Blinding white lights. A strong sterilized smell. Dirty white ceilings. Blue shapes dashing around her. The buzz of people talking. People. Children crying. Adults crying.

Peyton blinked.

'Do you know your name? Do you know what day it is?'

She opened her mouth. Peyton. Her name was Peyton. The dry, hacking cough that had subsided only moments before they arrived at the hospital suddenly began again. She couldn't breathe.

Her skin was rapidly turning bluish in colour.

'Please you've got to help her' Ian's head hovered over her. 'She fell down the stairs' He blurted at the Doctor's like he had been since they'd moved through the automatic doors. He'd fabricated a whole story. He'd told them her name was Peyton Banks, told them that she was his wife. He'd told them he'd tried to catch her. 'She fell down the stairs' She was pretty certain he'd told himself that so many times now that he actually believed that was what had happened. That it had been accident, that she'd tripped and fallen, that he'd tried to reach out and grab her hand to stop her tumbling down.

She'd not fallen down the stairs. She'd not even fallen over. Not accidentally anyway. He'd hurt her, hit her until she'd stopped moving all together. Not until she'd past out and was non-responsive did he stop. He'd not been able to help himself. She'd deserved it, she'd provoked him. She needed to be punished for her unacceptable behaviour but when her eyes had rolled back and she'd started gagging, he realised that perhaps he'd let his anger get the better of him. He'd managed so well, he'd kept his temper in check but since Sawyer's arrival he'd not been able to contain himself. He'd broken down then, apologised over and over, promised to never touch her again.

She'd woken up in a moving vehicle with Sawyer whimpering in the back and Ian talking frantically to himself, willing her to be ok, telling her she was going to be just fine, that they'd fix her at the hospital.

The doctor pressed against her chest and she hissed. 'Tha-t hu-r-ts' She wheezed.

The sharp, stabbing chest pains had worsened along with her breathing. The severe pain radiating to her back.

Someone was dabbing at her head with a compress. Stitches were most likely required and she had a suspected broken left arm.

A nurse was taking her blood pressure and then a moment later there were all kinds of medical terms being exchanged.

Pneumothorax. Pleuritic. Rapid pulse rate. Low blood pressure.

'What does all that mean?' Ian demanded angrily. He'd lost control. He'd lost control of his temper, he'd lost control of her. He'd lost control of the situation and no one was paying him any attention. 'Will someone answer me?' He growled. 'What is wrong with my wife?' He expressed true concern.

'We believe Peyton may have a collapsed lung sir'

'You believe?'

'I can't say for certain without a chest x-ray but her symptoms are severe, we need to act now before this becomes life threatening'

Ian couldn't stand still. He was pacing, trying to hush a upset Sawyer.

'Sir, I think it would be best if you took your daughter outside, there's a family room'

'I'm not going anywhere'

'Mr Banks, you're not helping by being in here'

'I'm not leaving'

'The best thing you can do for Peyton right now is go outside and stay with your daughter'

She was taking deep, exaggerated breaths, her face contorting with every inhale and exhale.

He was reluctant but her evident pain made him concede.

He loomed over her, kissing her forehead, with tears in his eyes like the doting husband that he was playing. 'I'll be back in a while baby, I'm going to get Sawyer some food and then I'll be right back' He fiddled with her dark locks and lowered his lips to the side of her face. 'Be good' He exhaled into her ear, so only she could hear.

She heard it loud and clear, her hand blindly reached for Sawyers and she squeezed it, praying that this wouldn't be the last time she saw her daughter.

As he stepped back away from the bed and out of the emergency room, the panic ensued. She was surrounded by people and yet she'd never felt so alone. Now was her moment to shout out for help but she kept silent as she'd been taught.

'Peyton we're going to make a small incision just beneath your arm' The doctor pressed two fingers to the exact point. 'And then we're going to insert a chest tube so we'll be able to re-inflate your lung. First we're going to cut you out of your clothes and get you into a hospital gown' The voice droned distantly.

Her unharmed arm sprang out in objection but given her current state the weak movement didn't do much to alert the working staff to her disapproval.

The nurse slid the cold blade of the scissors carefully beneath her clinging jeans. The sickening snipping sound echoing loudly in her ears.

She felt the warm air hit her skin as the clothes were peeled away. She'd never felt more violated, as if her soul were being torn from her very being. Humiliation filled her.

All doctors and assisting staff momentarily paused when her battered body came into view, the horror reflecting in their eyes.

She kept her stare focused on the ceiling and everyone eventually began their tasks once more.

'What happened to you Peyton?' The doctor asked gently, while two nurses slid a hospital gown over her naked body, much to her relief.

'I...f-fell...dow-n...the...s-stairs' She rasped painfully.

'You're safe here, you can tell us anything and it stays confidential, do you understand that?'

'I...t-tol-d...y-you...I...fe-ll'

'Peyton there are marks all over you that you couldn't have gotten had you fallen, they are marks that suggest another person did this to you. If you're husband is hurting you we can get you help'

'He...d-didn-t...h-hur-t...me'

'It's alright to be scared-'

'I...f-fe...ll' She said desperately, struggling to speak at all now.

'Peyton' One of the attending nurses covered the shaking patients hand. 'I promise you everything will be ok'

Peyton took three deep breaths and closed her eyes tightly. 'I wa...n...t t-to go..... ho..m-e'

'Where's home?' The doctor urged.

She was conflicted. Her mind told her to blurt it from the pit of her lungs but the last horrendous six hundred and seventy four days had left her insecure, distrustful and hesitant. She was consumed with pain and yet she could still feel the heat of their judgemental stares. They'd made their own conclusions about her, created their own story that she quickly realised would forever be associated with her.

She didn't like being vulnerable and she didn't like being fussed over.

She was independent. She was strong. She was fearless. She was stubborn. She was Peyton Scott.

She saw freedom. It was within her grasp now and she couldn't let it slip through her fingertips again.

'M-y... name...is...Sc-o-tt no-t Ban-k-ss... Peyt-on Sc-o-tt' She exhaled.

'Oh my god' The nurse's eyes widened. 'I know who she is. I remember seeing her on the news. She disappeared, it must have been nearly two years now'

She was loosing consciousness, her vision blurring, the voices fading.

'Is there anyone you want us to call Peyton?... Peyton is there anyone we can call?'

'Broo-ke' She paused, struggling to focus. 'Da-vis' She managed hoarsely. Liberation swept over her.

'Brooke Davis. You did good, you're safe now Peyton, I promise'

An oxygen mask was put over her ghostly white face and She was given anesthesia to numb the pain and only then did she allow herself to succumb to the darkness and close her weary eyes.

Nathan and Brooke stood wearily under a glaring lamp post, both eager to get going. It had been a long day, a long day of travelling and waiting around.

'Do you think I should have bought Erin?' Brooke asked solemnly as they waited impatiently.

'No' Nathan shook his head surely. 'Haley will look after her, you know that' Haley had suggested she stay behind, stating that it would be best for one of them to stay and look after Jamie and Erin. Brooke had been unsure about the arrangement but Haley had insisted upon it, claiming that when they found their friend she'd then be able to be there for Lucas too.

'But if we find Peyton she'll want to see her little girl'

'When we find Peyton she'll probably want some time to get herself together, we don't know what state she's going to be in Brooke'

The brunette took a shaky breath and threaded her fingers through her tangly hair. She had large bags under her eyes and the air con on the plane had left her dehydrated and dried out. 'Don't say that'

'I'm being realistic here, we don't know what she's been through. The last thing Erin needs is to be traumatised further by seeing her mum completely screwed up. We don't know what she saw the day of Peyton's disappearance but it was enough to stop her talking'

Brooke nodded glumly. 'Maybe I should just ring and check she's alright with Hales-'

'Brooke she's fine. If Haley has any issues she'll call you'

'I'm acting like a over protective mum right now aren't I?' She muttered with a forced, uneasy laugh. It was the first time she'd well and truly been away from the six year old in the last two years.

'You have been like a mum to her, it's a given for you to have separation anxieties'

'I'm not her mum'

'No, but what you've done Brooke is so brave, we're all really proud of you, you know?'

She teared up. 'I'd do anything for P Sawyer' She murmured.

'And that's why you're her best friend'

'I've got the keys' Michael interrupted, jangling the car rental's keys in front of them. Nathan snatched them. 'Parking lot A5' He muttered in response to Nathan's demanding look.

The three of them headed toward the said car park to retrieve their car when Brooke's cell started buzzing. She fumbled in the depths of her handbag, shoving her other bag- which was filled with items for Peyton, into Nathan's unprepared arms. She finally found it, quickly pressing it to her ear, expecting to hear Haley's voice.

'Is this Miss Davis?'

'Yes?' Brooke's brow furrowed. If this was something to do with work she was going to personally murder her mother. She'd given strict instructions not to be called under any circumstances.

'Hello, I'm Jane Harlow and I'm calling you from Houma General Hospital, Louisiana'

'R-right' Brooke stuttered, her stomach instantly tied in knots. 'What, what is this about?'

'I'm sorry to be calling so late but a patient gave us your name. Are you an acquaintance of Peyton Scott?'

'Hello Darling, oh thank god you're awake. I've been so worried' Ian bent forward from his seat.

Peyton's eyes were half open. She'd been asleep for several hours. It took her a second to realise exactly where she was, exactly why she was here.

'S-Saw-yer' she managed croakily.

'Sawyer's fine, she's fine, one of the nurses is looking after her' He held her hand, the hand that wasn't encased in a plaster cast, the arm that wasn't broken. 'You're going to be ok' He nodded quietly. 'We can go home soon and forget all about this hey?'

'Sir I'm going to have to ask you to step outside' Peyton's doctor appeared.

'What? Why, can't you see my wife needs me here right now'

'Sir there are some officers waiting outside, they'd like to talk to you'

'What?'

'They just want to ask you a few questions. You either go calmly or I'm afraid I'll have to call security'

His eyes narrowed and his head swiveled to look into Peyton's blood shot eyes. 'What did you tell them?' He growled.

'N-noth-'

'She's making it up. She's delusional. She-'

'Mr Banks please step outside'

He clenched his fists and Peyton watched him shake with anger.

The abrupt transformation was terrifying.

His hand abruptly swiped out and hit the silver medical tray, knocking all it's equipment clattering to the floor. 'God damn it Peyton' He shouted.

The two nurses took a fearful step back and Peyton grimaced.

'Mr Banks' The doctor said sternly. 'I'm not going to ask you again'

It was then that he pulled out his gun and Peyton's breath became short for a whole different reason.

Panic.

The memories that she'd tried to repress, the details of Grace's death flooded her. She didn't want to watch anyone die again, not because of her.

'I-Ian please'

'Shut up. Just shut up. I don't want to hear a fucking word from you' He kept his gun trained on the medical staff. 'You're all going to listen to me' He snapped, his brow furrowed and grim beads of sweat trailing down his forehead. 'You're going to help me get her out of here. Do you understand? There'll be no fucking security, no fucking around. If you do anything I don't tell you to do then I won't have any problem with shooting your brains out, do you get me?'

'Mr Banks-'

'Do you understand?'

'Y-yes. But Mr Banks, Peyton's not out of the woods just yet, it's vital that she stay in hospital for a minimum of four days given her condition' The Doctor responded calmly.

He closed his eyes and kicked at the bed in frustration. Peyton winced as a stabbing cramp spread down her chest with the jolt.

'Peyton's got a chest tube in, it's important that she stay still, it's important that she rests' The older man stressed.

'Shut up. Just shut up'

The steady beeping sound that had been coming from the monitor suddenly morphed into one singular, alarming moan.

Ian's stare fixated on Peyton. Her eyes were closed unlike moments before.

'What's that noise? What's wrong with her?'

'I don't know' The doctor strode forward.

'Did I tell you to move? Stay where you fucking are'

'Mr Banks if you truly care for Peyton you'll let us see to her' The doctor ignored the gun being wavered in his direction, striding forward bravely. 'Do you love her?'

'I just want her to be ok'

'Then step aside. Son, I know you're upset but Peyton could die if you don't let us take care of her' The professional stated gently. 'Give me the gun and move aside'

Ian shifted his weight, confusion masking his face.

'I know you love her Ian, she'd want you to do this'

He shakily handed over the weapon, his shoulders slouching in defeat as he haphazardly kissed her forehead repeatedly before staggering backward.

The nurses and doctor dashed to the bed and began assessing the situation.

'She can't breathe'

'Fix it' He shouted. 'Will she be alright? Please help her' He stumbled back into the wall, sloping down the hard surface and cradling his head is hands. 'I'm sorry, please don't let her die, please, fix her. Please'