Author's Note: So this is my first Leyton fic. I've actually become a really big fan of them over the years and I love the complexity of their characters and the way they always find their way back to each other. I'm hoping to really capture the essence of that in this story so please let me know how I'm doing and if there's anything I can improve on. To be honest, I'm just starting this story now and am not completely sure where I want to go with it plot-wise so let me know if you have any suggestions or feedback! Thanks!

Peyton Sawyer is destined for greatness. Actually, she's already is great; because Peyton Sawyer has a thing called integrity. And nothing or no one is ever going to change that.

Those words rang through Peyton Sawyer's head as she entered the church that Saturday morning, her best friend's hand tightly clutched in her own.

"You okay P. Sawyer?" Her best friend asked in a concerned voice as she eyed the pews adorned with white ribbon and the guests, all dressed up, waiting anxiously for the moment that would change all their lives forever.

Peyton nodded, but they both knew that was far from the truth. The love of her life was about to marry another woman and there was nothing she could do but sit there and watch it happen.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Brooke asked. "We can leave, we can walk out of here right now, go get a tub of Ben and Jerry's and head back home..."

Peyton shook her head. "I have to do this."

"Okay." Brooke's voice was meek, unconvinced. No matter how many times as her best friend denied it, she knew that there was a part of her that hoped that Lucas would change his mind once he was up on that altar. But she knew Lucas Scott and she knew what he did once his heart was broken, especially by Peyton Sawyer. He threw himself into a relationship and convinced himself that it wasn't meant to be between himself and Peyton; he used his head to distract himself from the crushing pain his heart was putting him through. She knew so well because it had been their relationship he had used in their junior year after Peyton had turned him down at Dan's party, he had hid behind her to protect his heart and here he was, doing it again with Lindsay.

But he was taking this much further than anyone was ready for, that was how she knew how scared he truly was. How terrified he must be of letting Peyton back into his heart, of having her break it again. Because she had really broken him last time, she had seen him after his proposal and she didn't think she had ever seen him that broken in his life. She knew that he was still in love with Peyton, and that he knew it too. She had asked him outright the day she and Peyton had returned to Tree Hill and he hadn't denied it. But he was stubborn, she knew that, and he would go through with this. He had convinced himself it was the right thing to do, and that this way he would never get hurt again. She was just afraid of all the joy he was going to miss out on,both he and her best friend. They were Lucas and Peyton for god's sake, they always found their way back to each other.

The two took their seats and as the wedding march began Peyton squeezed her best friend's hand as tightly as she could. This was it. This was the beginning of the end.

The congregation turned as Lindsay appeared at the back of the church and made her way slowly down the aisle. Everyone had their eyes glued to her but Peyton sat facing the front of the church, unable to tear her gaze away from the man who had captured her heart six years ago and had never fully given it back. The man who wasn't looking back at her. Her heart broke for the thousandth time as his eyes remained glued to his bride-to-be.

How had things gotten to this point? This was supposed to be them. He had promised her the rest of their lives. What was he thinking? You said no Peyton, and Lindsay said yes. Haley's voice rang through her ears and she closed her eyes. Haley was right, she had had her chance and she had lost it, but was it so foolish of her to think that he would wait for her? She couldn't even imagine standing up there and marrying another man. Suddenly an image of Julian flashed in her mind, she would have married him, she realised. She would have married him in a heartbeat. It was so much easier to imagine marrying Julian than Lucas, it was so much less frightening. Julian could never hurt her, he didn't have enough of her heart to do that, that was what had made them work, that was what had made things so easy between them.

She looked up at Lucas. Was that what it was like for him? Was Lindsay a distraction like Julian had been? She shook her head. She couldn't think like that. She couldn't let herself. That would only lead to hoping and her heart was broken enough as it was.

"Lucas Eugene Scott," Peyton was broken out of her thoughts as the priest's clear voice cut through the silence of the church. This was it, it was now or never. Peyton could just picture herself standing up, telling Lucas how much she loved him, how much she needed him. But no, she had promised him and herself that she was going to let him go and that's exactly what she was going to do. The greatest act of love is sacrifice. Her own words rang through her head as she listened to the priest.

"Do you take Lindsay Evelyn Strauss, to be your lawfully wedded wife? In sickness and in health…" Lucas looked over at the priest and back at the woman standing in front of him. The woman he had always thought would be Peyton. But things don't always go as planned. He had to admit that Peyton would always hold a special place in his heart, she was his first love and he had loved her for the better part of his life, but things with them were always so messy, so complicated. And no matter how hard they tried, they always ended up hurting each other in the end. With Peyton, pain was inevitable, she would say that she wanted to be with him but every time they were together things ended with her running from him the second he tried to take their relationship to the next level. It had happened that night in their junior year and it had happened again when he had proposed three years ago. She only seemed to want him when she couldn't have him and yet he could never stay away; but no more, he was tired of her playing with his heart. Things weren't like that with Lindsay, she had said yes the first time and with her, he didn't have the fear of losing her that he did with Peyton, that fear of having his heart broken. "…as long as you both shall live?" He thought about turning to look into the audience, to look into her eyes one last time but instead he shut his eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and opened them to the woman in front of him. Peyton was his past, this was his future, and with that thought running through his mind, he said those final two words that would forever change his life.

"I do."

"Peyton, are you sure you're alright?"

Peyton sighed inwardly. She knew her best friend was only trying to help but she couldn't stand all this fussing. All she really wanted right now was to go back to her studio, blast some music and pull out her sketchbook, just like she used to do back in high school. Instead, she managed a small smile and turned to face Brooke. "I'm fine."

She could tell by Brooke's sympathetic smile that her friend didn't believe a word that was coming out of her mouth but before she could say anything Skills came up behind them with Junk and Fergie following close behind.

"What happened P. Sawyer? I was waiting for your grande scene."

Peyton shook her head. "No scene from me."

Brooke shot him a glare. "Not. Helping." She gritted.

Peyton turned to give her a weary smile. "Brooke, it's okay. He's just joking around, I know."

Brooke looked over at her best friend sitting there, looking around the room although it was clear her mind was miles away, and her heart broke from the blonde. They had all thought this would be her day. She reached over and rubbed a hand over her best friend's back. "It might not feel like it right now, but you're doing the right thing P. Sawyer."

Peyton nodded, although she looked like she was seconds away from crying, and when she finally spoke, her voice was thick with emotion. "I know. But sometimes it really doesn't feel like it."

Brooke nodded. She could understand how hard this day must be. At one point she had imagined that Lucas would be the man she would marry; and although that had been a long time ago, it was still strange to see the man who had once promised you forever standing up at that alter and fulfilling that promise another woman. She had accepted a long time ago that that she and Lucas were not meant to be, and when things had ended between them, they had been able to become friends knowing that they had taken their relationship as far as it was meant to go. But with Lucas and Peyton there had been no resolution, there had always been that expectation, that notion that it was only a matter of time before they got back together, and now, to see him here, married to another woman...she just wished she could take all of this pain away from her. Peyton had been through enough pain to last a lifetime and Brooke couldn't bear to see her heart broken once again.

"Where's your head at B. Davis?" Peyton asked as she tried to force a smile.

Brooke smiled back but there was no hiding the concern in her eyes. "I'm worried about you."

"I'm going to be fine." They both knew that was a lie.

Skills noticed the sombre atmosphere and turned to face the curly blonde. "C'mon P. Sawyer, we're at the reception. How about some of that drunk meaningless sex you were talking about?" He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Peyton laughed, it was hollow. To be honest she had been bluffing about the drunk meaningless sex. Where her head was at, and where her heart was at...she couldn't even imagine being with anyone other than Lucas.

"Well then P. Sawyer, how about a dance?" He offered her his hand. "There's no point in wallowing here."

Peyton nodded. He was right. She took his hand with a grateful smile and let him lead her to the dance floor. She couldn't help but let her eyes wander to the newlyweds as Skills took one of her hands in his and rested the other upon her waist. Lindsay was resting her head on Lucas' chest and his eyes were closed as he swayed to the music. Just as she was about to turn away his eyes shot open and met with hers. Those piercing blue orbs sent a shiver down her spine and their gazes remained locked. It was as if everything else had faded away and it was just the two of them...and then Lindsay lifted her fingers to his chin and brought his lips down to meet her own.

Peyton looked away.

"P. Sawyer," Skills whispered softly in her ear. "I love you, but you've got to stop torturing yourself."

She nodded. He was right. They were over. She needed to move on.

"Come on," Skills stepped back away from her but held onto her hand as he pulled her back towards their table. "This clearly isn't helping you."

She followed his lead and resumed her place beside Brooke as Skillz took the seat between Junk and Fergie. "Did you notice that?" He asked Fergie as he pulled his chair in further.

"Uh huh," Fergie nodded. "Luke definitely looked jealous."

Skills shook his head. "I always knew that boy's head was too big for his own good. He gotta learn to listen to his heart." Skills patted himself on the chest. "Man, Luke is in for some trouble." He shook his head as he noticed his Lucas shooting him a subtle glare over Lindsay's head.

"B. Davis, what are you looking at now?" Peyton asked as she looked over at her best friend who had been staring across the room for the better part of the last ten minutes.

"Are you sure you don't want to hook up tonight?" Brooke asked as she slowly turned to face her friend.

"Yes, I'm sure," Peyton looked over a her friend with a wary expression. "Why?

Brooke kinked an eyebrow. "Because that hottie across the room has been eying you all night." Before Peyton could even respond Brooke let out a squeal. "Oh my gosh, he's coming this way."

Peyton lifted her head to find a set of brown eyes staring back at her and as the man before her opened his mouth, his voice took her back to days she had long since forgotten.

"May I have this dance, Peyton Sawyer?"

Coming up next:
- Peyton's mystery man is revealed. Who do you want it to be?