A few hours later they were laying in bed together.
"It's late…" Peyton said, looking up at Lucas' face diagonal to hers.
"Yeah, and?" They giggled.
"I'm sorry I missed out." Peyton said, sadly.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm sorry I missed out on this. All of this. Being with you makes me so happy, and I just can't shake this feeling that I missed out-"
"Well, than we won't miss each other anymore," he said, kissing her forehead. She smiled.
"Yeah well, I didn't miss the Tree Hill High drama, I mean it's classic. Brooke being angry, slamming doors in my face, it's just so like her. She could hold a grudge for her entire life if it meant that much to her. I just wish she would talk to me, I mean I know I did a crappy thing but-"
"Speaking of crappy things, she slept with Nathan last night." Lucas said interrupting.
"WHAT!? No! What about Haley? I thought they were doing okay this time?" Peyton was shocked.
"Well, the guy messed up. Haley isn't making this distance thing very easy on him, either. She won't return his calls, and I don't blame him for being lonely,"
"Lucas, it's not okay to do that just because your lonely. Is he gonna' tell her?"
"I don't know. But when Nathan told me, he kind of mentioned you and I…" Lucas said, questionably. He thought it might have been to soon to re-involve her with the dreaded triangle.
"What do you mean…?"
"Well, it had something to do with me chasing you after you stormed off. I figured she was upset because you guys weren't on good terms, but I think it was a little deeper than that."
"Define deeper?" Peyton looked worried.
"Look Peyton, all that matters is were here. I'm done wasting time, i'm done wishing you were here. You're here now, and I just want to be with you. Forget Brooke, forget Nathan and Haley, forget everything."
"That's not too tough when your lying next to me." She smiled, and rubbed his face gently. She placed her top lip on his, and pushed her leg in between his. They laughed together, rolling around and kissing.

Ring…ring…ring.

"Where is she?" Nathan said angrily, while driving out of the parking lot.

Knock…knock…knock.
Brooke answered the door in sweatpants and a tank top. "Uhh, Nathan! Uhm, hey." She said awkwardly.
"Brooke why are you avoiding me? We have to talk about this sooner or later." Nathan said frowning as he pushed his way into the door.
"Look Nate, don't take this the wrong way but I was fighting with Lucas, I was lonely and so were you. I explained the whole thing to Lucas, and everything is okay now. I promise I won't tell Haley if you won't, done deal. Maybe i'll see you later." She said barely breathing between spiels. She tried to shove him out the door, but he shook away from her hand.
"Brooke…" Nathan began.
"Nate, please don't. This is hard enough as it is. Can we please just forget about it?" Brooke pleaded.
"If that's what you want." Nate fled from Brooke's home before she could respond. He was agitated when he received a text message before entering his vehicle. It was from Haley

Hey honey!
Backstage is so crazy right now! I'm sorry i've missed your calls,
I haven't had much spare time. Everything is going great,
And i'm going to find a minute to call you hopefully tomorrow.
I hope all is well back at home, love always and forever,
Haley

Well isn't that nice, my wife found the time to text message me Nathan said under his breath. He put the keys in the ignition and drove off absolutely annoyed.

Peyton awoke to a knocking at the door. "Luke…" She called out.
"Good morning beautiful." He said groggily while caressing her shoulder.
"There's someone at the door…It's probably Nathan, should I get it?" Peyton asked.
"Go ahead, but i'm going to wait for you to come back, okay. Get rid of them" He laughed as he pulled his arms behind his back.
Peyton opened the door a little, and Brooke swung it all the way open. "Uhhh" Peyton said horrified. "Brooke…this isn't a good time."
Brooke shut the door behind her, "Look Peyton we have to talk. I'm sorry about the way I acted. I shouldn't hang something that happened 5 years ago over your head. Your relationships and choices are none of business, and i'm sorry."
"Wait-"Peyton began.
"No! Listen. If you still have feelings for Lucas than that's your business, and if that's why you came back here, I just want you to know that I don't think your going to get that. Lucas is thinking so much clearer than he was when you were here, and I know him now Peyton, I mean I really know him. He wouldn't put himself through that again…" before she could finish Lucas called out Peyton's name.
Peyton looked back at the door, and gave an awkward face. "Brooke…please don't-" before she could finish Brooke fled out the door.
"LUKE!" Peyton shouted angrily.
"Woah, woah, woah. What's going on? I thought you were going to get rid of them." Luke said confused.
"YEAH! That was before I found out it was Brooke…apologizing! Than she left when she heard your voice from the damn bedroom. This was a bad idea. How could I do this to Brooke again…" Peyton said feeling stupid.
"What do you mean, your not doing anything to her, Peyton come on."
"Don't you get it Lucas! Brooke clearly has feelings for you, she got so close and than I just popped up and ruined everything for her." Peyton said pacing back and fourth infront of Lucas, who was still lying in bed.
Lucas propped himself up and gave Peyton a look, "Peyton, I don't have feelings for Brooke. Whatever she feels it's not real, we've been spending a lot of time together, it's not like that with her. We're just friends, I love you Peyton.
"Lucas, normally those words are like a saving grace for me. They make me feel comfortable, and I love hearing them, but they're not going to save me now. I've lost count of how many times i've screwed up with Brooke, and I hate myself for doing it again." Peyton's pacing came to a halt, and she neared the bed on the side Lucas was sitting. "Look Luke, I love you, I really do, but I just need some time to figure this out…"
"What's there to figure out," Luke said with pleading eyes.
"Well, I have to go back to New York in a few days, and I have to talk to Brooke, and my head is spinning right now."
"New York…" Lucas spoke quietly.
"Well what? Did you think I was going to stay with you in this room forever," Peyton gave a sad smile, "Luke I really think you should go. You should probably go talk to Brooke too."
"Peyton don't shut me out again." Lucas said, now clothed and holding her shoulders. "Just relax, we have time to figure things out. Just spend the day with me, please?"
"Luke…" he pulled her in for a hug. He closed his eyes and she responded, "I'm sorry, I can't. But I'll stop by the café tomorrow, I really want to see your mom." She said, shifting attention.
"Please come by my place tonight, Peyton" he asked, rubbing her neck with his thumb and finger.
"I will. I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize now, save it for tonight when your going to make it up to me," Lucas winked at Peyton, smiled, kissed her cheek and waltzed out the door.