Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill and Supernatural.

Have you watched the season premiere of Supernatural? I did. It was pure awesomeness. Anyway, there's a part here in this chapter where the Winchesters will travel from NY to Kansas by plane, and I don't have a clue on how many hours that would take so I just made a guess. If you do know, correct me if you want. :)

On with the story…


7: How to Save a Life

Right after Brooke's small talk with Dean about Lucas at the porch, both of them went straight ahead to Dean's room, which is now Brooke's as well. They both detested the whole "one room" situation, and the two of them ended up having a small fight about it. Dean didn't want to have Brooke in his room, and Brooke wasn't ready to entertain the thought of sleeping in the same bed with Dean.

After a couple of minutes of arguing, they both came up with an idea that they could both be comfortable with. Dean decided that he would let Brooke sleep in his bed while he will sleep on the floor. Brooke didn't like the idea first mainly because it was Dean's room, and he has the right to the bed, but Dean insisted.

Brooke didn't get much sleep that night; she kept on tossing and turning. She has more than enough drama in her life right now – her arrangement with the Winchesters, Dean's opinion about Lucas, and the sudden urge to help Dean with his problems. At two in the morning, she was still wide awake.

Brooke sighed and turned to the other side of the bed where she can see Dean. The steady rise and fall of Dean's chest made Brooke think of how his last girlfriend's death took a toll on him; it must've been really hard. And right there and then, she decided to do whatever she could to help Dean if, and only if, he will let her.

The thing about Lucas also made Brooke restless. Lucas knew about the whole arrangement, and Brooke couldn't help but think of why Lucas didn't stop her from leaving Tree Hill yesterday. She kept on thinking about it until she finally fell asleep.

-----

620 miles from New York, Lucas Scott couldn't help but think of the bubbly brunette he fell in love with as he stared at the ceiling of his room. The digital clock on his bedside table read 5AM – too early for his usual wake-up time.

Lucas couldn't stop thinking of Brooke ever since she came back to Tree Hill a week ago and then left yesterday in a hurry. First of all, he couldn't believe that Brooke agreed to the arrangement his parents made with the Winchester family; second, he didn't like Dean at all.

Dean's macho attitude was not good for Brooke. Why? Because Lucas knows how vulnerable Brooke is and Dean's smug disposition will do her no good. Lucas wanted to stop Brooke from leaving again, but he couldn't because of Victoria Davis. He could still remember his last conversation with her.

"She'll be leaving Tree Hill tomorrow. You'll go on with your life like she was never a part of it." Victoria's tone was cold.

"You're kidding, right?" Lucas asked reluctantly.

Victoria raised her eyebrows and then frowned. "Do I look like I'm kidding?"

Lucas couldn't take in what Brooke's mother had just told him; too many questions were running on his mind. "Why?" was the first thing that came out of his mouth.

"You don't need to know why," Victoria snapped. "And I don't want you to do anything stupid. The moment Brooke leaves Tree Hill, that's the moment you'll stop being her boyfriend." Victoria's message was clear and concise.

"I want to talk to Brooke." Lucas didn't want to believe Victoria; he wanted to hear it from Brooke.

Victoria let out a small smile and stood up. "You're a good kid, Lucas, but you're not the one for Brooke." With that, Victoria walked over to the front door and gave Lucas a once-over before she left his house.

Maybe he didn't stop Brooke because of what Victoria told him – that he's not the one for her – or it may be because he didn't have the guts to stand up for her. Either way, he still thinks of himself as a jerk for not fighting for the brunette who captivated him.

-----

Dean woke up with a feeling of dread, aside from the slight back pain he has from sleeping on the floor. He rubbed his eyes and then did a little arm stretching as part of his morning routine. He then sat up and was surprised to see that Brooke was still sleeping. She looked so serene, and Dean couldn't help but stare.

When Dean's gaze landed on the clock on the bedside table, he took a deep breath. Today was the day Mary Winchester died, and as part of their 'tradition' every year, the Winchester family will visit her grave in Lawrence, Kansas – their hometown.

There was a slight knock on the door, followed by Sam's voice. Sam then poked his head through the door. The first thing Sam noticed was Dean, who was sitting on the floor with the sheets covering his lower body.

"You slept on the floor?" Sam asked.

Dean just stared blankly at his brother.

"Whatever," Sam said as he sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to wake Brooke up. "Today's -"

"I know," Dean muttered. Sam didn't have to remind him what today is.

Sam nodded and looked around the room to avoid his brother's eyes. "We'll leave in two hours." Sam stood up and walked to the door. "Brooke's coming with us," Sam said before he left the room.

Dean looked at the door that Sam had just closed with confusion, and then turned to look at Brooke. Why do they have to bring her with them to Kansas? For publicity? Dean's had enough of that. But still, he stood up and nudged Brooke's shoulder gently until she woke up.

"Pack your things. We're leaving in two hours." Dean grabbed a duffel bag from his dresser and threw in some clothes.

Brooke, still sleepy, just watched Dean as he chose what clothes to put in the bag. "Where are we going?"

"Kansas."

"What's in Kansas?" Brooke asked as she stood up.

Dean turned to look at her, and there was something in his eyes that Brooke didn't recognize. "Just pack your things and stop asking questions."

-----

After four hours of flying, the Winchester private plane landed on the tarmac of Lawrence Municipal Airport. Right after they landed, they went straight to the old Winchester house. John loved that house so much, so he kept it and made an effort to keep it as good as new so they could stay there whenever they want to.

"Home sweet home," Sam whispered as he got out of the car. The house still looked just as it looked like when they left a year after their mom died.

Dean, on the other hand, didn't look like he was glad to be there. Ever since they left New York, Dean had been awkwardly silent. Aside from the fact that he hates airplanes, he also didn't like the idea of visiting his mother's grave; it was too much for him.

Brooke got out of the backseat and Sam helped her get her bag from the car trunk. "You have a nice house," she said as she took her bag from Sam.

Sam smiled and turned to look at his brother, who was still inside the car. Dean was always like this every time they were in Kansas. When Dean noticed that Sam was looking at him with sympathy in his eyes, Dean glared at his younger brother and got out of the car.

Brooke noticed the sudden change in Dean's mood the moment he told her that today was his mother's death anniversary. It wasn't his usual grumpy, macho attitude; it was more like ouch-in-the-heart attitude, and Brooke could understand him completely. Losing a parent isn't an easy thing to cope with.

Once they were all settled in their own respective rooms, John announced that it was time to go to the cemetery, and Dean was the only one who looked like he didn't want to. Ellen and Jo opted to stay at the house because it was a 'Winchester' thing, and Brooke suggested to stay at the house too, but Sam asked her to come with them.

During the whole trip to the cemetery, Dean tried to avoid Sam and Brooke's eyes; he didn't want to see the look of sympathy or pity in their eyes. When they got to the cemetery, John, Sam, and Brooke went straight ahead to Mary Winchester's grave, which wasn't that hard to find because it was under a cherry blossom tree, while Dean just stayed in the car.

John and Sam placed the bouquet of flowers they brought for Mary, and Brooke watched as John talked to Mary's tombstone – it was obvious that his love for her never died. It almost made Brooke's heart melt.

"Hi Mom," Sam said when John was finished talking. "I want you to meet Brooke…my new friend…and Dean's future wife."

Brooke chuckled and took a few steps closer towards the tombstone. "Hi Mrs. Winchester."

John and Sam chuckled as well. A couple of yards away, Dean could clearly see that his father and his brother were talking to his mother's tombstone. Although he loved his mother very much, he couldn't bear to talk to her and tell her stuff that she wouldn't even be able to see or hear now.

"Hey," Brooke's raspy voice startled Dean.

Dean looked at her, but still tried to avoid her eyes.

Brooke stood beside him and folded her arms across her chest. "You should talk to her."

"I don't have anything to say," Dean muttered.

Brooke sighed and looked at Dean. "For once, drop your 'I don't care' attitude. Come on, it's your mother."

Dean didn't expect Brooke to say that. There was something in her voice that made him feel something he hadn't felt in a long time. Before he could even reply, Brooke grabbed his hand and dragged him to his mother's tombstone. Both John and Sam were surprised with what Brooke did.

It had been a long time since Dean saw his mother's tombstone up close. Unwanted tears threatened to escape his eyes, but he managed to fight it back. All the angst he kept inside him were almost melted away as he stared at the marble tombstone. John, Sam, and Brooke decided to give Dean some space and patiently waited for him at the car until he was done letting out whatever he had to tell or share with his mom.

-----

"Thanks," Sam said as he sat down beside Brooke on the porch steps. "Thanks for what you did earlier."

Since they came home from the cemetery two hours ago, Dean locked himself up in his room, but Sam could see that Dean somehow felt better after he finally talked to his mother, thanks to Brooke.

Brooke smiled her trademark dimpled smile. "I think it's about time for Dean to face his problems."

"And you're willing to take a risk? I mean…to help him with that?" Sam asked with amazement and confusion.

Brooke shrugged and then nodded. "It's worth a try."

Sam let out a small smile and looked at Brooke with gratitude in his eyes. "You've done so much for our family."

Before Brooke could answer, Dean came out of the house and marched towards the car.

"Dean, where are you going?" Sam asked.

Dean didn't even bother to look at his brother; he just ignored him. He got into the car, started the engine, and then drove off.

Sam and Brooke looked at each other and then sighed.

-----

Later that night, Sam, Brooke, and Jo were watching TV when the news reported that Dean was seen in a bar in Lawrence with a blonde woman. One thing entered their minds the moment they saw the video of Dean making out with the woman: John was going to be downright mad when he finds this out.

As they expected, John stormed out of his room and went downstairs to check if the young adults in the house saw the news. They all planned on how to handle the media because they all knew that any minute now, their phones will start to ring nonstop.

Dean was sure that his father would be mad because of what he did. He didn't plan to hook up with a woman in a bar, it just so happened that the chick was the one who came up to him, and he couldn't say no. So he waited until two in the morning before he went back to the house; his father wouldn't stay up just to tell him how stupid he is. But when Dean entered the house, he was surprised to see that everyone was waiting for him at the living room.

John stood up and glared at Dean the moment his oldest son entered the house. "I don't even know what to say," John blurted out. He had said too much about Dean's ways now, and yet his son still goes on like he never said a thing about it.

"Good," Dean muttered and then looked around the living room. Sam was sitting beside Brooke and Jo, while Ellen was right behind his father.

John couldn't believe his son. "We're here in Lawrence for your mother's death anniversary, and yet you still go on and raid any bar and hook up!" John roared.

"What do you want me to do? Cry my eyes out?" Dean snapped, his voice a level higher.

"Don't shout at your father," Ellen cut in.

Dean sneered and glared at Ellen. "This is none of your business."

John couldn't contain himself anymore; he punched his son right in his face. It was the first time his father hit him, and Dean was taken aback. Sure, he'd been involved in a lot of fights, but receiving a punch from his father hurt in a different kind of way. But being the arrogant that he is, Dean wiped off the blood oozing from his lips and smirked.

"I'll talk to him," Brooke broke the silence.

John and everyone else in the living room looked at Brooke with surprise, especially Dean. Brooke stood up from the couch and grabbed Dean's hand and pulled him to their room. Dean donned off his jacket as soon as they entered their room and tossed it to the bin near the bathroom door. Brooke, on the other hand, went to the bathroom and took a hand towel from a cabinet.

"Your dad's had enough of your antics," Brooke muttered as she sat beside Dean on the bed and wiped away the blood on his lips with the towel she was holding.

Dean looked at Brooke with surprise, but regained his smug composure in a matter of seconds. He grabbed the towel from Brooke and went to the bathroom to wash his face.

"I've had enough of your antics," Brooke sighed.

Dean heard what Brooke said, even if it was almost a whisper. He turned of the faucet and stood by the bathroom door and stared at Brooke.

Brooke looked at Dean and then shook her head. "You made me look like a fool, you know."

Even if it was just an arrangement, Brooke didn't want to look like a fool, especially because her relationship with Dean was publicized. Whenever Dean goes out with a random chick in a bar, people would think of Brooke as a woman who can't control or at least have her man's attention.

"Just don't do that anymore," Brooke said. "Promise…promise me that you won't make me look like a fool again."

Dean was taken aback by the words that came out of Brooke's mouth. He blinked a couple of times as he thought of what to say, because at that moment, Brooke looked like she was tired of it all, but still, she tried to work everything out.

One thing that bothered him was the fact that every time Brooke tries to work things out and help him, it bugs the hell out of him; one example was when Brooke convinced him to face his mother's grave. Another thing was it had been a long time since Dean promised anything to someone, and he wasn't willing to make a promise to his pretend girlfriend, but he said yes anyway.

Brooke knew that Dean wasn't sure with his answer, and she knew that he would probably just go on with his womanizing, but she hoped that he wouldn't. Dean has a lot of potential, and she knew he could change if he wants to. All she has to do is make him realize that it isn't late to change for the better.


I don't know why, but I found it hard to write this chapter…I hope you guys will bear with me. Please review. :)