Chapter Fourteen: We Are Nowhere, And It's Now

Karen Roe sat worriedly upon her couch having just left her son a fifth message. It had come to the point that if he did not show up soon she was going to have to call the police. The minutes passed and thunder rolled overhead coupled with bright flashes of lightning as well as the hard pounding of rain against the windows. Just as she was about to dial 911, the front door open and there stood Lucas.

He was soaked to the bone and water dripped from his hair and clothes that clung to him like his skin. Karen rose from the couch immediately but Lucas had already stumbled towards her. She instinctually wrapped her arms around him and could feel the tremors rock his body from the sobs and she guided him to the couch.

"Lucas honey, what's wrong? Where's Peyton." Karen whispered holding him close to her.

"S…sh…she she's gone." he finally managed to choke out as the tears rolled freely from his eyes and down his cheek.

"Gone? Lucas tell me what happened." Karen murmured rocking him gently while her hand rubbed his back.

Lucas collected himself long enough to splutter out coherent sentences. "I don't know mom. She got harassed at school yesterday so I brought her back here and we fell asleep. We were both so tired. When I woke up she was gone. I went to her house and she was leaving. She kissed me, said 'I love you' and got in her car and…left." at the last word the tears came yet again and his body shook from the sobs.

"Shh." Karen cooed rubbing back and rocking him gently like she used to do so many years ago when he was just a boy.

"I feel so lost. What am I going to do now mom?"

"That's the million dollar question Lucas. Even I don't have an answer. You'll find your way, find a way to cope and wish on the stars baby. If love is enough you will find each other. You'll be okay Lucas you'll be okay." she whispered hugging her son closer to her body hoping that even if it was a small amount of reassurance, by god she would give it to him.

Lucas tried to move on, he called and texted her frequently after her departure. Yet it came as no surprise when his texts were left unanswered and his calls were not returned. Eventually, he stopped finding that it did him no good to cling to something that was no longer there. However, he still clung to her, the memories, the clothes she left behind in his room, and the many cds she made him. He could never bring himself to fully let go.

-Time passed-

Snow fell lightly from the gray clouds that hung overhead masking the blue sky beneath. Peyton Sawyer stared intently outside her window watching people put up their Christmas lights while several other houses' lights had already turned on. Winter in Massachusetts was a beautiful sight as Peyton watched the flakes fall forming a thick blanket of white. A deep sigh emitted from her throat as she gazed longingly outside. Five years had done the blonde well. Her hair had grown out darkening slightly as the years passed. Her eyes were a softer green presenting a gentler and welcoming look.

"Peyton?" came a small voice from the doorway. Peyton turned slightly presenting a small smile at her aunt.

"Hey Kate." she managed returning her gaze back outside. There was a small pause between them before Kate spoke again.

"Dinner's ready if you're hungry. If not I'll save you some for later." Kate replied gently taking a few steps towards Peyton.

"Thanks Kate, I'll be down in a minute." she responded quietly.

Kate had been nothing short of a rock since Peyton had moved in with her nearly five years ago following her departure from Tree Hill. She was her mother's sister but they had lost contact after Anna's death. When Peyton tracked her down Kate and her fiancé Colton had welcomed her with open arms. Kate even reminded her of Anna in more ways than not and Colton was protective of her and Kate in his own way. Together they were a family and it was exactly what Peyton needed.

"Are you thinking about him again?" Kate asked in a soft tone careful the way she worded it. Talk of Lucas Scott was normally a topic not often discussed.

Normally, Peyton would deny such doings, but Kate always knew better. However, today was different. "Yeah, I am."

Though she had not been thinking about Lucas Scott directly, she had been thinking about a part of him that he left with her. It was a memory that would be with her for a lifetime…

Sickness had plagued her in the following weeks after moving in with Kate. She figured it was just her adjusting to the new climate. Yet when the sickness did not subside Kate suggested that they go see the doctor.

"Kate, really I'm fine I don't need to see the doctor." Peyton protested.

"Peyton please be reasonable. I know you may not want to admit it, but lets be realistic here. Constant sickness and cramps, Peyton I think you know what this means." Kate was never one to really sugarcoat things, but Peyton respected her for it.

"I can't be pregnant. I just can't be." her thoughts ran rampant. It could have only been Lucas'. He was the only one she had been with.

"Whose is it?" Kate asked in nonchalant tone but even she could tell it was meant in a serious manner.

"It would have to be Lucas' seriously Kate who else would I have been with, I haven't been out of your sight since I got here." she joked with a roll of her eyes. She had told Kate of the infamous Lucas Scott and of course her departure from Tree Hill, so it came as no shock when Kate showed no expression that resembled surprise.

"Well let's go see. We won't know for sure until you take a test."

There she sat awkwardly on a table in an exam room. Kate was there too sitting pretty in a seat beside the curtain. The doctor reappeared later carrying her chart and glancing over it again before he spoke.

"Well Ms. Sawyer you are pregnant. From what we can tell you're about two and half months along."

Something in Peyton lifted. Maybe this was her way out of the mess she was in. Maybe, just maybe this could completely help her get healthy. She thanked the doctor and turned to Kate.

"I'm checking myself into rehab."

Rehab was rigorous and exhausting. However, she found her physical health as well as mental health greatly improve during her first week and a half. Once she was released Kate did her yet another favor and hired her to work beneath her at the small boutique she owned. Life as she knew it was improving and it seemed almost too perfect. It was then that tragedy struck.

Kate had warned not to do too much around the store, but Peyton was never one to listen as she wanted to be as helpful as possible. Nothing had ever happened to her yet so she continued her work load. However, it was one minor puddle of water that sent her world into a spin. She was rushing trying to finish inventory before closing. She had not noticed the spill and she was walking for to fast and fell right on her stomach. Kate came rushing to her side immediately and called for an ambulance.

She was absolutely devastated when the doctor informed her she had miscarried. The one thing that pulled her out of the darkness was gone and she almost felt the light fading. After the loss of the baby she found that spent plenty of time busying herself with work. Kate worried but never pressed the issue. They never really talked about Lucas or the baby much and left her to mourn quietly to herself.

"Peyton." Kate called to her again.

Peyton snapped out of her trance and turned back to Kate. "Yeah I'm coming." she replied and followed Kate down the stairs.

"Ahhh there she is." Colton smiled brightly at her as she appeared in the kitchen. "I was wondering if we were going to see you tonight."

Peyton chuckled, "Well here I am Colt, your wish is my command."

"That's my girl." he grinned pulling her into a bear hug.

---

The days passed, the days became longer and suddenly five years had gone by and Lucas had hardly realized it. He graduated high school and took off for University of North Carolina straight away prompting Karen to travel abroad with Andy. Once he finished college he came back to Tree Hill and took the helm of the mighty Tree Hill Ravens basketball team after Whitey retired. Karen gave him the home he grew up in, but passed that he did not do much. Life was monotonous and repetitive. He went to sleep, woke up, went to work, came home, then the cycle repeated. It was easy and he soon fell comfortable with it.

Women never seemed to interest him anymore. He went on dates, even slept with a few women but it was never satisfying. No women held one tenth of the attraction Peyton held for him. Five years had gone by and he still clung to her. He did not, could not see any other women, he had eyes only for her. Maybe once she returned to him, his life would no longer be in grayscale.

Author's Note: Okay I understand that I rushed through what happened in those five years especially something as big as the pregnancy and miscarrage. However, this story was originally supossed to be two stories. The first ending how the last chapter did but I decided last minute to make into a larger one thus prompting the gloss over. Trust me I still have more for this story yet to come.