A/N: Hey everybody, I'm sorry that it has taken me this long to update my story. I had planned to have this chapter posted on Friday, but I went on a last minute trip to San Antonio, to celebrate the San Antonio Spurs winning the championship. They had a big parade. I also got to see my favorite desperate housewife, Eva Longoria (Gabriela Solis). She was with Tony Parker. Now I'm back and I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Thanks.

Chapter Twenty Seven

Homecoming

It had been two weeks since Lucas' accident and Karen was bringing him home. Everyone wanted to be there when he got home, but Karen said no. It was a school day and she wanted everyone to go to school. Brooke begged Karen to let her be there, but Karen refused and told her to go to school. She had already missed a lot of school, not wanting to leave Lucas' side while he was in the hospital. Karen said it was more than alright if Brooke and the others came by after school. Brooke was upset, but agreed to come over after practice.

Lucas and Karen walked into their house."I am so glad to be home."said Lucas breathing in the homey smell."I hate hospitals. They always smell awful."

"I have to agree with you there. So lets make a deal, neither of us do anything to land in that place again."

Lucas held out his hand."Deal."they shook on it."I'm kinda tired so I'm gonna go to my room and rest before Brooke gets here."

"I think that would be a wise thing to do. That girl has a lot of energy. I feel like I have to too, just to keep up with her. I bet you feel that way too."laughed Karen.

"Na, she does have a lot of energy, but she doesn't push me."

"That's good. I don't know her all that well, but I can tell she's a great girl. She also seems to care about you a lot."

Lucas smiled."She does and I care about her too. I'm really glad everything worked out with us."he shook his head and thought about what it would be like for him if he still didn't have her. He knew it would be hell for him. He really needed her right now with everything that had happened.

Karen nodded."She did say something about you two breaking up when I went to see her. Care to talk about it?"asked Karen, hoping Lucas didn't think she was prying. She was just interested in his life.

"I'd rather not. Lets just say I did something stupid that I'm not proud of. I don't even want to think about it anymore. Besides you wouldn't be too happy with me if you knew."

"It sounds serious."

"It was. I'm just glad Brooke gave me a second chance. She didn't have to."

"No, she didn't. Lets just hope that was the last chance your gonna need with her."

"It is. You don't even have to worry about that."

"Okay, well if you want to talk about it, I'm here. Now go get some rest."she patted him on the behind and made her way to the kitchen.

Lucas walked to his room and threw himself onto his bed and let out a small groan when he landed roughly on his still tender side, the cuts still fresh from his operation. He was happy to be home and to have Brooke back. She was the one thing he wasn't sure he would ever get back. He just wished that the accident never happened so he could be at school with her right now and he wished that he knew what was going to become of him and basketball. That was the hardest thing for him right now. The not knowing was killing him inside and he didn't feel like he had anyone to talk to about it. Yeah Brooke had been great and tried to get him to talk, but he just didn't think she would understand. She always just told him he had to wait and see. That's the same thing the doctors kept telling him. Wait and see. He was beginning to hate that phrase. Wait and see. Didn't everybody know that the waiting was the thing killing him? He closed his eyes and waited for sleep to over take him.

Brooke was on her way to her locker when she felt someone approach her from behind.

"Brooke?"

She was right someone was definitely there. She turned and was slightly surprised to see Peyton standing there."What do you want Peyton?"

She shrugged."Nothing I just saw you and thought I'd come over and say hi."

"Why?"asked Brooke looking at her as if she grew another head.

"I don't know, maybe because I missed you."

"Well you should have thought about that before you messed with my boyfriend and then repeatedly tried to hurt me."

"Look I'm sorry for all of that. I honestly am. I wasn't in my right mind when I did all of that stuff. I'm done with that and I want for us to get passed it."said Peyton meaning every word. She truly wanted Brooke to forgive her.

Brooke scoffed."Your unbelievable, you know that? You expect for me to just forgive you for everything you did because you say your sorry and are done with it. I'm sorry, but it doesn't work that way. Yes, you did one decent thing when you didn't lie about what happened with you and Luke, but that doesn't change the person that you've become and as long as your that person, we can't be friends. I don't know if we'll ever become friends again. I hate to say it, but you did this all to yourself."she turned to walk away.

"Brooke wait."Brooke turned to face her."I really need to talk to you."

"Yeah, well, I don't want to hear it."she walked away.

Peyton watched as her former best friend walked away and then felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Are you okay? I saw what happened."

She shook her head."No, she's gonna hate me forever."

"She doesn't hate you, she's just mad."

"Maybe you did really see what just happened."

"I saw. Look the things you did to her were pretty bad. Give her time to get over all that and don't stop trying with her."

"I won't. I just hope it doesn't take forever for her to forgive me."

"I'm sorry, but it just might, be prepared for that. So have you told anyone about what you told me that day at the Rivercourt?"She shook her head."Peyton you said you were."

"I know and I plan to. I was about to tell Brooke, but she didn't want to hear it."

"Well Lucas is the one you should be telling first anyways."

"I know, but I don't want Brooke to get even more mad at me."Jake was now confused and Peyton saw and tried to explain herself."If I go see Lucas and Brooke happens to stop by, which I'm sure she does a lot, seeing how she's his girlfriend, she might think I'm trying to break them up again."

"Then you explain everything to her."

"You know Brooke, Jake. She doesn't wait for explanations. If she sees something, she jumps to conclusions. She'd run out of the house and break up with Lucas before I even got a word out."

"It sounds to me like your just looking for an excuse to not tell him."

"Maybe I am. He's gonna hate me when he finds out."

"You don't know that."

"I just think that if I tell Brooke, she'll tell him and I won't have to."

"She shouldn't be the one to tell him, that should be you. You did this, now own up to it."

Peyton sighed."I know and I will, just give me time."

Jake looked at her and smiled."I'll give you anything you want. All you have to do is ask."he wrapped an arm around her shoulder and walked with her down the hall.

Brooke drug herself outside to the table she normally ate lunch at. Nathan and Haley were already there. She dropped her backpack on the table and lowered her arms and head onto it.

"What's wrong with you B?"asked Nathan.

"Nothing."she simply stated.

"Well it doesn't look like nothing to me."

"I just miss Lucas, that's all."

Haley rolled her eyes."You have it bad Brooke. You just saw him last night."

"I know, but he's coming home today and thanks to Karen, I can't be with him."

"Yes, god forbid Karen actually wanting you to go to school and learn. How dare she?"said Haley with a smile.

"Yeah well today was a special day. I should be with him. I think Karen's just jealous. She wants Lucas all to herself for a while."

"Brooke, you do know you sound ridiculous, right?"

"I know, but I'm a little mad at her right now. She could have let me be with him today. I would have came to school tomorrow."

"Brooke she said you could go over right after school. She's not trying to keep you two apart."

"I know, but I have to go to practice first."she whined.

"So do we. You know Brooke."said Haley changing the subject."The other cheerleaders are starting to think you no longer care about the squad. They're a little worried."

"Well what did you tell them?"

"Nothing, that's your job, captain."

She rolled her eyes."Fine, I'll talk to them later. So guess what?"

"What?"asked both Haley and Nathan, both looking at each other and smiling.

"Peyton tried to talk to me today."

"What happened?"asked Haley now really interested.

"Nothing. She went up to me and said she was sorry and that she missed me."

"What did you say?"

"I told her that she should have thought about that before she turned into a crazy bitch."

"You said that?"

"Not exactly that, but I wanted to."

"Are you going to forgive her?"asked Nathan.

"I don't know, probably not. I know I said I wanted to, but a lot has happened and I don't know if I can get over all of it."

He nodded in understanding.

She waved her hand in the air."So enough about Peyton, are you two going to see Lucas today?"

"Yep, right after practice, right Nathan?"

He again nodded.

Brooke shook her head.

"What?"he asked.

"Nothing. It is just still a little weird thinking about you and Lucas together all the time."

"We're not together all the time Brooke. Haley wants to see him, so I said I would take her."

"Yeah, like that's the only reason your going."

"Hey, I don't have a problem admitting that I don't mind going to see him. He turned out to be an okay guy."

"That he did."said Brooke with a smile.

"I guess it's safe to say that you'll be there too."

"Yep, I'll probably speed the whole way there. I can't wait to see him."

Haley let herself and Nathan into Lucas' house. She knew she had seen him the other day, but she was excited about him being home. They found Karen drinking a cup of coffee at the kitchen table.

"Hey Karen. Where's Lucas?"asked Haley.

"He's taking a shower. He'll be out in a few minutes. Come sit down. How was school?"

Haley and Nathan sat down."It was good, although we did have to hear Brooke go on and on about how mean you are for making her go to school."

Karen laughed."That girl is something else. So where is she? I thought she'd be here the minute school let out."

It was Haley's turn to laugh."Trust me she wanted to, but we had cheerleading practice. She couldn't miss another one. When we left she was still in the gym. She'll be here soon."

"I forgot your the newest member of the Raven's cheerleading squad. When Lucas told me I can't say I wasn't shocked. How do you like it so far?"

"It's okay. I've only cheered in two games, but it's fun."

"I know I always loved it."smiled Karen, remembering her cheerleading days.

Lucas walked into the kitchen."Hey guys. I didn't know you were here already."

"We just got here."said Haley going over and giving him a hug.

Lucas turned toward Nathan."Hey man, what's up?"

Nathan nodded at him."Nothing, practice was a bitch."he turned to Karen."Sorry."she waved it off."So what did you do today?"he asked.

"Slept, that's pretty much it. I still can't do much without getting tired."

"Poor baby. He gets to rest all day."said Haley sarcastically.

"Hey, I'd rather be at school with you guys and Brooke, then be here."he looked around."Where is she? Is she still coming?"

Haley looked at him."What do you think? Of course she's coming. She was upset the whole day because your mom made her go to school. There's no way she's stay away today."

"Good. I miss her, she better hurry."

"You'd think those two hadn't seen each other in days with the way they're acting."said Karen shaking her head.

They all sat at the table talking for a while. Lucas looked up at the clock."Where did you say Brooke was?"

"We left her at school. She said she was going to speed the whole way here. She definitely should be her by now."said Haley."You should call her Luke."

He got up and dialed her number."Her phones off."he waited for her voice mail."Hey Baby, it's me. I thought you were coming over today. Call me back."he hung up and was about to sit down when he heard a knock on the kitchen door. He opened it to see who he assumed was Brooke hiding behind about a dozen helium balloons. She also had what looked like a cake box and two bags in her hands.

"Is that you Broody?"

"Yes. What is all this Brooke?"he placed his hand on her arm and helped guided her into the kitchen.

"This my dear."said Brooke pausing as she put the cake, balloons, and bags down."Is me throwing you a little coming home party."She leaned in to kiss him, wanting to deepen the kiss, but didn't knowing everyone was around. She reluctantly pulled away."Do you love me?"she asked with a smile.

He pulled her to him with his good arm and kissed her again, not caring who was around. He needed to be close to her. She was the one to again pull away."You know I do, but you didn't have to do all of this."

She pulled out of his grasp."I know that, but I wanted to, plus it's kinda also for your mom. She did also just come home, you know."

Karen got up from her seat and walked up to Brooke."Why thank you Brooke. This is all very lovely."

"Your welcome. It's the least I can do."

Karen smiled at her."And here I thought you were upset with me."Brooke looked at her confused."Well Haley told me all about how you went on and on about how mean I am for making you go to school."

Brooke turned and glared at Haley."Yeah, well Haley tends to exaggerate and she also has a big mouth."

Lucas picked up a bag and looked in it."What is all this Brooke?"

She looked to see which bag he was holding."That in there is a special herbal tea that's supposed to be good for splenectomies. I didn't know how much to get, so I just bought it all."she said with raised shoulders.

Lucas rolled his eyes at her, only she would do something like that."There has to be over a hundred packets in here."

"Yeah, well then you better get to drinking."

"What's in the other bag?"he asked.

"Just some things that made me think of you, which reminds me."she turned to Nathan."There are a couple more bags in the car, along with some pizza and ice cream. Will you be the great guy I know you are and get them for me?"she stuck out her bottom lip.

"Sure. Come help me Haley."he pulled her up and they made their way out the door.

"So where's Keith?"asked Brooke.

"I don't know. That's a good question. I'm going to go give him a call. I'll be right back."

Once Karen left the room Lucas walked up to Brook, who was taking things out of the bags. He turned her around and kissed her, slowly, deeply, and longingly.

"What was that for?"asked Brooke once they broke the kiss.

"That was for being so amazing. Only you would go through all this trouble for me. I love you."

She placed her arms around his neck and lazily ran her fingers through his hair."This wasn't any trouble Lucas. I had fun getting all this stuff and I love you too."she got on her tip toes and leaned in to kiss his nose.

When she set herself down he pulled her close."I missed you so much today. I kept on getting these not so innocent images of us together."he leaned in and whispered this last part."I had to take a very cold shower."she laughed and he pulled her into another kiss. He traced her bottom lip with his tongue and then plunged it into her mouth when she parted her lips, massaging his tongue with her own. His hand made it's way to her waist and he absentmindedly stroked the bare skin above the sweats she wore.

Her arms tightened around his neck, wanting him even closer to her then he already was.

He backed her up until she was against the counter and his hand slowly moved up and under her shirt. He gently cupped her breast over her lacy bra.

Brooke had to force herself not to moan in pleasure. She quickly pushed him away, remembering where they were.

Lucas groaned in frustration and tried to pull her back to him.

"Lucas stop. We're in your kitchen with your mom in the other room."

"So."he pulled her back to him and she again pushed him away.

"I'm serious Broody. Besides I don't want you to start something you can't finish."she smirked.

He smiled."Who said I can't finish it?"

"I don't know? Why don't you go ask your mom?"

"Okay, point taken."

Brooke turned back to the counter and continued to take things out of the bags.

Lucas walked up behind her and wrapped his arm around her waist and placed a quick kiss on her neck before going to see where his mom was.

Karen walked back into the kitchen with Lucas a minute later."Well Keith is on his way."said Karen."He was upset at the idea of almost missing this."

"Well it's a good thing you got a hold of him. I brought enough pizza to feed an army, although we might need to reheat it."

"I'm already on it."said Karen walking over to the stove and turning it on.

"Do you want me to brew you a cup of tea Broody?"

He smiled at her."Sure. Thanks babe."

Nathan and Haley walked into the kitchen laughing."Hey B, what the hell is this?"he held up a long, thin, metal rod, with what looked like a miniature claw at the end of one side.

"Oh that is for Lucas to use when he gets and itch in that cast. It goes all the way up to his shoulder, he's bond to get an itch from time to time."everybody laughed."What?"

"And what's this?"he asked again.

"That is a pillow for his arm. He might want to prop it up."she said with a shrug.

"Now was it really necessary to buy him new bed sheets B?"

She rolled her eyes at him. Now he was just making fun of her."They're silk and he's going to be spending a lot of time resting in bed. I just want him to be comfortable."

"And I will be. Thank you and I love it all. Your the best."

"I know, now here's your tea, drink up. You still have ninety nine more packs to go."she said with a laugh.

After Keith got there everybody ate the pizza and after that they ate cake and ice cream. Haley and Nathan left soon after that. Karen and Keith decided to watch some t.v., while Brooke went with Lucas into his room to change his bed sheets to the ones she bought.

"Is there any chance you and I can get into this bed and test out those sheets?"asked Lucas wriggling his eyebrows suggestively.

"Nope. There's no chance. Your definitely not up for that."

"Well I could just lie on my back and let you do all the work."

Brooke couldn't help, but laugh."In your dreams Broody."

"Don't I know it, but I thought that was why you were my girlfriend, to make my dreams come true."

"Well you thought wrong, now come and lie down. You must be exhausted."

"Now that you mention it, I am kinda tired. Do you want to lie down with me? We could do stuff."he went to lie down.

"Not gonna happen tonight, sorry. Now get your mind out of the gutter."she leaned over him to set the arm pillow under his broken arm. She was about to move away when he caught her arm and pulled her down for a kiss.

She kissed him back before pulling away. He groaned, wanting her lips on his once again."Sorry, but not tonight."she kissed him once more.

"Your such a tease."

"And your pretty horny for a guy who just got out of the hospital."

He shrugged."I just miss my incredibly sexy girlfriend, that's all."

Brooke smiled at him. She knew what he was doing."I miss you too, but we have to wait. Once your body is completely healed, you can do whatever you want with me."she smirked knowing that would get a reaction out of him.

His eyes widened."Are you serious?"

"Well within reason."she smiled at the expression on his face.

"Damn I can't wait."he shouted.

Brooke had to laugh. He was such a guy."It's getting pretty late, so I'm gonna leave. You get some rest."

"Yeah, like I'm gonna get any rest tonight after what you just said."

"Okay, well think happy thoughts and I'll see you tomorrow after school."

"I can't wait, just don't take long to get here."

"I won't."she leaned down and gave him one last kiss."I love you Broody."

"I love you too."

A/N:I hope you liked this chapter. It was really fun to write. Let me know what you think. Please read and review. I promise to have the next chapter up sooner than this one. Thanks.