A/N: First off I want to say thanks for the reviews. They make me want to update sooner. Don't worry about Brooke and Lucas. They will get back together eventually but unfortunately there must be drama and I promise there will be lots. As promised this is the confrontation between Brooke and Peyton and it won't be the last. Hint

So here it is chapter 4 in all its glory. I was going to make this chapter longer but I think its better as a two parter.

Disclaimer: see chapter 1

Chapter 4: Cause and Effect

"Damn!" Lucas was frustrated. He knew that Brooke was going to be mad but he never expected that. It was wishful thinking on his part that she would listen to his confession and forgive him for everything. No such luck. As he walked he passed his house but decided not to go in. He needed some air, and some time to think. His first thought was the Rivercourt, he always went there to clear his head but he didn't need another reminder that he couldn't play basketball anymore.

He finally decided on Haley's house. He needed his best friend. He knocked on the door and waited for her to answer.

"Lucas what are you doing here? You should be at home resting."

" Nice to see you too Hales." He replied sarcastically.

"Oh, and by the way you sound like my mom." He added.

"Ha Ha, very funny. I'm glad to see you Luke what's up?"

'Can I talk to you for a minute?" He asked.

"Yeah, of course come on in." Was her reply.

Lucas took a deep breath and began.

"I told Brooke."

That was all he needed to say and Haley knew why it was that he was here.

"I'm guessing it didn't go well."

"She hates me so I would say it didn't really go that well. She kicked me out before I could even explain."

"I don't know what to do Hales, I cant live without her but it doesn't look like she wants me in her life anymore. I just love her so much and I can't picture my life without her."

"Does she know that?"

"I tried to tell her but she wouldn't hear it. She said she didn't care whether or not the kiss meant anything. What do I do Hales?" Lucas asked desperately. He was ready to do just about anything to get Brooke to forgive him.

"I think you need to give her some time to think. Let her sleep on it and talk to her tomorrow and when you do tell her what's in your heart." Haley advised.

"And what do I do if she won't listen?"

"Make her."

"Thanks Hales."

"Anytime, I just want you to be happy Luke. Now get home and get some rest." She ordered.

"Yes ma'am." He replied with a mock salute and he walked out the door and made his way home.

Across town it was a different story. Brooke was on her way to a place that was once her home away from home and housed the friend who had become more like a sister over the years but now all that had changed.

Brooke walked through the front door without announcing herself like she had done so many times before.

"Peyton?" Brooke called out as she reached the girls' bedroom and found it empty.

"In here Brooke." Her friend called out.

She followed the noise of Peyton's voice and found her inside the closet starring at her record collection.

"Just trying to decide what I'm in the mood for." Peyton answered Brooke's unasked question.

"We need to talk." Brooke said icily.

She didn't want to chitchat she just wanted to get this conversation over with and move on with her life.

"All right." Peyton answered. Confused as to why her friend seemed so cold and distant all of a sudden.

"I thought you were my friend." Brooke accused suddenly.

"I am. Brooke what is this about?"

"This is about you making out with my boyfriend."

"What are you talking about?" Peyton asked innocently.

"Don't play dumb Peyton, that's my job. Lucas told me everything."

"Listen Brooke it shouldn't have happened while you two were still together. I realize that now."

"Excuse me?"

"I mean I shouldn't have kissed him until he had broken up with you."
"So you're telling me that you're not sorry you kissed him, you're just sorry that he didn't dump me first?" Brooke was becoming increasingly angry.

" You're wrong Brooke that's not even what I said."

"No Peyton you're wrong. You never should have even had feelings like that for Lucas let alone act on them and you wouldn't have if you were really my friend."

"Brooke I am your friend." Peyton was desperate for Brooke to understand at least that.

"No, you stopped being my friend the second your lips came into contact with his." With that final statement Brooke stormed out of the room leaving a very upset and stunned Peyton in her wake.

Peyton never thought that Lucas would actually tell Brooke the truth. Maybe this meant he had changed his mind about choosing Brooke, she had to find out.

"Hello?" Said the groggy voice on the other end of the phone.

"Luke, its Peyton can we talk? Do you want to meet somewhere?"

"Can this maybe wait until tomorrow I have a lot on my mind." Lucas answered. The last thing he needed was to be seen talking to Peyton. If Brooke saw them it would not go over well.

"Okay tomorrow is fine, I'll hold you to that." Peyton informed him. She was determined to see him especially since he was a newly single man.

"Okay Peyton." Lucas replied and hung up before she had time to say anything else. He sunk his head back into the pillow and let out a frustrated breath. He really didn't want to see Peyton. It was going to be hard enough to convince Brooke to forgive him and he was sure that spending time with Peyton would just make it that much harder. That wasn't something he needed.

Haley rang the doorbell for the third time. She knew the girl in question was home her car was parked in the driveway. Under normal circumstances she would have just left but she needed to do this. She turned the knob and found the door to be unlocked. Haley entered cautiously.

"Hello? The door was open." She announced to the empty house. She noticed the staircase and decided to give it a try. She heard the sniffles before she saw the door. When she finally reached it she knocked lightly before enter.

"Brooke?"

"What do you want Haley?" Brooke asked quickly trying to hide the fact that she had been crying.

"You didn't even call me Tutor Girl you must be upset." Haley replied jokingly.

The comment received a small smile from Brooke but if Haley had blinked she would have missed it.

"I talked to Luke." It was the same sentence Lucas had used with her and she knew Brooke would understand just as she had.

"And I suppose you're on his side."

"I'm not on anyone's side. Yes Lucas is my best friend but what he did to you was awful."

"That's the understatement of the year." Brooke replied flippantly

"What you're doing to him isn't any better." Haley finished taking Brooke by surprise.

"What have I done to him. He's the one who cheated on me." Brooke fumed.

"I understand that Brooke but you didn't even let him explain. All you heard was I kissed Peyton. You didn't even listen to anything else he had to say." Haley scolded.

"Well excuse me if I wasn't in a talking mood. Finding out that you're boyfriend is cheating on you with you're best friend is a little hard to take."

Haley was becoming fed up with Brooke's mood.

"Look, I know we aren't really friends of any kind but I came here to make sure you were okay; and to give you some advice."

"Which is?"

"Talk to Lucas." Haley suggested which received a roll of the eyes form Brooke.

"You will thank me later. He needs to talk to you. I've seen him and I think he may be doing worse than you. He's dealing with losing you and the knowledge that it was entirely his fault is killing him. I've known him my whole life and I can tell you that he is genuinely sorry and regrets ever hurting you." Haley informed her.

"You are a good friend, I hope Lucas knows that."

"Maybe you should tell him." Haley suggested.

"I'll think about it." Was her only response.

"Can I ask you one more thing?" Haley inquired.

"Sure."

"Do you love him?"

"What?" That was the last question Brooke expected to hear.

"Lucas; do you love him?"

"I know you're mad right now but deep in your heart when you think about that perfect guy, is it him that you see?" Haley added.

"Why does it matter?" Brooke asked confused with where the conversation had gone.

"Because if he isn't then maybe there isn't any point in trying to save the relationship. If he isn't that guy then you're really just wasting your time."

"And if he is?" Brooke asked.

"If he is then no matter how mad you are right now or what it is that he's done you will figure out a way to move past it and forgive him. If he's in your heart then that's all that really matters."

"So I will ask you again. Are you Brooke Davis in love with Lucas Scott?"

A/N 2: Sorry but I had to leave it at a cliffhanger it makes for better suspense. The next chapter will continue right where this one left off and will be up tomorrow so at least you don't have to wait too long. No spoilers for the next chapter. I guess you'll just have to read it to find out what's going to happen.