Lucas looked around nervously. He seemed to be the only one who was nervous. Peyton was engrossed in her Blackberry and Tim was indulging in his latest obsessive compulsive hobby…checking his reflection in the mirror as he applied yet another Crest whitening strips to his teeth. Lucas often wondered how one guy could spend so much time in the mirror.

Brooke wearing a sexy, black modified catsuit, stared absently out the window. She appeared amazingly cool, calm and collected even as she poured herself yet another glass of champagne. Soon the limo came to a stop.

"Brooke, um I…I could stay in the car if you want", Lucas suggested. "I know this is business and I don't want to be in the way…"

"You won't be in the way", she smiled as she took his hand. "I want you out there with me."

The door opened and the foursome exited the limousine. Lucas, in a simple white button up shirt and black pants, looked down as he tightened his grip on his cane. So the carpet really was red, he thought to himself.

"Ready?" she smiled sexily, as she looked over at him.

He nodded and they made their way to the entrance. He had seen his fair share of premieres and awards events on Entertainment Tonight but it was nothing compared to experiencing it live. First of all, it was much louder than he anticipated. The noise was everywhere and people from all different directions shouted out to Brooke to look at them or look left or right or straight ahead or turn around. The demands were in such quick succession and coming from everywhere, that Lucas couldn't keep track. He was amazed at Brooke. She smiled graciously, indulged the paparazzi, and posed at various angles for various pictures. All the while doing it she looked absolutely gorgeous.

It was brighter on the red carpet, too. The flash bulbs of cameras were ridiculous. Hundreds of shots seemed to go off simultaneously. Lucas couldn't help but blink and a couple times, he actually had to shield his eyes with his hand. He could only imagine what a blinking, hobbling dork he would look like in magazines everywhere being photographed with one of TV's most beautiful stars.

"Had enough?" she whispered in his ear.

"Getting there", he replied honestly.

She squeezed his hand and quickened their pace inside.

"Hey Brooke, who you got there with you?" a nosy photographer inquired. "A new beau?"

Brooke coyly responded by placing her arm across Lucas and giving him a quick kiss. It was a simple gesture but it made him feel like a million bucks. He had to be the luckiest man on the planet and Brooke Davis had basically just "outed" their relationship to the world.

Once inside, the auditorium was smaller than it looked on the outside and it was more of an informal setting with round tables. Several grouped together said "Guiding Light" and Lucas and Brooke took a seat while Peyton and Tim fell back with the other non nominees.

"Excuse me, Miss Davis, I need to see your friend's ticket."

Brooke looked up to see a no nonsense woman with a pretty face and a mass of dark curly hair. She popped a huge wad of gum and her hands were placed firmly on her hips. Her nametag read, "Jessica".

"Is there a problem?"

"Yeah, if he doesn't have a ticket. No ticket, no upfront seating, sorry."

"What does it matter?"

"Look, lady, does he have a ticket or not?"

"No he doesn't", Brooke answered. "Look, this was sort of last minute but he is my date. Can't you overlook this ticket thing? Just this once? Please."

"I don't know…"

"Oh come on."

"Fine but only because my kids love you on the show, even though you've been in a coma like 100 years. Anyway, if I do you a favor, you have to do me one. Sign this piece of paper please. Make it out to Ali and Emma."

Brooke smiled as she obliged and scrawled her signature. If a lousy autograph would get the attendant from hell off her back, a few seconds was well worth it. Lucas chuckled.

"What?"

"Nothing", he said. "I just keep forgetting you're famous, that's all."

"Yeah", she said softly. "Me too sometimes."

The lights dimmed and the show began. It was long and to Lucas rather boring. He found himself wanting to nod off a few times but he couldn't help but be on the lookout for the ever present camera. Then finally, it was time.

"Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, oh my God", Brooke whispered as she grabbed Luke's hand. "This is my category."

"…And the nominees for Supporting Actress are…", the presenters began.

"I think I'm gonna throw up", Brooke mouthed to Lucas.

"…Tracy Warren for All My Children…"

"You're fine", Lucas said in her ear.

"…Martine Clash for Passions…"

"Oh God, Luke this is my first nomination. Do I clap for myself?"

"…And Brooke Davis for Guiding Light…"

"You better clap for yourself", Lucas grinned as the camera focused on Brooke.

She gave her best shy smile as she demurely applauded at her own name.

"…The winner is…"

"Oh God, oh God!"

"…Martine Clash…Passions…"

The shot was still on all three nominees so Brooke continued with her wide, fake smile as she clapped for the woman who had just beaten her. It wasn't that bad being a gracious loser but nevertheless she was grateful the show was nearing the end.

"Hey you", Peyton smiled as she wrapped her arms around Brooke after the broadcast had ended. "You got robbed, kiddo."

"Totally", Tim added. "Look, I know I'm not the best agent, or the most politically correct guy, or even the nicest friend, but you still keep me around, Brooke. I appreciate that…more than you know. You're a good girl. You should have won tonight because you're the most talented actress in here. But there will be other awards, I promise. I really believe in you, Brooke and I respect you. I just wanted you to know that."

Fresh tears sprang to her eyes. It was the nicest thing Tim had ever said to anybody.

"Oh Tim", she said, hugging him. "You're the best. I love you. You know that? I know I don't always act like it but you're a good friend and a good agent and I couldn't imagine my life without you."

"Good", he grinned. "So you won't be pissed if I ask out that Martine Clash chick. Look, don't take it personal that she beat you but did you see the ass on her when she went to accept that award? Damn! Looks like she could use some Tim time."

Brooke shook her head as Peyton and Lucas struggled to keep from laughing.

"You absolutely suck, Tim. Get out of here before I fire you."

"Yes! You're the greatest! See you back at the hotel…tomorrow", he laughed giddily as he was off to find trouble.

"Why do I keep that kid around again?" Brooke asked rhetorically.

"Let's get out of here", Peyton laughed. "Come on. Let's celebrate."

"Celebrate? What, my loss? I didn't win, Pey."

"Who cares? Now drinks on me."

"Yeah", Lucas added. "You don't need some dumb award to justify your talent or who you are. Even though you didn't win, I still think you're pretty terrific and so do a lot of other people."

Brooke smiled as Lucas kissed her. Where had this human blessing come from and what had she done to deserve him? And how come he always knew the exact right thing to say at the exact right moment?

"Brooke, Peyton, can I get a word with you ladies, please?"

It was Andrea Merrick, the junior writer they had shared the limo with the day before. She just needed a few quotes for an upcoming article.

"Luke, do you mind? It'll only take a minute…"

"It's cool", he smiled. "Take your time. I'll be waiting right here."

"Okay, thanks", she said, briefly pecking his lips.

Lucas waited patiently alone, minding his own business. He didn't even notice the young couple that had approached him. He didn't recognize the girl but the man was vaguely familiar.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here? Excuse me, sir, I just saw you kiss Brooke Davis. Are you her boyfriend?" the guy grinned.

Lucas was unsure and uncomfortable about fielding such questions about Brooke and him…especially from strangers. He hadn't even told his family and friends yet back in Tree Hill.

"Um, yeah. I guess I am", Lucas answered uneasily.

The couple exchanged knowing smirks.

"Well, when she comes out again, do you think you can get her to give me an autograph?" the woman asked with fake sincerity

"I guess. I mean, I'm sure she wouldn't mind", Lucas answered. "She'll be back in a few minutes. If you guys just stick around, I know she'd more than happy to sign an autograph for you."

"Cool...so, how long you two been going out?" the guy snooped

"A few months."

"Oh, she's really hot. You're lucky."

"Thank you. Brooke's a great girl."

"Well, you guys seem to make a cute couple. I mean, you're really, really hot but like, what's wrong with your leg? Why do you use a cane and walk like you have a stick up your ass?" the girl giggled.

Lucas swallowed hard as he was taken off guard.

"Um, I…I was in a car accident last year", he stammered.

"That's too bad. Brooke is such a hottie. I hear she can get any guy she wants", the guy smirked. "No offense, dude. I'm sure you're cool and all but why would Brooke Davis the superstar want to be with someone that's a crip."

"Yeah", the girl joined in again. "How do you guys even do it?"

"Or does your little buddy even work?" the guy laughed out loud.

The two strangers were being unbelievably rude and Lucas had not been prepared to expect this sort of ignorant behavior. He was too flustered to be angry.

"I don't think that's any of your business", said an unknown fourth voice.

All three turned around to see Peyton.

"That's incredibly rude what you two just said and I don't think Brooke would appreciate that. Felix, what the hell are you doing here anyway?"

"Peyton!" Felix smiled. "I knew I missed that loud mouth. What's going on, girl? I see you're still the same ballsy, brassy bitch as always."

"And I see you're still the same low class, slimy gigolo. Who's the chick? Someone else to latch onto so you can use them to get to the top, then ruin their career."

"I see Brooke is still bitter but uh, I didn't ruin anything. She did all that on her own."

"Whatever, Felix. Why don't you take your newest slut and just get out of here?"

"Fine, fine. Why so hostile? Geez, baby. I was just trying to be friendly and speak to Brooke's uh…new friend. I'd heard the rumors around town but I just had too see for myself. But I guess it's okay. I went slumming one time so I guess Brooke one upped me and skipped straight to charity work. Lay The Crips, is it?"

"Felix! You are an asshole, you know that?"

He winked and with that, they turned around and walked off.

"Sorry", Peyton mumbled.

Lucas just shook his head. He had never been so humiliated in all his life. He slowly walked away, hailing a cab.

"Lucas, wait…"

Peyton sighed and cursed to herself.

"Okay, P. Sawyer, you ready to roll?" Brooke grinned as she rejoined her friend. "Where's Boyfriend?"

Peyton took a deep breath and looked over at her best friend.

"Brooke…we need to talk."