A/N: Thanks to all you lovely people for reviewing and all those who have stopped by to read the latest chapter and guess what? Here's another! ENJOY! Just know, sadly, we are getting to the end...told you this would be a shorter story...and we're getting there. :(

Chapter 16: How was the Sex?

I awoke to the faint laughter of a particular red head. I groaned slightly as I squinted my eyes at the sun trying to peak in through the windows. I rolled over to find the other side of the bed empty and cold. I sat upright quickly and looked around the room. Maybe the bathroom? I kicked my legs over the side of the bed, pushed myself off and knocked on the bathroom door. No answer.

"Lucas?" I peaked inside and he wasn't there.

I frowned. I was always the one to be up first so this kind of spooked me a little. I heard the glass doors slide open and I was figuring it was Rachel as I heard her voice getting closer.

"Hey Rach, have you—" I stepped back into the main room and to my surprise it wasn't Rachel.

"Nate and I cooked breakfast. You seemed to be sleeping very well so I decided I would bring you a plate." He held the tray in his hand firmly as he walked towards me.

The tray had a touch of Haley with the multicolored vase of hibiscus flowers. I smiled and he motioned towards the bed but I shook my head and skipped towards one of the sofas. He placed the tray down in front of me on the table.

"Thank you. This smells wonderful."

Since we'd been here, I hadn't really spent that much alone time with Clay. I mean Clay filled a void where Lucas used to be. He became that person I could turn to for the things I used to turn to Lucas for…I missed him.

"How you doing?" Clay sat across from me as I bit into the coconut pancakes.

I closed my eyes as the warm, gooey texture slid down my throat.

"Good…and you?" I asked him looking up at him with a mouthful of pancake.

He grinned.

"I'm doing pretty great actually. I—" He fidgeted with one of the petals of a flower then broke it off. I frowned.

"You…what?" I mumbled as I took another forkful.

"I told Rachel I loved her yesterday after we went snorkeling."

I dropped my fork and looked up at him wide eyed.

"Huh?" I was speechless.

"Yeah…I, I mean it just came out and it surprised both of us. She…was skipping down the beach rambling about the damn barracuda and I just said it." He was talking with his hands picturing it as if it was a movie on repeat in his mind.

I leaned over, squeezed his arm, and smiled at him.

"I've always known you loved her…what, what did she say?"

He smiled.

"She laughed at me first. But, when I realized that I meant it and she saw the look on my face, she stopped laughing and questioned me." He shook his head and leaned back in his chair resting his hands on his thighs.

"And?"

"She didn't believe me until I said it again and I really did mean it." He looked up at me.

"But what did she say?" It was like I was watching a movie waiting with anticipation to see where the happy couple would end up.

"She said she loved me too." His smile broke out over his entire face.

"Oh, Clay." I got up, sat in his lap and pulled him into a hug.

"It's about damn time you both fessed up!" I smacked him lightly in the arm.

"Yeah well what about you and Broody boy?" He pushed me lightly out of his lap and I bounced back over to my seat to finish my pancakes.

I knew I promised Rachel and Haley that I would talk to them but maybe Lucas should have been the one to talk to Clay about it?

"Maybe you should spend time with him. Talk to 'im 'bout 't?" I said with a mouthful of pancake again.

He shook his head at me and leaned back in his chair again.

"Brooke, I just told you something very important about me and Rachel, something I am sure she would have preferred to talk to you about herself." He really wanted to know about this.

"You're right but it probably wouldn't bother Rachel that you told me. We've been friends for a really long time but Lucas…it's different…" I stuffed my mouth again with food cursing that it was my last bit on my plate.

"I don't see how it's different but I'll talk to him." He seemed annoyed and I didn't want him leaving like that.

"With everything going on with Lucas…" I cut myself off trying to figure out the best way to tell him this.

"Lucas has always been quiet and protective of me and our relationship we've always had and that was something I loved so much about him. It was only between me and Lucas at the time, I mean I wouldn't really spill details to anybody else about our relationship, but now, things are just different. Lucas really does like and respect you Clay. I'm sure if you talked to him about it, he would open up." I hoped that I was convincing about it.

Hell, Lucas and I really haven't talked about what was going to happen now after yesterday…why should everyone else know our business when we don't even know what it is yet?

"Besides Lucas and I really haven't talked about us…I told Rachel and Haley I would spend time with them today. How about you plan something with Nate and Luke? It's time we had a girls day and you had a guys day." I suggested and he was beginning to think it was a good idea.

"Sure. Get Rachel to tell you all the awesome things about me and then later spill to me." He winked and I smacked him in the arm.

He stopped before leaving the room and turned back to me.

"Rachel told me about Luke and his heart. I'm sorry Brooke, but if he knows what's best for him, he's not going to go anywhere." He winked again at me and I smiled.

"Clay."

He stopped and turned back to look at me.

"I love you, you know that?"

He smiled.

"I love you too, Brooke Davis."

He slid the glass door open and then closed it shut behind him. I sank down into the bed and turned to face Luke's side. I reached my hand across the bed and closed my eyes.

"Dinner was pretty good. I don't know what I'll do if I ever have to live without it." He tossed his hat on the couch and I stared at him.

"Don't say things like that." I walked over to the closet and he followed me.

"What?"

My back was to him. I turned around quickly and pointed at him.

"Don't think negative. Nothing is going to happen to you!" A chill ran down my spine and I wrapped my arms around myself.

He had a look of panic on his face and he walked towards me.

"I'm sorry. I really didn't mean it like that…I honestly wasn't even thinking about that." He placed his hands on my arms and pulled me into his chest.

"I don't see how you could forget. It's on my mind every second, just the thought that I could possibly lose you." As I went to wrap my arms around him, he tensed and pulled back.

"It's on your mind every second? So when you fucked me earlier, was it on your mind then too?" He pulled away from me and started undressing, throwing his clothes around the room.

"What the hell is your problem?" I stalked towards him and pushed him.

"You slept with me out of pity! Didn't you? Giving me one last fuck before my heart gives out!" He started walking to the bathroom.

Just when I thought that things were going the way they were supposed to that stubborn ass hole in him shows its ugly face.

I picked up a pillow and threw it at him. Oh how this became like a routine for us. He turned around and glared at me.

"How fucking dare you accuse me of doing something like that! I told you I loved you and guess what I actually said it and meant it! What did you do? You really didn't say or do anything! If anything I should be fucking mad at you but you know what that doesn't matter to me! Do you want to know what was really going on in my mind when we were having sex!?" I was screaming at him and I am pretty sure everyone upstairs could hear now confirming that we did sleep together.

His chest was heaving up and down in angry breaths.

"I was thinking I finally got to be with you again and there was nothing else in the world I'd rather be doing. Nowhere else I'd rather be and no one else I'd rather be with. Damn you Lucas Scott. I fucking love you more than anyone else and more than any other person should love another. Yes, the thought of losing you is on my mind all the time because if I do ever lose you, I don't think I could go on." I started collapsing.

I didn't realize that saying these things out loud would have this effect on me but my legs gave out on me and I started falling just in time for Lucas to run across the room and swiftly pick me up in his arms. I fell against him awkwardly. I couldn't use my limbs, everything was numb, and I just buried my face into him.

"I'm sorry…I didn't…" He took in a deep breath.

"How could you not, you bastard?" I clutched at his bare chest.

"You're the only person who has never hurt me and I just, guess that maybe, just maybe, because of this problem I'm having, that you were doing me a favor? I know it sounds stupid but it's the first thing that comes to me because I know that others would do the same." He was having a hard time saying this. I knew him opening up like this was difficult.

I looked up at him and new sets of tears started to fall.

"Then you're an idiot for thinking I could be one of those people."

Did he really think of me like that? That I could be one of those people that would hurt him, use him like that?

"I know you're not like that…I've never thought that, I guess, I am trying Brooke, maybe just some things will never change about me." He slowly let me go and he walked away.

"I'm no good for you, Brooke. The evidence has and will always be there. The way I treat you, talk to you. I—"

"How can you say things like that? You are everything I've always wanted and more. You're an ass hole because you choose to be. Don't be that person Lucas. Be the person I saw earlier today. The one I've always known you could be because guess what you've always been like that." I was able to use my legs again and I stood up and looked at him.

I could tell all this heavy talking was wearing him out and I didn't blame him. I was tired too.

"Let's just, just go to bed. Tomorrow is a new day and even though you've pissed me off tonight, I'll forgive you if you just go to sleep with me."

"Is there ever going to be a time when I don't piss you off?" He said with humor but I knew he was being serious.

"Maybe that's what you're supposed to do to me because it still leaves me falling even more in love with you."

He went to speak and after a revelation like that from me, I really did just want to go to bed.

"Let's sleep please." I cut him off before he could say anything else.

We got into bed together and he pulled me close to his chest. I was able to fall asleep immediately in the comfort of his arms.

I opened my eyes as I clutched his side of the bed and got up. It's a new day.

I held the piece of paper in my hands. I have probably read over my words a thousand times since I wrote it yesterday. The way the mangled paper looked seemed like this was written years ago.

A particular laughter behind me caught my attention. I smiled and folded the paper quickly and stuffed it in my pocket.

"Oooooh what was that? A dirty, love letter?" Her feet skipped lightly along the wooden boards of the patio.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" I leaned against the railing and she puffed as she fell in sync next to me and bumped her hips into mine.

"Whatever, so how was the sex? Was it better than before?" She nudged me and raised her eyebrows at me.

I shook my head.

"I don't really think that's any of your business Red."

She let out this little whine and I laughed a little at her.

"You're no fun anymore."

I looked over at her for the first time since she came over to me. She looked different. I looked her up and down and there was definitely something different about her.

She turned around and leaned her back along the railing and closed her eyes as a small breeze blew across her face.

"You look different. You're glowing in a way. What happened?" I stood up straight so I could get a better look at her face.

She began to blush and now I was extremely curious.

"I finally said those three little words to someone other than Brookie." She looked over at me and my mouth dropped slightly.

She's always joked around saying it to me but with Brooke she actually meant it and it was real and pure. So she loved Clay…she was in love with him.

"That's great. I am happy for you. You two do seem made for each other." I smiled at her and pulled her into a hug.

Oh Rachel. I don't know what I'd ever do without this girl. She was my equal in the department of those who hated us but were secretly in love with us. When I wanted to be mischievous or evil, she was there to go through with the plan. Whenever I wanted to get a rise out of Brooke especially my first couple of weeks back, she would help me. My partner in crime.

"Alright now, if you start to play grab ass with my lady, I may just have to crack open your skull, Scott." Clay started coming up the steps from my room with Brooke.

"I'd like to see you try, Evans." I said in a mock tone and he grinned.

"Boys as much as I love two men fighting over me…I'd prefer it not this time." She leaned up and kissed my cheek and then skirted over to Clay.

They were happy. He leaned down and kissed her and she smiled against his lips. I began to wonder if Brooke and I could ever be like that and display it to the world.

Clay pulled away from Rachel a bit and looked over at me.

"Hey man so Brooke informed me that it was girls day today…so I was thinking you, me and Nate do something? Grab some beer, food, and take a boat out and do some fishing?"

Sometimes I hated to admit how much I liked this guy. He was cool and had earned my respect.

"Sure, sounds good to me." I said and he nodded.

"Alright the day is planned. I am going to go get Haley." Rachel grabbed Clay's hand and they walked past me and back into the house.

I reached my hands into my pockets and fingered the piece of paper carefully. I heard faint footsteps coming up the steps and I turned to see the beginning of Brooke's head come into view, then her shoulders, chest, waist, and her legs. She was absolutely breathtaking.

She wore a blue sundress with gold sandals that made her tan legs shimmer. I held my breath.

"What?" She questioned as she made it to the top step.

"You look beautiful." I said and I held my hand out to her.

She looked down at it like it was going to bite her, then she slowly walked over and placed her hand in mine. She smiled and I pulled her to me. We stood by each other and enjoyed the view. It's been a whole week since we'd been here. Just a week left of this escape, paradise…would things change once we left? Would all of this have just been a dream?

Brooke leaned her head into my shoulder as a small breeze swept across us; I felt the goosebumps along her arms. I pulled her into my chest and her face nuzzled my neck.

"Hey guys."

I looked over my shoulder, making Brooke turn more into me, and squinted my eyes to see Haley walking towards us. Brooke slowly but quickly removed herself from my touch and I felt lonely…and cold.

"I…am I interrupting something?" She asked as she looked between me and Brooke.

"No, we were just enjoying the view…together." Brooke brushed a strand of brick red hair behind her ear and how desperately I wished I had done that for her.

"So I guess you are getting ready to leave…and do your girly things today?" I shoved my hands in my pockets and for the first time I became awkward around them feeling like an idiot.

"Uh yeah, Rachel is grabbing her bag and then we're going to head out. We talked to Nathan and Clay about meeting up with you guys at the beach. There's a large bonfire celebration going on there tonight." Haley smiled and touched my arm giving it a comforting squeeze.

"Okay, you ladies have fun. Don't talk too much about me." I winked at them and they both smacked me in the arm at the same time.

"Ouch." I furrowed my brow in pain and they both rolled their eyes at me.

I looked back at Brooke one last time and she smiled a small smile for me. I smiled back and walked past Rachel as she came bounding down the stairs and Haley and Brooke met up with her at the car. They climbed in with smiles on their faces and faint laughter echoing in the distance. They drove off and I headed inside to find Nathan and Clay messing around with what I assumed would be our equipment for the fishing trip.

"Okay I have the cooler of beer and food…and a little something extra." He pulled out a bag of weed and my mouth dropped.

"Dude. What the hell? Don't they test you for basketball?" Nathan grabbed the fishing poles and started carrying them towards the door.

"Yes, but we just had a test and because I am so fit and don't carry much body fat, I can piss this shit out by tomorrow."

I grinned and I really haven't smoked since freshman year.

"I don't know." Nathan said as he let his finger poke the bag of what smelled like some good shit.

"You want in on this Nate. It's strawberry diesel and besides…Lucas could use some." He winked at me and for once I wasn't upset that someone was referring to my personal issues.

I assumed Rachel or Brooke would say something to him about my heart, and with Clay, it seemed like it was okay for him to know about it. He respected me and he didn't look at me at all if I might kill over any time soon.

"I'm in." I walked over to Clay, grabbed the bag, and inhaled the most pleasurable scent. One of the best smells I'd come across.

"Amazing. Can't wait to take a hit of that. Nate, come on, free pass on this trip."

He looked at both of us and finally caved.

"Well we are on vacation." He said and I smacked him in the arm as he smacked me back.

We started packing our things in the Jeep. We drove the only road we knew that led us to the nearest beach. Clay had placed our goods in a safe place, just in case the owners of the boat we were renting had any questions for us.

It was a piece of cake getting the keys to the boat and we rented it for the rest of the week. The owners were pleased with the amount of money Clay offered them and just asked that we didn't destroy the boat. It was a beautiful boat. Her name was Dancing Dame. How poetic.

I was about knee deep in the ocean as I passed our things from Nathan to Clay onto the boat. She was beautiful. Her name did fit her. She was made out of the best fiberglass and her sharp charcoal black body danced along the water. Her sails were not up yet, but I am sure her wings were just as magnificent.

"I can't believe you rented this boat? How much are we talking?" I asked Clay as I climbed the steps onto the boat and became even more overwhelmed.

"Don't worry about it." He cut on the engine and the boat came to life.

"Our beauty purrs. Let's get on out to sea shall we mates." Clay revved the engine and she skipped off on a slow start and then we were gliding like the waltz across the clear ocean water.

"Exactly how far are we going out?" Nathan asked as we watched the beach get smaller and smaller.

"Just far out enough where we're not surrounded by others and they did give me a parameter."

We were about maybe two or three miles away from shore which was a safe distance and if we did need help, the radio was working and we had plenty of gas.

"Alright let's do this." Nathan had beer and poles in his hand.

"First, let's smoke." Clay grinned as he started breaking the weed down.

It was so beautiful and even out in this open, crisp ocean air, the smell of the weed was rich and flavorful. He quickly filled the weed along the rolling papers and it was ready. He lit up first, taking his hit, and then passed it to Nathan.

I watched as Clay inhaled, savored it, and blew it out smoothly. My mouth began to water. Nathan took his turn and passed the joint to me. I inhaled its sweet aroma and placed my lips on the edge and inhaled sharply. The taste was amazing and my throat burned slightly in the best way possible. I exhaled slowly as the effects started to course through my body. I passed the joint back to Clay.

"So what's up man?" Clay passed to Nathan and leaned back in his chair.

"Not much man, you?" My eyes drooped a bit and the boat started rocking at a slow pace as my body became at ease, relaxed, numb to where it felt good.

Clay laughed and Nate did too.

"So no, like what's the deal with you and Brooke? You can't hide it, you two." Clay ran his hand over his face and stared at me.

I looked down at my hands and they looked really tiny, I began to lean to the left a little.

"Damn this is some good shit." I said as I rested my hand along the railing to keep myself from falling over.

"Thanks and Brooke…come on."

"Spill Lucas, I've been pretty curious myself." Nathan was high and I don't think I've ever seen him smoke before.

"She's amazing…she's my Brooke." I giggled and closed my eyes as she flooded my sight.

I knew I should talk about it. Talk about Brooke. I don't talk about her to anybody but myself really. I leaned closer to them and rested my elbows on my knees.

"Brooke is my air. I breathe her in and I'm alive because of her. She's…she's my heart." Things started to fade away and I was only focused on my Brooke as if she was standing right in front of me.

"Every moment that goes by when I'm not with her, my heart is gone. I may as well be dead."

"Do you love her?"

At first I wasn't even sure if Clay or Nathan had asked me that. Did I ask myself that?

"Of course."

Nathan's hand was on my arm and he smiled.

"Tell her man."

"You're so stupid to have waited this long to tell her…do you even plan on telling her?"

I looked up and Clay looked annoyed.

"Oh yeah, this coming from a guy who would pretend to mess around behind Rachel's back even though she was the only one for you. You just now confessed that you love her so don't tell me that I'm an idiot for waiting this long." I sat upright and all this talk was beginning to kill my buzz.

"You're right but guess what? I did say something and it's made everything so much better, more amazing." Clay took his fishing rod and tossed it over the side of the boat.

"You know I remember the first time I knew I had fallen in love with Haley."

My head snapped up quickly and I realized just now Nathan has never mentioned this before.

"We had just left school and dad was being a pain in the ass. We snuck off to the beach. She told me she needed to meet up with you, Luke, but she said you could wait a little bit." He grinned and twirled his fingers.

I shook my head only trying to figure out which time she left me waiting on her when she was off with Nate.

"Anyways, she was just laughing and telling jokes and at this point we had made out a few times both trying desperately to keep it from you and Brooke because we weren't even sure what it was, but it was in that moment that I knew I was in love with her and that there would probably never be anyone else in the world for me." Nathan leaned back, closed his eyes, and inhaled the fresh sea air.

"She is my everything but I don't understand why I am having a hard time saying that to her, telling her that I love her." Was that me finally confessing out loud that I loved Brooke?

"I don't see how it can be hard. When you know, when you feel it, there shouldn't be anything keeping you from saying it." Clay said now standing near the edge of the boat looking over the side.

I instinctively placed my hand over my heart. This is what's keeping me from saying it to her.

"Dude, don't let that be the reason you can't tell her, if anything that should be the reason you tell her." Nathan stood up to get another beer and sat down by me.

He placed his hand on my shoulder and gave it a small squeeze.

"She's been in love with you since we were kids; she's not going anywhere Luke."

We walked down the cobble stoned streets of St. John's and came across a strip of stores. Rachel coaxed us into one, and then we proceeded to shop in every single store. One of them had all original clothing from local designers. I became instantly jealous. I wanted my own line one day and only hoped that it would be possible to achieve it.

"So I can't take it any longer. What happened with you and Lucas?" Rachel flipped through some shirts on a rack and pulled out a gorgeous silk top that would look great on her.

"We slept together yesterday, okay." I don't know why I was being shy about it.

I guess talking about it out loud made it possible that maybe it could have been a dream? That it wasn't special anymore just between Luke and me?

"I knew it!" Rachel took the top off the rack and held it in her hand.

"Yeah, after the cozy set up I saw on the patio this morning, I assumed something happened. Are you guys okay? What does this mean?" Haley asked as she found a dress I had to force her to buy.

"You should get that. It would accent your eyes and give you curves you didn't know you had." I winked at her and she took it in her hands.

"Uh, stop changing the subject! Spill!" Rachel looped her arm through mine as we walked towards the dressing rooms.

"It…it was like the first time you know? It was like I was experiencing all the firsts with him all over again. His kiss, touch, and the first time being together. I was almost certain he was going to say the L word, but I don't want to make him say it, or because we had sex for the first time in years that he needed to say it." Although I desperately want him to say those words to me now more than ever.

"So romantic." Haley said with a dazed look upon her face.

"So how was the sex?" Rachel raised an eyebrow and I smacked her in the arm.

"Let's not forget that you've slept with him before. I really don't want to talk about that with you." I said blushing and almost not wanting to hear the comparisons if it were to come up.

"True but we were never in love with each other. I am sure it's different. God, I know it is with Clay." She beamed and there was a different glow about her now.

"I picked something out for you, Brooke." Haley walked beside me and pulled from behind her back a dress that almost seemed unlike any other.

It was an emerald green that was designed with intricate loops and swirls along the fabric. It was strapless and stopped below the knee at the appropriate length. The back had crisscrossed stitching that laced across the entire back. It did look beautiful.

"It's beautiful." I took it from her and we proceeded into the dressing rooms.

We tried everything on and of course everything looked great. Rachel probably bought out every store we went in and we were becoming extremely overwhelmed with shopping bags.

We made the decision to catch a light bite to eat at one of the nearby restaurants and we talked about everything. It turned out to be a lovely day. It was getting close to the time for us to meet up with the guys. We went back to the house, dropped off our goodies, and changed into more laid back attire.

Rachel drove this time as I gazed out the window letting the breeze sweep over my face. Haley leaned towards my seat from the back resting her chin on top of the seat near my head.

"I know he loves you, Brooke and you guys will work this out. I promise."

I turned and kissed her forehead. I hoped she was right because I wasn't sure I could live another moment without him being a part of my life.

Once we were at the beach, there was still no sign of them or their boat at all. People started gathering for the bonfire and we just kind of shrugged it off. If something was wrong, we'd find out soon enough. Local venders were setting up booths for local cuisines, bars for different types of drinks, and even some fun games you could play.

I decided to wear a pair of cut off jeans, a purple bikini, and a white tank that had a low cut off in the back. I wore one of my sun hats. Rachel wore a sarong leaving her chest bare with her bikini top with all the heads turning to look at her. She was made to be a model. Haley, always dressed like Haley. She wore a long, flowing skirt, with a strapless top with her bathing suit straps hanging down her neck.

We had about three drinks in us right as the bonfire was lit and the different events started. Rachel squealed as Clay came into sight. She jumped into his arms and he held her close. Nathan staggered behind him and walked towards Haley. I finally saw Lucas carrying a cooler.

I looked him over and noticed something different about him and I realized what it was.

"You've been smoking." I said as he grinned with his stoner eyes.

"Ah, Brooke we still have plenty left if you want to smoke with us later." Clay called out as Rachel started kissing down his neck.

"We'll see." I said and Lucas grabbed my hand and tugged me towards him.

"You look nice." He said.

"You looked stoned." I said to him, not that I minded but this sweet talk had a lot to do with his nice choice of words.

"Sshhh." He said.

We set up our own little spot around the fire and we met a variety of people. Natives, tourists, and we even met some people from Durham. The drinks started flowing and we were all having a great time. At some point, Haley and Nathan disappeared while Clay and Rachel danced seductively around the fire lost in their own little world.

Lucas went to get himself another drink as I sat on the cooler looking out to sea. I heard him coming back towards me as one of the songs turned into a slower, steady melody. He held his hand out to me.

"Dance with me?" He asked.

"Since when do you dance?" I asked as he pulled me to my feet and we started walking towards the other dancing, mingling people.

"Ssshh." He said to me once again.

He pulled me into him. My head rested along his chest, one of his hands on the small of my back as the other held my outstretched one. I gripped his shoulder tightly with my free hand. I didn't want to speak even though there was so much I wanted to say. We started moving in a circle and I forgot that there were other people around us including those who knew us very well.

His hand that rested on my back started creeping up towards the space between my shoulder blades. He pulled my hand that was in his towards his shoulder and brought his hand to my face. I held my breath.

"Brooke." He leaned in and kissed me for the whole population of the beach to see.

I didn't care. I was lost in him. I was so wrapped up in him that I didn't realize at first that he literally swept me off my feet as I dangled in the air in his arms.

"Now that's how you sweep a girl off her feet." Someone muttered as they walked by us.

I pulled back from Lucas and looked around. Rachel and Clay were still dancing but watching us with smiles on their faces.

"Lucas?"

"Brooke, I…" He paused and pushed me back a moment.

"Luke?" Fear started to surface as the look on his face was one I didn't like at all.

"I think, I think I need to lie down. Sometimes I just get a little overwhelmed." He said and I knew he was being honest and not hiding anything from me.

"Okay." I ran over and talked to Clay and Rachel and told them I was going to take Lucas home.

I told them not to worry and to stay and have a good time and wait on Haley and Nathan to get back. Clay helped walk Lucas to the car. Clay repeatedly told me to call him on his cell if anything was to happen and I promised him I would. As I drove back to the house, I kept glancing over at Lucas who was sleeping soundly. I reached my hand over to his and held it tightly. At some point, he noticed I was holding his hand and he brought his other one over to clasp mine tightly within his own.

We were back at the house and I helped him get into bed.

"I'm sorry." He said and I shook my head fiercely.

"No, don't be!" I said sliding into bed next to him.

"Sometimes I just get really tired, you know with a heart running on empty. I just need to recharge the old damned thing." He smiled through his closed lids.

I knew he was trying to make a joke to not scare me. But it still didn't make me feel better, because it is the truth. His heart was running low on battery.

"Just get some sleep and we can talk tomorrow."

YAY! Okay what did you think? Up next: Brooke and Lucas talk. Things begin to change but how? Stay Tuned! REVIEW please! :)