THE AFTERMATH

Steal my heart and hold my tongue
I feel my time, my time has come
Let me in, unlock the door
I've never felt this way before

That evening marked the beginning of the end to two marriages in Tree Hill.

Surveying the emptier house Peyton drew her jumper around herself tightly thinking about everything that had transpired in the last week. Michael had, understandably, been furious. They'd fought, she'd said that what her and Lucas had was over, he recognised that she was lying through her teeth. Her and Lucas' affair might be over but the feelings they not so secretly harboured for each-other remained.

He'd stopped yelling in the early hours of the morning and asked a simple question; was there ever going to be a day when he wasn't sharing her with Lucas Scott?

She'd hesitated and he'd gotten his answer. She'd cried but he took off his ring there and then and said that their marriage was over.

He'd moved out a few days later, moving to Los Angeles and out of her life as though the last five years hadn't happened at all. The only contact they'd had was to set up a meeting to discuss their divorce.

Surveying the house she didn't expect it to feel this completely empty.

Lucas' predicament was as bad, he had broken yet another girl's heart and the worst thing was that they both should have seen it coming. Lindsey cried, he apologised, she threw things and they hit him. But he kept his ground insisting that he and Peyton had finished their affair.

She'd scoffed and threw the two books he'd written across the room at him, yelling about how just because they'd finished their physical relationship didn't mean their emotional connection was over. He guessed the books he'd written had been thrown at him to show how he simply couldn't let go.

He didn't need the words he'd written to show him that.

She'd yelled, she'd cried, he'd apologised but when the sun was rising she asked a simple question: Will you ever love me as much as Peyton Sawyer?

He didn't answer. And the silence spoke volumes.

She started crying again and threw her rings down onto his desk storming out of the house without taking a backward glance.

That was a week ago. She'd come back the next day and packed up some temporary things stating that she was moving back to New York and she'd be in touch about the proceedings for a divorce.

He'd told her he was truly sorry and that the last thing he'd wanted to do was hurt her and her eyes had filled with tears when she told him she shouldn't have married him in the first place because even on their wedding day she'd doubted whether his heart truly lay with her.

And here he was in a hauntingly empty house pondering how Peyton was doing. He wanted to see her but he didn't know what was going on with her and Michael. He also had no friends to speak of at the moment, Haley and Brooke hadn't spoken to him. He knew Nathan would listen and be impartial but he couldn't call his brother yet.

He just couldn't.

And the wheels just keep on turning
The drummer begins to drum

Brooke stood in her store, sketching furiously. The door to her shop jangled as someone came in and she looked up quickly. Seeing Nathan she scowled at him then went back to work.

'Sorry Brooke, didn't know I was such an unwanted visitor.' He chuckles lightly.

'I thought-' Brooke mumbled, 'Never mind.'

Nathan nodded and finished the sentence for her, 'You thought I was Peyton?'

Brooke's frown deepened and Nathan sighed, leaning against the counter, 'Haven't you spoken to her after everything blew up last week?'

'Have you?' Brooke challenged and Nathan held his hands up defensively.

'Yes, I have actually.' She frowned at him again and he sighed, choosing his words carefully, 'I found out about them about a month ago.'

Brooke's jaw dropped and she swatted Nathan's arm with her clipboard, 'Why the heck didn't you tell me?'

'For this very reason!' Nathan defended, 'You've completely frozen out your best friend!'

'They can't do this Nathan. They can't go around hurting people like this just because they're both too damn stubborn to have got their acts together years ago.'

'I agree.' Nathan said reassuringly, 'I've said as much to both Lucas and Peyton. And trust me you cannot possibly hate Peyton more than she has hated herself these past few months.'

Brooke's eyes watered a little, 'I don't hate her, she's my best friend.' She swallowed heavily, 'I love her. I wish she'd stop putting herself through this. I wish Lucas would stop putting her through this.'

'They love each other Brooke.' Nathan shrugged. 'I don't think they've ever worked out how to let go.'

'Then why don't they just get it together!' She said loudly, 'I would be the first one on board if they just got back together properly and cut out all the sneaking around, we're not in high school anymore!'

Nathan sighed and leaned once more against the counter, 'I know. I don't think we'll ever be able to understand why it's so hard for them to forgive and let go. But they didn't want to hurt anyone. They don't want to feel this way about each other. But they do, I guess they always have done. I suppose we should cut them a little slack.'

'I don't know what you're getting at here Nate.'

'We've had it relatively easy with love Brooke.' Again she raised her eyebrow and he lamented slightly with a smile, 'With a few bumps along the way of course, but in the end we married the people we loved beyond anyone else. They didn't. And we can't imagine how that feels, can you imagine being without Julian? Or worse knowing you'd had a shot, had blown it and were now with other people but the feelings you had hadn't gone away?'

Brooke's shoulder slumped slightly and she said, 'I know. Believe me I knew Lucas was still in love with Peyton before he even married Lindsey. I don't think he has ever not been in love with her and I know Peyton is the same. I just wish they'd gone about it a different way. I wish they'd been grown up about it instead of resorting to a sordid affair.'

'I'm sure no one will agree more than Lucas and Peyton themselves.' Nathan agreed and placed a hand over Brooke's, 'But don't cut out your best friend over an issue of morality. She's done wrong but she's not a bad person, you and I both know that. She doesn't deserve your silence. Michael's perhaps, but not yours.'

I don't know which way I'm going
I don't know which way I've come

Walking up to Peyton's front door she took a deep breath before opening it, like she had for years now. Stepping through the door she was shocked to find that the house looked relatively empty, she cringed slightly upon realising that Michael had most definitely moved out.

Music drifted from upstairs and she wasn't at all surprised to recognise the soundtrack. The Cure, of course.

She started up the stairs and rounded the corner of the master bedroom to find it completely covered in sheets; Peyton was standing by the far wall painting.

Seeing her best friend Brooke couldn't help but smile softly. The only way Peyton knew how to cope with monumental moments was by music and art. Apparently she was using both to heal.

'P Sawyer.' She said quietly.

Peyton span round and visibly jumped, upon seeing her best friend she couldn't help but smile. As they locked eyes however the smile was replaced with a sheepish, ashamed look and she turned to carry on painting. Brooke surveys the room and sees the empty wardrobe which she knew was Michael's, on the top of the chest of drawers are three rings.

She closed her eyes in regret when she realises they were Peyton and Michael's wedding rings as well as Peyton's engagement ring.

'Michael moved out huh?'

Peyton's shoulders visibly slumped and Brooke didn't miss the despair that radiated from her best friend. Her heart tore in two as Peyton wiped at her eyes furiously and in a second Brooke was across the room and gathering her friend into her arms.

'I need you Brooke.' Peyton said into her friend's shoulder and Brooke closed her eyes with regret. Nathan was right, what Lucas and Peyton had done was thoughtless and wrong but they weren't bad people. And since it had come out everyone had turned their backs on them. She didn't understand what her friend had done and she was definitely going to have stern words with her but right now, all she saw was someone she loved in need of her best friend.

'I know.' Brooke said quietly into her friend's hair, holding her tighter, 'I'm here now.'

Hold my head inside your hands
I need someone who understands
I need someone, someone who hears
For you, I've waited all these years

'Can I ask you something?' Brooke asked and Peyton looked up from painting. Brooke was sitting on her bed and Peyton had resumed painting. She knew at some point her friend would want to ask her about the last few months.

'Sure.' She answered with trepidation.

'Why did you lie to me?' Brooke asked warily, 'When you and Luke were sneaking around, you must have lied so many times about where you were and what you were doing and- it must have been excuse after excuse. Just… why couldn't you tell me?'

Peyton sighed and put down her paintbrush before settling herself down on the bed next to Brooke,

'I was ashamed.' She said finally, quietly, not meeting the brunette's eyes. 'I knew exactly what you would have said Brooke. I knew and I wanted to live in a world where I could pretend it wasn't wrong, where I could pretend that us being together was exactly how it should have been. I was burying it all.'

Brooke nodded, 'I would have supported you P.'

Peyton raised her eyebrows at this, 'Oh come on Brooke. You would have hated me.'

'Hates a strong word.' Brooke frowned but relented slightly, 'I would have been mad, yes, disappointed, yes, but I don't see how you managed to lie for months especially to me.'

Peyton sighed, 'I was selfish. I put Lucas first. I put myself and what I wanted first. There is no one else I wanted to tell more than you B Baker. But I didn't want you thinking less of me and you have to admit you would have.'

'Sure, I would have been disappointed.' Brooke nodded, 'But only because you're worth more than that. You're worth more than a sordid affair.'

Peyton winced slightly at her words, 'Even if it's with the boy you love.'

'Especially then!' Brooke exclaimed, 'You deserve more than a few one night stands and secret meetings thrown together Peyton. You deserve a life and a family.'

Peyton's eyes watered. 'I wasn't happy Brooke. And I know I should have figured that out without Lucas's help but I wasn't happy with Michael. I fell for him because I was hurting and he was the exact opposite of all of my previous boyfriends. But I wasn't in love with him Brooke. I wasn't happy.'

Brooke grasped her hand, 'I wish you'd told me all of this instead of falling into Lucas Scott's arms.'

'Believe me, so do I.' Peyton ran a hand through her hair, 'Even after everything that has happened, nothing's changed between us.'

'We're not talking.' Peyton sighed, 'We're not doing anything. We're over.'

'Oh P Sawyer if the surprise of the last few weeks has taught me anything it's the fact that the two of you are never over.' Brooke rasped, 'I don't think you'll ever be truly over.'


'Brooke.' Lucas said, surprised as she barged into his kitchen. She ignored him and went to fridge. She poured herself a drink and stood with her back to him.

'Brooke.' He said again, softly this time.

'I'm mad at you.' She said turning to face him and he sighed, closing his book and looking at his former girlfriend.

'Can you blame me?' She said, her voice rising an octave. 'You fuck up my best friend's life once again and I'm just expected to stand there and let it happen.'

Lucas winced at her words. 'I wouldn't have expected you to. I know Brooke, I know what I've done.'

This conversation was not going the way she wanted it to. She wanted him to defend himself so she could rip him to pieces but he wasn't. He was being completely cooperative and she hated it.

'You're such an ass.'

I am.' Lucas agreed, 'I haven't been the best version of myself.'

'No and you've made Peyton into someone she has been trying to get away from since high school. She has never wanted to be the other woman Lucas, you know that. She's too strong for that. She's too good for that. But you made her that once again.'

'I know.' Lucas replied softly. 'And I regret it. I regret what this has done to Peyton.'

'You don't regret starting it? You kissed her first Lucas. She told me. You kissed her. If you hadn't have done that she'd probably still be with Michael and Lindsey would be here.'

'I'm not sure that's entirely true.' Lucas disagreed, wondering for a second whether that meant Peyton and Michael weren't together anymore before carrying on. 'Yes I initiated it all but honestly if I hadn't I'm not sure Peyton would still be with Michael and I'm not a hundred percent sure Lindsey would be here either.'

Brooke's eyes widened and he elaborated before she could yell at him. 'I regret the sneaking around, I regret the lies and I regret the cheating but I do not regret realising I'm in love with someone who isn't my wife, I do not regret falling in love with Peyton all over again.'

'Will you ever realise that without cheating on your current girlfriend?' She asked scathingly.

'You're entitled to be mad at me Brooke. You're entitled to be protective over Peyton but at the end of the day this wasn't a sordid affair. This wasn't me screwing around with Peyton completely devoid of any sort of feelings. This was us loving each other and expressing it inappropriately.'

'And what do you expect to happen now then?'

'I don't know. I was kinda hoping I could rely on Peyton's best friend for a bit of inside knowledge.' He smirked at her and she relented with a sigh, flopping down in the chair opposite him.

'She's a mess.' Brooke said, giving him glare.

Lucas nodded, grimacing slightly.

'But she'll be fine. It's not like she's a stranger to heartache.' Brooke threw him another glare and he rolled his eyes slightly.

'I just want to know… I need to know whether she still- do you think she-' He sighed.

'Does she still love you?' Brooke asked and he nodded.

'Unfortunately for her I think she always has.'

Lucas nodded and couldn't stop the small smile on his lips.

'Hey!' Brooke said, diminishing his smile, 'That does not mean that's an invitation to jump in and take over her heart all over again okay?'

'Okay?' Lucas said confusedly.

Brooke stared at him for a minute before saying, 'I'm going to ask you something and I want you to tell me the complete truth here.'

He nodded and she elaborated, 'Do you want to be with Peyton?'

'Yes.' He said quickly.

'Without any drama, without the sneaking around. A couple, together forever. All that crap.'

He chuckled at her eloquence, 'Yes.'

'Do you see a future?'

'Honestly, I've wanted that for a long time Brooke.'

Brooke let herself smile for a second at his words before frowning again. 'Right well leave her alone.'

'What?'

'Leave her alone. Let her heal. Let her throw herself into work and become someone she is proud to be again. Let her spread her wings and let her move on past all this drama. And then you pursue her. And I mean it Lucas, give her the world. Give her everything you have to give because if you mess this up again I swear to god I will hunt you down.'

Lucas swallowed thickly but nodded all the same. 'She deserves a life Lucas, a family. And if you can't give her that you need to let her go because I'm not sure how much more of this she can deal with.'


Opening the door Lucas was surprised to see Haley on the other side. They hadn't spoken in two weeks and that was a record for them. The last time they hadn't spoken in that long was when they were thirteen and Lucas had accidentally ripped her poncho.

He stood aside to let his best friend into the house and she breezed past him without a word. He looked at her for a second and then said,

'Drink?'

She nodded mutedly and they made their way into the kitchen. She sat at the wooden table and watched him as he went about making their drinks. They didn't say a word until Lucas had sat down at the table and she'd took a sip of her drink.

'I've missed you.' Lucas said honestly and Haley couldn't stop her small smile.

'Lucas.' She sighed and he followed suit, closing his eyes slightly.

'Look, Hales- I know I did wrong. I know that. I don't need you to rip me to pieces.'

'I wasn't going to.' Haley said, affronted but he raised his eyebrows at her and she said, 'Okay well maybe a little.'

He smiled and she took the chance to study her best friend. He had dark circles under his eyes and he looked a little thinner. He didn't look great and she grimaced slightly before placing her hand on his,

'How you doin' buddy?'

'Well that's a loaded question.' Lucas chuckled slightly, 'I'm okay.'

'I know Lindsey leaving must have been hard on you.'

Lucas chuckled again quietly. Yes, Lindsey leaving him had hurt him, he would admit. Losing Peyton for what felt like the thousandth time cut him deeper, however. He didn't know where they stood but somehow he couldn't really see them getting back to how they used to be.

And that killed him.

Deciding that Haley probably wouldn't want to hear the truth about how he felt he deflected the question completely, 'I'm writing again.'

Haley's eyebrows rose in surprise, 'Well that's good.'

'Yeah I think so. I mean after The Comet I haven't really written anything substantial.'

Haley nodded but couldn't help the question that spilled from her lips, 'Why did you do it Lucas? I'm so mad with you, I don't understand, was it just sex?'

Lucas chuckled bitterly, 'You think I'd throw my marriage away for some meaningless sex? Appearances aren't all they seem Hales.'

'Don't give me that crap, you were happy.'

He shook his head with a bitter smile and stood up, picking up their mugs and taking them to the counter, hoping that Haley would stop talking.

She didn't.

'This isn't high school Lucas. You and Peyton can't keep pulling this crap, she loves Michael and you love Lindsey. That's the way it's supposed to be.'

Something inside Lucas snapped and he slammed the mugs down onto the counter, making Haley jump at the noise.

'If that's the way it's meant to be then how come ever since I've been with Peyton I feel more alive, I feel more of everything. I feel more than I felt when I was nineteen years old and proposing to her like a fool, if that's even possible. You think I'd just be able to have meaningless sex with Peyton? Come on Haley, use your head. I'm in love with her!'

She looked surprised but Lucas was sick of people telling him how to feel. He was sick of the lie he'd been telling for far too long.

'I never fell out of love with her. Proposing to Lindsey was a last ditch attempt at burying my feelings once and for all. But it shouldn't have happened.'

Haley opened her mouth in shock before shaking her head, 'Don't tell me you never loved Lindsey.'

'I'm not saying that. I did love her and I was happy.' He sighed, 'But she didn't make me feel like I feel when I'm with Peyton. I'm not in love with her, Haley.'

Haley stayed silent for a second before saying, 'And what do you expect now huh? To drive off into the sunset with Peyton? To live happily ever after?'

'I don't know what will happen.' Lucas admitted, 'I don't know anything, all I know is that I'm glad I'm not living a lie anymore.'

Haley stared at her friend for a second before saying, 'So you don't regret your affair? You don't regret breaking Lindsey and Michael's hearts?'

'I wish they hadn't got hurt, of course. But no, I don't regret it because for once in so many years I'm finally admitting how I feel and yeah, things are pretty crap right now but there's something to be said for not having the weight of my feelings resting on my shoulders anymore. You don't have to accept it Haley, I don't care. That is how I feel. Now do I still have a best friend or not?'

And just like that she couldn't help but let it go. Nathan had been right. He'd told her a couple of nights ago that he already knew about Lucas and Peyton's affair and she had been furious. When she'd finally calmed down he had some wise words to say and she honestly let go a little. She hadn't wanted to listen to him but when she thought back at things throughout the years she realised she'd been naïve. Hell, she'd thought Lucas was making a mistake just before he married Lindsey because she believed he still loved Peyton and it turned out that she was dead on.

In a way she felt bad for sweeping Lucas and Peyton's feelings completely under the carpet. If she was honest with herself she knew the two shared something deep but with it they always seemed to bring drama and was it wrong of her to just want a sense of normality. For them all to be friends with drama free lives.

She realised that in wanting that they'd all ignored Lucas and Peyton's true feelings, she sighed and wondered how miserable the two had really been for the last five years.

'Of course you do.'


Throwing the dish cloth over his shoulder he walked over to the door, opening it and gaping at the person on the other side.

'Mom?' He said, completely surprised, 'What are you doing here?'

'It's wonderful to see you too Lucas.'

For the first time in three weeks he let out a laugh and ushered his mother through the door, taking her suitcase from her and placing it down when he shut the door. He turned around and almost immediately his mother had wrapped her arms tightly around him. He closed his eyes and held on tightly. Until this moment he hadn't known how much he'd needed his mom, there was something about a mother's hug- something so comforting and reassuring.

Karen let go and held him at arm's length, 'My boy.' She whispered, she pressed her palm against his cheek momentarily before letting go of him to make tea. Letting Karen get reacquainted with her kitchen Lucas sat at the table. Minutes of small talk later Karen placed a mug in front of him before sitting opposite him at the table.

'Not that I'm not glad to see you but why are you here?'

Karen raised an eyebrow, 'I thought it would be obvious. With everything you've had going on- I thought you might need me.'

Lucas smiled with a nod, 'I've missed you ma.'

Karen echoed her son's smile and reiterated his words. They took sips of their drinks and Lucas' insides tightened a little when he realised his mother would definitely want to know what happened between him and Lindsey. He'd called her a week ago to tell her he was getting divorced, when she'd asked why he'd told her he didn't want to talk about it.

He guessed that answer gave her no choice but to come and see him.

'Are you ready to talk about it yet?' Karen enquired softly.

Lucas rolled his eyes and sat back in his chair before saying honestly. 'You're not going to like it.'

Karen frowned, wondering what he was talking about. 'Lucas I'm your mother, you can tell me anything.'

Lucas pursed his lips slightly, trying to think of the right words, he was a writer it should have been easy. But it wasn't. He didn't want his mother to be judgemental and he didn't want her to be disappointed in him. He also didn't want her to judge Peyton either.

'I cheated on Lindsey.'

And those were the last words she ever thought would have left her sons mouth. She sat, rigid, in her chair waiting for the words to sink in.

'What?' Her voice was a harsh whisper and he figured he should get the rest out before she started to digest the information.

'I had an affair with Peyton.' He said softly and he watched his mother carefully. She closed her eyes and sighed.

'Lucas.' His name fell from her lips in a whisper, but it was filled with the kind of disappointment he'd been afraid of.

The silence stretched on uncomfortably. Karen didn't know what to say. She was shocked but at the same time, not really and that almost shocked her more. There was a time many years ago when she thought Lucas and Peyton would end up together, hell she gave Lucas Keith's ring to propose with. But then Lucas had gotten married and so had Peyton and she'd thought whatever they had was over.

Apparently she'd been very wrong.

'What were you thinking?' She asked and her voice echoed frustration.

He sighed, thinking about his possible options. He could say he hadn't been thinking, he could say it had been a mistake; he could say that it was over. But none of those things were the truth. And he finally had gotten to a point in his life where he was able to say how he was truly feeling.

He wanted a fresh start. He figured the only way to get one would be to be completely honest from here on out.

'I never fell out of love with Peyton.'

Karen's eyes widened as she digested the information, 'Then why on earth did you marry another woman?'

Lucas pressed his fingers to his temple, feeling the beginning of a headache, 'Because I was sick of being in love with her. Because she came back and messed everything up and- she couldn't just waltz into my life as she pleased and turn it upside down. She couldn't just walk into my life after saying no and have me questioning everything. It was always complicated and I just wanted a fresh start. Lindsey was dependable and comfortable and-'

'Those are not sufficient reasons to get married Lucas Scott.' The sharpness of her voice made his hair stand on end slightly.

'I know that.' He responded irritatedly. 'I know. I know it was wrong, I know it shouldn't have happened and I'm not trying to justify it but I've spent half of my life in love with Peyton and I don't know how to turn it off, I don't know how to stop it!'

'Why didn't you say anything before you got married?' Karen asked exasperatedly, 'Why did you even propose?'

Lucas closed his eyes and rested his elbows on the table,

'I did love Lindsey, Ma.' He said quickly and firmly, 'She wanted to marry me and I didn't want to lose her. She'd always been there for me and I for her. I never wanted to hurt her.'

'So instead you threw five years down the drain by having an affair?' Karen asked scathingly.

'I didn't plan it.' Lucas said between clenched teeth, 'It just happened.'

They were silent for a minute until she asked, 'How long has this been going on for?'

His cheeks went a little red as he mumbled, 'A few months.'

Karen sighed again, 'And neither you nor Peyton thought it would be better to end it before people got hurt?'

'Of course we did.' Lucas responded hotly. 'And don't blame Peyton okay. This was my fault; I was the one that couldn't keep my feelings to myself. I was the one that started this.'

Karen sat there for a moment digesting the information before saying, 'So then what stopped this double life you seem to have been leading?'

'Lindsey found out.'

He decided to leave out the detail of her outing it in front of all of their closest friends and the consequent drama that followed.

'And she left you?'

Lucas nodded before expanding, 'She asked me whether I was ever not going to be in love with Peyton… I didn't have an answer.'

Karen folded her arms across herself and said, 'What about Peyton's husband? Michael?'

'I'm not sure.' Lucas said, looking at his mom and wondering whether she knew something he didn't. 'We haven't spoken since it all came out, it's too raw.'

'Oh Lucas.' Karen sighed. 'I just don't understand it. The last time I was here everyone seemed blissful. You and Lindsey were fine and Peyton and Michael were doing well. Everyone seemed content and… just happy.'

Lucas raised an eyebrow at her, 'I was happy because Peyton and I were together, however wrong and secret it was, we were finally admitting feelings that had long since been buried.'

Karen stared at her son. Her mind whirring a mile a minute but strangely unable to actually form a coherent thought. She felt bad for Lindsey (she was a lovely girl and didn't deserve this), she felt bad for Michael but she also felt bad for Lucas and Peyton themselves. She knew what it was like to be without the person you love. They hadn't gone about things in the right way (at all) but she could honestly understand why they were drawn to each other.

'I'm sorry.' Lucas said finally after a few minutes of silence, 'I never meant to hurt anyone.'

'I know.' Karen answered, 'I'm glad you told me.'

And they left it at that.

For you I'd wait 'til kingdom come
Until my day, my day is done
And say you'll come and set me free
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me

Walking up the path to the big beachside house Karen gathered her wits about her and knocked. She hadn't told Lucas what she was doing today, he was coaching and she took her opportunity. The door opened a minute later and she looked at the woman in front of her.

'Karen.' Peyton said, her eyes widening at the sight of Lucas' mother.

'Hey honey.' Karen said warmly and without any hesitance Peyton hugged the older woman. Karen smiled, however much she disagreed with Lucas and Peyton's indiscretions she was very fond of Peyton. Over the years they'd gotten pretty close and exchanged emails every now and again.

They broke apart and Karen shut the door behind her.

'I'm sorry.' Peyton found herself saying, brushing a hand through her hair, 'If I'd known you were coming I'd have cleaned myself up a bit.'

Karen smiled warmly and shook her head. They walked into Peyton's kitchen and she promptly flicked the kettle on before opening the cupboard and getting out two mugs. Karen meanwhile took the time to study the blonde. She was wearing an overly big sweatshirt, her hair was pulled into a ponytail, stray strands falling either side of her face and she looked tired. Too tired. Peyton turned around and opened the fridge to get out the milk and Karen noticed the name on the back of the jersey, she couldn't help but smile inadvertently.

Scott. The number on the back wasn't Nathan's either. It was the number 3; Lucas' jersey.

Peyton placed her tea in front of her and took a seat opposite her at the breakfast bar.

'How're you doing?'

'I'm- okay.' Peyton said, with all the truthfulness she could muster. She didn't know how much Lucas had told Karen and she suddenly felt acutely embarrassed. Testing the waters she said softly, 'Doing well enough for someone getting divorced at twenty seven.'

'I heard.' Karen nodded. 'Divorces are going round at the moment.'

The subject was touched upon lightly and for a second she felt her heart jump. Did this mean Lucas was also going through a divorce?

'I'm sorry Karen.'

At that the older woman couldn't help but chuckle, 'Whatever for, dear?'

'For ruining Lucas' marriage as well as my own.'

Karen smiled softly and placed a hand over the blonde's, 'You don't need to apologise to me, Peyton.'

She took a quick look around at the emptiness of the place and sighed, 'I think you both have come back to earth with a bit of a bump.'

Peyton nodded, swallowing the lump that had risen in her throat. 'I don't know how it got so out of hand.' She said quickly, eyes watering slightly, 'I never wanted to be this person. I didn't want to see anyone get hurt. I just-'

Her voice trembled and she closed her eyes as Karen gripped her hand a little tighter, 'I didn't come here for an explanation Peyton, I came to see how you were doing. I was worried about you.'

Peyton's eyes watered once again, 'I'm worried about Lindsey. I know that seems ironic considering the circumstances but I- over the years we'd become friends and-' Peyton sighed, 'I didn't want to hurt her.'

Karen nodded again, 'I think she knows that.'

'You've spoken to her?'

'I have.' Karen nodded once more, thinking back to the telephone conversation she'd had with the girl in question just that morning, 'She'll be okay in the long run Peyton. And she understands, probably more than she should.'

Peyton nodded and swallowed the lump in her throat before Karen squeezed her hand again, 'But I did say I was worried about you.'

'You don't need to worry about me.' Peyton insisted, 'I'll pick myself up again.'

'I know you will.' Karen said confidently. 'You always do.'

Peyton smiled at the mother of the man who was always going to have her heart. Karen smiled warmly back at her and then her eyes caught the boxes on the sides; she frowned slightly and gave Peyton a questioning glance.

'I'm planning to move to LA for a while.' Peyton said, cautiously.

Karen looked at her, surprised, 'Why?'

'John, the executive of the label I used to work for, has a few artists out there that he wants me to check out. I was going out there anyway but-well… with everything that's happened I'm extending my trip.'

Karen nodded carefully understanding the blonde's actions for exactly what they were. Her son had said countless times that when things got hard between them specifically the blonde tended to run away and somehow she couldn't shake the feeling that she was doing the exact same thing.

But who was she to judge? Maybe it would be good for her.

'It'll be good to get some distance.' Peyton continued.

Somehow Karen knew that however much distance was between her son and this woman somehow they'd find each other again. They'd proved it again and again. Maybe in order to find each other again they somehow had to let go a little.

With that in mind she congratulated Peyton and they talked more about LA, about Lily and Andy as well as Jamie and Lydia. Karen left over an hour and a half later; she hugged the blonde at the door and told her everything was going to be okay. Peyton held her just a little tighter after that and Karen made her way out of the door, Peyton's voice making her turn around again.

'Don't be too hard on Lucas will you?' Peyton said cautiously, her eyes falling slightly. 'It takes two to- well you know. It was me as much as it was him.'

Peyton's eyes met Karen's and the older women smiled and nodded before walking down the drive.

Yes, Lucas and Peyton would definitely find each other again and when that time came she was in no doubt that they'd ever let go.

A week later Peyton moved temporarily to Los Angeles. When Lucas found out he couldn't honestly blame her, they hadn't spoken and he knew he was more to blame than she was. He hadn't even sought her out to ask whether she was okay, he'd gotten updates from Nathan but that was all.

But it was okay. Somehow he knew this was what she had to do. He was writing again and finally getting his life back on track and he thought that she was probably doing the same.

It just wasn't the right time.

In your tears and in your blood
In your fire and in your flood

'There's someone to see you.' Lindsey Strauss sighed as she focused her eyes on her phone instead of the manuscript lying open on her desk. Pressing the button to speak back she said,

'Who is it?'

'I don't know. She withheld her name.'

Lindsey frowned before telling her assistant to send the woman in. The last person she expected to walk through her door was Peyton Sawyer. She closed the manuscript on her desk and watched as Peyton took a seat in front of her. They looked at each other and Peyton said quickly,

'I didn't think you'd let me in if I said who I was.' She wrung her hands in her lap and Lindsey's eyes didn't miss the fact that she was no longer wearing her rings.

'What are you doing here Peyton?' Lindsey sighed; she was so not mentally prepared for this.

'In New York? I'm talent scouting.' Peyton explained.

'Not New York.' Lindsey replied, shaking her head, 'Why are you here?'

Peyton sighed and took a second to look out of Lindsey's window before fixing her eyes on the brunette, 'I'm here to apologise.'

Lindsey's eyebrows rose and she couldn't help but scoff, 'For having sex with my husband?'

She didn't miss the wince in Peyton's expression nor could she totally miss the remorse in her eyes. She cleared her throat before replying, 'For… for everything.'

Lindsey shook her head with a wry smile, folding her arms across her desk and looking out of the window.

'I've never told anyone this but the day of my wedding to Lucas I had doubts.' Her eyes flittered back to Peyton and she was sitting there stoic, her eyes wide in surprise, 'Not about my feelings, about his feelings. His feelings for me.'

Peyton sighed, 'He loved you Lindsey. I know he did.'

Cocking her head to the side she answered, 'Just not as much as you.'

Peyton didn't answer, she couldn't answer. She didn't know the depth of Lucas' feelings for Lindsey. Half the time she didn't know the depth of Lucas' feelings for her.

'You know what hurt?' Lindsey asked, eyeing the blonde who looked completely uncomfortable, 'The fact that we were actually friends, at least I thought we were.'

'We were.' Peyton said quickly, 'Lindsey you have to know that this has never been about you. In fact in the last couple of years you've been one of my closest friends.'

'Do you sleep with all your best friend's partners?' She asked before saying with a smile, 'Oh wait. I forgot, you actually have.'

Peyton closed her eyes, clasping her hands together tightly in an effort to remain calm. Lindsey looked at the blonde before her and despite herself couldn't help but feel sorry for what she just said. She wasn't a horrible person and deep down she knew Peyton wasn't either. She was going through a horrible time but judging by Peyton's almost frail like appearance and the dark circles under her eyes she was also.

'I'm- I'm sorry.' Lindsey said after a minute, 'That was uncalled for.'

Peyton let out a chuckle, 'Don't worry about it.'

'I still don't know what you're doing here.'

Peyton sighed, 'To apologise. To check you're alright. To get closure…' She raked her hand through her hair.

'Ease a dirty conscience?'

A sad smile made its way onto Peyton's face, 'Something like that.'

'Well then, I forgive you.'

Peyton frowned, 'No I want you to like scream at me or- or slap me or something. Please, anything. I mean come on Linds, you must want to.'

For the first time in a while Lindsey let out a genuine chuckle, 'For a while, yes I did.'

'Right, well… go for it.'

'That's not going to do either of us much good.'

'I disagree, it'll make me feel not so terrible.' Peyton murmured, 'And I'm sure you'll feel a lot better too.'

'Honestly, I'm starting to feel better again.' Lindsey said and Peyton could detect no resentment in her tone, 'I mean sure, I'm finalising a divorce but I've always been a positive person… onwards and upwards right?'

'You're- you're divorcing?' Peyton asked. She hadn't asked Brooke or Nathan about Lucas and they hadn't volunteered any information, it was just easier that way.

Lindsey frowned for a few moments before rolling her eyes, 'You're not with Lucas are you?'

'I- well.' Peyton spluttered, 'No, I'm not.'

'Why?' Lindsey asked and Peyton was astonished to hear the angry tone to her voice.

'Because- well… because.' Peyton trailed off, unable to think of an answer.

Lindsey rolled her eyes, taking a few moments before saying, 'You know, I spent two years editing a love story that I was sure was perfect. Of course, when I married Lucas I put my feelings for the couple in the book to one side but all the last few months have told me is that the couple in the book were meant for each other and that their love was real.'

Peyton stared at the brunette, unable to believe what she was hearing.

'In a completely infuriating way, they couldn't let go of each other.' Lindsey shrugged, 'I was another stepping stone in their epic love story, like Brooke and Jake and Michael.'

'No.' Peyton said shaking her head, 'You were more than that. You had a marriage.'

Lindsey shook her head, 'I can't believe you're still this blindsided Peyton and I also can't believe I'm saying this but you and Lucas still have something that I want someday, that I thought I found in Lucas.'

Peyton swallowed the lump in her throat and Lindsey saw her eyes glisten,

'Don't cry on me.' She warned, 'I'm not going to comfort you.'

'I'm sorry.' Peyton laughed, 'I'm so, so sorry…for everything.'

'I know.' Lindsey mused, 'I mean I can't say I'm not going to secretly hate you forever.'

Peyton chuckled, 'Well that's fair.'

'But for the sake of your conscience I forgive you.'

'Are you going to be okay?' Peyton asked tentatively.

Lindsey mused over the answer for a second before saying, 'Someday, yeah.'

Swallowing another lump in her throat Peyton nodded and stood, stepping forward she held out her hand and with a small smile Lindsey grasped it. Peyton looked into the brunette's eyes in front of her as she shook her hand and gave her a smile, one that she knew would convey all she felt.

Stepping away she said, 'It was really great to meet you Lindsey Strauss.'

Lindsey nodded but, due to the lump in her throat couldn't say anything. Peyton nodded and opened the door, but Lindsey's voice a second later brought her back.

'Just for the record; I still believe in the couple in the book.'

Peyton's eyes swivelled round to stare at the brunette but she'd already opened the manuscript in front of her, her eyes scanning the page. Peyton gave a rue smile and stepped out of the office somehow feeling like seeing Lindsey was the right thing to do.

For closure, for the both of them.

I hear you laugh, I heard you sing
I wouldn't change a single thing

Getting settled in LA didn't take Peyton as long as she thought it would. She moved into a nice apartment and had rented a studio within a week. It seemed like the last seven or eight years hadn't happened, she felt eighteen all over again except for one small detail- the fact that John actually welcomed her back with respect. She was no longer assistant to the assistant. Another small detail was the divorce papers that were currently resting in her bag, signed and ready to be sent back to her lawyers.

Walking past the front desk she greeted the intern with a smile. She always had done, she remembered all too well what it felt like to be her. Pausing on the threshold of the studio she took a deep breath. This was going to be hard.

Pulling herself together she walked in and gave the woman before her a swift smile, setting her bag down she cleared her throat before speaking.

'Right so I'm gonna set it to record and then we'll just roll with it.'

Haley looked at her former friend, bustling around in the record studio in Los Angeles. Before Lucas and Peyton's indiscretions had been made public Haley and Peyton had been recording an EP in Tree Hill, with Peyton now in LA Haley had come for a day or two to lay down some vocals.

'Go for it.' Peyton said with a small smile as she put one headphone against her ear.

'Are we going to talk about it?' Haley asked bluntly.

Peyton sighed and closed her eyes, 'I don't want to argue with you Hales.'

Haley felt a little embarrassed as she surveyed the blonde. The two had been incredibly close throughout the past five years, they'd gotten a lot closer than they'd ever been and she was hurt that her best friends' antics had once again come between her friendship with Peyton,

'Honestly, neither do I.'

Peyton looked up in surprise and Haley placed down her own headphones before walking over to sit next to her blonde friend, 'I'm sorry Peyton. I've frozen you out the past few months and I shouldn't have. I know I've been a terrible friend and I know I shouldn't have let what happened get between our friendship.'

'I understand Hales. Trust me.' Peyton said, her hand resting against her forehead, 'Lucas and I knew what we were getting ourselves into; we knew who we were going to hurt.'

Haley didn't miss the small wince Peyton made as she said Lucas' name.

'Well then why did you do it?'

Well that was a loaded question. After a minute she finally settled on the truth.

'Because I still love him.'

Haley smiled, that was what she'd been waiting for. And once again she couldn't help but sympathize with what they'd been going through the last five years and even longer. She saw two lost lovers who'd chosen paths unintentionally leading away from each other. But that hadn't meant they'd stopped missing each other, it hadn't meant they'd stopped loving each other either.

'Oh Peyt.' Haley said sympathetically, she placed her hand over the blonde's. 'I'm sorry.'

'It's not your fault.'

'How are you holding up?'

Peyton sighed and again decided on the truth, 'By tomorrow afternoon I'm going to be divorced.'

Haley's eyes widened and she squeezed Peyton's hand but Peyton shook her head, 'It's my fault Hales. It's all my fault. I deserve a quickie divorce from a husband that refuses to see me. I deserve everything.'

'People make mistakes Peyton.' Haley said holding Peyton's hand with both of her own, 'It's how you deal with them that matters. This is a fresh start, a new chapter. You'll get through this, I know you will. And I will be there as much as you need me.'

'Thanks.' Peyton said gratefully, feeling like a small weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She'd hated that her and Lucas and ruined her friendship with Haley and she was beyond relieved that they were able to salvage it.

'What about Lucas?' Haley asked tentatively.

'What about him?' Peyton asked quickly.

'Have you spoken to him since everything imploded? I mean, I know him and Lindsey are finalising their divorce too.'

She compared Haley's answer to Lindsey's and she wondered how he was doing, she wondered whether he wanted to see her just as much as she wanted to see him. But then she sighed.

'It's over Hales.'

'What do you mean?'

'We stopped seeing each other months ago, before it even came out. We realised it was wrong and we ended it.' Peyton said and Haley squeezed her hand once more, 'It's over.'

'Well then what was the point?' Haley asked softly. 'What was the point of all of this? What was the point of screwing over two lives, of you two loving each other this intensely that you can't stay away after so many years, if you're not even going to be together at the end of it?'

Peyton couldn't think of anything to say.

At the end of the day, like so many times before, Haley was completely right.

But at the same time she was tired. So tired of this game her and Lucas had been playing for the better part of a decade. One would want the other and the other would get scared and vice versa. They never wanted each other when they could have each other and she was sick of it.

If they were meant to be they'd find their way.


Without Lucas really noticing, six months passed. He was a divorcee. He was releasing a book and he finally felt like his life was on the right track again.

During this time he'd spent months solidly writing, a story about love and loss, a story about yearning for something the protagonist wasn't entirely sure he would ever have. He wasn't naïve enough to think it was anything but a mirror of his own life. He spent months writing twelve hours a day, stopping to socialise every so often and sleep even less. But his book was done and he was currently sitting at his kitchen table, his best friend in front of him having just gone over his new book for the first time.

'Have you spoken to Peyton lately?'

Lucas squinted at his best friend, confused by her question. 'No.'

'And why not?' Haley asked hotly.

'Hales, you were never a big fan of our relationship.' Lucas asked, completely confused as to what she was getting at.

'Are you serious?' Haley shook her head, 'Honestly I think you're perfect for each other and I have told you that on numerous occasions Lucas. She makes you happier than I've ever seen you and you deserve that. What I'm not a fan of is the cheating. How neither of you can seem to stay away from the other when you're in committed relationships to other people.'

'Seriously?' He asked, with a small smile.

'Of course, cheating is wrong Lucas.'

'Not that part, I know that.' Lucas said, impatiently, 'You think we're good together?'

Haley turned to look at her friend and rolled her eyes, 'Lucas I've told you this.'

'You have not!' Lucas protested with a grin.

'I've listened to you talk about her for, like, a decade. Peyton and I were pretty good friends in freshman year I might add. Before you screwed it up we did talk about you two.'

'You did?' Lucas asked and Haley saw the twinkle in his eye, he looked undeniably pleased.

Haley rolled her eyes, 'We did and remember when you were together in senior year, we were pretty good friends then too. I saw a future for the two of you. Of course, that was before things got so complicated and you married other people.'

'Yeah we really screwed things up.'

'Yep.' Haley nodded, 'But your feelings haven't changed.'

'Not really.' Lucas shrugged, his eyes falling with a sigh, 'I still feel the same as I did when she nearly ran me over with her car.'

'Then do something about it.'

'Like what? We never seem to work out Hales. What if she's worked out that I'm not worth all the drama?'

'Lucas she cheated on her husband with you. The girl is in love with you. You need to make this right.'

He contemplated Haley's words and looked down at the hardcover of his new book, thinking. Lindsey had passed him onto another editor and he sent them the book barely two months after starting it. The man had loved it immediately and they'd gone to work with editing. In merely a week's time it was ready for publication.

Then came the subsequent book tour. His heart leapt into his throat as he looked at his itinerary that was sitting next to his book, he hadn't seen or spoken to Peyton Sawyer in over eight months but in three weeks he'd be stepping foot on her current home soil.

His fourth stop was indeed, Los Angeles. Maybe Haley was right.

And the wheels just keep on turning
The drummers begin to drum
I don't know which way I'm going
I don't know what I'll become

Throwing her bag onto the chair Peyton closed her apartment door behind her and toed off her shoes with a yawn. Work was busier than it had ever been, she had new artists coming out of her ears and Haley's EP was doing really well.

Work wise, she couldn't have been happier.

The insistent ringing of her phone made her groan slightly, all she wanted to do was have a glass of wine and put on a great album. Upon seeing the caller ID however she couldn't help but smile and put the phone to her ear,

'Hey B Baker!' She said happily.

Brooke and Peyton were, of course, stronger than ever. After Brooke found Peyton in a mess in her house all those months ago they'd talked it over. Brooke had apologised for not being there for the blonde and Peyton had apologised for everything else. Since then the girls had stuck together like glue. So much so that when Peyton had told Brooke she was moving to LA for a while Julian had jokingly asked whether he was going to lose his wife to the city as well.

'When are you moving back to Tree Hill?'

Peyton sighed at Brooke's insistent questioning, they had this conversation at least once a month and her answer was always the same.

'I will not take 'I don't know' as an answer anymore Peyton. I miss you.'

'We talk almost every day.' Peyton laughed.

'But it's not the same.' Brooke whined making her friend laugh again, 'I need you here, now more than ever.'

'Are you okay?' Peyton asked with a small frown.

'Yes.' Brooke said quickly, 'But I will not have the godmother of my child living at the other end of the country!'

Peyton gasped and nearly dropped her phone. 'You're- Brooke you're pregnant?'

In an uncharacteristically soft voice Brooke confirmed the news and Peyton had to sit down.

'Brooke, that's amazing.' She said softly.

'I know.' Brooke paused slightly, 'It's early days but I couldn't keep it from you. It's time to come home P. Julian misses you, Nathan talks about you at least twice a day so does Haley, Jamie and Lydia. I need my best friend at a time like this Peyton, I need you. My baby needs his or her godmother.'

Emotional blackmail, nice.

Peyton couldn't help but roll her eyes at Brooke's attempt but even as she did so it felt like an ice cube had been dropped into her stomach. She felt cold and she felt lonely.

She missed home.

Five minutes later and she'd talked her way off the phone. Setting it down on the counter she hung her head. She was unbelievably happy for her best friend and for Julian but at the same time she felt empty.

Peyton wondered whether that would ever be her. Would she ever be the one phoning Brooke announcing a pregnancy?

Honestly, she just didn't know.

For you I'd wait 'til kingdom come
Until my days, my days are done
And say you'll come and set me free
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me

Sitting on the plane Lucas couldn't help but feel ridiculously agitated.

'Scott.' His editor snapped at him as his leg reached an all new level of tapping and he glanced at the man next to him before muttering an apology, 'You've got no need to be worried. The book is doing well. We're expecting big crowds.'

Lucas nodded but didn't say anything. Was he nervous about the tour? Definitely. But the prospect of seeing Peyton was something which made him much more apprehensive- in a completely good way. He had goose bumps just thinking about it.

He'd come to a decision a few days ago and was adamant that he wouldn't leave LA unless he'd seen her. He couldn't. He couldn't be in the same city as her after so many months and not sought her out.

If need be, he'd sought her out.

It had been long enough.

Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me

Six on the second hand
Two new years resolutions
And there's just no question
What this man should do

Standing at the bar waiting for a drink he surveyed the place his team had brought him. A successful first day signing books and they decided a bit of a celebration was on the cards. His eyes scanned the room and it reminded him a lot of TRIC. The thought made him smile almost instantaneously and he knew Peyton would love it.

His eyes rove the crowd, taking in his surroundings and he takes in the stage which seemed to be ready for a band. A drum kit, a couple of guitars and a microphone.

'The usual please Jordan.'

The voice to the side of him made him freeze and his heart jumped in his chest. He turned slowly and sure enough a little way down the bar was the girl he'd hoped to see. Her hair was wavy and long, she was wearing skinny jeans and heels and he couldn't stop his eyes from travelling to her legs and back up again. She looked ridiculously good and he rolls his eyes slightly as he realises she always looks good to him. He doesn't think he's seen her look anything less than beautiful.

The bartender places her drink on the counter and she smiles at him. Lucas moves a little closer and decides to make his presence known before she leaves again.

'So knowing the bartender is what gets you a drink in this place.'

She freezes and turns to him, her eyes widening, 'Luke.'

His name slips from her lips softly but despite the noise in the bar he hears her loud and clear and he's never loved the shortened version more. He smiles and her knees shake a little. Not that she thought he'd change in the last eight or nine months but he is still the most attractive man she'd seen.

'Hey.' He says softly.

'What're- How-' She closes her eyes and tells herself to get her act together. She opens her eyes and smiles back at him, 'Hey.'

The lights dim and she jumps a little, 'I'm sorry Luke. I've got to go, my band are just about to perform and I need to talk to them before.'

Lucas' eyes widen and he smiles, 'Wow. That's great.'

'It was nice to see you though.' She says quickly and he grins.

'After you're finished doing your thing- you wanna have a drink or something?'

He's rubbing the back of his neck and she feels like she really cannot be around him else she'll end up having a heart attack.

'Luke.'

'Have a drink with me, Peyton Sawyer.'

She doesn't think she's heard anything so appealing. She's always loved his voice and she's pretty sure he knows that.

Peyton nods her head once and then breezes past him. He's left with a smile to keep him company for the next few hours. He sits with his editor and his team and have fun. They talk, they watch the band but all the while he can't help but want time to move considerably faster. As the band exit the stage to thunderous applause Lucas' team go to leave.

'I think I'm gonna stay here for a bit.' He tells Steve, his editor.

'We have a busy day tomorrow.'

'I know.' Lucas assures, 'Don't worry; I'll be up, bright and early and ready to sign books.'

He shakes Lucas' hand and exits the bar. Lucas scans the area but can't catch sight of Peyton and so goes to sit at the bar. He decides to wait for Peyton until he orders a drink, but as the minutes pass he decides he's starting to look a bit like a stalker and so orders a beer.

As Peyton walks towards the bar she braces herself, expecting it to be empty. But she sees him; he's sitting there slowly tearing the label off his beer bottle. Her heart flips and she can't help but smile softly. She walks closer and takes a seat beside him,

'It took longer than I thought to get the boys to go home, sorry I've been a while.' She smiles and as soon as Lucas hears her voice he looks up, his face splitting into a grin.

'No problem.' He says and motions to the bartender. He's just about to ask Peyton what she wants to drink when the bar tender pours her something. He frowns a little and Peyton answers his unspoken question.

'I'm a bit of a regular.' She says, 'A few of the bands and singers I manage perform here.'

'That's great.' Lucas says sincerely. 'The band was awesome, but I'm sure you knew that.' He looks around the room, 'You're doing amazingly.'

She shrugs and Lucas laughs softly, 'And still unable to take a compliment.'

She laughs as a drink is placed in front of her and she twirls it around lightly before looking at him.

'So you're here- in LA?'

Nodding he answers her unspoken question, 'I'm on a book tour. Los Angeles is my fourth stop.'

Her eyes widen and she says (almost completely subconsciously) 'Luke! That's great.'

Peyton's enthusiasm is clear and Lucas feels his heart swell.

'So you got over the writer's block then?'

'With a little help.' He responds cryptically, taking a sip of his beer and Peyton's left wondering what he means.

'How's Tree Hill?'

'Same old, same old.' He shrugs, 'Brooke is going simply crazy without you… seriously.'

Peyton laughs and rolls her eyes, 'She tells me to come home at least twice a week.'

He nods his head with a smile and looks on as she watches her hand twirl her glass around, the liquid swirling. They catch eyes when she looks back up and almost instantaneously Peyton clears her throat and asks how Jamie and Lydia are.

They fall into conversation easily, talking about their ensemble of friends and loved ones, both of them thrilled with Brooke and Julian's news. They fall silent as the conversation comes to a natural end sometime later and Peyton can't help but ask the inevitable question.

'What're you doing here Luke?'

'I told you…'

'A book tour, right.' Peyton nodded, 'But why are you here- in this bar, talking to me?'

'Because we're friends.' Lucas said without thinking and he watches as Peyton nods her head, a sad smile on her face.

'Right.' She places her glass on the bar and stands, 'Well it was nice catching up friend, but I should be getting back.'

'Peyton.' He sighs and stands as she turns away from him. He grabs her elbow and says, 'Let me walk you home.'

She hesitates for a second but then relents and nods her head.

They walk mostly in silence, both unsure of what to say and when she halts at the bottom of some steps on the sidewalk, he knows he's reached her apartment- far too quickly for his liking. He shuffles awkwardly and they stand for a few seconds before Peyton speaks.

'So, this is me.'

'Right.' Lucas says nodding. He rubs his chin, trying to think of anything that he could possibly say. He's a writer and yet he doesn't have a clue what to say. He doesn't want her to leave. He doesn't want to not talk to her for months. He watches as she fiddles with her keys,

'Bye Luke.' She says finally and he nods. She looks at him for a moment before turning her back on him.

She's half way up the steps before his brain snaps back into function.

'I came back for you.' He says loudly and her figure halts on the steps. 'I- I knew you were here and I couldn't be in this city knowing you were here without seeing you. I needed to see you.'

She turns her head, her eyes catch his and he goes blank again. For a writer he has never been particularly good with words in front of Peyton Sawyer. He rubs the back of his neck as he gathers his thoughts and says after a beat, 'Do you want to go to dinner tomorrow?'

Lucas' eyes meet hers tentatively and her eyebrows have risen. He can almost see her brain thinking over the idea. Finally she smiles a little and gives him a small nod; she turns around and walks up the remaining stairs.

At the door she turns and calls back down to him.

'Pick me up at 8.'

And he's left grinning like an idiot.

Take all the time lost
All the days that I cost
Take what I took and
Give it back to you

He spends unusually long picking out his shirt for the evening and he rolls his eyes at his own indecision. He knows he's being stupid, after everything he and Peyton had gone through in the last ten years she wasn't going to care about the colour of his shirt. But somehow he cared, somehow it mattered.

Finally picking something that made him feel slightly less nervous; he picked up his wallet and hotel room key before proceeding out of the building and to Peyton's apartment.

She spent a lot longer than usual deciding what to wear. She didn't know whether their meeting was formal, informal, as friends or more of a date. Whenever she thought of the date side of it she felt butterflies and she scolded herself several times. It was Lucas, for god's sake. They'd known each other so long that she doubted he'd notice what she was wearing. But at the same time, it was Lucas. The man she'd been hopelessly in love with since she was sixteen years old and too young to comprehend her feelings.

The door went just as she picked up her necklace. Her heart leapt into her throat as she went to answer it.

Standing on the other side was Lucas, looking impossibly handsome. Lucas couldn't help but stare, he hadn't seen her in so long and he knew she was beautiful but… she still took his breath away.

'You look great.' He said politely, thinking that if he said what he really thought things could get a little awkward.

'Likewise.' She returned with a smile. 'Would you mind?' She asked then, holding up her necklace.

He took it from her with a smile and she turned around, sweeping her hair to one side. He stepped closer and looped the chain around her neck. His hands shook as he fiddled with the clasp. Her skin was soft and she smelt incredible. Peyton closed her eyes at his proximity as his fingers brushed against her neck.

'All done.' He said softly.

She turned around and met his eyes. The intensity of his gaze made her clear her throat and she said, 'Right, where are we off to?'

He shook his head slightly, as if trying to rid his thoughts, and smiled before leading her out of her apartment.

All this time
We were waiting for each other
All this time
I was waiting for you

They're walking the same route they did the night before but this time they're laughing at something or another. The night had honestly been the best Lucas had had in a while. They'd reminisced, they'd talked, they'd flirted, they'd laughed. It had been perfect and he didn't want it to end. They reached Peyton's apartment all too soon for him and they stopped on the same steps as they had twenty four hours ago.

'This has been-' Peyton said but couldn't seem to find the right word and so Lucas stepped in with a smile.

'Amazing?'

'Yes. That.' She agreed with a laugh. 'I've missed talking to you.'

Lucas nodded his head with a smile, 'Me too. I mean, we kind of lost each other for a while, hopefully that's over, right?'

A memory stirred deep in the recesses of her mind and she smiled softly before nodding her head. 'It's always gonna be there isn't it?'

'You and me?' He smiled, 'I hope so.' He added, catching her eyes with his own. They stared at each other and her eyes sparkled in the semi-darkness, he couldn't help it as he stepped forward. Her breath hitched and he hesitated as their eyes met once more. His hand encased her cheek and she leaned into it instinctively letting her eyes flutter shut. His breathing accelerated as he looked at her and when she opened her eyes again he gave her one look before pressing his lips against hers softly.

His lips were soft and tentative upon hers and she responded immediately. Her stomach did a backflip and suddenly she felt as though she was on fire, opening her mouth marginally he took the advantage to deepen their kiss and she very nearly groaned.

The world around them ceased to exist as they held onto each other tightly, relishing being in each other's arms again. They broke apart breathing heavily, Lucas' arms around her waist, her palms flat against his chest. They looked at each other again and Lucas couldn't help but smile,

'Do you have skype?'

She frowned at the randomness of the question before letting out a small chuckle, 'Yeah, why?'

'I'm off tomorrow on the next leg of the tour, but you should expect a video chat from me soon.'

'Right.' She said with a small laugh.

He withdrew his hands from her hips before saying in a crisp voice, 'We should do this again.'

She couldn't stop her laughter at his antics before saying with a mischievous smile, 'You don't feel like a night cap?'

He took in her look, a look he'd seen plenty of times before, and he groaned his insides twisting in anticipation.

'On the first date? Shocking.' He mocked and her laughter was like music to her ears.

'So this was a date, huh?'

'The first of many, if you'll have me.' He said with a slight hint of arrogance. She scoffed and turned away but he pulled her back by her wrist. He caught her gaze and smiled at the blush on her cheeks, 'I'll be seeing you Peyton Sawyer.'

He leaned forward and kissed her lips once, giving her a confident smile before turning in the opposite direction and walking away from her. She watched him go and then walked, in a daze, up the stairs and into her apartment. She allowed the smile and small squeal to exit her mouth only when she was lying in bed thinking over the night's events half an hour later.

She couldn't help thinking this was the start of something entirely new.

We got all these words
Can't waste them on another
So I'm straight in a straight line
Running back to you

Two months went by since the couple of days they spent in Los Angeles and contrary to the previous months Lucas had never felt days go by so slowly. However two days ago he finished his book tour and returned for the holidays to Tree Hill, it was the day before Christmas Eve and as soon as he'd seen his family he was glad to be home. The only thing that was missing for him was a certain blonde, a blonde who was putting a smile on his face daily.

Those days in Los Angeles marked a significant change in Lucas and Peyton. They began to rebuild their relationship. Gone were the months of silence and uncertainty, now they were talking almost every day- a simple text, a phone call here or there.

And they'd discovered that skype was probably the best thing ever.

He was happy, he was hopeful and he was standing in Tree Hill airport practically unable to contain his nerves and excitement at seeing Peyton Sawyer again.

He stood up from the seat in the arrivals lounge and paced a little bit, shoving his hands into his pockets. He guessed it was somehow meant to be if he was feeling nervous now, ten years later after everything they'd already shared and been through.

His eyes scanned the area waiting for the flash of blonde hair.

Picking her suitcase up off the carousel she stopped right before the doors to the arrivals. Excusing herself from the people leaving with a smile she took a few moments to compose herself.

She wasn't stupid; this week back in Tree Hill was make or break time for her and Lucas.

They'd been getting to know each other again slowly for the last eight weeks and it had been nice. She hadn't been lying when she said it was good to talk to him again. It had been halfway through December when Nathan had asked whether she was coming back to Tree Hill for Christmas, she honestly didn't know so she'd told him so. The next day Haley had asked, the day after that Jamie and the one after that she'd gotten a skype call from the whole Scott family, little Lydia included. Brooke had also told her categorically that if she didn't come back then her child would not have a godmother.

But it was when Lucas had casually told her that she should come home for Christmas that she actually went and booked a flight. Subconsciously she was waiting for him.

Subconsciously she'd always been waiting for him.

Taking a deep breath she started walking again. They noticed each other at practically the same time, blue met green and they stood still across the room looking at each other. Then Lucas' lips unfurled into a grin and Peyton smiled back. After that he'd crossed the room in a couple of strides and wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace. She held onto him with a small sigh of relief, a smile still fixed firmly on her lips.

'I've missed you.' He said into her hair.

She pulled away to look at him and with a smile she whispered, 'I've missed you too.'

With their eyes locked he leaned forward a little bit and her breath hitched. He hesitated slightly, wondering whether he was okay to kiss her. He'd kissed her months ago in LA, they'd been talking incessantly since but he didn't know what it all meant. He wanted to kiss her and he wanted to be with her.

That's all he was certain of.

She surprised him by kissing him first, closing the small distance between them and letting her lips brush against his. He smiled against her mouth and pulled her closer, his hand cupping her cheek and deepening the kiss slightly. Just enough to make their hearts race.

They broke apart and Lucas fixed her with a grin, kissing her lips once more before picking up her bag.

'Let's get you home.'

And then he weaved their fingers together as he lead them out of the airport and all she could think was that she was already home.

With him, she was home.

Hear me say
All this time
We were waiting for each other
All this time

I was waiting for you

We got all these words
Can't waste them on another
So I'm straight in a straight line
Running back to you

That Christmas marked the beginning of something both Lucas and Peyton had wanted in varying states of denial since they were sixteen years old. Christmas day was nothing short of perfect, making Peyton's heart ache slightly.

They'd just had Christmas dinner and looking around the room she'd felt her chest tighten and thought she was going to burst into tears, she'd turned to her right and found Lucas' eyes on hers as they sat next to each other at the table. The smile he gave her was warm and his eyes were sparkling and, like they had so many times in the past, it made her stomach flip. She returned his smile and shifted her eyes, watching Lily and Jamie shovelling down their food. Nathan was telling Jamie to slow down, Haley sat next to him multi-tasking and feeding herself as well as Lydia who was still only young and was dropping most of the food down herself. Karen sat opposite her, Andy next to her and Julian next to him. Brooke, and her ever expanding stomach sat next to Peyton and with a jolt to the heart she realised that she didn't want to live in LA anymore.

These people were her family and she wanted to be around them. Her eyes shifted to Lucas again and she couldn't help but smile as he laughed at something Nathan said.

Lucas was her family and she didn't want to be without him anymore either.

A hand on the small of her back made her jump slightly but the reassuring smile of the man she loved settling next to her by the window put her at ease.

'We're going for a walk.'

Her heart fluttered as they walked back into the living room, she smiled as she saw that most of the adults were dozing on the various chairs around the room. Lucas motioned to Andy (the only one awake) and pointed to the door and Andy nodded, knowing that he was in charge of the kids.

Putting on their coats Lucas opened the front door and they stepped outside, the cold air momentarily surprising them after the warmth in the house. Lucas took her hand in his and they walked along. They walked mostly in silence, until they subconsciously made their way to the river court.

'You know, I always feel like I have my life's biggest moments on this court.' Lucas mused with a smile.

'I know what you mean.' Peyton said with a small smile, remembering the countless moments she and Lucas had shared on this court throughout their complicated history.

Lucas pulled her by the hand towards him, his hands falling to her hips. Taking in her nostalgic look he smiled, 'This court reminds me of us.'

Peyton smiled at him, 'The good and the bad.'

'We've shared a lot here.' He said with a nod and he looked like he was thinking.

'These past few months have been great, you know that right?' Lucas asked pulling away and Peyton looked up at him with a small smile and nodded.

'I've enjoyed talking to you again and I've enjoyed kissing you again.' She laughed at that and he held her a little tighter with a grin.

'Likewise.' She said softly.

'Really?' He asked and she nodded her confirmation. He smiled and slipped his hands from her hips to around her waist, 'So what would you say if I asked you to be my girlfriend officially?'

She laughed at the boyish smile on his face, tentative but true, his eyes shining as he looked down at her. She was going to come back with a witty sarcastic comment about how his request was years late but as she looked at him she realised that none of it mattered anymore.

She wanted to be with him and he wanted to be with her. That's all that mattered.

'Sure.'

'Good.' He replied, nonchalance dancing around his lips but his eyes giving away the happiness he felt at finally having her to himself. She kissed him then, her hands tugging him closer by his jacket.

'So I was thinking…' She began when he pulled away, 'If, hypothetically, I was to move back to Tree Hill and carry on the label here, what would you think?'

He swore his heart nearly burst out of his chest. He had a million things to say but he finally settled on the absolute truth.

'I think that nothing would make me happier.'

'Yeah?' She asked with a smile that didn't quite hide her vulnerability and he marvelled at her inability to see how much he loved her.

'I love you.' He said and everything went still. All she saw was Lucas and all she felt were his arms around her. 'I mean I know we've been an official couple for about two minutes but I don't care- I'm in love with you and-'

Peyton laughed before pressing a finger to his lips, effectively cutting off his ramblings, 'I love you too.'

And his smile spoke volumes.

After so many years they were finally on the same page.

Running back to you
Running back to you
To get to where you are


So here's part 2... hope you enjoyed! Thank you for all of your lovely reviews, it's nice to see people are still reading oth and especially Lucas and Peyton stories. I hope I realistically portrayed the fall out from their affair, let me know what you thought!

Part 3 will be the end of the story..!