This is my new story. This chapter is pretty long, YAY! But, that's what we can expect…Long chapters, to make up for the fact that I won't be posting as often in this story. But, it's going to be loads of fun. And if there's anything you want to have happen…like something you've ALWAYS wanted to see happen on the show, but know it will never happen, let me know and I'll try to incorporate it!

BIG thanks to Gia(CheeryFan) for working so hard on this chapter and being my beta!

I don't own any characters form One Tree Hill…if I did, Lucas wouldn't be so dumb, and Peyton wouldn't be so selfish. And Brooke would have ALL of the lead roles. :)

ENJOY THE CHAPTER!!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Hey, it's me. Look, I'm at the airport and I've got two tickets to Las Vegas. Do you want to get married tonight?"

There's a short silence on the other end of the line before, "are you serious," comes back at him in a solemn voice. Lucas starts to get nervous. His hands are trembling, his palms are sweaty. Was this the right decision? He could never be sure unless he just did it.

"As a heart attack." That is probably the worst analogy to use in that moment, especially since it was his heart attack that made Keith come back from the dead and show him that he loves her.

"This isn't funny, Lucas," Peyton comes back with. "My heart can't handle this, if it's a joke. You know how I feel about you."

"I'm not joking. The plane leaves in two hours, and if you're not here when it takes off, I'll know your answer, but I will be on it." He hangs up before she can respond.

He sits back in the plastic chair, lowering himself until his head is resting on the back of it. He squeezes his eyes shut, and prays he's making the right decision. Of course, he is, right? This was Peyton. Long legged, curly haired, Peyton. The girl he's written two books about. That's got to mean something, right? He's not so sure, though.

"Bad night, kid?" a strange voice asks from beside him. Lucas sits up in his chair; startled that someone is talking to him. He never even noticed someone sitting down next to him.

"Not yet," he replies.

"She'll show up," the scruffy old man grumbles, and Lucas eyes him suspiciously. How could this man know about what was going on? Was he eavesdropping on his conversation?

"Name's Clarence, by the way," the man clears his throat while leaning back into his chair.

"How'd you know…"

"It's written all over you," Clarence replies, cocking one of his large eyebrows, and making his face look more wrinkly than before.

Okay, so maybe he has some tension in his body, but how could he automatically guess Lucas was waiting for someone? That's not something that can be written all over someone's expression.

"Or maybe it's that you're not sure you made the right choice." He seems to be reading Lucas' thoughts now.

"I made the right choice," Lucas says, trying to convince himself.

"Can't be too sure, though," the old man chuckles. He scratches his scruffy chin before sitting forward and putting his elbows on his knees. "I was in the same predicament as you, once," he sighs, and sits back again. "I thought I made the right choice, too. Come to find out the one I chose never really chose me. 'Course, I didn't find out until after a year of marriage and the birth of the son I wanted so much, only to find out he wasn't mine." He laughs, bitterly, and Lucas feels himself slide farther away from him in the hard plastic chair.

"That sucks," is the only thing he can think of to say. What do you say to a story like that? I'm sorry your wife led you on, was a cheat, and had another man's child, but my girl would never do something like that to me?

"Yes, it did. 'Course, I should have known better. She screwed over her best friend to get me. Told her best friend she was in love with me, and that we'd been having an affair, and then told me her best friend was cheating on me," he puts a rough hand on Lucas' knee. Lucas cringes; almost feeling like the hand sitting on his knee is burning him.

"Bitch got hers in the end, though." Lucas tries to slide even farther away from him. The bitterness in the man's voice scares him, and suddenly he smells the scent of hard liquor. "That's right, I killed her," he laughs manically this time. "Just got out of prison for it."

"W-what?" Lucas stutters out. This man can't be for real, can he? Luckily, Clarence removes the hand he had set on Lucas' knee.

"That's right, I did my time. It was worth it, though. You should have seen her face while I was slitting her throat," he smiles in pleasure. "That was magnificent. If the one you chose does anything like what mine did, I've learned a lot in the pen, give me a call and I can give you some good pointers on how to not get caught."

Lucas loses his voice. He's staring with pure fright at the man, and suddenly he seems to be turning into the devil. He shakes his head, and the man turns back to normal. He's contemplating an escape route. He could just get up and run. No, Clarence would have a clear view of his back, and who knows what kind of weapons he has. Or, he could distract the man's attention and make him look the other way, and then escape. But then he would have to run again, and now that he's thought about it, airport personnel would probably attack him since they're so damn tight with security these days. No, he would just politely excuse himself. That way this deranged man wouldn't consider him some sort of enemy.

"Well," Lucas chortles, nervously, "I've got to use the restroom, but it was nice talking to you." He starts to stand, but the man grabs his arm and pulls him back down.

"I wasn't done with my story, yet," Clarence says through gritted teeth. Lucas contemplates yelling for his mommy, but he can't look like a wuss in front of this cold-blooded killer.

"Sorry, thought you were," Lucas tries to give him a polite smile, but he knows he just looks goofy as hell with a toothy grin.

"It's okay," Clarence pats his back.

Lucas' eyes dart around the crowded airport, hoping Peyton would show up that minute, while Clarence goes on about loving his mom, but hating his dad. He's not too sure that's what he's saying; because his heart is pounding so hard he can barely hear anything else. This was supposed to be the night of his life, and it's quickly turning into a pure nightmare. He flinches when Clarence starts patting him on the back, and then wraps his arm snugly around his shoulders. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he sees that blonde mess of curls. She was finally saving him, and it's about damn time.

"Gotta go," he slides out of the chair, out of the arms' embrace, and races towards Peyton. She thinks he's rushing to get to her, but really he's rushing to get away from Clarence.

She's expecting some type of reuniting kiss when he gets there, because her lips are puckered and her arms are outstretched. Instead, Lucas pulls her forcefully by the arm, and drags her out of the eyesight of the psycho.

"I was expecting something-"

"Shhh," Lucas hushes her up, pressing his fingers to his lips, and turning her around to see if he could see Clarence anymore. When he doesn't see him, he breathes a huge sigh of relief.

"Don't I get a kiss or-"

"Flight 234 to Las Vegas is now boarding," the loudspeaker interrupts her. And she's pissed because she wants so badly to get that long, passionate kiss she knows she deserves from him. The one that makes up for all of their lost years.

Lucas is grabbing her arm again, pulling her towards the gate. He's looking around nervously, trying to see if Clarence is still stalking around. But, he can't see him. He hands their tickets off, and they quickly find their seats. Lucas presses his head against the rest, and shuts his eyes. Once he opens them, he's watching everyone carefully to see if Clarence is boarding, and he doesn't relax until the door is shut, and locked. Just as he's about to turn to Peyton, and start talking about how much he loves her, the doors open, and Clarence is shuffling onto the plane. He stiffens in his seat as the old man eyes him, and gives him a yellow-toothed grin.

"Please, don't sit by us; please, don't sit by us," Lucas starts to mumble under his breath.

"What, Lucas," Peyton complains, "why are you acting so weird? We're going to get married." He ignores her. She just doesn't know.

"Guess we'll be seeing much more of each other," Clarence winks his grey eye. Lucas' stomach turns over. "This is the one?" Lucas slowly nods his head. "Looks a lot like my, uh, ex," he laughs a little, and starts to walk away. At least, he's not sitting next to them, though.

Lucas doesn't relax for the whole flight. Instead, he's constantly looking around for the madman, and it's frustrating Peyton. She just can't understand why he's not paying attention to her. They've been apart for two years now, and they're finally getting back together. Why is he not focusing all of his energy on her? She needs him to. Halfway through the flight, she gives up on trying to get his attention, and falls asleep. Lucas reluctantly does the same, but it's a restless sleep, filled with nightmares of him being beheaded by Clarence, while Peyton draws a picture of a headstone on the wall with the words 'R.I.P. Lucas TLA'.

When the flight attendant announces they can start leaving the plane, Lucas is the first to get off, dragging an even more frustrated Peyton behind him. He's relieved they didn't bring any luggage, giving him a faster escape. He hails a taxi, and asks the driver to take them to the nearest chapel.

"You don't even want to get a room first?" Peyton asks, disappointment seeping from her words.

"No," he replies, really just wanting to go back home to the safe Tree Hill. The image of her finishing the 'A' in 'TLA' flashing in his head, right before everything goes black from being beheaded.

"Maybe we should look and see which is the best chapel to get married in," she offers, trying something to salvage the way her wedding is about to be done.

"No," he shakes his head as he searches the street for Clarence. He's driving himself crazy now. There's no way Clarence got off the plane so fast that he was able to follow them.

"I want it to be romantic, Lucas," Peyton whines, grabbing onto his arm and trying to pull him near her. He flinches and pulls back.

"I just want it over with."

Peyton throws herself back against the seat, and crosses her arms over her chest. This is her wedding, and it's not at all like she's pictured it. Especially, her wedding with Lucas. It's supposed to be perfect. With beautiful flower arrangements, and Haley and Brooke as her maids of honor in beautiful gowns. Nathan and Skillz as Lucas' best men, wearing black tuxes. Lucas standing at the altar, waiting for her to walk down the aisle in her beautiful white wedding gown. This just isn't fair. He's not even paying attention to her.

The cabbie pulls into the first chapel he comes by. It's run-down, that's for sure. There's a horrible Elvis impersonator greeting people at the door. The sign's lights are either out, or going out. As Peyton is about to object, Lucas pays the cabbie, and pulls her out of the cab. He pulls her inside, where they're greeted by a receptionist.

"I want the fastest, cheapest wedding you have," Lucas says, impatiently.

"I see," the woman eyes the couple, an amused smile on her face. "Want to get straight to the wedding night?"

"No, we-"

"Yes, can we get this over with, please?" Lucas cuts in, eager to get the show on the road.

"Lucas, I don't want the fastest, cheapest wedding. This is our wedding," Peyton starts complaining, even though Lucas isn't paying attention. He's pulling out his wallet and getting out his cash to pay. "Our wedding should be special, and memorable. Not, rushed and cheap. I think we should think and talk about this more."

"Is this enough?" Lucas hands the lady his money.

"Do you really want to look back on our wedding night and remember it as that? Because I certainly don't," Peyton goes on.

"Yes, it's enough," the receptionist replies.

"This is our dreams coming true, Lucas. I've been waiting for a very long time for this to happen, and it's just not right this way. In fact, how about we don't get married tonight, drive to California, go to that same hotel room where you proposed, and we can do it all over again," and Peyton still goes on

"Where are we supposed to go?" Lucas asks the receptionist, still ignoring Peyton.

"That would be perfect, Lucas. Then, we can go back to Tree Hill and get married in front of our family and friends. And we can have the perfect, fairy tale wedding," and on.

"Do you want to wear wedding gown and tux? That's extra fifty dollars," the lady asks.

"No, just the wedding."

"And we can remember it for the rest of our lives as the perfect day, and perfect way to express our love for each other. Our love is just too big for a little run down chapel like this. We are destiny, Lucas, and we shouldn't be getting married this way," and on.

"You're next in line, 'bout twenty minute wait."

"Do you really want to tell our kids that we got married in a shack for a chapel in Las Vegas? Because I don't. I want to be able to express to them how perfect it was, and how beautiful it was, and how it was the best day of our lives," and on.

"Can't we get anything faster than that?" Lucas asks, urgently.

"Of course, right next to the birth of our children. That would be some great days, but do you really want to do it this way? Not even in front of a real minister? It just doesn't feel right," and on.

"Sorry, we go as fast as we can."

"Don't you agree, Lucas? Lucas, are you listening to me?" Peyton grabs his arm.

"Yes, dear," he doesn't turn to look at her. "Okay, where do we wait?" He asks the receptionist.

"There, waiting room through those doors," she points.

"If you're listening, then what did I say?" Peyton asks, putting her hands on her hips.

He doesn't respond, just pulls her into the waiting room, where he starts to pace, until their names are called and they're ushered onto the altar. Peyton gets handed a plastic bouquet of flowers and a headband for a wedding veil.

"Lucas, we don't even have rings," Peyton points out.

"Do you have witnesses, or would you like us to provide them?" the horrible Elvis impersonator asks the couple.

"They have witnesses," someone from behind answers for them, and Lucas' stomach hits the floor. He turns around slowly, knowing he's going to regret it. Yep, it was Clarence. Standing in the doorway, holding a butcher knife. Peyton lets out a bloodcurdling scream.

"I won't let you make the same mistake I did," Clarence's voice eerily rings out.

Lucas jerks out of his sleep, breathing hard. Did he really just dream all of that? The loud speaker announces that some flight is boarding, as Lucas tries to collect his thoughts. He knows he's having a hard time trying to decide where his heart is, but if that dream wasn't a sign, he doesn't know what is. His eyes suddenly dart around, hoping Clarence, isn't really in the airport.

Peyton, Lindsey, or Brooke. His supposed soul mate, the woman who's been there for him for the past two years, or the one girl he's just never really been able to get out of his head. Did he love one of them more than the other? And why is it exactly that Brooke is now thrown into the mix? Sure, they had their go once, but that was a long time ago, and they've strictly been platonic since. Except for that one drunken kiss Lucas gave her. And even though he was beyond drunk, he can still remember it vividly.

Then, there's the dream he's just had. It's supposed to be Peyton, he thinks. And that's what he was inclining towards, but there was something about that nightmare that's got him second guessing that. Peyton's always been the one he's gone back to, but is that done with? Is he destined to live life without her? That seems almost improbable, but he can't just ignore the fact he's had a nightmare where he was going to get killed while he was about to marry her.

Then there was Lindsey. And, God, how he loves her. She fits in perfectly with his world.

He was there for her when her father passed away. She's his book editor. She read his first whole book, and still fell in love with him, even though the whole damn thing was about him destined to be with Peyton. But, was he really in love with her?

He sits back again, closing his eyes. He's not sure he wants to fall back asleep, but he can't fight off the slumber overtaking him.

"Hey, it's me. Look, I'm at the airport and I've got two tickets to Las Vegas. Do you want to get married tonight?"

He hears Lindsey breath in deeply on the other end. "Oh, God, yes, Lucas," she gushes, and it's evident she's crying. "I've been waiting for some way to take back running out on you at our wedding. Yes! Lucas, yes! I'll marry you!"

"Meet me at the airport," he shuts his phone, and a smile appears on his face. This is going to be a good night.

He slides down in his chair to rest his head on the back of it. "You look happy," a vaguely familiar voice startles him out of his revelry.

"I am," he answers, sitting up. The man looks familiar, like he's seen him before, but he can't place him.

"Found the one, have ya?" The old man sits in the chair next to him.

"Yes, I think I have," Lucas smiles.

"That's great, son." The elder pats the younger's knee. "Name's Clarence, by the way."

"Nice to meet ya, Clarence," Lucas holds out his hand to shake, which Clarence accepts. "I'm Lucas."

"Going far?"

"Vegas," Lucas smiles.

"Ahh, the city that never sleeps," the old man chuckles. "I got married in Vegas."

"You did?" Lucas perks up, wanting to know more.

"Yep," the man nods. "Didn't turn out for the best, but I hope Vegas doesn't hold the same fate for you."

"What happened?" Lucas can't fight the curiosity that's mounting. "I mean, if you don't mind me asking."

"I don't mind," Clarence smiles, "maybe you can learn from my mistake." He clears his throat. "I thought I had found the one. She was perfect. Beautiful. She was my rock, and I knew I had to marry her. Well, after some serious deliberation, that is. She fit in perfectly with my family, and friends. And that wasn't an easy task since my ex-girlfriends were very hard to live up to. One was even trying to sabotage us. That's when she gave me an ultimatum. Marry her, or she was leaving because she couldn't handle having to be badgered by one ex, who was still in love with me, and another ex, who seemed to be the most beautiful, confident, strongest woman in the world.

"Her ultimatum got me thinking. Did I really want to marry her, or was I still in love with one of my exes? I had a very strong connection and familiarity with one, and pure desire and passion for the other, even though it had been years since we were together. It took a few days, but I finally came to the conclusion that my girlfriend was the one I should marry. It just seemed to fit, you know?" He sighs before he goes on.

"So, we go to Vegas and get married that same night. And it was as good of a wedding as it can be in Vegas. The honeymoon was great. Lots of sex and gambling," he chortles. "And then, we go back home. And it's great for the first year. After that, it starts to go down hill. She's constantly bitching about something, and life seems to become routine and boring. Our sex life became non-existent. We didn't talk, unless she was telling me what to do. And then our first kid came, and things seemed to perk up for awhile, then everything came crashing down again. Only worse this time. We didn't agree on a single thing. She started turning my own family against me, and since they loved her so much, I couldn't persuade them otherwise. It wasn't long after, that I was pushed out of the picture completely. I haven't seen my daughter, or the rest of my family since. I think my parents have passed by now, but I can never be too sure."

Lucas stares blankly at the lonely old man. That has to be the worst story anyone could tell someone who's about to get married. He's not even sure how he should respond to it. I'm sorry about your wife being a bitch, but I'm in love with my girl, and that would never happen between us?

"Do you want to see a picture of my only daughter?" Clarence asks, pathetically hopeful. Lucas nods. The old man pulls out his wallet, and then a battered old picture of a little girl in short pig-tails. "It's the only thing I've got of her," he pulls the picture back to look at it, himself. Tears start to form in his eyes. He pulls a flask from his hip, and takes a big gulp. "Now, it's just me, my whiskey, and this old picture," he chortles. "I hope things don't turn out the same way for you."

"Me too," Lucas mutters before he can stop himself.

"I'll be on my way now," Clarence stands. "It was nice meeting you, Lucas, and the girl you've picked is gorgeous."

Lucas watches him leave in confusion. How did he know what Lindsey looked like? He turns around, and is startled to see Lindsey standing to his right. He stands, and goes to wrap his arms around her.

"Are we going to do this, Lucas?" She asks, pulling back from his hug.

Lucas thinks for a moment. That old man's story is definitely getting to him, but there's no way Lindsey would steal his family from him, is there? "Yeah," he nods, in spite of himself. The boarding call comes over the loud speakers, and they make their way to the gate. Once they are in their seats, they sit back and relax.

"I can't believe we're going to do this," Lindsey breathes out. "Your mom is going to be so disappointed in me." Wait a minute, me, and not us? "And Haley is going to flip out on me. I bet Nathan will congratulate me, though."

Is she already starting to steal Lucas' family away from him? He really needs to get that man's story out of his head. Lindsey would never steal his family away from him. Besides, his family loves him too much to choose Lindsey over him, right? Lucas really needs a drink.

The flight seems to take an eternity, and Lucas is getting bored listening to Lindsey go on and on about his family. Although, he is a bit suspicious as well. Miraculously, the plane lands, and they get a cab outside. Lindsey tells the cabbie to take them to the best Chapel in Las Vegas. As the cabbie starts to drive, she starts going on about his family again, and at some point he swears she's saying that his family loves her more than him. No, he has to be hearing things.

They pull into a chapel's parking lot, and he follows Lindsey inside. She makes all of the arrangements, without asking Lucas what he thinks. He's being fitted for a tux before he even knows what's going on, and then faster than that, he's standing at the altar, waiting as Lindsey marches down the aisle. The wedding music is playing, but for some reason all Lucas can hear is an annoying ringing in his ears.

There is something wrong. This isn't how it was supposed to be. All of a sudden, Nathan, Haley, Karen, Andy, Lily, Jamie, Keith, Dan, Deb, Brooke, Peyton, Whitey, and his grandparents are in the chapel. ON HER SIDE! No, this isn't right. How did they get there so fast? He's not told a soul where he was going.

The guy standing in front of him starts to read through the nuptials, but all Lucas can do is stare at his family, who is still on Lindsey's side of the chapel. None of them will even look at him, and he's tried to make eye contact, with ALL of them. Not even Keith, and he is supposed to be dead? Wait a minute; did Keith fake his death so that Lindsey could have him to herself? No! Lucas was at his funeral, he saw him in the casket. And what the hell is Peyton doing here? She doesn't even like Lindsey! Little Jamie won't even look at him, and he loves his uncle Lucas!

"Lucas," the man officiating asks, "do you take," Lucas blanks out, and starts to have trouble breathing. The man is still reciting his words, as Lucas starts to undo his tie. "To have and to hold. For richer or poorer, for as long as you both shall live." Lucas doesn't say anything; he's still trying to catch his breath.

"Lucas," Lindsey urges him. She nods her head.

He's gasping for air now, and his cheeks are starting to become hot. Sweat is trickling down his forehead, so he takes his jacket off.

"Lucas, say 'I do'," Lindsey instructs him.

"It's just like Lucas to freak out and want to run away, now," he hears his mom speak.

"Lindsey is a good girl, why can't he just say yes?" Keith then speaks. Lucas turns to look at them, and they're all scowling. Even Jamie!

"Jamie," Lucas pleads, "you still love me, don't you?"

"No," the boy replies, harshly.

Lucas jerks awake, this time sweat dripping from his forehead. That dream was worse than the first one. Jamie not loving him? Lucas shudders. He'd lose it if Jamie didn't love him. Now, if that dream isn't a sign, he definitely doesn't know what is.

He shudders, thinking about Jamie's cold expression and harsh words. He fingers the phone in his hand, still confused. He's dreamt about marrying two of his choices, and both have ended badly; yet, the only choice he has left still, just doesn't make sense. Brooke's always held a special place in his heart, of course she has. But, why all of a sudden is he thinking about asking her to marry him? There's only one way to find out, he guesses. He leans back, and closes his eyes.

"Hey, it's me. Look, I'm at the airport, and I've got two tickets to Las Vegas. Do you want to get married tonight?" He pauses for a moment, but before any answer, he adds, "meet me at the airport in an hour if your answer is yes," and then he hangs his phone up.

Now, this time, all of his problems should be solved. In one hour, the one girl he should be marrying would show up, and they would fly off to Vegas and tie the knot. Now, if only he could pass the time somehow without being too bored.

"Hey there, mate," an oddly familiar voice sounds as a person sits next to him..

"Hi," Lucas looks at the old man, trying to figure out where he knows him from.

"Good night?"

"It will be," he gets the sudden feeling of deja vu. "I've just asked the girl of my dreams to marry me," he beams with pride.

"Good for you, son," the old man replies. "I remember asking my wife to marry me," he looks off in the distance, wistfully.

"Can I hear the story?" Lucas is in too good of a mood not to hear the story. Hopefully, it's one that ends well.

"I'd love to tell it," the old man replies. "I was kind of a confused boy way back in high school. It started out good. I had good intentions. But, something, or someone always steered me off course. But, I found the one I love, then. The girl, who showed me how to have fun, and how to love. Of course, I knew I loved her back then, but it didn't really dawn on me how intense that love was until I'd long since screwed it up. Back then, I always thought maybe I was going to find something better, you know? In high school, that is. And she forgave me a couple of times for going astray, but the final nail in the coffin was when I shut her out. We were done, then. It would be another couple of years before we'd get back together. Sure, we talked, but just as friends, and I thought I was okay with that. I thought, you know, I don't really need her. We both moved on, she found someone, I found someone. And I thought, this was how it's supposed to be. Just us, as good friends, nothing more.

"But, there was always something more there. She always seemed to be on my mind, even though, I was happy with this other girl. So happy, in fact, I proposed to her. My ex urged me to do so, and I felt bad at the time because her boyfriend had just dumped her. And I hated him for that. In fact, I'm pretty sure I kicked his ass. Anyway, I'm about to get married to someone else, and the night before the wedding, my soon to be bride finds some letters I had written to my ex from a while ago. Now, I think they're platonic, but my fiancée finds in them, hidden meanings. We fight, but the wedding is still planned.

"Day of the wedding, we're standing at the altar, and all of a sudden, my bride to be has an epiphany, and she runs for the door. I was embarrassed, to say the least. But, most of all, I wasn't hurt. I didn't regret watching her run from that building, because I already knew it wasn't right. I didn't want to chase after her, and make her marry me, like it was supposed to be. Of course, my ex was there to comfort me, and I let her, even though I didn't really need it. And from that, we grew closer, if it was possible. Then, one day, I tell her how I feel, and of course, she flips because of how many times I've already hurt her. It takes a lot of groveling, and proving myself, but her, being the amazing woman that she was, found it in her heart to forgive me. And we got married. And had a girl and a boy, and I shit you not, lived happily ever after. Sure, there were fights, but nothing we couldn't get over. And I always say our fights were because our passion for each other was so strong, we couldn't help it. And she'd agree. Of course, she's passed now. Just a couple months ago, but we had a good life. It won't be too much longer before I go."

Lucas' heart seems to be melting with the man's words. That was an amazing story. How can someone find someone else that's so compatible for them? It must have been fate. He's speechless, now, not sure what to say. I'm sorry for your loss, but that was an amazing story?

"Thank-you for telling me that," Lucas finally speaks.

"The pleasure is all mine," the old man smiles. "I enjoy living in the past. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think there's someone waiting for you."

Lucas grins from ear to ear. He shuts his eyes tight, basking in the glory of his triumph, and slowly starts to turn. Once he's turned completely around, he opens his eyes, and gasps. This was really not what he expected.

"Oh, shit," he mumbles, before smiling nervously "Brooke," he pauses, "Lindsey, Peyton," he chuckles, nervously.

"What the hell, Lucas?" Brooke speaks first. "I thought you said you wanted to get married tonight."

"What?" Peyton exclaims. "He asked me to marry him, not you! You had your chance a very long time ago!"

"Uh-huh," Lindsey wiggles her finger at Peyton. "If anyone is trying to relive that past, it's you, Peyton. Besides, he asked me to marry him."

"Lucas, what is going on here?" Brooke turns towards him.

"I, uh, heh heh," he coughs into his hand, trying to avoid the explanation. They all glare at him, waiting for his response. "I couldn't really decide, could I? So, I thought maybe if I just called all three of you at once, I'd let you guys decide on who I should marry," he shrugs, trying to feign innocence. Of course, he knows he is never going to get out of this one. "This wasn't the response I expected."

"Brooke, why are you here?" Peyton turns away from Lucas, ignoring him for now. "You're not in love with Lucas, and I'm your best friend! How could you do something like this to me, like marry him!"

"Not everything is about you, Peyton," Lindsey speaks up. "It's time your immature ass figures that out."

"Oh yeah, well, Lucas was just using you until I came back to him."

"Shut the hell up, Peyton," Brooke bursts, suddenly beyond annoyed by her best friend's selfishness. "And you know, who cares why I am here. For once, maybe, I was putting my own happiness in front of yours."

There is a loud crack as Peyton's hand slaps the side of Brooke's face. Brooke grabs her cheek as her mouth drops open. Did her best friend really just smack her? Oh, hell no. She runs towards her and tackles her to the ground. And just for good measure, Lindsey jumps on top to get some good punches in.

Lucas jerks awake again. "Now, that was a nightmare," he shakes his head. "Yet, a little erotic, too."

After getting over the fight he's just witnessed in his nightmare, he goes back to the story this Clarence guy told him. And it seems to fit in perfectly with a certain someone in his life, and that's when it dawns on him who he should call. He pulls out his phone, finds her number, and presses send.

"Hey, it's me. Look, I'm at the airport and I've got two tickets to Las Vegas. Do you want to get married tonight?"

Not a word comes from the other end. Lucas suddenly feels like an ass, and maybe even a little like he's going to hurl. After all, he is basically telling the girl he loves, that he loves her. And she is just sitting on the line, silent. He can't even hear her breath, she's so quiet.

"Hello?" He asks, wondering if maybe the line got disconnected. And he hopes that's not the case, because he's sure he doesn't have the balls to say that line again. "Are you there?" His voice cracks.

Out of nowhere, a high-pitched laugh screams through the phone. And his heart sinks. Was she really laughing at him? The woman of his dreams; the girl he wants to spend the rest of his life with? She's actually laughing her ass off at him at this very moment?

"This isn't a joke," he says sternly. "This is serious. I think we should get married. And tonight."

More laughter. Like he's told the funniest joke in the world. But, he hasn't, so he doesn't know why she's laughing. Is he really that pathetic? Has he become so pathetic that his dream girl would laugh at his proposal? Okay, so it wasn't much of a proposal. No, she deserves a much better proposal, but he wants to get married straight away. He can't wait. He needs it.

Or maybe it's the relationship the two have been experiencing lately. Not that it is bad, or anything. But, really, he was blind-siding her with this. She would have never thought he would propose to her. And had he been thinking rationally, her reaction would be expected. But logic holds no place in his mind right now because he just can't contain how he feels for her any longer, and he can't believe he's been able to do it for so long.

"Why are you laughing?" He asks feeling more discouraged now than he ever has. And that includes all the times he hoped his dad would love him, and then would be let down.

"Shut the hell up, and meet me at Tric, in twenty. I need some alcohol."

That's all he gets before she hangs up. Not even yes or no to his proposal. That would have been proper, right? He spent all that money on two plane tickets, one of them meant to be for her. Yet, all he gets is laughed at, and then, an invitation to Tric? Doesn't she know about the hard time he's been having lately? All the alcohol he's been consuming?

He heaves a sigh, and lifts himself from the uncomfortable airport chair. If drinking is what she wants to do; drinking is what he's going to do. Besides, maybe with her drunk, it would be easier to convince her to marry him. Of course, she would probably wake up the next morning only to have it annulled, like that fiasco Britney Spears once found herself in.

As he's leaving the airport, he spots and older man who looks vaguely like the man in all of his nightmares. As he walks past, staring at the guy, the old man winks, then mouths, "go get her." Lucas stops dead in his tracks, was this for real, or was it another nightmare?

"It's for real," the man answers. "And you've made the right choice."

It takes him a bit longer to get to Tric than twenty minutes. And she points that out to him when he gets there.

"I was at the airport," he mumbles, but she doesn't hear him. Or at least, she doesn't respond to him.

"I've got us some drinks, already," she pushes a glass in front of him.

They're sitting at the bar, because the tables are filled. At least, that's why Lucas is guessing they're sitting there. He brings his drink to his lips, and then slams it back. He's going to need a lot of alcohol to keep him going tonight. Especially since, now, he would have to ask her to marry him again, this time face to face.

"So, what's this shit about going to Las Vegas?" she asks, taking a sip from her glass. "You really want to stay messed up for a few days, don't you?"

"We could still go," he urges, still pissed about wasting all that money. What does she think he is, made of money?

"To get married," she laughs again. "You're crazy, Lucas. I mean, literally. What makes you think, after everything we've been through, that we should actually get married, now?"

"I'm going to need some more alcohol," he flags down the bartender and orders two more drinks.

She's still nursing her first drink when he pushes another one towards her. He tips his head back and drinks down half the glass, then sets it back down. She's looking at him, still waiting for an answer to her question. He curses under his breath. He really would have hoped she'd forgotten what they were talking about by now. He avoids her glare, and drinks the rest of his drink. The bartender comes back over, and he orders four shots, two for him, and two for her. He needs to be messed up for this night to continue.

"You really want me to be that messed up?" She laughs, finally finishing her first drink.

"Yes," he nods. "Hurry up, I want to go somewhere."

"Fine, fine," she shakes her head, and starts to sip on her second drink. "So, why did you call me tonight? And not someone else?"

He knows who's she's hinting at, but he's going to ignore it. He's tired of thinking about her. He's moving on, and hopefully he's moving on with Brooke. The bartender places their shots in front of him, and he slides two in front of her.

"I'll tell you when we get to the river court," he informs her. "Now, quickly, drink."

He's avoiding looking at her, because he knows he'll fall into a trance. Even through all of the alcohol he's just consumed, he's able to see how beautiful she is. The way her face lights up when she smiles and it reaches her eyes. The way her hair bounces when she's giggling. The sound of her voice. Her petite hands. Her toned arms and legs. He has it bad, and he's not sure how he has gone for so long without her.

"Why the river court?" she asks, after taking her first shot.

"I think you know," he states. Of course, she knows, and he wants to know why she is playing dumb.

There's silence now. Between the two, at least. The club is jam packed, and the music is blaring. Lucas starts to get a headache from all the noise. He swears if he hears one more person shouting about someone they've just met, he's going to get very violent. Why would he care if the guy that's just hit on them is so hot and sexy?

"Are you done, yet?" he asks, even though he can plainly see she's still drinking out of her second drink, and hasn't downed the shot, yet.

"Does it look like it?" she shoots back. Somehow, he expected this kind of response.

He sighs in frustration and turns back to the bar. He flags the bartender down, and orders himself another shot. He's sure she doesn't need anymore, plus she's taking too long to finish what she's got. He, on the other hand, doesn't feel drunk enough, yet. The bartender gets him his shot, and he quickly tosses it back. The girl sitting next to him stares at him in wonder.

"What?" he shrugs, as the shot glass clanks against the bar top.

"I guess I just never really knew you were such a heavy drinker," she finally finishes off the last of her drink when she's done speaking.

"I think you'll find out a lot of things about me tonight," he cocks an eyebrow.

"Is that so," she returns the eye gesture while tracing her index finger along the rim of the shot glass. "I don't know how much more I could learn about you Lucas Scott. We have been pretty intimate before," she winks, and then downs the shot.

"Yes, yes, we have," he smiles. His thoughts are fuzzy because of the alcohol, but he can still remember all the times he's been intimate with her. And it's weird to him that he's never found it odd that he can still remember each situation as if it happened just an hour previously. That has to have been a sign, right? But why didn't he notice it until now?

"Are you done now?" he asks as she takes her last shot.

"Hmmm," she puts her finger to her chin, and cocks her head to the side. "I'm not sure I'm drunk enough, yet." A smirk dances on her face.

Lucas groans, but flags the bartender down again, anyway. He orders one more shot for the both of them. This time it's a much harsher liquor. Straight vodka. He's already gagging just thinking about the harsh taste and the burn in his throat he's about to endure.

"Vodka, huh?" she cocks her eyebrow.

"You said you weren't drunk enough," he shrugs.

The bartender sets the shot glasses in front of them. Lucas slides one to her, and then picks his up. "What shall we toast to?"

"Getting so wasted we can't remember our names," she announces, and he clanks his glass against hers. Both of them are spluttering after swallowing the alcohol, trying to calm the burn. "Ugh," she gags, "we should have at least got a chaser." Lucas laughs, but agrees.

"Come on, let's go," he stands. His phone starts to vibrate in his pocket, but he ignores it. It's probably Haley, and for now, he doesn't want to talk to her. "We're going to have to walk, because I don't know about you, but I'm probably well over the legal limit."

"Me, too," she giggles, while taking his hand and letting him lead her out of the club.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Haley throws her phone down; frustrated Lucas isn't answering her calls. She's kind of worried about him, since during their last conversation he'd been so confused about everything. She doesn't know why he can't just see what is right in front of him. That being Peyton, of course. He's been in love with her since before she could remember, and now he can have her for good, and he's being as blind as he ever has.

"What's the matter, Hales?" Nathan questions coming into the living room where she's sitting.

"Lucas," she groans. Nathan rolls his eyes. He loves his brother, but sometimes Lucas drives him nuts. Who would have thought Nathan would be the one with his head on straight, while his older, and always perceived as more mature brother, was the one who was always having some sort of relationship dilemma?

"When are you just going to give up and not worry about his love life anymore?" Nathan questions, plopping down next to her. "Jamie's out, by the way. We really have to talk to him about wanting to be so much like Luke. That faux hawk is still there. How much hairspray did you let him use, anyway?"

"I would give up, if he wasn't being such a dumbass," she sighs, "and you're the one that let Jamie be like his uncle Lucas."

"Hales, Lucas is always being a dumbass somehow. Why should now be any different? I did kind of think he was getting smarter by wanting to marry Lindsey, though."

"How is it we all see who he's meant to be with, but for some reason he's completely oblivious to it?"

"Are you talking about Lindsey?" Nathan questions.

"Well, no," she shakes her head. "I mean, I do think he loved her, but I don't think it was the kind of love he wanted to have. Not like what he had with Peyton, at least."

"Peyton," Nathan snorts.

"What?" Haley looks at him, incredulously. "He's been in love with Peyton since like junior high, of course, Peyton."

"Haley, he hasn't always been in love with her," Nathan points out. "Besides, it's not really our place to push Lucas towards who we think he should be with."

"Who has he been in love with?" Haley questions, ignoring his comment about pushing Lucas towards who he should be with. Of course, they shouldn't push him towards who he should be with, but Haley is stubborn, and when she wants something, nothing can get in the way.

"Brooke," Nathan says, as if it's nothing. As if it's completely obvious, which it should have been.

"Ha! He didn't really love her," Haley shakes her head. "Well, I think he thought he did, but he was more in love with her body, I think. I know he cares about her a lot, but nothing like how he felt for Peyton."

"Whatever you say, Hales," Nathan laughs.

"So, what, you think he should be with Brooke and not Peyton?" Her mouth hangs open, after she lets the words fall from it.

"I think he should be with whoever he wants," he shrugs.

"Which is Peyton," she points out.

"Haley, Lucas is over Peyton," Nathan says in a 'duh' tone.

"You don't know Lucas like I do," she replies, stubbornly.

"I think you'd be surprised."

"Whatever. Lucas loves Peyton, end of story," she turns, so he can't continue the conversation.

"Want to bet?" Haley turns back towards him.

"Bet on Lucas' love life?" Haley scoffs, as if it's the worst idea she's ever heard of.

"Yeah, you bet he's in love with Peyton, I bet he's in love with someone else."

"That's ridiculous, Nathan," she shakes her head. "You can't bet on someone's love life. That's wrong on so many levels."

"Why not, it'd just be between you and me."

"No way," she shakes her head. "I used to think you were decent, Nathan, now I know you're just sick and demented."

"Oh please, you're just pissed you didn't think of it."

She scoffs. "I would never think of something so evil."

"You're delusional," he laughs. "Come on, we can bet on whatever we want."

"Whatever we want?"

"Whatever we want."

"You have to pick someone if we're going to bet on it," she says, even though, she can't believe she's actually considering doing this.

"Fine, I pick Brooke," he shrugs. "Now, what are the terms?"

"Terms?"

"Yes, what are we betting on?"

"I don't know," Haley shrugs. "How about, if I win, you have to be my slave for a whole week."

"Okay," Nathan smiles sweetly. Then his innocent grin turns devilish. "If I win, you have to become my sex slave."

"What," Haley laughs, not sure she's heard him correctly.

"Yep, my sex slave. That means I get it whenever and however I want it. There can be absolutely no complaints from you," he grins at the way her mouth is hanging open. "Kind of makes you wish you came up with a better deal, huh?"

"Nathan Scott, I can't believe this is what you're betting."

"Have to make it worth it," he shrugs. "Besides, I know I'm going to win."

"What makes you so sure?"

"I am really competitive," he shrugs his eyebrows.

"Oh, you are so going down, Mr. Scott."

"You are getting so kinky, Mrs. Scott," Nathan chuckles, and then tackles his wife onto the couch.

"Perv," Haley laughs. Nathan presses his lips against Haley's.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Okay, so why did you bring me here?"

Lucas stares back at her blankly. He knows she sees it, and he knows she knew it was already there. How could she not have? She was best-friends with the ex-girlfriend from hell.

"You don't see it?" he questions, walking onto the middle of the court. "It's fully lit up out here, Brooke, I know you see it. I know you knew about it, too."

"Oh," she giggles, swaying slightly. "You mean the big, huge, comet and lyrics painted on the river court."

"Yes!" Lucas throws his hands into the air. "Did she really need to ruin my ONE place to get away from everything? It was one thing when we all signed it, but she had to cover it up with this junk!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Lucas," Brooke stumbles towards him. "This is from Peyton. The girl of your dreams; the comet in your book, or whatever. The one you want standing next to you when all of your dreams come true. The one you wrote a whole book about loving. The one-"

"Shut up, Brooke," Lucas grumbles. He was so sick of everyone telling him whom he loves.

"What? It's true," she shrugs. "Aww, she'll always love you," Brooke coos at the words painted on the pavement, while dramatically bringing her hand to her chest. "That's just so sweet."

"You're really killing me here, you do realize that?" He sighs, and sits down on the pavement. Standing is becoming harder through his fog of alcohol. "When is she going to realize that it's over?"

"It's not over," Brooke sits next to him.

"It is over," he says forcefully. "It's been over. The comet in my book was not about her."

"Then who is it about?" She doesn't know exactly what he is talking about, since she hasn't read the book. But, she figures maybe if he'll explain it to her, she'll get a better understanding.

"It's not about anyone in particular," he lies. "It's about a boy, who saw a comet and it changed his life, and he spends the rest of his life waiting for it to come back."

"Sounds pretty boring to me," she laughs. Lucas glares at her. "I mean, it sounds incredibly romantic," she sets her face straight, trying to hold back her laugh. "And you have to admit that it's kind of a big coincidence that Peyton's car was a comet, and that's like how you met her or talked to her or whatever."

"Peyton's car, Brooke," he says, annoyed. "A car? Because Peyton's car was a comet, the whole freaking book is about her? How does one stupid car relate to a phenomenon like an actual comet?"

"They're named the same," Brooke says, absently. "Besides, the whole Lucas/Peyton saga has been going on for many years. Everything else has just been a bump in the road only leading one back to the other. Even I was that."

"You were not," Lucas mumbles, getting more aggravated. How could she even think that, anyway? "I'm really sick of this whole world revolving around Peyton."

"What?" Brooke laughs, loudly.

"It does," he's starting to sound a bit childish, but he can't help it. "She's screwed up two of my relationships, you do know that. Both of which were very important to me."

"Yeah, but you let her," Brooke says, pointedly.

"I let her make Lindsey think that her and I were some undeniable force? That Peyton and I are destined to be together?"

"You didn't exactly stop her."

"That's bullshit. I knew Peyton coming into town was going to be a bad idea. Who exactly did she think she was coming back into town and being all selfish towards Lindsey, to the point that Lindsey walked out of our wedding. Tell me, Brooke, how did she justify those actions?"

"You wrote a book about her, Lucas."

"In high school."

"Oh, please, who could compete when the tortured athlete met the tortured artist?"

"You could, and you did."

Brooke shakes her head, not wanting to remember what it was like being between the two. "I was just another obstacle for you guys to overcome. This is ridiculous, Lucas. All of it is. Why don't you do us all a favor and just take her back already. Because bitchy Peyton just doesn't fit well into my day, and that's all she's been since you told her you hated her."

"I do hate her," Lucas says, once again sounding a little childish. "She lost me when she turned down my proposal. Why does she think she still has any kind of hold on me?"

"Listen," Brooke heaves a sigh, "I don't know about you, but I came out tonight to forget about some things, not delve into the world that was created by you and Peyton. So either quit talking about it, or shut the hell up."

"How can I quit talking about it when there's a freakin' comet painted onto my river court?"

Brooke rolls her eyes. This is not how she planned her night to be. "Let's just forget about everything in our lives right now."

"She's taken over every aspect of my life," Lucas ignores her. "Controlling it like it's hers. And it's not. Just because we dated in high school, and because she thought we were destined to be together, doesn't mean she gets to take every other girl out of my life for me."

Brooke sighs, as he goes on. And for a moment, she thinks about how Peyton told her about the feelings she harbored for Lucas while he was dating Brooke. In her drunken state, she becomes a bit bitter, even though she's long been over it. It was high school, and she loves her best friend, but she can't help but hold some resentment towards her. Lucas doesn't even notice she's not paying attention to a word he says.

"Let's pretend, there is no Peyton, at all," Brooke speaks, but Lucas carries on over her. "Let's pretend, we're just strangers, together, for one night, and have drunk, meaningless, wild, sex."

"Yeah, sure I proposed to her, but so what? I'm glad she turned me down because-wait, what?" Lucas finally stops talking to look at Brooke. It took him a few moments to realize she's said the word sex.

"I mean it," she pushes. "I don't know about you, but it's been awhile for me, and I just, for one night, want to be that crazy party girl that I was in high school. And, you're safe enough to do it with. It's not like I'm adding to my list by sleeping with you."

"Are you serious?" He's wide-eyed, in shock. Hell, he wanted to marry her at the beginning of the night, but he'll definitely take sex if he can't get married.

"Meaningless sex, Lucas," she narrows her eyes. "No feelings, no attachment, and no one finds out. Like a one night stand."

Lucas opens his mouth to speak, but once again Brooke Davis has shocked him. It's during these moments he remembers why he loves her so much. "Can we do meaningless sex?" He finally asks, but then wants to put his foot in his mouth.

"No, you're right, we can't," she shakes her head, her shoulders slumping. She needs to go back to the bar to find a stranger.

"Wait," Lucas puts a finger up, not wanting to let her proposition go. After all, it's been awhile for him as well. Not as long as for her, he bets, since he had Lindsey, but long enough. Well, wait, there was Owen, he wonders if she ever slept with him. Should he ask? He's not sure, because if he finds out, he might want to kill the guy. And it's been a long time since he's been with her. He shouldn't ruin his chances."I'm a guy, I can do meaningless." He knows it won't be meaningless for him, but he would do anything to be with her, or say anything that is.

Brooke snorts. Lucas can never do anything that's meaningless. Everything he does has some kind of meaning behind it. Like when he held out on her back when they were in high school. Come on, what high school boy doesn't want to have sex with the beautiful Brooke Davis?

"I can!" He grabs her hand. "I did just propose to you tonight, though." The alcohol must have been really clouding his judgment, since he was trying to prove he could have meaningless sex by pointing out he'd proposed to her at the same night.

"See, it was a bad idea," Brooke takes her hand back from his. "It's just been so long that," she stops, looking at him. "No, you're right. It would be just way too wrong. I'd feel too guilty."

"Brooke, no, I can do meaningless. I promise. And no one will find out. Tomorrow, it'll be like it never happened. Hell, I'm so drunk I probably won't even remember it."

"Nice," she shakes her head.

"No, I can do it. I can put all of my feelings that I have for you aside, and give this to you if you really want it."

Brooke laughs, because he's acting as if he'd be doing her a favor. Which, he would be, but it was so not the point. "I mean it, Lucas, completely meaningless. NO feelings." She might as well give in, she thinks. Then thinks she's had way too much to drink if she was actually going to do this.

"That's what I want," he nods his head eagerly. Brooke sighs, knowing this is a horrible idea, but not caring anyway. It doesn't help that she keeps having flashbacks to all the times they were together in high school. He was good then, better than any other guy she's been with, and she can't help but wonder if he's gotten worse or better. If he's gotten better, oh God.

"Well, we can't go back to my house because Peyton lives there," Brooke speaks as if she's being forced into doing this.

"Mine either. She's liable to show up at anytime," Lucas speaks, bitterly.

"So, where do we go?"

"We could stay here," Lucas' eyes light up.

"Yeah, right, and have sex on the comet she's painted for you, I don't think so."

"Why not? That'd be the ultimate slap in the face, wouldn't it? Besides, I've always fantasized about having sex on a basketball court."

"You would."

"They were all fantasies with you in them, too," Lucas eyes stare off into the distance, going into a glazed over state.

"Earth to Lucas, do you need a cold shower before we even start?"

"No," he snaps out of it, and grabs her arm and pulls her near to him. "I need you to fix it."

Brooke groans, wondering what's she gotten herself into. He starts to kiss along her neckline, and they're clumsy kisses, but they're enough to take any thoughts out of her head.