Disclaimer: I own nothing Degrassi...

Lyrics come from THE REASON by Hoobastank.

I'm not a perfect person

There are many things I wish I didn't do

But I continue learning

I never meant to do those things to you

And so I have to say before I go

That I just want you to know

I've found a reason for me

To change who I used to be

A reason to start over new

And the reason is you

Emma was released from the hospital a week later as she was doing much better than even the doctors expected. Her recovery was amazing, and she continued to get stronger everyday. But even more spectacular than her physical recovery, was Emma's positive spirit. She'd been through hell, but still refused to let it bring her down. Instead, she counted her blessings, and they were becoming more numerous each day.

She had a wonderful family, great friends, and Jay. That was the most surprising thing of all. Jay visited her every day, usually bringing something special for Emma; one day a teddy bear, the next day an article on the environment, and the day after that, a corny Reduce, Reuse, Recycle pin. She couldn't have asked for a better way to recovery.

And Jay found it easy to be with Emma, much easier to be with her than away from her. He found himself much more calm when he was spending time with her, whether at the hospital during that first week, or at her house, in the month following the incident. He had made a promise to Emma to go to school and try to lead a somewhat normal life, since she was confined to her house for the time being. And, knowing that he was doing it for her, made it worthwhile and therefore simple.

Even harder than all of this, was keeping the promise he had made to Mr. Simpson.

FLASHBACK

Jay walked out of Emma's room, rubbing his eyes and trying to wake himself up. Alex passed by him, on her way to visit with Emma, rubbing Jay's shoulder on the way by. Jay couldn't believe he'd fallen asleep. Spike had obviously left him there, allowing him to get a few winks, since the curtain that had been opened was now closed.

He took a deep breath and approached Spike. "Sorry for falling asleep. I guess watching Emma sleep sort of got the better of me."

Spike smiled. "Have a seat, Jay. I'm just going to get some coffee. You want some?"

Jay nodded. "I can go."

"Sit, really. I need to get on my feet for a bit. Now that I know she's fine. Sit here with Snake."

She walked away, and Jay sat down next to his teacher, searching for something to say.

Snake had obviously been thinking about this very conversation, because he began as soon as Jay's bottom hit the hard, plastic seat. "Rick's obviously done this before?"

"I'm so sorry, sir. If I thought that this would have happened, I never would have let Emma..." Jay let his voice trail off.

"Why didn't anyone tell me or Spike?" he asked. "Are we that unapproachable?"

Jay shook his head. "We thought the situation was under control. But don't worry, it will be."

Snake looked at Jay, the tough kid he found himself often disliking, even though he was supposed to see potential in all of his students. But sitting here beside him, Snake thought about how easy it would be to give Jay his permission to find Rick and slaughter him. If he couldn't do it himself... But Snake knew it wasn't the right way to handle this.

"Trust me, I know how you feel. A big part of me wants to hurt Rick just as much as he hurt my daughter, but we can't be like that. Emma's already given her written statement to the cops. They assured me that there will be an arrest made today."

"I don't care about some arrest. He'll be back on the street in no time. And that's when he'll come face to face with me."

"Don't you get it, Jayson?" Snake asked, turning his body to face the boy straight on. "If we go after him, then we're no better. And all we'll do is hurt Emma's case. Emma finally had the strength to press charges against him. We just have to sit back and let the police do their thing. I want you to promise me that you'll leave Rick alone."

Jay rubbed his eyes. He took a deep breath. "I don't know what to say."

"Say that you'll do what I'm asking you to," Snake demanded.

Jay thought for a few moments before nodding his head and saying, "I'll try."

END OF FLASHBACK

For the last month, Jay had managed to keep his promise to Simpson, but it was easy when he didn't have to see Rick. Mr. Raditch had actually done something right and expelled Rick from school. Given that this was Rick's second incidence of violence, no one argued this motion.

But Rick wasn't in jail, not yet anyway. Pending trial, Rick got to be free, and this fact irked Jay to the point of fury. He could keep Simpson's promise now, but if he came face to face with the jerk, Jay had no idea how he would react.

"More tofurkey?" Spike asked.

Jay put on a fake smile and announced, "Mmmmm! As good as that sounds, Mrs. S., I have to pass."

Emma giggled. Jay had been over for supper at least six times since her release from the hospital, and to say he was getting tired of vegetarian dishes, would be an understatement. She decided to relieve his suffering and got up from her chair, going into the kitchen, and to the oven. She pulled out a plate and set it in front of Jay.

He looked up at her with a smile the size of Canada. "Aw, babe! A burger? For me? You mean you won't protest if I eat cow at your anti-meat table?"

Emma gave him a shove and rolled her eyes. "Eat, before I change my mind!"

Jay dug into his hamburger and smiled as he chewed. Emma watched him and couldn't help but feel warm. He was such a different person than he used to be. Oh sure, Jay was still Jay. He still skipped the odd class, he still polluted his body with meat and booze, and, of course, the Hogart sarcasm was still alive and kicking. But for all purposes, Jay was a changed man.

FLASHBACK

"So you and Emma?"

Jay looked at his best friend. He didn't want to hurt him, but he also knew that he had to be honest with him. "We're friends."

"That's it?"

"For now. Emma just needs to concentrate on getting better so life can get back to normal. Then we'll see what happens," Jay shrugged.

Sean shifted his feet. He knew that Jay was being honest with him, so he appreciated that, but he hated how thinking of Emma and Jay together made him feel. He was betraying Ellie just thinking this way, so why couldn't he get these thoughts out of his head?

"I know what you're thinking, and you shouldn't," Jay spoke up. "You got a good thing going on with Red. Don't mess it up for a repeat of what was a horrible relationship with Nelson. Besides, she doesn't feel that way anymore, so you'd be wasting your time."

Sean shot a dirty look Jay's way. "What are you now? Some kind of Emma expert? You know everything?"

"No. But I know she's not interested in having anything other than a friendship with you."

Sean hated to admit that Jay was right, but he probably was. After months of not talking, after an awful breakup, why would Emma still be holding a torch for him? He shouldn't be holding one for her either and he knew it.

"I see it this way, Cameron," Jay analyzed. "Emma was the first real friend you had here at Degrassi. You treated her like shit and you feel bad about that. You wish she was back in your life, but that doesn't mean you two should get back together. It means you need to bury the hatchet and be friends again. Trust me, Cameron, you don't want anything else, not really."

"Who are you, Dr. Phil?" Sean asked, with a laugh. Jay shared his laughter. When they got themselves under control, Sean, in all seriousness, told Jay, "You better take care of her."

Jay smirked. "Yeah, I guess that's my new job, huh?"

"You asked for it."

Jay nodded his head. "I did. It's an okay job and I bet the perks are really great!" he joked, nudging Sean.

END OF FLASHBACK

Hope you like! Story's nearing its end, but, like every good story, this one will go out with a "Bang"!!!