1Not Again

Disclaimer: I don't own Degrassi: The Next Generation, the actors, the sets, or anything else affiliated with the show. I assume that they belong to Alliance Atlantis or Epitome Pictures or something. I do Harley, and if you steal her, I will be angry.

Chapter Two: Numb

"Em? Emma? Em, wake up..." Harley shook her friend gently, trying to jostle the bedraggled girl from her deep sleep. The blonde had made arrangement after arrangement with the funeral home and insurance company for the past two days, and had finally passed out in a dead slumber nine hours ago.

"What? What's going on?" Emma whined. "Oh my God, Snake..."

Harley sighed as she watched the pain blink through her friend's eyes. She remembered the quick flashes of anguish when she had thought of her mother, even though she was walking around like an empty shell after her death. She recognized the same symptoms in the blonde girl on the bed. Perky, opinionated Emma Nelson was numb.

"You okay?" She asked gently. Emma took a deep, unsteady breath and nodded.

"Yeah. What's going on?" She inquired, quickly changing the subject.

"Visitation in two hours. I figured you'd want to get ready," Harley suggested.

"Probably should," Emma agreed, forcing her tone to be light-hearted.

"Okay. I'm going to go change Jack-Jack's clothes," Harley explained, standing up from her kneeling position beside Emma's bed.

"Alright," Emma nodded quietly, her voice void of emotion. Harley winced.

As Harley began to climb the stairs, she turned and looked at her friend. "Em?"

"Hm?" The blonde questioned, barely looking up and sounding uninterested. Hundreds of comforting words and inquiring questions flew through Harley's mind, the same that she had heard when her mother had passed. She couldn't find one that was appropriate... nothing that would make any difference. Emma knew she was there, and right now all she wanted was to be alone. Harley remembered the feeling.

"Never mind," Harley said. Emma looked her straight in the eye and nodded. Nothing needed to be said.

-X-

Emma watched as Harley closed the door. Harley was trying so hard to help her get through this, and Emma felt a stab of guilt for blowing her off. No matter how hard Harley worked to make things better, it wouldn't help. Emma was grateful to have her around, but she had to get through Snake's death alone. She would grieve when she was ready, no sooner and no later.

Sighing heavily, she hauled her tired body off the bed. After spending most of the night lying awake and feeling crappier than crap, she didn't really see the point in beautifying herself for a funeral home. She needed something to do, though, and her mother would appreciate it if her children looked good. It was a nice gesture.

Emma went through her daily routine of straightening her hair and applying her makeup, then chose a black miniskirt and a fitted, but modest, V-neck sweater for the visitation. She was moving like an old woman, and time was passing slower than Christmas. When she was finished, she ambled up the stairs for a snack before they left.

When she reached the kitchen, the doorbell rang. Emma sighed in irritation. She wasn't really up for visitors at the moment. "Harley, can you get the door?"

No answer. "Harley? Are you here?" A note on the fridge caught her eye. Harley's perfect script read:

Em,

Jack-Jack and I have gone ahead to the funeral home to help set up. Craig said he would be more then happy to give you a ride, but call if you want me to pick you up. I don't mind. See you at seven.

H

"Harleyyy..." Emma groaned. The bell rang again. "Hang on a minute!"

She hurried across the living room barefoot, sidestepping Jack's toys. Unlocking the deadbolt, she pulled the front door open, and her jaw dropped.

Sean Cameron was leaning against the porch railing, his muscular, tan arms on either side of his body. His blue eyes widened as she stared at him, her mind blanking in shock.

"Emma..." He sighed, running a hand through his dirty blonde hair.

She stood stock-still, trying to regain the use of her limbs. She should have known he would come as soon as he'd heard...

"Em... Babe, you're crying..." He said, at a loss.

She blinked as she realized tears were slowly falling down her cheeks. She took a deep, gasping breath, and knew she was too far gone to stop. Tears poured from her eyes as the events of the past few days flashed through her mind. Sean stood up, taking a hesitant step toward her, and she flew into his arms.

"I'm sorry, Emma. So sorry," He whispered as he picked her up and carried her inside, closing the door behind them.

-X-

Sean Cameron wrapped his arms around his ex-girlfriend's trembling body, thrown by the horrible situation she was in. Emma was a good person. Why did everything always happen to her?

Of course, he'd done his fair share at making her life hell. But this... this was beyond anything he would even wish on his worst enemy. Finally finding a father, a good one at that, then having him ripped away?

"Em?"

"Hm?" She asked from his shoulder.

"Why didn't you tell me that he'd gotten worse?" Sean inquired before he could stop himself. She fidgeted in his lap, where she had been resting for the past few minutes, crying herself out.

"I-I didn't know..." She moaned miserably. "I would have called, I swear! I-"

"Shh... Calm down! It's fine, Em. I was just curious..." He soothed. "Do you feel better?"

"No... not really..." She declared, laying her head back on his shoulder. "But... I'm glad you're here."

He grinned softly, in spite of himself. "I wouldn't miss it."

"I've missed you..." She whispered. "Everyone has."

"I don't know about all that..." He said, joking. She sniffed, rolling her eyes. "But I've missed you."

She snuggled into him, causing a small chuckle to escape from Sean. "Can I just stay here? No more sympathetic people... Just you and me and double cheese and cable?"

She sounded so... innocent and naive. He pulled her closer to him, resting his head on top of hers. "We'll see."

Their perfect moment was interrupted by the front door opening.

Okay, short and still rather depressing chapter. DON'T WORRY, though, happiness will come in plenty soon! Please keep reading! And thank you, thank you, thank you for reviewing. I was all happy and stuff!