Hey everyone. This started out as a one shot but quickly evolved as I outlined it. It's going to be in six parts. Miss Cami asked me to write something out through the seasons to give her hope with the new season. So here's my best shot at it. Hope you all enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing. The characters are Mark's babies. The title belongs to Sheryl Crow.
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-b-
She's in the back seat of a car. It isn't the first time she's been in one and she's fairly certain it won't be the last. She's thinking something different this time, though. She's nervous about his reaction. She has seen him before he became a varsity member of the basketball team, before he brought any attention to himself at all. He's so used to being invisible that she's not sure how he will react to her nudity in his back seat. Still she goes about her business, undressing herself piece by piece until she's in only a leopard bra and little thong underwear to match. She's wondering why it's so easy for her to get naked for a complete stranger and yet she can't bring herself to love anyone but Peyton. No one knows that she actually has feelings about anything. It's probably because of her parents, she figures; she's pretty sure that every grown up she's ever known is either an ass, emotionally unavailable, or dead. It's better to just distance yourself from anyone who might hurt her. Peyton would never hurt her. It's why she can love her but even she doesn't know her. She just can't bring herself to disclose everything about herself.
While she's waiting for him to come out, she gets cold so she slips on her new gloves. She realizes that the second she sees him, she'll have to take them off. There is nothing remotely sexy about gloves. At least not these gloves. That's how she wants him to see her. Sexy. She's sure that he knows who she is but she is going to make sure that he never forgets who she is after tonight. She sees him heading toward his old Jeep and she hides herself, sinking behind the seats. He sits down, shuts the door and she pops up and introduces herself. He thinks she has the wrong car but she just goes on talking about the awesome shot that he just made; all the while, taking that seasoned bra off like a pro. Placing it on his shoulder so that he actually has to turn to look at her, something he's been avoiding since he realized she was there. She asks him how it feels and then sees his old coach come up to the window to congratulate him in the weird way of his. She's barely fazed, though, even when he points out that he sees her there. He's beyond embarrassed, she can tell. He's flushed as he turns back to her. She tells him that everything's changed now as she dresses herself. And then, thinking again, she reassures him that the whole popularity thing isn't that bad; although she knows it is and she knows that his brother is not going to make this easy on him. He smiles at her and asks if he can drive her home. He's not just playing the nice guy; he really is a nice guy, she thinks. For the first time ever, she's decides, right then, that he may just be worth the challenge.
-l-
He played and didn't suck tonight. Then he got into his car and there was a naked girl in the back seat. Even though he immediately turned away, he saw her. To make matters even worse, Whitey came up and saw the whole scene. So much for good first impressions. When he turns back to her, she's covered, thank God. Now he can hear what she's saying, at least. She's telling him that everything has changed since he hit that shot. His mom said something similar this afternoon and he thinks he probably shouldn't be thinking about his mom when this gorgeous girl is in his back seat, only half dressed. When he turns his attention back to her, she's telling him that he's going to be okay. He wants to believe it but it's hard. His life has always been hard. He hates attention and now there is going to be too much, especially if tonight is any indication. There's a girl, the most popular one, naked in his back seat. Yeah, the guys down at the river court would never believe him if he told them about this. He does what he thinks is the right thing; he offers her a ride home. His mom would be proud, he thinks, he is a little disappointed, though.
They make polite conversation but he stays detached. He knows her reputation. He isn't the first guy she's done this for but he's pretty sure he's the first that turned her down. He wants her best friend. So he's as nice as can be to her but he doesn't dare think about the way she looked before he turned his head. He wants a relationship and she's not that type. She says that this is her house and he's reminded of why they've never talked before. They're in front of a stately white mansion. She's one of them. His little brother and her probably know each other from the country club day care. He watches to make sure she gets in and then he trains his mind to stop thinking about it. She's off limits. Peyton is definitely more his type. He's going after her.
-b-
Tonight was supposed to be fun. Just her and her best friend going out to forget about their lives for awhile. In reality, they were both trying to forget the same boy. He's basically ignoring her and all over Peyton, when both girls would love just the opposite by the looks of things. Yet here she is, less than 3 hours into their night, frantically dialing his cell phone number. Peyton's not responding and she's scared to death. She loves this girl more than any other person in the world. It would be all her fault if she were to die right now. She took her here. She left her alone to get her groove on and forget. And now she's begging this boy that they mutually like to come and save her.
He's there much faster than he should be and he's pulling her to find the guy that did this before she can even register his presence. He is scaring her. She's sure that this guy is never going to try to hurt someone else again. Lucas is quiet but he's looks like he packs quite a punch. For just one fleeting moment, she thinks that he's even hotter in the state he's in right now and if Peyton weren't unconscious outside she'd even be aroused. He drives them both to Peyton's house and she's surprised when he stays. They google the drugs and find out that she should be fine in a couple of hours but he still isn't going anywhere. She tells him that she's staying and he tells her that this isn't her fault and she even got her out of there. Those words do nothing to ease her mind. This is her fault and she's going to make sure her best friend is okay. She's not leaving her with any boy- and she doesn't care how irrational that is or how different she knows he is. He says he'll go get them some coffee to help keep them up for the rest of the night. Waiting for him, she sits down and prays that Peyton will forgive her for this.
-l-
When he was playing tonight with the guys, he was really surprised to see Brooke's number pop up. Now he's really glad she got him to give it to her because he's worried about what she would have done if she couldn't get a hold of him. Who else could she have called? So he goes to get her coffee because he's quickly learning that she's fiercely loyal; she's not going anywhere without Peyton opening her eyes and yelling at her for taking her to the party in the first place. But it's not her fault, he knows this and he's sure that Peyton is going to understand enough to get that she is the one that got her out of there in time. That's why he likes her, right? She's loving and deep. She'd never blame this on her best friend who essentially saved her. It makes him sad that said best friend is even worrying about it. She should get some sleep. He can take care of Peyton.
When he gets back up to the room, she's there on the bed. She starts talking to him and it amazes him that he's never seen this in her. He prides himself on being able to see past people's looks and, yet, he's never seen that this girl has the biggest heart he's ever encountered. He tells her as much because he wants her to know that he sees her; he really sees her. She rivals his mom and that's really saying something. His mom is the most incredible woman on the planet. Then he wonders why he's always thinking of his mom when she's talking to him. They talk for hours and she finally falls asleep. When Peyton wakes up, he explains it to her and reminds himself that this is the girl he's supposed to like. This is the one he wants a relationship with. Later, when he drops the other girl off at her car, he tells her that he never saw her before. But he wants her to know that she's strong, she's tough and that she can call him anytime. She tells him that she trusts him. That means something to him and he finds himself hoping, as she gets into her car, that his words mean as much to her.
-b-
She's his girlfriend now. That's what she's telling herself right now. They just decided that they are going to get to know each other, everything about each other. But that doesn't stop the instant pang that she feels when she sees him at dinner with Peyton and Papa Sawyer. He wanted Peyton. She's more his type. They listen to the same music. She's deep and he gets her. There's this small part of her that is just waiting for one of them to come to her saying that they have feelings. The only two people she fully trusts and she's slowly losing it. She thinks about it all night long. He looked perfectly content there, as Peyton's boyfriend. That didn't look friendly to her. The next morning she tells him as much and he barely protests. Then Peyton gives her this speech about them both liking her and her trust issues. She's sure he sent her there. It almost works. Almost. But then she goes to see him and he's at Peyton's. Again. Sitting there, waiting for him, her mind goes into overdrive. And she can't ignore facts any longer.
-l-
He sees her sitting on the steps outside of his door and he knows it can't be good. She's got this pained look on her face and he may not know her well but he knows she's usually happy to see him. When she speaks, just the sound of her voice has the ability to make him hate himself for not showing her just what she means to him. Yes, he wanted Peyton but he's sick of playing this game with her. And her best friend is beautiful and sweet and she really deserves so much more than he could ever offer. But he does want to try. So he listens to her and for the first time since that night in Peyton's room, he sees her act less than confident. Insecure, even. As she tells him that they don't have any of the same interests and she can't change herself for him. And he says what he's sure she wants to hear- and what he knows he wants to feel. He loves that about her. She cares about him. She makes that clear. And he's sure that he feels a great deal for her, too. When he returns her sentiment, he doesn't give it a second thought. He wants her to trust him and open up to him. He wants to be that guy for her. As she kisses him, he feels something different. The sex is different tonight, too, slow and gentle. This could be something great; he knows this. He just has to forget about her best friend.
-b-
A week ago she was scared that he would never look at her again, never open up those beautiful blue eyes again. Now, the only thing she can see is the pained look in his eyes as he says that he wants to be her friend. She's been trying to call Peyton all day and she's not answering. Some friend she turned out to be. She needs her and she's not there. This boy has broken her. She decides to go shopping. Retail therapy could help. When she gets there, she sees a gray hooded sweatshirt and immediately starts crying. She's been having a lot of firsts. She's crushed and she doesn't even care that people can see her. They'll talk since it's not acceptable for her to be in public crying but she can't be bothered to care. She let him in. He rejected her. She gave him her all- and it wasn't good enough.
Peyton and Haley arrive and for a moment, she's wondering why Peyton is at the mall with Haley. She tells them that she tried calling Peyton; he wants to just be friends. Peyton stands there; she doesn't even try to comfort her. Instead, Haley, a girl who she barely knows and she's sure doesn't like her much, tries her best to make her feel better. It doesn't really work but she leaves. She needs to get cleaned up.
She ends up back at his house talking to his mom about her trip. She wanted her to like her in the worst way. Too bad that it seems that she likes her more than her son does. She's thinking that if he can see that Karen likes her, he may change his mind. Maybe he just got scared about a relationship with his mom around. She sends her into his room to get him and when she gets there he's gone. And as she turns around, the phone rings and she stops in her tracks. Peyton's webcam is up on his computer and he's there, in her bedroom, kissing her best friend. She closes her eyes but she can't rid that scene from her head. She's pretty sure it's going to be there for a long time to come. And in that moment, she lost the only two people that she had ever trusted. Both in one foul swoop.
-l-
He opens his eyes to see Peyton and the emergency room. She's worried, he can tell. He goes to reassure her and his mom and her best friend walk in. He's worried now. How does he explain this? Thankfully, they both buy the lie that he made up last second but then Peyton rushes out and he's sorry that she's gone. His ex girlfriend walks out seconds later and he's wishing she would have stayed. Anything is better than his mother yelling at him for going out instead of resting. He thinks that Brooke looked sad as she walked away. All that he can think as his mother yells at him on the way home is that he doesn't want to be the cause of her sadness. And when he brings up Keith to his mom later and she throws Brooke in his face- he wonders, for the first time, if he made the right choice.
Later, Peyton comes over and he immediately forgets her best friend. In favor of the girl in front of him, there's a reason he chose her. He's always wanted her. They connect on a much stronger level. When she starts talking, he realizes immediately that it's not good news. She wants to do the right thing by Brooke and he tries to tell her that the time for the right thing has passed. They've already committed the crime might as well follow through. But she walks away and he's longing to take back the choices he's made lately.
Later that night, he watches as Brooke walks into Peyton's room and makes it clear that she knows. She knows the truth. He can see it in her eyes. If he's being honest with himself, he knew she knew in the hospital. She's never looked sadder to him and that makes him hate himself. He did that to her. As Peyton turns toward the webcam, as if to say, what did we do?, he thinks of something that she said to him right before the accident. She would never risk her friendship on a fling. Ironically, she just did. And all three of them lost.
-b-
She's been thinking about it for weeks. She's late and she runs like clockwork usually. Lucas is not going to be happy. When she goes to him, he's very supportive, pale, scared, but mostly supportive. He suggests a test and when it comes out positive and he touches her, she snaps. He didn't want her. He wanted her ex-best friend; that's where he should be, not here rubbing her back. He doesn't want to be anyway. She tells him that she'll be fine. She doesn't want him. As he leaves, she tells herself that this is what she wants; she can do this alone, plenty of women do. His mom is one of them and she's amazing. But then reality sets in and she cries because she knows if she wasn't good enough for him, how could she be good enough for his child?
The doctor's office is cold and lonely and they tell her that a false positive is very unlikely. They all look at her with pity. She can't stand it. When they ask her about the father, she makes it clear that he's not in the picture and he won't be there holding her hand. He's off the hook. So when Lucas shows up outside of the clinic as she's leaving, she's surprised. For a brief second, she wants to just have him hold her but she quickly remembers the image on his computer screen and that desire leaves her completely. She shuts him out. She has to in order to survive. She may be being bitchy but he's acting like he did nothing wrong. She has every right to shut him out. Just as he's calling her a slut, the doctor calls. She's so mad that she slips and tells him she's pregnant. She had already decided that she wasn't keeping the baby and she wasn't telling him. Damn him for making her so mad that she forgot what she was even doing.
When he comes to her later that night, pouring his heart out about his dad and abortion, she doesn't have the heart to tell him that she already has an appointment and he can't stop her. So she lies. She tells him that it was a lie; he hurt her so she wanted him to suffer. She's sure he thinks low enough of her to believe that she'd do that. He does. Lucas eats it up. But instead of being mad- he seems more sad. He's sorry about it all. She can tell. But she's done trusting. That definitely includes Lucas Scott. She's decided that he can never be trusted again. When he leaves, she sits in the corner and cries. In two days, she'll be empty. His baby won't be inside of her anymore.
-l-
Brooke's pregnant. With a baby. His baby. He just keeps thinking it over and over. Trying to make it go away. What he's thinking most is that he's veered so off course this year. Where did he go wrong? Being with Brooke, choosing Peyton, Jake's daughter's mom, playing basketball at all? He can't decide when it happened. When he turned into Dan. But when Brooke brought the fact that he's turning into Dan up- he pulled a Dan move, questioned the paternity. She got fire in her eyes and the doctor called. She turned to him and clearly said that he was the father. Which just confirmed one thing, Brooke was pregnant.
Dan came to the weight room and told him that he saw them at the clinic. He told him that the best thing he could do would be abortion. Then he tries to get him to see that now he knows how it feels. How he felt when Karen came to him. All that he can think is that this jackass shares DNA with him and he's not going to be anything like him. He goes home to his mom and asks her how close he was to abortion. After telling her about Brooke, she slaps him. He knows he deserves it but he can see the regret in her eyes immediately. She tells him that she wanted him in her life. Then she does something he's expecting- she tells him to go to Brooke. And be there for her no matter what.
When Brooke tells him that she was lying, she's not pregnant. He doesn't want to believe her. But he does. She's mad. He screwed up. He deserves it. He just wants her pain to go away. When she yells that it all hurts in the end, he gets it. He sees it. He feels it. He's sitting at his kitchen table and he doesn't even know how he got there. His mom walks in; when he hears her he quietly says that Brooke isn't pregnant. It was a scare. His mom likes Brooke and, for some reason, he doesn't want that to change. She hugs him because she knows that he needs it. He breaks down in her arms. There's a small part of him that wanted to be there. He wanted to love Brooke, love their child. He feels like someone died.
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Season 2 should be up soon. Let me know what you think!
-Corey.