Summery: Different take on life in Tree Hill. Peyton is a 16 year old in love with a guy who will never be good enough for her in the eyes of her father. Lucas has done a lot of bad things, living the life of a thug but is trying to change for love. Leyton all the way.

Disclaimer: I don't own any characters from One Tree Hill, just the situations they are in

Chapter 16:

Lucas' POV

It's been over a week since I last spoke to Peyton and even that was only online. I think she's avoiding me because I know she can get on her computer whenever she feels to. Last time we talked she seemed distant and looked as though she was going to cry just before she signed off, I hope she's alright.

Everything we're going through right now just sucks majorly. I'm over her dad hitting me, bruises fade right? True as that may be love doesn't fade. I guess it's true what they say about distance making the heart grow fonder. I've never felt more in love with Peyton than I do right now. Being away from her only confirms to me that I need to be with her.

These past few weeks have been the hardest I've ever had to live through and that includes juvy. My heart literally hurts; it's as if it's begging for her. I just want to hold her right now, wipe away her tears, stroke her hair and tell her that everything is gonna be Ok. I know she needs to hear that, I know Peyton better than she knows herself, although it took her a while to admit it.

Flashback

It was a warm night and Lucas and Peyton were hanging by the river court. She knew she was falling for him but she would never admit it even though it was blatantly obvious that he felt the same way. They were just acting as if they were too cool to show true loving affection towards each other. They mainly just hung out or made out, nothing too deep or Peyton's walls would go up. She sure as hell was defensive but he understood. He knew about her past and it only made him appreciate how special she was.

'So I'm sick of just hanging here, why don't I teach you something?'

'I'm pretty sure that there isn't much you could teach me that I don't already do better than you.' Peyton smirked and playfully cocked her eyebrows, to which Lucas grinned and rolled his eyes.

'Come on Peyt, I just wanna show you how to make the perfect shot' and with that he grabbed her hand and practically dragged her onto the court. He placed the ball into her hands and just told her to shoot. She did but missed pretty horribly.

'I thought you were good at everything' he laughed but Peyton just glared at him. He loved that look, that look was sexy as hell.

'Come on, it's easy and I know if you just stand right you'll sink it as well as anyone' Lucas walked behind her and placed his hands onto her hips. Peyton shivered slightly, his touch had that effect on her and she could never ignore it. His lips got frighteningly close to her neck and she nearly melted into him until she heard him whisper.

'Just stand like this and shoot, square your shoulders to the basket and let it flow.' Peyton concentrated harder this time and shot the ball. She was awarded with a perfect sounding swish after which she turned around towards Lucas.

'I did it, I rule.' Lucas just smiled and used hid finger to raise her face to his and joined their lips before pulling away.

'Well you did have a pretty damn good teacher' he smirked before kissing her again. He couldn't deny his feelings for much longer.

End Of Flashback

Lucas smiled to himself as he reminisced about the past. The moment in time when he finally knew that he'd be alright as long as he had her around. Why couldn't her dad know how much they needed each other? He knew that Peyton was feeling exactly the same way as he was but what could they do? He had talked to his mom about everything and as much as she agreed that they were young and should wait she understood how they felt. After all she had been young and in love when she was their age and understood. This was different though, Karen could see how much her son cared about Peyton and she was happy for that. Peyton was his reason for being and she only wanted her son to be happy in life.

Lucas was just sat reading in his room but his mind constantly wandered to the girl who so captured his imagination. He could practically feel her all around him. He could taste her lips; he could smell the sweet smelling fruity shampoo she used. It was intoxicating. He threw down his book and stood up, pulling his jacket on. It was raining outside but he didn't care. He needed to see her; he had to be with her.

Peyton's House

Peyton was sat in her bedroom, she'd had a conversation with her father earlier and they had cleared the air but he still wasn't letting up on the Lucas situation. She loved her father, that was about the only reason for accepting the yearning in her heart. She knew he just wanted what was best for her but he was sometimes overprotective. Lucas was what was best for her but she knew that right now he was too upset to even consider thinking about that.

She was lay drawing as usual, listening to the rain falling hard outside her window. She had been drawing even more than usual as of late, putting her sadness down on paper. They seemed to all be pictures of her being dragged from Lucas in some way shape or form but this one was different. She had drawn a glass window between the two of them, their hands resting on the window next to each other and pain in both of their eyes. She was just finishing the last letter on her caption of 'So Close Yet So Far Away'. As she finished a lone tear slid down her cheek and she took the picture out to place it on her wall.

Peyton threw herself back onto her bed and just sat listening to the song playing on the radio. Normally she would have turned it over but the song playing reminded her of Lucas and so she left it playing. He had been singing this song one day when he didn't know that she was behind him.

'Your love is a 187

Taking me to heaven

It's killing me

No love should be this good

Your love is a 187

Taking me to heaven

Your love...is so good

Your love'

That song was so true to how she felt about him. He meant everything and her heart couldn't take much more of not being with him. She knew she would just have to wait for him; she just didn't no how much more heartache she could take. She decided to just lay back and think to herself until she heard a tap on her window and as curiosity as was in her nature she got up to take a look.

As she opened her curtains she saw Lucas, soaking wet stood at her window with pure unadulterated love and longing in his eyes. What was he doing here? He was crazy he could catch pneumonia stood out there. As quickly as her hands could move she unhooked the latch on the window to let him come in. As soon as he walked through she couldn't help but throw herself into his arms, not caring that she was getting soaked in the process. Lucas just held her as tightly as he could. He wasn't ready to let her go just yet; it felt like he was holding her for the first time again.

'Lucas I missed you so much' she mumbled gently into his chest, her voice trembling slightly as she ran her hands all over his back as if taking every inch of him back into her mind. Lucas rubbed her hair gently and placed gentle kisses onto the crook of her neck. Peyton moved her hand gently up to his hair as he lifted his face to meet her lips with his own. She trembled slightly against his mouth as he parted her lips to allow his tongue entrance to her mouth. She happily accepted, god how she had missed this. His hands wrapped around her now dripping wet waist as he used one hand to rub her bare back underneath her shit. No words were needed at this moment in time. They just needed the closeness. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him as close to her as possible as their tongues moved in unison. It was obvious that this is what they needed more than anything. He pulled away from him slightly and started to speak while staring into his eyes.

'I'm so glad you came Lucas...Jesus you must be freezing, let me just run and get you a towel (looks down to herself) and I guess one for me' she laughed slightly and exited the room. She re-entered moments later with two towels in hand and locked the door behind her. They both quickly dried off a changed into dry clothes. He had clothes there as he stayed so much when her father was away.

When they were changed Lucas lay down on her bed, propping a pillow behind him and beckoned Peyton to take her rightful place between his legs. She happily walked over and took her spot, resting her head on his chest as he wrapped his arms around her waist once again. She just smiled to herself, it felt like forever since they had last done this and now she never wanted it to end.

'I missed you too by the way. I know I shouldn't be here but I had to see you.' Lucas said as he caressed her perfectly toned stomach, his fingers tracing circles around her belly button.

'No, I wanted you here I just couldn't ask. I needed you so much but it was so hard not seeing you. Sometimes I wish I wasn't in love with you but I know that's unreal because when I'm around you, when I just think about everything we have I wouldn't change anything if it meant I couldn't have you with me.' Lucas placed tender kisses along her neck as she talked, she tasted so good, this was where he should be and he knew that. It may be wrong but it felt so right that neither of them cared.

'You'll always have me Peyt, no longer how long we have to wait I'll be right here (places his hand over her heart briefly)...so how long do we have until your dad will be up here?' Lucas asked, somewhat fretting her answer.

'He shouldn't be up here all night so as long as we're quiet we should have a couple of hours (grins to herself) so how about we do couple stuff?' she laughed lightly, couple stuff? But he smiled and flicked on the TV.

They spent the next few hours watching movies and just cuddling, in between kissing of course. This was exactly what they needed, alone time, just the two of them to be together. They could get through anything as long as they were together, that didn't need to be said, it was an unvoiced fact. It was getting very late and Lucas knew he had to go. He had never thought to tell his mom that he was going anywhere, she'd probably be worried.

'Peyt I hate to do this but it's getting late and I should probably get going' Lucas stated sadly as he started to unclasp their hands. Peyton decided to turn onto him until they were facing each other and he gently rubbed his hands up and down her back.

'I know, I'm glad you came though Lucas, I really needed this. I was going crazy' she laughed slightly.

'But anyway I'm tired and I'll bet you are too but you can't go until I've got my goodbye' she smirked as she leaned down onto him, joining their lips in a passionate embrace. The kiss was passionate but tender and expressed everything they were feeling at that moment in time. As the kiss drew to a close Peyton lifted herself off him and they walked towards her window.

'I'll call you tomorrow Peyt. I promise and don't worry we'll be alright' he leaned down and gently pecked her lips before kissing her nose and moving to leave. Peyton smiled to herself as she watched him go. Sure she hated watching him leave but she was on a high after the events of the night. She gave him one final wave before he made his way down the side of her house and she closed her curtains. Tonight she knew she would sleep properly for the first time in weeks. She was complete and for the first time she truly believed that they were going to be alright. A tear left her eye but this time it wasn't because she was upset...this time it was all because she was in love.

I am in love with you
You set me free
I can't do this thing
Called life without you here with me
Cause I'm Dangerously In Love with you
I'll never leave
Just keep lovin' me
The way I love you loving me

Lyrics: Whitehead Bros 'Your love is a 187' and Beyonce Knowles 'Dangerously in Love'