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.
A/N: Thank you flipflopgal, PrincessOnyx, princetongirl, ParadiseLost23, smc-27, toddntan, cutiekesi, PeterClaire, brulianequalsforbiddenlove, ok, gigglingismylife, crimsongoddess01, Trish, p0line, nicolasdes, and maiqu for your amazing and insightful reviews!
I had a feeling you guys would like the dream sequence; I honestly don't know where that idea came from, but it fit the chapter so I immediately added it. And I'm glad a lot of you enjoyed the Naley-Brooke interaction.
And as for casting for Sienna...lol the actress always changes for me. But you guys can choose whoever you'd like...a little spoiler, she'll be appearing again soon. And when she does, I'll probaly have a definite choice on who to cast for the role.
Anyways, here's the next chapter. Get ready for some rockin and rollin and hope you enjoy :)
Chapter 6: Let It Rock
A few days later; Julian
"You can't just fire a director because he was bothering you on your honeymoon," I reprimanded into my Blackberry, scaring the passer bys in the process.
First, Chris and Sam change the time and place of our little hanging out session. Then Dixon calls me up claiming he's been fired. Locale change I can deal with. But hasty decisions about a cinematic feature…not so much.
Normally, I was pretty calm when it came to Lucas, even when he "quit" the movie at the USO concert. But this time, I was annoyed at the fact that he failed to call me before making such a rash decision. I punched the imaginary head of Lucas that was in front of me and restrained from throwing my cell across the street. Creating Ravens was a 50/50 deal and this impulsive move was breaking the said deal.
"Hollywood doesn't revolve around marriage schedules, only studio ones. I put both of our asses on the line to halt production for the w ------"
I cannot believe this; he's complaining. I gave him an essentially stress free week and he was complaining that Mr. A List Director was being a pain in the ass. Well, no shit. You knew he was a pain when you signed off on him. I even knew he was a pain. But he's the right one for this movie; sacrifices had to be made. Even if that sacrifice was an ear that threatened to fall off because of all the random crap that spewed out of Dixon's mouth.
"No; I will not tell him to shut up. Dixon running ideas by you does not count as production, so he has a right to run his half baked mouth off. Besides, if he's bothering you that much, just turn your cell off."
"Why? So you can make decisions without me?" he snaps back.
"Says the guy who fired someone behind my back," I retort with calm demeanor. "Dude, just trust me on the movie stuff and go back to enjoying your little matrimonial holiday." He doesn't want to trust me; I can sense his brows furrowing at my comment.
And I can see his best friend's eyes squinting in my direction. Within seconds, the both of us are walking side by side towards Brooke's boutique.
"Look, Luke. I gotta go; Haley's here."
"Haley? My Haley?"
"No; Nathan's Haley. You have a Peyton, in case you've forgotten. I'll see you in eight days," I answer and hang up without giving him a chance to reply. It was fun to keep the guy guessing and on his toes. I could only imagine what he was thinking…or rather the four letter words he was uttering right now.
Besides, it was a Thursday. I hate starting off my weekends on a bad note. But good notes, like the ones Haley can muster up, those are always a treat. And talk about a treat running into the former tutor girl right now.
The past Monday was the first time I hung out with the high school sweethearts aptly nicknamed Naley. I was surprised that their past hatred for Chris Keller appeared to have faded away. Instead of intense disdain, it was mild annoyance.
I couldn't tell if they liked me or not, but I didn't care.
Brooke cared, though. Haley and Nathan stopped Brooke from flicking a spoonful of ice cream at my face when I joked about the diner waitress' 'You're such a cute family,' statement. And much to Brooke's chagrin, not only did Haley and Nathan laugh at the joke; the couple seemed somewhat impressed at the revelation of my vast knowledge of music and my enthusiasm for sports – although I'm more of a fan than a player. I would have really hooked them if I told them about my guitar skills, but I figured I'd save that tidbit for the next time I wanted to annoy Brooke.
Haley and I even had a "Burn" game going on – although I think it gave her more of a chance to make fun of me more than anything. But whatever, it was entertaining. I never had an "official" sarcasm battle with anyone before. .
"Well if it isn't, Haley James," I greeted the girl who once wore the title of Tree Hill Rock Star.
"Scott," Haley corrected as she reluctantly walked next to me.
"I'll cut you some slack since it's been a couple days since our ice cream outing with Keller and the Davis clan," I referenced Monday's notable excursion, "But the name is Julian."
"Really? I thought it was Dick," she quipped with feigned clueless-ness.
"That's a pet name from Lucas," I retort.
"So you're a dog, then," she looks up at me with a quirked eyebrow as we approach the entrance to Brooke's store. Damn, she was quick on her feet, wasn't she?
"Feisty. I'm beginning to like you," I reply, but receive no response from the petite mother. "This is the part where you say, 'You're not so bad yourself, Julian,'" I attempt to sway her just as she reaches for the glass door of C/B.
"I would, but I like large guard dogs, not miniature toy ones." she smiles back towards me before entering the complex. "And yet another 'burn point' for me, Mr. Baker," she adds to her tally. Damn, I can't believe I gave her an easy set up and I can't believe I'm losing this game of sarcastic wit.
"H Scott - 4, Baker - 2," Nathan comments behind me. When did he get here?
"And N Scott – zero," I mock. Before I can complain about my losing streak at this not so fun anymore game, hip hop beats and catchy lyrics blare into my ears as an amused shock overtakes my body.
Oh, hot damn. This is my jam.
Keep me partying till the am
Y'all don't understand
Make me throw my hands
In the ayer, ayer, ayer, ayer
I freeze at the sight of Brooke, Chris, and who I'm guessing is Jamie, doing a choreographed, synchronized dance to Flo Rida's In the Ayer. (A/N: The same dance from episode 6.01)
Ok, it wasn't really synchronized…considering the fact that Chris managed to always stay at least two steps behind…two backwards steps behind. Haley, Nathan, and I can't help but chuckle at the trio. Where was a cameraman when I needed one? This is better than reality TV.
Nathan asks me what Chris is doing here since he supposedly got on a plane for LA on Tuesday. I shrugged my shoulders, not knowing the answer either. I didn't even know until Brooke called me at ten in the morning and complained to me because Chris had asked her to pick him up from the airport since he knew I'd be on conference calls all day.
"Mama! Come dance with us," Jamie requests in delight when he finally notices his new audience. Sam, standing by the stereo, shuts off the music temporarily while Chris collapses on the floor.
"Alright, Usher, but I'm not sure I remember everything," Haley warns as she kicks off her heels.
"It's ok; you can't be worse than Chris," Jamie encourages his mom as he goes to help Chris up. It's ironic how nobody else but the little midget is assisting the 6'4" goliath that is Chris Keller.
"I'm not that bad," Chris immediately opposes in defense.
"Yeah, you are," Jamie counters with a sigh.
"Yeah, I know," Chris hangs his head like a defeated five year old. The munchkin and the giant return to their places next to the girls and I feel like I'm about to watch an incredibly random Jack and the Beanstalk musical number, minus the beanstalk.
"Play it again, Sam!" Jamie points toward Sam and the music fills the air again.
Hey this my jam
Y'all don't understand
I'll make you understand
What's pumpin in my CD player, player
Party all night like yayer, yayer
Shawty got her hands in the ayer, ayer
Make me want to take it dare
Despite her initial hesitance, Haley was surprisingly on point with Brooke and Jamie with the locks, drops, sways, spins, criss crosses, and even a DJ scratch move. Too bad Chris' shenanigan dance steps made the performance more comedic than intended.
All comedy aside, I have to admit, Brooke definitely had rhythm. It was hard not to stare at her hips or the rest of her body moving perfectly to the beats of the song. I'm going to venture and say that cheerleading definitely paid off for her.
Not wanting to look like a perv, I shifted my eyes to Jamie every once in a while. I can't believe this is the kid of Nathan Scott – the recipient of most uncoordinated dancer at the Honeygrove prom, or so Brooke claimed. I guess Chris didn't show off his moves at all that night.
"Alright, you knucklehead; I think your dancing fools have had enough," Nathan notes as he scoops Jamie into his arms once the song is over. I watch as Haley runs on over to her son and gives him a high five. It takes me by surprise when his parents talk about his friend Quentin giving him "mad props" from heaven. Before I can discreetly ask Brooke about his friend from heaven, a tiny hand is held out in front of me.
"Hi. I'm James Lucas Scott. I'm five," Jamie introduces himself while still in Nathan's arms.
"Julian Baker. I'm not five," I gently shake his hand. I can't help but think that he's damn more polite and friendly than I ever was when I was his age, and probably smarter, too. Then again, my parents are not Haley and Nathan Scott.
"You liked the dance? My friend Q taught it to me."
"Loved it. You're pretty slick on the dance floor, brother," I compliment. "You gotta teach me some of those moves sometime," I request as I attempt to mimic the DJ turntable move.
"Maybe when I'm done teaching Chris," Jamie shrugs his shoulders. "He still has a lot to learn," he loudly whispers into my ear.
"No, look, Little Scott. I think I have it," Chris pipes in as he attempts a series of steps and tripping over himself in the process. Haley comments that he doesn't have it. Jamie shakes his head and jumps out of Nathan's arms to show Chris the steps one more time.
"As amusing as all of this was, what happened to meeting at the café?" I ignore Chris' antics and direct my question to Sam.
"Brooke got us sandwiches," she answered tritely as she grabbed another slice from the counter.
"Yummy sandwiches," Chris added with a rub of his belly.
"You bribing them away from me?" I ask the brunette vixen who hasn't said a word since I got here, probably saving all the vocal energy for another round of bantering argument.
"It's called adult supervision, buddy," Brooke crosses her arms with an acerbic grin.
"I think it's called being meddlesome, buddy," I smirk.
"I'm a concerned parent."
"You're a prying parent."
"Well you're an annoying cockroach who won't keep away from my kid," Brooke accuses me.
"It's not my fault your kid likes cockroaches," I shrug.
"Do you guys always fight?" Jamie interrupts our banter. Brooke and I exchange glances from each other to the observant five year old.
"Yes," Sam, Chris, Nathan, and Haley answer simultaneously. I winked mischievously at Brooke at which I received an eye roll.
Their quick and sudden answer doesn't surprise me. But it does spark a thought about my 'sort of like/sort of hate' relationship with Brooke Davis. I pretend to answer my plethora of text messages as I contemplate this unusual relationship I have with the fashion designer. Because, god knows, I've never stayed around this long if a girl supposedly hated me. If by the second encounter, a girl still resisted my impeccable charm, I wouldn't waste my time. And I've definitely had more than two encounters with Brooke Davis.
I knew why I acted the way I did – the cynicism, sarcasm, wit, teasing, it's who I am; a front to project an image and reputation...and to protect a long ago beaten up heart. Brooke, however, is known for her upbeat personality and wearing her heart on her sleeve. In Lucas' own written words, "If you pissed her off, you knew it. And if you intrigued her, you knew it…the only time she would guard her heart was for love."
Only now, the heart was closed to more than love. The more I argued or talked with her, the more I felt that she was using everything she had to guard herself. She had a couple more walls put up than bubbly cheerleader Davis did back in the day. I just didn't know why.
"I know! Let's go to our house and play video games!" Jamie interrupts everyone's thoughts and mini conversations.
"I'm not sure they have time for that, Gamer," Haley voiced.
"Are you kidding? You still owe me a rematch, Hales," Chris pointed at his former tour mate.
"Do not," Haley argued, attempting to evade the fact that she and Chris once shared a tour bus. And the sharing of said tour bus nearly wrecked her and Nathan's marriage.
"Do too," Chris countered, not getting Haley's hint to drop it. He wasn't even catching on with her eyes shooting darts at him.
"Do not," Haley insisted.
"When did you play video games with Chris, Mama?" Jamie questioned innocently.
"Yeah, when did you play video games with Chris, Mrs. Scott?" Sam chimed in.
"Ok!" Brooke interrupted with clasped hands, before Haley would have to answer a barrage of questions. "I think we've all had enough fun for the day."
"But, Julian just got here," Jamie protested. Does he hang out with other kids his age?
"I know, Little Man, but I'm sure Julian is very busy and - "
"No, I'm not," I interrupted Brooke as I put my phone away.
"Yes you are."
"Am not."
"Are too."
"Am –" I paused when I felt a tug on my pant leg. I looked down to find Jamie standing by my side and motioning for me to come down to his level.
"You should give up; nobody ever wins against Aunt Brooke," he tells me. I laugh along with everyone else while Brooke holds out her hand to Jamie for a high five.
"Well, Jamie; I bet I can beat Brooke at her own game," I arrogantly chime.
"Risky gamble there, Baker," Brooke comments with her usual kinked eyebrow. Risky indeed.
"I bet I can beat you at wii tennis," Jamie prevents another round of me vs. Brooke.
"Do you?"
He nods his head excitedly.
"I say game on, Little J," I hold my hand out for a dealmaker shake. "But I think you should ask your parents if I can come over, first," I make sure to add. It wasn't fun to get on a parent's bad side.
"Hey, Mama. Can Big J come over and play video games? Please?" Jamie begs with puppy dog eyes. I smirk at him calling me 'Big J' as soon as I called him 'Little J.' Kid catches on quick, just like his mother and his godmother.
Speaking of, the two are glaring at me like there's no tomorrow, wondering if I have anything up my sleeve. Sam and Chris are begging to tag along as well. And Nathan, well, he's trying to cajole Jamie, persuade him that everyone might be too busy to hang out.
It takes a while for Haley and Brooke to decide what to do. After a long day of work, Haley probably doesn't want to spend the rest of the day with Chris. And Brooke has made it clear that I tick her off. But there was a little five year old displaying a toothless grin. They can't say no to Jamie – he's the token little kid. And nobody can say 'no' to the token little kid.
"Fine," Haley sighs. But with a devious grin she focuses on me, "As long as Julian pays for pizza."
My face, hands, and voice protest, but Brooke loudly clears her throat and holds Jamie up in front of me, toothless grin and all.
Damn it. I can't say no to the token little kid.
Nathan and Haley's kitchen; Haley
"Did you and Nathan talk about Julian at all?" Brooke asks me as we watch Nathan and Julian play a round of wii tennis. Jamie beat Julian ages ago and even won five bucks from it. And now it was Nathan's turn to try and jip Julian out of his money.
"A little," I answer Brooke. Nathan and I mostly talked about Julian and Brooke's natural tendency to fight than about whether or not we liked the guy. The truth was we weren't sure what to think yet. Julian has proved himself to be an awesome producer, and a pro at pissing off Lucas and Brooke. But that was all we knew. Well, that, and now we know he needs to practice his backhand.
It would be natural or loyal for Nathan and I to jump on the Anti-Julian bandwagon with Brooke and Lucas. But after the Monday afternoon and after our son's immediately liking to the charming producer, it was only fair to give the guy a chance. Plus, he did know his music.
"I think this is just a way for Nathan to hang out with guys our age," I try to explain Nathan's sudden welcoming of Julian today. "You know, since Lucas is out of town; Skills is off somewhere with Deb; Mouth is going through a rough time with Millie, and Jamie is…well…five."
"What about Junk and Fergie?" Brooke asks me, "Or the guys from his new team?"
"Jobs out of state," I respond, "And lives out of state."
I heard Brooke huff as we continued to watch the boys, plus Sam, enjoy themselves. Even I was having fun just watching my husband act like a kid. With all the drama and responsibilities, it was nice just to act young once in a while. We were only 22 slash 23.
"So, Teacher Mom, what do you think about Julian?" Brooke asks me as soon as Nathan pumps his fists in the air for victory and Julian insists to change the game to something he can win at.
"You mean, do I think he's an untrustworthy piggish jerk like you do, Tigger?" I smile at my close friend. This was a classic case of playground love fever and only Brooke and Julian were blind to it.
"Yes. And careful how you answer; you don't want to be searching the Tree Hill yellow pages for friends like your husband is."
"Well, after a few days of thinking about it, I think I'm on the fence with you," I sigh.
"Hmmm…You keep me balanced; I'll keep you balanced?" Brooke asks me. I give her a questioning look, what was she talking about?
"We don't want to fall into the Dark Side like 'Anakin' Scott, here," Brooke explains and points towards Nathan. Ohh.
The quintet is playing Rockband now and Jamie had just chosen Chris and Sam as his band mates. Julian, meanwhile, puts Jamie on his shoulders so that Jamie is "taller" than Chris.
"Ok, rock out, Little J. Just don't mess up my head with that guitar," we hear Julian say.
I glance at Brooke who surprisingly doesn't have an expression of disdain on her face. Her eyes catch mine and she pretends to hate the spectacle that is in front of her.
"You have to admit, Julian is good with Jamie. And surprisingly, so is Chris," I point out as Chris fist pumps Jamie.
"Oh no; please don't tell me you're tipping off balance, Padme," Brooke uses yet another Star Wars reference. I knew I shouldn't have gotten the Star Wars series on blue ray for Nathan.
"You know, pretty soon you're 'Julian is scum' act isn't going to fool anybody," I warn Brooke.
"It is not an act," she scoffs.
"Ok; what would you like to call your constant stream of anti-Julian antics?"
"A full length public service documentary. Maybe you've heard of it. Does 'An Inconvenient Truth' ring a bell?"
I laugh at the metaphor. She's likening Julian to pollution.
"Brooke. It's been nearly two months. The guy isn't going to ruin Lucas' movie and I seriously doubt he's still hanging out here to get Peyton back," I rationalize.
"How do you know that? Did he say something? Have you talked to him?" her bombardment of questions spill quickly out of her mouth. I shake my head.
"No. It's just – if he wanted her back, he would've made a move by now. There's no way he would risk everything he's worked for, for someone he walked out on over a year ago. He may be a guy, but he's not stupid."
I wish I could take back the attack for Brooke. Her heart was insecure enough; she didn't need something horrible like this to cause her heart to become even more vulnerable and scared. Maybe if she wasn't so guarded, she would have opened herself up to Owen by now. Maybe she would see the obvious chemistry between herself and Julian. Or maybe she would see that Julian never belonged to Peyton and vice versa since Lucas never returned Peyton's heart.
"What if he knows we're waiting for him to make his move so instead of making his movie, he's waiting to make his move when we're done waiting for him to make his move," Brooke tries to figure out yet another way to prove that Julian is here for Peyton.
"Assuming I followed that correctly…that's the most paranoid thing you've ever said," I tell her, and Brooke has said a lot of weird things.
"Better paranoid than oblivious," she mumbles under her breath.
"Will you just go have fun with your foster child and godson?" I push her out of the kitchen, pretending to be annoyed by her presence.
"Fine. But only because it's finally my turn to play the drums in Rockband."
"I didn't know you were a percussion kind of girl," I comment as she starts to walk away.
"Percussion, Shmercussion. I just want to hit Julian's inflated head with the drumsticks." My lips expel a chuckle as she sticks her tongue out. I call her a goof and she mimics hitting Julian's head with invisible drumsticks. At least her sense of humor is still intact in full blown Brooke Davis glory.
"You ready to be my drummer, Brooke?" Chris exclaims as Nathan pulls Jamie into his lap. I could tell Nathan was particularly excited to watch this since in the eighteen years they've known each other, he claims to never have seen Brooke Davis pick up a video game controller. Her entertainment of choice as a kid was to decorate Peyton's face with make up or make Nathan play "The dad" when she played house.
"Don't worry. She can keep up, Keller," I answer for her as I take a seat next to my family.
"It isn't just about keeping up, you know," Nathan tells me and Brooke. Personally, I thought it was cheating that Chris was going to be the one to sing when he already had a platinum record under his belt.
"What did you say about me earlier, Jamie?" Brooke turns her attention to my son.
"Nobody wins against Aunt Brooke," the little menace happily announces.
"And that's how it'll stay."
"Not with me on bass, Davis," Julian challenges as he positions his hands strategically on the guitar.
"Like you can play the guitar, Baker," Brooke rolls her eyes. At that instant, I see a spark in Julian's eye. What was that?
"I don't know, Brooke. He is pretty good," Sam tells us while Nathan and Chris nod in agreement.
"Yeah, he beat Daddy's record," Jamie informs everyone.
"Don't worry fifteen and five year old. Just watch and get ready to cheer for B. to the P. to the Davis," Brooke's former cheerleader self starts to peek out. I can't help but crack a smile.
"Wouldn't Brooke Davis suffice?" Nathan laughs.
"Brooke Penelope Davis," Jamie corrects his dad.
"Just follow your son's lead and cheer for the right side, N to the R," Brooke laughs.
"Alright Penny D," Julian chimes in, "Let's see what you've got."
Brooke was telling the truth last Monday. She's definitely getting back to the Brooke Davis we know and love. It was just going to take a little while longer before she would be able to knock down the walls that were around her heart. Nathan and I started the process, but we can't knock them down for her. Who know, maybe Sam will be the one to help heal her. Heck I'd even go for Julian helping her out. But…maybe not Chris.
A/N: Isn't Jamie the cutest? If you guys don't remember the dance from ep 601, if you type "jamie dancing" in youtube, you'll find a vid of it.
I also set up the whole what is Lucas going to think since him and Peyton will be returning to Tree Hill soon.
So, tell me what you think, even what you'd like to see. Opinions, criticisms, "Yay Jamie" and "Chris is a nut" comments, they're all welcome. :)