AN: Hey guys…well I am pretty embarrassed about the fact that on my last chapter the shout outs were longer than the chapter itself (sorry!) and that it was a bit rushed…but I've been pretty overwhelmed that summer is officially coming to a close for me (tear, tear)…so forgive me if this chapter is slightly off as well! I promise I will be completely back to normal next chapter! Oh, and I've been pretty busy this week and haven't been able to update and then I got an author's block…sorry! I figured I would hang out with a few friends and go camping…big mistake…note to me, when going out on a boat and laying out…be sure to where sun screen on ALL places! I got burned horribly…anyways…lol, here are my shout outs:

-

fluffymello: Jay is in grade twelve and Emma is in grade eleven…yeah, it's weird having a grade eleven tutor a grade twelve but yeah...lol. Thanks for the review!

Plastic Strawberries: Thanks! Yeah…sorry about the whole being rushed thing.
Melinda: Emma's not really moving to Vancouver…Montreal yes, but not Vancouver…lol. And about the advancing years and sequel…you'll see! (Cue evil cackle) hehe…thanks!

xXmannyXx: Hey…I'll just say this for both of your reviews…I'm not saying anything about the not leaving thing and don't die on me! Lol…thanks for the review.

Alchemy dream: Thanks for understanding (I got into a horrible writer's block at the beginning of this story too…I knew one would show up once again!), and yes, Manny should have just worn the peach cami, lol. Here's an update, thanks for the review! Please. Keep. Reading. Lol.

Sandy-Pandy: Hmm…an SOR RPG? I may just have to join… (Rubs chin thoughtfully) Thanks for the review!

Afamily123: Here's more! Thanks for the review!

Dfreak: Well…here's Chapter 22…I will say that something does happen between the couple but I didn't go into detail (sorry!). I'm glad you like this story (makes me feel fuzzy inside, lol)…lol. Thanks for the review!

Castalma210: Thanks for the review…where should I post that's strict? Sorry it didn't show any address. Glad you like this story!

Thengrl13: Thanks for congratulating me! Lol…thanks for the review.

BlackOwl892006: Bummer about being in a bad mood but that's awesome that an update from me cheered you up (blushes)! Thanks for the review!

Linzer-B: Hmm…he may convince…he may not…lol jk. And back to the UP2 front…eh I'm going to have to start rewriting it I think…so far, it blows. And about a MFH2…who knows! Lol…and about the song, it was pretty awesome and definitely eighties (which is awesome), thanks for the review and song!

Crashetburn: Hey you're right…he never did talk! Lol…well I'm sure he uttered a word or two around Liberty, hehe. Thanks for the review!

Saraofthedead: It made you sad? Aww…thanks for the review!

Allie: Don't worry, I can assure you that at the moment, they are not breaking up. Thanks for the review!

Lena Le2006: Thanks!

Cutechica: They won't break up! Yes, he shouldn't have left like that. Will Emma mess up? Hmm… You've got to love suspenseful stories! Lol…thanks for the review! P.S. Surprise! (lol jk)

Queenie12: You'll just have to wait and see what happens! Thanks for the review!

PhantomPunkEvo: Eh…yeah about the whole Vader/Bubbles thing…not sure what I was thinking when I wrote that…I just wanted to mention a hint of Dramione and I couldn't think of what to put beforehand. And speaking of my Dramione update…sorry! I get horrible writer's blocks and I definitely got one on that story! (And the HBP release didn't help much!) Thanks for the review!

Tazitz: Yeah, it was slightly plot-less, I agree. And about Draco and Hermione...me too! Yep, it would definitely turn heads. But the couple will probably wind up being old faithful…Ron and Hermione (which are okay, I became a bigger fan of the pairing during HBP but I still like Draco and Hermione better). Thanks for the review!

Jackiee: It reduced you to tears? Aww…that review made me fuzzy, thank you!

Jamma fam: Yep, they're my fave paring. Thanks for the review!

Cenassolider4237754: Thank you!

Sethsduck17: Yep, he's around 17 now. And yeah, he definitely didn't want to think about the following year. Yes, Emma is going back to the ravine (dun, dun, dun!)…and so is Jay (gasp…lol jk). Yeah, that does sound like Jay to say that, lol. I'd do a lot too, lol. And trust me, I ramble far more than you do (especially under pressure…not a pretty site, lol). Thanks for the review!

HPDMfan05: Jemma forever! Lol…thanks!

And to everyone else: Bridget N, chealsea, be11011, XxAnGeL02xX, Courtney, PrudencePiperHalliwell, Christii X, Idontknowanything, redkisses4yoo, Stephanie, barely alive, DegrassiGirlx3, yalissa, theocisforme, and Marisa…sigh…you guys all make me feel so awesome! Thank you!

-

So anyways, here's Chapter 22!

R&R and please, no flames!

Lotsa love, degrassichick

-x-

Chapter 22

-x-

Jay sat on the very familiar picnic table of the ravine, kicking off beer bottle shards that were splayed across the bench.

He hadn't been to this place (except for the time he got drunk) since everything happened with Emma, Alex, and Amy.

He regretted what happened, that was for sure.

Alex and Amy still talked to him, but it wasn't the same…he didn't think it ever would be.

And then there was Emma…Emma was different. Emma didn't want to give him the chance, but she let him try, she let him befriend her, she let him love her.

Jay took his hat off of his head and ran a hand through his hair, letting out a frustrated sigh.

What is going to happen to us? She's leaving for Montreal and I'll still be here in Toronto.

She'll probably visit To-

His thoughts were cut short when he heard a rustling and the sound of feet stepping across tree branches and grass.

He looked up and saw Emma Nelson walking towards him.

Her blonde hair was pulled back in a low ponytail with loose strands falling in her face, her face slightly flushed, as if she had been running.

"Sorry." She said softly, walking towards the table and sitting down next to him.

Jay shook his head, "Its fine."

"You got out of there pretty fast." Emma stated.

"Yeah sorry…it just got me thinking about everything."

Emma paused, she knew what he was thinking…he wasn't ready for her to leave or he wasn't ready to think about it.

The two remained silent for what seemed like hours, but it really was just a matter of minutes until Jay broke the silence.

"Nothing is going to happen to us." Jay stated, reassuring himself.

Emma glanced at him, "Jay, I'll be in another part of the country."

"Hardly." Jay replied, "Ontario and Quebec aren't all that far apart."

Emma smirked, "Impressive, you are getting all that geography stuff."

Jay rolled his eyes, "What do you think is going to happen to us?"

"I don't want us to break up." She murmured with a shrug of her shoulders.

"Why would we break up?" Jay asked.

"Jay, I wouldn't see you until Christmas!" Emma exclaimed.

"Then we'll see each other at Christmas. Besides, I have a car, it's not like I can't visit you."

Emma nodded, "I know but…" she could feel the tears brimming up in her eyes.

Jay watched her before putting his arm around her waist and pulling her towards him, letting her sob onto his shoulder.

Emma continued to sigh, sniffle, and snort before eventually looking up and around the ravine, wiping her eyes with her fingers.

Just then she noticed a very familiar item…the van.

"That's still here?" Emma asked.

Jay nodded, "It's like a memento at this place…not many people come to the ravine anymore but the van stays."

Emma nodded slightly, "I still remember coming here."

"You still think about that?" he asked.

Emma nodded again, "Yeah, sometimes."

"Me too."

"It was pretty stupid of me, to do that because of a stupid bracelet."

Jay shrugged, "It was stupid of me to choose you."

Emma's eyes widened at that and she stared at him blankly.

"No, no, not like that." Jay replied quickly, "I mean you were Emma 'Green Peace' Nelson…I should have known better than to do that to you. I still remember the night of that play in which you completely blew me off. Something that doesn't usually happen to me, FYI."

Emma laughed, "Apparently someone had to deflate your ego."

Jay laughed slightly before the tension was slowly rising.

Emma glanced over her shoulder at the van once more.

Oh my God…I know what you're thinking, quit thinking it.

I'm not thinking that.

Well you have to be thinking that…I'm not.

Neither am I.

Oh my God…do you think there's another one of us we don't know about?

No clue, but somebody is thinking about-

Yeah, I know.

Okay…maybe it is me.

Me too.

"Wonder what the van still looks like inside." Emma muttered quietly.

Jay's head shot up and he looked over at her, "What?"

Emma shrugged, "Just wondering if it's still-"

"Fully anticlimactic?" Jay cut her short with a laugh.

Emma laughed and nodded.

"Probably still looks the same." Jay stated.

Emma nodded slightly and stared down at her tennis shoes.

Don't do it…don't even let us have to think it.

I'm telling you as your brain, don't do this.

Emma got up from the table and walked towards the van, swinging open the door.

"Em…" Jay stated slowly, hopping off of the table and walking towards her, "What are you doing?"

"Just seeing if it is or isn't the same."

"It is." Jay noted, "I don't think it changes."

Emma nodded, "But the people who go inside the van do."

Jay glanced at her confusingly, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking your thinking?"

Yes…sadly.

Emma bit her lip before pulling him into a quick kiss, which soon grew to a longer kiss, which quickly grew to the two of them climbing into the van and slamming the door shut behind themselves.

-x-

"I'll see you later." Emma said, giving Jay a chaste kiss on the cheek.

Jay nodded, "Alright, see you tomorrow."

"I love you." She said, climbing out of the car and backing away from here.

"Right back at you." He said with a slight smirk before beginning to pull out of the driveway, "Next time you see Jack tell him 'hi' for me." He added in.

"Okay, bye." She replied as he watched him pull the rest of the way out of the driveway and start off down the street, but not without a honk of his horn first.

She sighed to herself before turning and walking up her porch steps and into her house.

I can't believe I did that.

I am growing up, ha-ha.

Why did I do that?

Will you relax?

What if he expected it? I mean he did have protection with him at the time.

Lots of guys carry condoms in their wallets, it's not that unknown.

But it's like he just expected that we would have sex or something.

Just relax!

I can't…

Emma ran a hand through her hair before she heard the phone ring.

"Hello?" she asked.

"Emma…" her mom's frantic voice on the other line said frantically.

"Mom, what's wrong? Is dad okay?"

"It's not Snake…its Jack."

Emma paused for a moment, staring at the phone in disbelief, "…what?"

-x-

"He'll be alright; a lot of kids get tonsillitis." The doctor told them as they wheeled Jack away from the family on a hospital bed.

Spike paced around the waiting room worriedly as the doctor walked off towards surgery.

"Mom, it's just tonsillitis, it'll be okay." Emma stated.

Manny was sitting at her side, since she had shown up at Emma's house just seconds after the phone call, blowing off her date completely due to not being sure what to wear—both typical and untypical for Manny Santos.

"I had tonsillitis." Manny said, "I was three."

"Yeah and look at her now…she never shuts up and she doesn't snore" Emma stated with a slight laugh.

Manny rolled her dark eyes at her.

"Jack will be okay, mom." Emma stated.

"I'm going to go check on Archie." Spike said before turning and walking towards the elevator.

"So what was with you on the phone earlier?" Manny asked.

Emma shrugged, "I was in a confusing conversation with Jay."

Manny nodded in understanding, "You guys work everything out?"

Emma nodded, thinking back to the incidents that had happened at the ravine not even an hour before, "Yeah, we're fine."

"Was it about what I asked earlier? About what would happen?"

Emma nodded, "Yeah, but its okay. I mean, I'll miss him but we'll be okay."

"I'll keep an eye on him for you." Manny stated with a jokingly wink.

The two continued their conversation for almost an hour before Emma retreated to picking up a magazine and flipping through the pages.

Manny sighed and glanced around the hospital, suddenly noticing someone familiar hurrying into the hospital, with Jay Hogart behind him.

"Oh my God…" Manny stated.

"What?" Emma asked, turning towards her.

Manny pointed slightly at the figure in question.

Emma glanced over and her eyes widened.

"Oh my God." She muttered.

Sean Cameron was back in Toronto.

-x-

Jay fell back onto his couch, grabbing the remote and beginning to flip through the channels boredly, finally settling on The OC, he didn't watch the show himself but he knew that a lot of girls in school did, which sounded bad, him watching a show a lot of girls did, but he didn't care. Nothing else was on.

He got through almost ten minutes of some body with curly brown hair lying on his bed with some toy horse before his phone rang, turning his attention away from the show.

"Hello?" he asked, answering the phone.

"Jay, it's me." A somewhat familiar voice said on the other line.

Jay glanced around confusingly, "Cameron?"

"Yeah, I'm back in Toronto but my brother's girlfriend is in labor here at this hospital and my parents went to the hospital after Tracker and left me at my old apartment."

"Yeah, I'll get you." Jay noted with an eye roll before snapping his phone shut and climbing up off of the couch, ignoring the old man on the television who had just fallen into the pool after clutching his heart.

-x-

"What are they doing here?" Emma asked hurriedly.

Manny shrugged and watched as Sean made his way towards the information desk.

Jay glanced around the hospital and then noticed Emma sitting with Manny in the waiting room.

He said something to Sean before walking over towards Emma and Manny and plopping down next to Emma.

"Hey." He murmured close by her ear.

Emma let out a slight laugh, she had recently discovered that she is very ticklish when it comes to whispering, or at least she was around Jay.

"Hey." She replied back, turning to him and smiling.

Jay smirked, "How are you feeling?"

Emma nodded, "Okay."

"What do you mean how is she feeling?" Manny asked curiously, leaning in.

Jay shook his head before turning back to Emma, "So what are you guys here for? Snake sick again?"

Emma was about to reply before she saw Spike hurrying back towards them.

"Hey girls…oh hello Jay." Spike said with a smile

"Sup Mrs. S?" Jay asked with a nod.

Emma rolled her eyes.

"How is Simpson?" Jay questioned, grabbing Emma's can of Pepsi that she had in her hand and taking a swig.

Spike nodded, "Oh he's fine, just in for a checkup."

"Oh…" Jay noted before turning to Emma, "So you two are here for your dad's checkup?"

Emma and Manny both shook their heads in unison.

Jay glanced at them confusingly before taking another swig out of the soda.

Just then a doctor appeared in the waiting room.

"Mrs. Simpson, the surgery went just fine and Jack is just now going to recovery." The doctor said with a smile.

Jay choked on his drink, part of the Pepsi spitting out of his mouth.

Emma patted him on the back as the doctor turned and walked away; Spike said something about going back up to tell Snake and walked off.

Jay wiped his hand over his mouth and glanced at Emma confusingly.

"Jack was in surgery?" he asked.

Emma nodded, "Tonsillitis."

"Why didn't you call me?" he asked, just like a worried father would.

"Sorry Jay." Emma said sympathetically.

Jay smirked at her, "Its okay." He murmured as the two leaned in for a kiss.

"Oh my God." A male voice said from behind the pair.

Emma glanced over Jay's shoulder and saw Sean Cameron.

Emma squealed out his name and jumped up, pulling him into a tight hug.

"Good to see you too, Emma." Sean stated with a laugh, patting her on the back.

Emma broke away and smiled at him, "So what are you doing here?"

"Long story." He stated before turning towards Jay and nodding from Emma to him and back again, "Care to explain?"

-x-

Sean simply stared at the couple as Emma sat on Jay's lap and leaned against his chest, Jay was murmuring something in her ear and she kept on giggling.

That is just wrong, he's my best friend, she's my ex girlfriend, last I checked they hated each other. He thought bitterly to himself.

They had told him everything but it was still hard for him to believe that Jay Hogart and Emma Nelson would be together.

Manny glanced up at him and laughed when she noticed that he was continuously staring at the couple.

Moments later a piece of paper appeared in his lap.

Passing notes, eh? Sean thought and chuckled to himself, unfolding the note and revealing the petite and curvy writing style of Manuela Santos.

Shawn (she had spelled his name wrong, how thoughtful), are you jealous of Emma and Jay? –Manny

Sean shook his head and she tossed him a pink gel pen…because he loved pink so much.

NO! Not jealous of that couple, I broke things off with Emma anyway, besides we're on good terms now. I've moved on. –Sean (the proper spelling)

He tossed the note back to Manny and she read it over before looking up and rolling her eyes at him.

It seemed like hours drug on while the four of them all sat around the waiting room.

Sean glanced up and saw Tracker walking towards him, "I'm a dad."

Emma's eyes widened and she looked up at him, "Really? That's awesome!" Emma exclaimed.

"Emma Nelson sitting on the lap of Jay Hogart…that's not something you see everyday." He muttered with a laugh before turning to Sean, "Do you want to see your niece?"

Sean nodded and got up.

"I want to see the baby." Manny shot out, getting up as well.

Tracker nodded and then turned to Emma and Jay.

"My brother's going to be getting out of recovery in a bit, I better stay here." Emma stated before turning her head to Jay, "But you can go."

Jay shook his head, "I will later, though." He said and looked up at Tracker, Sean, and Manny.

Sean shrugged before he and Manny walked off, Tracker following closely behind.

Jay planted a kiss on Emma's cheek.

"You don't have any second thoughts do you?" Emma asked.

"About what?" Jay asked confusingly.

Emma sighed, "About earlier."

She felt Jay shake his head against her shoulder, "No. Why would I?"

"I don't know. A lot of guys do."

"I'm not a lot of guys, I'm one guy." Jay stated firmly.

Emma rolled her eyes, "So you're not going to dump me now and run off towards the next girl…?"

Jay chuckled, "Uh…no."

Emma smiled slightly and then watched as Spike hurried out of the elevator.

"Have the doctors shown up again?" she asked.

Emma shook her head, "No."

"But you missed Sean." Jay stated.

"Sean?" Spike asked confusingly.

Emma nodded, "His brother's girlfriend had a baby."

Spike smiled, "That's nice. How is he doing? Is he coming back to Degrassi?"

Emma shrugged, "I don't know if he'd want to come back to Degrassi. Even though he did save a life he also lost one."

Jay rolled his eyes, "I go to Degrassi, I'm doing fine."

Emma laughed, "Yeah hardly."

"Oh thanks for that." Jay muttered sarcastically.

"I'm going to go see if we can visit Jack yet." Spike said and rushed off towards the information desk.

"She just keeps coming and going." Jay stated with a laugh.

Emma nodded before sighing and leaning her head against his shoulder, "What would I do without you?"

Jay sighed, "Be miserable and single once more."

"Gee thanks Jay." Emma stated with a laugh and an eye roll.

Spike once more returned to the couple, "Are you two wanting to visit Jack?"

"Yes." Jay answered right away.

Emma laughed and got up off of his lap, lacing three of her fingers through three of his as they walked off towards the elevator.

-x-

Jack sat in one of the chairs, glancing around the hospital before back at the tiny three year old resting in the hospital bed, his eyes closed and breathing soft.

"Hey Jack Attack." He murmured quietly.

Emma leaned towards his ear with a smile on her face, "You realize you're talking to a sleeping toddler right?"

Jay turned towards her and rolled his eyes, "Yes I realize I'm talking to a sleeping toddler." He mimicked.

Emma laughed before she noticed Jack's small eyelids pop open.

"Jay!" he mouthed excitedly.

"Hey Jack Attack!" he exclaimed aloud.

"How are you feeling sweetie?" Spike asked worriedly, rushing to the tike's side.

Jack placed his hand over his throat and mouthed, "I can't talk."

"You can't talk?" Jay asked.

Jack shook his head.

"Don't worry, that's natural…he should be talking by tomorrow or the day after." the nurse stated, walking into the room to check on Jack.

"When can he leave?" Emma asked.

"Later tonight or tomorrow morning." She replied.

Jay glanced over at Jack who stared at him with his puppy dog eyes, "I'm pulling for tonight." He stated firmly, "That way we can have ice cream."

At the sound of that Jack nodded and clapped his hands together.

The nurse laughed before beginning to walk out of the room, "I'll get the release papers."

-x-

"You're acting like you're his dad…I hope you realize." Emma muttered as the two of them walked towards his car.

Manny had caught a ride with Sean and Tracker and Spike was still at the hospital letting Jack visit Snake.

Jay shrugged, "He's a cute kid, I care about him like he's my brother."

Emma leaned her head against his shoulder for a second before climbing into the car.

Jay turned on the stereo and some rock group began to blast through the speakers as he pulled out of the parking lot.

"I have a feeling that your mom and Jack are gonna be at the hospital for a while so in the meantime, want to grab a root beer?" he questioned glancing over at her.

Emma smirked, "Sure."

Maybe tomorrow she would actually comprehend everything that had happened at the ravine…but for now it was just about her and Jay together, with no worries to be held.

-x-

Yes…the last few parts were pretty lame and corny (that is where I started getting my author's block)…sorry! I will be getting back on track but right now I am so overwhelmed that school is starting in less than a week (I am not ready to be waking up at seven in the morning—seeing as if I have been nothing but a bum this summer)…sigh…oh man I need to stop thinking about that!

Anyways, hope you liked the chapter!

R&R and please…no flames!

Lotsa love, degrassichick