"Radiate" – part 25

Summary and additional notes in part 1.

Author's Note: I really appreciated all the feedback on the last chapter guys! Thanks :D

Disclaimer: Do NOT own Degrassi!

-oOo-

Adam was quiet as he traveled with Eli back to their usual table. The euphoria of taking on the bully was short lived as he realized he had made an enemy. He immediately smiled when he saw Fiona, but his expression faltered when he saw she didn't return it.

"Hey," Adam said timidly as he took a seat at the table. Eli threw him a sympathetic look. Fiona and Clare looked ready to chew them out.

However, Alli beat them to the punch. "Do you guys have a death wish?"

Adam scratched the back of his head. "Fiona. Say something," he pressed, ignoring everyone else.

She took a deep breath. "There's a reason I don't tell you about every time a guy hits on me," she started. He swallowed nervously. "You can't handle it!" she said angrily. "You didn't have to confront him like that."

Adam frowned. "I asked him to step outside. He was being a jerk!"

Fiona scoffed. "What else is new? You didn't have to sink to his level!"

Adam pursed his lips. "I'm sorry, alright?" he said exasperated.

Fiona shook her head. "You're only saying that because I'm mad at you."

Adam looked away. "Fine. But what do you expect me to do? He crossed a line!"

"You should have let it go! I can handle Owen. I'm not a damsel in distress," she said irritated that he couldn't see her point of view. "In a month I'm graduating. Can't we just enjoy this time in peace?"

Adam softened at the mention of her finishing school. He was going to miss her next semester. He couldn't imagine not seeing her every day in the halls. "I know," he relented. "But he shouldn't be harassing you," he asserted.

Eli winced. It was really uncomfortable sitting here while the couple argued, oblivious to the existence of any else around them. He glanced around and noticed people at nearby tables were listening in. 'Lovely,' he thought.

Clare didn't know what to say. She was usually the peacemaker amongst their friends, but she had never seen them argue this way. She had witnessed them bicker in the past, but they generally got along wondrously. Right now they sounded like an old married couple, and definitely not in a good way. It really felt like they were listening in on a private conversation.

"Adam, I'm a big girl. I don't need you to protect my honor!" she told him. Owen wasn't the first guy to aggressively pursue her, nor would he be the last. It didn't change anything. She still was going to be with Adam, but she didn't want him fighting everyone guy who did.

Adam's eyes flashed with frustration. "You're my girlfriend! It's my job to protect you!" he countered.

"I'm not your girlfriend!" she argued.

As soon as the words came out of her mouth she regretted them. She saw the instant hurt in his eyes before he looked down at his hands. The table was fraught with even more tension if possible. Eli and Clare looked shocked but quickly looked away. Alli already had her eyes trained somewhere else in the distance.

Adam felt like a fool. He loved her. He wanted her to be his. He wanted to protect her. And make every day brighter for her. Somehow he failed. His heart constricted as sadness washed over him. He bit his lip to keep his emotions in. Everything was screwed up… again.

Fiona reached out and grabbed his hand. "Adam," she said full of conviction. He slowly met her eyes. "I want to be with you. You're the one. You're my prince. But if you're constantly running off to slay dragons, it kind of makes it hard to be together," she smiled.

He visibly brightened and she softly laughed.

"Do you mean that?" he questioned. He searched her eyes, looking for truth.

"Of course I do," she told him. Her heartbeat sped up in response to the intensity of his gaze.

He ran his thumb over the back of her hand. "Then let me be your boyfriend," he pressed. He knew how he felt and he didn't want to be in limbo anymore. "I love you."

Fiona pulled one of her hands away to wipe away tears. "You need to be more careful."

Adam smiled broadly and nodded. "I will!"

"Good, because I kind of want you around for a long time," she grinned.

"You couldn't get rid of me if you tried!" he quipped. He moved to the other side of the table to sit right beside her. He then wrapped his arms around her.

Eli, Clare, and Alli shared looks as they let out breaths they didn't realize they were holding.

"That was intense," Eli whispered. Alli and Clare nodded.

Adam and Fiona leaned in and shared a kiss. After a long moment they pulled away. Adam leaned forward again, this time resting his forehead against hers.

-oOo-

The rest of the day moved quickly. The school was a buzz about what occurred during lunch. Clare smiled as she reached what was quickly becoming one of her favorite classes. She waved hello to her instructor before making her way to her work station. She took her book bag off her shoulder and placed it next to her chair.

When she started shop class she initially hated it. Clare was better with words and numbers. Written assignments were easy to her. Building things with her hands and deciphering construction notes were not her specialty. She spent countless hours re-reading the textbook and searching for related information online, but for all her research the physical progress she had made left much to be desired. She was close to failing before he offered his help.

Clare smiled brightened as Mark Fitzgerald entered the classroom. He had been a godsend to her. Clare never thought she would need tutoring for anything – let alone from him. He was a natural at building things and fixing machines. With his help, the concepts finally started to make sense to her. She got such a pure feeling of contentment every time she completed a project. Now she looked forward to this class, three times a week.

"Hey Clare," he said warmly, interrupting her reverie. She slightly blushed upon the realization that she had been staring at him while zoned out.

"Hey," she said softly.

Fitz threw himself into preparing his work station. He always felt a little nervous around her. He was grateful to busy his hands.

Clare awkwardly looked over her station. Seeing that everything was in order she faced forward. Moments later she suddenly turned towards him.

"Hey Fitz," she called to him. He didn't respond, seemingly focused on arranging his tools. Undeterred she spoke louder, "Mark."

He looked up when he heard her call out his given name. She was one of the few people who did. His mom and sister were the other two. "Yes?"

Clare smiled brightly. "Thanks for doing what you did at lunch," she told him. She had been completely shocked when he spoke up. She knew last year Fitz and Owen were close, but had drifted apart this semester. She didn't know the reasons why, but she was grateful he stood up to the bully.

Fitz shrugged. "It was nothing," he dismissed his actions.

"No," Clare argued. "That was something." She held contact with his eyes.

Fitz felt his insides grow warm as he looked into her eyes. After a few seconds he nervously looked away. "Like I said, he was being an ass," he stated meekly.

Clare let out a short laugh. "Can't argue with you there!"

Fitz looked at her with a lopsided grin. Edwards was full of surprises.

After a moment her face took on a more serious expression. "They really love each other."

Fitz nodded, fully aware that she was talking about Adam and Fiona. "He has no business trying to stir things up. It's obvious she's really into the kid."

Clare snorted. "Like you're so much older!" she teased.

He grinned at her. So there was only a one year age difference between them. "You know what I mean."

"Yeah," Clare said softly. She paused for a long moment. "Do you think he'll back off now?"

Fitz sighed. If there was one thing he knew about Owen, it was that the guy could hold a grudge. Clearly he had been in the wrong, but that never seemed to matter in the past. "I don't know," he said honestly.

Clare looked off to the side.

.

tbc

A/N: Yep, Fadam is officially back together. And it looks like Clare has a new love interest. Can't say if it'll be smooth sailing though...

Would love to hear feedback on this chapter! The traffic counter is still down.

A/N #2: Just wanted to point out in advance, the graduation date mentioned for Fiona is not is typo. It's out of sync with future stories, which is intentional.

Okay, this is off topic but I'm updating my Badam fic "Can't Stop" today. If you're a fan of this couple, check them out. (As previously noted, the triangle in "Radiate" has been concluded.)

Note: Chapter 26 is up. The site is acting a bit wonky, so the link disappeared. (it's very strange...)