Author's Note: Thanks for all the amazing reviews and feedback. It has really motivated me. I made some changes to my outline and instead of ending the story where I was going to and also in lieu of making a sequel, I just decided to extend this one. I won't make any promises about a happy ending but please remember we have a long way to go and ANYTHING could happen. So I hope you guys continue to enjoy...

Dan was going to live and that was the good news. Brooke and Haley had talked things out and had agreed to attempt to somehow restore the close friendship they had once shared and that was better news. But for Brooke the best news of all was returning back North and back to real life. The New York area would always be home for her and every time she visited North Carolina, she felt like another person almost. This time was particularly wrenching. It was more than weird to be there and not be "Broody and Cheery", to not be the crazy in love Brooke and Lucas. It was strange to sleep in separate rooms and treat each other with the guarded politeness of strangers rather than husband and wife. But that was life, the point where they were and there was no other choice except to deal with it. Brooke could admit that she missed and still loved Lucas. She could even begin to imagine somewhat of a future with him as a family but "thinking" and "saying" were completely different from "doing". As much as her heart yearned, Brooke knew her mind would have to remain in control. That had been the problem the last time. She had allowed herself to feel and be totally caught up in another human being. A human being she had loved and trusted, a man in her eyes who could do no wrong. But he had done wrong and his wrong had nearly killed her. As much as she wanted her husband back and to be a family, she couldn't just leave herself open to that kind of trauma again.

"Wow…he's so dreamy."

Chantal's words snapped Brooke back into reality from the La La land in which she had been daydreaming.

"Huh?"

"Mr. Colwell", the younger girl sighed. "Wow. He…he just takes control. And he's so smart and charming and handsome."

"Dreamy? Well, that's one you don't hear every day", Brooke half joked.

Poor Chantal was practically foaming at the mouth. Brooke shook her head. It had been almost a month and neither the fuss nor the praise had died down about the "great" Felix Colwell. For the life of her Brooke couldn't understand what the big deal was. Sure he was smart but almost in a cunning way. And the charm was thicker than maple syrup. And handsome? Okay she had to give him handsome but there was something about the man she didn't like. She couldn't quite put her finger on it but a feeling deep inside warned her that men like Felix Colwell were not to be trusted.

Brooke jumped a little as she realized that Felix's attention had diverted completely away from the meeting and was now focused completely on her. It unnerved her, in fact it was almost freaky. There he was in that custom made Armani suit, fresh shaven and smelling good, his black crisp and styled to perfection. He had spent the last hour or so charming one of the more difficult sponsors over a conference call. For weeks it had appeared that Sascha Naj would be denied the ten million dollar financing needed for the fall advertising and in the course of less than sixty minutes, this arrogant stunner with the quick smile and even quicker wit had managed to secure the deal much to the delight of management or what Brooke secretly liked to refer to as his starry eyed groupies.

Now he was staring at her, his soulful dark eyes boring a hole right through the core of her very soul. It was almost as if he could read her thoughts and by the look of the smirk on his face, Brooke wondered if he in fact could. It made her uncomfortable. She wanted to scream, to run but she didn't. In true Brooke Scott fashion, she returned his gaze and smooth smirk. He had charmed the pants off of everyone else in the company but he wouldn't get her. She was on to the golden boy's game and Brooke was one not to be intimidated.

"…That meeting was…productive to say the least", Jessica began with a wide grin as she smoothed her skirt. "And all thanks to Mr. Colwell who has done a remarkable job. Now if there is no other pressing business, we will adjourn."

"It's about time", Gordon huffed under his breath as everyone filed out of the conference room.

Brooke smiled. Gordie would always be on her side. They had seemed to be the only ones not wearing rose colored glasses when it came to Felix Colwell.

"Those meetings are so long winded and Jess and everyone else acts like that grease ball is the Messiah or something", Brooke rolled her eyes. "Anyway, it was getting hot as hell in there. I hate those damn dog and pony shows. Some of us actually have work to do."

"And what work do you have to do, Miss Thang?" Gordon asked with raised, perfectly arched eyebrows.

"You know…the important stuff", Brooke winked.

"Oh yeah. That. So, virtual checkers in five minutes?"

"You bet your ass", she laughed as she walked into her office.

Brooke fired up the computer. Sure there was work to be done but it could wait a minute or two. She lived for the times she got Gordon in any computer game.

"Okay, sucker, prepare to be defeated again", she laughed evilly as the game set up.

From the corner of her eye she noticed a fancy silver envelope on her desk that bore her name in black stencil. Her curiosity was peaked and apparently so was Gordon's as her office phone immediately rang.

"Hey Diva. Looks like our little friend, Felix, just left a present on my desk for me."

"I know", Brooke said. "I got an envelope too."

"You got one?" Gordon began to pout. "Shoot. I thought I was special."

"You're special to me", Brooke giggled as her eyes scanned the contents of the envelope.

It was an invitation of some sort cordially inviting them to attend a party aboard the Colwell yacht. The date was set for the following evening.

"How tacky", Gordon hissed. "You don't send out fancy invitations and expect folks to RSVP within 24 hours. Who does he think he is? Shit, some of us have lives outside of this place, you know."

"Well we're sort of stuck, Gordie. It's Felix Colwell and his boat for Christ's sake. Besides, if we're no shows Jess will have our asses."

"I know but still. I had really important plans tomorrow night."

"What plans did you have?" Brooke grinned. "Let me guess, model or actor?"

"Brooke Rebecca Davis Scott! That really hurts my feelings, you know. You should be ashamed of yourself. Do you think I'm really that shallow? Do you think it always has to be about guys with me? There's more to my life than that and you're my best friend so you should know that. But I guess you don't. I guess you don't know me after all. For your information, I was planning to spend some time with my sick grandmother."

Brooke felt horrible for a few seconds. She always assumed it was all about men when it came to Gordon because it usually was. Now she had made a mistake. Wrapped up in her own drama, had she ignored the needs of her best friend? Poor Gordon must be going through hell with a sick grandmother.

"Gordie, I'm sorry…"

"And you should be."

"I…I am. Look, Gordie, I…wait. Hold on, both of your grandmothers are dead already."

There was silence on the other end of the line until Gordon could no longer contain his laughter.

"Gotcha! Just playing, Diva. You know me and yes I am that shallow. But no it's not a model or an actor. He's a jeweler and I ain't talking about no 24 karat gold deal in the middle of the mall. Can we say Tiffany's? Child, I'm trying to move up like George and Weezy."

"Gordon, you are a brat and I hate you. You know that?"

"Yeah, yeah. I love you, too", he laughed, hanging up.

Brooke smiled. Sometimes it was all she had not to wring his scrawny little neck. But they were each other's "Divas" and she knew she couldn't live without him. More than a great gossip or an awesome shopping partner or the much needed comic relief, he was a good and decent person with a heart of gold. The past months with Luke's cheating and her pregnancy, Gordon had been her rock and she didn't know what she would have done without his unwavering friendship and support.

"Knock, knock…"

Brooke's thoughts were interrupted by the unmistakable presence standing in her doorway.

"Mr. Colwell", she nodded.

"Please with the formalities. Call me Felix", he said, flashing that million dollar movie star smile. "I see you received your invite. I take it you and a guest will join me tomorrow."

"Like I have a choice…", she muttered under her breath.

"Excuse me?"

"I said, 'oh boy'"

Felix grinned. Brooke Scott was a sassy one and he liked that.

"Well, I look forward to seeing you and your husband."

"My husband?"

"Yes. I assume you still have one, right?"

"Uh yeah, but…"

"Good. Forgive me, I haven't read this week's Enquirer. Anyway, I guess I will see you tomorrow."

"Sure", Brooke managed through pursed lips. "Tomorrow."

Brooke stuck close to Gordon as she tightened the black shawl around her shoulders. It was a warm and sticky night but sure to get cooler especially the breeze coming in from the water. The last thing Brooke had wanted was to spend an evening schmoozing on Felix Colwell's stupid boat but she really had no choice. And at least she had Gordon. That along with the caviar and shrimp cocktails that waiters were plentifully serving, was enough to get her through a few measly hours.

"Brooke", Felix greeted her, looking like he stepped right out of an ad for Abercrombie and Fitch. "Nice to see you. I take it the hubby couldn't make it."

"I am with my husband", Brooke teased. "Gordon and I, together forever, or didn't you read about it in the Enquirer?"

"That's right", Gordon nodded. "I could be Brooke's husband…or she could be mine, I guess. In any event, she's a great girl and I love her to death. If she had a penis, I probably would marry her."

Brooke smirked at Felix as she slipped her arms around Gordon and they moved to the other side of the 75 foot luxury yacht. If he could be a conceited asshole, the least she could do was have a little fun while she suffered through his get together. How dare he question where her husband was? Felix hardly knew her and it was obvious he didn't know the meaning of the word "tact". All the money and powerful connections in the world couldn't buy class unfortunately.

"Gorgeous night, don't you think?"

Brooke rolled her eyes. The man was more vomit inducing than first trimester morning sickness.

"Just magical", she mumbled.

"A drink?" he offered, handing her one of the two glasses of bubbly.

"Hello! I am six months pregnant!"

"I know. Mine is champagne…yours is ginger ale."

"Oh", she said, taking it from him. "Thanks."

"You look absolutely stunning tonight. Anybody tell you that?"

"I get it all the time", she joked.

"No, I'm serious. Most women feel the need to cover up and dress like Mother Teresa during pregnancy when in reality, those nine months are when a woman is most beautiful. I mean, look at you. You're positively glowing. And that lacy black number looks great on you, especially with the shawl."

Brooke blushed. Fashion had always been a high priority and even though she felt comfortable with her pregnant body, she had secretly wondered if the black dress was too sexy for a woman in her condition.

"Um, thanks", she stammered. "I…I guess I felt like doing something daring."

"You live on the edge. I like that in a woman."

"I'm sure", she rolled her eyes.

"You really feel like being daring?"

"That depends…"

"How about you be the new face of the Sascha Naj maternity line? I could arrange a meeting next week with one of the top fashion photographers."

"Thanks but no thanks. I am an executive assistant. I'm a publicist. My expertise lies behind the scenes with accounting and advertising and production and publicity. I'm not a model."

"But you could be. Give it some thought. If you decide, I'll help you. I'll be by your side every minute."

"Oh great", Brooke mumbled. "That certainly sweetens the pot."

"Or maybe you'd prefer Lucas?"

"Excuse me? Look. Mr. Colwell…"

"Felix."

"Okay, Felix, you keep making inappropriate references to my husband and my private life and I don't appreciate it. It's really none of your business."

"Technically. But when intimate details are laid out in tabloids for the world to see, it sort of becomes everyone's business, don't you think?"

"Go to hell", Brooke spat. "Listen, I am not fooled by your killer smile or your golden boy charm. I've seen it all before, trust me. And I don't give a damn how rich you are or who you know or even if you can take Sascha Naj to the so called fashion promised land. Okay? I am not impressed. And unlike the rest of your little groupies floating around here, I don't think that you walk on water. So keep your ignorant opinions and snide comments to yourself."

"It's not like that and I didn't mean to offend you, Brooke. Really. I sympathize."

"I don't need your sympathy."

"I know and I didn't mean it like that but I can relate…sort of. I dated a high profile woman once. Someone with a father very prominent in politics. I loved her very much but uh…it didn't work out. Let's just say she had other plans. Anyway, I know it's not fun to open up a newspaper and see all the private details of your life on display."

Brooke studied the sudden sincerity of his face and the sadness in his eyes. Gone was the arrogant jerk and he had been replaced by an emotional human being.

"Yeah", Brooke said quietly. "I know the feeling. Lucas and I…well, we had problems and as if it isn't bad enough to deal with that, I had to handle it in front of the media. It was painful but I am not going to discuss that right now especially with you."

"Totally understandable. You live and learn and time does heal all wounds. I'm smarter now and a lot stronger and in time you will be as well. Especially when you learn to protect your heart. That's why I don't do the love and relationship thing anymore. Why, when I can just hook up? Friends with benefits, as they say."

"That never works. Someone always gets hurt."

"Not if you're up front about it. Not when you take the emotion out of it. We all have needs and physical desires, right? Think about it. I had sex this year and you've had sex this year but I'm not the one looking sad and talking about how painful it is."

"You know what? This conversation is over. Have a good night."

"Maybe we could continue it sometime. Say, Milan next month at the fashion seminar? You will be there, won't you?"

"I don't know", she said smugly. "I guess I haven't decided yet and I haven't talked to Jessica."

"You said earlier that you're a daring kind of girl. Well I dare you…to go to Milan that is. Sometimes you do things you want to do because calling it a dare makes it okay."

"Things like what?"

"Spending more time with me", he winked before walking off.

Brooke stood speechless, gathering herself only to grab a fistful of shrimp when the server walked by. All of a sudden she was tired and restless and sullen at the same time. More importantly, she was ready for the stupid boat to dock so she could go home. She was almost tempted to throw herself overboard and swim back to land. But there was Gordon, mingling and living it up and there was Felix with the shit eating, sickening grin plastered all over his handsome face as the ladies and gentlemen alike swooned over his every word. Brooke felt sick and it had nothing to do with her stomach. Somehow, someway this man had gotten to her. He had touched a nerve, he had pissed her off and at the same time, somehow he had reached her.

"Ready to go, Sunshine?" Gordon asked an hour or so later as the yacht docked.

"You have no idea", she sighed as he helped her with her shawl.

"Gordon, Brooke, I'd like to thank you for coming tonight", Felix said as they exited the boat.

Gordon nodded as he headed off to get the car.

"Admit it", Felix smiled when they were alone. "Tonight wasn't so bad. You had a good time."

"Sure if that means me wasting an entire evening of my precious young life that I'll never get back."

"I love your flair for the dramatic."

"Felix?"

"Yeah?"

"Tonight…back when you said all that stuff…how did you…"

"I'm very good at reading people."

"Yeah? So how do you read me?"

"I see a beautiful, intelligent, spunky, successful young woman who is very confused and in a lot of pain now."

"I think everyone can see that, Miss Cleo", she half joked.

"But I'm not done yet. I guess I'll have to watch you a little more. I guess that will make us friends, huh?"

"Maybe…just no benefits."

"A guy can dream, can't he?"

Brooke shook her head and laughed in spite of the situation. The moment was saved by the headlights of Gordon's car.

"Well, that's my ride. It's been…interesting. Good night, Felix."

"Good night, Brooke", he said, placing a soft kiss on her forehead as he opened the car door for her.

Brooke sighed as they drove away and back towards the city.

"What? Gordon, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like that. You know what I mean. I know you have something to say so you might as well spill it."

"Child, just call me the silent minority."

"Gordie…"

"What?"

"We're just friends so don't get any ideas."

"I haven't said a word", Gordon grinned. "Although you hated his guts this morning. Now y'all are…friends. That's cool. I can dig it."

"Whatever."

"You can have friends. Baby Girl, I am not trying to hate. Ain't nothing wrong with having friends…especially friends with benefits."

"Oh no. Trust me. There will be no benefiting with Felix and me. You can count on that one."

"Never say never. Besides, how long has it been? Five, six months? Child, please! That should be a felony! You need to benefit with someone whether it be that deceitful and delicious soon to be ex of yours or our gorgeous yet slime ball of a temporary boss."

"I'm fine", Brooke protested.

But she wasn't fine. She groaned as she buried her head into the pillow. It had been forever since she'd had sex and along with natural want, the pregnancy hormones weren't helping. But there was no way out of the fix. She definitely couldn't make love to Lucas yet and sex with Felix was not even an option. Still she couldn't help but imagine the two scenarios. As if on cue, her daughter gave her a sharp kick.

"My sentiments exactly", Brooke laughed as she cradled her tummy. "I guess that's what Mommy needed. A good, swift kick in the ass or in this case, the belly. Good night, kiddo. I love you."