(Tree Hill High School – Prom: Stars and Boulevards by Augustana is playing)

Nathan and Haley were slow dancing closely to the music, Nathan with his hands in the small of Haley's back and Haley with her arms around Nathan's neck.

Haley's head was resting gently on Nathan's chest and she had her eyes closed, enjoying the intimacy. She could feel Nathan's heart beating gently beneath her.

All she wanted was to put all the drama of last night and today behind her and remain in this moment forever.

"This is nice," she said dreamily to Nathan.

"Yeah, it is," Nathan said back, "I'm glad that you decided to come with me tonight Haley."

Haley looked up at Nathan and smiled. He gazed back into her eyes and leant down and kissed her.

Afterwards, Haley rested her head back onto his chest.

Nathan spoke again with a hint of curiosity in his voice.

"So what made you change your mind about coming?"

Haley glanced back up at him,

"Honestly?" She said smiling at him, "Deb did."

"Really? Why? What did she say?"

"She just reminded me what a wonderful man you are." Haley said reaching up to kiss Nathan once again, "and how much you've changed since I first met you."

Just then Nathan noticed Lucas approaching them. Haley noticed him too and they turned to face him as he reached them.

"So? How'd it go?" Haley asked with a worried expression on her face.

"It's alright Haley, me and Brooke talked and everything's ok. Turns out she wasn't pregnant after all."

"But what about Peyton's text message?" Nathan asked.

"It's not true," came Lucas' answer.

"But why would Peyton say something like that?" Haley said sounding surprised.

"I don't know. She's mad at Brooke about the whole tape thing, she probably just wanted to get back at her, and I guess she's still mad at me for defending Brooke earlier today."

"Still, it doesn't seem like the sort of thing Peyton would do." Haley replied, not sounding too convinced. "Are you sure that Brooke is telling the truth?"

Lucas seemed to think about it for a moment before answering.

"Yeah I am. Don't ask me how, I just know."

Yesterday Lucas would have been the first to agree that sending the text was out of character for Peyton, but after seeing her earlier with Brooke's dress, he wasn't so sure. Lucas was confused. Nothing about the situation made any sense to him. Why would Peyton give Brooke her dress back and then send Lucas a text message like that? It just didn't fit.

(Also at the prom: Stars and Boulevards by Augustana is playing in the background still)

Brooke entered the gym from where Lucas had appeared earlier. She headed over towards Mouth who sitting at the same table as before with Skills, Bevin, Fergie and Junk.

Mouth saw Brooke approaching and stood up to meet her half way.

"Hey Brooke, is everything ok?" Mouth asked her.

"No, not really" Brooke replied sadly. "Listen Mouth, I'm really sorry, but I need to go and see Peyton."

Mouth looked at her questioningly but before he could ask Brooke continued.

"You were right Mouth. I need to try and make things right with her. She'll probably slam the door in my face, but I need to at least try."

Mouth smiled at her, "Then you should go Brooke."

"Are you sure?" she asked him. Brooke felt bad for abandoning Mouth, after all, he also had his own problems and she wanted to be there for him.

"Of course Brooke. This is important and it shouldn't wait until tomorrow. Besides, I'll still be here when you get back."

"Thank you, Mouth." Brooke said leaning forward. She gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Save me a dance, ok?" she asked as she turned and started to walk towards to exit.

"Count on it." Mouth answered smiling.

Brooke looked back around at him and smiled before continuing towards the exit.

Mouth turned around and returned to the table where Skills and the others were sitting.

(Peyton's House-Basement)

Derek had bound Peyton's wrists and ankles with the duct tape. The sedative he had given her after he had knocked her unconscious was starting to wear off and he needed to bind them to make sure that she wouldn't try and escape.

He was leaning over her as she lay on the basement floor with terror in her eyes.

Peyton glanced towards the basement door, praying for it to open and Lucas to walk in and save her, as he had done many times before. However, the door remained shut.

"Lucas will be here soon." Peyton said with a conviction in her voice that she didn't feel.

Derek lent down further to whisper in her ear.

"I don't think so Peyton. He won't be coming to rescue you this time. I took care of that. Lucas has more important things to discuss with Brooke. He's going to be occupied for a while yet, and by the time he does come round, it'll be too late. It's just you and me now Peyton, and that's how it's going to stay. Forever."