Thanks everyone for your amazing reviews and for reading, I appreciate that. We'll have to wait and see about Lindsey and whether she's going to reappear or not.

WARNING: I guess a warning is required, even though I don't think this exceeds the T rating, but there are some sexual actions in this chapter that could be considered an M, just thought I'd give you heads up.

Let me know what you think of it, and what you think will happen next.

So, here goes nothing...

This song is by HONNE. Great one!

19. Good together

Peyton did cover for Lucas at work, she even handled a few things he should have done that day, at least the ones she was capable of handling, she said he wasn't feeling well, just like he did when she was in bad shape after breaking up with Jake, but, she didn't do it as returning a favor, she actually felt like doing it, she wanted to help him.

On returning home from work, she noticed his car was there, and she didn't expect that, she expected him to have fled once again to God knows where aka Lindsey's. At first, she didn't think too much of it, but as she got in, she found the house too quiet and almost everything was exactly where she left it in the morning, she began to wonder if he ever got out of bed, and that arose some worry inside her.

She kept walking through the house and up the stairs and as expected Lucas was nowhere around, and his bedroom door was closed, she knocked softly and there was no answer, which managed to increase her worry.

She twisted the knob and pushed the door and there he was passed out on his bed. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw he at least took the pills and left the glass of water half empty, on looking back at him again, he looked pretty much out of it, and she frowned as she called his name, after all, no one sleeps that much unless there's something.

"Lucas?" she called again taking a step closer but again there was no answer, she put her hand on his shoulder to push him slightly and that's when she noticed that heat was radiating off his body.

She put her hand on his forehead noting the droplets of sweat gathering on his skin only to make sure that he was indeed burning up, "Oh God." She said cupping his cheeks for double-checking and the result was the same.

"Lucas?" she called again gently shoving him as he let out a low whimper reassuring her that he's at least not unconscious.

She sighed as she turned around taking off her jacket placing it on the near chair as she left the room rolling up her sleeves and went directly towards the bathroom cabinet looking for someone to reduce the temperature.

A few minutes later, she came back with a new glass of water and paracetamol and a thermometer; she gently shook him earning the same whimper of annoyance at first until he finally opened his eyes.

"We have to take your temperature." She said and shoved the thermometer in his mouth to his confusion. When she got it out, she sighed; well, there was no doubt he is coming down with fever.

"You gotta take this." she said showing him the medicine as he looked back at her in confusion, she knew he was probably too tired to process so instead of wasting time to talk in vain, she reached over to help him up enough to be able to take them.

She shoved the pill in his mouth and neared the glass to his lips forcing him to gulp it down ignoring his protests, he then looked at her getting back a little sense of reality,

"What's this?" He asked her and if he was in a better state he would have probably accused her of trying to kill him, because she may be helping him, but her eyes are surely shooting daggers.

"You're burning up, it's to reduce your temperature." She told him, setting the glass of water aside and he instead of replying let out a cough. "Great, you're coughing too." She noted.

"I'm fine." He said in a hoarse voice.

"Sure you are." She said as she moved to his closet, "Of course you would catch fever; who stays out on a December night until the middle of the night wearing only this shirt, oh and drunk too! Thank God, it's not hypothermia." she scolded while going through his clothes to find him something else to wear.

She picked up a light shirt for him to wear for the meantime until his temperature settles down; she moved back towards him and started unbuttoning his shirt from last night.

"What are you doing?"

"Getting you changed."

"I…I can do it." He said and she suddenly felt her cheeks reddening; she thought she got rid of this habit around him.

"Yeah, sure." She said as she handed him the shirt and the sweatpants and left the room to go get more medicines and vitamins.

She decided to give him more time and went to the kitchen to make him something to drink, and while she was there, she heard noises indicating he was vomiting in the bathroom, well, if it wasn't the alcohol then it was the cold; looks like he got it bad. He was leaving the bathroom when she got there with a cup of herbal tea, "Are you okay?" she asked him.

"No," he said tiredly.

Peyton didn't know what was going on with her; of course she was still mad at him and his choice of behavior, but right now, she had to help him, that's just out of question.

"Come here." She said and let him lean on her as they walked back to his room.

"It looks like the flu; you could catch." He told her although he wasn't really refusing her help.

"I'm not an idiot like yourself." She said allowing him to crash on his bed again pulling the light sheet up as well along his body. "Drink this. It'll help you."

"I don't want to."

"Well, you need to get better." She said as he groaned taking it from her with a frown that resembled a little boy's.

"Drink this and take those pills then sleep for a while, you need to rest." She instructed as she moved towards the door.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

She looked at him ready to snap, but she could never have the heart to do so when she saw the look he was giving her so instead she let out a sigh, "To change." She said even though she didn't really have the intention to come back right away.

He nodded, "Thank you."

She looked back at him for a moment and gave a nod, "Get some sleep, Lucas." She said and left him.

She breathed out a sigh as she squeezed her eyes shut once she was out of his sight; she knew it, she realized the very last night that she cares about him whether she likes it or not, and that her feelings haven't gone away one bit, but, this was too much for her! If he looked at her with this adorable look one more time, she knew she's gonna lose it… and she can't let those feelings take the lead, not anymore, he has already made his choice long ago, so she needed to keep reminding herself that this is just her helping him because he's sick and nothing more.

After getting changed, she decided to at least check if he's taking his pills, and when she walked in she saw him already lying back with his eyes closed and breathing evenly, and the pills were gone.

She couldn't ignore the fact that her heart fluttered at the sight of him sleeping there out of tiredness after taking his medicine and drinking his tea as she told him,

"Oh, God, why did it have to be this way?" she muttered to herself with her eyes glued on him. Once again, like last night, she put her hand on his warm forehead brushing back his hair for a while forgetting that she doesn't get to do this whenever she wanted, she didn't really remember so until she found herself leaning forward and placing a soft kiss on his forehead.

She groaned to herself and took a step back deciding it's time for her to go, but to go do what exactly? Go and make him a chicken soup for when he wakes up of course.

It was an easy task, and it didn't take long, and when she was done, she went up to check on him once again, but he was still sleeping. She noticed a book on his nightstand that he was probably reading in the meantime as she picked it up; she flipped through the pages as she took steps backward falling back on the chair just curious to know what it's about.

She soon found herself reading it, and as she sat there, she got chilly, but instead of leaving, she pulled the jacket she has left on the same chair earlier on her shoulders and continued reading with her legs tucked beneath her, and sometime later she was out like a light.

Her eyes shot open hearing the alarm she has set on her phone to remember the time for Lucas' next portion of medicine. When she stopped it though and looked at him, she found him looking back at her.

"You're awake."

"Have been for a while." He told her.

"Why didn't you wake me up?"

He shrugged.

She cleared her throat, "Anyway, it's time for your medicine again, but, I'll bring you something to eat first." She informed him getting up.

"I don't want to."

"You have to." She said and left for a couple of minutes where he examined the empty chair that now had his book on top of her jacket, when he woke up, he was surprised to see her there, let alone sleeping there with his book, it sure as hell wasn't a comfortable position, but yet, there she was.

He took the time to forget everything else, Lindsey, his tiredness, him being a fool, and also him screwing it all with the blonde… and just look at her fast asleep over there and appreciate her, it didn't last too long though when her alarm woke her up.

She came back with a bowl of steamy soup and handed it to him after he propped himself up a bit, "How are you feeling now?"

He shrugged and looked up at her, "Like shit." He said and gave a smile that she mirrored.

"You'll get better." She told him, "You have a sore throat, right?"

He nodded, "Yes."

"Then this will help." She said referring to the soup as he held the spoon, "Wait." She said as if remembering something as she put her hand on his forehead with a concentrating frown while he looked up at her, "Let me check your temperature first." She said and picked up the thermometer putting it in his mouth while he stayed silent only eyeing her movements.

"It's better, but still…" she said taking it out of his mouth, "Just eat and take your pills and you'll be fine."

He did just so in silence, but then after a while longer, he couldn't take it anymore as he looked up at her, "Why are you doing this?"

"You're sick, Lucas."

"You don't have to help me." He said in a low voice.

"I know," she shrugged, "You're sick though." She repeated as if it's enough explanation.

He nodded and then looked up at her again and they locked eyes, "Peyton, I…" he trailed off as all words slipped out of his mind.

She shook her head, "Just… finish this, Lucas, so you can rest again."

He nodded once again feeling a lump at his throat; he had no idea what he should say, he felt a lot worse now, it was bad as it is with feeling fatigue, but with her taking care of him like that, while basically talking in a formal way, it was killing him, he knew he had no right at this point, but, he also couldn't take how she was being so good to him when he was the exact opposite, and the worst thing is, he didn't even know how he could explain it, or if he could do it at all… or even if she cares to hear an explanation.

But, assuming she does what can he seriously say? I'm sorry, I got screwed up by Lindsey and now I want to pick you instead? Or, I'm sorry that I just left you to assume the worst, but, the real reason was that my girlfriend lied to me about being pregnant? What can he possibly say that won't make him look like a complete dick?

She made sure he took his pills after finishing the soup before telling him to try and rest again and that the pills will make him feel sleepy anyway, and then, she left to go catch some sleep of her own.

But, if it was up to him, he'd have chosen to have her sleep right there next to him again just so he'd seek comfort from her presence… or preferably, her embrace.

However, it wasn't up to him, of course.

XxXx

After some deep sleep, Lucas woke up a little before dawn feeling fresher than before, he felt better as he sat up in his bed seeing his room as empty as it was when he drifted to sleep, she has taken the empty glass of water and placed another full one though meaning she came to check up on him again.

It was things like this that makes him feel helpless.

He got up and walked over the chair she has been sleeping on earlier, he picked up the book and marked the opened page for her in case she ever decided to continue it, and he was secretly hoping she would, as it would somehow be held as a metaphor indicating she might as well continue from where they left off.

He picked up her jacket then and his nostrils immediately picked up on her scent sending shivers through his body that he liked to blame on his cold. He left his room intending to see if he can return it to her mainly using it as a reason to go over there.

He stared blankly at her door that was cracked open in confusion; she always closes her door and he even believes she locks it –at least she used to when they used to fight rather than flirt, but, right now, tonight, her door was cracked open? Why did she leave it? Is it possible that she did it so it'd be easier for him to reach her if he needed to? Or is this his wild imagination?

He went ahead anyway, and slowly pushed the door open as it made a squeaky sound, and on the dim light from his hallway, he saw her shift on the bed and her head shot up with her eyes half-closed, "Lucas? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, I uh, I didn't mean to wake you up." he said and stood awkwardly by the door as she got up and moved towards him, "I was just giving this back… you, uh, you forgot it."

"Oh, um, thanks I guess." She said and he knew that he probably looks even stupider now, after all, who gives back someone's jacket at this hour of the night? He looks like a creepy stalker. "How are you feeling?" she asked as she took the jacket from his hand tossing it to the bed.

"A lot better." He said and her hand flew up to his forehead then his cheeks testing his temperature and he only looked back at her face of concentration feeling her soft touch.

She nodded, "You look better, and the temperature is fine." She said, "I still think you should take the day off as well." She said.

"I don't think so, I have a lot of work and-"

"You're sick!" she cut him off, "Work can wait one more day, instead of going and getting even more sick and then you end up taking more than just one day off." She said and he nodded.

"You have a point."

"Yeah…"

"Alright," he took a deep breath, "I'll just… let you sleep. Sorry I woke you again."

"It's fine."

He nodded and turned around as she closed the door behind him, this time closing it all the way as he grimaced; this was awkward.

He doesn't blame her though.

XxXx

As agreed, he stayed that day home, and he actually felt a lot better, after all, she did take good care of him, however, on Friday, he was determined to go at least do some of the tasks he must have piled up now, but, he was on edge that day…

Just when he was getting ready to leave in the morning, his phone was ringing and when he saw the caller ID being Lindsey, his mood entirely switched, he was suddenly angry; what kind of impression did he leave on her that she would think it's fine to just call him like that after what just happened between them? Was he that much of a sucker?

He knew the answer was positive.

So, that reflected on his mood for the rest of the day and this time around people were surprised by his attitude at the company because he was the one breathing fire in everyone's faces.

"Where is the damn file, Lisa?" He dropped by his secretary's desk outside his office.

"I… I told you it's either-"

"I don't want to hear where it might be; I want to know where it is! It's your goddamn job to know where these things are when I need them." He glared and to say the girl was surprised would be understandable, he was never like that before and in fact, his relationship with her was pretty good, they were even on first-name basis, but, today, he just didn't want to hear any excuses.

"Lucas, it's just that the past two days when you were away, Nathan and-"

"Well, you shouldn't let people go in and out of my office in the first place, let alone take damn files and not know who took what!"

"You're right, I'm sorry. I'll find it."

"You should have the first time I asked about it."

"What's going on?" Nathan approached with Peyton following shortly behind while other employees were sneaking glances not wanting to be caught watching.

"What's going on is that I leave for two fucking days and come back to a messy office and missing files."

"Nathan, do you have the budget plan file for the last line?" Lisa hurried to ask and Lucas rolled his eyes in annoyance,

"He doesn't, I asked him."

"I have it." Peyton stepped forward holding a file, "I was just coming to give it to you." She said handing it over.

He snatched it with a frown, "Why do you even have it?"

She frowned back, "Because work needed to be done and you weren't here, Lucas."

"It's not even your freaking job." He exclaimed.

"Lucas," Nathan whispered warningly, "What the hell are you doing? Calm down."

"The point is it needed to be done and there it is." She raised her eyebrows at him as if silently telling him to come back to his senses.

But, Lucas was nothing but mad, "No, Peyton, the thing is it isn't your job, and you don't know how I handle it."

Peyton glared back at him and looked around from the corner of her eyes knowing that people are indeed watching, so, she grabbed his arm and dragged him inside his office slamming the door before turning around to glare at him again, "What the fuck is wrong with you?"

Deep down, Lucas' confidence was shaken, he didn't realize it, but, it has been since he found out about Lindsey, he just hated the fact that she played him like that just because he cared enough to allow her to… and he also didn't realize it then, but he was taking it out on Peyton… why?

Because he cared about her of course. He was scared that he'd let himself be taken for granted the same way again, only with Peyton, he'd hate it a lot more, because it'd hurt loads more and he doesn't want it to end this way… so, he unknowingly, went ahead and ruined it even more on his own.

"Me? What are you doing with my work?"

"Oh, sorry to scratch your ego, but, the work can't be held on pause waiting for you to finish what you have to do. It needed to be fucking done."

"And it had to be you, right?"

"What the hell is wrong with you? What does it matter who did it?"

"Of course it does, you're a designer, what have you got to do with budget files and analysis?"

"Are you indicating that I'm stupid?"

He rolled his eyes, "I'm saying it's not your job, and having it done wrong for me to correct is much worse than not having it done at all."

"It's so funny that you just ruled your verdict that it's done wrong! Open the goddamn thing and go through it, and if it's not done exactly like you do it then-"

"Then what?"

"Then go fuck yourself either way!" she spat.

He rolled his eyes, "Bite me for actually giving a fuck about my job!"

"And you think I don't?" she glared back, "What the hell has gotten into you? Is it like in your DNA to be an asshole? Are you not capable of being anything else?" she said and he failed to notice the slight quiver in her voice.

He rolled his eyes, "Come on, you have been a total bitch to me your whole life and you never saw me come crying." He spat, and then instantly regretted it when he looked at her and saw her hurt expression… and he actually saw her eyes getting watery.

"I am done talking with you." She said turning around.

"No, Peyton, wait-" he sighed his shoulders falling down in defeat as she slammed the door after her.

And he just knew that she probably didn't mean that she's done having this conversation, but she was just done!

What did he just do? How did he let Lindsey's two missed calls get in his head like that? Doesn't this mean she still has an effect on him? The effect that let her manipulate him in the first place, then why is he still granting it to her?

He spent the past two days in bed while Peyton just took care of him and he kept thinking about how he could fix what he has ruined, and then he went ahead and ruined it even more.

This is just fucked up.

He was never losing touch with his feelings and losing control like that, this wasn't good.

He remembered the look of hurt she flashed him and got mad at himself even more, and next thing he knew he was picking up a vase and swaying it all across the room as it smashed on colliding with the wall.

He gave himself time to calm down before he continued working, and has managed to put his thoughts in what he was doing, but there was this nagging part inside him poking his chest the whole time, especially that it turned out that she did the job just fine.

By the end of the day, he just knew that this was another night for him to go out and have a couple of drinks to try and make sense of things and pull his shit together.

XxXx

Brooke has asked Peyton to go join her and Julian for drinks since it's a Friday night, and she wanted her to get to know Julian more earlier that day, and Peyton has told her she wasn't feeling well, and that she didn't feel like being a third wheel tonight, but the truth is, she was thinking that Lucas might not have been fully healed since she knew he'd stress himself at work, so, she might need to help him one way or the other.

How naïve of her!

Apparently, he was more than okay! He even went back to his old self of being a total jerk, no, he went much further and became even worse than she has always known him.

Or maybe she's just become more sensitive.

No, it's definitely him reaching a new personal score of jerkiness.

She obviously thought that he might start acting nice to her again since they interacted those past two days he was sick, but apparently, she was wrong, and obviously he wants absolutely nothing to do with her, and that's why she got a little emotional at his office.

And so, she told Brooke she'd go with her and Julian; she needed to take her mind off of this, she needed to stop thinking and to start just having fun. So, at night, she was dressed in boyfriend jeans, a black crop top and heels, and sitting with Brooke and Julian by the bar drinking lightly and talking.

"So, you also played basketball in high school." She said addressing Julian who nodded proudly, she smirked at Brooke, "So, it's a dream come true."

Brooke gave a smirk and shrugged one shoulder, "What can I say, I want what I want." She said as Peyton laughed.

"What are you talking about?" Julian asked looking between them.

"Oh, Brooke has always wanted to date one of the basketball team." Peyton explained.

Julian raised an eyebrow, "Are you telling me you never dated one of the team?"

"They were all dumbasses." She said rolling her eyes, "Or good friends of mine."

"Nathan and Haley were friends first." Peyton shrugged with a smirk. "So, are Bevin and Skills. You're just too picky."

Brooke glared at her, "Those were the good ones and they were taken and you know it." She said as Peyton laughed. "Well, and Lucas… but, oh well…"

"So, you're saying that the only good guys on the team were three of your friends?" Julian asked with a chuckle, "And the three ended up with your friends…"

"Yeah, that is true." Brooke said thinking about it that way, "Actually, how did you three witches beat me?" she said looking at Peyton who laughed out loud as Julian raised an amused eyebrow with a chuckle.

"Hey, Lucas was there the whole time in front of you." Peyton pointed out.

"No, he wasn't." she rolled her eyes but didn't elaborate on what she really meant because Peyton knew what she wanted to say anyway even though she never liked it.

"I feel so special right now." Julian said as Brooke looked at him with a smile,

"Oh, baby, you know you are. I'm glad they beat me, or else I wouldn't have met you."

Julian smiled and leaned forward to kiss her.

"Get a room." Peyton said as she took a sip of her drink.

Brooke and Julian broke the kiss and looked at her with smirks, "I think someone is jealous." Julian said.

"Someone definitely is."

"Sweet, you're ganging up on me, what a cute couple." Peyton rolled her eyes jokingly.

"Oh, yes we are." Brooke laughed.

"Speaking of, wanna dance?" Julian asked her and she smiled looking at Peyton as if excusing herself and Peyton gave a playful sigh gesturing for them to go before breaking into a smile watching them skipping to the dance floor.

She really thought Julian was good for Brooke, she thought it before from the few times she met him and Brooke's stories, but getting to know him better, she just knew that he was, and she was happy for her best friend, at least one of them got to be happy.

She finished her drink and ordered another one as she looked around the place before her eyes widened falling on the person across the room,

"You've got to be kidding me." She spoke to herself as she fixed her eyes on Lucas' figure who was unaware of her presence walking over to the bar across from her as he ordered his drink.

It wasn't until she hopped off her barstool and turned around that he saw the wave of curls turning away and he froze recognizing her. Out of all the places, he could have gone to, to run from Peyton and figure out a way to put his life back in track, he picked the one place she was spending her Friday night at.

And looking as sexy as hell.

He watched her making her way over to the dance floor where he realized she was approaching Brooke and Julian and she exchanged a few words with Brooke who turned and locked eyes with him for a second, so, she saw him before he saw her, and that meant, she is telling Brooke she's leaving.

And sure enough, he saw Brooke letting out a sigh as Peyton turned around making a beeline to the door.

He had only little amount of alcohol in his system, but, apparently, it was enough to grow him some balls as he found himself going after her.

He caught her just by the door and grabbed her elbow and she turned to face him with a ready glare and he dropped his hand from around her elbow.

She turned around again taking quick steps towards the exit, "Peyton, wait." He chased after her and stepped in front of her blocking her way.

"What?" she glared.

"Don't leave."

"Excuse me?"

"I mean, you don't have to."

"Yes, I do, since I don't want to be anywhere to see your face."

"I… I'm sorry, okay?"

She gave him a cold look, "Good for you," she said attempting to push past him but he stopped her again.

"No, wait, I really am. I'm sorry, Peyton."

"For what exactly?" she asked folding her arms over her chest not knowing why she's standing there instead of punching him or slapping him across the face like she really wanted to.

"For everything, I acted in a stupid way when we fought last week, and I was an asshole today… I… I didn't mean to hurt you."

"Hurt me? You think you can hurt me?" she scoffed; well, it was true, but she wasn't going to let him know that.

"Well, I still didn't mean what I said."

"You're still an asshole."

"I know."

"Good." She glared; she didn't like that he thought he can just come and say sorry and expect her to be okay with him again, because she wasn't, and she doesn't know if she will ever be able to, she had feelings for him, he knew it and he still treated her that way!

"I… I'm also sorry things turned out the way they did." He said and she glared at him even harder.

"Oh, that's alright." She said and shook her head.

"Peyton…"

"No, you need to get your facts straight, Lucas, you think the world revolves around you, and it doesn't, you think your stupid words or your stupid actions can affect me, but they don't, so wake up and stop thinking of yourself so high because you're only going to fall head first." She snapped.

He wanted to say that he already fell, but, she probably wouldn't want to hear that right now. Fell for her that is.

"Peyton, I really am sorry."

"Well, it doesn't matter, Lucas, you and I never got along, and it was stupid to think we could."

"I don't believe that."

"Then, it's your problem." She said sharply, "Now, excuse me; I've had enough of you today."

"Lindsey and I broke up." he said and she stopped in her tracks; he didn't have a certain agenda, but, he was done keeping things to himself for now, it was what got him in this position in the first place.

She ignored her rapid heartbeat, "I don't know how that concerns me." She raised an eyebrow.

He gulped, "I… I have been in a bad position lately." He knew that if he told her about Lindsey being pregnant now, she'd think he's using it by telling her so to try and amend his previous unannounced choice of being with Lindsey. He knew he had to take it step by step, she needed to forgive him first. Besides, he was still pretty embarrassed about it.

"That's… still none of my business." She shook her head.

"Come on, Peyton," he said taking a step closer, "You know how these things get to your head." He said and she instantly knew he was right, "When you were with Jake, you weren't yourself, and you got a little too mean with me." He said with a ghost of a smile.

She looked at him as she thought about it, she knew she was, and she did know she let it play tricks on her mind back then, and there he was claiming to have fallen in the same trap, and she sees it in his eyes now that he's being honest, but she still felt it's not fair, because back then when she was in that position and mistakenly took it out on Lucas, nothing was there between them then, they haven't had the time to get to know one another, feel things for one another or share the few kisses they shared.

"Are you calling it even?" she asked.

He shook his head, "No, Peyton, I'm not. I don't hold it against you, and I'm not trying to justify what I did either. I'm just asking you to understand that I didn't mean it and that I really, really… really sorry."

She didn't know what to say, she had to admit that he got to her, he certainly managed to strike a string or two in her heart; maybe she got it all wrong? Maybe that wasn't his decision? Maybe he only needed time to end things with Lindsey? But, no, no, those are just hopeful jumping to conclusion thoughts and she can't let herself fall into this again just like that. However, she has nothing to hold against him in the meantime regarding his horrible behavior…

She sighed, "Fine, Lucas. It's fine." She said and started walking again but this time towards the bar again as he smiled; at least he got her to not leave.

He felt as if a huge weight just dropped off of his shoulder, half an hour ago, he thought Peyton won't even as much as look at his face again.

He followed her back to the bar and picked up his drink before going to sit on the barstool right next hers and she on the other hand sipped on her new drink choosing not to acknowledge his presence.

"You're still here." Brooke said with a smile as she and Julian joined them again. "Hello, Lucas." She looked at him and he greeted both her and Julian and then she looked at Peyton, "Good to see you stayed."

"Well, I need to drink." She shrugged.

"Looks like you two need to drink." Brooke said looking between her and Lucas who just shrugged gulping down some of his drink.

"Good thing I'm designated driver for tonight then." Julian said as Brooke had her own drink in her hand.

"Oh, no, Lucas apparently has no problem driving while drunk as fuck." Peyton said as she rolled her eyes at him.

He on the other hand felt relief that she was at least attacking him, that was better than formal talking, cold shoulder, or real death glares. "I… It was one time and I wasn't thinking."

"Of course you weren't." she rolled her eyes.

"Okay, looks like you are back to normal." Brooke said placing her empty glass on the bar and pushed her head between the two of them, "Welcome back." She said patting their backs and then left again with Julian to the dance floor.

Lucas finished his drink and ordered another, "Hey, Peyton?"

She didn't answer and didn't look at him she just stayed silent and he took it as her waiting for him to continue,

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For everything. You've been good to me and I wasn't."

She was hearing those words for the second time, he said it once while drunk and now he's saying it again soberly.

"You deserved a better treatment than what I gave you."

"You're damn right I did."

"You're still mad."

She sighed, "I…" she struggled to decide what to say exactly, "It's fine." She said eventually; it wasn't really, but, that was only because she still had those damn feelings and she was still not over the fact that he chose Lindsey and didn't even let her know, and now, he has even broke up with Lindsey and he's expecting things to go back to normal… or to be fine between them; she doesn't even know what's normal anymore.

"Are you sure?"

"What do you want me to say, Lucas?"

"That you forgive me?"

"Well, it's taking time to…" she started but the bit her tongue before she sad anything she'd regret, "I mean… I'm not mad, I'm just irritated. I'll be fine." She told him and he nodded looking away.

It was silent for a while between them until he ordered yet another drink, she looked at him, "Just so you know, I'm not taking care of you this time."

"You're drinking too."

"I know when to stop." She shrugged.

"What about we both take a break?"

"Huh?"

"Wanna dance?"

She scoffed but once again, her heart skipped a beat; she had to admit that he had a way that always got her heart racing; his straightforwardness with this smile and the glint in his blue eyes always gets to her… even when she's mad at him and trying to keep herself from feeling anything towards him, he comes, swoops in and he has her!

"Dance?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Why do people dance?"

"Quit being silly." She rolled her eyes.

"I'm not, I'm serious."

She gave him a look, "Why? I doubt Whitey is here."

"He's not. However, we're still married in front of everyone else in this town."

"Lucas…"

"Come on." He got up and took her hand but she pulled back, he looked at her, tilted his head in an urging way and took her hand once again and smiled widely when she sighed and didn't retrieve her hand, so he pulled her up to her feet and she protested but let him drag her to the dance floor anyway.

"I don't wanna dance."

"Let me make it up for you."

"Make what up?"

"Everything that I did wrong." He said looking at her eyes.

She looked back, and she knew. She knew she was slipping, she knew she was caving again, and the last time she did, he left her high and dry, yet, she was doing it all over again.

How can she not when he looked at her with those sincere blue eyes? She didn't know his explanation, but, she was now thinking there was one, there had to be; she knows this look, he used it with her before, and she believed it then just like she believes it now, because there was just no way it wasn't real.

"You want to make it up by dancing?"

He chuckled, "I have to start somewhere, right?"

"Yeah? And then what?" she said and mentally cursed herself for losing control like that; she's back at freaking flirting. They both knew what he's talking about, and yet, she's choosing to flirt than to confront and close the subject, she shouldn't have continued to drink.

"I guess we'll have to wait and see." He smirked and she rolled her eyes as they continued dancing.

For the rest of the night, he kept trying to get her to loosen up around him fully aware that it was a miracle that he was being let off the hook so easily, he seriously wondered how he got this lucky, but he wasn't about to complain, while she, on the other hand, kept trying to keep her walls up, but they kept falling the more he tried and the more they drank.

He forgot the purpose he was aiming to score for the night, as he realized that the real purpose behind trying to get his life back on track, was to make things right with Peyton, and he was working on it, he knew it wasn't going to be resolved in just one night, but he was amazed by how far this one night is getting him, she was already dancing with him, and he got her to cut him slack for losing his temper earlier, and even though she was standing her ground on not letting him in again, he just knew by the look in her eyes that she will eventually.

He was able to forget about Lindsey, it was weird, because he actually cared about her at some point, and even though he was already at a point where he was ready to choose Peyton over her when it comes to having a relationship, but he also really thought she was a good person, however, once he saw it, and saw how blind he was before –even though it was still hard to fully wrap around his head- but, that was it, he no longer cared, he instead was mad at himself for being blind.

So, yeah, he guessed that at this point, all that matters is to pick up the pieces and go back to slowly where he left things with Peyton and hope that she'd let him.

Peyton had to admit that she was having a good time, she secretly liked him working to try and get her to open up more, and even though she was, but, she still liked it. They were joined by Brooke and Julian and the four of them sat at the bar talking and laughing and drinking for the rest of the night.

They weren't drunk, they were tipsy enough to be in a good loosen-up mood, but still aware enough to hold a conversation, yet, they both doubted that there will be any conversation tonight, and Lucas wouldn't complain, he came as far as getting her to be able to hold a conversation with him, the night already was eventful, there was no place for more. He wouldn't expect her to be willing to talk about what they both felt when she's still pretending she will never let him in again.

And Peyton thought the same. She was ready to just call it a night.

On the way back home, she and Lucas were in the backseat of Julian's car the four of them singing along the wrong lyrics to a song on the radio and laughing every time they got it wrong.

"Are you okay to get to the door?" Julian yelled playfully as they got out of the car when he pulled over in front of Lucas' house.

They walked up to the front door now singing 'Barbie girl' together while laughing and Lucas fumbled with his keys due to laughing at her singing until he opened the door and they finally got in.

Peyton closed the door after her and then lost her balance falling forward towards him while he caught her by the waist, "Oh. I forgot you're a clumsy drunk." He smirked.

"I'm not drunk."

"But, you're clumsy. And last time, it got us married." He said while his hands were still on her waist.

"It wasn't my fault." She lightly shook her head.

"Was it… even a fault?" he asked and she stared back at him for a while thoughtfully, suddenly not so ready to call it a night,

"Lucas?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you talking to me again just because you broke up with Lindsey?"

"We never really stopped talking…"

She gave him a pointed look, "You know what I mean…"

He nodded once, "No," he answered the question.

She nodded, "Then what are you doing now?"

"I missed you, Peyton. I missed hanging with you." He added the last sentence just in case it was too soon and it'd freak her out, but then he started thinking it wasn't when he noticed that they formed a comfortable position where his hands were locked at her lower back and her hands rested at his shoulders.

She nodded, "Me too."

"You know what else I missed?" he asked building up his courage.

"What?" she asked locking eyes with him.

"This." he simply said and without hesitation pushed forward and connected their lips, and nothing felt better than getting to slowly move his lips in sync with hers after everything that has happened.

She can't say she didn't see it coming, but she also can't say she had the will to stop him, or to not kiss back… but, she can't be blamed for getting second thoughts before getting too engulfed to back out.

She pulled away suddenly and pushed herself slightly away arching her back backward to get a better look at him, "Lucas…"

"Don't tell me you didn't."

"Lucas, you just broke up with Lindsey."

"So?"

"You… we can't."

He picked up on her worries, which sounded ridiculous to him; doesn't she know that she can never be a rebound? Doesn't she know that Lindsey basically had no place to be rebounding to? Of course, she doesn't…"Peyton, I kissed you when I was with her."

"And it was wrong."

"Does this feel wrong?"

"It doesn't matter, it still is."

"Then why are your hands still around my neck and mine around you?" he said with a small smile and she looked at him with a slightly opened mouth not finding the right words to answer that.

She looked at him. He looked at her. And they both moved forward towards one another connecting their lips again more eager this time and he stumbled while pushing her backwards, his needs getting the best of him, she moaned as her back contacted with the wall and he moved his hands along the line of her bare waist beneath her crop top while she hopped up letting her legs wrap around his waist.

There was lingering, and there was excitement along with need, and passion and they were letting all of that through their kisses and their touches, it was everything in just one action, and he wasn't sure he could ever get enough of her now.

They pulled away breathlessly gasping for air before he chose not to waste time and began attacking her neck with kisses while the heel of her shoes dug in his hip as she threw her head up while arching her back towards him granting him better access, and he couldn't believe they were there… this scene has only visited his dreams causing him trouble, but this was real, no matter how heavenly it felt… he was there with Peyton.

He was aware that his fingers were roaming around her skin for the first time and that his lips were also exploring spots for the first time, but what really made his mind go crazy was the way she gasped out the shortened version of his name when his mouth found the right spot at her neck.

He pulled away and looked at her and she looked back before kissing her on the lips one more time, he then took a step backward making her legs slide down until they hit the ground and she had to lean on him to keep herself balanced; talk about sweeping her off her feet and getting her knees weak. He took her hand and headed upstairs with her behind him until they were in his room with the door closed; he turned to face her silently checking if they were on the same line,

She didn't know if she's going to regret this, and if she's being honest, she didn't care at the moment, nor did she want to think about it, she wanted to just give in, and leave worrying about regret for her future self…so when she cupped his face and kissed him, she has already made a decision and he had no more doubt they wanted the same thing.

Kicking of their shoes in a hast, and taking off his socks while climbing on the bed, he quickly reached for her lips again feeling like those simple actions already took too long.

He pulled away just enough to pull her top over her head, and took the time to look at her and appreciate the beauty in front of him, he couldn't believe that she has been there his whole life, yet, this is a first time thing. But, at the same time, he was glad it was a first time, because now he was taking all the time he needs to hold on to the moment and mark it in his memories.

He moved forward slowly kissing her neck while she was fumbling with the buttons of his shirt with her shaky fingers until she unbuttoned enough to get it over his head and she let her hands rest on his strong bare shoulders exploring the muscle construction and definitely admiring it, before she pushed her fingers through his hair just because she can this time and pushed his head away from his intoxicating task of kissing her neck as she looked him in the eyes both panting with a smile then she started by kissing his cheek, then down to his neck, up to his ear, down again to his neck then shoulder then she started making her way down his body while he was loving the sensation she was leaving behind every spot she kisses and rubbing her shoulders, she reached his pants and started unbuckling his belt already getting an idea of how hard he's getting.

He stopped her before she could lower his pants down as he gently pushed her down on the bed and took off his pants on his own in a somewhat eager hast before working on hers to reveal his weak point in the form of her long legs.

Those legs that haunted his dreams and thoughts were now on full view just for him, she was there lying on his bed half-naked just for him. And she was goddamn gorgeous, and he didn't hesitate to tell her that as she smiled and happily guided his lips to hers so he wouldn't see her red cheeks.

He let his tongue battle with hers while his hands explored her body and she pushed forward into a sitting position while he pulled back watching as she reached her hands behind her back unhooking her bra that he dreamed so many times of getting rid of.

She looked at him teasingly and he decided he wouldn't wait around for her show and reached his hands to slide the straps off her shoulders himself letting her breasts fall free. She was loving the effect she was obviously leaving on him as he grunted while pushing her back to hit the mattress again covering her mouth with his and her chest with his hands, and she had one hand on his back and the other at the back of his head while moaning into his mouth.

There were a lot of things he wanted to do with her, he wanted to take his time, he didn't want a rushed dirty scene, but at the same time, he really needed her at the moment, and there was that sound in the back of his head fearing that he might just get this one shot. He quickly decided that if one night is all he's going to get, then, he's going to make sure it's a long one, and as a start, for now, he just needed her.

So, this was it, there was no going back, he wanted her and the look in her eyes when he looked at them to question it one more time told him that she wanted him just as much; there was absolutely nothing to stop them now.

And granted, the rest of the night was filled with moans of pleasure, calling each other names, and a much, much deeper connection than they ever had. And all it took, was some lingering, some alcohol, and the two of them being single.