Peyton tapped her fingers against the steering wheel of her rental. It was a hot day in Tree Hill but mild enough to cruise the town with the car windows down. She'd had errands to run in midtown and after an afternoon of fumbling around, she was headed back to Nathan and Haley's. When she had switched on the ignition a Constantines CD had blared from the speakers. Immediately the blonde had stiffened. It was her husband or soon to be ex husband's, favorite band. The music was a reminder of everything from their good times to the fact that he was still rudely MIA and holding up business plans. So she had turned on the FM, letting the radio scan different local stations. Finally it had come across an old Pink Floyd song. Point Me At The Sky. She and Ellie had first listened to it together. In fact, Peyton still had the old vinyl somewhere in storage. But instead of making her feel sad, it made her feel happy. She sang along to the lyrics, getting a little too into it when she noticed the mom in the mini van lined up with her in traffic, giving her weird looks. A slightly embarrassed Peyton was further jolted into reality by the ringing of her cell phone. It was an old friend.

"Jake, what's up?"

"Hey you," he said. "What's going on? Where are you?"

"Mid town over by the new movie theatre. I had some stuff to do, errands and shopping."

"Cool. Sounds like fun. Get everything done?"

Peyton shrugged.

"Most of it. The important stuff anyway."

Well, not the most important thing, all thanks to one Lucas Scott.

"Where are you headed now?"

"I was headed back to Nathan and Haley's but unfortunately I am stuck in a gnarly traffic jam right now. I mean, it's nothing like rush hour in New York City but when the hell did Tree Hill get traffic? Have I been away that long?"

Jake chuckled.

"We're moving up in the world, I guess. Look, I'm calling you because I need a huge favor. I mean, if you're busy and all, I understand but I am in a real jam, no pun intended and I really need your help. Seems as if I have exhausted every friend, foe, acquaintance, co worker and family member. You're my last hope."

Peyton smiled.

"Desperation, huh? I like it. I can dig being the last hope. What's going on?"

"I have a meeting with a new client. This guy could hook me up with a really important contract doing sales and repairs for some of the county schools."

"Sounds like a good deal."

"Would have been but he's running late, a few hours. Says he's on his way now. I'd really like to stay and meet him but…"

"But?"

"It's Jenny. She's at dance class. I'm supposed to pick her up in ten minutes. I can't be two places at once. I can't leave my kid at the studio but I really want to meet this guy. So if you're not busy, maybe…"

"Maybe I could meet the client?"

"You're a real comedian, Peyton."

"Or maybe I could pick up Jen?"

"Now we're talking. Since you volunteered and everything…" Jake joked.

"Ha ha."

"I hate to ask but it's really important and I'd owe you one. A big one"

Peyton had always had a soft spot for Jake Jagielski. They were friends, good friends who depended on each other.

"I'm not busy but two things…"

"Shoot."

"First of all, I probably won't make it in ten minutes."

"That's cool. Just do your best. But if you're by the new shopping plaza, you could probably get there in 15, top."

"Okay."

"The second thing?"

Peyton sighed.

"The big thing. Brooke."

"Yeah…that."

"Look, it's been a long time. Things were said, I don't even know how she feels anymore. I'm not stupid. Tree Hill isn't that big and we were bound to run into one another before the wedding. I just don't know if in front of a bunch of little girls, Jenny especially, that would be such a good idea. I don't know what would happen."

"Not an all out brawl. Look, Peyt, I get what you're saying but hopefully that's all water under the bridge now. It was a really long time ago and everybody has moved on. You guys are adults and you were like sister at one time. I'm sure it'll be okay."

"I don't know…"

"I don't want to put you in an awkward position. I'll just try my mom again and…"

"Wait," Peyton bit her lip well against her better judgment. "You're right. I guess I'm being stupid. I, I'll do it. It's cool."

"Peyton, are you sure? I mean…"

"No, you're right. I am an adult. So is Brooke. Besides, we have to face the situation sometime. No time like the present, right?"

"Are you ready for that?"

"No but I probably never will be. So what are the directions? No sense in keeping Jenny waiting any longer than she has to."

"Peyton…"

"I'll be fine, Jake."

Famous last words that Peyton Sawyer was now choking on. With palms sweating and heart pounding, she opened the door and slowly made her way to the entrance of the studio. It would be fine. It had been a long time, years in fact, she thought as she walked through the halls. Staring at all the pictures on the wall, the blonde stopped dead in her tracks. There she was poster size, with that gorgeous brunette hair and million dollar dimpled smile larger than life. In each photo she was decked out in an elaborate outfit, striking a fierce pose. The gold plated captions beneath the frames stated the various events and competitions along with the cities they were held in like Toronto, Miami, Paris and even New York. Two women, once the best of old friends had been just miles apart in the greatest city in the world and hadn't even seen each other. Peyton was struck by the irony of it all.

"Well, well look what the wind blew in. What a surprise."

Peyton sucked in a breath, too paralyzed to turn around. But she didn't have to. Although she hadn't heard that voice in years, she's know it anywhere.

"Brooke," she almost whispered.

"You remembered. I'm flattered."

Peyton turned slowly on her heels. And then they were face to face. Curiously they studied one another. It had been years and time had been kind to them both. Once they had been inseparable like sisters. Now they were strangers, separated by time and the lingering aftermath of a teenage love triangle gone horribly wrong.

"Hey," Peyton cleared her throat.

"Hey."

Awkward, tense silence.

"It's uh, been a long time."

"Yeah."

Peyton stared at her, still not believing after all those years, they were in the same room, back in Tree Hill, back where it all began. After all those years it was like time standing still.

"So, you're a dancer now?"

"Yeah. Have been for a really long time now. It's my passion."

"Um, that, that's really great. You know, you always were a great dancer. You were an awesome choreographer too. Remember all the routines you put together for the Ravens' cheerleaders?" Peyton reminisced with a smile. "God, we'd stay up for hours at your house or mine working on dance moves. You remember that?"

"I remember. I remember everything," Brooke replied with a hint of iciness. "Of course that was a long time ago."

Peyton swallowed hard.

"Yeah…"

"So what brings you by? I take it you're not here for a friendly round of catch up, eh, P. Sawyer? Or is it P. Scott these days?"

There it was. Peyton had figured it would come up sooner or later.

"Actually it's P. Sawyer again. Um, Lucas and I were together. We got married. We're um, still married but not for long. I am divorcing him, I mean he's divorcing me…we're kind of divorcing each other."

She cringed inside as she tripped over her own words sounding like a tongue tied fool.

"I see. Sorry to hear that."

She certainly didn't sound very sorry.

"Yeah. Um, anyway, I'm here to pick up Jenny. Jake asked me to. He's tied up with work and…"

"I know. He called, warned me."

"Warned you? Listen, Brooke…"

"Jenny will be out in a minute," she turned to leave.

"Brooke, wait…"

Brooke stopped dead in her tracks and faced her.

"What?"

"I, I don't know. I mean, we're here. It has been a really long time. Gosh, I haven't seen you in forever. I don't know. Maybe we should talk."

"About what?"

"I don't know. Anything. We used to talk about everything."

"Like I said, that was a long time ago."

"Brooke…"

"You don't have to do this."

"And neither do you. Like you said, it has been a long time. If you're still mad…"

"Excuse me? Mad?"

Peyton sighed.

"The whole me and Lucas thing. Look…"

"I am so over that. That part of my life finished a long time ago. I'm a different Brooke. I'm not the person you used to know. All that drama with Lucas? It was stupid. We were kids. I have lived an amazing life and I'm doing what I love and I have a great guy and I don't want to concentrate on crap that happened ten years ago."

"I hear you and I agree. I, I guess I just don't want there to be any bad blood between us. Once upon a time, you were my best friend. I guess those days are long gone but a part of me will miss them forever. I guess I hoped a part of you would too."

"I don't have a problem with you, Peyton."

"Would you like to have dinner?" she blurted out.

Her tongue was on a roll and completely out of control. The question was a mistake and she knew it as soon as it came out of her mouth.

"No thanks. I have a lot going on and uh…no sense in dredging up the past really. I mean, what else would we talk about?"

"A lot. Life."

"Peyton…"

"I get it."

"I don't think you do. Look, this isn't about Lucas."

"The hell it isn't."

"There is more to life than Lucas Scott. I learned that when I loved away from Tree Hill. Whatever you guys had…"

"It was a long time ago but regardless, I know we hurt you. That was wrong and I'm sorry. Luke was too. We did get married and we were together but for what it's worth, all that happened way after you left. I just don't want you to think…"

"It doesn't matter what I think."

"It does to me," Peyton responded softly. "Or at least it did."

"It's over. I moved on and obviously so did you. You always loved him anyway. In the end, you got your man."

"Yeah. I guess I did."

"So sorry Prince Charming wasn't what you thought he was. What did he do, leave you for your best friend?" Brooke took a shot.

"I get it. It was a mistake coming here, trying to talk to you. I'll wait outside for Jenny."

She turned to leave as tiny slipper covered feet bounded towards her.

"Peyton!"

Peyton stopped and smiled.

"Hey, sweetie girl. How was class?"

"It was so fun! I have a new move I want to show you. Brooke taught it to me and if I get really good, I can do it during the big recital, right, Brooke?"

Brooke tried to compose herself.

"You bet, kiddo."

"Cool! Peyton, can we stop for ice cream?"

Peyton shifted her weight.

"Sure, Jen. Ice cream, ice cream sounds great right about now."

With a giggle, Jenny ran over and hugged her teacher before latching on to Peyton's hand.

"Ready to go?"

"Yep!"

"Lead the way."

Jenny happily skipped ahead as Brooke watched them walk out the door.

"Peyton?"

"Yeah?" Peyton answered without even turning around.

"It's worth nothing."