I own nothing at all

I'll Follow You Into the Dark

Love of mine someday you will die

But ill be close behind. I'll follow you into the dark.

No blinding light or tunnel to gates of white, just our hands clasped so tight

Waiting for a hint of a spark.

If heaven and hell decide that they both are satisfied, illuminate the no's on their

Vacancy signs. If there's no one beside you when your soul embarks then ill follow you into the dark.

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Flashback

"You're engaged?" Peyton questioned with shock appearing on the features of her gentle face.

Lucas had to tell the truth, it was time to face reality. "Yes." was all he was able to force out. The air in the room became thick with tension and silence was the only sound heard.

"Oh… Well I'm happy for you Lucas." She smiled sincerely.

Lucas was disappointed because he really had hoped that she wouldn't be happy. That she would want him the way he was beginning to want her. In all the ways he shouldn't want her. In all the ways he couldn't want her. In her smile he saw that she truly was happy for him. Why did that fact feel like a punch to the gut?

"Thanks."

End of flashback.

Lucas stood in front of the mirror in his room attempting to fix the tie of his suit. It was the day of Whitty's funeral and ever since yesterday's conversation with Peyton, everything seemed different. He couldn't pretend anymore.

"Hey sexy" Brooke voiced as she entered the room and plopped onto Lucas' bed.

"You need any help with that. It looks like your losing the battle."

"Yea please."

Brooke stood from the bed and walked over to Lucas. While she fixed his tie, Lucas really looked at Brooke and couldn't help but feel guilty for thinking of Peyton the way he had been. The way he has and still was. Brooke was a great girl and he really did love her. She was going to be his wife and he was going to spend the rest of his life with her.

That reality struck him afresh.

"I just about got it. There all done." She smiled triumphantly.

"Great job pretty girl." Lucas smiled and kissed her forehead.

"So you know my brother is engaged right?"

Lucas nodded and looked at his reflection in the mirror.

"Well turns out they are moving their wedding up a few months. So it's going to be in three months not six."

Lucas turned around and wrapped his arms around Brooke. "Okay what's wrong with that?" he asked

"Nothing just means that you're going to have to ask the school for those days off. Is that ok?"

"That's perfect."

She smiled and hugged Lucas. "Gosh Lucas your going to love Jason's fiancé she's the best she's into all that stuff your into." She stated as she waved her hands in the air. "Plus yours truly set them up. They are going to do just fine together. Just like me and you, we're going to do great together. And I can't wait to start my future with you Mr. Scott. I love you. You know that?"

"I love you too."

She kissed him and he kissed her back with passion. He was going to try and erase his feelings for Peyton and be true to Brooke in thought and in deed. Flustered, Brooke broke away from their kiss, "As much as it kills me to say, we better go sexy boy or we are going to be late." She whispered.

"Your right but when we get back. Your mine." Lucas said quietly into her ear.

A devilish grin spread across her face, "Oh it's on Mr. Scott."

Entering into the car, Brooks's phone rang loudly and she answered, "Hey baby doll… yeah I'm on my way. I'll be there soon... Okay Bye."

Starting the engine Lucas looked at Brooke and pointed towards her phone.

"Who was that?"

"Oh it was Jason's fiancée; she's in town for the funeral. Turns out she knew Whitty. Small world isn't it."

"Do I know her?" he asked inquiringly

"No… but her name is Peyton, Peyton Sawyer. And I want you to be nice to her ok."

"She's engaged to Jason. Oh god. What the hell is wrong with me?"

"Lucas."

Snapped out of his thoughts, he finally replied "Yeah it really is a small world."

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"I miss you so much Peyt."

"I miss you too Jason. I wish you could come out here." Peyton expressed in a low voice

"Baby… I wasn't going to tell you but I'm coming out in a few days. Brooke called me and told me she saw you and kind of set it up. Plus she wants me to meet this fiancée of hers."

"Oh my god I'm so happy baby! I can't wait till you're out here. It's going to be so much better with you here." She smiled as she laid on her bed observing the plastic stars on her ceiling. Drifting her gaze to the clock she saw the time. She was running late.

"Hey Jay I have to get ready. I hate saying bye to you, kinda weird huh?"she laughed at how stupid she sounded.

"Not at all because I hate it too. I love you don't forget that."

"I love you too. I'll see you in a few days."

"Yea you will" said the smiling voice on the phone.

"Bye Peyt."

"Bye Jay."

She closed her cell and laid on her bed. Thinking about Jason always gave her the best feeling. She loved him. She never felt this way about anyone she was sure of it. And now she was engaged to him. The perfect guy. Speaking about being engaged, Lucas was engaged. She was shocked to find out, no more like undone. If she was so solid in her feelings for Jason why in that brief instant did she feel the twist of jealousy and loss? Lucas wasn't hers, but she automatically felt a slight hatred for whoever he was engaged to. "He's my best friend I'm just being protective, that's all… right?"

"I gotta get ready."

Peyton took out her black Tee length dress. It was short and cut mid thigh and had a halter neck line. It was tasteful enough for a funeral, plus it was the only one she could find on the drive out here. Slipping on the dress, she ran her fingers through her blonde curls and applied a scarce amount of make up on. "Well you don't look all that bad Sawyer." She expressed inwardly and grabbed her car keys.

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"Family, friends, and loved ones. We come here today in memorable honor of a beloved husband, father, and friend, Whitty Nelson." the minister began.

Lucas saw Peyton standing on the opposite side of the casket. Her face was wet from the tears which were trickling down her face unceasingly. Nate and Hales stood beside her, each holding one of her hands in theirs.

Brooke looked up at Lucas, who had tears in his eyes.

"Are you doing ok Luke?" she asked with concern

"He was a great guy Brooke, I'm just going to miss him."

She ran her hands up and down his back to comfort him in anyway she could.

"It's going to be okay" she inaudibly uttered into his ear with reassurance.

He gave her a slight smile and continued to hear the minister's words.

"He was indeed one of the most influential people in this town. He had a way of brightening up every situation in life. He always saw the positive and always encouraged people to strive for the best and be the best person they could be."

Flashback: 10 years ago

"I don't know Whitty. I mean I really like her but what if she doesn't. I'm gonna feel like a retarded you know. I mean she's my best friend." Lucas discussed with his coach.

"Well son, you got to ask yourself is it worth the risk? Everything in life that is worth something always comes with a risk. Plus I'm pretty sure that girl has something for you." The old man chuckled

"I don't know coach, I don't think she does."

"Sit down son."

The elderly man and young boy sat on an empty bleacher in the school's gym.

"When I was a boy I was sweet on Camilla, she was my sweetheart. And my Daddy told me 'boy that girl is sweet on you.' Course I didn't believe anything he said and I told him no she didnt. Then he told me 'I know she does because the color of her eyes change when you're not in the room. When you're in the room son her eyes are that happy beautiful hazel, but when you're not in the room her eyes fade into a lonesome grey.' Do you get the point?"

"Just because Camilla felt that way about you doesn't mean Peyton feels that way about me."

"Son have you ever seen her eyes when your not in the room?"

"No"

"Well there you go."

End of Flashback.

At the end of the ceremony everyone was invited to Karen's Café for the reception. Peyton lingered around the casket to say her last goodbyes. Not far behind stood Lucas. He stood there and watched her, wanting to hold her and comfort her, but knowing he shouldn't. What he felt for her was begining to become too strong and he didnt want to ruin anything between them.

"Hey baby you ok?" Brooke asked wrapping him in her arms from behind him.

"Yeah"

"Hey look its Peyton. She looks kind of torn up about the whole thing. We should go talk to her."

"Brooke…" Lucas sighed "Maybe we shouldn't"

"Why not?"

"We need to talk…."

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…you and me have seen everything to see. You and me have seen everything to see
From Bangkok to Calgary and the soles of your shoes are all worn down
The time for sleep is now it's nothing to cry about cause we'll hold each other soon
The blackest of rooms.

-Death Cab For Cutie

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: revieeew