AN: I know, I just posted an update, but I'd tried to post that chapter earlier today only to find out that I had a 15 document limit, and I was afraid if I deleted anything, I'd lose the corresponding chapter in my story. Just want to say THANK YOU to the amazing people on the forums, I read through one set of postings and it helped me tremendously!!!
Oh and whiters, you are most definitely allowed to say you don't like Amber, same here with me, just something about that name doesn't lend itself well to nice characters
Thank you so much toddntan, I was seriously stressing out over that scene. You've made me feel tons and tons better!!!
"Mom! You here?" Lucas stepped through the kitchen door into the house he'd shared with his mom since his little sister's death, calling out. The house was quiet, no lights, no sounds of life, but Karen Roe hadn't been the same since the loss of her youngest child.
"She might still be at the diner Luke," Brooke answered as she entered the silent house after her boyfriend. She walked into the hallway and flipped on the light, flooding the back half of the house.
"Yeah, I guess so. More time for us eh" stepping up, the handsome blonde slid his hands around the slim waist of the gorgeous woman standing in front of him and pulled her in tight. Brooke smiled up at him, staring into those fierce blue eyes that were warm with the love he felt for her. They stood like that for what seemed like hours, but was more like seconds, just looking into each other's eyes, seeing the soul within.
They'd always been connected, these two lovers. From that first meeting in his truck to their final farewells at graduation, to being reunited when she came back home, it was there. That ability to see what the other was thinking, in a glance, a touch, a slight murmur. They'd both fought so hard against the pull, trying to move on with lives they had thought were better off without each other.
Now that they both realized the truth of the matter, and had stopped fighting fate, life seemed right, for the first time in years. The man Brooke had seen when she first saw him standing in his brother's entryway was so different from the man holding onto her now. Then, his shoulders were slumped, his eyes were faded, he had no energy. Now? He smiled, stood tall and damn sexy, he laughed easy and played more. His eyes sparked with emotion, and he was alive.
"What 'cha thinking about?" He murmured while planting kisses down her jaw and on her graceful neck.
"Mmmm, kind of hard to think with you kissing all over me, not that I'm complaining," Brooke replied. Only her Broody could bring out this kind of response in her. An instant need to be skin to skin, legs tangled, touching in every way possible. She ran her fingers down his back, sliding her hands inside his shirt at the hem. Feeling his skin against her own, she flushed hard with desire.
"Let's go to my room," Lucas breathed, pulling Brooke along with him.
"Yes…no, wait…your room," Brooke fought hard to collect her thoughts, trying to remember why his room was so important. Lucas' kisses did that to her, scattered her mind and made it hard to focus.
"Wait? Wait for what? It's not like-" Lucas stopped short in the doorway, Brooke slamming up behind him. "That bitch!" He dropped her hand and stepped forward, eyes scanning his room. Brooke was shocked to hear Lucas mutter as he examined his shelves and walls; she hadn't heard Lucas sound so angry in a long, long time.
"I knew there was something I was forgetting. I'm sorry Lucas. Did she actually take anything?"
"What do you mean, something you were forgetting? You knew about this?" He was incredulous.
"No! Not about her taking anything! I had asked Peyton to stop by your house this morning to check and make sure your lovely ex-girlfriend had left town and she mentioned that your room seemed…empty. But she couldn't be sure, and neither could Karen, so I said I'd ask you about it. I meant to do it earlier, but I got distracted! I'm sorry!" Brooke was startled at the look on his face. He seemed angry…with her!
"Brooke! How could you bring Peyton into this mess? She wasn't involved in any of this! And you didn't think to tell me as soon as you'd heard that some of my stuff may have been missing?!" Yeah, wow, okay, he was angry with her. Most definitely not a reaction she had been expecting.
"Luke! Calm down! Peyton wasn't sure, your mom said that you had packed stuff away after Lily's death, and the skank had already left town! What could you, or anyone for that matter, possibly have done even if she had taken anything?! And I didn't drag Peyton in, she offered, as my best friend and a favor to you as your friend! I thought I was doing the right thing!" Brooke could get just as mad as the incensed man before her. A fleeting thought – god he was sexy when pissed – irritated her even more. She didn't want to think about how fucking hot he was right then, she wanted to think about what a jerk he was being. She'd only tried to do right by him! And this was how he responded! What the hell?!
"That's not the point Brooke. This was my stuff! I should have been told about it!" He stepped away from the fired up brunette, not wanting to be very close to her at the time. He didn't love her or want her any less, but he was mad. And when she stomped her foot on the floor and put her hands on her hips, eyes snapping with anger, he found it extremely hard to resist slamming her up against a wall and taking her right then and there.
"You know what? Maybe I should have. Maybe I shouldn't have. I don't think I did anything wrong. I've come all this way to save your ass and put back together the mess you've made, and now you're mad at ME for continuing on in that vein, when three hours ago you were thanking me!" The unfairness of it all finally settled in, and Brooke was pissed, to say the least.
"I am thankful! But this was crossing the line!" He was shouting now. Damnit, why couldn't they ever make it through more than a fucking day without arguing!?
"Alright, I've had enough. You are acting like an asshole, and I don't want to be around that. I've got four more days in town Lucas, four! You know that! I'm going to have to fight tooth and nail to stay here with you, and it's not something I think I want to go through if this is how you're going to act!" As soon as she'd said the words, she wished she could have taken them back. Anger had always made her say things she instantly regretted, but this time they had a ring of truth. She really didn't want to uproot her whole life to spend moments arguing with the love of her life.
"What are you saying?" His voice had grown dangerously quiet.
"I'm saying, Lucas, that I thought what I was doing was right. I did the best I could with what I was given, and made the decision that I thought was the best at the time. If you want to be mad at me, fine, be mad at me. But don't yell at me like this, or act as if I've just dropped an atom bomb or something. I don't deserve being treated this way." Brooke took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. She knew Lucas was still really upset, and a quiet voice wasn't necessarily a good thing, but she needed to get ahold of herself.
"Then just what do you suggest I do? What makes you any different than Amber? You both kept stuff from me that was important." He knew it was mean, that it was heartless and grossly inaccurate, but he needed her to understand just what he was feeling. And truthfully, at that exact moment, that's how he felt.
Brooke hissed in shock and pain. The minute he saw the look in her hazel eyes, as she closed herself off to him, he knew he'd gone too far. She shook her head, a tear slipped down her cheek, and suddenly, she was gone.
"Shit!" he shouted, left standing alone in his room.
-
Rachel, Peyton, Haley, and Brooke all sat in Bevin's room inside her wing of the mansion her parents owned. While some might say that living with your parents after high school was weak and a bad sign, when you had your own wing and a fleet of maids, Bevin said it was stupid not to.
They had all agreed to meet there when it grew dark to get ready for a party they'd planned earlier that afternoon when at the mall. Brooke had shown up on Peyton's door step bawling tears, barely coherent. She'd refused to go out, claiming that she just didn't have the energy or desire, to which Peyton insisted that she at least come to Bevin's house. If, after they'd all finished getting ready, Brooke still didn't feel like going, she would have an entire wing of rooms to keep her entertained while her girlfriends all went and partied.
"I'm sorry girls. But I just don't feel like dealing with loud noises and tons of questions when people notice Luke and I aren't together. But you guys all look drop dead gorgeous! All the boys there are going to be in some serious trouble!" Brooke smiled bravely for her friends, not wanting them to feel bad and decide to stay. All she wanted now was time alone to figure out what she was going to do.
"Are you sure you don't want one of us to stay with you? I don't have to go out, you know," Haley stopped, vacillating between staying with her friend or going out for the first time in months. Having a kid certainly did put a damper on your outings.
"I appreciate it Hales, really. But you deserve a night out. I'll be fine, I just need to think for a while. Go have fun!" Brooke hugged her fellow brunette tightly, and then smiled for the other girls' benefits. "Seriously, go have a great time, and take a shot for me," Brooke said, almost believing herself.
"Call if you need anything okay?" Brooke nodded, hugged Haley one last time, and sighed as the door shut behind the group of girls. The wing was suddenly eerily quiet, and she had to shake herself hard to get rid of that spooky feeling. If only she'd known that the spooky feeling was tied to Lucas, she might not have brushed it off so easily.
-
He'd finally pinpointed all the stuff that was missing. His basketball, some posters on the wall that hadn't really meant anything, a picture of Lily, two pictures of him and Brooke, a couple shirts that he didn't wear all that often, and the box. He could understand the box and the pictures, but the rest made no sense. It wasn't like they had any particular meaning. Once he'd sorted through the rest of his room to make sure nothing else important was missing, he'd collapsed onto his bed, staring blindly up at the ceiling.
What was WRONG with him?? Right at this very moment he should be sharing his bed with the amazing woman who had come when he needed her the most, instead of lying there, alone, miserable. Having had a couple hours to sort through things, the man famous for brooding had finally come to the conclusion that he'd unfairly taken his anger at Amber out on Brooke, and quite possibly chased away the only decent thing he'd ever had in his life.
The shock of realizing that Amber had stolen things from him when she'd left infuriated him. But it was his own fault. That's what he got for not sticking around to make sure she took her own crap and nothing else when she left. Instead, he'd left a mess behind, and Brooke, being the woman that she was, had tried to tie up the loose ends he'd left yet again. And how did he repay her? With getting angry and yelling and saying things no man in their right mind would have ever uttered. Did he seriously compare her to Amber? Man, he was going to have hell to pay for that one.
Then he remembered something else she'd said…fight tooth and nail to stay here with you…what was that supposed to mean? Was Brooke planning on moving back to Tree Hill? For him? Damnit, now he felt even more like an asshole. He'd said some truly shitty things to the woman he claimed to love, treated her like crap, and instead of being appreciative and thankful and showering her with the love he'd held onto for so long, he'd chased her out and she was probably somewhere cursing his name and professing just how much she hated him at this very moment. Not that he could really blame her.
Alright, enough's enough. I've got to fix this. Brooke was right, there's nothing I could have done about Amber taking my stuff. And it's not like it's stuff I really missed, except for maybe the basketball, and definitely the pictures. But I can take new pictures, buy another basketball. I can't replace my Pretty Girl. Shaking his head and his own stupidity, the lanky blonde stood up, shrugged on his favorite jacket and opened the door to go in search of his firecracker girlfriend.
SMACK!!! A shovel connected with the top of his head, and he crumpled to the floor, a faint outline of a woman in the doorway. Lucas struggled to stay awake, tried hard to stand back up, but it was no use. The stranger in the doorway was on top of him now, tying his hands and pulling him across the floor.
"Ugh…stop…le'go….Bro…Brooke…help…" he muttered, desperately trying to wrap his head around what was going on and getting his tongue to speak.
"Oh hunny, your precious Brooke can't save you now. You should never have dumped me Lucas, it was the biggest mistake of your life. Don't worry hunny, I'll make sure you don't ever make a mistake that big again," Amber whispered into his ear, straddling his waist. She ground her hips slowly into his own, attempting a sensual movement that came out forced and off kilter.
The wavering man's last thoughts were of how badly he wished he could have made things right with his gorgeous girlfriend, and of how badly he needed her…Brooke, help me…
-
Gasping, Brooke shot up off the couch where she'd fell asleep watching A Walk to Remember. A sense of danger hovered in the back of her sleepy mind. Catching her breath, the shaking woman focused her mind on what was floating at the edges. Something was wrong, she just couldn't place what.
The ringing of her cell phone shattered her concentration, and Brooke cursed as she jumped to answer it.
"This better be good," she muttered abruptly into the receiver.
"Brooke? It's Karen. Have you seen Lucas?" The older woman sounded worried.
"No, I haven't. Is everything alright?" Brooke's sense of foreboding and Karen's worried voice suddenly connected in her head, and she felt her stomach turn to stone. Oh god, please don't let anything be wrong with Lucas!
"Normally I wouldn't be worried at him being gone. But I heard a loud sound coming from his room and when I went to go check, his door was open and it looked like someone had dragged something across the grass." Karen was close to tears, fearful that her son was hurt and she couldn't get to him.
"Stay right there, I'll be over in ten minutes." Brooke shot up off the couch, scrawled a note on the table saying she'd gone to go check on Lucas, and slammed out the door. She was going to have to save her Broody, this time from physical danger, she was sure of it. She just hoped she'd enough strength left in her to fight one last time.
-
Two hours later, Karen sat huddled on the couch in her living room, Haley and Rachel sitting with her. Brooke, Peyton, and Nathan had gone out to search for the missing man, splitting up in hopes of having better luck.
As soon as Brooke had arrived she could feel the bad vibes. Lucas was in trouble, and his nasty ex girlfriend was behind it all, she was sure of it. The petite woman had done her best to calm the panicked woman, and called in reinforcements to help with the situation. A note just wasn't going to do it. As soon as Haley heard that Lucas was missing, she hauled the other girls out of the club, calling Nathan who was to try to get in touch with Skillz. Bevin offered to watch James, and Nathan left with the others. Skillz was out of town, but would help in any other way he could.
Brooke wasn't sure where Amber would have taken Lucas, but she had to try. At this point, they were all fumbling in the dark, but it was better than sitting helpless at home waiting for a phone call, if there even was one.
"Oh Broody, please be alright. I'm breaking my promise to Nathan and Haley for you, I hope you realize this!" Brooke mumbled, talking to herself to keep her tears at bay. Almost as if on cue, the scent of his cologne wafted past her on the slight breeze and her control almost broke.
Then, a faint sound to her left caught her attention. Turning, she scanned the buildings searching for some sign of what had made the noise. Then she heard it again, laughter, a cackling, harsh sound that grated on her nerves. Amber laughed like that.
Muttering curses, Brooke set off determinedly toward the sound, which had to be coming from a building that had one lighted window. She walked stealthily around the building, searching for an entrance. For a split second she thought about calling the others, but she hadn't confirmed yet that this was where Lucas was, and besides, if she was right, she wanted the bitch all to herself. She had only slapped her before…this time? The skanky whore wasn't going to get off so easy.
Brooke finally stumbled upon the door leading inside, and she slipped in quietly. Light illuminated the hallway from a door slightly ajar some ways down. Brooke walked silently toward the light, pausing occasionally to listen for more tell tale signs that she was on the right track. All she could hear though were low rumblings, a distinct female voice and a decidedly pissed off male voice.
"…you're crazy. This wont fix anything." The male voice muttered.
"That's what you think. Once we're done here, we'll disappear off into the sunset as they say, and no one will ever know the difference." Brooke would recognize that high pitch anywhere…reminded her of nails on chalkboard.
"And just what is it we are here to do?" Lucas' voice was clearer now, and Brooke sighed, relieved to hear him strong and functional.
"Why, end your old life and start your new one! I am sure you realized that things are missing," Amber replied.
"What in the world are you talking about?"
"See, I got the shirts and posters I bought you, so we have something of our life together to start the new one. And I've got your basketball so you can have your favorite thing – other than me of course. Oh, and these pictures? They're to burn, so we can close the door on your old life. Cause Brooke? Sweetie, she's the old life."
"You can burn as many pictures of her as you want, but it'll never do you any good. She's not the old life, she's my life. Every moment, every thought, every touch. She's all I know, all I am, and all I want."
"NO! You're wrong hunny. You'll see. After I burn these pictures, and we leave this soap opera town, you'll start to see the light."
She'd had enough. The woman was truly insane. Psychotic, seriously. Gathering her nerves, Brooke kicked in the door, taking strength from the sound of the door slamming against the wall. Amber jumped and Lucas visibly brightened.
"Brooke!" Lucas nearly shouted, relief evident.
"What are you doing here slut?" Amber's voice dripped with sarcasm and hatred, just like the last time she'd talked to her.
"You have my man, and I'm here to take him back. Lucky for you, I'm not in the mood to break a nail," Brooke replied back, just as venomous. She stood framed in the doorway, the lamps Amber had lit throwing light into her hazel eyes, glinting hard.
"Your man? Oh that's good. You left him, Brookie dearest, and I was there to pick up the pieces." Amber was grinning evilly and Brooke shuddered, hard.
"Bitch, all you did was weasel your way into a good family. Lucas has NEVER been your man. He's his own man, and always will be. You'll never change that." Her raspy voice had a cold edge to it, one Lucas had never heard before. He shuttered and felt immensely sorry for the airhead standing between them. If only she knew just how forceful his Pretty Girl could be.
"You know what Davis? I'm glad you're here. Now I can finally end your witch's spell over my Lucas." Amber sprang forward as if to pin the smaller woman against the door, and Lucas fought hard against the rope his ex girlfriend had used to tie his hands to a heavy desk in the middle.
"NO!" Lucas yelled, terrified for the woman he loved.
Brooke, ready for just something like this, braced herself and ducked as Amber rushed her. She used Amber's momentum to push her off center and against the other wall. She quickly turned and eyed the woman laying shocked on the floor.
"You bitch!" Amber screamed, and stood up to run at Brooke again. Except this time, Lucas had managed to twist himself free of his ropes, and he stepped in front of Brooke and caught the enraged woman as she reached for her.
"Amber! Enough! This stops now!" Lucas pinned Amber to the table he'd recently been tied to, her arms above her head. Using the opportunity, she kneed him in the groin. He crumpled to the floor groaning.
Brooke stepped in and connected with a solid right hook, catching Amber off guard. She fell back against the table again, this time clutching her now throbbing eye.
"You'll pay for that whore," Brooke seethed. No one touched her Broody without suffering the consequences.
Amber muttered something and gathered herself for another go around.
"You just won't quit, will you?!" She slapped Amber, hard, and then hit her again as Amber staggered doggedly toward Brooke. Finally getting the hint, Amber slouched down against the wall behind the desk, having stumbled her way over there. Throwing a last disgusted glance in the beat up woman's direction, she walked over to Lucas.
"Luke? You okay?" She whispered, for some reason thinking a soft voice was needed. She reached down to hold his hand, fearful that Amber had managed to do something to him before she'd made it to his side.
"Cheery, you came for me…" he mumbled, lifting himself up on one arm to regain his bearings.
"Of course I did Broody. I couldn't very well leave you to save yourself, now could I?" she grinned, helping the woozy hunk stand up.
"After what I'd said to you, I wouldn't have blamed you if you'd left me to suffer," he took the proffered hand, and groaned slightly as he stood up all the way.
"You may not be the smartest boyfriend in the world, but you're better than most I've run into. Besides, even if you were an asshole you didn't deserve to be left in her hands," and it was perfectly clear just how much she hated the woman cowering in the corner.
"Gather whatever stuff up that you want Luke, I've got some unfinished business." He nodded; the look in her flashing hazel eyes was fierce and determined and cold, all things he devoutly hoped never to see directed at him.
Brooke walked over to the woman sitting on the floor, and crouched down in front of her.
"Listen up bitch. We have our own way of dealing with things in Tree Hill. I'm not going to call the cops, even though I know if I did you'd be facing years and years in jail for the shit you've pulled. But if I ever, and I mean EVER, see your face again in this town, or hear a whisper of you on the wind, I'll beat you so far into the ground that you wont be able to tell where your ass ends and the gravel begins. And let's get one thing straight: you will never, ever, have Lucas. He is so far above you, just thinking about it will give you a nose bleed. Understand this, right here, right now: come near my Lucas and you'll regret the day you ever crossed my path." Brooke stood up, eyes cold, voice even icier. This woman in front of her wasn't worth the time she'd already spent, and she knew it. So did the defeated form huddling against the wall.
"Come on, Lucas, let's go. I've got to tell everyone you're okay." She slid an arm around his waist, feeling the muscles beneath his shirt. He held his basketball and the pictures of him and Brooke in one hand, wrapping his other arm around her slender shoulders. He leaned just slightly against her, more for the reassurance of her form than for any help in walking. They left the building with a finality that they both reveled in. The drama that was Amber was finally over, and that door to Lucas' past was firmly closed and locked with a deadbolt.