Set after 5x05. What if Peyton had come home while Lucas was talking to Brooke?
Author's Note: I can not thank the people that keep reading and reviewing enough. You have really given me encouragement to keep up with this story. Ok, so I'm taking all the suggestions into consideration and I hope you like this chapter. Oh, and I realised I completely screwed up the time line and the Clothes Over Bro's store opening was actually BEFORE 5x05, but indulge me and pretend it was after.
Thanks!
"Why Peyton?" Lucas turns to face her, grabbing her by the shoulders. "What do I need to do to show you that I want this? I see it now and I'm not hiding behind Lindsay anymore. It's just me and I'm asking you for another chance."
Peyton pulled away from Lucas' hold to sit back in her desk chair, spinning it to face Lucas but keeping her distance so as to remove herself from the anger radiating off of Lucas.
"Lucas, I know you think that, but don't you think it's too soon? You only broke up with Lindsay two days ago. Give yourself time to get over it."
"But that's just it Peyton, I don't need time to get over it because there is nothing to get over. I was hiding with Lindsay and when you came back to town, I figured it out. I want to be with you and only you."
Peyton sighs, running her hand through her hair frustrated.
"Look, Lucas, I'm not arguing with you about this. I'm sorry that you feel like you want to be with me and this is hurting you, but please understand that I just can't."
Lucas crouches in front of Peyton's chair.
"So what am I supposed to do then, Peyton? I want… no I need you in my life. I don't want to give this up?"
"You don't have to Lucas, I'm still right here, I just won't be jumping into bed with you every five seconds."
"You know that that isn't what this is about." Lucas interrupts. Peyton smiles at him.
"Yes Lucas, I know that, I'm just saying I'm not offering anything close to that. Why don't you just be single for a while, figure out your heart and if in time we come back to each other than so be it. But right now, that's all I can give you."
Lucas stands up shaking his head. Peyton is worried she has upset him again.
"Are you ok?" she questions him as he starts moving towards the door.
"I'm perfect. The woman I want to be with only wants to be friends. I couldn't be better." Lucas walks out the door, calling behind him.
"I'll be seeing you."
Peyton stumbles through the door that night after a tiring day at work, combined with the drama that was Lucas Scott. She crumples in a heap on the couch next to Brooke who is idly flicking through the television channels.
"Long day?" Brooke questions, glancing down at her best friend.
"You could say that." Peyton replies. "Mia was in all morning trying to perfect the recording of what will be her first track, then I was on the phone all afternoon trying to get everything ready to get Mia's name out there and then of course Lucas had to show up." Brooke sat up at the mention of Lucas' name, having tuned out during the boring music business talk.
"Ooh, what did Broody have to say? Still broody?" Brooke asked.
Peyton sighed, leaning her head on Brooke's shoulder.
"Why does he have to make everything so complicated? He basically came in declaring his love for me, the exact reason I have been avoiding him, so I told him we can only be friends and then he leaves, just like that." Peyton turns to sit cross legged on the couch, facing Brooke. "Do you think I'm doing the wrong thing, keeping him at a distance?"
"No, not at all. You're only doing what any normal person would do. Protect their heart. It doesn't take a genius to see that he hurt you, and no one wants to see you go through that again." Brooke takes Peyton's hand in her own. "Just don't keep him at too much of a distance, his heart is hurting too. If I had to pick sides you know I will always be on yours, but if you told him you want to be friends then at least make the effort."
"What do you mean 'make the effort'? I figured I would just be friendly to him when I saw him around town." Peyton shrugged.
"Why don't you invite him to the store opening this weekend. I have to be there early to help set up, you know make sure everything is perfect like me, and I don't want you showing up by yourself." Brooke grinned as she handed a stunned Peyton the telephone before getting up off the couch and heading upstairs.
Peyton took a deep breath before dialling the number she knew off by heart. Lucas answered after the third ring.
"Hello?" he questioned, not recognising the number.
"Hey Lucas, it's Peyton." Peyton hit herself on the head at how idiotic she sounded. Lucas chuckled lightly at her hello, knowing he would never forget the sound of her voice.
"Look, I know this afternoon at the office was awkward and I know I hurt you, but I was hoping that we could really try to do this friends thing." Peyton stopped, waiting to hear his reaction.
"Well I wouldn't want anything more than to hear you say you wanted more, but ok, if that's all that you're willing to give at the moment, sure. What did you have in mind?" Lucas asked, curious.
"Obviously you know that Brooke is having her store opening this weekend, and I know you're going and well I'll definitely be there, so how about we help save the environment and go together?" Peyton waited patiently as she let him think it over.
"You know that we can walk to the store, so we wouldn't really be saving the environment." Lucas reminded her. "But it sounds like a plan. I can meet you at your house at 8, is that ok?"
Peyton smiled, thinking that they could get through this.
"Sounds great, I'll be waiting." Peyton confirmed.
Lucas had arrived on time, and currently Peyton and Lucas were making their way to the store, walking along the lamp lit streets.
"You look nice." Peyton told him as they continued their walk. Lucas quickly glanced over at her.
"Yeah, you too." He responded continuing to walk down the street before he stood in front of Peyton, causing her to stop.
"Ok, I'm sorry, is this weird? Because it seems weird to me." Lucas asks her, holding onto her shoulders lightly.
"Look, we had a relationship, we can't pretend we didn't, and we also can't pretend that you don't want more right now, but before all of that we were really close friends, there's no reason we can't have that again." Peyton told him, looking him in the eye. "Just relax, and let's see where the night takes us." Peyton smiled at him, as she removed herself from his hold and continued walking, with Lucas following.
Peyton and Lucas finally arrive at the store to find it abuzz with people. As they enter, Brooke comes running up to them.
"Hey P. Sawyer and Broody, glad you could make it."
"You know we wouldn't miss this for the world." Peyton replied, hugging her best friend.
"It's a good turn out Brooke, you've done well." Lucas gave his opinion as he also leaned in for a hug.
"I have, haven't I? Well enjoy yourselves, don't get into too much trouble. I must go mingle." Brooke blew a kiss to them both as she headed over to another group of people.
"Ok, so what now?" Lucas turned to Peyton and asked. Peyton laughed.
"You're a big boy now Lucas, I thought you would have known how to take care of yourself?" Peyton sarcastically questioned him. Lucas rolled his eyes at her.
"Very funny, I mean do you want a drink or something?" Lucas pointed to the makeshift bar at the back of the store. Peyton nodded.
"Sounds good." And the two made their way to the bar.
xxx
Peyton and Lucas were sitting in a corner quietly talking among themselves, sipping on glasses of champagne when Brooke approached them. Tiredly she flung herself on the empty chair next to Peyton.
"Who knew hosting a store opening would be this demanding." Brooke whined. Peyton laughed.
"I'm sure you're doing a great job B. Davis, look at how many people are here appreciating your designs." Peyton encouraged. Brooke nodded, before noticing the hot bartender eyeing Peyton – again.
"P. Sawyer, I need you." Brooke suddenly grabbed Peyton's hand and pulled her from the seat. Peyton gave Lucas a confused look as she let herself be pulled towards the bar.
"What's up?" Peyton asked as they came t a stop at the stools.
"So how are things with Lucas?" Brooke questioned, looking over at the brooding blonde, trying - but failing- - not to watch the two best friends.
"What do you mean?" Peyton asked, not sure where the conversation was headed.
"Well, how is the whole "just friends" thing going for you? Still giving him the cold shoulder?"
"I am not giving him the cold shoulder. I invited him here tonight didn't I/" Brooke rolled her eyes at Peyton's response.
"We both know he would have come regardless."
"Look, you of all people should know that I need this right now. I'm not ready to let him in yet." Peyton sighed, turning to face the bar. Brooke laid a comforting hand on Peyton's back.
"Let's have some fun then, because the cute bartender has been eyeing you all night." Brooke smiled as she subtly inclined her head in the bartender's direction. Peyton quickly glanced over to where Lucas was sitting, to find him talking to some woman she didn't recognise. She knew that Lucas wasn't interested in this random woman, but she was the one that suggested they just be friends, and she was sick of letting him control her emotions.
"Sounds good to me." Peyton smiled as the two best friends smiled out at the crowd gathered in the store.
xxx
Lucas stifled a yawn as he looked around the store. He had been separated from Peyton since Brooke came and dragged her away. He had been able to keep himself occupied as he found people around the store he wanted to talk to. But it was now nearing the end of the night, and with only a handful of people left in the store, he thought it was time to head off. He went in search of Peyton to suggest they walk home together, when he found her leaning against the bar, laughing with the bartender. Hiding his look of jealousy, Lucas approached her.
"Hey." He greeted her. Peyton turned to see Lucas standing behind her, straightening, she turned to face him.
"Hey." She greeted back.
"Ready to go?" he asked her. Peyton quickly glanced at the bartender before turning back to Lucas.
"Actually, I think I'm going to stay." She replied quietly, not wanting to upset him. Lucas eyed the bartender out of the corner of his eye, thinking this guy had something to do with Peyton wanting to stay.
"Good night." Peyton stated simply, not wanting to prolong the awkward moment. Lucas nodded and sighed, leaning in for a hug, Surprised, Peyton let him approach, but at the last minute, he stopped, laying a hand gently on her elbow as he whispered in her ear.
"He's not good enough for you." With one last quick look at the bartender and a longing look at Peyton, Lucas turned to leave. Peyton stood there stunned for a second, before turning back to the bartender.
"I'm sorry, I've got to go." She quickly offered as she ran outside after Lucas.
"Hey!" She yelled as she stormed out the front door. Lucas turned to her surprised. "Don't do that." She stated from her place at the top of the stairs.
"Do what?" Lucas asked confused.
"'He's not good enough for you'" She mimicked him. "I don't want you saying things like that to me Lucas. That's not fair to me." Peyton finished, tears welling in her eyes.
"Fair? You want to talk about what's not fair? How about the fact that I just ended a two year relationship because I finally realised I wanted to be with you. I want everything with you Peyton and you keep pushing me away. I don't know how many times I have to say it." Lucas told her as he approached her standing at the top of the stairs.
"You've said it enough Lucas, how about you start showing it. How about you respect my wishes and just let this friendship evolve on its own. Just don't say stuff like that to me." Peyton sighed, hanging her head as she walked away from him and the store. Lucas watched her go for a few seconds before deciding he didn't want to leave it like this.
"Peyton." He called as he grabbed her arm, forcing her to turn around. Neither noticed how close they were now standing on the deserted street.
"Look, that was a stupid thing to say, I know that, but I couldn't just leave you there with him, knowing how I feel for you and knowing that in time you will feel the same." Lucas whispered as he stared at her.
"Lucas, I didn't refuse to leave with you because of him. This was Brooke's big night, I didn't want to skip out on her early. It had nothing to do with the bartender." Peyton replied. Lucas sighed with relief.
"Well now I feel like an idiot." Lucas mumbled, looking down.
"You're only just now feeling like that?" Peyton commented, laughing lightly/ Lucas looked up quickly and upon noticing the smile on her face, laughed lightly too.
Standing there, with just the light of the street lamp illuminating both of them on, Lucas couldn't remember why he had ever thought Lindsay could replace Peyton in his heart. He loved this beautiful woman and wanted everything with her, starting right now. Peyton was still smiling up at him, as he held her by the elbow and they were standing close. Leaning down, Lucas softly captured her lips in his own for a sweet chaste kiss. Peyton pulled away immediately, knowing if she didn't, things would escalate beyond her control, because despite what she told everyone, she loved this man in front of her and she wanted everything with him too.
"Lucas." Peyton started to protest as she tried to move out of his hold.
"Shh." Lucas whispered, before capturing her lips again, this time pushing the kiss further as he held her in his arms, pulling her as close as possible. And that was how Brooke found them when she walked outside to look for the two blondes who had disappeared minutes earlier. Smiling to herself, Brooke left them to themselves as she re-entered the store.
Author's Note: Hmm, I'm not sure about this chapter, I feel like I kind of got side tracked. Anyway, I tried to keep everyone happy, so there's a bit of everything in this chapter. I hope you enjoyed, feel free to review (again) and keep the suggestions coming. Oh and I don't have this beta'd before I post it, do I need one? Is it hard to read?