Brooke stumbled back in shock. She wanted to pinch herself and wake up from this nightmare. Lucas grinned, "Do you understand what I'm asking, pretty girl?"

"Uh… I… Lucas," Brooke stuttered, not able to form any proper words.

"Brooke, I know your shocked, but think about it, we love each other so much, what's the point in wasting our lives, I want to spend every second with you Brooke, marry me, and make me the happiest man on earth,"

They heard a gasp, and turned to see Peyton standing in the doorway. Brooke couldn't help but smirk slightly, seeing how hurt Peyton looked at the fact that Lucas was proposing to her.

"Peyton," Lucas started but Peyton turned and ran.

Lucas looked away sheepishly, "I'm sorry Brooke,"

"Don't worry, I'll go check on her," Brooke volunteered quickly.

"But wait-…"

"I'll be right back," she threw over her shoulder as she made a quick escape.

Brooke saw Peyton heading toward the parking lot. She followed her, feeling a little bad now, she knew how it felt to be hurt like that, and how she could be so cruel to have actually enjoyed Peyton's pain horrified her.

"Peyton!" Brooke yelled, stopping Peyton from entering her car.

Peyton slammed the door closed and turned to her. Brooke was surprised to her eyes so teary.

"What Brooke, did you come to see if I cried? Look! I'm crying, that will cheer you up right? Or did you come to gloat about how Lucas loves you, because I know he does… now what?" Peyton cried, wiping her tears furiously.

Brooke softened at the sight of her once best friend looking so helpless and miserable.

"That's not why I came, Peyton. I'm sorry you got hurt, and though at times I feel like I hate you, I would never want to see you in the state you are in now."

Peyton looked down, "I'm sorry Brooke, I'm sorry for what I did, I don't know why I do it Brooke," Peyton muttered, tears running down her cheeks, "You were always there for me, ever since we were kids, you were there for me when I had no one else. Then I go and hurt you like that. I don't mean to, but I don't know, there is something about Lucas, when I'm with him, I feel like… I feel, I feel loved, like I am important, like I do matter,"

Brooke gulped, a huge knot forming in her throat.

"But I swear on my life, I will never ever try something like that again, I will never try to come in between you two, because you guys are soul mates, and you two belong together," she smiled weakly.

Brooke didn't know what to say, she didn't know if she trusted her rekindled friendship enough to tell her about Nathan yet.

"Do you love him Peyton?"

"I don't know," she said slowly, "It's different from me and Jake, but I don't know which one is love. I know I love them both in different ways, I'm not sure if I love love him,"

Brooke nodded.

"Brooke,"

Brooke turned to find Nathan standing at the entrance.

Brooke turned to Peyton, "It was really nice talking to you again, it's been so long since I've had a good talk with a close female friend," she grinned back at Nathan, "I'll talk to you later,"

Peyton nodded, hesitantly stepping closer, bringing Brooke into a hug. It was nice, but Brooke had to admit it was tad bit awkward.

They pulled back and Brooke turned toward Nathan, following him to the stairs.

"I just heard about Lucas proposing to you?"

Brooke sighed, "It's true, and I don't know what I'm going to do?"

"What do you mean you don't know what to do, I know, you refuse,"

"How though, the doctor told me to do nothing to hurt him, it could be really serious for him Nathan, what if something happened to him, I would never forgive myself,"

"So what are you saying, your going to say yes." He asked angrily.

"I- I don't know, I don't know what to do, how do I get out of this, I-…" Brooke felt the tears pool around her eyes.

She looked up into Nathan's hurt eyes, "I love you," she whispered.

Nathan brought her close, "I love you too,"

Brooke looked up at him. She felt the electricity pass through her body at his gentle touch.

Brooke didn't know if she'd have enough power to give this up. She couldn't stand it; she knew if she didn't get away, she'd never be able to give him up.

Brooke struggled, trying to get away from him, but Nathan's grip around her waist tightened.

"Nathan," Brooke hissed, trying to back away from him. Her tears wouldn't stop, making her vision blurry.

Nathan pulled her closer roughly, "Will you be able to marry him, when you want to be with me," he whispered huskily into her ear.

Brooke looked away, refusing to meet his eye.

"Will you be able to love him the way you love me?"

Brooke bit her bottom lip to stop it from trembling.

"Will he be able to love you the way I do," he asked, his lips grazing her ear slightly, causing a sharp intake of breath on her part.

"Will you be able to live the rest of your life without me?" he challenged, his voice deepening.

Brooke couldn't stop herself; she buried her face in his chest and broke down.

Nathan loosened his grip and held her close.

"Nathan I don't want to be without you, I don't want anyone but you,"

"You don't have to be with anyone but me," he whispered lovingly.

A/N Brooke might not want anyone but him, but will she be able to break it off with Lucas, or will his illness get in the way of brathan. Read and review!