Hello dear readers. I've finally completed this chapter. Thank you for your ongoing support.

This time I was inspired by a whole sampler. My current favorite 'No sound without silence' by the Script. Anyone know it? I am going to their concert in a few days. ^^

I had the first part written down months ago but didn't want to update only half a chapter again. So in preparation I was listening to it again and wanted to finish this chapter and voilá. I did. I hope it was worth the wait. Let me know what you think.

I love reviews but story alerts/favorite make me proud as well.

OTHGirl24: Thank you! I can always count on you to leave a review. Read the chapter and tell me if you like it this way ;-)

Hidolfr: Wow you really did list a lot of possibilities *lol* but not my version. It's another one including the events of the story.

Jorsdana60: I can not thank you enough. I read your review over and over again. Your praise indeed encouraged me to write again. It's the first part with Lucas and Lindsay. You really captured what I wanted to do with my story. I don't know how long I'll continue this story. It depends on how the plot continues. But just that you want me to continue so far along is the best compliment I can get. So thank you!

Guest: Thank you for the review.

Also thank you for everyone who has added me and my story to his /her alert and or favorite list.

Disclaimer: I don't own OTH. I belongs to Mark Schwahn and the CW.

No Good in Goodbye

by the Script

Lucas POV

Lucas was walking to his car. For those who didn't knew him very well he might look melancholy. His gaze was steady but kind of distant, his thoughts contemplative.

The reason for it was that he had finally sorted out an issue that seemed to follow him all his youth. His on-off-romance with Peyton was always looming over his head. But after the encounter he just had with her he was certain he wanted to be with her, at last. He had doubted her feelings for him after the rejected proposal but now he didn't. Not anymore.

But that also meant he had to tell Lindsay he wanted to end their relationship, and just as she returned from her trip to New York. Add the fact that she had been insecure ever since Peyton' s return to Tree Hill this conversation was going to be anything but pleasant. But he couldn't lie to her and especially himself, not anymore.

So he left Tric and walked toward his car. At least he wanted to but then he remembered he wasn't allowed to drive yet and that Haley had picked him up.

But the fresh air would do him good so he started walking and looked for his Ipod in his pockets.

It was the new sampler he had recently bought and it seemed to answer his thoughts. It seemed to spell out what was going on in his head and heart right now. He leaned back, closed his eyes and just listened to the lyrics. It gave his agenda strength. He couldn't let his doubts control his life anymore.

After what seemed like an eternity he started walking home.

-0-

He arrived at his house. There was something off about it. He couldn't figure out what it was at first.

He went to the back door to enter his room and noticed that the door was not properly closed. He could hear a female voice which sounded distressed. He advanced quietly and pushed open the door.

Lindsay was scurrying about the room, collecting clothes and other stuff and throwing them in a bag on the bed. Once one item was more or less inside the next followed. She was oblivious to him standing there watching her. Whenever she picked up something she seemed to cast a glare to a poster on the wall. It was the one promoting the book tour for "An Unkindness of Ravens".

What was that about? This book had brought them together. Without it they wouldn't have met. The last two years wouldn't be the same. As much as Lucas knew that the approaching conversation was the end of their relationship he did not regret it. Not entirely. Lindsay was a great person but he belonged with Peyton. And he owed it to all three of them to be honest. It had taken him long enough to realize this truth. That he was and always would be in love with Peyton Sawyer.

Lindsay suddenly stopped in her hasty packing. She had finally spotted him. As soon as her eyes met his fury filled them. She crossed her arms in front of her chest and continued to glare at him.

He held her gaze and took a step forward. "Stop", Lindsay said. "Don't you dare come anywhere near me."

"Why? This is my house. And I came here to talk to you. But judging from the packing you are keen on leaving. Why is that?" irritation tainted his voice. Sure he knew Lindsay would be anything but happy but somehow she already knew what he was about to say. How can that be?

"Why? Don't pretend you don't know. I was hoping to be gone before you got back. Why should I stay? You don't talk to me. I am your girlfriend, Luke. And I should know important stuff. But I don't. Like the accident." A look of guilt crossed his face and it only fueled her stocked fury because she continued.

"Yeah imagine my surprise when I tried to call you. I couldn't reach you for over two days and then called Haley to check if she knew where you were. She didn't want to tell me at first. But eventually I learned what I should have been told by you!"

Damn the bad cell phone reception at the hospital. He should have considered it.

"When I heard you were unconscious I was ready about to leave New York at once and check on you but Haley convinced me not to. She said you were taken care of and I shouldn't worry. I knew something was off then. Something she was hiding something from me. I contemplated coming nonetheless. I was concerned and very worried but... my gut told me that I should wait out. Turned out I was right. Guess what I found out?"

She went to the cupboard and grabbed a piece of paper. Lucas was hesitant at first but reached for it. He was careful not to touch her. In this room full of tension she didn't know how Lindsay would react. He examined the paper and recognized the report he had filled about the accident. It was his statement. He knew his story. The one he had told the police to prevent any trouble from Peyton.

He knew his intention but could very well see how it might have looked from Lindsay's point of view. He had fallen and suffered a head injury while being at Red Bedroom Records. Peyton was involved and he hadn't told Lindsay about it.

"Lindsay... I was about to tell you about it. It's just that I wanted to do it in person and not over the phone. And did you know I had a concussion? So I couldn't recall the events at first myself. I needed time to collect myself. I am sorry if you were hurt by it. Really I am." And I am sorry about the pain I am to deliver to you in a few minutes. He added in his head.

The expression in Lindsay's face didn't soften but somehow his words had evoked something in her because the fury was replaced buy a deadly calm counternance.

"And how is that working out for you? Did Peyton help you regain your memory? Since she was there. I am really curious. How did this come about?" Lindsay asked.

He was hesitant, Lindsay had read his statement. So she had already formed an opinion. How could he put it... "We... Peyton and I were arguing and... it got out of hand. I didn't pay attention and fell. I hit my head. Peyton called the ambulance immediately from what I was told."

"She did, huh? What were you fighting about?" she asked and he knew this was the moment. There was no going back now. I took a deep breath.

"About why our relationship ended two years ago. I never told you the whole story. I visited her in Los Angeles and... proposed to her." He looked up and saw Lindsay's eyes widen. He bit his lip for a moment but continued. "She said no. No not 'no'. She said 'someday' and I didn't understand it. That was right before you called me to tell me you wanted to publish 'Ravens'."

"You...", she started dumbfounded. "You had just broken up with her? I mean... I recall you were kind of... subdued and it took you a long time to open up to me... but I had no idea..."

"Yeah it took me a long time to come to terms with it. In fact I only just did. No wait.", he said because understanding was downing in Lindsay's eyes. She knew what he was about to say. "I love you Lindsay. I really do it's just... Peyton has always had a special place in my heart and still has. I tried to deny it but it wouldn't be fair to either of us if I continued to do so. I don't want to hurt you but I fear I will continue to do so if we stay together. So I can't."

Lindsay starred at him and all the anger had vanished and tears were filling her eyes. She covered her mouth and looked down. The silence stretched on and he didn't know what to do.

Lindsay turned around grabbed her bag and started to walk toward him. She took a deep breath trying to fight the tears and said. "I understand. The key is on the board." And that was it. She passed him and closed the door behind her.

-0-

Peyton

Peyton was entering the parking lot, still in a semi-aware sate. It had taken her several minutes to get up. The encounter with Lucas had shaken her up. It got her thinking.

There were still several questions brimming in her head about where they stood but their fight had given her hope. Where the incident and the shop opening and the 'book accident' had been the means of settling a seed of a chance at reconciliation in her it was now fully blown.

She had confessed that she still loved him and he hadn't pushed her away. Instead he had kissed her. It had felt like before but different. Good different. He hadn't said anything to her as a direct reply but her heart couldn't be so wrong, could it?

She had to talk to him. She had to know why he had to see Lindsay. She knew from the past that Lucas had the tendency to deny his feelings but after everything they had gone through surely he wouldn't do it again, would he? She knew there was a risk but she had to know. She had to talk to him.

She reached her comet, opened the door and drove to his house. There would be no more running away from it.

-0-

She reached the yellow house and spotted Lucas' bedroom door visible on the terrace. Her heart was beating fast. She took a deep breath trying to calm it without success.

So she stepped out and approached the door. The door was slightly agar. She tried to catch voices but couldn't hear anything. She reached the door and pushed the door open.

The room looked like someone had opened all cupboard randomly. Like someone had packed in a rush. Then she saw Lucas.

He was sitting on the door, looking at a picture. His eyes shone as if remembering something pleasant. He looked... content. He didn't seem to notice her so she stepped forward.

The sound of her footsteps seem to startle him awake. He looked up and his mouth broadened in a smile. Her smile. There it was again and she felt herself smiling back. She took another step and he sat up to meet her. He was still looking at her. The picture he had been looking at was lying on the bed now. She recognized it at once. It was off the two of them after graduation. This picture had captured her attention when unpacking at Brook's house as well. That he so caught up looking at it as well... It had to mean something.

She caught his gaze and started to say something but was stopped by him pressing a finger on her lips. He looked at her as if he wanted to capture this moment in every detail. There was such affection shining in his eyes.

He caught a lock with his finger and stroked her cheek with his thump. The tension between them was to intense she was afraid to break it. But she had come here meaning to confirm something. While his caress was an obvious hint that she was right she wanted verbal assurance.

"Luke...", she swallowed and continued. His gaze probing but he wouldn't interrupt his caress of her cheek. "What... does this mean?"

He looked at her his gaze all tender and loving and his words left no doubt he meant it:

"It means that I want to be with you. I cannot fight it anymore. I... felt incomplete broken after we broke up. I've been searching for the happiness we once had but couldn't find it. How could I when I wasn't with you. So... after our kiss I had to go. I had to tell Lindsay that I cannot be with her anymore. Because I belong with you. It's you, Peyton. It always has been. I still love you."

She felt tears in her eyes. Tears of happiness. She tried to wipe them away but Lucas stopped her and did it for her. She caught his eyes.

He had laughter and love in them. He captured her face and brought it closer to his. She couldn't help it. She closed the distance and kissed him. She was finally home. And she never wanted to leave again.

So... the moment you've been waiting for. How did you like it? Please leave a review.