2015 ― Tree Hill, North Carolina

Dear Lucas,
You've probably been wondering why you've seen me in school with a huge cast on my leg. My mom and I got into a car accident, and the car that hit us slammed onto my side of the car. All I remember after the crash was everything going dark and then waking up in the hospital. Nathan told me I broke my leg and had a concussion. Brooke was devastated because I couldn't finish out our cheer season and honestly, it devastated me too. On the bright side, Peyton basically drew a mural on my cast, which I love, and makes having it not as bad. It's also led to so many moments of frustration. You never realize how much you take being able-bodied for granted until you suddenly can't use a body part anymore. Going upstairs to my room is a nightmare. Nathan has to carry me up on his back. My parents got me one of those chairs that elderly people use in the shower because I can't let my cast get wet, so I have to wrap it in plastic, sit in the chair, and keep my leg propped up and out of the shower while I wash the rest of myself. Not an easy task let me tell you. I guess one good thing that came out of this is having my Mom home more so I'm not just stuck with Dan. Since the car hit my side of our car in the accident, Mom only had a mild concussion, so she's just been putting all of her attention on me, and I have to admit, it's been really nice. I selfishly hope this leg takes a while to heal so my Mom will stay home with me and Nate. Anyways, this is getting super long, but yes, that's why I have a cast on my leg.
Logan S.

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Keith Scott called his niece Logan Scott to tell her that he and Lucas had been in a car accident while they were on their way to pick up Karen from the hospital. Logan was hanging out with Roman at the River Court when she got the call, and the pair immediately rushed to the hospital in Logan's car.

"Keith is he okay!?" Logan asked when she sprinted into the waiting room and saw Keith. She hadn't even noticed Karen was there too. Keith turned to his niece.

"He's in surgery," He said and then he turned to Karen. "I'm so sorry, I didn't see the other car," He said.

"Where's the operating room? I need someone to tell me what's happening," Karen said as she looked around the hospital. Logan noticed it seemed there were no doctors or nurses in sight.

"They asked me to wait here and they're going to let us know when he's in recovery," Keith said. Logan took a deep breath as her eyes watered. She knew she hadn't gotten to know Lucas that well yet, but he was still her brother and she didn't want him to die before they could get to know each other.

"I couldn't get a cab and then the only thing I had to pay with was euros. He's gotta be alright, Keith. I won't lose him," Karen said. Keith nodded as a doctor walked out from a different direction.

"Excuse me, Doctor!" Logan called out when she saw him. The doctor stopped at the sound of her voice and walked over to them. "Were you in the operating room with Lucas Scott?" She asked.

"He was in a car accident. He's my son and her brother," Karen said. Logan was a little surprised to be included. Karen didn't have to tell the doctor Lucas was her brother.

"Dr. Hill is an excellent surgeon. The kid's lucky his father got him here so fast," The doctor said. Karen and Logan shared the same confused look. But then Logan thought, it wouldn't be confusing for them to think Keith was his father since Keith got him there. Logan thought there was no way they were talking about Dan.

"His Uncle," Karen corrected. The doctor shook his head.

"No, his father. He may have saved your son's life," The doctor said and then he walked away. Karen and Logan turned to Keith for an explanation.

"My Dad was here?" Logan asked.

"Dan saw the accident. He pulled Lucas out of the car and drove us here," Keith said. Karen and Logan were shocked, that Dan would do something with human decency since he never shows any.

"Dad/Dan?" Karen and Logan asked at the same time.

"Yeah, he knew Lucas was in bad shape, so he couldn't wait. Dan gave the surgeon consent to operate," Keith said. Karen's eyes were wide. Logan didn't blame her for being shocked.

"How was he able to do that?" Logan asked.

"He told them he was Luke's father," Keith said. Logan's eyes widened as her mouth dropped. She was surprised that it took Lucas' life on the line for Dan to actually claim him and say the words out loud that Lucas was his son.

"Keith! Keith! Is he okay?" Brooke Davis' voice entered the waiting room.

"Oh, honey, we don't know yet," Keith said. Brooke turned and noticed Logan and Roman were there. She threw her arms around Logan and hugged her tightly. Seeing her best friend cry, made her want to cry more, but she couldn't. She couldn't let herself cry. She felt she had to be strong for Lucas.

"I was supposed to see him tonight, Lo. He was supposed to come over after the airport, and...-" Brooke was cut off by Keith, but Logan was soothingly rubbing her best friend's back.

"...-Um, Karen. This is Brooke," Keith said. Brooke pulled away from Logan and turned to Karen with a soft smile.

"I'm Brooke, Lucas' girlfriend," Brooke introduced herself.

"Who's here for Lucas Scott?" Another doctor asked as he walked out into the waiting room. Roman, Keith, Karen, Logan, and Brooke all moved closer.

"I'm his mother. Is my son okay?" Karen asked.

"He's stable and in recovery," The doctor said. Everyone let out breaths of relief hearing the doctor's words. Lucas was going to be okay. Keith turned to Roman and Brooke.

"Could you guys give us a second?" Keith asked. Roman and Brooke nodded. Roman squeezed Logan's hand before leading Brooke away to let them speak privately with the doctor.

"He needed a lot of work. His right lung collapsed and had to be repaired. I had to remove his spleen but there shouldn't be any long-term repercussions," The doctor said. Logan momentarily squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep breath so she wouldn't panic.

"So you're saying he's going to be fine?" Karen asked.

"He'll need physical therapy to his shoulder. It separated in the crash, but we were able to reset it. Other than that, he has a concussion and some bruising. But, there was a complication during the surgery," He said and Logan's eyes widened.

"What was it?" Logan asked. The doctor turned to her and raised an eyebrow. "I'm sorry... I'm his sister, Logan Scott," She said. The doctor nodded and continued.

"Your brother lost a lot of blood, which caused his heart rate to drop. We lost him for a few seconds, but as I said he's stable now. All of his vitals look good, so we just have to wait for him to wake up," The doctor responded. Logan could feel her heart beating in her chest. She understands Lucas is stable now, but it was still scary to hear that he was dead for a few seconds.

"When will that be?" Karen asked.

"Could be a couple of hours, or it could be a couple of days. That's up to him," The doctor said and Karen nodded.

"Thank you so much, Doctor," She said.

"You're welcome," He said and then he walked away. Logan felt her eyes watering again, and she hated crying in public.

"Excuse me," She faintly mumbled to Keith and Karen before she rushed outside of the hospital. Roman watched her run out and he quickly ran out after her. As soon as the cool air of the night hit her face, Logan broke down into tears. Very shortly after, she felt arms wrap around her and she knew they were Roman's.

"Hey, it's okay, I got you, come on," Roman said. Logan clung to him as she sobbed and Roman led her over to one of the benches. The pair sat down and Roman tucked Logan into his chest, keeping his arms protectively around her as she sobbed.

They sat like until Logan felt she got everything out.

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The next day, Lucas was still in the hospital. Logan noticed that Brooke came by to visit, but Peyton and Haley did not. She didn't understand why Haley hadn't, considering she was his best friend. Since Logan saw Haley wasn't with Nathan, she knew there was only one other place she could be at, so Logan headed there after she got ready.

Karen's Cafe.

The bell dinged as Logan walked in. Haley looked up and was surprised to see Logan since neither Keith, Karen or anyone else she would be meeting with was there. "Haley... what are you doing?" Logan asked as she approached her at the counter.

"I'm doing inventory," Haley said and Logan rolled her eyes.

"Clearly. What I mean is; Lucas is lying in the hospital, you're his best friend. Why haven't you gone to see him?" Logan asked. Haley stopped what she was doing and when she looked at Logan, the Scott sister could see the sadness in her eyes and she knew something happened.

"He wouldn't want to see me," Haley said and Logan scoffed.

"Now, I know that's not true. I'm the sister he barely knows. You're his best friend. Out of the two of us, I'm sure you're the one he wants to see," Logan said and Haley shook her head.

"Last night we weren't. We got into a fight," Haley said.

"About what?" Logan asked and Haley raised an eyebrow. She figured that Logan knew about Peyton and Lucas since Peyton is her best friend.

"You don't know?" Haley asked. Now Logan was confused. She tilted her head to the side.

"Apparently, I don't. What's going on?" Logan asked. Haley sighed as she looked at her.

"Yesterday at school. I was helping Nathan with something in the library and then I wanted a drink. When I was on my way to the vending machine, I saw Lucas and Peyton kissing, and last night I confronted him about it. The last things I said to him were, "I don't like the person you're becoming," and "The next time we see each other, don't talk to me." So, he wouldn't want to see me," Haley said and Logan frowned.

She understood why Haley was beating herself up, she was feeling guilty. However, she was shocked to learn that Lucas was cheating on Brooke, and with Peyton. She knew that she didn't know Lucas well, but he didn't seem like the type of person that would cheat. Logan was most shocked at Peyton. Brooke is her best friend, and she's knowingly hooking up with her boyfriend behind her back. After the things she went through with Nathan, Logan was shocked and disappointed that Peyton would do that to Brooke.

"Haley... you guys were arguing, you didn't mean what you said," Logan said.

"Logan... what if I can't take it back? What if he doesn't forgive me?" Haley asked.

"He will forgive you, but you need to go see him. I'll tell you what. Whenever you're ready, I'll go to the hospital with you. Strength in numbers," Logan said.

"Thank you, but you don't have to... I know you really don't like me," Haley said and Logan frowned as she shook her head.

"Haley, I apologize for making you think that. You just initially left a bad impression on me. I don't think you're a bad person. I can see the way you're changing Nathan, and if someone can turn that asshole into a decent guy, they'd have to be a really good person themselves. Clean slate," Logan said and Haley smiled while nodding.

"Clean slate."

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Deb Scott went to the hospital to see Karen. She brought a basket of food with her from the cafe, because she figured Karen had not been eating the hospital food. "Hi. Logan told me about Lucas. I am so sorry. How is he?" Deb asked. Karen looked up at Deb for a moment before turning back to her son.

"He's still unconscious, but the doctors say his vital signs are strong," Karen said.

"That's good news. I figured you hadn't had a chance to grab any food," Deb said as she gestured to the basket she was holding. Karen shook her head.

"I'm not really that hungry," Karen said.

"Well, at least have some decent coffee," She said while handing her a cup. Karen took it with a grateful smile. "I don't want you to worry about anything other than Lucas. I'll take care of the cafe for as long as you need," Deb said.

"Thanks, Deb. I appreciate that," Karen said and Deb smiled. "All night, I woke up watching Lucas, and I kept thinking I'm the one who can't wake up. This has to be some sort of dream. Because if this isn't a dream, it's got to be some sort of punishment," Karen said.

"Punishment for what?" Deb asked.

"Where do I start? Being a coward and letting Dan take my daughter from me. Being selfish, never fighting to get her back, and then going to Italy. If I hadn't gone to Italy, this wouldn't have happened," Karen said as she shook her head.

"You can't think that way. This isn't your fault. Especially not what happened 17 years ago, which I never apologized to you for. Karen, I am so sorry," Deb said. Karen shook her head.

"It wasn't your fault either... You had no idea what Dan was planning," Karen said.

"I know, but that's not an excuse. I shouldn't have let it happen. I should've made Dan give her back to you, no matter the consequences," Deb said and Karen shook her head. The past was the past, and there was nothing they could do to change it.

"We were teenagers, Deb, and we were scared... Especially of him, and he seemed to have it all figured out, didn't he? You raised her well, that's all I could ask for," Karen said. Deb nodded as she fell silent. She wasn't sure what to say.

What can you say in a situation like theirs?

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Logan went by the cafe later that day, since Haley told her when her shift ended. When she walked in, she noticed Haley was walking away from Nathan, and Deb noticed the same as she walked out of the kitchen. Logan and Deb approached Nathan.

"Is she okay?" Deb asked.

"No, not really. So, this split with you and Dad. This is real, huh?" Nathan asked. Before Lucas' accident, Deb informed her children that she and their father would no longer be separated, but she would officially be filing for divorce.

"Yeah, honey, it is. How are you both feeling about that?" Deb asked.

"Actually, I'm fine. How sad is that?" Nathan asked. He didn't wait for a response before he left the cafe. Deb turned to her daughter.

"Logan?" She asked. Logan shrugged.

"It's not about how I feel, Mom. I'm not the one who married him," Logan said before she went back to the kitchen where she found Haley standing there. "Nathan's gone. You ready to go?" She asked. Haley nodded and clocked out.

Logan drove them down to the hospital and when they went to Luke's room, Karen was still sitting at his bedside, but she was asleep. Haley hadn't stepped inside yet and when Logan looked at her, she shook her head and went back into the hallway.

"I can't," Haley said.

"Haley, wait. It's okay," Logan said as she followed behind her.

"No, it's not. He's lying in there and there's nothing I can do about it," Haley said and Logan frowned.

"Haley, we all feel like that, but none of us feel it as much as Karen does. That's her child. So if she can pull herself together and be there for him, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to. Go in there and talk to him, it'll make you feel better," Logan said.

"I don't deserve to feel better. I mean, giving him an apology is not worth anything if he's not awake to hear it," Haley said and Logan shook her head.

"It doesn't matter if he's awake. The doctor said it was good to talk to him. A lot of coma patients can still hear the world around them and when people speak to them. So Lucas may be able to hear you," Logan said.

"You know, if I go in there, I'm just going to start crying and that's the last thing Karen needs," Haley said. Logan sighed, excuse after excuse Haley was giving.

"Why don't you let Karen be the judge of that? She's probably expecting you," Logan said.

"I can't," Haley said as she shook her head again and walked away. Logan groaned while shaking her head and then she walked inside of Lucas' room.

She sat on the other side of his bed, on the opposite side of Karen and she grabbed his hand. "Hey, Luke. It's Logan... I know we haven't gotten a chance to know each other that well, so I really need you to wake up so we can do that. We're going to be spending a hell of a lot more time together when you get out of here. You have to do all the older brother things you're supposed to. Tease me, joke with me, threaten Roman to not talk to me," She said as she laughed a little and wiped her eyes. "Please wake up soon, big brother," She whispered into his ear and then she kissed his forehead before leaving his room. When she stepped outside.

She exhaled a deep breath.

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Logan made her way back to Karen's Cafe because she figured that's where Haley went. She asked her Mom if she saw Haley and Deb told her that Haley was on the roof, so that's where Logan went. When she opened the door onto the roof, she noticed the mini-golf course that was set up, and the hanging lights, which made her smile. It looked awesome up there.

"My mom said I would find you up here," Logan said and Haley turned around

"Hey," She responded.

"This place is cool," Logan said as she walked over to join Haley by the ledge. She was leaning over it, but not dangerously, Logan matched her position.

"Yeah, it is. Lucas and I built this, back when it was the two of us against the world," She said.

"Ah, before the evil Scott twins entered your lives," Logan teased in an attempt to get Haley to smile, which she did. Haley laughed a little and shook her head.

"I'm sorry I ran out of the hospital," Haley said and Logan shook her head.

"Don't sweat it... I was thinking, since going with me didn't work. Maybe you should go with Nathan," Logan said and Haley shook her head.

"Nathan and I are taking a little break," She said.

"What happened?" Logan asked.

"He was using me to get to Lucas," Haley said and Logan raised an eyebrow. She's seen Nathan with Haley and she can tell her brother is all in, because the way he acts with Haley, is what Peyton wanted from him, and he could never give it to her.

"Haley, I don't believe that. I know my brother and he's crazy about you. Everything he does for you is what Peyton wanted out of their relationship, and he was never able to give it to her," Logan said.

"It doesn't matter," Haley said.

"Yes, it does. Nathan isn't going to give up on the two of you, and the way our lives are going right now... you're probably the best thing Nathan has, besides me of course. Don't leave him, not when he needs you now more than ever... both of them do," Logan said referring to her brothers.

"I just want to tell him that I love him and I'm sorry," Haley said. Logan knew she was talking about Lucas.

"You will... I promise."

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When Logan left the cafe, she went back to her house. She saw Nathan shooting free throws in the driveway, and when he missed one, Logan cleared her throat. "Your free throws look like crap," She teased. Nathan turned around and saw it was her before he laughed.

"Glad to see you're picking up the slack in Dad's absence," Nathan said and Logan smiled.

"Someone's gotta get you to college," She teased. She and Nathan laughed.

"What's up, Lo?" Nathan asked.

"Haley. Look, I don't know what you did to her, but I do know that girl is the best thing that's ever happened to you," Logan said. Nathan sighed when he realized the direction of this conversation.

"Yeah, she is. She just doesn't believe me," Nathan said.

"What happened, Nate?" Logan asked.

"I told her that I only went after her at first to screw with Lucas," Nathan said. Logan shook her head as she walked over to him and slapped him on the back of his head. Nathan winced and automatically put his hand on the back of his head where she hit him.

"Ow! What the hell?" He asked.

"You're an idiot, Nathan, and a real jackasss. You know that, right" Logan said and he nodded.

"Yeah, I was. But it hasn't been about that with me and Haley for a long time," He said and Logan nodded. She believed him, and she'd seen Nathan and Haley together. There's no way for him to fake those feelings.

"Nate, Haley needs your help. She can't face Lucas," Logan said. Nathan raised an eyebrow because he wasn't sure what that had to do with him.

"That's not really my place, is it? I mean Lucas isn't exactly my biggest fan," Nathan said.

"Because you haven't given him a reason to be. He's still our brother, Nate, so you can try... if not for yourself, or even for Lucas... do it for Haley. She's really beating herself up about the fight they got into and thinks she doesn't deserve to see him," Logan said. Nathan frowned at hearing that. He knows how much Lucas means to Haley.

"So what are you gonna do?" Nathan asked.

"About what? I've gone to see Lucas, and I'll keep seeing him," Logan said.

"That's not what I mean. You're helping me take a step in my relationship. What about yours?" He asked.

"I'm not in a relationship," Logan said and Nathan rolled his eyes.

"Lo... I know you're into Roman, and I also know he's into you. So why do you keep resisting him?" Nathan asked. Logan rolled her eyes, but she sighed. She knew Nathan was right.

"Because, he's your best friend, and if things were to end badly between us... I can't be responsible for you losing your best friend. Sibling code states you have to take my side, whether I'm in the wrong or not. You and Roman have been through a lot together. I won't be responsible for ruining that. I couldn't do that to either of you," Logan said. Nathan smiled.

"Lo, if Roman were to hurt you, I would definitely kick his ass, but he would still be my best friend. It's not going to change. If being with Roman is something you want to do. I think you should go for it," He said. Logan smiled as she leaned in and kissed his cheek.

"Thanks, Nate."

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Logan made her way back to the hospital, and when she got there, Karen was awake and Logan could see she was reading from her phone. "LeBron James broke Abdul-Jabbar's NBA record for points scored in his career," Karen read.

"Are you a big basketball fan, Karen?" Logan asked from the doorway. Karen looked up, smiled when she saw it was Logan and motioned for her to come inside, which she did. Logan sat on the opposite side of Karen, next to Lucas' bedside.

"It's important to Lucas, so I like to try and keep up," Karen said and Logan smiled.

"That's sweet," Logan said. She wished that was something her parents did for her. They don't try to keep up with hers and Nathan's interests, and Dan had been making basketball less of an interest. "How's he doing today?" She asked.

"He's still the same, but the doctors are still hopeful with his vitals," Karen said and Logan nodded. "Thank you for being here, Logan. It means a lot to me and I know it'll mean a lot to Lucas when he wakes up," She said and Logan shook her head.

"He's my brother... I should've been here all along," Logan said quietly, but Karen still heard.

"That's not your fault, you know," Karen said and Logan nodded.

"I know... but it wasn't fair to you or Lucas. Just because our Dad is a jerk, that doesn't mean Lucas didn't have the right to know his siblings," Logan said.

"And he has that chance now. I'm not sure where Nathan is at, but I have always hoped that the three of you would get along," Karen said and Logan smiled.

"I think Nathan has finally been able to see our Dad for who he is, and he's starting to pull away from him... I think he and Lucas will be getting along soon," She said and Karen nodded.

"How are you doing? Your Mom told me about the divorce," Karen said.

"It's for the best, right? We all know how Dan is," Logan said and then she laughed a little. "You know, Karen... it's so hard for me to believe that you dated my Dad in high school... and not because of you, but because I know how he is," Logan said and Karen smiled.

"We were both different people back then. Your father wasn't always the way he is now... but the person he was when we were together, he's long gone... He has been for a while," Karen said and Logan frowned.

"I'm sorry for all the pain he caused you," Logan said.

"I am as well... for the pain he caused you," Karen said. The pair smiled at each other, and Karen was treasuring this moment with her daughter because she didn't know how long it would last. The pair heard a knock on the door and when they turned, Logan saw her Mom.

"I figured if I kept bringing food, you're bound to eat sometime," Deb said.

"Oh my god, I'm starving," Logan said before she could stop herself and then she cleared her throat. "But that's probably not for me. I can just stop by the cafe on my way home," She said. Karen looked at Deb, almost as if she was asking her permission to invite Logan to stay. Deb nodded with a smile on her face.

"No, no, Logan. Why don't you stay? We could have dinner together. If you're interested. I would love to keep getting to know my son's sister," Karen said. Logan smiled as she looked at her Mom. Deb nodded and encouraged her daughter to stay.

"I'd like that," Logan said.

"Good," Karen said.

"I'll go get some drinks while you two talk," Logan said. She stood up from her chair and walked over to her Mom. She gently squeezed her hand and looked at her. "Thanks, Mom," Logan said. Deb smiled at her daughter and kissed her temple before Logan continued out of the room to get drinks for her and Karen.

Life without Dan was feeling good for her.

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it's feeling good for now, but we all know it won't last.

don't forget to vote/comment. 

xoxo.