Sorry it's late! It's the end of the semester and things are just crazy.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to One Tree Hill.

Julian tossed the penny into the makeshift goal they'd made from a brochure the rental car company had left in the glove compartment.

"My point," Julian said, boredom highly evident.

"That's what, ten to one?" Peyton asked as she lazily threw a penny in the general direction of the goal.

"Well it's not very fun after playing for…two hours," Julian said, shifting in his seat in attempt to find a more comfortable position.

"I can't believe no one's found him yet," Peyton said as she leaned her seat back.

"This place isn't all that big, maybe he left town," Julian said.

"That's true, he could've gone to Charleston," Peyton mumbled sleepily.

"Why Charleston?"

"That's where he moved the summer he left with Keith," Peyton said as though she were about to succumb to slumber.

"Oh right, I suppose it would be a place for him to get away," Julian said, leaning his seat back as well, and began poking her so she wouldn't fall asleep.

"How long have we been sitting in this stupid car," Peyton asked grumpily.

Checking his phone quickly, Julian said, "Three hours, we've been staking out Lucas Scott's house for three long hours."

Peyton managed to open her eyes long enough to see that Julian had actually begun to pout, with a smirk upon her lips her eyes shut again.

The next few minutes were spent with Peyton opening her eyes every now and again and noticing that Julian was becoming more disgruntled.

Finally after she thought he'd pouted enough, Peyton placed a hand on his cheek, and said, "You look tired, let me call Brooke and tell her we're going back to the beach house."

Sitting up, she fumbled for her phone, which sat conveniently on the dashboard. Sorting through her phone book, Peyton found her best friend's picture and said, "Hey Brooke."

"What?" Peyton asked, nearly shrieking, causing Julian to sit up and stare at Peyton, as though if he concentrated enough he would be able to read Peyton's thoughts.

"Oh god, is he alright?"

"I was going to tell you that Julian and I were going to turn in, but now…"

Julian started the vehicle and immediately began driving toward the hospital they'd seen twice while Peyton had attempted to give Julian directions to Lucas' house as Peyton finished up her conversation with Brooke.

"Julian where are you going, the beach house is back that way," Peyton said, pointing in the opposite direction.

"I thought we were going to the hospital, you know Tree Hill drama," Julian said, confusion etching his features.

"Oh honey, Brooke was telling me that when they got home, Jamie took a spill and they'd all been comforting him, and didn't call us," Peyton explained.

"Oh," Julian said simply.

"I can't believe you, thinking Lucas was in the hospital! Did you think he was in a car accident, or that someone had found him passed out drunk in the street?" Peyton questioned with dancing eyes.

"Come on Peyton…"

"Julian… Tell me what was the first thing that came to mind?" Peyton said, making the best puppy dog eyes she could.

"Fine…" Julian relented as they approached a red light. He then proceeded to mumble quietly, "The first thing I thought was… he jumped into the river."

Peyton laughed heartily at his suggestion, and even harder when his entire face reddened in embarrassment.

"It's not that funny…"

"Oh but it is," Peyton said, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"Whatever," Julian said under his breath.

"I'm surprised you know the roads so well," Peyton stated as they pulled into the driveway.

"Not as difficult as the mean streets of L.A."

"I don't mean to insult you, it's just that everything always looks different in the dark," Peyton said, getting out of the vehicle and stretching her limbs. The weariness settling in, it had been an extremely long day. They had ended up staying up late again and waking up early in order to adjust to the time difference, a decision she was regretting now, as she felt more and more drowsy with each step closer to the door now that the extra energy from her laughing fit was wearing off.

"I think we've had a long day," Julian said as he took her hand and they walked up the stairs.

"I think so too," Peyton murmured as she leaned towards Julian and used him to keep herself upright.

As they reached the door, a woman flung the door open as though expecting someone else to be coming up the stairs at eleven-thirty at night.

"Oh, hi," she said as she moved out of their way.

"Hello, you must be Lindsay, I'm…" Peyton said, before a yawn interrupted her.

"Peyton Sawyer, the girl from Ravens," Lindsay said as she took the hand Peyton had extended to her.

"One of the girls," Peyton said, feeling obliged to correct Lindsay even in her own tired haze. Lazily slapping the hand she had extended against Julian's chest, she said, "This is Julian Baker, my boyfriend and soon to be highly sought after film producer."

"Julian's fine. It's nice to meet you," Julian said as he extended a hand after ensuring that Peyton would be able to remain upright without his support.

"And you as well…" Lindsay said, unsure of how to respond.

"Peyton?" Brooke said as she came down the stairs.

"B. Davis, how do you always manage to look so perfect?" Peyton asked sleepily.

"Peyton you should go to bed," Brooke said, already realizing her best friend was out of it, and slipping further into the realm of sleep.

"But what about…" Peyton broke again for a yawn. Again turning to Julian, she asked, "What were we doing?"

"Looking for Lucas," Julian reminded her as he moved a little closer to her.

"Oh yeah," Peyton said, leaning further on Julian.

"We're going to go to bed," Julian said, lifting Peyton and carrying her bridal style up the stairs. Instead of fighting as Brooke assumed she would, Peyton simply nuzzled against his chest and mumbled a lazy goodnight.

"He seems… nice," Lindsay said after they'd left.

"Perfect for P. Sawyer right?" Brooke asked excitedly.

"In the two minutes he was here, I got the impression that they were meant for one another," Lindsay answered truthfully.

"That's what everyone says!" Brooke said excitedly. Glancing at the large clock on the wall, she said, "You really should try to get some sleep, I'm sure Luke is fine, just clearing his head."

"You're probably right, I think I'll try to get some sleep on the couch," Lindsay said, moving toward the couch, where Haley had left some bedding after Jamie had calmed down.

"Alright, goodnight Lindsay," Brooke said while walking up the stairs.

"Night," Lindsay replied from the couch, her mind racing with possibilities. Peyton Sawyer had been in Tree Hill for a little over 36 hours and Lucas had already left her. It was extremely troubling that it clearly Peyton had moved on, while Lucas still had issues.

Rolling over, she sighed and attempted to let her insecurities go and get some sleep.

AN: Alright thanks for reading! Thanks for reviewing!