So I ust couldn't help but post this. This is porbably the first story I ever finished before I started to post. It's not going to be super long but I wanted to do this after my bestest reviwer ever gave me the idea. Diane this one is for you.

AN: So in this AU of Tree Hill Brooke and Peyton grew up with all the River Court gang. Brooke is close with Jimmy and Skills and in love with Lucas. They all have known each other since they were all in grade school. Peyton and Lucas NEVER happened. This is my take on a big even that wet down and I really hope you guys like it. ENJOY!

I OWN NOTHING OF TREE HILL OR EVEN THIS IDEA. I AM SIMPLY THE MESSANGER

Chapter 1
Worst Day Ever

That morning was like most. It wasn't sunny, it wasn't hot or cold. It was just like most of that month. The air had a slight chill that would almost make you want to bring a jacket. That was one of that things Brooke remembered thinking that morning. That it was cool enough to bring a jacket. As she sat there in the hospital playing back the day, it never occurred to her that she was going to need more than that to get through the day. She looked over to her left, still feeling numb and saw Lucas' hoodie on the chair. It had small spots of blood on it. They were almost mocking her. Her eyes zoned into each and every one. She couldn't decide whether or not to wash them off or keep them there. Odd for her to think twice about washing blood away, but when that was the last piece of what you had of one of the people you loved…the last piece, it seemed a logical question to her.

She couldn't focus on anything else. It was like those specks of blood were the only thing helping her cling to her sanity. All the problems and emotional toll that the day had taken on her were pushed outside her hospital room and would stay there till she was ready. Outside the doors, down the hall and around a few corners lie one of the people she loved the most. Cruelly taken from her and everyone else and lay cold on a slab, waiting to be dissected like some science project. The thought alone made her cringe so instead she focused on the small dots of red that splattered in some non specific pattern across the logo. "Scott Motors" was now tainted, the town was tainted, she was tainted. No one in the town of Tree Hill would ever be the same. Her eyes would drift to the door ever so often, hoping someone would come in and tell her it had all been a horrible dream. That blessed event would never come. So instead of letting the day destroy her…she decided to just think about that hoodie. Lucas' hoodie.

11 hours earlier

The first thing , the very first thing I feel this morning were his lips on my shoulder. His lips trail over my skin to my neck and then I can feel him breathe me in. I feel his breath on me and feel it tickle my skin as he does it. Then his hand runs up my side and all I can think is damn do I love this boy. Only he can make me feel this happy. The light feather touches cause me to awaken from my sleep and smile. My eyes were still closed but I could feel him watching me.

"Morning Pretty Girl."

"Morning boyfriend."

"Do you know how beautiful you look when you sleep?"

"Watching me sleep, a little creepy."

"Maybe you should try not to look so beautiful then."

"Impossible" I say back half joking.

His lips meet mine and I know from his kiss he's smiling like I am. This is what we are. We've been together for what I feel like it's been forever but it's been one great year as of a week from today. Yes we've known each other since we were nine but we've only been friends till he made the move. What seems like a lifetime ago he kissed me while we sat on the picnic tables at the river court. He confessed he felt more than friendship for me and that he wanted to be with me. From that day forward I stopped trying to pretend that I didn't want him and we decided to try it. Almost a year later and we are still happy. The way he touches me, kisses me, looks at me, it all feels so perfect. We lay in my bed a few more minutes and I enjoy indulging him till I decided to make a plan for the day.

"Do you think it would be possible to skip school and just stay here in bed all day?"

"Anything's possible for Brooke Davis."

"Especially when Lucas Scott is the one that can make it happen."

He leaned down to kiss me again and I get lost in the feel of his lips on mine. They fit so perfectly and his body feels so right against mine I have no clue why we waited so long to get together. To me this is heaven; Lucas, me, bed and no school. I hear the faint sound of his phone vibrating on my dresser. He pulls away and I know he hears my grunt of displeasure when his kiss stops.

"Hello?"

The rest of his conversation is pretty confusing. I can hear someone on the other end sounding kind of frantic but I couldn't make out most of it. I hear a male's voice say 'hate', 'abandon' but then I hear the end very clearly, 'you'll all be sorry' and then the line goes dead. The whole time Lucas was trying to break in and calm whoever it was but when he says Jimmy's name it really confuses me because that didn't sound like my Jimmy. He looks down at his phone and looks almost as confused as I am.

"What did Jimmy say?"

"He said…I don't know it just didn't sound like him. He said he hated me and that I'm the reason you abandoned him and that we will all be sorry."

I have no idea what I was doing but my body went into auto pilot. I was up and getting dressed and looking for my keys before Lucas caught up to me. I know Jimmy. I know him better than anyone probably and I know that when he gets like this I need to talk to him, talk him down.

"Where you going?"

"To find Jimmy."

I'm half way down the steps when Lucas catches up to me and grabs my arm.

"No you're not."

"Excuse me" I ask back knowing he wouldn't' dare to tell me what to do.

"Jimmy has been acting like us getting together is about hurting him and I've seen him…" Lucas trails off and it's then I am sure he knows something he has neglected to share with me.

"You've seen him what Lucas?"

"Just don't go after him right now. Give him a second to cool off."

"Was the person on that phone Jimmy?"

"Yeah, I said-"

"And did he sound upset to you?"

"Yes but-"

"Then I'm going." I say snatching from Lucas grasp and going out the door.

I hadn't talked to Jimmy in months. Not since he blew up at me at one of the games. He was yelling and screaming about how he was alone because of me and that he hated me more than anything. Lucas had stepped in but he only got the brunt of the yelling from Jimmy. After that Jimmy fell off the radar till I got a text late at night a few weeks ago from him saying he was sorry. I had tried to call him but he never answered. I'd try and talk to him in school but he'd avoid me or ignore me. After a while I just stopped trying and I guessed the call this morning was him being upset that I stopped.

I checked everywhere. Jimmy's mom said she hadn't seen him since he left for school. I checked the river court thinking if he was upset he wouldn't go to school but since the court was empty I headed for school. I called Lucas on the way and pretty much speed the whole way. I had a terrible feeling that something was up but I just didn't know what.

When I got the school I ran into Peyton first. Just as I was checking a text from Lucas saying he was pulling up to school now.

"Hey P. Sawyer."

"Hey B. Davis."

"How was the visit with Papa Sawyer?"

"Good. He asked about you."

"Next time I'll make an appearance. After all I am his 'might as well be' surrogate daughter."

"Yeah. But it was great. We talked, he showed me pictures of his trip."

"So a lame weekend with daddy Sawyer was had."

"Ha, ha."

"You got your paper for English done yet."

"Oh yeah. I pulled an all nighter and proofed it this morning. Work of art I say."

"I say next time don't procrastinate."

"Hey not all of us can be as studious and boring as you."

"I am not boring. Lucas doesn't think so."

"Yeah I'll bet lover boy doesn't" She said smirking. "Speak of the devil" she said nodding to the tall blonde making his way to the doors of the front of the school. It was like the next few seconds happened in slow motion and lightning speed at the same time. I heard the gun. That was clear. I heard the screams. Those were even clearer. I heard glass shatter behind me and then a hard mass make contact with my body. As my body begins to involuntarily move, my eyes scan the area around me. I don't see Lucas anymore. I don't see Peyton. All I see are the dozens of scared faces of the student body of Tree Hill High. Funny how I never really paid that much attention to them before.

I finally slow down and find myself pushed into a broom closet. I whip around afraid the shooter had grabbed me but I am relieved to see it's Skills.

"You a'ight shorty" he asks checking me over. He instantly draws my attention to the specks of blood on the Scott Motors hoodie I got from Luke's this morning.

"You bleedin'?"

"It's not mine" I get out finally after taking stock of my current situation.

I'm trapped in a school with a person with a gun and I have no idea where all the other people I love are. I am however glad Skills is with me. We've know each other for almost as long as I've known Lucas. The River court boys have been the closest things I have to a family. Skills is like my big brother. Lucas is the love of my life. Mouth is like the little brother to all of us. Haley and Peyton are like my sisters and Jimmy is like one of my best friends. I'm afraid for all of them.

"We need to get out of here."

"Yeah. Did you see Peyton or Lucas?"

"Not since the shot."

"Do you think someone's out there waiting?" I asked very afraid of the answer.

"Not sure. Let's wait here for a little while and then we'll make a run for it. A'ight?"

I nodded. I didn't have much else I could do. I was in shock.

Lucas had been pushed away from the front doors by the droves of students running for their lives. When he got his footing to fight against the crowd Brooke had been nowhere in sight. This caused fear to spread through him like wild fire. He had made his way back inside only to find the last thing he wanted to see. A gun pointed in his face.

"Jimmy" was all he could get out.

"Not much to say Luke?"

"Jimmy don't do this."

"It's already done." He said coldly and motioned his gun for Lucas to move into the school further and into an emptied class room. Or so they thought.

"You know…maybe if I hadn't been such a coward I could be with Brooke." Jimmy said as Lucas sat in the desk in front. Lucas was caught off guard however. He hadn't realized that Jimmy was in love with his girlfriend. "But I guess that's all over with now. You know she loves me?"

"I know Jimmy. We all do."

"NO YOU DON'T!" He yelled as if slapped in the face by Lucas comment.

"We do Jim. Haley, Mouth, …we all do."

"You don't love me Luke. You took the one person away from me that I have ever cared about."

"That's not true Jim. You care about your mom and the rest of us don't you?"

"Not like I do Brooke."

"Jimmy man-"

"Shut up. I don't want to hear you try and talk your way out of this. If I get rid of you then Brooke is all mine again." Jimmy said lifting the gun and was about to pull the trigger when a desk in the back was moved. Jimmy raised the gun in reflex and shot toward the back. A shrill scream sounded out and when Lucas went to get up
Jimmy pointed the gun back at him.

"GET OUT HERE!" he ordered.

Soon a timid looking Haley James appeared. Tears were all over her face as they streamed down. She was scared. Lucas' heart dropped when he saw her. He'd have a hard time keeping them both safe with Jimmy being so volatile.

"Well well, If it isn't Haley bob James. Nice of you to join us Hales."

"Jimm-"

"Shut up. You won't have any better luck."

"Jimmy please."

Haley was shaking and holding onto a desk for support. Her body was screaming to run but her mind was telling her body to stay put.

"Get up here with golden boy."

She moved slowly at first but when Jimmy's loud voice boomed 'NOW' she moved faster, taking the seat next to Lucas.

"Now…I was expecting to have an audience for this but looks like Haley gets a front row seat to the show."

"What show" she managed to get out and Jimmy's eyes snapped to her.

"Well Lucas here is going to meet his maker today."

"Jimmy don't do this. You're better than this" Haley pleaded but her plea fell on deaf ears.

"Am I? I'm a loser Haley. No girlfriend. No friends, shitty grade, no car and no money. How am I better than this?"

"Because none of those things matter except the friends part and we are your friends Jimmy." Haley said now more confident.

"I believe…I believe you think that Hales but let's be honest. None of you really even talk to me anymore. Skills and Lucas are star Raven's players" Jimmy said with a
clenched jaw, "Mouth is like the cheerleaders mascot since he became number one announcer at the games. You act like you don't even have time for me anymore since you started tutoring Luke's asshole brother and that brings us to the beautiful Brooke."

"She's tried to talk to you!" Lucas yelled and got the gun in his face as an answer.

"I'm talking. Brook wants me to be her friend. Her lacky but that's not how I want it. Lucas got in the way of what she and I could've been."

"Jimmy" Haley started cautiously, "Brooke loves you but…," Haley looked over at Lucas and then back to Jimmy, "she's in love with Lucas. She always has been. Don't do this Jimmy. You will be robbing her of so much if you hurt Luke. She'll be crushed if you get taken away for this."

"Who says I plan to leave out of here?" The cold exterior brought back that fear Haley had been trying to get in control. Jimmy lifted the gun and pointed it at her.

Lucas' eyes widened at this and he went to say something when Jimmy pulled the trigger.

Inside the closet was quiet. The deafening silence was almost painful.

"Okay. I ain't heard nothing in a while. You think you can keep up with me if we make a run for it?"

"Yeah."

Skills took my hand and then turned to stand in front of me and face me. He closed his eyes and I copied his actions. I took deep and even breaths. Slowly inhaling and slowly exhaling. He must've heard my mind and heart going a mile a minute. This is why I love him like a brother. There wasn't anyone I could ask for as better company during this horrible day.

"Okay B. When I open the door I'm going to only crack it first to look."

I nodded and watched as he turned the handle to what I was sure was going to be certain death. Suddenly I had the urge to unburden my mind. I couldn't let that door open without telling someone. So when my arm reached out to him and stopped he door he turned to me questioningly.

"I'm pregnant" I said looking him in the eyes. He took a moment but he smiled. He pulled me in for one of his usual bear hugs and spoke.

"Congrats B. You will make a great mama bear."

"But what if-"

"You will make it out of this school you hear me. Uncle Skills got this."

He released me and turned back to the door to peer out. I heard him exhale a sigh of relief.

"Hallway is clear. When I open this door this time B we makin' a run for it. You run as fast as you can and don't look back no matter what you hear. You don't stop. You got it."

"I got it."

"I'm not sure which way is safer so we're going to head to the front doors."

I nod understanding the plan. I just hoped we'd both make it out.

"If I never said it before…I love you B."

"Love you Skills."

He opened the door and we both began what felt like a never ending sprint for our lives. It wasn't till we reached the front doors that I heard voices. I stopped. Skills told me not to and I wished I hadn't. When I heard the scream I froze. Skills tried to pull me away and he quietly tried to reason for me to come but I couldn't move. In the commotion whoever was in the room must've heard us because seconds later I heard the door swing open and turned to face down the barrel of a gun. In the room I saw Lucas and a sobbing Haley. Jimmy. My Jimmy was the one that was doing this. When Skills made a step towards him I saw the gun lift. Instantly I stepped in front of him.

"No no no no no." I screamed with both my hands out. I couldn't let Jimmy hurt Skills. Not when deep down I knew this was all my fault. I turned to Skills and quickly whispered 'run he won't hurt me' and before he could say a word I turned back around. I slowly made a step towards Jimmy. I knew if I got close enough I'd block his shot long enough for Skills to get away at least.

"Don't come any closer" Jimmy growled at me. This was all wrong. This was not the Jimmy I knew and loved. This wasn't the Jimmy who in fifth grade gave me his lunch every day because my mom couldn't be bothered to hire a nanny during that time. This wasn't the Jimmy I held when his father passed away. Where was my Jimmy? I took another step and he pointed the gun square into my chest. I yelled 'run' again and heard as Skills took off. I cheered him on as Jimmy caught on and then pushed me aside. I hit the ground hard and was only there for a second before I felt the comforting arms of Haley around me.

"Brooke are you okay-does anything hurt-Dammit Jimmy she's-"

"SHUT UP!"

His little trick of leaving one of the chambers open when he pulled it on Haley was funny to him but not to either blonde in the room. Haley had truly thought that was it. Luckily Jimmy had grown a sick sense of humor.

The sun beating down on him was like heaven. He had made it out. The only better sight he had was of the numerous squad cars and police waiting for him outside. Sure they pointed their guns at him and demanded he get on the ground at first. It was only for precaution. Skills had never been so happy to see the police in his life. Then he saw Keith making a run towards him. Another great sight. He felt guilty leaving Brooke behind. He knew deep down Jimmy wouldn't hurt Brooke and what Brooke did was to protect him. So when the police were done he stood as close as they allowed hm to and waited.

Looking into Jimmy's eyes made my body run cold. It was like the man I knew for all these years was gone.

"Why are you doing this Jimmy?" I asked, needing him to affirm what I already knew.

"For you."

"I never asked for this Jimmy!"

"I wouldn't yell at the man with the gun."

"Looks like a scared little boy to me."

"And now she starts with the cut downs. I was wondering when bitchy Brooke would show." He walked closer to me and pointed the gun square at my nose. Both Lucas and Haley shouting for him to stop and don't. "Let's see if we can make bitchy Brooke go away." He said pulling the trigger and just like earlier with Haley the cocked hammer hit nothing. I flinched out of reflex and just like Haley had done earlier I thought my days were done but again Jimmy's new found sick humor reared it's ugly head again.

"Looks like the ladies have all the luck.

"Do you even have any more bullets?" Haley yelled, having grown very frustrated with the situation.

"Yep. Two more. One for Lucas," he said pointing the gun in Lucas direction, " And one for me."

I felt a pain strike through me. I was going to lose them. Lose them both if I didn't do something. Just as I was about to plead for Jimmy to stop Lucas spoke.

"Jimmy stop screwing around. If you're going to do it then do it, but let them go."

"No!" Both Haley and I screamed. He simply raised his hand to silence us.

"You said you got two bullets. Fine. I'll take mine but at least don't make Brooke and Haley watch. They don't deserve to carry that with them, watching two people they love die. Don't do this to them. You want to shot me fine I'll accept it. I took Brooke from you. It's all my fault!"

I could hear the tears in his voice. Lucas was strong but in this moment I could feel his heart breaking. I was watching the father of my child sacrifice himself to make sure that Haley and myself got out safely. I wasn't going to leave him.

"Fine" Jimmy said walking towards Haley and me. "Get up and go."

Haley rose slowly and helped me up from the chair but when she made a step towards the door she stopped when she noticed I wasn't following.

"Brooke come on."

"No." I said with every bit of meaning of the word.

"Brooke-" Lucas tried to reason but I wasn't having that.

"NO!" I said crossing the floor and standing next to Lucas.

"Well isn't this sweet. Brooke get out of here."

"No. If you are going to kill Lucas and shoot yourself then I am staying. I won't leave you to die alone."

"Brooke will you stop!" Lucas yelled. I know he wanted me to just pick up and leave but I couldn't. He rose from his chair and took me in his arms and kissed me hard. His hands on either side of my face as I started to cry tears. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Jimmy's distaste for our moment but if this was the last moment I was going to have with him then I needed him to know that he was going to be a father.

"Pretty girl you have to go. Everything's going to be fine."

"No Luke it won't" I say sobbing. "You're going to be a-"

"JIMMY!"

WE all heard the scream and then Keith's sudden appearance at the door. He walked in slowly. Keith was probably the only one that could talk Jimmy down.

"Jimmy…son…drop the gun."

"Sorry Keith man I have something I need to do. Girls now would be a good time to go." Jimmy said. Haley crossed the floor to grab my hand and pull me towards the exit but I couldn't let go. Three men. Three great men; one like a father to me, one the love of my life and one misguided friend stood on that room and if I left I knew I'd never see one of them again.

When I didn't' t let go of Lucas' hand he wrenched it from my grip and pushed me into Haley and turned away, tears in his eyes evident. Keith helped Haley drag me from the room screaming and then when Keith shut the door I felt like my whole body gave out. I was being pulled out the door by Haley and then the sun shone on us. Cops shouting and yelling for us to get down and all I could think about was what was going on in that room.

Haley and I stood outside next to the line of squad cars. Watching the door was the only thing we could do. Fifteen minutes would pass before we heard the shots. Two distinct shots and I felt as Skills grip tightened on me. The SWAT teams rushed in soon after and it was back to slow motion again. Only one person emerged. Three body bags followed.

Okay so I hope there is not a dry eye in the house because I worked really hard to get some emotion in this one and make it real. The school shooting was always a powerful episode and I've read some good and some not so good portrayals of it and I hope I did it justice. You know what to do, Simon says Review!