Chapter 6

Lucas paced up and down the Savannah General Hospital wing oblivious to the scenes around him. All his thoughts were focused on a certain blonde woman whose life was hanging in the balance. Brooke Davis was sitting down clutching onto her bag and for one of the very few times in her life, praying with all her heart. In Tree Hill Nathan and Haley Scott were hugging each other, thankful for the lives they had but worried for the life of a girl they both loved and wondering what on earth could happen next.

Inside the emergency room, doctors were fighting to save the life of a young woman who still had much of her life to live.

Hours passed but they seemed like years to Lucas and Brooke in the waiting room, waiting for the arrival of the doctor, hoping that his words would bring joy and not sorrow.

A tall doctor came out in shrubs and at first glance Lucas felt his heart almost jump out of his throat. What news would those serious eyes bring?

He cleared his throat as he approached them. 'She's going to make it,' he said.

They both heaved a huge sigh of relief. 'She'll need lots of rest,' he said. 'But she's going to be alright.'

Lucas could have kissed him, he shook his hand firmly and forever remembered the face of the man who had saved Peyton's life. If he had been coherent enough to get the words out, that man would have told him the one who really deserved that credit was himself. If he had been five minutes later, Peyton might not have been so lucky.

'She's just regained consciousness,' he said. 'She asked to see Lucas.' He tapped Lucas on the arm. 'But not for too long, she's extremely weak.'

Lucas looked back at Brooke who smiled and motioned for him to go in.

Pushing open the door Lucas stepped into the painfully white ward. Peyton lay there on the bed, a tube in her nose and arm. Her hair was pulled away from her paper-white face and her lips were pale. As she caught sight of Lucas she smiled weakly.

Lucas felt tears spring to his eyes which he hastily wiped away. He moved forward to grab her hand, 'you scared me so Peyt,' he choked. He reached over to stroke her face and noted the sorrow in her eyes, the new lines around her forehead – lines of pain and grief. He hadn't been there for her, all his promises had come to nothing. He had failed in promising to take care of her.

'I'm sorry Peyt… but I'm here for you now,' he said softly stroking her blonde curls.

'I didn't…' she said, her voice a broken whisper.

'You need to rest,' he urged. 'You should…'

'I didn't… I didn't want to die…' she stammered.

'Okay…' Lucas smiled his smile that without really knowing, he reserved only for her. He did not really care about her words, he was only glad that she was alright.

'No… Luke… you need to know… I didn't want to kill myself…' she said. 'I just… I just didn't want it to hurt anymore…'

Lucas nodded deeply. He kissed her on the forehead. 'Rest Peyt…' he said. 'I'm gonna take care of you now… it's a promise.'