Here, There, and Everywhere

~What there always is though, no matter if you're here or there, is an ending. (Skyla Moorman)

Lucas sat solemnly, eyes trained on the second hand of the clock as he waited for news on the woman who was carrying his unborn children. He couldn't believe it had come to this. He'd been so happy before the tornado hit, even if it had been for a few short minutes, he and Brooke had been happy. Now he wanted to scream, hit someone or something but all he could do was sit and wait; counting the seconds that seemed to etch on for days.

"Dr. Palmer," he immediately recognized the man approaching them as Brooke's doctor and stood up, followed by Karen.

"Ms. Roe, Mr. Scott," he gave them a courteous nod. "This is Dr. Alvarez, the neo-natal specialist."

"Hello," Karen shook the woman's hand. "How is she; how are the babies?"

"The surgery was a success," the male doctor spoke first. "We were able to drain the pericardial sac as needed and everything seems to be functioning properly at this point. We were also able to stop the internal bleeding fairly quickly due to a puncture in her chest. We did have to set her pelvis with a cast previously, and secured her ribs to minimize movement."

"I was there to keep an eye on the health of the babies during the surgery, and so far they are doing extremely well," Dr. Alvarez paused briefly. "There was a point during the surgery where they were not receiving enough oxygen but it was corrected almost immediately and I don't foresee any complications regarding that in the foreseeable future. Although there are no guarantees, the babies' heart rates are strong. Brooke's recovery though will definitely help determine their recovery; a healthy mom equals healthy children."

"Now she still has a long road ahead but as of now she is out of immediate danger," Dr. Palmer added.

Lucas nodded before glancing at his mother and then to the doctor. "Can we see her?"

"She's being moved to recovery but once she's settled, I'll let you know," he answered. "If there are no other questions…"

"Thank you," Karen reached out to shake his hand before turning to the female doctor and shaking her hand as well. "Thank you both."

"She's okay," Lucas nodded, his eyes glazed over with unshed tears. "They all have to be okay."

"I know," Karen wrapped her arms around her son. "I know."

"Hey," Jake said as he walked the path towards his house, finding Peyton sitting on the stairs.

"Hey," she said as he sat next to her and placed an arm around her. "Where'd you go?"

"I just dropped Jamie and Jenny off at the park with my mom," he smiled. "She's loving the fact that she's actually getting to be an active grandma to Jenny again and she adores Jamie already."

"Yeah, he's a hard kid not to love." Peyton nodded before giving a small shrug. "I kind of got antsy at the hospital. I just finished dropping off some stuff there; food for everyone and this purple monkey for Brooke."

"Purple monkey huh?" he looked down at the woman in his arms. "Jenny had one of those when she was a baby."

She nodded. "I remember; Brooke had one when she was growing up and she had one here for Angie. It was at Luke's house." She sighed deeply as she thought of her friend. "I feel so guilty about all of this; this is my fault. She went chasing into that storm after me and now she's lying in a hospital bed. She could lose her babies or we could all lose her."

"This isn't your fault Peyton," Jake's voice was sympathetic. "What happened to Brooke was awful but it's not your fault. She came after you because she loves you Peyt."

"And I couldn't love her enough to give her a chance to explain about her and Lucas," her eyes stung as tears formed in them.

"It was a misunderstanding," he tried to comfort her. "And I know that once Brooke makes it through this, you will be able to tell her how sorry you are."

"What if I never get the chance?" green eyes turned up to look at him, searching for an absolution she knew he couldn't give. She was startled by the vibration in her pocket, reaching for her phone she saw it was a number she didn't recognize. "Hello?" Peyton listened to the voice on the other end. "Yes, this is her… okay, I understand. Thank you." She hung up the phone, staring at it in silence, her hands slightly shaking.

"Hey," Jake took her hands in his own. "Peyton," he waited until her eyes meet his. "What is it? Is it Brooke?"

She shook her blonde curls. "They think they may have found Mick."

"Well that's great," he said and then peered at her visibly paler form. "Isn't it?"

"I have to go and see if it's his body," her face was pained. "That was the morgue."

Owen awoke to a flood of sunlight on his face, startled by the suddenness of it all. He stretched in the confines of the uncomfortable hospital chair, turning to see a nurse moving quietly around the room as she checked the numbers on the machines.

"Good morning," the older woman smiled.

"Morning," he offered a polite nod as he sat up in the chair. "No change?"

"Her stats have improved," the woman said as she jotted something down on the chart before returning it to its pocket. "I'm sure it's only a matter of time before she wakes up anyways," she replied as she walked to the door. "If I was twenty years younger and had a young man like you waiting for me, I certainly would."

Owen gave a small laugh as the nurse exited the room before scooting his chair closer to Rachel. "She's right you know," he took one of her hands gently within his own. "I am waiting for you so you need to get up. I can't handle what you told me by myself. I mean look at the way I reacted when Brooke was just taking care of that kid. You know me Rach, I'm not big with commitments and a kid, that's like the biggest commitment and I'm a mess. So you have to get up because I'd never admit this to anyone else, but I'm scared as hell."

He sighed as he reached up to stroke her dark auburn red hair, closing his eyes as he remembered the days they used to sit around lazily in front of the television while he stroked her hair. He went back to clasping her hand, staring down at the blanket.

"Every since I saw you lying there so helpless when me and Jake first found you, I keep thinking about everything that happened between us, you know." He sighed, shaking his head. "And after all that, I'm still here waiting for you; maybe I never stopped, I don't know." Owen let out a frustrated breath. "I thought you'd never be able to say anything else that would've shocked me more than your age back then but congratulations Rach, this took the cake. Hey Owen, you remember when we used to date back when I lied about my age; well what I forgot to tell you is I had your baby, here's a picture, and watch out for the tornado." He scoffed, letting out a small ironic laugh. "You always did know how to make an exit."

"And you," she breathed out, her voice slightly huskier than normal, "you always knew how to be an ass."

The corners of his mouth immediately turned up as he moved closer to her, placing his hand on her cheek. "Baby, you don't know how happy I am to hear your sarcastic voice again."

"I can just about guess," she smiled at him. "Look Owen, I'm really sorry about the way I sprung Oriana on you."

"It's okay," he stroked her cheek with his thumb. "The important thing is you're okay. I'll yell at you later, after I get the doctor." He got up but turned around as he got to the door. "Oriana?"

"Yeah," Rachel nodded. "That's what I named her." She shrugged from her bed. "I'm not sure if they kept it though since my mom won't tell me where my aunt and uncle took her or anything," she watched as he furrowed his brows. "I'll explain everything."

"I'm counting on it," he replied. "You know, Oriana was my grandmother's name."

"I know," she replied before rolling her eyes. "Don't read too much into it; I just liked the name."

"Um-hmm," He nodded with a smile before leaving the room to find her doctor.

Nathan sat by Haley's bedside just looking at her. He hadn't been able to sleep, afraid he'd missed the moment when her warm chestnut eyes opened and stared up at him once again. His eyes were bloodshot from his secret sobs and lack of sleep, still he couldn't bring himself to leave her side except to call and check on Jamie periodically.

"Mr. Scott," Dr. Robbins stepped back into the room. "I've just received Haley's test results…

"And," Nathan urged. "What is it?" He took a moment to glance at his unconscious wife before turning back to the man in front of him.

"There's been a complication," he explained. "In addition to the coma, your wife is now suffering from ICP or intracranial pressure. In layman's terms, her brain has begun swelling."

Nathan blinked hard as he swallowed the lump that suddenly formed in his throat. "So what-what do we do?"

"Well we have Haley on oxygen therapy and IV fluids, as well as broad-spectrum of antibiotics to combat the infection. We've also given her something to help bring her body temperature down and combined with anti-inflammatory medication, we hope to stop the swelling."

"And if that doesn't work?" Nathan crossed his arms over his chest. "What then?"

"We're going to keep a tight watch on her for the next few hours and if the swelling continues, we will be forced to perform a vertriculostomy," Dr. Robbins explained. "It's where we cut a small hole into her skull to drain the excess fluid." He paused briefly. "I know this must all seem overwhelming but we will do our best to get her well."

"Yeah, thanks." Nathan nodded politely although he couldn't control the worry that was etched on his features. He watched the doctor walk out of the room before returning to the chair and holding her hands in his own, leaning his forehead against their intertwined fingers. "You have to wake up Hales, I need you." A tear rolled down his cheek. "I need you so much."

Peyton stood outside the office, clutching Jake's hand in her own. She'd been standing there for fifteen minutes already, unable to bring herself to go in. She was reminded of a time in high school when her father Larry's boat had gone missing and she'd gone to another morgue with Lucas to identify the body. She remembered the feeling of relief when it wasn't him but she wondered what the probabilities were of it not being the person you were looking for twice.

"Do you want me to go in for you?" Jake offered, his heart breaking for her. "We worked together enough; I could do it."

"No," she shook her blonde curls. "I just need another minute." She took a few deep breaths before nodding at the coroner. "I'm ready now."

"Right this way," the man with the glasses said as he picked up a metal clipboard and lead them into an examination room with three slabs covered in blue sheets.

Peyton stepped inside the room slowly, eyes glancing around the room nervously. Even though she hadn't known her biological father very long, he'd made such an impact in her life in such a short time and she couldn't get her mind to stop replaying the last time she'd seen Mick.

"I've never been one who could stay in one place for a long time," he explained. "It's why I wouldn't have made a good father; I have to be on the road, follow the music. It's just who I am."

"I know," she tried to stop her eyes from watering. "Will I see you again?"

"Of course," Mick replied as he stood up, walking over to his guitar case. "I knew we were pretty close to finishing so I made some calls; I'm going to jump on the last of this tour day after tomorrow but I'll be back by the time you get ready to walk down that aisle." He opened up the case and pulled out what looked like a betting chip. "I have something for you; here." He held it out to her.

Peyton took the chip and looked at it curiously before reading the words on it. "One year sober." Her eyes shifted back to the man in front of her. "You do know I saw you have a beer with Jake last night right?"

He laughed. "It's not mine; that chip there was Ellie's. It was from the year she was pregnant with you." He gave a soft laugh as he thought of his one time love. "She was hell bent on staying sober during the pregnancy and a couple months after she gave you up to your parents, she found me; told me all about the wonderful people she'd found to raise you and she gave me this before she left. I've cherished ever since."

"Thank you," Peyton said before throwing her arms around him, grateful for the small token that obviously meant so much. "I really appreciate this."

"You're welcome," Mick hugged her back for a moment before pulling away. "I should get going now; I'll see ya."

"Yeah," Peyton nodded as he picked up his guitar case and walked out of her studio, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I'll see ya."

The coroner moved to the slab closest to the window, giving Peyton a nod as she came to stand beside him, Jake behind her placing a comforting hand against her back. He slowly grasped the blue linen in his hand, raising it up so she could see the man's pale face underneath.

"Oh no," she yelled as she stepped back, tears filling her eyes almost immediately. "No!" She turned to bury her face in Jake's chest.

"It's him," Jake said softly.

"I'm sorry for your loss," the man said quietly. "I'll give you a minute."

"Mick," she cried as she pulled the sheet back, cupping her hand over her mouth to silence the scream she wanted to let out. "I'm so sorry Mick, I'm so sorry. Oh God, why-why? Mick…" She fell upon his chest as she sobbed.

Deb sat in the chapel, quietly praying for her daughter in law and the girl she'd practically watched grow up, willing them both to open their eyes. She hadn't been in this chapel since Dan's heart attack years ago when she found him lying on the floor in the beach house. It was a strange feeling to know that he was gone; for over half her life she loved and hated the man at the same time and for a moment as she sat alone in that chapel, remembering when she'd sobbed there years ago over Nathan as Dan sat beside her, she found herself missing the man he once was for a split second. She hoped against all hope that she would not have to miss two of the most caring young women she'd ever gotten to know.

"Deb," the brunette woman stepped inside the room, smiling at the woman who had become her best friend under the strangest circumstances. "How are you holding up?"

"Karen," she stood up and walked into the other woman's embrace. "Am I ever glad to see you."

"Me too," she replied as she stepped back and they both took a seat on the front pew. "I'm sorry we didn't have anytime to talk when I first arrived; I was busy with the doctors and when I got to the waiting room you were gone."

"It's okay," the blonde nodded. "I had to go relive Jake's parent's. I still can't believe this is happening; Haley has been through enough and god, Brooke has had to endure so much these last few months."

Karen nodded knowingly. "I actually saw Brooke not too long ago. She flew out to see me and she told me about her attack and how much you helped her," she offered her friend a warm smile. "Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me Karen," she shook her head. "I've watched Brooke Davis grow up since she was about four years old. It's true we weren't as close as you two were but I care about her a lot."

"So do I," Karen paused briefly, "as if she were my own daughter."

"Speaking of your own daughter; how is Lily?" Deb segued. "Is it ever hard, I mean doing the whole mother thing after you basically thought you were done raising your child?"

"You'd probably get a different answer if you asked me right after I found out I was pregnant," the brunette gave a slight laugh. "I was happy when I first found out but I was sad because I knew Keith wasn't going to be able to experience it with me. But then again, in a way I feel he's always with me," the smile on her face seemed to glow, "amongst the lilies. Being a mother again, I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world."

"Hmm," Deb nodded. "I think I just needed to hear that. You always did know the right things to say."

"It's a gift," she said as she gave a nonchalant shrug before peering at her friend closely, eyebrows raised. "Deborah Helen Scott…" she started in her best mom voice.

"I'm back to my maiden name Karen," she shot her a look.

"Fine," she replied firmly. "Deborah Helen Lee, are you thinking about having another child?"

"I'd say I passed the stage of thinking and went right ahead to doing," she answered. "I'm pregnant."

"Oh Deb that's wonderful," she embraced her. "Congratulations." She pulled back with an inquiring look. "So, who is he?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," she rolled her eyes coyly.

Karen crossed her arms over her chest. "Try me."

"It's Antwon," she answered. "I really love him Karen, I do."

"Antwon?" her brows furrowed for a moment before her eyes grew wide. "Wait, Antwon as in Skills? I don't believe it."

"I told you wouldn't," she smiled as she looked at her friend's obviously surprised face. "Welcome back to Tree Hill, where's there's never a dull moment."

Skills sat in the hospital chair, flipping aimlessly through a magazine. He couldn't stop thinking about Fergie, Haley, and Brooke. He'd known them all for so long and it was hard imagining his life without any of them in it.

"Hey Man," Junk said as he sat next to him. "Any change with Brooke or Haley?"

"Brooke came out of surgery and she and the babies are okay so far but she's still unconscious," he replied. "Lucas just went in to see her. I think Haley's pretty much the same." He glanced towards Fergie's parents sitting on the other side of the room. "How are they holding up?"

"As okay as they can be," Junk shook his head wearily. "They're worried you know, like we all are."

Skills nodded. "When he gets out of here and everyone's better, we're going to have to do a big thing at the River Court."

"Yeah," Junk's voice didn't sound convincing. "You know, I remember back when it used to be the seven of us: Luke, Haley, you, me, Fergie, Mouth and Jimmy." He exhaled deeply. "Then Haley was with Nathan and Lucas wasn't around as much with basketball. And then Mouth kind of went with Lucas, Jimmy faded out, and then you joined the team too so you were gone and it was just me and Ferg, you know. He's my best friend." His eyes turned to the man beside him, worry written all over his face. "What if he doesn't get out of here?"

"He will," Skills' words were confidant although there was a wavering in his voice. "He has to."

"Mr. and Mrs. Thompson," they both looked up to the voice of the doctor walking towards their friend's parents.

"Yes Dr. Johnson," the African American man said as he and his wife stood up. "How is our son? How did the surgery go?"

Both Skills and Junk walked over to where The Thompson's were standing talking to the doctor.

"As you know we called in a specialist to assess Ferguson's injuries," he spoke calmly. "After assessing the damage and being unsuccessful in raising his temperature, we had to close him back up."

"I don't understand," Maribel's eyes stared at her son's doctor in confusion. "what does that mean?"

"He has too many internal injuries," Dr. Johnson explained. "I'm sorry but we've done everything we can."

"What?" the tears began to flow from her eyes as her husband placed his arm around her. "James?" she looked up at him.

"What do you mean you've done everything you can?" James replied. "There's no hope?"

"When a person's core temperature is below 30º their survival rate is zero percent; that combined with his injuries…I am so sorry but you need to prepare for the worst," he paused briefly, "and you need to go say your goodbyes."

"Goodbyes," Skills repeated softly.

"We are keeping him comfortable but he won't last long," Dr. Johnson said. "If you like, I can take you to him now."

"Okay," Maribel shook her head as she and her husband followed the doctor.

"Go ahead," Skills motioned to Junk. "I need to go get Luke; he should be there too."

"Hey Pretty Girl," Lucas said as he sat in the chair next to Brooke's bed, fighting back the urge to cry as he looked over her broken and beaten body. "The babies are fine," he let his hand just graze over her stomach, afraid he might hurt her. "They're fighters, just like you are." He turned back as the door opened behind him. "Hi Mom."

"Hi my boy," she came to stand beside him before reaching over to stroke a strand of Brooke's hair. "Hello sweetheart, it's me Karen. We're here Brooke, we're here for you." She turned to her son. "How are you holding up?"

"I'll be fine as soon as she is and as soon as Haley and Fergie are okay," Lucas replied. "I think we take our lives and the people in it for granted. I don't want to do that anymore." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I need her to know how much she means to me."

"I'm sure she knows it," Karen smiled down at him before her eyes glanced towards the door as it opened. "Skills, what's wrong?" She immediately took in the look on his face.

"It's Fergie," his voice was shaky. "Luke, we have to say good bye."

"What?" Lucas stood up, glancing at his mother.

"Go," she motioned with a hand. "I'll stay with her."

Lucas nodded before he and Skills rushed out the door and towards their friend's hospital room. When they arrived, his mother and his father were on the right side of Fergie's bed while Junk stood on the left.

"Hey Fergie," Lucas said as he and Skills stood next to Junk, trying to hold back tears.

"Hey Ferg, we're right here man." Skills looked down at his friend, "just like you've always been for all of us."

"Yeah," Fergie's breathing was heavy. "I love you guys…Mom, Dad; I love…"

"We know baby," she sat in the chair right beside him, stroking his forehead. "We love you too."

"All of us," Junk added. "You're my best friend Ferg; you always have been."

"You know I was thinking about family. We don't get to choose our blood relatives," Lucas paused briefly. "But we do get to pick our friends, the people who are there no matter what and friends like you, we're family Fergie and we always will be."

"Never-never rid of you…" his chest heaved up and down.

"That's right," Skills said as a tear rolled out his eye. "You're stuck with us, no matter what." His eyes adverted to the machine as the numbers steadily declined.

Fergie tried to force a smile before intaking a sharp breath, "I'm tired…so…tired."

"It's okay son, rest." James said. "I am so honored to have been your father." He tried to compose himself but failed to stop the stray tears that rolled down his cheeks as he watched his son's eyes close.

Maribel moved closer to her son as she began to sing to him the way she'd done when he was a child.

"I want him everywhere and if he's beside me,
I know I need never care.
But to love him is to need him everywhere.
Knowing that love is to share.
Each one believing that love never dies,
Watching his eyes and hoping I'm always there…"

The room was silent except for the sounds of her melodic voice and his heavy breathing. Then all at once, his breathing ceased and they all looked up as the machine started its long continuous beep, signaling the Ferguson "Fergie" Thompson was gone.

In another part of the hospital, just the opposite was happening; as he was losing his life, someone else was regaining hers. She reached her hand out slowly, touching the hand that laid upon her as her eyes opened slowly, a small smile gracing her features as the person sitting beside her came into view. "Hey…"

Skyla Moorman wrote, "This cycle called life is rarely easy, most often than not, it's complicated. People often ask if you'd like the good or bad news first because they seem to accompany each other. Sometimes there is a happy ending and sometimes there simply isn't. What there always is though, no matter if you're here of there, is an ending. And then a beginning again."