A/N: Thank you for the awesome reviews. Can't believe there are over 100 reviews already. And I'd like to thank my awesome beta: Leeese!

Disclaimer: Don't own OTH


Chapter Seven

Lucas knocked on the door and waited patiently for someone to answer. The door finally opened and he smiled as he saw Haley at the other side. They embraced in a tight hug. "Hey, I was wondering when you were going to stop by and visit," she teased.

Lucas gave her a look. "Well, I had a good excuse this time. I heard Cooper was in town. So I wanted to avoid him as much as possible," he told her. He frowned as he asked, "He's not here now, is he?"

Haley shook her head and Lucas sighed in relief as she spoke. "Nathan took him to the airport this morning. Then he said he had a few errands to run. He'll probably be back in a few hours. So you have me for company while you wait. Is that ok? Or shall I call Brooke?"

Lucas laughed. "Actually, I came to talk to you about Brooke." Haley turned to him, ready to listen. "Her birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks and I want to throw her a surprise birthday party," he explained. "And I was hoping that you and Peyton would help me plan it."

Haley smiled widely. "That's a great idea. Brooke won't ever expect it. And we should have it at Tric."

Lucas nodded in agreement. "That's exactly what I was thinking. So you'll help?"

Haley gave him a wide smile. "Of course I will. And I'm sure Peyton will love to help too. Let me just call her and see if she's available to come over." She headed to the kitchen for her purse.

Lucas was right behind her. "Great. I was going crazy trying to think of something to get her. I want it to be special since it is her birthday and all," he replied as they reached the kitchen.

"I know. And it will be," Haley assured him as she walked over to her purse. She started looking through it and tried to find her phone. "She'll love it."

Lucas nodded. He then changed the subject. "Dare I ask how Cooper's visit went?" he asked her as he pulled a face.

"Well, it went fine except Nathan now doesn't want children," Haley told him sadly. Lucas looked at her surprised. She then thought for a moment. "It's really weird because Nathan seemed like he was looking forward to starting a family. Then all of a sudden, he changed his mind."

"It's probably because of Cooper," Lucas replied with a frown. "He's just like Dan. He tries to manipulate people in doing what he wants them to do."

Haley shook her head. "It sounded like Cooper wanted us to start a family. Yet, Nathan started acting strange right after he came to visit," she told him as she sighed. "I just wish he didn't say that he didn't want children now."

Lucas looked at her curious. "Why do you say that?"

Haley shook her head as she pulled her phone out of her purse. "It's nothing. I'm going to go call Peyton."

Lucas watched her as she walked away and wondered what was bothering her. However, he could see that she wasn't in the mood to talk about it. So he decided to let it go and focus on planning Brooke's surprise birthday party.


Nathan pulled the car into a parking space in front of the drop off area of the airport. He didn't say anything to his uncle as he helped him get his suitcase out of the trunk. He had been quiet the whole trip. He had tried not to be, but he couldn't help it. He was nervous about telling his uncle what he wanted to say.

"Well, I want to thank you for the great weekend," Cooper told Nathan as they headed into the airport. "I promise that one of these times I visit that it won't be just for work." Nathan didn't answer and Cooper looked at him a little annoyed. "Ok, what is wrong with you? You've been quiet the whole drive down here. Whatever you want to say, you should say quickly because I will be heading through security soon."

Nathan took a deep breath before he spoke. "I quit." He knew that it was the only thing to do. He couldn't rat on Brooke or let his dad hurt Haley. As hard as it was, he had to do this.

Cooper looked at him surprised. "What? Nathan, what the hell has gotten into you?"

"I'm sorry, Uncle Coop. But I can't do this anymore," Nathan told him. "I don't want to become like Dad. Haley means everything to me and I don't want to lose her." Cooper was about to reply when his nephew continued. "Don't try and talk me out of it. I've made up my mind."

"What the hell am I supposed to tell your father?" Cooper asked him.

Nathan had to think for a moment. "Nothing because I'll tell him," he replied. He knew that he had to be the one who told his dad. He didn't want to risk Dan coming to Tree Hill.

"You know he won't be happy about this," Cooper warned him. "After all, he depends on you, Nathan."

Nathan sighed. "I know. But I think it's time for me to move on."

Cooper nodded understandingly. "Ok, but don't take too long. Or I'll have to tell him. And you know how angry he gets when he hears it second."

Nathan didn't have to be told twice. "Well, it's been fun, Uncle Coop. Hope you come to visit again soon."

Cooper gave him a smile as they embraced in a quick hug. "I promise." They then pulled away. Cooper then said, "You know, you don't have to go with me to check in my bags or to the security checkpoint. I can go by myself. I'm sure you want to get back to Haley."

"Well, I do have errands to run," Nathan replied. "I'll see you later, Uncle Coop."

"See you later," Cooper said before they went their separate ways. He looked over his shoulder to make sure that Nathan went through the double doors of the exit. He then walked up to the counter and gave a wide smile to the woman. "I'd like to cancel my flight," he told her. After a few minutes, he went to find a chair so he could sit. He then pulled out his cell phone and called Dan. He waited impatiently for him to answer the phone. Finally, he heard someone picking up the phone. "Hey, it's Cooper. I know I'm supposed to fly back today. But I think I'll wait until I find out if my hunch is right or not."

"And what hunch is that?" Dan demanded. His curiosity was stirred instantly as he hoped Cooper had some good news for him.

"I think your son knows where Beth Roe is," Cooper replied.

Dan immediately became extremely interested in what he had to say. "What makes you say that?"

"Well, he started acting weird the minute I showed him Beth's picture. I didn't say anything to him, but I could tell that he was surprised. And he told me that he wanted to quit working for you just as we were reaching the airport," Cooper told him. "Just to warn you, he's going to call you later with the news."

"Take all the time you need then. Text me the minute you are absolutely positive that you've found her. I don't want any mistakes," Dan ordered him. "You know how important it is to find her."

"You got it," Cooper replied before he hung up.


Brooke looked at the time and was glad that lunchtime was drawing near. She was starving and was more than ready to take a break. She couldn't concentrate on anything and she was glad that there were no customers in the store. Otherwise, she would have to help them before she could go on her lunch break.

She heard the door open and Brooke quietly groaned to herself. But she decided to put on a smile and get through it. She started to ask a question until she looked up and saw Lucas. She ran over and embraced him in a tight hug. "What are you doing here?" she asked him happily.

Lucas gave her a wide smile in response as he said, "You know me and my surprises. I'm here to take you to lunch."

"Well, it's a good thing that it's my lunch break now," Brooke replied, returning the smile. "Let me just get my purse and we'll be on our way." Lucas waited patiently until she was ready to go. They walked out of the store hand-in-hand. "So where are you taking me to this time?" Brooke asked eagerly.

"Actually, I was thinking of us just going back to your place and I could make us lunch," Lucas replied.

Brooke turned to him surprised. "Really? You don't want to go anywhere else?"

Lucas nodded and grinned as he replied, "Yeah. And I thought it could be a quick lunch so we could have more time to have some fun."

Brooke couldn't argue with that. "That sounds perfect," she replied before they shared a passionate kiss. "So what are you planning on making us?"

"It's a surprise," Lucas told her.

"I always love your surprises," Brooke replied with a smile. "But can't you give me a tiny hint?" she asked him.

Lucas laughed. "Let's just say it's not frozen pizza."

Brooke couldn't help but smile wider as they continued down the road. After arriving at Brooke's apartment, Lucas made them lunch. As they ate, they started talking about their future plans for the weekend. That was when Lucas suddenly brought up a subject that Brooke wasn't expecting.

"So I was thinking now that we are officially dating, we should move closer to each other," Lucas said. "That way, we don't have to only see each other on weekends."

Brooke tried to smile, but his suggestion had shocked her. "Don't you think it's a little too soon to be talking about that?" she asked him nervously. "After all, we've only been dating for a little while."

"I'm not talking about moving in together. I'm just talking about us moving closer," Lucas replied softly.

Brooke sighed. She was about to reply when the doorbell rang. She went to answer it and was surprised to see Agent Hargrove standing there. He was about to say something when he saw Lucas standing there. He walked past Brooke and into the apartment before he walked over to Lucas. "You must be Lucas Scott. I've heard a lot about you. I'm Andy Hargrove, a family friend," Andy said as he and Lucas shook hands. He gave him a polite smile as he did.

"It's nice to meet you," Lucas replied.

"I'd hate to interrupt your visit, but do you mind if I talk to Brooke alone for a few moments?" Andy asked Lucas.

Lucas shook his head. "No, go right ahead."

Andy nodded gratefully. "Let's go into your room," he told Brooke and she followed him into her bedroom. He then shut the door and glared at her. "Beth, what the hell do you think you are doing?"

Brooke wasn't sure what he was angry at. She frowned in confusion as she asked, "What do you mean?"

"Didn't I warn you not to trust anybody? And here you are, conversing with a Scott," Andy exclaimed with a sigh.

He was about to go on when Brooke interrupted him. "Mom already gave me the lecture. I know I'm supposed to be careful. And I am. I promise," she told him.

Andy sighed once again. He knew that he had no choice but to trust her judgment. "Alright, but I'm going to keep a close eye on you. After all, you're the one who is really in danger, not your parents."

Brooke nodded. "I know." The conversation was then over and they left the bedroom. They walked through the hall and back into the living room, where Lucas was waiting. "Is there anything else I could do for you?"

Andy shook his head. "No, that's all I needed to tell you. I'll let you and Lucas go back to your lunch."

"Do you want to stay for lunch?" Brooke offered.

Andy gave her a smile. "Thanks, but I already had lunch. And I have work to do. So I'll see you later. It was nice to meet you, Lucas."

Lucas nodded as Brooke saw Agent Hargrove to the front door. They exchanged good-byes before Brooke closed the door. "Why does it seem that everybody always wants to interrupt us when we want to be alone?" Lucas teased her as he frowned in mock disappointment.

Brooke giggled. "Because they can read our minds."

"Well, do you know what I'm thinking now?" Lucas asked her playfully.

Brooke pretended to try and think about it. "You're thinking that we should clean up our dishes before we head into my bedroom?" she asked him.

Lucas groaned. "Can't we just leave the dishes there?"

"We wouldn't have to worry about it after we're done," Brooke pointed out.

Lucas pretended to be disappointed. But Brooke could tell that he was smiling. "Alright, let's get to work."

Forty five minutes later, Lucas dropped Brooke back off in front of the store. She exchanged smiles with Millie, her coworker as she went behind the counter. Before either could say a word, Peyton came through the door, smiling widely. "Brooke, there you are. I've been looking all over for you," she said excitedly. "I wanted to tell you and Haley first. Jake and I are engaged," she exclaimed happily as she showed Brooke and Millie her engagement ring.

"Congratulations," Brooke squealed happily as she took in the sight of Peyton's engagement ring.

"Yeah, we are all planning to celebrate at Tric tomorrow. Will we see you and Lucas there?" Peyton asked before she turned to Millie. "And you and Mouth should come too. It would be nice to celebrate with the whole gang."

"Yeah, that sounds like fun," Millie replied.

"We'll definitely be there," Brooke added happily.

"Great," Peyton replied. There was a short pause. "So how was your lunch with Lucas?" she asked her. Millie also looked at her interested.

"It was the same old fun we always have," Brooke told them with a smile. She knew that they weren't the right people to talk about the possibility of moving to Charlotte. Her mother was the best person to talk to about that.

"And this is why you two are going out tomorrow night. There's more to a relationship than just sex, you know. And there is especially more when you're actually in a relationship and not just friends with benefits," Peyton told her.

Brooke gave her a look. "Don't you think I know that? I've been in a relationship before. And I think it's kind of my own business what Lucas and I want to do on our dates."

Peyton knew she had a point. "Whatever you say, Brooke," she said as she looked at her watch. "I got to go. I'll see you two later." They exchanged good-byes before she left the building.

As the two young women started to get ready for customers, Brooke couldn't help but think about moving to Charlotte. She wanted to be closer to him, but she knew that she couldn't leave her job or her parents. She actually liked working at the clothing store. Yet, she would love to help Deb and Lucas with the family restaurant. She really wished that she could drop everything and move to Charlotte so she could be with Lucas.

"Brooke, are you ok?" Millie asked her softly.

Brooke had been so lost in thought that she didn't realize Millie was talking to her. She nodded absentmindedly. "Yeah, I'm fine. I was just thinking about some stuff," she replied as the door opened. She then gave Millie a reassuring smile before she went to attend to the customer.