Author's Note: Thank you all for the great feedback! I love getting reviews, they make me so happy. As promised, some LP interaction happens in this chapter. Quite a bit of it, really. Good bonding time. Anyway, enjoy, and let me know what you think! Thanks for reading!

Our Recognition

Chapter 2: When the Heartache Ends

The sound of 80's metal filled Peyton's room. She was on her bed studying, lying on her stomach, and listening just to the music for a moment. This was the CD Lucas had given her, just before Haley's party that day so long ago. It had been on repeat since she'd gone to sleep the night before.

Her English homework sat unfinished before her, but she didn't care. It was more appealing to think about him. She'd tucked her feelings away for Lucas for so long, it was like rediscovering them again for the first time, now that she was free to feel them.

As much as losing Brooke hurt, Peyton somehow felt liberated. Like a huge weight had just been lifted from her shoulders. It was still hard to face the day without her best friend or Lucas, however. And since she'd pushed Haley away…the days had been lonely. So she turned to her music.

Glancing around the room, Peyton still immediately noticed the absence of the drawing she'd burned every time. But it felt good to get rid of that constant reminder. That daily reminder of the mistakes she'd made, and the people she'd hurt and lost in the process. But now, it felt like she'd gone full circle, back to the beginning. Even if she hadn't acted on her feelings for Lucas, in Brooke's mind, she might as well have. And that was enough.

Suddenly, there was a knock on her doorframe. Thinking of the creepy messages on her computer, she looked up sharply, only to find that it was worse than a stalker.

It was Lucas himself.

"Hey Brooke," Rachel said as her new roommate stepped through the door. Brooke had asked to move in with Rachel shortly after the accident, when everything had fallen apart for both of them. It had been a rough time, but somehow they'd come together, almost as friends. Since then, they'd been trying to become better friends. Some days it worked, other days it didn't. But they were working on it.

Currently, Rachel was standing in the kitchen, pouring herself a drink when she saw Brooke's face and stopped what she was doing. "What happened to you? You've barely been home for the last two days. You look like hell." Her tone was a little too insensitive when she said it, and before she'd even said it, she knew it was harsh.

Brooke brushed off the comment, however, and sat down on one of the barstools at the counter. She'd been in and out of clubs and bars since breaking up with Lucas, and had only come home to shower, change and sleep since it had happened. Now, she just felt like she needed someone to talk to. Even if it was Rachel, she didn't care, as long as Rachel would listen. "I broke up with Lucas a few days ago," she stated bluntly, a hand on her forehead.

"Oh," came the more sympathetic response. "I had a feeling that might be it. Because of Peyton?"

Brooke set her jaw at the mention of her former best friend's name. "Yes, but that part I didn't tell Lucas. There were other reasons, too."

Rachel was incredulous. "Wait, wasn't that the main reason you two broke up? And you didn't tell him Peyton is still in love with him?"

Brooke gave her a glare, her voice rising. "Whose side are you on, anyway? What I do and don't tell Lucas is my business, okay? And he doesn't deserve to know anything that bitch said."

Rachel put her arms up in defense. "Alright, whatever. I just thought it was interesting, that's all."

With a roll of her eyes, Brooke folded her arms and looked away. She had a very specific reason for not telling Lucas about Peyton's confession. The last time he'd been given a choice of who he wanted, Lucas had chosen Peyton. Behind her back. She didn't want to give him that choice again. Not after the way things had happened. And if Brooke couldn't have him, Peyton couldn't either.

"Anyway," Rachel said heavily, attempting to get more out of Brooke. "How did he take it?"

Brooke shrugged, honestly unsure. "He told me he loved me, but I think he saw the problems too."

Rachel had her own opinions about the situation, but kept her mouth shut. Instead, she made a noise of thought and took a sip of her water. "So that's it, then? No more Lucas?"

Brooke nodded, seeming to come to the realization for the first time. "No more Lucas."

Grabbing the remote to the CD player as fast as she could, Peyton turned the music off.

"Hey, that was a good song," Lucas protested, pointing toward the stereo. He walked casually into the room, flopping down on a nearby chair, but Peyton felt far from casual with him there.

Forcing herself to remain calm, she shrugged. "I've heard it before. What's up?"

Lucas breathed out a sigh as he said, "Oh, I just…needed someone to talk to."

Peyton's eyebrows shot up. "And you came to me? Where's Brooke?"

He put a hand behind his head, looking at Peyton sadly. "That's what I came for. Brooke and I broke up."

Again, Peyton was inclined to say, 'And you came to me?' but refrained. It wasn't like it surprised her much. She had a feeling it would happen after what went on at the wedding. But she could tell Lucas was hurting over it, and that was enough to strike a guilty feeling within her.

"I'm sorry, Luke," she told him kindly. "I know how much you two tried to make it work."

Lucas nodded. "Yeah, we did. But I've had a few days to think about it, and to be honest, I think she did the right thing. You know, we kind of rushed into things, and…neither one of us really knew each other. I could never make her happy, because she still couldn't trust me. And she wouldn't let me get to know who she was because she didn't trust me. And she's right, I didn't let myself go all the way there either. Maybe we just both can't do that again." He looked away, setting his chin in his hand. "But that doesn't mean I'll miss her any less."

Peyton nodded, fully understanding what he meant. It was interesting to hear him talk this way. She wondered, fleetingly, what he meant by 'we just both can't do that again.' She wondered if he meant that he'd done that with her the first time. And if Brooke had really said all of those things…she must not have told him anything concerning Peyton. She felt a mixture of relief and worry at that thought.

"You did love her, didn't you?" Peyton said gently, still watching him.

"Yeah, I still do," he responded. "But…maybe that isn't enough, you know? Maybe it's a lot more complicated than just loving someone."

She wanted to tell him about Jake. She wanted to tell him that sometimes your heart already knows what it wants, and won't let you fully have anything else until you obtain what you really need. But that wasn't her place. Who knew if he even felt that way for her anymore?

"Maybe it isn't," Peyton agreed, in a softer voice. She knew he just needed to talk this out, and she'd be the first to let him do it. "But if it's meant to be, Luke, you guys will find a way back to each other. I really believe that." And she really did. Just not about Lucas and Brooke.

He looked back at her and smiled. "Thanks, Peyton."

She smiled in return, feeling a warmth she hadn't felt in a long time. It suddenly made her brave. "Hey, I have an idea," she said, rolling off the bed. "Come on, it'll cheer you up."

Brooke sat in front of Rachel's computer, her hand over the mouse and a scowl on her face. Peyton's Punk and Disorderly website was in front of her, and the webcam window showed just enough into Peyton's room. Her scowl deepened as she watched it.

Just as she'd thought, Lucas was there. And he was leaving with Peyton.

"Come on! I thought you basketball players were fast!" Peyton called behind her. Lucas was lagging behind, because she was running the last stretch to their destination.

"Peyton, where are we going?" Lucas yelled, not quite annoyed, but confused. "We've been walking forever!"

"You wimp." She ran across the wooden planks that followed up to the pier, and waited for him there. When he finally arrived, she was grinning and he was still looking around for whatever they were supposed to be doing.

"So…what?" he said, short of breath.

Pointing in the distance, Peyton answered, "Do you see that old arcade over there?"

Squinting against the light, Lucas nodded. "I found it there a long time ago," Peyton continued. "Not many people around here even know it exists, but all the machines still work." A mischievous grin was lighting her features. "I bet I could kick your ass at pinball."

Now Lucas grinned as well. "You're on, Sawyer."

After forty-five minutes and ten rounds of pinball had passed (eight of which Peyton won), the two walked around to the other side of the pier for hot dogs. They laughed and talked, and Peyton had completely forgotten any initial awkwardness she'd felt by the time they went to sit on the sand. Watching the waves roll in, a quiet settled between them that was comfortable and peaceful.

That quiet was broken first by Lucas. Looking over at her for a lingering moment, he turned his body toward her. "Thanks for this, Peyton. It really helped."

She gave a nod. "Good, I was hoping it would. I had fun too. Especially since I proved that I am way better at pinball than you. Stick to basketball, Scott."

"Hey!" he laughed, giving her a playful shove. "I still say it was rigged."

"Whatever you need to believe."

A content smile on his face, Lucas watched the sun start to set. It really was nice. He hadn't been able to have fun like this in a while. And it was especially needed now, considering all he was going through. He appreciated all of Peyton's efforts to make him feel better.

"So, I have a funny story," Peyton said after a few moments. She didn't know why she wanted to tell Lucas about the messages, but part of her just wanted to make sure it couldn't possibly be him.

Intrigued, he said, "Oh really?"

"Mm-hm. Remember when I told you about those creepy messages I was getting last summer? When Ellie showed up?"

Lucas was instantly concerned at the mention of the messages. She had his full attention. "Yeah…" he said, waiting for her to continue. "Those aren't starting again, are they? I…I thought it was Ellie last summer."

"Well, unless I have otherworldly powers, I'm pretty sure it wasn't her. They just randomly started coming again." She shook her head. "I have no idea who it could be. I keep hoping it's not…" She paused, not wanting to give too much of herself away. "I keep hoping it's not someone I know. But then that thought scares me even more," she added with a dry laugh.

Lucas stared out at the ocean, wondering himself who would do something like this to Peyton. It bothered him last summer, as well, but when Ellie started becoming a positive figure for Peyton, it left his mind. But it was someone else. What if it was someone more dangerous? He didn't like the sound of this at all.

"Have they threatened you?" he asked seriously, looking back at Peyton with a worried expression.

She shook her head. "No, nothing like that. Just…weird and creepy." She wasn't about to tell him the content of the messages. But by his reaction, she could sufficiently rule him out. She knew it couldn't be him all along, but it was good to be positive.

Placing a reassuring hand on her back, Lucas said, "Well, you let me know if they keep coming. We'll do something to make them stop, okay? You shouldn't have to be scared like this."

A little jolt ran through her at the sensation of his touch. One she couldn't let herself fully enjoy, because of what it meant. She couldn't lose it now. Not now. Taking in a deep breath, she forced a smile and nodded. "Thanks. We should get back, though, it's getting late. I'm not sure I'll know my way back in the dark."

Lucas snickered. "Great. Your sense of direction sucks, huh? Stick to drawing, Sawyer."

She grinned, getting up off the beach and starting back. "Shut up."