Thanks for the reviews.

I think everyone will be happy with this chapter.
There is LEYTON, NALEY, and BAKE.

Let me know if it is still good.

---X0X0---

Lucas was caught off guard with Peyton's words. Apparently Peyton was awake when he gave his speech.

"Stop looking like a deer caught in the headlights and come over here." Peyton smiled and patted the spot next to her where her dad had sat earlier.

Lucas's mouth opened but nothing came out so he just obeyed her and sat next to her. With all of her strength Peyton reached over and hugged him close. She seemed to always be happier when Lucas was in her arms. And she knew he felt the same way.

They put some space between them while still holding onto each other. Lucas looked into Peyton's eyes. "I thought you were asleep."

"I was," Peyton confessed. "Until I heard your voice. I kept my eyes closed because I knew you wouldn't keep going on with telling me all those wonderful things." Peyton said with deep thanks.

Lucas let a small sigh escape his mouth and looked the other way. He was a little embarrassed. Guys weren't supposed to show deep emotion and here he was acting like a girl. Peyton put both of her hands on the side of his face and pulled him to hers so that she could see him clearer. Lucas did the same and placed his big hands on her cheeks and wiped a stray tear. "Don't cry Beautiful." He whispered. Peyton couldn't take it anymore, every atom in her body was screaming at her to kiss him, so that is exactly what she did. She teased him at first, rubbing her nose across his. But then gave in and crashed her lips onto his. Both their bodies relaxed and released their feelings for each other in their kiss of devotion. It was a sexual kiss, not even a simple kiss, what it was, was a kiss on longing. Even though they hadn't been apart for a long time, it felt like it. And with the feeling with the kiss almost made Peyton explode into millions of pieces of pure joy. She had Lucas back and it was great. She just hoped she could keep him.

They both heard someone clear their throat in the doorway. They stopped kissing to see who it was that felt the need to interrupt their make up. It was Haley and Nathan.

Peyton smiled at Nathan, and pulled away from Lucas to hold out her arms for Haley. Haley nodded and walked over to hug her new friend. She was scared for Peyton. She was glad to see her smiling again. Words weren't needed for the two girls. Once Haley let go of Peyton, Nathan walked over to her too.

"Hey solider." He greeted her with a smile. Peyton chuckled a little and she could feel his smile on her neck. "How are you feeling Peyton?" He asked.

"I have never felt better." She smiled over at Lucas. And he blushed.

"Well we just wanted to see you before we left. Nathan needs to get back to his house and I need to wash up. I will come by later after my shift." Haley promised and leaned down to hug Peyton again.

"I will come back later too Peyton." Nathan said as well. She nodded. "Thanks Nate."

When they left Peyton smiled at Haley's never ending kindness. Which reminded her of her best friend. "Where is Brooke?"

---X0X0---

It was 10:30 PM and Brooke was at the bar drowning her sorrows in her second best friend, Vodka. She lost the boy she thought she cared for and her best friend was hit by a semi. Now about Lucas, it wasn't as if she missed him or anything, it was just that she came to a conclusion. She was an easy lay. Boys only talked to her because she would eventually have sex with them. Brooke rolled her eyes and took another swig of alcohol. Why couldn't her parents take one second to see her? Was it really that hard to take two minutes out of their day to say good morning?

She realized her drink was empty so she banged it on the counter to get the bartender's attention. She reluctantly walked over to the drunken brunette. "What do you have?"

"Vvvodkaaa." Brooke slurred.

The bartender shook her head at the young girl but got her drink refilled.

Brooke began drinking it some more. She kept think about her life and Peyton's and then Lucas's life. Why was it that hers was the only one oh so predictable? Brooke heard some soft music coming from a guitar on stage. She glanced up front and squinted. It was Jake! Jake Jagelski. She got up and stumbled over to the front on the stage and bobbed her head to the slow tune. Then she decided to move her body to the music as well. From afar she looked devastatingly gorgeous but to Jake she was lost and confused. He knew more about Brooke Davis than most people knew. She hid behind her body and alcohol. He kept singing and strumming his guitar so Brooke could keep dancing. He watched her seductive moves. He could never be exclusive with her. They came from different worlds. He had skeletons in his closet just like her. That never was good to mix was it? He didn't know what was what anymore. His life had been screwed over many times that he was immune to it. As he entered the last stanza in his song he closed his eyes but he could still see her swaying to the beat.

After the show Jake was putting his equipment in the back of his car when he saw Brooke walk, more like stumble, out of the bar. She was trashed he could tell. Then he noticed a man walking towards her.

"Hey baby wanna have some fun?" He slurred. Apparently he was drunk too or he would have realized she was young enough to be his daughter.

"No, I just want to go home." Brooke pushed him away from her while she reached into her purse for her car keys. "Where is my damn car?"

The man didn't take no for an answer and walked right up to Brooke again and breathed in her scent. "How about you take a ride with me? I have a big car." The perk said while his hands felt everywhere. Brooke felt deprived and tried to push him away but he was too strong. "STOP IT! PLEASE SOMEBODY HELP!"

Jake snapped his head to where he heard the scream. It was Brooke. He ran over to her and the man. Jake then proceeded to punch him in the nose which sent the old man flying backwards into the trashcans. Before the man could react let alone get up Jake had Brooke in his arms, carrying her to his car.

Jake laid Brooke in the back seat and then finished packing the stuff in the trunk.

When he saw that the man ha regained consciences he got in the drivers seat and revved the engine and squealed out of the parking lot.

He was glad that his parents were away on a trip that way he didn't have to explain why he was carrying in a drunken passed out girl. Last time he did that he ended up as a father.

He put her in his room and took her shoes off then covered her up. He walked to the door and shut off the lights. "Goodnight Brooke Davis."

---X0X0---

Silence took up all the space in Lucas's car. Haley had to borrow it because she didn't have a car herself. Nathan was so enthralled in Haley that he couldn't speak. The way she was there for Brooke and Peyton, even Lucas, was beyond him. He was so proud of her and the way she didn't judge.

"What?" Haley asked, still looking at the road.

Nathan must have been staring. He laughed a little. "Nothing, it's just," He paused.

"It's just what?" Haley pushed.

"Well, I am just thankful to have you in my life." Nathan said as he grabbed Haley's hand and brought it up to his mouth to kiss the back of her hand.

Haley turned to him and smiled the smile she reserved for him only.

"Well here is my stop. See you later?" Nathan asked and opened the door.

Haley was rushed back into reality to answer his question. "Of course."

"Okay well I am going back into the lion's den. I will pick you up after your shift okay babe?" Nathan said hunched over.

"Yes. That'd be fine. I will see you later." Haley blew a flirty kiss and Nathan shut the car door. Then she was off.

---X0X0---

Lucas returned from the bathroom and saw that Peyton was listening to her iPOD and bobbing her head while playing the air guitar. He couldn't help but to laugh.

Peyton opened her eyes for a moment and saw movement. She then came to the conclusion it was Lucas. "Oh hey. I didn't know you were back." Peyton said shyly.

"Now she is shy." Lucas said.

Peyton grew silent. Lucas frowned and laid a hand on her arm. "What is on your mind Peyt?"

Peyton tilted her head and a couple tears ran down her cheek. Lucas was quick to kiss them away. "Thanks." She whispered. Lucas pressed his forehead to hers. "Anytime. Now what is wrong?"

Peyton took a deep breath. "You know how my mother died in an accident?" Lucas nodded. "Well, she was hit by a car because she ran a red light…and- and…" Peyton began to cry. Lucas understood her inner demon. "Sh, it is okay. You're okay. Nothing happened.

"No Lucas it isn't okay, I am not okay. I am so scattered and lost it scares the hell out of me sometimes you know?" Peyton asked against his chest.

"Yeah I know how you feel. But you have me now. I am not going anywhere." Lucas promised with his heart. "Come here Pretty Girl." Peyton repositioned herself in Lucas's arms. And they just sat there for an hour or two. No words were said, no movements were made. Just them holding each other in the silence.

---X0X0---