Hey guys I know it's been months since I updated, I didn't forget this story I swear. Things kinda went crazy for a while, I've been moving and travelling and dealing with personal crap, but I'm back and I've got more chapters for ya. :D

xoxoxo Mia xoxoxo

Back Where We Belong

"So Luke, how long you back for?" Cassie asked as she and Lucas walked along the river. After their big reunion Karen had went back to work, promising to make a big dinner to celebrate Luke's return later that night.

Luca shrugged. "Indefinitely."

"You mean?" Cassie said her eyes showing signs of relief. "Your back for good?"

Lucas nodded. "Charlotte wasn't for me I guess. It's a nice place but it's not home." He kicked a rock at the ground. "Besides somebody's gotta look out for you now that your in looooove." Lucas said in a high pitched voice mocking Cassie who slugged him in the arm.

"I am not in love. Kyle and I are just friends." She said.

"That's not what it looked like to me before I left here, so unless somethings changed in a matter of a few days..." Lucas looked at his sister.

It was Cassie's turn to shrug. "I don't really know what you would call us. We've gone out a few times and we've kissed, but I don't know if we should be considered boyfriend/girlfriend."

"Sounds like it to me, Cass. By the way if you could not talk about kissing Kyle with me, it would be greatly appreciated. I can't think of my little sister like that." Lucas said with a laugh.

"I'm younger then you by 3 minutes idiot." Cassie said. "So heard about Dan?"

"Why do you think I'm back?" Lucas asked.

"Well I thought it was because of me and Mom..." Cassie said faking an upset tone.

"Haha, that was part of it. But Keith told me about Dan and I had to come back, I don't know why, I just did." Lucas said. "Maybe Nathan had a bit to do with it too."

"God, it's so weird to hear the two of you are getting along." Cassie said.

Luke nodded. "Believe me I know. But I was wrong about him, he's a good guy, at least now he is. That's because of you and Haley."

"Mostly Haley." Cassie interrupted.

"Still if it wasn't for you two, Nathan and I would still be at eachother's throats." Lucas laughed glad he could joke about that part of the past now. "I just can't believe he and Haley got married."

"Yeah I know, Brooke insists that Haley's pregnant but Peyton and I disagree." Cassie said.

"Speaking of Brooke and Peyton, how are they? The way I left things with them...I just feel really bad." Lucas said.

"I know. They're good, their friends again if that's what you mean. I heard you left them a letter." Cassie said as she saw her brother wince.

"Yeah, did they read it?" Lucas asked.

Cassie shook her head. "Don't think so. Your in luck if what's in that note is what I think it is."

Lucas only nodded.

"Luke I'm glad your home." Cassie said sincerely as her brother put his arm around her and gave her a sideways hug and she rested her head on his shoulder as they walked back to their house.

Later that night after the big dinner in which Karen had went all out and made a bunch of the kids favorites, they received a unexpected visitor.

"Cass, can you get the door?" Karen asked as Lucas helped her with the dishes.

Cassie nodded and ran for the front door. She shrieked when she saw who it was causing Karen and Lucas to head for the front door immediately.

"Uncle Keith." Cassie said launching herself into the awaiting arms of her Uncle. Even if it had only been a few days since he left, it had felt like a lifetime.

Keith hugged the girl tightly. "Hey Kid." He smiled. "Miss me much?" He joked as he kissed her hair.

Cassie smiled. "More then you know." She whispered into his ear as he let her go and gave Karen a quick hug. Things were still awkward between the two.

"Are you back to see Dan too?" Karen asked after she was released from the hug.

"Yeah well I heard about his heart attack and I had to come back, I mean despite everything he's still my little brother." Keith said.

"Well I for one am glad your home. Are you staying for awhile?" Cassie asked.

Keith sighed knowing she would be the one to ask that question. "I don't know Baby-girl. It'll at least be a little while since Dan wants me to run the dealership for him until he gets back on his feet."

"And you agreed to it?" Karen asked surprised. "After everything he has done with taking your Autobody Shop away, your still going to help him."

Keith shrugged. "We'll see how it goes. I think this heart attack has sort of opened his eyes to things. The doctor said it could happen and that it could be a permanent change or a temporary one, whatever it is I don't care. I need to help, that's just who I am." He pulled something out of his pocket.

"By the way Luke, you left this in the truck." Keith handed Lucas his Ipod.

"Oh thanks." Lucas smiled gratefully.

"Dan told me something else too." Keith started. "He said he wants to see you and Cassie, Lucas."

"Wants to see us?" Lucas asked. "Why?"

"I don't know, but whatever it is he was pretty adament about it so it must be important." Keith said.

"I don't like this." Karen said.

"Mom..." Cassie said.

"No Cass, Dan doesn't have a good track record especially when it comes to the two of you. Whatever he wants could be bad even dangerous and I don't want you being apart of it." Karen said.

Cassie sighed. "Mom, he's in the hospital. He's hooked up to a million wires and there's a ton of doctors who will be there too. You have nothing to worry about."

"Wait Cass, are you saying you want to see him?" Lucas asked.

"I don't know, it could be important like Keith said, and I always try to give people the benefit of the doubt. I mean look at Nathan, I gave him a chance and now were closer then ever. I'm not saying that we'll ever be close to Dan but at least give him a chance to say what he wants." Cassie said.

"I agree with Cassie." Keith said. "Besides Dan's harmless right now, he's too weak to move."

"Dan Scott is never weak, he's a lot of things but weak isn't one of them." Karen said. "And I don't mean that in a good way."

"Mom, please don't try and stop us." Cassie said. "Look I'd love to get your approval on this, but I will go whether I have it or not and whether Luke wants to or not."

Lucas sighed. "I'm in."

"Good, then it's settled tomorrow morning we go see Dan." Cassie said.

"Then we plan Haley and Nate's wedding shower." Lucas said.

"You know about that?" Cassie asked.

"What are you talking about? I'm talking about the party I was planning on throwing them, what are you talking about?" Lucas asked.

"I'm talking about the party Brooke, Peyton and I are throwing them. We want to have it in that old abandoned club on Main Street, near Mom's cafe." Cassie said.

"That's where I was thinking of throwing mine, an over the top blow out. I was going to get Peyton to plan the music and Brooke to plan the games and you to deal with decorations since you love that kinda stuff." Lucas said.

"Geez get outta my head." Cassie laughed. "That's exactly what I had planned. Combine our parties?"

"Deal." Luke said as he stuck out his hand and shook his sisters while Karen and Keith just stood there shaking their heads in amusement.

"Twins." Keith laughed. "That connection is undeniable."

"You got that right." Karen laughed along with him and for the first time in weeks felt truely happy and she felt the awkwardness of being around Keith disintegrate completely.