Peyton Sawyer had never felt out so out of place. Brooke had dumped her for being honest, telling her she still had feelings for Lucas. Nathan was a mess for losing his uncle, Cooper and Haley was busy taking care of him. Once again Peyton Sawyer was alone, but this time she had Ellie's records to accompany her. Good music wasn't going to cure the loneliness but it was sure going to make it more endurable. When her dad had organized all the albums he had left one box unfinished.

Wondering what albums could be in the box, Peyton walked over to it. She pulled out a record and she felt something fall out of the album cover. It was a note in Ellie's handwriting.

To my daughter Peyton,

I know with my departure you were left with many unanswered questions, the main one being who your biological father is. I want you to know the truth; I didn't come into your life to create confusion so this answer will be straightforward.

She continued reading through the letter which gave the information she needed to locate her biological dad with Ellie's last sentence being, Take care Peyton and remember to enjoy the music.

She was in tears; she knew who her father was and what she was going to do.

The next day Peyton was packing when Lucas walked in.

"Hey Peyton."

"Hey Lucas, what are you doing here?" she asked nervously.

"Yeah I hadn't seen you in a while and I wanted to check on you to see if you were okay."

"Lucas that's really sweet but don't you think you might make your girlfriend angry by being here," she replied bitterly.

"I don't know why you and Brooke are fighting but whatever the reason you are my friend and I care about you, I know I haven't been the friend you need lately but with everything going on I just needed you to know that I'm here when you need me."

Peyton sighed; she had enough things to deal with without having Lucas show up at her door, "Look Lucas it's great that you're here for me and all but I'm kind of busy right now so if you could just leave it'd be great," she said harsher than she intended to and she knew it was harsh when she saw him flinch.

Lucas looked around her room and saw she had some packed bags, "Going somewhere?"

"As a matter of fact yes I am and I was planning on leaving so if you could go on back to Brooke or somewhere else so I could finish packing."

"Where are you going?"

"Nowhere you're going to."

"Look Peyton I'm just trying to help and you're blowing me off!"

"Really, because I thought blowing people off was more your style. You can't just not come here for weeks and then say you're sorry but you've had more important things to take care of than our friendship. I've had things to deal with and I know that you have Nathan, Haley and Brooke to worry about but I have something I need to do," she saw his face lower in guilt, "but if you want we can talk when I get back."

"Are you?"

"Am I what?"

"Are you coming back?"

"I…I don't know, but hey people always leave."

"But that's your phrase."

"Yeah but maybe there's a reason for that, maybe if I leave then no one else will and I think Tree Hill will be fine with that."

"I don't want you to leave."

"Lucas, you've got a great life, you have Brooke, the girl you're in love with," she said as much as it pained her, it's what she thought was true, "you've got your whole life here and me leaving won't change that."

"Peyton that's not true, you're important to me and you make up part of my life, a very big and important part and I won't be the same without you."

"Lucas, Brooke is the girl you are in love with and the only girl you should think you can't be without. Now I really need to finish packing if I want to leave today."

"Peyton."

"Lucas please just go."

"Fine I'll go, only if you tell me where you're going."

She saw it was a losing battle with him so she told him, "I'm going to look for my biological father."

Lucas was startled, "Do you even know who he is, much less where to find him?"

Peyton nodded, "Yeah, Ellie left me a note with his information. Now if you'll leave because I already told you where I'm going."

"I could go with you."

"What!"

"I could go with you. Help you find your father. I helped you find Ellie."

"Lucas you can't."

"Why not Peyton? I could help you."

"Lucas you can't just up and leave your life behind."

"You are."

"That's because I don't have anything left here."

"You have everything, you have Tric and what's left of senior year and you have me. I promise I'll be here for you Peyton, let me help you with this. I like being that guy for you."

"Luke."

"Come on Peyton. And if I annoy you I promise I'll take the nearest bus home. What do you say?"

She was tired of arguing and in reality she wanted Lucas' with her more than anything so she just nodded her head.

"I'll go home and get my stuff and explain to my mom, I'll be back in about a half hour ok."

Peyton was just left wondering what she had agreed to.

The half hour had passed when Lucas was heard walking up the steps, "Hey you ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be."

They were walking to her car when Brooke showed up.

"I come because I feel bad for a split second and I catch you with him. I should've known better. And you," she said turning to Lucas, "I told you not to see her but here you are with your precious Peyton and judging from the bags on a roadtrip. Where are you off to, another sleazy motel?"

"Brooke," said Peyton.

"Save it you bitch," she replied.

"Brooke! Look I know you guys are fighting but Peyton needs my help right now and you have no right to call her a bitch. Yes I'm leaving with Peyton but I'll be back," he said pulling Brooke to the side, "If you want to yell at me then, then fine but right now I'm leaving with Peyton because she has to find her birth father. Do you trust me?"

"I trust you Lucas but it's her I don't trust."

"Hey Peyton wouldn't do that to you."

"Lucas you don't know the reason I'm fighting with her."

"I know and I've tried to find out from both of you but none of you will tell me."

"The reason we're fighting is the reason I don't want you anywhere near her."

"Brooke you can't just tell me to stay away from someone with no reason, it's not logical."

"Lucas can you just trust what I'm telling you when I say not to go with her?"

"Brooke you've been really insecure about us and…"

"She said she has feelings for you."

"What?"

"She said she still has feelings for you," she said in tears, "now can you understand why I don't want you to go."

"Brooke."

"So now what do you think?"

He was really confused, "I don't know what to think about that but that doesn't change the fact that she is my friend and she needs me right now. I have to go with her."

"Lucas if you go there is no us anymore."

"Brooke be serious."

"I'm dead serious Lucas."

"Well I didn't want us to end Brooke Davis. I love you. But if you're willing to give up our relationship when your best friend needs her friends the most then you're not the person I fell in love with," he said walking to Peyton's car, leaving Brooke standing outside alone.

Lucas face was solemn as he started the car and pulled out of the driveway.

"You want to talk about it?"

"I'd rather not Peyton."

"Ok well I know I'm usually the one that needs saving but just know if you need me I'm here for you Luke."

Lucas just turned around and gave her a small smile and kept on driving.