Author's Note: The new pictures have been posted so if you would like to see them, click on my pen name, "gooseles" and click the link for my homepage. I just added the newest 6 photos to the existing album. I added landmarks and location shots and the cast photos I am allowed to post for the time being. I have two of Vaughn Wilson, who plays Fergie. I was introduced to him and he is an absolute sweetheart. And my friend introduced me to Mr. Barry Corbin and it was pretty surreal but wonderful to sit in a bar, have drinks with and play trivia with "Whitey", which by the way out of the 5 or so games everybody played, I only won one and he won like 4 so if you ever get the chance, I dare you to challenge him, lol! The man knows EVERYTHING! But he is so nice and so chill and he kept calling me "darlin'" and afterwards was nice enough to take a picture with me. So I just wanted to share my experience and newest pics. Hope you guys enjoy along with the chapter update!

Nathan sighed as he watched Haley kneeling by the couch. She protectively hovered over a passed out Lucas, talking softly and gingerly wiping his head with a damp towel. He hadn't been surprised when his stepmother had called him at work. From the moment Nathan had learned of Brooke's secrets, he had known what it would do to Lucas. It would destroy him. All the changes, all the goodness would simply fly right out the window and give way to old habits of 24 hour drinking binges and violent mood swings. Yes, Nathan had called it almost immediately and sadly their worst fears were soon realized.

Brooke had promised to come by. She said she and Lucas would talk. But her promises had turned out to be empty. She resorted back to hiding, something apparently she did best. And Lucas had waited hopefully and dutifully, literally watching the door knowing the next movement or footstep would be hers. But they weren't. Seconds turned into minutes which turned into hours which eventually turned into days. Still there was no word or sign from Brooke. It was as if she had disappeared as quickly and mysteriously as she had come into their lives. All the waiting, all the not knowing, all the thoughts of Killian and Brooke's secret past were too much. As expected, like anyone in his position, Lucas Scott had cracked.

Karen hadn't known what to do so she had called Nathan and just like in so many other times of need, the younger brother had come running. He drove to the banks as fast as he could and picked up a vomit covered, belligerent Lucas. Nathan tried to ignore the pain and desperation in Karen's eyes as they drove away. By the time the brothers reached the townhouse, Lucas had long passed out and was dead weight. Somehow Nathan managed to load him inside, all the while fearing Haley's reaction. She didn't have to say anything, as the sad look on her pretty face said it all. Instead she just shook her head and helped Nathan wash Lucas' face and remove his shoes.

Hours had passed and ever so often Haley was at her ex husband's side to check his status. Nathan did not feel jealousy. Instead he was filled with warmth and pride. He had a wonderful and extremely caring girlfriend. Despite all the pain that Lucas had once caused her, she managed to put ill will aside and tend to his needs.

"He'll be okay…eventually", Nathan sighed. "He just needs to sleep it off."

Haley gave him a tired smile.

"I know. Trust me, this was the view I got to see most of the time we were married so I am way used to it."

"Sorry", he stroked her cheek.

"It's not your fault, babe. I guess it isn't his either. He's just being Luke, I suppose. He can't really help himself. So that's what I do. I sit and worry and wait. I like to stay close to make sure he's still breathing. The boy can drink. I swear if I had like a third of what he can put away in one night, I'd be face down in a ditch somewhere dead of alcohol poisoning."

"I know."

"He'll be alright."

Nathan raised an eyebrow.

"This time? I don't know, Hales. For the first time I'm not so sure. This thing with Brooke really did a number on him."

"He'll be okay. She just needs to get her thoughts together. Brooke will come back and somehow fix all this."

"You know something I don't know?"

Haley shook her head.

"No."

"Then how can you say that?"

She shrugged.

"I just know. I feel it. I know Brooke and sometimes you just have to have faith and hope when there's not much else left to cling to."

Nathan shook his head. He was glad Haley was still hanging on to something. Perhaps she could "hang" for the both of them as his patience was wearing thinner and thinner. He liked Brooke. She was great and they had always gotten along. He had tried hard to understand her situation but her latest actions weren't making it any easier. Sure Lucas could be a tool and sometimes Nathan just wanted to smack him but he didn't deserve what was happening to him. No one did.

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.
You make me happy when skies are gray.
You'll never know dear, how much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away."

Nathan and Haley both exchanged glances.

"Here we go", Nathan shook his head with a deep sigh. "The dead has arisen."

The couple walked back over to the couch.

"Can you hear me, Luke?" she asked.

He opened his eyes and slowly nodded.

"Yeah."

"Why is it you always sing that song when you're drunk?"

"I'm not drunk anymore…just really hungover."

"Do you know where you are?"

"No."

"Do you know how you got here?"

"No."

"Do you even care?" Nathan folded his arms.

"No", Lucas answered, not missing a beat.

Haley helped him sit up.

"You were drunk and we brought you over to our place to sleep it off. Do you feel sick to your stomach or anything?"

Lucas put his head in his hands.

"I do but it doesn't have shit to do with how much I drank", he said. "Besides, I remember throwing up already."

She nodded and patted him on the back.

"I'm gonna go make coffee so you can sober up. It'll make you feel better."

She stood to leave and Nathan took her place.

"How'd you find me by the banks, bro?" Lucas asked.

"Your mom called me."

The older brother rubbed his aching temple.

"Oh yeah, she was there."

"She was worried about you, man."

"Whatever", Lucas rolled his eyes.

"She was. I could tell."

"That's a lie. She was just there to ease her own guilty conscience."

"She just doesn't want to see anything bad happen to you and neither do I."

Lucas smirked.

"Worse than what's already happened?"

Ah, the touchy and sensitive subject of "she who could not be named".

"Yeah. Um, about that…"

Lucas hung his head.

"She didn't come by, man. She hasn't called either. Nothing."

"I know."

"Have you heard from her, dude?"

Nathan sadly shook his head.

"I'm sorry."

Lucas nodded and bit his lip as he tried to focus on anything other than the pounding in his head.

"I still can't believe it."

"Me either."

"She's gone. She's not coming back, Nate."

Nathan didn't know what to say.

"You don't know that."

"Mom said I can't let her go. Do you believe that shit? She says I have to stand up and fight for Brooke."

"Maybe you should."

"I did."

"And because things didn't go your way, you just gave up?"

"Don't do it, man. Look, I know what you're trying to do and I appreciate it. It's like the Rocky 'Eye of the Tiger' pep talk."

"Luke…"

"I'm tired of fighting. I shouldn't have to, should I? Love isn't supposed to be like this. It's not supposed to hurt like this. Why can't things be simple? We were so happy, Nate. I love her and I know she loves me. I shouldn't have to beg her or advertise myself to her or challenge that douche bag Killian to a dual. All she has to do is close her eyes and think back to every time we made love or hung out at the River Court or took long drives in the country…all she has to is be honest about what we have and that should be enough."

Nathan nodded. It was the most sense his brother had made in a long time. If only life were that black and white.

"It should be."

"Yeah…it should."

"So what are you going to do now?"

Lucas shrugged.

"I have no idea."

"No more of this crap", Nathan warned. "Seriously, dude. You've got to lay off the bottle."

"I know."

"And…well, you might want to rethink your position on the whole Brooke thing."

"Nate…"

"I never gave up on, Hales. I never stopped loving her or wanting her. Today, we, I am happier than anybody could imagine. It was all worth it. She's worth it, Luke. That's what you have to think about. Make sure the fox is worth the chase."

"She is", Lucas answered softly.

"I know she is. Find her, man. Let her know you're not giving up so easily. And don't worry about your pride. It's more important stuff than that and remember one more thing", he said, smiling over at Haley who fumbled about in the kitchen. "Anything worth having is definitely worth fighting for."