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. Also, the song doesn't belong to me either.
Rating: PG13-maybe to an R later on
Category: Romance/Drama
KaraokeDiva419: Wow, quick review! I am glad you liked the last chapter, and I agree I don't like Maria either! Peyton should have defended Brooke more, but she was nervous about defending her knowing how Brooke is with guys. So I am glad you're liking Sean, but I dont know about them ending up together! This is a brucas story so...well who knows :-)
Kelz3192: I am so glad you like this story! Here's the next chapter, extra long and full of drama! In a few chapters Lucas will deffinitly be the one to help Brooke out but you have to wait and see what happens. Hope you enjoy this next part :-D
L-A-C-18: Wow, long review! That was great! Umm lets see, I'm glad that someone else agrees with the whole Peyton thing. I don't know the writers tried to jusitify her actions, but I don't see how any person regardless of how much she tried would be able to trust her again. But I guess that just says how forgiving Brooke is (if not naive.) I'm glad you enjoyed chapter 12, I think so far that was my favorite chapter because you got to know more about Sean (to know he really is a nice guy) and you got a little bit of everyone else. As for Brooke asking Felix to be her cover date...Brooke is angry at Lucas and more so at Peyton so she wanted to do something that would piss them both off. I'm glad you enjoyed it hopefully you'll enjoy this next one as well :-)
DanceDude09: I'm glad you enjoyed it. Burning boat is here (it's pretty short though) hope you enjoy
CHAPTER THIRTEEN:
What Next?
……
"So what are we burning this year?"
Haley asked Nathan as they sat down on the bench together. He wrapped his arm around her and brought her closer to him. "If I said Chris would you be mad?" He asked, trying to be funny. She shot him a dirty look and rolled her eyes.
"I'm serious Nathan. What are we burning?"
Nathan shrugged his shoulders. "Nothing. We're just here to be supportive of everyone else."
Haley smiled at him as she watched Lucas threw a box of stuff onto the boat. On the other side she could make out Brookethrowing something in as well. Nathan noticed the smile disappear from her face and turned to see what was wrong. Brooke had moved away from the boat and taken a hold of Felix's hand.
"She's just trying to piss Peyton and Lucas off."
Haley rolled her eyes. "And that makes it right? Felix is a jerk."
"Well Lucas isn't much better Haley." Nathan pulled away from her. He crossed his arms and stared at her. "I don't want to fight with you." She sighed. It hadn't been her attention to fight either. But she was worried about Brooke and wasn't sure if she could stay quiet about it.
"Then lets just not talk about everyone else."
"I have something else we could do," Nathan said as he used his hand to bring her face to his. He kissed her and she smiled against him. Kissing Nathan was much better than talking anyway.
……
Brooke walked towards her car and leaned against it. In the distance she could see Felix talking to another girl and she laughed. He had actually been a friend to her tonight, a trait she wasn't taking for granted anymore.
"Are you okay?"
Brooke looked up to see Sean standing there. She smiled slightly and stood up. "I didn't think you'd come," Brooke said as she motioned for him to sit next to her. He propped himself against the car and turned to face her.
"What did you burn?" He questioned.
She thought for a minute and then turned to him. "Postcards from my mom and dad. I figured if they don't care I shouldn't either right?" Brooke said as he nodded. He couldn't help but wonder just how many people had let her down. She seemed so heartbroken for someone so young and he wanted to protect her from it. "What about you?"
"Ohh… Natalie's things. There was a shelf full in my apartment and I just tossed them all." He chuckled in amusement. A few months ago he would never have gotten up the courage to do it but there was something about seeing her days before that had given him the ability to. He was so angry at her for walking into his life again and giving him an invitation to her wedding. He couldn't help but feel as if she was throwing it in his face that she was back with her ex boyfriend.
"Uh so I have a question." He turned to her a bit embarrassed.
She urged him to go on.
"I was wondering if you'd go with me…" he stammered. It had been a long time since he asked anyone out, and he wasn't even sure if he could go through with it. Brooke was a student and even though he knew they had something he still knew it was wrong.
She grinned. "I'd love to."
"How do you know where I want to take you?"
Brooke rolled her eyes. "Please. Ex wife comes to town with an invitation to her wedding! It's a total sign. So I accept. I will be your date to her wedding." He sighed and stared out at the boat in the water. It was pulling away from the docks and any moment it would catch on fire. He took another look at the girl beside him and smiled, ready to move on with his life.
……
"So what was in the box," Alexis said as she sat down next to Lucas. The boat had already begun to catch on fire but Lucas couldn't tear his eyes away. He didn't look up to greet her, he just kept staring. It had been the first year that Haley and him hadn't gone together.
He leaned against the step and sighed. "Some stuff of my ex's." he turned to her, and scratched his head. "Well not ex…she wasn't really a girlfriend." He tried to explain. Alexis put up her hand and waved the explanation off. She didn't really care.
"So does that mean you're over her?"
Lucas laughed. "I've been over her," he said. In the distance he could see Jake and Peyton standing with Jenny in a stroller. Lucas wasn't lying. He had been over Peyton for a really long time, perhaps even before he had realized it. "It's the other one I can't get past," Lucas finished.
Alexis laughed. "So there is a girl problem."
Lucas shook his head no and finally looked away from the boat. His eyes scanned the crowd and he could see Brooke sitting on her car in the distance. He sighed as he turned once again back to the water. "No problem. I love her, but she doesn't trust me. Simple as that."
Alexis disagreed. "That's the funny thing about love. It's not simple. You just have to prove to her you're someone she can trust. And if that doesn't work just be her friend. Maybe that's what she really needs right now."
"Thanks. Uhh, I have to go. My mom called when I was in practice she needed to talk to me about something important so… see ya," Lucas said. He wasn't sure why he was being in such a hurry his mother was working late and he knew she would probably wind up going to Andy's anyways. But something she had said had clicked in his mind and he realized the last thing he needed was for Brooke to think he was interested in someone else.
……
"Brooke, can I come in?"
It was Saturday afternoon and he knew Brooke was getting ready for a date. He didn't wait for her to respond, he opened the door and walked inside. As he looked around her room he saw the closet door open and could hear Brooke going through her clothes. He smiled to himself, glad to see her happy. Even if that meant she wasn't with him.
"How do I look?"
Lucas stared, unable to say anything. Brooke was wearing a simple black dress, and matching shoes. "You look beautiful," he said. She smiled slightly, and leaned down to give him a kiss on the cheek. As she backed away from him, he grabbed a hold of her hand holding her in place.
Brooke looked down at him, and touched his shoulder. "Did you need something?" He shook his head no, but still didn't let go of her. "Well can you let me go then? Cause Sean will be here in like five minutes."
Lucas did as she asked, and released her wrist. As much as he wanted to make her stay he knew he couldn't. Brooke had made a decision to move on there was nothing left to say.
"Be careful."
Brooke nodded, and headed out the door. Lucas stood and made his way to the other side of the room. He looked down at the doll house and saw that there were only three pieces broken off. As he placed the two together, he knew it would be easy to fix.
After an hour of piecing it together carefully, Lucas had finally finished putting the doll house back together. He smiled, knowing that Brooke would be happy to have it back in one piece.
Wanting to leave her a note, he walked towards her desk and pulled out one of the drawers. As he pulled out a pad of paper, a picture fell to the floor. It was one of them, taken at Keith's wedding. In the picture, he had his arm around her and they were both smiling. He looked back down into her drawer, and noticed other pictures and pulled them out to look at them. There were a lot of photo's, some of Peyton and Haley, others of Jake and Nathan, but mostly of him. He couldn't help but feel glad that she had so many pictures of him. It reminded him how much she cared for him, and that his feelings were reciprocated.
"Lucas, are you home?"
He could hear his mom's voice in the other room, and he slammed Brooke's drawer shut. He scribbled a note down on a
piece of paper, and taped it to the doll house before leaving her room.
"Yeah mom. What's up?"
Karen and Andy were standing at the kitchen table, as Lucas approached. They both were smiling excitedly. "Honey, sit down. We have something we want to tell you," Karen said.
Lucas did as his mother told him, and sat down wondering to himself what she had to tell him. He wondered if Andy wanted to marry her, and that's what she was going to tell him.
"We're pregnant!"
Lucas didn't know what to say. For the last 18 years of his life, he had been the only child. And now his mother was about to have a baby? As scared as he was about his place in his mother's heart, he couldn't help but notice the look on her face. She was so happy. A smile broke out across his face and he hugged his mother.
"That's great mom! I'm so happy for you two," Lucas said as he held her tight. She broke the hug for a moment bringing Andy in her arms as well.
"This changes things Lucas."
Lucas nodded his head, knowing that from now on things were going to be different in their house. Andy would probably want to be living with them, and he wasn't sure what that meant for Brooke and him. With a baby around, where would Brooke and him stay?
He was about to say something, but was interrupted by the phone. His mom walked towards it, and answered the call.
"Hello, yes this is Karen Roe."
Lucas watched as the smile fell from her face and she turned her back to both him and Andy.
"Are you sure? Yes. Thank you. I'll be right there."
She hung up the phone, and turned towards Lucas. He looked at her, and knew instantly something was wrong. "Mom?" He asked but she cut him off.
"It's Keith. He was arrested."
Before Lucas could say anything she finished.
"He admitted to trying to kill Dan."
……
"I'm glad you agreed to come with me Brooke," Sean whispered into Brooke's ear. She smiled and nodded her head. The wedding had already started and Brooke knew it was hard for him.
"I'm glad you asked me."
The ceremony was short, and Brooke could tell that Sean was happy about that. As the priest asked if anyone objected, Brooke squeezed Sean's hand in support. She couldn't help but notice as the groom turned to face him.
"You may now kiss the bride."
Sean turned to face Brooke. "Glad that's over."
"Not so fast buddy. The reception is the best part."
"I'm not sure that's a good idea Brooke."
Brooke's smile fell from her face, and she looked up at him. "Why?" She asked, even though she was sure she knew the answer. "I get it. It's cause I'm with you right? You don't want to explain me to anyone? It's okay."
As the crowd gathered around Natalie wishing her good luck in her marriage and telling her how beautiful she looked, Sean couldn't tear his eyes from Brooke. He shook his head, and ran a finger across her chin. She smiled up at him, and more than anything he wanted to kiss her.
"Brooke I am not embarrassed to be here with you. It's just those people, they're my exes family. I don't want to deal with all of their condolences. Forgive me if I just want to spend time with you."
Brooke felt herself begin to blush, and she reached for his hand. Taking it firmly in hers, she pulled him towards the door. "We're going to the reception. And you won't have to answer any questions, because I won't leave your side. We will dance, we will drink, and we will have a wonderful time! And then you'll take me home and kiss me goodnight."
As soon as she said it, she could feel his hand begin to pull away. She brushed it off, and pulled him with her outside. "I just meant we'll have fun. It's no big deal Sean."
Sean looked over his shoulder, and pulled her to the side. He watched as people walked by and turned to face her. "It is a big deal Brooke. I shouldn't have asked you here. It's not right."
"Whatever. I'll leave."
He grabbed her arm, and shook his head. "That's the thing. I don't want you to. I know that this is wrong and I don't care! You make me feel something again. I never thought I would."
She smiled. "I understand. You make me feel something again too."
"Now what?"
"We go and show them that you're okay. Let Natalie and her husband know that you've moved on. Even if a part of you is dying inside."
He nodded his head and they made their way to the reception hall. The hall was full of flowers and there were hundreds of people. Sean knew most of them and they all turned to see him and Brooke enter. They stared at them, and Brooke turned to face them. "Maybe I was wrong about this. They're all looking at me."
"Of course they're looking at you. You're beautiful."
Brooke inhaled deeply and Sean pulled her towards the dance floor. They both agreed they would only stay for a hour and then they would go home. The two danced to the music both lost in their own thoughts.
……
Felix walked into Karen's café and took a seat at the café. Peyton and Jake were sitting on a sofa and she was sending him dirty looks, but Felix didn't care. He thought about apologizing to her knowing it would make Brooke happy but decided against him. He wasn't sorry for what he did.
A girl sat next to him and he smiled at her. "Hey gorgeous," he said. Alexis turned to face him and rolled her eyes. She wasn't in any mood to put up with him or his lame lines.
"How about not. I'm waiting for someone," Alexis said.
Felix grinned. "I'm someone."
Alexis couldn't help but laugh at him. This guy was a piece of work! She patted his arm as one of the waitresses sat a drink down in front of her. "I'm sure you are someone. But I'm waiting for Lucas," Alexis said.
"What the hell. I don't get this town. I really don't." Felix threw his hands up in defeat as Alexis looked at him. "I'm gorgeous. We know this. And yet everyone of you have got a thing for Lucas," Felix finished. He shrugged it off and bit into his sandwich.
Peyton walked towards them with Jenny in her arms and patted his shoulder. "Maybe it's because Lucas isn't a creep and you are," Peyton explained. Alexis raised an eye brow and turned to Felix amused at the argument.
"Whatever. A guy who cheats isn't a creep? Why am I even talking with you anyway? You're one of the love struck idiots," Felix stood up and tossed a ten dollar bill on the counter. "See you later gorgeous," he said as he turned once again towards Alexis. She waved goodbye and he left.
"Can you believe him?" Alexis asked Peyton.
She laughed. "Yes actually. I can."
……
"This isn't right mom and you know it. Keith wouldn't hurt a fly," Lucas said as he paced the room. They had been there a little over an hour and still hadn't gotten a chance to see Keith. Andy was busy trying to talk to one of the police officers as Karen tried to calm her son down.
"I don't know what I know Lucas. Dan has done some pretty horrible things to Keith and to everyone he cares about. Maybe he did it thinking it was the only thing to do," Karen said as she rubbed his back. "What I do know is that Keith is a wonderful person and whatever happens I will continue to believe that."
Lucas shook his head no. How could his mother believe it? He had known Keith his entire life and he had never once done anything violent. It was no secret that Dan and Keith were angry with each other but they were brothers. Keith never would have tried to kill him. "I don't believe it. I just can't."
Andy approached them and sat down in one of the chairs. "I agree."
Karen looked up at him, surprised by his reaction. Was she the only one that had heard the police say he confessed? That he, himself had turned himself in? Karen put her head in her hands and began to cry. She wasn't sure if it was the fact that her best friend was arrested or the hormones, all she knew was that life was getting far too complicated once again.
An officer came towards them and looked towards Karen. "His bail was paid already, he's just gathering his things," the man said as he walked off. Karen turned to Andy who nodded his head and Lucas patted his back.
"Thanks man."
"No problem."
……
Sean pulled his car up to Karen's drive way and turned it off. He turned to Brooke and took her hand in his. "Thanks for coming with me." She leaned her head against his shoulder and nodded.
"I enjoyed myself Sean. Today was great."
"Back to the real world?"
Brooke shook her head sadly and opened the car door. He kissed her hand gently. "Goodnight Brooke." She smiled and made her way out of the car. Sean watched her walk towards her door and place the key in the lock. She waved goodbye before disappearing into the house.
After five minutes, Sean still couldn't bring himself to leave. "Oh hell," he said to himself as he opened his car door and jogged up to Brooke's porch. He was about to knock on her door as the door opened and Brooke stood there. She giggled as she threw her arms around him pulling him into a hug.
Brooke reached up at kissed him gently. When he didn't pull away she deepened the kiss and massaged his tongue with her own. After a few minutes they broke apart each smiling.
"Goodnight," Brooke said again once again walking into her room. He waited for her to shut the door and then headed back to his car. Sean couldn't help but smile as he started his car.
Lucas ducked behind a tree and watched from a safe distance until Sean had pulled his car from the driveway. A part of him felt guilty for watching the scene before him. But he just wanted to watch Brooke, to make sure she was safe. He hadn't meant to see the kiss that was shared between the two, or even the look of happiness one either ones face.
Between Keith admitting to murder and Brooke kissing another guy, Lucas felt as if his world was falling apart. He jogged the rest of the way towards the house and saw down on the front steps. Lucas wasn't ready to walk inside and face his mother after everything that happened. The porch light came on and Brooke stepped outside.
"Lucas! What are you doing out here! It's late."
Brooke bent down beside him and held her hand for him to take. When he didn't take it, she sat down beside him. "What are we brooding about?" Brooke joked, but stayed quiet as she realized that Lucas was really upset. "Hey Lucas. It's okay. I'm here for you," Brooke said as she wrapped her arms around him. He shut his eyes and allowed himself the ability to be held by her.
Lucas knew he didn't have to say anything but Brooke had always made him feel so comfortable. He knew he could trust her with all of his heart, she had proven it so many times before. Even if he couldn't explain to her how he felt about her, he could at least talk to her about Keith. She would try and help him figure it out. "Keith was arrested tonight," he explained. She pulled away from him and shook her head in confusion.
"For trying to kill Dan."
……
Brooke woke up to find Lucas laying next to her. She smiled gently as she shook him to wake up. "Time to get up Broody," Brooke said as he turned over. She giggled and leaned against her pillow.
The memories of last night flooded back into her head as she remembered Lucas telling her about Keith. Keith had always seemed like such a wonderful person, that Brooke couldn't imagine him trying to kill Dan. But Dan had been a jerk to everyone, and Brooke couldn't help but wonder if Karen was right. Had he really tried to kill him?
"I love you Brooke," Lucas mumbled into his pillow. Brooke looked down at him, surprised by his admission. She was about to say it back when she noticed that he was talking in his sleep. Brooke nudged him again and Lucas opened his eyes. He glanced up at her and squinted.
"Brooke?"
Brooke laughed and hit him with the pillow. "Yes Brooke. Now hurry up we have to be at school in like ten minutes," she said as she got up from the bed. She dressed quickly and headed out to the car where Lucas was already standing.
"Give me a ride?"
"Do I have a choice?" Brooke rolled her eyes in fake annoyance. They both got into the car and headed towards school. As they pulled into the parking lot, Nathan did as well. Brooke waved at him before turning towards Lucas. "Catch you later Broody," she said before heading off towards Nathan.
"How'd your date go?" Brooke asked.
Nathan pulled his books from the back of his car and turned to her. He smiled slightly and shrugged his shoulders. "Okay after we agreed not to mention you or Lucas," Nathan replied.
"What about Lucas and I?" Brooke questioned.
They headed towards the school and Nathan looked down at her. Brooke was always so inquisitive, it use to drive him crazy. But over the last couple of weeks she had been there for him when he had really needed someone. "We just are on different pages about the two of you that's all," Nathan explain.
Brooke sighed. "Okkkay.. I give. You don't want to tell me then whatever. But did you hear about Keith I feel so bad for Lucas." Judging from the look on Nathan's face, Brooke realized that Nathan didn't know. "He was arrested for your fathers attack… I thought you'd know about it," she said. Brooke had never been one at keeping things to herself, but for the first time she felt guilty.
Nathan leaned against his locker and slammed his hand against it. "I want to be angry at him, but I can't be. I can't say I blame him," Nathan explained to her. She nodded her head. After everything his father had done to Nathan, it was amazing to her that he didn't try to kill him, himself.
"Lucas doesn't think he did it… I guess he thinks that Keith is covering for somebody," Brooke explained. She opened her own locker and pulled out her binder. "Well I'm sorry I was the one to tell you. But I'm here for you Nathan, okay?" She leaned up and kissed him gently on the cheek before heading in the opposite direction. Nathan fumbled through his locker as Haley approached.
"What was that about?" Haley questioned. Nathan turned around and went to kiss her and shrugged his shoulders.
"I guess Keith was the one who started the fire."
Haley started to walk away as Nathan called out to her. "Haley we have first period together!" But she didn't turn around. When she reached the door she turned slightly and yelled to him.
"I have to find Lucas."
tbc...
What's next on Back to You?
- Sean and Brooke get caught
- Peyton and Haley try to stop gossip from spreading
- Lucas and Nathan agree to get to the bottom of things
- Keith admits the truth about what happened...
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. It was really long and really fun to write! Well like I said, I love you alls reviews good or bad I want to hear what you have to say... so keep them coming. have a good weekend ;-)
