A/N Thanks for the reviews guys, I know updates haven't been consistent so I really don't deserve them! It's always nice to read that you're still with me and they've pushed me to keep going, so thanks!

'Oh' Brooke jumped, pausing in the doorway of her and Julian's room. 'You're here'

Peyton stood from the window seat, her crumpled dress falling over her legs as she did so, the rosy blush at her cheeks spreading down her neck. She'd wanted nothing more than to run from this house and go back to New York. But she couldn't find it within herself to bail on the brunette before her, especially not after the scene she'd caused. Especially when this weekend was meant to be about Brooke, was meant to be celebrating her engagement.

'How's Haley?' Peyton asked sheepishly. 'Is she okay? I swear Brooke I didn't know she was pregnant and I didn't mean-'

'She's fine' Brooke threw her hand out dismissively, cutting off Peyton's frantic rambling. 'Pissed off but fine. I don't doubt that whatever she said warranted you pushing her in the pool Peyt, granted you could have done it before I was just about to introduce you to Julian's parents'

'Parents? Oh god. They saw that?' She wrung her hands together.

Brooke bit her lip in a futile effort to kill the amused smile that was curling her lips.

Peyton's apologetic expression crumpled into one of confusion, her brow furrowing. 'Why aren't you mad at me?'

'I know Hales, I love her but god can she be judgemental and when she's on her high horse about something she can be a right bitch' Brooke walked further into the room and sat on the edge of the bed, preoccupying her fingers with undoing the straps of her shoes. 'What did she say?'

'She was implying that I made Luke's heart deteriorate' Peyton sighed.

'Of course she was' Brooke murmured. 'Ignore her Peyton. You know that's not true'

Surprised by her friend's understanding, Peyton stood dumbly in the middle of the room. 'I fucked up your party'

Brooke looked up at her, wriggling her now freed toes and shoving her heels to one side. 'Are you kidding? You made our party, I was actually getting bored until then-'

'You asked me to be on my best behaviour Brooke and I just-'

'Forget it. Sure you caused a little bit of a scene but it made this weekend memorable' The newly engaged designer smirked, a twinkle in her eye. 'Seriously. It really doesn't matter...so, you and Luke talked?' Peyton screwed up her face. 'What's with the face?'

'Oh Brooke' The distressed blonde exclaimed, her fingers running agitatedly through her tangled tresses. 'I may as well of let him fuck me'

'What?' Brooke's eyes bugged out.

'We argued' Peyton's voice rose with her distress as she divulged all whilst pacing back and forth before her very interested friend. 'He interrogated me about Felix- he must of seen Felix somewhere because he was under the impression that we're sleeping together and one minute I'm screaming and he's yelling and then the next his hand is in my pants- why're you grinning god damn it?'

'Because!' Brooke exclaimed. 'God I'm trying to stay out of it, I'm trying to just be supportive of you both but I'm totally team Leyton'

'Team what?'

'Leyton. You know Peyton and Lucas, Leyton'

Peyton's forehead creased as she regarded Brooke.

'You know, like brad and Angelina, Brangelina'

'I get it. It's just it's weird. Don't do it'

'Well I can't stop. I've been team Leyton for a while now'

'Brooke'

'He loves you. I've kept my mouth shut-'

'Why don't you continue doing that'

'Because! I thought you'd come back and talk and then just get back together but I'm getting impatient'

'You think I'm overreacting?'

'No. Not at all. I didn't say that. He hurt you and you have the right to be bitter honey but you're in love with this guy, four and a half months ago you would have been over the moon if he'd said any of the stuff he's been saying to you over the last week'

'I know. I know that but I...' She pushed her tongue to the roof of her mouth and the words that followed were quiet and vulnerable. 'I...I'm scared. I'm scared to let him back in. Scared that if the slightest bad thing happens again he's just going to push me away. He made me think he didn't want me, how do I know he really does?'

'He's learnt his lesson sweetie' Brooke sympathetically took her hand and pulled her closer to the bed.

'Has he though? How do I really know that? How do I know he means what he says?'

'You don't. But that's where the whole trust thing comes in'

'I trusted him before! He made me trust him and look how well that turned out'

'I know. But look, before you met Luke, you lived in a world where you trusted no one. You weren't happy. And even though the two of you have had your troubles, aren't you glad for every second you've spent with him?'

Peyton flopped back onto the large double bed, the covers bouncing as her head hit the pillow. 'Yes' She muttered quietly. 'I just... he hurt me Brooke. More so than anyone ever has before and people have let me down my whole life, I just... I guess I never thought he would be one of them and it's hard for me to just, just let go of that. You know?' She sighed heavily. 'As bitchy as it is, maybe I'm enjoying making him hurt a bit'

'Oh he does hurt honey. He's been hurting every moment that he's been away from you' Brooke vouched.

'Good' She put her hand over her eyes, trying to close herself off to the mental crisis that had her over thinking every last detail. 'God. Before I came back here I'd accepted that we were done, I expected to come back and for him to be over me. I went away thinking he didn't want anything to do with me!'

'You still love him though right?'

Peyton looked at her through her fingers. 'I've never been in love before Brooke, how am I supposed to recognise if this is really real or not? There's no fucking person you can go and see who can tell you that you're meant to be with someone. But I do have countless examples of love gone wrong. My own mum and dad fell for each other and they're completely unsuitable, what if me and Luke are just my parents of the world?'

'Peyton. I get it. Everything that's happened between you two. It's like a load of warning sirens going off in your head, you're thinking it's a sign that this isn't meant to be' Brooke crawled up the bed beside her and gently pushed Peyton's hair away from her face. 'I know you've had a lot to think through and sure, it might not work out, no one can see the future but what've you got to loose by giving him another chance?'

'Everything' Peyton grumbled. She didn't like the idea of reliving the last five months, if she was in denial so what? It was better than the sharp pain in her gut that he'd made her feel. Before Lucas she'd been able to cope with sadness, been able to compartmentalise and save face. If anything affected her no one had known, outwardly she seemed to be coping well but that wasn't the case with Lucas. Her heartbreak had turned her into a blubbering mess and she hadn't enjoyed the world seeing her so vulnerable.

'That's not true. You've got nothing to loose, just everything to gain'

'Yeah and I gain it and then it all gets fucked up again and I loose it. It's not meant to be that hard. Look at you and Julian. Anyone can clearly see you're meant for each other'

Brooke laughed.

'What?'

'It's just, everyone thinks that about you and Lucas. Every single person out there earlier, their eyes weren't on Haley in the pool, they were all fixated on Lucas dragging you away because it's undeniable'

Peyton pushed herself up, leaning on her forearms, apparently deaf to her friends words. 'Maybe it's just physical. You know? I mean we've always been really physically attracted to each other, that's how it started, maybe that's all it is, maybe we're just fuck buddies, that's all our relationship really ever was, a succession of one night stands.'

'Jesus christ' Brooke stood upright suddenly, flailing her hands in despair. 'I think I'm making progress and then you leap five steps backwards. Seriously Peyton?' She rose to her feet, her voice rising an octave with her frustration. 'You can kid yourself thinking you're just missing sex with him but I know you better than that. You're missing just being in his company too. He's wanted to save you from the first moment he set eyes on you and you finally let him and you bought him back to life. He was dark, you were dark but together you bring out the best of each other. You two can talk without speaking, it's more than just sex' She took a deep breath and walked over to her open wardrobe. 'Peyton I'm worried, I'm worried that if you walk away from this, from him, that it will be the hugest mistake you ever make. Just think about it?' She looked to Peyton. 'He doesn't just want you, he wants forever with you'

Peyton listened with quiet wonder, spellbound by the portrait Brooke painted with such certainty. She'd spent so long refraining from imagining a life spent, shared with someone, the idea had been so foreign. But everything Brooke said she understood now somehow, it made something inside her grow warm and tender. She wanted what Brooke was describing, she wanted forever and she secretly knew that she was missing all of him when she should only be missing him sexually. She missed the little conversations they'd shared, she missed confiding in him and that had been a huge deal for her. She missed his teasing. She missed the way he wasn't afraid to argue with her.

'I'm going to shower and change for dinner' Brooke announced, taking two dresses from the closet 'If you could refrain from pushing anymore of my guests in the pool for the remainder of the evening that would be most appreciated' She taunted over her shoulder with a smile. 'And seriously avoid Haley at all costs. Oh and put this on, I may have packed it with you in mind. Luke won't know what hit him'

Peyton sighed as Brooke disappeared into the adjoining ensuite and the deep crimson garment hit her, pooling over her sprawled out legs.

She didn't want to talk to him anymore this weekend, especially after what had happened. She groaned loudly.

'Get moving!' Brooke's voice rasped bossily from behind the closed door.

Peyton contemplatively looked down at the dress and then was unzipping her current attire; she may not have been ready to acknowledge her feelings, nor want to speak to him but she definitely wasn't apposed to him staring at her all night.

'Hello?' Peyton dropped her bag in the hallway. She was tired and miserable and confused and was regretting her spontaneous decision to move out of her apartment because right now she just wanted to be by herself, just wanted to figure things out in her head. She was spared that luxury though. Brooke had insistently told her that she were welcome to come back to theirs but the revelation of their engagement this weekend had left Peyton wanting to give them some much warranted privacy.

'Peyton?'

She jumped in surprise as both her parents appeared. 'Darling' She was suddenly swaddled by arms.

'Woah. Okay. Let me breathe guys'

'It's been nearly six months' Mick exhaled. 'Without a word. Nothing. What were you thinking?' He pulled away, scowling but Ellie held on.

'I left a message on your answer machine, it's not like I vanished without a word' She defended.

'It would've been nice if you'd checked in from time to time' Ellie murmured.

Her caring voice was grating, further ruffling Peyton's already irritable mood.

'Mum' she shrugged her off. 'I'm a big girl. You would disappear for months at a time when I was a kid. I never got a phone call'

'I wasn't allowed to call when I was at...those places- I was unwell'

'Well I wasn't that great either before I left not that you'd have noticed, I went away to sort my head out' She muttered.

'We did notice. And did you?' Mick wondered.

'Sort of' She begrudgingly admitted.

'Come sit down. Come sit' Ellie was suddenly dragging her into the living area and ushering her onto a sofa. 'We went to your apartment, we heard you were back; they said you've moved out?'

'Oh yeah. I've been with Brooke this weekend and am going to stay at hers until I find a place but I wanted to give them a few days to themselves. I thought I'd stop by here before I go to a hotel-'

'Well you can stay here, of course you can. You know that'

'I know...So what's been happening here? What's happened with your trial?'

'The man that I hit didn't press charges so I was let off with a caution providing I went to this rehab facility'

'Of course you were' She rolled her eyes disapprovingly.

Ellie Wolf could not win with her daughter on the best of occasions but today she didn't have a chance. Peyton's inability to acknowledge her feelings and insistent desire to instead block Lucas from her thoughts (a near impossible task) was resulting in her volatile mood.

'You're boyfriend came here' Mick suddenly announced, eager to steer the topic away from his wife's troubles.

'He's not my boyfriend...wait a minute. He came here? Lucas?'

'Yes, after you left. He wondered if we had a way of contacting you. I told him I'd be damned if I was going to let him hurt my daughter anymore' Ellie informed her dramatically. Peyton raised her brow. 'He was so rude. Wasn't he rude Mick?'

'Mm' Mick muttered absently, suddenly more interested in the basket ball game that was playing on the flat screen tv in the background.

'He told me it was a bit late to be playing the selfless mother' Peyton turned away, biting her lip to disguise the approving smile that was daring to show. 'The nerve of him. You're better off without him honey. I'm going to fix us some drinks and food' Ellie clapped her hands together and in a flurry of movement was on her feet and out of the room.

'She's...upbeat'

'Mm. She has been for a few days, she's been hoping you'd turn up. She misses you more than you know'

Her anger and frustration toward her mother dwindled with her father's statement, instead the predictable guilt took hold. She sighed.

'So Lucas?' Mick pulled her into his side, muting the tv and running his hand over her head. 'You seen him?'

'Mhm'

'So you're-'

'It's complicated' She cut in.

'He loves you kido. Even I can see that'

'Dad don't. You're like the last person I want relationship advice from okay?' She stood up and walked over to the fire place and he watched her slender figure hunch over the mantel shelf.

'Darling I know we've not always been the best parents but it's never to late to start. So yeah, I hate the kid for hurting you but you were a hell of a lot happier when you were with him, I know that much. And I just want you to be happy. That's all I want. That's all your mother wants'

'I am happy Dad' She grumbled.

'Yeah. You've made a lot of brave steps over the last year and I'm really proud of you but-'

'Can we not talk about this please?' She turned around abruptly and forced a bright smile.

He sighed. 'Sure honey. Whatever you want'

She sat down coyly on the piano stool and let her hand run across the keys. 'I know you don't like me touching this...but...come play with me...it's what I want' She requested softly. The guitar had always been his favourite instrument but still he'd always scolded her when she'd been growing up and her little hands had tampered with his piano. He'd quickly provided her with her own to avoid such scenarios, but there was something about the old piano that always drew her in. She liked all the creaky noises it made, liked that her father refused to let anyone tune it, liked that some notes sounded completely wrong.

He perched beside her. 'It's not that I don't like you touching it, I don't like how much better you are than me' He teased.

She blushed and shook her head. 'I'm not'

'Yes. You are. I knew, I knew the first time you sat down on this thing and just played away in a manger. No music. You're hands just knew where to go.' He smiled fondly at the memory. 'But I never wanted you to follow in my footsteps. I never wanted that for my daughter. I didn't want you to be in the lime light but you've ended up there anyway'

'You say things like that Dad. Like it was beyond your control. You could've stopped me. I was only fifteen' She softly argued.

He nodded. 'I know. And I'll forever be sorry that I wasn't stricter with you. That I wasn't firmer with your mother' His nostrils flared as he exhaled heavily. 'I should have been here more often. It was so easy to give in, to surrender to the both of you when I wasn't here, if I was away. I just felt guilty for being so far from you. So any way I could put a smile on yours and your mother's faces I did it' He noted. 'In retrospect I see that I wasn't putting a smile on your face at all' He turned to face her. 'I heard you're quitting your friends company? No more modelling?'

She nodded with a small smile. 'No more modelling Dad'

'I can't tell you how happy that makes me sweetheart'

She blushed again. 'Just...just play me something Dad. It's all I want right now'

'Whatever you want darling'

Lucas was surprised to say the least when he walked into Brooke's office on thursday morning to find Peyton sat behind the desk.

He literally stopped dead before slowly backing up, trying to sneak back through the door undeterred. He wasn't ready nor mentally prepared to be in her presence. The last two run ins they'd had, had not ended as he'd foreseen in his head, in fact they'd not ended well at all; after what had happened in the woodland at Brooke and Julian's they'd not spoken a word. He'd spent the remainder of the weekend watching her parade around in a dark crimson dress that had had him wanting to drag her away from the party once more. But he'd refrained. He didn't feel they were getting any nearer to resolving their issues considering they couldn't actually seem to sit down and have a grown up conversation about it without it ending up in a screaming or make out session.

'Why're you here?' Her voice shattered his escape.

'Er...Brooke wanted to have lunch...' His throat constricted and he gulped nervously. 'Well at least that's what she told me, I see it may have been more of a set up' Lucas countered. A sudden anxiety had developed deep in his chest when it came to Peyton, a numbing discomfort that apparently only manifested when she was on his brain. Which was a lot. A lot, a lot.

Peyton nodded knowingly, tilting her head to the side as she regarded him. She should have known it wouldn't have taken long before Brooke started to meddle and try and make her team Leyton fantasies become a reality. Regardless of whatever plans her friend was putting in motion, she was determined for this not to be awkward. 'It's my last day' She announced suddenly.

'Last day?' He shoved his hands in his pockets. He wanted to say a million things but what with all the arguing, what with the words she'd said to him at their last meeting, ever clear in his mind, I'm not yours anymore Luke, He thought better of saying anything remotely unsafe. He'd let her do all the talking.

'I'm just signing some paperwork and shit'

His eyes squinted down at her. 'You, you're leaving the company? B Davis?'

'You look upset. Wasn't it you who declared you didn't want me modelling?' She raised one eyebrow in questioning. She wanted him to think this was okay. She needed him to think this was a good idea because god if he didn't she knew she would't be able to stop herself from doubting her decision because his opinion mattered massively to her. As much as she tried to pretend otherwise.

'I'm not upset. Not in the slightest. Surprised. You're giving up modelling altogether?'

'Mhm' She smiled softly to herself. 'Brooke said if I didn't leave she'd fire me'

'She wouldn't have done that'

'Yes. Yes she would. Because she, she's my friend' Her eyes sparkled. 'She knows I don't like it. She says I have so much more to give'

'You do. You have. You're not just a beautiful face' He blurted. 'You're good at so many things Peyton and you don't even know it'

Her eyes lingered on him for a moment and then she turned away.

He swallowed. Had he over stepped the mark? He feared he was loosing her. 'Are you still coming on Friday?' He asked abruptly, desperately trying to keep her engaged.

'Yes'

'That's, that makes me really happy Peyton'

'It's not for you' She said brashly.

'Right' He couldn't define the feeling that swooped down on him, but it wasn't the greatest. He couldn't say it didn't hurt. There had been a tiny part of him that was hoping, wishing, that maybe after a few days she'd have had time to calm down, to forgive him, to be glad about all the words that had transpired between them. However, that was vastly overshadowed by the part of him that was beating himself up for practically forcing himself on her at Brooke and Julian's engagement weekend. It didn't matter to him that she hadn't said no, he'd known she'd been conflicted, known if he hadn't been so persistent she'd probably have walked away, probably not wanted him touching her. Knowing that made it all wrong and he didn't want it to be wrong. He shook himself from his remorseful thinking '...still, it means a lot to me just the same'

'I need to go'

'I thought you said you needed to fill in some papers-'

'I can do it another day'

She stood up and grabbed her purse and was out the door before he could even comprehend her hasty departure. He stared after her. The only thing he could focus on was the sinking feeling in his stomach and the painful, inexplicable feeling that he'd officially lost something.

She'd thought that her uncaring act with Lucas would continue to make her feel better but yesterday afternoon his face had been different, there'd been something new seeping into his expression, something that resembled discontentment and sadness, something that had made her come away feeling guilty. She'd always been such a great liar, it came effortlessly, it was a defence mechanism in a way and she was always so completely cool. But this lie was different. This lie had her turning into a hot, bumbling mess. She was lying to herself and to Lucas about her true feelings, persistently trying to ignore the way she felt. And as she got out of the limo and saw him for the first time on the red carpet she had to work hard to keep herself composed because he looked sick. He was pale and he wasn't his normally poised self, his shoulders hunched with nerves and she wanted nothing more than to save him from the media circus that faced them.

She found these things so easy, all she had to do was walk down the carpet and smile at the cameras but she could see that Lucas was not finding the whole affair to be all that enjoyable.

'So what's the story with you and blue eyed boy?'

Peyton tore her eyes away from Lucas to look down at Roary. The teenager had been more than a little excited when Peyton suggested she keep her company to this event, even more so when Brooke had dressed her in a long flowing blue gown that made her feel every bit a princess.

'There is no story'

'Really cause he's fucking you with his eyes right now'

'Roary!' Peyton glowered but her eyes skittered to Lucas and then Roary bit her lip to stifle a giggle.

'What?'

'You can't stay stuff like that, not on a red carpet' Peyton declared in a hissed whisper.

'Hey you can't lecture me. Not when you attend these things sans underwear'

'Hey. I never do that' Peyton grumbled with a roll of her eyes.

'Whatever...so...his name's Lucas right? He's real cute... are you two...?'

'Nothing okay. We dated. He's a jerk. We're finished. The end. Now can we concentrate on something else please'

'Touchy much'

'Look can we just concentrate in getting inside and watching the movie. I asked you to come to this to make it slightly bearable and distract me. Not to interrogate me'

'Is Peyton being a cow Roary?' Brooke and Julian were suddenly beside them, the brunette's eyes twinkling devilishly as she surveyed them both. 'Just ignore her. I do...why don't you come with me' Brooke chanted, outstretching her hand to the teen.

'I am not being a cow' Peyton contended in a hushed mutter as Brooke dragged Roary off.

'She's just teasing' Julian laughed. 'I'm glad you came'

'Mm. I'm wishing I hadn't'

'Well thanks for the support Miss Wolf'

'I'm sorry' She gushed, shaking her head 'Of course I want to be here, you know it's just...' Her eyes trailed over to Lucas. 'God he really sucks at this red carpet thing'

'Yeah...he looks like he's going to keel over and have a heart attack at any given moment-'

'That's not even funny Julian' She scowled.

'Wasn't trying to be. Maybe you should go over there and hold his hand'

Peyton rolled her eyes at his suggestion. 'Not you too. Has Brooke got you implementing some team Leyton scheme?' She drawled wearily.

He chuckled. 'Not quite. Seriously, you'd be doing me a huge favour. I don't really want to spend my premiere in A&E' He screwed up his face as he regarded Lucas once more. 'Can you seriously watch him? It's painful. Go help the poor guy out'

'Like I'm going to be able to change anything-'

'Oh please. If you go over there he'll just see you' He mocked. 'Because he only has eyes for you'

She groaned dramatically, stepping away from him. 'I'm only doing this so I don't have to listen to anymore of your bullshit' She complained.

He smiled in her wake, catching Brooke's eye across the crowd and sending her a jubilant wink.

Lucas felt utterly out of his element here.

His ratcheting nervousness was caused by a combination of things; his worries about how the film would be received, his dislike for being at the centre of attention but perhaps mostly because Peyton was standing four metres away from him in a breath taking dark, emerald gown and he didn't know how he'd be received by her, let alone the rest of the world.

She glanced in his direction as she got out of the car but she barely even acknowledged him, her eyes making a quick assessment and then she was looking through him, like he wasn't even there and it numbed him. She was so hot and cold it was beginning to give him whiplash. From the moment he'd met her she'd disrupted his life in the best possible way only now it was different. Now she was a hurricane on the war path to punish him in every which way she could. Well that's what it felt like because she was saying one thing and doing another. She'd as much as told him they were done when they'd argued at Brooke and Julian's party and then all but a couple of hours later she'd reappeared in a red gown that she'd proceeded to flaunt in his face. He'd told himself he was reading too much into everything but he knew her. Knew she wanted him to look at her. Knew she wanted him to want her.

Another succession of flashes had him flinching, blinded and instinctively backing up. He didn't have a clue how she could stand this. How she'd grown up in a world where this was the norm. He wasn't enjoying the attention and every camera that faced him felt like a barrel of a gun. Maybe he was being dramatic but his anxiety was at an all time high.

'Lucas'

A small, soft hand within his own made him jump. His eyes averted from the camera's, rounding as he looked at her. Standing beside him.

'What're you doing?' He looked down at their joined hands, confusion painting his face.

'Saving you' She said simply, confidence reigning her body. She made this, all of this look so easy.

'But-'

'There is no buts Luke, you've saved me more times than I can count. Let me save you from this' She muttered and her voice was warm, affectionate, calm.

He beamed. Literally. With her on the end of his arm, none of this seemed so daunting.

'There's really nothing to it'

'Right'

Her hand glued with his, she began to walk them back toward the mass of photographers.

'Wait, me too?'

'Yes Luke'

'But-'

'You want to get off of this carpet right?'

He nodded needlessly.

'So let me make this as quick and painless as it needs to be. As soon as they've got some pictures we can do a detour and skip the rest of the press'

Her face stayed focused on the camera's before her and she donned an effortless smile.

'Don't look at me' She muttered through her teeth. 'Look ahead and smile'

But he couldn't stop looking at her and his intense stare soon had her head tilting to face him and she felt a tingle run right up her spine and she reveled in the sensation, letting it consume her, letting it momentarily banish the many other people that she was sure were looking at them. The intensity of his gaze pierced through her, made her mouth dry and she briefly wondered if she'd taken on his dumbstruck stare and now looked like the awkward one. She swallowed, everything she'd been so desperately trying to repress crashed down in an avalanche upon her, ruthless and unyielding. She still loved him. Of course she did. How could she not. This wasn't fake. In this moment she didn't know how she'd ever been doubting it. This was real. It had to be because her heart did not race like it was right now for anyone but him.

She looked away most abruptly. This wasn't the best place to be having an epiphany. He stopped shaking as her thumb ran soothingly over the back of his hand. Everyone else dissolved. It was just them.

'Hey Roary. I'm Lucas I don't know if you remember me?'

'You're the screenwriter' She shifted her weight to one side as she looked up at him.

'Yes, yes I am. I'm glad you came tonight, you look lovely'

She tilted her head to the side and her long dark hair fell over her face, hiding her smile.

'Did you enjoy the film?'

'It was amazing' She nodded, looking up at him through dark lashes.

'Yeah?'

'Uhuh'

'Well I'm glad you enjoyed it' He smiled. 'I don't suppose you've seen Peyton around?' The teenager grimaced somewhat. 'I take it she's not said the greatest things about me huh?' He chuckled.

'She said you're a jerk'

He nodded. 'Well that's progress. I'm sure I was being called a dickhead last weekend. I don't suppose you want to keep me company?' He gestured to two empty seats.

She smiled shyly. 'I'd like that'

He figured if he stayed put with her, not only would he be able to keep the kid company but also had a better chance of stumbling across Peyton again. He'd barely seen her since they'd got inside the theatre and then when the film had finished everything had been a blur of people clapping and then he was whisked away and now he was here, celebrating with all the people that had made this possible and for a while that had been nice, more than nice but his mind was soon back on Peyton and where she was and when he'd be able to thank her for what she'd done for him out there today. Because it had been a huge deal to him and he'd been failing miserably and she'd fixed everything.

'So have you had a good night?' He sat down beside her.

'Uhuh, well to tell you the truth I'm a little bored now'

He smiled. 'Yeah. It is a little boring huh, especially when you don't many people'

'Peyton knows everyone'

'Mm, probably not as well as you'd think. She's just good at talking to people'

'I wish I was like her. Everyone wants to talk to her' She looked down at her lap.

'Hey, you're wonderful just as you are' He touched her hand and leaned closer so he could look into her face. 'Don't let anyone tell you differently. This world is not as glamourous as you probably think it is Roary' She timidly looked up at him. 'Okay?

She didn't answer and Lucas' brow furrowed with concern but just as he was about to ask her if she were okay she lent forward and her lips were suddenly on his. Startled, he froze momentarily but he quickly came to. 'Woah' He reeled back and the teenager looked up at him with mortification.

'Oh god'

'Roary...listen. I, I'm really touched okay? But I'm in love with Peyton, plus, I'm way too old for you' Lucas narrowed the wide gap that he'd made between them, his hand gently rubbing up and down her forearm.

'I'm so stupid' Roary blinked frantically and looked up at him through bleary brown eyes. 'So stupid'

Caught up in Roary's muttered ramblings, he failed to notice Peyton materialize before them.

She stood there for a few moments and just stared, stared incredulously at the people in front of her.

Blinking, thinking that perhaps if she did so enough times she'd wake up from this twisted situation.

It had been her intention to leave, to grab Roary, slip quietly away and take her for some ice cream or something. She couldn't further ignore the snide comments that were being aimed at her; apparently her little act on the red carpet had appeared as a publicity stunt, appeared as though she'd not been able to stop herself from stealing the limelight and she just wasn't in the mood for anymore. Because no one had a clue. Because that so wasn't it.

'Peyton' Lucas stood abruptly having noticed her paralysed form. He stared at her, watched as her expression went from shell-shocked to her nose screwing up as she desperately tried not to break down.

He quickly deduced that she'd misinterpreted what was going on here.

'Peyton' He shook his head.

But she was already backing up. The hurt that had been so clear just seconds ago, now gone. Instead her eyes were consumed with rage. He could almost see it bubbling beneath the surface.

'We were just talking'

Objectivity suddenly came a knocking and she closed her eyes, recognising that she was being totally absurd in her assumptions. This wasn't what it looked like, Lucas wouldn't do that. Surely. She became even more flustered and irritated with her judgements because she didn't want to even care but she did, had. She cared so much that his lips had just touched someone that wasn't her.

The sense of betrayal had been quick to crush down on her, betrayal that she rationally didn't think she had any business in feeling.

She turned abruptly. Her hair whipping through the air as she stumbled away quickly.

She had no right to feel betrayal, no reason to feel annoyed, to feel angry.

Anyone who saw her wouldn't have known she was panicking. She looked cool, calm, and perfectly collected as she weaved her way through the celebrating crowd, whisked a champagne glass off one of the trays and made a beeline for the nearest exit.

'Peyton'

She was vaguely aware of his voice behind her but concentrated on knocking her drink back and blocking out the hustle and bustle of her surroundings.

'Peyton'

Freedom. The fire exit door clunked loudly behind her, muffling the noise from inside. Instead she was enveloped in the noises of New York. Taxis beeping. Non stop traffic. Headlights made patterns on the wall as they past in a hurry.

She walked a couple of paces down the side ally, shuddering in the cool, night air. It bought relief. But that relief was short lived because he was suddenly there, grappling at her arm.

'Peyton'

'Get off me'

'Peyton come on'

'She's not even sixteen!' Her eyes were dark, but she didn't look angry anymore. She looked defeated, resigned, kind of like she'd expected this. Expected his attentions to waver, expected to be disappointed. Expected him to find some other girl. Lucas hung his head in shame. It crushed him because he knew he'd done this to her and he couldn't bare looking at the beautiful girl he'd broken. He'd instilled that mistrust, and it was infuriating because it had taken him so long to convince her that he could be trusted.

'Peyton I wasn't- she, she's just a kid- of course I wasn't, I was just letting her down gently, I didn't want to embarrass her'

Peyton turned, pressing her forehead into the brick wall, her heart thrumming in her chest. She didn't know why she felt so sick. She didn't want to doubt his words, but then he'd said a lot of things and done a lot of things to make her doubt him.

'Christ I wouldn't do that to her, I know you know that and I sure as hell wouldn't do that to you' He stepped forward and her face crumpled when his hand moved round her svelte waist.

'Don't'

He ignored her protest.

'Don't be mad at me. It seriously wasn't what it looked like. Don't be mad at her either, she's just a school girl. And you're helping her, she needs your help' He began rubbing slow circles from her hip down to her thigh and her stiff body relaxed, melting back against his chest. She silently scorned herself for being so weak. She couldn't fight him, couldn't fight his touch, it was all too tempting.

'Turn your head'

He was somewhat surprised when she actually did as he said, turning her face towards him. Her eyes were closed as her face came into view and he could see a tear that had settled on her cheek. Her lips were parted slightly and he wanted nothing more than to close the distance between their mouths.

'Baby look at me' He husked.

His plea drew the air from her lungs, that one simple plea was all it took.

Her eyelashes flickered as her lids opened and he was right there, so close, his blue eyes so caring as they looked down at her.

His stare drifted from her large green eyes to her lips and then back again in a silent question. A silent plea.

'I've only got eyes for you. Don't you know that yet?'

She swallowed thickly and he watched her tilt her head slightly and he must of seen something in her expression that gave him courage to take the risk and close the narrow space between their faces, slowly leaning forward, his lips whispering against hers.

She didn't move. He pulled back a fraction to see two pools of green, wide and staring. Her expression gave away nothing and she said not a single word but her next movement said a thousand things. She rose up on her toes and slowly lent in, her eyes staying locked with his. It was almost tormentingly slow, her nose brushing against his before their lips came together once more and it wasn't hesitant as his had been, she really kissed him. It was slow at first, mouthes closed, just a gentle caress of lips on lips but then her mouth was pressing to his assertively, like a match to a spark. He recovered from his initial shock quickly, kissing her back languidly over her shoulder.

'Mm' He groaned, kissing her harder, her mouth reciprocating in a flutter of movement, her lips slipping against his with the intensity of all the feelings she'd been keeping bottled up.

Heat engulfed him, exploding in his chest. A mixture of hope and excitement itching inside of him but he stayed restrained, refrained from turning her around and pushing her up against the wall. The hand that wasn't snaked around her waist ventured to gently hold her own. He pulled at her top lip with his teeth, persuading her mouth to open. Suddenly, she pulled away and he could hear her gasping for air and smiled because he knew she felt it too. She couldn't hide it. He buried his face in her hair to hide his ridiculous grin and pressed tiny kisses to her neck as she rested her head back against him. Her already harsh breathing got louder until she was practically moaning.

'God, I want you...' He groaned.

'You can't have me. Let me go'

His right hand left hers and was suddenly at her face, directing her face back to his and moving quickly before she separated herself from this moment.

'Stop it' He growled. He didn't want to play this game anymore. His fingers smoothed over her cheek and then not a second later his thumb was at her chin, pulling down and forcing her lips to part just a little.

She gasped and her breath was suddenly in his mouth; the taste of champagne lingering and he wanted more. Wanted to taste and feel more.

She moaned softly as his tongue slipped over hers and was certain that in that moment she'd never wanted anyone more than she wanted Lucas. It had been going on six months that she'd not been with him and was certain she'd go out of her mind if she didn't allow herself him soon. Her tongue swept over his and he felt such triumph because he was no longer the one pressing her for this, no longer gently persuading her, it was all give and take, he may have been the one to initially kiss her but she was kissing him.

He turned her around abruptly and took a step closer to her, pressing her close, trapping her against the wall. His hand moved to cradle the back of her head, fingers fisting in her styled hair and tugging to angle her head better. She groaned. The kiss spiraled on into heated desperation. She licked his bottom lip and her hands moved up his sculpted chest to his shoulders, hanging on.

He was the one to pull back this time 'Come home with me' He panted out in a whisper.

'Ughh' She exhaled a breathy moan and Lucas knew it was a moan of frustration but it sounded so low and sexy that he couldn't help but smile into her neck before pressing a kiss to the spot under her ear. 'Why're you so damned good at this?' She whimpered, hands sliding up the side of his neck, cupping his jaw, then back until her fingers twisted in the hair at the back of his head.

He smirked, softly kissing a trail up her neck to the hollow under her jaw line 'Come home with me' He repeated.

'Luke that won't fix anything' She knew all this physical touching was just complicating things in her mind so much so that sleeping with him would definitely complicate matters. She wanted to be strong, she didn't want to be weak and give in to the secret hunger in her heart but was finding it hard to put her thoughts into action because he was soon shutting her up with his mouth back on hers, hoping that he could persuade her that this wasn't such a bad idea.

He pressed his hips against hers, digging his fingers into her sides to hold her there.

Her head dropped back a little and he didn't relent, not for a second, kissing the corner of her mouth, her temple, her cheek, silently hoping she was imagining the feel of his mouth on other parts of her body, as he was 'You're coming home with me'

Her eyes screwed shut and she shook her head with a sigh. 'No I'm not'

'Peyton'

'No' She pushed against his shoulders and he stumbled back begrudgingly.

He ached for more than what she was giving him. A part of him knew there was something wrong with his line of thinking, knew she was right because they needed to work out their problems before they did this but his lust fuelled haze had him unable to focus on his niggling conscious.

'You're killing me. Do you know that?' He complained.

'You do look a little frustrated' She noted, her voice suddenly taunting and he didn't appreciate it.

'So un-frustrate me. Now. Come home'

She tucked her hair behind her ear and the little action had him wanting to pin her back against the wall, that and the little satisfied glint in her eye. This was definitely a dangerous game.

'You're just going to have to un-frustrate yourself tonight'

'How long are you going to punish me for? I'm done apologising Peyton. Done grovelling' She didn't say anything. 'But I'm not going to stop fighting for you, not until you tell me to' She stared at him. 'Tell me to stop fighting'

She stopped for a moment, thinking, her mouth open but no words would come and when she finally did speak again, her voice was quieter. 'I have to go check that Roary isn't hitting on some other jerk' She took a few steps away and with her back to him, she quietly murmured, 'The film was great Luke. Really'

He grinned. Because she hadn't told him to stop. She wasn't telling him to stop and that alone filled him with hope that he'd been struggling to find over the last few days.

'I'll be seeing you then' He called. She glanced over her shoulder and her slight nod made this whole night perfect.

Roary dug her sweaty hands into her arms as she hovered near the exit. Irrational thoughts sparked through her, urging her arm to keep jerking out and retrieving glass after glass of champagne that sat on the side. It felt like she'd been waiting forever and during that time she'd considered doing many stupid things. She hated herself right now. Hated everything about herself and with that thought she dug her nails deeper into her skin, welcoming the discomfort. She'd ruined everything, of that she was sure. But despite it all. Despite her desire to run in the opposite direction and get out of here, something was keeping her feet firmly planted on the ground.

The exit she'd seen both Peyton and Lucas disappear through suddenly opened and the person she was waiting for was suddenly looking straight at her and then she was marching past her. 'Peyton wait. I'm so sorry. Wait, I'm sorry. You said you guys were nothing and I just, he was being nice to me and-'

Peyton stopped and the dark haired teen jarred to a halt behind her, her hasty ramble of words dying as Peyton looked at her severely.

'Lucas is out of bounds okay?'

'Okay' Roary nodded her head vigorously.

'It was a mistake bringing you here. It's my fault. I've been trying to help you and then I bring you to something like this'

'I'm really sorry...he didn't kiss me though. It was me. He pulled away. He said he was in love with you. I'm really sorry Peyton. Really I am...Do you hate me?'

Peyton looked at her and closed her eyes because the big naive brown pair that were looking up at her were that of a kid. A kid that was going to make a thousand mistakes but Peyton had already saved her from making a few regrettable decisions and with that knowledge all her frustration and anger toward the fifteen year older ciphered into nothing.

'No, I don't hate you. I hate what you did tonight' She exhaled heavily through her nose. 'But I also understand'

'Understand?'

'Yes. I've been where you are. I know how it is and god I get what it's like to want to be wanted and Lucas made you feel wanted tonight'

Roary's eyes glistened. 'Why're you being so nice to me?'

Peyton smiled wearily, draping her arm around the younger girl. 'I really don't know. Come on. I'll take you home.'

'Hey I"m back' Peyton greeted as she let herself into Brooke and Julian's apartment.

'Hey. Roary okay? She looked positively miserable earlier' Brooke wondered as the blonde appeared in the kitchen.

'Mm. We had a bit of a misunderstanding but it's fine now. Are you sure you're good me staying here? I can go to a hotel if you guys want to be alone-'

'No, no. Don't be stupid'

'Where's Julian?'

'Probably asleep, he was knackered'

'Are you sure-'

'Peyton there's four bedrooms and we need one' Brooke flapped her hand assertively, her eyes focused on her laptop screen.

'What're you looking at?'

'Nothing'

Peyton walked round the kitchen island to join her. 'Brooke' She whined, looking over the brunette's shoulder. 'That's not nothing'

'Oh? But you keep saying it is' Brooke teased, as she dragged the image onto her desktop to save it.

Peyton sighed as she looked at the snap from the night. She wasn't interested in the speculation written around it, her eyes instead lingering on the way Lucas was looking so intently down at her. The way she'd naturally lent into him. The feel of his arm around her, hand possessively at her waist. 'We look good together' She muttered absently.

Brooke smirked. 'Yes, yes you do. You know, what you did was really sweet. He was dying out there'

'He needed me'

'Yeah, he does need you. A lot.'

'I'm ignoring that'

'Fine. Did you guys talk at all tonight?'

'No, not really'

She refrained from mentioning the kiss they'd shared. 'Can we just, can we not talk about this'

'Fine'

'What's this? Peyton prodded the thick manuscript that sat on the sideboard.

'Oh nothing' Brooke murmured coyly, watching Peyton's intrigued expression.

'Nothing?'

'Just a draft of Luke's'

'Just a draft?' She repeated like a mindless dummy.

'Uhuh. Just something he's been working on. It's about this girl. She, she's kind of like you, I wonder where he got his inspiration' Brooke mocked.

'Like me?'

'Mmm'

'Why do you have it?'

'He just wanted my opinion on a few things'

'You've read it?'

'Yep. Couldn't put the damn thing down'

'Can I...can I read it?'

'Of course. Although I don't know if you should'

'Why?'

'Well A he said if I let anyone see it he'd have to kill me and whoever saw it and B, I know the second you do you'll forgive him for everything and I know how much you don't want to do that'

Peyton lapsed into silence, staring at the thick wad of papers, her fingers twitching at her sides for the longest of moments but then, in a brisk movement she snatched it up.

Brooke grinned as she all but scurried away. 'I'll make you some coffee shall I? You're going to be up all night'