Hey guys! The next chapter! Woo! This chapter isn't my favorite, kind of a filler, but if you'll stick around, I promise next chapter will be really good! I'm excited to write it! I finally have the entire story outlines out and I'm predicting it to be 25 or 26 chapters long. We haven't even gotten to the good stuff yet so just bear with me! Once again, I want to thank my AWESOME beta Melissa for helping me out so much! This story would be crap and would like, never get updated if it weren't for her! So…I'm doing shout-outs this chapter to see if I can encourage more people to review. Well, here's chapter 10! Enjoy!

Mythology- Thanks for reading! I do the exact same thing! Whenever I'm craving an update for someone's story, I just read the entire thing over again! Haha! Thanks for reviewing, enjoy the new chapter:)

Brucasfanatic- Glad you found the story! A lot of people were confused about how I was going to play out Brooke's role in the story at first. It took her awhile to get into the swing of things, but she's definitely there now! Just so you know, Brooke is probably my favorite character so I would never do her wrong in a story. I love the Brucas and the broho stuff too! This chapter's mostly Broho, but I promise, next chapter will have TONS of Brucas lovin! Thanks so much for reading and reviewing! Enjoy!

Lucasscottlover1- Hey! Finally another update! I love all the angst too. It seems easier to write. Haha. Glad you like the story! I adore all of yours too! Thanks for reading and reviewing! Enjoy!

Iftheyonlyknewthetruth- I know, Dan being nice is a shocker, right! Haha, I have much planned for our evil fatherly figure friend. Thanks for reading and reviewing! Enjoy:)

NaleyBrucasfan-aka Lizzy- Haha, love the review. Very urgent. Well, no worries. I'm back. Here's the newest chapter! Thanks for reading and reviewing! Enjoy:)

Symmy- Yay! Glad you liked the last chapter! Here's the newest one! Thanks for reading and reviewing! Enjoy:)

TVHollywoodDiva- Thanks for reading and reviewing! Here's the newest chapter! Enjoy:)

TutorWife123- Haha, I'm glad you enjoyed the Lucas drugged up scene. I had fun writing it. After writing all of the tearjerky stuff, it's nice to make the readers laugh once in awhile! Haha. Here's the new chapter. Thanks for reading and reviewing! Enjoy!

TREEHILLADMIRER- I feel sorry for Lucas too, but it does make for a lot of lovey Bro moments, doesn't it? Hahaha. Here's the new chapter. Thanks for reading and reviewing! Enjoy!

Nemo123489- Here's the new chapter. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing! Hope you enjoy:)

xSmile- Haha, thanks so much for the compliment. It pretty much made my day, just for the record. I try really hard to make it real, the medical mumbo jumbo and everything. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing! Enjoy the new chapter:)

Camilla19- I always look forward to your reviews, for real. I love all the Brucasness and Brother stuff too. This chapter's mostly Brother stuff but the next chapter is definitely gonna be filled with Brucas lovin! Dan…what can I say, haha. He has a lot going on. I guess we'll just have to see how genuine his actions are. Thanks for reading and reviewing! Hope you enjoy the new chapter:)

Brucas622- Yeah, Lucas being sick is so sad! But, on the bright side, it does make for some nice fluffy brotherly moments! Haha. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing! Enjoy the new chapter:)

MuldyMath- Thanks so much for reading and reviewing! I'm glad you like the story! Hope you enjoy the new chapter:)

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Chapter 10

Nathan walked over to where Lucas sat on the armchair flipping mindlessly through channels, and sat down on the coffee table in front of him.

"Here, to help your stomach," Nathan said, handing his brother two large pills and a glass of water. Lucas gratefully swallowed the pills and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath and resting his head against the back of the couch. After a moment or two of silence, he opened his eyes again and handed the glass back to Nathan. Nathan smiled sympathetically, putting a hand on Lucas's knee.

"You're sure you're okay? I mean, you really don't look good, man."

"I'm fine, Nate, really. I guess the effects of the chemo are just lasting longer this time. It's better than it was yesterday. You go get ready for the game. I just need to chill for awhile."

Nathan nodded and pushed himself up. As he stood, something caught his eye. He cocked his eyebrow and reached over, grabbing the object from the table beside Lucas and sitting back down on the coffee table. Running his fingers over it, he gazed at the framed picture of Lucas and his mom.

"Where did this come from, Luke?"

Lucas hesitated and shifted uncomfortably in his seat before responding.

"I found it in the drawer when I was um…cleaning up. I guess I just forgot to put it back."

Lucas went to grab the picture, but Nathan pulled away, still staring at the photo intently. Lucas sat back and sighed. A moment later Nathan finally looked up from the picture and handed it back to him. Lucas fingered the picture gently before placing back on the table beside him.

"You miss her." Nathan spoke. It was more of a statement than a question.

Lucas took a deep breath and nodded. "It's hard, you know. Every time she calls from New Zealand I want to tell her everything, just all of it, and then I realize I can't. I don't like lying to her, Nate. She knows something's wrong and she's upset that I won't tell her what. I think something might be going on with her, too. I don't know…maybe I'm imagining things. I just…I just want to see her," Lucas confessed, staring at the floor as he spoke.

"I know, man. I wish you would just tell her! You know, she'd drop everything she was doing and come to be with you Luke, no questions asked. In fact, she's going to be mad as hell when she finds out you kept this from her. She's going to be mad as hell at us all."

"I just want her to be happy, for just a little while longer. Once I tell her this, her life is going to change, and not for the better. I mean, look at what it's done to you and to Brooke. I don't want my mom to drop everything she's worked for to come home to this," he said softly, motioning towards the pile of empty prescription bottles on the counter. Lucas leaned his head back and Nathan saw the tears forming at the corners of his brother's eyes. He stood up and gently placed a hand on Lucas's shoulder.

"You do what you've gotta do, man. We're going to support you no matter what." He patted Lucas's shoulder once more before leaving the room and letting his brother sit in silence.

---

When Nathan walked back into the room, his uniform on and his bag slung over his shoulder, Lucas was standing in the corner of the room, spinning an old basketball with one hand. As he walked over, Nathan spoke, "You sure you wanna go to the game and tell the team tonight, Luke? I mean, it's not a big deal to cover for you until next week."

"I'm going to tell them tonight, Nate. I can't wait any longer. There's just…there's something I have to do first. Can you drive me by somewhere before we head over to the school?" Lucas asked, handing Nathan the basketball and heading towards the door, not waiting for a response.

"Yeah, sure, man. What did you want to…" Nathan stopped mid-sentence. Lucas was already out the door, and he stared down at the basketball his brother had held. Across the surface, amateur signatures were scribbled on the leather: Mouth, Skillz, Fergie, Junk and Lucas. Nathan knew what Lucas needed to do.

---

The guys were playing a pick-up game at the court, Mouth sat on the sidelines, scribbling stats in his notebook when Lucas and Nathan drove up. Lucas sighed and bumped fists with his brother before climbing out of the car. Slamming the door behind him, his hand went to the side of the car for support as a wave of dizziness hit him. Closing his eyes and willing the dizziness to pass, he took a step forward and walked slowly towards the picnic tables. Skillz was the first to call time-out and jog over to Lucas.

"Where've you been! We've been missing your scrawny ass around here, dawg!" Skillz stopped a few steps ahead of Lucas, warily approaching him.

"Luke?" he asked cautiously, as everyone on the court stood, walking towards him slowly. "You don't look…what's wrong, man?"

Lucas smiled as best he could and walked over to the picnic tables, the three other players following him. When he reached the tables, Mouth reached out and helped him sit.

"Luke, what's up?" Mouth asked, clearly concerned.

Lucas looked into the faces of his friends and knew this was what he needed to do. This had always been his world. He needed to tell them before he told the team; it just seemed right. Now, sitting beside Mouth and staring into the faces of the guys he'd always been able to talk to, he couldn't find the words he needed to say. He knew his pale complexion and his shaky hands were giving him away, not to mention the things they couldn't see, the nagging pain in his chest when he breathed, the way his head throbbed with each turn, his stomach which churned every time he stood up or sat down. Lucas snapped back to reality as Mouth broke the silence.

"Luke?"

Lucas looked around once more before clearing his throat and playing with the edge of the sling.

"I uh…I have to tell you something."

The silence in the air was almost too much for Lucas to handle. Their stares seemed to burn holes right through him. Finally, Lucas cleared his throat again.

"I wanted to tell you guys before I told the rest of the team, because your reactions will probably be a lot worse than theirs, and I don't know, I thought you should know and…" he said quickly, his mouth moving faster than his brain. "I'm sick. I have cancer."

No one moved. No one uttered a single word. Skillz silently sat down on the other side of Lucas, placing a hand on his shoulder. Mouth tilted his head to the side and put a hand on Lucas's knee. Fergie and Junk took a seat on the bench in front of the table, facing Lucas. And there was silence. Lucas knew his hand was shaking, his head was throbbing, his chest was pounding, and he was afraid they could hear his heart beating.

"W-when did you, find out?" Skillz asked, more serious than Lucas heard ever heard before.

"Um, about 2 weeks ago."

"Who else knows?"

"You guys, Nathan, Haley, Brooke, Peyton, and Whitey. I wanted to tell you because I plan on telling the team tonight."

There was silence again as all four of them stared at Lucas.

"So…?" Lucas inquired, wanting any sort of reaction to break the silence.

"We knew something was up, Luke. We just…didn't think it would be this." Mouth confessed quietly.

Lucas nodded and Mouth turned to wave at Nathan who was still watching from where he sat in the car.

"You're going with Nathan to the game tonight?" he asked.

"Yeah, I planned on telling the team after the game." Lucas said, cradling his head in one hand.

"Are you sure, Luke? I mean, you look miserable."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. The effect of the chemo don't usually last this long, so I wasn't expecting it. I'm fine."

Nathan honked the horn, signaling for Lucas to hurry and Lucas waved in annoyance.

"Well, I guess this is it." Lucas stood and stared at the four guys he'd come to know as brothers. Mouth smiled sympathetically and stood, embracing his friend, followed by Skillz.

"We'll see you later, man. Okay?" Skillz asked. Lucas nodded and bumped fists with all four guys before walking slowly back to the car. Skillz sat back down on the picnic table and stared straight ahead, shaking his head in disbelief as Mouth put a hand on his shoulder and the four of them sat in silence. "Shit," he muttered, just loud enough for the other three to hear.

---

In the locker room, Lucas sat on the bench in his warm-up suit as the team got ready to play.

"Hey! You not playing again tonight, Luke?" a member of the team called out.

Lucas looked up and met his eyes and the boy immediately cocked his eyebrow in confusion. Nathan walked over to his brother.

"Luke, please go home. You look like you're about to pass out."

"I can't. I have to tell them tonight. I'm fine, Nate. I'll be fine." Lucas said for what seemed to be the billionth time that day.

"Okay, but right after the game, you'll let me take you home?"

"Yes, Nathan. Yes," Lucas said, faking an annoyed tone. They both laughed and Lucas stood against the lockers as Nathan called the team together.

"Alright, guys. Tonight we play Hoover. We can do this. Who are we!"

The entire team put their hands together and brought them back up, shouting "RAVENS" and cheering.

"Please welcome to the court, your very own—Tree Hill Ravens!"

"Let do this!" Nathan called, leading the team out of the locker room. Lucas went to follow the last player out but as he reached the door, a wave of dizziness hit him. He reached out and leaned against the wall for support as his stomach lurched. He heard someone stop in the doorway and come over to him. He didn't have time to look up as his stomach lurched again and he threw himself over the trash can. Getting sick, he heard someone say his name and he hoped it was Nathan. When he was finished, he wiped his mouth and closed his eyes, standing back up straight, only to face Tim Smith. Tim was one of Nathan's closest friends and was a pretty good player on the team. Now, looking quizzically at Lucas from the doorway, he was the most intimidating person Lucas had faced all day.

"Lucas?"

"I'm fine, Tim. Don't worry about it, okay? Just go play and please…don't tell Nathan."

Tim gave him another confused look before nodding and leaving the locker room after the team.

The crowd cheered as the Ravens team jogged onto the court. The cheerleaders were finishing up their routine and the music was blaring. Lucas followed the team out slowly and headed over to the bench. From a distance, he saw that the row behind the bench which Whitey usually kept reserved for special visitors was occupied. As he got closer and closer, he recognized them. The guys from the river court were sitting behind the bench and Whitey was standing in front of them, grinning slyly at Lucas. When he reached them, Whitey put a hand on his shoulder and smiled.

"I thought you could use some support," motioning to the guys behind him.

Lucas smiled and nodded.

"Thanks, Coach."

---

The game seemed to go by too fast. With all of the weird looks he was getting from the team and the cheerleaders, the constant sounds of squeaky shoes and the bounce of the ball, his stomach churning, his head throbbing, Lucas didn't want the game to end. The game ending meant he had to come clean; he had to tell the team his secret. The pitying looks were what he didn't want, but he knew they were to come. Before he knew it, there he was, standing against the lockers in the locker room as his team jumped and shouted, celebrating their victory. Whitey stood watch from the doorway of his office and looked sympathetically at Lucas. Nathan looked to Lucas and Lucas nodded, signaling that he was ready.

"Hey, hey! Everybody listen!" Nathan shouted, waiting until everyone turned around. "I know you've all been wondering and asking questions about why Lucas hasn't been at practice. Well, he's got something to say."

Nathan stepped aside and put a hand on his brother's shoulder, showing his support as Lucas took a deep breath and closed his eyes. The last thing Nathan would want to know is that his small gesture of brotherly support had just sent sharp pain shooting from his shoulder through his entire body. Lucas took a shaky breath and opened his eyes, doing his best to ignore the black splotches that danced in front of his eyes, his shoulder throbbing.

"Nathan is going to take over as full time captain because I won't be playing anymore this season."

There were whispers and gestures before Tim spoke up.

"Why, man?"

Lucas closed his eyes again and Nathan squeezed his shoulder. Nathan felt Lucas flinch and immediately took his hand away, a look of worry washed over his face. Lucas opened his eyes again and looked into the faces of his teammates.

"I'm sick, I have cancer." Lucas said simply, more calm than he'd imagined he'd be.

This time, after Lucas spoke, there was silence. Lucas shifted his eyes to gaze at his coach and a wave of dizziness overcame him. He took a step back unsteadily and leaned back hard against the lockers.

"Luke?" Nathan asked quietly, hoping the team wouldn't hear. "Lucas, are you okay?"

Lucas opened his eyes and felt the world shift underneath him as he stared back at his brother.

"I'm fine," he said again, his voice cracking.

Tim Smith stepped forward and the rest of the team looked to him.

"We're here if you need us, Luke. You know that, right?"

Lucas nodded, immediately regretting it as his head pounded. He stepped forwards and bumped fists with Tim, followed by a few other members of the team. His knuckles ached.
"Alright, guys. Hit the showers! I can't stand being in here with you any longer!" Whitey called, lightening the mood. As the team scattered, Whitey walked over to Lucas, putting a hand on his back.

"I'm proud of you, Lucas. You did good, son."

"Thanks, Coach."

---

Lucas walked unsteadily out of the locker room and into the empty gymnasium. He rounded the corner and almost ran into Brooke who was standing against the wall. She looked into his eyes and smiled sympathetically before she slipped her arms around his waist and felt him sway back and forth on his feet.

"You okay?"

"I told the team…" he said softly, avoiding her gaze.

"Good, Luke. I know it must have been hard for you."

Lucas didn't say anything. He closed his eyes and wished the pain in his shoulder would dull, his head would stop pounding, his stomach would stop churning, the world would stop spinning.

"Broody, are you okay? Want me to take you home?"

Lucas shook his head. "Nathan's waiting for me in the car," he answered.

"Okay, well, I guess I'll see you later?"

Lucas smiled as best he could and nodded.

"I love you, Luke," she said softly, letting go of his waist and taking a step back.

"I love you too," he whispered, kissing her forehead and turning around.

Brooke watched as the boy she loved walked slowly across the empty floor and out the double doors. She leaned her head back and slid down against the wall, sitting on the floor. Feeling the tears prick her eyes, she blinked quickly and looked away.

---

Nathan walked out of the showers and rubbed a towel over his head, shaking the water out of his hair. When he rounded the corner to put his uniform back in his locker, he stopped. Standing against his locker was none other than Dan Scott.

"You played a great game, Nate. Where's Lucas?"

"He's waiting out in the gym with Brooke. What do you want, Dad?"

"I want you to talk to me!"

"About what!"

"About you, about your brother! I want you to let me help you out! And I don't mean just driving Lucas to clinic, I mean really helping you! You have no idea how much it killed me to see your brother like that, and I didn't even know about it! No one bothered to tell me my son had cancer until it was convenient for you! I want to help, Nathan."

"You can't help—he doesn't want your help and I don't want your help! Damn it, Dad! Listen to yourself; everything you just said is about how you felt! Did you ever stop to think about how Lucas is feeling? You just want to help to satisfy your guilty conscience, but I don't care if you feel guilty! I have other things to think about." Nathan finished, his voice lowering, "why the hell do you think we would want your help, after everything you've done? Lucas could die, and now you think it's time to play nice, act like a real father? Sorry, but you never had a chance. I'm not going to let you near him. Lucas has too much to deal with already—more than anyone ever should." With that, Nathan slammed his fist into the locker and stalked out of the locker room without another word. When he reached the gym he threw his bag to the ground and put his hands to his head, mumbling angrily to himself.

"N-Nate?" he heard someone say quietly.

He turned around to see Brooke sitting against the wall.

"What are you doing, Nate?"

"I just, I had a run in with Dan. I'm sorry, I—"

"No, no, I mean what are you doing here? Lucas left awhile ago and said you were waiting in the car to take him home."

"What! Sh-t, Brooke, he could be anywhere! We've got to find him!"

"Hey, hey, it's fine, just calm down," Brooke said, standing up and putting a hand on Nathan's shoulder to stop him from pacing.

"I, I have to find him!"

"Nathan, calm down. You go home to see if he's there, and I'll go stop by some places in town. Call me if you find him. Okay?"

Nathan took a deep breath and nodded before picking his bag up from the floor and taking Brooke's hand, dragging her quickly towards the door.