One Step At A Time

Chapter 4

Haley looked at Peyton, as she pieced together where she first saw her at, she was the girl on the dating website, that's why she looked so familiar, so Peyton, was actually, Elizabeth, no wondered, she thought Peyton and Elizabeth had so much in common.

" Okay, lets sit down, people are looking at us." Haley said, as she pulled Lucas down in the booth. He was still staring at Peyton like she was an alien. Nathan reached for Peyton's arm pulling her down beside him. Her eyes still locked on Lucas to..

"Wow. I can honestly say I didn't see this coming" Nathan said, as he looked at Haley, then back at his sister, he couldn't believe that Lucas, actually turn out to be Scott. Now he wished he clicked on the profile that first night, he wrote Scott back, then maybe, things would have happen sooner.

"Yeah, me to." she whispered, still confused to what was actually happening. " So, this is a crazy coincidence huh?" she said, looking at the three, then realizes that Luke and Peyton were still pretty much out of it.

"What is going on here?" Lucas finally spoke, still looking at Peyton

" Well, Luke, from what I'm gathering, it turn out that Elizabeth," she pointed to Peyton, " Is actually Peyton Sawyer, aka Nathan's sister and my boss. And Sawyer," she pointed to Nathan. "is Nathan, aka Peyton's brother and your employee. Small world huh?"

" How did we not connected this soon." Peyton said, still looking at Lucas.

" I don't know." Lucas answered, millions of things running through his mind. The girl he has obsessed over the last month was finally right in front of him, looking more beautiful than he thought possible. " Your beautiful.." he whispered, totally forgetting he was upset with Haley for being out with Nathan.

Peyton's eyes widen and her mouth open, she couldn't think straight, she couldn't believe what was actually happening. She was face to face with this amazing guy she can't quit thinking about, who changed her life in just a month. She never even thought they would ever meet, because she was very careful on what she told him, she didn't want him to come looking for her. "Thanks.." she whispered back.

Lucas smiled, " Your picture on the site doesn't even come close to how truly beautiful you are in person."

Peyton blushed, she quickly looked away. Haley smiled a little, glad her brother was more into Peyton than Nathan and her, she knew he was going to go off once he came back to his senses.

Nathan shook his head, as he watched his sister blush at Lucas comment, he knew deep down that the two would be good for each other, he just hopes Peyton actually gives him a chance. She's good at the flirting, and making guys fall for her, but she wasn't so good at the actually relationship part, since she's never really been in one. In her mind no guy would want her, or understand her, once they find out the truth about her past.

Haley smiled at her brother, than at her new best friend, she couldn't believe this was actually happening. She told Luke, and Peyton from the get go that they would be prefect for each other. She knew Luke needed someone in his life, since his last relationship ended with him checking into rehab. She wondered if he ever told Peyton that, when they talked on the phone, did they ever get personal like she and Sawyer did, wait Nathan did, she had to corrected herself.

" I'm going to go get me a beer," Nathan said, as he stood up. "Peyton, do you want a refill?" he asked knowing she loves her wine, she just nodded, "Lucas, Haley, can I get you guys anything?"

" I'll go with you, and Luke will take a Dr Pepper," she said, winking at her brother,

" A Dr. Pepper?" Peyton questioned, she has never been in a bar or club with anyone who didn't drink.

Lucas looked at Nathan and Haley, thankful they never told her, " I'm not a drinker" he replied, She just nodded, before looked down at her lap, hating the fact that they left them alone, she pulled out her cell pretending to check something, " Peyton, that's a pretty name. so is Elizabeth."

" Sorry I lied to you about my name, Elizabeth is my middle name, I was kind of nervous to tell you my first name.."

He shrugged, " Don't worry about it, I was too nervous to tell you my first name to, Haley is the one who suggested I use my last name, "

She nods, not to sure what to say or do next, she looks up noticing Nathan and Haley standing at the bar, laughing, hoping things between the two really go's good. Nathan deserved someone who could make him happy again.

Nathan leans up against the bar, "you got a pretty smile," he told her, as she looks down at the floor. " Who would have thought, that we could have met sooner, if we both just listen to Peyton."

"Listen to Peyton?

" Yeah, she has tried to get me to come to the restaurant every day to meet you, you are all she talks about. "

Haley laughs, " Yeah she was doing the same thing to me about you, I can't believe we never connected any of this, "

" Yeah, I can't believe Lucas never told be how beautiful his sister is, hell, he hardly talked about you that much."

Haley smiled, at his comment, she wanted to tell him that Lucas had some concerns about him, with his past but she figured it was too soon to say anything, its only been a month, does she really have the right to questions his past?

"You okay?" he asked, noticing she drifted off.

" Yeah, just thinking...

" Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

" It depends what are you thinking?"

" That I want to kiss you..."

She smiled, " Yep that's what I was thinking to." she licked her lips, right before he placed his with hers, damn there was more than a little spark there, she hadn't had a kiss like this in years.

Nathan's head was spinning, the kiss shocked him to his core, she was making him feel things he never did before, not even with Brooke, maybe this whole online dating thing wasn't such a bad idea after all.

Peyton's eyes widen, " Well, that didn't take long" she said, shocked that the two were kissing right in front of everyone, like they have been together for years.

Lucas looked at her confusedly, "What didn't take long?" he asked, as he looked over his shoulder. His eyes also widen, " What the hell is she doing?" as reality sunk in.

Peyton looked at him, " Excuse me?" not sure she heard him clearly.

" I told her to stay away from him, and like always she doesn't listen, if she would have listen to me in high school, she wouldn't be a twenty-six year old divorce woman already." he said, a little to loud.

" You told her to stay away from him?...him as in... Nathan?" Peyton asked, as she crossed her arm over herself, glaring at him. Confused by his mumbling

Lucas sighed, totally forgetting she was there, and that she was Nathan's sister. " Look, I like Nathan, he's a good guy...

" Damn straight he is," she said, cutting him off. " he is an amazing, caring, wouldn't hurt a soul man. If your worried that Nathan will hurt her like her ex husband did, he won't.. I promise you that, Nathan isn't a player, he doesn't cheat, he doesn't lie, he is honest, trustworthy, he would give her the world if he could, he never takes a relationship for granted, girls take his sweet, loving, trusting side for granted, he deserves someone to love him, and want him, regardless to what he has been through, or what he has done, And he would treat her like a queen, any girl should be honor to be on his arm."

Lucas was taken back my her sudden, outburst . " Peyton, slow down, I am sorry, I didn't say he wasn't a good guy, You totally...

" It's because he was in prison?... right?" she asked, cutting him off, when he didn't answer she got her answer, " Don't judge a situation unless you know the truth. " she stood up. she knew he wouldn't understand she told Nathan it was a mistake to tell him. " Goodbye Lucas, " she said, walking away,

"Peyton" he yelled, as he jumped up, damn this wasn't how he was hoping the night ended. He just stood there, part of him wanting to go after her, but not wanting to piss her off anymore than he already did.

Nathan and Haley looked over at the sound of Lucas voice, "What the hell happen?" Nathan said, as he saw Peyton storm out of the bar. " I got go." he said, chasing after her.

Haley shook her head, as she walked down to where her brother was at. " What did you do?"

" Nothing I swear.." he yelled, Haley glared at him, " Fine, she might have gotten the impression that I wasn't to happy with you and her brother seeing each other. "

" Lucas!" she yelled, " dammit, " she shook her head, looking back at the door " I can't believe you, " she said, grabbing his arm.. " Go tell her your sorry,"

" Haley she wouldn't listen, she mad right now, she needs to calm down first."

" Lucas, she was perfect for you, don't throw this away just because you can't seem to get over the fact that her brother serviced sometime in Jail. Nathan means a lot to her, "

" It wasn't jail Haley it was prison, big different..."

Haley groaned loudly... " I need to talk to them..." she said, as she pushed pasted him. Hoping they were still in the parking lot.

Peyton just got in her car, when Nathan reached her, "Peyt, what happen."

She was crying, even through she wasn't sure why, well maybe it was because for the past month she actually thought if she told Scott, or Lucas whatever his name is, about what her brother did for her he would understand, he just seemed like that kind of guy. but boy was she wrong. " I just want to go home, "

"Peyton, did he hurt you?" he asked in an angry tone.

" No, not physically."

" What did he say,"

" Nathan, come home, they will never understand what you did for me."

" You told Lucas..."

" No, I didn't, he doesn't like the fact of you and Haley seeing each other, because you was in prison, so he for sure won't like the reason you were there. "

Nathan just stood there, " Oh!" he replied sadly..He never thought it bother Lucas, cause when he first told him he spent sometime in prison, yes Lucas looked at him like he just told him he was gay or something. But then he said, that the past was the past, he never even asked what for, so he thought they were cool.

" I'm sorry Nathan, " she said, giving him a hug. " Come on, let's go home" she whispered, as they pulled apart. Nathan nodded, she got in her car and he got in his both pulling out of the parking lot at the same time Lucas and Haley walked out of the club...

" Damn!" Haley yelled, " God Luke, why didn't you just keep your freaking mouth shut." she was pissed, not only did he mess up her chance with Nathan, he probably messed up the friendship she builded with Peyton over the last month..

" I'm sorry, Haley" knowing she was upset more with the fact of losing Peyton's friendship..

She sighed,she ran her fingers through her hair, " I at least thought you was going to give me an hour or two, before you blew up. or said something stupid. Since you had the girl you have talked non stop about this past month right in front of you, and you blew it in less than twenty minutes."

"It's your fault!" he yelled

She turn to face him, " Do what?"

" If you and Nathan wasn't up at the bar making out like fucking high school kids, nothing would have been said."

She rolled her eyes, " We share a kiss, Lucas, that's it...God, what does it matter...you told me to go for Sawyer, that he seemed like a good one for me."

" Yeah because I never thought that Sawyer would turn out to be Nathan Sawyer, some one that I told you to stay away from, "

"Yeah you said the Sawyer's were bad news, not to get mixed up with them" he nods,. " Well, Luke what do you think now that your prefect girl, is actually one of those Sawyer people?"

" It's a lot to processes," he admitted. as he thought about Peyton, " I've never really heard anything bad about Peyton, so it's not like I can't get to know her better, once I get her to forgive me, with you and Nathan's hel...

"You got a lot of fucking nerve." she yelled, cutting him off, he just stared at her. " Do you really think Nathan is going to help you get his sister to talk to you again? Come on Luke, by now Peyton's probably told him what you said, and he is probably feeling pretty down, cause in his eyes you were a friend, so come Monday morning don't be surprized if he ain't there."

" Nate weren't just not come to work, he needs his job Haley. Beside I know he would understand, how I'm feeling, all he's got to do is put himself in my shoes."

" what does that mean?"

" I'm just saying if it was Peyton who was dating someone who was in prison Nate would have a problem with it to. I know he would just the way he talks about Peyton he's had this need to protected her attitude "

Haley looked down at the ground for moment. Knowing he's probably right, most caring brothers would reacted the same way Lucas did. " how do you know he was in prison?" she asked, wanting to know more about it.

" He told me."

"So why did you hire him than."

" He told me after I hired him."

" So if he would have told you before you hired him, what would you had done?"

Lucas thought a second " honestly, I would still hired him, I would just asked why he was there."

" Why didn't you asks when he told you?"

" I didn't think I had a right to and I really didn't want to know, his past is his business."

" Exactly, so why is it a big deal now."

" It's a big deal now, because he wants to date you, or you wanted to date him, whatever, I just don't feel comfortable with you been around him..." He told her as he lean up against his car. " At least not without me around.."

Haley shook her head, " Thats crazy, I don't need a babysitter Lucas, I'm a big girl.."

" I just want to protected you, "

" I really don't think he's someone you have to protect me from."

"You said, the same thing about Chris look how that turn out..."

" Lucas that is way..." she stopped when she saw Nathan... " Nathan.." she yelled, Lucas looked over his shoulder, seeing the black hair man, walking towards them. He watched as Haley run up to him, " Nathan, I'm so sorry, for what Lucas said, is Peyton okay?"

" She's fine" he said, as he kept walking, not once looking at Lucas. "Peyton left her purse, that all I'm here for.." Haley watched him walk into the bar, she stood their staring at the door he just walked through.

Lucas pulled out his cell, and quickly text Peyton, " I'm sorry, I'm a jerk." he hit the send button. He really wanted to get to know her more, and deep down he could probably get over the fact that Nathan was in prison, if he could just find out what for, maybe that would ease his mind, maybe he was their for something that wasn't his fault, or he was covering for someone, maybe it was a misunderstanding, there could be lots of different reasons... His phone beep, and he got all happy till he read what she replied back. " Yes, you are, now go to hell, oh in forget my number...please.." so this might be a little harder than he thought it would be.

"Nathan, please talk to me." Haley said, as soon as he walked out the door...

" I need to get back to Peyton." he said, as he got ready to cross the parking lot, " Oh..." he stopped, and looked at Lucas, " I quit.." he said, before starting to walk away again.

" Man, I'm sorry, please don't quit..."Lucas yelled, but Nathan kept walking.. Lucas jogged up to where he was.. "Nathan, please lets talk about this..." he begged,

" Talk, hmm, okay lets talk.." Nathan said, finally stopping.. " I told you six months ago about me been in prison, and you said, your past is your business, I wasn't raised to judge people, right.."

"Yeah, I said that..." feeling pretty guilty..

" I waited and waited for you to start questioning me about it, cause most people who clam to be cool about it, start bring it up, or dropping little questions here and there, but you never did, you didn't ask, what I did? was it my fault? how long was you there? nothing...I actually believed you was cool with it, even though Peyton was telling me I was a fool, she worried everyday that I was going to come home and tell her I was fired, once you figured out the reason..

"I would have never fired you Nathan, regardless to what you did...

Nathan shook his head, knowing he was just saying that shit, he knew Peyton weren't be to happy with him, but to be honest he wanted Lucas to know for a long time now. so he decided tonight was the night, "Murder..." he said, cutting Lucas off.

"What?"

Nathan looked at him then at Haley, who looked like she just saw a ghost.." I went to prison at the age of sixteen, for six years, for killing someone.. " he stood there, waiting on one of them to say something, but they didn't they just looked at him, " You both have a goodnight and a good life.." he said, before walking away. Knowing that would be the last time he were see either of them.