I own nothing—thanks for the reviews.

I loved everyone's reviews. I always do, but I was glad that I actually had everyone surprised lol. I had been planning on bringing Jake back since I thought of this story. I didn't want to hint at it or anything because I wanted it to literally come out of nowhere; as Jake usually does lol. That's not like a dig at him or anything because I love Jake and Peyton, I just love Lucas and Peyton more lol.

Enough rambling . . . read and enjoy!


Light on up

With everybody watching you

Lights go down

Everything is yours to lose

First dancer takes the floor

Laugh what you can't ignore

Whatcha gonna do

"Come on, strategy girl", Brooke hissed.

"Brooke, it's eight in the morning, we've been thinking all night, and I can't drink coffee because I'm pregnant, I'm doing the best I can", her voice began to shake near the end of her sentence.

After the dreaded message ended and Peyton was put into bed – a difficult task for Brooke – then the phone call was made. Needless to say they weren't thrilled to be woken up in the middle of the night, but the second Peyton's name rolled off of Brooke tongue Nathan was at her door. Haley trudged through the door at about two and they had literally stayed up the entire night.

"Okay, I'm sorry", the tone in Brooke's voice changed and she rubbed Haley's hand, "it's just that this is huge."

"I know that", Haley argued.

"Guys, relax", Nathan's voice cut through the mood in the room, "Hales, do you want decaf?" he asked calmly.

"What the hell good would that do?" she snapped.

"Easy there, preggers", Brooke muttered.

"I blame this on you", Haley said threateningly as she pointed a finger at the brunette.

"Me?" she asked incredulously, "how is this possibly my fault?"

"I don't know, but someone needs to be blamed."

"So, I get the blame because I used to date Lucas?" she asked with venom in her voice.

"Your words not mine", Haley said as she folded her arms over her larger chest.

"Haley, this is not her fault", Nathan reasoned.

"Don't take her side."

"I didn't know there were sides!"

"Well, there are! And you're on the wrong one, buddy."

"Okay, this is getting out of hand", Brooke said as she got up to pour another cup of coffee.

"Haley, do you really think Brooke is at fault?" Nathan asked carefully.

"No", she said with a pout, "I just want them to be happy. This screws everything up."

"I want them to be happy too", Brooke said as she sat back down, "Peyton is the happiest I've seen her in a long time, I don't want that to change."

"I'm sorry", Haley whispered as tears filled her light brown eyes.

"Me too."

"Jeez Brooke, you sure you're not pregnant too", Nathan teased which earned him a slap on both shoulders.

"Seriously though, we need to think of something guys", Brooke spoke again.

"What if we tell him she's visiting family?" Haley questioned.

Nathan shook his head. "Jake knows she basically has nobody; we're her family."

Brooke squealed and clapped her hands, "What if we go out and buy a 'For Sale' sign and stick it in the lawn. Jakey boy comes, see's the sign, pouts a little, and then moves on", she had an accomplished smile on her lips.

"That doesn't sound half bad", Nathan mused.

"Except that would take too long", Haley voiced, "we don't know when he'll be making an appearance."

"Fine, do you have any ideas?" Brooke faced the pregnant girl.

"Why don't we just let them talk?'

------------------------------

Lucas tossed and turned in his bed. It was a little after eight, but he couldn't get back to sleep. He kicked the covers off and swung his legs over the side of the bed. His feet hit the hardwood floors and he shivered as a chill ran up his body. He hopped around the floor, not wanting to stay in one place for too long. After he gathered his clothes he headed for the shower.

The warm water covered his body and he sighed contently. He let his mind wander to the previous night. It was the first Valentine's Day he celebrated and he was more then glad that it was with Peyton. He was glad she enjoyed it as much as he did. The night went well, except for his outburst. He was still having a hard time with everything that was going on around him. He knew it wasn't fair to Peyton, but wasn't there a saying or at least an idea that you take things out on the ones you love?

He shook his head as he stepped out of the shower. That was a cop out and he knew it. He needed to step up and be a man. He had to face everything he was feeling and thinking head on. The dreams continued and everyday he was getting closer to figuring out what they meant. After today, he was hoping it would all start to make sense. He looked at the clock and noticed the time; if he didn't hurry he was going to be late.

He checked the webcam before leaving his room. It was on, but she was nowhere to be found. He grabbed his cell and dialed a familiar number as he walked out of his room and into the kitchen.

"Hello."

"Hey man, listen I was hoping we could talk. I've got a lot of things I need to get out and I think you're the person I should talk to."

"Umm . . ."

"I'm sorry, for everything. I know it's a little late, but better late then never right?"

"Okay, what time is good for you?"

Lucas smiled. "I have an interview at the body shop at ten, so anytime after that."

"Okay, give me a call after."

"Alright, thanks for this", he said sincerely.

"I'll see you later."

Lucas shut the phone and sighed. He was definitely trying to make things better. After Keith's death Dan had decided to sell the Body Shop back to one of Keith's close friends. Lucas knew he didn't need an interview, but he wanted to go about things the right way. People in this town talked enough, he didn't need to add more fuel to the fire.

He looked up from his phone and stopped just short of the kitchen. His fists curled and his jaw clenched. He had handled a lot in the last few months. He had bottled it all in and so far that was working. But, the sight before him cracked that bottle and sent it crashing. He could not—would not stand for this.

Dan Scott was sitting in his kitchen . . . holding his mother's hand.

He brushed past them both and walked out the kitchen door; ignoring the plea's of his mother.

He only needed one person right now.

------------------------------

Like many of the teens in Tree Hill, Jake Jagielski, had his fair share of troubles.

He had gotten his girlfriend of six months pregnant when he was sixteen. Needless to say, his parents were less then thrilled. After a long, thoughtful conversation, it was decided that Nikki would keep the baby.

At first things were great. Jake wasn't in love with her, but he was slowly getting there. She had a few habits that were less then desirable, but she dropped them the minute she became pregnant. She stopped smoking and she wasn't going out with her friends every night. She focused on school and her grades improved. He was proud of her.

But that only lasted for so long.

Eventually, Nikki the party girl came out in full force. She didn't drink, but she was around her friends that did. She didn't smoke, but she was around her friends that did. School was put on the back burner and her grades started to slip. He guessed she got sick of his nagging because as soon as their baby was born she took off.

Jennifer Lynn Jagielski was born on a cold November morning. She was seven pounds, five ounces. Nineteen inches long. All ten fingers and all ten toes. She had a healthy set of lungs and a perfectly normal heart. And she instantly became the love of Jake's life.

He came to realize that Nikki leaving was a blessing in disguise. Yes, she would eventually need her mother. Or at least a mother figure. Someone to buy her her first bra. Someone that could show her how to apply makeup. A woman that would love her as her own.

That's where Peyton Sawyer came in.

They didn't run with the same crowd. She was a cheerleader and he a basketball player. But he was less then an all star and she was dating the all star. One day fate stepped in and the two grew closer. He knew his feelings for her were real and he was pretty sure she felt the same way, but something got in the way.

Nikki came back.

She was on a mission and nothing was going to stop her from accomplishing it. Suddenly, after nearly a year, she wanted to be in Jenny's life. He knew there was no legal way he could keep her away from the daughter she never wanted to know. But, thankfully, Peyton came to the rescue.

He went to Savannah and he and Jenny had started a life for themselves. He was about to enroll back into school when he got a call from a distressed Lucas. Peyton was in trouble and apparently he was the only one that could help.

Cut to a few weeks later; he, Peyton, and Jenny are all living in Peyton's house. They were finally something; they had gone out on a date, Jenny got along with her great, they had kissed, and then eventually made love. They were in love and it was amazing. They were both actually thinking it could happen. They would each have the family they always wanted.

This was all before Nikki came back for a second time. Despite everyone's best efforts, Nikki got a hold of Jenny. She had taken her and disappeared. Once Jake was released from jail, he did what any father would do and set out on his own mission to find his daughter. But this all meant one major thing.

He had to leave Peyton . . . again.

It took a long time. The entire summer and most of the school year, but finally Nikki had messed up. He was furious that she would be so irresponsible with her own child in the car, but at the same time he didn't expect much else. And now here he was. In Peyton Sawyer's driveway.

"Are you ready to see Peyton?" Jake asked his small daughter.

"Pey!" she yelled in her small voice as he scooped her into his arms.

"Come on baby girl", he whispered. With his daughter in his arms he walked up the path and onto her front porch.

Jenny squirmed and Jake readjusted her on his hip. He raised his hand and rang the doorbell. A large smile was plastered to his face.

He was more then confident that his life was about to change forever.

Here it goes

Crowning up the cool kid queen

There it goes

The competition show their teeth

I'll let them fight it out

It's just my party now

What I want to be


The group is leaving it up to Peyton. Lucas is on his way over to her house. Jake thinks they'll be getting back together. What's in store?

Okay, I'm a little unsure about this chapter. I guess it's a filler so it doesn't matter, but let me know what you think. Other chapters are either complete or half way there; if your reviews are amazing (as they usually are) I will update sooner then usual.