It was the Tree Hill gang's annual yet unofficial "adios to summer" party. Every Labor Day since they had been high school sophomores, it had been tradition to pack up the suntan lotion, surfboards and volleyballs for one last fun day at the beach. Almost immediately, the guys were frolicking in the sand kicking around an old soccer ball while the ladies got comfortable on their towels. Haley was enjoying a cross word puzzle while Peyton and Jenny played in the sand. A few feet away Teresa sat, dissatisfied frown permanently etched on her face as she sulked in a lawn chair. Anna closed her eyes, as to protect them from the unrelenting North Carolina sun as Brooke thumbed through the latest edition of Cosmo. The pretty brunette put on a pair of designer sunshades as she lay on her belly, unhooking the clasps that held together her yellow bikini.

"Brooke! Oh my God! What are you doing?"

"What?" Brooke shrugged.

"Tigger, Wrightsville Beach is not a nude beach", Haley explained with a blush.

"Oh please", Brooke dismissed her with the wave of a hand. "They're just boobs, Tutor Girl. Besides, I hate tan lines. Look at this. Do you see any tan lines on Giselle?"

The other women playfully rolled their eyes as Brooke stared at her latest model obsession on the Cosmopolitan pages.

"I think she's absolutely fabulous", Brooke continued. "And if they ever make a movie about my life, I totally want her to play me."

The girls all exchanged amused glances. No matter how much time passed, it was pretty evident…Brooke would always be Brooke.

"Put the sand in the bucket, Jenny", Peyton cooed. "There you go…"

"Mama…"

"Yes, my love?"

Peyton looked at Jenny and followed the little girl's gaze. A hushed silence immediately fell over the women as they all took notice of where Jenny was looking.

"Oh God", Brooke mumbled. "What the hell is she doing here?"

"Be nice, Tigger", Haley warned, but feeling a sense of uneasiness herself as well.

"Hey guys", Nikki said good naturedly as she casually laid out her towel. "Um, thanks for inviting me."

"We didn't", Brooke muttered, still loud enough for everyone to hear.

Peyton shot her a warning look.

"Actually Jake invited me but if isn't cool, I can leave…"

"See you", Brooke said, turning her attention back to her magazine.

"No, no, it's fine", Peyton tried to smile. "I just, uh, I didn't know you were coming. Jake didn't tell me but I'm glad you did."

"Peyton, are you sure? Because I don't want to intrude…" Nikki stammered

"It's cool", Peyton smiled.

Jenny picked up her plastic bucket and shovel and ran over to Nikki. Peyton swallowed hard, trying to dismiss that sinking feeling she felt every time Nikki came around and Jenny would run to her, ignoring all else including Peyton. She was being silly…ridiculous. There was no need to get jealous. The whole point was for Nikki and Jenny to develop a relationship.

Forcing a smile for the curious sets of eyes watching her, Peyton donned her shades and went about applying sun block as if it was the most natural act in the world. She relaxed on her towel, sketching idly on a notepad she had brought along. The guys continued to play a while longer then Lucas suggested they all go boarding.

"Babe, you okay?" Jake asked as he paddled out to Peyton.

"Huh? Oh, I'm fine."

"You sure? You seem a little distracted…"

"I'm cool, it's just that the waves out here kind of suck today."

She frowned and pushed a wet lock of her hair off her forehead, desperately trying to look ahead anywhere but at the scene on the beach where Nikki and Jenny were happily building sandcastles.

"Peyton…"

"Jake, it's cool. Really. I'm fine."

"You don't look fine. You look pissed. Is this about Nikki?"

"No. I don't care if you invited her", Peyton lied.

"It's just that she was off this weekend and she wanted to see Jenny and…"

"You don't have to explain, Jake."

Peyton began to swim out towards a developing wave but Jake gently pulled her arm back.

"You're still Jenny's mom, you know that, right?"

"I know", she shrugged.

"Look, I know this has to suck for you but I appreciate what you're doing for me and especially for Jenny. I know it can't be easy."

"It's fine, Jake."

He studied her expression for a minute before kissing her.

"I love you."

"Love you, too", she said.

For Peyton the Labor Day festivities had always been something to look forward to. She loved the rare off day when she could kick back and have some fun with her friends. But now more than anything, she just wanted it to end. Avoiding Jake and the others and particularly Nikki, Peyton remained in the water until after sunset when it became chilly.

"Hey Brooke, listen, I think I'm just gonna take off…"

"What are you talking about, P?"

"I'm tired and…"

"Tired of Nikki? Because God knows I am."

"It's cool", Peyton whispered, kicking at the sand.

"Peyton…"

"Brooke, don't start, alright? Please. I know what you're going to say and I really don't feel like hearing it right now."

"Okay fine but this is our beach and our party and our friends. Don't let her run you away."

"I'm fine with Nikki being here, I told you."

"Sure that's what you told me but I don't think you're fine with it. And who could blame you? I wouldn't be fine with it. Gosh, she's everywhere we are."

"Look, I don't have a problem with it, Brooke. Besides, I'm the one who sort of pushed Jake into all this."

"Yeah but I bet you're regretting it now."

"Jenny's happy and Jake and Nikki can be in the same room for more than five minutes without killing each other. What's so wrong with that?"

"Take a left", Brooke said, raising one eyebrow. "Check it out."

Peyton looked over and shuddered involuntarily at the sight before her. Around the bonfire was Jake, Nikki and Jenny. They were laughing and talking, hands accidentally brushing as they wiped the remnants of s'mores from little Jenny's mouth. They looked adorable. They looked happy. They looked like a family.

"Brooke…"

"Peyton, do something! Look at them. Look at her. This is so not cool."

"It's fine. Okay? If Jake and Nikki want to be friends and she wants to spend more time with Jenny, I can't be mad about that. That wouldn't be fair. Besides, it's all about Jenny. Jake loves me now. It's not like he still has feelings for her. I'm not threatened because it's totally innocent."

"Okay", Brooke threw her hands in the air.

"Jesus, have I convinced you yet?"

"No but it sounds like I'm not the one you're trying to convince."

"Whatever", Peyton rolled her eyes, walking away.

"You know P. Sawyer, that little scene over there reminds me of that O'Jays song we heard on the oldies station at the café this morning. Remember that?"

Brooke walked away to grab a beer, leaving Peyton with a little food for thought. Nervously she looked again at her boyfriend, the child she had raised as her own daughter, and the woman who had come back into their lives and disrupted it all. Yes, Peyton did remember the song Brooke had mentioned. It had been playing as they'd had a light breakfast at Karen's. Of course she remembered the lyrics as they began to replay in her head over and over again to the point where she could think of nothing else.

What they do!

They smile in your face

All the time they want to take your place

The back stabbers