Be sure to visit the DeGrassi Saviors website to vote on the short story that will replace Best Thing that Never Happened. You have choices, two period fics and two Clowen stories, a Clowen twist on Lady Chatterly's Lover by D.H. Lawerence & a Clowen twist on the BBC mini series Jekyll.

Ch. 2 Night is Gone Awful Fast

(DREW)

"It wasn't my first choice in career," she replies. Her tone is heavy, sad and sort of distant. She looks away from me and out the window. "I wanted to be a lot of things over the years, I guess everyone does. I suppose I first thought about being an investigative journalist sometime after Darcy was raped. Knowing that, seeing all she was going through was really hard. I was being kept in the dark, so I tried to find everything I could about rape. I wanted to know, I needed to know, to understand what was going on. I wanted to know how to help my sister, nothing I found told me how to help her really, but having the knowledge made me feel better. I didn't find a lot, not a lot is published on rape and most of the websites are about available support groups or statistics. I found one really good article from a magazine about girls being raped after being drugged or passed out drunk. That's what happened to Darcy, she was drugged. It got into more detail than any other articles, the journalist talked to offenders, victims, families of both, and even psychologists. Reading that article made feel empowered in a way over a situation I had been completely powerless over. Anyway, I wanted to do that, to write powerful articles that change people's minds and influence them, empower them, make them curious and thirst for more."

"I didn't even know you had a sister, I'm sorry she was raped and that you went through that. Where is Darcy now?"

"Africa, she left before her senior year," Clare tells me.

She's still looking out the window, and I can tell by her tone that she doesn't want to talk about it any longer. I feel bad for making her think about it, I was curious though. I don't want her to go to co-op all sad, and thinking about her sister's rape. Hoping to cheer her up a little I bring up something I'm sure will make her smile.

"So, you have that re-first date with Eli yet?"

"No," she smiles looking back at me. I feel better just seeing the smile on her lips. "Tomorrow night, since I don't have co-op after school. Plus we both have a later curfew on Friday night. How are things with Bianca?"

"Good, things are good. Katie and I were not right together and she has a lot of problems, I'm a lot happier with Bianca."

"Yeah, I feel the same way about Eli. Jake and I were…well he really was just a rebound, felt good after all the drama with Eli. Of course, becoming stepsiblings complicated matters."

"Yeah, that would really make things awkward," I laugh.

For the rest of the drive we both talk a little about our relationships. When I park we get out and go up to offices together, Clare sits at her desk and I go back to mine. After I clock in Martin has a list of things for me to do. Most of it is work done at my desk, and I spend my first hour at my desk, so busy with work that I don't realize how much time has passed. When I do finally take a short break to get some water and use the washroom I pass by Clare's desk, but she's not there. I glance around and see that she's in Asher's office, talking with him from across the desk. I can't hear what they're saying, but even though they are sitting a couple feet apart I find an excuse to linger and watch them. It's instinct, I just don't trust Asher, something in my gut tells me not to. I can't put my finger on it, I can't explain it to anyone I just don't trust him. Nothing happens while she's in there, and when she exits his office she smiles at me.

I spend the rest of my shift at my desk, though I do use the washroom or get water quite a bit just to keep an eye on Clare and Asher. He leaves the office for an assignment just before the end of our of shifts, as soon as he's out of the office I relax. I drive Clare home when we're off, she thanks me for driving when she gets out of the car. I say I'll see her tomorrow and wait until she's inside before driving home.

"How was work?" Mom asks when I come in.

"It was good," I reply.

Mom is just getting dinner on the table and she asks me to call Dallas and Adam up before washing my hands. Dad comes downstairs and asks me how work was too, I give him the same answer. After dinner I go down to the basement with Adam and Dallas. Adam turns on the TV, he's already finished all his homework, but Dallas and I still have ours to do. I start with my math homework, only I hate math and my mind begins to wander. Soon I find myself thinking about what Clare told me in the car earlier. When Dallas' phone rings and he goes into his room to talk I decide to ask Adam about Clare's sister.

"Did you know Clare has a sister?" I question Adam.

"Yeah, Darcy. How did you know about Darcy? Clare doesn't like to talk about her."

"I asked her why she wanted to be a journalist, she told me about Darcy's rape. Clare felt powerless when her sister was raped, so she tried to research all she could about rape and how to help her sister. She found one really great article that made her feel empowered and that's when she decided she wanted to be an investigative journalist."

"I didn't know Darcy was raped, but Clare barely talks about her. She's only spoken about her a couple of times. Darcy's not in touch very much, when Clare did talk about her I got the impression she felt abandoned by her sister, I never wanted to probe."

"Yeah, I kind of got that impression too. She seemed pretty upset when she was talking about Darcy and what happened. She got happy when I changed the subject to her and Eli though."

"I hope the happy lasts this time, I think they're good together, but I don't want any drama like the last time."

"Pretty sure no one does, but Eli's on meds and stuff now right? So, no more car crashes or burning scripts on stage."

"I really hope so, he seems better now. With Eli it's sometimes hard to tell, but he's happy and he is doing a lot better."

"Good, then I don't think it's Eli we have to be worried about," I comment without thinking.

Adam looks over at me with his eyebrows furrowed, "Is there someone you think we should be worried about?"

"No, I just mean we don't have to worry about Eli now, and their relationship should be good this time. Great even, DeGrassi's epic romance," I comment quickly hoping this covers my slip.

"Epic because of his drastic measures, hopefully that is no longer an issue. Instead of epic I'd be happy if they were just happy with no drama. Or at least just the normal teen kind of drama; arguments and small bouts of jealousy that don't end up with people being poisoned or car crashes."

"Yeah, arguments I can take, but I don't get jealous."

"Sure you don't," Adam shoots back with a sarcastic tone and a laugh.

I scowl at him and look back at my book, Dallas comes out of his room with a grin on his face. He tells us he has a date with Adrianne, she's a cheerleader and a puck bunny. It takes me a couple hours to get my homework done, Adam helps me with some of it. We play video games until it's time to go to bed. I let Adam have the washroom first because I take a shower before going to bed.

Friday Clare doesn't have work, so I don't see her and don't need to keep an eye on her and Asher. I hear later from Adam that both Clare and Eli said the re-first date went great. Saturday night I take Bianca out, even on the weekends her curfew is pretty early, but we have a good time. Sunday is family day, and chores, at least with Dallas living here we get our chores done faster.

Nothing exciting happens at school this week, I spend most of my time with Bianca outside of class. Clare does work at co-op after school Tuesday and Wednesday, I kept an eye on her and Asher both days. Thankfully, Asher was out on assignment most of the afternoon both days. I also took her to work with me afterschool and dropped her at home at the end of our shifts both days. Friday afternoon Clare's working again and rides with me after school of course.

Asher isn't here when we get in, which is a relief to me. I leave Clare at her desk and walk back to mine, Martin is out at a client meeting, but as always left a number of tasks for me to do. Anytime I go to use the washroom or get water I check to see if Asher's back. He doesn't return until just before our shifts are over.

"Clare I know you're due to go home pretty soon, but would you mind staying late? I'd like to get this article fact checked and ready for the first edition tomorrow, with a preview on the online edition tonight. I won't be able to do it without your amazing fact checking skills," Asher says very persuasively as he leans over her desk.

"I don't mind staying, but Drew always takes me home and he's off pretty soon," Clare replies.

"I can hang out," I speak up.

"No need for you to wait around Drew, I can take Clare home when we're done," Asher says with a grin. I have a sick sinking feeling in my stomach, I don't like how he's grinning.

"N…" I start, but Clare cuts me off.

"That would be great, thanks Asher."

"Are you sure Clare?" I question. I'm really hoping she changes her mind and lets me take her home.

"Yeah, I'm sure. No reason for you to wait around, not sure how long I'll be," Clare insists.

"Okay," I say reluctantly, "I have some work to finish still." I go back to my desk and take as long as I can to finish, I even clock out and hang around a little longer, talking to Martin, reading some of the articles on the walls. When I'm finally out of reasons to stick around I grab my stuff and walk out to Clare's desk.

"Have a goodnight Drew," Clare smiles at me.

"Yeah, you too."

I have a date with Bianca tonight, and I should be looking forward to that. Right now I'm only worried about Clare and Asher. I'm not late for my date because I only told Bianca that I'd meet her when I was done with work, since I wasn't sure when I'd get off. When I get to my car I call Bianca as I begin driving.

"Hey, I just got off. It was a little later than expected. You still up for going out?"

"Yeah, curfew isn't for four hours yet and I haven't eaten."

"Cool, you at home?"

"No, Eli's we have a project for TV, video and movie production class. His address is…"

"I know where Eli lives, I drop Adam off all the time."

"Right, shoulda guessed."

"I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

I hang up and take surface streets to Eli's house. Bianca comes out and Eli comes with her. I doubt he wants to see me, he may have thought Clare was with me though.

"Hey Drew, Clare still at co-op?" Eli asks as Bianca gets in the car.

"Yeah, Asher asked her to stay late. I offered to stay and give her a ride, but she wasn't sure how long she'd be. She might still need a ride later though," I reply. I'm not telling Eli that Asher offered to bring Clare home because I'm not sure what he'd do. I'm still not sure that Eli is exactly stable. Still, I'm hoping if he calls her and offers to pick her up that she'll let him do it instead of letting Asher bring her home.

"Cool, I can pick her up. Have fun on your date, see you Monday Bianca."

"Bye Eli," Bianca grins.

"Later," I wave before driving off.

"I think I finally understand what Clare sees in Eli. He's smart, a great writer and he has all these ideas. I probably got the best partner in the class."

"Yeah probably, he's definitely got lots of ideas. So, where do you want to go to dinner?"

"Anywhere, I'm starving. Eli and I got so caught up in the project I've only had a couple handfuls of chips. Little Miss Steaks is close by."

"That works," I nod. I drive us to Little Miss Steaks, Marisol seats us and after a moment K.C. comes to take our order.

"Hey guys, late date night?" K.C. asks.

"Yeah, I just got off work."

"How's that going? Clare's been raving about her co-op," K.C. remarks.

"She really likes her job, and her boss. I like my job too, it's mostly tedious tasks, but my boss is great and he sometimes lets me in on the more interesting things."

"That's cool. So, Bianca you thought about what Mr. Bettenkamp said?" K.C. questions. I look over at Bianca with an eyebrow raised, I didn't know Mr. Bettenkamp had talked to her about anything.

"Not yet, I told him I'd give him my answer Monday."

"You should do it Bianca. So, what can I get you guys to drink?"

"Lemonade please."

"Coke," I order. K.C. says he'll have our drinks out in a minute and be back for our order. When he leaves I look at Bianca. "So, what do K.C. and Mr. B think you should do?"

"Join Bright Sparks, after class today Mr. Bettenkamp said I should try out. There's still an open spot on the team and Mr. B thinks I should take it. I sat in on a practice today, he says I'm smart enough, I'm not sure though."

"That's the quiz team right?"

"Yeah, they compete with other schools all over Canada. Mr. Bettenkamp says it would be good for me, and it would look great on a college transcript. It was pretty cool to sit in on the practice, the team has some of the smartest kids in the school, K.C. especially."

"Yeah, he was in the gifted program with Clare, I remember Adam telling me," I comment. I'm sure B didn't mean anything by it, yet when she talked about how smart K.C. was it felt like she was pointing out how stupid I am.

K.C. returns with our drinks and takes our order. When he leaves again Bianca starts talking about the project she and Eli are working on, and that he wants to do a play this semester. He's going to talk to Simpson about it Monday. Bianca says she might help on that too, if she has time. Now that she's talking about Eli it's got me thinking of Clare again. I'm worried about her with Asher. I try to enjoy my date with Bianca, we eat and talk, go for a drive. The only time I'm able to stop worrying about Clare is when Bianca and I are making out in my car. As soon as I drop Bianca off I'm worried about Clare again. So, I text her before I start driving.

Drew: Did you get home okay?

Clare: Yeah, Asher brought me home about an hour ago. Eli offered to pick me up, but I told him there was no reason to drive all the way down here.

Drew: Glad you got home okay. See you Monday.

Clare: Goodnight Drew.

I'm glad to know she's home safe, I don't like that Asher took her home still. She probably told Eli that she had a ride, but I seriously doubt that she told Eli her co-op boss was taking her home. I don't care how many meds Eli is on, somehow I just can't picture Eli being okay with that.

I drive home and go in through the basement, greeting Adam and Dallas. They're playing video games and barely nod at me. I leave them to their game and go upstairs, it's pretty dark because our parents have gone to bed. They always leave the kitchen light dimmed and the last one to go to bed turns it off.

I shower and get ready for bed, texting Bianca goodnight. I'm not really tired so, I stay on my phone playing a game until I get tired. Despite Clare telling me she got home okay I still have a bad dream about her and Asher. I wake up early because of it and can't get back to sleep. Used to be I'd go down to the basement and watch TV in these cases, but Dallas is sleeping down there now. So, I get on my laptop and watch on there, falling asleep again a little after seven in the morning. I have another bad dream when I do get to sleep. This time it's about me and Bianca, she breaks up with me for K.C. because I'm dumb. I wake with a terrible feeling in my stomach and a tightness in my chest.

It's after one which means my parents are out. Mom always wakes us up by noon on weekends, thankfully she and Dad are almost always out on Saturdays. Sundays on the other hand are almost always chores and family day, which usually means waking up by ten.

I'm still exhausted, with all the interrupted sleep I feel like I didn't sleep. I drag myself up, pull on some clothes, and use the washroom, I put on some deodorant while I'm in there. Then it's downstairs for some coffee, while I'm making the coffee my cell rings. I see it's Owen and I click accept, but put it on speaker so I can still make my coffee.

"Hey Owen."

"Dude I'm bored, let's go do something."

"What, no Ice Hounds practice or team bonding?"

"Some of the guys met some puck bunnies at the mall, that sounded worse than hanging out at home."

"Yeah, that does sound mind numbingly boring. I haven't eaten yet, can we do that first?"

"Sounds good, I'm hungry too. I'll come pick you up."

I hang up with Owen and go upstairs to get socks and shoes on. I bring my coffee with me, fix my hair and I'm ready when Owen rings the bell. He takes me to The Break Room, we eat and then grab a pool table.

"Hey Lucas," Owen calls just as I'm racking up. I look up to see a guy walking toward us with a smile on his face. He's got dark hair that's spiked up in all directions. A dark haired girl is with him, she's smiling too.

"How's it going Owen? You remember Jane right?"

"Yeah of course, I thought you were in California though?" Owen asks her.

"I was, I'm home for a while," Jane replies.

"Guys this is Drew Torres, he was our QB1 last semester. Drew, Lucas and Jane Valieri, Jane was the only girl ever to make DeGrassi's football team."

"Sweet, I would have loved to have seen that. We we're just about to shoot a game, want to join us?"

"Yeah, play a couple of games with us, give us a chance to catch up," Owen says.

"Cool, Jane grab us a couple of sticks," Lucas orders his sister.

"You grab the sticks," she replies shoving at him. Lucas grins and walks over to the wall to grab them pool cues. "And Owen it's Jane Vaughn, I took my mom's name remember?"

"Sorry, forgot about that," Owen shrugs. "Ladies first," Owen says as Lucas hands Jane a pool cue.

Jane smiles and leans over the table to break. It doesn't escape my attention that Owen watches her ass as she does. We shoot pool with Lucas and Jane for a couple of hours, playing me and Owen against the two of them. We play pretty slowly as we spend a lot of time talking.

We find out Jane came home and put school on hold because their mom has cancer. It's apparently pretty bad and Lucas works most nights, so Jane came home to help take care of their mom and stay with her at night. Jane got a job at a bank while she's here, regular days and hours which she needs right now. I also find out Lucas has a daughter, she's eight and lives in Paris with her mom, but comes out in the summers. Lucas was also a part of Johnny's gang, I heard about Johnny's gang from Alli.

After hearing all about them, and Owen catching them up with his life and Fitz Jane asks about me. I tell them about me and Adam, which brings eventually brings up Eli and Clare. Jane remembers Clare and tells a story about Clare standing up for her when Jane first tried out for the football team. I tell them about Clare and Eli's last breakup, Adam getting shot and Clare being there for him, and Clare and I both working at The Interpreter.

Jane and Lucas have to leave after a couple of hours to get their mom from the hospital. Before they go Owen and Jane exchange numbers. Owen and I shoot a couple more games on our own, he beats me both times, before we decide to go grab some dinner. We could eat here, but they don't offer a lot of food, so we go down the street to the pizza place.

"You go out with Bianca last night?" Owen asks as we begin eating.

"Yeah, picked her up from Eli's after work, they were working on a project together. Did you know she might join Bright Sparks?"

"Yeah?" Owen questions raising an eyebrow. "She's always been smart, just never had a chance to show it. Her aunt never cared, the few guys she ever was in a relationship with never cared, and most of her friends weren't that bright. I think that's why she liked Johnny so much, they were both closeted intelligent people."

"She didn't date lots of guys?"

"Dated, sure. Had relationships with no, just a few. Why?"

"Just curious. Were they all like Anson?"

"No, Anson was something different. You'll have to ask Bianca on that one. Most of them were like Fitz really, guys like Ron-Ron. Guys without a lot of brains that she could easily control."

"Yeah," I remark setting down my pizza.

"Dude, I didn't mean you. Even the other guys she dated for a month or two, which is the most she ever managed, they weren't really relationships. Bianca never let herself get into a real relationship, not until you."

"Sure. It's just when she was talking about Bright Sparks and how smart K.C. was, felt like she was remarking how stupid I was. Like I'm not good enough, which is a big reason why Alli and I didn't work."

"I thought you and Alli didn't work because you let Bianca give you a blow job in the boiler room?"

"Yeah, that was another reason."

"Look, I think you and Bianca are good together, if you're worried about it talk to Bianca. If you don't feel like you're good enough to be with a smart chick then I wouldn't go after Clare."

"What? Where the hell did that come from?"

"You were talking a lot about Clare with Jane and Lucas. A lot about how she is at work, how you take her after school and take her home. How much she's been around for Adam, and what a disaster she was with Eli last time. You talked about Clare more than Bianca, I think more than Adam."

"Because we both work at The Interpreter and I give her rides to and from work after school. We're becoming friends, she's Adam's best friend and that's it. I guess because we work together almost every day she's just been on my mind a lot."

"If you say so," Owen remarks but in a tone that says he doesn't believe me. "Talk to Bianca alright, if you're worried talk to B."

"Yeah, I'll talk to her."

(CLARE)

I'm woken up very early Monday morning by my phone ringing. It's still very dark outside, I grab my phone from my bedside table hoping the call is a mistake, after all who could be calling me so early? I'm very surprised to see that it's Asher calling.

"Hello?" I answer groggily. Honestly, I'm thinking it's a butt call and he didn't mean to call me.

"Hi Clare, I'm sorry for waking you up so early. I was hoping you could come in this morning before school. I can let you're teacher know you came early per my request, so you won't get in trouble for coming in so early and not going to school first."

"Uh, yeah sure. I can do that, I'll get dressed and hopefully my mom can take my stepbrother to school so I can take the truck."

"I'll be leaving in about twenty minutes, if you can be ready in thirty minutes I can pick you up and get you to school by lunch. That way you won't have to take Jake's truck at all."

"I'll be ready in half an hour," I reply and hang up.

I hop out of bed, turn on my bedroom light and pick out something to wear. I get dressed, go to the washroom and get ready in record time. I have my backpack packed and I'm waiting by my door at 5:45, the only other one up this early is Glen.

"You're up early Clare."

"Asher's picking me up, he needed me to come into work early."

"For all the extra work you do there you should be getting extra credit."

"Oh, I don't mind, I'm learning so much," I smile as I hear a car outside. I peek out of the kitchen curtains and see that it's Asher's car. "That's Asher, I'll text my mom from the car. See you tonight Glen." I hear him say goodbye as I go out the door.

"I really appreciate you coming in so early Clare. You have no idea what a tremendous help you've been these last two weeks."

"I'm really glad, I'm learning so much and I don't mind the extra work at all. Honestly, early mornings, late nights, weekends, whatever you need. I'm eager to do it all," I smile enthusiastically.

"I love your exuberant passion Clare," Asher grins back. His compliment swells delighted pride in me, my smile stretches across my lips even further.

Asher starts telling me what he needs me to do on the way to the office. When we get to the office I jump right into work, I'm doing so much and am so busy that time flies by.

"You did great work this morning Newsie, but I'd better get you to school by lunch. You can come back after school to finish up if you want. You did so much this morning though you don't feel that you need to."

"No, I'll be back this afternoon to finish up. I told you, anything you need," I reply grabbing my coat. Asher already has his coat, we go down to his car and he takes me to school. We actually make it a few minutes before the bell. "Thanks for bringing me to school Asher."

"No problem Newsie, see you this afternoon."

I grab my backpack and get out of the car. Since I have a few minutes before the bell I go to check in with Miss Oh. I'm sure Asher called to let her know, but I still want to check in with her. I walk to here classroom and knock on the door jam.

"Hi Clare, you've had an early morning. Asher said you went in with him at six?"

"Yeah, and going back this afternoon to finish up."

"You've been putting in a lot of extra hours Clare."

"It doesn't feel like it, I love this job and Asher is a great mentor, I'm learning so much."

"Glad to hear it Clare, go get yourself some lunch," Miss Oh grins. I smile back and walk to my locker.

"You must have gone straight to co-op this morning," Adam comments walking up as I close my locker.

"I went before school, Asher cleared it with Miss oh," I tell him getting my purse from my backpack. "I worked all morning, but I didn't even notice," I comment setting down my purse and taking off my jacket.

"You must really love this job," Adam laughs.

"I do," I smile stuffing my coat in my locker. Then I bend down to get my purse from the floor, "it's incr…ughmm," I groan as I straighten up and get overwhelmed with dizziness. I stumble back bumping into my locker with my hand to my head.

"Clare?" Adam questions in a worried tone. He catches my arm and supports me.

"I'm okay, just got really dizzy, guess I should have eaten this morning."

"Yeah, eating is generally a good thing. When did you get up?"

"About a quarter after five," I tell him.

"Have you had anything this morning?"

"Some water," I admit sheepishly.

"Okay, let's get you some food now. Can you make it to the caf or should I call Drew to come carry you?"

"I can walk," I laugh. Adam puts his arm around my waist and we start walking to the caf.

"Hey, where we going?" Eli calls from behind us then he runs over and gets in front of us. "You okay Blue Eyes? You look a bit pale," Eli comments with concern.

"Your girlfriend went to co-op before either of us were awake this morning and she hasn't eaten anything yet," Adam explains.

"Not good Clare, you need to eat," Eli says with a slight scolding tone. He slips an arm around my waist as well and we walk to the caf together.

"Stay with her, I'll get her something to eat," Adam instructs.

"You two need to eat lunch too," I remark.

"We've had breakfast, we can wait," Adam says and Eli nods.

Adam returns with some lunch for me and himself, then Eli gets himself lunch. The two of them stay by my side all through lunch, even though once I've eaten I feel much better. Eli tells us he's meeting with Simpson after school about the play he wants to do. Adam has Whisper Hug practice after school, the very first one. Mo finally made final decisions and came up with a name for the band.

Adam and I have both afternoon classes together and he keeps an eye on me. I can see him looking over at me every so often with a worried look. I always smile at him to assure him I'm still okay.

"If you're going back to co-op then Drew is taking you right?" Adam asks as we leave last period.

"Yeah, I texted him at the end of lunch and told him I'd need a ride."

"Good," Adam replies taking my arm.

"What are you doing?"

"Coming with you to my brother," Adam replies.

"Hey bro, you ready Clare?" Drew asks when he sees us.

"Watch her, make sure she eats something while she's there. She went in before school and forgot to eat. Eli and I made sure she ate lunch, but that's all she's had," Adam informs his brother.

"I'll make sure she eats," Drew assures him.

"Good, I got practice. See you at home Drew, I'll call you later Clare."

"Bye Adam," I wave.

"You went in before school?" Drew asks as soon as we're in his car.

"Yeah, Asher called really early this morning asking me to come in. He cleared it with Miss Oh, and he picked me up and dropped me off at school before lunch."

"And why didn't you eat this morning?" Drew asks after a moment. He looks a little stiff for some reason.

"It's not like I didn't eat anything intentionally. I was working hard and didn't realize how much time had passed. Before I knew it Asher was telling me I needed to get to school for lunch. Eli and Adam made sure I ate a good lunch. I promise I'll eat something this afternoon."

"I'll make sure of it, and I'm taking you home when we're both off."

The next update will probably jump ahead a couple weeks. With a trip to the hospital, and possibly Clare's birthday. Next story to be updated is Alone on a School Night.