Shoe Laces and Soul Ties

"Time of death," Macy sighed as he looked at the clock, "7:08pm." He looked solemnly at the group of doctors and nurses. They all knew what came next. The speech.

It was tragic every time, but somebody had to do it.

Brooke collected herself after a few moments and ran back to the waiting room, immediately demanding that the nurse at the nurse's station inform her where her boyfriend was.

The group gathered around Brooke, afraid of what her current state meant for Lucas. Just as the confused nurse was about to reply, Dr. Macy appeared.

Karen grabbed on to Keith while Bevin did to Brooke, supporting their loved ones.

"Macy?" Karen peeped out.

Macy looked at the group, empathizing with them and the never ending bad news these people had been wrought with.

"Lucas' heart wasn't as strong after the heart attack, as you all know."

The group nodded absentmindedly.

"He sustained a slow tear around his heart. He coded and we had to get him into surgery to repair the damage. We have repaired the damage, but it won't last long. He's still on the table. There's another alternative."

Brooke exhaled, "What is it?"

"A male about Lucas' age and built was brought in this morning. He has a strong heart; unfortunately he was involved in a shooting that cost him his life."

"So, you're saying…" Karen interrupted.

"I'm saying that I just spoke with the family. He was a donor, and I explained Lucas' situation. They want us to go ahead with the transplant, that's of course if-"

"Yes, yes!" Karen yelled. "Of course it's alright!" She hugged Keith tightly. "Where do we sign?"

He slowly entered the room. It was cold, like it usually it was. The steady sound of the monitors was the only indication that she was alive. She lay there pale, her chest steadily rising and falling, the most beautiful human he ever laid eyes on, tubes and all. If her life wasn't recently in danger, Nathan would have laughed at how she looked like she was being pulled from the matrix.

About a half hour before, Nathan cried like he never did in his life. He thought he got it all out. He was wrong. He made his way over and took the seat that complimented Haley's bed. He held her hand in his, eager to feel some physical indication that she was alive. His Haley, was alive.

He sniffled at first, attempting to be graceful. The more he looked at Haley and what he could have lost, the more and more he thought he was going to pass out from holding his breath, trying not to cry. The sniffles turned into sighs; the sighs into gasps; the gasps into sobs. Finally, after ten minutes, the sniffles returned.

"You know, the only crying baby allowed in here is my Aiden."

Nathan locked eyes with the most beautiful set he'd ever seen. Not trusting himself to speak, he got up and leaned over her, kissing her lightly all over, careful to linger on the last kiss resting on her lips. He sat back, smiling as if he'd just won the jackpot. To him, he did.

Haley chuckled, "That bad, huh?"

Nathan nodded, a thousand words running through his head, known of them escaping.

Haley focused on breathing; it hurt when she breathed too deeply and her head spun when she didn't breathe enough. She smiled through the pain of post-operation and squeezed her husband's hands.

"So, did they…did they-"

Forgetting his own difficulties, he comforted his wife. "Yea Hales. They got it. All of it."

She didn't respond for a moment. When she finally did, her breathing became ragged, eventually finding itself enthralled in sobs, and then laughter.

Nathan looked on in understanding; alarmed, but in understanding nonetheless.

"I'm going to live," she shouted through tears. "I'm going to embarrass Aiden at his first day of school, I'm going to take tons of pictures at his prom, I'm going to have sex with you for a very, very, long time!"

Nathan laughed through his own tears. "Yes, all of that, so, you're just using me for my body? And they call me shallow."

Haley smiled widely. "Nathan, I love you. I mean, I was made for you. I wouldn't leave you, you know that, right?"

Nathan sighed, "I know, but I thought I lost you. Some things you can't-"

"Nate, I'm alive. If cancer didn't kill us," she countered as Nathan inhaled sharply, tears threatening to spill, "then nothing will."

Nathan nodded, wiping away remnants of rivers.

She patted her bed for him to come lay beside her. This proved greatly difficult because she couldn't scoot over thanks to the surgery; but they managed nonetheless.

"Is Lucas-"

"He made it; new heart and everything."

Haley exhaled and let a small sob of relief escape.

Snuggled close together, Haley smiled. "I'm alive."

Nathan couldn't contain his grin. He kissed her and whispered, "You're alive."

Brooke sat beside Lucas' bed, very much in a similar situation that Nathan found himself in earlier. With Brooke, it was different. She knew Lucas was going to be okay. That's what she wanted; that's what she was going to get. The surgery was successful. There was a slight chance Lucas could reject the heart, but she didn't see that chance. He had a healthy heart. She was going to keep it that way. Her Broody was going to fine. He was going to be physically, healthily, and attractively, fine. Lucas Eugene Fine Scott. Now, all you have to do is wake up!

Brooke sighed, eager to tell Lucas what had happened while he was…unconscious. In true Brooke fashion, her frantic emotional state turned into a calm-hyper composition of excitement and eager anticipation. She stared relentlessly at his chest, wondering how it felt like to have another human's organ in place of your own.

"You could just ask," Lucas groggily stirred, his eyes darting slightly to his right while his head remained fairly still.

Brook straightened up, looked at Lucas with glistening eyes and kissed him.

"Could just ask what?"

Lucas chuckled, then grabbed his chest. "Okay, maybe laughing isn't the best idea."

"Are you okay?!"

"I'm good. And yes, it feels weird having another person's organ in my chest."

After making sure he was alright, she sat back down, making a face at him. "How did you know?"

"How did I know what you were thinking? Or how did I know about the transplant?"

Brooke shifted, "Both."

"I know you. You're very much a curious individual, even in…delicate circumstances. As for the transplant; you're very much aware when something is different in your body. Especially if it's your heart."

Brooke smiled and wiped her mouth softly.

"Hey, I just kissed you."

"Yeah, and you have after-surgery breathe. As much as I love you, your mouth has been closed for a few hours."

"Ah, Cheery. What would I do without you?"

Brooke squeezed his hand and looked into his eyes, beaming. "You'll never have to find out."

Lucas returned the gesture, his eyes finally resting on where Haley's bed would be. He then shifted and focused at the clock. It was nine hours after he last saw her.

"Where," he stammered. "Where's Haley?"

Brooke smiled. She was glad that she was doing that a lot now. "She's fine."

"You mean, she's not-"

"Man, what is it with the Scott boys? Tutor Mom can hold her own. She's down the hall. She was sleeping the last time I checked."

Lucas calmed down and thought of his dream. "I had a dream that she died."

Brooke gulped, "Technically, she did."

Lucas' head turned. "But, she pulled through with flying colors," Brooke supplied. "They got all of it."

Lucas lied back down while Brooke put her head on his arm. "So, we're both okay."

Brooke squeezed Lucas and sighed, gratefully, "We all are."

A/N: I know, shorter than before. Unfortunately, I won't be able to update until Monday, and sadly, it'll be the last chapter! I love all you guys! Enjoy your weekend!

xNaley-2158x: OMG, you're review was freak'n amazing. I love you. Here's to fairytales!

Ell6ange, Naley: Glad that you guys thought it touching! And you got the 'hint'!

HJS-NS-23, TutorGal23: Here's to satisfaction!

OTHbabe23: You got it!

Daymiracle: You had me rollin. I'm always like that on shows. Like, let him finish! Eavesdrop! Etc.! And I'm pretty sure you guessed the donor correctly too!