Hey everyone... This is my first and only to date BRULIAN story... After the response I got from you guys I decided to keep this a brulian story. This will now be added to my normal rotation of updates. So enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything from One Tree Hill... (Except the idea for this story) If I did own anything OTH related the show would have gone a completely different direction...
Author's Note: If you are a new reader or an old reader I suggest re-reading the first four chapters because I have done a complete overhaul to this story to update it in the direction I am going to take it now. Oh and one more thing, remember for the sake of this story Tree Hill has been relocated to just outside Sacramento, California. Thanks!
Love... Behind Bars
Chapter 1:
"Brooke, I need you to go with Nathan from sports to San Quentin this afternoon," Lucy, her editor ordered.
"What's in San Quentin for a fashion columnist?" Brooke asked sarcastically, "Did they change the color of the inmate jumpsuits? Traffic cone chic isn't a thing anymore?"
Lucy adjusted her glasses, "If you don't want to go I can send Rachel." Lucy smiled, "I just remember you asking for more opportunities to branch out as a serious journalist." Lucy put down her files, "I guess I was mistaken."
"No!" Brooke practically screamed, "I'll go with Nathan. When does the flight leave from LAX?"
Lucy grinned and removed her glasses, "There's the girl I hired. Your flights at 3:30pm, Nathan said he would just pick you up."
"Great," Brooke said without trying to sound annoyed. 'I should have never slept with him' Brooke thought to herself. Referring to that one night a month ago when they both had gotten way too drunk, began commiserating over their sad and lonely lives and ended up having sex. Brooke had regretted it almost immediately after because she was certain Nathan was going to work things out with his girlfriend and she hated the idea of loosing him as a friend. "I'm going to take off then so I can pack and get in a quick nap beforehand."
"Sounds like a plan." Lucy said, "Bring me back something good alright? If this story pans out I might have to speak to Jason about a possible promotion for you... You know to something more serious than columns about watches and shoes." Brooke left Lucy's office with a simple nod; worried that if she opened her mouth she would have shrieked with excitement.
Brooke felt her leg shake as she waited for Nathan to arrive. She heard her doorbell and quickly ran to the door where her bags were already waiting. She didn't want to give him an excuse to come inside. "You all ready to go?" Nathan asked behind a pair of Ray Band sunglasses.
"Yeah," Brooke said reaching for her own sunglasses sitting on the entry table.
"We don't have to leave for another 45 minutes." Nathan said with a sly grin, "We should talk or something."
Brooke shook her head, "No we should leave now. You never know traffic might be a total mess."
"I have a navigation app on my phone that tracks the best travel routes, so like I said Davis we have plenty of time," Nathan removed his glasses and shut the door behind him.
Brooke rolled her eyes, "How is that girlfriend of yours? What's her name," Brooke thought a moment, "Haley?"
Nathan's smile dropped at the sound of Haley's name, "We're still broken up." Nathan crossed to her and put his hand on her tiny waist, "Just like we were a month ago."
"I don't like where you're going with this Nate. We agreed to remain friends after that, we have known each other since Felix and I moved out to Los Angeles four years ago." Brooke shook her head when she mentioned her now ex husband, "I'm never touching tequila again" Brooke wiggled out of his grasp, "Come on lets go." She stuck out her lower lip to pout, "Please."
"How could any guy say no to that, give me those bags. Get your cute ass outside," Nathan laughed. "I know we said we worked better as friends, but you can't blame a guy for trying can you? I mean have you looked in the mirror lately?"
Brooke couldn't help but smile at his words, she put on her sunglasses and spoke, "Thanks hot shot." Brooke skipped to the car, "So who's in San Quentin that Jason and Lucy are sending us to chase?"
Nathan put her luggage in the trunk and jogged around to the driver's side and entered the car, "Lucas Roe. Have you heard of him, he's some bad ass basketball player. Apparently he is the only suspect in the attempted murder of his wife, Peyton Sawyer."
"Let me guess, he's feigning ignorance?" Brooke asked as she picked at her nails.
"No the opposite actually," Nathan replied as he started the car, "He says he attacked her in a jealous rage. He walked in on her with her lover, some music producer, Jake something. Anyways he shows up after a road trip finds this Jake guy riding his wife and snaps. He says he only remembers seeing them having sex and then his memory is completely gone; he came to and found himself covered in Peyton's blood. Jake called the police and when they arrived Peyton fortunately was still breathing."
"Why didn't the Jake guy try and stop Lucas?" Brooke asked suddenly intrigued.
"Because Lucas knocked him out, Jake doesn't remember anything either. Peyton is still recovering and is under heavy sedation so the police haven't gotten her version of events yet." Nathan signaled to get on the freeway, "Lucas' mother Karen came forward and is claiming Lucas has had these black out spells since childhood."
"How convenient," Brooke scoffed "Man turns into the Hulk and tries to kill someone and his mommy comes to the rescue." Brooke searched her purse for some lip balm, "So if he hasn't been convicted why is he already locked up in San Quentin? Seems a little extreme, certainly grounds for his attorney to pursue malicious persecution."
Nathan laughed, "I forget sometimes that you're smarter than you let on. He was on parole when the incident occurred. I guess a few months ago he went all Hulk as you called it on a couple of cameramen for the Lakers."
"Let me guess he claimed he blacked out during that fight too?" Brooke rolled her eyes and applied a fresh layer of chap-stick.
"Ding ding Davis." Nathan smiled from the driver's seat, "The judge in the case threw the book at him, I read he's up for re-election, something about trying to be noticed by people that can springboard him into the federal circuit. Lucy is having copies of that case messengered to our hotel when she gets a full set from the district attorney's office. I figured you would want to look it all over, see if anything peaks your interest."
"Thanks," Brooke took out her phone and googled Lucas Roe, "Jesus," she gasped when she saw images of the two cameramen Lucas had beaten up. "This is going to be a huge story Nate I can feel it."
Brooke was glad to be off the airplane. She had never told anyone but she hated to fly, too many elements out of her control, plus the borderline claustrophobia didn't do her any favors, "So do you have the information on our hotel reservations?" Brooke asked staying out of arms reach.
"Yep baby doll, I have it right here," Nathan said waving a piece of paper in her direction.
Brooke grabbed it out of his hand and headed to baggage claim, "So are we renting a car?"
"Yep, it's still about an hours drive." Nathan replied, "Why are you being so professional? You said it yourself I am the your oldest California friend, so why the cold shoulder."
Brooke giggled till she saw his face, "Wait, you're serious right now?"
Nathan looked hurt by her response, "It wasn't THAT bad... Was it Davis?"
Brooke laughed again trying to lighten the mood, "No Nathan it wasn't bad. But you had just gotten out of a long term relationship and I had been upset over some stupid inter-office political thing. We both were able to seek comfort in each other's company. That's all... I mean let's be honest you and Haley are totally getting back together soon. You always get back together."
Nathan shoved his hands in his pocket and said, "It could be more now you know. Haley and I aren't going to get back together this time. She wants me to settle down with her in North Carolina where she teaches. I like my job, I love going on the road to cover the latest sports story. Thinking about settling down in some tiny North Carolina town..." He trailed off as he pulled at his shirt collar, "Makes me want to be sick."
"Well I'm sorry to hear that Nathan, Haley's a wonderful girl." Brooke felt genuinely sad, "But we still aren't going to have a go of it, I don't do relationships. And relationships certainly don't do me."
Nathan groaned, "But I wanna be doing you, with or without a relationship."
Brooke stopped in front of him and felt his body against hers, she was attracted to him, she couldn't deny it, "We're friends Nate and we work together, what if it doesn't work out?"
"How about we worry about all of that stuff after a little tumble in the sheets?" Nathan growled in her ear.
"Maybe," Brooke giggled.
Brooke woke up the next morning to Nathan's naked body asleep beside her, she had lost count of the amount of times she had cum the night before. Nathan was certainly a better lover sober. Brooke yawned, "Good morning."
Nathan pulled her closer to him, "Good morning Davis. How did you sleep?"
Brooke chuckled, "We didn't really sleep much. When are we supposed to meet with the warden this afternoon?"
Nathan rolled over and looked at the alarm clock, "2 o'clock. He said he didn't think Lucas would meet with us but hey it's worth a shot right? What are you going to do while I'm there?"
"Find a story, Lucy told me to find a story." Brooke wormed out of his grasp and headed to the bathroom, "I'm going to take a shower... Care to join me." Nathan jumped out of bed and appeared next to her before she had even turned on the water.
They got out of the car and headed towards the chain link fence. Brooke took a deep breath and prepared herself for the unavoidable cat calls and whistles. "You alright Davis?" Nathan asked.
"Yeah," Brooke said checking out the length of her skirt.
"You look fine; these guys haven't seen a woman of your caliber in a while." Nathan smiled, "You could stroll up in a potato sack and they'd look at you just the same way they're gonna look at you now."
Brooke placed her purse on the conveyor belt and walked slowly through the metal detectors, "Who are you visiting this afternoon Miss Davis?"
"We have an appointment with the warden." Brooke said trying to sound serious.
She turned and saw Nathan right behind her, "You ready?" Brooke nodded and Nathan grabbed her hand and pulled her down the long corridor.
They were met at the door by the Warden, "Nice to meet you both I'm Whitey Durham."
"It's a pleasure sir, thank you for agreeing to meet with us on such short notice. Do you think Mr. Roe will meet with me today?" Nathan asked, Brooke noticed him fidgeting a little.
"Well he's been in solitary confinement the last few days. Picked a fight with another inmate, so he might be open to some personal interaction." Warden Durham looked at Brooke, "Where are you gonna be young lady? Mr. Roe isn't allowed female visitors."
Brooke removed her glasses and smiled her biggest dimpled smile, "You said he picked a fight with another inmate. Can I meet with him? Is that acceptable?"
Warden Durham's stern look softened at Brooke's smile, "That can be arranged. I'll go check with the guys in cell block D. Mr. Baker doesn't get many visitors these days ma'am I'm sure he'd be much obliged to answer a few of your questions."
Nathan stared at Brooke, "You really need to teach me that, it's deadly Davis."
"It's a gift; sorry I don't think you have what it takes hot shot." Brooke giggled and took out her memo pad.
"But how do you do it?" Nathan asked.
"Oh that's easy... I'm Brooke Davis that's how." Brooke said with a tap of her foot.