Warning: this chapter contains a semi-graphic account of sexual assault, which I know many people have had to deal with. If it's something that is a sensitive topic for you, I would advise skipping over this chapter.

"Why don't you come out here with me?" the voice whispered in her ear. The room was spinning, and she felt like her blood was far too warm.

"What?" she mumbled, the word clumsily rolling off of her tongue. She could see a smile that reminded her of the Cheshire Cat. That cat had always freaked her out as a kid.

The next thing she knew, her clothes were off and she was against the wall. "Stop it. Please, stop."

Her words didn't sound like English. They didn't sound like words. She wasn't sure if he wasn't stopping because he was truly being forceful or if he just couldn't understand her, so she used all of her remaining energy and coordination to push him. This seemed to anger him, and he grabbed her by the hair, slamming her head on the brick wall.

"Please," she whimpered. She could feel the sticky heat of blood, but didn't feel pain yet. Her body was numb, and she willing her emotions to do the same as her heart pounded in fear. She tried to block it all out as he violated her. When he finally dropped her onto the ground, pulling his pants up and disappearing down the alleyway, she curled up, reaching desperately for her purse on the ground. She pulled out her cell phone and blearily looked at her recent calls. They were all Nathan or Haley. Deciding that Nathan was the man for the job, she hit the send button.

"Brooke?" came his tired voice. "What's up?"

"Nathan," she whispered, and she finally began to cry as she heard his voice. The safety of her loved ones made it feel as though it was okay to cry now. "I need help."

"Where are you?" his voice snapped awake. She could hear him rustling around and Haley's sleepy voice inquiring about what was happening.

"I'm in the alley by the Blue Post," she managed to slur out. "Someone attacked me."

"I will be right there, Brooke," Nathan assured her. "I want you to hide, okay? Make sure no one can see you."

"Okay," Brooke whimpered. "Please be fast."

Nathan's heart was in his throat as he reached the familiar alleyway, where he had spent many a drunken night with Brooke at the tender age of fifteen. "Brooke?" he called out worriedly. He was greeted only by silence.

He finally found her, wedged behind a dumpster, naked and bruised. He averted his eyes and took off his sweatshirt, slipping it over her head with difficulty. It was huge on her, going nearly to her knees, and Nathan was grateful that he could avoid looking at her many bruises.

"Brooke, honey, wake up," Nathan pleaded, slapping at her face gently. "Babe, come on, wake up."

"Luke?"

Nathan felt a pang of pity in his stomach. "No, sweetie, it's Nate. I'm here now. We're going to get you to the ER."

"Okay," she whispered. "You're the only man I can count on."

"I know, Brookie," Nathan sighed sadly. "I promise you can always count on me."

Brooke stood in that alley. Today was exactly a year later. She had been living with Lucas and Jamie for nearly three months now, and somehow it had yet to hit her that Nathan was truly gone. She looked at the spot she had wedged herself before passing out and was shocked to see a piece of what was unmistakably what had been her favorite black lace bra. She put a hand over her mouth, closing her eyes to shield herself from the pain.

"God, Nate, why'd you have to go?" she whispered into the air. "Who's going to save me now? Who's going to be there to pick me up off of the ground and hold my hand through the night? Who's going to take care of me like a brother? Who's going to be my family?"

"I am," came Lucas's sudden, gravelly voice from behind her. She spun around, eyes wide.

"Where's Jamie?" she immediately asked. Lucas smiled at her softly.

"Lydia came to visit today, remember?"

"Oh. Right."

"Why are you here, Brooke?"

"It's been a year today," Brooke said softly, arms crossed over her chest.

"You shouldn't be here," Lucas said quietly, reaching for her. She gasped and stepped back into the wall, breathing heavily. "It's just me, Brooke. It's okay."

Her eyes snapped wide again. "I was right here."

Lucas simply watched her, keeping his distance. While this all seemed extremely unhealthy to him, he would let her go through this if it was what she needed.

"He had taken me out here and leaned me against this wall. I kept asking where his car was, asking him to take me home. And then he started kissing me, and I was okay with that until he took my dress off. More like ripped it off. And next thing I knew I was naked, and I couldn't really talk, and there wasn't much I could do."

"Brooke-"

Her voice was thick with tears as she continued. "All I could think about was you. About how you were the last guy I had slept with until then. That I had been kind of proud of that fact. That I knew the last time I had sex, I had made love. That I had been loved back. Or at least you said you did, and that made enough of a difference. But I was back to being someone's toy in the worst possible way. I felt so ashamed."

"There is nothing to be ashamed of," Lucas said fiercely, taking a slow step toward her. "You did absolutely nothing wrong."

She stared into his eyes, and it broke his heart to see the fear and pain reflected in them. She slid slowly down the brick wall, tears overcoming her.

"This is where we had our first kiss, too."

It suddenly dawned on Lucas that a place he had considered sacred was now destroyed. Yet another thing about their relationship that had been destroyed for Brooke.

He moved toward her cautiously as she sobbed on the ground. He lowered himself to kneel in front of her and slowly reached out to brush away a few of her tears. She tensed at first but soon leaned her face into his hand.

"I'm so sorry," she cried. "I ruined it."

"Brooke," he said solemnly. "You didn't ruin anything. Some sick bastard did. And it isn't ruined. It is horrible what happened here, and I will never want to come back. But in my mind, our first kiss will always be a good memory. I hope that despite everything that happened, it can still be a good memory for you too."

She hiccupped, trying to stop her tears. She nodded, biting her lip. He smiled at her gently, pulling her up and into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head.

"It's okay, Brooke. I wasn't there when it happened, but I'm here now. And I know that it's hard to feel safe with Nathan gone, but I promise that I will keep you safe."

"Like you did for Peyton?" she sniffled.

"Better than I did for Peyton," Lucas assured her, dropping a kiss to the top of her head. He felt her shiver slightly at the contact, but he was unsure if it was a good or bad thing.

"Let's get you home," he smiled softly, placing an arm around her and leading her to the car.

"Thank you," Brooke breathed as she leaned her head on the window upon getting in the car. "For coming for me."

"Of course," Lucas said, squeezing her hand. "How did you get here, anyway?"

"I walked," Brooke said.

"Jesus, Brooke, you need to be careful," Lucas admonished gently, running a thumb over her hand.

"I know. Thanks for looking out for me."

"Of course. We'll get you home, cleaned up, and in bed, okay? Lydia has Jamie today, so you just spend the whole day in bed."

She finally smiled genuinely. "That sounds nice. It's been a long time since I had any rest. And Jamie was difficult last night."

Lucas nodded. "I'll be waiting on your hand and foot, m'lady."

Brooke giggled. "Now that sounds even nicer."

Despite her red, swollen eyes, she winked at him flirtatiously and he couldn't help but grin back. Brooke Davis was truly the bravest woman he knew.

When they got home, he immediately ushered Brooke to the shower while he busied himself in the kitchen, making her favorite sandwich. When she made her way back to her room, she dropped her towel immediately on closing the door, turning around and screeching in shock.

Lucas was meticulously standing near her bed, setting up a tray with some food and iced tea on it, a carnation placed in a tiny vase adorning one of the corners. His eyes were wide and his jaw loose as he unconsciously ran his eyes over her naked body.

"Oh my God!" she yelled.

"I'm sorry!" he shouted, throwing his hands over his face and attempting to leave. He instead ran into the desk and clumsily tripped, causing Brooke to burst into hysterical laughter. He had never felt such relief at the sound, not only because it alleviated tension but because it also meant she was feeling better.

"I guess it's nothing you haven't seen a hundred times before," she giggled, pulling a T-shirt and panties on. "Just stay, why don't you? You put enough on that tray for an army. We can watch a movie in here."

Lucas's cheeks were pink as he lowered his hands and sat where Brooke was patting the bed invitingly. She placed the tray between them and flicked on the TV.

"Was Dear John seriously in your DVD player all ready?"

Brooke simply shushed him in response.

They spent the rest of the day watching Brooke's movies and vegging out in bed until Brooke's eyes finally fluttered closed. Lucas took advantage of this and turned the TV to Sportscenter. As he shifted, Brooke stirred slightly and wriggled closer to him, laying her head on his stomach with a contented little sigh.

"Sleep well, pretty girl," he whispered, bending painfully to kiss her on the forehead. "I'll be right here when you wake up."