Set after 5x05. What if Peyton had come home while was talking to Brooke.
Author's Note: Not much to say, just thanks to everyone who is still reading and reviewing. Oh yeah, and sorry for the tense skipping, I never was very good at knowing what tense to write in.
Enjoy!
Reluctantly opening her eyes, Peyton looked around her room, remembering the events of the night before. After the breathtaking kiss she shared with Lucas, she saw in his eyes that he wanted to talk about it. Not willing to do that at that very second, Peyton did what she does best. She ran, leaving a confused Lucas standing there on the street.
Peyton was not stupid, after everything she had told Lucas about not letting him back in, she had let him kiss her, even welcomed it, and now she had to do some back tracking. She had to help him understand that it was a mistake, not in the true sense of the word as she did not regret one minute of it, but just that it should not have happened last night.
Peyton knew she had to talk to him, but later sounded better than now, however, Lucas had other plans. As Peyton pulled herself out of bed, groaning at the effort it took, she stumbled out of her room, wiping at her sleep filled eyes. She could hear noises in the kitchen and assuming it was Brooke, sat down heavily in one of the stools, eyes still closed.
"You'll never believe the night I had." Peyton grumbled, laying her head on the counter. She heard a deep male laugh, and Brooke definitely was not male.
"I think I could take a pretty good guess seeing as I was there." Lucas replied, setting a cup of coffee in front of Peyton, leaning against the counter on the other side. Peyton lifted her head and opened her eyes to face him.
"Hi, what are you doing here? Where's Brooke?" Peyton asked him, consciously tugging at her bed mussed hair.
"She went back to the store, something about cleaning up after last night's debacle. Not sure how much mess that crowd could have made, but she left about ten minutes ago. She let me in, in case you were wondering." Peyton simply nodded at his reply. Lucas sighed, moving around to the other side of the counter to take a seat next to Peyton.
"Look, we need to talk." Lucas started. Peyton nodded.
"I know we do, I just don't know what to say."
Lucas grinned at her response, thinking things would finally work out between them. The grin slowly faded as Peyton continued.
"It shouldn't have happened. I'm not saying I regret it, because that's the last thing I'm thinking, I just don't think it should have happened so soon after I told you that I wanted to be just friends. This does not change the fact that I cannot let you in right now Lucas. I won't."
Lucas turned away, trying to conceal the disappointment on his face. He should have seen it coming; it was too good to be true. Peyton placed a hand gently on his forearm, willing him to turn back to her.
"I'm not trying to be a bitch Lucas, I know that this is hurting you, but give it time. I'm not saying never, I'm just saying not right now."
"Just like you didn't say never to my proposal?" Lucas asked sarcastically. "Gee, look where that got us." Lucas rolled his eyes and headed towards the door.
"Luke." Peyton called after him. "Things are fine the way they are, we're friends, and I'm telling you if you just give it time, it will all work out I promise."
Lucas nodded.
"Last night meant something Peyton, and I'm going to show you that. I'm not going anywhere."
"Either am I Luke." Peyton responded with a smile as she watched him open the door to leave. Both Lucas and Peyton froze as the door opened to reveal the figure they least expected. He had his hand mid air as if he was ready to knock.
"Jake!" Peyton called out being the first to shake herself from the shock, jumping up from her stool to move to give him a hug. Jake smiled as he returned it. Lucas quickly shook it off, and moved to shake Jake's hand.
"Hey Jake, what are you doing here?" Lucas asked politely, meanwhile watching for Peyton's reaction to her ex standing at the door.
"Thought I'd come down for a while and see my favourite group of people. I had some time off work so I thought I would spend it here. Jenny's sleeping in the car." Jake commented as Peyton led him further into the house. Lucas remained at the door.
"That's great. We should catch up tomorrow night or something." Lucas suggested, trying to sound enthusiastic. "I have to head out now, but yeah we should organise something."
Jake nodded in agreement.
"Sound like a plan. See you later." Lucas waved a quick goodbye as he walked out the door.
"Well that was… awkward?" Jake asked as he sat on the couch next to Peyton. "What was that all about, and why was he here so early in the morning? I thought you guys called it quits years ago?"
Peyton sighed. 'Yeah I thought so too. I mean when I came back here I wanted nothing more than to have him welcome me with open arms, but when I showed up, I found out he had a girlfriend of two years, then out of the blue, he broke up with her, telling me that I was his biggest regret and he wanted to make things right. So now here I am trying to protect my broken, no more like shattered, heart from the last time we tried this, and he's just everywhere, trying to get back in." Peyton laid her head on Jake's shoulder.
"Sounds complicated." Jake commented. "But then again, nothing between you two has ever been simple. And do not worry, I am not here to make things anymore complicated. I saw the way he was eyeing you and the death glares directed at me. You guys have a whole set of drama I'm not involving myself in this time."
Peyton laughed lightly.
"Thanks Jake." Peyton wiped her eyes that were threatening to spill tears and sat up, turning to face Jake. "Anyway, enough about pathetic me, it's good to see you what have you been up to?"
"Not much really. Nikki and I worked out an arrangement with Jenny a few years ago, which surprisingly has worked out well. Nikki really got her act together after that drama with the court back in senior year. Right now, Nikki let me take Jenny since she knew I was coming here to see you all, and she thought it would be a nice time for Jenny to get away. So her and I are here for as long as work gives me the time off."
"How is work? What are you doing now?"
"Just working in a club down in Savannah. It's long hours but the pay's good, and they let me showcase my music every once in a while when there is an opening, which is great for me because I don't really get the time to try and pursue it otherwise."
"Hey that gives me an idea. I have some studio time booked for Mia and I'm sure she won't mind if you tag along if you want to get something recorded? It doesn't have to be anything professional, but it would be nice to have something recorded for you personally." Peyton suggested. Jake smiled.
"Yeah, sounds like fun. I mean I might as well use my connections to a big record label producer."
"Great. I'll set it up for tomorrow." Peyton grinned. "This is going to be so much fun."
Author's Note: Eh, not that great. I think it's what you call a "filler chapter". I need to start the jealous Lucas phase, that's always fun. Any suggestions of Jake/Peyton activities that will make Lucas jealous and/or Lucas stunts to prove to Peyton that he is the one, will be much appreciated and I will give you lots and lots of credit.