The airport was packed, people coming and going. In Brookes favorite movie, Love Actually, it talked about how an airport is of loved ones coming and going and everywhere you look you can see love. That's how she liked to view it. She watched as people she didn't know clung tight to one another, and felt her heart swell. No one was there to greet the two-some. No one needed to be. In a huge airport, they were just another part of the crowd. No one stopped to stare, well unless you count the baggage fiasco, but other then that they were just two faces in a crowd of strangers. Each one, loaded with suitcases and bags. The girls looked at each other. There was no backing out now.

Walking out the airport door Brooke waved a taxi cab with ease and Peyton adjusted the strap off a bag that was digging into her shoulder. While struggling with it something caught her eye. A very attractive blonde was leaning up against a door with only a bag strung across his shoulder. She turned to Brooke frantically but Brooke was already loading up the bags in the car. Something in Peyton's heart told her to slow her down, stop her, stall her. A sudden urgency wept across her and not thinking she screamed, frantically pointing to the taxi driver.

"Brooke! I-I saw him in a magazine….Um he's a rapist! Unload the bags!"

Brooke raised an eyebrow and looked at the cab driver, an old man of at least 70. "Umm Peyton, I think you must be mistaken."

Looking back at the man still standing there as if waiting she shook her head. "No that's him alright! He's ….a criminal!"

Brooke blinked a couple of times before realization came across her features. She leaned her head in the cab and whispered, loudly. "Please excuse my friend, she's suffering from, well I don't know what..." Turning to Peyton she grabbed her arm and looked at her with concern. "Look Peyton, I know you are feeling nervous, me too but no need to go spastic. Yes I have daddy's platinum card, but sweetie we shouldn't waste our sweet money on a cab fair, now get over your fears and-"

"Brooke? Peyton?" The boy came over with a huge smile, and a look of disbelief. Peyton gulped and closed her eyes. This is not how she planned it to go. She opened her eyes to see Brooke staring open mouthed at the hunk hovering above them.

"L-Lucas! What are you doing here?" Brooke sputtered out looking at Peyton with confusion.

"I just got back from Florida, I live there now. How about you guys? Where are you guys heading, Tree Hill I hope. I haven't seen either of you down there since you took off senior year without a glance back"

Both winced and Brooke looked unable to form a complete sentence so Peyton took over. "Yea, we are going to Tree Hill, for work. We are visiting from New York. So, what brings you back here? And why are you stationed in Florida? Well better yet, what have you been up to Lucas Scott, for I hope that's still your name."

"Hey ladies, are you going to be going anywhere? " The old taxi cab driver croaked. Brooke snapped to attention as if she had been zoning out and removed her bags. She reached down her bra and removed $20 and looked up in surprise to see Lucas's gaze had wandered. She quickly looked away and handed the old man the money and waved him on, unsure if she could manage any words right now. The taxi drove by and the threesome relocated farther away from the road.

"Yes my name is still Lucas Scott," He continued from before looking at the sidewalk as they walked. Then they came to a stop and he looked at the women across from him. "I play basketball for the Miami Heat. I came back to Tree Hill for a ummm…reunion of sorts. But enough about me, I am fascinated to learn more about the well known ditchers of the century. Well ladies?" He crossed his arms with a smug smile and Peyton had to hold back a laugh, while Brooke looked like she clearly wanted to hit him. Peyton couldn't help but notice how Lucas's attention fell mostly on Brooke, as with that question, it didn't look like it was directed towards her. "But First," Lucas started. "Lets find a taxi, a hotel, and finish this conversation at a café I have been dying to revisit for weeks." As he stepped forward to hail a taxi both the girls gave each other very different expressions. Brooke's face held a pained arch of the eyebrow while Peyton's held a smug smile that couldn't be held back.

It should have been strange. Sitting across from someone you had dated, gotten into a love triangle with, then ditched. But it didn't. Finishing up sandwiches in the café with Lucas, left each of the girls content. Someone about it seemed like old times, only better. There wasn't an expectation looming in the air, something unsettling, like distrust. Instead the conversation went quickly back and forth. Easy banter and light laughs filled the almost empty café and the almost empty hearts with faith. Some girls they didn't recognize were on duty instead of Deb or Karen but they barley noticed. Finishing up Lucas reached to pay the bill but Brooke wouldn't let him. They argued for awhile, both determined to win. Lucas with his laid back, reasonable way, and Brooke infuriated, not wanting it to be held over her head way. Peyton sat back amused and watched, they still had sparks flying from them. She felt a giddy feeling rise up in her chest as she watched the pair, and something felt like it clicked. In the end Brooke paid for herself and half of Peyton's lunch, while Lucas paid for himself and half of Peyton's. Peyton laughed, feeling more satisfied by the second. She urged them quickly out of the table and dragged them down the street for dessert.

Once she returned from a street vendor with muffins for all three of them, she came back to find Lucas smiling like a jack and Brooke clearly pissed off about something. They stood, exchanging words and Peyton admired them for awhile before walking over with a quiet ahem. Brooke made a argh noise under her breath while Lucas smiled, clearly proud of himself about something. Peyton handed everybody there muffins and linked an arm with Lucas in a friendly manner. Lucas held his other arm out to Brooke with his same smile, and she glared at him, walking around to hook arms with Peyton. They walked down the street talking, linked arm in arm, while eating. The day slowly dimmed and they found themselves on the dock. Peyton sat down at the end of the dock and pulled Lucas down by her so Brooke could only sit by Lucas.

"So Karen and Keith are finally tying the knot, after 5 years. With the commotion and Jules, and Andy its amazing they still rekindled their love. I can ask and pull a few strings, but you guys should come to the wedding, mom would really want you there."

"Are you sure Lucas? We haven't seen her in years?"

"Peyton nodded. "she's right, we wouldn't want to barge in or anything."

Lucas smiled and looked down at there feet dangling over the water. "It's been awhile since she's seen you guys, since any of us have. But we missed both of you, and I'm sure she would love to have you guys come. Here, let me talk to her and then I will invite you if she gives the okay."

Both girls nodded and listened to the commotion around them. Brooke was the first one to talk. "I feel like we missed so much. Everything happened without us…"

Lucas turned to her, his eyes sparkling under the moon with a serious face. His face searched hers intently, as if looking for an answer, or a truth. When she looked up and held his gaze, only then did he open his mouth. "Why did you leave? Why did both of you just get up one morning, pack your bags, and disappear without as much as a goodbye?"

Brookes face suddenly closed, leaving no emotion. Her eyes pieced right through his showing no trace of feeling. "That a story for another night" She responded coldly before getting up and slowly walking down the pier, rubbing her arms from the brisk chill of the night. Lucas watched her go, curious, before turning to Peyton, who was looking out into the water, offering no explanation.

"She's right. We should get going and call it a night." Ever so slowly Peyton stood up and waited for Lucas to do so also. Slowly they started walking towards Brooke, who had called a cab and was standing by the road waiting. Once they stood exactly by her Peyton turned to Lucas.

"Well it was great to see you again Lucas, Hopefully we can see more of you this week. I speak for myself when I say it was a pleasure tonight and it's nice to know someone in this town. Thanks for telling us what has been going on out and about."

Brooke knew it was rude, and felt both pair of eyes on her, but she couldn't bring herself to say anything. She remained focused on the road. Finally giving up on her saying anything Lucas smiled at Peyton.

"Hey no prob. I won't let you guys get away that easily this time. Here's my cell. Let's hang out tomorrow. I know a great beach that would help with your paper Peyton." He handed her a business card with his cell number on it and leaned in and gave her a friendly hug. He turned towards Brooke who pretended she didn't acknowledge his existence. As if in slow motion all three watched as the cab slowly pulled up.

"See you Peyton. Tonight was fun," Lucas smiled and held the door open for her as she slid in the car.

"Hope to see you soon Lucas!"

"Bye Brooke."

"Goodbye Lucas" Brooke said so formally it confused him. Brooke got in the car and shut the door before he had a chance to. She watched through the window as he walked off, not even hearing Peyton giving the man instructions.

"Did you hear me Brooke? What's your problem? Why were you so rude?"

Brooke couldn't find an answer, she didn't even think Peyton was expecting one. She felt more grieved then any other time in her life. Thankfully it was dark and Peyton didn't see the few tears Brooke shed. If she did, she didn't say anything.

Spoilers: Back at the hotel the girls talk and make a deal. Go on another outing with Lucas. Peyton gets to thinking after seeing some old memories.