Jake struggled to maintain his composure. He had to remember, after all, they were just 11 and 12 year old girls. And it was just a game. But his natural athleticism and competitive nature pumped a rush of adrenaline throughout his lean, tanned frame. A part of him wanted to run out on the field and start playing himself.

Peyton smiled. Jenny was performing well and that was exciting but more than that, it was her husband's enthusiasm. She hadn't seen him that happy and that excited in a long time. For the first time in a long time, they were starting to feel like a real family.

"Jen, watch out for the Defense! Keep your eyes on number 42!" he yelled.

"Babe", Peyton giggled, grabbing him by the shirt tail as she pulled him back down. "And she thought my banners were cheesy. Sit down, you're embarrassing her."

Jake sat on his hands watching the last few seconds intently. Jenny was going for the goal when sure enough number 42, a bigger girl and expert player caught the slender blonde on the side of the head. Jenny went down hard. Immediately a concerned Jake and Peyton jumped up, hearts in their throats.

"Jenny…" he whispered.

Peyton sighed as the girl slowly stood to her feet and let the umpire know she was okay and ready to continue.

"She's okay", Peyton nodded. "See? She's tough."

Jake bit his lip, his emotions ranging from everything from fear for Jenny's safety, pride for her resilience, and the desperate urge to run onto the field and shove his foot in the overgrown ass of the junior amazon who had intentionally hurt his baby girl.

With only seconds left on the clock and the score tied, it was the home team's chance to score on offense and win the game. It was all up to Jenny. Peyton was nervous. Sure it was just a game being played by a bunch of middle school girls but having the chance to make the winning shot and win or lose the game was a tremendous amount of pressure for anyone to be under.

"Come on, come on…" Jake whispered as Jenny took her shot right before the buzzer.

Like all legendary shots, it seemed to move in slow motion. The parents held their breath, Peyton even closing her eyes until she heard the silence, collective gasp and finally loud cheering. The game was over. Jenny had done it. She had won it for the team.

"Yeah!" Peyton screamed happily. "Way to go, Jenny!"

If Peyton's wide grin was any indicator that they were thrilled with the outcome, Jake's reaction was crystal clear. He whooped and hollered and jumped up and down.

"Pey, did you see that?" he asked out of breath. "That shot was wicked! Babe, that's how legends are born! Our kid is a genius!"

Peyton hugged him as she remembered another proud father/daughter moment. It was in her bedroom in the Tree Hill Sawyer home on a lazy morning when the teenage couple was lounging in each other's arms. Jenny was a few feet away content and gurgling in her crib when Jake sat straight up, proud as a peacock and convinced that Jenny had spoken her first word. He swore she had said "Daddy" or "Da-Da" or some reasonable facsimile. Peyton had teased him, saying that the word must have been in Swahili but Jake didn't care. He was a proud papa.

Peyton looked onto the field as the girls celebrated the unexpected victory with their surprised but delighted coach. They were all smiling and hugging and jumping up and down. Peyton couldn't believe it but when she looked at Jenny she saw something she never had before…a real smile on the girl's face. She looked happy and was truly beautiful. The grin was contagious as Peyton felt her own coming on as well as tears of pride and joy. From across the way, Jenny looked up and she and Peyton made eye contact. It was a brief moment but nevertheless a special one. Jenny quickly looked away but Peyton still felt the connection and she swore the girl had smiled at her.

"You totally rocked out there", Peyton said as the parents approached the field.

Jenny was trying to play the cool, aloof role but her self pride was hard to mask.

"Thanks", she shrugged.

"You won the game, kid! You're the hero! High five!" Jake raised his hand.

Jenny rolled her eyes.

"No one says 'high five' anymore."

Jake was still beaming.

"You just gonna leave the Old Man hanging?"

Jenny couldn't help but smile.

"Whatever…Dad", she said, slapping his hand.

For a minute Jake and Peyton stopped breathing. The last part had come out so softly they wanted to make sure they had heard right.

"Jen", he said, almost in tears. "You…you called me Dad."

She blushed and looked away at first.

"Well, that's what you are, right?" she tried to be tough again.

"Yeah", he said, hugging her. "I am."

She hugged back for a micro second before pulling back.

"Okay, okay. Watch the PDA, dude. I have a rep to protect."

Peyton laughed out loud.

"You're 11. You don't have a rep yet."

Jenny shook her head as she gathered her gear.

"Quoting DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince? Really, Peyton. Totally lame."

"Well, I guess I can't be cool all the time", Peyton quipped. "But I do have a surprise for you."

"I don't like surprises."

"You'll like this one. Nathan and Haley couldn't make it to your game but they just knew you were gonna pull the kick ass upset, which you did, so they ordered pizza and we're going to head over to their place for a little celebration. How does that sound?"

"Like Hell."

"Amy can come", Peyton sweetened the pot.

"Okay."

"Okay? No protests? No attitude? No swear words?"

"I am quite the comedian and usual queen of the quick comebacks and one liners but I can't be cute and clever all the time. Pizza's cool."

"Good."

"One more thing…"

"Yeah?"

Jenny kicked at the dirt.

"Maybe the rest of the team could come hang out for pizza, you know, if Haley bought enough…"

Peyton smiled.

"I think we can work that out", she winked. "Pizza for everyone."

Loading up the vehicles and giving the other parents directions, the gang was on their way to the Scott mansion. Most people would be panicked or at least annoyed at the idea of 10 kids and parents crashing what was supposed to be an intimate get together but Haley, ever accommodating, was all smiles. She greeted each child with congratulations and welcomed the mothers and fathers into her home. There were pretzels, five different types of pizza and soda pop for all.

"You look happy", Haley said to Peyton when they were alone in the kitchen.

The blonde shrugged.

"I am. Today was a good day."

"Well, I'm glad. Jake looks happy too and so does Jenny. Her smile really threw me off. I've never seen it but it's absolutely gorgeous."

"She's been better and today was just great. School is going better, she's starting to make friends and I think winning that game with her shot really boosted her self confidence. She even called Jake 'dad' for the first time this afternoon. You should have seen him, he was on cloud nine."

"Good. I thought I noticed something different. She wasn't even mean to me when she came in. Go figure. I kind of miss it", Haley joked.

"I don't. I just hope it stays like this."

"Me too", Haley smiled, rubbing her friend's back as Peyton's cell phone rang.

She looked at the Caller ID and excused herself as she took the call. Her hushed but frantic tone and horrified facial expression captured the attention of Haley, not to mention Jake and even Jenny who was in the background. The call lasted a few minutes before she hung up, hands shaking.

"Babe, you're trembling", Jake noticed. "What happened? Who was that on the phone?"

Peyton could barely talk.

"Something bad has happened", she whispered.

"Peyton…"

"Oh my God. That, that was Amanda. She's been hurt."

Haley raised an eyebrow.

"Hurt? How? What's going on?"

"I don't know but it's not good. It's really serious."

"I'm sorry", Jake hugged her.

"Jake…she doesn't have anyone. She's really afraid and upset right now. I have to go to her…"

"Okay."

"Can you just stay here and get Jenny home later? I'll call you."

Jake sighed, understanding and worrying about Amanda's well being himself.

"Okay. Go."

"I should too", Haley spoke up. "We don't know what's going on. You shouldn't be alone."

Peyton nodded her thanks as Haley gathered her stuff and kissed Nathan on the lips.

"Call if you need us", he told them. "We'll hold down the fort with the kids and let them finish their party."

The women hurried through the door, leaving the men in charge. Jenny eyed her father and his tense whispering with Nathan before approaching them.

"What's going on?" she flat out asked.

Jake just looked at Nathan.

"I wish I know", he sighed. "Jen, I wish I knew."