Sorry I've been MIA! Yet hope you all enjoy the new chapter! I dedicate it to my favorite Laurie! PS Congrats on that win love ;)

"Is this Tric?" Brooke asked from the back seat as they pulled up to the brick building with the line wrapped around it. She knew Tony mentioned before that the small club was growing, but she had no clue it was growing this much. She was almost positive the line was longer than some in LA.

"Yeah," Tony hit the blinker of the car and pulled into the parking lot. "I mean, this is really the only fun place in town."

"And by that he means the only place in town he gets free drinks," Rachel looked over her shoulder to explain and Brooke laughed. Climbing out, she looped her arm through Haley's as they started to move toward the entrance.

"Is that Brooke Davis?"

"Oh my god that's Brooke Davis!"

Was squealed numerous times and Brooke kept her head down as they wiggled through the line and Tony ushered them up the steps to the main door. His hand on the small of Rachel's back he pulled out his phone to send a text off to Lucas to let them know they were there.

"Brooke!" an unknown hand latched onto her wrist and gripping tight tugged her around. "Hi…"

"Uh," Brooke looked at the unknown group of people and then back at her friends at the top of the steps. "Hello."

"I'm Madison. I love your show and you and Nicholas are the cutest couple ever."

"Yeah thanks. But his name is Matt, his character is-"

"Did he really cheat with that girl?" another cut her off and Brooke pushed out a false smile and rolled her shoulders back.

"Guess you'll just have to watch next season," she sent a wink, Tony's brows creasing to how she flipped that nervous look to some weird façade of whatever she was doing. Brooke leaning back to take a few pictures with them, she flipped her hair back and bit her lip as she took Haley's hand and started up the steps.

"Shit…" Brooke stepped on the final steel step and heel caught in a hole causing her to fall forward. "Damn it…" she yanked it back, thankfully Nathan was there to catch her.

"You ok, B?" Tony turned to grip her arm and tug her up. "Told you not to wear those damn things," he grumbled, Nathan bending forward to pull the heel from the hole. "Pay attention and watch your step."

"I know, sorry," she mumbled, chewing her lip and rubbing her ankle that twisted slightly.

"It's ok, Brookie. Shit happens," Nathan picked her up on the final step causing her to laugh and roll her eyes.

"I mean and aren't you award that like Nicholas totally cheated on you?" Haley teased, making Brooke throw her head back and release the first really laugh in so long. "You're handling it so well…"

"Well you know, hoes before bros," she gave a knuckle touch as they stepped into the loud building. "And our asses are partying tonight."

"Let's just make sure your asses stay covered," Tony grumbled ahead of them, making Rachel slug his chest.

"He was kidding."

"I know," Brooke forced a smile, tugging on the bottom of her dress. Tony high fiving some guy at the door, the discuss something to each other, the older guy nodded and pointed to the back of the building.

"Brookie, com here," Tony reached around them to grab her hand and pull her forward. "Everyone's going to grab a table, but I want to show you something."

"My surprise?" she skipped and clapped her hands excited as he grinned. "Is it big? Is it pretty? Oh Bubba is it food?"

"No," he laughed at her ideas as they moved through the crowd and toward the back hall. "But I think you'll still love it. Go to the last door on the end of this hall and go in…"

"Just…go in?" she looked down the long hall then back at her big brother. "Is this not the bathroom?"

"No, just go. I'll meet you at the table and grab you a drink," Tony winked before spinning on his feet and out of the hall.

"Umm…ok…" she awkwardly moved around the people in line of the bathroom and toward the last door, her heart slamming into her chest as she nervously chewed her lip and twisted the handle. The door not open before she heard the familiar voice of the broody blonde and her stomached dropped.

They hadn't really talked since that weird moment in her room the other day and she didn't know how seeing him would be. She knew she would tonight, she had been prepping for it, however she didn't really know how since she really didn't know what happened the other day. She had no clue if he was mad at her or hurt or…anything.

Then she felt stupid thinking so much about it since she was more than sure he stopped thinking of it the moment he stepped out of her house that day.

"Hello?" she did a small knock as she pushed the door all the way open, her jaw dropping and eyes widening at the people on the other side. The older dark haired brunette leaning against her desk and the older man by her side. "Oh my god!" she squealed, slamming the door behind her and diving into the opening arms.

"Hey crazy girl," Keith squeezed her tight, before releasing her and she moved to Karen. "I heard this rumor you were in town," he cut his eyes to Lucas who glanced down and rocked back on his heels.

"I am," Brooke squeezed Karen tight, for a second debating if she wanted to let go. It had been so long since she felt a motherly hug, she almost forgot what it felt like. "Wait…" she whispered when Karen started to release her and pulled her back in. "I missed you…"

"Oh I missed you too, my Sweet Girl," Karen held tighter, feeling the small girl tremble in her arms. "How are you?"

"Good," Brooke slowly pulled back and showed that smile everyone seemed to be receiving a lot. A smile Lucas took note didn't reach her eyes like it once did. "I'm good. Great."

"Great," Karen repeated slowly and Brooke gave a small shrug.

"But you? How are you? How are ya'll? And Lily?"

"I'm good, we're good, Lily is…perfect," Karen laughed at the rambling girl and brushed her hair back to see her eyes, quickly releasing something was missing…almost positive it was that Brooke Davis spark. Cutting her eyes at her husband, he nodded at her also thinking the same thing. "But I'm glad you're back. Longer than a weekend a hope?"

"Plan on being here all summer…"

"Brooke bought a house," Lucas finally spoke and Brooke quickly started to nod.

"I did. Maybe when you're free you can come give me some advice. You always had the best ideas on decorations."

"I'd love that…"

"But hey, I'm sure you kids don't want to hang out with us old people," Keith pushed from the desk and stepped closer to his wife. "Why don't you all go have some fun and Brooke we get lunch soon and catch up?"

"Tomorrow at the café?"

"That…that would be perfect," Keith chuckled, not meaning that soon, but that worked for him. He had a full opened day.

"Awesome!"

"Yeah, but I'm sure you kids don't want to hang out with us old folks. So why don't ya'll get going?" Karen glanced at her son before giving a nod to the door. "Brooke every thinking of course on the house."

"Oh Karen you don't have to do that…"

"Please, you're family," her hands planted on Brooke's shoulders and gripped them tight. "Family is always on the house," she locked eyes to repeat, causing Brooke to bite her bottom lip.

"Yeah," she pulled in a quick breath, grinning when Karen sent her a wink. "I missed you a lot Karen."

"As did I, now go have fun."

"I'll do my best," Brooke smiled, giving a hug to Keith she tossed a look at Lucas before ducking her head down and heading toward the door. Lucas giving a tight lipped smile to his parents before turning on his feet and following the brunette out the door. Lingering a couple steps behind her, he took note when she paused at the end of the hall and knocked the corner of her eye.

"Brooke," he caught her arm, turning her to face him catching something flicking through her eyes. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" she looked at him to confused to why he was looking at her like that, especially since the last time he looked at her he looked like he wanted to do anything but comfort her.

"You know what I loved most about you," he spoke and her head snapped up look at him and where that came from. "I…I always loved how strong you were. How selfless you were. How you would put the world above you and walk around like you didn't have a single issue in the world. You never let the people see you sweat Brooke."

"Except for you," she shrugged. "You saw the worst parts of me."

"But I also saw the best," he didn't miss a beat and she chewed hard on her lip and closed her eyes. "I saw you vulnerable…It's ok to crumble every once in a while, Brooke. It really is."

"I don't know what you're talking about, Luke," she told him confused to why he thought she was about to break or something. "I'm fine."

"You don't have to be," he stressed, watching her swallow hard. "I see you, Brooke. I see you."

"Then stop," her voice cracked and his mouth snapped shut. "Stop trying to see me. Stop trying to find something wrong, because I'm fine, Lucas. I mean, look at my life right now," she laughed tossing her hands up. "I have the career I love and I'm home with my friends…my family…why would you think something was wrong?" a smile danced across her face as a frown flipped to his.

"I don't know," he finally spoke with a shrug. "You just…you looked upset."

"Not even close…"

"Ok," Lucas let out a small dry laugh and waved his hand to the back area. "Everyone's at a table at the bottom of the steps over there."

"Great," she skipped away from him and toward the stairs. Gripping the rail she looked at the table catching sight of her friends, but then someone she didn't know. "Where's Lindsey?"

"Uh, she had an article to write," Lucas leaned to say into her ear causing the hairs on her neck to rise. Lucas inhaling the familiar scent, he felt it send an effect all the way down his body and quickly he pulled back.

"Brooke!" Rachel called holding a drink in her hand. "Got you something my love."

"Awesome," she slid beside the red head and took a large gulp. "Much needed, thank you."

"Thanks man," Lucas took a beer from Tony and eased into his seat. "Hey Morgan…"

"Hey man," a guy Brooke didn't recognize nodded and Brooke twisted in her seat when his dark brown eyes locked onto hers. "Hi, Morgan."

"Brooke," she took his hand he offered and gave a shake.

"Morgan works with Lucas and I," Haley explained quickly, darting her eyes to Nathan giving a smile that his eyes rolled at. Haley hated when Nathan told her that Brooke hadn't had a serious boyfriend since Lucas and because of it she decided to secretly set her up with Morgan Weathers.

He was a history teacher, tall, thirty, with the darkest eyes of anyone she had ever seen. He helped coach ball with Lucas and they got a long pretty well. And though she wanted Brooke to like him, she still made sure to ask Lucas if he cared she invited him, not like they all hadn't hung out before.

"That's really cool."

"Thanks. I've heard a lot about you," Morgan spoke, Brooke chewed her lip nervously shifted in her seat in hopes he didn't believe things he read. "But I'll be honest, Haley never said you were so gorgeous."

"Oh," Brooke nervously laughed as all the guys rolled their eyes. It was cheesy, she had definitely heard better, but god knows she had heard worse and he was cute. So damn cute that it worked for her. "Well thank you."

"Not a problem," Morgan leaned forward on the table and gave a smile. "But Brooke I heard you like shots and I'd kill for one right now. What you say you let me buy you one?"

"I'd say that I get them for free," she smirked leaning toward him, feeling way too many eyes on her as conversations moved around the table. "But I'd love for you to spend money and it go back to Karen. So come on Teacher Boy," she spun from her seat and started to move toward the bar.

"Be back guys," Morgan stood up and quickly followed her.

"Teacher Boy?" Tony's brow arched up shaking his head. "How well do you know this guy?"

"We work together," Haley said like it was so obvious. "He is really a good guy, Tony. And he used to date the nurse who said he is the perfect boyfriend."

"If he's so perfect why did he used to date her?"

"Because she went back to her ex. He apparently caught them going at it on her couch."

"Ouch," Tony leaned back in the chair eyeing his sister laugh with the new guy. "Do you like him?" he turned to his best friend who was too giving a lot attention to the twosome. "From a guy's opinion."

Lucas thought about it a moment before offering a shrug and downing his drink. "I need another."

"He can't be like that," Rachel called over the loud music to her boyfriend. "This overprotective…watching her like a jealous ex."

"He might be a mildly jealous ex," Tony spoke of his friend who had yet to really talk to him about Brooke being back. He knew Lucas was effected by it he just didn't know how. "But I think it's more because he is protective of her. I mean, he is really happy with Lindsey."

"Doesn't mean he isn't jealous of Brooke with New Guy. He needs to relax," Rachel bounced up and reached for Tony's hand. "But let's dance. I haven't in way too long."

"I freaking hate dancing," Tony groaned as he rose up and followed his girlfriend to the dance floor. Rachel spinning her body against his and Tony just sliding his hands to her hips and somewhat swayed.

"I swear he is a worse dancer than you," Haley teased as she eased back into her body and laced her fingers through his.

"I'm not that bad," Nathan objected causing Haley to scuff. "I'll have you knows Haley James since I've been away I've learned a thing or two," he informed her causing her brow to arch upward. "Yup, Brooke told me she was too embarrassed for me to be around her if I didn't learn to dance. Forced me to take some stupid class with her and Alex."

"Is that so?"

"It is so," he stood and tugged her up with him. Giving her a small spin outward she laughed as he tugged her back into him. "So come on James. Let me show you who the better dancer is."

"Oh please do," she skipped beside him, sending a wink to Brooke laughing at the bar and joining their other friend on the dance floor.

(-)

"Oh god!" Brooke let out a loud laugh that released a small snort causing Morgan to laugh that just much more. "I can't believe you did that."

"Yeah I was a little…crazy in high school," Morgan confessed, taking a sip of his beer and falling back in his chair. Looking over at the girl laughing beside him he swore she had to be the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. How he had known Lucas and Tony this long and not met her was crazy to him.

"I can tell. Too bad you didn't go to Tree Hill, bet we would have had a blast," she smirked, causing him to chuckle and nod.

"I did crazy stuff in high school, but I'm more than sure you wouldn't have even noticed me. Gorgeous girl like you? Yeah I wouldn't have stood a chance."

"We might have not ever dated, but I'm sure it wouldn't have had anything to do with me not noticing you," her head shook placing her hand on his leg.

"Oh so you would have noticed but turned me down, huh? Not sure which sounds worse," he chuckled and she shook her head letting her eyes dance across the bar to the man on the other side with their friends.

"It wouldn't have been like that," Brooke watched as Lucas' looked over at her and jaw set into a hard line. "In high school I was seeing someone. I don't think I noticed another guy until…hell I don't think I noticed another guy until tonight," she looked back at Morgan and gave a weak smile. "That probably sounds really pathetic," she released a dry laugh and leaned back in her seat, her hand returning to her lap. "Like super pathetic."

"No it doesn't. I actually know exactly what you mean," he reached to brush her hair back and Brooke stood up.

"Do you want to dance with me? Because this is supposed to be a fun night out and I got way to serious right then…"

"You didn't get serious, but if you would rather dance and save talking for another time I'm totally fine with that."

"Good," she flashed that Brooke Davis smile and slid her hand into his. "Come on. I really love this song."

Rising up the twosome wiggled their bodies through the crowd and to the center of the flashing lights and sticky bodies. Rolling her body to the music, her head rolled back as Morgan's hand slipped down her body and pulled her close.

"Do you know you turn every head in this place?" he whispered in her ear as Brooke ran her hand in the back of his hair. "I am the envy of every guy in here."

"They don't care your dancing with me," her gaze lifted and eyes danced around at everyone staring. "They care you're dancing with Brooke Davis. They just don't care about Brooke," she frowned spinning to face him and slipping her arms around his neck.

"I do," he confessed, causing Brooke's body to freeze by the look she was receiving. "Or least I want to…to know Brooke…but not the actress…the one that Haley talks about. I think I could really like her."

"You probably wouldn't," she released a dry laugh and chewed her lip, glancing over his shoulder at the broody blonde in the corner staring at her with a look she couldn't read. "No one has cared about her in a long time…think karma kinda fucked up any other chance I might have at someone liking her again."

"Well let's just test karma then…" Morgan pulled back, causing her to break her gaze with Lucas and lock eyes on him. "How about you let me take you to dinner tomorrow night?" his thumb grazed the corner of her lip and she inhaled a long breath. "And you show me the real Brooke Davis."

"I think I would like that…"

"Then I think I would like to pick you up tomorrow at eight…" he grinned, Brooke pulling her lower lip into her mouth before giving a slow nod, pulling her phone out of her bra she handed it over as he put his number inside. Both completely unaware of all the eyes watching them as they started to dance again.

Review!