Author's Note: Sorry for not updating frequently. I've been pretty busy lately with IRL stuff. I also had the worst case of writer's block. I'm back and here to bring back to an alternate reality of this story.

This is gonna be weird but I am adding an episode to Season 4 that focuses on Sean in the A plot. I feel like a lot of characters didn't get much focus and if there had been more focus on some characters. No, I'm not bringing back characters that got sucked into the Degrassi Black Hole but I will give people some chances to shine.

This episode takes place before "Voices Carry" and gives some setup for what happens in that two-parter. I will try my best to bring elements that Sean didn't get to explore due to his leaving. Face the consequences of what happened and the PTSD he is going through.

Disclaimer: I own only the storyline I came up with. I don't own the characters or anything else owned by the company. I'm just playing with the elements. Also, there won't be any B plot in this episode because I just want to focus on Sean's story. I'm not a professional writer, I just like to have fun with stories.

With that out of the way, welcome to the episode called Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground). Yes, an 80s classic song. I thought it fit Sean's mindset.

Sean and Ellie were sound asleep on their bed at night. Well, Ellie was sound asleep. Sean was twitching and shaking from a very aggressive dream. Ellie had gotten used to Sean's erratic sleeping since he came back from Wasaga. He had been talking to someone to work out what he was feeling after the shooting.

However, Sean didn't have many restful nights. Tonight was no exception.

Sean found himself in the hallway at school. He was in front of his locker and in the same clothes he wore that day. The only thing missing from the area… was Emma and Toby.

Sean's eyes widen as he took off running down the hall where he found a terrified Emma and a horrified Toby staring at Rick Murray. The strange young man Sean only knew from conversations Ellie had with Paige about what he had done to Terri MacGregor. The young man was bullied for what he did. Especially by his good friends Spinner Mason and Jay Hogart.

A young man who wanted revenge. Vengeance aimed at Emma Nelson.

Covered in yellow paint and feathers, Rick glared at Emma and pointed the gun at her.

Sean tried to run to stop Rick but his body was paralyzed in place. He couldn't move despite his eagerness to help Emma.

BANG! BANG!

Sean flinched at the sounds but his eyes were held open by his paralysis. He could only watch as Toby got in the way of the bullets. He had protected Emma.

Sean could only watch as Toby crumpled to the floor, his chest covered in blood.

Emma's bloodcurdling scream woke up Sean from his nightmare. He hyperventilates as Ellie wakes up due to Sean's heavy breathing.

"Sean? Sean, deep breaths. Deep breaths, okay?" Ellie urged her boyfriend as Sean tried to catch his breath. "It's okay. You're okay."

Sean manages to catch his breath but the look in his eyes suggested Ellie's words weren't accurate.

Sean wasn't okay.

[Opening Theme Song plays]

Episode Title: Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)

Sean sits on the couch of his apartment, still recovering from his restless night. His one of many restless nights. He had a small notebook in his hand which he was finished writing in. He was dressed for school but mentally still trying to deal with everything.

Ellie walks out of their bedroom, dressed for school. She looks over at Sean and sees he was writing. "Finishing homework before school?"

Sean snaps out of his stupor, he looks up at Ellie. "El, hey. Sorry. Just working on stuff."

Ellie gets a glance at the notebook which Sean quickly closes. "Looks like a list to me."

"It is," Sean said as he put the book in his bag. "I think I'm ready."

Ellie stares at him, a knowing look on her face. "You sure?"

"Been avoiding it long enough. Think it's time I face it." Sean said, a sense of confidence in his words.

"Well, Ash and Craig are going after school. You can join us if you want." Ellie said as they grab their school stuff.

Sean nods as they walk out the door but not before saying goodbye to their pet Bueller.

Sean is at his locker putting his books in his bag as he caught a glance at Toby getting tripped by a passerby student. Sean runs over to help Toby up as the student runs off. "Dude, you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry, the ground broke my fall." Toby groaned as Sean helped him to his feet.

"I think you should leave the jokes to J.T., man." Sean teased as he helps Toby pick up his belongings.

Toby smiles at Sean. "Thanks. You don't have to do all this."

"I know I don't have to but I want to," Sean said. "Let's walk to class together. Simpson's probably wondering where we are."

"You don't-"

"Dude, I'm trying to be less antisocial these days. Cut me a little slack, okay?" Sean said in a shockingly jovial manner.

Toby laughed awkwardly, recognizing that Sean wasn't acting like himself. "Fine, I guess."

The school bell rings and the two quickly walk to homeroom, barely making it before Mr. Simpson shut the door on them before they walked in.

"You boys almost beat the bell," Simpson said with a teasing tone as Manny and some of the other students chuckle at this and Emma smiles weakly.

"Sorry, Sean got lost on his way to class. Thought I'd help him out." Toby joked as he and Sean went to their seats.

"Yeah, I made the wrong turn at the cafeteria." Sean played along, noticing Toby was acting chipper than he was moments ago.

Simpson nods as he walks over to where Toby was and whispered "I'll see you after homeroom ends."

Sean hears this as Toby sighs and nods as Simpson turns on the TV for the morning announcements that were being read by Degrassi's resident overachiever, Liberty Van Zandt.

"Good Morning, Students. Auditions for Dracula are still open and will be held after school today, tomorrow and Friday in the auditorium. We are also looking for stagehands and tech crew for the show." Liberty reads off as she tries to excitedly encourage students to join."

"Dracula?" Sean asked. "Surprised Raditch approved that.

"Yeah, Liberty had to lightly twist his arm to get him to do it," Manny said. "I'm definitely gonna try out. Trying to get Emma and Toby to come too but they're totally not into it."

"Yeah, I kinda remember that panther fiasco in grade 7." Toby points out. "Not doing that again."

"What's Emma's excuse?" Sean asked, hoping to get a defensive response from Emma but only got nothing. He saw Emma staring off at the screen. "Em? Still there?"

Emma snaps out of it after hearing Sean call her name. "Sorry. What?"

"I was asking why you don't wanna audition for Dracula?" Sean asked.

"Because I don't want to have the entire school staring at me." Emma pointed out. "I get that enough since-"

"What if I tried out with you guys?" Sean asked, which made Emma, Toby, and Manny look at him with stares of bewilderment. The stares that Sean noticed. "What?"

"Who are you and where did you put our Sean?" Manny asked.

"Yeah, you're acting extra weird lately." Toby points out. "Body Snatching is the only explanation."

Sean laughs at this and says "It's called getting therapy. Ms. Sauve wants me to open myself up to new opportunities and I thought I'd add some incentive." He looks over at Emma. "What do you say? I try out, you try out?"

Emma stares at Sean to get him to back off, but she fails. She should know better than not to get into a staring contest with Sean Cameron. She groans and says "Fine… but you owe me."

"Nah, I think we're fairly even." Sean teased which made Emma smile.

Sean was at lunch with Ellie, Craig, and Ashley where Craig was who was laughing after what Sean told them. "Wait, you're gonna audition for a school production?" Craig asked, laughing.

"Yes, why are you so shocked?" Sean asked.

"Because you once told me you'd rather have carnivorous fire ants eat you alive than do any extracurricular activities," Craig said, his laughing finally stopping.

"And lots changed since then," Sean told him. "Besides, might actually keep me from doing stupid crap."

"Don't mind him. I think it's great that you're trying new things." Ashley said encouragingly.

"That's what I've been trying to tell him," Ellie said. "He's been doing so well at school. It's almost like he's a different person."

"And that is the fifth person who's said that today," Sean said, mildly annoyed by the statement.

"I didn't mean it as a bad thing. I'm proud of you. I really am." Ellie said, rubbing Sean's shoulder to calm him down.

"It's fine. Besides, I'm only doing it to help out Emma." Sean stated which made Ellie look at him. "I made a deal with her that if she tried out, so would I."

"That's really nice. She hasn't been herself since…" Ashley stopped herself, remembering what Ellie told her Sean was dealing with. "Sorry."

"Ash, it's fine. I'm working on it." Sean assured her. "It's why I want to go with you guys today. I want to make amends with him."

The group is in agreement as Ellie stares at Sean. Wondering if anything was going on between Sean and Emma.

Sean looks over and sees Jay and Alex sitting together and Jay seems to be staring at Sean. Something Craig notices.

"What's his problem?" Craig asked Sean.

Sean shrugs. "No idea. Haven't been hanging out with him as much. He says he and Alex are doing something."

"Well, he isn't exactly very popular. About as friendly as a rattlesnake." Ashley replied.

"Jay has his moments…when he isn't spitting venom," Sean replied. "He just doesn't care what people think."

"And Alex isn't that bad. Marco and Paige seem to like her." Ellie points out. "They've both been a little weird since-"

"Think everyone's been weird since then," Craig said, noticing Sean's jaw clench again.

Sean stares at Jay again who averts his gaze from Sean.

Jimmy Brooks was watching TV in his room. Besides the few visitors, he got from his parents and a few of his close friends. This was all he did. This or school work his friends brought him.

Jimmy hears a knock at the door and he turns to see Ashley standing at the door. "Hey, this is a surprise. I'm guessing you brought the gang?"

"Not everyone," Ashley said as she, Craig, and Ellie walk into the room. "But enough to make good company."

"Guess Ellie's the third wheel, huh?" Jimmy teases as Ashley and Craig huddle up together.

"Not exactly," Ellie said as she looks back, and Sean steps into the doorframe. "Someone else decided to come with us."

Jimmy's eyes widen in surprise. "Cameron?"

"Hey, Jimmy," Sean said softly.

"Not that I mind or anything but… what are you doing here?" Jimmy asked as he looks over his friends.

"I-I wanted to see how you were doing," Sean said, catching his breath. "If you want me to leave, I can just wait outside-"

"Sean, it's fine." Ellie tries to assure him by grabbing his arm.

"This was a mistake, I should go," Sean said, starting to try to leave.

"Sean, it's okay. You actually wanted to come to see me." Jimmy said. "Better than most people I know."

Craig winces at that fact, he knew who Jimmy was talking about. "So… Sean wants to try out for the school play."

"Dude!" Sean relaxes and glares at Craig.

"Wait, what?" Jimmy exclaimed in surprise.

"Before you ask, I'm doing it as a favor to a friend," Sean explained. "I'm not a big extracurricular type of guy. Doesn't end well."

"You were good on the court. I mean, not as good as… I was." Jimmy stops and looks down.

"I think you'd still whip my ass on the court," Sean said, trying to lighten the mood which makes Jimmy raise an eyebrow. "I'm probably not even getting a part or anything. They're gonna regulate me to a stagehand or something."

"That or you're gonna find out you're Orson Welles in a gray hoodie." Jimmy teased which made Sean feel better.

"It's a high school play, I doubt that," Sean said with a laugh which puts the others at ease.

Sean and Ellie were walking back to their apartment. Sean seems a bit more relaxed while Ellie is actually smiling which Sean notices. "You okay?" he asked her.

"I'm fine. I'm just happy for you." Ellie said. "I told you that wasn't gonna be that bad."

"Don't give me too much credit, El. I'm trying."

"Which is a good thing," Ellie said. "I'm glad you're opening up."

Sean smiles which fades away as he looks in front of him. He turns pale from shock which Ellie notices.

"Sean, what's wrong?" Ellie asked but takes a look at what was in front of Sean: his older brother Tracker. "Is that-"

Tracker looks a bit haggard but mostly the same way he did a few years ago. When he left Sean to move to Alberta. "Hey, kid."

Sean and Ellie were in there apartment now but they are not alone.

"Place looks good. Better than our old place." Tracker said as he looks around the apartment.

"Well, student welfare has been a lot more helpful than I thought," Sean said, not taking his eyes off his brother.

"Glad that worked out for you." Tracker said with a weak smile on his face.

"Not that I'm not happy to see you or anything… but what are you doing here?" Sean asked, spite dripping from his voice.

Tracker sighs and looks at Sean. "Dad called, told me about what happened."

Sean raised an eyebrow. "You heard about the shooting?"

"No, I found that out on the news. He told me you went to visit him and mom." Tracker stated. "I was worried you were gonna go back to them."

"I was tempted… but that would've made me a coward." Sean retorts, the venom not fading from his words. "I'm learning to face what happened. Not running."

"He's been staying out of trouble at school." Ellie spoke up which made Sean and Tracker look at her. "He's been doing really good."

"That right?" Tracker said. "Take it you're not hanging out with that Jay kid?"

"Why is that any business of yours? My life, remember?" Sean said. "I'm going to ask again, why are you here?"

Tracker sighs again. "I'm leaving the country. A friend of mine got me a job in Guam. I wanted to say goodbye before I left. Wanted to see what my little brother's been up to."

Sean bites his lip. He knew that his brother was serious. "You tell them?"

"I-I visited them first. They didn't take it well." Tracker explained.

"And what do you want me to do about it?" Sean said. "I've made peace with them. They've gotten better."

"I know. They looked good." Tracker explained. "I'm proud of you."

"Don't need you to tell me that. I'm working on it." Sean said. "That it?"

Tracker nods. "Yeah, that's all."

With that, Tracker walked out of the apartment.

Sean glares at the door and lets out a scream which makes Ellie jump. Sean falls to his knees and Ellie tends to him as he starts to cry.

Sean was pacing in Ms. Sauve's office where she sat and observed his behavior. He has been there again for his daily therapy session and she notices how shaken up he was.

"He just- he just shows up. What did he expect me to say?" Sean said.

"Because you feel abandoned by him?" Sauve asked.

"Not that. Because he chose the world over me." Sean said. "Did what he promised he never would."

"And what's that?"

Sean sighs, his anger melts out of him for a moment. "Be like our parents."

"You have had a sense of loneliness since you came to Toronto. You fear being alone despite how many people you try to push away." She points out. "You have a habit of running away or cutting off people who want you to be different."

"Do you really believe that?" Sean said as he speaks up.

"No, it's your defense mechanism. I think you want to be a better person but you don't feel you're worthy of it." She reminds him. "Now that you're making the change-"

"It's making me scared of myself?" Sean speaks up. "So the list isn't a good idea?"

"I never said to follow that like a to-do list." She told him. "That was to help you not get lost. With all you've been through, you felt like you had to gravitate toward someone to lead you out of the fog. The thing is you can't stay lost. Sooner or later, you have to get back to yourself."

"I have to learn to forgive myself, huh?" Sean asked.

"That might be helpful, but only when you're ready." Ms. Sauve said as the bell rings. "And that's your cue to go to lunch. I'll see you tomorrow. Let me know how your audition goes."

Sean turns bright red and clears his through. "Thanks. I will."

Sean steps out of the office as Manny runs over to him which catches him by surprise. "Hey, Manny. What's up?"

"I need a favor. I need to run some lines for my audition during lunch." The pretty brunette asked him.

"What about Toby? Thought you were running lines with him?" Sean replied.

"Emma's looking for him but I need to nail this audition," Manny told him which surprises Sean but is distracted by Manny's pleading. "Please, I'll buy you some chocolate milk. Please?"

Sean laughs and relents. "Fine. I'll help you."

Manny smiles and pulls him off to run lines with her. Something that Jay and Alex catch a chance at seeing.

"Wonder what those two are doing?" Jay asked.

"Something that isn't our business. Now, lets go to lunch." Alex said bitterly as she pulls Jay to the cafeteria.

Jay looks back to where Manny pulled Sean, curiosity on full blast.

Sean and Manny were outside in the band room, and both of them had scripts in their hands. Sean was looking at the lines Manny wanted him to read. "Mrs. Harker."

"Did you give her those flowers, Dr. Van Helsing?" Manny recited the line.

"I did, Mrs. Harker. And you took them away?" Sean read out.

"They were choking her! She could hardly breathe. With the window closed, the room was like a garlic press!" Manny said, staying character. "Lucy! Oh Lucy!" Sean snickers a bit, causing Manny to playfully hit him with her script. "Not funny!"

"I'm sorry. I just thought it was silly." Sean said, rubbing his face.

"What? You think I can't play Mina?" Manny asked.

"Didn't say that. But maybe Lucy is more your speed." Sean points out.

"Why? Because Lucy's a slut?" Manny said with a scowl. "I know Ellie has called me that before."

"And people used to call me a low life, Manny. I mean, not to my face at least." Sean points out. "Who cares?"

"I kinda do," Manny said. "Besides, who are you auditioning for? Jonathan? Van Helsing?"

"Actually, I'm trying out for Dracula," Sean announced, a statement catching Manny by surprise. "What?"

"Dracula? Seriously?" Manny asked.

Sean shrugs "Go big or go home."

Manny smirks, grabs his script and opens on a different page. "Try these lines and I'll help you."

Sean looks at the page she gave him and sighs. "Fine." He reads from the lines before reciting them as Manny reads the line before his line.

"Who are you?"

"You know me. I am the one Lucy spoke of. She gave me her blood to drink, and I have given her the gift of eternal night. I come to give that gift to you." Sean said, his words sounding almost in character.

"No! Jonathon!" Manny said, acting dramatically.

"Your will is strong!" Sean said, his voice dripping in faux seduction. "From the moment I saw your image I knew it would be. Your strength will flow into me. I need your strength, your life, your blood."

"No!" Manny's voice cracked at Sean's performance.

"Give your throat to me, my Mina. As Lucy did." Sean fully embraces the character. "And join her as a creature of the night."

Manny catches her breath and laughs to break character. "Damn, you're great! Has anyone told you that?"

"It was?" Sean asked, slightly embarrassed. "I was just coping Gary Oldman from that Dracula movie."

"You were amazing!" Manny said, paying him a compliment. "I think J.T. and Liberty have their Dracula."

Suddenly, Emma and Ellie burst into the room and they find the two in there by themselves. Ellie seems angry that her boyfriend is alone with Manny but Emma cuts in before she can say anything. "Guys, Toby is trashing Mr. Raditch's car!"

"Wait, what?" Sean exclaimed as the four head out of the room to find Toby.

The four rush out and see Toby throwing eggs at Mr. Raditch's car as the principal begs him to stop. "Toby, stop that right now!"

"Or what? You gonna suspend me?" Toby said bitterly. "Slap on the wrist? Completely ignore me?"

Sean rushes into action and grabs Toby from behind. "Toby, stop!"

"Get off me!" Toby yelled as Raditch took the eggs from Toby and pointed at him.

"Back in my office, now!" Raditch yelled as he pulls Toby from Sean. He looks back at Sean who says nothing.

Sean looks around and sees everyone in the school is looking at him. Including Jay who seems to enjoy the chaos. He rushes over and confronts Jay. "Why do I have a feeling you might have pushed Toby to do that?"

"Nope, egghead did that all on his own," Jay said. "And when did you become Raditch's lap dog? You become a hero and suddenly you're a hall monitor?"

Sean was tempted to deck Jay but thinks better of it. "I don't have time for this. Grow up."

With that, he walks back inside as Ellie, Manny and Emma watch as Jay drives off.

Sean was standing outside of the auditorium, reading through his lines as he sees Toby sitting next to Raditch's office. He walks over to his friend who doesn't look at him. "You okay?"

"Three days suspension and I have to clean Raditch's car." Toby said blankly.

"Tobe, I'm so-"

"Why did you stop me?" Toby asked. "I wanted him to pay."

"Because I didn't want you to get expelled," Sean informed him. "Why are you trying to make him pay?"

"Because he didn't listen to Rick." Toby said bitterly. "Rick is dead because he didn't take him seriously."

"And how does you getting suspended or expelled gonna fix that?" Sean asked. "If anything, you should hate me for what happened?"

"Because you saved Emma? Dude, this wouldn't have-"

"Toby! I don't want to lose you like his family lost Rick." Sean said which surprised Toby. "You're my friend. I don't want to lose my friends."

Toby sighs, "I'm sorry."

Before Sean could say anything, Emma interrupts the moment. "Sean, you're next."

Sean nods as she goes back into the auditorium. "See ya later?"

Toby nods as Raditch and his stepmom Kate walk up to Toby. He follows them out of the school as Sean looks on.

Once Toby left the school, Sean walks into the auditorium for his audition. He sees J.T. and Liberty sitting at the desk in front of the stage. "I'm ready to go."

"Well, hurry up. We got more auditions before times up." J.T. informed him as Sean rushed up the stage.

"Ready when you are," Liberty announced.

Sean looks around the room and sees Emma and Manny in the room along with Liberty's brother Danny, Alex, and his ex-girlfriend Amy. Manny looks at him and offers an encouraging two thumbs up and Emma smiles at him.

Sean takes a deep breath and nods. He straightens his posture to get into character and begins his audition. "Listen to them, the children of the night. What music they make!"

"Music?" J.T, reading from the script.

"You dwell in the city, Jonathon Harker. You cannot enter into the feelings of the hunter. I shall miss this land, when I move to your London." Sean continues as everyone watched curiously.

After the auditions, Sean exhales as he leaves the school where Ellie waits for him. "I thought you'd be heading home."

"I wanted to see how your audition went," Ellie said.

"You could've waited inside," Sean said as they started walking home. "Was it because of Manny? She asked me to help her, El."

"I know… I just don't trust her." Ellie said bitterly.

"Manny's a friend. And she doesn't deserve the bad rep she has." Sean explained. "It would be like you not trusting me for my past. Or me judging you for yours."

Ellie exhales, "I guess you're right. Besides, Amy was there too and you can't convince me to trust her."

"Oh, trust me. I won't." Sean said with a laugh.

"So… did you get a part?" Ellie asked.

"Don't know yet. We won't get the results until all the auditions are done." Sean explained. "But Liberty said I might be a shoe-in for Dracula's understudy."

"That's great." Ellie said. "We should celebrate. How about pizza for dinner?"

"Sure, but would you be mad if I invited someone else?" Sean asked.

"Who?"

Tracker answers the knocking at the door to his motel room. "I'm almost out of here. What do you-" He opens the door to his room to see Sean standing there, "Sean."

"Hey." Sean said. "Can I come in?"

Tracker nods and invites him in. "You came to make sure I was leaving?"

"I came here to apologize, dumbass." Sean told his brother. "I'm sorry for what I said last night. I was still mad about what happened when you left. You came after a really bad time for me."

"I know, I have crappy timing." Tracker told him.

"But I don't want us to lose touch again. I'm done letting people go." Sean told him.

Tracker smiles. "Thanks, kid."

"But I do have an ulterior motive," Sean said.

"And that is?" Tracker asked with a mischievous smile.

"One last dinner in Toronto?" Sean offered. "Ellie's waiting outside."

"Good, I wanna get to know her before I leave." Tracker said as the two brothers leave.

Sean smiles as they leave and he shuts the door.

End of the episode. Hope you guys like it. I'm gonna try to update more often. Let me know what you think. Catch ya guys later.