A/N: So here is the second chapter. I hope you enjoy it. There is a part of this chapter that is kind of M material, I hope that doesn't offend anyone but I tried to keep it as PG as I could.
Disclaimer: I own no parts of OTH or their characters. I own my ideas, with the help of lucasnpeyton4ever of course. I don't own any of the songs either.
Several Ways to Die Trying
3 months pass and Peyton has been attending weekly AA meetings. She has been leaning on Karen a lot and tries to keep her distance from Lucas but he keeps popping up.
Peyton walks into Lucas and Karen's house.
"Knock knock" Peyton says as she rounds the corner.
Karen smiles at the other brooding blonde she has a soft spot for. "Hey Peyton, how are you feeling?"
"Better. I wanted to thank you though"
"For what" She says looking at her curiously.
"For being there for me you didn't have to stay I know you have a wonderful life, traveling the world and everything."
"Can I tell you a secret?" Karen says in all honesty.
"Yea sure"
"All the time I was away I missed this. I missed being able to see my family. Lily should grow up around the people who love her."
Peyton gets teary eyed. "If I haven't told you already she is beautiful. I can see a lot of Keith's spirit in her."
"Yea me too"
"I really missed having a mother figure to talk to."
"You know," Karen scoots her chair close to Peyton and tucks a stray curl behind Peyton's ear. She then cradles her face with both her hands. Peyton tears start to fall from her face. As Karen speaks she wipes tears from Peyton's face with her thumbs.
"I consider you as one of my own. You are going to be alright. I am not going anywhere; we will get thru this together Peyton Sawyer."
"Thank you I really needed to hear that. I really—" Karen kisses her on the forehead and hugs her tightly rubbing her back.
After a few minutes of silence Peyton speaks, "I am sorry for dropping all of this on you. It's just lately I feel like all I do is cause trouble. I am always watching my back waiting for Ian to come and get me."
"You aren't alone Peyton. Why won't you let Luke help you?"
She shrugs, "I think in some way he has resentment toward me for the whole Lindsey thing."
Karen shakes her head. "Peyton you let him go. You didn't do anything wrong. He wrote the book not you. Now I love my boy I really do but he isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. He makes a lot of careless decisions to hide his vulnerability."
Peyton chuckles at Karen's bluntness, "I am just—"
"Don't worry it will be alright." She nods. Peyton looks over to the sink and sees that it is full of dishes.
"Oh I am sorry you were in the middle of something. Let me at least help you with those."
"You don't have to Peyton."
"I know and that is why I want to."
"Okay I have to go check on Lily anyway." Karen walks upstairs and Peyton walks over to the sink and starts to wash dishes. As she is doing this she starts to think of happier days. She starts to breathe heavily and tears stream down her face but she keeps washing dishes. As she washes the last dish and is putting it in the dishwasher the door opens.
"Mom I'm home" Lucas calls out.
Peyton quickly dries her hands and tries to calm down and wipe her tears but they keep coming.
"Uh she went to check on Lily." She points up the stairs, her voice betraying her and cracking.
"Peyton what's wrong?" He says walking toward her.
Peyton shakes her head, "Uh I got to go. See you around." He stands in front of the door blocking her from leaving.
"Peyton would you just stop. Look at yourself, calm down." He says rubbing her arms trying to calm her down.
She jerks back from his touch. "Lucas I will be fine. Please let me by."
He doesn't move and this makes her cry harder.
"Lucas I need to go." She tries to run to the front door but he grabs her arm and holds her tight.
"Shh Peyton it will be okay just—"
"No it wont just—let me go. I need to get out of here. I can't be—" Karen walks in and sees them standing there. Luke looks at her in confusion. He mouths "what is going on?" Karen sighs and walks upstairs.
"Peyton sit down, please." She does as he asks as he grabs some tissue and hands it to her. She is starting to calm down but she hangs her head.
"Okay I am calm can I go now?"
Lucas folds his arms over his chest. "Not until you talk to me. You have been avoiding me. We haven't talked since—well you know. What did I do?"
"Nothing. I just can't do this."
FLASHBACK TWO WEEKS AGO
Peyton has just walked in from her AA meeting. She was tired and emotionally spent. She makes a burger and takes it into her room. Brooke has gone out with Owen so the house is empty. She sits on her bed and eats while she listens to Mia's album. Peyton is in her pajamas and is finally getting relaxed then there is a knock on the door.
Peyton groans "Uh I knew it was too good to be true." She walks to the door and opens it.
"What are you doing here?"
Lucas shuffles his fee, his hands stuffed in his pockets. "I came to see how you were. I—"
"I'm fine" Peyton stands there waiting for him to say something.
"Uh are you going to invite me in?"
Peyton sighs, "Oh sorry, it's been a long day, come on in." She steps to the side to let him get by.
Lucas comes in and closes and locks the door behind him. Not thinking she walks back into her room and sits on her bed. Lucas follows her but is hesitant to enter her room.
"Look if you want to talk then come in I won't bite."
Lucas comes in and looks around. He sees a few pictures he has seen before and then his eyes are drawn to one picture. It is the ocean but there is a heart drawn in the sand. The second part shows the water rising to wash it away and the third one the water has fallen and the bottom of the heart is still there. On the side there is a spot that is smeared.
"Ahem"
Lucas snaps up and looks at her, "Oh well I just wanted to see how you were holding up. I was worried about you."
"I am fine really. Lucas what are you really here for?"
"Well I just wanted to talk to you."
"Okay so"
"Well" Lucas sits next to her on the bed.
"Alright I am listening"
Lucas looks at his hands folded in his lap. "I never thanked you."
"For what"
"For not interfering and giving Lindsey a chance"
Peyton nods then shrugs, "I told you I would. And I am sorry that things happened the way they did."
"Yea well, what is meant to be will be" He says softly
"What do you mean by that?" She says completely oblivious to what he was getting at.
"I mean what is meant to be will be." He says looking deep into her eyes.
"Peyton do you remember that night in your office, when, we kissed?"
"Yea—wait Lucas don't" He leans in and kisses her passionately. Peyton pulls back and looks at him in shock.
"Lucas please I can't. You can't."
Lucas looks into her eyes, "Why? There is nothing in our way now."
"Lucas it's not right"
Lucas kisses her again and this time Peyton cannot control herself. They start passing kisses. Lucas starts to kiss her face then down her neck to her collarbone. He starts to unbutton her shirt and pushes her back on the bed. He is straddling her. He holds her hands to the bed and kisses her stomach.
He whispers in her ear: "God Peyton I missed you. I missed your scent your touch everything."
She stops him and sits up. "You have to go."
"No, I am not going anywhere. Stop fighting. Just go with what your heart is telling you." Peyton jumps off and stands by the closet.
"Lucas, I want you—so bad but I can't take disappointment." She says shaking her head.
He walks up to her and grabs her face. "Don't worry about anything but this moment."
"But I can—" Lucas kisses her with everything in him. He picks her up and puts her on the bed.
He lays he back and kisses her on every piece of exposed skin then connects their lips. She moans into his mouth as their tongues dance. He breaks the kiss to pull his shirt over his head. He pushes her tank top up and kisses her stomach then right about her hips letting his tongue taste the exposed skin which makes her tremble.
He pushes down her sleep shorts and is amazed that she has no panties on. He growls and gets even harder.
"Peyton tell me to stop and I will" He says looking up at her and she opens her mouth to speak but her shoves a finger into her slick, wet center.
All that comes out is a moan as she throws her head back. He bends his head down to taste her, his tongue flicking her clit as his finger skillfully twists and turns inside of her. His movements stop and he looks at her.
She looks down but his voice stops her, "Tell me to stop and we can right here."
She looks at him for a second and then says, "Don't stop."
He smiles and shoves two fingers into her center causing her to scream as he removes his fingers and inserts his tongue and her hips buck, urging him deeper insider of her, moments later she screams 'oh God' and has her first orgasm.
He licks his lips smirks and connects their lips so she can taste herself on his tongue. "Let me show you how much you mean to me." He whispers huskily as he sheds the rest of her clothes as well as his and enters her slowly. They both groan as their bodies join as one.
Hours later they are lying under the covers, covered in sweat and Peyton isn't sure what to think. She grabs her clothes and runs out the door. She gets in her car and starts to drive. She doesn't know where she will end up but she knows that she can't go back home until the morning.
Lucas wakes up and sees that Peyton has left so he gathers his things along with the drawing he was looking at and goes home.
END OF FLASHBACK
"Why did you run?" Lucas asks
"I—I don't know. I mean you were only concerned with "the moment" but what about after that moment? What about the time after that? What did you want from me?"
Lucas pounded the table. "Damn it Peyton you, that's it, YOU!" He shouted pain clearly in his voice.
Peyton rolls her eyes, "Yea this sounds all too familiar. Last time I heard a speech like that I was left the next morning with no word."
"Yea but this time is different."
"Why"
"Because it is" He says standing
Peyton laughs cynically, "Well you are going to have to give me something more. Because I can't go thru that heartache for a third time"
Lucas shrugs and runs his hand through his hair. "I may be a writer but when it comes to you I don't have the words."
"Lucas you can say all you want but you need to show me."
"I am trying to but you won't let me." He pleads
"I won't let you, really? Is that what you think?" She says calmly, scaring Lucas. "Told you, I came back you and that I came back for you, that I want to marry you and what do you do?" She pauses looking at him, "You kiss me, yes I kissed you first but looked at me, God you looked me right in the eyes and kissed me back. Then you go and propose to her." Peyton cannot speak her name because it still hurts too much.Peyton stands up and walks to the door.
"Peyton, PEYTON please don't walk out on me." He calls after her.
She stops and turns her head as she turns the knob, "No that is your move right? Well at least you are awake for this one."
"Peyton don't"
"I have to because I may say some things you don't want to hear." She slams the door behind her and Lucas sits there for a second and then follows after her. He catches her as she is speeding off.
Lucas gets in his car and follows her. She ends up at her office. He watches her go in and waits for he light to go on. He parks next to her car and sits with his thoughts.
xxxxxxxxxxx
Peyton turns on the light in her office and is startled at what she sees. It's Ian and he is going thru her drawers.
"Looks like I came to the right place." Ian says.
"Ian—uh hi."
Ian scoffs, "Well aren't you being a little too nice. Last time we talked you were a little less cordial."
"I was just surprised to see you." She says stepping back toward the door.
"That is funny I though I would be seeing you sooner."
Peyton is not surprised at his calm demeanor. She is just waiting for him to make his move.
"Why are you so tense? I am just here to talk to my good friend." He moves over to her and strokes her hair. She jumps and he steps back. Peyton has her phone in her hand behind her back. She takes it out and dials it. She is not sure who she is calling but she is trying to get someone.
"What are you doing?"
Peyton smiles, "No—Nothing"
"What the hell?" He grabs her hand and sees her phone. He back hands her across her face and she falls to the couch.
xxxxxxxxxxx
Lucas is in the parking lot talking to himself. He is trying to get the right words as his phone rings.
"Hello?"
"Lucas? Where are you?" Brooke says.
"Outside of Tric why"
Brooke starts to panic. "Is Peyton with you?"
xxxxxxxxxxx
Back in Peyton's office
Peyton is lying on the couch holding her cheek. "Oh this is going to be easier than I thought."
Ian punches her in the nose and it starts to bleed.
"Ian, you don't want to hurt me. Come on we can just get away from it all. Come on baby." She says seductively
Ian smirks. "Really, you really want to go?"
Peyton nods smirking, "Of course I was just wasting my time with that boy Lucas. I need a real man like you." Peyton sits up and kisses him and Ian moans in delight. He pushes her back to the couch and she hits her head on the back of it.
"No, hell no I believed you before and you stabbed me. Now it's my turn." He takes a knife out of his back pocket and starts to look at it and play with it.
"Oh Peyton, we could have been so happy together but you just—" He jumps on top of her, straddling her and she cannot move. He raises the knife over his head and brings it down into her shoulder.
Peyton screams in agony and Ian laughs. He pulls it out and Peyton screams again.
"I told you, if I can't have you no one can or will" He shouts
xxxxxxxxxxx
Back in the parking lot
Lucas is still on the phone, "She is in her office. I am sitting right outside."
"Oh my God, I think that Ian is up there." Brooke shouts.
"What?" Lucas is still on the phone and he gets out of the car and closes the door in effort not to bring attention to himself.
"How do you know?" He says frantically.
"She called me and he grabbed the phone from her. I already called Nathan and he should be getting there any minute. OH MY GOD LUCAS!! OH MY—"
Lucas shouts to her, "Brooke calm down everything will be okay, there is Nate now we are going to get her I will call you back."
xxxxxxxxxxx
Cut to Peyton's office.
Ian is still on top of a bleeding Peyton. She has a black eye; her jaw has a bruise on it and both her shoulders are bleeding and bruised as well.
"See I didn't want to do this to you but you are forcing my hand. We could have been happy."
Peyton mumbles, "Ian please, we can still be happy. Just don't do this" She begs
Ian shouts. "IT'S TOO LATE. YOU BROKE MY HEART, I LOVE YOU PEYTON AND THIS IS WHY I AM DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU."
He takes the knife above his head one last time and brings it down right in her stomach.
"IAN NO! PLEASE, I—" Just as Ian is about to twist it Nathan and Lucas come running in and knock him off of her. Peyton slides off the couch with the knife still in her stomach. There is blood everywhere.
"Oh my God, Peyton no, stay with me I am not going to loose you again. Stay awake." Lucas says rushing to her side and places her head in his lap.
Peyton whispers, "Lucas, I—It's cold." Nathan is pounding on Ian as he lies there taking every blow.
"You are too late. She is going to die." He says laughing hysterically.
"Shut your fucking mouth she is going to be fine but you not so much." Nathan says connecting with his jaw again.
Lucas is crying uncontrollably.
Peyton whispers again, "Stop crying you big baby." She says chuckling which turned into a cough
"Peyton, you have to hold on, for me." He pleads through tears
"I am trying but—"
'There shouldnt be this much blood.' He thinks as he tries to hide his worry.
"No buts, you are going to live I need you." Peyton uses all of her strength to reach up her hand and cup his cheek. He leans into her touch as she tries to smile through the pain, her blood stained teeth making Lucas cringe.
Nathan has Ian and he starts to walk outside. "Brooke called the police. They are here. I will tell them she is up here."
Nathan takes Ian to the police and tells the ambulance about Peyton. Within couple of minutes Peyton is on a stretcher. Lucas rides in the ambulance. Haley and Brooke watch in horror at the sight of their friend. Brooke sees Peyton and buries her head in Owen chest.
"Oh God please let her be okay."
When the ambulance finally arrives at the hospital, Peyton has passed out. She is rushed to the emergency room and Lucas plays the waiting game. Minutes later Karen, Andy, Lily, Brooke, Nathan, Haley, Jamie, Skillz, Mouth, Millicent and Owen come running in looking for Lucas.
Brooke is the first to speak, "Have they told you anything yet?"
Lucas has his head in his hands. He shakes his head no. "I should have been there sooner. I should have followed her in there. I was right there, I—"
"Lucas you couldn't have known that Ian was going to do something like this. He has been out for weeks and he just chose tonight. No one could have known." Haley says trying her best to comfort her best friend.
"I told her I would protect her and I couldn't even do that." He says with tears burning his eyes.
"Come on dog, you didn't know how sick dude was." Skillz chimes in.
"Come on kids lets go see what kind of games they have." Andy says trying to usher the kids towards the play room.
Jamie and Lily walk up to Lucas. "Uncle Lucas, don't be sad okay."
"I will try buddy."
"Yea Luke, please stop crying." Lily says.
Lucas sits up and tries to put his best smile on. "Okay better"
Jamie and Lily, Much!!
Andy takes them to the hospital play room. As soon as they are out of sight Lucas slumps back over. Brooke sits next to him and tries to hold his hand but when she reaches for him, he snatches his hand away.
"I am sorry I just—" He gets up and walks over to the vending machine. He looks at his shirt and jeans and sees blood all over himself. He covered his face, slammed his fist against the wall and fell to the floor.
Karen went to the nurse's station and tried to find out any information.
"Excuse me miss? A friend of mine was just brought in and I was just wondering if you heard anything."
"What is their name?"
"Peyton Sawyer" Karen asks nicely.
"I am sorry but I cannot give you any information unless you are family."
"She has no blood relatives here. I—I'm the closest thing to a mother she has and you are telling me that you cannot give out any information because of a damn technicality?" Haley walks over to where Karen is standing and tries to get her to calm down.
"Karen please, this isn't making it any easier. Brooke called Derek and Larry. They should be here any minute."
Karen looks back at the nurse. "Well this little girl should—"
"Karen I know please we have to wait." Haley says pulling Karen back toward the waiting area.