Chapter Thirty Three: Your Blue Skies Fade To Grey

Brooke's cellphone rang loudly in her bag, much to the chagrin of the others in the movie theatre. She cringed and shot them an apologetic look as she searched in vain through the contents of her bag to find her phone. She pulled out some of the items and placed them in Nathan's lap as the phone continued to ring, and people began to give her dirty looks and tut in her direction.

"Geez, Brooke, how much can you stuff in that small bag?" Nathan hissed as he looked down at the make-up in his hands.

Brooke didn't reply, but instead grinned when she found the phone. It was short-lived when the phone stopped ringing before she had time to answer it. She growled in frustration.

"I hate it when that happens," she muttered as she began listening to the voicemail message that was left for her. The color drained from her face and Nathan spied her expression in the darkness of the theater.

"What? Did you miss a sale?" he joked. When Brooke numbly stared down at her phone, he realized that it was clearly no laughing matter. "Hey, what's wrong? Who was that?" Nathan nudged her, but Brooke was finding it difficult to form words. By this time Haley had also become concerned.

"Let's get her out of here," she suggested to her husband as she hastily gathered up their belongings while Nathan helped Brooke up and ushered her quickly out of the theater.

Once in the lobby, Brooke suddenly burst into tears.

"Brooke, what happened?" Nathan asked, "Who was on the phone?"

"Dan," Brooke managed to squeak out, "He's in the hospital," she told them as she wiped the tears roughly from her face.

Haley glanced at Nathan, who seemed unsure of what to think. Before he could say anything else, Brooke continued.

"It's Lucas," she said, "There… there was an acc…an accident." Brooke took in a deep breath. "I have to go there," she said digging desperately into her bag, "Where the hell are my keys?" she sobbed as she threw the half-empty bag across the room. Haley went to fetch it, while Nathan – who was still holding half the items from the bag – tried to reassure Brooke.

"Hey, hey," he said, "You didn't bring your car, remember? You came with Michael," he reminded her. Haley held the bag open so Nathan could put Brooke's stuff back into it.

"Well, can I have your keys?" Brooke asked. Nathan pulled them out of his pocket and was about to hand them to her but then noticed how much her hands were shaking, and how distressed she was.

"I can't let you drive," he told her. "We'll drive you there."

"The movie…" Brooke began, "You shouldn't have to miss the movie."

"Screw the movie, we're going to the hospital."

Haley tugged at Nathan's shirt. "Dan and Karen are there," she said, "What are they going to say when we show up with Brooke – who isn't even supposed to know us, let alone be with us."

"Lucas needs us, Hales," Nathan said gently, "And we have to be there."

"I know but…" Haley sighed, "knowing Dan, he'll still be pissed off and stressed out. What if he doesn't let us anywhere near Lucas?"

"Are we leaving or not?" Brooke snapped, growing more and more impatient, "Because I'm going, and you're both coming too." She jabbed a finger at them both. "You're his brother and Dan Scott is not keeping us away from him. We're family." Nathan and Haley knew Brooke made sense even if, right at that moment, she was bordering on hysterical.

"Come on," Nathan said as he led the two girls out into the parking lot.

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"Lucas Scott?" Brooke said to the receptionist.

"What's your name?" the receptionist asked Brooke.

"Brooke Davis, what does it matter?" Brooke asked, "Where is he?"

"I'm afraid I can't tell you. Only his immediate family is allowed to see him right now," she replied. Brooke's eyes narrowed.

"Listen lady, we just ran three red lights and I had to run in three inch heels to get here. Now tell me where he is!" she shouted at the receptionist who looked pretty scared of her.

"I'm his brother," Nathan told the receptionist before Brooke could hit the poor girl, "This is my wife, and Brooke lives with Lucas. Can you tell us which room he's in?"

The receptionist nodded and directed them some distance down the hallway.

Gripping Nathan's hand tightly, Brooke led the way but - as they approached the room - she was stopped.

"Come on," she said urging Nathan to go on. Nathan shook his head and let go of Brooke's hand.

"Brooke, I haven't spoken to my parents in almost a year. What am I supposed to say to them?"

"That you're here for your brother? Nathan, I need you with me," Brooke pleaded. She was anxious to go into the room and see Lucas, but Nathan's sudden panic put an end to it. "He'd do it for you," she reminded him softly. "And if Dan or Karen say anything about it; I'll take the heat. I just need to see him – and so do you."

Nathan finally nodded and took a deep breath as Brooke pushed open the door. Unsure of what she'd find or what she expected, Brooke's gaze firstly went to the distraught looking woman standing at the foot of Lucas' hospital bed. The woman spun around and gasped as she saw Brooke.

"Thank god, you're here," Karen said as she hugged Brooke tightly, "Dan told me he couldn't get through."

"How is he?" Brooke asked as she looked over Karen's shoulder to where Lucas lay still in the bed. He had tubes and wires in various places over his body, and he looked paler than she'd ever seen him.

"He's stable. He's unconscious, but the doctors say that he should be okay." Karen explained as her eyes wandered to the two figures also standing in the doorway. "Oh my…" she gasped.

"Hey, Mom," Nathan said from the doorway, his hand tightly holding onto Haley's. "How are you?"

Karen didn't know whether to cry, smile or laugh given the circumstances. Her banished son had come to her in his brother's time of need. 'He does care', she thought to herself as she couldn't help the small smile creep onto her lips. However, despite the good feeling she was getting now that she had both her sons – plus two girls she'd often regarded as her own daughters – all together in one room, something much deeper told Karen that things were only going to get worse.

Instinctively. Karen hugged her younger son, and even his wife.

"I'm so glad you came," she said, but her expression soured, "But if your father-"

"Forget him," Nathan said, "We're here for Luke."

Karen smiled, remembering how good it felt to hear Nathan's voice again. "Brooke told you?" she asked.

"Actually, we were with Brooke when Dan called," Haley said truthfully. Something Karen had always admired in her daughter-in-law was her honesty.

"I suspected as much," Karen smiled, "I always wondered why there were three sets of spoons, glasses and plates in the sink whenever Brooke had Peyton over," she said. Haley tucked a strand of hair behind her ears in embarrassment and hid behind Nathan's arm. "Anyway, he'll be glad you're both here."

"Dad?" Nathan asked, a little confused.

"Lucas," Karen replied. Nathan gave a nod.

"What happened?" Brooke asked as she looked at Lucas. "Dan just said Lucas was in the hospital because of an accident."

Karen shrugged, "I don't know myself. Apparently Lucas was found collapsed at the Rivercourt by Mouth and Skillz. They're the ones who called 911 and then me. The doctors don't even know what it is."

"Karen, the doctor-" Dan's voice called from the hallway. There was no time to react before he walked into his son's hospital room and saw who was there. He stopped in mid-sentence, and his jaw tightened as he leveled his eyes with Nathan's.

"What are you both doing here?" he asked coldly as he saw the woman that had torn Nathan apart from his family. "I thought I told you not to call them!" Dan's voice rose as he spoke to his wife.

"I called them," Brooke admitted, garnering his attention.

"Why?"

"Because Nathan needs to be here. Lucas is his brother and he's your s-"

"He is not my son. Don't make that mistake. Nathan is no longer part of this family and you have no right bringing him here."

"Isn't that Lucas' decision? If it was Nathan lying here, Lucas would have been one of the first at his side," Brooke argued, as she stepped between Nathan and Dan.

Sensing that this was not the time nor place to have this sort of argument, Nathan stepped in.

"Brooke, it's okay. We'll go," he suggested.

"That's fine by me." Dan added. Brooke opened her mouth to protest but Nathan stopped her in an attempt to quickly diffuse the situation.

"My cell will be on all night, so don't hesitate to call and update us," he told her, giving her a quick hug and kiss on the forehead, before leaving the hospital room – his wife in tow.

Dan smirked and shook his head, giving both Karen and Brooke a glare.

"Dan…" Karen began.

"The doctor is on his way. He wants to ask some questions." Dan ignored his wife's comment.

"Okay," Karen agreed, putting a comforting arm around Brooke.

"I'm going to get some coffee," Dan told them, "Try not to let anymore vagrants in."

With those words, he left the two women alone in the room.

"Don't worry about him," Karen comforted, "He's still a little angry."

"Yeah, no kidding." Brooke muttered.

"For the record, I think you did the right thing. Dan just lets his ego get in the way of his emotions."

Within a few minutes, Dan arrive with coffee for all of them, and the three sat quietly at Lucas' bedside until the doctor arrived.

"Mr. Scott, Mrs. Scott," the doctor said as he looked at the two. His eyes rested on Brooke, "And you are?" The doctor looked through his notes, trying to see if Lucas had a sister. He was sure that only immediate family were allowed.

"This is Brooke Davis. She lives with us," Karen introduced them.

"Oh, in that case, welcome. My name is Dr. Forrester," he quickly shook Brooke's hand.

"Do you know what happened yet?" Dan asked.

"We're still running tests. I need to ask if Lucas has been taking any drugs?"

"How dare you ask-" Dan's temper flared up again.

"It's just a routine question, Mr. Scott. Your son is an athlete and with most patients that collapse like this, drugs seem to be the catalyst. Stuff like steroids-"

"My son is not taking steroids!"

"No offence, but teenagers don't usually inform their parents when they're taking drugs. Maybe he told a friend…?" his eyes glanced at Brooke, and both parents looked at her.

"No." Brooke shook her head. "Definately not."

"Has anything out of the ordinary been going on?" Dr. Forrester asked.

"Well, he has been under pressure lately with college scouts," Karen earned a glare from Dan, "and his performance has improved."

"Then it's possible he might have taken something?"

"Listen, my son has not been taking any sort of performance enhancing drugs. He's earned those scholarships through hard work. What kind of man do you think I am if I let my son take drugs?" Dan asked.

Dr. Forrester flipped through his notes, "Scott…" he mused, "Didn't you have another son in hospital around eighteen months ago? He took some sort of steroid to enhance his game – he suffered from dehydration and collapsed during a game." he read off the information.

"My son does not take drugs," Dan repeated firmly.

"If you say so," Dr. Forrester said, "but we're taking a tox screen just to make sure." The doctor left the family but Dan was still angry.

"Can you believe that man?" he asked, "How dare he have the… I'm going to file a complaint!" Dan announced as he stormed out of the room.

"Oh dear," Karen said as she began to chase after him, "I'll be back soon," she told Brooke as she ran out of the room.

As Karen shut the door behind her, Brooke took an uneasy breath in and out and sat down next to the unconscious Lucas, knowing that all she could do was wait and pray he'd be okay.

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Lucas opened his eyes slowly and inhaled the scent of the musky perfume that he could smell nearby. He smiled widely and his eyes focused on the empty space next to him.

Now a college senior, Lucas was having the time of his life in his own apartment. Set to go into the pros sometime in the very near future, he had the world at his feet.

"Lucas!" a sweet voice from the bathroom called his name. From his position on the bed, Lucas could see a flash of blonde hair walk past the sink.

"Yeah?" he called back.

"Oh good, you're awake." Lucas loved hearing her voice first thing in the morning, "Remember that we're meeting your parents for lunch. They didn't fly all the way from Tree Hill for nothing."

"Is Nathan coming?" Lucas asked.

"Duh!" the voice said, "And Haley. They haven't seen you since… Christmas?"

"Thanksgiving," Lucas replied, "But that's because we spent Christmas and New Years in Palm Springs."

"Ah yes," the voice said, "That was a great trip. We should do it again."

"Now?" he asked hopefully. She laughed.

"No, because you're not getting out of meeting your family that easily. Why are you trying to avoid them?"

"I'm not. I'd just rather spend it with you."

The blonde peeked out of the bathroom with a cheeky grin, "Same here."

She crawled onto the bed and gave him a kiss, "God, I love you."

"I love you too, Brooke," he told her earnestly. "I'm glad we managed to get through all that-"

She pressed a finger to his lips, "Let's not talk about that. It was a long time ago. I already forgave you," she said as she lay down beside him and played with a strand of her hair. It had been dyed blonde for a part in a drama play she'd won the lead in. "I hate my hair," she grumbled.

"I love it," Lucas replied, "We match now."

She gave him a grin and pushed herself off the bed. "I need a shower." He groaned when she left him alone on the bed. "Are you coming?" she asked as she paused at the bathroom doorway.

"Huh?" Lucas hadn't heard the last part.

"I asked if you were joining me… Lucas!" she snapped, "Lucas! Are you even listening to me?"

"Huh?" he repeated.

"Lucas!" she yelled.

Lucas' eyes snapped open suddenly. He was no longer in his own apartment anymore. He was in a bleak looking room surrounded by tubes and wires, and he was thirsty.

However, the musky smell remained. His eyes went to the brunette girl sitting in the chair next to him; she was engrossed in painting her nails and hadn't noticed he was awake.

"Brooke?" he croaked. She looked at him and gasped.

"Oh my god, Lucas!" she said as she sat up. "You're awake."

"You're painting your nails." Lucas said.

"Uh… I was bored," she apologized quickly. "Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm a little confused. What's happening?" he asked, coughing slightly. Brooke poured a glass of water and offered it to Lucas, who took it greedily.

"You had a little accident at the Rivercourt. The doctors don't know what it is yet, but the important thing is you're okay."

"You're here?" Lucas asked.

"Of course," she replied with a warm smile as she set the water on the table next to Lucas, "Where else would I be?"

"Didn't you have a date?" Lucas questioned.

"Oh, don't worry about that," Brooke laughed.

"Where are-?"

"Oh, your dad is yelling at some poor doctor, and your mom went after him. Look, I'm going to go get a nurse or something. You'll be okay for a couple of minutes, right?"

Lucas gave a nod and she began to leave.

"I'm glad you're here." Lucas told her before she left. She tucked her hands into the back pockets of her jeans and gave a small smile.

"I'm glad you're awake," she replied as she went to search for a nurse and his parents.

Lucas sighed as he was left alone in the room, with no recollection of how he got there or what was wrong with him. All he could think of was the musky smell that lingered in the room, and the girl who'd been at his bedside.

To Be Continued…