"Brooke, please talk to me… you've been trying to push me away since. I know what your dad does and I won't let it happen." Lucas said.

"You don't know me anymore, Lucas; you haven't in a long time." Brooke said.

"I know you more than you know yourself." Lucas said. "Please, Brooke… I know you're a tough girl… just stay at my house. We haven't hung out in a long time and he'll never guess you're here."

"Please, Lucas… I'm a big girl and I can fight my own battles." Brooke said.

"Trust me… I believe you, but if you wind up dead or seriously hurt… I will blame myself… please, Brooke. My mom won't care… she loves you… please, Brooke." Lucas said.

"I'm not your girlfriend anymore; you don't have to protect me." Brooke said.

"I want to… I love you, Brooke…" Lucas said. Brooke kissed him and they laid down on the bed and made out.

"So… I love you, too. And I guess I'm staying here." Brooke said. She fell asleep soon after. Lucas gently let go of her and went on his computer. He found out you could get two terms of the life sentence in prison. He decided he'd talk to Brooke in the morning about what they were going to do. He was woken up by a frantic Brooke the next morning. "Lucas… my dad was here this morning… y… your m… mom covered for me… I'm so scared Lucas… If he finds me he will kill me." Lucas held her.

"I promise… It will all work out." Lucas said.

"I can't stay in Tree Hill… he'll find me." Brooke said.

"No, he won't… Brooke, I think you should press charges… you have enough bruises. Can you do this?" Lucas said. Brooke nodded. "My mom can take you."

"Kinda hoping you'd go with me." Brooke said. Lucas nodded.

In a few months, Brooke's father was in jail until he was to die.

Going To College

"Brooke… are you and Lucas gonna be back for Christmas?" Karen said.

"Yeah… and thanksgiving, but we're going to Cancun for spring break." Brooke said.