A/N: Once again, I got to give thanks to all the readers and especially to you reviewers for taking the time to send me your thoughts. You guys rock!

I hope everybody enjoys this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill or any of its characters.

For a moment Rachel stared at Brooke as though she'd just grown three heads. "You know," she finally commented. "I've always heard there was no such thing as a dumb question, but I'd say it's up for debate with that one."

Brooke narrowed her eyes at her redheaded friend and waited for the girl to elaborate.

Rachel rolled her eyes in aggravation. "Why do I try to steer Peyton away from Nathan? Hmm, let's see," she said, putting a finger to her chin as though she were pondering the question. "Oh, I know, because he's an ass who treats her like crap and she deserves better."

Brooke threw her a scornful look. "Nice going, talking trash about him behind his back. And you call yourself a friend?"

"I am his friend," Rachel replied hotly, anger instantly burning within her. "But I didn't realize that entailed overlooking his faults," she added spitefully. "And what about you, huh?"

"What about me?"

"You're best friends with both of them, and yet you're always on his side, like he can do no wrong."

Brooke shook her head at the absurdity of the remark. "That is so not true," she scoffed. "I call Nathan on his shit all the time," she said truthfully. "The only difference is, unlike you, I do it to his face."

"I have too," Rachel replied haughtily. "But what good does it do? He does what he wants regardless of what anyone says. That's why I gave up, because it only pisses him off and it doesn't change anything anyway."

Brooke shook her shoulders nonchalantly. She didn't confront Nathan on his crap expecting him to suddenly change and fall on his knees out of gratitude for her advice. It was simply the type of friendship they shared – neither of them held back their opinions of the other, whether those opinions were good or bad. That's just the way it had always been between them. "Well, if he's such an ass, then what do you care if you piss him off?" she asked snarkily.

"Because, Brooke, like I said, he is my friend," Rachel replied impatiently. "And I love him to death. I do," she insisted when Brooke's expression clouded over with doubt. "I know that if I'm ever in trouble, or need anything, or hell, just want to hang out, I can always count on Nathan. And he's that way for all of us, not just me. Friends really don't come any better than him."

"No they don't," Brooke said in agreement.

"But," Rachel continued. "As great a friend as he is, I think even you would have to agree, he's a lousy boyfriend. He has no respect or loyalty to Peyton whatsoever. He's hurt her so much and it's like he doesn't even care."

"But he does, Rach," Brooke responded. "He loves her. I know he does."

"Well he doesn't act like he does," Rachel replied. "I mean, yeah, for a few weeks when they just make up after a big blowout, he's all lovey-dovey with her, but after that he goes right back to his normal man whoring self. And that's what you set Peyton up for every time you push him back to her. More of the same humiliation, time and time again."

"You do realize Peyton has her own mind as to whether or not she takes him back, right? It's not like she makes up with him to make me happy. She loves him."

"I know that," Rachel acknowledged.

"And Nathan doesn't go to her because I tell him to. He goes because he wants her back."

"I know that too."

"Well then, what's your problem?"

"My problem is your support is all one-sided. You have plenty for him but none for her."

"That's not true. I totally support both of them."

"Do you?" Rachel questioned. "Peyton broke up with him for a reason. And if you supported her, you'd respect that by not trying to convince her to take back a guy who you know for a fact will only hurt her again. For once, be her friend too."

Brooke's mouth gaped open, both shocked and furious at the implication that she wasn't a good friend to Peyton. "I am, and always have been, her friend. Nathan makes her happy. She is miserable without him. Just as miserable as he is without her."

"Do you really not see what I'm getting at?" Rachel asked. "Nathan causes her misery. I know she loves him, and I know he's good to her when he wants to be. Yeah, he makes her truly happy when he's being the right kind of guy for her. But, like I said, it doesn't last. He's good for a few weeks and then bang, asshole Nathan reappears out of nowhere."

"Look, I know what you're saying, alright," Brooke acknowledged. "And I'm with you in that he doesn't always treat her how he should. But it goes both ways. Peyton's not perfect either. She likes to do her own thing, which isn't bad in itself, but sometimes she makes him feel like… "

"Like he's not the center of her universe?" Rachel mocked.

"That's one way of putting it," Brooke answered icily. "But it's more like he doesn't feel…I don't know… important, to her. So he goes out and does something stupid."

"Looking for an ego boost," Rachel replied.

"Partly, I guess," Brooke admitted. "But he uses sex as more than just an ego boost. It calms him down when he's mad, it makes him forget his problems, like with this whole Lucas thing. It is still beyond me why Peyton would choose to start a friendship with her boyfriend's mortal enemy. I mean, I warned her Nathan would freak out, but she should have known that herself. And before you say it, I know you were all for the friendship, but it just doesn't make sense to me. Of all people to get to know, she had to pick the one guy Nate would have a huge problem with. And before you also say that he has no right to choose her friends, which I totally agree with, by the way, I'd like to stress that he's never done that before. She could have picked some nerd from the chess club to be friends with and Nathan, he would have made fun of her, but he wouldn't have been pissed about it. He'd have been fine with it. It didn't have to be Lucas."

Rachel stood with her arms crossed, waiting for Brooke to come up for air. "You done?" she asked in amusement when the brunette was finally silent. "Ok, first, I do get what you're saying about Lucas, but I wasn't so much for the friendship as I was for Peyton's right to decide for herself. There's a difference. And second, you've just basically disproved your point that they're the perfect couple by listing off Peyton's role in this whole train wreck they call a relationship."

"I never claimed they were perfect. I said they love each other. There's a difference," Brooke threw back.

"Well, from where I'm standing, this is how I see it," Rachel said. "Yeah, they both screw up, and you're right, the situation with Lucas caused a lot of problems. Maybe Peyton should have thought that one out a little more, and ok, I guess she could put forth a bit more effort into giving him all the attention he clearly thrives on, but, by comparison, her mistakes are minimal. Nathan messes up in the same way every time. He never learns. He never changes. And in fact, he repeats the same mistakes so often that they really can't even be referred to as mistakes anymore. He knows what he's doing, he knows it'll hurt Peyton, and he knows it's wrong, but he does it anyway. Like I said, he's a lousy boyfriend."

Brooke sighed in defeat, unable to refute Rachel's claim. "He loves her though," she insisted. "He just…"

"Wants the best of both worlds," Rachel interrupted. "A girlfriend to hang out with and talk to and cuddle with and whatnot – all the serious stuff, and his side dishes to play with. I don't doubt that he cares about Peyton, but I'm telling you, as long as both options are available to him, he'll never change."

Brooke crossed her arms over her chest. "Well maybe if all these skanks would leave him alone…"

"Ok, you did not just say that," Rachel once more cut her off.

"You know what?" Brooke huffed in aggravation. "Why don't I just let you do all the talking since I can't seem to get a full sentence in?"

"Well seriously, Brooke. You're gonna blame the girls?" Rachel scoffed. "Have you even looked at Nathan? The guy's hot as hell, so, naturally, girls are going to hit on him," she pointed out. "Heck, I've even considered having a go at him."

"Why does that not surprise me?" Brooke mumbled.

For a second Rachel stared at the brunette, a wounded expression crossing her features. But she quickly masked it with indifference. "Hey, I hear he's great in the sack, and what would it hurt, considering he's been with half the girls in Tree Hill anyway? If not more."

"What would it hurt?" Brooke asked incredulously. "You mean other than Peyton?"

Rachel shrugged. "He couldn't hurt her any more than he already has."

"Ok, well guess what?" Brooke said, now seething. "For all of Nathan's faults, and yes I agree there are plenty, the one thing he's never done is hook up with one of Peyton's friends. And trust me, a lot of the so-called ones have tried. But not even he would sink that low."

Rachel took a deep breath to calm her shaky nerves. Twice now, Brooke had basically called her a bad friend. "Look, I would never actually sleep with him, alright. I wouldn't do that to Peyton," she said softly. "All I'm saying is you can't just blame the girls. I wouldn't do it because Peyton's my friend, but the other girls, they have no loyalty to her. There's no girl code involved for them. He's the one with the girlfriend. He's the one that should be saying no. Just like Peyton does when guys hit on her."

Brooke let out a frustrated growl. She knew what Rachel was saying, she did, but the girl simply refused to hear her side as well. "I know all that, ok. But you just don't get it. Nathan doesn't know how to love. He hasn't had a very good example growing up. I can understand that, and I don't see why you don't. You and I, we're in the same boat as him. But he really does love her."

"I do get it, Brooke. But why should Peyton have to suffer while he figures everything out? It's not fair to her. And, by the way, I don't appreciate being labeled a so-called friend," she couldn't resist adding. "Thanks for basically saying I'd put sex above a friendship."

Brooke could only roll her eyes and scoff. "You're the one who said you wanted to sleep with Nathan because he's hot and you heard he's a good lay."

"I…" Rachel began.

"Hey girls," they were interrupted. "Given any more thought to my invitation?"

Both Brooke and Rachel groaned at the unwanted intruder.

"Look, Shelly," Brooke said. "If we wanted to join your little virgin club, we would have already. Ok? But since we clearly haven't…"

"Actually, you know what?" Rachel piped in. "Maybe I should join, since apparently I'm such a slut that I'd even backstab one of my best friends." With that she sent Brooke a pointed glare and stomped off.

Brooke stared after her a moment before turning on her heel and heading in the opposite direction, leaving Shelly standing there, wondering what on earth had just happened.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––

"So?" Brooke asked her blonde friend later that day. They'd gone to Brooke's house after school, as planned, under the pretense of selecting an outfit for Brooke's date on Friday night. It wasn't an outright lie. She did have a date and she was undecided what to wear. So it was only Monday – a girl had to be prepared. She'd narrowed it down to three choices, which she'd sprawled across her bed and waited for the curly haired girl's trusted opinion.

Peyton carefully perused all three selections and came up blank. "I don't know, Brooke," she said honestly. "Really, you'd look hot in any of these, or anything else, for that matter."

"Um yeah, I know, hon," Brooke stated confidently. "But which one would I look hottest in?"

"Well, this one screams 'do me'," Peyton said, wrinkling her nose in distaste as she picked up the skimpy, barely there, back dress, and held it up for closer inspection. "I mean you'd may as well wear nothing at all."

Brooke threw her a dimpled smile, taking the dress from her hands. "This one it is," she said with a wink. "Thanks for your help."

Peyton looked at her friend and shook her head. "Ok, I actually meant to rule that one out," she explained with a small grin gracing her beautiful face.

Brooke put her hands to her hips and feigned a scornful expression. "Now, why would I do that?" she asked playfully. "Do you want me sexually depraved? I don't think you do," she added, waving her index finger around.

Peyton caught the finger and chuckled. For the life of her, she'd never understand her best friend's breezy outlook on sex. She could, and did, go from guy to guy for shameless sexual favors like it was nothing. Just another day. She didn't know how she could do it. That kind of intimacy, in Peyton's eyes, was something to cherish, not partake in so freely and casually.

However, she loved her like a sister, and could only hope that one day the girl would realize that she was worth so much more than all these meaningless one night stands. But until then, she would just enjoy the perky brunette's company, loyalty and trust. That's something they would always share, no matter what. "I don't think you have to worry about that. Half the guys in Tree Hill are in lust with you."

Brooke's jaw dropped as though she'd just been insulted. "Only half?" she exclaimed, undoing an extra button of her shirt to show more cleavage. "There, that ought to wake up the other portion."

Peyton let a giggle escape her. "You're something else, B. Davis."

"Hmm, I know," Brooke responded flippantly. "But don't act so innocent, little miss Goldilocks. Those mini skirts you wear don't exactly repel the male population. Let's face it, when you and I walk in a room, men, not only notice, but have to loosen their belt buckles too."

Again Peyton laughed at her friend's silly theatrics. Linking her arm through Brooke's, she pulled her toward the door. "Come on," she said. "Let's go downstairs. You promised me a banana split."

Once in the kitchen they gathered all the ingredients for one of their favorite treats. Brooke went on to take two bowls from the cupboard – one large one and one significantly smaller one.

Peyton arched an eyebrow. "That one better be mine," she joked, indicating the larger bowl.

"Of course it is, duh," Brooke responded with a roll of her eyes. "Not only are you the one depressed needing comfort food, but you're also the one who can eat like there's no tomorrow and stay skinny as hell," she continued as she eyed Peyton's slim figure up and down. "Bitch," she muttered, only half joking. "I hate you."

Bumping her shoulder against Brooke's, Peyton responded. "First of all, I'm not depressed, and second of all, you know you're not fat so don't even go there."

Brooke shrugged her shoulders indifferently. "I didn't say I was fat," she denied. "I said, unlike you, I actually have to work to maintain this gorgeous body," she said with an exaggerated flare of her arms, causing Peyton to chuckle once again. "And you are so depressed," Brooke added. "You can't fool me P. Sawyer. You should know that by now."

Peyton gave her a tiny smile, knowing she was right.

"Know who else is depressed?" the brunette ventured to ask.

"I can guess," Peyton replied dully. And before Brooke could ramble off her usual speech about giving Nathan another chance, she added, "Listen, I want to say how much I really appreciate how you haven't pushed the Nathan issue. I do love him, and yeah, it was hard seeing him at school, knowing we're over, but I really do think it's best for both of us. Thanks for understanding that."

Brooke froze on the spot, Rachel's words racing through her mind. 'Your support is one-sided.' She didn't agree with all the redhead had spewed, but that particular remark suddenly hit her. Had she really been more supportive of Nathan than Peyton? Perhaps. But she just wanted them both to be happy. Then she considered the several occasions the blonde had broken into tears due to some stupid or selfish move on Nathan's part. 'He causes her misery.' Did he? Yes. But he loves her. One day he'd get his act together. Right? 'Why should Peyton have to suffer while he figures everything out?' Damn it! Rachel was right. Nathan had his issues and while Brooke understood that, it really wasn't fair that Peyton be constantly caught in his tangled web.

It was a sudden realization on Brooke's part and a very bitter pill to swallow, recognizing that she never had considered both points. Not really. And it wasn't because she loved Nathan more than Peyton. They were both her best friends and she loved them equally. But she could relate more to Nathan, because they were the same kind of people. She stood by her statement that Peyton made her share of mistakes too, but she couldn't continue pushing for a reconciliation while Nathan consistently dished out the same old crap to the curly blonde. Not anymore. True, they both loved each other, but, as Rachel had pointed out, it was time for her to behave as Peyton's friend too.

"And just so you know," Peyton continued, unaware of the other's lapse in attention, "I totally don't have a problem with you hanging out with him. You two were friends before I started dating him so that should definitely not change just because we're not together."

Brooke nodded. "Good to know," Brooke replied weakly, knowing that any second now, at her insistence, Nathan would be showing up at her door to try to patch things up with his ex. "P…" she began a guilty confession, only to be cut off by the sound of the ringing doorbell.

–––––––––––––––

Nathan headed up the walkway to Brooke's house, fully ready to go along with whatever plan she'd come up with to get Peyton back. He missed her and he was going crazy without her. It had only been three days, but still. He paused at the doorstep, taking a deep breath. For the first time, he wasn't feeling confident about Peyton's reaction. Every other time they'd broken up, it had been during a fight or emotional meltdown, and a few days later he could be sure that Peyton would warm up to his charm enough to take him back. But this time had been different, and he wasn't so sure of himself.

Then again, he had Brooke on his side, so maybe he was worrying over nothing. Brooke always got what she wanted, and she wanted Nathan and Peyton together. That gave him a bit of a boost.

He turned the knob of the front door, not surprised to find it locked. There had been a series of break-ins in this neighborhood in the last while and Brooke liked to be cautious. He could have used the key she'd given him some time ago, but he'd somehow managed to misplace it, and thus far he'd been too lazy to search for it. He'd find it eventually. In the meantime, Brooke would have to either answer the door or give him another copy. He raised his hand to the doorbell and waited.

"Hey, Nate," Brooke greeted as the door was opened part way, the chain of the lock stopping it from opening fully.

"Hey," Nathan responded. "So, I'm here," he stated the obvious.

Brooke sighed deeply. "Yeah, I see. But the thing is…"

"You gonna let me in?" he interrupted, gazing in wonder at the chain.

"Actually, I'm not," she told him, trying to ignore the puzzled expression that crossed his features. "Look, Peyton's here right now and…"

Nathan narrowed his eyes at her. "I know. That's kinda the point, isn't it?" he questioned further.

"Well, see…I…" She really wasn't one to stutter.

"Brooke, open the door," Nathan said, not really believing she wouldn't allow him inside.

"I can't," Brooke told him, watching his face cloud over, more confused than ever. This was even harder than she could have imagined.

"What?" But he didn't wait for a reply as he caught sight of Peyton, who'd entered the room out of curiosity for who stood at the door. "Peyton," he called out. "We need to talk."

Peyton felt her stomach flutter but shook her head. "No, we don't. I said all I needed to say the other night."

"Well, I didn't," Nathan argued. "I'm a part of this too, Peyt. Don't I get a say?"

"No, you don't," Peyton replied. "It's really over, Nathan. I mean it," she added firmly, heading back to the kitchen.

"Peyton!" he shouted. "Brooke, let me in," he ordered when the blonde was out of sight.

"I can't, Nate. I'm sorry."

"What do you mean, you can't? You told me to come."

"I know, but I shouldn't have. I was wrong."

"Wrong? No. Me and Peyton belong together. You said it yourself. Now open the damn door so I can go talk to her."

"I can't do that," she said more firmly, though her heart broke for it.

"Can't or won't?" he challenged, his face falling as it hit him she was serious.

"Look, I'm really sorry, but I can't let you hurt her anymore, Nate. I'm sorry," she repeated earnestly. It took all she had to push the door closed, leaving her confused, hurt and angry best friend on the other side. She jumped when she heard his hand pound the door in fury.

"You were supposed to help me get her back, Brooke! You said you had a plan!" He hit the door one more time when he got no response. "The hell with you then!" he hollered. "Thanks for nothing!"

Brooke heard his car door slam and his tires screech as he drove off at breakneck speed. She heaved a heavy, burdened sigh, knowing he was in shock and saw this as a betrayal. She couldn't blame him really. After all, she had convinced him to come. He'd clearly been reluctant and doubtful that her plan would work, but she'd talked him into it.

Already plagued with guilt, her shoulders slumped, she went back to the kitchen only to find Peyton glaring at her with arms folded over her chest.

"You invited him," Peyton accused crossly.

Brooke looked at her in silence, her face showing her remorse.

But Peyton couldn't see past the anger. She'd thought she'd gotten through to Brooke, that she wouldn't be interfering, but boy was she wrong. She'd invited him over knowing she'd be there. And she'd done it with a single purpose. To reunite the couple. Had he just shown up unexpectedly, Peyton wouldn't have minded. She really didn't want Nathan and Brooke's friendship to suffer because of her. But it hadn't been that way. Brooke had set out to get them back together, showing no regard for what she'd confided in her. "So much for your understanding and not pushing the issue!" she shot out. "I thought, for once, you would leave it alone. You said you would the other day. Thanks a lot, Brooke."

"Peyton…"

But she was already out of the kitchen and out the door before Brooke could find the right words to say.

Brooke stood alone in the large room, playing back the day's events. "Ok, this day officially sucks," she muttered. First the argument with Rachel, then Nathan, and then Peyton. Three of her closest friends, all mad at her. "I was just trying to help," she whined, taking hold of both untouched banana splits, sinking into a chair, and digging her spoon in. Who cared if she got fat? She needed her comfort food.