This one is kinda short, I apologize. There's been a lot going on with me, and I haven't had time to update, but I'm back, and I will be updating, I promise. Just review it, let me know. I'm not gonna try to bribe you, ask you for a certain number of reviews, I've been told it doesn't work, so, does cold hard cash? HA! But, I am not above begging, I haven't had a review in forever, please!
Okay, Once and Again: not mine, characters: not mine, storyline: mine, Shane West: mine in my dreams. No, seriously, on a beach in…Oh sorry.
Also, if any readers are into 7th Heaven, Buffy, or Power Rangers, I have fics running on all of those. 7th Heaven: Undeserving and It's Not Easy, Buffy: Moving On, Return to Normalcy, and If I Told You, Power Rangers: Returning. Summaries on each. Just had to do a little shameless self-promotion.
Later, Eli is on the phone, speaking with someone who he apparently does not like. No one else is around, but Grace is supposed to be there soon. Eli only hoped that this idiot would get off the phone.
ELI: Listen, you've done enough damage. Now, I don't know how you got the chance to call here, but you will never do it again. ( He doesn't hear the door close, or Grace walk up behind him.) You've done enough damage, and I know you don't think you're going to have a chance now. I'd give you a suggestion where you need to go, but my feeling is that you're not good enough for it. You used her. She was insecure, and you thought you'd prey on that. No more. You touch her, speak to her, you even think her name, I will kill you. ( He hung up, the tension evident in his figure.)
GRACE: You know, you do that big brother thing too well.
ELI: Oh, sorry. He just-
GRACE: No, it's okay. I just wanted to threaten him myself. (She sits down at the table.) We need to talk. (He sits in front of her, his hands on the table. She puts one hand on his, and grasps it lightly, like a friend.) I love you, you know that, right? (He nods, but lets her continue.) The doctor said that it's positive. I am pregnant. And the baby is August's. But I won't tell him that.
ELI: You won't have to tell anyone. I don't care what the test says, Grace. I'll take full responsibility for the child, okay?
GRACE: (Nodding, calmly.) I figured you'd say that. And I want you there, by my side. My best friend, how could you not be a part of my child's life? But that's not all. Eli, as much as being with you helps me, I need to focus on the baby. And our family. We can't be together. You know that. Not right now. Maybe after things settle down, if we haven't found someone else. You know? I love you, and I don't doubt you love me, but I'll just heal as well with you being my friend. (There are slight tears in her eyes.)
ELI: So, just friends? I'll be your shoulder? What? Am I that much of a failure to you? (He stands, his posture very defensive, but he speaks quietly.) You don't want me to be the father of this child?
GRACE: No, I want you to be the uncle. Because I want to raise this child on my own. Because he or she doesn't have a real father. Uncle Eli will be the only true role model for their life. (She rises as well.) Eli, it's too weird. I do love you, and for so long you were all I've focused on, but…
ELI: So, you're going to tell (he coughs) our family that you're pregnant with his kid? God, you can't.
GRACE: What am I supposed to say? Huh, Eli! What am I going to do? You have some big plan? Tell me! Cause I'm totally lost! I'm asking you now, Eli. I can't pick you up anymore. I've fallen!
ELI: (He looks down, but he's sure of what he's saying. He mumbles quietly, but calmly.) Tell them it's mine. We don't have to be together, just say we hooked up, and the baby's mine.
GRACE: And what Eli? Let them kick you out? Kick me out?!
ELI: My mom knows that you're pregnant, my dad will ask her. She knows how we feel about each other, she caught us for God's sakes! No problems, Grace. For once, things can work out for us. We can raise this child. I'll be there, you know that. I'm done with, Grace. I'm tired of screwing up, hurting people I love. I won't do that anymore.
(Grace turns and begins to walk away. Quietly, she whispers.)
GRACE: It's not me I'm afraid of you hurting, Eli, it's yourself. (She leaves, and Eli stands at the table, slight tears in his eyes, not because of what she said, but because he knew she was right. About everything.)
Review, maybe Eli won't cry…
Wait, Shane West is crying…
What am I, inhuman and cruel?!