Chapter Twenty Six

Truths

He was about to deepen the kiss when the door opened. They both pulled apart and turned to see who it was.

Brooke couldn't help but glare at the person standing in the doorway."What the hell are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing, but I think I already know the answer to that. You two are back together?"she asked.

"Yes we are, so if your here to put another one of your "plans" into action, you can just turn around and leave, in fact you can do that anyways. We don't want to hear it Peyton."

"That's good to know, but I don't have a plan to put into action today. I'm over that now."

"Oh, really, like I'd believe that."

She shrugged her shoulders."I really don't care what you believe Brooke. You seem to think that you and Lucas are perfect for each other so be together. I don't really care. I'm done chasing after someone who obviously doesn't want me."

They both looked at her in disbelief.

"If that is true, then why are you here?"challenged Brooke.

"I heard about what happened to Lucas today and I was worried. I didn't know he was awake. I just wanted to check on him and make sure he was okay."

"Well as you can see, he's fine. You can leave now."spit out Brooke, visibly upset by Peyton being there.

"Okay."said Peyton."I hope you make a full recovery and I hope you two are happy together."she said to Lucas.

"Sure you do."Brooke couldn't believe what was coming out of her mouth.

"Brooke why are you being like this? You won, so be happy."

Brooke scoffed."Only you would think of this as a game and Lucas as some prize to be won. Now I am happy and I'll be even happier when you leave."

She raised her hands in defeat."Okay I'm going."she turned to walk out.

"Peyton wait. Don't go."said Lucas speaking for the first time since Peyton entered the room.

Brooke turned from Peyton to look down at him. She couldn't believe he was calling her back."Lucas what the hell are you doing? Let her leave."

Peyton couldn't stop the smile that suddenly appeared. She knew she shouldn't be happy about this. She had already decided to stop going after Lucas and to let him be with Brooke to make up for her part in doing this to him, but when he called her back it made her happy. She stopped smiling when she saw the look on Brooke's face. It looked like hurt, but it was quickly changed to anger."What is it Luke?"

He turned to Brooke and saw that she was still glaring at him. She looked like she wanted to kill him. He turned back to Peyton."I just want to ask you one question."

Brooke nodded, now understanding what he was doing.

"Sure go ahead. Ask me anything you want."

"Well I don't know if you know this, but I don't really remember what happened Friday night because of the drugs and I just need to know what happened in that room with us. Did we sleep together?"

Peyton looked at him with her eyes narrowed."You don't remember anything?"

"If he did, then he wouldn't be asking you, now would he?"asked Brooke losing her patients. She really needed to know this too.

"No I don't really remember anything and that's why I need your help."said Lucas hoping to stop whatever was starting with Broke and Peyton. He didn't need Brooke pissing off Peyton and making her not want to tell him.

This was better than anything she could have planned herself. Here Lucas was asking her if they slept together and Brooke was here to hear it all. All she had to do was say yes and Brooke would leave and probably for good. She smiled and shook her head."Don't worry Lucas we didn't sleep together, in fact nothing happened at all."

Brooke let out the breath she was holding, this was exactly what she hoped to hear.

"Then why was my shirt off?"

"You were hot. I guess it was because of the drugs."

"Okay well why were we holding each other when Brooke walked in?"

"I hugged you and you just hugged me back. That's it. In fact."she looked at Brooke."All you kept saying was how beautiful Brooke was and how you needed to talk to her."

"So seriously nothing happened?"he had to ask again just to make sure.

"Nothing happened, now I'm sure that's all you wanted, so I'll go ahead and leave."Lucas nodded at her and she left the room.

"Wow. Who would have thought she'd actually tell us the truth? She really surprised me. Maybe she really is done trying to mess with us."

"Yeah, maybe. I'm just glad nothing happened. Now I don't have to hate myself so much for thinking I hurt you in a way I couldn't take back."

"I told you I was okay with it."

"That doesn't matter. I still felt horrible thinking I did something unforgivable."

"Well now you know that you didn't so everything is okay."

He couldn't help but see the sadness in her eyes. She was good at hiding it, but not good enough."Yeah, I guess it is."she looked down and took a deep breath and let it out."It's okay if you want to forgive her you know."

She looked at him."What?"

"Peyton. It's okay if you want to forgive her. I can tell you miss her. Everybody makes mistakes and hey you gave me a second chance."

"Yeah, well you didn't deliberately go out of your way to hurt me like she did. Yeah, I miss her, but I can't just forgive her because she said she isn't going to go after you anymore. She's not the same person she used to be and I don't like what she's becoming."she shook her head.

"Then help her be the person we both know she is. You want it and she needs it."

"I can't do that. She needs to change herself."

"Yeah, but sometimes we need a little help. You can be that for her."

"Lucas I don't want to talk about this anymore."

"Okay, I'm just saying that it wouldn't be such a bad thing to forgive her, if that's what you want. Nobody's going to think bad of you if that's what your worried about."

"I don't care what people think."

"Okay, I'm sorry. I'll drop this."

"That's a good idea."

After leaving the hospital Peyton needed to think. She passed by the Rivercourt and was happy when she saw nobody there. She made her way to the table and sat down. How did her life get so messed up? When did she lose her best friend in the whole world? When did she become such a hateful person? In the past few weeks her life changed drastically. She didn't even recognize herself anymore. Every decision she'd made concerning Lucas had caused her to lose somebody she cared about. She no longer had any friends, none that really cared about her, none that were Brooke. She'd lost Brooke probably for good and for good reason. Everything she did to her was unforgivable and it was all because she thought she wanted Lucas. To her Lucas was like a drug. You know it's not good for you, but you want it anyways, you think you need it, and you think you can't live without it, when in actuality not having it is the best thing for you. Speaking of drugs, her stupid obsession almost got Lucas killed. Sure she didn't put that drug in his drink, but she still knew it was her fault. Everything was her fault and she didn't know how much more she could take. Her whole world was caving in on her and because of everything she had done the one person she needed to talk to hated her. She placed her head in her hands and let her tears fall.

"Peyton?"

Peyton's head shot up. She wasn't expecting anybody to be here.

"Hey are you okay?"

She shook her head."No, and I don't know what to do."she continued to cry.

He ran up to her and pulled her into his chest, holding her tight."It's going to be okay Peyton."

"No, it's not Jake. I am a horrible person. I don't even know why your here with me now."she said as she tried to pull away from him. He held onto her tight not letting her go.

"Look Peyton I'm not going to stand here and lie to you. You have done a lot of bad things to people your supposed to care about, but you haven't done anything to me personally, so I'm here for you if you need me. If all you need is a shoulder to cry on then I'm here. I know you probably want me to leave right now, but I'm not. That's not what you need. I don't think you should be alone right now."

"Jake your a great guy. The best thing for you is to stay away from me before I bring you down along with me."

"I'm not afraid of that Peyton."

"Well maybe you should be. I'm a horrible person."

"Like I said I'm not going to lie to you, you have done some really bad things, but your not a horrible person and you definitely shouldn't be all alone."said Jake placing a hand on hers.

"You don't really know me or the things I've done Jake."

"I do know you Peyton and anything you say to me won't make me think your horrible."

Peyton wrapped her arms around his neck and continued to cry."You don't know how much I need this right now. I feel like I have no one and it's all my fault."

"I can't really disagree with you there, but I can say that you have me. So your not completely alone. I'm your friend and I'm here so talk to me, tell me what's wrong."

"I can't. It's too awful. I can't even say it out loud. I hate myself for it."

"Whatever it is, it sounds like you really need to talk about it and I'm here for you."

She pulled away from him."Lucas is in the hospital because of me."she blurted out.

"What?"that was the last thing he thought she'd say."You put that drug in his drink?"

"No, but I gave him the drink."

He let out the breath he was holding."That doesn't mean it's your fault Peyton. You didn't know it was in there."

"Your right. Technically I didn't know it was in there, but I knew something was in there."

"How could you know that?"

"I brought the Vodka to the party especially for Lucas. A friend of a friend gave it to me. I asked him what was in it and he said it was just a mixture of different alcohols. I should have questioned him further, but I didn't. All I care about was getting Lucas drunk so that what I had planned would work and keep Brooke out of the picture. It sounds so stupid now, but that's what happened."

"Peyton I get why you think this is your fault and again I'm not going to lie, it partially is, but not fully. You didn't know it was laced with drugs and if you did you wouldn't have given it to him right?"he questioned.

She shook her head."No, I definitely wouldn't have."

"Okay and you didn't know Lucas was going to get in his truck and drive. So don't be too hard on yourself."

"Thank you for trying to make me feel better."she gave him a half smile.

"No problem. Look I'm not going to say anything about what you just told me, but I really think you should. You need to let Lucas and Brooke and everybody know exactly how he was drugged. They are all going out of their minds not having that answer. It would give them all piece of mind. You also need to let them know you know it was stupid and that you are sorry and won't ever do anything like it again. If they can't forgive you and want you to stay away from them, then do it. You won't be alone though, you'll still have me."

Peyton wiped away her tears."You are such an amazing guy. Why didn't I notice that before."

"Probably because you were so stuck on Lucas."he said with a smile.

"Probably, but wanting him was the root of all my problems."

"Don't worry. You'll fix everything, I'll help you."

"Thank you. I don't know it I can fix all the damage I've caused, but knowing your here helps a lot. Jenny is a lucky girl to have you in here life."

Jake smiled at her again."And I'm a lucky guy to have you as a friend."

Peyton laughed."Not very many people would agree with you on that."

"Well I didn't ask everyones opinion, now did I?"

"I guess not."

Jake looked at his watch."Damn. It's getting late. I should really get going. I left Jenny with my parents to go see Lucas and I should be getting back. Are you going to be okay?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine. Thanks for everything Jake."

"It was no problem. Remember what I said, tell them everything and don't worry. I'll be here for you when your done. I'll see ya."

"Bye."

Haley and Nathan walked into the hospital after Nathan finished with practice.

Haley was as happy as ever, while Nathan, on the other hand, was a nervous wreck. He had been ecstatic when Haley told him Lucas woke up, but now he couldn't get the image of him throwing Lucas up against the wall and then threatening him out of his head. He felt like this was some how his fault. He literally threw a drunk and drugged Lucas out to drive home. He wouldn't blame Lucas if he hated him and never wanted to see him again.

They got off the elevator and made their way to Lucas' room. When they reached the door Nathan stopped, causing Haley to also stop."What's wrong Nathan?"

"I don't know. Maybe this isn't such a good idea after all."

"Please don't tell me your still mad at him for Friday night. It wasn't him Nathan."she said with a sigh.

"I know that and I'm not mad at him. I just think that he might be mad at me."

"Why? This isn't your fault Nathan. You know that. We have all gone through the stage where we think that this was all our fault, but it wasn't. The sicko that put that stuff in Lucas' drink is the only one to blame. Lucas won't blame you for the accident, so stop blaming yourself."

"Okay, your right. You always are, but he can still hate me for throwing him up against the wall and throwing him out."

"He doesn't even remember that and even if he did, he'd know you were just looking out for Brooke. Speaking of Brooke I wonder if she's still here. Are you ready to go in now?"

Nathan nodded and they opened the door and walked in. They both stopped in the doorway and were surprised at what they saw. Brooke was lying on the hospital bed with Lucas. Her head was on his chest and her arm was around his waist. They were both sleeping.

Haley couldn't help the smile that appeared. This was what she had wanted for the both of them for a long time."Well this answers my question. She's definitely still here."

Nathan looked at the two. He didn't know what to think. He was glad that Lucas was awake, but seeing his best friend in the arms of someone who had hurt her repeatedly was a little unsettling. He just didn't want her to get hurt again. His gaze landed on Brooke's face and he saw that even in her sleep she looked happy. He looked at Lucas and saw the same thing. They were both happy. It was a little strange, but maybe they should be together, obviously they made each other happy.

"So what are you thinking right now?"asked Haley knocking him out of his thoughts.

"What do you want me to say? I don't know if this is a good idea, but he seems to make her happy and I know he loves her, so all I can do is be happy for her. She's my best friend and she deserves to be happy."

"I think so too. I mean look at them. They look so cute sleeping together. We should leave. They need their rest."Haley grabbed Nathan's hand and started to pull him to the door when the phone started to ring.

Brooke shot up from her position on the bed, her hand pressing on Lucas' stomach. She heard him groan and quickly removed her hand."Oh my god, are you okay? Did I hurt you?"she looked mortified.

He smiled at her to reassure her."I'm fine, but will you please answer that damn phone? It's getting annoying. You'd think that if nobody picked up by the fifth ring, they'd hang up."he shook his head.

Brooke laughed at how annoyed he looked and got up from the bed, she realized that Haley and Nathan were there."Oh hey, I didn't see you guys there. What's up?"

Haley was about to answer, but was cut off."Don't answer her until she answers that damn phone, hell just unplug it."

Brooke rolled her eyes and went to answer it."Hello? Oh hi Karen. No everything is okay. We were just sleeping. No, he's awake now, do you want to talk to him?"Lucas held up his good hand ready to take the phone."No, okay. I wasn't planning on it. I thought you'd want to. No, I can. No, it's no problem, really. I'd love to. Okay, well we'll see you tomorrow. Okay, bye."she hung up.

"She didn't want to talk to me?"pouted Lucas, still holding out his hand.

Brooke took his outstretched hand in hers and held it."No, she was really busy and said you needed your rest. She won't be able to come back today. Deb is swamped at the cafe and needs her help. She asked if I could stay with you here tonight. I hope that's okay with you?"

Lucas smiled at her."What do you think?"she shrugged."I'm more than okay with that. I get to spend the night with my girlfriend with my mothers permission. What could be better than that?"

"I don't know, maybe spending the night with your girlfriend, when you could actually get some."she said with a sexy smirk.

"Eww, gross, we are still in the room."said Haley making a disgusted face."I don't know what Karen was thinking, thinking Lucas would get any rest with you around."

"Hey I resent that. Lucas and I were asleep a little while ago."

"And why were you two asleep? Did you two wear yourselves out making out?"

Brooke smiled at her."Well that's not the point. The point is that we did rest."

"What ever you say Brooke."she said rolling her eyes. She knew them too well.

"Well are you two coming in or are you just going to stand by the door? Come and sit on these very uncomfortable chairs."she pointed to the side of the bed, where the chairs sat.

Haley went to take a seat, while Nathan walked up to Brooke and wrapped her into a hug, pulling her up from the bed she was sitting on."Hey I missed you these last couple of days. You had me worried, but you look happy now and I'm happy for you, but don't disappear again."he whispered to her, letting her know he was okay with her and Lucas. He knew she'd be worried about that.

She hugged him back tight before pulling away."Thanks and I am and I won't."she understood what he meant."I missed you too."she sat back down and he went and sat next to Haley."So what brings you two by?"

"Well Nathan wanted to come see Lucas so I brought him. He wanted to see for himself that Lucas was awake."

"That's really cute Nate. You were worried about your brother."

Nathan felt himself blush."I wasn't worried about him. I just came because Haley said you'd be here Brooke and I wanted to see you."he answered knowing nobody would believe that.

"Yeah, sure Nathan, whatever you say. I don't know what it is about guys not wanting to express their feelings."she shook her head at both Lucas and Nathan."Now I need to talk to Brooke for a minute, so we're going to leave you two alone to talk. Don't kill each other. Come on Brooke."said Haley pulling her up from the bed.

"Okay, well I'll be right back. I love you Broody, you too Nate."

Both boys watched the girls walk out. Nathan turned back to Lucas."Not that I care or anything, but are you really okay?"

Lucas had to laugh. He was trying to act all tough. If things were reversed, he'd be acting the same way."I know you don't care and I hate to be the one to break it to you, but other then my broken arm and lack of a spleen, I'm fine."

"Well that's good, for Brooke I mean. I don't know why, but for some reason she thinks she loves you."

"I love her too."

"You better."

"I do."

"I know, but I do have to say, if you hurt her..."

Lucas cut him off."Yes, I know. You'll kick my ass. I get it and I wouldn't have it any other way. She's lucky to have you as a friend."

"Thanks."

"No problem."

"Look Luke, in all seriousness, I want to apologize for everything I did to you on Friday."he looked down.

Lucas' eyes narrowed."What did you do to me? I don't know if Haley told you, but I don't really remember anything from that night."

"She did tell me. I just wanted to apologize anyways."

"Okay and thanks, but what happened."

"Well I kinda got upset when I found you in a room with Peyton after Brooke left in tears."Lucas shook his head. He still hated hearing that he made Brooke cry."So I kinda threw you against the wall and tried to choke you and then I literally threw you out of my house onto the ground. I'm really sorry for all of that."

"Wow, all of that happened?"said Lucas with a laugh."Apology accepted, I mean your the lucky one really."

"Why do you say that?"asked Nathan a little confused.

"Well because your lucky I was drugged because if I wasn't and you tried to throw me into a wall, you'd be the one in a hospital bed, not me."laughed Lucas.

"You think?"challenged Nathan.

"No, I know."he said matter of factly.

"Whatever. So are we okay Luke?"

"Yeah, you were just looking out for Brooke. Your a great friend to her."

"And she's a great girl too, so don't you forget that."

"You don't have to worry about that. I won't."

Haley walked with Brooke to the vending machines."So you and Lucas, huh?"

Brooke couldn't stop the smile from crossing her face."Yeah, me and Lucas."

"So you two really got back together?"

"Yes we did."

"I know I'm being nosy, but how did it happen?"she was really happy for them.

"Well we talked about everything, then we cried, and then we kissed."

"I am so happy for you two. I know this is what you both wanted all along."

"It is. I am so happy right now Haley."squealed Brooke.

She smiled at Brooke."I can tell. You two looked so cute sleeping together earlier."

"It felt good too. I haven't been able to sleep since I found out about the accident, but being in his arms totally knocked me out."

"Well I don't want to put a damper on things, but did you two talk about Peyton?"

Brooke smiled."Yes we did and I told him that no matter what he did or didn't do with her, I was okay with it. I told him I knew that he loved me and that was all that mattered."

"Were you being honest with him when you said that?"she knew Brooke had to really mean that or else things would never work out for them.

"Yes I was. I'm not saying it didn't hurt to think of him with her, but then again it really wasn't him, but anyways Peyton ended up showing up here."

Haley couldn't believe her. That girl had some nerve."She actually came here? That bitch."

"No listen. She came and said she was over trying to get Lucas."

"Well I don't believe her."

"Haley just listen."

"Sorry. Go on."

"Okay, well I didn't believe her either, but when I got done telling her to leave, Lucas called her back."

"What? Why the hell did he do that?"

"That was my reaction too. I wanted to kill him when I heard him tell her not to go, but he just asked her what happen with them and she told us."

"I bet it was all lies."Haley shook her head."Don't believe her Brooke."

She smiled at her.She was such a good friend. She was lucky to have her."But I want to."

"What? What did she say?"

"She said nothing happened. Lucas had his shirt off because he was hot and she hugged him. She also said that all Lucas talked about was me."

"She actually said all of that? Wow. I thought that she would have lied."

"Me too, but she didn't. So maybe she really is done trying to keep me and Lucas apart."

"Maybe."

"So Lucas said it would be okay if I forgave her. What do you think?"

"God I don't know. Do you want to forgive her?"

"I don't know. I miss her. A part of me really wants things to be way they used to be, for us to be the way we used to be, but the other part of me can't forget everything she's done."

"I can't tell you what to do. If you want to forgive her, then do it. I'll be behind you 100 percent, just don't drop your guard where she's concerned."

"I know, your right. She's still capable of anything and here I am wanting to forgive her because she does one decent thing."she shook her head.

"That just goes to show that you are a great person with a big heart, who is willing to forgive someone you care about. Like I said do what you want, just be careful."

"I will."

"So I guess we should head back to the guys before they kill each other."said Haley with a laugh.

"Yeah, your probably right. Lucas and Nathan in a room alone together for too long is definitely asking for trouble."

A/N: Thank you all for the reviews. I love them all. I hope you liked this chapter. Like I said it was a lot longer than my others because I wanted to hurry and get Lucas out of the hospital and he will be next chapter. So anyways I need to ask all of you who read this to answer a question. Do you think that everything that Peyton has done to Brooke is completely unforgivable? I don't know if I should have Brooke forgive her or keep her by herself, well she'll have Jake. Please let me know what you think. It's really important. I don't have the next chapter written because I don't know what I want to do yet and I'm also writing another story that will be posted soon. It's a Nathan/Lucas/Dan story so it's going to take a while for me to post the next chapter, but the faster I find out what you want, the faster I will be able to write. Anyways enough of my rambling. Please read and review. Thanks.