TITLE: Back to You

AUTHOR: Dayz Sollers

SUMMARY: Post season 2 finale. As Brooke, Nathan and Jake come back from their summers away from Tree Hill, the group has to face the trials and tribulations of their senior year of high school, and find out what is really important to them. Mostly B/L but it will take a while. Be patient, it will get there. I promise. P/J and N/H also. Feedback wanted! Please R&R

Disclaimer: Don't own One Tree Hill, too bad for me.

Rating: PG13-maybe to an R later on
Category: Romance/Drama

Kelz3192: Thanks for the review- glad to know you're still reading after what happened last chapter. Well, in the next few chapters there will be a revelation as to who he slept with. For right now though- my lips are sealed... and my fingers won't do the typing lol :-D

Animefanatic36: well hmm... First glad you liked the story and as far as Brooke and the teacher...in her defense she doesn't realize he's a teacher yet! And when she does...well she's Brooke :-)

8604Rocks: glad you're enjoying the story

FreeFalling08: Hmm...you're not gonna like it? Why is that? Just remember, people that are supposed to be together, always find their ways back. So...you just have to wait and see :-)

KaraokeDiva419: Yes, there will be plenty of Nathan/Brooke friendship along with some Haley/Lucas friendship. And I've written Brooke that way on purpose, by herself she has always been a very strong person. Very oppininated and honest. But with Lucas its a constant battle and she's always finding herself hurt by him, or the things she thinks he has done. Glad you're liking the story so far and I love getting your reviews :-)

CutieRay: here it is :-D

Chapter Nine- Shot at a New Life

Peyton made her way outside with her tray of food and sat down beside Haley. "Hey Hales," Peyton said as Haley looked up from her own plate to greet Peyton. In the distance Peyton could see Lucas, Jake, and Nathan standing against a building deep in conversation. As if Jake could sense her, he looked up and caught her eye. Jake mouthed I love you to her, and Peyton could feel herself begin to blush.

"Hey Peyton. You're all red. What's up?" Haley questioned, but her eyes followed Peyton's and instantly she knew what was wrong with her friend. "Uh oh. I know that look. That's the love look! Peyton Sawyer is in love!"

Peyton broke the stare between her and Jake and grabbed Haley's bag of chips. "Yeah yeah. Like you're one to talk. Mrs. I only dated Nathan Scott for a few months before I married him." Even as the words escaped her mouth, she instantly regretted them. "Hales…"

Haley rolled her eyes. "It's okay Peyton. I understand. I wasn't saying it was a bad thing. I am glad you're in love, and that you're happy," Haley said sincerely. "All I want is for you all to be happy."

"Okay. I get it. You want us happy. But what about you Haley? You deserve to be happy too," Peyton said as she took a bite into her sandwich. Haley nodded her head, and watched as Nathan took a sip from his soda. "What's going on with the two of you?"

The truth was, even Haley didn't know. She had spent the weekend with her parents, purposely trying to avoid him. Not that she needed to, because he hadn't even called her once. She sighed, realizing to him it was probably just sex. "Nothing. Just waiting for the annulment," Haley said, looking away from Nathan and back to Peyton. "We're over Peyton. For good."

"Hey P. Sawyer, Tutor Wife," Brooke said as she sat down next to them at the table. She took out her lip gloss from her purse, and applied more. "What's the latest gossip? Okay I'll tell you! I met someone. And he is such a hottie," Brooke giggled.

Haley shook her head, obviously annoyed by Brooke. Brooke had come home from California, with the intention of working things out with Lucas. Less than three days later she had already found someone new? A part of her felt bad for Brooke, but she couldn't help but notice the sad look on Lucas' face. She tried to tell herself he brought this to him, but Haley knew they both were at fault. Brooke should have told him how she felt before she left. And she hadn't. So her best friend had been stupid. He had messed up royally once again, and this time there would be no second chance.

"Tutor Wife did you hear me? His name is Sean Adams, he's gorgeous. I wonder if he's good in bed."

Peyton shifted uncomfortably. "I have to go," she said as she stood up and hastily made an exit. She couldn't take it as Brooke covered up her feelings once more. Brooke had a habit of becoming cold and distant when her heart was breaking, and Peyton knew it was about Lucas.

The two girls sat there in confusion, as they watched Peyton's body retreat towards the guys. "Guess its off to the eraser room for Peyton and Jake," Haley said smiling slightly. Brooke shook her head no, and pointed.

"Peyton and Lucas it looks like."

They wouldn't say it, but silently they both prayed that it hadn't been Peyton that Lucas had been with over the summer. Haley knew that Brooke and Peyton's friendship wouldn't survive it, and she also knew that if that had been the case that Lucas would be dead. Because she'd kill him.

"Whatever. Off to find Sean Adams. See ya tutor girl," Brooke got up and left Haley sitting there in bewilderment. She decided that was the last time she would go to Tim's house. Party or not, nothing good came out of it. Haley shifted in her seat, realizing something good had come from it. As she shut her eyes, she remembered Nathan's lips on her body once more.

Haley groaned self-consciously, trying to get the image of a naked Nathan from her mind. It wasn't the first time she had thought about it since the incident. In fact it was becoming a regular thought in her mind. It annoyed her, that after everything they had been through together that sex would be what she was thinking about. She was about to get up, when a familiar voice spoke up.

"Mind if I sit down?"

……

Peyton hadn't let go of Lucas's arm until they were out of sight from their friends. She shut the door to the janitors closet behind them, and crossed her arms. "I take it you went against what I said and told her?" Peyton shook her head in annoyance.

Lucas nodded. "I'm not lying to her Peyton. I can't start a relationship based on a lie. She deserved to know," he said in his defense.

Peyton sighed. A part of her knew he was right, but she hated seeing Brooke the way she was. "Even if that means you lose her? Because Lucas guess what? That's what is going to happen. Even as we speak she's out there finding someone else. And Felix is back! Felix. You know how he is."

Lucas shrugged.

"She won't go out with Felix, you and I both know that. She hates him for what he did to you."

"Yeah well that was before this. Before she found out about what you did this summer," Peyton sighed once more and leaned against the door. "She's going to hate me Lucas."

"Not as much as she hates me."

Lucas tried to make the situation easier for her. Noticing the look on her face, he knew that was going to be impossible. Peyton shifted and put her hand on the doorknob. As she opened the door slightly, she turned back to face him.

"I'm going to tell her Lucas. Maybe if I tell her, she'll understand."

And with that, Peyton turned her back to him and left the closet. The two of them both knew, as she walked away that Brooke wouldn't understand. She would feel once again betrayed by the two people who she loved most. Lucas exited the closet as well, and he couldn't help but notice two freshman in the distance looking at him. The taller one whispered something into the other girls ear, and they both broke out into a fit of giggles. Lucas groaned, knowing that once again him, Peyton and Brooke would be the center of gossip.

……

Brooke snuck down the hall, and headed towards the room that read "teacher's room." She peaked her head inside the door, taking notice that no one was in, and slipped inside. As she sat her purse down, she made her way to the closet that had "files" written on it.

Brooke opened the cabinet that carried the A's knowing what she was doing was wrong. And that she could quite possibly get into a lot of trouble for it. But she needed a distraction from what was going on with Lucas. And Sean Adam's seemed like the perfect plan. As she fingered her way through the A's, she couldn't help but notice that his file wasn't there. It went from Rebecca Adam's, right to Thomas Adam's. She wondered to herself silently if the new students files hadn't been put away, and she decided there was only one way to find out.

Brooke sat down at the computer desk and turned the monitor on. As it loaded, she distracted herself by shifting through the papers that sat beside her. She noticed Nathan's file and peeked inside. It was full of his records and the peer councilors thoughts on him. Her eyes darted through the pages and rested on the final statement written by the councilor.

Seems much happier now that he's emancipated and married to Haley James.

Brooke smiled slightly, her heart breaking a bit for her friend. Over a year ago, she had tried to break the couple up, and now here they were. Filing for an annulment. She had never really thought their marriage would survive, but as it was falling apart she saw what no one else had seen. Two people, who loved each other more than words would ever begin to describe. And life, constantly changing life that would never let people have peace. Marriage's had a hard time surviving through adulthood, let alone the troubles that teenagers face.

She hadn't ever told anyone that Nathan and Haley was the reason she had believed in love. And with their marriage crumbling in front of her eyes, she too began to believe that love was impossible. It had been impossible for Nathan and Haley, and it had definitely been impossible for Lucas and her. Her thoughts were interrupted by the door opening. She didn't have enough time to move as the person flipped on the light switch.

"Brooke!"

"Nathan- what are you doing here?" Brooke asked, pushing past Nathan. He looked at her, his eyes questioning hers the same thing. She picked up her purse, and turned to face him. "I was uhh…doing research. There's a new student in town and I wanted to do something special for him. You know me, class president."

Nathan rolled her eyes, and she knew he didn't believe her. As she opened the door, she could see teachers coming around the corner. "Shit! What are we gonna do?" Nathan placed his hands over her mouth as she squealed. The last thing she needed was to be caught.

"You trust me?" Brooke looked up at him, her heart beating violently against her chest as she nodded her head. "Follow my lead." Nathan grabbed her by the hand, and opened the door.

The teachers stopped in their tracks and stared at the two students. "What were you two doing in there?" The elderly teacher said, pointing to the teachers room. Nathan looked over his shoulder at Brooke, and wrapped his left arm around her shoulder.

"Mrs. Willis, I was on my way to the gym when I noticed Brooke leaning against the locker. She looked like she was passing out, so I brought her inside to sit her on the couch," Nathan said, as Brooke nodded her head, going along with his story. She shut her eyes, and prayed that they believed him. The teachers looked at each other, and then back to Brooke.

"Are you alright Mrs. Davis?" The male teacher asked as Brooke nodded her head slowly.

"I think not eating has taken its toll on you Brooke. Make sure you start eating you here me? And Nathan, you take care of her okay?" Nathan nodded as the teachers walked off, and Brooke looked at him.

"I eat."

Brooke rolled her eyes, and Nathan found himself chuckling at her. "Sure you do Brooke," Nathan said, joking with her. "Are you gonna tell me the real reason you were in there or what?"

Brooke grinned up at him. "Or what." She leaned up to kiss him on his cheek, and walked away. Before she was out of his sight, she turned around and mouthed thank you. He nodded his head, and continued down the hall to the gym.

……

Several hours later Brooke arrived home and took a shower. The first day back at tree hill hadn't gone to bad. The girls had all arrived for cheerleading practice, and Brooke managed to have a few classes with them. There was even a new guy at her school Brooke was interested in. Still, being back home did have its disadvantages for her. One being Felix, the other being Lucas.

As she sat on the bed, mindlessly pulling a brush through her brown hair, there was a knock on her door. "Come in," she said. She didn't look up at Lucas entered the room and leaned against her desk. "Hi Lucas."

He looked at her, aware that since she had been back from California she had only called him Broody, and no once again he was back to being Lucas. He wondered silently if there was something he could do, something to make it up to her. But she seemed so distant, so far gone.

"I was just coming to say hi. You're okay?"

Brooke raised an eyebrow, annoyed by his question. She bit back a sarcastic remark, and smiled.

"I'm fine. Great even. New boy toy, new cheers, new life."

She stared him straight in the eye, and held his gaze. Brooke wanted to hurt him, she wanted him to know what it felt like to have your heart broken. But when she saw the look on his face, the hurt in his eyes, her smile dropped. She remembered the saying revenge is sweet, but as she looked up at Lucas, she too fought back tears.

"Good. All I've ever wanted was you to be happy."

Brooke nodded in agreement.

"Good- glad we're both on the same page. You want me happy, I want me happy. Anything else?"

Lucas shook his head no, and began to get up. He looked at her one last time, and sighed. "So, you're boy toy… who is he?" He watched her face, a smile appearing on her face. He prayed silently that it wouldn't be Felix, he didn't want to see Brooke hurt.

"Not that it matters. But his name is Sean. Sean Adams."

Lucas let out a sigh of relief, and shook his head. As long as it wasn't Felix, Lucas knew he could deal. But the truth was, he didn't want Brooke with anyone that wasn't him. But as he looked at her, the pain evident on her face he knew that wouldn't happen anytime soon.

"I'm going to go to the river court. See you later."

Lucas didn't wait for her to respond, just exited the room, and then the house. Brooke sat there for a few minutes, her hands fingering through her damp hair. The smile fell from her face as she through herself back against the bed and shut her eyes. She wondered why he had a power over her, why every time they talked she wanted to cry. And as her eyes opened, she knew why.

……

Lucas dribbled the basketball and shoot the ball through the hoop. As the ball fell to the ground and rolled past him, he heard a girls voice. "Nice shot." He turned, and came face to face with a red head. She was about an inch or so shorter than him, her red hair pulled into a pony tail and she was wearing a emerald green jumpsuit. She grabbed the ball and through it into the hoop.

He smiled at her, impressed that she knew how to play. "Lucas," he said, taking his hand and placing it out for her to shake. She rolled her eyes, and through the basketball once more into the hoop.

"Did I ask?"

She laughed, and reached for his hand. "Just kidding. I'm Alexis. It's nice to meet you Lucas," she said as she shook it. He nodded, and then motioned for his ball. Once it was in his hands, he ran and shot it again into the hoop. He turned to face her, cocky that he had once again scored. After a few minutes of switching back and fourth, Lucas turned to the girl and smiled.

"You go to school around here?"

She shook her head yes, and sighed. "Unfortunately. I go to the college at Duke," she said. "You?"

"Tree Hill High."

Alexis laughed, and then shook her head. "My little brother goes there. He's a junior."

"Senior."

Alexis shook her head in approval.

"Good. Well I'm gonna get going. I'll see you around?"

He nodded his head, and turned back to face the basket. He through another shot and smiled as it entered. Brooke might be mad at him, but at least he still had basketball.

tbc...

A/N: Okay. I know you all are probably upset b/c of the P/L scene. All I can say is all is not what it seems. this is a B/L story! Love it? Hate it? R&R I love hearing your opinions :-)

Next:

- Jake confronts Lucas

- Brooke sees Sean Adams at Karen's Cafe

- Haley is once again forced to tutor Nathan

- Lucas gets into a fight with Felix about Brooke

- Alexis gets hired at Tric