Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill or any of its characters.


The River Court

8:30 PM

Do you remember the first kiss?
Stars shooting across the sky
To come to such a place as this
You never left my mind

Rain had been falling ever since noon, making the day wet and miserable. But rain or shine, sleet or snow, there was always some Scott at the River Court, thinking over what he or she was about to do. On this wet dreary day, about nine hours after Peyton Sawyer left Tree Hill, Lucas Eugene Scott sat on top of the picnic tables, not caring if he got wet, not caring about the ringing of his cell phone, and not caring that five people were out looking for him at that very moment.

Lucas had made probably the biggest decision he had ever had to make in his entire life. He would be going off to war in place of his brother, despite all protests made against, despite all promise he had made to the people he loved. Nathan had more of a life to live than anyone around and he had the biggest plans for a future. He had a wife who loved him, a son who needed him, and offers from NBA to kickoff his career. Lucas, on the other hand, believed he nothing left for him in Tree Hill, which partially, was true. Peyton had moved away to California for the remainder of her dad's life, Karen was moving to Wilmington, Nathan and Haley were happy together and didn't really need him, and all he had to show was an English major.

I'm watching from the wall
As in the streets we fight
This world all gone to war
All I need is you tonight

Lucas was brooding about how best to get away from Tree Hill and catch the long bus ride to Virginia, where the flight to Iraq would be taking off at twelve thirty tomorrow afternoon. The bus left at six am sharp and there wouldn't be another one afterwards. Knowing Nathan, Lucas knew that his brother would wake up late and end up at the bus station ten minutes before the bus left the station, even with Haley's help. Lucas decided he would leave the hotel room he had been staying at around five and be at the bus station around five forty-five and taking his place as Nathan Royal Scott.

And I draw a line
To your heart today
To your heart from mine
A line to keep us safe

Sloshing footsteps were heard behind Lucas, signaling the appearance of either Nathan or Haley. Karen was the one constantly calling his cell phone, Peyton was somewhere 4500 feet above the ground right now, and no one else was there to care. However, Lucas hadn't counted on a fifth person who had been searching for the right moment to make an appearance.

All through the rising sun
All through the circling years
You were the only one
Who could have brought me here

"Hey, Lucas," Brooke Davis said, startling the blonde. He turned around slowly, his blue eyes changing from brooding and lost to confused and angered.

"I thought you left for New York the day I was discharged from the hospital," he said.

"Peyton told you about that," Brooke stated. It wasn't a question, but Lucas nodded anyways.

"Why didn't you say anything to anyone? And why did you come back?" he wanted to know.

"Peyton asked me to, and I got bored in New York," she said.

"Bored? In New York? Brooke Davis, star fashion designer, bored in New York? Shocking," Lucas teased slightly. Brooke rolled her eyes.

"Mind if I sit down?" She motioned to the picnic table where Lucas sat. He nodded and she sat down.

"So, why did Peyton ask you to come back?"

"This is just a pit stop," Brooke admitted.

"You're going to California with her?"

"Actually, no. I'm going to California, but to visit my parents and to spend some time with my family. It's been a while since I've done that."

"Over four years," Lucas said knowingly. Brooke looked startled that he remembered such a fact, but shrugged.

"Yeah, something like that. Anyways, when are you leaving for UNC? I thought you would have left already, seeing as Peyton left today."

"I don't think I'm going back to UNC."

It was Brooke's turn to be shocked. After everything Peyton had told her about how happy Lucas was at college, and how much he was looking forward to publishing his book and starting the sequel, it was impossible to see why he was dropping out.

"Why? Lucas, you love it there! You're doing everything you want to be doing!"

"Except playing basketball," Lucas muttered darkly. Brooke saddened for a moment.

"Sorry," she murmured. Lucas shrugged. "Why are you not going back?"

"If I tell you, then I would have to kill you," Lucas joked. Brooke rolled her eyes again and punched him lightly on the arm.

"Be serious for once!"

"I am!" Lucas protested.

"Lucas!"

"Fine. Nathan got drafted."

"What does that have to do with you dropping out of college? Honestly, Lucas, Haley would do much better if… oh. No. You can't seriously be thinking about that! Lucas, no! You can't possibly do that! Stick with UNC!"

"And what if Nathan dies? What would Haley and James do then?"

"Lucas, Nathan won't die."

"How can you guarantee that? He could walk outside right now and be killed by a passing car."

"So could you! Lucas, Nathan will be fine out there, much better than you would be."

"Oh yeah? Why?"

"If I seriously have to answer that, then it's no wonder why you're dropping out of college," Brooke muttered darkly. Lucas glared at her. "Lucas, I understand why you're doing this, but Nathan will come back from Iraq. I swear! James will have a father and a mother and an uncle!"

"You realize that no matter what you say I'm still going? It doesn't matter anymore. It's done. I'm leaving tomorrow morning regardless of what anyone says."

"Then I hope you survive long enough to realize what an ass you're being. I honestly hope you return, Lucas, so everyone won't have to go through the pain of losing you again."

"What do you mean, again?"

"The car crash? Both of them? And the whole heart attack during senior year was pretty damn frightening as well, Lucas! Take your pick! Every time you got hurt, or injured, or nearly killed, everyone felt the loss ten times worse than if it had been anyone else. You're a good person, Lucas, and I understand why you want to leave. I actually admire you for it. But please, don't be the hero. Just once, don't be the hero and let Nathan go."

And I draw a line
To your heart today
To your heart from mine
One line to keep us safe

"I can't do that Brooke."

"Why not?" Brooke's voice became a distressed cry.

"It's complicated."

"Try me. I'll bet I understand more than you think."

"Brooke…"

"No, Lucas. I'm not going to let you go off without one good reason why you should. You don't have to be a hero Lucas."

"I should go because I think that James shouldn't have to suffer being fatherless and being raised by his uncle."

"Do you think that's what's really going to happen? That Nathan is going to pull a Dan and abandon James?"

"In a way, yes! If Nathan gets killed, then it will be the same!"

"No it won't, Lucas, and you know it! Nathan will not have abandoned James and you know it! Nathan isn't that guy, Lucas and if you can't see that after everything you've been through together then…"

"I know!" Lucas interrupted. "It's just, I think Nathan should stay with Haley and go after his dreams, not risking being injured permanently and never being able to play basketball again or being able to walk again or being able to be alive again! It wouldn't be fair to him, Haley, or James if I didn't do this."

"Lucas, I understand, but you don't owe it to anyone to do this. Believe me, you long ago paid back any debt you ever owed to anyone, except to yourself. Do me a favor and think extremely hard before going tomorrow. If you do that, then I won't be able to stop you."

"I already have, Brooke. I already have."

And I draw a line
To your heart today
To your heart from mine
And pray to keep us safe

Scott Residence

9:00 PM

Lucas called an hour later, saying that he was fine and in a hotel room for the night, getting ready to leave for UNC bright and early tomorrow morning. Nathan could tell that there was something Lucas wasn't telling him, but his brother hung up before he got the chance to ask.

Haley could barely hold back her tears as the married couple got ready for bed. Deb had taken James on yet another road trip, to spare the boy the heartache of seeing his father going away to war. It was going to be bad enough for Haley to cope without having to deal with James along the way.

"Haley, I want you to know, that no matter what happens out there, I will always be with you. Always."

"And forever," Haley murmured, before kissing Nathan passionately. "Nathan, I love you more than anything else. Promise me you'll be safe and not do anything too dangerous."

"I promise, Hales," he said softly. He choked back his own tears as Haley began to sob heavily into his chest, weeping for everything that would be lost tomorrow morning.

Watch the stars now moving
Across the sky
Keep this feeling
Safe tonight

Wee. Finished the chapter. Finally.

Author's Note: Song is One Line by PJ Harvey