A/N: So I thought it was about time I updated this. I've been able to get back and do some writing and I knew that this would have to be the first thing I came back to. Thanks to those that have kept reading this and for those that reviewed the last chapter. Enjoy as I go back and do some more.

Place To Hide

Brooke's POV

There's something to be said for this moment. A split second of time and everything can pass you by. I feel like everything has been going fast while I've been in slow motion. I got back to Tree Hill late or I should say early this morning. Peyton was out for the count and I didn't want to wake her. I watched her sleep for a while and she looked so peaceful. I wasn't tired myself; too much preoccupying my mind. I feel bad for not returning her calls but everything was a mess and I just didn't have time. She really sounded worried and I'm sorry that I've made her feel that way; it wasn't my intention. When she wakes up, I'll tell her everything. Millicent informed me that she was looking for me. I shouldn't have put her in that situation, asking her to keep secrets. I was told that it will come out eventually and the walls are closing in on that day.

I hear Peyton's cell phone ringing and it's not long before it's answered; I guess she's up. I walk up the stairs and I start to hear her voice. I wonder who's calling this early. I slowly open the door and she instantly turns around. Her eyes meet mine and I'm not sure how to describe what they say; relief and anger maybe.

"She's back. Thanks for letting me know. I'll catch up with you later." She hangs up and she just looks at me, crossing her arms. I wear a timid smile, hoping that she will soften up a bit but it doesn't happen.

"Sorry I didn't call, things have been crazy." The nervousness is evident, I'm not sure if I'm trying to hide it as I'm not doing a very good job.

"New York will do that to you." Her words are hard and I don't blame her. "Is this what you've been trying to protect me from?" She points at her computer and I walk closer to it, feeling apprehensive.

"Did you think I wouldn't be able to handle this?" I stand there just looking at the screen and I have to say that I'm in shock. This was not what I was expecting.

"I didn't even know about this." The cogs in my brain started to turn as something kick in. "I can guess who's behind it."

She moves closer to me and I can feel her brush her hand on my back. "Who would want to do this?"

I grit my teeth, not wanting to say the name but I do. "Victoria."

"Am I missing something?" She looks at me confused and asks another question. "Why would she want to do this?"

I take a deep breath before answering. "She's just trying to leave with a bang."

She crosses her arms. "I think you need to explain a few things."

I nod and then move away from her trying to find anything else to focus on. "When we agreed to go global, she official became my business partner but when I fired her as CEO, she immediately put her share up for sale. That's why I had to go to New York to stop her from selling to anyone but me. I've been trying to buy my company in full."

"Why didn't you tell me any of this before?"

I finally decide to sit on the bed while she's still standing, waiting for me to answer. "You had your father's health to deal with and this is my problem." She walks over to me and squats down, taking my hand.

"How can you say that, especially with what I've been through. You were there for me and I want to be there for you. Your problems are mine and mine are yours. Don't shut me out." She caresses my cheek and I lean into her touch. "We can handle this together, you just have to let me in." I nod and she gets up from her position, joining me on the bed. She pulls me closer to her and she kisses my forehead. Just for that brief moment I feel more at ease.

"So the world knows we're dating." She points to her computer screen. "Do they also know that I'm head over heels in love with the famous B Davis?" I look at her and instantly get lost in her eyes.

My cell rings and I instantly groan, knowing that I can't ignore any calls I get these days. Without paying attention, I press the call button. "Brooke Davis."

"Well, well. Do I get a prize for pointing out the weird lesbian vibes you two had back in high school?" I roll my eyes and chuckle. Peyton is asking who's on the phone.

"Hello to you too Rachel and no you don't get any points." It's weird how true her words are now. I'm not sure how true it was then for Peyton. I guess I can get a little possessive when it comes to her. I know I did get jealous when she was hanging with Anna.

"Now why did I have to hear about the two of you through the media? I mean I thought Peyton was marrying Lucas. I missed all the drama because of work."

"Sorry." I really should have given her a call to let her know what's been going on. She has unexpectedly become a great friend to me. "Things have been crazy and Peyton's father has been in hospital."

"How's he doing?" A voice has turned into genuine concern, as she knows how much he means to both Peyton and I.

"He's a lot better now."

"Well send them both my best."

"You should make a stop here soon, the next you're in the country." It would be good to see her as it's been a while but we still manage to check in with each other every now and then.

"You know this jet setting life of model is all work and no play but I'll work on it. I've got to go but I'll catch up with you later."

"Bye." I end the call. I look over at Peyton. "I guess she saw the link too. She mentioned how she noticed our weird lesbian vibe in high school."

She laughs and pulls me closer. Just sitting here soothes me but I know that it's temporary; this is definitely the calm before the storm. I am shaken from my thoughts as my phone rings again. This time I look at the id and its Millicent.

"Hey."

"Sorry to disturb you but its getting a bit crazy down here."

"What do you mean?" I sound surprise and I guess it doesn't click to what she's talking about.

"There's press outside."

I really should have given her a call to warn her but I'm surprised that there's press about. I start to wonder which of the reasons that they could be in Tree Hill. I get up and walk over to the window hoping that they don't know where Peyton lives. I slowly open the curtain and I see a couple of photographers. I quickly turn round and focus my attention back on the conversation. "Got some here to. I'm sorry to drag you through this. Take the day off and spend it with Mouth."

"I don't mind staying." I know that she wouldn't mind but she does too much already.

"You've done enough. In fact, take the rest of the week off."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, in fact it's a direct order."

"Thanks Brooke."

"No, thank you." I end the call and focus my attention back to Peyton. Her green eyes melt me every time and I simply get lost in them. I'm not sure how long I was staring but she snaps me out of it with a gentle kiss.

"So what are we going to do about the visitors outside?"

"Can we just an ignore them for a bit." I move closer and kiss her again, not wanting to break any contact. Unfortunately she does but her hand moves a piece of hair out of my face and she caresses my cheek.

"You can't avoid things forever." I know she's right but I just want to spend some time here with her before I have to fully deal with things again.

Peyton's POV

We're just lying here and I'm holding her but I can't shake the feeling that there's something more going on in that head of hers. She's holding back, I can always tell when she does that. It's this thing that we have, to be able to read each other without words passing us. I want to question her and find out what else is going on but I fear she might just close up and pull away.

I'm stroking her hair, breathing the scent of her shampoo in. These are the moments I love and treasure. When we were younger, we would just lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling. Most times we didn't need to say anything. We both knew that the other person just needed a moment to clear their head. It was in one of those moments that I realised my feelings had evolved into something more for Brooke.

I should have known it when I once made Brooke's favourite breakfast instead of Lucas'. I should have realised my feelings when there was no longer any room in my head for Lucas and it was only Brooke's that plagued my mind. I dismissed the dreams I would have that were constantly filled with my best friend. Every time I touched his tattoo, I would image touching the skin that Brooke's matching tattoo rested on.

Slowly my thoughts were consumed with images of Brooke and only her. Every touch was so electrifying that I was already addicted. Every smile she wore made me erupt into a smile also. The need to be close was overwhelming and so addictive that I just couldn't help myself. I would find any excuse to go and spend time with Brooke, not that I really needed any excuse; she's been my best friend since we were eight.

We survived two dead mums, three absentee parents, shoplifting and jail time but I thought that if I had every told her, my feelings before, that we wouldn't be able to survive it. I'm glad that I was proven wrong. I'm just cursing the fact that I never told her sooner.

She starts to shift in my arms and I her sniffing. "Peyton, I'm scared."

I pull her closer to me and kiss the top of her head. "There's nothing to be scared of. We'll handle the press and everything they throw at us."

"That's not really it. There's more to this than just us being publicly outed." With that I'm left wondering what has really been going on and what she's been hiding.