Where Are You Love?
Why can't I find you?
by: SamiJane
Disclaimer: Please see Author's bio
Summary: After the Leyton wedding, Brooke Davis and Julian Baker try to figure out what's next in their own lives.
Note to new readers: I started writing this before episode 611, so anything after 610 in OTH world doesn't apply to my story.
A/N: Thank you Iz-Belle91, chechinou, princetongirl, TeamSophia, cRiMsOnGoDdEsS01, xPrettygirl23x, QuieraStrawberry9, and toddntan for your reviews! I appreciate them so much!
I'm so glad so many of you like that Chris Keller is in the story. He's going to be a major character, so hopefully I'll do him justice. And I'm amazed at all the pro Brulian comments. Especially after episode 6.12, I'm really feeling Brulian. But I still won't forget about Brucas, as you'll soon see. I don't want to spoil things, so I'm not going to say who's end game.
toddntan: haha, even though it's only been two chapters, i like reading your reviews. also, i don't plan on having too much leyton - just enough as the story needs. i think the couple is represented enough on tv right now. and all i want is a happy brooke too.
QuieraStrawberry9 and TeamSophia: I, too, think Brooke is too good to get sloppy seconds or be second best, but later on you'll see how I'll "fix" all that.
chechinou: thank you so much for that awesome compliment. when i started this, i knew i didn't want to have leyton all of a sudden fall out of love, because it wouldn't seem realistic. i'm glad you are enjoying my story. sorry if you don't get too much leyton, especially right now, but hopefully brulian will be awesome for you.
And sorry you guys had to wait awhile for this, but here it is! I decided to use my profile for when I know there will be a lull in between updates (like if it'll be more than three days); so check that if you're curious as to when updates will occur. Enjoy!
Chapter 3: Its Closed; Let's Go.
Julian's POV; the reception
Before I even reach the double doors to the complex, I hear the melodic sounds of the party echo through the walls. I look back towards my car and notice my good friend, Chris Keller, urging me to go inside. I can't believe Sienna conveniently could not attend this shindig.
The popular producer I am, I have crashed a Brooke Davis party and attended a Peyton Sawyer one. I can only imagine the opulence, grandeur, and musicality a party planned by both the fashion designer and record producer will be like. With a deep inhale I walk through the foyer; and before I reach the main room, I halt at the sight of the back of the bride. Her blonde curls are fashioned in one of those, half up, half down, styles. The length of her dress cascades gracefully towards the floor, the hem just barely brushing the surface of the carpet. The ensemble has no veil or no train; it is simplicity with a touch of Sawyer.
"Julian," she gasps, undoubtedly shocked to see me standing here. She's not the only one that's shocked. And even though she's thousands of miles in the air right now, I can see Sienna smirking at the whole situation. Oh Sienna, if only I could kick your ass right now.
"Peyton," I respond. I don't tell her that she looks amazing, beautiful, or gorgeous. She can probably gather that from my expression. And then there's also the little fact that everyone has probably told her a thousand times tonight; I don't feel like adding my name to that list.
"I thought you weren't coming," she asks me warily with a hint of aggravation. Don't worry, Peyton, I sure as hell do not want to crash this festivity. And even if I did, I wouldn't be standing here with an insanely wrapped wedding present. I'd be by raiding the open bar and hitting on the bridesmaids like any normal ex boyfriend would be.
"I thought so, too," I agree with her, "I came to drop off Sienna's gift." I hold out the present to her, eager to get the condescending thing off of my hands. The glittering ribbons are still snickering at me. It's as if they know that the awkwardness of this encounter is getting to me.
"Oh," she takes the gift carefully, searching for the card or tag. Damn; does she not believe me? If I would have gotten her a gift, I wouldn't lie about it. And I sure as hell would have chosen different wrapping paper. I watch as the look of doubt vanishes when she does notice Sienna's inscription written on the gift tag.
"She seemed ecstatic about missing this whole thing," I joke; she knows what I really mean. "But more than anything, I think she wanted to torture me," I add. Sarcasm is a strong suit when I want to avoid niceties or emotional talk. But, then again, I can't just let this encounter end on a mere, simple "Oh." I need closure, right? Better get it over with now than wait two more weeks. Damn it; two weeks – two weeks of halted production. That's going to cost the studio.
"Thanks for telling me," she responds with what seems to be a genuine smile…well, half smile.
There's a little bit of silence now; silence that's starting to grow more awkward with each tick of the clock. I don't know if she's trying to figure out what else to say, or if she's waiting for me to make a snide comment. I decide to ask how she is, but she beats me to it.
"How have you been?" her eyes spark just a tad and I wonder if she ever regrets how everything ended.
"Probably not as happy as you are right now," I answer. Yeah it was harsh, but it was true. Her eyes shift down to the floor and her cheeks blush in awkward embarrassment of this whole ordeal.
"Sorry. I meant that you look really happy. And you know, you should be," I try to rectify, but am only met with silence. Well, the fact that she hasn't run off yet is a good sign.
Brooke's POV; the reception
The purse couldn't have just run off, the thing has no legs. I absolutely love weddings, but there is one thing that I hate about them; it's the stresses and mishaps that occur during the event. Despite the fact that Peyton and I planned every detail perfectly, the occasional torn garter, lost bow tie, and late florist still occurred. And now, there is a purse that has lost its owner. I leave the cocktail room empty handed with a sigh. Where is Peyton? She better be looking for her purse as well because I am not spending the rest of the night looking for her -
"Everyday, huh?" Lucas' voice interrupts my frantic search, causing me to gasp and almost jump out of my skin.
"You really know how to scare a girl. And you know I was quoting you, right?" I ask him. Why he is bringing up Naley wedding again is beyond me. I thought my silence on the dance floor was an indicator that we shouldn't talk about any of that stuff anymore. But then again, maybe he just wants to make small talk.
"I don't know…you sounded pretty nostalgic to me," he replies with a grin.
"You brought it up, mister," I remind him as I continue to peruse around the bridal dressing room. Ahh, there you are, you sneaky, little thing. I grab Peyton's purse from underneath a chair and wonder how the hell it got there in the first place. Oh, well, at least I found it. And now to evade Lucas and whatever he wanted to talk about; and find Peyton before she makes her own wedding dress dirty by crawling underneath tables looking for a purse.
"Well, I missed you too, Brooke," Lucas tells me as helps me up off my knees.
"I hate to break it to you, Luke, but you're five years too late," I brush the dust off my knees. Where the hell is he going with all of this?
"Or I'm right on time," he quips, his lighthearted grin is really confusing the hell out of me.
"Did you have too much champagne? Do you know what today is? Wait, are you sick?" I ask him as I pretend to feel if his forehead is burning from a raging fever.
"I know what today is. And I know what next week is too," he tells me as he pushes my hand away. Eww, he better not be talking about the honeymoon.
"Please don't tell me the details about your and Peyton's rite of passage into marriage because I really don't want to - "
"Your birthday," he announces as he holds out a medium sized gift bag in my favorite shade of blue – robin's egg Tiffany's blue. Normally, I would jump up and down like a crazy five year old when a present is thrown my way. But this time, I am hesitant to take what is in front of me. Because this isn't just any birthday gift - this gift is from Lucas, a gift he is giving me on his wedding day. I leave my mouth slightly agape as I continue to stare down the gift.
"Peyton and I aren't going to be here, so I thought, or we thought, we would give you this now since we're leaving early tomorrow," Luke explains, no doubt trying to ease my initial shock. Ok, so the gift is from him and Peyton…but still…
"Luke," I shake my head as I reluctantly take the gift dangling in front of me, "You guys didn't have to do this. Actually the two of you shouldn't have done this at all." I didn't even remember my own birthday; they really didn't' have to do this. And why is he giving me it a week early? There's nothing wrong with giving it a week late.
"Just open it, Brooke," he encourages me.
"Luke," I repeat as I cautiously pull the tissue paper out of the bag. I stare at the gift – two plane tickets to Milan, an itinerary for the fashion shows for this week, Sam's school work that she would be missing, a card from Peyton elaborating why her best maid of honor should go on this Italian vacation, and even a short note from Julian saying it was ok for me to leave the set this week.
"I know its weird giving it to you today, but you see why I have to give this to you now, right?" he asks me. He remembered; I can't believe he remembered. "They told us that all the hotels were booked. But you're Brooke Davis; they'll make room for you," Lucas comments. Where did all of this come from?
A flash of a few weeks ago pops into my head. I had been complaining that I was lacking inspiration for my new line and that I wished I could go to the Versace and Gucci shows for some sort of stimulation. Viewing fashion live and in person is a totally different experience than viewing a slideshow online. But the movie and Sam's school schedule prevented me from arranging a trip.
Oh my god, he remembered. And not only that, it was like he thought of everything I would need to do before I left. But, this was typical Lucas Scott.
"Thank you," I barely whisper. I am blown away, but there is no way I am going to take this gift. "But, I'm not going to accept this," I push the bag and its contents into his hands.
Even though the gift is from both him and Peyton, it is all just too much. I can't accept anything of this magnitude from him. And maybe even Peyton. It doesn't feel right and I don't want it. This gift is more than just a pair of plane tickets. This is Lucas trying to make one of my dreams come true, five years too late. All I want from Lucas is friendship, doesn't he know that? Not whatever else all this is. If he thinks this is just a simple birthday gift, he needs to re-examine his motives. So much is happening in this one day, it needs to stop.
And it hit me; wishing for Italy is simply a fantasy, not a dream I want to come true. This is me letting go. I'm letting go of the fantasy. I don't want nor need Lucas Scott, the romantic make your dreams come true guy. I just need Lucas Scott, the friend. Unfortunately, Lucas has trouble distinguishing between the two. I need to make Lucas see that he only needs to make his and Peyton's dreams come true; no one else's. Not Nathan's, not Jamie's, and especially not mine. I can make my own dreams come true.
"Brooke," Lucas begins to protest, but I simply shake my head. He tries to hand the gift over to me again, but I pull away.
"Lucas, I love you. And I love you and Peyton for thinking of me. Even for somehow getting Julian to agree to this. But I don't want it. I won't take it. I'm sorry," I watch as his face falls, puzzled as to why I am declining such an amazing opportunity and present. "I have to find Peyton," I say as I run out of the parlor and leave Lucas looking a little dejected. Man, I can't believe he remembered.
Julian's POV; the reception
"When did you see Sienna?" Peyton asks, breaking our silence. I don't know where she's going with this so I decide to just answer truthfully.
"At the airport, like an hour ago," I reveal. She responds with a raised brow. I stop myself from rolling my eyes and explain what I was doing at the airport.
"Because of all the delays, by the time her plane landed, she had no time to stop by before her next flight. She figured you'd appreciate the gift more if it wasn't thrown around and wrecked in a mail truck." It is ninety five percent of the truth. No way am I going to tell her the other five percent – like why I really was at the airport in the first place. That would imply I still have feelings for her.
Ok, so I had scraps that popped up because of her wedding day, but I'm not still in love with her. I mean, I need closure because I just abruptly walked out on her when I saw the damn book for the hundredth time. Sienna was right a year ago when she told me that we needed a "proper goodbye."
But before I can attempt to continue with this weird conversation, I see the maid of honor running up to Peyton. She obviously has not recognized me yet or else she would have slowed her fast pace.
"Peyton, I found your -" Brooke pauses. Ha. She notices me.
"Purse," she finishes with a swift glimpse at both of our faces. Peyton looks towards Brooke with a slight smile and takes her purse. It's funny to watch two best friends attempt to communicate with nothing but facial expressions. I wish I could record it so that I could dub it with funny subtitles.
Peyton implores into my eyes. I can tell she's wondering if she should get Brooke to kick me out. "I better get back," she says, deciding I'm not here to ruin anything, "Thanks for, um, bringing this."
I give no response, unless you count a bob of the head, and the action of putting hands in your pockets, as a response. Peyton sighs and turns to return to her reception. I don't know if it is the sigh or if it is noticing her curls walk away again, but I get a sudden urge to wish her well. This is something that doesn't happen to me often, since I'm more of an "Ok, see ya when I see ya," kind of guy.
"Peyton," I yell out. The way she elegantly turns back around is like that scene in the Pirates sequel when Keira Knightly looks ever so gracefully behind her, in her wedding dress.
"Congratulations. I'm happy for you," I divulge with the first smile I've donned that night...ok, three quarters of a smile. "I really am...happy for you."
Her shoulders shift as if a huge weight that she has been carrying for months have finally been lifted off. I guess she was looking for a small gesture of closure too. "Thank you Julian. That means a lot. I'm glad you stopped by," she smiles…a full smile this time.
"And I guess, filming can stop for one week, but not two," I compromise. That could be my wedding gift to them…now I just have to convince the studio that filming is better left alone until Lucas gets back. It is half of his vision anyway, especially since he had a producer title. Shit, Tree Hill was making me soft.
Peyton's eyes light up even more now, happy and shocked at what I had essentially done. I give her a nod and she heads off back to her friends and family.
"Pretty noble, mister," Brooke's sultry voice surprises me. I forgot she is still standing here. I look at the fashion maven who has her hands on her hips and an expression of awe.
"Is Brooke Davis giving me a compliment?" I ask with a smirk. This is sure a first.
"Maybe," she shrugs one shoulder, "I like to call it an observation."
"And I like to call it 'something I should have said a long time ago,'" I respond as I my right hand feels my phone vibrate in my pocket. Figuring its Chris wondering why I'm taking so long, I ignore the call. I am leaving now anyway.
Brooke, meanwhile, contemplates on my answer, trying to figure out exactly what I mean. I decide to leave her to her thoughts. "I'm gonna head out," I start for the lovely red exit sign. Yes, almost out. Keller better still be outside with my car still intact.
"Julian," Brooke calls. Oh, so close. I turn slowly, wondering what more she could possibly talk to me about. Doesn't she have maid of honor duties to go back to? "I don't mean to pry, but…" she pauses. I hold in a chuckle, that sure is a lie.
"Who am I kidding, I always love to pry," she announces my thoughts aloud. "Are you leaving?" She crosses her arms in curiosity.
"Yes. I believe that's what 'I'm going to head out,' means," I respond with an inflection of sarcasm. But I know what she's really asking – whether or not I'm leaving Tree Hill anytime soon.
"You were at the airport," her voice is serious, but her face appears amused at the fact that I'm still standing here, mere feet away from the wedding party and mere feet away from escaping whatever Brooke Davis wants to throw my way. "I wasn't kidding when I said Marcus would follow you," she adds.
"Really? Is that what that huge black truck on my tail was?" I ask feigning shock. Damn kid nearly rear ended me at a stop light. If it isn't for the fact that we are at Peyton's wedding and the fact that Brooke is looking so great under these lights, I would yell at her for having me followed.
"You know, next time just call me. It's easier."
"So going to the airport was a big ruse?" she questions, furrowing her brows.
"I got as far as the terminal, but then I remembered I still have a movie to complete. You know, the one about, you, Haley, Nathan, and - oh - both of our exes," I emphasize the word both and exes. She laughs lightly at my explanation.
"You say exes like it's a bad thing," she says when she notices my confused look.
That's what she is laughing at? Usually, after you break up with someone, you get angry at them and don't want to see them again. And sometimes that second part comes true; you don't become friends afterwards…sometimes. Brooke/Lucas and Nathan/Peyton are the obvious exception to that rule. I wonder if I will be included in this, but then Lucas sucker punching me in the nose flashes in my mind.
"I don't know if you know this, but exes usually are a bad thing," I inform Brooke.
"But in this case, they're not," she counters. Touché. I wonder when this sudden soft spot for Lucas and Peyton first appeared. The Brooke in the book was certainly anti 'Leyton,' wasn't she? I guess this is what Lucas meant when he wrote that she was the one that had grown the most. Either that or she grew tired of wasting her time on unnecessary high school drama. I'm guessing it's 80% growing up and 20% growing tired.
"You better not be turning soft on me, Davis," I smirk.
"Just another observation, Baker," she smiles back. "You didn't have to, you know," she tells me. Have to what? I ask with a puzzled look. "Make the movie," she finishes.
"As shitty as the situation is, it's a great story that should be told," I state. It isn't a lie. Whether or not I am personally involved in the second or third Lucas-Peyton triangle, the story is good. I am not going to let personal conflictions ruin a potential box office hit.
"As crappy as that sounded, I agree," Brooke nods. I chuckle at her use of the word crappy – a side effect from being around Jamie and Sam too much.
"And I, for one, think it's great that you're staying," Brooke adds to my surprise.
"You eyeing something you want? Because I might be happy to oblige," I shamelessly flirt with her. I can't help it; even if she didn't notice it, she set it up with the 'it's great you're staying' statement.
"Oh there is something I want," she seductively walks up closer to me like a 1940s vixen. "Employment," she states. I merely laugh and shake my head.
"What does being the movie's costume designer have anything to do with me staying in Tree Hill?" I ask her.
"You're my boss; I'm supposed to kiss a little producer ass once in a while," she quips, "God knows I loved that part when I was the boss of my own company." So her niceness is because she believes in karma. If she kisses ass now, people will continue to kiss her ass later? Or maybe she just wants to confuse the hell out of me. I vote for the second reason.
"Literally will get you places," I decide to play around with her words a little more. She scoffs at my innuendo while I merely grin.
"I don't think so," she shakes her head 'no,' "I've been to places, my friend. I'll stick with figuratively."
"So I'm your friend now?" I ask. This is just too easy.
"I told you once before, Baker. I'm not telling you again," she replies. Ahh yes - the "purely business and nothing else" relationship contract – if Brooke had it her way, it would be the "no such thing" relationship contract; but, Sam convinced her to take on the costume designer job and start a business friendship with me. Anything for the kid, I guess.
"So, friend, how's the party of the year going?" I end my playful banter. She looks back inside the hall and eyes what I eye – a party full of nothing but laughter and smiles. Exactly how it should be and how it should stay. And the only way it'll stay that way is if I leave before certain people notice me.
"It's going," she states turning back to face me, "Something you should probably be doing. You don't want the photographer to take a snapshot of Lucas pummeling your ass. Although, now that I think about it, that would make a great scrapbook page."
"He wouldn't 'pummel' anything," I defend myself. No way would he beat up the producer of his movie. "And I would like nothing more than to leave." Peyton and I ended things on a good note; I don't want to ruin it with Lucas sucker punching me again.
"What's stopping you?" she asks. I can tell she's really wondering why I've been talking to her the past five minutes if all I want to do was jet out of here.
"Well, I think my ride is flirting with one of the wedding guests," I motion my head towards inside the banquet hall. That is one reason why I continued to talk to her. The other is that compared to all the other fashion divas and costume designers I know, Brooke is quite entertaining. But she doesn't need to know that.
I realize I always have fun talking to Brooke, even if half the time she would be warning me about keeping distance from her, her kid, and/or her best friends. The girl has wit and would spill out the craziest, most animated sentences. A conversation with Brooke Davis is never boring. Well, unless she would be talking about shoes. I could care less about shoes.
But enough about shoes, I wonder if Brooke has noticed Chris and Samantha conversing. She obviously hasn't, because her squinting eyes are still looking around the party. I'm sure Chris is completely innocent, possibly asking Sam where the older hot girls are, or if she has seen me around. But, Brooke doesn't know Chris like I do. Who knows what she will be thinking once she notices him talking to her?
"And you thought I was the pervert" I joke, as I physically point out Chris chatting up Samantha. Brooke follows my gaze towards the right side of the lavishly decorated room. Astonishment, or maybe anger, begins to emanate from her irises.
"Oh, you have got to be kidding me," she mutters under her breath as she makes her way into the reception. I decide not to follow; I don't need to add to the trouble that was sure to ensue. And as I wait outside the party for Chris to run from a fuming Brooke Davis, I laugh at the current scene and at her screaming words.
"Keller, get your filthy, bad boy wannabe, egotistical, grimy paws away from my kid!" Yup, Brooke Davis is never boring.
A/N: Finally, some letting go and closure for Brooke and Julian...and now the craziness can begin. Lol. So, how was the chapter? Please tell me what you think, don't be shy :)
And as for what happened in episode 6.12...the stuff about Brooke's attacker and stuff, I'm trying to figure out if I can fit all that in my story. This story is supposed to be more light hearted and less dramatic than the show...but, I feel like I can't ignore that storyline because it's gotten so majorly intertwined with Sam now (I wanted her to be a part of this story, too). But, I did say whatever happens after 6.10 doesn't apply... Anyways, that's just me throwing my thoughts out there.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and be on the lookout for a quick update.