"A perfect little angel," Brooke smiled at Jake. She was saved, at least for now. Luke wasn't going to let her off the hook that easy, and the way he was still looking at her confirmed that.

Lucas tore his eyes away from Brooke and stood up. "She was absolutely no trouble."

"I figured she wouldn't be," Jake told them. "Well shouldn't be," he corrected himself. "Nice to see she didn't prove me wrong and scare away any potential babysitter's I may need in the future."

Brooke shook her head and laughed. "No...not scared away here."

"Me either," Lucas added, looking at Brooke. "How'd everything go?"

Jake looked at Lucas uncertainly. "The lawyer says I have a 'better than average chance' at getting residential custody. Most of the time it's awarded to the mother," Jake explained to them. "My chances are better because Nikki took off from the hospital and I haven't heard from her until now. She just shows up and wants to take her away," he continued. "I'm ok with joint custody as long as Jenny gets to stay here with me. Nikki isn't stable," he finished, shaking his head.

"I hope it all works out for you Jake. You really deserve it," Brooke told him. "I bet you never expeted that coming from me...well at least not meant sincerely anyways."

"I didn't say that," Jake said.

"Yeah I know but you're shocked expression did babe." Brooke had a new fiund respect for Jake - A single father still gioing to school. "You really are a good person Jake."

"Well we're gonna head out man," Lucas informed him. "Need anything...call us."

"Bye Jake. It was fun! I'll watch her again if you ever need a babysitter."

"Thanks, I'm sure I will," Jake said smiling. "Bye Brooke, Lucas." Lucas and Brooke walked out of Jake's room and straight out the door to the outside world.

They both got into Lucas' truck in silence. He started the truck up and headed in the direction of Brooke's house. Finally Lucas decided to speak. "So you were saying..."

"I was?"

He nodded. "You said you had something to tell me."

"Oh...yea...that," Brooke said nervously. "Well...its more like ask," she continued. "See my parents are still out of town. I wanted to know if you could come over tonight - to talk and stuff. I have something important I need to discuss with you."

"Brooke," Lucas paused. "What's up? What's going on?"

"Please Luke...wait til later. I promise I will tell you tonight. I won't put this off anymore."

He just stared at her. 'Anymore?' he wondered to himself. "Ok," Lucas agreed. "What time should I come over?"

Brooke thought for a few moments. "Um...I should be ready around eightish."

"Eight it is," Lucas said pulling up in front of her house. "I'll see you then..." he trailed off.

Brooke was forcing back tears. She leaned forward and kissed Lucas on his cheek. When she pulled back, his hand reached out to her, and pulled Brooke back to him. He brought her lips crashing against hers. And she kissed back. They kissed passionately, not wanting to let the other go.

Brooke pulled away from Lucas finally. "I...we can't do this right now..."

"Ok," he said, trying to slow his breathing. "I'll see you later."

Brooke nodded, unable to say anything. If she said anything right now she mught just loose her reserve...break down and cry and tell him. She opened the door and climbed out. Before she shut the door she stared at Lucas a moment. Next time she'd see him, his life would drastically change. She shut the door, and went inside.

Lucas sat outside her house staring at her closed door. 'What has her so worked up?' was the question that was reverberating through his mind. He put the truck in drive and headed to the café to see his mom.

It was about seven o'clock when Lucas entered the café.

"Hey Luke," his mom called to him.

"Hey Mom...Hales," Lucas greeted them. "What are you doing working tonight?"

"Covering for Jake...remember?" Haley reminded him.

He looked at her a moment. "Oh, that's right. Duh. I should have remembered that. I just came

from his house."

Karen noticed Haley and Lucas staring at her. She grinned knowingly . "I'll be back."

"Thank you mom," Lucas gave her a kiss.

Karen disappeared into the back.

"Spill," Haley demanded. "You look confused...distracted."

"That obvious?"

She nodded and poured hot chocolate into two mugs for them. Lucas sat down at the countered and took the mug Haley pushed towards him. "What's on your mind?" she asked. "Is it Jake?"

Lucas shook his head and sighed. "Brooke," he corrected.

All of a sudden Haley looked extremely uncomfortable. "Oh."

"She doesn't seem ok Haley. Something's wrong."

"Luke," Haley broke in. "There's not much I can say on this subject."

"I know Haley. She wants to talk to me tonight about something." He paused before continuing, choosing his words carefully. "Is she ok...? She isn't uh sick is she?" He asked, taking in a sharp breath.

"I really can't say Luke."

"Haley...I see her red, puffy eyes, her depressed attitude, and she has something to tell me I should know. I can't help but think the worst..." Lucas said, taking his spoon and just stirred & stirred his hot chocolate.

Haley bit her lip, not sure what to say to him. "Luke, don't think like that."

"Whatever it is Hales, it doesn't seem good."

"It's got it's pro's and con's. That's all I'll say," she told him. "Just be open to what she is going to tell. And don't freak out."

Lucas took in all that she said and of course Haley continued.

"And whatever you think you might be going through ...she's going through worse."