O Brother, Where Art Thou?
The near by car sped up to the scene of the accident. The driver quickly parked his vehicle, hopped out and headed over to Nathan's car.
Dan Scott rushed over to his son's side and forced open the car door. "Nathan! Nathan, wake up!" He shook him softly, but he didn't budge. Dan looked over at Peyton and noticed the huge gash on the side of her head. He ran over to her side of the car and forced open her door as well.
"Peyton!" He shook her gently, but she didn't respond either. Dan backed away from the car and pulled out his cell phone.
"Hello, I need an ambulance right now. My son and daughter-in-law have been in a car accident. I'm on Sycamore Ave. Their both unconscious and my daughter-in-law…she's bleeding from the head."
"Alright sir, we'll send an ambulance out right now" said the operator on the line. "Don't move them."
"I won't." Dan hung up the phone and waited impatiently for the ambulance to come. A few minutes later the ambulance arrived and five paramedics rushed over to Nathan's car.
"How long have they been out for?" the first paramedic asked as he leaned into the vehicle to examine Peyton.
"I don't know, like 10 minutes. Can you stop talking to me and just get them out?" Dan said impatiently.
The second paramedic spoke up "We're trying to. As fast and as safely as we can. Just let us do our job."
Dan stepped back and the second paramedic began helping his colleagues pull Nathan and Peyton out of the car. They carefully placed the two on gurneys and put them in the ambulance.
"Do you want to ride with us Mr. Scott?" the third paramedic asked as she hopped back into the ambulance.
"No, I'll drive my car and meet you at the hospital."
The paramedics shut the ambulance door and drove off. Dan ran back to Nathan's dismantled car and looked around. He spotted Peyton's cell phone and picked it up. He stepped away from the car and towards his own as he searched through her phonebook. He found Haley's number before Lucas's so he decided to try and call her first.
Dan jetted back to his own car, hopped in and started it up "Come on Haley, pick up your phone" he said aloud to himself as he drove off and headed toward the hospital.
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Back at Tric…
Lucas, Haley, Brooke, Chase, Skills, Mouth and Millicent were hanging out near the bar, enjoying each other's company.
"This has been such a great night" Brooke said cheerfully. "I'm really glad you guys could make it out."
"Me too." Haley said. "Nathan and I hardly ever get the chance to hang out with everyone all together like we did back in high school. It's nice to finally be able to do it."
Lucas pulled out his cell and checked the time. "Speaking of Nathan, what do you think is taking him so long? He should have been back by now."
"Hmm, I don't know." Haley suddenly felt her pocket vibrate. "Someone's calling me, it's probably Nathan."
Haley pulled out her phone and noticed that it wasn't Nathan calling, but Peyton. "That's weird it's Peyton.
"Why would she be calling you and not me?" Lucas asked, confused.
Haley just shrugged her shoulders and flipped open her phone. "Hey Peyton what's going on?"
"Haley, thank god, you finally answered."
"Yeah, well the service sucks--wait a minute—who is this and why are you calling from Peyton's phone?" Haley asked suspiciously.
"It's Dan."
Haley seemed shocked "Dan?!"
Lucas's eyes widened "What the hell is going on?!"
"Haley, don't hang up, I need you to hear me out. I was out for a drive when I noticed a crashed car. It was Nathan's. Him and Peyton were in an accident."
"Nathan and Peyton were in an accident?!" Haley's face turned white, as did Lucas's. "Are they alright?"
"No they're not. They were both unconscious and it didn't look good. The car is totaled. You and Lucas need to get to the hospital now."
"Ok." Haley hung up the phone, headed over to Lucas and began crying hysterically.
Lucas's eyes filled with worried and the adrenaline starting pumping. "Haley what is going on? What's happened to Peyton and Nathan?"
Haley tried to talk, but couldn't get her words out. Brooke walked over to her friend and attempted to console her. "Haley, you need to calm down. What did Dan say?"
Haley took in a deep breath, turned to Lucas and made a second attempt at speaking "He said Nathan and Peyton were in an accident. Its bad Luke, it's really bad. We need to get to the hospital."
"I'll take you guys." Chase said as he grabbed his keys from his pocket. "I haven't drank tonight."
"Neither have I" said Mouth from near by grabbing his keys from his own pocket. "I'll take Millie and Skills with me and we'll meet you four at the hospital."
Brooke nodded at Mouth and her, Lucas, Haley and Chase quickly headed out of the club with Mouth, Millie and Skills following close behind.
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Once the gang finally reached the hospital, Lucas and Haley jumped out of Chase's car, burst through the ER doors, followed by Brooke and Chase, and ran over to the front desk.
"Our spouses were brought in a little while ago" said an out of breath Lucas. "Peyton and Nathan Scott."
Before the lady at the front desk began sifting through her files, a doctor walked up to Lucas and Haley. "I'm Dr. Jones and I'm one of the ER doctors who've been treating Peyton and Nathan Scott. You're really their spouses?" he asked cautiously.
"Yes" Lucas said, still trying to catch his breath. "Peyton's my wife and Nathan's her husband. He's also my brother. Can you tell us what's going on?"
"Well Mr. and Mrs. Scott, as I'm sure you are already aware, your wife and your husband have been in a serious accident. We're still trying to treat them both as we speak. Someone will be out to tell you more information once we no more about their conditions. Do either of them suffer from any medical issues or currently on any medications?"
Lucas answered first. "Peyton's not taking anything, but she had mono a couple of months ago."
"Ok, and what about your husband?" Dr. Jones asked Haley.
"No, he's not sick or taking any medicines" Haley answered quietly. "He was taking Rohypnol for a while to help with his insomnia. He's been doing better though and hasn't taken any for a few weeks now."
"Ok, thanks for the information. I promise I'll be back to talk with the two of you as soon as I can." Dr. Jones then hurried off.
Lucas began pacing and Haley just stood in place, looking distraught.
Brooke walked over to her two friends "Why don't you two sit down with me, Chase and everybody."
Lucas vehemently shook his head no. "I can't. I can't just sit around and wait. I want to be with her Brooke."
"I know you do Luke, but pacing around isn't going to help. Come on." Brooke headed back over to the waiting area, with Lucas and Haley following her close behind, and sat down with her, Chase, and the rest of their crew, who had arrived while Lucas and Haley had been talking to Dr. Jones.
"Have you been told anything yet?" asked Skills hopefully.
Haley shook her head no. "Just that someone will be back to tell us something soon."
Lucas remained quiet, sitting with his head down, when he was slightly startled by the touch of someone's hand on his shoulder "She'll be ok son; they both will."
Luke turned around and for the first time, in a long time, was face to face with Dan.
"Ok, look. I'm grateful for what you did; for helping Peyton and Nathan...for miraculously being at the right place at the right time." Lucas took in a deep breath before continuing. "But this still doesn't change anything. It doesn't make me forget who and what you are. I don't know about Haley, but I don't want you here Dan. Leave."
Dan took a step back and glanced at Haley, who remained quiet and made no effort to defend him. "If that's what you want, than I'll go." Dan turned around and walked away.
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Three hours had now gone by and still no news. The group still sat in the ER's emergency room, waiting.
"This is absolutely ridiculous!" Lucas shouted as he sat up from his seat. He headed toward the front desk. "I demand that someone tell me what is going on with my wife, right now!" He yelled out angrily.
It was at that moment that a female doctor emerged, looking for Haley. "Which one of you here is Mrs. Scott?"
"That's me." Haley responded, jumping up from her seat "How's my husband?"
"I'm Dr. Brown and I'm one of the doctors who have been treating Nathan. He's going to be ok."
Haley sighed in relief. "Thank God."
"He was knocked unconscious at impact, but he's awake now. Other than a dislocated left shoulder, which I popped back into place, and a concussion, your husband seems to be fine. No internal or any other external injuries."
"That's great. Can I see him now?" Haley asked
"Yes, he's just awoken. But only for a little while. He needs to rest and I still want to run a few tests."
"I thought you said he was ok?"
"There's just something I need to check out. I'll talk to you and Nathan more about it once I run the tests and get the results back."
Lucas, who was truly happy to hear that his brother was going to be alright, was still obviously waiting on some news about Peyton and walked up to Dr. Brown. "My wife, do you know anything about her condition?"
"I'm not her doctor. Dr. Jones will be out in a minute to talk to you about your wife."
Lucas could tell by the doctor's eyes that she knew what was going on with Peyton. "But I know you know something. Can't you please just--"
"I'm sorry Mr. Scott, but I think it would be best if Dr. Jones be the one to come and talk to you. Mrs. Scott, could you please follow me?" And Haley and Dr. Brown were off, heading towards Nathan's room.
Lucas went back to his seat next to Brooke and a few minutes later, Dr. Jones entered the waiting room. Lucas popped up and headed over to him "How's Peyton?"
"Mr. Scott, will you follow me please."
"Tell me how she is first."
"Ok, well your wife is currently in critical condition. Much of the impact was on her side of the car. There was some damaged to the spleen, which I was extremely concerned about since it is still slightly enlarged from having had mono not too long ago. I've repaired the damage, but we're still monitoring it very closely. There was some internal bleeding as well, but has stopped. We've given her several blood transfusions to prevent her body from going into shock."
"Oh my God! I need to see her. Can I see her?" a hysterical Lucas asked.
"In a minute, but there's more I need to tell you first. As well as the bleeding and internal injury, your wife suffered from severe head trauma."
"Head trauma? What kind of head trauma? She's going to be ok though, right?"
"I'm afraid your wife's slipped into a coma. I'm not sure when, or if, she'll ever wake up. Even if she does indeed wake up, there could be some brain damage or paralysis. I'm so sorry Mr. Scott."
After hearing those words Lucas fell to the floor and burst into tears.
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Haley and Dr. Brown entered Nathan's room and Haley immediately rushed over to her husband's bedside.
"Nathan I'm so glad you're ok! I was so worried." Tears began to flood her eyes.
Nathan extended out to Haley with his right arm and wiped a tear away from her eye. "Haley, don't cry." Nathan said very softly. "I'm ok. You don't need to cry."
Haley took his hand into her owns and kissed it.
A light bulb suddenly went off in Nathan's mind "Haley how's Peyton? Is she gonna be alright?"
"I'm not sure." She turned to Dr. Brown. "Can you please tell us what's going on with Peyton?"
Dr. Brown sighed deeply "I really shouldn't--"
"Please?" Nathan asked, the concern very apparent in his voice. "I really need to know."
Dr. Brown paused for a moment, but then spoke up "I'm afraid your sister-in-law suffered major head trauma. She's fallen into a coma. I'm so very sorry."
"Luke's gotta be a mess. And it's all my fault. I've got to see him." Nathan attempted to get out of bed, but Dr. Brown motioned for him to remain where he was.
"I know you want to check on your brother and sister-in-law, but you need your rest. I also need to run a couple of more tests. You'll be able to visit in the morning."
"The morning!? What if something happens in the meantime?" Nathan asked agitatedly.
"It's almost 4:00 am, it's coming sooner than you think. Besides, if anything happens in the meantime, I'll come and get you." Dr. Brown promised.
Haley quickly turned to Nathan "I'm gonna call Deb first and let her and Jamie know you're ok, but then I'm gonna see Lucas and Peyton, alright?"
"I guess it's going to have to be." Nathan said displeased.
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In another room on the opposite end of the floor lied a comatose Peyton, hooked up to several monitors and machines with a teary-eyed Lucas sitting at her bedside, holding her hand. There was a soft knock at the door. Lucas turned around to see Brooke.
"Can I come in?"
He nodded his head yes and Brooke entered the room. She walked over to Peyton's bedside. "She still looks so beautiful." Brooke said as she tried to blink back tears "But so helpless."
"I know." Lucas said not taking his gaze off of Peyton.
There was momentary silence before Brooke talked again "I sent everyone else home. They all really wanted to stay but--"
"There's nothing any one of them can do. I know. It's ok."
The two were suddenly interrupted by a nurse. "I'm sorry Ms., but you can't be in here. It's after hours and only family is allowed to visit now."
"She is family" Lucas stated simply, still not looking up. "Their sisters."
The nurse looked at Brooke for confirmation and Brooke nodded her head up and down "Yes, we're sisters."
The nurse seemed slightly skeptical, but was willing to take their word for it. "Well alright then, I'll leave you alone." And the nurse then exited the room.
"Thanks for letting me stay." Brooke said to Lucas.
"There's no need to thank me. Peyton would want you here with me. I want you hear with me."
Brooke smiled sadly and went over to Lucas and the two shared hugged. The two eventually pulled away and suddenly heard another knock on the door. This time it was Haley.
Haley rushed over to Lucas and Brooke "How is she doing? Dr. Brown told me what happened. Has she made any progress?"
Lucas shook his head "No, there's no change."
Haley hugged Lucas and whispered into his ear "I'm so sorry Luke."
"I know." Lucas said as he broke away from their embrace and focused his attention back on to Peyton. "How's Nate doing?"
"He's fine. He really wants to see Peyton, but the doctor won't let him. Nathan—he feels so terrible."
Lucas turned to Haley "Nathan has nothing to feel bad about. This wasn't his fault. It was an accident. Accidents will happen. I just hate how they always happen to good people. Peyton…she didn't deserve this. It's not fair...it's just not fair."
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A few more hours had passed. The night had vanished. The sun had awoken Brooke, who had been sleeping in a chair beside Peyton's bed. As she regained her bearings and widened her eyes she noticed Lucas, who was still in the same position he had been in all night, and very much awake.
"How long have I been asleep?" Brooke asked groggily
Lucas checked his watch "Not that long. Just a few hours. It's almost 12."
"Still no change?" Brooke asked hopeful, but pretty much already knowing the answer.
"No change."
A light bulb suddenly went off in Lucas's head "I just remembered. My mom, Elizabeth, Lily and Andy are coming back today. I have to pick them up at the airport in an hour."
"No, I can pick them up for you. Stay here with Peyton." They sat together in silence for a bit before Brooke spoke again. "Did you talk to your mom last night? Do they know what happened?"
"I called her a couple of hours ago while you were sleeping. They all know except for Elizabeth. She should hear it from me…I want to be the one who tells her. I just wish I knew how…I mean, how am I suppose to tell my four-year-old that her mommy was in an accident and may never wake up again?"
Lucas sighed softly and focused his attention back to Peyton. Brooke sighed too. "This is just so terrible."
Lucas brought his hand over to Peyton's face and gently rubbed her cheek "It's like a nightmare. A nightmare that, no matter how hard you try--"
"You just can't wake up from." finished a familiar voice from behind Lucas and Brooke. They turned around to see Nathan standing before them. "How's she doing Luke?"
"She hasn't gotten worse, but there's been no progress either. The doctor says we just have to wait and see what happens."
Nathan ran a hand through his hair "Luke I feel like such crap—"
Lucas cut him off. "Nathan stop. Don't blame yourself."
Nathan was about to say something when Haley entered the room "Nate, there's something Dr. Brown wanted to talk to us about before they release you. We need to go."
Nate sighed. "Alright. Luke, I'm here, ok. Whatever you need, I'm here."
Lucas smiled softly "Thanks Nate. I appreciate that."
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Nathan and Haley left Peyton's room and headed back into his. They started to put together some of his things when Dr. Brown entered with a police officer.
"Nathan, Haley, this is Officer Jenkins. We'd both like to talk to you about the crash and ask a few questions."
Haley sat down in a chair by Nathan's bed, while Nate remained in place "OK, what do you need to know."
Officer Jenkins took out a note pad and pencil "What was the last thing you remember before waking up in the hospital last night?"
Nathan pondered the officer's question for a moment before answering "I don't know…one minute Peyton and I were talking…the next I'm waking up here. I have no idea what happened."
"Were you feeling ill at all last night, prior to the accident?" Dr. Brown asked.
Nathan shook his head no, but then came to a realization "Well, my stomach was bothering me a little bit. It wasn't that serious though."
Officer Jenkins nodded and jotted a few notes. "Now we know through the tests that Dr. Brown ran that you weren't drunk, but did you have any drinks last night?"
"I had one screwdriver that Peyton bought me. But that's it."
"Are you still taking Rohypnol—the sleeping medication that your regular doctor has prescribed you?" Dr. Brown asked.
"For my insomnia? No, I haven't taken any in a while." Nathan was growing a bit agitated. "What's this all about?"
Dr. Brown sighed "Nathan, you had an exceedingly high amount of Flunitrazepam…the Rohypnol…in your system."
Nathan looked confused "That's impossible. I didn't take any."
Officer Jenkins appeared to be growing frustrated "Son, be honest with us. Things will go a lot smoother if you tell us the truth. How long have you been addicted to Rohypnol?"
"I'm not!" Nathan shouted back.
Dr. Brown ran her fingers through her hair "Look Nathan, these tests don't lie. I ran them three times. You had an excess amount of the Rohypnol, along with the one drink, running through your body. The accident was most likely caused by a seizure, provoked by an overdose; you most likely blacked out and then crashed the vehicle. I had my suspicions last night, but I wanted to wait to talk to you about it with the officer under the given circumstances."
Haley got up from her chair and joined a shocked Nathan. "This is absurd."
Officer Jenkin's scribbled another note "Mr. Scott, I'm going to ask you a question and I want you to think about it carefully before giving me your answer. Did you or did you not take an excess amount of Rohypnol while drinking and then get behind the wheel of a moving vehicle?"
"Like I told you before…I didn't take anything!" Nathan began pacing the room. "This is crazy! I can't believe you think that I am a Rohypnol addict who OD'd behind the wheel and crashed my car."
Haley shook her head in disbelief "That's ludicrous."
"You can think what you want Mrs. Scott, but the evidence is too strong to ignore. I'm afraid we're going to have to take your husband in."
Officer Jenkins led Nathan out of the hospital room and Haley and Dr. Brown followed. He placed Nathan's hands in handcuffs and began to read him his rights: "Nathan Scott, you are under the arrest for driving under the influence. You have the right to remain silent. If you choose to give up that right, anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. You have the right to an attorney--"
Nathan interrupted "I cannot believe you think I would get behind the wheel drugged up. This is absolutely insane!"
Officer Jenkins ignored Nathan and continued reading him his rights "If you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed to you—"
Haley began to sob softly "I can't believe this happening!"
"Yeah neither can I." came a voice from behind
Nathan, Haley, Dr. Brown and Officer Jenkins turned around and came face to face with Lucas.
Nathan shook his head "Luke, I know this looks really bad, but I swear I didn't—"
Lucas cut him off "You don't need to say another word Nathan. I've already heard everything I need to hear."
"Lucas, please--" Nathan pleaded.
Lucas's eyes grew devilish and angry "What could you possibly have to say Nathan!? I trusted you with one of the two most important people in my life and you blew it! Peyton's lying in a coma and might never wake up because you were trying to drive her home all drugged out! What you did is unforgivable."
"But Lucas, I--"
"I don't know who you are anymore Nathan, but I do know one thing. You are not my brother. Because my brother never would have done what you did. Take him downtown." Lucas told Officer Jenkins. "I want him out of my sight."
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I hope you all enjoyed!!
Dan is the one who comes to Nathan and Peyton's rescue…Peyton's in a coma, struggling to hang on…Nathan's charged with a DUI and an angry Lucas has disowned his brother. Sooo what do you all think? Do you think there's been some sort of mistake or that Nathan is lying? Hmm…and what do you think happen with Haley, Brooke and the rest of the gang once they hear of the arrest…will sides be taken? Will Peyton wake up?
Thank you for reading and please review!! I will continue to this story, but only if I know people are reading.