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 :-)

Author's Note: As in most of the chapters my longer reviews are at the bottom, but I just wanted to say a special thank you for Amanda once again (Othretard) for sending an email regarding the story. Also to Laurie (Buffyevil) who is the Haley to my Brooke- I hope you follow me :-)

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO-

Lightening Strikes when the Truth Comes Out

Peyton walked into Tric and sighed as she looked around. It was New Years Eve, and with Karen's accident they had decided not to open Tric or the cafe. There were parties all over town, but she and her friends had decided to throw a small party for themselves. Only no one had showed up yet. She looked at the counter and saw that Deb had already laid out the sodas and plastic cups and even had chips sitting in bowls.

She pulled out the case of CDs from her bag and walked over towards the DJ system, turning one on. Peyton found herself lost in the music and was startled when someone reached out and touched her shoulder. "Jesus Nate!" She said as she placed her hand over her chest and felt her heart beat rapidly.

He laughed and plopped down two bags on the floor. "What the hell is all of that?" Peyton asked as she rummaged through the bags. She saw bags of chips and party mix and rolled her eyes. "No pizza?"

"Luke's bringing it."

He pulled his jacket off and sat it down on the chair beside him. "So what's up with you Peyton? We never talk anymore," Nathan asked. Peyton shrugged her shoulders and raised an eyebrow.

"And you're starting to care?"

Nathan chuckled. "I do care about you Peyton. You're a good friend to everyone and I want you to be happy," he explained.

She nodded her head and smiled slightly. "I am happy," she said as she tucked a curl behind her ear and then broke out into a wide grin. "I was going to wait until everyone was here but I just want to tell someone so bad! I got accepted to the college in New York."

Nathan smiled as he brought her into a hug. "I am so proud of you Peyton. I knew you could do it." He held her close for a moment and then placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. A few years ago he wouldn't have ever considered kissing her there. Their relationship had changed so much over the years and he was happy to know that they still cared for one another. After everything.

"Thanks Nathan. That means a lot to me," Peyton said as she backed away. She looked towards the door as Jake entered and she rushed towards him. "Hey there," she said wrapping her arms around him and kissing him. "I missed you."

"Me too." Jake whispered as they broke apart. He turned towards Nathan and patted his back. "Hey Nate. Where's Haley?"

Nathan shrugged his shoulders. He wasn't sure where she was. The café was closed for the day and he hadn't seen her since that morning. Just as he was about to say something, he was cut off by the sounds of laughter. The three friends turned to the doors and saw Haley and Brooke enter, Brooke's arm wrapped around Haley's shoulder.

"So I kidnap Tutor wife for the day to go shopping and what do you think happens? She out shops me. ME. Can you believe that?" Brooke said placing her bags on the ground. She smiled at Nathan and then giggled. "I guess you probably didn't want to know that."

Nathan shook his head no and rolled his eyes. Brooke's influence on his wife was getting worse. But as he watched the two of them, he realized that there was nothing he could do to stop it. He really didn't want to. Their friendship was complex and no one really understood how they got along but somehow they managed to work. Somehow they balanced each other out.

"I bought you something," Haley said as she reached up and kissed her husband on the lips gently. He sighed. "I'll wear it for you tonight."

Brooke turned to him. "Hey Nate. You must be pretty happy that Haley decided to stay this time."

Nathan turned towards her and gave her a confused look. Haley looked at her and shook her head no, silently hoping she would know not to go any further. "Stay this time?" He asked.

"Yeah you know? From the tour? Hales why are you giving me that… Oh. Umm… The tour to Charleston? The one to look at all the preppy schools," Brooke chuckled nervously. She shot an apologetic glance towards Haley, who smiled slightly and looked down at the floor. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

Haley shook her head at Brooke and excused her friends little burst. "It's okay. Nathan maybe we should talk," Haley said as she looked at her husband. She could see the anger on his face and then noticed as it disappeared. And once again his face was full of sadness. She sighed as he pointed to an empty table. He walked towards it and Haley followed behind slowly. She looked one last time at Brooke, who smiled sympathetically.

What the hell was she gonna say?

"Damn! It's raining cats and dogs out there!" Lucas said as he slammed the door behind him. Brooke walked towards him and took the pizza and peeked inside. She smiled in satisfaction and placed the pizza on the counter.

Brooke grinned as she turned back towards Lucas. "Umm Broody- you're a little wet." She smacked at his jacket and he rolled his eyes.

"Great way to state the obvious Brooke."

Brooke shrugged her shoulders. "I just thought you'd wanna know. Isn't this great? Just the six of us hanging out. No parents, no drama, and most importantly- no outsiders."

Peyton pointed towards the door and shook her head in disgust. "I think you spoke too soon."

Brooke looked at Felix and Alexis and sighed. She threw herself in the seat and rolled her eyes. "I need to work on that. Really I do." Brooke said as Peyton laughed at her friend. "Why are you here Felix?"

Felix looked at Alexis for an answer. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to say but he knew he had to say something. "Well the rain is pouring so hard I could barely see where I was driving. I saw the lights were on here and I knew that at least it would be a place to stay until the storm passes," he explained. That covered him and as far as he was concerned, that's all that mattered.

"And you?" Brooke asked, she could hear the jealousy in her voice and instantly tried to hide it. Who was this girl anyway? Brooke had seen Lucas talk to her several times and knew that she had worked at the café. She watched as Lucas smiled at Alexis and she rolled her eyes, obviously annoyed at her getting his attention.

Alexis gave Felix a dirty look before shrugging her shoulders. "I just was passing by and saw Lucas's car in the parking lot." She turned to Felix, smirking slightly. His smile faded as he pretended not to care. "Happy New Years Eve Luke," she said hugging him.

Brooke and Felix both watched as she hugged him and both looked away, pretending not to care. "Want something to drink Lucas?" Brooke asked, as she pointed towards the soda. Lucas nodded and Brooke walked towards the counter. She poured him a glass and handed it to him as he approached the bar.

"You look good tonight Brooke."

He sat down beside her and she smiled genuinely at him. "You too."

"Christmas present?" He gestured towards the necklace and she held it within her fingers. She shut her eyes for a moment before shaking her head no. Brooke wasn't sure what she was supposed to say, and regretted not slipping his locket back on.

"I've had it forever."

Brooke lied. She could tell Lucas believed her and she felt bad for lying to him. But what was she supposed to do? She knew her friends would be mad at her if they had found out she lied to him, but she knew that was the only thing she could say. If she told him the truth- she'd hurt his feelings. And that was the last thing she wanted to do.

"What's going on there?" Lucas asked, gesturing towards Nathan and Haley. Brooke looked down at the floor and sighed. She felt so guilty over betraying her friends confidence. Brooke didn't know that Haley hadn't told Nathan. It was a big deal and Brooke couldn't believe that she hadn't told him. Deciding that she needed to do something to stop a potential fight, she grabbed a corona and walked towards the middle of the club. She took a sip and called her friends over.

"I've been thinking. We're stuck here and we should come up with something to do," Brooke said. Her friends agreed and Brooke continued. "So we should play a game." Nathan and Peyton both groaned and Lucas shook his head no.

Nathan held back a chuckle and turned to his friend. "Brooke I appreciate you trying to liven up this party but knowing your track record with games…I don't think it's a good idea," he said.

"Well we have to do something. So 'I never' anybody?"

Her friends shook their heads no with a groan.

"Truth or dare?"

Again her friends said no.

"How about just truth?" Jake asked helpfully. Peyton hit him in his shoulder playfully and rolled her eyes. Leave it to her boyfriend to go along with Brooke and her ridiculous games.

"Don't encourage her!"

Brooke clapped her hands together in delight and smiled up at him. "Thanks Jake!" She said. She looked around the room at her friends faces and knew that non of them really wanted to play. But it was New Years Eve and they were pretty much stuck in Tric until the storm passed. And from the sound of the thunder and rain coming down outside, she didn't think that would be anytime soon. "You can start."

"Lucas," Jake said. He paused for a moment and then pulled a chair to sit down. "If you were stuck on a deserted island and could only bring three people, who would they be?"

Lucas held his breath and looked down at the floor. He looked back up at Jake, who was grinning and then to Brooke. Brooke sat down on the chair next to him and waited for his response. He hesitated for a moment and then turned towards Haley. "Uh…I guess my mom, Haley and uh…Brooke."

Lucas shifted uncomfortably and his seat and ignored the looks coming from Brooke. He could see in the corner of his eye that she was smiling and her cheeks were reddened. The thought made him smile a bit before turning to Nathan. "Nathan."

"What do you regret most in your life?"

Nathan thought for a minute and shrugged his shoulders. "I guess I regret not knowing you growing up. We wasted a lot of time and who knows, I could have been with Haley the whole time." Haley reached over and squeezed his hand before he continued. "Peyton. Name three things you love to do."

"Draw, spend time with you guys and play with Jenny." Peyton's question was easy and Nathan was satisfied with her answer. Peyton looked at Brooke and thought a moment, before turning to Alexis. "Who was the last person you kissed?"

Alexis turned red. "Felix," she replied softly. Only Brooke heard her, who let out a laugh. "Felix. Under the mistletoe," Alexis replied once again. She crossed her fingers under the table and looked at Haley. "Three things you want to have accomplished before you die."

"Record a CD," Haley said with a smile. Thoughts ran through her mind about going on tour and furthering her dream of being on the stage but she quickly dismissed them. "Renewing my vows and I guess having a baby." Nathan's smile fell from his face and panic rushed through him.

Baby?

Haley laughed and patted his leg. "Not anytime soon! Just things I want. Eventually," she explained to him. Nathan's worry was eased as she continued. "Felix," Haley started. She wasn't sure what she was going to ask him and really had no interest in what he would answer. "If you could kiss anyone in this room without any repercussions, who would it be?"

"That's easy. Brooke," Felix said. His lips formed into a smile as Brooke glared at him. Beside him, Alexis looked anywhere but at him. When Brooke turned to see the girls reaction, she noticed the hurt in her eyes. Brooke smiled slightly, knowing that there was more going on between the two of them then either wanted to admit. "So Brooke, when was the last time you had sex?"

A part of her couldn't believe he would ask such a personal question. But, that had been the game and she had initiated it. And it was Felix. She glanced around the room and saw that everyone was waiting for her answer, especially Lucas. He held her gaze for a

moment, before turning away and staring at the window. Brooke took a deep breath and shrugged her shoulders.

"You."

Felix grinned. "Your turn."

Brooke rolled her eyes and then turned towards Jake. "What's your deepest fear?" She asked him. As he looked at her, his fingers grabbed a hold of Peyton's and he held her hand tight.

"Losing Peyton."

……

"Haley, I think we really need to talk," Nathan said about an hour or so later. It was 10:00 and they had an hour before midnight. He knew he needed to say what was on his mind before the new year started and before he chickened out. Haley looked towards Brooke, silently pleading for her friend to come up with yet another distraction, but it went unnoticed.

Haley sighed and shook her head in agreement. "Okay. What's up?"

Nathan leaned back in his chair and placed his hands behind his head. "Were you going to tell me?" He finally asked. Haley looked up from her hands and nodded her head sadly. "When? In ten years when we're getting a divorce because you resent me?"

"I could never resent you Nathan," Haley said as she reached across the table. She motioned for him to give her his hand and he did so. Haley rubbed her fingers on the outer side of his ring and smiled slightly. "You're my husband. I wasn't going to let what happened last year, happen again. I love you too much to lose you."

Nathan shook his head. The love they had for each other was obvious. But they were teenagers, who had rushed into things before they had even thought them through. There were things they had both wanted out of life and Nathan wasn't sure they'd ever be able to achieve them together. "By keeping secrets you're going to lose me."

"I didn't to hurt you."

Nathan pulled his hand away from her and looked into her eyes. "If it wasn't for me, would you go?"

"I'm not answering that."

Nathan asked her again. "Would you have gone?"

'Yes," Haley whispered. "But you are here. And I wouldn't change that for anything in the world."

Nathan thought for a moment and then stood up. "I think we made a mistake," he said. He pushed the chair under the table and she looked up at him, her eyes filling with tears. She shook her head no and questioned him.

"What do you mean?" she asked as a tear fell down her cheek.

Nathan shut his eyes for a minute before responding.

"I think we need a divorce."

Haley was about to say something when the power in the building went out. She heard a shriek come from Brooke as she glanced around the room, hoping for the power to come back on.

……

"Luke, where are you?" Brooke called out. She reached her arms out for him and felt a hand grab a hold of hers.

Lucas squeezed it gently. "I'm right here."

"Do you have any flashlights?" Jake asked.

Lucas tried to let go of Brooke . "I'll be right back," he said to her. She reluctantly let go of his hand. "Nate, you wanna come and help?"

After a few minutes of waiting, Lucas emerged with one flashlight and a few smaller candles. Nathan had managed to find a pack of matches behind the bar and lit the three candles. Sitting them down on the bar he watched as Brooke walked towards him. "Thank God," she said before sitting down.

"Hey, wait a minute. Where's Alexis?" Peyton asked as she looked around the room at her friends. Haley had made her way to the bar as well and took the seat next to Brooke, avoiding Nathan's stares.

Lucas shrugged his shoulders. "I'll go look for her."

Brooke raised an eyebrow and jumped off the barstool. "I'll go with you," she said. She grabbed a hold of the flashlight and walked towards Lucas, linking her arm with his.

"She probably went into the storage area to look for some flashlights."

……

"Brooke?" Alexis questioned Felix. She crossed her arms across her chest and glared at him. "BROOKE? As in your ex girlfriend? You're kidding me right?" Alexis couldn't help but feel hurt by his words. They had been messing around for a while now and all of a sudden he was still hung up on Brooke?

Felix reached out to rub her shoulder. "It's not like that. I thought we agreed to keep this a secret," he asked. She looked down at the floor knowing he was right and then back up at him.

"But couldn't you have said Haley? Or Peyton? Why Brooke?"

For a moment, Felix thought about telling her the truth. That perhaps he still had feelings for his ex girlfriend. But the look on Alexis's face proved that she wasn't in the mood to hear it. "It was the most believable. That's all."

"That's all?" She asked looking up at him.

He nodded his head and then brought his hands to her chin. As he lifted her chin up, he placed a kiss on her lips. "That's all." She grinned against him as he deepened the kiss. Her arms found a place around his neck and his hands rubbed against her lower back. They stood their in the darkness of the storage closet, too wrapped up in each others embrace to notice the door open and a light shine on them.

"What the…" Brooke said as she looked at the couple. She started to laugh before turning to Lucas with a grin. "I think we're interrupting something." Lucas nodded in agreement and watched as the couple broke apart, Alexis running her hands nervously through her hair.

Alexis groaned. "It's not what it looks like."

"Yeah it is." Felix smirked.

Brooke turned towards Lucas and waited for him to say something. When the words didn't come Brooke shrugged her shoulders. "It's not like it matters," she said, again waiting for a response.

Lucas nodded his head in agreement, before changing his mind. "No, you know what it does matter. You deserve better than this. Than him," he said motioning towards Felix. Alexis smiled at the compliment and Felix rolled his eyes.

"What the hell did I do?"

Lucas and Brooke both started laughing. "Where do you want to start?" Brooke asked, as she folded her arms across her chest. "We can start with painting Dyke across my friends locker."

"Or finish with the fact you were such an ass to your sister," Lucas added.

Felix smirked once again. "At least I didn't lie about who I sleep with."

"What does that mean?" Lucas asked, annoyed by Felix's comment.

"Why don't you ask Brooke."

……

Fifteen minutes before midnight, Jake turned to Peyton. "You want to talk to him?" He asked her, as Peyton stared across the room in Lucas's direction. He was sitting down on the stage and was doing everything in his power to avoid Brooke. Peyton couldn't help but feel bad for her friend, despite the fact their was the probability that he brought it on himself.

"No. I mean it's cool. Lucas and Brooke need to figure it out themselves," Peyton said. Jake agreed with her but still knew there was something she needed to say. He kissed her gently on the back of her head and then stood up. Pushing the stool under the counter he looked towards Brooke.

"Do what you have to do Peyton. I'm just gonna see if Brooke's okay."

Peyton shook her head and watched as her boyfriend walked towards her best friend. She smiled as he leaned down in front of Brooke and caught her attention with a lame joke. Brooke was able to laugh at him and that made Peyton feel better. But as she turned to Lucas, something told her that he needed a friend as well. After all, he had been there for her this past summer.

She walked towards him, hesitating for just a moment. Peyton sat down beside him and leaned into him. She smiled as he looked up at her and she knew something was really hurting him. "Luke, what's wrong?" She asked. Peyton knew it had to have had something to do with Brooke but wasn't sure what she had done.

"Nothing."

Lucas turned towards her and looked into her eyes. It was hard to believe that he had betrayed Brooke, all those months ago with Peyton. It was even harder to know he had done it willingly. "Nothing I have any right to get upset over," he explained further. Peyton reached her hand towards his back and rubbed it gently. "When did things get like this?"

"Complicated?" Peyton questioned.

Lucas nodded his head and waited for Peyton's reply.

"When we decided to put our hearts out on the line. Love makes everything complicated Lucas. Everything. It makes things terrifying and messy but it also makes things great. And it's when we put our hearts out there, sometimes we get hurt. Sometimes things happen that we have no control over. But then sometimes- there are times that we finally get our hearts desire."

Lucas shook his head. "Maybe for some people."

"Everyone Lucas. We wouldn't know real happiness, without experiencing the sadness," Peyton said with a smile. She glanced around the room stopping briefly on the scenes in front of her. Brooke and Jake were laughing over a picture he was showing her and Nathan and Haley were in the middle of a heated discussion. As she glanced towards Felix, he looked up at her and grinned. Peyton rolled her eyes and watched as Alexis put her head on Felix's shoulder.

"We'd never know true love, without true loss."

……

Haley shook her head in disbelief. "A divorce?"

"Yeah. Come on Haley. Everyone knew somewhere down the road that this wasn't going to work. Why don't we just stop now before things get any messier," Nathan tried to reason with her.

She looked down at her wedding band and prayed that she wouldn't fall apart in front of all of her friends. After everything they had been through together, he was going to give into what everyone else thought? Haley knew she had to think of something, anything that would make him change his mind but still nothing came.

"Maybe we should talk about this tomorrow. It's New Years Eve Nathan."

Nathan nodded his head. "That's why it had to be said. I don't want us to start the New Year together, if we're not going to be…together," he explained.

Haley felt a piece of her heart break. Nathan was serious, he really did want a divorce. "If that's what you want- then fine." Haley wrapped her arms around herself trying to find comfort. "But don't do this for me Nathan, don't. I love you and will do anything for you. I would have gone on that tour Nathan, but not without you. Not after the last time."

"This is your chance Hales."

She shook her head in agreement, and smiled sadly. "They'll be other chances."

"And if there isn't?"

Haley reached up and cupped his face in her hands. "Then we'll make other dreams. Together." And with those words, Nathan pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

……

Lucas thought about what Peyton had said and was about to say something when Felix interrupted him.

"It's thirty seconds to midnight everybody," he said as he glanced down at his watch. "Twenty... Ten... Five..."

"Five!"

"Four!"

"Three!"

"Two!"

"One!"

Peyton gave Lucas a small smile and leaned in towards him. "Happy New Year Luke," she said as she kissed him gently on the cheek. He hugged her and then pointed towards Jake.

"Go get him," he said.

……

"Happy New Year Jagelski," Brooke whispered to Jake.

He smiled at her and leaned in to give her a hug. "Happy New Year," he said as they pulled apart. Brooke's eyes darted towards Lucas and Peyton and she rolled her eyes.

"I'll never learn will I?" Brooke said.

Jake followed her stare and noticed that she had been implying at whatever was going on between Lucas and his girlfriend. "They're friends Brooke." Jake wrapped his arm around her shoulder in support and smiled at his girlfriend. Peyton smiled back but made no move of leaving Lucas's side.

"Maybe for Peyton. But look at how he looks at her," Brooke said.

Jake wasn't sure what he could do to make her feel better. He knew that Peyton and Lucas had a history and that their relationship was both hard to understand and accept. They were a lot a like and that had bonded them together. But he trusted his friend and more importantly he trusted his girlfriend. "She sees him Brooke. That's all it is. Nothing more, nothing less."

"I just wish he could look at me- the way he looks at her."

Jake shook his head in disbelief. "No you don't. Brooke, I'm not going to lie. Lucas and Peyton do have a history and there is something there between them. But Lucas looks at you as if you're his reason," Jake said.

"Reason for what?"

Jake shrugged his shoulders. "Everything. Everything he does, everywhere he goes. Just everything."

……

"Happy New Year Lucas," Brooke said minutes later.

Lucas brought her into an uncomfortable hug and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Happy New Year Brooke." As he went to pull away, he couldn't help but notice her linger a little longer than she should have. "I'm sorry I got upset. Truth is, I wasn't ready to hear that about you and Sean."

"Listen Lucas…" Brooke went to say something but Lucas cut her off.

He held up his hand silenced her. "It's cool. I admit it. I was a little jealous. But it's your choice and if you decided…"

It was Brooke's time to cut him off. She brought her hands to his lips and smiled slightly. "I know what you think about what happened between Sean and I. I know what Felix implied. But I want you to know I didn't sleep with Sean."

"I couldn't," she whispered.

TBC...

Up Next On Back to You:

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE- Almost Home
- Lucas tells Brooke about a scholarship to UCLA

- Andy, Karen, Lucas, and Brooke move into their new home

- Brooke visits Sean in Charleston

- Haley gets invited to a recording studio to record a demo

- Peyton and Jake talk about their future

Authors Notes: As always, I appreciate your reviews. Good or bad, I wanna know. So please, just take the time to send one.

OtHTutorGirl23: See, it wasn't as bad as it looked! I hope you aren't too mad at the scene between Nathan and Haley. Thanks for taking the time to send me a review.

KarahBella: glad you're enjoying all the twists and turns. Thanks for my review :-)

PayAlf: I hope this chapter explains Brooke's reasons and what ACTUALLY happened. I bet a lot of people were angry with me, but still hopefully they will continue to read it. Yes, it will deffinitly still be brucas. Thanks for writing a review. Its nice to see someone new :-)

OTHRetard: I soo hid my story now so my neice can't erase anything! And I hope that you're questions have been answered in this last chapter. Hopefully you approve. There will be another chapter I am going to add tomorrow so look for that and also the new chapter of Where is your Heart?

DanceDude09: So...did you like the chapter? Drama is around EVERY corner in tree hill! Glad you enjoyed the last chapter and hopefully you liked this one as well :-)

Brucas4Ever: So are you mad? I hope not. Thanks for your review last chapter :-)

Brucas1fanfromqc: so happy you're still "loving" the story. And see, another update :-)

L-A-C-18: I think everyone is torn between their feelings over Haley. I was/am. In the first season, she was actually my favorite character. And then season two came and even though I don't agree with her reasons for leaving and how she handled them I do understand them. So I am just hoping they don't ruin her in season three. I hope you're satisfied with the way I am handeling Sean's character in the story. I wanted it to look like there was a chance they went all the way but have it not be a "for sure" thing. To be honest I think that it isn't in Sean at all to force Brooke into anything she doesn't want. Hopefully I also stayed true to Brooke's character as well. As far as your opinions on Brooke's feelings for both Sean and Lucas...you're absolutely right. And hopefully Sean will understand it as well. I hope that you liked this chapter and that I didn't make you hate Lucas too much with the Leyton scene. It wasn't so bad. :-) Please send your reviews :-)

Jeytonlover: I am so glad you're enjoying this story. eight more chapters to go! Turmoil does seem to surround this story but hopefully they get some peace. Somewhere :-)

CutieRay: Well, here's the update :-) Hope you like it

JJ521: I am so glad you're enjoying this story. It's coming to an end, but I hope you you continue to enjoy reading it :-)