As Haley and Nathan silently made their way through the quiet hallways of Tree hill memorial Haley felt her breath catch. They were moments away from reality. In just bit she would be standing before him. Standing before her bruised, distraught, and crippled brother while listening to the words of his doctors speak. She was in no hurry to hear the news. After all what may be spoken would basically form the future of her life. Of her own brothers life. She wasn't sure if she was ready for this. After all who is. But more so then ever Haley needed for him to be all right. She needed to at least speak with him once again. She just hoped more than anything she had that chance. She couldn't be left alone. How would she survive without him? How would her family make it without the stronghold? Joey was the glue that basically held the James' together. Even though he was absent a good 355 days out of the year he still had such an impact on his family. When visiting Diane the mother of the family seemed to clean up her act. She forced herself to put the booze away at least while her baby boy was home. Garry, their father would make sure to close the shop up at least for a while just to spend some time bonding and getting to know the man joey had become. For at least a week the James' family was back in order. Was an ordinary household and those moments Haley cherished greatly. Now what would come of them all? If he was to be lost in sleep forever how could she honestly go on? How would Diane react to the news of her boy no longer coming home for the holidays, or even never again experiencing life? All these thoughts swarmed her and made her head spin just a bit. As she looked to Nathan a small smile began gracing her lips. Suprisingly she felt favorable of him at the moment. Despite the way she acted when finding the news he was now her hero. He was the one who held her when she broke, who helped her regain herself, and who brought her here to see her brother. He was the one who was her stronghold at the moment and she was utterly grateful. Following him into the elevator she struggled to listen to his words. Everything had been foggy since the news had been delivered and concentrating on anyone's speak had been rather difficult. Tilting her head and squinting as his voice came gently she noted.

"The nurse said he is in ICU at the moment. I'm not sure if we'll be able to see him hales. I'm sure the doctor will be letting us know when we get up there. Are you okay?"

She hated that question. It was the worst use of words possible. Why did everyone seem to ask that simple sentence when knowing the answer prior? After all she just found out her brother and whole life could be fading. How would he be feeling at the moment? She thought about giving him a piece of her mind. She even thought about scoffing at the statement but looking into his eyes she could see the worry. She knew he had meant nothing from those words. She knew he was aware she in fact was not okay. But yet he still had asked. Trying to keep her tears locked away she choked back many sobs before whispering.
"Are you?"
Haley watched him shake his head and soon she felt a bit remorseful. Joey had been friends of many but for some reason she felt he may have just been Nathan's best. Trying to send him a sympathetic glance she found herself hurting again. This time instead of the pain she held over her own hurt she felt yet even more for Nathan. Without giving much thought she brought her hands downward. In the slowest of movements she brushed it along his much bigger one and soon found her finger tips entangled in his own. Giving a slight squeeze she looked back to him. Not really being able to speak she mouthed the words "thank you" and then as if a force of lightning struck she had come to see it. For the first time in all the years of knowing Nathan Scott she could openly see him. Not the guy she was used to. Not the guy who was known for his arrogant, cocky, son of a bitch behavior but for the first time Haley could see him for his glory. She could see his kindness, childlike worry, and his glorious heart. In a bit of amazement she watched intently as a single tear traveled from his darkened orbs and subconsciously she reached out. Using her thumb she slowly wiped away the silent tear and then positioned herself affront of him. Still holding his hand in hers she looked deeply into his soul before letting a tear of her own fall. The two remained silent as their eyes just wandered each other and their breaths momentarily stopped. So may thoughts were captivating their minds yet neither were thinking clearly at the moment. As the world around them slowly faded away she found herself yearning for him. For the guy who several minutes ago was holding her back at her house. For some reason Haley wanted that guy. Still caressing the side of his cheek she let her fingers trail along his structure. He had a glorious face. God it was amazing. The way everything fit perfectly. It was you could say beautiful. As he licked his lips in anticipation Haley felt shivers run through her body. The heat from his breathing was now rested upon her face and she could feel herself call to him. Just as her lips were about to touch that of his own the bell dinged over head and the doors to the elevator quickly parted. Hearing the rustle of the third floor take place Haley quickly snapped back into realization. It occurred to her finally just what she was about to do. Frantically pulling from Nathan she dropped his hand with much force and then spoke urgently.

"Ummm what room is he in? Joey... we uh... we should get to him."
"Yeah your right. The nurse said somewhere along the lines of three sixteen. I think its down this way."

Pointing in the direction of the busy corridor the two made out a rather familiar figure and called to him at once.

"Luke! Lucas."

As Nathan saw the sight of his brother he felt a quick pull to his stomach. The tears that were held in his eyes and the look displayed on his face. The way he kept running his hair through his jagged locks. It couldn't be good he was certain. Glancing over to Haley and then back to his brother his voiced cracked while asking.

"Dude how is he? Have you heard anything yet?"
"Guys its not looking to good. The doctors fear he's losing a lot of blood. He's been falling in and out of consciousness. I'm sorry hales but they don't ... they don't think he's gonna make it."

There was no way at that very instant she could keep the tears from coming. They came as the world had been expecting them. She didn't try to hide her face nor did she even bother brushing them away for there was far to many and they were just going to keep on pouring. Feeling the bile rise in her throat she clutched to her stomach tightly. As Nathan and Lucas watched this they both immediately resided at her side. Rubbing her back soothingly she placed her hands to her burning ears and covered her head. Shunning herself from the world around her she let herself scream. She didn't care at the moment if she was making a scene. the thought hadn't even registered in her mind that people could be viewing her state of turmoil. All that was captivating her mind was him. Her best friend, her family, her life. Joseph James her favorite person in the world was slowly losing life. Feeling Lucas' arms wrap securely around her she continued her screams. Whether she was letting words slip from her mouth or if they were pretty much incoherent was beyond her knowledge. The world didn't exists at the moment. The only beings that mattered were her brother, herself and considering her state, Lucas. She didn't even think of him or where he was at the moment. She didn't wonder why his touch had left her body or where he had left too. All of that did not effect her right now. She buried her head into Lucas as more screams sprang from her body. How could something so bad happen to someone such as him? Joey had done nothing wrong in life and yet there he was lying in a hospital dead preparing for death. Rocking herself she whispered the words of "no" and "please" repeatedly. She didn't want to lose him. She could not lose him. How would she survive?...