Author's Note: STORY IS BACK AND REVISED! :D Inspired by the Dawson's Creek episode "Castaways". This is a season 7 AU. Jesse and Ellie officially ended in "Love My Way" in season 6, and this fic takes place before "It's Tricky".

"Good afternoon," Marco greeted his friend as she entered the house.

"Hey," she said kicking the door closed behind her. She carried what felt like a ton of textbooks in her arms. Marco relieved her of a few. "Thanks," she said.

"How was class?" Marco asked as he and Ellie made their way into the kitchen.

"Horrible. Professor Carrington assigned us a 10 page essay on ancient scribes, the people of the pre-journalism days. We have to choose two un – well known scribes and write five pages on their life and writing work."

"Ouch,"

"Yeah. I have to go through these books tonight and choose who I wanna do."

"Well when's the essay due? I could help."

"Friday,"

"What? That's four days from now, how are you gonna finish?"

"Confine myself to bedroom solitude until I get 10 pages written." Ellie shrugged.

"That's torture."

"That's college."

"And…that is true." Marco set some of the books on the counter. "Well you want anything to eat? I'm not as good a cook as Paige, but you know I make a mean lasagna!"

"No, I'm not that hungry right now." Ellie giggled. "I think I should go start on this paper."

"Well let me know if you need help. I'll be fixing dinner; Paige should be in soon from work."

"Kay! I'll attempt to resurface later!" Ellie grabbed some of the books and scurried upstairs.

…

She hadn't eaten, she hadn't been downstairs, she hadn't said a word to either Marco or Paige. All she did was read, read about boring scribes and their pathetic so-called works of writing. Ellie loved to write, journalism was her passion, but if this was what it meant to be a journalist, she may have to reset her 10 year plan… or maybe just declare a new major.

"Elle, telephone!" Marco shouted up almost two hours later during her confinement.

"Tell them I'll call back." She said lazily, her head resting on her desk.

"I think you'll wanna take this."

"Ugh…hold on," she sighed. Ellie managed to gather the strength to pull herself from her chair. She sluggishly walked through the hall and down the steps. Marco handed her the phone when she reached the kitchen. "Hello?" she said dully.

"Hey," the voice was unbearably familiar. It nearly made Ellie jump.

"Craig?" she seemed to have liven upon hearing his name come from her mouth. She turned to Marco for conformation. He nodded.

"Yep, it's me. How've yah been?" he said casually.

"Good… I guess. You?"

"Doing alright. I'm out,"

"Of rehab? That's good. Good for you."

"Yep, a full recovery. The group leader said I was fantastic. I feel all proud." Craig did a small chuckle.

"Good. I'm happy for you." Ellie knew here responses were a bit bland and generic, but she tried her best to sound happy…though she was still a little shell shocked that she was even speaking to Craig Manning.

"And in between, I was kinda recording an album."

"Really? An album? Wow, I didn't know you could record music in rehab…well then again, Eminem."

Craig chuckled.

"Well, they scheduled appointments for me to make trips to the studio. It took almost two months, but I got it done."

"That's cool. When does it drop?"

"In two days actually."

"Seriously? That's awesome, I'll be sure to check it out."

"Well you might be able to score a free copy. See the album release party is tomorrow…and I need a date."

"And...?" Ellie asked as if she didn't already know what was coming next.

"Well, that's why I called. I know it's been a while and we haven't really talked since… the airport, but… I miss you and I know we can't really be us again, yah know high school us," he paused for a moment. "But it would be really good to hang out and see you again. So, would you… go with me, as a friend? Strictly professional."

Ellie felt her stomach sink in at his proposal; she was lost for words…to put it in a cheesy sense. It seemed like hours before she could speak.

"Um, Craig… I," was all she let slip.

"It's cool, I totally understand if you don't wanna go. It's been almost four months, you're probably busy; you're probably with Jesse; you probably still hate my guts-"

"No, I don't, I don't hate you and I'm definitely not with Jesse… I'm just busy. I have this essay due and…"

"Yeah, college and everything, I forgot. Well the party's at Smithdale U, that's only an hour from the city. I don't know if Marco's told you but, me and him talked and… he said I could crash there with you guys for a day or two before I head back to Calgary…just a precaution…since they've been talking snow and stuff on the news."

"Oh did he?" Ellie asked, shooting a glare at Marco. "How sweet." She figured Marco had caught on to what they were talking about, due to his sudden flustering.

"Yeah. Is that okay with you?"

"Totally, yeah. We wouldn't want you caught out there in that…bad, bad…weather and…what not."

"Okay cool…well, I'll see you tomorrow night…when I head in."

"Okay, cool. Bye,"

"Bye," they disconnected. Ellie felt her nervous doing back flips.

"So?" Marco asked as eagerly.

"You said he could stay here?"

"Well…yeah…they've been talking snow flurried…and such. And he didn't have a place to stay, so I offered."

"Thank you so much Marco," the redhead's tone was oozing with sarcasm.

"What? It's not like you guys haven't been keeping contact. Haven't you been writing letters?"

"Yeah. Two letters. And one was only a letter for him got sent here by accident. And the second was just like a dull follow up letter. I wanted to know how he was doing in rehab. I didn't get all emotional with it."

"Why do you sound so upset? Don't tell me you're still bitter over last year."

"Oh please. Me bitter?" Ellie folded her arms all offended and stubborn-like.

"It's what you're famous for." Marcus said as if he were top grade professor that taught Ellie Nash 101.

"Ha, ha, funny. I'm bitter because I actually have morals and don't let drug addicts takeover my life." Ellie shook her head in disbelief and walked off.

"Ellie!" Marco followed her. She was just starting up the steps as he'd reached her.

"What?"

"Don't you think it's time you got over it? He's sorry, can't that be enough?"

Ellie ignored his words altogether and continued her stride up the steps. She wasn't in the mood for this.