Do your eyes deceive you? NO THEY DON'T. I hate Mondays. I hate I don't have cable right now. I hate being bored. So with all that said I proofed this one and said to myself 'you know Alyse you have some really loyal reviews that take the time to leave comments, long and short alike, just so you know the story doesn't suck. Why not do something to reward them' well here it is guys. A back to back update. ENJOY! (I don't own anything of OTH, I fucking wish)

Chapter 12

Pieces

Brooke was the kind of woman to know what she wanted and go after it. Right now what she wanted was Lucas. However her pride and anger over what he did prevented her from having him so what she settled for was revenge. She wanted to inflict pain on her Ex lover. A week and a half ago she had slept with Lucas and simply left him without any answers. He wanted to know what it meant and all she could muster was a half assed shrug while she got dress. He had tried to hold her but she pushed him off and said she was done and got what she wanted. In his upset state he stormed out and hadn't tried to call her since. She felt a tad guilty for letting him leave that way but her anger outweighed any love she might've had for him. In the throes of their passion she had said she loved him. She did and they both knew it but the problem was if she could forgive. She had asked herself if it would've been so bad to just let him back in but when she looked in his eyes and saw the hope she couldn't do it. She couldn't take that next step and let him love her again. Now as she sat in the bathtub in her motel room soaking she began to feel regret. Maybe she should try again. After all how could she try to push Nathan and Haley back together after their split if she couldn't manage to push herself. Maybe it was too late now. The water was starting to get cold when there was a knock on the door. She had planned to ignore it till she heard the voice.

"Soph, you in there?"

She darted out of the tube and threw on her robe and made it to the door in record time. She swung it open and when she laid eyes on Jake it was like a weight had been lifted from her heart. The smile that eased on his face when he got a good look at her made her feel like she was home again. She launched herself into his arms and he in turn embraced her and buried his face in the crook of her neck and inhaled her scent he had long since forgot. She began to cry. She didn't intend to break down in front of him but she did. He lifted her off her feet and carried her into the hotel room and shut the door with is foot. He laid her down on the bed and laid down behind her. She accepted his embrace as a comfort zone. She needed that feeling more than anything. Jake had been there for hours and eventually Brooke fell asleep in his arms. He was about to fall asleep himself when there was a soft knock on the door. He got up slowly and left Brooke in bed and undisturbed. When he opened the door he was face to face with the man that had taken his Soph from him. His brown eyes narrowed as blue ones clouded over in jealousy.

"So she calls you. I see, I'm surprised that she waited this long."

"First off what the hell did you and you'family' do to her!"

"She isn't your business anymore."

"Sophia is my business."

"Yeah well Brooke is mine."

"Not the way I see it man. She calls me crying and begging to come back for her and against my better judgment I stayed away but then I get here and she's pretty much falling apart. What the hell did you do?"

Brooke stirred at the sounds of yelling. She looked over and saw Jake standing in front of an open door and without processing the other voice she got up and walked to the door. Once she joined Jakes side she immediately regretted it.

"Jake who's…Lucas."

Lucas had only a few seconds to get a good look at what she was wearing, or more less what she wasn't wearing and then it hit him. It him in the heart hard.

"So you're sleeping with him now!"

"Don't yell at her!"

"You fuck me and then call him and beg him to fuck you is that it. Fuck you Brooke. I came here to-"

"What did you come here for Lucas. I never said-"

"You didn't have to say anything Brooke! You fucking led me on!"

Jake made a decision to ignore the first part and end the shouting match.

"I think it's time for you to leave man."

Jake made a move to shut the door but Lucas put out his hand to stop it.

"I'm not going anywhere without her. Brooke baby I'm sorry I yelled but you can't do this to us. We belong together" he said almost pleading again for her to let him back in but by the looks of her tears he could tell what she was about to say.

"Just go home Lucas. Go home."

He dropped his hand and Brooke shut the door this time and planted her forehead against it and began to sob. Jake tried to console her and on the other side Lucas heard it all. He wanted to be the one to console her and brush away her tears and hold her but it looked like this Jake guy was back. If he still stood a chance with Brooke he'd have to fight twice as hard now.

The next day Jake was up and ready to take on the world for his Soph or Brooke as it was. He didn't care about her name or the fact she had slept with that asshole all he knew was that he loved her. She spent the day filling him in on what she and Haley had remembered. Jake had convinced her to stay in town to find out exactly who that person was that tried to kill her and she agreed only because he promised to stay with her. The made a trip to Haley's so she could see Jamie.

"You are going to love him, he is the best kid in the world, well aside from Lily."

"Sounds like you love the little guy."

"I do. He makes me want one" she said shooting him a knowing smile. If only she knew how much Jake wanted to have that with her. Nathan swung the door open and was shocked to see Brooke and 'that guy' standing there.

"What the hell is he doing here?"

"Nathan don't, he's here to support me."

"You don't need him Brooke you have-"

"Is Haley here" she asked trying to change the subject because no matter how much he protested Jake was there to stay.

"Yeah she's in the kitchen."

Nathan turned leaving the pair at the door and followed him in making sure to close the door behind them. When they got there Jamie was sitting at the table while Haley was at the stove stirring something that smelled amazing.

"We got company" was all Nathan got out in his coldest tone.

"AUNT BROOKE!" Jamie screamed as he launched off the stool and into her arms.

"Hey buddy, man I missed you."

"Not as much as I missed you. Are you hungry, mom's making her spaghetti and meatballs and we get to have cake after. Are you gonna stay and eat with us?" Jamie paused to look at the man standing slightly behind her and took note of his smile. "Who is he?"

"Jamie this is-" but before Brooke could finish Jamie made his feeling know on the intruder.

"Never mind he's about to leave right?"

"Hey can we slow down on the questions Jimmie Jam I think I just got dizzy." Haley said trying to stifle the laugh from her son's obvious dislike of the new guys. Then she saw the look on Jamie's face when Brooke grabbed ahold of Jake's hand. Pure outrage. She watched as he walked over and grabbed her hand from Jakes and turned to look at the rest of the adults.

"I'm sorry, I guess I just missed my Aunt Brooke."

The sly little boy shot the room an innocent look. Nathan didn't even try to hid his laughter. Jake on the other hand shifted from foot to foot, putting his hands in his pocket. Brooke noticed the look between Nathan and Haley and realized that her presence was causing a little tension, more like Jake's was.

"Guys this is my friend Jake, he came in to town to help."

"Help with what" Nathan asked not looking at them but rather at the stack of papers he was reading through and signing.

"I guess Haley actually didn't tell you."

"Jamie baby why don't you go upstairs and watch some TV."

"Awww Mom-"

"Hey your mom said upstairs buddy no go" Nathan said in his stern father tone. Jamie huffed and stomped the whole way upstairs.

"Tell me what Brooke?"

"That someone ran me off the bridge that night."

Nathan stopped his actions and dropped his papers and looked up at Brooke and then to Haley.

"Is that true? Why didn't you-"

"She didn't remember till we took a trip to the bridge. Pretty sad huh. All this time we thought it was an accident."

"Brooke what exactly do you remember, do you remember the car, the driver, anything?"

Nathan was beyond curious at this point. If someone intentionally caused the accident that sent all of them spiraling then he wasn't going to rest until he found out who. The only name that came to mind that would want to hurt Brooke however was the wayward Blonde they used to all know and love. He just hoped he was wrong. Haley had had the same thought but kept it to herself for the moment.

"So where do we start Tigger?"

"We start back at the scene of the crime I guess. Maybe go back over the police reports again. Do we know if there are any camera's or anything going that way?"

"Naw that block is all residential."

Jake decided to add to the ongoing conversation with an idea that he got.

"Why don't you sit with a hypnotist?"

"A hypnotist, what the hell would that do" Nathan asked mildly annoyed he was there. He may not like his brother too much but he didn't want to see this jack ass swoop in and take Brooke away.

"Easy on the language in the boy isn't that far."

"Sorry Hales."

"No I think Jake might be right. There are no cameras, no other witness but me and Haley to remember that night. Maybe it could work."

"Or we could just ask around here and see if anyone had their car fixed after you ended up in the river. That seems more logical that whoever bumped you did enough damage to their car at least to get the paint redone" Nathan reasoned.

"Nathan has a point Brooke, it sounds like a good idea to maybe pursue both avenues. Jake you and Brooke look into that Hypnotist and Nathan and I will follow up with the body shops around here."

"Alright Haley, sounds like a plan."

"Will you guys do me a favor and take Jamie to Karen's so she can watch him."

"We doing this now, Hales you just started dinner."

"No time like the present Nathan. I think we all want to know what happened that night."

"We'll take Jamie then and call my cell if you find anything I'll go upstairs to get him."

Brooke bounced out of the room leaving an awkward group to just stand around looking at each other uncomfortably. They heard as the duo ran down the step and appeared back in the kitchen.

"Well that adult stuff didn't take long."

"Jamie honey, grab your back pack on the way out. Brooke is taking you to Karen's. I love you baby."

"Yeah we love you buddy."

"Come on Jimmie Jam lets go. I won't even make you wear a seat belt."

"Brooke" Both parents warned.

"Relax tutor mom and hubby I was just kidding."

Lucas was laying on his bed seething. He knew he had no real right to be mad but she belonged to him, with him. He loved her and it physically hurt to not be with her. He knew also knew he didn't deserve her. Maybe now was the time he should start to come to terms with the fact that he may never have her heart again. He decided to get back in front of his computer and take out all his aggression and all his heart ache and put it down on paper. He would write their story. The first book had been about their love's blossom, this book would be about their love's wither. He tapped away at the keys, pouring out his guilt, love and regret. If there was one thing he still had at least; it was his writing. Hours later and a few dozen pages, his eyes grew heavy, about as heavy as his conscience.

"Lukey, Lukey , Lukey. Here I thought you had finally realized what a lost cause this was."

Lucas tried to ignore the vapid words of mock Brooke and keep his focus on the words that were now spilling from his mind.

"I mean look at this piece of garbage… she wept her final tears of regret at her love's head stone while the looming gray skies blackened just like her soul…jeez Lucas, gloomy much."

Lucas couldn't help the scoff that escaped his lips.

"How much darker do you think I can get, I'm practically seeing my ex-girlfriend's….whatever the hell you are, everywhere I turn and I'm talking to you. You are a figment of my imagination and I'm sitting here talking to you. I'm either going crazy or…I don't know what else."

"Oh spare me the sorrowful words Luke. Boo Hoo Broody, Boo Hoo."

"Why are you here this time huh? I don't feel guilt over Brooke's death because it didn't happen. I'm not feeling guilty of keeping her in the dark and in my bed because
I don't have her anymore. WHAT THE HELL DO I FEEL GUILTY FOR NOW!"

The only thing to grace her beautiful face was a grin, a very malicious grin that sent a chill down his spine.

"Poor Lucas. You always seem to think it's about you. What about her? Your Pretty Girl. You claim to love her and yet you don't do a thing to show it but by lying to her face. Making false love to her body. Whispering fabricated declarations of love. You want to know what you should feel guilty about now? Think about it."

With that Lucas' head shot up from the desk. He had been dreaming. He heard the door bell that he assumes was the reason he was jarred from his dream state. He rubbed his tired eyes and walked to the front door and was shocked to see the occupant on his door step.

"I came to see if you were okay."

"Why wouldn't I be okay Peyton?"

"I just figured after we spoke that you might have been a little off or out of it."

"I'm fine, you can go home now."

He tried to shut the door but she was quicker and wormed her way in.

"Place looks different since the last time I was here. Did Brooke do some redecorating?"

Lucas couldn't put his finger on it but something was off. She walked into his living room trying to be seductive and sway her hips but fell short of the brunette beauty that still had a firm grip on his heart.

"Peyton I want you to go."

"You sure about that" she teased as she slowly undid her trench coat revealing she was wearing nothing but a pair of black heels. His eyes bore into hers to avoid looking at her body. He made a few determined steps towards her and she smiled thinking she had won but he gripped the sides of her coat firmly and closed it. Her victorious smile faltered when she felt his tight grip on her arm soon feeling the cold breeze hit her face when he threw her out. Her rejection added to her increasingly destabilizing emotional state. The pain was beginning to consume her. In her unstable mind there was only one reason he wouldn't let her in. That reason being that brown haired bitch she use to call her best friend. Se adjusted her coat and raised her head high. He needed to come up with a plan. She had stayed away from Lucas and waited for him to come back to her and when he didn't she had given up hope but her hope was renewed now. When he showed up on her doorstep he single handedly set off a chain of events that would spiral them all out of control and Peyton was only getting started. If she wanted Lucas this time…he was going to have to get rid of Brooke once and for all.

Brooke and Jake had no luck on the hypnotist front. She was beginning to want to change tactics.

"I want to go to the bridge again."

"Brooke do you think that's wise?"

"It's the only thing I have now. I mean the last time anything came to me it was there. I need to know what happened Jake. I need to know."

"Why?"

"What do you mean why?"

"I mean why? And what was it you were crying about when you called me, what happened.?"

She wanted to tell him. If not just for the satisfaction that she knew Jake would first find Lucas and kick the shit out of him, she couldn't do that. She may hate Luke right now but she knew she'd only being hurting herself if she sicked Jake on him.

"I just found out some things that kind of made me sad. I missed you."

She tried to plaster the smile she knew would appease him but she also knew he'd probably see right through it.

"Soph- I mean Brooke…you can tell me anything. I'm here for you and I'm not leaving you again. I promise."

"I know. That's why I trust you. Probably more than I trust myself right now."

Jake reached over and lovingly brushed the hair from her face and let his fingers linger on her cheek.

"I missed you, more than I thought I would. It gets pretty lonely at home without your beautiful smile to warm the place up."

The drove the rest of the way in comfortable silence. By the time they made it there the sun was going down. They parked in the same place Haley had done previously and cut the engine. She got out first and walked up to the spot that had by now been repaired. In her mind the guardrail was still mangled and she could almost see it as she slammed into it. She leaned slightly over the side and looked down into the water. It was lower now. It wasn't till she felt Jakes hands on her shoulder that she remembered he was still there.

"This is where it happened. They said my car went over the guardrail and hit the water right down there."
Jake paid attention to the far off look in her eyes as she looked at her once watery grave.

"The police report said they dedicated all of six manpower hours to look for me when they decided the water was too dangerous. I was in that water for hours and…and I'd hate to think what would happen if you hadn't have found me."

"But I did and you're fine now."

He embraced her and Brooke suddenly had a flash of the car again. The most she could make out was it was too dark to see the color but she definitely saw something red hanging from the rearview. An air freshener maybe?

"I need to see the car."

She said it blankly and started to reach for her phone and call Haley. Someone would have to know what happened to her car. Somehow she knew if she could just get back behind the wheel of her car she'd remember.

Nathan and Haley had gotten a good start on the auto shops when they started to come up empty since the shops were closing. They were going to call it quits when Haley came up with an idea. The two of them had the same idea about who the other car belonged to and had a feeling one more person may have that idea too. They knew it was possibly a bad idea going behind her back but Haley had managed to talk Nathan into going along with it. They stood outside of Lucas' door and decided to stick with their decision to let Lucas in on what was happening. Nathan thought it would only piss Brooke off and drive her further away but Haley was convinced that if he could help find the person responsible that maybe they could heal.

"Hales? Nate what are you two doing here?"

"Lucas, Nathan and I thought there is something you need to know."

"Come on in."

Haley sat next to Nathan on the couch as Lucas sat in the love seat across from them. He studied their face and knew whatever they were about to lay on him it wasn't good.

"Brooke….Brooke and I figured a few things out. She remembers the accident."

"Only it wasn't so much an accident" Nathan added sternly.

"What are you two talking about?"

"She remembers another car on the bridge that night, a car that ran her off the bridge."

"What" he whispered not wanting to believe it because there was only one person he could think of that might've wanted to hurt Brooke. Haley's phone ringing cut the silence. She looked at the called id and saw it was Brooke. Her ears must've been burning.

"It's Brooke, I gotta take this."

Haley exited the room and walked to the kitchen leaving the brothers behind.

"Hey Brookie what's up?"

"Do you know where my car is…the one from the accident."

"Uh I don't know. I would assume the police had it after it was impounded. Maybe a junk yard. I could call the detective that worked on your case, see if maybe he
knows,"

"Call me if you find out anything. Jake and I are heading back to the motel."

"Okay. I'll let you know, bye Tigger."

Her warm goodbye was only met with a dial tone. She walked back into the living room and felt the tense atmosphere that had grown in her absence.

"So Brooke thinks someone ran her off the road. Any idea who?"

"I'll give you one guess, and I'm pretty sure it'll be the same person we came up with."

"Peyton" they all said in unison.

"I know it sounds crazy Luke but Nate and I were talking and it really feels like it was her."

"Not as crazy as she is."

"What do you mean" Nathan questioned.

"She was here a little while ago."

"Lucas tell me you didn't" Haley asked hoping he hadn't dug his hole deeper.

"No, never again. That's not who I am anymore Hales. But she was here and that seemed to be the reason she came over. She seemed, well for lack of a better word, off. I was actually going to call you and tell you to steer clear of her."

"Didn't Peyton have to take medication for something?" Nathan asked.

"I don't really remember but there's only one way to find out" Haley added.

Histrionic Personality Disorder. Peyton had long since suffered from it since she was younger. The doctors couldn't be sure but she started to exhibit strange behavior after her mother died. Some doctors said that kind of loss could've contributed or it could've been genetic but it was all the same to her. She sat in her loft plotting her next move. Would she try to seduce Lucas again? Maybe. He didn't seem to into it but there were medicinal ways she could use to help her out. Would she kill Brooke? Again Maybe. That bitch was taking up too much room in his mind and to Peyton that meant less room for her. Could she get away with this? Maybe. There was only one way to know for sure. Peyton went to bed that night with a smile on her face. For tomorrow was just the beginning of what she had planned.

The four of them stood outside of Tim's Pull Apart. Inside is where Det. Amerson told Haley Brooke's car was. They didn't know what the condition of the car would be in but Brooke had a feeling this was it. This was the moment she'd find out that missing piece. Jake and Brooke walked hand in hand inside while Nathan and Haley lagged behind.

"Is it just me or does it just feel wrong for her to be with this guy" Nathan said shocking Haley.

"So who is it you think she should be with" Haley asked raising an eyebrow, knowing he wasn't going to say his brother.

"I'm just saying it feels wrong."

Inside Jake had already managed to talk to the owner and they had narrowed down where the car might still be on the grounds. It was a little of a surprise that the guys records were that good but they just took it as a sign. The guy directed them towards the back and the second they laid eyes on the wreckage three hearts sank. The car was still intact and the baby blue paint was almost untouched in some spots. The first thing Nathan and Jake did was check the rear bumper for paint scraps. It was a long shot but both men inspected the bumped anyway.

"Does that paint look black to you?" Jake had found a small patch on the right underside but needed Nathan's opinion.

"Looks like black to me" more damning evidence towards Peyton.

Their attention was drawn to Brooke opening the driver side door. She had a momentary flash of that night when she yanked the door open before she jumped in and sped away. Brooke snapped back to reality as she slid in. Her fingers brushed across the once supple leather. She gripped the wheel at ten and two and looked straight ahead. Haley, Jake and Nathan all watched her as she relived that night. She had another flash of wiping the tears from her eyes as she neared the bridge and then a pair of head lights flipped on almost blinding her. The headlights got so close she couldn't see them but she felt the violent jerk of her car when it rammed the back of her. Her grasp on the wheel tightened as the tires' grip on the road loosened and she began to fishtail. The powerful jerk of the car as the car hit her once more was enough to shoot fear throughout her body and then she saw them. A pair of green eyes that she had long since seen but never forgotten. The eyes paired with he now clearly visible red fuzzy dice made it all too real. The last piece of the puzzle was Peyton.

"That BITCH!"

Sooooo how do we feel about this one. I know some of you wanted Jake to come back so there it is. Let me say I am at least five chapters ahead on this one so what you see has already been written weeks ago. The disorder mentioned in this update is real so I felt the need to say that. So Brooke finally remembers that night and who was responsible, question is what will she do with that new info? So that's chapter 12. I can honestly say the next one is Monday but because I hate Tuesdays too I put his up. Okay so you know what to do, SIMONS SAYS REVIEW!