THE DEATH OF RILEY STAVROS

Disclaimer: I do not own Degrassi, it's characters or it's locations.

A/N: Okay this is the final chapter. I hope you like it and will enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Thank you all for reading and I hope you can take the time to submit a review. Please read my final authors note at the end. Apologies for any errors that may have slipped by me.

Zane and Athena sat on the sofa in Zane's living room. Zane picked up the remote control and clicked the television off. "Best episode ever!" he said and gave a fist pump.

"You've gotta stop doing that." Athena said. "but you're right, that was a really good episode. It was so awesome when they finally had their big kiss." Athena gushed.

"Yeah," Zane agreed, "some of the musical numbers were annoying though. That's one of the reasons why Riley refuses to watch it with me, he hates musicals."

"That's okay." Athena said. "It will be our secret guilty pleasure, besides I don't really watch it for the music, I watch it for the gays. Doesn't Riley still like the gays?" she teased.

"Yeah, but he's also not into high school dramas, says that they aren't realistic." Zane answered.

"Duh, then it wouldn't be on television." Athena scoffed "Besides at least this show has the guts to put a gay relationship front and center, and they don't ignore them like they don't exist."

"That is very awesome." Zane agreed.

"You know what I hate though," Athena ranted, " is when characters just disappear for no reason and there is no mention of why they're gone, like they fell into a black hole or something and all the other characters just forget about them." Just then Athena's phone beeped and she looked down to check it. "Hey, it's a text from my friend Leia!"

Just then the door opened and Riley walked into the living room. Athena forgot all about her message from Leia and dropped the phone back on the sofa. "Hey you." she said.

"What's up with you guys?" Riley asked.

"Just got done watching our favorite television show." Athena replied.

"Eww. Not the one about the two gay guys in the show choir." Riley groaned.

"But tonight's episode was awesome, they totally kissed." she argued.

"Like this." He said and leaned down to lightly kiss Zane's lips.

"No." Athena said with a laugh, "They filmed it at a funny angle to kinda disguise it. I guess so they wouldn't scare the straight folks who were watching."

"Despite not wanting to change the subject from this riveting conversation," Zane said, "how was dinner at your folks?"

Riley's mood turned more serious. He sat down on the sofa, squeezing between Zane and Athena. "We need to talk." he said looking at his boyfriend.

"Yikes. That's my cue to leave." Athena said and started to get up.

"You don't have to go." Zane said

"It's okay, you two need to talk but I want a full report after you guys get everything settled." Athena got up and walked around behind the sofa where she poked her head between Riley and Zane and gave them each a kiss on the cheek. "Love you both, call me later." she said and then left.

"So what happened tonight?" Zane asked. Since the night of Riley's birthday-do-over, Riley had been going once a week to his parents house for dinner, which was very nice for Riley or at least it had been so far. The first dinner had been quiet and awkward, a bit uncomfortable for everyone but very civil. Dinner number two had been easier and more relaxed,fun even. Tonight had been number three and Zane worried that the goodwill had finally run out.

"Tonight was good. We talked like we always do about school, work, family and friends. Of course Ma and Pa were talking about me going away this year to university. We talked about you." Riley stated slowly.

"I bet." Zane laughed.

"No, really." Riley said. " I mean, I always talk about you, not like I'm trying to push our relationship in my parents faces, but I also refuse to treat you like he-who-won't-be-named or whatever."

Zane laughed again. Riley wasn't much of a reader.

Riley continued, "Usually they're kinda quiet when I talk about you, quiet but respectful. They know I wouldn't put up with anything less.

Zane smiled and squeezed his boyfriend's shoulder. If he could be thankful for anything to come out of this whole mess, it was that he and Riley had become much closer and their relationship was stronger than it had ever been before.

"Well tonight, not only were they civil and respectful at the mention of your name, they were curious, they actually asked questions and seemed interested in the answers." Riley continued, "Then they asked a question about you that I couldn't answer."

"What was that?" Zane asked. He assumed they were curious about whether or not he was going to Eastern University with Riley. They had talked about it, of course, and he had been accepted at Eastern, despite lacking Riley's football skills, but Zane had held off on making any decisions just yet. Things were great right now, and for the moment that was enough.

"They wanted to know if you would come with me next week." Riley announced.

"Say what?" Zane asked, he couldn't have heard that right.

"They want to meet you, for real this time, as my boyfriend" Riley said smiling.

"Wow!" Zane said. This was big. Zane had hoped that one day he and Riley's mom would be able to coexist but it had always seemed more of a fantasy. Now it seemed a very real possibility, could the rift between Riley and his family finally be closing? Then again, what if this was some kind of a trap, what if she just wanted to lure Zane over there so she could confront him in front of Riley and Mr. Stavros? Would she do that, could she have really changed so much in such a short amount of time?

"Hey Zane, are you in there." Riley asked waving his hand in front of Zane's face. "You kinda zoned out there for minute. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, of course" Zane replied. "I'm just surprised is all."

"I know, it's incredible isn't?" Riley beamed. "I mean, I know this doesn't just suddenly make everything okay but it's a start right?"

"Yes, I guess." Zane answered flatly.

Riley hesitated for a moment. For some reason Zane didn't seem as happy as he thought he would be. "What do you mean you guess?" he asked patiently.

"Your mom's not one of my biggest fans, Riley. She said some pretty awful things to me, to us. I'm just concerned about this whole sudden turn around she's made." Zane explained.

"It's not that sudden, Zane." Riley said growing annoyed. "I'm not sure why you're so down on this. This is the chance I've been waiting on, to finally bring the most important people in my life together. To have my family and my boyfriend, don't you want that too?"

"Yes of course." Zane reasoned. "It's just..."

"Just what?" Riley interrupted. "You and Pa seem to get on just fine."

"Yes, but you and I don't have quite the same history with your father that we do with your mother." Zane said.

"But that's exactly what it is Zane, history. Why can't you see that?" Riley pleaded.

Zane was torn. He really wanted to do this for Riley, but a part of him just did not trust his mother, not after everything she had done

" I want to but..." Zane pleaded.

Riley's shoulder's slumped, he looked defeated. Abruptly he got up and said, "I'm going to bed." Riley started up the stairs and paused midway. He looked at Zane and said, "Could you at least think about it, please?"

"Of course." Zane replied quickly.

Riley nodded and continued up the stairs,dejected.

Zane groaned and dropped his head into his hands and growled, "This sucks!" to no one in particular.

The next day Zane woke up and Riley was already gone. It looked like he had gotten up early and readied himself for school and just left on his own. In the short time they had lived together, Zane had gotten so attached to Riley that it somehow felt completely wrong to start the day without him. Zane cursed at himself, this was his fault. Riley had been so excited and Zane had been so full of doubt. It must seem so unfair to Riley, for the longest time Zane had urged Riley to be open with his family and now that he was, Zane was pulling back. What's wrong with me? Zane thought. I should jump at this opportunity.

But Zane couldn't, couldn't forget the horrible things that Riley's mother had said. He couldn't forget that Riley had once been tricked into going on a blind date with Athena by Mrs. Stavros. He also couldn't forget how she had treated him at Riley's birthday party, the first one. She might not have wanted to admit it, but she had known Riley and Zane were together and yet she gleefully played along with Riley's lie about a fake girlfriend. She relished it, throwing it in Zane's face, and now he was just supposed to forgive and forget and walk into her house again.

Zane struggled with those thoughts as he got up and got ready for school. He had to figure this out, Riley would expect an answer and right now Zane wasn't sure what that would be. Zane grabbed his book bag and came downstairs, he heard voices coming from the kitchen. " Mom, I'm leaving for school." he shouted.

"Zane wait!" his mother shouted back. She came into the living room looking a bit flushed.

"What's up" he asked.

"Sweetie, you have a visitor." she said.

"Oh." Zane was puzzled for a moment,then his face lit up. "Oh, you mean Athena, Riley must have called her this morning before he left. I guess she's here to.."

"Zane!" his mother interrupted. "It's not Athena. It's Mrs. Stavros."

Zane's mother opened the kitchen door and stood aside to let Mrs. Stavros pass. Riley's mother walked primly into the living room of the Park household and said "Hello Zane."

"Hello Mrs. Stavros." Zane replied. "Please won't you come sit down." he said indicating the sofa. Mrs. Stavros complied and sat down.

"Zane, I'll be in the kitchen if you need me. For anything." Mrs. Park said looking directly at Mrs. Stavros before turning to re-enter the kitchen and let the door swing closed.

Zane smiled nervously, and though he was glad his mom had made her meaning clear, he still felt the need to apologize. "Sorry about that."

Mrs. Stavros smiled. "It's quite all right, She is a mother who loves her son, she and I understand each other."

"I don't want to be rude," Zane began, "but I'm going to be late for school. May I ask why you're here"

Mrs. Stavros smiled. "You're very direct. I like that. My Riley called me this morning, he said that he had relayed my invitation for you to come to dinner next week."

"Did he now?" Zane replied coolly. He still wasn't sure why this woman was here but he had no intention of starting a fight.

"Yes." she replied evenly. He was very distressed about it, so I thought maybe it would be better if I asked you myself.

"Why?" Zane asked not wanting to give any ground.

"So that I may apologize. I said some very cruel, hurtful things to you the last time you were in my home and for that I am sorry." Mrs. Stavros said.

"That's it?" Zane asked. "After everything you said,everything you did that's all you have to say?"

Mrs. Stavros looked down at her lap and collected herself before looking at Zane again and saying. "No that's not all I have to say, but it is a start, yes?" Mrs. Stavros actually looked...,hopeful?

"I suppose it is." Zane replied carefully.

" We are very different people Zane, I'm sure we disagree about many things. But..." Mrs. Stavros added, " we have things in common as well. We are both strong willed and stubborn, we are both very loyal, and we both love Riley."

"That's true." Zane ventured. "I'm curious, how do know so much about me?"

"Riley has spoken of you often." Mrs. Stavros said. "I see the way he looks when he talks of you." she paused. "Riley is the most important thing we have in common. I am his mother and despite what it may seem like to you, I love him very much."

" As do I." Zane repeated fiercely.

"Of that, I am sure." she said with an air of finality. "At one time he was my little boy, my only child, my Riley. But now I see that he is a man and he must live his own life. He is still my Riley, but I can see that he is also your Riley now." she said somewhat wistful, and Zane felt sympathetic. She had realized that she would have to share something that she thought would always be hers.

Zane cleared his throat, "He is an amazing human being Mrs. Stavros, it's obvious that you did a wonderful job raising him and I know he loves you and Mr. Stavros both so much."

Mrs. Stavros smiled. "Then would it not be for the best if we could find some way to share his love, so that he does not feel as if he is being pulled in two directions, can't we both love him enough to do that"

"I believe that we could, but how do we start?

"Well, why don't you come to dinner next week with Riley and we will begin there."

"I...,I'll think about it." Zane answered honestly.

"That is all I can ask." Mrs. Stavros replied.

Zane arrived at school late for his first class but he didn't care. He had to find Riley right away. He walked the halls of Degrassi until he arrived at Riley's locker. He saw Riley standing there with Adam, Dave and Alli Bhandari who was apparently Dave Turner's girlfriend now. "Riley!" Zane called out. Riley looked up to see Zane coming toward him.

Riley smiled at him and started to speak. "Listen, about last night...

Zane cut him off. "Forget it. I was being stupid. I would love to come to your parents house for dinner next week."

"Really?" Riley's face lit up.

"More than anything! Zane answered.

Riley was thrilled and to emphasize his point he grabbed Zane and kissed him passionately, not caring who saw.

Owen Milligan happened to be walking down the hall and witnessed the kiss. "Get a room, you two!" he shouted at Riley and Zane.

Alli looked over her shoulder at Owen as he went past and said. "Oh, get over yourself Owen. You're just mad that Riley picked Zane over you!" she teased.

"Whatever." Owen said blushing.

Alli, Dave and Adam laughed as Owen slunk away.

Riley and Zane continued to kiss, not caring about anything but each other.

One week later.

"Are you nervous?" Riley asked.

"A little." Zane answered.

"Don't be." Riley told him.

Riley rang the doorbell and the door opened to reveal Mr. and Mrs. Stavros standing there, waiting for them arrive, actually they looked as if they had been waiting all week for them arrive judging by how excited they both seemed.

"Dinner is almost ready" Mr. Stavros said. " Perfect timing."

"Ah, it must be because I'm wearing this." Riley said flashing the watch his father had given him for his birthday.

"Riley!" Mrs. Stavros said warmly and gave her son a hug. She turned to Zane and held her arms open and the two of them embraced, a bit awkwardly, but it was still a hug. She patted Zane's shoulder's and smiled warmly as she said. "Zane, I am so glad you are here. Welcome to our home, please come in."

Hand in hand, Riley and Zane walked through the open door of the Stavros home together.

A/N: Well there it is. My version of what happened to Ziley during Grade 12. Depending on how the show ends I'll either feel like a hero or a chump. I know I left some things unsaid but that's part of the story, I like the idea that the future is open and anything is possible for Riley and Zane.

I have to say a very special thank you to *The Latina Eve Harrington* and *Baylop*, who have inspired and entertained me with their amazing stories. I bow to them both and urge anyone who enjoys fan fiction to check out their work(hint: you can find them in my favorites on my profile).

Thanks to; *Storylover158*, *Adevablaze*,*Wallypog* and *Shove-off-Malfoy* for their reviews and support which helped me stay dedicated to finishing this story on schedule.

Thanks to anyone and everyone who read and/or reviewed my story, whether you liked, loved, disliked or hated it, I wrote it for you.

Also thanks goes to Argiris Karras and Shannon Kook-Chun who made me believe in Ziley and care what happened to them.