Disclaimer: I do not own OTH or its characters

I also do not own 'Whatever It Takes' by Lifehouse.

Whatever It Takes

"Haley!" Lucas said while walking over to the girls while holding Jamie's hand.

"Oh, Lucas I have missed you!" Haley said while giving Lucas a hug.

"Look at you, your belly has gotten so big! Have you guys found out what you're having yet?" Lucas asked.

"No!" Interrupted Brooke. "They are keeping all of us in suspense! Haley says they are not finding out, how crazy is that!?"

"Brooke!"

"Hey Luke."

"You look great. Even better if you didn't have that scarf around your neck."

"Yeah, well I'm not quite ready to go out without it yet."

"Come here, gimme a hug."

While hugging Lucas, Brooke whispers in his ear. "She still loves you, but she may need a little convincing."

Lucas ignores the comment and continues his conversation with Brooke. "Look I'm really sorry I never came by after your accident. I was in LA and they just would not give me any time off. Especially to make a trip up to New York. But I'm thrilled that you are okay."

"It's okay Luke, no hard feelings It's taking me a while to get back into the groove of things, still not 100 myself yet, but thank you. It means a lot. Besides, I'm much better now. I've had my bestest best friend Peyton with me the whole time, so I'm good."

At the sound of her name Lucas could feel his heart flutter.

Then he heard her voice.

"Hey Luke." Peyton said. "It looks like your book is doing well. There were tons of people here."

"Lots of little girls. I see." Giggled Haley. "Still hot stuff in the teenage world huh Luke?"

Ignoring Haley's comment but with a smile on his face Lucas answered Peyton.

"Yeah, it is. It isn't doing as well as An Unkindness of Ravens has done, but it is still a top bestseller. They say it will be hard to top my first book though. It has done better than my second novel though. "

"It really is a good book."

"You've read it." Lucas asked.

"Yes, of course. I've read all your books." Peyton said while looking down.

There was a long silence between the four of them and Jamie, until Leah walked up.

"Lucas, I've called everyone and they are not happy but they have agreed to reschedule. But you still have to make an appearance at Ozarc tonight. That, I could not get out of. You've already been paid for it."

"Only if I can bring some people."

"Fine, Luke whatever you want just be there." With that Leah walked off.

"Well she seems cheery." Brooke joked.

"Yeah, a real people person." Luke joked back. "It's a wonder why she's my publicist." They all laughed. "Anyway, so who's up to a night at the hottest nightclub in New York?" Lucas asked.

"Well obviously I'm not going." Haley said while patting her bulging belly.

"Luke, I'd love to go, you all know that, but I don't think I'm ready for the whole nightlife thing yet. Heck, I'm not even really ready for the whole daylife thing yet" Brooke said with a small laugh.

"I'll go!" Jamie said enthusiastically.

"Oh, I'd love to take you Jamie, but this place will only let adults in. I'm sorry."

"Aww...shucks!" Jamie responded.

"Well." Lucas said. "I guess it's just me and you then." While looking at Peyton.

"Oh, I'd love to go but I actually have plans tonight." Peyton said.

Brooke playfully punched Peyton in the arm and said "Really, I didn't know you had plans?" Very sarcastically.

"Well, Brooke you don't know everything, do you?" Peyton said with a little laugh.

Brooke just looked at Peyton.

"Look, I don't want you to break any plans that you have so it's okay. I can go on my own. I mean those were the plans anyway. I'll just sit there and watch everyone around me dance - " Lucas said grimly.

Brooke nudges Peyton.

"What?" Peyton whispers.

"Go.with.him." Brooke mumbles.

Peyton groans. "Luke, wait. I think I'll be able to get out of my plans. Besides how many times will I get a chance to visit the hottest club in New York?" With the hottest guy in New York, she thought.

"Great Peyt. We'll have a blast."

"Yeah, I'm sure it will be tons of fun. You still have my number?"

"Yeah, but how about I pick you up at your place?"

"That would be GREAT!" Brooke said, barely giving Lucas time to finish his sentence. "She'll be ready by 10. It was great seeing you Lucas." She reached over and gave him a hug. "Well, I guess I'll be seeing you soon?"

"Yeah, I guess we'll be seeing you soon. It's still the same place." Peyton said. "What the hell am I getting myself into? Peyton thought.

"Haley thank you for inviting us, it was a blast. Tell Nathan hi for us. Sorry we couldn't make his game. But we'll be watching….or I'll be watching! Brooke said with a laugh. "Jamie come give your Aunt Brooke a hug." Jamie walks over and hugs Brooke. "You take care of your mama okay?"

"Don't worry Aunt Brooke, I will."

"Come on Jamie let's go." Haley said.

"Bye Aunt Peyton, I'll see you soon!" Jamie said while giving Peyton a hug.

"Bye, tell your mama to bring you to our house tomorrow okay."

"I will." Jamie said. "Love you Uncle Lucas." He said while walking out of the bookstore with his mom.

"Love you to little man." Haley, tell Nathan to go by Ozarc after the game if he wants. I'll put his name on the list."

"I will, I'm sure he'll go by, he wants to see you too. Bye guys! Peyton, Brooke, we'll you tomorrow. Lucas will you be in town?"

"Yeah, I'll be here for a couple of days."

"Great. Well, I guess we'll be seeing you around too!"

"We better get going as well. Bye." Peyton said. Hooking her arm in Brooke's.

They all left the bookstore and went their separate ways.

Lucas' Hotel Room

Oh, what to wear. I have nothing to wear. Do you think she's still interested? She must be, why else would Brooke tell me that? But she didn't seem very happy about coming with me tonight. Maybe she's not? We are just going as friends. Peyton is just my friend. I hurt her too bad. She doesn't want me as a lover anymore. But did you see the way she looked? Gosh, she's gorgeous! What the hell was I thinking letting her go? I want her back. I'll do whatever it takes.

I will make it up to her.