getting to know you Brooke Davis."

She stood on the first step, her height just meeting his, "You too." She responded but quickly looked at her feet. Brooke Davis was actually nervous around a man…something she never thought would happen.

"What's on your mind toots?"

"Um…you don't have to tell me if you don't want to, I know it's terrible rude for me to even ask but-"

"What? What is it?"

"Why did you stay?"

Again silence.

She shook her head, "Never mind, I'm sorry I asked-"

"Brooke" He interrupted and without saying a word cupped her face and placed his lips on hers. Completely off guard she didn't know what to do, but instinct soon took over and she embraced the moment.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and the kiss deepened. This moment was what most women dream about…and Brooke couldn't believe she was living it.

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Julian pulled the car to the street corner and stopped, signaling the young man smoking a cigarettes standing off to the side to come over.

He walked up to the back of the car and was greeted with a smile, "So?"

The guy sighed, "Same as it always is boss…she came in…they talked…"

"Talked? You honestly think I'll believe all their doing is talking."

"Look it's a nightclub not a motel…"

Dan's face turned serious, "Don't backtalk boy."

"Sorry, look…I just need-"

"You NEED to do what I'm paying you for…"

"Yes sir."

Dan turned to Julian, "We can go now…"

"Yes boss"

But before they pulled away Dan was able to get in one last comment, "Oh and Chris…don't screw this up."

Chris said nothing just nodded in agreement as the car pulled away.

__________________________________________________________________-

The man slowly walked over to Lucas and felt all eyes on him. Haley felt her heart beating out of her chest as she watched Lucas' expression. It couldn't be…it just couldn't be Nathan. She quickly looked to Mia who had the same frantic expression. Haley closed her eyes, "Please god…" when she opened them though, it was not a sight she had just prayed for.

Lucas listened to the man and immediately his heart dropped. He looked over at the two women huddled together in the corner. Both of them knowing the look gripped each other's hands as tight as they could. This wasn't happening. It wasn't for one of them…it was for someone else. Their husbands were fine. They [i]had[/i] to be fine.

Life moved in slow motion as the eyes of the club followed the man walking towards the two young wives. Then…there he was…standing in front of them.

"I'm sorry mam'" he softly offered.

He reached out to hand it to her, but she couldn't. She couldn't breathe, she couldn't speak, she couldn't move.

He was gone.

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