A/N: Thanks for all the amazing reviews. Sorry the update is a little late but it's here. So leave some nice reviews and tell me what you think. I updating two of my other stories and I was really disappointed with the lack of reviews. So hopefully I'll get more with this story. Enjoy!

With a Little Help From My Friends

Brooke stepped out of her car and stood with one hand on her opened door and the other blocking the sun out of her eyes. She shifted her feet and heard the broken glass crunching beneath her feet. It had been a few days since that night and the store was still closed; the windows boarded up with yellow police tape covering the majority of the front of the store. Even now, it still seemed so surreal to her.

She had just driven from the hospital, visiting Jake and it was really concerning to her. He was clearing in denial, refusing to eat, refusing to even look at her. He answered her questions in automated and monotone one syllable responses. She hadn't stayed long, giving up on the entire process. She did manage to learn from his parents that he was so grief stricken that without a second thought he had dismissed his girlfriend whose life he was saving.

There was graffiti of thoughts and words and prayers on the boarded up window and she wondered if the large red heart in the middle with Jake's name had anything to do with the broody blonde so infatuated with him. Brooke had never really talked to her, just heard of her and could tell Jake was crazy in love with her. She briefly wondered if she should check up on her, to make sure she was okay for Jake's sake but ultimately decided against it.

It's not like they were the best of friends.

Slamming her door shut, she shoved her hands in her blazer and walked slowly up to boarded window. She saw a lot having to do with Nathan; in fact most of it was dedicated to the star basketball player. A few words were written for Jake and some for Peyton. A few were for the two of them together. She frowned, tracing the hateful words committed to the person who pointed a gun at all of them.

She closed her eyes, shuddering at the memory. She wasn't privileged like Peyton or Nathan and working at the convenience store was a good source of income. At first, it helped her buy fabric which helped her sew clothes which made her even more money. Besides, it was easy work and an easy income. She got a great satisfaction that she bought the old beat up Honda she drove and even managed to save a hefty amount for college.

If she decided to go.

Sighing, she realized that not one word was written for Haley. Or herself for that matter. They were somewhat of the social lepers of the school, Haley being the cliché pregnant teen and she just never meshed well with anyone. But one night, that fateful night had brought the five of them together, and in some weird way she thought that they would be forever bonded because of it.

She turned around to stare at the black convertible pulling into the abandoned gas station. The lanky blonde bombshell climbed out, slipping on her leather jacket, and grabbed a bag from the backseat. Her porcelain face was severely tear stained and Brooke could tell she was struggling desperately to keep her emotions in check.

"Hey." She nodded as Peyton approached the board. "Seems like a bad dream doesn't it?"

"Freddy Kruger feels like a Disney film compared to this." Peyton quipped, dropping her bag and staring at all the artwork.

"Well it's good you've got some sense of humor left in you after everything that's happened." Brooke responded, taking a stance beside her. She took a moment before extending her hand out to the blonde. "I'm Brooke."

"Peyton." She acknowledged, ignoring Brooke's hand and stepping closer to the board. "All this wasn't here yesterday when I painted the heart."

Her fingers lightly traveled the shape of the heart before her palm rested on Jake's name. Ever since she had met Jake, from the time they were friends until a few days ago, they had never spent more than a day apart; always making sure they talked everyday regardless. The last several days, knowing he was hurt and knowing there was nothing she could do about it was killing her.

He rejected her.

Horrible thoughts consumed her mind. Constant memories plagued her every waking moment and she couldn't help but feel that maybe, because he was protecting her, Jake blamed her for his paralysis. She couldn't decipher whether or not he just pretended to be in love with her, or he was so in love with her that he was pushing her way.

She chose to believe the latter and prayed it wasn't the former.

Still, it hurt and she was devastated. The one person she had to rely on the most was no longer in her life. At least for the moment anyway. And the way he felt, the way he looked, the sad, defeated way he spoke, she didn't think he would be okay again. The way he looked at her, was the worst. Like nothing mattered anymore.

Not even her.

"Peyton?" Brooke questioned, taken a hesitant step towards her. She placed her hand on Peyton's shoulder and she slightly flinched at the contact. "I saw Jake today."

"You did?" Peyton asked, whipping around to face the brunette. "Is he okay? Did he say anything? Did he mention me?"

"No." Brooke shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry. The doctors think he's going through denial, which is a give in and his parents think they might have to put him in a hospice."

"A what?" Peyton questioned, shock written all over her face. "Why would they do that? I mean, that's where people go to die!"

"They said they travel a lot, with their jobs and what not. They said they could quit their jobs to take care of him but then they wouldn't be able to afford to keep up with his medical bills." Brooke informed a still stunned Peyton. "But apparently their jobs will cover the majority of his therapy and care. Which is a good thing."

"No, it's not." Peyton mumbled, letting her body slid down against the side of the building. "The nearest one is an hour away! He'll be all alone!"

"Sweetie, I don't think they have any other options." Brooke soothed, bending down and running her fingers through Peyton's curls. Peyton was soon racked with sobs and in an instant she was in Brooke's arms. "Shh…it's going to be okay. You'll see."

"He won't even speak to me." Peyton hiccupped, finally calming down a little. "We've been together for three years. We've talked about getting married. We were going to be starving artists." She giggled through her tears, swiping at her eyes. "The broody artist and the brilliant singer."

"Well, at least you don't need your legs to sing or play guitar." Brooke's words flew out of her mouth without even thinking and she quickly clamped her hand over her mouth in embarrassment. To her surprise, Peyton laughed out loud. "Oh my God. I am so sorry. I don't know where that came from.

"I needed that." She continued to laugh, untangling her from Brooke and standing up. She put her hand down, which Brooke took and pulled her to her feet. "There's not much humor in my life these days."

"I do what I can." Brooke shrugged, glancing around the deserted parking lot. "Did you know the guy who did it?"

"He uh, I think he's in one of my classes. English maybe." Peyton replied, kicking at the broken glass. "I think he moved here a few months ago. But he was only in class about a week or so. I didn't see him after that."

"I don't really think he meant anything by it."

"He pointed a gun at your face. He nearly shot a pregnant girl. And he nearly killed Nathan." Peyton pointed out, disbelief in her voice. "You don't think he meant anything by it?"

"Haley went and talked to him." Brooke offered up, watching the passing cars go by. "His mom is sick. He's got a sister that just turned three. That's why you didn't see him in school. He had to drop out to support everyone."

"Why in the hell would she do that?"

"That's just the kind of person she is. She always concerned about someone. I think it's to make up for the lack of people who's concerned about her."

"Damn. That's sucks." Peyton said, her opinion of the shooter slightly shifting. "But still, to put in innocent lives in danger is pretty shitty, even for the most desperate people. He could've robbed the place after it closed or something. I mean, like I said. Nathan nearly died. Jake is paralyzed. And the kid's blind now. What good did that do for his family?"

"I don't think that was the intention." Brooke twirled her keys around her finger for a few minutes trying to make any noise to break the awkward tension. "Well, I gotta, go."

"I was going to draw some more." Peyton pointed to the front of the store. "It's the only way I feel close to him, you know?"

"No, I don't." Brooke said bluntly. "But I still get it." She smiled, stepping off the curb and walking to her car. She opened up the door and got in, quickly stepping out and leaning her body on the door. "Hey!"

"Yeah?" Peyton asked turning around to face Brooke.

"If you need anything, I mean, at all let me know. I'm going to be working at the station way across town. I mean it. Just to talk or whatever. I don't know what you're going through but I'm a great listener."

"Thanks." Peyton smiled, nodding her head. "I'll keep that in mind."

X-x-X

"Why didn't you call me?"

Haley sighed for what seemed like the umpteenth time as she watched her best friend and now, apparently, surrogate father pace in front of her. She was settled in the middle of the couch, her legs tucked Indian style underneath her with a bowl of fruit resting on her belly. She was somewhat amused at Chris's antics as she plopped a piece of watermelon in her mouth.

"Because you were in Texas." Haley replied lamely, shrugging slightly. She had been terrified enough, and she didn't want Chris to be any more worried about her. "And I'm fine."

"Haley." Chris stopped, squatting in front of her placing his hands on either side of her tummy. "You're my responsibility now, and I know I'm gone a lot and it sucks but I'm doing the best I can. So next time you get held up and nearly shot, do you think you could inform me? I don't want to be told by some drunken roadie that my best friend could've died."

"There won't be a next time." Haley smiled sweetly, resting her hand on his cheek. Chris just stared at her and she rolled her eyes. "Okay, okay. The next time I pull a Superman, I'll keep you posted."

"Funny, I always considered you more of Wonder Woman." Chris tilted his head to the side and winked at her before standing up. "I'm glad you're okay."

"Me too." She crooked her finger at him and he bent down so she could whisper in his ear. "And just so you know, between the two of us, I'm Spiderman."

"Well that would explain you're uncanny ability to stand on the ceiling." Chris scratched his head in contemplation and shrugged as Haley laughed. "And spidy baby? He's good?"

"He's great." Haley beamed patting her belly. "Constantly kicking my bladder and making me having to pee every god forsaken five minutes…but other than that, he's wonderful. I think he still excited from all the action that took place."

"He's getting restless in there." Chris took a seat beside Haley, taking her fruit bowl and placing in on the table. He then put his head on Haley's stomach as she ran her fingers through his unruly hair. "Hey Elvis."

"Chris, stop calling my child Elvis. He's going to get a complex."

"About Elvis?" Chris asked incredulously popping up his head to which Haley quickly put back down with her hand. "Dude, he was the king."

"Well the king is dead and so is his name. So let it go 'dude'."

"Fine, fine. Ruin all my fun." Chris mumbled running his hand around her abdomen. "Anyway, I missed you kid."

Haley smiled and positioned her head on the back of the couch as she listened to Chris talk to her stomach. Chris had proclaimed months ago that he was going to be the father figure in her child's life and she couldn't have been happier. First, he had offered to marry her and after she bulked at that idea, he settled with being Uncle Chris.

Whenever Chris was in town he would read and play guitar to her stomach, but mostly he would talk. He told the baby about his travels and sometimes the women Haley was sure he imagined hooking up with. She reveled in the fact that she had someone so close to her to do all the things that the baby's real father would have no part of.

Chris was being extra clingy and she understood why. Now, of all times. Chris wasn't much for mushy feeling and sentiments, but Haley knew that he loved her and her child and would do anything for them. She also knew that he wouldn't know what to do if anything ever happened to them. As much as she wanted to break down and confess all her fears to him, in the long run it wouldn't benefit either one of them.

"Hales?" Chris whispered after several minutes of animate, one sided conversation.

"Mmm?" Haley murmured, her overworked body finally settling down. She finally felt safe.

"I don't know what I would do if anything happened to you. You've just kind of been the woman in my life. You feed me and clean and take care of me; but that's not why I wouldn't know what to do without you."

"I know." Haley shifted so that she was laying her head on one of the ends of the couch and Chris moved so that he was positioned in between her legs with his head on her stomach still. It wasn't weird for them, just comfortable and safe. "You've been the man in mine."

"It's just, I've come to think of you two as my family; my only real family. So no matter what, you can't leave me."

"I won't." she promised pulling the blanket off the back of the couch and covering the two of them. He reached up and kissed her cheek and her stomach, before settling in for the night.