Author's Note: Sorry for the delay, folks. I lost the book I wrote this chapter in and I'm currently mourning the loss of my favorite character from Lost. I want to kill things at the moment…

Chapter Nine: The Visit

Just two days after the huge misunderstanding regarding Brooke and Lucas, Brooke was happily residing in her boyfriend's arms, pleased that the drama was behind them and that they'd been honest with each other. She was even happier to know that Lucas and Jason were still friends and that there was no major friction that she could see between the two men.

Brooke and Jason laughed at something that one of their friends said as they sat in The Diner on Wednesday night. Brooke looked at her watch, frowning slightly.

"You okay, babe?" Jason asked her.

"Yeah. I just thought Lucas was going to be here. It's not like him to be late," she said.

"Maybe he changed his mind or got into some car trouble," Jason offered. Brooke shrugged and took a sip of her soda.

"Is that him now?" someone asked pointing to a figure making his way to the entrance. Brooke looked behind her to see Lucas almost run into the restaurant and over to their table.

"You look happy," she commented as everyone shifted across to make room for him.

"That's because I am. Guess who's performing at The Sundial this Friday night?" he asked, referring to the local under-18s club they sometimes hung out at.

"Britney Spears?"

"Nope."

"Jessica Simpson?"

"No."

"Ashlee Simpson?"

"No!"

"Um… The Backstreet Boys!" Brooke suggested.

"Okay, first of all we're going to get you to listen to something that isn't for under 15s – and secondly of all, who do we know from Tree Hill?"

"Oh my god!" Brooke exclaimed.

"I know," Lucas nodded.

"Dan Scott can sing?" Lucas narrowed his eyes.

"Okay, can we be serious now?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry. I think someone gave me sugar." Brooke apologized with a cheeky grin, "It's Haley isn't it," she questioned. Lucas nodded.

"Yup. I just got off the phone to Nathan and he said that they were so bummed about not being able to catch us while we were in Tree Hill that they're planning on taking a slight detour and play here in Beaufort before they go back to Tree Hill."

"That is so cool!" Brooke clapped her hands giddily, "Isn't that cool?" she asked Jason.

"Yeah… who are Nathan and Haley again?" Brooke elbowed him.

"Do you not listen to anything I say?" she questioned, "Nathan is Luke's brother, well half-brother but that's a different story, and Haley is his wife – not to mention, the next big thing. You'll love her," she promised.

"Well I'm in," Jason said before a chorus of agreements resounded through the group, "I guess our Friday night is more or less sorted," He said looking at Lucas and Brooke.

"Oh, I can't wait. When do they arrive?" Brooke asked.

"Friday morning, it's the earliest they could get here. They're staying with me until they leave Saturday afternoon." Lucas explained.

"This is going to be great. I haven't seen either of them since I left. They've been touring all this time?"

"Close to three months on the road. It's unbelievable," Lucas agreed.

"You ready to go?" Jason asked Brooke. She nodded, "Okay, I'll take care of the bill and drop you off home," he said getting up from his seat.

"You're leaving already?" Lucas asked, "I only just got here!" he protested.

"Ten o'clock curfew, Luke," she told him as she put her jacket on, "You should have got here earlier," she winked.

"I was taking care of important business and this is the thanks I get?" he asked in mock annoyance. Brooke laughed and kissed his cheek.

"Thanks, Broody," she said patting his cheek afterwards, "I'll see you tomorrow!" she promised as she left The Diner with Jason.

Early Friday morning, the doorbell to the Hargrove-Roe estate rang loudly. Lucas rubbed excess sleep from his eyes as he opened the door to reveal a more-than-normally-insane Haley jumping into his arms with a cry.

"BIL!" she yelled, almost knocking Lucas off his feet.

"It's Lucas…" he told her, still half-asleep, "Don't already tell me you've forgotten my name,"

"B.I.L. Brother-In-Law!" she reminded him, a little hurt he'd forgotten.

"Yeah, yeah, I remember!" he said kissing the top of her head, "I missed you." He said sincerely.

"Yeah I bet you did," she said as she walked into the house, "Nice place!" she commented with a low whistle, "Can I grab something to eat? I'm starved!"

"Sure, the kitchen's over there. Where's your husband?" he asked, but Haley had already disappeared in her quest for food.

Lucas' question was answered as he saw a figure stumbling towards them with three suitcases and a guitar case in hand.

"You okay, Nate?" Lucas asked giving his brother a hand.

"After three months of touring, you'd think I'm used to carrying all of her crap. We seem to accumulate more stuff as we go along. I mean how many souvenirs does one girl need?" Lucas laughed.

"You married her," Lucas told him. Nathan rolled his eyes.

"Don't remind me," he joked as they placed all the bags in the guest room, "Where is my wife, anyway?" Nathan asked.

"She found the kitchen. Do you want something to eat? Drink?"

"I'll grab a beer if that's okay," Nathan said following Lucas to the kitchen where Haley was busy raiding the contents of the fridge.

"So thanks for letting us stay," Nathan said gratefully as Lucas handed him a beer.

"It's nothing really. We've plenty of room and, plus, I miss hanging out with both of you," Lucas told him, "Thanks for agreeing to play here," he said to Haley, "I know it was supposed to be the end of your tour."

"Oh it's totally fine. Nathan and I wanted to see you and Brooke anyway. Speaking of, where is she?" Haley asked in between mouthfuls of a sandwich.

"Well, it's early so she's probably asleep. She's going to drop by before school though so you'll see her soon." Lucas stifled a yawn.

"How is she doing?" Nathan asked, "She must have been pretty stoked when you arrived, right?" Lucas shrugged.

"I guess. It's always nice to see a familiar face when you've moved someplace new." Lucas looked away from the two visitors who shared a look.

"So you and Brooke…" Nathan ventured.

"Are friends," Lucas finished, "Nothing more."

"Have you talked about it?"

"What is there to talk about?" Lucas asked, peeved at their question, "we're comfortable being friends and I doubt that'll change any time soon, especially since she's serious with Jason."

"Who's Jason?" Haley asked.

"Brooke's boyfriend. He's pretty cool actually. He's the captain of the basketball team." Lucas told them.

Nathan laughed, "Lucas Scott has been replaced?" Lucas glared at his younger, half-brother.

"It's not like that, Nate! Brooke and I are just friends and that's it. She's happy and I don't want to ruin that for her. I've hurt her enough before and I don't want to make any more mistakes," he insisted.

"If that's your story. All I can't believe is that you moved all the way from Tree Hill to the one place where she is and you're only content in being her friend."

"Okay, this discussion is closed now." Lucas said, "I'm going to grab a shower. Help yourself to anything you want," he said as he left the two standing in the middle of his kitchen.

"He's in denial." Haley stated as she watched Lucas' retreating figure.

"Totally."

Brooke rang the doorbell three times in her excitement. She didn't care that it was almost 7.30 in the morning; she wanted to see two of her old friends.

Lucas opened the door and she quickly pushed him away, asking only "Are they here yet?"

"'Why good morning, Lucas. You're looking might fine today. Tell me; are Nathan and Haley here yet?'" he said in a high voice, trying to imitate Brooke, "They're in the living room."

"Thank you," she called as she raced into Lucas' living room where Nathan and Haley were curled up on the couch, watching highlights from ESPN.

"Tutor Wife!" Brooke called happily as she hurled herself at her friend. Haley grinned widely.

"Tigger!" She called as she hugged Brooke, "How are you doing?"

"Great now that you're here," Brooke said giving her another hug, "I love what you've done with your hair. Blonde does suit you," she commented on Haley's highlights. Haley touched it self-consciously and then smiled at the compliment.

"Thanks. You look great too," she said.

"Hey, gorgeous, don't forget about me," Nathan reminded Brooke as he gave her a hug.

"How could I?" she asked tightening the hug and then inspecting his hair, "Wow, you've really perfected the art of having the exact same hairstyle. Tutor Girl, next time try and convince him to get highlights too!" Brooke grinned.

"Okay, moving away from the crazy women now," Nathan announced, suddenly afraid for his hair.

"I'm so glad you guys could make it," Brooke told them, "I can't wait to show you everything and everyone and tonight is going to rock," she said happily.

"Brooke's been advertising your performance all over the town. Expect a lot of people, Haley," Lucas warned her.

"She's been touring for three months. She must be used to big crowds by now," Brooke said. Haley shrugged.

"Well, I'm getting used to them but I still want to throw up every time I get up on stage," Haley cringed, butterflies already forming in her stomach, "Besides, let's not think about that. I want to know about what Brooke Davis has been up to."

"Oh the usual; cheerleading, Student President, getting Broody in and out of trouble…" Brooke trailed off.

"What about this Jason guy?" Haley asked. Brooke blushed and glanced at Lucas who pretended he had nothing to do with it.

"What's there to tell? Captain of the basketball team, my boyfriend, sweetest guy ever, has an annoying ex but we're over that and I'm happy. You'll love him. Lucas and Jason get on fine… apart from that time there was that huge misunderstanding and Jason punched him but that's it," Brooke said quickly, trying to move on. "Let's go check out the club you're playing in tonight. It's small but it's really nice and retro."

Brooke grabbed Haley's arm and started whisking her away to the front door, only looking over her shoulder to look at Lucas and say, "See you at school, okay?"

Nathan and Lucas looked stunned for a minute as Hurricane Brooke's appearance sunk in.

"So," Nathan said to Lucas, "Jason punched you, huh?" he smirked.

Later that night, Brooke and Jason arrived at The Sundial, accompanied by most of their friends. Brooke searched through the crowds for Lucas and Nathan, who'd arrived earlier, and quickly spotted them near the stage.

"Hey," she said as she hugged Nathan again, "Told you I'd get here early."

"The club opened 10 minutes ago," Lucas complained.

"Yeah, well, you know 'early' really means 'a little late' in girl speak. I at least taught you that didn't I?" she winked. Lucas rolled his eyes. "And I brought a whole load of people to cheer for Tutor Girl." Brooke continued.

"Sweet." Nathan grinned, "So where's this boyfriend of yours?" he questioned.

"Oh he's gone to get me a drink."

"Well trained I see," Nathan commented.

"Of course," Brooke grinned just as Jason arrived with drinks, "Thank you, baby," she said kissing him on the cheek and turning to Nathan. "Jason, this is Nathan. Nathan, this is Jason," she said.

The two men shook hands, "I've heard a lot about you," Jason said.

"And I've heard stuff about you too. Now tell me, the bruise Luke had… was it big? Did it make him less pretty?"

Both Brooke and Lucas hit Nathan while Jason laughed. "It's all in the past. A misunderstanding."

"Huge." Lucas added.

"Very huge." Brooke chimed in.

Nathan looked at the three and shook his head, "If you say so."

The four made conversation for a while until the lights dimmed and Haley began her set. Brooke, Lucas and Nathan led the chants of 'Tutor Girl' that soon spread throughout the club floor.

Haley did her 30-minute set and each song was followed by a rapturous round of applause. Once she ended, there were shouts for an encore and she obliged by singing a final song.

During the song, Jason took Brooke out for a spin on the dance floor. Nathan could see Lucas' gaze following them as they danced. Brooke was laughing as Jason spun her around and eventually her head was resting on his shoulder as he whispered in her ear.

"You okay, man?" Nathan asked. Lucas looked at his brother.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I… I was just listening to Haley. She's really good."

"I know." Nathan said proudly.

"Uh, listen, I'm going to go get a drink. Be right back okay?" Lucas excused as he disappeared into the crowds.

Haley finished her song moments later and Brooke and Jason rejoined Nathan.

"Where's Lucas?" Brooke asked, noticing his absence.

Nathan began to explain but was interrupted by Haley coming off the stage to join her husband and friends.

"Hon, that was great!" Nathan said giving her a kiss.

"Yeah, Tutor Wife, you rocked the house tonight. We might just need to get you back here," Brooke complimented. Haley grinned.

"Thank you. Where's Lucas?" Haley asked.

"Oh yeah, he went to get a drink. He should be back by now though," Nathan commented.

While they waited, they all talked about Haley's performance and about life on the road.

Almost fifteen minutes had passed and there was no sign of Lucas.

"Hey, looks like Scarlett's got a new guy," Jason said pointing to a nearby area where Scarlett was busy devouring a figure's lips in a dark corner.

"Urgh," Brooke groaned, "Who is the unlucky guy this time?" she asked.

The four of them looked at Scarlett trying to get a glimpse of the newest boy to fall into her clutches. Eventually, Scarlett and her mystery man parted, allowing them to see who it was.

"Lucas!" Brooke cried as her eyes widened and jaw dropped in shock.

To Be Continued…

Okay, you can throw rotten tomatoes at me now :)