Okay so I am super tired so the note is going to be lazy. Blah blah blah, enjoy! Love my reviewers you guys rock!

Chapter 13

Rage

It was almost too much to believe. Peyton did this? The girl I use to depend on for love and support not only slept with my boyfriend but tried to kill me? she though. Brooke was silent the whole way back to the motel. She told Jake to stay there and she'd be back. She told him she needed some time alone but that wasn't what she had in mind. Haley knew that look. Once those internal wheels started turning Brooke could get downright scary. They made it back to Haley's and Nathan volunteered to relieve the babysitter and take Jamie back to his place. He knew the girls wanted time to talk. Once he and Jamie were gone Haley joined Brooke out in the backyard. She was looking out over the pool and watching the lights from the house dance across the water. They had spent the day out at that junk yard and come back with heavy hearts. She didn't need to say a word for either Nathan or Haley to know she had confirmed their suspicions. Brooke was quiet, a little too quiet.

"Tigger are you going to talk about what you remembered?"

"No need" she said turning to Haley, "I'm sure you already know."

"I have my own idea but no I don't know anything for sure."

"I know for sure. How is it that we all were so close and now were are so far apart. I mean you and Nathan were happy together, the club was doing really well, my clothing line was taking off-"

"You and Lucas were in love."

Those words cut Brooke deep. 'Were in love' was true. Or was it? She wanted to correct Haley but she was sure she would be doing the same thing in a minute, hell she had already managed to mention happy marriage already.

"I still love him Haley. I hate him but I love him. I loved her and she…she fucking tried to kill me."

"So it was Peyton. I'm sorry honey."

"Don't be sorry for me. Be sorry for her scrawny ass when I get ahold of her."

"So why draw this out, let's go to the police-"

"And tell them what Haley? We have nothing. Any evidence, except for a tiny smudge of paint on that car, is pretty much washed away. We need a plan."

"A plan to do what?"

"What do you think" Brooke said plainly. Haley tried to get a sincere read off Brooke but was alarmed at the fact that she seemed to be going to a really dark place.

"Tigger we...you can't do this. What happens if the police found out?"

"They won't, and relax I'm not going to kill her. Am I going to make sure she knows beyond the shadow of a doubt that she royaly screwed up by fucking with me, yes."

"Fine. Whatever it is I'm in."

"Haley I know we had our issues, we still do but...I can't ask you to get involved."

"I'm already involved Brooke. My son and my husband and myself suffered and mourned for you. We're just lucky that she didn't get her way" Haley said hugging Brooke tightly. "I had nightmares you know. Every night I would wake up in a cold sweat for four months straight and the last thing I always remembered was the look of your face while the car was sinking."

"Easy Hales, no need to get weepy on me. We have to be smart about this. We need to make sure this information stays between the four of us."

Haley's eyes darted to the side. She knew she would have trouble lying to Brooke now seeing as how she had done it before and it blew up in her face. She didn't want to lie but she knew if Brooke asked she'd have to spill.

"Haley, we are the only ones that know right...Haley...Look at me."

Haley returned her eyes to Brooke's and then she knew her friend had already spilled the beans. One guess to who.

"You told him didn't you?"

Haley nodded but tried to defend her choice.

"Brooke listen. I know you two aren't on best terms but he could help. Maybe get Peyton to confess on tape or something."

"How by seducing her! Haley why do you insist on forcing this!"

"Probably for the same reason that you keep trying to force me and Nate together. Brooke you belong with Lucas."

"So are you admitting you belong with Nathan?"

"Only if you admit you belong with Lucas. I know what he did was so beyond heinous but you have to know he was like a shell of himself and when you came back it was like having the old Lucas back."

"Haley...don't okay. He and I...I don't know where it'd going to go but maybe if you and Nathan can find your way back to each other maybe there's hope. A small chance but still hope."

"So this is relationship blackmail. I guess it was only a matter of time before you got back to the old Brooke."

"I know that's what you want, what all of you want but no. I'm not that same Brooke anymore and I never will be Hales. That's just the way it is. She stupidly allowed Lucas to treat her like garbage. Never again."

"He's not that guy anymore either. I'm not saying that you should forgive him but if somewhere deep down you want to that's up to you. Just remember he does love you."

"He loves an idea."

"Well I love you just the same and if you are about to do something incredibly stupid then I guess I'm going to be right there doing it with you."

"Thanks Hales."

"No Problem Tigger. I'll call Nathan and see if he can drop Jamie off at Karen's instead and meet us over at Lucas'."

Brooke nodded in agreement.

"Actually can we go get him. I want to see Jamie.

The arrived at Karen's and Brooke all but crushed the small boy in her arms. Jamie was a smart boy and knew something was up. When they pulled away Karen made sure to ask because she too could feel the tension.

"What's up with you two?"

"What do you mean Karen?"

"I mean something is going on. You and Brooke are a little too quiet."

"Nothing is going on. I swear that mom radar of yours is-"

"Alwas dead on."

Karen leaned in wanting to make sure that Haley knew she was there if they needed her.

"Haley I've known you and Brooke for years and I can tell when you girls are lying just like with my own son. I love you guys so whatever it is; if it's Lucas or Nathan you girls can always come to me. Whatever it is okay?"

Haley smiled and nodded.

"We're just making a night of it. We'll be back tomorrow to pick Jamie back up."

"Take your time I know Lily love's the company."

The pair turned to see a stunned looking Brooke trying to fight back a few tears.

"Tigger what's wrong?"

"Nothing. Uhh let's get out of here. Jamie, honey. I love you."

"I love you two Aunt Brooke."

Lucas had spent the better part of the day being pissed. He was angry. At himself, at the situation but mostly at himself. He had caused all of this by sleeping with Peyton in the first place. He wanted to forget it all and had decided to go to bed that night and do his best to sleep. Sleep, that was something that had eluded him for a while now. Between Brooke hating him and Peyton's strange behavior he had yet to have a peaceful moment but now he knew that Brooke hadn't "accidentally" driven off the bridge due to the rain but because Peyton had run her off. He knew this and didn't need anyone or anything to confirm what he knew in his heart to be true. He was getting worried now. If Peyton was this unbalanced to do it once, what was to stop her from doing it again? His phone rang and he picked it up when he saw the number.

"Hello?"

"Lucas it's me. Haley and I are on our way over. Nathan will probably beat us there so if he does just tell him to explain everything to you."

Brooke hung up her phone and dialed the motel to speak to Jake. She knew if he knew what she was about to do, he'd just try to talk her out of it. Jake was like that, always trying to protect her.

"Yello."

"Hey Jake it's me, I'm going to hang around Haley's a bit longer, actually I'm probably going to spend the night."

"Okay. I'll miss you but have fun with that nephew of yours. I'll see you tomorrow beautiful."

"Bye Jake."

Haley noticed the difference in tone of both Brooke's calls and knew the woman beside her was only sounding cold to Lucas because of her conflict of feelings. She patted the brunette's knee as reassurance. Brooke shot her a smile back knowing she knew what is was for. Tonight was going to be the night. Brooke was going to her revenge of Peyton.

The plan was set in motion. Brooke would text Peyton from Lucas' phone and set it up to meet at his house. When she showed up Brooke would distract her while Haley knocked her out. They'd tie her up and take turns beating the shit out of her till she confessed. Lucas had his misgivings about this plan, as did Nathan but neither woman was willing to back down from this. Peyton was going to have to pay. They figured since they'd be close by nothing could get out of hand. Jamie had been sent to Karen's for a sleep over with Lily and at that moment all Brooke could think about were the little boys words before she left; he had told her he loved her and said he wanted to say it just in case he didn't see her again. It broke her heart to hear him say that. He had also said that she better come back because he knows that trouble look on her face when he saw it. How is it that this little boy was able to be so smart and sweet. Peyton's actions had reverberated all the way down to this boy and made him fear the people he loved to leave him. She couldn't just blame Peyton though; they had all done their part. Brooke was snapped out of her thoughts when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"You can still back out you know."

"No Lucas I can't. We need her to confess and I really think the only way to get that is through you."

"We could just tell the police that-"

"That what, she intentionally ran me off the road. We have no proof Lucas and it is her word against ours. We don't even have anything circumstantial."

"We don't know what we have because we are not trained professionals. We should let the police handle this."

"And we will, when we have her on tape confessing and then we can hand her over and then I can finally leave this place!" she yelled in a huff. She hadn't intended to say it but it was out there all the same. Lucas looked hurt. He had just gotten her back only to lose her all over again.

"Brooke what about Jamie?"

"Jamie and Haley and Nathan can come visit but I'm going back home when all this is over."

"This is your home" he said a little loud and gesturing around the building they were in.

"No this is not my home Lucas." She wanted to be firm and ignore the wounded look he displayed but it was hard. She needed to put distance between them and fast. Peyton was going to be on her way soon. She turned to walk from the living room but Lucas' hand shot out and grabbed her arm and spun her around, crashing her body back to him.

"He can't make you happy Brooke."

"Well I guess it's not so bad since you can't either."

She snatched from his grasp. Unluckily for them a certain curly haired blonde saw the exchange. There she was standing at his back door and she saw the two former lovers together and their exchange. Peyton's fury was brewing. 'How dare that bitch come here' she thought as her hands clenched till her knuckles loss color. Her attention was draw to the honey blonde walking into the room. 'Haley's here too" the thought. It was then Peyton realized this was not the long awaited erotic evening she had hoped for. Her eyes grew dark as she slinked into the shadows. Looks like her plan was going to have to start tonight instead.

The night was growing increasingly tense as Haley looked at the clock again. It was now nine fifty seven. Peyton was supposed to have been there at seven sharp. Haley and Nathan were upstairs in Brooke's old office waiting and watching for any sign of Peyton. Too bad they had been paying more attention to each other than the lurking blonde who was about to pounce. Nathan looked at his ex and smiled. She had just blew a piece of hair from her face in annoyance while she looked out the window. The moonlight illuminated her features to a point where he could swear he was looking at an angel. It was times like these he could almost forget all the terrible things that torn them apart in the first place.

"Where the hell is she dammit. My legs' about to fall asleep."

Her irritated tone not being lost on present company. He was still watching her as she looked out the window when his inner dialogue came spilling out.

"You look beautiful."

She was mildly stunned when she looked at him. He quickly averted his eyes to the ground to avoid the embarrassment. She allowed a small smile to grace her face that Nathan caught just as the silence started to become unbearable.

"You keep saying stuff like that and I'll get a big head."

"It's true. I've always thought you looked beautiful. I've always loved…the way you seem to have this big heart."

"Well having people like you guys around makes it easy."

Nathan again dropped his eyes to the ground. He needed to focus his attention so as to not say what he really wanted to say.

"Do you ever think it's too late for us Nate?"

His eyes focused back on her at that moment. He hadn't expected to have that questioned asked. True they had been getting close but it always seemed she was doing it more to rekindle a friendship.

"Haley…I can't lie and say that I don't hope it's not but what does that mean. We've both done some really shitty things, slept with other people but with all that I still held out hope we'd find our way back to each other. Is that what you want?"

Haley's mouth dropped open and closed a few times before she manages to figure out the words she wanted to say.

"Nathan, you are the father of my child, the love of my life. I'd be lying if I didn't say that I don't want you back."

Nathan's lips curved into a full on smile at the thought of knowing the woman he loved still loved him. He reached out and brushed the hair from her brow and leaned forward to place a soft kiss on her willing lips. There was no passion in it, only love.

Brooke had been in the same mind frame of Haley. She was growing more and more impatient. She had texted Peyton twenty minutes ago from Lucas' phone to ask where she was but no answer, much like the other five texts she had sent. She dropped the phone in her pocket out of habit and looked up to see that Lucas had dozed off on the adjacent couch. She kind of laughed at the thought that Tree Hill's once bad boy was asleep at ten pm. She stretched and got up from her seat and walked into the kitchen to grab a glass of water. The vision she was met with was a collection of photos. She looked into their smiling faces and her heart melted. All the happy faces smiling at her and all she could do was smile back. Brooke and Lucas in Vegas, Brooke, Lucas and Jamie at Disney World, Brooke Lucas and Haley at a Kings of Leon concert, Brooke and Lucas sleeping in a hammock (Haley took that one three summers ago) and finally Brooke and Lucas on her last birthday. That had been a really great birthday, one of her best. Her eyes drifted from picture to picture till she felt the presence of someone behind her and assumed it was Lucas but when she turned she saw the last person she expected.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing. See I was invited here… by Lucas."

"Yea well I guess I should go and leave you and lover boy alone" Brooke said brushing past her rather hard and unknowingly to them knocked Peyton's bracelet off. He was almost out of the kitchen but stopped dead in her tracks when Peyton spoke.

"And leave Haley Bob and Nate up stairs? No I think I have a better idea."

Peyton cocked her snub nose revolver as she lifted it to Brooke's standing figure. Brooke turned slowly to at the sound of the metal clank sounding off behind her.

"We're going to go for a ride you and me."

"No we're not."

"Oh yes we are. Either you can go quietly or I can shoot you now and then march upstairs and put one in your buddies. Your choice Brookie."

"Don't call me that."

"Why not, it is the nickname I use to call you."

"Only my friends can call me that."

"I'm your friend Brooke."

"We haven't been that since you decided to sink your teeth into the man I love."

"Don't you mean loved?"

"No I mean love, as in present tense as in he is still mine."

"Well then I guess we're going to have to change all that. Walk it Brookie, we got places to be."

The smugness of Peyton's voice pissed Brooke off even more than she ever thought possible. Her teeth were practically grinding into dust. She knew Peyton had the upper hand and if she made a noise to alert the others they'd only end up in harm's way. No Brooke decided to play along for now and lead the psycho bitch away from the people she loved. This was between her and Peyton. Brooke walked out the back door with Peyton in tow and all the while she hoped that tonight wasn't her last.

After a long wait Haley and Nathan descended down the stairs and to fine Lucas asleep and alone in the living room.

"Brooke?"

Haley calling out woke Lucas up from his sleep.

"What time is it?"

"It's about ten thirty. Where did Brooke go?" Nathan asked while Haley made her way around the house in search of her friend. She had a feeling something was wrong.

"I don't know, she was here a second ago, didn't realized I dozed off. Maybe she's in the bathroom or something" Lucas offered as he slowly shook off the last of his sleep Haley came back in with that worried look that always got the two men riled up.

"She's not here."

"Check the bathroom-"

"The door was open when we came downstairs and the one down here is empty."

"Calm down Hales maybe she went back to the motel or something."

"How Nate? Looks like all the cars are here and we would've seen if that Jake guy pulled up."

"We weren't paying attention the whole time Haley."

"Fine maybe not but she wouldn't just leave without saying something."

Lucas started to rummage through his pockets for his phone and came up empty.

"Haley call her and see if she answers" Lucas said still looking for his missing phone.

Haley quickly pulled hers out and dialed and when the quietness of the room was shattered by a ringing phone they all felt little sick. They all knew that if there was one thing for certain Brooke Davis didn't go anywhere without her purse and yet there it was on the other side of the love seat. Haley shot across the room and picked it up. She turned with the purse in hand and displayed the look of horror that scared them both. They now knew something had undeniably happened to Brooke.

I know I know it's short. Shame on me but hey get reay for some fireworks next chapter. Feel free to review. Why cause Simon, blah blah blah.