HJS-NS-23- Hey guys thank you so much to all those who reviewed the first part of this! I'm really trying to show myself that I can write other couples besides Naley so thank you for everyone who is reviewing and favoriting this. The song is It's Your Love by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. This song was picked out by Brittney for Brooke and Julian. BIG thanks to Allie for beta'ing this and just always being there whenever I need it and Heather for helping me when I wasn't sure of my Leyton writing. Enjoy and I can't wait to see what everyone thinks of Owen after this chapter ;o) Oh I am also co-writing a story with LPfan4ever in memory of our friend Haley. It's called Forgive Me For My Lies and can be found under my favorite stories. Part 3 will be uploaded soon! Enjoy and please review and I will give you chocolate chip cookies! :o)

Dancin' in the dark
Middle of the night
Takin' your heart
And holdin' it tight

Jake looked at Peyton and smiled as she smiled back at him waiting until it was her turn to sing.

Emotional touch
Touchin' my skin
And askin' you to do
What you've been doin'
all over again

Lucas felt a bubble of jealousy in his stomach as he thought of someone else touching Peyton. He hadn't known her that long…okay five seconds maybe, but he felt drawn to her.

Oh, it's a beautiful thing
Don't think I can keep it all in
I just gotta let you know
What it is that won't let me go

Peyton gripped the microphone as she turned her body towards Jake's getting ready to sing the chorus with him.

It's your love
It just does somethin' to me
It sends a shock right through me
I can't get enough
And if you wonder
About the spell I'm under
Oh It's your love

Peyton's eyes were locked with Jake as they sang and she knew as soon as she saw Owen later that night he would accuse her of sleeping with Jake because of how they were singing this love song. Owen couldn't believe that Peyton could be friends with all these guys and they didn't want to sleep with her, especially since he knew that, in high school, Peyton and Jake had dated for a year before mutually parting ways. Jake continued singing as Peyton stopped knowing this was his stanza.

Better than I was
More than I am
And all of this happened
By takin' your hand

As he sung Jake grabbed her hand and gently held it as he winked at her.

And who I am now
Is who I wanted to be

Peyton looked at Brooke and Julian as they swayed on the dance floor and joined Jake in singing the next part.

And now that we're together
I'm stronger than ever
I'm happy and free

Peyton waited for her turn to start singing again as Jake sang to her.

Oh, it's a beautiful thing
Don't think I can keep it all in, no
And if you asked me why I changed
All I gotta do is say your sweet name

Peyton smiled knowing that Brooke had changed Julian before letting her eyes drift over to Lucas and smiled as he watched her sing, her heart racing as he stared at her.

It's your love
It just does somethin' to me
It sends a shock right through me
I can't get enough
And if you wonder
About the spell I'm under
It's your love
Oh, baby
Oh, it's a beautiful thing
Don't think I can keep it all in
I just gotta let you know
What it is that won't let me go

Jake turned towards her more as he sang the last stanza by himself before their final chorus together.

It's your love
It just does somethin' to me
It sends a shock right through me

Peyton interjected her voice matching his as they stared at each other and Jake continued to hold her hand.

I can't get enough
And if you wonder
About the spell I'm underIt's your love
It's your love
It's your love

Wow they must really be in loveLucas though bitterly watching the two serenade each other with the music and lyrics.

Peyton and Jake stood on the stage as everyone applauded. Jake dropped her hand and the two walked off stage, Jake whispering in her ear that everyone probably thought they were having sex now as she laughed knowing that was probably true and all the gossip that would be going around the club the next day because of their little performance.

As soon as they got off the stage Peyton hugged Jake and told him she would see him later before she made her way back to Brooke and Julian.

"P. Sawyer," Brooke gushed running to give the blonde a hug. "Thank you! I loved the song."

"No prob B. Davis," Peyton said smiling as Julian pulled Peyton in a hug after Brooke released her. Lucas just stood there watching them as he wondered why she didn't bring her boyfriend over with her.

"You did good Sawyer," Julian told her approvingly as she rolled her eyes.

"Like I needed your approval," Said Peyton as she put a hand on her hip.

"Of course you did," Julian said smirking as she playfully glared at him.

"Are you sure you really want to put up with him for the rest of your life?" Peyton asked jutting her thumb towards Julian.

"Why she's keeping you as a best friend isn't she? I'm not half as bad as you are," Julian told her.

"Fuck you," Peyton said sticking out her tongue at him.

"Sorry only Brooke…you had your chance and you blew it." Julian told her as she glared at him.

"Oh, I am so heartbroken I missed my chance…" Peyton said sarcastically as Brooke watched in amusement knowing that nothing but friendship flowed between the two.

"It's okay, no one can resist," Julian said cockily as Peyton raised an eyebrow.

"What resist throwing up on you?" Peyton asked cheekily.

Julian glared as Lucas moved to stand next to Brooke. "Are they always like this?" He asked entertained.

"About 99 percent of the time," Brooke replied back, used to their sibling bickering.

"Good to know," Lucas said putting his hands across his chest and watching the two trying to stare the other down.

Julian started making faces, which made Peyton start laughing and the staring contest was over.

Lucas just looked at them questionably as Peyton shrugged her shoulders. "He's a pain in the ass. I don't know why I put up with him," Peyton said smiling before it hardened as she watched her boyfriend make his way towards the group.

"Peyton can I talk to you?" Owen asked his voice strained as Lucas looked back and forth at the two people confused.

"Go ahead," Peyton said waving her hand for him to talk.

"Alone," He demanded as Brooke latched onto Julian's arm as he was shooting daggers at the bartender.

"No, she's having some drinks with us and we are talking," Julian told him as Lucas stood next to Julian knowing that he might have to hold him back.

"Stay out of this," Owen growled. "Peyton," Owen said his eyes telling her to come with him as he held out his hand to her.

Peyton looked around the club and saw that they were attracting some attention and rolling her eyes slapped away his hand and gave Julian a hug whispering in his ear she would be okay, before moving to Brooke and giving her a hug also. She then held out her hand for Lucas to shake as Lucas felt his skin on fire with the hateful glare he was receiving from the dark haired man. When Lucas grasped her tiny hand he felt a spark of electricity shoot up his arm as he stared at her green eyes wondering if she felt it too.

Peyton felt the spark, but ignored it as she rolled her eyes hearing her boyfriend clearing his throat; he is so damn possessive sometimes, she thought to herself before turning and looking at him and walking towards one of the exits as he followed her out.

She grabbed the door and slammed it open the cold air hitting her skin as she turned around and glared at him.

"What?" She asked crossing her arms over her chest.

"Why the hell were you and Jake up there looking like a couple?" Owen roared.

Peyton didn't even flinch expecting his anger. "Because it was a couples song…you know for my BEST friends who are getting married," Peyton yelled back in exasperation.

"I thought you weren't going to sing anymore?" Owen questioned.

"I never said that," Peyton said narrowing her eyes and dropping her voice. "You told me you didn't want me to sing and I said go fuck yourself. I love singing, I'm not going to quit just 'cause you want me to," Peyton told him.

Owen stared at her. "I thought you cared for me," he told her trying to use the guilt card.

"Oh, grow up! It's not like I'm cheating on you." Peyton told him.

"You're not?" Owen questioned as Peyton felt her temper go up. "It sure didn't look that way with Jake on stage or your little admirer by Julian," Owen told her trying to control his rage.

"It was a couple's song! And that was Julian's best friend! "Nothing is going on…and it's not like you don't have any little tramps coming over to the bar spilling out of their shirts and do I think you are cheating? No, because I know better. You know, I don't know why you can't trust me. I'm not fucking around on you, but I am sick of this. Goodnight Owen," Peyton told him curtly walking to her comet and getting in blaring her music as she knew Owen hated it and sped out of the parking lot leaving him to stew and suffer.

---

Julian, Brooke and Lucas were sitting at the booth talking. Lucas could see Julian kept looking out the corner of his eye at the exit Peyton and that guy had gone out.

"So, who was that guy?" Lucas asked curiously.

"That was Peyton's asshole boyfriend," Julian said making his hand into a fist, before Brooke put her hand over it and he relaxed intertwining their fingers as she gave him a smile.

"I thought she was dating that guy who was on stage with her." Lucas said trying not to show too much curiosity.

"Who Jake? No, we've known Jake since high school. I mean they dated in high school, but they decided they were better off as friends. He's actually dating the model Rachel Gatina," Brooke told him, her eyes twinkling as she smiled knowingly.

"Oh," Lucas said not really knowing what else to say. "Does he always treat her that way?" Lucas questioned not being able to stop himself.

"Most of the time," Julian said glaring at Owen walking back to the bar as he waited for Peyton to walk through the doors. She had been out there for 15 minutes with Owen and he was a little worried. As far as he knew Owen had never hit her, but with her temper and his, you never know when he was going to snap.

"I'll be right back," Julian told them as he stalked to the bar.

"Where is she?" He growled not needing to say her name.

"She left," Owen said shortly before going back to a woman in a skin tight red dress and flirting with her to get her drink.

Julian felt his temper flare and slammed his fist on the table before walking back to the booth.

"I'm going to go. Peyton left and usually she winds up at our house when she fights with him," Julian said distastefully as his eyes shown anger.

"Baby, I will come with," Brooke said as she looked apologetic at Lucas before standing up.

"Actually I'm tired too. I think I will head back home with you guys…if you don't mind," Lucas said downing the rest of his beer.

The trio left and got into Julian's car, the ride back to the house in silence before they tumbled out when they got home.

"Hey, I am going to take a walk on the beach," Lucas told them pointing his hand in the direction before walking away.

"You think we should call her?" Julian asked scared for his friend.

"No, she's probably pissed. I will make sure we have ice cream and tissues for when she comes over. I think she's going to want to have a girl's night," Brooke told him as Julian wrapped his arm around her waist and they went inside their home.

---

Peyton was on her way to Brooke's and Julian's when she remembered that Lucas was staying with them, not wanting to burden them she pulled into the parking lot of the beach by their house and got out and walked along the shoreline stretching her legs until she found a secluded spot and sat down. Watching the wave's crash on the shore calming her down almost instantly.

Peyton crooked her head to look behind her to look at Brooke and Julian's house, and saw that their car was in the driveway. Sighing deeply she let her gaze linger. She really wanted to talk to them, but she didn't want to have to share her problems with Lucas too. He shouldn't have to deal with her asshole of a boyfriend. He hadn't known her nearly as long as Brooke and Julian have.

Lucas saw a woman turn her head and in the bright moonlight he saw she had curls. It's Peyton, he thought, not really knowing if that was true and making his way to the woman. If it wasn't Peyton maybe this person just needed to talk to a stranger about their problems.

The closer he got to the woman the more he felt a magnetic pull. Just when he was right next to her, he looked down and saw it was Peyton. Without saying a word he sat down to her right and smiled before looking out in the water.

"Sorry I just kinda left," she told him not looking his way.

"It's okay. I figured you weren't up to partying after you talked to that guy." Lucas said staring at the water.

"He's an ass," Peyton told him looking over and shrugging her shoulder as she did.

"Why are you with him then?" Lucas asked curiously looking at her.

"Sometimes I don't know," she answered honestly.

"You wanna talk about it?" Lucas asked not wanting to pry, but the curiosity was killing him.

Peyton looked at him. Really looked at him and sighed. A part of her really wanted to tell him how she hated Owen some days and that the reason she stayed with him was because she was afraid to be alone. She wanted to tell him she liked to sing before she met Owen, but him telling her she shouldn't sing anymore gave her a thrill that she was disobeying him. She wanted to tell him that she felt bad that Julian and Brooke always had to take care of her after a fight with Owen. She wanted to open up to him and that scared the shit out of her.

Instead of blurting all that she gave him a half smile and muttered "I'll survive," trying to hold back the tears threatening to fall.

"You shouldn't have to try," Lucas told her as she looked at him.

"Yeah," she whispered.

"You deserve better you know," Lucas told her as she looked at him in surprise before nodding her head.

Not knowing what else to say she whispered "yeah," and let it go.

Lucas could tell she needed a hug and so he held out his arms and she looked at him before wrapping her arms around him and hugging him to her.

Peyton didn't know why, but the moment he moved his arm out to her she practically threw herself on him, not being able to stop herself and held on like he would disappear. She couldn't believe she was so comfortable with him.

Lucas held her and closed his eyes, silently smelling her hair that smelled like strawberries.

He held her for a while as she tried to stop herself from crying and remember that she had a boyfriend she eased out his arms.

"Sorry, I'm such a girl," she told him as a tear escaped her eye and she brushed it away.

"Well, I'm just glad you weren't a guy with that kind of hug," he told her jokingly as she rolled her eyes but cracked a smile.

"Tell me about you," Peyton demanded needing to get away from the drama that was her relationship with Owen.

"What do you want to know?" Lucas asked.

"Everything," she told him staring back in the water, the stars and moon the only light out.

"Well, I have a half brother named Nathan, who's married to my best friend Haley." Lucas started before Peyton turned and interrupted him.

"Scott, right?" Peyton questioned as Lucas looked at her intriguingly. "And they have a son named um…Jamie right?" Peyton asked her eyes sparkling in the night.

"Yeah. How'd you know?" Lucas questioned.

"I met them when they came out to LA and had dinner with Julian and Brooke. Jamie is so cute! And wow Haley can sing. I would love to do a duet with her and Nathan cracked me up," Peyton rambled as Lucas smiled. This girl is perfect he thought to himself.

"Well, then I guess I don't have to tell you more about them," Lucas joked bumping shoulders with her. "I have a half sister named Lily and she's 4 and my mom raised her."

"Is she Nathan's sister too then?" Peyton asked not remembering Nathan saying he had a younger sister.

"No, it's a long story." Lucas told her.

"I have time," she told him not wanting to go home to her empty apartment.

Lucas looked at her before launching into his story. Telling her about his mom and Uncle Keith and Dan and about how he became an author and all about his life as she listened intently and offered some comforting words when she heard his uncle was killed by his father.

The two stayed up all night talking and after Lucas was done telling her his life story he questioned her. She told him about her mom dying when she was seven, and her father never being home while living on a drudging boat and how when she was in high school she found out she was adopted and her birth mother died of cancer and she found out she had a half-brother. She told him everything. Stuff she had never told another soul and some stuff that only Brooke knew, besides him now. They talked until they were tired and laid on the sand and watched the stars. Making up names for different shapes in the sky until they fell asleep.

Peyton woke up, the sun heating her skin and she nestled into her pillow, moving her face so it would block out the lights, except this pillow was a little harder than she was used to. Slowly opening her eyes she sees her head is resting on Lucas' torso, his arm wrapped around her. She laid and watched him sleep for a second before she wiggled out of his embrace. Her heart broke as she realized he was everything she ever wanted, but he could never want someone with as many issues as she had, and she had Owen. She knelt and thought about waking him up, but she didn't know what she would say, so she just left. Gently kissing his cheek, before she walked to her car to leave and go home, a few stray tears running down her cheeks.