2016

Tree Hill, North Carolina

(One Month Later…)

People chatted as they began to file inside the Whitey Durham Field House. The faces were familiar, just ten years older as the class of 2006 happily entered the gym. It was decorated with the usual cheesiness of banners, streamers and balloons and Tim Smith, ever juvenile even at 28 giggled as he snuck in a flask and spiked the punch despite there was an open bar just a few feet away. The mood was light as there was lots of catching up to do but the very recent and very public tragedy concerning the early demise of one of their classmates was not forgotten and when five of Tree Hill's most infamous and popular entered, there was a bit of a hush that preceded the stares and whispers.

"Gosh, people are so rude around here", Haley scoffed as she poured her and her husband a glass of punch.

"Let them stare", Brooke shrugged. "Who cares? I'm used to the attention. In fact, I kind of like it. And you better get used to it too, if you plan on dropping that new hit album by the winter."

Haley blushed and smiled.

"That has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?"

"Well, you know, we'll be the first in line to buy it", Jake winked as he put an arm around Peyton.

Nathan looked at both of them before giving his wife a sly grin and patting her on the behind.

"You mean, second in line."

Her brown eyes softened.

"You mean that, Nathan?"

He nodded.

"With all my heart. For years you've taken care of me and Landon. You had to give a lot up. Plenty of times I was selfish. Well, no more. It's not fair. It's your turn, Hales. It's time you do something you want. And you're a great musician. I'm proud of you, I always have been. Whatever you do, is gonna be a hit."

"Oh Nathan…"

"I'm not thrilled about the whole Chris Keller thing. The guy is still a massive tool but whatever. I guess he's talented too and I know he helps you. So you have my blessing."

Tears came to her eyes and a smile to her face.

"I love you. I mean that. Thank you, Nathan. I really, really love you."

He pulled her on top of his lap where they shared a sweet but steamy kiss in front of everyone.

"Oh God, so gross", Brooke rolled her eyes. "Please. Get a room, you two before I seriously vomit."

"Oh leave them alone", Peyton teased. "They're cute."

"You'd think so, Blondie."

"To us", Haley toasted her husband with a smile.

"To us, Hales."

They took a sip and Haley frowned, nearly choking as she spit out the liquid that burned her throat going down.

"Oh my God!"

"You okay?" everyone asked as they rushed over to her.

"I'm fine. It's just…I don't know. It tastes like somebody spiked the punch or something."

"You sure?" Peyton frowned. "Come on. I mean, who would actually do something like that?"

The fab five looked at each other at the same time and rolled their eyes. The answer and the culprit was crystal clear.

"Tim", the said together.

"What?" he feigned innocence with a shrug from the other side of the room.

"Still an idiot, still Dim after all these years", Brooke shook her head. "Come on. Let's go to the bathroom."

Everyone seemed surprise but said nothing as the two left together. Near the corridor to the ladies' room stood a group of their former classmates. The nameless, bitchy clique who always had something negative to say yet secretly admired the two cheerleaders.

"Just look at them", one said.

"Yeah, I know."

"They act like nothing ever happened."

"Poor Lucas."

"I can't believe they're still friends. Didn't she sleep with her husband or something?"

They gracefully ignored the catty comments and went in the ladies' room to freshen up.

"So", Peyton began as she checked her eyeliner and Brooke applied a new coat of lipstick. "How are things?"

Brooke shrugged.

"Business is great. It's good to be back to work."

"Are you, you know, okay? I just worry about you all alone on that huge ranch out in Dallas by yourself."

"I'm not completely alone but I know what you mean. Thanks for the concern though. I have my work and plenty of great friends and my dogs. Sure it's a little hard sometimes but I'm moving on. I'll be alright. I'm strong."

"You had to be to get this far. Listen, Brooke…"

"Peyton, don't, okay? It's a nice night. Don't ruin it."

"Believe me, that's the last thing I want. I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I know I can never say it enough but I still want you to know."

"It's done, alright? We can't change the past. Just…I don't know. Take care of little Minnie."

"I am."

"How is she?"

Peyton beamed with a proud grin.

"Amazing. All the kids are great."

"And you and Jake?"

"Trying to work it out."

"Good for you. He's a great guy."

"I know."

"You don't deserve him, you know."

Peyton sighed.

"You're right."

"Just don't screw it up again."

"Oh I won't. Not this time. Trust me."

"Good", Brooke nodded. "Um, just one question. What about Minnie? Will you ever tell her? You know about Lucas and everything."

"God, that's a tough one. I never want to keep the truth from my children but at the same time I want to protect them. I don't know, Brooke. We'll see how it goes when she's older but for now I'm still on the fence. I guess that makes me an even shittier human being, huh?"

"No", Brooke said as they exited. "It just makes you human."

They walked out the same way they came in past the same group who still had nothing else better to do.

"Look at her dress…"

Peyton stopped and turned.

"Excuse me, is there a problem?"

All of a sudden the cat had their forked, gossiping tongues.

"No problem here", one of them fake smiled.

"Good", Brooke commented. "Because you all seem awfully preoccupied with our clothes and our friendship and our marriages and our lives in general."

Their eyes widened as they fumbled for excuses.

"No, we weren't…"

"Yes, you were. You don't know anything about either one of us. You're just assuming and filling in what you don't know, just like ten years ago in high school. We're face to face and now that you have your chance, you clam up. Go figure."

The lead one with the biggest mouth rolled her eyes.

"Whatever, Brooke. Just like in high school you and Peyton think you're better than us, than everyone."

Peyton smiled and shook her head as she and Brooke walked off.

"We never thought that. You guys did", she pointed out the obvious as they returned to their group.

Nathan and Haley were off canoodling in a corner like love struck newlyweds. A slow song came on and Jake and Peyton took to the floor, leaving Brooke all alone. Almost alone.

"May I have this dance?" he asked.

Brooke smirked.

"That depends. When I wrap my arms around you, are you going to try to cuff me?"

She relented and let Mouth take her in his arms.

"Nice night, huh?"

Brooke looked around.

"It is. The committee could have used a better decorator but I suppose it could be worse."

"You weren't up for the job?"

"I was grieving, Mouth."

"Right…"

"Look, I know you don't believe me."

"I didn't say that. I came over here to dance, not fight. And I want to know how you're doing."

"Moving on. Coping. Taking one day at a time. Lucas is dead and I'm sorry and I love him and I miss him but I didn't die with him. I'm still alive, Mouth and I have to live my life. I can't walk around the rest of my years draped in a widow's veil."

"No one expects you to."

"What do you expect?"

"Honestly? The truth. That's all I ever wanted."

"I told you…"

"I know what you said. But there's more, a hell of a lot more. We both know that. I'm not stupid, Brooke. I know there are things you know that you aren't telling me."

"I've told you everything I can."

He sighed.

"He was your husband. Hero or villain, you were married to him. Now you're protecting his killer."

"Are you suggesting I didn't love Lucas?"

"If you loved him, you'd tell me everything. Help me crack open this case."

"Mouth, there are some things more important than love."

The young detective looked right at her.

"Like loyalty."

She smiled at him with those heart melting dimples.

"See? You know too much already, Mighty Mouth."

"Remember at Luke's funeral? I promised you justice, Brooke."

"There is no justice", Brooke answered quietly.

"And you promised me truth."

"There is no truth."

They stared silently at one another until the song ended.

"Brooke…"

"Thank you for the dance, Detective. It was lovely."

"It's not over, Brooke. I won't rest until I find out what really happened, that night, until a killer is behind bars."

She gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"No rest for the weary."

The lights came back on and it was time to return to the tables. An older Principal Turner took to the podium to begin the formal part of the evening.

"…And in light of the recent tragedy of your dearly departed classmate, basketball legend, Lucas Scott, tonight we honor his memory with a prayer, a moment of silence and the lighting of this single candle…"

A beautiful, large ivory candle placed in the center of the room was lit. At a special table, five people respectfully bowed their heads as the entire room watched and scrutinized their every move. Millions of unspoken thoughts ran through their minds. The man who had been shot at the Docks would not be missed. But the peace filled, kind, smiling boy he once was would always have a place in everyone's heart. For the night as long as that flame burned, that sweet memory would survive. And after all was said and done, when the fire finally flickered out, all they would have was each other.