Disclaimer: if I owned the rights to oth or anything remotely like it I wouldn’t be wasting my time writing Fanfiction, so no I don’t own one tree hill or its characters… yet.

Well, another update seeing aniiie asked so nicely, I was determined to finish this today and post before I had to go out. Hope you enjoy the rush job, which well went for longer than I expected. Anyways, as always a thanks to the reviewers, because lets face it the reviews are what keep us fanfic writers going, I wouldn’t update at all with out them. So thanks to othlvr16, bella, nicoledavis92x, dianehermans, othfan326, long livebrucas, danioth, emma217, bdavislscott23 and anniie.

Chapter Thirteen – The Difference between Living and Surviving

One head poked out around the corner, Brooke’s eyes darted around, then Lucas’ blonde head appeared above hers, “all clear” she confirmed and together they quietly made their way down the stairs.

Lucas’ foot came down, he was so busy looking around he didn’t look down, so when his foot came down it didn’t hit the hardwood floor as expected, instead Lucas found himself falling backwards as his leg went out from under him. Crashing against the stairs he swore, blue eyes lifted to see one of Logan’s toy trains slowly making its way down the hall, its choo-choo noise sounding all too loud inside the house.

Looking at her husband sprawled at the bottom of the stairs Brooke started to giggle, “smooth”

He held up his hands, “what can I say, I’m falling for you”

Brooke bent down and kissed Lucas’ forehead “smoother”

“Come here” Lucas instructed, grabbing her hand and pulling her on top of him, their lips meeting slowly, “do you remember when we moved into here?”

“Uh-huh, these stairs, me and you, Naley babysitting…”

“Hmm, working our way through the house” Lucas added.

“Mouth walking in on us the first day” Brooke laughed between kisses.

“Peyton and Jake walking in on us that time in the spa”

“Nathan when we forgot to pick the kids up”

Lucas chuckled, the memories rushing back “or Haley on my birthday”

“You’re Mom” Brooke’s hands ran under Lucas’ shirt.

Threading his hands through Brooke’s brown locks Lucas lifted her head from his neck and back to his lips, laughing he pictured his mothers face that long ago day “you know, she still never sits on that couch”

“Probably a good thing” Brooke nodded, her teeth nipping his lips.

A door opened and shut upstairs, Brooke quickly dropped her hands from Lucas’ body and stood up, she helped pull Lucas up and then frantically looked around, footsteps got closer and closer, and then without a word Brooke grabbed Lucas’ and pulled him around the corner before opening a closet and pushing him inside.

Brooke turned around just as Kay jogged down the stairs, “oh hey Mom, what are you doing up so early?”

“Oh, you know, just… grabbing a drink” Brooke gave a little laugh, her voice higher pitched than normal.

Kay kinked her eyebrow, “in the linen closet?”

“Uh-um, just putting Logan’s toys away, I almost broke my neck coming down the stairs” Brooke quickly rushed out, moving away from the closet door, Kay followed sweeping her dark brown hair out of her face.

In the kitchen Brooke pulled out two glasses and poured her and Kay each a drink, Kay slipped onto one of the chairs and took the drink, lifting her bag onto the table she searched through it until she found her pills and quickly took one, gulping the juice down afterwards.

“You’re up early, you kids going to the beach?”

“Yep, I was going to leave you a note, I wi-” Kay passed and looked down at her phone as in buzzed by her side, she slid it open come outside, “that’s Lil, she’s here” Kay jumped off the chair and slung the bag back over her shoulder.

“Bye” they both called at the same time, the moment Kay left the kitchen Brooke sighed in relief but soon her daughter was back in the doorway, a confused frown on her face “there’s a giant teddy bear by the door”

Brooke couldn’t help but laugh, allowing all the tension to leave her body, Kay just shook her head and finally left, this time Brooke waited for the door to slam shut before she assumed her daughter was gone.

Walking back to the closet Brooke opened the door and pulled Lucas out, “coast is clear”

…

The insistent ringing of her phone woke Bo early in the morning, her room was still dark, groaning she rolled over and groped for the offending object “this better be good’ she grumbled half asleep.

“We’ll be there in about twenty”

Bo blinked and opened one eye, “what? Who is this?” and her eyes strayed to the alarm clock by her bed.

The too cheery voice on the other end of the phone answered quickly, “It’s Lily, we’re all going to the beach, so get your bikini ready and I will pick you up in like twenty”

Still too tired to really understand Bo mumbled back “it’s barely five”

“Yeah so”

“On Sunday, the day of rest” though now she was beginning to wake up, “besides I don’t even have a bikini”

There was silence, and then “well get whatever you use to wear to the beach on the planet you’re from, put it on, slap on some clothes, and meet us out front” and the line went dead.

Dropping the phone Bo ran a hand through her black hair as her mind went over where her swim suit could be, then looking at the time again she jumped out of bed and rushed around.

Fifteen minutes later Lily’s red car parked outside the Summers’ house, Bo wrote her Mom a quick note and then raced outside, Kay waited at the boot and she flung her bag next to the others before sliding in beside Saul and Drey in the back, meanwhile Kay slammed the boot shut and then sat herself on Jamie’s lap in the front passenger seat, “let’s get this show on the road!”

…

The wave crashed down on top of Kay, swearing she swam back to the surface and laid across the board the way Saul had taught her to years ago, thinking of those lessons her eyes darted to where Saul and Bo were occupied as the blonde surfer taught the new girl what to do, rolling her eyes at the sight Kay swam back towards the shore and then when she was closer she sat on the board, allowing her feet to dangle into the sea.

Laughter came from Lily as Drey carried her on his shoulders further into the water, Kay saw Lily tap Drey’s shoulder and whisper something and then the two of them were heading towards Kay. When they reached her Drey abruptly threw Lily, for a moment her eyes widened and then she flying in the air before disappearing under the water. Seconds later Lily was climbing up Drey’s back and trying to dunk him, the much taller and stronger boy simply laughed at the attempt. The sun glistening down on his dark skin, he turned amber eyes up at Lily “give up, Firecracker”

Poking her tongue out Lily swam to Kay and smiled up at her niece as she crossed her arms onto the board, “having fun yet?”

“Not as much fun as some” Kay grumbled, her eyes reluctantly going back to Saul and Bo as the petite girl fell backwards into Saul’s arms, they both laughed, loud enough that the others all heard.

“Aren’t they sweet?” Lily teased.

Shaking his head Drey started back to the beach leaving the girls alone.

“So sweet I feel a toothache coming on”

“Is someone jealous?” Lily kinked her brow, trying to keep her smile innocent while inside she was dying to scream out the obvious.

Kay’s mouth fell open, “me jealous?”

“Nobody else here” Lily shrugged, wet hair sticking to her bare shoulders.

“As if” Kay whispered, her eyes lowering as her fingers suddenly started playing with the blue cord keeping her bikini top tied up, “it’s just we barely know her… and… well… he’s…” she rolled her eyes, trying to find the right words.

“Saul” Lily finished the sentence, her eyebrow kinking again, “he’s a great guy, Kay, sooner or later someone else was going to notice that” and then to lighten the mood Lily splashed Kay, soon they were in the middle of a war, their own laughter filling the air.

…

“Hand ball!” Jamie screamed, pointing at Lily, his cousin flicked her brown hair and ignored him as she kicked the ball towards Kay, “this game is meant to have rules” Jamie added, eyeing Kay’s quick approach as she weaved through Saul and Drey, then she stopped and grinned at Jamie.

Her barefoot went backwards and then she kicked the soccer ball, Jamie stretched out as he jumped through the air, the ball soared straight by his fingers, grazing the tips, but empty handed Jamie fell to the sand.

The girls all exchanged high fives, “5-2” Lily cheered, poking her tongue out at the guys.

Getting back up Jamie motioned for Saul to take his place, “game on, girls, game on” he rubbed his hands together.

Bo quickly took her position as goal keeper and the game restarted, through some crafty moves Lily got possession of the ball from Drey then she kicked it Kay once again, Jamie grinned, running towards his younger cousin as she gleefully made her way towards Saul and the goal but just as she was about to kick Jamie reached her, Kay expected him to go for the ball but instead in a flash he scooped Kay up and span her around.

Drey laughed even as he beat Lily to the ball and successfully ignored her distractions and kept her at bay as Jamie occupied Kay. Too busy laughing Bo totally missed the goal, and Drey lifted his arms high in the air even as Jamie finally dropped Kay to the sand, “another one for the boys!” he shouted and soon the game eight-six to the boys.

A pout on her lips Lily stretched back onto her towel “I give up” she moaned, slipping her sunglasses over her eyes she stretched some more, her long body twisting and turning until she became comfortable, displaying her pale body and it’s subtle curves to the sun in her tiny pink and purple bikini.

“Close your mouth, Drey” Kay patted his shoulder as she skipped by him and joined her aunt by their things, Drey obediently looked away and walked towards Saul who was collecting their shoes from where they’d been stand in goal posts.

Meanwhile Jamie stared longingly at the empty bottle in his hand, “hey I’m gonna go get drinks, anyone want anything?” he asked to the group, they all quickly called out their replies Bo picked up her towel and wiped all the sand from her body, “I’ll come with you” and then wrapping her towel around her waist she followed Jamie away from the group.

Kay smiled as she watched the two walk off, “see, Bo would be so much better for Jamie”

Snorting Lily shook her head, not bothering to open her eyes she replied dryly “yeah that’s why you glare at her every time she so much as looks at Saul, it’s all for Jamie”

“Shut up, ho”

“Whatever, bitch” but they both smiled with the insults as they sank into silence, eventually Lily asked quietly “so are you quitting soccer?”

There was an awkward pause as Kay bit her lip “um… actually, I’ve decided to quit cheerleading”

“WHAT!” Lily sat up, her sunglasses falling aside, “are you freaking crazy, Karen Scott!”

“Two out of three doctors say so” Kay sheepishly joked, but Lily simply glared at her “that was a joke… look, it’s no big deal, the team’s great, you guys don’t need me”

Her glare grew stronger, Lily gave a fake smile “hello, you are our captain”

“Well…” Kay smiled “not exactly, I mean technically by quitting the team I’m no longer captain, so…”

“Can’t you quit soccer?” Lily cut in as if it was the most obvious thing, Kay rolled her eyes and sat up too, she grabbed Lily’s hand “you told me to follow my heart, and well my heart isn’t ready to let go of that”

“But you can just drop the ravens, meaning me and all the other girls?” hurt was evident in Lily’s voice.

Kay looked Lily straight in the eye and squeezed her hand, “yeah, I can-” she held up her hand when Lily went to cut it “-because… I know their in safe hands, you don’t need me, the only reason I was ever captain this year was because Molly left”

“Well unless Molly suddenly coming home we still need you”

Shaking her head Kay said with confidence “no, because the ravens have you. Their real captain”

For a second Lily just stared at Kay and then she broke out in laughter, “OMG, for a moment I actually thought you said I was the new captain- why aren’t you laughing?”

“Because you are” Kay playing punched Lily’s arm, “captain” she added hoping to get Lily to smile. The other girl glared at her, her voice suddenly higher pitched than normal “me? You are freaking out of your mind, I am the most unorganized-” she stopped, took a breath and changed paths “I am not ‘leader’ material” and she added air quotes to emphasis her point.

It was Kay’s turn to laugh, “Now you are the one who is crazy, what do you think you did last night? You took control, you acted like captain, and our first meeting it was you who got the girls to concentrate, they listen to you, they trust you and so do I. When Molly was here it was you not me who was her right hand girl and I have no doubt in my mind that this is the right decision”

Lily looked down, suddenly blushing, “and if I screw up?”

“Then tell Molly it’s my fault, but you’re not going to need to. So, will you do it?” she asked hopefully.

Starting to smile Lily nodded “I guess I have no choice, I wouldn’t want you to die on us during classics, so yeah” and then they hugged.

Metres away Saul and Drey stood staring at the two girls, “what do you think that is about?” Saul asked.

Drey shrugged, and they continued to watch the two, and they both gave a small hiss as Kay and Lily stretched out again, hearing the other boy they turned to each other and laughed. Saul shook his head, “Jamie would kill us if he caught us perving on them”

“No doubt” Drey agreed, and as if speaking his name made him appear Jamie returned with Bo and the drinks, Saul and Drey returned to the group and took theirs gratefully.

Grinning Jamie sat between the girls forcing them to move over, “what?” he asked innocently as he took a sip of his coke and saw Lily glare at him, she just rolled her eyes and Jamie’s grin widened, his blue eyes sparkling, and then his body stiffened as his mobile vibrated in his pocket, he reached for it and groaned when Lily stole it from his hands.

Rolling over she avoided Jamie’s attempt at getting it back, giggling she looked at the screen as they struggled over it, “grow up, Lil” Jamie complained as he manoeuvred his body over Lily’s and reached for his phone back.

Kay snatched it from Lily and asked coyly “who’s PJ?”

Jamie rolled off Lily and snapped the phone back, “nobody” he answered distracted, opening the message.

Drey sat down, his long legs bending in front of him, “PJ from Pine Creek” he replied, and Jamie nodded, looking up from the message he added on “you know, one of the Raiders”

Lily’s mouth fell open, “you’re talking to the enemy?”

“Tutoring the enemy, thanks” Jamie smiled, getting up “I’ve got to go”

“You’re dumping us for a Pine Creek brat?” Lily asked disgusted, Jamie picked up his bag and simply smiled and shot back “this brat happens to pay me, you know like a job, Lil, ever heard of it?”

“Excuses”

“Whatever, I’m going to get the bus back, I will talk to you guys later” and he waved, walking off.

“Seriously!” Lily turned to the others, “I do know what a job is, I have one, you know”

“I don’t think shopping is a job, even if you tell unsuspecting shoppers what they should and shouldn’t buy” Kay joked.

Lily hit her “hey, I don’t do that… much, besides I do have a job, your Mom gave me one” and she shrugged one shoulder proudly lifting her chin high.

The others stared at her, “you mean, like babysitting?” Kay asked carefully, imagining Lily working at her Moms store and talking to customers, Lily’s usual bluntness saying exactly what she thought.

“In the store? With clothes?” Saul asked.

“Duh” Lily replied.

Kay looked at Drey, “oh that’s… great” he mumbled, but Lily was looking into the distance, eventually she whispered dreamingly “I wonder what the staff discount is”

…

Brooke practically bounced into Haley’s living room, and her sister in law eyed her warily “hello Tigger, you look really happy”

Plopping herself across from Peyton and Haley, Brooke grinned, dimples on full show “why wouldn’t I be, it’s such a beautiful day, blue skies, green grass, nice… air… it just makes me want to smile”

“Whatever she’s on-” Peyton leaned back “-I want some of it”

Dark haired Caiti came running through the room interrupting the women, two blonde heads followed as Peyton’s two youngest daughters chased Haley’s, and then Hannah appeared not far behind. “No running inside!” Haley yelled out, “sorry, Aunt Haley” Sarah stopped and apologized before running after the older girls.

When the girls were gone and it was silent Haley and Peyton turned to find Brooke concentrating on her phone, a small smile on her lips as pressed keys constantly, there was a slight pause then her phone vibrated and an even bigger smile stole her face.

“Oh my god, you are having phone sex!” Peyton suddenly shouted, her eyes widening. Brooke looked up, “no I’m not” she quickly said, too fast, Haley looked at her not believing that squeaky voice, Brooke laughed “I wouldn’t have phone sex in front of you two” she rolled her eyes and quickly slipped her phone into her pocket.

“Opposed to real sex?” Peyton asked kinking her fine blonde brow, as Haley shivered and Peyton turned to her, Haley grimaced “bad memory”

Peyton chuckled and then turned back to Brooke, “so… you’re talking to Lucas again”

“Why do you naturally assume I’m having phone sex with Lucas?” and she shook her head smiling as if it was the silliest thought in the world, or at least she wanted her friends to think that.

“What’s phone sex?”

Haley, Brooke and Peyton all turned guiltily towards the voice, Logan stood there, his little face curious, Brooke laughed “nothing honey, let’s just forget you ever heard that and I’ll go put a movie on for you in the other room” and she got up and placed her hand on her sons shoulder, turning back to her friends she lifted her chin high “for your information I was playing Sudoku” and leading Logan out of the room she left the other two alone. Haley and Peyton turned to each other and cracked up, taking a sip of her coffee Haley smiled “so what did you do yesterday?”

Peyton chuckled, “played sudoku with my husband”

Haley smiled “me too, fun game”

Brooke walked back into the room and they went silent, she sat back down and looked at them through the corner of her eye, not trusting her friends one bit because their smiles were to devious. Haley covered her mouth with her mug as she looked at Brooke over the top, “so, played any good car games lately?” she asked, and Peyton and Haley both snorted. Brooke bit her tongue as she grabbed a cushion and threw it at Haley, “oh, shut up. And stop talking about my sex life”

…

The car came to a stop in front of the Fields residence, Drey kept looking forward, Lily turned to him “so…”

“So”

“I’ll walk you to your door” and she turned off her engine, Drey nodded and together they got out of the car and walked through the opened gate in the white picket fence, Lily jumped up the porch steps and stopped in front of Drey, her face still not completely reaching his “so-” she smiled, placing a hand on her hip “-head cheerleader, captain of the basketball team-” she kinked her brow “-you know what that means?”

Drey placed his hands in his pockets and smiled slowly, “we’re both… flexible?”

Lily placed her other hand on her hip and leaned in a little bit closer, her wide grin becoming more subtle “maybe if you’re lucky I’ll show you just how flexible I am” she whispered, their eyes not leaving each other, and then following impulse as he remained silent Lily leaned even more forward and tentatively touched his lips with her own. Drey didn’t move, he didn’t even breathe, Lily touched his face with her hand, cupping his chin as she moved the direction of the kiss and just like that Drey’s hand snapped up to cover hers, his other curled around her back and he was kissing her back with a ferocity that shocked them both. He took a step forward, forcing Lily back, until he had her against the porch railing, it dug into her back but all Lily was aware of was the pressure of his body digging into her front. She opened her mouth and Drey took full control, Lily barely could keep up as she struggled to breathe.

Then warm air filled the gap between them as Drey stepped back, letting her go completely, Lily dropped back against the railing, grateful for the support as she opened her eyes and looked all the way up into his dancing amber eyes, Drey smiled flashing his impossibly white teeth “see you at school-” he leaned forward, hands in his pockets again “-captain” and then with a satisfied smirk Drey left an opened mouthed Lily standing there as he went inside,

Hmpff Lily touched her lips, “hey, that’s unfair” she whispered but then she grinned and skipped back to her car, the whole time aware Drey watched her from behind a curtain.

…

Dropping her bike onto the grass Kay nervously walked towards the front door, she knocked quickly and waited, her fingers drumming against her jean clan thighs. After a long minute the door creaked open, Kay smiled warmly as Re’nee Harper’s delicate face poked through the gap, her dark hazel eyes staring out from behind glasses too big for her, “hey, is Mitch home?”

“No” Re’nee answered quickly, and Kay tried to keep smiling “is your dad home?” she asked this time and Re’nee just shook her head.

Little steps were heard coming towards the door then a hissed “who is it?”

Kay bent down a bit, leaning her hands on her knees and tried to sound as friendly as possible, which wasn’t hard, she didn’t have the nick name ‘Smiley’ for no reason, “hey Jeremy, it’s just me, how ya been?”

Re’nee’s face was replaced with Jeremy’s younger one, his eyes were paler than his siblings and his short chopped hair was darker, at six he was one of the cutest kids Kay had ever seen, “Kay!” he grinned, showing off his missing front tooth.

“Hey-ya sport, your sister says Mitch and your Dad aren’t home, are you two alone?”

Jeremy shook his head and then quickly started nodding, a moment later Re’nee reappeared and Jeremy was ushered out of view, “we’re not allowed to have visitors” she spoke sternly, eyeing Kay straight in the eye, her face pleading with her to just leave.

Kay tried to look behind her but it was pointless, she eventually sighed “just tell Mitch he should answer his phone every now and then, ‘kay?”

“I’ll tell him” Re’nee promised and quickly shut the door.

With one last frustrated look at the small house Kay hopped back on her bike and started riding back home, she had to restrain the urge to slam the door shut behind her and instantly went towards the fridge and grabbed a pint of ice cream. Brooke walked into the kitchen “whoa, what happened?” she eyed the ice-cream, Kay looked up, her blue eyes lacking a certain spark, and slipping onto the stool opposite Kay Brooke grabbed a spoon and took a bite, “wanna talk about it?”

“Not particularly” Kay mumbled, and then she dropped her spoon and gave a hard smile to her Mom “please just give me some good news”

“Wellllll” Brooke rolled out, taking another bite, and then she smiled at Kay “I saw your Dad and I told him about the baby”

“Really? And?” Kay’s ears perked up, so did her whole attitude.

Brooke nodded slowly “it went well, we’re happy about it… he understands why I didn’t want to leave”

“And?” Kay leaned forward.

Brooke shrugged “And he wants to be part of the baby’s life, obviously”

“Why are you talking like he’s still not coming home?” Kay asked, sitting back on her stool her shoulders sagging as her mother’s words hit her again.

Brooke sighed, “the baby isn’t a miracle fix, it doesn’t mean either one of us are ready to open the door again”

“But I thought-” Kay stopped “…I did what you said, and you were meant to let Dad come back home”

Brooke straightened up and dropped the spoon she’d been holding, “no you quit cheerleading, you are still planning on risking your heart on that soccer field every week, well Kay, not all of can risk our hearts that easily”

“What does he have to do to get you to let him back in?” the teenager asked frantically.

Brooke kinked her brow, not saying a word, Kay nodded understanding exactly what her mother was not saying “it’s what you want me to do, isn’t it?”

“Not exactly, I just think it’s time we all have some time to think about the consequences of our actions” Brooke replied slowly, being careful what she said,

Slipping off her stool Kay glared at her mother “well I hope you think long and hard, Mom, before it’s too late” and she stormed off.

Brooke cursed, “damn I hate when she throws my words back at me” she murmured out loud, then her phone vibrated in her pocket, Brooke got it out and smiled.

Can’t wait til I see you tomorrow pretty girl.

Brooke texted back quickly, I’ll make it worth the wait.

I like the sound of that. And then a moment later another one, PS I love you, I forgot to tell you that today.

…

Hair still salty form the sea Bo waited with her arms crossed at the River court, her eyes carefully watching the night for another person, she’d been waiting for two hours, hidden so she would be the one to see him first but as it got colder, and darker, Bo had to assume that this was one night Mitch wasn’t going to show up at all, still she waited another half an hour before she left.

At the same time Kay Scott lay sprawled across her bed, a book opened in front of her, when her phone started ringing, without looking to see who it was she answered it “hey-ya”

Their was silence, Kay rolled over and off the bed, she sat up quickly, “hello?” she asked again, and then a soft reply finally came, “what part of don’t come to my house don’t you understand?” but as soft as it was the anger was still there.

“The don’t part, there’s something about the-”

“Don’t be a smart ass, Kay. Stay away from my home”

“Home?” Kay laughed, “Is that what you call it these days?”

“Stay away from my family then, okay, just stay away” Mitch warned.

Kay lay back onto her bed, sighing, and whispered “I just need to know your okay”

For a moment she thought he wasn’t going to answer and then he gave a small laugh, not a I’m happy laugh, it was cynical, “I’m alive”

“It’s not that same thing” Kay spoke, and for a moment it was silent again and then the line went dead. She sighed, dropping the phone and placing her hand over her heard, her fingers spread wide, as she wondered about the difference between being alive and being okay.

Closing her eyes Kay whispered to the night, “I’m still alive”.

So… what ya think?

Btw, anyone who didn’t read ‘Brooke’s child’ which this fic is based off, Sam from the last two chapters is Haley’s older brother Sam James which I named long before the character of Sam Walker came into the show, and the ‘car games’ reference during the brooke/haley/peyton scene after the sudoku sex joke is from ‘brooke’s child’ after a similar thing happened when kay caught the end of a conversation the girls were having involving brucas and their ‘activities’ in a car.