When the doctor tells Keith it's too soon to tell how bad Lucas's injuries are, he informs Haley, who throws Nathan out immediately and calls Peyton, who is with Brooke at the time. A surprised Karen learns Dan saved Lucas by bringing him in and giving permission for surgery as his father, while Keith caused the accident under nearly illegal influence of alcohol. Karen and Deb comfort each-other at Lucas's sickbed, where Peyton briefly and Brooke more elaborately meet Karen. After Haley gives him the silent treatment, Nathan sadly admits to Deb he barely minds she's separating from Dan. Karen hears her insurance probably won't cover all the hospital bills, and finds out later that Keith paid the bill. Coach assures Karen not to doubt Keith's love for Lucas. Jake and the park court basketball gang make a get-better-video for Lucas; even Tim joins in making a chalk drawing on the court. Dan cancels marriage mediation, and isn't impressed by Deb's lawyer either, but gets a hug from Karen. Peyton tells Haley Lucas reads her soul. Nathan says at Lucas's sickbed he envies him sometimes and suggests he make up with his loved ones. Lucas wakes up with Nathan on his bedside. Nathan goes to get Haley, telling her he doesn't regret having courted her for the wrong reasons as she changed him for the better, then gives her a ride to hospital.

Now Lucas is out of the coma and released home, where his ma tries to make him take it easy on doctors orders, Jake brings him a games console as a get-better-and-return gift from the Ravens and uses the opportunity to get a job in Karen's café. Nathan tells his ma he understands his parents' divorce is the only option by now, and turns all his attention to Haley, who makes him realize he's not a baby who must go where he's told but can legally choose; both parents seem confident and determined to win him over, but Dan convinces him Deb doesn't stand a chance because of her secret past. Lucas has decided to break up with Brooke -but didn't tell her- sneaks out to Peyton and collapses there; he is rushed to the emergency room, Brooke finds out and faces Peyton bitterly. Although Karen is determined to repay Keith Lucas' medical bills, since Keith 'can't repay' having endangered his life, he cashes in all his savings and plans a mortgage on his garage.