Heya guys, thanks so much for the reviews, they make me feel GREAT! Anyway, on to the story... enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don not own one tree hill, or any characters, however much I wish I did James Lafferty.

Chapter 1 – Wilful Suspension of Disbelief

"Peyton? Where are ya P?" Brooke Penelope Davis walked into her friend's small apartment in L.A. The Cure was blaring loudly

Peyton Elizabeth Sawyer had been released from hospital 2 weeks ago; she was now in the process of packing up her place in L.A. in order to return to her small hometown of Tree Hill. Brooke looked around the room. It was almost completely packed up now. The walls had been whitewashed so that the landlord wouldn't have a go at her for her bold colour choices, and the heavier furniture had already been shipped off. Brooke also saw that her best friend wasn't in the room.

"Peyton, honey? Where are you?" she called through the apartment.

"In here! I'm in the bedroom!" she called over the music; her voice was muffled almost as though she'd been crying.

Brooke frowned and made her way through the maze of boxes to the bedroom door. "Peyt? Wha-" she opened the door and walked in , to find her best friend sitting on the floor in the middle of the empty room, surrounded by photos and letters. "Oh, Peyton. Honey, what's this?"

"I- I- I found it in the cupboard, W- W- We were g- gonna ha- have it all. And I ru- ruined it!" she managed to say all of this between sobs and hiccups.

Brooke leant down and picked up the nearest picture and smiled, of course it was Lucas and Peyton. It was at the state championship, Brooke remembered how someone had taken it when they weren't looking, and it was perfect. They both looked so happy. She looked at the next picture, and her smile grew. It was of all five of them, Haley, Nathan, Lucas, Peyton and herself. She wasn't exactly sure where it was. She thinks it was at the cheer competition senior year, the one where Peyton tripped.

"Look, lo- look at this, Brooke." Peyton sniffled and handed Brooke a letter. "Read it."

"Oh, Peyton. I don't think I sho-"

She was cut of by a harsh "read it Brooke."

"Ok." She opened the letter.

''Hey gorgeous,

How ya doing? Today was so funny. Haley and Nate had an argument over whether Jamie's first word was really a first word at all. Me and Nate are pretty sure he said 'ball' but Haley is adamant he's going to be a musician and that his first word will be 'guitar'. When she finally realised she was fighting a losing battle she gave up and just left the room muttering something about ball being an easier word. You would have found it adorable and would have probably sided with Haley about him being a musician, so that you could train him up and all. Oh, by the way, I have a bone to pick with you! But, I'm going to have to explain. Yesterday, I choked on some juice (don't start laughing at me just yet!) and Nathan burst into hysterical laughter and wouldn't stop. When he finally calmed down he said "oh, Sawyer would've LOVED this" I didn't get it at first until he explained that both of you have been teasing me and calling me choke behind my back for years! I am very upset *pouts*.

I'm going to have to go now babe. I love you so much. True Love Always.

P.S, I kinda like you ;)

If I could have just one wish,
I would wish to wake up everyday
to the sound of your breath on my neck,
the warmth of your lips on my cheek,
the touch of your fingers on my skin,
and the feel of your heart beating with mine...
Knowing that I could never find that feeling
with anyone other than you.

Love, Lucas xxx''

"He said- he said he lo- loved me. He said he'd always be- be there for m- me. But he wa- wasn't, an- and it's all my fault! I- I- I- I..." by now she was sobbing so hysterically that she couldn't continue.

Brooke pulled her into her arms and let her cry on her shoulder. "No, it was not your fault. You asked him to wait for you and his pride couldn't take it. That makes him an ass, and totally not worth your tears. Understand?" she pulled Peyton's face up by her chin and make her look at her.

"yes." Peyton wiped off the tears that had just fallen and sniffled. "I don't need him. I am strong... I am strong" she whispered the last bit and Brooke wasn't sure if she was trying to convince Brooke, or herself.

Later that night, both girls curled up into their blow-up beds and tried to sleep so that they could catch their flight the next morning.

Brooke was lying in her bed peacefully, dreaming happy dreams. But Peyton was tossing and turning, her dreams were most definitely not as pleasant.

Peyton's dream world.

She screamed as the man grabbed her leg and started pulling her towards him. Her fingers scratching the hardwood floor as she desperately tried to escape his grasp. The man laughed at her, what was she thinking she would achieve? This little girl half his size, weight and strength. Did she really think she could get away? They both knew there was no chance in hell.

"Please! Let me go!" she half-sobbed, half-pleaded. For a split-second the man felt sorry for her. But then he remembered how she had rejected him a few months ago. He needed to show this girl she shouldn't be such a prude.

"You think your little pleads will help you?" he laughed again. "Think again Peyton."

He grabbed her by her arms and pulled her off the floor, twisting her so she was pinned to the wall. He realised he was being quite rough. 'Not rough enough' he thought to himself. 'She rejected me, she deserves to be punished'

He started ripping her clothes off as she continued to cry...

Peyton awoke with a scream.

"Woah, , calm down. It's ok. I'm here."

Brooke, bless her, was out of her bed and by Peyton's side almost instantly. She looked on at her friend with a worried expression. Peyton was very pale. Her curls were matted and stuck to the sweat on her face. And the bruises and cuts that hadn't yet faded away or healed were most definitely prominent in contrast to her skin. All in all, she did not look good.

"Brooke...?" her voice was coarse, and she whimpered.

"Yeah, , what happened?" the concern on her face was clear, and the tiredness too. Peyton immediately felt guilty.

"I'm sorry I woke you up B." She whispered in the darkness.

"Don't be silly. What's wrong?" she repeated her earlier question, determined to get an answer.

"I, I remembered Brooke. I remembered." She sighed and buried her head into her friend's shoulder.

"Oh."

The two girls barely spoke to each other on the plane ride back to Tree Hill, but Brooke did keep shooting Peyton worried glances. Eventually Peyton pretended to be asleep

Peyton sighed as she felt Brooke staring at her again. Her eyes snapped open. "Brooke! Can you please stop looking at me like that?" her voice was full of exasperation.

"Like what?" the bubbly brunette asked innocently.

"Like I'm going to break down or disappear or something."

"I'm scared you are. How are you feeling?" her voice was full of concern again, and Peyton hated it.

She turned to look at her friend. "I'm fine, Brooke. Honestly, I am."

"Why do I not believe that?" Brooke asked rhetorically. "Oh, because it's not true! Peyton you remembered abou-"

"Can we not talk about this right now please? Not here."

"Why not?"

"Because, we are on a public place, surrounded by lots of people. That's why."

Brooke huffed. "Fine, but as soon as we get there we are talking about it."

"Fine!"

They didn't speak for the rest of the journey.

Sooo ... what did ya think? I have to admit, I was a bit nervous writing Peyton's dream, but hopefully it was alright (fingers crossed). Please R&R. Song title from the song "Wilful Suspension of Disbelief by Modest Mouse". Next chapter. Brooke and Peyton talk, the return of Nathan (Yay) Peyton sees Lucas.