A/N: Sorry it took so long to put this up, real life intruded. Thank you to all those who reviewed the last chapter. I'm glad you enjoyed Alex's viewpoint, especially because I have the most trouble getting inside her head. The first part of Time Stands Still follows, probably someone a little different than you were expecting, but I promise to have the usual suspects: Jay, Emma, Toby, Sean coming up shortly.

As for the chapter below, I don't own Degrassi or Guns N'Roses and I've never claimed to. As always, read and review, but most importantly, enjoy!

I can't tell you the exact moment when I decided to become a teacher, but everyday there were a thousand moments that reaffirmed the decision. It wasn't because of some Hollywood ideal of being "noble" as Caitlin's ex, Keith, once labeled it, but the real times when you made a difference. Like helping Sean out last year to keep his student welfare. He was such a good kid in such a bad situation; it tore your heart out. Granted, I wish he hadn't fallen in with a klepto crowd and stolen my lap top while I was at death's door, but the fact that he admitted it and tried to actually make amends told me that I had been right about him at heart.

It did illustrate another thing I loved about teaching – the surprises. You never quite knew what to expect, for better or worse.

And then there were the times when you just wanted to take a student by the shoulders and shake some sense into them. I knew I had probably been just as infuriating when I was a student here. I hated to think what Mr. Raditch thought about Joey and Wheels and me.

It seemed that this new generation was just a mix of familiar faces and stories from my own high school experience. I mean, yes, there were new issues and toys, like cell phones and the internet, but it seemed that the junior high problems were universal.

I didn't used to be this introspective, but I guess being a parent changes things.

I wasn't just talking about Jack. I loved Emma as if she was my own daughter and was definitely as challenged by her as any father of a teenage daughter. It made me wonder how my life would have been different if I had taken Snake to the graduation semi-formal like we originally had planned. Maybe I would have watched Emma grow up. I didn't think that I could be any more proud of Emma than I had over recent years watching how she rebounded so quickly from the episode with the cyber-stalker, modifying her science project last minute to win the prize, standing up to Mr. Raditch – she really was the golden child every parent dreams of. But her newest project, trying to see beyond Rick's past even in the face of opposition showed how strong she really was.

My own recent wake up call/brush with death/life-changing illness reminded me that life was far too short and I hated watching the way some of my students were spending their youth. Which is exactly why I put Jimmy Brooks on the trivia team this morning. Yes, he actually had geography and sports answers to most questions, but so did any number of students that had tried out for the Whack Your Brain team.

When I approached Jimmy and Rick about to face off in the hallway, I had choices. I could use the Ms. Kwan approach and punish them into following the rules by fear or I could use the Mr. Raditch approach and look the other way. I chose the patented think-outside-the-box, Archie Simpson approach and tried to make a difference.

I still could have a disaster in the making, but I trusted Jimmy. In fact, I've discovered that teenage boys, when separated from 'the pack' are actually not the evil creatures they are made out to be. I'd like to say I have a lot of scientific research to back this up, but really it's just my own experience and experiences teaching. Granted I knew enough to know that Emma shouldn't be alone with a boy until she was 45 or older, but I'm getting off topic.

When Mr. Raditch called me to the office about the "Whack Your Brain" topic, I was cautiously hopeful. Emma had told me that Rick was going to talk to him about including Jimmy, because he felt threatened, but given a chance I was sure I could plead my case effectively. It might mean that maybe he was finally going to do something about the obscene level of bullying that I and everyone else saw Rick dealing with on a daily basis. Considering this student was going to be one of four representing our school on TV, one would think Dan would want him to feel included. Daniel Raditch seemed to never have time for most things anymore, but I had a feeling somehow, the idea of a bad post-game show interview might actually force him to take some action.

"Mr. Simpson, Archie, thanks for coming down," he greeted motioning at the chair across from his desk.

If he wanted me to sit down, that had to be a good sign for Rick and more importantly the Degrassi school culture. "I wanted to thank you, Dan," I started, seating myself. "I know that you don't like to micromanage, but I'm glad you're taking time to work on this trivia team conflict. While I think school pride will go a long way to helping students see Rick Murray in a new light after tomorrow's finals, I really think that having such a visible, popular student such as Jimmy Brooks working along side Rick Murray will help students follow his example. It's the missing piece." I explained.

"Mr. Simpson, I called you down here to discuss logistics regarding the live broadcast throughout the school, not to deal with personality conflicts," Dan moved papers on his desk, not looking me in the eye. "I don't have time to hold the hands of every student in this school as they make new friends."

"I'm sorry, Emma told me that Rick was going to meet with you and I assumed," I was flabbergasted.

"Well, sorry to disappoint your step-daughter. I think that her helping Mr. Murray regain some social status is admirable, but not really my concern. In fact, I told her so last week." Mr. Raditch looked up as he marginalized my daughter and I felt the sudden urge to shake my boss back to reality as I often did with my students. "I just wanted to make sure the live feed is ready to go for all the classrooms. I know as coach you have a lot on your mind, but you are still the Degrassi tech expert. I would hate to have anything go wrong tomorrow. We want to put our best foot forward on television. I even hear the Northern's principal Mr. LaFleur will be on hand, so I don't want to be embarrassed."

I stood up abrubtly. "The tech stuff is all set up. Marco set up student council roles for the television crew weeks ago and the computer club is helping with the small details of the school connection."

"Thank you." He stood as well and turned away, dismissing me without words. I started to the door, suddenly angry. I took a deep breath before I opened it, fighting the urge to slam it behind me. "Oh, Archie?" Mr. Raditch called me back.

"Dan?" I asked, barely turning.

"This Jimmy Brooks/Rick Murray thing won't show in their play tomorrow, right? We don't want the Northern students or parents to think we can't even find four students who get along in the whole school!" He commented.

I turned and left his office without a word, not even caring if the door slammed. I would hear about it later, no doubt, but I was beyond caring at this point and also almost late for the last minute practice to get Jimmy ready for tomorrow.

I didn't know which part of teaching was worse, trying to deal with students' attitudes or administrative politics?

By the time I reached the practice room, Emma and Rick were already there. Emma looked almost grateful to see me. She had been acting a bit skittish lately, ever since last week when she hadn't waited for me in the lab like she had said she would. The door had been locked up alright, but one computer was still in defrag mode and when I got home she had avoided my questions. Spike later told me she had come home in tears.

I wondered, not for the first time, if helping Rick was eating at her more than she cared to admit. Dan had said that he spoke to Emma last week about Rick Murray and I didn't doubt he had probably insulted her several times. Maybe that was the missing piece to the computer lab/tears mystery? The thought of that pompous jerk making my daughter cry almost made me walk back into his office and tell him exactly what I thought of him, but I didn't really have time to dwell on it, because Jimmy arrived almost at my heels.

"Okay, let's take our seats and then we'll get started as soon as Toby gets here," I said, putting down my bag and looking for the trivia questions I had stashed in the outer pocket.

I looked up to see Rick was trying to engage Emma in conversation while Jimmy stared at his watch. Off to a great start!

"Has anyone even seen Toby today?" I asked.

Emma looked perplexed. "He was with me, but said he needed to pick up something from his locker. I'm sure he'll be here in a moment."

"Alright, then. Emma can you give Jimmy the run down of the basics while I try and find the latest and greatest in trivia puzzles," I said, indicating my laptop case that had papers coming out in all directions.

I could hear Emma chime in with the various rules although Jimmy seemed less than impressed with proper buzzer etiquette. Rick was sitting there staring blankly at the table. I finally gathered my cards together in time to see Toby walk in the door.

"Ah! Our high tech genius has arrived" I announced, unnecessarily as the room silenced when Toby walked in. I soon noticed the cause, "…and he's bleeding." I finished, my tone serious.

"Skateboard accident. I'm fine." I could barely hear him through the paper he held against his lip, but his monotone suggested he was lying.

I turned toward the door throwing up my hands. "I'll get you some ice." If Toby didn't want to tell me the truth there wasn't a whole lot I could do. I knew better than to push.

I walked to the faculty room shaking my head and saw Sean loitering near Jay's locker a can of some kind of cleaner in his hand.

"Sean. What are you doing still here?" I asked. He started shifting from one foot to the other, hands deep in his pockets.

"I'm just waiting for Jay, Mr. Simpson," he said, still not looking at me. Sean always looked me in the eyes. Well, since he had confessed to laptop theft, at least.

"Toby just showed up for 'Whack Your Brain' with a bloody lip, Sean," I told him and his eyes quickly met mine. He just as quickly averted them. "So you don't know anything about that."

"What are you saying Mr. Simpson?" He looked up at me, not looking angry, so much as defensive. "Toby and I aren't friends anymore, but I would never . . ."

I held my hands up in the surrender gesture. "I'm not saying you would. I'm just saying that maybe you should remember that every action causes a reaction. I'd hate for things to get out of hand like they did last year." I could tell that Sean wasn't in the mood to listen. Or at least, not in the mood to admit he was listening. "Sean . . ." I started.

He kept looking over his shoulder as if worried someone would catch us talking, still trying to pretend I wasn't there.

"Never mind. Toby needs ice," I sighed, giving up and continuing to the faculty room. When I returned to the trivia room there was an awkward silence and no one would look at each other. Well, this was off to a great start!

"Let's not waste any time, shall we?" I said handing off the bag of ice and starting firing questions. Emma and Toby both seemed a little out of it, although I can imagine it was hard for Toby to talk with the right side of his face numb.

"Which poem ends with a line 'and miles to go before I sleep'?" I asked, using my best quiz show voice, some time later.

brrring "Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening. Robert Frost." Rick answered confidently. I could almost see the respect grow in Jimmy's eyes with each answer. Oh, how I loved being right!

"Correct. Which element represented by Te has also been known to cause garlic breath?" I asked.

brrring "Tellurium!" Rick answered.

"Bingo. And one last question from the world of sports! Which team has suffered the most consecutive super bowl losses?" I could see Rick's hand twitch above the bell as he mouthed the correct answer, but he looked at Jimmy, instead, trying to make his new teammate feel included. Why couldn't his classmates see what a good kid he was at heart? Anger management issues, undoubtedly, but he didn't deserve the abuse he went through every day.

brrring "Buffalo Bills." Jimmy's answer sounded more like a question, but it was right.

"Four time losers. No wins!" I replied, again with my 'big' voice.

"Utility perfected." Rick commented, although everyone in the room knew he could answer just about any question all by himself.

The students started to file out. "Emma, give me ten minutes and I'll give you a ride home, okay," I told her.

"Sure thing," she called out, going through the door Toby held open for her.

Well, the 'Whack Your Brain' team would do fine tomorrow, I just hoped that most students would follow Jimmy's example and lighten up on Rick after seeing how well he represented his school. He wasn't a champion wrestler, but it would be televised and that had to help. Hopefully, too, Sean had been listening and he could be a good influence on his friends as well. I knew that while Sean wouldn't go out of his way to stop anyone from bullying Rick, he was loyal to a fault. He still considered Toby a friend and wouldn't want him to get caught in any crossfire between Rick and whoever was targeting him.

Now all I had to worry about was Emma. Spike had asked me to keep an eye on her after last week's teary incident, but I had been so busy with logistics for the tv crew I hadn't really had a chance. After to talking to Daniel Raditch, it was even more of a priority.

I had just retrieved my papers to grade from my office when Emma appeared. She once again looked upset.

"I think your mom was planning on making that broccoli tofu stir fry for dinner that you like so much," I said, holding the front door open for her. "The one with the peanut sauce."

"Sounds great," Emma's voice was soft and unenthusiastic.

I waited until we got into the car to say anything more. As we left the Degrassi parking lot however, I let it out. "Em, is there something bothering you? I want you to feel you can talk to me."

"I'm fine, really." Emma wasn't very convincing.

"If this is about what happened to Toby . . . Do you know something about that?" I asked her.

"I have a guess. Dad, don't take this the wrong way, but you're still my teacher. I can't tell you about this." She shrugged helplessly, turning to look out the window.

"Emma, you know that as a teacher I have certain responsibilities. Legal obligations even, about certain things that happen at Degrassi. But if it doesn't cross those lines, I will keep your secrets." I tried one last time. "You once told me we should have no more secrets when I was going through chemo. That your mom and I shouldn't try and protect you. Do you remember that?"

Emma nodded slowly and I took that as my cue to continue.

"No more secrets goes both ways, Em. You can't hold everything inside. What's bothering you?" Well, that was subtle. I had promised Spike I would try and I was laying it all on the line.

"Manny and I are fighting. It's harder than I thought standing up to everyone about Rick," Emma admitted softly, before lifting her head, perfect smile in place. "But I'm just stressing over this 'Whack Your Brain' thing, really. As soon as the whole competition is over and the stress is gone, I'll be fine. Back to normal, happy, perfect me. I promise."

I looked at her. "Emma. You don't ever have to pretend to be anything you're not at home or with me. Or your mother. I know things have been crazy with trivia lately, but for good or bad it will be over tomorrow. Don't stress." I chuckled softly. "For a minute I thought you and Sean were up to your old tricks again, driving each other crazy."

Emma stiffened at the mention of Sean's name which confirmed for me that she hadn't exactly told me everything. It was a start though and I knew better than to push.

I wanted to pull the car over and hug her tightly telling her that if her mom and I had survived as Degrassi teenagers anyone could, but I just kept driving.