Author's Note: Okay, I am a huge fan of the Degrassi franchise. I watched the original series, Degrassi Jr. High, and its' follow-up Degrassi High, faithfully. I loved those kids, Joey, Snake, Caitlin, Spike, Lucy, Wheels and all the others, like they were my own. Of course, they could have been my own, as I was, and am, old enough to be their mom. LOL. I cried when they were hurt, smiled when they were happy, and cried again when they graduated and left my TV.

So imagine my joy when I found out that a new show was premiering that was based upon the show I knew and loved. I've seen every episode of the new generation and I'm enjoying it as much as the original. The only thing is, in the original series, I totally fell in love with the Joey/Caitlin romance. I thought they were meant to be together, so I'm disappointed that they aren't together in the new show. But I believe there is hope, especially after the "White Wedding" episode. So I decided to write a story of my own that picks up from where the wedding episode ends.

Disclaimer: I do own any of the Degrassi characters. Linda Schuyler and Yan Moore, Epitome Pictures and Playing with Time productions own all rights and copyrights. I'm just borrowing their characters for my own amusement.

Take My Breath Away

A Degrassi: The Next Generation story

Chapter One-The Day After

Manny's house

Emma awoke to the sounds of music filtering through the closed bedroom door. She had spent the night at Manny's house after her mother's wedding to Mr. Simpson. Emma lay in bed remembering the events of the previous day. What a day it had been, she thought. For a while, no one was sure there was going to be a wedding at all, but in the end, Christine and Archie came through. All of their friends were in attendance, including Sean, Emma remembered with a smile. When she saw him standing off by a tree alone, Emma realized how much she missed him. She went over and asked him to dance. With his arms around her, Emma knew she had done the right thing. They talked a bit afterward and decided to give "dating" another try.

"My mom likes to listen to music while she cooks," Manny piped up, "sorry if it woke you."

"No, that's okay, Manny," Emma assured her, "I kind of like it."

"What were you thinking about just now?" Manny asked, propping her head on her hand, "Sean?"

Emma blushed. "Manny."

Manny and Emma had been best friends for as long as either of them could remember. There wasn't anything that they didn't share with each other. Manny knew just how much Sean really meant to Emma. "It's so great that you guys are back together," Manny told her friend, "Sean's a good guy."

"I know," Emma said, with a shy smile.

*****

Craig's house

"Craig!" Joey Jeremiah called up the stairs to his stepson. "We're leaving! Lock up if you go out."

"Let's go, Daddy," six-year-old Angela urged her father, "I want to see Caitlin."

"Okay, baby, we're going," Joey assured his daughter. Looking back up the stairs, he called again. "Craig? Did you hear me?"

From somewhere under his tangle of bed sheets, Craig grumbled. "Yeah! I heard you!" Hearing the front door close, he groaned. There was no way he was ever going to be able to go back to sleep. And he was having such a good dream too.

Just then, the phone rang next to his bed. As he reached for the phone, he looked at the clock. Eight o'clock!? Who would be calling him this early? "Hello?" he said gruffly.

"Craig? Is that you?" Sean asked.

Craig softened his voice. Sean was his best friend since he moved to Degrassi. "Sorry buddy," he apologized, "I'm not used to being up this early on a Sunday. What's up?"

"I'm going to Emma's later for a brunch-like thing," Sean explained, "for her parents and I was wondering if you wanted to go."

Craig laughed. "I get it, you're afraid to go alone, right?"

Sean was irritated by Craig's laughter. "Do you want to go or not, man?"

"Sure, I'll go," Craig said once he stopped laughing. "I think Joey's going to that too."

"Okay, I'll come by your place about eleven, alright?" Sean said just before he hung up.

*****

Caitlin's hotel

Caitlin Ryan stepped out of the elevator and looked around for Joey. When she didn't spot him, she breathed a sigh of relief. She had overslept that morning and had been rushing to get herself ready before he arrived. She took a seat in the lobby to wait for him and pulled out her day planner. She carried it everywhere with her. It had all of her important numbers, addresses, basically her life.

As she began making notes on meetings and whatnot, she noticed someone watching her. Looking up, she saw a woman staring at her with a look that said 'I know I know you'. Suddenly, recognition hit her and the woman hurried over. "You're Caitlin Ryan, aren't you?" she asked, excitedly. Caitlin nodded. "Oh my goodness, I watch your show every week," the woman told her. Caitlin hosted widely respected environmental show.

By the time Joey and Angela arrived, other fans surrounded Caitlin. Joey smiled as he stood by and watched his friend lap up the attention.

Caitlin spotted Joey and excused herself from her fans. "You could have saved me, you know," she told him as she approached.

"What? And ruin my fun watching you?" Joey teased, "You were in your element."

"Uh-huh," Caitlin said, with her eyes slitted. Turning her attention to Angela, she bent down to the little girl's level. "Good morning, sweetie."

Angela hugged Caitlin tightly. "Hi Caitlin," she greeted.

Joey watched the two of them in awe. Angela was a pretty friendly little girl but even she didn't open up to people like she did to Caitlin. It was as if they were kindred spirits. Ang took Caitlin's hand as they walked toward the hotel restaurant. Caitlin looked back at him. "Are you coming, Joey?"

Joey snapped to attention. "Oh yeah," he said, "I'm right behind you."

*****

Emma's house

Christine rolled over. Opening her eyes, she saw Archie sleeping next to her. Ever so lightly, she brought her hand up to trace his face. She couldn't believe they were actually married now.

Archie opened his eyes. "Good morning, Mrs. Simpson," he whispered, holding her hand and kissing the palm.

"Good morning, Mr. Simpson," she replied, leaning over to kiss him. When they broke apart, he wrapped his arms around her. Christine sighed. "This is the happiest moment of my life. I don't ever want to move from this bed ever."

Archie smiled. "Me too, baby, me too."

"What time is it?" Christine asked, from behind a yawn.

Snake peered over her head at the digital clock. "Eight-thirty," he answered. "What time is everyone coming over this morning?"

"Around eleven," Christine answered, trying to snuggle closer to him.

Snake nuzzled her neck. "Eleven o'clock, huh?" he whispered in her ear. "What ever will we do with ourselves until then?"

Christine giggled as he kissed her neck, sending chills down her spine. Snake pulled the covers over their head and did things to Christine that made her glad that Emma was out of the house.

*****

A/N: that's all for now.this is just an introduction. I have more planned. Next chapter: The Brunch. Please review. I want to see how you like it.