Okay, seriously you guys are so amazing. Everday it's so awesomely awesome when I wake up to tons of reviews in my inbox. Already over a hundred and only on chapter eight? Seriously, give yourselves a pat on the back.

So, we promised you Brucas and hopefully this satisfies you for now. There will be more in the next chapter too. Oh yeah, start squealing. :D

tanya2byour21 is amazing. You got the right answer and you review every chapter. So, thanks for your reviews and wanting to read this story and my other stories.

No Jake in this one but Millicent is coming in. Oh, we don't want to spoil it for you so just go on and read it.

I Want To Help

Brooke was done hiding; honestly, what good did it do? It didn't keep people out. It brought people closer since they worried about her. She sighed as she waited at her store for Millicent who was on her way there right now.

She planned on attending Skill's birthday party after Millicent arrived. It wasn't so much a party as it was just a bunch of adults getting drunk. She didn't really want to but she had to face everyone sometime. Either that or move out of the country; she chose her first option.

As she waited, she noticed a car pull up. Not just any car either. It was Nathan Scott. She wondered if he was back to complain about the baby scare which was usually supposed to be a good thing at their age.

She watched as he entered her slightly damaged store and when he stopped and surveyed the mess, she watched for any signs of suspicion.

"Are you cleaning up?"

"Uh...yeah. You know, renovations and all that." Brooke took a breath. "So, why are you here Nathan?"

"I just wanted to see how you were doing."

She smiled a little. "I'm doing..."

"Fine? Yeah, I know. It's what you've been telling everyone. Listen, Haley wanted to know if you're coming by our house for Skills' party."

Brooke nodded. "Yeah. I'll stop by." Nathan nodded and looked as though he wanted to say something but couldn't get it out. Then he surprised Brooke by walking over to her and hugging her tightly.

She wrapped her arms around him, thankful to have another friend. "Brooke, I'm always here if you want someone to talk to. I know about the whole Victoria thing and I understand." Brooke nodded. "Were all here for you."

"Thanks Nate." They let go and he smiled before looking at his watch.

"I have to go but I'll see you at the party?"

"Yeah," she answered before he kissed her forehead and headed out to his car. She smiled once he left and took a seat before she surveyed her store. It wasn't so bad anymore but it could be improved. She really just wished Millicent would hurry up; she didn't like being in her store as much anymore.

As if on cue, she heard a familiar jingle and looked up to see Millicent, who immediately noticed her face and dropped her bags to tend to her ex-boss.

"Brooke, what happened?"

Brooke stood up and smiled. "I'm fine really. I just had a little accident."

"It doesn't look little. What did you do?" Brooke sighed as Millicent waited for her answer.

"I fell down the stairs."

"What? How?"

"I had a basket covering my face and..." She assumed that Millicent could figure the rest out.

"I'm so sorry." Millicent gave her a tight hug before Brooke began to hurt. She didn't let it show but she pulled out of the hug before the pain became unbearable.

"Listen, I know you just got here but...there's this party for Skills'. Do you want to go?"

Millicent smiled. "Yeah. I'd love to." Brooke nodded and grabbed her bag before the two hailed a cab and headed towards Nathan and Haley's house.

Brooke was scared. No, she was beyond scared. She didn't want to face a room full of people that would ask her the same question over and over again. She kept her sunglasses on as she paced outside the house; she had already told Millicent to meet her inside.

Her feet quickly started to hurt and she took a seat on one of the bench's. She rubbed the sore spot on her back and tried to twist it so that it would stop aching but it only caused more pain.

"Brooke, are you alright?" Brooke looked over and noticed the one and only Lucas Scott. "How are you feeling?"

She stood up but suddenly felt a wave of nausea hit her and she staggered back. Before she fell, Lucas rushed to grab her arm. He pulled her against his chest and sat them both on the bench. Brooke, who had closed her eyes from the pain, reopened them and realized where she was.

"Lucas, what are you doing out here?"

He scoffed. "If I wasn't out here, you would have fell and hit the pavement. When was the last time you ate?"

"I would've been fine and I don't remember." She sat up and scooted off of him before standing up and placing a hand to her head.

"Brooke, you're not fine. You nearly passed out right there."

She ignored him. "Why aren't you with your fiance?"

"She's showing Jake to everyone. Their all excited that he's back and they want to see Jenny."

"Yeah," she agreed. Once again, her and Lucas were too close for her comfort. Especially with Peyton right inside. They were both sitting on the small bench while Lucas had his arm stretched across the back of it.

Brooke didn't know what to do; she really was tired of running from everyone that wanted to help her but she wanted to do this on her own. That is, if she even could do it on her own.

"Lucas, I'll be fine. You can go back inside." He turned and looked her straight in the eyes and for a moment it felt like high school all over again.

"Brooke, I know something is going on and I'm going to figure it out whether you tell me or not." She didn't say anything. She couldn't say anything. He sighed and stood up, holding out a hand to her. "I won't let you go in there alone."

She nodded and took his hand. Together they walked into the full house. Everyone was laughing and smiling. Brooke noticed that a few people turned and looked at her before they went back to talking to their friends; she felt ugly, self-conscious.

She felt Lucas' hand slip from hers and she looked over to see his intertwined with Peyton's. That's when the jealousy hit her in full force. She didn't even realize she was glaring at Peyton until she felt someone tugging on her dress.

"Brooke?" She looked down and smiled at her godson.

"Hey my favorite godson."

"I'm your only godson," he replied. She laughed and picked him up while Lucas watched her play with his nephew. He could tell that she missed Angie a lot; there was such an emptiness in her eyes that made him feel even more terrible for her.

Brooke laughed and sat Jamie down before he ran off. She followed his actions and found a seat in the back of the room; a seat that was in no one's line of sight or so she thought. The next thing she knew, Haley was sitting right next to her.

"You miss her huh?" Brooke knew who she was talking about. Of course she missed her but she didn't want to talk about it.

"I don't want to talk about it." Haley nodded, understanding.

"Brooke, I know you want to do this on your own but I think you should tell Lucas the truth. I mean, he's constantly worried about you. He's always asking if you hate him or if you're okay."

"Really?" He actually asked about her?

"Brooke, were all here for you, especially Luke." Brooke turned her head to where Lucas and Peyton were flirting and her heart broke; no, it would never be like that again for her. She lowered her eyes to the floor until she felt Haley lay a hand on her back.

"It's never too late Brooke." With that said, she stood up and walked away. Did Haley know what was going on? Too bad her advice would never be taken. Ever.

It was nearing the end of the party and all the drunk people were being taken home while Brooke sat in the same chair she hadn't moved from since she stepped into the house. Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

She looked up and saw Peyton smiling down on her. She didn't know why but a sudden urge to kick her ass flashed through her mind. What is wrong with me? She's my best friend. It's not her fault that I like Lucas.

"What do you want Peyton?" Peyton's face showed that she was hurt at Brooke's tone. Nice approach Brooke.

"I just wanted to see if you were alright."

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm sick of people asking me that." Peyton backed up a little at Brooke's harsh words. Brooke lifted a hand to one of the sore bruises on her stomach. "Listen, I need the key to my house back." Could you be a bigger bitch Davis?

Peyton went from hurt to shocked. "Brooke I-"

"You're all moved out aren't you?" Peyton nodded. "Then I want it back. I can't be having people coming in and out of my home. I need to feel safe in my own home."

Peyton nodded and dug through her purse before she pulled out a tiny silver key and gave it to Brooke. "I know you're upset Brooke but is there something else going on?"

Brooke shook her head. "No." That was all Peyton needed before she walked away, upset and hurt by her best friend. Brooke hadn't meant to be mean to Peyton but she figured Lucas would comfort her; after all, they were getting married. It just stings every time you say it.

She sighed and figured that her and Millicent should probably leave. Wait, she hadn't even talked to Millicent since she entered the party. Where was she? Brooke looked around the few people that were still there but couldn't see her anywhere.

"She went back to your house," a voice answered her thoughts. She turned and frowned at the sight of Lucas. She did not need this right now.

"That's where I should be," she muttered and half-hoped that Lucas had heard her. He grabbed her hand and she pulled back instantly.

"Sorry," he apologized. She sighed and nodded. "I want to show you something." She figured that she couldn't avoid not talking to him so she nodded and he grabbed her hand again.

"Where's Peyton?"

"On her way home." For some reason, that pleased Brooke. She was glad to spend these moments with Lucas alone, even if it made her feel bad. He led her outback to the pool and sat her down on the bench.

"Why did she leave?" Of course she knew but she wanted to see if Peyton had told Lucas.

"She said she was tired." Brooke nodded, somewhat thankful that she hadn't told him. Then she remembered that he had something to show her.

"What did you want to show me?"

"Brooke, I want you to tell me something."

"What?"

"I want you to be honest."

"Ask your question." Her mind was screaming at her to leave. Her mind was yelling and cursing at her for staying and waiting to hear his question. She knew what he was going to ask and she knew that she would have to lie again or would she? Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to have Lucas know. But, then again, she didn't want anything to corrupt his marriage, no matter how much she loved him. Wait, love? When did this happen?

"Did someone hurt you? Brooke, I'm not an idiot. I know that you don't get teeth marks from falling down the stairs."

"But those weren't..."

"I know, they were pearls. But the thing is, I don't believe that bullshit. Brooke, I want to help you but you need to let me in."

Those three last words hit her hard. She remembered when she begged him to let her all the way in and he still ran back to Peyton in the end. Those three little words broke her heart over and over again.

"Why won't you ever just let me all the way in?"

"Lucas you need to listen to me. I don't want you in my business and I don't want you meddling with things that aren't of your concern." She tried to sound strong but the image probably didn't work with all the bruises on her face.

"Brooke, I don't want you to do this alone. I know this is more than falling down some stupid stairs."

"No, it's not. End of discussion." She stood up and he followed suit. He grabbed her elbow and twisted her back around to face him.

"It's not the end of this discussion. I want to know what's going on." He wanted to help, she knew that but he didn't need to know. She didn't want him feeling any worse for her.

"Lucas... this isn't your fight."

"I'll help you though."

She sighed sadly. "You have a wedding to plan." Lucas listened to her words that were laced with sadness. Was she not happy that he was getting married? He moved closer to her and grabbed her hands in both of his.

"Brooke, I know you won't tell me but I will find out. I want to help you. We all love you Brooke." He pulled her into a tight hug and she rested her head on his shoulder. She didn't want to let go anymore and she certainly did not want to be alone.

She forgot about everything else as she hugged him back just as tightly. She needed this. She needed his comfort and everything else he offered her but it just wasn't right. It would kill Peyton if she ever found out about her feelings.

She took a deep breath and pulled back only to have him pull her closer. But this time it wasn't her head that rested on his shoulder.

It was her lips that collided with his.

OMFG! Press it! :D

Are you happy with the way we did things? Have you been waiting for this? Oh and please don't attempt to kill us because we left it here. Sorry that there was hardly any Millicent. She'll be in other chapters more. Poor Peyton. Ha not! So, we're pretty happy with the way things turned out in this chapter.

Game: What do you think will happen? Trust us, this one is gonna be hard to guess. Maybe. :D Have fun.