Looking For Solid Ground

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





"So..." Lucas smiled as Brooke joined him and Peyton at their usual table for lunch. "How was the history final?"



"It was good; Haley really is a great teacher. I mean I was one of the first ones finished, and I know I did well. I got at least a C, but I may have pulled off a B. But, all I really needed was a low D to pass history, so I'm good with that one. Oh, and Nathan's back, and he cornered Haley," she said, without taking a breath in between sentences, hoping to slide in that last comment without Lucas freaking out too much. She took a bite of her sandwich and waited.



"Well, that's good," Peyton smiled uneasily, praying that Lucas hadn't caught Brooke's last statement. One look at her boyfriend told her otherwise.



"He did what?" Lucas asked, a fist forming.



"Look, I shouldn't have said anything," Brooke said, nervously. "You should just talk to Haley about it."



"If he hurt her, I'm going to kill him," Lucas mumbled to himself. "He said he just wanted to talk."



"Wait," Brooke interrupted. "You knew he was back?"



"Uh..." Lucas frowned. "I kind of called him."



"You did what?!"



"Hey?" Haley greeted, joining the three of them at the table. "What's all the fuss about?"



"Haley, show Lucas your arm," Brooke demanded.



"What?" Haley asked, trying to act as if she didn't know what Brooke was talking about.



Brooke sighed, calming down a little as she turned to look Haley in the eye.



"Haley, I'm sorry. I kind of let it slip about what happened."



Haley nodded, but raised a subconscious hand to her sleeve, tugging it down.



"Haley, sweetie, he needs to see this," Brooke insisted softly as she gently took her hand away.



Haley raised her sleeve to reveal the bruises that Nathan had left. There was a collective gasp around the table. Brooke felt her heart ache as she saw the bruises fully in the light, and she felt her anger rise at the thought of whose fault this was.



"You see?" Brooke asked, turning to Lucas who was practically shaking with rage. "Do you see what your phone calls do?"



"I'm going to kill him," was all he could say.



"Phone calls?" Haley questioned, turning to Lucas, letting her sleeve fall back down.



Brooke and Peyton glared at him as well.



"I called Nathan," Lucas admitted through clenched teeth.



"Why?" Haley asked, fighting to stay calm.



"Because I just wanted to check on him, to see if he was ok, and see where he was."



"And did you not think that I should know about this?"



"Haley, listen to me--"



"No, I've listened to my fair share of Scott boys today, thank you," she said, grabbing her book bag and storming off.



Brooke gave Lucas one last death stare before hurrying after Haley.



Peyton looked at Lucas and just shook her head before getting up to go to her next class.



Lucas slammed his fist on the table, before hurrying off to find Nathan.





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





"Haley!!" Brooke called after her. "Haley wait!! Tutor Girl, if you make me ruin my new shoes!!"



She smiled as Haley slowed down, allowing Brooke to catch up.



"Take me home," Haley said.



"You sure?" Brooke asked.



"Yea," she nodded, allowing Brooke to wrap a comforting arm around her and lead her to her car.





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



Lucas made his way to the gym, his eyes blazing and his jaw set. He flung open the doors to reveal Nathan, Skills, and a few other guys from the team joking around.



"Leave," Lucas demanded shortly.



"Huh?" Nathan asked.



"Not you," Lucas replied. "Everybody else, leave. Now."



One look at Lucas told them that they should do as he said, and they did, hurrying out of the gym. Nathan stood up slowly, raising his hands in front of him as Lucas crossed the gym floor, fists clenched at his sides.



"Hey, Lucas," he smiled shakily. "What's up?"



Lucas punched him squarely in the jaw without hesitation. He smiled slightly as Nathan swaggered backwards, bringing a hand to his face.



"What the hell is wrong with you?!"



"What the hell is wrong with me?" Lucas asked with a slight laugh. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"



"I don't know--"



"Like hell you don't. Have you seen the bruises on Haley's arm? Because I sure as hell have."



"Lucas, it was an accident--"



Another punch connected with his eye.



"Sorry," Lucas said. "It was an accident."



"Look, I never meant to hurt her. I was just trying to get my point across. I just got overheated, that's all."



Lucas stepped closer to him, looking him square in the eye, "If you ever get within a hundred feet of Haley again, I swear to you, you will not live to regret it."



"Lucas," Nathan tried as he watched his older brother walk away.



"You had to have known this was coming Nathan," Lucas said, turning back around. "I mean, come on! Freaking Haley! She's like the most innocent, harmless person ever, not to mention my best friend."



"I know, and I'm sorry--"



Lucas shook his head, laughing again, "You are so lucky I sent those guys out of here, especially Skills. Because once they and the other rivercourt guys find out about this, well, I might actually feel sorry for you."



Lucas turned around, and walked out of the gym, leaving Nathan to stand there in his guilt and regret.





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





"We're here," Brooke announced, turning off the car. Haley had been in a quiet daze the whole ride home.



She merely nodded, opening her door and climbing out. Brooke followed suit, as she let the smaller girl lead the way up to the apartment.



"Is there anything you need?" Brooke asked, closing the apartment door behind her.



"You shouldn't have told him," Haley said, turning to face her.



"He shouldn't have called Nathan," Brooke countered.



Haley shook her head, "It wasn't your place to tell Lucas."



"I was only looking out for you."



"Ever thought that maybe I can look out for myself just fine? I'm sick and tired of people painting me out to be this helpless little girl. I can fight my own battles, thank you."



"Haley, I don't think that," Brooke replied. "And I know you can fight your own battles, I do. I think I just told him that because I didn't know what else to do. He's your best friend, so I thought he would be able to help."



"Help?" Haley asked. "Lucas's form of help will be to beat the crap out of Nathan, if not kill him."



"You say that like it's a bad thing."



"It is a bad thing, Brooke. Nathan is still my husband--"



"Not for much longer," Brooke pointed out.



"Yes, but I still love him, and even if I can't stand the guy, I don't want to see him get hurt. He made a mistake; we all do."



Brooke felt her chest tightening, "Sorry."



"Look, just next time, let me deal with my own problems."



Brooke frowned, "Alright."



"Okay," Haley nodded. "I think I'm going to go take a nap...alone," she added when Brooke made a move to follow her.



"Sure," Brooke replied, biting her lip. "Whatever you want."



Haley nodded again before turning to go to the bedroom.





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





Brooke let the tears fall freely as she curled into a ball on the couch. The pain in her chest remained at the thought of Haley's words. She didn't know why they were bothering her so much. After all, Brooke had been the one to tell Haley that she would always love Nathan, so it shouldn't be such a big shock to her when Haley says she still does.



Plus, Haley belonged to Brooke now. They were going out, not her and Nathan. Brooke thought of the empty couch she was laying on and Haley alone in the back room. She closed her eyes tightly, praying that Haley was still hers. She hoped that she hadn't royally screwed things up just when they were starting to find their place. She prayed to God for Haley to give her another chance as she felt her tears roll off her cheek and onto the couch. If she had learned only one thing in her entire life, it’s that no thrill or happiness would be worth it if Haley wasn't there to share it with her.





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





Haley woke up to an empty bed and a pillow soaked from her tears. She looked over at the clock to read 7:00. She sighed as she sat up and rubbed the tears out of her eyes. She had slept through the entire afternoon. Her stomach growled in protest, but her heart ached as she noticed the empty pillow next to hers, remembering what had happened.



Haley knew she had overreacted with Brooke. She knew that Brooke was only looking out for her; she was just frustrated from everybody treating her like a child, especially when she's been through more stuff than the rest of them combined. She fought back more tears as she thought of Nathan. She wiped them away hastily, deciding that she had shed enough tears over him, and it was time to move on.



Haley got out of bed and looked at herself in the mirror. She ran a quick brush through her hair, before pulling it up into a messy bun. Her eyes were still a bit red, but she didn't care. She walked to the front of the house to find Brooke sound asleep on the sofa. Haley smiled down at her sadly as she noticed her tear-stained cheeks. Brooke had cried herself to sleep, and it killed Haley to know that it was her fault. She had to refrain from running a gentle hand across her cheek. She didn't want to wake her up, not yet anyway. So instead, Haley grabbed a blanket from the chair and put it over Brooke. She quietly left the apartment, leaving Brooke's keys, deciding that she could use a walk to clear her thoughts.



Haley shivered in the soft breeze as she neared Lucas's house. She figured she owed Lucas a pretty big apology as well. She walked up the steps to the door to his room and opened it without knocking as had always been their custom.



"Hey there buddy," Lucas said, digging through his closet for a pair of sneakers. Haley smiled at the sound of relief in his voice. "Didn't think I'd see you here today," he commented, turning around to face her, the said sneakers in his hands. He sat on a chair to put them on and motioned for her to enter the room properly.



"Hey, I'm here to apologize."



"Even though I'm the one who should be apologizing?" he asked with a smile.



Haley bit her lip as she felt the tears form. Ok, so maybe a few more tears were to be shed today. Lucas opened his arms, and Haley climbed onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around her as she buried her head into his chest, smelling his familiar cologne that he had been wearing since they were twelve.



"I'm sorry Luke. I know you were just looking out for me. I just wish you would have asked me before you called, or told me you had called, or heck, even given me the number to where he was," she laughed through her tears as he rested his chin on her head. "But I had no right to blow up on you like I did. Not when you were just being a good friend."



"It's okay," he smiled. "You're right. I should have never talked to Nathan without talking to you first, and I'm so sorry that he hurt you Hales, but I can assure you that he won't do it again."



Haley looked up at him nervously, "What did you do?"



Lucas shrugged, but Haley tugged on his right arm, bringing it from around her to in between them. She frowned at the bruises on his knuckles.



"Lucas," she sighed.



"Hales, what did you expect me to do?" he asked. "You're my best friend, and nobody should ever hurt you like he did."



Haley placed a gently hand on his cheek and kissed the other before rolling her eyes with a sigh.



"I swear Lucas Scott. What am I going to do with you?" she asked with a smile. "Hey, if this writing thing doesn't work out, then maybe you can be my body guard when I become all famous and stuff."



Lucas laughed, "You're funny."



"But Luke," she said, growing serious. "How bad?"



He sighed, "I only hit him once."



Haley raised a disbelieving eyebrow.



"Ok, twice. But trust me, he deserved both of them."



"Do the guys at the rivercourt know?" she asked fearfully.



"No, not yet. That's where I was headed actually."



"Please don't tell them Luke."



He frowned as he looked down at her, but nodded. "Alright. But if they find out from someone else and ask me about it, I'm not denying. Ok?"



"Ok."



Lucas wrapped his arms around her once more and squeezed her tight.



"Do you want to come to the court?" he asked as they stood up.



"No, but if you could drop me off at my apartment that would be nice. I still have another apology to make."



"Let me guess," Lucas smiled teasingly. "You went off on Brooke because you had no one else to take it out on."



Haley looked at the floor guiltily.



"Come on," he laughed, wrapping an arm around her as they walked to his car. "What ever happened to that punching bag you used to have? Maybe you should start taking out your anger on that instead of on your best friends."





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





Haley waved at Lucas as she turned the key in the door of the apartment. She smiled to herself when she saw Brooke still asleep on the sofa. She closed the door behind her and crept over to the couch. She carefully laid down on top of Brooke, enjoying of the feeling of Brooke's body against hers. Haley planted a chaste kiss on Brooke's lips and smiled as the raven-haired girl began to stir beneath her.



"Mmm," Brooke smiled in her sleep. "These dreams keep getting better and better."



"Oh really?" Haley asked, her lips grazing Brooke's ear. The sight of goose bumps rising on Brooke's neck gave her immense satisfaction. She suddenly had the urge to kiss every little bump that had risen along Brooke's soft skin.



"To what do I owe this pleasure?" Brooke asked as Haley was only millimeters away from doing what she had been thinking about. She sighed, giving rise to more goose bumps.



"So..." she smirked, leaning up on her elbows so she could look Brooke in the face, "you been dreaming about me?"



"I'm guessing this means we're ok?"



"Only if you accept my apology."



"If this is your apology, then please be mean more often," Brooke replied, making Haley blush slightly.



Haley leaned down and kissed her softly, smiling as she pulled away.



"Seriously, I am sorry."



Brooke ran a loving hand across Haley's cheek, "It’s okay. We were both wrong. We both apologize. So, now can we get to the make up sex?"



Haley laughed as Brooke carefully flipped them over so that she was on top.



"I wasn't joking," Brooke pointed out.



"Yea, you were."



Brooke stuck out her bottom lip in a pout.



"But..." Haley continued, her eyes fixated on Brooke's soft pink lips. "We can make out if you want."



"I want," Brooke whispered as she brought a hand to the back of Haley's neck and pulled her closer to kiss her.



The soft delicate kisses they were sharing soon started to become more passionate. Brooke's hand that was on the small of Haley's back slowly found it's way under her t-shirt. Brooke smiled against Haley's lips at the feeling of her soft skin. She teasingly slid her hand over Haley's hip and across her lower stomach, causing Haley to stop for a second as her breath caught in her throat.



Brooke jumped at the chance to place a line of tantalizing kisses along Haley's jaw line. She nipped at her skin then soothed it with her tongue, earning a moan from Haley who tilted her head back, giving Brooke better access. Brooke found herself dizzy as she discovered that Haley indeed tasted just as sweet as she smelled. Her lips made their way down Haley's neck, memorizing every inch of skin they touched. Haley's breath was ragged as Brooke's soft lips burned against her skin.



"Oh God," she gasped, arching her back, pressing her self into Brooke as she found the soft spot in between Haley's collar bone. Brooke moaned against Haley's skin as she felt the smaller girl's body pushing up against her.

"Shit," Haley breathed, tightening her grip on Brooke's waist, pulling the girl down.



Brooke kissed her way back up, searching for the pair of lips that she found herself already craving. She found them with a smile, and took Haley's bottom lip in her teeth and tugged playfully, before running her tongue along it. She knew that asking for permission was just a formality at this point because she had Haley wrapped around her finger, but she figured that she'd let Haley believe she was in control a little longer.



Haley's lips parted, allowing Brooke access, and she felt Brooke's tongue collide with hers. Brooke tilted her head, making it possible to deepen the kiss even further as one of her legs slid in between Haley's, sending a jolt through the tutor's body. Haley moaned heavily against Brooke's lips. Brooke knew if her eyes had been open, then they would have surely rolled back. She couldn't believe the amount of pleasure she was getting just from kissing this girl.



"Brooke..." Haley struggled for breath as she pulled away. Brooke leaned back down, kissing her so heavily that it was sure to leave a bruise.



"We need..." Haley was finding it hard to remember what she was about to say as Brooke's hand teasingly made it's way across the waist band of her jeans.



"Bedroom?" Brooke asked as she started to make her way along Haley's neck once more.



Haley took Brooke's face in her hands, and brought her up to where they were looking in each other's eyes. Both of them where struggling to find air as they looked into each other's hazed over eyes that were filled with such desire it was hard to believe that this was real. But as Brooke leaned down to press her lips against Haley's in a lust-filled kiss, Haley knew that this was real.



She pulled away once more, "We...need...to...stop."



Brooke looked down at her confusedly, "Stop?" she croaked.



Haley nodded, trying to steady her breathing and her pulse which was hard to do as she was reminded of Brooke's body still firmly pressed against her own.



"Don't you want to..." Brooke's voice trailed off.



Haley ran a caring hand across Brooke's cheek at the mixture of disappointment and sadness in her eyes.



"Yes," she replied honestly. "God, yes."



"Then why did we stop?"



"Because we still need to talk. Like really talk about today. I know I said some things that hurt you--"



"Yea, but that's ok. Trust me, you've made up for it," Brooke responded quickly.



Haley couldn't help but giggle, "Brooke, we can't just kiss and make it better. We need to talk if we want this to work out, and I really want this to work out."



She placed a hand on Brooke's chest and smiled at the feeling of her racing heart. She took Brooke's hand and placed it against her own.



"I can't imagine my world without you," Haley smiled up at her.



Brooke kissed her softly, "God, you are so beautiful."



A blush rose to Haley's cheeks and Brooke kissed each one.



"So..." Brooke grinned. "After we talk, can we?"



Haley frowned, scooting her self up on the sofa, causing Brooke to fall back onto her lap. Brooke did not like the look that was on Haley's face.



"Do you want me to be honest?" Haley asked.



"I'm not sure," Brooke replied.



Haley sighed, "I really don't think we're ready."



Brooke frowned, looking down at her hands that were rested against Haley's stomach, knowing that the tutor was right.



"I just--" she continued, hoping that Brooke wasn't too upset with her. "I don't want to rush things you know? I mean, we've only been dating like a week, although it seems like forever, but I just need to make sure that our hearts--both of them--are in the right place, you know? Because I don't think either of us could deal with getting hurt again."



Brooke nodded, a small smile on her face, "Why do you always have to be right?"



"You don't call me Tutor Girl for nothing," she grinned, relieved that Brooke wasn't angry.



"So no sex?" Brooke questioned, her smile growing.



"Not yet," Haley replied.



"Does that mean I have to stop doing this?" Brooke asked, scooting closer to kiss her passionately.



"Only if you want one very pissed off girlfriend," Haley said with a dreamy smile on her face as she pulled away, causing Brooke to laugh.