A/N: I wanted to make sure I updated quickly. I'm hoping to get the final chapter up before Christmas Eve. Work schedule permitting of course.

Accolades:

SmoothNCreamy: Hope this is a quick enough update for you. You'll get his answer soon enough…I promise.

Centra: I didn't need the week…how's a day? I hope this continues to please you. I'm enjoying it.

Citygal509: Cliffy go bye bye now. It's okay…I'm getting better at this now.

Meg: Thank you so very much. I appreciate it.

SkittlezzChika: I love keeping you on your toes…read and all questions will be answered.

Tasha: Thank you for being a dedicated reader, I appreciate it. Yes, I am a little crazy so that's the reason for all the cliffhangers. Thanks for the compliments…they make me smile.

Man freakzoid: Oh, you flatter me. I updated sooner than Monday…hope you aren't disappointed…ahem…

ReRe04: Thank you for saying it didn't suck…I hope this chapter killed all the suspense for you.

Platinum Rei: I like leaving people in suspense. The reviews are more interesting that way. They get downright funny sometimes. This story will end before Christmas. Fair warning…

However, before the hate mail starts…the sequel will be started before the new year. I promise.

DegrassiqueengoMandD: hope this continues to live up to your expectations. I am trying…

Thank you to anyone I might have missed. It wasn't intentional, believe me. I read every review and love them dearly.

Chapter Nineteen

Dylan tried to call Marco for two days without an answer. He waited for a message but nothing. He was really beginning to get really worried.

There had been no explanation, no apology, and worst yet, still no word.

Marco knew he needed to call Dylan but he hadn't gotten a moment to himself after the phone call Rosa had made to him. She told him that Chris had been found by his mother. He'd slit his wrists. He was still alive, but barely.

Marco knew it was wrong to be in his hospital room when all he wanted was a few answers. He wanted to know why Chris tried to kill himself. He also wanted to know why Chris had chosen now to try it.

Chris had lost a lot of blood but the doctors were hoping on a full recovery. He was still in a state of shock where he either couldn't communicate or wouldn't. The doctors just didn't know.

Marco sat by his bed and watched as Chris stared out the window. He couldn't stand the silence anymore, "You know Chris, I think you choose not to speak. You're getting more sympathy. You like being the center of attention and it's killing you that everyone has forgotten you. We've all moved on."

Chris' eyes flicked toward Marco as he was speaking but still didn't respond.

Marco continued, "Dylan forgot about you until he saw you again. He could've lived the rest of his life and never given you a second thought. You couldn't stand that. You think that you are the answer to his dreams and yet it kills you that it's your little cousin instead. Am I getting warm?"

Chris had turned his head and was staring at Marco.

Marco smiled sinisterly, "Is there something you'd like to say?"

Chris turned his head away before speaking, his voice very raw and rusty from no use, "You think you have all the answers. If you weren't in the picture Dylan would be mine. I loved him but was too scared to admit it. He could have loved me, too."

Marco shook his head in disbelief, "So I was right. You tried to kill yourself over a guy."

Chris laughed sadly, "Yes. And the fact that everyone would be better off without me. I'm HIV positive, Marco. I'm dying anyway. It was my way of helping nature along."

Marco stared in shock. He didn't know what to say. He didn't know if anything could be said after a revelation like that. So he chose the obvious instead of silence, "Did you just say you're HIV positive?"

Chris looked down at his restraints, "Yes. I'm dying. I've had it for years but never went to the doctor's. I didn't want to know."

Marco stared at his cousin in shock, "Okay, before I jump to conclusions and get very mad, let's you and I clear up a few things. You knew you were infected when you propositioned Dylan in Italy and again here…right?" asked Marco. Chris nodded the affirmative and Marco continued, "Were you planning on telling him if he chose to sleep with you or were you going to let him get infected without his knowledge? Before you answer, let me remind you that infecting innocent parties with HIV is illegal."

Chris was still staring at his wrist restraints, wondering how to get them off, "I don't know. I hoped that he'd want me and then I could come clean, I guess. I wish I had an answer for you but I don't."

Marco noticed he was staring at his restraints, "Trying to figure out if you can get them off?"

Chris nodded. Marco laughed, "Good luck with that. You can't remove them. But if you tell me your intentions, I might remove one for you."

Chris looked at him sadly, "I want my hand free so I can scratch my nose."

Marco nodded tersely and undid his restraint. "Here you go. I had nothing to do with this and now I must go. I have a marriage proposal to answer."

Marco left the hospital room, knowing Chris was going to finish what he'd started. What the hell, he's going to find a way. He wants to die, I can't stop him. I guess I could have but he doesn't want to be stopped. Oh well, I can't think about this now. I need to go find Dylan. And explain…a lot.

Marco turned on his cell phone as he entered the parking lot. He saw he'd received eight new voice mails and four text messages while being in the hospital with Chris.

Seven messages from Dylan, one from his parents, two texts from Dylan, one from Paige and one from Chad.

All of these had a recurring theme with the exception of his parents' message…Dylan's proposal. Everyone wanted an answer. Marco had one to give but thought it best for Dylan to hear it first.

He dialed a number more familiar than his own and waited for the answer. When Dylan's voice mail came on instead, "Hey Dylan, it's me. I really need to see you. Please come over when you get this message. It's important."

Marco knew he sounded desperate but he was. He hoped that Dylan would come over promptly.

Marco got home and wandered through the rooms. He was in the kitchen when he remembered the letters he'd found in his lockers. He still had no idea who they were from or even what they said. He shrugged as he headed for his room.

He sat on his bed and pulled the letters out of his bag. He managed to keep them in order while sitting in his bag so he picked the top one off of the pile. He carefully slid it open and scanned the handwriting. It wasn't anyone's he knew.

Marco,

I LOVE YOU!

I WANT YOU!

I WILL HAVE YOU!

DYLAN CAN'T STOP ME!

NOONE CAN!

Marco put the note down and raised an eyebrow at it. He slid open the second one and unfolded the next note. He saw it was the same handwriting.

Marco,

YOU ARE MINE!

YOU LOVE ME!

YOU NEED ME!

YOU ARE TOO SCARED TO ADMIT IT!

YOU WILL THOUGH!

Marco was beginning to get worried. He felt like this was heading toward a stalker. Or at least someone with stalker qualities.

Marco was hesitant when he opened the third one. He noticed off the bat that while the handwriting was the same, the letter was longer and no all capital sentences.

Marco,

I hope I didn't scare you but I needed you to know that I was serious. You've gotten my attention. I want you. I am determined to have you.

I'm sorry for the secrecy and the covert operations on this but I felt the need. I know you are with Dylan right now but I don't see it lasting that long. He'll lose interest or worse yet, you will. He's dull. It's always hockey, soccer, baseball or football.

Please give me a chance. I will be waiting for you.

Charles

Marco dropped the letter with disgust. He was shocked and appalled. He cringed involuntarily at even the thought of being with Charles. It was just so…EWW!

Marco was saved by the front door opening and closing. He didn't care who it was, as long as they provided a distraction for the thought of Charles wanting him.

Dylan entered his bedroom as he was getting up from his bed. He sat back down and waited for Dylan to sit as well.

"You wanted to see me?" asked Dylan, trying to sound unaffected.

"Please, sit down. I need to tell you something and it would be better if you sit." Marco said gently.

Dylan nodded slightly. He sat down in Marco's desk chair after rolling it toward the bed.

Marco sighed heavily, "I do love you but I can't marry you right now. I'm too young. I can't leave school right now. I want to finish high school like everyone else. I want my prom, graduation, parties, friends and most of all, I want to have fun. I don't want to break up but I can't do what you ask. I am truly sorry."

Marco looked at him fearfully waiting for Dylan's response.

Dylan looked at Marco, then at his hands and back at Marco. "I understand. I don't agree but I don't hold it against you."

Marco smiled slightly, "Will we be okay?"

Dylan shrugged, "I don't know but we can try."

Marco laughed slightly, "Prom?"

Dylan smiled, "Yeah, we're still going. I have plans for you afterward as well. Make sure Rosa knows that you won't be coming home at all that night."

Marco nodded, "Okay." Marco leaned forward and placed a kiss on Dylan's lips.

Dylan started to kiss him back but pulled away. "Wait a minute, where were you for the last two days?"

Marco leaned back on his hands, "The hospital."

Dylan waited expectantly for Marco to continue. When he didn't, he prompted him, "Why were you at the hospital?"

Marco sighed, "Guess it's time you found out the truth. Chris tried to kill himself the other day. I wanted to be there when he woke up. I wanted to be sure of his motives for trying to commit suicide."

Dylan's eyebrows raised, "His reasons were?"

"You turning him down and the fact he has HIV," stated Marco simply.

"Whoa, wait a minute. Did you say he's got HIV?" asked Dylan.

Marco nodded, "Yeah and apparently he's had it a while but refused treatment. It's too far gone now to treat or something like that."

Dylan blew out a breath of disbelief. "Wow! That is unbelievable. And he was trying to get with me again…"

Marco reached out his hand and placed it on his forearm.

Dylan covered it with his own. He got up and sat down next to Marco on the bed. He was going to pull him into a hug but the phone rang.

Marco looked at it. He didn't know the number, so he answered it tentatively, "Hello?"

"Oh, Rosa. What's up?"

"He did? How did he get free? No one has a clue? Really? That sucks. I know. I will. Guess Mom and Dad will be here for it. When do they come in? Okay. I'll prepare the rooms. Thanks Rosa. Yeah, I'll see you soon."

Marco hung up the phone. He looked over at Dylan and shook his head. "Chris managed to get loose and complete his earlier attempt. He didn't make it this time."

Dylan pulled Marco to him, "I'm sorry. I wish I knew what to say. I won't miss him and that sounds horrible."

Marco shook his head as tears rolled down his cheeks, "You don't understand, I undid one of his restraints before I left. He wanted me to and I didn't see any reason not to."

Dylan looked on in shock, "I'm not sure if…I don't know…"

Marco half-laughed, "Don't hurt yourself, honey."

Marco and Dylan got through Chris' funeral. Charles disappeared after Marco told him off, again.

Marco's parents came in for the funeral. They promptly left the day after the funeral.

Two weeks passed and it was time for prom.

Marco was getting ready at his house with Chad while Paige and Dylan got ready at home.

Chad was nervous and couldn't figure out how to tie the bow tie or put on his cummerbund. Marco cracked up while watching him.

"Chad, let me help you, please," implored Marco through fits of laughter.

Chad threw his hands up and groaned, "Please help… I'm clueless."

Marco reached around him and fastened the cummerbund and then moved up to tie the tie.

He patted it in place and turned Chad to the mirror. "There you are, all tied and dressed. Now, let's go get out dates. The limo is here."

Chad hugged Marco, "I've wanted to say something to you since you gave Dylan his answer. I'm glad you were smart enough to know you are too young to get married. I hope it doesn't ruin anything for you and Dylan though."

Marco hugged him back, "Thanks Chad. From you that is deep."

Chad shoved him away and laughed.

The boys left and went to pick up their dates.

Dylan and Paige were getting ready at their house. Paige was finishing her make up when Dylan rushed in the bathroom. "Do I look okay?"

Paige laughed, "You look fine, big brother. Dare I say, dapper."

Dylan grinned, "You look pretty great yourself, squirt. That dress is…fantastic."

Paige smiled at her reflection, "As if you expected anything less."

Dylan left her to finish her preparations because the guys were due to arrive at any time.

Marco and Chad walked to the door together and rang the doorbell.

Mrs. Michalchuk answered the door and squealed. "You boys look great. Paige, Dylan, your dates are here."

Dylan walked down the stairs slowly. He saw Marco waiting in the living room and was stunned.

Marco smiled at the sight of Dylan coming down the stairs in his tuxedo, "You look wonderful."

"Same goes for you," stated Dylan as he placed a kiss on Marco's lips.

Mrs. Michalchuk started snapping pictures of the couple kissing, posing together, just joking around, waiting for Paige.

Chad smiled broadly as he heard Paige's heels on the stairs, "Here's my date now. And she's gorgeous."

Paige beamed at the compliment, "Thank you. You look dapper. Hey, that's the second time I got to use that word today."

The four left after a slew of pictures were taken. Mrs. Michalchuk was still snapping pictures as the limo pulled away.

They pulled into the hotel parking lot where the prom was being held and were dropped off at the doors. The limo was dismissed, seeing that both Chad and Dylan had rented rooms in the hotel for the night.

The couples took more pictures and then danced. Dylan revealed that he can't dance. It was rather entertaining to watch though.

Marco and Dylan stayed until around eleven.

Dylan dragged him away from the dance and into the lobby. "I've got something for you. I rented a room upstairs for us for tonight."

Marco kissed him gently, "Let's go. I'm thinking it's time to reconnect after the last few weeks of angst."

Dylan laughed and steered him toward the elevators.

Inside the suite that Dylan rented, there were rose petals strewn everywhere, on the floor, the tables, chairs and bed.

Marco smiled shyly at the scene this created with the lit candles and the ice bucket with a bottle of wine.

"What possessed you to do this? How did you do all of this?" inquired Marco.

"I wanted to give you a special night with me and I had some help from Rosa," replied Dylan.

"That is so sweet." Marco said wrapping his arms around Dylan's waist.

Dylan settled into the hug and kissed Marco firmly on the lips.

The kiss escalated quickly between the boys. Hands started roaming, clothes started dropping, and the boys headed toward the bed.

Marco moaned into Dylan's mouth as the kiss got fierce. The dominance that Dylan was showing was surprising to Marco but he enjoyed it.

The boys made love a couple of time over the next few hours. They thoroughly enjoyed each other until check out the next morning.

The next morning came too quickly for Marco. He knew that with only two weeks of school left, Dylan would soon be leaving. He still didn't know where he was going yet either.

They went to breakfast and then back to Marco's house.

Marco broached the subject of college gently, "Dylan, have you decided where you're going to college?"

Dylan looked down at the floor, "Yes. I meant to tell you I accepted an offer for a full ride to Boston University."

Marco looked shocked, "Did I know that Boston U was an option?"

Dylan laughed, "No. I didn't think I was even seriously considering it but they were offering more spending money and better living arrangements."

"Better living arrangements?" asked Marco.

"As a star hockey player, I don't have a roommate."

Marco nodded his understanding.

Boston. Massachussettes. United States. Different country. Great school. Should I tell him that I was accepted early admission to Boston U about five months ago? No, probably not a good idea.

"What are you thinking about?" asked Dylan.

"Nothing much," replied Marco shaking his head. "I just realized that I'm kinda tired."

"Me, too. Wanna take a nap?" asked Dylan.

Marco nodded and led the way into his bedroom.

The boys settled down in each other's arms and fell asleep.

Marco watched as Dylan decided what to pack for Boston. His clothes were in one pile, books, cds and movies in another, pictures of friends and family in another and a miscellaneous pile of random things he couldn't classify.

Marco felt himself becoming distanced from Dylan with each box that was sealed.

Dylan was getting excited about graduation and moving to a new city. He knew somewhere deep down that this was signaling the end for him and Marco.

Graduation day arrived and passed. Marco watched Dylan walk down the aisle and receive his diploma. He cried with Paige as she watched Chad walk with him.

Marco felt his life was ending. His world was crashing down around him. And the worst part, he was powerless to stop it because he caused it.

Dylan was due to leave a week after graduation. The week passed way to quickly. The day before Dylan was to drive away from Degrassi, he confronted Marco.

"I think it's time we talked about me leaving. I don't want to do this but I guess we're breaking up. A long distance relationship isn't going to work between us right now. You already told me you didn't want to marry me and that doesn't bode well for a future."

Marco nodded stoically as Dylan completed his speech. "I guess you're right. I know it won't work. We'll see what happens later. Who knows, maybe I'll get accepted to Boston for Journalism."

Dylan smiled, "If it's meant to be between us then we'll find our way back to each other."

"Can I still come over and see you off tomorrow?" asked Marco.

"I'd be mad if you didn't." Dylan said as Marco walked him to the door.

Please review…I thrive on them. I can't prompt you with the update because I already admitted this will end before Christmas…

I can't hold the sequel back because I'm too excited to keep it to myself. Okay…moving on… Please review anyway…