This story is written by brookescott134 and Brucas46Forever. We really, really hope you like this. Comments are greatly appreciated and they are what keep us encouraged to write. Remember that.

Summary: Sometimes people play hard-to-get because they need to know the other person's feelings are real, but sometimes, for some of us, we play too hard.

Rating: T

Authors Note: Hey guys. So the last chapter had a really big drop off in reviews and it kind of depressed us, but there were a lot of you that did review and you guys were what helped us update so we wanted to personally thank you all for taking the time to do so, those are below. This chapter is a lot short then the others, but I think you all will be happy with the next chapter. So as always, the more reviews the fast we update, and trust me, you are going to want the next update… wink wink. But like I said, personal thank you bellows, you love and appreciate you all and please please please review! Enjoy Chapter 13!

Thank Yous-

LiNe11- I was really thrilled when I read your review, I am really happy that you are completely understanding what we are doing and can see what there conversations and reactions to one another are. It makes us feel like we are accomplishing what we need to accomplish and that is great, thank you so much and we hope you continue to read and review!

PeterClaire- Lucas taking the kids this time wasn't so much to be mean but it was because he was worried about her and her not sleeping not that he didn't want her to have her kids, but Lucas being the blonde boy he is didn't see that sleep wasn't what she need it was her kids, the last time though he was just trying to win the fight. But thank you so much for reviews, you always do and we always love reading and we really truly appreciate it so thank you so so so so so so much and please continue to read and review! Hope you enjoy the next few chapters!

Brucas141- Thank you so much for your review, we appreciate it so much, and it is our pleasure to make Lucas stubborn. Lol. If he wasn't our story would completely suck and we couldn't have that! And we are thrilled to hear that you think it is realistic, it helps show us that we are doing something right and that feels great so thank you so much for saying it, and thank you again for reviewing in general, it means a ton and we hope you continue to read, review and enjoy!

My-Kodak-life- It is funny that you say that about Brooke pissing you off because as we were writing I said the same thing, but we are doing it to add to you all not being able to know if Lucas will or wont just snap and say he is down and wash his hands in it all, so I am glad to read your comment because it shows that maybe we are accomplishing what we need to. I hope that you are enjoying the story, and thank you so much for reviewing; we both hope that you continue to read, review and enjoy! Thank you so much again!

iluvmedou- I always smile whenever I read your reviews. You are seriously one of my favorite reviews, I always look for your reviews and I always smile. I am so happy to hear that you are enjoying the story and that you like they way we are going about writing it, that makes it worth while for us and your reviews are amazing, thank you so much for taking the time to review, it means a lot and we hope you continue to enjoy and review!

B. Davis- Thank you so much for your review. Hyper or not it was still just as amazing and thank you so much for taking the time to do it, it means a lot and we enjoy reading all of your reviews. You are always so sweet and it means a lot and it is the little bust of confidence we always need, so thank you so much…. And just a hint, one more chapter and you are going to be very happy with us, but shh don't tell, lOl, glad you enjoy and we hope you continue to!

BRUCAS EQUALS LOVE: Thanks so much for your review and enthusiasm! We hope you keep reviewing 'till the end.

brucas3: Well, we hate that Brooke lost another baby, too, but it was kind of essential to the story, if you know what I mean. We're glad you're enjoying it, and we really hope the last two chapters appeal to your taste. Thanks for your review!

BrookenRachel: Lol, well, you're right. They could be roommates, but . . . we've got other plans, I think. ; ) But thanks a bunch for the review!

Brucasss: Thanks so much for claiming this the best story on the site! Lol, that totally made our day. We're so glad that you're loving all the Brucas fluff and drama. There's more to come so keep reading and reviewing.

SmileLikeYooMeanIt: Thanks a million for the review, and I know that last chapter was a big one. I think the ending shocked so many of you. But . . . this is a Brucas fic, after all. Although, I suppose we could have been cruel and killed her, but Brooke is our favorite character so there is no way she's going anywhere anytime soon. Again, thanks!

catcat51092: A quick update just for you guys! I see you're with us 'till the end and I'm glad. Thanks a ton for the reviews!

brucascmmlover1474: I know! It is sad—makes me cry when we're writing it . . . but keep up the Brucas faith and all will be well. Thanks for the review!

OTH GURL: Brucas can get through anything, right: ) Thanks a bunch for the review! It means a lot.

When Your Sun Turns Black

Chapter Thirteen: Don't Give Up On Me

Don't give up on me tonight

We've come this far, we've made good time

And all the light of the world is somewhere else

We drove all night in this old car

The morning light, the faded stars

And every day I find I'm someone else

But every day I get closer to myself

And the more I make it better

The more I find I don't know

-"Don't Give Up On Me" by the Graham Colton Band

Lucas exited the building, pacing around the hospital grounds. He was frustrated as hell. All he was trying to do was make things better for the two of them but she had to push. She couldn't just let him in. She had to build her walls and push him way until he cracked, which he was just about one more fight away from. He let out a frustrated groan before kicking the cement post off to the side of the hospital entrance.

"Lucas?" Nathan asked. "You okay, man? Did something happen with Brooke. Is she okay?"

"Oh, she is pretty fine. She is up and bitching already," he said sarcastically. "Damn it!" Lucas cursed, feeling the pain in his foot.

"Whoa, man. Take it easy."

"Sorry," Lucas said shaking his hand as he sat down with his back against the wall, placing his head in is hands. "I just don't know what to do anymore, Nate. I am trying. I'm trying so hard and she still-She is still so angry with me."

Lucas brought his head up to squint his blue eyes at his brother, showing Nathan he is confused. "Lucas, did you ever think maybe she is mad at herself?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, maybe she somehow blames herself. I mean, like, maybe she somehow thinks that because she was the one that lost the baby the first time and that is what drove between you two, and since this time she lost the baby again, maybe she just thinks that this is all her fault so she is being Brooke and building up her walls and pushing you out."

"But it's not her fault," Lucas says rather loudly.

"I know that, you know that, but maybe she doesn't, Luke. You know how Brooke is."

Lucas sighed, ruffling his hair. "I just don't know what to do, Nate. I don't know what to do," he mumbled.

"Just keep letting her know that you are here, no matter what—that you love her and you're not leaving," Nathan said, helping him up. "You're not, right—leaving, I mean?"

"No," Lucas said quickly and indignantly. "Of course not. Why?" he asked quietly. "Do you think I would?"

"Well, I didn't think you ever would, and then last time . . . I don't know. I mean, things are never just little fights between you guys. You push and tear at each other until you snap, and I just I don't know, Luke," Nathan sighed.

"What? Nathan?" Lucas said, snapping his head to the side to look at his brother. "Come on, man. You know it's not like that. I love her, Nate. You know that."

"Just . . . be sure of that before you get yourself too far into this and make her promises you're not going to keep. That's all I'm saying."

Lucas stared at his brother, anger and disbelief evident on his face.

Nathan held up his hands, moving to walk into the hospital.

"You don't think I love her, do you?" Lucas said, catching up to Nathan.

"I never said that, Lucas," Nathan stated simply as he continued to walk.

Lucas stared after his brother, not knowing what to say. Were they all going against him purposely? It infuriated him how they all thought he didn't love Brooke, his own wife. After all the things he's done, after everything they had been through, he had hoped at least Brooke knew it.

"Momma, where's Daddy?" Shelby asked, looking up from her coloring book to her mother. Haley and Nathan had went down to the cafeteria, deciding to let Brooke have some "family time" with her kids. The only thing that was missing, however, was Lucas. It had been almost an hour now and still he was nowhere in sight.

"I don't know, baby girl. He probably just went home to shower," Brooke lied. He could very well be doing that, which she knew he needed.

As if on cue, he walked through the doors, shirt wrinkled and hair ruffled.

"Hey, daddy," Shelby greeted happily.

"Hey, baby girl," Lucas returned, picking her up. "How are you?" he asked his blue-eyed daughter.

"I'm good. I missed you," she said quite shyly.

He smiled. "I missed you too, Princess. Are you being good for Aunt Haley and Uncle Nathan?"

"Of course," Shelby smiled, playing with the color of her fathers shirt. "Daddy, this place smells funny," she said, scrunching up her nose.

Brooke watched the interaction between her husband and daughter, not being able to help but smile as her son laid sleeping on her chest. This was the way it was supposed to be and she knew it, and it felt so right, but it worried her. Whenever things were like this something always went wrong, and she couldn't help but feel like there was a bomb waiting to go off.

Lucas chuckled at his daughter, sitting down as she continued coloring, saying mindless nothings here and there as she did so, Brooke and Lucas not saying a word to each other. He sat watching Shelby and Brooke laid, letting her eyes close for a while as Landon slept peacefully on her. Luckily for her, Lucas hadn't decided to talk, that was until she noticed Shelby had fallen asleep and Lucas had just finished placing a blanket over her small body on the small couch in the corner.

Just as she had anticipated, he turned to her after kissing his daughter's forehead. "Brooke, I think we need to talk." He sat on the bed next to her.

She cleared her throat, not objecting but also wishing this didn't have to happen now.

He continued. "Listen, I-" He let out a breath, stumbling over how to word out his thoughts. He grabbed her soft hands in his. "I love you, Brooke," he began softly, "and I can't imagine my life without you. I don't want to imagine my life without you. I know I've hurt you, but you have no idea how much I hate myself for it. I wish I could take it all back, but there's nothing I can do now other than promise you that I will be a better husband, a better father. I just need you to give me time to prove it to you."

She sighed and pulled her hand away. "Lucas, how many more times are you going to tell me this?"

"Until you accept me," he told her.

"Just stop it, Lucas. We were done a long time ago and you know it." She sighed as she rubbed Landon's back softly, not looking to Lucas as she kissed her son's forehead.

"Damn it, Brooke," he groaned.

"Lucas, have you not realized that all of our fights are pretty much the same thing?"

"Yeah, I have, and I would have thought that you would have gotten it through your head by now that I am not going anywhere, but no, you are Brooke Davis-Scott," he emphasized on that as if to remind her of who she was, of who she was always going to be, "and you have to push. You have to keep pushing until I have nothing left to hang on to. Well, guess what, babe? Not this time. It isn't working. You're not pushing me away this time, so keep trying, but it isn't happening. None of this was your fault, none of it, okay? It was mine. I am a dumb ass and a horrible husband, but I need you to know that I love you more than anything, and I will never, ever leave you again. I will never be that guy that I've been, ever again, okay? I promise you that. But, Brooke, none of this was your fault in any way, and I need you to know that. I need you to let me in. I need to you let me help you through this because I know you are dying inside right now, and I know that is partly my fault, but I need you to let me fix that," he said to her, all in one partly incoherent ramble, his voice cracking and tears welling in his eyes as he looked into hers.

"Lucas," she cried softly, tears dripping from her own eyes now.

"I need you, Brooke," he said to her, cupping her cheek in his hands.

She sniffled, moving her face away from his touch, dropping her head to gaze down at the boy in her lap.

"Brooke, let me in . . . please," he begged in a whisper.

"I can't," she whispered, sounding heart-broken and lost.

"You can," he encouraged, looking into her eyes. "Brooke, you can," he repeated. "I need you to. You need to, Brooke. Please," he continued.

She cried softly but shook her head all the same, finding it too hard to talk. Her mind screamed at her, telling her to let go of her pride and tell him she loves him, but she's stubborn, more so than most people think, and she holds up her walls.

"Brooke, baby, please," he continued to beg in a heartfelt whisper of tears. He leaned forward, letting his forehead rest on hers so that their eyes met as his hand cupped her cheek. "I love you . . . so much. I need you, Brooke. Please."

She could feel his fingers wiping the tears from her eyes; feel him next to her, begging her to accept him. "You should take the kids home. They need to sleep," she finally said, pulling away from him.

His mind reeled in anger; in sadness; in confusion; in pain. Pulling back to look at her, he found her eyes averted to the other side of the room. Nodding, even though she wasn't paying attention to him, he sat up, walking over to carry his kids home, a place where he so desperately wanted to be with his wife.

Once he was out of the room she let the tears fall freely, whimpering in pain, from everything, all of it. It all hurt so bad and she wanted nothing more than his strong, protective arms to be wrapped around her, but she was too stubborn to let that happen. She built her walls so high that it was impossible to break them down. She knew all this, but it still hurt. She wanted him so bad, yet she wouldn't allow herself to have him, and it was killing her.

So? What did you think? PLEASE review!