AN: Hey everyone. I am sorry for the delay, work was calling my name and then my internet went down. Thought I was going to go insane!! This chapter is mostly filler, I've got a minor case of writer's block. And I need to ask y'all for help…I want to include a steamy romance scene but I just can't bring myself to write it without it sounding horribly hokey. Would anyone be willing to help me write that section? I also need tons and tons of reviews to see if I'm writing this right or if I'm way off. So, please, review! It helps me out hugely!!!

Sighing, Brooke stretched her legs and hooked one around Lucas' leg resting next to her. She fit perfectly in his arms, nestled up close to his athletic body. Running her fingers over his chest, the gorgeous brunette could feel his muscles beneath his shirt. As badly as she had wanted to feel Lucas inside her last night, they'd given into the nurses' warnings, and only kissed. For hours. And hours. Her lips were sore this morning from all the hard contact.

Not that Brooke was complaining. She was still a little unsure of everything. Maybe it was all a side affect of the medication the doctor had put her on last night. She was dreaming, here in a minute she'd wake up and find herself alone in her bed. God how she hoped not.

Musing over the last week, things were still a big blur. Driving into Tree Hill she had never expected to find herself in a hospital bed, sharing it with her brooding blonde ex, now current, boyfriend. It was kind of scary how fast things could move in this town.

She felt Lucas shiver under her fingers as she grazed a nipple and smiled at the sharp intake of breath.

"That's not fair," he murmured into Brooke's hair, his voice that deep guttural tone he had when just waking up in the morning. She hadn't heard that voice in far too long, and she silently vowed to hear it every morning from here on out.

"Hmmm, what's not fair?" She asked innocently as she retraced her fingers and searched out the tip through his shirt. She was teasing, mercilessly, but she couldn't resist. She finally had the right to do so, and she intended on taking every opportunity that presented itself to make up for lost time.

"If you're not careful, I'll start doing things to you that would bring the nurses back in. And this time I wont stop." He was wide awake now, breathing in the fait scent of Brooke's shampoo and relishing in the feel of having his arms wrapped around his girl again. He reached out and brought Brooke's wandering hand up to his lips placing a light kiss on her palm. He grinned when she shivered in delight.

"Now you're the one not playing fair. And since when have I ever cared what other people saw?" Brooke rolled over onto her tummy as far as the cables would let her, and looked up at Lucas. She loved staring into his blue eyes, getting lost in them.

"So when do you get out of this joint anyways? As much as I love sharing a bed with you, all the hospital smells and beeping brings back memories I could just as soon do without. " He stared back into Brooke's hazel eyes, all her emotions swirling around for him to see. For a moment, he forgot to breathe.

-

True to her word, the kindly nurse helped Brooke check out from Tree Hill Hospital a short time later. Brooke was so relieved to get out of the horrible pale green hospital gown and back into some regular clothes. Haley had come by some time during the early hours and dropped off a change of clothes for them both, and Brooke reminded herself to thank her friend.

Standing in the private bathroom she'd somehow rated, she fixed her hair and sighed.

"Everything okay Pretty Girl?" Brooke whirled around gasping.

"Lucas! You startled me," Brooke calmed down, giggling now.

"Sorry bout that. I heard you sigh, just wanted to make sure you were alright." Lucas stepped forward to pull her in close.

"How sweet of you Broody, always looking out for people. I'm alright, really, just, well, you know, trying to catch up I guess. Things have changed so much in the last week I just don't know where the time has gone or what's up and what's down and –"

"Whoa! You're rambling Cheery, you need to slow down. And trust me when I say the only person I'm looking out for is my Pretty Girl. We've got all the time in the world to let things settle and sort themselves out. I'm just grateful you're okay. I don't know what I would have done if I'd lost you after finding you again."

"Sorry Luke. Let's bail, I'm ready for some fresh air," Brooke grinned up at the sexiest man she'd ever seen and planted a light kiss on his lips. She felt giddy inside when he grinned back.

-

"Aunt Brooke! You're back! Mommy! She's here!!!!" As soon as the front door opened James was jumping up and down yelling with excitement. His mommy had explained that Aunt Brooke was in the hospital but that she'd be okay and would be home in a little bit. He had felt really bad about yelling at his aunt the last time and like any normal child, felt guilty for not saying sorry.

"Hey tutorson! I've missed you!" Brooke crouched down low and caught the little boy in her arms, pulling him into a big hug.

"I'm so sorry Aunt Brooke! I didn't mean to yell at you, I promise! If you want to kiss Uncle Luke it's okay with me. But why he'd want cooties I don't know, but mommy said it was okay, and that sometimes-" Brooke started laughing as she tried to interrupt her godson's ramblings.

"Hey there, easy now! It's alright honey, really, I know you didn't mean to yell at me. You know, you ramble just like me?" She grinned at the little person in her arms, and he smiled back, his eyes sparkling just like his mom's.

"Brooke! They finally released you from the germ-ward eh? Glad you're home! Did I do okay picking out the clothes?" Haley came walking up to the people gathered in her front entrance wiping her hands on a dish towel.

"You did wonderful Hales, thank you so much! I couldn't get out of that horrid sack they call a gown." She set James down on the tile and he went to give Lucas a big hug and whisper sorry to him too. Brooke could hear him chuckle behind her and she experienced another shiver at how close he was to her.

"Hey, look whose back! Always stirring up trouble aren't you Brooklyn?" Nathan came up wrapping an affectionate arm around his wife. He was as glad as the rest to see Brooke home safe. He knew how guilty Haley had been feeling…after all, Brooke had come back to Tree Hill at her request, and she had landed herself in the hospital. The petite woman had been pacing back and forth all night and he hadn't gotten a wink of sleep all night.

"You know it! I'm so sorry everyone, I swear I wasn't trying to land in the hospital. I hate that place as much as you guys do!"

"It's alright Cheery. Say, can we move this little party into a room with a couch? I'd like a drink and a place to sit if it's all the same with everyone else." Lucas stepped up and rested a hand around Brooke's slim waist, breathing in the scent of her hair again. He was still a bit awed by everything. He had dreamed about having Brooke back again, but had never thought it would actually come true. Now here he was, standing in his brother's house with his arm around the most stunning woman he's ever seen, and the world felt right again.

Giggling again, Brooke stepped up and pulled Haley from her husband's arm, and hooked her own through her fellow brunette's arm. Nathan, sighing, slapped his brother on the shoulder and led the way into the kitchen for the aforementioned drinks and snacks.

"It's good to have you back man. It's been forever since I've seen you smile like that!" Nathan was truly happy to see the change in Lucas. He hadn't realized just how much he'd missed him until he was back to normal.

"Man, it's good to be back. I don't know how I let things get so out of hand. Brooke said you and Haley asked her to come. Was I that bad off?"

"We were scared bro. We didn't know what else to do. That girl you were with was all wrong for you, and we didn't know how else to get you to see that. Brooke was our last hope. I'm just glad she worked her magic on you man."

"You and me both little bro. You and me both. I feel horrible about everything that's happened. I have a lot of mending to do, sorrys to say. You know, I talked to my mom today. I mean, really talked to her. It felt so good to sit and just talk like that again. I fucked up this time." Lucas ran a hand through his hair and heaved a huge sigh.

"Don't sweat it. We all know how hard hit you were when everything with Lily and Karen went down. People will understand. So you are Brooke are back together again huh?" This time, Nathan's tone was lighthearted and just a bit on the teasing side.

Lucas blushed and grinned that silly grin that only the really happy can manage to pull off. Nathan laughed, handed the older Scott brother two glasses and led the way into the living room.

-

Peyton was sitting in her old room listening to albums she hadn't touched in years when her phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hey Goldilocks."

"B. Davis!! Oh my god are you out of the hospital now?" Peyton squealed into the phone.

"Yep, finally out of that hell hole. I'd forgotten just how much I hated hospitals until I was back in one again." Brooke sounded relieved and satisfied to be back at Haley's.

"I can sympathize. How are you feeling?" Peyton knew from intense personal experience just how horrible hospitals were. She had struggled with visiting her best friend in the hospital but she'd overcome her own personal demons for her.

"Better now that I'm in a real house in real clothes. I took a shower earlier and I swear I thought I was going to scrub my skin right off. I had to get clean though!"

Giggling, Peyton could totally understand. "Did you and Mr. Blue Eyes finally see the light and hook up?"

"Yeah," Brooke laughed lightly, her signature raspy voice filled with warmth for the love she was feeling. "We talked things over. To think of all the shit we've gone through over the last few years! I could wish we'd talked sooner, but that's my own damn fault."

"Well I'm just glad things are starting to settle back down. It's good to have you home B. Davis!!"

"Me too. Say, you haven't heard anything out of trampy bitch Lucas was seeing have you? Lucas told me he'd kicked her out, but he didn't actually wait around to make sure she'd left town. I'd love to get my claws into that fake hair." Brooke sounded truly venomous. You don't cross Brooke Davis or hurt her friends without having hell to pay.

"You know, come to think of it, I haven't. Nathan mentioned something to me about him getting rid of the slut but there hasn't been a mention since last night. Want me to go by his place and check it out?" Peyton knew Brooke wanted a piece of the girl, but she wouldn't mind having her own fair share. To think! Some bitch thinking she could waltz into their home town and just take it over. Fuck all that!

"If you would? I'd go myself but Haley and Nathan have banned me from nightly wanderings for a while and besides I'd like to get some time in with Lucas. I'm more concerned with my Broody than with that bitch, but all the same, I want her out of our town." The familiar Brooke Davis attitude popped up. The take-no-shit attitude was clear in her voice.

"Yeah, I'll swing by there in the morning. Afterwards you want to go to the mall or something? Or has the perfect couple banned you from shopping too?" Peyton smiled into the phone.

"Ha! Like anyone could keep me from shopping! Who knows, it might be good for everyone to get out. We could make an outing of it, get Skillz and Bevin together, everyone. That sounds like fun!"

Peyton could almost see the chipper girl bouncing up and down where she sat, a big grin on her face. They settled plans for the next day and Peyton settled down to contemplating just what she'd do Lucas' old girlfriend if she happened to find her still in the house.

-

"Uncle Luke, are you spending the night tonight?" James was perched on Lucas' leg, peering up at his favorite uncle. They'd all had dinner and then sat down in the living room around the fire Nathan and Lucas had built up. James had climbed up into Lucas' lap after he sat down next to Brooke. He needed to be near Brooke as much as possible. At dinner he held her hand under the table. When they were cleaning up his fingers grazed her own each time they passed plates. And now, sitting on the couch his thigh rested against her own while he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She was stirring fires inside him that he'd thought banked long ago. Only problem now was Lucas was beginning to wonder just how long he was going to have to wait to finish what they'd started last night in the hospital bed. He was dying to feel Brooke move underneath him.

"Yeah trigger. Why?"

"I was wondering if you'd tuck me in tonight and read me a story. I like it when you read me stories."

"Sure thing little man. You got it. Whenever you're ready, just say the word and I'll read you whatever story you want." He looked down at the trusting boy sitting on his leg and realized just how much James meant to him. It occurred to him how much he wanted to have children of his own, with the woman sitting next to him. Clearing his throat he shifted restlessly, and felt Brooke rest a hand on top of his jeans, dangerously close to a part of his body that was beginning to demand attention.

"You okay Broody? You look, restless." Trust her to notice his state.

"You know what, I think it's time for my little man's bed time. Since you've already claimed Uncle Luke as your story teller for the night, why don't you give the rest of us some hugs and kisses?" Haley had seen Lucas' discomfiture as well, and knowing her best friend as well as she did, she could tell Lucas was ready for some alone time with the woman he'd just rediscovered. As much as she was grossed out by the idea of Lucas and Brooke together, she wanted her friends to be happy.

James made the rounds and tugged his uncle up the stairs. Twenty minutes later Lucas came trudging downstairs, obviously distracted.

"I don't know how you guys do it! He's always so full of energy! Took me five minutes just to get him to settle on a book!"

"He knows he's got you wrapped around his little finger silly." Haley grinned up, adoring Lucas all the more for the role he'd eagerly stepped up to fulfill with her son.

"Hey guys, if you don't mind, I'm going to call it a night. I feel okay, but the nurses said that I was supposed to rest." Brooke tried really hard to come up with a convenient excuse, but knew they'd seen right through her. While she'd covered it up better than Lucas, she'd wanted some alone time with him just as badly.

Yawning, Lucas tried to act convincing. "Yeah, I'm pretty bushed myself." They both knew they were caught as Nathan and Haley busted up laughing.

"Get out of here! But seriously! No more midnight walks! I'm not going back to the hospital!" Haley waved her hand and Brooke, grinning, shot up off the couch and ran back up stairs with Lucas close behind her.

"Oh man, it's good to have them back. I'm so happy it worked out Nate!" Haley turned to her husband and snuggled into his arms.

"Me too babe. I wonder what they're going to do though when Brooke has to go back home."

"We'll fight that battle when we get there. Come on, let's go to bed. We're grown ups too, who says Brooke and Lucas have to be the only ones having some fun??"

-

The door shut with a soft click and Lucas breathed out. Alone, finally. Only problem now was he was shy.

Brooke disappeared into the bathroom and Lucas could hear her taking a shower. Appreciating the time to calm his nerves, he shucked his clothes and climbed into bed. He fully intended on waiting for Brooke.

Some time later he heard the water turn off, and Brooke peaked out the bathroom door. Lucas grinned at her from between the sheets, and she giggled. She'd been doing a lot of that lately. Her old always happy self was finally starting to make a presence again.

"I'll be out in a minute okay Broody?"

"I'll be here." Brooke winked at him and shut the door.

He struggled, but Lucas was sleepier than he thought and the warmth of the bed got to him. He slipped off into a light slumber, and he thought he heard Brooke talking to someone in the bathroom. He fought to stay awake, but lost the battle.

"Oh my poor Broody," Brooke had finally made it out of the bathroom. She was surprised to see Lucas asleep, but didn't have the heart to wake him. He looked so peaceful with his head on the pillow. She slid in next to her boyfriend, and slipping his arm around her body she snuggled down. Lucas mumbled something, planted a kiss in her hair, and pulled her in tight.

"Night boyfriend," she whispered. They'd have to finish what they'd started some other night.