Author's Notes: Thanks again for the kind reviews. Keep them coming, they're what keep me going!

Chapter 3

'Dan?'

Lucas could see the thoughts running through Peyton's mind. She was trying to work out whether this story was plausible. Before Peyton could say anything, Lucas attempted to convince her,

'I know this sounds crazy, I know it does. But Peyton you know how much I hated Jimmy after that day. I believed it was Jimmy until I had reason to believe otherwise. I didn't go looking to prove anyone wrong. It almost killed me that someone who was so close to me could do something like that and to Keith of all people but I had accepted it. I had accepted it until I had that dream. I only pursued it because I know in my heart that's what Keith would have wanted me to do. Otherwise I wouldn't have thought twice about it. You know me Peyton, I'm not normally rash, I usually give people the benefit of the doubt, even Dan. When I came back from Charleston, I gave him every chance. I even saved his life. And for what?'

Peyton went over and hugged Lucas tightly. Still she said nothing. She was still trying to work all this out in her head. She knew Dan was a bad person but she didn't think he was that bad a person. She buried her head in his shoulder. They sat in silence. Lucas didn't want to rush a decision out of her. That was the worst thing he could do. It was a lot to process all at once. Everyone thought Jimmy was such a bad guy. Really he was just scared.

Peyton pulled away and looked Lucas in the eye, 'I don't know what to think Lucas. I'm not gonna write the possibility off completely. It's just a lot, you know?'

Lucas' face dropped, 'I know'

Peyton took his hand, 'I want to believe you, I really do. I just have to put the pieces together myself. Process it all.'

'I understand'

Peyton kissed Lucas on the cheek, 'I think I might take a walk.'

'Okay' Lucas squeezed her hand and kissed her on the forehead, ' I love you'

'I love you' Peyton replied as she walked out the door.

Lucas watched her leave. He remained sitting on the bed, dejected. Nothing was working out as he planned. He felt like ever since that day his life was falling to pieces, other than Peyton that is. Even now he wasn't so sure about that. Peyton wasn't sure what she thought about the whole thing. He felt he had nobody, his mom thought he was crazy and Keith was gone. He got up off his bed, went to his closet and grabbed his gear bag. He filled it with clothes and necessities. The last thing he packed was a picture of himself and Keith at Christmas. he quickly got dressed and then began writing letters to Peyton and his mom.

He was outside Brooke and Peyton's apartment within an hour. All the lights were out. There was no one home, thankfully. He slipped the note under the door quickly. Next stop, the hospital. He arrived to find Dan at his mother's bedside. The last thing he wanted to do was make a fuss. He quickly moved toward the Nurse's Station.

'Excuse me?' Lucas got the attention of a young nurse.

'Yes? Can I help you?' She answered promptly, still looking at her paperwork.

'Could you please give this to Karen Roe?' Lucas asked quietly.

'You can give it to her yourself if you'd like. She's awake and visiting hours aren't over for another thirty minutes.' The nurse smiled politely.

'I'd prefer if you could just give it to her for me please, thanks.' Lucas handed the nurse the letter and exited the hospital quickly.

He had a full tank of gas but where he was headed, he did not know.