BRIEF NOTES:

Again and again, thank you very much for the heartwarming reviews.

This is from the late afternoon up until the evening of Kaitlyn's birthday. A lot's gonna happen, so I hope you'll bear with the length.

Thanks and Enjoy.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own One Tree Hill.

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CHAPTER SIXTEEN

The couple walked around the mall with hands intertwined. It had been a long day, so far; but it was far from being over.

"So are you okay with it? I mean them knowing we hooked up?"

Derek eyed her from the side and smiled. "Sure. I don't see anything wrong with it." Brooke seemed unconvinced.

"Davis, could you just enjoy what's here and stop thinking about consequences?" His hand squeezed hers tighter.

"I know. I'm sorry, D. It's just… I don't know where we stand and I don't know what we are and I'm leaving and you're staying and I can't --"

A solid kiss stopped whatever ramble she was about to say.

"Listen to me, Brooke." He pleaded as he put both hands on her face, attempting to make her eyes meet his own. "Let's not get into the mess of having to label ourselves only to screw up the friendship we've had for years. It sounds insensitive, I know, but it's the truth. I'm not gonna lie and say it won't hurt when you leave – it will. But I don't want this to jeopardize the future already planned ahead. And besides, people who are meant to be always find their way in the end – a wise young brunette told me that once."

Brooke smiled. This man was the most honest jerk she had ever met. She embraced him, basking in the knowledge that however they turned out, they would both be okay.

"Alright, soldier." The naughtiness returned to her eyes. "We have two hours til the Tric gig, you better make it count."

Nathan and Haley made their way into Tric from the backstage way. The front entrance was too queued, an indication of another full house.

"Peyton's doing a great job, isn't she?" Haley admired her friend's efforts. Since her takeover, the club had never suffered a night's loss.

"I know. I can't even remember the last time I saw the floor." Nathan had a special way of putting compliments out, and it was something his wife loved about him.

Lucas finally spoke up. "You think she's here already?" He was strung tighter than a guitar. The couple laughed at his nerves.

"Luc, in ten seconds you're about to come undone." He cocked his eyebrow and asked Haley why.

Nathan answered for her. "Because the person you're asking for is over there, and what you're about to see isn't really what you imagine."

He turned towards the direction that Nathan pointed, and within a fraction of a second the vision before him turned his stomach into a twisted knot.

Pete Wentz was hugging Peyton Sawyer.

It had taken exactly 2 years to get Fallout Boy to play at Tric again, mostly because of that Savannah trip. Peyton knew Pete had been pissed, but she never regretted her choice – not even for a second. When they saw each other again, during the 2nd annual Friends with Benefit concert, Pete couldn't help but ask why. A few tears and a drawn out explanation later, they had decided to make amends. Over time, they had hooked up once or twice, but he knew who she loved, and she knew he wasn't looking for commitment. Ultimately, they knew they were better at being friends than anything else.

"Good to see you again, Peyton." He said as he pulled her in for a hug.

She returned the affection. "Likewise, Pete."

His eyes found a strangely familiar sight. "I see your muse is back."

She smiled with uncertainty, saying, "Well I wouldn't put it that way."

"You're smiling, Peyton."

She eyed him curiously. "What do you mean, I'm smiling?"

He rolled his eyes. "I mean the sides of your lips are curling upward to the sides of your cheeks."

Now it was her turn to do the eye roll. "Whatever, Pete. You're on in five."

"Whatever to you too, but you're still smiling." He said as he picked up his instrument and slung it over his shoulder. "You're doing okay, Peyton. He's got you smiling like a cheerleader. Don't let that go. I'll see you later."

Peyton was baffled at his statements, but she saw the truth to them. Still, somehow, her fear still managed to creep into her system – she just wasn't ready yet.

"So, Lucas is back." Said a voice that came from behind her.

She smiled at the rugged voice's familiarity. It had been way too long since they last saw each other. Peyton turned to embrace the man behind him.

"Jake."

"Unbelievable. What the hell is this, hug-your-ex day?" he quietly muttered to no one in particular. Lucas was now sitting by the bar alone; somehow Nathan and Haley had managed to disappear, leaving him room to brood.

"In your case, that would definitely be a yes." The woman who sat beside her replied.

He was too engrossed in his thoughts that he failed to notice who it was. "In some countries they consider it rude to interrupt monologues."

"Suit yourself, broody. I'm trying to give you an in here."

He looked up, only one woman ever really had the gall to call him that. "Oh, it's you."

"After 4 years of no interaction, all you can manage is 'Oh, it's you?' You really are lame, Luc."

Frankly, he could care less. "Sorry, Brooke. It's not my night." He admitted as his gaze pined over the blonde woman in conversation with her former boyfriend.

"I know. Seems you've forgotten how charming Peyton can be with the rough-cut guys." Brooke joked.

"Wow, thanks… you've given me hope." He sarcastically replied.

Brooke grabbed her drink and looked at Lucas straight in the eyes; it had been a while since she did it and the absence of the old unnerving feeling she got whenever she stared at him gave her the confidence to know there was nothing more for her and him than just friendship.

"Luc, you have to work for it this time. She loves you, and she might not admit it to you but she can't imagine not spending the rest of her life without you in it. But you hurt her pretty bad – the kind that doesn't fade away even if better memories try to replace it."

He stared right back at her, a deep sorrow clouding his eyes. "You think I don't know that, Brooke? I know I messed up in gargantuan ways this time, but I'm doing my best to try to get her to take me back. I'm running out of ideas pretty fast and right now, seeing her so happy with them, it's starting to make me think twice."

She sighed in frustration. Boys can be so dumb sometimes. "That's stupid reasoning and you know it, Lucas. You love her, so fight for her. We all know you want to. You don't need ideas, Luc. Just show her how you've changed and start being there when she really needs you to be."

He smiled a little. "Since when did you become so smart?"

"Ever since" She joked. They both chuckled.

"Thanks, Brooke."

The brunette returned his smile, gave him a gentle pat on the back, and whispered in his ear, "Pete's dating some model and Jake's back with Nikki. They're here because they perform at Friends with Benefit every year. You're in the clear, broody. Don't screw it up or we'll kill you."

Brooke walked away, knowing that she left a very pleasantly surprised Lucas by the bar.

"How is he?" Jake asked.

"Better." Her answer was followed by a smile.

Jake Jagelski was genuinely happy for her, it felt good to see the woman he would always love be back in love again. "He's got you smiling."

She tried to wipe the goof out of her grin with a scoff. "Tss. You and Pete said the same thing; there must be conspiracy abound."

"Nice to know he hasn't changed your humor at all." He commented. "Seriously, though, it's nice to you smile like that again. Let's hope he makes it stay for good."

Peyton blushed. "Shut up." she commanded while nudging his arm. "Thanks for coming again, Jake. This may very well be the most successful Friends with Benefit gig, with you, Pete, Andrew, and Haley on stage – it's a definite powerhouse."

"Haley's playing?"

She wasn't surprised that he didn't know, the production hadn't really gotten Haley's answer until yesterday. "Yeah, the new baby's apparently making her want to sing again."

"Haley's pregnant?" His question held the same surprised tone as the previous one.

"Okay, Jagelski, one more question starting with Haley is and I'm walking out."

He chuckled. "Sorry, sorry. I was just surprised, y'know? It's been a while since I last heard from everybody."

Peyton had a rebuttal ready. "Well you haven't exactly put your life out for circulation either. Another baby on the way and I had to hear it from Billy."

"Yeah" he beamed "A boy. Nikki and I are having a boy."

They embraced again "Congratulations, Jake! I'm glad things worked out for you." He returned the hug with a gentle squeeze.

"I'm glad it worked out for both of us." It was the honest-to-god truth.

Just then, Peyton's cellphone rang. It was past midnight and she did not know anyone who would be calling her this late…except for whoever was keeping an eye on her son.

"Hello?" She covered her other ear to gain better audibility. In less than 3 minutes, she had gone from glad to shaken. "I'm on my way."

Wordlessly thinking she sped for the parking lot, but not before grabbing a bewildered Lucas by the shirt and dragging him outside and onto her car.

"Whoa. Peyton, what's happening? What's wrong?"

"Get in."

They stepped inside the car. She revved up and sped like a madwoman on a hunt. "Peyton what the hell?!"

"Robby's fever spiked to 103. Karen took him to the hospital."

The world, for Lucas Scott, fell in a dark haze of speeding city lights after that.