Hey hope you like this chapter.More drama to come in the next chapters. Please review. More on Lucas's status..and ...you'll have to read to see...


Nathan walked back to Lucas's room. He opened the door and spotted his friends. Brooke was busy keeping Lucas warm and Peyton was calling everyone. Haley just sat there at Lucas's side.

Peyton looked up at Nathan when he entered."Any luck with Dan?"she asked.

"No, he's being a jerk as usual," answered Nate. He walked behind Haley and wrapped his arms around her neck."Any luck getting ahold of Karen?"

"No,"sighed Haley."Lucas is getting worse I think."

"What do you mean?"asked Nathan concerned.

"The doctor said his infection is worsening," explained Brooke. "They don't think he's going to make it through the week." Brooke choked on her own words. "I know my baby though! He'll fight for me." She kissed him on the cheek."Don't give up on me Broody," she whispered in his ear.

"I called the guys at the court, Whitey, and Debb," said Peyton. "Debb is trying to get ahold of Andy. She said if she does she'll tell him to tell Karen what happened. She said she's proud of you Nathan. She also said be home by 9 and you missed your bus today."

Haley looked up at Nathan. She forgot all about High Flyers.

Nathan avoided her look and looked at Peyton."What time is it now," he asked.

"It's 7:30," answered Peyton.

"I'm going to stay at Lucas's house tonight," interrupted Haley.

"You can stay at our house tonight though," replied Nathan.

"I know but I want to be alone tonight," said Haley." It's nothing against you I just need some time to think. I feel closer to Lucas there too. I miss it there. I was at his house more than my own when I was growing up."

"Ok," said Nathan. "If that's what you want."

"Can you drive me home now?" asked Haley.

"Sure," said Nathan. "You getting tired or something?"

"Yeah," said Nathan. "You getting tired or something?"

"Yeah," said Haley in a depressing tone."

Haley got up and tousled Luke's hair."I'll be here in the morning buddy. Get better for me ok." She walked out the room to avoid crying.

"I'll see you two in the morning," greeted Nathan. "I'll be back bro." Nathan left the hospital room and walked up to Haley."You ok Hales?"

"Yeah, it's just killing me to see him like that," said Haley. "He looks bad Nathan."

"He's going to be ok Hales," insured Nathan. He hoped his assumptions were right and Lucas would come back to them soon."

"How do you know that Nathan?" asked Haley.

"It's Lucas we're talking about here," informed Nate."He's strong I know he is!" Nathan grabbed Haley and hugged her. "Come on I'll get you home."

meanwhile...

Peyton and Brooke were in the room.

"Can I stay at your house Peyton?"asked Brooke."I was planning to stay with Lucas but this happened."

"Your always welcome at my place Brooke," promised Peyton. "You never have to ask me if you can stay!"

"Can I catch a ride with you too?" asked Brooke.

"Um let me think," joked Peyton. "Of course you can! I'm glad your back Brooke!"

"I just wish I could tell Lucas how I feel about him," said Brooke.

"I think he knows Brooke," confirmed Peyton. "I think deep down he can hear us."

"You really think so?" asked Brooke.

"Yes, and I bet he listens even closer when you're talking to him," said Peyton.

"You think he's mad I left without answering him?" questioned Brooke.

"All that matters is that you came back," insured Peyton. "You're here with him now too. That's what really matters." Peyton grabbed her friend and hugged her. "Let's head home too."

"I don't want to leave him Peyton,"cried Brooke."What if things get worse for him? If he wakes up someone should be here."

"You need to sleep Brooke," said Peyton.

"I want to stay with him tonight, I'll go home with you tomorrow. I just want to make sure he is ok over night."

Peyton gave Brooke a concerned look and gave in."Do you want me to stay and keep you company?"

"It's ok just be here in the morning to keep me company," insisted Brooke."I want Luke to know I'm not going anywhere and I'm here to stay."

"Well I'm heading home then," said Peyton. "Watch over her Lucas, don't let her stay up all night! I'll see you two in the morning."

Brooke smiled at Lucas and sat on the edge of his bed. "I finally got you all to myself," she joked.

Brooke watched as the machines gave Lucas life. She watched Lucas's chest go up and down as air was pushed through his lungs. It really hurt to see the man she loved in this condition. He seamed so lively yesterday when he told her he loved her. It just goes to show you you should take each moment as it comes. Never under estimate how much time you actually have. Things can always happen.

Brooke grabbed Luke's hand and it was still chilling cold.

"Lucas you need to stay warm for me," ordered Brooke. "I'm going to keep you warm ok."

Brooke grabbed a pillow off the chair and laid it next to him on the bed. She made sure she didn't touch any of the machines as she snuggled next to him. She tried not to touch him either because she didn't want to hurt him.

"I'm here with you Lucas," whispered Brooke. "I'm not going anywhere so you better not leave me either. I'll be here until you open those baby blues for me. I love you so much Broody. Please don't leave me" She fell asleep next to him in mere seconds.

meanwhile...

Nathan pulled up in front of Luke's house."You want me to come in for a while?"he asked.

"It's ok, I'm fine," answered Haley. She paused and looked at him."You know Lucas would want you to go to High Flyers right? He wouldn't want you to give up such a huge opportunity."

"I'm not going to leave him like this Hales," insisted Nathan."I would never forgive myself if he died and I was off playing basketball."

"You know if you don't go you'll miss the chance of a lifetime right?" questioned Haley.

"That's not important to me now," challenged Nathan. "He's my brother and I won't abandon him like this. I won't leave you either."

"Are you sure this is what you want?" asked Haley.

"I want to be there when he opens his eyes," explained Nathan. "I want him to know I'm sorry for being so crappy to him. I just want him to be ok."

"I love you Nathan,"reminded Haley. "You wear this tough image for everyone to see but underneath your a softie. I love you for that. You really do care." She gave him a quick peck on the lips and got out the car. When she was out she leaned in the window and smiled. "Pick me up in the morning?"

"I'll be here," promised Nathan. "I love you Hales, sweet dreams."

"Sweet dreams baby," said Haley as she made her way to the front door. She opened it with her personal key.

Nathan watched until she got inside then he drove off.

Inside the house is where Haley took off her mask. She walked through the dark kitchen and went to Luke's room. She flicked on the light and looked around.

Pictures and broken glass were shattered across the floor. Haley bent down and looked at the pictures on the floor. Some were of Brooke and him and some were of herself and him. A few torn up pictures laid on the floor too.

She stood up and walked over to the wall. Small tears fell down her cheeks when she saw the remains of the vase she made him scattered across the floor. She picked up the pieces and held them in her hand.

That's when it all came to her. Peyton said Lucas had gotten drunk at Tric then he left. Her and Brooke must have been the reasons he got upset in the first place and got wasted. Which lead to him leaving and crashing. Haley burst into tears as this realization came to her.

She laid the broken pieces of glass on his nightstand and flopped on the bed. She cried herself to sleep.

"I'm sorry Lucas," she cried. "I knew I hurt you when I left and I'm so sorry."