Hey people! So this story is back after the mini hiatus, sorry about that! Thank you so much for all the reviews! I'm glad everyone liked Toby's grandmother, I kinda liked her too! And I knew the almost kiss would make you all groan, but trust me, the wait will be worth it in the end.

Btw, you've probably realised that lots of stuff that happens is missed out in this fic, if that makes any sense…I mean that I don't write everything that happens to them. For instance, although this is the first time Haley and Nathan are featuring, it's not the first time they've seen them so far this semester.

Now, on with the chapter!

Brooke knocked the ball out of Lucas' hands and giggled as he pouted at her.

It was the beginning of one of their afternoon practices, and they were mucking around in the gym before the coach arrived. Some of the other cheerleaders were stretching in a corner, and Carrie was laughing with Molly as they watched the basketball players goofing off.

"Would you give me the ball back?" Lucas said chuckling, taking a step towards her as she spun it in her hands.

"You gotta learn to keep a hold of it better Broody," she said, shaking her head. "You're never going to win any games if you just let the other players tip it out of your hands like that."

Lucas gave her a look, and she giggled again. "Fine. But one of these days you've got to show me how to do those free throw things again. You said you would."

"Again? Brooke, I've taught you like twenty times."

"Yeah, but not since high school! That was ages ago Luke, and I have a terrible memory."

Lucas rolled his eyes. "Fine, but not now, I have to warm up."

Brooke looked around. "I don't see anybody else warming up Broody. Toby is…making out with Carrie," she said, spying them in a corner, "Brett is…oh, making out with Courtney, and Dave…well he's not making out with anyone but that's no surprise."

Lucas chuckled.

"So you've got nothing to do but play with me," Brooke finished, grinning at him.

He smiled. "Fine, but could you at least give me the ball?"

She tipped her head on one side. "Um, nope."

He took another step towards her, his fingers reaching out just a little towards her stomach. "You sure."

She glanced down, and gave him a warning look. "Luke…"

He raised an eyebrow, and held out a hand for the ball. She shook her head, at the same time trying to take another step away from him, but he had already grabbed her and was tickling her stomach.

"Okay, so not fair!" she said between laughing. "I thought we agreed you were never allowed to do that again!"

He chuckled, and grabbed the ball out of her hands, keeping an arm round her waist. "I did warn you," he whispered over her shoulder.

She looked round at him, and glared, but he just smiled back, releasing her and heading up the court with the ball, sending it through the net for a perfect three pointer.

"Show off," Brooke called after him, and he turned and grinned at her.

"Brooke!" Brooke turned towards the voice calling her. It was Stacy, the team captain.

"I gotta go warm up," she said, turning back to Luke and rolling her eyes. She found Stacy incredibly annoying, and she had been even more of a bitch since her boyfriend had dumped her.

"Seeya later." She blew him a kiss and headed over to the others, to start stretching.

Lucas looked after her, shaking his head, and then turned back to the net to continue practising.

A ball bounced past him and he saw Drake go a pick it up, before heading back to the other end of the court. He glanced after him, sighing, as he saw him cast a dirty look in his direction.

Basketball practices had been a little tense since the incident with Drake in the nightclub. Although it had never been spoken about, because none of the guys involved wanted their coach hearing about it, both Toby and Lucas could feel Drake glaring at them constantly whenever they were in the gym.

Today however, Lucas had other problems…

"Hey Luke."

Lucas looked round, his neck stiffening. He hated being called Luke by anyone other than his close friends, and the voice he recognised definitely didn't fit into that category.

"Hi Stacy," he said, before turning back to the basket, and taking another shot.

She walked casually round to his side, "So, what's up?"

"Not much." He jogged to get the ball, and continued shooting. Stacy rolled her eyes to herself, she was obviously going to have to push a little harder. "So I was wondering, if you'd maybe like to come out with me on Friday?"

Lucas' head jerked round. He was used to girls hitting on him, although it always made him feel a little uncomfortable he usually managed to brush it off in his normal gentlemanly way. But actually asking him out?

"Um, I don't think that's be a good idea," he stuttered. He always hated doing this, but there was no way he was going out with Stacy. For one thing, Brooke hated her.

"Why not?" she asked, taking a step closer to him. "You never know, you might actually enjoy yourself."

"I just don't think I really want to be dating right now," he said, glancing over towards the other cheerleaders, trying to catch Brooke's eye so she'd come over and get him out of this situation.

Stacy noticed where he was looking. "You know, you've gotta stop waiting for her. She doesn't want to be in a relationship Luke."

Lucas frowned at her. "Firstly, it's Lucas, okay? And secondly, as far as I'm aware, you and Brooke aren't friends, so forgive me if I ignore your judgement on her."

Stacy rolled her eyes. "We're one the same squad Luke, come on, you know how girls talk. Just because we're not best friends doesn't mean I don't know what she wants. Brooke's a party girl; she's just having some fun right now. So why don't you do the same?"

"Look Stacy, no offence, but I just don't want to date you right now, okay? I've gotta go warm up." He turned away and went to join the team.

Stacy's nostrils flared. God, why did guys have to be so difficult! She flounced off back to the cheerleaders, ignoring the look she received from Brooke.

"What was that all about?" Carrie asked Brooke in an undertone, as they watched Lucas walk away from Stacy.

Brooke frowned to herself. "I don't know. But knowing Stacy, it probably wasn't anything good."

Carrie glanced at her friend. "Well, I'm sure it was no big deal," she said after a minute, "Lucas wouldn't look twice at Stacy Pinkerton."

Brooke bit her lip, but nodded. She shook herself and went to take part in the warm ups.

When practice was over, Brooke and Carrie hung around outside the gym, waiting for the guys to come out.

"Hey babe," Toby greeted Carrie, and pulled her in for a kiss.

Lucas smiled at Brooke, who smiled back. They began making they're way outside, and Brooke paused for a minute before asking, "So what did Stacy want?"

She watched Lucas carefully, and saw him roll his eyes. "She was just being her usual irritating self. She, er…asked me out."

Brooke eyes widened, and she nodded slowly. "Oh. So what did you say?"

"No, of course!" Lucas chuckled. "There's no way I'm gonna go out with her."

Brooke found she felt very relieved, and Lucas saw a smile break out over her face. "Oh! Okay, well, cool."

He continued to look at her. "Why? What if I'd said yes?"

Brooke looked up at him. "Um, well…you'd be going out with her."

"And what if I was going out with her?" he pushed. He wanted Brooke to say something, anything that might clarify her feelings right now.

Brooke hesitated but then shrugged. "I guess you'd have to get a second job or something, I hear Stacy's not a cheap date." She gave a slightly strained smile.

Lucas nodded. "Well I guess it's a good thing I said no then."

Their eyes met, and he looked at her intensely, but she looked down after a second, and just nodded. They came outside, and Lucas sighed slightly as the cold air hit them. He folded his arms as their made their way back to their dorm rooms.

"Okay, it's here!" Carrie came into her and Brooke's room, holding something above her head.

"What is it?" Brooke asked, looking up from her desk.

"The paper. With somebody's article on the second page!"

"Oh no," Brooke groaned.

"Can I see?" Lucas asked, looking up from his gameboy, grinning.

"No, it was terrible!" Brooke whined.

"Yeah sure." Carrie grinned at Brooke and handed it to him. He flipped the page to Brooke's article.

Despite herself, Brooke came and sat next to him on the bed, peering over his shoulder.

"Hey, I'm reading it." He said, tickling her lightly in the ribs.

"It's my article." She shoved him over, resting her chin on his shoulder.

"Exactly, you already read it."

"Well I want to read the others."

"Get your own then." He tickled her harder, still reading at the same time, and she giggled and grabbed his wrist, holding it still while she read.

Carrie smirked to herself. She looked around the room and her eyes landed on what she was looking for. Grinning, she picked it up and pointed the camera at them.

There was a soft 'click' and Brooke's head snapped up.

"What?" said Carrie innocently.

"That's mine!"

"Exactly, I was taking a picture for you."

Brooke rolled her eyes.

"Why do people always take pictures of us?" Lucas asked.

"Cause we're so pretty, ain't that right Broody?"

"Damn straight."

Carrie chuckled. "It's because you guys look so cute together. And it's photographic evidence against your 'just friends' line."

Brooke glared at her and Lucas just shook his head. "I'll be wanting those negatives," Brooke said, eyes narrowed.

"Oh no way, I'm sending this to Haley!"

Lucas groaned; Haley would go on about it for weeks!

"Come on, we're going to Haley and Nathan's," Brooke stuck her head into Lucas' room to announce this fact.

He groaned, "It's so far, can't they come here?"

"Quit being a baby, and no, because then we'd miss out on Hales' cooking."

"Fine, I'm coming." He stood up, stretching, and followed her out of the door.

"We haven't seen them in ages Luke. You really should be more upbeat about visiting your brother," Brooke scolded him.

"We saw them last week Brooke." Lucas said, "But I wanna see them," he assured her, "I'm just tired." He chuckled and Brooke gave him a look.

"What? I am. I had to write a really long paper last night."

"Oh yeah, and we all know how hard that is for you," she said sarcastically. "Would you hurry up, I'm starving!"

They arrived at the apartment, and Brooke opened the door and went through to the kitchen. Haley looked up and smiled when she saw them.

"Hey Brooke! What's up?"

"We just thought we'd come and see our wonderful friend Haley."

Haley gave her a look, "Yeah, sure. Hey Luke."

"Hey," Lucas smiled from where he was leaning against the doorframe.

"Mmm, it smells really good," Brooke said, sticking her finger in the sauce Haley was cooking.

"No way Tigger! Nathan and I are having a romantic dinner and you're not invited. Sorry, but not today."

Brooke pouted, "What is it, you're anniversary or something?"

"No, but we don't need an excuse to spend some time together."

"Vomit. Fine, well if you're going to throw us out then me and Broody can go have our own romantic dinner," she grabbed his hand and left the kitchen. Lucas laughed and threw a "Bye Hales," over his shoulder before they left.

Haley shook her head, laughing, and went back to cooking.

"Did I just see Brooke and Lucas leaving?" Nathan asked, coming into the kitchen and taking off his jacket.

"Yeah, they showed up in search of food but I turned them away because we are having a romantic dinner." She turned around to face him, smiling.

"We are? Cool." He suddenly noticed her apron. "When did you turn into a Stepford wife?"

Haley laughed, "I got home and I felt like cooking, so shut up and take advantage, because I don't do it often."

"Yeah I know," Nathan muttered.

"Hey! I'm a good wife."

He laughed, "You're a great wife." He wrapped his arms around her and dropped a kiss on her head. "I love you."

She smiled and turned round in his arms, wrapping her own around his neck. "I love you too."

"What are we having?" Nathan asked.

"Steak."

His eyes lit up, "Did I mention I love you?"

"You can tell me again," she giggled, leaning up so her lips reached his.

"I love you," he whispered before their lips met.

"So where do you want to go?" Lucas asked Brooke, as they wandered back along the streets.

She considered, "I kind of feel like Italian."

He laughed, "There's a great Italian place at the end of our street," he reminded her, "we're not coming all the way over just to go back. Lets find somewhere round here."

"Since when did you get adventurous?"

He gave her a look, "Brooke I've been here like ten times, and you've been here about a hundred, we're hardly in un-chartered territory!"

"Fine fine," she waved this away, "There's a nice Chinese place a couple of blocks away."

He agreed, and they walked there together.

"Wow this is delicious," Lucas said, as they began eating their food.

"Isn't it? I came here a couple of times with Nate and Hales last year and it's so good."

"It's not as good as that place in Tree Hill though, what was that called? With the dumplings."

"Oh yeah, I know! Where we went just before graduation. You're right, that was amazing."

Lucas smiled as he remembered the night. He caught Brooke's eye and she smiled back at him, before looking back at her food.

"Were there any nice places in San Francisco?" she asked.

Lucas nodded. "Yeah I guess. There was a really nice French restaurant down near the piers."

Brooke nodded and smiled, taking a sip of her drink. "I remember when I went to Paris when I was younger with my parents, they took me to the most amazing place. The food was incredible. I gotta say, the French really know what they're doing in the kitchen!"

Lucas chuckled. "Yup, I guess they beat us on that."

"What's the best restaurant you've ever been to?" Brooke asked.

Lucas smiled and shrugged. "Somewhere with you."

Brooke gave him a little smile, touched.

"The company makes all the difference," Lucas said as he lifted his glass. He took a sip and glanced at Brooke over the top of his drink.

She smiled. "You're right. My favourite is still a little place in Tree Hill called Karen's Café."

Lucas tapped his glass as he set it down, "You know, I think I've been there a couple of times."

Brooke chuckled and Lucas grinned. "It kind of feels like home, you know?" she said.

He nodded. "Yeah, it does."

"So how's your major going?" Lucas asked, as their plates were taken away.

"Pretty good actually. I'm really enjoying writing for the paper and stuff as well. But I don't know…the idea of actually being a journalist for my career scares the hell out of me. I mean, I don't think I'd have any idea what to do."

Lucas chuckled. "I'm sure you'd pick it up pretty quickly. And anyway, it's not as if that's set in stone, you can be anything you want."

Brooke grinned. "Except for a doctor or something."

"Well yeah, I suppose you have kind of ruled that one out."

"But I got over that phase a while ago when I found out that doctors don't actually look like George Clooney."

Lucas laughed. "Yeah, and I think the job keeps you pretty busy so you don't have much time for amusing quips in the triage hall and a sordid love life involving various triangles with other doctors and nurses."

"Or maybe that's just in Chicago County General?"

He grinned. "You don't want to work in Chicago though, it'd be too cold."

"Um, Luke? It's like two degrees outside right now!"

He waved this away. "Whatever. Anyway, you've gotta stay in New York otherwise I'd never get to see you. Unless I get the Knicks to transfer me to the Bulls or something…although it's far more likely I'll be transferred to some crappy team in Alabama or whatever."

Brooke gave him a look. "No you won't. You're gonna be in the NBA before you know it!"

"Well I don't know about that. But I like your optimism."

Brooke grinned.

The waiter came with the bill, and set it down on the table.

"I'll get it," Lucas said, picking it up.

"Don't be silly, we'll split it."

He shook his head, "Uh uh, my treat."

She hesitated, "Okay. Thanks Luke." She was quiet for minute, thinking. Then she grinned, "I'll pay you back when I'm an A-list actress," she said, with an entirely straight face.

"Actress?"

"Yup. It's my latest plan. You think I could do it?" She asked, eyebrows raised.

"Yeah, sure. You'll have to promise not to forget about us little people."

"Of course not, I'll fly you over to visit me in my private jet."

He laughed. "Well I guess you have more chance of hooking up with George Clooney as an actress than a doctor."

Brooke wrinkled her nose. "I dunno, he's a little old."

Lucas grinned.

Brooke chewed one of her fingernails as she lay on her bed. It was mid morning, but she hadn't really gotten round to getting up yet. Her mind was preoccupied by a certain blonde haired boy.

Seriously, if her head were a TV network, the Lucas show would have been getting very high ratings recently.

She reached over to her bedside table for her phone, dialling a familiar number.

"Hello?"

"Tutorgirl!"

"Hey Brooke! Whatsup?"

"So I was just calling to see how your little romantic dinner went down."

"Oh it was fantastic."

Brooke grinned, "Sounds like somebody got some."

There was a cough on the other end of the line, and she grinned again. "Okay, I don't need details." She heard Haley laugh. "Well we had a great dinner too, in case you cared, after you totally ditched us."

Haley rolled her eyes. "I'm not even gonna bother arguing Brooke."

Brooke giggled. "Fine, but you know I'm right. So I was also kind of calling to talk about…Lucas."

Haley raised an eyebrow. "Uh huh. You want me to advise you on how to get over yourself and get back together already?"

"Not exactly. Just…advise me on what to do."

"Well I advise you to get over yourself and get back together already!"

"Hales! I'm serious, this is eating me up and I don't know what to do."

Haley smiled and settled herself on her sofa "Okay. Well, what is it that's holding you back?" she asked gently.

"I don't know. I guess a little part of me still isn't ready. I want this to be it Hales, I want us to get it right this time. It's just, when I see you and Nathan…"

"Brooke, you don't have to be thinking about it like it's 'forever and always'. You're both still in college."

"I know, and that's the problem. I just think, if we get together now, and we break up again, then we're going to end up going our separate ways after college. And I do not want that to happen. But maybe if we just stay friends then we'll still know each other, and then when we're older we can do this for real."

There was silence on the other end of the phone for a minute. "You really love him don't you?"

Brooke was a little taken aback by the quiet tone of Haley's voice. She smiled to herself as she answered. "Yeah. I really do."

Haley smiled. "Then just go for it Brooke. Go for 'forever and always' if you want to. You should be together, and you obviously both want to. You shouldn't worry about what'll happen after college; if you really love him, then you'll end up together."

"But - "

"But nothing Brooke. There's nothing to be scared of. I mean, like you said, look at me and Nathan. Sure, we had a rough time, but we worked it out. And now I couldn't be happier. It's not about age Brooke, you've found the guy. This is it."

Brooke swallowed as she took in what Haley was saying.

"Look, I didn't mean to scare you," Haley continued. "I'm not saying you have to get married or anything. I just mean you don't have to be scared of losing each other again. If you're together now, it doesn't mean you can't be together later too."

Brooke nodded. "Yeah, you're right."

"Of course I am."

Brooke smiled. "Thanks Hales."

"So are you going to talk to him?"

There was silence.

"Brooke?…"

"See, about that…"

"Brooke! I can't believe you, since when did you get nervous about talking to Lucas?"

Brooke groaned. "I don't know! Anway, I'm not nervous, it's just that…I've been thinking about this for so long and…I still have no idea if he feels the same way. Maybe while I'm talking to you about commitment and whatever he's just wanting to get back together for a fling or whatever - "

"Brooke, I don't think Lucas has ever just wanted a fling with you. I know him, okay? And I know how he feels about you. He wants this too."

"But what if he's not ready yet? He may want this, but the actual reality of being together again after so long is pretty huge. He might be okay with just keeping things as they are for a while."

"Are you talking about him or you?"

Brooke hesitated. "Him. I know I want this." She paused, and then said quietly. "It's just a little scary, you know?"

Haley smiled and sighed. "Yeah, I know. I wish I was over there so we could have this conversation properly…we need some hot chocolate or something…"

Brooke giggled. "How about we put it on hold then. I need to think about some stuff anyway."

"Seems like you've been turning into quite the brooder lately," Haley said, chuckling.

"Oh god I know. I think he's really starting to rub off on me!"

"Okay, well I'll talk to you again soon then."

"Yeah, okay. Bye Hales."

"Bye Tigger."

Brooke put the phone down and lay back on her bed, smiling to herself. She missed Haley; she always seemed to make her feel better about anything she was worrying about.

She chewed her lip as she thought about everything she'd said. You really love him don't you?…

Maybe Haley was right, maybe it really was just that simple…

So I hope you all enjoyed that, Please review! I thought it was time we had a little Nathan and Haley, even though it was brief. Jake and Peyton will be making an appearance pretty soon, maybe even next chapter…

Also, if you don't watch ER, sorry about the random references in the middle there!