A/N

Hey everyone. As always I'll begin with a huge shout out to all my loyal reviewers who literally brighten up my day every time I read one of your messages. The response to the last chapter was really positive, thank you to each and everyone one who wrote a long review, they're the best.

Now on to my moan. I was searching the sight for new stories a couple of nights ago and found a story that, in my mind, undoubtedly stole some of my ideas. I know it's difficult to come up with original ideas but I couldn't help but feel pissed. I spend so much time trying to come up with semi original ideas and to have someone copy them without even asking really upsets me. I'm not gonna say who it was, if you're reading this you know who you are. I found the whole experience really upsetting and hope you think twice about it in the future. Anyway rant over.

Thanks again for all your support, this chapter is dedicated to my number1 girl stefybboh, hope you like it hun!

Chapter 8- After the storm.

Lucas sat in the waiting room of the hospital staring at the wall. Grey. Why of all the colours in the world had they painted it grey? He wasn't sure how long he'd been waiting it felt like an age. He closed his eyes momentarily, desperately trying to shake the image of Brooke's helpless form on that cold beach from his mind. He opened them to see Rachel standing in front of him.

"She's okay apart from a few cuts and bruises. We got there just in time. She's asleep. You can go in if you like" she said her voice weary. Lucas felt relief flood through him, she was okay. Thank good she was okay.

He didn't answer, just got up from his seat and walked past Rachel towards the side room Brooke was in. He paused in the door way looking at the young woman tucked up in clinical looking sheets. She was pale, her hair hung lankly from her head, her arm that lay on top of the sheets had a large purple bruise on it. It didn't even really look like her.

He sat down at her bedside and took her hand in his. Slowly he rubbed his thumb over the back over hand in a soothing fashion. She stirred slightly and opened one eye.

"Hey" her voice a little hoarse and full of apprehension.

"I didn't mean to wake you. You need your rest…" he said slowly, still stroking her hand. He hung his head avoiding her eyes, guilt preventing him from looking at her directly.

"You didn't. I've been waiting for you. Lucas I'm so sorry…" she said her eyes began watering. He lifted his head to look at her, confused.

"What? What do you have to be sorry for? It wasn't your fault that jerk slipped something in your drink. Don't even think of blaming your self. I'm the one that should be apologizing, this past week I've acted like such an idiot, I was so caught up in everything going on at home, I know that's no excuse…." He said his eyes welling up.

"I shouldn't have broken up with you. I shouldn't have gone to that bar, it's just after I saw you with Peyton…" Brooke interrupted.

"Nothing happened with Peyton I promise you. She kissed me but that's it, I told her I wasn't interested. This is all my fault…" He said letting go of her hand and walking towards the window, running a hand through his hair.

"…if I hadn't acted like such an asshole in the first place we would never have broken up, you would never have gone to that bar…god Brooke I would never be able to forgive my self if that guy had…" he said guiltily. He shook his head trying to get control of the tears that threatened to spill.

"Don't. Don't torture yourself. I'm fine…" she said forcing a weak smile. He saw straight through it.

"You had me so scared pretty girl" he turning to face her.

"I'm sorry I'm an idiot" she said pursing her lips.

"The whole time we were out there looking for you I couldn't help but think of all the things I never got to say to you…" he said walking towards her bed. She took in his appearance he was wearing the shirt and pants the team wore on game days but the usual smart look of this outfit was gone. His shirt was creased with flecks of blood on it, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His pants had a black mark down them, no doubt some dirt from the beach. He looked terrible.

"Like what…?" she asked searching his eyes for some kind of clues. He stared down at the floor trying to find the words.

"Like… if you come back to me I promise I'll never hurt you again. I won't let any of the stupid family stuff get in the way of us. Like I've never met anyone like you and I don't think I ever will. Like… I need you and I love you and I'm sorry, I'm so sorry" he said his voice trembling.

She smiled as the tears spilled down her cheeks uncontrollably. She let a sob, and a small laugh. It still amazed her how he always seemed to say exactly what she needed to hear.

"Come here" she motioned to him. He climbed up onto the edge of her bed and placed his arm around the back of the bed. She looked up into his guilt ridden face before leaning forward and pressing her lips against his forcefully, her tears still flowing leaving trail on his face.

"Thank you for rescuing me." She whispered against his lips opening her eyes to look at him. As he stared down into her deep green eyes he realised something. Everything would be alright as long as they had each other.

"Anything for you" he said and placed a kiss on her forehead. She rested her head on his chest, closing her eyes. For the first time since she had arrived in the hospital she felt safe. Happy.

"Sorry to break up the reunion but Nathan's on his way" Rachel said appearing in the doorway, her eyes lingering on Brooke and Lucas' position on the hospital bed.

"That's my cue. How much longer do you have to stay here?" Lucas asked gazing down at her.

"Just a couple more hours, they just have to do a few more tests, check I'm right as rain. I should be on the bus back with you guys this afternoon." she said happily.

"Good, that way I can keep an eye on you. Promise to call me if you need anything?" he said getting up from the bed.

"I promise" he leant forward a placed a firm kiss on her lips. Rachel averted her eyes and let out a sigh not at all comfortable with the scene.

"Rachel" Lucas said giving her a nod. She forced a clearly fake smile. He shook his head before walking out of the hospital room.

"Right well I'm gonna try and get some shut eye before Nathan gets here…" Brooke said turning over in bed, away from her best friends stare. She was dreading this conversation, the longer she could avoid it the better.

"Oh no you don't. I know you've had a nightmare 24 hours and out of respect for that I haven't asked you one question, but after walking in on you two cuddling, I think I deserve some answers, in fact I demand some answers…" Rachel said walking around the side of the bed to where Brooke was attempting to hide her face.

"Rachel please can we not do this now? I still feel pretty weak…" Brooke tried.

"Well you better get it over and done with quickly then, if you want to fit that nap in before Nathan gets here" she said crossing her arms. Brooke sighed, she knew her best friend and she was even more stubborn than herself. She sat up in bed propping her pillows up, she opened her mouth to speak but Rachel beat her to it.

"Before you say anything, it is my moral duty as the best friend to bitch at you about what a complete dumbass you were last night. Brooke we might be sluts but we are not stupid. How many time's have I told you never to except a drink from some one you don't know? If we hadn't found you in time last night you could have become another date rape statistic. Not to mention the fact I'm almost certain all the worrying gave me first wrinkle. Phew! Now that's out of my system, care to shed some light on this whole bizarro situation?" Rachel said taking a deep breath.

"What do you want to know?" Brooke said avoiding her gaze, balling up the hospital sheets in her anxious hands.

"How about you start with explaining how exactly you ended up screwing around with the leader of Team Roe…" Rachel said her expression hard.

"It's complicated" Brooke said looking down at her hands clasped in her lap, she couldn't face doing this right now.

"Brooke you're wasting time we have precisely 13 minutes until Nathan gets here and I'm gonna need a little more than 'It's complicated' to stop me from revealing your night in shining armour to you brother" Rachel said tapping her foot impatiently.

Brooke raised her hands to her tired eyes and rubbed them. This wasn't going to be easy.

"I met Lucas in a bar the night I came back to Tree Hill. We had no clue who each other were. There was just something between us, something powerful. When I found out who he was, I freaked. I wanted nothing to do with him. I tried to stay away from him Rach, really I did but no matter how hard we tried we just kept being drawn back to each other." Brooke said sincerely looking up to meet her best friends un amused expression.

"You sound like a cheap greetings card. You know you have to end this right?" Rachel said narrowing her eyes.

"I don't think I can do that" Brooke whispered.

"Brooke are you crazy? Do you have any idea what this is going to do to Nathan?" Rachel said raising her voice looking desperately at her friend for some explanation.

"In case you hadn't noticed Nathan hasn't exactly been the model brother to me lately" Brooke said harshly, cocking her head to the side.

"He knows he's made mistakes in the past. But he's trying. He's trying so hard to make it up to. You know he never meant to hurt you Brooke." Her face softening as she talked about Nathan.

"That doesn't really matter Rachel. Cause in the end it all hurts the same. My relationship with Nathan is already on rocky ground and that has nothing to do with Lucas." Brooke explained, slowly losing patience with this conversation.

"That's precisely my point! This might push you guys over the edge. Is it really worth losing your brother over some stupid fling?" Rachel said looking at her friend her brow raised.

"It's not a fling Rach. I'm in love with him" Brooke said meeting her best friends eyes for the first time.

Rachel opened her mouth to reply but was cut off by Nathan's arrival to the room. He swept through the door, his eyes falling on Brooke's pale face.

"Brooke. Oh my god. Are you okay? How did this happen?" He asked reaching forward and taking her into his strong arms.

"It's my own stupid fault Nate. I should never have started talking to that guy I knew he was a sleaze. I just didn't realise he was the drug your drink kind of sleaze. But I'm fine, Rach made sure of that." She said looking away from her brothers concerned face up at her friend. Rachel's blank expression worried her. But as soon as Nathan looked up at her, a grateful expression spread across his face, Rachel's face broke into a genuine smile. Nathan looked back at his sister and sighed,

"You're sure your okay, he didn't hurt you?" he asked unconvinced.

"I'm sure. A few ugly bruises but nothing a truck load of makeup wont sort out" she said smiling at him.

"How do you get yourself into these things Brookie?" he said wrapping an arm around her and perching on the side of her bed. She rested her head on his shoulder and cautiously raised her eyes to meet Rachel's. She looked over at Brooke disapprovingly. Brooke felt that suppressed feeling return to her stomach. Guilt had a way of lingering, she couldn't ignore it forever.

Lucas had been silent most of the journey home. They had been on the bus for around an hour when Jake sat down next to him. He took his earphone out of his ear and raised his eyebrows at his friend.

"Hey man" Jake said settling back into the seat.

"Hey, what's up?" Lucas said trying to sound vaguely normal. He had been replaying the events of last night in his head the whole journey; although unadvisable, he couldn't stop. He was left feeling emotionally drained.

"I barely saw you all weekend. I would have thought you'd been out celebrating with us last night. That was one hell of performance on the court. Where did you get to after?" Jake asked, reminding Lucas of his important part in the Ravens win the night before. God it felt like days ago, so much had happened in the last 24 hours, he felt exhausted just thinking about it. He glanced down the bus and saw Brooke napping, her head rested on Nathan's shoulder. He felt a stab of jealousy, wishing he could be the one to look after her.

"I just needed to wind down. I was pretty exhausted" he said looking back to Jake.

"I'm not surprised. You were a machine! So anyway, did you hear what happened to Brooke?" Jake asked changing the subject. Hearing Brooke's name Skills leant over their seats from his place behind Lucas, suddenly interested in the conversation.

"Hell yes! The way I heard it, girl finally got what's coming to her" Skills said sniggering. It took all the self control Lucas possessed to not turn around and give a repeat performance of his actions on Brooke's attacker last night.

"Brooke's been playing guys since the day she hit puberty, it had to come back and bite her on the ass one day. Haley is gonna love this…" Jake said before catching the paper aeroplane that had been thrown around the bus for the last 10 minutes, standing up and launching it back at Tim forcefully. Lucas glanced back at Brooke, before putting his earphone back in.

Suck it up Lucas. You're friends hate her guts and there's not a single thing you can do about it.

Brooke sat in the passenger seat of Lucas's truck, her feet propped up on the dash. She watched him walk out of café; two take away coffee cups in his hands. It was Wednesday afternoon. After school they had driven out of town to this little park they had come to claim as their own. So 90 percent of the time having to sneak around sucked major ass, they didn't get to see each other when they wanted, she couldn't hold hands with him in the hall or kiss him good morning but she had to admit there were some good parts. Brooke loved that they had 'their places'. The bar, the abandoned life guard station, the little park just outside town where roses bloomed all year round, god knows how. It somehow made it more bearable. It was like, when they were in those special places the rest of the world didn't exist. They weren't members of opposite feuding families; their friends didn't despise each other. They were just Brooke and Lucas. Two young people blissfully in love.

"Hey show some respect. This car is a thing of beauty, your feet are insulting it" Lucas said handing her the coffee cup.

"Come on broody, it's comfortable. And besides it's not like I have big ugly man feet. My feet are cute" Brooke said smiling at him over her coffee cup as he drove down the rode that headed back to Tree Hill.

"Only you could have 'cute feet'" Lucas said glancing across at her, her feet still firmly placed in position.

"Are you questioning the cuteness of my cause I assure they are hot. I had a pedicure yesterday, 'ruby kisses'…" Brooke rambled, holding her foot up to inspect the colour of her nail polish.

"Fine, whatever you win. Far be it from me to question the hotness of your feet. God I sound like I have some sick foot fetish. Let's change the subject" Lucas gave in laughing. He had soon realised that when Brooke wanted something she didn't give up easily.

"You talk to your dad about Saturday yet?" he asked glancing over at her.

"Nope. He sent me a get well soon hamper but that's about as far his fatherly instincts stretched. I think he thinks keeping it out of the campaign or the papers is him caring." She said twirling her locks brunette around her finger.

"I'm sorry cheery" Lucas said pulling up in front of Rachel's house. Brooke would never admit it but he knew secretly it bothered her.

"Don't be. Soooo…when am I gonna get to drive this thing" Brooke said slapping her hand on the dashboard.

"Oh how about the 1st of never" Lucas said sarcastically.

"That's not funny. You'll give into to me. You know you will, so really there's no point prolonging the obvious. You coming in?" she asked whilst reaching out for the door.

"I don't think that's a good idea. How is the she-devil you call your best friend?" Lucas asked drumming his fingers on the stirring wheel. To say Rachel was having a hard time coming to terms with the idea of Brooke and Lucas was an understatement.

"Still not talking to me. But she hasn't told Nathan so she must still care a little. But lucky for you she is having dinner with her parents, so if you do come in it will be just you and me. Care to reconsider?" Brooke said kinking her eyebrow seductively.

"Well in that case, I definitely have a few hours to kill" he said as he got out of the car and followed her towards the house.

She opened the door and took hold of his hand pulling him towards her.

"Someone's feeling frisky" he said dipping his head to capture her mouth in a kiss. She closed the door with her foot and pushed him up against it, not loosing contact with his lips.

"Always" she said in between kisses. Slipping her hands under his shirt, she began tugging at the sides of it.

"Shouldn't we take this upstairs?" he said breaking away from her. She continued kissing him unperturbed. She backed him over to the couch, his knees knocked against the arm of it, but she didn't stop there. She placed her hands on his chest and pushed him down onto it, crawling up his body and straddling his waist.

"Limited time. Rachel said she'd be back by 7" he ran his hands underneath the fabric of her shirt causing goose bumps to appear all over her skin. Lifting the red alter top over her head he left her clad only her red lacy bra. He took a deep breath, admiring the sight before him.

"You like?" she said smiling naughtily.

"Oh yeah" he said pulling her back down into a searing kiss. So caught up in each other they didn't hear the car pull into the driveway or the key in the lock of the door. It was Rachel's dulcet tones that broke them apart.

"There's something I never needed to see. Jesus Brooke that's my couch you were about to christen" the red head said dumping her keys on the dresser, plucking Brooke's top off the standing lamp where it had landed and threw at her. Brooke was desperately trying to do up her bra which Lucas' skilful hands had opened seconds earlier. She scrambled up from Lucas and began putting her top on over her head.

"I didn't think you'd be home yet." Brooke explained, wincing. This incident would not help hers and Rachel's already strained relationship.

"Clearly. Dinner with the parentals took all of 20 minutes before hell broke loose" Rachel said walking towards the kitchen.

"I'm gonna get going" Lucas said getting up from the couch, feeling the hatred radiating off Rachel towards him. Brooke turned to him and mouthed sorry. He smiled warmly assuring her it was alright.

"Call me tonight?" he said leaning down to place a chaste kiss on her lips.

"Count on it" she said smiling.

"Don't let the door hit you on your ass on your way out" Rachel shouted bitchly from the kitchen. Lucas exhaled loudly; she really was something that Rachel. Brooke watched him close the front door before following Rachel into the kitchen.

"You could at least try and be nice to him" Brooke said leaning on the counter. Rachel walked over to the fully stocked fridge and took out a carton of orange juice.

"You're kidding right? That's not gonna happen. The only reason I haven't told Nathan yet is because I was hoping you would come to your senses. I guess I was wrong there." She said pouring herself a glass.

"Rachel please. We're not ready to tell people yet. It's going to be so crazy when all this gets out, what with the election and everything. We just want a couple of weeks of peace." Brooke pleaded. Her life had been non-stop drama since she returned to Tree Hill; she just wanted to spend some quality time with Lucas before it all started up again.

"So you want me to lie to Nathan?" Rachel said putting her empty glass in the sink carelessly.

"It wouldn't be the first time" Brooke snapped.

"Jesus Brooke, how can you be so naive? He's a Roe! How can you trust him? He's probably plotting your demise as we speak! You're so caught up in this 'forbidden love affair' your judgements clouded" Rachel's said walking out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

"How can you even question his loyalty to me after Saturday night? Rach, if it wasn't for him that guy would have… he would have raped me" she said pausing to take a deep breath. Even after 3 days she was still having trouble coming to terms with the situation she had gotten herself into.

"Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't Lucas was the reason you were out there in the first place?" Rachel said walking upstairs to her bedroom. Brooke followed her not ready to give up on this conversation.

"That was a misunderstanding. Rachel please, just listen to me for a minute" Brooke pleaded placing a hand on her friends shoulder gently. Rachel stopped on the landing outside her bedroom and turned to face Brooke a hand on her hip.

"I trust him. I understand why you don't, but you don't know him like I do, you don't know him at all. My judgement's as good as ever. I don't think you understand what a struggle this has been for me. I don't want to hurt my family but I have to do what's right for me. I need him Rach. I can't see myself without him. He's everything" Brooke said honestly.

Rachel sighed. It was worse than she had expected. Brooke had fallen for this guy big time. If she wanted to keep her best friend she would have to at least try and accept it.

"I still don't trust him" Rachel's said stubbornly.

"But you trust me..?" Brooke asked. Rachel nodded, her expression worried.

"…than that should be enough. I need you to be ok with this, with him. I need you in my life Rachel, you're one of the few people I love, I trust." Rachel sighed; Brooke certainly knew how to break her bitchy exterior.

"Fine. I don't understand it, but I accept it…" Rachel said pulling Brooke into a tight hug.

"…but if he hurts you I'm will kick his ass" Brooke laughed into her friends shoulder.

"I wouldn't expect anything less" Brooke giggled.

"Enough of this girly hugging shit; I have to go get ready. I was supposed to meet Nathan 10 minutes ago, you know how he doesn't like being left waiting" Rachel said breaking free of Brooke and walking into her bedroom.

"About Nathan…?" Brooke asked nervously.

"I won't say anything. But you should" Rachel said changing her shirt.

"I know. Soon." Brooke said sitting down on Rachel's bed. That's what she kept telling her self. Soon.

Brooke let the warm water of the shower wash over her, relaxing all the muscles in her back. She revelled in the calming effect it was having on her. She had spent most of last night in a restless sleep, vivid dreams of Nathan's reaction to her and Lucas plaguing her mind. She tried to remember details as she rubbed the shampoo into her long chocolate tresses but it was all a bit blurry. Lots of shouting, violence, tears. Not exactly a bundle of laughs. But as she rinsed the conditioner from her hair and stepped out of the shower, she reminded herself it was just a dream. Maybe it wouldn't be that bad in real life. Who was she trying to kid?

When Brooke arrived in the kitchen Rachel was already tucking into breakfast like normal but Brooke was surprised to see her accompanied by Nathan.

"Hey you, this is a nice surprise. What's up? You miss me stealing your breakfast?" she said kissing Nathan on the cheek before taking a bite out of the toast on his plate.

"I kinda wish it was that, but I'm afraid we got bigger problems" Nathan said seriously. Brooke felt a jolt of fear run through her. Had Rachel broken her promise already? She looked across to her best friend alarmed, but a simple shake of her head reassured Brooke that Nathan knew nothing about Lucas.

"What is it Nate?" she asked sitting down beside him, taking a sip of his OJ. Her brother picked his school bag up from his feet and reached inside it. He pulled out a copy of that morning's Tree Hill Herald and handed it to her.

"Umm thanks? But I'm really more of a people magazine kind of girl…" she said looking across at him frowning.

"Turn to page 2" Brooke did as she was told and was greeted by a large picture of her mother, drunk as a fish, looking a complete mess falling out of car. The head line read "Dan Scott for mayor? Cant even look after his own wife let alone your town".

"Oh god. How mad is he?" Brooke asked shutting the paper, not wanting to look at the image any longer.

"On a scale of 1 to 10, he's in the thousands. There's a press conference tonight, to try and repair some of the damage" Nathan said, standing up to leave.

"I'll be there" she said grabbing her school bag off the surface.

"We should get going, I'll give you a ride to school" he said looking over at Rachel, who nodded in confirmation.

"Thanks. I just need to grab my books" Rachel said, grabbing Brooke's arm and pulling her into the lounge.

"Woah…I'm just gonna help her with that" Brooke said rubbing her arm whilst giving Nathan an unconvincing smile. He just shook his head and muttered something along the lines of 'girls'.

"Ouch. Do you have a good reason for almost pulling my arm out its socket?" Brooke asked, rolling her shoulder.

"So how do you explain that story in the paper?" Rachel asked in hushed tones.

"What is there to 'explain' it's a newspaper article. My dad knew when he dragged us into this that the whole family would be under scrutiny, it just so happens they picked on my mom first." Brooke answered confused.

"And who do you think tipped off the paper?" Rachel asked raising her eyebrows.

"How the hell should I know…?" Brooke said angrily. Rachel gave her a look of disbelieve and Brooke finally clocked what she was insinuating.

"You're not suggesting Lucas had something to do with this?" she asked her temper rising.

"Are you saying you never talk about your moms drinking with him?" Rachel asked critically.

"Rachel, my mom's drinking is Tree Hills worst kept secret. Any one with half a brain could have written that story. I thought you said you were going to give him a chance?" Brooke explained feeling a little disappointed her friends truce had lasted less than 24 hours.

"I am. I'm just looking out for you Brooke" she said shrugging her shoulders.

"I know and I love you for it but it's not necessary" Brooke said linking arms with Rachel and pulling her towards the front door

"Girls! Come on, finish your gossiping later, we have to get to school" Nathan shouted hanging out of the car window.

"Quit whining we're here!" Brooke said, jumping in the back seat. She caught Rachel's eye in the car mirror and gave her a smile. Rachel forced one in return, not matter how much Brooke assured her Lucas' intentions were honourable she still remained unconvinced.

Brooke leant up against the outside of the gym, still in her work out clothes. She tapped her foot impatiently and looked over her shoulder a few times. The wind blew, sending a shiver down her spine. Maybe she was still getting over the events of last weekend but for the past couple of days she had been convinced someone was watching her. She wrapped her arms around her trying to brave the wind; she was probably just paranoid what with Rachel finding out and everything. She felt a pair of arms snake around her waist from behind. Jumping in surprise she turned quickly to see an amused looking Lucas.

"Hey pretty girl. What's with jumpiness, got another secret boyfriend you're waiting for?" he teased.

"Oh no. One of those is definitely enough for me." She said pulling him closer for kiss.

"Pleased to hear it. Come on lets get in the car, it's a little exposed out here" he said starting off towards his truck. It was well after school hours and practice had ended over half an hour ago, but they couldn't afford to take any chances. Once in the car they drove out of school and towards Rachel's house. Today Lucas was strictly doing his boyfriend duty in dropping her home, no alone time for them, sadley.

"So…I saw the paper" he said glancing away from the road to look at her reaction. She sighed, and closed her eyes.

"You and the rest of the town. My dad's calling a press conference this evening, I have to be there. It's just one thing after another you know?" she said looking across at him sadly.

"I know. And I'm sorry, I get the feeling the article was the work of my fathers people. I wish you didn't have to go through this" he said sincerely. She smiled hearing the concern in his voice.

"I thought we weren't gonna let this family stuff get between us? It's not like it was you who told the paper my mother's a raging alcoholic. Although Rachel was a bout ready to sign your death warrant this morning" she said smiling.

"Brooke you know I would never do that…" he said taking his eyes off the road.

"I know" she said firmly. They locked eyes. He felt elated to see complete trust in her deep green orbs.

"So I won't be able to see you tonight, what are you going to do with yourself? Think you can survive one night without me?" she teased placing her hand on his thigh.

"I think I'll manage. I have to take my car in after I drop you at Rachel's, it needs an oil change. After that who knows. Probably just spend the rest of the evening thinking about you" he joked light-heartedly.

"Good answer" she said leaning her head on his shoulder savouring the short time they had together.

Nathan walked into the tutor centre and placed his backpack on the table by the door, reaching into it he pulled out a roll of 'Dan Scott for mayor' posters out of it. He sighed. This was the last stop on his list. It had been a long day; he had been putting up posters all day, fitting it in whenever he could. Before school, lunch and now after a gruelling practice. And he still had the press conference to attend when he got home; life was really taking it out of him at the moment.

He stuck the first poster up and turned down the literature isle to put up some more.

"What are you doing?" An irritated voice asked him. He turned to see a pissed off looking Haley James standing behind him.

"And I heard you were smart. What does it look like I'm doing?" he said turning back to his task, smoothing down the campaign picture.

"Hmm funny. Well… it looks like your littering the tutoring centre with pictures of your smug jackass of a father. I have to look at these walls everyday and I'm pretty sure I speak for the sane half of the population when I say; looking at Dan Scott's ugly face is enough to put any one off learning. Take them down." She said to the back of his head. Nathan turned back to face her, an amused expression on his face.

"She bites. Who knew tutor girl had a potty mouth." he said moving along the wall and sticking up another poster completely ignoring her request.

"Excuse me, did you not hear me? What happened? Too many basket balls to the head? I said take it down." Haley repeated chasing after him.

"Oh I heard you. But the word of a loser Roe doesn't trump that of Principal Turner himself. He already approved it. Go ask him if you don't believe me. Guess that's one nil to me" he said smirking before walking past her and further into the tutor centre.

Nathan had put up his last poster and began walking towards the door. After his minor run in with Haley James he had gone on to put up every last one of his posters and couldn't wait to get out of there and relax a little before the press conference. He approached the exit looking at the wall where moments before he had stuck his fathers poster. It was no longer there. He sighed, pissed off. He walked back to the literature section searching for the others he had put up. They were all gone. He looked across the room and saw Haley tearing down the remaining posters.

"Hey! What the hell do you think you're doing?" he shouted running over to her, feeling his anger boiling.

"What does it look like I'm doing?" she mocked, repeating his words from earlier.

"Oh you're hilarious. You think this is a joke? I just spent 45 minutes puting these posters up!" he cried throwing his hands up annoyed.

"Yep. And I spent…ohh about 5 minutes tearing them down. Don't look at me like that Nathan, its not like I didn't I warn you" she said before turning away from him and walking towards the exit.

"Looks like I just evened the score. Guess that's 1 all" she said glancing over her shoulder looking very pleased with herself.

"You wait 'til Principal Turner hears about this!" Nathan shouted after her. She paused in the doorway and turned to him slowly.

"You know one of these days Nathan, you're gonna have to stop running to daddy and fight your own battles" she said shaking her head.

Nathan watched her walk out of the library her parting comment hitting hard. He looked around at the torn posters and growled in frustration. He kicked the table leg in frustration, how had he just got out witted by a Roe? Today officially sucked.

Brooke stood on the sidelines of the press conference watching her father give an award winning speech. She had to admit he was convincing, if she didn't have first hand experience of what a complete asshat he could be, she would probably be voting for him to. A few smooth words and a promise that Deb was getting all the 'appropriate help' and they were putty in his hands. She glanced over at Nathan, he looked worn out, Brooke was sure he was working to hard. She made a mental note to talk to him about it later. Hearing the crowd clap and the cameras begin flashing she realised the conference was over. That was her cue to join her father on stage, she joined Nathan next him and smiled falsely for the cameras. She had almost perfected his routine. After a few more minutes of smiling like the brainless cheerleader they all thought she was and the whole thing was over. She stepped down from the stage and walked towards Nathan.

"Rough day?" she asked as he took off his tie and rubbed the back of his neck.

"The roughest" he said smiling weakly.

"Wanna talk about it?" she asked sitting down beside him.

"Not really. But thanks" he said smiling at his sister.

"What else are sisters for?" before she could finish her sentence she felt a vibrating in her pocket. 1 new message. Fred.

Life guard station ASAP. It's important x

"Uh Nathan I'm really sorry I've gotta go. Call me if you need me. I mean it." he nodded gently as he watched her speedy exit, knowing he wouldn't be calling anytime soon.

Lucas stared out across the ocean hoping that the calm of the sea would help to settle his nerves. It didn't. He checked his phone for the third time. No new messages. He twirled the brown envelope in his hands nervously. It had been over half an hour since he text her, where was she?

"What's the big emergency?" he looked down to see Brooke making her way across the beach, dressed slightly more conservatively than normal but looking as beautiful as ever.

"What took you so long?" He asked nervously.

"I was at the press conference, it was hard to get away. I'm here now aren't I?" she said smiling as she walked up the ramp to join him in the station. He didn't reply but simply handed her the brown envelope he was clutching.

"Ohh mysterious. Is this porn?" she joked kinking her eyebrow.

"Open it Brooke" He said seriously, still gazing out at the sea. Brooke did as he asked, opening the envelope she poured out the contents into her hand. A purple lace thong.

"Umm okay don't think much of the packaging but lingerie is always good…hold on a second Lucas these look a little familiar." She said inspecting the underwear and recognising it as her own.

"How did I know you were going to say that? Brooke I found that envelope on my front porch." He said turning to look at her.

"Hold on I'm confused. What is my underwear doing in an envelope on your front porch? I mean last time I wore these was like the beginning of the week, at least I think it was…." she stopped to think a little harder.

"…yeah it was Tuesday! And I remember it because that was the day we had sex in the backseat of your car. I can't believe that was the first time we did that..." she rambled becoming distracted. She stopped suddenly, realising in a split second where Lucas' car had been today.

"…wait a second. Lucas please tell me you didn't send your car to the garage with my underwear in it!" she asked raising her voice.

"Hey I just sent the car! You're responsible for the other thing!" he said holding his hands up in surrender.

"Responsible? You make it sound like I meant to leave them there! This is so creepy Lucas! Did you call the garage?" she demanded whilst pacing back and forth.

"Yes. They assured me they found nothing and I believe them, why would they lie? It was the same guy who always works on my car, it couldn't have been him, he's a good guy…." Lucas said shaking his head.

"He's a perv" Brooke muttered out the side of her mouth.

"Brooke. It wasn't him." Lucas reasoned. He trusted that guy; he had been working on his car for years. There had to be some other explanation.

"Well who the hell was it then Lucas? Normal people don't steal panties from cars and post them like a present! What if some one knows about us Lucas? We agreed we don't want any one to know till after election, I don't Nathan to find out like this!" Brooke said hysterically searching Lucas' face for answers.

"Brooke calm down. It's gonna be okay. No one knows anything. So what if someone found your panties? It's not like you had your name sewn in them!" he said taking hold over her shoulders in both hands and looking into her eyes. She fought to hold back the giggles as Lucas successfully Calmed her down.

"So what do we do now?" she asked looking up into his eyes. He paused for a moment, looking down at her worried face.

"Be more careful" he said leaning down to place a kiss on her lips. He felt her smile and relax into the kiss.

Lucas wished he felt as calm as he was making out to Brooke. But the truth was he was majorly freaked out. She was right. There was definitely something suspicious about his surprise package. However the question Brooke had neglected to rise worried him the most.

Why was someone going through his car in the first place?

There you have it guys, lots of long reviews please…..