A/N: Title Taken From Billy Ray Cyrus - It Could Have Been Me

Chapter Fourteen:
It Could Have Been Me

The next day when Nathan woke up he didn't want to move. He looked over and saw that Lucas had already gotten up and was in the shower. He looked around almost forgetting there new freedom then when Haley walked in the door he really didn't believe it.

"Hey Haley what are you doing?" Nathan asked not moving from the spot.

"I'm going shopping with Lucas we're going to buy some clothes for his show!" Haley started looking through Nathan's closet.

"Oh that's nice," Nathan watched her questioningly.

"Man Lucas really does need new clothes look at these things,"

"That's mine," Nathan said turning only his head toward her completely. She looked at him and put the clothes back. She then grinned and walk out of the room.

- - -

An hour later Lucas and Haley were walking into the mall a crossed town.

"You said what?" Lucas laughed as he picked up a shirt and looked it over.

"I didn't know they were his clothes!" Haley slapped him on the arm, "You could have told me which one was his clothes."

"I just can't believe you said that Nathan has very good style!"

"Well yeah a good Nathan style but not a Lucas style,"

"What?"

"Nathan looks good in the clothes he wears but you wouldn't,"

"I beg to differ I have worn his clothes before and looked hot!"

"If Nathan said it it doesn't count! Only if a stranger told you so!"

"So the next time you tell me I look good I have to ignore it?"

"No I count,"

"Yeah I guess you are strange!" Lucas said and Haley smacked him on the arm again.

- - -

Nathan walked into the kitchen and looked around. He had no clue what he was going to do. He wanted to surprise Lucas but he didn't know what he wanted to surprise him with. In all of the events of the past week Lucas had forgotten that it was their anniversary. Nathan didn't mind because it meant the surprise would be even more special.

- - -

"You mean you made him believe that you forgot!" Haley waited outside the dressing rooms waiting for Lucas to come out.

"Well I think he's planning something so I figured that if I pretended not to remember then maybe he would go all out you know!" Lucas walked out and Haley's eyes widened and she smiled.

"That will make him hit the ground for sure!"

- - -

Nathan was in a hurry to get back. He had just finished cooking the main course when he realized he needed to run to the store to get some chocolate for the desert. He had to try and get back to the apartment and he was running out of time but still had 5 blocks to go. He was so busy running trying to get back in time he didn't notice when the light turned green and he didn't relize the car that didn't hit the breaks until it struck him on the side and threw him feet away from the car.

- - -

"I wonder what's going on up here," Lucas asked as they walked up to flashing lights and a group of people standing around.

"I don't know but it seems oh my god Lucas that's Nathan!" Haley yelled as she saw the medics lift Nathan into the ambulance. Lucas seemed to have noticed at the same time because he was already pushing his way through the crowd yelling. He had thrown his bags down Haley picked them up and followed him.

"LET ME THROUGH!" Lucas made it all the way to the front of the pack and then ran over to the ambulance.

"You can't come in here sir," One of the medics tried to push Lucas away.

"That's my boyfriend," He said and the medic froze for a second. He then looked up at the other medic who nodded her head and Lucas jumped in. Nathan's face was bloody but he could still see the beautiful brunettes eyes. They moved until they looked right into Lucas's.

"How did you?" Nathan said weakly.

"We just happened upon you," Lucas said grabbing Nathan's hand with tears in his eyes.

"Don't cry baby I'm going to be ok," Nathan smiled.

"I know I just hate seeing you like this," Lucas kissed Nathan's hand as the door of the ambulance was shut. Haley watched as it pulled away then started walking back toward the apartment and pulled out her cell phone.

- - -

An hour later Lucas was sitting in the waiting room with the rings in his hand. Tears were streaming down his face. Nathan had been omitted as critical due to the fact he had stopped responding wile in the ambulance. Lucas heard doors open and turned to see three blurry figures heading his way.

"Lucas what are you doing out here?" Haley's voice came from one of the blurry faces.

"H-He s-stopped-" Lucas couldn't finish the sentence he just collapsed over into Haley's shoulder and cried. Brooke came up behind him and hugged him.

"Its going to be OK Luke," Brooke spoke, she was also crying. Lucas moved a hand to Brooke's arm and the two rings fell to the floor. Rachel picked them up.

"Luke," Rachel spoke softly.

"Yeah?" Lucas leaned back calmed down a little at the moment. Brooke stood straight but didn't leave his side resting a hand on his back.

"Where did these come from?" Rachel handed them back to him. Lucas started at the rings for a moment then looked up at the ceiling.

"They fell out of Nathan's pocket," Lucas looked back down at the rings, "They're inscribed."

Lucas handed the rings to Haley and she read them aloud:

"N+L4EVA2GETHA," Haley looked back over at Lucas.

"Oh Luke," Brooke crouched down and hugged him. He hugged her back then a doctor came out.

"Lucas Roe?" the Doctor looked at Lucas as Brooke stood back up.

"Yeah that me," Lucas stood up and shook the doctors hand.

"Nathan seems to had suffered some sever damage to the head, both arms are broke as well as a rib and his right leg," The doctor looked up from his paper work and Lucas just started back.

"Is he-Is he responsive?" Lucas barley managed to get out trying to hold himself together.

"He fell into a slight coma and we think it could be a wile before he wakes from it," The doctor then asked if Lucas needed anything but when Lucas didn't answer he nodded and walked away.

Haley came up behind Lucas just in time to catch him as he fell to his knees crying. She wrapped her arms around him and fell with him. He grabbed onto her arms.

"I don't-He was talking-" Lucas couldn't finish.

"He'll be ok Lucas," Haley squeezed him.

"What if-" Lucas started.

"No don't say it Lucas he will be ok you know that he wouldn't leave you not now!" Haley squeezed him even tighter.

Brooke sat on the floor next to Lucas and hugged onto him. Rachel sad on the other side and did the same. They four of them stayed there on the floor for almost a half hour as doctors, nurses and patients walked by. Then Lucas started moving, he stood and reached a hand toward Rachel.

"You shouldn't be on the floor your pregnant," Lucas said laughing.

"Ah I'm sure if it was here it would have been there with us anyway!" Rachel said and took his hand. He pulled her up and into a hug.

- - -

That night Lucas sat by Nathan's bed holding his hand. Haley went back to their apartment to get some clothes for Lucas. She collapsed in tears as she saw the meal Nathan had cooked. Rachel and Brooke headed back to their house to get some sleep and promised they would be back as soon as they woke up. Lucas had his head down almost asleep when he heard the voice come from the doorway.

"Lucas," Chase called and Lucas looked up in disbelief.

A/N2: Title is a metaphor of Chase showing up at the end.