A/N: pretty much everything on the show has happened...including LB getting together. (Don't worry, it won't last long). This chapter basically sets up the background of the story. I don't think they story will be very long...less then 10. If there are any questions, just ask. Hope you like it.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything OTH related.

Chapter 1

A small match lit the crumpled paper that was strategically placed under the firewood. Slowly, the flames spread up to the lumber where sparks began to flicker on the cold wood. The slight dampness on the firewood also made it hard for flames to immediately roar into a moderate fire, but the sparks refused to go away.

With a little patience and some prodding with a metal poker, the sparks turned into small flames. And soon the wood began to crack, giving into the intensely growing flames.

"There," Peyton said as she put the poker back into its stand, "Oh, don't forget to open the flue and then put the gate back on," she whispered in a low voice so that they wouldn't wake Ellie who was taking an afternoon nap in her bedroom.

She held her hands out to the flames, warming them up. She and Lucas returned early from the slopes, as neither one of them were skiers, leaving Nathan, Haley and Rachel on the slopes.

They sat down, each with a cup of cocoa, in front of the fireplace of Ellie's chalet. Since her father was still at sea, Peyton had decided to spend part of her Christmas Holidays with Ellie at her cabin. Nobody really knew how much longer Ellie had to live but what they did know was that they were going to make the best of the time they had left together. So after making mends, Peyton wanted to spend as much time as she could with her. Ellie was more than thankful for Peyton's decision, but also felt bad for taking Peyton away from her friends over the holidays. So Ellie asked Peyton to invite her friends to join them for the weekend.

"Well, that seemed easy," Lucas commented as he sat down beside her.

"Yeah…been doing it for years. My dad taught me how when I was like 12," Peyton laughed, "I love sitting by the fire during the holidays…you know, just watching it dance and listening to the log crack…anyways, I tried to start one on my own and forgot to open the flue…the whole living room started to fill with smoke. By the time the fire alarm went off, it was like this black fog took over the house…the whole house reeked of smoke for weeks…my clothes, the furniture, everything. So, my dad thought, 'well, either I scold her and she'll burn the house down, or I'll teach her…and save the house',"

Lucas chuckled at her story but it quickly faded when he caught sight of her. The fire reflecting in her eyes had her mesmerized. The dancing light seemed to make her glow in a way he had once forgotten…it had rekindled something inside him.

When she turned to face him, she recognized the look in his eyes. It sent a shiver down her spine. "Um…so, Brooke," Peyton uneasily reminded them.

Although Brooke didn't join the gang that week, she was never easily forgotten, especially when it came to Lucas and Peyton.

Lucas chuckled to himself. He shook his head, trying to shake the feeling, "Yeah…did she say anything to you?"

"Sorry. You know, it's probably nothing. She's just got a lot on her plate right now and she's not thinking straight…I mean how many times has Brooke Davis pass up a weekend of fun?"

"Yeah, maybe," Lucas nodded his head. "But it was just so sudden…I mean everything was fine between us…"

"Well, hey, you guys aren't actually broken up are you?"

"What do you mean you're not coming?" Lucas stared at Brooke in disbelief, waiting for an answer.

"I…I still have a lot of work to do with…student's council stuff, college applications, SATs…"

"Brooke, it's Christmas break," Lucas laughed, "I'm sure the school won't mind if you spend one weekend at the cottage with me and our friends,"

"What about the clothing line? I can't just slack off on that either,"

"Why are you making all these excuses, Brooke? Come on, I know you love spreading the Christmas spirit…" he stepped closer to her, "So, why don't you just come with us and if you don't feel like skiing or having fun," he said in a joking tone, "then I'll sit right beside you by the fireplace while you work on your designs,"

Brooke thought about it for a second, having second thoughts about her decision, "The fireplace?"

Lucas shrugged, "Or wherever…Peyton just told me that the fireplace is amazing, so I was just trying to picture it,"

She looked down at her hands for second before she shook her head, "You were right," Brooke whispered distantly.

"Look, this is important to Peyton and after everything she's been going through, being around people who love and care about her will cheer her up. So come on," Lucas smiled.

Brooke let out a small bitter laugh.

"What?" he questioned.

She sighed, "Nothing…look," Brooke looked down for a second while she fidgeted with her hands. Tears began to well in her eyes, "I think we should use this weekend as time apart,"

End Flashback

Lucas hadn't told anyone the reason why Brooke didn't come to the cabin with them. He just told him that she had a lot of work to do with the fashion line. But honestly, Lucas didn't know the answer to that question. All Brooke asked for was for time apart. Was that 'broken up'?

"Actually, I think we are,"

Peyton's eyes widened in shock.

"Yeah, that was my reaction too," he chuckled.

"Lucas, I had no idea…When? Why?" Peyton was astonished.

"This morning and I'm not sure why," Lucas sighed. "All she said that we should spend this weekend apart. I don't get it though. I mean she was looking forward to this weekend for weeks and then all of a sudden…are you sure she didn't say anything to you?"

Peyton shook her head apologetically and then admitted, "Brooke and I haven't really talked much lately…it's just been hard trying to talk to Brooke, you know…"

"What do you mean?"

Peyton shrugged. Never once did she try to admit it, but she knew things would never be the same between her and Brooke. Their friendship had changed since the triangle of love formed between the three of them. Although they were trying, something didn't feel right. Peyton felt like she couldn't talk to Brooke anymore and that Brooke had changed…or maybe it was Peyton who changed...or maybe it was because of Lucas.

After letting out a sigh, she decided not to get into details with Lucas, "I don't know…I just think she hasn't forgiven me yet for quitting the cheerleading squad," she joked.

"Yeah, she was pretty pissed," he laughed before becoming serious, "but you quit for good reason. You don't regret it do you?"

"No. Ellie doesn't have much time left…" Peyton said softly, "and I want to spend as much time with her as I can…what about you? Do you regret not telling everyone the real reason why you quit the basketball team?"

A few weeks after Peyton had surprisingly quit the squad, Lucas made another shocking decision by quitting the basketball team. For weeks his ex-teammates and fellow classmates gave him a hard time about it and assumed it was because he couldn't hack it on the court or that he would never be as good as his brother. But nobody knew it was because he had HCM, not even Brooke. It had been a hard time for Lucas, but he got through it with the help of Haley, Nathan and Peyton, who were the only ones who knew of his condition.

"No…I don't want anyone's pity. I just want to be treated as a normal guy,"

"You know, I'm glad you told me about your HCM," she said sincerely.

Lucas nodded, "I needed someone who I could talk to about it. I mean Haley is great, but she nags me just as much as my mom does…Nathan's just as bad," he laughed.

A sudden feeling of queasiness came over Peyton. She squeezed her eyes tight and held her head with her hand, hoping that it would pass quickly.

"Peyt…are you ok?"

With her eyes still shut, "Yeah, just um…give me a second,"

With concerned he gently placed a hand on her back and stroked her, trying to soothe her. With his other hand he placed it on her forehead. "You feel really warm," he said worriedly.

"Lucas, I'm not feeling that good," she admitted.

"You should lie down. Come on, I'll help you to your room,"

"No, I'll be fine. It'll pass," she stubbornly refused, "Anyways it's almost time for Ellie's medication…"

"I'll take care of it," he said firmly. "After we get you in bed, I'll give Ellie her medication,"

Before Peyton could say anything again, Lucas pointed out, "Look, if you're sick, then it's probably not a good idea to go near Ellie…and the faster you rest, the better you'll feel,"

After thinking about it for a moment, Peyton finally gave in and let Lucas help her up to her room.