Here's a new story with Lucas and Peyton. But this isn't all rainbows and butterflies, so be warned. There's a teeny bit of angst. Read it and weep. ;)

P.S. I'm finally on summer vacation, so I have more time to write.

P.S.S. The song is called "The Reason" by Hoobastank.

Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill or this song.

I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

It's been one whole month since Peyton had left for L.A. after hearing the news that Lucas had called Lindsey to make things work again. She imagined them to be happy right now. In Las Vegas, doing God knows what in their hotel room. Peyton had to get away from it all. Tree Hill had never been a good place for her. She had no family there. Tree Hill for her was a nightmare.

She was only in L.A. to promote Mia's album and to meet with other bands, who she had met before as she was working there. She'd be back in the land of bad memories in a couple of hours. What she wanted more than anything was to stay away from the former love of her life and his now bride. But how can she do that when Tree Hill was so small that even going to the grocery store you'd see a former Raven's cheerleader or an old high school teacher

A few hours had passed and her plane finally landed in Tree Hill, hoping that she could avoid everyone right now, especially a certain blond boy. As she wheeled in her luggage, expecting Brooke to be waiting for her outside baggage claim, she turns to see a pair of blue eyes. Eyes that she definitely knew belonged to. So many feelings rose in the curly blond. Sadness, anger, regret. All things bad. She tried hard not to stare at him again and continued wheeling her way towards the exit--wherever the hell it was.

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you

"Peyton!" His voice called out to her. She didn't stare back because the minute she would, she knew she would fall apart in his arms.

Peyton didn't want to hear the news about him and his brand new wife. She didn't want to hear his stupid apology. All she wanted was to turn back time to junior year. Back to the days where she didn't know he existed before she had almost ran him over.

Before she had almost reached the exit, one strong hand took her arm and turned her around. She was already at her peak, but she didn't want to shed tears for him anymore. She knew she didn't deserve this.

"Peyton, listen to me--" Lucas pleaded but was soon cut off.

She struggled her way out of his hold and rolled her way outside. He quickly followed and stood in front of her.

"No," Shaking her head sternly, "I'm done, Lucas. Leave me alone. What the hell do you want from me?"

"Do you want me to beg for your love? Do you want me to kiss you? To sacrifice for your happiness? Oh, I guess I've already done all of that, didn't I?" She laughed bitterly.

He looked at her. Lucas had broken Peyton and shattered her heart into tiny pieces. "I didn't marry Lindsey." He tried to explain.

Her eyes were burning. All she wanted was to break away from him. Trying to pull herself together, "I'm so happy. That means you finally chose me right?" Her voice was heavy with sarcasm.

"It's so funny that when someone leaves you, Lucas, you immediately jump to the next girl you see." Peyton finally held herself together as she went inside a cab and left Lucas standing alone.

I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
Thats why i need you to hear

The brooding blond drove to his little brother's home. He needed someone to talk to.

He reached the door and rang the bell once. The door opened and there stood Haley with a bat. "Lucas?" She questioned, rubbing the corners of her eyes.

"Can I come in?"

"Yeah, sure, but it's 3 o'clock in the morning. What happened?" She led Lucas into the living room and found Nathan sleeping on the couch.

The younger Scott saw the commotion and sat up, "Luke? Why are you here? What time is it?"

"Never mind that, you guys talk, while I brew some coffee up." Haley went inside the kitchen and left the two brothers alone.

"Let me guess, Peyton." Nathan assumed. Nathan knew everything with Lucas would always involve Peyton somehow. He knew that their history was far too dug into the ground for anyone to understand but Nathan knew and so did Haley.

"I went to the airport to try to talk to her but she didn't listen."

"Well, I don't blame her." Nathan tried to joke about it but instead got a glare from Lucas in return.

"Lucas, you screwed Peyton up. I mean, Peyton doesn't have a family, she almost died more than once, and she always got hurt."

"Yeah, but--"

"Before you say anything to dig yourself into a deeper hole; you have to know that the last person in the world she expected to hurt her was you."

Lucas knew Nathan was right. He had caused Peyton more pain on her than psycho Derek, the loss of both of her mothers, and the absence of her father and brother. He needed to save her one more time. He had to tell her that he had been an ass for the past three years. He needed to show her that he deserves her love again. It took him three years to figure it out.

"Okay, I made coffee." Haley returned and handed both Lucas and Nathan a mug.

"I have to tell her." Lucas realized.

"Now?" Nathan and Haley exchanged looks.

Lucas nodded. Peyton would always be the love of his life, the comet, the one he wanted standing next to him when his dreams came true. Somehow he needed to show her all those things and convince her that he wasn't hiding anymore. He was ready to be with her forever.

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is You

Lucas grabbed his keys and left his untouched coffee on the table.

"Oh, brother." Haley sighed and fell on the couch next to her husband.

"Let's just pray that he comes back in one piece." Nathan said, as he held his wife in his arms.

Peyton was unpacking. Brooke was away in New York for the day and would be back tomorrow. Her eyes were still covered in a sheer of water. She tried blinking the tears away but they wouldn't stop from flowing. She wanted to be strong but all she could do was think about him. His face, his eyes, and the little things he'd do. All she wanted was to forget that they were ever together. She wanted to but it couldn't be helped. Everything she saw reminded her of him.

Taking out the last piece of clothing in her luggage, a knock on the door was heard. A little hesitant, she took a hammer that stood beside her bed and went to the door.

I'm not a perfect person
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

"It's Lucas." The voice said. Like she needed to be warned that it was him. She already knew by the voice that it was the boy who had broke her heart many times.

She dropped the hammer on the table, and cautiously opened the door to spot the brooding blond with his hands in his pockets.

"Peyton, before you say anything, I need to tell you something." His voice was leveled, trying not to think about the way she looked at the very moment.

She was wearing one of her band shirts and a pair of black drawstring shorts, revealing her lean legs. She crossed her arms as he was about to continue

"I called Lindsey while I was at the airport a month ago and told her that I couldn't be with her after hearing her voice mail. I told her that she was right. She was right about the fact that the comet was you. She was right when she told me that I still loved you. I knew deep in my heart that I've always loved you Peyton. I did call her to get married. I did say those things but when I saw her walking in, I knew I made a huge mistake because the one I really wanted to see was you, Peyton."

By the time he ended he was a little out of breath but still waited for Peyton to say something. She shook her head. "It's not that simple, Lucas."

"Peyton, I'm in love with you." He repeated.

"What makes you think that you won't take it back? That the minute I do something you'd probably run away from us again!" She yelled.

"I promise." He begged, but kept his word.

"Just like you promised to wait forever for us? Lucas, just leave me alone. It's the least you could do out of all the things I've done for you." She calmed herself down.

"No." He reasoned.

She took her sweater from the table beside her, "Fine. Then I will."

She walked away from him until she reached the streets. A loud rumble of thunder was heard.

"Peyton!" He was right behind her. He grabbed her from behind and forced her to look at him.

"Give us another chance, please. You're the one that I want. I'm not running away anymore." He spoke loudly as the thunder was getting stronger

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you

Little drops of water was falling from the sky. Her anger and pain was suddenly gone. And the only person in the world that could give it back and take it away in a breath was Lucas Scott. She knew that the only boy she would ever love more than anything was him. No matter how many times he'd hurt her, she couldn't deny it.

"Even if we could be together, what makes you think it would work?" She spoke over the pouring rain.

He took her hand and held it to his chest, "Because I feel it in my heart, don't you?" She smiled, as they repeated the words they had said in high school.

"Yes." The corners of his mouth drew into a small smile.

He gently took her face and held it between both of his hands and leaned in to kiss every inch of it until he finally reached for the lips.

I've found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you

Like it? Anyway, please review! :)