Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with the WB or One Tree Hill so please don't sue. All you'd get would be some dvd's and a bunch of misc. posters :-) I don't have anything to do with Kelly Clarkson, and I didn't write the song. So don't sue me over that either

Author's Note 1: My thank yous to everyone are at the bottom of this chapter.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN- the Greatest Gift of All

Two weeks had gone by since Sean had left Brooke and Tree Hill. Brooke had been dealing well with it, despite the rumors and the stares that she had gotten from the students at their high school. She had heard many stories about Sean and their relationship and even though some of them made her laugh most of them made her want to scream. One had gone around that she had been sleeping with him to raise her grade point average and ones had even gone on about the fact that she wasn't the only student.
Life was pretty much getting back to normal for her. She had hung out with Nathan and Haley a lot and Lucas and her had definitely improved their relationship. But still, as Saturday came she stayed in her bed with the pillow over her head. She heard a tap on the door and yelled for whoever to come in.

"Rise in shine beautiful," Lucas said sitting down a tray beside her. Brooke moved the pillow to see what he had brought her and rolled her eyes. Lucas laughed at her and sat down at the end of the bed. He had a newspaper in his hands and turned to face her. "So, which movie are we going to see today Brooke? How about the new Spielberg movie."

Brooke crossed her arms and shook her head no. "I'm not up to going to the movies," she said as she picked up the bagel from her plate. "How about we call Nathan and Haley and see what they're doing."

"They called." Lucas shook his head and sighed. "They're going to go to the movies with Peyton and Jake. They invited us." Brooke stayed quiet and rolled her eyes. Lucas could tell by the look on her face that she wasn't interested in going anywhere near Peyton.

"I guess I'll just stay home."

Lucas stood up and walked towards her dresser and picked up a picture of Brooke and Peyton. He walked back towards her and sat it down on the bed. "Brooke, you know I am here for you. I said I would be, whatever you needed. But you have got to let this go. Peyton wasn't trying to hurt you. She just wanted you to be happy," Lucas said.

Brooke thought a minute and then sighed. "I'm not mad at her."

Lucas was about to say something but stopped himself. What? He was confused. Brooke had spent the last few months too angry at Peyton to talk to her and now all of a sudden she wasn't angry? What had happened? And if she wasn't mad then why wasn't she talking to her best friend? He looked up at her and waited for her to talk. She picked up the picture frame and sat it on the nightstand beside her table before looking up at him.

"I was really mad at her for keeping a secret from me again."

Lucas nodded. Peyton had been trying to do the right thing by letting him tell Brooke that she had wound up getting pulled into it and Lucas had always felt guilty for that.

"But all this stuff that's been happening had made me look at things differently," Brooke started. She held her breathe for a moment and looked over to her photo frames. "We're seniors Lucas. This time next year none of us are going to be here. And Peyton's been my best friend forever now."

He smiled. "Then why don't you talk to her?"

"That's the thing. I can't. I just think that I waited too long," Brooke explained.

"Brooke, Peyton loves you. It doesn't matter how long you've waited. When you are ready, she'll be ready to talk to you too," Lucas explained. Brooke shrugged her shoulders and laid back down in her bed. "Now get up. I have an idea about what we can do."

……

"Did you hear the news?"

Karen walked towards the counter and poured Deb a cup of coffee. A smile appeared on Karen's face and she placed the coffee back down. "The charges were dropped against Keith. I guess his lawyer convinced him to tell the truth and he told them he had been covering for someone." Deb glanced down at her coffee and then back to Karen.

"That's great. Listen Karen, I should probably head out. I promised Dan I would drive him back to the house today," Deb said. As she stood to leave, Keith and Jules entered the café.

"Hey Deb. Karen," Keith said.

Karen made her way towards Keith and ignored the fact that Jules still had his arm around her waist. She brought him into a hug and then turned towards Jules. "I am glad everything worked out. Looks like you two are alright too," Karen said. Jules nodded her head and leaned it against Keith. She was happy that Keith had been cleared.

"Why'd you confess Keith?" Deb asked.

The three adults turned to look at her, and Keith raised an eyebrow. He waited a moment and then sighed. "I wanted to protect everyone. I knew that everyone would believe me if I said I did it because of everything Dan and I have been through. To be honest I knew that it could have been any of you and I didn't want you all going to jail for something we've all thought about doing."

Jules shook her head. "You think one of us did it?" She asked.

Keith stayed quiet and looked at Karen. She rubbed her pregnant stomach and looked over at Jules. "We're all guilty of thinking it." She sent a sympathetic smile towards Keith and he offered her one back. "It could easily have been any of us. Or our children," she said as she turned towards Deb.

"Lucas…"

Karen cut him off. "Doesn't know. I figured it was your story to tell. Both him and Nathan have been really supportive for you," she explained. Keith smiled and pulled out his cell phone to call them. He excused himself, leaving the three woman standing at the counter.

"What happens next?" Jules asked as she sat down.

Karen sighed and pointed towards the door. "I guess the police will do more interviewing," she said as the women noticed the police officer standing outside talking to Andy. He looked into the café and smiled slightly at Karen. As she looked out the window she couldn't help but wonder when they were all going to be able to put this behind them.

……

"A bowling alley? Lucas I haven't bowled since I was twelve."

Lucas grinned. "Good. Then I guess I will beat you then."

He paid the cashier and walked towards their lanes. Lucas noticed a few teenagers from their high school but kept away from them. He knew that Brooke wanted to be alone and not bothered with anymore of their stories. Brooke groaned as she looked down at the shoes in her hands. "You know someone should come up with a better design pattern. Green and brown do nothing for me." She placed them on her feet and then looked back at Lucas.

"They're just shoes," he rolled his eyes. She held a hand over her heart and inhaled deeply. He chuckled and then nodded his head. "Alright. I should have known better than to come between you and shoes. But still, can we try and get past it." Brooke crossed her arms and pretended to think about it for a minute before bursting out into a laugh.

"Sure Broody. Just don't make a habit of it okay?"

Lucas held up his hand and promised. "I'll get your bowling ball," Lucas said as he walked off. Brooke fooled around with the computer screen and wrote their nicknames. Broody & Cheery. As she stared up at the television monitor she couldn't help but smile. She could remember a time where she would doodle that in the back of her notebook during a boring English class. The two names looked nice together, like they fit perfectly.

She turned to see Lucas too starting up at the television and the smile on his face proved that he was thinking the same thing. "Ready to lose Davis?" Lucas asked as he sat the two balls down. She looked up at him and rolled her eyes.

An hour or so later Brooke took her final shot. She threw the ball and then turned her back hoping to get at least six pins. When she heard the balls crash against the pins she turned around and squealed.

Strike.

Brooke turned towards Lucas and skipped off the lane. "I won," she announced proudly. "I won. I won. I won," she teased. After a minute he laughed and brought her into a hug.

"Yeah, yeah. You won," Lucas said. "I think next time we should try playing basketball. Maybe I will have better luck with that one."

Brooke grinned. "Probably not."

As they walked towards her car she turned to face him a smile once again appearing on her face. "So Kelly Clarkson at Saturday night," she said. He nodded his head and opened the car door for her. She got inside and then continued. "We're going right?" He nodded his head and got into the passenger side of the car.

"One condition."

She looked at him and groaned. "Lucas I am not getting her autograph for you."

Lucas laughed. Truth was, he knew that Brooke had been a really big fan ever since her last concert. She had gone on and on about it for weeks and when Haley had told her that Kelly was going to be performing at Tric Brooke had just about lost it. Brooke had almost called Peyton to confirm it, but found the flyer and knew Haley wasn't just teasing her.

"If you'll be my date to Haley's thanksgiving dinner party," he explained. "She missed last year and she wants to make it up by cooking thanksgiving dinner. She's making sure everything is perfect. Mashed potato's the way Nathan likes them, pumpkin pie like the way mom use to make it for us and green beans for Uncle Keith."

Brooke's smile fell and she looked down at her lap. Holidays had never really been her thing. Sure, she loved getting presents on her birthday and always managed to wind up with several valentines but she had never gotten into the family holidays. Growing up she normally had take out on those days and her parents would be in a different city every time. It wasn't until she was 13 that she at least started spending Christmas at Peyton's. But even that was hard to see.

"It's probably a family…"

Lucas cut her off as fast as he could. He grabbed one of her hands and then waited for her to look at him. "Brooke you are part of my family okay? And you always will be," he said. She looked down at their entwined fingers and prayed for a moment that he was telling the truth.

"Okay. I'll go. Besides, I'd love to see the fireworks that I know I'm going to see," Brooke grinned. Lucas shrugged his shoulders and instantly knew she was right. Thanksgiving dinner and his family was invited. The whole family? Things were bound to go wrong.

……

"Happy Thanksgiving."

Haley opened the apartment door with a smile, despite the fact that her skirt had cranberries on it and she had managed to get flour in her already done hair. Lucas leaned down to place a kiss on her forehead and brushed past her, flopping down on the couch beside Nathan. He mumbled a hello to Nathan and Jake before Jake threw a game controller to him.

Brooke laughed, aware that her date had just left her for a game system. "Happy Thanksgiving Hales," Brooke said as she brought the girl into a hug. Haley hugged back and then headed back to the kitchen, motioning for Brooke to join her. She hesitated for a moment, unsure of whether or not Peyton would be there but decided to go anyways. When she saw the blonde propped up on the counter she walked into the room carefully.

Brooke smiled, and threw her arms around her best friend. "Happy thanksgiving P. Sawyer," Brooke said. Peyton hugged back and didn't let go. She was about to whisper something to Brooke when Brooke pulled away and smiled. "You know I couldn't stay mad at you forever. Hoe's over Bros," she said with a laugh.

"Buds over studs," Peyton said as she jumped off the counter. Brooke was about to comment on the skirt that Peyton was wearing when Deb and Karen entered the apartment. Brooke looked down at her jeans and pink shirt and sighed.

"I'm beginning to think I'm underdressed."

Karen walked over to Brooke and hugged her gently. "No you look great, that just means you can take my place with the guys for their football game," she explained. Brooke shook her head no and groaned.

"I can't play football with them! They'd hurt me," Brooke said.

Peyton stifled a laugh. "Yeah and she might break a nail."

Brooke rolled her eyes and hit her friend playfully. "Shut up or you'll be playing too!" Peyton stayed quiet and watched as Keith kissed Jules goodbye and headed for the door. He waited for the other guys who followed each one dropping a kiss on their significant other. When Lucas appeared at the kitchen door he kissed his mother on the cheek and then headed to Brooke.

"You sure you don't wanna come? You could be my cheerleader," Lucas said with a grin.

Brooke smiled. "I'll be down in a minute. But I wanna hear all the gossip first."

Lucas kissed her forehead and jogged up to meet the rest of them. When they were out of the apartment, Brooke turned towards Haley and raised an eyebrow. "Want some help tutor girl?" Haley nodded and handed her potato's to wash and then peel. When Brooke turned to Peyton, she laughed and took the bowl of potato's from her. "Something I can actually do this time?"

Haley smirked and then pointed to the shelves. "You can set the table," Haley said and Brooke nodded her head. As she took down the dishes, the front door opened and everyone turned to see who it was. "Well I guess things just got a little bit worse," Haley mumbled under her breath.

Dan entered the apartment in a wheelchair and grinned at the women. He was wearing a black suit and a red shirt underneath and had a beautiful bouquet of flowers. He handed them to Haley and a nurse appeared at the door. "Okay I can handle it from here," he snapped at her. Deb went to say something but he quickly cut her off. "What was I not invited? This is my sons apartment and it is thanksgiving time."

"No, Mr. Scott I am glad you came," Haley lied. She grabbed a vase and put the flowers in them before turning back to him. "Thank you. The flowers are wonderful," she added.

"Karen. I hear a congratulations is in order," Dan said.

Karen rubbed her hand over her stomach and nodded. She wished Andy would have stayed with her instead of going to the park with the other guys. The way Dan was looking at her made her want to disappear. Dan smirked at her uncomfortable body language.

"What's wrong? Are we not happy about it?"

Jules rolled her eyes and Deb began to speak. "Dan it's Thanksgiving. How about you just stop before you ruin it for everyone," Deb said. Dan chuckled and then turned towards the younger teenagers. He must have agreed because the subject was dropped.

"You look beautiful Brooke," Dan said as he stared at her. She shifted on her heels uncomfortably and glanced away. Brooke mumbled a thank you but was saved by Lucas appearing back at the apartment door.

"Brooke, you coming?" he said.

Brooke nodded her head and turned towards Peyton and Haley. She mouthed a sorry to them and made her escape before she still had a chance. Once outside the apartment door she turned towards Lucas with a smile and leaned into him. "You saved me back there," she said. He nodded his head and continued down to the park.

……

About two hours later, everyone was sitting around the table and watching as Haley and Nathan carried the turkey to the table. Everyone commented on how beautiful the table looked and how good the food seemed. Haley smiled and turned towards Karen. "Would you like to start?"

She nodded her head. "I'm thankful for being here with all of you and having the joy of motherhood once again."

Andy spoke next. "For becoming a father."

"For having Jake and Jenny home in Tree Hill."

Jake smiled. "For finding Peyton."

"For my family, my friends and my wife," Keith said.

Jules reached for Keith's hand and squeezed it. "For having you all in my life."

Deb knew it was her turn as she looked around the table at all of the people. She sat quietly for a moment and then sighed. "For Haley. She didn't have to do this for all of us, and she did. Thank you."

"For not being dead," Dan said with a smirk. He turned towards Keith and chuckled. Keith looked away and Deb glared at her husband. "And for knowing who really did try and kill me," he said. Everyone turned to face him with questionable faces and rolled their eyes as they waited for an answer. When none came, Brooke sat up.

"I'm thankful to be here. You guys are like the family I never had."

Lucas kissed her cheek gently and took his turn. "For Brooke being here with all of us."

"I'm just happy that we can do this without it ending in a war of words. Haley wanted to do this last year…but uh- things happened. Which is better anyways because we've all managed to get something great out of it. Stronger friendships," Nathan said as he looked at Brooke with a smile. "The truth about things," he continued as he looked at Haley. "And relationships that have come full circle."

Haley smiled. "That was nice," she whispered. She realized it was her time to talk and she turned towards her husband and looked up into his eyes. "I'm most thankful for you. You gave us a chance when maybe I didn't deserve it. I'm never letting anything happen to us again, you have my word."

……

After dinner, they were all in the living room sitting down. Dan had excused himself, followed shortly by Deb and even Karen and Andy. Keith looked around the room at the younger teens and swatted Lucas' shoulder. "I'm gonna get going, take it easy ok?" he said. Jules and Keith stood up and walked towards the door waving goodbye to everyone.

"I am so glad that's over," Brooke said after a few minutes of silence.

Everyone nodded their heads as Haley sat down on the couch and put her head into Nathan's lap. "What do you think he meant by he knows who tried to kill him?" Haley asked as she looked up at him. Nathan rolled his eyes and Lucas spoke up.

"With Dan you never know. He could just be lying."

Peyton picked up Jenny and played with her for a minute. Jake watched and then turned towards Lucas and shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. I kind of got the feeling he was telling the truth," Jake said. Brooke nodded her head in agreement as did Peyton.

"Then why wouldn't he say anything?" Lucas asked.

Nathan raised an eyebrow and was about to say something, but stopped. Haley looked up at him and questioned him. "What is it?" she asked. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and then turned towards Lucas.

"Do you think it's possible that he did it?"

Lucas looked at him and then turned to Brooke. He had never thought of that. But why would Dan try to kill himself? He just didn't seem like the type to do it. He loved himself too much. "I don't think…"

"Maybe he did it for the money," Brooke added.

Nathan laughed. No, there was no way that had been what had happened. He shrugged his shoulders again and then shook his head. "Nah. He didn't do it. I just wonder who did," he said.

"Did anyone invite Whitey?" Peyton asked.

Haley and Nathan both nodded their heads and Nathan sighed. "He said thank you but that he wanted to spend thanksgiving with a friend. Maybe we should make him a plate just incase," Nathan said. Lucas nodded his head and turned towards Haley.

"If you make it, I will take it to him."

……

The next evening Brooke dressed for Tric and Lucas had waited patiently in their front room. Brooke stared at herself in the mirror and smiled happily. She ran her hand down the black strapless dress and adjusted her gold bracelets. Her hair was straightened and combed down her back and her make up was done very simple. Brooke opened her bedroom door and grabbed her purse off the table.

"I'm ready Lucas," she said.

He turned to face her and held his breath. It was something that had been happening a lot since he had moved back into his house. But tonight her sparkle had come back. There was a warm look in her eyes and she smiled softly at him. She reached her hand out to touch his shoulder. "Hey, you look good Lucas."

"You too," he choked out. He wondered if she knew she was killing him. Lucas turned towards the door and motioned for them it was time to leave. When they arrived at the club, Peyton was already on stage ushering Kelly to come on stage.

"Give it up for Kelly Clarkson," Peyton yelled to the crowd. The crowd clapped loudly and Kelly took the stage.

Is this a dream? If it is
Please don't wake me from this high
I've become comfortably numb
Until you opened up my eyes
To what it's like when everything's right
I can't believe
You found me when no one else was looking'
How did you know just where I would be?
Yeah, you broke through all of my confusion
The ups and the downs and you still didn't leave
I guess that you saw what nobody could see
You found me

Jake smiled at Peyton as they watched Kelly sing. "You are amazing. You know that right?" Jake said as she looked up at him. She raised an eye brow and he continued. "You got her here. I still can't believe you pulled it off," he finished. Peyton smiled and looked over at Brooke. She was dancing happily with Lucas and Peyton could tell she was enjoying herself. The smile on Brooke's face had proven that it had all been worth it. The endless hours of answering machines and dealing with agents had paid off. Kelly Clarkson was there, and Brooke was ecstatic. Even if she didn't know the truth.

"It was worth it. The look on Brooke's face," Peyton said pointing to her best friend. Jake grinned at his girlfriend as she leaned her head against his chest. "Especially after the whole Sean fiasco. She really liked him," Peyton whispered. Jake nodded his head and then looked back at Brooke and Lucas.

He watched the couple dance and then raised an eye brow. "Not as much as she loves Lucas."

Deep down, Peyton knew he was right. Whatever feelings Brooke had felt for Sean, would never compare to how much she loved Lucas. She remembered back to a time where she too, was convinced she had fallen for him. As she held her head against Jake's chest she wondered how she could have been so blind. There was never a comparison between the two of them and she was angry at herself for breaking her friends heart for nothing. As she watched the two, she promised herself she would never do anything to hurt Brooke again.

Jake kissed Peyton's head and stared at the stage unaware of how many changes were to come over the holiday season.

So, here we are that's pretty far
When you think of where we've been
No going back I'm fading out
All that has faded me within
You're by my side now everything's fine
I can't believe
You found me
When no one else was looking'
How did you know just where I would be?
Yeah, you broke through all of my confusion
The ups and the downs and you still didn't leave
I guess that you saw what nobody could see
You found me

Brooke danced to the music as Lucas held her close. Her eyes were shut and she knew she was smiling. After everything that had been going on recently, she was glad that Lucas and hers friendship hadn't been hurt. She was beginning to think that maybe he had meant it when he said that she could count on him. Brooke opened her eyes and looked onto the stage, grinning at Kelly.

"Are you sure about that autograph?" Lucas joked.

Brooke smacked his shoulder and took his hand and walked towards the stage. She leaned her back into his chest and listened as the woman sung the song. There was something about the lyrics of the song that was hitting home to Brooke. Lucas and her had been through so much in such a short amount of time that she wasn't sure she'd ever understand.

She had fallen for him so hard, and then hated him so much that she never expected to talk to him, let alone dance with him. "There's a thin line between love and hate," she remembered someone telling her. She never believed that until everything had happened with Lucas. Brooke had hated him so much it had hurt. But still, somehow they had managed to get past it. They were standing side by side again.

She just hoped nothing was going to come between them again.

And I was hiding till you came along
And showed me where I belong
You found me
When no one else was looking'
How did you know?
You found me
When no one else was looking'
How did you know just where I would be?
Yeah, you broke through all of my confusion
The ups and the downs and you still didn't leave
I guess that you saw what nobody could see
You found me


"Do you miss it?" Nathan asked as he sat down at the table beside Haley. Her smile fell and she nodded her head sadly. Nathan pushed her drink towards her and took a sip of his. He stared at the stage and then back at her. "You'll be there again. I know you will be," he said.

Haley smiled. "Maybe at Tric. But I lost my chance at anything better."

"Haley one day you'll make it. And you'll do it by yourself. Chris won't have helped you, I won't have helped you," he said. Haley knew he was trying to be nice but still didn't believe him. She shook her head no and he continued. "I have faith in you Hales. I always have."

Nathan wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her towards him. "Just don't forget about the people here okay?" he joked. She giggled and then turned towards her husband.

"I'd never forget about Lucas and Brooke!"

He rolled his eyes and pulled her closer to him. "What about your husband?" He whispered into her ear. She paused and then shrugged her shoulders. When she didn't say anything he looked at her with his eyebrow raised. "Well?"

"I guess him too!" Haley smiled.

TBC...

Next on Back to You:

Chapter Nineteen "Open your Eyes"

- more Brucas :-)

- Peyton visits her mothers grave and has a surprise visitor

- Taylor visits and interrupts a romantic dinner

- Andy and Karen give Lucas "a talk"

- a kiss under the mistletoe (christmas eve)

Author's Note:

Here are all the thank yous for your reviews I am so thankful for all of them. I've made it past 100 that's sooo cool! Okay well I am trying to put these chapters out a day or so apart so that we can get to the ending. Like I said I love reviews good or bad so keep them coming please :-)

KaraokeDiva419: First off! I totally understand about moving! I freaking just located like a month or so ago and that's why there was like no update from any of my stories. It sucked cause not only could I write but I couldn't get on to read anyone elses stories as well. But eventually I got back and I found a lot of reviews so I was happy :-) I hope you enjoy your new place. And I am glad you are liking the story even though you are torn between Sean and Nathan. It's funny cause you like both of them even though this is a Brucas story. There will be a few more Sean/Brooke moments and Brooke/Nathan friendship moments but the rest of the story will basiclly be Brucas.

TeddyBear: I am glad you love the story. Here's more :-)

KarahBella: Thanks :-)

Kelz3192: In the begining of the story I was thinking about who was going to be the one to get Sean to back down and at the time I was considering Lucas but realized if he did it then Brooke would always blame him. And then I thought maybe the girls could do it and I realized that Nathan is very protective in this story of everyone (ie "my wife" even though he was mad at Haley) and his friendship with Brooke has been growing very strong. So I knew it had to be him :-D But now Lucas can be there from now on and I don't think he'll let her down again

OthRetard: Yes I did want to update I couldn't resist! Another chapter :-) The story is almost over which is sad. And this chapter was sad but there will still be happy moments. The rest of the story is a bit happier. Sean just make a reappearance in a few chapters though...so look out for him :-( Thanks for the review

JoJoGirl: I love your reviews! So long. Yeah I wanted Lucas to be without a shirt and then something happen and boom back together but then I realized there were a few more chapters left and some issues left to address and that wouldn't work. So instead he just comforted her. I loved- loved the idea of Lucas getting ready for his date and Brooke being so upset that he just didn't care about it. BUT! Lucas (CMM) without a shirt on...yummy. Bean (lol, you're so cute) or Sooke would work out if Brooke could let go of her feelings for Lucas and the age thing. Sean really did have true feelings for her. I like Brooke/Nathan but at the same time NOTHING will compare to Brucas. So a Brathan friendship was something I could settle for. I love writing back to the reviews because I want you all to like them and when I get great reviews I feel the need to write back! Thanks for the kind review and I am glad you like the way I write Dan. He's a "semi" good bad guy who does love his family he just loves himself more! So here's the next chapter and I hope you like it :-)

BrucasNaleyLuvr: Glad you enjoyed it hope you like the next chapter with the bowling night.

DanceDude09: LoL, I guess you're gonna be mad at me with Sean reappearing in a bit. More old teacher nightmares. :-( More Brucas and Alexis and Felix coming up in the next few chapters. Hope you enjoy :-)

CCScott23: I am so glad you're reading the story! Yeah I agree with you, Nathan probably looked hot when he shoved Sean against the lockers. I think that if they had done a scene like that in the show we would all be drooling over Nathan instead of Lucas. Yeah, I wanted Jake and Peyton to be the couple that was stable for everyone in this story. Nathan and Haley have a bit of drama coming up since they've been together without a problem for a while now. Hmm...sensing something with Alexis and Felix are you? Maybe...Maybe not. :-).

L-A-C-18: Wow, I really wanted to say that I loved the long review! I've told you before they're my favorites and by far your reviews always leave me smiling. I guess I should have made Sean more creepy so that you all wouldn't really like him. I am hoping that the Brucas scenes in the next few chapters will make you remember that Brooke belongs with Lucas. I am glad that Nathan protected her, but am worried about how Brooke is going to feel when she finds out. Hmm...I guess you'll have to wait and see. But I agree. Brooke has a great heart and is always thinking its constantly her fault but she's going to learn. And I think Lucas will deffintly be the one to teach her. Good! I wanted the Dan storyline to be a mystery and it is deffintly getting there. Pretty soon it will be making sense to everyone. Jake and Peyton really love each other and I wanted it to be showed in the story so that she was AWAY from Lucas where she belongs. As far as the next chapter I wanted to have it be Thanksgiving so that time had past between chapters. I wanted a musical act to be playing for this chapter so that further in the story coming up I can use it and I LOVE Kelly. I didnt see her latest tour but I saw her when she was on tour with Clay Aiken and I just love her live. Her energy was amazing! And she was so cute too. I'm glad you like her too :-)

Brucas4Ever: Glad you're enjoying the story.

CrazyAznChik: Yep more Brucas moments in that chapter but unfortunatly Sean does come back. But we'll see what happens. Nathan is very cute when he is protective of anyone including Haley. Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please review :-)