The residents of Tree Hill are devastated as star basketball player, Lucas Scott, lies in a coma. Karen is shattered, especially when she discovers that Keith has been drinking before getting in the car.

Peyton would love to stay near Lucas' side, but Brooke's presence makes her uneasy and she rushes out the door. An innocent Brooke mistakenly assumes Peyton is overraught because the whole situation reminds her of her own mother's death. Meanwhile, Haley is also having a tough time. She doesn't want to see Lucas because they argued before the car crash. And when she finds out that Nathan only pursued her to upset Lucas, their relationship crumbles.

Later, Karen meets Brooke for the first time and she doesn't seem that impressed with Lucas' choice. It's clear she prefers Peyton all the way. Meanwhile, Deb stops by the hospital and tells Karen she doesn't have to worry about the Café. It turns out that Dan has fresh news for Deb, too. He is not going to agree to a divorce.

Tree Hill High unites over Lucas' accident. The entire basketball team, as well as Lucas's other friends, do not want to leave Lucas alone, so they start drawing on the river court with chalk. At the river court, Haley asks Peyton, "Why am I not surprised that Nathan isn't here?" Peyton doesn't answer but later, she shows up at Nathan's. It's pep talk time. Haley is the best person that Nathan could hope to meet. And Peyton is positive Nathan would be a complete moron if he lost her.

Brooke asks Karen if it's enough for her that she is crazy about her son. Karen assures her "that's more than enough." Touched by Peyton's words, Nathan goes to see Lucas in the hospital. In that moment, Lucas wakes up. Karen is really happy, also because "Now I can kill you for that tattoo!"

Nathan catches up with Haley and when he tells her he went to see Lucas since he knew she couldn't, they make up.

Meanwhile, Karen blames Keith for the accident, since he never should have been driving under the influence of alcohol. She forbids him from seeing Lucas and tells him to stay away from her as well. Despite this, a grief-stricken and guilt-ridden Keith pays Lucas' hospital bill because he knows Karen can't afford it.

"I Shall Believe" by Sheryl Crow is playing in the background. Peyton is drawing a large heart with a number "3" in it on the river court. Karen stops by Dan's dealership and thanks Dan, since she found out he did save Lucas' life. Someone else decides it's time to come in Lucas' hospital bedroom: Haley. Lucas' first comment is "Hey buddy, I missed you." Haley can't help but nod and cry in his arms.