Jake was nervous about the first day of school – for obvious reasons and not so obvious ones too. He knew she would be there and he didn't know what to expect from her. Granted, that wasn't a new thing, but he was still nervous. He hadn't spent a lot of time thinking about what happened. Part of that was on purpose because it was still a little raw and the rest because he was just busy. Being a single dad didn't afford him a lot of time for self-reflection. Between work, Jenny and the new custody case, it seemed like he didn't have a moment to himself. Luke had come to him shortly after the party and they worked it out. Guys didn't need to discuss things at length for there to be a resolution. Lucas said he was sorry and Jake accepted his apology at face value. It wouldn't be that easy with Peyton. Jake missed her but he didn't know if he missed her enough to put the effort in to fix it. Peyton would never be the easiest person to get close to, but if she really meant what she said, was it even worth trying? He knew it was possible for them to get back on track, but he also knew he would have to do all the work. Peyton's favorite game was avoidance. Even if she was sorry about what she did, or wanted him back, chances are she wouldn't come to him. Jake knew that he had gotten closer to Peyton than anyone else ever had, but it was a slow arduous process – strictly on her timetable. He still loved her but just because you loved someone, it didn't necessarily make it right. Sometimes it wasn't enough.

Jake could feel the tension in his shoulders as he walked through the school doors. He was on the look out for her, which is probably why he didn't notice Nathan making a beeline for him.

"Hey man," Jake said as Nathan stood directly in front of him.

"Have you heard from Haley?" Nathan asked.

"No, why? Is she late?" Jake asked. Nathan didn't answer, just walked away. Lucas was the next person in Jake's line of site.

"Hey buddy." Luke greeted him.

"What is up with him?" Jake asked motioning to Nathan's exiting form.

"Haley disappeared a couple of weeks ago. No goodbye - nothing. He's not taking it well." Lucas explained.

"Wow. I didn't see that coming. So how are things with you?" Jake asked.

"What have you got first period?"

"English with Brooks. You?"

"Same thing. Let's walk and talk." Lucas suggested. Jake had been busy for the last couple of weeks and so they caught up on all the news. "So, I talked to Peyton." Jake nodded in reply, not saying anything. "Have you talked to her?"

"No, can't say as I have. I'll probably run into her today though."

"I went to her to see if she could help with Nathan. From the looks of her afterward, he took a pretty good swipe at her." Lucas offered.

"What for?" Jake asked.

"Who knows. She wouldn't talk about it, but Nathan is pretty...dark right now. He's kinda hitting out at whoever is standing closest to him at the time. I just thought you should know."

"Why is that?"

"Look man, maybe it's not my place, but you know that I worry about her. She doesn't really talk about stuff with anyone...at least until she started hanging out with you. I was just hoping maybe you could work some of that Jagielski magic and get it out of her."

"We'll see. I can't promise anything Luke. I haven't talked to her all summer and I really don't know where we stand. If it comes up though I'll ask her about it." Jake said.

"It's Peyton dude...we both know it won't come up." Luke laughed. "But thanks for thinking about it."

"So when do tryouts start?" Jake asked, changing the subject.

Jake went through most of the day without running into Peyton. He was both relieved and disappointed. As he was walking to his car, a commotion caught his eye. He turned to see Nathan and Peyton having words. He couldn't hear what they were saying, but he could tell by the looks on both their faces that it wasn't a pleasant conversation. At one point, Nathan tried to walk away, but Peyton grabbed his arm. Nathan whipped around with enough force to wrench his arm from her grasp. Before Jake could intervene, Nathan had stormed off and Peyton was squealing the tires of her car driving away.

That night Jake checked her website for the first time since their breakup. He could see that she was sitting at her desk sketching. He also noticed that she had her wrist wrapped in an ace bandage. He couldn't help but send her an instant message.

DaddyDearest: How was the first day of school?

TorturedCheerleader: Good. How about you?

She had thrown a towel over the webcam.

DD: Pretty good. Tryouts start tomorrow. Looks like there are some good sophmores this year.

TC: How are your classes?

DD: Standard. You?

TC: same.

There was an awkward pause, if such a thing existed in cyberspace.

DD: you gonna cheer this year?

TC: Ya. Did you hear about Haley?

DD: Luke told me today. Kinda shocking.

TC: Totally.

DD: Your dad home?

TC: Due back in three days.

Even her typing was aloof. Jake pondered whether he should ask about the Nathan incident but decided against it.

DD: Jenny misses you.

He went for guilt instead.

TC: Sorry about that.

DD: About what?

He had to press his luck.

TC: Everything.

DD: You should come by and see her.

Jake would have given anything to see the look on her face. It was so much easier to know how far and hard to push if he could look into her eyes. It was then that he realized it was worth the effort. He wouldn't deny that she had hurt him, but he also couldn't deny that he loved her and wanted to be there for her, at least as her friend.

DD: Jenny and I are going for a walk. We'll stop by later.

He quickly signed off so she couldn't say no. After he fed Jenny, he pulled out the stroller and headed off to Peyton's place. She could run, but she couldn't hide.

He half expected her not to be home. Jake knew first hand how strong Peyton's flee response was. He decided that if she really was home it would be a sign that there was still hope. She answered the door almost immediately, but he noticed that she had removed the bandage from her wrist. Obviously she didn't want to talk about that just yet.

It was an awkward moment, both of them just standing there looking at each other. Jenny saved them from themselves, by giggling the instant she saw Peyton and reaching her arms up. Peyton's face broke into a smile at that. She leaned down and unstrapped her, gathering her up into her arms for a hug.

"Come on in." Peyton offered.

Jake folded up the stroller and then took a seat in a chair next to Peyton.

"You've gotten so big," Peyton said to Jenny with a smile.

"It's all the spinach I feed her. I want her to be strong like Popeye." He joked.

"Girls aren't supposed to have arms like Popeye Dad." She replied, still looking at Jenny.

"Maybe if she does though, guys will think twice before messing with her." He said with a smile.

Peyton put Jenny down on the floor and Jake handed her a toy to keep her occupied.

"So have you talked to Nathan?" Jake asked. It was an innocent enough question, and a natural one too.

"A couple of times. He's not doing very well."

"That's what Luke said. Did Haley mention anything to you?" Jake inquired.

"No, but I hadn't really talked to her much over the summer. Did you see her? Over the summer I mean?" Peyton responded.

"Not really. I was busy with work and Jenny. I got full custody."

"That's great Jake."

"Ya, the judge stripped Nikki of her parental rights. After abandoning her twice, he felt that she wasn't entitled to a role in Jenny's life. It's up to me now whether she gets to see her. I almost can't believe it's really over." Jake admitted.

"But it all worked out." Peyton offered.

"Ya, it did. So, what did you do this summer?" Jake asked, as if there wasn't this huge elephant in the room.

"I went out with my dad a few times, worked on some new sketches. Pretty boring and quiet."

"That would explain the tan." He smiled.

They sat there for a few moments in silence, and for the first time since they had met, it was an uncomfortable silence.

"Have you had dinner?" he asked to break the tension.

"Nope."

"I could make some eggs?" he offered.

"That's not necessary Jake." Peyton replied.

"I know, but I've already fed Jenny and I'm kinda hungry myself now. You got any food in your fridge?" He asked getting up.

"You should know better than to ask that." She grinned. The grin quickly faded though as she realized that maybe it wasn't the best idea to allude to their past.

"OK, so no food. We could go down to the café?" he suggested.

"Your stomach is really calling to you, huh?"

"Like crazy. Come on, don't make me eat alone." He said.

"You'd have Jenny with you."
"As soon as I take her away from you, she'll start to cry, which will make my dinner entirely unpleasant. Consider it your charity work for the week." Jake smiled.

"Well, for Jenny." Peyton returned the smile. She got her coat and they walked down to Karen's.

Jake knew he should feel guilty about using his daughter to get Peyton to agree but if it was the only thing that would work, then he wasn't below stooping. Eventually she would tell him what was really bothering her...whether it was Nathan, or what had happened in June...he could wait. Patience was his strong suit.

A/N Thanks again for all the encouragement. I have the next chapter almost done and will post either tonight or tomorrow. Please let me know your thoughts/suggestions. Carys