A/N~ Well everyone this is the last chapter! Thank you all for reviewing! Here it is……
Chapter Seven- Rescue
Lucas paced around the beach anxiously. Nathan seemed to be getting worse every hour and who knows how long it would be until they were rescued. He kept drifting in and out of consciousness. Haley was a mental wreck, Lucas knew. Haley was tough, but whenever someone she loved was in danger, she fell completely apart on the inside, though trying to keep strong on the outside. She hadn't left Nathan's side in nearly three hours, and when she did it was only for a split second to get some more water.
Peyton and Brooke were sitting in silence on a log, both their faces downcast. They were scared too, not only for Nathan, but for everyone else as well. Brooke was twirling her tangled brown hair nervously and Peyton kept biting her lip and tapping her foot on the sand.
Tim sat not too far away, carving a spear or something of that sort with his pocket knife. I guess the guy thought he could take a stab at fishing. Tim held out the spear, admiring his work.
Lucas walked over to Tim; he needed to do something to get his mind off of his ailing little brother.
"Hey man", Lucas said. "I'll try and take a stab at catching some fish with that thing."
"Sure", Tim said dryly handing him the spear.
"I need something to get my mind of Nathan", Lucas stated. "I just want to disappear for a while, you know?"
"Yeah I know."
"Watch the girls for me, would you?" Lucas asked Tim.
"Sure, they'll be safe, I promise", Tim said getting up.
"Especially Haley", Lucas said. "I'm really worried about her. This whole thing with Nathan has left her totally wrecked. Just, watch out for her okay?"
"Of course", Tim said sincerely. He was worried about Haley as well. He didn't know the girl that well, but he knew Nathan, and Nathan was his best friend. He would want to make sure that someone was looking out for Haley when he couldn't.
"Thanks", Lucas said taking the spear and stripping off his tee-shirt and heading towards the water. The sun was rising, giving them more and more light every moment. There was just enough so that he could see to spear something.
He waded out into the water and took a deep breath and then dived down. There were signs of a reef below, it was absolutely breathtaking. Lucas saw many fish swimming around in schools, knowing he could get at least something for them to eat. He took a stab at one and missed. He was about to go for another when he felt a sharp, stabbing pain in his right arm. It felt like a hundred knives stabbing him at once. He dropped the spear and grabbed his arm, surfacing to the top of the water gasping for breath. From the corner of his eye, he saw Tim running out into the water, knowing that Lucas was in trouble.
Within a few moments Lucas felt Tim's arms grab his and drag him to shore.
"Oh my God, Luke!" Peyton screamed running to help Tim carry him up on the beach.
"What happened?" Brooke asked running to them.
"Something stung or bit me", Lucas said wincing in pain as he lay back on sand. "I don't know what." Though he didn't show it Peyton knew that Lucas was in terrible pain.
"Tim…do you?" Brooke asked.
"Know", Tim answered. "I saw him surface, gasping for breath and I rushed right out to get him."
Lucas continued to rock back and forth in pain, with Peyton holding him tightly. Haley had come over from where she was a few feet away with Nathan, and was now frantic.
"What…what…what", Haley stuttered tears streaming down her face.
"Haley", Brooke said taking her arms. "Luke is going to be okay. Something just bit or stung him. He's gonna be fine, okay?"
Haley nodded and Brooke pulled her into a hug. She knew that Haley was having a hard time dealing with Nathan, but now Lucas and she'd already been through so much.
Tim and Peyton helped Lucas over to where Nathan was lying with his head resting against a log, and propped him up beside his brother. Nathan was awake, but just barely and Lucas was in too much pain to say anything.
"Tim, get the First Aid kit!" Haley ordered. Tim returned with the First Aid kit in a hurry. "Luke, I have to see your arm."
Lucas gave Haley his arm and Haley opened the First Aid kit, taking out some ointment and a gauze bandage. She put some ointment on Lucas' arm to help the pain and then wrapped the injured area in a gauze bandage, taping it with some medical tape.
"Thanks Hales", Lucas said to his best friend.
"Sure", Haley replied. "Remember when I life guarded last summer at the Tree Hill Country Club? Well, I learned a lot from that."
"Thank goodness you did", Peyton said holding Lucas tightly and kissing his forehead.
Haley nodded. She was happy to see that her best friend had not been seriously injured. The pain would subside completely in a couple of hours and he would be fine, just maybe a little sick. He had Peyton to care for him. Haley knew she could trust Peyton to take care of her best friend.
She looked over at Nathan, breathing rhythmically. He looked so pale and fragile. If anything ever happened to him…Haley cringed at the thought.
She walked back over to his side, taking his hand. He had to be okay, he just had to.
Coast Guard………………………
"I demand to see the person in charge of the search and rescue for the Persephone!" Deb Scott yelled at the timid college student at the entrance.
"Right away ma'am", he said timidly, dialing a number. "Go on in ma'am."
Deb and Karen walked through the gate and up to area where all the operations were going on.
"Are you Lieutenant Roberts?" Deb asked a tall man in uniform.
"Yes", the man replied. "Are you Deb Scott?"
"Yes I am", Deb stated. "And this is Karen Roe, her son is also on the Persephone. Have you heard anything from our kids?"
"Not yet ma'am", the lieutenant replied. "But now that it's light we're sending a water search team out to look for them. The helicopters are still circling the area."
"We're going with the water search team", Deb stated.
"I would strongly advise against that ma'am", the lieutenant said. "It's protocol to not let any civilians…"
"I don't give a damn about protocol!" Deb yelled. "This is our children we're talking about!"
"Ma'am…"
"Please", Karen said pleadingly. "My son is everything to me, without him I don't know what I would do, please."
"Alright", the lieutenant said. "This way."
"How you feeling, baby?" Peyton asked her boyfriend.
"Fine", Lucas said sipping some water.
"I don't know what I would've done if anything had…"
"Shhhh", Lucas said. "Don't worry about it. I'm fine." He said pulling her into a soft kiss.
A moment later they pulled away and Peyton said, nestling herself in Lucas' arms. She looked over to Nathan lying next to Lucas, Haley at his side holding his hand and telling him that she loved him over and over again.
"I wish there was something that we could do for her?" Peyton said looking at a defeated Haley.
"I know", Lucas said agreeing. "But I've known Haley my entire life, and when she falls apart like that all you can really do is be there for her and give her someone to lean on. That's all anyone can do."
"Then lets", Peyton said getting up and taking Lucas' hand, helping him up as well.
"Hales?" Peyton said laying a hand on Haley's back. "You want to take a walk?"
Haley looked up. "I should stay here with Na…"
"I'll watch him Haley", Lucas said. "You take a walk with Peyton and get your mind off things, okay?"
Haley nodded and Lucas helped her up. He took her place next to his little brother, as Peyton and Haley walked down the beach.
"How are you holding up Haley?" Peyton asked as the two walking by the shoreline.
"I'm okay", Haley said bravely.
"Haley", Peyton stated. "You don't have to lie. I know that what is happening is tearing you up. You don't have to be strong."
"But I do!" Haley said her voice choking up and tears beginning to fill her eyes. "I have to be strong for Nathan, for Lucas. I have to! Everyone always turns to me for solutions and for help, but this time I can't help! All I can do is watch the guy I love get worse and worse, with no signs of possible rescue from this damn island!" At this point Haley was sobbing hysterically, her arms wrapped around herself, her face stained with tears.
The two stopped walking and Peyton hugged Haley, letting her cry. She had no idea what Haley was going through, no one did.
"Hey bro", Lucas said talking to Nathan. "I know you can hear me so, just know that you have to get better. I mean really, the team would suck without you! No really, we all need you. The team, and your mom and your friends, and Haley especially. She loves you a lot you know? I don't know what she would do without you, so you have to get better for her." Lucas paused. "I know we haven't been the best of friends. In fact at one time we couldn't stand to even be near each other. But, you're still my brother and I know we could try and make things better, and maybe act like brothers."
Lucas stayed silent until he heard Tim and Brooke frantically screaming and running towards them, just as Peyton and Haley were returning.
"What is going on?" Peyton asked wondering what all the insane ranting was about.
"There's a ship out there!" Tim said pointing out in the distance. "There it is! You see it?"
"I see it!" Peyton yelled.
"We're going to be rescued!" Haley said with a happy smile.
"Everyone", Lucas ordered. "Get some logs on that fire. We have to get that thing as high as possible so that that ship can see it!"
Everyone scattered in all directions grabbing wood and throwing it on the fire. Tim was grabbing the one last bottle of alcohol from his duffel and pouring it on the fire, to help further ignite it.
Haley sat down beside Nathan, a smile on her face. We're almost rescued Nathan, you'll be okay in no time."
On the Coast Guard ship…………………………………
Deb Scott's cell phone rang as she was looking out on the horizon to see if she saw any signs of the kids.
"Yes?" Deb said annoyed at whoever was calling.
"Deb! Where the hell are you?" An all too familiar voice screamed.
"Dan, I am on the Coast Guard ship with Karen, searching for our children!"
"What?" Dan yelled. "Deb! You get back here right now! I specifically told you not to worry and that the kids would be fine! You're wasting the Coast Guard's time!"
"You listen Daniel Scott!" Deb yelled into the phone angrily. "Nathan is my son! MY SON! And I know when he is in danger! I am out here frantically searching for my child and you are demanding me to come home?"
"Exactly!" Dan retorted.
"Well, you are out of luck because I am not going anywhere until I FIND MY SON!" Deb said slamming the phone shut.
"Sir", one of the men yelled to the lieutenant. "Do you see that? That island? There's smoke coming up from it?"
Lieutenant Roberts took his binoculars, only to have them immediately grabbed out his hand by Deb.
"That's them!" Deb yelled, seeing five figures jumping up and down and a fire blazing. "That's our kids!"
"I want a team out there now!" The lieutenant ordered as several men rushed off to prepare a team to go ashore.
"We found them Karen", Deb said. "They're gonna be okay. They're gonna be okay."
"Over here!" The teens chorused as they waved their arms up and down frantically trying to get the attention of the smaller boat coming their way.
"They see us!" Brooke yelled excitedly. "We're going to be rescued! Finally!" She said hugging Peyton joyfully.
The boat came ashore and two men stepped out of it. "Are you kids okay?" One asked.
"We're fine!" Peyton said. "Except Nathan is hurt." She said pointing to where Nathan was lying.
"Okay get the stretcher!" The man ordered the other one. The man ran to the boat and came back with a stretcher and they rolled Nathan onto it.
"The rest of you kids, get in the boat", the first man said. "Now, is there anyone else on the island?"
They hesitated, not knowing whether to tell the guards about Carly, Cailey and Amy. After all they'd done, no one really wanted to see them again. Finally, Haley spoke up. "There are three girls on the other side of the island." No one would've thought Haley would've said anything, she had reason to be angry most of all, and she got hurt because of those girls. But, then again it was Haley, a saint all her own. She never could stay angry at someone for a long time. It was in her nature to forgive.
"I'll radio it in and get a team over there", the man said taking his radio out of his pocket and calling it in. They loaded Nathan onto the boat and once everyone was on, they revved up the engine and sped off towards the Coast Guard ship.
Haley smiled down at Nathan, taking his hand, knowing that everything was going to be okay. Peyton and Lucas were looking at each other and holding each other tightly, while Brooke and Tim were hugging, knowing that they were okay and they had each other to hold onto. Everything was finally alright.
They approached the Coast Guard boat quickly and efficiently. Haley looked up and saw Deb and Karen standing near the rail. They lowered down a board for Nathan, that they hooked him in and pulled him up. They threw down a rope ladder and Haley, Peyton, Brooke, Lucas and Tim, climbed up it respectively.
"Oh my poor baby!" Deb cried when she saw Nathan's ill state. "Take care of him please!" She cried to the guards.
"We'll take him to the infirmary", one said as they hauled Nathan off with Deb in tow.
"Oh Lucas!" Karen said hugging her son tightly. "I love you honey. I was so scared you…oh…"
"Its okay mom", Lucas said holding onto his Karen. "I'm okay. We're all fine now."
Karen released Lucas and wiped her teary eyes. "Haley", Karen said. "Are you okay sweetie?"
"I'm fine", Haley said as Karen pulled her into a hug. "I'm just glad we're all okay now."
"I contacted all your parents", Karen said. "They'll be waiting when we get back to Tree Hill."
"Thank you Ms. Roe", Brooke said leaning her head on Tim's shoulder.
"Yes, thank you", Peyton said snuggling into Lucas.
"Of course, dear", Karen said. "You know what? All of you kids should get checked out at the infirmary and then when we get back to Tree Hill, I want all of you to go to the hospital and get checked out again."
"Mom we're fi…" Lucas began.
"No buts Luke", Karen said persistently.
"Yeah", Peyton said. "You should really get your arm checked out."
"Alright", Lucas said.
"I'll show you the way", a guard said.
A while later at Tree Hill Memorial Hospital everyone had been checked out. Brooke and Tim had both been given a clean bill of health and had headed home to get a much needed shower and some much needed sleep. Peyton had gotten a minor concussion and was then released, but stuck around until she knew that Lucas and Haley and Nathan were okay. Lucas had been stung, but it was nothing major. They had taken the stinger out and gave him a shot.
"You two go home", Deb urged Peyton and Lucas.
"No, we want to stay until we know Haley and Nathan are okay", Peyton said yawning.
"Yeah, I couldn't sleep until I know that Haley and Nathan are alright", Lucas added.
"I will call you once we get news about Haley and Nathan", Karen stated.
"Does my dad know about what happened?" Peyton asked Karen. Her father was out on an assignment.
"Yes, I got a hold of him", Karen stated. "He's taking the next flight to Raleigh, but he can't get one from where he's at for a couple days."
"Oh", Peyton said dishearteningly.
"You are more than welcome to stay with us until your father gets home", Karen said noticing Peyton's worry.
"I wouldn't want to put you out or anything."
"It'd be no trouble", Lucas said. "We don't want you being by yourself after his whole ordeal. You know what, we'll swing by the house and pick up some of your stuff and then we'll go back to my place and get some rest, okay?"
Peyton nodded.
"Call us if you hear anything about Haley or Nathan", Lucas said.
"I will sweetie", Karen said kissing her son on the cheek.
"Love you mom."
"Love you too." Lucas said as Peyton and Lucas walked down the hall and out of the hospital.
Karen waited anxiously for any sign of a doctor that could tell them something about Haley and Nathan.
"Deb!" Karen said as she saw Deb coming toward her.
"They're going to be fine Karen", Deb said.
Deb breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank God."
"You have no idea how scared I was when I saw Nathan lying on that stretcher. He was so fragile and helpless", Deb said tearing up. "But the doctors say in a couple of days he'll be fine. They got all the poison from the snake out and gave him some IV drips."
"He's going to be fine", Karen said giving her friend a supportive hug. "Any news on Haley?"
"She has a broken ankle and a concussion, their keeping her overnight too", Deb said. "She's so selfless that one. All she wanted to know was how Nathan and the others were doing."
"Yes", Karen said. "Haley's always been that way."
"Where are her parents?" Deb asked.
"They're in California visiting relatives", Karen stated. "They're taking the next flight back."
"Good." Deb stated. "You should go home Karen. I'm going to stay the night."
"No I can't leave you here."
"I'll be okay", Deb said.
"Where's Dan?"
"I don't know", Deb said. "I don't know."
Karen gave Deb a hug and left the hospital.
The next morning Deb had woken up and went to the cafeteria to get some coffee and breakfast. Haley woke and got into a wheelchair that was beside her bed and wheeled herself into Nathan's room next door. She wheeled herself over to Nathan's bedside. He was sleeping peacefully, IVs in his were stuck into his arms, giving him the nutrients and medication he needed.
Nathan began to stir. He turned his head and saw Haley sitting beside his bed.
"Hey", he whispered softly.
"Hey", she said taking his hand.
"Where are we?" Nathan asked confused.
"We're back in Tree Hill", she said with a smile. "The Coast Guard found us on the island. We're home."
Nathan sighed. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine", Haley said. "Just a broken ankle and concussion…no big deal, right?"
Nathan smiled. "How's everyone else?"
"They're all fine. Brooke and Tim are fine and Peyton had a minor concussion and Lucas' arm is okay, they just gave him a shot."
"That's good."
"Everyone's worried about you Nate", Haley said. "When you kept drifting in and out of consciousness on that island, I was so scared that I lost you."
"You didn't", Nathan said gripping Haley's hand. "I'm right here and we're going to be together forever." He said kissing her hand.
"I love you", she whispered.
"I love you too", Nathan responded as Haley leaned over to give him a soft kiss on the lips.
"Hey there lovebirds", Brooke said as she walked into the room carrying a couple bags of things, followed by Tim, Peyton and Lucas who had flowers and balloons in their hands.
"You guys!" Haley said. "What's all this?"
"Your get well gifts of course", Brooke said setting the bags down. "For you Hales, some magazines and DVDs to keep you occupied, along with some Ben and Jerry's ice cream and some clothes, so you don't have to where that moo-moo."
"Thank you!" Haley said. "A moo-moo does nothing for my figure."
Everyone laughed.
"And Nathan", Lucas said as he and Tim came forward. "Here is the latest issue of Sports Illustrated, a tape of all the major basketball games we missed while on our little excursion and for both of you guys…" Lucas said pulling out a large card. "Happy…uh…engagement?"
"Good one Luke", Peyton said patting her boyfriend on the back.
"You guys didn't have to do this!" Haley stated.
"What are friends for?" Brooke said perkily.
"I see your back", Nathan said.
"And better than ever!" Brooke said. "I think I've emerged a stronger person because of all this!"
"I think we all have", Haley said with a smile.
"Definitely", Nathan said. "And we learned that sometimes first impressions aren't always right." He said looking at Lucas.
Lucas smiled.
"I think we all kind of…" Peyton started. "I don't know…connected throughout this whole thing. I mean we all got through this…together."
"Yeah", Haley said looking at her old friends and some new ones. "I think we did."
Deb suddenly stepped into the room. "Did I just hear 'engaged'?"
THE END
A/N~ Hey! Hope you liked it :) I kind of left the ending open for a sequel…which it is official I am going to do a sequel about Nathan and Haley's engagement/wedding, with a couple other twists thrown in… Well, anyways, thank you all for reading and reviewing and being sooooooo awesome! Remember to review! :)
