Disclaimer ***ditto

So I never expected to take so long to get this out. Happy New Year!

Thanks to all the reviewers; LadyPD, fanoudum, Trish, Diane, Boblina and guests. Much appreciated. Here's your update, and in case anyone else is confused Jamie is Lucas and Brooke's biological son, and read to get a lot of your answers. Enjoy!

Chapter Thirteen

Good Type of Bad

There was a skip in Nathan's step as he walked inside the café, Brooke automatically kinked her brow at her old friend, "I know that look" she whistled as Nathan slipped into the booth opposite her and at his widening grin Brooke groaned, "oh my god, you dog. I told you to tell her how you feel, not take her to the nearest flat surface!" and she threw a napkin at him.

Nathan chuckled, a stupid grin still on his face, "it was good advice"

"Well you certainly look happy" her nose twitched, "I can't believe Haley hasn't called me" Brooke mumbled.

"She's probably tired, really tired" and Nathan laughed when Brooke then threw a sugar packet, it hit his forehead before falling to the table. "So, I kept my end of the bargain"

"I'm not sure what you did counts"

"Haley wouldn't agree"

"No, eww, mental pictures" Brooke scrunched her eyes closed and tried to ignore Nathan's teasing, he finally closed his mouth and Brooke stopped singing to herself, and she smiled at him, "I'm happy for you"

"I haven't felt this happy in years" everything about Nathan appeared more at ease, "there's still so much to talk about but I honestly don't care" a determined look crossed his blue eyes.

"I forbid you to take her from Tree Hill, Jake already ran off with Peyton and you're not taking my Haley"

"My Haley" Nathan shot back and a silly smile stole his face, his eyes softened, "my Haley"

Brooke rolled her eyes, "you've got it so bad"

They both laughed, they were still laughing at each other when Karen walked up to the table and almost dropped the coffee mug at the sight of Nathan.

"Oh my, Nathan Scott!"

At ease Nathan stood, a welcoming smile on his face, he wrapped his arms around Karen, "hi, you look good" he squeezed tight and the older woman hugged him back as happy tears ran down her cheeks.

"Thank you" Karen wiped her eyes, "it's so good to see you and with such a smile on your face"

Nathan looked at Brooke before turning back to Karen and nodding, "well, I'm home now"

More tears fell from Karen and she hugged Nathan again in disbelief that both Scott boys were finally home. Brooke watched with approval though her would be mother then turned on Brooke and scolded her for coming into the café during her break, with a happy smile Karen arranged for a coffee and treat on the go for Nathan and Brooke and then promptly kicked them out.

Together they walked the streets, "so is that the plan?" Brooke sent him a questioning look, "this gonna be home again?"

"I'm thinking so"

"Good" she nodded.

They were only a few stores down when a patrol car parked next to them and Brooke swore as a hurried Ephraim walked after them, "Brooke!" the officer called after her and she swore under her breath before she stopped and turned to face her former fiancé.

"Ephraim?"

Nathan looked between Brooke and the stranger, the police officer towered over them, his features soft and of a similar colouring to himself, and Nathan sensed the tension between the two.

"Look, this isn't the time or place-"

"Yeah, that was my exact thought when this was delivered to me at work this morning" Ephraim threw a large yellow envelope at Brooke's chest, she grabbed it in confusion while Ephraim was already turning away with a furious scowl on his face, "you know what, Brooke, you wanted time, well now you have as long as you like because I'm out" just before he slammed the car door behind him Ephraim gave one last warning, "and don't expect me to help pick up the mess when he breaks your heart again"

Brooke's mouth fell open as Ephraim sped away, Nathan looked at Brooke "who was that guy?"

"He was sort of my fiancé" Brooke cringed, "it's complicated"

Nathan huffed and stood still as Brooke opened the flap of the envelope, she pulled out a stack of blown up photographs "what the fuck are these?" she looked in the direction of where Ephraim had driven off before eyeing the photos again in disgust, "who would do this?" tears began to fall.

As Brooke paled Nathan took the photos from Brooke's trembling fingers, catching a glimpse of a few before she hurriedly grabbed them back and stuffed them into the envelope again. There was no mistaking the two people in the graphic coloured images and from what Nathan had glimpsed they did not leave much to the imagination, "I didn't realise you and Lucas were-"

"It was-" Brooke sucked in a long breath, "the first night we saw each other again, one minute we were yelling at each other and then… and then… that before some more yelling, you know" one hand went to her forehead, "someone was watching us! Taking photos!" her voice shook with anger.

Nathan pulled his friend into a hug, after long minutes he pulled back, "you should tell Lu-"

"No" fear filled Brooke, "Lucas can't know about this, if he knows he will do something stupid and get himself locked up again and-" more tears fell from Brooke, "- Jamie and I can't lose him again, we just can't"

"Okay, okay" a suspicion made Nathan ask, "you know who would do this?"

Brooke bit her lip, "it's not the first time he's had us followed" she whispered.

It was Nathan's turn to swear, "why did you never tell me the bullshit Dan has been pulling?"

"Because accusing Dan worked so well for us with you in the past!" Brooke instantly threw back.

Nathan snatched the envelope from Brooke and took a few steps back, he pointed his finger at her "I'll put an end to this" he promised and quickly walked off, Brooke trailed Nathan and grabbed for his arm yet he pushed her away, "I've got this, Brooke".

Torn between what to do Brooke stumbled along the sidewalk before giving up on following Nathan and headed home to have a shower to help wash away the feeling of dirtiness that now clung to her.

Fury still coursed through Nathan when he barged into his father's empty office, it had only softened a little by the time Nathan went to his father's house and found Dan drunk with a half bottle of alcohol still in his hand. Disgust filled Nathan, "what the hell is this? I thought I told you to leave Brooke alone" Nathan threw the envelope at Dan but quickly changed his mind and snatched it back before Dan opened it.

The older man laughed, "come on it's not anything half the town hasn't seen before" his words confirmed for Nathan their suspicions Dan was behind the photos, "a felon and a slut, and they're better for Benjamin than me" he gave another dark laugh and drank some more.

All of a sudden Dan frantically spun around, his eyes wide, "she wants to take my family just like you!"

"What?" Nathan was confused.

Dan's eyes cleared slightly, "what?" he shook his head, "is it really you?" Dan stumbled and fell to the ground, the bottle rolled away from him.

Inebriated and crying Dan lay on the floor, Nathan grabbed his father arm and pulled him up, he carried his father to the master room and dropped Dan on the bed, "you're pathetic" he spat at Dan but the mayor of Tree Hill didn't hear his sons' words.

…

It was still early when Lucas left the Blue Post to go straight to work, Owen had already opened the bar and Lucas went straight to his duties. He enjoyed keeping his mind and hands busy as well as spending time with the rest of the staff, and before Lucas knew it the club was open and his night really begun.

At eight Haley entered Tric and lowered her phone into her pocket, her body still tingled from the night before while emotions caused turmoil inside her. Though Nathan promised he would visit her later a part of Haley wondered why he had been so distant during the day and worried if her husband was after only their physical connection and not interested in involving their hearts.

For Haley her heart was already tangled up in every word and touch. It always had been, Nathan had always owned her heart even during the brief times Haley contemplated moving on. So, Haley never had and feared she never could without Nathan by her side.

The club was already busy, particularly the bar and Haley pushed her way through the crowd to the blonde head she was searching for, "hey Luke, where have you been?"

"Working hard. You okay?" he frowned towards Haley but quickly handed over the drinks he'd poured and sent the customer off with a smile before he leant closer to Haley, "you look more distracted than usual"

"Can we talk?"

Lucas took another order, "meet you upstairs in an hour" he told Haley before getting lost in orders. It wasn't long before Brooke appeared and dragged her friend onto the dance floor, "I was surprised you wanted to meet here" Haley tried to tell Brooke but wasn't sure if her friend even heard her.

With a few steps Brooke danced closer to Haley, her mouth by her friends' ear, "I made a promise to a friend" and then sent Haley a knowing smirk, "how about you, Tutor Slut, anything you want to tell me?"

The music was so loud Haley wasn't sure what exactly Brooke had said though she nodded, over the noise Haley pulled Brooke to a quieter corner before promising her friend she would get drinks and return. Five minutes later Brooke crossed her legs as Haley came back and handed a pint to Brooke.

"I saw Nathan today" Brooke raised her eyebrows as she said the information and smiled as Haley's shoulders dropped while she closed her eyes.

Haley knew that Brooke had been told what had happened, she opened one eye and sent Brooke a guilty expression, "what did he say?"

Brooke jumped in her seat, "I can't believe you didn't call me! Nathan Scott knocks on your door and sweeps you straight into bed and you didn't even text me"

"I did. I told you we needed to talk" Haley became coy, "so… did Nathan happen to mention how he was feeling?"

With a laugh Brooke remembered Nathan's expression and words, "he is head over heels obsessed with you, already talking about moving back to Tree Hill. I'm telling you that you can rip those divorce papers up"

"Well I technically already did that" Haley shrugged but she couldn't keep her grin away for long, "did he really say he's moving back?"

"Yes!"

Haley's grin disappeared and she sighed, her face falling into her hands, after she groaned Haley mumbled "then why is he blowing me off today"

The levity left the moment, Brooke frowned, "that may be my fault too. Nathan found about Dan and his PI following me, he said he was going to take care of it"

"Maybe Nathan is the only person who could possibly get through to Dan these days"

"I hope so because things are getting beyond creepy even for Dan" Brooke shivered at the thought. The Mayor of Tree Hill had been a constant shadow in Brooke's life since she'd given birth to Jamie, years of returning every single card and gift had not been a clear enough message and Brooke now donated everything Dan sent. Just the sight of the older man caused Brooke anxiety, memories still haunted her nightmares of that long. ago night and Brooke sometimes woke with the feel of his hands still around her throat.

"Do I even want to know?"

Before she could tell Haley, Brooke looked around, when she was ready Brooke lowered her voice "he sent an envelope of photos to Ephraim, completely pointless because it's over between us anyway, obviously something his PI failed to dig up with all his spying. It's just petty"

"What do you mean, what photos?"

Even though no one was around Brooke still whispered, "of Lucas and I when we… you know" she tilted her head to the side and looked to the ground.

"Oh" Haley grimaced, "that is perverted"

"Almost as bad as when he tried to manipulate child protective services to take Jamie from me" Brooke shook her head. For years Brooke had been aware in the irony that in the attempt to protect Brooke and their child from Dan Scott, Lucas had instead ensured that they were left to his mercy.

Over Haley's shoulder Brooke spotted Lucas at the bar, her heart thumped in her chest, it still did not feel real to Brooke that Lucas was so close to her, that there was nothing stopping her from seeing or touching him. Though there had only been a glass partition between them it might as well have been an ocean for the distance it put between the former lovers.

So engrossed in her perusal of Lucas, Brooke didn't realise Haley had been talking to her until the teacher waves her hands directly in front of Brooke's eyes, "earth to Brooke"

"Sorry?"

"I promised Luke I would meet him upstairs in ten minutes"

"Perfect" Brooke grinned and stood, she smoothed out the hem of her dress, "I'll surprise him instead" Brooke kissed Haley's cheek and farewelled her friend before skipping off.

Alone again Haley shook her head, mumbling under her breath, "sure, Brooke, it's not like I needed to talk to Lucas for any reason" with a sigh Haley stood and followed Brooke with her eyes until the brunette disappeared amongst the crowd.

…

The darkness disappeared and was replaced by a blinding light, Dan rolled over and clenched his eyelids closed, he slowly opened one to see Nathan at the light switch.

"Jesus Christ, Nathan" Dan swore and sat up, his head span. Though he had no memory of how he got into bed Dan gratefully sunk into his pillow.

A stern voice came from Nathan, "good nap?"

"What are you here for, son?"

"Is getting blind drunk a regular thing?" Nathan lifted his brows; two empty bottles were in his hands and Nathan place them with the two next to Dan's bed.

Sometimes the only way Dan could get rid of the voice in his head and all the memories was to drink, Keith could not haunt him after so many drinks. As if to challenge his though Dan looked to the far corner of his room where a young Keith stood with a knowing smile. Dan blinked, wiped his eye and then blinked again. Keith was gone

"As much as I have enjoyed your presence, I look forward to your divorce being finalised and your return to the city. I will miss your lectures, they really have been so… helpful" Dan could not hide his ghosts from Nathan too much longer.

"Actually" Nathan wanted to smile but his muscles would not twitch in front of his father, "I'm moving home. Haley and I are not getting a divorce, we're getting back together"

Suddenly sober Dan roared, standing fast from the bed he glared at his son in disbelief, "WHAT! Are you insane, Nathan, you have a career and obligations you cannot just walk away from"

"And I'm not going to, I can play and have Haley"

Grabbing his alarm clock Dan pulled it from the wall and threw it across the room, it shattered against the wall as Dan huffed red faced and angry.

Nathan only rolled his eyes, "has anyone ever told you that you catch more flies with honey not vinegar" then he smiled, "we're back now and though Lucas may not be able to talk to you I can and things are going to be different now Dad. I can promise you that. Call your dogs off"

"You forget who you are talking to"

"No, I'm not" and Nathan lifted the envelope of photos and in front of Dan flicked his lighter open and set them on fire, as they burned Nathan dropped them into the fireplace, "no more games".

The flames flickered, bright orange and yellow, Dan looked away to see the haunting smirk of his older brother, It's almost over, Danny Boy. I hoped you save a bullet for yourself. Laughter filled the room and Dan pulled at his hair, "no, no, no, no"

"Dad?"

"GET OUT!" Dan threw his lamp to the ground, "GET OUT!"

As Nathan left the room, he was still unsure why he felt as if his father wasn't even speaking to him, yet he left the house anyway. This is not where Nathan wanted to be tonight or any other night, better things awaited him now.

…

Late Lucas hoped Haley had not been left waiting for long, no one noticed the chiselled blonde slip upstairs and punch in the code, he slipped through the door surprised at how dark it was.

A single light lit up the hallway from a room Lucas knew held little except some odd stage equipment and dust. He walked closer, "Haley?" he received no answer and then Lucas reached the open door and saw Brooke leaning against a broken desk in the middle of the room. Dark hair framed her face and there was a determination in her hazel green eyes and stiff jaw, as their eyes met Brooke relaxed.

Then she moved, even in her three inch heels Brooke appeared to glide forward, and to Lucas she looked heavenly with the dim glow of the yellow light above them. Want curled inside Lucas, the immediate electricity that always sparked when Brooke was so close, and she moved closer, seconds didn't pass though Lucas saw her glide to him in slow motion.

"Br-"

The first thing Lucas registered was Brooke's fingers against his prickly jaw and then her soft lips were against his and Lucas had no option but to take everything she gave and give it back; his hands went to her hips to hold her close as he leant into the kiss deepening it to a whole new level.

The music from downstairs disappeared, everything faded away, it was just the two of them in the darkness, their hands began to move and Lucas walked Brooke backwards until her bottom hit the desk and he lifted her up and spread her legs with his body.

As quickly as it started Brooke pulled away, their dilated eyes searched each other as they fought to catch their breaths. Beneath the love and passion one emotion overwhelmed Lucas, fear filled the young father because he was scared this was all a dream.

"Don't play games with me, Pretty Girl"

Brooke sucked in a deep breath through her nose, Lucas' scent met her nostrils as her chest rose with the action, and a shadow moved from her eyes, "this is what I want, what I always wanted… us" and she gave him one last kiss, this time slow and soft before Brooke detangled herself from Lucas' gentle hold and walked around him leaving him deep in thought and with a dark hope rising in his heart.

…

As soon as the knock came Haley felt her heart jump, excitement and nerved had Haley stop just before she turned the doorknob, she bit her lip and smiled and then Haley controlled her face and opened the door with a blank expression,

Nathan stood with a smile that reached his pale blue eyes, "hi" he whispered.

All composure fled and Haley felt a goofy grin replace the cool expression she had tried to hold onto and Nathan's smile widened further. Haley jumped up, her arms wrapping around Nathan, he caught her effortlessly and their lips met.

An hour later they lay naked under a singe rumpled sheet, their legs still tangled together, Haley's back half on top of Nathan as she played with his fingers, she bit her bottom lip again as she smiled feeling happier than she had in over four years.

"You put your ring back on" Haley entwined their left hands as she made the comment and felt Nathan kiss the back of her head.

He buried his face into her neck and gave her another kiss before relaxing and looking at where their hands were joined, "I want you to know that I'm all in. I was lying to myself when I said I was coming to Tree Hill for the divorce papers, I could have gotten anyone to serve you, the truth is it was just an excuse to see you again"

Haley turned silent, as tears formed in her eyes she kissed his hand and moved further into his hold, "So many times I just wanted to get in the car or catch a plane and come to you. I should never have told you to leave"

"I should never have left"

There was so much more to say, the room turned silent as they settled into each other confident they had all the time in the world to say everything that needed to be said.

…

Every inch of Brooke still tingled, a thrumming in her blood kept her awake, the whole house was dark except for her bedside lamp that shone like a beacon as she tossed and turned. Brooke was unnaturally hot and had stripped down to her small lace panties and camisole, nothing cooled her burning skin.

The constant warring of thoughts and emotions had Brooke tied up in knots, she had no idea if she had made the right decision or how Lucas would react. Even in her restless state Brooke hadn't felt so free in years, Lucas' conviction had placed a cage around Brooke as well and now it was over. The world seemed more colourful, the air fresher, every taste stronger, and Brooke looked at everything around her as if she was experiencing it for the first time.

Lost in her own thoughts and overwhelmed by her feeling, Brooke didn't notice the shadow go by her window and when the handle rattled Brooke jumped in fright, it calmed when a soft knock came next.

Brooke stopped at the door leading outside and heard Lucas' voice immediately announce his presence, she opened the door and felt her body burn up at his mere smoky gaze.

"All I ever wanted and dreamt about each night I was locked away was coming home to you, to us. I know I've hurt you and I know I'm not good enough but I never stopped loving you, wanting you. I know I told you not to come and to forget about me but you were with me every moment and I don't know if I would have survived one night without the hope that when I got out you would still feel the same way because I love you, Brooke Penelope Davis"

"I love you, too" Brooke's husky voice broke as she fought the tears that threatened to fall, and then she saw a tear roll down Lucas' cheek and she chuckled as she stepped up on her tippy toes and pulled his face down to hers.

…

A kiss could say many things; I want you, I need you, I love you or even be a plea for help. Some kisses say more, mean more, it goes beyond the body or the heart, sometimes a kiss is a promise.

Brooke and I have shared more kisses than I can count, kisses of all kinds, but this kiss was somehow different. It could have been any other morning that we had woken up next to each other, our hands exploring the kicks of our unborn child, the gentle laughs, the teasing tone. We had spent the night making love, though when she rolled her head back and looked at me on this bright morning with a look so pure and open, a smile as genuine as a cackling child, it was not lust that had me cup her face and kiss her before we relaxed back in each other's arms and discuss what we were doing that day.

This is how I wanted to spend every morning, this kiss was a promise of forever. Brooke gave me a strange look as our lips parted before she had smiled, almost as if she saw the determination in my eyes and believed it,

In that moment my heart had been honest, unaware I would have to break every promise I had ever made.

(Extract. An Unkindness of Ravens, Page 458)

Bow chicka wow wow : ) now stock up on popcorn, get comfy and enjoy the ride cause it's heating up in this fic. A show down is coming and a hell of a lot of love.