She can feel his presence, her eyes don't need to look up from her messy desk to know it's him. 'Are you ever going to come in?'

He loiters. Has been loitering undetected for the last few minutes- well so he thought. He'd watched her scrape her hair up and twirl it into a make shift bun, using a pencil to fix it in place. He'd imagined pulling said pencil free. Lifting her onto her desk. Kissing her hard. Her legs wrapped around him. God those legs. He usually tries his god damn hardest not to let his mind go there but today his willpower has dwindled. Maybe it's the the green dress she's wearing that make her eyes appear even greener. Maybe it's the way she looks so damn sexy when she's concentrating hard. Maybe it's because just mere days ago he'd declared to Whitey that he was embarking upon letting Peyton Wolf go once and for all; a task that seems laughable and unthinkable in this moment.

'Why're you being weird?' She cocks her head up to look at him. He shifts his weight and a curl escapes, bouncing down around her face.

'Weird?' He shakes his head. 'I'm not- you just looked busy' He finally walks further into her office.

'Uhuh. I've had a nightmare with Mia this morning. She's struggling to find inspiration and it's fucking hard because Julian has set deadlines that I kind of need her to stick to but at the same time I get it, from a creative point I want her take as much time as she bloody needs but from a business point I need her to hurry the fuck up' She rambles. 'And then at the same time I'm thinking about us and what we need to be doing and-'

'Can I stop you there' He interrupts and extends one of the coffee cups he's holding to her.

She smiles. 'Why thank you. You don't know how much I freaking need this' She takes a sip, her eyes widening because this isn't just a coffee. This is one of Karen's specialties. She doesn't know what his mother does but this stuff is to die for. 'Lucas Scott I love you' She drawls. She loves his mother's coffee but he'll take any form of I love you that utters from those sweet lips.

'I thought you might need a pick me up and also...well it's a thank you for the other day' He sheepishly adds. 'I was rude to you-'

'It's fine Luke'

'No it's not. Part of my AA meetings is always about accepting responsibility. I insinuated that you cut me out of your life when that couldn't be the furthest thing from the truth. You've had so many reasons to do so but you haven't, not once... And you, I don't know what you said to Lil but she came back to Keith's grave with me and Mum after you left the other day and it, it was...nice...as could be...and as usual I'm sure I have you to thank for that'

'No thank you necessary' She slowly sets her prized coffee on her desk. Licks her lips before addressing him again. 'You surprised me...In a good way' She adds after a beat. 'He'd be proud of you Luke, for being there with them'

He snorts and perches on the side of her desk. 'I don't know about that. It's taken me thirteen years to do that. I think that only proves what a coward I am'

'It's not cowardly. I get it. I can't imagine how fucking hard it is. I'm proud of you'

He looks at her. 'Yeah?' He hopes so. He can handle his family and friends thinking he's a screw up but Peyton Wolf, not so much.

'Of course I am'

'I'm proud of you' He blurts back. She kinks her brow. 'Everything you've done here Peyt' His hands waver. 'It's so amazing. You've accomplished so much with this label in such a short space of time'

'Well thanks, but this isn't really the same ball park is it? You've turned everything around'

'Well not on my own. I've had a lot of help in that' He reaches out and tugs on the free curl that is still hanging across her face. 'There's this certain someone that likes to be a busy body'

'There is? I thought she cut you outta her life?'

He pouts. 'I said I was sorry'

'Uhuh' She takes another slurp of her coffee. 'Best sorry ever. You can say sorry everyday if you like' She grins.

'Keep dreaming, do you know how much Mother charges for that?! You'd think her son would be entitled to some freebies'

'I always get mine on the house' She taunts with a cackle.

'Why doesn't that surprise me?'

'I'm just extra sweet is all babe'

'Is that what you call it? Not demanding then?'

She opens her mouth in mock outrage. 'You take that back Lucas Scott'

'Or what? You'll demand I leave?'

'I'll demand you never leave! I could do with a personal assistant'

'Oh I'd happily fill that role' He smirks.

'I think you'd be pretty lame. I was stressed five minutes ago and you rock up with coffee and distract me'

'You needed a breather for your sanity. Julian can handle the Mia saga for the rest of the day. He just gave me strict instructions to run through the set with you again and he's made a delightful list of changes. You know how much I love those. Where did you find that guy again?'

'I'd be careful if I were you, that guy happens to be your biggest fan'

'Oh really? So what's with him crucifying our music?'

She opens her mouth to answer but somebody clearing their throat interrupts them. Peyton leans back to look past Lucas's obscuring form. 'Jake. Sawyer' She murmurs. 'What's wrong? Why aren't you at school?' She's on her feet and before them in all of a second.

'Sawyer isn't feeling well' Jake supplies. 'Go chill on the sofa over there sweetheart while I talk to your Mum'

'I want to stay with you-'

'That's not an option though is it? We just talked about this, I'll see you later' He kisses the frowning teenager's head before giving her a gentle shove in the direction of the sofa that sits on the opposite side of the large open space area to where Lucas is located.

'I can't have her here today- there's too much going on-'

'Uhuh. It looks like it'

Her eyes narrow at his snarky tone. 'You're going to have to take her Jake-'

'This isn't my fucking idea of an ideal situation either Peyton' He hisses in a hushed voice, his eyes briefly glaring in Lucas's direction who is doing what he does best when he's nearby Jake Jagielski; pretending he's not there because words that they've shared in the past have resulted in hands bawling into fists. 'Its bad enough having you in the same room as him let alone Sawyer but I told Jenny I'd be visiting today and the Doctor's have emphasised how important it is that we don't break her trust right now'

'Okay, okay' Peyton blinks, guilt instantly having her backing down. 'I get it, but unlike you I'm not buying this little act. She's not sick'

'We both know you are the reason as to why she's acting up' He snaps. She crosses her arms. '...I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm just, I'm going to be late'

'You better go then' She widens her eyes exasperatedly.

'Peyton' He steps forward. His hand strokes over her cheek. He becomes the man he always strives to be even when she makes it beyond difficult. 'I'm sorry okay? I know you're swamped here. I woulda taken her to Mick's but I didn't think you'd approve of her having a fun afternoon with him because despite what you think I'm not stupid- I know she's not sick'

'I'm sorry too' His apology sparks her own. '...I'm stressed. That's no excuse to take it out on you though'

'Come here' He kisses her and she shrinks. Lucas seems to have that effect. Jake is accustomed to her reaction. He'd once got pissed. Once argued with her over it but she always claimed he was being oh so absurd. That he was just jealous and Lucas's presence made him see things that weren't there. He's given up arguing with her about it. Instead he deals with it by kissing her all the harder, by making more of a show of it than he ever would in anyone else's company. But she won't pull away, won't call him on it because she doesn't want to argue about his motivation. 'What time will you be done here?' He eventually pulls away, his hands keeping her close.

'I dunno. Late probably'

'I'll collect her after I get Indie later then'

'Thank you. Tell Jenny I love her won't you?'

'Always'

Like Peyton, Lucas too breathes a sigh of relief on her husband's departure. Her's because she can stop worrying that a row might ensue between the two men, his because her husband's hands are no longer all over her.

Despite Jake's departure he still hangs back at her desk. Watches her venture over to where her daughter has sprawled herself dramatically on one of the sofa's. A hand touches her head. 'Sick huh?'

'Mm'

'Faker'

'What?'

Lucas watches the thirteen year old curl further into the sofa to seek protection she's not going to find.

'Baby girl I was once the queen of pulling a sickie. Bad news for you, cause you can't play me like you do your Dad'

'I don't feel well'

The look that appears on Peyton's face is one Lucas relishes in. It's an expression he's not been privy too as much as he'd like. It's what he's come to fondly think of as her "Mother" face and he adores it.

'Fine! I wanted to see Jenny' Sawyer is quick to cave under her mother's intense gaze. 'But Dad said I can't if I'm sick'

'We've talked about this. We're not comfortable with you going there right now babe. Jenny is really fragile and needs to concentrate on herself and not have to think about any of us'

'I'm her sister'

'Of course you are and I know how much you want to see her right now but she's your big sister and she doesn't want you seeing her there'

'She said that?' Sawyer crosses her arms and looks at Peyton dubiously. A small smirk works it's way onto Lucas's lips because god is that kid like her mother. He's been on the receiving end of one too many a scowl that resembles that of the teen's right this second.

'That doesn't mean not ever babe. Think about how you're protective of Indie, that's just how Jenny feels about the both of you'

'I'm not a baby like Indie. I know why she's in rehab. I know what it is. I can handle it'

'I know you think that honey but you don't know that. It's never easy to see people you love like that. I wish I could erase from my mind every time I've seen my Dad or Lu-' Her words cease as her eyes briefly dart to their audience. 'Other people I care about' She backtracks uneasily. 'In that way. It sucks. But lucky for you your Mumma is gonna protect you from it as best she can because lord knows this is hard enough on you already'

'You're just stopping me because if I go you have to go and you don't wanna see her!'

'Why would you say that?'

'Well it's true. You've not seen her have you?'

'I found her Sawyer. I took her there. But you.. don't accuse me of not caring about her. Ever. I love her just like you do. And this is killing me. But I just...' Her stare flickers back to Lucas. The teens eyes follow this time. She's smart. She makes the connection. Her mother is struggling with the idea of visiting her big sister because this whole situation is far too close to home. She's experienced this all before. With her Grandad. With the man standing over there in the corner; with her Dad.

'Can I go in the studio?' The teen huffs because suddenly being in this room with the both of these unbearable adults is just too much.

Peyton averts her attention back to her daughter. Blinks. Wasn't she just trying to explain something? Her thoughts are jumping all over the place, much like they have been all week. Jenny. Her disgruntled husband. Her unsettled children. Keith; the anniversary. Karen and Lily. Lucas.

'I'll be outta your way in there'

'Not happening' Peyton is quick to reel it in. 'You don't get to skip out on school and have fun making music. You know that's not how it works babe. You can get on with your homework-'

'But-'

'No buts'

'But-'

'Sawyer'

'You're such a bitch sometimes' She grumbles.

'Oh look at that, you've just managed to get your phone confiscated' Peyton smiles sweetly and holds her hand out for the item in question.

'You're so unfair-'

'Uhuh. I'm the worst. Phone. Now' The pouting teen produces her cell and thrusts it into Peyton's grasp, her mother exchanging the item for Sawyer's backpack. 'Thank you honey' She chimes as Sawyer snatches the bag and begins to rummage inside to get out her homework before she gets anymore of her prized possessions taken away.

'You were a mess at my age, I'm a straight A student and never do anything wrong and still that's not good enough for you!'

'And you know why you're not a mess babe? Because you've got a Mum and Dad that love you and have given you rules, I wasn't so lucky' Peyton retorts. 'You can go in the studio when you get your homework done, that's the deal' She compromises. 'Okay?' Silence. 'I'll take that as okay Mum. I love you oh so much' Peyton sings as she migrates back to where Lucas is still hovering. 'Sorry' She sighs. 'Seemingly today is going to be plain sailing huh?' She drawls sarcastically.

'We can always do this later Peyt- As far as I'm concerned there's nothing that needs doing anyway- You know me- I'm happy without any changes'

He can tell she's on the verge of screaming when her phone starts to vibrate on her desk. Mia's name flashing on the screen.

'I have to-' She points to the phone and he nods. 'Don't go anywhere?'

'I'll be right here'

'And that goes for you too' She hollers loudly to the sulking teenager.

He waits until she's disappeared before he turns to focus on Sawyer. He's quiet for a long moment. Yoyos between wondering whether to stay silent or distract the child from her work.

'You might as well sit down Luke. She's not going to be back in a second lets face it' Sawyer cuts short his deliberating.

'No. You're probably right. Everyone wants a piece of your Mumma huh?' He slowly walks over to where she's hunched up with a workbook and pen.

'Mm'

'What you working on?' He sits on the arm of the sofa and she hesitates as she looks up at him. She's alone with him. She's alone with her Dad. She takes in the features she's seen time and time again. Wonders if she's inherited anything. Wonders if he knows what she now does.

'...Maths'

'Eurgh. The worst' A small smile graces her lips at his words. 'I hated Maths'

'Me too. I prefer English'

'Of course you do. You're your Mother's daughter'

'She liked English?'

'Well I don't think she was ever at school long enough to like anything really' He corrects. She sniggers. 'But see that's why she wants you to stay in school and make the most of your time there. If she had she would've been a kid for a hell of a lot longer than she got to be and she'd have been able to work on the things she was good at in a safe environment...your Mumma always liked writing, she was always writing in her journals- it was how she dealt with things going on in her life. That soon developed into songs. She can write a damn good song. But you already know that'

'You helped her write songs'

'Uhuh. But she doesn't need me to help her, she's quite capable all by herself. I think her last 8 albums might prove that' He laughs.

'Julian still thinks Ravens is her best work'

'Well that's not much coming from him' He chortles.

'You don't like Julian?'

He remembers he's talking to a child that is likely to blabber and warily keeps his mouth in check. 'Yeah. Of course I do' She doesn't buy it. 'I'm just a jerk when it comes to people telling me what to do when it comes to music'

'What do you mean?'

'Well your Mumma is capable of being both creative minded and business minded when necessary too. I on the other hand can only cope with the creative head'

Sawyer ponders that. 'Do you think I'll be both?'

'If you keep up with those maths lessons. Sure. What matters is you're happy in whatever you end up doing. You don't have to have a job in music' Her glaring eyes have his hands rising up into the air. 'But if that's what you want then that's cool too' He smiles. 'God you look like your Mum when you scowl'

'I do?'

'Uhuh. Trust me. I've been on the receiving end of many' He admits.

'That's what I'm just a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside a bitch is about right?'

He laughs. 'Well yeah. Your Mumma use to like to bicker with me a lot. She actually said that to me one night'

'She said that?!'

'Uhuh. And later on when we were dating I told her that I use to think she hated me and she wrote that song'

'It's about how you might think someone thinks something by how they look at you but really they might be feeling the opposite. She loved you really and you thought she hated you'

'She tell you that?'

'Nope. It's my favourite one' She sheepishly answers. 'I've listened to it a few thousand times recently' She pushes her text book onto the coffee table and her hand reaches round the sofa for a guitar that's usually propped there. 'I always have trouble with what you do after the second verse'

Lucas watches her hands as they begin to strum with ease and confidence, a wide smile growing on his face as she does her own rendition of the song in question.

'What?' She stops abruptly though because quite frankly his expression is off putting.

'I knew you sang, I just didn't know you knew your way around this thing, not that I should be surprised- your Dad isn't too shabby'

'I'm not that good'

'Oh you are'

'You think?'

'That five second performance was better than a lot of stuff the professionals I work with are capable of'

'For real?'

'For real'

She smiles. 'Will you show me the bit I can't do?'

'Sure -' Peyton's reappearance has him changing his answer somewhat though. 'Just not right now. When you finish your homework hey?'

Sawyer nods mutely. Unlike Lucas her eyes are fixated on her mother. On the expression that her mother wears. It's foreign. It's anxiety, sadness, pride and joy all in one. And the smart thirteen year old knows in all of a heart beat that this man beside her most definitely doesn't have a clue as to who she is to him. She's his daughter. He's her Dad. She's a secret. Her mother's secret. Only she's not sure she wants to be a secret...not anymore.