Sorry for the late update, but thankyou for all your reviews, please keep them coming, it's good to know what you think. Thanks.
FLASHBACK
As Peyton walked home along the streets of LA, the night settled in, while the night life is just beginning, friends and lovers scattered throughout the city enjoying their night. Peyton walks alone, watching the happiness and laughter that fills the air, with the pain of jealousy running through her veins, while her mind is consumed with memories of friends and Brooke, she takes the time to watch a particular group of people, who immediately remind her of the Tree Hill gang. Pushing the loneliness to the back of her mind she approaches a news stand and looks at the array of magazines, her attention drawn to the many issues of '' magazine, a smile sneaks across her face and she picks up the issue looking at it closely before purchasing it. On the way home Peyton holds the magazine close to her chest, every few moments taking a look to see a successful Brooke Davis on the cover, it couldn't help but make Peyton smile knowing how successful her best friend had become, yet the sadness would soon follow at how she wasn't by her side as her dreams came true.
Entering a dark apartment, Peyton throws her keys on the table, the noise filling the entire room from her actions, walking over to her fireplace, she places the magazine in pride of place on the mantelpiece, slipping the magazine behind the numerous photo frames she had of her and Brooke and the others. Picking up the remote she casually switches the TV on, to find her self greeted by a familiar raspy voice on the TV, turning to face the TV in an instant at the familiar voice, she backed herself away and sat on the window seal while continuing to watch.
"So here we are with Brooke Davis, Brooke have all your dreams come true with all your success?" The reporter asks to a glamorous Brooke.
"Yea I guess so, but I do have other dreams" Brooke seemed affected by the question, she became defensive and saddened.
"Oh yea, care to share?" The cocky reporter pressing for more information.
"Love, friends and family those dreams mean more than success" Brooke started declaring her true feelings, the tears obvious as she fought them back.
Peyton immediately switched the TV off, bowing her head in her hands and gently sobbing, it was all too much to see her face around everywhere, she missed Brooke more than anyone knew, yet she had to continue on with her life and prove to herself that the decision she made all those years ago was the right one, yet the aching feeling in her heart reminded her everyday it wasn't.
END FLASHBACK
As Peyton paced around her house, unpacking the numerous boxes scattered everywhere, it was obvious that she was trying to occupy her mind from escaping to distant memories, but every box she unpacked she was hit by a rush of memories. Sitting on the floor in her living room she began to unpack her record collection, selecting a few to play while she sorted them alphabetically, the music filled the room and calmed Peyton as her music always did. Unaware to Peyton Haley was knocking on the door, Haley could hear the music from outside and a smile crossed her face as she slowly opened the door and entered the house, making her way into the living room, where she saw her best friend oblivious to her presence.
"Hi Stranger" Haley shouted, immediately making Peyton turn around in shock. Both women started smiling, running up to each other and wrapping their arms around each other.
"Haley, what are you doing here?" Asked a curious Peyton.
"I could say the same for you, I see your still the same, playing your music loud and not noticing someone is at your door" Both women started laughing.
"How did you know I was home?" Asked Peyton but before Haley could answer they both in unison answered "Luke".
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming home" An excited Haley asked.
"I guess I wanted to surprise you" Smiled Peyton
"Come here, I've missed you" Whispered Haley as she pulled her friend into another hug.
Both women spent the afternoon catching up, listening to good music and Haley helped Peyton unpack. They were both excited and happy to be in each other's company again, they had both missed this greatly.
"So what are you gonna do now your back in Tree Hill?" Haley asked while hanging some of Peyton's pictures on the wall, paying particular attention to the 'Friends For Benefits' album cover framed.
"Actually I was thinking of starting my own record label here in Tree hill" Explained Peyton as she watched Haley take in what she had just said.
"Oh my god that's amazing" Haley turned to face her friend, and with shock and excitement on her face. Peyton knew that from Haley's response she was making the right decision. Suddenly the excitement faded as Haley pulled a photo of Peyton and Brooke out of one of the boxes.
"But that's not why you really came home is it?" Asked Haley as she turned around to face Peyton once again, holding the photo in her hands.
"What do you mean?" Peyton looked confused at Haley's accusation, and then was drawn to the photo Haley was holding, kindly turning away from Haley she continued to unpack, holding back the tears.
"Brooke saw you today" Haley said bluntly, the concern escaping from her voice.
"Oh" Was Peyton's reaction as her mind raced back to when she had seen Brooke earlier. Peyton found the courage to turn and face Haley and except whatever Haley was about to throw at her for what she did.
"It's ok she doesn't know you're here" Haley answering the look of intrigue and worry on Peyton's face.
"Haley I can explain" Peyton began to stutter.
"Peyton you need to see her" Before Peyton could finish Haley told her what she had to do.
"I know, it's just hard" Peyton whispered as she took the photo from Haley's hands, placing it on the sideboard behind her.
"Well it's only going to get harder. Oh dammit I'm really sorry but I've got to pick Jamie up. I'm glad your home, I've had fun this afternoon" Haley said while picking up her purse and rushing to the door.
"Me too. Thanks Haley" Replied Peyton as she watched her friend leave.
"Oh Peyton, you still love her don't you?" Asked Haley while she was at the door about to leave. Peyton stood with a confused expression and her mouth slightly ajar, looking to the photo behind her as Haley left.
TRIC - AFTERNOON
Tric was empty and the staffs was setting up for the night. As Lucas guided Peyton through the club covering her eyes, he took her into a big empty room at the back of the club. Taking the blindfold off Peyton admired the open space and turned to face Lucas in complete confusion as to why she was there.
"Luke what are we doing here?" Asked Peyton, a questioning smile on her face.
"Well Haley said you were thinking of starting your own label, so I spoke to my mum and we want you to have this space rent free, on one condition that you use it to start you new label" Lucas explained as he walked around the open space. Smiling as Peyton listened in confusion and disbelief.
"Luke I can't, it's too much" She stuttered.
"We want you to have it, you deserve it" Lucas stated as he walked up to Peyton and placed his hands on her shoulder, gently persuading her to accept it.
"I don't know what to say" Whispered Peyton, as she smiled at Lucas with a stray tear falling down her cheek.
"I guess thanks would be a start" Lucas joked as he wiped away the stray tear.
"Yea of course, thank you so much" She laughed wrapping her arms around Lucas and jumping in excitement.
"Hey look, all the guys are coming here for a few drinks tonight, you should come, let everyone know your home" Asked Lucas, knocking Peyton off balance with his words, she hadn't thought about how she was going to announce her reappearance.
"I don't know" Said Peyton as she walked off into the open space, questioning herself if she should go.
"Please, it will be good for you I promise" Lucas pleaded.
"Oh ok" Peyton answered, turning to smile at Lucas, trying to make the false excitement sound real.
"Cool, ok here's the key to your new office, I will pick you up later, say 8" Lucas said as he threw the key to Peyton who was over the other side of the room, before leaving.
"Hey Luke, thanks" She shouted as he left, he turned back to shoot her one classic Scott smile.
HALEY AND NATHAN'S HOUSE - EVENING
That evening as Lucas, Nathan and Haley had finished dinner, they gathered in the kitchen clearing away the dishes as Haley sat at the breakfast bar, sipping from a glass of wine, watching her two favourite men closely as they tried to clean the kitchen to the best of their abilities.
"So Luke what did she think?" Asks Haley about Peyton's new label space.
"She loved it" Replies Lucas with a smile.
"Cool" Haley sits smiling to herself.
"It's kind of cool how the whole gang is back together again" Nathan adds.
"Talking of the gang, I sort of invited Peyton out tonight with us" Lucas tells a content Haley.
"What no" Responds Haley in shock.
"Haley?" Says Nathan, shooting a glare at his wife.
"I don't mean it like that, but Brooke doesn't know Peyton's home, you can't just spring it on her like that" Haley said throwing words at her best friend.
"Yeah man, she's right" Nathan said, his attention now on his brother, who was looking slightly embarrassed at how he forgot about the situation.
"Ok so what do I do? I can't un-invite Peyton" Lucas asks sarcastically.
"We have to tell Brooke" Haley responds, trying to think of a way around this situation.
"I'll do it." Offers an embarrassed Lucas.
"No it's best if I do it, just get ready, I'll pick up Brooke and you can bring Peyton" Haley explains, as she sets her glass down on the side, exiting the kitchen and heading out of the house.
BROOKE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Inside Brooke is getting ready for her night out, after the events of seeing Peyton today, she needed a good night out with friends to take her mind off her. As she walks around her house casually stopping in front of the mirror to check her makeup and appearance. She was suddenly surprised when she heard a knock at the door and as she made her way to the front door he was surprised to see Haley standing there already dressed for their night out.
"Haley what are you doing here? I'm supposed to meet you at Tric" Asked a confused Brooke.
"Brooke we need to talk" Explains Haley as she walks past Brooke into her house.
"Ok, is everything ok?" Brooke asks with slight concern for her friend.
"Peyton's home" Haley uses limited words, but those words still have a hard impact on Brooke.
"What?" Whispers Brooke as she looks at Haley trying to find answers to what she just heard.
"You should sit down" States Haley, trying to calm her friend as she can see from her body language that she was starting to freak out slightly.
"No, Haley what do you mean Peyton is home?" Shouts Brooke, not intending on sounding mean, but impatience taking over.
"You know the other day you said you thought you saw Peyton, well you did, she has been back in Tree Hill for a week now. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you, she didn't want any of us knowing but Luke found out she was home and..." Explains Haley, trying to apologise and explain for her actions.
"What Haley?" An angered Brooke asks.
"We wanted to protect you and tell you when the time was right." Haley pleads with her friend and watches as her friend falls back into the sofa.
"Why are you telling me now?" Brooke sits in shock and confusion, feeling slightly let down and concerned by her friends actions.
"Because she is going to be at Tric tonight." Said an embarrassed Haley as she sits down next to Brooke and holds her hand in an apologetic comforting way.
"Oh my god, I can't deal with this" Brooke starts to mumble.
"Brooke it's going to be ok, it might even turn out to be the second chance you have always wanted" Haley chances it by saying those words, but her fears are put aside when Brooke looks at her with a slight smile.
"I don't know If I can do this Haley" Mutters Brooke again as the thought of seeing Peyton sinks in again.
"Come on, I'm not taking no for an answer" Demands Haley, pulling Brooke up from the sofa.
TRIC CAR PARK – NIGHT
Lucas and Peyton sit in Lucas's Mustang, as they both stare at the entrance to the club, knowing what awaits them inside. Lucas can see the fear build up in Peyton and he places a comforting hand on her thigh.
"Ok you ready for this?" Lucas asks.
INSIDE TRIC – NIGHT
As the gang stands around the bar waiting for Lucas and Peyton to show, Haley walks over to Brooke who is leaning on the bar downing a shot for courage. Everyone's attention is drawn to the door as they see Lucas enter. Haley immediately grabs Brooke's hand and can feel it slightly trembling.
"It's going to be ok!" Haley whispers.