A/N: So you're probably sick of me now but I had another burst of inspiration today. I know there a few stories out there similar to this but give it a try, I'm trying to do something a little different. Again, I won't be drawing it out too much, just a few chapters.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Title comes from Gavin DeGraw's song 'Stay'.

He stepped towards the mirror, looking down to straighten his tie. He looked up and stared deeply at his reflection. And that's when it him. He was making a huge mistake. It was all wrong. He felt nauseous and light headed. He stumbled backwards and collapsed into a chair. Nathan turned to see his brother's pale face.

"Luke, you okay, man?" He was concerned by the absent look in his brother's eyes. "Lucas?"

"I can't do it," he whispered.

"What? Can't do what?" Nathan asked.

"I can't marry her. It's not right. God, I think I'm going to be sick." Lucas got up and ran to the bathroom. He stumbled into the door frame before Nathan heard him retching.

"Luke, I'm gonna get Haley, hang on," Nathan called to his brother as he made his way to the door.

Lucas leaned back against the wall of the cubicle, trying to steady his ragged breathing. He felt as if the walls were closing in, mocking him and trapping him inside his own misguided actions. He loosened his tie and took a deep breath to stop from retching again.

"Luke, buddy?" Haley stepped into the bathroom and leaned against the door of the cubicle. "It's me, can you open the door?"

Lucas reached up and slid the lock across. Haley's heart broke at the sight before her. His face was stained with tears and she swore she'd never seen him look so lost. He looked up at her, silently begging her for answers.

"Lucas, what's going on?"

"I can't – I can't do it. I can't marry her, Hales. It's all wrong, it's not her I want standing there. And I feel…awful because I've known since the night I saw Peyton on the River Court. I don't know what to do."

"Lucas if this is really how you feel then you can't marry her. For one, I won't let you. Stop doing this to yourself. Did I know all along? Yes. I told you myself not to marry her. Do I wish you'd realised before you hurt a good person who doesn't deserve it? Yes. Is there anything you can do about it now? No." Haley knew better than to mince her words. She was pleased Lucas had finally followed his heart, but she was angry and disappointed that another woman was hurt because of Lucas' inability to set aside his pride.

"Listen, I'm going to go and find Lindsey and try and explain this to her-"

"Is Peyton here?"

"God, Luke. You're about to break Lindsey's heart and you're already thinking about Peyton?" Haley couldn't hide her anger.

"Haley, is she here?" Lucas had changed from lost and forlorn to determined.

"Yeah, she's outside with Brooke, Skills and Jamie." Haley admitted, defeated.

"I need to tell her now, Hales, before it's too late. I've hidden it long enough, I can't not do it now. I'll go to Lindsey and explain after, I will, just…please, I have to do this."

Haley stepped back and raised her hands. She didn't necessarily agree but she knew there was no arguing with him.

"Where's Mama?" Jamie tugged at Peyton's dress. She looked down at smiled at him.

"She just had to run in to speak to your Uncle Lucas. She'll be back in a sec." Jamie nodded.

Skills leant into the back of the car and pulled out a toy basketball.

"Hey J. Luke, catch!"

Jamie looked up, beaming. He caught the ball but it slipped out of his small hands and bounced off of his shoe. It slowly rolled away towards the road.

"How you holding up Skinny Girl?" Skills looked over at Peyton and she smiled at the genuine look and tone of concern.

"I'll deal. I'm supposed to be letting him go, right?" Brooke leaned across and squeezed her hand.

"Right," he replied. "But, being completely honest with you here? This whole thing is messed up."

Peyton looked up towards the church to see Lucas appear at the side, looking around frantically. She looked away, pushing all the 'what ifs' to one side. She did so just in time to see that Jamie was in the road trying to catch his ball.

"Oh god. Jamie!" she shouted and she made her way into the road.

Lucas looked in her direction at the sound of her voice, relieved to find her but concerned as to why she was screaming Jamie's name. He made his way to where his friends were standing, all of whom had turned their attention to Peyton and Jamie.

Peyton had grabbed hold of Jamie and ushered him back to the pavement. "Jamie, you don't go in the road, like that, okay?" She was trying to remain calm and not be angry with him.

"I just wanted my ball."

"Okay, I'll get your ball."

Peyton turned and walked back into the road as Lucas picked up his pace. He saw the car coming towards her and realised she hadn't noticed. He screamed her name with every ounce of his being. Peyton turned her head in surprise but she didn't step forward in time. Lucas saw her smile for a second before she was thrown on to the bonnet of the car. She collided with the windscreen before falling off on to the concrete.

Brooke was screaming Peyton's name, but was rooted to her spot in shock. Lucas brushed past her as he rushed to Peyton's side. Nathan came running after hearing the sound from the brakes. He looked and realised it was his best friend laying in the road.

"Oh god, someone call 911. Please, somebody." Nathan shouted looking around at everyone standing around them. Skills was already on the phone to them.

Haley and Lindsey had arrived at the front of the church. They too had been drawn outside upon hearing the commotion. Haley ran down to join her friends and scooped Jamie off the ground in to her arms. Jamie was crying and Haley tried to comfort him as her own tears fell freely.

Lucas was at Peyton's side and he pulled her into his lap. He pushed the hair away from her face. Brooke was on the other side, with her hand clasped over her mouth, her body wracked with sobs.

"Peyt, come on, wake up." He shook her gently and then brushed the tears from his face harshly.

"Baby, please. Come on, don't leave me now. Peyton, wake up!" He pulled her to his chest and continued to beg her. He refused to let her go when the paramedics arrived and it took everything Nathan had to reason with him.

"Luke, let her go. They can't help her if you don't let them. Let Brooke go in the ambulance and we'll follow in my car."

Lucas looked at him, utterly broken. Nathan pushed aside his own anxiety to be strong for his brother. He knew all too well how helpless Lucas felt in that moment. Lucas slowly released his hold on Peyton and stepped back for the paramedics to take care of her. Skills helped Brooke off the floor and into the ambulance.

"Come on, B. Davis. Skinny Girl needs you now, get in there and make sure she keeps fighting. We'll meet you there." Brooke looked like she hadn't heard a single word, let alone understood them but she nodded and climbed in beside Peyton, took her hand and held it inside her own. She rested her head on both hands.

Lucas looked down and stared at his blood covered hands and fell to his knees.