Peyton felt the pair of eyes beseeching her from across the room. Instantly she looked up and couldn't help but smile. He was only a few feet away but it felt like there might have been an ocean between them. Peyton Sawyer had never felt that way about another human being. Not always by choice, she had been the quintessential loner type, a tough, Miss Independent, if you will. But Lucas Scott and the unconditional love he had brought into her life had somehow changed all that. At the most vulnerable time in her life, never had she needed another human being so much. It felt scary but at the same time, all her fears were washed away. She felt safe with Lucas. They had always been friends and he had always been there to protect her. Now after two troublesome, angst filled years, he was finally her boyfriend. He was still loving, still protecting her. And after a nightmarish beginning to the summer, still in recovery with her father away on business, once again, her blue eyed, blonde haired angel had been a godsend.

"You okay?" he mouthed.

She returned his smile and motioned a makeshift yawn to let him know it was time for bed. Their eyes met and for a beautiful, fleeting moment, they were the only two in the world. They could do it all. They could do any and everything. They didn't need anything or anyone. They could just lie in each other's arms and forget the world.

"You owe me, Dawg!"

Lucas and Peyton both jumped, startled as a pair of fists belonging to their good friend, Skills Taylor, slammed against the table.

"Skills…"

"Pay up, baby! You landed on Park Place and I got a hotel on that piece so your ass owes me…"

Nathan looked at Haley and grinned.

"I don't owe you nothing, dude."

"The hell you don't."

"Actually, he's right, Skills."

Skills frowned at the pregnant beauty.

"You just saying that cause you married to him."

"I resent that. Every man for himself, right? But I'm saying it because, well, look where you are."

Skills glanced at his wheelbarrow player's piece and groaned out loud.

"Damn! Ain't that a bitch! My ass is in jail."

"That's right and you know you can't collect rent in jail. Sorry."

"That's cool," he gathered his best game face.

"The night is still young, eh, Skills?" a dimpled Brooke giggled.

Larry Sawyer had been gone for little over 48 hours and so far the Lucas/Peyton living arrangement had been working out blissfully. On a whim, Lucas had thrown hamburgers and hot dogs on the outside grill and the couple had invited over some of their friends for a low key hangout. Brooke had arrived, along with Nathan and Haley and Skills. A small, intimate gathering with the usual suspects but for Peyton it was exactly what the doctor had ordered. She was among friends, her real friends. Their company meant the world to her and for a few horrid weeks, she had wondered if she would ever be with them all again. But fate had given her a second chance and for a night, the group could have fun and just be teenagers without a worry in the world. But a little before midnight and a game of Monopoly going on its fourth hour was beginning to take its toll. Nathan, Haley and Skills could have sat there all night and so could Brooke until she caught the longing, loving looks between the hosts. It had been a good time, one sure to continue but for the time, the gang had worn out its welcome. Lucas and Peyton were obviously ready for a little alone time.

"Your turn, Luke," Nathan nodded at his brother.

Brooke cleared her throat.

"Guys, it's getting kind of late…"

"Brooke, don't be spoiling my flow. As soon as I get out of lockdown, it's gonna be on. Hell, I'm nasty at this game, baby girl. I could play all night."

She motioned at Lucas and Peyton and it didn't take long for the others to take a hint.

"I guess it is kind of late, right babe?" Haley faked yawned.

"Huh?" Nathan asked, confused until his wife gave him a not so gently nudge. "Oh yeah. We should be going."

"Oh," Skills looked around. "I get it. We cock blocking, Luke? Playa hating?"

"Skills, I just love your subtlety," Brooke stuck out her tongue. "I'll give you a ride."

"Whatever you say, but for the record, I was kicking all y'all's asses and I am still the Pimp Daddy King of Monopoly."

They all laughed and said their good nights, Peyton looked on as Lucas exchanged a few words and bumped fists with the guys.

"So?" Brooke approached her.

"So?"

"How is it? How are things?"

Peyton shrugged with a light hearted smile.

"Things are good."

"Good?" the brunette questioned. "How good?"

Peyton opened her mouth but she wasn't quite sure what to say. The feelings were there but it was hard to express them into words.

"Good," she finally sighed. "Great actually."

Brooke gave her a worried look. She wanted things to be fine with and for Peyton. In fact, she wanted nothing more. Moving on was the desired end result but Brooke knew of the secret demons her best friend still wrestled with. As strong as Peyton Sawyer was, even she couldn't just walk away from Derek's terror without emotional scarring. The smile on her face was of little convincing. Brooke could only hope and pray Lucas could and would somehow fix it. If anyone could, it was him.

"Alright. That's good, P. Sawyer. I'm glad to hear it."

"Really?" Peyton asked softly.

"Yeah," Brooke briefly brushed her hand. "I only want the best for you, you know that. I've been really worried about you. I know you say you're gonna be okay and I hope so but I can't help it. So don't get pissed off if I keep asking."

"I am okay," Peyton reassured her, grateful to have the spunky and caring brunette back in her life, as she glanced over at Lucas. "Or at least I'm gonna be."

Brooke nodded.

"Then we'll get out of here," she winked. "You crazy kids have a good night."

They all filed out of the Sawyer home until there were just two left.

"What is that I hear?" Luke dramatically put a hand to his ear. "Could that be the sweet sound of silence? Is it really all quiet."

"All quiet," Peyton reiterated as she responded to his beckoning for a hug.

In his strong, warm embrace, she melted, inhaling the intoxicating scent of his cologne.

"How was your night?" he asked, kissing the top of her head. "Did you have a good time?"

She looked up at him.

"I had a great time. It was fun everybody being together like that without all the drama. I love hanging out with Nathan and Haley and it's so good to have Brooke back in my life. And Skills? He's cool. Dangerous with a board game but nevertheless, lovable."

"Why don't you get ready for bed? It's late and I know you're tired. Go upstairs and I'll be up in a bit. I just want to clean up."

She clung to his hand. For so long her feelings for him had been suppressed. Now he'd be in her bed, holding her throughout the night. He was her love, her protector, the last face she saw before bed and the first one there when she woke up. They had been through hell to get together and now it seemed too good to be true. She loved him with all her heart and she knew he loved her. The words, as sacred, strong and beautiful as they were, could never be enough to quite capture exactly what they felt. All she wanted was to lie on that bed with him, in his arms. Only then was everything truly right with the world.

"That can wait. I'll help you tomorrow but for now, could we just…"

She had to say no more. Lucas thought his heart might burst as he held her smaller hand in his and together they slowly climbed the stairs. He wasn't naïve, just in love. He knew the future posed a long battle ahead. He knew she still needed more time to heal. But he had vowed to be there for every step of the way. He knew he was supposed to be the strength of the relationship but when he lost his, Peyton's, along with her grace, was a beautiful reminder to show him the way.

"I love you, Peyt."

"Lie with me," she breathed.

In his eyes, in his mind, she was perfect, flaws and all.

"This is nice," he sighed, in the quiet darkness. "I could lie here forever."

And so could she. Peyton closed her eyes. She felt his calloused fingertips ever so lightly stroke the small of her back. It was like becoming lost, lost in his arms, lost in the feeling, lost in the moment. Then with everything right, it would happen. A sudden unexpected jolt. A sound, a memory. For a split second she would go back, spiraling through time back to that cold floor in that empty house. Back to Derek.

"Lucas…" she called out.

"I'm right here."

And so he was. That gentle voice, a special reminder of what reality and safety was.

"I know," she whispered.

"You okay?"

What was she supposed to say? Yes? That would be a complete lie and she hated lying to Lucas especially when she was already keeping quiet about so many things. But could she say no? That wasn't completely true either. The battles, the fears, the insecurities, the shame, the flashbacks would always be there. Somehow Lucas just seemed to make it all better.

"Don't leave."

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm always here for you, Peyton."

She lifted her head and looked up at him.

"I know."

"Want to talk?"

She thought for a minute. Some things were just better off left unsaid, she thought as she shook her head.

"I just want to lay here and be still and quiet and happy and forget about everything. Will you lay with me?"

Lucas answered by pulling her close. Whatever she needed and for the moment, nothing sounded better.

Author's Note: Chapter loosely based on concept of song, Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol