Haley was talking with Brooke on the back porch, trying to fill her in about Lucas, when Peyton came back outside

Haley was talking with Brooke on the back porch, trying to fill her in about Lucas, when Peyton came back outside.

"Where's Luke? I would have thought you'd be back together by now," Brooke joked.

Peyton ignored that. She was looking straight at Haley. Brooke's laughter died on her lips. They could all tell Peyton was upset.

It took all the control Peyton had not to start yelling at Haley. "I have a bone to pick with you. Front yard," she said, before turning and walking back through the house to the front.

Haley followed her. As she was walking through the house she noticed Beth carrying a set of keys. Haley took them, and noticed that they were Peyton's. As she was walking by one of the spare rooms and she noticed Leyton and Lucas in it. They were talking. Haley smiled and just kept on walking because neither of them noticed her.

Peyton was waiting in the front yard when Haley made it outside. She didn't even have the front door closed before Peyton started. "What the hell is the matter with you?" she asked.

Haley looked at Peyton and feigned ignorance. "I have no idea what you're talking about," she said.

Peyton groaned. "Come on, Haley, you damn well do know what I'm talking about. Why the hell didn't you at least tell me he was coming? A warning would have been nice," she said.

Haley sighed and shrugged. "What good would it have done, Peyton? You and I both know you would have taken off before he arrived or even if you didn't, I wouldn't have seen your honest reaction to him. I wouldn't know what I know for sure now," she replied, crossing her arms and staring straight back at Peyton.

Peyton raised an eyebrow at Haley and stared right back at her. Peyton's own arms were crossed and she was standing in her defensive stance. "What exactly do you think you know?" she asked.

Haley smiled. "I know that you, Peyton Sawyer, are still in love with Lucas Scott," she said confidently.

Peyton's walls fell down for one second before she put them back up, her face once more a blank slate. That one second only confirmed what Haley already knew. "Don't even try to deny it! I just saw that look on your face. We both know you still love him Peyton. Why are you fighting it?" she asked.

Peyton shook her head adamantly. "There is nothing to admit," she insisted. Haley didn't believe her. Heck, Peyton wasn't even sure she believed herself.

Haley raised a questioning eyebrow at Peyton. "Then why don't you tell me that? Why don't you say those words?" she asked.

Peyton hesitated. "I don't love him," she said firmly.

Haley laughed. "Say his name. Tell me you aren't as in love with Lucas Scott as you were fourteen years ago," she challenged.

Peyton scowled. She didn't have a way around that. With a sigh she ran her hands through her hair. "I am with Colby now," she protested weakly.

Haley laughed. "Why don't you just tell him?" she asked. "Tell both of them. You can't keep stringing Colby along if you're in love with Luke," she said.

"I never said that I'm in love with him," she said. The anger had drifted out of her body. Now she felt drained. She sat down on the porch steps. Haley sat next to her and casually bumped her shoulder into Peyton's.

Peyton looked over at Haley. "I can't Hales. I remember you told me to be careful with him. Well, I wasn't, and I'm still paying for that. I can't go back. I'm going to be careful this time," she said.

Haley hugged Peyton. "Listen Peyt, I said something similar to this to Lucas back when you moved back. You know things won't be normal. Lucas is not just another ex-boyfriend," she said.

Peyton swallowed and nodded. After a moment she spoke, softly. "That's what I'm afraid of," her voice was so soft Haley almost couldn't hear it. Suddenly Peyton stood. She needed to leave. "Have you seen Layton? She has my keys," she said.

Haley pulled the keys out of her pocket and passed them to Peyton. "Don't worry about Layton. I'll take care of her while you're gone. I'll also give her an excuse for you leaving without saying bye and I tell her to call you later," she said.

Peyton nodded, thanked her best friend and got in her car. Seconds later she was gone.

While Haley and Peyton were talking, Lucas and Layton were getting to know each other. Layton told him all about school and life with her mom. She didn't understand why Lucas seemed so interested in her mom.

Luke loved getting to know his daughter. Even more he loved hearing about Peyton. He had heard some stuff from Haley, but she had never elaborated and he had never specifically asked. He loved the fact that his daughter played basketball.

"So do you want to get together and play some ball tomorrow, I can help you," he said, then paused. "Maybe we can get a whole group together," he added. He wanted to spend time with the rest of his family, too.

Layton nodded. "Yeah sure," she said. At that moment they were interrupted by Haley knocking on the door.

She casually poked her head into the room. "Hey, you two want to come out here? Lucas, you've been away for a while, you are very much in demand tonight," she said to Lucas, before turning to Layton. "Your mom had to leave, but she wants you to call her tonight some time. Why don't you go do that now," she suggested.

Layton nodded and left the room, leaving Haley and Lucas alone. "Listen, Luke, you're my best friend and brother-in-law, but I have to tell you this. If your plan is to come back, stir up some shit and then disappear again, we're going to have issues. Peyton and Layton have a good dynamic going on and I don't want to see it screwed up unless you plan on doing some good," she said.

Lucas laughed Haley's idea of protecting her friend. He stopped when he realized she was completely serious. "Haley, I love her and I'm not giving her up this time," he said.

Haley smiled. "Now that was what I wanted to hear," she said. She gave him a hug. "It's good to have you back, Luke," she said before they both left the room.

A/N: Thanks for your feedback, I do really appreciate it. I might not always get to put it in because most of this story is already written, but I'm glad you all like the story. It always feels good to get a review, so keep them coming.

Disclaimer: I don't, in any way, own any part of One Tree Hill.