Whew, this one actually gave me some trouble. I wasn't sure how far I wanted Sean and Emma to go, or in what direction. Be sure to give me any comments/questions/suggestions you might have. Enjoy!

New American Classic

Just ask the question, come untie the knot.

Emma had no idea what to do with herself. What did you say to the guy who'd just kicked his best friend's ass on your behalf? 'Thank you' seemed a little weak. And besides, she hadn't asked him to beat Jay to a bloody pulp. In fact, she'd specifically told him not to go that far.

"I know what you're thinking," Sean informed her warily, twisting his key in the lock.

"What?" She tucked a chunk of hair behind her ear nervously. "No, you don't."

"I do." He nodded and dropped onto the couch exhaustedly.

"Where's your first aid kit?"

"Uh … bathroom cabinet?" It was anyone's guess. "Anyway, you're thinking how bad you feel 'cause it's sorta-kinda your fault."

"Wroooong," she sang under her breath as she dug through the cabinet.

"But," he continued, "That it's not really because you, being the voice of reason, told us to stop and we didn't listen."

She paused in her search. "Damn it." Was she really that predictable? Or did he just know her that well?

He popped his good eye open as she joined him on the couch. "Am I right?"

"You're bleeding, that's what you are," she told him, ignoring the smug look on his battered face. "Now, hold still, this will sting a little –"

"Ow! Damn it!" He jerked away, hissing sharply. "What are you trying to do, kill me?"

Emma rolled her eyes. "Don't be such a baby. You don't want these cuts to get infected, do you?"

"Guess not," he grumbled, and forced himself to hold still as she applied ointments and bandages to his various injuries.

"You sure did a number on yourself," she said, eyeing the damage. There didn't seem to be anything too serious, just a whole lot of bruises and some scrapes. His ribs were purpled and sore but unbroken, his eyes was swelling and he'd certainly have a shiner, and his cut lip was puffy and raw.

"Shoulda seen the other guy," he boasted, wincing as her fingers tapered lightly over his busted bottom lip.

"Yeah, yeah, you're a tough guy. My hero." She offered him a small smile, letting him know she was joking and that his actions were appreciated. He got the message and returned the smile.

Were you even listening to a word I said?

Sure. You don't want Sean.

Sean felt his lightheartedness evaporate as Jay and Emma's exchange came back to him. Even though she'd told him she was with Jay, seeing them together had been one of the least pleasant experiences in his life. Watching them kiss, he'd been torn between wanting to kill Jay, throttle Emma, or poke his own eyes out.

"What were you doing today, Emma? In the ravine?"

Her smile faded. "I wasn't skipping again, if that's what you're asking. It was lunch. Give me a break."

He was grateful for the not-skipping part. He'd already figured out her ride the other day had been none other than his good pal Jay. And he was determined not to think about how they'd spent their extra free time. But he needed to know why she'd been with him today.

"And Jay? Why was he there?"

"You know what, Sean? I'd prefer to not have this discussion, so." Moving quickly, she collected the items she'd used and stuffed them back into the box. "I have to get back, anyway, I've already missed half of English."

"You didn't care about missing class a few days ago," he said softly.

She laughed harshly. "Can't a girl change her mind?"

"Emma." She didn't look at him, couldn't bring herself to. "Emma, I don't want you to leave. I just want to know what exactly is going on between you and Jay."

"That certainly is a popular question today. Ellie was curious about what exactly is going on between you and me."

"I know. And I know you told her nothing. That we're just friends who shared a traumatic ordeal, but we're both getting over it." He tilted his head, trying to meet her eyes. "Are you getting over it, Em? Even a little? 'Cause it seems to me like you keep sliding backwards."

"I'm doing the best I can," she said stiffly.

"You think so?"

"I just wanted some time to think. That's all. After Ellie and I talked, and you ambushed me, I just went to the ravine to have some time to myself. Then Jay showed up and we got into an argument and then, well, you came and beat the crap out of him."

"You didn't go there to meet him?"

Emma shook her head. "I realized … when Ellie asked me about you, I finally realized that there's just no hope for us. I know, it's not exactly a newsflash, but you know how it is. You were my first love, and I don't think I even knew I was still carrying around a little hope until she reminded me that you two are together. And serious, from all appearances."

Sean neither confirmed nor denied the statement. He couldn't, he hardly knew himself where he and Ellie rated on the scale of togetherness.

"Jay showed up," Emma continued when Sean said nothing. "And he was being his usual self – an ass. But I didn't take it this time. I told him I wasn't interested and started to leave, and then he kissed me. And then you showed up and – well, you know the rest."

"I'm really glad." At her confused look, he elaborated. "That you didn't go to meet him. Are you gonna sit down again anytime in the next century?"

She'd been standing since threatening to leave moments before. Abruptly, she sat again, curling her legs beneath her so that her knees rubbed against his thighs and her shoulder touched his. "I feel like I keep picking stupid fights with you," she sighed.

"You do."

"Shut up!"

"Hey, I'm just tellin' it like it is." He grabbed the hand that shot out to slap him. "Careful, I'm injured."

"Oh, yeah," she giggled, withdrawing.

They sat in silence for a few minutes, Sean watching as Emma toyed with a small tear in the couch's lining. "I like you picking stupid fights with me," he confessed.

"That's a sickness," she remarked.

"Seriously," he insisted. "It makes you seem more like yourself. You know, the girl who'd start a riot over the fate of potato chips if she believed in the cause strongly enough."

Laughter bubbled out of her at that, her head falling back and her eyes closing to relish the simple moment. This is what I've been missing. She hadn't laughed enough lately. Not that she'd had much reason to, but still. She felt … lighter once the humor had run its course.

"Well, have no fear, I promise to pick a stupid fight with you every now and then," she said brightly, laying a hand on his leg. "Just 'cause it makes you so happy."

"Thanks, I appreciate the effort," Sean joked back, his hand coming to rest on top of hers.

They both seemed to notice the contact at the same time. Sean cleared his throat, his eyes darting down to their joined hands and back to her face. Emma licked her lips nervously. "Uh, maybe I should … get going," she tried, but didn't move. "You know, give you some recovery time and all."

"Em …" Sean trailed off. Tell her you'll see her later, man. Remember Ellie. He argued with himself, But this is Emma. Emma Nelson. Why waste an opportunity you may never have again?

Throwing caution to the wind, he leaned forward. Their lips met with a spark, a sizzle, and he sank into the familiar sensation. She always tasted like strawberries and smelled like vanilla. He'd never been able to resist the combination. When her lips parted to let his tongue mesh with hers, he had the fleeting thought that he could die happy before his mind was swept clean of anything except the feel of Emma's hands in his hair and her mouth on his.

Emma was having a similar reaction. Kissing Sean had always been an experience unique to anything else in her life. It was like floating and drowning at the same time, and not caring much about either because she was so wrapped up in tasting him, touching him. Her world narrowed down to his strong arms around her waist and his heart beating in tandem with hers.

Then her cell phone rang.

-X-

"Jeez, slugger, I sure hope the other guy's dead or dying."

Jay groaned. Alex had spotted him, lying flat on his back on top of a picnic table, and recognized him for exactly what he was – weak. If there was one thing his ex couldn't resist, it was an easy target. She'd swaggered over and spent two interminably long minutes clucking her tongue mockingly before really starting in on him.

"If he's not, he will be next time I see him," Jay said darkly. Sean was supposed to be his best friend. Why they'd had to go at it over Emma Nelson, of all people, was beyond him. He'd just been having a little fun.

"So? What was the issue?" Alex lifted herself onto the table and rested her feet on the bench. "Stolen goods, bad drugs, what?"

"A girl."

"Ooh, the plot thickens! Jay Hogart, coming to blows over something as horrendously cliché as a girl?" Alex shook her head. "I have to say, I'm a little disappointed. It's so … beneath you."

"I wasn't fighting over her," he explained irritably. "Because of her, maybe, but definitely not over her."

"And who is the mystery woman? Wait." Inexplicably, Alex began to laugh, a cause of some concern for Jay. Alex only laughed when someone was hurt and she was about to make it worse. "Let me guess. Could it be … Emma Nelson?"

He closed his eyes and tried to block out the sound of her voice. Unfortunately, it wasn't going to happen. "And that means," she mused, "You must have been fighting Sean."

"He started it."

Alex stared. "Could you be more pathetic?"

He doubted it. Which made him angry. Jay's specialty had always been being cooler than anyone else around. Not cooler in the sense of having the most money and the best car, but in the fact that he just didn't care. About anyone. Other than himself.

To have his perfect record of being a cold-hearted bastard ruined was unacceptable. People would get ideas, start to challenge him. If he had to start wringing skinny Grade Ten's necks just to maintain his position as Degrassi's Most Dangerous, he was going to have a serious problem.

This thing with Emma was never supposed to be so complicated, he reflected. In the beginning, she'd been nothing but a pretty face and a notch in his belt. Now … now, he didn't really know. He didn't love her. That much he was sure of. She'd been right when she said they weren't going anywhere. But he didn't want to lose her, not to Sean Cameron. He didn't like to lose.

"So Sean kicked your ass 'cause you were getting too touchy-feely with Emma, huh?" Alex made a sound of disgust. "Did he bother to remember that he has a girlfriend?"

"Aw, your new best friend could lose her security blanket." Jay made an insincere sad face. "Hide all the sharp instruments."

Alex's elbow drove into his already aching midsection with startling force. "Jesus!" Jay yelped, sitting up to better defend himself should she make another move. "What the hell, Alex? Way to kick a man when he's down. I'm in pain here."

"You're an idiot," she said testily. "And you only get what you deserve."

"It's not my fault," he defended. "Sean wanted to fight, so we fought. If he's planning on leaving Ellie, and she's planning on heading straight for the nearest kitchen knife, it really doesn't matter to me. I'm done with Cameron. He's dead to me."

"Good. Because chances are, if you mess with him again, you'll be dead for real. And that'd be a damn shame."

The words dripped with sarcasm, but the kiss she pressed to his lips felt sincere enough. Hot, heavy, and over before he could gather his bearings and truly respond. Alex pulled away and looked him dead in the eye. "Get your act together, Jay," she advised. "And when you're done, give me a call."

Jay watched her walk away, arms swinging and hips rolling, then fell back on the table, the wind knocked out of him for the second time that day.

-X-

Leaning against a tree just a few yards away, Ellie stared in shock at the sketch she'd been working on. Once Sean had taken off to deal with Mr. Ehl, Marco had ditched her as well, sneaking out to the bleachers for his daily rendezvous with Dylan. So she'd decided to take advantage of the warm weather and found herself a nice, shady spot to design a new logo for Caitlyn's office.

She'd been distracted, however, by Alex's distinct voice, obviously mocking someone. When Jay had piped in, Ellie had decided to remain where she was in the hopes of going unnoticed. She had little to no patience for Jay today.

Now she was wishing she'd stayed inside. Or at home. Or in Alberta. Any place where she could say that she'd never met or loved Sean Cameron. Anywhere that didn't make her heart hurt this badly.

The words she'd overheard were chasing each other around and around in Ellie's head, refusing to stay put long enough for her to make any kind of sense out of them. Sean and Jay? Fighting over Emma? In what alternate universe did that occur?

Obviously this was some kind of cruel trick Jay had masterminded. Or he could be just lying to Alex in the hopes of winning her sympathy. She might not have even understood correctly.

There were a dozen plausible explanations. Gathering her supplies, Ellie forced herself to remain calm. She would find Sean and ask him, straight and to the point, if she needed to be worried. If he said yes, then so be it. She could deal.

She hoped.

-X-

"Ignore it."

Sean tore his lips away from Emma's just long enough to utter the command, then returned to his task. Unfortunately, the phone had restored most of her senses, making her pull away. "It's Paige," she said, rummaging in her bag for the phone. "I was supposed to meet her after school. I'm late."

"Doesn't matter," Sean said, trying to slow his breathing to a normal rate. "It's Paige, she'll survive."

She shot him a Look. "I told her I'd be there."

"I distracted you," he shrugged.

"Aren't you at all bothered by what just happened?" she snapped at him, standing to pace the small area. "We just kissed, Sean. In the house you share with Ellie. Doesn't that make you feel a little guilty?"

Yes. Of course it did. He was human, after all, he had a heart. He didn't want to hurt Ellie, not now and not ever. But for some reason, he couldn't make himself feel bad about acting on his impulse. Kissing Emma had felt right. It had felt like a true homecoming. He couldn't be guilty for that.

"Emma, I felt something just now. Something I haven't felt in a while. I think –"

She put a hand out, as if to ward him off. "No." Backing up a few steps, she repeated, "No. Don't say it, Sean, don't even think it. We kissed because I'm a step away from crazy these days, and you were just in a fight with your best friend, and neither of us were thinking straight."

"We kissed because we wanted to," he countered.

Emma shook her head. He couldn't be serious. There was no way Sean would leave Ellie for her. And if he wouldn't do that, then she didn't want him filling her with all kinds of stupid hopes and dreams before breaking her heart for the millionth time.

"Listen to me very carefully," she instructed. "I'm going to go meet Paige now. You're going to return to your regularly schedule program. If by some small chance, anyone asks what I was doing here, I was helping you get cleaned up."

"Emma, don't be like this," Sean argued. "Don't just write me off."

"I have to go," she said quickly. Before she did something she'd enjoy, but regret. "I'll see you around, or in school, or … whatever."

He grabbed her arm, his ribs singing in pain at the movement. "Em. Don't run out on me."

A key turned in the lock. "Sean, you home?" Ellie called out.

Sean froze. Emma took advantage of his surprise and wrenched away from him. His eyes on her retreating figure as she hurried for the back door, he called out, "In the living room, El. Came home a little early today."

As his girlfriend stepped into the living room, Emma slipped outside, tears slipping rapidly down her cheeks. Leave it to her to complicate things tenfold when she'd been trying to simplify her life. Leave it to her to fall more hopelessly in love than ever.