"Babe can we talk?" Peyton makes herself known.

"God Mum. You're always creeping. How long you been there?" She complains.

"I like watching you wrapped up in your music" Peyton smiles and walks further into her daughter's room. "So is that a yes?"

"Mmm" Sawyer's brow furrows as Peyton kneels next to the bed, garnering the thirteen year old's attention away from the notepad she'd been scrawling in just moments ago "Has something happened?"

"No, no. I just, I've been wondering if you were wanting to" She sighs. Hesitates. "To tell Luke"

"...what?"

"I mean when I say you I mean me, if you want Luke to know that he's your Dad then I'll tell him"

"But Dad doesn't want that" Sawyer sits up a little straighter.

"...mm" Peyton purses her lips together. "Has he said that to you some more?"

"...not recently but he made it known"

"We can deal with Dad"

Sawyer opens and closes her mouth. "...why?"

"What do you mean?"

"I just thought you didn't want him...to know. I, I mean you never have and..."

"I...it's not that I didn't want him to know babe it's just that at first it, it was all so messy and then when I should've told him I was a coward and your Dad didn't want me to and..." She sighs. "And then so much time had gone by and..." Her nostrils flare. She blinks repeatedly. Shakes her head. Swallows the lump in the back of her throat. "None of that makes it right and you feeling like you've got this secret is so wrong" She clasps her daughter's hands. "And I'm so, so sorry baby. So sorry. I want you to be happy. That's all I want"

"...I don't want Dad to be mad at me"

"Dad will get over it. He will. I promise he will. I think a big part of him not wanting Luke to know was to do with me, not you and things are so different now"

Sawyer swallows. "...I don't know"

"You don't want to?"

"...what if he doesn't want to be..." she shrugs her shoulders. "What if he doesn't want me to be his?"

Peyton shakes his head. "How couldn't he want you? He already loves you so, so much. I promise you he does!"

"...will he be mad at you?"

"That doesn't matter"

"But I don't want you two to fight"

"We won't babe, we're friends"

"Friends don't get friends pregnant"

Peyton's brow raises. She hesitates. "...Sometimes they do"

"You were just friends when he knocked you up?"

"Can we not talk like that?" Sawyer rolls her eyes. "Or roll your eyes at me"

"Well make your mind up. You were in love with him. Now you were just friends"

"We're friends now. That's what I meant. Look I, I know I'm not exactly your favourite person right now and I get why you're angry at me babe. But I love you and I, I'm your Mum. And I just, I just want you to know that if you'd rather this was all out in the open-"

"I don't know" Sawyer lays back and looks up at the ceiling pensively.

"That's ok. You don't have to know. I just wanted to make sure you knew that if it's what you want then I'll make that happen. I...I'm so sorry Babe. So sorry. I should've told you that when you, you found out in the first place I just, this isn't..." She reaches for Sawyer's hand. The thirteen year old's eyes skitter back to her mother "I'm so sorry"

"...it's ok Mum. I get it. You were young and stupid and suddenly you had to deal with a kid you didn't even want-'

'Oh god Sawyer you were wanted. I wanted you so, so much! As soon as I knew you were growing inside me everything changed in a heartbeat" Peyton's eyes are suddenly glassy. "You might not have been planned but I knew I'd do anything to make sure you were safe. Be mad at me but please don't ever doubt how much I l-love you" She draws the child's palm up to her lips and leaves a kiss there. "...you and Indie are my whole world"

Sawyer's eyes soften a little. "...I love you too" she wearily replies, her stare averting back to the ceiling. "...I don't think I want him to know for now. Maybe when he comes back home"

"...whatever you want"

•••

He watches her silently for a few moments. Knows by the state of her office that all is not ok. Knows by the way she keeps mindlessly pinging a hair band on her wrist. He'd first seen her do that when she was a teen. He'd known something was wrong then too. She'd not told him, not at first. Had silently got on with the day and to anyone else he's sure nothing seemed amiss. She'd broken down after 48 hours of keeping up "normality". Had confided in him that her dad had hit her mum again.

"Hey"

She jumps. "Fuck- you scared me!" Her hand is on her chest.

"Sorry" He smiles.

"No you're not" She rolls her eyes because he's not ever been shy in telling her he thinks it's cute when she jumps.

"No I guess not" He walks over to her then. Draws her into a hug. She blinks. Inhales. Feels that familiar relief that being in his arms always summons. He's home. Her nose is quick to start stinging. She pulls away before she starts crying. Smiles. He hates that smile. "Busy?" His squinting eyes circuit the room again.

"Don't judge me"

"I'm not"

"Sure you're not. I know you can't stand a mess. It's an organised mess though" She babbles. She's not exactly surprised by his appearance in Tree Hill. Knew he was being lured back under false pretences for a surprise Birthday gathering. She is surprised by him rocking up here though. She shouldn't be.

"Throwing yourself into work then huh?"

She hesitates. "...I'm always working Luke"

"Mmm...why didn't you tell me when I saw you after Hales' set?"

She can feel her cheeks getting hot. "Huh?" She rifles through some papers on her desk.

"Don't play dumb. The divorce" He's not beating round the bush.

She scrapes her hand through her hair. Looks at him, her expression weary. "It was a fleeting visit. I only saw you for five seconds"

"Because you ran away" He counters.

"I had a flight"

"Sure" He doesn't buy it. She rolls her eyes exasperatedly. He watches her. "...It's really over?"

"...yes"

There's so many words on the tip of his tongue. He has so many questions. He lands with "...How are you?"

"Ok" She answers too quickly.

"What happened?"

"Nothing"

"Nothing" He echoes. He squints at her. Tries to read her. She knows and turns away abruptly. Walks over to the large window in an attempt to avoid his mind reading tactics.

"...did you end it?"

"...it was more of a mutual understanding" she decides vaguely.

"A mutual understanding? Is it cause of what happened between us?"

She shrugs. "All sorts of things"

"Peyton" She startles as he appears beside her. Peers into her face.

"Are you visiting your Mum for your Birthday?" She changes the subject. Already knows the answer.

"Hales is throwing me a fucking surprise Birthday. But I'm sure you're already aware of that"

"Who told you?"

"Nate. He knows I fucking hate surprises. Thanks for the heads up by the way" Her smile doesn't reach her eyes.

"And face the wrath of Hales? No thank you"

"You're coming?"

"I'll try and stop by"

"You have to come. It's my Birthday"

"Not for a couple of days"

"My Birthday celebration. I want you to come"

"I'll stop by" she murmurs.

"...how're the girls?"

"Some days are better than others"

"They're gonna be fine Peyton. They've got you" Her smile is tight. "I'd love to see them"

Her head bobs. "...so you're just here for your Birthday?" She quietly wonders. Tries to sound nonchalant. Her voice betrays her.

"After New York I joined Gigi's tour but you probably already know that" She does know that. She also knows the artist in question is intending to spend the next year in the UK. "She's heading overseas though" Her eyes don't leave him. Her stomach is in knots.

"Europe is far-"

"I'm not keen on going that far" He cuts in. Her panicked eyes fill with relief. "...I would've come back straight away if you'd said something" He blurts then.

"Don't be ridiculous" She shakes her head.

"Why's that ridiculous?"

"It just is. You left for a reason. A good reason and I don't think it included me ringing you with my personal problems did it?"

"What I said-"

"You were right about a lot of things and I, I'm sorry" His jaw juts out a little because he wants her to say he was wrong. Wants her to tell him he was wrong. "How's Lindsey?" She asks abruptly.

He hesitates. He doesn't want to talk about Lindsey. "...fine. It's her sisters birthday. They've gone to Paris"

"She'll not be at your birthday?"

"It's the sister's 40th. They've had this trip planned for a long while. No biggy"

"Right"

"So I, I know you've, you've clearly got a lot on but before I, before I left you mentioned that I could maybe, that you might be able to find me a spot somewhere, I mean I still don't think Jenny would be a great a fit but-"

"You wanna play with Red Bedroom?"

"I mean obviously only if it's...no worries if it's not an offer that's on the table anymore"

"You're coming back to Tree Hill?"

He sighs. "It's home" Shrugs.

"I thought..."

"It's home" He repeats. She nods. "Is that a yes? Julian will be alright with me being part of the label again?"

She licks her lips. "Are you sure you want to do that?" She sighs wearily.

"I wouldn't be asking if I didn't want it"

"Luke you made it clear-"

"I didn't wanna cause issues for you but Jake's no longer a factor right?...Lindsey likes it here" She swallows. "If I'm putting you in an awkward position then-"

"Of course you can if it's really what you and Lindsey want" He doesn't need to finish his awkward request. "I'll talk to Julian"

"Yeah? Maybe I could play for Mia"

She knows then that he's not got the whole story on her separation. "No. Not Mia" She softly disagrees "I just, she's already got a lead guitarist, Quentin" She bats her hand dismissively. "We've just signed Felix Taggero. I can see that working"

"Yeah?"

"I mean he's a bit of a pretentious ass but he's good"

He screws his face up. "I guess I'll take what I can get"

"If you're intending to be back here for a bit where're you planning on staying? The house sold right?"

"...not quite" Her brow arches in question. "I took it off the market...why're you under the impression it sold?"

She averts her eyes. Shakes her head. "I just assumed"

He narrows his eyes at her. "...it was you wasn't it?"

"Huh?'

"When that couple put in an offer you're the one that put in that ridiculous counter offer"

She looks sheepish. Sighs. "That you were a fool not to accept. The realtor implied it had been sold to someone else, not that it had been taken off the market"

"He thought I was fucking insane for not accepting"

"You were"

"Who bloody does that Peyton?"

"I thought if it sold you'd regret it later" She shrugs.

"So you were just gonna buy it for a hell of a lot more than it's worth? And then what?"

"Give it back if you ever wanted it back"

"You're ridiculous"

"...yeah" She already knows that. "Maybe...I'm glad you didn't sell it. Keith loved that house"

He abruptly pulls her into his arms. "Thank you"

"I didn't do anything" she gulps.

"Nothing at all. Just prepared to buy a fucking house on the off chance I might change my mind" He shakes his head as he reluctantly frees her from his suffocating hold.

"Maybe I just want your house" She wriggles her eyebrows.

He smiles. "You bloody own it anyway. Anything I have is because of you"

"You know I hate it when you do that. I've got nothing to do with anything you've achieved'

"That's very debatable...so Jake isn't living with you and the girls?"

She hesitates before shaking her head. "He was staying at a hotel but he's found an apartment he's going to rent for a bit until he finds somewhere more permanent"

"Knock Knock" They're interrupted by a voice, both heads swivelling toward the door. "Sorry to barge in"

"Hey Felix" Peyton greets. Lucas studies the guy before them. "Luke this is Felix, Felix this is Lucas"

"Nice to meet you man" Felix nods hello. "So Goldilocks are we still on to play in the studio?"

Lucas grimaces inwardly at how Peyton has just been addressed. His eyes skitter back to her, takes in her tight smile. "Absolutely. I'll be with you in ten. I just need to finish up a couple of things here. You think you can head on over and get started without me?"

"Yes mam" He salutes. "Later dude" And just as quick as he'd entered he's gone again.

Lucas waits for a beat. "...Goldilocks?"

"I know. I need to shoot that little nickname down huh? He kinda makes my skin crawl a little"

"Has he done something?" Lucas's expression is fierce in all of a second.

"Like what?" She's bemused.

"Like hit on you?"

"Hit on me" She's definitely amused. "I'm old. As if he's even looking in my direction" He rolls his eyes. "He just comes across as rather arrogant when you get talking. You know when you just don't warm to someone" she shakes her head. "I'm being a bitch. He's majorly talented. He's gonna blow up quick"

"You're gut isn't often wrong. Listen to it"

"I do"

"Sure I can't do some gigs for Mia?" He's joking. Sort of. "It's fine. You know how much I love the young, arrogant ones"

"Don't you need to get ready for your big surprise?"

"I wanted to check on you"

"You don't need to check on me. I'm a big girl"

"A stubborn fucking girl. You shoulda rang me"

"That wouldn't be giving you space would it?"

"I was...frustrated. You know you can call me anytime"

"I, I've been, I want you to be happy...I'm glad you're making a go of things with Lindsey" He squints at her. Swallows. "Now go on, get out of here before I put you to work with Felix already" she threatens.

He takes the hint. Knows she wants to escape this conversation. She's not so foolish as to think his interrogation is done. It's just on pause.

•••

"Are you going?"

She startles. Thought she'd exited Trek undetected. "Luke"

"It's early"

"I'm..." She sighs. "I'm sorry. I'm just..." She shrugs. She's so not in the right frame of mind for this. Never is. Not at Trek.

"Don't go yet. You practically just got here. I've not even got to speak to you yet"

She smiles. "Cause you're man of the hour aren't you. Poor effort at looking surprised by the way" She teases. Is pretty sure he fooled no one in the vicinity.

He smiles. "Never claimed to be an actor did I? Don't go" She sighs. Rubs the back of her neck.

"I'm not feeling very good"

"Don't give me that bullshit" Her mouth opens to argue but he doesn't let her get a word in "It was about us wasn't it?"

"What?" Her brow furrows.

"You and Jake. The divorce. It's about us?" She begins to shake her head. "I need to know Peyton-"

"He was seeing someone else ok?" She blurts then. She knows he's going to find out one way or another, albeit she didn't want that moment to be right now but she knows him. Knows when he's not going to drop something.

He freezes. Her confession has been effective in stopping his questions. For a moment at least. She grimaces because it's his party and she doesn't want to be having this conversation. Doesn't want to be here full stop.

"...what?" He eventually mumbles as shock ripples through him.

"You heard. There. You know now. Please can you just go back in there and have a good night, I'm fine I just need to-"

"He was screwing around?" He's been hoping, allowing himself to believe that she'd ended it. Had been failing to understand why she hadn't reached out because surely if she ended it it could only be for one reason...this changes things. This isn't her ending it at all.

She sighs. "He was, is" she corrects. "Fucking Mia if you really must know"

"Jake and Mia?" He shakes his head. Frowns because it doesn't makes sense. "...are you sure?"

"Mmm"

"No, Jake? Mia?-"

"It doesn't matter ok-"

"He's fucking crazy!" He bleats then.

"It's not that crazy"

He sniggers. "Yes it fucking is!" To him at least. It's a kind of insanity he can't fathom because he can't for a second understand why anyone would cheat on the woman before him. Because she's everything.

"I think it's perhaps the sanest thing he's done actually. Look, I'm gonna go. I'm sorry, I just, this, everyone in there is...I want you to have a good night" she exhales heavily. She's been dealing with people whispering behind her back for the last couple of months. Has been dealing with being hounded by the paparazzi since her impending divorce hit the headlines over the last couple of weeks. All of that was manageable because she had a team of people around her. She doesn't want to be here though. Because these are the people she looks up to most. Her friends. Her family. And it's humiliating.

"I'll come with-"

"God no. It's your party Luke, enjoy your party" She licks her lips. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have come at all"

"Of course you should. Stay. Please stay" She scrapes her hand through her hair. "You know Hales is gonna have me fucking play in a minute. Don't make me do that alone. Not on my Birthday" She looks at him pleadingly but he doesn't budge. "You have to do what I say on my Birthday"

"Nathan has been glaring at me since I walked in-"

"Please, I know he doesn't scare you. Besides, shouldn't you be use to that by now?" He teases. "Ignore him. He's like a child"

"I-"

"You'll feel worse going home. Stay. You'll feel better in a bit I promise. For old times sake. When was the last time you fucking played in there?"

"...not since..."

"Us. Right. That's a sacrilege in itself. Don't you think you owe it to the place that gave you your voice?"

She rolls her eyes. "You're emotionally blackmailing me now"

"Uhuh. Is it working?" She sighs. "It'll make Mum's night if you sing"

"God Luke. What part of me wanting to go crawl under a rock aren't you getting?"

"I'm getting it I just can't go back in there knowing you're going home to mope"

"I wasn't intending to go home and mope thanks. I was intending to go eat ice cream" She widens her eyes and he smiles.

"To mope then" He summarises. "Nobody but friends are in there"

"Exactly. I can deal with the world whispering about me but I don't like everyone in there blatantly talking about me whilst I'm a meter away"

"Well you know what will shut them all up?" She crosses her arms and gives him a wane look. "That magical, voice of an angel you have" He drawls teasingly.

She puffs out her cheeks. "Fine" Huffs. "One bloody song" He grins successfully. "One and I'm only agreeing to shut you up"

"You know you shouldn't be making demands on my Birthday. That's my right"

"Not even your Birthday yet buddy" She retorts as she begrudgingly lets him usher her back inside.

He's quick to get her a drink. Knows after a g & t she'll ease up a bit. Knows he needs to get two in her before she'll be up for making any music right now.

There's a reason why she's not performed here in a long, long time. The reason being this use to be theirs. Every weekend they'd once have been found here, in this vicinity. Making music. Laughing with friends. She'd been his then. Completely his. And whilst he'd continued to play, continued to cling onto those memories and happy times she'd ran away because it was too painful. Hell, she can count the amount of times she's set foot in here since the last time they played together.

"Honey" Karen is suddenly before them. He leaves them to talk. Knows his Mum will keep her from fleeing for a good while. "How're you?"

"I'm good"

"Yeah?" Karen's furrowed brow shows her concern.

"I promise Karen"

"How're the girls?"

"Coping"

"There gonna be just fine. I promise"

"Yeah"

"If you need anything, anything at all or you just want to talk you know I'm always here right?"

"Of course I do, it's just been a bit..." She shrugs.

"I know. I'm really glad you're here though. Are you two gonna play us something?"

"I'm being pestered to"

Karen laughs. "It's been a long time"

"...yeah"

"And yet you look exactly the same"

Peyton snorts at that. "Well that's an outright lie but thanks"

"It's really bloody not"

"Luke says he's staying then huh?"

"Of course he is. He always comes back doesn't he?" Karen murmurs.

"I wasn't so sure this time"

Karen's brow furrows. "...are you two ok?"

"...Mmm" She vaguely hums.

"I got the impression you two might have had a bit of a falling out"

"We're fine"

"You always work it out" Karen catches Haley's eye then. "...think you might be beckoned on stage now" She nods towards the small stage. Peyton's stare follows. Pouts. Knows Karen isn't wrong. Knows exactly what the brunette is about to murmur into the microphone.

"I hate her"

Karen laughs. "You'll be fine"

A few minutes later she finds herself painting on her mask as all eyes flutter to her. Lucas has already conformed to their friend's demands and is fiddling with his beloved guitar. She hugs him as she joins him. He murmurs a sorry in her ear because whilst he knew this was on the cards he'd thought she had more time to warm up to it. She smiles at him and he knows she's in acting mode. She drawls into the microphone with an ease. He knows no one else in the room would ever consider that she's terribly uncomfortable right now. She makes a point of inviting Haley to join them but the brunette has already vacated. She rolls her eyes at their gathered friends. Tells them it's been a long time since she's sung here. Tells them it's someone special's Birthday. Tells them that she's been lucky enough to have known the talented man beside her since they were kids. Even goes as far to say that her best work is thanks to his artistic input. He's surprised by that one because she'd never have admitted that before. A confession that would've surely caused unrest in her marriage. He cuts her off before she can send anymore complements his way. Asks her what she wants to play. She fires the question back at him. Their indecisive bickering has the people around them laughing and the crowd's yelled chants of "Muffled Silence" winds up making the decision for them. He half expects her not to be on board with their choice but she nods despite her unease. So he plays their song. She sings it. Performs. Does what she does best but her eyes eventually find him when it's his part to join in on vocals and then she's not performing. She's singing from her heart. And he wonders if she knows. Wonders if she knows that when she sings like this, without a band, without the big stage and the flashy lights and the glitzy clothes, wonders if she knows that you can't beat it. This ripped back version of her singing along to his guitar is her at her best. For him anyway. He's sure every other person around them would agree though. Knows they know they're witnessing a rare treat because their faces say a thousand words. But none of them get it completely. Can't. Because it was only the two of them when he first plucked these chords in this order. When she'd hummed how the chorus should sound. Only them when they'd first scribbled down words on a bit of napkin together that he still has stashed away. It was just the two of them when she sat herself beside him and sung the lyrics with him that they'd so effortlessly just written together. Words that were written just for him. Just for her. A melody that was composed with her guidance. It was just the two of them when they finished and she'd told him she loved him. Crawled into his lap and kissed him so slow. Drawled into his mouth that she meant every word and he'd told her likewise. It was their song. For always. She'd told him that every time they sang it it would be for him. No matter what.

They'd first performed it to an audience here. Sometimes he wishes they'd never shared it because it's beyond intimate.

He's reminded that no amount of time or space is going to stop how he feels. He's spent the last couple of months really trying to make a go of things with Lindsey. Has been a bit confused by how Haley suddenly seems very anti his efforts. The second he'd found out about Peyton's marriage it had all become clear. She'd even said the words to him earlier today...maybe you two can finally just be together Luke. He'd stared at her hard because god she'd spent many an hour trying to convince him that he needed to let go of Peyton Wolf. He'd reminded her of such. She was married! She's getting a divorce. Nathan had not been so onboard with Haley's optimism. Had told her to keep her nose out of it. Had told him Lindsey was good for him. He'd agreed; She was. Is. But she's not Peyton Wolf.

When the song comes to an end she smiles. Tells their audience to pipe down cause they're not getting anymore.

He laughs. Drapes his arm around her as he walks her back toward the bar.

They're both startled by the girl awaiting them. Peyton's heart sinks.

"Surprise!"

"Lindsey" Lucas squints at her. Is confused.

"I got an earlier flight back" She explains.

"...right, right" He abruptly hugs her.

"Hey Lindsey" Peyton hugs her too. "Nice to see you. How was Paris? Luke said it was your sister's Birthday?"

"Yeah, We had the best time. I missed this one though" She makes a point of interlinking her hand with Lucas's and leaning into his side.

Peyton smiles. "I'm glad you had a good time...well I" She shifts her weight. "I need to head out"

Lucas opens his mouth to argue but Lindsey beats him to it. "So soon?"

"Yeah, I've gotta get the girls" She flaps her hand.

"Peyton-" Lucas begins.

"I'm fine" She cuts off. "You can properly enjoy yourself now your girl is here" She hesitates but kisses his cheek. "Enjoy the rest of your night you two" She waves and then hastily disappears into the crowd around them. He watches after her. Lindsey watches him.

"...You ok?" Her question garners his attention.

"Huh?" He startles. "Yeah, yeah course I am" He forces a smile. Draws her into a hug again. "A little shocked you're here. In a good way obviously"

"You guys were amazing up there"

"Oh, you caught that huh?"

"Mmm. She sings different with you"

"You think? It's just cause you're use to seeing her perform on a big stage. She has a different energy when it's more intimate" He rambles. Lindsey nods. Thinks it's more to do with the 'who with' not the 'where'. "She's having a rough time. Jake has moved out. Was having an affair with Mia"

"Oh my god that's true? I thought that was just the media telling one of their shitty made up stories"

"Yeah"

"Poor Peyton"

"Mmm" Is all he can say. "Come on, I'll get you a drink and you can tell me all about Paris"