The door bell rang and Peyton jumped. Even the smallest of sounds took getting used to. Before her Derek ordeal, she had hardly ever locked the doors to her house. Why? It was Tree Hill. It was a safe community where nothing bad ever happened. Post Derek, many things had changed in Peyton's life, including the front door's new double bolt lock and the home security system Larry Sawyer had installed. Tipping quietly to the door, Peyton peered outside. She relaxed and smiled as she saw who it was and opened the door.

"Hey," she said.

"Hey," he grinned broadly as he pulled her in for a kiss.

"Wow. That's quite a way to announce yourself."

Lucas shrugged.

"Well, I like making an impression. I also love kissing beautiful green eyed blondes so you're just gonna have to get used to that."

"I'll think about it," she teased, opening the door wider to let him. "So what's up?"

"It's getting late. Have you eaten yet?"

Peyton shook her head.

"Nah. Dad and I were about to whip something up in a few minutes. You staying?"

"Nope and neither are you."

"What?"

"Peyt, I want you to come somewhere with me."

"Where?"

"It's a surprise."

Peyton's eyes darted around nervously.

"Lucas…look, I know you're up to something and whatever it is, I'm sure it's nice and you're trying to do something sweet but no thanks."

A sad look washed over her face as she turned from him and sat back down on the couch.

"What's the matter?" he asked softly, as he followed her.

"I don't feel like going anywhere."

"Peyton…"

"I know I've been home almost three weeks and yeah, I know I should be making bigger steps to get out of the house and all but I'm really not up to it yet. I know you want to do stuff but I'm sorry that I can't go out with you yet. Having lots of people, lots of strangers around…it kind of bothers me. I don't know how to handle it. I guess I'm just not ready."

"Okay," he replied.

Peyton frowned.

"Okay?"

"I said okay."

"Just okay? I mean, you're not gonna push the issue? You're not gonna use this to try to talk me into seeing some shrink?"

He shook his head.

"No. If you're not ready, you're not ready. I respect that. I told you we didn't have to do anything you didn't want to do."

"Wow," Peyton looked around. "That's pretty cool of you."

"That's just the kind of guy I am," he winked.

Initially a worried Lucas had practically begged her to seek professional help. She had always declined and just when her boyfriend laid off and gave her the space she wanted, her father had been pushing the subject matter even harder ever since.

"So what do you want to do?" she leaned back in his arms.

"Watch TV, listen to music, get some food, spend time with you. Whatever you want to do, Peyton."

It sounded like a plan, at least their normal routine as of late. Peyton had grown comfortable with it but despite her fears, she had also grown bored.

"So," she began after a few quiet minutes. "What was it that you wanted to do? I mean, where did you want to take me?"

He shrugged.

"Well, the sun will be setting soon and I thought we could take a romantic walk down by the docks and take in the view. Then I thought we could drop by the record store and just see what we find. Afterwards, I had a nice dinner for two planned for us."

Peyton swallowed hard. That didn't sound bad at all.

"Why?" she asked. "What's the occasion?"

"Us," Lucas answered. "I mean, why does there have to be an occasion, Peyt? We're here and we're together and we're in love. Why not make the most of it? Have fun, go on a real date, do what couples do."

She closed her eyes. It was simple enough and it sounded like heaven. But the actual courage it took to leave the house, the sheer hassle of it all, the fear of constantly looking over your shoulder and just feeling afraid, the thought of all those strangers gawking at her and wanting to talk to her…sometimes it was just too much.

"I'm scared, Luke…"

"I know you are. It's okay."

"But I want to," she finished.

His eyes lit up as he rubbed her arm.

"Talk to me."

"I'm ready to live a normal life again. That's what I've been wanting. And now that we're together, you know I want that with you. I just don't know if I'm ready, if I really can handle it."

"What are you afraid of?"

"Sometimes it's like I'm afraid of everything and I hate that."

Lucas nodded.

"If you still want to go out tonight, we can. I think it will be fun and we'll have a great time. As far as your fears? Babe, they're gonna be there for a while until you start to face them. I know that's easier said than done but you're gonna have to do it one day. And when you do, I'll be right there by your side. I promised you that and that is one promise I intend on keeping."

Peyton looked over at Lucas. She had the best boyfriend in the world. She took his hand in hers.

"Let's go."

"You don't have to…"

"I know but I, I want to. I'm scared but you're right, Luke. I know I can do this. And with you by my side, I feel safe."

It was the truth and words he had been dying to hear. He gave her another kiss as they made Larry aware of their plans and headed out in Lucas' car. It had been a while since she had driven downtown, too long in fact. It looked oddly familiar and Peyton had missed it. Lucas parked on the curb in front of his mother's café and the two, hand in hand, began their walk to the docks. The evening weather, though warm, was perfect. It felt nice to walk around, quiet and unbothered, two lovers enjoying a stroll.

"So it should be interesting tonight at the record store," Lucas commented.

"Why do you say that?"

"Sprung Monkey has a new CD and so does Kill Hannah. Oh and I hear if you look really hard there is this kick ass limited edition NOFX on vinyl."

Peyton gave him a smile.

"Is it just me or has someone's musical taste gotten better?" she joked.

"Maybe a little bit of both. Let's just say I have decided to expand my already broadened musical horizons."

"So it should be a fun night."

"Yeah as long as you don't flirt with Mark."

"Who the hell is Mark? You mean the record store dude?" she couldn't help but laugh.

"Yeah. He has a thing for you and besides, he could probably get you tickets to the Forty Foot Echo concert."

"Really?" Peyton's eyes lit up. "Forty Foot Echo? Do you think he could score front row?"

"Peyt!"

"Gotcha," she pinched his arm and gave him a kiss as they continued to walk.

"Good because my ego was beginning to bruise a little bit," he reached in his pockets. "Because I only got third row."

Peyton stared in awe at the two concert tickets for one of her favorite bands in the hands of her boyfriend.

"Are you serious?"

"The show is still a few months away but I couldn't resist when they went on sale. They're a good band but I hadn't paid much attention to them before. When you were gone, I started listening to the music I know you like and it really made me feel closer to you."

"That's sweet."

"So I know it's a long time away and we're taking it one day at a time, but I was hoping you'd go see Forty Foot Echo with me in Raleigh."

"Try and go without me," she teased.

"Score one for Haley. It was her idea."

"She came over earlier today."

"Hales?"

"Yeah."

"She really missed you."

Peyton sighed.

"I missed her too. Haley's a great friend, she's a great person. I mean, I've always known that but I guess I really see it now more than ever."

"Yeah…"

"I can't believe she and Nathan are gonna be parents soon. That is so wild."

"I know but I'm excited. And not only do I get a new nephew, I get a new baby brother or sister. That's pretty cool. Weird but cool," Lucas chuckled. "I guess it's double diaper duty for me."

"Nathan and Haley are gonna be great parents."

"I know. It's funny because Nathan is kind of nervous about being a dad and my mom is being nervous about starting all over being a new mom again but the thing is, they're both gonna be great at it. It kind of makes you think, though. I know I'm young and marriage and babies are kind of far off for me right now but when the time comes, I know it's gonna be good. I mean, do you ever think of stuff like that?"

Peyton shrugged.

"I don't know. Sometimes I guess. The thought of that kind of commitment, marriage and kids is kind of scary. But taking care of Jenny changed my mind. She is like the coolest little kid ever. Babies are awesome so yeah, maybe one day, who knows?"

"And marriage?"

"I was never big on that either. Trusting in the fact that you can love someone for the rest of your life and that he'll love you back. I kind of had a hard time with the true love thing but um, somebody else sort of changed my mind about that one," she looked coyly up at him.

Lucas held her close, after kissing her forehead.

"Look," he pointed.

The sun was setting and the view with all its beautiful colors was incredible.

"This is nice," she leaned into his body. "It's really nice out here, Luke."

He motioned across the street to the quaint little downtown bistro that served candlelit dinners on the second and third story balconies.

"What do you say we hit up the record store, then go have some dinner up there?"

Peyton could only hug him.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"For what?" he asked.

"For bringing me back to normal."