Title: Life As We Know It

Song: Your Eyes

Artist: Alez Johnson/ Instant Star

P O V: Karen's

"Luke's been arrested Keith!" "How could he be so stupid! Why would he punch Brooke Davis?"

"I don't know Karen I can't even start to figure it out, the only thing I can figure is he was protecting Haley"

'That doesn't give him the right to hit her never mind punch her!"

"I get it Karen believe me I do"

Slamming the car door standing in the parking lot of the hospital I couldn't shake the anger inside of me of seeing my only son sitting in the juvenile detention center wearing the Grey issued pants and a T-Shirt. Still in shock that he had been arrested over a small in school fight that had been forgotten about by the next period. His blond hair ruffled his eyes filled with confusion and fear. How he sounded so small when he kept apologizing to me over and over.

It made little difference to me I have raised Luke to be an honorable respectable young man to never lay a hand on another person never a woman. Keith wrapped his arm around my shoulders as we walked inside to the Deborah Scott Pediatric Oncology/ Hematology Unit. Chills went through me I couldn't even imagine being told my son had a serious life threating illness.

It was hellish enough seeing him in Juvie yet here we were about to visit someone who I considered my niece maybe because of my son.

"Knock Knock!" Everyone in the room turned to us the young woman in the first bed who had family coming out of the wood work by her. In the next bed lay Brooke with Quinn sitting on her right, Haley the left and Nathan next to her. Deb was in the chair talking to her as soon as she saw us she smiled waving us in.

Hello I'm Karen Roe from Karen's cafe this is my boyfriend Keith" I introduced myself to the young lady in the first bed as well as her family. She replied sweetly with a beautiful Irish accent. "Lovely to meet you I am Sophia O'Bryan this is my mam Edele my stepfather Brennan my sisters Karissa, Molly, Alanna, My brothers Bartley, Faolan, Seamus, My aunt Aileen her husband Tucker their kids Erin, Lindsay, Colin" Shaking hands with everyone I offered the family cupcakes which they eagerly thanked me for.

Finally approaching Brooke who looked shocked and nervous to me I handed Deb the cupcakes and pot of soup wrapping my arms around Brooke feeling her stiffen in my arms my heart breaking for her. "Sweetheart I am so sorry you have to go through this" "I can not believe Luke punched you!" "It's okay Karen I deserve it" "No sweetheart you don't" "It's my punishment for everything I did to Haley and every other girl, it's Karma the only reason you're son is in jail now, he was defending Haley he didn't do anything wrong, Brooke looked up sadly scared towards Deb "I was bullying her he just stepped up and did what you always taught him to respect ladies like Haley, something I wasn't doing so he put me in my place" "He almost killed you Brooke" "He didn't know Karen no one did" Running my hands across her baby face I felt how scared she was her skin was shaking even though she was talking with a straight voice.

Haley spoke up first before I could reply how did you reply when a 15 year old told you she had cancer because she deserved it because Karma was paying her back? "Brooke we've been over this I forgive you start forgiving yourself, you do not deserve Cancer no one does, you need to start thinking positive thoughts."

"There are so many of us who love you here who support you who believe in you" "Brooke we can only do so much though you have to fight and fight hard"

"I will Haley I will for you to show you I can be a better person, someone who deserves to live"

Deb spoke up taking Brooke's hand "You do deserve to live babe and you will we have the top of the line institution here with the strongest meds we will win this fight, you have to stay strong I won't let you give up"

Instantly I wrapped my arms around her holding her tight finally she relaxed in my embrace "Listen to Deb she's been doing this along time she knows her stuff, she won't let you die" "I know Aunt Karen still I am sorry about Luke I wish things were different" "Maybe they can be Aunt Karen" Nathan spoke up earing my glance "Nathan I am so sorry I didn't even" "No worries Karen I know Brooke is on everyone's mind as she should be" Getting up I went over to Nathan he had grown so much over the last year it was unreal. "Nathan I would love to hear what you have in mind, let me talk to you're mom first and we will talk" "That's fine Aunt Karen"

Keith, Deb and I went into the hallway leaving the kids some alone time. Heading to break room she poured us some coffee. I could see her hands shaking leaving me to believe she wasn't telling us everything. Going over to her I placed mine on top of Deb's. I've known her for so long she was practically a sister to me. I know how strong how proud she is she would never let Brooke or Nathan see her fear. "What is it Deb?" "I don't know where to start first how angry I am that Luke of all people put his hands on her he could of killed her" "I know Deb I am in shock trust me I've raised him to be better than that" "Second that Brooke was bullying Haley that badly and I never saw it, I knew she was picking on her I never knew the extent to Haley told me today, I feel like I failed her as a parent maybe Victoria rubbed off on her, how could Brooke ever think it's right to do that? How could Nathan stand by and let it happen? I taught them both that was wrong" 'Deb kids will be kids no matter how much we teach them no matter what we try to install in them they will be influenced by their peers by TV by music. We do the best we can with them the rest is up to them, their good kids all of them they just have to make their mistakes, we have to be there to pick them up" "In my heart Karen I know that but Brooke almost died from the collection of their mistakes, I haven't told them the whole truth when Brooke was brought in her blood supply was so low she was bleeding inside for weeks maybe even months and no one knew it Luke's punch caused her to bleed so bad internally if she hadn't passed out in front of Peyton if someone hadn't found her she would have been dead by Friday night"

No one could explain the cold chill that goes through their body upon hearing those words unless you're a parent unless your child almost died or almost caused the death of another child. Hearing this brought me to tears instantly Deb's arms were around me holding me as those tears escaped. Keith's arms hugged me from the other side.

"How serious is this type of Cancer Deb?"

"She has a 57% chance of survival Karen that was Friday when she was brought in but she's lost days worth of treatment because of her spleen surgery and recovery, plus her depression she refused to eat she fought against medication for pain"

"What's her chances now Deb?"

"50% maybe if she gives it everything she has"

"Well she will Deb we all will we will fight for her with her she's not alone neither are you"

"What we need Karen is a way to get our boys to stop going to war with each other"

"I know we need the boys to work together Deb maybe if we talk to Coach Durham maybe he can think of something,

"Karen, lets hear what Nathan has to say"

"We may need a bone marrow donor if Chemo doesn't work, she has no siblings though, she'll have to go into the registry"

"Keith and I will be tested will get Lucas tested, I'm sure Nathan will and Peyton"

"Brooke doesn't want Peyton to know"

Heading back we saw Brooke was asleep in Quinn and Nathan's arms while Haley tutored Nathan in Biology the poor kid looked lost.

"What are the two main groups into which cells are classified?"

"Think of words that may help you Nate" Haley tried to help him yet he still looked confused I saw Deb's look she was thinking to herself I should be worried as his mother that he couldn't gasp the subject she spent her whole life devoted to yet he was looking at Haley with such an intensity we both knew he understood what she was saying he could probably answer it in his sleep, he was just trying to get her to pay attention.

"Like what?"

"What does the first word start with?"

"E?"

"So think of something that starts with E that sounds close to it"

"Eat"

"No Nathan it's not related to food"

"Damn I am so hungry to "

"There's cupcakes and soup Nate"

Nathan flashed a smile at me before eying Brooke and Sophia. "Thanks but they need the food more I'll grab something later"

"Focus Nathan" Haley rolled her eyes huffing as he arched his eyebrow "On food always" "No Nathan not on food on what we we're talking about" "What were we talking about?"

"Nathan!" He shrugged causing Haley to groan softly so not to wake Brooke. Nathan ducked against the flying book Haley sent his way as Quinn grabbed her sister "Calm down Hales he's only playing" "Uh he's driving me crazy" So what did my son do? He started singing "I drive you crazy and you just can't see you secretly like me"

"Uh no fair using Britney Spears against me"

"She's not denying it though Nate"

"Quinn!" Who's side are you on?"

"Brooke's always"

"Uh you play dirty"

"I like dirty"

"Okay kids parents in the room"

Quinn blushed covering her mouth giggling as Haley hit her. "Nathan" Deb warned him with one eyebrow he settled down. "Okay words that start with E" "Europe I always wanted to go there Brooke says it's beautiful" "Eureka he got it" Quinn cheered causing Nathan to call out "Eukaryotic cells" "Yasss" Haley and Quinn bumped fists as Deb Keith and I sat sipping our coffee eating cupcakes watching. "What's the second word start with Nate?" "P like Pro as in I am going to go Pro baller one day" They laughed as they threw pillows at him. "So what does that mean? "It means Haley girl that cells can be classified as prokaryotes and eukaryotes" "What's the differences between them Mr. Pro?" Everyone laughed Eukaryotic cells contain membrane-bound organelles, such as the nucleus, while prokaryotic cells do not. Differences in cellular structure of prokaryotes and eukaryotes include the presence of mitochondria and chloroplasts, the cell wall, and the structure of chromosomal DNA"

The girls bumped fists than hugged Nathan who winked at us he was a player alright in so many ways yet I found it refreshing. "Nathan why don't we go in the hall and talk about how we can settle things between you and Lucas"

"Sure Aunt Karen ladies I shall return try not to miss me too much"

They groaned shoving him off the bed laughing as Haley took his spot on the bed laying down by Brooke who didn't stir once. Deb followed us we were silent as we entered the sky cafe which was surprisingly still open even at his hour. Grabbing food for Nathan I watched Deb talking to someone as Nathan and I sat down. She came back a few minutes later. "Nathan this is Sally Lambstein she's the general manager of the nutrition if you ever need anything to eat while Brooke's here just ask her no charge Nathan she'll take care of you, Haley and Quinn" "Thanks Mom nice to meet you Mrs. Lambstein" "You as well Nathan you make Tree Hill proud" "Thank you Ma'am"

After she left Deb sat down sighing Nathan started off "I hate what Luke did I hate that we're brothers, I hate that we've never gotten a chance to be real brothers, maybe that can change brothers are suppose to be there for each other, right now I need Luke to help me"

"How exactly can my boy help Nathan?"

"Easy he's a decent ball player"

"Decent well Nathan I know you don't like Luke much but he's more than decent he's an amazing ball player"

"That can be debated Aunt Karen in time"

"What can't be is that Brooke needs treatment she needs support she doesn't have time so I need to be with her now, to do that I leave my spot on the team open, Luke could get that if Coach goes for it, I'll talk to the school have them drop the charges, I'll talk to the police my mom's friends with the Chief"

"You would do that for Luke Nathan?"

"No Aunt Karen I'd do it for Brooke Luke just benefits from it"

I wasn't sure Luke would like this but right now I needed my son free and Brooke needed Nathan so we would have to strike a deal. Now only if the police and school went for it. We sat talking for a little bit as Nathan ate his food.

I tried to shake this feeling that arose from the pit of my stomach as I sipped my now cold coffee looking around at the various people lingering at this hour. One lady sat in a corner booth holding a crying toddler while trying to eat a salad, a college book laying on the table which she was trying to read she looked tired. I could see Deb watching her as well. "I remember those days trying to juggle college a husband and two kids" "You did it though Deb you graduated top of you're class built this amazing center you saved hundreds of kids" "I lost a few along the way as well" "Yes all wars have casualties but they also have hero's warriors and survivors Brooke will be a survivor" "I hope so Deb I hope so" I think for a moment she forgot Nathan was sitting there, I saw him look up watching her his eyes filled with new worries, doubts, squeezing his hand I kept him silent knowing she was lost in her memories.

I only hoped I was right that Brooke would be a survivor.

When we got back to the room the night nurse Rhonda was just giving Brooke her pills.

"Hey Sweetie" She called out "What's this?" Brooke questioned "This sweetheart is you're cocktail" "Don't you know I am too young to drink I'm only 15" She was tryingbe funny even though we all knew Brooke's been drinking since she was 13. She laughed ruffling her hair. "I wish it was a real cocktail" Rhonda laughed again as she points to each pill naming them and what their for.

"Fumarate for you're Iron

Effer-K- for Potassium

Midodrine -Low Blood Pressure'

Zofran- For Anti- Nausea

Methylprednisolone- Steroids

Cyclophosphamiade- Chemo

"Of course we're giving you fluids through you're iV to help give you strength as well as another transfusion"

Taking her hands Quinn, Haley her left hand, Deb and I her right hand we were impressed at how calm Brooke remained asking Rhonda questions.

"How long before I get sick?" "It varies for everyone sweetie could be in an hour could be tomorrow" "Is there a chance I won't get sick?" "I'm afraid not sweetheart it happens to everyone" "Will I lose my hair?" Her eyes were filled with sympathy concern as she softly replied "Yes baby I am sorry to say you will but it will grow back"

Brooke laid back I stroked her hair as I asked her what she was thinking about she didn't reply instantly but after a few minutes she swallowed softly mouthing "Peyton I miss her already" She could always get me to sleep when she sang. I can't tell her what I have but I can't help but wonder if she knew what she would say how would the conversation go?. "Hey bestie remember all those plans we had? Yeah well guess what I have cancer I may not get to grow up to see them happen"

"Brooke You will get to grow up I know you're scared but you will beat this now lay back Quinn pulled her head into her lap as Haley got her guitar "i know I'm not Peyton Brooke but I will sing to you everyday to take away your pain, fears, confusions, doubts worries, even if it's just to get you to sleep so close those beautiful eyes let me take you to dream land"

Would you be right there to catch me?
If I was dreaming of your kiss
Mmm, would you look right through me?

(Oh I) On the street I'm waiting
(Oh I) In my heart it's raining

Chours
Your eyes are holding up the sky

Your eyes make me weak I don't know why
And baby your eyes make me scared to tell the truth
I thought my heart was bulletproof
Now I'm dancing on the roof
And everybody knows, I'm into you