Disclaimer: SC1

AN: This chapter may seem a bit cluttered but it sets what I want up for the next chapter which will get into what you're all waiting for... how Ellie died, well, part of it, but it's all in the next chapter.


"I haven't seen you all day," Emma said in what she hoped was an apologetic tone as Sean wearily walked through the front door and collapsed on the couch. "I was starting to get a little worried. You know, after what happened this morning."

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that," Sean said, offering no other explanation.

"Well, I was wondering if maybe we-."

The fog he'd been in all day clouded his mind again, blocking out Emma's voice for the second time that day...

"Hey Sean," Ellie greeted as she sat on top of the desk in front of him. "What are you still doing here?"

"Detention," Sean shrugged. "I'm supposed to leave at 4:30 but I got an extra hour for showing up late."

"How do you show up late?" Ellie asked. "It's like, right after school isn't it?"

"Yeah but it was- well I mean-," Sean stuttered, a slight blush forming on his face. "I had to pick something up. And if I didn't get it by 4, they were going to sell it."

"Sounds important," Ellie smirked.

"No, not important," Sean shook his head.

"Then let's see it," Ellie said, holding out her palm. As Sean shook his head 'no', his blush increased, a clear signal to Ellie that something what up. "Come on Sean, what is it?"

Sean's hand lingered at his jacket pocket, as if considering showing her whatever 'it' was, but he pulled away empty-handed. Ellie reached over the desk, and in one smooth motion pulled a small black box out of his pocket. She jumped off the desk and ran to the opposite side of the room before Sean even noticed what she had done.

"Shit, El!" Sean shouted in surprise. "Come on, give it back!"

"I just want to know what was so important," Ellie shouted back, then in a quieter tone, made an observation. "Sean, this is a jewelry box."

"Yeah, I know. Give it back," Sean pleaded, making a grab for the box, but Ellie just spun out of his way, pulling up the top of the hinged box.

A small sparkling diamond set in a white-gold bad glistened against the black velvet. Ellie breathe caught in her throat as she pulled the delicate-looking ring out of the box and held it up for Sean to see as well. Sean was overcome with a sense of embarrassment he'd never felt before, but the look of questioning in Ellie's eyes gave him just enough nerve for an explanation.

"I was, well I was hoping to do it properly," Sean whispered, stepping closer and pulling the ring from her fingers. "You know, over a dinner, maybe with Ash or Jay or Alex there but, you screwed that up. Basically, I- um... well... I mean, not now and not till after we graduate but I was hoping that maybe one day you'd want to... marry me?"

"Wh-what?" Ellie stammered.

"Marry me," Sean repeated, holding the ring out to her. Ellie's eyes misted with tears and she couldn't help the wide smile that forced its way onto her face. A slight nod was all she could manage. Sean's face was an exact mirror of hers as he slipped the ring onto her finger...

A sharp ringing noise coming from the kitchen interrupted his thoughts. Emma has stopped talking, but made no move to answer the phone so Sean pushed himself up from the couch to answer the insistent ringing.

"Hello?"

A mechanical voice from the other end answered. "This call is from the Toronto State Prison and is subject to recording. Do you wish to take this call?"

"Um, sure," Sean replied scratching his head. Who did he know that was in there?

"Yo Sean!" an excited male voice greeted happily.

"Jay? Holy shit man!" Sean laughed. "What's up?"

"Not much man," Jay laughed with him. "I'm having a fucking good day man. I got to tell you about it. First, you know, Alex came to visit me and then I found out that I'm getting released… check this, this weekend."

"No kidding?" Sean asked, shocked. "I mean, really? You are?"

"Yeah, I know it's insane!" Jay agreed. "And for good behavior of all things."

"You, good behavior?" Sean joked.

"Told you, insane!" Sean could practically see Jay's smile he continued to rant. "It's crazy in here anyway. I can't wait to get out. First thing I'm doing is getting a drink. Just one, I swear. Maybe. Anyway, what's new with you? I haven't seen you in forever."

"Nothing really," Sean replied. "I got married."

"Yeah to Green Peace," Jay acknowledged. "I got the invite. Waste of paper on me, but nice thought. What is it with you and that girl anyway? The whole off-on thing gets confusing."

"I don't know," Sean tried to find the words to explain. "It's-."

"Never mind, I don't want to know," Jay interrupted. "She pregnant or anything?"

"No, she doesn't want kids right now," Sean shook his head slowly, hoping to keep the fog from overtaking him again. "And I'm not sure if I'm ready..."

"Sean?" Ellie sat down on the couch next to him, her nervousness radiating off her in waves.

"Hey," Sean reached over and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "What's wrong baby?"

Ellie began to chuckle as she replied. "Interesting choice of words there Sean. Seeing as how... well, I was wondering. What do you think about having one? A baby, I mean."

"One day, sure," Sean nodded, running his fingers through her red hair.

"Would that 'one day' happen to come in the next 8 months?" Ellie asked, sucking in her breath, waiting for Sean's answer.

"El, what's going on?" Sean asked, not catching her hints.

"Sean, I'm pregnant," Ellie whispered, a tear slipping down her face, partly because of her fear and the other part because of Sean's look of utter surprise.

"You're serious?" Sean asked, surprise still etched onto his face.

"Yeah. I'll probably deliver about 2 months after we graduate," Ellie nodded, staring at the engagement ring on her hand.

"Well," Sean sighed, lifting her chin up so he could look into her eyes. "I guess it's a good thing I moved up a year last semester."

"What do you mean?" Ellie asked, her brow scrunching.

"Well, it'd be pretty hard on us to have a baby if one of us were still in school," Sean smiled. "El, we're having a baby."

"We're having a baby!" Ellie laughed as Sean pulled her into a tight, happy hug…

"Sean? You still with me?" Jay asked.

"Yeah sorry," Sean shook the fog to the back of his head. "What'd you say?"

"Look, I called you because I wanted to tell about me getting out early so we can hang out or whatever, but I also thought you'd like to know that Robbins got dragged in here a few days ago."

A chill washed over Sean as he pulled one of the kitchen chairs out from under the table, falling heavily into the cushioned seat. "Robbins? As in-?"

"The one and fucking only," Jay confirmed. "Got to say, I'm pissed off because now every time I see him I want to rip his head off... uh, not that I'm going to or anything because anyone listening in on this call would get me in trouble for making threats… I guess something finally caught up with him. That's a good thing, right?"

"Maybe," Sean sighed. "What's he in for?"

"I don't know. I don't have any chanced to talk to him," Jay said apologetically.

"You have one minute left for this call," the robotic voice interrupted.

"I got to go man," Jay said. "I'm out at 5 on Saturday. Lexxi's picking me up. You want to meet us there and go do something?"

"Yeah, three and half years is too long to not be seeing my best friend," Sean replied, a small smile stretching across his face.

"Best friend?" Jay repeated uncertainly.

"Yeah. Best. Friend," Sean repeated. "Jay, it wasn't your fault. You know I don't blame you."

"But I still do," Jay admitted, but couldn't say anything more as the dial tone filled the earpiece.

"I'm sorry I killed her Sean," Jay whispered sadly before letting the guard escort him through the prison.


AN2: Don't go insane on me. I promise to update sooner this time and explain most of everything with Jay.

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