To All My Regulars: Hey guys! Thanks for reading, and I'm so, so, so, sorry about my lack of punctuality while updating this chapter. I know it's a lame excuse, but I had a lot of schoolwork, and this chapter was particularly long and hard to knock out. I'm not going to do the personal shout-out thing today, just cause this chapter is really, really, long. So to EVERYONE who reviewed, THANK YOU! This chapter I'm definitely pimping Nathan as the good guy, just because I love him. (and his body… I'm sorry, lol) It's really long, so just bear with me here, because I promise it'll get better. Also, I like the idea of a Brathan friendship, so I put it in. Just so all of you know, the italicized parts are the characters' thoughts. This chapter is what I wish would've happened in terms of friendships and support last season on the show. People treated Brooke really badly last season; basically she had no support after the incident. I'm trying to make this story as original as I can, but I'm having a few troubles… I'm having all these ideas for the story, but I'm afraid they might be too absurd or just plain played out. I've already started on future chapters of Brooke and Lucas angst, so I'm really excited! Also, I know people a lot of times read and don't review, but please, REVIEW! It helps motivate me! I'm adopting Kaos's new motto, If You Read, Review!

Shameless Plug: One Tree Hill SEASON FINALE! Two HOURS! Jimmy Eat World! Road Trip! Brucas action! Need I say more! WATCH IT OR DIE!

Chapter 5- All That We Knew

"Pleeeaaase, Haley!" Luke used his whining six-year-old voice he used to use when he and Haley were kids. He was suddenly reminded of the time in kindergarten when he was begging Haley to build a tree house with him. After leaving Peyton's house he had gone to Brooke's to check on her. He had caught her at the café near the end of her shift, so he could be sure to see her and beg her to do him this one favor.

"Lucas, no. It's none of my business!"

"Oh come on, Haley. We both know you like her! Please, just go check on her. I'm worried about her. The last time I saw her she was exhausted from what looked like vomiting for hours. You know you want to check on her."

She was his only shot to find out what Brooke was going through. Although, he was betting Mouth would be up for nursing Brooke back to health. "Gross, couldn't he like any other girl besides her?" he thought about Mouth's obvious crush on Brooke.

The truth was that Haley really did want to check on Brooke. The only thing stopping her was her own fear. She felt awful for how she had judged Brooke's character before she even got to know her. She thought about her mistakes. "God, I said she was easy and I told Lucas to give Peyton a chance. Too bad the dumbass did it while he was with Brooke. I remember Brooke was the one who never left his side when he got into the accident. She snuck him his favorite food while he was in the hospital and calmed Karen down when she didn't think Lucas was going to wake up. I saw her at the mall that day that Peyton was avoiding her. I never knew somebody who's constantly surrounded by a crowd of adoring fans could be so alone. I guess it's just part of the act." She was angry at herself for misjudging Brooke, but mostly she was angry at Lucas for treating Brooke like crap. Her thoughts were interrupted by Lucas's voice.

"Haley, Haley. Are you going to say something?" Lucas was desperate, and he couldn't understand why his best friend couldn't just do something he knew she wanted to.

He was trying her patience. How dare he expect her to clean up his mess? It was time for the boy to get a reality check.

"Dammit, Lucas Scott, you are such a jackass sometimes!"

She felt a pang of guilt when she saw a startled and hurt look flash across her best friend's face.

"Jesus, Haley, why are you so angry at me?"

"Damn, Lucas. If you need me to explain it to you, then you truly need more help than even I can provide. Hello! You treated Brooke horribly! You used her, and then when you finally figured that you wanted Peyton, you dumped her as soon as you got a chance! And you want to know why I'm angry at you? God, I know she loves you like I love Nathan, and if he did something to me like what you did to Brooke, I don't even know how I would deal with it. So yes, best friend, thatis why I'm angry at you."

"I only have five things to say," the surprised pair turned from their places at the counter to see a very handsome-looking Nathan sitting at one of the tables by the window, with a picnic basket at his feet.

"First of all, Haley, hello, and I love you too." He got up, went behind the counter, and gave her a small smile and two chaste kisses on her forehead. Haley was immediately relaxed by his presence and his kisses. She was in awe, breaking away from her conversation to be drawn in by him. She looked in to his loving blue eyes. He was just as enamored, gazing into her eyes, as if she was the only person he saw.

Lucas just ignored the love-fest. He was used to the two of them being a couple, but it hurt to see two people who loved each other together. It was unbearable because he knew that the only girl he had ever felt for was currently in pain because of him. He had ruined his chance of ever having what those two have.

"Second of all, I would never do anything to you, like what Lucas did to Brooke." He gave her another kiss, this time on the lips, in an effort to reassure her. Haley broke out of her love-trance long enough to get a question out.

"Nathan, what are you doing here? Don't you have to be at work?"

The pair had been so engrossed in their argument that they hadn't even heard Nathan come into the café. He wanted to surprise Haley and take her on a picnic after her shift, but as soon as he saw the interaction between Haley and Lucas he decided to stay out of it and watch, just so he could step in incase Lucas got out of line. Pulling up a chair, he watched the drama unfold. "I'm pretty sure I got in right at the beginning of the argument. Wow, that's a doozy. I almost feel sorry for him. Haley's sure tearing him a new one. Hmm. What could have my wonder boy brother have done to make her this pissed?" A few minutes later he decided to cut in when he heart the part about Brooke being hurt.

"That was the third thing. You really should let me finish when I have something to tell you. I went to work a little earlier so that I could get off of work closer to when you do. I thought we could go on a picnic and hang out for the rest of the day." Haley let out a little laugh, amused by Nathan's quick wit and his ability to make her feel so special.

"Wow. Thank you, babe. I would love to spend the day with you. Now," she gave him a small smile, "what's the fourth thing?"

"Well, I have a question to ask you. What did Lucas do to Brooke, now, finally to fifth," he quickly averted his attention from Haley in order to give Lucas a menacing scowl before continuing, "and how bad am I going to have to kick his ass?"

The brothers had come to a sort of understanding. They were at their, "we're sometimes good friends, but for our pride we pretend we're not" stage. It had been established that Nathan was never going to hurt Haley, so maybe the brothers didn't hate each other anymore, but sometimes there was still a hint of the rivalry they once had.

Lucas had been doing his thing, pretending not to be paying attention, while he really was. The "kicking his ass" part had definitely got his attention. He was already at his breaking point with his dilemmas. The last thing he needed was a screw-up like Nathan pulling his new I'm reformed holier-than-thou crap and rubbing the fact that he had screwed up in his face.

Haley was all too familiar with her boyfriend and best friend's relationship, and she had decided to let it be their secret that they didn't totally hate each other anymore. They were brothers; it was good for them to share a few secrets. She also knew something about Brooke and Nathan's past; it worried her that what Lucas had done might drive a wedge between the brothers. For now, all she could do was sit back and watch the two most important men in her life battle it out; knowing that that somehow it would all be okay in the end.

"Okay, first of all, that's none of your business, and since when did you become so defensive of Brooke? By the way, you couldn't kick my ass if I was crippled, jackhole." He didn't care much about Nathan's response. Only one thing occupied his mind. Brooke. It was always Brooke.

He decided to ignore Lucas's question. It wasn't his business anyways. He was already beginning to get angry at him, so leaving him in suspense was a fine way to torture him. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't describe his past with Brooke. It was unlike any relationship he had ever experienced in his life.

"Ouch, did poor Lukey have a bad day? Well, get you'd better get used to it and worse, because if I find out that you hurt Brooke, today's going to seem like summer camp." Lukey was too busy brooding. It was evident that Lucas wasn't going to say anything to him. He turned to Haley, who he knew wasn't capable of keeping anything from him,

"Haley, what the hell happened? Why does he want you to check on Brooke? You know how I feel about this situation. Please, just tell me." For an added effect, he gave her a look; one that said all he needed her to know without the use of words.

Lucas was too lost in his own world of despair and worry to even keep up with the conversation. He didn't feel like answering anyone's questions, much less Nathan's.

Haley let out a tired sigh. She didn't want Nathan to get angry at Lucas; although she knew it was inevitable. "I should just get this over with; I don't have anything to lose."

"Nathan, you're not going to like this at all. In fact, I can guarantee it. Are you sure that you really want to know?"

Nathan sat down next to where Lucas was, signaling that he wasn't going anywhere until he knew the truth.

"If this has to do with Brooke being hurt then, yes, Haley, I'm damn sure. Please just tell me."

This bickering was exhausting. "Why should Lucas's mistakes affect my relationship with Nathan?"

"Okay, fine. I'll tell you. Here goes. Uh, Lucas sort of cheated on Brooke with Peyton, and then he dumped her, and she just found out about all of it and she's sort of really messed up, and Lucas the jackass wants me to check on her." She said all of it really fast, in order to get over with it, so it took a while for all of it to sink in.

"Hey," A waving Lucas interrupted the awkward silence to come to his own defense, "I'm right here! Can you at least wait until I'm gone before you start calling me names?"

Nathan was furious. He balled his punching hand up into a fist, squeezing it, to relieve some of the tension he was feeling towards his brother at this moment.

"Wait. Let me get this straight. You cheated on her with Peyton. Then you dumped her for Peyton. You moron. I'm going to beat your ass." He looked relatively calm, but there was a fire burning in the younger Scott's cool blue eyes. Nathan turned to face his brother, who he was about to punch any moment. It was such a joke, that he was the one that was made out to be the philandering jerk, while Saint Lucas was the one screwing around on an amazing girl like Brooke. He quickly regained his ever-present cool.

"Whatever, Nathan. I don't need your input too. Why don't you just mind your own business? Hey, how about you go back to Hot and Twisted and make some more pretzels?" Lucas instantly felt guilty for what he had just said. "I should be taking this out on myself. I have nobody to blame but myself." He knew that Nathan had found a new way and had become independent of Dan's money. The Hot and Twisted comment was a cheap shot.

Nothing could faze Nathan. This was just the beginning. He remembered that he had acted the same way after Haley had told him that she never wanted to see him again; bitter and hateful of the entire world. Things were only going to get worse until the finally got better. He took a step toward his sitting brother, and for a moment, Haley thought that Nathan was going to throw a punch.

"Be careful of what you say, big brother, you just might end up pushing absolutely everyone who cares about you out of your life." He turned back to Haley, who was standing there, looking as if she was about to castrate Lucas.

"Haley," he took her hand, to try to calm her down, because she was still staring daggers at Lucas, "why don't you want to check on Brooke? I thought that you guys are sort of friends. And you know, she's probably feeling really alone right now."

"Nathan, I know all of that. I just, feel badly about how I misjudged her. I treated her as if Lucas was too good for her, and now it turns out that she was the one way too good for him. I guess I just feel ashamed." Haley looked down, truly remorseful for mistake of judging the book by its cover.

Nathan smiled. Besides for Brooke, he had never known such a truly good-natured person, one whose conscience was so strong that it always dictated their actions and emotions.

"Don't feel too guilty. I think that everyone judges someone before they actually get to know them. Take Lucas for example, he thought that Brooke was just some dumb cheerleading slut, but actually she's so far above that. Whatever. Maybe he's too stupid to realize it. God forbid, I screw up royally, and I hurt you badly, Brooke would be there in a minute, kicking my ass, bringing you ice crème, and just being by your side. That's just the type of person she is. " He motioned towards his brooding brother,

"Hell, she's way out of his league. Look, Haley, being a friend is about caring more about someone else's feelings more than you care about your own. If you don't think that you can get past your mistakes, then just tell me, and I'll be the one to be there. I won't hold it against you if you don't want to get involved in this mess. You won't be missing out on anything, besides really getting to know potentially, one of the best friends you could ever have. "

"I am so lucky, look how sweet he is," Haley smiled inside, because she couldn't believe that this amazing man that was in front of her was the person she least expected to end up with. "I guess that's just how love is, you should never expect anything."

"What the hell. I'll give it a shot. Hey, what's Brooke's favorite food? She's probably going to want comfort food."

"Cheeseburger, no onions or tomatoes, with pickles, and an order of fries," chimed Nathan, and Lucas, in unison.

Haley looked at the two brothers, fairly amused and giggling. "That's awesome."

"What? I've known the girl since we were in diapers! Also, I'm a very informed person." A self-satisfied Nathan looked at his depressed brother questioningly. "And you? What's your lame excuse?"

"Uh, she was my girlfriend. I think I would know what she likes and doesn't like. " He stressed the word was, adding to his own misery.

"Too bad you didn't know that she doesn't like infidelity, jackass," thought Nathan, while looking at his brother.

"I see Brooke did a fine job of whipping you both," Haley was enjoying this, knowing full well that she had done the same thing to at least one of the boys.

"Haley, the only person that has me whipped is you," Nathan replied, not ashamed of being a caring boyfriend, which garnered a huge grin from Haley.

"Aww, that's like, the nicest thing that anyone had ever said to me. I'd better go get Brooke's food ready."

"I'll second that notion. You are pretty whipped, Nathan."

"Dude, look who's talking! If I know Brooke, she probably had your ass running over to the drugstore to buy tampons."

"Hey, I was just being a good boyfriend and caring for my girl when she felt like crap," defending himself was becoming his main job today.

"Whatever," Nathan was enjoying the friendly banter with his brother; surprised that he had missed out on fun times like these for his entire life. "The same goes for me."

"Yeah, but I would never admit to being whipped," chuckled Lucas. He had the feeling that his brother was the only one that could lift his spirits.

"Let's go hang out at the rivercourt and try to shoot some ball around, you know, since your shoulder's healing up," Nathan mentioned casually, although it was actually a plan to get an explanation from Lucas.

"Yeah, that's a good ide-"

Haley interrupted the two, with a large paper bag in each hand, shunning Lucas and gesturing for Nathan to follow her. She made her way over to the door, with Nathan in tow.

"Okay, Brooke food's ready, and I took the liberty of packing a lot of Karen's chocolate cake and some mint-chip ice crème. That's her favorite flavor, right?"

Nathan looked at his girlfriend in surprise. "Yup, that's her favorite. How did you know that, Hales?"

"Ah, you mentioned it to me once, that you and Brooke both had the same favorite flavor of ice cream."

"Wow, you remembered that?" It was actually very sweet, he thought. Most girls who dated him were to busy reveling in the glow of dating Nathan Scott, the basketball superstar, that they didn't hear a word of anything he said. Then again, Haley James was unlike any of the girls he had ever dated.

"I never forget anything you say, babe." She was answered by a kiss on the lips and a gentle hug. Still stunned, she put the bags on a nearby table, so she could concentrate on Nathan.

"Thank you for doing this for Brooke, and for actually listening to me when I talk," he whispered in her ear, as he held her.

"Thanks for being such a good boyfriend, sorry we couldn't hang out today as planned," she whispered back.

"We have the rest of our lives, Haley." They finally let go of each other. They both looked at Lucas, who was sitting at the counter, just staring at his hands.

She looked at Lucas, her best friend since childhood, and knew that this guy was the lesser him.

"This is ridiculous. Okay, seriously, what is his problem? He's not the one who got cheated on and broken up with. I'm about to kick his ass."

Nathan let out a sigh, feeling somewhat sorry for his brother. His own best friend was getting sick of him.

"There's nothing that you can do or say to him that's going to make him feel any worse than his own conscience can, Hales. We both know he feels guilty. He's still your best friend."

"I don't think he is, Nathan. This isn't the Lucas I know. My best friend Lucas would have never done anything like this."

"Look at him, Hales. He's killing himself over this. He's still the same guy you know. " He never thought that he would be the one to be defending Lucas after what he had done. It was out of pity, mostly.

"I know, Nathan, but I just feel so bad for Brooke. Whatever he's going through, she must feel about a thousand times worse, and I don't think that I can fix it by just having a junk food sleepover."

"It's not your responsibility to fix it, Hales," he said rubbing her arm, "all you can do now is just to be a friend to Brooke. All three of us can have breakfast tomorrow. I'll come over to her house, since you'll probably be spending the night there. I'm going to hang out with Lucas at the rivercourt and maybe get some answers out of him."

"That's a good idea. I'm going to say bye to Luke."

They made their way over to Lucas, who stood up quickly, looking very unsure of himself.

"Hales, thanks for doing this, I-"

Haley got one look at her best friend, wallowing in his misery, and Nathan's words went out the window.

"Lucas Scott, don't you for a moment think that I'm doing this for you. I'm doing this for Brooke. As far as I'm concerned right now, you're a scumbag. Okay, well, I didn't really mean that, I'm just angry. You're my best friend, but you screwed up big time. I didn't really think of it at the time, but I should be yelling at Peyton too right now. Brooke was really good to you. She loved you. How could you do that to her?"

He was exhausted. His own guilt and frustration were getting to him, and there was nothing that Haley could say to him that could make him feel worse than he already did. The most awful part was that his explanation was total crap, and he knew it. He had screwed up; plain and simple, because he wasn't sure about his own feelings. He closed his eyes, trying to steady his mind from the verbal thrashing. Haley was the last person he expected to take Brooke's side, but he knew that what Haley had said wasn't taking anyone's side. He remembered when he had defended Nathan during one of Nathan and Haley's arguments, and Haley had yelled at him about how he was supposed to protect her heart. Now Haley and Nathan were protecting Brooke's heart from any more pain. He was glad that Brooke had support like that. Bracing himself with a deep breath,

"Haley, I… I'm sorry. I can't explain my actions to anyone. All I can say is that I'm sorry I hurt Brooke. It's the last thing I wanted to do."

His hopelessness softened her. It was as if he knew what he had lost.

"I know you're sorry, Luke. I'm sorry I've been so harsh. I guess I just couldn't believe it was you. I never would have thought you were capable of that. I know you made a mistake. It's going to be okay, Luke." She looked at him, and into those fondly familiar blue eyes that held so much sincerity, and gave him a hug. As always, Lucas had no clue what to say.

"Thanks, Hales." He hugged her back; glad that he could always count on Haley to give him hope.

"I should go now. I'll see both of you later. Nathan, don't forget, be at Brooke's house tomorrow morning." She gave him a quick kiss, and grabbed the bags. She walked backwards towards the door, not wanting to break eye contact with Nathan.

"Bye Hales," A smile burst onto his face as Nathan watched the departure of the girl who had turned his world upside down. In a good way, of course. He watched her get into the car and drive away. He broke away from his thoughts to acknowledge his patient brother.

"Ready to go, Luke?"

"Yeah, just give me a second."

He reached into his back pocket, to pull out some money for the coffee that he had. Even if it was him mom's café, it didn't feel right to just eat and go. A corner of a picture was sticking out of his wallet, so he pulled it out. His breath caught in his throat. It was actually a row of five pictures; the kind taken in a small photo booth. He remembered the day they had taken the photos. "We were at the mall, just fooling around. She pulled me into the booth, and we just goofed around in front of the camera for a while." He studied each frame, remembering the time he was in that photo booth with Brooke. "She's the only person who can turn some mundane trip to the mall one of the most memorable days of my life." A sharp pain gripped his chest as he looked at the middle picture in the row. He ran his finger along her image. It was of the two so taken by each other; lost in all the possibilities they could see in each other's eyes. "We were just kidding around, and I looked into her eyes, and I saw something so beautiful in her. I think she saw something in me too," he was lost in his own thoughts again. The final two brought tears to his eyes. The rest of the shots were of the two locked in one sweet kiss that he wished could have lasted forever.

Nathan stood there by the door, waiting, watching his brother cry because of the pictures of him with Brooke, and he knew the truth without Lucas having to say a word. "Lucas is in pain. The type of pain that can only be felt when you lose someone you love," he thought. "Lucas is in love with Brooke. Damn, he ruined it," he shook his head.

Lucas felt a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Turning to face his brother, pictures still in hand, he remained silent. Nathan had no idea what he could have said to make Lucas's pain any less. Being raised by Dan, empathy was never his strong suit. He looked at his older brother. There was sorrow etched on his features, and he tried to force a rigid smile as if nothing had happened. Nathan looked at him questioningly.

"I'm fine," he said, not wanting to show emotion.

Nathan decided to let it go. Lucas would talk to him eventually.

"Come on, big brother, let's go." He wrapped an arm around his brother's shoulder, and led him out of the café.