Yeah, this isn't VM fic. This is OTH fanfic. It popped into my head and I decided to run with it. It's a crappy work in progress.

Brooke stood up on the boardwalk, staring down the beach at Lucas’s defeated form. Her heart ached for him. She knew how he felt; it was never easy to see the final nail be hammered into the coffin of your old relationship. So, pulling Owen’s jacket closer to ward off the late night chill she made her way down to where he sat. He couldn’t have the woman he loved, so his friend would have to do.

“This seat taken,” Brooke asked coming to rest beside Lucas’s huddled figure.

“Have a seat,” Lucas said, gesturing for her to join him.

Smoothing her dress over her slight frame, Brooke lowered herself down beside Lucas. They sat quietly for a few minutes, just watching the moonlight ocean and the crashing waves. Finally Brooke turned and took in his defeated posture and sad face.

“Haley wanted to come find you, but Isabel got sick at the reception so I volunteered. I hope that’s okay.”

Lucas nodded.

“I suppose it’d be stupid to ask how you’re doing.”

Lucas sighed, shaking his head. “I never thought she’d actually go through with it.”

“I know,” Brooke laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry Luke. I…I really thought you two would work it out in the end.”

“I’m not sure what…what do I do now?”

“Take it a day at a time. I know it doesn’t seem like it now, but it will get easier.”

“I want to hate her,” he admitted. “It’d be easier if I could hate her.”

“Luke…” Brooke trailed off, unsure of how to respond.

“I know. She’s your best friend.”

“You’re my friend too,” Brooke leaned in, trying unsuccessfully to capture his gaze. “I’m happy for Peyton, but I…I don’t like seeing you like this.”

“She was my everything.”

I know,” Brooke sighed. And she really did. She’d watched the whole thing between them unfold and implode. A few years ago it would have killed her to hear such a declaration of love from Lucas for her best friend, but she’d finally moved past it, finally let go.

“Maybe that was the problem. You shouldn’t let one person’s ….presence dictate your happiness.”

Finally looking up, Lucas met Brooke’s compassionate gaze. She gave his shoulder a comforting squeeze. For a long moment he just stared at her, he seemed to be searching for something, but even as she opened her mouth to question him he moved forward, covering her lips with his in a desperate kiss, and damn if even after all these years she didn't still feel that little twinge, that familiar pull, that small something that she was sure would always be there for him no matter how hard she tried to push it away. She hated it and at the same time took comfort in it, that old familiar sting.

As soon as she caught herself sinking into the kiss Brooke immediately let out a hum of protest, putting her hands to his shoulders and roughly pushing him back. Brooke's hand flew to her mouth in disbelief. For a long moment that sat in silence, simply regrarding each other. When it became clear that she wasn't going to leave Lucas slowly leaned, and God help her Brooke actually considered giving in to the pull between them, throwing caution to the wind and allowing herself to get lost in the pleasure of his kiss, his touch.

Lucas's lips had just barely touched hers when Owen's face came to mind. She thought of everything they'd been through, all he'd been through, how hurt he'd be to find her with Lucas and she couldn't do it.

"No," Brooke whispered, laying a restraining hand on Lucas's chest.

"Brooke?"

"I can't do this," she told him, tears lighting her eyes and she climbed to her feet.

Lucas followed her. He didn't know what to say. He stood watching her as she faced the water, arms crossed.

"What was that?" Brooke finally asked, breaking the long silence.

Lucas rubbed at the back of his neck, trying to come up with words to explain himself.

*********

“Don’t,” Brooke ordered, turning to walk away.

Lucas caught her arm in a attempt to pull her back, but he immediately let go as she jerked her arm from his grasp. “Brooke!”

Brooke spun around, confusion etched on her face.

“What?” she demanded. “What could you possibly have to say?”

“Brooke, I’m sorry,” Lucas replied, taking a careful step forward.

“Great,” Brooke said, tears shaking her voice. “You’re sorry so everything is magically better.”

“Listen, I-“

“Stop!” Brooke shouted, her words scream somewhat muted by the wind and the waves. “Nothing you have to say will make this better so don’t bother.”

“Brooke, it was a mistake. This thing with Peyton has me…confused.”

Brooke let out a bitter laugh, the sound made him cringe. “When doesn’t it Lucas? “

“Brooke-“

“God,” Brooke exclaimed. “What do I have to say to get you to stop? I don’t want your apology. It means nothing. I thought we were friends Luke. I thought the past was..”

“We are friends Brooke.”

“No,” Brooke shook her head, a tear finally managing to escape. “No, I’m still the place holder to you, the girl who is fit to be used but never loved.”

“No,” Lucas denied. “That isn’t it. That’s not how I see you.”

“You know what Luke, I don’t even care. This is the moment where I am just…done. Don’t call me, don’t come to see me, just stay the hell away.”

With that, Brooke turned and made her way back across the beach, and it wasn’t the anger he’d seen in her final glance that broke his heart, or even the deep heartbreak, but the look of complete disappointment. He’d let her down, lost her as a friend, and he had no one to blame but himself.