The school bell ranged and all the students of Tree Hill Elementary went running out towards their parents. Peyton hadn't arrived yet for Aaron and he was left with Lucas in the playground.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Lucas asked as he sat down next to the little boy.

"My mommy isn't here yet. She's never late," Aaron said sadly.

Lucas felt sorry for the boy and looked towards the basketball court. "Want to play?"

"Play what?"

"Well…" Lucas got up and walked towards the court. "It just so happens to be my favorite sport in the world. Basketball."

"I don't know how to play."

"Well, I can solve that problem. Want me to teach you?"

"Yeah!"

Aaron jumped up and Lucas smiled towards the boy.

He grabbed a basketball and he would give it to the boy while he picked him up in his arms and let him scored the basket. The two were having such a good time when Peyton finally showed up out of breath.

"I am so sorry. I totally lost track of time."

Lucas turned around with the boy in his arms and Peyton stood there shocked.

"What are you doing here?"

"Nice to see you too, Peyt." Lucas looked at her a little hurt at her response. Peyton just stood there waiting for a response. "I'm Mrs. Johnson temp until she comes back from maternity leave."

"Why wasn't I informed?"

"Didn't think you were interested."

Lucas put the boy on the floor and he ran towards his mom into her arms.

"Mommy, Lucas is so much fun. He was teaching me how to play basketball."

"That's good. Well I think it's time to go home baby."

"Can we get some ice cream?"

"Sure."

"Can Lucas come with us?"

Peyton didn't know what to say but the scared expression in her face said it all. Lucas walked towards the little boy and touched him on his back.

"Not today kiddo. I have some stuff to do and I promised my mom I would help her out at the café."

"Is your mom Karen?"

"Yeah."

"Can we go get ice cream from there mommy? Please…pretty please."

The cutest expression was displayed on Aaron's face and it was next to impossible not to say no to it. She caved in when she saw Lucas smiled and the three left from the school towards the café.

Karen was surprised to see them together.

"Hey what are you guys doing here?"

"Aaron here wants some ice cream mom."

"Mmm…how does chocolate chip cookie dough sound to you baby?"

"Perfect. I want a big bowl with chocolate syrup and a cherry."

"Nay on the syrup but yay on the cherry Karen. This one has to watch how much sugar he intakes because if he doesn't, he'll be bouncing off the walls like an energizer bunny."

"Reminds me of Lucas when he was younger."

Peyton glanced at Karen and seemed bothered by the comment. Lucas noticed the glance between them and decided to help his mother in the kitchen.

"What was that?"

"What do you mean?" Karen said as she pulled the ice cream out of the freezer.

"You know what. That look between Peyton and you, what did that mean?"

"Nothing. It was just a look."

"She didn't like the comment you made about Aaron and comparing him to me. Why?"

"Why don't you ask her? And what is it with you playing 21 questions with me now? Since when did you become a cop?"

"I was just wondering for crying out loud. It just seems like everyone here is hiding some great secret from me and I want to know what it is!"

"Well if you wouldn't have left, you wouldn't be wondering what it was now would you?"

Karen started scooping the ice cream and Lucas returned to the dining room. Peyton and Aaron were reading a book now and Peyton glanced towards him and timidly smiled.

"I'll be right back baby."

She kissed him quickly on the forehead and proceeded towards Lucas.

"Something wrong?"

"What are you hiding me from Peyton?"