Waiting Promises

Waiting. Four hours of it. Nathan sat alone, away from the group, in his own little world two chairs down. He knew she was going to be okay. Waiting didn't make it easy. Somewhere between knowing and believing there was waiting; waiting allowed too much time for possibilities. Possibilities were endless; time was not.

Nathan slowly looked up when the third emergency of their silent wait was interrupted with paramedics and doctors, scurrying to save another life.

"Male, 26, Caucasian; GSW to the head and abdomen…" The voice trailed off as the medical team burst through the doors, leaving the group to return to their thoughts and prayers.

Nathan looked around, surveying his friends; his family. They were Haley's too, and he knew that. Everyone loved her. Her spirit demanded nothing less. How could anyone not love Haley? It wasn't possible.

A few feet away Brooke sighed and leaned back. She just returned from checking in with Lucas, giving him updates every hour, as he requested. Shrugging off his need to sleep, he was stubborn and remained awake; he only lasted two hours. The medication, along with his deteriorating state, left him no choice but to submit.

Haley James Scott. Her best friend, besides Peyton of course. She didn't deserve it. Of course, things happened to people who didn't deserve them, and things happened to people who did. Setting that logic aside, Brooke couldn't help but reflect on how her life changed when Haley entered it. No matter how much she tried to hate Haley, she couldn't. She quickly fell in love with the nerd, welcoming her unconditional love and loyalty. Haley James Scott was someone every one needed in their life. Brooke Penelope Davis wasn't going to let her go.

A few wings down Lucas Eugene Scott lay dreaming. What was peculiar about this particular dream was that it felt real. It was real. His dream was more of a review; a reflection on the life he had with Haley. Everyone he loved was in this dream. He couldn't shake the eerie feeling in his dream's stomach that something dreadful was coming. Suddenly the focus of his dream was everyone except Haley. He saw Nathan and Aiden at many gatherings; but Nathan's smile always seemed empty. It was then that Lucas realized Haley wasn't in his dream anymore. He suddenly felt a pounding in his chest. His heart began to beat faster and faster until he couldn't breathe. He looked at his brother, but all he could offer was a sad smile and walk away. Reaching out to call Nathan back he glimpsed at his forearm. Looking down, his veins weren't in a straight line. The veins in his forearm formed a name. Haley.

Peyton and Jake hung on to each other. It was all Peyton could do from running out of the hospital. The same hospital her mother died in. The same hospital her first love and her best friend could die in. She felt like she couldn't breathe. The only thing reminding her to do so was Jake's warmth. He was her rock now. He was her everything. She looked over to Nathan, her broken friend. She didn't know what she would do if Jake were in surgery and she was sitting there, helpless. She never intended to find out.

"Well team, it's been a tricky surgery. Let's get this last mass out and close Mrs. Scott up, shall we?" Dr. Macy suggested.

The other surgeons and nurses nodded, working to close up the woman who meant so much to so many people. She had a waiting room to prove it.

Two hours later the team was done and removing the medicinal supplies from her body. When the last clamp was released the monitors began to sound.

"She's bleeding out. Suction!"

"BP is low Dr."

Macy frantically tried to repair the damage. He looked up, surprised, when the monitor no longer showed life. The tone was steady; so was the line.

Lucas awoke with a start, his chest pounding, more painfully than it was in his alternate reality.

"Haley," he gasped, looking around the room desperate to find her.

The pain in his chest only got stronger, each beat seemingly accompanied by more excruciating pain. He looked to his left, where Haley once lay, as a tear fell down his cheek.

That's how the nurse found him when she walked by, unconscious and pained, even in his drift from reality.

Nathan was exhausted. Haley had been in surgery for eight hours. It was only supposed to be for six hours; seven max. His pacing ceased upon noticing a pair of blue covered sneakers. Those sneakers belonged to Dr. Macy. The rest of the group rose behind Nathan, eager to hear the outcome of the surgery.

Macy met pairs of concerned eyes, pleading wordlessly for an outcome to end their suffering. Taking of his cap, he acknowledged the rest of the group but addressed Nathan.

"What took so long?" Nathan blurted out, his first words in eight hours, escaping with a bit more harshness than intended.

Macy nodded in understanding. He'd been in situations like this. It was only natural.

"There were complications." Karen gasped as Keith held on to her. Nathan stared past Macy, wanting to know the whole story and for the ending to be desirable.

"She lost a lot of blood. Her blood pressure was low and she flat-lined."

The room was quiet except for a few escaped sobs. Nathan struggled to listen, as much a he wanted to, needed to, he really didn't want to hear Macy say the words.

"Nathan, I'm sorry, but we lost her for-"

Nathan couldn't hear after the word 'lost.' He decided that hearing all the details wasn't what he wanted after all. He swayed for a moment and heard his name faintly. Still not completely aware of his surroundings, he felt nothing. He knew he had to get away. He couldn't be there, in that room anymore. That hospital was death. It was a building where people waited for death. It was a place it was welcomed. Ignoring the numerous sounds that somehow formed his name, he ran. He didn't know where he was going, but he needed to leave. If he didn't, it would be real.

He couldn't handle reality.

Denial was safer.

Macy walked away, exhausted and in desperate need of a shower. He was about to take one when he got a page. Advancing toward the nurse's station, he leaned over the counter upon arrival, picked up the phone, and returned it. He wanted to be involved with both Scotts. The call was concerning Lucas. He had taken a turn for the worst and needed the transplant a.s.a.p. Although he wasn't a heart surgeon, he promised Haley he would fulfill her wishes. He wasn't going to let her down.

The rest of the group was left crying and clinging to each other. Upon observance, one would not think that they were elated beyond words. Haley James Scott, their Haley, pulled through surgery. She was going to make it. She was going to be fine.

Skills spoke once every one somewhat settled down. "I think I'm going to find Nathan. I don't think he kno-"

"It's okay son, I'll go," interrupted Keith. "Why don't you guys go visit Lucas and give him the good news? I think Nathan may need some time."

Everyone nodded as Keith bent down and gave Karen a kiss. "I'll join you guys in a little bit okay?"

As Keith walked away, Brooke cleared her throat. "Hey, guys, if you don't mind, could I go in first for two minutes?"

Everyone nodded, knowing that the question was simply a formality. Brooke timidly addressed Karen, "That is, if it's okay with you."

Karen smiled with relief, glad one of her children was going to be alright. "Of course it is. I'm sure he would rather look at you than me," she chuckled. "We'll see you guys in five."

Brooke smiled and headed to Lucas. With the biggest grin she ever wore she made her way to his room. This will definitely

At least coherent enough to know he was in no state to drive, Nathan took the back roads away from the hospital. He had no idea where he was going. All he knew was that he needed to be far away from the place that took his wife. His Haley. After twenty minute of walking, attempting to keep it together, he broke. He cried. He sobbed. His heart ached in a way he didn't think possible. He couldn't believe that his always was forever gone. He knew crying wouldn't make the pain go away. He knew nothing would. But right then, in that moment, he needed to sob. He could go on forever this way; he knew that for sure. The love of his life had hers taken away. She promised. She promised.

His sorrow morphed into anger, and then reverted back to sorrow again. He felt lightheaded. He was probably dehydrated from his excessive crying. How could he face everyone? What would he tell their son? At this moment, none of that mattered. This moment was for him. It was for Haley.

He didn't seem to notice that it was raining, nor the footsteps that approached as he lay on his back, searching the skies for answers.

"Nate," came a gruffy, concerned voice.

Nathan didn't answer. He didn't even give the slightest acknowledgement.

"Nate, you needed to stay, to let Macy finish."

Nathan exploded, "Stay for what?! For what Keith?!" Nathan got up shouting, tears flowing like a waterfall, "For Macy to tell me that Haley's dead? That I'll never be the same? That I didn't get to tell her how I felt? That she is my, was my-" Nathan stopped upon seeing Keith's expression. If possible, is anger grew. "WHY are you SMILING?"

Keith stayed smiling, his own eyes shinning with unshed tears. "Because Nate, she's alive." Keith repeated it, assuring Nathan of his statement's validity as Nathan slowly took a few steps back, shaking his head. "Haley's alive Nate."

"But I, Macy said-"

"You didn't let him finish. There were complications, but she made it. She's still unconscious, but she's fine. She's alive Nate."

Nathan stammered and sunk to his knees, almost in a trance hugging himself, repeating, "She's alive. Haley's alive, she didn't die."

Keith knelt beside him.

"She's alive?" Nathan choked.

"Yes son, she's alive."

Nathan choked, letting out the biggest sigh of relief he unwillingly mustered. "She's alive," he sobbed. "My Haley's alive. She kept her promise," he muffled.

Nathan let the sobs shake his body as his father figure held him, his heart relieved to see that his nephew hadn't lost the love of his life. If he had, he wouldn't be Nathan.

Brooke eventually ran to Lucas' room. As she rounded the corner, she came to halt upon entrance.

He was gone.

His bed was gone. He was gone.

Something happened. Something happened and I wasn't here. She felt her body numbly fall to the floor, staring where Lucas' bed would be, willing him to appear before her, alive and well.

A/N: Okay, I know, evil to keep you guys hanging about Lucas. But I promise, two more chapters of drama and then an epilogue. As a heads up, tomorrow will be my penultimate update. The next and last will be up Monday. I've loved all of you. Keep reviewing!

Krizue: Glad that I have that affect!

xNaley2158x: Hope your fears are calmed in the next chapter!

Ell6ange: Heck no he couldn't live with her in him! Totally agree!

HJS-NS-23: You got your wish buddy!

Daymiracle: Huge hint: donor was mentioned in this chapter in passing. Yup, I made up the song. Don't want to get in trouble with lyric stuff, so all the songs in the fic are mine. Thanks!

Naley, OTHbabe23: Your updates are so inspiring! Thanks to you, this fic isn't as dark as it could be! (Although, you do need a light to navigate!)