Author's Note- My apologies for the delay. I hope the chapter was worth it ;) ~Lyn

Chapter 35

After a quick conversation with Aidan and a promise he would take care of the photos, Peyton took a long shower. The water that was usually warm and inviting felt like fire. She endured the uncomfortable shower not wanting to get out and deal with the world. She eventually did and called Collin to check in with him. Peyton left him a voicemail asking him to let one of the crew know that he was okay since they were all worried. She then got dressed and went down in the stockroom where Leon was already working on the shipment. He didn't speak to her and wouldn't met her gaze which Peyton was fine with. She rather not get in argument if he was mad.

"Why'd you do it?" Leon asked her suddenly as they organized inventory.

"Like you've never been guilty of a one night stand," Peyton replied without looking up from the inventory list.

"Yeah but why him?" Peyton looked at him annoyed.

"Look you're not my guardian you're my friend so please drop it." Peyton looked back at her clipboard and Leon ripped it out of her hand.

"As your friend I wouldn't of said a word or held it over your head if you had let me help you," he told her as he shoved her against the wall. He kissed her roughly and Peyton shoved him off her.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Peyton demanded. Leon looked at her hurt.

"You know I've had feelings for you since that day in Mexico where you ran out of your hotel room. It was one thing when you were Dom since he developed feeling cuz he was always with you to keep you safe, but Aidan? What was going through your head that made you think he was good enough, baby?" Peyton felt her hand shake and it wasn't from him calling her baby.

"You really had feelings for me and weren't just playfully flirting with me this last year, but you backed off to let Dom and I get close when you knew it was only because Verone hired him?" Leon starred, but said nothing and Peyton wanted to scream. "Leon, you encouraged me to get together with Dom. How dare you assume I would even entertain the idea of getting together with you especially when I was flirting with you in Mexico after being with Dom." He licked his lips and wore an annoyed look.

"Yeah well you were playing hard to get like other High School girl. How was I to know you're a racer chaser when it comes to important guys like Dom or Aidan and just led the rest of us on to use us when you need a favor." Peyton slapped him across his face before she left the stock room. She saw Mike and Rome had heard the whole thing. Both wore a satisfied expression and Peyton realized they thought Leon was right. Peyton ran up the stairs and ignored her brother as well as Mia when she entered the livingroom. She went straight to her room and slammed her door. For the first time since arriving to Miami, Peyton locked her door before she turned on her stereo. She tried to do homework to get her mind off things, but her English assignment on Wuthering Heights seemed to taunt to her. She had read the book many times, but she had never realized how much her and Catherine were alike especially with Aidan's courting. Her phone buzzed and she saw she had a voicemail from Aidan. She ignored it knowing he probably wanted to tell her that the pictures O'Kelley had taken were now gone. In desperation for something to do, Peyton pulled out her sketch pad. Suki had been on her case about practicing and Peyton knew her thoughts would surround her failings of an artist instead her failings in love. Brian knocked on her door a half hour later.

"We're eating out," he told.

"Not hungry." Ten seconds later her door opened and Peyton didn't look to see if he had used a key or picked it before he knocked. Brian sat on the couch by her bed.

"Please come to dinner." Peyton looked up at him.

"I really can't deal with people who think my decision to sleep with Riley was because I'm trying to get back at Han or because I've suddenly become a common whore. You guys are suppose to know me better than that and it pisses me off that you all suddenly don't." Brian looked at her calmly.

"Even if he wasn't an O'Neil he still wouldn't be good enough for you."

"Yeah you said the same thing about Han and Dom." Peyton dropped her pencil and looked at her brother. "Tell you what why don't make a list of approved guys and the next time I want date someone I'll pick from the approved list. I don't know why everyone assumes that I'm jumping straight to relationship with Riley when every single one of you have been guilty having one night stands or sleeping around without being in a relationship." Peyton didn't know how he was remaining so calm, but it was irking her.

"Leon's a good man," Brian reminded her. "Yeah he's a street racer, but he's one of most loyal guys I know and he has goals. He'd do good by you and wouldn't be looking to get with you just because you're a pretty racer like the last three guys you've been with have."

"I'll find something in the fridge when I get hungry," Peyton said furious that one of the guys had Brian what had happened. "Shut my door on your way out." Peyton went back to her sketch and ignored him. Brian got up and kissed her head.

"I love you, P. More than anything I just want to see you happy." He left the room without closing her door, but Peyton heard the apartment door open and shut. Peyton turned her stereo louder trying to block thoughts from her mind. Drawing was no longer keeping her attention and Peyton threw her sketchpad across the room in frustration. She then closed her eyes and laid down. She didn't open her eyes when her stereo went off.

"I can see why you elected to stay home, love." Peyton's eyes flew open and she sat up at the sound of Collin's voice.

"I tried calling you earlier," Peyton informed him. "How are you?" Collin shrugged.

"Nothing some time with my favorite Irish girl won't cure," he said with a smile. Peyton got up.

"I don't know what we have in the fridge, but I can whip something up if you're hungry and want to hang." He gave her one of his charming smiles.

"Or we could eat the pizza and drink the Guinness currently in your living room."

"Bless you," Peyton breathed as the two went into the living room. "Movie?"

"Nothing with witless girls being rescued or family nonsense."

"Resident Evil it is," Peyton decided. Once she had the DVD set up, she returned to the couch where Collin had opened a bottle for her. He handed to her and she chugged it before she helped herself to some of the pizza. Collin gave her a surprised look, but respected her privacy by not asking her what was wrong. They sat eating, drinking, and occasionally commenting on the stupidity of the characters. Peyton was just starting to relax when she felt Collin's arm around her shoulder. Leon's words came back into her mind and she immediately moved away from Collin. Collin paused the movie before he looked at her.

"Out with it," he demanded.

"Huh?"

"What's wrong, love? There's something bothering you and it's not just the scene from earlier at Tej's." Collin's green eyes were filled with concern.

"I had words with Leon earlier." Collin gave her a long stare and she caved. She gave him the full story and he shook his head when she was finished.

"Git," Collin criticized. "He told me the two of you had flirted back in Mexico, but he should have known better than to let it develop as far as it has when he pushed you towards Dom. He's a bleeding idiot to even put you and racer chaser in the same sentence."

"But he has a point," Peyton argued. "I've always been the girl that hangs around guys and lately it seems that I've been leading every single one of you on."

"Peyton I want to hear and remember what I'm about to tell you," Collin ordered more stern than Peyton had ever seen him. "I've watched you with many guys and at no time have made signs of advancement except with Dom and Han. You have made it clear that you want to be mates with the rest of us and your joking nature can be considered flirting as much as your desire to be active can be considered wanting to be catcalled by every male in Miami. The first does not result in the second, so do not let Leon and the others make you think it does." Peyton searched his face.

"Why are you defending me?" Peyton questioned honestly curious. "We both know you don't find me ugly so why are you not jumping on the bandwagon here?" Collin gave her one of his goofy grins.

"Because you're my mate." Peyton's expression didn't soften. "I was guilty of having thoughts that could be considered inappropriate by your brothers involving you when you first got here yes, but we're friends Peyton. Men can be friends with fetching females and have a relationship that doesn't need to be sex based. I was asked by Rome and Brian to keep from forming a romantic relationship with you, but even if they were okay with me being with you I wouldn't. I would never want our friendship to change especially since I see you as a sister." Peyton felt a tear drop fall from her eye relieved that she still had at least one friend and quickly wiped it away not wanting to feel like a girl. "Am I pleased you chose to shag Aidan last night? Not in the slightest bit even though I understand why it was him and not one of the other guys, but alas not my place to judge you. You're a big girl and can make decisions for yourself."

"Are you calling me fat?" Peyton joked to lighten the mood.

"You are if you eat that sixth slice of pizza." Peyton lightly nudged him stomach with a smile. Collin's eyes became serious. "You know I understand the attraction to him. He's someone who understands your world and the choices you have to make. You don't have to be as strong around him as you do with us lot because you don't need to protect him. I think it would be brilliant if you found another man, but in our world you can't help who is thrown in your life." He looked away. "Even when you know you can be the better man for her compared to the men she's been with." Peyton opened her mouth to argue that he just went against everything he said, but she realized he wasn't talking about her.

"How long ago did fall for Geri?" Peyton gently asked.

"I've been in love with her the last two years, but the crush had formed years ago," he answered before he finished the rest of his beer. "The fact that I was younger than her and Molly's cousin never stopped her from blowing a kiss or giving me a wink when I saw her here in the states when my parents came to visit Molly's. When I moved here to Miami, I saw her at least once a month. I would say or do anything for one of her smiles, but even when she wasn't with someone she would always say she was taken." Collin looked at Peyton torn. "My head told me I should have said no when she asked me to pretend I didn't know her when she showed up this past summer, but how could honestly say no to the only woman aside from Molly who knew the real me and who I didn't need to explain what had happened with my family in Ireland? It hurt like hell to see her fretting about with Rome every day, but it was better than not seeing her at all." Peyton took his hand and squeezed it.

"I'm so sorry," she told him fighting the tears. "I had no idea how much you loved her and wouldn't have made the scene I did at the races when I found out about her and Han. I would not hold it against you if wanted to hit me or give me all your opening shifts this summer. In fact I think you need to pick one of them so were even." Collin surprised her by kissing her cheek.

"Stop giving me sympathy and beating yourself up and then we'll be even, love. I told you that story to show you how you're not like her… not give you another point to add to that list of mess ups you have running in your head. Tony would tell you the same thing even if Leo thought differently." Peyton snorted.

"I'm pretty sure he would since he's going to hate me once he finds out what I did with Riley and accuse me of jumping sides like Geri did." Peyton gave him a small smile. "I appreciate the attempt." Collin wiggled his eyebrows and Peyton laughed as she took his hands. "Let's promise each other right now that no matter what we're dealing with that we can always come to other with their problems. I want the one girl you can come to for girl advice or to eat chocolate with and not be judged for it." Collin's eyes became serious.

"I want to be the lad who will not judge for sleeping with a man no matter how much of git I think he is. I want to be the one you can call when a boy who thinks he's man breaks your heart and be one man who can trust to hold without ever wanting to make love to you. If you can promise me that than I'll agree to yours." Peyton let go of his hands and sighed.

"In that case there's something I need to tell you about that happened the day after my birthday…"

XXXXX

Collin took Peyton's confession about her and Aidan's first encounter surprising well. Peyton didn't expect him to yell at her, but she thought he might walk out on her and give her the silent treatment for a few days. He held her as he listened and kissed her head before he thanked her for being honest. He promised to always be there for and she promised the same before declaring the two were officially friends with benefits without sexual ones. The two then continued their movie and enjoy the new found comfort they found in the other. Peyton would have never expected the two of them would ever become this close especially since she had been seen as a piece of ass by him before Collin found out she was Brian's sister.

When Brian and the others got home, Collin decided to go to bed rather than deal with their questions. Peyton wanted to do the same, but Aidan had left her another voicemail saying they had to meet. She quietly slipped out of the apartment and met up with Aidan at the beach so the two could talk in private. He got straight to business as soon as she arrived and told her O'Kelley had sent the pictures to an unnamed client. Peyton requested that he call if he found out anything else and she assured him she would do the same. They both knew seeing one another now would be a risk especially when they didn't know who else had photos on them.

"I'll miss you," Aidan told her before he kissed her one last time. Peyton was thinking about that kiss and how she had cried on the drive home from the beach when Jennifer sat with her at lunch Monday.

"Who broke up with whom?" Jennifer asked quietly. Although Mike despised her at the moment, he had refused to admit to anyone what Peyton had done. Peyton had a feeling it was going to get out soon, but appreciated the only rumors going around about her to be the ones about Caleb making an ass out of himself at Prom.

"We both knew it was only one night," Peyton answered as she pulled her hair in a bun. She was sitting outside to avoid Aidan as well as Mike and the May sun was shining down hard.

"I'm sorry Peyton." Peyton shrugged as she took a sip of her water. "Was it worth the drama?" Peyton thought for minute before she answered.

"He was," Peyton admitted which surprised Jennifer and herself. "I've never felt so connected with a guy before. Maybe it was because we both knew it couldn't happen a second time, but if I had the chance I would do it again. It felt like we had been together for years the way we knew how to touch each other." Jennifer gave her a grin.

"The sex was good I take it?" Peyton smirked at the memories.

"He had me screaming every time." Jennifer lowered her sunglasses.

"How many times did you two go?" Peyton gave her friend a grin before her Sunday morning came back in her mind. "It wasn't just sex, was it?" Peyton wouldn't meet her friend's gaze.

"Not the last time no."

"Does your crew know?" Peyton sighed

"Collin does. The rest of the guys are either pissed at me because I slept with Riley instead of one of them or pissed that I slapped Leon when he shoved his tongue down my throat Sunday afternoon." Jennifer rolled her eyes before pushing her sunglasses back up. "Mia is looking at me like she doesn't recognize me and Suki…" Peyton looked up at Jennifer. "She's being really supportive like she's been through this before. She hates Kieran for involving Tej in illegal business way back before she was dating Tej, but she's the only one who hasn't glared or called me stupid. Plus she totally got up early this morning and took me out to breakfast." Jennifer smiled.

"Well if she's getting out of bed early it means she loves you." Jennifer's smile faded. "I'm sorry you had to see Han." Any other time Peyton would have been pissed someone gave Jennifer (and Mike she was sure) details about what had happened, but not now.

"I don't want that to be the way he remembers me," Peyton whispered. Jennifer put a hand on Peyton's leg in comfort.

"You can make things right." Peyton shook her head.

"Not in three weeks." Jennifer looked at Peyton confused. "Kieran gave the four of them until then to give up the fifth name and the location of Geri's baby." Jennifer put took the hand that was on Peyton's leg and placed it on her face to cover her own fear.

"That's the day after graduation." Peyton nodded miserably. "How about I give you a break from life drama for a graduation present?" Peyton gave her a weak smile.

"Please do." The two girls sat in silence for a few minutes. "I just want to leave after graduation. I'm almost upset I'm not going out of Miami for school." Jennifer sat in silence until an idea came to her head.

"Let's go backpacking in Europe," Jennifer suggested.

"What?"

"You and me two weeks in Europe. We can leave Saturday night after graduation." Peyton looked at Jennifer as if she was crazy. "Look, I always talked about backpacking across Europe after graduation and with the money I'm saving by staying in state I can trade some of it for Euros. Plus I think Brian would pay for you to be out of the Country if Kieran is going to launch some sort of attack."

"I'll talk to Brian about it sometime this week when he's not mad at me," Peyton told Jennifer as the bell rang to get the Miami native off her back.

"He's going to say yes as soon as he texts me back," Jennifer replied as she typed on her phone. "And since everything is done in Yearbook and we're Seniors we can use this period to find hostles." Peyton smiled and shook her head, but followed Jennifer none the less.

"I think Seniorides has hit you." Jennifer laughed and waved the comment off. Peyton was surprised to find by the end of sixth period Brian not only approved the trip, but offered to pay for the entire trip for both girls. The girls even had the majority of their trip planned when Peyton left the Yearbook room sixth period. Peyton had to admit she was feeling better than she had in days. Mike and Peter ignoring her when she walked into autoshop couldn't even spoil her mood. She worked on her assigned car with Derik (who she had a suspicion found out about her and Aidan from the way he was looking at her), Peter, and Mike. When the bell rang at the end of the day, Peyton went to her locker to collect her books and found Jennifer waiting for Peyton. They talked more about their trip as Peyton collected her books and the two left the school. Peyton was surprised to see a crowd gathered around her car especially since it wasn't the Mustang. As she got closer her heart began to pound at the sight she saw.

"Oh my God," Jennifer swore as Peyton inspected her car. All four tires were slashed and glass from the windows made it impossible for Peyton to go near the car in flip-flops. The driver's side door was bashed in as was the hood. Peyton's eyes narrowed when she saw a word sprayed on her car.

"What's a puttanna?" Peter asked as Peyton's eyes scanned the crowd for the guy she knew was there. His blue eyes met hers and Peyton shoved through the crowd until she reached his Evo.

"I'll take cash or check to pay for the repairs," Peyton informed him.

"I thought money was no longer an issue with you being Riley's personal puttanna these days," he spat bitterly. "Or are you selling your body for something other than cash. Is he taking care of issues for you? Is someone going to show up dead." Peyton dropped her backpack ready for fight if it came down to it.

"I'm not with him you asshole… not that it's any of your business who I'm with. I thought I made that very clear in August when you allowed your girlfriend to manipulate her delusions into our relationship." The guy got off his Evo and into Peyton's face. She heard the whispers, but ignore them hoping the guy would hit her so she would have a reason to kick his ass.

"What about Han? The girl I grew up with would never ditch the guy she's been in love with her entire life because she's desperate for some dipshit's dick when she knows it'll hurt everyone who finds out. Not to mention that your reputation is destroyed and Jul…"

"Leave my Mother out of this!" Her eyes narrowed at the boy. "Or actually why don't you talk to her about why you grew up with me instead of a cousin and ask her why it took this long for her to become Aunt Julie instead of Peyton's Mom." Peyton saw a brief flash of confusion across his face.

"What the hell is that suppose to mean?" Before she could answer, Peyton felt arms wrap around her waist.

"I would say it's good to see you, but we both know I'd be lying, Leo," Aidan said from behind Peyton. Peyton ignored him and studied Leo's face. There was anger and disgust, but underneath it she saw concern.

He still worries about me, Peyton thought to herself. After everything that happened in August he still cares me about me than being jealous.

"I'm glad we don't have to bullshit like we did as kids," Leo replied with a glare towards Aidan. "It's going to make this a hell of a lot easier." Peyton unwove herself from Aidan's arms.

"This isn't the place," she cautioned Aidan and Leo. An arm grabbed her and Peyton was pulled from her spot in-between the two guys. Peyton gave Jennifer a grateful smile and saw Mike with Peter a few feet away watching the scene with the rest of the school.

"Why don't you say what you need to say so you can hop on your jet and go back to guido land," Aidan suggested. Leo took a step towards him and Peyton half expected him to punch Aidan for the comment. His eyes flickered towards Peyton and there was a soft expression she hadn't seen in years. When Leo's attention returned to Aidan, the hate had returned.

"She's a Fiorillo even if she wasn't born one," Leo reminded Aidan. "Alliance or no alliance so long as you are with her whether it's a hookup or something more I will be watching you and if a single ounce of harm comes to her because of you I will kill you myself. She belongs to my family."

"Peyton belongs to no one but herself," Aidan spoke calmly before Peyton could say the same thing. "It's ridiculous that you think otherwise after knowing her all these years. She can make the decision to be with whoever she wants and live a life she deems right just like she can break things off with me like she did last night without anyone forcing her to do so." Surprised flashed Leo's face and he looked at Peyton for validation. "What, did you not have O'Kelley tailing us last night too?" There were murmurs in the crowd and Peyton saw law enforcement officials making their way through the crowd. A group of them went to Aidan and Leo to separate them, but two made their way towards Peyton. One moved Jennifer to the side while the other pulled out handcuffs and roughly grabbed Peyton.

"It was my car that got vandalized," Peyton explained to the guy who grabbed her.

"Shut up," he commanded as he handcuffed her. Peyton looked to see Aidan and Leo were also being handcuffed. Peyton noticed the back of the men's jackets and saw Customs written across it. Why were they getting involved over a petty vandalized car?

"Release us at once," Aidan demanded. "There's no reason for this because the three of us are together. Unless you want a major lawsuit from any of us, I recommended you stop this instant."

"I'll have your badges for this," Leo added as he struggled.

"You three delinquents are coming downtown," said a familiar voice. "There seems to be some rumors that one of you can answer. Not to mention this stupid family fight you've brought to my city is enough to have the three of you booked now." Peyton looked up at the man confused at why he was allowing this to happen.

"Agent Markham I don't understand…"

"Save it O'Connor," Agent Markham ordered. "I thought you were different from your brother, but it seems like your worse than him."

"Excuse me?" Peyton said offended.

"Charge us or release us," Aidan stated also annoyed. "You can't arrest us because you want to question us. None of us were offered the chance to come downtown on our own which we will be informing our lawyers." Agent Markham got in Aidan's face and pulled up his pants as if to intimidate Aidan.

"You want to be arrested tough guy?" Markham taunted. "I can do that asshole. The three of you are under arrest for the murder of Geri Williams." Markham turned to Peyton. "And you're my number one suspect."

AN- Da da dunnnnnn! Click that review button and let me know what you think. Only two more chapters left :P