Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own characters!

"Frankly, I don't care when your tour starts Lucas! I have a show in Manhattan. I'm waiting on my ride to the airport as we speak. You'll just have to figure something out." Brooke said, matter-of-factly into the phone. Without another word she hung up. Lucas knew that she was leaving today, could she help it if he had failed to make arrangements for Charity. Lucas was leaving on Tuesday and Charity didn't leave for cheer camp until Friday, he knew that. Brooke rolled her eyes. She didn't understand why he hadn't simply called Karen and asked if Charity could stay with her for a few days.

"Are you all packed?" Jake asked as he let himself into her apartment. He was taking her to the airport today. It still surprised her sometimes that they had ended up as good of friends as they were. Jake had been her rock during the divorce and every day since. When Jenny had told him that she had found Nikki and would be spending the summer with her before going to UNC, Brooke was only too happy to finally be able to return the favor. Now they had forged an easy friendship. It was one of the only friendships that Brooke had ever had that had total honesty and trust. She was glad to have Jake.

"Yes finally. Lucas called to ask if Charity could stay with me this week! Can you believe it? He's so wrapped up in this book tour of his that he still hasn't found anywhere for Charity to stay after he leaves." She told him in frustration.

"I'm sorry. Did you guys get it worked out?" He asked, plopping down on her couch. Brooke shook her head, joining him on the couch.

"No, and that's his problem. He's the one who wanted Charity to live with him. I suppose he'll call Karen." She said with a shrug.

"Alright, well let's get this show on the road." Jake said enthusiastically. Brooke giggled, knowing he wouldn't be so enthused when he saw her mountain of luggage.

"Where's all your stuff?" He asked, hopping up. She bit her lip, trying to stifle the giggles. She pointed towards her bedroom. Jake walked down the hallway and pushed open her door. The look on his face was priceless. He opened his mouth to speak and then closed it again. He glanced from Brooke to the luggage and back. Finally Brooke couldn't contain her laughter any longer. Soon she had tears steaming down her cheeks from laughing so hard.

"You can't be serious! You're only going to Manhattan for a week!" Jake exclaimed. Brooke shrugged, still laughing from his expression.

"I'm a fashion designer Jake!" She retorted, as if that would clear everything up. Shaking his head, he grabbed the nearest piece of luggage and began trekking it out to his car. Brooke grabbed her carry on bag and joined him. Soon they had every last piece of luggage loaded into and onto Jake's car.

"Have you heard from Jenny lately?" She asked carefully as they made their way onto the interstate.

"A few days ago. I guess everything is good. She said that Nikki is a paralegal now, can you believe it? Apparently she's doing well for herself. She's married and they have two little boys, Jenny said." Jake said, relaying the information to Brooke. She was glad to hear that Nikki had turned things around. Jenny deserved a mother who wasn't an alcoholic as Nikki had been.

"I'm really glad to hear that. Do you ever wish things had worked out differently between you guys?" She asked curiously. She had dealt with Nikki, she knew just how manipulative she could be. What Brooke had never understood was how Jake, as caring and unselfish as he was, could ever have been in love with someone like Nikki.

"Sometimes, maybe." Jake answered honestly. Brooke nodded. She knew what it was like to wonder about the past. She did it too often.

"What about you? Do you ever wonder how things would be if you and Lucas hadn't gotten pregnant and married so young?" Jake asked, glancing at her. It was just like him to read her mind. It wasn't enough that they finished one another's sentences, now he had to see what she was thinking too?

"Sometimes, maybe." She replied, repeating his words. Jake rolled his eyes. He knew her well enough to know that when she used humor to deflect something, it wasn't a good idea to push.

"So, are you going to miss me?" She asked, coyly changing the subject.

"Nope." Jake replied. Brooke was starting to feel insulted, when she noticed Jake was struggling to keep a straight face.

"You're a pain in my ass, you know that, right?" Brooke laughed. Jake shrugged good-naturedly.

"If I didn't pick on you, you'd think I didn't care." Jake joked. Brooke playfully slapped his arm.

"Fine, see if I bring you home anything." Brooke said indifferently. Jake shook his head, giving her a smile. She smiled back. She really was lucky to have Jake.