A/N: AHHHHHH I'm SOOOO sorry!!!!!!! Things have just been so crazy but I know that's no excuse to wait like 3-4 months to update this! I hope you guys can forgive me. Here's chapter 5!

Disclaimer: Do I really need to explain?

Quick note: I'm starting this chapter where I left off and then it's going to skip ahead to where the last episode occurred. I hope you don't hate me for that!

She Will Be Loved....... Chapter 5

"Walk Away"

Brooke returned home minutes later to find Carley curled up on the couch. She walked over and kneeled down beside her little sister. She pulled the blanker that covered her up to her chin and tucked her loose hair behind her ear. The movements caused Carley to stir and soon she was opening her eyes.

"Brooke?"

"Yeah it's me baby sis."

"What happened?" Carley asked, sitting up and rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Brooke just smiled a little and shook her head.

"It's nothing.... We talked. I think I'm gonna be okay," Brooke said, sitting down next to Carley.

"Brooke you were always going to be okay. You just didn't realize that you didn't need him to be happy."

"Yeah... but it's nice to know that we can move on from this. I don't want to lose him as my friend," Brooke said quietly.

"Don't worry. You won't lose him. He'll always be there for you."

"Thanks," Brooke whispered. She looked around a second before walking over to the stairs where her abandoned duffel bag lay.

"What are you doing?" Carley asked, standing up and following her sister towards the door.

"I'm going home Carley."

"What? But you just got here. I thought you might want to stay for a little bit," Carley said, confused and hurt.

"So did I but now that I think about it, I don't think I can stay here. I'm sorry....." Carley just nodded. She understood. Brooke may have forgiven Lucas for what he had done with Peyton, but deep down there would always be something there for him in her heart. The two sisters hugged and Brooke kissed her sister on the cheek. "If you need anything.... you know where to find me," Brooke said with a wink.

"The mall?" Carley asked, cracking a smile. Brooke smirked and hugged her sister again. "I miss you Carls.... I can't wait for you to come home." Carley began to tear up so Brooke gave her one last squeeze before winking at her and walking out the door.

20 minutes later....

Carley was stirring a cup of coffee when she heard a knock at the door. 'Brooke? She's back already?' she thought. When she opened it she found an exhausted Lucas, panting from his run from the park.

"Is Brooke here?" Lucas asked, looking around the living room. Carley looked at him confused.

"No, she just left. Is something wrong?"

"No... everything's finally right. I have to talk to her, do you know where she is?" Lucas asked, beginning to get anxious.

"My guess is back on the highway to Tree Hill," Carley said.

"What?! She's going back?! Already?"

"Yeaaaaah... are you sure you're okay? Do you want to sit down or something?" asked Carley. Lucas began to calm down as he realized he was too late. 'I need you Brooke' he thought.

"No no everything's fine. I guess I'll just be on my way," he said, walking out of the door. He stood on the porch, wishing he knew what to do. 'How could I do this? I come to my senses and she's already gone. Maybe this is a sign....' he thought as he walked down the few steps to the sidewalk. He walked the rest of the way home with his hands in his pockets and his head down. The one moment that he actually knew what was right for him had gone all wrong.

1 month later....

Dan's sudden heart attack had brought Lucas and Keith back home to Tree Hill. What they didn't know was that it was for the best. Lucas was gradually building his friendship back with both Brooke and Peyton while accepting the marriage of Nathan and Haley. Meanwhile, the ones he cared for most were upset with him for not taking the heart test. Haley and Nathan's marriage was being tested by Haley's new friendship with musician Chris and Peyton felt like she was at the end of her road after losing the three people that meant the most to her. Brooke's new neighbors, Felix and Anna, had made their presence known in Tree Hill. Lucas even found himself attracted to Anna, despite his feelings deep inside. Meanwhile, Brooke had found her way in bed with Felix with a 'benefits' deal going on between the two. Lucas hated to see his Brooke steeping to such a low level but he knew he couldn't change her. Brooke was Brooke.... simple as that.

Lucas decided to give up his stubbornness and went to Nathan and Haley's to talk to his brother after their incident earlier that day. He arrived to find Nathan decorating a table for two and waiting for Haley to return home.

(A/N: This scene is the scene that takes place in DTMFG. I'm just using this to go along with what's going on in the story. )

Lucas looked at the table and asked, "Is this my apology?"

"No this is Haley's apology. I don't owe you one," Nathan said. "You know why? Because nobody wants to lose you, Luke; Not your mom, not Keith.... not Haley, not me." Lucas rolled his eyes and went to sit at the counter.

"There's nothing wrong with my heart, Nate," he said.

"Yeah? That's what you said after the accident..... You told me you didn't want to be afraid to live your life," said Nathan.

"That's right."

"Well I don't buy it, Luke," said Nathan. "I think there's something in your heart you're running from." Lucas smirked and looked away.

"Ok, what are you, psychic?" asked Lucas.

"You can make jokes all you want.... but you KNOW there's a girl you have feelings for."

"Nathan...."

"Look me in the eye. Tell me I'm wrong." Lucas looks at Nathan but can't say it. "See? Now you can be mad at me all you want; you can say your heart's fine... but til you tell this girl how you feel..... Your heart's gonna be flawed," Nathan told him. "You need to talk to her Luke." Nathan walked away to leave Lucas thinking about that "girl" and what he should do about his feelings.

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Lucas contemplated all day telling her how he felt. They had grown so close over the past week and he didn't want to do anything to ruin their friendship. He slowly walked away from Anna's after breaking it off with her. It was time. He had to tell her how he felt and hoped that she would feel the same towards him. He walked up the sidewalk to Brooke's room to find the door open. 'That's odd' he thought as he walked closer. He saw Brooke sitting on her bed and as he moved closer, he saw her kissing someone else. Felix. His Brooke was kissing another guy. Lucas could only stand there hurt as he watched this.

'I'm so sorry Brooke,' he thought. 'I hope Felix will bring you the happiness you deserve.' As he turned to walk away he found himself face to face with none other than Carley Davis.

"Lucas? Hey! What are you doing here?" she asked, jogging the short distance between them.

"Nothing nothing..... I was just leaving," he said, walking past her.

"Wait Lucas! Are you here to see Brooke? I can get her for you...."

"No! That's okay..... I'm just gonna leave," he said, feeling his emotions get the best of him.

"No no! Hold on it'll take a second!" Carley said as she walked into the room. "Hey Broo....oh whoa... Sorry guys!" Carley said as Brooke quickly stood up and away from Felix.

"Carley, what are you doing here?" Brooke asked, confused.

"Here to see you along with Lucas outside."

"Lucas?" Brooke asked as she walked to the door and found Lucas walking away. "Lucas wait!" She ran up to him and saw a hurt expression on his face. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing... I just...... I thought you were going to stop things with him Brooke," Lucas said, sad and angered by what he had witnessed.

"I did.... I was.... but....He's not what I thought he was Luke. He wants us to be together," Brooke said quietly. Lucas closed his eyes when he heard this. "And I know you don't exactly like him and all but I want nothing more than to have your blessing. You're one of my best friends and I don't think I could handle it if you weren't happy with me."

Lucas thought for a moment before he shook his head and spoke. "I'm sorry Brooke," was all he said. He cupped her cheek before kissing her head and turning to walk away.

"Lucas? Lucas...." Brooke called out but he continued walking. He would never give Brooke his blessing to be with Felix. He would never give Brooke his blessing to be with any other guy. But he couldn't tell her that. He had hurt her enough. So all he could do was walk away.

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Well I hope this was worth the wait..... I'll try to update within the next few days! I'm going through OTH withdrawal ::wink::