Title: A Little Push Goes A Long Way
Author: Anne
Rating: T
Genre: General
Disclaimer: I don't own Degrassi or the Michalchuks.

Prologue: The Truth Comes Out

"So, how were finals, hun?" Paige asked into the cordless phone she held while she rummaged the kitchen for a snack.

She paused for a moment to listen to the answer as she continued her search for a snack. "They were pretty brutal, but I managed okay," came the reply from her older brother.

Settling on an apple from the fruit bowl on the counter, Paige smiled to herself as she asked, "You finally ready to come home from your exchange?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line and her smile faded quickly as she repeatedly tossed her apple in the air and caught it. "I think I might wanna transfer…for good. They have a great Business program here," Dylan finally said, his words slow and tentative.

Surprised at his words, Paige dropped her apple and exclaimed, "You have to come home!"

As she scrambled to pick the rolling apple off the ground, she listened to Dylan's explanation. "McGill's been good to me and I've started over here. There's nothing there for me anymore, sis."

"What are you talking about? U of T has something…or will have something…McGill clearly doesn't have: Marco." Paige sighed after she spoke and grabbed the apple off the floor and put it on the counter. "Marco got early acceptance."

"Paige…" There was an exasperated tone of voice that Paige recognized as his drop it voice and she had to think carefully about her next move. "You know I don't have him as a reason to come home anymore."

Paige shut her eyes tight for a moment to try to think of something else to say. "He still loves you, Dylan!" she blurted out as she drifted towards the living room, then after a pause, she added, "Please come home, Dylan…he's not the only one who misses you."

"Paige…" That time, Dylan's voice had a softer undertone to it, the one Paige recognized as his reassuring big brother voice. "Come on…you know I can't be at home all the time anymore. We're growing up. It doesn't mean I don't love you anymore."

Paige bit her lower lip as she plopped onto the couch. "I know. I just want you to make things right with Marco. I know you still love him."

"So this has nothing to do with you missing your big brother?" The smug voice made Paige roll her eyes.

"Maybe a little…but if you don't make things right with Marco soon, you'll lose him forever," Paige warned him, "I can't stand to see you miss out on true love."

"Thanks sis." There was another pause and he added, "I'll think about it."

"Look, if you decide you love Marco enough to beg and grovel for his forgiveness, I'll work something out." Paige's eyes lit up as she spoke.

"I'm not even gonna ask…I have to go though, we'll catch up again tomorrow?"

"Count on it, bro!"

"Stay out of trouble, Paige. I mean it."

"I know you do. I'll talk to you later, Dyl."

"Bye."

Paige hung up the phone with a smirk on her face. It was time for her to put her master plan into action. Dylan was not going to miss out on true love, not on her watch, and neither was Marco.