Peyton took a deep breath, it was the first time in two weeks that she had been alone at work. Ever since Nathan had found out that Ian had been released, he had taken any chances; he made sure that she wasn't alone at work, if it was him or Brooke, or even Chase, he made sure there was someone there with her at all times.

She had finally convinced him that she would be fine. She was happy that he was so protective over her, but it was becoming too much to take. She wanted time to herself, time to do work without the hovering.

She was stressed to the max between deadlines, and looking behind her back everywhere she went. It was taking a lot out of her, she was beginning to feel over tired. And felt like the flu was coming on.

Jake walked in, to find her head resting on her hands. "You okay there Peyton," he asked, looking rather concerned about her state."

"Yeah," she lied.

"Alright I know you well enough to know that isn't true. So you want to tell me the truth," sitting in the seat across from her desk.

She looked up at him, "Just a little tired I guess, and I think I may have the flu that's going around."

He saw that she look rather white, and flushed. She defiantly didn't look in a state of working. He couldn't believe Nathan let her come here looking like that, but knowing her she probably was being stubborn. He had heard about Ian getting out, and knew that everyone had been trying to look out for her, she being Peyton probably put on her brave face, and said she didn't need rescuing. "Get up, we're going to the doctors."

"No, I'm staying here and working. I've got to start booking your shows for the tour this summer."

"I think your health is more important. And I think Nathan would agree with me there. So what will it be I take you out myself or, I get that boyfriend here, and he'll probably carry you out."

"Fine," but the doctor's just going to confirm what I'm telling you, I'm tired, and stressed."

"We'll see."

"Want me to phone Nathan to meet us there?" wanting to know if she wanted her boyfriend there.

"I'm sure I can go to the doctor's alone. Plus they're getting ready for the big game." He had already missed a lot of work because of her. He didn't need to miss more just for a needless appointment.

"So Nate, how's blondie doing?" Skills asked, as they sat in the teachers lounge.

"Well she's putting up a front for me. She doesn't like people being so concerned, and hovering over her. After her begging me, I let her go to work alone. I only agreed if she promised to phone me every few hours, let me know she's alright."

"You think Ian's coming back, I mean there's been no sign of him."

"I want to take that as a good sign, but at the same time look what happened last time. He made her believe he had gotten caught, and then came when she least expected it. I don't want to take any chances. Skills I can't lose her."

"You may want to get a gun then," Lucas said, as he sat down beside Skills. Acting as they were friends again.

"I can't have a gun in the house, not with Jamie around," astonished that his brother even suggested that. He for one should hate guns, after what happened with Keith. He never did know about the gun incident, where Lucas had pointed a gun at their father.

"But you're willing to risk your girlfriend's life. You could always borrow your mom's," he suggested. He was sure even with Dan behind bars that she still kept the gun.

"How do you know that?" he didn't remember telling him about that.

"Hayley did; back in high school after it went off in the cafe."

He almost forgot about that detail. Those were bad times for her. "I'll think about it. But I don't know how Peyton will like this." She hated guns, she had once been shot in the school by one, there's no way she would ever agree to it, even if it was protection.

"Then don't tell her."

Something didn't feel right about this. Did he really want to go this far to protect her, by having something in the home that he was totally against. Something in his gut told him not to do it.

"Well I've got to go, I've got to phone Peyton," he said getting up from the table. "I'll see you guys at practice."

Nathan walked down the hall, and pulled out his cell. He dialed her number, he let it ring four times before it went to voice-mail. He turned his phone off, and tried again, but got the same response. This was how it happened to Lucas, only he didn't know that Ian could be back.

He began to panic, and ran for his car. He had to find her, make sure everything was alright. He kept repeating to himself, I can't lose her.

It didn't take long to before he pulled up to her office. Her car was there, but that didn't mean anything. He ran up the stairs. If Owen was here, he would have seen him, right? He would have been able to stop him. Trying to reassure himself that everything was okay, that she would be sitting there when he walked in.

He came to find her sitting at her desk, looking at something, smiling. He never felt so relieved in his life. "I called you, why didn't you answer?"

Peyton looked at him apologetic, she hadn't meant for it to happen. She hadn't looked at her phone since she got back to see for any missed calls. She was still in shock. "I'm sorry, I was preoccupied."

He kneeled down in front of her, taking her hands in his, in a sympathetic voice, "I was so scared something happened to you."

"I didn't mean for that, really," she couldn't imagine what had been going through his mind. It hadn't been her attentions to worry him.

Nathan noticed a picture on her desk, same thing that had been in her hands when he walked in. "What's that?"

"It's a picture of me and my mom Anna, after they brought me home from the hospital. Nate, I've got something to tell you."

"I'm all ears," he smiled. Now that he knew she was alright, she could tell him anything."

"I went to the doctor today, well more forced, but that's besides the point. I'm pregnant." Unsure how he was going to react to the news. They hadn't talked about children, especially since they hadn't been together a long time.

Nathan's grin grew larger, he was beaming with joy, "Really? This is incredible." He picked her up and spinned her around in his arms. Him and the girl he love were having a child. This was the most precious gift that anyone could share together. "I love you Sawyer, and you just made me the happiest man on the planet."

He captured her lips with his. He picked her up, and sat her on her desk, and began to kiss her down her jaw, towards her neck. Peyton put her head back to allow him more access to her neck. Their hands explore each others body, as he continued to kiss her.

Nathan leaned his head against Peyton's, "This baby is a part of me and you, which makes it some much more special."

Peyton stared into his eyes, smiling at him, before bringing his lip towards hers again.

"You seem to be back to your normal self," Hayley said, commenting on his sudden change of moods.

"That's because I'm going to get her back, we will be Lucas and Peyton again," he smiled. He had not doubt in his mind.

Hayley was boggled, what was he talking about? Had he forgotten that she was very much in love with his brother? "Luke she's living with Nathan, they have a life together."

"Well I did the same thing with Lindsey. We played house, but it didn't work. And you know why, because me and Peyt are meant to be." He had it set in his mind, and this time he wasn't going to let anyone else make him think otherwise.

She didn't want to burst his bubble, afraid that he would turn back into the guy she didn't know. Afraid that he would be the one thing he never wanted to be, Dan. A bitter man who just couldn't let go. "And what happens if that doesn't happen? What are you going to do then?"

"It will. Nathan's going to leave her, and then I'll be there to pick up the pieces. And she will realize that she still loves me," he kept assuring her.

He finally admits his love for her, but it was too late. What was him and timing? "Lucas please, you waited too long. It's too late."

"No it's not. True love last forever."

She didn't want to fight with him, but he needed to hear it, he needed to get it through his head. "She's moved on. They're happy. You've got to let her go," putting her hand on top of his, but he moved it away right away.

"I can't. She never gave up on me all those years in LA, so I can't do the same now. She'll come back to me. Just wait, you'll see," he said before leaving out the front door. He wouldn't listen to this.

Hayley just sat there, unsure what to do. Her best friend was living in a dream world. What would he do when he found out that Peyton was pregnant? Would it bring him back to reality?

Nathan and Peyton are lying on the couch in their living room, his arms wrapped around her waist. They were both glowing from the news they had recieved yesterday. Even though unexpected, this baby would be loved.

Peyton couldn't get this smile off her face, not since the doctor told her. She was finally going to have the family she always dreamed of having. Her, Nate, and this little one, and of course Jamie. "So what would you like to have?" she asked, as she leaned up against him.

"A little girl, and I want her to be exactly like her mom, curly hair and all." He already had a son, now he wanted a little girl, someone who could wrap him around her little finger, be his princess. "What do you want?"

"I wouldn't mind a boy, but if I'm being honest I really want a girl. That's what Brooke's having, and I want them to be best friends like we were. We should probably tell Jamie about this."

"We'll do it tonight when he comes to stay," he wanted them to be able to do it together, as it was their news.

Peyton sat up quickly, "Shoot." She jumped to her feet, "Shoot," she repeated. She couldn't believe what an idiot she had been.

He sat up, scratching his head, "What?" confused by her sudden outburst. Was he missing something?

"We told Hayley prior to Brooke. She's going to kill us, well more like me," she said in a franic. They almost promised to tell one another first when something big like this occurred.

"Well maybe she doesn't need to know that she didn't know first. I'll just tell Hayley the situation, I'm sure she'll understand. In the mean time why don't you go find her, and tell her all about it." He knew she was right about Brooke though, she would state it that it was her best friend privilege to be the first to know.

"Okay. I'll be home later, love you," she said as she raced out the door.

Peyton bounced into the shop, to find a very pregnant Brooke sitting there watching her soaps, as per usual. There was no one in sight, so this defiantly was the perfect time to tell her.

"What's got you all smiling?" Brooke asked. She gazed at her left hand, no that wasn't the reason. So what was it, she thought. The seconds of silence, felt like hours to her, as she sat eagerly awaiting the news.

"I'm pregnant," she blurted out. "We're going to have babies together, just like we always planned."

"Yay," Brooke said, jumping up, squeezing her best friend.

"Brooke...air," she said weakly, hardly able to breath anymore.

"Right," she just was so excited. "We can take them to classes together, they can take dance together--"

"Brooke, the baby might be a boy." She doubted that Nathan would be willing to allow his son to learn something like ballet. No he'd want his son to learn basketball, he'd want to teach him.

"Nope, we're having girls, who are going to be the best of friends," she said, sure that she was right about this. But then again of he was a boy then they could get married, and then they would officially be related. "How far along are you?"

"3 months."

"And you only found out now?" How was that possible?

"Well my periods have always been irregular, so me not getting my period wasn't anything new."

"Well we must go shopping now," pulling on her hand, dragging her towards the door.

"What about the store?"

"Millie's in the back, she can take care of it. Your pregnant, we must go and prepare for it. This is the best feeling in the world, especially when you feel them kick for the first time," she boasted.

Peyton walked into the classroom, to see her favorite teacher still at work. "Hey."

Hayley looked up, "How are you feeling Peyton?" she asked, wondering if she had any morning sickness.

"I'm good, but Brooke just dragged me around town. Getting me prepared for the arrival of the baby. She insists that I buy everything now. And of course there's no arguing with B Davis."

She laughed slightly, knowing how true the statement really was. "So what can I do for you?"

"Well I finished setting up the tour dates, Jake knows, and he seems okay with them I just need to finalize them with you," handing her the sheet.

"Okay, I'll look it over tonight.

Luke past the classroom, when he overheard familiar voices, that's when he heard Hayley ask, "So what are you going to do about work now that you're pregnant?" It hit him like a tin of bricks, the rage in him began to grow. His Peyton was carrying his brother's child. No this couldn't happen. He was the one that was suppose to have the family with her, not his brother. Everything was being ruined.

"Well Nathan wants me to go on maternity leave once I get into my 3rd trimester. He thinks it would be best, so I don't over do it. And I agree. So all I have to do now is find someone who can do it."

Peyton walked back to her car, later that evening, after talking with Hayley about the pregnancy. It felt good to know that there was no weirdness, knowing that both their children would share the same father.

She sat in her car, but it wouldn't start. She tried starting the engine one more time, but again, it failed to start. "Dam," she shouted, hitting her steering wheel. "Great, just lovely," she mumbled.

She phone the house, let it ring until the answering machine picked up. He must be playing with Jamie, and not have heard it.

She tried another number, "Can you pick me up, my cars not working.

Nathan was upstairs when he heard the doorbell ring. "You stay here Jamie, finish drawing that nice picture, daddy will be back in a second."

Nathan walked down the stairs, and answered the door , he wouldn't have predicted what would come next. There in front of him was a gun, pointing straight at him. He didn't have time to react, with one shot he dropped to the ground, a pool of blood began to trail around his body. He was left there to die, the shooter took one last look at him before taking off into the night.