(Tree Hill High School)

Nathan glanced gratefully at Lucas for a moment before peering down at the ground before his feet as the crowds looked at him expectantly. Nathan sighed heavily before finally raising his head again to face the multitude of people before him and swallowed hard as he begun his confession.

"I was only two years old when I made my first basket and it wasn't until I was six that basketball went from being not only a game…but a sport." Nathan spoke steadily to the crowd gathered before him.

Beside him, Haley squeezed Nathan's hand reassuringly, silently prompting her husband to continue.

Nathan smiled at Haley kindly before glancing back into the expectant faces of the crowd and continuing.

"Since the first moment that I picked up a basketball when I was a kid, I've probably played between twenty and thirty thousand unofficial minutes of the game. However, from the age of six, when I started to see basketball as a sport, I have played seven thousand and seventy two official minutes." Nathan continued, meeting some of the glances thrown his way from the spectators.

At that moment, Nathan saw Whitey appear from the direction of his office onto the quad, causing him to pause in his speech. As he met Whitey's gaze, Nathan saw the old coach smile at him supportively and nod his head.

Nathan threw a small smile back towards Whitey grateful for his encouragement and carried on.

"Regretfully," Nathan said sadness evident in his voice. "I must confess that for thirty two minutes, over the course of two games this season… I did not compete to the best of my ability."

Nathan paused for a moment to briefly glance around at the crowd. At the sight of the spectators surprise to his last statement and the sound of hush whispers among the crowd, Nathan felt a sudden wave of guilt wash over him.

"For this I apologise to my coach, who has been nothing but supportive of me throughout the course of my high school basketball career." Nathan continued throwing a remorseful look towards Whitey before speaking again. "I also apologise to my team mates who have been like brothers to me over the past four years… and… I apologise to a brother that was a team mate."

As Nathan said this he glanced momentarily at Lucas who was standing beside him. Lucas smiled at his younger brother, placing an encouraging hand on his shoulder.

"I'd also like to apologise to the rest of the students at this school, to the kids of Tree Hill that have looked up to me to lead by example." Nathan said looking momentarily at the ground by his feet. "And I'm sorry that that I fell short of being the role model I should have been."

For a moment, Nathan closed his eyes and sighed heavily before finally looking back up at the crowd around him and continuing.

"I'll admit that up until this point I have been a coward. That my fear of losing the opportunity to continue playing the game that I have loved for so long, prevented me from standing up and admitting my mistakes sooner." Nathan said regretfully. "That I wasn't man enough to take full responsibility for my actions."

Nathan paused for a moment to take a deep breath before speaking again.

"Despite what you may hear… I have never lost a game on purpose. However, the truth is still the truth. I could try and bend it or spin it to paint me in a better light, but at the end of the day there is still right and wrong." Nathan said sadly. "And I was wrong… I know that."

"Although I never lost a game intentionally, the truth is that I abandoned a game that has been incredibly good to me and by participating in point shaving I compromised not only the games integrity, but my own."

Out of the corner of his eye, Nathan noticed Whitey remove his blue Ravens basketball cap and wipe at his eye quickly with the back of his hand.

"To my coach… my wife, my brother," Nathan said glancing thankfully between Haley and Lucas. Haley squeezed Nathan's hand in acknowledgement as he continued. "To my father and my family…I apologise again. I know that my involvement in this will bring a burden on you all that isn't deserved."

Nathan paused again, sighing heavily as he once more took in all the faces, which at that moment were focussed directly on him.

"There is nothing that I can say to you today to fully express how deeply remorseful I am for the choices I made." Nathan continued quietly. "I know that what I did was inexcusable, however, I am willing to face whatever consequences my actions might have."

Nathan inhaled deeply before adding, "I love basketball… and I'm sorry that I betrayed it."

As Nathan finished, Haley squeezed his hand tightly in hers before comfortingly wrapping her arm around his waist and resting her head on his chest. On his other side, Lucas smiled sadly at Nathan and patted him proudly on the back as his brother began to turn around. Together the three of them left the quad and the crowds behind them as they silently made their way towards the school car park.

(Karen's Café)

"I love basketball…. and I'm sorry that I betrayed it." Nathan's voice came from a TV in the café as Brooke listened to his speech whilst continuing to play with the untouched food on a plate before her.

It had been half an hour since Peyton had dropped Brooke off into Karen's care and for the majority of that time the young brunette had been sitting alone in the café whilst the pregnant woman attended to her many customers.

On seeing how busy Karen was, Brooke had offered to lend her a hand by helping to clear tables and take orders. However, Karen had been adamant that Brooke was in no way, shape or form to help her. Instead, Karen had insisted that Brooke take a seat in an empty booth and rest until Peyton returned.

Initially Brooke had attempted to protest, arguing that she was well enough to lend Karen a hand and that it wasn't fair that she should be struggling alone when she was pregnant. Although she had been grateful for Brooke's offer and knew that the young girl was more than capable of wiping down a few tables, Karen had still refused her assistance.

Karen understood that Brooke was trying to be helpful and she appreciated that enormously, especially considering that she was still recovering from her recent injury. However, Karen would never forgive herself if she allowed Brooke to help and something happened to her as a result.

Since Peyton had dropped Brooke off earlier, Karen couldn't help but feel protective of the girl and it was these motherly instincts, which were preventing the pregnant woman from accepting her assistance despite the fact that it was greatly needed.

Luckily however, the rush had soon died down and the situation was further relieved when another member of staff had begun their shift around ten minutes earlier. Shortly after the arrival of her employee, Karen prepared Brooke some food and took it over to where she was sitting at her table.

Despite Brooke's hunger, the brunette had barely touched her plate. From her position at the counter, Karen watched sadly as Brooke slowly moved the food around distractedly, her head resting gently on her hand propped up with her elbow on the table.

Slowly Karen finished wiping down the counter before her with a damp cloth, her eyes never leaving the lonely form of Brooke sitting nearby. After she'd finished cleaning the counter top, Karen turned towards her staff and informed her that she would be taking a quick break. As she began to make her way towards where Brooke was sitting, Karen placed the cloth down gently onto the counter and out of her hands.

"Is this seat taken?" Karen asked as she approached where Brooke was sitting.

On hearing Karen's voice Brooke looked up from playing with her food and smiled at the older woman.

"Knock yourself out," Brooke said gesturing for Karen to take the seat opposite her.

Karen laughed slightly at Brooke's words as she lowered herself into the booth opposite her and sighed heavily.

"What's so funny?" Brooke asked curiously as Karen gently relaxed into her seat.

"Nothing," Karen replied watching Brooke closely for a moment as the girl thought back on what she'd just said.

"Oh I get it," Brooke said, throwing one hand up in front of her as the realisation of her words struck. "Knock yourself out…I guess it's kind of ironic under the circumstances."

As she said this Brooke motioned up towards the large bruise still visible on her forehead.

"A little," Karen agreed as her eyes fell towards the barely touched plate of food before Brooke and she asked the brunette, "Don't you like it?"

"It's not that," Brooke answered quickly not wanting to offend Karen after she'd taken the time to make something for her it's just…"

"Brooke, I can make you something else if you'd prefer?" Karen offered kindly, interrupting what Brooke had been saying.

"No honestly Karen, it's…it's really nice… I guess… I'm just not very hungry after all." Brooke responded sincerely.

"Are you sure?" Karen asked Brooke. "It's no problem."

"No really Karen, it's great…" Brooke defended again. "I'm sorry…I must have lost my appetite or something."

On hearing this Karen glanced at Brooke worriedly.

"Are you feeling ok?" Karen asked with concern evident in her voice.

For a minute, Brooke didn't answer instead choosing to stare at her hands which were now resting on the table.

"Brooke?" Karen prompted, her voice anxious.

When she heard the concern in Karen's voice, Brooke glanced up to meet the older woman's gaze and smiled half-heartedly.

"Yeah…I'm fine…" Brooke answered unconvincingly.

Karen gave Brooke a disbelieving look.

"Really?" Karen asked clearly still fretful.

"I'm just…" Brooke began avoiding Karen's gaze. "It's nothing really…"

"Why don't you let me be the judge of that?" Karen asked comfortingly as she placed her hand reassuringly on top of Brooke's.

Brooke looked up slightly startled by the sudden touch and Karen withdrew her hand apologetically.

"I'm sorry," Karen said quickly noticing the dressing on the back of Brooke's hand where she'd had the cannula inserted. "Did I hurt you?"

"Uh…no," Brooke said. "You just…uh…you startled me that's all. I…uh…I wasn't expecting you to take my hand."

At Brooke's words, Karen felt a sudden sense of sadness overwhelm her.

"Brooke…" Karen began sadly as she comprehended what Brooke was telling her.

"It's alright," Brooke said glancing down again.

"I'm sorry that your parents aren't here," Karen said sincerely as she slowly reached out and took Brooke's hand in her own once again.

"Thanks," Brooke, said appreciatively as she pulled her hand away from Karen's once more.

"Brooke…" Karen said quietly as she looked at the girl before her.

"Karen you don't have to do this," Brooke said trying to explain.

"Do what?" Karen asked slightly confused.

"Worry about me," Brooke replied. "I mean…I'm not your daughter and I'm no longer dating Lucas…you don't have to feel responsible for me…"

Brooke paused for a moment before continuing.

"You have enough to worry about with that one." Brooke said gesturing towards Karen's extending abdomen and laughing a little.

At these words, Karen shifted slightly in her seat and leant forward over the table, reaching out and taking one of Brooke's hands in both her own comfortingly.

"I want you to listen to me Brooke," Karen said simply. "I don't want you to feel as though you're being a burden to me alright? Or that you can't talk to me about things because of everything that's happened between you and Lucas."

Karen paused for a moment, placing one hand gently on the side of Brooke's face.

"I know that I'm not your mother and maybe it's wrong of me, but I still think of you as my responsibility." Karen continued. "When Lucas told me what was going on I couldn't help but worry about you and 'd like to think that despite everything that's happened we're still close."

"Karen," Brooke said almost inaudibly as she fought back the tears which were threatening to fall.

"I care about you Brooke," Karen continued ignoring Brooke's protests. "I know that I'm not a substitute for your own parents but please…let me help you through this ok? At least…at least until they get here."

Karen paused for a moment as she saw Brooke reach up and wipe at her eyes with her free hand. Karen smiled at her sadly for a moment before continuing.

"I know that you think you can do this with just the help of Peyton and your friends Brooke," Karen said rubbing the young girls hand soothingly. "But if I know you as well as I think I do…you won't be honest with them or open up to them about how you're coping. You'll just put on your normal charade."

Brooke closed her eyes momentarily as she tried to compose herself. With every word Karen was saying, Brooke felt her resolve slipping even more and inside she was struggling not to break down at the compassion Karen was showing her.

From where she was sitting Karen could see Brooke resisting the urge to fall apart. Slowly Karen reached up and wiped at a tear, which had fallen down Brooke's cheek with the pad of her thumb.

"Brooke, it's ok to let it all out…" Karen said softly, almost inaudibly. "No one is going to think any less of you if you fall apart, ok? You don't have to pretend everything's all right around me."

As Karen watched Brooke closely she saw the girl's composure suddenly break and for a moment the pregnant women felt as though her heart would do the same thing. Quickly Karen rose from her chair and made her way around the table to sit beside Brooke.

Hurriedly Karen sat down and wrapped her arms comfortingly around Brooke's body as the brunette sobbed uncontrollably into her chest. Slowly Karen pulled Brooke in closer to her, rubbing the young girl's back soothingly with one hand as she gently stroked the side of her face with the other.

Karen closed her eyes as Brooke hold onto her tighter and she felt a tear roll down her cheek at the girl's pain.

"Shhhh," Karen said soothingly as she continued to draw small circles on Brooke's back with her hand. "It's okay…. everything's going to be all right…"

(Tree Hill High School)

Following his announcement, Nathan slowly made his way towards the school parking lot with both Haley and Lucas by his side. When they reached the car, Nathan kissed Haley affectionately on the forehead, removing his arm from around her shoulders and smiling lovingly at her.

As he reached into his pocket to retrieve the car keys, Nathan glanced towards Lucas and spoke.

"Hey Luke," Nathan began hesitantly. "Do you have your car here?"

"No, I walked in this morning." Lucas answered puzzled. "Why?"

"I was wondering if you could drive Haley to your mom's café for me?" Nathan asked as he finally found his keys and held them out for Lucas to take.

"You're not coming?" Haley asked Nathan just as confused as Lucas.

"I'll meet you there in a bit," Nathan said taking Haley's hand in his own. "There's just something that I want to do first."

"Do you want some company?" Haley asked squeezing Nathan's hand affectionately in her own.

"I'd love some," Nathan said as he bought Haley's hand up to his lips and kissed it softly. "However I think I should probably do this do this alone if that's ok?"

"Where are you going?" Lucas asked as he distractedly played with Nathan's car keys in his hand.

"To see Dan," Nathan answered simply. "I thought I should probably tell him about what happened."

"That's if he doesn't already know," Lucas said gesturing towards one of the many cameramen in the distance.

"Exactly," Nathan said.

"Well why don't you let me give you a lift?" Lucas said as he opened the car door before glancing back up at his brother. "Save you walking."

"Actually," Nathan said gratefully. "I think the walk will do me good. That way I can get it straight in my mind exactly what I'm going to say to him."

"Are you sure?" Haley asked as she looked up at Nathan.

"Yeah," Nathan reassured her. "I won't be long, I promise."

"Ok," Haley said smiling as she reached up to kiss Nathan gently on the lips. "I'm proud of you."

Nathan smiled lovingly at Haley's words and kissed her again.

"I don't think I could have done it without you." Nathan said sincerely as he brushed a stray piece of hair out of her eyes. "I love you."

"I love you too," Haley said pulling Nathan into a warm embrace.

Nathan wrapped his arms around Haley for a moment, before she pulled away.

"Ok…so… I'll see you in a bit," Haley said as she kissed Nathan a final time. "Good luck."

With one final glance towards Nathan, Haley made her way around the car and slowly got into the passenger seat.

When she was inside, Nathan turned to Lucas.

"Listen thanks for everything Luke," Nathan said gratefully.

"No problem little brother." Lucas said placing a firm hand on Nathan's shoulder momentarily as he too entered the car.

Nathan watched for a minute, whilst Lucas turned over the engine and pulled out of the schools' parking lot. Once the car had disappeared out of sight, Nathan sighed heavily and slowly began to make his way towards his dad's house.

As Nathan slowly walked, his mind started to wander back to what he'd just done. Whilst he'd been giving his speech, Nathan hadn't had the time to contemplate what the consequences of his actions would mean for his and Haley's future.

Although he'd already known that the chances were he would no longer play college basketball, it wasn't until this moment following his admission of guilt that the truth of that fact finally hit him. Suddenly, Nathan felt a sense of panic flood over him as he wondered what this would mean for his future. His dream was over and Nathan was anxious at the prospect of not knowing what to do next with his life.

Nathan knew that he didn't have the grades or the money to go to college without a basketball scholarship, especially with a child on the way. Haley had forsaken her dream of attending Stanford so that he could follow his own of playing basketball for Duke. However, as he continued to walk now, Nathan couldn't help but feel responsible for ending Haley's so soon.

It was because of him that both he and Haley had lost out on their dreams and for what? Haley would be following Nathan to Duke. However the chances were he would no longer be going. Perhaps Haley should follow her dream of attending Stanford? After all, what was there to stop her now that he'd lost out on his chance to play at Duke.

Just as Nathan was about to contemplate this further, he was suddenly pulled from his thoughts by a familiar voice.

"Hey stranger," Peyton said from where she was sitting on the grass before Nathan.

"Hey" Nathan said surprised as he slowly glanced around to try and get his bearings. "What are you doing here?"

"Thinking," Peyton said as she turned back to look at her mother's grave in front of her. "I needed to clear my head for a bit."

As she finished her sentence, Peyton peered back up at Nathan who was looking at her with a confused expression on his face.

"What are you doing here?" Peyton asked puzzled as she gestured for Nathan to take a seat beside her by patting the grass firmly.

"Honestly," Nathan said as he slowly took a seat beside her. "I have no idea."

Nathan paused for a moment, inhaling deeply.

"I was just on my way to tell my dad that I'd thrown my dreams away against his advice." Nathan continued after a moment. "I guess I just ended up here."

Peyton looked at Nathan curiously as his gaze shifted towards the direction of Keith's grave.

"Why what happened?" Peyton asked Nathan concerned.

As he explained everything that had happened to Peyton, Nathan stared into the distance, avoiding what he knew would be Peyton's shocked expression.

"I guess I screwed up pretty badly huh?" Nathan finally finished, looking up to meet Peyton's gaze.

"I guess so," Peyton said inhaling deeply and lowering her head for a moment.

"Gee thanks for the support Peyton," Nathan said playfully as he nudged her with his elbow.

"No problem buddy," Peyton teased causing Nathan to laugh.

Peyton watched Nathan closely for a moment as he stared out into the distance before him.

"Honestly," Peyton continued eventually. "I think you did the right thing Nate."

"Thanks Peyton," Nathan said sincerely meeting her gaze. "I just wish that doing the right thing solved all my problems."

Peyton didn't respond to Nathan's words, silently prompting for him to continue.

"I mean," Nathan carried on sensing this. "Me and Haley had it all figured out, you know? I'd go to Duke on my basketball scholarship and she'd come with me. We'd be a family. All of us together, me, her and the baby."

"So what's changed?" Peyton asked seriously.

Nathan threw Peyton an incredulous look.

"You mean besides the fact that they'll probably take my scholarship away from me?" Nathan asked her.

"Yeah," Peyton said smiling. "Besides that?"

"Peyton…" Nathan begun but his thoughts were cut short as Peyton interrupted him.

"Nathan, I know you think that losing your scholarship will change everything." Peyton said seriously. "But why does it necessarily have to be for the worse? You and Haley have been through a lot and you've survived it all. This is just another bump in the road for the pair of you to overcome together."

"How?" Nathan asked Peyton quietly. "I mean, what am I supposed to do now Peyton? Basketball was my life…I had everything planned around it, my whole future. It's the only thing I'm good at."

"For a start," Peyton said smiling at her friend. "Talk to Haley. You'll come up with something you'll see."

Peyton paused for a moment before continuing.

"Nathan, it'll all work out eventually. You have to believe that." Peyton said reassuringly. "I've never known you to give up on something that means so much to you. Otherwise you and Haley wouldn't still be together now."

Nathan smiled gratefully at Peyton as she continued.

"If basketball is your dream Nathan, then you shouldn't let go of it easily." Peyton carried on. "Dreams only come true for the people that chase them. Fairytales aren't handed out on a plate you know?"

"They're not?" Nathan asked feigning surprise.

"No," Peyton said earnestly hitting him gently on the arm. "If playing college ball is what you want then find a way to make it happen. Even if it does mean compromising your dream slightly to get a different version of it…so you might not get to play for Duke."

Peyton shrugged as she continued.

"Find someone else that'll have you and play for them?" Peyton finished.

"Thanks Peyton," Nathan said sincerely as he smiled at her.

"Nathan," Peyton said. "If for some reason basketball doesn't work out for you, I just wanted to tell you that there's something else out there for you, that basketball is not all you are or will be good at. You're a good husband Nathan and you're about to be a great father. I know it."

Peyton punched Nathan on the arm before speaking again as he moaned.

"So just remember that the next time you think that basketball is all you have in your life." Peyton finished. "Because it isn't."

"Firstly," Nathan said laughing. "Was the hitting really necessary? And secondly, thank you. That means a lot to me Peyton."

"No problem," Peyton said glancing back at the grave before her.

"So now that I've shared," Nathan said watching Peyton closely. "You want to tell me what you're really doing here?"

Nathan frowned slightly as a sudden realisation came to him and he glanced around for a moment as though in search of something.

"Also," Nathan continued. "Where the hell are you hiding Brooke? Did you leave her in Honeygrove?"

"No," Peyton said laughing and looking at Nathan. "Of course not. I dropped her off at the café with Karen."

"So you could come and brood in the cemetery?" Nathan asked. "I thought you'd stopped all that when you started dating Lucas?"

Peyton continued to laugh at Nathan as she spoke.

"Well, I just didn't think it was particularly appropriate to bring Brooke to the cemetery considering…." Peyton trailed off.

"Yeah well, knowing Brooke she probably would have found a way to make a joke about it." Nathan said laughing.

"Probably," Peyton said. "I really did come here to think though. I just…whenever something big happens in my life…I don't know…I guess… I always find it helpful to talk about it here. I don't know. I guess I find comfort here for some reason."

Peyton glanced at Nathan for a moment before continuing.

"You know, here I can say how I truly feel without having to worry about hurting anyone's feelings." Peyton carried on. "I can get things off of my chest and not feel as though I'm acting crazy and talking to myself because deep down, a part of me thinks that maybe somewhere out there my mom's listening."

"I think I know what you mean," Nathan said glancing back over towards Keith's grave for an instant.

When Nathan turned back to Peyton he continued.

"But you know… I think you can talk to Brooke about what's going on?" Nathan said seriously. "She'd want to know how you're feeling…and if not…then you can always talk to Lucas."

Nathan watched Peyton for a moment before adding, "In fact, I'm surprised you haven't called him yet."

"You're right." Peyton said after taking a minute to think. "I know I can talk to both Brooke and Lucas…it's just…I don't want to worry either of them. Brooke's got enough to worry about already and Lucas has his mom…"

"Peyton," Nathan said disbelievingly cutting her off. "Friends are supposed to worry about you…otherwise they're just kind of…I don't know…strangers I guess."

Peyton laughed at Nathan's words.

"I know," Peyton agreed. "But this way I get to feel better without involving them. You guys have enough to worry about…"

"Seriously after I just dumped all my problems on you, you're not going to let me return the favour?" Nathan interrupted her.

"It's stupid really," Peyton, said secretly glad that Nathan was here to talk to. "I was just going to go to my house and pick up some things to take back to your apartment…but I got there…and I couldn't…I couldn't go inside."

"Peyton," Nathan began placing a hand on her shoulder. "It's ok to be scared."

"But I shouldn't be," Peyton countered. "I mean, Derek's locked up now…it's just, I got there and suddenly I couldn't shake that feeling that he was watching me, you know? I kept remembering what happened that night and with Brooke…I guess I blame myself for what happened to her…that she was there because of me."

"It wasn't your fault Peyton." Nathan said reassuringly.

"I know," Peyton said sadly. "But I can't help thinking that if she'd not come over during prom, she wouldn't have been put in hospital in Honeygrove."

"No one was to know she'd end up in hospital Peyton," Nathan said honestly. "It was just an accident that's all. Besides if she hadn't gone to your house that night to try and make things up with you, then we might not be having this conversation right now."

Peyton shared a meaningful look with Nathan before sighing heavily. For a moment, the pair of them sat in silence, both deep in their own thoughts until Nathan eventually spoke up.

"Tell you what," Nathan said. "Why don't I go with you to your house? We can pick up the things you need and then go and meet the others at the café."

"What about your dad?" Peyton asked Nathan seriously.

"He can wait." Nathan said. "I'm tired of all this brooding and worrying anyway. I just want to spend some time with my friends. Forget about things for a little bit. There's plenty of time for worrying tomorrow."

Peyton smiled at Nathan as he stood up and offered her his hand.

"What do you say?" Nathan asked smiling. "You in?"

Peyton took Nathan's hand and he helped her to stand up from where she'd been sitting on the grass.

"Yeah," Peyton said brushing off her the grass on her jeans. "I'm in… Let's have some fun."

(Karen's Café)

"Are you feeling any better?" Karen asked Brooke as she slowly approached the table carrying drinks for the pair of them in her hands.

After she had burst into tears earlier, Karen had allowed Brooke to sob in her comforting arms, gently reassuring her that everything was going to be ok until she could cry no longer. As Brooke finally regained her composure, she slowly began to open up to Karen about everything that was going on and for a while she'd felt as though a huge burden had been lifted from her.

"Yeah," Brooke said smiling gratefully at the pregnant woman. "Thank you Karen."

Karen smiled at Brooke as she carefully set the two cups down on the table in front of them and took the seat next to her.

"Don't keep things bottled up Brooke," Karen said placing her hand reassuringly on top of the brunettes. "We all need a good cry some times. There's nothing wrong with that."

Brooke laughed slightly at Karen's words.

"Maybe I should start listening to people more often," Brooke said in response.

"Since when do you listen to what anyone else tells you?" Karen asked laughing. "It must be the head injury talking."

Brooke looked at Karen gratefully as she next spoke.

"Seriously though Karen, thank you." Brooke said sincerely. "It means a lot to me, knowing that I have you to turn to if I need you. Like I said before, you don't have to listen to me."

"Well, you can come to me anytime." Karen said slowly rising from her chair. "You know that now."

Brooke nodded her agreement.

"Good," Karen responded feigning a stern look. "Now, if you're not going to eat, at least have something to drink. I'm just going to check on something in the kitchen, I'll be right back."

Brooke watched as Karen disappeared into the back of the café whilst sipping slowly from the hot chocolate Karen had placed on the table before her. Just as she lowered the mug, Brooke heard someone call her name and turned to see who it was.

"Tutor girl." Brooke said as she stood up from her chair to give Haley a hug. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at school?"

"Uh it's a long story," Haley laughed as she hugged Brooke warmly. "I'll explain it later."

"Ok," Brooke said as Haley released her slightly and held onto her shoulders.

"Is Karen here?" Haley asked Brooke as she turned to see Lucas entering the café.

"Yeah she's out the back," Brooke said pointing towards the kitchen.

"Ok I'll be right back," Haley said letting go of Brooke's shoulders. "I want to hear how everything went, alright? Don't go anywhere."

"I promise," Brooke, said laughing slightly as Haley made her way to see Karen, just as Lucas was approaching.

"Hey," Lucas said as he reached Brooke and pulled her into a hug. "How are you feeling?"

"Alright," Brooke said hugging him back for a moment before releasing him and sitting back in the booth. "A little tired I guess."

Lucas took the seat opposite Brooke as he answered.

"I'm glad you're alright," Lucas said watching Brooke closely. "Where's Peyton?"

"She said she had something she needed to do." Brooke answered taking another sip of her drink.

"You know what it was?" Lucas asked a little hurt that Peyton hadn't called him.

"No sorry," Brooke answered placing the mug back onto the table in front of her. "She shouldn't be much longer now though."

Lucas nodded sadly for a moment, watching Brooke closely as he struggled with the decision to ask her what he'd been desperate to since this morning. Although Mouth had told Lucas that the drugs he'd given Dan were originally Brooke's. Lucas still didn't want to believe it to be true. He knew Mouth had asked him to keep his distance from Brooke and wait for him to broach the subject with her. However, Lucas wanted answers now. He couldn't wait for Mouth to talk to her.

"Hey Brooke," Lucas whispered as he leant forward slightly in his seat. "I need to ask you something."

"Ok," Brooke said, a confused expression on her face and imitating his tone. "But why are you whispering?"

Slowly Lucas reached into his pocket and pulled out the small packet of white powder he had there. Brooke raised her eyebrows quizzically as Lucas slid something across the table beneath his hands and Lucas watched her carefully as he began to uncover what he had hidden there.

Initially Brooke just stared at the packet with a look of confusion on her face and Lucas sighed inwardly believing Mouth to have made a mistake. That Brooke didn't know anything about the drugs. However, as the realisation of what Lucas had been concealing hit Brooke, her expression suddenly turned to one of surprise and recognition.

As he met her questioning look, Lucas felt his heart drop in his chest and he slowly replaced the small packet to where he'd taken it from.