Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill.

That night Peyton laid in the guest bed crying. She hadn't aloud herself to think about her encounter with Elie earlier that day. She just focused on the fun she was having with Chris, as he showed her everything to see in the town. They laughed and joked around all day. She never thought she could have so much fun with Chris Keller. That evening they had ate Chinese take-out with Alex and Tristan on their front porch. Something that was quiet pleasant. She found she quiet liked Chris' sister, and brother-in-law. And dare she say it, but maybe him as well.

But now, she lay awake listening to the rain beat down outside. Having nothing to distract her from her thoughts returning to Elie, she couldn't prevent the tears that rushed from her. At that moment she felt so alone, scared, hurt, broken. She had no idea what she was suppose to do, with what she had found out. And she couldn't help the feeling that Elie was lying to her about being in remission.

With out a second thought or even stopping to wonder why she was doing it. She throw the covers from her, and stood. She quietly left her room sliding her sock clad feet across the hard wood floor and crept down the hall, in her flannel pants, and tank top. She gently opened the door to Chris' room and slipped inside.

Chris lay on top of the covers, sleeping in only boxers. Face down arms stretched out on either side of him. He must not have been in to deep of a R.E.M. state, cause he quickly jerked himself awake, set up and looked at her.

"Peyton?" His voice was clearly laced with sleep. "What are you doing? What's wrong?"

"I..I don't want to be alone. Can I...can I..."

"Come here." He answered before she was able to find her voice enough to finish. He held one arm out to her, as the other one tugged at the covers of his bad.

Peyton slipped under the covers and into Chris' arms. He tugged the covers up to her chin, and wrapped his arms around her, leaning back cradling her head in the crock of his shoulder.

She sniffed against his bare skin, and inhaled his scent. He smelled roughly like soap, mint and citrus. Possibly the best combination Peyton had ever smelled, it was comforting.

"Are you warm enough?"

"Yes, thank you. Are you sure this is okay?" She asked placing her hand on his bare chest and marveled at the softness of his skin.

"It's just fine, as long as your comfortable. You need to get some rest Peyton. You've had an emotional day."

"How is it, you can just say that, without even knowing what happened? And not even ask me?" Peyton asked sitting up causing one of Chris' arms to fall across her lap, and the other around the back of her hips.

"Because I saw you, sitting there on the ground crying. I have a shirt that's covered in your tears, not that it didn't need a washing really. And you've been crying most likely since you went into your room, and now your sitting on my bed, in the middle of the night almost crying, with ful intent on sleeping in here with me tonight. Not that I mind. And if you want me to know what happened when you saw your mom today, then you'll tell me. But until then I'm happy just being here for you." He answered sitting up, next to her, removing his arms. "Would you feel better if I asked?"

"She was into drugs and alcohol, and sex. She doesn't even know whom my real father is. She put me up for adoption, cause she said she couldn't raise me, and that was the only way she could be a good mother. And she says she's in remission but she's lying, I know she is. She has to be." She took in a unsteady breath and buried her face into her hands. "I don't even know what kind of man my father is, or who he is."

"Who cares who that guy is. Your father is the man that raised you, whom loves you, and you've always called 'dad'." Chris said taking her back into his arms. He placed a hand under her chin and tilted her face toward him, and brushed the silent tears from her checks. "That's enough tears for one day. Get some sleep. We'll figure it all out in the morning."

"We'll?"

"Just offering to help, in more ways then just my arms, and my bed. Though if you'd much rather leave it at that..."

"Yes, we'll figure it out in the morning." She answered leaning back into him, as they fell back onto the bed. She rolled over onto her side, pulling the covers around her, as well as Chris' arms. Chris pulled her tighter to his chest ,and tucked his chin into her shoulder.

"Hey Chris?" Peyton asked softly, after a little while.

"Hmm?" He ask, already half asleep.

"Thanks, for everything."

"Hmm."

The following morning Peyton awoke curled in a ball, tangled in Chris' covers. She set up slightly and saw Chris on the other side of the room, pulling on a pair of jeans. She couldn't help but whistle at his back side. He quickly turned to look at her, matching her grin with his own.

"Good morning. Sleep well?" He asked moving to set on the bed next to her.

"Yes, thank you." She answered, then couldn't help her self from reaching up and running her fingers through his wet hair. "What time is it?"

"About ten. I figured you could use the sleep, so I did lay here with you for awhile, then I went and showered. Tell you what, you go shower, get dressed, and call your friends, they most be worried about you. And I'll we'll go make breakfast."

"All right." With out thinking Peyton through her arms around Chris' neck, and kissed his check. "You know maybe you're not so bad after all." She whispered into his ear. Then climbed from bed and headed to the guest room.

"Hello?" Lucas Scott asked, specking into his cell phone. "Peyton? Where are you?" He asked quickly looking at Brook, Nathan and Hayley, who was all sitting around the table at school with him.

"I'm in Salt Lake." She answered laying back on her bed.

"What are you doing there? And why did you just up and leave, without telling one of us?"

"I'm here to see Elie. It's just something I have to do. I didn't really think of anything when I left, I just packed something, caught a bus and left. I did leave you all messages, before I left."

"Peyton Sawyer! Get back here right now!" Brooke exclaimed into Lucas' cell, after she stole it from him.

"I'm sorry. I can't some back yet. Not until I have everything figured out."

"Then, we'll come down there. You don't need to be going through this alone."

"I'm not alone, I promise."

"Then who are you with?"

"Chris Keller." Peyton muttered, knowing who her friend would react to this news.

"Chris Keller!" Brooke yelled. Peyton winced and pulled the phone from her ear.

"What are you doing with Chris?" Hayley asked after taking the phone from Brooke. "I mean I know how you feel about him. If anyone knows it's me."

"That's why I know you're the one who is going to understand this Hayley. You've spent the most time with Chris. You know about his life don't you?"

"Yes he told me."

"You have to know that deep down he isn't that big of a creep. He's pretty decent, and his sister lives down here, and he offered me a place to stay. He's being really nice, I mean not the Chris Keller, we all though him to be. His gentle and understanding, and I don't know Hales it's just nice to have him here. As weird as it sounds. I've got him to help me with this, and you know him, maybe we was all wrong about him. I'll explain everything when I get home. Just please if anyone of you understand, Hayley it's you. I have to do this, and I'm staying with Chris. I'm really sorry for just leaving like that. Causing you all to worry."

"It's all right. You're right I did see the other side of him at times, it's not always there but he does have it. No worries. Just be safe, and call if you need anything, and I mean anything. I explain stuff here. Just remember that we all love you. Got it?"

"Yeah, I got it thanks Hayley."

"What?" Nathan asked, looking at his wife when she clicked off Lucas' phone and handed it back to him.

"She's staying with Chris, his sister and brother-in-law. She's dealing with a lot, and Chris can help. Believe it or not. He went through something like similar to what she's going through. Don't worry, she'll be fine. According to her, he's being a complete gentleman. She just needs time, and if it takes Chris Keller, to get her through this, then we have to let her decided. We just have to be here for her, when she needs us."

Though disagreeing with it, Nathan, Lucas and Brooke nodded. Knowing how Peyton was, and that Hayley was right. Nathan was trusting her again, loving her, and they was working it out. So, he knew he had nothing to fear from Chris Keller anymore, other then him being alone, miles away with his friend. But if Hayley said it was safe and fine it must be. Had to be.