Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill or any of its characters.

A/N: Hey guys. Here's the rest of the dance night. Hope you enjoy. Thanks to all who keep reading and especially to you awesome reviewers. Love you all.

Brooke rolled her eyes as she caught sight of what was taking place right under the crowd's noses. "My best friends are a couple of idiots," she declared with a trace of irritation. "Round and round they go, where they stop, nobody knows," she ran off the children's rhyme, altering it just a bit. "It's a wonder they never get dizzy."

Chase just looked at her and offered her a tender smile.

"What?" she asked. "What are you looking at me like that for?"

"Well, because all week you've looked forward to this dance and now that we're here you've spent the whole night worrying about your friends."

"I know," Brooke began regretfully. "I'm sorry…"

"No, don't be sorry," Chase cut her off. "It's who you are, Brooke. It's one of the things I like so much about you."

"My tendency to meddle?" she asked with a cocked brow.

He chuckled. "No, your heart and how you care so much about your friends."

"Thank you," she replied. "But actually, right now I think I'm more worried about Lucas," she said, taking in the death glare that Nathan was sending his way.

–––––

Nathan felt like someone had just punched him in the stomach, depriving him of breath, and then reached up and ripped his heart right out of his chest. But he knew it wasn't so because it beat so painfully that it felt as though it might burst right through his skin.

He shut his eyes tightly to block out the excruciating scene before him. This had to be a nightmare. Peyton wasn't kissing Lucas. No, it was a dream. And any minute now he was going to wake up.

His eyelids opened and he found Peyton peering at him over Lucas's shoulder. He stared her down, almost daring her to do it again.

She did.

He turned away, his jaw set, his eyes gloomy, his features etched with an almost unbearable pain – a pain more potent than even his mother's attempted suicide had evoked within him. But just on time, and right on cue, his temper rose, taking over as chief emotion. He welcomed it – his faithful shield against heart break. Better anger than anguish, any day.

Except that it was all consuming, threatening to engulf his entire being. He knew he had to calm down – what would happen if he let his fury take hold as he was itching to do. At least one of the parents would be on him before he could give Lucas even a quarter of what he had coming, while another would be on the phone calling the cops. He took a deep breath, feeling stuck because no matter what his inclination was, no way in hell was he going back to jail for that bastard.

But neither could he stand by and watch Peyton kiss the guy she'd sworn up and down she wasn't into. Obviously he hadn't just imagined it all as she'd always claimed. Lucas had wanted what he had from the very start. And now he had it. He had everything.

"Let's get outta here," he said gruffly, pulling Shelly along with him before she could even form a response.

They had to pass by Peyton and Lucas on their way and Nathan had every intention of doing just that – passing right by – however, it proved too difficult for him and he couldn't resist a snarky comment.

Pulling away from Shelly, he inserted himself between the blonde girl he loved and the blond boy he hated, taking a small amount of pleasure out of shoving Lucas just the slightest bit.

Peyton swallowed hard and her stomach tightened in knots when Nathan stood but half an inch from her and his head bent to her ear.

"If this is how you are with your friends," he began caustically, "then I change my mind."

Five year old Tommy Jones awoke with a start, his little body trembling from the sheer terror of his nightmare. Shaking off the covers, he made a run for the bed beside him where his nine year old brother, Brandon, lay asleep.

Brandon woke instantly, pulling his own covers to share with his brother. They'd been at the center for over a month now and though every night they were put in separate beds, Tommy still had those nightmares and would always slip in beside Brandon.

Brandon didn't mind. He was his big brother so it was his job to protect him and make him feel safe. He only hoped he could do a better job of it than he'd been able to with their parents. He had to because Tommy was counting on him. Brandon was the only one he would speak to despite all the counselors and social workers' multiple attempts, and that was only when nobody else was around to hear it.

Brandon was the only one he trusted.

"He came alive," Tommy said, still shaking.

"It was just a dream," Brandon repeated the same words he'd spoken every night since their arrival. "Remember what counselor Mitch said? Dad's dead and Mom's in jail and she can't get out."

"With a hundred locks, right?"

"Right. So you can go back to sleep."

"I'm not tired," the younger claimed though he rubbed his eyes.

"Then just lay there until you are," Brandon advised. "And think about something good. Like when we watched the big kids play basketball on TV. Remember?"

Tommy nodded and sat up excitedly. "Yeah and when you get big like them, you're gonna be just like number 23," he said by memory, having heard his brother say it repeatedly.

"That's right," Brandon replied admiringly. "One day, I want to be just like Nathan Scott."

Tommy lay back down and nestled against his brother. "And I want to be just like you," he said to his own idol.

"You pompous jackass!" Peyton shouted above the music. "Who the hell do you think you are?!"

Already people had stopped dancing and a crowd had formed around them, silently watching the altercation, but Peyton didn't care. She was seeing red over Nathan's comment and though he tried to brush past her after saying it, she couldn't allow that. "After everything you've done to me, everything you've put me through, you have the nerve to get in my face and say something like that? And after sucking face with her half the night," she went on, gesturing toward Shelly, "you're gonna crucify me for kissing another guy for the first time since I've known you?!"

He cocked a brow and his lips curved into a condescending smile. "I'm not crucifying you, Peyton," he said evenly. "I'm saying I want to be your friend. Looks like I might've underestimated the perks of your friendship."

"And I underestimated your complete and utter assyness!" Peyton exploded. "Although I don't know how I could have since it's pretty much been your default setting since day one!"

"Oh, kinda like how bitchiness has been yours," he threw back tauntingly.

"It was the only way to deal with all the crap you pulled."

"Right, all the crap I pulled. What about you? You said you two were just friends, that you weren't into him and yet here you are, kissing him."

"Yeah," Peyton shot back. "And you said she was nothing but a conquest," she said, once again indicating Shelly. "And yet here you are."

Shelly felt her cheeks flush as all around heads turned to look at her. But all she could do was stare at Nathan, waiting for him to deny Peyton's statement. After all, it would be stupid to take the word of his bitter ex-girlfriend.

"What do you care?" Nathan spat. "It's not like you want me, right? So how is anything I do now any of your business?"

Peyton let out a non humorous laugh. "This coming from the guy who has a problem with me kissing my date."

Nathan rolled his eyes but before he could comment, Shelly turned on her heels and headed toward the exit. He sent Peyton a chilling glare but all she could do was smile in return.

"Ah darn, huh?" she taunted. "All that progress shot to hell."

"Yeah, just keep on being a bitch, Peyton. It's what you do best." Finally he looked over at Lucas who stood there seething. "She's all yours, man. Enjoy my leftovers."

And Peyton felt her heart shatter.

Lucas fumed and took a threatening step toward Nathan but Peyton held him back.

Nathan smiled, taunting him, urging him to fight. "Come on, man. Go ahead and hit me." From the corner of his eye he'd seen Larry and Keith approaching so he couldn't physically start a fight. But if Lucas did then he would have to defend himself and he wouldn't get in trouble for that. "Come on, you bastard, show me what you got."

To his disappointment, Lucas stepped back and then Larry and Keith were upon them, warning them to back off. So Nathan just shook his head and walked off in the direction Shelly had taken.

And Peyton's heart broke all the more.

"Excuse me," she said before running off to the ladies' room.

–––––

"Let me guess," Nathan said when he found Shelly waiting by the doors. "We're done?"

"Is it true?" she asked. "What she said?"

Nathan sighed heavily. Though his original motivation for going after her had been for the sexual challenge, it had changed somewhat in the weeks he'd been getting to know her and he'd found himself genuinely liking her. In many ways she reminded him of Peyton and he hated to lose that. However, she wasn't Peyton and he wasn't in any mood to explain, coddle and reassure. "Yeah," he replied simply.

A tear rolled down her cheek and she couldn't look at him. "Then yeah, we're done."

He nodded his head, figuring as much. "Fine. I'll drive you home."

"I'll call a cab, thanks," she said scornfully.

"Suit yourself," he told her, shrugging his shoulders and pushing the door open, stepping out into the cool, evening breeze.

More tears sprang to her eyes as she watched the boy she'd been so close to compromising her beliefs for. The worst part was that she'd heard the warning bells loud and clear from the start. Why else would he get involved with a clean teen but for the conquest? But she'd ignored all her doubts and fears and had given him the benefit of the doubt. And after a while she'd come to believe that his intentions were purer than she'd first given him credit for. What a mistake that had been. She supposed she could at least be grateful that she'd learned the truth before she'd gone ahead and completed his plan, she thought as she watched him peel out of the parking lot, tires screeching.

–––––

"Hey," Brooke said softly, having followed Peyton into the bathroom and finding her sobbing. "What are you doing?"

Peyton smiled sadly. "Oh, you know, just testing the validity of this water-proof mascara."

Brooke smiled back but she shook her head. "No, I mean, what are you doing?" she asked again, stressing on the last word. "Kissing Lucas in front of Nathan? Kissing Lucas at all?"

"Ok, you might want to save this lecture for Nathan since I'm pretty sure he's done way worse," Peyton argued defiantly.

"I think this lecture applies to both of you equally. You're both acting like idiots and believe me, Nathan will hear from me too," Brooke said. "But Peyton, you, of all people, know how Nathan struggles with his temper and how much trouble it's gotten him into, but you go and deliberately provoke him? That's just wrong and not fair to Nathan. Or Lucas, for that matter."

Peyton rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. "Yeah, well, Lucas didn't seem to mind and Nathan didn't seem all that mad."

"Are you kidding me?" Brooke asked incredulously. "He jumped in between you. He looked like he was ready to kill Lucas."

"Yeah, sure, until little miss perfect got upset and he had to go chase after her," Peyton mumbled.

"I don't think that's why he left, but would you rather he had stayed and fought with Lucas?" Brooke asked her.

"He's probably apologizing to her right now, begging her to forgive him," Peyton continued, ignoring Brooke's question.

"You do, don't you?" Brooke persisted. "You'd rather see Nathan lose it than see him moving on with someone else. P. Sawyer, you keep rejecting him. You can't expect him to be alone forever."

"Well, what if I don't want to be alone, huh? What if I want to move on too? Don't I have as much right as he does?"

Brooke lifted a shoulder. "Of course you do, hon."

"So is it fair that I should have to worry that it'll make Nathan mad and possibly attack the guy?"

"About as fair as him having to worry that you'll intimidate his girlfriend in the bathroom."

Peyton looked down guiltily and threw her arms in the air. "I don't know what I'm doing anymore, Brooke. He's moved on and I'm stuck in the same place, still loving him as much as ever."

"He still loves you too."

Peyton shook her head. "He ran after her, stood up for her. I'm just his leftovers which he tried to pawn off on Lucas."

"He didn't mean that. He was just pissed and hurt."

"So am I," Peyton said.

"I know. Come here," Brooke said, putting an arm around the blonde's shoulder.

"Isn't Chase waiting for you out there?" Peyton asked.

"He will understand."

"B. Davis, I love you, but please don't let me ruin your night. Go dance with your boyfriend," Peyton said. "Go, I'm ok," she insisted when the brunette didn't budge. "I just need a minute by myself."

"Ok," Brooke conceded. "But if you need me…"

"I know. Thanks, Brooke."

So Brooke left the washroom, surprised to find Ellie standing in the corridor waiting.

"I was going to go talk to her, but I seen you go in and I didn't want to interrupt."

Brooke nodded.

"She ok?" Ellie questioned.

Brooke shook her head now. "Not really, no. And without Nathan, I'm not sure she ever will be." And vice versa, she thought, wishing her best friends would just get their acts together and admit they're lost without each other.

–––––

"So," Rachel said, easing over to Lucas by the punch bowl. "You got balls of brass or just a serious death wish?"

"Excuse me?" he asked, taken aback.

Rachel gave him a patient smile. "Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about. Nathan was ready to kill you up there," she said, pointing to the dance floor. "He still might," she added.

"I'm not afraid of Nathan," Luke responded blithely.

"Oh? And why not? Because you don't think he's capable of violence? Oh wait, you know he is."

"I'm not gonna let him stop me from what I want to do or from living my life."

"Ok, well, you're either brave or you're stupid," she said. "I'll give you brave, I guess. But umm, you do realize she was just trying to get back at Nathan, right? It really wasn't about you."

"I'm aware," he told her, catching her by surprise. "And he deserved it."

"That he did," Rachel agreed.

–––––

Lucas was standing with Skills and Bevin when Peyton finally emerged from the bathroom. "Can I talk to you?" she asked uneasily.

He nodded and they went outside to the benches where they both sat.

"Look," Peyton began after several moments of tense silence. "I need to apologize…"

"No, don't," he cut her off. "I know why you kissed me and you don't need to be sorry," he said earnestly. "Because I'm not."

Peyton opened her mouth to speak but Luke held his hand up to stop her.

"Just listen, ok," he said. When she nodded, he took a deep breath, collecting his nerve. "Peyton, I've held this in for a long time and you probably already know but I'm gonna say it anyway. I want to be with you. I always have. I think you're beautiful and smart and talented. You're kind and loyal and just…everything."

"Luke…"

"And I know you still have feelings for Nathan, but I'm ok with that because I think once someone shows you how amazing you are, you'll realize that he never ever deserved you, that you always deserved better than a lying, cheating ass of a boyfriend."

Peyton looked down to the ground, his words hitting her, and Luke continued.

"Let me be the guy to prove that to you," he pleaded. "Let me be the guy to erase all the heartache he's caused you so you can smile again. Truly smile. I promise you if you take a chance on me, I would never hurt you the way he has, never say any of those cruel comments he makes, never disrespect you. I would be true and loyal and honest with you. I would give you all my heart and you'd never have to worry that I'd be unfaithful because Peyton, you're the only girl I see, the only girl I want. I know you still love him but give me the chance to wipe his memory away and love you how you deserve to be loved. Will you let me try to make you happy?" he concluded, holding his breath as he waited for her reply.

It seemed to take forever but finally she nodded and he grinned from ear to ear.

Finally he would get his chance with Peyton Sawyer, the girl he'd loved for as long as he could remember.

Karen laughed at him when he told her that very thing. They were back from the dance and about to head to their perspective bedrooms when Lucas had mentioned his love for Peyton.

"Don't get me wrong," Karen said. "I'm happy for you, Lucas. She's been your dream girl for as far back as I can remember. But to call it love all that time when up until a few months ago you'd never even spoken to her, well, let's be realistic. It was a crush."

"Call it what you want," he said, his good mood not spoiled in the least. "But it was love from afar."

"Hmm, I think I let you watch too many romantic movies as a child," she joked. "But in real life you can't love someone you don't know."

"I've always known her," he said

"Your dreams don't count, my boy," she teased. "Anyway, I don't imagine Nathan's going to be too pleased about this."

"Well, he's gonna have to deal with it, isn't he?" Luke said sternly.

"Like he dealt with it tonight? Or you?"

"I wasn't going to fight him," he insisted.

Karen looked at him crossly. "You think I didn't see Peyton holding you back?"

"Ok, for a second I thought about it because he was being a jerk, well, a bigger jerk than usual, but after that he's the one who kept trying to egg me on."

"I believe you, Lucas and that's exactly why I'm so worried. I'm afraid that now that you and Peyton are together that it's going to get worse."

"Well, I'm not worried about it. He can do whatever he wants to me, but I'm not going anywhere."

"Yeah, easy for your to say. You didn't have to foot the hospital bill."

"Neither did you," he reminded her. "You ever find out who that was?"

"No, I haven't. Perhaps I have a secret admirer," she joked, flipping her hair.

"A rich one," he said with a laugh as he opened his bedroom door, gasping when he took in the sight of it.

"Goodness, Lucas," Karen reprimanded. "Looks like a tornado went through here. You're not going anywhere tomorrow until that's tidied up."

"Ma, I didn't make this mess," he said, stepping inside.

"Oh, must have been the tooth fairy," she scoffed, but the laughter died on her lips when she noticed how everything – bed, dresser and all – had been flipped over and items lay scattered all over the floor.

The entire room had been ransacked.

One item remained in a straight up position – the computer screen. And on it, in big bold letters read:

STAY AWAY FROM HER. SHE'S MINE.