CHAPTER ONE - COMING HOME

Lucas Scott rested his head against the window to his right. He stared down, he was miles in the air and could barely make out the colours below him, but he knew he was home. He smiled to himself; he was finally back in Tree Hill.

After college, and coaching and helping Nathan follow his dream of playing professional basketball, he embarked on a dream of his own. Travelling around the world, handing his unpublished book to anyone who would take it. There was rejection after rejection, but finally an editor believed in his words. He believed his words could change the world some day. From that day on Lucas Scott's world changed.

He hadn't been home in four years. He was anxious to see how Tree Hill and the people he once known had changed. In particular, there was one person he was anxious to see. His heart still ached for her – it had done every single day. He wondered about her all the time, what was she doing with her life now? Was she still into music? Was she happy? Had she moved on...?

Lucas' thoughts were interrupted by a loud squeal as he walked through the airport. He looked up and immediately grinned.

"Lucas Scott I have missed you so much!" A brunette cried as she ran across the floor towards him.

Lucas dropped his bags and opened his arms for her. "I've missed you too Hales' – you don't know how great it feels to be home."

"Good, because this is your home." Haley smiled, and then playfully ruffled his hair. "There's a little someone waiting at home, excited to see his uncle."

"Ah, how is the little man?" Lucas asked as they both headed towards the exit. "I'm supposing not as little as the last time I saw him."

"No, he's a little bigger – still looking more and more like you every day." Haley giggled. "I'm glad your home Luc', anymore postcards and Jamie would have had to have a bigger room to fit them all in."

Lucas smiled. "So um, how's Peyton?"

"Well, she's great – Brooke's helped her set up her own record label, she's doing an awesome job."

"Haley..." Lucas said slowly, stopping in his tracks. "You know what I mean."

"She's seeing someone Luc' – and he's a really nice guy, so please don't ruin this for her – she's happy. I know that's not what you want to hear, but it's been four years."

"She said she'd wait for me, I waited for her!" Lucas stressed, running his hands through his sandy blonde hair.

"She did wait Luc', but four years is a long time, a lot can happen in that time..." Haley's voice trailed off. She could see the disappointment and pain in Lucas' eyes. He truly did love Peyton Sawyer with all his heart – anybody could see that.

Lucas carried on walking, without saying a word.

"Honey this is ridiculous. Do you actually expect to make any money in this dead end town?"

"Mother, - this is my company, and this is my decision. Tree Hill is home, and I want to work from here." Brooke Davis said, as she wiped down the counter in her new store.

"You're making a huge mistake Brooke. You're not seventeen anymore – so stop playing games, New York is your home now." Victoria Davis told her daughter, as she inspected the items on the rack.

"I'm staying here mom – New York is your home, not mine."

The glass door opened and footsteps were made across the store. "Well well, I was hoping to get a coffee here." A familiar voice echoed the room.

"Oh great, another example of my daughters bad decisions." Victoria sighed, turning her nose up at the visitor.

"Nice to see you too Mrs. Davis." He chuckled, and then carried on walking to the counter. "Seeing as a coffee is out of the question, how about a welcome home hug?"

"Luc!" Brooke squealed, and rushed over, her platform heels hitting the floor. "I didn't know you were coming home!" She threw herself into his arms, as Lucas kissed her head.

"Neither did I guess, - just woke up one morning and realised, I need to come home." Lucas pulled away and looked around the purple store, filled with clothes and accessories. "This is amazing Brooke – my mom rang and told me the news, were both so proud of you."

"Oh please, don't tell me you agree with this?" Victoria shook her head. "See Brooke, this just shows, the people in Tree Hill do not understand Clothes Over Bro's – they don't understand that a business as big as yours cannot run in such a small town."

"Mother, please." Brooke walked over to the tall, dark haired woman. "I know I can do this – and I need you to believe in me, I promise you I can do this."

"Whatever Brooke, I've got a meeting to go to regarding this mess, - the sooner you realise this isn't going to work the better." She rolled her eyes then looked at Lucas. "And before you try anything, my daughter is way too good for you." She smirked, grabbed her bag, and then walked out of the store.

"Well, she's still as charming as she used to be." Lucas laughed, and then sat down on one of the big purple sofas. "I heard about Peyton."

Brooke's face saddened. "So I'm guessing there was a reason you came back... She's happy Luc' – Jared's really good person and they get along great."

"Yeah, so I've heard." Lucas nodded. "Well if she's happy, I guess I'm happy for her – she's always deserved to smile."

"I know it must be hard, but please be careful Lucas – we both know Peyton's heart is fragile, and it's easily conflicted." Brooke placed her hand on his shoulder. "She'll be really pleased to see you though, have you spoke to her yet?"

"Uh no, not yet." Lucas sighed. "Suppose I've been avoiding it right now, trying to avoid thinking of her with someone else, never mind seeing her with someone else."

"Right..." Brooke reached her hand out. "Come on, get up, and you can go get ready."

"Ready for what?" Lucas raised his eyebrow.

"For my store's opening!" Brooke grinned. "You picked the perfect day to come home, everyone will be so excited to see you. But you better not take the spotlight off my clothes Lucas Scott!"

Lucas laughed, and then put his arm around Brooke. "I'll try my hardest not too, but I can't help some things."

"Hey Brooke, there was a delivery to the house for tonight so I thought I'd swing by and-"

"Peyton." Lucas spoke softly, his voice barely audible.

The door shut behind her, and then there was complete silence.

"Uh, what did they deliver Peyton?" Brooke asked awkwardly, nudging Lucas in an attempt to get him out of the trance like state he was in.

"What are you doing here?" Peyton whispered, not moving a muscle. Her eyes were full of pain, and sadness, as she stared at the boy who was once the love of her life.

"You were right Brooke," Lucas smirked. "She is really happy to see me; uh do you want to grab a coffee maybe? We could catch up then..."

Peyton looked afraid to answer. Maybe she was. Maybe she was afraid of letting Lucas Scott back into her life in fear that all those feelings she had once felt, and thought she had since buried, would come rushing back to her. That if they simply went for coffee, she would go home wanting to spend the rest of her life with him. Lucas Scott was a dangerous topic. The love they once shared was so pure, yet so intense – could they ever be just friends? Peyton watched Lucas, as he stared into her eyes.

He could see right through her, she knew he could. Peyton hesitated. There was a risk of her falling for him again, it could happen so easily, but she couldn't deny the chance to ask him questions about the last four years.

"Okay." She answered, her voice still quiet.

Thought I'd break the story in with a short first chapter, hope you liked it! Please review! xxxx