I had some extra time on my hands and decided to do another chapter today. Thanks again for the reviews. I'm happy you're all enjoying the story.

As for when we will find out what happened to Peyton- her entire experience in New York will be revealed through flashbacks throughout the story. Some of the time an entire chapter will be devoted to a flashback, and sometimes it'll just be a small part. You'll get you're first taste of flashbacks in this chapter.

The next one will be up sometime after tomorrow, hopefully Monday or Tuesday. Have a Happy Easter to everyone who celebrates it!

Peyton rolled onto her back, shielding her eyes against the bright sunlight coming in through the windows. Propping herself up on her elbows, she shifted her head to the left and down. Lucas was lying on his stomach atop the bed they had made together. His head was turned toward her, his eyes closed lightly. He seemed to have just drifted off to sleep. Not wanting to wake him, Peyton pursed her lips tightly. Sitting up straighter, she put her head in her hands.

The cold touch of her palms against her eyelids woke her immediately. Peyton rubbed her face tiredly with her hands and threw her head back, breathing in heavily. It was hard to imagine that just a few hours ago she had been standing outside Lucas's door, her hand raised to knock, afraid of his reaction. And now she was sitting in his bed, watching him sleep on the floor, feeling safe for the first time in months.

Dropping her chin to her chest, Peyton shut her eyes tight. A part of her couldn't believe she had gotten into this mess. Peyton had never been the girl to let men walk all over her. Nathan, she reminded herself with a small smile. True, she hadn't exactly stopped Nathan from treating her badly, but Nathan never hit her. He never shot his fist across her face, never pushed her to the floor and kicked her repeatedly in the stomach.

Peyton heaved a great sigh as she shot back against the pillows. She knew Lucas wanted her to talk about what had happened in New York, but she wasn't sure she wanted to share it with him. For one thing, she was frightened that he would go looking for the guy who did it. And on the other hand, she was ashamed. She didn't want Lucas to know because she didn't want him thinking any less of her. She hated herself enough already for not getting out of the situation from the first moment. She had been so close to leaving the first time he'd hit her. A part of her still didn't understand why she had turned back.

"Kyle, I'm home."

Peyton stepped onto the maroon carpet of her new apartment. Her boyfriend of two months, Kyle, was reclining in the leather chair in front of the television, watching Family Guy. As she began to take off her shoes, Peyton watched Kyle turn off the television and stand up. She could tell almost immediately that he had been drinking; he stumbled slightly and his eyes seemed dazed and unfocused.

Kyle stopped directly in front of Peyton. He was nearly a foot taller than her, with very dark hair and eyes. There was dark stubble along his jaw: he hadn't shaved in a few days. Peyton raised her hazel eyes to his brown ones. There was a fire in his eyes. He was angry.

"Where've you been?" Kyle muttered. "I was waiting for you."

Peyton gave him a small smile. "I told you," she grinned, "last night. I went out to dinner with some people from work. From the record store. We thought we'd catch up on the 'latest gossip'."

Kyle raised his eyebrows. "What people?" he asked coolly.

Punching him lightly on the arm, Peyton laughed. "Why so interested? It was just me, Jenna, and Matt."

Kyle shifted slightly as she finished her response. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he asked coldly, "So you went out with a guy dressed like that?"

Peyton stepped back. She suddenly understood why he seemed so angry. Glancing down at her attire- jeans and a thin strapped top- she asked, "What's so wrong with what I'm wearing?"

Kyle threw his head back and laughed harshly. Eyes widening, he snapped, "Well you might want to wear a bra next time. Your boobs are hanging out."

Peyton blinked. Biting her bottom lip, she pushed past Kyle into the living room. He followed suit. When she was standing near the couch, she turned around to face him. The anger in her face matched his. She was positively fuming.

"Just shut up. Don't you dare call me a whore." Peyton stepped closer to Kyle, breathing in the harsh mix of beer and cigarettes from his mouth. "I didn't do anything, okay? So stop accusing me like this. Grow up."

As Peyton turned toward the kitchen, Kyle grabbed her arm. She winced slightly at his harsh grip. Wheeling around, she saw that his jaw was tightened in anger. He looked absolutely livid.

"Don't tell me to grow up," he growled in a low voice. "I'm working my ass off six days a week to keep this apartment while you go out to dinner with every boy you meet. If I want to suspect you of messing around I can. I have every right."

Peyton yanked her arm out of his grasp, feeling her own anger rising. Raising her voice to a yell, she snapped back, "You don't have any right at all! I'm not messing around! So just back off! God, what the hell is wrong with you?"

Kyle's face screwed up in anger as he clenched his teeth together. "Shut the hell up!" he ordered, his entire body shaking with anger. Peyton was in shock; she'd never seen him this way before.

"Don't you dare tell me what to do," she roared back, her heart pounding. "Leave me the hell al-"

She wasn't sure how it happened. Once second she was screaming at the top of her lungs; the next, his hand came flying across her face. The force of it knocked her off her feet- she landed with a thud on the hard floor. Tears immediately formed in her eyes. Her cheek was stinging, but she barely noticed it. What hurt her more was the shock.

She couldn't think. Her head was spinning with all the shouts from earlier. She suddenly found it difficult to breathe. Above her, Kyle's mouth opened in surprise. He didn't seem to believe he'd actually hit her. Peyton crawled backwards away from him, turning her head up toward him. He was staring at her with pleading eyes.

The next few minutes were a blur to her. She didn't remember standing up, but the next moment she found herself in her and Kyle's bedroom, piling clothes into her green backpack. She ran to the closet and grabbed a few shirts, pants, and undergarments. She wasn't even thinking about what she was grabbing. She was just focused on going as fast as she could.

Kyle appeared in the doorway. "Peyton, babe, I'm sorry. What are you doing?"

"Getting the hell away from you," Peyton shot back, grabbing a white baseball cap from under the bed.

Kyle walked towards her slowly, regret etched over his face. "Peyton, no. Please, I'm so sorry. Just- let me explain. Please!"

Zipping up her bag, Peyton pulled it over her left shoulder. She pushed past Kyle, keeping her eyes straight ahead on the door. Her cheek had stopped stinging by now, but as she passed the mirror she saw that it was bright red. She could hear Kyle rushing to catch up with her as she neared the front door.

Peyton paused to slip into her shoes. In the time she wasn't walking Kyle jumped in front of her and fell to his knees, between her and the front door. He held his hands out to prevent her from getting around him. Peyton shot daggers at him with her eyes. Crossing her arms, she snapped, "Get the hell out of my way!"

Kyle looked up at her. "Peyton, don't leave," he beseeched her, tears threatening to form in his eyes. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to snap like that! I don't know what happened! It'll never happen again, I promise. Please don't walk out like this."

Peyton unfolded her arms and raised her eyebrows. She threw her hands into the air in anger. "You fucking hit me! You slapped me! Why the hell should I trust you, huh? Give me one good reason not to leave!"

Pushing her way past him, Peyton reached for the front doorknob. She heard Kyle get to his feet and turn towards her. Just as she was about to turn the knob, Kyle spoke. His voice sounded tearful now.

"Peyton, please. I'm sorry. I just had such a terrible day. Jeff refused my request for a raise. I've been upset about it for hours. I've such been such an ass to you and you didn't deserve any of it. I never meant to hurt you. Please. Just stay."

At his words, Peyton froze. She felt a sudden wave of sympathy for him- his boss, Jeff, was a complete ass, giving him the lowest pay in the company despite that fact that he worked harder than anyone. Understanding clouded her brain, as much as she didn't want it to. Taking her hand off the doorknob, she dropped the bag from her shoulder. Kyle sniffed slightly as Peyton turned toward him.

"Babe, I'm sorry," Kyle repeated, reaching out to grab her hand. Peyton reluctantly accepted, taking a step toward him. "That was so wrong of me. But I need you here more than anything. Please don't leave."

Peyton tilted her head slightly to the side. She hesitated, unsure of what to say. Her brain was screaming, "Get out! Leave!", but her heart was telling her to listen to him. She took a deep, calming breath and another step toward him.

"Kyle," she began, her voice low and tentative. "I-I-"

Kyle's eyes searched her face as he reached his hand up. He stroked her cheek in a comforting way. Peyton bit her lip.

"I'll stay. It's okay. I forgive you."

She hated herself the moment the words escaped her mouth. Her heart was still racing, her mind screaming at her for giving up that easily. But some weight was lifted off her shoulders as he let out a sigh of relief and pulled her into a tight embrace. After a few seconds, Peyton put her arms around him too. They held each other for what seemed like hours, until she finally pulled away. Kyle looked back at her with a sad smile.

"I love you so much," he stated simply. "You know that, right?"

Peyton swallowed heavily and took his hand. She closed her eyes tightly and tried to block out the thoughts in her head. Opening them, she gave him a wan smile.

"Yeah, I know."

Peyton snapped her eyes open. The memory of that night made her sick. She still couldn't believe that she'd actually taken him back that easily. The thought of it made her want to hurl herself off a building. Had she really been that stupid?

Below her, Lucas let out a loud grunt and rolled onto his back. She heard him yawning and shifting but remained where she was. Finally, she heard him stand up. His shadow was cast over her and she moved her eyes to his face. Lucas looked exhausted, but he gave her a forced smile all the same.

"Hey you," he said, leaning over and pulling a strand of hair off her face. "How'd you sleep?"

Pushing herself into a sitting position, Peyton gave a small shrug. The truth was she hadn't slept at all. The entire night she had shifted uncomfortably to different positions, her mind clogged with upsetting thoughts. She had thought she would've been able to sleep easily, considering she hadn't had a full night's sleep in weeks and she was finally on a warm bed, but she had been wrong.

Lucas gave her a toothy grin. "Yeah, me neither," he laughed, reading her mind. Sitting down next to her on his bed, Lucas took Peyton's hand in his. She swallowed heavily, raising her eyes to meet his. His face had become suddenly serious again. "So…today."

Peyton gave a small smile. She had been expecting this. The heavy discussion about their plans for her. Whether she would go to a doctor or not, where she was going to stay from now on, who they should tell she was back, or if she was going to tell him the full story. She laughed inside her head. Lucas was so predictable sometimes.

"Today," Peyton repeated. "Today, I will go to the doctor. My wrist is killing me."

Lucas smiled, satisfied by her words. "Good," he said, "Because I didn't want to have to drug you and drag you there."

Peyton laughed loudly. It was the first time she had gave a true smile in weeks. Lucas put his arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug. Peyton's heart began beating faster as he wrapped his arms around her. She pulled away rather quickly, slightly red in the face. Lucas also looked flustered, and for a moment they both stared in opposite direction as they regained composure.

"So," Lucas began awkwardly. "Breakfast. What are you up for?"

Peyton's stomach gave a loud growl at the word. She sat up a little straighter, her mouth watering at the thought of a real meal. She had been living on bags of chips for nearly two days.

"Oh, God, do you have pancakes?"

Lucas nodded, smiling slightly at how excited she seemed for food. "I always have pancakes."

Peyton's eyes widened in excitement. She thought for another moment, then added, "And sausage? And bacon? And maybe some hash browns?"

Lucas burst out laughing again. He could tell she hadn't had a decent meal in a long time. "I'll tell you what," he smiled. "How about we go down to the Café? I'm sure you can get anything you want there."

Peyton dropped her head at his suggestion and Lucas immediately regretted saying it. There was no way she wanted to go out in public in that shape. In fact, as far as he understood he was the only one who knew she was back, who had seen her. He immediately retaliated, "Well, I'll go pick it up. You can stay here and take a shower if you'd like."

Peyton looked back up at him, forcing a smile. "Sounds like a plan," she chatted in a falsely cheery voice. "We can eat together when you get back."

Lucas smiled at her, and then reached into his dresser. Pulling out his cell phone and car keys, he said, "So I'll go down there now, and you can go get freshened up."

They walked out of his bedroom together in silence. Stepping out the door, they walked off in opposite directions. Peyton glanced back at Lucas.

"See you in a bit, I guess."