He tried to avoid her as much as possible since that day--the day his life ceased making sense. She put some sort of hex on him, that one thing was for sure.

It was up to him to make sure that being alone with, or even running into Peyton didn't happen. If he caught sight of her blond locks he turned the other way, trying desperately to ignore his increased heartbeat. In class, he sat as far away as possible, avoiding any and all interaction. It wasn't easy, no. But he felt he was finally starting to get the hang of it all. The only problem was…ever since…that day, his dreams had become more frequent and intense. And there was that pesky thing of time not accounted for. When he woke up on Peyton's porch one morning, he not only ran out of there like a bat out of hell, he knew there was something wrong. Very wrong.

Peyton was no idiot. She knew Lucas was avoiding her. And on some level, maybe it bothered her. But consciously, Peyton approved of his tactics because she was doing the same. She didn't know what to make of the situation and frankly, didn't want to. Her dreams were becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. And she would almost swear she was sleep walking…waking up in places she didn't recall falling asleep.

Everything between Peyton and Lucas came to a head two weeks after 'the incident.'

Peyton had been sitting on her porch, drawing the day away. She sketched until her fingers cramped and holding the pencil was no longer an option. She groaned softly, putting the pencil down. Her mind flashed to the lake just then--to it's cool, seductive waters. Yes, a dip in the lake actually sounded inviting.

After slipping into a simple black bikini, she threw on a pair of cut off shorts and grabbed a towel. A relaxing day was…

…just what Lucas needed. Bent Tree Lake was huge. Lucas fondly remembered field trips from the orphanage here. His few moments of peace were here. And as if by fate, he traveled upon a secluded area in the woods. After following a stream that fed into the lake, Lucas found a deep pond, the size of a swimming pool. It was shaded from direct sunlight, covered on all sides with flowered, arched trees. Lucas set his towel on the bank and languidly swam laps, to and fro.

Peyton sat along a small dock, letting her feet sink into the cool waters. The wind gingerly swept through her hair as she took in a deep breath. She turned casually just then, looking at a small stream emptying into the lake. It created an adorable, miniature waterfall—about 1 foot high. Peyton took out her camera, focused, and took a black and white digital shot. She tilted her head just then, wondering where the stream led to. She paused, contemplating her actions before standing. Why not?

As she followed the stream, Peyton began feeling slightly…odd. Her skin prickled, and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on edge.

Lucas stopped swimming for a moment and shook his head. He just got a strange vibe…

Peyton smiled when she saw the arched trees and the gorgeous, clear pool in front of her. Her eyes then settled on Lucas, who was staring back at her. And then, darkness…

Lucas looked up, to see Peyton standing on the bank. He opened his mouth to say something…that's the last thing he remembered.

---

Peyton breathed deeply, suddenly, staring down at Lucas…

"I'm seeing things…" She whispered an accent suddenly noticeable.

Lucas shook his head, wading through the water until he was directly under her.

"I'm seeing you," he said quietly, his voice different. He lifted her into the water, bringing her down, against his chest.

He touched her hair, her face, her collarbone. Peyton closed her eyes, shaking. Her hand clasped his as it brushed over her neck. She opened her eyes to look into his…

"It's getting harder to find you, Luca…it's getting harder."

He hushed her, kissing her hands….fingers…palms.

"No, no." He said quickly. "Don't speak that way—you mustn't even think it."

She nodded, tears already forming in her cherub-esque eyes.

"I waited over a thousand years just to find you," Lucas whispered as he kissed her soft lips. "I'd gladly wait a thousand more to be with you."

Their touches were familiar, as if they knew each other more than their own skin. He linked her hand with his, while his other hand encircled her waist. He pressed her against him intimately as he bent his head to hers, kissing her, deeply…passionately…

Peyton's arm wrapped around the back of his neck as his lips possessed hers.

They broke apart for a moment, feeling themselves losing their grip…

"No, no. Don't leave me…don't. Not yet. We hardly had any time…" She pleaded.

Luca's grip was almost crushing her. "Ill find you. Ill find you."

His kiss bruised her lips. Her tears bruised his heart.

---

She knew his lips before she opened her eyes. Yet, with horror, Peyton was still shocked to see herself wrapped against Lucas so intimately. But…she didn't move.

Lucas already knew her kiss. Somehow, the contours of her lips were emblazoned in his mind…

He opened his eyes, looking the absolute shock on her face. In spite of all that, in spite of his emotions nearly mirroring hers, he let his lips softly brush against hers.

Peyton was very conscious of what he was doing. Their eyes were connected as he did. It was barely a kiss…their lips grazing across one another…though it sent a shiver through them both.

They pulled away then. And without words, they slipped out of the pool. They walked out of the woods, on opposite sides of the tiny stream.

And they departed separately and still…no words.