Author's Note: Hey Heather, I caught those similarities as well. Mark Schwahn, can I get some royalties, baby? LOL! Just kidding. No matter what or which direction the show goes in, he is the original Almighty King and I bow in his presence for bringing us such a wonderful show with such wonderful characters even if I am on the verge of a nervous breakdown due to the whole OTH Naley drama!

Kristy-Better late than never! Thanks for the review. It made me feel good. You guys gas me up too much but I appreciate sincerely such detailed and eloquent feedback. So glad you enjoy what I'm trying to do...

Eternal Dragon-You KNOW better than to DARE ask for a spoiler but I give you an A+ for trying, babe. LOL! Thanks for always reading and reviewing. Just hang in there with me and enjoy the ride. Don't worry about how it ends, let's just enjoy the journey getting there. You rock for always supporting me but be patient, my little dragon, lol...

"Broody, hurry up! We are so gonna miss this flight!"

Lucas tried to keep up the beautiful, whirling dervish that was his girlfriend but it was impossible. And who the hell could walk that fast in heels?

"Slow down. Geez, babe, we're not running a marathon here."

"You're pathetic, Scott. Just wait until I tell Iverson and the other guys that you let a girl out walk you. You should be ashamed. Stamina, Broody, stamina…"

"I have stamina when it counts", he wrinkled his eyebrows.

She stopped and grinned, shrugging.

"Okay, you're right. I'll definitely give you that one but you better get the maple syrup out of your ass if you want to get this flight."

They were in Chicago racing through O'Hare airport on Christmas Eve of all days, trying to get their plane out to Charlotte. The whole family was eagerly awaiting their presence. It would just be two nights and a better offer would have been to be with Karen and Andy in Tree Hill but as a last minute surprise, he had whisked her away to New Zealand. So Broody and Cheery were stuck with the Scott's and the Powell's. Philadelphia had played against the Bulls the night before and Brooke had joined him in Illinois so they could make the trek to North Carolina together.

"Brooke, this sucks. Do you know how much extra it costs me every time we have to fly to pay for your extra luggage?"

"It's not like we can't afford it. Besides, it's just the essentials."

"The essentials, huh?" he asked skeptically.

"Everything I need are in those bags and where else was I going to stash all the presents?"

He rolled his eyes, pushing two carts as she maneuvered one.

"What am I gonna do with you?" he sighed.

"Oh stop it, Lucas Scrooge. It's Christmas. Can't you feel the love and the spirit in the air?"

Lucas looked up.

"Uh…no."

Brooke sighed.

"Okay. Why so glum, my chum?"

He took a deep breath.

"Would it sound really bad and selfish and mean of me if I told you I really don't want to get on that plane?"

Her smile faded as it was plain to see he was clearly serious.

"You're not joking, are you?"

"No, Brooke."

She nodded.

"Know what I would say? I wouldn't say that I blame you. Christmas with your father and grandfather…cruel and unusual punishment in itself. The awkwardness, the melancholy mood, the arguments, the paparazzi, Nathan and Meg…"

"It's gonna be a…"

He couldn't quite find the words.

"Suck fest?"

Lucas smiled.

"That's one way of putting it, yes."

"Then let's not go."

"Brooke…"

"What? We don't have to."

"Yes, we do. Everybody is expecting us."

"Okay but what about what you want, Luke? Baby, I see it in your eyes. You don't look happy."

"It's not about me. It's about family and duty and…"

"Doing what's right. I know, I know."

"You know, it's not a completely bad thing, Brooke."

"It is when you look this miserable."

Lucas rubbed his tired eyes.

"It's what I have to do. It's what we have to do, Brooke. For him…"

She closed her eyes. She knew what it would come down to. At least Lucas admitted it.

"I know he's your brother and you love him. I love him, too, Luke. Nate has been through a lot and he's still going through it. But you can't protect him forever."

"I have to."

"No, you don't."

"I do. I owe it to him…and I owe it to Haley."

Brooke's eyes widened.

"You talked to her?"

"A while back. She was concerned. I'm just looking out for him because she can't…and because that's what big brothers do."

"Okay", she nodded.

"Just okay? No argument?"

"No. I know what you have to do and why you're doing. I respect that Lucas and more importantly, I respect you for it. I know it's not easy, babe. Look, we can go back to Philly, stay here in Chicago, go to Tree Hill or Charlotte. It won't make me a difference either way. As long as I'm with you, nothing else matters."

Lucas smiled. Oh how he loved that woman.

"You're the best", he kissed her.

"Don't I know it?" she smiled. "You know, I get that a lot and just to prove it to me, there better be a certain Louis Vuitton wallet in my stocking."

"I'll chat with Santa", he winked.

"Yeah? Well, you tell Santa, no wallet, no sex!"

Lucas smirked.

"Santa says enjoy your wallet and matching purse."

Brooke squealed.

"Thank you, thank you! I love you! You're the best boyfriend in the world, you know that?"

"Yeah, yeah. Now let's get moving and get this yacht load of suitcases on board."

"You better pull that hat down or else we'll be spending the whole day with you signing autographs."

They continued on their way, trying to find the check in so they could tag the bags and head for the right gate. The pair was almost there but time was running short. It wasn't a second to spare.

As Lucas ran, he thought about the scene in Charlotte. He thought about what was happening and how it would be when he and Brooke arrived. He thought about his father and grandfather. He thought about Megan. He thought about Haley.

God, it was too much! Why him? Why his life? Why his family? It was surreal and overwhelming and he didn't want to deal with it. He was sick and tired. His whole life he had been the good one and the responsible one. He had been there for his brother and whoever else needed him. Now he needed break.

Lucas stopped in the middle of the airport. He diverted the cart to a nearby bench and plopped down on it.

"Broody, what the hell are you doing?"

He didn't answer.

"Lucas!"

Still silence. Brooke waved her arm in front of him.

"Hello! Anybody in there? Earth to Luke Scott!"

"I can't", he whispered.

He looked dangerously pale as Brooke took a seat next to him.

"Can't what? Baby, are you alright? Talk to me. What's going on? You're scaring me."

"I just can't…"

"Luke!"

"Not this time", he shook his head. "It's too much. I don't want to let Nate down but I can't go back there, Brooke."

It pained him to say it but it was the truth. It was his truth.

"Licas…"

"What do we do?" he asked her.

She looked at the cart full of luggage and presents and the other passengers rushing to meet their flights. Then she looked at Lucas again. Finally she smiled.

"Come on."

"Brooke, what are we doing?"

"We're going back to the hotel. You are obviously exhausted. So we're gonna order room service and veg out in front of the TV. And we're gonna order really bad porn and make a lot of loving. And we're gonna get facials and massages and pedicures and…"

Lucas managed to smile.

"Babe, I am not getting a pedicure."

She held his hand.

"Okay. Then what do you want?"

He thought for a moment.

"Peace. Quiet. Silence. Time alone with you. Is that so bad?"

She shook her head.

"No, Broody. It certainly isn't."

He looked back at the direction of the gate one last time as if to give a final ponder as to what he would do.

"Brooke…"

"It's okay."

"I just don't want to be a selfish prick."

"You're not. You spend your whole life taking care of everyone else. Now let me take care of you."

Brooke extended her hand and after a few minutes, he finally took it. Walking out of that airport he thought would be the hardest thing. But it wasn't. It was just the opposite. And when they reached the blistery cold outdoors, he felt a new sense of warmth he hadn't felt in a long time. Relief.