"So Peyton how goes it with you and the 'novel writer'?" Brooke asked her best friend.

"Ugh – I don't know! Everything is the same as always but I just don't trust her Brooke! Plus they are spending so much time together with Luke helping her write this book, but I have to believe that she is telling me the truth. I mean I trust Luke, I do…. But have you seen her?"

Brooke laughed sympathetically. "Well if I've learnt anything from the whole Alex/ Julian debacle it's to trust what your man is telling you! I know it's crazy and hard to wrap your head around it, especially when you know what the girls are up to. But your mind can make you read into things too…. Things that probably were never there in the first place."

"Yeah I guess you're right… but I cant' help but feel that she is up to something!"

"Just ignore it Peyton…. Unless Luke gives you a reason to doubt. And trust me, that man loves you more than anything."

Peyton smiled at her friend and hugged her. "Thanks B Davis, that's exactly what I needed to hear!"

"So what's this I hear about you looking after Preston tomorrow?" Peyton asked.

"Oh Ben is having this important work day and can't pick Preston up after his daycare so I offered. You know, good practice and all…"

"Right…. So this is a totally platonic relationship yet you are looking after his kid?"

"Hey, c'mon now, it's no different to me looking after Jaime when he was little…."

Peyton stared into her best friends face, trying to see if she could read between the lines, but she got nothing. It was killing her not knowing what was going on between these two. She liked Ben. He was just the type of guy; friend or not that Brooke needed. More than that, she wanted her friend to also have some happiness in her life. Nobody could deny that she deserved it.

"So, since we are both going to be looking after the kids tomorrow, what say you and I spend a day together with them?"

"Oh Peyton I'd love to, but I'm meeting up with Sam tomorrow. One of her rare days back in Tree Hill since she started college." Brooke smiled. Peyton could see the excitement in her best friends eyes at the thought of meeting up with her foster child.

"Oh that's awesome Brooke! What are you guys going to do?"

"Oh I dunno…. Sit down, chat, do whatever comes to mind!"

Brooke was busy behind the counter at her Clothes over Bro's store. Millie wasn't in today, having taken a day off with Mouth, so Brooke was busy doing the odd jobs for today. Her mind was on other things that she didn't heart he door open and a young girl enter. She smiled as she looked around the store and at the back of Brooke who was talking to herself at the time. Realising she hadn't been noticed she continued to walk around the store looking at the items of clothing on display.

"Wow – the quality of clothes have really gone downhill here. To think that I once would have stolen something from here" She commented aloud.

Recognising the voice immediately, Brooke turned her head around and grinned as she looked at the now grown up version of Sam. Sam grinned back at Brooke, the first person who had truly shown her what family was all about. Racing over, Brooke embraced Sam in a hug, where they stayed for several moments.

"Oh my God it's so good to see you again! How are you going you little college student?"

"Oh you know, following your orders exactly, studying little, partying hard" Sam winked at her.

"Ahhh the good old college days!" Brooke sighed. "Now, just give me five minutes. We're closing up shop early today. Then I have to go and pick up Preston from day care, and then the rest of the day is ours."

"Preston from daycare? So this 'friend' of yours then… this is his kid right? Are you sure we are talking just 'friends' here!" Sam asked coyly.

"Not you too? Yes, just friends! It's a favour for him!"

Sam put up her hands as though surrendering "Ok, ok, just friends!"

"So how goes it with the college boy?" Brooke asked as she turned back to her work, hastily packing away the things that she needed to so they could make a fast exit.

"Oh you know… same old. He's really sweet. It's… I dunno…. Comfortable. Oooh I LOVE this!" Sam exclaimed as she plucked a top off the rack.

"Take it! You can have it if you like."

"You know Brooke, just because someone says they like something doesn't mean you have to give it to them" Sam said smiling

"I know, but not everyone is Sam are they! After all – if I don't give it to you, how do I know you just won't slip it in your bag when I'm not looking?"

"Haha very funny! Now hurry up – lets get out of here already!"

Lucas was lying on the couch reading through some of Maddi's work and editing it while Maddi sat at his desk typing away on what he hoped was a new chapter to her novel. This working relationship made him uncomfortable. He knew Peyton was putting on a brave face and was trying to not let it bother her, but truth be told, if the relationship was the other way around, he would also be very bothered. He knew the way Maddi was acting with him, always touching his arm, coming in close, trying to make friends with Sawyer, who incidentally wouldn't have a bar of it. It was the first person that he had seen Sawyer take an instant dislike to and not warm up to as time went on. And yet, Lucas felt a sense of obligation to help Maddi. He after all had put the offer out there when they met on his book tour….

Lucas was sitting at the signing table and from the corner of his eye he spotted this attractive girl coming over to him.

"Lucas Scott… you're a lot cuter than your photo at the back of the book shows!" she said while handing over her book for a signing.

"Thank you." Lucas said

"Well I'm a huge fan. So tell me… did the Peyton and Lucas of the book really end up together?" She asked leaning in that little bit closer.

"Yep, they sure did." Lucas replied grinning to himself as he handed her signed book back.

"Pity..." she said, looking at him seductively before strutting off.

Wow, Lucas thought. She really knows how to play her cards.

Later that night, Lucas walked into the local bar for a quick nightcap. He had just said goodnight to Sawyer over the phone and had spoken to a rather distant Peyton. Something was on her mind and he wasn't sure what. Truth be told this whole 'trying for another baby' thing was getting them both down. He didn't know how to help her through this. It was bothering and worrying him to, although not as much as it was eating away at Peyton. The weekend away had helped. But now, since he started the book tour, he could tell that she was slowly becoming more distant again. Which made being away from home that little bit harder. Downing another drink, he noticed a very attractive girl coming up to him. Tonight was not the night he wanted company he thought.

"We meet again" she said, sliding into the chair next to him.

Lucas had no idea who she was or where they had met before. He raked his brains trying to remember, but couldn't pluck anything out.

"I'm Maddi. We met today at your book signing."

"Ahh… yes" Lucas said instantly remembering. "You're to one who liked the picture?"

"No, not the picture. That didn't do you justice. I liked the Lucas Scott in the flesh."

Lucas merely smiled but didn't reply.

"I see your not the talkative type then?"

"Just got a lot of things on my mind." Lucas had no idea why he was talking to this woman. He knew she was there for only one thing, and yet, he couldn't help but talk to her.

"Surely not trouble in paradise?"

"No, not exactly"

"Trouble writing the next best-seller then? I could help with that you know. I'm trying to be a writer myself."

"No, not writing another book yet"

"Ahh… well I remember my lecturer from college telling me that all the stories have to come from the heart. That's what makes a good novel."

"Smart lecturer"

"Yeah… only problem is, I'm struggling to find content for mine. I've got the ideas there, but everything that I write just turns into nothing, or a whole bunch of deleted pages. Sometimes, I even print them off and burn them. Gives me more satisfaction than just pressing the delete button."

In spite of himself, Lucas chuckled at this. He certainly understood that feeling.

"Well, am always happy to help a fellow writer. I'd be happy to read through your stuff"

"Really? Do you mean that?"

"Sure. Helps to have an unbiased opinion read through your works."

"I'll hold you to that you know?"

Lucas merely smiled.

"Well… I better be going" Lucas said.

"Ok… well… just so you know… I come here every night" Maddi said winking. "Who knows, maybe tomorrow I might bring my manuscript for you."

Brooke re-entered her living room after just putting Preston down for a nap. It had been an eventful afternoon. Brooke was exhausted. How she was going to do this full time she had no idea.

"So you're turning into quite the matron. Pregnant, looking after toddlers, re-uniting with your 19 year old foster child… and all before you are… hang on… how old are you again?" Sam teased

Brooke smiled at Sam. "Clearly college hasn't changed that witty tongue of yours."

"Oh no, it's made it sharper. You see – college is supposed to make you more intelligent… gives me more ammo that way" Sam said smiling. She really missed the time she spent with Brooke. While she now had gotten to know her mother and her 'new' family, Brooke was still the person in so many ways she turned to for advice. Maybe it was their closeness in age, or maybe it was because Brooke was the first person to really care about her. Whatever it was, Sam always wanted to call or talk to Brooke first about things that concerned her.

"I'm worried about you Brooke Davis."

Brooke looked up from her mug of tea surprised. "Worried for me in what way?"

"Worried that you are taking on too much. You seem to be always on the go. Like today – working like a maniac at the shop, and this afternoon you have been running around chasing after Preston. You need to rest Brooke. I mean you're pregnant now. Don't they say pregnant ladies should be resting up?"

"Alright Dr Sam. Maybe today was busy, but I promise, it's not always like this! I do take care of myself I promise!"

"Are you sure? I asked Haley and Peyton and they say that you are always busy.."

"What are you some kind of detective? My friends outed me to you!"

"I'm just worried. I don't want anything to happen to you or to the baby"

Brooke came over and hugged Sam. "You are so sweet for worrying. Honest you are. But I promise you, there is nothing wrong. I'm not over-doing it and we are both fine."

"OK – well I'll hold you to that!" Sam smiled at Brooke.

"Well – it's getting better. I've marked some suggestions in red" Lucas said handing part of the manuscript back to Maddi.

"Better but not great?"

"It's getting there" Lucas smiled encouragingly.

"Ugh – I'm so sick of working Luke! Can't we take a break? How about we head down to this famous Tric bar of yours. You know, a bit of pre-celebrations?"

"What are we celebrating?"

"That I'm writing the next great American novel of course!"

"Look, Maddi, I can't do this ok. I'm married. I have a wife whom I love and a great family. I'm not going to ruin that. This relationship here… is strictly business ok."

"That's what you said last time" Maddi winked at him.

Tonight was the fifth night in a row that Lucas had come down to the same bar at the same time for a nightcap. Somewhere in the back of his mind, something was telling him that this was not right. Yet, he didn't seem to be able to stop himself from coming. What was it that drew him here? He knew Maddi would be there waiting for him. And yet, he also knew that he was still madly in love with Peyton. So what was drawing him to this bar. Was it the excitement of perhaps seeing what she had written, and helping her in her career, or was it something a lot less honest than that. Lucas hesitated at the entrance to the bar before closing his eyes and heading in.

"You're going to hate me" Maddi said as she gently placed her arm around Lucas' shoulder. Quickly, Lucas moved out of the way.

"Sorry, I forgot the manuscript again!" Maddi said, not missing the sign of Lucas still shying away from her touch.

"Actually forgot, or conveniently forgot?"

"I'll let you decide" Maddi said winking

"C'mon Maddi, I want to help you, but this is getting ridiculous. I'm here to help you, not flirt."

"Are you sure about that Lucas? How's your wife?"

"She's…. great. Honestly Maddi, I'm not going to come anymore unless you can provide me with that manuscript"

"Great huh? So that night I found you here, you weren't here because of something going on between you? Or you haven't' come every night since, because you are just a little bit curious about me?"

"Maddi – we have a family!"

"That's not answering my question" She said grinning slightly and leaning into him seductively.

"Look it's none of your business ok!"

"Ok, ok, obviously it's a touchy subject. But let me ask you this – how many times has she visited you while you are on tour?"

"That's not the point."

"Isn't it?"

"Look I don't have to fill you in on my personal life. I love my wife and I'm here to help you with your novel. You know what, when you have it done, I'll be happy to help and you can come and find me, but I'm not going to flirt with you ok."

Maddi smiled to herself. She felt like she had hit the topic right on the head. She watched Luke angrily get up to leave the bar.

"Hey Luke." Maddi said as he got up to leave.

She handed him a napkin as she leaned in to hug him. "Call me. You know, if you want to see my book or….. whatever."

Luke looked puzzled at the napkin in his hand. Frowning he continued to get up to leave.

Talking to nobody in particular, Maddi said out loud "What's the number of marriages that end in divorce again?"

Lucas pretended he didn't hear and continued to walk out.