Broken Chapter 38: Just Another Show, an one tree hill fanfic

"Haley" Nathan questioned as he looked over at a bench near the front entrance of the hospital. The brunette looked up at him and then looked back at the ground. "Haley I've been looking all over this damn hospital for you for the last hour." Nathan walked closer to her and hoped that she wouldn't run away. When she stayed where she was he went over and sat next to her.

"I heard what you said to Lucas." Haley said calmly without looking up.

"I'm glad you did. Haley about this morning all I can really say is that I'm sorry. I can't really explain what I was feeling and I know that's not what you wanna hear. But Hales, I just got so caught up in everything that was going on and it was like a glimpse of her was showing and I guess I was just afraid she would slip away again. I don't know if that makes any sense or if you believe me but its all I can think of. I know that sorry wont fix anything, but I am sorry Hales. I love you and I just need you to know that." Nathan looked over at the brunette who hadn't looked up.

"Nathan I know your sorry but that doesn't make me feel any better. You cheated on me Nathan." Haley looked up and Nathan's heart broke as he saw the tears pouring from her eyes.

"Haley…" he began but he didn't have anything to say other then sorry and he knew that was only gunna make things worse.

"Look Nathan just don't okay. I'm just gunna deal with it because Lucas and Peyton don't need us fighting right now. I love you Nate but I don't know where we stand right now." With that Haley got up and walked back into the hospital. She wiped the tears from her cheeks as she made her way back to Peyton's room. As she finally reached the room she looked in through the open door. She watched as Lucas held Peyton close to him with his face hidden in her curls. She wished that she could be that close with Nathan again. "What did you do to us Nate" she whispered as she hung her head down.

"Haley please…what do I need to do for us to get past this?" Nathan pleaded as he came up behind her. He hated himself for causing her pain. He just wanted to hold her in her arms and things to go back to the way they were. They were perfect for each other and he knew that in his heart.

"There's nothing you can do" the brunette whispered as she turned and walked away from him. She refused to turn around because then he would see her tears. She walked out of the hospital and stopped in front of the doors to inhale the fresh air. She couldn't clear her head and she just wanted to collapse right there in the middle of the parking lot. Haley couldn't believe that she kissed Lucas. She didn't even know why she did it. She was thinking about Nathan and then she got angry and upset and the next thing she knew she was kissing him. The wired thing about it was that he kissed her back and that's what she really didn't understand.

Haley ran her thin fingers through her hair and held her head back. 'Why me' was the only thought that invaded her mind as she replayed the day's events in her head. She let out a small cry of frustration before staring her walk home. She decided to take the long way home hoping to clear her head but that didn't seem t be happening Now she wasn't sure if she cared about Lucas or if she had just got caught up in the moment. If she had just gotten caught up in the moment that meat she couldn't be mad at Nathan. Having feelings for Lucas wouldn't be any better though. Then it occurred to her that Nathan didn't know about the kiss. "This day just gets better and better" Haley mumbled as she continued walking.

"Haley" the brunette looked up to find Nathan sitting in front of her house.

"GO AWAY NATHAN" she screamed as she shoved past him and slammed the front door in his face. Haley raced up her steps and immediately collapsed onto her bed. The tears streamed quickly down her flushed cheeks as she buried her face into the soft quilt. She wanted nothing more then to run into Nathan's arms but she couldn't let herself do that, she was determined to stay strong. Her and Nathan had been drifting apart over the last month or so and they both knew it but refused to say anything. She hater the fact that she might now have to face the end of her and Nathan which was something she never wanted to do.

Haley looked up as she heard a fait tapping on her window and there was Nathan staring back at her. She walked over to the window and got ready to shut the curtain but stopped when the youngest Scott held up a piece of paper to the window.

"Darlin' I can't explain. Where did we lose our way? Girl it's driving me insane" The brunette read out loud. She looked at Nathan strangely and watched as held up a new piece of paper.

-And I know I just need one more chance- Haley shook her head and rolled her eyes as he held up another paper.

-To prove my love to you-

-If you come back to me I'll guarantee-

-That I'll never let you go- Haley shook her head again and let the curtain fall form her hand and in front of the window. She pun on her heel and began to walk back to the bed but stopped when she heard Nathan singing from outside.

"Can we go back to the days our love was strong
Can you tell me how a perfect love goes wrong
Can somebody tell me how you get things back
The way they use to be
Oh God give me a reason
I'm down on bended knee
I'll never walk again until you come back to me
I'm down on bended knee"

Haley opened her curtain again and looked at Nathan with wide eyes. She couldn't believe he was actually hanging on to her window singing in the middle of the night. She glared at him before closing the curtain again but he only sang louder.

"So many nights I dream of you
Holding my pillow tight
I know I don't need to be alone
When I open up my eyes
To face reality
Every moment without you
It seems like eternity
I'm begging you, begging you come back to me"

"Nathan shut up" Haley hissed as he threw her window open. "What are you trying to do wake the whole neighborhood up?" she questioned angrily but Nathan merely shrugged.

"If I have to" he commented and to his surprise the brunette slammed her window shut again so he began to sing even louder. He was determined to get Haley back even if he did have to make an ass out of himself.

Haley opened her window again and looked down at the man before her. It took everything she had to look at mad at him when all she wanted to do was pull him inside and kiss him. Haley was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't notice Nathan start to come in and when she did it was too late to close the window. The minute he was inside he dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around Haley's waist. "Nathan what the hell are you doing. Get off of me!" she shrieked as she tried to pull away but he just pulled her closer to him.

"I'll never walk again until you come back to me
I'm down on bended knee"

"Nathan your crazy" Haley yelled as she continued to try and pull away, but her attempts all failed.

"Gonna swallow my pride
Say I'm sorry
Stop pointing fingers the blame is on me
I want a new life
And I want it with you
If you feel the same
Don't ever let it go
You gotta believe in the spirit of love
It can heal all things
We won't hurt any more
No I don't believe our love's terminal
I'm down on my knees begging you please
Come home"

Haley's eyes grew wide and she tired to cover Nathan's mouth as he held the note loudly, but he just kept going.

"Nathan will you stop it" Haley hissed yet again but he just looked up at her. She looked into his eyes and couldn't stay mad when she saw the tears he was trying to hold back. Haley dropped down to her knees and wrapped Nathan in her arms.

"Wanna build a new life
Just you and me
Gonna make you my wife
Raise a family"

Haley pulled back and looked at him after he spoke the words quietly. "Nathan…this…us" she didn't know what to say to him so she just buried her face into his neck again.

"Marry me Haley" The brunette pulled back quickly and looked at the boy in front of her.

"What did you just say?" She asked in disbelief

"Marry me. I know it sounds crazy and I know we're young but I love you Haley. I cant see myself with anyone else I wanna marry you. " Nathan said as the tear finally spilled from his eyes.

"Nate…" She didn't know what to say. She never thought she would debate saying no but her she was contemplating her answer.

"Haley do you love me?" he asked nervously.

"Yes I do but that doesn't mean I'm ready to get married to you. You just cheated on me Nathan and I'm supposed to accept some crazy proposal from you in the same day." Haley went to stand up but Nathan grabbed her arm and pulled her back down. Her kissed her gently and before she knew it she as kissing him back. Haley wrapped her arms around his neck and they fell back onto her floor. Nathan pulled back, both of them breathing heavily.

"Marry me" he repeated calmly as he looked into her eyes. Haley's jaw trembled as she gazed back at him unsure of what to say. "Marry me" he said again.

"Nate I…" Haley closed her eyes and let out a deep breath. A small smile soon played on her lips as she lightly nodded her head. She opened her eyes to see Nathan smiling back at her and she immediately leaned up and kissed him.

Peyton woke up to feel the warmth of Lucas's breath beating down on her neck. She didn't feel all tingly inside though, she just felt warm. She had been hoping that when she woke up she would be able to feel again, that things would be back to normal but she had no such luck. Peyton slipped from under his arm and placed her feet on the floor. She sat up carefully so not to wake Lucas but almost passed out. The blonde leaned her head down and took in deep breaths trying to calm herself down. After a minute she stood from the bed and walked towards the door, pulling the IV stand with her. She wanted fresh air, it had always made her relax and that's what she wanted to do at that moment. As the blonde continued to walk she quickly grew more and more tired, but she pushed her legs to carry her forward. She closed her eyes hoping to make her head stop spinning but her breathing got harder and when she opened her eyes she was on the floor, her legs crumpled beneath her. Peyton continued to gasp fro breath as she felt her entire body shake. The entire room was spinning around her and no matter how she tried she couldn't focus her eyes. She shudder as she felt a warm hand on her shoulder.

"Hey…come here" Lucas said gently as he pulled her into his arms. He held her tight and rocked back and forth until she stopped shaking. Peyton closed her eyes and rested her head against his chest, breathing in the scent of his cologne.

"Miss Sawyer I'm afraid you won't be walking for a little while" Lucas looked up to find the doctor standing in the doorway. Peyton attempted to lift her head but immediately leaned on Lucas when everything started spinning. "You lost quite a lot of blood this evening and tomorrow will be the earliest that your circulation will be going smoothly. Until then I suggested you stay in bed and build up your energy." The doctor smiled and turned to go down the hall as one of the nurses called his name.

"Let's get you back in bed" Lucas whispered into her hair as he kissed the top of her head lightly. He stood up with Peyton in his arms and gently laid her back in the bed and pulled the covers up over her. She was still pale but her color was slowly coming back. Lucas pulled the chair back up to the bed and sat down, holding Peyton's small hand in his. "I love you" he whispered as her eyes slowly closed and sleep overtook her. Lucas laid back in the chair and watched the pale girl sleep through the night. He couldn't fall asleep so he just watched over her making sure she was alright.

"Knock knock" Lucas turned his neck to see Brooke sticking her head in the room. It was only eight o'clock in the morning but it didn't surprise Lucas that she was there.

"Hey…come in" he said quietly as not to wake Peyton. Brooke tiptoed into the room holding a shopping bad in one hand and balancing flowers and balloons in the other.

"I come bearing gifts" the brunette whispered with a warm smile on her face as she set the bags down on the night stand. "How's she doing?" She asked her smiling fading slightly.

"Well the nurse that came in earlier said that she's gunna be fine and that she should be out of here today." He stroked the top of Peyton's head as he spoke.

"Did they try to get you to put her in therapy?" Brooke had a slight edge in her voice as she looked through the shopping bad.

"Yeah but since she's over 18 they can't make her go and I turned them down."

"Good" she said with relief. Brooke dug through the bag some more before pulling out a pair of low rise jeans and a red tank top. "Now she has clothes to wear when she gets out of here." Brooke chirped as she smiled giddily and waved the new clothing in front of Lucas. The blonde laughed at the energetic girl before him. Ever since Peyton had given her blessing about the pregnancy Brooke had been ecstatic.

"You were just waiting for an excuse to go shopping" Peyton joked as she opened her eyes and smiled at the brunette.

"Hey you, how ya' feeling" Brooke set the clothes back in the bag and stepped closer to the bed.

"I'm okay but I really wanna go home" the blonde complained as she turned her head to look out the window.

"I thought you liked being in the hospital" Brooke teased as Peyton turned back to face her and roll her eyes. The brunette just laughed and shook her head. "So anyway are you up for shopping tomorrow?" she raised and eye brow as she awaited the response.

"I was just gunna stay home with Luke tomorrow." The blonde began.

"So broody can come with us and carry some bags." She winked at Lucas and he just groaned.

"Fine by me, as long as you don't buy out the entire mall." Lucas shook his head and turned to look at Peyton.

"So I guess it's a date." Peyton smiled up at Brooke before turning to look out the window again. She really wanted to get out of the hospital. She hated being there, it brought back nothing but bad memories. She snapped her neck around when she felt Lucas squeeze her hand.

"You'll be out of here soon." He reassured her as he leaned down and kissed her gently. She smiled back at him as he kissed her forehead. The three of them spent the rest of the day making small talk and joking about all the stuff they did in high school. Time went by quickly for Lucas and Brooke but it couldn't have gone slower for Peyton. When the nurse finally came in to take here off the IV and blood transfusion Peyton was ready to jump out the bed and run home. She just wanted to be in her own clothes and in her own bed. When she tried to stand up she felt almost as dizzy as she head the night before so Lucas helped her get dressed. He and Brooke also helped the blonde walk out to Luke's car.

"Ready to go home?" Lucas asked as he started the car. She nodded eagerly as the pulled out of the parking lot and headed to Peyton's house, with Brooke behind them. The two didn't talk during the ride and Peyton just stared out the window getting lost in thoughts and memories. She didn't know what she was feeling but she knew it was something she didn't like. She had fist felt it when Brooke said she was pregnant and it went away, but came back as soon as she saw the brunette again. Peyton wasn't jealous but seeing Brooke made her upset, she kept a smile on her face though because she didn't want anyone to hover over her. She just wanted everyone to believe that things were okay again.

Lucas turned into Peyton's driveway and shut off the car just as Brooke pulled up beside them. Peyton pushed the car door open and stepped out slowly. Brooke and Lucas came over to help her up but she waved them off. "I can do it" She said with a small laugh before pulling herself out of the car. She move slower then usual but she made it into her house. "I can't do those" She turned to Lucas after gesturing to the stairs in front of her. He laughed as he picked her up and walked up the stairs. He carried her into her room and laid her down on the bed. "Thank you" she cooed as she kissed him on the cheek.

Lucas smiled down as her as he held himself up on his arms. Things were really looking up at the moment and he couldn't be happier about it. He had been getting more and more worried about Peyton as she continued to shut down but now she was heading in the right direction. She was smiling again and although he knew she wasn't really happy he was satisfied with a smile. He didn't know what would make Peyton happy again but as long as she wasn't suffering and in an immense amount of pain things were okay.

Brooke watched the interaction between the two and it caused her stomach to fall, but she remained smiling. She knew the smile that was on Peyton's face and it was an empty one. It was all an act and it was good enough to fool everyone. It would have fooled Brooke too, but she had seen it all before and she didn't want to see it again.

"Lucas can pass me the remote for my stereo" Peyton asked as she made herself comfortable on the bed. Lucas retrieved her remote and handed it to her before taking a seat by her side.

"So what are we listening to P Sawyer?" Brookes sat on the floor and leaned against the bed as she waited for an answer.

"I figured the radio would suffice. I don't even know what I have in my CD player." Peyton laughed lightly as she skimmed the stations.

"Ohhh Peyt I love this song" Brooke chirped as Peyton stopped on Maroon 5's 'This Love'. The brunette hummed along to the song and sang the chorus causing the two blondes to laugh. A few minutes later Lucas cell phone rang and Haley's name flashed across the screen.

"Hello" he said as he put the phone to his ear. "Ohh… okay… no its fine, really…Haley I don't mind…okay I'll see ya' in a few…okay bye." Lucas ended the call before turning towards Peyton and kissing her gently.

"What's up" she asked nonchalantly after they broke the kiss.

"That was Hales, she said my mom wasn't feeling good so she went home early and called Haley to take over. Haley said there are a lot of people there and she needs help so I told her I'd go over there." He lifted himself from the bed and then turned to face Peyton again.

"I'll go with you…I don't mind helping." Peyton got ready to sit up but Lucas held his hand up and shook his head.

"No its fine, and I want you to get your rest. After I close up the café I'm gunna go check on my mom so I'll be back here early in the morning." Lucas informed her before planting a kiss on her forehead and then on her lips. "Love you and I'll see you first thing tomorrow."

"Alight, I'll see you in the morning" Peyton said smiling up at him. Both Brooke and Lucas noticed that she didn't return the 'I love you' but neither brought it up. Peyton had wanted to tell him that she loved him, but she didn't love him. She felt her stomach begin to knot as an increasingly familiar urge ran through her veins. She watched Lucas walk out of her room and she sat up as she heard the front door close. She quickly brought her hand up to her head as the room started spinning.

"Peyton are you okay" Brooke looked at the blonde with concern written all over her face.

"Yea I just need some Aleve or something." Peyton said as she pulled herself to her feet, her hand still to her head.

"Sit down, I'll get it" Brooke said as she too stood up.

"No its fine. I have to go the bathroom anyway and its right there, in the same room. I'll make it Brooke." Peyton gave a small laugh as she started walking to the bathroom. The dizziness slowly subsided and by the time she closed the bathroom door it was completely gone. Brooke grabbed Peyton's CD case off the computer desk before sitting on the edge of the bed. She heard the toilet flush before the water started running. She listened as the medicine cabinet opened and then closed again a minute later. The water shut off a minute later and Brooke was relieved to see the bathroom door open.

"Better" Brooke asked as Peyton made her way back over to the bed. She watched the blonde nod her head as she laid back down. "Good" the brunette responded as she laid back next to Peyton.

"So you never told me what Charlie said about the baby…" Peyton turned her head to look over at Brooke who got a smile on her face.

"He was just as happy as me, which is a really good thing because I almost made myself sick thinking about what would happen if he wasn't happy about this." Brooke immediately regretted saying that but it was too late. She didn't know if Peyton really wanted to hear about her pregnancy and she didn't want her to be the least bit uncomfortable. Brooke was relieved when Peyton laughed and shook her head in amusement.

"Its gunna be a lot of work but I'm sure you two will enjoy every minute of it, I know I did…" Peyton let the sentence hang and Brooke noticed the distant look that appeared in her eyes. The brunette's smile faded as she watched her best friend. Peyton saw this and quickly restored her smile. "Just wait till you start gaining weight…then your really gunna love it!" the blonde said sarcastically hoping to break the tension that had suddenly filled the room.

"Uhhhg! Don't remind me…that has to be the only thing I'm not looking forward to." The brunette rolled her eyes in mock frustration causing the blonde to laugh.

"Don't' worry, it'll be winter by the time you start to show so you don't have to worry about not being able to wear your lingerie turned clothing." Brooke grabbed a pillow from the top of the bed and hit Peyton with it. The blonde just laughed and Brooke expected her to snatch the pillow and hit her back, but that didn't happen. Brooke shrugged it off and just figure she didn't have the energy. Brooke sat up and crawled to the top of the bed. She pulled the covers down and slid under while holding the other end up for Peyton who followed her lead and crawled under the covers as well.

"Goodnight Peyt" Brooke said quietly as she made herself more comfortable.

"Night" Peyton replied as she closed her eyes and hoped to fall asleep quickly, instead of staying up thinking about things and making herself miserable. Both girl fell asleep within the next hour, letting go of their problems for the moment. Brooke woke up in the middle of the night and as she swung her legs off the side of the bed she saw that it was a little past 3 AM. She wiped the sleep form her eyes before standing up and heading tot eh bathroom.

Brooke had no trouble finding the bathroom in the dark since she had spent so many nights in that room. She closed the door quietly so she wouldn't wake up Peyton and turned on the light. She tucked her hair behind her ears and looked around the room and her eyes focused on the counter. Brooke looked closer as the faint red stain in the sink and the barley noticeable drop of blood on the counter. The brunette forgot about using the bathroom as she opened the medicine cabinet over the sink. She looked through the rows but found nothing out of the ordinary. She got ready to close the door but stopped when she took one last glimpse at the top shelf. She couldn't really see up there so she ran her hand along the edge until she felt the sharp, cold blade hit her finger tips. She grasped the blades handle and pulled it down only to discover it was one of Peyton's art tools. Brooke got ready to put the blade back but caught sight of the red spot on her finger. At first she thought she cut herself but then she realized the blood was on the blade and some of it was already dry.

"Damnit" Brooke mutter as she ran her hands through her hair in frustration. She took a deep breath before closing the cabinet and setting the blade down on the counter. Brooke opened the top drawer and saw blood stained tissues and cloths shoved in the back. She bit her lip as she was forced to admit to herself that things were no where near okay.

Brooke opened the bathroom door slowly and looked over at Peyton. She glanced back at the bald and open drawer and realized how much of an act everything was. It was all just another show, it was nothing more then a variety of illusions. Brooke grabbed the phone from the computer desk before heading back in the bathroom and closing the door. The brunette suddenly felt her legs grow weak and she slid down to the floor, her back leaning against the cabinet doors. The tears fell silently from her brown eyes as she dialed the 7 numbers she had known since her junior year of high school.

"Hello…" she whispered into the phone, barley able to find her voice. "I'm sorry, I know its really late, but we have a serious problem…"

"Brooke what's wrong…"

"None of it is real…Peyton's not okay…"

The song was 'bended knee' by boyz II men