Author's Note: Dedicated to my "Diva" Jess, who upon reading this will probably need to sip everything that was in Brooke's flask! LOL!! Enjoy...

"Felix…"

"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" he smiled.

"You're back. Wh…what are you doing here?"

"I told you I'd be back, doll. And it looks like I arrived in the nick of time. Everything alright?"

"I'm fine", she said as she wiped her eyes.

"You don't look fine. Looks like you're about to have a serious party with Jack, Jim and friends", Felix said, motioning to her alcohol variety.

"I just…I don't know. Um, look, I'm gonna go home", she said, standing up.

"Wow. I'd never seen you before without the hump. Looking good, Mama! You are seriously post pregnancy fine, girl!"

"I see you haven't changed", she grinned through tears.

"And I see you haven't either", he said in a more serious tone. "Still tears in those beautiful eyes. You want to talk about it?"

"I think I've done enough talking tonight. Besides, I need to get home to my daughter…"

"You seem upset…a little distracted. Obviously something is wrong. If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine but you might want to calm down before you drive or try to go home. My limo is downstairs. We could take a little ride…"

"Thanks but no thanks. I just really need to get going. I'll be fine."

He grabbed her tiny hand in his and let his thumb circle the Opal ring still on her finger. She looked at him and saw the well meaning, understanding and caring friend she hadn't seen in almost half a year. She needed him more than ever and only he could sense that. A fresh avalanche of tears began to cascade and she nearly collapsed sobbing in his strong arms where he held her for a while before guiding her outside to his waiting car. She was silent throughout the limo ride, which came to an abrupt stop on 5th Avenue.

"Where are we?" she asked.

He said nothing but instead helped her out of the car. They entered a posh building with a doorman and a lobby and rode the elevator all the way to the top floor. Felix opened the door and ushered her into the lavishly decorated Penthouse suite.

"What is this place? Is this your…"

"Guilty as charged", he smirked. "My humble abode when I am in New York. Please have a seat. I would offer you a drink but uh…I think you've had enough for one night."

She smiled and sat nervously looking around at the beautiful artwork and lavish sculptures.

"Felix, I really appreciate all this but I need to get going…"

He nodded and gave her a thoughtful smile.

"Brooke, I don't want to keep you or have you somewhere you don't want to be. I just wanted to bring you someplace where you can relax and be yourself. Where you don't have to be this Superwoman in the workplace, a Super Mom or a Super Wife. Here…you can just be. And I thought you'd appreciate that and the fact that you have a real friend."

She felt the tears threatening once more.

"Felix, I do, it's just that…God, I've really missed you and you've been such a good friend to me and I feel like we really clicked in Italy. I could tell you things that I could never share with anyone else. And you never judged me and…I don't know."

"Slow down. Brooke, talk to me."

"I've messed up, Felix. I have screwed up so bad and I don't even know how to fix it."

"Is this about Lucas?" he asked quietly.

"It's about, Luke and me and our daughter and just my whole life."

"Second thoughts, huh?"

"How is it you can look in my eyes and know everything I'm thinking and feeling?" she asked.

"Because we do have a connection, Brooke. And I care about you."

"I'm so confused. I don't know what to do anymore. On one hand, I truly feel like Lucas and me are over. Then on the other hand, I do still love him and what if there is something left that is worth saving? What if this divorce is a mistake? Or what if it's not and I'm just afraid to let go because he is all I've known for so long. It's like the choices I make today will not only affect me the rest of my life but it will my child too. And that's a very scary thing, Felix. And I don't know how to handle it. I guess that makes me the biggest idiot on the planet, huh?"

"You're anything but an idiot", he said in a soft voice. "Not even close. You know who you are. Deep down, I know you do. And you know how you feel. All the answers are within you and whatever decision you make, I know it will be the right one. You're just waiting on someone to tell you that you're doing the right thing. Most people don't know who they are. I mean, that's why they lie. They're afraid people might find out who they are before they figure it out themselves but it's never been like that with you. You make me laugh and you have a big heart and you're never afraid to be yourself. You're an honest person and you desire that same truth in everyone else. Now what's so bad about that?"

"I know what I should do and what I have to do and even what I'm going to do. But I'm still scared."

"Don't apologize for that fear. And don't apologize for your anger directed at Lucas and even the world for what happened to you last year."

"Even though the world thinks I should let it go…"

"Fuck the world. Listen Brooke, there is something I have to say to you. Something that I've been feeling for a long time and I should have said it six months ago."

"Is this something you…we're both gonna regret later? Because if it is, then I really wish you wouldn't say it."

"I see you, Brooke…the real you. I see you in a way Gordon and your family and your closest friends and not even Lucas see you."

"Please", she whispered.

"You mean a lot to me. You are this strong, amazing, kind, independent yet totally fragile creature. Your vulnerability beneath the tough exterior is really beautiful. And I just want you to know that you've awakened something deep within me, feelings I thought were dead. I know you're scared Brooke and I know the last year or so has been really hard on you."

"Felix…"

"I don't want to hurt you or pressure you. All I can do is continue to be there for you. And I can show you my heart in hopes that one day you will show me yours. Because if you do, I will guard it with my life."

"Felix, you can't do this to me. It's not right. Until things are completely settled with my marriage and until I can somehow get myself together, there is no way I could ever be with you. You can't ask me that now."

"I won't then. Have fun with me, Brooke. Let me make you smile. Just let me be your friend, Brooke. Let me be there for you. Let me take care of you when you need taking care of."

"Okay", she nodded. "But I just need time."

"Time heals all wounds and believe me, I have the patience of Job", he smiled.

She nodded and closed her eyes as he held her hand in his.

"Felix, thank you for tonight and for helping me get away from it all but I really need to get back. My daughter…"

"I saw her picture. Harmony, is it?"

"Yes", Brooke grinned proudly. "Harmony Joy."

"Beautiful name, beautiful little girl."

"Thank you."

"Maybe one day, I'll get to meet her."

"Maybe."

"I'd like that, Brooke."

He helped her up and walked her to the door where she declined his suggestion to let him ride back to the office with her. She said she would be fine but he insisted his driver take her to her car in lieu of a cab. He helped her with her coat and gave her a peck on the cheek.

"Call me", he said in a husky voice. "Whenever you're ready to stop being scared and just be Brooke again, give me a call."

"I just might do that", she smiled.

"Good night, Brooke."

"Felix?"

"Yes."

"Thank you."

"For?"

"For everything."

They stared in each other's eyes for a moment before their faces inched together. Before they knew it, they were kissing. A sweet, lingering, soft kiss on the lips that stayed with Brooke throughout the limo ride back to her office and her drive back to Connecticut.

She entered her house after midnight and relieved Mrs. Patterson of her duties. Harmony was sleeping soundly in the crib in the nursery but Brooke gently lifted her and carried her to her own bed. More than anything she needed to feel the comfort and warmth of her little girl beside her. As she put the child onto the soft sheets, Harmony stirred. Her face began to crinkle as if she might cry but then she saw her Mommy and instantly relaxed. Brooke's heart completely melted. Nothing could have ever prepared her for the feeling she felt every time her daughter looked up at her with that sense of recognition.

Waking early the next morning, she watched Harmony sleep for a while before taking a shower. As she dressed, her attention was diverted to the dresser drawer of her nightstand that contained a pink envelope with pictures. She smiled as she looked over the photos from Italy, the memories flooding back like a broken dam. She and Gordon shopping, she, Gordon, Chantal and Jessica stuffing their faces at gourmet restaurants. Gordon doing his "Vogue" poses. Then there was a picture of her with Felix, taken seconds before the infamous dance that put them on the cover of all the gossip rags. It was sweet, him looking at her and her looking at him. She struggled to remember what they were saying and thinking at that very moment. She couldn't remember, she just knew that she felt calm and content and relaxed.

Those were the feelings she always harboured when in the company of Felix Colwell. Once she got past the arrogant, cocky exterior. He was a good person and he made her feel alive and happy. What is it wrong to feel that way when they had so much in common? She shook her head and half smiled. Damn the world! She knew how she felt inside and for the first time she didn't give a damn what everyone else around her was thinking. What was the harm? She needed fun and happiness…and a male touch. She needed to live. Felix was a handsome, sophisticated, fun loving guy who could provide her with all that and more. Besides, he wasn't covered head to toe in issues like her soon to be ex husband. Smiling, she grabbed her cell phone and dialled his number.

"Felix? Hi. It's me…Brooke."

"Brooke, it's great to hear from you this morning. Everything okay? What's up?"

"Everything is more than okay. I've been thinking about you and I really felt like hearing your voice."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, I just…oh hell, I don't know what I'm doing here but I do know that you've really come through for me and that no one makes me feel like you do. I don't know where this could go for us and frankly I don't care. I just want to be happy and have fun and live in the moment."

"Atta girl, Brooke. I'm proud of you."

"Can I see you later today?"

"I'd love to doll but unfortunately I can't. I had to a little business to attend to this morning out of state. But I'll be back soon. What do you say, tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow sounds great. I'll see you then."

"I can't wait. Bye Brooke."

"Good bye."

He hung up the phone and stared at the watered down whiskey that sat on the table in front of him. A heavy feeling loomed over his heart. He heard the laugh coming from the man that sat only a few feet away.

"Nice work, Felix", Dan grinned as he sipped his drink. "Just like we planned."