Disclaimer: The usual.

Emma sat in silence as Sean poured out the entire story from the beginning; how he'd overheard Spinner and Jay, how he'd convinced Spinner to set Jay up, and what was going to happen tomorrow. When he was finished, he looked nervously at Emma to see her reaction.

She started at him for a moment, deep in thought. When she finally spoke, her voice was shaky…

"You're saying I..I hooked up with the person who is partly responsible for…"

"You almost getting shot? Yeah, unfortunately."

Emma gave a small laugh. "I was going to say 'the person who is partly responsible for you leaving'." She took a shaky breath and continued "Well, I wish I could say I was surprised, but the truth is I'm not. I think that a part of me always knew Jay was involved. I mean, if there's anyone who is good at making people's lives difficult, it's Jay."

Sean nodded. "Yeah. I just wish I'd been here to keep him from adding you to his list of lives made difficult."

She gave his hand a squeeze "Sean, I'm a big girl, any mistakes I made are my own."

He put his arm around her and pulled her close.

"So" she asked, "what time is the 'show' tomorrow?"

"2:00."

"Is it harsh of me to say I can't wait?"

"Nope. I'm sure not going to lose much sleep over it. I feel more sorry for everyone else this is going to affect than I do for Jay." Sean replied.

Emma nodded, then leaned against Sean. She felt more relaxed than she had in months. She had almost drifted off to sleep when she realized her Mom would freak out if she didn't return home.

She sat up, stretching. She noticed Sean was fast asleep already. She smiled at his sleeping form, then leaned over and gave him a soft kiss on the forehead.

After rummaging around in the kitchen for awhile, she found a paper and pen and scribbled a quick note. She then went into his bedroom and got his alarm clock, putting it on the coffee table, and setting it for 7:30 am so he wouldn't be late. She let herself out quietly, taking one last look at Sean and smiling.

Sean heard a shrill ringing in the distance. He reached over and smacked his alarm, and opened his eyes, struggling to bring them into focus. He sat up suddenly, surprised to see light streaming through the curtains. He jumped up, frantic, thinking he was late for school. What time is it!? Normally, being late wouldn't bother him, but today, today was different. A cold feeling settled over him suddenly as he realized he was alone. For a brief, heartbreaking moment, he thought he'd dreamt everything the night before. But, how did my alarm clock get out here? He noticed a note propped against the clock and quickly skimmed it.

Sean,

I had to go. I didn't want to wake you, you looked so peaceful. I never told Mom where I was going, she'll kill me if she finds me gone. I'll see you at school.

Love Emma. XO

Sean couldn't contain his grin. He hadn't dreamt it after all. Last night was real. Emma was his again, andsounding a little more like her old self every day. As he was reminded of what was to happen today, he sighed and started to get ready for school.

Classes that morning seemed to drag by. Finally it was lunch, which meant time with Emma. Once they got used to all the surprised glances and comments at seeing them together, they were able to enjoy themselves, just like old times. That is until Jay saw them together.

He walked over to the twosome and sneered "Well well.. if it isn't the happy couple, reunited at last."

Emma glared "Get lost Jay."

Jay looked sharply at Emma "What's wrong Greenpeace, don't want me to spill our little secret to your boyfriend?"

Emma gave Sean a 'just play along' look, then feigned surprise "Jay! You wouldn't!!"

"You don't think so? Watch me." Jay replied "So Cameron, while you were away, your precious Emma and I.. we had a few good times. Getting busy in the back of a van at the ravine." He gave a triumphant smile.

Sean stood up and threw a look at Emma. "You…you.. you what!?!?! Emma!? How could you????"

Jay stood back and grinned at how well his 'plan' had worked.

Suddenly, Sean turned to Jay, took a step closer, and grabbed the front of Jay's shirt. Giving a cocky half smile, Sean lowered his voice and said "Look you selfish son of a bitch, Emma and I love each other. I know that you aren't capable of love, and will never know what that means, but let me tell you something about it. People in love, they tell each other everything. The good, the bad, the ugly, everything. I know what happened with you and Emma. All of it. And I don't care. The only regret I have is that I wasn't here to kick your ass sooner. And that I was ever a friend to your sorry ass." He shoved Jay away from him and raised his fist.

Jay was completely dumbfounded. Before he could recover, he saw Sean about to punch him. As he braced himself to fight back, Emma stepped between Jay and Sean.

She placed a hand on Sean's chest. "Sean, let's go. He's not worth it.". The instant she touched him, the angry fire went out of his eyes. He nodded, grabbed her hand, and for the first time in his life, Sean walked away. He turned around and threw Jay one last glare. Jay stood rooted to his spot, not sure exactly what had just happened. Then, angrily, he stormed off in the other direction, pushing past Alex when she tried to stop him.

As Sean and Emma walked down the hallway, Emma couldn't stop laughing. "Sean, that was priceless. The look on his face… he never saw that coming!!"

"Little does he know, he day is about to get a lot worse." He looked at her and smiled. "It's good to hear you laugh Em, it's been too long."

Emma scrunched up her nose at him and gave him a quick kiss. "T-minus 1 hour, 10 minutes until the fireworks start!"

"Yep, everything is a go, I checked before lunch."

He winked at her, and hand in hand they headed to their next class.