Peyton smiled kindly at the police officer, showing her appreciation to him for his work. He might've only stood outside while they were in her house, but he was still standing guard, and it made her feel safe. There was no doubt that she still had her fears about the faux-Derek, but she didn't feel so helpless knowing that the Tree Hill police department was on her side.
She continued back to Lucas' car before she realized she had completely forgot what she had come for. The only reason Peyton went back to her house was to get some things that she would need over at Luke's place, but she didn't have her bag. And feeling a little stupid for that, Peyton looked over at Lucas. Luckily, he was both brain and brawn, carrying her bag with ease as he followed her to his car. "I can carry my own bag," she stated with her hand held out, ready to take the load from him.
Lucas shrugged his shoulders and stated, "I know you can." They stopped a few feet away from his car and he started to pass the bag over. In a split second, he took his arm back towards himself and held the duffle. "I can carry your bag too, then," he remarked with a smirk.
Rolling her eyes slightly, Peyton's face lit up. She was never the kind of girl that would pamper herself, or let a guy do things for her, but Luke always had a way of taking care of her without Peyton feeling like a defenseless girl. Even when he'd save her, she never really felt like she was inferior to him, but their balance was just right. All she could manage to say was, "Cute," as she blushed slightly. That Lucas Scott charm was exactly what had her head over heels in love with him.
"I try," Lucas said with a grin. He continued walking over to his car, oozing with suave. He knew that for the moment, he had Peyton smitten. And even though they were just friends, he liked the way that he could make her nervous, and he loved that rosy color her cheeks would turn when he'd get to her.
Still letting his smooth qualities run loose, Lucas took a large step in front of Peyton and reached the car first. He opened the door kindly for her, and stepped aside so she could climb in. He watched her hop into the car with a weird feeling tingling down his spine. For some strange reason, getting into a car like this, taking care of Peyton and excited for her to spend another night in his arms, Lucas felt like they were a couple or something. A couple of what, he wasn't sure. But he definitely felt like they were a couple.
Lucas made his way around the car. He tossed her duffle bag gently into the back before climbing into his own seat. They were ready to hit the road again, now to Karen's Café. They knew that they were supposed to go back to the house, but that tired look in both of their eyes was praying for a good cup of coffee before heading back. Turning the engine over, Lucas checked his blind spot before pulling out into the street, and moving along.
The silence between the two wasn't awkward, just somewhat peaceful. They were able to listen to a radio without arguing over which station. Each other's car and driving habits didn't bother one another. They could simply listen to the music and enjoy the scenery. They didn't have to say a word, and they would still know the other is there with them.
Passing the Rivercourt, a thought crossed Peyton's mind. They were stopped at a stop sign, and her eyes were fixed on the basketball court. "Do you ever think about what would've happened if you lost that night?" she finally asked. Peyton glanced back over her shoulder at Lucas, who looked a little confused. "The night you played Nathan," she elaborated.
Pressing his lips together, Lucas understood what she was talking about. He even got a glimpse of the court behind Peyton's angelic smile. "Sometimes," he responded hesitantly. He took a deep breath that lead into a chuckle. "A lot of the time," he admitted.
Nodding, Peyton knew why he wasn't so quick to confess the truth. She didn't like to consider the "what if" thoughts as regrets, but that's what they were. If you want to change your past, it's because you regret something. And she didn't want to tell him her side of the story, but she wanted to know his. Peyton inquired, "What's the alternate reality like for you?"
"I don't know," Lucas stated with a tilted head in thought. It was his turn to pass the four-way intersection as he drove away from the basketball court, but it still lingered in his mind. Not really sure where he was going with his words, Lucas started, "Nathan…"
Peyton raised her eyebrow and quickly quipped, "Would still be a jerk?"
Letting out another chuckle, he paused to shrug. "I used to think he couldn't change, but Haley really did a number on him." He nodded to his own statement, thinking about something so pure and true. Their relationship was something that he wished to find and to feel one day. Maybe he already has that feeling, but just needs something to open his eyes. "And love like that is fate," he finished with an optimistic grin on his face.
Her heart skipping a beat, Peyton was touched by his sweet sentiment. Even though she felt like that kind of love wasn't meant for everyone, Nathan and Haley, and now even Lucas, gave her that hope. She knew who her heart belonged to, but the return of that love was just as important. "Anything else?" she questioned, hoping that he'd have more words she'd take to heart.
Lucas kept his eyes on the road. He knew that there was his connection with Peyton, shining brighter than expected. It was hard for him to declare this truth to anyone, but he felt like she'd understand better than anyone. "Maybe Keith would still be around…"
Peyton nodded her head slowly. She hadn't expected him to go to that place, and she knew how much he missed Keith. "You'd take it all back for him, wouldn't you?" Peyton asked, shyly raising her head to face Luke.
"Yes," Lucas exhaled with ease. He took another moment and felt Peyton's eyes on him. He could always feel her presence, even when it wasn't true. "And no," he said with a little shock in his own voice. "I don't know if losing to Nathan would've kept Keith safe." Lucas took another deep breath, somewhat confused about the thoughts running through his mind. He thought all the time about losing Keith, and all he'd do to get his father-figure back, but something was holding him back this time. "And if I hadn't won that game, at some point, I might've lost you too," he finally managed to say, this thoughts becoming clearer.
Eyeing him strangely, Peyton was confused. She knew Lucas better than that, and he never really threw in the towel when it came to Keith. If anything, he was fighting every day to keep his memory alive. "You didn't know me then," she stated, still thinking about why he didn't stop at "yes".
Pulling up to the café, Lucas parked directly across the street. He pulled his keys out of the ignition and held them in his hand. They jingled slightly, and one of his oldest key chains twinkled in his eye. Keith gave it to him when he was a boy, but he wasn't a boy anymore. Turning his attention back to Peyton, he looked her dead in the eye. "But now that I do, I can't imagine missing out on you," he spoke softly.
She sighed slightly, entranced by his words. He was so sweet to her, but there was a part of her that just wouldn't let her take the compliment. Peyton shook her head at Lucas and forced, "Come on, Luke." She didn't understand why he was giving her that look "For Keith?"
"I miss him, every day that he's not here." Lucas looked down into his lap and cleared his throat. He continued, "And it sucks knowing that he's never going to come back. But he was the best dad I could've asked for, and having him, even if that time was short, means so much more than having a crappy dad for a lifetime."
Peyton went on watching him, wondering where he was going with his thoughts. "So why not take it back?" she questioned, not fully understanding. She was always able to follow along with Lucas, get him just by a look. But at this moment, she was honestly lost.
Luke fidgeted with his keys between his fingers. "Because he taught me how to live. To make mistakes, and learn from them. To grow up and be a good man." He hesitated with each of his words, but he was finally able to stabilize himself. He took another deep breath, ready to reveal himself to her. "To love," he finished.
A strange sensation rushed through Peyton. She had an idea of what he was talking about, but she didn't know if her own feelings for Luke were tricking her, or if he was really saying the words. Peyton couldn't stand to get her hopes up again because it was just too hard. She traveled up and down roads of great length with Lucas, and it was hard to imagine risking all of it on a miscommunication. "I don't get—"
"If I was still on the Rivercourt, we probably wouldn't be sitting here right now, Peyton," Luke interjected. He tossed his keys into the opposite hand, leaving the one closest to Peyton free. "I got the opportunity to love Keith, and I know he loved me back." His eyes were gazing hard into hers, like he was trying to read straight down to her soul. He knew how he was feeling, and that it was a part of his heart resurrected, but he was still trying to see what message her heart was sending. "And I still have that chance with you…" he stated timidly.
Reaching out for Peyton, he raised his hand to her cheek and stroked her porcelain skin gently. He loved her soft feel and warm smile. He could see the longing stare in her eye, and he returned it as well. The way she looked so pure and deep was like a breath of fresh air to Lucas. He hadn't seen her in that light for so long, but now that he has, he realized his feelings for he had never gone away. She was the one his heart longed for. And even though all of it seems so confusing and hard, she was worth all of that to him.
Leaning into his touch, Peyton was overwhelmed with feelings. All this time she had been too afraid to tell Lucas her feelings for him, and now he was exposing himself. He was always the one making the moves as she followed along. She just had to make sure it was right. Peyton questioned, "What's happening, Lucas?"
Inching closer, Lucas rested his forehead on Peyton's. "I don't know," he confessed. He knew what he wanted to do, and that he wanted Peyton to be his, but their situation was beyond confusing. By that point, he was so close that his lips were only breaths away from touching hers. "But I can't take anything back."
Peyton knew that it was her turn. He had brought them closer, and up to this very point. Lucas always led the way and forced her to feel the feelings that they shared. But this time around, Peyton had to show that her love has been there for a long time coming. She should've been the first one to make the move, but she missed her opportunity. She knew I was in her hands to finish the deal as she whispered, "So don't."
Making that final push, Peyton pressed her lips against Luke's. It had been such a long time since they last kissed with such passion. It was nearly magic between them. And even after all the drama and heartache the two of them had been put through, they finally found each other again. They found that love that heals all pain and make each day in life more than just another day.