Oh man. I'm really, really, REALLY sorry about this late update. I've been working on so many other projects I almost forgot about this one. And this chapter took real long. I mean, it's a whole 12 pages long! Anyway…I hope I still have my supporters shivers so. It's the 10th chapter! Hah. Who'd have thought I'd be able to make it, right? And I reached my 100th review already. Before the 10th chapter!! Awesome. Once again, I'm sorry for the late update…

Disclaimer: Never have and never will own OTH.

Chapter 10: Hands Open

Previously, on One Tree Hill: Voices of Fallen Leaves…

"Haley, we should go back… to New York. You know we can." Chris said, holding her hand yet again.

"Chris… you said it yourself, we need our studies." Haley answered sadly. "It's a once in a lifetime thing, Haley. Don't miss it. We can study anytime we want. But this may never come again."

…

Peyton opened the doors to the empty club. "So this is it?" Ellie asked. "I know you've seen it before," Peyton replied slowly.

"Yeah." She looked to her daughter. "But it looks a million times better now than before."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Brooke shivered, rising from her bed, feeling something stir in her stomach. She frowned, feeling a stronger chill go up her back.

Then, she wrapped the towel around herself, pulling the curtains open and looking out.

White. A plentiful of white before her. She gasped in disbelief. Winter was in pretty early. It was only mid-October.

Hurriedly, she ran over to her closet, pulling on her sweater. Then she felt it. She felt a strong urge to puke.

She held her breath, running to the nearest toilet. Opening the door, and then smashing it closed, she bent towards the toilet bowl, feeling last nights dinner being forced out of her throat. It was horrible.

Food poisoning? Impossible. She didn't remember eating anything funny. Gastric pains? That wasn't possible, she didn't feel hungry. And then, it struck her. Her eyes grew teary.

The last time she had sex with Lucas, a month ago. No protection. Could it be? She felt a tear flow down her cheek. "No…"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

He was on his way to the kitchen, to prepare food for Brooke. School had been cancelled due to the heavy snowfall, and Karen said she would be out on business. Or something other.

Passing by the toilet, Lucas heard soft whimpers, then ignored it. Convincing himself it was probably just the wind.

Fairly quickly, he finished the toast he made for Brooke. It was her favourite form of breakfast. Other than waffles, of course. They were out of that anyway.

Setting the plate on the table, he saw Brooke, clad in a beige sweater and jeans run past him. "Brooke?"

"Uhm…" she pulled out a pair of boots from the shoe cabinet. "I'm going to the pharmacy to pick something up."

He raised an eyebrow. "For what?" she ignored him, wearing the boots. "What about breakfast?"

Reaching over, she grabbed a piece of the golden brown bread. "I'll eat it on the way." She swung the door open, uttering a silent bye, then leaving.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Nathan jogged along the snow clad pathways, his shoes hit the icy ground, meeting with a small thud.

His breathing was slow and paced, just like his steps. He couldn't go too fast in this weather. He'd learnt that from an experience one year when he sprinted in the snow with a friend. He suffered from a bad cold the next day.

"Nathan," Peyton stood in front of him, her soft blonde curls tied in a ponytail. "I…. don't know how I should say this." Nathan's steps came to a slow.

"Just shoot." He raised a curious eyebrow.

Peyton looked away for a second, her gaze returning. "Haley… she's left with Chris," she looked up at him, awaiting a response.

He noted her gaze and sighed. "So?" his voice sounded tired.

Peyton frowned at his response. "I just thought that, maybe you would still care. At least as a friend," she rubbed her covered arm.

The young man laughed, grinning at the confused blonde. "As a friend, I'm happy for her. Ok? Nothing more, nothing less." The girl nodded slightly, a quiet small drawn on her full lips. "Fine, then. I'll see you around?"

He nodded, the grin now turned to a warm smile. "Yeah."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

She hesitated, staring at the array of boxes at the white shelves. She frowned slightly, trying to remember the few she'd bought before. "oh heck," she muttered, randomly grabbing those that seemed like the better ones.

Getting them to the counter was easy. But getting them out of the store with no problem was another.

"These for you, kid?" The fat lady at the counter asked. Brooke could never understand why these accountants could never mind their own business.

"No." she smiled. "They're for my sister." She'd used this excuse millions of times before. It always worked.

"So…" the lady looked up from the counter. "Why don't she come down and buy 'em herself?" Brooke could feel her tolerance run a tad thinner.

"She's really sick with the flu. So she sent me." hr smile wavered a little.

"Hmm." The lady charged the items, placing them in a bag. Hey beady eyes widening at Brooke's answer. "20 please." The lady seemed to growl. Brooke handed her the cash happily, glad to be leaving.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Keith," Karen was dangerously close to the man. "Where will you live?"

Keith grinned, moving his hand up onto the lady's waist, his lips just hovering above hers.

"In here?" he laughed. The café was closed that day. His lips moved closer, less than an inch from hers.

"Bu-" she was cut off as his lips crashed onto hers, she kissed back eagerly.

She could feel him smile against her as he moved her to a sofa, leaning her against it and gently kissing her neck.

What followed after that was a total blur to the both of them. A blur of naked, hair and orgasms. Lots of orgasms.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Lucas looked at the blonde, smiling at her lightly. She'd been over at the house looking for Brooke. Well, she wasn't there, so Peyton decided to wait.

"How's Ellie?" Lucas asked, his eyes were shining.

Peyton smiled back. "She's good." She paused for a moment. "Awesome, really."

The male grinned, inching closer, his elbows resting on the table. "How so?"

"We've been talking a lot. About music, art… that kinda thing."

"Uh-huh." Lucas moved back, taking his elbows off of the dining table.

"How's Brooke and you?" Peyton could sense that he was worrying about her again.

"Fine," he gave an unconvincing smile.

"Look," she thought she'd have a shot at it. "She said she saw you taking heart medication?"

Lucas looked up, his smile gone.

"Is it true?"

His voice was cold. "No."

Peyton could sense the change in his tone and the air seemed colder. "Ok. I told her she was over-reacting,"

Lucas stood, a worried look present on his features. "Look, Peyt. I don't she's gonna be coming soon. Maybe you should go and I'll call you when she's back?" his question sounded more like an order.

"No, I don't mind waiting." Peyton smiled slightly.

"Really." Lucas' eyes seemed to carry a different warmth. "You should go."

Peyton nodded, noting that he seemed different. "Fine, I'll go." She tried to smile.

"Bye."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Nathan stared down at Haley's house. To some point, he still cared. It saddened him that she didn't bother to tell him. At least they were friends, right?

He thought he deserved just that. Shaking his head, he turned, walking to his car. The beat up Honda from earlier that year. He stepped in, revving the engine and driving home.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Deb sat beside Dan, taking in the procedures that his surgeon had just laid out for them. "So, you're ok with it?" the red haired doctor asked politely, a smile on his face.

She touched her husband lightly on the hand, looking at him worriedly. It was times like these when she was especially worried for him.

"Yes," the man said solemnly, waving off Deb's touch, his face stiff.

The doctor smiled. "Right," he pushed up his glasses, the smile returning to his lips. "We'll go into surgery as soon as possible."

The pair walked out of the room, Deb holding onto Dan the whole time.

"Don't touch me," he hissed.

"Please Dan," Deb pleaded. "I'm worried for you."

He rolled his eyes. "It's not your business."

"Dan, we're married!"

"Doesn't matter now." He glared at her, walking faster, pushing her away from him.

Deb stumbled, a solitary tear fell down her cheek.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Brooke sat on the toilet floor, impatience was brewing inside of her as she waited.

"It's time," she mumbled, placing the test into the toilet bowl, waiting with anxiety slowly brewing in her.

A minute passed, but it was like an eternity to her. she pulled it out, staring at the result.

Worried, she pulled out the other 2 boxes, preparing to try again. she had to be sure. She waited, time was passing slowly.

Her breathing quickened, and carefully, she pulled out the tests, time after time. Opening box after box.

She took one final look at the result. All of them were the same. She didn't believe it.

Tears brimmed in her eyes, slowly, one by one, they flowed down her soft, pale cheeks. It was true. Everything. Now it was confirmed.

Her tears couldn't stop. She leaned against the door, crying softly.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Peyton smiled a her mother's thin frame, her smile hardly stood.

"So anyway, you know abo-" Peyton was cut off by Ellie.

"Peyton," Ellie paused. "I have to tell you something."

"Yeah?" Peyton nodded.

Ellie sighed. "I can't stay very much longer."

"What?" the young girl furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "Why?"

"I…. just can't."

"Please," she frowned. "I need you to be honest with me."

"I…" she looked up to see Peyton look at her worriedly. "I have cancer."

Peyton was shocked. 'What? What kind of cancer?"

"Blood."

"Then, you can be cured, right?" Peyton could feel tears brimming in her eyes.

Ellie smiled sadly. "It's spread too much." She took Peyton's hands. "I don't have much longer,"

"No…" Peyton was crying, tears not taking any slow. "We just met,"

"It's been awhile, Peyton." Ellie smiled. "I would never trade this for anything in the world."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Lucas was jogging slowly, on his way to the café.

He looked at the glass door and windows, all closed, the view to the inside blocked by the blinds.

He knocked, hearing small gasps from inside. Frowning, he pulled out his key, pushing it into the doorknob, twisting it open.

Carefully, he looked in. the lights were off.

Turning his head, he stared at the velvet red coach in the corner, two naked people on it, covered by a sheet.

"Mom?" Lucas asked, staring at the man, finally realizing who he was. He gasped. "Uncle Keith?"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Nathan stared at his mother and father, both looking worried.

Deb would constantly try to talk to Dan, and in response, Dan would push her away.

It was times like these that Nathan hated most. He hated when Dan treated Deb badly. He clenched a fist, looking away, hearing soft whimpers. Obviously, from his mother.

He bit his lips, tightening his fist, cracking his knuckles at the same time. He glanced back, feeling his heart ache as Deb cried, tugging at Dan, while he ignored her.

He shook his head, walking up the stairs, grabbing a set of clothes and packing them in a bag.

Pulling it down, he noted that they were gone, probably in their room now. He sighed, walking straight out the door. It was times like these that he couldn't handle.

He had to thank god that he still had his apartment, his refuge. His one sanctuary.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Lucas sat on a chair, staring at the two, his face etched with disgust. His uncle and his mom? Now, that was wrong.

"Lucas," Karen blushed. "I…"

He looked up. "Never mind, mom." He looked back down, his anger boiling inside of him. "Keith?" his voice seemed to hide something.

Keith winced at the loss of the words "uncle". "Luke?"

"You…. Tried to kill Dan, didn't you." Lucas didn't look up.

Keith raised an eyebrow, shocked. But he couldn't show it. He didn't say anything.

Karen looked from her son to Keith, realizing the strong tension between them. "Lucas…"

He ignored her. "You did, didn't you?"

Keith was quiet, at a loss of what to say. "Lu…" he was cut off.

"Didn't you?!" Lucas shouted, looking at Keith with anger. "Didn't you?" his voice seemed to calm.

"Lucas," Keith sighed. "I did it for you."

"Don't lie." Lucas glared. "You did it for yourself!"

A pause.

"How could you?"

"Keith?" Karen said softly, confused.

"He…." Keith choked. "He deserved to."

"He's still alive you know,"

The man gasped, biting a lip.

He frowned, thinking of making things better between them. "That… doesn't matter now… Luke, I did it for you and your mother."

The blonde shook his head, standing from his seat. "You did it out of selfishness, Keith." He walked slowly to the door. "Not for us. For you." With that, he walked out, leaving Keith and Karen together.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Peyton hugged her mother, night seemed to be closing in.

"Why didn't you say so?"

Ellie smiled. "I didn't want to worry you, hon."

Peyton let go, looking up. "I don't want you to die, mom."

"It's not about how long you live, Peyton." She looked up to the stars. "It's about how you live it."

Peyton frowned. "Peyton, living within just your art and music, it's not enough. You deserve happiness, and you need to get out there,"

Peyton's eyes started to tear. "Don't cry, don't ruin this moment honey." She hugged her.

"The time I've spent with you, are a lot better than my whole life. But I'm sorry I wasn't here the past 17 years."

Peyton looked away, smiling. "It's ok. Just this time has paid off for all those years you missed." Tears started their flow. "But I wish you didn't have to miss the rest of my life."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Brooke sat at the table, a jacket wrapped around her shoulders.

Lucas entered the room, looking pretty tired. his eyes were downcast. "Lucas, you're home." She attempted an uneasy smile, moving over and hugging him with her feeble frame.

Her touch seemed to make it all better. But he was too tired to notice how weird she was acting. "Hi." He whispered in her ear.

He moved out of the kitchen. He needed to be alone. Even from Brooke.

"Uhm, I'm really tired, so I think I'll go sleep, ok?" he asked, just to be polite.

"Yeah," she felt something sink. "It's ok. I'm tired too." She moved towards her own room.

"Night, Luke." She bade, stepping in her room.

"Night." He smiled slightly, closing the door.

Karen didn't come home that night.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Morning came and went quickly. Dreary, Nathan walked around the lonely apartment in the early afternoon sun, dressed messily in a shirt and pants. His hair was messed. "Why waste this weekend afternoon?" he mumbled, getting a beer from out of the fridge.

He drank it, cooking something small in the oven toaster. That'd be his lunch.

He waited, and as the familiar bell rang, he awoke from his daydream and opened it, carefully taking out his tv dinner meal.

He set it on the table, staring at the food, slowly taking a bite.

Minutes passed as he slowly finished his meal, 15 minutes had passed by in total. He walked to the bathroom, declaring that he'd ask Brooke out that night.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Brooke walked around the mall, staring at the baby shops, feeling more queasy and uncomfortable inside. Instinctively, she frowned, watching as happy couples held each other by the hand, some even carrying a baby. Not like how she was, though.

She had her eyes on the ground, looking up and smiling at a blonde Peyton.

"Brooke," she greeted her with a small hug. "You look sick."

She hesitated, contemplating on whether or not to tell. "Just a little cough, that's all." She lied, deciding not to tell.

Peyton eyed her for a moment, then nodding. "Ok then." The blonde looked away.

"What's wrong?"

"Ellie has cancer," she laughed sarcastically, feeling tears rise up to her eyes.

Brooke almost screamed. "What?" she looked at her shoes again. "She…can be cured, right?"

Peyton shook her head no.

'Peyt," Brooke moved over, hugging her friend. "I'm sorry."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Haley looked at the unfamiliar New York streets, looking up at the hotel. "Hales?" Chris looked her over.

"Yeah?"

"You alright?" he seemed concerned. Haley nodded in response.

"Fine, just a little new to this, that's all." She swallowed, entering the building, luggage in hand.

"The managers are meeting us in an hour, by the way." The man smirked, passing their things to the bell boy.

"Great." Haley smiled back, looking away. "Just great."

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Night came fast. Brooke stood at the beach, her feet were bare and her eyes were wet.

The wind blew her hair back and her face was pale from crying.

"Brooke,"

She turned, watching as Nathan ran up to her.

"Brooke, I love you." He said in all rashness while Brooke held a gasp.

She was silent.

Moving over, Nathan held Brooke's hand, looking into her tear drenched eyes. "You mean the world to me, Brooke." A tear flowed down her cheek.

"I need you,"

Then, tears started their flow down her cheeks, as she choked on slow sobs. She felt her knees buckle, and Nathan held her, pulling her to him.

"I can't…" Brooke broke away. "I just can't…"

She barely made out those words in between her sad sobs. She knelt down, burying her hand in her face as she cried her heart out, while Nathan watched, heart broken for the crying Brooke.

He knelt down beside her, grabbing her shoulders and pulling her to look him in the eyes. "Brooke, Don't cry…"

Her eyes were red and tired, and she continued to choke sobs.

Then, Nathan kissed her.

Her eyes were wide and she felt that she had been brought out of some deep hell. She soon comforted herself into him as a strong wind blew. She'd stopped crying.

He broke off the kiss, looking at her, glad that he had stopped her crying.

It gave him a strong sense of satisfaction.

"It's ok…" he hushed her, running his hand down her back while she buried herself in his chest.

He looked down, noting that she had fallen asleep in his arms.

He grinned, picking her up bridal style and walking to his car, deciding on letting her sleep at his apartment.

He would take the couch while she took his bed.

TBC…

"Brooke…" Peyton frowned, hugging her friend. "It's ok. Everything will be fine."

……

Dan smirked to himself. "He's in Tree Hill?"

He nodded. "Good." Then, he hung up.

"Keith Scott…"