Chapter 20 - Nightmares and Reality

It was the same night, she had been sleeping peacefully for a few hours now as had he. Peyton was exhausted the whole ordeal had really taken it out of her, she was a strong girl but she was never prepared for this. Although he didn't like to admit it Lucas was exhausted too. Being there for Peyton 24 hours a day was harder than he thought it would be, but he had to be there for her and more importantly he wanted to be there for her. He was scared of losing her and he knew that she needed someone right now and that person was him.

Her body began to shake slowly. Her face started to get hotter which in turn caused her to sweat. She was dreaming but to her it was real, it felt so real, she could smell his scent, she could feel the pain and fear he was causing her. He was there staring into her eyes with that psychotic look and all she could hear was 'Lucas can't save you this time'. He kept repeating it, his voice sounding evil and happy all at the same time.Her body started shaking more rapidly the nightmare scared the life out of her. It felt so real, she began shouting in her sleep 'Lucas….Lucas!……Help!' Lucas heard her screams and immediately woke up trying to comfort her but she was still in between the nightmare and reality. Her eyes eventually fluttered open and she let out another scream. Her body was shaking from fear and then the tears began to fall.

"It's okay Peyton I'm here…….I'm here" he said rubbing her back and pulling her closer to him while she cried. The fear was the worst part of it all. She just wanted to get on with her life but the fear was holding her back.

"He said you couldn't save me this time" she mumbled into his chest.

"It wasn't real and I'll always be here to save you"

"But it felt so real"

"It wasn't Peyton. You're safe believe me nothing is going to happen to you I promise." He replied and pulled her even closer to him never wanting to let go of her. "Do you want me to try and get in touch with your Dad?"

"No" she whispered shaking her head at the same time.

"You sure he gave me a number?" he asked and she moved her head so she was looking at him.

"No I don't want him to worry about me. Besides there is nothing he can do so why disrupt his job…he loves his job."

"Not as much as he loves you."

"Sometimes I wonder"

"I could phone him in the morning if you want"

"No…no I'll be okay, I'm a big girl now I can't run to my Dad for everything."

"Peyton you're not even 17 yet."

"In a few weeks I will be"

"That's not the point your Dad would want you to go to him for help."

"I don't want to. I don't want him to come back because then I'll have to go back into that house and I can't face it yet. I don't want to make my Dad worry and him coming home wouldn't do any good."

"As long as you're sure"

"I am. I love my Dad I do but telling him about this won't help me."

"Okay but if you change your mind"

"I won't"

(The next morning)

The sun came beaming through Lucas' bedroom window. They both managed to get a few more hours sleep after Peyton finally calmed down. The sun lit up Peyton's face and her eyes eventually fluttered open, she rubbed the sleep from her eyes and looked over at Lucas who was still asleep. He had his protective arms wrapped around her and she couldn't help but smile. She liked the thought that he never let go of her throughout the night. She kissed his cheek and just laid in his arms enjoying the moment.

"You seem better" he mumbled

"You're awake?"

"Yeah" he replied and opened his eyes to look at her.

"I'm sorry about last night"

"Hey why are you apologising?" he whispered whilst rubbing the side of her face with his hand.

"I…if it wasn't for me you would have your bedroom to yourself, you'd have a peaceful night sleep."

He looked at her beautiful emerald eyes and just smiled. "You have nothing to be sorry about I like having you here, you're not a burden and you can stay here until you are ready to go back"

She smiled back gazing into his blue crystals "You're too good to me"

"I can't help it I love you" he replied and they shared a loving kiss. "Do you think you can face school today?" he said once the kiss broke.

"I'm gonna try I mean I've got to face it all sooner or later"

"Just remember you don't have to face it alone I'm here and there's Brooke, Haley and Nathan everyone wants to help."

"I know" she whispered back.

"Don't let the gossips bother you okay?"

"I'll try"

(At school)

She had managed the morning fine. She heard whispers and people would turn to look at her when she entered the classroom or when she was in the hallway but she tried to ignore them. Lucas and her friends helped whenever they were around other students they would make sure that Peyton was involved in the conversation so that she wouldn't notice the gossips as much. She figured out what they were doing but she just smiled and went along with it thinking how great her friends were. Lucas always made sure that Peyton was with someone at all times. They had most lessons together so it was mainly him, but whenever their schedule didn't match he made sure that she was accompanied by either Brooke, Haley or Nathan. He knew how hard this was on her and he had to know she was with someone to prevent him from worrying all day. It was now lunchtime and the gang were all sat at the same table out in the quad.

"Hey Jake" Brooke said as he sat down beside her

"Hi" he replied and then he dug into his lunch.

Peyton was playing with her food, she didn't realise what she was doing but Lucas began to notice.

"Are you gonna eat it or just poke it to death" Lucas said trying to lighten the mood. She didn't respond she was lost in thought and didn't realise she was being spoken to.

"Peyton" he said and nudged her trying to get her attention.

"What" she said finally snapping out of it.

"It doesn't matter are you okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine."

No one at the table was convinced but they didn't want to pressure her. They all knew that this was difficult for her and that she just needed time.

"So guys I was thinking maybe we could all do something tonight you know as a group" Haley said breaking the silence and tension that surrounded the table.

"What did you have in mind?" Lucas asked.

"Erm…I know what about a movie night we can all pig out and watch DVDs."

"Sounds like fun tutor girl I'm in" the cheery brunette said.

"Cool what about everyone else"

"Yeah sure I haven't got anything planned" Jake added

"Where are we gonna do this?" Lucas asked

"What about at mine and Nathan's apartment. That's okay right Nathan?" she replied and then turned her attention to her husband.

"Sure it sounds like fun I'll get the beer."

"I can bring some snacks over" Lucas replied.

"And I've got a pretty big DVD collection" Brooke added.

"Cool so what do you say Peyt?" Haley asked she was the only one not to say anything.

"Sure why not" she replied. She wasn't exactly enthusiastic but she wasn't sarcastic either so Haley took it as a good sign.

"Good so everyone meet at our place at 7"

"Okay"

"Oh and Jake you can bring Jenny if you want" Haley added.

"Thanks but I think my mom will probably look after her."

(Later after school)

Peyton managed her first full day at school since the attack and everyone was proud of her. It was now six o'clock an hour from now and they would be at Haley's watching movies.

"You did good today Peyton" he said as they sat on the end of his bed. She smiled and looked up into his eyes. She leaned in and closed her eyes as their lips softly touched. Ever since the attack they hadn't really done anything romantic together but Lucas knew that she would be ready in her own time and he didn't push her, he would wait as long as it would take. The kiss quickened and Lucas moved his hand onto her cheek deepening the kiss. She moved her hands around his neck one of which was nestled into his hair. This was the first real kiss they had had since the attack. They both fell back onto the bed and continued kissing until Peyton finally pulled away. She was getting breathless and wasn't ready for it to go any further. He sensed this and just held her in his arms. He didn't mind waiting a little longer, he loved her, not everything was about sex for him.

"I'm sorry Lucas" she whispered

"Why?" He asked confused

"It's not that I don't want to I just can't not yet I'm not ready and I'm sorry you're having to wait."

He knew exactly what she was talking about and couldn't believe she was apologising for it. "You have nothing to be sorry for Peyton. I love you not everything is about sex between us. You've been through a lot and I know you're still coping with it all so I can wait. I love you I will wait until you are ready again."

She smiled and looked back into his eyes "I love you too" she whispered "I don't know whether I'd cope without you"

"You'll never have to find out." He said giving her a reassuring squeeze.

The hour passed quickly they spent it together in each other's arms and then Lucas drove them to Haley and Nathan's. Lucas knocked on the door. It was quite dark out so Peyton took an extra tight hold of Lucas' hand. He noticed and squeezed it back reassuring her that nothing would happen to her while he was around. The door finally opened.

"Hey you guys come on in" Haley said cheerfully

"Are we the first here?" Lucas asked

"Yeah I guess you are."

Peyton sat down on the couch and Haley joined her, while Lucas went into the kitchen to see his brother.

"Hey man"

"Hey Nate"

"How is she?" Nathan asked and Lucas knew who he was talking about.

"She's okay you know considering the circumstances."

"Good. Do you want a beer?"

"Sure but just the one I'm driving"

"Okay" Nathan replied grabbing a cold beer from the fridge.

"Oh here's some food" Lucas said putting it onto the kitchen counter.

"What did you bring?"

"Oh you know the usual a lot of junk food"

Meanwhile Haley and Peyton were chatting on the couch.

"So how you doing?" Haley asked

"I'm okay I guess" she replied

"You know I'm always here for you if you ever need to talk"

"I know" she said and they both shared a hug. "If it wasn't for Lucas I don't know how I'd cope" she said into Haley's hair. The hug broke and then Haley spoke.

"You know he loves you and he loves being there for you"

"I know its just sometimes I feel like a burden."

"Peyton how can you think that Lucas loves you so much"

"I know and he's told me that I'm not a burden but sometimes I can't help but feel that if it wasn't for me his life would be so much simpler."

"Simpler maybe but it wouldn't be nearly as happy. Ever since he met you he has been so much happier and if it wasn't for you he would never know what love feels like"

Peyton smiled "If it wasn't for him I wouldn't either." They shared another hug "Thanks Haley I'm glad we're friends"

"It's okay you know I'm always here for you and I'm glad we're friends too."

Nathan and Lucas came back into the living room.

"So are we gonna watch a movie or not?" Nathan asked

"Brooke and Jake aren't here yet and Brooke is the movie girl" Haley replied and with that said there was a knock at the door. "I'll get it" Nathan said and Lucas joined Peyton on the couch.

"Hey everyone" Brooke said cheerfully running into the living room while Jake walked in behind with Nathan.

"So what movies did you bring"

"Well lets see" she replied dropping the heavy bag onto an empty chair

"God Brooke how many movies did you think we were gonna watch?" Nathan said laughing.

"Well its always better to come prepared anyway this way there is plenty to choose from"

"She has a point" Peyton said.

"Okay so put something in" Haley said.

"Okay we are so watching John Tucker must die" Brooke said

"I love that film" Peyton said smiling and Lucas was so happy to finally see that old smile of hers back. He had started to miss it and told himself that he would have to thank Haley later for thinking of this, it was just what Peyton needed.

"I haven't seen it is it good?" Haley asked

"Tutor girl I can't believe you. How could you not have seen it?"

"It's good trust me" Peyton said. Nathan turned down the lights and joined Haley on the couch. Peyton got comfortable in Lucas' arms and they all watched the movie. Brooke and Jake sat on the floor leaned against the couch that their friends were sitting on. Half way into the film and the guys were actually getting into it they thought it would be another chick flick but they were actually enjoying it.

"I'm just gonna go to the bathroom" Peyton said getting up from Lucas' arms.

"Do you want us to pause it?" Nathan asked

"No its okay I've seen it before and I won't be long"

"I need to go too" Brooke added and got up to leave with her best friend

"Why do girls always have to go to the bathroom in twos" Jake asked

"You got me there. Haley you're a girl care to enlighten us?" Nathan replied.

"I don't know I guess its just a girl thing"

Meanwhile Peyton and Brooke were in the bathroom.

"You know Brooke I am capable of going to the bathroom by myself"

"I know but I need your advice"

"Oh okay shoot"

"Well its about Jake" she said a big smile plastered on her face

"You like him don't you"

"Well yeah I do I just wanted to know what you thought about it"

"I think you'd be great together"

"Really?"

"Yeah why wouldn't I?"

"I dunno I guess its just you were pretty close when we weren't talking did you actually date?"

"No" she replied laughing "We were close but believe me we were nothing more than friends. He was kinda my only friend back then. Haley and Nathan were busy and well you know the rest."

"Do you think I stand a chance with him?"

"Sure you're Brooke Davis and you have been getting quite close the past few days."

"Okay. How are you Peyton?"

"I'm okay"

"You're my best friend P Sawyer and I want you to know that I'm always here for you"

"I know I love you B Davis" she said and pulled the brunette into a hug.

"So you're okay right?" she said needing reassurance

"I'm fine. He attacked you too you know"

"I know but it was nothing compared to what you went through and he was never really interested in me anyway."

"I'm okay really."

"As long as you're sure."

"I am. I'm doing better"

"Good cause I miss my best friend." They shared another friendly hug.

A few minutes later and Brooke and Peyton re-joined the rest of the group. "I ordered pizza" Nathan said

"Cool" Brooke and Peyton said in unison and then they both went back to their seats and enjoyed the rest of the movie. The group hung out for a few more hours. The girls decided to let the guys choose the next movie. They all ate the pizza and junk food and hung out together and this night was exactly what Peyton needed.

Hope you liked it thanks for reading. Please review!!!