Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill or any of its characters; I leave that to the creator, Mark Schwahn.
Peyton cowered in Lucas' room. She was still scared that Derek, the fake one, might get to her again when Lucas wasn't around.
Lucas looked over and sighed. He knew that she's been like that since he brought her over last night. "Peyton," he sighed. "You can't keep hiding like this."
Peyton shrugged. "I should've listened to you," she said.
"And you shouldn't keep blaming yourself for what happened," Lucas said. "It wasn't your fault."
"I'm the one that put up those pod casts, pictures," Peyton countered.
"How were you supposed to know that a stalker lusted after you?" Lucas asked counter her answer. "You weren't!" Lucas walked to her and put his arms around her.
"I'm scared, Lucas," Peyton replied relishing the feeling of Lucas' arms around her. "I just wish this was a nightmare that I can wake up from and everything is going to be okay."
"I know," Lucas said as he let her ramble. "I know, Peyton."
"I just wish they'd catch him already so all of this can be over, and I can move on with my life," Peyton continued. "I'm scared that he might be able to catch me again and you won't be there to stop him again."
"I know, Peyton," Lucas said, "but you can't keep living your life in fear. You just have to live with it; you have to get passed it. That's how you beat him."
"I can't, Lucas. Whenever I close my eyes, I see him," she said.
"I'm not going to leave you while you're going through this," Lucas said. "I promise you that."
"Thank you," Peyton replied.
"I'm not going to let you cower anymore," Lucas said thinking about Derek, her real brother, and how he's going to him to help him with Peyton. He pulled Peyton into his arms, walked over to the bed, and set her down. "You need to sleep."
Peyton shook her head. "I can't, Lucas," she said. "You know that; whenever I close my eyes, I see him."
Lucas smiled at her as he climbed in with her and put his arm around her waist. "Think of something that might help you sleep," he said. "You need to sleep. I won't leave until you fall asleep."
Peyton closed her eyes and did what Lucas suggested. She thought of something that would help her sleep. In moments, she was asleep.
Lucas smiled. "Goodnight, Peyton," he said. He slowly got up from the bed without disturbing her, and he walked out of his bedroom door. He saw his mom at the dining room table.
"How's she doing?" Karen asked him.
"As much as to be expected," Lucas replied, "but she's finally sleeping."
"That's good," Karen said. "She needs sleep."
"Yeah," Lucas said, "but she can't keep camping out in my room."
Karen smirked at him. "There was a time that you'd love to have her camped out in your room," she said teasingly.
"Not like this though, Mom," Lucas said. "I'm going to go to her brother to help her get over this."
Karen nodded. "That seems best," Karen said. "So, that really is her brother?"
"Yeah," Lucas said. "The chief really seemed sure that he was Derek, Peyton's brother. He really is who he says he is."
Karen nodded. "Good," she said. "So you'll find him at the military base?"
"Yes," Lucas replied. "That is where I will find him. Hopefully when I tell him about Peyton, he'll get his ass in gear."
"You said when Peyton first talked to him that he hung up on her," Karen said. "Maybe he's still feeling a bit angry that his father left."
"I don't know, Mom. I won't know until I ask him," Lucas said. "Hopefully, he'll help. Do you think you can stay with Peyton while I go talk some sense into her brother?"
Karen nodded. "I'll be glad too," she said. "Good luck!"
"Thank, Mom," Lucas said as he walked to the front door, and left to go find Peyton's brother. "I'll be back soon."