Arriving at the hospital, Brooke is immediately taken care of by the doctors. They run a battery of tests on her, before transferring her to a room to await the results. Nathan, who has been with her the whole time, is now sitting next to her in silence. Lucas' absence weighs heavily in the room as Brooke lies in her bed, tears in her eyes. She then ends up opening her mouth and finally expressing what is on her heart.
BROOKE : You can say it, Nathan.
NATHAN : Say what?
BROOKE : That you told me.
NATHAN : No, Brooke. I won't say it. What's done is done. What's the point of making it worse?
BROOKE : I don't know. Maybe to make me realize how stupid I was?
NATHAN : You weren't stupid, little sister. But like I said, love sometimes makes us do crazy things. You did it because you love Lucas, that's all.
BROOKE : Yeah, but what did it do? He hates me now.
NATHAN : I'm sure he didn't.
BROOKE : Then why didn't he come?
NATHAN : I think he just needed time. He'll come back to you, I'm sure of it.
Less optimistic than her brother, Brooke lowers her head again and wipes the tears that are now running down her face.
At the end of the day, a doctor finally enters the room to give them the results. He then informs them that Brooke has a slight concussion and that she must remain under observation for two days. Nathan is therefore obliged to leave her to go get some things from his apartment. He thus returns an hour later and stays with her for a while longer, before having to leave. He promises her to come back the next day with Haley and the others.
Left alone, Brooke hopes with all her heart that Lucas will do the same.
Unfortunately, the next day, Lucas is not there while her friends have all come to see her as planned with Nathan. They try to take her mind off things, but her heart is definitely not in it. They realize this quickly, the events of the day before thus coming back to the table.
PEYTON : I'm sorry, Brooke. It's all my fault.
BROOKE : No, Peyton. You have nothing to reproach yourself for. It was my decision and I take full responsibility for it.
PEYTON : Yeah, but I forced your hand. Maybe I could try to go see Lucas and explain it to him again?
NATHAN : No, Peyton. It wouldn't do any good. It's better to let him digest all this, okay?
Peyton nods sadly, before Quinn intervenes angrily in turn.
QUINN : If only Rachel hadn't spied on you, none of this would have happened!
HALEY : That's right! Have you heard from her by the way?
PEYTON : No, she left yesterday and has been missing since!
QUINN : It doesn't even surprise me that in addition to being a bitch, she's a coward!
PEYTON : Me neither!
Not wanting to talk about Rachel anymore, they decide to change the subject and spend the rest of the afternoon with Brooke. Everyone then leaves to make way for her father, who thus spends the evening with her. So he sits by the bed and holds Brooke's hand worriedly as she thinks about Lucas all the time. The man she loves still hasn't come and she's desperate.
DAN : You don't look well, sweetheart. Are you sure you're okay?
BROOKE : Yes, Dad. Don't worry. I'm just tired.
DAN : Do you want me to let you rest?
BROOKE : No, I'll be fine. I'm glad you're here.
Unconvinced by her words, her father's worried face changed and suddenly became more serious.
DAN : What happened, Brooke? Nathan told me about the accident, but I feel like he's hiding something from me.
BROOKE : It happened like he said, Dad. I assure you.
DAN : Really? Then where's Lucas? It's not like him to leave you alone like that. Even when you were kids, he was worried sick when you got hurt. Did you two fight?
Holding back her tears, Brooke finally bursts into tears and confesses the whole truth to her father. He then listens to her for long minutes without interrupting her, before trying to reassure her.
BROOKE : I regret so much what I did.
DAN : I understand that you feel bad, but I know you meant well.
BROOKE : No, Dad. I lost Lucas by acting like an idiot.
DAN : You didn't lose him, sweetie. You'll never lose him. Lucas can't stay away from you.
BROOKE : And yet, he did it for twelve years, Dad.
LUCAS : If I did it, it's because I had a good reason. At least, that's what I thought.
Hearing Lucas' voice, Brooke snaps her head up and sees that he's standing in the doorway. He had silently entered while she was talking to her father, so he had heard their conversation. Dan immediately gets up to leave the room and give them some privacy. Lucas then approaches Brooke slowly, almost timidly, to come and sit on the bed, very close to her. Gently taking her hand, he then kisses her fingers one by one, as he had done when she was at his place. Tears flow down Brooke's cheeks again as she watches him do it, not daring to believe in his presence. Leaving Brooke's fingers, Lucas finally raises his head to look at her with tenderness, but also with guilt.
LUCAS : I'm sorry, Brooke. I should have boarded the helicopter with you.
BROOKE : Why didn't you do it then?
LUCAS : Because I needed to think.
BROOKE : About what?
LUCAS : About us.
BROOKE : I see. Are you mad?
LUCAS : I'm not mad at all, Brooke. I'm mad at myself. I should never have asked Rachel out and let her think I was free. If I hadn't done that, none of this would have happened. Not your plan, not your accident.
BROOKE : Why did you do that then?
LUCAS : Because I was convinced that I didn't deserve you.
BROOKE : And is that still the case?
LUCAS : I don't know... But when I saw you with Julian, I knew I might lose you forever. I love you, Brooke. I always have. These twelve years without you have been torture and I never want to go through that again.
Happy and moved to finally ear his declaration, Brooke serves tears of joy this time.
BROOKE : I love you too, Lucas. As far back as I can remember, it's always been you.
Hearing her words of love, Lucas delicately takes Brooke's face in his hands and gives her a trembling smile.
LUCAS : I have so many things to tell you, my pretty girl. Will you be ready to hear them when you come home?
BROOKE : If you're ready to tell me, of course.
LUCAS : I don't want any more secrets and unspoken things between us, so I'm ready.
Lucas immediately takes Brooke's lips with passion to seal this promise. They are still kissing when Dan finally comes back into the room. He can't help but laugh when he sees them, making them jump like two teenagers caught in the act.
DAN : When I told you Lucas couldn't stay away from you, my dear!
Embarrassed, Lucas and Brooke move away from each other a little, blushing. Dan then approaches them to put a fatherly hand on Lucas' shoulder.
DAN : I'm glad you're finally home, my boy. Take care of my daughter, okay?
LUCAS : I promise, Mr. Davis.
DAN : Well, since Brooke is in good hands, I'm going to go home.
Dan gathers his things, then approaches one last time to kiss Brooke's hair.
DAN : Good night, sweetie.
BROOKE : Good night, dad. Come home safely.
DAN : Good night, Lucas.
LUCAS : Good night, Mr. Davis.
After a final smile for them, Dan leaves the room, closing the door behind him. Lucas then looks back at Brooke and notices that she looks tired.
LUCAS : I think you need to sleep. I'll stay with you tonight, okay?
Exhausted, Brooke nods silently, before Lucas takes off his shoes and comes to lie down next to her. Brooke then puts her head on his chest and falls asleep immediately, wrapped in his protective arms.
When Brooke opens her eyes the next morning, she sees that Lucas is still asleep. She takes the opportunity to observe him while smiling, happy that everything has worked out between them. Then, still imprisoned in his arms, she raises her hand to gently caress the features of his face. Her gesture immediately makes Lucas smile, before he opens his eyes to look at her tenderly.
LUCAS : Good morning, my pretty. Did you sleep well?
BROOKE : Wonderfully well. Although I would have preferred that we sleep at home.
LUCAS : Why? Do you have an idea in mind, Miss Davis?
BROOKE : Absolutely!
Lucas rolls over to position himself on top of Brooke and take her mouth deeply. Concerned about her condition, he nevertheless lets go of her lips to delicately caress the bump on her forehead.
LUCAS : How do you feel?
BROOKE : Better since you've been here.
LUCAS : I'm so sorry I didn't come with you. I called the hospital yesterday to get news of you, but they wouldn't tell me anything. Forgive me.
BROOKE : You're already forgiven, my love. You're here now and that's all that matters.
Relieved of a very great weight, Lucas gives her a big smile, then comes to take her lips passionately. This is how Nathan finds them a moment later, when he's supposed to come and pick up Brooke. He can't help but ironize by surprising them, making them jump too.
NATHAN : Ah, okay! I know two who apparently had another horrible night!
Caught red-handed, Lucas and Brooke share a knowing laugh, before Lucas gets up to greet his best friend. The two men hug briefly, Nathan then looks at them in turn.
NATHAN : I'm to assume things are sorted out then?
BROOKE : Yes, everything is sorted out.
Lucas tangles his fingers with Brooke's, then speaks with emotion.
LUCAS : I'm in love with your sister, Nathan.
NATHAN : I already knew that, thanks! It took you a while, you know?
LUCAS : Yes, I know. But now, no more hesitation and no turning back, I promise.
NATHAN : I hope so! Because if not, sheriff or not, I won't hesitate to kill you!
All three of them laughing, a doctor enters the room at the same time to finally give Brooke the authorization to leave. So she gets up to get dressed while Lucas and Nathan gather her things. Once ready, all three of them leave the hospital, Lucas holding Brooke's hand tightly.