When they woke up the next morning, they realized the had fallen asleep in each other's arms. Neither one knew the other was awake, so it left each of them alone with their own thoughts.

God, I wish I could take all of her pain away. I love her so much, only not in the way she thinks. But I could never tell her because she could never feel the same, could she? Brooke thought. Little did she know haley was thinking the same thing:

I wish I could tell her how I feel. It would be so much easier than hiding it and pretending I'm okay with us just being friends. If I told her it would ruin everything, because there's no way she feels the same way, right?

"Oh hey, you're up!" Brooke said, bringing Haley away from her thoughts.

"Yeah."

"So Hales, about last night…are you okay?"

"Yeah, it's just hard. I should be asking you the same thing. Are you okay?"

"No…but I'll deal with it."

Haley squeezed Brooke tighter. She pulled out of the embrace and took Brooke's face in her hands. She wiped away the silent tears falling from her face.

"I'm always here for you Brooke Davis."

Brooke nodded.

God- she's amazing. She's so caring and not to mention adorable. I really want to kiss her. More than anything. But I don't wanna mess this up. I have to kiss her.

They were sitting on Haley's bed looking into each other's eyes when Brooke leaned in and kissed Haley. Haley pulled away instantly. Brooke had a look of shock on her face.

"Oh-my God Haley, I'm so sorry."

"Brooke- no it's okay I just-"

"No- I'll go."

Haley leaned forward and grabbed her arm.

"Brooke stay."

"Why? I just made a fool out of myself!"

Haley couldn't help but laugh.

"Haley this isn't funny. What I'm feeling isn't funny!"

"Which would be…."

"Haley..I think I'm in love with you."

Haley wasn't expecting that. She could tell this was hard for Brooke.

"What did you say?"

"You heard me! I'm in love with you! Are you happy now?"

"More than you could ever imagine." Haley leaned in and kissed Brooke. Electricity shot through both of them.

"I'm in love with you too."

Brooke was shocked, but immedietly deepened the kiss. She layed Haley down and slowly worked her wat up her shirt.

"Brooke---stop."

" Too fast?"

"Yeah, I mean I want this but this is all happening so fast. You're um….experienced. And I'm not. So can we take it slow for a while? I know all of your other relationships were based on sex and I can't give that to you, at least not yet."

Brooke took Haley's face in her hands.

"Haley James, you listen to me and you listen to me good. I will wait forever for you if that's what you want. You're right. All my other relationships have been based on sex. But this is so different. And not because you're a girl. I can't breathe when I'm around you. I hate seeing you cry. I want to be with you all the time. I love you and I want you to understand that."

"I do."

"Good."

Brooke leaned in for another passionate kiss. She loved being with Haley, but something was bothering her. There was something Haley wasn't telling her. She saw the bruises on Haley's stomach……..