Chapter 08 – Stay with me.


Lily and Lucas were at the hospital, waiting anxiously for a word on Karen. Lily had her head placed on Lucas shoulder and tears were flowing from her eyes.

"What's taking them so long," Lily said as she was now losing her patience. It was almost an hour since paramedics brought Karen to the hospital. Sam was also called because she's been treating Karen for her diabetes for last four years, and knew her medical history.

"Please Lily, mom is going to be alright," Lucas assured his sister but deep down inside, he was as much scared as Lily was.

"I can't loose mom," Lily said and began crying again.

"Lily, we're not losing her…"

"She was fine…what happened to her all of sudden?"

"Doctors are working on her..."

"Mom has to be fine…I lived without my father all my life, and I'm not ready to live without my mother."

Lucas closed his eyes and held his sister tight; he was also not ready to live without his mother either.


Brook was at the airport with Shawn waiting for her flight back to Tree Hill, and Julian was also with her.

"I'm glad that we spend some time together and talked," Julian said picking Shawn up who was sleepy now.

"Me too…It was nice."

"Tell Rebecca and Davis that I'll soon meet them."

"I'll tell them and make sure next time you'll not screw up."

"I promise, it won't happen again..." Julian assured Brook, "If everything goes well, I shall pay them a visit next week."

"Julian…that'll be great," Brook was happy to hear that, "Rebecca and Davis will love that."

"I know…I'm also missing them."

Before they could talk any further, they heard the announcement that flight for tree Hill is ready to takeoff.

"So I guess, it's time to say goodbye," Julian said and gave Shawn back to Brook.

"Yes, it's time…"

"I'll walk with you…if you don't mind."

"Of course not…" Brook also wanted that.

They both walked slowly towards the port and reached the main exit.

"Brook..." Julian said from behind while she was walking towards the plane.

"Yes…" Brook stopped and turned around.

"I just wanna say goodbye."

"Goodbye…"

Julian saw Brook walking away, he wanted to say those words to her, but he couldn't…


Haley was lying on her bed, she wanted to sleep, but she couldn't. She had no clue why she's getting so worried, Jamie wasn't a child, and it wasn't the first time he was late. She couldn't resist herself any longer and dialed Jamie's number. She heard the dial tone but Jamie didn't answer. She dialed again but got the same response.

"Jamie honey, please pick up the phone," Haley was now getting really worried.

She dialed many times but it seemed Jamie wasn't interested in answering her. It wasn't like her son; she knew Jamie always answers her phone, and now she was sweating.. She came out in the living room. Nathan and Cooper were now watching a basketball game. She came to them and saw Deb coming downstairs.

"I thought you were sleeping," Deb said looking at Haley and both Nathan and Copper also turned towards her.

"Haley, are you alright?" Nathan could easily guess that his wife was upset.

"Nathan…Jamie is not answering my phone…I've been calling him for so long."

"Haley…just give him a break," Nathan said without even thinking.

"But why is he not answering," Haley said with an angry voice which was directed towards Nathan, she wasn't very pleased with her husband.

"Nathan…Haley is right, at least Jamie has to answer," Copper said, "I also think he should be home by now."

"I also agree." Deb said as she knew how worried Haley was and maybe one call from her son could calm her down.

"Sorry Haley, I'll call him," Nathan said and dialed Jamie's number from his cell, and again there was no response.

"He not is picking up my phone either," Nathan said and dialed Jamie's number again.

"What's going on," now it was Nathan's turn to get worried.

"Oh my God…I'm having a very bad feeling…" Haley held her head and sat on the sofa her whole body was shaking now.

"Relax Haley…he might be stuck somewhere, and just look at the weather" Deb said and sat with Haley.

"Maybe he's just teasing you," Copper gave his opinion.

"No Uncle Cooper, Jamie always answers our calls; there has to be something wrong." Nathan was also worried now.

"Maybe he just dropped his cell at Dan, and now he's heading this way," Copper said.

"Yes, I think that may be the reason," Deb also agreed with her brother.

"I hope you are right," Haley sighed.


Peyton was getting ready so she can go to the hospital. Ever since she got the call from Lucas, she was worried sick, she lost her mother not once but twice and she didn't want her husband to go through same pain. Sawyer was with her holding Brian, who was silently looking at his mother.

"Ok Sawyer, I'm leaving for the hospital; can I trust you with Brian and Anna?"

"Yes mom, I'll take care of them, dad needs you."

"Thanks, I'm so proud of you," Peyton said and moved towards the main door.

"Mom…" Sawyer said from behind and Peyton turned towards her.

"Yes honey."

"Will grandma going to be alright," Sawyer said with a low voice, Peyton could see that how worried her daughter was; her kids loved their grandmother.

"Yes she'll be alright…Just pray for her," Peyton said to her concerned daughter, "I just called Jenny and she'll be here any minute."

"Ok mom, go… I'll be fine."


Lucas and Lily were pacing hard. They wanted to know what's going on with their mother. Door opened and Sam came out.

"Lucas, Lily…" Sam said coming towards them, and they immediately ran towards her.

"How's our mom?" Lucas demanded.

"Please tell us," Lily said coming in front.

Sam looked at both of them. She could see that how worried sick they were.

"She's…" Sam took a pause.

"Please Sam tell us," Lucas yelled.

"She's fine," Sam said and then starts smiling looking at their faces.

Both Lily and Lucas felt like someone just lifted a ton from their chest.

"But what happened with her?" Lucas asked as he wanted to know what caused his mother to collapse.

"Her blood sugar got very high, but now we have controlled it," Sam told Lucas, "You know it'll take some time for her blood sugar to reach its normal level, but she'll be fine."

"Thanks Sam..."

"Come on Lucas…it is my job."

"I'm so grateful that you came," Lucas said, "I knew that you had a day off, and you were looking after Brook's kids."

"I know, but my job comes first…"

"Can I see mom?" Lily said looking at Sam with puppy eyes.

"Yes Lily you can see her, but she needs rest, and we have to keep her for the night."

"I don't care…all I know is that mom is going to be ok," Lily wipes her tears and ran towards Karen's room.

"Ok Lucas, I have to tell you this, your mother needs some break."

"And she is going to take it…"

"Sam…" her superior Dr. Andrews came out, he was an elderly man with white hairs, but he was tall and broad and had bold personality. Everyone loved and respected him.

"Yes Mr. Andrews," Sam answered.

"I know I gave you a time off, but now it's an emergency, paramedics are bringing two people, and both are the cases of gunshot wounds."

"Oh my God…what happened?" Sam was concerned.

"Two people were shot in a small store located at west side of the town, one of them is shot in the shoulder, and he's going to be fine, but the other one is in very serious condition, and we have to prepare him for the emergency surgery."

"That's terrible," Lucas said feeling so bad for the two people who were shot.

"Yes Mr. Scott, it is indeed terrible, and one of the victims is a teenage boy."

"What kind of devil could do that?" Lucas felt sick, "God, help them both…"

"Ok Mr. Andrew, I'll be ready in no time," Sam said and walked away.


Karen was lying on the hospital bed with her eyes closed; she was feeling lot better now. Door opened and Lily slowly entered the room and placed her hand on her mother's hand. Karen opened her eyes and saw her daughter who had tears in her eyes.

"Lily…" Karen got up and wiped away her tears.

"Mom, don't you dare do that to me again…"

"Honey I'm sorry…but I'm alright now."

"From this day forward, I'll be taking care of you, and I'm not letting you out of my sight!"

"Please Lily…You have a college to attend, and beside other people are here to take care of me."

"Mom…I was so afraid," tears again fell from her eyes.

"Lily, come here," Karen held her daughter in her arms.

Door opened and Lucas entered the room.

"Mom, are you alright now," Lucas asked and sat beside his mother.

"Yes I'm perfectly fine, I don't know why doctors are still keeping me," Karen wasn't comfortable.

"No mom, you're staying here tonight," Lucas ordered.

"Fine…" Karen sighed.

"Ok mom, I'm going to washroom so I can clean my face," Lily said and stood up.

"I also think it's a good idea.

Lily went inside the washroom and Karen turned to Lucas, she could see the tension on her son's face.

"Please Lucas, I'm fine."

"It's not you mom…" Lucas said, "Dr. Andrews just told me a moment ago that two people were shot and one of them is a teenage boy."

"Oh my God…" Karen gasped, "Are they ok!"

"One of them is in serious condition"

"I hope it's not that boy, his family is going to be devastated!"

"Yes, I'm also thinking the same."

"Did you called Andy?"

"Yes I called him and he's coming."

"Fine…"

"Damn!!!" Lucas shook his head.

"What's wrong now?" Karen asked in concern.

"I forgot to call Haley and Nathan."

"I'm glad you didn't," Karen said, "They have a big day tomorrow, and beside I'm alright now."

"Yes you are right…but I must call Peyton."


Peyton was about to open the door of the car, her cell began ringing, and it was Lucas.

"I'm just on my way…is Karen ok?"

"Relax Peyton…mom is alright and there's no need for you to come."

"Really…thanks God," Peyton was relived.

"Lucas…are you sure, I can come if you want me."

"No Peyton, its ok…I'm also coming home in an hour."

"Ok, I love you."

"I love you too…bye."

Peyton came inside the house and saw Sawyer holding Brian, he was still awake.

"Mom, why are you back?" Sawyer was surprised to see her mother.

"Your grandma is going to be fine."

"Thanks good…" Sawyer was also relived.

"Sawyer, please give him to me," Peyton was concerned why her son was not sleeping. Sawyer gave Brian to her. She checked his temperature and it was normal.

"I know mom why you're worried," Sawyer said looking at her mother's concerned face, "I'm also trying my best to get him to sleep."

"Ok, I'll call Jenny now, there's no need for her to come, and you better go to bed; tomorrow we have to go to your Uncle and Aunt."


Lucas was sitting with Karen and helping her taking her medicine.

"I thought Lily went to clean her face...." Lucas said looking at the washroom.

"I'm coming…," Lily yelled from washroom and both Lucas and Karen laughed; it was good to see old Lily back.

All of a sudden, door opened and Sam entered the room. Both Lucas and Karen could see that she was in a shock and her face was pale.

"Lucas, please come outside with me, I have to tell you something."

"What is it…is anything wrong with my mom?" Lucas stood up; he wasn't ready to take another bad news.

"Please Lucas…your mom is alright…just come with me outside," both Lucas and Karen could feel that her voice was shaking and something was really wrong.

"Ok Lucas, go with her…" Karen assured her son.

Lucas came out and Sam took him to a corner.

"Please what I'm about to tell you is going to be very hard…I want you to be strong."

"Sam what is going on?" Lucas was now having butterflies in his stomach.

"You know Dr. Andrews told you about the two people who were shot."

"Yes I know…what it has to do with me?"

"Lucas…the teenage boy who was shot is the one who is in serious condition, and he is…"

"Sam, please just tell me." Lucas was now losing his patience.

"Lucas…he is Jamie…"

"WHAT!!!" Lucas felt like some just hit him with a steel pipe, right on his head.

"You…you're lying…tell me it's a sick joke…" Lucas didn't want to believe that, something that bad couldn't happen to his nephew.

"I wish I was lying…but it's him."

Lucas held his head with both hand and starts shaking his head. If was a nightmare, and he wanted it to end.

"Lucas, get hold of yourself," Sam grabbed Lucas, "We'll save him."

"How…how could this happen…" Lucas yelled and threw his hands in the air.

Before Sam could calm down Lucas, She saw Dr. Andrews coming towards them.

"Mr. Scott, may I have a word with you." Dr. Andrew came in front of Lucas.

"Please sir, save my nephew." Lucas pleaded.

"We'll try our best but I have to be honest with you…" Dr. Andrews took a pause, "Things aren't looking good for your nephew."

"Please, don't say that!" Lucas said with a pain in his voice.

"Mr. Scott…your nephew was beaten up pretty badly, his ribs have been broken and they pierced through his left lung," Dr Andrews explained, "Those animals didn't stop there, they shot him in the left side of his abdomen and your nephew has lost too much blood."

"Who were they…" Lucas wanted to know who can do such an inhuman act to Jamie.

"All I can say that they weren't humans…"

"Please you have to save him."

"I can't promise you anything, but I'll try my best." Dr. Andrew said and left.

Lucas held his head and dropped down on his knees. He lost his Uncle who was like a father to him, and now he's losing a nephew who is like a son to him.


Sam was preparing herself for the surgery and this time she knew it was the hardest surgery she had to do. Haley and Brook saved her, and now it was her time to save the one who was so dear to them. Her cell began ringing and it was her husband Jack Daniels.

"Hello Sam…"

"Yes Jack…"

"I guess Jamie has been brought here."

"Yes they have brought him in…what kind of animal could do that to a person like Jamie." Sam blurted out but then realized she wasn't supposed to say those words to him, "Jack…I'm sorry."

"Sam, you don't have to be sorry, I know what my brother did when he killed Quentin, only reason why I became a cop is not to let this happen to anyone else, but I guess I failed…"

"Jack…" Sam could feel the pain in husband's voice, "Do you have any leads?"

"Yes we found out that they were three people, and I think that clerk's testimony will help us a lot."

"I just want those monsters to burn in hell!"

"Don't you worry, I'll get them, and they'll pay…"

"Is there something else?"

"Yes, my superiors want me to call Nathan and Haley, how ironic!"

"I know Jack…I can see the picture, and it's very scary!"


"It's really getting late," Copper said looking at his watch, "I think we better look for him ourselves."

"I'm also coming with you," Haley stood up.

"Haley, please let us handle this," Nathan turning to his wife, "Why are you making it such a big deal?

"I SAID I'M COMING!!!" Haley yelled and everyone froze.

"Haley, please calm down."

"Don't you dare tell me to calm down," Haley was now frustrated, "My son hasn't returned home, and you want me to relax."

"Ok Haley you can come," Nathan knew he has to surrender to his wife.

Bur before they could move Nathan cell began ringing.

"It's about time," Nathan said looking at his cell, "Its Jamie."

Everyone was relieved to hear that.

"Jamie, do you have any idea how late it is…your mother is…what Jack Daniels?"

Everyone could see the change in Nathan's voice.

"What's wrong," Cooper asked.

"Jack is answering Jamie's phone,"

"What do you mean by that?" Haley demanded.

"Please Haley let me talk," Nathan said and placed his cell back to his ears.

"Ok Jack what's wrong, where is my son."

Everyone was looking at Nathan; they wanted to know where Jamie was.

All of sudden Nathan's expression changed and his face turned pale, and it was enough to tell them that some was not right.

"What is wrong," Haley asked in shaking voice.

Nathan was silent; he was having trouble explaining this to his wife. He just got the worse news of his life.

"Haley…" Nathan's voice was shaking.

"WILL YOU JUST TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG," Haley lost her patience.

"Jamie…Jamie is in a hospital…someone shot him…"

Haley felt like someone just snatched her heart from her chest, she knew something was wrong with her son, but something like that…she wasn't prepared. She came to her husband and grabbed him from his collar.

"You are lying…this can't happen to our son," Haley's hands were shaking and Nathan was silent, he didn't know what to say to his wife. On the other hand, Cooper and Deb were as much shocked; they knew their darkest hours has just begun.

"Nathannn….." before Haley could say anything she fell on the floor, and began gasping. Everyone ran towards her and Nathan broke out of his trance.

"Haley…Jack told me that Jamie is alive…they took him to a hospital…he's going to be alright," Nathan said but his own voice was shaking.

"Please take me to him," Haley said and tears started to flow from her eyes.

"I'll take you two," Copper said as he knew his nephew was in no shape to drive.

"Ok Uncle Copper, we're getting in the car."

Copper came to Deb, "I hate to say this to you, but someone has to stay with the kids."

"I know…Jamie…" Deb was about to break loose but Cooper stopped her.

"Please Deb; don't do this in front of Nathan and Haley…"

"You are right," Deb wiped away her tears.

"Ok Uncle Copper we are ready," Nathan said, he was holding Haley who could barley walk.

"Ok…" Copper said and then all three of them left.

Deb entered her room and then fell to her knees, this time she couldn't control herself.


Karen was lying with her eyes closed; she was awake but relaxing herself. Lily was sitting with her in a comfortable chair, and she was yawning. Door opened and Lucas entered, both opened their eyes but immediately got up after they noticed how upset Lucas was.

"Lucas what happened…what did Sam told you?" Karen asked, but she could easily guess that something was not right.

"Lucas why are you so upset," Lily was also worried.

"Mom…" tears started to flow from his eyes and Karen knew something terrible just happened.

"Please Lucas…you are scaring me."

"Mom, Jamie was shot…he's dying," Lucas finally spoke those hearts wrenching words.

Karen all of sudden remembered the conversation she had with Lucas moment ago. That teenage boy was Jamie? Karen was shocked.

"Someone, just tell me it's a joke," Lily yelled, she couldn't believe that her best friend was dying.

"He's in the operating room," Lucas said and sat on the chair and Lily just stood there with her mouth open in shock.

Karen was as much shocked, but she knew she has to be strong.

"You two, please calm down."

"How can we calm down, just explain this to us?" Lucas gave a desperate look to his mother.

"I know, what Jamie means to you, but right now he needs you to be strong."

"Mom…I don't know what kind of hell Haley and Nathan will be in…Sam told me that they got the news."

Karen gasped, she could see the picture, and it was very horrible.

"That's why I want you to be strong," Karen said holding herself, "Your brother and your best friend need you right now."

"I guess you are right, I'm going outside." Lucas stood up.

"Ok, just give me your cell; I think Peyton and Brook also need to know."

"Here…take it," Lucas handed her his cell, "I'll be outside."

Lily came to her mother and placed her head on Karen's shoulder.

"Why mom why, first you and now Jamie, why it's happening?"

"Pray Lily, Jamie needs it right now."


Peyton was sitting in Brian's room, trying her best to get him to sleep.

"Come on baby, sleep," Peyton was now getting worried why Brian was not sleeping.

Her cell phone rang and when she saw Lucas number.

"Hi honey, you were supposed to be home by now." Peyton said putting Brian back in his cradle.

"Peyton it's me," On other side, it was Karen's voice.

"Karen…" Peyton was surprised, "How are you, I was worried."

"I'm fine…but someone else is not."

"What?" Peyton was confused, "Is Lucas alright?"

"Physically… he is alright, but emotionally he's a wreck."

"Karen, just tell me clearly what is wrong." Peyton could feel the butterflies in her stomach.

"A moment ago we just find out that Jamie went to a store to get a drink and then in a shop lift he was shoot."

"What???" Peyton grabbed the side of the cradle, before she could lose her balance, "How bad it is?"

"It's bad...Jamie is in very serious condition and doctors are trying their best to save him."

"Are Nathan and Haley there?"

"No, but they got the news…I just can't imagine what they are going though right now."

"Ok, I'll call dad, as soon as he come, I'll come to the hospital,"

"Thanks Peyton, you should be here…"

"Ok, I'll see you soon."

Tears were flowing from Peyton's eyes, she knew what it's like to loose a parent, but losing a child, that was unbearable.

"Please God, don't do this…don't let me witness a death of a child."


Cooper parked his car. Nathan and Haley came out and ran towards the reception.

"I'm Nathan Scott and that's my wife Haley, our son was brought here."

Receptionist looked at them.

"So you're the parents of James Scott, he's in surgery."

All of sudden Haley spot Lucas and ran towards him.

"My baby…" Haley buried her face in Lucas chest began crying hard.

"He's going to be fine," Lucas said holding his best friend; it was killing him to see her like that.

"How can someone do this to my child?"

"I've been asking myself the same question…"

"I can't lose him, not like that…"

"We will not going to lose him!"

"My kids need their big brother!"

"Please Haley pray to God…Just come and sit with mom."

"Yes, I want to be with Karen right now."

Lucas took Haley to Karen's room.


Brook's plane landed safely on the ground; it was a rough ride due to upcoming storm but everything went fine. Brook was holding Shawn, who was now sleeping. She knew her son was a heavy sleeper. Brook called the cab and gave driver the address.

As the cab was moving, Brook saw many people gathered at a fuel station and whole place covered with yellow ribbons.

"Look like something big just happened here," Driver said looking at the cops.

"Yes you are right on that one," Brook agreed.

All of sudden they saw a man coming towards them.

"Hey Gary, what happened here?" Driver asked and it was obvious that they knew each other.

"You'll not believe it; some robber came and shot a clerk and a kid."

"Man…that's terrible," Driver said and Brook also felt sad.

"That clerk is going to be fine, but I don't think that kid will make it."

"Please go, I don't like it here." Brook was getting sick to hear that.

"Fine…" Driver said and drove away from that place.


Nathan was pacing hard, only thing that was coming in his mind was that how could he let this happen to his son.

"Hey little brother," Lucas said coming towards Nathan.

"Man how can I let this happen to my son," Nathan said resting his back on the wall.

"Nathan, it is not your fault."

"It is…It's my job as a father to protect my children." Nathan held his head, "Someone just take my whole wealth, my own life…"

Lucas could feel the pain in his brother voice.

"He will pull out, he's a Scott."

"I know, my son is a fighter…"


Haley was sitting with Karen; tears were still flowing from her eyes. Karen was holding her. She could feel her pain. Twice in her life she came so close to lose Lucas, but both time he pulled through and this time they needed the same from Jamie. Lily left them a moment ago and went to chapel so she can pray.

"Why my child…"

"Haley, everything is going to be alright."

"I don't deserve that," Haley said looking at Karen's eyes and Karen felt so bad for her. Karen had no answer. Losing a child is a mother's worst nightmare and she didn't this to come true for Haley.


Jamie was now in the surgery. He was covered in wires and surgeon were almost finished removing the fragments of bullets from his wound, which was big and deep.

"We must now cover up the wound," Dr. Andrews said.

All of a sudden monitor starts beeping and Jamie's heart rate began to drop rapidly.

"We are losing him," yelled one of the surgeons "We need to give him a shock."

One of the surgeons gave Jamie the electric shock, but his heart totally stopped and monitors were now showing the flat line.

"Damn his heart stopped, increase the pressure."

Another shock was given to Jamie, more intense than the first, but still there was no change; it was still a flat line.

Sam immediately came to Jamie, "Please Jamie I know you are strong, fight it."

Another shock was given to Jamie, but again they got no pulse, no heartbeat.

"Jamie, please don't do this, so many people love you and need you don't die on them," Sam pleaded Jamie with tears in her eyes.

Another shock was given to him and…


Ok, don't hate me. I'm leaving you with another cliffhanger; please bare with me on this one. I'll try my best to post my next chapter this coming Sunday.

I want to thank everyone who reviewed especially AnnOTH21, -Dukeforver- and Sally1212, I wrote this chapter fast for you, I was planning to post this chapter on Saturday, but I'm posting it now.

I'll be waiting for the reviews…