"What the hell just happened?" Lucas mumbled to Haley and Peyton as they waited for Nathan to finish getting his ankle set and for news on Brooke.
"She lost it," Peyton shrugged. "When the three of us were like, fourteen, we used to go there to drink and talk. But it became Brooke's breakdown spot."
"But I don't understand," Haley said. "Was she trying to kill herself?"
Peyton shook her head. "I don't think Brooke actually wants to die. I think she's resigned herself to it."
Haley nodded. "She's accepted it as an inevitability."
Lucas put his face in his hands. "What are we gonna do? How do we fix it?"
Haley rubbed his shoulder gently. "We can't, Luke."
He snapped his face up. "There's always something."
Haley shrugged sadly. "Maybe not this time."
Lucas looked as though he was going to retort but Nathan was being wheeled over to them. His leg was encased in a blue cast up to his knee. Haley put her hand to her mouth and rushed over to take him from the nurse. After talking to the nurse for a couple of minutes, Haley brought Nathan over to where they sat.
"How bad is it?" Lucas asked wearily.
"Fractured my ankle and my shin," Nathan said emotionlessly.
"I'm sorry-"
"You did what you had to do," Nathan said resolutely, cutting him off. "How's Brooke?"
"No news," Peyton replied. Jake came jogging in, dropping a kiss to Peyton's forehead and waving at the rest.
"What is it with you people and accidents?" Jake sighed as he sat down.
"Where's Jenny?" Peyton asked. "It's four AM."
"My parents are watching her. They understood I needed to be here."
Peyton smiled softly and leaned her head on his shoulder. Just a few months ago, she was convinced she was in love with the blonde sitting across from her. She had lost the brunette struggling for her life down the hall. It would almost be perfect, if Brooke was simply napping and they were hanging out in Nathan and Haley's apartment instead of a hospital waiting room.
"How am I going to tell Chance?" Lucas said suddenly. Peyton looked over at him.
"Take it from a girl who's lost a lot. You don't tell her."
"She has to know."
"You can tell her that Brooke's chances don't look good," Peyton argued, "but you never tell her about tonight. If you let her know that Brooke is losing hope, she will, too."
Lucas sighed. "I guess you're right."
"I know I am," Peyton smirked. She yawned and they all fell silent in their musings. Peyton began to think back on the last two years; she and Brooke had more fallings out in that time period than they had ever had. But they had also had more bonding experiences, she realized.
"What are you thinking about?" Haley asked. "I just need to fill the silence."
"I was thinking about how even though I fucked up a lot these past two years, Brooke and I have managed to be closer than before," Peyton replied.
Lucas looked at her accusingly. "Wish I could say the same."
Jake looked uncomfortably between the two. "I'm gonna go get us coffees."
Peyton watched him go before turning back to Lucas. "It takes two, Lucas."
"It didn't last time," Lucas growled. "She would have trusted me if you weren't always begging for my attention."
"That's really not fair," Peyton replied, biting back her anger.
"You wedged yourself between us. We could have gotten her help way earlier if it wasn't for you."
"Hey!" Haley interrupted. "Lucas, that is not fair and you know it. Peyton has nothing to do with why Brooke didn't go to anyone for help."
"Yes she does!" Lucas retorted. "She felt like you and Nathan were pushing me to be with Peyton, too."
"I wanted you to do what would make you happy!" Haley exclaimed.
"And I wanted you to pick one this time," Nathan said tiredly. "I was sick of seeing Brooke hurt."
Lucas rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, falling silent. Peyton stared at her feet, guilt starting to consume her. She bit her lip before speaking.
"Why does she even talk to me?" Peyton whispered.
"Because she loves you," Haley said reassuringly. She glared at Lucas and kneeled in front of Peyton. "You're her number one priority. You know she'd do anything for you. And even though you made mistakes, when it comes down to it, I know you'd do anything to fix this."
Peyton nodded and hugged the girl in front of her. Lucas sighed and stood up.
"I need to walk. I just-I can't be in here."
They all watched him as he stalked out into the fresh air.
"Should I go after him?" Haley asked tiredly.
"Give him time," Nathan said. "And sit down, Hales, you need rest. This can't be good for the baby."
Haley sighed and sat, leaning her head on Nathan and closing her eyes. Jake returned with the coffees, making sure to give his girlfriend a reassuring squeeze and some sweet whispers.
An hour later, Jake was the only one awake, and Lucas was still nowhere to be found.
"Are you here for Brooke Davis?" Dr. Grant asked. He then took in the group and shook his head. "I should have known it'd be you six."
Jake shook Peyton, Haley, and Nathan awake. The doctor took a breath and looked around.
"Where's Lucas?"
"He went outside for a bit," Haley explained. "How's Brooke?"
"As I'm sure you all know, her condition has been deteriorating. She really worked herself up and it doesn't look like she's been eating or sleeping properly. Brooke's chances have been looking grim, but she's only going to exacerbate the process by not taking care of herself."
Haley nodded. "Is there really not anything else that can be done at all?"
"We can try a bone marrow transplant," the doctor said. "We've all ready checked our banks, and we had no matches. If you're interested, we can see if any of you are a match, but it's very unlikely."
They all immediately said yes. "It's Tree Hill. The unlikely is more likely," Nathan explained. Dr. Grant laughed.
"Brooke is asleep. She's simply exhausted herself, but she should be allowed to go home either tomorrow or the next day."
"I'll go get Lucas," Peyton suggested. "What room?"
"315," Dr. Grant replied. The others went off while Peyton walked outside, where she found Lucas hunched against the wall. He had obviously fallen asleep.
"Luke. Come on, Luke, wake up," she said. He slowly opened his eyes. He sat up instantly.
"How's Brooke?"
"She's resting," Peyton explained. "We're allowed to go see her for a bit."
Lucas hesitated before standing up. "I think-I think I'm just going to go home."
"Lucas-"
"I just. I need time."
As he started to walk away, Peyton couldn't help herself. "You don't have much of that left!" she shouted after him. He spun on her.
"Has it ever occurred to you that this is like, karma?" Lucas yelled back at her. "That we hurt her so bad, that we don't deserve to have her anymore? So she's being taken away from us."
"That's not true, Lucas," Peyton rationalized. "You know that. But the more you act like a child, the worse this is going to be. For you and for Brooke."
"I hate you, Peyton," Lucas growled. "You ruined my life."
Peyton had had enough. "We ruined our lives! You kissed me back. You wanted me when you were with Brooke. You used her as a toy because you couldn't be with me!"
"Stop," Lucas said suddenly.
"NO!" Peyton yelled back. "You pin it all on me. Everyone does. The only one who didn't was Brooke! She understood that even though you did end up falling for her, you didn't give a shit back then."
"You don't know what you're talking about."
"I know more than anyone," Peyton hissed, her eyes filling with tears. "I didn't do the right thing for my best friend then, but so help me God, Lucas, I will do it now. You have no right to act victimized by this. Any time you lost with Brooke was your own damn fault."
With that, she stormed off back into the building, leaving Lucas stunned in her wake.
When she entered the room, Brooke was groggily talking softly to their friends. She looked up and lit up before her face fell.
"Where's Luke?"
"Karen was worried sick," Peyton lied. "He promised he'd come by in the morning."
Brooke nodded. "I'm sorry, Peyton."
"It was all one big accident," Peyton said, hugging Brooke tightly. "No one is mad."
"I'm a little mad," Nathan said suddenly. "I'm mad you didn't tell us it was so bad, or that we could be tested to help you."
Brooke looked at her blanket guiltily. "I know. I'm sorry."
Nathan sighed heavily. "Brooke, you have got to let us all the way in. You can't do this alone. Like it or not."
She nodded and smiled crookedly. "I love you all. I hope you know that."
"We know," Haley said, kissing her on the cheek. "Get some rest. We'll be back in the morning."
Box Up All The Butterflies
Derek watched from down the hall as Peyton, Jake, Haley, and Nathan left Brooke's hospital room. He smirked to himself, taking note that Brooke's loyal watchdog boyfriend was nowhere to be found. He entered the room quietly. Brooke's eyes were shut, her breathing deep and even. He sat in the chair beside her bed, gently pushing a piece of her hair away from her face. She sighed happily and leaned into his hand sleepily.
Derek found her bag in the corner, easily finding the house key. He grinned to himself and kissed Brooke on the head before leaving the room unnoticed.