Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Summary: Peyton Sawyer and Lucas Scott met on the train going from California to North Carolina. Neither of them were looking for anything lasting, but the heart is tricky that way. Leyton/Naley/Brulian Borrows a little from the movie A Lot Like Love.

Author's Note: So I was called out by my bestie Jenn for never writing a Leyton story. So then I got to thinking of how I would write a Leyton story and this was born. I hope I can do Jenn and all the other Leyton shippers justice with this fanfic. This might sound silly from a devoted brucas fan such as myself but I LOVED writing this chapter so hopefully all of you will like it and let me know what you think. :)

Disclaimer: I don't own anything OTH related - if I did the show probably would have gone a different direction. Story title is Queen - Crazy Little Thing Called Love and as I mentioned before the basic idea came to me when I was watching the movie A Lot Like Love.


Chapter 1:

*~*June 1997*~*

Peyton POV

"You are certifiable you know that?" Anna yells, giving me a cold stare as she parks the car at Los Angeles Union Station. "No one in their right mind would pay almost double the cost of a plane ticket to take a train across the country."

"I hate flying," I respond sheepishly, "My dad knows that, that's why he paid for me to take the train home. Brooke couldn't fly home with me, there was no way I was going to make it flying alone."

Anna glares in my direction and stomps to the back of her Toyota Camry and pops the trunk, "You had to say her name didn't you?" I reach into the trunk to retrieve my duffle bag and I let a stifled laugh escape my lips. "Excuse me, what's so funny?"

"Brooke's duffle bag is funny," I shake the red with black zebra pattern bag at her, "This bag just screams Brooke Davis, don't you think?" I know Anna is already pissed off about something, but I cannot help but antagonize her further - she's so incredibly sexy when she's angry, my fiery latina.

Anna slams down the trunk lid in a huff, "You're fucking her aren't you?"

I would be a liar if I said having sex with Brooklyn Penelope Davis hasn't ever crossed my mind, but she's been my best friend since we were six years old - it would be like sleeping with my sister I imagine, something I know little about being an only child. As much as it pains me to say, my head needs to steer this conversation, "I think we should pump the brakes on this relationship Anna. I have never cheated on you or given you any reason not to trust me." I pull a cigarette out of my messenger bag and light it, "I was flattered in the beginning, but now it's a little insulting."

"You didn't answer my question Peyton!" Anna yells and I can see a few people begin to stare.

"It doesn't warrant one. Thank you for dropping me off Anna," I pull her in for a hug and kiss her lips gently. It feels like the last time and honestly it couldn't have gone on any longer if I wanted it to, the constant fighting hadn't been worth the making up for over a month now. Anna Taggaro and I have been dating for six months, we met during my first semester at USC when Brooke rushed the sorority Anna belonged to. She pursued me fiercely and aside from a few make out sessions in high school, my past relationships had all been with men. All of the drama she put me through - she might be the last girlfriend I have for a while. "I hope you can find what you're looking for." I pick up my bag and head to the ticket window and never look back.


Lucas POV

"Lucas?" I avert my eyes from what appears to be a heated exchange between lovers and look to my mother, "Give our love to Nathan, remind him that he is welcome in Santa Barbara anytime."

"Of course ma," I lean over the center console and kiss her cheek, "thank you for dropping me off."

"I'm still not sure why you didn't just fly. This train excursion is going to cut into a great deal of your vacation time." My mother reaches behind her seat and hands me a small box with a green bow, "Lil picked out the bow, you'll have to call her and tell her thank you."

"Thanks ma," I remove the lid and smile at the packaging for a Nokia 5110, "My very own cellular phone. Please tell Andy I said thank you."

"Put it in your bag, it's already been activated." Mom presses the trunk release and gets out of the driver's side of her Ford Explorer, "The instructions and phone number are in the box, you'll also find information related to your contract, please read it carefully. This is a luxury Lucas, please remember to treat it accordingly."

I pull out my large suitcase and my mother hands me the distressed leather satchel that had belonged to one of the greatest men I have ever known, my uncle, Keith Allen Scott. "I think I'm all set ma, thank you again for driving me to the station."

She leans up and kisses my cheek, "Anytime Lucas, no reason to pay for the jeep to be in long term parking all summer. I had the time and Lily doesn't get home for a couple of hours."

I hug my mother and promise to call when I reach North Carolina. I head inside the station, retrieve my tickets and wait for boarding to begin in about an hour. I pull out my worn copy of Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five, get settled into a large club chair and I see the young woman whom I witnessed in the middle of a lovers quarrel before I got out of the car. She's pretty in a traditional sort of way I muse; blonde shoulder length frizzy curly hair, green eyes, slender frame. I shake my head and tell myself to stop staring, 'you saw her kissing a woman, that doesn't bode well for you' my head says, but I keep looking in her direction anyway. Torturing myself with unattainable women happens to be my specialty - marrieds, singles, lesbians, religious - I've gone after them all. She's dressed in the standard grunge uniform of a green over-sized military jacket, black band t-shirt, red plaid pants and shiny black oxfords, her makeup is heavy and I don't think she needs all of it. If anything it makes her look older and withered, I wonder what she looks like without it?

"All aboard Sunset Limited - Los Angeles Union Station to New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal." The voice calls out over the loudspeaker. I stand up from the leather chair I had been occupying and head to the line for the sleeper cabin cars.

I show my ticket to one of the conductors, "Welcome aboard Mr. Scott, Jennifer here is going to show you to your cabin, safe travels."

"Thank you," I smile and look over at the other lines of people entering the waiting train, I lock eyes with the grunge girl and she smiles.

"Mr. Scott?" Jennifer says in a bubbly voice.

"Yes," I shake my head, "I'm sorry. I'm not sure where I went off to just now." I put my bag in front of me and follow her up the narrow steps leading to the row of sleeper cabins.

Jennifer stopped in front of a door and slides it open, "Here you are Mr. Scott, cabin number 22. This is a bedroom suite with full en-suite accommodations. May I set your dinner reservation time?"

"7:00pm please." I walk into the compact suite and search for the luggage compartment. I settle for placing my bag on the long bench seat and turn to Jennifer, "When is turn down service?"

"We can turn down your bed at any time Mr. Scott," Jennifer pointed to a blue button on the wall with the word service printed underneath, "Press that handy button and one of my fellow stewards will be here shortly to assist you." She placed her hand on the lever to re-engage the door, "Is there anything else I can help you with Mr. Scott?"

"No thanks," I smirk, "I appreciate all of your help Jennifer." She closes the door and I collapse in the small recliner chair in the corner and let out a deep sigh. "Your vacation starts now Lucas, enjoy it," I tell myself before drifting to sleep.


Peyton POV

I stare out the window as the train departs the station, 2 days, 20 hours, 40 minutes and 19 seconds to go. That's how long it is going to take me to get home to my father, my rock, the new widower. I have to change trains in New Orleans before continuing on to Wilmington by way of Charlotte one-way. That's right, my father purchased a one-way on the off chance I decide to stay in North Carolina with him. I didn't want to break it to him but that is unlikely because Brooke is joining me in Wilmington after her last final at the end of the week and we are driving back to Los Angeles in my mother's car - a 1963 Mercury Comet. The car is a sight to be seen; white soft top convertible, shiny black exterior paint with red leather interior. My Grandpa Jack bought the comet brand new the day after my mother was born and gave it to her on her 16th birthday, seven short months later I was born. My parents met in grade school, started dating at the age of 14, were married at 16 and parted by death at just 34 years old. 'That's a lot of living in such a short span of time,' I remind myself as I shift in my seat. Haven't even been on this train an hour and already my ass is asleep, that is not a good sign for things to come.

A short while later I head to the dining car, "Did you set a reservation time?" The gentleman asks me.

"Yes sir," I say grinning ear to ear, "Peyton Sawyer - 7:00pm."

"Excellent, have a seat anywhere that's free." He says before moving on to the people behind me.

I scan the narrow train car and spot the guy who was staring at me at the station, I take the seat across from him and almost laugh out loud when his eyes widen to the size of cup saucers, "Hi, I'm Peyton. I was told to sit anywhere that was free, is this seat free?"


Lucas POV

What do I do? I wonder, what do I say? Hi I'm Lucas, I was undressing you with my eyes in the train station today. May I just say you have a terrifically perky ass and a kissable mouth and I haven't been with a woman since that bitch I thought I was going to spend my life with left me at the altar four months ago. "Lucas," I say, trying to sound nonchalant, I stare as she sits down and let out a deep breath, "So where are you headed?"

She cocks an eyebrow in my direction, "Charlotte. I don't like to fly, so I decided to attempt the train." She stretched her arms over her head, "A decision I'm regretting at this very moment if I'm being honest. What about you?"

"I've taken the train a few times, this time I'm heading to Charlotte as well," I look out the window briefly before returning my glaze to her stunning green eyes, "Being on the train reminds me of a different time. Why don't you like to fly?"

"Small world, most people in the coach car are getting off in Texas. I am an absolute control freak, I might like to fly if I was piloting the plane." She smiles as the server comes to our table.

"Are you two ready to order?" The Hispanic gentleman says with a jovial grin aimed directly at Peyton.

I look to Peyton and she nods, "I'll have the herb roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and vegetables and a tall glass of ice water please with lemon."

He looks to me, "I would like the Amtrak Signature Steak, rare please. I would prefer rice pilaf instead of the baked potato and I will take a Corona. Charge both entrees to Suite 22, thanks." I show him my ID and he heads to the next table.

Peyton narrows her eyes in my direction, "I have money Lucas, you didn't need to do that."

"It's no trouble," I reply quickly, "I'm staying in a bedroom car - they charge for double occupancy and I'm only a single, buying your meal ensures I get my monies worth."

"You're so lucky. I don't know what I was thinking, I mentioned before I'm staying in the coach seating car. It's going to be a long ride." Peyton starts rubbing her neck and I instinctively lick my lips, what the hell am I doing? I wonder to myself, drifting into my own lustful thoughts. I return to reality when the server returns with our drinks, "Thanks." Peyton says with a wink before turning to me and grabbing my hand, "So after dinner why don't you take me back to your room, I am dying to see what a train suite looks like."

"Excuse me?" I choke on my beer.

"You heard me Lucas," Peyton says as she pulls the lemon wedge from her water glass and brings it to her lips, "Where's your sense of adventure?"

I gulp, "What if you're some kind of serial killer and you plan to rob me and take my money?"

She sucks on the lemon seductively, "I think you have to ask yourself," and rubs the top of my hand, "am I worth the risk?" I release a husky breath of hot air and nod my head, yes - well worth the risk.


So... Thoughts? Comments? Concerns? Should I continue or just leave it as a one-shot?

Leave me a review and let me know whatcha think! This is my first attempt at a Leyton centered story. :)

Thanks for reading!

Krystal

One other shout out to my girl April for telling me to get out of my own head and post the damn story. Thanks girlie! :0)