So, I want to thank all of you for reviewing and making Rose and I very, very happy. We were so excited to write this story and it's good to know that you're excited to read it. It helps to write the chapters when you know someone is expecting them.

This chapter is dedicated to brucas333, BlueJean452, dare4distance and nikki. You guys were the first four to get the quote right.

The quote that you were supposed to find was "I'm not gonna cry. I'm not gonna cry." It's from Season 6, Episode 2.

I especially liked troypazash's review: Don't worry, we'll play another game soon. I'm too tired to put in a quote for this chapter so it's all good. :D

It's also 9/11- Take a moment and pray.

Update: Rose turns 17 on Friday, so wish her a happy birthday! The next chapter will be dedicated to her and such. But, I'll let you go on with your reading. Enjoy!

Caught

Brooke had spent the rest of her day with Haley. They talked about what happened and how it happened before Haley had to leave to pick up Jamie. Brooke smiled when she mentioned her little godson; too bad she couldn't go see him.

"I'll call you later Brooke. Why don't you go home and get some rest?" Brooke nodded, her throat too sore to speak. "I'm sorry again Brooke."

Brooke just nodded and squeaked out the only words she could. "It's...not your fault." Haley smiled before she left the ruined store. Brooke looked around and realized she was alone at the store again. Before she could feel anymore paranoid she left a few seconds after Haley did.

She didn't really know where to go. She could go home but she didn't know if Peyton or Lucas were there. She might as well go look. She turned her car around and headed back to her house.

She got there in less than five minutes; one of the perks of living in a small town. She stepped out and quietly made her way across the gravel driveway. From what she could see, no one was home. Peyton's car wasn't there so Lucas had no reason to be there. She sighed and unlocked her door before going inside and locking it back up.

She turned around and noticed that the kitchen was clean. She smiled a little and wished that she could talk to Peyton but it would be too many questions. Then, after admiring her kitchen, she listened for any noises.

None. The house was completely silent which was good for her.

"Great," she mumbled. She went to the kitchen and dropped her glasses, scarf and purse on the counter before grabbing a water bottle from the fridge. Before she took a drink from it, she pressed the cool bottle to one of her bruises.

"Damn it," she muttered angrily as the pressure from the bottle made her bruises hurt even more. What the hell was she supposed to do? She turned her back to the fridge and tried to alleviate the pain.

"Brooke?" Brooke froze completely. "I haven't seen you since in a while." Wasn't everyone supposed to be gone? Why was he here?

"I-I..." She was speechless. She couldn't find the right words to get out of the situation she was currently placed in.

"Brooke, whats wrong?"

She gulped. "Nothing." She was so glad that her back was facing him or he would have been doing more than asking questions. "I have to go."

"But we haven't even talked since I got back."

"You got back last night," her voice was as smooth as she could make it without him noticing anything.

"I know but..." As he began to talk, she grabbed her sunglasses and scarf before sliding them on carefully and turning around. She watched his eyes for anything but all she got was confusion.

"I have to go." He watched as she maneuvered around him. He quickly grabbed her shoulder and she flinched and pulled back. That was odd. She rubbed her shoulder and headed straight to her room. Did he really grab her that hard?

Brooke continued to rub her shoulder until she got into the safety of her own room. It wasn't his fault. He didn't even know that she had bruises all over her body. God, why didn't she just tell him?

Oh, thats right. She didn't want to ruin his new engagement and it wasn't his business anyway. But he's one of your best friends.

Was she having an inner war? But he doesn't deserve to know. What about all the times he promised to save you? Did he?

She shook the crazy thoughts from her head and laid down on the bed. She threw her purse, along with her scarf and glasses, on the ground. Was this how it was going to be until her bruises started to heal? Haley knew but that was already enough for her.

She sat up and flipped her legs over the edge before rubbing one of them. She wished that the pain would just disappear. She hadn't even thought of going to a doctor yet either; but then it would appear that she was abused and the cops would get involved.

"Fuck," she cursed at nothing in particular. She nearly jumped when she heard her cell go off. She looked over and noticed the caller ID read Peyton.

She couldn't avoid her forever. "Hey," she said as normally as she could.

"Brooke? How have you been? Are you at the house?"

She had to lie. "No."

Peyton snorted. "That's funny since Lucas said you were there."

"I just left," she said quickly. "I'll be back later."

"What's up with you?"

"What...d-do you mean?"

Peyton sighed. "Are you sick or something?" Silence. "Brooke, come on, were best friends. You can tell me anything."

"There's nothing to tell Peyton. I'm perfectly fine," her voice cracked near the end but Peyton didn't seem to catch it. "I have to go." She hung up before Peyton could squeeze another word in.

She felt horrible for lying to Peyton but it was for her own good and lately she had been hating her for no reason. But secretly she did know the reason. It was the good-looking blond man that stayed across the hall with Peyton.

She shouldn't be feeling that way about Peyton's fiance. She was perfectly fine with everything before they actually got engaged so why did it bother her so much now? Maybe because he is actually taken by Peyton again? Or maybe because you've been secretly pining after him?

The voices in her head were more annoying than her mother. That one earned her a sting. Her mother was the prime suspect for her ruined store in her head. She knew that her mother wanted those sketches more than anything; she would've done anything to get them in her hands.

Would she go as far as hurting her own daughter? Especially her own daughter. It saddened Brooke that she couldn't have a normal mother who encouraged her, not beat her down with harsh words.

All the thoughts were making a train of confusion in her brain and she didn't know what to do. Should she just let Haley be the only one that knew? Or should Peyton and Lucas know? What about Nathan or Jamie? No, not Jamie; she didn't want him to see his Aunt Brooke like this.

So what then? She does this alone? Was it the right thing to do? She pressed on her head softly to stop the flow of thoughts for a moment. It was giving her a major migraine and all she had was the useless Tylenol.

She would check and see if Lucas was gone yet. She didn't know how long she had locked herself in there but it must have been awhile because she hadn't heard footsteps or noises for about an hour.

She opened the door and quickly walked towards the kitchen. She grabbed a stronger medication from the cabinet and left the kitchen.

She stopped when she reached the hall. She was frozen again; that was the third time it had happened that day. She watched all the emotions that played on his face. Confusion and anger were the most prominent and all she could do was stare.

He was clad only in a towel. Had she not heard the shower? Probably not since Peyton's shower never seemed to make any noise.

"Oh my god, Brooke what happened?" His voice was upset and confused, worried and scared. She could see him eying her bruises and marks along her body. "Brooke, what the hell happened?"

"I-I.." Come on, think of a good one. "I fell."

"From where?" His question was implying that he didn't believe her but she had to make it as believable as she could.

"The stairs." He took a quick step forward and she took a step back. The anger was replaced with hurt when he realized that she didn't want him near her.

"Brooke, how did you get so...hurt?" His hurt then changed to sadness. The same sadness in Haley's eyes. She averted her eyes to anything else that would take that image out of her mind.

"I told you..." she tried. "I fell."

"How?"

"I was carrying something in front of my face."

"Brooke..."

She coughed before rubbing her bigger bruise. It hurt to do anything now. "I would rather you not tell...anyone about this."

"Why? We need to get you help."

"I already saw a doctor," she lied. "I don't need anyone's help." Why was she being so distant? Emotional stone Brooke was back again or more like stupid Brooke for letting Lucas see her like that.

"Brooke I can help."

"No, you can't Luke. I know you and Peyton just got engaged, so I don't want her to know. It'll ruin her excitement." He didn't say anything. All he did was either look at her bruises or her eyes. She knew he felt helpless but she didn't want him involved with her problem.

"I have to leave."

"Where are you going?"

"Out." She turned and grabbed her keys before leaving him alone in the empty house. She cursed as she made her way to the car. Why did she let him see her? Why didn't she just turn right back around? She was so stupid.

She was thankful that he wasn't following her but then again she kind of wished he did. God, what was wrong with her? Mixed-up emotions much? She sighed and started her car before leaving the driveway as fast as she could.

She could just imagine Lucas calling Peyton and telling her that Brooke got beat up and now she left. She wasn't really going anywhere special; just to River Court where Haley was going to meet her.

She needed someone to talk to; she needed a friend. But why couldn't Lucas be the friend she needed? What was stopping her from telling Peyton? From telling anyone?

See the amazing purple button? Clicky? I think yes! :D

Anyways, Lucas knows! Rose didn't want to wait any longer so we did it. Now you'll have to find out if he tells anyone and what's going to happen with him and Brooke. Poor Brooke. C'mon, we all knew Brooke couldn't hide from Lucas forever.

No "special" quote in this one. Sorry but I just didn't even think about it until after I already finished the chapter. Hopefully you'll still enjoy the chapter.