"Radiate" – part 26

Summary and additional notes in part 1.

Author's Note: Yay! I'm the loving the feedback on this story. It's interesting that so many folks like Flare! As for Adam and Fiona's fight, they're going through growing pains which I find fun to write too. Ultimately it makes their relationship stronger as they realize what they want and how they feel.

Anyway, this chapter is very Fadam with large doses of fluff but also touches on issues. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Do NOT own Degrassi!

-oOo-

Fiona sighed as she leaned back on the couch. She didn't want to answer Dr. Sandler's question. She didn't want to hear how crazy she sounded for wanting more with Adam. She already knew it was too much, too soon. She took a sip of her cappuccino.

Her therapist looked at her expectantly. "Fiona?"

She shrugged. "I don't know what he would say," she finally admitted. "Yes, he probably would be freaked out."

Dr. Sandler wrote down more notes.

"Look, it's not something I'd bring up now anyway," Fiona reasoned. That would be ill-advised. As she looked at the older woman she began to regret calling her for an emergency session. Last night she felt that she really needed to talk to her. The past few days had been filled with major highs and lows.

"But you're thinking about it," Dr. Sandler said.

Fiona nodded. "Yeah, but that doesn't mean anything."

The older woman gave her a knowing look. "You have a history of rushing ahead in your relationship," she mentioned delicately. "Last week you were adamant that getting back together with Adam wasn't a good idea, even though you wanted to. Earlier this week you did. A few days ago you said that you were going to take things slow. Now you're officially back together."

"So what?" Fiona said defensively.

"It seems like there's a pattern," her therapist pointed out.

Fiona looked off to the side. "Fine. When we first began dating we got serious pretty fast," she conceded. "From the outside it may seem like we're moving quickly, but we know how we feel."

"I'm not questioning your feelings," Dr. Sandler assured her. "I'm merely suggesting it may be healthier to step back and allow yourselves space to grow. I know you're anxious about completing your coursework at Degrassi next month, but it may be for the best. You'll get the chance to see how the two of you fare with separation. It will definitely be an issue down the road when you return to New York City next fall."

Fiona flinched. She didn't want to think about New York. Going to university was several months away. Right now, graduating was first and foremost on her mind. At the end of the semester she would have earned enough credits to get her degree. While she was happy to nearly be done, the thought of leaving Degrassi filled her with sadness.

"Fiona?" a familiar voice called out.

She looked towards the direction of the door.

Sure enough, she spotted Adam walking down the hall. He was carrying a small box from a bakery. He immediately smiled when he saw her. Fiona's mood instantly brightened. He abruptly stopped when he noticed Dr. Sandler sitting across from her.

"Um, sorry to interrupt?" he said uncertain. Fiona softly laughed at the confused expression on his face.

Dr. Sandler glanced at her watch. "It's alright, we were just wrapping up." She stood up and extended her hand. "You must be Adam?"

His eyes darted to Fiona before shaking her hand. "Uh, yeah. You're Dr. Sandler, right?"

"Yes." She studied him for a brief moment. "Well, it's nice to meet you. If you'd excuse me, I have another appointment."

He nodded. "Sure."

Fiona waved at her therapist and watched her go. She knew it hadn't escaped her notice that Adam had a key.

After Dr. Sandler left Adam turned to his girlfriend. "I'm sorry. I should have called."

Fiona shook her head. "No, it's fine. This was last minute anyway," she explained. "So, what did you bring me?"

Adam smiled at her. "I stopped by the French bistro on Queen Street and picked up some fresh scones." He opened the box. Inside there was a variety of freshly baked ones. She recognized a cheese, fruit, milk, and treacle scones.

"Wow, they smell delicious!" she commented.

"I thought it might be nice to start the day together," he said shyly. Yesterday didn't go exactly as planned, but he figured today was a fresh start.

She softly kissed his cheek. "This is perfect. I love it," she told him as they walked to the kitchen counter.

"And I love you," he teased.

She gave him a look. She wasn't able to hold it for long before she found herself laughing.

-oOo-

Eli shook his head as watched the couple down the hall. 'He's definitely lost in the love haze,' he chuckled to himself. Adam and Fiona were chatting at her locker. Both of them were all smiles. Adam was doing his infamous locker lean whilst staring into his girlfriend's eyes. Eli could feel the flirt from where he was.

"I'm sure this isn't what Owen intended."

Eli turned in the direction of voice, ready with a retort. He was surprised to see K.C. standing next to him with an amused grin. The two boys rarely interacted. From what Adam told him, he was an alright guy. Eli decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. "Not by a long shot," he quipped.

K.C. laughed.

They watched as Adam reached up and caressed Fiona's cheek.

"It's not even 8:30AM yet, and the rest of us are subject to the 'shiny happy people'," Eli continued.

K.C. shrugged. "I guess it beats sad and surly people any day," he said in jest.

Eli nodded. "Well, if we had to choose…" he trailed off before laughing.

-oOo-

"I really enjoyed breakfast, Adam," she told him.

Fiona chuckled as he grinned even wider.

"Mission accomplished!" he said lightly.

Fiona raised an eyebrow. "And what is this 'mission' that you refer to?" she flirtatiously inquired.

Adam leaned closer to her. "To make you happy."

It was simple statement, but there something about the way he said it that moved her deeply. There were words she wanted to say, but as she looked into his eyes the open affection she saw captivated her. His eyes were one of her favorite things about him. One look could communicate so much.

Suddenly Adam looked away. "Shit."

She followed his line of sight and spotted Mrs. Torres standing near the school entrance with Principal Simpson and a few other adults. She was looking at them with a frown. Adam quickly took a step back but it was clear she had already seen how close they were standing. The older woman gestured at her watch, silently scolding them from a distance to head to class.

Fiona turned around and closed her locker. "Seriously?" she muttered annoyed.

"Let's just go," Adam sighed. This was yet another moment when he cursed his mother's involvement with the PTA. Her sporadic visits to their school irritated him and Drew to no end.

Eli smirked as his friends briskly walked down the hall. He was starting to think Fiona's locker was cursed. Adam couldn't catch a break. "I think that made my morning!" he teased as the couple walked by.

Adam glared at him. "Shut up."

K.C. and Eli howled with laughter.

.

tbc

A/N: I had to go to IMDb to find out what the name of Fiona's therapist was! Lol.

Anyway, the traffic counter is back up! The stats are slowly started to update. Still, reviews = awesome :D