Disclaimer: This has nothing to with spoilers or anything, this is just what I would like to happen in S6 and S7, if it goes on that long. This is also not predictions, purely my ideal scenario. I do not own the characters or the story up to this point, I do however own the ideas and the dialogue (unless otherwise stated) that follow, so please... don't go thieving it!! Haha. I also don't own the song titles I use... I have taken a lead from OTH, and done the same as them.

Author's Note: Okay, so like I said, this is just my ideal scenario for how OTH finishes. As it is important to a lot of people, the ships are: Naley, Leyton, Pulian, Browen and Brucas. Friendships include: Breyton, Leyton, Brucas, Brulian (which could mean ship for some people), Pathan, Paley, Braley... Blah, blah, blah. Now, I realise these are not conventional ships, but hear me out... And please read. I hope I can convert some people with my writing, and even if I don't convert you to those particular ships... I hope I write well enough that you like my interpretation of how S6/7 should go, if only for how it is written.

Back-story: Everything that has happened so far in S6 has happened. Up to episode 12 "You Have To Be Joking (Autopsy of the Devil's Brain)".

This all takes place starting two months after the events of that episode.

Okay, Now, This is where it becomes purely what I want to happen: In those two months, Peyton found out she was pregnant but lost the baby to an ectopic pregnancy, which left her and Lucas devastated. Now she can't have children, which obviously added to the pain.

Then Lucas (and Julian) had to leave for L.A. to deal with his book being made into a film. So, Peyton had to lean on Brooke for help in this dark time.

Meanwhile, Brooke has been searching for Sam but she still hasn't been found. Brooke received the baby that she was offered, a little girl called Joanna (about two years old). Owen has been there for her (contrary to what he said in episode 12, he has redeemed himself now ^_^). He never slept with Millie, but there was an episode where it was assumed that he did.

Haley and Nathan have just been trying to get back to a comfortable state; and trying to bring Dan back into their lives, after he received a heart transplant. They have finally reached a point of happiness and acceptance.

So, there you go... Any questions about the two months, please ask.

This first chapter is really just easing you into where I am in the series in this fic, you know? Like I said, any questions, please ask... I just really don't want to give a whole big back-story to it... It'll become kind of evident where everyone is, relationship-wise, as the fic goes on. Oh, and this isn't as long as my chapters will become. Anyone who read my last fic, will know that they increase and increase in size as I get more and more into it, and come up with a clearer and clearer idea of where I'm going.

Enjoy. And, as always, constructive criticism is much appreciated.


Peyton looked down, tracing circles into the newly polished table. She'd tried so hard to make the place look perfect for Lucas, but she was not fit to fill the housewife role she had been forced to take on since being unable to work.

She had just finished telling Lucas that she was leaving him, and the room was thick with the anticipation of his reaction. As much as she had rehearsed this conversation, nothing could prepare her for the heartache on Lucas's face. As much as she had tried to remain calm, the tightness in her chest that barely allowed her to speak, strangling the words as they left her as if it didn't want them to be spoken.

The silence was shattered with Lucas's own broken voice, he stared at her in disbelief, everything that he had waited for all those years was crashing around him,

"Peyton... We can do this..."

She shook her head,

He looked at her, willing her to reconsider, "I know it's been hard..."

"It's been awful. If you think it's just been hard... you just- you have no idea..."

"Look, I know-"

"No you don't!"

She looked up at him, tears in her eyes, "You left me, Luke!"

"I didn't leave you. Not in that way, I didn't leave you... I went to make a better life for us. You wanted me to do this film, Peyton."

"I wanted you to do this film for you, Lucas! It wasn't for me... It was for you! I knew that you would look back on it, and know that it could have been great if you'd have done it. I didn't want you to hate yourself for not being a part of this great thing."

He got up from the table, rubbing his day old facial hair in exhaustion. "Then I don't know why you're so upset."

Peyton's lip trembled, "What?"

"If you know how hard I'm working for something that you want me to do... Then why be so upset? Why do this, Peyton?"

She looked down into her lap, ripping apart the tissue in her hands.

"Come on..." He pleaded, "We'll just try harder."

She stayed looking down into her lap, shaking her head slightly, "I don't want to try anymore..."

"You don't mean that..."

"I do, Lucas." She looked up at him, meeting his eyes, and then sighed, her entire body feeling the exhaustion, "I'm so tired..." She rubbed her forehead, and then rested her head in her hand, her elbow leaning on the table, it seemed to be the only thing that kept her somewhat upright.

"This is just grief, Peyton. You're still grieving. We knew it would take time... And effort."

"Effort!? I'm doing all I can, Lucas! It's taking every bit of me not to fall apart every second of every day."

"I know..." He admitted, regretting the implication of the words he had just used, "I'll do more, Peyton."

"No... I really I- I don't want you to do more..."

"Please, Peyt."

She shook her head, "No.. Luke... You know, this isn't working..."

"Because I've been gone." He grasped onto anything he could, trying to make her stay, "But I'm back now... Things'll be different, I swear. You're just- You're just mad at me for leaving, but it'll be different now."

"I'm not mad, Lucas! God!" She wiped her tears, "I'm just- I'm sad..."

He looked up at her, he hated to see his girl this broken,

"I lost my baby..." She rest her hands on her stomach, "And now I can't have anymore."

"We can adopt... Look at Brooke and Joanna."

"It's not the point! I know we can adopt... But something has been taken from me, Lucas. Stolen from me... I can't have children. I am broken, Lucas..."

"Peyton, no... You're still you..."

"I just feel empty, Lucas... And you left me when I felt empty. And it's not working..."

He shook his head, and walked over to her,

"No... Baby..." He put his hands around her face, and kissed her forehead, "We can do this..."

"I can't... I know you'll try. But I don't want to anymore..."

She pulled herself away from him,

"No, Peyton. Please..."

"Lucas... Come on. You know it's over."

"No, it can't be over... We're Lucas and Peyton." Tears streamed down his face,

"I'm Peyton..." she pressed one hand on his chest, lightly pushing him, emphasising the distance between them, "You're Lucas..." She said, "It's okay to be that way again... We don't have to be together."

"But... I love you..."

She nodded, "You know I feel the same... That won't change. But I'm tired of fighting, Lucas. I'm tired of fighting something just because it feels like what we should do..."

"It feels that way... Because that's how it is. We're meant to be, Peyton."

"Maybe before... But not now... Lucas, you just feel like we're meant to be, because that's what we've told ourselves for years."

"And it's still true..."

"Are you listening, Lucas? I can't do this anymore..."

He dropped to his knees, pressing his face against her stomach;

"No!" He started to sob, "No, Peyton... I can't give you up..."

"You're not giving me up... I'm leaving..."

He shook his head, choking out tears, "No..."

She closed her eyes, and bit her lip, "Please, Luke..."

"No! We can do this... I know it hurts, I know you feel empty, and I'm sorry... But I'll try harder, I swear."

"I know you'll try harder... We'll try. But what are we trying for now?" She looked down at him, raising his chin to look at her, "We're different people... We've tried to live the fantasy of Lucas and Peyton; but I've been hit with the reality, Luke... And the reality is... People don't get their 'happily ever after'"

She took his arms from about her waist, gently squeezing his hands. He collapsed to the floor, shaking with each sob. "Please, Peyton..."

She closed her eyes, and as the tears streamed, she left the room. Determined not to look back; she just couldn't face it. She couldn't look at him again. See those eyes stare into her own. She knew she'd break down. She knew she'd lose face, and go back on her decision.

She got to the top of the stairs and fell back against the wall, she could hear Lucas crying downstairs- each sob cutting into her deep.

She managed to stumble into her and Lucas's bedroom, shutting the door behind her. Shutting out Lucas.

She fell against the bed, her chest heaving in and out with every gasp for air. She buried her head in her hands, and looked around the room that they had made theirs. The pictures she had hung. The photos encapsulating their happiness.

She truly believed in the dream of Lucas and Peyton; the people whose story had graced the pages of Lucas's book. But she wasn't that Peyton anymore... She was a broken version of that person. And she needed to fix herself again.

She inhaled deeply, taking in every bit of oxygen she could. She wiped her face, and looked up into the mirror.

"You can do this, Peyton..."

---

Brooke looked at little Joanna, she had fallen asleep on her again. She loved that.

She gently picked her up and took her to her room. She breathed in the little girl's scent as she placed her down in bed.

She pulled the covers up to her neck, and watched her for a second longer.

The phone burst into life. She pounced on it, as she always did since Sam had left. She prayed to hear her voice at the other end,

"Hello?" She answered, walking back into Joanna's room to check she hadn't been woken. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw she was still sound asleep.

"Hey..." It was Julian's voice. This had become a regular thing, he always rang at about this time to see if Sam had contacted her.

"I haven't heard from her..."

She heard him sigh down the phone. She smiled, it was nice knowing someone cared.

"How's Joanna?"

She stole another look at her, "Amazing..."

"Good... Good."

"You okay, Julian?" She said, holding the phone between her cheek and shoulder, and heating up some Chinese food in the microwave.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just can't help but worry..."

It had been two months, but both parties missed her. Sam was more than a foster child, and more than some brat that had hassled Julian to read her writing. She was a friend.

She nodded, "I know..."

"How are you, anyway?"

"I'm okay... Surprisingly good."

"That's great."

She took the phone in her hand, as she opened the door of the microwave with the other, grabbing the food and placing it down on the counter. She turned, opening the cutlery drawer, and closing the microwave door with her hip at the same time. "Yeah... Today was a good day..."

"I'm glad to hear it." She could practically hear him smiling, so she smiled in return, hoping he would pick up on it.

She took the food and made her way to the sofa, "And how was your day?"

"It was alright." Julian was slouched on his sofa, his feet up on the coffee table, flipping through the channels with the remote. "Oh, that was another thing I wanted to ask... Have you heard from Peyton, today?"

"Oh." She swallowed a mouthful of food, "No, not really."

"Not really? What does that mean?"

"A little this morning. Why?"

"No reason. I just thought I'd get some kind of text, thanking me for bringing her fiancé home in one piece." He smirked.

"Oh. No, she only asked about Joanna. Like she always does." Brooke smiled slightly at the generosity Peyton had shown her in this difficult time for her.

"Yeah..."

There was an unofficial moment of silence for Peyton as they both thought about how hard it must be for her to see Brooke so happy with a child, when she had just lost a baby, and all hope of having her own child.

"How's she doing?"

"As well as expected."

"I wouldn't even know what was expected in a time like this." He replied, honestly.

"No, me neither."

There was an awkward drag in the conversation.

She didn't want to say anymore, she knew Lucas was coming home today and she knew Peyton was worried. But she didn't know anymore. And obviously neither did Julian.

"So..."

"Yeah."

---

Peyton walked downstairs, she saw from the banister that Lucas was in an armchair, his shirt soaked from the tears she had listened to him shed for the past hour.

She closed her eyes, and recalled happier times. Before all of this: with her mum, with her dad, with Ellie, with Brooke, with Lucas...

With Lucas.

She winced as she fought back memories the searing pain that had shot through her just a few months ago. She let a few tears fall, as she thought about everything her baby could have been, and everything that she and Lucas would have been with it.

But she knew that she couldn't be weak right now. She just had to make it to the door.

She walked into the living room, she knew that their relationship needed this: their lives together had been forever plagued with uncertainty and ambiguity. They needed this. A goodbye.

She walked up to the back of the arm chair, "Lucas... I've got a few of my things... I don't have it all- I just- I'll be back for my other things another time."

He hung his head, inhaling deeply, "Please, Peyton..." He managed to whisper out. "Please, don't go..."

"I'm so sorry, Lucas."

"This is a mistake. You'll realise that. You'll regret this, Peyton."

"Maybe..." She closed her eyes, "But, even if this is a mistake... I need to make it."

"You'll miss me..."

"Every day..."

She knew it was true, she had wanted Lucas for so long that she didn't know how to need anything else.

She just felt so numb now- if she didn't want him, she didn't know anything about herself,

He stayed looking down, he knew he couldn't watch her leave.

"I love you, Lucas..." She admitted, her voice breaking, "I've never loved anything as much as I love you."

"Then don't go... Please..." He begged, getting up and turning to face her, "Don't go."

"I have to, Luke."

"You don't..."

She nodded, turning to leave.

"I don't know how to be without you." He spoke into the silence,

"You won't be without me..."

"It's not the same."

She walked closer to him, "You are my best friend, Lucas Scott."

He stepped in towards her, nodding. "You too..."

"I'm not giving that up."

He shook his head.

She walked closer to him, she placed her bags down on the floor and took off her engagement ring, putting it down on the coffee table.

He bit his lip as he watched her do it, she turned to pick up her bags and leave. He took hold of her arm, and pulled her close, tears streaming from the both of them as they embraced for a second. She looked up, and lightly kissed his jaw, she pulled away but he took her back in again, placing his hand at the back of her head, and kissing her deeply. He stroked his hand through her hair, his fingers running through the blonde locks that he had fallen in love with, never wanting to let go.

They slowly parted, and he prayed that it was enough to make her stay. Just remind her of everything they were.

She shook her head, "I'm sorry, Lucas..."

He turned, and took to the stairs, not wanting any memory of her leaving.

She sighed, and bent down to pick up her bags, swallowing back tears.

She knew she just had to make it to the door, and things would be okay. She could learn to deal with the world alone, if she could just step out of the bubble she had created with Lucas.

She made her way to the front door, and stroked down the cool wood, feeling every indentation. She put her hand on the handle, and flinched back. She took a deep breath, and twisted it open.

The cold night air hit her like a wall, she just had to push through this. She stepped onto the front porch, gulping at this new scary world without the safety of what knowing what she wanted.

She shut the door behind her, and fell against it. But she had to keep going...

She just had to.

---

Nathan walked into Jamie's room,

"The boy!"

Jamie scrambled to his bed, shoving his legs under the covers quickly.

"You have fun today?"

Jamie nodded, "Yeah, Grandpa Dan showed me just the right place to hit someone if they ever attack me..."

Nathan paused, "Remind me to talk to Grandpa Dan tomorrow."

"Okay." Jamie replied, innocently.

Nathan leaned down and kissed Jamie's forehead, "Night, son."

"Night, Dad..."

Nathan turned, switching on the night light.

"Dad?"

He stopped in the doorway, "Yeah?"

"Is Mama okay?"

"Yeah, she's just a little rundown. You've got nothing to worry about, Jamie..."

"You promise?"

"Yuhuh."

"Okay, night, Dad."

"Night."

Nathan shut the door, and made his way down the stairs.

Haley smiled, and sat up on the sofa, when she saw him.

"Oh, you don't have to get up, Hales..."

"It's fine..." She answered, propping herself up against the cushions.

"You need anything?"

"My husband."

He smiled, and obliged, sitting beside her. He leaned in to kiss her, and she backed away, "You'll catch whatever this is..."

He put his hand around her face, "I'll brave it..." he leaned in, and kissed her, stroking just behind her ear with his thumb.

She closed her eyes, moaning softly, and smiling against his lips.

"I feel better, already..."

---

Brooke was finishing off the rest of her food. She'd forgotten how long it had been since she had just sat and let her thoughts fill her head, without listening to someone else's.

She heard a knock at the door, it was lighter than most other people's. She smiled, knowing with some certainty who it was. She glided up from the sofa, swinging her legs over the arm of the chair, and running into the kitchen to put her stuff in the dishwasher. She tucked her hair behind her ears, trying to make herself look presentable.

She opened the door, and beamed,

"She's asleep, isn't she?" Owen whispered,

"You know our routine well," She smiled, and gestured with her head, "Come in..."

He stepped inside the threshold, "I haven't disturbed you, have I?"

"I'm just watching TV" She said, closing the door.

"Okay." He took off his jacket, and slumped down on the sofa, "How's Brooke?"

"She's alright..." She smiled, "Tired."

"Oh. I'm sorry-" He said, getting up off of the sofa to leave,

"No, don't be silly." She said, pushing him down into his seat, and walking to the other side of the sofa.

"You sure?"

"Positive."

"Alright..." He got back into a comfortable position, "And Joanna, she's okay?"

"Well, she hasn't said anything to the contrary..." She smirked, "But you never know with toddlers..."

"They're notoriously good at hiding their feelings..."

She laughed, she was glad they had got back to this point. She just wanted someone to make her laugh. To listen to her when she needed it. Owen had proved himself worthy of her friendship over the past two months.

They both turned to face the TV, and nostalgically watched some old comedy they had both recognised from their teenage years. They laughed at the same parts they had as kids, and "Aww"-ed at others.

---

Nathan and Haley were sat on their sofa together, watching the same old film. She nuzzled into him, resting her cheek on his chest. Their breathing synchronised. Her fingertips lightly stroked his torso, she loved how smooth his skin was underneath his t-shirt. She wriggled down, kissing his stomach, and then resting herself on him again, watching the film.

He stroked her back, making small circles with his fingers,

He looked down at her, concern on his face,

"You feeling any better, Hales?"

Shrugging, "Not really..." She confessed,

"I'm making you an appointment for tomorrow..." He said, firmly.

"No, don't be stupid." She smiled, she secretly adored his worried nature when it came to her and Jamie,

He placed a hand on her forehead, "You're burning up. No arguments, Haley, I'm making you an appointment."

"No, it's like the flu or something..." She said, rolling her eyes.

"Then that's exactly what the doctor will tell you... When you go to your appointment tomorrow." He said, not backing down.

"Fine... Fine." She lowered herself onto him again, sighing at his persistence.

They started to watch the film again. The music swelled, as the TV glowed onto their faces.

"I just worry about you, is all."

"I know..."

---

Peyton turned the key in the lock, walking into Brooke's house. Brooke turned and jumped when she saw Peyton's face.

"P. Sawyer, you scared me to death!"

"I'm so sorry, Brooke... I thought you'd be asleep... I didn't want to wake you."

Brooke noticed Peyton's tear-stained face, "Peyton... Are you okay?"

She went to speak, when Owen came out of the bathroom, "Hey, Peyton." He smiled at her, and then frowning when he saw her face.

She was suddenly uncomfortable, "I'm just gonna go..." She turned and made her way towards the door,

"No, Peyton, it's okay..."

"No, seriously... I'll leave. I shouldn't have just walked in."

"Peyt-"

She opened the door to see Julian, she turned back to Brooke and Owen, one eyebrow raised, smirking,

"Why, Brooke Davis..."

Brooke raised an eyebrow in return, walking closer to the door, "Hey, Julian..."

He smiled at her as a greeting, and then turned back to Peyton. "Peyton, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, really. I'm just- I'm gonna go. I'll speak to you tomorrow."

"Peyton, something's wrong..." Brooke said, "Come on, you can tell me..."

"Honestly, it's nothing that can't wait till tomorrow." Peyton's voice broke, all the attention had got to her.

"Peyton, it's okay. Talk to me..."

"No, really..." she went to leave, earning a tug on the arm from Brooke, "I really- I'll speak to you tomorrow..."

She walked out onto the front porch, where she stopped and broke down into tears.

"Peyton... Come inside..." Brooke walked out, putting an arm around Peyton's shoulders and walking her back inside. Peyton leaned her head onto Brooke's as she sobbed, practically being carried into the house.

"Come on, Owen... Let's leave them..." Julian noted,

Owen nodded, watching sympathetically as Brooke walked Peyton past the two of them and into her bedroom. He reached back and grabbed his jacket, walking out the front door. Julian watched Peyton enter Brooke's bedroom, hanging his head and turning away. Brooke peeked her head around the door, making eye contact with Owen as he turned back to shut the door. The two shared a respectful nod, and he closed the door gently, ensuring not to wake Joanna.

Brooke followed Peyton into her bedroom and sat her down on the bed,

"What happened?"

"I left Lucas..."

Brooke tilted her head to one side, she nodded. As much as Lucas and Peyton fit, she wasn't surprised.

"What if I'm wrong, Brooke?"

"Then you'll be with each other again. If it's meant to be, it'll happen. But right now, you need this..."

Peyton nodded.

She leant onto Brooke, bursting into tears again. "It's okay, Peyton..." Brooke whispered, stroking her hair.

They stayed like that for about an hour, before Brooke ventured, "You must be tired..."

Peyton nodded into Brooke's shoulder, "Yeah, but I don't imagine I could sleep right now..."

"You wanna try?"

"...Yeah."

She looked at the time, 2:30am

"Oh God, Brooke, I'm so sorry... You've got work tomorrow."

"Hey... I own that store... If I wanna roll in at noon, I can." She smiled.

"Thank you..."

"No problem."

She walked into the hallway, dragging in Peyton's bag. "Here you go..."

"Thanks..."

"I'm gonna go get changed. You can use the bathroom through there, if you want..."

Peyton nodded, and crouched down, picking up her bag. She walked through to the en-suite, slowly undressing and getting into an old sweatshirt.

She looked into the mirror and saw the mascara streaks down her face, "Oh, God... I look like Alice Cooper..."

She leant down and washed her face, scrubbing hard, trying to get rid of her sadness but to no avail. She looked back in the mirror, and pulled her hair back out of her face.

She walked back through to the bedroom, and perched at the end of the bed. She stared into the room, wrapping her arms around herself to feel safe and warm again. This time, it was only silent tears that could fall- she was too exhausted for anything else.

Brooke lightly knocked on the door, and walked in, she stopped and looked at Peyton for a second. She gently pulled her into bed, tucking the blanket around her as she had done with Joanna earlier, and then got in herself, turning off the lamp as she slid down in the covers.

Peyton closed her eyes, but sleep wouldn't come.

She started to sob, trying to use the pillow to muffle the noise.

Without speaking, Brooke leaned over, and slid her arm around Peyton, pulling herself in close to her. Peyton took Brooke's hand in her own and held it close to her stomach.

She gulped back tears, while Brooke held her tightly and slowly fell asleep. Brooke felt the sudden shift in her body, and knew she was sleeping. She shut her own eyes, and sighed with relief, falling asleep herself.


A/N: So... That's the first chapter... How do people feel about it?

Thank you, in advance, for any reviews you give me.