Disclaimer: I do not own anything from OTH...though I wish I did LOL
A/N Hey guys, thank you guys for the wonderful reviews please keep them coming. I know what you're thinking, but yes I am alive. SORRY about the delay guys, I have been backed up with work and getting the flu but all is now calm and I promise that there will be another chap up on Friday. Also, sorry if this chap sucks. Love forever and always.
"WHAT?" Brooke was outraged.
"We belong together Peyton, why can't you see that?" Lucas pleaded with her.
"Lucas, please don't do this today I…We just had a rough couple of days and I just want to go home and sleep" Peyton placed her hand over her forehead.
"No, if I don't do this today I am never going to do it" Lucas moved closer to Peyton, but Brooke quickly stepped between them.
"If you want to live to see your next birthday you'll step back" Brooke narrowed her eyes and practically hissed the words.
"I want you Peyton, we are meant to be together and we both know that we would be perfect together" Peyton placed a hand on the small of Brooke's back when she saw her fist clench.
"No Lucas, I know Brooke and I are perfect together" Lucas shook his head.
"Peyton-" Peyton was quick to cut him off.
"Do you really want to have this conversation now Luke? I mean it's pretty clear that you've been drinking, are you even going to remember it tomorrow? Go home and sleep it off and we'll talk about it tomorrow" Brooke looked over her shoulder at Peyton and the look in her eyes said 'What the hell do you mean you'll talk about it tomorrow?' "I don't know about you, but I know that we are going to go and get some sleep" Peyton took Brooke's hand into her own and started to walk to her front door.
"Peyton wait" Lucas reached out and grabbed Peyton's wrist, Brooke saw red.
As soon as Lucas' hand touches Peyton, Brooke ripped her hand from Peyton and in one swift move she turned and punched Lucas in the face as hard as she could. She surprised herself, Lucas and Peyton when Lucas fell back, Brooke made sure to hide her surprise.
"Don't come near us and never EVER touch her" Brooke moved to front door, pulling Peyton with her.
"You know I'm right Brooke" Lucas said as he rubbed his jaw. "She deserves someone that can protect her, someone that loved her and thought she was amazing before she was taken…We both know that, that someone is me" Peyton finally opened the door and pulled Brooke in, but not before the words spoken had gotten to her.
"Go home Lucas" Peyton said once more before she closed her door, turning back to Brooke Peyton wasn't sure how to read the look on her face. "Are you okay?" Peyton slowly made her way over to Brooke.
"I'm fine" Brooke answered automatically, but her eyes told a different story.
"Brooke…" Peyton placed her hands on Brooke's waist.
"I'm fine, drop it Peyton" Brooke started to pull away.
"Do not shut me out Brooke Davis" Peyton grabbed on to Brooke's hand and regretted it right away when Brooke let out a small cry of pain. Peyton looked down at Brooke's hand and saw that the knuckles were red and her hand was swelling. "That doesn't look good" Peyton pointed to the injured hand.
"Doesn't feel good either" Brooke lifted her hand and cradled it to her chest.
"Let me see" Peyton held her hand out and waited from Brooke to place her hand into hers', but she never did. "Brooke, let me see...Please?" After a moment Brooke let Peyton take her hand, Peyton started inspecting right away.
"Is it broken?" Peyton shook her head.
"No, but it looks sprained" Peyton let go of Brooke's wrist before looking around. "Sit down for a second" Peyton pointed to the couch before heading into her kitchen.
When she walked back into the living room she had a roll of injury tape in her hands, Peyton knelt down in front of Brooke and took her hand gently.
"Want to try changing your answer about being fine?" Peyton looked up at Brooke as she started to wrap the tape around Brooke's wrist, Brooke let out a sigh before answering.
"He just get's to me, okay?" Brooke ran her good hand through her hair.
"And punching him in the face helped that?" Brooke just shrugged. "I mean it sure as hell didn't help you" Peyton indicated to Brooke's wrist.
"I didn't do it for me, I did it for you" Peyton felt her heart do 20 flips when she heard what Brooke said.
"Well aren't you just my knight in shining armor?" Brooke couldn't help the small smirk that graced her face. "But, it doesn't help me to see you get hurt" Peyton ripped the end of the tape when she finished, she started to stand up and Brooke followed her lead. Once they were face to face Peyton leaned her forehead against Brooke's. "I kinda love you too much"
"I kinda love you too" They pulled away with a smile when Peyton's phone started to ring.
"Hello" Peyton said still smiling at Brooke and not paying attention to the phone call till she heard the voice on the other end.
"Where the hell have you been? I've been calling you guys all day today…AND yesterday"
"Oh my God Haley, I am so sorry" Brooke could help the laugh that came out when she heard who was on the other end.
-
Brooke had spent the whole night staring at Peyton's ceiling, she wasn't sure when she fell asleep but she knew it was too soon when the alarm went off. Rolling away from Peyton she hit the snooze button with a groan, but she could help the smile that graced her face when Peyton placed a small kiss on her cheek.
"Morning" Peyton whispered into her ear.
"Morning" Brooke whispered right back. "Are you up to going to school today?" Brooke wasn't sure where Peyton's head was after the last few days.
"Yeah, he's fine so I am too" Peyton said with a small smile and Brooke returned it.
"Alright, then let's get ready for a day at Hell Hill High-I mean Tree Hill High" Peyton let out a laugh as Brooke got out of bed.
"I'm not looking forward to talking to Lucas though" Peyton followed Brooke's lead.
Brooke could feel the anger building up when she heard that Peyton was still going to talk to Lucas.
"Why?" Brooke stopped at the bathroom door and turned around.
"Why, what?" Peyton asked as she removed the bed cover.
"Why are you going to talk to him? Who cares if he's heartbroken?" The bitterness was clear in Brooke's voice.
"Brooke-" Brooke was quick to cut her off.
"It's true Peyton, he didn't care about me when he cheated on me with you and we shouldn't care about him" Brooke ran a hand through her hair in an effort to calm herself down. "He's trying to take you away from me Peyton; I don't see what there is to talk about"
"I think that if we talk he'll…He'll move on and that'll be better for all of us" Peyton explained as she stepped closer to Brooke, Brooke shook her head.
"He needs to move on by himself, you should have to push him to do it. That is not your responsibility Peyton" Peyton nodded and wrapped her arms around Brooke's waist.
"I know, but it is my responsibility to protect you and if he doesn't move on fast enough I'm afraid of what he might try to put you through" Brooke gave her a shrug.
"He can do his worst and I still won't let him have you" Brooke put her forehead against Peyton's and placed her hands over her arms.
"I know, but I never want to see you get hurt" Peyton moved her eyes to Brooke's injured wrist. "Again"
"It's worth it for you" Brooke smirked as she turned her head and kissed Peyton softly.
"I love you for that Brooke"
-
When the girls got to school, Peyton was pulled into a hug by Haley right away.
"Are you okay?" Haley asked when they parted.
"Yeah, as long as he's good I will be too" Haley gave her a smile and nodded; her eyes went over to Brooke and frowned when she saw the injured wrist.
"What happened?" Haley pointed to Brooke's wrist.
"Just had a confrontation" Brooke said with a shrug.
"With Lucas" Peyton finished and Brooke rolled her eyes at the name.
"What did he do now?" Haley asked with a heavy sigh.
"Nothing worth mentioning" Peyton shrugged.
"Brooke's hand begs to differ" The girls let out a laugh.
"I agree with Haley" Brooke looked at Haley before explaining what happened. "That ass you call a best friend decided to tell my girlfriend that they belong together and that I don't deserve her...So I punched him"
"Oh my God, really?" Brooke nodded.
"Actually she punched him because he reached for my arm" Peyton said with a laugh.
"Whatever, mine was just a shorter version" They let out a laugh again.
"God, he's been saying some really stupid things lately" Peyton and Brooke both raised an eyebrow at that.
"What do you mean?" Haley ran a hand through her hair before answering.
"He's been saying things to Rachel" Peyton let out a frustrated sigh.
"Like what?" Irritation was clear in Peyton's voice.
"Like you never loved her when you guys were together and that you wished it was Brooke the whole time. Rachel stood up for herself but I think it still affected her, she's just not showing it" Peyton shook her head in disbelief.
"Come on, let's get to class" Brooke said when the bell rang.
-
"As much as I wish that I was the one that did that to you, I wish that much more to thank the person who did. So, who knocked your teeth lose Lucas?" Nathan pointed to the bruise on Lucas' jaw with a smile.
"Shut the hell up Nathan" Lucas hissed as he placed his hand on top of his jaw.
"Or what?" Nathan challenged.
"Or I'll-"
"Get hit by a girl again?" Lucas looked to his side and saw Haley standing there with a smirk as she moved over to Nathan; Nathan looked at her with confusion in his eyes and Lucas with fire in his.
"A girl, did you do that to him?" Nathan wrapped an arm around Haley.
"Oh no, I wish I did…Brooke did it" Haley said, the smirk still planted on her face.
"Why?" Nathan asked Haley but kept his eyes on Lucas.
"Because he decided to tell Peyton that they belong together and tell Brooke that she doesn't deserve Peyton" Nathan immediately let go of Haley and stepped dangerously close to Lucas.
"I warned you didn't I?" Nathan glared at his half brother. "You just can't let them be happy, can you?" Nathan was about to drop his bag but Haley placed a hand on his arm.
"Don't do this here Nate" Nathan re-adjusted his bag as did Lucas; he was just as ready to fight.
"You're lucky, watch your back man" Nathan turned and they walked away.
"I'm right you know she deserves someone like me" Before Nathan had a chance to respond, Haley took it first.
"Shut the hell up before I give you a bruise to match that one" Haley spoke over her shoulder.
-
It was time for cheerleading practise as well as basketball practise and that was when everything was about to go to hell.
As the girls were going through their routine, the guys were going through a drill.
"Alright, I want to start getting ready for the cheerleading competition in Charlotte it's a few weeks away and when it gets here I want us to be ready" Brooke started to dictate what she wanted the girls to do.
At the same time the boys were practising a new drill, Nathan had to pass the ball to Lucas and Lucas missed a step which caused him to miss the ball and the ball went in the direction of the girls.
The ball was heading straight for Brooke and she froze from fear, just as the ball was about to connect with her face she was tackled to the ground. Brooke looked up at her savoir and saw Peyton's concerned eyes looking at her.
"Are you okay?" Peyton asked as she helped her up.
"Yeah, I think so" Brooke looked around and saw all eyes on her, Nathan was making his way over to her. "What the hell happened?"
"I don't know" Nathan's eyes also covered in concern.
"Sorry" All the eyes that were on Brooke turned to Lucas. "I messed up and missed the ball"
"Of course" Brooke threw her pom pom's down in anger. "You think hurting me is going to get you Peyton?"
"Brooke!" Peyton yelled in shock.
"NO!" Brooke turned back to Peyton. "I'm so done with his crap!" Brooke turned back to Lucas.
"Relax Brooke, it was an accident" Lucas said with a shrug.
"No, no an accident is you existing, a basketball coming at my face is you being an asshole" From the corner of her eye, Brooke could see Whitey heading her way.
"Ms. Davis-" Whitey started but Brooke cut him off right away.
"Relax old man I'm leaving" Brooke turned her attention back to Lucas and after a second she gave him the finger before storming out of the gym, Peyton was quick to follow her.
"Brooke, slow down" Peyton grabbed her arm and forced her to stop. "What's going on?"
"What's going on? He just tried to hit me in the face with a basketball and you're asking me what's going on?" Brooke asked, trying her best to keep her voice low.
"He said it was an accident and maybe it was Brooke" Brooke let out a sarcastic laugh.
"You are not taking his side right now" Peyton shook her head and let out a sigh.
"I'm not taking his side Brooke, I'm just saying" Peyton ran a hand through her hair. "When I talk to him later-" Brooke cut her off.
"You're still going to talk to him?" Peyton gave her a small nod. "Did you not see what just happened in there, there's no need to talk to him; Just tell him that you don't love him" Anger clear in Brooke's voice.
"Brooke, it's not that easy-" Brooke cut her off again.
"No Peyton, it really is that easy...You know what Peyton, go talk to him sleep with him for all I care, you two can have each other" Brooke started to storm off and Peyton watched her in shock.
"Where are you going?" Peyton called out before Brooke was out of site.
"HOME!" Brooke yelled back.
-
It was nearing the end of lunch when Peyton took a walk around the hallways, with a frustrated sigh she hung up her cell again when she heard Brooke's voice mail for what felt like the hundredth time.
As she turned a corner she saw Rachel walking in her direction. They brushed past each other, before Rachel could turn the corner Peyton spoke up.
"I loved you" Peyton said as she turned.
"What?" Rachel's back still turned.
"When we were together, I loved you" Peyton stuffed her hands in to her pockets.
"And I care because…?" Rachel slowly turned around, she was trying to act like she didn't give a damn but deep down she knew that Peyton knew better.
"Because I know Lucas has been saying things to you and I don't want you to believe them" Rachel gave her a shrug. "Listen, when we were together it meant everything to me"
"Everything obviously wasn't enough to stop you from running into Brooke's arms" Rachel looked away but Peyton caught the sadness in her eyes.
"I always loved her, you were right about that and I can't deny it anymore, but don't think that our time together was a waste because it sure as hell wasn't…At least not to me" Peyton took a deep breath before continuing. "I know you're hurting and I know that I'm the reason why, I wish you could understand how sorry I am for that, but I hope thart we can be friends one day. You've always had this way of making me smile just by being around" Rachel couldn't help the smile that broke out after hearing those words. "And I miss you"
"You miss me?" Rachel asked in slight shock.
"Yeah, somewhere along our relationship we became great friends and I miss having you around" Peyton said with a small shrug and small smile. "I know I only have myself to blame, but it doesn't change the truth Rachel. So yeah, I miss you and I hope we can be friends…Someday" Peyton turned.
"You're happy right?" Peyton turned with a raised eyebrow. "Brooke makes you happy?"
"Yeah, she really does" Rachel nodded.
"It's good to see you happy, even if I'm not the reason why" Peyton smiled at her and it was returned. "Someday okay? After I heal a bit more"
"I can wait"
-
"Peyton!" Peyton turned around in the parking lot and raised an eyebrow at Lucas, she was about to leave and go to Brooke. "Can we talk now?" It wasn't the end of the day, but Peyton decided that she was going to skip last period and talk things out with Brooke instead.
"What are you doing?" Lucas just gave her a confused look. "Why are you so determined to break Brooke and I apart?"
"You're the one that said you wanted to talk" Peyton shook her head.
"I'm not talking about that; I'm talking about everything else you've done" Peyton tossed her bag into her car before turning her attention back to Lucas. "I love her Luke and we are happy together, can't you just let me go?"
"No Peyton, I can't. I love you Peyton, don't I get a chance?" It was taking everything in Peyton to not snap at Lucas.
"No, how can I ever give you the chance when I don't feel that way about you? I'm sorry Lucas but you need to let me go, it's screwing you up" Peyton took a deep breath before continuing. "We are never going to be anything; I want to be with her for the rest of my life and I'm sorry to be the one that has to break your heart but if this is how has to be then so be it"
"Peyton, we make sense-" Peyton was quick to cut him off.
"No, Brooke and I make sense, I'm sorry Lucas but there's nothing else to say" Peyton got into her car, before she could drive off she turned back to Lucas. "Leave Rachel alone, I know you're hurting but don't bring her down with you...She doesn't deserve that" Peyton took off, leaving Lucas behind with her words and his unspoken ones.
-
Once Peyton was done with Lucas she drove to Brooke's house with determination, enough was enough she wasn't going to let their relationship suffer because of Lucas'. Peyton pulled up to Brooke's house and made her way to the front door, she rang the door bell twice and leaned on the frame while she waited for the door to open.
Once the door opened Peyton smiled at Brooke and Brooke looked away.
"Brooke-" Brooke cut her off.
"I'm sorry" Brooke said, obviously referring to her outburst.
Brooke was pissed at Lucas but Peyton didn't deserve to be on the other end of that, Brooke opened the door wider and let Peyton walk in.
"Wanna tell me why bitch was being a Brooke?" Brooke's lips formed into a smirk at Peyton's teasing words.
"A basketball was aimed at my head Peyton" Brooke answered with a small shrug.
"That can't be what set you off, we cheer for a basketball team and that ball had come flying at us plenty of times" Peyton crossed her arms and leaned against a wall.
"This time it was different" Brooke looked away from the look Peyton was giving her.
"Because it was Lucas?" Peyton took Brooke's silence as a yes. "Talk to me Brooke, what is it about him that gets to you?"
"You mean other than him trying to take my girlfriend?" Brooke's voice laced with bitterness.
"Why does it affect you Brooke?" Brooke let out a frustrated sigh, not wanting to admit the truth.
"Because he's right!" Brooke finally admitted.
"About what?" Peyton asked in a whisper, she stepped closer to Brooke.
"Everything" Brooke answered in the same whisper. "I can't protect you and he DID realize how amazing you are before you were with Rachel, why did it take that for me to realize how much you mean to me?" Brooke's voice broke, it was taking everything to not cry.
"Okay, I want you to listen to me very carefully" Peyton put her hands on to Brooke's hips and pulled her close. "This wrist" Peyton lifted Brooke's injured wrist gently before interlocking their fingers. "Tells me that you sure as hell can protect me" That got a small laugh from Brooke. "And so what if you didn't realize how amazing I am as fast as everyone else" That got an even bigger laugh form Brooke. "Fact of the matter is that I love you and Lucas can think whatever he wants, to me WE ARE perfect" Peyton put her forehead against Brooke's. "He could never make me happy...At least not the way you do, you are all that matters to me and that is never going to change. I am never going to leave you...EVER"
"Promise? Because I really don't think I can handle losing you" Brooke closed her eyes as she spoke, overcome by emotion.
"I promise, you're stuck with me forever and you're just going to have to deal with it" They both giggled.
"That, I can handle" A smile found its way on to Brooke's face.
Peyton let go of Brooke's hand and wrapped her arms around Brooke's waist, Brooke kept her hands on Peyton's shoulders. Peyton turned her head slightly and captured Brooke's lips with her own. Brooke darted her tongue out and licked Peyton's lip, asking for the permission she knew she would get. Peyton opened her mouth and Brooke slid her tongue into Peyton's mouth, Peyton was quick to meet it with her own. Peyton slid her hand up Brooke's shirt and raked her nails over the soft skin on her lower back, Brooke let out a small moan.
"Parents?" Peyton asked against her lips.
"Gone for the week" Brooke broke the kiss and started to suck on the exposed skin on Peyton's neck.
"Bedroom?" Peyton's voice void of breath.
"Oh yeah" Brooke mumbled against her neck.
Brooke started to pull Peyton towards the stairs as she fused their mouths together.
They stumbled into Brooke's room as Peyton pulled Brooke's shirt over her head and tossed it somewhere in the room, Brooke moved her lips to the spot just below Peyton's ear and started to suck as she worked Peyton's belt; Peyton did the same to Brooke's belt. Once the belts were off Brooke was pushed on to her bed, Peyton quickly shed her leather jacket and crawled on top of Brooke. Brooke quickly rid Peyton of her shirt; Peyton attached her mouth to Brooke's neck.
They were so lost in each other that Brooke didn't hear the front door open or the footsteps walking up the stairs. Neither girl heard the click of Brooke's door opening, but they heard the next thing.
"What the hell is this?" Peyton moved away from Brooke in record time.
The girls looked up and were met with a really pissed off looking Victoria Davis. There was no way to get out of this, she caught them with their shirts and belts on the ground, clad only in their bra's and of course Peyton on top of Brooke.
"Mom, I thought you were supposed to be gone all week?" Brooke asked in shock.
"Oh I'm sorry, did me coming home early ruin your disgusting activities?" Brooke had seen Victoria angry, but this was beyond that and it scared the hell out of her. "You filthy whore, get out of my house" Victoria yelled at Peyton.
"Don't call her that" Brooke got off the bed and Peyton followed, she made sure to stay beside Brooke. "Peyton go home" Brooke spoke to Peyton but kept her eyes on Victoria.
"I'm not letting you deal with her on your own" Brooke shook her head.
"I'll be fine" Brooke bent down and grabbed Peyton's jacket and shirt, she handed them to Peyton when they reached her door after Victoria moved aside.
"Brooke..." Peyton trailed off, concern lacing her voice.
"Don't worry Peyton, just listen to me" Brooke spoke over her shoulder as she moved in front of Peyton.
"Fine, but if you need anything" Peyton threw her leather jacket on.
"I know" Brooke glanced at Peyton over her shoulder.
Peyton glared at Victoria once more before hesitantly walking away.
Once Peyton was gone Brooke turned her eyes back to her mom and she stared right back. Brooke wasn't sure what was going to happen, but she knew she didn't want Peyton being a part of it.
Peyton got into her car and slammed the door shut, she thought about running in there grabbing Brooke and getting the hell out of Tree Hill. Peyton knew better than anyone what Victoria was like and she really didn't want to leave Brooke in there alone, why didn't Brooke want her there? Peyton slammed the steering wheel a few time before taking a deep breath and driving away.
-
It was later that night and Peyton had given up pacing her room an checking her cell ever two seconds, she's so worried about Brooke and it didn't help that she hasn't called and at least told Peyton that she was okay.
Peyton was lying down in her bed and wasn't sure when she could suddenly see her eye lids, sleep came and took Peyton over. Peyton woke up when she felt her bed shift and then suddenly her arms were being lifted, Peyton opened her eyes and saw Brooke trying to get comfortable. Peyton wasn't sure how long she was asleep, but it was dark now and the last time she looked outside it was bright.
"Hey" Peyton said, sleep evident in her voice.
"Hey, sorry I didn't mean to wake you" Brooke turned her head slightly over her shoulder and looked at Peyton.
"It's okay, I'm glad you're here" Peyton mover her arms from Brooke and sat up, she started to rub the sleep out of her eyes. "Are you okay?" A yawn escaped from Peyton.
"Yeah" Peyton looked at Brooke when she heard the tone in her voice; it didn't sound like she was okay.
When Peyton looked at Brooke, she saw it, the thin red line that ran down the length of Brooke's left cheek.
"Oh my God" Peyton ran her fingers over the scratch. "She hit you?"
"It's not as bad as it looks" Brooke took Peyton's hand into her own and away from the scratch.
"I don't care how it looks, she hit you and that's all that matters" Even in the dark Brooke could see the anger in Peyton's eyes.
"Its fine baby, she just reacted I guess" Brooke turned to face Peyton. "Drop it?" Peyton gave her a small nod.
"What did she say to you?" Peyton tore her eyes away from the scratch to look into Brooke's eyes.
"That what I was doing was filthy and not worthy to the Davis name, that I wasn't worth the Davis name. She told me that if I continued, and I quote "This filthy act", I would be out of the house and cut off from any money coming from them. She said that I had to chose right there and then, being a Davis or being with you" Peyton couldn't believe this, how could someone make their own daughter make a choice like that?
"And you said?" Brooke heard and saw the fear Peyton was feeling.
"I chose you" Peyton looked at Brooke in shock.
"What?" Brooke sat up in the bed to face Peyton better.
"It shouldn't be a surprise, I love you and you sure as hell mean more to me than anyone in my family" Peyton shook her head and pulled Brooke in to a hug.
"I love you Brooke, but you're crazy" Peyton was about to pull away when she felt something wet hit her shoulder and then more and before she knew what was happening Brooke's body began to shake in her arms from sobs.
"I have to find a place to stay Peyton and I have no money for a place, she wants me gone in a week...What am I going to do Peyton?" Brooke clung to Peyton as she cried.
"We'll figure it out, I promise we'll figure it out" Peyton tightened her hold on Brooke.