Alright, so a few reviewers thought I should turn this one-shot into a full on story. So thus, here it is. :) I really hope you like it. I have a few chapters already written. If you have any suggestions at all, please feel free to PM me.
othlvr16 and LucasAndPeytonTLA: Thank you for the kind reviews. You two are lovely lovely people.
Ok here's chapter 2 of "Not Even That"
"You can't save me Peyton. Just let me go. Be safe." A bloodied and battered Brooke whispered to Peyton as she slowly walked backwards towards a towering dark shadow.
"No Brooke, I can save you, just give me your hand and we'll both be safe together." The blonde pleaded with the brunette as the dark shadow slowly started to become humanized and recognizable.
"Derek." It wasn't a question, or statement, but the mere knowledge that Derek was back, and her best friend was going to die. There was nothing she could do.
"Well, if I can't get you Peyton, I guess I'll just have to settle for Brooke here. Don't worry, I'll take good care of her. You'll see." With that, Derek winked and pulled out a knife and brought it up to the brunettes throat. "Say goodbye to your precious friend."
"Peyton…I love you," Brooke said while looking into the green eyes she knew all her life. She knew this was it for her, but being able to see the one she loved before she died made it a little more bearable.
Peyton would be safe.
Peyton would get to move on.
Peyton would get to be the girl Brooke always knew she could be..
"Brooke, please…" The blonde said while attempting to move her legs to the pair, but her legs would go nowhere. The brunette just smiled one last time, closed her eyes and let the darkness consume her. "NO!!"
"Peyton."
"Brooke…no!!"
"Peyton."
"You weren't supposed to leave me…"
"Peyton!" The blondes eyes shot open at her name being called. Disoriented at first, Peyton became aware of her surroundings and realized she was in Rachael's Denali. The next thing she noticed was that it was night outside, and there was a hand on her cheek, depleting the tears she didn't even know were spilling.
"Luke?" Peyton turned to see Lucas sitting right beside her in the backseat. Her and Lucas had taken the backseat while road tripping to go and get Mouth in Texas. The gang had decided to make the trip together since there were strength in numbers.
Still somewhat groggy, Peyton looked into the blue eyes staring lovingly at her, and in that moment, she remembered her dream. It had felt so real. Reliving that night all over again, even though it had a different ending. Just the thought of seeing Brooke distraught and scared formed new tears in Peyton's eyes. It's one dream she hoped would never become a reality.
"Peyt, you ok?" The blonde swiftly moved her gaze from Lucas, to the face looking at her through the window. There, Brooke stood, looking flushed from the cold night air, and relieved at the fact that her P. Sawyer was ok.
"Brooke." Her name was said with so much love and conviction that anyone within a 10 mile radius could feel it. Obviously enough, Lucas felt it too and excused himself inside to the restaurant where the rest of the gang was patiently waiting. When it came to Brooke and his girlfriend, he knew that only those two could understand each other.
"Scoot over Goldilocks," The brunette stated while jumping into the seat next to her, rolling up the windows, and reaching over to turn up the heater.
"Where are we?" For the first time since waking up from her nightmare, Peyton noticed that they were stopped somewhere in the parking lot of a Denny's just a few feet away where she could see Nathan & Haley sipping a shake together while Skills, Lucas, & Mouth were watching the game on TV.
"A few hours from Tree Hill. You fell asleep when Luke asked you to sit in back with him," she stated with sad eyes, "and everyone was hungry and begged me to stop. Well mostly Haley. Grumpy. Hormonal. Haley." Brooke said with a smirk, which turned into a smile when Peyton laughed. She knew she had to ask what happened in her dream that got her so spooked, but she figured she would just wait.
"I love you." With her mouth slightly parted, Brooke didn't know what to say. Truth be told, she's heard Peyton utter those words once before, but tonight, she could see the sincerity. The conviction. The compassion.
"I know what you're thinking B. Davis, yes I have told you those words before, but this time…this time it's different." Hazel eyes met hopeful green ones and it took everything in Brooke to not kiss her at that moment. In that moment, Peyton was in the most vulnerable state the brunette had ever seen her in before. In all her 18 years of life, and all the 10 years of knowing her precious Peyton, she had never witnessed something so beautiful.
"I love you, and I never want to lose you," Peyton whispered once more before closing the gap between her and her best friend.
Sure, they kissed back in Tree Hill a few days before, but that kiss…that kiss was nothing like this one. Their first kiss was a revelation, this kiss…was a story being told.
Reluctantly enough, both girls pulled away just enough to get some air. The only thing that could be heard was ragged breathing and beating hearts. For the longest time, the girls just stared at each other, neither of the two wanting to ruin the moment.
Peyton was the first to break eye contact, and Brooke was saddened that she was a big factor in which why the blonde had a nightmare in the first place. With a heavy sigh, the bubbly brunette, who was now replaced with a concerned and sympathetic brunette, sighed and asked the question Peyton didn't want to have to answer.
"What happened P. Sawyer? You were sleeping when we pulled in. Everyone went inside, while Lucas said he'd just stay here with you to try and wake you up." Peyton finally looked up and knew she had to give an explanation. "Trust me, I wanted to stay, but Luke insisted. I got off the car, but turned around when I heard you scream my name." With that last statement, tears spilled down the blonde's face, smearing her make-up yet again.
"Brooke…I…you…" Peyton couldn't even get more than a few words out before she pulled the brunette into a bone-crushing hug. Brooke understood where she was coming from, she knew that whatever it was, it must have been pretty awful for her favorite girl to be in tears, holding on for dear life.
"Shh, it's ok honey, you don't have to tell me," She cooed in her ear. At this point, she didn't want to know what happened,. All she wanted to do was help Peyton through it, even if it was being done in a blind-sighted manner.
"I need to tell Lucas," Did she just say she needs to talk to Lucas? She won't talk to me, but she'll talk to him?
"That's fine Peyt, I'll go grab him if you want me to-" Brooke stated as she broke away from the embrace and started opening the passenger door cold-heartedly.
"No…Brooke. I didn't mean that I need to tell him about what happened in my dream," This got the brunette to turn around steadfast, "I meant that I need to tell him." The blonde stated in a serious manner while her eyes met Brooke's gaze.
"Tell him what P. Sawyer?" Brooke feared the worst, but hoped for the best in the next words that came out of Peyton's mouth.
"…that I'm not in love with him anymore. That I'm in love with someone else. Someone," Peyton brightened, "who knows every part of me," Tears glistening, Brooke placed her hand on the blonde's with a small smile forming at her lips.
"Someone…who loves me with every part of their being," Peyton took their joined hands and placed them just under her collarbone, "Someone…who's heart is so bright, and beautiful and strong, that it's staggering." Brooke's breath hitched, and she couldn't take it any longer.
"God, I love you so much P. Sawyer," Peyton couldn't take it any longer as well. It seemed as if they needed to be with each other just to breathe. Closing the gap once more, the pair began kissing so urgently, the need for friction became highly apparent.
"As much as I'd love to do this right now, in Rachael's truck I might add," Brooke smirked against the blonde's lips, "We cant…do this…yet." Peyton finished in between kisses. Pulling away to stare at a pouting Brooke, Peyton rested their foreheads together. "Soon Brooke, soon. I promise, I just need to figure this all out and talk to Lucas. But my heart is and will always be with you. I'm sorry it took so long for me to realize it." The two were so caught up in each other's presence that they hadn't even noticed someone opening the front passenger door.
"Hey girlies you gonna come-" Was all Haley could get out as she stared at the two occupants of the car, "- inside." The shorter girl had a look on her face when the pair broke apart that neither Brooke nor Peyton could place. Hoping that she didn't see anything else, and seeing the look of shock on Brooke's face, the blonde decided now would be a good time to talk.
"Hey Hales. Sorry about taking so long, I had a nightmare and Brookie here was just helping me understand it. We'll be in right now." Peyton said with a forced but polite smile that she hoped Haley would accept. At the mention of said nightmare, Haley's unplaced looked turned to one of concern and just nodded, stating that she would be right outside.
Noticing Brooke's engraved look of worry, Peyton grabbed her hand and placed a chaste kiss on it. "The windows are tinted ya goof. She didn't see anything. I thought that's why you rolled the windows up in the first place." The blonde said with a smirk on her face as she hopped out of the car. Before Brooke knew it, the door on her side was opening, and with it stood Haley and Peyton graciously waiting for her to join them.
"Come on B. Davis, let's get inside before we freeze out here," Peyton asked as she lent out her hand for Brooke to grab. Not wanting to draw anymore attention to themselves, the brunette also grabbed Haley's hand to mirror the gesture between her and the blonde.
"Yeah Tigger, you should listen to Peyton, or else I'll most likely end up eating you with all these cravings I've been having." As the trio walked the 20 feet it took to get inside, all thoughts of discomfort left Brooke as she realized that Haley hadn't seen anything take place back in the car.
___________________________________
"Hey guys, look who I found," Haley stated to the table as all eyes focused on the group who just walked in. Brooke's hand lingered on Peyton's for a moment longer before she pulled it away.
"It's ok. I'm right here." Brooke showed a small smile before hinting towards an approaching Lucas. "I'll wait for you" she whispered before taking a seat next to Haley.
"Hey Blondie, I was waiting for you. What took you so long?" Lucas's words mimicked Brooke's, and Peyton realized how much she missed her brunette who was only a few feet away.
"Huh? Oh, sorry. Brooke and I were just talking. I'm fine, really." Once again Peyton plastered on a fake smile, and Lucas bought it.
"Good, I was worried. Come on, the food should be here any minute. I got you pancakes," The blue-eyed boy said with a smile.
'Too bad waffles are my favorite. I don't know how I ever thought he knew me…]
"Sawyer! Scott!" The pair turned to see Nathan motioning them over to their table which was now placed with food. "Food's here, and if you aren't here in the next 5 seconds, Haley's gonna eat it."
"Hey!" The shorter brunette said while slapping her husband.
"Come on P. Sawyer, you and Luke can sit next to me. There's room next to Hales, but I figured you wouldn't want her eating your food." Brooke said with a smirk. The blonde mouthed a 'thank you' to her and sat down, with Lucas right on her tail.
Peyton got as close to Brooke as she could without it becoming noticeable and patted her thigh under the table. Looking down at her plate, Peyton was somewhat confused. Didn't Luke order me pancakes? Why are there waffles here?
Noticing the confusion on her friends face, Brooke took this at initiative to speak the truth. "I switched your order," Peyton looked up to meet the brunette's eyes and silently thanked her, "I know you don't like pancakes." Brooke whispered the last part so only the blonde could hear.
The group ate their food as if they had all been starved the past 5 years, but continued to joke and laugh throughout the entire meal. A few people just smiled at the sight before them, noting how close and pure this group of friends was.
"Alright let's get out of here guys, it's late and I wanna be home before tutor-wife pops out Nate Jr. right here on this table." The gang laughed at Brooke's joke as they paid for the bill.
"Peyt, why don't you ride up front with me since I'm driving." Lucas asked with hope in his eyes. Peyton looked to Brooke who had on a small sad smile, but was pretending not to hear the conversation as they headed outside.
"Actually Luke, I was hoping that Brooke and Peyton could sit in the back with me while Nate sits up front with you. I want to spend some time with my girlies." This stopped the blonde and brunette in their tracks as they both chanced a look at the shorter girl.
"Uh yeah, sure Hales." Lucas said with a small smile as he jumped in the driver seat. Haley winked at the pair, and hopped in the truck without missing a beat. "Come on you two." Green and Hazel eyes, filled with confusion, shared a knowing look, shrugged, and mimicked the rest of the gang as they all filed in to finish their trip and head home to Tree Hill.
I totally wish I went on a roadtrip with friends. *sigh* oh well.
okies, so please review, PM me, or whatever you feel
- Rae