AN: I wasn't sure about this chapter and I have absolutely no idea why, but I decided to post it up anyway. I mean the worst that could happen is you all get your pitchforks and stab me (metaphorically, of course) for writing it, but I don't think it's that bad. Well, I hope it isn't, but I just got this weird feeling about this chapter. Maybe it's because I wrote it at five in the morning...well, I just bought OTH season 3. Mainly Brucas rather than Leyton, but a good season nonetheless. I loved the school shooting episode. Still haven't seen season 2 of OTH, but I can't find it anywhere so I decide to just get season 3 while it was still on sale. Anyway, enough of my ramblings, on with the story...

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He opened his eyes, finding himself staring out the window of a car. He turned his head to the left, seeing Keith driving and a sudden fear crept up him as he took in his surroundings, the clothes they were wearing and the smile on Keith's face. The same smile he had been wearing the day he had went to collect his mother from the airport they had never reached. This was the same night - the night of the crash.

He felt his heartbeat thump wildly in his ears as he shouted for Keith to stop the car, trying to warn him of what was to come. He turned to look at him once more, only instead finding himself faced with the menacing figure of his father.

Dan turned his head, a sick smirk on his face. He opened his mouth, letting syllables and words form. Lucas face contorted in fear and confusion as the words came out in an unrecognisable mumble.

He may not have understood the words but he recognised the actions. Dan was accelerating the car. Lucas turned his gaze in front of him, his eyes widening at the sight of speeding cars up ahead.

Lucas tugged at his seatbelt. The one thing meant to protect him was the thing he suddenly found constricting. He needed to get out. This wasn't right. They were going to crash.

He turned shouting for Dan to slow down, but he paid no attention. His eyes fixed in front of him, a dark gleam held within the brown orbs.

Lucas turned as the cars came closer into view. There was no way to stop it; no way to get out…he was going to crash.

He gave one last look towards Dan, only to find an empty seat. Lucas made a grab for the steering wheel as his heart thrashed against his chest like a caged animal. He turned the wheel as the flash of headlights came into view.

The world went white.

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Lucas bolted up from the uncomfortable couch, his eyes darting between the spurts of darkness. His hand reached out to the dark as his hand closed around a switch.

Light filled the room as he slowly sank back down. He breathed out heavily, letting the nightmare slowly linger from his mind.

He didn't want to think about it; didn't want his mind to process the meaning of it; didn't want to do anything but lay here, letting his breath even out. He just wanted to forget his nightmare, just like the last few weeks of his life.

He closed his eyes, listening to the silence of the room being broke only by his haughty breaths and the irregular heartbeat thumping in his ears.

--

Peyton sighed as she turned her head towards the clock. Twenty past four in the morning and here she was wide-awake.

She sat up, hearing the sound of footsteps lightly treading outside the room. The trickling of water soon followed and she knew it had to be Lucas getting a drink of water. She hadn't heard any doors opening so it had to be Lucas.

She swung her feet around the side of the bed and stood up. She walked over to the door, and peered out as she opened it a crack. She smiled at the sight of Lucas, his back turned to her, sitting at the table.

She walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Can't sleep?"

He jumped slightly in his seat, jerking away from her touch. Peyton quickly withdrew her hand as his head turned sharply, taking in a sharp breath.

Peyton sat across from him quickly, her hand grabbing his – an act of comfort – at the look on his face. She spoke softly and quietly, "Hey, you okay?"

He nodded slowly before turning his gaze back to his glass of water. She sat, watching him with narrowed eyes. He was most definitely not okay.

She squeezed his hand lightly; "You know you can talk to me, if there's something bothering you. I know we're kind of in a weird place, but we can still talk to each other, can't we?"

"Yeah…" he replied, the tone of his voice dull and flat, "I know…"

Peyton narrowed her eyes. He was acting strange. This wasn't anything like the Lucas she knew. He never acted like this, "So what's wrong?"

"Just dreams." He replied,

"What sort of dreams?"

His eyes met hers and she shivered at the look in his eyes. He looked down, shaking his head, "Uh, just a bad dream. It's over now. I'm fine."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, yeah…" He paused, forcing the look in his eyes to dissapear and he instantly reverted to the Lucas she knew, "And what are you doing up?"

"Couldn't sleep." She admitted, "I think I slept too much today anyway."

"Well, being knocked unconscious can do that to you."

"Well, what bout you?" She raised an eyebrow at him and gave a small nod towards him.

His eyes widened, "What about me?"

"Well, last time I checked it wasn't normal to keep falling asleep every five minutes. So stop changing the subject, what's wrong?"

"I've just been having dreams about…" He sighed, bringing his hands up to rub his tired eyes.

"The crash?" she suggested and watched him slowly nod, still rubbing his eyes. "When's the last time you've actually slept properly?"

He groaned, shaking his head, "I honestly don't know."

And he didn't. Every time he closed his eyes he dreamt up some new nightmare. He was alive, he was perfectly fine…well, he was healing but he still dreamt he was back in the car crashing into something new.

"Have you told your mom?" He shook his head, "Well, you should."

"No," he said quickly, "I don't want to worry her. I'll be fine. Just give me time."

"Well, you can't exactly survive without sleep until then." Peyton raised an eyebrow as he let out a yawn, "I think that proves my point."

"Yeah, but every time I try to sleep…" he sighed, getting out from his seat, "I'm gonna go out for some fresh air. It usually helps when I can't sleep."

"Well, I'll go with you."

Lucas stilled, concern creeping up on him mixed with a dash of uncomfortable caution. He had told her too much. He didn't want her keeping an eye on him, looking out for him all the time. It wasn't her burden to bear. She had been through enough with him and he didn't want to pile on any more, especially when they were treading on the line that could destroy friendship or relationship or whatever she had defined him as being. No matter what he felt on the matter, he didn't want to ruin them on her being worried about him too much.

Lucas realised suddenly that he hadn't said much in a while and was now under the concerned of the girl that had consumed his thoughts only mere moments before, "Uh, are you sure you should be doing that? I mean don't you need to get some rest?"

Peyton raised an eyebrow, "Don't you?" That caused him to chuckle slightly and they both shared a nervous smile, their eyes lingering on each other for a second longer than allowed in their idea of being friends. Peyton glanced away and continued talking, "Anyway, I told you. I've slept too much already today so I'll get changed and I'll join you. Do you mind?"

"No, not at all." The corner of his mouth twitched in a smile and he shuffled his feet feeling slightly awkward, "It'd be nice. You know, to have some company." She smiled as she headed back to his room to go get changed but he stopped her, "Uh, you couldn't hand me out some of my clothes. They're all in there."

He nodded towards his room.

"Oh right. Yeah. Sure." She mumbled, slightly faster than intended, in response.

She quickly headed into his room, turning on the light as she made her way to his wardrobe and pulled out a few of his clothes. She paused noticing a box sticking out and she let her eyes linger on it for a moment, curiosity getting the better of her. She pushed the thought out of her mind and turned to find Lucas standing behind her. She jumped in surprise.

"Sorry."

He gave her a bemused smile and she swatted his chest, "Don't do that!"

"Hey!" He replied, absentmindedly rubbing his chest, "I didn't mean to scare you. Didn't think you were so jumpy."

"I'm not! She protested and held out his clothes, "Here."

"Thanks." He turned and walked out, but stopped at the doorway, "And you so are. Jumpy that is."

She narrowed her eyes at him, "Shut up!"

He smiled at her before closing the door behind him. She sighed, leaning her back against the wall. Her eyes turned to the wardrobe as the box drew her attention. She bit her lip. She couldn't open it, could she? It was only a box…

She closed the door to the wardrobe. It may have only been a box, but it was Lucas' box and whatever he had in there was private. She couldn't open it. It wouldn't be right. No matter how much it intrigued her – although she didn't know why – it wasn't her place to open it.

She turned her back on the wardrobe and decided to get change. A walk would clear her mind…well; a walk with Lucas would hopefully clear her mind as long as they didn't end up in the River Court. She scoffed; of course they were going to go to the River Court. Where else would he go?

If she was lucky though, he might not mention her flaming heart on the ground. Too many awkward questions, too many lingering feelings that she didn't want to acknowledge. She didn't want them to be awkward…well, even more awkward.

The memory of her betrayal to Brooke was too fresh in her mind. She would need to go see her tomorrow. Maybe try and get their friendship back on track. Brooke had come to see her and that meant that everything wasn't completely loss so she would go see her tomorrow, but for now she would simply take a walk with Lucas.

A simple friendly walk…what could possibly go wrong?

To be continued...

AN: Review if you enjoyed...