'Dad you really don't need to do that' Peyton sighs.

He's turned up unannounced and she knows her Mother's sent him round here to check on her but he's making out that that's not the case at all. He's got a few jobs left to do. Well that's what he claims.

He's the one that helped her renovate the place. It was in a state when she brought it but the location and the character and charm of the building had her sold from the moment she walked through the door. It's been finished for several months now but whenever Larry Sawyer needs an excuse to stop by and see his only daughter he thinks up something else that his skilful hands can work on.

Today he's turned up with an old oak door frame that she couldn't say no to. He's fitted it in the doorway between the lounge and the hallway and she's silently appreciating it from afar as he begins to sand it down.

'Seriously Dad, I can do that bit myself' She worries about him because he works too hard and she's just standing there sipping on tea while he does all the manual labour.

'Sure you could' He chuckles and she pouts.

She's about to defend her carpentry skills but the knock at the door interrupts.

Larry is closer and naturally goes to open it while Peyton follows behind.

She wonders who it is. It's getting on for six and she'd not been expecting anyone.

Larry pulls the latch back and the five year old standing on the step chants her name and she instinctively pulls him into her arms and smothers his little face with kisses.

And then there's an awkward moment. An awkward moment that seems to last forever.

Peyton's brow furrows. It's clear that both men have already met and her head darts from her father to Lucas, her face expectant as she attempts to mentally draw answers from their stunned faces.

She doesn't get answers though and soon enough the question tumbles from her mouth.

'You know each other?'

'Er, yes' Larry's confusion has morphed into realisation and he doesn't appear to be concerned by the situation.

Peyton's concerned.

'I hired Lucas here, today' He pats the younger man's arm. 'It's a small world huh?' He's smiling and Lucas returns it, his stance uneasy as he interprets Peyton's narrowed eyes.

Lucas knows that her expression indicates that her father's explanation hasn't been well received. He wonders if it's just himself that can get her brow to crumple like that, it, after all, has so far made a common appearance within his presence.

'Honey' She sets Jamie back on the ground ruffling his hair. 'Why don't you take Lucas into the living room and show him Edgar' Jamie's face is filled with trepidation. He doesn't know why he's being dismissed. He wants to be back in her arms and he wants Peyton to be making a fuss of him. 'I just want to talk to Larry sweetie, then I'll be right in and you can tell me all about your day at school' Her following sentence has him reassured and he leads Lucas down the short hallway and into the open plan living area, his mother's shirt trailing behind him.

When they're safely round the corner and out of hearing distance her eyes pierce into her father.

He finally speaks. 'Darling I'm sorry? I didn't know you knew the guy' He's not entirely sure what he's apologising for but he's seen that look on her face more times than he can count; playing with her when she was just three years old and failing to dress her barbie in what she deemed the correct clothing. Returning home after being stuck on an oil rig and consequently missing her eighth birthday. After interrogating her prom date for a solid thirty minutes before allowing her to leave the house. Yes, he'd seen that look plenty of times and it didn't get easier to stomach.

'It's him Dad!' She hisses and throws her hands out in exasperation but he looks just as baffled. 'Lucas- Jamie's Uncle'

'Yes, I'd figured that one out honey. Well, isn't me giving him a job a good thing?'

Peyton's wild expression dissolves as his question sinks in and then she's nodding.

It is a good thing. He needs a job. He found a job.

She doesn't know why she's so angry.

'Peyton can I give Edgar some milk?' Jamie's peering round the newly fitted oak door frame, his eyes pleading.

Her smile is bright as she looks back. 'Of course, come on I'll help you'

Lucas' eyes snap away from the photographs lining the wall as she enters. Instead he watches as she helps Jamie fill a saucer with milk. She brushes her hand over his ash blonde hair as he makes his way back into the living room. His tongue sticks out as he concentrates on not spilling any but despite his concentration, droplets of white still find their way onto the carpet.

Edgar, the long haired black cat with a white patch around his eye and one white paw, doesn't rise from his slumber, regardless of Jamie's beckoning and the five year old soon tires of trying to get him off the sofa, instead his attention diverts to what Larry has resumed doing.

The older man is more than eager to incorporate the youngster. 'You want to help Sargent?' He affectionately addresses the curious little boy. Jamie nods coyly and hops over.

With his attention clearly occupied, Lucas slips into the adjoining kitchen. Peyton's got four cups on the side, one of which is plastic with buzzlight year on the side. She's making tea and she's avoiding his gaze.

'If me working for your father is such a big deal I won't'

She's not exactly been subtle and he wants to avoid a shouting match so he surrenders before one ensues. Besides, he knows he doesn't have to provide financially for Jamie. The kids got enough money in the bank to last him a life time but still, he wants to prove a point, to both her and himself. He wants to be capable of something.

'It's not a big deal' She shakes her head adamantly, switching the kettle on. 'It just, it took me by surprise is all. It's great' She forces a smile and Lucas smirks because she looks darn right ridiculous with her frowning brow and twitching lips. She's struggling to maintain the weak smile and it soon fades when she sees him smirking. Her face frowns as she opens the fridge in search of milk.

'I'm glad' He nods, clearing his throat and averting his gaze to watching Jamie and Larry through the doorway. The older man is showing the youngster how to sand down the wood and he's thoroughly intrigued by the process.

'Why, Why're you here?' She wonders.

'Well, Jamie asked to see you' He shrugs and she peers over the fridge door at him. 'What?'

Her head is quick to disappear again but he hears her muttered thank you.

He smiles.

She keeps her back to him as she finishes off the hot drinks. He's not complaining. He takes a moment to appreciate the rear view of Peyton Sawyer. He decides it's more delightful than the front, considering he doesn't have to see the scathing looks she's so wonderful at firing at him along with her mouth that speaks it's mind. This way, he can openly look her up and down without her knowledge. Her legs are something of perfection and he's not complaining about her ass either.

She turns.

His head snaps up and of course she sees and of course she knows exactly where his vulgar mind has gone.

'Do you take sugar?' She mutters, her scathing look pelting him with full force.

He smirks because he's got a crude comment on the tip of his tongue but he bites it back and shakes his head. 'No'

She spoons in three just the same and he guesses he deserves it and then she's asking about Jamie.

How was he last night? How was his day back at school? Did he speak to the teacher? Did he do this, did he do that?

She's answered with shrugs and nods and shakes of the head.

'How do you think he's doing then?' She inquires, she's genuinely intrigued by his opinion but he's sick of that question.

He takes a sip of his overly sweet tea and shrugs again and when she widens her eyes he elaborates. 'How am I meant to know. He barely says shit'

'Lucas' She hisses, her eyes snapping to the man and child in the next room. She can see their tall and tiny figures haunched beside the oak frame, the sand paper making a scraping noise. Back and forth. Back and forth.

They're distracted. They haven't heard his language.

'You can't speak like that'

His eyes roll.

'You can't' She snaps. 'Not in front of him. He's a child. A child that's just lost his parents Lucas'

'I'm not a father' He counters pettily.

'No, but you're going to have to learn to be' She looks far from amused. 'You can't just do what you want, you have to make changes for him'

'Contrary to what you think, I am really trying here' He grumbles huffily. 'I don't know how to be a fucking Dad but I'm taking him to school, I'm getting him food, I'm putting him to bed, I'm looking after him. I'm trying'

'I don't doubt that you are. But you need to hide your emotions a little better. Jamie needs stability. He doesn't need to hear you shouting about how you don't know how to do this' She ridicules. 'He doesn't need to start thinking he's a burden to you because right now, I can guarantee that that's exactly what is going through his little mind'

Lucas pinches the bridge of his nose. He's pretty certain that Jamie hasn't heard anything of what he's said in the last ten minutes but he also knows that regardless of whether he heard or not Peyton is still right, only that doesn't make it any easier to hear and it sure as hell doesn't mean he doesn't want to throttle her any less. He doesn't know who she thinks she is but she has absolutely no right to look at him like that. Like he's scum.

'You know, I wouldn't mind taking him for a couple of hours after kindergarten during the week seeing as you're going to have to work?' Her voice is calm again.

Lucas' anger dissolves into pure mortification. Now she has to be all sweet and ask him if he needs help because she doesn't think he's capable of managing his nephew.

'That won't be necessary. I've got it handled'

'But you won't be able to pick him up' She knows her father's hours. It's early starts and late finishes. 'My hours are negotiable and I can work from home too- it makes sense for me to-'

'It's alright. I've got it'

He doesn't know why but he's shaking his head. He'll find another way. He doesn't want her help.

Her face falls and she wants to argue but she doesn't think partaking in another shouting match in front of both her father and Jamie would be the wisest of moves. Again, she feels like she's loosing control. She feels like she should have more authority of what does and doesn't go when it comes to Jamie Scott.

Lucas watches her mouth open and close and knows she's biting her tongue and for some reason he feels as though he's triumphed. He's one this round. She's been forced into silence.

He looks away because he can feel the beginnings of a smirk working it's way onto his face.

Her kitchen is nice, much like the rest of the apartment. Glass lines one wall and doors lead out onto a little jetty that look out across the water. Everything is finished perfectly and expensively. He wonders what she does for a living. She has to be good at whatever it is because her apartment is nice. It's really nice. He doesn't ask though because he won't allow himself to show the slightest interest in her life because he's not interested. So, instead his eyes peer back into the adjoining room. The kinder-gardener is holding the sandpaper now and with Larry's guidance he's helping to smooth the wood down.

'Well think about it. If you change your mind, the offers still there' She finally speaks. Her voice is strained as she struggles to be civil.

He nods. He'll think about it but he's determined not to come grovelling for her help any time soon.

Determination doesn't always prevail.

He hasn't managed to find a way of getting Jamie to and from Kindergarten.

It's seven a.m and he's exhausted and feeling beyond stupid. He's standing outside her apartment, willing up the courage to knock. He wouldn't be feeling so ridiculous had he just accepted her help in the first place but of course he had to act like an arrogant dick.

He's been standing out here for fifteen minutes and he's going to be late for his first day at work. He knows that's not a great first impression and he really doesn't want to be humiliated any further by being fired before he even starts so he knocks. Three harsh, confident wraps.

She's not dressed yet, she's wearing a baggy t-shirt that barely covers her legs and Lucas hates her a little bit more because it would be a hell of a lot easier to hate her if she wasn't so hot.

She's conscious of her state of dress and awkwardly stretches the cotton down over her thighs, trying to maintain what's left of her dignity. Her other hand roams through her tangled locks in a futile attempt to tame the mess.

Sure it's a mess but still Lucas doesn't think she could look much sexier at this moment in time. His mouth has gone dry and he forces his eyes to her face.

'Hi, er...' He scratches his forehead dumbly. He won't apologise for coming round unannounced, he won't apologise for getting her out of bed and he sure as hell won't apologise for openly checking her out. 'I was er, wondering if maybe you could...'

'I'd love to' Peyton's smile is easy and slightly gleeful but it dies as she really takes in his face. He's tired. The bags under his eyes scream sleepless night. 'Are you alright?' She's concerned because maybe he's not tired, maybe he's a junkie and maybe Jamie isn't safe.

'Yeah' He sighs. He doesn't want to indulge her. He doesn't want to admit that he needs help because she was already so certain he couldn't do this but maybe she is right. 'Jamie didn't sleep much last night. He's afraid of the dark' He doesn't understand the sudden fear because he's been here for several nights now and not once has Jamie complained about the darkness. He can't relate to such fears. He's always found solace in the dark. You can hide in the dark. It's safer than daylight. 'Anyway, do you think you can-'

'Pick him up too?'

'Yeah'

'Of course, I'd love too' She looks genuinely over the moon, he's not seen her so happy. She looks impossibly prettier.

'I'll try be here by half five but I, I was going to try and stop by the supermarket-we're down to a cucumber in the fridge and we're both getting sick of take out pizza not to mention I guess that it's not the healthiest dinner for a growing kid' He comes to an abrupt stop. She said yes. She didn't need to hear his rambling idiocy. 'But you didn't need to know that' He mutters. 'I'll just' He wanders back down the path and she watches from her doorstep as he retrieves a waiting Jamie from the pathway, softly explaining what's going on. His little face lights up at the prospect of spending some time with the curly haired blonde and then he's bounding up to her and telling her that she's going to look after him.

'That's right honey' She laughs.

Lucas gets a shy little wave from the youngster and then he disappears inside in search of Edgar the cat.

'Night fairy' Peyton tells him before he turns to leave.

'Huh?' Lucas doesn't understand 'Night what now?'

She smiles. 'You should try a night fairy, a night light, you know?'

'Okay it would help if I understood what you're talking about'

'You've never heard of a night light?' She bites her lip to stifle a laugh. 'Okay, well the names pretty self explanatory. It's a little light that you plug into the wall for kids. It might help if he keeps getting afraid of the dark'

'Hm right that could work right?' He shifts his weight.

'Maybe, it worked for me when I was little'

He imagines her as a little girl. He bets she was the cutest little thing with wild curly locks.

'I'll look for one at the store'

She nods. She doesn't know what just happened but for the first time they've managed to have a civilised conversation that didn't result in them loosing their temper or shouting at each other. She doesn't know if they're just both too tired to put up a fight but it was nice. Easy.

'Good luck for today' She finds herself calling out after him. He doesn't look back, nor acknowledge her unexpected kindness but she knows he's heard because he pauses briefly in his tracks and then he's striding on. She smiles because she doesn't expect anything less. She's smiling because despite all her reservations about this man, he's let her in, he's allowing her to be there for the little boy that she loves with all her heart and she's grateful and if he's going to try to be tolerant with her, maybe, just maybe she can do the same for him.