The Scientist

A/N: I suggest reading "Thru The Eyes of the Innocent" before reading this fic, for it plays a major part in this story.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Degrassi: The Next Generation or Coldplay's "The Scientist." I only own the characters whose names you do not reconize.

Full Summary: She left the world holding the only thing precious to her close to her heart, only to leave him behind in a world of insanity.

Chapter One: First Breath, Final Heartbeat

The world was fuzzy around her, as blackness threatened to settle in permanently. The pain was unbearable and her head throbbed as hurried voices buzzed about her, shouting out commands and she felt herself being pricked and prodded. She looked up into a pair of kind gray eyes and asked wearily, "Where am I? What's happened?" She was put onto a bed, legs propped up as the man answered, "You had an accident and you fell, Ms. Nelson. You're about to have your baby now."

Lights blinded her as Emma could barely comprehend the words the doctor had spoken, then it all came rushing back to her as she struggled to prop herself up. "My baby…will my baby be alright?" she asked, each breath a struggle.

"Yes, but you've got to work with me, now. Push with each contraction, alright? And here one comes, bar down now…and one, two, three…that's it, you're doing fine…"

Emma felt as though daggers were ripping through herfrail body, tearing her apart. But how she had anticipated this moment for months; to hold her precious baby in her arms, be relieved of all the pain that her pregnancy had brought about. It was all worth it, she told herself. Every tear fallen, every harsh word spoken, every fear and worry and emotional and physical pain felt, it was all...worth it.

"Four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Good girl, Emma. Take a breath now."

Emma flopped back onto the pillows, her hair billowing out around her, and covered her face in her hands. Shame, so much shame she had felt. The embarrassment had been unbearable, as was the criticism and this heavy weight of guilt she had felt all these months. But it wasn't her fault!

A loud sobbed erupted from Emma's chest and she could literally feel her heart breaking as another contraction hit.

"This is it, Emma. Push really hard for me, now. And one, two, three…"

Emma drifted back to the days of her innocent youth as she screamed and she fought to bring her baby into the world. All that was young of her was being pulled away, instilled in this tiny innocent baby which acts that were not so innocent had brought about.

"And you have a healthy baby boy!" The doctor proclaimed joyously, and as he held up the wailing little infant Emma smiled for the first time in what seemed like eons of years. He was passed to her chest, and Emma held the grimly, squiggling little boy to her beating heart, that had beaten so steadilyabove hisown for nine whole months, and laughed as she sank back into the bed, his wails puncturing the walls. He was a strong one, alright.

But just as quickly as her misery ended in that split second her son was brought into the world,glee faded as Emma went into a daze, and her arm tumbled to her side as the nurses rushed to her and the baby's aid. She fought to keep her eyes open, telling herself she was only tired.

"My baby, my baby boy," she sobbed as theywrapped him in a blanket tightly andrushed him out of the room.

"My Chase. I want my Chase to be alright. Please tell me he'll be alright," she murmured to the doctor that worked above her. He nodded, giving her his assurance. She was just so tired…it wouldn't hurt if she just closed her eyes for a second…

XxX

"Time of death, 12:44 pm."

"Only four minutes after the boy was born, doctor."

"Yes. Where are Ms. Nelson's parents?"

"They're on their way."

"Alright. We'll have to talk to them about the boy, Chase. That's what Ms. Nelson wanted his name to be, please tell the nurses down in the neonatal nursery so he can be properly named. If the parents agree to custody, they will fill out the birth certificate."

"Poor baby. Poor girl. The child's seventeen year old mother is dead barely after he took his first breath."

"…It's such a shame for us to part…"