A/N: I'm really glad that some of you are liking the direction that I'm taking with this story. It's a confidence booster! I'm going to try and keep my updates frequent and thorough because those are the best ones to read! Once again, Peyton and Lucas don't know each other yet. They have never met. I just wanted that to be clear. Anyway, here's the next chapter! I hope you like it. Be sure to review when you're finished. I love to read them.

Chapter 2- Taking A Toll

It had been a week since Lucas had been in that horrible situation at the bank. Frank's funeral was held four days ago, but Lucas hadn't shed one tear. It was all still too unbelievable to even be true. Frank was someone close to him. It just didn't seem fair that he could be taken away so cruelly.

Lucas' childhood home was now full of brown cardboard boxes with all of his items that he would be taking with him. He decided to enter this Witness Protection Program so that he could somehow protect the people he loved the most. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but now he wasn't so sure. To Lucas, it felt as though he was running away from his problems, and he was only trying to save himself. But Detective Johnson insisted that he was protecting everyone around him by entering the program.

It did seem quite strange that his name would no longer be Lucas anymore. Today, he would go meet with the detective, the others from the program, and his new body guard. He still didn't see the point in a body guard. If he was already changing his name and moving away from his home, what was the purpose of her?

"I still can't believe this is happening," Lucas' younger brother Nathan said in disbelief.

Lucas sighed. "Yeah, me either. It just seems like my world changed in a matter of not even fifteen minutes. It is just really unreal. I don't think it's all fully set in yet. One minute I'm heading to practice, the next I'm entering the Witness Protection Program because of some crazy psychos."

Nathan nodded his head. "I'm going to miss you."

"We both are."

Haley James Scott. That was Lucas' best friend since he was a child. They had been through everything together. Good times and bad.

Lucas' smiled toward the doorway of his home where she stood. "I'm going to miss you both too."

Haley took a seat on the couch next to her husband. "Did they even say where they were sending you? Or what your new name is going to be?" Haley asked obviously concerned about her best friend.

Lucas shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "No, I don't know anything yet. I'm finding that all out today when I go over to the police station. I'm going to meet my body guard too," Lucas said smiling slightly at the idea of him having someone follow him around and watch his every move to make sure that he was as safe as possible.

"Did you say something earlier about it being a woman?" Nathan asked curiously.

Lucas nodded. "Yeah. Crazy right? How the hell is a woman supposed to be able to protect me from two 200 pound men? But Detective Johnson insists that she is the best that he has."

Haley squinted her eyes toward both Nathan and Lucas. "Why is it so hard to believe that a woman can be a body guard?"

Nathan and Lucas laughed lightly in unison. Haley just shook her head.

Lucas stood up and walked toward the window. He stared at the police car that remained parked outside of his house. They were supposed to be here twenty four hours a day until Lucas was permanently put in the program. "You know, I still don't understand how you two aren't freaking out yet. I mean you guys are endangered, too. It's not just me."

Haley smiled. "I love that you're concerned, but how can we be scared when we have four police cars parked outside of our house, too. We're going to be fine so stop worrying. You should be more concerned about yourself. You're the most unsafe out of any of us. We'll be okay," Haley said getting off of the couch to stand next to Lucas. She hugged him quickly and kissed his cheek.

Lucas smirked. "I still can't believe this is happening. It's just so out of no where. I would have never seen this coming."

"None of us saw it coming," Nathan said. "But life is full of surprises, and obviously some of them can be extremely painful and frightening. But in the end, everything will turn out okay. I know it will."

Lucas nodded. "Thanks Nate."

"Anytime big brother," Nathan said leaning against the back of the couch that would be left behind.

Lucas caught sight of the digital clock that rested on the carpet in the living room. It was 4:05 p.m. He had to be at the police station at 4:30. He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I have to get going you guys."

"Right now?" Haley asked upset. "Are you leaving straight from there?"

Lucas shook his head. "Don't worry. I'll get the chance to say goodbye to everyone. I promise. Besides, this will all be over before you know it. And then I'll get to come home, and we'll go back to the way things used to be."

Nathan slowly nodded his head realizing that things would never be the same. That their lives would be forever changed no matter what the outcome turned out to be.

Haley smiled sadly. "You'll call us when you get back?"

Lucas nodded. "Yeah. First thing."

"Okay. We love you," she said pulling Lucas in for another hug.

Lucas wrapped his arms around his friend. "I love you guys too."

Without another word, the married couple walked out of the house that would remain empty for an unknown amount of time. Lucas took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly. "What did I get myself into?" he said to no one in particular.

Lucas walked to his car and watched as the cop in his vehicle started his engine almost immediately. Lucas looked away and drove to the police station where he would be ambushed with safety regulations and rules. It was too much too soon.

He still didn't understand why these men wanted to kill him for a simple game. It just didn't make any sense that people would do this for pleasure or just out of spite. It was sick and cruel. Revenge had crossed Lucas' mind several times, but he didn't want to become involved with the police on the other side of the situation. It was easier to be the good guy.

He arrived at the station and walked to the counter with an officer following closely behind him. "Hi, um, I'm here to see Detective Johnson. I have a meeting with him and a few others," Lucas said to the bald elderly man in front of a computer.

The man suddenly tore his eyes away from the computer and stared Lucas up and down. "Ah, yes. You're Lucas Scott, right?"

Lucas nodded. "Yeah, that's me."

The man got up from his stool and walked to the front of the counter. He was very tall when he stood up. Perhaps, about 6'4''. "Follow me," the man said waving his hand. "Greg, you can stay here," he said motioning to the officer that was once outside of Lucas' house.

Lucas followed the tall man down a narrow hallway that seemed to get darker as they traveled further into it. The two entered a bright room that was at the end of the narrow strip. It was a huge room. Lucas would have never thought that a room this big would have been able to fit in the Tree Hill Police Station. It always looked so small from the outside. Inside, the room held at least fifty men in formal clothing. Lucas felt like he stood out compared to the others. The men varied in size; some were 6 feet tall and others looked about 4 feet tall.

The bald man at the counter that led him to this room quickly shut the door behind him and left. Lucas looked as all the men in the room stopped talking once they spotted Lucas. He was the center of attention, the opening act. Every eye was on him. It started to make Lucas feel like an animal in the zoo that everyone was waiting to see.

One of the men spoke. "Mr. Scott, please have a seat," he said pointing to an over sized leather chair that surrounded a rectangular, cherry meeting table.

Lucas obeyed and sat next to an officer who looked slightly overweight but looked very proper, like he was going to teach him a valuable lesson.

Across the room, Lucas spotted Detective Johnson and suddenly felt relieved that he at least knew one person in the room. No one was speaking for a couple of seconds. There were a few subtle whispers, but nothing that was directed toward Lucas.

Then someone finally brought words to the table. "Hello, Mr. Scott. Thank you for joining us on such short notice.We are all with the Federal Witness Protection Program. I'm Dave Fitzpatrick. We're here to discuss your dangerous situation, and what we intend to do about it. Now, as you've probably already been told your name will be changed, you will be relocated to a different state, you'll receive a new I.D., passport, driver's license, and a great deal more." Dave stood up from his chair and looked around the room for a few seconds.

Lucas nodded. "Yes, I'm aware of that. I was told the night of the bank robbery."

"Were you also told that you will receive a body guard who is there for yours and your family's safety and protection?" Dave asked looking toward Detective Johnson.

Lucas followed his gaze. "Yes. Detective Johnson informed me about all of this. He's been keeping me up to date about what will eventually and could potentially happen. I'm aware of pretty much everything," Lucas stated coolly.

Dave and some of the other men nodded. "Good. We would like to discuss the-"

Whatever Dave was about to say was interrupted, by a soft, but frantic voice. "I am so sorry that I'm late. There was an accident down the road, and they weren't letting anyone through. I hope I didn't miss too much."

The woman barged through the door with such haste and apologized frequently. Lucas eyed the astoundingly gorgeous lady. She wore a short black skirt that showed off her toned, long legs with a white short-sleeve button up that accentuated her curves. Tall heels clung to her feet, enhancing her tall height. She was statuesque with an elegant figure similar to a model's. She had blond hair that had somewhat of a wave to it. It wasn't perfectly straight but it wasn't curly either. It trailed down to her upper back while her eyes were like two stunning emeralds. It was obvious that she was a woman with beauty, class, and determination.

All the men in the room worshipped her figure with discreet glances that only a man would be able to notice what the other was doing. Lucas chuckled quietly at the others. Although, he couldn't deny that the woman was absolutely stunning.

Dave smiled. "That's alright Ms. Sawyer. We were just getting started," Dave said, his voice deep but kind. He motioned to a chair that was three away from Lucas. "Please have a seat, and we'll really get started." Dave took a deep breath. "Now, where was I?"

Lucas spoke. "You wanted to discuss something with me."

The woman stared toward Lucas curiously. She smiled as a friendly gesture when she noticed that he had been staring toward her too. Lucas couldn't help but wonder who she was.

"Oh, yes. Thank you Lucas." Dave began once again. "Well, your body guard is going to be Peyton Sawyer. I can assure you that she is one of the best there is out there," Dave said pointing toward the woman who had walked in slightly late.

Lucas laughed in disbelief. This was the woman that was supposed to protect him. Lucas thought that he could break one of her fragile arms as if it was a tooth pick. Honestly, he was expecting a heavy woman with a bob haircut and dark skin. Instead, he got a beautiful woman who looked like someone that should be in magazines.

Dave smiled. "I was expecting that reaction, but let me tell you something. Don't underestimate her. She's the best that I have."

Lucas looked toward Peyton once again and noticed that she had a somewhat angry expression on her face. It was from the sarcastic laugh that Lucas displayed when he heard that she was his body guard. Lucas stared at her apologetically. She looked away from his captivating gaze back toward Dave Fitzpatrick.

"Now, Peyton. I'm going to need you to give your undivided attention to Lucas. You're going to have to watch his every move and you're going to have to anticipate his next step. These psychos plan on messing with his mind before they kill him so he needs to be in your sight twenty four hours a day, seven days a week," Dave said seriously.

Peyton looked a bit puzzled. "How will I watch him all the time if I'm not living with him?"

Dave spoke. "Well, you're going to have to live with him. We've got others watching his family and friends so none of them get killed. Now, if they can't get to his family, then they are going to go straight to Lucas. They're going to hunt him down. You need to be there," Dave stressed.

Peyton nodded in agreement.

Lucas seemed confused. "Wait, she's going to have live with me?"

"It's for your safety, Mr. Scott," Detective Johnson spoke.

"Yes, I understand that, but this is so dangerous that I can never leave her sight?" Lucas asked while leaning forward against the table.

This time another man spoke. "From what you've told Detective Johnson, yes. We are taking matters like these very serious. It's our duty to make sure that the people that enter this program are safe. Don't you want safety and protection?" he challenged.

Lucas couldn't argue with that. "I guess you're right."

Dave nodded. "I'm glad you understand the circumstances. We have your new name and identification cards here in this folder." Dave passed an orange folder across the table toward Lucas.

Lucas accepted the folder and opened it hesitantly. Inside, there was a new passport, I.D.'s, a birth certificate, a new driver's license, and a key. Lucas assumed the key would be for his new home. All of these items were under the name Scott Madison.

"Scott Madison?" Lucas questioned.

Dave nodded his head. "Yes, that will be your new name. We can't risk these men finding you."

Lucas nodded. "And where will I be relocated to?"

"We put a lot of thought into this, and we came to the decision that New York City is the best place for you. It's a huge city where it's harder to find someone. You'll be living in an apartment suitable for both you and Peyton," Dave explained.

Lucas glanced at Peyton who seemed to be extremely calm about the whole situation. She was moving in with a stranger, but yet she showed no fear. It was surprisingly shocking to Lucas.

Peyton cleared her throat and spoke. "When will we be leaving?"

Detective Johnson and Dave spoke in unison. "Tonight."

This time Peyton seemed slightly astonished. "How will that be possible?"

"Someone is packing your items onto a moving truck as we speak; both of your belongings. Some of your items will have to be left behind though. I hope you both understand that it's necessary. We can't have them follow your path," Dave spoke seriously.

Both Lucas and Peyton nodded.

Lucas had a million questions floating around in his head that needed to be answered. "How long will I be in this program?" he asked.

Dave sighed. "It could be just a few weeks or it could be twenty years. We have to keep you in it until we are sure that you, your family, and your friends are perfectly safe. That may not happen until we catch the people who are posing threats against you."

Twenty years? Lucas was in complete shock. This seemed so unbelievable. This had to be a bad dream that he was having. He needed to wake up somehow. It was as if he was being dragged under water and couldn't reach the surface no matter how badly he wanted to.

"I really am sorry about all of this Lucas, but it's for the best," Dave said apologetically.

Lucas nodded. "I understand." He paused before asking yet another question. "What time will I leave tonight?"

Dave looked at his watch. "Right now, it is 5:00. You'll need to be out of your house by 6:00 so you can catch your flight on time which will be at 7:30."

Lucas spoke quickly. "Will I get to say goodbye to my family?"

Dave looked toward Detective Johnson and then back at Lucas. "You'll have to make it quickly. We need to get you out of Tree Hill as soon as possible."

Lucas closed his eyes in frustration.

Dave turned toward Peyton. "Will you be able to go to Lucas' home tonight to help him prepare, and perhaps we can give the officers a break from staying outside of his house?"

Peyton nodded. "Sure. I'd be happy too."

"Alright, then we're finished here. If you have any questions at all, there are emergency numbers in that folder that you can call. There also will be instructions waiting for you when you arrive at your new apartment. Don't forget about those. Understood?" Dave asked.

Peyton and Lucas both nodded.

"Good. We wish you the best Lucas," Dave said turning away. "Oh, one more thing! You can not tell your family or friends where you are being relocated or what your new name is. That could put you in serious danger."

"Okay," Lucas said getting up from his chair.

He began to charge out of the door and down the hallway when he felt someone else's presence following closely behind him. Lucas began to become annoyed. Was it really necessary that he have this woman follow him around all the time?

"Look, I know this is a little hard for you, but they're just trying to keep you safe. These men just robbed a bank and killed someone that was close to you. All they want to do is help," Peyton said keeping up with Lucas' quick pace. Her voice was soft and comforting, almost like an angels.

Lucas stopped abruptly and stared at her, like he was examinging for further use. He couldn't believe how beautiful this person was. Staring at her made him forget that he was going to start yelling at her. Peyton stared back at him confused. "You don't know what I'm going through right now," Lucas stated calmly, keeping his voice low.

Peyton nodded. "I know. But other people do. Other people that I've helped, and now I'm going to help you. I may not fit the image of your average body guard, but I can promise you that I won't let anything happen to you. I'm going to do whatever it takes to make sure that you remain safe. It's my job," Peyton said slightly smiling.

Lucas couldn't help, but smile back. It was as if her personality was contagious. "I know. It's just...I'm going through a lot right now. It's still a lot for me to process. Everything just happened so fast. I can't seem to keep up with it."

She nodded her head in agreement. "It's hard, I know it is, and it's going to get harder. But ypu have to remain strong for the sake or your family."

He ran his hand against the back of his neck nervously. "I know. It's just overwhelming."

Peyton reached forward and rubbed his shoulder lightly. "Everything's going to be okay."

Lucas could feel her soft touch through the material of his shirt. A surge of electricity ran through him. "Thanks."

"Anytime," she said as both of them began to walk out the doors of the station. They both walked to their cars, but before they got in, Peyton spoke. "I'm going to follow you okay?"

"Alright," Lucas said already used to the fact of other officers following him.

--

Lucas opened the door to his house that he would soon no longer be in his use. He sighed as he entered, with Peyton following closely behind him. Lucas looked around the empty home. All of his boxes that he had packed up were now gone and probably being loaded onto the plane that they would be on in a few hours. The only thing that was left behind were his couches, his coffee table, and a few photo albums. He guessed that he wouldn't be able to take any pictures with him.

Peyton stared at the blank walls. "Your house is beautiful, even with out all the furniture."

Lucas looked back at the blond who observed the room. "Thank you."

She shrugged her shoulders. "Sure."

Lucas remembered that he had promised to call Nathan and Haley once he got back from the station. He reached into his pocket for his cell phone and began to dial their house number. "Will you excuse me for just a minute?"

Peyton nodded. "Of course."

Lucas listened as the phone rang twice before someone picked it up.

"Hello?" a small voice said in through the phone.

Lucas smiled. "Hey, Jamie. What are you doing answering the phone?"

"Mama said that I could!"

Lucas laughed. "Well, let me talk to your mom, okay?"

"Kay! Hang on. Lemme call her. MAMA!" Jamie screamed into the phone. "UNCLE LUCAS IS ON THE PHONE!

Lucas jerked his head away from the loud noise. Peyton turned her head toward Lucas and laughed quietly as she heard the little voice through the phone.

"Hey Luke. How'd it go?" Haley's sweet voice asked.

Lucas sighed. "Actually, I'm leaving tonight in like 45 minutes," he replied sadly.

Lucas didn't have to see Haley to know that the expression on her face held complete shock. "What? Where are you going? Are we going to be able to contact you at all? Why are you leaving so soon?" Haley began to ask frantically.

"I'm sorry, Hales. I'm not supposed to give out any information about where I'm going to be held," Lucas said apologetically.

"Are you kidding me?!" she asked clearly somewhat pissed off. "Is this some kind of joke? You can't even talk to your own family?"

He shook his head, "Nope, all true. Well, listen you guys can come over before I have to leave."

"Yeah. We'll be there. Do you want me to call Skills and Mouth to let them know?" Haley asked.

Lucas nodded. "Yeah. Call them too."

"Alright we'll be over in a couple of minutes. See you soon."

With that, Lucas hung up the phone. He noticed as Peyton sifted through a couple of photo albums that would also be left behind. He felt a sting of sadness run through him at the thought of not seeing his family.

Lucas walked toward her and stared at the woman that would be risking her own life to save him. "Can I ask you something?" Peyton looked up at him and nodded. "Why are you doing this? Why are you putting yourself in danger just so you can protect me? It just doesn't make sense."

Peyton shrugged her shoulders. "It may not make sense to you, but it does to me." she paused before speaking again. "I love the idea of protecting someone from something or someone that could hurt them." Peyton smiled a little. "I guess I just like being a certain kind of hero, ya know?"

Lucas cocked his head to the side. "And you're willing to leave your family and friends behind?"

She nodded her head. "Yeah. I am. I've done it before for others."

He rubbed the back of his neck. "I feel bad."

"Why?" she asked, setting the album back down on the floor.

"Because I'm taking you from who you are," Lucas replied simply.

She shook her head. "No you're not. It's what I choose to do so don't feel bad about it. In all honesty, this is who I am."

Lucas and Peyton's conversation was interrupted when the sound of voices came from the front door. The people that he would be leaving behind walked through the door; Haley, Nathan, Jamie, Mouth, and Skills. Lucas noticed Haley had tears in her eyes and some of them were streaming down the sides of her face. He rushed to hug her and tell her that everything was going to be okay.

"We're going to miss you," Haley said, her words muffled against his shoulder.

"I'll miss you, too, Hales," Lucas rubbed her back gently as she cried.

Peyton watched the heart wrenching moment. She had never seen someone care so much for a friend. It was a beautifully, heart breaking moment. She prayed that this would be over soon so that he could come back home to the people that he loved the most.

They all took turns saying good bye to Lucas. Each time they all hugged, it became harder for Lucas to leave them behind.

Lucas looked back toward Peyton standing off to the side, suddenly feeling rude for not introducing her. "Oh, you guys. This is Peyton, my body guard. Peyton this is my brother Nathan, my best friend Haley, their son Jamie, my friends Skills and Mouth," Lucas said pointing to each one specifically.

Peyton smiled. "Hi. Nice to meet you all." Her fabulous smile soon faded. "I'm truly very sorry about what's happening."

Everyone smiled and mumbled a simple thanks.

The look on Nathan, Skills, and Mouth's face showed confusion mixed with awe. Lucas could tell what they were thinking. He had thought the exact same thing: How was this outragiously beautiful woman supposed to me his body guard? All three men nodded in approval of her though. Lucas smirked secretly.

Peyton caught sight of the clock, and she nudged toward Lucas. "We have to get going if we want to make the flight."

Lucas nodded and said one last goodbye to the family that he loved. He looked toward Nathan. "Do me a favor and don't let my mom know any of this. I don't want her to become scared and then cut her trip early. Okay?"

Nathan nodded. "You got it. We're going to miss you."

Lucas smiled sadly. "I'll miss you guys too. Be safe."

"We will," Jamie stated proudly.

With that, Lucas watched as his family walked out the door they had came in less than ten minutes ago. He hoped that he would see them soon.

Peyton tapped Lucas' shoulder lightly. "It's going to be okay."

"Thanks. Aren't you going to say goodbye to your family?" Lucas asked.

She shook her head. "No, they already know that I'm leaving."

"Oh," was all he said.

Peyton sighed. "Are you ready to go?" she asked.

He nodded. "Yeah. Let's go."

A/N: So what did you think? Leave a review and let me know how I'm doing. Don't hesitate to be brutally honest. I'm good with constructive critism. It makes me want to be better!

Up Next: Peyton and Lucas enter their apartment in New York City and find more out about eachother!