Thank you to the few people who are sticking to this story and writing reviews. Another thank you to the people who read and don't write reviews... I know there was some confusion about Brooke's plan, so it is all coming out now. Hopefully, it makes sense... let me know what you think!

Chapter 16:

Julian was smiling like an idiot and he didn't really care who saw him or what they thought. He knew that he had a long road before him; however, he felt hope. Without another glance at Haley and Nathan, Julian made his way through the various people in business suits to Brooke's open door.

Feeling a slight wave of nervous anxiety flood his veins, Julian paused in the entrance of her room. It was less than twelve hours from their earlier confrontation, but Brooke's room had been completely transformed into a command post.

Julian was unnoticed by the few assistants or associates of Brooke, but he felt the steely eyes of a surprising pair of eyes, Victoria, Brooke's mother. Julian couldn't help but to return the cold, hard gaze right back at Victoria. He couldn't believe the audacity of the woman to be here now. He didn't know how Brooke could forgive her for not only a shitty childhood, but a shitty adulthood too. In fact, Julian could only remember one occasion that Victoria came to visit her own daughter in the hospital, and she stayed for less than five minutes.

Julian honestly couldn't care less about Bitchtoria's opinion of him. She of all people, had no room to judge anyone considering her own actions and lack of regard for Brooke over the years. He was prepared to stand his ground and show Brooke's mother and Brooke that he was prepared to face the consequences of his stupid decisions and fight for Brooke's love and trust.

"Well, well, well! Our little tabloid star has decided to join us after all? I figured you'd have made a break for a rehab facility for sex addiction by now." Julian was actually amazed at the striking similarity in Victoria's tone and expressions with Brooke.

Before Julian could retaliate, Brooke looked up and caught his eye. She opened her mouth and then quickly closed it. If this was a movie, he would zoom the camera in for a tight shot of her face, specifically the visible tension of her throat as she nervously shallowed. He hated himself for ever putting her in a situation that would cause her to doubt his feelings for her, that he would ever make her feel unworthy or disposable. He was suddenly self-consious with the hovering and critical audience. Julian wanted to grab Brooke and run away from the chaos he created, or at the very least kick all of these people out so that he could be alone with Brooke.

Brooke's shoulders slowly straightened as she took a deep and calming breath. She had been so busy worrying about spinning this into a favorable strategy, she didn't give herself the opportunity to feel any emotion until she thought she heard Julian and Nathan return to the house. The sight of him took her breath away and made her slightly nauseated. She was sick with the entire situation and how Julian would've been portrayed. She knew (well, NOW she knew) that Julian's feelings for her were nearly a decade long and that she almost threw him away because of a freaking tabloid article.

She nervously cleared her throat and motioned for the closest people to head toward the door. As the room quickly cleared out, Victoria remained rooted in her spot. Brooke cleared her throat a little louder and without subtlety, she even threw in a waving of her hands until her mother finally sauntered through the room rolling her eyes along the way.

Julian stepped inside the room to allow Victoria to slam the door, but didn't approach her bed. Brooke giggled nervously and patted her bed as her head turned down, she was afraid to look into his eyes and see the hurt and rejection she put there. She kept her eyes down as she felt Julian's weight on the bed beside her. Wordlessly, she reached her hand out over his and opened her mouth to say she was sorry, but the touch of her fingers was the catalyst for action that Julian needed. As soon as her hand touched his, Julian grabbed it and brought it to his face and whispered hoarsely "I'm sorry... Brooke, I am so sorry that you ever had to doubt my feelings towards you. My love, my loyalty, I'm sorry." He continued to whisper "I'm sorry" repeatedly, over and over, against her hand. He had brought her hand to his lips and was kissing the inside of her palm and gently crying into her hand.

Brooke's eyes filled with tears, and she quickly brushed them away with her free hand. She let Julian kiss her hand and continue his penance until he looked up at her and he placed her hand on his cheek. He reached out his hand to wipe a few stray tears away from her cheek. Looking at her completely vulnerable he realized two important things. One, he never wanted to let her go, he never wanted to be without her, and two, that her vulnerability meant that she was open to him.

Julian opened his mouth to begin to speak, but Brooke simply shook her head in opposition and placed her finger over his lips. She quietly said, "It's okay. I know... I know baby."

Julian felt relief and love overcome him and if he wasn't already crying, he would've been. He leaned forward and enveloped Brooke in his arms. She clung to his embrace as if they were stranded in the ocean, miles from shore. They held each other upright for several minutes before lying together in her bed. Minutes passed, Julian felt it could have been hours that they remained locked in each other's arms.

Finally, Brooke broke the bittersweet silent moment, "Julian, I need to explain what is going on." She wasn't really sure if he was going to go along with the plan and actions that were put into place over the last several hours.

Julian shook his head in guilt, "I know Brooke. I'm assuming from the level of activity around here that the story broke, and your people are doing damage control. Hell, for all I know, some of those people running around out there actually are here for me! They could be sent to my dad."

Brooke laughed a little, "Hmmm... I'll have to remember that and send him their bill." She poked him gently in a playful way on his side. "Seriously, Julian, I hope you're not upset, but I kind of took things into my own hands."

Julian leaned over her on one elbow. He rubbed her shoulder in support, urging her to explain the situation to him. "Knowing Rachel as well as I do, I figured that the person actually taking the photos was hired or at least tipped-off by Rachel."

The bitch set me up?! Julian's immediate thoughts about the situation and particularly Rachel, were not very positive. Brooke could see the anger rising in Julian and realized what he was probably thinking. She quickly interjected, "She didn't set you up sweetie! She calls the paprazzi everywhere. Unlike the majority of people I know, Rachel loves the attention and finding her name in the tabloids. Perez is her 'in case of emergency' contact." Brooke sighed from exhaustion. She was still physically drained from the accident, not to mention the current drama.

"Anyway! Rachel had tipped off the camera guy where she was going to be and he just showed up to take the pictures. But this is the tricky part..." her demeanor went from concern to anxious as she tried to plan how to explain her actions to Julian.

"Basically, I'm using this as PR for Clothes Over Bros." Brooke decided that ripping the bandage off was the best course of action. Julian of course looked completely confused as to how this would benefit her clothing line. "I started making some phone calls after you left. Basically, we are selling this as buzz towards a new advertising campaign that was orchestrated by Victoria. There's a catch... you have to go along with it, and be willing to be one of the models in the next ad campaign."

With the last bit of information, Julian laughed out loud. Not a chuckle, not even a hearty chuckle, but full fledged, gut busting laughter. Julian looked at Brooke and laughed even harder. "Brooke, my darling, my love... I am NOT a model... you... want me... to... model?!" and once again laughter ensued.

If the situation wasn't so tense before, Brooke would totally be laughing with Julian. Now however, she gave him the famous Brooke Davis smirk and head tilt. "Do you have a better suggestion model?"

The reality of the situation hit Julian pretty hard, and he realized the only other suggestion he had was: the truth, and he wasn't really comfortable with it. As if she could read his thoughts, Brooke grabbed his hand and looked into his eyes. "Julian, I'm sure you want to take the moral high road and tell the truth. But in all honesty, what purpose does it serve? It doesn't help either of us."

Julian still looked torn, and Brooke tried to rationalize with him. "Look, baby, let's just say that you have a press conference and admit to everything and tell the truth. One, who will make it through to the end of your conference or even see it at all? Two, let's assume that people don't buy it and think that you were really cheating on your injured girlfriend... that's going to go over really well with your next movie. Three, people want to believe the worst..." with those telling words she looked up at Julian silently urging him to go along with her.

"I know people may not believe this plan or they think it is tacky or opportunistic... and that's where Victoria comes into play." Julian involuntarily shuddered and looked over his shoulder half expecting her to be there ready to prey on him. "She is notorious and no one would put it past her to take advantage of her daughter."

"But what about me, Brooke? What about my reputation? People would question my taste that I would go along with such a classless plan that would lead people to question my fidelity to you." Julian jumped from the bed and began to pace in front of Brooke's bed. Both of his hands were in his hair and he was attempting to massage the massive headache that he wasn't even aware he had been suffering from until now.

Brooke was torn and began to doubt her genius plan when she saw the effect it had on Julian. "Julian, sit with me." She reached her hand out to his, eager for the warmth of his contact. "We can sell your participation as revenge on the paparazzi for their role in my attack." Her voice held a determination and conviction so strong that for a moment, Julian actually questioned whether she actually did set this all up.