*Thank you for all the great responses from part 9, I must give another disclaimer just as a precaution. Chapters may contain nudity, violence, and scary images. Reader's discretion is advised**

Chapter 21

Wind blew in the open window as Peyton escaped from her sleep. She always got up before Luke; he was notorious for sleeping in, and sometimes missing practice all together. But today wasn't about basketball or making the team work for every single throw, it was about the movie. Peyton rose to go to the kitchen, quietly making sure not to wake Luke so she could get her morning tea. She walked into the kitchen grabbing the kettle and slowly filling it with water.

She couldn't help but think of all the things that had partial kept her up that night, even though she was comforted with Luke, she still had a gnawing in the pit of her stomach something wasn't right. She just couldn't shake it. What had caused her dad to just disappear like that, why did Dan keep referring to her relatives in such a way? She poured the hot water slowly into her cup, adding the tea bag as she walked over to the table. She hated tea, she much rather have her coffee, but the doctor told her it was not good for the twins to consume as much caffeine as she had done before on a regular basis.

She sheepishly looked at her tea, sifting the bag around in the water wishing it tasted better.

"Man I hate tea" she grumbled.

"I know, but it's good for you." Luke's voiced popped out from behind her in the hall, she turned slightly and smiled at him. She may have been distracted but she had not forgotten about the night before.

"Hey you," she grinned eyeing him as he swaggered over to her pulling her face into an intense kiss.

"Hey back, beautiful."

"So, what are you doing up?" Peyton asked thinking for sure he would have stayed in bed much later.

"Oh I forgot to, well tell you last night. We are shooting all day today."

"What!?" Peyton gasped as she whipped her head around staring at him as he stood against the counter. "Why?! All day?!"

"I know, I am sorry. I was going to tell you last night. But well, we kinda got distracted."

"Oh," Peyton blushed. "Well, when will you get back?"

"I don't know," Luke started to sit down swirling his coffee in the cup, carefully blowing on it "It might be about 12am or 1."

Peyton shook her head, "What are you shooting that takes 12 hours to film?"

Luke smiled, "Uhum, well Basketball."

"Huh?" Peyton looked puzzled.

"Yeah, apparently from all the different camera angles it takes a load of time to shoot."

"Uhum, so even on your days off from it, coach. You are still doing basketball. Uhum." Peyton smirked she couldn't believe how much time the game took away from their alone time.

"I know, I am sorry Peyton. I know tonight was supposed to be special for us. But I promise tomorrow will be better."

"Well, ok, if I have to sacrifice us for your career." Peyton sarcastically pouted, making Luke smile. She always knew how to make him laugh.

"Thank you. And hey," he took another sip of his coffee before rising to go towards the sink. "If I get home early enough tonight, I promise to make it up to you." He leaned over her, lightly letting his hand dance through her hair.

"You better, daddy." Peyton crinkled her nose, grinning in his face.

"Oh I will." Luke walked away towards their bedroom. "hmmm, I like that"

"What?" Peyton smiled.

"The name Daddy…it's nice," Luke smiled as he slowly walked into the bedroom, Peyton turning towards him as she sat in the chair.

"Ok," she husked "Daddy" shooting him a mischievous seductive look.

"Oh, see now you have gone and made it dirty, Peyt. Come on!," he tossed his shirt at her in the kitchen while he headed for the shower.

"Ok Daddy" she mocked. Luke shook his head and smirked. What kind of girl was he marrying? Peyton giggled for a moment, forgetting the questions that had plagued her before she awoke. For the first time, she was just happy.

---------------------------------

Luke had left Peyton a few hours ago, and neither one of them could figure out the week before how to put the baby's crib together. So being the trooper, defiant girl she was Peyton tried tackling it again, alone. She had wished Karen had the peace of mind to just have shipped a guy to put it together with the crib, but as she looked inquisitively into the box to see if there was a small man to help ensemble it. There was not.

"Well, looks like it is just you and me kids," she reluctantly grabbed a wood piece and placed it on the floor. Then rose and grabbed another, it slipping off the couch it was resting on and banging to the floor.

"Alright P. Sawyer, step away from the crib."

Peyton turned around spying Skills standing in her living room, smirking at him as he shook his head at her unfortunate dilemma.

"Hi, Skills…what are you a cat burglar too?" she jabbed, making Skills burst into laughter.

"Nah girl, your door was unlocked. And I heard you cussing in here and figured you might need some help."

"I was not cursing, nor do I need help. I am Peyton Sawyer, you know?" Peyton placed her hands on her hips in her best fake super hero stance.

"Oh I know, Peyton Sawyer super hero, soon to be super zero if she don't get away from that crib again, here let me do it."

"Weren't you working today?" Peyton asked crossing her arms in defense that she couldn't put her own crib together without a man's help.

"Nahh, Luke is doing the movie, so he told all us to take the day off practice."

"Well, fine," Peyton threw up her hands in defeat, "I guess you can help me."

"Girl, step out of the way. Help you, please. I can do this my own self."

"Fine," Peyton stepped aside as Skills eyed all the pieces lying on the floor, crinkling his brow. Peyton sat down on the couch eyeing Skills with her Cheshire cat grin, knowing full well he had no idea where to start either, and it made her day.

----------------------------

"Damn it" a clang hit the floor.

"You ok, Skills?" Peyton smiled to herself in the kitchen hearing all the ruckus going on in the living room.

"Yeah, yeah woman. I am fine," Skills walked into the kitchen scratching his head, sitting at the table. "It's that crib that's jacked up, you sure Karen likes you? Or that thing wasn't made by that dude Mussolini?"

Peyton laughed as she stirred yet another of her vile herbal teas taking a seat next to him. "Of course, but I thought you was 'the man' what you can't do it?"

"Girl, not even no Bob Vila could put that thing together. I tell you what"

"What?"

"How's about we leave it on the curb?"

"No, come on Skills we can do it."

"Nah, nah…not even four guys and a fork lift could fix that pile of sticks." Skills shook his head in disbelief.

"Ok, I tell you what. How about we go somewhere."

"Where?"

-----------------------------

Dissolve into Skills befuddled face looking around a huge store, Peyton standing by his side holding onto his arm.

"A fluffy ass baby store, P…oh come on," Skills eyed a huge fluffy pink bunny in the corner; he shivered as it reminded him of Chester.

"Oh come on Skills, you (mocking voice) the man! If we can't build one, Luke gave me enough money we can buy one, that was already made," Peyton devilishly grinned knowing no man wanted to be caught dead in "Bargain Baby" not even the strong sensitive types like Luke. He told her he would rather gauge out his eyes, than go back to any baby outlet store. He sheepishly told her to "Take Brooke."

"Oh come on Skills, it'll be fun," Peyton dragged at his arm as the walked into a huge aisle filled with bath toys, Peyton eyeing one of the rubber duckys in the corner.

"Awww I used to have one of these," she danced it in front of Skills forlorn face. He gave her a disgusted look.

"I thought you was a super hero, P. Sawyer. Didn't know you went all gaga over no rubber duckys."

"Oh come on Skills, it's fun here we can get this one…and this one," Peyton walked through the aisle casually tossing item after item into the cart, as Skills shook his head following slowly behind as if he was walking the slow walk to death row.

"I'm gonna kill Luke," he mumbled to himself as Peyton gleefully went off picking out gifts.

--------------------------------

Dissolve into Skills holding up some very large bags as Peyton stood at the counter talking to the checker as she filled out her credit card receipt. Skills dropped a bag, struggling to keep the rest in hand.

"Can we go now, P!" he exclaimed like a child who wanted to leave church on an early Sunday morning.

"Yes, yeah. Here," Peyton grabbed a couple of the top bags and helped Skills open the stores door as they made their way to her Comet. Suddenly being stopped in their tracks.

"Well, well. Shopping a little early aren't we?" Dan hissed as he shot Peyton and Skills a menacing look.

"What do you want, Dan?"

"Oh, nothing just wanted to know when my son was going to come to his senses and leave you. But I can wait."

"Hey, Peyton. We gotta go, Luke is waiting," Skills broke in as he could see Peyton frozen in fear, a still figure at her car being harassed by Dan.

"Yeah, yeah," Peyton shook out of her daze, looking over at Skills concerned eyes. But still feeling that pit of dread in her core. "Yeah, Luke is waiting. Goodbye, Dan."

"Bye!" he sneered. "Don't forget to keep the receipts so you can bring all that stuff back," he screamed as Peyton sped off with Skills in the car.

"You won't need them for long," Dan whispered to himself, his voice tainted in malice. "Not long now."

-------------------------

Skills and Peyton arrived at the house again. Peyton jumping out of the car leaving Skills behind calling after her, "Peyton! You alright girl?"

"Yeah, yeah Skills I am fine," Peyton rushed into the house feeling the dread wash over her. She wondered why it felt so intense, especially around Dan. Was it a sign of things she was supposed to watch out for? Or was it just a feeling she got looking into his cold hollow eyes. Eyes that looked so much like the only man who ever truly knew her, but so much more dark, cold, and full of hate. She ran to the bathroom, feeling the wave of emotions build in her as she shut the door loudly behind her.

Skills struggled to open the front door, his hands full of the bags of items they had bought over the few hours they were out. He looked around and could not find Peyton, calling her name he made his way to the closed door of the bathroom.

"Peyton, girl you alright?" he tentatively enquired resting his hand on the door knob, finding it was locked. "Peyton!"

"Oh, yeah Skills I am fine," Peyton wiped the tears from her eyes and she stood in front of the mirror. She felt weak, and cold. Something she had never felt before. Something much worse. She mustered her strength to tell Skills, "I am fine Skills just a little morning sickness that's all."

"Well, ok ummm I'm gonna leave the bags here in the living room. And gonna head home, you need anything?" he pressed his ear to the door.

Peyton grabbed a hold of her head, running her fingers through her hair, trying to gather more courage to lie to Skills, "Oh yeah. Just fine. See you tomorrow?" she whimpered.

"Yeah, sure you call me if you need anything ok?"

"Yeah, yep sure will. Bye."

"Ok" Skills reluctantly made his way to the front door, he wondered if he should call Luke. Or just stick around; he cautiously made his way out the door. Carefully closing it behind him.

----------------------------------

Peyton had to get out of the house; it felt like the walls were closing in on her. And she didn't know why, so she drove. She loved to drive; her mind was clear she could concentrate and think of things more rationally. She drove to the one place she really loved to just think things over, the river court. It never used to be her favorite place, until she met Lucas. The sounds of the boats, all their wonderful memories dancing through her mind as she gazed out onto the rippling water. She arrived at the water front, pulling in slowly as the current washed in back and forth a backlash from a small boat coming into port.

Peyton stood there near the picnic tables walking around in her silence. She hated silence. It made her thoughts bombard her with more questions than her mind could digest. For some reason though, the sounds of the river took the place of her music she craved all her life. She wandered aimlessly to one of the picnic tables to sit down. It was getting dark; she could see the sun setting just over the river. She watched as it slowly went down, the red, pink and blue merging into the dark of night. It had gotten cold, while she wandered out to the river court. She remembered she had a coat in her trunk. Luke made her carry it with her, just in case anything happened.

"Always worried about me," she whispered to herself as she walked over to the comet. Lifting up the trunk and seeing the warm winter coat Luke had gently placed between her spare tire, and her emergency kit. She shook her head in disbelief, he had thought of everything.

She grabbed the coat and put it on, then slowly slammed her trunk closed only to find she wasn't alone. Staring back at her, those same eyes, she stepped back. Feeling the fear come over her again.

"Hello, Peyton. Nice night for a walk," Dan scowled making his way in her direction. She stepped further back looping her way around the comet, trying to keep it between her and Dan.

"What are you doing here, Dan?"

"Well, it is a public park. Thought I would get some thinking done, guess I wasn't the only one," he moved closer to her as she stepped further back. He slithered his way around her car, not taking his eyes off her. She felt her heart racing, her hands cold.

"Uhum, well Luke is going to be here any minute so you better go, before he sees you," Peyton scrambled as she pressed herself up against the side of a picnic table.

"Nope."

"Yes, he told me he was coming, after the shoot," Peyton stumbled feeling her words fall hollow in the air.

"Now, now we both know that isn't true," Dan moved closer only inches away from Peyton's quivering body. "He left early this morning as has yet to come back, don't you remember?" Dan eyed Peyton encroaching further into her space. She felt blood run cold, her hands shake. He knew Luke wasn't coming, she was out there all alone. The thoughts racing through her head, how could she be so stupid to go off driving at night? Her eyes being draw into the hollow caverns of Dan's eyes, his stare hadn't left her, his gaze just as chilling as being in the presence of evil itself.

"Get away from me, Dan," she pushed as he made his way further into her personal space.

"Oh come now, Miss Sawyer. We are family after all, why can't we just…get along?" his voiced dropping in a chilling tone. Peyton felt her heart stop, as he moved closer to her hands gripping onto the table. Trying to find some way to escape, scrambling for a way out of this nightmare.

"Luke, is my family now Dan. He doesn't need you or your twisted version of the truth. We have each other, he is mine now," she scowled at him trying to muster the courage to fight back. Dan's deadly calm demeanor slowly fading away revealing his true nature, his true intentions.

"That's what it is, then huh, all of you. Always take take take, never give back what you get!" he fumed slowly pacing around her, blocking her escape. Dan slowly stopped turning his attention firmly back to Peyton. "Just like the rest of them, I knew you were just like them," he scowled at her. She could feel the hatred he felt radiating off him. There was no way out.

"Just like the rest of them," he husked as he lunged towards her pressing her into the table. Peyton could feel her eyes get weak, her air escaping her control. She started to fade, feeling his grip around her throat. She clawed and pressed against his iron like grip, trying to fight. Feeling the every breath she had being sucked out of her as Dan pressed his menacing hands further into her throat. She struggled for the air, gasping as he pressed all his anger into her gleefully taking away her last moments of life.

She felt weak, her head started to cloud, and she felt herself drifting off, falling into darkness.

"Let her go or I'll blow your fucking head off!" a voice bellowed from behind him.

Dan felt the barrel of a gun pressed firmly into the back of his head. He slowly released his grip on Peyton's neck as her limp, lifeless body fell to the table. Dan rose slowly his hands raised in the air by his sides, getting ready to swoop around and struggle with whom ever interrupted his workings.

"DON'T do it!" the voice screamed.

"At least let me see who is threatening to shoot me," Dan sneered as he held his hands up in the air still thinking he had the upper hand of the situation, "Can't a man get at least that, to see who is going to kill him?"

"I told you if you hurt her! I would kill you," the voice rang out in a deadly calm whisper "I keep my promises…" the words echoed in Dan's ear, his eyes widened at the sound of the voice, a voice he knew too well. Dan turned slowly, seeing his attacker his anger turning to dread and fear as dark character pressed it into his temple, his face turning white as the gun was cocked.

"You," he whispered. Dan stared blankly into the eyes of his foe, down the barrel of the gun. A piercing shot rang out, the body slowly hitting the pavement with a thud.

*Well, well. Looks like old Laurencia has a few tricks up her sleeve after all. Comment, let me know what you think.**