Disclaimer: I don't own OTH.

Chapter 8- Set You Free

We often fool ourselves and say

That it's love only

Cause when it's gone we end up being lonely

So how are we to know

That it just isn't so

That we just have to let each other go…

'She was fiercely independent. Brooke Davis. Brilliant. And beautiful and brave. Brooke Davis is going to change the world someday. And I'm not sure she even knows it."

Brooke Davis found herself in the parking lot not knowing where to go, she felt so hurt and completely lost, she doesn't even know what' running in her mind, all she wanted to do was go somewhere far away from the hospital.

As she stood in the middle of the parking lot, Nathan found her and pulled her into a tight comforting hug.

"Brooke, listen, it's going to be ok." Nathan said soothingly.

Brooke shook her head. It was never going to be ok.

"Brooke, come on, I know how you feel, and I do understand, but please, calm down." Nathan said to her pleadingly.

"Nathan, she's just there, she isn't going anywhere, right?" Brooke answered her sobs racking her whole body.

Nathan didn't know what to say. He continued to rub his hand up and down Brooke's back to calm her down.

"Shh, shh, I know this is kinda hard Brooke, but Peyton and Lucas needs us to be there with them now." Nathan said and sighed, he really had no idea how to deal with this, maybe Haley can help him out.

Brooke knew he was right, she just couldn't help but wonder about everything that would happen if she did lose her best friend. She didn't want to think about it, but how can she not, it was killing her inside, she wants to scream, and shout, and blame anyone, but she didn't find the strength to do so. So she allowed Nathan to pull her closer to him as he guided her back into the hospital.

Haley has been waiting for the past hour, not knowing what the hell was happening, she was starting to get worried and irritated at the same time.

"Damn hormones! Please don't do this to me now. Hello, someone in there, listen to me!" Haley murmured to herself while looking down at her bulging belly.

As she tried to entertain Sawyer with her toy, she saw Nathan and Brooke approaching out of the corner of her eye, she quickly stood up and went over to Brooke who she saw was in a very distressed state.

"Brooke, honey, what's wrong?" Haley asked in her mother-like tone.

Brooke just continued to cry as she was guided to sit down in the lounge room.

"Babe?" Haley turned to Nathan as she probably realized Brooke wasn't going to be talking in a long while.

"Hales, baby, you have to sit down to hear this." Nathan said as he sat next to Brooke, he bent a little bit forward to look Haley in the eyes.

Nathan tried to shrug the overwhelming feeling in him trying to find the right words in order to lessen the chances of upsetting his wife, seeing as there was no way it was going to be easy, he took a deep breath and told her.

"It's Peyton. Brooke must've told you her condition yesterday, but—but there's something we found out, today." Nathan looked over to Brooke and sensing that she didn't need to hear it again, Nathan went over to Haley's side, got the baby seat and placed it in his lap, leaned over and in a whisper he said;

"She's dying and she knew. She didn't tell anyone." Nathan said hanging his head low, he looked at baby Sawyer's eyes filled with happiness and joy, he couldn't help but feel sorry for his niece. Those blue eyes that were so innocent, he took Sawyer from the baby seat and stood up, he was going to let Haley and Brooke talk and comfort each other.

Haley sat in shock as the words fell from her husband's lips. She knew cancer had a shocking effect on people close to you, but this one, it is beyond comprehension, 'how could that happen?' she thought.

Haley turned back to look on a still crying Brooke and pulled her into a hug. She was pretty devastated at the news she just knew, she couldn't imagine how so much more worse it was for Brooke, considering Peyton was her best friend.

"Brooke, everything is hard right now, just let it go, Tigger, cry if you have to, I'm just here, I'm not going anywhere." Haley said as she allowed herself to cry as well.

They would be strong for Lucas and Peyton, but for now, they will let it all out. They both cried their hearts out for both their friends and for baby Sawyer, Haley cried for Peyton because they have been friends for a long time and just the idea of losing her is almost unbelievable, she also cried for Lucas, her best friend for more than a decade, she cried as she imagined what pain he was going through right now, she cried for baby Sawyer, how can someone so young and innocent lose her mother.

Brooke broke down as she heard Haley, she let it all out. She cried her anger, she cried the hurt and pain. She cried for her best friend, her P. Sawyer, she cried for her best friend's bravery and courage, she cried for her friend, Lucas didn't deserve any of this, he has been nothing but great, and she cried for Sawyer Brooke Scott, she cried knowing that this innocent little angel wouldn't be able to know how amazing her mother is.

Lucas Scott wheeled his way out of his wife's hospital room, hoping to find Nathan or somebody who can help him find Brooke, as he neared the floor's lounge, he noticed Haley who had her back turned against him, she was hugging somebody who he still wasn't able to get a good look at, as he approached them further, his face dawned with realization, there they were, his 2 best friends.

A/N (I just got the news of Michael Jackson's death, and it gave me major writer's block. I also knew just now of Farrah Fawcett's death this morning. My condolences and prayers go out to their families. May God guide them in their way from here on out.)

As he saw Haley's arms wrapped around Brooke, something inside him clicked.

He wanted to be the one to hug her and comfort her, he wanted to make her feel ok. He knew that Peyton would want him to do just that, but for him, it was something else, he wanted to do it for himself, something with the way they hold each other just makes him feel calm inside.

As he watched the two ladies, he felt a hand on his shoulder; He looked up to see Nathan with Sawyer in his arms. When he saw his baby girl, he suddenly felt helpless and weak.

"Dadda!" Sawyer yelped.

"Man, did you hear that? My niece is sure smart!" Nathan said as he bounced Sawyer in his arms, he looked proud of his niece, his weak smirk gave it away.

"Yeah, she said it yesterday, on our way to the hospital." Lucas said softly.

Nathan didn't know what to say to that, so he chose to remain quiet and gave a small nod.

"I've decided to fly to Tree Hill." Lucas started.

Nathan looked at him in surprise, he wasn't expecting this.

"You sure, Luke? I mean, is it ok, with both your conditions, I ----." Nathan asked but Lucas cut him off.

"I'm fine, Nate. And I'm sure this is what Peyton wants, Larry is in Tree Hill, and Derek is in Charlotte, I wouldn't burden them coming to California, if we can come home. Tree Hill is home, Nate and I know that Peyton would feel more at peace at our hometown." Lucas explained.

By this time, Haley and Brooke noticed their presence and looked over at where they were. They tried to wipe their tears and compose their selves as Lucas and Nathan made their way towards them.

When Brooke looked up to feel they weren't alone anymore, she was surprised to see Lucas and Nathan, she hurriedly wiped her tears and composed herself, Haley doing the same but at a much slower pace, as the brothers, and Sawyer stood in front of them, Brooke stood up;

"Excuse me, I- I'll be right back." She said in haste and left.

Lucas looked at Haley in confusion, but Haley just shook her head and stood up to give Lucas a hug.

"Hey buddy, how are you doing?" she asked softly.

"Peyton talked to me about the whole situation, it's hard Hales, but believe me I'm trying." Lucas answered with a tone Haley guessed as tired and resigned.

"I know, Luke, I know. We're here. We're not going anywhere." Haley assured him.

"Thanks Hales. I really appreciate it." Lucas said and gave a deep sigh.

As they pulled to hug each other again, Nathan made his way to the hallway where Brooke took off, he saw how broken Brooke is, and he wanted to make sure she was ok, before he reached the end of the hallway, Haley called out to him;

"Nathan!" she called.

He turned and saw Haley waving for him to come back, he had no choice but make his way back. He just wished that Brooke was ok.

"Nate, what's going on?" Haley asked as Nathan approached.

"Uh, I just want to make sure Brooke is ok, she's been out of it since she knew, and I just want to make sure that she wouldn't get herself into any trouble or something." Nathan said in a worried tone as he hang his head low.

"Did she say anything?" Haley inquired.

Nathan looked up and met his wife's mystified gaze, he sighed and recalled his conversation with Brooke last night, he turned to look at is brother, who was looking at him with the same fervor as his wife.

"She- she was in a heaping sob when I found her, she was a few doors down from Peyton's room, so I figured that's where she came from, I went up to her and she looked so lost and broken, I tried to comfort her and tell her that everything was going to be ok, but she- … she didn't seem to comprehend what I was saying." Nathan explained slowly, he saw Lucas' hurt expression and Haley's tears resurfaced, he sighed and placed Sawyer back into her baby seat, as he stood up and brushed his hair with his hands before continuing.

"She said that it was unfair, and she wished that it was her instead of Luke and Peyton, she wished it was her that felt the pain, and she wanted to take the pain away from you and Peyton, Luke. She said that it should be her, who should feel the pain, cause she was single and Julian would miss her, but she said he would get over her anyway, she pointed out that we had each other," looking at Haley

"And Luke has Peyton and Sawyer, and her mom had the company to remind her of … She just wanted to take the pain away, to protect all of us from all of this." Nathan finished with resignation.

Lucas was astounded. He knew Brooke was hurt and mystified about everything that happened in the last two days, but he never expected this, 'how could she wish that on herself?' Lucas thought in pure disbelief.

Lucas felt numb, he wanted to find Brooke and shake her to come back into her senses, but he knew that she was just being Brooke, but this one is just over the top.

'Oh God, please let her be ok.' Lucas prayed.

If loving you is all that means to me

And being happy is all I hope you'd be

Then loving you must mean

I really have to set you free…

Brooke didn't know what to do. When she saw Lucas all she wanted to do was wrap her arms around him and tell him that everything would be fine, but she can't, she knew that everything was far from being ok.

So she fled.

It was hard to see Lucas because he reminds her of Peyton every time, and it kills her inside, she knows how happy her best friend is with Lucas being her husband, and she can only imagine how Peyton is feeling right now, knowing that she only had days to spend it with him.

'I promised myself I would do everything to protect Peyton and Lucas, and I'm not really doing a good job at it right now, I'm a wreck." Brooke thought sadly.

She got her phone and dialed a familiar number.

"Brooke?-" the person answered.

"Mom?, I don't think I can do this." Brooke said in an exhausted sound, she felt relieved to hear her mother's voice but she can't shake away the emotions that she was feeling.

"Honey, I know you can, you are not Brooke Davis if you can't. Believe me, you've been through so much in life, and I believe in you, you would get through this, Brooke, just always remember that I am here for you, and you have your friends around you, we will all be supporting one another through this one, never give up." Victoria answered in a confident yet soothing voice.

"Thanks Mom, I love you, you know that right?" Brooke asked uncertain if her mom knew that she did love her.

Victoria was taken aback by Brooke's question, she has never sounded this uncertain and lost before, Victoria tried to fight the tears threatening to fall, but quickly stopped herself and answered.

"I know honey, and know that I love you too, so much."

Brooke just nodded, said her goodbyes and wiped her tears away.

As she composed herself while walking back to the lounge, she thought to herself;

'I am Brooke Davis, I can do this… I have to do this.'

As she walked towards her three friends and niece, Brooke stopped to take in the scene before her, Nathan has his arms wrapped around Lucas in a tight hug, and Haley was watching them with tears in her eyes while Sawyer was fussing in her arms, Brooke tried her hardest not to take a step back and run away again.

'I can do this, God, please help me. I am Brooke Davis, I have to be strong, I am strong, aren't I?' she thought.

She brushed away her doubts as she grew nearer, she tried to put on her brave face, but her face settled into a small smile, her eyes still filled with hurt and repression.

When Haley looked up, she saw Brooke approaching, she placed a hand on Nathan's shoulder, Nathan straightened up and turned to see what Haley was looking at, as he saw Brooke, he ran over the small distance and wrapped her in a tight hug, Brooke hugged him back trying to savor the moment of being in her friend's arms, being this close to her friends makes her feel safe and secured, and she would give anything, if it means being with her friends always.

"The next time you want to run, can you give me a heads up, so I would know exactly where to find you, you had us worried." Nathan said, squeezing her in the hug a little more tighter.

"If you knew, then I wouldn't be able to get rid of you." Brooke joked.

"That's the idea." Nathan answered.

As they pulled away from the hug, they gave each other a small smile, and walked together to Haley and Lucas.

"Hey Tigger, feeling better?" Haley asked softly, still trying to compose herself from the conversation she had with Nathan and Lucas just a few minutes ago.

Brooke just gave her a small smile and nodded, her eyes traveled to Sawyer who was fussing in Haley's arms.

"Can I hold her, she must be getting restless, and you should be resting Tutormom, let me take Sawyer." Brooke said as she reached out and took Sawyer into her arms.

Lucas was quiet all this time, just letting his eyes travel among his friends, when he saw Brooke approach Haley and ask if she could hold Sawyer, he can't help but think back on the time when Brooke had baby Angie, she was a natural mom, and she didn't even know it.

Sawyer was so happy to see a new face, she played with Brooke's hair, she gurgled and said things in gibberish, and Brooke answered her in all gibberish she could come up with, she has always loved babies, it keeps her alert yet mature at the same time, her heart just overflows with love.

After baby Angie was flown back to her family, Brooke thought she would resent babies, but no, it only made her more in love and determined to have her own, she knew she was more than capable of raising her own kids, but she just hasn't find the right person to share it with, Julian is there, and maybe he would be the guy she would have her babies with, but after 2 years of being with Julian, she still didn't know if this was what she really wanted, or if she wanted this with him.

As she continued to play with Sawyer, she saw Nathan wheel Lucas back into his room out of the corner of her eye, she turned and saw Haley walk the other way leading to Peyton's room, she wanted to talk to Peyton and apologize for her sudden reaction a while ago, but she knew Haley would want a little time to talk to Peyton as well, and as for Lucas, she didn't really know if she was ready to talk to him yet.

They both felt pain within them, and she knew, if they both wanted to get over it, they would have to face it eventually, but for now, she told herself, she would let Lucas ponder on everything before she goes and talk to him again.

Haley stepped into Peyton's room and was surprised to see Peyton was awake.

"Hey Hales, I was wondering when you would show up." Peyton said in a barely audible voice, her voice was a little scratchy and hoarse, but she still managed to talk.

"Oh Peyton, I'm sorry. I know I should've come gone earlier to see you, I should've gone last week, everything was planned out, and I could've been here for you but then Jaime had a bake sale and---" Peyton cut off a rambling Haley.

"Hales, it's ok. It's ok. I understand." Peyton said with a small smile playing in her lips.

Haley saw how Peyton tried to be happy even after everything, and she can't help but feel really bad, her tears were forming in her eyes when Peyton said;

"Can we please not cry now, Hales? I know we've spent liters and liters of tears today, and I don't know if my tear ducts can still produce more." She said jokingly.

Haley let out a laugh when she heard this and gave her friend a nod, she walked over to Peyton and gave her a hug.

"You're strong Peyt, and I admire you for your bravery and courage." Haley said and as she pulled away from their hug, her face was flooded with pride for her friend.

"Strong? Uh uh. I don't think so, I'll leave that to Brooke, I guess I've just accepted the whole thing, Hales, and there is actually no point of being in denial. I did, for 3 months, but I realized I just wanted to live the last 6 months, being who I am." She took a hold of Haley's hands and went on.

"And I'm going to leave happy Hales, I know you guys think this is hard, and yes, yes it is, but it's easier than denying it and knowing that when it comes eventually I didn't make the most out of what I have left. And so, I want you guys to know, that in these last 3 months, I have learned to accept my fate, and I grasped every opportunity that I have to make Lucas and Sawyer feel my love for them."

"I know that if I leave, Lucas and Sawyer would be in good hands, they have you and Nathan, and they have Brooke, and Karen, and Deb, and Victoria, and Sam and Jaime, and Julian, and baby Emma, I know that they would be surrounded by love every day, and so I'm not worried about that, what just hurts is knowing that I won't be here to watch my baby grow." Peyton said, but she didn't allow tears to fall, she was supposed to be done crying, its time she spent this last days with the people she loved with happiness and joy.

Haley cannot stop her tears from falling and as she pulled her hands away from Peyton to wipe her tears she said jokingly;

"I have an excuse, I'm pregnant, it's not m fault this hormones decided to step in."

Peyton laughed at her friend's defensive act. She nodded to let Haley know she understood.

They fell into a brief silence. Peyton looked at Haley and gave her a shy smile.

"You know I would take care of them, Peyt, you don't even have to ask." Haley said understanding the look in Peyton's eyes.

"Oh thank you Haley, you're Godsend." Peyton sighed in relief, as much as she knew that they were going to take care of Lucas and Sawyer, she just needed to hear it.

But Peyton had one more person to think about.

"Hales, there is one more favor I would like to ask you." Peyton started searching Haley's eyes for understanding.

As Haley looked straight into her eyes, she knew that Haley understood.

"Please take care of her. Both of you have grown closer over the years, and you might not be the girl who spent her childhood with Brooke Davis, but with all the memories you have together, you have been the best friend I could ever ask for her." she took a deep breath and clasped Haley's hands in between hers.

" When I go, please tell her every day, that I love her, and I'm sorry if I hurt her and I'm sorry if I wouldn't be around to protect her, but please tell her that I would be there every day, to watch over her, and I would love her always." Peyton said, silent tears were now falling from her eyes, she knew she said they weren't supposed to cry, but this was her B. Davis that they were talking about, and she just couldn't help it.

Haley knew this was really hard for Peyton, she felt this when Lucas had that heart attack back in senior year and she knew the feeling of losing her best friend, it hurt a lot then, she could only imagine what this situation is doing to Peyton and Brooke, knowing that somehow, this one wasn't temporary.

She squeezed Peyton's hand and pulled her for another hug. They cried silently in each other's arms, when the nurse came in to tell them it was time for Peyton's medicine, Haley excused herself and told Peyton she was going to check on Lucas, Peyton asked her if Brooke was back yet, and asked if she could talk to her. Haley just smiled and nodded.

'Take care of her dear God, we lift up everything in Your hands.' Haley prayed as she stepped out into the hallway and leaned into the wall for support.

Letting go is not an easy task

When smiling feels like, I must wear this lonely mask

It hurts deep inside, and I just cannot hide

That there's anguish at the thought

That we should have to part

If loving you is all that means to me

And being happy is all I hope you'd be

Then loving you must mean, I really have to set you free…