A/N: Couldn't help but start a Jeremy Sherwood fanfic. I miss him on the show! This story will probably end up spanning over a few years. It starts slow and picks up later. The story and chapter titles are from SafetySuit lyrics.

AU Notes: For the purposes of this story, Amanda is a year younger than Jeremy. He was never abusive towards Denise.

Acelynn sighed as she threw the last couple of shirts into her duffle bag before zipping it up and setting the bag in the hallway. She turned back to where her boyfriend was seated on her bed and put her hands on her hips.

"Alex, I told you this was happening. We've talked about it several times. Did you think I was fighting with you for fun?"

"No, but I guess I thought maybe you'd change your mind and want to stay and spend the summer with me here," Alex scoffed. "I guess I was wrong."

Acelynn rolled her eyes and groaned. She picked up his hands and kissed him chastely. "We're only sixteen. Next year – senior year – is going to be amazing. We'll be together. We'll get to do all the fun things together – games and dances and trips. At the same time, we're a year away from graduating high school and I've barely been out of Boston. My aunt needs my help this summer, so I'm going to Charleston. Will it really be so hard for you to wait three months for me?"

Alex shrugged. "You know what, Ace, don't even worry about it. You go down there and do your thing. Maybe I'll be here waiting for you, maybe I won't."

He kissed her cheek roughly before stomping out of the house. Acelynn sighed and ran a hand through her hair. Her father came in a few seconds later with a frown.

"What's with Alex?"

"I think we just broke up," Acelynn sighed. "I'm ready to go."

"You don't have to go this summer if it's going to cause problems with Alex," her father assured her. "You can stay here and – I'll spring for Red Sox tickets for you two. You can patch things up."

She sighed again. If it had been more difficult convincing anyone other than Alex that she was going to Charleston this summer, it had been her father. But, when her aunt Pamela had called and asked for help with the kids while school was out, Acelynn jumped on the opportunity. To her, it was a life experience; something she could look back and say she had done before she graduated. Maybe helping watch her younger cousins wasn't exactly a glamorous way to say she had gone outside of Boston – hell, outside of Massachusetts – but still. She was going to live somewhere else for a few months, and to Acelynn McGrath, that was something.

"Daddy, if I pass up those Red Sox tickets to go see Aunt Pamela in South Carolina, will that finally convince you that I really want to go?"

Her father sighed. "Sweetie, I just think you're risking a lot by letting Alex walk out and then leaving for three months."

Acelynn took a deep breath and pulled her father down to sit next to her on the bed. "I know that you met Mom when you were fourteen, and that you fell in love the moment you met her. I know that you were inseparable, and that Alex and I have followed that pattern up until now. I also know that if I don't ever get out of Boston – and I'm not saying this to hurt you – that I will leave Alex one day, just like she left you. I don't want to be like her."

He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "You sound just like her when you say things like that. You're right, Ace. I'm sorry. Get your bag, and I'll take you to the airport."

She jumped up with a squeal and kissed her father's cheek. "Thank you, Daddy."

.&.

Pamela Moran anxiously searched the travelers at the Charleston airport for any sign of her niece. She had been more than relieved when not only did Acelynn agree to come down and help her with the kids for the summer, but Acelynn's stubborn father also agreed to allow the girl to come. Pamela knew that her brother kept close tabs on Acelynn, but Acelynn had still somehow managed to develop a personality that allowed her to hold her own. She wasn't outspoken on most occasions, but she was no doormat, either – no doubt that she was related to Pamela.

Finally, a petite girl in a Red Sox shirt and denim cutoffs came into her view. Her long dark hair was anchored in a braid to one side of her head, and her jade green eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Aunt Pamela!" she greeted with enthusiasm, running for the familiar face. She embraced her aunt fiercely. "It's so good to see you!"

"You, too," Pamela replied with sincerity. "Do you have bags?"

"Just one," Acelynn replied. "Are Katie and Lucas with you?"

Pamela shook her head. "Day came. From eleven to four you and I are on our own. I know I asked you to come down and help, and believe me, I'll still need plenty of help. Chase's new job has a tendency to steal him away at really inopportune moments and leave me without much help."

"What about the women you told me about? The ones who helped you when you were in labor?"

Pamela smiled as she directed her niece towards baggage claim. "You'll meet them, too. But they have their own families, so I can't rely on them all the time. And now, with the radio show –"

"Radio show?" Acelynn interjected. "That's great!"

"I've got a lot to catch you up on. Find your bag and I'll fill you in on the way to the house."

By the time they were back at the house, Pamela had filled Acelynn in on everything that had gone on the last few months at Fort Marshall. She had a basic idea of where everything was located, although she was sure she would get lost at some point.

"There's a great group of kids your age on the post," Pamela said, showing Acelynn the kids' room where she could keep her things. "I'll introduce you to some of them so you can fill your time while the kids are at camp and at night."

Acelynn frowned. "But I'm here to help you."

"I know that," Pamela assured. "But I also know that you've never really been out of Boston. I can't let you out without boundaries, but you've got to live a little. Have fun while you're here, Ace."

Acelynn smiled. "Thanks."

.&.

A few days later, Acelynn was on the beach with Pamela and Roxy, soaking up the sun and enjoying the warm ocean water. She hadn't been in Carolina for long, and hadn't done much but spend time with Pamela and the kids, but she already loved it. For all she cared, she could move here and be perfectly content.

"Ace, do you mind walking down to the concession stand over there? I thought I packed the water bottles, but maybe not," Pamela asked.

"Sure," Acelynn shrugged. She accepted a couple of bills from her aunt and went on her way.

The line at the stand wasn't too long; Acelynn purchased three bottled waters and walked back to where the women were laying out. The breeze was just enough to make the hot weather perfectly warm, blowing in off the ocean. She walked along the surf, reveling in the goosebumps that formed on her skin at the sudden change in temperature. She closed her eyes and turned her face up towards the sun. Now if only she could set Fenway Park right there on the –

"I'm so sorry," someone was telling her.

Acelynn opened her eyes and shook her head. In the midst of her reverie, she had run smack dab into someone – or that someone had knocked into her – leaving Acelynn flat on her back. She squeezed her eyes a few times to regain her orientation, then accepted the hand extended out to her.

"I think that may have been my fault," Acelynn told him. "I should have been watching where I was going."

"I was trying to catch a Frisbee, so I had my back to you – even if you were watching, I think I might have run into you. Are you all right?"

Acelyn nodded and finally looked up at the boy with sandy brown hair and hazel eyes. She dusted the sand from her backside and extended her hand.

"I'm Acelynn."

He accepted her handshake with a smile. "I'm Jeremy. Are you new around here?"

"Kind of," Acelynn answered. "I'm visiting my aunt for the summer."

"Ace, you okay?" Pamela asked, suddenly approaching them. "You took a good spill there."

"Oh, the water!" Acelynn said, turning to look for the bottles – they were already floating out to the ocean. "I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention and –"

"It was my fault, Mrs. Moran," Jeremy interrupted.

"I think it was a mutual thing," Acelynn added.

Pamela carefully inspected her niece for any injuries, noting a scrape on her elbow. "That looks rough. I've got to get back for the radio show, anyway. We'll get going and get you cleaned up."

"Okay." Acelynn reached out to shake Jeremy's hand again. "It was nice to meet you, Jeremy. Maybe I'll see you around."

"Yeah, maybe."

She walked back towards the towels and just before she reached down to pick hers up, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning around, she once again saw Jeremy's face, smiling back at her.

"Some of us are going to a movie on post tonight," Jeremy informed her. "You should come – if it's all right with you, Mrs. Moran."

Pamela and Roxy shared a knowing smile. "It's fine with me, but your call, Ace."

Acelynn considered it for a moment, then shrugged. "Sure, I'll go. What time?"

"I'll pick you up at seven," Jeremy offered. "I'm picking up the Holden girls, too."

They worked out a few other details, then parted ways. Once back in the van, Pamela glanced in the rearview mirror at Acelynn's smile.

"How's the elbow?"

"It's fine," Acelynn assured.

"You and Jeremy Sherwood seemed to hit it off, even in just those few minutes," Roxy commented.

Acelynn shook her head. "I'm sure he's just trying to be nice."

"She's been dating the same kid for almost three years," Pamela informed Roxy. "How do you think Alex is going to feel about you going out with another guy tonight?"

Acelynn rolled her eyes. "It's not like a date. He said there would be other people there. And besides, Alex and I broke up before I came down here."

"You didn't tell me that!"

"He didn't want me coming down here. I wasn't about to pass up an opportunity to get out of Boston."

"You don't like it there?" Roxy asked.

"No, it's not that. I just haven't ever lived anywhere else, and even on a week or two vacation, it's difficult to get a feel for another place. I didn't want to say I'd never been anywhere else but Boston."

"Fair enough," Roxy said with a nod. Another exchanged look with Pamela told her she would hear more about that story later.

Acelynn was just out of the shower, trying to decide what to wear when Pamela knocked on the door. Acelynn greeted her with a smile.

"I can't decide what to wear. I feel like it's always cold in a movie theater, but it is so warm outside."

"I'd go jeans and a tank top," Pamela suggested. "Tell me what happened with Alex. You don't even seem that bummed."

Acelynn let out a deep breath and dropped down to the bed. "Probably because I'm not. You know, when Alex and I first met, it was this crazy dream thing – everything was so much like my parents. Then, it just got more and more like my parents. Alex wants to be a cop, and he wants to marry someone who wants to stay at home with the kids, but I don't want to stay at home with the kids. I don't really know what I want to do yet, but stay at home mother isn't it. No offense, Aunt Pamela."

"None taken," Pamela assured her. "I know you're worried about ending up like your mother, Ace, but I think you should not worry so much. You're smart and level-headed. I have to admit though, I think it's good you and Alex are spending some time apart. I'm sorry it caused a break-up, but you've got to take opportunities while you can. I think you did the right thing."

"Thanks," Acelynn smiled. "I'd better get dressed. Jeremy and the other girls will be here soon."

Pamela excused herself from the room, keeping a smile on her face. She and Acelynn had always remained close, despite the physical distance between them, especially after Acelynn's mother left. In the rougher teenage years, it made her feel good that Acelynn wasn't shutting her out.

.&.

"One of Amanda's friends decided she wanted to go to the movie too, but didn't have a ride so Amanda got her parents' car. We'll meet them at the theater," Jeremy explained.

"And I guess I'll figure out who these people are when we get there," Acelynn chuckled.

Jeremy winced. "I'm sorry, I guess I should explain. Amanda is my age – she and Emmalin are Major Sherwood's daughters. He's the post commander. My dad is a colonel. I've grown up with the Holdens since our dads always seem to get stationed on the same post."

"You light up a little bit when you talk about Amanda," Acelynn noted out loud, not at all bothered by that fact.

"Yeah," Jeremy drew out with a blush. "I've had a thing for her for a while, I guess. She's usually away at boarding school, but since she came home this time – it's been a little different."

"Well I don't want to give her the wrong idea about you bringing a random girl with you."

"It'll be fine. Amanda knows I'm interested in her, and she knows I'm not a two-timing kind of guy. I just figure you'll have a better summer if you have a group of people to hang out with."

"Thanks for taking on a charity case," Acelynn teased.

"I don't mean it like that," Jeremy laughed, pulling the car into a parking spot. "How old are you anyway?"

"Sixteen. I'll turn seventeen just before I go back to Boston."

"You're Amanda's age then. Emmalin is a year younger than you two – I'll bet you two will get along well."

Acelynn wasn't sure how he could make a deduction like that since he didn't know her too well, but she just shrugged and went along with it. She made sure she had her money in pocket and her jacket on hand, then took a deep breath as Jeremy led her inside to meet the others.