Days dragged by and the Scott family struggled to find a common ground. Instead a routine was established; Lucas spent his days isolated, sifting through photo albums and family videos that he wasn't apart of, trying his best to learn who his daughter was. When three o'clock came, Peyton would go and collect the little girl from daycare and on the odd occasion, when they arrived home Lucas would take her for ice cream along the pier. His attempts, however were in vain. She'd quickly learned to obey her father and although she'd begrudgingly accepted that he was apart of her family, she was wary of his presence and rarely responded to his endeavor to create a relationship. Unlike his strive for approval from Isabel, Lucas had made no effort with his wife. He was short tempered, cold and communication was at it's worst, exchanging few words each day. She tip toed around him doing her utmost to please him and it was beginning to ware on her. Her initial happiness at his arrival home seemed so long ago. She'd given up on conversation, knowing she was only to receive a one worded response, she'd given up on trying to be intimately close in fear of him turning his back on her for the hundredth time. Instead she'd suddenly found herself spending more hours at the studio. When not at work or fending after Isabel, she was cleaning obsessively, in fact she'd become quite the tidy housewife.

'Luke?' Her weary voice caught his attention, he looked up from his newspaper, his eyes widening. She was stood, her back to him, ruffling through the top draw, clad in nothing more than her black lace panties. He shook slightly, startled by her blatant nakedness. 'I thought you could come with me to get Izzy from daycare today, what do you think?' She asked distractedly, successfully finding her matching black bra and yanking it out of it's hiding place. His eyes travelled up and down her creamy back. 'Luke are you listening?' She turned around to face him when no response was given. He'd spent the last few weeks trying not to focus on her for too long a period in fear that his desire for her would take over again but right now he couldn't dismiss the stirring in his loins. She was like a model in every sense, her tall slender figure, her blonde silky hair falling in perfect locks, framing her picture perfect face. She was exquisite in every way. He swallowed thickly in hope to aid his sudden dry mouth.

She smiled lightly, surprised by his lustful gaze. She'd convinced herself that he was no longer attracted to her. He could barely look at her most of the time. She timidly approached the bed, abandoning her bra on top of the sheets. 'You cantouch me Luke' She whispered, sinking onto the mattress. His eyes were fixated on her chest. She reached for his hand, slowly guiding it up her stomach and curling it round her breast. 'I'm your wife- you're allowed to touch me' He remained mute, his eyes dark. It took him a few minutes before he gingerly moved his fingers on his own accord, brushing over her soft skin. She arched her back, a small moan of approval escaping her lips.

'No' His hand snapped back 'I, I mean, You're going to be late for work, I...I need to take a shower' He mumbled, hastily grabbing her bra and thrusting it into her arms before standing and padding across the room. The door closed heavily a second later, leaving her alone. Blinking back her inevitable tears, she sighed uneasily, taking a moment to compose herself before commencing the task of dressing. It was nearing eight, she had to get her little girl up, she had to get breakfast ready, she had to get to work, she had to get through another lonely day.

It was half two and Peyton had just arrived home, determined to make Lucas go pick up their daughter with her. She traipsed through the small house, opening the study door which had become his little private sanctuary. She wrinkled her nose up, upon entering. The room was cloaked in darkness, emphasising the dull brown walls. She exhaled. It certainly was stuffy, as if the room had been neglected for sometime. 'Hey' Her lips held an accustomed false smile as she eyed him, huddled on the leather sofa under a dim lamp, surrounded by scrap books and photo albums. Opening the window, she watched as a gust of air blew through the cream curtains. 'You ready to come get Izzy?'

'I'll see her when you get back'

'Please come' Peyton insisted, gently yet firmly taking a photograph of a three year old Isabel from his hand. 'You've seen them all now' She stated, gesturing to the piles of photos. 'She needs you now, it doesn't matter about the time you've missed, please come get her with me' She urged. He didn't argue, reluctantly giving in to her desperate plea, slowly lifting himself out of the warm chair and silently following her. It was a short journey. They were both silent as Peyton drove through the network of houses. She exhaled heavily as they reached the daycare centre. With Lucas home, the need for Isabel to attend the expensive preschool wasn't necessary but she was positive the small infant would rather play with her friends than be in her father's sombre company all afternoon.

'Haley rang while you were at work' Lucas mumbled as they walked over to the gates.

Peyton's eyes darted up to him, surprised by his low voice. 'Oh?'

Lucas nodded, shoving his hands in his pockets as they waited patiently for their daughter to run out. 'She said something about us going round there tonight with Isabel- for dinner' He kept his eyes focused on the building ahead.

'Oh' Peyton crossed her arms, shifting her weight. 'Well- do you want to go?'

'I don't mind' He shrugged.

She sucked on her bottom lip and gave a slow nod. 'That's a no then' She mumbled under her breath. He wasn't deaf, he heard her remark however neither of them had time to say another word as children began to flood out, a curly haired youngster bounding over to them on small legs.

'Mumma, mumma' Isabel's excited cheer enticed a smile onto Peyton's lips. . 'Hi'

'Hey you' She answered, kissing the little girl's head. Isabel's eyes slowly danced up to her father, a shy smile on her little rose bud lips.

'Hi Daddy'

'Hello' He answered awkwardly, forcing a smile that didn't do much for the child's ego.

'Hey Peyton' Lucas' eyes snapped up at the masculine voice, his gaze trailing over the man that was stood before his wife.

'Steve' She smiled, a genuine smile that Lucas hadn't had the pleasure of seeing an awful lot lately. He scolded himself at the thought, she'd had no reason to smile since he'd been back, it wasn't as if he was a bundle of laughs. Lucas contemplated his wife and the stranger. His pensive blue eyes watching her hand reach out and brush against the man's forearm as she spoke. His sweating palms curled into instant fists. His mistrust coming into play. He'd spent the last few weeks avoiding her, dodging her in every sense. She was better off without him, he'd convinced himself of that brutal reality; that She would in fact, be happier with someone else. But now, standing here and presented with what Lucas assumed was someone she'd most likely had a fling with, someone she'd probably had a relationship with in his absence, his belief that she should find someone else was pushed to the back of his mind. His blood began to pump at an unhealthy rate, fighting with every bone in his being not to smash his prepared hands into the man's face. Peyton's gaze temporarily met his, her eyebrow quirking slightly as she comprehended his bitter expression.

'Luke this is Steve, Katie's Dad' She gestured to a brown haired little girl, chatting animatedly to Isabel.

'It's nice to finally meet you, you must be happy to be back home with your family' Steve politely held his hand out.

'Luke' Peyton's brow knitted together in frustration when he didn't automatically return the gesture.

'Sorry' He shook himself from his stupor, reluctantly shaking the mans hand.

'Well I'll call you later with the details Peyton' He smiled. 'Katie come on' The little girl said her goodbyes to Isabel and followed her father.

'Details for what?' Lucas pried. Peyton's gaze lingered on him for a few moments. In the last thirty minutes he'd spoken to her more than he'd have normally said in a week and yet she didn't feel as if any progress was being made, in fact she felt like they were taking five steps back. He was jealous. He was insanely jealous of her talking to another man.

'Oh it's Katie's birthday next week- she's having a party' She informed him nonchalantly.

'Does Steve have a wife?'

Peyton looked at him with wide eyes, knowing exactly what he was thinking and it infuriated her. 'Come on sweetie' She grabbed Isabel's hand, leading her to the car.

'Well?' He prodded impatiently, catching her wrist.

'No' She groaned. 'They're divorced. Why?'

'He was looking at you'

'I know you probably find it hard to understand seeing as you seem to be lacking in the skill but that's generally what people do when they hold a conversation. They look at you' She snapped.

'Not like that'

'So I can't talk to anyone, in fear of them looking at me?'

'You can talk to people, just not people who're blatantly hitting on you'

'He's not like that, you're completely paranoid and not that it even matters, you can't even hold a conversation with me Lucas- what do you care who I talk to, who I see?' She exclaimed.

'I don't want you speaking to-'

'Don't you dare finish that sentence, you're not in the army anymore, you can't give me orders' She growled. 'I can't deal with this right now. You take the car' She slid her daughters back pack off of her arms and shoved it into the back seat. 'I'm going to walk to Brooke's with Izzy' She hoisted the confused child up onto her hip.

'Don't be stupid, get in the car' He ordered as she turned, pacing away in the opposite direction. 'Peyton- get back here'

'I'll speak to you later' She snapped, her feet carrying her as quickly as possible. Lucas watched her retreating form, his heart racing at an unhealthy rate. He had a sudden unexplainable want for her to do exactly as he said, he needed her to do as he said. Frustration bubbled in his eyes as he watched her continue to pace down the sidewalk, Isabel's golden locks bouncing as she peered at him with sullen eyes over her mothers shoulder. He lent back against the car, exhaling heavily and trying to regain some composure.

'He won't go anywhere near me, he won't talk to me and then I have a short conversation with a parent at Izzy's daycare- I talk to someone of the opposite sex and he suddenly gets all hissy about it'. Peyton ranted. She'd kept quiet about her fears and daily problems with her husband since his arrival home but right now she needed to get some of it off her chest.

'P calm down' Brooke sighed.

'Mummy are you mad with Daddy?' Isabel looked up from her colouring, her quizzical blue eyes wide.

'Mini P why don't you go watch tv, me and mummy will come in, in a sec'

'Yay. You rock auntie Brooke' the curly haired child scrambled from her chair, racing out of the kitchen excitedly.

'Honey come on, sit-'

Peyton cut her off. 'You know he's basically told me in so many words that he doesn't want to be with me anymore' Tears that had been daring to fall since she'd walked into her best friend's house, finally escaped, dashing down her pale cheeks. Brooke was by her side in a second, a comforting arm around her back.

'What?'

'He doesn't want me' She turned in her friends embrace, sobbing into her shoulder. 'He can't even look at me Brooke'

'He freaking loves you- of course he wants you'

'No, no, I really don't think he does anymore'

'P Sawyer' The brunette attempted to comfort her. 'Are you sure you're not being paranoid- it's going to take time'

'No, I, I swear. I new this was going to be hard but not this hard. I, I've tried but he's cut me off completely.' She knew he needed time to adjust back into his old life, but even through their lack of communication, Peyton had come to realise that her husbands attitude and beliefs had changed quite drastically and wasn't sure time was going to correct it. Lucas Scott had always been calm and laid back but he'd altered in his time in a tightly scheduled environment. He now liked things regimented and orderly which Peyton was finding hard to get her head round. 'He's not the same man I fell in love with' She whispered sadly. 'I just, I just want him back'

'Hi, is er, Peyton and Isabel still here' Brooke watched him shift his weight uncomfortably and pulled the door back, urging him to come in.

'They left to go have dinner at Haley and Nate's about half an hour ago'

'Oh' He turned to edge back out the door but she closed it, blocking his path.

'I was hoping I could talk with you?...Luke?' She tilted his chin, demanding he look at her.

'I'm going to be late- I just thought I'd pick them up on the way' He mumbled.

'A few more minutes won't hurt' She stated gently. 'I'll make us coffee' She tempted. Lucas sighed, he knew exactly what she wanted. He wasn't stupid. Peyton had come here and ranted to the brunette about his misconduct, about his cold behaviour. He reluctantly followed her into the spacious kitchen. 'How're you finding being home?'

'It's...fine'

'Yeah? I-'

'Look Brooke just say whatever it is you've got to say' He sighed exasperatedly. Her caring hazel eyes darted to his.

'I'm not here to judge' She defended. 'I can only imagine what's going through your mind and I'm sorry Luke, I am. But Peyton's my best friend and when she hurts, I hurt.' Brooke Davis, always the busybody. Water began to bubble inside the kettle, steam rising from the spout accompanied by a low hum, prompting Brooke to react. She leaned over the counter top and flicked the switch, carefully pouring the boiling water into two mugs. 'Lucas you can't tell her who she can and can't talk to' Brooke said calmly, avoiding his eyes as she set his coffee down before him. He gritted his teeth, resisting the urge to throw the mug into the wall.

'She's my wife I can tell her what I bleeding like' He snapped venomously.

'What's, what's wrong with you?' She stuttered, bewildered by his statement. She'd assumed her best friend was being paranoid but the man before her was unrecognisable.

'Nothings wrong'

'You're acting crazy. Lucas she loves you, she's in love with you and I'm telling you she hasn't been with anyone in the whole time you were away. You have nothing to worry about' He turned away, avoiding her accusing stare. 'We all know you've had it hard but can't you see you're hurting her? She just wants to love you, let her in'.

'You know nothing' He spun around, his finger pointed threateningly at her. 'Just stay away Brooke, you didn't see her, you didn't see her all over him- I'm her husband, she belongs to me' He shouted uncontrollably, a rage in his eyes that she'd never thought he were capable of. She edged back, frightened by his sudden fury.

'Lucas-'

'No' The coffee mug shook in his hand, he winced as the steaming water spilled over the rim and trailed over his wrist.

'Lucas' Brooke's hazel eyes grew wide, a swell of fear rising up in her chest.

'NO' He abruptly smashed his mug down hard on the counter top, the crockery shattering on contact, the steaming hot liquid missing her arm by mere millimetres but unfortunately didn't miss his hand. He grimaced, his arm muscles tensing as the burning water scalded him, a searing prickling sensation as the skin instantly began to tighten. She gasped, her clouded eyes watching him cower away in pain.

'Oh god' She bit her lip. 'Come here, come run it under the tap quickly' She ordered. 'Lucas'

'Just, just mind your own business' He exhaled, turning hastily for the door.

'Lucas wait- run it under the tap' She pleaded. 'Lucas...' Her plea fell on deaf ears, the front door slamming seconds later. Brooke sniffled loudly, wiping furiously at the tears that had settled on her cheeks. Lucas Scott needed help, she knew that for sure and she was determined to make him get it, not only for him but for his family and most importantly his wife and daughter.