Summary: This is a songfic to expand on Nathan and Lucas' relationship as brothers. All of the friends are around 30 years old. The song is "If Something Should Happen" by Darryl Worley.

Disclaimer: I don't own the song or the characters. I own nothing.

But if something should happen

Stop in some time and say hello to Catherine

You and Marianne could always keep her laughing

Because shes gonna need a lot of that

Take her out to a movie

It's gonna take sometime before shes back on her feet.

I know you think I'll be fine and I'm talkin crazy

But theres always that chance

That's why I'm askin

If something should happen

"I need you to promise that you'll take care of Brooke for me," said Lucas, looking at Nathan for affirmation.

Nathan shook his head. "You're not going to need me to. You're going to be fine."

"And I thank you for your support. But if something goes wrong, I need you to promise me that you'll take care of Brooke. I mean, you don't have to let her move in with you or anything, but, I don't know… Visit her and take her out to a movie or something every once in a while. Just make sure she moves on with her life."

Nathan didn't say anything, and Lucas sighed. "I won't do the surgery unless you do."

Nathan looked at Lucas and saw that he was completely serious. "Fine," he said. "But nothing's going to happen. I'm telling you you're going to be OK."

"I know you think I'll be fine, and I think I will, too. But there's always that chance, you know? And I just want to make sure Brooke will have support. I mean, you and Haley can make her happy in the worst of situations, and that's what I'm going to need you to do." Lucas took a deep breath to keep himself from crying.

"And I'll do it, if something happens, which it won't. Either me or Haley or both of us will be there whenever she needs us and probably more than that. You know how we are." They both laughed.

"I just keep thinking about our wedding day," said Lucas. "I told her that I would be there for her forever and would protect her from everything. But I can't protect her from this… Hell, I can't even protect myself!"

"Don't think like that, Luke. You couldn't have prevented this anymore than you did. You did everything right. And you can protect yourself by doing this surgery. And also by going home and talking to your wife and son. They need to know what's going on."

Lucas nodded. "Yeah, I know. Let's play a little before then, though." Nathan hesitated. "Don't worry. The doctor said I could play at a non-competitive level, as long as it's not too often."

They played for about half and hour, then headed to their separate houses which were only about five minutes from the other.

Lucas walked into his house to find his wife and son crawling around on the floor. "OK, what did we lose this time?"

"Daddy!" cried Little Nathan, jumping up and hugging his father. "We didn't lose anything. Mommy and I are being The Lion King!"

Lucas looked at Brooke, confused, and Brooke laughed. "We just finished watching The Lion King and Nate wanted to see what it was like to be a lion. Hey Nate, come here." Nathan walked over to his mom and listened as she whispered something in his ear, then smiled mischievously at Lucas when she was done.

"I don't think I like that look," said Lucas. "What's going on?"

"You might want to run, Daddy," said Brooke, grinning.

"Why?" asked Lucas, drawing out the word.

"Because you look an awful lot like an antelope, and you know. Lions eat antelopes." With that, Nate and Brooke started advancing on Luke, who laughed before turning and running out of the house and into the front yard. Brooke and Nate chased him for a while before they went in to make and eat dinner.

As they sat down, Lucas prepared himself to make his announcement. "Brooke, Nate, I have something I have to tell you." Brooke's face immediately lost its grin, but before she could say anything, he continued. "I have stopped… umm… responding to my… umm… medication. I have to have a heart transplant."

Brooke looked about the way Nathan had looked when he heard the news and she felt like all her wind had been knocked out of her. Little Nathan's eyes were filling with tears because although he was only 9, he knew what was going on.

Lucas went on to explain the surgery and his chances and let Brooke and Nate ask questions. After dinner, Nate took a bath and they both tucked him in. As his Daddy kissed him goodnight, he whispered, "I love you, Daddy. And don't worry. You're going to be fine. I just hope your new heart loves me as much as your old one does."

Lucas and Brooke's eyes filled with tears. "Of course it will, Nate. Don't worry about that, at all, OK? I could never not love you, even with my new heart."

Little Nathan nodded, satisfied with the answer, then turned over to go to sleep.

Lucas and Brooke went into their room to go to bed, and as she laid her head on his chest, Brooke whispered, "I'm scared, Luke. I can't lose you."

"I'm scared, too. But you're not going to lose me. Even if something happens, I'll always be with you. And I made Nathan promise to look after you."

"I don't want Nathan too look after me. I want you to." They laid there for a few more minutes as Brooke listened to the beat of his heart. She finally fell asleep, while Lucas was up nearly all night worrying and silently crying.

Author's Note: Thank you to those of you who reviewed. I'm glad you're liking this so far. So what do you think? Do you like it? Do you think Lucas should live or die? Review!

-Dana