Next time I will put in HUGE letters WARNING of anything graphic although I did say it might be a little morbid, but if you guys are willing to read it, then thank you. I personally know a couple of people who have been attacked and it is something serious, I guess I wanted to stay true to the possibilities of these types of situations. Again I do apologize. Although we are almost over the dark parts as we will get some happier, more joyous relaxed moments between everyone including Brooke and Lucas. Then of course we got to get back to dark lol.
I am also going to change the summary of this story as I have finally found the story I was trying to figure out in the beginning!
Pam: it's like you know who I am. I was completely appalled and upset that there was no interaction between Brooke and Lucas during season 6 that involved her attack. Granted they were starting the Brooke and Julian thing (which I love them and absolutely adore Austin Nichols) still…no matter what…through their relationship, friendship, and everything Brooke and Lucas have been through, I was really upset there was no interaction between them about that at all. I was even more upset that we only got to see Brooke tell Peyton about it. Why not Haley? Or Nathan? And especially Lucas! Anyways, yes it is hard for me to write the real thoughts and reactions of other characters through Brooke and Lucas and I am thinking about doing some POVs through other characters especially Peyton. Although she became my least favorite character on the show, I would love to do some POV through her about everything. I think I could make it very interesting. And I do agree with you that Jeyton and Brucas was cast aside a huge amount against the Leyton duo. Very upsetting and disappointing.
And can I also say that I am extremely upset to hear that Chad/Lucas screen time is only with Jackson/Jaime and Bethany/Haley when he comes back for the last season! Or that's at least the rumor mill of it all, but I would not be surprised that Schwahn and the writers of One Tree Hill would do that. Don't get me wrong I love Lucas and Haley, but come on we didn't even get a goodbye from Lucas to Brooke at the end of season 6! And we can't even get one little bitty scene between Sohpia/Brooke and Chad/Lucas/his crazy hair in the final season.
Anyways I am sorry for my ranting, your comments just got me thinking and with the season premiere last night, it just made my blood boil! Lol
Thanks again for the reviews! They truly do inspire to write more and more.
Chapter 9: Good Morning and New York, Eh?
I could feel something warm on my face. For some reason, a burning sensation of desire ran through me. Everything around me felt like perfection. I couldn't describe this feeling. It was almost like ecstasy. I turned over in the bed and my hand fell lightly upon a strong back and broad shoulders. I started to run my fingers down the man's back and that sensation shot through me again. I began to find myself planting a trail of kisses from his neck down the bare skin of his back. Then that sensation increased by a million different kinds of sensations. I crawled on top of his back and my kisses lead me towards his face. He turned slightly and my lips found his. The kiss was unlike anything I had ever felt. I started to feel wet and I couldn't take it any more. I intensified the kiss and made him face me as I dug my nails in his back. He pulled my hair back and lay kisses along my neck. If I could I would have had an orgasm just then because that contact with his lips to my neck was exhilarating. Then he purred.
"Mmmm…Lindsey."
Lindsey? My name is Brooke. Then I realized something was wrong. I finally opened my eyes and took in my surroundings. When I looked down to the face before me who fluttered his eyes open as well. Shock and horror fulfilled us both.
"Luke!" "Brooke!" We spoke at the same time and then that's when I felt his bulge against my leg.
"Shit!" I jumped off of him. He fell out of the bed and stumbled out of the room.
Was I dreaming and awoke with arouse and assumed I was still looped within my dream? This was crazy. What the hell was I doing here? I realized that I was wearing some of his clothes and then everything started flashing across my eyes.
The store opening.
The white box containing the dress, my dress.
I must have passed out or something. It was becoming a routine thing for me and I started to bite my nails. Was it possible this man, this inhuman creature was out and coming back for me? No, it couldn't be, he was still in jail. He was going to be there for at least another five years. Then Lucas cleared his throat and I was brought back to reality.
"I am so sorry about that. I am so embarrassed."
When I looked up at Lucas' face, he truly was embarrassed; I haven't seen that look on his face since the night I stripped down in his car the first time we met officially.
"No I am sorry, I think I started it, I think I was dreaming or something. I don't know this is so embarrassing for me." I really was embarrassed because I haven't been that way with Luke in nearly four years. I felt my face become red.
"It seems you were dreaming about Lindsey." I wrapped the sheet tighter around me. Although I was fully clothed, I felt like I was still completely naked in front of him and that made me feel shy and vulnerable. Two things I was never when I was with Lucas.
"Yeah and again I'm sorry. I really had no idea."
It got awkward and silent for a few minutes and he walked over to his closet to get dressed. A sigh of relief flooded me and I lay back down in the bed.
"How are you doing Brooke? I mean last night was…"
Just like me, he didn't want to talk about it really. I could feel it radiating off of him, but it had to be spoken.
"I just don't understand. He's in jail unless there's someone else. Luke that was the dress I was wearing the night I was attacked." I pulled my legs into my chest and rested my head on my knees.
He walked over to me and rubbed my arm consolingly.
"I'm sorry, I am sure you thought you would never have to relive that night in the way it was displayed before you."
I looked up into his eyes and it was the same look I remembered barely being able to see that night he came to New York to take care of me. Of all the people in the world, I had to admit at first I was surprised that Millicent had called him, but then that was the only other person in my life that Millicent knew, but still, she could have called Haley whom I speak about every day, but she called Lucas and I would always thank her to the day I die for doing that for me. I knew he was frightened, scared to death just like I was but he put up the best front I'd ever seen in any other person. That night he was my hero, that night he rode in on his white horse and saved me from it all. He did keep his promise and I was too stupid to realize that, that is what he's been doing ever since. He brought me back to his place, the place I called home although I never called it that in front of him, but I had a feeling he knew. He always knew, he could read me like one of his intricate novels and see me. One of the things I hated about him. He was the only person who could see me that way and sometimes I resented him for it.
"Brooke?" He whispered. I left my thoughts behind and looked up at him.
"Thanks."
"You don't have to thank me every time I rescue you. It's natural; it's pretty much become a part of me, so stop it." He gently pushed my arm and I pushed back.
I noticed next to his desk, was a suitcase.
"You going somewhere?" I really didn't want to talk about the horrifying gift I received because right now I wasn't sure I could handle it.
"Well when we spoke yesterday and you told me to go after Lindsey, I immediately booked a flight for today, but after what happened last night, I am not sure I should leave you. It can wait Brooke, because we should—"
"No, it's a great idea, Luke, you should go." I cut him short because I refused to talk about it right now. Then I had an idea.
"I'll go with you." I saw that my purse was on his night stand next to the bed, once I pulled my phone out there were all types of messages. Some of which I knew were from Victoria.
"What?" He asked.
"I need to go back anyways to check on the company and if you are that concerned, I'll just go with you. You spend time with Lindsey and I'll unfortunately spend time with Victoria, see where everything is at." I really did think it would make both of us feel better if the other was close by. I saw his shoulders relax and he nodded.
"I think that would make me feel a little better, but you should probably call Hales and Nathan, they were extremely worried about you last night."
I then remembered that I told Nathan and Peyton last night about the attack. Now that I remembered that, it almost felt like a weight was lifted from my shoulders. A part of me was relieved, happy even that I had finally let that part of myself free to them.
"The flight leaves in about three hours. You got plenty of time before then? Correct?" He shoved his hands in his pockets.
"Yeah and besides my apartment is still there with all my other stuff that I left behind. I'll just need myself and my purse and wah-la." I held out my hands in a ta-da magician pose. He smiled.
"Okay well I guess I'll just drive you to your place? I have nothing else to do today."
Luke gathered his stuff and I walked out into the bright sunlight back in the tight dress I was wearing from the night before. I almost felt I was doing the walk of shame wearing the same clothes from the previous night after a regretful night of random sex with a stranger. Stupid dress. Luke drove causally to my apartment and then that feeling came over me again. That feeling of sheer ecstasy. What the hell was going on? Then I remembered the way his lips felt on mine, the way they burned the flesh of my neck. It was electrifying. Just thinking about it, I felt hot and wet and I had to squeeze my legs together as tightly as I could.
"Are you okay?" He asked when he looked over at me.
I couldn't face him as I could feel my cheeks redden again.
"Yeah, just anxious, I guess. I am not entirely sure what kind of emotions I am going to be welcomed with when I get home." That was the biggest, fat lie I have ever told him and he knew I was lying but he wasn't going to push it. Then I heard him laugh.
"What's so funny?" This time I was not red in the face anymore.
"I just can't believe what happened this morning. You know Brooke Davis, I have tried to kiss you a couple of times in the past before and you pushed me away, but this morning you were all over me like a cat in heat."
I had to look away again as that blush came across my face.
"Haha, laugh it up boozy, I was obviously lost in a very vivid dream." Then it dawned on me, if that's what it truly was, was a dream to me at first, then who did I really imagine the man was lying beside me? I was almost certain that I wasn't initially thinking about Luke. There was no way or was I? I shook my head.
"It's still funny." He said as he parked outside my condo.
Once inside Millie and Peyton were eating breakfast. We all exchanged some words and I didn't want to alarm Peyton about the dress, not just yet. I needed to take care of a few extra curricular activities once I was in New York. I also realized that Millie came to Tree Hill to spend time with me and here I was about to board a plane to New York. She told me that it was perfectly fine as she said that she wouldn't mind staying a little longer. She said that after last night's incident, she said that Mouth had stayed behind to help her clean up a little and they spent most of their time getting to know each other. I couldn't help but be happy for her. Mouth was an amazing person and if that led somewhere then I wouldn't be anything but thrilled for those two to start something amazing with each other. Peyton on the other hand was a little upset because after hearing my secret, she started to play the Luke card. She wanted to keep me close, to protect me. I had pulled Peyton into my room so Luke wouldn't hear the next thing I told her, but I told her that she should spend time with Jake and Jenny, catch up with him, and take her mind off of Luke and the past couple of days. She finally caved and told me to call her once we got there so she knew I was okay, that both of us were okay. On the way to the airport I had called Nathan and Haley and had to explain that Luke and I were going to New York and that maybe it would be a good thing for me. That conversation turned out to be another one with them both saying that I should stay close, but I reassured everyone that Luke would be with me.
I was honestly getting tired of people asking me if I was okay and me responding that I was okay. I went almost two years without any terror from Sean Hamer and last night's present is what almost broke me. I was okay for now, but if something else were to happen, it might just break me.
The plane ride was quiet and Luke brought a book along with him. I started to lean against the window to sleep but out of instinct and still deep into his book, Lucas wrapped his arm around me and pulled me into his shoulder. Adjusting himself and his view of the book without saying anything he held me close. I smiled and dozed off for a bit and when I awoke we had landed in New York. Once out of the airport we both looked at each other and for a brief moment I didn't want to leave his side.
"Okay, you call me the minute you are at Clothes over Bros and safe."
I nodded.
"You call me once you've made it to Lindsey."
He looked at me funny.
"Hey I'm allowed to worry about you too." I lifted my leg to kick the back of his thigh. I made the mood a little brighter. I really didn't want to let what was happening right now affect my entire mood and life.
We went our separate ways and I headed towards Clothes over Bros. I did have to admit that things seemed to get easier when I reinstated Victoria to her position, but the bitch still shined in her everyday. I only hoped Lucas could accomplish why he came here. I really did like Lindsey and I knew how much she loved him. I knew that Lucas loved her too. She was great for him and I just hope he can get her to see that.
It killed me to leave Brooke, but I couldn't always be around her. I knew that she didn't want to talk about it. A part of me did see why, it was the person that she was, who she has become. Brooke became one of the strongest people that I knew to overcome something that she went through. She was trying to put it out of her mind and if that's what she wanted, that's what I would help her do.
I was standing in front of the Putnam & Pratts building before I even realized the cab ride was over. I entered the building and took the elevator to the fifth floor. Once the doors opened I could already see her. Her office was in clear view from the elevator. As I walked towards her office, I watched her laugh as she was on the phone with someone. As she laughed, she doodled something on her day planner. I didn't realize how much I had missed that, missed her. She still didn't notice me as I knocked on her door.
When she looked up, she dropped her phone and hurriedly tried to find it.
"I am going to have to call you back." She put the phone down and stared at me.
"I miss you." I said and I walked towards her. She stepped back a little.
"Luke? What are you doing here?"
I slowly walked towards her.
"Lindsey, I love you and I miss you and I want you to come home with me." I got closer to her.
"Lucas, I—"
I pulled her into my arms and I kissed her. She resisted at first, but then fell completely in me and kissed me back.
"I missed you so much." I rested my forehead against hers.
"Luke, you can't do this." She pulled away from me and turned her back on me.
"Why not?"
"Because Luke we are just not meant to be, this isn't right." She placed her hands on her hips and I was beginning to get frustrated, I reached into my back pocket and pulled out the folded pages. The pages that she needed to read, to understand why I wrote the things I did about Peyton.
"I am not in love with her Lindsey. I kissed her and when I did, just in that moment I realized that I was not in love with her. Over the years I realized that those feelings really had gone away and I was able to move on and I fell in love with you."
"Luke," The look on her face was filled with love, but as she flipped through the pages she became confused yet again.
"What is this, Lucas?"
"The pages you really needed to read. All that stuff about Peyton, like I told you, it was to lead to the moments I met you and fell in love with you. Linds, my next novel was going to be about us."
The more I looked at her, the more she became confused and almost angry.
"Lucas, this isn't what I read and I was not talking about—"
Her phone rang and she didn't finish her sentence. She picked up her phone and she turned back to me.
"Look I have to take this call; we can meet up later for dinner maybe and talk." She handed me the papers back and I just left. I watched her briefly for a moment and when she looked up at me, she turned her chair away from me so I couldn't see her anymore.
I looked at the pages and the top few pages are the ones she would have read, what did she mean she didn't read this and what did she start to say when she was cut off by the phone? This was beginning to not make any sense. My phone started to ring and it was Brooke.
"Hey boozy, you with Lindsey yet?"
"Sort of, but something is not making sense, I am going to meet up with her for dinner tonight." I looked back towards her office and she still had the back of her chair towards me.
"That seems weird, anyways, I am here about to see Victoria. I guess I'll just see you later at my apartment. You still have your own key, yes?"
"Yes mam, I will see you later this evening."
"Okay good luck."
"You too." I figured I would leave and call her later to set up a time and place for dinner. I needed her back. Being away from her for forty-eight hours was harder on me than I thought.
It was a little disappointing to hear that it didn't go the way Lucas wanted it to go with Lindsey. Although knowing Lucas I am sure he can charm her into coming back to him.
"I knew you would come to your senses and move back."
I dropped my phone as the hiss of her voice went right through me.
"Shit, mother." I reached down to grab my phone and I placed it in my purse.
She walked over to me in her Prada dress and Dolce stilettos. I rolled my eyes at the smirk on her face.
"You stayed longer in Tree Hill than I thought you would. I'm impressed. Just glad you came to your senses."
"I am not here to move back. Just came to visit, see how everything was going. Millicent tells me things are still running smooth without my presence." I crossed my arms and the look that flickered across her face made me remember the same look two years ago.
"You give me one reason why I should believe that you had nothing to do with my attack. I saw you Victoria! I. Saw. You!" I held the gun up to her face and she didn't even flinch.
"Brooke what the hell are you talking about?" She rested her hands on her hips and that made me even more motivated to pull the trigger.
"Let me refresh your memory. The night I fired you, I watched you through the office, you were talking to someone, it was almost as if you were giving commands, a look I knew all too well since my childhood." I walked up closer to her, hoping the fear would settle in sooner.
"Then of course after you threw a chair through the office window, you threatened me, mother. You told me I would regret firing you and it looks like my life almost paid for it."
"Brooke, again what the hell are you talking about?" Her voice rose above mine.
"The moment I left the building, a man dragged me into the alleyway and attacked me. I looked like a chewed up dog toy! You did this to me! I know it!" I was screaming at her as tears covered my face. I have never been this upset with any other human being in my life. I wanted her to pay, I wanted her to feel the pain and torture she had put me through since I was a child and then something changed in her.
Her knees gave way and she sat down in a chair. The horror that started to etch across her face, and then I saw what looked like to be tears.
"Were you raped?" She said it so quietly, that I didn't even know if I heard her correctly.
"He wasn't able to finish the job." I said coldly through tears.
Then her hand went over her mouth and tears came from her eyes.
"Brooke, I didn't do this and I am truly sorry if you ever thought I did." The tears that started to fall down her cheeks were quickly brushed away from her face and she stood up again and walked away from me.
"You should be thanking me. I got the men's clothing line going well and strong. Things are looking great so far." She handed me a folder and I looked at the numbers.
Things were looking great, but I came to pitch her some new ideas.
"I actually have an idea for a new line. It's something I started working on when I was still here." I reached into my bag and pulled out two tiny pieces of clothing.
She turned around to face me and I held up the small clothing.
"I would like to call it Baby Brooke!" I ran my hand over the tiny fabric and smiled. I couldn't wait to put my own children in these clothes. I got lost in my thoughts when she snatched the material out of my hands.
"Brooke, you can't just spring on me with a new line and expect it to go somewhere. Did you not just hear me? We just got the men's clothing line started and that took nearly two years to process."
I snatched the clothing back from her.
"I was there for it all. I was just saying this is something I would love to do in the future, for when I get my own family." I smoothed out the little piece and pulled it close to my heart.
"You move too fast, Brookie, what makes you think a baby line would get anywhere." She started to make me angry and with everything that has been happening in the past few days, I was going to use her for my anger.
I threw the clothing in her face.
"You don't know anything about me!" I threw the other piece I hadn't shown her yet to her face.
"I was attacked two years ago and something in me changed and you were a part of that change, mother. A man beat me until I was almost not breathing anymore. I had my store opening last night in Tree Hill and that sick fuck sent me the dress I was wearing that night as some sort of twisted joke! I have never ever been so disgusted and filled with hate as I am right now." My whole body jolted with anger.
"I have been trying to keep myself sane, make myself okay for all the people in Tree Hill who love me. Who tell me that everyday! I will do whatever it takes to put smiles on their faces because I love them! You know what mother, maybe I should have just kept you fired and away from this job because not even after I tell you that I was attacked, your attitude, your behavior towards me is still the same. You just can't change; you just can't say anything nice or even show compassion or love for me."
Victoria looked behind me and I followed her gaze. Lucas was standing there and the look on his face made my stomach twist in knots.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Victoria yet again did not portray any type of compassion.
"I was there for her that night. I was there to take care of her, to tell her that she would be okay and that she would get through this. You are her mother for Christ's sake, and is it so difficult for you to look your daughter in the eye and tell her that you love her. To console her through rough times. To understand that she has been to hell and back." Lucas was by my side and I didn't want him to hear any more of my unraveling. I wanted him to believe, to know that I was okay and keeping it together. I had yet again broken down before him.
"This conversation is over. I have work to do. We'll talk about Baby Brooke later." For once Victoria was not fighting her own battle. She was surrendering.
I rolled my eyes.
"Forget about it Victoria. Baby Brooke will be something I do on my own. You just focus on the men's line." I walked over to pick up the baby clothes and shoved them in my bag. I couldn't be around her anymore. Being back in this building only after a few days, it didn't feel the same.
"Luke, what are you doing here? I thought I was meeting up with you later tonight." I started walking towards the elevator and he grabbed my arm.
"I was just close by. Brooke do you want to talk about it?"
I knew he had heard everything and I hated that. Although he said I was allowed to break down and be vulnerable, the thing was I hated being vulnerable and weak in front of him. I liked being strong and independent especially around him. It also didn't help that those feelings for him, everything I have ever felt for him was still with me.
"Luke, honestly I just want to drink. You were not supposed to see me that way and I really am okay. She just knows how to push my right buttons."
We both got into the elevator and it got uncomfortable quickly.
"When you meet up with Lindsey tell her I said hey and that we should meet up tomorrow and do something." I needed to change the subject.
"Yeah I will. I am actually a little nervous." He had that stupid grin on his face.
"Okay well if the night goes the way you want it, you are taking it to her place." I said.
We finally got into the lobby and walked out the front doors together. I looked toward him.
"Look, I am just going to go to my place and you do something great for Lindsey. Get her flowers, pick a nice restaurant. Ooooh." I just realized I had some tricks up my sleeves.
"I can get you a private room at Belou's. They actually owe me a favor." I smiled until my face hurt. I wanted to do this for Luke, to do something great for him after all that he's done for me.
"Brooke that would be amazing. Thank you." He pulled me into his arms and I returned the hug.
"No problem."
I set up the reservation, I helped Luke pick out the perfect set of flowers and Lindsey said she would meet him around seven. An early dinner can lead to a long night and that's what we wanted. It's what I wanted for him. Even though a part of me stung a little to see him feel the way he does about Lindsey, I genuinely thought that she was the best fit for him. She didn't have any of the drama that me or Peyton had with him. She was cut from a different cloth and she really did have an amazing soul and spirit.
"Good luck Luke." I smacked him on the arm. I had dressed him up sharply and he really did look amazing.
"I'll let you know how it goes." He smiled and left.
I watched him walk down the hall and out of my sight. Then it was like déjà vu. Years ago, I sent him on his way to Peyton at the state championship game and now I was sending him to the most romantic restaurant to get the girl of his dreams.
Next chapter: What does Lindsey have to say to Lucas. A visit to the New Jersey Prison. Stay tuned!