A/N: Love, love, love the reviews! Keep 'em coming... please? Anyway, in case anyone wonders, I'm not a Lindsey fan, but I did try not to let any of my dislike for her character seep into this story. Hope I didn't fail miserably. Anyway, I'll try to update this story at some point during the weekend, but I might not have time. But a new chapter will definitely be up by Monday night! Promise.

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The next morning, Haley woke up early. She should have been able to sleep in. School hadn't started yet and Jamie had spent the night over a friend's house. Unfortunately her internal clock had an alarm that she couldn't turn off. She rolled over to find Nathan fast asleep, breathing heavily. She leaned over him and gave him a small kiss on the forehead.

She smiled as he moaned slightly in his sleep and slid out of bed, noiselessly. Nathan deserved to sleep in, even if she couldn't. Haley made her way downstairs. When she reached the living room, she saw that her brother-in-law was also conked out. Haley didn't really care about Lucas's sleep.

Lucas woke up with a start after a loud bang. Disoriented from sleep, he struggled to figure out where he was. Then the entire night came back to him. He looked in the direction of the noise and found Haley with a pot in her hand.

She gave him a dirty look. "Sorry, did I wake you?"

"Yes," he said. "And I deserved it. I also deserve you being mad at me."

"Well, thanks for your permission."

"I'm going to break up with Lindsey."

Haley blinked. She had expected an argument or at least some rationalization from Lucas. She definitely had not expected that. "You are?"

"Yeah, it's not fair to her. She should be with someone who loves her. Not with someone who's in love with someone else."

"Peyton?"

"No, you.," he teased. "Of course, Peyton. I'm going to get her back, you know."

"Lucas, I think you're getting ahead of yourself here." Haley was glad that Lucas had figured where his head (and heart) was at, but this she was scared that he was setting himself up for failure. "Peyton may not want to be with you anymore. I bet she's pretty angry at you for the way you treated her in LA some weeks back."

"She'll get over it." Lucas sounded so sure of himself that Haley had to laugh. "She loves me, Hales. Told me so last night."

"You talked to her last night?" It must have been after she had. "So you know about their plans, then?"

"What plans?"

"Uh… never mind."

"What plans, Haley?"

"Listen, I'm not getting involved. If they want you to know, they'll tell you themselves."

Lucas gave her a pleading look. "Come on, Hales. Don't do this to me. What plans?"

Haley shook her head. "No, it's not my place. Besides, you have enough on your plate. How are you going to break up with Lindsey?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. I'll just tell her the truth, I guess."

"She's going to be hurt, you know."

"Yeah, but it's gotta be done, right?"

Haley nodded. "It's good to see you acting so responsible. You lost yourself there for a while."

"I know, but I'm finding my way back."

---------

Brooke groaned. Her cell phone was ringing annoyingly. She looked over at the clock on the nightstand. 6:30? Who was calling her at 6:30? Beside her, Peyton pulled her pillow over her head. Brooke grabbed her phone and just answered it.

"Wha?"

"Brooke Davis, where are you?" It was Victoria. Why hadn't she checked the Caller ID before she had picked up?

"LA."

"That better be the initials of some random himbo you picked up at a bar last night."

"No," Brooke rasped out. "I'm in LA, as in, Los Angeles. You know, that city in California?"

"What are you doing in California? You and I had a meeting this morning at nine, remember?"

"Did we? I must have forgotten," Brooke replied truthfully. "Anyway, I probably already got everything done that you were going to tell me to do and if not, I'm sure that Millie's on top of things."

"Who is Millie?"

"Never mind, Victoria. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a horrible case of jet lag." And with that, Brooke hung up the phone and shut it off.

Her bedmate snickered. "Nice."

Brooke settled back on her side of the bed. "Go back to sleep, P. Sawyer, we don't have to get up for hours."

---------

Lucas quietly let himself into his bedroom. He hated how he felt like his own house felt like enemy territory. He quietly shut the door, not wanting to wake the sleeping resident of the room. He shouldn't have bothered, though.

Lindsey sat up in her bed, glaring at him. "Where were you all night? I was worried sick."

Lucas was surprised. She knew that he had gone over to Nathan's house. "I was over Haley's. You could've come, too, remember? But you chose to stay here."

"You spent the night at Haley's? Why?"

"Because I knew if I came home that we would end up in a fight." Lucas sat on the bed, facing her. "And I couldn't do it, Linds, not last night. Things would have been said that I didn't mean and that wouldn't have been right."

Lindsey nodded. "Well, okay. How's Peyton?"

Lucas hated that even that question was tinged with spite. "She's fine, supposedly. I don't know, I can't shake the feeling that there's something else. Something they're not telling me."

"I know the feeling."

Lucas sighed. "You're right. I have been keeping things from you and I'm sorry."

She looked at him, shocked at his honesty. "So, talk to me."

Here we go. The Band-Aid approach. "I saw Peyton when I was in LA. We talked and we kissed and… I'm sorry, Linds, but we made love."

Lindsey's hurt fought with her anger for her priority. "How could you?"

"How could I not?" Lucas didn't enjoy the way his words were hurting his girlfriend, but he had to be honest. "I love her. I was lying to myself, forcing myself to believe that I was over her. And the truth is I'm not. And I know now that I never will be."

"So, what about me?" Lindsey was struggling with the words, her throat was constricting with the conflict of emotions.

"I love you, I do. But I don't love you in the way that you deserve. I honestly wanted to love you like that, but I just couldn't."

She climbed out of his bed and angrily began dressing. Lindsey had so much to say, but knew that she couldn't. Nothing she could say would even come close to what she was thinking and feeling. She needed to pack up her stuff and leave. And she couldn't do that with him standing there, watching her every move.

"Go."

It was his house, but he knew that she had a point. He needed to get out of her hair while she did what she needed to do. Before he left, however, he needed her to know something. "I'm sorry, Lindsey. I never meant to hurt you."

"Go!"

----------

Brooke woke to the sounds of gagging. She climbed out of Peyton's bed and hurried to the bathroom to find Peyton standing over the sink.

"Are you okay?" Brooke's concern was obvious and Peyton raised her eyes to meet her friend's in the mirror.

"Yeah, just nauseous. No actual reoccurrence of food, so that's good."

"Well, that could be because you haven't eaten anything since last night." The brunette looked over Peyton's thin frame. "You don't eat enough. You're so skinny that I wouldn't put you on the cover of my magazine."

Peyton laughed. "You never have anyone but Brooke Davis on the cover." At Brooke's raised eyebrow, she shrugged. "What? I have a subscription."

Brooke hugged her friend. "I've missed this, P. Sawyer."

"Me, too. It's been too long, B. Davis. Which reminds me, shouldn't I get some sort of royalty checks for coming up with the name of your magazine?"

"We'll see. After all, you are soon to be unemployed and you're going to need some serious cash flow to appropriately shower my godchild with presents." Brooke eyed Peyton as the blonde ran her hand over her stomach. The brunette felt a little twinge of jealousy, she secretly craved having a child of her own. But, she was getting the next best thing.

"Ah, but you are mistaken. I am unemployed. I called my boss after your little phone conversation with your mom this morning." Peyton laughed remembering the conversation. "He was really concerned with who was going to be getting his coffee this morning."

The two friends walked into the living room and Brooke was surprised at all the brown boxes scattered around. "Jesus, Peyton. You didn't have to start packing all by yourself. You could have waited until I woke up."

"And what help would you have been, B. Davis? You, who swore never to lift anything heavier than a Birkin bag?"

"Peyton, you passed out yesterday. You have to be careful."

"Brooke, I'm pregnant, not incompetent." Peyton gave her friend a reassuring smile. "Besides, it's a furnished apartment. I only packed up my not-so-heavy stuff."

Brooke poked around the boxes and raised an eyebrow. "Like your hundred copies of Lucas's book? I don't know, P. Sawyer, that's some pretty heavy stuff. Emotionally, at least."

"Maybe."

The dark-haired fashion designer sighed. "Compromise? You stop doing all this and you let me get someone to do it for you?"

"Brooke-"

"That's what I'm doing for myself in New York. Come on, let me do this for you. Please?"

"But you're doing so much for me already," Peyton complained.

"Well, I have to make up for all the years of neglect I've bestowed upon you." A flash of her deep dimples showed Peyton that she wasn't going to win against Brooke Davis and the blonde nodded. "Good, now go throw some grungy t-shirts and ratty jeans in a bag and we can go on a shopping spree when we get to Tree Hill."

---------

Lucas was at the Rivercourt, just shooting hoops. His head wasn't in what he was doing. He was just keeping busy while his ex-girlfriend moved out of his house. Ever since he had talked to Peyton yesterday, his body was aching to hear her voice again. But he forced himself not to call. If he was going to do this, he was going to do it right.

And it was right to wait until Lindsey was gone, at least.

"You're getting rusty, old man."

Lucas turned to see Nathan standing there. Who knows how long he had been watching.

"Yeah? Why don't you show me how it's done, little brother?"

Nathan laughed. "Maybe later." The smile faded from his face and he grew serious. "How are you doing?"

"Better than Lindsey," Lucas said. "I broke up with her this morning."

"I know. Lindsey showed up at the house a little while ago." Nathan watched his brother's face for a reaction. "She's leaving for New York. And that's pretty much all I can tell you because that was the point that Haley sent me to look for you to make sure that you were okay."

"I guess Haley's not mad at me anymore."

"She wasn't but not I think it all depends on if you were shitty with Lindsey."

"I was honest."

Nathan nodded. "Then she probably won't be too upset with you."

"So, I'm sure Haley told you that I'm planning on getting Peyton back."

"Yeah, she did."

"And?"

"And what? I'm not getting in the middle of this. I love you and I love her. You both hurt each other but also are the best thing for each other. All I care about is that you are both happy."

"She makes me happy. And you know that I can make her happy."

"I know. Just be careful with her. She's probably in a fragile state after the hospital scare yesterday." Nathan looked at Lucas. "And be careful with yourself, too."

"I will be, I promise."

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Lindsey hugged Haley tightly. The young mother had been an instant friend when she first started dating Lucas. She couldn't help feeling that now that her relationship with the writer was over, so was their friendship.

"I'm going to miss you.," Lindsey told Haley fiercely.

"I'm going to miss you, too." Haley wanted to comfort Lindsey and tell her that they'd see each other again, but she didn't want to lie to her.

"I keep thinking that I must be dreaming. Six weeks ago, everything was perfect between Lucas and me. One day with Peyton and everything we were building towards goes down in flames."

Haley didn't know how to respond to that. She was pretty sure that it was more complicated than that, but kept her mouth shut.

"God, I hate that bitch. If it wasn't for her…"

Haley opened her mouth to defend Peyton and remind Lindsey that it hadn't been all the blonde's fault when her phone rang.

"Excuse me for a minute, won't you?" Haley moved over to the phone and answered it. "Scott Residence."

"So, you want to start making it up to me?"

Speak of the devil. It was Peyton on the line.

"Hey! You know it." The young mother regarded her guest warily. Wow, this was an uncomfortable position she was in.

"Good, because Brooke and I are on a private jet on our way to Tree Hill right now and we sort of need a ride from the airport."

"You're on your way here? Right now?" Haley forgot all about Lindsey. She was excited to see her friends from high school again.

"Well, not right now, we still got like two hours of the flight left." Peyton giggled. "So, can we expect a famous musician to be our chauffer?"

"No, but will I do?"

"Of course. I'm really looking forward to seeing you and Nate and… God, James must be huge."

"He is. I can't wait for you to see him. So, I guess I'll see you in two hours."

"Bye, Haley. See you soon."

Haley hung up the phone and sat back next to Lindsey, forcing herself to appear morose. Lindsey didn't even lift her head from her hands.

"You have someone coming over, then?" Lindsey's voice was slightly muffled.

"Yeah, but her plane doesn't get in for another two hours."

Lindsey nodded. "Speaking of planes, I should probably get going if I'm going to make it in time for my flight."

"Are you sure? I thought your flight wasn't for a while."

The editor stood up awkwardly and shrugged. "I like getting to the airport early, just in case. So, I guess this is goodbye, Haley."

"Goodbye, Lindsey."

-------

Brooke gripped Peyton's arm as they made their way through the crowded airport. They were home. The warmth and familiarity of being back where you grew up hit them the second that the plane touched down.

Dark eyes scanned around looking for their petite friend, and Brooke realized sadly that she didn't even know what hair color Haley had. Just then Peyton squeezed Brooke's hand.

"There she is!"

Haley rushed forward and the three came together in a group hug. The three girls just stood there holding each other, just enjoying the feeling after being apart for so long.

Haley pulled away first and wiped at her eyes. "Oh my God, you look so beautiful. Both of you."

"Aw, thanks, Tutor Mom. You look pretty fantastic yourself, there." Brooke grinned. "So, when Peyton said we were coming home, she left out a few things."

Peyton widen her eyes at Brooke, who's dimples deepened.

Haley took each of her friend's hand in hers. "Like what?"

"We're moving back!"

Peyton sighed with relief and Haley stopped and hugged them both again.

"That's great because Tree Hill has not been the same since you two left." Haley was happy. Seeing her friends again reminded her how much she needed them. She just hoped that the blonde wouldn't get scared off by the writer.

"Don't I know it," Brooke said, smiling. "So, what are you making us for dinner? I'm starved and Peyton needs to eat."

"Um, about that. Lucas is kind of at the house right now." When she had left to pick the girls up at the airport, Nathan had called her to tell her that he and Lucas were going to pick up Jamie and then head home.

Peyton stiffened up and Brooke huffed a little before saying, "So, I guess we are eating out, then. Unless, you have to go back…"

"No, I am hanging out with my friends," Haley said. "I'm sure the boys can fend for themselves for a night."

Peyton bit her lip. "Haley? Does Lucas know that… did you tell him that…"

Haley shook her head. "I didn't tell him anything and I know Nathan's keeping his mouth shut."

Brooke nodded as they climbed into Haley's SUV. "Good, because I think a surprise might be necessary for Broody to get his act together."

"Actually," Haley began. "He broke up with his girlfriend this morning."

Peyton, who had been trying to get comfortable in the backseat, leaned forward. "What? Why?"

Haley met eyes with her blond friend in the rearview mirror. "I think you know the answer to that."

Brooke clapped her hands. "Good, I didn't like her. But I was kind of looking forward to having ringside seats to a bitch fight."

"I wasn't going to fight her, Brooke."

"Not even for Lucas?" Haley tried to keep an even tone. She had to see what Peyton's intentions were.

"I'm in no condition to do any fighting." Peyton was being honest. She placed a hand on her stomach.

Brooke nodded. "That's true. I guess I could've stepped in for you, though."

All three girls chuckled. Peyton met eyes with Haley in the mirror again. "So, I should probably tell you."

"Tell me what, girlie?"

"I'm pregnant."