Peyton looked around the hospital waiting room in a daze. As she wrapped her arms around herself she felt the dampness of her dress causing her to look down at herself.

Blood, she was covered in it.

Brooke's blood.

Her dress was stained red and her hands still clearly showed the substance on both sides. There was just so much blood.

"BROOKE!"

Peyton cried rushing over to her friend and kneeling down beside her. Unsure of what she should do, if she should touch her friend or not.

As she heard another moan Peyton was thankful for any sign of life as she looked at Brooke.

She was naked face down with her knees drawn up into her stomach as if protecting herself. Her back displayed several deep cuts as well as bruising. There was blood over her body and on the carpet, leaving a dark stain.

"Oh my God, Brooke!!" Peyton finally reached out to place her hand gently on the exposed back, careful not to touch with any great pressure.

The resulting cry of pain caused Peyton to pull away and burst into tears.

"I don't know what to do Brooke. What should I do?" She sobs terrified of not being able to help her friend.

Finally Peyton stands and rushes for her phone. Quickly dialling for an ambulance Peyton returns to Brooke who is quiet now.

"I called for help Brooke. They'll be here soon, I promise. You're going to be fine Brooke, everything's going to be fine." Peyton explains trying to reassure herself as well as Brooke, even as she wondered if Brooke was aware of her presence.

Peyton reached for the blanket that sat on her chair to cover her as they waited for help. Brooke didn't make any sound as she was covered which worried Peyton.

Needing to be doing something Peyton pulled Brookes right hand into her lap as gently as she could.

Her hand was dripping in blood with a large cut on both sides that bled heavily. There were also scrapes, bruising and swelling around the knuckles.

Not knowing what else to do Peyton held Brookes hand in both of hers, cried silently and waited.

Waited for help to arrive to save her friend.

Because Peyton knew.

Brooke might not make it.

Brooke might die here in front of her before help ever arrived.

That couldn't happen though, right? Peyton needed Brooke, she always had.

And Peyton couldn't even contemplate life without her. The past few months, year even, had been the worst of her life.

What would happen if Brooke was gone forever, Peyton didn't think she would survive that.

How could she?

And would she even want to?

"Just hang on Brooke they're almost here." Peyton says calmly, because all she could do now was wait. Wait and pray.

To a god she had long ago stopped trusting.

"Just hang on for me."

"Please."

Peyton's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of doors opening. Looking over she sees Nathan and Haley rush over to her.

Nathan quickly pulls her into a tight embrace that causes her to lose her composure and break down knowing she wasn't alone now.

Nathan looks at his wife knowing there was nothing anyone could say right now that would mean anything.

"We got here as quick as we could Peyton. Is there any news?" Haley asks while rubbing Peyton's back soothingly.

Peyton shook her head at Nathan's shoulder then pulled out of his arms and turning to hug Haley.

"She's been taken straight to theatre. No one's said anything since then, it's been about thirty minutes." Peyton explained.

"If there's anything you need us to do, call people, get you food just let us know okay?" Haley said pushing a blonde curl behind Peyton's ear.

Peyton nodded, she just didn't know where to start. So many people needed to be told but the last thing she wanted was more people arriving to wait with them.

Lucas.

Brookes parents.

God what will I tell them?

Peyton sits down on a nearby chair and wipes at her face. After all the tears she had already cried she didn't know how there could be any left.

"I don't know where to start, or what to say. I haven't even called her parents yet." Peyton says unsure of what to do.

"Peyton?" Nathan asked with caution knowing his friend was already deeply upset. "What happened Peyton?" He continued.

Peyton paled at the question as images of her friend being turned and lifted onto the stretcher by the medics filled her head.

"She was attacked."

"In your house, right?" He continues looking from Peyton to Haley.

"Yeah?" Peyton asks confused she had explained all this when she had called them on arriving at the hospital. So I might have been a bit emotional but I think my English was fine at the time.

"What was she doing there Peyton?"

"I don't know Nathan, I just got back and found her laying there. I didn't really think it was a good time for twenty questions. You know with the whole possibly bleeding to death thing!" Peyton says angrily standing and moving away from him.

Why had she still been there?

I watched her leave right?

Had she came back to wait for me?

Peyton is interrupted from her thoughts by Haley touching her arm.

"What he was trying to get at, badly." She says sending a glare Nathan's way. "Was if Brooke shouldn't have been there in the first place. Where they after her or you?"

Peyton stares blankly at her friend.

"What? What are you talking about?" Peyton asks obviously someone had broken in and attacked Brooke, maybe she disturbed a burglar trying to rob her house. Does this really matter at the moment?

Just as Peyton was about to continue a nurse entered the area gaining the three friends attention.

They all moved closer with Peyton in the lead.

"Any of you here for a… Brooke Davis?" She asks with a smile reading from the clip board she carried with her.

"Yes, how is she? Can I see her?" Peyton asks moving closer.

"Sorry. I don't have any information on your friend right now. I need someone to fill out her insurance forms." The nurse says glancing at the three people in front of her before adding. "Will a family member be arriving shortly? I can come b-"

Peyton grabs the clip board from the nurse angry at the mention of Brookes absent family. No, they're not here. No, they won't be here anytime soon. And even if I'd called them by now they probably wouldn't get off their arses to be here for their daughter anyway!

"I'll fill it out." Peyton says as she turns and walks back over to the seating area.

"Well, I'll just come back for that later then, shall I?" The nurse states before leaving the room.

Nathan and Haley look at each other before joining Peyton who was busy filling out the forms.

"You actually know that stuff?" Haley asks confused as to why Peyton would be able to fill out medical insurance forms for anyone, even herself. There's no way I'd know my information without calling my mom.

"Well, yeah." Peyton says glancing up at Haley before returning her attention to the forms she had.

Seeing Haley about to question their friend again Nathan reaches over and places his hand on her thigh. Shaking his head as she looked at him, Nathan was grateful when Haley just sits back and waits without making any fuss.

After a moment Peyton stands and heads in the direction the nurse had gone not long before.

"How can she have just filled out those forms? They're not even asking about her they want Brookes details! How could she possibly know any of that?" Haley questions Nathan once Peyton had left the room.

"Don't ask me. That's why I carry our insurance cards with me. They at least have the essentials." Nathan answers with a shrug. "They've known each other for years remember."

"And what does that mean? I've know Lucas longer than they've known each other and I've no idea about any of his insurance stuff. Hell for all I know he might not have any." Haley complains.

Nathan stares at Haley with raised eyebrows.

She rolls her eyes.

"Fine so everyone and their dog knows he's got medical insurance." She concedes.

"Anyway I don't think you know Lucas as well as Peyton and Brooke know each other."

"What is that suppose-" Haley begins but stops at Peytons return.

Deciding to just wait and hope that they'd all get news on Brooke soon.

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AN/ Just a quick thank you to everyone thats reading this, hope you stick with it. Next bit will be up early next week.