Peyton cautiously wandered into the kitchen after Lucas left. Brooke was still there and Peyton had caught bits of their fight. Peyton could tell Brooke was upset because she was cleaning the kitchen roughly, slamming pots and pans everywhere. Peyton slipped onto a bar stool. Brooke caught her eye. "You had to open your mouth didn't you?", she snapped. Peyton looked down. "I'm sorry, Brooke". "I got jealous and possessive and I freaked". "This isn't going to work if you're going to be tattle-telling to Lucas", Brooke growled. Peyton glared at her. "Tattle-telling? What are we, five?". "that's what I wanna know", Brooke argued. "I was having a conversation with my fiancé", Peyton snapped. "I wasn't tattle-telling". "Well, you might wanna first clear things up with me before you clear them up with other people". "Don't bring people into this that don't belong". We're Best friends, Peyton. And Best friends tell each other things", Brooke said. Peyton raised an eyebrow. Brooke groaned. "We were seventeen!". "You won, anyway. Get over it". Peyton rolled her eyes. "Now he's a prize you win?", she snapped. Brooke sighed. "you're just misinterpreting me left and right, aren't you?", she said. Peyton threw her hands up. "Brooke I didn't come here to fight". "So then keep your mouth shut if you didn't come here to fight", Brooke yelled. Peyton couldn't believe Brooke was getting so worked up. "I'm sorry I upset you Brooke". "You know, I was going to do this gradually because I didn't want my best friend to think I was abandoning her. However I officially don't care anymore". Have a nice life!", Peyton yelled. She grabbed her bag she had packed, and slammed the front door shut.

Scott House

Haley had just gotten Jamie into bed when the phone rang. "Hello? Hi Lindsey". "Lunch on Friday?". "Sure, sounds great". I have to go to the studio for a couple of hours, though. Can I meet you at the restaurant?. I don't think that's a good idea. Oh? He told you?. All right. Fine. 12:30 it is then. Bye".

Tric

Haley nervously watched her clock. She had told Lindsey to call her when she was pulling into Tric so she could come down and meet her. She didn't want Peyton and Lindsey seeing each other. She smiled sadly. Things hadn't been the same since Lindsey left Lucas. Conversations sometimes seemed awkward and forced. She Imagined it would only get worse now that Lucas and Peyton were back together. Peyton laughed. "earth to Haley". Haley blinked. "sorry". "that's ok. I'm hungry too. We'll reconvene at 1". Haley winced. "I actually have a lunch meeting. Can we make it 1:30?". Peyton nodded. "Sure. Luke's coming to get me anyway". Haley's heart dropped from her chest into her stomach. Her phone rang. "Yeah? Meet me downstairs!". I'll be right down".

Lindsey locked her car and jingled the keys. She knew Haley didn't want her to, but she wanted to see Peyton, and possibly Lucas. She was about to shut the elevator when a guy came whizzing through. "Hold the ele-Lindsey!!". Lucas was shocked to see her. Lindsey smiled sheepishly. "Hi Luke", she said. "I'm having lunch with Haley", Lindsey said, mortified. Lucas nodded. "Fine". The doors opened and they both walked into the lobby. "I'll get her for you", Lucas said. "I'd like to see Peyton if that's ok", Lindsey said. Luke sighed. "I'll check. Wait here". He disappeared into the studio, shutting the door behind him.

"Haley! Your friend is here!", Lucas said sternly. Haley looked at him. "I told her not to come up", she said. "Well, she did", he said. "Hi baby", he said to Peyton, and kissed her cheek. "Hi". "What's going on?", she asked. "Haley's friend wants to meet you", Lucas said, clearly pissed. Haley groaned. "I told her no!". Luke sighed. "Well, too bad". Haley looked ashamed. "sorry, Luke". He shrugged. "Go and come back", he said to Peyton. She shot him a confused look, but followed Haley out into the hallway.

Lindsey was reading when the girls came out. "Lindsey!", peyton exclaimed, shocked. "Hi Peyton", Lindsey said, embarrassed. "She wanted to see you", Haley shrugged. Peyton looked down, uncomfortable. "Congratulations, Peyton", Lindsey said. Peyton shot her a look. "Is that supposed to be sarcastic?", she said. "Peyt—", Haley started, but Lindsey stopped her. "No Peyton, I mean it. It's finally the way its supposed to be". Peyton played with her ring, nervously. "Thanks", she said quietly. "You guys have a good lunch", she said, and turned, walking back into the studio.

Peyton slammed the door behind her. Lucas looked up, startled. He instantly recognized the look on her face. It was the look she got when she felt she was losing control of everything around her. He looked at her lovingly. "Get it out of your head right now", he said. "What?", she snapped. "Whatever you're thinking, stop", he said. She rolled her eyes. "C'mon, lets eat", he encouraged her. "I'm not hungry", she mumbled. She sat on the edge of the pool table, pissed. He sighed. He walked over to the table and sat next to her. He picked her up and straddled her on his lap. He started to kiss her. First her mouth, then her neck, then her chest. She was tense from anger, but as he unbuttoned her blouse, and worked his way down her stomach, she eased up. He lay her down on the table, and they both undid each others pants at the same time. It was Lucas' turn to feel a little insecure. He looked at her sadly. "Why would you ever doubt how much I love you, babe?", he said. Peyton looked at him, ashamed. "I have always come back for you", he said. "I know", she mumbled. He felt so good. He WAS so good to her. Always had been.

Scott House

"Lucas, I'd love to say having sex with your significant other every time there is a problem, solves things, but it doesn't", Nathan joked with his brother. "Thanks, Nate. I knew that", Lucas sighed. Nathan shook his head. "Luke, I love Peyton. You know I do". "But there is a reason she and I never worked", Nathan laughed. Luke raised his eyebrow. "meaning?". "Meaning she can be very high-maintenance", Haley said walking into the kitchen. Nathan grinned. "What she said". "She's not always, and most of the time she doesn't do it on purpose, but she IS the male version of you", Haley teased. "Are you calling me a pain in the ass?", Lucas said. "You yes. Her, no", Haley said, and stuck her tongue out at him. He laughed. "Thanks, Haley". "I love you too".