My note…As many of you have probably guessed, you can't exactly have all this build up without a culmination...that's this chapter. I also have a part in this chapter, that may or may not be a spoiler, but it is very loosely based on a clip from one of the promos(which are almost impossible to read, if you ask me).

YOU'RE STILL YOU

CHAPTER 4: CONFRONTATION

When Ashley got home, she ran straight up to her bedroom and cried into her pillow. How could this be happening to her? Yes, she deserved the cold shoulder from Jimmy. His bitterness and anger...probably. But she did not deserve what she saw in that parking lot. First Craig, then Alistair, now Jimmy. Jimmy? No, Jimmy would never cheat on her...not in a million years...he just wasn't that type of person. Was he?

Her tears turned from anguished to angered. She sat up on her bed with a start and caught her reflection in the mirror of her vanity. She loved him...and she wasn't ready to give that up without a fight.

A soft knock on the door startled Ashley back into reality. "Ash honey?", Kate called out from the hallway.

Ashley hasitly swiped her eyes with the backs of her hands and slipped off of her bed. "Coming", she answered as calmly as she could, scrambling to cover up any evidence that would show she'd been crying.

"Hey Mom", Ashley greeted as she opened the door, twirling around quickly so Kate wouldn't see her face. She walked over to her vanity and proceeded to remove her makeup...as if that's what she was doing before her mother came in. "What's up?", she asked casually.

"I stopped at the supermarket on my way home...", Kate paused, trying to gauge Ashley's reaction, and when there wasn't any, she continued. "I ran into Mrs. Brooks at the pharmacy...she was there picking up Jimmy's prescriptions.", at this, Ashley visibly stiffened and Kate hesitated. "I thought the two of you did that last week", she stated questioningly.

"We must've forgot something", Ashley muttered dismissively, as she stood up and started walking over to the door.

"She also said that she misses you...well, with all of the time you two spend over here", Kate proceeded pressingly, causing Ashley to stop dead in her tracks. "Ash, what's going on?", her mother asked, with much concern, as she stood up to face Ashley. "Jimmy hasn't been here in over two weeks...and I'm guessing you haven't been over there either".

Without turning around, Ashley sighed heavily, "We've both been really busy with...".

"Ashley", Kate scolded mildly, taking a tentative step forward.

Ashley's straightened her shoulder and turned quickly. "We had a fight...okay?", she spat in frustration, placing her hands on her hips, as if challenging her mother to go any further.

"A fight?", Kate parroted, sounding confused and sympathetic at the same time. She walked over to Ashley and laid a hand on her shoulder. "Sweetie, what happened?".

This wasn't what Ashley wanted, so she steeled herself and brushed off her mother's concern by taking a step back. "I messed up and now I have to fix it", Ashley answered flatly. "So if you'll excuse me...", she headed for the stairs. "...I have a relationship to save".

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Jimmy tried to get the image out of his head...Ashley standing out in front of the school, a look of shock and sadness swimming across her beautiful features, the briskness of her walk as she hurried toward him, and the clipped "Here" as she tossed a notebook into his lap. The days notes from the classes they shared, she's made a copy for him, and for some reason that angered him.

But what angered Jimmy most was the way he felt...or didn't feel. God this was so confusing.

"You get in trouble with your teachers for ditching school?", Trina asked Jimmy playfully, during their afternoon workout. She was sensing he was in a very prickly mood and hoped it wasn't all her fault.

Jimmy was preoccupied with adjusting his new braces and mumbled out a "Huh?", before the question even resistered. He glanced up at Trina and proceeded to re-fasten the side of his pants. "Ah no", he grunted dismissively, as he painstakingly pulled himself up to a standing position. Once he had his balance and saw that he was standing properly, he blew out a relieved sigh. "I guess that's the only good thing about being the crippled kid at school...got a built-in excuse for missing class and nobody ever asks any questions", he continued bitterly.

Trina smirked, he was pissy...this was going to be interesting. "Okay Brooks, spill it", she demanded with mock exasperation, as she slowly made her way over to the mat where Jimmy was calculating his next move.

"Spill what?", he grunted softly as he moved his crutches out in front of him.

"What's got you so uptight today", she elaborated impatiently.

Jimmy twisted slightly in preparation to take a step. "Trina, I'm a little busy here", he snapped, blowing out a frustrated sigh in the process.

Trina could sense his apprehension and she eased up on him a little. "You're doing fine", she encouraged, stepping a little closer. "Now swing forward...slowly. Make sure you can see where your footing is before you take that second step".

Jimmy did what he was told and it worked. He smiled triuphantly at Trina and tried it again. After a few more laborious minutes, and four steps behind him, Jimmy was physically exhausted...but beaming with pride. He didn't want to stop, he wanted to make it across the room, even though it took him almost ten minutes to move just five feet.

"Well, I'm ready for a break...how 'bout you?", Trina asked, trying to sound casual. She could almost feel his strength waning as much as she could see it. It was tiring just watching him.

"One more", he grunted and dug deep within himself to push forward. Jimmy's arms began to tremble with exertion.

Trina held her breath when she saw the toe of Jimmy's shoe catch on the mat. She knew he didn't have the hip function, to right his leg. "Jimmy hold up", she warned and moved to help him. She steadied herself on one crutch, then leaned down to adjust Jimmy's foot position, but the sudden movement, coupled with his fading stamina, and poor sense of balance casued him to pitch forward and topple...right on top of Trina.

"Oh God, I'm so sorry", Jimmy apologized feverently and pushed himself up on his elbows. "Are you alright?".

Trina let out a deep chuckle as she slithered out from underneath Jimmy, but remained next to him. "I'm fine, I was the one closer to the floor", she assured him, but looked skeptically at his position on the mat. "How about you...are you okay?".

Jimmy blushed with embarrassment and shifted to look back at his legs which were sprawled out behind him. "I think so", he answered with a humbled grin.

Trina looked into the eyes that held her gaze. She was surprised she'd never really noticed them before...but then again, she'd never been this close in proximity before. They were brown, but not the deep brown you'd expect with someone of Jimmy's complexion. These were light, with a hint of green around the iris', and they were sparkling...happy.

"Go out with me tonight", she blurted confidently. Jimmy lowered his head shyly. "C'mon Jimmy, I owe you a dinner, remember?", Trina pressed, amused by his sudden self-consciousness. "It'll be fun...we can go celebrate".

Jimmy shifted and propped himself on his left side. "So I impressed you today?", he asked, with a playful smirk.

"Of course you did Jimmy", Trina replied insistently as she scooted up to sit. "I'm so proud of your accomplisment".

"Well I guess that only leaves one thing left to do", Jimmy stated, then glanced back to where his abandoned chair was sitting. "But I think I'm gonna need a little help with that".

Trina scanned the floor for her discarded crutches and laughed, "Yeah, me too".

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"So, um...Craig's coming back to town", Ellie managed to say through her chewing, as she bit into her slice of pizza.

"Really?", Ashley asked, more surprised than curious.

"Yeah, I guess he was supposed to go on this fast-pace tour in the states, but Joey didn't think he was ready for that much stress, so Leo booked his Canadian tour first", Ellie explained. "He kicks it off right here in Toronto".

"Wow, that's great", Ashley replied excitedly, this time surprised that she actually was curious. "How did you find this out?", she asked airily, as if they were discussing the weather.

"From Marco of course...it's where I find out all of my information. I swear, the guys knows everything", Ellie sighed and rolled her eyes. "I guess they've been keeping in touch through e-mails and phone calls", she shrugged indifferently, but Ashley could see Craig Manning still had a huge effect on her best friend.

Ashley felt the need to change the subject, but before she even realized the words were coming out of her mouth, she foud herself asking, "So when's he gonna be here?".

"Day after tomorrow", Ellie answered, feeling oddly suspicious of Ashley.

"And he's staying here?", Ashley pressed on casually, picking at the cheese on her pizza.

"I'm not sure. When Griffen moved in, he took the extra room, but Marco said he'd give up his room and sleep on the couch...", Ellie trailed off slightly. "I'm just not sure how I feel about Craig staying here after everything that's happened". Ellie remained quiet for a few more seconds and Ashley could see the myriad of emotions playing across her face. "In fact, I'm not sure how I feel about just seeing Craig again...after everything", she amended softly.

"Oh c'mon El...you know you want to see him", Ashley teased lightly. Ellie blushed and looked away avoidingly. "And, he did tell you he loved you before he left".

"Yeah, but he was also high on cocaine at the time, remember?", Ellie replied woefully.

Ashley cringed at Ellie's reply. "But he did write and record a song about you while he was in rehab", she offered genuinely.

"Yeah Ash, and 'Red-headed for Trouble' is such a positive song", Ellie cut-in incredulously.

"No...not all of it", Ashley conceeded quickly. "Some of the lyrics had profound meaning...", Ellie shot her a doubtful look, but had to agree, the song started out a little harsh, but ended on a more positive note, open-ended...as if not quite finished. "...it's probably just Craig's way of apologizing for what he did to you".

"And that's supposed to fix everything?", Ellie snipped.

Ashley's expression fell as she remembered those were the same words Jimmy muttered to her in front of his locker, just a mere week and a half ago. "You're right El...", she muttered softly. "...somethings can never be fixed".

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Craig Manning arrived in Toronto only three hours before he was due on stage at the university's campus club. He barely had time to finish his sandwich and pop, before he was wisked away to start the sound check with his band.

Ashley actually had no intentions of showing up Friday night to see Craig perform, but something was drawing her to that club. Call it a strong obligation to support an old friend, or the odd desire to see the wannbe rocker who made it big...Ashley was there.

Craig was in the middle of a song when he looked up to see Ashley standing there, he smiled genuinely at her as he continued with "She's the Ash". Ashley smiled back, in much the same manner. She was totally enamored with his stage presence and the way he was singing that song...

The song ended all too soon and the crowd erupted in applause...Ashley included. "Hey stranger, didn't think I'd see you here", Craig greeted playfully as he passed the table of his friends and walked up to Ashley.

"And what made you think that?", she asked back, feigning hurt.

Craig looked over his shoulder at the table where Paige, Ellie, Marco, Spinner and Jane were sitting. "They did", he replied, tossing his head in their direction. Ashley took in a deep breath and gave a small, friendly wave in their direction, but couldn't help but wonder what else they may have told him.

"You look really good Craig", Ashley skipped over the awkwardness with an observation. "...and sounded even better".

Craig smiled alarmingly at her and motioned toward the stage while he bactracked to the table. "I was thinking we could all get up there and do a number together", he suggested. "Like a DS reunion".

"DS?", Jane questioned.

"Downtown Sasquatch...the name of our band", Paige answered pompously.

"No actually that was our band", Spinner corrected, pointing in a circular motion to himself, Marco, Craig and even including Ellie and Ashley. "If I'm not mistaken Paige, the name of your band was P.M.S.".

"You're kidding?", Jane burst out into laughter.

"P-M-S...stands for Paige Michalchuk and the Sexkittens", she clarified seethingly at Spinner's new girlfriend, and the two sat glaring at one another.

"So what'd you say?", Craig asked eagerly, glancing at the hesitant faces of each of his friends. "Hey wait a minute...where's Jimmy?", he called out seconds later, looking pointedly at Ashley.

"Couldn't get a hold of him", she answered, not missing a beat, and wanting desperatly to change the subject.

Craig scanned the faces of his friends again, this time they were filled with a mixture of, what looked to be, sadness and disappointment. "Is everything alright?", he asked curiously.

"Yeah, he's just been really busy with physio", Ashley replied quickly, before the others could answer. "He's been going through some really intese therapy, that doesn't exactly leave a whole lotta time for anything else".

It wasn't a complete lie, and Craig seemed to buy it just fine...the others, weren't as naive though. "What song did you want us to sing?", Ashley asked, accepting his offer for the rest of the group.

"Well probably the only song we all know...Everythings Dust", he chuckled in reply.

Spinner and Marco audibly groaned at the idea and Ellie shook her head. "I'm out", she clipped, folding her arms across her chest.

"Why?", Craig asked incredulously.

"Spinner's here Craig...you don't need two drummers", she answered sarcastically.

Craig moved next to her and snaked his arm around her shoulders. "No, but I'm down a guitar and I know you still play", he stated suggestively and flashed her a grin. Ellie didn't know if she wanted to throw-up or throw him down on the table and kiss him senseless, so all she could do was nod weakly and follow Craig up onto the stage.

---------------

"You're in for a real treat tonight folks", the bouncer greeted as Jimmy and Trina flashed him their id's for admittance to the campus club.

"Oh yeah, what?", Jimmy asked lightly.

"Not what my friend...but who", he proceeded majestically. Jimmy looked up at him expectantly. "Toronto's very own Craig Manning".

"You're serious...Craig's here?", Jimmy chuckleded excitedly.

"Why, you know him?", the bouncer inquired, disbelievingly.

"Yeah man, were like best friends, we went to school together. I played guitar in his first band, Downtown Sasquatch", Jimmy explained.

"Sure you did", the man laughed.

"He even gave me a shout out on his cd. I'm Jimmy B", Jimmy tried to convince him.

"Yeah and I'm the tooth fairy", he replied dismissively. Jimmy was growing aggrivated, especially since the man seemed to enjoy toying with him. "If you know so much about him, tell me something nobody else knows".

Jimmy thought for a second. "His birthday's September 1, 1988. He likes ketchup and gravy on his fries. He once...".

"Hey, anybody could find that stuff out from his website or an interview", the man cut in angrily.

"Fine...he was the first person to find me in the hall of our school after I'd been shot in the back", Jimmy spat bitterly. "Go find him...ask him", he added in challenge.

The man's expression fell and he eyed Jimmy's chair, as if just seeing it for the first time. "No man...ah, he's on now anyway...go ahead", he mumbled apologetically and moved out of Jimmy and Trina's way.

With the help of another employee, Jimmy and Trina were able to maneuver through the standing crowd and over to a vacated table. Jimmy could hear Craig talking to the audience, but couldn't quite see him from his vantage point, until he swiveled around the table and stopped in front of it.

What he saw then, both shocked and angered him.

Ashley was next to Craig, microphone in her hand, huge smile on her face. She was looking up at him as the music started..."My Window". Ash's song. The one Craig stole. And now she was singing a duet with him.

Jimmy was so preoccupied with Ashley, that he never noticed his former bandmates and friends were up there too. He felt his chest tighten as he watched her up there with him. All of Jimmy's feelings of insecurity came flooding back.

This is what she wanted all along, the music, the performing...Craig?.

The crowd jumped up and applauded when the music stopped, obscuring Jimmy's view mometarily. When the cheering died down, Jimmy could see Craig walking toward him, hand in hand with Ashley. "I thought I saw you sneak in here a few minutes ago", Craig scolded playfully as he reached the table. Ashley finally saw who Craig was acknowledging and immediately snatched her hand from his grasp.

Jimmy took a moment to compose himself. "Sorry man, I had no idea you were playing here tonight", he answered apologetically.

"Well maybe if you check your voicemail every once in a while...oh yeah, I forgot, you're not taking any of my calls anyway", Ashley spat angrily, tears of hurt filling her eyes at seeing who Jimmy was with...again.

The atmosphere was starting to make Craig and Trina very uncomfortable. "What does it matter?", Jimmy questioned, as he looked from Ashley over to Craig and back again, "Just as long as you get what you want, right?".

"Oh, that's funny coming from you", she yelled back. "At least I knew what I wanted and fought for it. I tried apologizing, giving you your space...I tried making things right. You? You just threw everything away and hooked up with the first person that came along".

Defensively, Jimmy sat up a little taller. "What does Trina have to do with this?", he asked incredulously. "Her and I are just friends...".

"Oh, you looked a hell of a lot cozier than just friends, the other day at school", Ashley argued. "And in my book that's cheating".

"Cheating?", Jimmy contested.

"What do you call it then Jimmy?", she queried. "You've been going out for burgers, ditching school with her, going to concerts...I mean, I'm still your girlfriend...there was never a formal acclamation of a breakup, so...".

"Well maybe there should be then", the words flew out of his mouth before he could stop them. He immediately regretted them, but it was too late. "Ash?", he whispered painfully.

The tears were flowing freely now, but Ashley didn't care. She shrugged defeatedly and conceeded softly, "Yeah, maybe there should".

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Oooh, the dreaded break up. Sorry about that, but I feel this is a integral part of the storyline that needs to happen, for the rest to make sense. Not too sure how I'd feel about it in the actual show though...I don't trust those Degrassi writers too much.

Many thanks to my reviewers...havocmangawip, lilfiftyfour, SAMMiE and missTrombone.

Degrassi is not mine.