"How do you wanna handle this?" Lucas sat with his hands wrapped around the coffee mug.

"Well personally, I think I am going to punch that bitch," Brooke replied, as serious as a heart attack. "I should have known something was up – for her to just up and visit after almost a year right after you get into town." She snorted and shook her head at her own stupidity.

"I didn't even figure it out," Lucas added, "and I've been around her all week. No physical altercations, please, I already know how much you can pack in a punch." He gestured to his chest and Brooke winced slightly.

"Sorry for that," she apologized meekly.

"It's okay," Lucas laughed. "At least I know you've still got that feistiness intact." He rubbed at the spot a little more, almost pouting when she glanced away.

"I really don't know what to do. Shouldn't we just confront her head on? Beat the shit out of her and send her on her merry little way?" Brooke suggested. Sounded plausible.

"No," Luke shook his head. "She's playing mind games. I say we play them back."

"How are we gunna do that?" Brooke asked confused. "I left my conniving days back at Tree Hill High." Sort of.

"This whole ordeal was to try and get me back, right?" Lucas leaned forward as Brooke nodded. "So let's let her think it's working."

"Again," Brooke rolled her eyes, "how?"

"Let's just play along today. See how far she's really willing to go."

"Okay," Brooke nodded, rolling the idea around mentally. "Asher doesn't get out of school until three fifteen." She looked at her watch. "That gives us about four hours."

"She's supposed to come by my place in half an hour to help me paint Asher's room," Lucas informed the brunette.

"You're having Asher a room set up?" Brooke asked in shock.

"Well, yeah…" he shrugged bashfully. "I told you, I'm serious about this. I'll do anything to do things right."

Brooke smiled and she had an indescribable feeling in the pit of her stomach. She pushed it away and took a sip of her coffee. "We're like Pinky and the Brain!"

They both laughed at the idea. "I better get over there," Lucas checked his watch and stood up.

Brooke followed him to the front door and they lingered there for a moment.

"Just play along," he told her. "I'm tired of people fucking with our lives. It's time we played back a little. We're ending this today." His voice was so stern and full of authority that it sent shivers up Brooke's spine. "And we're talking to Asher tonight."

She swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded before softly shutting the door. Once she heard him go down the steps she fell back against the door. "Lucas Scott you can take charge anytime you want," she squealed. God was he sexy when he talked like that! She shook her head and tried to clear it. It was time to put her game face on. That fucking backstabbing fake blonde was going to try to take away her ex who she totally did not have feelings for? Like hell! Brooke Davis wasn't going down without a fight!

..

"Knock knock!" Peyton's cheerful voice bounced off the empty walls of the house.

"Hey Peyt!" Lucas greeted with a big smile! "Just in time, I just got the paint brought inside!"

"Awesome! Can't wait to get started!" she smiled brightly.

"I didn't know how much paint you needed of each color, so I got extra of everything," Lucas explained. "I want Optimus Prime to take up almost all of this wall." He spanned his hands out to show her the picture he had in his head of placement.

"It'll probably take me a few hours, but I guess I can do it for you," she nudged him and winked.

"Thanks Peyt… you have no idea how much of a help you've been these past few days. You were right about giving Brooke space. I need to focus on my own life." He touched her arm and gave it a light squeeze.

"No problem," she was eating it up. "What are friends for?"

"You're definitely the best," Lucas complimented her as he started.

Peyton was absolutely giddy inside. She knelt down and started to separate her colors and brushes the way she wanted them.

Two hours later, when Peyton was done, the duo stood back and admired the work from the doorway. "Holy shit," Lucas muttered, "that is amazing!"

"Why thank you Mr. Scott," Peyton bowed. "Asher is going to love it!"

"I know, I can't wait for him to see it! I'm glad it will be dry before the movers come tomorrow." Lucas was definitely excited about the mural, and he was glad they got it done before shit hit the fan.

Peyton looked at her phone and frowned for a split second before smiling. "Brooke texted me, she wants me to come over."

Lucas felt his phone vibrate in his pocket as well. "I got the same text," he showed her the text message.

Peyton looked a little pale. "You alright?" Lucas put his arm on the small of her back.

"Yeah, yeah," Peyton leaned onto him a bit. "I wonder what she wants both of us over there for."

Lucas shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. I haven't spoken to her in days. Maybe she's finally ready!"

Peyton's heart was pounding a million miles per second. "We can only hope!" she smiled nervously. "I don't think I remember telling her I was coming over."

"Why would Brooke mind?" Lucas asked as if she was silly. "Besides, she's next door, I'm sure she's seen your car."

"I just don't want her to think anything bad," Peyton explained quickly. "Both of us over here alone, it probably doesn't look good because of our past."

"Don't be silly," Lucas patted her shoulder. "C'mon, lets go see what's up." He grabbed her hand, and while she was gleeful inside at the gesture, for some reason she was very nervous about what Brooke wanted.

"There you two are!" Brooke smiled brightly, opening the front door widely. Bitch. She smiled even brighter at Peyton.

"What's up?" Luke asked as he followed the traitor in.

"Could you two just sit?" Brooke motioned them to the couch. "I need to talk to you both."

"Suuuure," Lucas dragged the word out sounding uneasy.

At this point Peyton hadn't said a word.

Brooke paced in front of them. "I've been doing a lot of thinking," she started off. "Luke, I think we should get married. I mean you're single, I'm single, hell, we've already popped out one kid, why not a few more? I mean we aren't getting any younger."

"I'm sorry, Brooke I…" he choked, "I'm in love with someone else…" He looked longingly over at Peyton and the blonde looked as if she was about to combust.

"You're in love with Peyton?!" Brooke shouted.

Peyton looked back and forth between the two rapidly. "Luke… do you mean that? Are you in love with me?" Her heart was in her throat at this point.

"Peyton, I…" he touched her knee and looked deeply into her eyes before busting out into laughter. "I'm sorry, I can't go on with this any longer," he breathed out between the laughs. "Her face… too much!"

Brooke started to laugh as soon as Lucas gave up and burst into hysterics as Peyton's face showed pure confusion.

"What's going on?" Peyton sat up a little straighter.

"You seriously thought we wouldn't figure it out? That bleach is getting to your brain." Brooke fell back onto the chair as her laughter started to die down.

At her feigned confusion on the topic, Lucas decided to speak up when he could finally catch his breath. "You lied to both of us, thinking you could play us against each other, and for what? To get me back, of all things? That shipped sailed a long time ago."

"I don't…" Peyton started to deny but Brooke nipped it in the bud quickly.

"Cut the shit," Brooke's voice became serious. "While seeing your face was probably the most priceless thing on earth, we can't trust you anymore. I can't believe I didn't see through your little act as soon as you got out of that car. There's a reason we aren't in contact much anymore. You showing up here out of the blue and pretending to care? All you did was cause me heart ache and keep a little boy's father away for a few more days. You are a selfish fucking bitch and I want you out of my house, preferably out of Tree Hill, because I swear to god if I ever see your face I'm probably going to knock the shit out of you. Oh, and while you were trying to get into Luke's here pants, I did you the favor of calling your boyfriend for you. He sounded pretty pissed."

Peyton was white as a ghost before her face started to redden. They could tell she wanted to say something, but it was if no words could form from her mouth. She stood up in silence and headed straight for the door.

Brooke and Lucas stood to walk her out and as she was halfway down the steps Brooke called out to her, causing her to turn around with a hopeful look.

A wicked smile emerged on Brooke's perfectly lined red lips before grabbing Luke by the collar of his shirt and pulling him into the most mind blowing kiss of his life.

The only thing they heard was Peyton letting out screams of anger and frustration as she slammed her car door shut with a BOOM! And drove off.

"That was, um… wow…" Lucas breathed, watching as Brooke let go and skirted towards the kitchen.

Brooke was flustered, but didn't let it show. Sure the kiss was better than she remembered, but it was in the heat of the moment, being a conniving bitch and all. He was still standing in the same spot, glued by the door when she returned to his side. "Lets go get our boy," was all she said as she headed towards her car, Lucas following close behind.

"Are we gunna talk about what just happened?" Lucas pointed towards the now closed front door still flabbergasted.

"Just shut up and get in," Brooke laughed and climbed in the driver's side.

Lucas was at a loss for words, and his whole world just got completely flipped. Did this mean he had a shot? He hopped in quickly before the gorgeous brunette decided to change her mind. "What are gunna do tonight?" he asked as she pulled out of the driveway.

"The same thing we do every night Pinky, try to take over the world."