Somebody's Going to Emergency, Somebody's Going to Jail
Lyrics by Don Henley, New York Minute

Peyton has Julian. Lucas has Lindsey. But will an emergency bring them back to each other or only prove they are better apart?

Ok guys, I'm trying this again. I'm going to try to add a little drama this time. I know I mentioned a story about West Wing but that one is a lot different and I think I'm going to write it in full before I post it.

On to the disclaimers: I don't own One Tree Hill and have no rights related to this show or any others that may be mentioned or used throughout this story. I further do not have any rights connected to the song titles used throughout this story.

This takes place during the mysterious 4 year jump, so Season 6 hasn't happened but the characters' back stories (Nathan's accident, the book signing, etc) are still relevant.

Chpt. 1--How Do You Tell Someone
By Cowboy Mouth

"Hales? Haley, hey, it's Brooke." Brooke Davis didn't give her friend a chance to respond as she rushed on, "Listen, I'm in L.A. I just got a call from a hospital here. Peyton was in a car accident."

"Is she--"

"I can't get much information. I don't know. I… I'm sorry, Hales. I'm messed up. I mean I can't get my thoughts straight. I know she's in surgery and I know…" Brooke's voice continued to crack, "I know it's the second surgery since last night. But, God, Haley. Someone ran a light. Someone ran a fucking red light and hit her. Haley, her mom…"

She wanted to press for information but Haley James Scott knew her friend; she knew Brooke needed to be calmed down before she would get any coherent information. "I know, Brooke. But you can only get there. You can't think about anything else right now. You can only get there. Just get there and find out what's going on. She's going to need you, Brooke. You know she will."

"I know. You're right." Brooke's hands clenched and unclenched on the wheel. "I just need to get there and I'm stuck in this godforsaken traffic headed out from LAX. Son of a bitch!" Haley listened while Brooke cursed out the drivers around her. "I lived in this town for almost 2 years and still I swear to you its worse than driving in New York."

"Brooke. Brooke! Listen to me. Is she alone?"

"No. She's…Her new boyfriend, or whatever he is, called me. I guess he had her cell. Julian. His name's Julian." Brooke's thoughts, and words, were all over the place. "He's…well, I think he's ok but he's just easy, you know? Just right now. But he makes her happy, I think. Anyway--God, what am I talking about?"

"Its ok, Brooke." But Haley couldn't stop herself. "Brooke, have you called Lucas?" Silence. "Brooke?"

"I…I don't know what to do Hales. I mean, she's got Julian."

"And he has Lindsey," Haley interjected.

"Yeah. And I don't think they've spoken since the book signing deal. I think Luke would want to know but Peyton…She's got so much…And he's...I think she's hurt bad Haley." Haley could hear the tears in Brooke's voice.

"He's got to know, Brooke. It's Peyton. Whatever they are now, he's got to know. But listen, he's my best friend and I've gotten to know Lindsey pretty well. You need to focus on Peyton; let me and Nate talk to Luke."

"You sure, Hales?"

"Definitely. You just call us the minute you get to the hospital. The minute you find anything out. Anything, Brooke. And remember, if it gets bad, we're all just a plane ride away. You and Peyton don't have to do this alone."

Sitting in completely stopped traffic on the 405, Brooke allowed herself a minute to close her eyes. "Thank you, Haley," she breathed. "I…She's going to be alright, right?"

"You just get there safely. And Brooke? She'll know you're there. That's important."

"Thanks, Hales. Bye." Brooke hung up her phone and laid a hand on her horn. "Move, assholes! Goddamnit!"

"Luke?" Haley called as she walked into his house. "Lucas? Lucas Scott!"

"Haley?" Lindsey peaked around the corner of the kitchen. "Hey! Luke's just on his way home. I'm making a pot of chili--you wanna join us?"

"No. I can't. Thanks, but Nate's got Jamie and I'm meeting them for dinner." Haley was trying to sound normal but she was sure Lindsey could hear the anxiety in her voice. Glancing at her phone--would Brooke ever call?--Haley asked, "So. Luke's on his way?"

"He should be walking through the door any minute. Haley, is something--" Lindsey watched Haley check her phone a second time but before she could finish her question, Luke walked in the room.

"Hales!" He greeted his best friend with a one-armed hug. "And you." Lindsey got a much longer welcome-home greeting as Luke backed her up against the counter. Reaching around her to snag a roll Lindsey had just pulled out of the oven, Luke boosted himself up on the counter before turning to Haley, "What's up? Where's my nephew?"

"Jamie's with Nathan at physical therapy. He likes the swim-in-place pool." Luke laughed a little. "Luke, can I talk to you?"

"Sure." Luke scooted off the counter and led Haley to the table. "What's going on, Hales?"

"Actually, Lindsey, can we have a minute alone?" Haley's eyes implored her new friend to understand.

"Ok. Sure. I wanted a shower before dinner anyway. Take your time." She kissed Luke on the cheek. "It's umm…good to see you Haley."

Lindsey wasn't sure where the sudden awkwardness came from. She and Haley had gotten fairly close over the last year. You couldn't love Lucas and not fall in love with the entire Scott family. But, even more than that, Lindsey liked Haley. A lot. And she was pretty sure Haley felt the same way. But even so, every once in a while Lindsey got this fleeting feeling that there was some part of this group, some thing they shared, some spot that she could never fill. She felt it with Lucas; she felt it with Haley, with Nate. She even felt it with Luke's mom, Karen. It didn't take a rocket scientist to know that spot was filled by Peyton. She was Luke's editor for God's sake. Usually this sensation left as quickly as it came and Lindsey could convince herself she was just paranoid but this time she couldn't shake the notion that that feeling, that uncomfort, was suddenly a permanent part of her life. Especially when Haley confirmed her fears: as Lindsey walked down the hall and turned towards the part-time bedroom she shared with Lucas, the last words she heard were "Luke, Peyton's been in an accident…"