Brooke sighed and observed her appearance in the mirror, turning and twisting in many directions to see if the dress was as knock-out-gorgeous as it seemed on the rack. He would be here in less than twenty minutes. She wondered absently if she should tone down her mouthwateringly sexy midnight blue empire waist dress but then decided against changing. After all, he would be here soon. She could not wait to see his face as he took her in, in this dress. A strong knock jarred her from her thoughts. She smiled wickedly, knowing that Luke was early. She hurriedly slipped into her Vera Wang stilettos, and raced downstairs to open the front door. "Luke… you're early—" However, it wasn't who she thought it was.

"What do you want now Julian? How did you find out where I lived?" she asked warily, her eyes on his nauseatingly handsome face.

"Peyton and I don't sleep in the same bed anymore…" he said suddenly, his eyes haunted. He walked in without asking for permission to enter. "We don't talk anymore—It's like she's changed over night."

She scoffed and replied, "That's not my problem. Work it out on your own, 'cause you left me to be with her—" she then shook her head, finding it ironic that he was telling her all of this now. "Is that how you got her to betray me? By making her sympathize with you for something I couldn't do for you? Is that how it happened? You know what—Never mind. I don't need to know. And I'm not going to help you either."

"I just want to make—"

Brooke squared her shoulders then replied, "What's gotten into you? Last time we had talked—other than the lame attempt to get me back—I was crying on the floor—begging you to stay and now that I built myself up from nothing you want to be with me suddenly? What changed your mind Julian—was it an epiphany that hit you? You know what; you can go to hell with that. I don't know why you're doing this but you need to stop."

"Brooke…I love you, you know that." He said as he took her into his arms and kissed her. At first, she leaned into his embrace and then thinking better of it, she stepped away, wiping her mouth, ruining her perfect lip-gloss.

"Don't you ever in your life—" she began venomously.

"What have we here?"

It was Lucas's voice, she turned and went to him and said, "Lucas… we were just…" she said, unable to explain her present position.

"Oh I know what you were just…" He said his eyes fierce and hard with anger at having caught his woman with Julian. This whole scenario reminded him of Peyton when she had left Lucas for him.

"I can explain—honestly—" she began; panic lighting her turquoise eyes.

"Don't bother." He replied his eyes steadily on Julian, "Go in the car, Brooke. I have a few choice words to exchange with Julian."

She nodded and left the two men in the room together, unsupervised. When she was out of ear shot and out of sight he turned to him, "Leave her alone!" Lucas growled, his blue eyes glowing with threatening anger. "I mean it Julian… stay away from Brooke."

He looked too smug, his dark eyes glittering with challenging humor, "And if I don't?"

Lucas stepped closer to him then snarled, "You'll live to regret it! She's mine now—get over it. Go back to Peyton—your fiancée."

He smirked cruelly, "You're threatened aren't you?"

He scoffed at the thought. "Of you—hardly, I'm just warning you to stay away."

"I think you are afraid…I think you're afraid that I'll win again. But I'll go ahead and play your game—Or what?" he asked, his eyes on Lucas's levelly, his mouth in a grim set.

He didn't even look at him but Julian knew he had a scowl on his face. "Or you'll find out exactly what I'll do. Don't forget to lock up." He said as he exited the door to find a smiling Brooke waiting on the other side. He smiled in return and walked to the car arm in arm.

Later that night after their disastrous date and a long drive home they remained unspeaking to each other. Once home they silently went upstairs until she broke the awkward silence when she got through dressing for bed by replying softly, "You're angry with me… " she said slowly, making up the bed, her eyes lowered on her task.

"I'm not angry with you—I'm just saying that you shouldn't meet him again. Not without me or Peyton being there."

"Are you dictating to me?" she asked now angry, her eyes flashing green fire as she looked at him, abandoning the linen to confront him properly. "No one tells me what to do—"

"I'm not dictating to you I just don't want to lose you." He said in a rush, his heart there on the line in that one sentence.

"You can't possibly lose me—because you never had me." She snapped suddenly, wanting to wound him. Then she realized what she'd just said and tried to go to him, "I'm sorry Lucas—I didn't mean that…"

He was silent for awhile but then he quietly said, "Oh no, you meant it. I was just stupid in thinking that someday you would stop looking at me like I was Julian—I didn't think you actually wanted me to be him!"

"I don't want him—and I don't want you to be him—" she stumbled over the words in her haste to make him understand, and he silenced her with one look.

"Sure you don't." he said acidly, "I saw the way he held you and how you responded to it, and it sure as hell wasn't from disgust!" he said, pacing the room. "I don't like playing games Brooke—if I was your plan to get Julian back then count me out—"

"I don't want Julian! I love you!" she shouted, frustrated that she made a mess of things between them.

Lucas sighed, his eyes saddened, "No, you don't… if you did you wouldn't have said what you just said." He then turned his hurt blue eyes on her, "And you need to stop deceiving me by saying you actually want to be with me."

"But I do want to be with you Lucas—I didn't mean what I said! I was just angry and I—"

"You and I both know you never say what you don't mean." He said slowly, his bright colored eyes saddened. "You meant every word you said Brooke and I just have to accept that."

"But—" Brooke began but he interrupted her.

"I'll have Alex and my stuff out of here by tomorrow. You won't have to worry about coming up with ways to get rid of me." With that he turned and left the room, leaving her sobbing on the bed.

-x-

"You left her?" Michael asked, his face unable to mask his shock as he handed Lucas another beer. "You actually left her?"

"Yeah… I had no choice in it." He replied softly, his eyes on the football game but not really focusing on the scores. "She wants me to be something—or someone I'm not. I just can't do that."

Michael nodded, "Did she actually tell you that?"

He shrugged nonchalantly, then admitted, "Not in so many words but… I knew what she meant." He shook his head negatively and said doggedly, "I'm just tired of this shit."

"Do you see a future with her?" Michael asked curiously, his intense gray eyes steadily on him as Lucas popped open the can.

"What do you mean by that?" he asked tossing back his draft, knowing full well what he meant but just didn't feel up to answering the question.

"Do you see yourself with Brooke for the next fifty years or so?"

Lucas exhaled then shrugged, "All I can say is that I never wanted anyone as much as I want her—I never wanted anyone like this. But the thing is; she's not sure of just who she wants. She says it's me but then she…" He shook his head trying to explain, "It's in her eyes. I can see she has doubts about us as a couple and if she has doubts then I have no business making her make a commitment to me—it just wouldn't be fair—to either of us."

"True, but then you also love her."

He looked at his friend and scoffed self-mockingly. "Yes I love her. But she needs to figure out if she really loves me and not just saying it and faking it."

"She loves you dude—more than you can ever know…but you have to understand that she's torn right now. All those feelings for her ex won't disappear overnight. It takes a lot to get over. That's where she is right now. She's torn between you—the new guy and her ex—the man who knew her from the inside out for almost all her life. But in the end she will choose you because you were there for her when her life was a mess and still managed to stick with her."

Lucas shook his head and tried to watch the game but Brooke plagued his mind. He wondered if she missed him, if she was thinking of him right now as he was of her. Hell he even wondered if she realized her mistake. This was the first real fight and even though he was hurt by her words—he knew she didn't really mean them. So he got up and grabbed his keys with a shout he said, "I'll be back…I'm going to see if I can make-up with Brooke. Do some damage control—even though I think she should do the making-up…"

"Whatever dude… just go get her!" Mike tossed over his shoulder when Lucas had closed the door. He smiled to himself; he knew Lucas would come to his senses.

-x-

Meanwhile, Julian looked so handsome standing at her doorstep, his eyes steadily holding hers. She licked her dried lips and invited him inside her home, a home that had felt empty to her since Lucas and Alex moved out. She was aching for company so she didn't think about anything—she was just so sick of the loneliness. Lucas had been away for weeks and she was tired of being alone so she called Julian, hoping to… she didn't know what she had hoped for but seeing him now made her somewhat wary but also hopeful, hoping that he would kiss her again, hold her again and maybe make-love to her again.

They had dinner together and made small talk, laughing and joking around and it was exactly how it used to be between them before everything got so ugly. She drank her white vintage wine, her eyes steadily upon him. He looked even more handsome now than she ever remembered. He was suave, charming and she felt very vulnerable and weak but she smiled shakily and continued eating gracefully. He watched her as if he couldn't get enough of looking at her…almost like a predator watches his prey. When dinner was over they delayed the inevitable by dancing to a song… a song they both were familiar with. It was their song—the song they always danced to on their anniversaries, the song that they had danced to when they had gone to prom together in high school—it was truly their song. They were both lost in the moment and held onto each other tightly as they danced slowly, sensually. She closed her eyes and remained close to his body, inhaling his scent. He smelled so good, so familiar.

But then she regained some of her sense and sighed and tried to part from him, feeling close to doing something she shouldn't and would most likely regret. "Alright, Julian, the song is over—therefore the dance is over."

His lips were near the shell of her ear as he whispered, "Not for me it isn't."

She was enchanted but she managed to move back a little. "You can let me go now…" she said shakily, breathlessly, her eyes holding his.

"Maybe I don't want to…" He challenged softly, his mouth near hers.

She gulped and said in almost a whisper, wanting him way more than she should. "You know you don't have to leave just yet…"

"I don't want to leave just yet…" he said slowly, her eyes were on his firm familiar lips. She then kissed him slowly, desirously, moaning into his mouth. After a few minutes she heard a glass shatter and they broke apart, their eyes on a very angry Lucas. "What are you doing here Lucas?" she asked breathlessly, her eyes wide with fear as she watched the stony look enclose over his handsome features but not before she witnessed the betrayed look in his eyes.

"I can't believe I actually came here to apologize to you—even though I have nothing to apologize for! But I came here because I wanted to say I'm sorry and end the silent treatment between us and try to get back into your good graces—but it seems you found someone else to be gracious to." He snapped out, his cold blue eyes accusing.

"Let's not get physical here! We can settle this like adults…" Julian said as he slowly back away, cowering in fear.

"Lets?! Fine with me!" he said as he made a grab for him but then he regained his senses and looked at her, "I'm done with this fucking love triangle with you—Julian if you want her so damn bad you can fucking have her! As for me I'm through with this!" he said in fierce anger and hurt. "I'm done with all of this shit!"

"Lucas—wait!" she shouted as he slammed the door behind him, she ran out behind him and went to his car window. "Don't leave—it was nothing—" she said in a panic, afraid she would lose him forever this time.

"Brooke… I can't go through this for a second time…you know better than anyone why that is. I just wish you made your intentions clear months ago—before I invested my feelings in this—"

"I'm sorry… I thought you wanted nothing to do with me—" she said, her eyes pleading to him.

"I did want something to do with you—now I don't. You made your feelings for Julian quite clear. I am not a mind-reader but I can read signs pretty well… you wanted him—hell you still want him. So where does that leave me in your heart Brooke? I'll tell you where—nowhere," he then sighed as he cranked up his car. "Like you said before—I never had you."

"Lucas I didn't mean it—Please wait!" she cried out but he sped off leaving her staring after him until she was sure he was gone. She felt so broken and wanted to lash out at someone for her own foolishness. She went numbly inside and looked at Julian's gloating face and felt physically ill. She had hurt Lucas for that? "Get out! Just get out! I can't stand the sight of you!" she said harshly finally tired of seeing him.

"Why? We were just getting started. What happened to change your mind? Surely it's not about Lucas. Is it?" He said with confusion, wondering what made her change her tune, also knowing that Lucas had a lot to do with it. Damn him! What hold does he have on you Brooke, he wondered angrily.

"I just can't deal with you anymore—if you have to talk to me then talk to me about Jason but not about us reuniting. You're marrying Peyton for-God-sakes! Where's your fucking loyalty?"

His brows furrowed slightly at the mention of Peyton, "What's changed? I thought—"

"Well you thought wrong! I can't do this. I'm not like you or Peyton—I care about Lucas a lot and thanks to you and my stupidity I may lose him!" she shouted unable to keep the tears at bay. "He was all I ever wanted and needed—and I screwed it all up because I couldn't let go of the fucking past." She then sighed and opened the door for him to leave, "Just go and don't darken my doorstep again!"

"I didn't mean to cause you any harm…truly I just… I guess I just wanted to be with you again. If you need me you know where to find me." With that said he skulked away, knowing he had to find another way of winning her back. But how? That was the million dollar question.

-x-

As soon as Lucas got home he checked his messages, thinking that his mom would call about Alex but instead he heard; "Hi," Brooke said hesitantly, almost shyly. "I just wanted you to know that it's over between Julian and me, for good this time. I realized that it's you I really wanted—not Julian. It's not too late for us Lucas…Don't let him win…" she begged on his answering machine. He looked at it and balled his fist tightly, wanting to pick up the phone and tell her that he wanted to go forward but his pride kept him from doing so. He could not be second fiddle to that asshole again. He just couldn't. "I guess you're not there… but if you are… please pick up the phone…please Lucas… I miss you so, so much I…ache with it…I really love you." she said with sincerity.

Too bad it was too late. Lucas looked at it and with a stony heart then erased the message. He was done and over it. He wished she would just leave him alone because he didn't want to hear it. He was done pining for a woman who couldn't make up her damn mind. He was over it. He threw the junk mail down in frustration. "C'mon Luke you knew this was coming" his insecurities teased, "There must be something wrong with you as a man for your women to always wind up in Julian's awaiting arms." It always came back to Julian didn't it? He thought bitterly.

He cursed violently and grabbed his keys and went back out the house. Thirty minutes later he was at the gym. He couldn't think all he could do was fight the intense feelings within—the longing; the hurt, the unrequited love. By the time he felt a margin better he thought of Brooke laughing, her eyes glittering with joy and humor—then thought of her kissing Julian.

"Dammit!" He exploded, punching the punching dummy once more. It was as if Julian had some sort of magic over his women—first Peyton and now… Pain pierced through him and he went at it again until he was exhausted. He went home and crashed, but all he could dream of was her; her dark hair fanning over his pillow as she stared into his eyes, her lush smile as she got ready to kiss him… He was in hell without her. But he would be in even more hell with her. What was a guy to do when he loved someone who couldn't make up their mind?

-x-

Meanwhile Brooke knocked on the door rapidly, hoping that someone was home, someone she could talk to about anything. When Jackie opened the door and saw Brooke's tear streaked face she frowned, "What did Julian do now?"

"Nothing—it's not about what he did… it's about what I almost did." she said tearfully, coming in as soon as Jackie widened the door.

"Don't tell me…" Jackie replied, her eyes widening.

"I almost slept with him…" Brooke said guiltily her eyes on the ceiling, tears streaming down her face.

"Brooke! What is going through your mind?! Why would you do something like that?" Jackie scolded sharply, shocked at her confession.

"We—Lucas and I had a major fight and… I was upset and I wasn't thinking clearly. I love Lucas…God, I love him so much! I really wasn't thinking and it was all a mistake…" she said in a rush.

"Then why where you fighting in the first place—and why the hell did you almost have sex with Julian of all people?!"

She shook her head, "I don't know! I was scared and like I said I wasn't thinking straight… I think it's over this time and I don't know how to fix it!" she said sobbing. "He won't even answer my calls…"

Jackie looked at her friend and shook her head. "What was the fight about? No, wait, let me guess: Julian?"

Brooke nodded, "Yes. It was all so damn stupid…and then I said something even dumber…"

"What did you say?"

"That…" She then sighed and repeated it for her, "You can't possibly lose me—because you never had me."

Jackie closed her eyes, imagining all the pain Lucas was in. "How could you Brooke? That's worse than getting drop-kicked in the balls!"

"I wanted to hurt him for not trusting me—"she began but then she stopped abruptly seeing her friends expression.

Her friend shook her head, seeing the situation with fresh eyes, "Well with good reason I'd say! Damn it Brooke it wasn't about not trusting you… it was about not trusting Julian and you made fun of that insecurity! How could you?"

"I told you I was stupid didn't I?" she grumbled crossing her arms over her chest.

Jackie looked at her and shook her head in blatant disapproval, "I don't think you can fix this! It sure would be a miracle if you could! I wouldn't even forgive you for that comment much less the actions you did or almost did."

Her heart dropped to her feet, "So you're saying it's hopeless?"

"No not hopeless entirely… not if he loves you as much as I suspect he does." Jackie said slowly, her eyes taking in her distraught friend. "But you did mess up, Big time."

"I know. Please can you tell me how to fix this?"

Jackie shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know… I don't have any answers to give you but you do need to talk to him. Rather he forgives you or not is entirely up to him. So I suggest you do some groveling if you want him back."

"I'll do whatever it takes."

"Ok here's what you do…"

-x-

Lucas sat on his couch with Alex asleep in his arms as he continued to watch a match of his from last week. He watched as he brutally kicked his opponent, imagining Julian's face, his body as he kicked Harmon Kirkland's ass. Every time Lucas closed his eyes he saw Julian and Brooke together, having a romantic date, dancing and kissing, almost taking the action upstairs. He had interrupted them before they could achieve their main goal. As he once again began torturing himself with those images a knock jarred him from his disturbing thoughts.

"I'm coming," He said sharply as he opened the door. When he looked at Brooke a deepened scowl graced his handsome face. He shook his head and said, "You have a lot of nerve showing up here after what you did, Brooke." Lucas said crossing his arms over his solid chest. "What are you doing here?!"

She nodded, her eyes glittering with tears. "I know, I'm sorry. But I just need you to know this… When I don't see you next to me I think of you ten maybe twenty million times a day. I miss you and I want you to come back to me. I'm sorry about what I said. I didn't mean it—truly. I was just scared and I lashed out at you and I—" she rushed out.

"You expect me to believe that?!"

She shook her head rapidly then said, "No—no I don't expect anything from you. I just needed to see you, to hear your voice again… I wanted to tell you that I loved you. I love you so much baby and I'm so sorry for what I said and I'm really really sorry for what I did."

His brow furrowed as if in confusion, "I think you're confused, Julian's house is five miles away!" he said pointing up the hill on his right side.

"You know I don't mean him—I don't love him anymore. I love you!"

He grew incensed at her lies. "Then why the hell did you kiss him Brooke?! Knowing how I would feel about it!"

"I was scared alright!" she said in a rush, "I was scared… and confused and you bombarded me—"

Lucas narrowed his eyes at her and scoffed then said, "Oh you're blaming me now?"

"No I'm not blaming you for what happened. I'm just trying to explain my position to you ok? You bombarded me… and made me feel like I could believe in love again and I…was just afraid of how much you came to mean to me and of losing you… so I picked a fight and pushed you away so it would be my decision instead of you dumping me."

"Will you at least try to help me understand why you would do that?" he asked, his eyes saying that he was willing to listen to her. "If you were so afraid of losing me then why did you push me away?"

Hot tears rushed to her eyes when she looked at him then replied, "Because—this scares me! Because I don't know where this—us—is heading. And you just seemed to be too good to be true and I couldn't handle it—so I tried to ruin what we had—or what we have. I'm so sorry… I was an idiot."

"Yeah you were…"

She looked up at him, her eyes still watery, "Could you ever forgive me?"

He sighed and looked at her, her bright eyes calling to him. He decided he would forgive her but he wasn't going to make it easy—at least not yet. "I don't know Brooke… I don't know if I can just forgive you—I mean you wounded me and my pride—and pride is all a man has."

"I'll do whatever it takes… please just take me back…I'm miserable without you!"

"You know what—I'll think it over." She looked crushed but she nodded and began to walk back to her car. He took in a deep breath and added, "I've thought about it and I've decided that you'd better get over here and kiss me."

She smiled and ran over to him and kissed him so passionately it was almost lewd. "Does this mean you forgive me?" she asked breathlessly, clutching him closely, beyond relieved that she hadn't lost him.

"What do you think?" he asked grinning down at her. "If you need more confirmation then here it is: Brooke I'm going to give you another shot."

"Really? Are you sure?"

He thought for a minute, and nodded. "Yeah… I think you're worth it. So don't mess it up again."

"I won't, I promise you that I'll never see Julian again—not unless you're there too."

"That's all I ask." Brooke smiled as he carried her inside his house and kissed her, all-the-while kicking the door shut.

She sighed and snuggled deeper into his arms. "I'm so sorry for hurting you."

"All's forgiven. But definitely not forgotten. Now how about we get upstairs and have really hot make up sex?" he said, wagging his eyebrows in a playful manner.

"I can be naked in less than five seconds." She said softly, a gleam in her eye.

He chuckled, his lips caressing the shell of her ear, "That's good to know… but I want to take my time with you." He then looked at his sleeping son and smiled warily. "On second thought a quickie won't hurt."

She laughed delightedly as he began to carry her upstairs. Then someone knocked on the door. "Who is that? Are you expecting someone?"

He shook his head, "No. I don't know who that could be."

When the knocking persisted, she wiggled until he placed her on her feet and then she looked at him, "You'd better go see who that is." He nodded and opened the door to find Peyton standing there looking expectantly at him.

-x-

Peyton drove into the driveway wanting to see Lucas. She had never felt the urge before but she had felt like she was losing something dear to her and felt bitter regret. Peyton came to her ex in hoping to reunite with him but instead her eyes took in a happy couple, Lucas and Brooke. Not the scenario she had in mind. She shook off her genuine shock of the situation and simply smiled, albeit forcefully, "Hello… Brooke… what are you doing here?"

She looked at Lucas and smiled, "I thought you knew… Lucas and I—well we're dating now…"

"Julian didn't tell you?" Lucas asked his narrowed eyes on Peyton.

Peyton stiffened then replied, "No he didn't tell me a thing. Why?"

"Well he knew I was here for weeks! In fact we had a few conversations within those weeks of me being here." Brooke said, masking her delight in watching her nemesis be caught off guard. Lucas glared at Brooke, angry about that particular comment then returned his attention to his ex wife.

"Funny—he neglected to tell me such… monstrous news. Congratulations." She said with an ultra-fake smile.

Lucas wasn't buying her false congrats, so he asked her, "What do you want now Peyton?"

"Can't I just drop by and see how you're doing?" And who you're doing? She wanted to add but had the class not to. She was seething inside at this development.

"No. Now what do you want?"

"I just want to see Alex. Where is he?" she asked, with a toss of her hair, looking glamorous and arrogant.

Lucas looked at his sleeping son and shook his head then said to her, "He's asleep. Come by some other time."

"Ok… I was also wondering—" she then looked her nose down at Brooke, not bothering to hide her contempt or dislike of the woman as she commented, "excuse me Brooke—can I speak to Lucas alone; just for a minute."

Brooke looked at Lucas with raised eyebrows and shook her head, "Uh-uh no, I left you alone with Julian and look where that got me! There's no way in hell—" she started but then he cut in.

"One moment," He said to Peyton and then took Brooke into the front room, "I can handle this. I can handle her. Just trust me."

"It's not that I don't trust you." She said with a worried frown. "I don't trust her. In fact I don't trust that girl as far as I can throw her—and that ain't far Luke. Ex's are nothing but trouble."

He looked down at her and smirked, "I'm glad you learned that lesson. I'll just see what she wants ok. Besides I'm pretty sure it's not like you and Julian. I'm in no way tempted to get back with her like you were with him."

"That's a pretty low blow…" she murmured while smirking, knowing she deserved that little jab.

"I'll be right back ok…" he said then kissed her, "I promise," He said as he walked away from her.

Brooke sighed then hugged herself as she watched from the window. She hoped it didn't take too long because she was longing for him in the worst way.

Lucas walked out to meet Peyton's furious green eyes and she stomped and ranted at him until he interrupted her by saying, "You're only upset because you just seen me with another woman. That's all that is."

"That's not it at all!" she said. Then she shook her head. "Are you really that stupid?"

"What are you talking about?" he asked warily, wondering where she was going with this conversation.

"You've got to see that she's using you—in fact I can't believe you would go along with it."

Lucas laughed out loud at that then replied seriously, "What goes on between Brooke and me is strictly between us. Alright? Now I can't imagine why you'd care though. You never cared about me dating anyone before now. What's changed Peyton?"

"Don't be stubborn." She retorted, hopping mad that he was dating Brooke.

"Stubborn is what I do best." He said, his eyes glittering with triumph. "But enlighten me. What made you think of that theory? Why would Brooke use me?"

"Well for one thing; to get back at Julian for being with me!" she shouted, loud enough for his neighbors to hear.

"Come on—Get over yourself Peyton… that's not why she's with me. You're just grasping at straws now." He said, glaring a hole through her forehead.

"Well if you're sticking to your guns then… I have no choice. I'm suing for full custody… you'll never see your son again if you continue seeing her!" she growled.

"Don't be so dramatic and childish Peyton!" He said angrily, his face red with fury.

"Drama and childishness is what I do best." She retorted, eyeing him with a blatant challenge in her sparkling green eyes. She knew she had him by the balls now.

Lucas drew up to his full six seven foot height then growled, "If that's the way you want it, fine. But I'm not going to stop seeing Brooke just because you say so!"

"Then I'll see you in court!" she shouted as she walked to her car. Then she sped off down the road. He watched her go and shook his head. What the hell had he seen in her all those years ago anyway? He wondered. He walked back in the house, his eyes observing Brooke and Alex looking at him boxing in one of his old matches.

"Let me guess… she wants you to stay far away from me?" she said slowly as he walked past the couch.

"She can't tell me what to do or who to see. We're no longer husband and wife—and even then I wouldn't have listen to that foolishness." He said walking into the kitchen, grabbing himself a shot glass and pouring a solid shot of Gin. He tossed it back and poured another then gulped it down as well.

"Luke? What happened?" she asked him, walking into the kitchen. "You don't drink like that for nothing."

He laughed bitterly then turned to look at her beautiful face and said, "You know me so well. She's suing me for full custody…"

"What?! She can't do that!" she exclaimed sitting down at the table.

"You're right… because I'm not going to let her." He said fiercely, his eyes red-rimmed with fierce anger. "I'm not going to let them take my son. He means everything to me."

"You won't lose him Luke…" she said, holding him.

"I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here with me Brooke." He said shakily, closing his eyes inhaling her sweet womanly scent.

"You'd survive." She said with a smile. "And you'd fight for custody." She then kissed his mouth, melting the last of the anger that resided inside him from the confrontation with Peyton. "Now what are we having for dinner?"

He laughed then kissed her on the cheek, "You just invited yourself to dinner, huh?"

"Yes, yes I did." she said with laughter as he began to pull out ingredients for some Fajitas. She helped him chop the vegetables while he satéd the meat. Alex entered the kitchen just when they were finished cooking exclaiming, "Oh Fajitas! Dad makes the best Fajitas ever! Mom tries to make them for me because she knows they're my favorite…but, well you know how she cooks."

Brooke laughed as they sat down at the table, remembering Peyton's cooking skills or lack there of, "Oh I know. Quite well in fact."

Lucas laughed also recalling his ex-wife's cooking. "I remember when Peyton had cooked for me the first time. It was our second anniversary and she made um, satéed chicken with some uh, green-beans. When I tasted it…I felt like she was honestly trying to kill me."

"Oh yeah…I remember that!" she said with a loud laugh, "She tried to get me to cook for you and claim the glory but I told her it would mean more to you if she cooked for you herself."

His eyes widened in realization, "So you're the one that told her that crap!" They all laughed out loud at that comment, "After that stunt I told her that I would love to get take-out from then on—telling her that I don't like home-cooked meals that much. I love a home-cooked meal I honestly do—I just don't like hers." He then looked at Brooke, "Why'd you do that to me?"

Brooke couldn't help but laugh as she apologized profusely, "I'm so sorry…I honestly didn't know she couldn't cook at the time. While growing up—she never wanted to step foot in the kitchen. I should've known better but…"

"Wow really?" Alex asked, taking a big bite of the Fajita.

She nodded, then admitted, "Now me…I always was in the kitchen. I love to cook."

"We can tell. And thank God for that!" Alex said with his mouth full of food. "I love your food Brooke…it was part of the reason I loved staying the night at your house. Your food is the best in the world!"

"Oh just throw me to the wolves huh?"

"No offence Dad but she does cook better than you."

Brooke laughed then said as she gave Alex a high-five, "Ah-ha Alex knows what's up!"

Lucas scowled then ate another Fajita. "Traitor."

"He's not a traitor. He just knows where it's at. That's all. Ain't that right baby?!"

He looked at her, then replied, "Uh-huh…"

"Whew…I'm so full Dad…you still make the best Fajitas though." he said as he got up from the table, then patted his stomach in satisfaction. " I still love you."

"Yeah we still love you Luke…" she said as she took his hand in hers.

He looked at both of them then said, "Uh-huh…"

"Wow you're so touchy…" Brooke said as she took another

"I'm not touchy!" he exclaimed, snatching his hand away. "I'm just seriously offended."

She patted his shoulder then replied, "That's being touchy babe."

"Dad, you're the best dad ever! I love you."

He smiled then kissed his head and said, "Yeah, yeah go to bed."

Alex kissed his cheek then hugged her and told them both goodnight. Lucas went upstairs behind him and tucked him in, all-the-while telling him his favorite story as a kid. Alex loved it, almost as much as he did—maybe even more than he did then promptly went to sleep. "I love you son."

Meanwhile Brooke put the food away, humming to herself as she did so. The phone rang, making her jump. She eyed the Caller ID and saw that Peyton was calling. Anger rose up in her as she picked it up then rose even more upon hearing; "Look I'm sorry about this afternoon, Lucas. Can we please go somewhere and talk?"

"I'm sorry you must have the wrong number." she said disguising her voice then promptly hung up the phone.

"Who was that?" he asked as he put his arms around her.

Brooke let out a scoffing laugh and said, "You wouldn't believe it."

He kissed her neck tenderly then replied, "I'm sure I won't. Now who was it?"

"No one." she said as she turned in his arms.

He smiled then replied, "You're right. I don't believe it."

Brooke sighed, wrapping her arms about his neck. "If you must know…it was Peyton. She wanted to get you alone to talk, you know how that is. "

"What?!" he asked in complete shock.

"Yeah I know—after she threatened you? No way. So I said she had the wrong number."

He kissed her mouth then replied, "Ok…good work—but you can't put her off forever."

She frowned, "I know—and I'm not trying to. But she needs to get a reality check. She shouldn't threaten you—you're an amazing father…"

"Thank you. I appreciate you saying that." he then kissed her, telling her softly, "I love you…"

"I love you too… c'mon let's go to bed." she said as she grabbed his hand and headed upstairs.