So, I had this brilliant idea for a new story. I am actually really excited about it. The story takes place after the school was held hostage. And yes, Keith did die. Sorry folks. I know I am in the middle of another story called Summer Time, but don't worry to those who are reading that, I plan on updating both stories regularly. Well, hopefully. This story will be great. I promise you that. It has all the goods: brucas, leyton, maybe some naley, and possibly jeyton…and I also wanted to put some brathan friendship into it as well. Also, expect some Dan and Karen interaction as well. Anyways, I hope you all enjoy it. Please read and review. It is what keeps me going. Thanks guys.

Chapter 1

The Aftermath

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. It was a time of grievances. It was a period of sorrow. The day was dreary and desolate as friends and family gathered around the grave site. Mae wept desperately in Royal's consoling arms as they beheld their youngest being silently laid to rest. His fiancé stood helplessly in her black garb as endless tears streamed down her lovely face. Her son stood by her side wearing a solemn expression while his stunning girlfriend, sporting an understated black pantsuit, clung to his arm as she looked on. Everyone who was anyone was there, including the departed's brown-haired nephew and his wife. But no other mourner stood out more than Dan Scott, also known as the deceased's brother, otherwise known as evil incarnate.

Dan frowned as he glanced over at the other side of Keith's casket to observe Karen enveloped in Lucas' arms. His brother's death haunted his dreams ever since that fateful day at the high school in which the mayor framed a young teenager for Keith's death. The murder was somewhat premeditated as Dan allowed Keith to enter the hostage-held school in order to convince the shooter to relinquish his arms. To Dan's delight the situation resulted perfectly as the teen shot himself to abandon a disconcerted and vulnerable Keith. It all happened just in the exact moment he himself had entered the school halls and retrieved the gun and shot his altruistic brother dead spot in the chest. The shock on his brother's face was priceless as he bled to death, leaving a stained mark on Tree Hill High for all eternity. As he lay bleeding profusely, Dan stood over his brother with a look of contentment on his face as Keith's eyes grew heavy with death. The last thing Keith saw was the image of his bother standing over him and smiling deviously. And then it was all over. Dan had succeeded in his machinations and had managed to convince the public of his innocence by wiping the weapon of all his fingerprints. "After all, the evidence clearly indicts the kid. I think his name was Jimmy, or something," Dan thought to himself. It was as simple as that. Despite his horrific crimes against humanity, Dan remained apathetic. To him, the murder was completely justified. Keith had attempted to murder him months before and had nearly succeeded. In his maniacal way, the bastard deserved to die. Now everything in his plan had been accomplished. All he had to do was sign the autopsy papers and maintain his act as the victim's grief-stricken brother. Dan looked over at Karen and Lucas and attempted to smile. And then, Karen and Lucas would all be his.

No words were spoken except for those of the minister as he completed his benevolent speech of spiritual hope. "May he rest in peace," the minister finished his sermon as he bowed his head gracefully. And with those words the ceremony concluded. The party began to rapidly lessen as loved ones and family exchanged sorrows and blessings, many given to Karen and Lucas. And then there were four.

They lingered at the lowered grave. Dan stood off to the side as Karen kneeled on the damp grass as she spoke to her dead lover's casket. Lucas and Brooke stood silently beside her as she whimpered uncontrollably. Lucas placed his hands soothingly on her shoulders. Lucas gathered Karen's petite figure into his arms, and he stroke her back as she cried while Brooke stood discomfited to the side as she watched mother and son grieve. Lucas released his grip around his mother as her cries subsided. He exchanged a look of sympathy with his mother, and he gestured his chin toward the grave and she nodded. Lucas kissed his mother's forehead and walked to Karen's previous spot at Keith's grave to say his final goodbye. Brooke stood beside Karen with her hands clasped nervously together as they both watched Lucas. Brooke glanced over at Karen's tear-stained face and noticed running mascara had stained her cheeks. Instinctively, she reached into her tiny Prada bag and retrieved a tissue.

"Karen?" she asked in a low whisper. Karen shifted her eyes to Brooke and she raised her eyebrows in question of Brooke's interruption. "You have a little mascara on your cheeks," she spoke quite softly in a feathery whisper. Karen's eyes widened as she appeared embarrassed.

"Oh dear." She shook her head as if ashamed and displayed a sign of life when she unexpectedly chuckled. "The first time I decide to wear makeup in the longest time and look what happens." For the first time since the tragedy occurred at the high school, Brooke managed to smile. It wasn'ta smile of happiness, but a smile of understanding between two women who had shared a deep connection. Brooke reached over and gingerly brushed the black ivory of Karen's makeup off of her face. "Oh, you don't have to do that." Brooke smiled again at Karen's response.

"I know," Brooke replied. Karen smiled gratefully at Brooke. "Besides, I have two words for you: waterproof mascara. I'm telling you, it works miracles." Karen chuckled.

"Thank you."

"Don't worry about." Brooke finished wiping off Karen's previously mascara-contaminated face and disposed of the tissue in her purse. Karen grabbed Brooke's free hand and placed it warmly in her own.

"Not just for that. You have been so wonderful to Lucas and me. Frankly, I don't know what he would do without you. I don't know what I would do without you. You have been like a daughter to me. And for that, I am thankful." Brooke's face softened, and her eyes filled with un-escaped tears.

"Oh, Karen. You have no idea how much your words mean to me. I have just felt completely useless throughout this entire ordeal. I don't know what it's like to lose someone I love. I can't possibly put myself in your shoes. If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know."

"That's easy, Brooke. Just be you." Brooke choked on Karen's complement and the tears escaped their ducts as they glided down the smooth curves of her cheeks. "Just be here for Lucas. That's all I ask of you." Brooke nodded as she and Karen looked over at Lucas' kneeling posture.

"You know I will."

"I know." A single tear slid down Karen's cheek. "Come here." Karen held out her arms to invite Brooke into a hug. Gladly, Brooke accepted.

"Can I get in?" Karen and Brooke parted at the sound of Lucas' voice. Karen smiled as she put her arms around Brooke's shoulders and waved Lucas over to join them.

"Of course," Karen answered.

Lucas approached his mother and girlfriend and immediately put his arm around Brooke's narrow waist and the other around Karen's shoulders, and the three engaged in a group hug until Brooke broke the hug. "Oh, I almost forgot," Brooke exclaimed as she realized she still held a white rose in her left hand. The three approached Keith's grave and Brooke held out the rose to Karen. "Karen, will you do the honors?" Karen nodded sadly and took the rose out of Brooke's hand. All of them peered down into the dirt hole at the shiny, pine wood of Keith's casket.

"Goodbye, Keith," Karen muttered and dropped the rose into the hole. As Karen glanced up from the hole, she spotted the lone figure of Dan Scott standing 15 feet on the opposite side of the grave with his hands placed in his pockets. The two exchanged dangerous looks while Karen squinted her eyes furiously in Dan's direction, Dan remained unaffected by her irate glare. Instead of the usual smirk he wore on his face, he looked somber as he turned his eyes toward the grave. Karen sighed helplessly as she glanced up at Lucas from her height of 5 feet. Lucas gave her a reassuring nod towards the car and placed his arm around Karen's minuscule form. Lucas looked over at his girlfriend adoringly, and she returned his look of adoration. With his unoccupied arm, Lucas pulled Brooke into the nook of his arm as she looked up at him attempting to read Lucas' face. Lucas smiled slightly at her concern and lowered his face just inches above her own, and their foreheads connected as they gazed at one another lovingly. Ever so gently, Lucas brushed his nose against Brooke's button nose. The exchange of a mutual eskimo kiss may not have involved their lips, but was just as intimate as the tenderest kiss. Brooke gazed into Lucas' crystal eyes and leaned her head against the softness of his cheek. Lucas closed his eyes as he relished in her closeness and the scent of her strawberry shampoo as he brushed her hair back and placed a delicate kiss on her forehead. Finally, with his left arm around his mother, and his right hand interlinked with Brooke's, they made their way to the car. It was Lucas and the two most important women in his life.

Dan looked on the departure of his former flame, his son, and his son's girlfriend as he remained standing at this brother's grave. So badly did he yearn to comfort the people in his former life. But that part of his plan would come into play a little later. Killing Keith was the perfect opportunity to opening the door to a relationship with the love of his life and his first-born son. It had been a door that had been locked for 17 years. Now he was about to open it. Dan had always known Karen was the woman for him, even when he married Deb. Deb was merely a means to an end. He had married her under strict pretenses. When Deb got pregnant during his freshman year at Duke University, Dan was under intense, scrupulous pressure from her family to marry. With no other way out of his predicament, Dan relented and married Deb. The only positive aspect of the marriage was Deb's inheritance and the birth of their son, Nathan. Although recently, Dan began having doubts about Nathan. Nathan was disobedient and too free-spirited for his own liking. And now he felt himself preferring Lucas, the son he had recklessly abandoned 17 years before. Ironically, the situation had been completely reversed the year before in which Dan favored Nathan and despised the son he never really knew. It was little too late for Dan when he realized his mistake at abandoning Karen during her pregnancy. He had searched for reasons in regards to his abandonment, but he couldn't quite locate any answers. In spite of his past mistakes, one thing was clear to Dan Scott, he wanted both of them back and would do anything to succeed in this objective.

So why did he suddenly favor Lucas over Nathan, you ask. While Dan loved Nathan as any father loved a son, he had grown completely perturbed by his son's choices. When Nathan married at the age of 16, against Dan's wishes, mind you, and had legally separated himself from his own guardianship, Nathan had severed all emotional ties. Little did Dan know, but after he had his first encounter with death, his perspective on life changed, and he soon found himself reaching out to Lucas. After he blackmailed his son into living with him, Dan began to see his former self in his son. It had been the same somebody that he had wanted to be. What struck Dan was the kind of person Lucas was and how genuine his heart was. Not to mention, Lucas was one hell of a basketball player, as he had certainly inherited his father's talent. Lucas had the same drive and passion for basketball that Dan had. It was something that Nathan never had. Dan even found himself forgiving Lucas' betrayal after his son discovered he had been ripping people off at the dealership and had given that information to Deb to incriminate him. Unbeknownst to Lucas, the stolen funds were acquired to provide for his son's college education. But he would never know that. Dan couldn't really blame Lucas for his betrayal. He was doing what he thought was right. Lucas always did what he thought was right, and Dan admired that. Aside from abandoning his son, Dan also regretted accusing Lucas of attempting to kill him. Later he discovered that Lucas had actually saved his life after Dan nearly killed Lucas himself.

"Never mind that," Dan thought to himself. That situation was taken care of as he stood over his brother's grave such as he stood over his brother's dying figure at the school. It would be the last figure the grave would see before its traditional burial in dirt. He grinned in victory as he walked to his car. The plan had been set in motion. And then there was one.

Everything was white with no colored variations. The halls smelt of ammonia as the ill patients formed a line behind the receptionist's desk. Her body lay sprawled across two plastic chairs as her head lay atop her boyfriend's denim-clad lap. Her eyes were dead to the world as she slept. Her boyfriend sat upright against the hard surface of the walls, but he was definitely awake to the world. He had been alert since the shooting had occurred. It was as if he had never slept at all. Sleep was completely foreign to him.

His girlfriend shifted in her sleep as he looked down at her. He could ear her mumbling something inaudible and then she was still again. Lucas smiled as he softly stroked her cheek. She had been wonderful ever since his Uncle Keith had died. In fact, she never left his side throughout the tribulation. She slept when he slept, and she ate when he ate, which isn't to say much. Neither of the couple had slept in days, and Lucas constantly worried about her wellbeing, even going so far as to insist she sleep right there in the hospital as they waited for Peyton to wake up, but she refused. Instead, she insisted he get some coffee, and as Lucas returned to the waiting area carrying two cups of coffee, she was stretched out on one of the chairs in a daze of sleep. Such devotion to himself reminded Lucas why he loved her so deeply. She was his angel.

Lucas was a man of few tears. The only times he could remember crying was when he fell and scraped his knee in fifth grade, and most recently when he declared his love for Brooke, and she shot him down and left for the summer. In fact, he had not shed a single tear at his uncle's demise. Perhaps he was still in shock at his uncle's abrupt exit, but he found no reasons for his lack of emotion. Brooke had cried more than he did, and she wasn't even related to him! Lucas was in an unfortunate situation, and all he could do was be the good son and nephew he was by supporting his mother in her time of need. It was what Keith would've wanted.

"Doctor Benton, you have a call on line one. Doctor Benton, you have a call on line one." Lucas heard the intercom over the hospital air and sighed in exhaustion. As Lucas nearly found himself dozing off 30 minutes later, a nurse dressed head to toe in an obnoxious nurse's gown, approached him. Her nurse's gown reminded Lucas vaguely of a bottle of Pepto Bismol, and he attempted not to gag at the sight of it.

"Excuse me, are you Lucas?" the nurse addressed him.

"Yes."

"Well, your friend is awake and ready to see visitors." Lucas nodded.

"Can you tell me what room she's in?"

"Room 42; you can go on in whenever you're ready."

"Thank you." The nurse smiled and exited through the emergency room doors. Lucas looked down at Brooke as she slept. Chocolate brown strands of hair had fallen across her face, and he gingerly brushed them behind her ear. Lucas nearly gasped as he beheld her beauty. Everything about Brooke was beautiful. With her long brown locks, almond-shaped hazels, that dazzling smile, adorable dimples, and stunning figure, Lucas found himself constantly questioning how a woman so striking could ever be with him. Not only was she the most attractive woman he had ever seen, but she had the biggest heart of anyone he knew. He was one lucky guy, and he thanked God everyday for having her in his life. As he watched her sleep, Lucas became reluctant to awaken her. He didn't want to wake her for the world, but knew he had to. Cautiously, he rubbed her arm.

"Wake up, babe. Peyton's awake," he whispered. Brooke groaned as she finally opened her eyes to meet Lucas'.

"Hey there, Sleeping Beauty." Lucas smiled as he watched his girlfriend emerge from her slumber. He stroked her bare arms, and Brooke's hazels widened.

"She's awake?"

"Yep, and she wants to see us."

Suddenly Brooke was on her feet, astonishing Lucas in the process as just seconds before she was sound asleep. Lucas stood up and laughed as her eagerness prodded him down the hall outside Peyton's room. Lucas was close to opening the door when Brooke impeded his attempt by pulling his hand away from the door handle. Lucas jumped back at her action, and he looked at her to explain, but she was pacing nervously through the hall in front of her friend's room. Lucas frowned as he watched his girlfriend have a spazz-attack.

"Brooke?" She ignored Lucas as she continued pacing frantically back and forth.

"So, how do we do this? I go in first to visit her? Or we you go in first? Maybe, if we both go in together. No, wait, might be too much to her. We don't want to overwhelm her," Brooke mumbled to herself.

"Brooke?" Lucas asked again, but Brooke kept muttering to herself, and Lucas could barely discern her chatter as she continued pacing. Lucas grabbed Brooke by her shoulders and suddenly she stopped mumbling as Lucas lowered himself down to her line of vision. She looked at him questioningly.

"Brooke, relax. If we overwhelm her, than one of us will leave, okay?" Brooke nodded apprehensively.

"Of course; you're absolutely right. One of us will leave," Brooke replied as she glanced at the door. "I'm sorry. I'm just a little nervous about seeing her. I mean, I have never seen her before….in a hospital bed."

"It's going to be alright. I promise you," Lucas reassured her.

"You're right. She's gonna be fine," Brooke agreed as Lucas kissed her forehead.

"I'm always right," Lucas teasingly whispered in her ear. He smiled in satisfaction as Brooke shoved him against the wall. She grinned in amusement and shook her head in disagreement as she gripped the door handle.

"You see, that's where you're wrong." Lucas chuckled softly at Brooke's quip as they entered the room. The patient's blonde head lay propped against a pile of pillows as she looked yearningly towards the only window in the room. Various assortments of tubes and needles were attached to her arms, giving her the appearance of a human pin cushion. Her head turned at the sound of Lucas gently shutting the door. Her pale face lit up at the sight of her two closest friends as they cautiously approached her bedside.

"Hey guys! Long time no see." Peyton exclaimed. Brooke was the first to approach her.

"Now how is it that my "bestest" friend gets hospitalized for a few days and still ends up looking better than me?" Brooke placed her hands on her hips as if posing a serious question. Peyton grinned and raised her eyebrows incredulously and glanced down at her pasty arms.

"Oh yeah, my skin is positively glowing," she added sarcastically. She raised her arms. "Now get over here and give me a hug." Brooke took a step backwards at Peyton's request, and Peyton noticed Brooke's reluctance as he eyes drifted to the tubes attached to her arms. She waved off Brooke's fear of harming her condition.

"Oh these," she pointed to one of her tubes, "these are just accessories."

"Are you sure? I don't want to cause a seizure or anything," Brooke added, her voice full of concern. Peyton nodded and opened her arms again. Brooke smiled enthusiastically and gently embraced her best friend.

"Oh my God, you're so thin. Have they been feeding you?" Brooke asked after they parted.

"Are you kidding; only the best for Tree Hill Hospital's number one patient. Tonight's meal consists of bitter mashed potatoes, over-baked meatloaf, and my personal favorite, J-E-L-L-O. Mmmm, mmmm, good." Peyton's voice had a twinge of sarcasm as she looked over at Lucas standing awkwardly in the corner; he appeared so uncomfortable that he resembled a 15-year-old boy with acne at a party. Brooke's eyes followed Peyton's view to Lucas. Brooke watched Lucas with bewilderment.

"Lucas, aren't you going to give Peyton a hug?" She arched an eyebrow in a curious manner. To Lucas, her question seemed more like a demand rather than a request. Lucas smiled in embarrassment as he walked toward Peyton.

"Of course; I just didn't want to interrupt the female love-fest." He patted Brooke's back reassuringly before he engaged in an uncomfortable hug with an equally disturbed Peyton. Then they parted and Lucas took his rightful place beside Brooke.

"Are you hungry? I could cook you something. That hospital food sounds nasty," Brooke grimaced.

"Uh, no; I think I'll take my chances." Brooke pretend-gasped at Peyton's insult.

"Hey, I happen to be a great chef. In fact, my culinary skills have improved remarkably. I've even upgraded to the microwave," Brooke beamed proudly as Peyton burst out in laughter.

"Careful with the jokes, Brooke. I might just cough up a spleen." Brooke's eyes grew wide, and Peyton laughed again. Brooke sneered when she realized Peyton was just joking.

"Shame on you, P. Sawyer! Don't ever do that to me again or I'll ensure you lose all your inner organs." Peyton snickered as she held up her hands in defense.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry," she apologized.

"You should be. Now about that food; since you declined my offer to cook you something, how about something from the vending machine?" Peyton nodded in agreement.

"Sounds good." Brooke clapped her hands together in success.

"Great! Okay, I will be back." She looked over at Lucas who had been staring distantly out the window. As he felt Brooke's eyes on him, he snapped back to attention. "And while I'm gone, Lucas can keep you company."

"Oh, I can do that for you. I don't mind." He looked over at Peyton who shrugged.

"Nonsense! You don't even know what Peyton likes to eat from the vending machines.""Oh, but I do," Lucas thought to himself. "Besides, you two should catch up." Brooke added. Lucas nodded in reluctance. Brooke looked back over at Peyton. "I'll only be a few minutes. Don't go disappearing on me." She pointed her finger at her friend as a warning. Peyton smiled warmly at Brooke and gestured toward her hospital bed.

"I don't think I will be going anywhere anytime soon." Before Brooke departed, she flashed her trademark thumbs up sign, making Peyton and Lucas laugh. The door shut with a click as Brooke exited the room in hopes of finding a vending machine. Lucas and Peyton traded glances. Peyton raised her eyebrows while Lucas shoved his hands into his pockets. The tension in the room could be cut with a knife. And then there were two.

Well, I hope you all enjoy the chapter. I already started typing up the next one. So, please send me your reviews. I would totally appreciate that. Thanks a bunch…

Up next: Peyton and Lucas talk about what happened in the library