Disclaimer: I do not own Degrassi. I own my thoughts and ideas and...(cough)Jake Epstein(cough)

A/N: Wow, people! I guess I kept everyone smiling and satisfied...that's what she said. LOL. I'm so glad that everyone enjoyed the last chapter, and I hope everyone enjoys this one as well.


He blinked up at the ceiling, seeing the early Sunday morning shine through the window. He sighed, absorbing the quiet few moments in the beginning of every day, those first few seconds when he didn't know where he was, who he was or have a care in the world. He simply existed and that was enough. With a subtle turn to the left however, he saw Ellie soundly asleep and it all rushed back. It wasn't a dream. She's really here. She's here... with me. His chest swelled with love and affection for the red-headed bed mate, never feeling more content as he did in that moment.

He scooted closer to her, smelling the subtle scent of her shampoo. He couldn't place the smell, maybe vanilla or jasmine, but he knew it was his new favorite scent. He closed his eyes again, wrapping his arms around her, afraid that if he couldn't touch her, she might fade away.


She blinked up at the unfamiliar nightstand, feeling a slight panic shoot down her back. Where the hell am I? She sniffed her pillow. This isn't mine. She looked down on her sheet. This isn't mine. She looked around the room. Where am I? Before she moved another inch, she felt an arm cloak itself around her waist, and a body spooning her from behind. She heard a small groan and her heart began to race. It wasn't a dream. I'm here... with him. I'm really here. Despite her small fright, she sighed relieved, indulging her deepest desires, surrounded by the smell of Craig, and held together by his love.

She snuggled closer to him, feeling his fingers on her bare hip. She felt the many calluses on his digits, trying to memorize the sensation of them all, knowing that they created songs of his soul, the music of his heart and the melody of his life. She intertwined her hand with his, afraid that is she didn't, she might float away.


Craig watched as she was now facing him, watching her breathe, her chest raising and falling, knowing she was alive. He sighed, until he saw her stir slowly. She blinked her eyes and he saw a look of gratitude in them. He chuckled, "Hi."

Ellie snuggled deeper into her pillow, "Hi."

Craig reached out to her arm, tracing her silhouette with his pointer finger. He chuckled as he felt tiny goosebumps appear. "Morning."

Ellie smiled, "Morning." She sniffled a little, sitting up, "What time is it?"

"Nine." He smiled as he saw her sit up completely, her hair catching the ray of the sun.

She grimaced, "Shit... I missed church." She looked at Craig for a reaction, smiling when she saw him grin toothily. She nudged him playfully, "I'm a very spiritual person."

Craig nodded smugly, "Oh yeah, sure. You were definitely calling a higher being last night."

Ellie slapped him with the pillow, "Ass!"

Craig shrugged, "I'm just stating a fact."

Ellie blushed, "Shut up." She shook her head as she saw Craig pull up some pants.

Craig watched from across the bed, seeing her smile and knowing this was the only way to live for the rest of his life. "You hungry?"

Ellie's smiled faltered slightly, "A little."

Craig chuckled, "No worries. I can whip you up anything. Um... eggs... bacon..."

Ellie snorted, "When did you learn how to cook?"

Craig shrugged, "Well... I took up cooking I guess..." He scratched the back of his head in thought, "I guess after rehab.

Ellie blinked, "Oh... sorry."

Craig scoffed, "Why?" He chuckled, "After everything, I took a break for a while, stayed with Joey and Angie... thought about everything and everybody... a lot about you." Ellie blushed. "Yeah... so Joey taught me how to cook." He chuckled, "Story of my life."

"Riveting."

"Very." He walked back to the bed, planting a sincere kiss on Ellie's temple, "So... is that a yes on the eggs?"

Ellie watched him cross the room, wearing nothing but a pair of faded Levi's and heart shuddered, "Am I a bad person?"

"What?"

"I feel like a bad person." She stood up, throwing her black tee over her head, scrambling for her pants. "I am such a terrible person."

Craig watched her as she stuffed her feet in some boots awestruck, "What are you doing?"

Ellie continued to scramble around the room, "I have to go." With that, she left the bedroom, heading toward the front door.

"Ellie!"

She spun around hastily, "I have to go."

Craig felt like his legs were going to collapse. There she was, a sea of wrinkled clothes, smelling of jasmine and his cologne, and he couldn't hate her, not even if he tried to. She couldn't be leaving, not again. "Are we back there... again?"

Ellie let a single tear escape from her right eye, "I'm sorry."

Craig scoffed, continuing to stand in his doorway to his bedroom. "You're sorry. For what, exactly? Making love to me and telling me you love me or that you're going?"

Ellie began to shake as she held her jacket in her hand. She felt her stomach turn to acid, feeling as if she could melt to oblivion right there. "I have to go." She turned around, trying to reach the door again without having to look into his eyes again, hating herself.

Craig ran after her, turning her around. He looked down at her small frame, holding her arms and trying to figure out what changed. Everything was perfect. Everything was good. "Back to him? Why?"

Ellie continued to cry, "I'm engaged... I love him."

Craig folded his arms,"Really... I saw pretty different last night."

Ellie scoffed, "Look at us... we're always fighting!"

"That's what we do! We yell and we scream and cry... but," He took Ellie's hand. "I want to do that for the rest of my life... I want the yelling and the screaming and all of you... every day because I know a life without you in it is worthless." He sighed, cupping her face with his hand, "Because I love you."

Ellie looked up at the figure before her, knowing she had to make a move. She stood on her toes, giving him a soft kiss on his lips. "Goodbye." She made another turn, closing the door behind her.


Craig watched her as she left, not being able to move. What had gone wrong? Why did she go? He sat on the couch, seeing his scrapbook on the floor. He took it in his hands, not really sure what to do. He thought about ripping it up, possibly burning it. What else was he supposed to do? He put his heart on the line so many times these past few weeks, trying to make her stay, trying to prove himself to her, trying to make her believe in him again. And as soon as it was there, as soon as it seemed so real... it was gone.

As he looked at the pages, the time and effort to make every word she created, every sentence from her mind seem attainable, he closed his eyes. He knew what they had was real. He knew that she loved him. He knew that they could get through this, like everything else. He held the book to his chest, not knowing exactly what to do next, but knowing that he would keep the book, only if it was just that.


Ellie walked down the stairs, feeling disoriented and confused. What the hell was she doing? Why was she leaving? It took all her strength not to run back into his arms, but was that really what she wanted. She felt her stomach turning and twisting, a vicious cycle erupting within her. Their relationship was a constant struggle of fear and pain. They were both creatures of pain, either given or self-inflicted, constantly fearing a resolution or end. She didn't know either to shit or go blind, every move seemed to need an explanation and the explanation needed a reason. Just as she thought her legs were going to give way, she felt her phone vibrate. Seeing the name on the caller ID, a smile found its way on her lips.

She flipped the phone open, "Your timing is impeccable."

"You're just now realizing that?"

Ellie chuckled, despite herself, Oh Marco..." She felt a new round of tears start off again. When did she suddenly turn into such a wimp?

"What happened now?"

"Give you one guess."

"Oh Ellie..." There was a small pause until Marco sighed, "So...was it as big as we all imagined?"

"Marco!" She blushed, rolling her eyes, "Shut up."

"You little slut. I knew Craig and you were bound to happen, but I didn't think it would happen when... you know?"

"Marco!" She scoffed, "What has gotten into you?"

Marco sighed, "Sorry... crazy night, still wired. Guess I can say the same about you."

"Shut up!"

"Fine, so where are you? In the bathroom?"

"No... I left."

"Why?"

"What do you mean, 'Why?' I thought you'd be proud of me."

"For leaving the only other person on this planet whose as stubborn as you?"

Ellie looked at her phone in confusion, "Wait... didn't we have this conversation a week ago."

Marco sighed, "Yeah... but the truth is... you and Craig are made for each other." He chuckled, "Every time you talk about the guy, you voice seems lighter, your whole mood changes. The truth is... you're more like yourself with him."

"But you like Brandon. You love Brandon."

"I do. Brandon's a great person. He loves you and cares about you, but... you're not Ellie when you're with him."

Ellie finally felt her legs collapse on a bench, "Why are you saying this now?"

Marco sighed, as if he was shrugging, "Believe it or not, I know who the real Ellie Nash is... ans she wouldn't like the person she's become." He choked up slightly, "I miss her... all the time, and the only time I see a glimpse of her is when you were with Craig."

Ellie shook her head, "But you said that Craig hurts me."

"He does. He has this hold over you like no one else." He sighed, "He has he ability to break you like no one else, but at the same time, he can put you back together. With him, the real you shines through. You're the Ellie that I grew up knowing, who loves music and isn't afraid to speak her mind, who's a force to be reckoned with. I miss her terribly and knowing that it takes Craig to bring that you back from wherever you've been, I'll take it."

Ellie felt another rush of tears, "Why are you saying all this?"

Marco chuckled, "Because I know Craig too. And I know that with you in his life, he can finally be the person he was meant to be. He can truly be whole and the both of you can heal together."

Ellie nodded, feeling a strong pull to give her phone a hug, "Come to New York. You haven't been here in months."

Marco chuckled, "How about next week... after the heat dies down a bit."

Ellie nodded as she started walking to her apartment, "Yeah... sounds like a plan."


Craig stared at the phone, debating to make the call or not. He knew that he crossed enough lines in the past few weeks to guarantee a special place in hell. But as he felt another flip in his stomach, he decided he was experiencing his own form of hell. It had been over an hour and nothing. Why was it taking so long? Why hadn't she called?

Without another thought, he lunged at the phone, dialing the number by memory, praying that he would know an answer. Before the third ring finished, his light voice rang in Craig's ear, "Hello?"

"Marco! How's it going?"

Marco chuckled on the other end, "Your timing is impeccable."


Ellie watched as he elevator rushed past the other steely doors, creaking as it made its way to the top floor. With a final conk, she pull the doors open and walked to her door. She shook slightly as she put the keys in the lock. With a final swift, she opened the door, seeing the late morning sun reach the far corners of her loft.

She stepped inside completely, closing the door behind her. But as she turned toward the kitchen, she heard a cleared throat across the room. "Hi."

Ellie looked over at Brandon, feeling the return of the acid in her stomach, "Hey."


I know... a short chapter. I hope you liked it and don't hate me. There will be about three more chapters tops, including an epilogue. Thanks to everyone who has read this story. You guys are amazing! Please review!