Ah! I feel soooooo terrible for taking this long. Unfortunately, I just couldn't figure out what to do with this chapter, and every time I tried to come up with something, Sparcy (that's Spencer/Darcy, not Spinner) kept popping into my head. But as promised, I'm not going to start work on that until this is finished. Plus, school has been piling work on me like it's gonna be illegal in a few days, but you'll see a little of my resentment at that in this chapter. Oh, and you guys will probably hate me at the end of this, or you'll hate Paige and me by extension, but you'll just have to deal. Trust me, Palex fans will be appeased soon. Anyway, without further ado… Oh, and if you're interested, I'll have a whole Best Years/SoN/New season of Degrassi rant at the end of this chapter. Have fun!

Paige was stubborn. Obviously that wasn't news to anyone, but her stubbornness was being a pain in Alex's ass at the moment. The blonde was still a little indignant, not that Alex was back per se, but that she was around and Alex-like as though nothing had ever happened. Paige still wanted to be mad at her for leaving, and it would have been a whole lot easier had Alex been a bitch, or been depressed, or been in any way changed for the worse because of the Peace Corps. This was not the case, however, and if anything Alex was livelier than ever now that she had finally found something fulfilling to do with her life. The result of this mix was a hot/cold torrent of mood swings in Alex's direction, and she never knew how the blonde was going to act towards her from one moment to the next.

Luckily, Ellie seemed to be on Alex's side for whatever reason, and was generally able to talk Paige down when she got particularly pissed off at the brunette. Still, Ellie wasn't always around, and Alex had to learn to defend herself once more from the onslaught of Paige Michalchuk insults. After being out of practice for so long, it wasn't easy. All she really wanted was for things to go back to normal. Then again, if she considered it fully, they sort of were. Except for one tiny little change: Pellie.

It seemed ridiculous to Alex that she should call them that, but the two were so entwined that one rolled right into the other, and it was hardly easy to separate the two. Both had taken on elements of the other, bringing out finer points in their personalities and accenting the ones already established. And really, it wasn't as though Alex wasn't happy for them both. Ellie wasn't a loner like she was back in high school, and even though Marco told stories of Paige's long, hard depression after she left, Alex could find no trace of it now. But truth be told, Alex was in love with Paige still, or perhaps again, and she couldn't help but feel that perhaps things wouldn't truly be right until she and Paige were together. However, Paige made it perfectly clear that she was with Ellie. Alex wasn't sure if it was a conscious thing, but every time she entered the room, Paige felt the need to connect with some part of Ellie, almost as if to send a message that she was taken, claimed. Perhaps Alex was reading too much into this, but it didn't make her any less jealous and try as she might, she just couldn't seem to quell that jealousy and prevent herself from taking small action.

But for now, Alex was sick. One would think that after traveling to so many third world countries with little to no hygiene and a multitude of diseases that no human tongue could pronounce, a simple cold wouldn't be able to knock someone out like an elephant tranquilizer, but Alex was down for the count. She chalked it up to the extreme change in climate (going from Africa to Toronto was not easy on the body) and allergies. Thankfully though, it seemed as though Paige was in a fairly good mood this week… so far anyway.

"Here you go, hon," Paige said, offering Alex a mug of hot tea with extra honey. Alex hadn't asked for it, but Paige still knew what she liked.

"Thanks," Alex said, sniffing a bit. Even the smell of it made her feel better and helped to clear up her stuffy nose. She took a small sip, sighing as the hot liquid warmed her up. Paige took a seat at the end of the couch where Alex was all bundled up in sweatshirts (old Banting ones borrowed from Paige) and blankets.

"You sure you're alright here until Marco or Ellie gets home?" Paige checked. She had a shift at The Dot to get to, and as much as she would have loved to take off, she really needed to be saving up for the fall term.

"Yes Mom, I'm fine," Alex shot, rolling her eyes. Paige glared, flicking her in the ear. "Ow!" The blonde gave a satisfactory smirk.

"Now, your Sudafed is right here, take it every six hours, and if you have any trouble, you know everyone's cell phone. You'd better be in one piece when I get back," she warned.

"Well if you stop abusing me I might be," Alex told her. Paige grinned and leaned in to give Alex a quick kiss on the cheek. The brunette was a bit surprised, and she thought she might have seen regret on Paige's face for a few seconds when the blonde pulled away, but it was gone before it could be confirmed.

"Okay, I'll see you later tonight," Paige said, standing up, and before Alex could say anything she was out the door. The brunette sighed, sinking into the couch. Just when things got good, they always ended up ten times worse. She wondered if one thing in her life could ever just be simple, but as she breathed in the scent of Paige from her sweatshirt, she remembered that nothing was ever simple when dealing with the matter of Michalchuks.

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

Ellie was tired. Exams were coming up in two weeks, and her professors weren't being very generous to the students. It seemed that she had more essays to write than she actually had enough paper for, and she was hard pressed to find any inspiration or will to write them. She was tired of Jesse, who had suddenly decided that she was his star reporter and wanted her to have a new assignment almost every day. She was tired of Paige being immensely clingy and moody, and tired of Alex being the source of that attitude.

It was slightly awkward having Alex around so much now. It wasn't as though Ellie wanted her to go away, but she couldn't help feeling like she was intruding on some non-existent relationship between the two of them. Ellie wondered if there wasn't some unwritten law that she shouldn't have to feel like she was stepping on someone else's toes when she made love to her own girlfriend. She knew she was probably being a bit ridiculous, and her mood wasn't the greatest of late, but things seemed so much simpler when Alex wasn't around. Screw history, she and Paige had their own history to build. Was it wrong to be jealous of something that wasn't even there?

These were the thoughts that plagued Ellie's mind as she came home from class one afternoon, several days after Alex and Paige's awkward departure, to find the brunette sleeping soundly on the couch. It seemed as though she was getting better, and she admitted that she was feeling much more like herself. Ellie was glad, but she felt guilty that her gladness came less from that fact that Alex was recovering and more from the fact that she wouldn't be around so much.

Ellie plopped down in the arm chair across from the couch, gazing at the requirements for her latest civics essay. The effects of current events on the human populace was not something that she knew very much about, nor was it able to hold her interest for long. She was saved from having to look think about it for too long though as Alex was thrown into a small coughing fit. Ellie jumped slightly at the noise, but recovered quickly, running to the kitchen to get some water. When she returned, she found Alex sitting up to catch her breath.

"Here," Ellie said, tossing her the water. Alex caught it and drank some down, sighing when she finished.

"Thanks," she said, her voice slightly hoarse. Ellie nodded. "More essays?" Ellie nodded once more, grimacing at her paper as she tossed it aside. "Yeah, I never would have survived in college. God knows I barely made it through high school." Ellie grinned.

"It's not that bad, it's just that finals are coming up, and my professors seem to think that large essays will help to improve my chances at getting good marks. I'm not sure where their logic comes from, but they're the ones with the degree, so I guess I have to do what they tell me to," she explained. Alex nodded and laid back down on the couch, and Ellie resigned herself to the fact that she would have to try to come up with a good position for her essay once more. She was so lost in thought, and it was silent for so long that she figured that Alex had fallen back asleep, and so was surprised when the brunette spoke.

"Is it weird, me being here?" Alex asked softly. Ellie jumped once more, dropping her paper. It was only after she'd picked it back up that she realized that Alex had actually asked her a question, one that she didn't really understand. Alex must have seen the confusion on her face, because she clarified. "I mean, with you and Paige together now and me just kind of here all the time, I just wondered if it was weird, or if it was a problem. I don't want it to be weird." Ellie took a few moments to decide how to answer.

"It's a little weird sometimes," she admitted finally. Alex seemed slightly crestfallen. "I look at you two and I see the chemistry that you have, even as friends, and I wonder if Paige and I have that. Even when she furious with you, you're all she talks about. You could do almost anything and she'd still find way to forgive you eventually. I know you guys have your history, and probably even some unfinished business, and sometimes I feel like I'm getting in the way of that. Sometimes I wonder if I won't end up getting hurt, or if I wasn't just something to keep her occupied until you came back. But I trust Paige enough to believe that she would do her best to break my heart as painlessly as possible, if nothing else. It's always weird with exes, Alex, but it's something that people just have to learn to deal with, especially if you're going to be here for a while."

As Alex seemed to ponder everything that Ellie said, the redhead wondered if perhaps she hadn't said too much. She was a bit surprised at herself for voicing things that had been bottled up ever since she and Paige had gotten together, and to Alex of all people. Did she really believe that Paige would leave her for Alex? She decided that she didn't really want to think about it anymore. Suddenly the essay seemed much more appealing that sitting downstairs talking to Alex.

"Look, I'm going to go see if I can't get a head start on this essay, so if you need anything…" She decided that Alex could handle herself and made a speedy exit upstairs, leaving Alex's head full of Ellie's words, wondering exactly what they could mean.

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

A few days later, and Alex was finally recovered from her cold and feeling much better for all of her down time. So much better, in fact, that when Paige came home from a morning shift at The Dot, she found Alex cleaning. Paige couldn't actually remember ever seeing Alex clean, but she wasn't really a messy person either. She suspected that Alex was the type that liked to clean when no one else was around so that she could do her own thing without having to worry about people getting in her way or vise versa. The brunette was just finishing tidying up the living room when Paige came in.

"Uh, wait a second, I must have stepped into the wrong universe," Paige said, looking at Alex as though she had three heads. Alex chuckled and shook her head.

"I wanted to clean up the huge mess I left from my long vegetation period. I'm done now though. Want to have a seat?" she asked. Paige nodded, still looking a bit suspicious. She followed Alex to the couch and sat down.

"I must say, Miss Nunez, when you decide to clean, you go all out. I don't think I've ever actually seen this coffee table without an inch of dust on it," she commented. Alex shrugged.

"Sometimes all you need is a little motivation. Besides, I've seen your car. You weren't going to get to it any time soon," she grinned. Paige scoffed, hitting her with a pillow.

"I resent that statement!" she exclaimed.

"Why, because it's true?"

"Oh, that's it, I'm telling Marco to make his lasagna tonight," Paige threatened. Alex looked horrified.

"Okay, I give. Anything to keep Marco from cooking. I just got over an illness, remember?" Paige laughed. "Speaking of that," Alex said, becoming serious again, "I wanted to thank you for taking care of me." Paige smiled.

"No problem, hon." Alex gazed into her eyes for a moment, feeling reminded of the night of the movie premier when she and Paige had gone to her house and stayed for drinks at Paige's insistence. She couldn't remember feeling so nervous in her entire life. Now, as she leaned in to kiss Paige, it felt natural. Only this time, Paige pulled back.

"Alex," Paige whispered, looking disappointed at her, "why don't you get it? I'm with Ellie now." Alex sighed, feeling slightly angry at herself. She should have known better. The best thing to do would be to apologize, to try to fix the situation before it got worse, but her frustration was coming out and it was directed at Paige.

"Yeah, I'm still trying to figure out how that happened," she said. Paige raised an eyebrow. "Last time I checked, you two could barely even stand each other half the time, and the other half you didn't talk to each other." Paige's blue eyes flared with anger, and Alex realized that she'd made a mistake, but it was too late now to go back.

"Well maybe if you'd been around, you'd know how it happened," Paige shot.

"Oh, so you're punishing me for following my dreams?" Alex retaliated.

"This isn't punishment, Alex!" Paige exclaimed, standing up. "This isn't even about you. You chose your life, and I chose to go on with mine. I'm sorry if you expected me to be waiting in suspended motion exactly where you left me, but I wasn't. Ellie was there and a friend… and then she became more." Alex was disheartened and losing steam, but she still had one last shot to take.

"Do you even love her?" she asked quietly, a hint of malice in her voice. Paige looked taken aback by the question, and Alex could see her trying to figure out not only how to answer it, but what the answer actually was. And truthfully, Paige didn't know if she loved Ellie. But what she did know was that this was neither the time nor place to be trying to decide such important matters. Mind made up with a response, her eyes narrowed and she made one last statement before walking away.

"It doesn't matter," she said coldly. "Because I don't love you."

Ouch. I've actually had that part written out for a while, but I couldn't find a place to put it. So… unless the new season of Degrassi hits me with some major inspiration, it may take me a little while before I figure out what I want to do with the next chapter. You have been warned. Okay, rant time.

Best Years Season Finale (SPOILERS): HELLO, KATHRYN BETTER EFFING COME BACK!!! And I love Noah so much. He and Kath would be perrrrrfect for each other in that total opposite kind of way. And now that Kathryn actually has a personality, she needs to get her ass back to CU. And I SO called the Samantha being related to Dorothy thing, even though I thought she was her daughter. Still, Sam/Alicia next best pairing. I swear it. And Sam just needs to ditch Trent. He's hot, but I'm done with him, the coke head. Fin.

SoN (MORE SPOILERS): Okay, who here thought that Paula and Ashley was the FUNNIEST thing they've ever seen? Fricking hilarious. Kyla can go to hell, if she ends up getting raped, it's her own damn fault (to a degree) for being a pill popping ho. And Aiden needs to stop whining. OH MY GOD, RAINCOAT CLICHÉ HOTTEST THING ON TELEVISION YET! I think my jaw dropped when Spencer's coat hit the floor. Jesus. Who here thinks Chelsea and Glen/Aiden are gonna hook up? Fin.

Degrassi Season Seven Premier (EVEN MORE SPOILERS): October 5th is like my life right now. I'm so excited. I also find it strangely hilarious that Heather Sinclair's sister is going to be on the show, but that she goes to Lakehurst and not Degrassi when her sister has gone to Degrassi forever. How does that work out? So, The-Seth from The-N(dotcom) was kind enough to divulge some spoilers, cryptic as they may be. I'm going to present some of them to you. If you don't want to know, don't read. He says:

One of Degrassi's most historic relationships comes to an end. My guess Darco. Sorry, guys.

Also, someone receives a diagnosis that changes their life forever. I've talked to some people, and some think it's AIDS. I'm not so sure on that, nor do I know who it could be. Although, now that I think of it, it could have something to do with Jimmy and his non-walkingness. Like maybe he'll be able to again. Ideas?

Something happens to someone that already happened to someone else at Degrassi who hoped that no one else would have to experience it. These were Seth's words, but if you think about it, Paige's rape sounds very likely. My vote's on Darcy, which will break my heart, but you know…

Everyone at Degrassi dies. Okay, not really, but Manny's hair turns blonde, which is basically the same thing. Ha, again, these are Seth's words. And Manny's hair is hideous.

Jesse and Ellie get back together, but then Jesse screws it up by tonguing the last person we'd expect. And according to Seth, the LAST person. So I'm guessing Paige is out. Hm… I really can't take any guesses at that one. Ideas?

Toby? Still not getting any. Please, like we thought he would.

Oh, and someone voluntarily dates Jay. WTF?

If any of you have any spoilers that you KNOW to be true, or any speculations on the ones that Seth put out, please feel free to place them in your comment. I am a spoiler whore. Okay, we're fin. Comment, and I'll try to get my brain to work for another chapter.

Nothing can spoil TexasWatermelon… not even spoilers