'Lucas...I, you're here'

'Hey Mum' He sheepishly answers. He doesn't know how to read her shocked expression. 'I can go if-'

'No, no! I was just surprised to- you don't usually come today- come in, come in' She babbles, frantically pulling the door back with a teary smile. 'I'm so glad you're here Luke'

Her evident emotion has a lump forming in the back of his throat that he quickly swallows.

She hugs him awkwardly and then ushers him through into the kitchen before he makes a getaway.

He comes to a jarring halt as he rounds the corner into the familiar room that usually summons memories of a carefree childhood. Not today. Because Peyton Wolf isn't usually stood in his mother's home.

'Luke. Hi' It's more than ridiculous how her body clams up because they were alone together in the studio not even eighteen hours ago. But eighteen hours ago they weren't here and eighteen hours ago it wasn't the anniversary of Keith's death.

Things have been more amicable after that initial studio session. After a talking to from Julian Lucas has done what he always does when it comes to Peyton Wolf; what he's told. He's yielded to letting her call the shots when it comes to musical decisions. He realises that it's essential if he wants this tour to go ahead because debating such things ends in them conversing about their past and they're both pros at avoiding that.

Lucas isn't the only one that Julian has given a stern talking to though. He'd told Peyton that she can't disregard every song on the album that had once openly declared her love for Lucas Scott because they're going to run out of numbers pretty quickly if she does. He'd told her it's just words. That it doesn't matter that they're not in love anymore. Told her to sing it about someone else she can relate to.

She'd nodded her head, refrained from telling him that that wasn't the fucking problem. Writing Ravens had been the easiest thing she's ever made and not that she'd ever say it out loud but she knows it's the best too. They'd collaborated in a way that she's never been able to achieve with anyone else. Including her husband. Lucas always knew what she was trying to say and she'd always been able to finish the melody he wrote. And it's why they've never done it again since. Because leaving Lucas Scott meant leaving him artistically too. She could be his friend but she'd never invited him to join her in the making process of any of her following albums. Wouldn't. Couldn't. Because she'd never been able to separate their romantic and artistic relationship. The two were intertwined and she can feel it now. Has been feeling that electric connection flooding her senses for days as she's been forced to listen to their record again. A record she's avoided listening to since the day she ended their relationship.

Lucas is lost for words by her presence and his lack of greeting has her deciding she should go. 'I should-'

'No you don't' Karen shakes her head wildly, foreseeing Peyton's departure. 'You just got here. Sit, sit. I'm making tea for us all'

'Thanks Karen but there's a load of-'

'Lily will be here shortly- you know how besotted she is with you. She'll be crushed if you're gone before she gets here'

'Stay' Lucas nods his head and pulls himself out a seat at the table.

Her eyes watch him warily for a moment before she lowers herself back into her chair. She wants to convey to him somehow that she'd never have come had she known he'd intended to too...it's just, well, he'd never done so any previous year, not on today.

'Peyton has just been telling me all about the tour. You didn't tell me!' Karen sends him a glare.

'Sorry Mum'

'I expect you've had a lot on your mind, this last week' She rabbits on, saving him searching for an excuse. 'I couldn't be more over the moon. The two of you on stage together again' Her excitement at the prospect is unavoidable. 'Every time Luke plays at Tric I think how lovely it would be for you to be there too honey'

Peyton's green eyes dart from the speaking woman back to Lucas. 'You play at Tric'

He shrugs his shoulders and sends his mother a look because he knows she knew the girl before him didn't know about his little appearances at the venue where they'd first played together. 'Just every now and again'

'Every second Friday of the month' Karen blabs. 'You should come next time sweetie. The songs aren't the same without you'

'You play Ravens' Peyton concludes.

'They're crowd pleasers' Lucas mutters, avoiding her curious stare. 'Do you mind?' He thinks she shouldn't. She has no right. The album is as much his as hers.

'Of course not' Lie. She minds. Minds a whole lot because she's never been able to sing those freaking songs, wouldn't dare without him and she doesn't know how he can without her.

'So Mum' He eagerly changes the subject. 'Is Lil driving back from college today or-'

'She got home last night. She's just gone down to see Keith's grave. She always likes to go by herself first thing'

Lucas swallows. 'What...what about you? Do, do you go?'

'Yes, I'll go a bit later. You can come with me if you'd like?'

'You'd like that?' He doubtfully asks.

'I'd really like that' Karen's head bobs enthusiastically.

Peyton watches Lucas. Wants to reach out and hold his hand. Her surprise at seeing him here has worn off and instead it's replaced with awe because she's sort of proud that he's come here today. Knows how difficult it is. Hell, it's an ordeal for her so she can only imagine how hard it is for him.

'Ok then. I'd like that too' He agrees.

The sound of a vehicle pulling into the drive has Karen's teary eyes fluttering away to peer out the window. 'That's Lil, I er, I think I'll just go have a word with her before she comes in here and gets overwhelmed' The knowing woman hurries to the back door to intercept the teenager before she runs into their guests. Or more specifically Lucas.

He sighs as the back door shuts, his eyes following his mother.

Peyton opens and closes her mouth. 'I'm sorry. I'd never have-I didn't know you'd be here Luke' She settles on.

Her words distract him from the anticipated arrival of his sister. He shakes his head. Squints at her inquisitively. 'Do you...come here a lot? To see Mum I mean?'

'Not as much as I'd like, I try to pop in every now and again' She admits.

This is news to him. '...I didn't know'

'Is it a problem?' She wonders, her tone a little defensive. 'Your Mum was always there for me Luke, lord knows more than my own, I..I know it's probably not conventional to communicate with your ex's family but I couldn't just completely cut her out of my life when we ended could I?' She discloses.

'Like you did me?' He blurts before his brain has time to cease his traitor mouth's unconsidered words.

Her brow raises and he knows that look. Knows he's pissed her off. Knows her next words are restrained and would perhaps be less controlled were they not in his mother's house in potential earshot of his family. 'Don't you dare... I cut you out of my life? Really?' He instantly regrets the accusation because it's not true. She's right. But it had felt like that. When she'd said I do to Jake that's exactly what it had felt like. 'You know what, don't answer that. I'm not going to argue with you here, today of all days' She decides, her eyes flickering to the window to see if Karen and Lily were any closer to appearing. From her spying she can tell that they seem to be having their own heated conversation.

'I'm sorry' He resolves. 'Really Peyt' His instant apology has her stare swivelling back to him because he wasn't one to dish those out. Not when it came to them and this subject. 'I know you didn't...I'm a little on edge. I know Lil isn't going to be happy I'm here today' He discloses.

Her fierce expression softens. She exhales heavily 'Probably not, but your Mum is over the moon. Lily will come round'

'Yeah? I'm not so sure about that'

'She's a teenager Luke. Her emotions are all over the shot as it is. Christ can you remember me at that age? I wasn't very good at being understanding or compassionate'

'That's not how I remember you'

'No?'

'No..you were sassy and hot headed sure, but I could always get you to listen to me'

'Yeah but you were always persistent, not many people would have put up with me' He snorts at that because it's funny. 'What?'

'You were so hot Peyt. Plus a world class artist. Every guy wanted you'

'Was?' She wonders, her brow furrowed. She likes to think she hasn't changed that much since her teenage years. Her cheeks have lost their baby face roundness, her cheekbones more chiseled. She knows she shouldn't care what he thinks but she does. She so does.

'Do you really want me to answer that?' He wonders. 'Because I'm pretty sure you'll tell me I'm being inappropriate'

His words are enough to convince her that he still thinks she's attractive and she knows by that look he's suddenly giving her that she's just taken them into a dangerous territory. She was meant to be reassuring him about his sister's aversion to her big brother but somehow they've gotten completely off track.

She hastily looks down to avoid his intense stare. 'You were persistent with me whenever I was upset about anything. Be persistent with Lily Luke' She softly advises.

'It's not really the same is it?' He cringes slightly because he doesn't think he can compare Peyton Wolf to his kid sister.

'No. I guess not but I know you backing off and doing things on her terms isn't going to bring you any closer'

He doesn't get a chance to respond because the back door opening interrupts them and suddenly the girl in question is before them, followed by a flushed Karen.

The teenager is notably harassed but she forces a smile and Peyton does what she always does and ignores the eighteen year old's wide eyes and rosy cheeks that are similar to those of many an excitable fan.

'Lily' She's on her feet and embraces the shy girl tightly. 'Hey you. God every time I see you, you look even more grown up' she complains.

Lily smiles bashfully as Peyton withdraws.

'Tell me about it' Karen huffs. 'My baby isn't a baby anymore'

Peyton can relate to the older mother's distress because her own daughters were babies five seconds ago and she doesn't know where that time has gone 'How're you liking college Lil?' She enquires.

'Yeah. It's good' The teen finally finds her voice. She self consciously tucks her long brown hair behind her ear.

'Yeah? Come tell us everything' Peyton urges but Lily's initial enthusiasm at seeing the blonde wanes as she regards Lucas. Her face suddenly stoney.

'Actually I..I'm just going to go and change-'

'Lily' Karen begins. 'Honey come on-'

'No Mum. I just can't do this right this second' She mutters and hastily retreats from the kitchen.

'I shouldn't have come' Lucas sighs.

'No honey' Karen flaps before him. 'I'm so happy you're here. Please don't go. She just needs a minute, that's all'

'Why don't I talk to her?' Peyton proposes and rises to her feet.

'Peyton' Lucas shakes his head because he doesn't want her trying to help him with this. Lily isn't her problem. Only he's wrong because even though they've been apart longer than they were ever together she still wants to save him, help him.

'It's fine. Be with your Mum' It's a soft plea because despite mother and son having been on speaking terms for some good years now, their relationship is still fractured by the loss of Keith. Still has so much healing and it was Peyton that helped build those bridges in the first place and she'll always endeavour to ensure they don't stumble off course again because she knows how much they need each other. Knows what it feels like to loose a parent. To feel that rejection. He lost Keith. She won't let him loose Karen or Lily too.