*Ok guys I've tried to upload a few chapters tonight and would really appreciate hearing what you think so far. Thanks*
TRIC
(Brooke is standing at the bar.)
Brooke: Alright guys, bring it in. It has been way too long since we've all hung out together and this is the first time we're all drinking together. Legally, that is. So, here's to hanging with our crew, the old and the new, and to everyone getting what they want.
Haley: I guess one shot won't kill us huh?
(They all take a shot and make ugly faces.)
Haley: Maybe it will. Brooke, what was that?
Brooke: I wanted something that would remind everyone of me so they mixed their most popular liquor with their sweetest. The bartender did name it a Brooke Davis. Isn't that right?
Owen: Actually, I think you named it that.
Brooke: Well.
Owen: I call it Tequila and Grenadine.
Haley: It's disgusting.
(Haley walks away leaving Brooke at the bar.)
Brooke: Ya know, not many people can handle a Brooke Davis.
Owen: Well, it's definitely one of a kind.
(Owen walks away and Brooke leans against the bar and smiles.)
TRIC
(Peyton and Julian are talking.)
Julian: Wow. I'm so proud of my girl for getting the Honorary Title to perform.
Peyton: Well I can be pretty persuasive.
(Julian kisses Peyton)
Julian: Oh really?
(Peyton looks over at Lucas who is watching her.)
Peyton: I'm gonna go freshen up, can you get me a drink?
Julian: Sure.
(Peyton walks away to the bathroom.)
OUTSIDE TRIC RESTROOM
(Lucas sneaks up on Peyton and grabs her arm.)
Lucas: He doesn't know does he?
Peyton: Lucas. Know what?
Lucas: That you know, that he tried to pay me off.
Peyton: For your information, he explained everything.
Lucas: So you know that he told me to stay away from you.
(Peyton looks shocked.)
Lucas: I thought so.
TRIC
(Nate and Haley are at the bar and Owen brings them drinks.)
Owen: There you go.
Haley: Thank you.
(She looks at Nate as Owen sets water in front of him.)
Haley: Water?
Nathan: I wasn't planning on drinking until Brooke forced… herself on us. It's my turn to be responsible for a change.
Haley: You know you've really come a long way in the last month and I'm glad to have you back. So is Jamie.
Nathan: Oh really, then why wasn't I invited to hang out with him and the guys then?
Haley: See Skills has been really strict about this no parent rule and besides, Jamie's sleepover means that you and I have the house to ourselves for a little um… private after party.
Nathan: My own personal champagne room?
Haley: Yeah. Except, you're the stripper.
(Haley smiles and walks away.)
TRIC
(Peyton is on a couch and Mia walks up to her.)
Mia: Hey.
Peyton: Hey.
Mia: Thanks for the invite; I'm usually at home online on Saturday nights.
Peyton: Okay, we're going to have to work on your rock star image.
Mia: Well this should help. I can't tell you how much I love The Honorary Title.
Peyton: Oh good, how'd you like to open for them?
Mia: When? Tonight?!
Peyton: Yeah.
(Mia is about to say no but Peyton interrupts her.)
Peyton: It's one song okay. One song to open up and I didn't even have to unbutton a button.
Mia: Peyton, you didn't give me any notice, I'm not ready, I look awful. I don't even have a band Peyton.
Peyton: Alright, this is why I didn't tell you, I was scared you were going to run off and disappear on me again, but you look great. You can warm up in my office and the house band will back you.
Mia: I hate you.
(Mia gets up and walks towards the office.)
TRIC
(Carrie walks in and sees Nathan and sits beside him at the bar.)
Carrie: Hey you.
Nathan: Hey. You look nice.
Carrie: Awe thanks. I keep thinking it's going to fall off. Where's Haley?
Nathan: I think she's in the ladies room.
(Owen walks up.)
Carrie: Hey, two shots.
Owen: How's tequila?
Carrie: Good.
Nathan: I'm not drinking tonight.
Carrie: Do you need to use the ladies room too?
Nathan: I'm trying to be good.
Carrie: Oh, I'm not.
(She drinks both shots.)
TRIC
(Lucas is at a counter drinking and Peyton walks up to him and puts a check in front of him.)
Peyton: You're wrong.
Lucas: What's this?
Peyton: It's rent and for your information Julian would never say anything like that.
Lucas: I'm not taking this.
(Lucas hands the check back to Peyton.)
Peyton: Fine, I'll mail it.
(She picks up the check and leaves.)
TRIC
(Julian walks up to Peyton.)
Julian: What was that about?
Peyton: Just trying to give Lucas his rent check. He wouldn't take it.
Julian: I'll sort it out.
Peyton: No Julian just leave it.
(Peyton walks off over to the bar. Julian walks over to Lucas.)
Julian: Hey! I thought I told you to stay away from Peyton.
Lucas: I don't have to do anything you say. Now back off.
(Lucas stares down Julian and walks away.)
TRIC BAR
(The bar. Owen is pouring some liquor for Q.)
Lucas: Alright! That better not be yours.
Q: Awe, Nah. That ain't mine. I don't even drink shots. I… I'm more of a… I'm not old enough.
Lucas: Well then whose is it?
(Nathan walks up.)
Nathan: Oh, that's mine. Just walked away for a second.
Lucas: Walking away. Sounds like a good idea.
(Q walks away.)
(Owen walks up.)
Owen: Lucas right?
Lucas: Yeah.
Owen: This is for you.
(He puts a glass on the counter and opens a shot mixer, dumping a check into the glass. Lucas and Nathan look at each other and then Lucas sees Peyton across the bar. She gets up and walks away.)
Lucas: Why are women so screwed up?
Nathan: Let me guess, Peyton?
Lucas: How'd you know?
Nathan: Because she sent you a drink with a check in it.
Lucas: Yeah, I'm having a tough time with the whole friend's thing. How did you two do it so easily?
Nathan: I make everything look easy.
Lucas: Nate…
Nathan: I was never in love with Peyton.
Lucas: Yeah. Well Julian is being an ass too.
Nathan: Ah the jealous boyfriend. Good luck with that.
Lucas: I'm going to go find Haley.
Nathan: Alright.
(Lucas walks away and Carrie walks up to Nathan. He slides the shot in front of her.)
Carrie: Oh, you bought me a drink?
Nathan: Not exactly.
Carrie: What were you and Lucas talking about?
Nathan: Exes.
Carrie: Girlfriends or wives?
(He looks at her and she smiles and takes the shot.)
TRIC
(Peyton is at the bar and Haley walks up.)
Haley: Hey, there you are. What'd you need?
Peyton: I told Mia she was opening tonight.
Haley: Great. She excited?
Peyton: Kinda.
PEYTON'S OFFICE
(Mia is playing pool and Haley & Peyton walk in.)
Haley: Mia? Hey, are you okay?
Mia: No, I'm not okay. I'm pretty far from okay right now.
(She shoots the cue and makes a ball in.)
Mia: I've never performed in front of a crowd before. I mean, alone. Well, I take that back. I sang in my school play when I was eight and Terri Adams made me cry.
(She shoots again and makes it.)
Mia: Ya know what if I choke? What if everybody laughs at me? What if I'm so bad that I destroy Peyton's label?
Haley: You realize you just made every shot right? That's amazing.
Mia: I always play well when I'm not thinking about it.
Haley: Okay, great. Well when you get up on stage, don't think just play.
Mia: What if I fail?
Haley: Well, people fail sometimes. Look at Peyton.
Peyton: Hey!
Haley: Mia, you're not going to fail, I promise.
(Mia nods.)
TRIC
(Nathan is sitting at the bar and Haley walks up to him.)
Nathan: Hey.
Haley: I'm sorry I haven't been around. Mia's performing tonight and she's really nervous. How've you been?
Nathan: I never realized how boring bars could be without alcohol.
Haley: Yeah, tell me about it.
(Brooke plops down.)
Brooke: Tric needs to establish a 'no mom' rule.
Haley: I'm a mom.
Brooke: You don't count. You got married and pregnant before you graduated high school. You'll be safely locked in a home before you're thirty five.
Haley: Good talking to you Brooke. I gotta get Mia backstage I'll see you in a bit.
Nathan: Alright.
Haley: Bye.
(He smiles and turns to talk to Brooke but she left at the same time Haley did.)
Nathan: It was good talking to both of you.
TRIC
(Peyton walks out and Lucas walks up to her with a check.)
Lucas: I'm not taking this.
Peyton: Luke, if any other tenant wanted the office you would charge them rent.
Lucas: Yeah, but you're not just any other tenant.
Peyton: I am now.
Lucas: Wait, just…
Peyton: Luke please.
(She looks over at Julian and walks away.)
TRIC
(Carrie is taking shots by Nathan.)
Nathan: I wonder if Haley knows what kind of girl she hired to watch our son.
Carrie: What kind of girl is that exactly?
Nathan: The kind who drinks like a fish and goes skinny dipping late at night when everyone else is asleep.
Carrie: Oh, my god. I… I didn't know anyone was around. I am so embarrassed. Haley asked me not to wear a bikini and then I do something even dumber. I am so sorry. I completely understand if you want to fire me.
Nathan: No. No. Look, no one is going to fire you okay? You do a great job. And Jamie loves you. I'm just telling you that you need to be careful, because if Haley caught you, this would be a very different conversation.
Carrie: You didn't tell her?
Nathan: No. You made a mistake right? It's not the end of the world. Haley doesn't need to know everything.
(He gets up and walks away.)
Carrie: No… she doesn't.
TRIC
(Julian is drinking and Peyton walks up to him.)
Peyton: Hey. I've been looking for you everywhere.
Julian: Well, if you keep looking next to Lucas, you're never going to find me. But I guess sneaking around with him at Tric is your new thing.
Peyton: Julian what's going on with you?
Julian: Why was he over here the other night? I saw his car parked outside.
Peyton: In case you haven't noticed Lucas owns Tric, we just happened to be both working late.
Julian: Ok I'm sorry. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. It's just I'm crazy about you and I feel you slipping away from me.
(Peyton kisses him.)
Peyton: I'm right here.
TRIC
(Brooke is at the bar watching Victoria dance provocatively with some guy. Peyton walks up and sits down.)
Peyton: I need a new office.
Brooke: Yeah. The one you have now is far too big and free.
Peyton: Well I would settle for small and expensive as long as it has nothing to do with Lucas.
Brooke: Tell me that I don't look like her when I dance.
(Peyton looks confused. Brooke points at Victoria.)
Brooke: Tell me I don't look like her when I dance.
Peyton: Okay. If you tell me that Lucas is an ass.
Brooke: Ugh. Lucas is an ass. Lucas is just jealous.
Peyton: Why?! It's not like he still loves me.
Brooke: So you keep believing.
Peyton: What? You think he does? Okay fine. Whatever, but for the record, you look exactly like her when you dance.
(She stomps off.)
Brooke: I do not.
PEYTON'S OFFICE
Mia: What's the first line of my song?
Haley: Didn't you write it?
Mia: That's so not the point right now.
Peyton: Okay. Relax. You're going to be great Mia. And honesty, what is the worst thing that could happen?
(She looks over to see Jason walking in.)
Mia: He just walked in.
TRIC
(Jason walks up to Carrie at the bar.)
Jason: Can I buy you a drink?
Carrie: Mm… Actually, my date took care of that.
Jason: Well, we're halfway there then.
(Nathan walks up and sits down.)
Nathan: I hope you're not trying to sit on my lap.
Jason: I'm just looking for someone to dance with.
Nathan: No thanks.
(Jason rolls his eyes and looks at Carrie.)
Jason: You know where to find me.
(He walks away.)
Carrie: I've never seen you're jealous side before.
Nathan: Well, you still haven't.
Carrie: Okay.
(She gets up and walks away.)
(Q walks up.)
Q: What up Nate? Yo, thanks for having my back earlier in front of Old man Scott.
Nathan: How stupid are you for trying to drink in the same bar as your coach?
Q: Look who's talking. You're flirting with that hot nanny of yours in the same club as your wife.
Nathan: I'm not flirting with anyone.
Q: Yeah okay. Yo, you had my back so I got yours. But I know flirting when I see it and it looks like she does too bro.
(Q walks away and Nathan watches Carrie dancing with Jason.)
BACKSTAGE
Peyton: Okay. She's almost on. How's she doing?
Haley: I think she'll be okay as long as the only lyrics to her song are "why is Jason here, why is Jason here."
Mia: Why is Jason here?
Peyton: Because I invited him.
Mia: I'm sorry. You what?!
Peyton: Look Mia, people dream of the chance to stand up to the person that's kept them down. This is yours.
Mia: Someone just tell me the first line to my song please.
Haley: It's "I never feared the unexpected."
Announcer: Ladies and Gentlemen, Mia Catalano.
Peyton: Okay, you're on.
(Mia walks onstage.)
Haley: Really, you invited Jason?
Peyton: Oh, hell no.
TRIC
(Lucas walks up to Brooke.)
Lucas: Brooke. I don't know what to do?
Brooke: Oh Luke.
Lucas: How do I get her back Brooke?
Brooke: You have to be honest with her, tell her how you feel. Look Peyton is my best friend. And does either one of us really believe that she didn't come back here for you?
(Lucas sighs and walks away. Stood near to Brooke is Julian, becoming angry at what he just heard.)
TRIC
(Mia walks up to Jason with Peyton and Haley behind her.)
Mia: Thank you Jason. If it wasn't for you I wouldn't have been so good.
Jason: You think you were good? The only reason people were clapping is because I told them that you were retarded.
Haley: You're just upset because the talent left your band. Come on…
Jason: Not as upset as I am that you left your granny panties in my bed.
(She goes to walk away again and he slaps her butt.)
Nathan: Hey!
(He shoves Jason.)
Haley: Nathan! Nathan! He's not worth it okay?! Let it go!
(She pulls him away.)
Jason: Yeah, it's not worth it Nathan.
Nathan: You're lucky.
(Q comes up and punches him.)
Q: You ain't that Lucky.
(Nathan pulls him away.)
TRIC BAR
(Julian storms up to Lucas and shoves him.)
Lucas: Hey. Watch it!
Julian: I heard what you said about getting Peyton back. I'm here to tell you it's never gonna happen.
Lucas: Once she see's you for what you truly are. You're going to be on your own.
(Julian punches Lucas.)
Julian: You stay the hell away from her!
(Peyton comes rushing over and split the two up.)
Peyton: Julian what did you do?
(Peyton looks at Lucas and his split lip, and then turns back to Julian.)
Julian: Peyt?
Peyton: Get out!
(Julian shrugs and walks away. Peyton walks over to Lucas.)
Peyton: Come on there is a first aid kit in the office.
(Peyton leads Lucas to her office.)
PEYTON'S OFFICE
(Peyton tends to Lucas' cut, while they both sit in silence.)
Lucas: I'm sorry.
(Peyton sighs.)
Peyton: Luke what happened?
Lucas: You. You happened.
(Peyton get angry)
Peyton: This has got to stop! What do you want from me Lucas?! You walked away, so I moved on, why haven't you?
Lucas: Because I shouldn't of left. Peyt. All I heard that night was you saying no and my pride couldn't take it. I should of stayed or at least fought for you, for us.
Peyton: Luke...
Lucas: No. Peyton I miss you everyday. And I know I'm probably three years too late in saying this but I still love you. I always have and I always will.
Peyton: Luke...I...
(He kisses her and she pushes him away and looks at him but then pulls him into another kiss.)
Lucas: You still love me don't you?
(Haley walks in and Lucas and Peyton immediately step away from each other.)
Lucas: I should go.
(Lucas walks out the office. Haley walks over to Peyton.)
Haley: Please tell me I didn't see, what I thought I just saw.
Peyton: Haley...I...
Haley: Peyton how could you? What about Julian?
TRIC
(The band finishes and everyone begins to leave.)
BACKSTAGE
(Carrie is stood in the corner watching Peyton and Haley arguing. She watches as Peyton walks out her office, leaving Haley alone in the office. Carrie reaches into her bag for a bottle of vodka and stuffs a rag into it, pulling a lighter out from her purse she lights it and rolls it into the office. Leaving the room to fill with smoke, as she makes an exit.)
TRIC
(The fire alarm begins to sound.)
PEYTON'S OFFICE
(Smoke begins to fill the room and Haley begins to smell burning. Flames have now started to rise and all the electrical equipment begins to spark. Haley opens the door to get out but it is jammed.)
TRIC CAR PARK
(The fire alarm still sounds out.)
Nathan: Hey Luke that quite a cool trick to get people out, so you can close up.
Lucas: That's not a trick.
(Lucas and Nathan both look at each other in horror. Just as the windows to Peyton's office smash due to the blast of an explosion. Brooke comes rushing up to the guys.)
Brooke: I can't find Peyton or Haley.
PEYTON'S OFFICE
(Haley is still banging on the door calling for help. Until she hears someone banging something up against the door on the other side. The door soon breaks into pieces and Peyton is stood on the other side.)
Peyton: Hales. Are you ok?
(Peyton rushes over to Haley and they both begin to cough due to the smoke.)
Peyton: I'm gonna get you out of here.
(Haley and Peyton both stagger through the smoke, Haley makes it to the exit first and makes sure Peyton is still behind her.)
Peyton: We need to get out of here.
(Haley opens the door and stumbles down the fire exit steps.)
OUTSIDE TRIC
(Nathan immediately notices the fire exit door open, and sprints as fast as he can when he see's Haley, Lucas and Brooke following behind him. As soon as Nathan reaches Haley, she collapses in his arms.)
Nathan: Hales.
(Nathan lifts Haley in his arms and takes her away from the building. )
Haley: (Whispering) Where's Peyton?
(Haley begins to frantically look around.)
Haley: She was right behind me.
(Nathan looks up to where Lucas was once standing and notices Brooke crying, Nathan and Haley turn their attention back to Tric as the flames begin to spread, they watch as Lucas bursts through the exit where Haley had just come from.)