Series: Friends & Enemies

Title: I'll Never Get Over You Getting Over Me

Author: Melanie M./Shai/Misty AKA SailorFireStarr@aol.com/SSailorUranuss@aol.com

Archive: please ASK if you want to archive it.

Pairing: J/K, more to come ~.^

Rating: Probably R. No sex, just bad language and mild affection between two beautiful girls.

Disclaimers: I don't own Once & Again or anything attached to the show/characters and I'm making absolutely nothing off of this fic. Well, accept for maybe feedback. The song belongs to the very talented group Expose & it's called "I'll Never Get Over You (Getting Over Me)".

Comments: I need feedback. Remember, FEED ME! Shout outs & a big thanks to Crystal (piper_c22) & Shelly (shellybean) as well as many others who gave me input. To let you know, I love the song in this fic. You HAVE to listen to the song before you read the fic. It adds to the effect. Anyway, here we go.

Note: ~~ indicates song lyrics.

I'll Never Get Over You Getting Over Me

1

Sarah sat on her bed, peering into the night. Tears welled up in her eyes. How could she have been so stupid? Why did she fall in love? She still couldn't figure it out. No matter what she did she still loved Katie and that feeling wouldn't go away. She'd tried everything but nothing seemed to work.

~~

I hear you're taking the town again

Having a good time with all you good-time friends

~~

There was a party tonight. A few actually but she just couldn't go. She knew she couldn't. Nothing made her happy anymore. She bowed her head. Katie would be at those parties and she couldn't be there. Jessie would just be cruel to her and she'd make things worse by being just as cruel in return.

Katie was always the life of the party. She made everything come to life. It was like being next to her made life shimmer. She made the sun shine in the darkest of nights.

"Katie," she whispered into the breeze, "I love you." A tear trailed down her cheek. The searing pain inside impaled her will to live. She really saw no point in pretending anymore. They could be friends but that wouldn't go over well with Jessie. She gritted her teeth as THAT name crossed her mind. Why couldn't Katie just love her back? Why did she have to fall for that Sammler girl?

~~

I don't think that you think of me

You're on your own now and I'm alone and free

~~

With a mournful smile she reflected on all those times with Katie that she cherished. One moment in particular. The moment she knew she was hopelessly in love with Katie.

(Flashback)

"You're so goofy, you know that?"

"It's your fault. I only get this way around you!" Katie smiled happily, teasing her friend as she always did.

Sarah smiled. "You're gonna get it for that comment!" She pounced on the other girl and they began tickling each other and rolling around in the grass.

When they finally stopped, all laughed out, they rested in the grass on their backs. "You know, I don't know what I'd do without you Katie."

"You won't have to be without me, so don't think about it, k? I'm here if you need me Sarah. Always."

"Always?"

"Always."

(End Flashback)

"Always," she sobbed.

~~

I know that I should get on with my life

But a life lived without you could never be right

~~

Wiping her tears, she remembered a song. She couldn't recall the lyrics but it was about moving on. She knew she had to but for some reason she couldn't. Katie was her sunshine and now that light had been lost forever. Only stormy days ahead could she see for the lightness had faded to black and gray.

Katie was over her and she knew that but she'd never forget holding that angel in her arms and feeling happy for the only time in her life. Looking up at the stars she saw one shoot across the sky. Making a silent wish, more tears poured down her pale cheeks.

She knew she'd better go to sleep or dawn would come to mock her and she wouldn't be able to go into that wonderful land of dreams where she could hold Katie again. With one last glance at the stars she remembered yet another moment with Katie.

~~

As long as the stars shine down from the heavens

As long as the rivers run to the seas

I'll never get over you getting over me

~~

(Flashback)

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yeah. I like it. It's so. . ."

"Emotional? Water's like that."

Katie smiled. "Yeah? I never really noticed."

"Water's passionate. If flows so smoothly yet it thrashes around. It's like love. You know, the good times and the bad?"

"Like friendship."

"Yeah, that too." Sarah beamed up at Katie with a loving smile. "I love you."

Katie smiled warmly. "I love you too."

(End Flashback)

Throwing herself on her bed, she crawled under the covers to hide from the world. Tomorrow would only bring more pain, more anger and it would only bring her closer to losing her soul altogether.

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

Monday at school, lunch time

With her head bowed Sarah walked through the crowd. She just wanted to be alone. Things had gotten worse over the weekend. She spent most of it in her room crying and sleeping. The memories were getting harder to block out and she knew that soon she'd loose her cool. The one thing she didn't want to happen was for her breaking point to happen at school.

"Hey Sarah! Can I be your girlfriend? I'd love to break your heart!" some nobody screamed from afar with her friends cheering her on.

~~

I try to smile so the hurt won't show

Tell everybody I was glad to see you go

~~

"Shove it loser! Why don't you go back to dating canines and leave me alone? I'm way outta your league anyway freak," Sarah spat angrily. She heard a few "oooh" noises from the peanut gallery before she decided to completely ignore them. She walked faster until she collided with another human body. She was a little stunned from the impact but what made her day was seeing Tad glaring down at her. This was just what she needed. More shit thrown her way, more insults.

"Why if it isn't Little Miss Drama Queen. Where's your bitch posse? Run off on you for better company like Katie or did they just get tired of you?" he laughed.

~~

But the tears just won't go away

No meaner smile on me

Looks like it's here to stay

~~

That was her breaking point. She could sense Katie drawing nearer. That meant Jessie couldn't be far behind but she didn't care. Tears filled her eyes though she tried to hold them back. Pushing him out of her way she ran as fast as she could, hiding in the only place she could, under the bleachers. Holding her knees to her chest she cried her heart out.

"Hey Tad. Was that Sarah?" Katie asked, only mildly concerned.

"I'm not sure. I think it was. Might have been a clone."

"What do you mean you're not sure?" Katie asked, slightly confused.

"Well, she was all Queen Bitch at first and then I said something and I swear, she was crying. She pushed me outta the way and ran off."

"What did you say to her?"

"Sarah was crying?" Jessie asked with a raised brow. She was actually shocked. She didn't think Sarah could cry. It was impossible or something.

"I just asked where her friends were. Ya know, if they decided to hang out with better people or got bored with her and then she ran off. I swear she had tears in her eyes. You think she was hurt or something?"

Katie eyed him suspiciously. "Maybe." The entire time she was with Sarah she'd only seen her cry once and that had been when they broke up. This didn't sound good.

"It was probably her pride or her ego. I'm sure she's off whining to her wannabe friends about us by now," Jessie grumbled.

Tad nodded with a smirk. "Or she's starting some kinda vicious rumor. That'll probably make her happy."

~~

I know that I oughta find someone new

But all I find is myself always thinking of you

~~

Sarah sobbed harder, unaware of the lone onlooker who's heart was breaking at the site before her. Wiping her tears away she gathered her stuff and prepared to face the world again. She couldn't show any weaknesses at school. She couldn't. Standing tall, she held her bags tightly and walked out into the field. Sitting on the bleachers she began to study.

After reading yet another tragic story by William Shakespeare she set the book aside and looked toward the sky. Remembering a few lyrics from the song she sang what she remembered.

~~

As long as the stars shine down from the heavens

As long as the rivers run to the seas

I'll never get over you getting over me

~~

She smiled. It fit perfectly. She'd never get over Katie completely and she'd never get over Katie getting over her. "Stupid Tad. Why'd he have to bring up Katie? God, why can't I just forget about her? She'll never return my feelings. I can't blame Jessie, I know that but it would be a hell of a lot easier. Sarah, get a hold of yourself you wimp. You have homework to do and more important things to worry about than your broken heart," she scolded herself, not realizing she'd said that aloud. Wiping away a forming tear she decided to do her American Government assignment. Taking out a sheet of paper she began to write as the figure watching her silently slipped away.

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

Grace stomped angrily toward a group she wasn't too fond of. Standing in front of the tall, dark haired boy she crossed her arms over her chest and ignored the questions coming from the other two members of the group. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

Tad backed away slowly. He could tell the older girl was pissed off but he didn't know why it was aimed at him. "Huh?" he muttered in confusion.

Grace's eyes were burning through him, her cheeks scarlet with fury. "Tell me why you threw it in her face? What right did you have Tad?" she barked ferociously.

"I. . .uh. . ."

"Grace, back off!" Jessie growled, not liking this situation at all.

"You back off! This is between me and Mr. Thinks He's All That! It's none of your damn business Jessie!" Grace hissed, causing Jessie to take a step back.

Jessie looked at Katie pleadingly. She'd never seen Grace this angry and she knew now that she never wanted to again. This uneasy feeling was settling in her stomach. She was actually afraid of what her stepsister might do.

Katie raised a brow. What was going on here? What had Tad done to piss Grace off this much?

"Answer me! Why the hell did you bring Katie into it, huh? Stab the fricken knife in and twist? Is that how you scumbag jocks get off?" Grace was trembling slightly, her eye twitching as the veins in her neck became visible.

Katie stepped in between the scared jock and the irate girl. "Grace, back off. Give him some space."

Grace glared right through Katie. "Answer me," she whispered coldly, scaring the other three people more than she had with her angry voice. Her tone was so desolate and bitter that it chilled to the bone. It was as if all she bore for this being was a death wish if he didn't answer her immediately.

"I. . .didn't. . .m-mean to. I. . .it just came out," Tad stammered nervously.

Grace gave him a disgusted look and turned to walk away. "Don't do it again. Ever." Then she walked away, the others watching as she left.

Jessie, Katie and Tad stood there in silence for nearly ten minutes. "What did you do Tad?" Jessie finally whispered, breaking the silence.

"I think she ran into Sarah."

"But why would she care? Grace isn't really the kinda person to hand out sympathy," Katie inquired.

"Maybe she's just more touchy. You know, since Mr. Dimitri was fired." They all nodded, still somewhat afraid of running into Grace later in the day. Mr. Dimitri had been gone for weeks now but Grace had been more grouchy lately.

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

Walking through the park in silence Jessie looked over at Katie. "So, is she ok?"

"I dunno. I didn't see her after lunch." Katie sighed. She wanted to comfort her ex but she didn't know how Jessie would react. She still wanted to be friends but that wasn't really an option at the moment. Apparently Sarah was still hurt and angry.

"Oh." Jessie didn't want to hold Katie back. She knew why Katie hadn't gone off to find Sarah and she blamed herself for the other girls pain. She felt like she had caused Sarah's pain and the guilt was really starting to eat away at her. Running her fingers through her soft blonde hair, she sat on a bench next to Katie. "I don't, you know."

"What?"

"Wanna hold you back."

"Huh? Jessie, what are you talking about? You set me free. How could you think you're holding me back?"

"I just. . .she was crying. I made it happen," Jessie sighed.

"No. Jessie, it's not our fault. I. . ."

"I took you away from her."

"No! I fell for you, remember? If anyone's to blame it's me. I. . ." Katie bowed her head, not feeling proud of what she was about to say. "I broke her heart."

There was a moment of silence. Jessie sighed, wrapping her arms around her girl. "I feel sorry for her."

"So do I. I just don't know how to help."

"Maybe. . .we could find someone for her. I mean, I'm not her biggest fan but I just can't stand to see her hurting."

"I know," Katie whispered, caressing Jessie's cheek. "I think I should talk to her first. Would it bother you being friends with her? She's not Miss Pleasant in public but she really is a good person inside."

"Yeah. We could get together away from school if she wants."

"That sounds great."

~~

Ohhh

No matter what I do

Each night's a lifetime to live through

I can't go on like this

~~

Sarah couldn't hear what they were saying but she could see them. She could see the love between them. The gentle caresses, the loving glances, the content tone in their voices. She could remember when she'd been that way with Katie. Leaning back on the tree she closed her eyes. Why did this hurt so bad? Why couldn't she just give in to temptation and end all of this?

There was something inside that wouldn't let her give up. Some microscopic fragment of her that believed Katie wouldn't leave her completely. She'd said always but had she meant it? Knowing now that "I love you" had only been a profession of friendship she prayed that everything else had been true. She didn't want to pretend to be cruel anymore. She wanted to be who she was inside and she really didn't care if anyone noticed or didn't like it.

~~

I need your touch

You're the only one I'll ever love

Ohhh, I

~~

Sinking in sorrow, she wrapped her arms around herself. She was taken to a time when those arms had been Katie's. She spent a moment in bliss at the thought but broke away from the memory before she could start crying. With a smile she sat down, cleared her throat and sang. Loud and clear so that maybe Katie would hear.

~~

And as long as the stars shine down from the heavens

As long as the rivers run to the seas

I'll never get over you getting over me

~~

Katie's head snapped in the direction of the singing. She knew that voice, that song. She stood, totally confusing Jessie. . "Expose, I'll Never Get Over You Getting Over Me," she mumbled. Listening more contently she heard the last few sung words of passion, anguish and somehow forgiveness

~~

I'll never get over you getting over

Never get over you getting over

I'll never get over you getting over me

~~

Looking down at Jessie she smiled. "I'll be right back," she whispered, kissing her girlfriend on the cheek. She then walked to the tree to find Sarah sitting there with her eyes shut tight, her arms around her body tightly as she fought to hold back tears. "Sarah?"

Sarah swallowed hard, opening her bloodshot eyes. She knew she couldn't speak because it would only come out broken and weak so she nodded.

Katie's heart ached at the site before her. Now she knew why Grace had been so angry. Gazing deep into the brunettes eyes she smiled warmly. "I'm not gonna give up on you," she confessed. "Always, remember?"

Sarah sniffled. "Always?"

"Always." Katie took Sarah into her arms and hugged her tightly.

Jessie, who'd followed Katie, just smiled. Sure she'd have to get use to having Sarah around but this looked like a new beginning for all of them. Seeing Sarah so heartbroken had made her see that there is always a sweet, kind person inside somewhere, people just don't get to see it.

Sarah closed her eyes. This was part of letting go but at least she'd still have Katie in her life. "Thank you," she whispered, opening her eyes to look at Jessie.

Jessie raised a brow. "Me? For what?"

"Letting everything slide." Sarah let Katie go and bowed her head.

"Hey, you weren't being you. I get that now. I'm gonna have to get to know this whole new person but I'm ok with that," Jessie replied. Smiling, she offered her hand to Sarah. "Friends?"

Sarah beamed with joy. "Sure," she answered, shaking the blonde's hand.

Katie smirked. "What do you two say to ice cream, my treat?"

Both girls looked at each other then nodded in agreement. Things were looking brighter. The gloom was slipping away and now they all felt like a burden had been lifted from their shoulders.

~~ TBC ~~