Here's Chapter four. Hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: It is in fact blatantly obvious that I am not Mark Schwahn, mainly because I am an English girl and not an American guy.


Two Years Previously

It was noon when Peyton burst through the doors of Tree Hill Hospital .

"Lucas Scott," she barked at the bewildered receptionist.

"I'm sorry, miss, its family only…"

"Right now I'm just not in the mood. Do I need to tell you my life story to get in here? Fine. Last night I refused his proposal for the second time but I'm in love with him. I drove through the night to Savannah and back so I could get here and I know his family are through there needing me!" Peyton retorted icily.

Five minutes later she reached his room. Nathan was sat outside, head in hands, looking completely exhausted. Karen was inside, by the bedside. As Peyton approached, Nathan raised his head.

"How is he?" she asked urgently.

"There's been a couple of scares but they've saved him, thank god. He slipped into a coma about five hours ago," Nathan replied monotonously, as though he hadn't quite processed the news.

The poor ex-girlfriend dropped into the seat besides the half-brother as if all the muscles in her legs had suddenly given way.

"Oh god, when will he wake up?"

Nate didn't reply. Peyton got the message. They didn't know. It could be tomorrow; it could be never.

"It's all my fault," she said, stunned.

"Why is it your fault?" Karen asked as she came into the corridor.

Peyton had always believed that eyes were the window to the soul so it was obvious just how broken Karen was. If life without Keith had been unimaginable, life without Lucas was unfathomable. She had a haunted look to her face that Peyton had hoped never to see again.

"I… I… The argument we had last night. That's why he was even at those crossroads last night and I was in stupid Savannah. God, I'm such a bitch!"

"Peyton, honey, don't call yourself that. Whatever it is I'm sure Lucas doesn't hate you or blame you for his accident so I certainly won't."

Karen tried to reassure her. Nathan, however was hesitant.

Suddenly, as they were wont to do, Peyton's pent-up emotions came bursting out.

"Last week when he was drunk he told me he hated me and that I'd ruined his life! Last night he asked me to marry him! I was so confused and… and I yelled him down; said I wouldn't be the girl he settled for but I've realised I was never Luke's second, that was Lindsey and even Brooke. I was driving back to say yes when Nate called me and… and… don't hate me Karen, please," Peyton cried.

Karen took a moment to gather her thoughts.

"I can't hate you, Peyton, ever. You love my son and I know he loves you. He will always love you," Karen said, moving to put her arm around Peyton.

"How are you so strong?" Peyton mumbled.

"Necessity, Peyton, you must relate to that," Karen replied.

Not long after that, Peyton sat next to Lucas.

"I love you, Lucas Eugene Scott," she smiled as the tears fell. "I'm not leaving you. People don't always leave so don't you dare leave me."

She wrapped her left hand around his right, putting Keith's engagement ring on show.


Present Day

He was on a mission as he strode down the Atlanta street with the skinnier man rushing to keep up.

"Nate, this lead is very slim. All he said was that some slim brunette had walked there asking after you. It's probably not even her, you know how many fans you have," Clay attempted to reason with his friend.

"We know Haley's in Atlanta from her area code when she called Peyton. We also know that the mystery woman was about our age and had to go on the school run. How many women our age have kids at school?" Nathan argued with his agent.

He didn't wait for a reply before striding up to and knocking on the nearest door. A middle-aged woman answered.

"Excuse me, ma'am," Nathan began politely. "I was hoping you could help me. Do you know if a Haley James or maybe Scott lives around here? I'm her husband and…"

"Just stop right there," the woman interrupted rudely. "I'm not just going to give out information to anyone. You seem suspicious. A man looking for his wife? Clearly you are not the type of person she wants to be around, whoever she is."

Nathan began to step back, disappointed but as the door began to slam the argumentative agent side of Clay came out. He pushed his foot into the door, wincing as the woman tried to shut it.

"Look here, ma'am. My client and friend here has had to endure his wife, who he loves very much, running away from him and stealing his son away. We've been searching for more than two years and Nathan really misses his little boy. Please, think of Jamie."

The woman was persuaded by Clay's charm. She reopened the door and apologised.

"She describes you as abusive and obsessive, which you clearly aren't. Of course I know Haley," she said. "She lives with her son and sister at 1a just down the road. Good luck!" she called after them as they jogged down the road.

Hurtling down the stairs at the front of the house, Nathan trembled in anticipation.

The door to 1a opened before he'd even rung the bell. He just caught a glimpse of the mousy-haired boy and tall brunette before the woman at the door turned to face him.

"Haley," he said simply.

His estranged wife swore as she recognised him.


Dun dun duuuuun! Next chapter: Peyton's colleague finds out about her life, Haley and Nathan talk and Brooke wakes up in a hotel room.