Dan was sitting in his office going through some paperwork, a big grin on his face while planning what tasks to give Brooke. 'Miss. Davis, you're way too innocent,' he uttered, leaning back in his chair. He couldn't contain his amusement as Karen barged into the office looking super angry.
'Hey Karen, what's up?' Dan asked as Karen approached, slamming the door behind her. 'What the hell is wrong with you?' Karen shouted, her voice booming.
She had already texted Lucas about the situation, knowing he would inform Nathan and others to protect Brooke. Dan looked puzzled, unsure of why Karen was so mad.
'What did I do now?' he chuckled, but his smirk faded as Karen stared at him in disbelief. 'What the hell were you thinking, trying to make a move on a seventeen-year-old girl?'
Karen's words hit Dan hard, wiping the smirk off his face. 'What do you mean, Karen?' he asked, seriousness replacing his smirk.
Dan didn't think Brooke would tell anyone after his little threat, at least not yet, and now she's spreading lies about him. 'Brooke told me everything about you helping her stay in Tree Hill,' Karen said as she slammed her hands on his desk.
'What's your game, Dan? You're bored, so you're trying to blackmail a 17-year-old girl into dancing for you to repay you for your help.' 'I didn't think you'd stoop so low,' Dan interrupted Karen with a glare.
'And you believe her?' he scoffed, gazing at the raven-haired woman. 'Why would she lie about what you're doing?' she demanded. Dan chuckled and shook his head.
'You don't know Brooke like I do. I mean, she's the high school slut of Tree Hill, so what's stopping her from trying to get into my pants?' he said with a smirk, observing Karen's reaction.
'You sick bastard!' Karen exclaimed as she glared at him. 'She's seventeen, Dan! And I'm sure that when we go to the police,' Dan laughed, shaking his head.
"Hey, no need for all that! I swear I'll stop bothering Miss. Davis if you keep quiet about it, and nothing will happen to Lucas or Brooke." Dan assured with a fake smile to show Karen he was serious.
Karen clenched her jaw as Dan dragged Lucas into this. "Alright, deal. But if you don't leave Brooke alone, I won't hesitate to take matters into my own hands. Police won't be your only problem, got it?" she warned before walking away, leaving Dan with a cocky grin on his face.
"Now those are fighting words!" Dan chuckled as he leaned back. "Miss Davis, game on. I was going easy, but I guess it's time someone learned their place." He taunted, pulling out a piece of paper. "Good thing I have some cop friends to cover my back.
( Lucas, Nathan and the others)
Lucas was just reading a text he got from his mom, trying to figure out what it said while hearing the others chat as they waited for Mouth and Anna to bring Brooke to the river court.
'That was Anna, she said Brooke wasn't at Karen's Cafe,' Felix told Lucas as Nathan stood behind him. 'She's at my mom's house,' Lucas responded, putting away his phone. 'And that's where we're heading,' Nathan said.
'Yeah, my mom filled me in on what Dan's been up to, and Brooke shared with her what he's planning,' Lucas added, with Nathan agreeing. 'Let's go stop Brooke from falling into his trap!' Lucas said, making his way to his car.
'Wait up, I'm coming too!' Haley chimed in, overhearing the conversation. 'Maybe not everyone should come, perhaps Brooke will listen better with just me and Lucas,' Nathan suggested. 'And I don't think you'll be much help anyway.'
Haley cut Nathan off. "Maybe she needs a girl to talk to more, and I can help you guys. It's the least I can do. Please, Luke, tell Nate to let me go," she begged Lucas. Lucas sighed and nodded, "Let her come. Nate, maybe Brooke will listen to Haley more than us," he said.
Nathan sighed and nodded, "Alright fine, let's go and see Brooke," he said. "Let us know what happens," Peyton said as she and Jake walked with Lucas, Nathan, and Haley to the car. "We will," Lucas promised as he got into the car and shut the door.
( With Brooke)
Brooke was laying on Lucas' bed, staring at the ceiling, unsure of what would happen now that she had opened up about what was going on. She buried her face in the blankets, hoping she hadn't put Karen in harm's way.
'I should've just kept quiet and handled this myself,' Brooke muttered. She jumped up when she heard the door open but relaxed when she saw it was just Lucas, Nathan, and Haley.
She was surprised to see Haley there - wasn't she supposed to be in New York? 'What are you guys doing here?' Brooke asked, trying to smile. Her smile faded when Lucas hugged her and asked if she was okay, while Nathan and Haley sat on the bed.
'Uh, yeah, I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?' Brooke asked, hugging Lucas back, feeling confused and not understanding what was happening. 'Mom told me about what Dan is trying to do,' Lucas said, catching the brunette's attention.
"Brooke!" Haley said with a disapproving look. "You have every right to be upset, especially if a man as old as your dad is trying to make a move on you," she said gently.
Brooke hesitated, trying to downplay the situation by saying, "Dan is just kidding-" but Nathan quickly interrupted, "He's not joking, especially if he's being physical with you, Brooke. Now tell us, what does Dan want you to do and when?" he demanded.
Sighing, Brooke shook her head, aware that her friends were just looking out for her. "He wants to have a dance with me because he missed the chance at Keith's wedding, that's all. It's not a big deal," she insisted.
Lucas and Nathan exchanged looks. 'Brooke, I know you're scared about what might happen if you tell us what he's up to, but remember, we're here to protect you,' Nathan reassured, taking over from Lucas and pulling Brooke into his arms.
'Nate is right, Brooke. We have to handle this before it spirals out of control,' Haley added, grabbing Brooke's hand. 'What if Dan ends up hurting you even more?'
Brooke pondered their words, burying her face in Nathan's chest. 'We just want to keep you safe and make sure you don't get hurt. If Dan so much as lays another finger on you, I won't hold back.'
'Dan wants me to go to his beach house this Saturday and dance with him. He mentioned having more plans once I get there,' Brooke admitted, letting some of it out, careful not to reveal Dan's full intentions for the next two weeks.
Brooke felt Nathan holding her tighter. 'And I won't let you go, just say that something came up and you can't make it,' he said, running his fingers through Brooke's hair gently.
'Tell him what?' Brooke asked, gazing into Nathan's blue eyes. 'Tell him you're on a double date with me and Haley,' Nathan replied, ignoring Haley's surprised gasp. Brooke considered the idea.
'And who would be my date? Because I'm not going to be the third wheel,' she said, eliciting a laugh from Lucas. 'Well, we can go as a date,' the blond suggested.
The brunette blushed and was relieved that her face was buried in Nathan's shirt. 'I don't know,' she mumbled. 'But I think it could work.' Agreeing, she pulled away from Nathan and looked at Lucas.
"Let's go somewhere far from Tree Hill so Dan can't stalk you," Nathan suggested and Brooke agreed as they all sat down. "Maybe we can double date with Peyton and Jake," Brooke proposed.
Nathan agreed, saying, "I'd rather have more people around so we can stay busy if needed." They chatted as Brooke snuggled up to Lucas.
"Mom said you can stay here," Lucas announced, making Brooke smile. "Good, 'cause I don't want to be anywhere else."
Nathan and Lucas were planning how to deal with Dan, knowing they had to protect Brooke and keep her safe from him.
( Will Dan stop once he figures out that Lucas and Nathan are onto his intentions with Brooke, or will he push even harder to achieve his goals? Drop a comment and tell me what you think!)