1/1

That night after returning to Sydney and Taylor's, Mouth drove Erica, Skills, and Fergie home, while Haley drove Nathan and Tim back to her and Nathan's apartment. Lucas had crashed in Sydney's room with her, and Taylor had, in a rare act of kindness, given up her bed to Brooke and Peyton. Taylor had crashed out in the living room with Faith on the pullout bed.

The next morning, or a few hours later depending on how you looked at it, everyone slowly began getting up.

LUCAS AND SYDNEY

"Hey baby." Sydney smiled up at Lucas

"Morning." Lucas stretched. "How you feeling?"

"Alright. How about you?"

"I think I need one of Peyton's 'Hangover Relief' drinks." Lucas groaned. "Were you ok last night? You seemed kind of weird."

Sydney sighed. "Lucas, we need to talk."

"I know about the drugs Syd." Lucas said calmly, even though he was a mess on the inside

Oh God. At least that's one thing that I don't have to break to him. Now what will he say about the rest? "I'm glad you know about that, but that's not exactly what I meant."

"I don't see it getting much worse."

"It's about my past."

"The past is the past Syd. I don't need to know about it." Lucas said sweetly

"And some of the present." Sydney cringed

"Ok?" Lucas said hesitantly

BROOKE AND PEYTON

Peyton crawled out of bed, careful not to wake the girl sleeping next to her. The girls hadn't slept much the previous night, and she figured that this would be the best time to execute her plan since Brooke was out cold.

Come on Taylor. I know you have some coke in here somewhere. I know you keep a back-up stash no matter what, even if you are "staying clean".

Peyton slipped out of bed and searched the room, making sure to be extremely quiet.

Bingo. Now why would you lie to me Tay? Selfish bitch.

Peyton put the drugs in her bag; just in time too.

"WHAT!" Lucas' voice echoed through the walls

Brooke awoke with a start to find that she was alone in bed. She looked up to see Peyton standing by her duffel.

"What the hell is going on?" Brooke asked sleepily. "Why aren't you in bed?"

"I got cold, so I got up to get some socks." Peyton lied. "It seems Lucas is upset by something."

"Either that or he found something he didn't bargain for." Brooke joked

"Babe!"

"What! I'm only kidding. Now get back in bed. I'm cold and I need someone to cuddle with."

"I'm coming." Peyton laughed. That was a close one. At least I got what I was looking for.

TAYLOR AND FAITH

The two occupants of the living room hadn't gotten any sleep. They had begun talking before bed, and realized that they had similar personalities. Taylor shared some of her stories from living around the U.S., and Faith had shared some of her stories about California.

They had both heard Lucas' yell, and both looked at each other with furrowed brows.

"That didn't sound good. Wonder what that's about." Faith said

"I think I have an idea." Taylor cringed. And she had to tell him today? What the hell made her do that?

"Why do I sense more drama?" Faith chuckled

"Because drama is around every turn in this town." Taylor rolled her eyes. "Sydney probably told him something that Lucas didn't want to hear."

"The drugs?"

"No. See, it's kinda funny actually. I'm not gay, but I'm not 100 percent straight either. Same goes for Syd. And when you're drunk, high, and horny, let's just say that shit happens." Taylor said sheepishly

"Holy shit. Is there anyone you don't have some sort of history with?" Faith laughed

Taylor cracked a smile. "You'd probably have to go to Alaska to find one."

"Question…don't you that it's kind of odd that all of us girls have the same sexual preference?"

"Except Haley. She's completely straight, obviously. And are Brooke and Peyton just gay for each other, or other chicks too? And what about you? I thought you were straight." Taylor concluded what had turned into 20 questions

"Obviously Brooke is hot for other chicks. She was with you before Peyton, and me and her have made out. Although we were drunk, so I'm not sure that counts." Faith started. "And I don't really have a preference. I deal with it as it's dealt." Faith laughed

"Well well. The plot continues to get thicker with everyone doesn't it?"

"Looks like it. It was never so complicated before I met you guys."

"Welcome to Tree Hill babe. It's a bumpy ride, let me tell you. Congrats if you make it out of here alive."

"So Dan Scott is throwing everyone a BBQ? Could this get any more weird?" Brooke marveled

"He personally invited my mom." Lucas said

"Damn. It got more weird." Brooke nodded

Everyone had eventually made their way to the kitchen later that morning, and forced Peyton to make her special drink. Lucas and Sydney spoke hardly two words to each other, Peyton was jumpy and on edge, Brooke was overwhelmed by being back, and Faith and Taylor were walking zombies.

"Did you two get any sleep?" Sydney waved a hand in front of Taylor's face

"No." Taylor responded flatly

"As much fun as a huge screwed up family reunion sounds, I think that I'll pass. At least until I've gotten some sleep." Faith yawned

"I'm with you. If you wanna crash with me, we can meet up with them later." Taylor offered

"Deal." Faith said as she followed Taylor into her room

"Well then. They seem to look a little cozy." Brooke giggled

"Taylor seems to get cozy with everyone now-a-days, doesn't she?" Lucas spat

"You're an ass Lucas." Sydney said as she walked to the bathroom and slammed the door

"That's not good. Trouble in paradise?" Peyton asked Lucas

"Did you know about them Peyton? Hell, how many times did you join in?" Lucas asked angrily

"Whoa. Calm down. What are you talking about?" Brooke asked, confused

"Taylor and Sydney. Screwing around behind my back."

Brooke's eyes widened. She turned to Peyton for answers.

"Lucas, shit happens. Get over it." Peyton said. "And no, I was never a part of it." She walked into the bathroom and shut the door

Brooke and Lucas exchanged worried looks.

"She's lying." Brooke stated simply

"Brooke-"

"Happy Fucking New Year everyone." Brooke interrupted with a bitter laugh

Lucas, Sydney, Brooke, and Peyton all arrived at the Scott's house together, all four angry and agitated in their own way, but playing nice just so they could get through the day.

"Brooke Davis. What a surprise." Dan said when he spotted the teens

"Hi Mr. Scott. Happy New Year." Brooke said, giving Dan one of her fake smiles

"Please, call me Dan. It's nice to have you back. How are your parents?"

"They're fine. They told me to say hello if I saw you." Brooke lied. Everyone knew that Thomas and Dan had never gotten along

"I'm sure Deb would love to know you're here."

"I'll be sure to find her." Brooke smiled and followed Lucas, Sydney, and Peyton inside

"Hey guys. Sleep good?" Haley smiled as they all walked through the door

"Sleep was great. It was the waking up that sucked." Lucas said, knowing Haley wouldn't know the meaning behind it, but knowing that Sydney would

"I bet that hang-over is a killer." Haley laughed

"Hey Peyton, can I talk to you?" Sydney asked suddenly

"Yeah." Peyton followed Sydney, and Haley looked at Brooke and Lucas with confusion

"Don't even ask." Brooke said before Haley could speak. "Is Karen here?"

"She's in the kitchen with Deb." Haley pointed towards the kitchen

"Thanks. Excuse me." Brooke said and she walked to the kitchen

"You ok Lucas?" Haley gently laid a hand on Lucas' arm

Lucas sighed. "Hales, I don't think anyone will be ok ever again. Too much shit keeps piling on top of everything else, and there is just no time in-between issues to get over the previous one."

"What the hell is going on Syd?" Peyton said as she and Sydney sat on the swings in the Scott's backyard

Sydney lit a cigarette and blew out a puff of smoke. "I told Lucas about my past relationship with that chick, and then everything about me and Taylor came out." She offered the pack of cigarettes to Peyton

Peyton shook her head. "Damn. So what the fuck possessed you to tell him about it today?"

"I don't know. I just thought that we should start the New Year off right, no secrets. It was killing me Pey."

"He thinks I was a part of it. Brooke does too."

"You were!" Sydney scoffed

"Once. One time Syd. And I was drunk off my ass and high as a kite. I didn't even remember any of it till this morning."

"I'm sorry Peyton."

"Me too. What do I tell Brooke?"

"The truth?" Sydney suggested

"I have a feeling that's not going to go over well."

Later, Peyton and Sydney rejoined Brooke, Lucas, Haley, and Nathan inside the Scott's living room.

"Look at this. The whole crew together again." A voice said from the doorway

Peyton's head snapped up. "Dad!"

"Hey Pumpkin! Miss me?" Larry laughed

Peyton's face lit up as she jumped up from the couch to hug her father.

"When did you get back?" Peyton said into his shoulder

"A few hours ago."

"Papa Peyton, looking good!" Brooke smiled from the couch

"Hi Brooke. Rake-Boy. Everyone else." Larry greeted

For some reason, the day seemed to get better from there. The positive energy outweighed the negative, and it really began to show. Lucas and Sydney were being civil to each other since it was supposed to be a fun night with everyone, and Brooke and Peyton decided to forget about everything else, and just be happy to be with each other. They were close all night, but not too close so that they didn't tip off Mr. Sawyer. Taylor and Faith had showed up in time for dinner, and everyone was having a great time talking with each other.

Halfway through dinner, Nathan and Haley stood up.

"Since we have everyone here together, we just wanted to say something." Nathan started

"We're pregnant." Haley said shyly

Although Haley had told the girls in New York, the youngest Scott couple hadn't told anyone else the good news. Everyone reacted great to the news; even if they didn't really know what to think, they didn't show it.

Seeing Haley and Nathan so happy gave the other couples hope. Lucas and Sydney shared a kiss, while Peyton and Brooke locked hands and shared a smile.

It was amazing that something like a happy announcement from a happy couple could almost make the bad disappear.

Almost.

"I can't believe that my son is going to be a father." Deb said. "He's still a child himself."

Dan, Deb, Karen, Andy, Keith, and Larry were all sitting around the Scott's living room and catching up with each other after the teens had all left. They had gotten on the subject of Haley being pregnant, and everyone's true feelings were beginning to come out.

"How are they even going to support another member of the family. They barely make it now." Dan said

"As weird as this might seem, I know how you both feel." Karen said

"How could you Karen? Your 17 year old son isn't about to be a father!" Deb said, frustration evident in her voice

"No, but Lucas almost was during sophomore year." Karen said

Keith turned to Karen in confusion. "What are you talking about Karen?"

"Brooke thought she was pregnant. It turned out to be a scare, obviously, but it was definitely a scare. Lucas was a mess, I was a mess, and Brooke was a disaster." Karen started. "Dan, Deb, think about it. Think about how you felt when you found out you were pregnant so young. Think about how scared Haley and Nathan must feel."

"I'm sure they are. I've never been a parent, much less a teenage one, but I'm sure that they are going insane at the idea." Andy added

"Nathan is a great kid, as well as Haley. They'll make fine parents. You were all young when you had your kids, and they turned out to be incredible kids." Keith said. "Plus Nathan and Haley have all of us for support. You all never had that."

Dan smiled. "I'm going to be a grandpa. I wasn't sure if I would ever get to live to see that."

"You're ok with this Dan?" Deb asked, amazed

"Like Big Brother said, they have us for support. A family, and a large one I might add, to care for the baby and to help them when they need it." Dan said

"You should have had a heart attack a long time ago. It's amazing how wonderful of a guy you are now." Larry laughed. "I'm just glad Peyton doesn't even have a boyfriend right now. Grandkids are one less thing I have to worry about."

"I don't think you'll ever have to worry about that." Andy joked, and Karen elbowed him in the ribs

"What?" Larry asked, confused

Everyone else just shook their heads and smiled at the oblivious father.

A/N- Just to let you guys know, from here on out this story will be based on a time line. At the beginning of each chapter, there will be a date. Just as this one was 1/1, the next one will be 1/ 2. If anyone has any questions, just let me know! Hope you guys enjoyed!