Lucas Scott yawned as he rolled over, nestling his body further into the soft sheets. It was morning and over the years he had become an early riser but still recovering from the night before, the 26 year old was content to spend a few more hours in bed. The preceding night had been a long one. There had been dinner and a lot of drinks involved but not in the way he had kept late hours in his youth. He'd had a good reason for his exhaustion. He had just delivered the commencement address at Columbia University. His own alma mater had been at nearby New York University. Lucas had applied there near the beginning of his senior year of high school. It had been a year when everything had changed.

Just the year before he had been content playing basketball on the River Court, hanging out with his best friend, Haley James, and helping his mom out at her café and his uncle at his repair shop. Life had been simple then with friends like Jimmy Edwards, Mouth McFadden, Junk Moretti, Fergie Thompson and Skills Taylor. But a big secret loomed in the small town, the not so kept secret people whispered about. It was true and everyone knew it. He was Dan Scott's son from his relationship with his high school girlfriend, Karen Roe. Everyone knew that Dan had deserted a pregnant Karen to go to college on a basketball scholarship. Everyone knew that months later, he had also impregnated fellow college student, Deborah Lee. Dan and Deb had married after a faux injury had forced him to give up his athletic dreams. Years later, the couple, along with their son, had moved to Tree Hill where Dan had used Deb's parents' financial investment to open an automobile dealership.

For the first 16 years of his life, Lucas had largely been ignored. Karen had played the role of mother, father and best friend. They had been two against the world, overcoming significant odds. Then at his uncle Keith's prodding, Ravens coach Brian "Whitey" Durham had invited young Lucas to play for the school's team. When he accepted, he and those around him quickly found themselves in a whole new world. After many flying fists and a lot of hazing, Lucas and Nathan had become brothers and friends. Lucas' best friend, Haley, had begun a relationship with Nathan. Deb and Karen had become friends. Lucas finally had first hand contact with the flesh and blood father who had disregarded his very existence for years. And Lucas found himself in a position where dating girls like Peyton Sawyer and Brooke Davis was a reality.

He'd had feelings for Peyton but ended up with Brooke. After getting caught cheating, the drama had ensued. But things had calmed down. He and Peyton had formed a solid, platonic friendship and he had thought it would be that way with Brooke, too. The more time he spent with her, the more he got to know her, the more he liked. It was too late when he realized he had been a fool to let the pretty brunette go. She held her heart in his heart but before a second chance could be, she was off to California. In a last ditch effort, he had professed his love but it hadn't mattered. Brooke had to leave and she had done so without looking back.

Life had gone on in Tree Hill. He and Peyton had grown closer. Along with Nathan and Haley, the four spent countless hours together during senior year. Peyton became his best friend and confidant and soon a lot more. Shortly after graduation, the two began dating, perfect for the arrangement awaiting them. Lucas had applied to NYU and Peyton, to Columbia. Both had been accepted and the romance had continued from there.

They lived their lives together happily in New York for the four years that followed. They enjoyed school and did well in their studies. They spent time together touring the city, watching the marathons and all the other things New Yorkers loved to do. It was a wonderful arrangement and a happy time. By the time Peyton graduated with a degree in Visual Arts and Lucas with one on Journalism, he had used all of his meager savings to buy her a ring. She accepted his proposal and they had married before friends and family in a small church ceremony in Tree Hill.

For three years, the pair had lived a charmed, idyllic life together. He had gone to work writing for the times while Peyton had taken an entry level position at an up and coming record label, designing album covers. Within a short time, Peyton was promoted and Lucas scored a publishing deal on the fictional novel he had been working on since he was 14 years old. Talented, young, successful and happy, they were living their dreams in a small rented loft in mid town Manhattan.

Lucas had loved Peyton since that first night when he had challenged Nathan at the River Court. Her mystique had intrigued him. Even when he had dated Brooke and other girls, he had always been there for Peyton. He had always saved and comforted her. He was the first one to prove that not every person left. But the favor had been returned. Peyton had provided unconditional love, support and understanding. Throughout the years she had served as Lucas' biggest supporter and number one encourager. He knew he'd always be able to count on her, no matter what, a fact demonstrated the year after they graduated high school.

Going to college, living in New York City, being in love…it was supposed to be the greatest time of Lucas' life. He had enjoyed watching his brother flourish in his college basketball career at Duke, with Haley just across the way at UNC Chapel Hill. And his mother's business was doing well back in Tree Hill as was her long overdue budding romance with Keith. But life was far from perfect on the home front. The night Brooke had left for California, Lucas had paid a visit to Dan Scott Motors to have a chat with his father.

The relationship had been tense at best. Lucas had cooked up the elaborate scheme to get closer to Dan in order to investigate the older man's wrongdoings and take him down. He had even enlisted the help of his mother's then wealthy boyfriend, Andy Hargrove. But the plan had backfired and Dan had found out. Out of retaliation, he had threatened to expose his oldest son's deadly heart condition and had made good on his promises to cease paying for the medication. It was Lucas' true intention to confront Dan, placing all cards on the table. But something had happened before he'd gotten the chance.

He had seen the petite, shadowy figure enter the dealership. Lucas had thought he recognized the person but he wasn't sure. He walked in just in time to see the unimaginable. A drugged Dan on the verge of passing out. The figure lighting a fire. There was an explosion that had knocked Lucas to the ground as he watched her jump in an SUV and flee the scene. He got a good look at her face and hair. It was Deb. It was Deb trying to kill her husband, his father. For a few seconds, Lucas actually contemplated just walking away. Dan had clutched a piece of paper in his hand that said, For Everything You've Done. And he had done a hell of a lot over the years. His dastardly, heartless deeds had been the source of ruin of many lives, including Lucas' and his mother's. If anyone deserved such an ending, it would be Dan Scott…it was only fitting. But conscience got the best of him and he had hurriedly dragged his birth father to safety.

After the fire, an irate Dan, still healing, had vowed to seek out the perpetrator and exact revenge. The hatred inside had consumed him as everyone around was a suspect. Finally Dan had narrowed it down to two, Karen and Keith, with the latter being number one in his mind. He already owed him one for sleeping with his wife and in time, in his sick mind, Keith would get exactly what he deserved. But before his plan could come to action, a guilt ridden, prescription drug addicted Deb had confessed all to her estranged ex. A horrific tragedy had ensued afterwards and Tree Hill and everyone associated with it, had been changed forever.

With the exception of Keith, a wonderful substitute, Lucas had never really had a father. And when a North Carolina judge sentenced Dan Scott to life in prison, Lucas knew in his heart he never would have one. The loss had been a tough pill to swallow for both brothers, even more for Nathan and the tragic catastrophe had only brought them closer. But through it all, an unwavering Peyton had been there. She had been Lucas' rock and he'd never forget it.

With Peyton by his side, any and everything had been possible. They had supported and encouraged each other in every aspect. His wife had been the first person he'd dare look at his novel. It had taken her months but she had crammed in reading in every free moment of her busy schedule. She had participated in editing and critiquing. She had laughed and cried with him. She had practically forced him to submit it to a literary agent just as he had done years before with her art and Thud Magazine. And she had been proudly beaming on his arm the night of the party thrown in his honor to celebrate his six figure publishing contract.

Lucas and Peyton had grown up together but in time they had grown apart as well. Growing tensions and different needs had placed a substantial rift between the couple. But they had made a promise to each other one night that summer before senior year at Wrightsville Beach. They said they would always be there for one another no matter what. That was one promise they would always keep...

The telephone rang and Lucas stirred. His hand fumbled for the receiver until finally he found it and pulled the cordless to his lips. Beside him in bed, she moved and he kissed the top of her shoulder.

"Yeah?" he mumbled sleepily.

"Luke. Um, hey, it's me. It's Peyton."

Lucas was suddenly wide awake. He crept out of bed as to not wake the one sleeping beside him and pulled on his boxers. He traveled to the balcony and opened the door, letting the fresh morning air filter in as the sounds of New York City played in the background.

"What's up?" he cleared his throat.

"Did I catch you at a bad time?"

"It's cool."

"I woke you up, didn't I?"

"I should have been up by now. I was just wiped out from that thing last night at Columbia."

"It was last night?"

"Yeah."

"How did it go?"

"Good," he shrugged.

"That's nice," Peyton answered after a brief pause. "Listen, I really need to talk to you."

"What's going on?"

"Did you talk to your lawyer yet?"

"Not in the last week. Why? Are the papers ready?"

There was a loud sigh.

"Soon."

"How soon is soon?"

"Really soon. A few weeks at the most. I also think we're pretty close to selling the house in North Carolina."

Less than two years before, they had purchased a beach front property just miles from the Tree Hill city limits.

"Okay. Um, that's good, I guess."

"Yeah, well, I was thinking. I'm headed there in a few days to close on the house and I'm just gonna stay on, you know, spend some time with my dad and hang out until the wedding. You're gonna be there in a couple of weeks anyway. Why don't we just take care of the rest of this while we're both in Tree Hill?"

Lucas bit his lip. It had been a long time coming and it was the inevitable but still a day he never thought would actually come.

"Are you sure?"

"About finalizing everything in Tree Hill?"

"About finalizing it period," he answered softly.

"Lucas…"

They had been over it time and time again. It was the best way, they had agreed. In fact, it was the only way.

"I know, I know. Sorry. I guess I shouldn't have said that. But this is weird."

"It is for me, too but we both knew it wasn't gonna be easy. Besides, it's what we talked about. It's what we both wanted."

That was true.

"Yeah…"

"So other than that, everything is okay?"

"Everything's great, Peyt."

"That's good. Look, I'm flying out soon so if you need me, just call my cell phone."

"I will."

"Have you talked to Nathan yet?"

"Yeah. Hales, too. Everything's right on track."

"I'm glad. Look, I can't talk very long but I just wanted to give you a heads up and also see how things are going."

"Thanks."

"Um, take care and I'll see you soon."

"Yeah, see you soon," he hung up the phone.

It had been a good marriage and neither one had any regrets. They had loved a lot in those special, timeless years. But they were simply headed in two different directions. Marriage together was something they no longer wanted. There had been no abuse, no fraud, no affairs…it was a simple case of irreconcilable differences, of two different people wanting two different things. It had been an amicable split and the two had remained friends as promised. They would always be there for each other. They would always have love for each other.

"Lucas?"

He looked up and gave a tired smile as he saw her standing there in the kitchen. Caylan Hughes was her name and she had been his constant companion for the past few weeks.

"Hey babe, did I wake you?"

He beckoned her towards him and she came willingly, barefoot and dressed in one of his old pajama tops that engulfed her tiny frame. She took a seat on his lap, wrapping her arms around him.

"I missed you," she pouted. "I woke up and you were gone."

"Sorry. I had a phone call and I didn't want to disturb you."

"Yeah…"

"You tired?"

"A little," Caylan yawned.

"What about last night? Was it fun for you? Did you have a good time?"

A smile spread across her face.

"I had the best time. It was a blast. Well, at first it was kind of boring with all that stupid college talk about classes and degrees and stuff but the after party was pretty awesome. There were a lot of important people there."

"Yes, there were," Lucas agreed.

"Baby, it was so exciting. You know what? I bet they turn your book into a movie."

"I don't know about all that," he admitted honestly.

"Sure they will. It's totally good enough just like I know your next one is going to be."

Lucas chuckled.

"You have more faith than I do. Let's just say I have a severe case of writer's block."

"You'll come around. Besides, you have to, right? I mean, didn't the publishing company pay you a lot of money up front for future books?"

Lucas took a deep breath. That indeed was true. It was a lucrative offer and exciting opportunity he would have been a fool to turn down. They actually liked him. His book had been nothing short of excellent and now the readers and the publishers were expecting that same level of greatness every time. For Lucas it was a lot of pressure he wasn't used to. At times it was even scary.

"They gave me an advance. It was cool. Um, I'm sure it'll all work out."

Or at least that's what everyone kept telling him, Lucas thought as Caylan leaned in and gave him a quick kiss.

"So who was on the phone?"

"What?"

"The phone. Who were you talking to?"

Lucas shrugged.

"It was just Peyton."

A simple honest answer but already Lucas could see the frown forming on Caylan's face. It was that same frown that always appeared whenever the subject of his soon to be ex wife was broached.

"Peyton? Like your wife Peyton? She called here?"

Lucas sighed. Caylan was jealous and he knew it. It was a very complicated situation and an unexpected one at that. Just five months prior, he and Peyton had sat down and talked and mutually decided to legally and physically separate with the intention of later filing for divorce. She had moved out almost immediately after. Although Lucas was confident the right decision had been made, he had been lonely. It was hard coming home to an empty house and an empty bed without anyone to talk to. To get through it, he had thrown himself into his work. Shortly after at a press party, a mutual acquaintance had introduced him to the 20 year old gorgeous, blonde, aspiring actress and model from South Dakota named Caylan Hughes.

She was a nice girl with a bubbly personality, beautiful face and killer body. The two had hit it off immediately and after a few phone calls had been spending an awful lot of time together. Their attraction and chemistry was undeniable but Lucas was consumed with guilt. First off, he was six years older than her. Second, technically, legally, he was still a married man. It felt like a betrayal to Peyton even though the Scott marriage had been broken for a long time. But loneliness and the fun of being with Caylan had been too much to ignore. Their friendship and flirtiness had progressed to a level of physical intimacy and before he knew it, she had more clothes in his closet than he did. It was an exclusive courtship but one he had still neglected to inform his ex wife of. Not that Peyton would care, or would she? It was a factor Lucas was not yet ready to deal with. Some things were just better off left unsaid.

But if Peyton was blissfully unaware of Caylan's presence, the same could not be said vice versa. Caylan was painfully aware of Mrs. Scott and at times seemingly obsessed. It was like she was interested in every detail of Lucas and Peyton's relationship but at the same time jealous of her very existence. Lucas had tried to attribute it to her young age. After all, when he married Peyton, it had been for life. The last thing he anticipated was a divorce and dating someone years younger than himself. But that was how his life had worked out and in those awkward months, he'd just have to learn to live with it.

"Yeah, we just had some things to discuss."

Caylan folded her arms.

"Like?"

"It's not important. Don't worry about it. Instead, worry about what we're going to do today. Let's start off with a late breakfast. I'm starving," he rubbed his stomach for emphasis.

"Whatever."

He closed his eyes. He knew what that tone meant.

"Caylan…"

"Just drop it, okay?"

"I'd love to but you seem upset. Honey, I don't like it when you're sad or angry. Just talk to me. Tell me what's going on inside that pretty little head of yours."

"You want to know the truth?"

"Always."

"You're her ex. I'm your girlfriend now. The marriage is over but it's like she can't let go. She's always calling and it sucks. It really makes me uncomfortable and I hate it."

"Babe, I've already explained it to you. It's nothing to get bothered about. Peyton and I are just friends. We're also in the middle of a divorce right now and there are a lot of things we still have to get settled. That's what she called to talk about actually."

"The divorce? Really? I mean, is that it? You promise?"

"I promise. It's okay. I'm with you now. I know that and I love that. I'm happy. Peyton is my past but this…you, us…well, this is definitely my future."

She rebounded immediately upon hearing the statement.

"I feel better now, I guess."

"I'm glad you, do. In a few weeks we'll fly to Tree Hill for the wedding and Peyton and I will finalize the sale of the beach house and the divorce. Legally, it will be all over."

"Tree Hill?"

"Don't sound so enthused," he quipped.

"I guess it's okay, it just seems like there are better places we can spend our summer vacation."

"I have to get this thing with Peyton taken care of and I am the best man at the wedding of my brother and one of my closest friends. I wouldn't miss that for the world. Besides, Tree Hill isn't a bad place. We'll have lots of fun. And you get to meet my mom and my step dad. That's important to me."

"Okay. If you say so."

She still was not convinced but Lucas could only laugh. He knew just the thing to put a wide smile back on her face.

"I do have a surprise for you."

"A surprise?" she lit up. "What kind of surprise? I just love surprises."

"Well, I hope you like this one and I have a feeling you're going to. I know Tree Hill, North Carolina was not your ideal vacation spot but how about…two first class tickets and a week of luxury, pampering and fun in the sun in the Virgin Islands?"

"Are you serious right now?"

"As serious as a heart attack and considering I have HCM, that's pretty serious," he joked.

"The Virgin Islands? A week? First class? Really?"

"You heard me. It's going to be heaven, now what do you say?"

"I say yes, yes, yes, a thousand times yes!" she showered him with hugs and kisses. "This is going to be so fun! I am so excited! I'm gonna go pack right now! But I have to go shopping first."

"Anything you want."

"Shoes. Lots of shoes. I need shoes."

She was in a world of her own as she seemingly floated happily back to the bedroom. Lucas just smiled. She was a great girl and he liked her a lot. He even found himself falling in love with her. And that would be a lot to explain to his brother, future sister in law, mother, step father and soon to be ex wife. It was still morning but Lucas Scott felt like he needed a beer. Yes, an exotic, romantic island vacation before a return to reality in Tree Hill would be just what they needed.