Peyton glanced across the room and grinned as she turned back the covers to her bed. It had been a great day, the best day she had had in a long time. Slowly and surely, the days were becoming easier. It felt truly liberating to be able to leave the house and just enjoy the summer like a normal teenager. But that's what Peyton Sawyer had been doing for a solid week and a half, ever since she had first joined Lucas for their downtown date. And she was loving every minute of it.

"Wait a sec, P. Sawyer. Before I get all comfy on this side of the bed, tell me you and Lucas haven't been, you know," Brooke frowned with a shudder.

Peyton just rolled her eyes and laughed.

"No, we haven't. The bed is safe, my covers are clean, thank you very much."

"On that note…"

The happy, pretty brunette hopped in bed as Peyton got in on the other side. It had been a while since they'd had a sleepover. Over the course of their many years of friendship, it had been a regular occurrence. Whether at the Davis house or the Sawyer home, two giggly girls, the best of friends would crawl in bed beside one another and laugh and talk and share secrets until the wee morning hours. But so much had happened since then. Lucas had happened and those days and nights had been a thing of the past. The Brooke and Peyton friendship had been broken. Although both missed each other terribly, events had happened that had threatened forever the possibility of a reconciliation. Now it was over and they were back, better than ever.

"This is…weird," Peyton giggled.

"The fact that we're cuddled up like two long lost lesbian lovers?" Brooke raised an eyebrow.

"No. We always sleep like this. It's just that, well, it's been so long, you know? I, I don't know about you but after everything that happened between us, well, I didn't know if we'd ever be friends again, especially like this."

Brooke shrugged.

"I was angry, I was hurt…I've said all I needed to say on the situation. As far as I'm concerned, it's water under the bridge. I mean, I'm glad we're friends again. I really missed you. I missed us. Now that you're back and safe and away from Psycho Derek, I just want to start all over again."

And start over again, they had. Upon hearing the news in Knoxville, Brooke had immediately driven to Tennessee to check on her friends and she had remained there well past Peyton's hospital discharge. She had also been a regular fixture at the Sawyer home once everyone turned to Tree Hill. Brooke had been a constant source of support for Peyton. When the blonde needed her space, Brooke made it a point to make herself scarce. When Peyton needed to talk, hers was the ear that listened. When she needed someone to laugh with or cry with, it was Brooke who was there making up for precious time lost during their petty spat.

In the process, the girls had rediscovered each other. At first it had been hard. The fragile, nervous, frightened Peyton was someone Brooke almost hadn't recognized. It had been hard seeing her in such a state and Brooke and Lucas had talked and worried about it together. Initially it seemed impossible Peyton would get better without professional guidance but with time and the love of her friends and family, she had been making a gradual yet nonetheless miraculous recovery. For Brooke it was just nice to have her good friend, the old P. Sawyer back.

A surprised Brooke had been game when Peyton had called and suggested a girl's day out. With the mood light hearted, they had set off to enjoy all the fun things they used to do. A few hours in the spa had been just the trick to set the day off right. A manicure, pedicure, facial and massage had been just what they needed. After lunch, they had shopped until they dropped before taking in a movie, then dinner. Back at the house, they had gossiped, flipped through trashy tabloid magazines and done each other's hair and make up. All in all it had been a terrific day and Brooke, though pleased with Peyton's complete turnaround, couldn't help but be skeptical.

"Yeah, it was pretty fun," Peyton nodded.

"It's good seeing you like this. You've come a long way. I'm really proud of you."

"Thanks," Peyton said as the phone rang and she quickly answered it.

It was Lucas.

"Don't want to interrupt your girl time but I was just checking to make sure you're okay."

"I'm fine. We're both fine, actually."

"Brooke still there?"

Peyton nodded.

"Yeah. She's spending the night. We had a lot of fun today. It was great."

He loved hearing the happiness in her voice.

"That's awesome, babe. I mean that. Don't get me wrong, I'm stoked you had such a good time, Peyt but I have to admit I was a little worried at first."

"Why?"

"I didn't want you overdoing it. Going out and being normal…that's still a big step for you."

"I know and I appreciate you and Dad and Brooke and everybody else worrying about me but I'm okay, Luke. Really. This is all I've wanted. It feels so good just to get out of the house and be with friends and be carefree and not have to look over my shoulder every five seconds. It's like I'm free again."

"But…"

"I know you're still going to worry but I am okay. My days are so much better now and I owe that to you."

Lucas closed his eyes. It felt good to hear her say that.

"Well, it sounds like you had a big day and I don't want to keep you from Brooke any longer."

"Yeah," Peyton looked over into the smiling face of her best friend. "It's been pretty cool. Just like old times."

"I'm glad. Have fun, sleep well, call me tomorrow."

"I will. I love you, Lucas."

"I love you too, Peyton."

She hung up the phone.

"Well, aren't you two cuter than a couple of newborn Cocker Spaniels?" Brooke teased.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I, I didn't realize. Does that bother you?"

Brooke dismissed it with the wave of her hand.

"I was just messing with you. You and Lucas are together now. I get that and I accept it. We're all friends again now anyway, there's no way I expect you to hide your relationship…and you shouldn't have to. He's a good guy and you make each other happy. I'm all for that."

"Thanks," Peyton smiled.

"So all that stuff you said on the phone to Luke…did you mean it? Are the days really that much better?"

Peyton nodded.

"I'm fine. I'm much better. You guys don't have to worry about me so much."

"Look what you've been through. We can't help it."

"I know and I love you all for it but it's okay. Seriously. I have to put the past behind me. I have to move on. Derek is dead, I'm not."

"Thank God for that one," Brooke said in a whisper.

"Poor Lucas has been so worried about me."

"That's what good boyfriends do, Friend."

"I know but this whole situation that happened has taken enough out of everyone's life. I just want to live again and be normal and that's what I want for everybody around me, especially Lucas."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Lucas loves me a lot and he has really stood by me and he's so good to me on so many levels. I imagine being my boyfriend sometimes feels like a 24 hour job. That's not fair to him. He deserves a real relationship that's normal and drama and angst free."

"Um, that's all fine and good but you just survived a way traumatic life changing kidnapping. That will take a lot of time, if not the rest of your life, to get over. We all get that, especially Lucas and no one is rushing you. So if you need help or you're still feeling bad or whatever, that's okay. I mean, it's nothing to be ashamed of. If you're not alright, don't pretend to be alright for Lucas' sake."

"No, I get what you're saying, Brooke and it's not like that. I still have my moments but for the most part I'm fine. I'm just facing my fears, you know? Like in a few weeks, I finally gave in and decided to let Dan throw that stupid parade for me he's been dying to have ever since we got back."

"I heard about that. So he's really serious, huh?"

"Yeah."

"And you're cool with that?"

Peyton shrugged.

"I'm not exactly looking forward to it but I am gonna go through with it. Dealing with all the attention, all the crowd staring at me, all those damned camera flashes…that's stuff I'm gonna have to get over. What better way to do it? I'll be in public with my dad on one side and Lucas on the other, police and private security all around. Plus I really owe all those volunteers who helped searched for me. This is just one more way to take back my life."

"Sure if you're up to it."

"I am. Just like I'm up to college. I turned in my papers yesterday to UNC. Next month I'm gonna go to school and live in the dorms just like planned."

"Whoa, Peyton. That's kind of major. Are you sure you're ready? I mean, can't they put you on an online schedule first semester to see how it goes, then if you're up to it, you can move up there second semester?"

"They offered it but I turned it down. I'm sticking with the original plan, B. Davis. I'm ready now."

"I know but Peyton…"

Peyton cut her off with a smile.

"It's late and we need to get some sleep. I'm gonna need it if we're going to the salon so early in the morning. You're getting bangs and convincing me to keep the short cut instead of growing it out. We'll need all the beauty rest we can get."

Brooke reluctantly and uneasily returned her friend's smile. The lights were turned off and after a few minutes, Brooke was fast asleep. Peyton watched her nod off, tossing and turning on her own. She had only been half truthful with Brooke and Lucas. Indeed the days had gotten better but the nights were a much different story. She had neglected to disclose that part. Her nights were restless and scary. Usually she was afraid to go to sleep. When she did, he was waiting for her in her dreams like a made up monster hiding in a small child's closet.

When she had invited Brooke to sleep over, Peyton had been confident another "episode" would not happen. Most of the time, they occurred when she was alone. Sometimes to alleviate the terror, she would go sleep with her father. If someone else was there with her, she was safe. So like a little kid at a sleepover praying they wouldn't wet the bed, Peyton prayed for something else. After a fidgety hour, her eyes soon grew heavier and heavier…

She tossed and turned on the cold, hard mattress. Her side ached from the loose spring poking into it. All she wanted was to go to sleep. All she wanted was to be lest alone.

"Peyton…"

She could feel his breath hot on her neck.

"Noooo," she murmured, eyes still closed.

But he would not be so easily deterred.

"Come here, baby," he beckoned.

She tried to fight but it was useless. Pretty soon his hands, his mouth was all over her. Peyton cringed. Feeling the sliminess of his tongue leaving a wet trail down her neck was enough to make her gag. Why didn't he just stop? Why couldn't he realize she would never want him in that way?

"Stop," she begged.

"I love you. I love you so much, Peyton. We're meant to be, baby, don't you see? You have to stop fighting me."

But she would never stop.

"Please!"

He continued to kiss her, his hands roaming in places they shouldn't as she felt a cool breeze across her skin. Not again! She couldn't take it another night. When he tried to take her clothes off again, she smacked him hard across the face. He looked at her, rage darkening his eyes. The fury was evident as he hauled off and hit her back. Her fear and whimpers were his turn on. A sickening smile spread across his face as he pried her knees apart.

"You know you love it," he sneered…

"Nooooooooooooo!"

Peyton sat up so fast that she knocked Brooke right out of bed.

"Peyton…"

But it was no use. The blonde was practically hyperventilating, her teary eyes wide with fear.

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no…"

She ran to a corner and collapsed, hugging her knees to her chest as she rocked back and forth.

"Peyton, what is going on? What happened?" Brooke asked frantically.

"No more," Peyton cried over and over again. "No more. Please."

Brooke was horrified. She had never seen anything like that in her life.

"I'm gonna get your dad," Brooke began to cry.

"No!" Peyton grabbed her roughly by the arm. "No!"

"Peyton!"

"Please, please don't. I, I, I'm okay…it's okay."

"This is not okay."

"No! Just…please. Promise, promise you won't tell my dad or Lucas."

"Peyton…"

"Promise, Brooke!"

The desperation in her eyes was heartbreaking. Brooke could almost feel her fear.

"Okay," she held her, trying to get her friend to stop shaking. "Okay."

Peyton cried softly into Brooke's shoulder. Derek was still with her. Just like old times.