Looking For Solid Ground

++++++++OTH++++++





Haley carefully rolled out of bed the next morning. Luckily Brooke was so tired from waking up in the middle of the night that she didn't object. Haley smiled down at her; she looked so peaceful in her sleep. She felt bad for waking her up with her stupid insecurities, but she had figured out a way to make it up to her. And if she could manage to pull it off, it would be nothing short of a miracle.





+++++++++OTH++++++





"Brooke!" Haley fussed, shaking her. "We're going to be late for school if you don't get your ass out of bed."



"Five more minutes," she grumbled.



"No," Haley said, pulling the covers from her tight grip. "Now. We don't have five more minutes."



"Fine," she sighed, sitting up and wiping the sleep from her eyes. "Let me take a shower."



"No, no shower. You took one last night; you don't need or have time for another one. Now let's go. Get some clothes on, and we'll grab some breakfast on the way."



"Why didn't you wake me up sooner?" Brooke yawned, rummaging through the drawers for some clothes.



"My alarm clock didn't go off."



Brooke walked to the bathroom, and Haley sat down on the bed with a smile. So far so good. Brooke emerged ten minutes later, looking gorgeous as usual, except for the fact that she couldn't keep her eyes open.



"I wanna go back to bed."



"No, we don't have time. Now come on. Look, I'll drive and you can catch some sleep on the way there, ok?"



"What happened to breakfast?"



"You took too long in the bathroom, and now we don't have time, so let's go."



Brooke struggled to raise an eyebrow, "Since when do you not eat breakfast?"



"We all have to make sacrifices."



Brooke mumbled something about where she could stick her sacrifices as she dug through her purse for her keys and handed them to Haley.



"Wait," she stopped. "Do you even have your license?"



"Brooke, I've driven your car before."



"Yea, but when I'm fully awake, my brain stops working."



Haley cocked her head slightly and let out a laugh, "Come on, you can sleep in the car."



And, fortunately, as soon as Brooke sat down in the passenger side, she crashed. Haley let out a sigh of relief as she started up the engine.





++++++++OTH++++++++





Haley smiled as she pulled into the driveway. She had never been to Bevin's house before, and it was huge. She parked next to Lucas's car and turned off the engine.



"Brooke?" she said, turning in her seat to face her. She was sound asleep with her head resting against the windshield.



"Brooke?" she repeated, shaking her slightly.



"Five more minutes Rosa."



Haley snorted with laughter. Rosa had been Brooke's nanny when she was younger. An evil grin came over her face when her eyes caught sight of Brooke's toned legs coming out of her blue jean mini skirt. Haley put her fingertips on Brooke's knee, and slowly drew them up Brooke's leg, grazing her skin lightly with her fingernails.



Brooke jerked awake, hitting her knee on the dashboard as Haley erupted with laughter.



"You're evil," Brooke glared, rubbing her knee.



"Are you ok?" Haley asked when her laughter had subsided.



"No," she pouted.



Haley rolled her eyes, "Well, we're here."



"Here?" Brooke asked. "Where's here?"



Her eyes widened as she looked out the window.



"Haley, this looks like Bevin's house. Why are we at Bevin's house?"



"Well, it's senior skip day duh."



"But finals--"



Haley waved it off, "Brooke, you're ready for finals. You've been working your butt off this past week, and I think you deserve a break. Also," she added. "I felt horrible for waking you up last night over something so stupid."



"It wasn't stupid Hales."



Haley just shrugged, "So are you ready for some fun?"



"Wait, I don't even have my swim suit."



"It's in a bag in the trunk."



"Hold on. You already have yours on," Brooke laughed tugging lightly on the strings of Haley’s bikini that were around her neck. "How did I not notice that?"



"You couldn't keep your eyes open for more than 2 seconds," Haley smiled.



Brooke shook her head, "God you are amazing."



She wrapped her hand around the back of Haley's head and pulled her close for a lip bruising kiss that softened as Brooke felt Haley's finger trace her jaw line.



"We can't do this here," Haley laughed as she pulled away.



"Why not?" Brooke asked, reaching in for another kiss.



"Because somebody could see,” Haley replied, leaning back, out of Brooke’s reach.



"I know, that makes it all the more exciting," Brooke replied, wiggling her eyebrows. She leaned in quickly and stole a kiss before Haley could react. A blush rose to Haley's cheek.



Brooke bit her lip, "You have no idea what that does to me when you do that do you?"



Haley only blushed more, causing Brooke to laugh. She leaned forward and kissed the tutor on the forehead.



"Come on. It's time to party," she smiled, getting out the car.



"Brooke?" Haley asked worriedly as she got out. "Are you planning on drinking?"



"I haven't decided yet," she replied, getting her bag out the trunk. "Why? Do you not want me to?"



"No, it’s not that," she answered quickly. "It's just I don't want you to..." Her voice trailed off.



Brooke nodded as she put an arm around Haley, squeezing gently.



"Don't worry, I won't get wasted. I know I tend to say things I shouldn't when I do. Besides, I haven't gotten drunk in a while. There's no reason for me to anymore," she said looking down at her.



"Why not?"



Brooke smiled as she shook her head. She placed a kiss on the top of Haley's head and led her into Bevin's house.





++++++++++OTH+++++++++





"I don't believe it," Lucas smiled as he pulled Haley into a hug. "You actually came."



"Yep," Haley smiled.



"Where's Brooke?"



"Getting changed. She should be down any minute."



"So you actually let her take a break?" Lucas teased, causing Haley to swat his arm.



"Kidding. I was kidding," he laughed, bringing up his hands in defense. "Seriously Hales, you've been a great friend to Brooke lately. I'm sure she really appreciates it."



"Thanks."



"It was also really great of you to get her to come. What changed your mind?"



"Nothing really; she deserves a break," she shrugged her shoulders.



"I'm sure you've made her happy," Lucas smiled. His eyes grew wide. "Along with every guy here."



Haley turned around to see Brooke walking out of Bevin's house. She had on a red bikini that revealed a whole lot of skin with a beach towel thrown over her shoulder. Haley was suddenly finding it hard to breath. She felt a blush cross her cheeks as several inappropriate thoughts ran through her mind when her eyes met Brooke's.



"So who's ready to get this party started?" Brooke asked, earning a cheer from the small crowd that had gathered around the pool in Bevin's backyard



She laughed at the response and walked over to where Haley and Lucas were gathering.



"Hey hey," she greeted.



"Glad to see you could join us," Lucas smiled. "It wouldn't be a party without you."



"I know," she returned the smile, wrapping an arm around Haley. "I guess we just have to thank our favorite tutor for getting me here."



Brooke kissed Haley's cheek innocently, "You rock, you know?"



Haley bit her lip as she smiled, working extremely hard to control her actions. Brooke gave her a slight squeeze, causing Haley's arm to rub against her bare side.



"I think I'm going to grab something to eat," she said, sliding out of Brooke's grip.



Brooke smiled, "I told you that you can't skip breakfast."



"Yea," Haley laughed as she backed away nervously.



Brooke watched with a knowing smirk as Haley walked towards the food table.



"What was that about?" Lucas laughed as he watched Haley spill the punch she was trying to scoop into a glass.



"Oh, nothing," Brooke replied. "You know how she gets when she skips a meal."



"Yea," Lucas nodded with a smile as he gave Brooke's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "I'll catch up with you later, ok?"



"Yea, ok," she replied as he walked away.



Brooke approached the punch table with a grin. She looked around to make sure nobody was paying attention to them. From anybody else's perspective, it looked as if Brooke had just placed a friendly arm around Haley's waist. However, when Brooke's hand teasingly slid underneath the front of Haley's shirt to graze her stomach, Haley knew it wasn't quite that innocent.



"You are evil," she whispered, struggling to find her voice.



"Who me?" she asked, grazing a nail across the skin right above Haley's waist band.



Haley's eyes fluttered close.



"You know there are plenty of empty rooms in Bevin's house. The majority of them being bedrooms," Brooke said suggestively.



"Brooke," Haley breathed heavily as Brooke traced a circle around her belly button.



"Yes?"



"You really don't want to start this game again," Haley warned, turning to face Brooke with glazed over eyes.



Brooke subconsciously licked her lips in expectation, "Really? Because that look in your eyes is telling me that I really do."



"Haley!" a voice called from behind, making both girls jump. Brooke reluctantly removed her hand, and both girls turned around.



"You coming in?" Skills asked from the pool.



"I don't know," she replied hesitantly. "How cold is the water?"



"It's heated," Bevin smiled from Skills side.



Haley looked at them skeptically.



"Come on Tutor Girl," Brooke smiled, bumping her hip. "Live a little."



"I live plenty, thank you," she replied.



"What? You're not scared of showing a bit of skin are you?" Brooke challenged.



Haley raised a cocky eyebrow as she stared right back into Brooke's eyes. She crossed her arms and took off her shirt without hesitation.



"Tell me Tigger. Do I have a reason to be scared of showing a bit of skin?" she asked as she slipped off her shorts.



Brooke swallowed hard, shaking her head as she allowed her eyes to slowly travel up Haley's exposed body. Her legs were nice and toned, and she struggled not to lick her lips again as her eyes traveled to Haley's hip bones that were peaking out over the bottom piece of her bathing suit. Her stomach was firm and her waist small. Her eyes slowly rose to Haley's chest--



"I'm up here," Haley smirked, although her voice wavered and she felt a blush rise to her cheeks.



"I'm not there yet," Brooke replied.



Haley swatted her arm.



"Hey!"



"Control yourself," Haley laughed. "Now, I'm going for a swim. You can join or not, but from my personal experience, it's not as fun if I get wet all by myself."



Brooke's jaw dropped as she watched Haley walk to the pool. She dove in cleanly and resurfaced gracefully. It took all Brooke had not to dive in after her and jump her right there in the pool. Brooke shook her head, a smirk reappearing. She definitely wanted to play this game.





++++++++OTH++++++





"Haley!" Brooke called.



She was laying out on a reclined pool side chair, looking through her bag for the tanning oil. Haley walked out the house with a towel wrapped around her, a drink in each hand, and a cookie in her mouth.



"Cute," Brooke laughed, causing Haley to smile.



"What do you need?" she asked, handing her a drink.



Brooke sniffed the cup.



"It's just punch," Haley laughed.



"Darn."



Haley raised an eyebrow.



"Well, I'm guessing if this is punch--" she raised her glass, "then that is punch," she pointed to Haley's glass.



She nodded, "Yep."



"So there goes my plan of you getting drunk and me taking advantage of you," Brooke frowned.



"Sorry," Haley replied, pulling another chair closer to lie down on. "So what you needed?"



"Oh, nothing," Brooke said innocently as she began to apply the lotion to her legs rather slowly and thoroughly. "Just wanted to see you. We haven't really talked all day."



'Don't look,' Haley commanded herself. 'Don't look'



Haley turned her head to face Brooke. 'Damn it,' she cursed herself.



"I'm sorry," she replied, keeping her voice steady. She would not give Brooke the satisfaction of knowing that she was getting to her. "I'm just in such high demand today."



"Oh really?" Brooke questioned.



"Yea," Haley struggled. Her heart started to race as Brooke's hands moved up her legs, slowly massaging the oil into her thighs.



"Well, then I should feel pretty special to be having this one-on-one then, huh?"



"Yea," her voice cracked slightly, as Brooke's hands rubbed the oil over her chest.



"Lucky me," Brooke smiled with a wink.



"Yea."



Haley shook her head, fighting to shake out the fuzziness. She was not going to lose this battle.



"Here, let me get your back," she offered.



Brooke raised an eyebrow, but sat up, scooting forward on the chair. Haley sat behind her, her legs straddling the chair. Brooke handed her the lotion bottle over her shoulder, and Haley smiled. She carefully worked the oil into her shoulders, paying every inch of her skin the attention it deserved. She ran her hands down Brooke's sides, following the slight curve of her hips. Her smile grew to a smirk as she heard Brooke take in a ragged breath.



Haley's hands rose to just below Brooke's neck, where she used her thumbs to trace the outside of her spine as her hands slowly trailed down her back. She reached the bottom piece of her bikini and slid her fingers along the edge, rubbing in the lotion. Haley bit her lip as Brooke grabbed onto the sides of the fold out chair with her hands.



Honestly, this was torturing Haley as much as it was Brooke. The sight of Brooke's bare back in front of her, the image of a bikini clad Brooke walking towards her from earlier, replaying in her mind, the feeling of her soft skin beneath her fingers, and Brooke's own reactions to her touch, was making it very difficult for Haley not to let her hormones get the best of her.



"I think you're good," Haley said, pulling away.



"Yea?" Brooke asked, unable to hide the disappointment in her voice.



"Yea," Haley replied, giving her arm a light squeeze as she got out from behind her.





+++++++++OTH+++++++++





The sun had long set and all that remained were couples spread sparingly throughout Bevin's house and backyard. All of which were too immersed in themselves to notice anything around them.



Brooke smiled fondly as she watched as Haley floated around the swimming pool on her back. The small light that was shining in the backyard gave the illusion that she was glowing.



'Like an angel' Brooke thought.



She laughed to herself. Well…Haley was trying to float around the swimming pool. She never lasted more than a few seconds on her back before some part of her body started to sink.



Brooke shook her head as she stood up and walked over to the pool. She slid in gracefully and treaded over to where Haley was floating. The water was up to her shoulders.



"Need some help?" she asked with a laugh as she slid one arm under the small of Haley's back and the other under her shoulders.



"I suck at this," Haley pouted as she continued to float in her arms.



"Please don't do that," Brooke asked softly.



"Why not?"



"Because it makes me want to kiss you," she replied honestly.



Haley smiled up at her shyly. Brooke returned the smile as she slowly walked Haley around the pool.



"This is perfect," Haley whispered, looking up at the stars.



"Yea," Brooke agreed.



Haley wrapped her arm around Brooke's waist, pulling herself closer to the raven haired girl, causing her side to make contact with Brooke's stomach. She loved the feeling of Brooke's bare skin against hers. It gave her chills, yet it warmed her to the core.



"So..." Brooke began, after they had moved in a comfortable silence for several minutes.



Haley sensed the beginning of a conversation, so she sat up, falling out of Brooke's arms. She sputtered as water filled her mouth.



"Come here," Brooke laughed, grabbing the smaller girl under her arms. She pulled her to her, and Haley instinctively wrapped her legs around Brooke's waist and put her arms around her neck. Brooke put her hands under Haley's upper legs to support her.



"Just because I can reach here, doesn't mean you can," Brooke pointed out.



Haley pouted again.



"What did I tell you about that?" Brooke asked.



Haley looked at her innocently, causing Brooke to smile.



"You are so lucky you're cute, you know that?"



"Yea," Haley shrugged, making both girls laugh.



"So, what were you going to say before my near death experience?" Haley asked when their giggles had subsided.



"Near death?"



She merely shrugged again.



"Well, it's nothing major. Peyton just asked if I wanted to spend the night at her place tonight. It's a little ritual we do every year before the last week of school. I would ask you to come, but I mean, it's always just been something for the two of us. Is that ok?" Brooke asked.



Haley smiled, "Yea, of course. I mean, I know how you feel. There's some stuff that Lucas and I do that's just between the two of us. So, yea, don't worry about it. You go have your fun. Although..."



"Although what?"



"I was kind of looking forward to spending some alone time with you," she admitted. "Today has been pretty--"



"Tension-filled," Brooke offered with a smile.



"Yea," Haley laughed softly. "But it can wait. You go have fun with Peyton."



"I don't know," Brooke said slowly. She ran one of her hands on the underside of Haley's thigh, causing a sharp intake of breath from Haley. "Sometimes tension like that can't wait too long to be worked out."



Haley had to remind herself to breath as Brooke's hand inched ever higher up her leg.



"Brooke," she breathed heavily, pulling herself closer.



Brooke's hand froze at the feeling of Haley being pressed fully against her. Her own breathing started to become ragged as she stared into Haley's eyes.



"Hey Brooke!" a voice called from the back door.



"Yea?!" Brooke called back, cursing herself when her voice came out hoarse.



"You ready to go?!" Peyton asked.



Brooke looked at Haley regretfully. Haley nodded, still unable to control her ability to speak. Brooke gave her a wink and a half smile, bringing the smaller girl around, so she was on her back. Haley tightened her grip around Brooke's neck, resting her chin on her shoulder, as Brooke slowly walked back to the shallow end.



"I'm going to miss you tonight," Haley admitted sadly, the lust in her voice from earlier replaced with compassion.



Brooke sighed as a small smile grew on her lips.



"I'm going to miss you too," she replied, leaning her head against Haley's.





+++++++++OTH++++++++





Haley sighed as she turned over in the empty bed that night. This was the first time she had slept alone in a long time, and she wasn't enjoying it. She missed the feeling of security she got from lying in Brooke's arms. She took Brooke's pillow and held it close. She smiled as she breathed in--it smelled like her. The image of Brooke walking out of Bevin's house in that red bikini was replaying over and over in her mind. Haley could still feel Brooke's hands on her legs. She closed her eyes, wondering what would have happened if Peyton hadn't interrupted.





Brooke rolled over, pulling the covers with her. She missed the warmth that Haley always brought. Peyton was asleep right next to her, yet she suddenly felt very lonely. Brooke thought back over the events of that day. A smile came over her face as she thought of how much of a tease Haley was being when she had taken off her clothes. Her toes curled as she thought of that brief moment in the pool. Truth was Brooke had never wanted anyone as much as she wanted Haley. Just the thought of the sweet tutor made her breath quicken. Then Brooke remembered the feeling that she had gotten when Haley said that she was going to miss her. She sighed as her heart melted all over again just from the thought of it. She had been avoiding it for a while now, but it was time that she was honest with herself. She was falling for the girl, and she was falling fast.







++++++++OTH++++++++





Brooke woke up early the next morning. She knew better than to wake Peyton before noon, so she left a note saying that she had to get home for some last minute studying with Haley. The truth was, she just wanted to see Haley. She couldn't spend another moment without the smaller girl in her arms. She didn't even bother getting dressed and walked out to her car in her pajamas, toothbrush in her mouth. She smiled at the memory of Haley arguing with her to get out of bed to brush her teeth the weekend before.



She turned her car on, put it in drive, and took off. The drive to the apartment, however only a few minutes, seemed like forever. She parked the car and turned it off. She looked in the mirror, making sure she didn't look completely horrible, before exiting the car. She took the stairs two at a time as she hurried up to the second story. She opened the apartment door and let it shut behind her.



Haley came out the bathroom, pulling her hair up in a messy bun, still in her pajama shorts and tank top. The two girls froze, a smile growing on both their faces. Brooke took a deep breath, before quickly walking over to Haley.



They met in the middle of the hall in a fierce, longing kiss. Brooke kissed Haley forcefully, trying to calm all of the emotions rushing through her. The smaller girl was forced to take a step back, but she definitely wasn't complaining as Brooke's hands roamed her body freely, making her head spin. Haley tugged on Brooke's bottom lip as they continued to make their way blindly to the bedroom. She put a hand on the back of Brooke's neck, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss. Both girls were finding it extremely hard to breathe as they entered the room.



Brooke closed the door behind them as she felt Haley laugh against her lips, causing Brooke to laugh as well.



"I've been wanting to kiss you for so long," she smiled, pulling away.



"Then why are we standing here talking," Brooke asked with a mischievous smile as her hands fell on Haley's hips and she pulled the girl closer. She pressed her lips firmly against the tutors, craving the taste she had been missing. She sighed into it as Haley ran a teasing hand across the small area of exposed skin of her lower back.



Brooke ran her tongue along Haley's lower lip, begging for the entrance she had been wanting for so long, and when Haley opened her mouth their two tongues collided happily as they wrestled with each other before settling into a matching rhythm.



Haley moaned as Brooke closed the space in between them and pressed herself fully against her. Brooke started walking them forward, searching for something to support them because she knew they weren't going to last long just standing there. Haley felt the back of her knees hit something as she fell back onto the bed with Brooke landing on top of her. Brooke, delighted by their new position, deepened the kiss as she teasingly ran her hands down Haley's sides.



All too soon, though, she felt Haley stiffen beneath her, and she sighed, rolling off and onto her back.



"Sorry," she apologized.



"Brooke, no I should be the one apologizing," Haley insisted hoarsely, turning onto her side and propping herself onto her elbow to be able to look at the raven haired beauty before her.



"For what?"



"For being a tease," she replied, biting her lip nervously. Brooke looked up at the girl and ran a loving hand across her cheek.



"Come see," she motioned, and Haley curled into her side, resting her head on Brooke's chest. "You are not a tease, Haley."



"But, I know you are used to things moving a lot faster than this. I mean we've been kissing for like a week now, and that's the first time with tongue, and you're used to having sex on the first night."



Brooke let out a deep breath.



"Brooke, I'm sorry," Haley apologized, looking up at her. "I didn't mean to make you sound like a..."



"Whore?" Brooke offered, but shook her head at Haley's attempts to apologize again. "It's ok, you're right. Well, partially. I mean, that's how I used to be. But, can I tell you something?"



"Anything."



Brooke smiled at her softly, "If every day for the rest of our lives, we didn't do anything besides lay here in each others arms, I'd be happy."



"Brooke, you don't have to--"



"No, Hales, I'm serious," she insisted. "I mean, I always knew I was lucky to just have you in my life, but to now have you like this? I mean, I don't know what I did to deserve this, but I swear to you, I'm going to do everything in my power to keep it this way. I'm happy going slow, it makes everything and every first that much more special, you know? And," she continued, rubbing a comforting hand up and down Haley's arm. "I'll wait as long as you want, and if that means forever, then I think I'll be willing to do that."



"Brooke," Haley laughed. "I know you; you'd self combust if I made you wait forever."



"Does that mean you won't?" she asked hopefully.



Haley responded with a soft kiss before laying her head back down on Brooke's chest.



Brooke smiled down at her. "You are the most amazing person I know," she said honestly, causing a blush to rise to Haley's cheeks, making her laugh.



"Stop," Haley smiled, pushing her playfully.



"What? I love seeing you blush. It makes you even more adorable--if that's even possible."



Even Haley's ears were turning red. Brooke leaned down and kissed her apologetically.



"You know," Haley said as she pulled away. "One day, I'm going to find a way to make you blush, and then you'll see just how it feels."



"Brooke Davis doesn't blush."



"Oh, really?"



"Yea," Brooke nodded. "There's nothing you can say that I haven't heard before. I mean, I've been called hot...sexy...a temptress in heels," she smiled, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. Haley shook her head in laughter as she took Brooke's face in her hands and kissed her passionately.



"You're beautiful," she whispered breathlessly and with such honesty when she pulled away that Brooke's breath caught in her throat.



"What?" she asked.



"You are so beautiful," Haley repeated with just as much honesty as she looked into Brooke's eyes seriously. "You have such a grace about you. You remind me of those old time Hollywood actresses. What's the phrase I'm looking for?" she asked herself as Brooke felt her eyes begin to swim with tears. "Classic beauty," Haley finished triumphantly. "No Tigger, don't cry. I didn't mean to upset you," she said, wiping Brooke's tears away.



Brooke smiled as she took Haley's hands in her own and kissed each one, "I don't deserve you."



"Hey, I'll be the one to decide that, and I say I'm the one that doesn't deserve you," Haley replied firmly.



Brooke looked down as she fiddled with Haley's hands nervously.



"Brooke?" Haley asked, trying to catch her gaze. "Hey, what's wrong?"



Brooke looked back up at her. Looking at Haley always took her breath away; her skin was so soft, and her eyes were so warm, and her lips were so inviting. Brooke leaned in and kissed her meaningfully.



"Brooke, hunny, you're scaring me," Haley laughed nervously.



"Haley, I need to talk to you about something," she replied.



Haley nodded, urging her to continue.



"Now, I know this probably isn't that big of a deal for you. I mean, you were married after all. But this is kind of a huge deal for me, so this is why I'm freaking out. I mean, I'm not the relationship type, I never have been. Like you said earlier, before Lucas my life was pretty much a string of meaningless one night stands, just like it was after Lucas. But the first time I kissed you, I knew I wanted more than that. I wanted all of you, and I don't mean physically. I mean, I want to be a part of your life, and I want you to be a part of mine. And I know I'm rambling, because I am so nervous right now, but like I said this is a huge deal for me--"



"Brooke?" Haley asked, her eyes now shining.



Brooke took a deep steadying breath, pushing a loose strand of hair behind Haley's ear with a shaky hand, "Haley?"



"Yes?"



"Will you be my girlfriend?"