I see a line of cars and they're all painted black
With flowers and my love both never to come back
Lucas sighed impatiently as the car in front of him started to slow down. "Aww" he groaned "what is it?"
He needed to get to Peyton's and fast. Something was going on and he was damn well going to find out what. The look on her face..
A shudder ran over his body. He had be there for her, right now, he thought trying to crane his head out the window to see what was going on.
As people started pulling over to the side of the road, he saw the long black car being escorted by the police thru the streets. He pulled over, putting the car in park.
As the cars passed by him, he remembered the funeral procession from not long ago. Keith's funeral.
Regret washed over him, as he remembered their last moments together. Why hadn't he made Keith come out of the school with him? Then he would have been safe..
He would be here, for his mom .. for him. There were so many things he needed to talk to him about. He was trying to do the right thing, but it just kept getting harder and harder.
What would Keith say to him about the lies he had been telling lately, would he be disappointed in him. Or would he understand that he had to, that he was sticking by his word.
Doing what he had to do, trying to be the man Keith raised him to be. He wished he could ask him, could tell him he was sorry, that if he could do it differently…
Shaking his head, he knew Keith was gone and there was nothing he could do about it now. He had done what he thought was best, and if he hadn't Peyton might not be here.
He could not imagine loosing her too. To not have her in his life. Not seeing her face, not being able ..
A horn honking behind him shook him out of his daze. The road was clear and he was holding up traffic.
Pushing the thoughts from his head, he pulled the car into gear and pushed the gas pedal to the floor. Running a red light, and another, he immediately thought of her again.
She was alone .. and hurting. He tried pushing down on the pedal only to find there was no more to give.
After what seemed like an eternity, He pulled up to her house, seeing both cars still parked in the driveway. Jumping out of the truck he jogged to the door.
He didn't bother knocking, simply let himself in. Immediately he heard shouting coming from Peyton's room. He couldn't make out what they were saying as he quickly raced up the stairs.
When he reached the top step he heard Brooke say ""Oh, but Lucas did right?" and he instantly stopped. He knew it was wrong, but he had to know what was going on.
Hearing Peyton's ""No Brooke, I told you… I didn't tell Lucas, I told you" only made him that more anxious.
Just then he heard Brooke laugh "Whatever Peyton.. you know it is a good thing both of your moms are dead, so they don't have to see what a whore their daughter is."
Rage filled him, setting him in motion. He turned the corner into the room just in time to see Peyton punch Brooke in the mouth.
Catching her off guard, Brooke fell backward into the closet door. Peyton went after her, pulling her up by her shirt.
She could even feel her hand as she drew back and hit her again. The adrenaline that flowed thru her had left her numb.
Blinded by anger, she drew her arm back once again only to have a pair of strong arms come around her, pulling her back.
She fought against them, but it was no use. Like bands of steel they crossed over her arms surrounding her and pulling her against a warm chest.
Her breath was coming in short gasps and the hairs on the back of her neck stood up, as a gravely voice said "Stop it Peyton, .. I am here now"
All of the fight drained from her. She went limp in his arms, with a whimper.
He held her tight against him and whispered "It's okay, I've got you"
She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of his arms around her. The world just slipping away for a moment.. a fleeting moment.
"You Bitch!" Brooke screamed pulling herself up off the door.
Anger filled her again as she focused on Brooke, who was holding her hand to her mouth.
"You busted my lip" she shrieked looking incredulously at Peyton.
She could feel his muscles tighten around her as she spat "You deserved it"
Brooke lunged for her, but Lucas being the quicker one came from behind her and stepped in front of Brooke
"Don't" he growled, putting his hand up between them.
Peyton could see the shock on Brooke's face as she abruptly stopped.
"Brooke, you need to leave" he barked to her.
"What?" she angrily shouted at him.
Peyton took a step forward only to have him reach around and grab her hand, pulling her up against his back. He wrapped her arm around his waist and held it there. Imprisoning her against his back.
"You heard me Brooke" he continued "you have done enough here"
"I can't believe you are taking her side" she whined "she busted my lip" holding her hand out to show him the blood.
His gaze never faltered "Get out!" He shouted and Peyton jumped, partly from the shout but the ...The tone of his voice was one she had never heard from him.
Brooke threw her shoulders back and stomped to the door. Turning back to throw a "Screw you both" over her shoulder before she walked out.
Lucas could feel her shaking against him, he turned to wrap his arms around her. He drew her against him , her arms climbing up his neck to cling to him. She turned her face into his throat as a sob escaped her.
"Shh" he whispered to her, reaching up to gently caress her hair "It's over now"
Peyton slowly began to calm as he continued to hold her.
Turning his head slightly, he placed a warm kiss on her forehead. Closing her eyes, she let herself enjoy the sensation for a minute longer.
Raising her head, she looked into his eyes and could see the pain written clearly in their blue depths as he said "I am sorry, Peyt."
He reached out and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. Her heart began to race as the memory of that day in the motel flooded her mind.
flashback
She found the bracelet and the relief poured over her. Stumbling into over to him,
"Got it?" He asks concerned
(Peyton starts crying)
"Hey, it's okay. Everything's okay now, okay?"
She throws her arms around him, needing his strength. He holds her tight, placing a kiss on her forehead, breathing in her scent. She pulls back looking him in the eyes and kisses him, he quickly kisses her back.
His thumb stroking her jaw as he draws near for another kiss, their emotions racing, their hearts struggling to catch up..
end flashback
With a small gasp, she turned away from him and walked over to the bed.
"Hey" he softly called to her "you okay?"
She pushed the thoughts away and nodded "Yeah," sighing she continued "I'm fine" not bothering to turn around.
She was lying, he knew. "No you're not" he replied walking up behind her and putting his hands on her shoulders.
He felt her flinch. "Please don't" she begged, taking another step away from him.
Her emotions raw, she knew if he touched her again she would shatter. "Peyton?" the unease in his voice clear.
She forced herself to turn and look at him, "I am just tired, Luke" she breathed, realizing it was true.
"Today has just caught up with me" she said with a ghost of a smile.
Immediately he felt guilty, It had been a long day and she had been through so much. "Okay" he nodded walking around her to the bed. He pulled the covers back and patted the mattress looking back at her. "Come on."
Relief washed over her, he was going to leave so she could get some rest. She quickly walked over to the bed and climbed in. Settling in as he pulled the covers around her, she whispered "Thanks Luke."
He looked down at her and smiled "Don't, that is what I am here for."
She hadn't realized how tired she really was until she laid down. With a yawn, she closed her eyes. "I'll see you.." she stopped when she felt the mattress dip under his weight.
Her eyes flew open and she rolled over to look at him.
Lucas almost laughed out loud at the shocked look on her face. "When you wake up." He finished for her with a smirk.
"I'll be here" he nodded into her shocked face. "Get some sleep" he leaned his head back against the headboard.
Peyton sat up straight in the bed "No" she choked, then cleared her throat "No, Lucas I couldn't ask you to do that"
"You didn't ask" he winked
"Really Lucas, I'll be fine" she nodded
"Peyton, I am not leaving you" he said firmly.
She knew she wouldn't win when he got that look in his eye. This was ridiculous, she could sleep in the same bed with him. She had done it before.
Drawing a deep breath, she lay back down. She just needed to pull herself together. "Fine, but I snore" she quipped as she turned over on her side, away from him.
Hearing his chuckle, she pulled at the covers and punched her pillow. He never made a sound, never moved. But every nerve in her body was aware that he was there.
There is no way, I am ever going to fall asleep with him here, she thought as her eyes drifted shut.
He heard her steady breathing and knew she was asleep. Stubborn little thing, he thought with a smile, always afraid to let people in. But the smile faded when he remembered what Brooke said to her.
What had they been fighting about? He shook his head, it didn't matter. Nothing gave Brooke the right to say that, he thought venomously, Nothing. Peyton was obviously already upset when Brooke had gotten there. He had seen her on the ..
Webcam, he thought as he gently got off the bed as not to disturb her. He walked over to the computer and turned it off.
What would have happened if he hadn't seen her. She would have beaten Brook to a pulp, he smirked, and rightly so. He sighed looking down, his gaze fell on the wire trash can.
"What the hell" he muttered reaching down and picking up the burnt paper.
Most of it was gone, and what was left was scorched brown and black. But he knew what it was. Quickly he looked up at the empty place on her wall where it had hung.
What else had gone on here today?
His thoughts were interrupted by a soft moan from the bed. He looked over at her as she restlessly turned over.
Her tortured voice cutting thru him "I didn't tell Lucas"
He dropped the paper back into the can and rushed to her. Climbing under the covers, he reached for her. "I won't tell him, Brooke, I won't" she sobbed
Anger welled in him as he pulled her to him, her head resting on her chest. "Shh" he whispered, rubbing her shoulder and down her back.
At once her restlessness stilled, she pulled a hand up and placed it on his chest and turned her face upward to seek a more comfortable spot.
His breath caught. She was so beautiful, he thought as he gazed into her upturned face.
So achingly beautiful, inside and out.
He had never known anyone like her and he knew he never would, she was one of a kind.
"And she could have been yours" A bitter voice inside his head goaded him.
He frowned, he had tried so hard to push those feelings down. She only wanted him as a friend. She loved Jake. He knew those things, but he couldn't help the way he felt inside.
And he felt alive with Peyton. Day by day he walked around in a fog, just hoping for the chance meeting with her.
A glance, a touch, the talks about nothing.. about everything. Even if it was a few brief moments, they got him thru the day, He lived for those moments.
Heaving a sigh, he shook the thoughts from his head. She was his friend and if that was all he could have with her, he would gladly take it.
Stifling a yawn, he leaned his head over to rest his cheek on the top of her head. He would always be there for her, to protect her, to love her.
He drifted off to sleep with a small smile on his face.