Lucas: Where've you been? I'm going nuts!

Peyton: Sorry. Got a strip due!

Lucas: You could work on it here. I love to watch you draw.

Peyton: All my stuff is here.

Lucas: C'mon... I miss you!

Peyton: I can't. Sorry. Gotta go.

He'd be damned to let her get out of it that easily.

Lucas: Peyton, please?

There was no response from the blonde woman straight away, but he knew she was in thought. There was no doubting the fact that the feeling he was experiencing at that moment in time, the feeling of need, was one they both shared.

Lucas: Peyton?

Peyton: I really need to get this strip done. I'm late enough finishing as it is.

Lucas: Can I come to you?

Peyton: I don't think so. You're supposed to be resting!

Lucas: I can't rest when I'm thinking about you this much.

He watched a small smile cross her face then fade back in.

Peyton: You're coming to come regardless of what I say, aren't you?

Lucas: Yes.

Peyton: I'll meet you half way.

Lucas: See you in ten?

Peyton: See you in ten.

"Persuasion is an art." Lucas mumbled to himself, signing off the computer and reaching for his jacket. His mother would kill him for leaving the house again - she'd practically tied him to the bed last time, but the lectures wouldn't even come close to the suffering he was feeling without Peyton by his side. He needed to hold her. He needed to have her there to talk to.

As soon as he left the house, a sudden urge to run washed over his body. Anything to be with her sooner. Unfortunately, though Lucas didn't mind bending the rules of bed rest, the prospect of jarring his shoulder to hell and back and possibly even pulling stitches open running didn't seem all that appealing.

Peyton, on the other hand, had nothing restraining her. She was well over half way between her house and his when they met.

"Lucas..." She said quietly, saying more with the deep kiss she pulled him into. "I really need to get that strip done."

"I know. I won't distract you."

She linked her fingers through his and they walked that way back to her house, contently silent.

"You're beautiful, Peyton." Lucas murmured as she helped him lie down across her bed. "Really, really beautiful."

"As much as I'm complimented by your words," She whispered, kissing his neck tenderly, "I can't help but think you're dillusional. Rest, okay?"

He nodded, catching her hand before she had chance to leave for the desk. "Let me know as soon as you're done with your strip. I want you here."

"I'll be quick." Peyton assured him, kissing his hand before pulling away. "I'll be back before you know it."

Lucas fell asleep shortly after, the exertion on his injured body taking it's toll.

As the pencil moved over the paper by a skilled hand, the artist glanced over at the sleeping guy on her bed. Peyton looked back at her paper and smiled, almost convinced by what was drawn.

Best friends always forgive.