Summary: This Story takes place after the Season 5 Finale.

Chapter 1

TREE HILL AIRPORT

(Lucas sits anxiously in an uncomfortable airport chair, holding a pair of tickets in one hand and a cell phone in the other, with a bag placed at his feet. The busy airport was full of families, friends and couples, watching them he sat deep in thought, with memories and past conversations flying through his mind. The last couple days had been hard and confusing, but Lucas finally knew in his heart he had made his choice, in fact it was made a long time ago and what dawned on him now, was how much time he had wasted. Picking up his cell phone and dialling a familiar number, he waited patiently for an answer.)

Lucas: Hi. I've got two tickets to Las Vegas. Do you want to get married tonight?

TREE HILL

(After frantically throwing clothes into an overnight bag, Peyton got into her Mercury Comet and drove down the streets of Tree Hill as fast as she could. As she neared the Airport a familiar song began to play on the radio 'heartbeats – Jose Gonzalez' she takes a moment to reminisce with the song, taking her mind back to the day of the State Championship when all seemed so perfect between her and Lucas. It was a brief moment as Peyton closed her eyes and saw that day flash through her mind, in that second of a moment, her life changed. When she opened her eyes all she could see was a lorry driving right in her direction. Peyton has no time to react and closes her eyes embracing the time to have her life flash before her eyes, moments with friends, family and Lucas.

Once the paramedics and police reached the scene, the carnage had a devastating effect on them all, as Peyton lay motionless on the side of the road, while spread out around her the contents of her overnight bag and the white summer dress she had selected to marry Lucas in. As for her iconic comet it lay in a heap of broken metal.)

TREE HILL AIRPORT

(As Lucas sat patiently waiting for Peyton to arrive, there was a big doubt in his mind that she wouldn't show; yet his heart hoped that she would grace him with her beautiful presence. Unknowingly to Lucas an hour had passed since his phone call with Peyton, as his hope dwindled away, his silence was broken by the Airport announcements.)

Speaker: This is the last call for flight 101 to Las Vegas.

(Standing from his seat and taking once last look the entrance doors, he found his answer.)

Lucas: (Whispering to himself) I guess she's not coming.

(Lucas makes his way over to the Ticket desk, hanging his head low in disappointment and heartbreak)

Flight Attendant: Can I help you sir?

Lucas: (Frozen in a trance, takes a moment to decide) Can I change these for a ticket to New York? (Pushing the tickets quite forcefully across the desk in a motion to rid him of any last reminder of what has happened. He knew in New York he could sort out the remaining parts of his life, while hoping the hustle and bustle of New York would drown out the silence.)

Flight Attendant: Hold on one moment and I will see what I can do.

Lucas: Thanks (Lucas takes a moment to glance down at his phone, contemplating whether to call her and find out what's going on, before jumping to conclusions.

Flight Attendant: Yea that's no problem. I've got you onto the New York flight that leaves in 20 minutes.

Lucas: Thank you. (Making the decision not to call Peyton he puts his phone back into his pocket and takes the ticket, heading off into a new destination.)

TREE HILL - CLOTHES OVA BROS STORE

(Brooke's Phone Rings)

Brooke: (Confused at not knowing the caller i.d.) Hello

Hospital: Is this Brooke Davis?

Brooke: Yes, who's this?

Hospital: Miss Davis this is Tree Hill General Hospital, I'm afraid there has been an accident involving Peyton Sawyer, we need you to come to the hospital right away.

Brooke: (Standing there motionless and shocked, Brooke finds herself not being able to breathe or speak through the tears that are falling down her face.) Is she ok?

Hospital: I can't say. We just need you to come to the hospital right away.

Brooke: I'll be there.

(Immediately grabbing her purse, Brooke runs from the store, not even bothering to lock the door, she sprints to her car, the tears still not subsiding. She drives to the hospital with a fear she had never experienced before, the fear of losing her best friend, her family.)

TREE HILL GENERAL HOSPITAL

(Since arriving at the cold and all too familiar hospital, Brooke found herself not knowing much about her friends condition, after arguing with the doctors and nurses, she retreated to the uncomfortable plastic waiting room chair, sitting, waiting and wishing for Peyton's safe return.)

Haley: (Haley comes rushing out the elevator doors with Nathan following behind, tears falling down her face and she immediately spots Brooke sitting with her head in her hands, rushing to her side, for comfort and answers) Brooke. What's going on? Is she ok?

Brooke: (Standing from her chair after seeing Haley and running into her friends embrace) She's still in surgery, they wont tell me anything. (Both Haley and Brooke are now holding onto each other with all their might, as the tears are falling from both their eyes.)

Nathan: (Saddened at the news of his best friend being in hospital, and watching his wife and friend cry, he places a comforting arm around both of them, offering reassurance) She's going to be ok.

Brooke: (whispers) I can't lose her.

Haley: I know.

Nathan: (Breaking the silence) Has anyone called her dad?

Brooke: (Speaking through the tears) He's at sea.

Nathan: (Embarrassed to ask) And Luke?

Brooke: (A hint of anger coming through her voice at hearing his name) He won't answer his phone.

Haley: (Regaining her composure) I'll give him a call.

FLIGHT TO NEW YORK

(With the manuscript to his new book in his hands and a photo of Peyton wedged between the pages, he turns away from looking at his words and helplessly looks out the window. Since boarding the plane his phone has been ringing non stop and every time he has let his voicemail pick up, because he hasn't had the courage to pick up and face reality, when his pride and heart have been so badly hurt.)

(Lucas' Phone rings)

Keith: (Concerned about the young man sat next to him, who has avoided answering his phone since he has boarded the plane dares to speak) Don't you think you should answer that?

Lucas: (Looking at his phone and rejecting the call, regardless as to who was calling) It's not important.

Lucas' Voicemail: I can't get to the phone right now, but leave a message and I'll get back to you.

Haley: (Her voice breaking through the tears and stress on the phone) Hey Luke...It's Hales...We really need you. Peyton...There's been an accident.

TREE HILL GENERAL HOSPITAL

Doctor: Miss Davis?

(Upon hearing the doctors voice Brooke, Haley and Nathan rose from their seats and looked at the doctor in anticipation.)

Brooke: (Mumbling) Yes, that me, Is she ok? Please tell me she's ok? What happened?

Nathan: (Taking the lead, making sense of Brooke mumbling) How is she doctor?

Doctor: Miss Sawyer was in a critical condition when they brought her in; she had suffered major internal bleeding, broken ribs and severe head trauma. After intensive surgery we managed to stop the bleeding, at the moment her vitals are steady, but the next 24 hours are critical and you should prepare yourselves. I'm sorry. (Both Brooke and Haley gasping at how bad Peyton's condition was.)

Haley: Can we see her?

Doctor: (Noticing how broken these people were, he knows he has to go out his way to help them) I'll see what I can do.

Nathan: (The only one of the three of them that could muster his voice to speak) Thanks Doctor.

(Nathan retreated back to the hospital chair, trying to gather any sense of the situation in his head, he watched as Haley found Brooke staring hopelessly out the window, he knew all he could do was wait and be the support they all needed. But the one question running through his head was 'Where's Lucas?')

Haley: (Walking slowly up to her broken friend and placing an arm around her shoulders) Brooke. Brooke Sweetie?

Brooke: (Voice Breaking) This can't be happening. I don't know what to do without her.

Haley: (Grabbing Brooke by the shoulders and turning Brooke to face her) Hey...Hey look at me. Peyton is a fighter...She's going to come back to us. (Pulling Brooke into a warm embrace, she lets her friend cry on her shoulder) It's going to be ok. (Whispering) It's got to be ok.

NEW YORK CITY

(Once Lucas had arrived in New York City he went straight from the airport to a nearby hotel to check himself in. Unable to cope with the silence of his hotel room he made his way down the bar in the lobby. His only answer was to drink the pain away, or at least try to.

Slumped across the bar with an empty shot glass in his hand, Lucas had already reached the point of no return.)

Lucas: (Shouts to the Bartender) Same

Bartender Keith: (Giving Lucas a caring yet disapproving look) Don't you think you've had enough?

Lucas: (Angry) Just keep pouring.

Bartender Keith: (Offering Advice and avoiding pouring another drink) Trust me the answers don't lie in the bottom of a glass.

Lucas: (Slurring his words) How do you know? You don't know anything about my life?

Bartender Keith: You're right I don't know you. (Pointing to Lucas' phone on the table) but by the way your phone has been blowing up, I say you have a lot of people that do care about you.

Lucas' Voicemail: I can't get to the phone right now, but leave a message and I'll get back to you.

Nathan: (Angry On the phone) Luke you need to get your ass to this hospital straight away... If you don't and Peyton doesn't make it...I swear to God I will make you pay.

TREE HILL GENERAL HOSPITAL - PEYTON'S ROOM

(Brooke stands at the door to Peyton's hospital room and takes a moment to look at her best friend. The hospital room was dark and the only light came from the window, shining on Peyton's face, taking a step closer to the hospital bed Brooke notices how broken her friend is, the wires connected to her and the numerous machines surrounding her. Brooke had to fight the urge of rushing to her side and pulling her into a tight embrace, but her peaceful sleeping form didn't hide that her body was broken and cut in so many ways.)

Brooke: (Taking a seat next to Peyton and delicately holding her hand) Hey.... I really need you to wake up soon ok (Fighting back the tears) Because I don't know if I can do this without you.........your my best friend and I need you here......Please....I love you so much, you have to wake up.

(Bowing her head next to Peyton's hand, she gently sobs, memories flooding her mind.)

FLASHBACK

(Standing by the bonfire under the moonlight, while all their friends surrounded them and enjoyed their last night as seniors)

Brooke: (Smiling with Admiration) We made it didn't we? Through all the tragedy, jealousy, confusion. We made it.

Peyton: (Smiling) Yea we did (Holding her hand out) Hoes Ova Bros right?

Brooke: (Pulling Peyton into a tight embrace and whispering) I love you

Peyton: (Whispering) I love you too .

END OF FLASHBACK

(Walking into Peyton's room Haley notices Brooke asleep in the chair next to the bed, still holding onto Peyton's hand for dear life. Haley takes a moment to watch her two best friends and admiring their bond. Taking the blanket from the back of the chair Haley places it over Brooke delicately and strokes both Brooke and Peyton's hand before turning to leave the room.)

*Please let me know what you think so far, trust me this story is going to get alot more interesting. Thanks*