Chapter Forty-Two: Take My Hand Tonight

Author's note: Some of you have been wondering about the recent lack of brucas. We just finished something of a naley arc, and next chaper is brucas. Very brucas.

Peyton waited impatiently while the phone in her hand rang once and then twice, fully prepared to hang up immediately should Nathan answer.

"Scott Residence, Brooke speaking," finally came a voice. Peyton sighed in relief.

"Brooke, it's Peyton. How're you doing?" she asked.

"Fine. As much as possible, under the circumstances. Lucas is a wreck and Nathan wanders around looking like the living dead," she said.

"I'm sorry. How long are you guys staying?"

"A few weeks, until Nathan and the girls get their act in gear, I guess. Nathan's going to need to be working a lot to get settled in at the company, and Lucas doesn't want the girls to be alone," said Brooke.

"What's the deal with that? Haley's heartbroken but she won't go in to details."

"There aren't many. Nathan has been granted guardianship of Ryan and Leigh, and he's supposed to take over the company, and he has to do these things in New York. And he can't take a day to go down to visit the woman he supposedly loves and break up with her properly," said Brooke bitterly.

"He said that? That he loved her?" said Peyton in surprise.

"Yeah. He really does, I think. Or did. What's Haley said?"

"Almost nothing. Nothing about love, at least. She left this morning, and Jake and I are leaving this afternoon, so we'll be seeing you pretty soon," said Peyton comfortingly.

"Good. I'm trying to help, but Ryan will only talk to Nathan and Leigh would only talk to Lucas, but then he locked himself up in his bedroom and refused to talk to anyone so I'm trying to connect with her but she's a self possessed brat at the best of times…" Brooke trailed off at this point, feeling guilty about mocking a girl who'd only recently lost both her parents.

"I still can't believe that Nathan Scott of all people is living in New York and being a grown-up," said Peyton.

"I know. I kind of always thought of him as our age, you know? He went to elder parties whenever he could, with the college kids, but he hung around us so much that I kind of forgot he was in his twenties," said Brooke.

"You'd remember now. He goes around looking all serious and designerey. I actually finally understand why you used to have such a crush on him," said Brooke seriously. Peyton scoffed.

"I used to have a crush on Lucas," she reminded her.

"Right, right. Hoes over bros?" she said curiously. Peyton smiled.

"Always."

Eventually Peyton wandered outside, to where Jake was packing the last of their belongings into her car. She smiled at him.

"What's up?" he asked. He was shirtless in the hot summer sun. He eagerly accepted the water bottle she brought out to him.

"I just talked to Brooke. Sounds like Nathan is as miserable as Haley is," said Peyton.

"You've got to feel bad for the guy," said Jake. Peyton, loyal to the core, rolled her eyes in disgust.

"I'm on Haley's side, you know that. I have to go shower, but then we should go," said Jake. Peyton raised an eyebrow.

"Who says I mind you like this?" she asked. Jake smiled.

"Okay, or a cold shower," he said, before walking into the house. Peyton smiled. He meant more to her than he had ever before, yet there were still so many things they hadn't done to each other.

Peyton half expected to see Taylor when they arrived, still emptying out the apartment, but she was quite relieved to find it empty. She quickly inspected it: besides the small kitchen, the combination dining room living room, the bathroom and the two bedrooms, there wasn't much. The walls were cream and fairly recently painted, and it was bathed in light when Peyton threw open all the windows. She smiled. It was most definitely acceptable.

By the time night fell Peyton and Jake had lugged up all their boxes and put together the beds, but the rest was in completely disarray. They ate pizza amongst the boxes and talked about their upcoming new lives.

"Do you think I should tell Haley that Nathan said he loved her?" asked Peyton.

"It would torture her. And he's tortured her enough. You have to let her meet someone else."

"I can't. They're perfect, in their own dysfunctional way. They need to be together," moaned Peyton. She set down her plate, her disgust ruining her appetite.

"For how long? If they can't make it work, there's nothing we can do about it," said Jake reasonably.

"Forever, Jake. That's how long." Peyton looked up at him, and leaned forward, giving him a view of her cleavage. "Just like us."

Jake slowly reached for her, and she went into his arms. His lips found hers and they kissed slowly, questioningly. As she shed the shirt she was wearing, he hardened and their kissed intensified.

She unbuttoned his shirt while he slowly sat back with her on top of him, his back on the wooden floor. Almost nervous, afraid to complete what he'd wanted for so long, he unzipped her jeans and ran a finger through her.

Peyton swallowed and took a shakey breath, temporarily breaking off their kiss.

"Oh God…" she moaned, as his actions continued.

Jake didn't need more assurance. After he'd shed his own pants and boxers, he slid inside of her in one smooth motion.

Eventually, much later, they managed to make it to the bed. They made love again and again, satisfying the need that had gripped them both, for her case for the summer, in his case since the seventh grade. As he pleasured her, she felt satisfaction and pleasure as she'd never had before. As she welcomes his thrusts, Jake knew more than ever that he loved her and always would.

After they couldn't go on any longer they stopped, curled up on the bed together, their naked bodies touching. They kissed, one more time, and he cupped her breast in his hand while her nipple hardened.

"I love you," she whispered, not making his eyes. Not having the courage to. He reached out and tilted her chin upward.

"I love you too. I always have," he promised, her voice low.

"I always will," she promised, suddenly sure of it.