Brooke sighed as she pulled the warm blanket closer to her small body. It was late, well after midnight as she found herself on Deb's front porch staring up at a dark sky speckled with stars. She couldn't remember when or if ever she had seen the sky so black. But then again, Brooke had never really taken the time to actually look at it. Now she had nothing but time on her hands. Time to appreciate the little things she had never appreciated before…like the colors of the sky. And time to figure out what she was going to do with her life. She had been thinking and thinking about what she had left, where she was, and where she was possibly headed. Still it was too much. And it seemed like the more thought she put into the situation, the further away from some kind of resolution she was. Indeed she was a woman with a past, floating about in an uncertain present. From the moment she had been born, her future had been mapped out for her. That's just the way it was with people like her. Rich people, society girls. But the perfect picture had been crossed out and in its place was nothing but darkness. Brooke took a deep breath as she it seemed that moment the black sky was a metaphor for where her life was going.

Headlights peered around the corner into the narrow paved drive. She recognized Deb's car instantly and watched as the older blonde took her time getting out. Tossing a thin jacket over her shoulders, she quickened her pace to the walk way after stopping at the mailbox.

"Brooke!" she gasped, putting a hand over her chest as she tried to catch her breath.

"Hey."

"Oh God, you scared the crap out of me."

"Sorry."

Deb gave her a warm smile as she pulled up a chair.

"It's okay", she shrugged. "Now what are you doing out here sitting in the dark all by yourself?"

Brooke shook her head.

"I don't know. Just thinking, I guess."

"Nothing wrong with taking a little time to clear your head."

"It's nice out here. You know, I never had a porch."

"Really?" Deb questioned casually.

Brooke didn't speak much about her past or where she had come from or why she had left and Deb didn't want to be the one to push her on it. But along with the mystery, there was something very endearing and almost warm about the pretty, young brunette. Deb had already lent more than a helping hand by providing her a job and a place to live but she was willing to be more. Whatever Brooke needed, even if it was just an ear to listen to her troubles.

"Nah. But I read about them. You know, little country houses with porches where people sit out and sip lemonade and iced tea."

Deb smiled.

"I suppose that is the way most non Southerners view the South."

"Yeah that and lots of pigs and horses and cows and whatever else was on Old McDonald's farm", Brooke grinned, playfully rolling her eyes.

"Sorry to disappoint about the lack of wildlife but you won't see too much of that along the coast."

"It's cool, I guess. Just different from what I'm used to."

Deb nodded.

"So, um, do you think you'll stick around long? Here in Tree Hill, I mean."

Brooke looked at her surroundings.

"I don't know", she replied honestly. "Really, I don't even know."

"I see."

"Is that a bad thing?" she asked quickly.

"Oh no", Deb shook her head. "It's just that I understand, actually. Where you are now…well, I was there once too."

Brooke chuckled softly to herself.

"Is that right?"

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing", Brooke said, her beautiful smile fading. "It's just that you say you were where I am now and it's funny because…well, I don't even know where I am now."

"Are you scared? A little lonely? Confused, maybe? You want to start over so bad but it's hard to get where you're going because you can't escape what you left behind?"

A chill ran down Brooke's back.

"Well…yeah."

Deb smiled.

"Trust me. I've been there."

"I see. It's kind of freaky. It's like you read my mind word for word. But I guess you do know some of what I'm feeling. I mean, that stuff you told me about your parents disowning you when you got pregnant. That must have been pretty hard for you, huh?"

"It was."

"And your boyfriend totally dissing you and turning his back on you? So not cool. Men can be such jerks sometimes", Brooke huffed.

"That they can", Deb mused, sitting in the old rocking chair.

"That was Lucas' father, right?"

"Yeah. Dan."

"I'm not surprised the guy would be a jerk. And it looks like the apple didn't fall too far from the tree."

Deb smiled as she studied Brooke's pouty scowl.

"He's not that bad."

"He is obnoxious and rude and cocky and stop me at any time because I could go on and on and on."

"He kind of comes off that way but Lucas has changed a lot for the better. Deep down, he's a good kid, a good person. He's just a little rough around the edges, so to speak. I think he's still trying to find himself, figure stuff out. And just like all of us, he's running away from things in his past. But it's not that easy, Brooke. Considering the influence of his family, especially his father and grandfather, I'd say he turned out pretty okay. He's not perfect. None of us are but he's trying and it's a constant battle."

Brooke thought about everything Deb had just said but dismissed it with a roll of her eyes.

"I still don't like him", she muttered.

Deb laughed out loud.

"That's you prerogative. You two don't have to like each other, just try to respect each other's space."

"I will", Brooke sighed.

"Good. Thank you. Now are you going to come inside or do you want to sit out for a while longer?"

Brooke was comfortable and somewhat relaxed.

"If it's okay, I just might hang out here for a few more minutes."

Deb stood and rubbed her shoulder.

"Whatever you want, honey. You remind me of my son. Nathan used to sit out here in that very chair you're on and bounce his basketball for hours."

Brooke nodded.

"You going to bed?"

Deb shrugged.

"In a few."

Brooke smiled to herself. That woman had to be the hardest working woman in Tree Hill, maybe in the world. She was up at the crack of dawn, off to the Den and on her feet until late at night. It was an everyday thing and Brooke had no idea how she did it.

"Well, good night", she said softly. "I'll be in soon."

"Night", Deb called out, already in the house.

Brooke adjusted her blanket and tucked her feet underneath her. She propped her head on her hand and closed her eyes, just enjoying the cool breeze blowing in from off the River located just a few miles away. She loved the peace and the quiet and resting her eyes quickly turned into a full fledged light slumber. Brooke dozed for a few minutes, blissfully unaware of the headlights heading towards the house. She was unaware of the tall blonde man who, reeking of beer, stumbled out of the driver's side door of the F-150 pick up truck.

Lucas walked down the street and stumbled onto the walk. He made his way up the stairs forgetting about the last one, which caused him to take a tumble onto the porch. He landed with a thud right at the foot of Brooke Davis. She jumped and let out a small scream.

"Sorry", he slurred, slowly and clumsily rising to his feet, using her chair as necessary leverage to pull up on.

"What are you doing?" she clutched the blanket closer.

"Just trying to get in the house", he scratched his head. "Damn, has that top step always been there?"

Brooke made a face.

"Uh…yeah", she stated sarcastically.

"Oh. Okay", he shrugged. "Well, you have a good night, ma'am. And don't call the cops on me."

She rolled her eyes as he put his hands up and continued staggering into the house. A few feet away in the kitchen stood Deb.

"Rough night?" she folded her arms.

Lucas winced.

"Deb, uh, hi. Did I…did I wake you up?"

She shook her head.

"No. Have you been drinking Lucas?"

"I…"

She gave him a knowing look.

"Luke…"

"Just a little bit", he shrugged, using the tips of is index and thumb for emphasis.

Deb shook her head.

"Did you drive here?"

"I'm not drunk."

"Lucas, I can smell it on you."

He sighed. Busted.

"Sorry. I…"

"Don't explain. Lucas, no drinking and driving. You know better than that. You could hurt yourself or someone else. Promise me no more."

"Deb…"

"No excuses. No more. Next time, you catch a cab or a ride with Tim or you call me. Understand?"

"Yeah", he said, defeated. "You're right. I'm an ass. I'm sorry."

Her expression softened as she poured him a cup of fresh coffee. Lucas gratefully accepted it, the strong aroma from the beans already starting to sober him up.

"Sip that. You'll feel better."

"You're a lifesaver. How did you know I'd need that?"

"I'm a mother", she shrugged. "I know everything."

She pulled out another mug and filled it with hot cocoa and marshmallows.

"Is that for you?"

She shook her head.

"For Brooke."

Lucas frowned, fighting the first signs of the hangover headache that was sure to come.

"What's her deal anyway? Have you found out anymore about where she's from?"

"No."

"And that doesn't bother you?"

Deb shrugged.

"No."

"What if she's crazy? Or a serial killer? She might be taking advantage of you. Deb, you can't just open your home to strangers."

She smiled as she put an arm around him.

"The world is made up of plenty of 'what ifs', honey. But I have a feeling about this one. She's a good girl, just a little lost. She'll be okay. And when she's ready to open up, if that ever happens, then I'll be here. And as far as opening my doors…well, I can't help that, Lucas. Just like I can't help sometimes opening up my heart. But I did that for you and that didn't turn out so bad, now did it?"

He knew she was right but he couldn't give in. Instead he gave her a sly smile as he stood to go to the bedroom.

"I still don't like her. She's a spoiled little brat", he mumbled.

"Good night, you", she whispered.

He watched as she took the steaming mug out the front door. She was a woman with a heart of gold, the woman he had often wished was his mother. Closing his eyes, he managed a small smile before crawling into the rumpled bed covers and passing out.

"Night, Deb", he called out.