Unfortunately I do not own One Tree Hill or its characters….

Chapter 6- Several Ways to Die Trying

Lucas rolled over and his arm accidentally landed on the red head currently asleep on the other side of the bed. He barely remembered how they had gotten home last night. As he looked over at her one more time, he noticed that she was fully clothed, as was he. "Thank God, he hadn't done anything too stupid last night.' At least he didn't think he had.

This had been a routine for him ever since he had agreed to go out with Rachel a couple weeks ago. She would drag him out, get him drunk, and then she would be all over him. And for two weeks he had been shooting down her advances because he wasn't ready take it to that level with her yet. Sure she was hot, but he had promised himself that sex would mean something this time around. He liked her, he did, but he wasn't sure if he could date a girl that was so hard to handle.

But she made the days go by faster, and she was a welcome distraction to all the other drama going on in his life. She was uncomplicated, she never made him doubt that she wanted him, and she wasn't bad to look at. In fact, most of the guys at school stared jealously at him every time she strutted up to him and gave him a kiss on the lips.

'Then why are you so anxious to get rid of her in the morning,' a little voice inside of his head asked. He wasn't quite sure of the answer to that question, but the nagging little voice inside of him told him that it had something to do with Brooke Davis. He had to get to practice anyway, so he could use that as his excuse to boot the red head out of his room.

"Morning, handsome," she purred, as she reached out to grab him. "You know, we could continue what we started last night," she whispered in his ear, as she began to kiss him and take off his shirt.

"As much as I would love to Rachel, I've got practice, and you know how off my game has been lately. I have to focus." It wasn't a complete lie; in fact he still needed to push himself harder if he wanted to keep up in tonight's game.

He didn't miss the crestfallen look on her face as she slowly climbed out of his bed and headed to the door. And it was strange to him that he didn't really care all that much, even though he knew he was supposed to.

"Good-bye, handsome, but remember, you're all mine after the game tonight" and with a wink and a quick kiss she was gone.

5…4…3…2…1…

The clock in the gym slowly ticked by as Lucas put all of his energy into crossing the line before the time ran out. This was just a routine drill, something he could have completed without difficulty just a few short months ago. The problem was his medicine, it was slowing him down. And that was just not acceptable.

So, he once again found himself in the gym long after practice, trying desperately to beat the clock.

3…2…1…

He managed to finish the drill just in time, panting heavily from the exertion on his heart. At least he was getting better. Now, all he had to do was make it though the game tonight and he could prove to himself, to Whitey, and to Nathan that he was still the same player he always had been.

He was panting so hard that he didn't hear the curly blond enter until she was right in front of him.

"You don't look so hot. Tired from a wild night with Tree Hill's favorite skank… aka. Rachel?" she taunted, mocking Luke with her bluntness.

"Save it Peyton… I don't know what you have against Rachel in the first place."

'She not Brooke' was Peyton's first thought"She's trash Lucas, and I don't know what you see in her. Besides, she has made it her mission to take over the squad, and I don't trust her. Plus, I don't see why you're even with her… its not like you even like her that much."

"Peyton, just butt out of it. It's none of your damn business anyway" Lucas yelled. Their conversations had been ending the same way lately. Peyton would attack Rachel, he would defend Rachel, and then she would get pissed. But, today was even worse.

"You know, in case you haven't noticed, I'm the only friend you have left. And with your attitude towards your friends, it's no wonder they all leave" She angrily screamed at Lucas.

She knew it was none of her business and that her last remark had been a low blow, but she simply hated Rachel and wanted Lucas to have nothing to do with her. She knew it was because she didn't want Lucas to move on without Brooke, because if he was still waiting for Brooke, then she would have more reason to come back, right? She knew it was stupid, but Lucas was seriously pissing her off and she needed someone to take her frustration out on.

"You know what Peyton" Lucas spat. "I would just leave; you're not wanted here anyway."

Peyton didn't even respond, instead she just stormed out the gym.

'Crap, could this day get any worse.'

Lucas walked into the gym, ready for the tough game that faced him. The Bear Creek Warriors were a worthy opponent, and he wasn't too sure if he would make it though the whole game. Didn't mean he wasn't going to try.

"Try and put some points on the board this game, co-captain," Nathan sneered as he "accidentally" bumped Lucas in his bad shoulder and sauntered into the locker room.

'Great, this is the perfect way to start the game.'

Now he really had to show Nathan that he deserved his spot.

And that's exactly what he did. Late into the fourth quarter, Lucas was leading the Ravens and helping them hold on to their 62-59 advantage. He had even managed to outscore Nathan so far, and that was satisfaction enough. Plus, Dan looked like his head was about to explode because Nathan wasn't the best. Lucas was even pushing through the dull ache in his chest. 'All I need to do is make it five more minutes.'

"Scott"

"What, Coach?" he replied, nervous that Whitey would realize how tired and worn out he looked.

"You've played a hell of a game son, why don't you sit out for the last bit"

That was so not what he wanted to hear. "It's been my game all night Coach" He replied, pointedly smirking at Nathan and enjoying the evil look his little brother was giving him. "Let me finish it, please" His eyes begged Whitey to just let him make it through.

"Fine, everybody pass to Lucas… Take your shots carefully son." Whitey decided to leave him in against his better judgment. Something was off about Lucas tonight; he just hoped he wouldn't find out what it was until after the game.

Less than a minute left and Bear Creek had managed to take a slight lead over the Ravens, stealing the ball from the offense and driving it down the court. The Raven's needed to gain possession if they wanted a chance to claim the victory.

36…35…34…

In a sheer stroke of genius, Tim managed to steal the ball, passing it to Vegas, who dribbled down the court and passed it to Lucas.

12… 11…10…

Lucas looked around. 'Double teamed' with less than 10 seconds in the game, it was once again a make it or break it shot. ' I have to make it.' With one last look at the goal, Lucas faked back and let the shot fly through the air.

Nothing but net.

But, the moment Lucas landed on the ground he knew something was off. He could barely see the ball go through the hoop. Everything was out of focus and all he could concentrate on was a loud ringing in his ears. The cheers from the crowd were muffled, and his vision was blurred. The tightening in his chest wasn't helping matters either. He grabbed in pain for his chest, something was seriously wrong. One last look at the goal and everything went black.

Nathan was beyond pissed as the ball went through the hoop. Leave it to Lucas to be the hero. Speaking of big brother, Nathan didn't even want to face him. But as soon as he turned around, his gaze fell on Lucas and he noticed something wasn't right. Lucas looked extremely pale, and when Nathan saw him clutch his chest and fall to the ground… all spiteful thoughts towards Lucas immediately went out of his head, and instead were replaced with an indescribable fear.

"Lucas…."

Nathan screamed as ran to his brother's side, failing to catch him before his head landed on the floor with a sickening thud. The noise itself made Nathan sick to his stomach, but the ghost-white color of Lucas's skin and the fact that he wasn't moving was far more terrifying. Lucas had something seriously wrong with him, and Nathan was all too afraid to find out exactly what that was. He couldn't even begin to imagine the worst case scenario, and truth was he didn't want to. Luke had to be alright. He just had to; because there was no way Nathan could bear to loose him. Not with the way things presently stood between the two of them.

He had barely managed to scream for Whitey and get someone to call an ambulance before Peyton was by his side, face etched in grief.

"What…what…happened" She stuttered as she began to check for a pulse.

"He just collapsed…Oh God…Peyton… what the hell is wrong."

"I don't know Nathan, damn it… he's not breathing."

"The ambulance will be here in two minutes" Whitey's gruff voice barked over the pandemonium of the crowd. God, he should have pulled that boy out of the game when he had a chance. Now, his star player, a boy he had come to love as his own was splayed out on the gym floor, and he had no idea what caused the collapse.

Nathan could barely think straight as he cradled Luke's head in his lap. "Come on bro…Lucas…Lucas…wake up…please," he cried, trying not to let the fear and emotion in his voice show through. Peyton was already sobbing hysterically, and someone needed to keep it together long enough to get Lucas to the hospital and find out what the hell was going on. He couldn't help but feel a sinking in the pit of his stomach. This was not just exhaustion or fatigue, whatever was wrong with Lucas was much more serious.

He scanned the crowd to see if the ambulance had made it to the gym yet, when all of a sudden his eyes locked with the steely blue gaze of Dan Scott. There was no hint of fear or concern in them. Nathan didn't even know if Dan could express human emotion, but what he did see in his father's eyes was knowledge. Dan looked like a man who knew what was going on. And that thought disturbed Nathan most of all.

The movement at the front of the gym interrupted Nathan's train of thought, and Nathan sent up a silent prayer of thanks that the ambulance had arrived.

The ambulance rushed over to Lucas and quickly checked his vitals. Neither Nathan nor Peyton made any movement from Lucas's side. As many harsh words that had been exchanged between the trio, none of that mattered right now. Right now, Lucas needed them and they sure as hell weren't going to let him down. All that mattered was their friend and brother, who was getting paler and paler by the second.

"How long has he been unconscious?' barked one of the EMTs, while trying to revive Lucas. Once he realized his attempts were in vain, he began to load him on the stretcher and prep him for transport to Tree Hill General.

"About 5 minutes" Nathan's shaky voice replied.

"We have to get him to the hospital ASAP, We'll run tests once we arrive." The EMTs continued shouting as they performed chest compressions and began wheeling Lucas out of the still packed gym.

Nathan and Peyton both eagerly followed, not wanting to let Lucas out of their sight for more than a second.

As the paramedics loaded Lucas into the ambulance, they stopped both Nathan and Peyton as they made the move to climb in.

"I'm sorry kids, family members only are allowed to come in the ambulance"

"I'm his brother" came Nathan's reply as he squeezed Peyton's hand for reassurance. "Peyton, call Karen. Go with Whitey. I'll meet you at the hospital." He yelled as he climbed in with the still unresponsive form of his brother.

All Peyton could do was tearfully nod and fall into Whitey's embrace as she watched the ambulance pull away with one of her best friends inside fighting for his life.

Peyton hated hospitals, she really did. Good news never seemed to come out of them, and if the Scott men didn't stop ending up here, she was sure they were going to rename a wing after them.

She followed Whitey in search for Nathan, trying to figure out if he had found anything out on Lucas's condition.

She had called Karen and explained the situation as calmly as she possibly could, but the moment she had heard Karen's terrified gasp, she had lost it. The tears she had finally managed to hold in began multiplying, and her fear magnified.

She hoped Karen would get here soon. She was making a delivery out of town, and was speeding home at that very moment.

Peyton caught sight of Nathan across the room, and tearfully ran into his arms.

"Any word?"

"No… nothing. They are running tests on him now and they said they'd tell me when they found out anything…. What am I going to do if he's not okay Peyton? We're not even speaking right now."

The emotion and raw fear in his eyes made her heart break a little more. "Shhh. Lucas is a fighter, he will be okay. He has to be."

She didn't even want to fathom the possibility of him not being alright. That was just something she wouldn't even let her mind entertain. Lucas would be okay. It was not an option.

Peyton sat in the uncomfortable hospital chairs about 30 minutes later, still waiting for news on Lucas's condition, and Karen's arrival. Nathan sat in the chair next to her, head buried in his hands.

There were a lot of people who had shown up at the hospital to check on Lucas. Whitey, Tim, Skills, Fergie, the rest of the guys from the team, the cheerleaders, well most of the cheerleaders, were all sitting around the waiting room. Peyton's contempt for Rachel grew even more as she noticed the red head was conveniently absent from the waiting room scene. But, she had too much on her mind to deal with Miss Getina's disappearing act right now.

Her mind was more focused on two of Tree Hill's fugitives who were also missing from the hospital but that was expected since they were both still missing from Tree Hill in general. She really didn't want to call Brooke and tell her this bad news, and she didn't even know how to break it to her. It's not like she knew anything anyway, stupid doctors. Peyton was just going to wait and tell Brooke when she knew exactly what was going on.

"Family of Lucas Scott." The doctor's voice broke Peyton from her thoughts, and she joined Nathan to find out exactly what was wrong with Lucas.

"I need to speak with a relative"

Nathan stepped up, "I'm his brother, but you can tell me anything you have to say in front of them, they need to know as well," he replied gesturing around the waiting room.

The doctors hesitantly nodded, not wanting to upset the large crowd that had assembled anymore than they already were. "It seems Mr. Scott suffered from a mild heart attack due to stress on his heart. He stopped breathing, and we nearly lost him twice."

Nathan winced at the news, confused as to why Lucas would have a heart attack if there was nothing wrong with him, but continued to listen to the doctor.

"We got him back, but he is in critical condition and has lapsed into a coma"

"Doc, I don't understand, what would cause Lucas to have a heart attack?' Nathan voiced for the group.

"It was a direct cause of his HCM. Lucas overexerted his heart, and the medicine simply stopped responding."

Nathan's face fell, as he struggled to grasp what the doctor was telling him. 'Lucas…HCM…. It was impossible. He had seen the negative results slider. Hadn't he?' Damn Lucas, he must have forged the letter. This was too much to handle.

He felt Peyton grab onto him for support, and he could feel the hot tears slide down his face. His brother was fighting for his life and there was nothing any of them could do about it. Lucas had the heart disease and had lied to them all. He didn't know which part hurt worse.

He abruptly pulled away from Peyton's grasp, and turned to run out of the emergency room. He couldn't be in there any longer and he couldn't help Peyton or anyone else deal with this news when he wasn't dealing with it well himself. Besides, there was something he knew that he needed to do, and it couldn't wait any longer. No matter how much he was dreading it.

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Okay guys, I know you probably hate me right now, but I promise it will be worth it. The song title was by Dashboard Confessional, Several Ways to Die Trying. I hove you enjoyed it, now tell me what you think.