A/N: Thank you everyone who reviewed, they were amazing; I love to know what everyone thinks. Okay this chapter was too long, so I split it into two, therefore technically this is part one.

Enjoy.

Disclaimer: Nothing owned. Song by Conjure One featuring Sinead O'Connor.

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TEARS FROM THE MOON

xx

Couldn't sleep so I went out walking
Thinking about you and hearing us talking
And all the things I should have said
Echo now, inside my head

I feel something falling from the sky
I'm so sad I made the angels cry

Tears from the moon
Fall down like rain
I reach for you
I reach in vain

xx

PRESENT

x

'Time is a healer', that is what everyone always says... but they are wrong.

Something said or done at the wrong time can destroy. It can tear down walls people carefully build around their heart... it can diminish any hope they have left. It can just plain and simple, hurt people.

Time wise, it was two hours, that was all, no more, no less. One hundred and eighty minutes Lucas had, had before he had completely messed up his carefully thought out plan.

It should have been simple. Come home with his mother, stay out of the way for a few days, show up at the party, and gain Peyton back in his life. Three easy tasks and a conclusion he would need to work at. However, it seemed something out there, a force of greater power, did not want him to succeed.

Therefore, he had done nothing right and instead pushed Peyton further away then he had before. It was not the first three steps in his plan, but the last. He had failed.

His effort had been futile and now... well that was the problem, he had nothing.

Moving slowly along the pavement his body seemed to be growing heavier with each step his aching feet took. Reaching the River Court, he sighed in relief. If there were, one place that could take his mind off his increasingly depressing life it would be the old basketball court. Stepping onto the tarmac, he closed his eyes breathing the chilled air in calmly, before he was interrupted by footsteps behind him. Preparing himself for the scolding he was about to receive he realised he deserved it.

There was so much he should have said; instead, he had let her go.

xx

TWO HOURS BEFORE

xx

The party was in full swing and everyone was gathered in the back garden of Naley's house. Nathan and Skills were showing Jamie how to make the perfect jump shot, while Peyton, Brooke and Haley sat at the outside table talking.

It was calming being outside of the house for the first time in over a week, and Peyton was not going to waste a single second. She was dressed in a deep purple summer dress, courtesy of Brooke, who refused to let her leave the house in jeans. Apparently if she was going to faint again, she was going to do it in style.

Smiling at the memory, she shook her head, Brooke always had, had a way with words. Her friend was; however doing everything in her power to make sure Peyton would heal... and she had. The doctor yesterday had told her she was no longer on bed rest, providing she took it easy. That to Brooke though, meant no work for another week, and only leaving the house to meet up with the others.

Come to think of it, she was not too sure; she was off the house arrest yet.

Reaching for a glass of water, she nodded to Haley's question about whether she had seen Karen. The older woman, had returned earlier then expected, and had visited Peyton on both days before the party. When told that it was not necessary for her to keep checking on her, Karen had just raised an eyebrow and replied that she was going to anyway, because she was family.

That had just made her tear up, and thank the Karen for the time she spent. That was one thing she had never been able to fathom. Karen welcomed her with open arms, while Lucas struggled to admit his feelings to her.

Noticing her thoughts going towards him, she silently thanked the person at the door that rang the bell.

"I'll get it", Mouth called from inside.

Leaning back in the chair Peyton soaked up the sun, as she laughed at a comment Haley made about Nathan accidentally walking straight into the Patio window earlier. Apparently he had not been paying attention and that was the reason for the slightly red cheek he was sporting. Not sunburn, as he had announced earlier to save face.

"Karen", Haley said happily, as she stood and hugged the woman, before moving onto Lily and Andy.

Getting up from her seat Peyton smiled and walked into Karen's open arms, "How are you?" she asked.

Laughing Peyton pulled back and replied, "Since yesterday when you saw me, I'm pretty much the same."

"Good... that's good". Karen said faltering slightly.

"Why", she asked, slightly worried.

"Well..." the older woman began before she was interrupted by a loud cry from Jamie.

"Uncle Lucas".

"... Never mind", she finished as she noticed Peyton's attention had been lost.

Snapping her head up Peyton looked on in awe as she took in the scene before her. Everyone was stood around him greeting him, but careful not to make too much fuss. It seemed everyone was treading on thin ice around the pair. Escaping her thoughts, she suddenly noticed the entire group's attention was on her.

Before she could think of anything to do, he was walking towards her, hands in his pockets and a small, nervous smile on his face. Reaching her, he moved his gave over her form. She was still here, his dreams had been wrong, and to him, she looked better then she had in years. Then again in his eyes she always looked perfect.

"Peyton." He said softly.

Stepping forward she wrapped her arms around him, placing her head briefly on his shoulder as she breathed in his scent. "You came back".

Letting out a relieved sigh, he held onto her tightly, before replying to her whispered comment, "I always will."

However, the moment was over all too quickly as Peyton realised what she was doing. It was unexpected and she scolded herself for giving into him so easily. Pulling away, she took a step back and wrapped her arms across her middle. "How are you?"

"I should be asking you that." Lucas replied with a smile. Inside however he was feeling the loss of holding her.

"I'm fine... allowed outside now." Hearing a knowing cough from the side, she amended her statement, "...under Brooke's constant supervision."

"You're learning ." Her friend called.

Chuckling Lucas looked between the pair before his gaze once more settled on Peyton, "has she been like that all week?"

"Pretty much... my own personal bodyguard." Peyton said smiling over at her best friend.

"She always has your best interests at heart." He stated softly.

"Yeah..." feeling uncomfortable with the conversation and being assaulted by images of their last encounter, Peyton looked away, "So I'm gonna go get a drink." With that she moved away from him and over to her friends, leaving Lucas alone.

Frowning at her sudden distance Lucas sighed. It seemed to be going well and then he had to put his foot in it. A tug on his shirt pulled his attention away from his thoughts and he looked down at his sister.

"Luke... come play with me and Jamie".

"Okay." He replied allowing himself to be dragged away. Trying to glance Peyton's way as he passed he became hurt as she avoided looking at him. All he wanted to do was have five minutes to explain himself, but it seemed like it was going to be harder then he originally thought.

xx

PRESENT

xx

Opening the front door to the house Brooke stumbled over the heaped jacket on the floor, cursing as she caught herself. Calming her breathing, she closed the door quietly and placed the keys on the table, before making her way through the house.

The three friends had decided to split up after the event at the party. Nathan went after Lucas, Haley stayed with Jamie, whilst Brooke, did what she did best... go after Peyton.

Coming to the room that held her best friend, or at least she hoped it did, Brooke gently knocked before she opened the door and stepped through. Only to be greeted by a sight she did not expect.

Her friend was not asleep, she was not even crying, instead she just sat there, leaning against the headboard and staring at the wardrobe.

"Peyton", Brooke whispered becoming increasingly worried by the sight. This was definitely a new one. Not getting a response, she moved to the bed and took a seat next to her.

Minuets passed as the silence in the room continued when eventually Peyton spoke.

"When I was little my Mum used to read 'The lion, the witch, and the wardrobe' to me."

"Okay..." Brooke said confused by the statement.

Sighing Peyton pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her arms on them. "It was my favourite; I used to beg her to read it. I loved the fact that there was another world in the closet... a place to escape."

"Is that what you want", she answered, finally gathering the point of Peyton's rambling.

"Don't... don't you ever just wish you could just escape. Things would be so much easier."

"People would miss you... I know I would."

"You could visit."

"True..." Taking hold of her friends hand Brooke looked at her questioningly. "Is that what you want to do…? Leave?"

"No... I... I don't know".

"It's okay if you do... no-one would judge you".

"Lucas would."

"Honey, he's the reason you want to leave, so he has no right to judge."

"... but I don't want to leave. I just want to be in a world where he doesn't hurt me."

"Is this about earlier."

Sighing Peyton looked away as tears began to cloud her vision. Thoughts of the event at the party took over her mind.

xx

ONE HOUR EARLIER

xx

Stepping over to the bench Peyton held a glass of water in her hand as she took in the sunrise. So far, she had managed to avoid the man who held her heart, but she knew that eventually she would run into him... Again. Taking a sip of her drink, she felt the cool liquid running down her throat and it distracted her for a few moments.

"Why are you avoiding me?"

Closing her eyes at the voice Peyton stifled the hollow laugh that wanted to release from her mouth. Typical, why did she fall in love with someone who knew her so well?

"Peyton", Lucas urged as he moved around her so he stood blocking her view.

"What", she whispered.

"You've been avoiding me for the last hour.

"No I haven't", she argued.

"Please", Lucas scoffed.

"Why can't you just leave me alone?" Peyton sighed. This was hopeless, and she had an idea it was only going to lead to an argument.

"Do you want me to"? He asked raising a hand to her cheek. "Look me in the eye, and tell me you want me to leave you alone."

Moving her gaze so she looked into his eyes, Peyton spoke coldly, "Leave me alone Lucas".

His hand instantly dropped from her cheek, and she cringed internally at the hurt look on his face... but she was tired of this... the game they seemed to be playing. Turning she went to move back to the group who, she noticed, were all watching their little exchange.

"You're lying". He said with some conviction. Noticing her steps falter he moved after her, until eventually she stopped.

"Luke", she pleaded.

"Why Peyton... why are you suddenly being so cold. Earlier you were fine with me".

"No... I was being civil. Yes I hugged you, but I was surprised you came back, and I'm sorry about that."

"You don't have to apologise. Look I meant it when I said I will always come back to you."

"Why did you?"

"What?" he said reeling back slightly?

"Well the other day you seemed to want to go, and then you only managed to be away for a matter of days."

"I realised something..." At her questioning look he continued, "You said you wanted space. I can give you that but still be here if you need me."

Laughing Peyton shook her head, as she placed her glass on the nearby table, "this is what you call space... following me around everywhere I go".

"I'm trying to get you to talk to me."

"No you want me to let you apologise." She said moving closer to him.

"Well you won't let me... why is that anyway?"

"... Because you don't mean it. You never do when it comes to me. I've heard all the lines before Lucas, and frankly they weren't that good the first time around."

"Peyt..."

"This is ridiculous. You need to stop, because I can't take it anymore." She interrupted, throwing her hands up in frustration.

"Stop what?"

"Seeking me out, apologising, and hurting me. I love you Lucas, and I always will, but I said I was going to let you go."

"That was when I had Lindsey." As soon as he saw the look on her face, he realised what he had said. He was an idiot.

"So what am I... the consolation prize?" Holding her hand up to stop him from replying she felt a tear course down her cheek slowly, "It's going to be hard for me... giving you up, but you know what it should be easy for you. You should have no problem giving me up, because let's face it; you stopped wanting me years ago."

"Peyton... I do want you, I always have".

"No you want the idea of me. You used to watch me right, but you never knew me. I thought you were different when we met, I thought you saw the real me... and you did, but when you found out I was a mess, you didn't want me anymore."

"You're wrong", he argued.

"Am I. You know I have this dream, where we are back in that hotel room, and every single time I say yes... but I know it's just a dream. Just like your High School fixation was just your dream."

"Mine was more then that." Lucas said softly.

"Dreams don't come true Luke, you know that... because if they did we would still be together." Peyton cried.

"We can be".

"How... I don't trust you. You know the other day when you kissed me, I actually felt a small piece of hope, but then I realised it was futile. I have nothing left to give you that you haven't already destroyed."

"I just want you... ever since I left town I've been having nightmares where I lose you. I need you Peyton, please don't shut me out."

"I'm not shutting you out Luke, but I'm not letting you in either. Anyway why should I chase after you again when it's your fault we're in this mess?"

"You're right, it is my fault. I just want a chance to fix things..." He pleaded.

"I've given you so many. I came back here for you Lucas, I told you that, but you were to busy trying to hurt me with your girlfriend to notice, I needed you."

"Are you blaming me for you hurting yourself", he asked in amazement.

"No, I'm blaming you for only seeing what you want to. I seem to always be standing in your blind spot."

Running out of points for his argument Lucas thought of something he could do. Unfortunately he could not think of anything and reacted to the thing he had been craving for since he had laid eyes on her earlier. Stepping forward he pulled her into him, and crashed his lips onto hers.

Shocked by his actions Peyton struggled for a few seconds but his hold was to strong. She knew she was being weak but her heart gave in and the next thing she knew she was responding to him. Deepening the kiss she lifted her hands and rested them on his chest.

Feeling her response Lucas groaned as he pulled her closer. Cupping her cheeks with his hand, he let the feel of the kiss take him over. This was what he missed, the intimacy and passion that seemed to pour out of them whenever they were together.

Unfortunately, the feeling was taken away all too quickly as a gasp from behind brought Peyton crashing back to reality. Pulling back abruptly her hand raised and connected to his cheek. She was angry and hurt that he kept on doing this to her.

"How dare you", she shouted.

Holding his cheek Lucas stepped forward again, "could you stop hitting me."

"Stop giving me a reason to. You can't just kiss me whenever you don't like what I have to say", she argued placing her hands on her hips.

"You kissed me back", Lucas replied dropping his hand from his still throbbing cheek.

"Of course I kissed you back, I probably always will, but you shouldn't take advantage of that."

"I'm sor..."

"You apologise and I'll slap you again," she said glaring at him.

Holding his hands up in surrender Lucas sighed, "Fine you don't want to hear it... but eventually you'll hear me out."

Laughing hollowly Peyton shook her head sadly, "You know you amaze me."

"What do you mean", he questioned.

"You say you want me, and need me... but in the last three conversations we've had, you never once said you loved me. I tell you openly how I feel, but you never seem to respond at all."

"Peyt..." he began.

Holding her hand up, Peyton looked at him, as she began to turn away, "I know you came home and everything, but maybe you should consider this... I'll listen to you when you work out what you want. Do you want me because you love me... or do you want me because you know I love you". Walking away, she faltered as he spoke again.

"What do you mean", he called.

"The fact that you even need to ask me that pretty much answers my question", she said turning her gaze back to him, with a sigh, she said her final piece, "I'll be seeing you Lucas Scott."

Watching her walk away, Lucas frowned at her words. Why did that last piece of conversation sound an awful lot like... goodbye.

xx

Stop, Stop haunting me
It should be easy
As easy as when you stopped wanting me... there

xx

A/N: Wow, okay, so small thing about the next update, after Sunday I won't be updating for two weeks, due to not being near a computer, so I'm going to try and put the next chapter up before I go... providing nothing goes wrong.

Next time: Lucas and Peyton both receive some advice... Lucas tries a new approach.

Let me know what you think.