Shopping malls have never been Peyton's idea of fun.

She especially hates it on a Saturday morning and without the guidance of her best friend. But that's exactly where she is.

It amazes her how quickly Jamie grows out of his clothes.

'Are we done yet?' He queries, swinging his hand within hers. Apparently he isn't too fond of shopping either. Peyton doesn't blame him, it had taken them three shoe shops before they'd found a pair that fitted but it was worth it. He was seemingly very pleased with their purchase because his eyes kept drifting down to the green converses that donned his feet.

'Nearly' Peyton assures. 'I just need to get a few bits from the food store, okay?'

'Can I get some sweeties?' He looks up at her with bright blue eyes.

'I should think so, considering how good you've been' She smiles. 'And then after we can go see what Lucas is doing' She suggests.

Jamie nods with enthusiasm. 'Will he be up when we're home? I wanta show him my new fast shoes'

'If he's not you can wake him' She proposes. He'd still been asleep when they'd left having worked till early hours of the morning the night before.

She's been around more and more but it's never just them, there's always Jamie to think about. It's good in a sense. It's forcing them to take things slow and figure out exactly what they want from each other. It's forcing them to keep their relationship under wraps.

Things have carried on as normal. Well, in Jamie's eyes anyway.

And whilst Peyton is eternally confused by what they are and what they're doing, she's also strangely happy.

'Grandpa!' Peyton's startled by the five year old's uncharacteristically loud cheer. He breaks free from her hand and she watches as he dashes across the mall and before she can even reprimand him, he's in an older man's open arms.

She shudders as she watches them embrace.

She knows Dan Scott.

She doesn't like him one bit.

He'd always put a whole lot of pressure on Nathan, so much so that she knew her friends marriage had suffered because of it.

And on top of that, she now had even more reason to dislike the man.

He'd left Lucas. He'd disowned him.

She's standing before him now, her lips in a thin line, her eyes narrowed.

'Peyton Sawyer'

She nods stiffly. 'What're you doing here?' She wastes no time in asking. She wants to grab Jamie and leave but she won't make a scene because she doesn't want to frighten the little boy.

The older man chuckles. 'I'm well thank you, it's ever so kind of you to ask' He retorts.

'Are you feeling better?' Jamie doesn't comprehend his grandfather's sarcasm.

'I've got a new perfectly ticking heart' Dan taps his chest and Peyton's eyes flicker to his torso.

'You have?' Jamie, oblivious to the tension between the two adults, asks curiously, his little hand covering his Grandads'.

'Yes kido. Your old Grandad's got a few years left in him yet' He smiles but Jamie doesn't. His eyes are suddenly sad and Peyton's heart breaks a little bit when he speaks again.

'Mummy and Daddy died'

'I know JimmyJam'

She wonders if he cried. She wonders if he shed a tear for the son he's lost. She wonders if he regrets the way he's behaved in the past.

'But they're in heaven now, watching down on you'

'They are?'

'Of course'

She's not heard Jamie speak about his parents. She doesn't want to breach the subject or interrogate him on the matter, she wants him to be the one to confide in her. Only now, watching as he's openly brought up the subject to his Grandad, she realises how disconnected from his everyday life she'd once been. Sure Haley was a close friend, but they both had their separate lives and Jamie didn't know her half as well as he clearly did his Grandpa.

She feels a twinge in her stomach as she observes Jamie chatting away animatedly. She can't help but feel like she's failing as she watches because she's sure his smile has never been so big.

She knew Haley had encouraged the relationship between Grandfather and Grandson, despite her aversion to her father-in-law.

Peyton wasn't quite sure how she'd been so selfless.

She'd grown up with Nathan, she'd seen the way Dan Scott treated him and now, knowing what she did about Lucas, her dislike for the man had only grown.

'We have to go buddy' She interrupts the little reunion, eager to get the five year old back in her arms.

His smile diminishes but he does as he's told and returns to her side.

'I'll see you soon' Dan promises.

Jamie nods, his toothy grin back. 'You can come see my Uncle Lucas. He looks after me now'

Dans' brow furrows over his eyes but he's quick to disguise his baffled face.

But Peyton sees. She sees.

'Say goodbye Jamie' She instructs gently, leading him away.

Jamie waves, his neck craned over his shoulder as she guides him toward the exit. It's only when they walk out the doors does his focus return to her.

'That was my Grandad' He announces proudly.

She ruffles his hair because she doesn't know what to say.

She feels numb and she just wants to get him out of here before Dan snatches him away from her.

And the idea of him being taken from her now is incomprehensible and for the first time she realises that not only does Jamie Scott need her, but she needs him back.

It's late afternoon.

They're at her house because she wanted to change into something a little warmer because out of no where Jamie requested they go to the beach and neither adult can seem to say no to his innocent little face. Besides, the idea of grabbing some food and walking along the sandy shoreline as the sun sets is nothing but appealing, to Peyton anyhow.

She's sure Jamie's off tormenting Edgar, her dopey cat. She doesn't quite get why the kid is so fond of him. Sure he's cute but he's not exactly friendly to anyone but her. Certainly not to Jamie anyhow. It may have something to do with the obstacle course he tried to get the four legged friend to partake in the last time he was round. Edgar certainly didn't approve and always favoured sleep over any activity, especially Jamie's obstacle courses.

Lucas wanders round her room like he's in a museum as he waits for her to reappear from the bathroom.

He'd been foolish to think this was going to be a quick stop just to grab a sweatshirt but apparently she needs to completely change her outfit so it's beach suitable.

He's not complaining though. In fact he's quite enjoying getting to snoop around her room. He's not been in here before and it's a whole new insight into her life. He peers at photos of a smaller version of herself with friends and family, regards the messy jewellery box on the dresser and gets a boyish smirk on his face when he notes the lacy bra hanging out of the the laundry basket in the corner.

He's sitting on the bed when she eventually reappears and for a moment he just stares because she's wearing a dress and she looks hot. She's tied her hair back and he has the urge to free the wild curls that're trying to escape but he doesn't because he has a question for her.

'This is Nathan right?' His brow is furrowed as he holds up the photograph.

Her eyes flutter over the image and then back to his face.

'Yes' she confirms.

'You're, you're kissing him'

Peyton leans over the bed and tries to retrieve the photo but he holds it out of her reach.

'Give it to me. Where did you get that anyway?'

'Box of photos' He gestures to her bedside table. 'A good few are of you with him'

'As happy as I am to have you make yourself at home' She drones sarcastically. 'Can you not rifle through my stuff?' She scolds with a little smile that tells him she's really not too bothered. She hopes her taunting will distract him from his questions. It doesn't. He prods the image and widens his eyes expectantly. 'We were all friends'

'Your tongue is in his mouth' He looks amused but his disgruntled tone gives him away and her eyebrows raise.

She shrugs a shoulder. 'We dated okay?'

He cringes involuntarily. He doesn't want to care, wouldn't care in the slightest if this was any other guy they were talking about. 'You went out with my brother?'

'Look I know it sounds weird'

'It is weird' Lucas nods. The feelings surging through him are unchartered and he doesn't like it. He's not meant to care about stuff like this but her having been with his brother makes him feel queasy. 'How long for?'

'Er, I dunno, probably on and off for about two years'

'Two years?' She has to stop herself from laughing at him. He's not amused. Not in the slightest. He feels guilty. He never knew his brother, nor ever will but somehow he feels like he's taking something that isn't his.

'Lucas I was fifteen, he was my first boyfriend. It didn't mean anything'

'So you didn't sleep with him or anything?'

She bites her lip because as funny as his outraged face is she can hear the distress in his voice and she doesn't want to be the cause of distress. 'I didn't sleep with him?' She tries unconvincingly.

'You've had sex with my brother' He states, his eyes closed. He's telling himself it's okay over and over. He doesn't know why the knowledge that she's been with a relative he never new is making his stomach turn but it is.

'If it helps, that's all it ever really was' She hurriedly remarks and then she's cringing because she's just heard her own words.

'Doesn't help' He opens one eye.

She edges over to him, feet taking small cautioned steps. 'Okay I know it must be a little weird for you and I'm sorry but you have no need to be upset about this' She gently confiscates the creased photograph in his hand. 'Nathan and Haley were perfect for each other. Nathan and me, not so much' She smiles.

He eyes her suspiciously. 'This isn't the reason why you're so interested in me right? Because if you were in love with my brother and are trying to relive that relationship through-'

'Woah' She throws her hand out to silence him. She's not minded this conversation until now, if anything she was kind of reeling in the fact that he was jealous but his suggestion that she's trying to relive something that happened years ago is not only completely nonsensical but leaves her feeling sick. Her eyes scrunch up closed and she shakes her head. 'First off. Me and Nathan never in love. And we're, we're-' Her hand wavers between them. 'We're just having fun' She says uncertainly and he nods because he still doesn't know what it is they're doing. 'And secondly, you, you couldn't be more different from Nathan'

Her eyes are telling the truth and he instantly feels better.

'Okay' He nods to himself.

She hesitantly sits down beside him. 'Okay?' She's not so certain he's okay.

'Yeah...sorry' He mutters sheepishly because he's embarrassed because he feels like he's just made a whole song and dance over nothing and he's just not meant to care. They're just having fun together. He doesn't need to know about her love life.

'It's alright, I get it' She licks her lips. 'While we're on the topic of your relatives though, I saw...I saw your d-' She stops herself from saying Dad. 'Dan Scott today'

His eyes jerk up and she can see the unease surface in his eyes.

'What?'

She nods and pulls her hair free, curls falling round her face. 'Jamie spotted him at the mall'

He blinks several times and for a moment she thinks he's going to tumble to the floor and faint on her.

'I thought you said he was in hospital, that he needed a heart or something?' He's never met the man in question. He doesn't know what he looks like. He doesn't know anything about him and he doesn't want to and it freaks him out that he could pass him on the street and not even know.

'Turns out he got one'

Lucas shrugs suddenly, feigning nonchalance that she doesn't buy for a second.

'Luke I'm worried' She confesses abruptly, her light tone gone.

Her admission has him turning to face her.

He notes the way she's biting her lip anxiously.

'Why?'

'He scares me. What if he tries to take Jamie now? I mean, he has a new heart, he's healthy now and Jamie's known him all his life. If he wants him he could question the custodial rights that you've got and if it goes to court we won't have a chance in hell' She rants. 'I mean who would you favour? The doting Grandad, who's been there since he was born or the unknown uncle that he's known for all of five months'

He grips her hand instinctively.

Five months ago he would have been jumping up and down at the thought of someone else taking Jamie Scott on board. But now, now he can't ever imagine being without the child. It may have only been five months but in that short period of time he'd bonded with his nephew. They'd laughed and shouted together. They'd taken on kindergarten together, ventured aimlessly through supermarket aisles, come to terms with this new life. They'd come so far and if he hadn't realised it yet, he definitely did now. He loved Jamie Scott. He really did.

'Well...at the end of the day if that's what he wants, it's Jamie's choice but if he wants to stay here with me, then he'll stay here' He tells her strongly.

She nods, she hopes he's right.

They don't have time to linger on such thoughts though, something she's thankful of. Because a loud miaow of protest sounds from downstairs followed by Jamie hollering for his furry friend to come back and play.

'I think we best go before Edgar's forced to play anymore games'

He gets to his feet and walks behind her.

'I like the dress by the way' He swats her behind as they exit her room and in a second the seriousness that has engulfed their conversations is gone and a blush filters up her cheeks that he finds both cute and sexy at the same time. A blush that he's suddenly found himself going out of his way to achieve in recent days.

She quickens her pace and he knows it's to get away from him because they have this unsaid no touching policy when it comes to being in Jamie's presence. One that he's finding harder and harder to abide by but one that is essential, because breaking those rules will fundamentally lead to change, change that he thinks none of them are ready for, least of all him and besides, they're just having fun.

It's late.

They've eaten on the beach and Jamie's raced up and down with his brand new shoes on. Peyton tried to persuade him to take them off and paddle in the water but he declined claiming they made him go super sonic fast.

He's worn himself out now and is asleep on the blanket she brought with them.

Lucas doesn't think of things like that. The evening brings a cool breeze and he doesn't think to cover the little child with a jumper like she does either.

Instead he sits and smokes a cigarette and his mind wanders to the father he's never known. He wonders what he looks like. He wonders what he's like.

She's watching him or more precisely watching the cigarette in his hand.

She doesn't like it when she's caught him smoking near the infant and he knows it too. She makes that same disapproving expression that he finds so entertaining only he doesn't smirk this time round. He shakes his head and sighs.

'Sorry' He goes to put it out but her hand grabs his wrist.

'Don't' She warily meets his gaze. 'Can I?'

He looks from her to the lit cigarette because he's sure he's misunderstood.

Only he hasn't. She doesn't wait for an answer, she takes what she wants and he watches bewilderedly as she takes a drag.

His unknown father is completely gone from his mind now.

His mind has gone to the gutter.

He wants to kiss her.

He wants to push her back into the sand and see what she's wearing under the blue cotton dress that covers her body.

'Don't look so surprised' She's amused. She takes another drag and closes her eyes.

It's good. It reminds her of her teenage years and she can almost taste that sense of freedom. A time when there wasn't a care in the world. A time when life seemed exciting and the world was a big adventure.

He sees it encase her.

He's suddenly aware that he doesn't really know this girl. She's more of a mystery to him than ever before.

He wonders what's happened in her life to make her eyes not twinkle as they are now. Because they don't usually. There serious and she's evasive and private.

'Where were you. Before you came to Tree Hill, I mean?' She asks. She stays looking at the sea and the setting sun makes her hair a sparkling gold.

'California'

She turns her head to look at him because his life has changed dramatically since she's known him and she wants to know where he's been and what he's done.

'As soon as I was legal I started to move around a lot' He shrugs.

'Did you grow up here?' She wonders.

He takes his cigarette back because he's in desperate need of another drag.

She waits.

'Well, not here exactly, Charlotte. What about you?'

'I've lived here my whole life' She quirks her eyebrow. 'Did...were, did you live with your mother there?'

'Peyton I don't really want to talk about any of that right now' He says off handedly.

'I'm sorry'

He sighs heavily and he hates her a little bit because there's something about her that makes him relent and he's never had that weakness with anyone before. 'No...I, it's alright' He runs his hand through his hair. 'According to my file it was a joint decision between both parents. They felt they were too young to handle such responsibility'

She frowns. She's thinking that that makes no sense. Well, not for Dan Scott anyway. Nathan was less than six months younger than his half brother and he quite easily took on the responsibility of a baby.

'Ironic huh?'

'So, you, I thought you said you last saw your mum when you were three?'

He nods. 'Apparently. According to my file anyway. Dan signed off all parental rights straight away but my biological mother didn't'

'What?' She's confused.

He shrugs. 'I don't know why. There are records of visits up until after I turned three and then she eventually signed away all her rights when I was five'

'God Lucas'

'I don't remember seeing her ever. She didn't want me, that much is clear. He didn't want me. Why would I want to meet either one of them now? Maybe I just wasn't cute enough' He grins but she doesn't smile. Because it's not fair. It was common knowledge that generally the younger a child was the more chance they'd got of being adopted into a safe and loving home, to people that actually wanted them. His mother's delay in signing away her parental rights had condemned him to a life of instability and it just wasn't fair.

He wants to tell her to stop with her pitying stare but she's stood up and her dress billows out with the gentle wind and his mouth goes dry because he's just caught a glimpse of her underwear.

Her eyes flutter warily to Jamie and when she's satisfied that he's still out for the count she hovers over Lucas, sliding down into the gap between his bent knees and his chest.

'Hi' He smirks.

'Hi' She smiles back coyly and fiddles with the material that covers his chest.

'You should really stop, it's such a bad habit' She says gently as she watches him place the cigarette back in his mouth. She wants to kiss that mouth.

'Mmm yeah it is, but you look so hot doing it' he holds it up to her lips and she obligingly takes one more drag and he nearly groans at the sight. His free hand slides under her dress and squeezes her thigh as she exhales, their eyes joined and then she's confiscating the cigarette from his hand and stubbing it out for him.

He pouts.

'You'll get over it' She slides her hands up his chest and around his neck, pulling herself closer and he's already over it.

'I'm sorry about your parents Luke' She whispers.

'Don't be'

'My biological parents didn't want me either'

'You're... adopted?' He asks uncertainly.

'You'd never of known huh?' A small smile graces her lips. She still finds it hard to believe herself sometimes, everyone is always telling her how much she looks like her mother. 'See, I could've easily had your life. It's just bad luck' She's never felt quite so lucky. She was chosen. She has beyond wonderful parents that have guided her through her life so far.

He tugs her hips closer and tilts his head and kisses her then, as he's been longing to for the most part of the day. She opens her mouth to him instantly and the little mewling sounds she makes go straight to his groin.

And they kiss. And Jamie sleeps. And the sun sets.

And as she looks into his eyes he sees that it's not pity in her eyes, it's understanding and for the first time he thinks that perhaps they're not so different, perhaps they're actually kind of similar.