Nathan walked home sadly. He couldn't get the emotionless eyes out of his head. He had never seen Brooke like that, and wished it had stayed like that.

Nathan clenched his fist remembering the harsh words that had came out of him. The horrible stuff he said to her. He blamed all their problems on her, when he very well knew he had equal blame.

If Nathan had trusted her when he saw her with Lucas, this wouldn't have happened. If he had given her a chance to explain the situation, maybe he wouldn't have driven her away to Lucas, and in turn, he would have never gotten to the point of being engaged to Haley.

Nathan was so torn. Haley had been so supportive; she had been there for him when he needed someone most. Brooke had caused him so much pain, and Haley was there for him. She helped him out of his depression, and now he couldn't do this to her.

He couldn't leave her.

Haley loved him more then he deserved, and she deserves a good husband.

Nathan shut his eyes for a moment; he had to promise never to cheat on Haley again. How could he do that? He knew how much it hurt when he found out about her a Chris, he couldn't do that to her.

He wished so bad for things to have been how they use to. When it was Haley alone who had ruled his heart and everything was simple in that department. There was never any doubt about his love for Haley. But now? Brooke crept into his heart, and he hadn't even seen it coming. He never thought he could ever love anyone other then Haley, and he had known Brooke all her life, he never thought he would ever fall for her. Brooke had been someone he always thought was attractive, but not someone he could imagine himself with.

Nathan shook his head. He had to get back to the party. He had to forget about Brooke, and be happy with Haley. He had to…

Brooke fell to her knees heart broken. Nathan had walked away from her… from them. It was actually over. He would marry Haley, and they would never be together, ever.

She felt nothing inside. Not anger, not even misery. She just felt numb.

She didn't know how long she had been in that crouched position, being alone, but it wasn't long enough. She sighed when she heard a soft knock on her door. She knew it couldn't be Nathan, and she didn't want it to be anyone else. Therefore, she decided to ignore it, and maybe they'll just go away.

But of course, god must be angry with her today, nothing was going the way she wanted to. So of course, she heard the soft click of the door opening.

"Brooke, I heard about your fever,"

Brooke shrugged. She didn't even bother looking up. At the mention of her fever, the pounding in her head came back full force.

The pounding in her head grew so unbearable that she groaned out painfully, clutching her head.

"Brooke? Are you okay?" The person asked again.

Brooke ignored them. She felt like it didn't matter anymore. There was no point in anything.

Her vision went blurry with unwept tears, and she faintly acknowledged a pair of arms wrapping around her. She was lifted and placed on her couch. Brooke's eyes closed, as she moaned at the pain her head was causing. She felt a pillow be placed under head, and a blanket over her shivering form.

Now, all she wanted was to slip into unconsciousness. She didn't want to bear the pain anymore, the one caused by her fever, nor the loss of her heart. And slowly, she fell into a deep sleep.

Brooke walked into the room full of beaming people. She saw everyone dressed up nicely, the girls all in pretty dresses, and the guys in their white suits.

"What's going on here?" Brooke asked.

They all ignored her, whispering to each other excitedly. Brooke stepped in front of an old couple that she recognized, waving her arms out in front of them.

But they went on as if nothing had happened.

They weren't ignoring her… they couldn't see her! Brooke frowned, looking around the room. What was going on?

One person turned the other way, "Look, there comes the newlyweds!"

Brooke turned to her left slowly, silently praying that they weren't who she thought they were.

She gasped at what she saw. Nathan and Haley stood proudly, their arms hooked together.

But what surprised her most was the fact that beside them, she and Lucas stepped out! Brooke was wearing a wedding dress and a ring on her finger.

What! She had married Lucas!

Brooke examined her face, and even though she was smiling brightly for everyone around them, she could see the sadness in her own eyes.

She caught herself glimpse at Nathan, and shook her head sadly. She wasn't happy.

This couldn't be how they would turn out.

Lucas looked over at her, "Ready for the rest of our lives together," he whispered happily.

Brooke gasped, No, that's not what she wanted. Noooooooo!

"Brooke! Wake up!"

Brooke's eyes fluttered open, as she sat up panicked. Brooke examined her surroundings with relief. It was all just a bad dream. She looked into the worried eyes of Lucas beside her, and she felt her heart drop.

She was still here with Lucas.

"Are you okay?" he asked worried.

Brooke sighed, slowly moving to a sitting position. She couldn't lead Lucas on anymore. She thought she could fall back in love with him, but she can't. Her heart would always belong to Nathan, and she couldn't be unfair with Lucas. She couldn't be with him, and make him lose the chance of finding real love with someone, someone that would love him back.

Brooke took a deep breath, knowing she wouldn't regret it. Even though she would be all alone after this and she'd be giving up a guy that really cared for her, she knew it was the right decision.

"Lucas," Brooke started hesitantly, "We need to talk,"

Lucas nodded, "Yeah! You need to tell me what happened! Out on no where, you're gone, and then I find out you have a high fever. Where did you go?"

Brooke shook her head, "No Lucas, we have to talk about something important. This doesn't matter."

Brooke could see the confusion cloud his face, "Ok, what is it?" he asked, his hand stroking her warm cheek caringly.

Brooke gulped, and felt torn. Here was this great guy that cared so much for her, was she really going to push him away, especially when she needed someone's love most.

No, she wouldn't use him like that. For her own selfish need, she couldn't play him.

"It's about us," Brooke stated, trying to gain some confidence.

Lucas frowned, "What about us?"

Brooke took the hand Lucas had on her cheek and held it between her own, "I'm so sorry Lucas, but I don't think we belong together,"

Lucas felt like she had just slapped him, "What?"

Brooke felt any confidence she had slip out of her, "I'm so sorry, but Lucas-…"

"You're breaking up with me?" Lucas asked miserably, "You can't Brooke!"

"Lucas, please don't make this any harder then it already is," Brooke begged sadly.

"Brooke? You can't- how could you? What changed?" Lucas asked desperately.

Brooke felt her heartbreak, remembering how she had also shown this desperation when trying to hold onto Nathan, and she knew how much it hurt to want someone that refused to be with you.

"I'm so sorry Luke,"

Lucas shook his head, his hands cupped Brooke's face tenderly, "You're sick, you don't know what you're saying."

Brooke covered his hands with her own two, "I'm sorry Luke, but I can't be with you,"

"Why?" Lucas challenged.

"Because…" Brooke sighed sadly, "I can't be with you because I don't love you,"

"What?"

"I'm so sorry-…"

"Stop saying that!" Lucas snapped, anger rising in his voice, "You can't break up with me because we belong together,"

Brooke felt tears well up in her eyes, "I wish we did, but we don't,"

Lucas shook his head, "I don't believe you,"

Brooke turned to face the other way, the pain on his face cut deep into her. The pain Nathan caused her; she turned around and caused it to Lucas. But she had to. She really had to.

"Lucas, do you really think I want to do this. I want nothing more then to have you around, and love me as much as you do. But it isn't fair. If I don't love you back, then how is it fair that I hog your love. There is a really great girl somewhere out there for you. She will love you so much that everything else will seem miniscule, and she deserves all this love." Brooke insisted sincerely.

Lucas shook his head, "Don't make up some emotional shit to make this easier for you. Brooke, you are the girl I love, the girl I've always loved, and I know you love me back,"

"I do, but not the way I should,"

Lucas stood up in frustration, "Brooke, stop this shit, stop trying to mess things up, we're great together,"

Brooke felt a tear escape her eye and got up to walk away, when Lucas grabbed her arm, and swung her around to face him.

"Brooke, I don't want to be with anyone else," he whispered desperately.

But Lucas, I do! That's the problem; I want to be with someone else!

Brooke felt so horrible. She couldn't believe she way hurting him like this.

"Lucas, please don't be upset. I don't deserve you, don't you get it? I don't return your feelings and that's horrible. I can't continue to lead you on; you should be with someone that-…"

"Stop saying I should be with someone else!" Lucas snapped harshly, pulling Brooke closer, "I want to be with you!"

Brooke struggled out of his grasp, "I'm sorry Luke, please stop it."

Lucas let her go; stumbling back onto the chair she had pushed Nathan onto not too long ago. Brooke winced at the thought.

"How could you," Lucas mumbled, resting his head in his hands.

Brooke kneeled down in front of him. "Luke, I do love you. You will always have a very special place in my heart, and you know that. But, I know you could feel it to. I've changed. I know you noticed the difference. It's not how things use to be with us,"

Lucas looked up at her sadly, "Why?"

Brooke sighed, "I don't know. I guess I'm not the same person anymore."

"But Brooke, I honestly feel that I love you. In the hospital, when I thought I was going to die, I thought about you, and I know in my heart, that I love you."

"You deserve better. Trust me I know it, because you're a great guy and will get the true love you deserve,"

"But Brooke, will I get someone like you,"

Brooke felt tears start pouring out of her eyes again, "Please Luke, don't say that,"

"No seriously Brooke, will I get someone as beautiful, kind, and loving like you?"

Brooke put her arms around Lucas, and brought him into a caring hug, "Luke-…"

"Will her nose crinkle up in a cute way when she laughs, like yours? Or will her eyes sparkle when she's happy? Will she be as sexy as you are, all the while make baby noises when she sleeps,"

"I do not," Brooke laughed sadly, pushing Lucas away jokingly.

Lucas smiled sorrowfully, "I want someone exactly like you Cheery,"

Brooke whimpered slightly, "Luke,"

It hurt so much to hurt Lucas. Someone she cared about deeply, but she knew she had to. Brooke only loved Nathan, and even though she couldn't be with Nathan, she wouldn't use Lucas.

Brooke stood on her tiptoes and pecked Lucas's cheek gently. Lucas brought Brooke into a hug, holding her tight. Lucas closed his eyes, trying to keep the hurt hidden.

"I should go,"

Brooke nodded, following him to the door.

Brooke watched him go sadly, knowing she did the right thing.

A/n. I felt bad for Lucas. sigh But, at least one obstacle is out of Brathan's way, even though they have much bigger problems. Brooke did the right thing. R&R