Lucas Scott tugged at his tie. It was hot and he was uncomfortable. Sweat visibly stained the armpits of his own light blue shirt so taking off his jacket was impossible. A few people passed by and looked at his tie frowning but he just smiled. With its Disney characters, it was the last piece of attire expected to be worn by a famous novelist to an important meeting with the publishers but Lucas didn't care. In fact, he was proud. It was a gift from one of the most special people in his life and that person had insisted he wear it for luck and Lucas needed all the luck he could get.

He had always been a writer ever since he could remember. A sweet but painfully shy kid, he had used his overactive imagination to create colorful, short stories. His single mother, Karen, had been his only audience and biggest fan for the longest time but eventually he had branched out to his sarcastic but lovable best friend, Haley James. But writing wasn't his only passion. He also loved to read. He was a fan of literature and often used famous quotes from the great literary geniuses in his daily journals.

His life had changed the most his junior year of high school. That was the year he finally got to know his "other" family, the father, step mother and half brother that lived comfortably across town. It was the year he left the River Court and became a Raven. It was the year he fell in love with two best friends. It was the year he learned he had inherited a potentially life threatening heart condition from his father. It was the year Nathan and Haley got married. It was the year that changed everything for everyone.

Brooke Davis was the fun, flirty, pretty cheer co captain with the cute dimples and hot body. Their relationship was based on fun and sex and had eventually grown to more but a cloud had forever been cast over them. Her name was Peyton Elizabeth Sawyer and she was the girl he had loved ever since he had first seen her in school freshman year. Undeniable chemistry had brought them together but bad timing had torn them apart on numerous occasions. Eventually they had settled as friends but Lucas had been forced to revisit his feelings the day one of his former friends, Jimmy Edwards, brought a gun to school. Peyton had been trapped inside the building and with little regard for his own safety, Lucas had busted through the doors of danger to save her. His heroism had saved her life and limb and thus created and even stronger bond. It was months before they would act on it, months before she would confess her love and he would return it the night the Ravens became champions.

She had stood by him through thick and thin. Together they had shared good times and bad. He had held her as she cried over her mothers and brother. He had protected her from a psychotic stalker. In turn she had comforted him about his father and consoled him when that very father callously took the life of his beloved uncle Keith. Months after the school shooting Dan Scott, mayor and town entrepreneur had turned himself in to police for second degree murder. It was Lucas who had discovered the truth and confronted his father in front of his mother, the woman Dan had previously abandoned, the woman he was now wooing once more, the woman pregnant with Keith Scott's daughter. The commotion and shock had contributed to a medical condition and Karen, life in the balance, had been rushed to the hospital.

At the end of the day he graduated from high school, his mother was alive but in a coma, he had a brand new baby sister, a brand new namesake baby nephew courtesy of Nathan and Haley, an uncle in a grave and a father behind bars. Through it all, it was Peyton by his side, his confidante and love, the one who had kissed his tears away. Weeks later his talented artist girlfriend had accepted an internship at a record label across the country. It was Lucas who had wished her well and encouraged her. He had seen her off at the airport, flown out for surprise romantic visits, called and e-mailed twice a day and sent tender, passionate handwritten love notes every week. But time and distance eventually took its toll until their union was no more. Still the love remained.

Lucas hadn't spent the college years idly twisting his thumbs. He had thrown himself into academics. He had also joined his old high school coach, Whitey Durham, as assistant coach to the Cobras, his college's basketball team, starring none other than Mr. 23 himself, Nathan Scott. Lucas had moved in with his brother and sister in law and had helped raised baby Jamie. He also began writing An Unkindness of Ravens.

It was autobiographical chronicling his lifetime of ups and downs, triumph and tragedy. It was a tale about heartbreak and happiness. It was about life. But mostly it was about a girl. His words had been epic and straight from the heart. "Peyton Sawyer is destined for greatness. Actually,she's already great, because Peyton Sawyer has a thing called integrity, and nothing and no one is ever going to change that."That was what he felt about her, how he would always feel. He also wrote about the night of the state championship, the night that had changed his whole life for so many reaons, "Suddenly it was as if the roar of the crowd, the echo of the final buzzers, the cheers of my teammates were all sounding from one thousand miles away and what remained in that bizarre, muffled silence was only Peyton. The girl whose art, passion, and beauty had changed my life. In that moment, my triumph was not a state championship, but simple clarity. The realization that we had always been meant for each other and every instinct to the contrary had simply been a denial of the following truth…I was now and would always be in love with Peyton Sawyer."

Haley had found a contest for unpublished author's and had encouraged him to enter his first three chapters. On a whim, he had and that whim had led to a book deal with a major publisher. Success came overnight and suddenly everyone wanted a piece of Lucas Scott. At the age of 20, he had published his first novel which quickly climbed to the top of the best seller list. His first big book signing happened to be in Los Angeles and he had invited his muse, the one person he wanted by his side when all his dreams came true. But she hadn't made it and it had devastated him. It also provided another moment of clarity. Lucas knew in his heart that he and Peyton would always love each other but the romantic and physical relationship was over. It was time to move on.

After college graduation, Lucas had moved back to Tree Hill into the house he had grown up in. He took a job coaching the Raven's varsity basketball team and began work on his second book. He also continued looking after Jamie and Haley as a tragic accident had resulted in the end of Nathan's hopes for a pro basketball career. When Brooke and Peyton had moved back home as well, once again the old gang was back together and friendships had picked up where they had left off. Always Peyton's biggest fan, Lucas had helped her with office space for her own label and the two had settled into a close, platonic relationship. He had become a mentor to his athletes, leader of his crew, protector of Haley and Jamie, guiding light to his troubled younger brother. And he had also found love again.

That morning of the meeting he had been nervous so Haley and Jamie had come over to make him breakfast and wish him well. He had enjoyed a pancake with bacon for a smiley face and little Jamie had given him the Disney tie for luck. But it would take much more than Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck to help Lucas out. The first book had been easy. He'd had nothing to prove. The words just flowed, almost writing themselves. He had been inspired and had had something to say. Most of all, there had been no pressure. Now he had experienced greatness and they wanted, expected him to be better than he was before. Friends, family, publishers, editors, agents were constantly breathing down his neck and the million dollar question was, when would the next book be finished?

"Mr. Scott, they are ready to see you now," the receptionist informed him.

Clearing his throat, Lucas Scott walked right into the lion's den.

"Good morning," he nodded as they returned his greeting.

"It's good to see you again, Luke," Mark Harris, the publishing company's vice president of marketing shook his hand.

"Likewise, man."

"So. I have invited other members here from the board because let's face it, we're excited about your work."

"You are?" Lucas raised an eyebrow.

"Of course we are. An Unkindness of Ravens was magic. It was genius. The plot, the words…it touched a whole audience. You're a damned good writer with fresh ideas that sell. Our company went to great lengths promoting your novel and we want to do the same with your sophomore effort. We have faith in you."

"Thanks guys. It means a lot. I appreciate it."

"Now tell us. We are planning to release an excerpt of your latest work so if we could just go over the synopsis…"

Lucas tried to keep his cool as blue eyes desperately darted over to his editor for help. Her name was Lindsey Strauss and she was a tall and elegant no nonsense beauty, full of class and talent. She had been with Lucas since the beginning, one of his biggest supporters on his first project. She had also been his main encourager on his second book. Reluctantly she had agreed to the meeting with the publishers on Lucas' promise that he'd have something to present. She had been away on business in New York for a week and now crunch time had arrived.

"I, um, I…Miss Strauss and I discussed this and I don't really have anything ready at this time," Lucas meekly offered.

Mark laughed out loud.

"You're kidding, right?"

"I…"

"What Mr. Scott is trying to say is, we need an extension on our deadline," Lindsey spoke up. "While we support and appreciate your time and efforts to make this second novel a success, at this time we are not ready to make a presentation."

"Then what was the point of this meeting and when will you be ready?"

"Excellent questions. We request respectfully a three month extension and I assure you that Mr. Scott is diligently working on his book. I have read his first chapter and it is absolutely amazing, as expected. The point of this meeting is to have a round table open discussion on creativity, marketing, promotion, etc."

"Lindsey…" Mark began.

She gave him a look and instantly he quieted. Though young, the 27 year old was good at what she did and was fast building a highly regarded and respected reputation within the publishing business. He liked her but more importantly he trusted her. If she said the new book was gold, then it was. And besides, she wasn't bad to look at either.

"Gentlemen, shall we begin?"

The meeting continued without a hitch. Future plans were discussed and it ended with handshakes and pats on the back. At least for another three months, Lucas could breathe again.

"That was incredible," he said once they were alone in the parking lot. "You are incredible, you know that?"

"And you're an ass," she shot back.

"Lindsey…"

"Lucas, you put me on the spot in that meeting. You promised me you'd have something to present. I trusted you and I vouched for you and you left me hanging. I put my integrity on the line for you."

"I know, I…"

"I lied for you in there. I risked my career. I said I read your first chapter, a first chapter, by the way, you still haven't written yet.

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry isn't good enough, not this time. I hate to be a hard ass but something has to give. We are adults and we are professionals. We have deadlines. This is the real world, Lucas. You have to come up with something and it has to be good. It has to be great, excellent."

"It will be. I just need more time, Lindsey. You know me. This writer's block thing is a bitch. It's really kicking my ass."

She softened a bit, sympathizing with his struggle.

"I know but eventually you're gonna have to get over it."

"I know. I will. I'm trying."

"I know you are. You are a raw talent, Lucas Scott and I believe in you. I know what you can do, I've seen it. The world has seen it. Now you just have to back it up. That may seem like a lot of pressure but the words are in you. You just have to get them out somehow."

"You're right. I appreciate it."

"I told them your first chapter was amazing and it damn well better be."

"It will."

"It better," she repeated.

"So," he gave her a small smile. "Does this mean I'm forgiven or are you still mad at me?"

Lindsey frowned.

"You think that pouty bottom lip and baby seal eyes are going to work on your editor?"

"No," he grinned. "But they usually work on my girlfriend."

"I'm going home," she stated, leaving him alone for a few seconds. "You coming?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

"Lindsey your editor could still skin you alive but as Lindsey your girlfriend, after a full body massage, I'll say we can call it a truce."

"You drive a very hard bargain, my dear."

He and Lindsey had started out strictly as professionals but late and long nights had turned to close friendship. Eventually they had become lovers and then fallen in love. After he graduated college she had moved to North Carolina to be with her five years younger boyfriend and with the exception of the stress of the second novel, all had been bliss.

"Lucas, I hate coming down on you, you know that, but this is important."

"I know. And I hate putting you in that position. I already have some new ideas and I'm gonna focus more on the writing. I promise."

"I love you," she leaned in for a kiss.

He held her in his arms. She was a wonderful woman and had come into his life and made everything better at a time when he really needed it. Little Jamie had wished him luck and it had come after all.

"I love you, too, Linds."