A/N: Thank you for the reviews!! Seriously, I got like twenty for the last chapter and they really motivated me to write this next one…It just goes to show you how much those reviews mean. So!! If you want the next chapter sooner, review!!! Now that I got that out of the way, I hope you like this chapter. It was definitely my favorite to write so far. I don't know why. I guess I just enjoy Leyton angst…and now I'm rambling! lol. Anyways, enjoy:)

Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill

Chapter Fourteen: Leave the Pieces at the Door

He drove like a maniac. Running red lights, cutting of cars, going at least twenty over the speed limit. He was scared. One of his little girls was in a car accident. God, how he wished at that moment that he had never left any of them. The fact that he had missed one year in their short lives was sad enough. Now add in the fact that he may have missed some of their final moments. He pushed the thought aside. His little girl wasn't going to die. No way. His girl didn't deserve that. Neither did he. And most of all, neither did his wife.

Speaking of his wife, she sat beside him, motionless. She stared out the side window, one hand propping up her head, the other hand shaking on her lap. She wasn't crying yet, but he knew it was coming. Her breakdowns were predictable for him. It started with total silence, like what he had now. Then she's shake. Then she'd start to tear up. And then she'd fall apart. Only, she usually did that locked in the bathroom where he couldn't hear her. Or so she thought.

God he was such an asshole. Why didn't he tell her about this whole Brooke thing sooner? Now she thought he was still seeing her. That was indeed the last thing on his mind when it came to Brooke Davis. He wished he could explain but he knew now wasn't the time.

They had arrived at the hospital now. He had already parked the car and turned off the lights, but Peyton wasn't moving. He looked at her hoping for some kind of response but he got nothing.

"We're here," he said softly.

"I know," she whispered, "But I don't want to go in there." She turned to look at him with tears in her eyes, "What if it's one of our girls, Luke? What if she's dead?"

"Peyton, we don't know that yet."

"Ok fine," she said wiping her tears, "If it's not one of our girls, what about Jake? The nurse made it sound like he was dead." Lucas blanched at the news.

"We'll deal with this one at a time okay? First we need to find out if our girls are okay. Then we'll deal with Jake." He opened his car door and started to get out but her voice drew his attention back to her.

"We fought."

"What?" he asked.

"We fought today. It was a terrible fight. I've never seen him so hurt and disappointed before. And he walked away before we could make-up. I don't want him to die without knowing that I do care about him." Lucas didn't know what to say. He couldn't control whether Jake lived or died, whether Peyton got her peace with him or not.

"Peyton," he said, "Every moment you spend in this car is another moment you spend without knowing what the hell is going on." Peyton nodded before getting out of the car.

"Here's the thing" she said shutting her door, "I really don't want to know." She turned and headed into the emergency room. He frowned at her back. He really didn't want to know either.

He followed her into the hospital. She was waiting at the front desk for a nurse. No one was in the room besides them, something he thought was strange seeing as it was a Saturday night. Usually people did stupid things that made them wind up in this place on a Saturday night. He stood right next to her. Not a moment later, a nurse appeared.

"How can I help y'all?" she asked.

"Hi," Peyton said, "I got a call about a car accident involving Jake Jagileski."

"Oh," the lady said quietly, "Would you happen to be the little girl's mother?"

"I think so," Peyton said, "They didn't tell me if it was my girl or not."

"Well we were able to get a hold of a Nikki Townsend and she informed us that the girl in the car was an Elizabeth Scott."

"Oh God," Peyton cried, "My little girl!"

"It's okay, Mrs. Scott," the nurse said quickly, "Your daughter's fine. She did suffer some trauma to her legs and back though. She's a little banged up but otherwise, she's fine."

"Can we see her?" Lucas asked.

"You can, but I should warn you. She looks worse than she really is. Also, she's unconscious from the emergency surgery we had to perform."

"How long ago did she get here?" Peyton panicked.

"It's been about four hours. We weren't able to get a hold of anyone so we had to do the surgery without consent-"

"That's fine," Peyton said cutting the lady off, "What about Jake?" The nurse sighed.

"He's in a coma." Peyton whimpered at the words and Lucas instinctively wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "We don't know if he'll wake up." With those words, Peyton collapsed in Lucas's arms.

"It's okay, Peyton," he whispered soothingly in her ear, "It's okay."

"No," she moaned, "Jake…." There were no words Lucas could say to make her feel better. He just held her whispering that it would be okay over and over. She shook violently. Her hands clutched his shirt.

Peyton didn't hear anything after hearing Jake might not wake up. All she heard was her mind taunting her, telling her what a terrible person she was for leading him on. She felt Lucas rubbing her back. She saw the nurse's mouth moving, saying something probably important, but at this point she didn't care. She walked with Lucas to her daughter's room. The site only furthered her anguish.

Her daughter, her pride and joy, was lying motionless in that bed. Her body hooked up to so many machines pumping blood and medicine into her fragile frame. Her face was covered in small scratches and cuts. There was a large bruise on her left cheek. Her complexion which was once rosy and bright was now gray and dull. Her blonde hair fell limply at her side, some of it sticking to her sweaty forehead.

"Elizabeth," Peyton breathed out, closing her eyes, unable to bear the site.

"Lizzie," Lucas choked out, tears filling his own eyes, "Oh God…" He trailed off staring at the bruise, the ugly purple and black mass that had formed on her beautiful face. He reached down and touched her tiny hand.

"God damn it!" Peyton yelled suddenly. She began pacing the hospital floor.

"Peyton-"

"No, Luke, I don't want to hear it, okay? I don't want to hear how she's gonna be okay. I don't want to hear that Jake is gonna magically survive this. I don't want to hear all about how we'll get through this because while you might be able to, I won't! Lucas, I promise you that either one of these two die, I will die too!"

"Peyton," he said harshly, grabbing her shoulders, "Don't say that! You've still got two other girls and a baby boy that need you! And they're gonna need you to be strong!" She pushed him hardly on the chest.

"Don't you dare talk to me about being strong," she hissed, "I've been nothing but strong my entire life. I've had to deal with two dead mothers, a dead father, a husband who didn't love me and abandoned me for my ex-best friend, and a pregnancy on my own! Don't you dare you fucking asshole! Because it was Jake and Elizabeth that kept me going through everything! It wasn't you! So don't just waltz in here and accuse me of being weak!"

"I'm not accusing you of being weak," he said trying to calm her down.

"Yes you are! You think it's easy, Luke? Do you think it's fucking easy to do what I do? It's not easy to pretend that everything will be okay! It's not easy to convince three little girls that you're happy! It's not easy forgetting the pain I carry. It's definitely not easy looking at you when you've managed to break my heart yet again."

"Peyton, I told you I had a reason for Brooke calling-"

"And I don't want to hear it," she said coldly, "I don't care what your reasons are. All I care about is that little girl in that bed and that man down the hallway who never needed to explain why he hurt me. Because, God damn it, Lucas, he never did!" With that she walked out of the room and down the hallway to Jake's room.

He knew there was no use chasing after her when she was so upset so Lucas stayed at his little girl's bedside. He sat down in the chair next to her, taking her small hand in his. He used his other hand to wipe off the hair that had stuck on her forehead. The only sounds heard in the room were his labored breaths trying to keep his sobs inside, and the steady beeping of the machines.

"You are the best thing that ever happened to me," he said softly, "When your mother and I found out she was pregnant with you, it gave me something to look forward to. Before that, I had just been going through the motions. When you came, you were this little bundle of hope. God, I'd never seen your mother so happy and I don't think I ever will. I know I'll never feel that much joy again. When they put you in my arms, I just…I felt complete. That's something no woman on this earth has ever been able to do for me. You, Lizzie, you gave me everything I ever needed. I put everything I had into you." He paused to take a deep breath. "That's why you have to be okay, Lizzie. Because I know that right now you're upset with me and that tears me apart inside every day. I need to make it up to you. Annie and Marissa, they've forgiven me, but you're like your mother. I should have known that though. I shouldn't have expected for you to just accept me back into your life. I need you to wake up so I can tell you I'm sorry all over again," Lucas let the sobs escape his trembling body, unable to control the pain he felt anymore. "You're mother gives me more credit than she should. I seriously don't think I could handle if I lost you, Lizzie. I don't know what I'd do." He laid his head down next to her hand. The moonlight shined through the slats of the window pane and reflected off of something on his daughter's wrist. He turned his eyes to look at it and found a silver bracelet there. The silver bracelet he gave her for her fifth birthday, the one she hadn't worn since he had left for New York. A burst of hope rose in his chest…maybe just maybe she hadn't lost all her faith in him just yet.

Down the hall, Peyton lingered at Jake's doorway. She was afraid to go in and face him. To face the fact that he may not walk out of this room again. It killed her. She was so frustrated with Lucas and everything else that she just wished it wasn't him in this bed. She needed to talk to him. She needed her confidant back. She tiptoed into the room, sitting next to him on the bed.

Funny, he didn't look as bad as Elizabeth did and yet he was in worse shape. He looked serene, almost peaceful. Peyton chuckled a bit thinking this was probably the most rest the man had gotten since he moved back to Tree Hill. She had had him running all over the place between the girls and the new baby. She brought her hand up to brush his forehead gently.

So much to say. So many things to tell him, to ask him. All the things she buried. All the things she pretended didn't exist. All of the stuff that seemed so trivial. The moments he had given her. The strength and the shoulder to cry on that he had provided. He was always there to protect her, to save her. To tuck her in at night and promise her better days would come. He was there to love her unconditionally. To never hurt her. She wanted to thank him. She wanted to apologize. So much to say, but it would all just fall on deaf ears.

"I'm sorry, Jake" she said simply, "You'll always have a place in my heart. I just…" Peyton's tears caught up with her and she paused looking up at the ceiling so that they would subside, "I just wish I could love you like you deserve. I wish you could have found a girl to love you like you love me." Peyton reached down and kissed his cheek.

"My guardian angel," she sniffled. It was everything she had to say in so little words. She turned to leave and found Nikki watching at the door.

"He was just going out for ice cream," she said quietly, "Elizabeth wanted to go with him and I said she should stay with us, but she wouldn't have it. They were gone so long, but I didn't even notice." She took a moment to let a strangled sob, "I was so busy with the girls and J.J. I didn't even think about the time. Finally, Jenny asked me where he was…I freaked out."

"It's okay, Nikki," Peyton said softly offering her once bitter enemy a hug. The brunette gladly accepted it.

"He's not gonna make it, is he?" Nikki whispered.

"I don't know." Nikki nodded sadly at the words, tears rolling down her cheek. She turned her head a little to the side to look at Jake. She slowly approached him.

"He was good to me, you know? I never really deserved it in high school. I was so used to dating assholes and then he came along." Nikki sat down at his bedside and held his hand. "I'll never regret what happened between us. I only regret the fact that I screwed it up." Peyton eyed Nikki for a moment.

"Do you love him?" she asked. Nikki's eyes snapped up to meet Peyton's.

"Always have."

"You should tell him that when he wakes up," Peyton said sincerely, trying to convince herself that he would indeed wake up.

"He's too in love with you for it to matter," Nikki said, no bitterness or anger in her voice, just plain acceptance.

"It does matter," Peyton said, "Because I have a feeling he could love you too if he just knew how you felt. You have a good guy there." It sounded so strange and surreal and yet, in the back of her mind, Peyton always knew there was something still there between Jake and Nikki. Sometimes love just doesn't die.

"So do you," Nikki said, "Lucas is a good man."

"I don't know about that," Peyton sighed, "Every time I start to believe it, he lets me down again."

"Believe in him," Nikki wasn't look at Peyton anymore but at Jake, "I just have a feeling I'm right on this one." Peyton nodded though Nikki couldn't see it.

"Thanks Nikki."

"Anytime, Peyton," she said, "Your girls and J.J. are staying the night at Karen's. She figured you'd need some time to figure out how to explain all of this to them."

"Okay," Peyton said, walking out of the room. She headed back to her daughter's room, where she found her husband lying against her daughter's bed, his face looking out the window. His head was resting on his arm, cradled in his elbow.

"Lucas," she said gently, shaking his shoulder. He pulled himself up to a sitting position, his face tired and groggy as though he'd been drifting off to sleep.

"Yeah?" he mumbled.

"I just wanted to let you know that your mom has the kids for the night and that we have to leave soon. Visiting hours are almost over."

"You don't think we can stay in here?" Lucas said shocked, "I figured they'd make an exception for her." Peyton couldn't help but smile at him.

"Just because she's your little girl doesn't mean they're just gonna let you stay."

"That's not what I meant," he said, just glad to see her smiling at him.

"I know," she whispered, "But we better go. She'll be out all night anyway."

"How do you know that?"

"I've been in these hospitals enough to know that the medicine coming out of that green tube will keep her under for at least another six hours." Lucas didn't want to ask how she knew that fearing it probably had to do with her mother's time spent in the hospital. His musings were correct though. Peyton always dreaded when the nurses put up the green tube. It meant mommy wasn't going to be talking for awhile.

"Okay," he said stretching his arms over his head, "Let's go then." He stood up and pressed a gentle kiss on his daughter's forehead. "I love you, Lizzie. Sleep well." Peyton felt a small tear roll down her cheek at Luke's actions. She hastily wiped away so he wouldn't see it before she stepped forward and said goodbye to her daughter.

"Night, Elizabeth. You stay strong for mommy," she whispered. Lucas and Peyton exited the room slowly, each of them looking back at their daughter almost as if wanting for her to respond to their goodbyes. When they finally made it out the hospital door, they both sighed at the same time. Their eyes met and they shared a frightened look.

"It's not over," Peyton said quietly.

"No it's not."

The drive home was a quiet one. No music being played. No talking. Just silence. It wasn't awkward or uncomfortable. It was just needed. A time for them to both collect their thoughts and figure out what was going on. When they reached their house, Lucas didn't know whether to walk her to the door or what. Peyton stayed in the car, fumbling nervously with her purse.

"Can I ask you a favor?" she said finally breaking the silence. Lucas's eyes which had been focused out the window snapped over to hers.

"Sure," he said.

"I'm still terribly mad at you and I'm still convinced you're still seeing Brooke-"

"Peyton-"

"Just shut-up please," she said hastily, "I'm too tired to argue. I just wanted to ask you if you can you stay with me tonight?"

"Are you sure?" he asked, immediately regretting it. He may have missed a big opportunity to make it up to her.

"Yes. I just…" she trailed off looking down, "I've never slept alone since we were married. I mean after you left and before Jake came, Elizabeth used to crawl into bed with me. I got used to having someone there. But if you don't think it's a good idea-"

"Peyton, I'd love to sleep with you," he said sincerely, then realizing his words and seeing the smirk on her face added, "Wait! I didn't mean it like that! I mean I'd love to do that too…I'm just gonna shut up now."

"Good idea," Peyton chuckled, "God knows how deep you were gonna dig that hole."

They headed into the house, quickly as the rain began to start. Once inside, they both immediately headed to the bedroom, their bodies drained. Lucas went to his dresser wondering if she had kept any of his clothes.

"They're still there," she said softly as she pulled her own night clothes out of her armoire. She headed into the bathroom to change while he began sifting through his old clothes, finding his favorite pair of pajama bottoms and his Tarheels T-shirt. Just as he finished sliding his nightshirt on, Peyton returned. She had on a tattered pair of shorts that only reached her mid thigh. Her shirt was one of his old ones. A red one. The one he wore when they had their first ever real conversation. He stared at nostalgically. She noticed this and blushed. She hadn't even thought of it when she put the shirt on.

"My shirt," he said as he turned down the bed.

"I know," she said simply. They both slid into bed. Lucas tried hard to adjust the pillows to the way he liked them. He kept pushing them down only to have them refluff themselves up it seemed. Peyton laughed at his struggles.

"Are you laughing at me?"

"I just find it funny that you're fighting a pillow," she said.

"Jake screwed up my damn pillows," he said finally finding a comfortable position.

"Next time don't leave and we won't have this problem," Peyton smirked before reaching over to turn off the light.

"I won't," he said.

"Don't lie to me either," she said simply, turning her back to him. He threw his arm around her waist and pulled her close to him so that they were basically spooning.

"I love you, Peyton," he whispered, "And I'm not lying on either account." She didn't say anything for a moment, and he grew nervous with each passing second.

"I love you too," she mumbled.

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The extreme exhaustion from the day combined with the relief that his wife still loved him made it easy for Lucas to drift off to sleep. Peyton on the other hand was wide awake. She just laid there thinking about everything. About Jake. About Elizabeth. About Lucas. She wished she had someone to talk to about it all. Someone who would listen. Someone who would tell her the truth. Someone who knew what she should do with Lucas. A person would be able to tell her whether or not she should trust him. Her heart said yes. Her mind said no. She needed someone to be the tiebreaker.

Suddenly, a crazy idea popped into her head. She pushed it away quickly. That was the last thing she needed. The thought returned again though. This time more persistent. She muttered angrily under her breath. She couldn't do that. No way! It was the stupidest idea she had ever thought of…

Then again, maybe it wasn't such a bad idea. If anyone could give her all the answers she so desperately craved it was this person and this person only. This person could not only give her answers, but they always knew just what to say to make her feel better. This person knew her better than anyone else. Maybe even better than Lucas did. She sighed deciding that this person was her only answer.

She slipped out of Lucas's embrace causing him to mumble and roll over on his stomach. She tiptoed into the kitchen with her phone. Searching through the drawers of her kitchen she found a small piece of paper eleven numbers written on it. Sighing, she dialed each of the numbers before her fear caused her to chicken out. She took a shaky breath as the first ring passed. A second ring. Then, a click and a voice.

"Hello?" the voice said somewhat groggily.

"It's Peyton and we need to talk," she said all in one breath. Dead silence. That's what she was met with.

"Peyton Sawyer?" the voice said finally.

"You of all people should know it's Peyton Scott now."

"Why are you calling me?"

"Because I need someone to talk to," Peyton sighed, "And you, Brooke Davis, are the only person who can give me the answers I need."

"I'm all ears, P. Scott."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ooh bet you didn't see that coming? Don't expect a very fluffy Breyton conversation. They'll be hitting some deep issues. As for our hospital situation, somebody will wake up next chapter. That's all I'm saying…