Author's Note: Hey guys, thanks for being so understanding. My life's been pretty hectic over the past few days. I hope to have another update tomorrow! Hope you like this update. All your reviews have been great! THANKS!

Chapter 5

Peyton held the phone tightly in shock.

'Peyton? Are you there? I'm on my way over to pick you up now'

'Thanks Nathan' She hung up the phone and fell to the ground in shock. What the hell just happened?

Nathan arrived within five minutes. He walked in to find Peyton in a heap on the ground sobbing. He helped her to her feet and and hugged her.

'It's okay Peyton, Lucas is strong. You know that.'

'What happened to him, Nathan?' Peyton sobbed, 'I left his house two hours ago. I came home to find a letter from him telling me he's leaving Tree Hill, then I get a phonecall from you saying he's been in an accident. I didn't think his life could get any worse.'

'Luke was leaving Tree Hill?' Nathan sounded surprised, 'Why, what happened?'

'This isn't really the time to get into it, Nathan, I'll tell you everything once I see that he's okay.'

'Sure, I understand. Let's just get to the hospital.' Nathan lead Peyton to the car where Haley was sitting in the front seat, her eyes puffy.

Dan stood in Karen's room, waiting for a response.

'What about Lucas?' There was a shockingly cold tone to her voice.

Dan was slightly taken aback by her tone but chose to ignore it. 'He's been in an accident, Karen. The doctors are taking him to surgery now.'

Karen's features softened instantly, her face turned from angry to worried almost instantly.

'What happened?'

'The bad weather, he was about five miles outside of town, a van went into the side of the car. What he was doing driving out there in this weather, I do not know'

'He was leaving Tree Hill, Dan, because of us.' Karen began crying, wracked with guilt.

Nathan, Haley and Peyton sat down in the waiting room, waiting for news of Lucas.They waited for over an hour before a young doctor came into the room.

'Who's here for Lucas Scott?' She asked officiously.

'I'm his brother' Nathan stood up shakily, trying to read the expression on the doctor's face.

'I'm Dr. Reid. I'm an intern working with the team of doctors to help your brother.'

'Is he gonna be okay?' Nathan interrupted.

'He's still in surgery, the doctors are working on him. He has a concussion and some mild internal bleeding. He has also done some damage to his knee. A team of orthopedic surgeons are working on it's reconstruction now.' Dr. Reid recited without much feeling.

'Are you saying he should be fine?' Peyton asked tentatively.

'He's not out of the woods yet but if everything goes to plan, yes he should be fine.'

'Thank you, Dr. Reid.' Haley piped up as the doctor went to leave.

'You're welcome, I'll let you know when he is out of surgery' The doctor exited back toward the OR.

Peyton sat back down feeling somewhat relieved. Within minutes Dan rushed into the waiting room. Nathan stood up to greet him, filling him in on what the doctor had just told them. Peyton sat in silence until Dan and Nathan stopped talking. She stood up and took Dan aside.

'I need to talk to you.' Peyton's tone was hushed and serious.

'Go right ahead, young lady' Dan replied confidently.

Peyton just came right out with it, 'Dan, did you shoot Keith?' She hoped to catch Dan off guard and she was successful. She watched his face drop and she knew Lucas was telling the truth.

'You better watch what you say missy. You should remember who you are talking to' Dan was on the defensive 'I suppose Lucas has been telling you tall tales. That's why we plan to get him professional help once he recovers.'

'Whatever you say, Dan. I don't think Lucas is the one telling tales, it's you' With that Peyton stalked off back to Nathan and Haley.

'What was that all about?' Haley's curiosity got the better of her.

'I'd prefer not to say. It's not really my secret to tell, you know?'

'Okay, so you're saying I should ask Lucas then?' Haley smiled.

'No, Haley, what I'm saying is you should wait til Lucas tells you when he's good and ready' Peyton replied smirking back