I own nothing, not even "Save A Place" by 1969.

Alright, so I originally had a different song here. Literally, I planned this chapter around that song, but when I heard this on OTH and looked up the lyrics; I couldn't not use it! Hopefully I made the right change.

Enjoy!

When the cloud over your mind
Finally breaks and rains to remind
You of me covering you
That's when the light comes crashing through

He walks through the terminal with his bag on his shoulder and a smile on his face. Being away from Tree Hill and the memories did him a lot of good. He was able to get some sleep and he didn't drink; except for when he went out with Lindsey and her new boyfriend.

He lets out a yawn and runs a hand over his tired face. It was a whirlwind few days, but they were totally worth it. He got the green light from Lindsey and the other few people that were part of the publishing and now nothing stands in the way.

He tried to get in touch with that Julian guy a few times over the last few days, but all his efforts were futile. Lucas figures that he's a busy guy, but he sounded so eager when they spoke before he left, he assumed he'd answer at least one of the phone calls or he'd return one of the messages he's left.

Right now though, he wants to put work and this movie behind him and focus on his family. They deserve his attention and they deserve to see some smiles; some real smiles. Plus, his godson's birthday party is in a few days and he needs to store all the information he can on where he went and what he saw while in New York.

Jamie is already interested in traveling and the sights of other places. Meeting new people and learning new things truly interest him and he always had a million questions for Lucas when the older blonde came home from book tours. Sometimes, if they weren't too far from home, he got to take Jamie with him.

Which was a riot.

People would ask questions about who he was and where Nathan and Haley were. They wanted to know if it was really Jamie Scott or if Lucas was lying. They took pictures with him and would even let him scribble his name in their book. More often then not, the smiles and laughter were halted when Peyton was brought up.

It was even worse after The Comet came out. Everyone was so sure it was about unrequited love and the longing for something to hold on to. Passion and yearning at its deepest part of the person's soul. It was about a scientist and a comet. It didn't start out that way, but after everything happened it quickly became that.

He figures he owes it to them to come home with some sort of good news. He knows it wasn't fair to take it all out on them and after some time away he can see that clearer. It's easier to take out your frustrations and pent up aggressions on the people that you love because you can believe that they'll always love you. And he knows that his family will always do just that.

He's already put them through a lot.

Thinking them makes him think of his mother and Lily. They're leaving soon; in a couple of days actually and he's dreading it. He hates goodbyes, but more then that, he feels like he pushed them away. He's been a rollercoaster of emotions and he's never heard anyone say they can blame him for it, but he's sure after all this time they're more then sick of it.

The yelling. The anger. The drinking.

Mostly the drinking.

He knows it isn't healthy and he knows it's a problem, but he doesn't exactly care. It's how he channels his feelings and his emotions; they all get put into a little box that he can toss to the side. After it's tossed to the side it's buried deep down. Eventually though, it all comes back to the surface.

And the cycle begins again.

Sometimes he thinks it would be easier if he could leave too. Just pack everything up and leave town, just like she did. Escape the world that's haunted him for so long. He feels that familiar sense of dread and that pit in his heart returns. It's sad that this is what Tree Hill has become, but it's his reality.

It's weird how a simple place can make someone feel so utterly depressed. Then again, this isn't just a place, this is Tree Hill and this is the place with all his history. His love with Peyton started and ended here.

It's also where his little girl is buried.

He fiercely shakes his head because there's no way he can think about that right now. Its bad enough he thought he saw Peyton right before he left. He was across the terminal when he saw it. That unmistakable flash of blonde curls. He's pretty sure that no matter where he goes or what happens in his life that will always be the one thing that grabs his attention.

With his thoughts still on that curly blonde he wonders if she really is in Tree Hill yet. He knows she's coming home, but he has no idea when she'll be home. According to his imagination, she's been home for a few days already, but he doesn't think it's possible. His mother hasn't left and in his mind that means Peyton doesn't need to be here.

He's proud though. He can't remember if he's felt that for her since she left, but he is. He's so incredibly proud of what she's built and what she's become. She's a powerful woman out in LA and she's well known in New York.

She's got a billboard a few miles down from Brooke.

He steps out onto the sidewalk and smiles. Maybe he can enjoy the next few days here; maybe he can stay on his New York high and be free from his demons. He slides into the cab and places his bag beside him. He tells the driver his address with ease and then he watches as the scenery passes him by.

That pit in his heart grows a little bigger.

So I'll keep away and save a place for you
And I'll only make the same mistakes as you

She's been lying low the last few days. Three days to be exact. She wanted to get her bearings and figure out just what it was that she was going to do and how she was going to handle everything, Jamie's birthday is in a few days and that's when she'll make her appearance. Right now Julian has strict orders to not leave the hotel room.

She has other obligations.

The second Peyton steps into TRIC she knows coming home was a bad idea. Everything still looks the same and it all feels the same. Even though it's the last thing she wants to feel, this is home.

This is what fueled her passion for music and her surety that it could change people's lives. She can still see herself, bright eyed and bushy tailed. She misses that Peyton.

She walks past the banister and flips her hair over her shoulder. When she does, she catches sight of the counter where she remembers sorting through CDs. She hates that this place is covered head to toe with Lucas.

She was kind of sick and tired of talking about Jake, but Lucas didn't know that. He couldn't know that because she didn't let it be known. He was pining for Brooke – and not being subtle about it – and that she had Jake. And she loved him, she did, but something was missing . . .

Apparently he took the hint because then he said;

"Well, how about I distract you from something that sucks with, something that sucks?" he joked as he walked next to her. He rested his arms on the counter and looked at her. Peyton laughed and nodded her head.

"And what's that?"

"Nathan's having some pretty serious money problems, so I was thinking that maybe if we got everybody together we could figure out a way to raise some cash", he said meekly. Peyton smiled; he had just a huge heart.

"Cool, I'm in", she said without any hesitation. Lucas smiled.

"Yeah?" she nodded and made a noise and he smirked. He started to walk away, but stopped before he got too far.

"Oh by the way, remember right before Jake came back and you accused me of being a crappy friend?"

Peyton could feel herself blush. That wasn't exactly one of her best moments. "Yeah, look I'm really sorry –"

"No", he cut her off. "You were right. I don't ever want that to happen again", their eyes locked and Peyton could feel herself falling into unavoidable hole.

"So if you need anything I'm around, okay?"

She nodded and spoke, but her voice was clouded by the lump in her throat. "Okay. Thank you, Lucas", he nodded and rapped his hands against the wood before walking away. He stopped on the stairs and took one last look at her.

She knew what was missing.

Jake wasn't Lucas.

With her thoughts still on Lucas, she goes somewhere she never lets herself go anymore. The day she left Tree Hill. The day she left Lucas. She stops in her tracks as words she spoke and the body language she gave off run through her head.

It was definitely a movement clouded by heartache.

"Ms. Sawyer", her eyes snap open and she faces a sweet looking older woman. Peyton can remember seeing her picture on 'for sale' signs around Tree Hill when she was a little girl. This place really never changes.

"Yes, hi", she says politely and holds her hand out. "I was just reminiscing", she says meekly. The older woman smiles and nods her head.

"If you would just follow me", she says as she heads off past the bar and into a back room. Peyton glances at the stage in the front and remembers the time Lucas told her he'd never cut her out of his life. That was clearly a lie.

"So, where exactly am I supposed to set up a recording studio?" she asks as they continue to walk. They meet a giant steel door and Peyton frowns. Is the realtor secretly Lucas in disguise and now he's going to kill her and hide her body here?

"This is the room that you're interested in", she says in a kind voice and pulls on the large handle. Once it's opened Peyton's eyes widen. She doesn't know how she worked here for so long and never knew this room existed.

There are large windows and tons of space. She can already picture where her desk would go and what walls would house her album covers. She quickly shakes her head. She's making this sound permanent.

This isn't permanent.

"Wow", she breathes out. The light is bright and she can see the dust particles fly through the air. It's almost magical. Like she can be anything she wants. Or like she can do anything she wants. For a second she frowns.

Can she go back two and a half years?

"Yeah, it's a really lovely piece of property", the voice breaks her from her pathetic musings and she whirls around in shock.

She stands there like a deer in headlights as she stares at the older woman. Sure, they talk on the phone and pass along e-mails, but this is different. This makes it all real.

"Karen", she whispers. The brunette's eyes soften and her lips form a smirk that causes Peyton's heart to leap. It's so goddman painful. She opens her arms and takes a step forward.

"Peyton Sawyer", she says in that motherly tone that Peyton's missed in her years away. There's nothing compared to hearing it in person. The blonde walks forward – speed walks really – and wraps her arms around Karen.

"It's so good to see you", she whispers and runs her hand along the blondes hair. Peyton can feel the tears prick her eyes and she snaps her lids shut. She lets out a shuddering breath of air and says;

"I've missed you."

Karen holds her just a little closer and smiles. She pushes Peyton back to arms length and gives her a stern look. Everything she could ever want to need to say is etched into her eyes and it makes Peyton look down at the scuffed floors.

"I've missed you too", she whispers honestly. "Now, what do you think about the place?" she asks as she latches onto her arm and walks them around the generous space. Peyton lets out a breath of relief and nods her head.

"It's amazing, Karen. You don't mind me tearing it apart?" she teases. Karen shakes her head.

"As long as you promise to keep it running", she says with another pointed look. Peyton's smile falters and once again she looks to the floor. She knows the answer Karen is looking for. She can't give her any answers. So, Peyton doesn't say a word.

She doesn't want to start lying to Karen now.

When you stop hitting the wall
It's not the plaster that ruined this hall
When all the blood all over your fingers is dried up
The pain will still linger

As he walks up the steps to Nathan and Haley's house Lucas smiles. He can already hear the children themed music and he can smell the barbeque cooking some delicious food. He's probably also smiling because his mother and his sister are following behind him.

He doesn't know what caused it, but something made Karen want to stay for the party. They're meeting Andy at the dock tonight after all the festivities. He can hear Lily talking excitedly about the party and her friends and the pretty pink dress she has on that Brooke made her – an early birthday present. He loves that his sister is so girly, but she's still a total Scott.

He walks into the house without knocking on the door and maneuvers past the other five year olds that fill the house. Lily runs off to find her cousin and friends and Karen hands him a tray of cupcakes and searches for Deb. Lucas heads to the kitchen.

He places his gifts on the long table that he passes on his way and lets out a breath of accomplishment. He holds the cupcakes easily now and steps foot into the tiled room. Nathan stands in the corner and watches with a smirk.

His best friend bustles around the kitchen like a madwoman. She mixes lemonade and puts cookies on a plate. She checks on the chicken fingers and mixes homemade honey mustard. Lucas watches as Nathan watches her.

"I don't need any help", she grumbles. Nathan snickers and Haley stops to glare at him. "Nathan", she whines and motions around her.

Her husband shrugs. "You said you didn't need any help", she throws the dishtowel at him and he laughs while catching it. When she turns her back on him he walks over and wraps his arms around her waist.

"Sorry Hales", he mumbles against her hair. "What do you need help with?" he asks sweetly.

Haley leans into him and lets out a breath. She shakes her head and pulls away from him. "Nothing", she grumbles playfully. "Go make sure the kids aren't destroying the house."

Nathan smirks; knowing that he's won and kisses her temple. "Try and enjoy this day. He's only gonna turn five once."

When Lucas hears this his mind automatically thinks about the child that never got to live. Today she'd be 2 years and 8 months old. She'd be babbling and walking and probably holding a basketball or a paintbrush.

Little Emma Grace.

"Luke, man I didn't even know you were here", Nathan's voice causes him to snap from his daydream and he's more then grateful. His brother pulls him in for a manly hug and Lucas laughs.

"I wouldn't miss this for the world. Mom and Lily are around here somewhere and these are cupcakes", he says as he places them on the table.

Haley makes a noise. "I told Karen not to make anything", she says in exasperation.

"Have you just met my mom?" Lucas teases. "So, I talked to Lindsey about doing the film", he cuts to the point. "She thinks it's a great idea."

"Lucas, that's great" Haley says and rushes over to hug him. Lucas hugs her back and looks over her shoulder to his half smiling brother. He furrows his brows.

"What's wrong?"

Nathan shakes his head. "Nothing, just . . . promise me no drinking today, okay?"

Lucas blinks in shock as Haley pulls away from him. That's pretty much the first time someone's told him not to do such a thing. Not like it was at the top of his list for the day anyway. He looks at the eyes that mirror his and opens his mouth.

"Nate I –"

"Luke, I don't want questions and I don't really want to discuss it now, but just promise me that you won't have the beer. I hid the liquor", he admits softly.

Haley stares between the two brothers and feels herself growing incredibly uncomfortable. She wasn't expecting this conversation to start today; she didn't really expect it to ever happen.

Denial is a powerful thing amongst the small group.

Lucas blinks a few more times before he feels himself nod. "Yeah sure, no problem", he says with a weak voice; mostly from embarrassment.

Nathan nods and folds his arms over his chest. He didn't want to say it, but it had to be done. Today is Jamie and Lily's day and he doesn't want anything to ruin that. And if that means he needs to call his brother out on his drinking then he will. It's probably about time anyway.

Haley coughs awkwardly and excuses herself from the room. Nathan hangs his head and pinches the bridge of his nose. Clearly, he didn't handle that well enough for Haley. Nathan looks back at his older brother and sees the look of anguish on the blondes face. This was so not the right day to bring up his drinking.

"Look, Luke –"

"You should head out there. Make sure the kids aren't destroying anything", he says with a soft smile. Nathan opens his mouth, but Lucas cuts him off again. "I'll start those dishes so that Haley doesn't blow a gasket", he walks right past the dark haired Scott and Nathan sighs as he walks out of the kitchen.

Lucas rolls up the sleeves of his blue button up and turns on the warm water. He wonders if this is always going to hurt. If he's always going to hurt the ones he loves. He lathers up a sponge and starts some of the dishes.

He's always liked washing dishes. It helps him to clear his head and gather his thoughts all at the same time. The window is open and he breathes in the warm summer air. He inhales deeply and freezes. He can smell it.

Lavender and vanilla.

It floods his body and burns his sinuses. He walks away from the kitchen sink and heads to the doorway where he stands in shock. Curls and legs. Green eyes and blonde hair. Sweet laughter and a southern twang.

Peyton Sawyer's home.

He watches as she lifts his sister into the air and spins them around wildly. Lily throws her head back and laughs thunderously. When Peyton stops moving Lily leans in close and the two of them share a personal whisper that he already aches to be let in on. He's still trying to wrap his head around the fact that she's within the same ten feet as him when he notices something else.

She's brought a boy with her.

So I'll keep away and save a place for you
And I'll only make the same mistakes as you

Peyton puts Lily down and turns to pick up Jamie. He wraps his arms around her neck and fingers her blonde curls delicately. It almost makes Peyton cry because that's exactly what he did when he was younger.

"You're home", he whispers into her ear.

She's been dreading coming back here. It's given her anxiety and nausea and she's absolutely cringed when thinking of staying here. It's been the last thing she wanted to do. She wouldn't even dare to call it home.

But hearing it come from Jamie's mouth has never sounded sweeter.

"Yeah buddy", she whispers softly. "I'm home", he hugs her a little closer and places a wet kiss to her cheek.

"I've missed you", he whispers shortly after. Peyton nods her head in agreement.

"I've missed you too", she whispers. She kisses his head and then his cheek before promising him that he's going to love his present. Everyone watches the interaction Peyton has with the Scott children and they all feel a pang in their hearts.

She's feels it the most.

If God wasn't such a cruel individual her daughter would be here. She'd run around the house and squeal with laughter as Lucas picked her up into the air before resting her small body on his shoulders. Her curls would be wild and blue eyes would be piercing.

Little Emma Grace.

She puts the small Scott down and feels her arm pulled in a different direction. She doesn't have time to recognize the person that's doing it. A second later she's pulled into their arms for a bone-crushing hug. Peyton hand cups the back of her head and her short brown hair.

Brooke always was a good hugger.

"P. Sawyer", she whispers with her raspy voice. She runs her hand up and down her back in a comforting manner and Peyton smiles. Is it that obvious that she's nervous as Hell to be here?

She is nervous. Her palms are sweaty and her thoughts are running at a million miles a minute. She feels like she could throw up at any minute and her care keys are securely tucked in the pocket of her dress in case she needs a fast getaway.

She just didn't think she was that transparent.

"I have missed your face B. Davis", Peyton says slowly and her southern accent pops out of her mouth. Julian watches it all with amazement in his eyes.

He's done his research in preparation of this event. He's watched Nathan's games and he's seen some of the old footage Peyton still has. He's listened to Haley's music and dug up some videos of her on tour. He's met Brooke a few times and she's exactly how he's always pictured her. Lily and Jamie he's gotten to know through pictures and e-mailed videos. Karen is someone he doesn't think he'll ever be able to figure out, all he knows is that she's pretty much the mother to all the people that currently huddle together.

But the only adult she's related to is Lucas.

With that, his eyes drift around the room and he spots a man that he knows is Lucas, standing in the doorway between the kitchen and this hall. He looks like he's about to kill someone or punch a wall. He definitely doesn't seem like the graceful man Peyton reminisces of.

Once Peyton and Brooke break apart and she greets everyone else, she tucks a curl behind her ear. She can feel his eyes on her. She has since she stepped foot into the hallway. His stare burns her skin and sears her heart. Finally, she turns to look at him.

It's a terrible idea.

He looks good; really damn good. He's wearing jeans and a blue button up that brings out his eyes. His hairs a little longer then the last time she saw him. He's got a day or two old scruff on his face which is something she's always loved and she aches to rub her cheek against his. But she stays where she is and drinks him in.

He does the same with her.

She looks gorgeous; excruciatingly gorgeous. She's wearing a white sundress that looks amazing against her tanned skin. Her hair is in tight curls and looks more blonde then that magazine cover depicted. Her makeup is perfect, minimally done, but done enough to bring out her eyes and pout her lips. Her legs are long and shiny and glorious; he wants to run his rough hand against her smooth flesh and watch the goosebumps that arise.

All he wants to do is hug her. Or touch her. He just needs to feel her. But he can't.

And that hurts so fucking much.

She takes a deep breath and he watches her chest rise and fall. He hasn't exactly been celibate over the years; there have been a few meaningless one night stands between the drinks at bars. But that one simple action – Peyton simply taking a breath – is almost enough to make him need some alone time in the bathroom.

He's broken from his daydreaming by the sound of heels against the hardwood floor. She's walking in his direction. She's already said hello to everyone that she's passing so he has no idea what she's doing now. And then it clicks.

She's walking over to him!

He feels the room being to spin and he can see everyone staring at him. It's awkward and he's uncomfortable and he doesn't know what he's supposed to do. Does he hug her and act normal or does he run? After a minute of debating, he does what he does best.

He escapes.

He turns on his heels and heads into the kitchen. He places his hands on his hips and takes painfully deep breaths. Just knowing she's in the same house is suffocating him. He needs to . . . he needs to get away. He needs to not be here.

Now he knows why Nathan made him promise not to drink.

Scream until you smile
But I'm the only one who hears

Peyton jerks back as he retreats into the kitchen, but her movements only stop for a second. She shakes her head and smoothes out her dress before she walks right into that room. She follows his path and breathes in his smell. She's missed that scent.

Everyone watches as she disappears and they all hold their breath. This meeting could go a million different ways, but they hope it doesn't end in screaming. Julian watches it all with a confused expression. He knows it's got to be awkward for the two blondes, but he doesn't get why everyone is wide eyed and frozen in place.

Back inside the kitchen Peyton watches as he runs around the space and frantically opens and closes drawers. She doesn't know what he's looking for, but he really does look like a crazy person searching for their drugs.

If only she knew how right she was.

He knows there is beer in the fridge, but he doesn't need that right now. He needs something stronger, much, much stronger. The cabinets slam shut and he groans in aggravation. He pauses and faces the open window before he glances to the top of the refrigerator. He smirks in accomplishment.

Nice try Nathan.

The bottle of whiskey is too far back for him to reach with his hands. He grabs a large spoon that Haley uses when she makes soup and he stands on the tips of his feet. After a minute of maneuvering he can feel the ladle of the spoon catch the bottle; he inches it forward. He knows it's sick that his heart beats faster and his anticipation increases as that glass bottle nears the edge of the stainless steel icebox. But he doesn't care.

Peyton seems to think that this is the best opportunity to make her-self known. She takes a soft step forward and bites her lip. She fidgets with her fingers and takes a few deep breaths. She never would have thought this would be so hard. That's a lie; she totally knew this would be hard.

"Hi."

Her soft voice takes him off guard and he flinches from the shock of it all. His jerking action causes the glass bottle to fly forward and fall to the ground. It shatters and splatters the amber liquid everywhere. Peyton gasps from the shock and Lucas curses loudly.

"Shit!" he yells. "Shit, shit, shit!" he bends down, hoping to gather the glass when he cuts his finger. "Holy Shit!" he yells again.

Peyton rushes forward and crouches down across from him. She reaches up and grabs a dishtowel to sop up the liquid and starts to grab the shards of glass. Lucas's voice stops her.

"Be careful", he warns. "They're really fucking sharp", he grumbles and cradles on hand in the other. Peyton looks at him and her eyes widen.

"Shit, Lucas", she ways softly and reaches for his hand over the puddle between them. She goes for his wrist instead and walks them both over to the kitchen table. He sits in the chair and throws his head back.

Her scent is even more intoxicating up close.

"I'm sorry", she mumbles. "I shouldn't have spooked you like that", she walks back over with another dishtowel and Lucas briefly wonders how she knows where all this stuff is. She wraps the towel around his hand and mumbles something about the pressure being good for it.

It brings him back to the school shooting. He took off his shirt and wrapped it around his leg to stop the profuse bleeding. He knows he's not bordering on death; at least not from bleeding. But it's nice to have someone care.

Maybe it's just nice to know that she cares.

"Don't worry about it", he says in an assuring tone as he thinks back to her earlier words. "I umm, I shouldn't have really been after that anyway", he whispers. It makes her furrow her brows, but she doesn't press him for anything. This is all too surreal.

She's sitting in the kitchen having a perfectly normal conversation with Lucas Scott. The same man that she has the most screwed up history with. The same man that knows her better then anyone. The same man that still owns her heart.

But she doubts he knows that.

"It seems fitting", he mumbles softly. Peyton meets his eyes and nods her head. It certainly does make sense that after nearly three years of silence they'd meet back and have some sort of disaster happen.

"I guess it does", she whispers sadly and bites her bottom lip. Lucas smiles, but it's incredibly hollow and she knows that. She wears that smile everyday of her life.

Together, but unknowingly, their minds drift to Emma. Would she have his goofy squint or Peyton's chickeny legs? Would her eyes be blue or green? Would she have curls or straight locks? None of it would matter, of course.

She'd be perfect to them.

Their eyes meet, but they both quickly look away. The pain they each hold is too obvious and they don't want the other to see them vulnerable. They may be able to hide it from friends and some family members. They can pretend all is well. They can laugh and joke and smile. But they're screaming deep inside. They're screaming to be freed and heard and left alone. And they can almost hear it pass between each other.

But they'll never say it aloud.

When you wake up to the sound
Of a thousand voices around
Can you hear the rattle of words
That only takes a heart to be heard

Let me know what you think!