Chapter 3

Han woke up at six am the next morning with a massive hangover. Leon had taken care of Shelby once Han had no more use for her since Han had been too drunk to deal with getting her out of the house. The sex had been decent, but Shelby had tried to stay the night which was why Leon had taken care of the situation. The only girl Han wanted to spoon was the one he had lost three years ago this day. The girl he would gladly give his life for in order to see her back in the blue and green bedroom that overlooked the ocean.

Han groaned as he got out of the bed knowing he wouldn't be getting back to sleep. He pulled on his jeans and a shirt not bothering to grab anything but his keys on his way up the stairs. He stopped in the kitchen for aspirin and an energy drink before Han left the house. He got in his Mazda and drove not knowing where he was heading and hoping his thoughts about Peyton would fade. He drove around L.A. disturbed by how many people were up this early in the morning. Han found the drive emptied his mind and before he knew it he found himself pulling into a parking spot at the beach. He thought about turning the car around and getting breakfast at the seven eleven with whatever change he could find in the car, but the radio lyrics stopped him.

"But the water's shallow here and I am full of fear and empty handed after two long years," the radio sang. "Another sunny day in California. I'm sure back home they'd love to see it, but what they don't know is what you love is ripped away before you get a chance to feel it." Han smiled as a memory of his eighteen year old self came into his mind.

"I don't get what the big deal about California is," Han said to Peyton from his spot on the edge of her bed. Peyton looked up from her textbook.

"Maybe it's because it's after midnight, but I have no idea what you're talking about."

"So many groups have passed judgment on it. Put the Beaches Boys aside you still have The Mamas and the Papas, Train, U2, Guns and Roses, Green Day, Sugarcult, and so many other bands who have all had a say about what California is like."

"And now you're upset Yellowcard is doing it with their Ocean Avenue CD?"

"Exactly."Peyton stuck a pencil in the book.

"Maybe it's just the inspiration of what it would be like instead of what's around them," Peyton answered as she closed the book. "If we wrote a song about New York it would be completely different than if a tourist would." Han smirked.

"I don't think we could get people drunk enough to pay to hear you sing." Peyton raised an eyebrow.

"Maybe not, but until you stop fooling around with the girls every time you have nothing to do you're never going to get any better on the guitar." Han shrugged in response and a picture of Peyton with Brian on her nightstand caught her eye. "California is pretty cool though. You need to go at least once in your life." Han followed her gaze and Peyton quickly looked away. She went to open her textbook again, but Han stopped her. His eyes were serious.

"You still haven't talked to him about what happened, have you?" Han asked concerned. Peyton looked away.

"There's nothing to talk about. It happened and I've moved on with my life."

"Peyton it's me you're talking to, not Julie, Paul, or Leo." Peyton looked at Han with a stern look for a fourteen year old.

"I haven't had a nightmare in months and have been outside the apartment every day this month."

"Suppression and resolution are two different things." Peyton couldn't help but laugh as the next track on the mix CD began to play. Peyton immediately recognized it as Maroon Five's She will be Loved.

"I think you've been hanging out with me too long."

"It's not like I have ever had a choice in the matter. If you fly off the deep end that means I have to put up with Paul all by myself."

"Yeah like you wouldn't love to get rid of me finally," Peyton joked. Han looked at her as if she had slapped him.

"Don't ever say that again Peyton." Peyton nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"It was just a…" Han kissed her. He pulled back immediately looking at Peyton for her reaction. Peyton touched her lip and said, "Joke." Peyton looked at Han angrily. "Was that a joke?"

"Why would you think that?" Han asked a bit hurt. Peyton got off the bed.

"Because there's no way that just happened for real!" Peyton paced her room. "I'm the girl who gets upset over an A minus on a test not to mention your brother's best friend. You're the guy who has made out with every girl in the neighborhood at least once and has had sex with a good percent of those women."

"So?"

"So we're too different to be kissing each other."

"We both like music."

"That's not enough to start a relationship," Peyton stated. She covered her face with her hands as soon as she heard the words come out of her mouth. "And if the difference wasn't that obvious it is now. I mean who assumes Han Lue kissing them means that he wants to be in a relationship with them…" Han put a finger on her lip. Peyton moved her hands away from her eyes and looked at Han.

"What if I wanted a relationship with you?" he asked her.

"So the nights you've spent here with me were just to get into my pants?" Peyton questioned a bit angry. Han leaned his head against hers.

"No Peyton," he promised her. "I like to think we've been closer than friends for a while now. My reasons for spending the first night I heard your nightmares were because I was worried about a friend of me and my brother. Maybe part of me has always seen you as something more than my little brother's friend, but this last week of watching you sleep has made me think about wanting to be something more than just a friend." Peyton blinked as she processed the information.

"But why? I mean of any girl you could have which is everyone in the neighborhood and then some at the private all girls high school why an inexperienced basket case like myself who is scared of sex because of what just happened?" Han smiled at her. It wasn't his player smirk or the one he had when he was with the guys. It was the one he only used when he was with her.

"You're the only girl I can count on to put me in my place when I'm being an asshole and you love me despite my flaws. You're beautiful especially when you just wake up in sweat pants and a t-shirt without any makeup." Han kissed her nose. "And because you Shiratori are one of kind and the only girl I can see myself being with down the road." Peyton looked at him confused.

"Shiratori?"

"Swan in Japanese." Peyton took a deep breath trying to process everything. "I understand if this is too weird for you being Paul's best friend and might be difficult after what happened a few months ago." Han let go of her and took a step away from her. "I'm sorry I stepped out of line. I won't bring it up again." He went to leave, but Peyton stopped him.

"But I don't want you to leave when I've wanted this for so long," Peyton admitted.

"Really?" His smirk made Peyton blush.

"Maybe my advice about the girls you've been with is slightly skewed because I've liked you for awhile." Peyton looked at the floor. "I just never thought you'd want me back." Han pulled her to him as the two kissed again.

"I've talk to Paul about us," Han confessed when they had separated. "He's cool with it as long as we don't make out in public too much." He pulled out a necklace with a Japanese symbol on it. "It's the symbol for Shiratori. If you'll be my girlfriend I want everyone to know I'm yours and I love you." Peyton smiled.

"You do have your moments Han." Peyton kissed him. "I love you and will always be yours."

"I miss you Peyton," Han whispered as he wiped the tears that the memory had brought from his eyes. "And am still yours."

XXXXX

"There's no way he's going to let you spend the night outside of the house much less with Katie," a blonde guy told Peyton as she shot a combo shot on the pool table. "I can't decide if you're mental or just a complete bleeding idiot." Peyton watched the solid ball fall perfectly in the pocket and took a sip of her beer before she searched for her next shot.

"He's not going to fight me when it comes to the self proclaimed step-brother," Peyton reminded the blonde guy as she leaned over the table to make another shot.

"Maybe the Miami Riley might have, but not your Irish royalty husband," he replied as she missed the shot. "Maybe you should just go home before he gets home." Peyton looked into the blonde's eyes.

"Do you really think that's the right thing to do Collin?" Peyton asked. Collin took a sip of beer to break the eye contact and aimed for a corner shot.

"I think having Riley on your bad side while the devil child is in town might be worse than being in the same house." Peyton watched him make the clean shot. "At least if you and his majesty…"

"Collin," she warned as her eyes checked if anyone was listening to them. Collin did the same and dropped his voice.

"If you two are your usual selves than he'll notice you're upset as soon as Gus makes a threat or if you're missing." Peyton leaned on her pool stick.

"And what about Katie? He pretty much used her as a threat." Collin snorted as he leaned down to make another shot.

"First off Arviragus is a git but is not a complete moron. He can't touch Katie when she's a member of the royal family per say." Collin got another ball in.

"And secondly?" Collin walked towards Peyton and stopped in front of her instead leaning down to take another shot. He leaned on his stick and looked into her eyes.

"She's not my concern." Peyton fought the urge to hug him. It had been hard for the two of them since Collin discovered where she was. Peyton had practically groveled, pleaded, and begged for mercy to be shown on Collin arguing that Galway had once been his home. She had said it was only natural for him to return here eventually and he wouldn't breath a word to the others about Peyton's location. Riley had surprised her by not only showing Collin mercy, but allowing him to stay in Galway and giving Collin money to open his own Autoshop. Peyton wasn't sure if Riley trusted Collin and Peyton to be alone together because Collin had never tried anything with Peyton during High School or if it was because he thought Collin would be too afraid now that Collin knew how deadly and vindictive Riley could be. Whatever the reason, Peyton was thankful she had at least one of her old friends back even though she knew Collin had made certain promises to Riley. The promise they both struggled with was the promise the two could never touch…not even to shake hands. While Riley was confident nothing between the two would ever happen, he did express concern over what others might think if the saw the two were always together and what a simple touch might be misconstrued as. It was hard for the two since Collin had always been the guy she could curl up against for comfort when they were talking and Peyton had always been the sister he threw an arm around when he wanted to avoid girls or was treating her like one of the guys. They had both wished for things to be different the last two years but something was better than nothing.

"Katie isn't untouchable," Peyton argued to break the silence. "You forget they were after her when Aleksander…" Peyton shuttered at the name and felt the scar on her lower back ache. Collin took his shot, but missed the ball.

"I heard through the grapevine you're Father in-law hired him?"

"That would be correct," Peyton said as she sunk a ball in the side pocket. "Apparently Darby was so impressed with his techniques that Darby couldn't kill him."

"You mean the techniques that Aleksander used on you." Peyton didn't answer and instead got another ball in. "So why isn't Riley more on edge about Gus being here? If everyone knew Aleksander was guilty for what he did to you and he got away with it, wouldn't he be concerned with Gus in town?" Peyton looked around the pool table to see what pocket she could make the eight ball in.

"I haven't talked to him about yet."

"Come again love?" Peyton made a face at the nickname.

"He got the call this morning and didn't talk to me about it so I haven't bothered to talk to him."

"Don't you think that's a tad childish?"

"Probably. Eight in the side pocket." Peyton shot the cue ball into the eight and the black ball fell into the correct pocket with ease. "Game."

"You did not use to be this good when we lived in Miami." Peyton shrugged as a group of guys that she did not recognize, but looked around her age walked towards the table."

"Pool and painting were the only things I could do when I first got here that didn't involve a book," Peyton admitted as she put the poolstick away so the group of guys could play. Collin eyed the raven-haired guy when he got close too Peyton and looked her over.

"So does the challenger automatically play the winner or do I have to buy you a drink?" the guy asked shamelessly with an American accent. Peyton looked him and his friends over and pegged them as rich kids from the New England area blowing off steam now that the school year was over. Peyton looked at Collin and tilted her head as if she was confused.

"Do you know them?" Peyton asked Collin in Gallic. Collin grinned at her.

"Had you share of rich boy problems for the day?" Peyton glared at him as the tourist looked at Collin confused by him speaking Gallic.

"I heard you both speaking English earlier," one of the raven head's friends stated.

"You guys can have the table," Peyton offered in English. "I have to be going anyway." She looked at Collin and he nodded that he was also ready to leave. The raven-head gave Peyton a smile.

"The girls we partied with last night told us school's out for the summer for you all as well," he said as his brown eyes looked over her longingly. "Let's have some fun."

"She's married," Collin stated as he took a step towards the raven head. The friend who had called Peyton out on speaking English blocked Collin's way.

"Not to you," the friend stated as another friend laughed. The raven head grabbed Peyton's left hand.

"I don't see a wedding band," the raven head challenged. Peyton ripped her hand away from him.

"The claddagh ring is a wedding band so find someone else to party with. Come on Collin." Peyton went to walk away, but the raven head put an arm across the pool table to stop her.

"I think you're making that up to get away from me," the raven haired guy challenge. "I'm an attractive guy and can be a nice guy when a girl isn't being a bitch."

"Lad, I think you may want to step away from this," the owner of the Pub warned knowing exactly who Peyton was. "There's plenty of lasses that would love to hear your stories about the states."

"Stay out of this old man," the raven head stated his eyes undressing Peyton.

"Don't speak to Mr. Quinn that way and don't take me as a tease," Peyton ordered as she shoved him out of the way. The guy replied by grabbing her arm.

"Who the fuck do you think you are bitch?" the raven haired guy yelled annoyed.

"Besides Riley O'Neil's wife?" came Liam's voice behind Peyton. The raven haired man looked from Liam to Peyton and let go of her.

"Wow I had no idea she was so beautiful," the kid stuttered. "You'll half to pass on my compliments to Riley for me Liam."

"I would if I wanted you dead," Liam replied as Peyton looked over her shoulder to look at Liam. Liam looked at Peyton. "Let's go." Peyton grabbed her purse and looked at Collin to make sure he was alright. Peyton saw that the raven hair's friends had backed off.

"It'll be no trouble for myself to drop off your car tomorrow Mrs. O'Neil," Collin told her. Peyton gave him a slight nod to show that she understood he was alright. She then maneuvered around the men that had arrived with Liam to make her way to the bar. Peyton put down four twenty Euro bills leaving a hefty tip to make up for the scene.

"This is too much my Lady," Mr. Quinn whispered.

"It'll make up for the business you'll lose when those Yanks leave." Mr. Quinn gave her a warm smile. Peyton gave him a quick smile before she walked to Liam and followed him out the door. "If you're here to force me to go back to the manor without any of the guest accommodations being changed, then I hope you know I'm not okay with this."

"It came to Mr. Riley O'Neil's attention that Mr. Ericson might be more comfortable in one of beachside hotel suites here in town," Liam told her as they walked towards the hummer. Two men were waiting on either side of the vehicle for them. Liam motioned for them to get in, but stopped Peyton from opening the back door as the group that had gone into the Pub with him got in another car. Peyton noticed his eyes were tenser than normal.

"What were you thinking threatening him like that? Do you miss the tower?"

"What was I suppose to do Liam? You and I both know the role that bastard had in my kidnapping and we've both seen the way he looks at Katie. What would you do in my shoes?"Liam was silent as he opened the back door to the hummer and shut it behind Peyton before he walked around the car to get in the opposite side. Peyton lowered her sunglasses from her head and stared out the window as they drove. She had no idea where they were going but soon recognized the blocks surrounding Katie's school. The Hummer was pulled up to the curb and the doors of the hummer were unlocked. Peyton looked at Liam who picked that moment to start a conversation with the man driving the Hummer. Peyton got out of the car and went to stand under the usual tree that she met Katie under. She made small talk with a few of the other mothers who greeted Peyton.

"Aunt Peyton," a small girl yelled. Peyton smiled as a ten year old with auburn hair braided neatly in two braids came running towards her. Peyton swooped the girl into her arms due to the girl being small for her age.

"Where'd Peyton come from Mrs. O'Neil?" one of the mother's asked Peyton.

"Oh it's my middle name," Peyton lied as she kissed Katie's nose. "How was the last day of school precious?" The girl gave Peyton a huge smile.

"I'm a fifth grader now Aunt Peyton!" the girl reported excitedly.

"Paige Peyton Calhan is such a mouthful dear," another mother said. "I'd best stick with Paige or Mrs. O'Neil." Katie shifted in Peyton's arms.

"Lady O'Neil will work better," the first argued. "You might as well flaunt the fact that you're royal when you are married to one."

"What are they talking about?" Katie whispered in Peyton's ear. Peyton smiled at the Mothers.

"Enjoy the summer ladies," Peyton said in farewell.

"You too Mrs. O'Neil."

"Let us know when you're back in Ireland dear." Peyton promised she would before she walked to the car with Katie.

"I'm sorry I forgot to call you Paige," Katie said with her arms around Peyton's neck as if hanging on to Peyton for dear life. "Uncle Riley is going to be mad at me again." Peyton put Katie down on the ground and knelt before the girl. Peyton had to put a hand under Katie's chin to lift the girl's eyes from the ground. Katie looked ashamed.

"Katie Rose you never have to be sorry for calling me Peyton," Peyton told the girl.

"But they say I have to otherwise the mean men will come and take you away," the girl argued with tears in her eyes. The girl hugged Peyton fiercely. "I don't want you to go! You need to stay with me and Uncle Riley. Uncle Riley would be too sad without you and would become mean like Uncle Darby!" Peyton stroked the girl's hair as Liam got out of the Hummer.

"You shouldn't say that about Uncle Darby," Peyton chastised the girl as Liam walked over. "And I'm not going anywhere but back home to your Uncle Riley."

"Promise?"

"I promise Katie Rose." Katie let go of Peyton and wiped her tears before she kissed Peyton. She then ran past Liam (who gave her a low five) before she hopped in the Hummer with the help of the passenger seat guard.

"What was that about?" Liam asked his eyes piercing her as if she did something wrong.

"Who told Katie men would take me away if she didn't call me Paige in public?" Peyton countered furiously.

"That's a question for Riley."

"We should get back to the manor then so I can ask my darling husband about it." Liam shook his head.

"You'd be a bleeding idiot to go anywhere near your husband after what you pulled earlier." Peyton snorted.

"I guess it's a good thing I'm an idiot than."

AN- Remeber to review!