''So, you wanna know what it's like in my high school? Well, the truth is, there's not a single person in this place worth remembering.'' Jimmy said as he watches the kids laughing and having fun. ''You see, the people here are fake, so they stick to their cliques to hide it. I mean, the stoners are medicated, the honour students are afraid. The jocks,… well,… they're jocks, man. They'll peak at seventeen and their cheerleader -girlfriends will be fat and lonely by twenty-one. Losers! Everyone here is a loser. And the truth is; every day I have to come to this school, is one less day I have to come back.'' Jimmy says. ''Here, we go.'' He adds as he drops his cigarette and heads towards the

Students are hanging around the corridors; talking to their friends and laughing. Jimmy walks into the corridor, head bent low and not making eye-contact with anyone. He stops and looks down as a book is kicked across the floor. His gaze travels up and he sees a bunch of guys emptying out his locker and throwing things around. Russ takes out a hat and tries it on before throwing it to the floor. They smirk as they see Jimmy and walk to him. Russ continues to walk to Jimmy and shoves him hard in the shoulder as he passes. ''Nice locker, loser.'' Russ says as he passes Jimmy.

Jimmy grits his teeth and looks at the destruction Russ and his friends made of his locker. He decides, turns slowly and pulls a gun out from the waistband of his jeans, as Jimmy raises the gun. Brooke and Peyton round the corner and stop at the door that Jimmy's aiming at. They both realise what's happening at the same time and Brooke grabs hold of Peyton's hand. Brooke and Peyton, looking terrified, duck. Russ and his friends notice the reaction and turn back slowly. They see Jimmy with the gun and duck too. Jimmy lets off a shot and it shatters the glass of the door. The glass falls away. The noise alone shocks Jimmy and his expression changes to one of complete fear. Students scream and run and Jimmy quickly slips the gun into his pocket. He turns and dashes away. Brooke scrambles back on the floor as students burst through the shattered door, trying to escape. She covers her head. Someone picks her up from behind and helps her to get out.

-X-

Principle Turner bursts into the office and points at a secretary. ''Call nine-one-one.'' Principal Turner says urgently as he reaches for and presses the button on the microphone which is linked to every tannoy in the school. He leans down and speaks into it. ''Code red, code red. This is not a drill. All students to a designated lock-down area. This is a code red.'' He tells the students.

-X-

Mouth is sitting at the desk, watching two computer screens playing the recent basketball match. He's wearing headphones and can't hear anything of what is going on outside. He types quickly, oblivious.

-X-

''Repeat; this is a code red. Please go to a designated lock-down area or exit the school immediately.'' Principal Turner says as Haley and Nathan sit in the tutor centre. Haley gets up and holds the door open for some students before shutting and locking it. She turns the lights off and sinks to the floor along with the other students. She looks ahead, terrified. She looks sideways at the students. Looking at Nathan.

-X-

Students are still shouting and running. Brooke is running among them but she is also frantically looking around. ''Peyton!'' She calls as she looks around some more. ''Peyton! Peyton!'' She shouts again as she runs. Brooke runs away from the school. Teachers are yelling at the students to get away.

Whitey steps off the bus and looks around him at the madness. ''What the hell?'' Whitey says.

Lucas gets off the bus and Jake following closely behind. Lucas spots Brooke and runs to her. She runs to him, desperately trying not to panic. Brooke grabs hold of his arms. ''Somebody has a gun inside and they're shooting.'' Brooke tells him as she points back towards the school.

Lucas looks at her and panics. ''Nathan is in there with Haley.'' Lucas tells her

''My god! Everybody back on the bus!'' Whitey tells the students.

''I lost Peyton. I don't know where she is.'' She tells them Jake looks back at them. ''I mean, she was right there and a shot went off and now she's gone and I-'' Brooke tells them desperately.

''Look, wh-a-hey-hey, Peyton was shot?'' Jake asks her as he forces her to look at him.

''No, I don't know! She was right behind me; we were by the library!'' Brooke tells him.

''Nathan's in the tutor centre.'' Lucas says shocked.

''ALL STUDENTS ON THE BUS! CODE RED, NOW!'' Whitey shouts. Lucas shakes his head discretely and Jake notices. ''LET'S MOVE! Come on.'' Whitey screams again, Lucas turns away from them. ''Lucas, get your ass on that bus!'' Whitey told him. Lucas doesn't reply. He turns and runs back towards the school. Jake doesn't think twice before letting go of Brooke and giving chase to his mate.

''I got him, Coach!'' Jake called back.

''Luke!'' Brooke called to him.

''I can't Nathan's in there.'' Lucas called back as he headed into the school.

Whitey stands with Brooke as he watches Jake and Lucas run back. He's lost as to what to do. ''Boys! Boys!'' Whitey calls to them.

Jake catches up with Lucas on the grassy bit and tackles him to the floor. They roll over due to the force. ''Got off me, man!'' Lucas says as he pushes Jake of him. Lucas stands up quickly. ''Nathan's inside.'' Lucas tells him and runs into the school without another word and Jake is left to stand up slowly and watch his mate run in.

''LUCAS'' Jake called after him. Jake only gives a brief look back before following Lucas.

''LUCAS! JAKE!'' Brooke called after the two of them as she rushes forward scared. Whitey grabs hold of her and stops her from following. She struggles and continues to shout. ''LUCAS!'' She calls again.

Whitey forces her onto the bus. ''Get on.'' Whitey tells them. ''Gary, ride; go, go!'' He tells the driver. The bus pulls out instantly and Brooke is left to find a seat and watch as everything she cares about is left inside the school.

-X-

''OK, everybody ju-just stay down and stay calm. We're safe here.'' Haley says as she takes a deep breath. She looks down and sees Nathan, Skills, Rachel, Marcus, Abby Brown and Jimmy Edwards. Jimmy's expression in none too kind.

-X-

Jake enters the office and sees Lucas picking up a heavy baseball bat. Jake looks at him. ''You got a plan?'' Jake asks him.

''Yeah, I'm going to the tutor centre and I'm gonna get Nate.'' Lucas tells him. Jake scoffs and shuts the door. ''What're you doing?'' Lucas asks him.

''Your plan sucks!'' Jake tells him.

''You got a better one?'' Lucas snaps at him.

''Yeah, we turn around and let the police handle this.'' Jake tells him.

''The police are gonna wait in game plan. They always do that. '' Lucas tells him.

''And what, you're gonna stop a bullet with a baseball bat? Hey, Lucas, Lucas someone has a gun in here.'' Jake tells him as he glares at him and walks forward.

''Jake, I know that. OK? I know this is stupid… but what if something happens to Nathan, huh?'' Lucas tells him through gritted teeth. Jake looks away, Nathan is his best friend. ''What if we walk away and something happens to Nate? You gonna live with that?'' Lucas asked Jake.

''Most heroes are dead, Luke.'' Jake tells him.

''It's Nathan, Jake. My husband.'' Lucas tells Jake. Jake looks hard at Lucas.

-X-

''We need to get outta here.'' Marcus says as all seven students are sitting in a line against the wall. Haley's facing them all and Jimmy is sitting a decent distance from the others.

''No, we need to stay put. That's procedure; lockdown. We have to wait until it's safe.'' Haley tells them as she laughs nervously.

''And I'm saying lockdown is crap. If whoever's out there is a student; they know where we're at.'' Marcus tell her.

''What about the windows? I mean, we could break the windows and get out.'' Rachel asks her.

''No, that's-it's-it just goes to the courtyard – it's enclosed. It's for light.'' Haley told them as she shakes her head at Rachel's idea.

''Yeah, besides, we need to break in all the windows; all we do is draw attention to ourselves.'' Nathan tells her.

''You don't think a locked door is gonna tell whatever psycho is out there that we're in here?'' Marcus asks her.

''Why would you call him psycho?'' Jimmy asks Marcus.

Marcus, Abby and Haley look at Jimmy. All the attention is on him again and the fear returns. ''Something to do with them trying to kill us all, fat ass.'' Marcus tells him in a duh tone. Jimmy swallows at the comment. He doesn't say anything.

-X-

''Look, there's blood.'' Jake whispered to Lucas. They creep closer to get a better look. Jake holds the bat ready. Lucas has his own bat. ''Luke, it could be Peyton.'' Jake tells him.

Jake looks back and Lucas shakes his head. ''You don't know that.'' Lucas tells him.

''Well, it's someone. The library doors don't lock. It's not safe.'' Jake tells him worried about Peyton.

''Jake, I have to find Nate.'' Lucas tells him.

''I know.'' Jake tells him with a nod of the head. Jake smiles and Lucas knows that he's letting him go. Lucas nods, turns and starts walking. ''Luke?'' Jake calls back.

Lucas looks back. Jake tries to say something but he can't form the words. Lucas gets it. ''Yeah,… you too, man.'' Lucas says to him. Jake smiles and Lucas walks away. Jake backs into the broken door. Lucas approaches the tutor centre carefully.

-X-

Jake sees blood on the floor outside the library. Jake follows the patches. He looks around before entering the library. He creeps around; looking into the library from the balcony but it seems deserted. He sighs slightly and creeps around the top level; past the computers and book shelves. He squints and hears a noise. He steels himself, moves fast and tries to hit the person around the bookshelf with the bat. Peyton's sitting there, she sees him and thinks he is going to hit her and cries out. He stops and she cries, terrified. Jake drops the bat and rushes to her. ''Peyton. Hey! Hey, it's me.'' Jake says as he touches her.

''Ow, my leg! I got cut by some glass.'' Peyton tells him crying. ''I lost Brooke.'' She adds.

''She's fine. She's fine but OK, you're not. Um,… oh, we gotta get you somewhere safe, come on.'' Jake tells her soothingly.

Jake grabs her hand and tries to help her up. She protests. ''No, I can't. I can't walk! I tried!'' She cries out to him as she looks at him sadly and he touches her shoulder.

''OK.'' He says soothingly. This just makes Peyton cry more. He looks over the shelf. ''OK.'' He sighs out as he stands up ready to move.

''No, don't leave me, please! Please.'' Peyton panics as she grabs his hand.

''No, look, hey. I'm gonna go block the entrance, alright? We'll… we'll just… hide.'' Jake tells her as he hold her face in his hands and frowns. Peyton nods. ''Alright? We'll wait this out, OK?'' He adds but Peyton continues to nod. ''Listen to me, OK?'' Jake asks her.

''Um-hm.'' Peyton says weakly.

''I'm not leaving you, Peyton.'' Jake promises her as Peyton begins to cry. ''I won't.'' He promises again. Peyton looks down. Jake touches her hair. ''I won't, OK?'' He tells her once more only more forceful. She nods and leans against him, trying to be strong. She holds onto Jake's hand tightly. ''OK?'' Lucas whispers. She nods at him.

-X-

Lucas walks down the deserted, messy corridor, still holding his baseball bat. He stands against the wall when he hears someone walking down the corridor. He grabs them and pushes them up against the wall. It's Mouth. ''Dude, what's happening?'' Mouth asks confused.

Lucas covers his mouth to keep him quiet. ''Mouth! What're you doing here?'' Lucas asks him.

Lucas lets go of Mouth and he starts speaking again, urgently. ''I was in the A\V-'' He begins. Lucas covers his mouth again to stop him from speaking so loudly. ''I was in the A\V room and I come out and it's like 'Dawn of the Dead'.'' Mouth tells him more quietly after Lucas shush him.

''Mouth, don't say 'dead'. Someone's got a gun in the school.'' Lucas tells him.

''What?'' Mouth asks stunned.

''Yeah.'' Lucas answers him with a nod.

''We gotta get outta here.'' Mouth says worried.

''Yeah, you gotta get outta here. I gotta go get Nathan.'' Lucas tells him. Lucas turns and looks down another corridor. Mouth looks down and thinks. He sees the bat in Lucas' hand. Lucas spins it nervously.

''I'll stay with you.'' Mouth tells him nervously.

''Let's go.'' Lucas tells him. Lucas walks down the corridor and Mouth creeps along behind him.

-X-

Everyone is still sitting against the wall. Nathan is on his phone. ''No signal. All circuits busy.'' He tells them.

Marcus scoffs and looks at his own phone. There's a sound on the other end of the door. Marcus stands up, alarmed. They all look at the door handle. Haley looks at the door apprehensively. A driver's licence is shoved under the door. Haley frowns, leans over and looks at the picture. Her eyes widen and she smiles. ''It's Lucas.'' She says as she stands with the card and hands it over to Nathan who was beside her. Nathan starts to approach the door.

Marcus walks to him quickly. He grabs him by the arms. ''No way!'' Marcus says. Skills stands too. ''We don't know it's him.'' He adds.

Nathan shows him the card. ''No, it's his driver's licence!'' Nathan tells him.

''So how do you know that somebody didn't kill him and take his ID?'' Marcus asks him. Nathan exhales and looks at him, panicked. ''OK, you're the one that said this was a lock-down. Every man for himself.'' Marcus says as he points to Haley.

Haley looks away, from Nathan torn about what to do. ''He can't leave him out there!'' Rachel tells him.

Abby Brown stands up. ''Don't open it.'' She says as everyone spares her a brief glance.

''You're not opening that door.'' Marcus tells Nathan.

''Shut up, shut up! Just…'' Nathan tells them as he leans down close to the door. ''Always.'' He whispers through the door.

''And forever.'' Lucas whispers back from the other side.

Nathan sighs in relief and stands back. ''It's him.'' Nathan tells the group as he turns the lock and Marcus lunges for the door.

''No way. Get away from th-'' Marcus says as he tries to close the door.

Skills grabs hold of him and shoves his against the wall. ''If he says it's him, it's him.'' Skills tells him. ''Open the door.'' He says to Nathan.

Skills lets go of Marcus and Nathan opens the door where he sees Lucas standing there with Mouth. Lucas sees Nathan and walks in. ''Oh my god. Come here.'' Lucas says as he hugs Nathan. '' You OK?'' Lucas asks him. Mouth closes the door and locks it again.

''Yeah, what's going on out there?'' Nathan asks him confused.

''I don't know. We're getting outta here, OK? All of us. Let's go.'' Lucas tells them.

''Don't!'' Jimmy says. Everyone stops and looks at him slowly. He's standing there with a gun held out to all of them. The fear is back in his face. Nathan reaches forward for Lucas to pull him back. Mouth gapes and backs away too. ''Nobody's going anywhere.'' Jimmy says to them all. Abby Brown moves closer to the wall and eyes the gun with dread. Each of the students support looks of mingled fear and panic. ''Get away from the door!'' Jimmy says gritting his teeth.

''Jimmy?'' Mouth asks confused not wanting to believe it.

''Do it, Mouth!'' Jimmy shouts at him angrily.

''Alright, alright. Just chill out, man.'' Nathan tells him as everyone moves away from the door.

''Everyone get away from the door!'' Jimmy tells them again.

Haley looks back. Mouth shakes his head in pity. ''Oh, Jimmy, what'd you do?'' Mouth asks him.

''Move back, Skills.'' Jimmy says ignoring Mouth.

''Or what, you gonna shoot me? We used to be friends, dawg.'' Skills asks him.

''Yeah, used to be.'' Jimmy tells him.

''So, it's like that? Aight.'' Skills asks him.

''Jim, ya can't do this.'' Mouths says to him scared.

''It's a little late for that, Mouth.'' Jimmy replies sadly.

''I can't be here.'' Abby says tearfully.

''Look, man, just let us go. I'm sorry I called you 'fat-ass'.'' Marcus apologizes to him.

''It's a little late for that, too!'' Jimmy tells him angry. His eyes are red and he takes a moment before addressing Nathan who is trying to shield Haley and Lucas is standing beside him holding his arm.

''How bout you, hero? Are you scared?'' Jimmy asks him waving the gun in his face.

''Yeah. I'm scared.'' Nathan tells him.

''Good! Welcome to my world.'' Jimmy tells them.

''Your world. You get picked on my some high school kids which will end once school is over and we all graduate. Unlike Nate and I are any other gay couples out there you won't have people looking down their noses at you because they don't believe that gays have right just like everyone else.'' Lucas snaps at him before Nathan put a hand over his Mouth to shut him up.

Jimmy panics and turns away. He doesn't know what to do. ''Alright.'' Jimmy says as he walks around the teacher's desk, still pointing the gun, and opens one of the drawers. He grabs some tape and walks back. ''Alright, this is what we're gonna do.'' He says as he throws the tape at Nathan. ''You're gonna tape a line down the centre of the room.'' Jimmy tells him. Nathan catches the tape and looks down at it. He looks slowly up at Jimmy. ''GO ON!'' He shouts at him. Haley grabs a hold of Lucas as Nathan goes to tape the line.

''Why're you doing this?'' Abby asks as she begins to sob.

''You're Abby Brown, right?'' Jimmy asks. She doesn't answer and he takes it for assent. ''What's my name?'' Jimmy asks as he points the gun at her.

''Jim?'' Abby answers back scared as the gun only points at her.

''My full name!'' He asks her harshly. She doesn't answer as she doesn't know. ''Come on! Who am I?'' He shouts at her again.

''I don't know.'' Abby answers back still crying.

''You're the guy from the time capsule.'' Rachel answers him.

''Jimmy Edwards! You're Jimmy Edwards. And you're a good guy. And you are better than this.'' Lucas answers for Abby.

''Just shut up, all of you! SHUT UP AND SIT DOWN!'' Jimmy says as he begin losing the thread.

''Jimmy, seven hostages in the tutor centre? That's not you.'' Lucas tells him.

''What're you doing? What's in your pocket?'' Jimmy asks him as he begins to notice him.

''Nothing.'' Lucas says guiltily.

''WHAT'S IN YOUR POCK-'' Jimmy begins to shout at him.

''Hey, OK, stop pointing the gun at him, alright?'' Nathan says as he holds out the bat in front of Lucas.

''It's just my phone, OK?'' Lucas tells him.

''GIVE it to me. Throw it here.'' Jimmy orders him. Lucas throws him the phone, Jimmy catches it and looks at the screen. It shows 911. The call has been connected for half a minute. ''Hi, 911? Yeah, here's the thing; if anyone comes even remotely close to this school, we start shooting students. You hear me?'' Jimmy says as he answers the call. Mouth gapes at what Jimmy's just said. Rachel looks sideways and Abby Brown continues to cry. ''You come in here, your kids die.'' He adds as he waits a beat before throwing the phone against the far wall. It shatters. He turns back around quickly. ''Alright, I want everyone's cell phones! Let's GO!'' Jimmy screams at them. Everyone feels around for their phones. ''And you, missy; pepper-spray, roll it over here.'' He says to Rachel. Everyone throws their phones to him. Rachel rolls the pepper-spray. ''The baseball bat too, come ON!'' He asks Lucas. Lucas gives up the bat. Rachel tosses her phone over last. Jimmy notices that Nathan didn't throw a phone. ''Where's your phone, Scott?'' Jimmy asks when he sees that Nathan didn't throw a phone over.

''I don't-I don't have it with me.'' Nathan tells him. Jimmy retracts the gun slightly; distrust written all over his face. ''You can check me if you want.'' Nathan asks him.

-X-

The cops are putting up yellow crime tape to stop people from crossing it and going into the school. Reporters and people are standing around. Sirens blare in the distance. ''You're kidding me, right? How the hell can a kid just waltz into a high school with a handgun? Where the hell's the security? The metal detectors?'' Dan asks Principal Turner pissed off.

''Security guards carry night-sticks, Dan. Handguns scare people. They need probable cause to shake a kid down because, god forbid, we violate their rights.'' Principal Turner tells him as he stops what he's doing and turns to Dan. ''And as far as metal detectors go, the school board, which I believe you're on, voted against them.'' He added.

''Voted against them – why?'' Dan asks him.

''Because they make the school look unsafe.'' Principal Turner tells him. As the detective in the van is on the phone but talking to the principle and Dan.

''Nine-one-one's got a possible identification on one of the shooters.'' He tells them.

-X-

''Jimmy Edwards?'' A woman calls out for her son.

''Phillip? Phillip Wrench?'' Another woman calls for her son.

All of the students that were safely taken from the school are in the gym. Parents are milling around, looking for their children. ''Look, I just wanna go home, OK?'' Brooke tells the cop who is writing things down.

''Not without a parent.'' The cop tells her.

''But my parents don't live here.'' Brooke tells them.

''Then I guess you'll be here for a while.'' The cop tells her uncaringly.

He walks away and Brooke pulls out her phone and starts dialling. ''Come on, Julian.'' She says to herself. She finishes dialling and holds the phone to her ear.

''Jimmy Edwards?'' A woman calls out tearfully again.

''Mary Edwards?'' A cop asks her as he comes up to her.

''Yes.'' She asks as she looks at him as he stops in front of her

''Could you come with me, please?'' The cop asks her.

''Is my son OK?'' Mary Edwards asks hopefully as she smiles bravely.

''Please listen; come with me, ma'am.'' The cop asks her again.

-X-

''You're bleeding pretty good; we're gonna have to put some pressure on it.'' Jake tells her.

''Jake? It was Julian's friend.'' Peyton tells Jake. Jake looks at her confused. ''The one from the time capsule. He had the gun. But he didn't look evil or angry. He just looked scared.

-X-

Jimmy has his hand on the handle of the open drawer. All five phones are in there and they are all ringing simultaneously. Jimmy slams the drawer shut. Mouth's head jerks and he looks up. He is completely defeated. Everybody is sitting at a seat. Jimmy walks around, still pointing the gun. ''Alright, nobody crosses that line!'' Jimmy warns them as he points to the taped line. Rachel looks at him scared. ''If anybody does…'' He begins as Skills sits there and listens. Abby Brown is leaning against a filing cabinet, sitting on the floor. ''just don't.'' He finishes.

''Or what, Jim?'' Lucas asks him. Lucas and Nathan are sitting together next to the round tables. They are separated from the rest. ''Would you really do that? Would you shoot us?'' Lucas asks him once again.

The phones are still ringing. ''Don't talk to me, Faggot.'' Jimmy tells him.

''My best friend Mouth totally blew me off!'' Jimmy says as he turns round to look at Mouth.

Mouth looks at him with pain in his eyes. Jimmy looks around nervously. Mouth is sitting with Rachel. ''You didn't wanna do anything.'' Mouth tells him tearfully.

''You tell yourself that but you changed and you know it.'' Jimmy says as he waves the gun around. ''You became just like the rest of them. Once Julian stared dating his cheer leader girlfriend.'' Jimmy tells him.

''Don't do that. Don't make him feel guilty for living his life. This is not his fault. This is your fault!'' Rachel tells jimmy tearfully.

''No, it's your fault! You think this is what I wanted? What, you think I… I got up today and wanted this? I just wanted it to stop.'' Jimmy tells her. ''This is kinda screwed up, huh, Skills?'' Jimmy asks another one of his old friends.

''It's more than 'kinda', dawg.'' Skills tells him. Skills is sitting at the same table as Mouth and Rachel. ''For real.'' Skills adds.

''We could charge you.'' Marcus says out to the group. Jimmy looks sideways at Marcus. ''You know? We all charge you at once; no way you'd shoot us all.'' Marcus tells him.

''Yeah, you're probably right, but… who's gonna be first?'' Jimmy says looking at him pityingly. He slowly moves the gun around, trying to pick a person. ''Besides, even if you get past me, the others will get you.'' He tells them scaring them. Abby Brown looks at him, terrified. She's not looking well.

''Are there others, Jim?'' Haley asks she is sitting beside Skills.

''No, no, no. I was out there. It's just you.'' Lucas tells them worried about Haley's lack of fear.

''You think so? You really think I'm the only one?'' Jimmy asks as he walks forwards, aiming the gun at Nathan. ''Then ask yourself this; you ever treat someone like crap in this school, or left anyone out? You ever broken up with someone in the time it takes to… pass a note and disappear? Or talk trash behind their back?'' He asks Nathan. Lucas looks down. ''Or maybe you just ignored it all. You know, while you worry about the big game, or the prom or, or the bake sale for the pep-club. YOU ask yourselves that! And then you tell me; 'is anyone else out there'!'' Jimmy asks them as another phone starts up and the ringtone is irritating. '' Whose phone is that?'' He asks annoyed.

''It's mine. It's the ringtone for my mom.'' Marcus answers him.

Jimmy slams the gun onto the desk and yanks the drawer open. ''God, I hate this!'' He says to himself. He grabs the phone and pulls it out, answering it. ''Yeah, open your eyes; you're son's a dick!'' He throws that phone against the wall too. Marcus looks at him in disbelief. Jimmy answers another ringing phone. ''Open your eyes!'' He throws that one against the wall too. Mouth closes his eyes and lets his head fall against his hand. Haley imitates the move. ''Open your eyes!'' He says the same thing and throws each phone against the wall. ''Open your eyes!'' As Jimmy throws the last one, Marcus charges for him. Jimmy sees him and quickly grabs the gun. He points the gun straight at Marcus' face. Everyone stands up. ''Think I'm playing around?'' Jimmy asks him.

''Whoa, whoa. Just chill out.'' Nathan tells him.

''Jimmy, please!'' Haley asks terrified.

''You're not gonna do it.'' Marcus tells him coldly.

''Shut up! Don't push me.'' Jimmy answers him.

'' Nate, help me out here.'' Lucas calls out to Nathan.

Nathan walks forward. ''Yo, Marcus, man.'' Nathan calls.

''You better back him up!'' Jimmy warns the group.

''LISTEN TO HIM!'' Rachel screams at Marcus.

''YOU'RE NOT GONNA DO IT!'' Marcus screams at Jimmy.

''Marcus!'' Nathan calls again.

''WHAT?'' Marcus asks as he turns around and Nathan punches him hard in the face. He goes down. Nathan looks at Lucas.

''That help you out?'' Nathan asks his husband.

Jimmy doesn't know where to point the gun. ''Behind the line!'' Jimmy asks him. Everyone back away but Nathan and Skills take their time. ''Move, Skills.'' Jimmy asks. Skills doesn't listen to him. ''Get behind the line!'' Jimmy asks once more. Abby Brown leans against the filing cabinet for support and cries. Everybody shuffles around.

Mouth, Rachel, Haley and Skills are still sitting at the table. Abby is on the floor against the wall and Marcus is on the filing cabinet, with a drink. ''You might wanna duck.'' Marcus tells Jimmy who is smoking.

''Nah, it's just the reporters. We're all part of this circus now.'' Haley tells them.

''Hey, can I ask you a question?'' Nathan asks. Jimmy doesn't answer he just continues to smoke. ''What do you want to happen?'' He asks anyway.

''What do I want to happen? Uh,… yeah, I-I wanna crap a million and a plane ticket to Bolivia!'' Jimmy answers back mockingly.

''Maybe you could just give up.'' Rachel tells him.

''Ah, yeah, that's it; I'll just… call a do-over.'' Jimmy says.

''Why not? You didn't hurt anybody. Did you?'' Rachel asks. Jimmy takes another drag and looks away.

''Did you shoot anyone, Jimmy?'' Mouth asks gently.

Jimmy puts the fag out in the paperclip tub. ''I don't know.'' Jimmy answers truthfully.

''You don't have a record, Jim. You're a good student and you're a minor.'' Haley tells him.

''Yeah. Man, maybe this isn't… as bad as you think.'' Nathan says although he doesn't quite obviously doesn't believe that. Jimmy looks around. Marcus laughs

''You're kidding, right?'' Marcus asks Nathan. Abby Brown is looking a lot worse. '' The guy shot up a school!'' He adds.

''Would you shut up, man?'' Skills asks him.

''You shut up! I'm not lying for him.'' Marcus tells Skills as Jimmy glares at him. ''Pointed a gun at my head and threatened to kill me. I hope they fry his ass.'' He adds.

''Hey, what's wrong with you?'' Abby asks. Mouth looks back at her. ''He's just a kid. We're all… just kids and we just have this life and the things you say and do; we feel that!'' Abby asks crying. ''How can you have so much hate in your heart? How can you act like is doesn't matter? It does matter! What happened to us, huh? We're just… kids! We can't be like this. It's not possible!'' Abby tells them as she breaks down. Haley looks at her with tears in her eyes.

''Seven-hundred days. High school. Out of twenty or thirty thousand. Can't you see past that? It's only seven-hundred days.'' Rachel asks him.

''Yeah, and how many of these days… do I get back? Do I get back the days I got spit on? Or the day I learned to look at the floor when I walk the halls? Or how bout the day my dad came to pick me up and saw me getting my ass kicked on the quad, and realised his son was a loser? You ever see the look in your father's eyes when he realises that. Do I get that day back? Coz I saw that same look the day he left me and my mom!'' Jimmy asks them.

''That sucks, man. I'm sorry, I know what it like to have a father look at you with disappointment I see it from my dad all the time because of who I am and it sucks but you have to let it go man.'' Nathan tells him. Abby looks at Nathan.

''It's great, you're sorry. Well you can forget it! This ain't… breakfast club! You know, we're not all gonna… fire up a joint and be pals, I mean, let's face it, this is the most any of us have talked in four years! And we all know if I don't have this GUN, it never happens.'' Jimmy tells them as he shakes the gun manically.

''Look, people suck, OK? It's just high school, man.'' Marcus tells him as everyone looks down.

''Yeah, there's always college, right?'' Jimmy asks him.

''MIT. Remember, Jim?'' Mouth asks as he nods his head.

''They rejected me. And you know why? Not enough activities.'' Jimmy says as he closes his eyes, Mouth looks away. ''Yeah, I guess Tree Hill fight club doesn't count.'' He adds with a laugh.

''You know, one school is not the end of the world.'' Lucas tells him.

''Yeah, it is for me. It's the end of my world.'' Jimmy tells Lucas.

''So, what; all this because you didn't get into college? All this because you're not popular?'' Marcus asks.

''No. All this because I'm tired of it.'' Jimmy answers him confused, Jimmy turns away, still pointing the gun at his hostages.

-X-

Dan walks forward, to a detective. ''Look, Greaves, with all do respect, you know where this Edwards kid is at; you need to get control of the situation and get somebody into that school.'' Dan tells him as he points at the school.

''We know where one kid's at. Now, can you guarantee me that's the only kid who walked into that school with a gun this morning?'' Greaves asks Dan. Dan glares and the detective continues. ''Look, Mayor, this is a static situation – if and when it becomes active, we will intervene. But until then… there's a mandated procedure; we secure the area, we wait for the crisis negotiator and we pray to god that Tree Hill High doesn't become just another catchphrase that people only whisper about for the rest of time.'' He adds before walking away.

Dan watches him. Keith stops next to Dan. ''Is it true? Is it… is it Jimmy Edwards?'' Keith asks Dan. Dan nods.

''One of them.'' Dan answers him.

''I know him. He's-he's not a bad kid.'' Keith tells him.

''He is now.'' Dan tells Keith bluntly as he walks away this time, leaving Keith watching after him.

Keith sighs again and walks to Karen who is distraught, leaning against the van. ''Hey!'' Keith says as he stops beside his wife.

Karen looks at him before looking down again. Keith puts a hand on her shoulder. ''I-I don't even know what Lucas is wearing. Um,… the policeman asked and…I couldn't even tell him what Lucas was wearing! I didn't even get a… a chance to say goodbye!'' Karen tells him as she begins to cry.

''You're not gonna have to.'' Keith tells her as she nods. ''You're not gonna have to.'' He says once more, she sniffs and nods again; more sure this time. They hug and she still cries.

-X-

A laptop is on one of the bleachers and is playing Jimmy's recording. ''The truth is,- -every day I have to come to this school… is one less day I have to come back.'' The laptop belongs to a reporter who is currently on her phone. ''That's excellent. I wanna air this with a live feed. I'll get student reactions; their emotions. There's gold here.'' She says into her phone.

''A little insensitive, don't you think?'' Brooke asks as she closes the laptop and cuts off Jimmy's recording harshly

''And you might be?'' The reporter asks.

''Brooke Davis – student council president.'' Brooke tells her.

The reporter gives her cameraman a looks before standing with her mic. ''I'm here with student council president – Brooke Davis.'' She says.

Brooke looks away, disbelievingly, before walking forward. ''Brooke, can you put into words how you might be feeling about this tragedy?'' The reporter asks as she holds the mic out.

Brooke glares at her before her expression changes to sadness. ''You should be ashamed of yourself.'' Brooke says before walking away leaving the reporter looking guilty.

-X-

Jake and Peyton are still hiding behind one of the low bookshelves. Peyton' head is lolling sideways and she's a lot paler than before. ''I'm tired, Jake.'' Peyton whispers to Jake weakly. Jake looks at her. ''Are you tired?'' She asks her boyfriend.

''Yeah, but you gotta stay awake, alright?'' Jake says concerned. Peyton nods her head. ''Talk to me about… tell me about a good day.'' Jake asks her.

PEYTON: (swallows and inhales) We had a snow day… sixth grade. Do you remember?'' Peyton begins, Jake nods and smiles, she smiles too. ''It was like this whole other world just came in overnight and took ours away And Brooke, she came over. We made a snow fort – with a tunnel And we stayed inside there all day. And it seemed so safe; like… everything was OK. Like everything our world was about to become; maybe we could just stop it. And stay little kids for one more day. But then it got cold… kinda like now. They're gonna come now.'' Peyton tells Jake.

''Who?'' Jake asks confused.

''All of them; the reporters… and the psychologists and the analysts and the so-called experts. And they're gonna try to make sense of this.'' Peyton tells him as a tear drops down her cheek. Jake nods. '' But they're not gonna be able to. And even if we do make it outta here, we're always gonna carry it with It's never gonna be the same.'' Peyton add weakly. ''It's not glass, is it? In my leg.'' She asks him.

''No, it's a bullet. Now I may have to get you outta here, OK? But nothing will happen to you. I promise.'' Jake tells her.

''You're always saving me.'' Peyton says to him.

''Somebody's got to. And I'm glad it' me.'' Jake tells her.

''Come here.'' She tells him. Jake moves closer and she kisses him. She looks at him for a beat. ''Just in case you can't keep your promise.'' Peyton adds as her eyes close and her breathing turns shallower.

-X-

Abby Brown is still leaning against the wall and looking a lot worse than before. ''I need to get outta here.'' Abby tells Jimmy.

''Yeah, me too, can we get a hall pass?'' Marcus adds.

The school bell rings, signalling the end of the first class. Jimmy looks around. He's sitting on the front desk. ''Has it only been an hour? It seems like it's been longer than that.'' Jimmy asks.

''I have Current Events this period.'' Haley tells the groups.

''I think this counts.'' Rachel tells her.

Nathan looks at Jimmy. ''Edwards, where're you supposed to be right now?'' Nathan asks.

''I'm supposed to be in AP English but I stopped going.'' Jimmy answers Nathan.

''Why?'' Rachel asks.

''Well, because I missed a couple of weeks about three months ago and I couldn't catch up. You see, one day, I spent a whole day in this school without a single person looking at me or talking to me. And I realised that was the best day I'd had in a long time; the day that nobody noticed me at all. The day I stopped being there. That was the best day. Well, that was kinda depressing so… I went home and took an antidepressant. And then I took another one… and then, for fun, I took twelve more.'' Jimmy tells them as Mouth looks down before burying his head in his arms. Abby Brown cries silently. '' My mom and the doctors called it an accident. And then, two weeks later, when I got back to school; nobody noticed. It was like I'd never left. I guess that's the up-side of not being there in the first place, right? Nobody misses you when you're gone.'' Jimmy adds.

Mouth shakes his head and cries. '' It's not supposed to be this way. The artists and the scientists and poets; none of them fit in at seventeen. You're supposed to get past it. Adults – they see kids killing kids and… they know it's a tragedy because they used to be those kids; the bullies and the beaten and the loners. You're supposed to get past it. You're supposed to live long enough to take it back! Just take it all back.'' Mouth tells him.

-X-

Frantic people, reporters, emergency personnel and the EMS teams are gathered outside the school. Karen is on her cell. ''OK.'' She says as she shut the phone and turns to Keith. '' That was Brooke. They won't release her without an adult but I-'' Karen struggles to tell him.

''It's OK. I'll wait here. Hey,… it's gonna be OK. I'm not gonna let anything happen to our boy. Come here.'' Keith says as he pulls her into a hug.

-X-

A cop car with flashing lights is visible through the window. A helicopter can be heard flying above the school. Jimmy lets go of the blinds and steps away from the window. '' You shouldn't have come back for me. I love you for doing it but… I wish you were safe.'' Nathan tells Lucas.

''I don't wanna be safe without you.'' Lucas tells him as he shakes his head.

''I heard what you said, Scott; (they both look at him) in the time capsule, about gay people.'' Jimmy says to them both. ''Guys like you can get away with it.'' He adds.

''Oh, guys like me, huh? You can pass judgment about guys like me all you want but somebody stereotypes you and there's gunplay? 20 minutes ago you called my husband a faggot and yet we haven't done anything to you for doing it.'' Nathan told him.

''Whatever. Your worst day in this place would be my best day.'' Jimmy tells him.

''OK, OK, maybe so. Alright, maybe it is easier for me and my friends. But, you know what, that doesn't make what you're doing right, does it? This is wrong, man; all of this. And I think you know that.'' Nathan says to him.

''Abby, you OK?'' Lucas asks as everyone looks at her.

Abby Brown is looking sickly and moving back and forth slightly. ''I'm fine.'' She says.

Haley frowns and stands. She looks back at Jimmy for a beat before walking to Abby. She touches Abby's forehead. ''No, you're not.'' Lucas says to her as he takes hold of Abby's hand. She has a bracelet on which has 'diabetes' written across it. ''You're diabetic! Where's your insulin?'' Lucas asks shocked.

''What's wrong with her?'' Jimmy asks.

''She's diabetic!'' Lucas tells him. ''Where is it.'' Lucas asks Abby when he turns back to her.

''In my locker! Across the quad.'' She tells Lucas. ''I'm sorry.'' Abby says to Jimmy.

''Oh, no, no, no, forget it! It's impossible.'' Jimmy tells her.

''You could let her go.'' Rachel tells him.

''Yeah, you got us, dawg.'' Skills told him.

''Jimmy, she's really sick.'' Lucas told him concerned for Abby.

''Let her go, Jim.'' Mouth said to a guy he once new.

''Yeah, let her go.'' Nathan argued back.

''Unbelievable! Alright, just you, come on.'' Jimmy said torn about what to do as he waved his gun around.

''Come on, Abby.'' Lucas said as he held his hand out for her to take. Lucas and Haley helped her to the door. Marcus stands too.

''Hey, I'm sick too. Seriously, I feel terrible.'' Marcus told him as he walked towards the door.

JIMMY: Stay behind the line!'' Jimmy shouts at the three who were with Abby. Haley jumps and stops. ''Come on.'' Jimmy says to Abby. Lucas and Haley back up as Abby walks forward. Jimmy opens the door and Lucas and Haley walk back to their seats. Abby stops at the doorway and turns to look at them – pale faced and sweaty. ''GO on before I change my mind!'' He tells her.

Abby visibly jumps. ''I'm scared.'' Abby told him.

''Of what?'' Jimmy asks her.

''The others.'' Abby says tearfully. Jimmy looks at her sadly.

''Are there others, Jim?'' Haley asks.

''Does this feel well planned to you?'' Jimmy answers her as he looks down at the taped line. Everyone shuffles in their seats. Jimmy breathes harshly. He looks at Abby kindly. '' Go.'' He whispers to him. Abby smiles, backs up and moves down the corridor slowly. She looks into the tutor centre as she walks. Finally she faces forward. Jimmy watches her and Abby starts running down the corridor.

-X-

Peyton's head drops onto Jake's shoulder as she passes out.

-X-

Brooke hugs Karen and cries.

-X-

Jake is up at the entrance to the library. He pushes the heavy book drop which he has used to barricade the door shut.

-X-

Abby Brown continues to run down the corridor and around the corner. Jimmy watches her longingly. In the background, Nathan is on his phone, texting. Jimmy turns back and spots Nathan. ''Hey.'' He calls out to Nathan. Nathan drops his phone and holds his hands up. '' What're you doing? You said you didn't have a phone! Who'd you call?'' He asks as he looks back to the doorway, panicked. '' They better not come in here!''

-X-

Keith as he walks across the quad to Dan. Dan is looking at his phone. '' I just got a text message from Nathan.'' Dan tells him.

''Is he in there? Is Lucas with him?'' Keith asks him.

Dan shuts the phone and looks at Keith. '' He says this kid is the only one. They're in the tutor centre.''

'' And it's Jimmy Edwards, huh?'' Keith asks.

Dan nods and makes a noise of assent. He sees cops dressed in full-out armed gear. The leader is pointing to a plan of action taped to the side of the van. '' Look, Danny, I know we've had our differences lately but… you've gotta let me try to talk to him. I know this kid. If they go in there,… he's gonna get spooked and this thing's gonna turn out bad. Please, just let me try.'' Keith asks him.

Dan shakes his head decidedly. ''No way. It's too dangerous.'' Dan tells him as he walks away.

Keith grabs hold of Dan's arm. ''Dan,… please. You can get me in there. Nobody has to know.'' Keith says to him.

-X-

Jimmy bangs once on the shut door – hard. '' I should have known it was all about the gun. So what, do I have to pull the trigger again for you to take me seriously?'' Jimmy asks them as he walks forward, pointing it manically.

''No!'' Lucas tells him.

''Edwards, come on, man.'' Skills asks him.

''I promise you, whoever steps into that hallway… is gonna die!'' Jimmy tells them distraught. He points the gun forward again.

-X-

Jake carries an unconscious Peyton out of the library and into the hallway. '' Got ya.'' He whispers to her. He steps away from the door and it bangs shut. Lucas winces at the loud noise.

-X-

Jimmy's head jerks up as he hears the noise. Everybody listens quietly. '' I guess that's my cue.'' Jimmy says slightly psychotic as he walks towards the door.

''Don't! Just Stop! Change it. Don't do this.'' Rachel asks him pleading and crying.

Jimmy closes his eyes, uncaring. ''Please, Jim. Just turn yourself in. I can go with you. This can't be happening.'' Mouth asks him.

''Yo, Edwards, man. It don't have to be like this, dawg.'' Skills says.

''Yeah, I think it does.'' Jimmy says as he turns to the door, unlocks it and opens it.

''Jimmy!'' Haley says softly as she watches him tearfully.

''You know, they're gonna remember me as a monster. I wonder how they'll remember all of you.'' Jimmy says looking back at them as he backs out of the room and turns to face the corridor. Haley turns to Nathan and buries her face in his shoulder. Mouth cries openly.

-X-

Jimmy walks down the corridor slowly, gun pointed towards the floor.

-X-

Marcus looks forward, soberly. Skills watches the door where Jimmy just exited.

-X-

Jimmy continues to walk.

-X-

Rachel has tear tracks down her face and they all wait.

-X-

Jake carries Peyton to the door where she was shot. He looks through the glass and sees no one. He opens the door. Jimmy sees him and points the gun at them.

''Hey, where do you think you're going?'' Jimmy asks them.

Lucas stops at the door and looks at Jimmy worriedly. ''She's bleeding.'' Jake says tentatively.

''THE SCHOOL'S ON LOCKDOWN!'' Jimmy screams.

''I know, Jim. But if I don't get her outta here, she's gonna die.'' Jake tells him.

''I didn't mean to hurt her.'' Jimmy says sadly.

''We know that, Jimmy.'' Keith says as he enters from a side door.

''WHAT THE HELL IS THIS! THE SCHOOL'S ON LOCKDOWN!'' Jimmy says franticly as he points the gun at Keith.

''Please, Jimmy, just… please just let them go and… you and I can talk about this. She's hurt, Jimmy.'' Keith pleads with him.

''I didn't mean it.'' Jimmy says again.

Keith nods and stands in front of Jake and Peyton. '' I know.'' Keith says. '' Go on Jake.'' Keith tells him.

Jake starts to move and Keith moves with them, to keep them covered from Jimmy and the gun. Jimmy doesn't try to shoot them. Jake, Peyton and Keith reach the door. ''Keith-'' Jake starts to say.

Keith looks back at Jimmy who is shaking from fear. Jake looks at Keith and then at Jimmy. He waits for a beat before walking out of the school. ''Jimmy breaks eye contact. '' Why don't you just hand me that gun,… Jimmy, and we can just follow them outta here.'' Keith says as he holds his hand out for the gun.

'' I can't.'' Jimmy struggles to say.

'' Well, I'm not gonna leave you here, son. I'm not gonna do that and I'll tell you why; because I've been there. I've bought the gun… and I planned on using it, OK? I've been there. And I wanna tell you something;… it gets better.'' Keith tells him.

'' Not this. It can't.'' Jimmy says as he shakes his head.

'' It does, Jimmy. That-that pain in your stomach, that pain in your heart – it goes away! That voice in your head that's-that's saying there's no way out; it's wrong, Jimmy! Would you please,… please just believe me; it gets better.'' Keith promise him.

'' IT WON'T! NOT AFTER THIS! I CAN'T TAKE THIS BACK! I-I CAN'T ERASE THIS! She's gonna die!'' Jimmy says tearfully.

''You don't know that.'' Keith tells him as Jimmy begins to cry.

-X-

Jake pushes the door open with his back and steps out. The SWAT team aims guns at him and Peyton. One is positioned on the roof. Four converge around the pair.

-X-

'' I just… I wanted- I wanted them to leave me alone! I just…'' Jimmy says as he points the gun at Keith still. '' I wanted them to like me!'' Jimmy says as he slowly falls to his knees.

''I understand- -son, it's what we all want. It's all any of us wants.

''I'm not here.'' Jimmy says he looks heavenwards, out of it.

-X-

Jake looks around cautiously as he walks forward slowly. The SWAT team circles Jake and Peyton. A member of the SWAT team takes Peyton from Jake. Cops aim guns at Jake as one rushes away with Peyton. Jake holds his hands out and drops to his knees. One of the cops pushes Jake to the floor and pulls his arms behind him.

-X-

Jimmy looks around, spaced out. '' I'm not here.'' H repeats again.

'' Jimmy, please ju- It's gonna be OK, son. It's gonna be OK.'' Keith says as he stands in front of Jimmy.

''But it hurts.'' Jimmy says as he smacks himself in the chest. '' It hurts! IT ALWAYS HURTS!'' Jimmy tells him.

I know.'' Keith answers. ''Please.'' He pleads with the teen. ''Please.'' Keith says begging this time.

''I'm sorry.'' Jimmy says weakly. Jimmy turns the gun on himself and Keith realises what he's about to do.

''NO!'' Keith says rushing forward but it's too late. A gunshot rings through the school.

-X-

Lucas lifts his head from Nathan's shoulder, his mouth open in shock and horror.

-X-

Keith rushes to a sprawled Jimmy. He's already dead. Keith puts a hand on Jimmy's chest.

-X-

Mouth has his head buried in Rachel's shoulder as they both cry. Marcus is still sitting on the filing cabinet. He's staring off into nothing. Skills is looking down, lost.

-X-

Keith is still hovering over Jimmy, trying to find some life in him. He lowers his head sadly.

-X-

Peyton is being loaded into an ambulance. She's still unconscious. Jake walks up to his mother now that he's been released by the cops., he hugs her before he walks over to Brooke and hugs her too. Brooke is crying as she hugs him.

Cops stand away from Mrs. Edwards as she absorbs the news that it was her son who caused it all.

-X-

The gun lies abandoned on the floor, a little way away from Keith and Jimmy's body. Feet stop in front of it. A hand reaches down and picks the gun up. The person watches Keith with Jimmy's body. Keith looks up at the person, crying. ''He's gone, Danny. He's gone.'' Keith tells him sadly. Dan nods and waits a beat before raising the gun and pointing it at Keith. Keith watches the movement and stands. Dan points the gun steadily at his son's father in law. Keith looks at Dan in confusion and bewilderment. Dan waits a beat before pulling the trigger on him. Keith recoils and falls to the floor. The empty bullet case hits the floor too. Dan looks at Keith coldly.

-X-

Nathan met Lucas at the hospital, when he got there he saw Lucas comforting Karen. 'Please god let Keith be okay.' Nathan silently prayed to himself as he walked down the hallway towards Lucas. ''Luke, is your dad okay?'' Nathan asked him.

''He's in surgery. If it hadn't been for your dad he could've died.'' Lucas told him as he let Nathan comfort him.

''I'm going to go and talk to one of the nurses at the reception to find out what's happening with your dad.'' Karen told them.

''Have you heard any news on Peyton.'' Lucas asked him as he pulled away and took a seat on one of the chairs in the waiting room.

''I don't know, I came straight up here to you once the doctor checked me over.'' Nathan told him as he took a seat beside him. ''Do you think that Edwards would have shot your dad. He didn't seem the type, he just looked hurt and upset with his life. At the start of last year he had friends then Brooke started dating Julian and they all start to pull away from him.'' Nathan told him.

''I don't know there was only three people in that hallway. Jimmy, Dan and my dad. If it wasn't Jimmy, then it would off had to have been your dad. I don't think your dad is that evil to shoot my dad, do you.'' Lucas asked him.

''I don't know what to think about my dad anymore, he paid Felix to hurt you so he could be capable of shooting your dad and if he did it. Then I hope it doesn't come between us. Cause just know that if I had to choose between you and him, you would always win, no contest.'' Nathan told him as he took Lucas into his arms once again.

''I want to move back into the apartment. Today showed me that we have to take each day as it comes and enjoy every moment we have together. I don't want us to loose anymore time. I love you Nate.'' Lucas told him.

''I love you too Luke. I'll be happy for you to move back home. I've missed you, I've missed sleeping next to you.'' Nathan told him.

Karen came back and saw the two boys talking. ''Your dad is out of surgery and a nurse is going to come and get us when we can see him.'' Karen told her son.

''When dad gets out of hospital I am going to move back in with Nathan. If that's okay with you and dad.'' Lucas told her.

''Sweetheart you can move back into the apartment tonight, if that is what makes you happy.'' Karen told him.

''I don't want to leave you in the house alone while dad is in hospital.'' Lucas tells her.

''I'm going to spend most of my time here with your father. You should be with Nathan, while you have time together.'' Karen says to him.

''I love you mom.'' Lucas told her as he stood up and hugged her.

''I love you too my boy. You can go and see your father before I do, then you can go home and spend time with your husband.'' Karen told him.

''Some mothers don't want their kids moving out until it's time for them to go to college and here you are you can't wait to get me out of the house again.'' Lucas joked with her.

''You wanted to get married, and move in with Nathan so now the house is empty and your father and I enjoy the peace and quiet sometimes until you two are ready to make us grandparents. Which by the way there is no rush for it to happen anytime soon.'' Karen told the two boys just as a nurse came to get them.

''Mr Scott can have visitors now.'' The nurse told them. ''Room 303.'' She added before walking away.

Lucas walked down the hall and went into his father's room. ''Hey dad.'' Lucas said as he saw his Keith lying on the bed with tubes. ''I'm so sorry dad if I didn't go into that school to get Nathan you would never have went in either. I'm going to go now dad and let mom come in. I love you dad.'' Lucas told him as he left the room. ''Mom call me if there's any change with dad.'' Lucas told her as he and Nathan got ready to leave. ''Can we stop in and check in on Peyton and see how she is before we go home.'' Lucas asked Nathan as they headed towards the lifts.

''Of course we can baby.'' Nathan said as they got into the lift and went down to Peyton's floor.

When they got of the lift they saw Jake, Brooke, Julian, Haley and Chris standing in the waiting room. ''Brooke, how's Peyton doing?'' Lucas asked Brooke once he had and Nathan reached the group.

''She's doing fine. She's awake and alert. The bullet went into her leg and she lost a lot of blood. How's your dad.'' Brooke asked him.

''He's out of surgery but he's unconscious.'' Lucas told her as Nathan put his arm around his shoulders. ''Nate and I are going to head home.'' Lucas told her as he sent Brooke a wink

''Details Scott. Tomorrow I want details.'' Brooke told him.

''We'll check in with you again tomorrow to see how Peyton's doing. Bye guys.'' Lucas said as he and Nathan waved bye and left the hospital.

-X-

Nathan and Lucas were lying in bed making out and making up for lost time. Lucas slipped a hand up under Nathan's top. Nathan let out a moan as Lucas fingers began to rub his nipples. Lucas began to move is kisses down Nathan's jaw line and to his neck where he sucked and licked on Nathan's weak spot. He pulled Nathan's top up and removed his lips as he pulled the top over Nathan's head. Lucas went back to kissing Nathan's chest and nipples were he took one of the hardened buds into his mouth while his fingers rubbed and pinched the other. He stopped sucking it, he heard Nathan let out a groan of disappointment. ''I'll only continue if you say that it's your turn to be fucked first.'' Lucas told him loving the control he had over Nathan at this point.

''Anything you want baby, just please continue.'' Nathan answered him surprising both himself and Lucas that he could even talk as Lucas hand had went back to paying attention to his nipples. ''Mmm Luke, God.'' Nathan moaned out as Lucas' other hand brushed across his hard member that was still confined in the tight space of his jeans. Lucas smirked before he moved down to unbutton Nathan's jeans, Lucas pulled Nathan's jeans and boxers down so far, when Nathan then kicked them off the rest of the way. Lucas kissed back up Nathan's inner thigh until he reached Nathan's cock, but he didn't touch it he just moved over to the other leg and once again kissed up the inner thigh as his hands moved up to fondle Nathan's balls as his kisses moved back up to Nathan's cock. Lucas kissed the tip of it before he took the hard 8 inches into his mouth while his hand continued their actions on his balls. ''Mmm Luke, oh fuck.'' Nathan moaned out as he put his hands on the back of Lucas' neck as Lucas began to deep throat him. Lucas moved his head from Nathan's cock to his balls were he licked and sucked each of them before licking up one side and down the other side of Nathan's cock before he took Nathan's cock back into his mouth again, while Nathan began to guide the movement and speed of Lucas with his hands. ''Fuck Luke, I'm gonna cum.'' Nathan cried out at the sight of Lucas giving him head. Nathan hot fluid squirted into Lucas' mouth. Lucas swallowed ever drop that Nathan had to offer before moving up and kissing him. Nathan could taste himself on Lucas' lips. ''I love you.'' Nathan whispered against Lucas' lips as he tried to roll them over but Lucas wouldn't budge. Nathan managed to grip the hem of Lucas' top and pull it over his head before moving his hand down to unbutton Lucas' jeans. Lucas kicked his jeans and boxers off after Nathan pulled them down as far as he could with Lucas on top of him.

''Nope, it's your turn to be fucked first.'' Lucas said as he reached across to the bedside cabinet to get the lube and a condom. Lucas lubed up his fingers before moving down Nathan's body once more and hoisting his legs up over his shoulders. Lucas began to prepare Nathan for his first time of being fucked. Lucas inserted his tongue into Nathan's ass and began fucking it in and out relaxing the muscles. ''Relax baby.'' Lucas whispered to him. He started to feel Nathan relax and enjoy the pleasure he was getting. Lucas then inserted on of his lubed up fingers into Nathan as he finger fucked him. Lucas gradually inserted two then three fingers before pulling out. ''Ready Nate.'' Lucas asked him as he lubed up Nathan's hole and put a condom on.

''Yeah, Luke please be gentle with me it's my first time.'' Nathan told him.

Lucas put Nathan's legs down before bending over him and kissing him. ''I promise, if it hurts I'll stop and once I'm in, I'll stay still until you are ready for me to move.'' Lucas told him as he lined up his cock with Nathan's opening ready to claim his husband's Anal Virginity. Nathan nodded for Lucas to continue. Lucas slowly and gently began to thrust his hips forward into Nathan. ''God you're so tight Nate.'' Lucas moaned out at the tightness he was feeling as Nathan let out a gasp of pain before nodding to Lucas to move in more. Once Lucas was fully inserted he reached forward to capture Nathan's lips with his own. ''Luke you can move now.'' Nathan told him after he had a few minutes to get use to the invasion. Lucas started off with his thrust gentle before speeding up. Lucas saw Nathan moving his hand between them so he could stroke himself. Lucas slapped his hands away and moved his own hands down to stroke Nathan once again hard cock. Lucas felt his own orgasm starting at the pit of his stomach. ''I'm almost their Nate.'' Lucas moaned out. ''God Luke so am I.'' Nathan moaned out to. Lucas began to speed up his thrusts and his hand movements before bringing the two of them their orgasms.

''God Luke, that was amazing.'' Nathan said as he held Lucas tight to him after Lucas had collapsed on top of him.

''Does that mean that we can change it around a bit and that I can fuck you some days. As much as I love you fucking me it can get a little tender and sore after a few hours.'' Lucas told him as he rolled of Nathan and out of him.

''After that hell yeah. Why didn't you say anything sooner, you could've made love to me sooner if you had just told me.'' Nathan told him as he watched Lucas take the used condom off and throw it in the trash can. Lucas just shrugged his shoulders as he made his way back to bed with Nathan's eyes on him the whole way. Once he was back in bed he cuddled up beside Nathan and rested his head on Nathan's chest. ''I love you Luke.'' Nathan told him.

''I love you too. Always.'' Lucas replied as he got comfortable.

''And forever.'' Nathan whispered back as he pulled the covers up over them. ''Goodnight Luke.'' He added as he kissed Lucas sweaty forehead.

''Goodnight Nate.'' Lucas whispered back as he placed a kiss on Nathan's naked and sweaty chest.

AN-Hope you enjoyed this chapter.