Where Do We Go From Here?

A/N Ok so I personally wasn't too pleased with my last chapter. I re-read it and thought I could have done a lot better. So this chapter I am going to make sure I really like it. Enjoy.

It had been two days now and there was no sign of Brooke waking up. Karen was becoming worried about Lucas. He spent all his time at the hospital. She never saw him when he came home. Reason being he was only there long enough to eat and take a shower. Other then that every waking moment was spent by her side. Payton had been by almost everyday. But what Lucas found surprising is no one could seem to get a hold of neither Nathan nor Haley. Where they had taken off to He had no idea. Nor did he have time to really think about it. He left several messages for Brooke's dad but to no avail. A few other friends from school came to visit her. Bevin brought her a book of quotes that she told Lucas to read to her. He guessed she had heard somewhere it was good to read to patients that were in comas. So he thought he would give it a try. But mostly he just talked to her.

"Baby its time to open your eyes. I need you. It feels so unfair that you're the one lying here. It should be me." His tears once again filled with tears. He couldn't remember ever crying so much in his life. "Baby? Can you ever forgive me for what's happened?" He laid his head on her hand. "You said you wanted to know me better. Well when I was about nine years old, Keith decided he would take me fishing. "He let out a small laugh at the memory."It was funny because I could figure out how to cast the line. The first time I did I literally threw the whole pull into the water. Keith made me row over and get it by myself. I finally managed to cast the line but little did I know the hook got caught on Keith's hat and when the line went flying, so did his hat." He laughed again. "Keith thought it was the funniest thing he ever saw. He said "In all my years of fishing Luke, I have never met anyone as bad at it as you are." I never went fishing again. To this day I couldn't tell you how to cast out."

Brooke's bruises were starting to look a lot better and was now taking on her normal skin color. Lucas watched as a nurse came in to check up on all her vital signs and such. She just looked at the young girl lying in the bed and shook her head in sadness.

"It really is a shame. No one deserves this." She gave Lucas a sympathetic look before leaving.

"Listen to me Brooke, please open your eyes. Baby I know you. You're strong. Do this for me pretty girl. Please." His pleas seem to fall on def ears. Someone had entered the room behind him. When Lucas turned around he was surprised to see it was Haley.

"Hey Luke."

"Hey Hales. Where you been?"

"Oh around. I'm just not good with these things. You know me." He could tell she was hiding something but at the moment didn't feel like pushing the issue. "How is she?"

"Not any better. I try to take comfort in the fact that she not any worse though."

"Well that's a good way to look at it."

"Where's Nathan?"

"Oh ummm. He's at home. He said to give you best wishes." She smiled at Lucas in a way to let him know that Nathan to was concerned for Brooke. Haley was acting strange. He didn't know why but he could tell something was going on. "Do you need anything? I wasn't going to stay long but I had to come by and see her."

"No I'm good. Thanks Hales."

"Ok...well give me a call if you need anything. Anything at all."

"I will." He watched her walk out the door and thought to himself "I am going to have to find out what her deal is." Then he turned his attention back to Brooke.

Haley walked in the door of an apartment and put her stuff down on a table just inside. She took a good look around before yelling out for Nathan.

"Honey I'm home."

"Hey you." Nathan said as he entered the room and pulled her into a kiss. "So how is she?"

"Looks the same. Lucas is a mess though. He looks like he hasn't slept in days. How's the unpacking?"

"You didn't tell him did you?"

"I couldn't Nathan. Now's just not the time."

"I understand. Come here." He pulled her close to him and put his forehead to hers. "It's going to be ok. I love you. Mrs. Scott."

"Mmmmm I can get use to that."

"Well you better. Cant take it back now." He smirked at her. The same smirk that stole her heart and drove her completely crazy.

"Believe I could never and would never want to. It's just...does it feel wrong to you? You know...to be so happy? I know I said this once already but...I can't help feeling like we are horrible people for starting a new life when one hangs in the balance." Tears started to form in her eyes. She was so afraid for Brooke, but she was also happy about what she had done.

"Hey, hey. Haley we didn't do anything wrong ok? Brooke would be happy for us. We love each other. Yes it's a horrible thing that's happened to her. But she would have wanted us to be happy too. I love you Haley James-Scott and I have no regrets about marrying you." He had her in a tight hug and was protectively rubbing her back while letting her cry into his chest. "Listen to me baby. Brooke will be ok. You know how stubborn she is. She won't give up that easy." This brought a smile back to Haley's face. He was the only person who could make her smile like that, and Nathan knew somehow by the way she smiled that the smile was made only for him.

Meanwhile back at the hospital Lucas had stepped out to get some fresh air. He couldn't stay in there much longer. He was getting too frustrated with himself. HE was trying to will Brooke awake. Just as tear began to form in his eyes Payton walked up to him. After she arrived yesterday she had to comfort Lucas. She didn't really get to spend much time with Brooke. So she thought today she would sit with her.

"Hey." She said taking him into a hug. How are you holding up?"

"I've seen better days." He said not looking in her eyes. He didn't want anyone to see the hurt inside of him. It was killing him more each that passed by that he couldn't hear her voice.

"Any change?"

"No." He looked back at the hospital doors wishing he could see her come running out. "You go ahead and go see her. I think I need to be alone for a few."

"Yeah ok. Let me know if you need anything." She walked in the hospital. She hated hospitals. Everyone she loved somehow ended up here. Without realizing it she was glaring at all the doctors and nurses. She walked into the room and sat next to Brooke on the bed. "Hey buddy...ok so...you know I'm not good at this kind of thing but...I need you to wake up Brooke. You're my best friend. What would I do if I didn't have you huh?" Tears welled in Payton's eyes. "Come on girlie. Lucas is a mess. He needs you too. He loves you so much Brooke. And I have never seen you so happy. Remember when we were kids...and I think we were in like the 5th grade. You had a crush on...oh what was his name? Jason Parchment. Your mom was friends with his mom so we both got stuck going to his birthday party. Anyway you went to give him his gift and for some reason or another you tried to kiss him. He started yelling ewww. She tried to kiss me and jumped out of the way and you went tumbling in the pool. You were so devastated you ran all the way to my house. I looked every where for you. I didn't know you had even left the party." She let a little laugh escape her throat. "I found you in my closet when I got home. You were still crying. I held you until you calmed down. It was that night that we promised to be best friend forever." She looked up at Brooke. "Come on Brookie. Squeeze my hand if you can hear me."

Payton looked down at the hands joined together. Nothing happened. She started to cry more. But then she felt Brookes hands tighten around hers. She looked up and saw Brookes eyes slowly open. Brooke looked around her room before her eyes landed on her best friend.

"Payton?" She tried to speak but her throat was throbbing. She pointed to a small glass and a pitcher sitting on the table next to her bed. Payton rushed and poured the water and slowly raised it to Brooke's lips.

"Is that better?" Payton asked smile at her friend.

"Much. What happened?" Her voice was rough and scratchy sounding but was audible.

"You don't remember?"

"I remember being tied to the bed. How did I...?"

"Lucas. He came in just as Chris was about to...um...he saved you." She didn't think it was a good idea to tell her friend that she came that close to being rapped. "He's a mess Brooke. He thinks you won't be able to forgive him."

"What's there to forgive? He saved my life. Where is he?"

"Um...he's down stairs. Do you want me to go get him?" Brooke nodded her head saying yes. How could Lucas blame himself? Why? If it wasn't for him who knows what could have happened to her. It was then that she realized her whole body hurt. She looked down at the yellow bruises all over her. Then she lifted her sheets. She noticed she was wearing bandages all around her abdomen. Lucas came rushing through the door not missing a step as he flew to her side. He looked down at her beautiful face and just threw his lips to hers. He lightly put his hand to her cheek not wanting to hurt her. He pulled away and looked deep into her eyes. He knew at that moment she didn't blame him for what happened.

"Lucas. It's good to see you." She said with a smile. Her dimples showing her full beauty.

"You have no idea beautiful." He brushed some of the hair out of her face. "You have no idea how much I've missed you."

"I think I have a pretty good Idea boyfriend." She slowly reached her hand up and touched his face. "Lucas...I love you."

"I love you. Oh so much." His voice breaking as he spoke. He realized then just how much he needed her in his life.

A/N ok guys. Sorry it took so long. I love you guys for your feed back though. You're awesome. I know it's not a long chapter but I was anxious to get Brooke awake. Next chapter is going to skip ahead to Prom. Plus a little more drama with Rachel. Also I will let on to how every one handled the Naley news. Thank you guys so much. R&R please.