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

Chapter Ten- Not What it Seems

……

Forty one.

Forty two.

Forty three.

Lucas counted as he did his sit ups. As he got to forty four the door opened and Jake peeked inside. "Can I talk with you a minute?" Jake asked, as Lucas stood up and shook his head yes. He made his way to the weight bench, and began lifting. "What were you and Peyton talking about today?"

Lucas stopped, putting the weight down on the floor beside him. He looked at Jake and shook his head. "It's not what you think," Lucas said but Jake cut him off.

"Good cause it looked like you went into the eraser room with my girlfriend."

Lucas began to say something, but shut his mouth. "Look Jake. Things happened over the summer that I am not too proud of. Now I am not going to sit here and feel guilty over talking to your girlfriend."

Jake paced back and fourth in front of Lucas deciding what to say next. He hadn't really come there to fight, he had just wanted to hear from Lucas the truth. Some of the girls from the cheerleading squad had asked him if he knew about Lucas and Peyton. And the look on Lucas' face confirmed his worse fears. "You were with her," Jake said. He meant it to come out as a question, but as he said the words they slipped from his tongue as an accusation. A statement. A fact.

Lucas chuckled, he felt oddly use to everyone's accusations. He had messed up once with Peyton, and he was branded an idiot. Now, over a year later they were still accusing him of being one. "You think I'd do that to Brooke? That Peyton would do that to her?"

For a moment, Jake felt guilty. Lucas had been one of his closest friends, and Peyton was his girlfriend. He wanted to think that he could trust both of them. But then, his mind wandered to a time not too long ago that he had watched Brooke from a far deal with a broken heart.

"You did it before."

Lucas nodded his head. He knew Jake was right. He had done it before, that's why it was killing him now. The whole school would soon think they knew what had gone on over the summer. Jake already knew, and then it hit him. Brooke probably found out too. He walked towards the door and turned to face Jake once more.

"I wouldn't do that to you man. Or to Brooke, not again." He shut the door, and began to walk to his car. Jake stood there for a few minutes, his heart racing and his temper calming down. It hadn't been Peyton that Lucas had slept with. Then what was wrong with Peyton? He knew he had to find her.

……

Nathan walked towards the tutor center and cringed as he peeked inside. He knew that Haley would be there, and that nine out of ten she would be the one that had to tutor him. "This fucking sucks," he mumbled under his breathe as he entered the room.

Sure enough Haley was sitting at the first desk, her back towards him. "I guess it's just you and me again," Nathan said, as she turned around slowly. She looked around the room, hoping someone else could take her place. He placed his books n the desk, and sighed. "Thank Whitey. It was one of the agreements so that I could go to High Flyers."

Haley moved uncomfortably in her seat, and smiled slightly. "Well I did it once, I can do it again right?" She smiled, and opened up a notepad. Taking a pencil she wrote down a list of books for him to find, and begin to read. He watched her, his eyes never leaving her face as she scribbled on the piece of paper. When she was done, she ripped it from the spiral pad and handed it to him. "I'll see you tomorrow. After basketball class, you be here or you find someone else. And this time, I won't change my mind."

Nathan could tell by the look on Haley's face that she was serious. Hell she was always serious when it came to school and grades. That was one of the many reasons he had fallen in love with her, the passion she had for teaching and the ability to make someone care. Even he had cared.

His mind drifted to a happier time, at the beginning when they were falling in love. She had always made him containers of stuff he would need before an exam. Inside he would find anything from pencils, erasers, notes gum…the boxes would be different each time. If he had spent the nights before studying, sometimes she would put a snack in the box as well. And right after they had gotten married, she would put the chocolate chip cookies they would make together in it as well.

Had it been that long ago that the two had seemed happy? The two would walk down the halls, ignoring the looks of the envious cheerleaders. Haley James and Nathan Scott had made the perfect match. To the outside world their union was something that no one had understood. A tutor with amazing talent falling for the no good basketball star? But to the two of them, it had been amazing.

As he grabbed up his things, he gave her once last glance and said goodbye. They'd been doing a lot of that the last couple of months. She watched him leave, her eyes brimming with tears that wouldn't fall until he was out of sight. Nathan shut the door behind him, and leaned against its frame.

Tree Hill high was emptying for the day as Nathan reached his locker. The busyness of the halls had disappeared and Nathan could only assume there were limited students still left on campus.

3

23

3

Nathan moved the dial to his lock and pulled it open. He placed his bag in it, and a sleeve of pictures caught his eye. They were of Haley and him, taken on one of their first dates. As he looked at them, he could see the happiness he use to have, and it haunted him. Angrily, he tore the picture from the locker and threw it on the ground. He slammed his fist into the locker on his right side, and kicked his own.

"You can throw the picture away but you can't change what's in your heart," Brooke said making her way towards him. She stood for a moment, watching him and then bent down to pick up the picture. "It's okay to admit you still love her Nate."

Nathan groaned. He was in no mood to put up with Brooke and her ridiculous accusations. Of course he still loved her. He had married her for shit sake. But it wasn't as simple as everyone tried to think it was. She had left him, and he had filed for an annulment. Nothing could change that.

"Right after you admit you still love Lucas."

Nathan bit back. Brooke frowned, and Nathan shrugged his shoulders. Everyone had their limits, Nathan had no intention to sit around and get advice from anyone. "I gotta go. My mom wanted me to stop by Karen's to talk," Nathan said as he shut his locker. Brooke handed him the pictures and he slid them into his book. "See ya," he muttered as he began to walk away. Brooke waited a few moments and gave in.

"Nathan wait. Look- truce okay? You don't talk about Lucas, I wont talk about Haley. Deal?"

Nathan nodded his head, he raised an eyebrow and turned to face her.

"So we're what? Friends now?"'

Brooke paused, thinking to herself. "Yeah I guess we are," she said bumping into him. He smiled down at her genuinely. "But not with benefits." Her smile mirrored his.

"Well can two friends get coffee together?"

She nodded their head and the two new found friends headed down the school hall to Karen's Café. The drive there was spent in silence, neither one wanting to push the others buttons. 'The cheerleader and the basketball star,' Nathan thought to himself. That was a better match. But the look on her face, as well as what was on his told a different story.

By the time they got to Karen's Café, Brooke and Nathan both were starved. Nathan pulled out a chair for Brooke and she sat down smiling. "That was nice Nate. Very polite. Someone's trained you well," she giggled. Nathan rolled his eyes and sat across from her.

The two flipped through the menu, and closed it back up. Brooke started to laugh and took a sip of the water Jake had brought them. "Don't you think it's funny, we're here all the time and we still open the menu?" Nathan nodded his head in agreement.

"And we'll probably wind up getting the same thing we always get."

Brooke shook her head no. "I'm going to be daring. Tuna melt for me," Brooke said as a waitress once again appeared at their table. Brooke's attention shifted to the counter. Her mouth opened. "I'll be right back." Nathan watched her, and shook his head in disapproval.

"Who's that?"

Nathan knew how the girls at Tree Hill High were, a piece of gossip was like winning the state championship to them. He turned to look at the girl and sighed. He hoped Brooke knew what she was getting herself into. "A friend of Brooke's I guess," Nathan said. The girl looked him over and turned back to Nathan.

"So that means she heard about Lucas and Peyton."

Nathan hadn't been paying attention, but at the mention of his brother his eyes shot up. "What about them?" Nathan's voice was dripping with anger. He had known by the expression on Brooke's face that the reason she had been upset was about Lucas. But he had never even thought it was about Peyton as well.

"It's all over school, didn't you hear? They were seen sneaking out of the eraser room together. I thought you'd know. I saw Jake and Lucas talking earlier. It got heated," the girl smiled. "So now that Brooke's moving on, is Lucas too?"

Nathan groaned. "I really wouldn't know. Ask him."

……

"Hi again."

Brooke leaned over the guy's shoulder and whispered in his ear. He turned and smiled.

"Brooke right?"

"Good memory."

Brooke moved her eyes up and down the man and grinned. He was wearing jeans and a white dress shirt. There were papers in front of him, and a pen in his hands. "Homework?" Brooke asked, sitting down beside him and leaning her head against her hand.

"Kind of," Sean said as he looked at her. "Do you work here?"

Brooke shook her head no, and smiled. He seemed interested in her, and that was good. She wanted to be liked. Brooke wanted a drama free romance. She wanted flowers and presents and sexy dates that end up back at a jacuzzi. Not that Lucas hadn't given her all of those things, she just didn't want to constantly look around her shoulder waiting for the other shoe to drop. And Sean Adams seemed like the perfect escape from her reality. "You interested?" She watched as the smile disappeared from his face. He went to say something but she quickly cut him off.

"My friend Haley is singing at Tric tonight. She's really amazing, you should come. The doors open at nine, I'll be wearing something red."

Brooke stood, and walked back towards Nathan leaving Sean before he could give her an answer. She sat down, confident in knowing the guy would show. She thought for a moment. He would show right? "Nathan?"

Nathan looked up at her, and gave her a halfhearted smile. He was in no position to try and make her feel any better. Something in him knew she was asking for drama if she got involved with that guy. But Lucas had broken her heart again. And she was his friend. "He'll be there. No one could resist you Brooke."

Brooke's frown disappeared, and her eyes twinkled. She wondered briefly if the Scott family all had power over her. The two brothers definitely had a way of making her feel better when she was hurting. "Are you going tonight? To Tric- I mean?"

Nathan looked down at the food in front of him and sighed. He had wanted to go, but he wasn't sure he could. The thought of seeing Haley on stage again, listening to her voice would be too much for him to handle. But still, he wanted to support her. He wanted to be in the audience for her, so she would know that no matter what he would be there for her.

"I know we had a deal, but Haley would want you to be there."

He nodded his hand, and sat back in his chair. The truth was, he wasn't sure if she would want him there. Had she told Brooke what had happened between them? Brooke hadn't said anything so he guessed not. Nathan needed to get it off his chest, but he wasn't sure he could really trust Brooke. She had always been so loud and opinionated, she had a habit of telling other people things that should stay quiet. "Can I tell you something? And you'll you know keep your mouth shut?"

Brooke raised an eyebrow, debating whether or not she could keep it a secret. By the look on Nathan's face, she knew it was serious. She leaned across the table and grabbed a hold of his hands in hers. "I'm here for you." The words were simple, and Nathan knew she had meant them. Brooke had always been a good friend to everyone, even when they didn't deserve it. He made a mental note to kick Lucas' ass later and he opened his mouth to begin.

"I slept with Haley."

Brooke laughed. Hitting his hand she leaned back in aggravation. "I thought it was something serious Nate! I think the whole world knows that you've slept with Haley. You two were married. Are married, whatever." She brushed the thought away as he continued.

"No. I mean I slept with Haley. As in recently. As in Tim's party."

Brooke's smile faded and she leaned back in. "Are you serious? Haley didn't tell me anything. Not that I gave her time too I was too busy putting my foot in my mouth," Brooke rambled on as she realized that Nathan had come to her for advice. "So, does that mean you're back together? I thought you were getting a divorce?"

He cringed. Divorce. Annulment. They both seemed so final. Like that would be the end of him and Haley. He shook his head, knowing that was what he had originally planed. He had sent her the annulment papers. But that had been before his summer away, before she had come back home. And definitely before they had slept together.

Brooke could tell by the look on his face that he was confused. And her heart was breaking for him. She held her breathe and stared at him. She didn't want to say anything that was going to make him feel any worse than he already felt. Her eyes drifted around the room to Jake and then back to Nathan.

"I feel like I should keep my mouth shut and not say anything. But that's just not me. I'm Brooke Davis and I say how I feel," Brooke looked at him, and he raised his eyes to meet hers. "And I'm not sure that the two of you can work your relationship out. But I do know you love each other. And in my book that counts for a lot. You two never cheated on each other. You just had a lot of miscommunication. So just talk to her Nate. It's not that hard. I promise."

Nathan felt a lump growing in his throat. Brooke had a point. They did love each other, was he willing to through that away? The papers were sitting at home on his desk, and he knew that once they were signed the two of them had no chance. He looked down at his plate once more and sighed.

"You're right."

He barely felt himself say it, and the look on Brooke's face showed that he hadn't heard her. She was about to continue when he took and deep breathe and repeated it again.

"You're right."

Brooke grinned.

"Of course I am. Hello? Brooke Davis remember?"

Nathan nodded his head, threw money down on the table and got up in a hurry. He didn't want to wait any longer than necessary. He wanted to make things right between him and Haley once and for all. "I gotta go Brooke," he said as he grabbed his things and left the café. She squirmed in her set before taking a sip of her cappuccino. Maybe some people did get happy endings.

……

After leaving the gym, Lucas went home to find Brooke. As he arrived home, he noticed a familiar car in the driveway and he anger begin to flare up. He hadn't seen Felix since his return, but now here he was at his house. With Brooke. There was no way Lucas was going to let that happen.

Lucas didn't knock on the door as he busted through what use to be his room. He was surprised when he saw Felix alone. "What the hell are you doing in here?" Lucas growled, his fists closed. Felix look up from his spot on the bed and smiled.

"The same thing you're doing in here. Waiting for Brooke."

"She won't want you here, and you know it."

Felix smirked. "Yes and when she finds out you were with Peyton over the summer she won't want you here either." Felix felt good. Right now he was sitting at the top of the world. Lucas Scott had once again fucked up royally and he would be there to pick up the pieces.

"I live here."

Felix nodded his head. "That's true. But how long do you think Brooke will be able to handle it this time? Mouth told me what happened last time. She went major bitch on both you and Peyton."

Lucas could feel the anger building up inside of him. Felix had always started trouble. "Don't talk about her like that," Lucas said. He didn't care what tricks Felix had up his sleeve, all he cared about was Brooke. If Brooke didn't want him that was one thing, but there was no way in hell he was going to let Felix have her.

"Cut the hero act okay Lucas? She's not here. You don't have to pretend you care about her. Just admit she was a good lay. Hell that's why I'm here," Felix chuckled. He made his way towards her dresser and peered inside. "Wonder what she'll wear tonight? I always loved taking these off of her." He lifted a pair of black panties out of her dresser, and waved them for Lucas to see.

Lucas couldn't take it anymore. He walked towards Lucas, and lunged for him. In the process of hitting his face, Lucas had pushed Felix back slamming him into the dresser. The two were too busy fighting to notice the door open and Brooke stand in the hallway.

"What the hell are you two doing?" Brooke's voice broke the two apart. She had her hands on her hips, and Lucas could tell she was angry. The smile that usually appeared on her face was held straight and her eyes were daring either one of them to move. "Well I'm waiting." Lucas looked at Felix, and then back towards

Brooke.

"He was leaving."

"Who said? I came for a reason. Haley's playing at Tric tonight. I wanted to know if Brooke would go with me," Felix asked smiling at her. She looked up at him, disgusted.

"Ewe. How about not? God get the hell out of my room," Brooke said, holding the door open. Lucas smirked at Felix, glad that she had turned him down. Felix saw the look on Lucas' face and lunged at him once more. He hadn't been paying attention, but as Lucas fell back, he went crashing against the table. The doll house that Brooke loved so much fell to the floor, breaking apart.

Lucas and Felix stood up, and stared at Brooke. The angry look she had just moments before, had been replaced. Tears sprang to Brooke's eyes as she shook her head violently. "Get out. Get the hell out. Both of you," she said, pointing for them to leave. Felix threw his hands in the air, and walked out. He didn't offer an apology, just shook his head.

Brooke fell to the bed, the tears burning her eyes. "Brooke I'm so sorry," Lucas said, bending down in front of her. She shook her head, but the tears kept flowing down her cheeks. "I'll fix it. I promise."

"It's okay Lucas. I saw Felix push you," she said sadly. She looked up at him, her eyes staring into his. "What were you two doing in here anyways?"

"I came to talk to you about something. Before you hear it from someone else," Lucas said. He wasn't sure if she was ready to hear what he had to say but he knew it had to be done. "It's about me and Peyton."

Brooke pushed past him and got up from the bed. "I don't want to hear it Lucas. Whatever happened between you and Peyton doesn't matter. We're not together. You two are free to do whatever you want. I'm not standing in the way," Brooke said.

"But you are. That's what you're not understanding. Nothing happened this summer Brooke. Not with Peyton. I don't want you thinking things that aren't true."

"Thank you Lucas. For not letting me think it was Peyton. But I have to get dressed now. Haley's expecting me to be there, so I have to put on a happy face and go. And then I am gonna figure out how to fix my doll house," Brooke said, looking down at it. She bit her tongue, cursing the tears that once more were entering her eyes. Lucas looked back at the dollhouse, and then at her. "Goodbye Lucas," she turned away from him and made her way to the closet. He nodded goodbye, and walked out leaving her there once more alone.

When she heard him leave, she came out of the closet and made her way to the doll house, falling to the floor beside it. She picked up two of the bigger pieces, and sighed. Her life was really falling apart.

……

It had been a long day at Karen's Café, and Karen herself had been extremely tired. A part of her had wanted to go home, and leave Peyton in charge of the night. But because Deb was once again spending time with Dan at the rehab center, Karen knew it was her responsibility to stay.

"Penny for your thoughts," Andy said walking towards her. He kissed her lightly on her cheek and sat down at the stool. Karen shook her head, as in to say nothing and he urged her to tell him.

"Just tired," she said and leaned against the counter. "And I'm not feeling so well. A little under the weather. But I'll manage. I always do," she said smiling faintly. He nodded, knowing that it was indeed the case. She would push through anything.

"Maybe you should think about hiring some more people."

Karen was about to say something as the girl in the stool beside him turned to face them. "Did you say hire someone? This is so great! I need a job like desperately!" Karen studied the girl, knowing she hadn't seen her around before. "I'm Alexis Bernat. I go to school at Duke." She placed her hand out for Karen to shake, and Karen did.

"Do you have any experience?" Karen asked, smiling. Alexis nodded enthusiastically, and stood up.

"I waitresses a bit when I was back in New York. Then I took up a gig bartending at a club in Virginia for a while," Alexis smiled proudly. Karen looked at her, amused with the girls presence.

"How old are you?"

"23."

Andy turned to Karen, and they both nodded in agreement. "Okay, can you start in about an hour? I'll have Peyton run you through the place," Karen said pointing to Peyton who was sitting in a corner booth. Alexis smiled and shook her head yes. "See you then," Karen said walking off.

"That was easy," Alexis said, sitting back down beside Andy. He turned to face her and nodded his head.

"Karen's a wonderful person. You're lucky to have her a boss."

Alexis smiled, she always loved seeing people in love. And the look on Andy's face was obvious. He was in love. "You're lucky to have her as your girlfriend," she said watching as he started to blush. The look on his face said he knew how lucky he was. She wondered if there would ever be a time that someone looked at her that same way.

"Hey it's you again."

Lucas dropped his book on the counter and turned to face her.

"It's me again."