PREVIOUSLY...
Nathan: Hales.
(Nathan lifts Haley in his arms and takes her away from the building. )
Haley: (Whispering) Where's Peyton?
(Haley begins to frantically look around.)
Haley: She was right behind me.
(Nathan looks up to where Lucas was once standing and notices Brooke crying, Nathan and Haley turn their attention back to Tric as the flames begin to spread, they watch as Lucas bursts through the exit where Haley had just come from.)
TRIC
(Lucas kicks open the exit door and bursts through into the building. Making his way through the debris and flames, he begins to panic when he can't see Peyton.)
Lucas: Peyton. Peyton.
(Looking around Lucas spots Peyton's blonde hair, dodging the flames he runs over to her. Peyton lay on the floor covered in rubble from the building; Lucas begins to toss aside all the remains of rubble so he can reach Peyton.)
Lucas: Peyton. Hold on.
(After clearing wreckage, Lucas finally reaches Peyton.)
Lucas: Come on Peyton, open your eyes.
(Peyton lay unconscious on the floor. Lucas scoops her petite frame into his arms and carries her away, as he makes his way through the flames, kicking open doors on his way to the exit.)
TRIC CAR PARK
(As the fire engines begin to turn up as do the paramedics. Haley is clinging to Nathan's chest, while Brooke stands watching the building, praying with all her might.)
Nathan: Come on Luke.
(Lucas comes bursting through the fire exit door and makes his way down the steps with a limp Peyton in his arms, carrying her across the car park, the paramedics immediately greet him as they take Peyton from his arms. Brooke, Haley and Nathan rush over to Lucas and Peyton.)
Brooke: Peyton.
(Brooke begins to cry hysterically and Haley walks over to her and pulls her into a hug.)
Paramedic: I've got a weak pulse; we need to get her to the hospital straight away.
Lucas: Is she going to be ok?
Paramedic: Sir, you should really get those burns looked at.
(Lucas grabs the paramedic.)
Lucas: Is she going to be ok?
(Nathan pulls Lucas away.)
Nathan: Come on man, I'll drive you to the hospital.
Lucas: She has to be ok Nate.
TREE HILL HOSPITAL – WAITING ROOM
(Haley and Brooke are sat in the waiting room chairs, while Lucas is pacing the floor.)
Brooke: Argh! What is taking them so long?
Haley: Hey. She's going to be ok. She's got to be.
(A doctor walks into the waiting room.)
Doctor: Anyone here for Peyton Sawyer?
(Brooke and Haley both stand. Lucas stops pacing and faces the doctor. While Nathan walks in holding coffee and wraps his arm around Haley.)
Brooke & Haley: Yes. We are.
Lucas: Is she ok?
Doctor: Unfortunately Miss Sawyer suffered some severe trauma to her head, from which she slipped into a coma, we are doing all we can to stabilise her. But the next 24 hours will be critical. I'm sorry.
Nathan: Can we see her?
Doctor: She is in ICU at the moment, but I will see what I can do.
Nathan: Thank you Doctor.
(The doctor walks away and Lucas sinks into a chair with his head in his hands. Haley and Brooke both begin to cry, while Nathan tries to console both women.)
Haley: We need to tell Julian.
Nathan: I'll do it.
(Nathan walks away.)
HOTEL ROOM / OUTSIDE HOSPITAL
(Julian is packing his bag when his phone rings.)
(Julian picks up the phone.)
Julian: Hello
Nathan: Julian its Nathan. I need you to come to the hospital.
Julian: What's going on?
Nathan: It's Peyton. There was a fire at Tric. She's in bad shape man.
(The phone goes silent.)
Nathan: Julian?
Julian: Yea...I'll be right there.
(Julian hangs up his phone, grabs his keys and heads for the door.)
PEYTON'S HOSPITAL ROOM
(Brooke walks into the ICU room and chokes back the tears; she walks over to the bed and sits beside it, holding Peyton's hand.)
Brooke: Hey. Look I really need you to wake up soon ok.
(Brooke wipes her eyes and sighs.)
Brooke: Because who else am I going to bitch and moan to.
(Brooke laughs)
Brooke: Please I can't do this without you.
(Brooke bows her head and rests it next to Peyton's hand.)
THE HOSPITAL CHAPEL
(Haley is sat in the pews, with her head in her hands. Nathan walks in and sits beside her.)
Haley: It's all my fault.
Nathan: What?! Haley this was not your fault.
Haley: We got into a fight and I said some horrible things. But she still came and got me out; when I was trapped she saved me. I should have made sure she was behind me.
(Nathan pulls Haley into his arms.)
HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM
(Julian comes bursting through the doors and walks up to the nurse's station.)
Julian: I need to know where Peyton Sawyer is?
(Lucas stands from the waiting room chair and walks over to Julian.)
Lucas: Julian
(Julian looks at Lucas and lunges for him.)
Julian: What the hell are you doing here?
(Haley and Nathan walk into the waiting room and immediately split Lucas and Julian apart.)
Haley: Julian! You should be thanking Lucas, not trying to beat him up, if it wasn't for him Peyton would be dead right now!
(Julian looks between Lucas and Haley apologetically.)
Julian: Where's Peyton?
Haley: ICU Room 3
(Julian walks away. Soon after Julian leaves Lucas gets up and walks out.)
Haley: I should really go after him. Can you keep an eye on Julian?
Nathan: Yea sure.
(Haley kisses Nathan's cheek and begins to walk out.)
Nathan: Haley. I love you.
(Haley turns and smiles, then leaves.)
OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL
(Lucas is sat on the bench outside. Haley walks up and sits next to him.)
Lucas: I can't do this Hales. I can't live without her. I thought I couldn't handle her being with someone else, but the truth is I would rather her be with someone else, than not have her in my life at all.
Haley: Lucas you can't think like that. Look at all the stuff Peyton has survived, she's a fighter and she will pull through.
Lucas: This time is different.
Haley: Ok.
Lucas: I told her I still loved her.
Haley: I know. I saw the kiss Lucas.
Lucas: Hales...
Haley: Lucas, what were you thinking? She's with Julian and you can't just do that.
Lucas: She kissed me back. And for the first time in three years, everything was right again.
Haley: You should go home, shower and get some sleep. I'll stay and keep an eye on her.
Lucas: What about Jamie?
Haley: He's with Nanny Carrie.
NATHAN AND HALEY'S HOUSE
(Carrie is running her hand under the cold tap, she begins to bandage the burn on her hand. Jamie walks in.)
Jamie: Nanny Carrie, what's wrong with your hand?
Carrie: Oh it's nothing Jim Jam. Anyway you should be in bed little man.
Jamie: Where's Mama?
Carrie: She will be back soon.
Jamie: Ok
(Jamie walks away back to his bedroom.)
(Carrie reaches into her bag and pulls a black diary out, a photo of Haley with a cross through it falls out.)
Carrie: Time for plan B. And we'll be happy families.
NEXT DAY – TRIC
(All the windows have been boarded up and the place it empty inside, only its simple structure remains. Lucas walks through the door and see's the numerous number of Fire man still accessing the building.)
Fire Man: Excuse me Sir, you shouldn't be in here.
Lucas: I'm the owner.
(Lucas looks around and spots Peyton's destroyed office.)
FLASHBACK – PEYTON'S OFFICE
Lucas: Peyton I miss you everyday. And I know I'm probably three years too late in saying this but I still love you. I always have and I always will.
Peyton: Luke...I...
(He kisses her and she pushes him away and looks at him but then pulls him into another kiss.)
Lucas: You still love me don't you?
END OF FLASHBACK – TRIC
(Lucas turns to the fireman.)
Lucas: Do you know what caused the fire?
Fireman: It's hard to say, but it doesn't look like this was an accident.
Lucas: What do you mean? Someone did this on purpose?
Fireman: Yea, but unfortunately we don't have any hard evidence yet.
Lucas: Ok. Well thanks.
(Lucas turns and leaves.)
CLOTHES OVA BROS
(Victoria is standing at the desk working. Brooke walks in.)
Brooke: Where's Millicent?
Victoria: Ah. A little late aren't we. Brooke if you want to call this place a business you really need to run it properly. And for starters open on time.
Brooke: Do not criticise my business or me today.
Victoria: Well someone should have drunk a little less last night, and then they might have been here on time.
Brooke: For your information I have spent the last 12 hours at a hospital with my best friend, my only family. Who is currently fighting for her life? So that allows me to be a little late.
Victoria: Is she ok?
Brooke: Just go back to New York. Victoria.
PEYTON'S HOSPITAL ROOM
(Julian is sat holding Peyton's hand.)
HOSPITAL HALLWAY
(Lucas is standing at Peyton's door watching her and Julian. Haley walks up behind him and puts a hand on his shoulder.)
Lucas: They say the fire wasn't an accident.
Haley: What?!
Lucas: I went over there earlier and it's a mess. The investigators believe it was done on purpose.
Haley: Who could do a thing like that?
Lucas: I don't know but when I find out...
Haley: No. You're not going to do anything stupid.
Lucas: I could of lost you and Peyton in that fire, I can't just let that go.
Haley: You have to, because we are still here.
(Haley looks at Peyton and Julian.)
Haley: Have you been into see her yet?
Lucas: It's too hard, plus she has Julian and I don't want to cause any trouble.
Haley: She would want you in there.
Lucas: I think I need to go clear my head. Will you call me if anything changes?
Haley: Your be first to know, but don't tell Brooke that.
(Lucas hugs Haley and then leaves.)
NATHAN AND HALEY'S HOUSE
(Nathan walks through the front door.)
Nathan: Jamie. Daddy's home.
(Jamie comes running down the stairs.)
Jamie: Daddy.
(Nathan picks Jamie up and hugs him.)
Jamie: Where have you been Daddy, where's Mama?
(Nathan puts Jamie down and crouches in front of him.)
Nathan: Son. Your Aunt Peyton's not very well. So your Mum and me have been at the hospital keeping an eye on her.
Jamie: Is she going to be ok?
Nathan: I don't know son.
(Nathan hugs Jamie again.)
(Carrie walks into the hallway.)
Carrie: I though I heard voices.
Nathan: Jamie why don't you go check on Chester.
Jamie: Ok.
(Nathan walks into the Kitchen and Carrie follows. Nathan sits down and Carrie pours them both a cup of coffee.)
Nathan: What happened to your hand?
Carrie: Oh it's...nothing. Just me being clumsy. How's Haley and Peyton?
Nathan: Haley's fine. Peyton managed to help Haley escape. But Peyton she's in bad shape.
Carrie: Oh. I'm sorry Nate.
Nathan: Could you watch Jamie for the rest of today, I really want to get back to the hospital and check on things.
Carrie: Sure no problem.
Nathan: Thanks.
(Nathan leaves.)
THE RIVERCOURT
(Lucas is making three throws. Nathan's car pulls up alongside the court. Nathan get out the car and walks over to the court.)
Nathan: Working on your game?
(Lucas makes another shot and misses.)
Lucas: Did Haley get you to check up on me?
Nathan: She's worried man, we all are.
Lucas: How did you do it Nate? All those years ago when Haley was in the hospital. How did you do it?
Nathan: You want to know the truth. I was scared as hell. But I wasn't going to give up on her. I made sure she knew I was there and that I loved her. That's why you need to go see Peyton.
(Lucas bows his head.)
PEYTON'S HOSPITAL ROOM
(Haley is sat at Peyton's bedside.)
Haley: You know you certainly came out of that building in good style, you and Lucas really have mastered the whole carrying bridal style technique.
(Haley chokes back some tears.)
Haley: Luke's a mess, he's scared to come see you, but he's with you, you know that right?
BROOKE'S HOUSE
(Brooke walks into the kitchen and goes to the fridge. On the fridge door she see's a picture of her and Peyton. Taking the picture of its peg she looks at it carefully and holds it to her chest, breaking into tears she sinks to the ground and begins to sob. Victoria walks into the house and hears crying coming from the kitchen. Walking over to Brooke she crouches down next to Brooke and wraps her arms around her.)
Victoria: Ssh it's all going to be ok.
Brooke: She's the only family I have.
(Victoria strokes Brooke's hair as she continues to cry.)
Victoria: I know.
HOSPITAL HALLWAY
(Lucas walks through the escalator doors and makes his way to Peyton's room, he reaches out for the door handle and takes a deep breathe before entering.)
PEYTON'S HOSPITAL ROOM
(Haley is still sat at Peyton's bedside. Lucas enters and stands awkwardly.)
Lucas: Where's Julian?
Haley: He went home to shower and get some things.
(Haley watches Lucas as he looks at Peyton longingly. Haley glances at the clock on the wall.)
Haley: Wow is that the time I really need to call Jamie.
(Haley gets out of her seat and walks up to Lucas, pausing to give his shoulder a reassuring stroke. Haley leaves the room and Lucas walks over to Peyton's bedside. Lucas reaches out to touch Peyton's face and tuck a stray curl behind her ear.)
Lucas: You never did like hospitals.
(Lucas walks round the bed to the chair and sits, looking at the machines and studying them, before taking Peyton's hand in his.)
Lucas: I just want you to know I'm here and I'm not going anywhere.
(Kissing Peyton's knuckles.)
Lucas: I love you so much. That's why I really need you to open those beautiful eyes of yours. Please.
(Lucas brings her hand up to his face and closes his eyes.)
Lucas: You promised you would never leave. You promised.
(Lucas holds her hand tighter and bows his head.)
Peyton: (Whispering) Lucas