A/N: Thank you all so much for all the reviews. I'm glad that it's gotten such a good response. I will try to update more often than this but I promise it'll never be more than a week per update. Anyways, on with the next part of the story. :)

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Masters Of Fate

It matters not how straight the gate, how changed with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul. (William Earnest Henley)

Lucas stood over Dan, watching as the machines breathed for him. In a way, Dan had always appeared bigger than life to Lucas and now he suddenly looked small. Yes, he was a big man but a man nonetheless. He didn't look like the grand evil villain Lucas though of him as, whose presence caused so many to cower. He just looked like an ordinary man; an ordinary father.

"Way to get attention Dan," Lucas spoke, unsure if he could hear him or not. "I guess six months wasn't enough for you. You thought you'd make us sweat now." He ran a hand over his sandy blonde hair and exhaled deeply. "In a perfect world, Keith would still be here and you'd already be gone. And now Nate and I have to make decisions to save your miserable life." He let out a frustrated breath as he looked down at man that killed Keith, his father in every sense of what the word means. "I wish I could just walk away and let you die for Keith but I can't because of him. He was a better father than you ever dreamed to be."

"Excuse me," the door opened behind him, revealing a nurse. "We need to run some tests."

"It's fine," Lucas replied. "I'm done here." He turned and quickly exited the hospital room, finding the others in a row of chairs down the hall.

Peyton jumped out of her seat and threw her arms around him. "You okay?"

"Yeah," he mumbled before releasing her and sitting next to his brother. "How are you holding up?"

"I mean it's Dan," he shrugged and then his tone grew lower. "But it's Dan, you know?"

Lucas nodded solemnly and Nathan knew he did. "So who's Hales on the phone with?" He motioned towards Haley who sat hunched over in the chair away from them, talking on her cell phone.

"My mom," Nathan replied. "She was going to come down but I'd rather she pick up Jamie; Skills has to take care of the team tomorrow or this morning, whatever."

"Did you call Brooke?" Lucas asked. "I just assumed Jamie was with her since she wasn't here. I know she's not a big fan of Dan but she's always there whenever we need her."

"You know, you're right," Nathan said thoughtfully. "We did try to call her earlier but she never called back."

"That's weird," Lucas furrowed his brows.

"Maybe she's just upset about Angie," Peyton supplied. "She might not be up to phone calls."

"Why would she be upset about Angie?" Haley had finished her conversation and jumped right in. "Something hasn't gone wrong with …"

"Angie left yesterday afternoon," Lucas interrupted. "The agency called Brooke and they took her back early."

"Man, that must've killed Brooke," Nathan said, sitting back in his chair. "Have you talked to her since then?"

"Not since I left her house before I went to the airport," Lucas answered. "I tried to call her before my flight but she didn't answer."

Peyton looked at him questionably for a moment but he was too focused on the conversation to notice.

"Peyton," Haley's voice broke the blonde woman out of her train of thought. "She didn't say anything to you about it?"

"I actually haven't been home yet," she answered, feeling a bit awkward. "Lucas and I just got back from Vegas."

Haley coughed. "Excuse me, Vegas?" Her eyes immediately went to Peyton's left hand where the ring glistened on her finger, the same ring she'd seen Lindsay wearing. "Did you two get married?"

"Wait, what?" Nathan turned to Lucas.

"Well that was the plan," Lucas said. "But it didn't exactly turn out that way."

"Would you like to clarify that; what happened?" Haley sat forward in her seat. "It can't be that bad if you two are sitting her together." She gave a laugh.

"We're engaged," Peyton beamed. "Las Vegas just wasn't for us, you know. And plus none of you guys would've been there." Her face suddenly fell as her best friend entered her mind. "And Brooke; I want to share this with her."

Haley and Nathan both exchanged a look but said nothing.

"I tried to call her but it just kept ringing and going to voice mail," Peyton breathed out. "She must be devastated over Angie and I still haven't even made it home."

"Yeah," Haley said thoughtfully, her mind clearly thinking something over.

"What is it Haley?" Nathan questioned.

"I don't know," she inhaled deeply before continuing. "It's just you guys were right about Brooke always being here when one of us need her. I'm just worried about her; maybe one of us should have been there for her. Maybe one of us should be there now." She turned to her husband. "Nate, will you be alright for a little while? I know it's late or early but…"

"Go Hales," he squeezed her hand. "I'll be fine."

"Peyton, maybe you should go too," Lucas suggested.

"Are you sure?" her green eyes stared into his.

"Yeah," he replied before giving her a soft peck. "Make sure she's okay."

Haley gave Nathan a soft kiss on the lips before standing up and walking out of the waiting room with Peyton in tow. As soon as they were gone, Nathan turned to Lucas. "So, Vegas huh?"

Brooke's head rolled to the side as she opened her eyes slowly. She pushed her body upwards, attempting to sit up but fell back, reaching over her side as she felt a sharp pain. She leaned on her elbow as her eyes searched the room. There were items strewn all across the floor, the couch and one of the end tables had both been overturned, and she could see her own blood on the counter but the attacker was gone. Brook let out a relived breath before scooting back across the floor and propping herself against the wall.

She could still smell the scent of sweat and alcohol; still hear the sound of his breathing. Her mind was plagued with images of his gray eyes, the black outfit, and the flicker of gold from the necklace he wore.

She shook her throbbing head, trying to stop the grim flashes that seemed to afflict her mind. Her hand shook as she reached over amongst the strewn contents of her purse, retrieving her cell phone.

She stared down at it for a moment, her lip trembling from fighting the tears that wanted to be shed, as her finger hovered over the #9. She began to press down but then decided against it. After all, she was Brooke Davis and the media frenzy that would ensue was not something she was up to. She thought of calling Lucas or even Peyton but neither of them had answered her all night and she did not want to call Nathan and Haley this late. She took a deep, albeit painful breath and she scrolled down to the number she knew would answer, even if calling her was the last thing she wanted to do.

"Hello," her mother's sleepy voice carried through the phone.

"Victoria," her voice was raspier than normal, no doubt from the hands that had been encased around her throat earlier.

"Brooke," she suddenly sounded awake and annoyed. "Do you know what time it is? I waited for hours at your house and I do not appreciate…"

"Victoria," Brooke said again.

"…you taking off the way you did," she continued. "Where are you? You need to learn these tantrums will…"

"Mother!" she yelled as loud as she could, her voice cracking.

Victoria huffed. "What?"

"I need your help," she shook her head, refusing to cry. "Please help me."

"Brooke?" there was a pause, a realization that her daughter was in trouble. "Brooke, where are you?"

"At the store," she answered. "There was a man… mommy?" She hadn't called her that since she was six.

"Honey, I'll be right there," Victoria said, sounding truly concerned.

"No cops," Brooke exhaled. "The press…"

"Don't worry," Victoria replied. "I will take care of everything. I'm on my way."

Brooke shut the phone as she let out the bellow she'd been holding inside. The sound that escaped from her mouth almost scared her. It was one of sorrow, one of violation, and one of deep loss.

"Brooke," Peyton called as she and Haley entered the house. "B. Davis!"

"Maybe she's asleep," Haley whispered. "It is 4am."

"I'll check upstairs," Peyton said before quickly ascending the stairs, leaving Haley alone.

She walked into the living room slowly, taking notice that the television was still on. She picked up the picture that sat on the end table. It was one of Brooke, Lucas, and Angie. Haley gave a solemn smile knowing Brooke may have lost more than Angie that night.

"Her room's empty," Peyton said as she rejoined Haley. "I checked Angie's room and mine; the whole house is empty."

"It's not like Brooke to be wandering around at this time of night," Haley ran a hand over her hair. "Where do you think she'd go?"

The blonde shook her head. "I don't know." She let out a deep breath. "I should have been here; she needed me and now she's god knows where."

"Calm down," Haley said the words as much for herself as for Peyton. "Maybe she had a last minute business trip or maybe she's at the store. Does she ever nap there after late shipments?"

"I don't think so but it's worth a…" Peyton froze as she stared at the television screen, her voice becoming soft, "try."

"What?" Haley studied her for a moment before traveling Peyton's sight path. "Is that…?"

"Clothes Ova Bros," Peyton supplied as she picked up the remote, turning up the volume.

"…break in tonight at a local clothing boutique," the anchor man spoke as footage of the outside of the store played. "We are told by Victoria Davis, Clothes Ova Bros' founder Brooke Davis' mother and Chief Operating Officer of the fashion conglomerate that they are offering a reward to anyone who has information on the robbery. We are also told that the store was empty and the break in occurred after hours. In other news…"

Peyton hit the mute button. "Oh my god, do you think she's there now; after going through all that with Angie and now this."

"We've got to call her," the brunette immediately took out her cell and started dialing. "Hello."

"Hello," a woman's voice answered.

Haley hit the speaker button. "Brooke, is that you? It's Haley."

"And Peyton," the blonde chimed in.

"Haley and Peyton is it?" the female voice spoke again, "How nice of you to call now."

"Victoria," Peyton exhaled. "Can we talk to Brooke; we just heard about the break in on the news."

"Is she alright?" Haley asked.

"My daughter will be just fine," Victoria replied. "She needs people around who care about her and that obviously excludes the both of you since she was unable to reach either of you of late, especially you Peyton."

"What?" Haley raised her voice. "Please put Brooke on the phone."

"Brooke is resting," Victoria spoke forcefully. "You wold have been able to reach her had you called earlier when she needed you."

"My father in law is in the hospital and Peyton was in Las Vegas," Haley tried to explain.

"Hales!" Peyton shot her a look.

"You were in Las Vegas?" Victoria queried. "With that other offspring of Dan Scott? Oh that's rich!" She paused dramatically. "Please do not call here again. And Peyton," she paused briefly. "I expect you fully moved out of my daughter's home by the time we return. I will be sending security."

"Excuse me?" she scoffed. "You self righteous bitch, you have no right…"

"I have every right. We plan on renting that house out very soon to a paying tenant," Victoria said nastily. "You know, someone that will actually pay Brooke for her generosity instead of leeching off of her. And after we close this nightmare of a store down here, I'll be taking my daughter back to New York where she belongs."

"And Brooke agreed to all this?" Haley asked incredulously.

"She did," you could almost hear the smirk on her face. "Face it girls, my daughter's gravy train has left the station and you two are no longer passengers. Good riddance to you both." And with that, she hung up.

Haley looked up at her friend in shock. "Do you believe her Peyton?"

"No," she answered honestly. "But with the state Brooke must be in after all this it's very possible Victoria may have manipulated her in to going back to New York." Peyton shook her head. "I don't care what that bitch says, I'm going to be there for my friend."

"So am I," Haley agreed. "She's lost so much already; she's not going to lose us too."

"So you and Peyton are getting married?" Nathan nodded.

Lucas mimicked his brother's motions, "Yup."

"Hmm," he shot a quick glance in Lucas' direction.

"Go ahead Nate," the blonde motioned with his arm. "Let's hear it."

"Hear what Lucas?" Nathan pretended to be shocked and then gave a hearty chuckle, the first laugh he'd been able to allow himself since he found out Dan was in the hospital.

"Come on Nathan," Lucas continued. "It's obvious you have something to say about it."

"I don't think now is the time Luke," he replied before looking down the hall. "Where did that nurse go?"

"To get the forms," he answered and then studied the dark haired young man beside him. "Nathan."

"What Luke, what do you want me to say?" he shrugged. "That this is crazy because it is but you already know that."

"You and Haley eloped when you were sixteen," Lucas countered. "That wasn't crazy?"

"Of course it was but I wasn't in love with like two other girls when I married her," Nathan replied. "I mean we talked before and after your wedding and you were pretty adamant that Lindsay was the one. The next think I know, you're playing house with Brooke and two minutes later you and Peyton are flying off to Viva Las Vegas to get married." He shook his head. "That doesn't sound a little crazy to you? C'mon man!"

Lucas gave a short chortle. "Well when you put it that way Nate." He shrugged when he couldn't come up with an argument; everything Nathan had said was true.

"Look big brother, this isn't funny." Nathan replied. "Marriage is hard as hell so you better make sure you're in it with the right girl." He exhaled deeply. "I mean look at what me and Haley have been through and she is the right girl."

Lucas was silent for a moment, taking his words in. "And you're saying Peyton isn't the right one?"

"Only you know the answer to that one," Nathan slapped a hand on his shoulder and turned towards him. "So you tell me, is she the right one?"

Lucas froze for a moment as he caught sight of a news report; his eyes stared at the television. "Brooke," his voice was barely above a whisper.

Nathan peered at him. "Brooke? Lucas are you sure?"

"Yes," he stood up. "It's Brooke."

"If Brooke's the one then why are you engaged to Peyton?" he asked.

"No, I mean look." Lucas pointed to the TV. "That's Brooke's store."

Nathan quickly stood up and made his way towards the television, turning the volume up.

"…again, Victoria Davis is offering a reward to anyone who has information on what she calls a minor break in this evening," the woman behind the desk spoke as the store picture faded. "We'll be back with more of your news on the half hour after this."

Nathan turned down the volume as a commercial appeared.

"I need to go to her," Lucas looked like he might sprint off but Nathan caught him by the arm, motioning towards the woman coming their way.

"Lucas and Nathan Scott," the nurse approached them carrying a clipboard. "The doctor's ready to go over the options with you now."

Brooke laid there on her side, staring at the white wall in front of her. She felt humiliated; forced to answer personal questions and be prodded at while the person who violated her was free and clear.

Victoria had kept her word though and taken care of everything. She'd called the media and reported a minor break in just in case someone heard or saw something and informed the police. It turned out some anonymous woman reported hearing a crashing noise in the vicinity of The Clothes Ova Bros store. Then she'd gotten Brooke home and called an old doctor friend of hers who came over to examine her, promising complete discretion. Brooke imagined she was probably still doing damage control.

"Brooke," Victoria entered the room. "Dr. Caspian went to his pharmacy to get you something for the discomfort and don't worry, he will not use either of our names." She waited for her daughter to look at her. "You remember Rick," she motioned to the man in the doorway.

"Hello Miss Davis," a wide man of dark sienna complexion and football player-esque stature nodded at her.

"Yes, hello," Brooke squinted as best she could with two swollen eyes at her mother before turning her attention back to the man. "Could you give me and Victoria a few minutes alone?"

Victoria nodded at him as if giving her approval but he'd already begun to step out of the room.

"I'll be outside if either of you need anything," he replied before closing the door.

Once he was gone, Brooke began speaking, her raspy voice icy. "How could you bring someone here to gawk at me, in my own home? I can't believe I actually expected you to be a mother for once. God, Victoria!"

"Please stop with your hysterics," the older brunette rolled her eyes. "He was not here to gawk as you say at you; he is here to protect you." She took a seat at the edge of the bed. "We've used him before at security for events and I thought with that person on the loose you might want some protection, especially since I have to go to Paris to meet with overseas distributors."

"Victoria," Brooke began but was cut off.

"Look, I know that you think you fired me but really darling, you can't exactly go to these meetings in your condition," Victoria raised her hand in the air as she spoke. "And I'm sure some of those boutiques would love to see that new collection you were so quick to brag about earlier." She shrugged, "After that, if you wish to end our partnership then…"

"Victoria," she repeated louder this time and waited for her to quiet. "Thank you," she said honestly. "Rick will be fine but I don't want anyone else seeing me like this."

"I've taken care of all that," Victoria replied. "Peyton will be staying with that friend of yours Haley for a while or that Scott boy you were so infatuated with."

"You saw her?" Brooke questioned.

"No, I spoke to her," Victoria answered. "Apparently they went on an impromptu getaway and forgot to invite you. I bet they wish they had now," she shrugged. "But don't worry about them. I am going to help you get through this; that's what mothers do." She stood up and gave a half smile. "I'm going to check on what's taking Dr. Caspian so long."

Brooke watched as her mother retreated out of the room, part of her feeling relieved and part of her feeling lonelier than she'd ever felt in her life. She'd been attacked and she had been all alone. She hated being alone; all of her friends knew that. So why isn't anyone here?

After they'd left Brooke's house, Haley and Peyton decided to stop by the store but found dark curtains in the windows so they were unable to make out any damage. They'd both tried calling Brooke again on her home and cell numbers but after being answered by voicemail, they'd headed back to the hospital.

Just as they were approaching the entrance Haley turned to Peyton. "Hey, can we talk?"

"Sure," the blonde replied. "What's up?"

"Why don't we sit?" she motioned towards the bench near a planter.

"Haley, what is it?" Peyton asked as she sat on the bench. "Is this about Dan, Brooke, or…"

"It's about Lucas," she answered. "About both of you actually; I'm just a little worried about you guys."

"About the engagement," Peyton paused briefly. "Well you don't have to worry Haley because neither one of us is going to screw it up this time. We deserve this; we deserve each other."

"But do you love each other enough to make it work?" Haley continued as she saw Peyton face scrunch up at her question. "I mean I know you love Lucas but I'm just concerned. I just want to make sure you're both in love with each other now and not who you two used to be."

"Did you seriously just say that to me," Peyton looked at her incredulously. "What kind of question is that?"

"An honest one," came her reply. "Especially since not that long ago you admitted to me that part of this thing with you and Lucas was about being in love with the idea of him."

Peyton stood up as her voice grew louder. "I told you that in confidence and now you're using that against me."

"I'm not using anything against you," the smaller woman stood up as well. "I'm just concerned."

"Well don't be," she shot back. "I'll worry about my relationship and you worry about your own."

"Peyton," Haley pleaded. She really did not want it to get out of hand.

"Look, we're both upset about Brooke and on edge with this Dan thing so let's just drop this, okay?" Peyton watched her friend nod. "I'm going to go find Lucas."

Haley watched as the other woman walked away from her. She hadn't meant to upset Peyton but she knew if Lucas and Peyton didn't confront their issues now that it would only hurt them worse in the long run. She honestly didn't want to attend another runaway bride wedding, or a runaway groom, for that matter. She shook her head, resolving to let it go. After all, it was their lives. She only hoped that Peyton and Lucas and fate had decided on the same course.

Brooke sat on the edge of her bed, staring out into space. She looked around the room at the familiar surroundings but for some reason, everything looked different. The shadows that she'd never given a second thought now gave her an eerie feeling. Even she felt different. Despite the marathon shower she'd taken after the doctor left, she still felt dirty.

"Brooke," Victoria cracked the door before opening it completely. "Brooke," she waved a hand in her face.

"Yes," she looked up at her mother with red brimmed eyes, the marks of tears that had still yet to be shed.

"Why don't you lie down?" Victoria placed a hand on her shoulder. "Try and get some rest."

Brooke did as she was told and laid down on her side. Victoria tried to pull the covers up over her but she held her hand up. "I don't want…I'm fine." She didn't know why but the cool air on her skin made her feel less numb.

"There will be a top of the line security system installed first thing tomorrow morning," Victoria said as she walked towards the door. "Rick will be downstairs if you need him." She put her hand on the knob.

"Victoria," she called out hoarsely and waited for her to turn around. "Where will you be?"

"On that dreaded sleeper in your guest room," she said airily. "Don't worry." She closed the door behind her and leaned against its cool surface, stifling a cry. It had been years since she allowed herself that emotion. She had never been much of a mother; she knew that and that on many occasions she could actually be seen as her daughter's rival but even she could not be completely flip about this.

Someone had violated her daughter; someone had stolen something precious that she knew Brooke would never get back. She knew that all too well from experience. Victoria had decided after that she would never allow someone to take power or possession over her again but that had left her cold, harsh, and emotionally inept. She only hoped Brooke would not suffer the same fate.

As Brooke laid in her bed on the other side of the door staring into oblivion, she vowed to herself that she would not let this break her. "I won't be weak again," she whispered to herself in the darkness, "Never again." Brooke Davis decided in that moment, she would never again let anyone control her life.

William Ernest Henley wrote, "Beyond this place of wrath and tears looms but the horror of the shade. And yet the menace of the years finds, and shall find me, unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.