It Ends Tonight

OTH S4.9 "Some You Give Away" A.U.

Prologue: It Ends Tonight

This is it, he thought, the last two years, the struggles, everything we've been through. It's over . . . It ends tonight . . .

"Mr. Scott?"

Nathan looked up, his eyes meeting with a pair of browns ones. He blinked, moving his head back. His view widened and the browns appeared to belong to a short, dark brunette woman with short-cropped hair. Her bright white nurses scrubs with Winnie the Pooh characters on them contrasted with her dark hair. Her face was soft and caring as she leaned over in front of Nathan.

"Mr. Scott, would you like to sit down in the family lounge?" The nurse asked him.

Nathan breathed heavily, his eyes downcast and brooding. He shook his head, "My wife . . . how is she? And the baby?"

"Your wife is still in recovery," the nurse replied softly, "Your wife's doctor is very good at what she does. She's the best OBGYN surgeon in the state."

The nurse held out her hand and helped him stand. He sighed. The nurse led him down the hall to a room which had the words 'Family Lounge' printed on the wall next to it.

"Someone will come to you every once and a while to keep you informed. When the surgery is finished, the doctor will come talk to you."

"Okay," Nathan nodded, "Thanks."

"You're welcome," the nurse smiled compassionately, "I hope things turn out well for you." Nathan nodded again and the nurse left.

Yep; It ends tonight.

~*~

Peyton Sawyer sat contently on her bed. A smile graced her features from ear to ear. After all these years–well two, she though to herself, "We're finally, officially, legitimately together. All of the drama and waiting and wishing and hoping ends tonight. She'd never been so happy about an ending before in her life. This day was a day she would never forget: For this day marked the day that Lucas Scott and Peyton Sawyer started the rest of their lives together. She was sure of it.

The sounds of heavy and hurried footsteps shook her from her reverie and she turned her head. The moment she saw the expression of pure fear and concern on the face of Brooke Davis, Peyton's smiled vanished.

She just knew something was wrong.

"Lucas and Haley are in the hospital." Brooke choked through unwanted tears. Peyton's heart skipped a beat and jumped up to her though at the same time Brooke's mouth opened. Her jaw dropped and tears stung her eyes, "It's bad, Peyton. It's really bad." Peyton hadn't really needed to hear those words. "Come on, I'll drive." Peyton and Brooke flew down the stairs and out the door to Brooke's light blue VW Bug.

Peyton was devoid of any reaction as the two rode to the hospital. Brooke, however, was not so quiet.

"They'll be okay," Brooke stated for the thirteenth time since they'd gotten in the car, "Lucas and Haley will be fine. They have to, right?"

Peyton didn't say a word. She really didn't have to because her brain was doing all the talking for her.

"Oh god, the baby . . ." Brooke gasped, "I just remembered . . ." Peyton, too, had forgotten that Haley was pregnant. Truthfully, all she could think about was Lucas.

"Nathan and Karen must be a wreck . . ." Brooke continued on, "And with Karen being pregnant too . . . I hope she's okay too with all the stress she must be feeling."

Brooke pulled into the hospital parking lot. Peyton's heart began to accelerate. Lucas is in there exploded into her brain, He's in there and he might not be okay . . .

The two of them got out of the car and hurried inside.

It ends tonight . . .

~*~

"Nathan?"

He sat a chair in the 'Family Lounge.' His back hunched over as if he were praying, eyes closed, and his head nearly touching the tops of his knees.

Upon hearing the voice, he looked up. "Nathan?" It was Karen, his half-brother Lucas's mom. Her eyes were red and puffy like she'd been crying. She sat down on the armchair next his, sighing. Both of them were in fairly the same boat. Nathan's wife was in surgery and Karen's son was in surgery.

Neither of them needed to say anything. Both knew how the other felt and what they were going through.

Nathan looked up and rose as a doctor came over to him. The doctor was older, with a greying head of a nearly balded head. He was about the same height as Nathan though, his shoulders hunched slightly. Nathan held his breath in anticipation of what the doctor said.

"Your wife is out of surgery, Mr. Scott," the doctor said. Nathan let out the breath. "She's in recovery and is resting comfortably. She has a broken leg, some fractured ribs, and numerous internal injuries."

"And the baby?" Nathan asked.

"At this point, Mr. Scott, my concern is for your wife," the doctor put his hand on Nathan's shoulder before walking away to leave.

Nathan sighed, shaking his head. He resumed his seat next Karen, sighing again.

"They'll be okay," Karen spoke out loud, "They have to."

"Nathan!"

Nathan looked up, seeing Peyton and Brooke comign toward them. "Oh my god . . ." Brooke put her hand over her mouth. "Are they okay?"

"Haley's out of surgery . . . that's all I know so far," Nathan said.

"And Lucas?" Peyton's voice caught in her throat. Karen and Nathan shook their heads.

"We haven't really heard anything yet," Karen said quietly. A soft whine escaped the blonde's lips. Brooke held her friend's arm.

~*~

Two days later . . . Nathan sat at Haley's bedside, holding her hand. She still hadn't woken up yet. There was hope the day before but it turned out to be nothing.

The baby was fine, virtually untouched by the damage his mother sustained. The doctors said it was a miracle – but Nathan was just his son was okay and wished his wife was in better condition.

Like his brother.

Lucas was awake and breathing on his own and everything was fine. Just a warning from the doctor to take it easy and not even four hours later he's back at school under Peyton's watchful eye.

If only Haley had been that lucky.

"Hey buddy," Nathan felt a light touch on his shoulder. He turned to find Brooke standing behind him, her hand on his arm. "How you holdin' up?"

He took a deep breath, still holding on to Haley's hand. "Honestly . . . I feel like I'm going to throw up. I don't know how much longer I can keep doing this. Everytime we're just getting happy again . . . something gotta come and and ruin all the progress we've made." Brooke walked around him and sat in the chair beside him. "I mean the doctors ar saying she could be like this for months! They migh have to take the baby out early." His voice caught in the back of his throat. "He could die, Brooke. They both could-and even if he makes it I might have to raise this boy all by myself and . . . and I don't think I can do that Brooke. I need her. I need Haley to wake up!"

Brooke rested her hand on his knee, "You're not alone, Nathan. You've got me and Lucas and Peyton. We'll help you okay? We'll sit at Haley's bedside for the rest of our lives if we have to. And if the baby comes and she's still not awake . . . we'll help you with that, too. Okay?" Nathan nodded, staring at Haley's peaceful eyes. "Don't you ever let me hear you say that you're alone, you got me?" Nathan bobbed his head again as shameful as a child in trouble. "Everything will be just fine . . ."

To Be Continued . . .

A.N. The next chapter's started already so hopefully it won't take too long.