She can't quite believe she's back here. Several weeks ago it had seemed as though this day was forever away but the remaining time she'd had to spend separated from the most important people in her life had ended up flying by. She'd been rushed off her feet and had worked herself into the ground but now she was here and she was giddy with anticipation as she hurriedly moved through the arrivals lounge, her eyes skittering from face to face in search of his mop of dirty blonde hair and blue eyes.

'Do you know he's definitely coming?' Derek's voice sounded from behind her and had she not been distracted by her excitement she would have quizzed him on his sullen mood. He'd not exactly been what she classified as normal since that night, despite her assurances that it was forgotten. She'd taken it upon herself to ignore any weirdness, instead trying to be the supportive friend he required. She felt sorry for him; he, after all was just wallowing over the mysterious girl he'd told her of and she knew how that felt. She may have been a teenager at the time but she could remember that aching feeling in her chest when she and Lucas were yet to get together.

'Of course he's coming...Oh my god Brooke!' She shrieked as her stare landed on the greatly familiar face among the group of people waiting patiently for their loved ones to appear and then she was hurrying toward her best friend, abandoning her wheelie suitcase and swooping the brunette and the young infant at her hip, into her arms.

'Hi best friend!'

'Oh my god I didn't know you'd be here too' She exclaimed into Brooke's shoulder.

'Of course I am, as if I'd miss your great return. Luke is going to be pissed that he missed you coming through the gates- he made a banner and everything'

Peyton laughed and drew back. 'What a dork'

'Uhuh. Don't worry I've teased him relentlessly for the last half hour. He should be back in a sec- Lara was getting antsy, I think the poor kido is thirsty, I left her sodding beaker in the car and he insisted on going to get it, ever the gentleman'

Peyton smiled because that was Lucas, nurturing by nature. 'I can't believe it. She looks so different!' she spewed, her attention on the little one in Brooke's arms. 'You got so big Lara!'

'I know it's crazy' Brooke beamed, happily handing the small girl over to her best friend. 'Oh my god, you have no idea how happy I am you're home P Sawyer, I missed you too much. You're not allowed to leave. Not ever again'

Peyton grinned. 'I missed you too B and I missed you pretty girl' Her voice turned into a sing song as she spoke to the inquisitive child that stared up at her. 'I bet you don't even remember me do you?'

'Oh she does. We look at Aunt Peyton's picture every day don't we?' Brooke stroked her daughter's face affectionately. 'Who is it Lara? Who is this?'

The small child's big eyes rolled from adult to adult.

'Who is it? It's Peyton isn't it?'

'Pey Pey'

'Oh my god did she just...'

Brooke laughed at Peyton's dumbstruck expression. 'I wouldn't feel too privileged, we've been working on your name for a while but lots of things seem to be either Peypey or Mumumum'

As if on cue, the infant began to point her little chubby hand at her surroundings, gibbering peypeypey insistently.

'Has to go and burst my bubble doesn't she. I don't believe her. You know me don't you sweet girl?'

'She knows you alright, we're just still working on the name thing' Brooke assured her, her stare averting behind them at her daughter's frantic wavering hand.

Peyton too followed to see Lucas hurrying toward them and wordlessly returned Lara to Brooke.

She shrieked as she was lifted up not a second later and spun around by an excited Lucas as he reached them. 'Luke!

'I missed it. I missed your arrival' He pouted after pressing three chaste kisses against her awaiting lips.

'You missed nothing' She laughed as he set her back down on the ground 'I'm really excited to see your banner though' She teased, kinking her eyebrow.

He reluctantly unravelled his arms from around her and juggled the items in his hands, dutifully offering out a pink beaker to Lara who eagerly accepted, instantly guzzling on her drink.

'Thank you uncle Luke' Brooke chanted, amusedly watching on as he proceeded to unroll his art work.

Peyton shook her head, unable to stop her lips from curling upward in a smile as she took in his well known script that simply read Welcome home Peyton Sawyer...I love you in an array of rainbow colours.

'Wow, that's...'

'You love it' He proudly claimed.

'Yeah I do' She agreed. 'But you're still a dork'

'Uhuh. But a dork you love'

'Yeah, yeah' She leant into his side and planted a kiss on his cheek.

'Okay lovebirds. I think it's time we get outta here before things turn R-rated' Brooke announced playfully.

The mention of departing had Peyton suddenly looking around.

'What's wrong?' Lucas queried, taking hold of her suitcase.

'Derek. He was with me and then I saw Brooke and I kinda got wrapped up in saying hi to her- did you see him?'

'Er no' Brooke shook her head. 'Well I wasn't really looking to be honest, I saw you and then...' She shrugged her shoulders, she too had been too distracted by her friend's arrival to take note of anyone else.

'That's weird'

'You want to call him?' Lucas suggested. 'Maybe he just lost you in the crowd'

'Mm, no. I don't think so. He couldn't have lost me, he was like right next to me, there's no way he couldn't of seen me go to Brooke. I guess he was eager to go and didn't want to interrupt' She presumed with a shake of her head. 'Doesn't matter. I'll text him in the car.' She couldn't find it in herself to deliberate over his disappearing act because she was eager to get home and she was with her most favourite people and he was a big boy, he could look after himself. So she smiled brightly up at Lucas. 'Lets go home'

-X-

'So how does it feel to be back?' Lucas wondered as he watched Peyton halfheartedly empty the contents of her case.

She tossed a crumpled blouse onto the floor, abruptly abandoning her task in favour of crawling up the bed to where he was slouched. 'Pretty wonderful' She admitted with a coy smile. 'I missed you...more than you'll ever know'

'You better had' He answered, his hand affectionately stroking through her hair as she entwined their legs together.

She bit her lip as she looked up at him with big green eyes and he knew that look well; it was her come hither, seductive stare that effortlessly always lured him in.

'I found the last few weeks especially hard' She confided, trailing her hand idly up and down his chest while her foot performed the same flirtatious dance with his lower leg. 'Did you? Find it hard?'

His brow raised as her hand began to descend to his nether region.

'Of course I have' His words were thick as he became overwhelmed by her touch, her smell, her. And it was exactly her tempting presence that had him distracted and speaking mindlessly because he'd had no intention of mentioning it. Not tonight, certainly not on her first day back. 'After finding out about the adoption how could I not be worrying about you? I've been driving myself crazy'

Her enticing touch came to an abrupt end and as he met her stare he was quick to realise his foolish mistake. He'd anticipated her evasion of the subject but he quite literally watched her shrink backward.

'I'm sorry' He quickly announced. 'We don't have to talk about it, not tonight' He was eager for her to resume her advances because he'd more than liked where they'd been headed.

She sat up though and he took a few necessary deep breathes because just her light touch had been enough to ignite his desire.

'Peyt-'

'Well you might as well say whatever it is you've rehearsed' She announced shortly. She knew she was being offhand and unreasonable because he was allowed to care but she couldn't seem to help herself. She was exhausted both mentally and physically which was perhaps the fuel to her temperamental mood.

'I know this last year has sucked. I know it's been difficult'

'Do you?'

He bit his tongue as he regarded her sudden sullen expression as she attempted to evade his kind blue eyes. He followed her to sitting, his hand coasting down her back soothingly. 'Yes I do' He answered affirmatively. 'Peyt come on, please don't take this out on me. I wish you would talk to me about how you're feeling? About what you're thinking?'

'Why?' She turned to look at him, her expression bleak. 'What's there to talk about Luke?'

He pushed his tongue to the roof of his mouth and took a second to keep his temper in check and stay calm and understanding. Calm and understanding. 'Do you want to look for your biological parents? Have you thought about that?' He wondered. Because he had, he'd thought of nothing else since he'd found out, he wondered if that would help her through this.

'Why would I want to meet two people that didn't want me?' She shook her head exasperatedly. 'You don't get it'

'Well explain it to me'

'I have no one' She ground out, hands flailing in front of her suddenly. 'All my family are gone. I'm on my own. My biological parents didn't want me, my Mother died when I was just a kid and the one person that had always been there is gone now too. Everyone leaves'

'I'm here'

'For how long Luke?' He wanted to shake some sense into her.

Her eyes were teary and the following words that past her quivering lips were choked. 'Being a-away from you Luke, I, I realised how, how much I n-need you b-but I'm jinxed and I'm terrified you're going to b-be next to l-leave me and then I'll be completely alone. I know I'm not normal. I know I'm being ridiculous, I know I'm being irrational but I can't help it. I don't know who I am anymore'

He scrambled onto his knees. 'You're Peyton Sawyer. You're my girlfriend' He took her trembling hands. 'I know finding out you were adopted has thrown you for a loop Peyt, I know you have questions that are unanswered but god I know they wanted you. Anna and Larry loved you, needed you, wanted you. No they didn't carry you for nine months, no they didn't share your blood but they chose you. Don't you think that's beautiful? And god if they hadn't I would be lost because my world without you in it' He shook his head. 'Incomprehensible'

'I'm all you've known' She contended quietly. 'I'm sure you would of been just fine. You probably would have ended up with Lindsey the editor. Your life would've been perfect'

'That's absurd. I knew you thought I liked Lindsey-'

'You do!'

'As a friend, as my fucking editor, yes. Is she pretty? Sure, she's alright. Is she smart? Yes. Do I love her? No. Do I have any desire to fuck her? No. Want to know why? Because shock horror- I love you'

She looked down.

'Peyton-'

'I don't want to talk about any of this anymore Luke' She eased her hands free and curled up onto her side, her back to him.

He watched her for a moment. Opened and closed his mouth but he didn't speak because he felt like his words were just a waste of time. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

It wasn't until the mattress rose beside her as he got up that she addressed him.

'Where are you going?' She brusquely sat up.

'I was getting the impression you wanted to be on your own'

'No. Wait, don't go, don't leave me. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm being horrible' She bit her lip and tearily looked at him. 'I'm sorry Luke. I, I know you want to help me with this and I, I don't know why I'm finding it such a big deal but I can't seem to stop thinking about it and I want to know, I do, I want to know who they really are, I want to know why they didn't want me. But at the same time I feel guilty for wanting to, I mean Larry and Anna, they're my Mum and Dad and they were perfect and it shouldn't matter'

'They wouldn't mind sweetheart' His expression was sympathetic as he trudged round to her side of the bed and sitting on the edge. 'They wouldn't be upset by you seeking out your birth parents'

'Well why didn't they tell me then? Why didn't I grow up knowing this-'

'Maybe you would of, maybe they had every intention to tell you but then your Mum died and maybe Larry just didn't know how to do that on his own after. Come're' He gathered her into his arms. 'It's alright'

'God. I'm sorry. I've not even been back a day and I'm already crying and being a bitch'

He smiled into her neck. 'I love you even when you're being a bitch'

She tilted her head up from his shoulder and smiled blearily. 'Really? Bitchy works for you huh?' She joked wearily.

'Uhuh' His thumb traced over her flushed cheek. 'How do you feel about picking up where we were headed until your jackass boyfriend went and put his foot in it?'

She locked her hands behind his neck and nodded. 'He wasn't being a jackass. He was being caring' She pulled on him until she was laying on her back with his comforting weight on top of her. 'And he's totally getting laid right now for being ridiculously kind to his mess of a girlfriend'

'Hey, don't be saying shit about my girlfriend. She might be a mess sometimes but she's my mess' He nuzzled his nose against hers.

'She loves him'

'He loves her'

-X-

'Hey looser' Peyton chanted as she waltzed into his new office space. It was strange being back in her familiar work environment having been away because everything was different now. Good different. She was slowly getting what she wanted, that's what it felt like anyway- going to LA, it had been a lot of responsibility and she was praying Knight would continue to bestow her with opportunities without hassling her in return.

'Oh hey'

'Oh hey? That's all you're giving me after the airport? You completely vanished. No goodbye. Nothing' She blurted, her arms crossed and her eyes narrowed defensively.

'Oh yeah. Sorry about that. I got a phone call and then you looked so happy and I was miserable and well...' He trailed off and his sad expression had her suddenly feeling guilty for her brash entrance.

'The mystery girl? I'm sorry Derek' She dropped her hands to her sides and her eyes softened.

'It's fine. I just expected her to be there you know? And she rings me with this lame excuse and I just saw you and well I guess I was jealous by your welcoming reception so I just had to get out of there'

'I get it. It's cool. Really' She wavered her hand dismissively. 'This is swish' She hastily changed the subject, gesturing to the space around them. 'Look at you in your swanky new office' She winked and bowed mockingly. 'Should I be calling you mr boss now?'

He rolled his eyes, crinkling his nose disapprovingly. 'Definitely not. I'm not your boss, you got promoted too'

'Oh I know and I'm over the moon about it but I've not been given this treatment. I think it's safe to say I report to you'

'Rather me than Knight hey?'

'God yes' She beamed. 'It's kind of perfect how things have turned out. I mean I know I still have to see him but it's going to be so much less now and I saw him this morning and he was nothing but polite' She felt like a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

'That's great Peyton. I'm really happy. But you have to tell me if he does try anything again, if he so much as looks at you the wrong way-'

'Okay chill, I get it' She cut him off with a laugh.

'So was er, was Lucas okay about...you know?'

Her smile dwindled at his question and her ease was quick to disappear because she knew what he was referring to and in an instant a tight knot formed in her stomach.

'Oh...I've not mentioned it yet...we had a lot of other stuff to talk about over the weekend. I'll tell him tonight' She answered him uneasily.

'I'm sorry. You know it's not like I'd ever tell him, you really don't have-'

'I do. Not telling him makes it mean something. It's fine, the only reason I haven't already is because I wanted to be face to face and I know what he's like, he would of worried even more about me being away from home had I told him while we were still out there.'

'If you think he's going to take it badly I could tell him. I should probably apologise to him at the very least'

'I know you feel bad about it Derek but seriously it's fine, and I appreciate you wanting to help and all but I don't think it would help coming from you. He'll be okay about it but I don't think you're going to be his favourite person... for a while at least' She chewed on the inside of her cheek. The subject at hand had her wanting to run away from Derek; she didn't want there to be any conflict between herself and Lucas and Derek was now in that shady zone because she knew he already had his reservations about her friend and she was certain there'd be no changing his view of the man in question once she shared the insignificant kiss that had happened. She'd already kept the whole adoption thing from him and she didn't think another secret would bode well. With that thought she found herself eagerly making an excuse to leave and seek out someone else's company for the remainder of her lunch break. She only wished she liked her other work colleagues half as much.

-X-

'I'm home!' Lucas announced as he walked into the apartment. It felt unusual to come home to her after her absence and even prior to her trip her long hours had meant him returning home to an empty abode. He only hoped her presence was the start of her working more sensible hours and not simply because it was her first day back.

'What's wrong?' He wondered aloud as he found her in the kitchen, her hair pulled up messily on top of her head, a dish rag draped over her shoulder and bright yellow washing up gloves on her hands.

'Nothing' She smiled at him in greeting, noisily blowing the strand of hair that was floating irritatingly in front of her eyes away.

'Nothing?' Lucas pecked her cheek, helpfully tucking the stubborn curl behind her ear before regarding her knowingly. 'Baby you're cleaning. You don't clean'

She frowned in response. 'Hey I do...sometimes'

'Yeah when you're upset or anxious, when it's the last possible thing you can do to distract yourself' He smirked.

Her pout softened and she walked over to him, slouching against him and ditching the cloth in her hand. 'You know me so well'

'Uhuh. Better than you do' He affectionately kissed her forehead and stroked her back as he looked through the mail on the side. 'So. You going to tell me what's up?'

'I...I've...there's something that's been bothering me. Something that I haven't told you' She mumbled.

His interest peaked and his stare left the electricity bill in his hand to look at her.

'Like the fact that you're adopted?' He kinked his brow teasingly. She didn't smile though and his concern grew 'Did that asshole boss try something today cause I swear-'

'No that's not it. Work was fine. Good even' She hastily informed him.

'O-kay?' He muttered unsurely. 'Well, what is it?'

'Before I tell you, I want you to know that the only reason I've not told you this is because I didn't want to upset you and I wanted to be face to face so you don't freak out-'

'Peyton you're beginning to scare me'

She shook her head and wavered her gloved fingers in front of her. 'There's no need to be scared I just don't want you to misinterpret why I didn't tell you, I don't want you to think I didn't because it means something because that's so not it I just didn't want you to get upset over nothing but I can't not tell you because asides from the whole adoption thing I've never kept anything from you before, I can't keep anything from you and it's driving me crazy'

'Okay just stop. Just tell-'

'Derek kissed me' She blurted over his words, half hoping he wouldn't hear her. But he did. Loud and clear.

His jaw dropped.

'I didn't kiss him. He kissed me and I pulled away, I don't want you to think it was a two way thing cause that so wasn't it. He'd had a few too many-'

'When?' Lucas cut her off.

'What?'

'When did this happen?'

'The weekend after you visited' She muttered quietly, anticipating his anger.

He nodded. 'Of course it did. Of course you're only telling me this now'

'I'm sorry but I wanted to tell you in person! I didn't want you freaking out here and torturing yourself while I was out there with him'

He stood there for a moment. Rigid and despondent.

'Luke?'

And then he walked away.

'Where're you going?' She followed as he made his way to their shared bedroom.

'To change'

'So that's it. You're okay-'

'No. I'm fucking pissed. I hate that guy and I told you he liked you and you laughed at me' He grumbled, throwing open the bedroom door, it bashed into the wall behind.

'He was drunk Luke. It was just the drink and he's been so apologetic, he even wanted to come here and apologise to you'

'Yeah sure he did' He tossed his tie aside and began to unbutton his shirt.

'He did!'

'I don't doubt that he fucking did. He's a crafty fucking bastard, weaselling his way into your life, getting you to trust him. He's trouble Peyton you might not see through it but I do'

'Don't be mean. You're being absurd. He's my friend and I forgave him, so should you'

'Well I won't and I don't want you around him. He's only interested in getting in your pants-'

'Don't be a jerk. He's a good guy' She scorned.

'Yeah? If he's so good why'd he kiss a girl he knows is taken? He's constantly texting you, he sees you more than I fucking do!'

'You're jealous. God Luke it's only been that way for the last few months and that's only because I've been away, I can't help that'

'I don't care, you can't see him' In the moment he didn't care if his outburst seemed irrational to her or unfair. He didn't want her seeing him and his anger had him unable to bite his tongue.

'He's just a friend and you can't tell me to stop seeing him. I won't. I work with him for fuck sake' She was done with the conversation and hastily stalked toward the exit. She'd promised herself she'd stay calm, be understanding, but he was making it difficult.

'Where're you going?'

'Out'

'Out?' He snorted. 'Right, run away. Real mature'

'I'm not running away. I can't talk to you when you're like this.'

He crossed the gap she'd created between them and caught her arm before she disappeared from their room. 'Well I'm sorry for being a little upset that some other guy has had his tongue down my girlfriends throat'

'See! You're being ridiculous, that's not what it was- you think I let it go that far? As soon as I recovered from the shock of it I was pushing away.' She blurted.

That made him happy. Not that it showed.

'Now can you let go of me because I want to leave' She huffed wearily.

'No'

She couldn't help but think how much he looked like a petulant child as he yanked her out of the doorway and pushed her back into the nearest wall.

She gasped in surprise, her startled eyes looking up into his dark stare.

Her brow furrowed and suddenly her anger dissolved and she felt sorry for him.

'Hey' She exhaled heavily. He had her hands pinned to the wall behind her so she tilted her head towards him, pressing her forehead to his. 'Hey'

'First your boss, now him...I just, I can't...'

'It's not the same Luke. A little drunken mistake.' She brushed her nose against his.

'I don't like that guy' He gruffly husked. 'I don't like anything about the way he looks at you'

She kissed the side of his mouth. 'I know' She whispered. 'But he's not into me Luke. He's been moping around for the last few weeks because he's hung up over this girl back here. He really wants to be with her but it's awkward because they're good friends and are worried about ruining what they already have'

He closed his eyes. The prospect of this guy getting a girlfriend was somewhat reassuring.

'Besides, wasn't it you that told me I have no reason to be jealous? You don't either'

'This isn't jealousy Peyton' He disregarded, his hands releasing her wrists. 'Well maybe a little, but it's more about needing to protect you and, and sometimes I feel like it's just, it's out of my control' He expelled, scraping his fingers through his hair.

'It is' She agreed, her freed hands coming up to cup his face. 'You can't control everything Luke'

'But I, I don't, I don't think you understand. Baby if anything ever happened to you..' He shook his head in distress. 'I couldn't...I'd never forgive myself'

'Hey' She pulled his face down to hers, nuzzling her nose against his affectionately. 'Don't you know you save me every day Lucas Scott. And I'm a bitch to you all the time'

'You're not-'

'I can be. I have been, especially lately'

'You've not. You've been through a lot and we're working through it. That's what a relationship is, right?'

She nodded. 'You're right... Nothing is going to happen to me Luke. I promise'