Welcome to Tree Hill. Sawyer Scott stared blankly at the welcome sign as the car entered the town that she was about to call home. Tree Hill was small in comparison to Los Angeles. It was a quaint little town with a very inviting environment but Sawyer still wasn't sure about it. She was used to the big crowds of people, the humungous beaches, and the never-ending possibilities that LA held.

"We're here guys," Nathan whispered gently, shaking his sleeping wife from the front seat.

"Thank you captain obvious, as if the sign didn't give that away," Sawyer grumbled sarcastically from the front seat.

Rubbing her tired eyes, Peyton turned around to protest but Nathan held his hand up. "It's been a long trip Peyt. Just leave it."

She nodded and stared out the window in amazement. "This town is beautiful Nathan. It's like a dream."

Sawyer snorted. "Where are the malls, the celebrities, the beaches, the upscale nightclubs and recording studios? Oh wait, we're not in Los Angeles."

"Sawyer I'm sorry about the move honey, I really am. And to make up for it I have a surprise for you," Nathan grinned before Peyton could respond to her daughters snide comment.

Sawyer's eyes lit up. "What is it dad?" she asked excitedly. Her father always spoiled her with the best of the best.

"Well I decided to let you pick out your own car now that you have your license. I'll take you by the dealership in a few days and you can have at it. Nothing is too expensive for my little girl."

"Seriously? You are the best freaking dad ever!" Sawyer squealed, throwing her arms around her father.

Nathan chuckled, "I try."

"Now I have another surprise for both of you," Nathan spoke after a few moments of silence.

Both Peyton and Sawyer looked at him expectantly. "Well what is it?" Peyton asked curiously as he turned the corner.

"I bought a house," he grinned. "I got a friend to come out here and look at houses. He sent me pictures and I selected the one I wanted to buy."

"And here's the one I bought," he pointed to a huge mansion on his right as he pulled into the driveway.

"Is there a pool?" Sawyer asked, staring the house up and down. It was nice that was for sure.

"Of course there's a pool princess. There's also a hot tub and a tennis court out back."

"Alright guys, the moving truck should be here soon. Let's go inside and Sawyer you can pick whichever room you want, just as long as it's not the master!" Nathan smiled as he stood in front of the house, admiring its beauty.

Brooke Davis paced back and forth in her living room. "That can't be him moving in down the street can it? There's no fucking way."

She pulled the curtains back and glanced outside again. She saw a bunch of guys in suits moving boxes into the house.

"Mom don't be ridiculous," Sophia laughed, joining her mother at the window. "That could be anyone."

"Well let's see. They are moving into a huge mansion, one Nathan can easily afford playing in the NBA, and the license plate on the car says California," she snapped.

Sophia put her arm around her mother. "Well you do live in the most upscale neighborhood in Tree Hill. You didn't expect Nathan to settle for anything less did you?"

"It's so not fair. Why can't he just say out of our fucking lives?" she grumbled, slamming the curtains shut and running a hand through her long brunette tresses.

"Just stay out of his and maybe he'll stay out of ours. I thought we weren't going to let this get to us?" Sophia smirked. "Oh and Uncle Lucas called. He wanted to remind you of your lunch date. If I were you I'd start getting ready now."

"It's not a date. It's two friends having lunch!" Brooke yelled as he daughter ascended up the stairs.

"If you say so!"

Brooke let out a frustrated sigh. Why was it so hard for other people to see that both she and Lucas were just friends? That's what they've always been and that's what they'll always be. Right?

AN HOUR LATER

Brooke Davis smoothed the wrinkles out of her dress as she entered Karen's café. He was sitting in their usual spot with a cup of coffee and a newspaper in hand. She walked up behind him and covered his eyes. "Guess who?" she whispered in a low raspy voice.

"Haley?" he teased with a smile.

"You're an idiot," she grinned, pulling her hands off his face and plopping down beside him.

"Yeah but you love me for it."

"I wouldn't push it."

"You're late," he accused, taking another sip of coffee.

"Well I'm late because I was sort of preoccupied," she shrugged her shoulders, taking his coffee and letting the warm liquid seep into her system.

"With what?" he raised an eyebrow at her, snatching his coffee back.

"Well I just learned that Nathan fucking Scott moved down the street from me," she shrugged her shoulders casually. "No big deal."

"Did you see him?" Lucas asked quietly.

Brooke shook her head. "I didn't but I know it was him. Who else would move into a huge mansion in my neighborhood with a California license plate? I mean what are the chances of that?"

"True," Lucas nodded, waving his mother over.

"Karen!" Brooke smiled, standing up and pulling the older woman in for a hug.

"Hello Brooke," she smiled warmly. "What can I get for you?"

"The usual," Brooke answered. "Oh and maybe put a little something extra in my coffee. I'm going to need a drink after discovering that Nathan is moving in a few feet away from me."

"Oh honey," Karen whispered sympathetically. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Brooke nodded. "It's not going to bother me. He made his choice and now he has to regret it. Not me."

"Good for you Brooke."

Karen disappeared to grab Brooke's coffee and Brooke turned back to Lucas. "Are you still coming over for dinner tonight?"

"Who's all going?" he asked suspiciously

Brooke chuckled. "The usuals, Haley, Jamie, Jake, Rachel, Jenny. Maybe Chase, Mia, and Mouth."

"I'll be there."

Peyton Sawyer-Scott was extremely exhausted as she trudged through the streets of Tree Hill. Her search for a venue to base Red Bedroom Records out of was not going well at all. The only available places she'd seen were either way out of her price range or extremely run down and disgusting. There was just no happy medium. She was about to give up when a place caught her eye. TRIC, the sign read. The place looked like a bar and was in a pretty upscale part of town. Well I could use a drink she thought, making her way towards the fancy building. She let out a defeated sigh as she pulled the door open and entered the dark bar. The AC was obviously turned on because the minute Peyton entered the bar she could feel the breeze blasting into her face. It was much nicer than the almost forty above weather outside. There were hardly any people in the bar at all. Just a few people that looked like regulars sat at small rounded tables, sipping cocktails and playing cards. She made her way to the bar and plopped herself down onto a barstool. The bartender was turned around so she let out a small cough to make her presence known. The bartender turned around, a crooked smile on his handsome face. He was tall and rugged with a very nice and defined looking body. He had gorgeous green eyes, short dark brown hair that fell to his eyes, and looked to be in about his early to mid thirties. Very cute she thought. "What can I get you m'am?" he asked politely, breaking Peyton from her train of thought.

"I think I need a few shots of tequila," Peyton smiled flirtatiously, kinking her eyebrow at him.

"Coming right up," he grinned, turning his body around to pour her a few shots. "How's five?"

"That sounds good to me."

He placed five shot glasses in front of Peyton and gave her an amused smile. She grabbed the first shot glass brought it to her lips and chugged, wiping the stray liquid from her mouth as she finished. One by one she finished the five shots in record time.

"Looks like someone is having a bad day," the bartender smiled, taking the empty glasses from Peyton.

"That would be an understatement," she scoffed, rolling her eyes in typical Peyton Sawyer-Scott fashion.

"Well as a bartender half of my job is mixing drinks. The other half is listening to people's problems so if you want to talk I'm a great listener."

"Well let's see I was just forced to move across the country because of my husband's job change, I'm stuck in a horrible marriage, and to top it all off I can't find any good available places to base my record label out of. So yeah, life sucks," Peyton laughed bitterly, holding up the shot glass the hot bartender had placed in front of her and swallowing it in one big gulp.

"Sounds like you've got one messy situation. I might be able to help you with your problem though," he offered with a genuine smile.

"You're going to help me with my horribly broken marriage?" she asked, confused.

The bartender chuckled, "well I could help you vent about it but that's not what I meant. I was referring to your last problem. I have an available spot in the back of this joint that I'm renting out for extra money. It's pretty nice and I will offer it to you for a good price."

Peyton smiled. "Seriously? You'd do that for me?"

"Of course," he nodded. "Follow me,"

He jumped over the counter and headed towards a door that read private on it. Shrugging her shoulders, Peyton followed. He reached into his pocket and found a key, which he used to unlock the door.

"Here we are," he smiled, pushing the door open. The room was very spacious and extremely nice. A desk was already in the corner of the room and there was plenty of space for Peyton to put in a recording studio. "How much do you want for it?" Peyton asked, glancing around the room. It was perfect. "500 a month," he smiled, and if you decide you want it for keeps, I can arrange to sell it to you."

"That's it?" Peyton asked, amazed that he was cutting her such a deal.

"I don't really need the money that badly and the place hasn't been used in such a long time so I'm just glad I can help," he shrugged. "Here's my card. Just call and we can work out the details."

"Thank you so much uh…" Peyton started, realizing that she didn't even know his name yet.

"Jake," he offered with a lopsided grin. "And it's really not a problem. Glad I could be of assistance."

"Well if you want to get your other problems off your chest, you can join me at the bar and vent all you want," he grinned, closing the door behind them.

Peyton nodded and followed him back over to the bar. He swung his legs over the counter as she perched herself back on the barstool.

"So tell me about his marriage of yours uh... what was your name again?" he questioned, not sure whether she'd given him a name or not.

She laughed, "it's Peyton."

"Peyton. That's a pretty name for a pretty girl," he grinned coyly.

Peyton blushed, "Uh thanks." She'd just met this guy and already he was treating her so much better than Nathan had ever treated her.

"What about your marital problems?" he asked once they got back on track.

She sighed and shook her head. "Well it's bad, really bad. We used to be so in love, you know? But we were so much younger then. After our daughter got older and he started traveling so much for work things just fell apart. He treats our daughter like an angel and doesn't do a thing to discipline her. It bothers me that we have such different concepts of parenting. He's just not the man I fell in love with anymore. I've doubted this marriage for a long time now."

"Wow," Jake breathed out. "Do you still love him?"

Peyton thought about it for a minute. "Of course I do. Somewhere deep down but I have a feeling that if it weren't for Sawyer that we would have been over a long time ago. We're just two completely different people."

"That sucks Peyton. It really does but maybe you need to tell him how you feel?" Jake suggested quietly.

"I can't do that Jake. I just can't. I want to make it work, for Sawyer's sake."

"How old is your daughter?"

"Sixteen,"

"Well then I'd think she's old enough to deal with her parents' divorce," Jake mused.

"You want to know the truth Jake? The real reason why I won't leave him? I've never told anyone this before."

Jake nodded. "Go on."

"It's because of reputation. I make him look good and give him a good image. In return he gives me money and fame and everything that I could ever want. I know it sounds selfish but he's so manipulative that I'm scared to leave him. I'm scared that he'll ruin my life if I do. I used to be a bad person Jake. A person that I'm not proud of. I was a hardcore partier, a junkie, and a slut. That's what got me pregnant in the first place. He knows all about my past and he'll ruin my image with it if I leave him," Peyton confessed. Jake could see the sadness and the pain in her eyes and he wanted to help her. Nobody deserved that.

"For once in my life I'm not sure I can help you out with that one. Just hang in there Peyton. You seem like a strong person." He reached over the bar and engulfed her in a hug. "It'll be okay."

"Thanks Jake," she smiled once they separated. "For the first time since I've been in Tree Hill I actually feel good about myself."

"So enough about me what about you? You married, got kids?" she asked with a curious smile.

"Married, no. Kids, yes," he answered and Peyton could see the smile on his face.

"Divorced?"

He shook his head. "High School girlfriend got pregnant and left. I've raised my daughter alone for 16 years and I wouldn't have it any other way."

Wow, a single father. This guy was just too good to be true. "That's amazing Jake. So what's your daughter like?"

"She's great actually. She loves to cheerlead and she has great grades. She's just an awesome girl, I'm so proud of her."

A smile lit up on Peyton's face. "I know exactly what you mean."

"JAKE JAGIELSKI. I NEED A DRINK!" a voice yelled and Peyton heard the sound of the bar door slamming.

Jake laughed, "The usual?"

"Of course. With he who will not be named back in town you're going to be seeing me here a lot more than usual mister."

A body plopped down on the stool next to her and Peyton turned to reveal the mystery woman. Her eyes widened in shock. It couldn't be. There was no way. Just her luck, it was Brooke fucking Davis. Peyton would recognize her anywhere. She was only on the front page of every fashion magazine you picked up. Peyton stared her down. She was beautiful with her long brunette tresses, gorgeous hazel eyes that were hidden behind oversized sunglasses, and legs that went on for days. Peyton was jealous of this woman, no wonder Nathan had dated her in High School.

"What?" she asked, breaking Peyton from her thoughts. She'd obviously caught Peyton staring her down.

"Uh nothing, I'm new to town and I just noticed that you're Brooke Davis, the fashion designer," she quickly covered up.

"Yeah, I do get that a lot," Brooke shrugged as Jake handed her a drink.

"Thanks bud," she smiled.

Oh great Jake was friends with her husband's ex-girlfriend who raised the daughter he abandoned. Could life seriously get any more complicated?

"I have to go," Peyton mumbled quickly, picking up her tab.

"Don't worry about it Peyt. You seem to have a lot on your plate. It's on the house," he grinned, ripping the tab up.

"Thanks Jake. I'll be in touch," she smiled, picking up her purse and exiting the bar.

"I'll be in touch? Does Jakey have a new girlfriend? She's cute," Brooke smiled, punching him lightly in the shoulder.

"Yeah she's cute but she's also married Brookie. When she said I'll be in touch she meant with the room I'm lending her to base her business out of," Jake grinned, pointing towards the room that Peyton would soon be renting.

"Oh. Well to bad she's married. She seemed like a nice lady and you really do need a woman Jake."

Jake sighed. "Brooke I told you, I don't need a woman. I'm getting sick of you setting me up on dates all the time. When the time comes I'll find someone on my own."

She rolled her eyes and took the final swig of her drink. "Don't be so bitter Jake."

"What about you Brooke? Huh? Don't you need a man?" he teased, taking her empty glass and topping it up.

"Jake no offense but my ex-boyfriend who abandoned me and my daughter 17 years ago is back in town. I have enough to deal with, I don't think I need a man right now."

Jake shrugged. "You never know. It might actually help you keep your mind off all the Nathan crap."

"It's just not in the cards right now," she shrugged, taking a huge gulp of her drink. "Or maybe I'm just destined to be alone."

"What about Lucas? Don't you have feelings for him?"

"Not now Jake. Don't do this. You know that Luke and I are just friends," she slurred a little, polishing her drink off and wiping the stray alcohol from the side of her mouth.

Jake chuckled. "Well that's not what you said a few years ago."

Brooke glared at him. "I said drop it Jake," she snapped, pushing her glass towards him. "Fill me up."

"Brooke its three o'clock in the afternoon and you're already drunk. I think you've had enough."

She shrugged. "It's five o'clock somewhere right?"

"I know its difficult Brooke but don't do this. Don't turn to alcohol as an escape for your issues with Nathan. Not again."

"I'm not doing that. I'm just having a little drink to forget the fact that my asshole of an ex-boyfriend is back here to ruin my fucking life," she grumbled bitterly. "Now hit me up."

Jake shook his head. "I know you probably don't want to hear this Brooke but it needs to be said. When life throws you tough shit you do either two things. You run or you numb the pain with alcohol. It needs to stop."

Brooke shot Jake a glare. "Are you calling me a fucking alcoholic?"

"No Brooke, I wasn't. I was just…" Jake stammered as she shot daggers at him with her deadly glare.

"It's fine Jake. Call it what you want, I don't give a shit," she growled, throwing him a wad of cash and getting up off the barstool. She stumbled a little bit and gripped onto the barstool to regain her composure.

"Keys Brooke," Jake stated firmly, grabbing for her purse.

"Fuck off. I can drive just fine Jake," she grumbled even though she knew full well that she was in no state to drive. She just didn't want to stay here and argue with Jake. It was worthless.

Jake grabbed at her purse again. This time successfully capturing it and pulling her keys out. "I'll drive your car home when I get off work."

"Well then how the hell am I supposed to get home? I'm not waiting until you get off work."

Jake pulled out his cell phone. "I'll call someone. You sit down."

He wandered off into the back to make the call, while still keeping his eye on Brooke, who he gave a water in attempt to sober up some.

"Luke!" he called out frantically when Lucas answered.

"Jake what's up man? You sound upset."

"It's Brooke. She's drunk again."

"Fuck!" Lucas yelled. "Where is she?"

"TRIC," Jake replied.

"Give me five."

"BROOKLYN PENELOPE DAVIS!" Lucas hissed as he swung open the doors to TRIC and marched his way over to the bar where Brooke was sitting, sipping on a water.

"LUCAS! Don't call me Brooklyn it makes me sound old," she grinned, throwing her arms around the blonde.

"Fine Brooke. Why the hell are you drunk at 3 in the afternoon?"

"Because life's a bitch," she slurred, stumbling over a little as she spoke.

Lucas looked at Jake sympathetically. "I've got her. Thanks for calling Jake."

"No problem Luke. Phone and let me know once you've got her home safely. I'll drive her car home after I get off work."

Lucas drug Brooke off to his car and sat her in the passenger seat. "Thank you for saving me Lucas," she mumbled.

"You can't be doing this just because Nathan is back in town. You're better than that and you know it Brooke."

Brooke didn't say anything the rest of the way home, which suited Lucas just fine. "Come on, let's get you to bed," Lucas insisted, helping her out of the car.

"It's three thirty in the afternoon. I don't wanna sleep."

He chuckled. "Well you should have thought about that before you got shitfaced."

Lucas opened the door and led Brooke inside the house. "HELLO! SOPH, ARE YOU HOME?" he called out, shutting the door tightly behind himself.

"Uncle Lucas?" she asked confused, entering the entry way.

"Sophia! How's my favorite girl doing?" Brooke slurred, throwing her arms around Sophia.

Sophia looked at Lucas with a what the hell just happened look on her face. "I'm going to get her to bed. When I come back down I'll explain it to you," Lucas offered, picking Brooke up over his shoulder and trekking up the stairs.

After he helped her into a pair of pajamas and gave her an aspirin and put a puke bucket beside her bed just in case, she was finally ready for bed. He pulled the covers up over her body and gently kissed her forehead. "Night Brooke," he mumbled but got no reply. She was already asleep.

"I love you," he whispered quietly before shutting the light out and closing the door.

Sophia was waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs, her arms folded across her chest. "What the hell just happened?"

"Jake called. He said she was drunk at TRIC so I went to pick her up," Lucas answered honestly.

"Did he say why she was drunk?"

Lucas sighed. "Look kiddo, it's complicating."

"Lucas I'm 16 not 5. I understand a lot more things than you guys give me credit for."

"Fine," Lucas shrugged, letting out a heavy sigh. "Your mother, she has a problem. She uses alcohol as an escape route from her Nathan problems. For so many years, Nathan's betrayal has haunted her and she used alcohol to numb that pain and forget about it. You were too young to see it but Jake and I took a notice to it. It looks like Nathan being back in town is going to fuel this all over again."

"Wow," Sophia mumbled quietly. This really was a shock to her. Her mother hardly ever drank.

"We are going to have to do everything we can to help her get through this. Her heart is so weak and fragile."

Sophia gave Lucas a small smile. "Maybe she needs somebody to love her. Lucas, you need to tell her how you feel."

Lucas shook his head. "I can't do that Sophia. She doesn't feel the same way and besides I can't risk ruining our friendship. It means the world to me and losing my best friend isn't worth the risk."

"How do you know that she doesn't feel the same way? You don't have any proof telling you otherwise. And not work the risk huh Lucas? What if that risk ends up being the best thing that ever happened to your life?"

Lucas shook his head again. "And what if it ends up being the worst thing? I can't chance it Soph. I'm sorry." "Call me when you're mom wakes up."

"Lucas!" Sophia called after him.

"Yeah?" he asked turning around.

"I wish that someday you'll find the strength to tell her. But don't wait too long because she isn't going to wait forever. It's going to hurt a lot worse when she moves on."

Lucas sighed. Sophia was right. She wasn't going to stay single forever and if he didn't get his ass in gear he was going to watch the love of his life move on with someone else. He didn't know which was worse, watching her move on or risking their friendship?

AN: I've had a SUPER busy summer but I have a few weeks off with nothing really big to do so I will hopefully get in lots of updating. Thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter and please let me know what you think of this one? And to answer Moon Kiss's question no Lucas and Peyton will NOT hook up at all. I don't like Leyton and I'd rather not write about them romantically if I don't have to!