A/N: So thank you for the reviews guys, I was a bit worried I would lose momentum for this once I got the original anger out, but lol after some happy fluff I think I have some more drama up my sleeve. Enjoy, and of course please review- it's nice to know what everyone thinks of the writing.

Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill or anything affiliated with it.

Haley snapped her book shut and blew her hair out of her face, Lucas was still asleep and she wanted to take him home before Nathan went to physical therapy. It had been a week since the accident, her babies had been checked and were fine thank god, Nathan had done good on his promise and begun trying extremely hard to walk properly once more and Peyton and Brooke were still living at the Scott residence. Not that she was complaining, both girls were happy to have Jamie whenever Haley needed to go into Tree Hill High to prepare for September. Brooke would take Jamie to the store and Peyton took Jamie every where else. They were very attached and Jamie would follow Peyton around the house whenever she was in. Haley could have felt jealous but instead she felt pleased and relieved. She loved that her friends were so great with Jamie. Peyton had brought Jamie to the hospital as well- she had hardly left Lucas' side for two days but Haley had noticed Peyton was notably more absent the more lucid and well Lucas became, she had also noted Lindsey's absence. She hadn't asked Luke in case it upset him but still.. she wondered what had gone on. Lucas shifted now and opened his eyes.

"Hey" he said softly."

"Hi there cripple."

"Harsh Hales," he glanced to the chair nearest the bed, the one Peyton usually occupied and his face fell when he saw it was empty. Haley sighed, those two were gonna drive her crazy with their long pining looks and broken hearted behaviour, when were they gonna get it together already?!

"Alright mister, i'm gonna go check with one of the nurses that we're good to go and then I will be back to help you into that oh so familiar looking chair."

"Urgh Hales I don't need a wheelchair."

"Luke it's hospital policy, besides you can hold all your stuff on your knee while I push- that way you don't make a pregnant lady go up three flights of stairs twice!"

He glowered at her for a moment and then smiled, "fine, I can't believe you used the pregnant card- that's like twice today, once for MY last cookie and then now, you don't play fair Haley James Scott."

"Ha, i'm allowed to, i'm pregnant!" Lucas laughed and watched his friend dart out the door. He turned to his bedside table where his pile of things were stacked neatly- Haley style. He reached for the book Peyton had brought him at the start of the week, he smiled again at the cover, 'The Great Gatsby,' he turned to the front page which she had written on in her long swirly handwriting.

To help inspire for your next book- if a near death experience doesn't do it for you!

Remember that the passion you have inside of you is so special Luke, don't ever let your fire go out.

Peyton.

He traced the words with his finger and then looked up in surprise to see the real version of his muse standing in the doorway.

"Hi," she smiled awkwardly, "you're awake."

"Yeah," he shoved the book under covers, feeling embarrassed and angry with himself, she had made it clear with her absence over the last few days that any worry she had had for him originally had been as a friend. He knew she had been visiting Jake too and he assumed she had chosen- if that was the word- Jake over him. He cursed the universe, fate had such a twisted sense of humour. Instead of letting him finally have Peyton all to himself, he still had to share her, even in a damn hospital.

"You're coming home today?" She came over to stand by the table, opening the canvas bag by the bed and putting the books in it to give her something to do with her hands.

"Yep, doctor says i'm ready to go- wait home?"

She grinned sheepishly, "yeah, Brooke and I have sort of raided Hales and Nathan's house- and Haley said you were coming home too.." she faded and looked awkward again. She could have kicked herself, she had assumed Lucas would be as happy about moving in as she was, but she had forgotten about Lindsey. Would she be mad Lucas was being stolen away by all his friends?

Lucas was thrown by her reaction, she had almost seemed happy when she had announced she was at Haley's too but then her face had fallen and now she was standing looking confused.

"Peyton, are you ok?"

"Yeah, Luke, I have to ask, is Lindsey gonna mind you living with us for a bit?"

"Peyton-"

"Ok Luke so, oh Peyton hey." Haley felt like she'd walked in on a very awkward moment, she stopped walking and for a second stood with papers in her hands not knowing where to go exactly, "I urr, I forgot to sign something, umm, Peyton can you help Luke get in that chair there please? I'll be right back."

As Haley left the room Peyton and Lucas looked at one another and then Peyton cleared her throat, "errrr, so i'll just wait outside while you change- give me a shout when you're err dressed."

"Yeah, er sure." Lucas swung one leg over the bed and then pulled his cast leg over as well. Peyton tried not to look back through the glass as Lucas threw his hospital gown on the chair and reached for his tee shirt. A minute later Lucas shouted and she came back in the room.

"Right ok, let me help you there," she came over and let him lean on her as they moved over to the wheel chair. She was aware of his eyes never leaving her face, he let her guide him over, never once looking where he was going. As she helped lower him into the chair her eyes met his. For a full 3 seconds they stared at one another, he was about to lean in and kiss her when she straightened up, he immediately looked away. Shit. What was he thinking trying to kiss her? She obviously wasn't where he was.

Peyton felt so frustrated, she knew Lucas seemed interested but she couldn't tell. Maybe he was just missing Lindsey. A darker thought crossed her mind, maybe he had no problem cheating again. Maybe he hadn't changed at all.

Lucas watched as she pushed her golden hair back off her face and glanced around the room. The sun gave her a halo and she looked so beautiful. He knew that what she had written in his book meant something, he just wished he knew what.

"Alright guys, you ready to roll?" Haley came back in and smiled at her golden couple, they were so cute and awkward. Nathan had told her off this morning when she'd told him that Lucas was moving in saying, 'stop meddling, you know they'll get there in the end! Leave them be!' but Haley had argued back, 'they both need a push- I can create that!' 'Hales!' 'Hey no I can't hear you! I love you lalala i'm going lalala!' She smiled, it was so good to have a fun relationship back with Nathan. She had missed him.

"I'll push," offered Peyton, "you stay away from the heavy lifting pregnant lady!"

"Heavy?! Are you calling me heavy Blondie?!"

"Extremely!"

"Tsch, just cos you're skinny doesn't mean you can pick on everybody else!"

"Hey I am not that skinny, shut up Scott, I have all the power here."

As they entered the lift they were both giggling and Haley smirked to herself, she had been so right. She watched as Lucas reached up and touched Peyton's hand for a second, Peyton caught his fingers and squeezed them. For a second they held their hands still and then Peyton suddenly let go like she'd been burnt and Haley frowned. What? The doors opened and they headed to the car. Haley switched the radio on to break the silence, she was seriously confused, Konstantine by Something Corporate burst on:

this is to a girl who got into my head,

with all the pretty things she did,

hey ya know, you keep me up in bed,

this is to a girl who got into my head,

with all these fcked up things I did,

hey, maybe, baby you could keep me up in bed.

How appropriate thought Lucas, he stared out of the window trying not to look at Peyton. He was so aware of her and he could tell she was feeling uncomfortable. She was probably worried about Jake. He sighed, he had thought today would be better. When he'd been in the hospital he had felt sure she cared, now she looked like she wanted to jump out of the car instead of talk to him. Haley pulled up outside Lucas' house and both passengers looked at her confused.

"Haley?"

"You're gonna need changes of clothes and maybe your laptop Luke."

"My laptop?"

"You are trying to write a second book right?"

"Oooh what is it with you two being way harsh today- i'm the invalid, I got hit by a car!"

Both Haley and Peyton grinned, and Haley reached back and squeezed his knee,

"Sorry buddy."

"Me too- hey Hales, do you want me to go in and grab some stuff? You stay where you are."

Lucas was horrified, she couldn't go through his stuff- she'd see god knows what.

"Peyton it's ok, i'll go, my rooms a whole lotta mess."

"What, Luke are you mad? You're on crutches, you'll take forever, and me and Jamie got a play date!"

"Fine," he leant back in his seat and groaned as she jumped from the car. Peyton went up the steps and opened the door, she felt her heart lurch, it looked the same, smelt the same, it was like coming home. She grabbed the sports bag on the floor by the door and headed for the drawers. She opened the top one and felt her heart almost stop. There were a pile of photographs resting on top of his socks. The top one was of her. She looked about 17, she still had short hair on it but she was smiling broadly at the camera. The one underneath was of her and Lucas, taken shortly before their break up. She put it down quickly, she didn't want to look at how happy she had been. She snatched up some pairs of socks, a few tee shirts and from the bottom drawer a pair of jeans. She wondered through the house to the sitting room, enjoying looking at all the familiar paintings, she allowed herself to flip through the recently used cds- approving of Matthew Ryan and the latest Umbrellas album. She saw his laptop, it was on sleep, resisting the urge to switch it on and guess at his password she snapped it shut and pushed it into the bag, what else?

"So Luke, how are you feeling?" Haley twisted and scrutinised her best friend, he had lots of bruises but his eyes were sparkling for the first time in a long time.

"I'm ok Hales, thanks, thanks for this, i'm glad i'm allowed to stay."

"Oh I bet you are," she kinked her eyebrow and grinned at him.

"Oh shut up Hales!" But he didn't deny it. Haley was suddenly afraid for Peyton, he had broken her heart once, she didn't want it to happen again. As far as Haley knew it was clear they both had feelings for each other but Lucas was still involved with someone else.

"Luke, look, I know it's none of my business but does Lindsey even know you've been in hospital? I mean, I haven't seen her once since you got hit." Lucas looked at her confused.

"Why would she come and visit?"

"She's your girlfriend?"

"What?! Hales, me and Lindsey broke up- the night everything happened at the store- I came to see Peyton to tell her- wait, if you didn't know, does Peyton know?"

"No Luke. God none of us knew. I can't believe this. What happened?"

"Ahh Hales, it was a long time coming- you know it was. Neither of us were serious about it really, I guess I just got worse when Peyton came home and Lindsey sorta just saw the light for me. Besides it wouldn't have been fair to Peyton for me to stay with Lindsey and make the moves on her anyway would it? She'd be unhappy about the repeat in history I suspect" He grinned impishly, Haley rolled her eyes.

"So you are still interested in winning our girl back?"

"Honestly? I was never interested in anything else Hales. She just kept pushing me away and I let her I guess, now, I guess i'm not gonna let her any more."

Haley beamed, "finally! well ok, but you gotta know Luke, we all love Peyton, we all know what you did- you're gonna have a big fight ahead, you're gonna have to prove yourself." He caught her hand,

"Hales I promise, but, am I gonna have your support just a little bit too?"

"Of course Luke, I love you too, you're my best friend, I just, want you to be careful."

For a second they were silent and then Lucas said suddenly, "hey wait, did you say she was fighting with Jake?" Before Haley could answer Peyton opened the door of the car,

"Ok, we're all set- Luke I got you some socks, jeans, oh my favourite shirt-" she said gesturing to a pale blue checked one, she blushed realising what she'd said, "I mean your favourite, I mean a nice shirt," she finished lamely. Haley tried not to burst into laughter and started the car sniggering under her breath. Lucas tried to respond but could only smile, he didn't want to ruin the moment, she might take it back.

When they arrived home Jamie came running out of the house to greet them. "Momma momma! Uncle Lucas! Peyton Peyton! He dived at Peyton's leg and then hugged his mother and Lucas.

"Hey little man, how's your arm feeling?"

"It's ok but look I got this really cool drawing of me and a basketball on it that Peyton did!"

"Hey that's awesome buddy."

"Yeah, maybe Peyton can do one for your leg too Uncle Lucas!"

Lucas laughed and looked at Peyton, "oh I dunno what do you think Peyt, do I get a cool drawing?"

"Only if you're really good!" She said smiling back, then Jamie started tugging on her hand.

"C'mon Peyton, I wanna show you my fort!"

"Ok dude, let's go play!"

Brooke came out on her crutches and winked at Peyton as she passed her, she came over to Lucas.

"Hey cripple number two! You had to go and steal my thunder didn't ya?"

"Ha, yeah, I just couldn't let it all be about you and the store so I threw myself in front of a car." He raised an eyebrow, "I totally did it to spite you Brooke." She beamed at him.

"I'm really glad you're ok Luke. You did a really brave thing."

"Ah I know- i'm such a hero, technically you should shower me with praise!" This teasing banter was easy, fun, it was normal with him and Brooke again. He knew that pushing Jamie and Peyton out of the way of that car had done one thing- as far as Brooke was concerned he was almost totally forgiven. They both headed back inside and watched Peyton and Jamie running round by the pool with feathers in their hair and waving paint brushes around as faux swords. Brooke watched her friend and then turned and looked at Lucas, he had the goofiest smile on his face. She rolled her eyes.

"Could you look any more in love with my best friend?"

"Wh-hat?" He tore himself away from the window and looked at her incredulously, "I am not looking at her in any way! I mean, well, she's great with Jamie..."

"Sure," Brooke raised her eyebrow, "you were watching Jamie."

"Shutup Davis! Besides, I don't think I fancy another beating from Jagielski anytime soon."

"Jake went back to Savannah like three days ago Luke," her raspy voice was soft, "I thought you knew."

Lucas stared at her, why hadn't Peyton mentioned it? Was she upset by it? Was she going back as well? He swallowed his pride, he needed to know.

"Is she going back too?"

"To Savannah? No! Why would she?"

"Well you know, to be with Jake."

"Oh honey you are far behind the times, she and Jake sort of ended what was going on between them and he decided to call his trip off. They were never really that serious."

"Is she... is she ok about it?"

"Yeah, she's fine, she ended it Luke. Jake came here to try and convince her they could work but they were treading water for a while."

"Yeah but Peyton and Jake, they've been on and off since high school."

"Oh yeah, they've always been the Rachel and Ross of our generation." She raised her eyebrows, "come on Luke, you know there's never been anyone else for her really."

He opened his mouth to reply but the slide door opened and Peyton appeared breathless.

"My chest still can't take a lot of running." She collapsed on the sofa and then looked up at the two of them, "what?"

"What? Huh oh nothing nothing." Brooke's face had guilty written all over it.

"You guys are looking at me funny! What?" She touched her face, "have I got something on my face, did Jamie leave something in my hair?" Lucas swallowed, she looked perfect, she was flushed and there was life in her eyes, she was sparkling all over.

"No, we're not, i'm err, gonna go unpack."

He reached for his crutches and headed for the spare room past the kitchen. Haley gave him a look as he passed and he punched her playfully on the arm.

"Shut up," he muttered.

"Dinner's in ten and did I say a word?"

Brooke smiled and turned to her friend on the sofa, "so P Sawyer, the creep was asking about you and Jagielski." She hopped over and dropped onto the sofa next to Peyton.

"Ah no Brooke! He's just being friendly, besides me and Jake didn't break up because of Lucas."

"Jake and I," said Haley coming through from the kitchen and collapsing next to Brooke, "and for the record girly, you should know, Lucas was completely clueless about you and Jake breaking up. Why didn't you tell him?"

"I don't know," Peyton said softly, "I guess i'm scared that me being alone and him being with Lindsey makes me look like a loser you know?"

"Peyton-"

"Momma!" Jamie came running in with Nathan walking slowly behind.

"Hey baby! You have fun playing?" Haley lead Jamie into the kitchen, kissing Nathan on the way and began putting dishes on the table. It was so nice to have everyone here for dinner. Now all she needed was to lock Lucas and Peyton in a closet or something and leave them there for an hour. She gave Jamie salad to put on the table while he recanted a list of things he'd done in the garden. Lucas came into the kitchen and leaned on the counter.

"Stop it!" She said warningly.

"What?! I'm not doing anything!"

"You're waiting for me to give you Peyton news and I have nothing."

"Liar! But i'll let you stay silent, you want these dishes on the table?"

"You cannot possibly carry all those plates one handed so thank you but go and sit down and stay there- and stay out of trouble!"

Somehow due to careful manoeuvring on Haley's part Peyton ended up opposite Lucas with Jamie next to her and Brooke on the other side. Haley sat at one end of the table opposite her husband and spent the meal pulling faces at him, Nathan, smiling at the top of the table felt happier than he had in a long time.

"Ok, I have to ask, can we please take a picture?" Peyton asked jumping up and grabbing Haley's camera, "I was looking at our photographs up in your spare room last night guys and we all look super young. We need a fresh one!"

"Oh I don't know Peyton, I haven't washed my hair in like five days."

"Brooke! No-one here cares, this is just for us- please?"

"Fine fine, set the timer thingy and come over here."

Peyton grinned triumphantly, set the timer and raced over to her seat, "here Jamie buddy sit on my knee so you're in the picture." Haley had moved to stand behind Nathan's chair, her hands resting on his shoulders, Lucas shifted up and at the last second grabbed Peyton's hand across the table. He felt her jump but she didn't let go, she smiled widely, he could feel her warm hand squeeze his gently. As the flash went off the doorbell went. Haley strode across saying, "we should take another one just in case any of us have our eyes closed in that one!" As she opened the door Peyton turned to look at Lucas, he moved, almost like he might lean over and kiss her right there and then when Haley came back into the dining room, a figure following her.

"Luke I think this is for you." He looked up in surprise and his face dropped when he saw her. He felt Peyton's hand snatch away from his and he stood up in surprise, he lost his balance and caught his chair.

"Lindsey, what are you doing here?"

This is because I can spell confusion with a 'K',

And I can like it,

It's to dying in another's arms,

And why I had to try it,

It's to Jimmy Eat World,

And those nights in my car,

When the first star you see,

May not be a star,

I'm not your star,

Isn't that what you said?

Sooo, there was aaaallmost progress for Luke and Peyt but I kind of need to have them clear the air a bit more before they have all the forgiving love. They need to fight before they love in my opinion. Let me know what you guys think!