A/N: Here it is the much anticipated second half. I would like to again thank everyone for their reviews. I especially enjoy when people give me their ideas. This story is for you guys so if there is something you want to happen just ask. If I keep getting reviews than I will definitely keep up this schedule of updating.

Disclaimer: See chapter 1

Chapter 5: A friend in need

"Do I love Lucas?"

"Are you asking yourself or me?" Haley questioned Brooke.

Brooke didn't respond. There was no need to ask herself that question, she already knew the answer, she had known that for a long time. The only problem was she was having now was saying out loud. She wasn't the type of girl who got all serious with a guy and she was afraid what it might mean if she confessed her feelings.

After a long silence in which Haley could tell Brooke was deep in thought she finally spoke. It was barely above a whisper and Haley had to clarify what she thought she heard.

"What?"

"I said I do; Love Lucas." Brooke responded.

"And look where that got me." Brooke reasoned.

"Brooke none of this happened because you opened your heart to him it was just a horrible mistake that we all need to work through."

"What if I can't forgive him?" Brooke was worried. It was evident in her voice that she didn't want to be without Lucas but she couldn't just let him back in.

"What does your heart tell you? Forget what your head is saying just listen to your heart and you'll find your answer." Haley replied.

Brooke thought about it. She tried to turn off her brain and the voices inside telling her once a cheat always a cheat. She sat there with her eyes closed and listened as hard as she could. Haley waited patiently watching Brooke's face intently. She had a very concentrated look. There was no way that Brooke was going to get this wrong, she had to be sure. Her relationship and her life for that matter depended on it.


Lucas couldn't sleep. Between the pain in his shoulder and the pain in his heart he wasn't getting any rest. All day he had been trying to rest but he couldn't get Brooke out of his head. That wasn't really different than any another day. He always thought about her and usually those thoughts were comforting but today all he could see was the look on her face when he told her that he cheated on her. No matter what happened the image would be forever burned into his brain. He couldn't believe how much his life had fallen apart in the last week. His two favourite things Brooke and basketball were gone from his life, maybe forever and al he could do was sit around and wait.

He was fed up with sitting in his room and stewing over the events of the day. He needed a change of scenery. He walked out of his room expecting to find his mom but instead found a note on the kitchen table.

Luke,

I had to go to the café. I will be back later with dinner. I want you to rest.

Love, Mom.

That's just great. He thought. He was tired of sitting alone and now he couldn't even talk to his mom. A knock at the door brought him out of his thoughts. When he opened it he was very surprised to see the figure that stood on his front porch.

"Nate, what's up?" Lucas tried to sound normal but the uneasiness in his voice seeped out. He had no idea why Nathan would be at his house.

"Hey man, um… Haley told me what happened and I just thought that if you wanted to talk or something…" Nathan left his offer open ended.

"Did Haley tell you to come check on me or something?" Lucas wasn't buying the nice guy act.

"No. I just know how I would feel if I lost Haley and I figured you probably needed a friend right now."

"Yeah, sure come in." Lucas ushered Nathan inside and towards the kitchen where they sat down. They both sat there, neither knowing exactly what to say.

"Well this isn't at all awkward." Lucas said sarcastically. Breaking the silence.

"Well I know we've never really been friends or brothers or whatever but I'd like to think that most of that is my dad's fault. Haley's always on my back to give you a chance and this is as good a time as any."

"Thanks man." Lucas was surprised by Nathan's honesty. He seemed like he really wanted to help.

"No problem, but remember I'm just here to talk, I don't do hugs."

Lucas laughed at the statement. It was a good way to break the tension.

At first their conversation was just about basketball. What teams they liked and who they thought would go all the way this year. Nathan offered to help Lucas with his shoulder and play basketball whenever he wanted to.

"Me and you at the Rivercourt, maybe I can even help you with that awful thing you call a jump shot." He teased.

"You just want to help me so you can steal all my moves." Lucas joked back. It was odd how easily the friendly banter came. They finally moved into the topic if relationships, beginning with Nathan and Peyton's failed one and his new one with Haley. Finally the broached the subject of Brooke. Nathan barely said anything just letting Lucas vent his frustrations.

"You just have to show her your sorry." Was Nathan's advice.

"That's all I can tell you. I'm not that great at relationships but if I were in your shoes I would be thinking up some creative ways to win her back and prove that I was sorry that's for sure."

"Thanks man this really helped." Lucas told Nathan. There was an awkward silence before Nathan finally spoke.

"Like I said, I don't do hugs, so how about a handshake?"

"Sure sounds good." Lucas responded with a laugh.

Nathan left shortly after that leaving Lucas alone again. He decided to try the rest thing one more time. It was better than before. Now instead of worrying about Brooke not forgiving him he was dreaming up ways to win her back. He was determined not to lose her and he would do whatever it took to get her back.


Brooke still had her eyes shut but her facial expression had changed drastically. It was no longer a concentrated scowl but a genuine smile.

"So what did you come up with? Can you forgive him or not?"

"Well I did what you said and listened to my heart." Brooke began.

"And?" Haley asked impatiently.

"When I closed my eyes I saw Lucas, all the times when he made me feel safe and happy and loved." She continued.

"Which means?" Haley had to know what Brooke was thinking, Lucas' happiness depended on it.

"I need to talk to Lucas; Tonight. I have to see him. I need to know how he feels. Plus like you said I didn't even hear him out I need to hear him out. He deserves that much." Brooke finished.

"What are you going to say?"

"I don't know yet. I guess I'll figure it out when I get there." Brooke reasoned.

Haley was ecstatic, even if Brooke wasn't ready to forgive him at least she was going to give him a chance to plead his case. They walked out of the house together before splitting up to go their separate ways. Brooke got into her car and drove off while Haley walked off I the opposite direction. She had a determined look on her face, she needed to get to where she was going fast. She saw him through the window before she entered. She walked through the door to the café and joined him at the table.

"So did it work?" Was his first question.

"Like a charm." Came her reply.

"So you talked to Lucas?"

"Yeah. I told him exactly what you told me to." Nathan replied.

"Good." Haley said. A small smile playing at her lips. She wasn't usually one to meddle in other people's lives but Brooke and Lucas needed help and she and Nathan were just the people to give it.


A/N2: I realized that the story was missing something and determined that it was Nathan. What's a good story without a little Nathan/Lucas bonding? I definitely like Lucas and Nathan acting more like brothers so that will happen a lot in later chapters As for a Brucas reunion? Not yet, sorry. They will talk thought.

Spoilers for chapter 6: Brucas talk

Brooke/Peyton fight

More Naley meddling