A/N: So, as usual, thanks all for the support you have given me between all the reviews (which I love), the alerts, and the faves. This chapter was a lot easier to write than the previous one, so let's hope that the trend continues and I get into a better updating schedule. Even so, I'm really sick right now and my muse hates sick people (She's totally a germaphobe!), so I don't know what that means for this story. Anyway, I love reviews so leave some if you felt like it. So here comes the next chapter- 99.1% snot-free.

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Lucas stood in front of the hospital door and took a deep breath. He was a hair's breadth away from changing his mind about the visit when he felt Peyton squeeze his hand in encouragement. He turned to face her and she gave him a smile.

"You can do this," she told him. "I'm right here with you."

He nodded, letting her know that he was grateful for that fact. Despite being "the least cheery person" he knew, she really was a great cheerleader. At least to him. She managed to encourage him in ways she didn't even know. For example, her presence was undeniably the only reason why he was going to go through with it. Lucas took another breath and opened the door.

Dan was lying in bed, looking very much unlike the man Lucas hated. His dissimilarity to what Lucas remembered as a jerk, helped the younger man gather enough courage to enter the room the rest of the way.

Peyton slipped into the room behind Lucas and gave his hand another squeeze. He shot her a grateful look and she nodded as closed the door.

The soft click of the door closing was loud enough for Dan to open his eyes. When his gaze fell on the son that he had ignored for far too long, he smiled. He had come to see him and for that, Dan was absolutely grateful.

"Lucas," Dan said, his voice still hoarse. Then he noticed the other occupant in the room. "And Miss Sawyer."

Peyton blinked. This was the first time since she had met Nathan's father than she didn't feel her skin crawl. The difference was outstanding. She snuck a glance at Lucas to see how he was dealing and she could tell that he was overwhelmed by Dan's sudden change. So she smiled at Dan and said, "Hello, Mr. Scott."

Dan noticed that the pair were holding hands. He smiled at the two wryly, "Don't tell me that you two got married as well."

"What?" Peyton asked, her face growing red.

"No! I mean, we're not even dating! Why would you say something like that?' Lucas felt his cheeks burn but couldn't help the way his heart swelled at the idea of perhaps being married to the lovely blond girl next to him.

"I'm sorry," the older man said, fighting back the urge to chuckle at the pair's reactions. "I didn't mean to presume. I just figured with the amount of jaw-dropping news going around today, that it was a safe bet."

"It has been a pretty newsworthy day," Peyton agreed. She was still trying to get the whole blushing thing under control after that ridiculous question that Dan had asked. "Some of it has been more shocking than others, right?"

"Like the fact that Dan Scott has a heart?" Dan laughed. Even so, the two others in the room didn't really know how to react to that particular… joke. "I think that's the one that's got people the most surprised."

Still not entirely sure how to respond to that, the blond boy decided to ignore it altogether. Lucas swallowed hard. "How are you doing?"

Dan's smile faded immediately as he grew serious. "I've felt better, but to be honest, I'm glad this happened to me."

"Really?" Lucas asked. "Why?"

"I don't have to tell you how badly I was living my life. I was a horrible person, making the lives of those I cared about miserable," Dan answered, looking ashamed. "I guess I needed something like this to show me that I needed to change my ways."

"You really did need to change," Lucas said, although his tone was softer than he thought it could ever be with his father.

"Listen, Lucas, I have many regrets in my life, and the way I've treated your mother and you is one of my biggest ones," the older man said. "And I would like to try to start making amends, if you'll let me, of course."

"Like what?" Lucas asked.

"As you can imagine, the doctors have pretty much said that after this heart attack that I can't just go back to working at the dealership," Dan started. "So I'm going to need some people to step in for me at work. And I know you have school, but I was wondering if after school, you could help your brother at the dealership. Now I've already talked to Nathan and he's agreed to take the position I offered him, but I just think he could use your help as well. Besides it would be fitting to have both of my sons working there."

Lucas felt himself choke up and he couldn't speak. Peyton, who was just as surprised as he was, couldn't find the words to step in and fill the silence herself.

Dan eyed the two blondes and smiled. He shook his head and asked, "Dropped a bit of a bombshell there, didn't I?"

"Yeah, you did," Lucas said, having finally found his voice. "But are you sure about that? Me working at the dealership with Nathan?"

Dan laughed, an easygoing laugh that neither Peyton nor Lucas had ever heard come from him. "Absolutely. For one, you're my son and even though I haven't shown it, I am proud of you. For two, Nathan's not exactly a whiz at math and would like someone who didn't need a tutor just to pass high school classes to help out."

Lucas nodded, feeling some tears in his eyes. Back when Lucas was young and prior to meeting his father, this was the kind of man he had envisioned Dan to be. He couldn't get over the fact that his father had told him that he was proud of him.

Peyton squeezed his hand again, and Lucas turned towards the girl and smiled at her to let her know that he was okay. She looked relieved and smiled back at him.

Dan, not having lost any observational skills, noticed the small exchange between the two. He knew that there was something going on, but that they were being too stupid to realize what it truly was. He sighed, teenagers were so stupid. After all, he was proof of that. But he wasn't going to allow his son to have the same regrets he does.

"Peyton, sweetheart, can you do me a favor?" Dan asked. "I need some more ice for my water jug, can you bring it out the nurses' station and have them fill it up?"

Before answering, Peyton turned to look at Lucas. She wasn't going to budge unless he told her that he was fine and didn't need her to stay with him. The blond boy just nodded, effectively telling her that he was okay on his own.

"Sure," she said. "I'm all about the favors for Scott men, today."

As Lucas felt her hand slip out of his, he suddenly grasped it again and brought it to his lips. The action took both of them a little off-guard, as even the boy hadn't meant to actually do it. Lucas felt his mind race for an acceptable explanation to why he did such a thing. "Thank you, Peyton. For everything. You are really a great friend."

Peyton reeled a bit, almost like she had been slapped. There it was again. Friend. Of course, that was all she was, but she couldn't help feeling that he had thrown the word out to remind her that it was all he wanted her as. She forced a smile on her face, trying to hide the fact that she wanted to burst out in tears at that moment.

"It's no problem," she managed to get out. She took the water jug from the table beside Dan and immediately realized upon picking it up that it was already full of ice. She kept her realization to herself and slipped out of the room.

Lucas felt her absence immediately. The room grew colder and dimmer and just a little less colorful. He turned to see his father staring at him intently.

"What?"

"You love her, don't you?"

Lucas felt his cheeks burn. How the hell was his father able to tell? He hoped that it wasn't that obvious. But still, even if it was, the best option was to deny, deny, deny. "What are you talking about? I told you already, we're not dating. We're just friends."

"That didn't exactly answer my question," Dan pointed out. "But no matter. It was more rhetorical than anything else. I already know that you love her."

"I think the drugs are making you loopy," Lucas said, hoping his father would drop the topic before Peyton came back.

"So I suppose that it's those same drugs that are making me 'loopy' also made me believe that Peyton loves you, too?"

"Wait, what?"

"Why are you so surprised?" Dan asked. "Anyone within a mile radius of the two of you can tell how you feel for each other."

"I don't think you're right, but just for the sake of argument, let's pretend that we do have feelings for each other. Things between us are kind of complicated right now and I'm not sure that she wants anything more than friendship out of me."

"Bull," Dan informed him. "I can tell you right now that you are full of crap if you believe that. I do believe things are complicated. After all, it wasn't that long ago that you had that pregnancy scare with Brooke Davis."

"Don't remind me," the younger man muttered. "But that just proves why she wouldn't want anything to do with me romantically."

Dan rolled his eyes. The boy had definitely inherited his stubbornness. "And what does your mother think?"

Lucas stuffed his hands into his pockets. He wasn't entirely comfortable with the fact that Dan was bring his mother into the conversation. "She said I had nothing to worry about, but I don't think she knows what she's talking about."

The older man shook his head. "Don't ever underestimate your mom, Lucas. She had the uncanny ability to see things for the way they really are."

"Maybe," Lucas conceded to that point. "Still, I don't think anyone, and that includes my mom and you, understands the situation as it is."

"So explain it, then."

Lucas bit his tongue. "I think we should drop the subject because she's going to be back any minute and the last thing I need is for her to walk in on this conversation."

Dan nodded, understanding what Lucas was saying. "You're right. So, what if we go back to the original topic? You know, the one where I was begging you to help your brother take over the dealership for a while?"

"Yeah, that's sounds better."

"Alright, then," Dan said. "Where's your head at with that?"

"I don't know," Lucas said, honestly. "It sounds like a good deal but…"

"You're waiting for the other shoe to drop, aren't you?" Dan sighed. "Which completely acceptable considering the way I've treated you, and well… everyone else special in my life. But I promise you, there's nothing to worry about with this."

Lucas had to admit that his father sincerely looked remorseful of his actions. But still, Lucas didn't know if he would be comfortable accepting the position.

Just then a soft knock on the door announce the arrival of the blond girl that had been the topic of conversation just a few moments previously.

"Come in," Dan called out, his voice cracking a bit with the increase in volume.

Peyton stepped into the room and Lucas immediately felt better. She was his drug and he needed her presence. He had been so stupid! How the hell did he think he was going to survive Charleston without her?

She placed the unchanged water jug back on the table, but not before refilling Dan's glass. As she did so, Dan gave her a soft smile (one that she had to note was very similar to one that she had seen on Lucas just a short time ago).

"Thank you," he told her. He didn't need to specify that he was more grateful to her for giving him the time alone with his son that anything else.

"It was my pleasure," she told him. Then she moved back to original position beside Lucas and she gave him a quick once-over.

"You okay?" Peyton asked, her voice barely over a whisper. She took his hand again and squeezed it reassuringly once more.

Lucas nodded at her and she smiled, grateful that things hadn't gone to hell in the time that she had left the two alone. Still, she could tell that the conversation hadn't been light and there was obvious tension in the room.

"As I was saying, I understand your hesitance at accepting the position, but I really wish you would at least consider it." Dan hoped that Peyton's presence would put Lucas more at ease and more willing to hear what he had to say. "It would be easier for Nathan to have someone to help with the responsibilities and besides, it pays really, really well."

Peyton looked at Lucas to see his reaction and was surprised when he turned to look at her. "What do you think, Peyton?" Lucas asked.

Peyton blinked. Why did he keep asking her opinion on these things? Did what she think matter that much to him? Or, is it just that he's so confused with everything that has been thrown his way that he just needs someone to give him some direction?

She shrugged. "I don't know. I mean, it sounds like a pretty sweet deal and Nathan is pretty clueless when it comes to finances and stuff." Peyton bit her lip. Was she really taking Dan's side? Well, it's not like he is acting like the same old Mr. Scott that she's used to. "Besides, it's good money and with college coming up, everyone could use some extra cash."

Dan forced himself not to smile, knowing that it could be the worst thing he could do. He had spent some time with the young blonde girl while she had been going out with Nathan and he had failed to see what a remarkable young woman she was. Or maybe it was just that his other son brought out the best in her, just like Haley brought out the best in Nathan. Either way, Dan was grateful that both of his sons were in the company of such amazing women.

Lucas smiled, thankful that Peyton had leaned that way. He had been on the verge of accepting, anyway, before he had asked her for her opinion. But even so, hearing that she agreed with the decision really strengthened his resolve.

"Yeah, you're right, Peyton." Lucas turned back to look at his father and found him staring back at him with a mixture of joy and surprise. Lucas had to admit that it felt right to be doing it. "So, when should I start?"

Dan looked away and both Peyton and Lucas were almost positive that they saw the older man wipe away a tear. "Well, the dealership will be fine for a couple of days and your brother needs some time to spend with his new wife. How about the three of us talk about it more in a couple of days when Nathan's 'honeymoon' is over?"

"All right," Lucas said. He was about to tell his father that he was looking forward to doing this for him but the words just wouldn't come.

Dan cleared his throat. "This has been a bit of an exciting day and I'm pretty exhausted. Some nurse is going to come in here soon with a fistful of medication for me and I'm going to be pretty much out of commission for the next 10 to 12 hours. You two shouldn't stick around this place. Go to the party, have some fun."

"How did you know there was a party, Mr. Scott?" Peyton asked.

"I know it seems hard to believe with me looking like I'm pounding on death's door, but it wasn't that long since I was your age. I know how things work," Dan told the pretty blond. "And there is always a party."

Dan's comment about "death's door" made both of the teenagers truly uncomfortable. And because of that neither Peyton nor Lucas really knew what to say to that. The "new and improved" Dan Scott was one for making people speechless. Still, it was definitely a step up from the what the old Dan Scott was known to do.

Dan realized this and stepped in. "I'm serious about the going out and having fun part. You guys are still young and should be acting like it."

Lucas nodded. "So, I guess with that order, we'll be leaving." He looked Peyton, who nodded in agreement. "Okay, Bye… Dad."

Dan felt a lump in his throat and found that he couldn't speak. So instead he just nodded in his son's direction.

"Bye, Mr. Scott. I hope you feel better," Peyton offered as the two of them made their way to the hospital room's door.

Dan recovered his voice. "Actually, hold on there for a second, Peyton. Could I talk to you for a second? Alone, I mean?"

Lucas felt his temper rise up suddenly but Peyton stepped in before he could get a word in. "Sure, no problem."

The blond boy looked at the girl in surprised. She just smiled at him and let go of his hand. "Go on, Luke. I'll be right out." When Lucas didn't budge an inch, Peyton tried again. "I'll be fine, I promise. Just go."

Lucas sent his father a warning glance before sighing loudly and leaving the room. Once the door was closed, Peyton turned expectantly to Dan.

"Listen, you have every right not to like me. But even so, you've been a huge help to my son. And I'm very, very grateful to you, for that," Dan said. "And I want to thank you for that and for all you did for me earlier. Which is kind of why I need you to do me a favor."

"If you need more water, I'm pretty sure that one of the nurses can get that for you," Peyton told him, a bit of caustic personality shining through. "All you need to do is press the call button right there and ask them for it."

Dan laughed. The girl was definitely a spit-fire. "Thank you for the tip, but that wasn't the favor that I needed." The man grew serious and swallowed hard. "Listen, things are going to get tough for the next couple of months and I would really appreciate it if you could sort of be there for Lucas. He's going to need all the friends that he can get and I would feel better if I knew that I could count on you to support him through it."

"Of course I'll be there for him," Peyton told Dan. "But what's going on that Lucas is going to need so much support?"

"Well, I haven't been a very good father to him and the one man who has… well, Keith's gone and from what Karen told me, I don't think he's going to be coming back anytime soon." Dan knew he should be angry at his brother for what he did with Deb, but he couldn't muster anything but regret for the way he treated Keith. "That's going to be tough for him and it going to be even tougher for him to try to deal with me on a regular basis."

Peyton nodded, amazed at the insight of the boy he barely knew. The man had a point. Things were going to be very difficult for Lucas for a while. "I promise that I will try and help him in any way I can," the blond girl said.

"Thank you."

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Lucas plopped down next to his mother in the waiting area. His mother looked at him in surprise, considering he was attached to a skinny female the last time she had seen him. She took a quick look around. "Where's Peyton?"

"In there," Lucas said, pointing in the direction of Dan's room. "With Dan. Apparently he wanted to talk to her alone."

Karen could tell that Lucas was pretty annoyed with his father about that move. So she decided to change the topic. "So how was it? The visit, I mean."

Lucas sighed. "Pretty good, considering it is Dan we're talking about. But still, he did seem like a completely different person. He started out asking us if we had gotten married. I swear I think my heart stopped."

Karen laughed imagining how the two kids who were so obviously ignorant about each other's feelings reacted to that. She was going to have to ask Dan about it later.

Lucas scowled at his mother. "It's not funny. You know that he sent Peyton out of the room so he could talk to me about her?"

Karen had seen Peyton slip out of the room for a few minutes carrying Dan's water jug, and had been wondering what was going on. Especially since she had offered to refill it for him when she was visiting him and he had told her it was full.

"What did he say?" Karen asked, her curiosity definitely showing.

"He said that he could tell that I had feelings for her," Lucas said, his voice dropping to a whisper as if it was a great secret. "I tried to deny it, of course, but he didn't believe me. But then he said that he was sure that she loves me, too. Can you believe that?"

Karen did believe it, but she knew better than to say anything at the moment. "Of course you told him that he didn't know what he was talking about."

"Well, yeah, something like that," Lucas said. "And then he asked me what you thought about the whole thing."

"What did you say?"

"I told him I didn't want to talk about it anymore and I changed the subject," Lucas lied. And then he changed the subject. "Dan wants me to work at the dealership with Nathan."

"I know," Karen said. Lucas looked at her in surprise. "He asked my permission to ask you. I told him to go ahead."

"You did? Why?"

"Because it would be good opportunity for you to spend time with your brother… and your father," Karen said. "Besides, it's good money."

"I know," Lucas said. "And before you ask, yes, I agreed to the position."

Karen wrapped her arms around him. "That's a good thing, I promise you."

"I sincerely hope you're right, Ma," Lucas said, pulling away from his mother. Just then he saw Peyton leave Dan's room. He was pleased to notice that she didn't look even remotely upset, so at least that was a plus.

Peyton walked over to the mother and son duo and gave them a tired smile. Karen stood up and pulled the younger woman into an embrace. Peyton surrendered herself to the hug, enjoying the feeling of motherly affection.

Lucas waited until the two women broke apart before asking Peyton, "So what did Dan want to talk to you about?"

"He wanted to thank me for being there for you during all of this," she told him. It wasn't a total lie. He really did thank her for that.

"That's it?" Lucas asked. Why would Dan need to speak to her privately just to thank her for being a good friend.

Peyton bit her lip, trying to figure out what to say to that. She really didn't want to divulge everything that Dan had told her. "Well, he also told me to make sure that I got you out of the hospital and made you have some fun."

Karen realizing that Peyton was struggling a little bit there, stepped in. "Actually, that's a great idea. You two deserve to have some fun tonight. Maybe you two can go to that party that you were talking about earlier."

Lucas gave his mother a shocked look. "Did I hear correctly? Did my mother actually suggest that I go to a party?"

"I don't know, Karen," Peyton interjected before the older woman retorted something back to her smartass son. "The party tonight might not be the best idea. Most of Theresa's parties tend to get out of hand."

"Yeah," Lucas agreed, quietly. "Besides, I'm kind of tired tonight. I think I'll just head home and go to bed."

The raven-haired female nodded. "That might be a good idea, actually. You've had a long day and probably need your rest." Karen looked towards Dan's door, before turning to face Peyton. "You drove Lucas here, right?"

Peyton nodded. "Yeah, I did."

"Do you mind dropping him off on your way home?" Karen asked.

"No, I don't mind," she told the older woman. In truth, she had fully expected to have been the one chauffeuring Lucas that night.

"Good," Karen said. She hugged Peyton again before embracing her son. "You two should probably go now."

Lucas gave his mother a tight squeeze and a kiss on the cheek before he let go. "I love you, Ma. I'll see you later, okay?"

"I love you, too, my boy," she said to her son and then towards the blond girl that was driving her son home right then, "Goodbye Peyton."

"Bye, Karen," Peyton said and then the two blondes made their way to the elevators. As they were waiting for a elevator, Peyton turned towards Lucas. "Are you sure about the whole going straight to bed thing?"

"Well, I'm not exactly in the mood to hang around a bunch of drunk and horny teenagers all night," Lucas told Peyton.

"I figured," Peyton told him. "But I was more wondering if you would like to have some company or not."

The elevator doors opened and the two of them stepped inside. "Do you mean you?" Lucas asked, a little surprised.

"Don't sound so horrified," Peyton said, turning away from him so he wouldn't see the hurt on her face. "Forget I even mentioned anything."

"I wasn't horrified," Lucas explained, hurriedly. "Just surprised that you would want to spend time with me, is all."

"Trust me, I'm pretty surprised at that myself," Peyton told him, a bite to her voice. "Let's just drop it, okay?"

"No," Lucas said and he took her hand and pulled it to his chest. "I would love to spend more time with you. I really would."

"You sure?"

"Definitely," Lucas told her.

------

After the teenagers had left, Karen peeked into Dan's room. She found him with his eyes open staring at a spot on the wall. He was so engrossed in his own thoughts that he didn't even hear her open the hospital room door.

"How are you feeling?" Karen asked, startling Dan out of his reverie.

"As okay as to be expected," Dan replied. "How are you?"

"Better than you."

"I don't know," Dan said. "I think I'm doing pretty well. I just got the son who despises me to agree to help out at my dealership. I think I might have a chance to repair my relationship with both my sons, Karen."

"I hope you do," Karen told him.

"After all, if I can repair those relationships, it'll give me hope that can repair another one." Dan looked deep into Karen's eyes as he said it.

Karen looked away, her cheeks growing red. "Well, you focus on improving your bond with your sons and then we'll talk, okay?"

"That's all I can ask for."