This is being cross-posted from Ao3. It was originally posted on 23 October 2021.

Dipping into another fandom for the 31 Days of Writing event. I hope I didn't do too bad... Happy reading! Much love, xxDustNight88!

Huge thank you to GaeilgeRua for allowing me to use her Grammarly! Any other mistakes are definitely my own..

Disclaimer: One Tree Hill was created by Mark Schwahn, which premiered on September 23, 2003, on The WB. After the series' third season, The WB merged with UPN to form The CW, and from September 27, 2006, the series was broadcast by The CW. No copyright infringement is intended.

Prompt: #31DaysOfWriting Fall 2021 - October 5th: A Fandom You've Never Written
#TropesAndFandoms21 - Freak Accident

Rome had been their home for well over a decade now, but when the news of Whitey's death reached them, Lucas and Peyton knew it was time to return home. And by home, that meant Tree Hill. Sawyer was sad to leave her friends and the beauty of Rome, but she was excited to see the town where her parents and aunt and uncle had grown up.

After the funeral, which was immensely sad, the family settled into regular life in the town, even taking up residence in Peyton's old house with her dad. Eventually, they planned to either move back to Rome or find a place of their own in either Raleigh or Durham. Tree Hill held a lot of their past, and some of it they didn't need to be reminded of every single day.

Nevertheless, it was nice to see old friends, which was why Peyton spent the evening hanging out with Haley and Brooke catching up like old times. Their tumultuous past was long behind them, and the three old friends enjoyed the night with pizza and laughing over old pictures.

Peyton was sitting at the table with Haley and Brooke, drinking coffee spiked with a little something extra when her phone went off in her pocket. "I wonder who that could be…."

"I don't know because all the best people are here in this room," Brooke said, leaning over and hugging Peyton as best as possible. "Hurry up and get rid of them so we can keep catching up."

Peyton met Haley's eyes and rolled her playful as she answered the call. "Hello?" The playful manner quickly disappeared as a man asked for Mrs. Lucas Scott. "This is her. Is everything okay?" When the call ended, Peyton was pale, and as she tried to stand, she stumbled.

"What was it? Is everything okay?" Haley asked, immediately sensing that something was wrong.

"Lucas…" Peyton trailed off, trying to find her purse and keys. "He was in an accident. I have to get to the hospital."

"Oh my god! What happened?" Brooke asked, jumping to her feet and helping her friend.

Haley handed her the keys to the car and said, "Here, but I wish you would let me drive you there. You shouldn't be behind the wheel right now."

"Thank you," Peyton replied, handing back the keys and running both hands through her hair. "Someone ran a red light and smashed into his car on the way home from dropping Sawyer off with friends."

"Shit…" Brooke just stared at her friend. "You two go on. I'll go pick up Sawyer; just text me the address. We'll all meet at the hospital."

"Thank you," Peyton said, tears finally starting to come to her eyes as her friends showed her how much they cared. "I don't know what I would do if I lost him just like… Just like…" Then, she broke down completely. It was too hard to finish that sentence.

Brooke and Haley wrapped their arms around their friend. They knew what it would mean if Lucas was taken by someone who ran a red light. A few minutes later, and everyone was on their way to where they needed to be. All sent silent prayers up in the hope that Lucas would be okay.

When Peyton arrived at the hospital, she was relieved to find out from the nurse that Lucas had sustained minor injuries. Haley gave her a comforting hug and moved to wait in the lobby for Brooke to arrive with Sawyer. Peyton made her way to the hospital room that Lucas was resting in on the third floor.

"Damn it, Lucas," Peyton said, collapsing onto the bed next to him after she found his room. "I thought the worst."

"You always think the worst," Lucas said, laughing. The laughing was followed by a groan as his broken ribs caused him pain. "I'm fine. Honestly."

"You know what I thought… What I felt the moment they told me what happened," she whispered into his stomach after placing her head there.

"I know," Lucas replied, placing his hand on her back and rubbing back and forth. "I'm sorry."

"It wasn't your fault, you know," Peyton said, sighing and sitting up so she could see Lucas properly. "I'm too cautious, but I can't help it. We had a lot happen to us."

"Do you want to go back to Rome?" Lucas asked, meeting her gaze. "Because we can. I know you felt safe there."

Peyton thought about being back in Italy, and then she heard her friends arrive in the doorway with her and Lucas's daughter. Seeing them standing there when she needed them all most solidified it for her. She met her husband's gentle gaze and shook her head.

"No," she replied. "I think it's time we stayed here for good. We have everything we need."

"Then, we'll stay here," Lucas said and opened his arms to his wife.

Peyton went willingly into his embrace before waving everyone into the room. "Come on in, everyone. Lucas is fine."

"I wouldn't say fine, but I am alive," Lucas told them before allowing Sawyer to give him a hug too. "And it looks like we'll be staying in Tree Hill for a while too."

Thankfully, Lucas was released a few hours later, and they all returned home. Of course, life for them would have its hardships no matter where they wound up, but Peyton was glad she had such a solid foundation in Tree Hill.