Isabel's hysterical crying had not subsided despite Peyton's great efforts to calm her down. Her composure was quickly crumbling; after the last few hours she hadn't been left in the most patient of moods. 'Shut up Isabel' She finally shouted, blinking back tears as she focused on driving them safely through the rows of houses.

'I want to go home' Isabel screeched defiantly as she had been for the last ten minutes. She was scared and confused as to what was happening and hadn't been willing to listen to her mother's reassuring words, instead taking up screaming her lungs out to convey her displeasure of their little road trip. Any other time she would've been jumping for joy at the prospect of going to her Aunt Brooke's huge house with all it's flashy gadgets but not now. She'd witnessed her father's violent behaviour and was terrified to say the least and was then told they were leaving. Peyton had ordered her to choose a few favourite toys as she frantically threw her daughters clothes into a suitcase and then the innocent child was dragged from the place she called home and put in the car.

Peyton frowned, her new tactic of ignoring the infant in the hope that she'd be quiet wasn't proving all that successful.

'Mu-mumma...mumma...I-I don't wann-wanna go' Isabel continued to sob, her cherub cheeks now flushed red. She'd kicked the soles of her shoes against the back of her mothers chair when she was given no response, her cries becoming louder by the second. Peyton had never been more relieved to see Brooke Davis' house, pulling into the drive and getting out hastily. She'd made it in one piece. She sighed inwardly, avoiding the judging eyes of elderly passerby's as they turned their nose's up at the tantrum Isabel was having. Peyton did her best to take no notice but their comments on how young mothers couldn't control their kids these days was enough to make her want to scream. She flung the car door open.

'Come on, stop crying baby' She cooed. 'You're going to make yourself sick' Peyton brushed her blonde curls away from her sticky forehead. 'I'm sorry I shouted at you' She said desperately.

'I wanna-I wanna-g-g-go home'

'Well we can't right now. Don't you want to see Brooke?' She tempted the stubborn four year old.

'N-n-no'

'Come on, she wants to see you'

'N-no...I hate you'

Peyton gritted her teeth, infuriated by Isabel's uncooperative behaviour. 'Fine' She snapped. Everything was suddenly too much for her to handle. Her husband didn't want her. She was pregnant with an unplanned child and her four year old daughter hated her. 'You can just stay right there then' She barked, slamming the door in frustration.

'P?' Peyton spun around, trying to block out the loud shrieks of an outraged Isabel. Brooke took one look at the emotional wreck before her, fear shining in her hazel eyes. 'What's happened?'

'I've left him' Peyton whispered, moving to walk past her best friend, eager to lock herself away in the comfort of her friends home. 'And she won't stop crying and I just...I can't do this' She stormed up the pathway, trying to conceal her relentless tears. Brooke fort the urge to run after her, turning her attention to the child currently slamming her little hands against the window. She moved quickly, opening the door.

'Hey pretty girl. What's all that noise for?'

'I-I-I do-don't want to leave. I-I like m-my house' She gasped, sniffling. 'I ha-hate Mummy'

'No you don't. It's just for a little while kido. It's not forever.'

'B-but I-I don't wanna'

'I know. But sweetie Mummy's really exhausted, you think you can try and be a good girl for her and try and be brave?' Isabel stuck her quivering bottom lip out. 'Come on, let's go inside and have some milk and cookies' Brooke gently unstrapped her seat belt, lifting her sweaty form off the booster seat and into her protective arms.

'Does my Mummy n-not love me no-no more?' Isabel mumbled into the brunettes shoulder as she was carried up the steps to the beach house.

'What? Of course she does darling'

'M-my D-daddy doesn't, doesn't l-love my mummy no more'

'Yes he does Izzy. Mummy and Daddy just need some time apart. People say things they don't mean when they're angry and confused. Your Mummy and Daddy both love you more than anything, they just need some space right now.'

Figuring the young expectant mother needed some time alone, she carried Isabel through to the kitchen and sat her at the table. 'Lets get you a tissue for that runny nose of yours' Brooke smiled, gabbing a tissue and holding it over her button nose. 'Blow' She instructed, her free hand threading through her god daughter's tangled mess of hair. 'There we are, no more tears ok? I don't like seeing my favourite girl so upset' She kissed Isabel's forehead. 'You want some milk and cookies now?'

'Y-yes please' Isabel nodded, with a small weary smile, her voice still shaky after all her crying.

'Oki dokie' Brooke said brightly. She grabbed her phone, dialing a well memorized number as she opened her cupboard door, retrieving the plastic fairy cup that Isabel always used and pouring her a glass of cold milk. 'Hales?' She spoke into the phone, hunching her shoulder to hold it in place as she juggled a plate of cookies and Isabel's glass, setting it down on the counter before the child. 'I'm not too bad...Listen do you think you could come round here. I need some help...No, it's Peyton...yeah...Ok I'll see you in a bit' Brooke ended the conversation, smiling reassuringly at a wary Isabel. 'You hear that? Your aunt Haley's going to come round with Uncle Nate'

'And Jamie?' She asked hopefully.

Brooke modded with a smile 'And Jamie'

'What's going on?' Haley demanded, briskly walking into her friends kitchen as Nathan set Jamie down.

'Hey' Brooke greeted, rising from her chair with a forced smile. 'Hey J-Luke, Izzy's in the garden playing basket ball, why don't you go show her some of your moves' Brooke chirped, ruffling the little boys dirty blonde hair.

'Can I Mumma?'

'Sure'

'Sweet' The five year old raced off.

'Brooke?' Nathan urged.

'It's Peyton'

'I got that much on the phone' Haley muttered impatiently.

'I don't know how to help her. Don't be mad at me'

'Why would we be mad at you Brooke?' Nathan's eyes were stern.

'I may have left you guys in the dark about some stuff and I know for sure Peyton won't have told you, seeing as she won't even freaking speak to me'

'What's going on?'

'Lucas, he had a panic attack last night-'

'Oh my god, is he alright?' Haley exclaimed.

'He's ok. Well he's not ok. He's losing it. She's a mess. He keeps accusing her of all sorts of things and I really think he hurt her the other night, not that she's going to admit it.' Brooke rambled. 'And I, I really think he needs help.'

'Where's Peyton?' Nathan sighed, he didn't know why but he wasn't at all surprised. His own brother had attempted to punch him for touching the curly haired blonde, then and there he'd been fearful that Lucas' time at war had left him detached and emotionally wounded in more ways than one.

'She, she's upstairs'

'I'll talk to her-'

'I don't think that's a good idea Nate. She, she came here earlier in a right mess, she says she's left him'

'Left him?' Haley cried. 'She can't. He needs her' She claimed defensively. 'Are you sure you aren't over reacting, I mean it's going to take some time for him to get his head together-'

'Hales' Nathan rubbed her back. 'This is more than that.'

'Did I also mention that she, she's pregnant?' Brooke sighed. 'She won't tell me what happened, but I was with her this morning, she said she was going to tell him and then she turns up five hours later declaring it's over between them. I can only assume his reaction wasn't all that great.

'She's pregnant?' Haley mumbled.

Brooke was about to respond when a knock sounded at the door. 'Yeah...Hang on, let me just get that' She wandered out of the kitchen, opening the door without a thought, more than surprised to find Lucas Scott on the other side. 'Luke' She muttered nervously.

'I want to see Peyton. Is she here?' The brunette screwed her nose up as he spoke, the strong smell of spirits hitting her senses.

'What?' She placed her hand on her hip, her brow furrowing, doing her utmost to feign innocence.

'Peyton's car's outside. Is she here?' He demanded, stomping forward on unsteady legs.

'She lives with you, not me'

He shook his head in irritation. 'You know what, don't worry. I'll look myself' He muttered barging past her.

'Lucas' Brooke exclaimed. 'You can't just come in here'

'Is she here?'

'No'

'You won't mind me looking then will you?' He responded sardonically. 'Peyton? Peyton?!'

'She's not here Lucas. I want you to leave' Brooke hissed, following him round the house as he flung the doors open, searching for his wife. He halted when he came into the kitchen to find Haley and Nathan. His eyes darted suspiciously from them both to Brooke before he chuckled.

'I see, you're all fucking in on this. You're all conspiring against me'

'That's not how it is Luke' Haley said gently, desperately trying to get through to him. She was sure everyone was overreacting. Lucas wasn't mad.

'You- you're meant to be my best friend and you, you're my brother'

'And we love you' Nathan nodded. 'But you need to go home man'

'I want to see Peyton'

'She doesn't want to see you Lucas'

'You know this is all your fault' He spun around unexpectedly, pointing a threatening finger at a suddenly nervous Brooke.

'What?' She cried in outrage. 'You're drunk Lucas'

'You've filled her mind with rubbish'

'I'm not the one that makes her feel like she's worthless. I'm not the one that's hurting her Lucas. You are. You need to get help before it's too late and you loose her for good.'

He lurched forward but Nathan quickly intervened. 'Lucas stop it. You need to cool down. Brooke's done nothing wrong'

He gritted his teeth impatiently, her words were like a knife to his heart, he couldn't loose her. 'Just tell me where the hell she is' He pleaded 'Peyton?!' He shouted loudly, his voice echoing through the house. 'Get out here. We're going home'

'Luke she's not here. I think you should go.'

'Brooke please' His angry tone broke into a whimper. 'Please.'

'Lucas you've been drinking. I suggest you go home and sleep it off. Peyton won't want to see you like this'

'Let me drive you home' Nathan sighed, putting a supportive hand on his back.

'I just want to see her'

'I know you do, but now is not the time'

'Aunt Ha...' Isabel trailed off as she noticed her father, instantly backing up. She didn't know the full extent of what was going on, but after this morning she'd concluded that her father wasn't to be trusted.

'Isabel' He approached her, kneeling on the floor. She sucked on her bottom lip, her small hands curling around Haley's leg. 'Come on, I'm taking you home'

'Luke' Haley sighed, lifting the little girl protectively into her arms. 'That's not a good idea.'

'She's my fucking daughter Haley' He spat, anger building in his blue eyes once again.

'Lucas' Haley hissed in disbelief, she didn't know when it had happened but the man before her was suddenly unrecognisable. 'You need to go'

'I'm not leaving without them, I want to know where she's going to go.' He made a grab for Isabel's arm.

'Mummmy!' Isabel's loud shriek startled everyone in the kitchen. Lucas' fingers instantly recoiled and Haley took a wary step backward.

Peyton felt like a block of ice as she hesitantly entered her friend's kitchen, her face ghostly white as she took in the room of people.

'Peyton' Lucas' voice washed over her, numbing her. It took her a few moments to react. Avoiding every ones eyes, she crossed the tiled floor, taking her frightened daughter from Haley's arms and turning without a word, pausing briefly in front of her husband.

'Just stay the hell away from us' She rasped, her throat sore from the tears she'd shed.

He grabbed her forearm 'I'm sorry for everything I've said Peyt-'

'Let. Go. Of. Me'

He did as ordered, slowly releasing her arm. Tears of despair creeping into the corner of his eyes as he watched her exit.

Nathan slowly approached him, patting his back reassuringly 'Luke, come on. I'll take you home'

It had been a few hours since Lucas had been there, in her house and Brooke was unsettled by his appearance. Haley and Jamie had left shortly after Nathan and Lucas, leaving Brooke to care for her broken friend. She'd found her in the guest room, her arms cocooning Isabel, both sleeping.

Isabel had appeared a while later and Brooke had set about making them all some food, hoping to give her some sence of normality after her day.

'Hey sweetie' Brooke said softly when Peyton immerged.

'Hi mumma'

'Hey sweetie' Peyton squezzed her daughters hand, watching Brooke encourage her to finish her fish and new potatoes that were currently being pushed around the plate by the four year old.

'How're you feeling P?'

'Alright' She forced a brave smile.

'Yeah? Here-' Brooke rose from her place at the table and went to the oven, retrieving another plate that was being kept warm. 'You should eat'

'I'm not hungry...' She trailed off at the glare her best friend was giving her. 'I suppose I could try and eat something' She muttered in defeat, sinking down beside her daughter. She closed her eyes and put the fork in her mouth. Each time she was forced to chew, the bile crept up to the back of her throat. 'Brooke I'm so sorry about all of this' She exhaled heavily, resorting to picking at her food as Isabel was.

'Don't you dare apologise'

'Can I get down now Mumma?' Isabel asked hopefully, watching as Peyton inspected the amount of food left on her plate. 'I wanna watch Finding Nemo'

'One more potato'

Isabel stabbed her fork into the smallest spud she could find and stuffed it into her little mouth, chewing quickly. 'Now?'

'Go on then' Peyton sighed. 'What do you say to Brooke?'

'Thank you' She hollered over her shoulder, dashing off to watch TV on Brooke's large screen.

'I should never have come here'

'Don't be stupid, you know I'd do anything for you. You stay here as long as you need sweetie'

'I didn't want to drag you into this. I'm going to leave in the morning. I just needed somewhere to stay for the night'

'Peyt seriously, you don't have to go, you can stay here.'

'I can't, he's only going to keep coming round...I spoke to my dad a few hours ago. He said me and Izzy can go stay with him, just till I get myself sorted and decide where' She abruptly stopped, her voice breaking into a loud sob.

'Oh P' Brooke cooed, scrambling from her chair and pulling her into a tight embrace.

'What am I meant to do?' She whimpered. 'My life's here. You're here, Hales and Nate are here. My jobs here'

'This place is still going to be here honey. Maybe you should go stay with your dad for a while. You'll have some time to collect your thoughts and you'll be able to relax'

'What about Luke?'

'What about him?'

'He's my husband Brooke and he, he's hurting, I can't leave him like this'

'Yes you can. You have to. Like you said, Me, Haley and Nate are all here, we can take care of him. You need to look after yourself right now. You're pregnant. You have Izzy to think about'

Peyton sniffled and nodded. 'I don't want to do this by myself'

'You're not by yourself. I'm right here. I'll come visit you whenever I can and I'll be just a phone call away and your dad will be with you'

'Yeah' She wiped at her swollen eyes.

'It wouldn't be forever, just give yourself a break'

'A break' She repeated dazedly '...Leave Tree Hill'

Brooke nodded assertively, deciding this was exactly what Peyton needed- time away from her husband, time to make him realise what he was loosing, what he had, what he needed and time for her to get her head together, to both mentally and emotionally prepare for her unborn child, to prepare herself for life without Lucas Scott.