A/N: S and I have decided to challenge one another's writing abilities by giving each other 2 challenges a month. This is my second challenge that unfortunately Sheena wasn't able to do-she got mega busy and didn't have the time. This is what I wrote and it took on a life of it's own, it will be a 3 or 4 parter-I hope you guys like it. Sheena is truly a masterful storyteller and it has been my privilege to know her and call her my friend. So I'm dedicating this one story to her. For you S, because you have given me confidence in my own ability and because you have helped to shape my writing.

Chapter 1, Open Hearts & Shuttered Regrets

'No one heals me like you do'

This line from the Sheryl Crow song 'I Shall Believe', echoed around Peyton's office as she sat in front of her laptop contemplating a future that didn't include Luke. It had been almost four years since she had been with him in that way, in the way that healed her soul and made her believe in the greatness that was locked within her. She sat alone, lazily sketching a drawing of a moment in time that reminded her of why she was now all-alone.

The sketch consisted of Luke walking away-plane ticket in hand and a sleeping Peyton with a CD she had made lying next to her head. The caption read, 'People Leave, sometimes they don't come back….' She didn't feel relief at drawing this, all she felt was regret for not having the courage to say yes instead of someday. Her mind cast back over and over to that moment, it had changed her life in every way and nothing had been the same since.

What ifs? Echoed in her mind constantly, What if she had told him sooner when they were back in high school that she wanted him? What if she never went to LA? What if she had been brave enough to talk to him at the book signing? What if she had come home sooner? Peyton's heart had never been conflicted when it came to how she felt about Luke, it was her mind that had tortured her, her insecurities had become the focal point, she needed to know that she could make it on her own. It was only when it was too late that she realised she didn't want to make it on her own if Luke couldn't share it with her.

Almost four years later she was still in love with him, not the idea of him, but him. When she envisaged her future all she saw was him and their child, he or she would have curly blond hair and the bluest eyes, they would be kind and well loved. Their child would never know the pain of losing a parent; they would be brought up in a two-parent family that consisted of many uncles and aunts. They would be loved, every day. Peyton felt the tears well behind her eyes as she tried her best not to let that dream slip through her fingers.

Her phone rang inside her handbag, Peyton fished around inside her bag and finally found it, and Brooke was calling her.

'Hello'

'Hey best friend, where are you?' Brooke's cheery voice broke the melancholy that had descended over the room.

'I'm still at the studio, I have a couple more things to finish, and then I'm going to go for a drive-clear the cobwebs away'. Peyton didn't feel like heading home just yet, she needed to shake it off; being around Brooke right now would be more of a chore than a pleasure.

'Is everything ok Peyt? You sound upset. I'm worried about you'. Brooke could almost taste the unhappiness in her best friend's voice, she knew she was hurting and that in typical Peyton fashion she would keep it to herself and deal with it alone.

'I'm ok; I have a lot on my mind at the moment. Mia's new album needs to be brainstormed, so when she's done with her promo tour I'm going to go away for a month or so and just relax. I need to not be here anymore, I just need to feel like I can breathe again'. Peyton sighed heavily and a few tears slipped down her face, she hastily brushed them away.

'Ok Peyt, just don't be out long, I'll be up when you get in ok? I think we should talk about this, I don't want you dealing with it all on your own ok?'. Brooke wanted to take care of her friend and she knew left to her own devices Peyton would put on a brave face whilst inwardly she fell apart.

'Will do, but I gotta go ok. I'll be home soon. Thanks Brooke, for always taking care of me. I love you best friend'. Peyton smiled through her tears and they said their goodbyes.

Open hearts and shuttered regrets, this thought alone thundered through her mind, if only she had been braver, Peyton knew the futility of thinking this way but she couldn't help it. Her real dreams were just that dreams, it didn't really matter how successful she became with her music label, she still wouldn't have her heart's desire and that thought more than any other killed her a little inside.

Peyton put her phone on silent and dropped it back into her handbag, she needed to get out of there, she didn't want to sit alone and brood about everything that couldn't be. She jumped up, grabbed her bag and strode over to her office door. She locked it behind her and quickly made her way through Tric, she nodded at Chase and gave him a small smile as she left through the side door. Once outside she took deep breaths and allowed her eyes to settle on her car directly below her. She took the steps two at a time and quickly slid behind the wheel. She turned the music on and let it wash over her and soothe her, she drove all night, and she went nowhere and everywhere. She got so caught up in driving to nowhere that the hours passed quickly.

She looked at her watch and noticed it was 2am; she was parked outside the River court she opened the door and stepped out of the car. She strode over to the bleachers and took a seat, she put her ear buds in and scrolled through until she found an album she loved. She lay on her back and let the music fill her soul.

She closed her eyes and felt her mind let go, her healing process had begun, it would be a long hard process but she refused to be a broken version of herself-she had been through too much to allow that to happen.

She didn't know how long she had been lying across the bottom seat of the bleachers but when she opened her eyes Luke was stood over her a small smile playing across his lips. She blinked in surprise and sat up, the music had stopped playing and she nervously pulled her jacket tighter around her thin frame.

'Hey Blondie, what's got you out so late?' Luke smiled at her and took a seat next to her.

She turned to face him and shrugged her shoulders.

'Just needed some place to think and not be interrupted'. She looked at him and felt her heart tighten, he looked just the same as always, he had a basketball tucked between his feet and had a simple blue button down shirt on over a white wife beater. His hair was gelled into spikes and he looked adorably cute, she ached for him, for them to be an us. She didn't want to feel this way and she knew that it would only get harder the longer she stayed in town.

Lucas chuckled at her and asked her if she wanted to talk.

'Sure, but I warn you now it's been a long day and I feel tired'. Peyton looked at him and sighed inwardly, this was torture for her; it felt like high school all over again.

'What's going on with you Peyt?' Luke could tell that she was upset about something he could see it in the smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, and he could feel it in the air that hung between them, it was thick with the tinge of sadness.

She sighed again and debated whether or not to tell him what was really going on, she didn't know if it would help or hinder her at this point.

'I don't know what to say Luke, how did we get here? I mean I remember being so fearless, like I could conquer the world. Now I just feel tired and God it's just such an effort to do anything, simple things like putting a smile on and pretending that everything is fine. I just feel so disconnected from all of this, I told Brooke I'm leaving, and I'll be gone for a while. I just can't do this anymore, I can't breathe here, I feel like I'm drowning, I need some time to figure things out and then I'll come back'. Peyton spoke quietly and swallowed the lump that formed in her throat at the thought of all she would be leaving behind.

They chatted for a while longer and then Peyton said goodbye to Luke and walked home. Brooke was fast asleep. Peyton spent the next few days packing up her life in Tree Hill and interviewing her replacement; it took a surprisingly small amount of time to get everything in place. There were tearful goodbyes and Peyton promised that this wasn't goodbye but merely I'll be seeing you.

Peyton had been gone for two years; she had been everywhere and nowhere. She had stayed in Vancouver for six months and rented a place neat Kitsilano Beach, she had taken moonlit strolls and sipped wine on her deck. She had painted and sketched in her sunroom and blared music loudly from her speakers. Brooke had even come out and stayed with her a few times. She had been updated on news from back home and was told that Lucas had married Lindsey 3 months after she left. Peyton had known about the wedding but just couldn't bring herself to attend it; she had sent them a wedding gift. She had drawn them a picture of the book signing, with a proud and smiling Lucas standing centre stage and off to the left was Lindsey looking on with love in her eyes at the budding young author in the making. Peyton had felt conflicted about sending the painting but realized that it wasn't about her or how she felt anymore-she did it for Luke because she knew how much it would mean to him.

He sent her a letter thanking her for the gift and saying he was sad to not see her at the wedding but that he understood why she hadn't been able to make it. Peyton had cried when she read the letter, he had been sweet and kind and wished her well in her travels and he hoped that one day she would come back.

Peyton moved on from her place in Vancouver and went down to Mexico, she felt like she needed a change of scene and she really loved the laid back atmosphere of being in a city where no one knew her. It felt refreshing to walk down the street anonymously and find little bars tucked away in side streets where colourful characters inhabited the bar stools and held court at night when a band began to play. She would order a whiskey and perch herself on a bar stool and just drink it all in.

It was on one of these particular evenings where she met Justin, he was the bass guitarist for a band that had played a kick arse set that night. He had smiled at her throughout his band's opening song and she had felt little butterfly wings stirring in the pit of her stomach. He had smouldering brown eyes and curly black hair; he was sex in every sense of the word. He had broad shoulders and a hunky yet toned body, he wore his leather jacket like it was some sort of badge of honour, he was badass, he was everything in a guy that Peyton usually shied away from.

He was wrong for her in all the right ways and it was lust at first sight, he confidently walked over to where she was sitting and offered to buy her a drink.

She smirked at him and said, 'Scotch neat-make it a double'.

He smiled at her and ordered one for himself.

'Hi, I'm Justin and I can see by your drink that you are not a shy person. What brings you out here to a place like this?' He looked at her and down through her, taking in the light blonde curls and the quirked eyebrow, he looked at her long tanned legs and felt a small smile creep over his features.

'Eyes up here, I'm Peyton and this is somewhere I come often'. She liked the direct and sexy confidence he exuded, he openly checked her out and didn't bat an eyelash when she called him on it. He was everything Luke wasn't and that made him all the more appealing, she wouldn't be constantly reminded of something she couldn't have.

In fact, Peyton liked herself a bit of a bad boy, it felt really fucking good to be attracted to someone who wasn't really her type at all but somehow ended up being just exactly what she needed. They flirted at the bar and left a few drinks later, he took her hand inside his own and shrugged his jacket off and placed it carefully around her when he saw her shivering. He was unexpected and sweet, he said what he meant and did what he said, he didn't play games with her and make promises he couldn't keep, and he was almost perfect.

They walked along chatting about favourite bands and songs that changed their life, he told her stories of his band, he was funny and cute and adorably enticing. They ended up outside her hacienda and he kissed her chastely on the cheek and told her he would see her tomorrow for lunch. She smiled and nodded and quickly shut the door behind her.

'Brooke, it's Peyton listen I know it's late but I think I might have met someone'. Peyton left Brooke a message and waited for her best friend to call her back, she knew it wouldn't take long for her gossipy sidekick to pick up the phone and return the call. Sure enough not five minutes later, Brooke's raspy and excited voice could be heard down the phone.

'Peyton please tell me this is not a joke, tell me all about him, how you met, what he's like, have you guys slept together yet'. Brooke rushed on, the questions tripping over themselves in her eagerness to get them all out. Peyton couldn't help but laugh,

'I met him tonight, he's from Texas, but he lives all over. He's a Bass guitarist for this incredible band that I think I might sign to my label-they have this raw and gritty sound that just speaks to me. He's great Brooke, he's sexy, smart and he has similar taste in music to me. I'm seeing him tomorrow, and no we haven't had sex yet-I'm not a slut Brooke. I like to at least know the guys last name before we fall into bed.' Peyton laughed and joked around with Brooke and got herself caught up on everything that was going on back home.

Brooke asked her if she was gonna be home for her birthday, they hadn't seen each other in a couple of months and she missed her fake blonde goldilocks. Peyton laughed and they chatted for a few minutes until Peyton felt her lids begin to droop. She said goodbye and told Brooke she would think about coming home but she didn't know for sure yet.

Peyton woke up with a smile behind her eyes and a lightness to her step, the sun was peeking in through the blinds on the windows, she shuffled out of her bed and put some coffee on, she never felt herself until she had at least one cup of coffee simmering through her veins.

Two cups of coffee and a shower later Peyton felt ready to face the day, she set her laptop in the table in her living room and e-mailed Mia her ideas for artwork on her new album. Haley had been producing the latest album in Peyton's absence and they had a video conference at least once a day, before she had left Peyton had hired someone to run the day-to-day office stuff and left Haley in overall charge. It had worked out really well Haley really liked the girl Peyton had hired and the three of them somehow managed to recruit new bands and produce albums even with Peyton being absent.

She heard a knock on her door several hours later and said her goodbyes to Haley and told her she might be flying back to Tree Hill with some new talent and for Brooke's birthday. Haley squealed in excitement and told her she was looking forward to seeing her. She got up from the table and went to her front door, Justin's smiling face greeted her, and he held a small bunch of flowers in his hand and pressed them into hers.

'Hey Peyton, as promised I am here at your service to whisk you away on an adventure. Stop whatever you're doing, bring a jacket and some comfy shoes, today is all about having some fun'. Justin stood there looking at her and Peyton smiled and ushered him inside.

She put the flowers in a vase and grabbed a jacket and shoved her feet into some comfy shoes, Justin stood in her living room he took in his surroundings, there was artwork scattered here and there on the walls-it looked amazing and he smiled inwardly. Peyton Sawyer was a woman of mystery, she was someone he wanted to get to know better, and there was just something about her that intrigued him. He had been hooked from the moment they locked eyes, he had felt something shift within him and he knew she was important somehow-like she would be the one to change his ways.

They got onto his motorbike, he handed Peyton a helmet and told her to hold on tight, before she had a chance to protest the engine roared to life, he kicked off from the road. Peyton quickly wrapped her arms around his mid riff and pressed her lithe frame up against his back, she breathed in his scent it was a mixture of dusty music albums and honey-he smelt amazing. Peyton smiled and closed her eyes, she could feel the wind on her face and the air rushing past her, it felt a lot like freedom and a little bit like hope. She kinda loved having that heady mix swirling inside her, perhaps Justin would be the guy she could be reckless with, and maybe his being here with her was so that she could know she wasn't broken.

'Hey, where are we going Justin?'. Peyton had leant in close and brushed her lips against his ear as she shouted the question, he had slowed the bike to a stop and pulled into the side. They were outside a fairly non-descript shop, a couple of men were outside, cigarettes dangling from the corners of their mouths, their skin was baked almost mahogany in the Mexican sun. There was a distinctly laid back atmosphere, no one was in a rush, Peyton liked this place it was definitely somewhere she could see herself hanging out.

Justin took her small hands inside his much larger calloused ones and they walked into the building, as soon as they were inside she realised the outside façade was just that, the building needed to look fairly run down perhaps in order to deter thieves. The room had a bar on one side that was gleaming from the polish, there were rally car pictures hung all over the walls, and the hardwood floor was smooth and worn. Peyton cast her eye further into the interior and that's when she saw what Justin had in mind.

There were ten dune buggies all parked neatly in a row, a corrugated iron roof protected them from overheating and you could see that there were large doors that secured the vehicles in at night. Peyton snorted in laughter, not a big loud snort but a small one that was quickly followed up with a squeal of delight.

'We're going dune riding? Oh man, I always wanted to try that but never actually got around to it' Peyton couldn't quite believe how spontaneous and fun this guy was, he just didn't do anything normal. Usually first dates were dinner and a walk, Justin took her dune riding. And wouldn't you know, it was a pretty fucking awesome first date, it definitely beat a romantic dinner and a walk, Peyton came to this conclusion after three hours spent riding all over the desert. They had raced each other all afternoon and she had beaten him every time, he had been very gracious a loser and Peyton tried not to like him too much.

The afternoon was quickly over, they were both covered in sand and dust but she didn't care, she just felt happy-it was an unusual feeling. They sat in the bar and sipped cokes, they talked about music and art, favourite films, he told her about his childhood and how he had grown up on a ranch, he worked as a wrangler in the summer but his passion and dream had always been his music. Peyton 100% understood that all consuming feeling that washed over when she had music playing, she could feel it speaking to her, whispering soft reassurance that not everything was lost, sometimes all you need is a song.

'Peyton, what do you want to do tonight?' Justin had really enjoyed spending time with her, he could tell she felt the same way and like everything else about him he confidently proposed a dinner date.

'Sure, just give me a couple of hours to do some work, then I'll freshen up and we can go to a little restaurant not from my place'. Peyton slugged the last of her drink down and stood up, he paid the tab and they walked outside in companionable silence. The ride back to her house was fast and she was soon handing him his spare helmet and waving at him from the front porch.