A/N: Hi everyone!!! Hope you had a good hoilday what ever it is you celebrate. Sorry for the mini hiatus but the Christmas season is always a little hetic around my house. Now that it's over I should be back to my once a week updates, maybe more frequent if I find the time but don't hold me to that. Once again, thank you to all who reviewed and those of you who are reading in the shawdows. I hope you enjoy the next chapter and if you have time, please review.

Oh, and just a reminder. Q is not dead in this story since I picked up right after the season 5 finale. Although he doesn't play a big part in this story, he will be seen from time to time since Haley teaches and Skills coaches. Anyhow, on to the story...

Sometimes The Loudest Words Are Spoken In Silence

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But silence is impossible. Silence screams. Silence is a message. (Leonard Peltier)

Lucas watched as Jamie took his turn rolling the ski ball up the ramp. The excitement on his nephew's face was almost enough to bring him out of his funk, almost. It had been quite a while since he spent one on one time with his nephew but the truth is he wanted to spend it with Brooke too. Lucas thought it would be nice if Jamie got to spend time with both his godparents but was stunned by the news Rachel told him this morning; that Brooke had left for New York and wouldn't be back until Friday, which meant he wouldn't see her before he left for his book tour.

"Uncle Lucas," Jamie shouted as the numbers flashed on the screen, breaking Lucas form his thoughts. "See how many tickets I got." He held them up proudly.

"That's great Jamie," he smiled as the little boy added them to the cup he was holding. "We're going to get a really cool prize with all these." He peered at a familiar man and a little girl a few feet away. "Jake?"

The brunette man turned towards him. "Lucas?" he said before making his way towards him, holding the little girl's hand. "Luke, it's good to see you." He gave him a hug.

"You too," Lucas replied as they stepped away from each other. "Peyton mentioned you were back in Tree Hill."

"Yeah," he looked down at his daughter. "Jenny, this is an old friend of mine, Lucas."

"Hi," she said shyly as she waved up at him, her blue eyes looking downwards.

"Hello," he smiled warmly at her. "Last time I saw you, you were just a baby." He looked up at Jake and then motioned to the little boy beside him. "This is my favorite nephew, Nathan and Haley's son..."

"James Lucas Scott," he interrupted. "And I'm your only nephew Uncle Lucas." He shook his head with a laugh before holding his hand out to the little girl. "I'm five, everyone calls me Jamie."

"I'm Jennifer Abigail Jagelski," she replied as she took his hand. "I'm seven. Everyone calls me Jenny." She looked up at her father. "Daddy, can we go play in the jumper?" She pointed at it.

Jake looked at Lucas for permission for Jamie, watching him nod. "Go ahead, you two stick together."

Lucas and Jake watched as the two children ran off, both of them stepping a bit closer to the jumper to keep the kids in sight.

"She's gotten so big," Lucas shook his head. "I can't believe she's seven."

"Yeah," Jake mused. "And she is definitely a hand full."

"I bet," he smiled. "So, are you here to stay?"

"Looks that way," he answered with a laugh. "It was just time to come home, you know?" He paused briefly. "Peyton told me about Dan, for what ever it is worth, I'm sorry man."

"Don't be," he shook his head. "The only real father I ever had died years ago because of Dan," the bitterness of the shooting in that hallway still evident in his voice.

Jake just nodded a bit uncomfortably, unsure of what to say.

"Look, I'm sorry…" he trailed of for a moment. "I guess I'm still not over what Dan did to Keith, I don't know if I'll ever be." He shook his head, changing the subject. "So what are you doing now?"

"Besides taking care of Jenny and letting your fiancé sign me to her label," Jake shrugged with a smile, "absolutely nothing."

The blonde's brows furrowed. "Peyton signed you?"

"Yeah," he paused. "She didn't tell you?"

"No," Lucas answered thoughtfully.

"Well it probably slipped her mind with everything she's been going through with finding out about Mick and Derrick's reaction," Jake replied. "Plus she's got that whole deal with that guy claiming he wrote one of Mia's songs. Even though they've got that distribution deal, it's still Red Bedroom's legal issue you know."

"Yeah," Lucas nodded despite the fact he had no idea what the other man was talking about. It was in that moment; Lucas realized that Jake, in the short time he'd been home, already knew so much more about what was going on in Peyton's life than he did. He wondered if she felt the same way concerning him ad Brooke.

"Luke, you okay?" Jake peered at him. "You seemed somewhere else for a moment."

"Yeah, I'm fine. I was just thinking…" he let the sentence hang in the air. "Thanks for being there for Peyton. I'm glad you're back Jake," he said truthfully.

"Yeah, me too Lucas," Jake smiled. "Now let's go check on the munchkins."

Brooke sat at her desk, chair turned backwards as she stared out at the Manhattan skyline. The view was amazing and for the first time in a while she felt invigorated and ready to tackle the world. Being at her company headquarters again gave her a renewed outlook. Sure she was able to run Clothes Ova Bro's from her Tree Hill store but it hadn't been the same as being part of the daily interactions in her company. She'd missed the hustle and bustle of everything.

The attack had left her feeling insecure and unsure of herself but going through it with Rachel, target practice with Deb, and the continued support of her friends made her feel like she was getting back to who she used to be. And she had to admit that being back at the helm of her company, she was beginning to feel like the real Brooke Davis; the beautiful, brilliant, and brave one Lucas had written about in his first novel.

"Hello dear," Victoria said as she walked into the office and closed the door behind her. "How does it feel to be back?"

Brooke spun around in her chair. "Great," she smiled naturally, dimples showing. "You were right; this is just what I needed."

"Well I always am," she said it as if it were a fact. "Now, did you get a chance to look at the new proofs for the new campaign?"

"Yes and they're beautiful," Brooke answered. "We should run them in an ad in this month's B. Davis."

"I've already taken care of that," Victoria replied. "I spoke to your new assistant Tina about getting things prepared and the late RSVP to The Annual Gen Art's Styles Show."

"When is that?" she looked up at the woman who stood over her.

"Tomorrow night," Victoria paused briefly. "I am sure we can round up a suitable escort for you, even on such short notice."

"Tomorrow night?" Brooke repeated. "That's too soon." She shook her head.

"Your bruises have faded," she said the first part softly. "It is time for you to get back out there."

"Victoria," her voice sounded exasperated.

"Look honey," she spoke firmly. "You've been away from the paparazzi. To the world, who knows nothing about that horrible incident at the store, you've had your much deserved break from the public eye and they have respected that but now, it is time for you to get back out there and this is just the event for you to do that. Plus, we're still on the heels of…" She raised her fingers in the air as quotation marks, "…Brooke Davis saves sick baby." She looked her daughter in the eye. "You need to do what is best for this company and this is it. I shouldn't have to remind you of that. And anyways," she waved her hand in the air, "I think it would do you some good after, well…"

Brooke sat silently for a moment, taking in her mother's words. This was a major fashion event and one that would get her presence back out in the fashion world on her own terms. The attack had taken so much of her self esteem away and she needed to know she could still do this. "Okay," she finally conceded. "Okay, I'll go."

Haley stood up and walked around her desk, looking out into the faces of her students. "So your next assignment is to write about someone who has influenced your life; someone who has changed your life for the better." She handed everyone in the front seats several sheets of paper outlining the requirements of the assignment, watching them take one and then passing the pile back until everyone had one.

She thought of this assignment earlier today during one of her tutoring sessions with Quentin. She was so proud of the progress he's made. At first, her instincts were screaming at her not to take a chance on the kid but then she'd remembered another cocky high school basketball player she'd taken a chance on when her instincts told her not to and Nathan had proven to her that sometimes people weren't always who they appeared to be. After Haley's conversation with Quentin this morning, she was pleased that her first instinct had been wrong yet again. He'd told her this morning that hers and Nathan's help had changed his life, going on to talk about his dreams. Haley smiled at him, realizing the young man had changed not only her life but the lives of her husband and son as well.

"I really want you all to throw yourselves into this assignment," she explained. "I'd really like to have a sense of…" she stopped, suddenly feeling a bit lightheaded. "Sorry," Haley shook her head. "As I was saying, a sense of whom," she blinked hard as the world around her seemed to get fuzzy, "the person…" Haley reached towards the desk to steady herself.

"Mrs. James-Scott," Q peered at her from his desk. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm…" Haley stopped mid-sentence and suddenly fell to the floor with a thud.

"Mrs. James-Scott," Q ran over to his favorite teacher and knelt next to her, shaking her gently. "Wake up!" He turned back to the class that seemed to crowd around. "Someone go get some help!"

"What room number did they say?" Skills hurried down the hospital corridor with Deb following closely behind.

"She said 412," she answered. "I'm so sorry; I should have made you answer your phone."

"Hey," he stopped in his tracks and turned to her, placing his hand comfortingly on her shoulders. "Baby, none of this is your fault. The fact that you came with me means a lot, really. I appreciate it."

"I'm here for you, whenever you need me." She said softly.

Skills took her hand. "I know," he jerked his head to the side. "Let's go; hopefully it's not serious."

They quickly made their way down the hall and to the room they were searching for, both deadpanning as they noticed two figures in the doorway. Deb quickly released his hand.

"Mom, Dad." Skills said as he walked towards them. "What are you doing here?"

"When Cassandra couldn't reach you, she called us," Chuck explained.

"My parents are in Europe so I called yours," Cass chimed in from the bed. "I hope you don't mind."

"Of course not, it's fine." The African-American woman with the short brown hair answered for him before looking to the quiet blonde. "Hello?" It came out as a question.

"Oh sorry," Skills shook his head. "Mom and Dad, this is Deb, my…"

"His friend Nathan's mom," Deb spoke over him as she reached her hand out to shake both their hands.

"It's great to meet you," she smiled. "I'm Autumn and this is my husband Chuck Taylor."

"Like the shoes," Deb said and they all shared a short laugh.

"It's a pleasure," Chuck offered a friendly grin. "Your son worked for me a few years back and Antwon here has brought your grandson over a few times. They're both great boys."

"Thank you," Deb paused briefly. "Antwon was actually at the house when he got the voicemail so I offered to drive him down here." She had no idea why she said that but she was sure by the way his mother was looking at her, that she was wondering why exactly Deb was there.

"That was really nice of you," Autumn smiled before turning to her son. "Where is your car?"

Skills was silent for a moment. "Actually, the truth is…"

"Nathan and Lucas are at the house right now working on it," Deb lied convincingly. "That's why I offered to drop him off."

"Thank you Mrs. Scott," Cass called out to her. "I really appreciate you bringing Skills here, to me." She smiled. "I'm sure Mr. and Mrs. Taylor will take us back home though, if you don't want to wait. I'm sure you have better things to do then worry about my fractured ankle." She laughed.

Deb just smiled, nodding her head in silence.

"Home?" Skills repeated.

"Yes," Autumn replied. "She can't very well stay in that hotel recovering on her own and we have a wedding to attend this weekend so we told Cass we were sure she could stay at your place. We're all the family she has here."

"Mom," he said in a hushed whisper.

"Well I should get going," Deb smiled at her boyfriend's parents. "It was lovely to meet both of you and Cass, feel better."

"It was great to meet you too," Chuck said as he wife nodded agreeingly before walking over to Cass. "I'll walk you to the elevator," Skills said. Once they were out of earshot of the hospital room he spoke again. "What happened back there?"

"I panicked, I don't know." She hit the button frustratingly as she let out a heavy breath. "After the first lie came out, it was like I couldn't stop. Your dad said Nathan was a nice boy, boy…" she shook her head, eyes wide. "That's what they think of you, you're their little boy."

"Deb," he reached over to her as the elevator door opened.

"Not now," she shook her head. "Cass needs you." She stepped in the elevator, taking one last look at his solemn face before the doors shut.

Rachel sat at the bar, drinking her apple martini. She was lonely with Brooke in New York and so far the agency had no news for her. It had only been a day but she secretly imagined they'd be reunited immediately. Rachel raised the glass to her lips and drained the neon green liquid, placing the glass back on the counter.

"Bartender," Rachel gestured towards the empty glass. "Can I get another?"

"Rachel?" Owen turned around and gave her an inquiring look. "You're here kind of early."

"It's the afternoon," she answered nonchalantly. "What are you, the drink police? When did you get on shift anyways?"

"A few minutes ago," he answered as he walked over to her. "What's your poison?"

"Apple martini," she flashed a smile, reaching for her purse to pay him but he shook his head at her.

Owen quickly mixed her drink and then poured it into a chilled martini glass, setting it in front of her. "It's on me." He watched as she took a drink and then stared into the glass. "Hey, you alright?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "I'm fine."

He peered at the woman in front of him. "You sure?" Owen paused briefly as he studied her. "We go back a long time, you know."

"Yeah I know," she rolled her eyes. "I was there Owen," she paused briefly. "Unlike you," she mumbled a bit incoherently.

"What?" he asked; not catching the last two words she said.

She shook her head, "Nothing."

"Look, I just want you to know that I'm here for you, if you need to talk." He gave her a small smile. "It's kind of in the bartender's manual to be a good listener."

Rachel looked into the chocolate orbs that peered into her own as if they could see her soul; as if he could see her deepest, darkest secret. And in that moment, as she stared back at him, she wanted nothing more than to share with him the secret she'd kept so close to her heart. She began to open her mouth to say something but was startled silent by a booming voice.

"Hey, can I get another beer over here?" a male patron shouted from a few stools down. "Tap."

"Uh-yeah," Owen glanced at the man, breaking the staring contest he and the red head seemed to be involved in as he filled a chilled glass with the frothy liquid. As soon as he gave the man his drink and collected the money he returned to Rachel. "So, what were you going to say?"

"I…" she shook her head, thinking better of it. "Never mind, I have to go."

Owen squinted at her as she stood up. "Rachel, wait."

"Thanks for the drink," Rachel managed to force a smile before quickly walking away and stepping outside into the cool night air.

Peyton sat on the couch sketching. She hadn't picked up her sketch book and pencils since the night Jake walked back into her life. She'd been so on edge with her distance from Brooke, the growing rift she tried to ignore with Lucas, reconnecting with Jake and Jenny, getting to know her biological father, and smoothing things out with Derrick. Not to mention the stress that came with the demands of running her own business. To say she felt stretched too thin or stressed was a complete understatement and right now the only thing that seemed to give her solace was the feel of her pencil gliding over the page.

Peyton sat back for a moment, staring at the drawing of the man behind a glass wall. There was a curly haired woman on the other side, desperately trying to get behind the glass with one hand as she juggled several balls in the other, two balls already falling to the ground. It was exactly the way Peyton felt at this moment.

"Hey," Lucas walked in the door, making his way to the sofa and sitting down beside her. "What are you sketching?"

She shrugged. "Nothing really," she closed her sketch pad anddropped it on the table, turning towards him. "You were gone before I woke up." Her voice sounded solemn, almost sad.

"I promised Jamie I'd take him to Discovery Zone today," he replied. "I haven't been spending as much time with him lately as I'd like."

She nodded wordlessly, thinking she felt the same way about him. Somehow though, spending time with Jake had softened the blow and Peyton suddenly wondered what man she was portraying behind the glass. Is it Lucas and Jake represents one of the balls I'm juggling or is it Jake and is Lucas one of the balls I've already let slip out of my grasp? She shook her head, realizing consciously she really didn't know.

"Hey, are you okay?" Lucas asked he saw the worry in her eyes.

"I was just thinking," Peyton exhaled deeply, forcing a small smile. "So did you and Jamie have fun?"

"Yeah, we did." He nodded. "We actually saw Jake and Jenny there; she and Jamie really hit it off." He paused briefly. "Jake mentioned you signed him to your label and some problem with some music rights."

She noticed that he almost sounded like he was asking a hidden question. "What is it you're thinking Luke?"

"I'm just wondering why you didn't tell me any of this," he shrugged. "It seems Jake, who has been here a couple weeks, knows more about your life than I do."

"Exactly," she shot back bitterly, exhaling in a huff. "This is…" she stopped mid-sentence, not wanting to have yet another argument. Peyton looked down at her ring, twirling it around her finger as she exhaled deeply, calmly. "I don't want to fight with you Lucas."

"I don't want to fight with you either Peyt," he replied, his voice a normal tone now as well. "You said in your message, you wanted to talk about things."

"And I did," she said softly. "I had so much I wanted to say but now, I don't really feel like it." The truth was she felt emotionally drained.

Lucas nodded. "I know what you mean."

"Can we just not talk Luke," her green eyes looked up at him desperately. "Can you just hold me?"

"Yeah," he replied softly as he opened his arms to her. "Yeah, I can do that."

Peyton snuggled up against him as he wrapped his arms around her. She breathed in his scent as she buried her face in his chest, feeling as if she couldn't get close enough. "I do love you Lucas Scott," she whispered as a stray tear rolled down her cheek, unseen by the man holding her.

"And I do love you too Peyton Sawyer," he replied just as softly as he felt her embrace grown tighter and the still silence wash over them. Suddenly he was reminded of Brooke and what she told him when she broke up with him; that she felt she was holding on to their relationship for him. Holding Peyton in his arms like this now, he wondered if Peyton was holding on to them for him or if he was holding on to them for her. What bothered him the most though, was that he wouldn't allow his mind to search for the answer.

"Miss Davis," Dr. Caspian smiled as he offered her his hand. "Good to see you again."

"You too and please, call me Brooke," she returned the smile as she shook his hand. "I appreciate you squeezing me in earlier than my original appointment."

"It's fine. Please have a seat." He motioned to one of the chairs on the other side of his desk before sitting in his own chair. "I take it you've been taking the progesterone shots I prescribed; they made it to your pharmacy alright?"

"Yes," she nodded. "I was a little nervous injecting them at first but I've become a pro at it now."

"Good, that's the first step in getting your body ready," Dr. Caspian said.

"So where do we go next?" Brooke asked. "What's the next step?"

"Well with the sample that Mr. Scott provided we were able to inseminate all eight eggs that we harvested," he explained. "A maximum of four pre-embryos will be transferred to the uterus for possible insemination. The others we can keep frozen for you, you can donate, or we can dispose of them." He paused briefly. "Now I recommend, at least for a period, to keep them frozen in case the first set doesn't take. Although, given your age and health, our odds for a successful implantation are high."

Brooke nodded, taking in all the information. "Now you said four embryos?" She couldn't help but think not even she was ready for four babies at one time.

"That is to help insure the odds of a successful implantation," Dr. Caspian replied. "The likelihood that all four eggs will attach and develop is very small, less that 1%. Still there is a risk of multiple births. Approximately one out of eighty will have twins and 2-3% will have triplets."

She nodded happily. "I think I can live with those odds. So I'm assuming since you've already inseminated the eggs that they're ready for transfer then?"

"Yes," he answered. "We'll get some blood work for you today and if all goes well with that, I think we can keep your Wednesday appointment…"

"You mean on Wednesday, I'll have my baby." Her eyes went wide.

"Well we would transfer the pre-embryos into your womb," he replied. "It's basically a very simple procedure and you'd spend about two hours in the hospital for recovery time and then you could return home and resume basic regular activity but nothing too strenuous. Now there are no guarantees but as I've said, we have every reason to believe based on the factors that you would have a successful implantation."

"So Wednesday," she inhaled deeply, placing her hands over her mouth to prevent from squealing as her dimples showed in full effect. "Do you call Lucas before we do this?"

"Mr. Scott has already signed all the necessary documents releasing his sample to you but he is certainly welcome to accompany you for the procedure if you'd like," he answered.

She smiled, somewhat relieved that she wouldn't have to say anything to anyone just yet. "Thank you Dr. Caspian, thank you so much."

"Haley," Nathan rushed to the couch where his wife was laying. "Q told me what happened, are you okay?" He kissed her on top of her forehead.

"Yeah honey I'm fine," she shook her head. "Really Nate," she could see the worry in his eyes. "I'm fine."

"People who are fine don't just pass out," he countered. "Why didn't you call me when you woke up in the hospital?"

"Well luckily Deb was there visiting a friend so she brought me home." She gave a soft smile, "And because I didn't want you to worry."

"Yeah, that worked out real well Hales." He shook his head before stroking her hair. "You have no idea the kinds of things that were going through my head when Q told me." He paused briefly; his cloudy blue orbs stared into her chestnut ones. "The thought of anything happening to you; I don't know what I'd do."

"Hey," she reached over to hold his hand. "Everything's fine Nathan. Nothing is happening to me."

"Then why did you pass out?" he questioned. "What did the doctor say?"

"Basically he told me to relax," she gave a soft smile. "I basically passed out from exhaustion. I've just been stretching myself too thin between the music and teaching, and helping out with the store but I'm going to be just fine."

"I have to call Bobby and explain to him I can't start training yet," Nathan replied. "He has a family; I'm sure he'll understand."

"No," she shook her head. "This is your chance, your opportunity to be in The NBA Nathan. This is the stepping stone to your dream. You are leaving on Monday to go to that training if I have to drag you there myself. This is important."

"Not as important as you," he said, stroking her cheek. "You and Jamie are the most important things in the world to me. I love basketball but it pales in comparison to my family."

"I know that and I love how much you love us but I am fine Nathan," she looked deeply into his eyes. "I'm going to take a couple of days off to rest and I'll be back to being supermom-wife-teacher-rock star extraordinaire." She smiled brightly. "Okay?"

"Okay," he nodded. "As long as the doctor said nothing else." He watched her nod. "Come here."

Haley slid easily into her husband's embrace but couldn't stop thinking of the slight chance that something else was wrong.

"I am going to run a few more tests Haley just to insure nothing else is wrong," the doctor explained. "But I think what we're looking at here is just a simple case of exhaustion."

"Everything is fine Nathan," she stared out into space, hoping she was telling the truth. "I promise."

Leonard Peltier wrote, "Silence, they say, is the voice of complicity. But silence is impossible. Silence screams. Silence is a message, just as doing nothing is an act."