"Peyton?" Brooke spoke as she cautiously wandered through the silent house. She made her way through to the kitchen. The lights were switched off and there wasn't a soul in sight. When wandering over to the window, Brooke suddenly caught a glimpse of a woman sitting outside in the backyard, her back to the house as she sat motionless on a swing. "Peyton", Brooke spoke as she approached her.

"Brooke?" Peyton replied, turning to face her. Her hair was now brunette, but still wavy and long. Her eyes looked to have lost their sparkle and she wore an over-sized sweater that barely clung to her small frame. "What are you doing here?"

"Nice to see you too", Brooke said sarcastically. "I hadn't heard from you in a while. I was- worried". Peyton sighed as she ran her fingers through her hair before standing up from the swing.

"I'm sorry. Hey", she forced a smile as she put her arms around Brooke. Brooke wrapped her arms around Peyton's waist, letting out a small sigh of her own.

"What happened, Peyton? Where's Lucas?" she asked. Peyton slowly stopped the embrace as she looked down at the floor.

"C'mon. I'll make some coffee", she said, walking towards the house. Brooke closely followed. "So, how are the twins? Bet they're getting big now, huh?" Peyton asked as she proceeded to make coffee.

"They're great. Although, we can't get Davis to talk and we can't get Jude to shut up", she chuckled. Peyton chuckled with her.

"And Julian? How's he doing?" Peyton asked as she gave Brooke a cup of coffee and the pair sat down at the dining room table.

"Peyton. Quit changing the subject", Brooke said seriously. Peyton looked down at herself, both hands firmly wrapped around her cup of coffee. "Where's Lucas?" Brooke asked once more.

"He left", Peyton replied shortly. Brooke looked confused.

"He left? What do you mean he left?" she fished for answers.

"We had a huge fight and he left. I haven't seen him since", Peyton told her quietly, taking a small sip of her coffee. Brooke gave a small sigh before reaching out and taking Peyton's hand.

"Hey. It's only been one night. He'll be back before you know it", she smiled softly.

"That was a month ago, Brooke. We fought a month ago and I haven't seen or heard from him since", Peyton looked her dead in the eye, tears beginning to form in her own.

"Peyton. Why didn't you call? You're my best friend. I'm supposed to be here for you when stuff like this happens", Brooke told her, taking a tighter hold of her hand before Peyton took her own hand and placed it on her lap.

"That's just it. I am your best friend. But you said it yourself, Brooke; I haven't been in touch for a while. And before all of this, there was no reason for me to be so distant. I didn't think you'd wanna hear from me", she admitted, wiping her tears away.

"Hey!" Brooke snapped. Peyton looked up at her. "I will always want to hear from you. No matter what. Whether we go two months or two years without talking. I love you, P Scott", Brooke told her, forcing her hand back within her own. Peyton smiled softly as she sniffed. "C'mon. Let's go catch up for a while", Brooke smiled back at her before the two headed into the living room. The pair talked for a while, reminiscing of old times they shared in Tree Hill and filling each other in on what had been happening in their working lives. "So, where's Sawyer?" Brooke asked.

"She's staying with my dad for a while. I didn't want her around this", Peyton admitted. Brooke nodded in understanding. "It's her birthday in a couple of weeks. She'll be six", she smiled.

"Wow. Six! Time really flies", Brooke replied. Peyton nodded, smiling brightly as she admired a nearby framed picture of Lucas and Sawyer. "So, are you gonna tell me what this is all about?" Brooke asked as Peyton continued to admire the picture of her husband and daughter. Peyton sighed, running her fingers through her hair as she looked at Brooke.

"I need to talk to Lucas first. But- I don't even know where he is, Brooke", she told her.

"He's in Tree Hill", Brooke told her confidently.

"What? How do you know that?" Peyton questioned.

"Because I know Lucas Scott. Plus, I've been texting Haley this entire time", she grinned. The girls chuckled together for a moment. "Well, whatever this is- he must be pretty cut up about it because I had no idea he was even in Tree Hill. And we all know how much Lucas loves me", Brooke joked, flipping her hair over her shoulder. Peyton chuckled. Brooke suddenly placed her hand on Peyton's lap. "Peyton, whatever's going on, I know it's gonna be okay", she told her.

"I don't know, Brooke. It's pretty complicated", Peyton sighed, putting her hand on top of Brooke's.

"Of course it's complicated! You're Lucas and Peyton! I wouldn't expect anything else from the two of you. But that's how I know it's gonna be okay. You two have been through too much together for this to be the end", Brooke smiled softly. Peyton forced a smile back. "He'll come home when he's ready. I know he will".

X

"Mom! Door!" Jamie yelled from the couch.

"James Lucas Scott, have your legs stopped working?" Haley rolled her eyes as she ruffled her son's hair, making her way towards the front door. "Hey!" Haley greeted Brooke as she stepped aside to let her in.

"Okay, where is he?" she asked, looking around the house.

"Who? Nathan? You're not gonna make another sex tape are you?" Haley joked.

"You know who I mean", Brooke raised her eyebrow. Haley sighed heavily.

"Brooke, I promised him I wouldn't tell anyone he was here", she bit her bottom lip, clear guilt plastered across her face.

"Yeah, well it's a bit late for that now, Tutor Mom", Brooke told her. Haley sighed once more.

"Fine. He's out back with Lydia. Good luck", she told her before picking up a laundry basket and wandering off.

"Aunt Brooke!" Lydia called excitedly, running towards her with open arms before Brooke scooped her up into a cuddle.

"Hey, baby girl! Do you mind if I talk to your Uncle Lucas?" Brooke asked. Lydia shook her head before running inside. "Well, well, well. Lucas Scott", she stood with her hands on her hips. Lucas sat on a blue deck chair with his back to her. He turned slowly, smiling softly at her before getting up.

"Hey. Long-time no see", he grinned before the two embraced.

"Don't you have a wife and daughter you should be at home with?" Brooke raised her eyebrow. Lucas sighed as he ruffled his own hair.

"It's- it's complicated", he told her.

"Yeah, so I've been told", Brooke replied.

"You've been to see Peyton?" he asked. Brooke nodded. "Did she tell you what-?"

"No, she didn't. And she doesn't want to, because she wants to talk to you first", Brooke said sternly. "You need to go home to your wife, Luke. She clearly needs you". Lucas sighed once more, looking anywhere but at Brooke. "Whatever this is, you need to fix it", she told him, placing her hand on his shoulder. "Go home".

X

Peyton sat alone in her empty house, a tub of ice cream in her lap as she listened to one of her old records before her cell phone began to ring.

"Mama!" a little voice called down the phone.

"Hey, pretty girl! How are you? Are you okay?" Peyton asked, setting down her ice cream as she smiled to herself.

"Uh-huh, Grandpa took me out on his boat today", Sawyer told her excitedly.

"He did huh? That sounds awesome! Are you having fun?" Peyton asked.

"Yeah. I miss you and Daddy though. When can I come home?" Sawyer questioned. Peyton stayed silent for a moment, not sure of how to reply.

"Soon, baby. Your Daddy and I need to go through a couple of things first, but soon. We miss you too. So, so much, Sawyer", Peyton began to cry.

"Are you okay, Mama?" Sawyer asked when her mother didn't speak for a moment.

"Hey, I'm fine, don't you worry about me. Besides, I think it's someone's bedtime", Peyton told her.

"Goodnight, Mama. I love you", Sawyer spoke.

"I love you too, baby girl. Goodnight", Peyton said softly before hanging up the phone and sighing. All of a sudden, there was a knock at the door. Peyton turned off the TV before getting up to answer the door. As Peyton opened the door, a man stood there, his back facing towards her before turning to face her. "Luke?" she spoke softly.

"I'm home", Lucas responded, almost in a whisper.