Brooke stared at her near flawless reflection in the full length mirror. As always her hair and make up were perfect to the tee. A sleeveless red maternity top overflowed black, designer Capri pants, accented perfectly by a cute new pair of heels. Pregnancy or no pregnancy, Brooke was determined to remain queen of the fashion world. Despite the turmoil that had recently engulfed her life, her appearance had always been the one thing she had total control over.

Running her hands over her stomach she sighed as she reached for her Louis Vuitton handbag. She was nervous, more nervous than she had been in a long while and when her cell phone rang, she nearly jumped out of her skin.

"What's up, Gordie?" she asked after briefly checking the Caller ID.

"Hey Mama. Just wanted to see if you want to stop for coffee before we tackle another strenuous day at the office."

"Gordon, I'm pregnant...I can't have coffee, remember? Caffeine isn't good for the baby."

"Well it's certainly good for me. You can watch me drink it."

Brooke managed a small smile as she rolled her eyes. The day had finally arrived. It was the day Brooke was scheduled to return to work, her first since that terrible, humiliating day when everyone had learned of her troubled personal life after reading about it in the paper. She had rushed out amidst a sea of paparazzi in a day that changed everything. Now two months later, she was preparing to return.

"Actually Gordon, uh...something came up and uh, well, I don't think I'm gonna make it in today."

"Humph!" Gordon snorted.

"What was that for?"

"Nothing except that was your excuse yesterday and the day before that one."

"It's not an excuse..."

"Then what do you call it?"

"You don't understand. I don't want to go, okay? I don't want to deal with a hundred flashbulbs going off in my face and having everybody whispering behind my back and looking at me with pity in their eyes like I'm the subject of one of their little do gooder charity cases."

"Well, you have to deal with it sometimes? Who cares what those bamas think anyway? And don't get ahead of yourself, Diva. I hate to break it to you but Britney Spears is back in the news this week. You and your two timing, cheating, double dealing, conniving hunk of an almost ex husband are yesterday's news."

"Good but I still don't want to go."

"Brooke Davis Scott!"

Brooke winced. She knew she was in trouble when Gordon referred to her as anything other than "Diva", "Honey Child", "Miss Thang" or "Girlfriend".

"Gordon, don't argue with me, okay? Just try to understand."

"Fine", he sighed. "But you can't stay holed up in that house forever. I'll try to understand but I think you're making a big mistake. You can't hide forever."

Brooke hung up the phone with Gordon and sighed. He was right. She couldn't very well hide forever but surely a few more days wouldn't hurt.

"Hey. I thought you were going to work today..."

Lucas. The very fact that he could and did seem to pop up at the most unexpected times was still a little unnerving for Brooke.

"Uh, I am...I mean, I was..."

"Everything okay?"

"I'm fine."

"You sure?"

"Look Lucas, I really don't want to talk to you about this..."

"But you can", he said quietly. "Brooke, I know a lot has changed between us but we've always been able to talk about any and everything. You know you can come to me if you need to."

"Thanks but no thanks", she mumbled.

"Brooke..."

"I can't do it, alright? Is that what you want to hear? Well, I can't do it, Luke! I just cannot go back there right now."

"But it's your job and you love it. You've always loved it. You're great at it and everybody loves you..."

"You don't understand, Lucas."

"Would this have anything to do with the paparazzi hounding you and stuff?"

"How did you know?"

"I...I heard about it."

"Really?" she asked beginning to get angry. "Did you hear about all of my co workers gossiping and staring at me like I had three heads?"

"Brooke, I know it sucks and you're frustrated but we...you have to deal with it eventually. You can't let other people dictate your life like that. You just have to go in and hold your head high and shake it off."

"Is that right? Pretty cliché advice. And how would you know this?"

"Because I had to do the same thing. You think photographers aren't jumping from behind bushes to get my picture? You think my teammates aren't talking about me behind my back? Brooke, I do understand. I understand because I'm living it, too."

"Yeah?" she spat. "Well the only difference is, this is all your fault...not mine. So you can keep your advice to yourself. I don't need anything from you. You've done enough to ruin my life."

With that, she grabbed her keys and purse and stormed off. Before she knew what she was doing she was in her car and headed for the city.

"That is definitely a sock."

"I don't know", Jessica frowned. "I say it is the real deal."

"No way", Chantal laughed. "It's a sock...it's got to be."

"What are you two hags gossiping about?" Gordon grinned as he breezed into the conference room.

"Is 'hag' anyway to refer to your boss?" Jessica teased.

"Oh Boss Lady, you know I got love for you. Just wanted to see what y'all were up to."

"Actually, you can maybe help us out with your uh, expert, opinion", Jessica smiled. "Take a look at this print ad. It's the new underwear campaign for Sascha Naj. Chantal and I were just admiring the new male model and we need someone to settle our ongoing debate. Take a look at the boxer briefs. Now tell us, is that all man or half artificial stuffing?"

Gordon took one look and rolled his eyes.

"All man."

"Ha! I knew I was right!" Jessica gloated.

"No way", Chantal persisted. "Gordo, I think your intuition is way off on this one."

"Who said anything about intuition? I am speaking from first hand experience, child. You know the old saying, 'it ain't the size of the boat but the motion of the ocean'? Well our little model friend here, Randy definitely proved that one to be true. And it's such a shame too."

Jessica and Chantal exchanged horrified glances that eventually turned into eruptions of laughter.

"What?" Gordon shrugged. "You hags asked with your inquiring little minds..."

"Gordie, are you seducing all the models again?"

All attention turned to the voice coming from the doorway.

"Diva!" Gordon yelled as he ran to hug her. "I knew you'd make it."

"Yeah, yeah", she grinned.

Jessica and Chantal hugged her as well.

"Welcome back, Brooke. We really missed you."

Brooke nodded and their sincerity warmed her heart. She walked back to her private office linked arm in arm with Gordon as he caught her up on who was screwing who in the office and of course his latest escapades with the newest billboard hottie. He went on and on and even though she had tons of work to catch up on, it felt good to be back and finally have things somewhat back to normal.

Brooke went through the motions of playing catch up. There were a million messages to return, phone calls to make and meetings to attend. It was a little overwhelming at first and she was tired but she was happy to be back where she belonged. With a bag full of Hostess cupcakes, there was nothing she couldn't handle, she thought as she headed over to Chantal's desk to drop off the latest statistical report. By the copier machine a few of the other employees had gathered, fronted by Kelly Petersen, the token office bitch. Kelly and Brooke, although never friends, did run in the same social circle. Kelly's husband was a New York Knick as well and they all belonged to the same country club, Mortimer Hall. As always the women were whispering and gossiping but all talk ceased as Brooke came in to view.

"Brooke! Well it's so nice to finally have you back", Kelly said in her fakest voice. "I guess congratulations are in order."

"Thank you, Kelly."

"Uh, I was looking for you earlier actually."

"Oh?" Brooke questioned.

"Yes, I just wanted to let you know that as the wife of a Knick player, you're eligible to join the new charity club being sponsored over at Mortimer Hall. So, I mean, not that you need to, it's not required or anything. And I know you're really busy with work and um...other things, personal things, I'm sure."

"Right", Brooke said, looking her in the eye. "When is your next meeting?"

Kelly looked stunned. After all that had happened and been reported about the state of the Scott's marriage, Brooke would have some nerve to show her face at any social event.

"Uh...well it varies usually. I think some of us are getting together tonight."

"What time?"

"Seven-ish..."

"Seven-ish", Brooke repeated.

"Well, I won't keep you, hon. It was really lovely seeing you again. The pregnancy thing is really working for you. Go Knicks!"

Brooke rolled her eyes as the group dispersed.

"What was that all about?" Gordon asked as he emerged from the hallway.

"Just Kelly Peterson and her little ho posse catching up on the latest gossip, I guess. Anyway, it seems the Knick wives, headed up by our good friend, Kelly, are organizing charity events over at Mortimer Hall. She invited me to join but said she didn't really expect me to since I must be busy with my personal problems."

"Child, what do you care about that botox betty anyway? That trick wears so much green eye shadow it looks like her gall bladder just busted. Anyway, you do charity work on your own and at least it comes from your heart. Why would you want to join those fake, whack ass Mother Teresa wannabes?"

"That's not the point, Gordie. She acts like I don't deserve to be there. God, she is so snobbish and so full of herself. Granted my husband was an ass and yes he did screw around on me and yes it ended up in the tabloids and yes I left him and yes I am knocked up and yes he is now residing in the guest cottage of our once dream home but the bastard is still my husband. That means I am a Knick wife and I can join their stupid little group if I want to."

"True", Gordon shrugged. "But who would want to?"

Brooke pondered the thought all afternoon. She knew she was just asking for trouble but she couldn't resist. At seven sharp she found herself walking in to Mortimer Hall amidst the stares and audible gasps of several of its most elite and stuck up members.

"Okay, the last item on the agenda is fundraising for the Make A Wish foundation...oh Brooke, hi", Kelly tried to smile sweetly.

"Hi, Kelly. You start at seven, right?"

"No, sweetie. Six sharp. I'm sorry. You must have misunderstood me."

"Yeah right", Brooke muttered.

"Well everyone here knows Brooke, right?" Kelly asked. "And for the new ladies, this is Brooke Scott, wife of Lucas Scott."

It was something about the smirk on her face and the catch in her voice when she emphasized the name Scott.

"It's nice to meet the new people and for the regular members, it's good to see you all again", Brooke said. "I just thought I'd come down and see if I could be of any assistance with this new program."

"Brooke, dear are you going to be joining us for long? I mean as a Knick wife", Jacqueline Thomas, another snotty member asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, this new charity club we're organizing will take a lot of hard work and devotion. We need members in it for the long haul. With all the problems with your husband as of late, I was just wondering if you guys would be getting divorced soon. This is for Knick wives, not ex wives, you know. House rules."

"Um, as I was saying...the Make A Wish Foundation...", Kelly uncomfortably tried to continue.

"As of now I am still a Knick wife and I am well aware of the rules because I am one of the original founding members who got this rocket off the ground", Brooke informed her.

"Excuse me?"

"In other words, the state of my marriage, divorce, and life in general is none of your damn business. What is going on with me and my husband is between me and my husband. If you want to know details, I suggest picking up the latest copy of the Enquirer. They seemed to know my every move these days."

"Whoa, whoa. You walk in here, late, I might add and start popping off attitude with our members? Jacqueline was simply asking a question and you jump down her throat", Kelly sniffed. "We were just concerned about you and Lucas so forgive us for asking about you and your husband. Gosh, we were just being polite. After all, our husbands aren't the ones going out sleeping with every Mary, Ann and Sue."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Brooke asked, hands on hips.

"You know exactly what I mean."

"You know, Kelly, I was a little apprehensive about going out in public and especially coming back to work because I was afraid that people would talk about me. I thought I couldn't take the pity and the gossiping and whispering. Face it, my life as of late has become an open book. But I got over my fears, decided I had nothing to be ashamed of and decided to take back my life. I thought I had friends and co workers who were above the condescending and snotty behavior. I came down here wanting to give you the benefit of the doubt, but clearly you're still the same bunch of petty, snobbish, hateful little bitches you've always been. So sue me for making an effort but you won't have to worry about me making another one. I can't even stomach you people and believe me it's a lot easier to go home and face my lying, groveling possibly soon to be ex than to sit around and put on airs with you holes. Good night, ladies and I do use that term loosely. Have a pleasant evening."

Brooke turned and walked back to her car, a satisfied smile plastered on her face as the women sat wide eyed and open mouthed. She had said her peace and now it was time to move on. Being gossiped about and publicly humiliated again were her two worst fears and thanks to simplicity of women like Jacqueline Thomas and Kelly Peterson, they had come true. But Brooke had no tears or even regrets. She had made it through far worse and getting through the difficulty of the past few months, she had stamped herself a survivor. She thought good thoughts as she made the commute back to Greenwich, singing along to her favorite radio station. All in all it had been a good day and she was in a good mood. She had accomplished everything she needed to and as she saw lights on in the guest house, there was still one more thing that needed to be done...

"Knock, knock", she chirped as she stood by the slightly ajar front door.

"Brooke", Lucas said surprised. "Um, come in."

"Thanks. Um, I like what you've done with the place. Looks good."

"It's kind of messy", he apologized as he cleared a place for her to sit. "I'm trying to pack for an away game we have coming up."

"It's okay. I don't even have time to stay. I just wanted to drop by and first say that I'm sorry for this morning and also to thank you."

"For?"

"For the cliché advice", she smiled. "It really helped and I did go to work today and there were a few kinks and all but I made it through. So thank you for the Dr. Phil pep talk. It helped. And I'm sorry for going off on you. Blame the attitude on my raging hormomes or stubborn ways or whatever but I shouldn't have flown off the handle like that. If we're going to be friends or get through all this, I can't keep going back to the past and blaming you for everything that goes wrong. It's not fair."

Lucas smiled.

"Um, thanks. That means a lot to me, Brooke."

"Me too", she smiled. "So I guess I'll see you around."

"Wait! Uh, are you sure you can't stay for a little while? Maybe we could talk or have dinner..."

"Some other time", she smiled again. "Have a safe trip."

Lucas watched as she left and drove back to the main house. He couldn't help but smile and feel warm all over. One more tiny step hopefully towards something huge.