Blind Leading The Blind

Author's note: Hey there boys and girls. First of all…I have the biggest respect for every BL fanfic writer who managed to come up with stories during season 4. After watching 5.06 and the horrible promo for the next episode I can feel your pain. I honestly had such a hard time writing this update because the upcoming LP reunion depressed me so much…

Anyways hope you enjoy this pretty lengthy update…it is a bit cramped but I had to squeeze everything in it before my internship starts next week…after this update I won't have much time to write and pray that you'll forgive when reading this…enjoy

Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill. Sadly the TV-series is belonging to Mark Schwahn. The song used in this chapter is written and performed by Explosions In the Sky. It is not a coincidence that I'm using one of their songs right now because this is my little nod to a brilliant TV-series called "Friday Night Lights". Hope it gets renewed for a third season…

Chapter 9: Inside It All Feels The Same

Tree Hill, October 2011

After he left the reception Lucas wasn't really keen on going home to the empty house and the cold sheets of his bed. But this didn't matter that much to him because he wasn't feeling like he would be able to sleep at all. It was one of these nights again. A night where the old memories crept into his mind and forced him to look back at the past.

If this would have been a typical L.A. day he would have stayed in bed till noon watching ESPN reruns and yelling at the TV screen because his beloved Bobcats got there asses handed to them again. His breakfast would have consisted of leftovers and a couple of beers to maintain a certain level of drunkenness. Maybe he would have gotten up at times to smoke a cigarette or to lie lazily in the sun staring at the clear blue sky. In the afternoon he would have gone out for a long run at the beach or for a drive all the way down to Santa Monica. After some time out in town and a random hookup Lucas would have never had enough time to torture himself with these old memories.

But now he isn't in L.A. and for the past couple of hours he unsuccessfully tried to block out the haunting thoughts. Lucas drove to the Rivercourt after the reception because it was the only place left in Tree Hill where he at least felt a bit like he belonged. His mother's café was closed for the obvious reason of her lengthy trip to Europe with Lilly. Going to Nathan and Haley's house was not an option because his brother was still not even laying his eyes on him. And the chance to run into a certain brunette girl there was enough for him to not even seriously consider this idea. Seeing her tonight again after their brief encounter would not help him at all. After all she was the main reason for his devastating mood and looking into her hazel eyes filled with immense fear would definitely crush him tonight and be the last push over the edge to a place called insanity.

Lucas sat there in his car overlooking the court and the nearby river for quite some time. He was not really sure why it calmed him down that much but listening to the raindrops hammering on the windshield mixed with the occasional clap of thunder somehow released his pent up tension. His eyes were closed and his breathing slowed down after a while. The moment his whole body kind of lost the feeling of exertion and discomfort the pain of his bruised knuckles kicked in. Lucas groaned noisily and opened his eyes for a split second to take a look at his right fist. Over the past hour it changed its color to a dark blue mashed with small black spots. He didn't really care about the stinging pain and the decreasing sensation of his hand. However every time he moved it a bit and this numb feeling washed over him it reminded Lucas of Brooke and a deep down buried memory related to her.

He slowly reached for the hip flask placed in the pocket of his jacket and took a sip. The sticky liquid ran down his throat steadily and provided the usual feeling of warmth in his chest he needed right now. With the effect of the intoxicating liquid still tickling in his throat Lucas closed his eyes again.

Los Angeles, March 2009

He opens his eyes abruptly when he hears the sound of a loud bang. Slowly he turns around and gazes towards his blonde girlfriend curled up to his back. She is still asleep and breathing in slow and even waves with a peaceful smile on her face. With a quick motion he carefully tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and lightly kisses her on the tip of her nose. Unconsciously she licks her lips and lets out a soft moan inching closer to his warm body.

Another shuffling sound breaks the silence and makes Lucas look up suspiciously to the door of the bedroom. Without trying to wake his sleeping girlfriend Lucas untangles his limbs from her embrace and gets up. His eyes are not yet accustomed to the darkness but he is able to catch a glance at a figure hastily leaving the apartment. He pauses for a split second after he hears the noise of the closing door to listen for any other sounds inside the apartment. His eyes scan swiftly the surroundings for the unwelcome intruder until he decides to approach the hallway. Only dressed in black shorts and a white v-neck t-shirt Lucas tiptoes to the door his heart beating frantically. As he hears the faint sound of dry heaves he holds his breath and leans closer to the door to eavesdrop. After some time the person standing on the other side of the door lets out an almost inaudible sigh and walks away. Lucas sneaks a peek through the peep hole but only catches a short glimpse of brown hair whooshing away. Nervously he waits for another moment and contemplates the idea of going back to the warm bed and his blonde girlfriend. However the curiosity gets a hold of him and he quietly opens the door to discover who the intruder is.

As he steps out into the stairway a gust of wind hits his body and sends chilly shivers down his spine. With his bare feet touching the cold tiles a feeling of discomfort washes over him and makes him shake the remaining sleep out of his body. Lucas uncomfortably shifts his weight from one foot to the other but stops dead in his tracks when he hears stifled sobs from the bottom of the stairway. Faintheartedly he moves closer towards the handrail and props both of his elbows down on it to steal a glance at the source of sobs. For a moment his gaze drifts helplessly through the dark stairway until he spots a tiny and petite figure sitting on the ground next to the entrance. As the sobs don't seem to stop Lucas quietly walks down a couple steps to get a better view at the bottom of the stairway. He leans his body a bit over the handrail and actually catches a glimpse at the person sitting there because from this angle the moonlight emblazes the silhouette much more. His grip tightens on the handrail as he identifies the person as a delicate girl with shoulder long brown hair arranged in big curls. She has her face buried in her hands and keeps on shaking uncontrollably while letting out soft sobs. Lucas furrows his brows and feels stings of sadness and compassion piercing through his heart. His body grows stiff and the weird feeling occupies his mind that somehow all of this seems familiar. The moment he decides to approach the girl she wipes the tears swiftly off her face and starts to rummage in her purse for something he can't quite make out. A second later he hears a faint dialing tone of a cell phone and an impatient sigh of the girl.

Anxious to be discovered by the now silent stranger Lucas retreats a bit and hides in a dark corner of the stairway.

"Oh Rachel how I'm glad that you answered this call" the girl exclaims gratefully.

Lucas almost trips as he hears the raspy voice of the supposedly unknown girl. To not loose his balance he leans his right arm onto the wall and waits for a while to withstand the dizziness rushing through his entire body.

"Nothing. I'm fine…it is just that I stumbled upon a change of plans." the shaky voice located a couple of feet beneath him whispers quietly.

Lucas still transfixed and completely shocked absent mindedly runs his fingers through his mussy hair.

He hears the brunette taking a couple of deep breaths to regain her composure before she starts to speak again.

"Yeah Rach…I'm fine…really…there is nothing wrong. It is just that I bumped into some unpleasant memory from the past. Now I'll have to leave L.A. a bit earlier than I planned to."

Finally the tension capturing Lucas's body and mind releases itself and lets him move a bit again towards the handrail.

"No…it is not Chase. I'm sorry I really didn't want to ask you for it….but is the room in your apartment still vacant?" the brunette mumbles every now and then her voice cracking a bit.

Lucas is still bewildered by the sudden appearance of Brooke and crinkles his nose trying to decipher her words and the trigger for her breakdown. She is saying something about her ex-boyfriend Chase but he can't quite wrap his mind around it.

Brooke tries to talk again but just swallows hard and lowers her head. For some time she lets out a couple of dry heaves and ultimately starts shaking again.

"Yeah it is fucking Lucas…damn it Rachel...he moved in today with Peyton…and I knew it right from the start…but I kind of tried to block out the thought and therefore moved out of the apartment today…" she stutters pausing every now and then to release a sob.

"I was too proud to tell you about it Rach…and then I came back for my sketchpad…and…and I saw them there together in bed sleeping…" she tearfully rambles on.

Lucas doesn't quite know what he feels or thinks when hears these words. It takes a while until the words seep into his brain and it processes all of it. In deep shock and utter surprise he squints and slides down onto the ground. His head spins again madly and he has to close his eyes to not give into the feeling of dizziness.

"I know…I know…I'm sorry…I know that I should be over him but it still breaks my heart seeing them together…" the brunette says with desperation and frustration evident in her voice.

Lucas doesn't even try to open his eyes and to take a look at the girl sitting on the ground at the bottom of the stairway. He knows that if he would do this there wouldn't be a chance that he would not remember the night they broke up and he let her go with nothing more than just a simple "Thank you". He feels like somebody pulled the rug from under his feet. A numb feeling rushes trough his body and destroys instantly any of his attempts to even grasp a clear thought.

"I didn't expect anything at all Rach…it is just that I…I thought that he was different…" Brooke replies in a low voice almost inaudible for Lucas.

He grabs the handrail firmly and puts his hand over his mouth to not make any sound.

His pulse increases frantically and his heart skips a beat. He feels mortified and ashamed of himself for hurting the girl that is now shedding tears.

And again the so familiar feeling creeps into his mind that he screwed over another important thing in his life.

"Thanks Rach…I…I don't know what to say…I'll get on the next plane to New York …" Brooke whispers under her breath

The next moment Lucas hears the sound of Brooke getting up and walking out of the apartment complex.

As the door slams shut he slowly opens his eyes and stares into the darkness of the stairway.

Tree Hill, October 2011

The raindrops are still pounding loudly on the rooftop indicating that the storm is far from over. Lucas is lying in his bed wearing not much more than a pair of grey sweatpants and a worn out black wife beater. The whole room is dark except for some parts which are illuminated by the tender moonlight making its way through the curtains. Every now and then a clap of thunder breaks the ongoing silence and makes Lucas look up. His head is comfortably resting against the wall and this current position is giving him a good view over the screen of his laptop lying on his stomach.

He opens his inbox to check his E-Mails in search of something that will keep his mind off the unpleasant memories from the past. He skims through the enormous amount of Spam-Mail and almost deletes a message titled "Dumbass start writing again asap".

Lucas opens up the mail and chuckles immediately when he sees the picture of Lindsey holding his next paycheck in her hands having a ridiculous fake frown on her face.

He scrolls down a bit to read her message still having a grin on his face and wondering how he ever deserved to get such a good friend and considerate editor.

Hey dumbass! Already missing the Californian sun and your very pretty editor? Don't think so because you don't even show up at my office when you are in L.A and you haven't even called me after I dropped you off at the airport. Thank you very much Luke. Anyways…enough with the rambling and lets get down to business. Mark from the publishing company called me and wanted me to forward you the message that they will have to terminate your contract if you don't give me a couple of pages to work with.

I'm really sorry Luke to break this news to you but I think that you could see this already coming. So get your lazy ass up and write…anything. I don't know what about...maybe your recipe for the strongest margaritas I ever tasted or coverage about your stupid basketball obsession…

Just write anything down. Please. I don't want you to throw away your talent and dreams.

Lindsey

Lucas rubs his temples with his fingertips and laughs sarcastically. Sure he already saw this coming but reading it now isn't less disastrous. Somehow he believed that everything would resolve itself and therefore he pushed this subject far away from him. But like most things in his life that matter to Lucas he denied the fact that he screwed up once again.

Lucas grabs the hip flask standing on the nightstand and takes a big gulp.

He opens a new page in the Word program and stares at the blank screen.

He chuckles once again remembering Lindsey's proposition and starts to type down some words.

I suck…..

Quickly he erases them and takes another swig from the bottle.

He doesn't know if the drunkenness is clouding his mind or he is slowly going crazy but he decides to give it a shot and write something.

It can't be worse than his usual bullshit he puts down on paper when being sober.

"I kind of am stuck right now in this downward spiral called writer's block.

Writing my last book was pretty easy because I just had to put down my thoughts on paper and pour all of my emotions into it. At that time Brooke broke up with me for a reason I still don't know and understand to this very day. I was heartbroken and felt like the way a teenager feels when he loses his first big love. It was like I lost the only stable thing in my life especially in a time when I tried to work out my own personal problems with the loss of Keith and the revelation of my heart condition. I tried so hard to get back on track and become the man I always wanted to and everybody expected me to be.

Lucas Scott…honorable, ambitious, selfless, courteous…

I wanted to change so much back then but the moment she left me I stopped believing in myself and lost the ability to gather any strength left in me. Saying that I started to write because of her would be a lie…because I started to do it more for myself…to face my fears and defeat my inner demons. However the moment she walked out of my door and I wasn't able to come up with any words to hold her back I put all of my emotions and virtue into writing this book. I wanted it to contain everything I ever wanted to say to her. It should be a way for me to open up to her…to finally let her in. But in the course of time I collapsed under the pressure of being once again alone on my own. She didn't give me the slightest sign of hope during senior year and therefore I found a confidante in Peyton. At first I kind of maintained a relationship with her to have a friend around me who would never let me down and be always there for me. But her love confession and the fact that Brooke was messing around with Chase made me open my eyes and face the fact that she would not come back to me. It was easy to fall for Peyton because I didn't have to fear her ever leaving me. She was kind, supportive and everything I really needed at that time.

The moment the thoughts of Brooke left my mind and the love for Peyton crept into my heart I stopped trying to write about the things that mattered to me. I didn't care so much any more about my need to change myself and just focused on my current life.

As I finished writing my book it wasn't really anymore about what it supposed to be.

Nevertheless I at least let Brooke read the only lines left about her at the party after the graduation.

This night I must admit that I had a tiny spark of hope in the back of my mind that she would grasp what she means to me. Somehow I believe that back then it was already too late.

Now I don't feel the need at all to write. What should I write about? The slow progression of myself losing my way in the relationship with Peyton? How she blossomed and her career took off while I struggled to keep my shit together? I don't think that all of this matters to me anymore. I lost my spark, my passion and my drive to write. And I don't have definitely any need to write fiction.

I've never been around a bunch of violence, political intrigue or medical drama. I just can write about my own personal experience and capture the moments that are important to me.

But I lost it and I lost myself.

Yet somehow I'm at the moment typing down these words in search for something more.

Something that will crack this shell I'm living in because I honestly can't take it anymore.

Looking at her tonight was breathtaking and disturbing at the same time.

Seeing in her eyes this little glimpse of care and concern made my heart almost leap out of my chest. She does not really know it but this look gave me more sympathy and a feeling of security than anything in the last couple of years. There is a difference between a person seeing you and looking straight into your soul. She really touched me tonight and I know that this made me blurt out my beloved nickname for her. Nevertheless I managed to scare her and this is something I can't really deal with. I just hate myself for hurting her again…

This look, these dark hazel eyes with the bright green spots gazing at me with an expression of deep sorrow…I know that if I close my eyes tonight and try to sleep it will be even worse than every other night.

You know the moment when you toss and turn to find the right sleeping position in your bed and you are finally settling down and coming to rest? The moment when you close your eyes and wait to drift off into sleep? This is the moment I always think about her. I know it is pretty random and maybe stupid but this is the time when I picture in my head what she is doing and if maybe she is also falling asleep. And during these few seconds I only allow myself to think about if she still remembers me or if I'm still on her mind…

It is the only thing that keeps me somehow connected to her and makes me feel like she is with me…"

She sits at this little restaurant down by the river and yawns noisily. People are passing by every now and then going out for a walk with their dogs or for a jog in the glistening sun. Brooke lazily takes a few sips from her steaming coffee and stretches her legs. Sleeping late and enjoying this luxurious breakfast really refreshed her spirits and brightened her mood to a great extent. Somehow she sees the things that happened last night now from another perspective and it surprises Brooke a bit that she is so calm and serene about it. Maybe it is the swooshing of the waves caused by the numerous boats on the river or the squawking of the seagulls but Brooke feels really content and at ease. The rays of sunlight are shining on her face and sending a tingling sensation to her body. She puts downs her sunglasses and closes her eyes to bathe in the sun. Doing things like these that she would normally never have enough time for in New York make her miss life in a small town but also remind her of her upcoming departure. Work for the summer collection is piling up in New York and Brooke is therefore eager to spend the remaining hours in Tree Hill with her best friends and her adorable godson.

Haley is still fixing some minor things for dinner when Brooke arrives a little bit too early at the house. She curiously opens the door to the kitchen and sneaks a peek into it. The brunette is standing with her back to Brooke next to the oven eyeing the lasagna full of expectation. A big smile creeps over Brooke's face and she tiptoes towards her friend.

With a quick motion she swings her arms around Haley and squeals in delight. Haley lets out a loud cry and turns around abruptly causing her to bump her head into Brooke's.

"Jeez. Brooke" she exclaims furiously.

"Ouch…Tutor mom you still got a thick head." Brooke responds snorting with laughter rubbing her forehead.

"Brooke…you scared me… you klutz." Haley says faking a frown until she bursts into a fit of giggles.

"What's so funny?" Jamie mumbles running into the kitchen with a miniature basketball in his hands. He is wearing one of his oversize jersey's Skills bought him for his birthday and pulls repeatedly the sliding straps up.

Brooke's face beams with joy and she walks up to her godson to pick him up into a tight embrace.

"Jamie…What did I tell you about entering the kitchen with your muddy shoes on?" Haley says with a small grin on her face.

"I'm sorry momma." the little boy answers apologetically shrugging his shoulders.

"Oh come on tutor mom don't be such a party pooper" Brooke laughs ruffling through Jamie's hair with her hands.

"Okay…you are excused this time mister. But you have to thank your auntie Brooke for that" Haley says with a friendly tone in her voice while throwing her hands in the air as a sign of defeat.

Jamie grasps at the hem of Brooke's white summer dress sprinkled with small red dots and drags her out into the backyard.

"Come on Auntie Brooke let me show you how fast I can swing" he shrieks excitedly.

Haley crinkles her nose and laughs wholeheartedly.

"Don't be late guys. Dinner is ready in a couple of minutes"

All of them are already seated when the doorbell rings.

Nathan gets up and walks slowly towards the door. For a second he pauses and lets out a quiet sigh before he opens it. Lucas stands in front of him looking a little dumbfounded and holding a bottle of wine in his hands.

"Hey man" he says in a low voice gazing at the ground and handing his brother the bottle.

Nathan looks at him intensely and just gives him a quick nod before he steps aside and lets Lucas enter the house.

Lucas hesitantly walks into the dining room and just stares at his family sitting at the table chatting happily.

Jamie jumps up from his chair and launches himself into Lucas's arms.

"Uncle Luke you are here..." the little boy exclaims delightedly.

Lucas is a bit taken back by the warm welcome and grins nervously.

"Hey J. Luke" he responds the tension evident in his voice.

"Come on uncle Luke you can sit with me next to aunt Brooke" Jamie says climbing up his chair trying to sit straight.

Lucas nods and walks up to Haley to embrace her in a hug. The brunette gives him a quick peck on the cheek and looks at him suspiciously.

As he approaches his seat he doesn't really have the heart to look Brooke into the eye after what happened last night. Therefore he is even more surprised when he sits down and she nudges him lightly.

"Hey stranger" she mumbles with her raspy voice as cheerful as ever.

He catches a glimpse of her smiling face and whispers a faint "Hey Brooke".

At the beginning of the dinner Lucas feels pretty much tense and uncomfortable.

His friends and family get along very well and engage in a lively discussion about the highschool days and the time in college. Somehow he doesn't ever get the chance to join them or he fails to come up with the right words to say. Either way Lucas feels once again like he doesn't really know them anymore and missed out on so many things in their life.

So he stays quiet and keeps on observing all of them not noticing that Brooke is eyeing him the whole time.

As Jamie proceeds to reach for his glass he knocks it over and spills orange juice all over the table-cloth.

"Oh Jamie…you are a klutz just like your mother" Brooke giggles teasing the little boy while sticking her tongue out to him.

"Brooke…don't ever offend my boy and my wife, okay?" Nathan exclaims with a fake tone of anger evident in his voice while rolling his eyes.

Haley lets out some stifled laughs, gets up and walks to Jamie to clean up the mess.

"I'm sorry momma" he whispers quietly while lowering his head.

"It's okay honey. Don't worry. I bet your uncle Luke will gladly help me out here" Haley responds soothingly focusing her gaze on Lucas.

He looks at her full of surprise and coughs hard.

His sister in law is already walking towards the kitchen and turns her head around swiftly for a second.

"You coming?"

Lucas slowly raises his head and gets up from his seat. With a little insecurity visible on his face he follows her and closes the door behind him.

"What's up with you Luke" the brunette asks with a calm voice furrowing her brows.

Lucas stays silent and leans onto the kitchen table folding his arms in front of his chest.

"Luke…" Haley exclaims raising her voice a bit not averting her gaze at all.

Lucas runs his hand through his hair and bites absent mindedly his bottom lip.

He lets out a loud sigh and finally looks at Haley.

"Nothing Hales" he whispers under his breath playing with the hem of his plaid shirt.

Haley moves a little bit towards him and carefully puts her hand on his shoulder.

"Come on Luke…don't be silly" she mutters softly.

Lucas's body trembles a little and he squints his eyes while looking at her hand on his shoulder.

"I don't know…it is just that…I don't feel like I belong here with you guys anymore. I haven't seen you for so long…and you all kind of moved on…and I'm just stuck" he blurts out suddenly.

The expression on Haley's face changes and becomes very sorrowful and anxious.

"I know that we didn't keep in touch that much and drifted all apart Luke. But we are still your family." she speaks quietly rubbing circles on his back.

Lucas swallows hard and breathes in noisily.

"Hales, have you seen the way Nathan looks at me? He hates me so much and I can't even be angry about it. I basically let you all down after the accident" Lucas states bluntly.

Haley leans onto Lucas and rests her head on his shoulder.

"Luke, he doesn't hate you. He is just disappointed in you. You have to know that this was a tough time for him. Finding out that he won't be able to play basketball again and temporarily loosing the ability to walk wasn't easy. He really needed you" she replies slowly.

Lucas remains silent and stares into space.

"But you know Nathan. Remember the summer after I left Tree Hill for my concert tour? He didn't want to talk to either me or you anymore. And you know how this all worked out. Give him some time Luke. I'm sure that he will come around. You just have to prove to him that you'll be around" Haley whispers into his ear.

Lucas nods in agreement more to himself and kisses lightly Haley's forehead.

"I don't know Hales. It seems like he doesn't care anymore." he states tearily.

"Just trust me Luke." Haley says assuredly patting Lucas's chest.

Lucas nods again and proceeds to walk to the dinning room.

"And Luke. Please drop that disgusting smoking habit, will you?" Haley shouts dispraisingly.

Lucas turns around on his heels and stares surprisedly at Haley. She shoots him a small wink and a huge smile forms on his face.

After washing the dishes and eating dessert the whole family decides to enjoy the warm weather and possibly one of the last days of summer in the backyard. Jamie is excitedly playing with his father basketball while Haley is lazily sprawled on a blanket reading a book. Brooke is sitting next to her Indian style skimming through a fashion magazine.

Lucas is sitting on the swing nearby watching all of them quietly enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.

As Brooke gets up and approaches him he starts to swing abruptly to distract himself from looking at her. The whole afternoon they didn't really talk much at all despite some short conversation about work and the life in New York and L.A.

He is really taken back that she somehow isn't angry at him for treating her so bad last night and therefore chose to stay silent and behave friendly.

"Aren't you a bit too old for these things" she chuckles loudly showing her perfect dimples while pointing her finger at him.

Lucas looks awkwardly at Brooke and catches a tiny mischievous glint in her eye.

She moves closer to him and leans in a bit.

"Don't tell anybody…but I love swings" she whispers quietly while putting a finger on her lips with a playful expression on her face.

Lucas senses a warm tingling feeling on his skins and offers her a half smile.

"How come I didn't know this?" he asks curiously with a pout on his face.

Brooke slumps down on the vacant swing next to him and folds her arms.

"You didn't ask me mister" she responds while faking a sulk.

Lucas rubs his temples and moves his head a bit to the side to look into her eyes.

She has this flirty expression on her face that he missed so much.

He squints his eyes and shrugs his shoulders.

"Guess I didn't ask you then…"

Brooke inches a bit closer to him and gives him a light slap on the arm.

"Tell me Luke…how is your life treating you?" she mumbles nibbling on her bottom lip a little bit.

Lucas fidgets with the sleeve of his shirt and remains silent.

"Honestly Brooke…it really sucks." he laughs wholeheartedly.

The brunette looks at his whole appearance and notices the bruised knuckles on his right hand. She flinches a little and lets out a sigh.

"That bad huh?" she asks pitifully.

Lucas nods and averts his gaze.

Brooke doesn't know at all what she is doing but somehow she takes his hand into hers and strokes softly his knuckles.

His skin is a bit rugged and the palms sweaty but her small and delicate hand still perfectly fits into his.

Lucas body grows stiff immediately and he unconsciously holds his breath. Touching her after all these years still sends shivers down his spine and makes his knees turn to jelly.

"You know…sometimes I wish that everything kind of worked out differently. Me living in New York and all of our friend scattered across the country…it somehow doesn't seem right…I miss the summers over here and Tree Hill in general…" the brunette rambles on staring into space but never losing grip on his hand.

Lucas still doesn't have the heart to move but at least manages to look at her and notices the sadness evident in her eyes.

"So you are leaving tomorrow again, right?" he stutters his voice cracking a bit.

Her eyes flutter for a second and she kinks her eyebrow. He is astonished that he still is able to read her mind and recognizes it that she is struggling hard to keep it together.

"Yeah" she replies tearily.

Lucas fingers twitch in Brooke's grip and he proceeds to rub small circles in her palm.

The brunette gazes at him and offers him a small smile.

"Well too bad…but I guess that Jamie would like to see his godmother on Thanksgiving." he whispers assuredly.

The small smile on Brooke's face slowly forms into a huge smile and makes her beam with joy.

"I'd like really like that" she answers genuinely tightening the grip on his hand.

Author's note:

Othfan326: I'm excited that you liked the previous chapter that much…well somehow I remembered Whitey always drinking whiskey in his mug with Keith or all by himself and added it…man I miss the old man on the show…hope you like the Brucas in this chapter

Chey: You are a brave girl…look I included the storm into my story …and much more heartache…thanks again for your kind words.

Whitney: I see that you really carefully read my story and I like that…hope that the revelations in this chapter satisfied you a bit…I know it isn't a big thing that happened but I think its is still important…Nathan/Lucas/Haley storyline will definitely be a big part in the next chapters.

TutorGrrl: Wow…really…just wow…thanks for your amazing review...I still can't believe that my writing can provoke emotions and therefore this means a lot to me…

Lynn: My beautiful brunette…my babe…are you ok? Is everything fine and are you safe? I'm a bit worried because you disappeared for a while…don't let work get you down…

Your reviews are bliss and constantly push me to work on my writing and to improve…you know that you are the reason that I started all of this and I can't tell you enough how thankful I am…it still amazes how you are able to read my mind and point out all of these awesome things to me…I appreciate and care for you baby…

Lots of love, hugs and kisses (what about the make-out session?)…