Life After High School - Ten Years Later.

By Risty and Silver.

Disclaimer: We don't own them, only our characters.

Summary: Just read the damn thing.

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(Damon's POV)

As we got ready for bed that night, Emma told me what Ria had said to her. I could tell that she felt guilty, as if it was her fault that Jaime was in such a mess. But it wasn't and I soon told her that. Jaime had brought it on herself and I had no sympathy for her, nor did Benny. You make choices and then you deal with the consequences. We did and our relationship, both with each other and with our loyal friends, grew stronger as a result.

The next morning, I caught Ria alone in the living room and told her that I wanted to talk to her. She seemed a bit uneasy, but sat down opposite me and looked at me.

"Listen Ria" I said carefully. "Emma told me what you said about your mum. She feels very guilty about it all and I am annoyed that you brought up the subject with her given that she has just come out of hospital. The thing is, your mum is not the only one who is suffering or has suffered due to all this. Emma's brothers, Elrond, Billee and Legolas, all are loyal to Emma but also want to be friendly with your mum. It was difficult for them. I felt very guilty knowing that Emma and Jaime's friendship was over because of me and I also felt terrible knowing that Benny and Lucas took our side. They were best friends with your mum's brother once, they knew him and Jaime long before they knew Emma and me and yet they still chose our side. And Emma has suffered too; she lost a lot of her friends and nearly lost her son. She doesn't like letting the children out of her sight and she has nightmares that Jaime and Boromir are trying to get Kane away from her. I am saying this plainly so you can see that although all this has hurt your mum, she isn't the only wounded party here. And she hates me, Ria, she really does. She always has, so in theory she has brought this on herself. Please don't bring the subject up with Emma again, it upsets her and I don't like seeing her upset."

"I won't, Mr. Darkshield" Ria said quietly, her eyes focused on the carpet. "I am really sorry."

"It's okay," I told her. "Honestly, you weren't to know. It must be hard for you around here, I do realise that, but none of us can change what has happened. Emma has accepted that their friendship was in the past and it is time that your mum did too. For everyone's sakes."

I got up and left the room. Kane came out of his bedroom, rubbing his eyes. I ran a hand through his hair as I passed and he grinned at me. My son. My family. I had everything I ever wanted and I'd be damned if I was going to let anyone destroy that…

(Benny's POV)

The weekend passed pretty uneventfully. Galia and Ria were definitely happier, Emma seemed a bit more relaxed around Ria and we didn't have any trouble either. There was a funny incident on Saturday afternoon when we were sitting in the living room. I was going through some medical documents, Kane, Vince and Ria were playing some sort of card game and Galia was playing with Ria. Emma had gone to bed and after a few minutes, Damon stuck his head around the door and asked Galia if she could look after Crystal for an hour or so because he wanted to go and lie down for a while too. Galia just held Crystal tighter and grinned up at him.

"Damon" she said, shaking her head. "Why don't you just say that you and Emma are going to have sex because we all know that that is what you're going to do."

The kids cracked up and Damon went slightly red. I looked at him and winked.

"Galia, that wasn't funny" I scowled, while struggling to hide my smile. "Sure Damon, go right ahead. Crystal will be fine."

Of course the good times never last. On Sunday evening, just before the kids were due to go to bed, Blaze called up to let me know that there was a phone call for me. I told him that I would take it upstairs and lifted the receiver. It was Elrond and he sounded very upset. My heart went cold as he told me that two of his students had been brutally murdered while they had been out riding in the grounds that afternoon. The school would be closed until further notice, with all students being sent home. He would be in contact again soon.

I put the phone down almost in a state of shock and told Emma and Damon what had happened. They were as horrified as I was. Then I had to break the news to Galia.

When I got to her room, I could hear her and Ria laughing together. I knocked on the door and Galia told me to come in. Quietly I told her that she would not be going back to school for a while and explained why. As I expected, she was very upset.

"Dad" she said as I turned to go. "Who were the murdered students?"

"Your friend Lila" I said sadly, remembering the innocent young girl who Galia had brought home once or twice. "And a young man called Gregory. Gregory Shaw."

My daughter's face went even whiter and she burst into tears…