Can You Hear Me?

Two days later...

In Nathan's arms, Haley watched the heartbreaking scene unfold before her teary eyes.

Karen was sobbing into Andy's chest, unable to look, not wanting to hear her son's cries. Andy held her close; his arms wrapped tight around her, whispering soothing words of comfort into her ears, telling her that she'd made the right decision. However, right now, Karen was struggling to believe him.

Just in front of them, a livid, shrieking Lucas was being dragged away by two burly-looking men in white scrubs.

Lucas's eyes were wild and desperate; he pleaded to be let go, he demanded it, then he pleaded some more. "Let me go!" he screamed, trying to wrestle himself free from the men's iron grips.. "I'm fine, just let me go! Why is no one listening to me? LET ME GO."

Nathan watched his brother silently.

"Just listen to me," Lucas begged, cheeks streaming endlessly down his cheeks. "Please, just listen to me."

Haley didn't know who his words were aimed at for his eyes darted around madly, searching every face. Eyes so full of confusion, fear, hatred and betrayal…

Finally, his frantic gaze landed upon his mother, and his look grew accusing. "How could you?" he spat, voice full of loathing.

Karen dared to look at her son, willing him to understand. "Lucas, you have to belie-"

"HOW COULD YOU?!" Lucas screeched, yanking his arms free and running to charge at his mother.

Karen was genuinely afraid. Afraid of her own son.

Lucas never made it however; one of the men grabbed Lucas's wrist and pulled him back into an arm lock whilst the other jabbed a needle into Lucas's strained neck. Lucas struggled and fought for a few more moments, before his arms dropped limply to his side and he slumped back into the man's hold, eyelids flickering closed.

As Lucas was carried away to the van, the man who had yielded the needle approached Karen.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Scott, but I had no other choice," he explained.

Karen couldn't find any words; she was shaking too much, so Andy spoke for her. "It's okay, we understand. Thank you."

The man gave a curt nod before turning away and stalking to the van to assist his colleague in strapping Lucas to the bed in the back of the van. No one spoke until the van had driven off and disappeared around the corner of the street.

"Come on, let's go inside," Andy said softly, starting to walk away; he gently pulled Karen with him. "We can go visit him first thing tomorrow honey."

Haley wanted to say something, but when she tried to only strangled sobs escaped her lips.

"You did the right thing Karen," Nathan assured her, seemingly reading his wife's mind. "It was a really hard choice to make, but it was the right decision without a doubt. Lucas needs help that none of us can give him. He'll get better now, you'll see." He stroked Haley's hand, tracing circles on her plan. "Is there anything else you need?"

Karen shook her head slightly. "No, thank you. You've done enough. Go home to Jamie."

Nathan smiled faintly, before he and Haley walked off towards their car.

"He's right Karen," Andy said.

Karen ignored what he'd said. "I've had Lucas committed, Andy. Committed. They've just dragged him off to a mental asylum!"

"You know-"

"What if he never gets better?" Karen asked, doubt etched on her face. "What if he's gonna end up spending the rest of his life in a locked room, staring at the same four white walls, and it will all be my fault? Or what if he does get better and he never forgives me?"

Andy gripped her shoulders, locking eye contact. "Don't think like that. No what ifs. Lucas will get better. It's just another bump in the road."

"A big bump," Karen said, a slight chuckle forming in her throat despite herself. "I know you're right Andy, I just can't help it."

"It's because you love him, that's why," Andy said, kissing her forehead. "And it's because you love him that you did this. When Lucas gets better, he'll see that. He'll know you only did all this because he's your son, and you love him."

"How long do you think it'll take?" Karen murmured.

Andy shrugged. "Well it's not going to happen overnight. You can never put a time limit on these things. Could be months, years…although I certainly hope it's not that long."

They stood together for a few heartbeats, still outside, feeling the cool morning air on their cheeks.

"Sawyer," Karen breathed.

"Hm?"

"Lucas is going to miss so much of her life," Karen sighed. "It's not fair Andy. It's just not fair."