I'm so glad you guys like this story! I've decided that this story is going to be a long one, going from season three to the end of season nine.

"You know," Rose told Peyton as Peyton sat down at her bedside, "those crutches are a nice accessory."

"Oh, hush, you're the one in a hospital bed," Peyton teased.

"Oh, so that's how it is."

"Yeah," Peyton smiled. Then she sobered. "How's the wound?"

"It's good, just can't move or I'll rip the stitches."

"How long did they say you were going to be here?"

"Just a couple more days, then it's no cheerleading for the season," Rose sighed. She loved cheerleading. It was the one thing she thought she was good at.

"We're gonna miss your random 'screw you' when the other team scores," Peyton chuckled.

"I'm gonna miss the looks they give me."

"I bet you're also gonna miss watching Jake play."

"Yeah," Rose sighed again, "I wonder why he hasn't showed since I woke up."

"Probably because he's been filling in for you at the café, making you money," Peyton said.

"Why would he do that?" Rose asked, confused.

"You live alone, and Jake has a thing for you," Peyton said simply.

"He does not," Rose frowned.

"Whatever you say," Peyton said.

"How's my favorite sister?" Lucas asked, walking in with Nathan and Haley.

"Believe it or not, kinda tired," Rose admitted.

Lucas glanced at the vital monitor and, content with what he saw, said, "Well, the painkillers will do that, they said."

"How're my favorite brothers?" Rose asked.

"About as good as we can be, you know?" Nathan said.

Rose nodded in understanding.

"So, how much longer until you're back out kicking Tree Hill's ass?" Nathan asked.

"Two days," Rose answered.

"So, just in time for Keith's funeral," Lucas said dejectedly.

"I'm so sorry, Lucas. I know how much you loved him. How much he loved you," Rose said.

"It's gonna be hard with him gone," Lucas said.

Rose nodded, not knowing the right words to say.

"Well," Haley sighed, "I guess we should let you get some rest, then."

"Yes, please," Rose said.

Nathan, Lucas, and Haley left.

"Well, that was a short visit," Peyton commented.

"Oh, you're still here. See, I didn't notice because you didn't say a word while they were in here. In fact, you've seemed a little awkward around Luke," Rose said. "Did something happen?"

"No," Peyton said unconvincingly. Rose raised an eyebrow.

"Fine," Peyton sighed, "but you have to promise not to tell anyone."

"Peyt, I'm high on painkillers. No one would believe me if I told them anything," Rose laughed.

"Okay, well, so...Lucas found me in the library after I was shot, and we kinda said some things, I told him I loved him, we kissed, but it was just the blood loss talking..."

"Hold on, hold on, hold on...you kissed Luke?"

"Yep."

"And told him you loved him!"

"Yep."

"You scored major hobag points, Peyton Sawyer," Rose said. "In fact, if I could move, I'd give you a good New York beating. You'd be on crutches for longer."

"You're so supportive," Peyton said sarcastically.

"As much as you are loyal," Rose said. "Lucas has a girlfriend named, um, Brooke Davis, a.k.a. your best friend. You have to tell her."

"Rose, I-"

"Or I will."

"But you promised-"

"Kinda like you promised Brooke you'd never do that to her again?" Rose glared at Peyton.

"That is not fair," Peyton said.

"Whatever, Peyton. I'd like you to leave now."

Peyton huffed and crutched her way out of the room.

...

"Well, hello, stranger," Rose joked as she saw Jake entering her hospital room.

"Hey," Jake half-smiled, "sorry I didn't come sooner." He sat in the chair by her bed. "How are you doing?"

"A little better now," Rose smiled. "I'm no longer worried that you don't want anything to do with a cripple."

"You're not a cripple," Jake rolled his eyes, smiling at her ridiculousness.

"Mhm. I get shot in the shoulder but I'm not a cripple."

"You'll be able to walk, won't you?"

Rose chuckled. "I don't know. I've been off of my feet for so long, I'm not even sure I know how to walk anymore."

"I'm glad you can still joke," Jake said, laughing slightly.

"Somebody's got to, amid the dark cloud over Tree Hill," Rose said. "It's all so sad, Jake. I mean, one day Keith was trying-and failing-to teach me how to fix my Mustang. The next, he was dead in a hallway. And that poor kid Jimmy. He was just so lost. What kills me is that I was the one who survived when I did such a stupid thing."

"Don't beat yourself up over it, Rose. But maybe don't get yourself shot in the future, okay? We still need you here," Jake said, noticing some of Rose's hair was in her eyes and moving it to the side.

"I'll try my best," Rose said. "So, I heard you've been taking over at Karen's for me."

"I have been," Jake said. "We can't have you both crippled and broke."

"No, now that would be sad. Especially since I insisted neither my mother and father nor Deb give me a dime."

"You're too prideful for your own good, Rose Gallagher," Jake said.

"You know, I've been thinking about that name lately, and I think I want to change my last name to Scott."

"Why?"

"Because it's Nathan and Lucas' last name, and it was Keith's, so I thought I'd do it in memory of Keith," Rose said. "I'd just have to talk it over with Mom and Dad Gallagher. I could see them letting me do it, though. They were always adamant that I accept my birth family."

Jake nodded as Lucas entered the room. "Can we talk, Rose?"

"Speak of birth family," Rose said. "Jake, can you give us a moment?"

Jake nodded and left to wait outside the room.

"Did you tell Peyton that you would tell Brooke that she told me she loved me and that we kissed?"

"I certainly did," Rose said, "and I meant it. If one of you don't step up to the plate, I'm gonna be the one who's steppin' up to bat. Brooke doesn't deserve it and you both know that. So, if there's nothing between you and Peyton now, you should tell Brooke, because dammit, Lucas, that girl loves you with all her heart and you betrayed her yet again. If you're half the man I respect you as, you'll tell her, and if she loves you as much as she says she does, she'll forgive you, because that's what true love is. It's about making mistakes and admitting they were mistakes, and fixing them, and loving each other through that. But if you can't bring yourself to do that much, then you don't deserve a girl like Brooke Davis."

Lucas, who had come in prepared to be angry at his sister, now felt guilty. He nodded. "You're right, Rose."

"I know," Rose smirked.

"And, somehow, still annoying in a hospital bed," Lucas smiled slightly.

"It doesn't just happen when I'm healthy," Rose said.

"Get well soon," Lucas said.

...

Sorry that it took so long to update, it's just that I don't update on Sundays because that's my day of rest. So, here you go, that was Chapter 7. I hope you enjoyed, and, no, Brucas is not over period. THIS WILL NOT BE A LEYTON STORY. Rake is slowly approaching, my young ones (even though most of you may be older than me ((that's not a bad thing)) ) aaaaand I'm tired and rambling so, um, g'night.