Chapter 4

"An attempt to tip the scales"

Brooke systematically put together outfits on the computer to display on the racks. She hoped to close up early so that she could start the three weeks of leave Mrs. Smith had agreed to give her. She planned to hang out with Haley as much as possible as well as experiment with some new designs before they eventually left for the Caribbean. Excitement bubbled in the pit of her stomach. When the door chimed, she glanced up.

"Geez," she said blandly before returning her gaze to the computer screen "is it just me or am I no longer getting customers in this joint?"

Nathan smiled, "I just want to talk to you."

Laughing, Brooke pulled at the sleeves of her dark blue blouse, "Seems like everyone wants to talk to Brooke these days"

"I love her," he said simply.

Brooke was quiet.

"I swear to God I love her."

She stalked towards him, gliding on her heels.

"I'll take your word on it, but," she said gazing at him, "you hurt her and I will kill you."

Nathan chuckled as he removed his gloves, "I believe you."

"Better had."

They stood in silence for a while

"So," he said eventually, "did you like the dress you finally got?"

Brooke nodded, "Yea. It's a little lavender number by Armani."

"Hales told me about what happened in Vera Wang."

She leaned gently against the desk and smiled, "You're lucky she was old-looking, because you would've probably had to use some of that money of yours to get me a good defense attorney."

Nathan grinned, running his hand through his short dark hair, "Well let's thank God that she was old-looking."

Brooke smiled and silence resumed again. She was sure she could remember a time when his presence didn't intimidate her, a time when they were able to freely banter and joke. That must have been really early in his and Haley's relationship. Well before her resentment, however slight, of him started to creep in. Of course, the notion that he was stealing her Haley was psychotic, but she couldn't help but feel angry that she had never quite been able to make Haley that happy.

"You make her happy," she said quietly, "really happy."

Nathan smiled, "And I intend to do that forever."

Brooke looked at him; standing there in his sweater and dark jeans. He didn't look like someone who had had a single defenseless, helpless moment in his life.

"Since we're talking," Brooke said quietly, "I never quite got to tell you what I felt about what you did to her three months ago." She stared at him: a cold, calculating look– like a snake ready to sink its fangs into its prey – a lion ready to strike. Nathan turned red.

"Look," he started.

"No," Brooke smiled, "I think its best I get this off my chest now."

He was quiet.

"You make her happy," she repeated, "You have the power to make her so happy Nate, but you also have the power to crush her."

Nathan shifted his weight to his other foot.

"She was on my doorstep that night," Brooke said quietly allowing herself to be drawn back into the memory.

Brooke cursed at the rain which soaked through the tiny, black dress she had chosen to wear on her first date with Felix... He was lucky the only thing she did was slap him. No, she had said, giving you ample views of my cleavage does not give you the damn right to touch me. She pulled her wet coat closer to her. So much for the relaxing night she had planned.

As she approached her apartment complex, she saw a figure huddled in the darkness, the rain. Absentmindedly, she reached for her pepper spray. Never know what freaks hung around the Bronx so late at night. She was very close to the huddled figure before she recognized her.

"Haley," she shouted quickening her steps, until she knelt before her best friend, "what the hell is going on. Why are you sitting out here in the rain?"

Her eyes were red rimmed, as she sobbed silently. And when she had finally managed to get her into the apartment and warm, Haley let out a cry. A cry so agonizing, and heart wrenching that Brooke flinched. And the fact that she had only heard her best friend utter such a cry once before – caused her blood to run cold.

"God Nathan" Brooke said, "You ripped out a piece of her soul when you called her a whore in front of all those people."

"There were only five people…"

"You want to try saying that again?" Brooke challenged.

Nathan sighed. Brooke was such a tiny woman. He had no idea why she assumed she could hurt him if she wanted to.

"I already apologized to her. Lucas twisted…"

"Yes I know all about what your psycho brother did Nathan," she said wearily, "but although he gave you the information you decided what you wanted to do with it."

"Damn it," Nathan shouted, "I said I was sorry. God. She has forgiven me, why the hell can't you?"

Brooke closed her eyes, "Because there is something about you and your heartless brother that scares me."

"Heartless?"

"Well there are a few other adjectives I could use but I doubt you'd appreciate any of them."

"You don't know Luke."

"Agreed. Neither would I want to."

Nate sighed, "Can you come back to my place? I want us to be friends for Haley's sake."

"Why not, give me half an hour" she shrugged