''And now we ask for the strength to help us navigate the stages of our grief, as we lay our brother Jimmy to rest.'' The Priest said as he closed the bible. Julian stepped forward and picks up a handful of dirt from the pile and dropped it on top of Jimmy's coffin. ''Mary?'' The priest called. Mary steps up and drops her handful of dirt on top of her son. After everyone had left Julian, Mouth, Skills, Fergie and Junk stood with Mary. Julian puts his arm around her shoulders and allows Mary to cry.
-X-
Lucas and Nathan went back home to their apartment after the funeral. ''You do know that nobody expected you or your mom to go today.'' Nathan told him as they headed into their room to get changed. All their friends and Julian's friends were meeting at the apartment after they got changed.
''I know they didn't but as you said we don't know who it was that shot my dad until he wakes up.'' Lucas told him as he sat on the bed and took his shoes off.
''Your dad will wake up, the doctor said the odds were looking good for him.'' Nathan told him as he kissed him on the side of the head before walking over to the drawers to find a t-shirt.
''I know, I'm not giving up hope just yet.'' Lucas told him as his cell phone rang out. ''It's Brooke.'' Lucas told him as he reached over to get his cell phone off the beside cabinet. ''Hey Brooke you're on speaker phone.'' Lucas told her as he put her on speaker.
''Hey Brooke.'' Nathan called to her as he began to unbutton his shirt and put a clean fresh t-shirt.
''Hey guys. I know you don't like Rachel but she and I were going to plan a party to hold in the school tonight for everyone and make sure that no one is left out. So I was wondering if you guys were okay if I brought her to the apartment with us.'' Brooke asked them.
''Yeah sure as long as she doesn't try to kiss my husband we will be fine.'' Lucas told her as he looked over and saw Nathan in the process of stripping out of his trousers to put on a pair of jeans.
''Okay, we'll see you in about 10 minutes. We will stop by the store and get some candy and soda's or even some beers and a takeaway.'' Brooke told them.
''Beers and takeaway.'' Lucas and Nathan both called. ''We'll see you guys when you get here.'' Lucas told her as he hung up. ''They aren't going to be here for another 10 minutes, what do you say to having a quickie.'' Lucas said to him as he began to unbutton his own shirt. Nathan didn't say anything he just joined Lucas on the bed.
15 minutes later both Lucas and Nathan had finished and gotten redressed just as there was a knock on the door. ''Hey guys come on in.'' Nathan said as he went to answer the door. ''Luke's in the kitchen getting plates for the food.'' Nathan told them as he let everyone in.
Rachel and Brooke went into the kitchen with the food and beers. ''Hey broody boy.'' Brooke said as she put the food on the counter and went round to hug him.
''Where will I put these.'' Rachel asked very quietly which was the first time for her.
''The fridge.'' Lucas told her as he began to help Brooke put the food on the plates. ''Rachel as long as you don't make out again with Nathan we can put the past behind us.'' Lucas told the red head.
''I'm going to go out into the living room and join the others. I have no intention in trying to make out with your husband again. I'm really sorry about that.'' Rachel told him as she went into the living room.
''You should try and set Rachel up with Owen Morello.'' Lucas tells Brooke as they carry the food out to the living room. Brooke thought about before nodding to Lucas that she would. ''What are we watching.'' Lucas asks them.
''Hunting in Connecticut.'' Nathan tells him as Lucas took a seat on the floor in front of Nathan.
-X-
The next day at school the students saw changes that have been made since the shooting. ''Welcome back students. Today as we return to our school with heavy hearts, you will notice some changes. At the entrance to our school, you will see metal detectors. These are here for your safety. You will see an armed police presence around campus. They are here for your wellbeing. We can try to make the school safer, we can try to protect you, but there are few precautions that we can take to protect your hearts. Form a grief circle, talk about it. If you're feeling scared, if you're feeling vulnerable or confused, don't keep it inside. Let it out. You are not alone. And this is your school'.' Principal Turner told them all on the loud speaker. There is police officers searching people's bags, Peyton is at the head of the line, still on crutches.
Julian walks past Jimmy's locker as sees that there is a picture of him taped to it. Flowers and candles lay under it on the floor. People stand around it. Mouth walks up and adds a small microphone to the pile, Brooke walks up to Julian who is staring at the scene around Jimmy's locker. ''Hey.'' She said as she watched him.
''Hey.'' Julian says as he looks back at Brooke before looking back at the scene in front of him.
''Let's just go to class, okay?'' Brooke tells him as she takes a hold of his hand and the two begin to walk away.
-X-
''Welcome to detention. Let's get this party started.'' Rachel shouted as she stood in the school hallway.
'' Do you really think a party is appropriate, Brooke?'' Julian asks his girlfriend still not sure about this whole thing.
'' It's not a party, it's more of a cleansing for every kid in this school, you know? Everybody's here, everybody's invited everybody's together. So just, check it out, okay? We got co-ed bathrooms, Science lab for drugs and pharmaceuticals, Health class for condoms and people probably using them, Spanish class has kick-ass margaritas, and then there's the Tutor centre. For anybody who needs a little extra help. Tonight we're all together and we stop judging each other and let everybody heal their own way.'' She tells Julian as they head towards the make shift dance floor.
''Everybody head to lock down, I've got a shooter here! Shooters in the hallway! Come on, everybody!'' A random guy by the keg calls.
Lucas walks over to him and grabs the guy by the shirt and pins him against the wall. '' Pull your head out of your ass, and show some respect. My father was shot in this hallway trying to make sure that those locked in the tutor centre got out. A son and a friend of some people here was also shot.'' Lucas tells him as he hits the wall and walks off. Brooke watches him go.
Mouth sticks Jimmy's picture back up to his locker, crying silently. ''You have to let it go, Mouth. It's not your fault.'' Rachel tells him.
''I wasn't thinking that.'' Mouth tells her as he continues to stare at Jimmy's picture on his locker.
''Yes you were. You have this ridiculous notion that because you were friends once you could have saved him.'' Rachel tells him as she put a hand on his shoulder.
''What's so ridiculous about that?'' Mouth asks her as he turns round to look at her.
''Because you couldn't have.'' Rachel answered him feeling sorry for him.
''I was his best friend, Rachel.'' Mouth argues with her.
''How many times did the guy call you in the last year?'' Rachel asked him. Mouth stayed silent. ''Come on, look around. Everybody's here tonight. Geeks, stoners, jocks… maybe a few old friends who forgot to stay in touch. That's how it's gonna change.'' Rachel tells him as she looks around forcing Mouth to do the same thing.
''But everyone's still divided. We stick to these rigid circles of friends based on sports we play or hobbies we like or how attractive or unattractive we are. When's that gonna change?'' Mouth tells her knowing that tomorrow everyone will be back to how they once we're in the own clique.
''Honestly? Probably never. Look, its human nature. People stick to their own kind. If you want it to change, then change it. I'll help you.'' Rachel tells him.
''How?'' Mouth questions her.
''Dance with me.'' Rachel says as she holds her hand out. Mouth takes her hand and they begin to dance.
-X-
Nathan had found Lucas back at their apartment. ''Hey I was just getting ready to go to the hospital.'' Lucas tells Nathan as they both opened the door at the same time.
''I'll come with you.'' Nathan said as he let Lucas pass him before closing the door again. ''Brooke told me that she saw you pin a guy up against a wall. What happened.'' Nathan asked him as Lucas began to pull out of the driveway.
''He was being an ass shouting about lock down and having a shooter, I just lost it. My dad was shot there Nathan and I don't even know if he is going to wake up.'' Lucas tell him as his cell phone rang. ''Hello.'' Lucas said as he answered his phone.
''Lucas it's mom. Your dad has woke up. He is in with the doctors at the moment then the cops want to talk to him but I know that he would love to see you.'' Karen told him as she stood at a phone box in the hospital lobby.
''Nate and I were just on are way to the hospital so we should be there in about 20 minutes.'' Lucas told her.
''Okay, I'll wait for you in the lobby.'' Karen told him.
''Okay mom see you soon.'' Lucas said before they hung up. ''My dad has woke up.'' He said to Nathan as he looked over at him.
20 minutes later and Lucas and Nathan were walking into the hospital. ''Mom.'' Lucas called out as he pulled his hand from Nathan's and ran up to her.
''My boy.'' Karen said as she hugged him and kissed his cheek. ''Nathan my other boy.'' Karen said as he hugged Nathan and kissed his cheek too. ''Let's go up and see your dad.'' Karen told Lucas as the three of them headed towards the elevator and up to Keith's room.
Karen went in first to see if Keith was finished talking to the police. ''Is Lucas on his way.'' Keith asked her.
''He and Nathan are outside, I came in first to see if you were finished talking with the police.'' Karen told him as she opened the door to allow Lucas and Nathan to come in. Nathan stood back by the door as Lucas went over and hugged his dad.
''I'm so sorry dad, if I hadn't gone back into the school, you would be okay.'' Lucas told Keith as he took a seat on the chair beside the bed next to Karen.
''If you didn't, you could have been at Nathan's or Peyton or any of you other friends who were in that school's funeral.'' Keith told him. ''You can join us over here Nathan.'' Keith told the teen as he saw him by the door.
Nathan walked in. ''Dad was it Jimmy who shot you. Nate doesn't think it was him. He thinks that Dan could have done it. But we saw Dan carry you out.'' Lucas told him.
''Jimmy didn't shoot me, so don't blame him. Nathan was right it was Dan, and I'm sorry Nathan but you were right to think it was him. He carried be out because I had stopped breathing and he thought I was dead. What a shock it will be to him to hear that I survived.'' Keith told them.
''I'm sorry Keith.'' Nathan told him as he stood by Lucas.
''It's not your fault son.'' Keith told him.
''If I just kept it to myself that I was gay then Dan wouldn't hate you and he would never have done it.'' Nathan told him.
''Nathan you make my so happy and that makes us happy. So don't blame yourself for being gay for the reason that your dad did what he did.'' Keith told him.
Nathan nodded but stayed quiet. They all sat with Keith before they were kicked out.